“Arcanes! Where are the Iyrmen when you need them?” Andal called out, shaking his head. 

The group had met together in the morning to eat breakfast with one another. All but Kay, who was currently missing.

“Just my luck,” Andal grumbled. “I came all this way and there are no Iyrmen about…” The dwarf grabbed a baked potato with his thick fingers and then tore into the vegetable with his teeth, chomping grumpily. 

Adam ate his food in peaceful silence, watching as Andal continued to grumble and eat. Kay eventually arrived, decked out in her entire gear.

“Have you your items?” Andal asked once they were all done. He gave everyone a final chance to get their items. With a nod of everyone’s heads, they started their journey towards the north. 

The road was paved with stone, and continued beyond the horizon. They followed it a long ways as the sun beat down on them from high above, scorching the group with its wicked rays.

They made for camp a little before noon, finding a small camp off the road, these camps often used as pit stops between towns. Adam was absentmindedly eating when Kay sat opposite him.

Kay removed her helmet, causing Adam to freeze. She revealed a long face, a hint of fey within her appearance. She had slightly squinted eyes, a high brow, and atop her head was short tussled hair, like a grey mop.

Her skin was green, a touch of grey within her complexion, and her tusks peeked out from the corners of her lips, pointing upwards. 

A half-orc.

Not just any half-orc though. She seemed more fey than human, and Adam wondered if perhaps she was half-orc and half-elf.

Adam found that Jay and Imma were staring at him, catching him staring at Kay. He looked down to his rations and returned to eating, falling back into his thoughts.

‘Hmmm. Half-orc and half-elf?’

He hadn’t expected that at all. He wanted to speak to her about it, but decided it was a little too awkward. Perhaps further on in their adventure when they had gotten to know each other a little better.

The group continued their journey until they arrived at Bruntwick. It was a town about the same size as Red Oak, with large walls around the perimeter, a watchtower at every gate, and no doubt much more to explore. Unfortunately, Adam couldn’t explore the town, for he was currently on duty escorting Andal. 

This was how the days continued. They travelled on the road for the entire day, taking a rest midway through when they found a small camping area, and then went on to the next town to eat and sleep. 

Andal paid for their rooms and meals, allowing them each a small room, though he didn’t skimp on the food, allowing them to eat their fill. He ate even more, of course. 

They went from Bruntwick to Marlow, another town, and then to Fern and Iltway. They had come across nothing to obstruct their journey. They finally arrived at the first city Adam had seen in this world, Ironhall.

Ironhall was massive, at least triple the size of Red Oak. Each town had grown progressively more populated than the last, but the difference between Iltway and Ironhall was vast.

Ironhall was built almost like a fort, with several layers of walls. There were two keeps nearby, one atop a hill towards the western mountains, and then another, right in the centre of the city. 

Adam could see why it was called Ironhall, for the keep inside the centre of the city was right beside a long building made of, what he assumed, iron. It was like a cathedral of black and grey, with a long spire atop the building. He could guess that they could see the spire from wherever they were in the city. 

‘Whoa…’

“Take in as much of the sight as you can,” Andal said. “We’ll be heading beyond the mountains soon.”

The group then arrived at the guild within Ironhall, which was near the centre of the city, though not quite close enough to the hall. It looked exactly like the guild in Red Oak, but many times bigger, as though it had been stretched out. The only difference between the guilds was the fact that Ironhall had heavy iron doors at the front rather than the red oak doors that welcomed the adventurers in Red Oak.

As they stepped into the guild the slam of the noise hit them. Within the guild were close to ten parties, all carousing with their group, as well as the groups nearby. 

As they settled within the guild, Andal approached the front desk, where a beautiful woman was currently working. She had pale skin and blond hair, with bright green eyes.

Adam noted that most of the adventurers here were steel rank, even catching the glint of silver from the corner of the guild. They were the only bronze group within the guild, not that anyone seemed to mind. 

The groups were mostly human, though Adam could see a handful of other races. There were a couple of half-orcs here, as well as a halfzer. Adam’s head snapped to one particular adventurer, an owlfolk who wore a great-sword at their side.

‘Owlfolk?’

They were exactly as one would imagine. An owl that was humanoid, with talons as hands and feathers all across their arms and to their back to form their wings. They were white and grey in colour, and their head could snap to look directly behind themselves, especially as they laughed. They caught Adam staring, and Adam snapped his eyes away.

‘Owlfolk…’ Adam thought.

Thankfully, nothing came of it. Adam supposed they must have been used to such things, not that it made it any better. 

“Hey,” called out a voice.

Adam turned to see an older woman, with tan skin and dark hair, nodding at his group. She was donned in splint mail and held at her side a longsword.

