'Til Kingdom Comes - The Banished Prince Vol 3: The Prophecy

Guy and Jo

It had already been 4 days since Guy MacDonough and Johannesburg Mackenzie along with their own set of party members had completed the shortened and concentrated map charting course.

It was supposed to be a 7-day course with an examination at the end of it but somehow since its a class of only 8 students, the course went along at an accelerated pace.

The young students were able to learn as much as 80% of the lessons given out by the teachers of the school and they were quite happy with the results of the students' comprehension on the subject.

Besides, 2 designated navigations would be given to them separately, so once they had completed the other courses, the adventurers would be on their way once more to perform their tasks.

Both party leaders had successfully attained a remarkable and satisfactory score on cartography and this would be a great boost for the future interactions with the nearby towns as well as other hidden treasures that were abundant over the lands such as caves and virgin forests.

"Jo... Where do you think we would be going since we are the only 2 parties left to chart the maps? Do you think that the registrar in the adventurers guild really placed emphasis to actually designate us 2 navigation points to move off later on?"

Guy was calling Johannesburg as Jo for short since it would be an informal way to call upon each other in that manner. Besides, they both had achieved quite considerably in bringing the Irish Traveller and Romani Gypsies respectively to this town and increase its population and its workforce.

"I think Our Majesty would not go back on his words. If he personally informed the registrar to set aside two navigation points to us, then it would be two navigation points for us then."

"Besides, we had achieved something which the other Adventurers were still aiming to reach and there would be many more to come, I reckon."

Johannesburg or Jo for short replied to Guy and they agreed to their findings and conclusions.

Besides having to chart maps, new locations, rivers, ponds, creeks, streams, hills, flatlands, marshlands, caves and forest and also undiscovered plants, herbs, vegetation as well as trees around the area, their main task to had down the Majesty's decree to newfound towns would still be one of their priority.

"How about those towns that had been visited by the other Adventurers? Do you think there would be a chance as well to try once more?" Jo asked while Guy thought for a while before answering.

"Well, we can investigate why others were lacking in delivering the message and from there we would be able to see how we could improve the situation. I am sure there would be a way for all situations, am I right?"

"Right so, Guy... You seemed younger than me but you had matured well enough. We make our kinship proud, don't you think so?" Jo added and was feeling ecstatic to know that they would soon be embarking to their new Adventurers soon right after the next course they would be attending.

Suddenly, as they were in the midst of discussion after their test had been completed, the lecturers came into the classroom with 2 Assassins from the Shadow unit members.

"Good day, my dear students. As you know, all 8 of you had successfully attained considerably high marks on the cartography course."

"However, the next course which involved you in learning the mythical creatures would be pushed forward since reference pamphlets would be given out where you can learn them by yourselves."

"There would be ample information that you would learn from the pamphlets since you would be learning about their habitats et cetera. Right now, you may be surprised and would be asking yourself why these two Assassins members are right here with us."

"Alright, without further ado, let me introduce to you Alpha and Bravo that would be following closely with the MacDonough's and Mackenzie's party groups respectively."

"This is a 4-star rating task and it may sound simple on the surface but it would also be hidden hazards and dangers along the way. Alpha and Bravo would be assisting you as much as possible to a very from these hazards and dangers."

"You might even ask yourself this... Why would there be an Assassin accompanying the party of its a 4-star rating task?"

"Well, one thing for sure, you would be embarking on a task that would eradicate all the evil Witches off this land and congregate all the good Witches back here in this town."

The lecturers in front of the class let the realisation sink in before their students before they continued.

"Here is a crystal piece that would be used to identify between evil and good Witches. Use it discreetly to flush out the evil ones. I am sure you would use your wisdom to gather the right information to actually flush the evil ones out."

"These evil Witches had a certain aura around them and when you place this crystal piece and peer through it, you would see a black mist or a kind of miasma that seemed surround them. It's a sign of death and evil that these Witches dwell in."

"You can use this crystal eye to detect these evil Witches but only at a safe distance away. If you happen to sense that your intents had nene detected, you are to move away and either Alpha or Bravo would be falling back to where you are to access the situation. From there, these two Assassins would take care of the situation."

"Remember, always emphasise in safety first for yourself and the rest of the party members. These Assassins would be moving at a distance from you and would not be a hindrance to your tasks at hand. They would only interact if the need arises."

"These Assassin would be able to assist you in eradicating the evil witches. But what if you had discovered the good ones then? For the good Witches, they give off a certain colourful rainbow-like kind of aura surrounding them."

"Normally these good Witches would not be going around their town to advertise they are a witch and therefore incurring some kind of panic or even a start of a headhunt for them, no matter if they are good or evil."

"These good Witches are like the Priest and Priestess here in the guild. They help the community, to create a better living condition for everyone as well as to help sustain the food supply here in this town."

The lecturers were about to continue when Jo raised his hands and shot a question. "I'm sorry lecturer, you mentioned good Witches are like the Priest and Priestess, do they mean that they are actually Witches in disguise?"

The lecturers knew this would be coming and explained, "A witch would be someone that had special abilities endowed by them during birth or when they reach a certain age."

