* * *
After a brief visit to the smithy, they headed back over to the Bracksfordshire Arms with a few pieces of new gear. Aiden now had a short sword strapped to his waist and a cured leather breastplate to protect his body, while Pacian purchased a proper combat dagger to replace his carving knife.
Despite their tremendous and illegally obtained wealth, there was little to buy at the shop. Again, the King’s army had a hand in their fate, taking all the decent weapons and armour weeks ago, leaving precious little to choose from.
Nellise returned carrying a wooden staff and backpack over her shoulder and Pacian reappeared a moment later, apparently having spent his time buying provisions which he carried in a large sack. More than that, he was wearing a full suit of leathers, dyed a patchwork of green and brown, just like Colt's.
“Where did you get that?” Colt exclaimed.
“You see that shop over the road there?” Pacian hiked his thumb over his shoulder, pointing out a clothing store just down the road from the mayor's office. “Run by a nice older gentleman and his young, young wife. A little too young for him if you ask me -”
“I know of the bloody shop,” Colt interrupted angrily, “but that's Ranger armour. It's practically a uniform.”
“Well, this elder gentleman I mentioned? Turns out he used to be a Ranger, years ago. Retired now obviously, but when I mentioned our mission to brave dangerous roads in an effort to bring urgent supplies to the town, well, he said to me 'I've got a little something here that might help you out'. And he brings out this very nice suit of armour, and insists I take it.” Pacian kept loading up his pack with the items and supplies he found as he talked.
“Never knew old Dave Patel was a Ranger,” Colt mused. “He had that weathered look about him though. Might have to talk to him about that when we get back. But if he offered it to you, you must have made quite an impression. Either that or you've somehow swindled him, and if I find out that's what you've done -”
“I know, I know, severe beatings and such,” Pacian muttered.
“As much I enjoy watching these little sparring matches between you two,” Nellise interrupted impatiently, “I really think we should start out immediately. It could take a week to get back here with supplies, and every hour could make all the difference.” His pack full, Aiden hefted it onto his back, and secured the buckles.
“I couldn't agree more,” he said, “you two can argue about whatever you like on the way north.” Colt grunted in agreement, while Pacian took out a forest-green cloak and offered it to Nellise.
“Your white robe sticks out like a sore thumb,” he explained. “This should help you blend in a little better. May I?” Nellise, still harbouring some resentment to him, eventually nodded and allowed Pacian to gently wrap the cloak around her shoulders before they set out.
After a few minutes, they reached the north gate which, like the wall surrounding the town, was made of thick oak trunks. There were four guards standing before it, looking miserable in their rusty chain armour and blue tabards. The armour itself didn't appear to fit any of them properly – mostly it was too large and draped heavily from young shoulders. One of them was even a young woman, far too small for her chain mail but appearing defiant and proud regardless.
They perked up when Aiden produced the official note from the mayor and, moments later, the heavy locking bar was lifted and the gate swung outwards enough to allow the group to walk in single file out to the highway beyond. As Aiden and his companions strode through, the biggest of the guards quietly wished them good luck, and then closed the gate behind them, locking the bar in place with an ominous ‘thunk’.
“I’m suddenly having second thoughts about this,” Pacian remarked, looking over his shoulder as they walked away.
“We’re getting through to Culdeny, one way or another,” Aiden assured him.
“What else did Olaf tell you about what we’re facing?” Colt asked as he took out his longbow and began to string it.
“Two dozen men, most likely thugs from the streets of Culdeny,” Aiden explained. “They’re not trained for any of this and aren’t likely to be well armed. I know what you’re thinking - that’s a lot to deal with, but their leader is the only one holding it together. If we take him out, the rest should break and run.”
“That strikes me as being rather specific information,” Nellise shrewdly noted.
“What can I say, the man is corrupt and has connections with some less savoury elements up north. He knows more about these bandits than he was letting on,” Aiden added, omitting the part about Olaf hiring them in the first place.
“Well, I was planning to keep it stealthy anyway,” Colt muttered, testing his longbow to ensure it was ready. “We move out and keep as quiet as possible - if we do run into any bandits they're likely to be hiding and I’ll take them out without raising an alarm. They won't want to fight us face-to-face, like real men, so keep an eye on our surroundings. Aiden, do you know how to use that sword?”
“I know which end to point at the opponent, yeah,” Aiden answered as he tested his small sword, swinging it back and forth to get a feel for it.
“Try not to stab yourself. Let’s go.” Without further ado they walked over the old Stormflow River bridge and left the safety of town behind, with Aiden wondering if they were getting in over their heads.