“Shinka meat isn’t very palatable, too gamey and tough, but the hides can be used to make excellent and durable armour, and the tusks and bones can be used in alchemy and forging.”
“Good to know?” Brian replied to the old woman as she sat on a small stool beside a large, covered wagon, “Uhm…why are you telling me this?”
“To give you an idea of how valuable the materials we were able to harvest from the bodies are,” Madam Tiffany huffed, “Don’t let the others swindle you out of your dues. Anyway, onto the trading. I have two items I think should be worth an entire hide, plus the bones and tusks of one of the Shinka.”
“You do?” Brian blinked, watching as the woman pulled out a slender silver chain with a coffin-shaped medallion hanging from it, a softly glowing green gem set in the centre, “What’s that?”
“A pendant,” the woman barked, “One that is enchanted to increase the efficiency of Magical Abilities, making them cost less mana to use. A perfect item for any Mage.”
“Oh, wow!” Brian gasped as he accepted it, “Are you sure this is okay? This seems incredibly valuable.”
“That’s why I wanted to talk to you first,” the woman sighed, “You have no idea just how valuable the materials of a Shinka are. Just the hide will cover the cost of that pendant, and the bones and tusks will cover the cost of this bracelet.”
Brian nodded slowly as she handed over the simple silver ring, large enough that it could slip over his hand with a little effort.
“That is an Ability Storing Bracelet,” the woman explained, “It can store up to a Tier Three Magical Ability in it, but only one use of it. It currently has my level five Self-Heal Ability in it.”
“Self-Heal?” Brian asked, “So you’re a Cleric or something?”
“A Cleric?” the woman barked out a laugh, “I wish! I’m simply a Healer, Clerics have far more powerful Abilities than anything I can do.”
“Oh, sorry,” Brian nodded as he slipped the bracelet onto his left wrist, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” the woman chuckled, “Now, how about you tell me a bit about yourself? Old Gustus was saying you claim to come from “out of the country”?”
“Something like that,” Brian nodded, looking around for a moment as he sighed, “You know the Heroes? I was accidentally summoned with them.”
“So, they’ve brought more children over, have they?” the woman sighed sadly, “Such a pity. That means you’re from their world as well?”
“Yes,” Brian nodded.
“Tell me about it,” Madam Tiffany said softly, a strange look passing over her face, “Who were you before you came here?”
“I was a worker at a Theme Park,” Brian shrugged, “Oh, a Theme Park is like a permanent fair, where there are all sorts of rides and attractions. We had these massive metal structures that you rode around on in a small cart called Rollercoasters.”
“I am familiar with them,” Madam Tiffany nodded, “And telephones? Are they still a thing?”
“Telephones? Yes,” Brian nodded, “Except now they’re called cell phones. You carry them around in your pocket and can do a bunch of stuff with them, like…wait, you know what a phone is?”
“I do,” the old woman grinned, revealing a set of surprisingly well-kept teeth, “I am from a world like yours, after all. Perhaps even the same one.”
“The same…You’re a Hero?” Brian gasped, the woman shaking her head.
“No, I’m like you,” she explained, “Summoned by accident about seventy or so years ago with some classmates. This was back when they only summoned about four or five Heroes at a time, and the group that was destined to be Heroes were helping me after I’d been getting bullied by some others.”
“Oh,” Brian blinked, “So then why didn’t you stay with them? I’m sure a good Healer would have been useful?”
“Because my Job and Class have no synergy,” Madam Tiffany shrugged, “Plus, they had a Cleric already, so I was unnecessary. The kingdom was at least kind enough to help me get on my feet in this new world before cutting me loose, but still, it was a bit of a shock.”
“I can imagine,” Brian nodded, “Wait…what year were you summoned in? If you know about phones, but not cell phones, but have been here seventy years…that’s a bit confusing.”
“Nineteen eighty-seven, to be exact,” Madam Tiffany sighed, “Many things were happening, but it’s been so long I can barely remember any of them. What year was it for you?”
“Twenty twenty-four,” Brian answered, “A lot was going on for us too.”
“Tell me about it,” the old woman smiled, “I’d like to hear about how the world has changed.”
“Sure,” Brian smiled back, “So, like I said, there are cell phones now…”
------
Brian sighed as he sat outside his tent, inspecting the rings on his right hand.
He and Madam Tiffany had spent several hours talking about their old world, bringing a pang of nostalgia to the man as he listened to her stories, and told her his own. The other Merchants had waited until they were finished before all crowding around him, begging and offering various items in exchange for the Shinka materials.
