The children of the Dragon Thorn family have almost all inherited all the bad habits of the god Fande Dragonthorn - extreme pride, arrogance, and arrogance. But they also inherited the advantages of Fande Dragonthorn: sympathy for the weak and hostility.
The strong, against tyranny, desire freedom as much as they desire to breathe.
They would not embarrass a native of Cormyr like Aaron, who is of low strength and is also a noble.
As for Miss Priest, it is even simpler. Vander-Dragon Thorn established his divine kingdom in the Gate of the Moon, and the Silver Virgin and Lady Suellen of the Silver Moon are the masters of the Gate of the Moon, so strictly speaking they only have weak divine power.
Vande-Dragon Thorn is closer to Su Lun's follower god, and at worst is a relatively low-status ally.
The two quickly got through.
This is not a very dangerous journey, because the two of them are walking on the main road of the kingdom, so the equipment they bring is not much, except for the standard sturdy leather boots, a thick cloak, a kettle, a small amount of food and one or two clean items.
Apart from a change of clothes, I didn’t prepare anything more.
There is a checkpoint system carefully designed by the nobles on the main road of the kingdom, which ensures that there will be a hotel for rest and various services within a walking distance of each day. Aaron and Eleanor do not have to worry too much about running out of supplies.
.
"Give~"
Three hours after leaving Shenhai Town, Aaron and Eleanor came to a small slope. The dense birch forest was swaying in the wind, the wild flowers on the roadside were in full bloom, and the breath of life was everywhere.
Aaron casually cut off a branch from a tree, and quickly cut off the excess branches with the standard long sword in his hand. A strong walking stick was ready. The Viscount smiled and handed the "alking stick" to the priest.
: "Miss Eleanor, I think you need this."
"Thank you, but I don't need it." After three hours of trekking, the pastor's body and back were covered with a little sweat. She waved her hand and rejected Aaron's gift: "You can keep it for yourself."
"I remember, don't all the pilgrims have a walking stick like this?" Aaron didn't care when the pastor didn't want it. He grabbed the walking stick and did a few tricks: "Also, aren't you hot like this?"
Eleanor wrapped herself up tightly, and he really felt that Miss Priest was a little uncomfortable like this.
"I'm used to it. It's just a little warm. It's not summer." Eleanor shook her head. The pastor hesitated for a moment and reminded: "Don't be too relaxed. The mountain roads in Cormier are indeed far better than those in Corman."
The forest trails of Suo must be safe, but that does not mean that you will not encounter battles. You also know that you are the one touched by my lord and the last Salian bloodline. If you die..."
"I'm already dead." Aaron held the cane and thrust it hard into the ground, splashing a piece of dirt and grass seeds: "Do you also feel this way, that I am completely different from the original me?"
The pastor lady stopped and looked at Aaron with interest: "Can life and death really bring about such a big change in people?"
"Yes." Aaron sighed. He nodded first and then shook his head: "But I suggest you don't try it. It's not a good experience."
"I think maybe all the nobles can experience it. In this way, the world will definitely become a better place." Miss Pastor took out a small pot from her luggage: "Wine, I brewed it myself, do you want to try it?
?”
"Oh? Ms. Eleanor brewed it herself? Then I must taste it." Aaron's every move was full of elegance. Compared with the past, he was completely different: "I want to drink it brewed by you yourself."
It is not easy to make fine wine. I heard that some nobles paid a lot of money to buy the 'wine of the sunken sea flower', but they couldn't."
"That's just a strategy." Miss Pastor put the glass bottle in Aaron's hand, and her pleasant voice was slightly contented: "People always like to chase rare items and vanity, and proper publicity can always have good results.
.”
"But publicity cannot change the facts in the end. Let me guess, the final fact is that the wine made by Miss Eleanor must be a delicious wine." Aaron shook the wine bottle twice and listened to the contents.
He heard the sound of wine rippling, and said with a smile: "Can I keep Miss Eleanor's fine wine until tonight?"
"There are too many things that get in trouble while drinking during the journey." Aaron stuffed the bottle into his bag with a flick of his fingers. The Viscount took the lead to take the step forward, leaving the pastor lady with a chic back: "
You don't need to test me like this, Miss Eleanor, I told you that I am no longer the person I was before."
Seeing that her thoughts were seen through, a blush flew over Miss Pastor's face. She stamped her feet and hurried to follow: "I didn't test you, I was serious. If my Lord hadn't favored you, I would have doubted it."
You are possessed by something."
