Welt leaned on the roof of The Mangled Mill inn with tired eyes and let out a big yawn.
This will be difficult.
Someone was clearly following him around last night. It'd taken all he had to slip their vision just before reaching the inn. He decided to stay outside for the night, forsaking his room for the windy streets and rooftops.
Did they already realize his plan to release Gahan? No, he'd done nothing suspicious yesterday. So, what was happening?
What could possibly bring this... whatever this force was... upon him?
Welt watched the sky come alive with pale pink and blue hues as the Sun rose behind him. He sat, contemplating the previous day's events for a while, trying to discern what could have set them on his tail.
Ira?
Indeed, she was the only real event from yesterday that could've brought attention to himself. But, after their arrest, the two had just hoenstly walked around. Was she someone important?
A... jealous husband?
No, am I a moron?
Welt woke himself better with a head thump against the dye-black roof tiles. He felt them crack slightly under his head's unnatural weight, and decided to use a smack to wake himself up next time.
I guess I can just keep my distance from her for the rest of my stay.
Welt sighed, thinking about the day's tasks. There was a lot to do, most notably was another trip to the Guards Barrack. He'd forgotten to bring it up the last few times he'd been there, but notifying them of the Fog on the Southern Trail was important to keep travellers safe.
Welt began clambering down from the roof of The Mangled Mill. He used the edge tiles to support his immense weight, and patiently transferred it from each stone in the building's wall, being careful not to pull any of them free from their position.
It got easier the further he went down, with more pressure on the stones holding them in place. He even used the Blink Stick a few times as a useful handhold or extra reach.
He landed on the street with a powerful thud as his boots slammed into the cobbles beneath. To his side, a woman with a long coat on watched him, wide-eyed as she ate a skewer of meat.
"Morning."
...
...
Welt straightened himself, tossing the Blink Stick into the alley closest to him. He looked at Ira with a straight look.
"I was lost."
She didn't press him further.
***
Ira and Welt walked together towards the Barrack while chatting idly about their own plans for the day. It seemed that Ira wanted to find some history books to look into his claims about the Old Kingdom.
They arrived without much trouble, but a little later than he'd hoped. They stopped once as Welt helped a child who had lost their mother in the crowds, and Ira earned some Coin from an Arm Wrestling competition.
The barrack was made of simple stone, like most other houses in Endsham. It had red banners that hung at angles on either side of an iron-gated archway, both pulled wildly in the morning gale. The stonework extended as far as two people high, with a simple thatched roof atop it.
Flimsy.
The guard on duty looked at them both, the previous day's troublemakers, with a shifty and exhausted gaze.
"I would like to report the nature of a nearby Fog Veil. About a day's walk South."
The tired and fed-up guard straightened himself at the words, instinctively saluting Welt and stumbling as he went about getting his superiors.
"Y-yes, Sir! Right away, come in!"
Ira similarly looked to Welt with an impressed look, her ceaseless feast of skewers pausing for a beat as she processed his words.
Welt felt calm and confident. He was in work mode. When it came to talking to clients, organizing jobs, and reporting information, Welt was able to remove himself from the particulars of any discussion and focus on what was important.
It was whenever conversation was more... conversational, that he began to falter.
Welt followed the rushing guard through the metal archway, taking note of the stone ceiling above it, extending from above him for a few paces before opening up to the wooden beams that helped hold the tatching up.
Flammable.
The interior of the Barrack was simple in design, its entryway led several steps until it opened to a lower, dug-in sparring area.
The sparring area was floored with flat-shaved flagstones cut from some cliff or mountain not found in the Harvestlands. They were darker in colour than the cobbles of Endsham, smoother and shiner in texture.
They reflected the armoured spearmen and their straw-constructed opponents well, like peering into Strahta's dark Layers of Death beneath the world.
The walkway bordered the sparring area with surprisingly intricate stone-carved pillars. There was enough room for a group three-breadth wide to walk comfortably, and an array of wooden furniture decorating the raised area.
Guards peppered the walkway; all talking, eating, or - if they were especially bold - sleeping. Beyond the sparring area was a more closed-off room, separated with another iron gate.
The room had a number of lengthy tables with benches tucked beneath them. Welt and Gahan had once sat at the closest table, when they first entered Endsham.
