The Fiftieth Scene: The Long Road, Fragments of the Past IV

This was also the information Brando had gathered: "What about the others? Will they cause us trouble? I don't trust those mercenaries outside."

"My lord, you can rest assured about that. Very few people head north into the forest, and most of the mercenaries passing through here are actually going to Lantorilan."

Brando nodded. At least so far, this fellow hadn't lied. He narrowed his eyes and asked again, "What about merchants? At this time of year, shouldn't there be fur merchants entering the forest to buy goods from the hunters? Wouldn't they hire mercenaries to go in?"

"My lord certainly knows a great deal." A few beads of sweat appeared on the innkeeper's bald head. "But there are still very few people here at this time of year, so it's nothing to worry about. Besides, most of them are honest merchants."

Honest merchants. If there were still any honest merchants these days, Brando figured the only one would be the young lady Roman beside him. Most of the merchants traveling through Eluin were armed merchants, and one way or another, these merchants had a few dirty dealings on their hands.

However, he didn't mention it and merely replied, "I know. But I don't want to hear your estimates. Just tell me which caravans have entered the forest recently and how I can avoid them."

He paused. "Also, bring me a record of the merchant ships that have recently entered and left the port. I know that your inn must have records related to these matters."

"Understood." The innkeeper wiped the grease from his bald head and replied, sweating profusely, "I understand, my lord. I'll bring it to you right away."

Brando had clearly succeeded in convincing the "baldy" that they were a group of wealthy noble youths who