Xane hated carts. He hated horses. And he hated how slow they were going.
“For the last time they aren’t horses. They are equibors. Similar to a horse but part tree.” Lyenn told him for the 3rd time.
One would hope that something only part horse would smell better. The horses smelled like a stink bug. Mostly because they seeped out buckets full of sappy stuff that bugs loved. The horse absorbed any bug that landed and got stuck in the sap. So on top of the acrid smelling sap there were billions of bugs everywhere. The carts had some sort of spell that pushed the bugs away but most of the time Xane was having to walk.
The only reason they were part of a caravan was that there were increasingly dangerous creatures and plants on the way to Zakor. Zakor military and adventurers did clear out things but with a war waging in north Tortoga most abled men and women were earning war money. Xane didn’t know much about the war yet and hoped to stay far away from it. What he did hear from the other passengers was that a war with the Orc warlords of Re’Varc. Re’Varc was just across the Tortogan Range, a massive wall of mountains thought to be made when two gods fought ages past. A new source of power is rumored to have united the tribes and they march for the Tortogan Empire.
Xane pushed that to the back of his mind again not wanting to get involved in such things. A large bump threw Xane’s thoughts to the side. The elves were annoying; they didn’t believe in building roads of normal sense and instead kinda just cleared a path and called it good. They were going on a less traveled way due to some sort of problem with the main thoroughfare. Something about giant rabbits infesting a nearby valley.
“Giant rabbits are awful creatures. By giant they mean really big. They are taller than you are and are omnivores consuming large trees to humanoids alike. A small empire in another continent got destroyed by a herd of giant rabbits. The name has been stricken from records only the story itself survived. It was even before my fathers time.”
I’d bet they would strike it from record. I wouldn't want anyone to know about that.
“Story has it that people from that empire first colonized Tortoga. A god gave pity and whisked them to another land. The continent is a no man's land after the infestation wiped out all the plants and the giant rabbits slowly starved. Huge skeletons plot the land to this day. So if it is true they wouldn’t want the masses to know of such a defeat.” When she said this it was in the voice everyone used while telling a horror story.
Damn that…I don’t even want to think of that. Should we help with fighting off the infestation as you called it?
“Oh Me. That is a terrible idea. They are all around level 40-70 creatures. You wouldn’t stand a chance. They grow fast and populate fast. My theory and many others is that they were a magic creation gone wrong. Or right if they wanted this type of abomination.” She sounded genuinely shocked by the question. “Really the armies have it handled. Nowadays we have a poison that sterilizes the creatures forcing births to come to a stop.”
Ok. What if they come out of nowhere and attack, should I just run for my life? Xane was leaning towards that idea since he really didn’t like the idea of fighting one.
“First running is useless, they are way faster. Second, why would you jinx it like that? The system is always listening and likes to test people.”
I didn’t say anything, I only thought about it.
“Oh yeah phew that's a relief. OH WAIT. It can read everyone's mind. You are best off just never thinking or saying such things.” That is when a huge crash happened outside. It was one of Xane’s rare breaks where he was able to sit. It sounded like a cart was tipped over as screams were cried out. “See what you did.” Lyenn said smugly. “Huh I shouldn’t be so happy about that should I.
A loud racket and screaming alerted Xane to a problem. Xane burst out the back to see that it wasn’t a giant rabbit. It was two giant rabbits. With a quick scan he read about them.
Giant Rabbits(Earth):
Level: 41
Stats:
Strength: 78
Con: 73
Agility: 74
Oh great gods you are fucked. Like dude. Seriously. I would say pray to a god but the one in your head ain’t gonna help. Giant rabbits are seen as infestations as they birth up to 10 rabbits every day. That doesn’t seem too bad till you do the math. They have great strength and tough skin. Literally and figuratively. They are tanks while being the stupidest animal for their stat with a usual intelligence of 1 that's worse than a normal bunnie’s of 4. They also eat like there is no tomorrow. Consuming- Wait, you already know that. What you don't know is that they can rarely be elemental by eating too much specific elemental material. Huh, like a slime. Never thought of that before. I bring this up since this specific one is earth affinity. Extra hardy.