To the left were a number of separated rooms, barred with iron-reinforced wooden doors, each bolted shut, with a window in them for viewing into. The third on the left had housed Gahan before, and it seemed to do so again.
The room was lightless, enough that you could see nothing but a red-splatter against the far wall, where some daylight managed to break into.
Yet, even without sight, the smell was unmistakable. A powerful stench of blood emanated from the room, filling Welt's mind with ugly and troubling thoughts. He could smell the broken bones, the torn flesh, the puncture wounds, and the smell of singed flesh and ash. The soft and gentle smell of Lavendar also drifted from the room. Were they using magic on him?
And, of course, the faint smell of Gahan came through. An unwashed, brash, silver-tongued, and witty smell, with a heavy dose of alcohol smothering it like a suffocating hand. He was still in there.
Endure. Just one more night.
Gale noticed their approach, turning and giving a heavy look to Welt.
"Welt... even if you are the Pale Cub... I simply can't allow you to get off unscathed for another infraction. I let you go fine-free yesterday, but you'll definitely need to spend some time in a cell if you continue to-"
"H-he's here on business, Cap'n Gale, Sir! A report on the Southern Fog!"
I specifically told him not to call me that. Did Ira...
Welt glanced to his side worriedly, looking at Ira, who had followed him into the Barrack. Surely enough, she looked at him with an eyebrow raised, and an amused look on her face.
She heard it!
Welt wiped his brow, and tapped his foot nervously as Gale corrected himself.
He was definitely out of work mode.
"Oh? As expected of the Pale Cub! Wyh, even without his mighty father, The Bear of The East, The Pale Cub would still fight off dangers in the Harvestlands for us! Why, such a fearsome cub would-"
"Gale. Lets discuss the deails, please. I beg you. Please."
Welt had his arm outstretched and palm raised, as if trying to silence Gale with a signal. Luckily, his voice had managed to cut Gale off, but only another two and half insulting nicknames too late.
Ira had a barely suppressed laugh held behind her puffed cheeks and wincing eyes, holding her stomach to try and contain it.
Gale... I wont forget this!
***
Welt concluded his report on the Fog Veil in the South without much difficulty. He kept it almost completely truthful, obscuring a few details about what had happened to him involving the dream, and any injuries that should have left more noticable scars that were missing.
He mentioned the Dreamhost, as well as the dark-furred wolf, and the nature of the mind attack that the Dreamhost seemed to be capable of.
Mentioning it seemed to draw a lot of surprise from a few of the guards, including Gale. Even Ira asked him questions about what it had been like to be under its influence.
There was a lot of suprise and awe at the mention of the large bird that had attacked him in the night, causing him to flee into the Fog. It was, arguably, more value information than the information about the Fog itself.
The guards murmured in fear of the terrifying creature, but were very impressed at Welt's claim of taking out one the monster's eyes.
After the report was compiled, the guards thanked Welt and gave him a payment of Ten Silvers. Much less than the reward of handing in Gahan, but that spoke more to the absurdness of his bounty than anything else. Ten Silvers was rather common as far as information went, and perfectly acceptable payment for a job well done.
Welt took the payment without hesitation, thanking the guards for their time, and allowed himself to be escorted out by Gale.
He noted, as he left, that the cells were all roofed with iron sheets atop heavy stone archings, completely covered by sturdy materials.
...Not Faulty.
"There's been no sign of Drun, Welt, I'm sorry. I even asked the guards who patrol the trails, and there's been no sign of him these past few days. I'd be surprised if they had missed anything, especially someone as noticable as him. Perhaps he wasn't headed East?"
"You might be correct, Gale. Thank you for your help."
"Of course, anything to help out the Pale Cub!"
...
"You have a safe journey, Welt. There will always be jobs here in Endsham if you need extra payment. A young man of your talents would be a vital addition to keeping us safe."
"...Thank you, Gale. I will be off, now."
"Take care! You too, maam!"
Ira waved goodbye to the Captain, and followed behind Welt for a few paces, staying silent.
...
...Please... Please, Don't.
...
"Hey, Cub, wanna come with me to find books, Cub?"
...
"Hm? Pfft- Huh.. Ha- Huhah... C-"
Welt's fears had come true.
"Cub! Hey, hey, little bear cub! Pale Boy! Let's go! Hahahahaha!"
Her laugh was obnoxiously loud.