As The Horizon's Crest settled into its berth at Luthadel's bustling harbor, the crew disembarked, boots thudding against the sturdy wooden dock. The scent of salt and exotic spices filled the air, mingling with the distant sounds of merchants hawking their wares. Seagulls circled above, their cries blending with the chatter of sailors and dockworkers.
Jhon turned back to the ship, eyeing his men. Though Luthadel was a place of trade and opportunity, it was also a city known for its cunning and cutthroats. He wouldn't take chances.
"Stay sharp," he commanded his remaining crew. "No one sets foot on this ship unless they're one of us."
He then glanced at Sayf. "Make sure they're loyal."
Sayf nodded, his gaze scrutinizing the men. One by one, he named them aloud, ensuring their roles were set. Sayf's keen eyes watched for hesitation, but none wavered. They were loyal. Jhon nodded in approval.
"If anyone causes trouble," Jhon said, "let them know The Horizon's Crest isn't to be taken lightly."
With that settled, the group turned toward the heart of Luthadel. Luthadel was a marvel. Built into the cliffs, the city was a blend of towering stone structures and cascading waterfalls. Narrow, winding streets twisted through markets bustling with merchants selling rare gems, enchanted trinkets, and goods from every corner of the world. Canals wove through the city like veins, carrying gondolas that ferried passengers beneath grand archways.
The group moved carefully, each keeping a wary eye on their surroundings.
"First time here?" Varnic asked, glancing at Jhon.
Jhon smirked. "Not my first time in a city like this."
Gorim scoffed. "Bah, all big cities smell the same—gold, greed, and trouble."
Rahotep chuckled. "Aye, and we'll find all three soon enough."
Arianne, ever watchful, observed the passing figures. "We need to be cautious. Luthadel is a city of deals, but also of debts. People disappear here if they don't tread carefully."
Khaltar grunted in agreement. "Then let's find what we need and be on our way."
Nadra, already scanning the marketplace, smirked. "Not before we taste some of Luthadel's famous black spice wine."
Jhon led the group through the winding streets of Luthadel, the towering cliffs casting long shadows as the sun dipped toward the horizon. The city was alive with trade—merchants shouting their wares, street performers entertaining crowds, and the occasional pickpocket slipping between unsuspecting travelers. But Jhon had no time for distractions.
"Our first stop is the cartographer's shop," he said. "We need directions to the Grey Mountains. Without a proper map, we're as good as lost."
They reached a modest shop tucked into the corner of a sloping street. The wooden sign above the entrance bore the symbol of a compass and quill. Inside, the scent of aged parchment and ink filled the air, and shelves lined with rolled maps and navigation tools covered the walls.
An elderly merchant, his fingers ink-stained from years of meticulous work, peered up from behind the counter. His eyes flicked over the group with a mix of curiosity and caution.
Jhon wasted no time. He placed a leather pouch of silver coins on the counter. "We need a detailed map of the Grey Mountains. Roads, hidden passes, everything."
The merchant didn't even glance at the silver. Instead, he sighed and leaned back. "I don't take silver."
Jhon frowned. "What?"
The merchant gestured around the shop. "Silver's useless in Luthadel. We deal in Dun here."
Rahotep crossed his arms. "Why only Dun?"
The merchant chuckled. "You must be fresh off the waves. Years ago, one Dun was worth fifty silver coins. Now?" He shook his head. "A hundred, maybe more. Inflation, war, greed—who knows? Silver's too unstable. You want a map? You pay in Dun."
Jhon clenched his jaw. He had plenty of silver, but it was worthless here.
Khaltar grunted. "So what now? We barter? Work for coin?"
Nadra smirked. "Or we find someone willing to exchange silver for Dun."
The merchant tapped his fingers on the counter. "There are money changers in the market. But be warned—they don't offer fair rates. You'll lose half your silver in the trade."
Jhon exhaled sharply. This was a setback, but not an insurmountable one.
He turned to the group. "Fine. We find a money changer, get enough Dun, and come back. We need that map, whatever it takes."
The merchant nodded approvingly. "Smart decision. Welcome to Luthadel—where even the air has a price."
As they left the cartographer's shop, Nadra stomped down the cobbled street, her face scrunched in frustration. Even though she was undeniably cute, she tried her best to look intimidating—though it mostly looked like a small, furious kitten trying to roar.
"This is ridiculous!" she fumed. "Why does everyone act like they're possessed by Mammon? It's just money! What happened to simple trade? What happened to honor? Why does every greedy bastard want to squeeze every last coin from us?"
