Everything was going well and being built at the forest settlement but things were different at the city area.
(City area where Guilds Located)
In the past few days after the discussion with the group on whether they should go to the forbidden forest or not it was finally concluded that they would go to see if they were actually any defects located there as rumors pointed out, and even though they were somewhat skeptical of what they two men said but took the chance to try to strike it rich afterall.
They all submitted a group scouting mission and just needed permission by the guild to gain access to some records about the area and use of some guild resources.
When they submitted their report the guildmaster welcomed them inside which he could be seen as a short stubby fat person with jeweled rings on his finger and well kept handle bar mustache wearing silk clothes covered by leather armour with a monocle over the left eye.
The guildmaster eyed the group who came in and said " You want access to the records of the forbidden forest well, even if your silver ranked that place has claimed as many as 1000 silver ranked adventures" The guild master took a pipe that was on his desk and started smoking.
" You guys though looked like a rag tag bunch too and giving you guild resources and knowledge seems dumb unless you" The guildmaster rubbed his fingers together insinuating something with a cheeky grin on his face, which then caused the group to frown somewhat to which the mage started talking.
" You want a fee right, no problem but you do know what we're actually hunting for right if you help just imagine the accolades for capturing a settlement of pests" the guildmaster eye showed interest and the mage continued.
" I'm sure you know the annual conference of wizard towers will be happening on the eve of spring in 10 months and they will definitely want , no need resources to test their spells, potions and they're best magecrafts to see whose the mightiest" The guildmaster was more drawn in listening intently.
" I from the red wizard tower and we are willing to spend many coins to acquire 'resources' so you can just imagine the need for these resources for the other towers"
" This also includes that business will be booming these days which not only means easier to sell and less likelihood of negotiation prices being below what you would be making at normal rates selling them in smaller quantities" The mage finally stopped talking and waited for the guildmaster to respond which he then said.
" How much would this benefit the guild (me) then I just want to know" He rubbed his hands together anticipating what bribe he can get for the exchange in resources which the mage then said
" 20 percent of the total profit amount if we are allowed access to the guild resources and a quicker ride than the normal drawn carriages maybe two of the dragon blooded lizards to pull them for quicker travel" the mage smirked and the group was baffled but was silent basically agreeing to the mage's deal.
The guildmaster then said " It can be done but" He says this pausing to stroke his moustache playing with it and thinking of something better " What about 50 percent of the total profit and you'll get the dragon blooded lizards too which can greatly speed the 7 months travel to just 2 months" he quipped which made everyone astonished at the price and were considering to say something when the mage interrupted.
" What about 25 percent after all we'll have to deal with any resistance (there is none since defects are weaker) especially any beasts that attack us in the forest and we get to use the lizards still"
The mage wasn't a fool to offer something significantly lower than his price hoping it would deter him but just tried upping his initial offer while telling of any problems to lower the amount to be reasonable since they were doing the dirty work.
The guildmaster face didn't change but he was then thinking ' Do you think I'm stupid, resistance from those gutter rats when even a bronze tier adventurer could take them down'
He then said aloud " 45 percent nothing else and we can come to an agreement remember the guild resources are very precious especially those dragon blooded lizards are a rare breed each costing 500 gold coins each meaning one white gold piece" he then continued " If anything were to happen to them it would be a terrible loss"
Hearing this amount his group was surprised but not him after all in the red wizard tower the lowest amount for a beast mount was around 100 to 300 gold going up to even 5 white gold which is the head mages pet white scaled razor python with its ability to even shift colours, shrink and make its scales cut through even tier 3 mage enchantments and shields with ease.
" The best we can accommodate is 30 percent and we can write up a contract saying that we will forfeit our titles and freedom to you if we lose the dragon blooded lizards" The mage continued " We also need supplies which we will pay at regular price instead of guild price to make up for any financial stress so do we have a deal"
The guild master was very excited and just said one thing " No problem, its a pleasure doing business with you and hope you return speedily and safely all in one piece"
The guildmaster handed them the card that granted them access to the guild library and access to the carriages and the cages with no qualms waiting for when they leave and when they come back basically bringing free profit towards the guild (me).
All this happened a few days after their meeting but then they left with everything in tow and was now being led by the mage since he negotiated the deal and was basically made leader through the silence they exhibited when they were asked before.
While this was happening at the desert the group Karisa was leading were almost at the forest periphery they just had 3 more days of trekking which they were held back due to using man power to pull the carriages carry the other desert settlers,
During this time many people, although tired, thirsty and some even wanting to give up from traveling were encouraged by others to continue trekking onwards and about the dreams of a better life coming.
This motivation carried them through especially with half of their supplies gone due to some rationing and some sneak attacks by night from sand hounds but they were making great strides.
Along the way old man Ivan asked the question " What is this new god like anyways, is he tall, if he's lazy and such" which Karisa said he's very good and kind and even blushed when she remembered what the women gossipped about his impressive 'situation'.
But overall she assured him that he was really down to earth, surprisingly he felt very comforting to talk to which reassured old man Ivan even more that his decision was correct he even thought.
' This will be a brand new chapter for us , for our families no more wondering and the hope that we may found an empire for our people'
Old man Ivan continued but now aloud " This is a new chapter young missy. With us finally having a chance to finally settle down without having to think of becoming hunted"
Old man Ivan then looked at the people who were still had the slave marks " Those with the marks still need to be dealt with because as soon as we leave the desert those arks will reveal our positions so we need to make haste to get them to Lord Niles"
" Or else…." Old man Ivan was interrupted by Karisa telling him " Don't worry everything will be ok we just need to rush and even when they disappear the worse they'll think is that they died in the forest and if they feel anything is suspicious" Karisa looked towards the front with much faith in her eyes smiling and old man Ivan seeing this felt such a level of faith in her actions about their new lord.
" Lord Niles will solve everything he has the ability to change our situation and all we can do is have faith right now, even when things get hopeless the things he's done, the things he's allowed us to create have taught us that there is a possibility of true survival"
Karisa had faith in the things that lit her dull eyes up from her father, mother, grandfather and their ancestors before them, they all carried their will to go on ' A merchants spirit is faith and I have faith in Lord Niles'.
This faith was being transmitted to Niles right now and which he was now staying at an already finished house as well as trying to remake the blueprint of his house with the laboratory underground.
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Dragon Blooded Lizards : Lizard beasts that have the bloodlines of dragons the more traits they have similar to dragons means a purer bloodline and some even can use dragonic power, have almost unlimited stamina and regenerative abilities comparable to higher beings.
Wizard towers: Wizard towers are where mages research and create new spells including researching specific magic types such as fire with red tower,water with blue tower and such (more will be mentioned in the later story with their business ventures and magecrafts)