Contrary to the rare part, the other one was plant based making its skin bark like and the grass and trees around it moved out of its way as if controlled. It was only level 38. Xane took out his colt and fired off all the rounds into the plant one not even thinking. “Why did you go and anger it?”
Xane started the process of reloading while looking for Von. To remember Von wasn’t with them. He had decided to take some money and left with a boat, leaving as a sailor. He always hated land and Xane didn’t argue not wanting to force him to do things. Von wasn’t acclimating as much as Xane was. Von would rather die at sea than live a long life on land.
The momentary distraction wasn’t too costly. The giant rabbit was dumb and didn’t know Xane was the one who shot it. As well as the bullets didn’t seem to do much anyway. Xane saw people screaming and running away as many others were being crushed and chomped on. A staccato of shots rained on the smaller plant one as Xane hoped he could just widdle it down. Mana was quickly draining from the constant shots as elves joined in the fight. Some shot magic of varying kinds. Most just shot arrows or slung rocks.
One of the protectors of the caravan had brought their own mount. It was a large dog-like creature similar to a pug. The pug was a bit smaller but more built than the rabbits and with a rider on its back charged the rabbit launching rocks. Right behind her was another person. He was actually human like Xane and had a large greatsword. It glowed and flashed on every hit. The flashes seemed to disorient the giant fluffballs. Xane ran out and chugged on something he had purchased from an alchemist. It was a mana regen potion. His mana started to shoot back up and the shots started to rain again.
Even with all this the fight wasn’t going well. The dog was being swallowed into the ground as the rock rabbit slammed the ground creating a hole. The man with the greatsword took a nasty hit by a swipe and was launched backwards rolling and barely getting back up. The others were focused on trying to take out the plant rabbit as they let the stronger people distract the rock rabbit. Xane was empty of mana quickly after. The reason for this was that he took out Von’s gun as well. Von didn’t need it if Xane wasn’t around to refill it.
Another potion was consumed as he started to get a bad headache. “Remember you can’t take too many potions or you will get sick. And it ain’t good.”
Ok yeah forgot in the heat of the moment. One after another he fired. Higher level creatures had a huge amount of health pools. Size was calculated when it came to that. Constitution's bonus to health was sextupled at humongous the largest size known. This size of the rabbits was giant which only doubled the gain. It also affected smaller creatures in the opposite way.
A stray rock the size of his head slammed into his cover sending him tumbling. Looking back he saw that the plant rabbit was quickly taking out the weaker foes as the grass itself slowed and ensnared the elves. Trees bent in odd ways to slam into someone. Luckily there were no vines in this forest. Xane was tired of vine-like things. An explosion cascaded over the plant rabbit as someone threw what looked like a small red orb. The explosion was strong enough to knock it to its side and harm others before they could run. It did, however, bring people's confidence back.
The rock rabbit was faring much better. The defense of it was immense and most attacks just clinged off. Luckily the two fighting it was more agile for their size allowing them to easily dodge dangerous attacks. The dog bit down on the neck of the creature as the rider threw a net made of gleaming metallic substance around the head of the rabbit. With the head secured the dog turned and sprinted away. Xane was confused at first till he noticed the metallic rope was around the limbs of the rabbit as well. He was about to cheer until the rabbit instantaneously, to his eyes, launched hundred feet into the air. The poor dog going with it.
Xane didn’t know what to do. If there was anything he could do. Right before the dog and rider splattered on the ground they both disappeared and reappeared on the ground. The net was still on the head of the rabbit as it came slamming down. The man with the greatsword slammed his feet into the ground and ice filled the entire area. He easily and quickly skatted away from the impact zone.
Xane was in awe by the fighting prowess and abilities of the two. Xane didn’t forget the plant rabbit and started firing more bullets into its head. Moments later to Xane’s shock and relief he felt a large amount of energy go into him. He gained most of a level from that. If he had been the only one to do so he probably would have gained two levels.
