Chapter 88: Old Acquaintances

“I have to say, it's a bold plan, Raymond.” Dario looked grave after hearing him out. “But what I'd really like to know is why you suddenly thought of all this. Resuming trade with the gnolls wasn't entirely your idea, was it?”

Raymond did not deny it. “Marcus came to see me last night. He wanted me to take the job guarding the pass. We discussed the rest of the plan together.”

There was no reason to lie. Dario was now the Sheriff, and any attempt to carry out the plan would need his approval.

Dario considered it for a while, then let out a long breath.

“As a rule, I can't refuse orders from the town council. But I do have the authority to arrange these things. Resuming the trade won't be difficult. The council has already told me to do that. Sending people deep into the Blackstone Mountains is another matter. I have to make the risks clear. Even if they're mercenaries from out of town, I can't send them in without telling them what they're facing.”

“That's for you to decide, Sheriff,” Raymond said. “If possible, I'd like to see Martin. The bookkeeper from that bandit gang.”

“Martin? I remember him.” Dario clapped his hands, and a young clerk soon entered the office.

“Bring Martin here. Do you know who he is?”

“Yes, Sheriff!” The clerk immediately turned and left.

Raymond noticed that he seemed to be the same young man who had served Marcus. Now, though, he was much more respectful and obedient. At least this time he had not asked for a written order. Marcus's departure seemed to have taught him to read the situation.

Two soldiers soon escorted Martin into the office and roughly shoved him to the floor. He looked confused at the sight of Raymond and Dario, but immediately put on a fawning smile.

“Greetings, Captain Dario.”

“Sheriff Dario,” Raymond corrected him.

“Ah, forgive me, honored Sheriff.” Martin hurriedly bowed.

Dario regarded him with undisguised disgust. “Spare me. Raymond wants to speak to you.”

“Ah, Master Raymond! It's been a month, and you're as magnificent as ever,” Martin flattered him.

Raymond gave him an unsettling grin. “Of course, dear Martin. I have you to thank for making it back from Brightwater alive.” He watched Martin's expression closely.

“I'm not sure I understand, Master Raymond.” Martin was still smiling, but his eyelid twitched. Raymond stared at him and slowly clenched his fist.

“Raymond, has something happened?” Dario asked, noticing his reaction.

Raymond let out a long sigh. “In Brightwater, I met a woman named Tessa. And I now know what that ore really is.”

Dario's expression shifted. He apparently knew nothing about the ore.

“What's special about it? And what's this about a woman named Tessa?”

Raymond did not answer at once. Instead, he looked at Martin.

“You told us you only knew your contact as someone named T. Now tell me: do you know Tessa or not?”

Seeing Raymond's expression, Martin seemed to understand what had happened. He immediately dropped to his knees and begged for mercy.

“I really don't know what the ore is! She told me to collect it. I didn't dare tell you who she was. You have no idea how frightening she is. I... I...”

“She?” Dario raised his eyebrows. “Tessa is T? A woman?”

“Yes. We can now be certain she's the one organizing the trade with the gnolls. At least, she's the organizer I've found so far.” Raymond nodded.

Dario angrily slapped his desk. “Damn it! How dare that woman interfere in Blackstone!”

Raymond looked at Martin, who was trembling and muttering the same words over and over.

For anyone wondering, the NovelPhoenix posting is the author's publication, while this copy was taken without approval and bypasses that support.

“I can't tell you. I don't dare. My wife and children are in her hands. I can't...”

“Where is she holding them?” Dario asked.

Martin shook his head, still repeating himself.

Dario called the clerk in from outside. “Take him back for now. Write down everything he just said. We'll question him again later.”

The clerk summoned two soldiers, and Martin was soon dragged away.

Martin had known T's true identity all along, yet had never revealed it. If Raymond had known sooner that Tessa was the buyer, he could at least have understood her connection to the bandits earlier and been more wary of her. He still held that against Martin.

“So, what is the ore?” Dario asked once they were alone.

“Ebony ore. It's Ebony ore.”

“Ebony ore!” Dario stood up. “No wonder they risked running a smuggling operation near Blackstone.”

He paced around the office, his thoughts unreadable.

Only after a good while did he notice Raymond still standing nearby and come back to himself.

“Oh, Ray. I'll need to put this plan before the town council first. We need their approval before we do anything. In the meantime, I'd like you to stay in Blackstone so I can find you whenever I need to. Is that all right?”

