"Here take these," Rafat hands Warob the pin and badge . "Keep these in a safe place so they don't get stolen . "
Warob takes a look at both of them and puts them in his bag. Rafat's scarf is suddenly snatched, looking back to see warob holding it in his hand.
"Okay maybe putting it on the scarf wasn't the best idea.", Rafat taking the scarf back. "it won't be this easy for other people to grab though.", wrapping it around his neck. A light flame starts to glow under the scarf joining it to his clothes.
" I am gonna stop at the inn before leaving." Rafat and Warob walking together. " You can go ahead from there if you want , I will meet you at the store in a couple of minutes."
They parted ways as the turn to store came. Rafat nervously opens the doors and Looks around
"Where are you heading?", Altaaf eyeing his readiness.
"The king asked us to look into something, it's a bit far so I will be gone for a few days."
"Let me guess Sayber told you not to share what he asked," said Altaaf.
"Yeah." Rafat replied.
I guess I can trust Sayber's words, Altaaf thought to himself. "So who's going with you?
"Oh Warob.", answered Rafat, "I never got the chance to tell you, he got promoted to an upper knight."
Altaaf recalling the first time they met, he did have a different feel. Becoming an upper knight on the first day is still unheard of but he should be in safe hands then.
"Well that is quite impressive." says Altaaf.
"I do have to leave in a few minutes."says Rafat,"I have to meet mom too before I go."
"Oh yeah you should meet her ."says Altaaf, "I don't know what she will think about this though, since you're going so suddenly but good luck and stay safe." putting his hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah I'll be fine, Don't worry."
Rafat heads to the kitchen.
"Rafat, Huh, where are you going." asked Azila as she noticed his backpack.
" I am just going out of town for a few days. The king asked me to visit someone."
"A few days! Is it that far ? Azila asks,
"Yeah and the king told me not to share too much about that," says Rafat.
"Hmm it must be important then, "says Azila," why didn't you tell me I could've made something for you sooner."
"Mom, I don't think there is time for that. I am gonna be late" says Rafat'
"I am almost done" Azila smiles
"Wait isn't that someone else's." asks Rafat.
"The customer can wait a bit longer," says Azila," it's the first time you're going away for a while."
She packs food for Rafat in his backpack.
"You got a lot of stuff in there huh." , Says Azila," and it seems heavy isn't that gonna get tiring."
"I will be fine, it's not that heavy for me." Says Rafat.
A thought came into her mind of how much he has grown, "Well it does look like you have what you need so that's good." eyes starting to shine and flicker as they tear up, "Go on now, don't be late."
"Yeah.", says Rafat, "I will be back in a few days and Warob will also be with me." He hugs her,
Thank you mom.
"Bye yuna", says Rafat and heads out.
Yuna was caught off guard by the fact he even noticed her in the back.
"Bye.." and he's gone.
"Bye dad." waving his hand as he runs out.
He waves back. Going back to a customer.
"Where is he going?"
"The king asked him to go somewhere, he'll be back in a few days", Altaaf answers.
Ok got out on time let's see, it was on the left.
The sun is now touching the horizon, it's getting cooler with slight wind to make hair flow. Warm colors filling the sky and night around the corner, light stars could be seen. He arrives at the store, 'closed' it read on the front. He enters, looking around in the dark shop, dimmed light entering from the opened door.
This does feel eerie seeing a crowded place empty, it gives off the same feeling like the inn at night but this place is even bigger, where even are they. He starts to look around just a bit.
There is a sudden snap, the door closes behind him, he grips his sword and the lanterns fire up right after. He eases himself.
"Right on time Rafat" Rauz comes from behind a shelf, "Before we depart, there are some things I should explain, Come with me, let's go to the library."
"There's a library here?" Rafat follows him.
"The book section is basically my library and Warob came here a bit ago." Says Rauz. "He has been reading since then, quite the interesting fellow."
"Yeah," says Rafat. He does seem a bit odd.
They make it to the library. Rafat follows Rauz, going to the back side of it to find some seating and tables for people to read on. Warob sitting in one of them, slowly flipping through pages of a hefty book. I guess we didn't come this far back before.
"So now let's get this started, Warob," Rauz grabs his attention, "And Rafat take a seat."
Rafat sits down next to warob.
"I don't even remember the last time I traveled with someone.", says Rauz, "please keep these things between us."
"Yeah, we will.", says Rafat
Warob nods.
"This is the pattern I have for this year." making a hovering map of the world with marked cities and regions, "currently we are here, I saw it three days ago when I visited Vindora which is fairly close to the ice tower plains around here, not too far from the edge."
You could see on the map a large circular hole carved out from the world 'The Edge'. The pattern is a single line going left to right then down repeatedly. Well that is simpler than I thought.
