Night was intruding into the daily lives of those traversing the daylit city as the nocturnal businesses stirred.The shift of a guard who had large bags under his eyes was to end soon, though to his dismay he could see two travelers heading towards the city. Rubbing his eyes he straightened his posture and waited until they were in speaking distance.

“‘Ello there! Welcome to Shorebreak; first stop from the main continent I’d reckon?” The guard welcomed them with a tired yet cheery voice.

“Yeah, if it’s not too much trouble could you tell me about the city?” Now that the guard got a better look at the two the nameless guard realized that the man was carrying what seemed to be a child.

“Course I can! Shorebreak was the first city to be established here an’ has the biggest library. Though most Adventurers ignore that.” He explained as the city became rambunctious once more as the nightlife awoke. The guard plugged an ear and sighed, “And if ya couldn't tell the city’s alive all night long.”

After they chatted a while another guard stepped out the gate, “Hey Rolun, yer shift’s over.”

Rolun nodded, “Seems like you ought to get into town aye?”

“Yeah, it was nice to meet you.”

The guard grinned some of his drowsiness washing away, “You and that little lady can visit the barracks anytime! Just tell ‘em Rolun sent ya.”

“Oi! Are ya gonna do my shift or are ya leavin’!”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“Bloody Creator, lay off!” Rolun shouted back before chuckling, “Right, in you go!” He stepped to the side letting the duo enter Shorebreak.

//--//

The door creaked open with a jingle as Makan and Abhom stepped into the Inn. Stepping up to the counter of the dimly lit inn he bought a room and some water and scented soap, costing him an arm and a leg but it’d be worth it for tomorrow.

Dragging Abhom to their room before they could waste even more money he yawned. They’d stretched their traveling time as Shorebreak had only been several hours away at that point so they hadn’t eaten nor slept. They still had some food left-over so that would do. Heading to their room Makan rummaged around their satchel and took out the left over food.

As they finished their meal a girl came with the water and soap he’d asked for.

“If you’d please follow me I can show you to where you can wash up!” The lively girl chirped as she moved towards the back exit. They walked out and to the side, there were curtains covering a small area with a stool.

“Just place the bucket outside of the washing area and the soap is all yours!” She explained before heading back to the inn. Makan patted the stool and Abhom complied but not without much pouting. When he’d thought about it it could have been weird; a fully grown man and seemed to be a completely unrelated child but to him and her, it was normal. They’d done this a million times over after all. He started with some water wetting her hair before scrubbing her scalp with the soap which slowly stopped being human as the flesh turned tense yet malleable as the comfort outweighed the need to keep up being human. Her form was indescribable and Makan didn’t feel like having his grey matter leak from his ears.

Scrubbing every inch of her hair he finished washing away the soap with water before finally Abhom returned to being human and stood up. Outside the girl seemed to have left some cloth to dry; which he gladly used. Placing the bucket along with the towel outside Makan and Abhom headed back to their room to sleep.

Abhom, however, couldn’t sleep it seemed. Getting up he walked over to the restless girl.

“What’s keeping you from sleep?” Makan inquired as he sat next to Abhom. She scrunched up her eyes and covered her ears with her hands, “Isht so louhd…”

He sighed, hopefully, he could switch the room with one farther back in the inn. Standing up he grabbed a comb from the satchel and sat back down on the bed while picking up the rather light girl before placing her in his lap. Then he started running the comb through her short hair.

Over and over the comb swept through the birdnest of hair she had. By the end of it, her hair didn’t look as ridiculous as before. Abhom calmed down considerably as he pulled her off his lap.

Thus they arrived at the first city of many to visit.

//The Archfistop and Eldritch Abomination//

Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Cast Fist