Dungeon Crawl - Part 7

After Fang was fed, Reven and Borengar mounted their beasts of burden and headed to River Rise's west gate. They pushed their way through the crowds that swarmed around the huge market place that dominated the centre of the town. The city was so big it stretched on for as far as their eyes could see. They crossed one of the many bridges over the river that flowed through the town. The water from the river gushed from under ground in the north of the city and the fountain like spray gave the town it's name; River Rise. The site of the spring was considered holy and many people journeyed from all over Atla to bathe in the fresh waters that spewed forth from the land. The coming together of so many pious people from a multitude of races gave the town varying architecture. Many of the settlers grouped themselves together in quarters and much of the town was divided up by the various races; Orcs, Elves, the angel like Avia, Dwarves and Humans coexisted here in the shadow of the goddess Elria's Spring. 

The West Gate was heaving with travellers. Self declared holy men were selling small bottles of river water to first time visitors and vendors were selling food and drink to the weary travellers. Reven and Borengar moved away from the crowds so that they could hide Fang's bulk behind a wagon. They had a decent view of all the parties that were travelling in and out of the gates and settled down to await Krassner's departure.

They didn't have to wait long before they saw the bright orange of his flowing robes. Krassner strutted out with a self assured gait that brooked respect. Well his walk and the twenty of so guards that surrounded him. They were all leading horses out and mounted up as soon as they were clear of the crowds. Krassner's own mount was handed to him by a young boy who's cheek he touched affectionately before taking the reins from his hands and  pushing what Reven assumed was money into the boy's hand. Borengar screwed his face up and snorted in disgust, "We can't take the boy-lover with all those guards around" he said waving a hand in the general direction of Krassner's bodyguards. "You're right, it's too public here anyway." Reven responded, "We'll follow him and see if we can get to him at night. I wonder what he fears? Borengar cocked his head, "What he fears?" he echoed, "Not much with that many men." "but why have so many men? He must be expecting trouble on the road." Reven said before clapping Borengar on the back, "and we wouldn't want to disappoint our old employer now would we my friend." They laughed and decided that Borengar on Sable would be less conspicuous than Reven riding atop Fang. 

Borengar set off and Reven waited ten minutes before following his friend. As he sat on Fang it occurred to him that even though Krassner had a lot of men with him he didn't seem to have any provisions which made him think the trip may not be a long one. Just as he was angling Fang toward the road his attention was drawn to the gate where there was a commotion. Another party with a large set of guards were in a heated debate with the sentries that watched the entrance to the city. Reven thought he recognised the female voice that was raised in anger. He nudged Fang over to the group and used his height advantage to see what was happening. Recognition flashed across his face as he found the owner of that voice. It was the same woman he wrestled with in the library; the rightful owner of Krassner's book. He didn't hang around to get spotted and trotted away from the milling crowd. Things were getting interesting. Reven couldn't wait to get his hands on Krassner and find out what he had discovered in the tome that made it valuable enough for this beauty to traipse half way across Orland to recover it. He smiled to himself. All would be revealed soon enough.