As Sibyl looked over and spotted Amie and Mason behind her she chuckled slightly. "Your man has a lot of balls," she whispered to Amie, who did nothing more or less than ignore her.
"Handsomeness too," Isolde added.
"Dwarves never forget one for ridiculing their kind. They are known to hold grudges till death," Sibyl explained. "They are one of the oldest beings in Africlaux, and of course, no one wants to mess with them."
"Those bastards could recount the history of your generations, and crimes everyone had forgotten," Isolde continued. "They know everything, secrets even the king's wizards do not know."
"We must be lucky then," Mason sighed. "It was a good thing we left before they got close enough to get a good look at our faces."
Kiya pulled her reins and burst into laughter. Her action surprised everyone, as it was her first time to display her amusement ever since they journeyed together.
"Did you not hear the first part?" she asked, briefly eyeing Mason. "They do not forget those who look down on them. I'm certain they already turned on you the moment you turned your back on them."
"They did not see our faces clearly," Mason explained.
"They have good sights," Sibyl said.
"And noses too," Isolde added.
"They can recognize and smell you from a long distance."
"You will protect us," Mason said, smiling sheepishly.
"Who? We?" Isolde gestured. "I hope so, but it would be a waste," she added in a sad tone.
"I have a feeling we will meet again," Mason said affirmatively, her gaze now on Kiya.
"That is one perilous feeling to have," Kiya said. "If we were to meet again you would lose your life, unless of course it is coincidental. Otherwise, I do not want to see you again in this lifetime."
"Why?" Amie chimed in.
"It would be so sad to watch a man of this beauty become one with the earth," Sibyl replied.
"I do not understand what you are saying," Amie said. "Can you be more precise?" Her question continued hanging without a reply from the girls. Only occasionally glances aimed at Mason.
The group continued moving again when they noticed the dwarves and the other merchants were closing in.
"I wish to be there to watch his cute eyes one last time," Isolde whispered finally. "I might even play with him if given the chance. I bet he's cute down there, too." She eyed Mason seductively.
"Watch it, whore!" Amie hissed, glowering contemptuously.
"Easy, easy, young lady," Isolde chuckled, throwing up one of her hands in a gesture of peace. "Just jesting, I mean no—"
"Here we are!" Sibyl announced.
Isolde turned to face forward, while Mason and Amie raised their heads to behold an imposing wall looming ahead. Several carts, wagons, and caravans lined up at a large gate, seeking passage. At last, they had arrived at their destination, Vin Town.
The first thought that came to Mason's mind included the prospect of a bed and a good meal. The feeling lasted as long as it took to relieve him when he realized he had no money.
The group dismounted and fell in line with the waiting people. In front of them was a middle-aged woman standing beside her horse and cart. She regarded the ladies for a moment even though their faces were hidden inside their hoods, before craning her head to get a better view of Mason.
A look of surprise registered on her face as Mason met her gaze. She opened her mouth but didn't speak.
"Woman, face forward if you do not want to lose your head," Isolde warned, briefly revealing her red face. The woman briskly grabbed her horse reins and moved forward. Judging by how she glanced frantically at Mason, she must not have been able to control herself.
"See, it is the disadvantage of being too handsome," Isolde said to Mason. "You stand out always. Everyone, including monsters feeds you attention everywhere you go."
"Well, I can't always hide my face," Mason said. "That will only lead to more suspicion."
Isolde regarded him briefly but said no more. With her face now deep within her hood, she made it a difficult task for Mason to read her expression. However, Mason thought he heard her sigh.
From the gate emerged several men in blue and white armor. Some of them had shields hanging at their backs as they rode toward Mason and his party. Leading them was a pretty blonde lady wearing a blue cape under a breastplate.
"I wonder what the paladins of Lyvier were doing in Vin Town," Sibyl said. "And led by Cleric Dennis," Isolde added.
The paladins rode past without sparing a glance at the people they came across, however, something about their fleeting presence filled Mason with incomprehensible emotions. Perhaps fury.
"Aye, Move!" a man's voice shouted shrilly from behind. It was only then that Mason and Amie realized they were lagging behind. Kiya and her companions were already a few paces ahead.
Without a moment to lose they caught up with the ladies. Mason glanced to see the person who shouted. The man, at least what he looked like, had two long curve horns protruding from his head just a few inches above his goat ears.
As the dark hornman's eyes met his stare Mason dropped his gaze to see the cloven hooves the creature had as feet. The hornman chilled Mason so much that he found himself automatically looking away.
At last they are standing in front of the large double gate of the town. Two guards in silver armor stood in front the gates. One of them wore an helmet while the other did not.
"What is your business here?" the guard without an helmet asked.
Kiya moved close to him, drew back her hood, and whispered something to the man. The guard's eyes broadened, and then he nodded and stepped aside.
"Grant them passage," he said to his comrade. The second guard moved away and the ladies proceeded forward. Mason and Amie followed, however the guards intercepted. "State your business here!"
"Umm… you see, I and my wife have journeyed a long distance to settle down here," Mason stammered.
The guards raised their eyebrows. They said nothing, however, the look on their faces prompted Mason to continue speaking.
Mason pondered if telling them he had a family in the town would increase his chance of being admitted, but what would he say if asked who his family was?
He thought of telling them he was a traveller and would like to stop and rest in the town, but would that work, considering he'd already told them he was there to settle down?
"They are with us," Kiya's voice came. "Let them in."
"Aye, milady!" The guards stepped aside for Mason and Amie and the duo hurried through the gates.
"Thank you, milady," Mason bowed gentlemanly when he approached the girls who had now mounted their horses.
"Enough with the sarcasm, just do not cause trouble in the town," Kiya said. "And keep that damned face of yours hooded."
"Damned indeed," Sibyl chuckled.
"Goodbye, handsome," Isolde whispered, waving.
As the ladies went off, disappearing into the town, Mason took his time to observe his surroundings. The town was crowded, with people going to and fro. Traders and merchants called for customers, cursing at passersby who were disrupting their business.
Some shop-keepers were taking in their goods displayed outside their shops. A particular woman raised her head toward the darkening sky and muttered some words, probably curses. Apparently, it would not be long before it rains, which certainly would be a disaster for traders.
The atmosphere was thick with the stench of horse manure and damp soil, and the chilling air was piercing with the goats bleats and cows' moos.
Mason glanced to see Amie looking around as well. "Where are we going from here?" she asked when she met his gaze.
The question made Mason's stomach boil. He would have work something out if he was alone. But with Amie with him he wasn't sure of what to do, he didn't want to endanger the girl.
"We move first," Mason said, but before he could take a step a shrilled voice startled him.
"Hey, move if your not buying!"
Mason glanced to his left to see a one-eyed man standing in front of a jewelry shop. The sight reminded him of Shoko. A grin slowly appeared on Mason's lips as an idea struck.