South Jaga City, Outside the Job’s Hall – Year 1344, Month 1, Day 7. Spring
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“Did you say food?” asked Olea, I swear I could see drool forming around her mouth as she asked the question.
“I did.” This from the big bearded one, “Too bad you are so exhausted that you won’t be able to make the trip.” It seems he may have discovered a weakness in my companion. Her lack of Wisdom is going to get her killed, far too flighty.
Her blue eyes fire with intensity as the man turns away. She is hopeless. All this excitement over the promise of food.
“Save some for me!” she shouted before scrabbling in the dirt and chasing after the form behind the closing door. I guess I’ll have to find something else to entertain myself now.
I’d been watching for the better part of the last two hours, making sure all was well. The interest Doogan has been showing Olea is strange. I have not yet figured out his motives for teaching the girl. It had been quite the show though. He basically stood there looking both imposing and bored, that may have been an exaggerated act to annoy her though. His every move was just enough to deflect a clumsy swipe or knock Olea on her butt.
She would occasionally complain, ok she always complained. I had to hand it to her though, not even a full twelve in this world and she seemed to be adjusting well. I’d been assigned to follow as much as serve as a guide. How to do those two things was up to me essentially and I was definitely enjoying the show.
The rat mission yesterday was a travesty. She had barely lived through a fight with rodents, I’d nearly lost my companion to a bunch of rats. It was so utterly frightful to have come that close to being reassigned that I almost did not act when the last of the small creatures had attempted to tear her open in the end.
I suppose it could be said that nothing bad happened in the end and so it was all just water under the bridge at this point. I could agree to that.
What made it all the more worrisome was the amount of time it took me to find her. I am lucky in that I have a form for flight, my compatriots do not yet have that option. They had to walk, I doubt they have even been able to see their charges yet, let alone get introduced. The storms had not done as planned, instead depositing the group in separate locations and far from the intended destination. It took me a full day of travel on the wind with the help of magic and elemental assistance.
“Enough circular thinking.” I mutter to myself. “I think it’s time to have a walk and clear my mind or find entertainment.”
I found myself chuckling softly, which even I will admit must look odd as I was just spying over a wall like some crazed stalker.
I walked around to the front of the large building, the Jobs Hall. It was a bit impressive, this little construction. Impressive for a city so small in any event. I had seen many through the ages though my recollection of those is foggy at times. Being somewhat ephemeral in nature can really skew the perception of aesthetics.
I soon found myself walking in through the front doors of the Hall, not worried about being recognized as no one knows me. I’m also not a person who would come across as blatantly gawking. I’d seen the show. There were a varied assortment of weapons and armors displayed along the wall, some hanging from ceilings. A collection of animal trophies and the like, their newest addition was the mounted head of a large brood mother, I doubt Olea had seen it yet. The wooden floor was worn smooth over the years, though a few planks could probably bear to be replaced.
The place was populated predominately by humans, sure there were a few dwarves and elves wandering about. I even noticed two or three beastkin, not people who had animal origins, these were instead people who had taken on animal traits while being stuck in a mana storm. Some had down-like fur while others had sharper canines or a slight tilt to other features such as the ear or eye. All people. I could see Doogan and Olea at a table near the back of the hall eating some type of meat with vegetables in a stew, Olea was eating very quickly I think she was afraid the food would disappear. Strange one. The other workers of the Hall were hurrying about with random tasks while the aspiring adventurers were chatting amongst themselves, staring at trophies, or reading bulletins.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
One worker I noticed quickly was Sicily, I only knew the name as Olea had spent quite a bit of time in her company the evening prior. All innocent of course, I followed from the roofs of the nearby buildings as Olea ran back and forth from shop to shop while Sicily pointed out a few of the taverns and the other shops. None of the shops were open by the time this happened but Olea insisted that it would be fine if they toured the stores while the owners were asleep. As if that is acceptable behavior in any society, what kind of world did she come from? Absolute barbarian this one.
