"Change of plans, Chum. You will deliver both cargo of captives. I must take care of a few things before I return. Knox and Malaria will accompany me. Unhitch this cargo and attach it to yours quickly. We must be off."
Chum did as he was told and without question.
"You have four days of travel remaining, dont be late. Malaria, leave your beast with the captives. I want it to continue hiding they're memories. Twice a day, can you connect with it thoroughly enough for that task ?."
"Yes, of course Mr. Grimm."
"Good, let's go."
Hours later Chum was debating on when to get some payback on the three kids that made him look like a idiot. He had a schedule to keep and being minutes late would put him in more trouble, but he was eager to risk it if only for a moment to get back at them for what they had done.
Traveling with Mr. Grimm, Knox on the other hand debated to tell him about the sapphire river and the encounter. He had told him everything that occurred except that. He didn't know how Mr. Grimm would react.
Exhaling in frustration he leaned his head back thinking how he wished they're memories weren't being taken from them. He wanted them to remember him and they're bond. He rubbed the carved O on his leg while thinking how thankful he was it didn't heal. When he took the liquid from Mr. Grimm which was a spirt fruit that came from a life tree. It could heal all wounds made within five hours of taking it completely.
"I know you liked those three, I can tell by how long you let the fight drag on. A strong friendship is needed for all of us. It makes us stronger. Although they may not remember you, at the academy you're more than welcome to try for their friendship again." Mr. Grimm said genuinely which made Knox smile.
After two days of traveling without stopping Chum was now in an area filled with groves of yellow five foot trees with blooming red, yellow and orange bulbs on many of the branches.
"Slack shrub tree's, well taken care of too. This isnt good, that means civilization is not far. Every delivery requires a different route, but this time these ass holes chose a route that spells trouble, I better let Mr. Grimm know his damn navigators are slipping on the job." He thought.
Thirty minutes later, Chum previous thoughts came to fruition as he was now being questioned by a man harvesting the bulbs from the trees.
"The name is Jack, Jack Holster. You're cutting through my property which i dont have an issue with, but if you dont mind ill be checking your cargo. The last time I caught someone near my trees they were up to no good stealing my precious coin making shrubs. " A brown skin bald man wearing a dark green armoured vest spoke. He looked to be in his late forties.
"My good sir, I am but passing through, there is no need for a search. I can assure you that none of your crops have been taken." Chum responded with a light smile.
The man rubbed his bald head for a moment before responding.
"Well if you can assure me, then it shouldn't be a big deal for me to take a look. I have that right. You're on my property, either that or I will call the proper authorities to handle it for me. Don't think for a moment im someone who will lay over easily." He said while raising his wrist toward his mouth, he was wearing a comms device in the form of a watch.
Chum hesitated for a moment and smiled while agreeing. Near the dash of the carriage was a small latch. Lifting it up, he pressed a button as Jack circled around to the back of the wagon.
"Its nothing back there, its completely empty."
"Yes, I am on my way to pick up some goods, I have a long journey ahead. So if you don't mind ill be on my way and off your property. "
Jack looked at him curiously for a moment. In his head, he had seen many merchants and dealt with many. Everyone had they're own clothing style, but looking at Chum and the blacksmithing apron he wore didn't seem out of place as many blacksmiths traveled to gather materials from other places. However the small streaks of dried blood on his white apron did.
"Did a bit of hunting im assuming. " Jack said while nodding towards the stained blood on his apparel which was from loading Damon up before Mr. Grimm gave him some healing elixer.
"For sure, a man's gotta eat am I right." Chum responded patting his large stomach.
"Alright, sorry for all the questions and thank you for not giving me any crap. Safe travels good sir." He said while allowing Chum to pass.
Jack began plucking more Slack shrub bulbs, placing them in large sacks he had on a wagon being pulled by a very large bull type beast. As the end of the wagon came into his view again, he saw something too curious to let go. Something that didn't make sense while looking at the tire trails left behind.
