Chapter 4 : The road to Balmwich

Early Morning

Felix gets ready, trying to enjoy a drink . As he sipped, trying to enjoy a rare moment of calm, voices drifted from a nearby table. Two men sat close, speaking in low, hurried tones. At first, Felix ignored them—until a few words caught his ear.

"Did you hear?" one said, his voice laced with tension.

"Hear what?" his companion replied, curious.

"Someone wiped out the Slavers gang. The one camped out in the forest. Saved all the kids. Sent them to the church."

Felix's eyes narrowed slightly. He lowered his drink. "Liking the conversation".

"The Hollow Blade?" the second man asked, visibly leaning in, excited. "Was it him?"

"I don't think so," the first replied, shaking his head. "The bodies didn't have his usual marks. One of the slavers was so mangled, they couldn't even identify him."

"Then who the hell did it?"said the companion.

"No one knows. They asked the rescued kids, but... not one of them spoke. Not a single word."

The second man chuckled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Well, whatever. The village can sleep easier now. Maybe I hope the rest of those slavers will start dropping too, one by one."

"Yeah..." The first nodded, but his voice trailed off, eager to change the subject. "Hey, did you hear? They're showcasing the dragon's head in a near town."

"The dragon's head?" his friend blinked. "Where?"

"Balmwich. People say it's massive."

"Too expensive," the second groaned. "The entry pass alone costs a fortune. And we still have to stop by Goldcrest for the sales."

Felix stood slowly, placing his now-empty cup on a nearby crate. He approached the table with quiet steps and pulled a small pouch from his coat. A few gold coins clinked softly as he set them down in front of the two men.

"Will this be enough?" he asked, his voice calm, measured.

The two men exchanged a look, caught off guard.

Felix raised a hand slightly, reassuring. "I'm not a spy. Just someone passing through. Let's make it simple. Coin toss. Heads, you let me travel with you. Tails, you keep the gold, and I go my own way."

The first man raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Sounds fun."

Felix flipped the coin. It danced in the air, catching the light—then landed with a soft click.

Heads.

"I win" said felix .

placed two more coins on the table. "Here. A gift."

The man laughed. "Guess I'm in. Name's Edric. This here's Jodric."

Felix shrugged. But "I only have one request."

Edric leaned back slightly, a touch cautious. "What is it?"

"I want to learn more about this empire," Felix said. "And the towns around it. I'm not familiar with this new land I am a traveller."

"Well," Jodric said with a proud grin, "you've found the right pair. We know these roads better than most."

Edric nodded: "We're leaving in about an hour. Be at the village gate. It's a three-to-four-hour ride to Balmwich."

One Hour Later – Village Gate

The sun was rising higher, melting away the last of the morning fog. Felix stood waiting at the gate when a small, well-kept carriage approached. Edric waved from the driver's bench, reins in hand, while Jodric clutched a map and munched on dried fruit.

"Hop in," Edric called. "Sit in the back. You look like you haven't slept in days."

"I'm fine," Felix replied, climbing aboard.

Edric glanced at him from the corner of his eye. "Got something on your mind?"

"Nothing."

"I get it," Edric said, his voice quieting. "Whatever it is... it'll pass."

They rode on in relative silence for a while, the carriage gently swaying with the uneven road. The wind smelled of pine and wildflowers.

"So," Edric eventually asked, "why Balmwich? That dragon head?"

Felix nodded. "That, and I heard the village is known for its herbs. I'm hoping to find something rare. And affordable."

"You heard right," Edric said. "Balmwich needs a pass to enter, though. Pricey, but that's how they keep crime low. Clean streets, little corruption. The taxes and entry fees fund everything."

"No slavers, then?" Felix asked.

Edric hesitated. "Not openly. Maybe a few rats hiding in the shadows, but none dare trade here. Balmwich is guarded by Orric—one of the Seven Sword Edges. Slavers avoid places with men like him."

Felix perked up. "Orric? How strong is he?"

"Very," Edric said seriously. "Fifth strongest swordsman in the empire, they say. His blade grows stronger the more he's wounded. Crazy power."

Felix leaned forward. "There are four stronger than him? And who are the Seven Sword Edges? Is Hollow Blade one of them?"

Edric shook his head slowly. "Hollow Blade? Nah. He's a ghost story. Might not even be real. But the Seven? Oh, they're real. Legends, each one."

He began listing them off with a reverent tone:

"Kaelith, the Shattered Blade—Veysharra, City of Glass Spires.

Dain Hollowvein—Grimhold, the Bleak Citadel.

Sylvara, the Silent Storm—Thundenfen, Marsh of Echoing Swords.

Riven, of the Ashen Gate—Emberfall, the Scorched Monastery.

Orric, the Last Laugh—Balmwich, where we're headed.

Maris, the Unbroken—Briarwatch, the Thorned Keep.

Talisan, the Wandering Edge—a nomad with no fixed home.

Three women. Four men. Each is a master of the sword."

Felix absorbed the names, repeating some under his breath. "Do you know what they're capable of?"

"Just rumors," Edric said. "We're merchants, not warriors."

"Still," Felix muttered, "if they're that strong, why don't they wipe out the slavers?"

Edric glanced back at him. "It's not that simple. The slavers have powerful backers. The Nobles. Even the Seven can't just go cutting through the empire's roots. Most of the slaving happens in backwater villages, too far for anyone to care."

Felix's jaw tensed. His hand clenched at his side.

Edric noticed. "Where are you from, Felix?"

"A village far to the east," Felix said, his voice quiet. "A forgotten place."

The road stretched on in silence again, save for the steady rhythm of wheels against dirt and Jodric's occasional snacking.

Then, Jodric looked up. "We're almost there."

"One more thing," Edric added, his tone a bit more serious. "In Balmwich, don't look anyone in the eye with anger. Don't speak loudly. People see it as disrespectful—sometimes even a crime."

Town Gate – Balmwich

The gates rose like marble giants, flanked by armed guards in dark steel. A long line wound its way forward—families, merchants, travelers—all gathered to witness the famed dragon.

They purchased their passes and stepped into the city.

Felix's eyes widened. The streets were polished white stone, the buildings tall and elegant. The air smelled of lavender and spice. Everything shimmered with order and wealth. It was nothing like the village he had left behind.

They climbed down from the carriage, drawn toward the crowd converging around a grand plaza. Excitement buzzed in the air.

Felix flipped a coin absently. It spun and landed in his palm—heads.

"A good day," he murmured.

Then, something unusual. A leaf drifted down from the sky, but it did not fall like the others. It twisted, spiraled—then, just as it neared Felix, it shattered. Not just torn—reduced to nothing, as if it had never existed.

Scene shifts to a ash haired man watching from afar.

Ash-haired figure: "Took you long enough."

Note : I don't know what to do anymore 😞