Sicily calmed the beasts of curiosity quickly pointing out the fact that there was plenty of time for those trips in the future. The look of crushed hope was something to behold for the three seconds it took Sicily to mention that they should probably call it a night. Olea hopped about with anticipation for the entire trip back to the small apartment complex Sicily called home, they ducked inside and from the window I watched as Olea wove tales of her heroics against the horde of monstrous rats while Sicily pointed out that there were not quite as many as was stated. They soon retreated to bed, quickly falling asleep. And sleep Olea did, I believe bears hibernate for less time than she slept. Fourteen hours of napping while I sat outside with nothing to do.
Now though, she is safe for the time being. Nothing much I can do here regardless, if Master Doogan could not protect his flock, I had zero chance of aiding him. Again, though I doubt anything like that could happen in this peaceful little city under the watchful gaze of the sun.
I left the hall wandering about the city, picking up a general idea of the city with a people’s eye view. The buildings rarely climbed more than six stories, aside from the glaringly ostentatious aristocratic homes. Eyesores, though they made a good perch from time to time. I soon found myself in the western part of the city, nearer the docks when I spotted someone I had seen before.
Now I only caught the name of the taller of the boys currently huddled away behind the crates of a nearby warehouse. Keen was currently having a heating whispering match with a few of his fellows.
“Has anyone seen ‘er?” was the first actual sentence I heard. I may be a bit self-important, but I quickly assumed he was referring to Olea. Not many girls wandering the streets near ruffians and homeless orphans.
“No boss, not seen a glint of ‘er” said boy one. He had unruly red hair with brown eyes, sporting the standard dull jacket and dirty gray trousers seen on a great many of the locals.
“Me either, though Lenn mentioned seeing her near the Jobs place.” Said boy two. This one was shorter with a hunch to the shoulders; he was sporting the same clothing as boy one with brown hair and eyes.
“Well dammit,” said Keen, “I think we owe her for all the food she brought in but I ain’t seen ‘er since.”
“Your nose should be glad of that boss.” Chuckled boy one. Boy two laughed through his hands as well for some reason.
“You lot get back out there and have another look around…“ Keen started as he turned his head and caught sight of me. “You! Who are you?”
“Hi guys, don’t mind me. Though if you are looking for Olea, she most certainly is over at the Job’s Hall.” No reason to not let them know, I’m sure it’s fine. They seemed friendly, and Olea needs a few.
“Huh?” came three voices.
“Yeah, Keen right? I remember you.” I continued. “I’d appreciate you not saying I told you that but I’ll have to take it on merit as I’m not the fan of hurting the semi-innocent.”
The boys looked at me for a beat more before they began running in my direction, not a sign of continued communications. I heaved a sigh and streaked off running for the alley on the opposite side of the street.
I made it beyond the stacked crates and into the alley, the dead-end alley. Well, crap.
After looking about for any bystanders and making sure I was still alone until the boys arrived, I leapt up and let go. The moment I released my form I spread my wings and took flight doing a quick aerial climb before perching on the spout above just as the whelps entered the alley below.
“Look behind those crates, Roy.” Came Keen’s voice.
“Right, boss!” came the sharp reply.
“Stop calling me boss.”
Sure thing, boss.” This reply was met with a groan. No shaking those shackled of respect for Keen.
Boy two was looking under a tarp the covered a shallow puddle as a sign of being thorough I think as he said, “I don’t see ‘em anywhere.”
“Maybe he ducked out before we got here, he was quick.”
“Maybe, we’ll keep our eyes open. Anyway, lets go.” Grumbled Keen, “Spread the word though, we got a spot over near dock three. Old miss Pigans shipwright.”
This statement was met with more grumbling. I could see Keen shrug from up here.
“It’s what we got boys, tar and fish is not nearly as bad a smell as just fish. And it’ll be a slight bit cozier than the street, safer too.”
“Safe is good.” Came the admittance of Boy two.
“Yep boss, safe is good.” Said boy one at the same time, I think he was the one named Roy.
With that small exchange done they made there way from the alley; Keen gave a last searching look to the walls and then the roof above. His gaze lingered a little as he met my cold gaze before he shrugged again and disappeared around the corner.
It was probably about time I headed back to my charge, surely lunch was over by now.