Chapter 29 Salin

  POV ???

  Five figures walked towards the main gate, a quick identify gave me their levels and class. Score. One of them was a great mage initiate, I could smell the coin we'd get for selling her to lady Tabith already. I had to tell the boss, so we could get someone on her tail. They'd be able to snatch her when she was all alone.

  POV Xion

  The weather held up for the last leg of our journey, and with the city's walls in sight we let our shoulders loose. As everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief I felt a sharp cold feeling coming from the direction of the wall of the gate. A sharp cold feeling trailing down my spine as something triggered my danger sense, as if I was being watched by an apex predator. Everyone flinched as I quickly spoke in the moment of silence.

  “Eyes up everyone, someone or something just set off my danger sense.”

  We all snapped back to attention, our hands resting on the hilts of our blades, Sarah with her staff of flames pointed a bit forward. As we approached the gate a pair of guards were standing watch.

  “Hail, name and reason for travel?”

  I spoke for everyone as I stepped forward.

  “We are the mercenary group Tails of fortune, we're here for work and to sell some goods.”

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  I pointed towards Derek's pack and he pulled out a few bolts of cloth and a few ingots of metal, it had been a parting gift from the Baron for going beyond expectations. I resume speaking after giving sufficient evidence.

  “My danger sense went off as we approached, it wouldn't happen to be a monster that could have done that would it?”

  I ask, my brows a bit creased in concern, if we had already attracted the ire of thieves and smugglers we would be in for a bad time.

  “Aye, it was most likely one of the locals sizing you up. The damn thieves always look at new arrivals to see if they're easy marks. I recommend staying in an inn on one of the main roads and staying together as a group. It's not been confirmed yet but we've had multiple disappearances in the last few months. We fear it's slavers.”

  I nod as we all cross into the city, the gate rumbling shut behind us.

  As we passed the gates a wide cityscape stretched before us. Cobbled streets, homes and businesses four to five stories tall with clothes lines strung between many provided a colorful sight. Traditional buildings made by beast kin, simple houses made by humans and others like taller, more rare buildings towering over others where Avians lived.

  There were houses for many other races too, the entire city being a melting pot of cultures. As we all looked up to observe the buildings and the different styles we saw a few Avids occasionally flying overhead, their feathers sticking through tunics. With humanoid bodies, faces and colorful feather colors they looked just like angels as they calmly flew through the open air.

  As we continue walking my danger sense keeps flaring up, my body being covered in goosebumps from the constant feeling of tension. We pass by several merchants and make a few stops to sell off the goods Derek was hauling earning a tidy profit. Afterwards we spotted a reputable looking inn ‘The seaside cake’ had a small strawberry cake with citrus on top for their wooden signs design. Stepping in we quickly made our way to the counter and booked two bedrooms with two beds each. After securing our things in our rooms we stepped back out to look for any work. We pinned our insignia with information on how to contact us on any notice boards we passed. After passing a few we managed to find a request from an Avian to exterminate snow leopards on a main road. After we pass a stall Jean grabs something and starts snacking on it as we walk.

  “Jean, what is that?”

  He was holding a headless fish that looked cooked, a bite taken out of it with the corner of his lip smeared with a pale red sauce.

  “Called a Blubbin.”

  He said between bites, after taking a large bite he offered it to me. I hesitate for a moment before I take it and take a small nibble. My eyes widened as the flavor hit me. A savory, mildly spicy taste filled my mouth. The fish had a fatty aftertaste. A full bite rewarded me with some cheese that also filled my mouth, completing the taste.

  “Guys, you have to try this.”

  I pass the Blubbin around, eyes widen and we all lick our lips after having a taste.

  “Guess that hat found us a delicacy…”

  Alice says after finishing off the Blubbin. We all nod while Jean frowns.