After leaving the ABW Base I looked over the map more closely.

Ok, so it looks like the closest mine is near some village called Yarthaw. It seems to be a small village based on its size on the map. It doesn't look like it's that far away so we could probably get there by the end of today if we wanted to.

I looked at Dob and Lob.

"Hey, how are you guys feeling energy-wise? The first place we have to go is pretty close so we could get there a bit before sunset if we left soon-ish."

Dob and Lob both smiled at me and gave me two big thumbs up.

"Great! I'm glad you're up for the task! Now let's go back to the Big Keg inn and get some food in us before we head out."

Dob and Lob nodded. So we headed back to the Big Keg inn.

It's kinda annoying that we are gonna be leaving right after getting back but I need to find out what Scorpion's plan is as soon as possible because I think it's coming close to fruition based on how busy he is.

Arriving at the Big Keg inn I swung open the door to reveal a bored Stella tapping on the counter while an old couple ate at a table in the corner. Stella's face brightened and a smile appeared on her face as she saw us enter.

"Hey, guys!"

"Hello Stella!", I said, grinning in response to her greeting.

"I hate to do this right after we've gotten back but something came up and we have to leave for a few days. It shouldn't be that long."

"Oh ok. Well, I hope you guys have fun!"

"Thanks!"

I'm glad Stella's less downcast than Pepper. The less sadness I cause the better! Also if just living my life caused someone to be unhappy then I should probably just move. However, that won't happen because I know Pepper will be fine and I don't think Stella needs my help considering she runs an establishment that can get really... I guess rowdy would be the word.

"So Stella we were just stopping by to see if we could get some food before we go."

"Of course! I have some stuff leftover from lunch."

"That'd be great. Thanks!"

So we sat down at a table and waited for our food to be served. Not long after we sat down Stella came over with our lunch. It came with a side of salad and it was delicious. Just like most of the other food in this world, I didn't know what the ingredients were. I could tell that it was definitely not romaine, arugula or any other Earth lettuce, at least that I was familiar with.

Stolen story; please report.

After finishing our delicious lunch, we said goodbye to Stella before walking out the door. I took out the map that Scorpion had given me and looked at it to figure out the route we'd need to take to get to Yarthaw and then from there the mine was just about a 10-minute walk away.

The road to Yarthaw branched off from one of the roads we'd taken to get to Blackbridge so we followed the route to Blackbridge until we got to the fork that the map showed us. I looked at the road that branched off of the one we were on. It seemed to promise new experiences and opportunities and I hoped that I'd experience all of that and more on my trip.

Ah, this is so exciting! A new place, new people, new things! Traveling is rather fun.

We'd gotten there earlier than I'd expected as the sun hadn't yet dipped below the horizon and I suspected that it wouldn't for another hour or so.

That's a good thing. We can get nice and situated before the giant lightbulb turns off.

Before we'd even gotten to the village we'd seen vast fields of crops growing and farmers working the fields so I had a feeling the village of Yarthew was not reliant on any other power which was always a good thing for a settlement.

People noticed us as we arrived since it was pretty obvious we were outsiders due to the small size of the village. They were rather cautious of us as I saw parents pull their children to the side when we passed likely afraid that the kids would somehow anger us.

It's a bit disheartening to see people being scared of having their children come close to me but people do fear the unknown and there tends to be a good reason for that.

After wandering around for a minute or two I was approached by a man who held himself much more regally than the other people I'd seen.

"Hello, Mister are you here to check on the mine? I can't imagine anyone coming out here for any other reason."

"Indeed I am. Are you the leader of Yarthaw?"

"Yes, I am sir. I will arrange a room for you immediately in one of the guest houses. I'm sure it'll be garbage compared to what you're used to but it's all we have."

"That would be good. Thank you....."

"Ah. How rude of me. You can call me Ben sir."

"Ben. Thank you, Ben. You may call me Jameson."

"Thank you Jameson sir. Right, this way."

Sigh. He just put sir at the end... I guess I'll just let him call me that. He'll probably just find it weird if I allow him to refer to me informally. I wonder why he didn't mention Dob and Lob. He probably just thinks they're my assistants or something due to them not talking.

Ben led me to the guest house. It looked similar to the other houses in the village with a roof made of some material that reminded me of straw and walls made of stacked logs. The only difference I could see, at least from the outside, was that it was a bit bigger than the villagers' houses that I'd seen.

Ben opened the door to the house and I noticed that it didn't seem to have a lock.

I guess everyone pretty much just trusts each other around here.

After I got situated Ben asked me if I needed anything else and then left while motioning for Dob and Lob to follow him.

I guess he does think they're my assistants. Hopefully, they get a place or places close to me.

I looked around the room. It looked pretty nice. It was rather barebones but I could tell that everything had been meticulously handmade with some of the furniture having symbols and drawings carved into them.

Wow. I guess the village of Yarthaw treats its visitors well. I wonder when we'll have dinner? Ben will probably come to get me when it's time.