Xane quickly turned towards the rocky rabbit. It seemed angered by the death of its companion and went berserk. A quick launch slammed it entire body towards the rider and her dog. The dog sparked and again poofed away. That wasn’t the only thing that happened. The rabbit had landed in the ice circle and slipped as it landed, sending it swirling to a patch of icy land at high speed. Waiting there was the man with his greatsword. Appearing behind him was the dog which propped the man up.
With the high speeds of the rabbit Xane didn’t think being in the way was the best idea. Before he could do anything the two forces met. Xane was again shocked. Head first the rabbit squealed slamming into the large blade. It went all the way to the hilt. The moment the blade touched the blade dug in deep. The dog and the man disappeared leaving the rider mid air. The rider took out a spear and slammed down on a loop holding on the metallic net. The spear perfectly went into the ground and glowed. What should have happened was the spear to be wretched from the ground as the rope pulled it out. What instead happened was that the spear acted as if it was part of the ground. The rabbit with a net on its head went speeding past. A loud crack reverberated as the neck was snapped. Xane got very little experience since he only put a few bullets into it near the beginning. It was just enough to push him over to level 17.
What Xane got more of instead was knowledge. Knowledge that he needed to do more to grow. He didn’t know the level of these two or who they really were. He just kept to himself mostly. Talking to gain information every so often. But now he knew he was outclassed.
Xane was so much in awe that he didn’t notice them calling him over. “Hey friend. Did you injure your ear?” The human yelled.
“Sorry, no was distracted.” Xane said, starting to run over. As he got closer he saw that the man was bloodied. The rider, who still couldn’t tell gender or race, looked perfectly fine. Not even a drop of blood or ruffled clothes. They looked like a stereotypical hunter with furs and hide. A bow and a spear both strapped to their back. A face mask hid everything, even the eyes in darkness.
“Yeah, our capabilities and greatness are quite distracting.” He said this striking a pose. “I saw you over there fighting. Weren’t in the midst of battle but I assume that you are a mage. ”
Another thing that was talked about was what he should allow people to know about his weaponry. It wouldn’t be revolutionary in a world where a bow and arrow could do as much damage as an anti material rifle but it was unique and would show him out in a crowd. The consensus thought was to not think about that since it would mean he would have to learn new weapons and it wasn’t a great idea to do so so close to level 25. It messed up with class choices.
“Well not completely. I use magic ammo yes.” Xane took out his colt. “I basically launch pieces of metal out of this at high speeds. Well used to now I use magic bullets.” He demonstrated shooting at a tree, a hole being created.
“Well that's something. Explains why I only sensed condensed mana and didn’t really see it.” He paused taking a glance from the gun to the tree My name is Calrin Yitt and this stoic one is Hatchet and the mutt is Mutt.”
A voice that came from the hip of the person named Hatchet spoke,”No I'm Hatchet. The hatchet on the stoic one's hip. I speak for them due to a neck related accident. But sure, continue saying it wrong the audience won’t cut your throat for it.”
“We call them both Hatchet for convenience. And ignore the audience thing. He was an actor of great renown before his soul was shoved into a simple hatchet.”
“Was? Was! I still am.” If the hatchet could scowl it would.
“Sorry for him. What may your name be?” He asked this, looking him over. A feeling of exposure went through him for a bare moment. As if he was naked for all to see.
“That was him inspecting you, don't worry he probably didn’t get much. Names aren’t given for humanoids. And all he could see was your level.” Lyenn informed him. “However, generally it is rude to do so. So either he doesn’t care about etiquette or he didn’t think your wisdom was high enough to detect it. For detecting if someone is targeting you with spells and skills is charisma of caster against your wisdom. Your’s being bloated as is allowed you to notice the intrusion. But someone with either a higher ranked skill or higher charisma than you does it you won’t even notice.”
“My name is Xane.” Xane said a bit warrily.
