The Sacred Clearing was a holy site for the MyrRin and no blood was allowed to be spilled on the holy site. It was meant to be a haven for all. Even the duels were not to the death, only to first unconscious. The clearing was divided into four area by paths that extended out from the center. The middle was dominated by a large open arena with a jagged rock at the center that looked like a lighting bolt jutting out of the ground.
As the four areas expanded out towards the tree line there were settlements interspersed within them. They followed the paths and created an inner and outer ring of settlements of various MyrRin with paths in between to make movement easier for all the vendors and merchants.
At the entrance to the clearing stood two massive MyrRin guards decked out in their best regalia. Sodia, without batting an eye, tossed them a sack of gold for her caravan. She came back and address her group.
“I have paid passage for everyone in the caravan, including you Tobias. We will separate among the other settlements to sell our wares so this will be goodbye for now. Please don’t get into too much trouble. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a meeting with Grand Chief Tamuh. If I keep him waiting too long, he gets a little irritated.”
Sodia turned to leave but paused and turned back,
“It was a pleasure traveling with all of you. Hopefully all of you find what you are looking for here. May I be the first to welcome you to the Great City or Aarknoka. Enjoy you stay.”
With a final bow, she made her exit. The group watched her cart go meandering down the center path to find a good spot to sell.
“Well, we got your crew to the city as promised.” Tobias beamed at Captain V, “Easy, peasy.”
“Well now, I don’t know if I can officially say that yet, but you did get us here. “
Tobias looked at Captain V with a suddenly serious look, “And your payment for passage friend?” He held out a hand for his payment.
“Well, now, I thought I already paid that?”
“No, the deal was payment upon delivery of your crew to the sacred clearing. Here is the sacred clearing and here are you. My payment please.” There was no question in that last statement.
Drexla decided now would be a good time to speak up, “As the assistant quartemaster, I remember the conversation accurately, and it was twenty gold for the crew. Me and the Captain are the only crew here so forty gold should do it.”
“Haha, no. The deal was not for crew, it was for all traveling. It was one flat fee for all.”
Luna, not wanting to cause issues went to pay for her portion of the journey, but before she could pay up, Captain V reluctantly agree to hand over the gold.
On top of the wagon, Bogbean could see Miguel messing with his lute, from atop Bricky’s shoulders. He had also mended his trousers so they were closed where his tail once was. Now it just looked like a larger than average butt. He raised his sad eyes to the group and asked,
“Okay, what are we doing now?”
Bricky looked at Miguel for a moment before responding,
“Ve should stick togezer.” He gestured to the other shoulder and offered it to Miguel. When Miguel was secured on one shoulder with Bogbean on the other, Bricky began to move into the festival grounds to explore. He left the rest of the group behind as he walked onward.
Captain V was still grumbling about the charge of one hundred gold for transport.
“I don’t know if I agreed to that amount!”
“Well, you agreed to it three weeks ago at the beginning of this journey so…”
“Fine!”
Captain V jammed a sackfull of coins into Tobias’ outstretched paw, still careful to avoid the claws that were slightly protruding as Tobias felt frustration.
“Next time, I’ll get in in writing Captain,” promised Drexla.
“I would much appreciate that!”
About a hundred yards ahead of the hagglers were Bricky, Bogbean and Miguel, walking through the fray as Luna caught up to them.
Tobias, Captain V and Drexla moved to join them but were stopped by the guards at the entrance that Sodia had spoken to.
“Hey, furball! That’s an extra ten gold from you!”
“Oh, Lady Sodia paid for everyone in our caravan already.”
“Yea, she paid, but you’re extra.”
“Friend, I just come here to sell my humble wares.”
“I ain’t your friend!”
“Now listen, we tolerate ya. But ya need to pay a little extra. Your kind always pay extra for entry.”
Tobias paid the guard, but made sure to be petty about it. Instead of ten gold pieces, he handed over a sack with one hundred silver pieces. The guard thought he was getting a nice reward for his intimidation.
“Now, there’s someone who knows their place.” He said, with a grin.
However, the grin disappeared quickly when he looked inside the bag to find the plethora of copper coins. Tobias could see him weighing whether or not he should count it. In the end, the guard gave up and waved them through with a scowl. Tobias moved into the Sacred Clearing quickly, before he could change his mind.
DnD Wife Stories 