The leaves that were falling from the slouching trees were orange and the setting sun was giving them a grand stage of vibrance. The warm weather of the day was slowly dropping, and the cold wind of the night was beginning to make itself known. Aiken stepped over the fallen leaves, stopping in front of an old and used camp site that was probably put together by a traveling merchant. He pulled an old and battered tree log from the bushes and used it as a seat, he removed his satchel from his shoulder and relieved his back from carrying around the giant lug of metal he called a sword. In front of him was an untouched fire pit with a few logs of wood stacked atop of each other. Aiken lifts his sword and stabs the pile of wood; he then grabs a rock that was sitting on his side and quickly scratches it against the edge of his blade until a fire blooms.
In his satchel was a dead brown rabbit that he killed hours earlier, he stripped the skin and dirtied his hands with its blood before tossing it over the edge of his blade and letting it cook. The increasingly cold wind blows by slowly as the crackling sound of the fire echoes along with it. The season in the Fastela Region was changing, the long summer days were slowly becoming long cold nights and Aiken who walked around bundled up in clothing was grateful for the idea that a time was coming where he didn’t have to sweat like an ogre. The silence surrounding the cold night was eerie and bothersome, and Aiken was not a fan of it. He raises his gaze to the dark forest and lets out a long and winded whistle that echoes through the trees.
The sound of the fallen leaves being crunched in bunches echoed back. There was a quick sprint of something, that was barreling in Aiken’s direction, but he stood still and calmly watched as he continued to cook his meal unbothered. Aiken whistles again, and the sprint hastens. Out from the tree line came a white wolf with dirty fur and its tongue sticking out the side of its mouth. It breathed heavily and rushed to Aiken’s side before walking around in a circle and comfortably laying down.
“You need a bath, Luna.” Aiken leans over and rubs her head though Luna wines at his remarks. “Don’t worry, by this time tomorrow we’ll be sleeping at an inn because there should be a town just a few miles in front of us.” Aiken sighs. “That is if that merchant’s information was any good.” Aiken tilts his sword slightly, letting the fire from the pit engulf the rabbit’s meat. “For now, dinner is almost ready.”
Luna hops to her feet and wags her tail ferociously at the sound of dinner. She leans her face close to the fire trying to bite off a little piece of meat, but Aiken quickly sits up, grabbing Luna by her nape and pushing his sword to his other hand.
“Relax! You’ll burn your face, Luna!”
She barks with excitement and Aiken sighs.
“I know you’re hungry but don’t burn your fur even if its already dirty.”
Aiken presses the rabbit meat one more time against the hot blade of his sword before finally taking it off the raging heat and letting it rest. “If there is a town waiting for us, I hope they’ve got some work because our gold pouch has gotten quite light.”
He pulls his sword out of the fire pit and lays it flat across the ground like a table. A small knife comes out of his satchel, and he cuts the cooked rabbit meat into decently sized jagged pieces. He separates the steaming meat into two halves and Luna immediately pounces on hers.
Aiken digs in his satchel and pulls out a map while he eats. Circled in red ink was the location of the next town they were approaching, according to the merchant they met earlier. The old merchant had said the place was called “Uni” and though the information wasn’t free, it was quite cheap. Which meant the merchant could mince the honesty of his words around for easy money. In the back of Aiken’s mind, he thought the worst and believed that there once was a town in that area called “Uni”, but it no longer stands there. Of course, Aiken knew the opposite was also possible, but he was doubtful. Merchants are in the business of gold, and it was easy to bring in small bits of gold using information only they knew, even if it wasn’t truthful.
But Aiken had nothing else to go on and following the merchant’s words were there only option at the moment. So, they ate their rabbit dinner under the darkening night sky and once they were done, they quickly found themselves sleeping under the subtle shine of the stars.
****
The cold wind from the night lightened and the waking chirps of the birds echoed loudly as the sun slowly rose to its usual position. Luna patrolled the tree line beside their campsite, keeping guard while Aiken slowly gathered his things. He swung the hunk of metal that was his sword onto his back and fastened his satchel onto his shoulder and across his body. He whistled lightly and Luna hurried behind it, following Aiken’s lead. The road was vaguely lit but it was filled with merchants and their carts full of goods going both ways, some were hurrying to their usual spots for the day, while others were traveling on to new towns or villages. Aiken and Luna followed the merchants who were traveling south, hoping the next town would be close and not another days walk like the old merchant from the other day promised.
“Need anything for your travels, swordsman?” The slow creaking sound of a wooden cart being dragged over the bumpy crowded road crept up on Aiken.
“What do you have that’d be worth my gold?”
“Hmm… Let’s see.” The older man pondered whilst staring at Aiken’s back. “If I had to guess, judging by your sword. I’d say you’re a man that never carries a set of potions with him.”
