Chapter 4: The First Village

I approached the wooden walls that were nearly double my height with a little trepidation. It would be my first time seeing a person in this new world and I was nervous about what their reaction might be.

I wouldn’t need to worry for long because as soon as I got 30 feet away I heard what I could only assume to be a guard yell out.

“Ho Traveler, are you new around these parts.”

“Yes, the name is Reed.”

“Well met Reed. What is your purpose for traveling through?”

“To be truthful I don’t know yet. I know I plan on purchasing what supplies I need though.”

“You don’t plan to cause trouble then?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

The guard gives me a good look over before banging his spear on whatever he is standing on. Once he does one door of the gate slowly opens enough to let an individual through.

Aftering heading through the gate I see a bipedel blue and black frog who opened the gate give me a casual salute. I give a nod back to the frog before speaking to the guard.

“This being my first time through the town I don’t suppose you could give me some directions?”

“Of course, where do you need to go?”

I am looking for the Inn, the general store, and any place I can sell some of these.” I open the makeshift bag I am carrying to show the berries I have inside.

At this, the guard is a little surprised. “Hey, where did you get those berries?”

“Uhhhhh, I got them from the forest?”

At this, the guard hardens his face. “I am afraid you will have to come with me.” The frog croaks out and poses in a threatening manner.

At this, Hatenna starts to move around which causes the guard to look closer at it.

His reaction is in stark contrast to his first one because his face pales. In unison, the frog and him step back.

“Oh god, You need to follow me.” He then runs off.

I give off a bewildered expression before following after him at a light jog.

I follow him towards a large building near the edge of the wall which is part of a different gate facing to the southeast.

As I am slowly catching up with him I see him and a guard at the front of the door having an animated conversation as he points in my direction. At this point, the guard at the front door looks at me, also pales, and then rings the bell on the door rapidly.

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He opens the door to the secure building and quickly ushers me inside where I am faced with an empty receptionist desk and the sounds of a man banging on a door behind it.

What happens from this point is a confusing blur of people rushing around, pointing and whispering, and a heavy attitude before an imposing lady walks into the room.

Armoured in a simple breastplate with sturdy clothes on underneath she immediately imposes her presence on the room in a non-literal sense as all of the previously whisper guards silence and look at her. It doesn’t help that at her side is a 5-foot tall creature covered in steel and blades that glares around the room.

“Reed right.”

I give a small nod.

“We have a lot to talk about, you will follow me to my office.”

She swiftly turns around and marches back down the hallway she came from.

I quickly follow behind her giving glances at the people in the reception area around me.

After we enter her office she sits behind a desk in a rather nice chair as her steeled companion stands behind her and to the right in a stance best described as ominous.

“Do you know what you have done?”

“No, not really. I showed the guard at the gate some berries I have.”

“Yes, and you got those berries from The Enchanted Forest.”

“If that is the massive forest to the north, then yes I suppose I did.”

She sighs and places her hand on her forehead, “Not many people come out of that forest alive, even less come out sane, and NO ONE has come out with something as precious as berries. That is not to mention that you have with you what is clearly the child of a frankly terrifying Pokemon. You better have a good goddamn explanation for why that is before I end you myself in the hopes of staving off whatever monster you might have insulted. Oh, and don’t even think about lying I will know.”

To magnify the importance of her statement the Pokemon to her side leans forward to further the intimidation. In response Hatenna tenses in my arms.

“Well … I didn’t take anything, especially not Hatenna.” When I mention her she preens.

“Regarding the berries, I was told to take some with me. Hatenna is a little more complicated. I found her after I was running away from some small yellow sparky bugs. That isn’t exactly true, she found me and came over to hang out. After that, I asked her where I could find food. She pointed me in the direction of a grove of berries where we ate before Hatenna’s mom came along. Long story short after that her mom told us to head out of the forest in this direction. She called herself the witch of the Forbidden Grove.”

At mentioning Hatenna’s mom’s name The guard captain goes stiff and exhales a sigh of relief before getting angry.

“Do you know how f***ing lucky you are? You met one of the five elders of the forest. We only know about them because of the few madmen that come raving about them! They could destroy this entire village with nary a thought. The only reason they haven’t is because it wouldn’t be worth the wasted time and because we don’t give them a f***ing reason!”

She slumps back into her chair. “Don’t mind me I am just complaining out loud. I am sorry for stressing you out like this but you understand. Things could have been catastrophic had you taken her without permission. As an apology you have a week's stay at the inn on me. Have a wonderful day.”

The tired look on her face is unmistakable so I make my way out. I ask one of the lingering guards about the path to the inn as the sun is starting to set.

“That was an interesting experience wouldn’t you say?”

“Hatenna” **yes**

“It is going to be great to get some sleep in an actual bed.”

Walking into the inn I am faced with a large open area dominated by a bar with a smiling man behind it. Groups of farmers are interspersed around the room drinking and making merry after a hard day's work.

“Good day traveler, What brings you to this establishment?”

“Hello, I am here for food and a room for one.”

“Wonderful wonderful that will be 50 poke a night this comes with dinner and breakfast.”

“The guard captain is paying for a week of my stay. And what is the chance I could get a second meal for my friend here?” Holding up hatenna.

“Well isn’t she cute, of Course I can get you a second meal would you prefer to eat down here or in your room?”

“My room please.”

“Excellent, Your room will be the 3rd on the right and the food will be up shortly after. Bath is downstairs over in that room over there, I would prefer if I get a notice of at least an hour if you want to use the bath, and the outhouse is outside and around the back left of the building. Have a good night.”

“Have a good night yourself.”

I quickly make my way up the stairs and head to the door he pointed out to me. Inside is a small room, nine ft by six ft, with a small bed, desk, wardrobe, and a chair for the desk. Mimikyu swiftly moves from in my shadow to under the bed and hatenna jumps from my arms and lifts herself onto the bed. There she jumps on it a few times before settling down.

Soon after she finishes exploring the rest of the room I hear a knock on the door. When I open it I look down and see a small red and white hare holding a tray of two plates simple vegetables, egg, and bread that came with a mug of ale. I thank the small creature and before I turn around it points at a carving in the tray stating that it is to be left outside the door when you are done. Giving it a nod I shut the door and bring the tray over to my desk where Hatenna is waiting.

The sight of her trying her first human food was incredibly fun to watch and we both quickly finished our meals. The half of hers that she didn’t eat got given to Mimikyu who merely moved its body over the plate and then away as all the food disappeared. I leave the tray outside and blow out the small lamp that is on the desk.

The long walk and altercation, if you can call it that, with the guard has left me exhausted again at the end of the day. I quickly tuck myself into bed along with Hatenna and fall asleep.