The Great Crestmaster

That was why the were so invested in this quest, it was probably critical for them to succeed in this quest because it aided them in their careers.

Perhaps it might be THE quest they needed to advance, so they even spent money to ensured the quests is completed.

This was not a bad thing for Aldrich, he thought that Sam and Liam might do something to sabotage the quest but his worries were unfounded.

In fact it was a good thing. As for what they said about Kip being the party's meat bag, it was not nice but it was truthful as Kip has admitted to have no combat experience whatsoever.

Of course, the first mission was just an easy information gathering but the next two quests were anything but brutal. If Kip wants to pass through sheer luck then he must either be really luck or really rich.

,m Oh, wait. He also might just be a fool.

****

The next day at nine in the morning the group of five met at one of the many Northern gates and Sam and Liam had already prepared a carriage.

"I hope everyone had a good night's sleep, there's nothing to be nervous about we will go in ask some questions get some tracks written down and we'll be out and back to Voryhrm before you know it."

Sam had an incredibly energetic look about him and the others all cheered. Aldrich was of course among them. Today, everyone decked in combat gear with the short swords and moss lanterns.

The carriage ride was slow when they were getting out of Voryhrm as all the Northern gates because that was the easiest land access to the rest of Vorian.

But after the carriage passed the ride became faster and faster. The imperial roads were impeccable and that was why a half a day journey turned into a two hour ride.

The village was called Zort, and it was mainly populated by farmers and their farms. They produced wheat, barley, eggs and milk. Most of the produce was sold in Voryhrm, there were many villages like these around the city.

Many big cities are like this, as a great amount of basic materials was provided by these farms, mines and mills. They got off the carriage in what looked to be the local market.

Aldrich certainly did not feel that this village was at all like Wakefield. How to say it? It simply felt foreign to him, alien. This was much closer to being a town than a village, they had cobblestone streets.

"Excuse me, sir. Can I ask where the Kazt family farm is?" Sam asked one of the villagers. Suddenly the whole crowd looked at them at once.

Aldrich kept his hand close to his sword and his eyes and ears worked at full capacity.

The man looked Sam and the group up and down before he spoke in a gruff voice, "you here about old Barry and his son? Adventurers?"

Sam looked unbothered by the excessive attention from the villagers, even seemed to enjoy it, relish in it.

"Yes, we're the adventurers sent to take care of ten matter, now if you're so kind tell point me in a direction."

"Ooh! Yes, yes of course! Please follow me. Everyone's been worried about that well."

"What was that? Did you hear something?" Liam asked Aldrich.

"No, I didn't hear anything."

As the followed the man Aldrich overheard someone in crowd mumbled something, he said, "what's the use of adventurers anyway? It's been three week already, they're dead by now."

But he didn't feel like mentioning that to Liam.

"So, how has the family been doing since then?" Sam asked the villager.

"Oh, they're mourning. But you know how it is, life goes on… but people have been avoiding them, for fear of… back luck."

Sam nodded understandingly, "it's unfortunate but not all is said and done. I've seen a few cases like theses where people think it's a done deal but life can surprise you. There's hope they somehow survived."

"Y-you really think so? They can be saved?" The man asked looking moved.

"Hey, that's what we're here for, right?"

The man nodded vigorously at that remark and even the rest of the team's stride got a little more momentum behind it.

'But that's not what we're here for though…'

Aldrich could understand the need to raise moral before a big undertaking. So, he just kept the complaining on the inside.

Fifteen minutes later they met with the Kazt family, two sons who each had two wives and children of their own, three sisters and old Barry's own two wives.

This was only the immediate family the others were in close by farmsteads. Including Barry's brothers and sisters, his in-laws and his own parents.

"Oh, thanks to almighty Altunan! Adventurers thank you for coming. My father and brother have been missing for three weeks now, I'll take you to the well right now."

The oldest of the sons who looked to be as old as Sam stepped forward and greeted them. They all looked tired and sleep deprived, some of the women had tears streaks on their faces that haven't dried yet.

Aldrich looked at their hopeful gazes and clenched his fists, he too hopped that by some kind of miracle the missing father and son were okay somewhere.

"Yeah, alright let's not delay. Why don't you tell me about what happened that day. Anything you noticed?"

The well was in a muddy piece of land in the farm. Perhaps a better way to say it was—what remained of the well. The cobblestones and pulleys were removed, only a two meters wide ditch in the ground remained.

"The well dried up around two years ago and my dad wanted it removed and the hole filled back up. Make use of the empty area here you know?

So he and my brother worked on it, but on that day as they started filling the hole up with soil my father said that he saw something so he went down to check.

My brother waited and waited, after a while he decided to go down there see what took so long and—"

"And what?" Liam asked sharply.

"And… and… I heard him scream but when I looked down he was gone. I swear on Altunan he was gone. He wouldn't answer no matter how many times I called for him."