“Well met Xane. You are strong for your level. Must of had some great opportunities to do so. Some great tales I bet.” He said this while walking to a tumbled over cart. “Mind helping put everything back in place. I’ll treat you to the worst ale you’ve ever had and a tale of my own.”
“Yeah sure.” He replied. Hey Lyenn how did you know how strong I was if he only gets my level?
“Some people just understand intuitively or have great mana senses. He probably just sensed your strength and based that off your level. It is a common way around the weakness of basic inspect.” Lyenn the ever helpful replied. “Unlike most skills, inspect is very easy to learn but takes ages to rank. As well as doesn’t gain new bonuses till you go up a tier.”
Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
The repairs and getting everything ready took many hours. What took even longer was the dismantling of the rabbits. Xane could have easily tossed them in the ring but he still didn’t want to show it off. As well as apparently elemental versions are much more expensive and one person holding all that would have led to problems. A spell was cast on each that revealed who did the most and who actually fought the creature. It was weird when it was cast. A string of mana came out of the beast and went towards all living people who contributed towards the fight. As well as the thicker it was the more they did. It was based off of latent movement of experience when it was absorbed by those who killed it. The spell wasn’t perfect but was a common way to divvy up loot.
Xane’s share was more than he thought. He got 25% of the plant one with the guy who threw the firebomb getting 20%. In comparison Xane only got 2% for the rock bunny. They didn’t divvy yet since it would be hard for a single person to carry so much bunny. Even the small percentages were head sized chunks. Xane had a choice of large bits of flesh that is great for potion and spell craft or he could choose the core. Xane chose the core after talking to Lyenn about them.
“Cores are the condensed essence of the creature. Only creatures have cores and only high level or what is called supreme creatures have cores. It has the rest of the experience that wasn’t either absorbed by the atmosphere or whoever killed it. You can either absorb it straight up and gain the experience. I don’t recommend it as it doesn't help towards classes. Or you can use it in high tier crafting, potions, spells, and many other things. It is by far the most expensive thing here. This one is flavored. Which sounds weird but just means it has an element behind it. In this case nature element. More specifically plants.”
People actually tried to purchase it from him straight up. The prices, at least in Lyenns time, weren't good enough and he denied all requests. And it being stored in his ring protected it from theft. Unless someone stole the ring. And with it everything he owned. Xane tried not to dwell on that.
Xane also looked over his stats to what he should put his new points into. Strength was so close to reaching 100 so he chose that. Only needed 5 of the 6 so he put the last in agility wanting that to be next.
You have gained a new feat!
Stronger than an ox: have 100 in strength.
Strength has an +5% increase when trying to lift something.
+1% damage to all melee.
The caravan that was now short 9 people decided to rest before going forth again. The dead had a spell called rot begone cast on them. It did as it sounded making the bodies incapable of rotting away. It lasted fifteen days which was more than enough till they made it to Zakor or a village on the way.
Xane now hung out with Calrin and his group; they were actually quite nice and included Xane in some of their training and sparring. It was gruesome. Xane got tired doing the marathon run in the tunnels but this was even worse. It didn’t help that moral support was an axe that did more gripping than actual support. “Oooo that's got to hurt. Where did you learn to fight? Don’t get-oooo you got hit.” etc.
Calrin was a level 32 Bladesman; it was a broader class allowing him to easily use any blade with great effect. He preferred heavier swords due to raw damage but easily out-skilled Xane in fencing. Xane wasn’t the best but he wasn’t any push over when it came to that. He did watch that his skill in small arms as well as dual wielding went up as they did so. Having someone higher tier in a skill train you was as good as fighting actual creatures. Sometimes better.
Xane got his small arms all the way to novice rank 5. Every 10 ranks in a skill you went up a tier. Tiers went as follows. Novice, apprentice, journeymen, master, and grandmaster. Like levels it got progressively harder to gain ranks and tiers as it went higher but you got more perks from doing so. Like apprentice rank in water magic would give all spells a 1% chance to double cast. Conjuration gave all spells 2% lesser mana usage. Those bonuses only go up per tier instead of rank like the normal bonuses. It was common for spell users to try to diversify a small amount to get those bonuses.
