Edric felt his sense warn him like an alarm clock; the feeling of being watched lingered as they exited the tent. Initaly Edric brushed it off of paranoia after all most people here where merc’s, officer or atleast someone with hostility. But the feeling lingered for far too long. He couldn’t trust his hutch, he lacked experience, he gives Kael who waled beside beside with his hands over his heads and a low hum sung behind his calm demaener.

  Kael saw through his glare loud and clear, he leaned it closer motioned his hand to look like he was adjusting his hood but in truth he was covering his mouth. “You felt that bastard too, didn’t you?”

  Edric nodded, for some reason he felt slight hint of pride . His senses compared to the time he reached this bizarre world have improved with there bizarre adventure.

  “So what do we do now?” Edric muttered his voice low.

  “Hmmm… we could fight them,” Kael said, smirking. His hands cletching his staff with excitement.

  Why do I even ask…

  “Who do think they are? You think there from Magnus or someone elses” Edric mind raced with various character profiles and possibilities that made his head spin. Kael wrapeed his arms around his shoulder, giving him a light pat to snap him to reality.

  “Relax, does it matter. It could just be a thief who knows.”

  “Right, it doesn’t matter who it is, so….” Edric cocked his head. “Why don’t we find out?”

  “Ohhh you got a plan”

  “Not in particular, but why don’t we go take random stops here and there. That way if he was a thief he would either gotten tied and leave or try to steal. If he doesnt we can pin him off in an ally or just escape with a distraction.”

  “Fight you say, that could be fun”

  “Oi, stop grinning. We only directly confront them as a lost resort. Remember we can’t waste any more time.”

  “Ughh, aye aye captain” Kael voice deflated like a child whose toy broke.

  Pretending the stalker didn’t exist the pair made their way from location to location. The first of which was a potion shop, not that the most grand place but seemed sufficient enough. Edric was greeted with a mix of various smells that reminded him of dead frogs from the left while a scenet of cherry blossoms from the right. The wasn’t particul big on the inside, but it was furnhised with a strange variety of potions. As Edric observed more he noticed the way it is arranged, the healing poitons and uitlity were on the left placed in shelfs that were swept that day. While on the right… it looked like a cemetery. Spider’s bult there homes on the corners, the wood decayed to a dark swampy green and the lighting it self was dark. Which perfectly suited the products which were a variety of poisons ranging from small veils, needles and….

  “Is that a rod, or what is think it is with a poisen latex” Edric voice a mix of disgust and astonishment.

  “Yeah,” Kael cocked his head, rubbed his chin. “ I think the story goes, prostitutes were hired by assiasns to kill there master..” Kael smirked. “I heard it goes well with a aphrodisiac, heh I bet they went smiling.” Kael chuckled and Edric was astonished.

  Might be crude but also kinda genius when you think about it. Although not sure if the shopkepper is going with a heaven and hell metaphor with the production design.

  “Most importantly I don’t think our little friend is following us,” Edric took a brief glance back and no one suspieces entered the establishment. Well it made sense the shop is to small to hide, the perpetrator might be waiting outside .

  “Let’s just buy whatever we need and head out.”

  Edric nodded, went through the shelfs starting from the left or heaven he called it. On were what you would expect— healing potions in viels and flasks in verying potency. The expensive it gets the more potent it is, and Edric noticed something. From right to left it was ordered from cheapest to most expensive in the end near the cashier. Once other thing Edric notices was that there healing potiosn for each elements.

  Edric muttered to himself as he read the labels.“Elemental Healing potion of Fire? So does it only heal if your affinity is fire or is it more effective to people with fire affinity”

  Kael who was grabbing the elemental healing potion of wind nearby humming to himself. “Basicly your element changes the inner magic circuit or whatever. So a elemental potion is more effective for them… Although only if your an intermiedaite or higher level in your affinity. For most a standard 70-80% healing potion is good enough.”

  Hmmm…. Than I don’t need it. Perhaps I should grab it for Aeris. I might not know how strong is an advanced and weather Aeris is close to an advance but she is strong and would become stronger. He thought to himself as he grabbed a set of the viels.

