And most of my entire damn library! I managed to get out of undertown by feigning and illness that I claimed was spreading down there and that if they didn't get me out of there right then it would envelop all of Undertown. I realize I probably hurt the people of Undertown with my ruse, but figured I also bought them some time from being harrased until the Ronerawth people figured out it was a lie (so months to a year give or take). I was actually surprised how easy I made it out of Dunlok, though unfortunately thanks to the Divider and the increased government presence I was a long way from getting out of Ronerawth in general.
What was working against me was not knowing how the government felt about me. Had Rojove attempted to kill me in the sewers or had it been a simple accident? I couldn't be sure, so I had to avoid major roadways, or cities (Ronerawth didn't use magic to send messages like the Red Hand, but with telegraph wires and train mail systems there was enough communication between Dunlok and the rest of the empire). I didn't move very fast because of my ribs (walking short distances hurt) I was also without a solid supply of food (dak gave me some mushrooms and bread I tried not to think of where either came from). I didn't help that for the first bit I was basically walking through a desert hoping to not die from dehydration before being caught by Ronerawth military and executed for heresy (wouldn't put it past them).
Thankfully fate was kind and I ran across a traveling merchant who himself was avoiding the main roads for fear of taxes (I guess the military is known for stopping merchants and charging new road fees randomly). He had a couple pack animals and a horse. When he saw me he thought I was one of the rare Ronerawth bandits (its hard to be a bandit in an oppressive military regime, because government hates competition).
"I want you to know I carry no money on me." Which makes no sense as a merchant, thats like saying you're a warrior but carry no weapon.
"Well then we have something in common!" I figured being jovial would be a good idea, meeting people in the wastes between roads is like a really awkward first date, with a lot less of a chance for a sexual encounter. He was dressed in silks that covered his whole body, flowing wraps almost to the point he looked like a burn victim.
"You must be a strange bandit then." His accent was that northern dirt farmer poor type, usually considered folksy for suckers.
"I'm no bandit, just a sell sword recovering from a recent struggle. Tell you what I'll offer you my services, if you take me to the nearest town that is not Dunlok." It was a good trade, and the merchant agreed surpingly (I would come to find out he was a poor shot with the pistol he held in his wraps and my offer was one of major relief). His name was Tarnak, and this was his first merchant trip out from the coast ever. He too was hoping to avoid Dunlok as the traders there tended to screw over the naieve. He also had gotten lost (which is why despite trying to avoid Dunlok he was heading right for it), so on top of my fantastic sell sword services he needed my navigation as well. Turning us around I had us heading for Rolak instead. Now it had been years since I'd been there and I figured a lot of things had changed, but one thing probably remained constant, there was money to be made there! And hopefull Tarnak and his new partner would be making it! Yes I already considered myself his partner without really seeing what it is we were supposed to be selling. I realize once again mistakes were bound to be made.
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