"People always have to grow." Seeing the pastor lady catching up, Aaron asked: "In your impression, what kind of person was I before? A mediocre person?"
"He is a person who can only do standard things and speak standard words." Eleanor said thoughtfully: "My face is always flushed in front of me, and the elders lead me to say hello, but besides talking about the weather and playing cards in the tavern,
You never dare to say anything other than games."
Veins appeared on Aaron's head.
How should I answer this question? I can't say that the reason why I'm blushing and afraid to say anything is because I have a crush on you, right?
In the past, Aaron's personality was relatively conservative, so he had a bit of a "sister love" plot, looking forward to those confident and powerful big sisters.
Eleanor Dineful, an elegant and noble half-elf, is a mystery both in her origins and her parents. She never tells her origins, which makes her affairs shrouded in mystery.
What people know is that the half-elf lady appeared in Cormyr about ten years ago. The appearance of the cute little girl, who was exquisitely carved in pink and jade, caused a huge sensation. People called her the "Flower of the Sunken Sea". Aaron has already remembered
It is unclear whether she joined the Silver Virgin Mary Church first or joined the Silver Virgin Mary Church after causing a sensation. In short, Miss Eleanor has been firmly bound to Suellen since she became famous.
Of course, the most famous thing is that there was once a nobleman who fell in love with her and paid the gang members to act as a hero to save the beauty.
Who would have thought that the half-elf lady would take the "Hand of the Moon" warhammer on her waist, at the age of fourteen or fifteen, and open the heads of a group of gang members, causing their brains to splatter all over the alley.
Afterwards, the aristocratic child reported her for intentional homicide, but due to the efforts of the Silver Holy Mother Church and the Purple Dragon Knights, no punishment was given to her as a minor.
After this incident, no one dared to challenge her.
It was after that incident that she began to wear a mask and was unwilling to show her true colors to others, which disappointed everyone, and her popularity gradually declined. The aristocratic children surrounding her slowly dispersed. Aaron remembered Susar's
In aristocratic circles, there is a saying that ridicules pastor ladies for "having resources but not knowing how to use them".
But... maybe this is what she wants. Sometimes beauty is a resource to people, but sometimes it is a trouble to people.
Are you someone who only speaks standard words and does standard things? Aaron muttered a few words.
"Let's go, we'll stay at the Karan Hotel tonight."
"An adventurer returned to his hometown. He was in a great mood and was eager to share the wealth he had gained through hard work with his family. However, he always felt that it lacked some surprises. Damn it, how can this be done?
Can you tell me my joy?
The adventurer knocked on the door of his house. I am a traveler. Can you let me stay here? His family readily agreed. Just like before, they stabbed the traveler in the chest with a knife in the middle of the night, with Tymora on top.
Ah, thank you for giving us this unexpected wealth.
God, he's my brother.
Oh my God, he is my son!
Adventurers, remember that wealth should not be exposed and humanity should not be overestimated."
————Fable of the Kingdom
In the country, walking in the wild is the most common way of adventure. Adventurers usually travel to every corner of the country on foot, looking for the dragon's lair, the elven ruins in the forest, and the dwarf treasure house deep in the mountains.
What's more, they will search for the mountain fortresses of the giants in the past or the lost demiplane space.
Wealthy adventurers often have mounts. Among them, nobles like to ride "tame horses", which are specially trained and fully adapted high-quality horses that are responsible for carrying people and loads. Lesser ones are riding horses, which are strong and capable.
Endurance, can walk in mountains.
The third one is the crossbred farm horse. This kind of horse for servants is willful and unreliable, and has poor endurance.
In addition, there is a kind of pony called a pony specially designed for women to ride. As far as Aaron knows, it is very popular in Susar for noble women to sit sideways on this kind of pony to move around the city.
However, the load-carrying capacity of this little pony is limited to delicate aristocratic ladies.
Aaron secretly glanced at the priest lady who was fully armed, with her robe hanging down to the floor and the inner armor intact, and a hardcover sacred book and a large war hammer hung around her waist.
Well, this kind of thing definitely cannot be carried by pony.
Aaron thought his gaze was very hidden, but in fact, the perception attribute was very strong. How could Miss Pastor not notice it? She sensed Aaron looking at her almost at the same time.
Nine times out of ten, this man is not thinking about something good! A woman’s intuition tells her.
Look carefully again and I'll knock you!
Fortunately, Aaron only glanced at it and looked away.
