My newfound determination and enthusiasm evaporated almost immediately as I strolled outside and remembered that I had no idea where the Heroes were headed. I mean, obviously they were seeking out the Gems, but at the time I had no idea where they’d be or even where to start looking. Nevermind which order the Heroes would seek the Gems out in the first place!

As I stepped out into the main floor of the tavern I had been left at, a great deal trashier, mustier locale than Khiet’s, my first instinct was to ask the barkeep if they knew where the Heroes had set out for. I glanced behind the bar, and my eyes widened in shock as I noted that the bar was being tended by a bespectacled minotaur dressed in flowing robes! I knew the large bull-men existed (I’ve done my due diligence and discovered that this is not a term they take offense to, so no need to panic) but even in all my travels with my dad I’d never seen one myself, let alone one who looked as dignified as this fellow. Honestly, his manner of dress and the way he seemed to hold himself was just as out of place for what I’d assumed minotaurs were like as was his very presence in this dingy tavern.

I must have been staring, because the barkeep shot a glare in my direction and said, “Can I help you, miss?” in a voice befitting his manner of dress.

I stammered, “Oh, sorry, can you tell me where I am? I’m the gnome that the Heroes left behind here.”

The minotaur took a closer look at me, and then his expression softened. I think. “So you are,” he said, before he bowed. “Pray, forgive my curtness. I am still unaccustomed to the staring.”

So minotaurs were as rare as I thought they were. I then responded, “No, you have nothing to apologize for. I’ve never seen a minotaur before so I was surprised.”

“Yes, I am not from this city, or even this part of the world. I have traveled here to study from my steading near Plauros. Though to be honest, my studies are not going so well.” I think he frowned, but at the time I wasn’t completely accustomed to what facial expressions a bull-man would make.

I could sense a story here, and while I was woefully behind on my journey, I decided to pull up a stool. “What do you mean by that?”

“I’d heard rumors about a master magician who lived on this continent, so I saved up what money I had, learned the common tongue, and made the journey by ship here from Plauros. Unfortunately, when I had arrived, I learned that the magician was long gone. I had resigned myself to starving in the gutters when I was brought in by the master of the tavern here.” He sighed. “It’s been a few months, but now I languish trying to find the next step of my journey.”

“Wait, you’re not the owner of this place?” I asked, wondering if I’d missed that bit of information somewhere.

“Oh my, no. I doubt I could secure the permits to open a business on my own, even if I had brought money from my homeland, given how people normally react to me at first meeting.” He had such a matter-of-fact way of speaking.

“So, you came to study magic and you took a job here to earn some money. If you’re not the owner of the tavern, who is?” I asked.

“That would be me,” said a shrill, squawking voice to my left. I turned to see a birdfolk, this one with ravenlike features and dark feathers stalking over to join the conversation. “So you’ve finally awakened, Miss Gnome. I trust your stay with us was satisfactory?”

I could appreciate the proper use of polite vocabulary, but the squawking voice was already giving me a headache. Or maybe it was bringing my headache back? Either way this guy had said three sentences to me and I already wanted to leave the conversation.

So naturally I said, “Yes, as satisfactory as spending several days unconscious in a strange place can be, anyway. Where am I?”

The raven person shot a look of some kind at the minotaur I was speaking with. I could only guess that it was a threatening look since I’d never seen a birdfolk of his variety before, but the minotaur said, “Oh yes, my mistake, we are in the Raven’s Nest in the Southeastern Dock Ward, owned by Guawk.”

Even the owner’s name gave me a headache. That said, that would explain how run-down the place was. While most city dock wards are known for essentially being a place for sailors to get a quick meal and a bed, not all dock wards were created equal, and this one in particular was one my dad made a habit of not coming to, due to fears of pirates. A valid fear, sure, but I mean, if I’m being honest the place wasn’t that bad. I asked a follow-up question, “Oh, did they drop me off here because it would be less expensive?”

“Couldn’t tell you,” the raven said. “I mean, not that you should worry about it, as the amount they paid ahead of time for you was sufficient and none of your business, but I have no idea why they chose my establishment over any others throughout the city. But I suppose I can’t complain.”