"They do not dabble with witchcraft and that sort of nonsensical thing but as you can see, the lights around your homes and streets, the iceboxes inside your kitchen, the road that was paved and also the vat of water inside the toilet are all processed by our Priest and Priestess."

"In other words, they are here to give us a better choice of enjoying life rather than the ones from other towns."

"Even those people from other towns who stayed over at our thatched homes find that their living conditions here are many times better than their last home town."

"Just look at our crops, we had bumper crops every 10 days and these crops are enough to feed us for many seasons ahead."

"We never run out of food and we never even see a poor, hungry and cold soul out here in this town and all thanks to our Priest and Priestess."

Jo sat down in his seat and pondered that the lecturers before them did say the truth and there's nothing bad with these Witches disguised as Priests and Priestess.

"Your tasks would be as follow — deliver the message of Our Majesty through his decree, chart the environment around you in the maps and lastly flush out the evil Witches and let our Assassins handle them and then inform the good Witches to seek refuge over in our town."

"The reason for the fourth matter is simple — we provide shelter, safety and security for those people whom we might be able to harness their special abilities for the development of our town."

"Besides, if you use this crystal eye on His Majesty, you can see a certain aura which is much stronger and prominent than the rest of the Priest and Priestess."

"This would safely say that His Majesty, even though he is not of a witch lineage, but he has the powers of a Wizard or a Mage."

There were oohs and aahs among the 8 students as they just discovered something new that they had not the faintest idea on much earlier.

"Wow... Didn't realise that Our Majesty could be overpowered with his abilities like a Wizard or a Mage right now. How cool could he be in the near future then?" the Guinness asked since they too were surprised at the special abilities that I had just received right after I had unlocked them through my series of meditation.

"Alright then, since you had known of your tsks right now, you would be in your way on these two navigation directions within the next few days time. One of you would take the Northeast direction while the other would take the Southeast direction."

"So far, the other parties that had taken these two paths before was met with little to no results and had headed back ice they had passed the 10-mile mark."

"However, you both parties had surpassed these limits and therefore, in order to cover more ground in a more efficient way, His Majesty had arranged for 10 dandy horses for you."

"Since you were able to cover the lands effectively on foot in the last tasks, His Majesty had decided to hand you the Dandy Horses so that you would be able to cover more ground, visit more towns and be more effective in delegating your tasks."

"Don't worry about the rest of the parties, they all had nene given their own dandy horses but without the 4-star rating task. This tasks had been specially been handed to you by His Majesty himself."

"By the way, there would be a ceremony for all 8 of you on Tuesday evening at 7 in the Macleod Coliseum and you would be heading out by Wednesday morning. Would there be any further questions that you need to ask your lecturers here?"

Wow...! Having their own Dandy Horses means that they could equip it with a pair of the saddlebag and top side bag at the rear and a basket in front as well. That means they would be better equipped this time and expected to stay out longer than usual.

Since their saddlebags could store up to 10-15 pounds of items each, coupled with the top side bag they would be able to store another 10 pounds of items, that also means the party would be spending time well into mid-winter as well.

Their front basket would be loaded with perishables, foodstuff and other necessities or other whatnot and since they were given these rides to them, they would be able to make full use and estimate the needs to be staying at most a month outdoors.

"There won't be any questions, lecturers. We would be on our way to prepare the necessary items for the trip and ensure we would have enough to last us for at least a 30 days roundabout trip."

"Alright then, please remember to attend the ceremony on Tuesday evening at 7 and at the meantime, we would be preparing the maps and other equipment for you." the lecturers mentioned once more to the group of Adventurers as they left the classroom leaving the students behind to discuss on what they would bring for the trip this time.

Since they would be leaving for quite a king while they decided that each party member would bring at least 10 pounds of grains and 10 pounds of flour along with at least 12 leather skins which would amount to 12 pints of water.

Since its kind autumn and soon would be winter, water and moisture in the air would enable them to source out water easily.

Besides, according to Northeast and Southeast region, there would be lots of ponds, streams and other bodies of water.

But to be on the safe side, they would be carrying water on themselves so that they would always be prepared for the inevitable.

"How about vegetables and meat? Do you think we would still be able to forage since all the items on and under the ground would already wither away."

"As for meat, I guess we can get meat jerkies and dried fish to store. As long as we have some grains and flours, I don't think we would be a shortage of food."

"I don't think we would be hunting any bigger animals like a wild boar do we? Hahaha."

The party leaders and their respective party members discussed and found that carrying 10 pounds of grains and flour each per member would be a good idea since its the staple foods for them. Bringing meat jerkies and dried fish with them would be another good idea too.

After they note down what they need to bring along with their other equipment such as a felling axe, a small bowsaw, their hunting bows and a quiver of arrows, it seemed that there is still be space to carry some other personal stuff and also some condiments such as salt and pepper as well as sugar along with cooking utensils.

"Alright, Guy. Be seeing you on Tuesday before 7 at the Macleod Coliseum then. I wonder what the ceremony is all about." Jo bid Guy farewell as they all exited the school and went to their respective homes.

It seemed that this time the adventurers would be facing a great deal of hardship ahead and only teamwork could pull them through.