The giant eagles increased in number and they flew by the hundreds. Aldred frowned and caught a glimpse of someone riding one of the giant eagles before they quickly sped away.
"Hmmm. I wonder if I can ride one of those," Aldred said.
They continued to walk toward the north. The temperature was quite hot during the day on the vast plain.
After walking for more than thirty minutes, they saw the ruins of a tower, and beside it was a shabbily made stall.
"Hello, would you like to buy some cold juice for your journey?" A man said behind the wooden table, showing a glass of orange juice with ice cubes.
"Should we rest here?" Aldred asked.
"I mean, we are not that tired, but being hasty isn't good as well," Mary said.
Zafrina nodded. "We should buy some juice before we begin walking again."
Aldred approached the stall. "Get us one hundred orange juice."
He hovered his hand on the table, and gold coins started to pour out like a waterfall.
The man was shocked. "Sir, this is more than enough for 100 orange juice."
"Consider it as a tip." Aldred walked back as the soldier and his wives already prepared the mat on the ground as if they were having a picnic.
The merchant took a while to prepare 100 orange juice, but he worked as fast as he could because he was alone.
After everyone got their orange juice, Aldred sipped his drinks and asked: "Why is that tower destroyed?"
The man fixed his headdress. "That's the ruins of the Cyne Tower, My Lord. Legends said that a powerful lord created this tower to drive off giant eagles in his territory. It worked for years until the eagles got smarter and penetrated his defense."
"But that's a mere story. It's not real, right?"
"Who knows, My Lord? With folktales, you can't really tell the truth from the lies."
"Yeah, anyway, what will I see if I keep walking north? Will there be any village? Or a small stall like yours?"
"Hmmm, there are pubs, inns, and taverns along the way. And you might meet with some wandering merchants as well."
"And I am a wandering merchant as well, Sir. So I will not be staying here all the time. After the day becomes less hot, I will pack up and leave."
Aldred looked around. "Well, you won't find a lot of customers in this place."
The man laughed. "I am very lucky to meet you in this place, My Lord. I make quite a fortune."
"What about monsters and bandits? Aren't you worried about that?"
"Hmmm, we don't really worry about that. I have become a wandering merchant for 20 years, and I have never been robbed. As for monsters… the most dangerous animal that I have met on the road was a rat."
"This island seemed… tame."
"If you go to the jungle then it's a whole different thing, My Lord. Especially if you go to the mountains."
"Right, I just saw a pack of giant eagles. Do you know something about them?"
"Ah, yes. They are called the Ranehawk, and to my knowledge, they only exist on this island."
"I have seen a couple of giant hawks before, but this Ranehawk seems a little different."
"I was told by a foreign that the Ranehawks have longer wingspan than most giant eagles. Though I am not sure if that was true or not as I have never left the island."
"When you said the mountains are dangerous, is it because of these hawks?"
"That is correct, My Lord. These Ranehawks are very aggressive and territorial. If you approach them, they will attack you viciously. I have heard stories that a group of Gold Ranks was attacked, and their innards were dropped from the sky as a message."
"Really? I saw someone riding one of those eagles."
"That's impossible! The Ranehawks are hostile to humans."
"Then, what do you know about Mount Savy?"
"Mount Savy… My Lord, don't tell me you plan to go there?"
Aldred nodded.
The man put his index finger into his nose three times, licked it, and then spun around before clasping his hands together in prayer.
"What are you doing?"
"I am doing my prayers, My Lord. Please don't mention the name of that mountain. And if you do see it, please do not point at it. In fact, don't go near it, or even go there in the first place."
"Is it the nest of the Ranehawks?"
"It is not just their nest, but their shrine, their church, their holy land. I once read that a king tried to send his army to pass through the mountain, not only was the army massacred, the whole kingdom was destroyed by relentless attacks from the sky. Some stories said the battle went on for years, and others said it went on for months, but one thing was for sure, it was bloody hell for them."
"I see. Thanks for telling me that."
"Yes, you're welcome, My Lord." The man walked back to his stall.
When the man returned to the stall, Aldred asked Stella. "Do you know anything about this?"
"Sadly, no. I have heard stories about the Ranehawk, and it's pretty similar to what he said."
"We should continue our journey after this. Talk to some locals, maybe we can have more information."
Aldred and everyone else drank their orange juice, ate their sandwich, and then went on with their journey.
"See you later, My Lord." The orange juice seller waved them goodbye.
They walked on the wheel trail, created by hundreds of wagons that passed this plain for years. Humans had natural ways to make trails in nature.
"The seller said we will see an inn ahead of us. Will we stay for the night?" Rachel hugged his arms and asked.
"Maybe. It depends on the situation."
The sun began to set, and soon, it was nighttime.
Aldred blew cold air out of his mouth as he saw lights from the distance.
"That's the tavern."
"Finally. Let's get inside," Ivette said.
They approached the tavern.
"The Exalted Beggar." Aldred laughed. "What a unique name."
They got inside and were greeted by a beautiful woman.
"Hello, would you like to stay for the night?"
"Yes. Do you have room for more than 90 people?"
"Of course, Sir. Adventurers tend to pass by and they usually stay, so we have everything you might need."
"That's good," Aldred said. "And we would like a meal now."
"Sure. Please pick your table and we will bring the food for you."
Aldred and his group sat down and chatted while they waited for the food to come.
A man with well-made clothing moved his silver eyes at Aldred. "Where are you going, may I ask?"
Aldred looked at him.
The man smiled. "My name is Sige. A Gold Rank adventurer. I am a wizard specifically, but I bring a dagger and a sling with me just in case."
"My name is Aldred. I am a swordsman."
"I don't see you bringing any sword. You know, a swordsman is usually proud of their sword and brings it out with them all the time."
Aldred raised his hand and it was engulfed by dark flame. The whole room became chilling, and Sige's hand trembled subconsciously.
The wizard held his hand to stop it from trembling, and then he looked at Aldred's hand as the dark flame transformed into a terrifying weapon.
"What kind of weapon is that…"