“Of course, Sheriff.” Raymond smiled. “If I may ask, how much would this job pay?”

“For taking part in the trade with the gnolls, each of you will get at least five silver coins. The town guard will pay you something extra as well,” Dario said confidently. “Even if the council rejects the reconnaissance plan, I'll find other work for you. I have faith in your abilities.”

“Thank you for your confidence. If you'll excuse me, I'll take my leave.”

Raymond left the town guard's headquarters.

To be honest, the pay in Blackstone was pitiful compared with Brightwater, while the danger was considerably greater. Gnolls were much harder to deal with than fishfolk or goblins. On the other hand, Raymond felt more attached to Blackstone. He had many friends here. As long as he could keep himself safe, he did not mind doing a little more for the town.

Rather than return to the inn, he went to Carter's home first.

After such a long period of rest and recovery, Carter was in much better health. He sat cooling off in a shaded spot in the training yard, his crutch resting beside him. It was late summer, and the days were still rather hot.

His face lit up with excitement when he saw Raymond. “Raymond! It's been so long. You're finally back!”

“Captain Carter.” Raymond smiled and walked over to him.

“Hm? A new weapon?” Carter noticed the sword at his waist immediately and asked with a smile.

Raymond drew it and handed it over. He had come partly to visit his old captain, but also to have him assess the new weapon.

Carter examined it carefully. After a long while, he spoke admiringly. “A fine sword! A brand-new blade of this quality must cost a fair bit.”

“Fifteen silver coins.”

“Fifteen!” Carter sounded surprised. He inspected the blade and guard again, then nodded approvingly as he handed it back. “It's worth the price. But can you use a longsword like this properly? Using it with both hands isn't the same as using your old arming sword.”

Raymond took it, gripped it with both hands, and went to the center of the yard. After testing it with a series of swings, he brought the sword to rest and returned to Carter.

“How was that, Captain?”

“Your movements look good. Have you practiced with this kind of sword before?”

Raymond shook his head. “No. I only tried a few swings at the smithy.”

“Your stance and footwork are fine. All that practice paid off,” Carter said. “But I'm no expert at using a sword with both hands, so I can't judge every move. With a longer blade, though, you'll need to pay particular attention to distance.”

Raymond nodded in agreement. Sword in hand, he returned to the yard and began practicing the movements he remembered.

He started with the cuts and thrusts he already knew. His footwork and edge alignment still applied, but he had to adjust to generating force with both hands, controlling the blade, and recovering after a strike. The longer blade changed his reach, and at close quarters it was less nimble than his old sword.

He went through the movements several times without stopping, resting only when sweat appeared on his forehead. The sword weighed about three pounds, and he had no difficulty holding it. But his hands were not yet working smoothly together. He often used too much force when recovering or changing direction, and by the end his shoulders and arms felt stiff.

Before this, his skill progress had stood at [Basic Swordsmanship Lv. 2 (38/100)]. After just a few rounds of practice, his Proficiency had risen by two points, reaching forty.

Since Basic Swordsmanship had reached Lv. 2, his Proficiency had increased very slowly, almost exclusively through combat. Gaining two points after only a few attempts with a hand-and-a-half sword was a pleasant surprise.

Until now, Raymond had practiced only one-handed swordsmanship. He had not expected switching to a hand-and-a-half sword to improve his Basic Swordsmanship Proficiency as well. Perhaps adapting to different weapons could itself deepen his understanding of the basic movements.

That made him think of Henk and Mara. Would sparring with them using this sword improve his Proficiency more effectively?

Unlike Henk, Mara excelled at archery, tracking, and ambushes. She was more of a true huntress. But Raymond had also seen her perform well in close combat. Her movements were coordinated and agile, and her fighting style differed from Henk's.

Perhaps I should get them both to come and spar when there's a chance.

Still thinking, Raymond went into Carter's house and drank a large mouthful of water. He filled another cup and brought it to Carter outside.

Carter took a sip, then looked at Raymond with a smile. “How was Brightwater? Any stories from the trip you'd like to share?”

Since he could no longer walk as freely as before, Carter had placed many of his hopes in Raymond. As the young man grew more capable and even became a hero of Blackstone, Carter felt genuine pride. He had watched this lad grow from a complete novice into the man he was today.

Raymond leaned against the large tree with his hand-and-a-half sword standing beside him. He let out a long breath, something difficult to name in his voice.

“I have a lot to tell you about this trip.”