The Book of Hibernation

After dinner, Winter Thistle went back to her room and searched through her luggage, and found what most resembled a mage's robe: a very old brown traveling cloak.There is a centipede-like seam on the hood, no buttons, closed by cloth rope, no sleeves, only two openings that are not hemmed, and the hem is badly worn, as if bitten by a wild dog.

Although it is more like a mage's robe, it obviously does not meet the requirement of "good texture".

He remembered that Ryan had a nice long jacket. It was a second-hand ready-to-wear that he bought last year, and it looked decent with a belt.So he went to the next door to look through his brother's clothes, found this one, took it back and tried it on.

The texture of the clothes is not bad, it is thick velveteen, but now it is the transition from summer to autumn, and its fabric does not match the season, so it may be a bit ridiculous to wear it.

Not only that, but the dress looked like that on Lane, while the thistle wouldn't hold up, it looked sloppy, and it didn't look very good.

While he was meditating, someone knocked on the door outside.He thought it was a servant who came to urge him, but it turned out that it was Aldin himself standing outside the door.

Aldin had changed into a dark teal shirt, still partly open to reveal the python tattoo.The obvious difference from before was that he was also wearing a combat belt, with a dagger hanging from his leg.

Seeing Winter Thistle's eyes, Aldin smiled and said, "Don't be nervous, I'm not going to take you to fight. But after all, you have to go out to meet people, so you have to make some preparations," he said, patted the dagger, "If If I’m really going to a dangerous place, I’m not just taking such a little guy with me.”

After speaking, he scanned the small guest room, and happened to see the travel cloak and velvet gown on the table.

Winter Ji also looked back at them, and lowered her head in embarrassment: "You should tell me where I'm going..."

Aldin said, "It's a fun place, but I don't want to tell you in advance."

Winter Ji pointed to the travel cloak: "You said you want to prepare the mage's robe, can I use that?"

Judging by the subtle look on Aldin's face, it was clearly not working.

When Dong Ji wanted to say something again, Aldin hugged Dong Ji's shoulders again very naturally like in the evening, and led him out of the guest room: "Don't look for it, come with me first."

Winter Ji asked him where he was going, but he didn't say, so Dong Ji followed him obediently.The two walked through the lit corridor, walked through the yard full of pergolas, and came to a large one-story house shaded by trees.

Aldin pushed open the door sideways and signaled Winter Thistle to go in.After entering the house, both of them took off their shoes before stepping onto the carpet from the colored brick floor.

Winter Ji stood in front of the door and could already tell that this was not a study room or a banquet hall, but a private living room.A few pairs of boots are randomly placed at the door, and clothes, no matter how long or short, are casually thrown on the shoe-changing stool and the low cabinet.

The inner area is covered with a soft light-colored plush carpet, on which lies a sheathed sword, a fruit plate and tin cups are placed on the round table, and the sundries on the cabinet furniture against the wall are arranged irregularly. Various weapons were hung on the vacated walls, some brand new and some weather-beaten.

Winter Thistle stood obediently near the round table and dining stool, neither walking in nor looking in too many times.

In the back of the room stands a wrought iron hollowed-out indoor screen wall, and on the other side hangs a curtain, which must be the more private bedroom area.

Seeing Winter Thistle's reaction, Aldin found it interesting, and didn't push him to go inside again.He asked Winter Thistle to wait while he went to get something.

Not long after, Aldin brought a set of ready-made clothes. The long liner and trousers were dark gray, and the texture was light and crisp. The bag was embroidered with protective spell runes, and the outer edge was inlaid with steel silver satin borders, and coiled with hair-thin arcane scripts.

"Here are these, try it on." Aldin stuffed the clothes into Winter Thistle's arms. "Mages' clothes are loose, so they can fit you well."

A winter thistle does not know the price of the fabric, but it can recognize the details of craftsmanship that provide the mage with convenience.Leaving aside these slippery, breathable and soft materials, just looking for a workshop to make runes is not cheap.

The rune on the robe is a constant basic protection spell. It is not complicated, but it is very practical. The mage can add other protection on this basis, which is more convenient.

Although mages can cast spells in any clothes, having real robes is even more powerful, just like wearing light and strong armor for warriors.

Winter Thistle caressed the robe, the night blue cloth was really cool to the touch, as if touching the soft night wind.

"Did this... Master Kanai borrowed it from me?" He looked up and asked.

