Each wizard had their own room. The sun shone brightly into Zeldris's room, thankfully waking him up on time. It was about 7:30 in the morning as the quintet of wizards made their way north east towards the archaeology site where their service was requested.
"There it is," remarked Bixlow who now had his short, tin can like dolls with him floating behind him.
"Dig site! Dig site!" the dolls remarked.
A medium height bearded man waved at the wizards welcoming them to the site, this was Jean-Luc Neville, head of the archaeological society.
"It's so good to see you," he remarked, the three older, and much smaller members of the society stood nodding. "I apologize for being so brisk with this, but we need you to transport these jewels." Jean-Luc pulled up a red velvet bag and opened it. Inside contained five rose colored jewels. "These are the jewels of the Rose Garden, these used to belong to an ancient king from about 500 years ago. We need you to transport them to the Akane Natural History Museum. We need this done with the absolute speed and safety."
"I see. I can place one of my enchantments on it to keep it sealed until we reach Akane," Freed said as he began putting up a spell of purple words onto the bag, sealing it. Freed then asked, "when do you need them in Akane? I know you mentioned the importance of speed".
"As soon as possible," Jean-Luc responded, though quickly correcting himself, "actually, we need it there by tomorrow night, in time for it to be displayed." Freed and the other wizards nodded in understanding.
"The fastest way to Akane is the overnight stopping train from Ace of Spades, to Magnolia, then a change of trains to Hargeon, and again in Hargeon to Akane," finished Jean-Luc.
"Actually, since it was the fastest way to Akane, and your master let us know you were coming, we went ahead and got tickets for the five of you." Jean-Luc reached into his bag, pulling out the tickets, and started pulling out stacks of jewel. "Actually, we know the reward is 5 million. Half of it is paid now, and half will be paid when you get the jewels to Akane," he finally finished, as he hurriedly got the money out of the sack.
"So good luck Laxus and Thunder Legion, be safe. We've been threatened ever since the jewels were discovered!" shouted Jean-Luc as the quintet of wizards hurried back to the train station.
The wizards understood this threat and as they hurried back, getting settled on the train. Laxus was turned to stone as the train left the Rose Garden city.
"I know you three have dealt with much worse, but what's the chance of us actually encountering bandits or anyone trying to steal the jewels?" Zeldris asked as the train picked up speed.
Freed shrugged, "there's no telling honestly." Freed said as he stood up, noting the lack of people besides themselves in the carriage.
"Since the Jewels were only recently discovered, and only a handful of people know about it. It would be unlikely we would be attacked," assured Freed.
"That being said," Bixlow countered, "we need to be ready in case someone does try to swipe the jewels. The society did mention they were receiving threats and some attacks." The four wizards grimly nodded at Bixlow's words.
Zeldris could not help but ponder. "What could somebody do with the jewels if they were stolen?" Zeldris asked, "You could not sell them very easily" he added.
"With the fall of the dark guilds along with defeating Zeref and the Alvarez Empire, it has left a continent-wide power vacuum. So many groups may be doing stuff to try and establish themselves for power," remarked Freed.
"I mean, that's kind of what those Avatar losers were trying to do after the Barrum Alliance fell," added Bixlow.
"Barrum Alliance?" asked Zeldris.
"You really don't know anything about Fiore, do you?" Evergreen sighed. Zeldris shook his head in response.
"It was the Barrum Alliance of dark guilds, who worshipped the black wizard Zeref and believed that he was dead. Many of their efforts were to revive him," Freed continued, "In 784 and 791 we defeated the three main dark guilds of their alliance. All the lower guilds faded out as they were captured by the Magic Council," Freed finished.
"With the alliance gone, another similar dark guild called Avatar was bent on bringing Zeref back until we defeated them," Bixlow added on, Zeldris nodding in understanding.
The train was now slowing down to prepare for the arrival into Ace of Spades. The Quartet got ready to change trains, getting tickets ready, noting they had a short time to change trains. As the train glided to a stop, Evergreen once again brought Laxus back, as it happened, Zeldris could not help but ask the dragon slayer, "what's it like being turned to stone? Especially that many times?"
Laxus shrugged "it's no different than being frozen in place with no thoughts or anything, it's kind of nice actually" he chuckled as the five now changed trains, walking at a brisk pace.
They boarded the train, again going for the last row of the last carriage. Settling down again, eager for the meal on the train that would be served later, since it was an overnight train. While they settled down Zeldris fell into a deep sleep.
When Zeldris was awakened the train was gliding into the station in Magnolia. Rubbing his eyes he murmured, "hmmm, going to Magnolia yet not getting off to go to the guild, seems so strange," as he followed the other members.
More audibly Zeldris remarked, "I may not be motion sick like the dragon slayers, but I'll be happy to stop being on trains soon". As the other wizards settled down, they could not help but chuckle.
"I would have to agree Zeldris, we're not that used to trains or wagons because of Laxus's motion sickness," Evergreen said jokingly.
The train left Magnolia and picked up speed towards Hargeon. It was much faster than his previous train trip to the port city. Zeldris's stomach growled noticeably loud, the three wizards chuckled as Freed reached into a separate bag.
"Here, we save one of the sandwiches from the overnight ride" Freed said comfortingly as he handed Zeldris a nice-looking turkey and cheese sandwich. Zeldris scarfed down quite quickly.
"Thanks! that was a good sandwich," Zeldris responded, now looking out the window as the scenery flew past.
He then turned back to the wizards, who were either reading or dozing lightly and asked, "where exactly in Akane is the museum?"
Freed looked up from his book and replied, "it's in the center of the town, about a kilometer and a half from the train station."
"That is nice. Did anything happen while I was catching up on my beauty sleep?" Zeldris asked.
Freed and Bixlow shook their heads, "Thankfully it has been peaceful," remarked Bixlow.
Freed then added, "though, as we get closer to Hargeon and then Akane, I would not be surprised if we encounter someone with ill will, but I will welcome a smooth and peaceful journey".
"And the rest of our money," murmured the dozing Evergreen, the other three chuckled and relaxed.
It was noon when they reached Hargeon, right on time for the train, the five wizards followed the same charade, filling into the last car, and getting settled, almost antsy as they were ready to be done. The doors closed and it turned out they were the only one in that carriage on the train to Akane.
"Hmmm, that's nice. We seem to be the only ones in this carriage again," remarked Freed who relaxed a little more, followed by the other Thunder Legion members. "We should make it to Akane by 3, and with luck make it home to Magnolia late tonight."
The wizards all dozed as the train slowly made its way east, until an almost violent lurch was felt, along with the sound of screeching metal. A confused Freed who was now on the floor muttered, "are we in Akane already?"
The four wizards looked around noting their current forested location.
"We can't be in Akane, too many trees around," remarked Bixlow.
A voice came over the PA system in the carriages. "Ladies and Gentlemen we regret to inform you that due to an unforeseen technical difficulty we are unable to continue to Akane Central Station, the following road to your right will lead you on the five kilometer walk to the city, we apologize for this inconvenience."
The four wizards grumbled as they got their things together, including returning Laxus to normal and filling in the lightning dragon slayer of the situation. As they walked, well behind the group of passengers that they helped unload that were heading to Akane as well. The five wizards reached a crossroads, one sign pointed to the road heading to the right labelled as "Akane" and the other which pointed straight was labelled "Bosco/Eastern Border". The 5 started down the road, not noting the odd condition of the sign. As they made their way forward, unaware of the scent of the noxious danger that would await from those in the shadows, eager to set up a booty trap and succeed in their plans.