What's In the Cart?

[Sej]

Soren was feeling a bit sulky about reporting to scout duty, considering himself more of a mage even though his magical prowess wasn't exactly anything to write home about. But, to be fair, the young man would argue, he simply hadn't grown into his power yet. There was magical training offered to the alliance, but it took place in Korasus, lot of good that did him in Innorsford. Oh, and he would need to make his own arrangements to get there! But, really, what did he know about smuggling? Well, apparently he was about to learn.

After approaching the rather unassuming looking woman leaning against a tree in an appointed location for the operation along the highway outside Innorsford, Soren simply stood there awkwardly a moment before speaking. This appeared to be the right place, with all the right landmarks that he'd been instructed to expect. The walk had even taken about as long as was estimated. And what else would someone be out here for, standing in this specific spot? Yet, all the woman did was stare at him as if he were the strange one. Soren certainly felt as though he did not belong, in that moment.

"Um, excuse me," The young noble began, unsure of himself, eyes darting around as though a regiment of Sovereign cavalry could fall upon them at any moment. He dropped his voice to whisper conspiratorially, leaning in somewhat so as to be more smugglery and inconspicuous. "I'm here for the, uh, smuggling?"

She rolled her eyes and waved him off the road. Once in the trees, Soren gave his eyes a moment to adjust to the lighting. A sack landed on the ground some feet in front of him, kicking up enough dirt and dust to send the young man into something of a coughing fit. He simply couldn't understand the Alliance's apparent obsession with throwing bags of things at him. There had to be a more efficient way of handing parcels off to one another.

[Sej]

"Make yourself look ordinary," A voice from somewhere in the branches spoke. "Walking around like that'll only attract attention in certain parts. You don't WANT attention, yeah? And don't run around shouting about disguises or being a smuggler. You'll get more than just yourself killed if you blab in front of the wrong people."

Opening the sack, Soren pulled out a set of farmer's clothes. Dirty farmer's clothes, by the smell and feel of them. The young noble's nose crinkled somewhat at that but he quickly began to undress, modestly setting his own noble attire aside in a relatively clean corner of the barn before slipping into the outfit provided him. When all was said and done, he felt quite the part and told the woman so. She looked at him incredulously.

"Are you kidding? One, you're way too clean. Get back in there and roll around a bit. A few straws of hay in those curls of yours wouldn't hurt. And for fucks sake, slouch a bit. Your height will be a bit less noticeable that way. And I know telling you to completely remove the stick all you nobles seem to have shoved up your arse is probably a bit too much to ask, so just do your best to look as little pompous and arrogant as you're capable of."

A short while later, the young man emerged from the trees a good deal dirtier with a back a good less stiffer. The woman grunted, the closest he figured he was going to get to a sign of satisfaction. She led Soren to an empty cart disguised by some branches in a clever depression just off the road. He never would have noticed it if it hadn't been pointed out to him.

"Listen, now. You're to take this cart up the highway, yes you're pulling it yourself. Once you reach the crossroads past the river, there should be a man with a full cart. You will exchange carts and bring his back here. Do not remove anything from the cart. Do not search the hidden compartment in the cart. Come straight back. Understood?"

[Sej]

Though loathe to admit it to himself, or anyone else, he could see the merits in learning the basics of smuggling and disguise. After all, those of mixed race such as himself were not always looked upon with kindness. That in addition to the Sovereign Kingdom's persecution against mages could, in the near future, give him very good cause to disguise his identity, profession, and of course his allegiances. Dangerous business, being a traitor thrice over.

These were the thoughts that kept young Soren's mind occupied while he pulled an empty cart along one of Cruinthe's many highways. After his enthusiastic insistence that he did, in fact, understand the instructions given to him, the woman had pointed him up the road and told him to get moving. After pulling that empty cart for what felt like hours, he finally glimpsed a figure in the distance upon crossing the river.

Once closer, he could make the man out a bit more clearly. The man seemed to be resting in the shade, a full cart pulled somewhat off to the side of the road, one wheel detached and apparently having broken off. Soren approached, giving the subtle signal he'd been shown. Much to his relief, the man replied in kind and hopped to his feet.

Within moments, they had the 'broken' cart fixed and the man was headed up the road with the empty cart Soren had brought. The young man sighed and began pulling the new cart back the way he came. Boring business, this smuggling. But that wasn't so bad. He'd learned quite a bit, at least. And not being stabbed or mauled was pretty nice, too. It took Soren several hours to make it back to the depression he'd pulled the empty cart from. Careful to disguise the new cart, he quickly changed into his own clothes and head back into the town of Innorstforth, his task complete.

The young noble desperately craved a bath to rid himself of the accumulated dirt of the road. He'd worked up quite the sweat pulling those two carts, too. This whole manual labor thing just wasn't for him, Soren thought as he massaged one of his shoulders. Best leave it to the professionals next time. Shit, was that him now?

[Azuloth]

Complete

Smuggling I acquired
Disguises I acquired
+2 stat points