That was how he’d ended up with a fourth storage ring, about the same size as his others, which was half full of various potions, the other half taken up by a number of basic provisions. Brian closed his eyes, injecting a small amount of mana into the rings, allowing him to sense their contents, a useful trick Madam Tifanny had shared with him. He had several cases of ten Healing Potions, and another few with five Mana and Stamina Potions each, traded to him in exchange for two of the hides from the portly merchant from before.
The rest of the hides, bones and meat had been fairly evenly split between the other merchants in the caravan, most either trading him sundries or money for the items. This meant that he now had a sizeable amount of money, over twenty gold in total, and so was apparently quite well off, at least according to Gustus. Brian just sighed as he remembered another part of the conversation he’d had with Madam Tiffanny.
“So, if you’re friends managed to defeat the Demon Lord, and you could return to your old world, why are you still here?” he asked, the old woman sighing sadly.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
“Because,” she explained, “Only those with the Title of Hero can return. I do not know why, something to do with the spell that brings you here marking your soul, but if you really are like me, then you’d better make yourself comfortable, because this is your world now.”
“Oh, so they all returned without you?” Brian asked, Madam Tiffany shaking her head again.
“No, the idiot leader of their party sacrificed himself to kill the Demon Lord, so only the three remaining members returned,” she sighed, “They even spent several months tracking me down so we could all go together. Then it was revealed that I couldn’t return.”
“I see,” Brian nodded, “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, I like this world,” the old woman laughed, “And I’m sure you’re enjoying yourself as well, Sir Mage.”
“Please don’t call me that, Madam Healer,” Brian replied jokingly, “And yes, I suppose I am.”
They’d continued their conversation for another hour after that but had eventually run out of things to say. That was when the other Merchants had basically mobbed him. Now the entire camp was celebrating, the Shinka meat being carefully cooked over the large fire, one of the Merchants even having opened a cask of wine for everyone to drink. Music filled the air and people laughed and shouted as they danced or played games.
“Not joining in the festivities?” the familiar voice asked, Brian looking up at the captain as the man walked up beside him.
“Just a little tired,” Brian shrugged, “What can I help you with?”
“Nothing, just coming to thank you for taking out those Shinka,” the man chuckled as he sipped from his mug, “The boys are appreciative as well. Means we won’t have to be stuck out here for a couple of weeks waiting for those damn monsters to move on.”
“No problem,” Brian smiled, “So, anything else?”
“Not particularly, just wanted to give some advice,” the captain said, “You’re heading to Loftford, correct? If I were you, I’d take one of those storage rings and fill it with some extra money and provisions, then hide it carefully about your person.”
“Why?” Brian blinked in confusion.
“Loftford and the surrounding area is pretty safe,” the captain explained, “But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful. People see someone with multiple storage rings, and they’ll go after them if they’re desperate enough, no matter how intimidating they may look.”
“Oh, thanks for the advice,” Brian said as he inspected the four rings on his right hand, “Anything else you can tell me about Loftford? I’d like to see about getting a larger storage ring while I’m there, these ones are nice, but they’re all already full.”
“Sure,” the man nodded, “When you arrive, go to the Eastern Quarter of the city. It’s a bit dodgy, but the folks there are kind enough. Ask about a shop called The Greedy Dragon, it’s a magic shop that should have what you’re looking for. Though be careful, the owner is likely to try and scam you if you’re not careful.”
“Good to know,” Brian smiled at the man as he watched him drain the last of his drink, “Thank you.”
“Hey, just giving a young’un some advice,” the man chuckled.
“Young’un?” Brian laughed back, “I’m thirty-three.”
“Wait, really?” the captain blinked in surprise, “Well colour me shocked, I’m only twenty-four. Perhaps you should be the one giving me advice!”
“Maybe,” Brian shrugged, “Anyway, I think I’m going to turn in for the night. Have a pleasant evening.”
“You too, Sir Mage,” the captain gave a slightly sloppy salute, his flushed face showing that he was at least a little drunk, “Hope the music and revelry doesn’t disturb your sleep.”
“I doubt it will,” Brian nodded as he stood and headed into his tent.
The moment he closed the flap of the tent, the sounds of outside fell to a quiet murmur, the noise suppression enchantment on the structure working its literal magic. Brian stretched, looking around the surprisingly spacious interior, another enchantment that doubled the size of the inside of the tent, making it quite comfortable. Of course, the tent also had a self-assembly function, and could neatly pack itself away with a simple command. Not for the first time was Brian grateful to Fontworth’s generosity after helping the old gnome.
“Now then,” he yawned as he headed towards one of the decently sized cots at the back of the tent, “Time to sleep.”