Khaltar, walking beside her, didn't even glance her way. He simply shrugged. "War changes everything."
Nadra spun to face him. "Oh, so war suddenly makes everyone a money-sucking leech?"
Khaltar raised an eyebrow. "Yes."
Nadra opened her mouth to argue, but found herself coming up short. She growled under her breath and marched ahead, leaving the others to exchange amused glances.
Rahotep chuckled. "She's got a point."
Gorim grumbled. "Aye, but Khaltar's got a point too. War don't just take lives—it makes men desperate. And desperate men do desperate things."
Sayf, ever the observer, smirked. "Well, let's see how desperate this money changer is."
The money changer's shop was nestled between two large warehouses near the marketplace. A wooden sign above the door read: "Honest Havel's Currency Exchange"—which, in Jhon's experience, meant the exact opposite.
Inside, a plump, beady-eyed man sat behind a counter, counting a mountain of Dun coins. His fingers moved with unnerving speed, flicking through stacks like he had spent a lifetime robbing people legally. He looked up, saw Jhon's group, and immediately smiled.
"Ah, travelers! Welcome, welcome! You must be looking to exchange that filthy, unstable silver for the noble currency of Luthadel. You've come to the right place!"
Jhon crossed his arms. "We need Dun. What's the rate?"
Havel's smile widened. "Ah! A fair question. The current exchange rate is… let's see… one hundred and fifty silver coins per Dun."
Nadra blinked. "Wait. The cartographer said it was a hundred."
Havel gasped in mock surprise. "Oh, did he? My, my, the market must have shifted just moments ago! Inflation, you know. Terrible thing. Prices are rising as we speak!"
Khaltar rubbed his temples. "We've been in Luthadel for ten minutes. Inflation doesn't work that fast."
Havel waved a hand. "Oh, but it does! War, politics, economic uncertainty—who can say? But worry not! For loyal customers like you, I'm willing to offer a special deal!"
Jhon narrowed his eyes. "And what's that?"
Havel leaned forward, lowering his voice as if revealing a grand secret. "If you exchange more than five hundred silver coins, I'll give you a slight discount! Only one hundred and forty-five silver per Dun!"
Nadra looked ready to explode. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME? That's not a discount, that's just—"
Havel raised a finger. "Ah-ah! Let's not get emotional. I'm a businessman, not a charity. You want Dun? This is the price."
Jhon exhaled through his nose. He wasn't a fool—he knew Havel was fleecing them. But without Dun, they couldn't get the map.
Rahotep folded his arms. "What if we refuse?"
Havel shrugged. "Then you leave without money. And without Dun, you can't buy maps. Without maps, you'll wander nowhere and get might eaten by wolves." He smiled cheerfully. "Your choice!"
Varnic sighed. "I hate this city."
Jhon turned to Sayf. "Any ideas?"
Sayf thought for a moment, then smirked. "We could always gamble for it."
Havel's ears perked up. "Oh-ho! A wager, you say?"
Jhon groaned. This was about to get even worse. As Nadra continued arguing with Havel—mostly about the definition of a "discount"—Jhon gestured for Rahotep, Sayf, and Khaltar to step aside. They huddled near a stack of crates, voices low as they debated their next move.
Rahotep crossed his arms, his weathered face thoughtful. "We sail back to the open sea, find a merchant ship, and trade our silver for proper currency. Seafarers deal in all kinds of coin, and some will take silver at a fairer rate than this crook."
Jhon frowned. "That could take days, and we don't have time to waste."
Rahotep shrugged. "True. But out at sea, we're in control. Here, we're at the mercy of thieves in broad daylight."
Sayf smirked. "Or… we steal it."
Jhon groaned. "Of course."
Sayf spread his hands. "It's simple. Havel is fat and slow. He probably keeps the Dun in a locked chest. I slip in after nightfall, take what we need, and no one gets hurt. Except his ego."
Khaltar grunted. "Until he realizes we robbed him and puts a bounty on our heads."
Sayf raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn't be my first."
Khaltar cracked his knuckles. "Or we do it the honest way. We fight for it."
Rahotep chuckled. "Honest? You mean beating people up for money?"
Khaltar shrugged. "Luthadel's full of mercenaries and pit fighters. The market square probably has some golden belt champion who thinks he's unbeatable. I challenge him, bet our silver, and when I win, we walk away with Dun. No thievery, no delay, no scam."
Jhon rubbed his temples. "And what if you lose?"
Khaltar smirked. "Then we're broke. And I'll have a new scar."
Jhon sighed. "Great. Very reassuring."
