Freedom Jumper-Chapter 117: Amaris’ Legacy

Evenly packed were dozens of people fluttering within a dense market space. In front of the spaced out limestone and wood buildings, are wooden stands with a color piece of cloth draped over heat. The phrases, meat, eggs, roots, gardenia, and dairy were labeled with the name of the stand beforehand.

While Elijah was trying to figure the reason for Banum's name popping up, Niko looked in ah at the flavors they were passing. Dark brown and aged rectangular bills were being exchanged in between the people – while wooden crates were being filled with a multitude of items.

The morning rush was surely a sight to see!

Especially when noticing the many people who stood on the tall balconies!

In this area, limestone was used as a base with the construction technique Richter had mentioned. The second story was mostly made from the towering trees, a dark brown wood that contrasted peacefully with the light gray limestone. Lastly, the gable roofs aligned almost perfectly next to each other with small amounts of space left for the dark alley's.

"We will stop here for food. I've been coming to this market before hunting to get a quick snack. Dried beef and fruit." After twenty minutes of walking, the group had finally made it to a resting point.

The flavors of dried beef and the combination of spices reminded Elijah of biltong. Actually, this dried beef was biltong, just without the fancy name. The fruit on the other hand, brought back the senses to Elijah's lack of emotion. Mango that created a river of flavor when bitten into.

Satiation, while not totally, gave both Elijah and Niko a warm feeling of hope. Hope that this Kingdom could treat them in ways Astraea could never. However, when Niko heard the tab of fifteen genny's begin, he sighed as he knew he wasn't as strong as Niko.

At least not yet.

A stop not too far away was made inside the the bottom floor of what Elijah assumed was a home. Limestone bases with a wooden second floor and pointed roof. However, Elijah was not allowed to go inside per Richter as there are people that just "know" when illegals are coming in through the border.

When Elijah heard Richter's explanation, he was quite beside himself with pity. However, this charade would all be over soon.

"I got you guys the same clothing but with different colors. I suggest you go in between these houses and change quickly without anyone noticing. You have already gotten a numerous amount of stares, and we aren't even in the main center of Tavenas."

Niko took off his cloak and damaged tank top and replaced them with slim fitting black pants and a blue short-sleeve shirt adjourned with white buttons that brought the shirt together. Also, a simple and thin black jacket with different pockets, likely meant for a beginner adventurer, which Niko stuffed the two large runic knives into.

Elijah has the exact same outfit on — Gray baggy pants and a tightly knit white cotton shirt — except for a dangerous belt that was wrapped around his waist. Immediately, he buttoned up the black jacket to hide his belt. Richter had fortunately yet to notice it.

The trio finalized their new life by making a stop at an old bar. A limestone base with a pointed wooden and stone roof over the first floor. Then, on the back right corner of the bar was where the second story stood as if it was an expansion after completion.

"Gyfolt Tavern"

Ding!

Upon taking their first steps into the unknown, all eyes stared their way. At least a dozen people were sitting or standing, taking up half of the capacity of the tavern. Wooden walls, wooden floor, almost everything was wooden besides the bar. Meant for smashing heads in when a tab is unpayable.

Thankfully, within seconds, normalcy returned with the chatter and shouts for another beer.

Beer, a delicacy that Elijah had not enjoyed in his past life, and a delicacy that was not present in Astraea due to the simple array of resources.

Richter led Elijah and Niko slowly up to the bar. A just barely overweight man with a black beard and bald head stared at them like outsiders. After asking to meet with Banum, the man scoffed in their faces without a care in the world.

"We will leave if you tell Banum one single word." Elijah said with overbearing confidence.

"Ohohoh! I will appease you just this once child. What is it?"

"Amaris."

Immediately, the man coughed on his drink as if electrocuted from the simple word. Elijah saw his reaction and gave the man a fake smile.

"Who knows the word Amaris here?" Stepping through the swinging double door without a worry that they slammed into his face, was a tall and muscular man dressed in loosely fitting green and black garments.

"I have some information on Amaris. I would like to speak to you privately about it." Elijah calmly said while staring into his eyes.

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.

Banum had to redirect his attention as he never would've expected a child to so casually utter the name of someone very dear to him. Questions and hope began to make its way into Banum's head as there are very few people in this kingdom that know of the truth.

The office gave off a feel of a rustic room filled to the brim with clutter – clutter that acted as decoration and added to its "vibe". Banum slowly sat down on the chair as if he had bad hips and quickly asked what Elijah knew of Amaris.

"Wait Elijah, this is a trade, not a gift."

"I know Richter." Elijah paused and took a deep breath. "In exchange for everything I know about Amaris, I want you to create me and my friend identities."

Barnum's hand went to his chin. "I'll bite, but it depends on if this information is any good. What do you know of Amaris and who is he to you?"

"To start, Amaris was sent to a different Kingdom to investigate an issue, an anomaly."

Barnum quickly butted in to explain he already knew that, which pissed Elijah off. The last thing he wanted to do was explain how Amaris died, but deep down, he knew it would eventually come the moment he stepped inside this office.

"Amaris was my mentor... He took care of me, trained me, and even allowed me to help him investigate. But... Whenever we found out the truth, or at least most of it... He died, protecting me. I escaped the kingdom and came here, and now I am just trying to start a new life." Finally, visible tears to everyone in the room cemented Elijha's statement as true. Even with their being small amounts of doubt in Banum, he chose out of the goodness of his heart to believe Elijah as Banum himself had taken in Amaris and took care of him.

Now, Amaris had followed in his footsteps and took care of this child – just not in the way Banum had, but still...

Banum agreed without hesitation after taking a few moments to clear his head. It seemed what he wanted was closure after his adopted son was harshly taken from him and sent to god knows where.

"What was your relationship with Amaris?" Elijah hesitantly asked.

"He... I took him off the streets of Sontiad as I saw a ruthless spirit in him. That was back in my hunter days. I watched him grow up while teaching him everything I knew about life whether that be combat, woman, or even how to cook... I never got the chance to have children so I took the opportunity when it came."

"Well, it's over now. I finally have closure... Come back tomorrow before sunset to pick up your emblems. For now, write down your full name and birthdate. Richter can hopefully answer any questions you have."

Banum was an interesting fellow to Elijah. A tall man not just in stature, but also in the way he carried himself – who also had a soft side when it came to children. Thankfully, everything had gone according to plan – albeit Elijah revealing how he truly feels about everything.

"Actually, There is one item I wanted to give you. It was Amaris' treasure, something he kept close to him at all times... Although, please don't go waving this thing around as it is very dangerous. A runic engraved revolver that has not been made in some time due to how dangerous the process is..."

Elijah was shocked. He had already received so much from the dead bodies he had unceremoniously looted, and now this?

The revolver was more of an oversized modern pistol with what looked like a hell of a lot of fire power. The body was completely black with a long and rigid barrel that spelt silencer in Elijah's head. On the hammer and both sides of the chamber of the revolver was a deeply engraved rune that looked like a spiked circle inside of a star.

"I've never used it before, but I do know the runes relate to the element of ice. However, it is quite expensive to maintain as a single shot requires a battery replacement. Use it wisely, son."

After walking outside into the cobblestone road, Elijah noticed how there were far more people walking around now. With the time of day being just before sunset, it was likely the jobs the people of this kingdom were working had come to a close.

While Elijah had escaped the "9-5" in his previous life, he was not completely against the idea. It created a consistent life of improvement in combination with healthy habits and goals. But... This is a new life in a new world. What matters is what Elijah makes of this change.

Live in peace? Or create a name for yourself while maybe even going out in a blaze of glory.