------
The next week passed mostly uneventfully for the caravan, though they had to slow down for a couple of days due to a large storm. Thankfully, it didn’t add too much time to their journey, and soon Gustus’ wagon was cresting a hill, revealing the fields of wheat, corn and other vegetables that surrounded the city of Loftford. Brian grinned in excitement as he watched the city walls drawn ever closer, until finally they reached the line at the gate, several guards making their way slowly down it, taking everyone’s information.
“Afternoon,” the guard said as she arrived at Gustus’ wagon, “Purpose for entering Loftford?”
“Trade,” Lucas replied casually, “My Master and I are Merchants.”
“And you?” the guard asked Brian as she turned to him, “What is your purpose for coming to our fair city?”
“Personal and travel,” Brian shrugged, “I’m looking to get some better items, and see the sights.”
“I see,” the woman nodded as she wrote something down on the small notebook in her hand, “Well, I hope you enjoy your stay. Though do try not to cause any trouble.”
“Of course not,” Brian smiled as she moved on to the next wagon in the line, “That was easier than expected.”
“Loftford is the northern most city in the Astera kingdom,” Gustus laughed, “Things are pretty peaceful up here, so there’s not too much regulation. The further south you head, though, the stricter everything gets.”
“Oh? Why?” Brian asked.
“Because the Demon Lands are to the south,” Lucas replied, “So it becomes more dangerous the further down you travel. However, the Capital City of Astera is also found in the southern part of the kingdom, where it stands as a bastion of protection for the rest of the lands.”
“I see,” Brian nodded, his mind flicking back to the twenty or so kids he’d first appeared in the safe space with, “And the Heroes were probably summoned there, right?”
“Almost certainly,” Gustus nodded, “Why? You planning on making the journey down?”
“Perhaps,” Brian shrugged, “Where are you two headed next?”
“East,” Lucas replied, “There’s a town about two weeks journey that has amazing fruits, and that’s what we’re after next.”
“Ah, okay,” Brian nodded as they passed through the gates of the city, looking around at the buildings as they slowly travelled down the street, finally reaching a large building with a sign that read “Merchant’s Guild” on the front, “I guess this is goodbye for now, then?”
“Seems like it,” Gustus chuckled, “Pleasure meeting you, Brian. Have a safe journey from now on, alright?”
“I’ll do my best,” the man laughed, waving as he watched the wagon circle around the back of the building, before looking around and wondering what to do next.
He remembered the words of the captain, shrugging as he began walking east, figuring he might as well try to find this magic shop sooner rather than later. Also, a nice inn to stay at would be great.
------
“This is ridiculous,” Dylan muttered as the group of five made their way down the street, “We’re just going out to kill a few monsters, there’s no way they need to do all this for us.”
“Hey,” Miles chuckled as he waved to the crowds on either side of the street as the citizens of Astera cheered for them, “I think it’s pretty cool.”
“I understand what Dylan is saying,” Mary sighed, the Cleric hiding her face under the hood of her white robes, “A parade every time we leave or come back is just too much.”
“Quit complaining,” the party’s Black Mage, a boy named Antony, sighed, “It’s bringing me down.”
“I agree,” Samantha, the Martial Artist of the group, nodded, “Just enjoy it while you can. We don’t know when the real fighting is going to start, so we have to get stronger as fast as possible. Plus, it makes the people happy to see us.”
“I know that,” Dylan sighed, “I just wish we could be a little more discreet. This is all kind of embarrassing.”
“Well, you had better get used to it, Sir Dylan,” Sir Darrinwood said from the front of the group, “You are all Heroes, after all. And it is the duty of Heroes to reassure the people of not only your strength, but your character as well.”
“Well spoken, captain,” the woman beside him nodded, looking back at the five Heroes, “The stoic Hero is a good look on you, Sir Dylan. Even if it only out of embarrassment, you should keep up the persona of a serious and devoted Knight, just as your Job says you are.”
“Right,” Dylan muttered, glancing around at the crowds, letting out a sigh of relief as they finally reached the gates of the Capital, “Okay, let’s get going. What are we hunting again?”
“A herd of Shinka that have drawn too close to the Capital,” Sir Darrinwood hummed, “There are six of them, and they’ve settled near the main road. It’s preventing Merchant caravan’s from reaching the city easily.”
“Right,” Miles chuckled, “And they’re supposed to be big and dumb, right?”
“With terrible eyesight,” the woman from before nodded, “But they have excellent hearing, so do not be surprised if the whole herd charges when you announce your Abilities.”
“Okay,” Dylan nodded as they got into the fancy carriage that was going to take them to the location of the monsters, the inside plush and well decorated, Dylan muttering to himself, “I am never going to get used to this.”
“Onwards!” Miles shouted as they closed the door to the carriage and started on their journey.