GAMBIT 29 029| Bargain

The thundering of hooves split the silence as their stallion gallops through the bleak landscape. The wind wisps its mane into the air like flames; after all it is a flame colored chestnut. Its muscles ripple from under its pelt and powerful legs. They propel the Stallion forward and keep him going as he powers over the land. Due to its fast-pace, Endeavor has made the decision to fly above instead, rather than staying on the man's shoulder, being blown by the wind.

"Virgo, calm down. Where are we heading to?" Quartz allays, watching the sweat fall off Virgo's face.

"We are heading to the city of Uno, it rests on the pinnacle of Mount Zephyr. I lack the time to explain, so please bear with me and take care of the Sapphire." Virgo responds as she fastens the speed of the stallion, almost like a lightning bolt it ran.

Throughout the journey, the young man remained silent, not questioning the maiden furthermore despite being curious by her abrupt actions. Surprisingly, even the maiden knows how to tame and handle a horse. They reach the city by the hour after lunch.

Wreath in clouds of the coldest, is the tallest mountain of Sacchi, known as Mount Zephyr painted in phantom-white. Through the day, even the night, it snows wildly on the summit. The snow spares no mercy for it gambles the life and death of any travelers who pursues to climb it. Some, never returned from the mountain, and some had no chance against the tough drizzle of hail, therefore reaching the summit is phantasm, not for Quartz and Virgo however.

As luck would have it, they were able to have a gamble against the storm and they succeeded. Being a falcon living in the north, where the toughest hail storms commence, Endeavor was able to keep itself warm through its thick and brown feathers. The two enter the large brick arc, symbolizing the entrance of the city of ice.

"Did I ever mention that I love to collect stones?" Their saunter within the city continues. Virgo questions as she lowers the pace of the stallion.

"Yes you did."

"Well, I do love to trade them as well. This is why I'm here. I wish to trade the Sapphire for a Star ruby."

"But isn't the Sapphire a very valuable gem stone? Why do you wish it to trade it if it is very rare?"

"Well, the truth is, I've got one already inside my bag. The Sapphire you are holding is my second one. I had a deal with an old man yesterday, and according to him, he was willing to give me a Star ruby for a Sapphire, so that's why I asked you to help me."

"All of this, hurried galloping and rush only for trading with an old man?!" Quartz replies back with sarcasm, sighing afterwards.

"Sorry. I thought we would arrive late because of the tough hailstorms we just pa.s.sed." She chuckles, saying an excuse and hiding the fact that the true reason why she was on a rush was because of the intervention of two Piglins back in the city of Dos.

"Well, we could've at least bid our goodbyes properly to Maximus, he seems like a kind gentlemen, willing to help others despite the "others" hating him because of his species. I feel sorry for leaving him without even saying thank you for helping us show the way to the Sapphire you've been longing for."

"Hee hee, I guess you have a point." Virgo smiles with an embarra.s.sed face.

The city of Uno is much comfortable than Dos. The people here are quite friendly, and not even the slightest commotions or troubles could be seen and her. The houses are made out of Spruce trees, since Spruce is the tree abundant in the mountain of Zephyr. The people here are famous for wearing thick jackets made from the fur of the animals living within the region. The roads of the city are made out of concrete, while some streets are made out of planks. Inside their wooden cottages are fire places that keep their bodies shrouded with heat as they sleep peacefully.

Their fur helps them to stay warm throughout the whole day and night as they do their daily agendas. The two park the stallion in a nearby spruce tree, tying it tightly in order to avoid the horse from daring to escape. As a reward for all its hard work from running and galloping, Virgo fed the stallion with five pieces of Elppa berries. They then amble to one of the city's most rigid streets, not even a stallion nor a cow could pa.s.s through.

"Th... This place gives me the creeps." While clinging to the man's shoulder, Endeavor lowers its head, speaking his words through stuttering because of consternation. It watches its surrounding with a cautious eyes, suspecting everybody in the street as a foe or a nominee for trouble.

They enter a small map store, wherein the owner is the same person who've made a bargain with the maiden. Inside the shop, are maps of the finest, printed and layered out of ink, placed in rows and columns, above shelves and boxes. No customers are visible, except for the two of them.

"Excuse me, I would like to meet Melchior Stronghold." Virgo talks to the young cas.h.i.+er lady, about six years younger than Quartz. As the two interrogate, Quartz's eyes roam the shop to the point it reaches a fine looking sword.

Forged under the finest flames, with seal of a dragon. Coated in the glorious color of gold, this sword is, very attention-grabbing to the young man's eyes. His hands long to touch it, just at least by a second. However, he is not sure if the sword falls under the owners.h.i.+p of someone.

"She said, he's not here." Virgo tilts back to Quartz, snapping his attention from the l.u.s.trous sword.

"Not here? Then where's the person you've bargained with?" Quartz questions.

"He went to the city of Tres in order to deal with some agendas with his brother, Gallius Stronghold. I guess we have to go there next."

"Can't we wait for him here?" The young man suggests.

"Sorry, but we are uncertain on what time he'll be arriving. It's best if we head to him personally. The city is just below the mountain, to the direction of South we must head." Virgo contrasts.

With a little persuasion, the young man concurs, sighing and agreeing with Virgo's words. The two head back to the horse, when suddenly the unexpected happens. From a normal conversation happening between the town's people, comes an attention-grabbing conversation... For the maiden at least.

She overhears to Piglins, negotiating with another civilian. Talking about the same topic in the city of Dos, they are. She immediately enters a cautious state, grabbing the hand of the young man and making another excuse, "Let's pa.s.s this way instead, it's a short-cut."

Quartz agrees, not knowing about Virgo's sudden suspicious nature. The two return back to their stallion, wherein the maiden takes charge of it again. They now head to the third capital of Sacchi, the city of Tres, bearing only limited information about what dangers is about to come. Terrible... Terrible dangers. Once more, like before, the princess fastens the pace of the horse, looking back and forth, seeing if anyone was following from behind.