Aldin said: "No. I gave it to you. Why do you think Kanai borrowed it from you?"

"Have you ever been a spellcaster?"

Aldin laughed, and then said: "I am not. If you are not a mage, can you have a few robes? You put them on first, and I will find a pair of shoes for you."

Winter Thistle nodded, looking left and right a little helplessly.

Aldin pointed to the curtain at the back of the room: "You're quite shy. Go over there and change it. I just happened to be looking for shoes...it should be in the closet here."

Winter Thistle bowed, and carried the clothes into the depths of the room.

After going around the curtain, he almost stepped on some clothes lying on the ground. He tried to avoid them to find a place to stay, and finally stood right in front of the bed curtain.

Silk nightgowns were scattered on the bed, thin blankets, sheets, and pillows of different sizes were arranged in a mess, and there was even a tin cup dumped at the foot of the bed.Winter Thistle conjectured that the servants must not be allowed to enter Aldin's bedroom.If there were servants to clean up, how could there be such a mess.

Winter Thistle placed the blue robe carefully on the low edge of the bed, trying not to touch anything else.He looked back, the layered curtains blocked all sight, and he couldn't see anything outside from here.

So he pursed his lips and gently untied the tie of his shirt on his chest.

At the same time, Aldin in the outer room opened the low cabinet and found three new pairs of soft-soled shoes.He compared them one by one with the boots Winter Thistle had just taken off, and picked out the one with the same sole.

He had sent a servant to buy the shoes in the afternoon.These are just ordinary shoes in clothing stores. You can buy a lot of them for dozens of copper coins. They are not high-end goods at all. Booties, these shoes are much better.

It's not that Aldin made do on purpose, but because Winter Ji and Ryan just arrived in Harbor City, no matter how active Aldin is, he still has no time to prepare something suitable for them in such a short period of time.

But this pair of little brothers are so foolish, it looks like they have been suffering all the year round, and just a few ordinary things can make their eyes panic.

And the robe just now.Winter Thistle thought it was Kanai who lent it to him... Aldin stroked his chin and chuckled: This half-elf is really cautious, he deliberately asked if he "borrowed" it, so as not to make people think he was greedy.

However, the robe is really related to Kanai.In fact, this robe was something Kanai didn't want.

About a year ago, a material merchant flattered Kanai and gave him a bunch of gifts, including this robe.The workmanship of the robe is not bad, but Kanai himself has better clothes than this one. He dislikes the color of the robe like an evil necromancer, and the double layer of yarn will be slightly polarized with the movement, too Contrived, not dignified.

Since Kanai didn't want it at all, Aldin took it and kept it as a gift. Anyway, it's a good thing.

Aldin imagined that Winter Thistle was indeed more suitable for this robe than Kanai.Kanai, like Aldin, has black hair and black eyes, and has a fierce face, which looks heavy with such clothes.And Winter Thistle is different. Winter Thistle's hair is light-colored, and she has a soft face gifted by the blood of the elves. There is a subtle sadness between her brows and eyes, even when she smiles... a person with this temperament, coupled with The night-like robes have a contrasting beauty.

When Aldin walked in with his shoes, Winter Thistle had already changed.The half-elf lowered his head slightly, flattened one sleeve, and was carefully examining the details of the runes on the sleeve.

The carpet was soft, and Aldine walked lightly, so Winter Thistle had no idea that Aldine was standing behind him.At such a short distance, if he turned his head suddenly, he would plunge directly into Aldin's arms.

Aldin looked down at the pointed ears of the half-elf, and moved his eyes to the small piece of neck under the collar that was stuck to the hair... He looked at it quietly for a while, and suddenly asked, "Are you studying runes?"

Just as he expected, Winter Thistle was taken aback.Aldin even noticed that the pair of small pointed ears trembled for a moment.The half-elf's ears are obviously moving, and they are much cuter than ordinary human ears.I don't know what would happen if it was the long ears of a pure blood elf.

When Winter Thistle turned around, her feet were caught by the sheet on the blanket, and she fell down on the edge of the bed.

Aldin smiled and said, "I'm sorry, sorry, why do I always scare you? It was the same at dinner before. I just said hello, but you and your brother were both scared."

Dong Ji looked up at him, if he stood up, the distance between the two would be a bit unseemly, if he didn't stand up, it would be impolite to sit on the edge of someone else's bed...

