The sun had just started to set when the tall walls of Troll Town became visible. The journey hadn’t felt long and thankfully we had arrived on time.
That made me feel relieved.
"Are we there?"
Seraph asked. I could hear the weariness in her voice. She looked outside the window and beamed as we approached the town.
"Aah, there are a lot of carriages in line. Do so many people come here?"
Seraph asked me. She still had her head outside the window looking at the long line of carriages.
Our carriage passed the line and we were allowed into the town without any trouble.
Troll City was well-developed and organized for a border town and the forest it bordered.
The city was clean and the stone buildings were built in almost the same designs and lined the stone roads making it look uniform.
Everyone seemed to be organised and wasn’t as rowdy as most towns. I had expected the place to look like a criminal den since most border towns are rarely looked after.
"Can you find a house, i don’t want to stay in an inn?"
I said to Donovan.
"Yes, but we’ll have to stop and ask for...." he trailed off," young master there seemed to be someone waving us over, he looks like a noble. "
I looked outside the window and saw a man and another woman beside him waving their hands vigorously. They were very extravagantly dressed showing they were nobles.
"Just stop the carriage next to them, I want to see what they need."
I said to Donovan who nodded and slowed the carriage down until we came to a stop next to the couple.
"Is something the matter?"
I asked. The man looked at me before his eyes widened in what seemed to be surprise mixed with excitement.
"I apologize for my unexpected welcome to Troll town. I thought you were the Duchess and had decided to look for another place to spend the night."
My ears perked but I held my growing curiosity in.
"May I know who you are?"
I asked. He seemed awfully familiar with mother.
"Ooh my apologies my name is Nathaniel rhinestone and this is my dear wife Lucy Rhinestone. As you can see I’m in charge of Troll Town. I apologize for the lukewarm welcome, I hope you can forgive my rudeness young master."
He introduced himself. I had expected him to have some sort of position in the town with how bold he had been to try to stop a carriage with our family crest.
"Thank you for the introduction and about the house that mother lived in, is it still empty?"
I asked him. The man beamed and nodded.
"Yes young master, it is there. The house has been fully reserved for the duchess to stay in when she comes for her quarterly visits."
I nodded. I knew mother went around the duchy for meetings but this place was far, unless she teleported here not travel by carriage.
"Lead the way then."
The man enthusiastically nodded and got on a horse that had been left to walk around on its own while we spoke. His wife also did the same.
Our carriages followed the man down the street before we took a left turn. The road was a little steep as we climbed up until we came to a well-maintained house.
It was large but not as large as our home. Looking at the place, it was well-maintained and decorated. The view of the sunset from the small hill was spectacular.
It cast a golden glow across the black-walled mansion making it look like it was on the verge of catching fire.
We all got out of the carriage and walked into the empty but clean house. There weren’t any servants in the house but it was squicky clean not a speck of dust.
"Specialised cleaners were assigned to clean every morning. Since the duchess only stays for a day or two, she requested that we only keep the cleaners since she didn’t need servants. "
The man explained as we walked deeper into the house.
"Can you get me servants by tomorrow morning?"
I asked him after he finished his passionate introductions of the house.
"Yes, young young master. I can even get them for you today if you prefer."
"Today it is."
"Is there an image stone in the house or must I go to the adventurers’ guild?"
I wanted to talk to mother and if this place had one it would be even better. The man was silent for a while before he nodded.
"I’m not really sure young master but the duchess bought one when she first started to live in this house but my father had been the one present during her move. Would you mind if we check in her study? I’m sure we’ll be able to find it. "
I nodded and turned back to look at the others who had been following behind me during the house introductions.
"I’ll be at the study alone. Why don’t you choose the rooms you’ll be staying at?"
They all nodded and left excitedly, only Seraph and Luna remained.
"I also want to speak with mother."
Seraph calmly said and leaned against the wall. I sighed and nodded. The man led us down the hallway and came to a stop three doors down.
He pushed the door open slowly and we all entered the dark room. Light crystals started to light up one by one as though triggered until the whole study was revealed.
A wall of books on the side, an organised desk in the middle, and your usual coach at the side for resting.
"Look, it’s right there on the table."
Luna said and pointed at the work table and on the side was the image stone.
"I’ll be going them young master, the servants will arrive in a sand glass."
I nodded and waved him off. He bowed and hurriedly left. Luna also left closing the door behind us.
"I’ll be the one calling first."
Seraph said and sat on Mother’s main chair. I chuckled and sat on the couch as she activated the spell and waited for Mother to answer.
The stone glowed for a while then Mother’s image appeared. She was casually dressed in a blue dress that was loose on her body but still showed her figure.
Her eyes scanned around passing through us as she studied the environment we were in, this was accompanied by a suffocating silence as we waited for her to finish her inspection
"I see you’ve arrived at Troll Town later than I thought you would."
That was the first thing Mother said as she looked around. I stood up from the couch and went to stand behind Seraph.
"We got distracted a bit on the way here."
I answered her indirect question. She nodded her eyes meeting mine.
"You should be careful in the forest when you enter, trolls aren’t the only threat. I would advise you to go with a caravan especially the ones with the barbarians as guides or owned by them."
Mother advised seriously. I took out the map I had gotten from the viscount and showed it to her.
"We were given this by one of the viscounts, i don’t know if it can really work."
She leaned in and took a closer look at the map.
"That can be helpful, but it’s only the map of our kingdom’s side not the barbarians’ side of the troll forest."
I nodded. I had been thinking about that. This was like being given a really good half-completed work.
"I’m telling you from my experiences travelling to the barbarians. Follow their caravans, they know the safest routes. "
I nodded.
"So mother, how have you been?"
I changed the subject. Mothers’ gaze swept over and then down to Seraph who seemed bored.
"Has your brother caused any trouble?"
She asked Seraph, who brightened and sat up straighter.
"No, we were late because we got attacked near Dream Forest then went to an underground auction. Those were the only delays we had."
Mother nodded and leaned back on her chair.
"Take care of yourselves and contact me after arriving in the barbarian kingdom. Do not forget!"
"Yes mother, we won’t. Has the crown been causing any problems for you?"
I asked while observing mothers’ expressions. Mother shook his head.
"No, they went back into their hole after your professor died. Since the captain of the royal guards died the church managed to place a paladin among the royal guards. The new captain now has a paladin as an assistant. "
Mother said in a bored voice. I had killed the captain together with the guards who had aided in my arrest and it seems the church took advantage of the death.
"They’re fast."
I chuckled.
"Just fools," mother glanced to her side and nodded, " I’ll be leaving now do not ignore my caution. "
Her image disappeared. I looked out the window to see that it was dark, night had already settled over the city.
"Shall we go?"
I extended my arm to her. She smiled and stood up with my help.