Jhon looked between them, weighing the choices. Each plan had its merits—and its risks. Rahotep's plan was safe but slow.
Sayf's plan was efficient but dangerous.
Khaltar's plan was bold but uncertain.
Jhon inhaled deeply. Then he walked straight back to Havel's counter and slammed down all their silver in a leather bag.
"Here's my offer," Jhon said. "You take this, and in exchange, you give me just enough Dun for the map—nothing more."
Havel's greedy eyes gleamed. "Oh, but sir, at these rates, this is barely—"
Jhon leaned forward. "Or… we take our silver, tell everyone in Luthadel about your ever-changing exchange rates, and make sure no one ever trusts your 'honest' shop again."
Havel's face twitched. He glanced between them—the veteran captain, the merciless assassin, and the towering warrior. Then at Nadra, who was still angrily pouting, somehow the most intimidating of them all.
A tense silence stretched. Then Havel sighed, grumbled something about "arrogant travelers," and shoved just enough Dun across the counter.
Jhon took it. They had their currency. And more importantly—the map. As they left the shop, Rahotep clapped Jhon on the back. "That was bold."
Sayf grinned. "You robbed him without stealing a thing."
Khaltar smirked. "Still think punching someone would've been more fun."
Jhon exhaled. "Let's just get out of this cursed city before someone tries to sell us air."
The group pushed open the creaky door of the cartographer's shop once more. The old mapmaker, a wiry man with ink-stained fingers and a permanently smug expression, looked up from his work.
"Ah! Back so soon? You've got my payment, I assume?"
Jhon dropped the bag of Dun onto the counter. The cartographer untied the strings, eyes glinting as he began counting. His fingers danced through the coins, his lips moving as he tallied the total. Then he suddenly stopped, let out a low whistle, and shook his head.
"Oh dear," he said, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "This is… unfortunate."
Jhon's fingers twitched. "What?"
The cartographer leaned forward, resting his elbows on the counter. "This amount of Dun is less than the price of the map you wanted."
Nadra's eyes flared. "Then why the hell did you count it for so long if you knew it wasn't enough!?"
The cartographer chuckled. "Oh, I just enjoy the sound of coins. It soothes me."
Nadra took a step forward, ready to lunge, but Khaltar casually held her back.
Jhon exhaled slowly. "Then why didn't you say the price earlier?"
The cartographer shrugged. "Didn't feel like it."
Rahotep rubbed his temples. "So what now?"
The cartographer smirked. "Well… I could give you the map, but I'm a businessman, not a charity." He tapped the counter. "But since you fine folks came all this way, I'll be generous. I'll give you the information—so you'd better remember it."
Then he turned to Nadra, eyes glinting mischievously. "Especially you, cute one."
Nadra froze. Her expression shifted from rage to absolute disgust. "Excuse me?"
The cartographer winked. "What? It's a compliment."
Khaltar leaned toward Jhon. "Should we kill him?"
Sayf smirked. "I say we let Nadra handle it."
Jhon sighed, rubbing his temples. "Just give us the information."
The cartographer laughed, then dramatically rolled out a large map onto the counter. It was beautifully detailed, showing rivers, forests, mountain passes, and danger zones.
"Alright, listen well," he said. "You're heading to the Grey Mountains, yes? It's a long journey—several weeks at least, depending on weather and luck."
The Route and Dangers Ahead
Through the Eastern Lowlands: Vast fields, small villages, and easy travel—but watch for thieves. The roads are infested with bandits ever since the war ended. Some are desperate men, others are worse.
The Tanglewood Forest: Thick, dark, and filled with creatures that shouldn't exist. Some call them ghosts, some call them worse. Avoid traveling at night.
The Wailing Cliffs: Massive cliffs overlooking the sea, infamous for deadly winds and crumbling paths. There's an abandoned watchtower that still holds supplies—if you can survive the climb.
The Burning Steppes: A volcanic wasteland filled with boiling geysers and shifting ground. If the heat doesn't kill you, the creatures lurking beneath might.
The Grey Mountains' Outer Ridge: High-altitude storms, freezing temperatures, and the last remnants of the war. Old battlegrounds are cursed, and no one knows what lingers there.
When he finished, he leaned back with a smirk. "There you go. No paper, no ink—but if you're smart, you'll remember it."
Jhon stared at him, then turned to his crew. "Did anyone catch all of that?"
Rahotep nodded. Sayf smirked. Khaltar scratched his beard. Nadra was still fuming. Jhon sighed. "Great. Let's get out of here before I change my mind about murdering him."