When Winter Thistle was in a dilemma, Aldin did something even more bewildering—he half squatted and half knelt down on the spot, and reached out to touch Winter Thistle's ankle.

Winter Ji didn't know how to react, so he could only stay where he was.

Aldin's hand slipped down from the ankle bone, held up his heel, compared the shoes in his hand to the side, and looked up at Winter Thistle: "It seems to be very suitable. These are new shoes. The soles are not dirty. I will change them in the house." Just do it."

When doing this series of actions, Aldin's attitude was very natural, as if there was no problem at all...

So Dong Ji could only force herself to be calm, pretending that she wasn't embarrassed at all.

Aldin stood in front of him, and he couldn't even bend down to put on his shoes.So he moved a little to the side, and then he lowered his head to touch the shoes: "Thank you so much! I'll give it a try."

These are soft-soled shoes made of thin sheepskin, which should be very comfortable, but Winter Thistle secretly feels that her boots with slanted soles are more suitable.

He put on his shoes, stood up, and took a few steps back from the bed: "You said you're going out, so now I'm ready?"

These words were somewhat of a reminder, Dongji was obviously a little uncomfortable, and wanted to leave here to get down to business.Aldin noticed that the tips of Winter Thistle's ears were slightly red again, and this time it was not affected by the alcohol.

"Okay, let's go." Aldin hugged Winter Thistle again, and led him towards the door, "Don't be nervous, you will definitely like that place."

The carriage was already waiting outside the courtyard, Aldin helped Dong Ji up first, and Dong Ji thanked her again and again.

Of course Aldin knew that this kind of cautious politeness was due to alienation, but he didn't want Dongjiu to change it, and it was cute to keep it like this for the time being.

Along the way, Winter Thistle never asked where he was going.Since Aldin didn't say anything at first, he didn't ask any more questions.

The distance is not long, just going around the city.There is a section of the road that is closer to the pier, and you can see the sea from a distance. Although it is impossible to see the pier and warehouses from here, Winter Thistle stared out the window for a long time.

The carriage traveled to the southwest of the city and finally stopped on a ridge.This area is far away from the urban area, and it is a bit desolate. Except for the lantern hanging on the carriage, there is no light in sight.

"Can you use this?" Aldin opened the storage box in the carriage, and took out a thin metal rod that was one cubit long.

Winter Thistle nodded, took it, rubbed the tip of the metal rod with the index finger and thumb of his right hand, and said a short spell at the same time.After letting go of his hand, the tip of the thin stick began to emit soft light, from dark to bright, and finally stabilized to a brightness that could illuminate a dozen steps in front of him.

This is a non-storage lighting wand that needs to be manually operated by someone who knows magic.Winter Thistle secretly thought, if Aldin didn't bring a mage, how would he use such an item?After thinking about it later, Aldin should bring Kanai with him, which makes sense.

After getting off the carriage, Aldin took Winter Thistle to the side of the road, where there was a stone step leading to the ridge.Below is a flat but deserted meadow, with a path in the middle leading to a huge stone castle, shadowed in the night in the distance.

The two walked along the path, and there was the sound of horseshoes behind them. Dongji looked back, and saw that the coachman turned around and left here temporarily.

The weather is not good tonight, the clouds cover the stars and the moon, and the castle not far away is pitch-black, like a huge monster crouching in the night.

Winter Thistle unconsciously pursed her lips.

Aldin put his arm around his shoulder and patted him: "Don't be nervous, this is not a scary place, I didn't bring you to kill gargoyles, today we don't need to fight anyone, don't worry."

Seeing that Winter Thistle was amused, Aldin said again: "See that castle. A long time ago, it was the private property of nobles, and there was a large garden outside. Look around, this is the old garden."

Winter Thistle looked around: "There is nothing around..."

Aldin said: "The garden has been shoveled down a long time ago, of course there is nothing now. Look at your nervousness... Let me tell you about the origin of this place, and you won't be afraid after hearing it. The previous owner of the castle was not The local is a small nobleman and wealthy businessman from outside. He took a fancy to the scenery in this area, so he bought the land and spent a lot of money to build a beautiful building. He enjoyed it for a few years at first, but he regretted it after a long time. He and his children didn't like the seaside climate very much, and they were allergic to a bunch of things. Gradually, his family didn't want to come. Later, his sons sold the stone castle to the chamber of commerce, and the chamber of commerce transferred it to Harbor Town Hall."