  Along with it they grabbed the standard healing viels, pills, Enchanted bandages and wraps and a small necklace that caught Edric’s gaze. Accordign to it’s description it gives a shield on emergency or threat. As how it detects a threat or what is the defination of threat is a mystery and it wasn’t exactly cheap at fourty gold but they had enough money and Edric wanted to grab somethign for Xantha since she can’t fight all the rest of them.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Now they turned towards the other side of the shop which upon enterign the shelfs had a combination of smells and fragernace that left Edric in awe. There were a varierty of piosens ranging from needles, pills and so much more. He was debating on if they need piosen it not like they will assainate someone…. Hopefully.

  “Ahhh, do we actualy need any of this?” Edric’s voice shaky as he grew more and more uncomfertable standing between the shelfs.

  Kael on the otherhand was perfectly fine. “Off course we need to,” he grabbed some posion needles which were enchanted by wind magic. “It’s the best way to hunt, and if ever need to kidnap someone piosen is the best to knck them out without wasting any sweat.”

  Made sense I guess. Let’s see what would be usefull. Edric browsed through the catalogue, on the bottom shelf there were flasks of paralyze potion meant to be dipped in arrows and blades. He might not be good enough to use without accidenlty paralysing himself but Aeris could and also it’s flamable too.

  He grabbed a set of it, then procced to grab a set of hunting posion labeled “Begineer hunters kit,” which were beside “Master Hunter kit.”. The master kit’s bag was not only thrice as big, it was four times as expensive and five times the frangence. Even at a glance it personified death.

  Ignoring that Edric picked the Begineer Hunter’s kit. Kael had finshed picking up all the neccasry items. Then they went to the cashier, paid the price and put msot of them in there magical pouch.

  Edric was on guard as they made there way out, there’s no telling if the follower planned something for them. Alas nothing unusual happened, it was just the busy buzz of people wandering the street.

  They made there way across the street, looking at the shops and bantering with each other. For a while it seemed like there strange stalked had disappeared. But just as Edric was about to breath a sigh of relief— the iry feeling returned. Edric was more annoyed than afraid , based on the feeling he could tell they kept the same distance as before not coming closer and not doing anything interesting just watching.

  Kael scoffed , clutching his staff tightly. “that persistent bastard, Why I ought to–”

  Edric placed his hand over his staff before he did anything regrettable. “Relax, it doesnt look like he is trying something. Let’s just go about our day, besides we leave in a few hours and besides,” His voice cheeky. “There’s less eyes at night, and we can test out your posion needles.”

  Kael chuckled, “ Looks like I’m rubbing off on you. Still it would so much better if that guy was actualy good at pursuing. Right now he is like a pesky fly.” a thought struck his mind. “What if it’s a beautiful girl who fell for my handsomness”

  “Haha, enough of jokes. Let’s go to a armory or blacksmith whatever they call it here.”

  “Hey I’m searous here.”

  “I’m sure you are.”

  They spent the next couple minutes , gazing at shops from the outside. For some odd reason the mercenary in this town seemed to adore armories as most of them were crowded. After half n hour the pair entered a armory hidden inside an alleyway that was relatively free.

  As soon as they entered, they felt the temperature increase by three or four degree. The interior of the armory was much different from the exterior. The walls were made of a hard grey stone, infact it seemed to be carved from a single stone based on the lack of symmetry. In addition to the stone walls, racks made of wood and stone were constructed to display the weapons, armors and tools.

  There cracks formed on the walls, that it almost looked like veins or roots with a soft red glow that pulsed rythmcly to the clang of the hammer coming from the blacksmith. The blacksmith looked to behind the cashier the inside blocked by curtains. The cracks were highly concentrated at the door, slowly seeping out from there. In a sense it felt like the entire armory was alive, made out of a heart of forge.

  Edric remained in a daze for a good minute before he snapped back into reality.

  I should really stop doing that. Edric thought as he turned his head to check the products.

  Now what do we need, weapons? No the three of us have one and I doubht Xantha know how to use it. Perhaps a shield to protect her, yeah that would work. Some new armor would also help, something light, flexible with some protection.