“Which guild are you guys from?” she casually inquired.

“Blackhall,” Imma replied, motioning her head to the other pair, Jay and Kay, who nodded.

“Red Oak,” Adam replied.

“Townies, eh?” the woman replied, chuckling. “How long you been adventuring?”

“Two years,” Imma replied back.

“Two months,” Adam said.

The woman’s eyes snapped to Adam, raising a brow at him. “Two months?”

“Roughly.”

“Oi, Azon, get a load of this guy.” She laughed.

The half-orc beside her, who was currently tearing chicken from the bone with his teeth, turned to look towards the bronze ranked party.

“Did you hear?” The woman smirked.

“Two months,” the half-orc said. “Not unheard of.”

“Yeah, but even townies don’t have the audacity for that sort of thing.”

“Maybe he’s just that strong?”

The woman howled with laughter, as though it had been the funniest thing the half-orc had ever said. Adam sighed, but there was no point to defend himself. 

“How’d you rank up so quickly?” The woman cocked her head aside. “Found some Iyrmen to boost you up?”

“Something like that,” Adam replied. Technically she wasn’t wrong.

She clicked her teeth at him. “At least you don’t deny it.” Her eyes narrowed at him, dark with distaste. “I don’t know whether to give you credit for it or not.”

“I’m sure I’ll live without your credit,” Adam replied, dryly. His British humour was slipping out.

“Don’t get cheeky with me, boy.”

“Right.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You trying to start something, boy?”

“Leave the boy alone,” the half-orc said. “He’s just a kid.”

“Even boys need to learn manners,” she replied back, her voice filled with annoyance.

Adam’s jaw tensed. He was so close to throwing out a quip, but decided against it. There was no need to aggravate the situation, he wasn’t here for a fight.

“Is that a magical sword at your side?” The woman motioned her head towards the sword.

Adam shrugged. “Could be.”

“Is that how you got to bronze in two months?”

“I’ve only had it for about a week,” Adam replied, calm as a cucumber.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Where’d you get it?”

“Red Oak.”

“Uh huh,” she said. “It looks pretty fresh. Who made it?”

“Someone I trust.” Adam wasn’t sure if he should say any more than that, he didn’t want to give up his secrets.

“Who is that? I might need some work done myself.”

“They don’t really want to get their name out there.”

The woman raised her brow. “What?”

Adam shrugged. 

“The boy’s a suspicious one, ain’t he?” She looked to the half-orc, raising a brow, expecting an answer back.

“I’m just me,” Adam replied as simply as he could. 

The woman flashed Adam her sword. “Mine ain’t magical, but it can cut through all kinds of beasties just fine. What’s your best?”

“Probably a bone dragon.”

“A bone dragon?” she replied in alarm. She paused for a moment in thought. “With the Iyrmen?”

“That’s right.”

“What about solo?”

Adam tried to think about what he could have replied with. He didn’t have many solo accomplishments just yet, all he could think about were his duels.

“A couple of duels.”

“With who?”

“Robert and Alten.”

“Oh, Robert and Alten?” The woman cocked her head. “They came by not long ago, if I recall properly. You beat them?”

“Yes.”

“I doubt it.”

“Well, not together. One at a time. I beat Robert twice.”

“Are you kidding me?”

Adam shook his head. “No.”

“Oh yeah? Prove it. Step outside right now, let’s have a spar.”

“Sure,” Adam replied. “How much?”

“How much?” 

“What’s the wager.”

“I’m not here to steal your money, boy.”

“Yeah well,” Adam said, a smile creeping on his face. “I’m here to steal yours.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Fifty gold.”

Currency
20 Gold
2x Obsidian Disks (10G)
1x White Tiger Eye (20G)

“What are the rules?” Adam asked.

“Just a friendly spar. Me with my blade, you with your magical sword. I’ll give you a small chance at least.”

“Fine.”

The woman whistled towards the receptionist. “Sanna, oi, we got a spar.”

Sanna nodded and then motioned with her head. Adam and the woman, revealing herself to be Gwen, signed the hastily written contract for their bout before they then gathered outside in the training area beside the guild.

Currency
20 Gold -> 0 Gold
2x Obsidian Disks (10G) -> 1x Obsidian Disk (10G)
1x White Tiger Eye (20G) -> 0x White Tiger Eye (20G)

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Imma asked.

“I was running low on gold,” Adam replied. “This is a nice way to make my pouch heavier.”

Adam drew out his magical sword, feeling the electricity through it. He hadn’t used the sword yet, and the tingling of excitement filled him. 
 
The woman stood opposite him, blade in hand. Adam stood opposite her, though before starting the spar, he removed his amulet and handed it to Andal.

“Could you hold onto it for me?”