There was a problem with that though. There was a hidden stat called affinity. Affinity is one's aptitude towards one thing. There are elemental affinities, Affinities towards types of weapons and general skills. However, there wasn’t a true way to see those affinities. Many spells of varying degrees of strength can reveal some information about them. The basics being cheap and the more accurate ones being only for upper class members. The resources used in such spells are way too expensive for an average person. One of the things Xane was going to be doing in Zakor was taking a mid range version to see his affinities. Even though it is hidden it isn’t impossible to figure out without magic. You can gain a sense of yourself through time and effort and what you gravitate towards usually means you have a higher affinity towards that thing.
The rest of the trip went without worry. No more death rabbits attacked them. Xane did though overhear a conversation one night whilst sitting at the fire. Two others talked amongst each other, probably a bit tipsy. “It isn’t random you know.” A rather short for a high elf said with a slur.
“What isn’t random?” The still shorter long haired elf questioned.
“The stupid bunnies. Just think. The queen says that she will aid Tortoga in their war and a week later our lands are infested with the little- hic giant shits. The orcs did it. They had too.” He then mumbles something about the war.
“Ok you’ve had enough let’s go to rest.” The man disagreed with the action but didn’t stop it from happening.
Hey Lyenn does that sound plausible? I don't know much about war but sending giant bunnies sounds like a war crime to me.
“I really don’t know what you mean by war crime. But if you mean something one usually don’t do in a war then that's nothing. All cards are on the table when it comes to war. The bunnies are a different one. But plagues are very common. Magical and non magical plagues.” She was starting to get the tone of a teacher that was ever disappointed in their student for being so stupid.
You don’t have war crimes…great. And I didn’t even think about magical plagues. Is that deadly? Is there like, wizard made natural disasters too? Like tsunamis and hurricanes?
“Yes. Those are resource expensive endeavors but are used in battle to halt an enemies forward rush or destroy crop fields. However, there are countermeasures as well. It’s an ever growing battle of the minds to outwit greater and greater spells. Enough about the war we are staying far away from that anyways. You won’t even be able to be a normal foot soldier at your level. And foot soldier is a class if you were wondering.” She paused as if pondering if she should add something or not. “Well at least when I was present it was. The old king of tortoga refused to use child soldiers or under prepared soldiers. He also didn’t really get into a big war so there is that.”
Fine it is depressing anyways.
As the group got closer to the city Xane saw a flourishing city around a castle that seemed to be floating in the middle of a large hole. The only reason he could see this was that the city was deep in a valley and he was standing near the edge looking down at it. The place was beautiful. Mostly made of wood and dark grey stone the buildings were all one to two stories tall and all were circular. Roofs of red wood turned into spikes near the top.
There was a great wall of similar materials surrounding the main city. A smaller one they had to get past before getting here but it was a token force probably a warning system if anything. It did confuse Xane though. From the position he was on a few catapults and trebuchets would be able to rain down on the city. Why give up the high ground? Lyenn again filled him in. “It is quite simple. That hole isn’t just any old hole. It is spewing out ambient mana. They use that immense amount of mana to power defensives that not many other places could match. Apparently before this city was built the place changed hands constantly as the well is a rare resource. But with time the high elves took it and this entire region in a ruthless war with some bug-like humanoids. Before the Tortogan empire the high elves had control over Tortoga. It was blandly named Zakor as well; the high elves don’t really do well with names.”
“Come on Xane stop gawking we got to get a move on. The path is steep so don’t fall you might get all the way down in a bloody pulp.” Calrin said slamming his heavy strong hand onto Xane’s back almost sending him to the fate he just stated.
“Yeah kid wouldn’t want what happened to Jerry to happen to you.” Hatchet said laughing a bit too evilly for Xane’s taste.
“Is Jerry real?” Xane asked Calrin in a whisper.
