Hours later, after the sun started to rise, I ran into a surprised hunter whom the trail belonged to. He was a [Trapper], and this path he took every day looped back and forth from trap to trap for miles. In addition to his class reveal; his gruff Human appearance, greying hair, and multiple old scars explained why his trail went on for so long. Spending decades in one class, especially as a Human, leads to very high respective skills and attributes. Thankfully, he told me I was only a short distance away from town.
“As I said, you'll hit the road ‘round a few more bends, then follow it left. Be back well in time for an early lunch if yer quick.” The hunter said with a smile, and I couldn’t help but smirk back. The tension left him awfully fast despite running into a stranger in the middle of the woods.
“Perfect. My apologies again for startling you, Mr.?”
“Josiah, ser, no ‘Mr.’ needed. You the adventurer that just came to town, I take it?” Ah, so that would explain why he calmed down so fast. He recognized me.
“You are correct.” I make to move past him and say my farewells, “Josiah it is, then. Thank you for the use of your trail. Mayhap I’ll find you in the tavern later?” Fat chance. I’m tagging along with the first caravan out of town that I see. After a sleepless night, I’d typically want to rest on a proper bed as soon as possible. But, with Groughton being a predominantly Human territory, I’d rather settle for a bumpy wagon.
“Aye, maybe ser. Safe travels.” He waves.
Along the rest of my trip back to town, I passed several humans. Mercifully, strangers on the road aren't often talkative, so simple nods in greeting was all that was exchanged as we walked eachother by.
When I reached the town proper, briskly walking the final stretch to the imposing town walls and gate fortification, I was met with a familiar face. I couldn’t help but smile and shout, one of the guards lifting their furry head up and away from the other guard they were chatting with, “Hail, Percy!”
As recognition dawned on him a grin split his face as well, revealing massive canines, “Cassian! Back already?” I watch him split off from the other guard with a wave and he walks to meet me outside the gate, “You departed only last night, did you run into trouble along the way?”
I cough into my hand, smirking, “In a sense, friend. But I was seeking said trouble, afterall.” He catches the glint in my eye and laughs.
“You did it then! Thank the patrons, from what you told me of the beast you sought, I’m glad it didn’t have a chance to wreak havoc on our town as well.” He jovially claps my shoulder with his gauntleted hand, still smiling, “We’re drinking tonight, I won't take no for an answer.”
I rub my shoulder in mock injury, chuckling, “Yes, I did. Though, it turned out both simpler and stranger than I could ever have expected. I was hoping to catch the first caravan I can find out of town because of it, actually.” He frowns at my reply and crosses his arms.
“Cass, that ain’t happening.”
“What, why? Did something happen?” A sense of foreboding starts creeping up my spine, worrying what kind of danger might cause a halt to caravan travel between towns.
Percy throws his hands up in mock outrage, “What happened-… Is you trying to hop town before drinking with me, and not even saying goodbye to Tiona!” He then lowers his arms and pokes me in the chest, hard, “If you’re aiming to leave so soon, then we’re going for drinks, NOW.”
I splutter, glancing behind him towards the other guards on post, “What? Aren’t you on shift?”
He looks over his shoulder and shouts, “Oy, Cap! Slow day! I’m leaving early!”
One of the other guards standing off to the side, a squat Human with rusty red hair, shouts back while not even looking away from the logbook he’s holding, “Don’t mind, Pers! Ye can work two rotations on the morrow then, aye?”
Percy winces slightly, but gives his affirmation, “Yeah Cap, will do.” He then turns back to me and dips his head in the direction of town, “Well, shall we?”
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“Mm. Better get to it then. Do you wager Tiona’s stocked the bakery yet?” I ask as we set off, my stomach growling at the thought. “I would love some of her tundra mint crinkle cookies for the trip home…”
Percy sees my eyes glaze over and quirks an eyebrow, “I would wager so. Sis wakes up before dawn to start every day.”
“Perfect.” I say, setting a brisker pace, keeping to the side of the street as to avoid the brunt of the bustling thoroughfare. For such an out-of-the-way town as Groughton, there sure are a lot of residents.