“Aye,” the dwarf replied. “Are you going to win?”

“You should bet on me and find out,” Adam replied, cheekily.

Andal smiled. 

“Ready?” Gwen asked.

Adam looked about to the crowd which had gathered around them. He turned to look at Gwen and then nodded. 

Battle Order 
D20 - 1 = 3 (4)

Adam sighed.

 

---

Health: 210 -> 168

Samurai Spirit
3 -> 2
Health: 168 -> 173

Attack
D20 + 9 = 14 (5)
D20 + 9 = 26 (17)
Hit!
D6 + 9 = 15 (6)
15 damage!

Attack
D20 + 9 = 11 (2)
D20 + 9 = 29 (20)
Critical hit!
2D6 + 10 = 13 (1, 2)
13 damage!

Health: 173 -> 174

---

Gwen wasted no time at all. She dashed forward towards Adam, who quickly brought up his sword, but missed catching her blade as he side stepped. Her blade clattered against his armour, and as Adam tried to catch her blade again, though she managed to strike against his thigh with her harsh blow. 

Like a relentless bull, she pounded him with her blade, though his armour absorbed most of the impact as he finally prepared himself. 

Adam inhaled deeply and then stepped forward, managing to slip between her guard for a moment, before she swiped up towards him. Adam ducked and then struck her face with the pommel of his sword, causing her to stumble backwards. He let out a silent gasp as the warmth filled his blood, filling him with life.

‘I can’t believe I crit!’

Adam also couldn’t believe he had dealt so little damage with his critical hit.

‘Just my luck…’

---

Health: 174 -> 151

Samurai Spirit
2 -> 1
Health: 151 -> 156

Attack
D20 + 9 = 23 (14)
D20 + 9 = 27 (18)
Hit!
D6 + 9 = 12 (3)
12 damage!

Attack
D20 + 9 = 17 (8)
D20 + 9 = 22 (13)
Hit!
1D6 + 9 = 15 (6)
15 damage!

Onward Soar
1 -> 0

Attack
D20 + 9 = 17 (8)
D20 + 9 = 19 (10)
Hit!
1D6 + 9 = 15 (6)
15 damage!

Attack
D20 + 9 = 22 (13)
D20 + 9 = 28 (19)
Hit!
1D6 + 9 = 11 (2)
11 damage!

Health: 156 -> 162

---

They squared off with one another, Gwen finally managing to catch her breath. Then she came upon him, like a waterfall of heavy blade. Adam caught her blade finally, though she slipped through the sword's blade, landing a glancing blow against his shoulder. 

Adam side stepped and tried to catch her off balance as she struck his gut, though used the blow to his advantage as he then focused his mind. He used the time between her strike to launch his own powerful blows, a flurry of sword striking her across the armour before she finally gave in.

Gwen let out a soft breath and then dropped down, dropping her blade beside her limp form.  Adam looked down at the woman and then to the crowd. He tossed out his arms. 

“Are you not entertained?” He tried to hide his smile.

Charm
D20 + 1 = 14 (13)
Success!

The crowd was in good spirits due to the fight and the pleasant surprise of the half-elf winning. Of course there were a few who cursed their foul luck, though Adam felt no sympathy for them. 

‘That’s what you get for betting against me.’

Adam turned to look at Andal, who had a sour look on his face. 

“What’s wrong?” Adam asked.

“I was offered a fifty gold bet,” he replied. “I brought it down to twenty.”

“Oh.”

With that the group dispersed as the half-orc, Azon, approached him. He extended out a hand and shook Adam’s, who stared up at him a little confused. 

“Good fight,” he said, simply.

“Thank you,” Adam replied with a smile.

“Even if you were brought up by the Iyrmen, you have enough skill that I can’t doubt you.”

Adam smiled and nodded. “Well, I appreciate that.”

The half-orc then went to the limp woman and hoisted her up, armour and all, before carrying her back inside. 

“I should have bet on you,” Imma said once they were inside. 

Adam shrugged. 

Currency
0 Gold -> 70 Gold
1x Obsidian Disks (10G) -> 2x Obsidian Disk (10G)
0x White Tiger Eye (20G) -> 1x White Tiger Eye (20G)

He smiled to himself, checking out the gold he had made. He felt far more comfortable about his prospects. It wasn’t that he was poor, but he did need more gold in order to learn the spell scrolls. He had left the scrolls back at the guild, assuming they would be safe there. 

With the spar won, and his coin purse growing heavy, he retired for the night. He had spread a little of his fame here, which wasn’t the best thing since he wanted to keep a low profile, but since he wouldn’t stay here for long he didn’t think much of it.

‘City dwellers are as easy to beat as the townies,’ he thought.