“Yeah he was our last new person. Was so excited about finishing a great bounty with us that he ran a bit too fast tumbling down screaming all the way. Gored himself on his own blade. Quickest death we had. What was it Hatchet? Three days?” Calrin didn’t even look over at Hatchet instead looking away trying to hide a smile.
Xane wasn’t going for it. “Ha. Ha. You guys are funny.”
“You don’t have to believe us. Anyway you being scared about joining us is the opposite of what we want. Isn’t that right Hatchet.”
“No, I think that we should find someone better. Someone taller. Someone more regal. Remember Varix? Now he would be good.” Hatchet replied as the group restarted their way down.
Before they went down Xane put Garry in a special device. Hatchet the human had something similar for her giant of a dog. And she so graciously sold one to Xane for as he was told ‘below retail price’. He hopped so for as it was, it cost a huge lump sum of what he had left.
The path was winding going from one side to the other like a snaking river. The carts didn’t need to go down this path. A slide of sorts was expensive but predominantly used by merchants. It was a mix of a slide and zipline. The carts were hooked on and magically slowed down the carts as the careened towards the city below. Many lines were formed carts waiting for their turn. Similarly there was a line of people waiting for their turn on the gondola. It was similarly expensive to use for the majority of people making it something for the more well off. Xane and the group he was joining was able to afford it but apparently first timers ‘had’ to take the walk. Xane was never hazed before but was starting to get the sense of what that would feel like.
When the land finally started to flatten out, fields of crops took up the majority of the space. Weird bulbus corn stalks rose from the ground. Purple pumpkin plants were a common sight as well as wheat, which looked quite normal. A few trees with fruit could be seen as well. Others, elves mainly, milled about doing work. Giant beasts that looked like roided out bulls plowed fields with riders controlling them.
“You ever seen a farm before? Come on, the actual cool stuff is up ahead.” Indeed it was Massive gates allowed the carts, that easily beat the slower walking party there, inside. Carlrin’s group didn’t have a cart to pick up so they just went inside. Well would have if not for a problem.
“Papers please.” A bored looking bookish red haired elf asked.
“You are looking magnificent today Ellys.”
“Oh Mr. Yitt you are back.” If it was possible she sounded even more bored.
“Yes deary I did not die thanks for asking,” Calrin said this beaming an award winning smile.
It did not matter how many awards it would have won. “Papers?”
“Yes indeed, here you are.” The smile never wavered.
“I only have two when there are 3 of you present. Please hand over the kids' papers.”
“Now Ellys here is the thing-”
“No papers, no entrance. If you lost them or need them please go into that line over there and get some.” The slightest of hand movements pointed Xane towards a fairly long line.
The papers were a problem. Due to the war going on some have chosen to move out of the Tortogan empire. A bit more than Xane expected with the war being apparently hundreds of miles away from the main populous. But with that some are moving here and to alleviate a mass rush the papers were created to solve people sneaking into the city without permission. Xane was warned about it by Calrin and Calrin had hoped to just sneak Xane in. It was also expensive to buy papers. Not his armor expensive but way more than a normal citizen could dream to afford. There was another option and that was what Xane saw coming in. Field work.
“Well I tried. Good luck in line and meet us at the Barred Bear Inn. You’ll find it. What should we drink my vote is…” Xane couldn’t hear anymore as Calrin and Hatchet got mixed up in the crowd.
“Move along kid. And word of advice.” She paused for a moment. “Ha never mind, you'll figure it out.” It was the first bit of emotion she had shown and it scared Xane enough to go back to the line.
Five hours later a line of mere forty-ish people dwindled down to Xane up front. To Xane the most unbearable thing was Lyenn. Xane was fine with standing still for hours on end. He just busied himself with flicking a coin in the air and catching it. When that got boring he used a skill he hadn’t had use for in a while and peered through walls most definitely spying on people. All in all he was fine. Lyenn on the other hand pestered him to just push his way past and bribe his way in. Even suggested just leaving and going to Tortoga for information. A one that was either her going insane or telling a bad joke was to start killing his way to the library. Just calm down. She barely calmed down.
