Chapter 12 - Party

"Here you go. Fresh as new. There was some trouble to restore it. But the repair is completed."

The soot-covered bearded blacksmith hands both swords back. The blades have been sharpened and coated. Now they won't stain as easily. They glint brightly in the daylight. The refinement have made them look as if they were never used. From the repairs alone, I can simply tell that he is an experienced blacksmith.

"Thanks Ferghus. Here's the payment."

I take out a few gold pieces but the blacksmith pushes my hand away and refuses to accept.

Ferghus: "First one is on the house. And please, this is the least I can do for you saving the town."

"But I didn't really..."

Ferghus forcefully pushes me out of the forge as an act of good will. I give up my resistance halfway through the push-o-war with a defeating smile.

Ferghus: "Anyways, just take the swords and go. Have a good day now, you hear?"

"...Alright Ferghus. Thanks. You're a good guy. I'll be back again."

Ferghus: "Ho... You won't be saying that once I start breaking your weapons..."

"Sorry? I didn't catch that."

Ferghus: "No it's nothing! Take care!"

Having my swords back in its default status has made me far more satisfied than the recent days. If I ever meet Shadow Fang again, I won't fail drive my swords through its throat. Comparing these swords to the short swords provided by the mercenary outpost, my own swords are far more compatible with my fighting style.

I walk back to the inn in peace. I wonder what I should do now. I have three requests to fulfill. Gold leathers for Kirstie and Shayla, and Gwynn's request. Is money a problem for me? Do I absolutely have to complete these? How would I even find gold gnolls? From what I've heard so far, gold gnolls are a rare find. Don't Kirstie only have a month to deliver the leather? I guess I can start with that. Digging around the Perilous Ruins seems like priority. I might as well complete the rest along the way.

Lost in thought, I arrive at the inn unconsciously. There has always been fellow mercenaries scattered across the town but you will most certainly find the majority of them chilling at the inn. It doesn't seem that Tieve is in today. Ernmass is busy serving heavily demanded drinks over the counter.

"Hey rookie!"

A shout snaps me out of my train of thought. Lucas, Ivan, Rocko, Felix, and Zenni sat around a round table and was relaxing with a glass of beer. I greet them and join them at their table. Upon seating, I immediately refuse the 5 mugs shoved in my face proposing me to indulge in beer guzzling. It's not that I have anything against alcohol. I just don't think it's my time yet. Not for another few years at least.

Lucas: "How are things?"

Well, since he asked, I explain to them my current situation. After I finished, the veterans lean back and look at each other.

Lucas: "What do you think, guys? Should we do some rookie assisting?"

Ivan: "I'm down. What about the others?"

Rocko: "Well I don't have anything else to do. Sure, why not?"

Felix: "Yeah the mission board is running dry. I can do some work for now."

Zenni: "Just to be sure, we're splitting the rewards right?"

The five look at me expectantly. I can't help but let out a chuckle. Having veterans to navigate around Perilous Ruins is everything I could ask for.

"Of course. If I do find a gold gnoll and kill it, I'm sure I won't be able to drag it back to the village alone."

Lucas: "It's a promise then!"

We shake our hands in verbal agreement. Thinking back on what Felix had said, I ask him what he meant by "mission board."

Felix: "Oh that? There's a board that's right beside the outpost and near the entrance to the docks, where two guard tower lies. The town folks usually requests from the merc outpost and the missions are posted on the board. Rewards are usually compensated from the outpost. Unless of course, specified otherwise. Lately, the town has been in peace, so everyone has been competing for these missions."

Mission board huh? Interestingly enough, I was lucky to be requested by three different people even without the board. I guess I have something to check out whenever I'm bored.

Zenni: "I think we're going to have a bit of trouble with these gold gnoll leathers. If I remember correctly, there were many missions posted about gathering gold gnoll leathers but no one has been able to find any."

Rocko: "I don't know much about that but... How hard can it be?"

Ivan: "They're not left unfulfilled for no reason, Rocko. We just don't know where to look for them."

The groups goes silent afterwards. I, however, do believe that we have a source to search.

"I think we can check out the Perilous Ruins. Didn't gnolls recently migrate there? There's a likely chance that we will encounter gold gnolls there."

Hearing this new piece of information, the group lights up.

Zenni: "Really? Let's check it out tomorrow then."

Felix: "Everyone should be prepared and bring anything that you might need."

Lucas: "Let's meet tomorrow morning at the docks."

"Sounds good."

Everyone here nods in agreement. The plan is set. I bid them farewells and walk toward my room. It is now time to rest up.