part 6

The road Ares followed north began to shrink until it was little more than a trail through the mountain forests. While the valleys around Graystown were dotted with villages and small towns, the area was actually almost isolated from the bigger northern countries and most traders and caravans took a more circuitous route around the taller mountains. Moving through the mountains was no problem for Ares though and the predators seemed to instinctively know to leave him alone. Deep in the mountains Ares found some overgrown ruins that explained why there were even the remnants of a road leading this deep into the mountains, besides that Ares encountered no other signs of human life as he traversed the mountain range.

Palidor was the southern most town of the country of Diret. It was not a large or prosperous country and its economy was supported by hunters and trappers more than anything else. The rich northern nobles would often pay exuberant prices for the pelts of the monstrous creatures that stalked the southern mountains. A day into his journey Ares killed one of the ?Frost Wolves? That hunted the mountains. He spent the rest of the day smoking the meat and ended up with plenty for the rest of the trip, so he would not have to hunt again. He also cleaned the thick pelt and used it as a cloak and it was big enough to serve as a bedroll as well. Ares was used to the mountains and didn’t mind the climate, but still the nights got cold and there was still snow on the ground so the warmth was welcome. 

The town was roughly ??? leagues from Graystown and 6 days after departing, Ares came down out of the mountains and could see the town spread out over the valley floor. At least, he assumed it was Palidor. It was about 4 times the size of Graystown and he could see small other dwellings spread out around it that he figured where farms. From the mountains he could see the main road that came into the town from a distance to the east, so he made his way towards it and by the time he was down the mountain he began to walk towards Palidor on a proper road. He had been running mostly through the forests and mountains but now slowed to a walk, not wanting to miss any new sites. He was also still worried about frightening people.

It was nearing evening as he walked up the road and he began to hurry a bit as the shadows began to lengthen. The first humans he had seen in almost a week looked out at him from their homes and fields along the road and he waved jauntily to them, though none waved back and a few mothers hurried their children out of site when he waved. It must be the ?frost wolf? Skin Ares thought, as he had the skin draped around him so it trailed behind with the head , that was almost as big as him by itself, draped over his shoulders. 

He made it to the gates of Palidor before dark, and had actually grown bored with the farms and houses along the way. They all looked rather the same and nothing was growing this early in the spring, so he had quickened his step again. Palidor however was splendid indeed. The walls were almost twice the height of Graystown and the gate was an iron portcullis. Two guards stood atop the gate and watched him as he approached. He saw their were guards on the inside of the gate as well. There were no other travelers on the road so Ares walked confidently forward and waved at the guards.

A large, grizzled man at arms walked out of the gate as he approached and commanded him to halt. The guard carried a long hooked spear and had a short sword at his waist. He wore studded leather armor with iron greaves over his sturdy boots and had an iron helm that looked dented and quite worn.

“I haven’t seen you afor hunter, what’s yer purpose in Palidor?” The guard was not aggressive, but Ares thought suspicious of him. Maybe they had bandits up here as well? More importantly, this was Palidor!
“Greetings!” Ares answered excitedly. “I’m traveling north and am looking for a map. Also, I’ve never seen a city this big and would like to go inside.” The guard stared at him him for a moment, mouth agape.

“Eh, you’re just a boy! Where’d you get that great ?frost wolf? Pelt?” Ares had a somewhat difficult time understanding through the guards accent, or did he just mumble?

“Oh, I killed it about 5 days back. I am hoping to sell it I think. I think I need money to buy a map?” Ares trailed off, thinking about the things Faral had told him about currency. He probably should have practiced in Graystown, but everyone there wanted to give him things for free.

The guard eyed him up and down and then shrugged. The boy didn’t look dangerous, even if he was a liar. No one killed a ?frost wolf?, especially not some boy that barely came up to his chest. “Sure boy, go on in but don’t be making no trouble.” The guard turned and started to walk back into the town.

Ares wondered if word from Graystown had already gotten this far, that they would warn him not to make trouble? Whoever brought news must have traveled fast indeed. Ares followed the guard in and as he passed took the bag of ?frost wolf? Meat from his shoulder and handed it to the guard. It still had plenty for a few more meals. “Here, you can have this, I’m getting sick of it. I want to eat city food!”

Ares continued on into the town leaving the guard staring after him dumbfounded, clutching a bag of meat that was worth more than he would make in his lifetime.