Kassanâs south gate was always a major center for traffic. Being the only road to Ferazi made it nearly as busy as the western gate that led to the rest of the kingdom. The guards were ever watchful for known fugitives, but as long as one didnât have a price on their head, no one was likely to pay much mind to who you were or where you were going. The Silver Road stretched out ahead. It was broad, easily wide enough for four to six large wagons, and paved with cobblestones embedded in sand to help smooth out the surface.<br/><br/>The robbed merchants were attracting some attention. Very few people were brave or foolish enough to try using the old Greenway road. The path was only as wide as a small cart and barely more than an animal trail at parts. Poorer merchants sometimes tried to use it to travel from Seranto to Kassan without having to pay the Silver Road Magnateâs tariff in Volarra, but nearly all of them never arrived at their destination. The fact that these two had not only survived the journey but that they had been attacked by a human near the heart of Wood Elf territory was newsworthy indeed.<br/><br/>-------------------------------<br/><br/>The man gave a booming laugh reminiscent of distant thunder. It matched his deep rich voice. âI think if you meet him again, youâll find that was no dwarf, just a very short Vaskaan.â He smiled at her. âI bought you because you looked like you would make good company. Youâre easy on the eyes and you sing like an angel. Not to mention I saw the way you stole that spear. I figured a slave like you would come in handy in a number of ways.â He could see she was not flattered by his comments on her appearance. âYou shouldnât get bent out of shape just âcause a man notices your figure. A body like that can be as much of a weapon as a sword. And speaking of swords, if you are going to poke me with that spearhead you might as well try now.â He laughed again. âYou can think what you will of me; I donât really care much for the opinions of others. Iâm just another mercenary looking for work in this town, and I was in the market because some nights get awful long.â He walks closer to her and sat on the barrel, watching her work at the boots. âIâm not sure I got the size right, but I guessed close as I could from what I could see of you. The boots should do well enough to keep your legs and feet warm, and the tunic covers you a little. I know itâs a bit small for you, but it does its job.â He drew one of the swords with one hand and an old rag with the other then proceeded to polish the blade. It was a simple and sturdy weapon: all function with little mind paid to ornamentation. âSo whatâs your name then?â