Looking around I realize that I'm currently sitting in a bed, covers down to my hips, and drenched in a cold sweat.  That nightmare, if I could call it that, was so vivid that I didn't even want to think about it.  It wasn't anything I even experienced, in real life, or this game.  Then again This current hobble of a town and that graveyard wasn't in there either. 

I walk over to the window, wanting fresh air but remembering Lya I glance back to the other bed in the room.  She is still laying down, but the darkness wont allow me to see much.  Not even if she is even facing me.  I shouldn't open this, even the rain still haven't let up much since last night during guard.  I sigh then steel myself into my basic garb.  my red shirt and pants covering myself in the cloak that I received I exit the room, leaving my armor behind, but grabbing my belt in the process.

Upon reaching the stairs down I place my belt under the cloak to both hold my shirt in place, it is a little big since I normally use it under my armor and it makes for a nice cushion, and to have something to do when I get outside.  I now start to hear voices as I almost reach the dining hall past the last hallway.  I halt three paces away from the turn as two familiar voices ring out. just loud enough to hear but easily welshed by the bellowing of merry making, they obviously are sitting close to the entrance to the hall. I hug the wall and strain my ears to see if my instinct was right.

"I told you before that you now have us as a client so either way you will still provide goods."

"I know but if you loose..."

"Everything is taken care of, don't worry so much.  Not like we will loose anyways."

"but..."

"Just focus on your job and we can focus on ours."

The two men that sound just like those from earlier make noises of standing and footsteps echo louder and louder, 'oh shit!'  I quickly look back and dive to the stairs slamming into the guard rail spinning back to there direction to see them just turn the corner. 'now or never' I use one of my more successful deceptions to date.  staggering a little, holing onto the walls every fourth or fifth step, and barely acknowledging them as an obstacle as we pass.

"A drunkard returns."  both then men, almost on cue, laugh as they climb the stairs.

'Looks like it worked' breathing out a sigh of relief, the last thing I want to do is fight without any gear, especially when it could easily become blown into a wide scale defensive battle.  I stand back up from my last tumble that failed to hit the wall in time and readjust my clothes, fallowing my original plan and exit the Inn.

The outer terrace was about one meter from the door with a wooden overhang.  the only sanctuary from the rain for the current building.  It didn't even run to the side, just enough to block it from entering the building upon opening the door.  Using the edge of the rain free zone I begin to check out my belt.  Originally this wasn't an item or armor in the game, it was just a tool bar that you had at the bottom of the screen.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

As I check the items in my belt I find that there are a bunch of potions in the first few, then one of my weapons, and even those teleport runes that I used to get around with, looks like its just like the game.  I have groups of what was under max counts, and I tried to put different items in same pouch but for some reason I couldn't.  The one thing that was different was that I could hold a lot more then max count, ten was for potions and I got all three bags into one. 'This belt upgraded!'  After a nice breather and item check, I went back to my room, but along the way I was halted as I notice that a door was ajar.  Taking a quick look inside I notice the two men, one of them was even holding the handle as they looked back inside.  I make haste as I rush to my room in hopes of getting there before they exit.  Breathing heavy I see Lya standing at the window looking at me.  My smile plastered on my face shows that I both wish to not be asked and that it was a close call.

I woke up after I heard milady scream out, even with it being only slight, it was loud enough to wake me.  She then moved around the room and eventually left.  confused on what was happening, I peaked out the door and saw her go downstairs then after a little bit another two came back up. confused I simply close the door and think about where she could be going. 

At the window I look out and see the rain coming down, 'looks like the rainy season has started.'  Out of the corner of my eye I notice Vera down by the door, 'what could she be doing?'  Then she starts taking items out of the small pouches of her belt that couldn't possible fit.  'Magic item? No, maybe its a warp space.  It could be a shrinking ability.  Or is it cursed!?'  no idea how long it has been, but now I noticed that she was no longer there.  I pondered too much about that belt of hers.  The door opens, closes, and milady is standing back bracing it and looks out of breath of sorts.  She even has a small sweat of despair  she even gives me a smile that can easily be called fake.  I know that she does not want to talk about what happened, but I still utter words of acceptance.  "Lets go back to bed milady." 

Sighing as I lay down I wish I could have asked her about that item, or even about her dream, or should I say nightmare, but all I did was accept that she didn't want to talk nor relive it.  'May a day come that I can understand you without you even looking at me Highlore-sama.'

*********

Also hope everyone enjoyed there Halloween this year, personally my favorite costume was a little girl that came by the house, about 5, was dressed up like a 80yo cat lady, was very cute and funny.