A lot of humans.
As we walk, my eyes subconsciously dart from person to person, watching for odd behaviour and assessing individuals for threats. An old habit I was forced to cultivate when I was young. I doubt I’ll ever part with it... Percy notices immediately however and gives me a gentle shove.
“Stop that. You’ve nothing to worry about here.”
Forcing myself to relax, I simper, “You’re right. Sorry.”
He puffs out his chest in response, “Of course I am. This is my town. It would be a true fool that tries anything criminal within sight of a guard.”
His attitude helps significantly to keep my spirits lifted, even if I doubt he could help if my fears came to pass. I haven’t even had any close-calls in years now. I wonder if there are any of them left?...
Sighing, I take one last glance around. A small group of youths swagger past, poorly armed but armed all the same. Most likely fresh to the life of an adventurer as well as adulthood. Individuals and pairs fill the street otherwise, and I hear a cart approaching from further up the street. Nothing out of the usual. Percy is right, I’m worrying for no reason here.
I decide to check my package briefly while we’re tucked to the side of the street, ensuring the kitsune is still sedated completely. A quick tug on the top flap and physical prodding of the fluffy head later and I’m content that all is well.
My stomach takes this instant to loudly remind me of its presence, and with a nod to Percy we set off again to the bakery.
The sun at its zenith imparts a perfect warmth for the trip and before I know it we’ve reached Tiona’s shop.
-----------------------------------------
"These cookies, Tiona... Patrons above, your talents are wasted in this small town." I manage to say between heaping mouthfuls, glancing pointedly at Percy's sister as she smiles motherly back at me. I still can't help but be stricken with both Tiona and Percy's particular beastkin traits. Ashen coloured hair, large predatory eyes that crinkle in the shape of crescent moons, and of course the telltale direwolf ears they've inherited from their ancestors.
"Absolutely beautiful..." I mumble to myself, smiling contentedly as I finish off my final confection. Seeing Tiona glance away smirking, maybe I wasn't as quiet as I thought.
Percy laughs at the mess left on his sister's table, "I know it must be a change of pace from field rations, or whatever in core's name it is you mash together when out on the trails, but you could at least make a token effort to stay clean, aye?"
I blink, looking at the mounds of crumbs laying around me, "I-... Yeah, you're right. Apologies." I get up and start fussing with a spare tablecloth to scoop the remnants up, before directing a comment the sibling's way, "Again, thank you for your hospitality while I've been in town. It really has been a pleasure, but I do still intend to leave before tomorrow."
Tiona perks up at hearing this, walking over to Percy and I's table with several mugs of ale in hand. Percy brightens considerably, snatching one from her grip almost immediately, "You're the best sis." he says, right before guzzling it back.
Tiona makes a point of handing me one of the others, "Correct me if I am wrong, but I do recall hearing you agree to sharing drinks before you depart." She motions to clink mugs with mine after I take the offered one, the predator in her genetics showing through her playful glare, "And I don't know about you, but wolfkin hold fast to their agreements."
Unwittingly a shiver travels up my spine, right before Percy slams his now-empty mug down on the table with gusto, laughing at my expression, "You should see the look on your face! Ha! No getting out of it now, Cass. Drink!" At the last word, he guides both mine and Tiona's drinks into a hearty contact, spilling no small amount of ale doing so. Tiona immediately glares, but it's obvious she's laughing inside.
I tap my mug against hers again with more gentle intent, and as she turns back to face me, we both raise our mugs in cheer. As I lower mine with a content sigh, I realize Percy had somehow already acquired another drink, and had joined us.
As Tiona notices too, we both burst out laughing. I can't help but say, "You both, I'm so glad I met you here."
The genuine joy I see in their expressions does leagues to soothe my constant worry, and as the night develops further I find myself more and more agreeable to the idea of delaying my departure.
Only one more night, more baked goods in the morning, and travel during the light hours. By the time Percy has moved on to keeping us company with his snoring, face-down on the table, and Tiona and I slowly run out of topics to chat and drink over, I nod to myself. If it's for company like this, just one more night will be fine.