Journey

Proofread By Thomas F. 9th March 2025

"Take care; if something happens beyond your control, simply close the establishment," I told Carla for the tenth time in the past hour.

"Don't worry, about the establishment Remus. Everything will be fine here," she replied.

I nodded and picked up the rapier.

The rapier had a red blade, silver handle, and black twirling guard. It's an elvish battle rapier and not a common weapon, but enchanted one.

The blade's name is Rose. It was my mother's, and it is the only thing I did not sell before coming here. I would have gotten quite a lot of money, if I did.

It felt familiar in my hand even after I had picked it up after quite a long time. Old Remus had used this blade for years, which was like a limb to him.

Killing many monsters with it until he was killed by it.

He had this blade in his hand when he struck a blow that shattered his soul, and I entered his body, merging with all the broken pieces of his soul, becoming him.

Soon, I appeared by my carriage and looked at the establishment, which I would not see for the next few days.

"It will be fine; I will take care of everything," she said. I nodded before finally stepping into the carriage with a sigh.

The carriage began to move, and I looked back until it disappeared from my view. I hope everything goes well; I have worked too hard for it to fall apart.

I regained control over my emotions and let rational thoughts flow, which told me everything would be alright. Carla is very capable; she can handle everything that comes her way. 

Soon, my carriage entered the gates of the silver mansion. As I stepped out, I saw some familiar people already there.

They are all guards, and they are from the house.

The House of Silver is a big mercantile house, and we have our forces; I heard Grandfather had sent competent people to form Edwin's army.

They were veterans with good experience. I am quite curious about the person leading them; my grandfather wouldn't send someone ordinary. 

He had invested too much for this title to do that.

"Master Remus, they are waiting for you upstairs," said the guard, who led me inside soon. They led me to the place where everyone was.

Several people are sitting in one of the meeting rooms, including Uncle, Edwin, and Madam. I focused on Lester Woods, a man who looked to be in his mid-sixties.

He is one of the captains in our private force. He had spent decades in the army, before joining our house's force.

Seeing him, I couldn't help but feel relieved. The journey would be much safer with him.

"Master Remus," greeted Lester as I appeared, "Captain Woods," I reploed before turning to my brother.

"Lord Baron," I said and sat across him without hearing his reply, for which I should have waited, but I do not care. 

Though he does, which is why he glared at me and opened his mouth but closed it from the look on his mother.

"You have come to time, Remus. We were discussing some last-minute details," said Madam.

"Are we not going with everybody else?" I asked.

My brother is not the only noble who has received the title. Over thirty people have received it, and half of them are forming a group with the security of Mirador Hold forces, which will take them to their respective territories.

"No, they have time, and we are not waiting," he replied. Impulsive as always.

"Your uncle also had to return home soon. It won't be dangerous, many nobles have gone before us," added Madam.

They had already discussed the route and were now discussing the finer points. I stayed quiet, listening without saying anything.

"Now that we have discussed everything, let's go. I could not wait to reach my territory any longer," said Edwin excitedly, making his mother shake her exasperation.

Still, everybody got up and walked out, and soon we were setting out.

"Remus, are your people coming?" said Uncle, looking at my two guards. "Yes," I replied. He had asked me to come alone, but I will not.

Putting my safety in the hands of my family would be the greatest mistake. I would not make that mistake.

These are the new guards I hired from the mercenary guild. Their services are very expensive, but they are level 20+ and have done the missions in the area we are going to.

"Your carriage can follow us then," he said, walking toward the carriage where Madam and Edwin had already entered. 

There was enough space for four people there, but he did not invite me, not that I was not surprised; I had already expected this behaviour.

I sat down in my carriage, and a minute later, the carriages rolled out of the mansion's gate.

Half an hour later, the carriages stopped at the port, which had changed a lot since I had seen it first—even from a few days ago.

It is pretty crowded, even in the morning, with people loading and unloading goods. Most ships come from merchant cities, but some go toward them.

I exited the carriage and walked with the group toward the boat waiting for us. 

As we stepped into the boat, the boatmen began rowing. I felt their skills activate as they rowed toward the other side with the smooth, practiced motion.

Nobody spoke much, not even my brother. Everyone was enjoying the serene beauty of the river. Its water was so clear that one could drink it without a problem. 

Unlike water from the earth's rivers, which is dirty and would require a trip to the emergency room, the water of Trollmouth is relatively pure; one can drink it without fear.

The boat ride ended sooner than I liked; we got out of the boat, where a woman in her forties, with a blue staff in her hand, waited with a few people.

I did not recognize her; it's not like I recognized all house employees.

She is definitely a mage; there are five mages in Edwin's army; the four are offensive types, while the fifth is a water mage proficient in healing.

Their services are pretty expensive, but the house has money.

Soon, we reached the meeting place where our forces were, and I was quite surprised by their numbers. There are nearly a hundred people, with lines of over ten carriages loaded with goods.

Seventy-two among them are part of the army, while others are servants, from cleaners to drivers. A few expert miners and farmers will also look around the territory for the most fertile land and things to mine.

The prince will send people to the territories later in the month, and they will have to prepare for them. Nobles are nothing without people to rule over.

"Remus, you will sit on this carriage," informed Uncle Raymond. The carriage is nearly at the end; there are only two carriages behind it. 

It was not what disappointed me; what disappointed me was the cargo all over it. He placed me in a cargo carriage.

"Thank you, uncle," I thanked with a sweet smile, taking a bag from Jonah before opening the carriage door and walking inside. I had expected nothing less.

 While I could have argued, I know he would have made some excuses with my brother, who is watching from a distance.

So, I should comply with a smile, as the day will come when I will have my revenge. I am not open-minded enough to forgive these petty offenses.

As I entered the carriage, I realized I was not sitting alone; another person was already there. 

He was a thin man in his mid-twenties with raven hair and deep brown eyes. He seemed quite surprised, seeing me.

"Hello," I said as I sat across from him in space, barely enough to seat. The man opposite me was in no better condition.

There is stuff all over us. On the roof, back of the carriage and inside, including beneath our feet. 

It is going to be one uncomfortable journey.

"Master Remus," greeted the other man as I put my rapier inside a gap behind the wooden box while I put the bag in my lap. 

"You are?" I asked, "Brian Dusk, accountant for the Barony of Blain," he said in a familiar accent. "You are from Redfawn?" I asked.

"Yes. I used to work in headquarters before being sent here," he replied nervously. It's clear, the man didn't like it, but had no options but to come here.

"Well, Brian, brace yourself for a rough journey; it won't be comfortable," I said as I settled in an uncomfortable seat.