Having finally reached the empire after they traveled for about three or so weeks and running low on supplies. He let out a sigh of relief and urged his horse to reach the gate even just a little faster than normal.
They reached the gate and presented the pass they had acquired by applying to the travelers guild. Being part of the guild meant several things. As a traveler, it told people that you were either an outcast, a mercenary or the rare merchant that wasn't part of the ever expanding merchant guild.
Due to the fact that many merchants were more locally contained because of the merchant's guild restrictions and having the goods traded be taxed heavily if not part of the upper echelon the decision of joining the traveler's guild easier. The traveling merchant status was not something most people took when joining the travelers guild. Not because of the distance it would take to get anywhere but the increasing danger that was the deadly beasts and outlaws out in the winter wastes. This did not deter him though, the dream of traveling had long since taken root in his head and nothing would stop him now that he had a chance. Even if it came suddenly and semi-unwanted by both him and his only family.
He passed the gate and was met with the inner working of the city known for the crystal mines and its many crystal delicacies. All of it, however, paled in comparison to the castle. The centerpiece of the empire shown with a regal brilliance that could not be undone by anything else. The way the setting sun shone through the crystal roofs spires made the city and castle shine with the orange and red dyed sky. The light danced through the pillars and alcoves, the statues bathed in a deep crimson that made them seem alive.
He gazed at the sight until he felt a tug on his tanned skin jacket by his steadfast companion reminding him that he was here on business. The townsfolk stared at the traveler that just entered with slight disgust. Another "rags" wearing refugee coming in through the gate was all that was on their minds. It seemed like more and more refugees dragged themselves to the city with each passing day. No doubt they thought that more of the crystals that the town had used to build would go missing and more roughhousing was inevitable.
"Sorry about that buddy, you gotta cut me some slack though. I am a country boy at heart and this view would get anyone's attention. " he said smiling at his companion. His companion only nodded and jumped down to walk a little ahead of the horse as they continued on the path to their destination.
The place was easy enough to find with the signs being as blatant as they were with the familiar portraits of trades. The apothecary, the clinic, the scroll and scribe and not to mention the massive building that was the merchant's guild branch for the empire. That would come later though as he pushed past the building and through an archway with an insignia of three balloons. The building that was in the center of the plaza they just entered was breathtaking and familiar for it was the traveler's guild branch for the empire. The archways would have the insignia whatever family owned and ran the land, but the building itself always had the same insignia of a pony in mid-stride the style of the building was always the same, but the decor would always fit the owner's taste.
It was a relief to be in a place that didn't judge them as harshly everytime they came to a new town or city. It was only through years of harsh and unwanted treatment that they both realized most places hated strangers. The treatment was even worse when they were found to be part of the travelers guild as it was hated for bringing overly violent mercenaries and outcast mages to towns that never wanted them in the first place. The only benefit was that having the merchant status meant he could usually trade for most anything needed during any of their travels. He pulled near the rear of the building as customary for all merchants wanting to sell anything to the guild even if they were members and jumped off the wagon landing squarely in the snow covered dirt and covering his already caked boots in more layers of the substance. As always he motioned for his companion to stand guard in case any of the fellow members seemed too interested in the cart and its wares.
"You know the drill, defend in case anyone seems nosy enough to get near the stuff. Oh but, this time don't kill any of them just slightly injure them enough for me to hear it and come out." He said, giving his companion a look that seemed to at least try to hold back. All he got in reply, however, was just a nod as the big mangy black husky took his place on the seat of the wagon.
As he stepped inside through the back entrance he found himself in a bar full of mercs and hired hands all of which stopped to look at the new arrival only to turn back to what they were doing beforehand. He walked towards the counter was eyed only by a few of the patrons still leery of the newcomer.
"Well, hello there stranger! Anything I can help you with this fantastic day?" yelled the over enthusiastic counter maid popping seemingly out of nowhere from behind the counter.
"Geez!" he yelled stumbling back to the ground at the seemingly innocent act. As he regained his composure he noticed that all the eyes that were judging him until now were gone and replaced with laughter and sneers. "Saints alive woman, you trying to give me a heart attack?"
"Nope. So, what can I do for you stranger?" she asked again with a smile that seemed to brighten the gloomy place. He took a seat as she took a bottle from underneath and put it in front of him.
"Thanks but, I didn't order anything yet." he said eyeing the drink suspiciously as he took out a small metallic box from his leather bag putting it on the counter.
"On the house, you look in need of something to warm you up." said the blonde, green-eyed and busty milky skinned maiden as she leaned in with the same smile looking straight at him endearingly.
"Oh, thanks." he grabbed the drink and placed two bits in its place anyways. As he took a swig of the of the brew he took out a clothed item and undid the tie that was holding it together. The cloth fell and a bottle full of multi-colored liquid was unveiled. "I'm here to sell, but I have no doubt you knew that from my coming in through the back entrance. " he said with a smile and took another swig of the bottle.
