About midmorning, off in the tree's I hear voices. Well a voice really, talking quietly with someone. After the brigands this morning I slip in and try to move as quietly as possible. What I find has me reaffirming this is a magical world.

Sitting on a stump, not 20ft from me is a Satyr, about 5' or so tall, talking to an oak tree, or more likely the spirit in the tree as a soft female voice answers him from time to time. I very carefully turn around and make my way back toward the road, only to step on something that squeals and well, things go sideways from there.

The Satyr turns, spots me, swears as he fumbles for his pan-pipes. What I stepped on proves to be a wolfs tail, it is not happy with me and I do my best to run away, trying to make it back to the road.

About 10ft from the road 2 tree's disgorge two pretty women, who look at me like I am going to be Fertilizer. Seeing the plants start to move, and not in a good way, I pick up the pace and leap over them, over shoot the road by about 20ft and land in a tree on the far side. I am almost thinking I am safe when the tree turns slowly around and I come face to face with a Treant. I gulp, "Ah sorry about that, misjudged my aim." I apologize before bounding off of 'him' and toward the road. The dryads calling out, "GET THAT HUMAN!"

I land running, and jumping as the jumping is faster than the running and the road is mostly straight. I end up dodging vines, tree roots and other plants that have all come to life with the sole purpose of catching me and I fear Ending me. Though I don't know why.

I see a couple other treant's but they just seem to watch me sprint by, looking mildly confused. Then they get to see the animals coming after me, led by a small wolf who is by no means getting any closer to me.

I thought, just for a minute I was going to make it, only to have a tree, quite literally, step out in front of me during one of my long jumps. As my arms are full with my stuff, I hit pretty hard and fall dazed to the ground.

As I lay there, thinking 'well this was a short life' more tree's and treant's surround me and actually stop the mad pursuit.

One mossy fellow leans over and looks at me as I lay there panting. "Why are you running ?" he ask slowly.

When I catch my breath, "cause they are chasing me." the tree thinks then nods, "Logical"

Different tree, "Why were they chasing you ?"

I think, "Not completely sure. Just being a bad day for me all around."

Dryad, "He attacked a denizen of the forest." she exclaims.

I wince, she has a shrill voice.

Treant looks back at me, "Explain 'bad day all around' please."

I sit up and sigh, "Ok the start of my day I stepped out of my tent and there were 3 brigands. They tried to rob me, I fought them off, they are all dead now. I buried them on the opposite side of the road from my camp. After that, things were ok. Just walking down the road, thinking about stopping for lunch when I heard voices. Well after this morning's little problem I thought I should check it out. I slipped up as quietly as I could. What I found was a satyr talking to a tree, an oak I think, she answered him back. Mind you I was too far off to make out what they were saying. But not wanting to bother them I decided to head back to the road. Unfortunately I stepped on the wolf, who apparently was sleeping and then two lovely and very angry tree spirits showed looking like they wanted to turn me in to fertilizer. So I decided to make myself scarce. Lots of running, dodging, an accidently landing on one of your number, then more running. Though I did apologize for landing on them first."

A rustling wind with ghostly words in it goes back and forth and they nod, "Yes he said you were quite polite about that and has no hard feelings about it. He also says these two are known to over react on things." a different taller (far better looking) Dryad shows up and speaks to the wolf. Then comes up to the ring, "The pup was napping when the human stepped on her tail. She is not badly hurt just miffed." she turns to the other tree spirits who look at the ground and back away from her glare.

"My satyr friend was trying to woo me again actually. Can't seem to take no for an answer." I nod, still afraid, she looks at me then at the treant's. "I do appreciate his discretion and consideration though. And given what the other forest spirits tell me of his time in the woods so far, he has had a rough time of it.

Died his first day here, was resurrected by a kindly priest, sent on his way alone with only what he could carry from his destroyed carriage while The Adventuring Band that was with the priest went off to look for something that they already found and did not know it. Then the brigands this morning. And I thank you for dispatching of them. They were quite unpleasant and making this road much more dangerous than it normally is."

One of the dryads sneers, "Then why run if your innocent."

