Spirit Game

After two more hours, Cid and his troops were finally given permission to dock.

"This town better watch out. If they knew who my brother is, they would prostrate before my feet," Cid continued to grumble under his breath as they climbed down from the ship to dry lands.

Silphie didn't mind him as she observed the town. She felt the gazes of the townsfolk were different, like one wrong move and they would put arms and attack them.

What's going on here? Silphie asked herself. She thought the townsfolk were under the tyranny of the sea-dwellers, but their gazes, sharp and hostile, didn't feel like they were oppressed.

Besides, Silphie shifted her gaze left and right. She hadn't seen any sea-dwellers around. I wonder what happened here?

"Hello there, my name is Druger, the lord of this town," Druger introduced, approaching the newly arrived party.

"You!" Cid was fuming with anger as he stomped his way to Druger and pointed at him with a menacing glare. "You're the one who's responsible for keeping us waiting for two hours, right?!"

The townsfolk all stopped what they were doing, their gazes turning equally menacing and alert.

Silphie and the others immediately stepped forward to restrain Cid. Their young Lord would really get them killed one of this days!

Silphie bowed deeply to Druger. "I apologize for my lord's behavior. He is young and inexperienced. We mean you no harm and simply wish to pass through. We have brought Soul Elixirs for the docking fee as well as the entrance fee into your town."

"Hoi! Silphie! How dare you take charge when I'm the lord here! And what do you mean inexperience?! I'm already a Novice Lord you know!"

Silphie threw a sharp glance at Cid, who finally shut up.

Druger smiled, though his gaze remained sharp. "It's fine. I have my fair share of young masters," he said, referring to Izu. "Anyway, I believe you mentioned you're here because of another player? Do you mind telling me his name and what your intentions are with him?"

Silphie sensed the tension thickening. She knew her response would determine their fate. The townsfolk appeared poised for battle, ready to spring into action at the slightest misstep. It was curious how strongly they felt about this one player. The inhabitants weren't exactly fond of players; their tolerance had its limits.

So what did this player do to make him so special?

"We're here at the request of the Player Association to aid Rain Weathers in his quest for his Novice Lord Title," Silphie answered, hoping it was what the dwarf wanted to hear.

Druger was silent for a moment before his smile widened. "I see. I see. I know Rain. But the Barren Wasteland is vast and endless. You could get lost without someone who knows the way." He waved his hand, and a few guards appeared.

"They will escort you to Rain's place."

Silphie offered a smile. "Thank you for your kindness. We greatly appreciate this." Of course, she wasn't naïve to think that they were going to simply escort them. She was sure they would be under surveillance as well.

"Come, I will show you where the exit is. You must be in a hurry," Druger said, leading Cid and the others toward the exit of the town.

Cid was still grumbling at the side while Silphie took the chance to inquire. "I thought there were sea-dwellers here."

"Ah, they left," Druger simply answered.

"Really?"

"That's right. We drove them off."

". . ." Silphie was silent for a moment, trying to discern if the dwarf was telling the truth. There seemed to be no lies in his voice or a shift in his expression.

N-no way . . . Silphie was having a hard time believing that the townsfolk could drive a powerful force such as the sea-dwellers away. But asking about it would be too personal, right?

"Then how do you know Rain Weathers?" asked Silphie.

Druger shrugged. "He helped us, and we owe him a great deal."

Help? Owe? A player? You owe a player? Silphie got curious about the specifics. Did it got something to do with the seadwellers?

"By the way," Druger said, breaking the silence as they neared the entrance, "Rain is a precious friend of ours. As a fellow player, I hope that you could help him, okay?"

". . ." Silphie could tell that behind that wide smile there was an underlying threat. A warning. If something happened to Rain, the whole town would retaliate. She got the message.

Druger didn't say anything more and returned back to the town while Silphie and the others watched him go.

"What's with that old man? How dare he act so arrogant. I'm from Aegis Union! I'm the little brother of the leader, so they better show some respect," Cid shouted.

Silphie sighed and ignored him.

At least they provided us with a carriage, Silphie thought.

On the way, inside the carriage, Silphie couldn't help but mutter, "I don't think this Rain Weathers needs our help at all."

Cid smirked. "Ah. Of course he doesn't. I bet he's already dead. Look at this place! It's so .

. . empty and HOT!"

Silphie shook her head. "He managed to befriended the lord of the Port Town. That means something."

Cid rolled his eyes. "If he doesn't need our help, then why was he on the list of newbies asking for assistance?" he scoffed. "Maybe he saved that drunkard dwarf from falling into a hole during one of his benders." Cid snickered, his sarcasm dripping with disdain.

He then gritted his teeth. "Honestly, if I wasted my time here for nothing, I'll kill him myself. Ah god, why is it so hot here?! The association better double my rewards after this!"

Silphie didn't comment. It was useless to talk with Cid when he was in that mood. Anyway, she just hoped that the guards were taking them to their destination and not some ambush.

They had no choice but to trust them since they didn't know where Rain Weathers' territory was. He hadn't exactly updated his map in the association. They tried to contact him but he couldn't be reach.

If these townsfolk thought of ambushing them, then they were in for a world of pain. Each of them were Elves, superior in combat strength and movement. Even if it was hundreds of them, they could take them on.

She wasn't confident back in town because they had that warship, and who knew what else, but out here, Silphie could take them on if they tried something funny.

Gazing out the window, Silphie pondered, What kind of man is this Rain Weathers, capable of befriending not just the lord of the town, but earning the fondness of the townsfolk as well?

He hadn't even earned his title, yet he had somehow managed to win the hearts of this town's inhabitants?

How did he accomplish that?