In addition to horseback riding, horse-drawn carriages, ox-carts, and donkey carts are also important parts of outdoor travel. However, unlike the "high-end floats" imagined by modern people, most two-wheeled vehicles and four-wheeled vehicles in the country are actually not suitable for traveling in the wild.
There is no other reason for traveling outdoors - the roads are really bad.
On rugged mountain roads, it is common for passengers to suffer bumps and even get injured.
Generally speaking, riding a horse is the faster way, and you will definitely not be able to catch up by car. It is very rare for a master rider to be able to leave a large group of elite cavalry behind with a donkey cart.
The magic carriages of the mages are really comfortable, like a mobile hotel, but this is another category.
As the two people got further and further away from Shenhai Town, the road began to become narrower and narrower. The road gradually shrank from the original width of more than ten meters to only four or five meters wide, and the roadside also changed from a patchwork of roads.
Farmland and dense villages gradually evolved into dense forests, invisible trails, and occasionally broken road signs.
"If you are not so eager to return to Susar, we can wait for the Dragon Thorn family's large convoy to give you a ride." Miss Priest looked around carefully, her hand never leaving the handle of the war hammer "Hand of the Moon"
, obviously she already has a lot of adventure experience.
"The Longthorn family's caravan? Oh, please, I don't want to get along with those guys who have higher ambitions." Aaron also looked at the surroundings warily, and at the same time he was distracted to answer the pastor's words: "There is a god in the house.
Family...damn it...I'm late..."
"Too late? What's so late?"
"No, it's nothing." Aaron shook his head quickly. Every time he thought about this problem, he still felt heartbroken and uncomfortable.
I'm late!
"Don't think like this. The nameless bard (Vander-Dragon Thorn's nickname) has a close relationship with our Lord. You are the one who is touched. No matter how arrogant the Dragon Thorn family is, they will not do anything to you." Pastor.
The lady explained patiently.
"That's good, so why are you masked?" Aaron said bluntly.
"...You!" Miss Pastor was silenced by Aaron's words. She didn't get angry, nor did she admit her mistake.
Damn it, I really want to knock you!
Miss Pastor's lips were as plump as cherries and her teeth were clenched tightly.
Holy Mother of Silver, please understand your humble servant, this kid is so abominable, if he is not your touch, I really want to give him a taste of pain!
The two of them turned an intersection, and the forest ahead became more lush, the spring light shone brightly, and the earth was full of vitality.
Miss Priest's expression suddenly changed, and she immediately reached out and grabbed the war hammer at her waist.
"The mountain breeze is fishy! There are goblins nearby!"
"Your Excellency Salian, prepare to fight!"
"Okay!" Aaron's perception was not as high as Eleanor's. His reaction was a little slower, but relying on muscle memory, he unsheathed his sword and adjusted his pace quickly.
Following the pace of Miss Priest, the two passed through the dense woods and saw a collapsed carriage. The horse had disappeared, one wheel of the carriage was unloaded on the ground, and the carriage fell over.
There were scattered arrows stuck in the surrounding land, and some traces of blood could still be seen vaguely in the grass and shrubs.
"It's a goblin!" Aaron stretched out his hand and wiped the surface of the grass, put the blood under his nose and smelled it, and then judged: "The goblin attacked this convoy?"
"It looks like it, but it's not." Miss Pastor squatted down and looked at the footprints on the ground: "Look, there are only a few goblin footprints here."
"Only how many?" Aaron's expression immediately became serious.
Goblins, gnolls, and kobolds are known as the three novice friends in the country, and they are also the enemies of novices.
These three races all have three common characteristics - they are able to give birth, are easy to feed, and are good at guerrilla tactics.
This is a group of creatures that cannot be killed no matter how hard they are. Their growth cycle is very short and their vitality is surprisingly tenacious. They can survive by eating meat or grass roots. As long as a few of them survive, they can restore the size of a tribe in the next year. If
Once they are all killed, tribes from other places will migrate over.
There are endless descendants.
However, goblins are different from gnolls or kobolds. Goblins are extremely timid creatures. If there are only goblins themselves, they will not take the initiative to attack humans without five or ten times the number.
Aaron and Eleanor only saw a few goblin footprints.
This situation is not right!
This shows that this goblin has a leader, and it is definitely not a goblin. It is most likely a bugbear or hobgoblin among the goblins!
Aaron shifted his attention to the carriage of the carriage. Although the canvas of the caravan was in tatters, through the light and shadow, it seemed that there was something inside.
He stretched out his sword and carefully raised the car curtain.
At the same time as he raised the car curtain, there was a cry from deep in the forest.