I shrug, "I respect nature too much to mulch you."

She snaps back, "You a Human, alone. You have not that kind of Power."

I stand straight, "I am a Meta, we look human but are stronger, faster and smarter than they are. I used no magic running from you, just inborn ability."

The other one starts to say something but a treant drops a 'hand' on her, "Shh. He speaks truth. No human can run as fast or jump as far as he was. Also … I see only 1 magical object on him and it is in his bag. He would have to be wearing it to use it."

I nod, "Bracelet."

Younger dryad opens her mouth, older one closes it manually. "No you cannot take his treasure. Would do you no good anyway as only He can use it and taking it just to spite him is really beneath you."

She humphs, "what's to stop him from using it to destroy the wood ?"

I consider, "It's not a weapon, it's a storage device connected to an interdimensional warehouse. So unless you need boats, or tents or similar items it's really of no use to you."

Treant's chat among themselves and the dryads then the ones in the back open up while blocking the view of those in the front and usher me quietly away. I don't stick around. I pick up my stuff and take off, putting as much distance between myself and the scary nature spirits. The Treant's were nice, but those two dryads were just crazy.

By night fall the feel of the woods has changed but I keep going till I see smoke, lots of it coming from different chimney's. Civilization, or what passes for it here at least. I find the gate to the walled community. It is locked and there are no guards that I can see. So I hop over it. It's only 20ft tall after all.

Once inside and away from the wall (I saw sleeping guards there), I look around. There are a few people on the street but they avoid me and I them. Though given how I am dressed and all, I must make an odd sight. Still I walk around and look at things. Finding an inn is hard, finding a tavern or gambling hall is easy. Just look for the lights and people. The gambling halls won't let me in (as I am carrying so much stuff and 'no homeless allowed' which I resent, despite it being true). The taverns don't really care as long as I got coin. I do manage to find a middle class type place that serves food as well as drink. There are a few 'low level' looking adventurer types about as well.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

I listen to them talk after I order off the menu (chalk board over the counter with pictures as well as words.) I ordered a stew and a mead and pay the 2sp price. (which seemed to surprise the waitress but she does not ask questions.)

It's rather good stew, though of a type I have never had.

I only have one 'experience' there as some little fellow with half a beard tried to steal from me, what he got was one of my blue bags. Did not get far as I tripped him, snagged the bag strap with my foot and pulled it back to me. He glared and looked ready to raise a fuss but another small man smacked him and yelled at him in their own language. (I figure it's because the bag is to flashy and hard to mistake for someone else's, as I have two.)

The would be thieves though are grabbed up by the bouncer and tossed out the door. I just finish my meal and enjoy the tankard of mead. Really good stuff mead, but I limit myself to only one as I don't want to get drunk. I do ask the waitress about any temples in town and she gives me directions to them.

So with a full belly and a wary eye out for thieves I head to the temple district.

I note I am being followed by at least 3 different groups. The gnomes from earlier, a group of rough necks and some adventurer looking types. The 'honest' gnome catches up with me, "Hello stranger. New to town are you ?"

I look at him and shrug, "Yeah and no I will not follow you to some place where you can separate me from my silver, via rigged gambling or thuggery."

He gives me a wide eyed innocent look, "How can you think that ?"

I shrug, "I listened to you yell at your accomplice about trying to steal something that was so easy to identify as not being his. Just because I am human, does not mean I don't know other languages." he actually comes to a dead stop and sighs. Having been made he points out, "Well I am not the only one who wants whatever your carrying."

I look at him, "I have one set of clothes, I am wearing them, the blue box is full of food, eggs, bread and such. I got a portable grill to cook my food on, some blankets, a tent and not really a whole lot else that would be worth much of anything to anyone. Oh and 1 sword and 3 daggers I got off the last people who tried to rob me, just this morning. "

He smirks, "Think they won't come back for them ?"

"Only if someone raises them from the dead." I answer back. That slowed him down.

The rough necks however work as a team and not long after the gnomes leave they try and surround me. 6 of them. I look them over sigh, "Let me guess, you want everything I own, right ?"