“I see…” I said, before mentally reminding myself that I had a mission to fulfill. I asked, “Did they happen to say where they were going?”

“They did not,” Guawk said, “But considering they make for the Temples, my best guess would be Plauros, since it’s the closest.”

“Plauros?!” I blurted out, causing Guawk’s feathers to ruffle. Without realizing what I was saying, I continued, looking at the minotaur, “You just said you were from around there! Would you happen to know where the Temple is? Or which Gem lies there?”

The minotaur put his hands up in surprise at the sudden question, “I apologize, I am afraid I have no idea where any of that would be.”

“No idea at all?” I asked, narrowing my eyes in doubt. “One of the most powerful magic items on the planet, something containing an insane amount of power over one of the four elements, enough to destabilize the entire world, is right in your backyard and you have no idea where it would be? Forgive me if I have trouble believing that.”

“Honest!” the minotaur hastily responded. “Though I do suppose my people have shared legends of…how do I say this in the common tongue? A Spirit of the Ground? Does that make sense?” There was a slight grin at the end, almost as if to say, “You believe me, right?”

I almost believed him anyway.

“There’s something you’re not telling me.”

The minotaur shifted uneasily, almost as if he wasn’t sure how to approach the next statement. “It is not easy to say, but Plauros has become…dangerous…as of late.” He folded his arms, looking at the floor.

I raised an eyebrow. “More dangerous than the Demon King’s forces roaming free?”

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“Of a similar magnitude,” he replied hesitantly. I stared at him, attempting to look as inquisitive as possible. I thought to myself, if I could just break down his defenses by making him as uncomfortable as possible, I might get some answers.

He met my gaze, narrowing his own eyes. Bring it, I thought. I’ve had plenty of staring matches with my brothers and sisters. You got nothing, bull-boy.

“Um…what’s going on?” Guawk squawked. I instinctively raised a hand to quiet him down. I couldn’t have that infernal squawking distract me. I had to break this minotaur. He knew something I needed, and I wasn’t about to leave until I got it.

I looked more closely. Was that…a twitch in his eyebrow? I couldn’t tell if he was starting to sweat due to his furry face, but it did seem like he was trying to avoid my gaze while still avoiding breaking the gaze. I was winning. And we both knew it.

“Oh, all right, I suppose you will not be leaving me alone until I answer your question. The Plauros region is ruled over by a powerful vampire, installed by the Demon King himself. In truth I came here seeking to learn how to wield magic so I could return to my homeland and slay the vampire. I have studied some on my own, but it is not enough.”

I pondered on this for a bit, rubbing my chin. “You do realize that the people who left me here were the Heroes, right?”

The minotaur frowned. “And why does that matter? Their mission is to purify the Gems. They’re not going to stop to kill a simple vampire.” He folded his arms, unconvinced at what I had to suggest.

“You said the vampire was placed in power there by the Demon King, right?” I continued.

“Erm…yes, I do recall saying that,” he responded.

“Don’t you think the vampire was placed in power there to guard the Gem and continue corrupting its power?” I asked, trying to guide the minotaur to a conclusion I’d already reached.

“I…do suppose that is a possibility I had not considered,” the minotaur admitted, adjusting his spectacles that had slid down that massive nose of his. “What are you suggesting?” He asked, his tone shifting from skeptical to intrigued.

Yes, my opportunity had arrived. “I’m trying to follow the Heroes. I’m going to need a guide. An entourage, if you will. You want to go make sure your homeland is going to be okay, I’m sure. Come with me.”

Admittedly this was extremely impulsive of me, but I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to find a better candidate for a traveling companion going into unknown, deadly territory, and I was pretty sure I could figure out something he wanted. Let the negotiations begin, just like Dad taught me.

“Come with you?” the minotaur exclaimed, recoiling in shock. “I scarcely even know you, girl!”

Guawk chimed in, “Excuse me!” he began in that shrill squawk of his, “Do you not realize how rude it is to try to poach one’s employee right in front of his employer?” He turned to the minotaur. “Surely you haven’t already forgotten all I have done for you?”

