>>6099014>“I appreciate your concern, but I don’t intend to earn Princess Yulia’s hand by skulking about on your ship. When I walk into Solis, it will be with my head held high, so that all her citizens may lay witness to their future king! Besides, this will be a good opportunity for me to scope out the competition with my own eyes.”“I had a feeling you’d say that.” Alvin laughs. “Very well then. I won’t broach the subject again. If you plan to head into Solis yourself, there are two locations in particular that I would suggest you visit. The first is ‘The Scrying Orb’. It’s the largest tavern you’ll find outside the city of Morfis. It attracts all manner of news throughout our kingdom. Right now, it’s sure to be a hotbed of information about the contest, as well as the other contenders. If you go there, you’re likely to learn a thing or two.”
>You nod. “Excellent. Sounds like a good place to sample this land’s cuisine while I’m at it. What’s the second place?”“Murillo’s Companions.” Alvin says. “Murillo is a retired soldier who runs something of a security business. They mostly guard caravans that run between villages, but his mercenaries tend to be decently skilled. You’ll likely be able to pick up a companion or two. It may cost you some gold, but it’ll be worth it to have a decent blade at your side. You can likely use that gem you picked up off Omar to barter with them. Additionally, feel free to tell Murillo that Captain Alvin of the ‘Morfisian Rose’ sent you. Him and I have a cordial relationship, and he may treat you more favorably.”
“Caravan guards?” May asks. “What do they guard caravans from?”
Alvin shrugs. “All manner of things. Raiders, monsters, the snake people.”
>“Monsters?” You raise an eyebrow.“S-s-snake people?!” May blurts out, horrified.
“Well, not ACTUAL snake people.” Alvin says, trying to smooth things over. “It’s more of a derogatory term. The Cult of the Serpent is what they’re called. Just regular cultists, I assure you. And as for the monsters, well I understand Fodlan has them too, no? I believe you call them ‘Demonic Beasts’ if I am not mistaken? Here in Morfis, we simply refer to them as Terrors. They’re not too common, fortunately, but you’d still prefer to avoid an encounter with one if at all possible.”
You’d seen a Demonic Beast just once before. A few years ago, one had taken its home in a mountain pass near one of Rusalka’s many mines. You accompanied the Countess, who went herself to deal with the creature when she’d heard. You still recall the stench of blood in the air as you neared its den. That monster boasted a frighteningly strong hide, which was impervious to all but a specially made spear that Blair had possessed. If you knew you might encounter them here as well, you might have brought the damn thing with you.
