Thinking about my options, I decide to pick something less criminal."Loreena must be mistaking something, I am just a merchant from a company who happened to be stranded and left walking in unknown lands. I have money and that should be enough to get home eventually. So I might have some use of a fighting force on my travels, but I am not of a n.o.ble rank."
She blinks as if to reevaluate me and my position.
"Very well sir, I"m sure we can find you mercenaries to a.s.sist you in your travel and guard your goods should you need that. As for the information you require there might be a lot so please freely ask and I will total up the required payment."
"Actually I a.s.sume this should be enough payment, if not I can pay the rest, but first just answer my questions." I place down a gold coin knowing how normal shops don"t accept gold currency.
Her face brightens as she sees the payment, as I guessed they are likely paid by the amount each person earns. It is also useful to note that this store can deal with larger amounts of money, I make a mental note to trade down some coins for the travel later.
"First I want to know about the surrounding cities, what they produce and the nearby nations. I"d also like to understand what technology people are accustomed to as I see no cars.. metal carts being driven, ridden around."
Tripping over words apparently being one of my skills today, I finish my tea while hoping she understood what I was asking. Elyn on the other hand, sneaks one of the egg warp snacks out of the bag to eat, I swear to find her some better food.
"The nation we are currently in is The republic of lights, also called Himlerith, known for being a major trade nation of the world, although situated in the colder north, our nation has access to rare materials which is likely why Sir left his country to trade here originally. Most of the nearby cities are either mining cities or outpost cities and this is about as far north was people usually get, any further and even it being summertime won"t protect you from the cold."
So if I wanted to let Elyn live in peace while I figure out where we are, going south where it warmer is the best option. I"ll also have to act like a trader now if I wish to keep up my image, but it should help with my money if I can do well, even though a small inn I"m told is 30 copper a day, the gold coins I have now will run out in a few years, or less if I plan on travelling.
"This is definitely useful information, now the additional things you mentioned, mercenaries. I would like a group who would are trustworthy to protect my sister, this might mean they have girls in their group so I can know they are less likely to hurt my sister. But I want to possibly hire them for long term protection that might last over a year as I travel, if needed I can pay for the inn they stay in and food with a wage if it takes that much for a trusted higher grade group."
"Yes Sir, I"m sure we can arrange you to be protected by a steel ranked party unless you wish to wait a week or two and we could possibly find a silver party to help protect you. Unfortunately this is only a small village, if you wished for a stronger party you would have to head to the capital of Himlerith; Undam, to find a guild of a tier 3 or higher, without going there you are stuck with a tier 2 guild like us or someone below."
"No, I think a Steel party would be fine, I am in a hurry to get back home you see."
"Yes of course Sir, if you wish we can gather some of the parties that meet your requirement by the end of the day if that is an acceptable wait."
Nodding to agree, the lady offers for me to stay in the room after she processes the payment for the questions. At lunchtime they bring some better quality food that I am thankful for due to Elyns sake. Loreena seemed very aware of that and was helpful so I consider leaving her a few silver as thanks so she can live better for a while.