“Butt out, Mister, he’s your employee, not your slave!” I fired back at the raven before turning back to the minotaur. “And you’re right,” I continued. “You don’t know me very well, and I don’t know you, so let’s start. My name is Ilala Twistfall. What’s yours?”

“Um…Trakban. Trakban is my name,” he said hesitantly.

“Trakban…do you have a last name?” I said, waving my hand as if to say, “Keep goin’!”

“I do not, unless you would use the name of my stedding, Xilkan, though I must confess there are not many of us left, so would the name of my stedding even matter?”

“Of course!” I said. “Your home is still your home, and your family is still your family, if there’s still enough left that would see you return home safely! Where you’ve come from is what has made you you!”

Guawk piped up, “Yes, this is all nice and inspirational, but you forget that he needs money to survive, money to catch a ship.

“Oh, I’ve got that covered,” I said, only lying somewhat. If needed, I could call in a favor. “How much is he payin’ you?” I asked Trakban, knowing full-well that I’d burned any possible business opportunities I would have in the future with this tavern (unless I succeeded in my quest and my book became a hit, at any rate!)

“You don’t have to answer that, Trakban,” Guawk squawked.

I shot Guawk a look that I hoped would convey the message of, “Flock off, feather-face!” Unfortunately Guawk merely narrowed his eyes at me and I just shook my head, before turning back to Trakban and saying, “Obviously whatever he’s paying you, it must not be much. Otherwise he wouldn’t be so intent on keeping it under wraps.”

“It’s not about the money,” Trakban said, sheepishly. “This is probably as good an opportunity to work while I stay in the city and wait for that wizard to come back.”

“So you’re just going to sit here and wait? Do you even know where the wizard went? How long he’s been gone?”

“She,” Trakban broke in as I was finishing my question.

“Pardon?”

“She. The wizard is a she. The name of her class of magic isn’t gender exclusive.”

I knew that, but it had slipped my mind since most (not all, most) high level wizards were grizzly old men.

“Okay, she, whatever. Do you even know what her name is?” I pressed.

“Of course, I’m not a simpleton you know.” He pushed his spectacles up his nose again. “Her name is Esther, and not much is known of her beyond her incredible skill at magic, especially for her age. Unfortunately I was unable to find her before she left on some errand.”

At the mention of Esther’s name, a half-orc tavern patron piped up, “D’you say Esther? Ain’t she one o’ the Heroes?”

I quickly tried to piece together what had happened when I met the Heroes. I muttered, mostly to myself, “You know, I do seem to remember someone casting magic on the goblins that had me tied up. It was really impressive, and I think I heard her voice, though I couldn’t tell you what she looked like or how old she was.”

Trakban’s eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared. “She’s one of the Heroes?! You mean to tell me I have been sitting here wasting my time when she has been here the entire time? Why would you lie to me like that, Guawk?”

Guawk reeled back in fear, “It’s because you’ve been such a good employee! I don’t know how I’d keep this place running without you!”

“I could have worked here while studying, you know!” Trakban growled. “I would have very much liked to do just that very thing!”

“I’m sorry!” Guawk squawked in terror. “Please, I’ll do anything to make it up to you!”

Now! I thought, seeing my opportunity.

“You know, Trakban. You said you put in all that time and effort to learn the common tongue. Most magic tomes that I’m aware of are written in the common tongue. Plus, if you struggle with understanding any words, I could probably help you. I have a small army of younger siblings that I’ve helped teach how to read, so I think I can explain complicated things simply enough.”

“Oh heavens, I could do that,” Guawk said. “I’ll put in a good word with you with the Heroes when they get back!” I think he tried to grin after saying that, as a way of saying, “Ah? Ahhh? You believe me, right?”

Trakban did not.

“Save it,’ Trakban said. “I believe I am finished here.” He turned to me, face still scrunched in anger, though trying to be polite. “Miss Twistfall, was it? I do believe my schedule has just opened up. Come. We make for Plauros. At any rate, the journey is long enough I should be able to get some practice in.”