"O lord, I salute you, I am the lowly witness and praiser of Waterdeep and the northern wastelands, the troubadour Ariel. The man bowed deeply, with the courtesy of a commoner meeting the Grand Duke, exaggerated but elegant. "Please don't believe the rumors about me - too many employers are jealous of my face, and the suspicion of low self-esteem, as if I was born to seduce their wives and daughters. If you're looking for a guide, translator and interesting travel companion, the best people in the New World are right in front of you, ready to work for you – and hopefully, of course, you'll pay enough to get the best value for your money. ”

Siegel looked around and saw that the tavern villain had fled on his own, and the tavernkeeper only smiled awkwardly at his gaze, while the other drinkers remained seated.

"It's such a great place to talk about things, and you can turn a blind eye to a lot of things. Still, Siegel suggested that the poet go with him, and at least the air outside would be much better.

In autumn, the port area is humid and cold, and the sea breeze brings a lot of moisture, which condenses into a sticky white mist when the temperature drops at night. At this time, there were very few pedestrians on the streets, and only those who had enough alcohol to be brave would come out and wander. A few wild dogs swaggered through the streets, rummaging through the garbage for something to eat. In the dark alley next to it, Piao Ke and Ji Nu, who couldn't bear it anymore, were lying on the wall and shaking, making a high-pitched voice without shame.

Siegel walked out the door of the tavern, then stopped. Beneath his feet was a slippery dirt road, and by the moonlight he could see fragments of clay jugs lurking in the mud - the work of a drunkard. So he asked everyone to wait for a while, and then turned back into the rippling moonlight. This can startle the tavern owner, for fear that the "knight" will see something unfair and want to step on it. However, Siegel only took out five silver coins and bought the shoes on the boss's feet.

"Jack, you put on these shoes first, and I'll tie them up with a strap, be careful not to hurt your feet again. Siegel handed the boy the moccasines, then took a piece of rope from the pocket, and squatted down to tie it to him. Then he took off his coat again and put it on Jack. The boy was small, less than Siegel's chest, and looked dangling in his clothes. Jack clutched his robe tightly with both hands and looked at the glittering breastplate on Siegel's body, with a complicated look in his eyes.

The troubadour also saw the armor and squinted his eyes and looked up and down. He recognized that it was a dwarven custom, and that it was not something that ordinary craftsmen could make. This brand new piece of armor fits exactly the size of its owner, so in addition to its great value, the heart it contains is even more surprising. After all, Siegel is still a young man, and he looks less than twenty years old, and there is still some room for his body to grow and exercise. The armor custom-made by the Dwarven Master Craftsmen is a lifelong repair, so they mainly design armor for those whose physical form has been fixed. So this cuirass for young people is even more extraordinary.

This time I should have been paid more. That's what Arriel came to to conclusion.

"My friend Denis should have told you that I need to make a trip to the north, most likely all the way to the borders of the orc realm, so I need guides and people who are fluent in the Northlands. What do you say?"

"Sir, this is a dangerous journey, and my advice is not to make a decision lightly. Arriel made a deferential look and bent down and replied, "Judging by your appearance, you are either rich or expensive, I wonder if you can be accompanied by an escort on this trip?"

"It's just you and me. Siegel replied, "So you have to choose your route and where you want to stay." Any suggestions?"

"You're testing me. Arriel straightened up and smiled, "If you're going at this time of year, I'd suggest you go to the Jackdaw Tribe." One is that the Jackdaw tribe is relatively friendly, they produce more than they plunder, and merchants are also welcome to go. The second is that the harvest festival is coming soon, and they will hold a tournament there. Some of the surrounding tribes will also go, exchanging their prey for some easily stored food to survive the winter. ”

"Where is the Raven Tribe?" Siegel asked.

"I will take you safely, sir. Arriel replied slyly.

"Very good, you are a smart person. Tell us about your requirements. ”

The troubadour snapped his fingers and said in a brisk tone, "Two hundred golden cans, seven hundred miles round trip." No smoke, no red face. ”

Siegel had been a sailor, and he could understand Ariel's words. He replied, "You eat whatever I eat." Women bear their own expenses. In addition to that, I can give you a hundred gold coins now, but someone will guarantee it. The remaining half will be paid when you come back. ”

"As you wish, my lord. ”

With Janis helping with the rest of the tasks, Siegel took Jack back home. Ms. Linda is no stranger to bringing some poor people home. Recently, even his son Carl, inspired by the temple, began to do some specific work to help the needy, and sometimes came to the house to get some food to help the beggars. Ms. Linda is very proud of the fact that she is surrounded by kind people. Her only concern is whether Siegel's financial resources will last long.