  He browsed through the various armors and tools— helmets, chestplat, belts, swords and so much more. All made of different material, different elements and so much variation that it made Edric head spin. Kael who seemed quite sure of what he wants was browsing light tunic armor meant for martial artist.

  While he was doing that Edric looked for a better fit, sense the rob he is currently wearing provides as much protection as paper. There were plenty of options, but in the end he settled for a robe in the shade of navy blue, with a light engraving of a lion on the cape and was enchanted with protection magic ideal for anything stealth as well basic protection from elements.

  Kael had already decided on what he wanted by then. “Nice find,” he said watching Edric staring at himself in the mirror. “What else do we need?”

  “Let’s see, something for Aeris. Some armor, probably light armor given her style and something for Xantha. Hey why don’t you look for Aeris you would know more than me and I look for Xantha.”

  Kael nodded, walked toward the cashier to ask about it. Edric browsed through the shield section in hopes to find something for her. The shields were of various sizes, and shape. One of which was as big as teh door, that made Edric wonder on who on earth will use this. Than he found something interesting.

  It was a shield shaped like an umbrella, a metal umbrella to be specific. The handle was made of a metal rod engraved with an enchanted that made it light to wield. The rib was made of metal blade with sharp corner and the tip was a sharp spear. It would be ideal to carry around on there journey, not bulky for her and can be used as a weapon. Also can be used during the rain which was a nice bonus.

  Tools were next on there agenda. Edric was standing in awe with all the varieties of tools and instruments to pick, all of them with different info around them that didn’t make sense.

  “Temperoy paralyzes elemental beasts” He squinted, reading the fine details in tiny text. He wasn’t sure what elemental beasts were, but grabbed it anyway since it was cheap.

  After scrambling for a few minutes, the duo left with their magic full with weird and dangerous items.

  Edric paused for a moment he stepped out the door, he swirled left and right for there follower. Other than a few mercenaries and civilians there was no one present in there line of sight. Then the feeling of being watched occurred again, only this time it was much closer and venomous.

  “This guy is annoying,” Kael scoffed, spinning his staff like a toy. “What else do we need buy, huh?”

  Edric in his head crossed off item that they would need, it was safe to say they exceed expectation. Only thing left was transportation which he was confident the girls can handle. “Nothing left, well except transport. I’m Aeris and Xantha can handle that.”

  Kael cocked his head, rubbed his chin as a strange thought occurred. He wrapped his arm around Edric’s shoulder, with a reassuring squeeze he said. “Why don’t we kill two bird with one stone..” Edric raised his eyebrows. “We have plenty of time to waste, enough money too. Although a bit less after over shopping spree and that bastard isn’t going to let us go.”

  “So what? I take it you have a plan,” Edric had a gut feeling he wouldn’t like what ever scheme Kael has cooked up.

  “Let’s go to the one place, where the bastard won’t follow us, as well for some entertainment and double our money,”

  —---

  “Behold Edric, “ Kael excited, gestured to this newfound place he dragged Edric.

  “A gambling den,” Edric exclaimed , for the past ten minutes he was dragged into an alleyway, then to an underground basement using a secret door , which Kael just knew… Then taking the creaking steps,bribing the guards they entered the mysterous place.

  It resembled a big tavern then the typical casino Edric imagined— the air was filled with a smell good beer, the clicking of coins, and the sound of people arguing and crying as they lost there money echoed through the hall— multiple tables with dealers present lined up in circular fashion with the main bar at the center. It wasn’t to big, but enough to host 50 people.

  Kael smirked, his voice giddy with excitement like a toddler. “Let’s go have some fun,” He casually walked towards a table, already filled with players of various sizes.

  Just Great, Gambling. Edric shrugged, followed his partner two steps behind with his face concealed if he needed to have a get away. Since he didn’t know any game or the rules, he simply stood behind Kael. Who was seated, tossing the coins in his hand.

  Just a normal game of cards, then within three hours , they leave to meet the girls and exit the city…. At least that’s what was supposed to happen.