BXBX NOVEL Chapter 128: Buying a carriage
They continued walking after the response. Monica and Beatrice seemed much closer than the others, Samira remained quiet the whole time, and Strax was no different. In fact, he was thinking about some things that couldn't be said. As they kept walking, the group arrived at the transportation sector, an area filled with stables and carts.
The smell of hay and horses was strong in the air, and the sound of hooves hitting the ground echoed around.
"Over there," Carlos pointed to a tall man with a thick beard who was tending to a carriage. "That's Gregor. He can help us; he's an acquaintance."
Gregor looked up as the group approached, his gaze narrowing when he saw Carlos. "What do you want, Carlos? I'm sure I told you to only come back here when you have work," the man said with a smile, placing his hand on his hip and eyeing the group. "Turned chauffeur now, have you?" He asked, smiling, seeing that the group behind him was not ordinary.
"We need a good carriage, preferably a simple one, without drawing too much attention," Carlos replied, trying to sound confident. "One that can take us to Eldoria; we have some business to attend to there." He concluded, and the man looked thoughtful.
Gregor scratched his beard, pondering what he wanted. "Eldoria, huh? It's a long and dangerous journey, three days one way, not counting the troubles on the road... It won't come cheap, Carlos."
Strax, snapping out of his thoughts, intervened, his firm gaze meeting Gregor's. "We have money, we can pay for any carriage here. What do you have available that's really worth it for such a journey?"
Gregor looked at the group, assessing each of them. Finally, he nodded and motioned for them to follow. "Come, I have something that might do."
Strax nodded and followed the man, who led them to a large, sturdy carriage pulled by two strong horses. The carriage looked well-maintained, with reinforced wheels and a spacious interior.
"This one should withstand the journey, though it would be better with three horses. Still, it's the best we have since the path is quite treacherous," Gregor said, patting the side of the carriage. "But as I said, it won't be cheap. This one costs five gold coins." Strax took a pouch of coins from his belt and handed it to Gregor. "Here, this should cover the cost for today."
Gregor quickly counted the coins, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Very well, deal closed. When do you want to leave?"
"Immediately. We'll stop by home to pick up the third horse... Apocalypse is already ready to go," Strax replied. "We're in a hurry; there's still much to be done." Gregor nodded. "I'll prepare everything. Give me a few minutes."
While Gregor prepared the carriage, the group took the opportunity to discuss their next steps. Samira approached Strax, evident concern on her face. "We have to be ready for anything. Eldoria is not an easy place."
She was still cautious because of the troubles she had in that city... but it wasn't about Eldoria itself, it was about the journey. "The path is dangerous," she said, apprehensive.
"I know, we already know how it works," Strax replied, his voice firm. "But we need to find the spy and Cristine. She might be the key to solving this, and I want to have time to search for the elf and the dwarf."
Beatrice joined them, her look determined. "And if we have to face problems along the way, we're ready. We've been through worse." Carlos, overhearing the conversation, tried to contribute. "I'll do what I can to help. I know some shortcuts that can save us time. Maybe we can get there in two days with luck."
"Great," Strax said, nodding. "We're going to need all the help we can get."
Gregor returned shortly after, the carriage ready and the horses eager to depart. "All set. Good luck on your journey."
The group climbed into the carriage, with Strax taking the reins. Carlos sat beside him, while Samira, Beatrice, and Monica settled inside.
"Let's go," Carlos said, snapping the reins. The horses started moving, pulling the carriage down the road towards Strax's house.
[< Quest Chain Initiated: With the increase in the number of missions involving the City of Eldoria, the System will consider a complete Act, and rewards will only be distributed when the main mission [Capture the Spy] is properly completed and delivered to [Diana Vorah].
Until then, any action related to Cristine's missions, Samira's enmity, and other things, all of them will be addressed only with the complete conclusion of the act. >]
"I see... so that's how it's going to be." Strax thought, realizing that everything was indeed happening... "At least this time it warned us that it would happen properly; last time... damn, the other system was a mess." He concluded, noticing that the horses were already walking down his street. "Looks like Apocalypse will have company... I hope it won't be problematic for her...
for them actually, she seems aggressive." Strax thought as Carlos slowed the pace, stopping in front of his house.
"Wait a moment, I'll be right back." Strax said, getting off the carriage. "Girls, prepare your things. We don't have much time, we need to be quick. Grab clothes and your weapons, and give them to me; I have something to store them without a problem." Strax said, already planning to use something he wanted to test... "Inventory will be good for this...
let's see if it all bears fruit." He thought as he headed towards the stable on his property.
The first thing he went to do, of course, was to get Apocalypse, as she was what really mattered now, and he did so quickly.
"Hey, girl," he said, stroking her neck, "we've got work ahead, what do you say we go, huh?" He said, and she neighed in agreement... But well... "Okay, okay, you won't be trapped, I'll keep you in escort, alright, alright, you win." He said, raising his hands in surrender.
With Apocalypse ready and the girls gathering their things, Strax returned to the carriage, preparing for the journey ahead. They were on a tight schedule and every moment counted.