Merchant City

We ride around the cold plains and mountains a big City with high walls appears in the distance... We've been traveling for quite a few days now and this is the first thing we see aside from plains or other Armadas

-What's that?-

-Oh that was a Merchant City once... Well not long ago actually.

Before the war started it was a place where merchants from far away lands or travelers would use to rest, trade and do business... It was like a base or something not a real city, so if their Journey was too long and they needed a safe... Maybe safe is not the word, It has never been an happy place... A warm meal and a bed for a few days, they could stop by here in one of the taverns and inns.

It was also used for trading by some or as a storage for others...

Very few peoples lived here permanently as far as I know,

most of them where the owners of said taverns-

He slow down his horse, beginning to walk the path leading to the entrance with a sad expression.

So I follow behind

-How is it now?-

-As you can imagine, most of the people left and those who remained... You probably guessed already.

After the war began, our men came to find this place and it was already been emptied and burned down by the enemy... Fortunately they didn't really like this place and our men began using it as a Base for the whole area... Extra food is kept here and weapons.

But anyway, it's getting dark I suggest to spend the night here-

-Sure-

From outside it looks like a fortress almost but inside it's quite different...

An uneasy feeling runs down the spine as the chill atmosphere from all around us circles us, not only because the whole place is burned down and destroyed... Also the dominance of Gray and black colours plays a part in it.

But something is odd.

I constantly feel eyes on me even if nobody is around the streets...

The man by my side begin twisting the reins in his hands and I can clearly see sweat sliding on them, he keeps on gulping down too

-Are you all right?-

-Oh? Uhm... Yeah I suppose...-

-Mhn...- I nod getting back to scroll around with my eyes

-Is there anything else you can tell me about this place?-

-Ah?! Oh... Hahaha- he almost jumps when I talk again

-It might not all be true but... Voices said that our men do not place any guards in here, since the enemy never moved a single step toward this place... Some men said this place scare them-

-And why would it?-

-I'm not sure but... There's something weird about this place, our men haven't yet discovered anything amiss tho-

-Weird? Like what?- I rise an eyebrow

-They say it's haunted, some says a terrible massacre happened here, some even says it's cursed.

These are not just campfire tales... Apparently even before the war this place has always been weird according to the people coming by here.

Everyone's permanence here would end after one night only for how unpleasant the place was-

-Mmhn... Haunted you say...-

I rise an hand to my chin lost in thoughts

"If this place was really haunted by some evil creature or ghost... Wouldn't it be the perfect place for our enemy then? It's not like I haven't seen such things among their Troupes.

Nor would they care for a curse, probably the Yougais and so would handle the situation...

The only option left is a Massacre, but how would it scare them away...?"

As I was thinking an icy blow of wind hits us, along with a tingling sensation down the spine which makes the other soldier arch his back

-A, a, actually... It might not be the best place to spend the night... We should find a better one I suppose-

-Quite the contrary, I want to stay here even more now-

-Miss?! Are you a Masochist or something? What would we do if the voices were true?!-

-We'll see when the time comes, let's find a decent place first... It's quite much colder here than in other places-

-Eh... Sure-

...

-That should be it...- I say cleaning my hands from the "seasonings", If I can call such some dry erbs found on the way here, and begin pouring two bowl of hot soup.

-Here you go- I pass one to the soldier seated on the floor, trying his best to not hit his head over the fallen roof

-Oh thanks Miss-

-It's no problem... At least we managed to find a dry spot at the end- I smile seating beside him

-Yes, who would have thought such a bad storm was coming... The sky have been clear for the whole day!-

-Maybe this place really is cursed-

My joke makes him to straighten up alarmed, ending up hitting his head against the roof

-Hahaha I'm just playing with you relax-

-That... Wasn't funny Miss-

-Apologies- I say covering my smile with one hand

The man gets back to seat down glaring at me -So... You can have fun too afterall uh?-

-What's that supposed to mean? I'm human and young, of course I can-

He's the one chuckling this time before taking a full spoon in the mouth -Feels weird that's all, in our... My Armada- he corrects himself since I am no longer part of it -The men described you as someone who only knows and talks about war... That you would lecture anyone for doing the smallest mistake and look at themnfrom above-

He gulps down worried before rushing to fix his sentence

-B b but they also think you would be the perfect commander we need! Because afterall on the battlefield we do not need fun and games... Right?-

I sigh

-I'm sorry if I look as if I'm trying to push others down, I just wanted my men to become better so they wouldn't die too easily...

But of course I can have fun too, when needed. Back at the capital I often used to go out with the guys from the Sect...

We would drink and enjoy music, laugh and have fun like everyone else...

I might not looks like one but I am actually a Noble, I took part to many "social" events in the past... Like banquets and parties, I've been at the Palace too a couple of times-

-Woah really?! The only time I did was when I got singed up in the Army years ago! But never saw any Royal family member or Royal delicacy either! I'm so envious-

The expression of awe on his face is quite hilarious as I talk about things he probably could never do only because of his status

-Yeah, I guess there's a good side to all those burdens afterall...-

-But tell me more! I'm quite curious now of this normal side of such a legendary warrior!-

-I wouldn't say Legendary hahaha!

Anyway... Do you remember the Prince who got married?-

-The one you arrested cuz he wanted to steal the throne?-

-Eh... Yes, but that's not the point, he recently got married and for the wedding we...- and so the dinner goes on.