He had been a merchant for a very long time, saw all kinds of wagons and carriages of many sizes.
"The weight of those wagons shouldn't leave trails that deep, not when its supposedly empty he thought.
Jack also knew the ground was particularly firm near his grove of shrubs. Even with his wagon filled to the brim with material, it didn't leave tire trail marks that deep.
"Could he be using the new cargo tech to hide rare and expensive materials. Those things are incredibly expensive and he doesn't look like the type to afford such tech. Its primarily used to transport highly important materials and only the transport service of the capital in the king's ranks are able to use it lawfully. Damn nobles are always exempt from such things." Jack thought to himself.
"Wait a damn second, if so he could easily be hiding my crops in those wagons."
Jack immediately contacted someone he knew was perfect for the Job. He gave clear instructions on the direction and path Chum was currently on.
"If its nothing then it won't be a problem, however I cant take the chance of losing any money all because some greasy black smith fool wants to take advantage of my harvest. I really have to set up some cameras. " he thought while slowly following Chum on foot.
A while later Jack received a call from a man named Issac, the head and captain of the guards at Capetown which was the only city in the area.
"Unfortunately a plethora of beasts has evaded the city, all available guards are currently busy, so we will not be able to assist you. Becareful, there has been reports of bandits near the area as well." A strong smooth voice spoke from Jack's comms.
Jack rubbed his bald head and closed his eyes in frustration.
"Well, I suppose we have no choice Buckhead." He said to the six legged bull beast that followed him closely.
Hopping on its back, the bull named Buckhead began running. Minutes later, Chum and the wagon came back in their view.
The altercation escalated quickly and before Jack knew it, Buckhead charged forward colliding with the side of the wagon while facing off against the large bear hauling beast that pulled the carriage.
"You fool. You have no clue who you're dealing with." Chum shouted while blocking a strike from Jack. The bald man was agile and quick with his hands but Chum was fast as well despite his out of shape body stature.
A fiery glow that resembled hot charcoal crawled up Chum's arms making his hands and arm resemble smoldering wood.
"A pyrotechnic." Jack thought dodging a blow that nearly crashed into his face. While Chum's arm was stretched out beside Jack's face, he shook it making hot embers flick off stabbing into Jack's neck.
Wincing in discomfort for a moment, Jack stepped back reaching in the undercarriage of his armored vest. He pulled out a tiny toy sized shovel no bigger than the size of his thumb.
An orange glow surrounded the small shovel and within the blank of an eye it was six feet long. The entire shovel was covered in a bronze metal with a chrome silver surfing underneath the copper color making it shine. The face of the shovel was wide and curved like a spoon, but looked to be sharp and sleek while the end of the handle had engravings of a man with a straw hat harvesting crops.
"An Enhancer, these bastards are alway problematic. " Chum cursed spitting a brown gunk of thick liquid to the ground.
"Tobacco is a nasty habit, you should try a strand of slack shrub instead." Jack said with smile.
Chum yanked his arm in and then out spreading wooden embers in the air seconds before launching forward. Jack spun the shovel slapping away the hot coals back towards Chum as he pushed towards him. With a jump and a spin, Jack dug the shovel in the ground creating a sudden large crack that crawled like webs across the soil.
Before Chum could move he was falling into a large pit, but using the side of the pit. Chum pushed off with great force jumping back out, and was met with the broom end of the shovel making his body fly and tumble to the dirt.
"That's clearly no ordinary shovel." Chum said brushing himself off not knowing Jack was near the wagon inspecting it.
Buckhead had pushed the bear beast back breakingthe chains to wagon, small trees and dirt flew up while the ground shook as both beasts collided forty meters away in the forest.
A searing pain clapped around the back of Jack's neck before his body was slung around in a circle and released. Twisting his body, Jack planted his shovel deep in the dirt cutting the ground as he forced himself to a stop.