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The path to Orogol would take some time. At least he could leave right after he helped the guards establish their shifts and routine.

"Silverman, long time," he said.

"Ain't that right?" Silverman was a tall and strong looking chap. He had long silver hair, a pair of blades on his back, and in his heyday had been quite the fighter.

"Portagal, right?"

"Portagal," Silverman said with a nod. "What was that. Five years ago?"

"Six, I think," he said. "Before the Breaking, wasn't it?"

"Was it?" Silverman shrugged. "Just got back on duty because of it."

"Well at least I'll know that this will be in capable hands then."

"You think we can manage her then?"

"Don't step on her toes. Leave her be. If she wants to go out and hunt, let her. Just don't let anyone else come by and attack her, everything should be fine."

"Blondie going to be fine?"

"I can't promise anything with him, but as long as he doesn't start anything with her, this is a free paycheck."

Silverman nodded. "Where are you headed to then?"

"Orogol?"

"Seeing your missus?"

"Yeah," he said, "been missing her."

"Give her my regards, yeah?"

"Yeah, yeah." He grasped Silverman's forearm. "You good here then?"

"We'll do fine, I'll let them know what's up."

"Remember, you just have to let no one come and attack her. That's it. Everything else you leave as is."

"If you say so."

Silverman knew just how easy this gig was going to be, as long as they followed that simple principle.

He left Silverman to his business, heading off on to the main road not too far from where the guards had been stationed. The lumberjacks were being protected by a couple of adventurers, who tapped their helmets over towards him. "Good luck kiddos," he said as he waved over at them whilst the lumberjacks went to work, the carpenters guiding them as to which trees they needed for the new outpost.

The road to the West was well paved, thanks to the ancient Phemans that had conquered this area a few hundred years ago. They had ruled for about a century before they had to return to their southern lands in order to stop their own kingdom from crumbling. The remnants of a now dead empire were a beautifully constructed road that led out to a great number of cities.

Man, people sure know how to war.

By the time dusk rolled around he had travelled to the next large city over.

"Hey there, Harry," he said with a wave.

"Oh, Dick, it's good to see you around."

"How's the wife?"

"Oh she's good, she's good. What brings you around to Blackmouth?"

"I've got a couple of tokens to exchange."

"Oh yeah? Well come on in."

He stepped inside the city and was led to the nearby guard's post with Barry at the lead. He was handed over some tea as well as a decent meal of porridge, bread and cheese.

"Heard about the dragons nearby?" Barry asked. "Funny business, gotta be careful out there."

"A little. I try and leave them to it, not my place to butt in."

"Of course, of course, I ain't mean nothing by it."

"I know, Barry, I know. Anything new around these parts?"

"Old man Jenkins got into a fight with the mayor again."

"Again?"

"Aye, they're always quarrelling, more than me and my wife."

"You don't quarrel with your wife, do you Barry?"

Barry looked up at him. "You're right, I don't. She says anything and I just nod my head."

"It's easier that way, isn't that right?"

"You're right, Dick, you're right."

Barry and Richard continued to catch up together until finally Richard left for the mayor's office.

"That Jenkins, is a right prick, he is," the mayor said. He paced within his office, shaking his head. "In front of everyone too! I'm getting sick and tired of his shit!"

"Come on now, leave him be," Richard said. "How many times has he pulled your head out the gutter?"

"Too many times."

"Too many times, rightly so, right?"

"Right, right…"

"I'll have a chat with him later."

"You will?" the mayor said hopefully.

Richard nodded. Then he placed down a token onto the mayor's desk. Without missing a beat the mayor retrieved a small pouch filled with about a years wage in typical tender, as well as a few gems to make up the rest of the token's value.

Richard attached the pouch to his belt. "You alright?"

"I'm alright, Dick. Thank you."

With that he was off to the nearby inn. Of course Jenkins was there causing trouble. Well, he had just finished causing trouble by the time he had arrived, since the old man was in the process of being tossed out.

"Just got wait until- oh good evening, Dick, how are you doing?"

"Pretty good, Jenkins, I see you're as lively as ever."

"Aye, these days I don't get much respect," he said as he gave the stink eye to the inn guard who returned to her post nearby. "Back in my day, I'd have-" Jenkins went off on a rant about sensibilities and such.

"Are you hungry?" Richard eventually asked once the older man was done.

"Reminiscing does do a man with a good thirst and hunger."

Richard tossed a few coins over to the woman nearby with his order, tossing another coin to her for her service.

Jenkins and Richard chatted for some time about the old days, back when Jenkins had been quite the star in this city. Of course a few bad years does change quite a lot, and the older generation were dying out and so those that knew just how valuable Jenkins had been were long gone.

Even now the mayor could barely handle Jenkins properly, what with the debt he owed the older man all those years ago.

Yet such a thing didn't matter to Richard. Jenkins had done him right many years ago, and it didn't matter how many years would pass, he would do right by Jenkins. Even if he was a little crazy these days.

"Need a place to stay for the night?" Richard asked.

"I'll find my way about," Jenkins said. "It's good to know that I still have someone that remembers the good old days."

"I call them the bad old days," Richard joked.

Jenkins smiled. "Aye. Aye." He nodded his head.