Clavius couldn't help but feel intrigued when the first couple of houses came into view. They looked quite sturdy, and strangely most of the windows were filled with a dark, but still mildly translucent amber-like substance. The glow of hearthfires could be seen through those covered windows as if looking through a thin black piece of cloth. It also seemed to double as mortar for the houses. An ancient looking marble pillar stood in the middle of the town, the structure it had supported once long turned to dust.

"Always a sight to see, I don't know if I will ever get used to them damn huts!", the peddler remarked and started pulling Clavius toward one of the largest of them. Muffled voices, laughter and the clanking of mugs could be heard through the wooden doors. "The only inn and it doubles as the town hall, first beer is on me." After having the horses brought into another large building, the stables by the innkeepers son, they finally got to settle down at one of the large wooden tables. After paying a few copper coins for a big loaf of bread, a piece of hard cheese and a steaming bowl of what seemed to be some kind of boar stew the two sat down and enjoyed the food, washing it down with what seemed to be the local variation of beer. It had a strange earthy flavor, but after one got used to it, Clavius had to admit it was quite tasty.

The trader was already in his element and quickly got into a boasting contest with one of the villages old-timers, the stories growing more and more ridiculous in direct proportion to the beer consumed.

Clavius almost choked on his drink when a big hand landed on his shoulder, he turned around just to look into a very familiar pair of tusks. "Sorry, old friend, can't have you die from a heart attack, can we? A deep rumbling laugh shook the half-orcs chest. Old age had treated him well, although his thick strands of hair had already begun to gray. "How has life been treating ya?" "Ulam, you muscle brained bastard, you seem to have gained some weight since we last met!" A smile spread across Clavius face. They hadn't seen each other in ages, but the bond they had formed in the face of countless perils was not one time could tear apart. The friends sat down at one of the quieter outer tables and could finally catch up to each other.

This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

Although Clavius had sent messages from time to time, his ever-changing location had made it hard to get a response. Magical means of messaging had been out of the question for being so expensive. "You know, I'm the mayor of this little town now. Never thought I would be one for doing paperwork. Are you enjoying our shroom beer? Wheat doesn't grow here, way too wet for that. We only started brewing it 4 years ago. Consider it a local delicacy."

"Interesting, but I like it. Goes great with food too.", he stated. There seemed to be another active substance besides alcohol as well, the colors all shone a little brighter, the chairs felt a little too comfortable. Clavius curiously asked about the weird window filling and the black mortar the houses were built with. Ulam cheerily responded: "Its the sap of a local tree which turns rock solid after a couple of hours. Transporting it in its liquid state is almost impossible and the trees apparently only grow in a nearby marsh area. Made building bigger houses a lot easier, shame we can't export the stuff in its liquid state, that would have been an even greater boon for the town. We have a couple of negotiations going on for the dark amber windows though. Things are finally starting to look up for this town." After talking and drinking for hours they were the last two people still at the inn besides the barkeep, who had already started cleaning tables and washing dishes and was throwing them increasingly impatient glares.

"No need to rent a room here, you can go sleep at my place, we have a guest room and tomorrow I will introduce you to my lovely wife, Edda and my daughter Niri. I told them a lot about you already.", Ulam reassured him. "Great, Thanks. I really hope your daughter got your wife's face and not your ugly mug by the way." Ulam was not easily offended and their roaring laughter filled the streets as they stumbled towards Ulams house at the edge of the village. After fumbling with the lock for a bit Ulam beckoned him inside and showed him the guest room. After the exchange of a slurry "Goodnight, friend!", Ulam left and both fell asleep almost as soon as they hit their respective beds. Clavius last thought before he slipped into unconsciousness was: "Gods, this is going to be a hell of a hangover!"