“I’m sooooo bored. Really, how are you ok with this? Like really if I had the ability to just jump out of your ear I would roll my way to the library.” The image of a brain flopping out of his ear and it just starting to roll its way through the gate amused Xane.
“Name and reason for needing entrance papers?” A much more chipper man said. At first Xane thought he too was a high elf but quickly thought otherwise. He was much shorter and more aligned with humans. But antlers protruded from his head decorated with ribbons and colorful fabrics. Xane had first thought it a hat however could see that it was indeed part of the elves head. He wore similar garbs to Ellys.
“Uhmm yes. I just need in for the library and buying things. Yes and my name is Xane.”
“Do you have a surname?”
“No,” Xane replied quickly.
“Well then sign these documents and hand over the amount marked below of twenty-five gold coins.”
Xane quickly read through the paper work. He was warned by Lyenn that there was magically binding ones that can do some terrible stuff to him if he broke it. So he made sure there wasn’t anything sneaky in there. But he was no lawyer and only had what his father had taught him about business. With everything in check he paid then man and was sent off. See it didn’t take that long. Also why don’t you just sleep? Can you sleep?
“Well now that I think about it I haven’t slept. I just exist, I think.” Xane just accepted it and moved on.
The city inside was pretty much as he expected it would be. A thriving city with people bustling around. What he didn’t expect was how clean it was. All he had read about ancient times was how gross it all was. Filthy roads and dirty people. There was really no mud to be found. He found out why as he walked. His shoes started to clean as he was walking. Dirt just disappeared from his clothing. The trail he made quickly went away. Not gonna lie, that was the most magical thing I have seen yet.
“They didn’t have that last time I checked. Must be new. And also mana expensive surprised they would do that.” Lyenn quipped.
A few questions later lead Xane to a large and rare three story tall building of similar design as the others. This one though housed a large sign saying Barred Bear Inn with a painting of a caged dancing bear. Inside was a loud ruckus of voices. People were drunk and talking loudly. An intense game of some kind of stone game was being played in a corner. And waiting half drunk themselves was Calrin and Hatchet many cups deep. Calrin spoke as Xane got closer. “Finally kid you…made it.” He raised his glass amber liquid splashing out. “Another round Dav’ip.”
A surly human walked from the bar with a cup in hand. “You had enough brother. But I will give one to your new friend.” As Xane sat the man looked towards Xane with the cup placed on the table. “You must be the Xane my brother has been spewing about. Literally and figuratively. The name is Davip, the owner of this dump.”
“I’ve done no such thing. Have I?” Calrin asked his cup. No response was given.
“Ignore him for now. Here, it is a light beverage a making of my own enjoy.” With that Davip moved on to other customers.
The drink tasted good if a bit strong for a “light” drink. Xane didn’t drink much, having no reason too but did like a slight buzz from time to time. “Did you have to drink yourself to a stupor?”
“Well I didn’t drink. It is beneath me.” Said Hatchet stuck in the table.
Calrin piped in before Xane could, “That my sharp friend is because you have no mouth to consume such delicacy.”
“I thought we got past you bringing that subject up.” The hatchet actually seemed hurt by the response.
“Well I can assume that we won’t be going to your friend's store today.” Xane asked skeptically.
“Of course not after a *blurp* job well done you drink.” He said this downing his cup. And then passing out.
“Girly, you owe me a gold.” axe Hatchet said to humanoid Hatchet, that of which didn’t look even close to passing out. “Just uhmm give it to me when I'm back to normal.
I got to think of them as two different people. This is going to get confusing fast. Xane thought to himself dreadfully. “What are we going to do about him? '' Xane asked, pointing at the snoring Calrin.
“Prank him usually.” Replied Hatchet unhelpfully. Xane just gave him a look. “Fine, we will help take him to his room. We already got you one too. Let's go. “Also can I please have a different name for you two. It is really hard to differentiate.”
“Shit take your gold back I guess. Just don’t tell Calrin he doesn't need to know.”
A sense of annoyance but mainly dread was starting to creep in.