Aiken chuckles. “I’d say you’re right, but I have my reasons.”
“And what’s that?”
“Potions only heal small wounds, if I were to receive any injury bigger than a small cut then drinking that potion would be useless. In turn making it a waste of gold.”
“Haha!” The older man laughed. “You’re quite right on that swordsman. But there are stronger ones meant for folks like you who fight and willingly put themselves in danger. How do you think King Daw’s soldiers heal after battle?”
Aiken slowed his pace and glanced at the hooded old man who was now ahead of him.
“Interested swordsman?” His lips curved into a wide smile.
“Let’s see what you’ve got.”
The old man slipped his hand into the back of his old cart and pulled out an old beaten-up leather satchel. “These are what soldiers call Hi-Potion’s, and you can only get them from their healers in the infirmary.” Inside the satchel were 4 glass bottles filled with a sparkling green liquid, sealed tightly by a corkscrew.
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“If that’s the case old man, then how’d you get them?”
“Hahaha!” The old man puts his hands on his head and hollers loudly. “You should know better than to ask, a merchant never exposes his dealings. But I understand your concern, so out of good faith for good business I’ll throw in a travel sized sharpening kit for that lump of dull steel you’re carrying on your back.”
“How much?”
“For you? Only a 100 gold.” The old man sticks his hand out.
“That’s pretty cheap if you ask me.”
The old man smiles, closes his hand and slams his fist into his chest. “Good faith for good business young swordsman.”
Aiken smiles, amused by the old man’s demeanor he drops two gold coins with the number 50 engraved onto their side. “I’ll take your word for it.”
“A pleasure doing business, hopefully our path’s cross again.”
“I’m sure if I ever need your business our time will come.”
The old man gives Aiken another smile, chuckling softly before grabbing onto the leather strap tied to the front of his cart, and picking up his once slow pace to hurry on his way.
“What are the odds these are real Hi-Potion’s?”
Luna lifts her head and barks loudly at Aiken’s words, giving him a reassuring feeling.
“You sound confident girl.” Aiken smiles and rubs her head. “Come on, we’ve still got some ground to cover.” The two of them quickened their pace, rushing past the crowd of traveling merchants.
The weather was slowly changing, the heat of the summer was fading and the dry air was now cold and fulfilling. Aiken and Luna have been traveling for about two months, Aiken left his hometown of Auburn on his eighteenth birthday and has been using the sword skills he learned from his mother and father to pick up the dirty work folks in towns and villages need done. These jobs paid fairly well and Aiken was quite skilled with the big lump of steel he carried around, and most folks who hired him always made a comment on his sword and how unconventional it was. It was broad and wide and extremely sharp for its size, but it was also quite heavy and most folk would hardly be able to lift it like Aiken can. But because of the size of his sword and his skills with it, Aiken has garnered a name for himself. ’Titan’ is what most folk whisper when they make mention of him, and these days he’s pointed out by the size of his sword and the heavy black clothing he always wears.
Though, Aiken wasn’t a fan of the nickname, he also never went out his way to correct folks about it. The name always brought work his way and that meant he always had a consistent influx of gold and it also gave him a lot of time to continue perfecting his swordsmanship. In a way, no matter how much he disliked it, he enjoyed how busy and on the move it kept him. But I’m sure Luna feels the opposite, maybe even annoyed at Aiken’s continuous movement and yet she never complained because Aiken always made sure she got the best food everywhere they went and that was always the best part of their travels.
“It’s so hot!” Aiken wiped the sweat from his forehead and complained. The sun’s shine was low and the usual heat they experienced the last two months was gone so, Aiken’s complaints were baseless. Luna, jumps up on Aiken’s legs and barks in his face before running off ahead of him.
“Luna wait!” He leans his head forward and notices a low brick wall surrounding a crowd of buildings. None too big and none too small but enough of them to call itself a town. “I guess that old merchant’s information was pretty good after all.” By the entrance were two armored knights with their spears laying on the ground as they sat together at a small table playing cards without a care.
“These are the folk King Daw expects to protect his citizens?” Aiken scoffs and walks right past the guards without notice and into the town where Luna sat waiting for him.
“Hello traveler! Welcome to Uni! Would you be interested in some delicious water burgers?!” Aiken glanced over his shoulder, at a young man with a small cart and a smoking grill cooking wads of white colored meat resting in a pan filled to the brim with water. Frankly, calling that a burger was quite the stretch, and Aiken was confident the others in town would concur, especially given the young man's grill still brimming with them.
“I think you may want to rethink what you’re selling.” Aiken responds back to the young man who only tilts his head in confusion at his words.
Quickly interrupting, a merchant yelled. “May I interest you in some jewelry?”
“Maybe you’d like a new set of garments to travel in?” Another yelled.
“May I interest your fancy in some food?!” One more yelled.