"Oh... my..." she said as her eyes widened at the sight before her. "May I?" she asked and received a nod in response. She grabbed the bottle and started to spin it around inspecting the liquid as she did this she heard the clank of glass and saw that the merchant had taken out two small glasses. She smiled and popped the bottle open releasing a loud hiss along with the aroma of fermented apples. Pouring in the liquid made it seem as if small rainbows were falling into the glasses.
"Cheers!" they both said and the clink of glass was all that was heard as they enjoyed the drink. They both experienced chills, and immediate warmth as the drink went down smooth yet somehow rough.
"How in the greater lands of the empire did you manage to get a hold of that? They usually don't even have enough to reach this far up north." she said leaning closer again with a devious smile fishing for information that could lead to greater profit. As she was doing this, however, the bottle was once again closed and wrapped up then put into the container it had been produced from. Her smile twitched slightly but you would have to be quite perceptive in order to catch it.
"I've got connections with the Apples down south. They owe me a couple favors so I just cashed in on one. I doubt you'll be finding any of this until next harvest season." he said smirking trying not to give himself away about the things he had to endure to get it. It had taken a true miracle for him to get the stuff, the favors that he was owed was more just one favor and it was in thanks for saving the youngest Apple sibling from a gang of timber wolves. Not to mention it was also as an apology for her trying to leave with him and having to return with a rather upset and rambunctious young girl after discovering her two days later yet again trapped by a timber wolf.
"Well then, I won't poke my nose into it. I am, however, interested in buying all the Zap Apple Cider you brought. What say we make a deal?" This was all she said as he was lead to a room in the back that was used for negotiations with only high profile guests. "Oh! The names Surmie "Prize" Pie with a silent t, I never did get your name."
"Just call me Spike." he said while following the seemingly neverending fountain of happiness.
"Spike huh? Ok then Spike, if thats the case just call me Surprise bet you can't guess how I got that nickname" she giggled as she opened the door to the negotiation room.
"I think I have a pretty good idea how that came about. " he said jokingly as he walked in only to find that the negotiation room was filled with an aroma of baked goods. As he looked around the room the walls had shelves filled with pies, small cakes, and various other pastries. " By looks of this place I'm guessing that you like to bake?" he asked while taking a seat at the table in the center of the rather large room full of sweets.
"How'd you know?!" Surprise seemed to be well... surprised that he guessed something so pinpoint about her. Though it just seemed like her personality had a lot to do with the comment as she seemed a bit too easygoing even for someone in charge of negotiations. She looked at Spike with genuine interest as to how that guess came about though the term personal space seemed to not exist to her at all.
"Uhhh... lucky guess? " he said as all he could see was her face completely in his which made him rather uncomfortable as he was not used to women whatsoever. "Can we please get on with the deal?" he asked nervously as he tried to back away from his seated position.
"Ok!" she said getting out of his face and walking to the other end of the table. She placed a small tin on the table as she sat down. She opened it only to take out a writing set and a pair of glasses which she put on. "Let's deal." This was said in a completely different tone than she had before and the room that was once light brightly by sunlight and what few candles were about now seemed a bit darker. Most surprising, however, was the completely serious look that she had taken on, it almost seemed as if she was a completely different person.
"Yes.. lets" an air of determination and experience could be felt as Spike replied but at the same time he was trying to hide the sudden realization that he was up against someone probably had more experience in this type of occupation.
"It is far too cold out here for anyone to travel these days. " The line was lost in the bone-chilling winds of the waste. The cart that was being pulled along the snow by the heavily wrapped traveler. He struggled with each step as the weight of the cart kept burying deeper in the snow. The closest town was still not within view even after traveling several hours.
The snow had been falling lazily to the ground covering everything in a sub-zero blanket of white. The crunch of the snow was the only response to all his gripes and moans. It helped that he was used to talking to himself so it wasn't that he was crazy. He already knew that he was abnormal due to this habit. As he kept trudging along he wrapped the cloak tighter around himself and adjusted the gloves so what little warmth wouldn't escape.
"I really wish I hadn't of made that stupid deal back in the Crystal Empire. Twilight would have my head if she knew I went with my gut again instead of what she taught me" he muttered begrudgingly thinking back to the events that led to having to pull the cart himself through the deathly boring blank canvas of snow.
He kept pulling through the snow cursing every rock the cart hit that was hidden by the snow. As he climbed a hill slipping down every now and then he cursed all deities for the misfortune of having lost his horse. Once at the top he put down the cart and rested against it in order to catch his breath. As he looked down at the valley below he could make out the warm shine of lamp light and crystals. Taking a small flask from one of the bags attached to the cart he took a swig of his favorite self-made moonshine.
"Ahhhhhh, smooth.... yet bitter. " he said warming himself with the grog. "Maybe I can find a place for the night down there, if not for me then at least for her." He said standing up and uncovering the cart revealing both his childhood companion and the kid they had picked up during their time at the empire. They were both laying on a pile of furs and wrapped in one the expensive cloth he struggled to acquire for trade.
The purple haired kid shifted at the cold and moved closer to the dark figure next to her. As the traveler smiled at the scene he covered them up and picked up the handles and resumed the trek through the storm. He headed towards the light with the hope of finding shelter for all of them.
