Feryll gave another glance at Justinian, seeing his clear lack of weaponry, making her even more unsure of her decision to involve him.
"So... what in the world will you be using?"
Justinian slightly opened his mouth, completely forgetting he didn't bring a single thing with him other than coins.
"...Didn't think that far ahead."
He scratched the back of his head, remembering that this was basically a glorified blacksmith; they should have spare swords around.
"Can I borrow one?"
"Huh...?"
"It's a good investment, a shipment of ore for a single sword is a fair deal."
Feryll's ears twitched at his answer. Was he really serious?
"Look, even if you're a legendary champion or whatever, swords take a while to make."
Justinian expected the answer, but he tried to see if he could at least convince her, but it looks like he wasn't successful.
"Here."
He grabbed a pouch of coins, the only thing he brought, after all, coins would usually solve everything.
'Good thing I also inherited the memory of prices in this world...'
Justinian laughed to himself.
"Should have started with that."
Feryll went to a cabinet in the room, one that looked fairly unassuming, like one that you would store clothes in, but looks can be deceiving.
And that was proven immediately when she opened it, the container holding dozens of steel swords, with two shields neatly placed on the back.
"Can't help to be careful."
Feryll smirked, grabbing a sword for herself and tossing another to Justinian.
"We aren't bringing shields?"
"It's too suspicious, those blacksmiths would stop me from coming with you, being a guildmaster and all that."
"They do make a fair point, you know?"
"I'm more than just a damsel in distress."
She slapped Justinian in the back of his head, causing him to stumble slightly from the impact.
"Ouch, was that really necessary?"
"Yes."
"Let's get going. I'd rather not waste time talking with you."
She left the room, clearly not waiting for Justinian; he would just follow anyway, no need to babysit him in every way.
'Well... she's exactly what I expected from a dark elf...'
***
It didn't take long for them to arrive outside the city walls, just by the rear gate, where the celebrations were far less, completely avoiding the issue of having to navigate a fully crowded street.
"Smart..."
Justinian remarked.
"It's common sense."
Feryll answered with a shrug before pointing at a stable, its owner tending to the horses despite the festival.
"I'm surprised someone is still working."
"I know him, crowded places aren't his thing."
Justinian smirked, a new piece of information added to him, one that he really didn't expect to learn, something so obvious, yet he didn't think of it.
'Introverts existed in medieval times as well, huh.'
As they approached the stable, the stable owner saw them approach, waving at them as he noticed Feryll.
"What brings you to the other side of the city?"
"I gotta borrow a horse real quick, just to head to Herdin."
She lied as easily as she breathed, clearly not wanting to actually explain how she needs to use a horse to bring the two of them into bandit-infested forests.
"As long as you got the money."
"I know that already..."
She tossed him a few coins, then gestured at Justinian. "Come."
"Someone you know, Feryll?"
"Just a business partner."
She mounted her horse, slowly leading it outside the stable as she paced in circles for a while, clearly rusty when it came to riding horses.
It seemed like it had been years since she even touched one.
"Want me to be the jockey?"
Justinian offered, he was clearly better, and by better, he was equal to a legend at this point.
Feryll was surprised at his offer, but clearly shook it off. Of course, he would offer to be the jockey instead; he was an adventurer, and they obviously had experience with horses due to the nature of their work.
At least, that's what she thought.
"Feel free."
She dismounted, patting the horse's body.
"Just don't get too impressed."
Justinian cockily answered, cracking his knuckles.
"Oh please, it's just riding a horse, save your bragging when..."
She stopped before she revealed too much information; the stable owner was still listening to them; if he knew they were going into battle, then he would obviously not let the two of them use a horse.
"Never mind..."
"Gotta be more careful than that."
Justinian chuckled, easily mounting the horse as he patted the space behind him.
"Come on, I don't have time just waiting for you..."
He teased.
"Petty bastard..."
Feryll replied with a frown, reluctantly agreeing as they both rode out to their destination, Feryll behind, pointing directions just in case Justinian forgot where it was circled on the map.
A bandit-hunting adventurer with a dark elf and a disguised duke, it was certainly odd.