Swift words to garner a sale, maybe Aiken was searching for jewelry and new clothes and maybe he was hungry and when you’re hungry you’ve got to eat. Though in reality Aiken didn’t need any of those things but those quick words are meant to confuse you, because if you hear it in quick succession it’ll convince you that you do need those things in that moment. At least that’s the strategy Aiken was convinced groups of merchants implemented to ensure a sale for each person.
He waved his hand at the determined merchants and continued on, further into town. Aiken’s eyes bounced around, flower shops, food markets, a blacksmith, a doctor, and at the very end a tall, old burgundy building with a wooden silhouette of two cups filled to the brim with what looked like alcohol and a set of six steps leading to its doors. But Aiken’s eyes were focused on something else, something that bothered him.
“Luna, isn’t it odd that there are no children running amok?” Aiken spoke and although he knew Luna couldn’t respond he continued on. “The sun is out with some time until it sets, so shouldn’t the streets be filled with children following their parents as they shop as well as other packs of children running around with their friends?”
Luna barks at his words, almost as if she agrees with him.
“Maybe we can ask someone inside about that.”
A flood of daylight spills into the dimly lit room. The shift from the bustling streets outside to the eerie silence inside was palpable. Their eyes adjusted, revealing an almost empty tavern bathed in the soft glow of the sun. A few folks occupied the stools at the bar, and behind the bar serving them was a massive, lumbering ogre with both of its fanged teeth extremely oversized and curved like a pair of horns. Aiken and Luna approached the bar and sat down.
“What can I get you?” The ogre’s grumpy and raspy voice almost immediately spilled out.
“What’s the usual drink?”
“Beer.” The ogre grumbled.
“Then a glass would do fine.”
The ogre pulls out a clean glass cup from behind and pulls on the silver knob of its keg, the golden colored alcohol slowly spilling out foaming at its top until it poured over its edge. The ogre slides the cup to Aiken and proceeds to wipe the bars wooden countertop down with a ragged piece of cloth. Aiken takes a sip of the beer, the taste of wheat spread across his tongue and the spice of rye popped in his throat as he swallowed.
“How is it?” The ogre asked.
“Like wheat.”
The ogre chuckles. “Thank you.”
Aiken digs in his satchel and grabs a few gold coins, a motion the ogre immediately noticed.
“I’d guess ten gold covers the beer?” Aiken said.
“And what about the extras in your hand?”
Aiken smiled. “Well, that depends on you.”
The ogre’s massive hand grabs the ten glinting gold coins for the frothy mug of beer and tosses them into its pockets. Leaning its hulking frame against the worn, oak countertop, the ogre’s beady eyes fall onto Aiken, waiting on his next words.
“The town is nice, but I can’t help but notice there are no children running around. Why is that?”
The ogre lets out a weighty exhale from its nose. Its beady eyes falling onto Aiken’s sword. “You here to be some kind of hero?”
Aiken takes another sip of his beer. “If it pays, I’ll consider it but right now I’m just asking a question.”
“I don’t know the specifics, I’m just a barkeep who minds their business and keeps their ears closed. But… what I do know, is that the kids of this town got sick from something and the only thing that can be used to cure them is in the forest on the left of town.”
“If it’s that simple what’s stopping anyone from getting what they need?”
The ogre shrugged its shoulders. “Doctor says something is guarding it.”
“Sounds like someone’s already tried…” Aiken flings the last of the gold coins in his hand at the ogre before standing up from his seat. “Where’s this doctor?”
With haste the ogre quickly snatches the extra coins, tucking them into its pocket. “If the sun has started to set for the day then he’d be at the brothel straight down from here. Otherwise the man lives in his office.”
“Got it.” Aiken gives the ogre a wave and the two of them leave the tavern.
Outside the shine of the sun was gone and the creeping darkness of the night was slowly coming in. Aiken glanced down at Luna and laughed.
“Perfect timing.”
Luna wagged her tail and barked at Aiken in response.
The lively streets of Uni Town, which had been bustling earlier, had cleared out quite early. A group of men strolled down the street, heading towards a decently sized building with weathered burgundy walls like the tavern. But, unlike the tavern, this building bore an unassuming exterior, devoid of any signage or ornate embellishments. You either had prior knowledge of its purpose, or you remained in the dark. Fortunately for Aiken, the ogre had graciously enlightened him about its nature.
Within the crowd, Aiken spotted the same knights he had observed earlier, lost in a card game instead of doing their job. It seemed that a taxing day of safeguarding the town gave way to less virtuous pursuits by night. But instead of following the pack, Aiken turned back the way they came when they first got bombarded by merchants and others. “Before we follow the crowd, I think we go back to that clinic we passed when we first arrived earlier in the day. Maybe we can catch the doctor before he runs off to be a pervert.”