"There are some rules I follow, firstly I can only move my shop once a day, second my shop can only be moved around a certain range, Third I don't visit the same place twice in a single cycle and lastly I only visit well known towns and villages since going to every single one wouldn't be worth my day and it makes things a little easier to keep track of."
"Ok so how are we going to get there then," says Rafat.
" I never said I would get you there but I can get you closer to it and a lot faster than the average traveling time. Rauz points at the map, "In two days we will reach Citer, from there I can skip to Eratale." which would put you a bit southwest of the ice tower plains and that is as far as I can get you."
"Okay sounds good." says Rafat, "Warob?"
He nods in agreement.
"Okay let's get this started then." Rauz starts tidying things up.
"Anything we could help with." Says Rafat.
"It would be difficult for you to know how I arrange things, I'll be fine. I have been doing this for years after all.", says Rauz, "Let me show both of you something."
They follow Rauz as he makes his way into the middle of the store. He sits down on the floor with a moment of silence.
"Back as you were." Rauz raises his hand, snapping his finger.
The misplaced objects start to glow and moved shelves slide into place, the objects hover, carefully placed at their respective shelves. Warob and Rafat look around in awe.
"Now everything is at its place."
"That was amazing.", says Rafat.
Warob gives applause.
"Thank you.", Rauz smiles," not finished yet though, time to move the shop."
He gets up and they both follow him to the entrance, they stop in the small shop's area.
"Stand by the door.", says Rauz
They both do just that. He snaps his fingers and the big shop disappears, being replaced by a wooden wall. He takes out his map, closing his eyes and the shop starts to shake.
Rafat suddenly feels a heavy pull and then a push, he takes his sword out stabbing the ground for support as he kneels, what is this? It all comes to a stop
Rauz opens his eyes, "oh sorry about that I forgot about the jolts." he helps Rafat up, "It's been really long since I had to warn someone about that."
How did warob handle it? It didn't even faze him and Rauz, I should've known, was just being humble. He is definitely a strong mage.
"And we have arrived at Zixen.", Rauz snaps his fingers and the big shops connect back. "Don't open the door though, the night creatures here aren't easy to deal with.
"Zixen I haven't really heard of it.", says Rafat.
"It's a bit far from yours, but still well known by the surrounding villages.", says Rauz." Now, time for me to hit the hay, gotta rest up for tomorrow. Come, I'll set you guys up as well."
They all make their way back to the library.
"How long have you been running this shop?", asks Rafat.
"Well I don't really know I stopped counting decades ago, after the last of my family passed away."
"Sorry to hear that.", says Rafat.
"It's fine," says Rauz "it's been so long that I don't really remember their faces so it does feel good to have some company from time to time."
Rafat walking behind him, He has so much and so little at the same time. Running the most successful business I know of.
"Oh yeah before I forget, the bathrooms are to the left and right from here."
Both sides from the center of the shop, you could see a straight path to them.
"Yeah I see them." Says Rafat.
Just in case, Rafat looks back to see Warob still walking with them, okay he is still here.
"Time to set you guys up." says Rauz as he stood in the back of the library. He snaps his finger and moves two shelves aside revealing two doors.
"What! There are hidden rooms here?" It amazes Rafat.
"Just these two." Rauz leads them into one of them.
The room is pleasant, clean and decorated with a vibrant and fun interior. This room seems like a kid's bedroom. Having two beds with lantern tables on side. I shouldn't ask. Rauz snaps his finger and two pairs of water jugs and glasses travel through the room to the table settling themselves down on each.
"I would've liked to have a fine conversation but I have to wake up early so I must rest and you both might be tired too." Rauz makes his way out and stands at the door.
"Oh no problem." Says Rafat, " we are here for a while."
"Oh yeah." Rauz's face lights up a bit, "you guys would be fine if I woke you guys up tomorrow, since I…."
"Yes of course we don't want to trouble you." Says Rafat.
Warob nods in agreement.
"Okay then, have a good night's sleep and if you need anything I will be in the next room ." Says Rauz.
"You too sir and thanks." says Rafat.
"No problem." Rauz leaves for his room with a smile on his face.
I do appreciate that he told us where the bathroom was.
"Warob, I am just going to the bathroom, I'll be back in a bit." Rafat walks out
I guess he doesn't even need to go to the bathroom either. Well it would've been nice if he came, this shop is really eerie in the dark. I should keep it a bit low. His scarf starts to glow as light red flames engulf it. This is bright enough, so out of the library, straight and then a right….
Meanwhile, Warob is just sitting on a bed looking around. The room is quite spacious yet a bit empty, vibrant carpet and walls colorfully painted. He picks up the jug settled on his table. It's quite a luxury, sky blue ceramic with bright gold colored swirls.
"Hey Warob." Rafat suddenly enters the room.
Warob is startled and a bit of water is shaken out.