The biggest one smiles, many missing and broken teeth, "Right pretty boy. So hand them over."

I grunt, "Not in the mood for this tonight, why don't you be smart and leave, before I have to kill you lot."

One behind me pokes me with a short sword, "6 to one odds boy, think your that good."

From behind him, "Try 7 to one odds."

I glance back, expecting the adventurers, but instead it's the city guard. "Group of youths told us you lot were going after a stranger. Now come quietly or else."

One of the thugs tries to stab me, I grab the hand with the knife and calmly break his wrist.

The thugs turn to run only to find they are the ones surrounded.

The guard happily take them off my hands, "Good thing you did not kill any of them. We would have had to arrest you for murder. "

One idiot yells at me, "This ain't over rich boy!"

I look blank. "Why do they think I am rich ?"

The guard touches my coat, "This fine coat for one." I look at it. It's old, stained and patched up. "I think if you saw it in the light you would realize it's not all that fancy anymore. It's older than I am really. Patched, stained, but still warm."

Not really believing me, they have me come to the guard house. But inside the guard house, they and the thugs get a better look at me and realize while my clothing is of fine make they are old and not as fine as they looked from farther away.

One thug sneers, "Damn, wandering homeless tramp."

I shrug, "Not a tramp, trained soldier actually. Just having a rough spell." The old sergeant looks me over and nods. I am big, even through the coat he can tell I got some muscles on me and the way I move and hold myself says I can fight. The calm demeanor helps with that judgement to. I don't come across as some rookie out on my own for the first time. I got that vibe of a veteran, the dead looking eyes of someone who has seen bad things and lived to tell about it.

I end up spending an hour there giving testimony to a judge they have on hand. I tell them about the gnomes to. They nod having heard about them but they never have enough evidence to hold them for long.

One guard ask, "Do you really speak gnome ?"

I grin, "No, I speak Idiot pretty well though." the judge grins and translates for the guard, "He understood the tone and the set up. What they were really about and felt they were idiots for trying it. This man is obviously well traveled." to me, "Now mind you, we don't hold with mercenaries around here. I know a person has to make a living but I would be happier if you did not start any of that."

I nod, "Not a mercenary. Only weapons I presently have I am looking to sell. Seen too much death as it is and really don't want to do anything that has any more if I can help it. I got a letter of introduction to the temples and I was on my way there when this happened."

Judge sits up, "Who is the letter from ?"

I pull out the letter and show it to him, From Gallen, High Priest of the Faith of Avarell.

"Don't know the name, this is not Avarell, though we do have some of the same gods."

I nod, "I was going to try Tyche's temple first." I shrug, "If you got to try your luck may as well start with the Lady herself."

He grins and nods, "Well can't argue with that logic." hands me back my letter and that is the end of it.

Only problem is this took so long that the temple is closed by the time I get there. I yawn and sigh. I am so tired. I look up at the temple, "Just not that lucky today am I. Well the guards were nice at least. And the Treant's. But missing closing time for the temple, not so much."

I am at the foot of the stairs, trying to decide what to do next when a voice softly speaks. I turn and look at this woman in a white and blue robe, "Pardon, are you Rob ?" she ask again. I nod, "Yes mam." mildly surprised she knows my name. "The goddess ask you follow me." shrugging I follow her. "She must favor you, she normally does not send us out to bring people in at night."

I shrug again and yawn, "Maybe she liked my prayer." She considers that then nods, "Possibly."

She takes me in and to an older man and woman and tells them of her vision and how she found me outside the temple.

They look at me and I hand them my letter of introduction. He reads it, stops, reads a passage again. Stares at the name on the front (from Gallen) then back at the letter. The woman glanced at it then ignores it.

"So young man, what brings you here." I nod to the letter, "That."

The acolyte grins, "Well that is more straightforward than usual."

I yawn again, barely standing up.

The man looks at me, "Well for tonight at least we can put you up. Nothing fancy mind you."

I wave him off, "Bed, pillow, blanket I am good." he nods.

And that is how I found myself a guest in the temple of Lady Luck.