The stone castle in the night originally looked mysterious and terrifying, but its origin was actually very mundane. After hearing this, Winter Thistle was indeed not so nervous.

"Now, the building is a workhouse," Aldin continued.

"The poorhouse?" Winter Thistle was a little surprised.

"Yes. There are dozens of orphans, old men and women living in it, as well as some widows who don't have a house. They are responsible for taking care of the elderly and children. During the day, doctors from the city come to check on the situation regularly. If something happens, it will be returned to the city hall No problem. Those who live in the poorhouse don’t have to pay, but not everyone can live in it, and those who occupy the house without permission will be arrested and jailed.”

This was beyond Winter Ji's expectation.Now he is less afraid.However, he still didn't understand why Aldin brought him here. Does the poorhouse still need a refiner?

When the two came to the door, someone opened the door to greet them without calling.People here seem to have recognized Aldin for a long time.

The stone castle is quiet and dimly lit.The guide took them to the second floor, crossed the corridor bridge, walked into the back building, and went down two floors to the underground area of ​​the back building.

In the end, the guide stood in front of a double door, nodded to Aldin, and then walked away silently.

Through the door, Dongji heard rustling voices from inside. It wasn't very noisy, but it wasn't as quiet as the front building.

Aldin smiled, pushed open the door, and walked in side by side with him.

The lights were bright inside the door, and the Winter Thistle extinguished the lighting rod.What appeared in front of him was an underground market inside a building, which was very spacious on the left and right, and it was unknown how far ahead it could be.There are all people coming and going here, some people are sitting on the ground by the wall, some people are walking around with wooden boxes for selling goods hanging on their bodies, and there are many large and small tents in the distance.

Winter Thistle also noticed that the lighting of the underground market does not rely on candles and chandeliers, but on cold light sources created by various spells.Most people who wander around the walls will bring a light orb, and the extravagance will bring a perpetual lamp.

Without Aldin's urging, Winter Thistle walked slowly along this "street" naturally.

Aldin followed him, and some businessmen would bow their heads slightly to salute Aldin, and Aldin would smile at him.

Winter thistle smells very familiar...rosemary, foxglove salve, turpentine...something else mixed together.He noticed the yawning woman in the corner. These smells came from her side. There were a bunch of bottles and jars beside her, which contained some basic spell-casting materials.

There are still some small bags behind her, and the things inside are probably not very common.Winter Thistle saw her take out a flat glass bottle containing a rust-colored liquid, and he was sure that he read it correctly. It was the blood of an infected body from another world, which is needed by both necromancers and otherworlders. .However, it is a forbidden spell-casting material, forbidden to be collected, forbidden to be traded, and forbidden to be possessed by anyone other than the priesthood.

In addition, Winter Thistle also saw various rare materials along the way.Finished and semi-finished poisons, animal bones that can be used as utensils, items and weapons with cursed runes, antique scrolls sealed in wax...

Winter Thistle understands it all—it's a veritable "underground" street where people trade restricted materials and tools of all kinds.

Aldin leaned closer to Winter Thistle's ear: "You must have heard that Shandonia is one of the best countries for spellcasters. There is no temple of the God of Silence here, so even necromancers dare to come. In fact, this statement is not accurate, the reason why spellcasters like this country is not just for one reason. Now you understand why it is said that this country is good for spellcasters, right?"

When he was talking, Winter Thistle happened to see something on a booth: a small oval wrapped in black cloth, with a pungent smell, it was stillborn bones soaked in embalming agents, necromancers needed such things .

Winter Thistle doesn't know much about the high-level knowledge of that school, so he doesn't know what it can do. He only knows that if someone finds out about trading, even if he is not executed, he will never see the sun again in his life.

Aldin could tell that Winter Thistle was not frightened by the bones, but by "the fact that such a thing can be traded".

So he said in Winter Thistle's ear: "Don't worry, these are all approved by the city hall. Also, the market area and the poorhouse do not intersect, do not disturb the patients, and a part of the income can be used to help the poorhouse."

Winter Ji asked, "Is this market also owned by the chamber of commerce?"

Aldin did not answer yes or no.He just smiled and said: "If you see what you need, just buy it. You are welcome. This is also to allow you to serve us better. Today I will take you to find out the way and let others know your face Just a moment. You'll always need this place in the future."