But she had already come up with the idea to plant some melons and vegetables in the garden next to the stables.

"Poor boy!" was her exclamation when she saw Jack. "Come with me, children, wash your hands and wipe your face, and I'll prepare something to eat for you." ”

"Excuse me, Ms. Linda. Siegel said with a smile. He told Jack to rest in peace and talk about it tomorrow morning if he had any ideas. Then he went back to his study and read the accounts of the north for a while before going to bed.

He was woken up early the next morning by a knock on Ms. Linda's door for breakfast, and then went downstairs to smell the pancakes. He saw that Jack had washed up and put on a clean and tidy outfit - still the same clothes that Carl had worn before. The dirt on Jack's face was cleaned, and although he was still covered in acne, he looked much better. Siegel looked down at his ankles and saw that the herbs had been applied and wrapped in gauze.

"Good morning, Jack, you look much better! ”

Breakfast was pancakes and sausages with a big glass of goat's milk. It wasn't enough for Siegel, so he often went to buy something like cooked meat in the morning. But for skinny little Jack, the meal made him happy.

He quickly finished eating, blinking wide-eyed, and honestly sat down in the dining chair, waiting for Siegel.

"Is there anything going on?" Siegel asked, noticing this, putting down the dishes.

"Mr. Siegel, you're going to the land of the northern savages? I heard you talk to the troubadour when I was at the tavern. ”

"yes, we'll be going in a few days. Siegel looked at him, and asked, "Are you from the north?" and I can send you home if you want to." ”

"No, I'm not a savage, and although I don't have a surname, I'm from the town of Marchneut in the Old World Hill Federation, and my dad is a farmer, maybe he's still there. Jack looked up, and he could see the strength in his gaze. "Mr. Siegel, that troubadour Arriel is dangerous, and I have seen him in the Moonlight killing people for no reason, killing unarmed debt collectors. ”

"I've heard this from Denis - the poor man you saw that night without front teeth. I'm mentally prepared to be on guard. Besides, I just need him to translate for me, just in case. ”

Jack bit his lower lip, nodded, and said, "Mr. Siegel, I want to go to my dad, is that okay?"

"No problem, you're free now. Siegel patted his hand, and then said, "If you're going to go back to the Old World, you can't take a boat directly from Waterdeep. You may have heard about the attack on the sea route, and now there are no big ships leaving the port. You'll need to head south by land, to Creek, board the southern route, and then find a way to get to the Hill Federation when you return to the Old World. You've got a long way to go. ”

"I only have this last relative. I didn't have a mother when I was a child, and when my father couldn't support me, he gave me to a merchant as an apprentice, but then I was sold to a slave trader. If I go back like this, maybe he will still want me, and I will work hard to support myself. Mr. Siegel, I know you're a good guy, and I beg you for your help. ”

"That's no problem, I'll let Bucktooth take you to Creekwood, he's a sailor like me, he knows how to ship and can help you find the safest way to leave. But he can't accompany you to the Old World, that's too far. ”

"Thank you, but I want to go to Creekwood on my own. ”

Siegel wanted to persuade him again about the dangers of going on his own, but on second thought, he had to face such dangers. So Siegel said, "If you've made up your mind, that's fine." I'll give you some money to use on the road. But you have to be careful, don't take out the money easily, it's better to follow the legal caravan, you can save some trouble. When are you going to go?"

Jack's eyes turned red and he said, "I want to leave right away." ”

"It's okay, I'll send you. ”

Siegel summoned Miss Linda, told her to prepare clothes and rations, and sent Genesys to see if there was any caravan heading south, and everyone was busy. Siegel took a short sword from his room, handed it to Jack along with its scabbard, and retrieved the chainmail he had made. He took the pliers and quickly modified the armor according to Jack's size, and by the time Lady Linda was ready to wrap, he had already modified the chainmail.

"Put it on, it's something I want to make myself, and it's somewhat useful. Siegel smiled, slipped his chainmail over his shirt, and then put on his short-sleeved waistcoat. He brought two wallets, one containing 30 gold coins and the other containing only silver coins and copper plates. He instructed Jack to keep it separately and to use as few gold coins as possible except for the fare for the ship.