Esela, huh? Thats the kind of name that makes you think of a quiet little town. But wait, Tanner said they trade or supply people? What does that mean? Is there some sort of human trafficking ring here? I lower my voice a little bit, as not to cause any unwanted guests from introducing themselves. “Tanner, you said people? What does that mean?” Tanner rests his bear hands on the table and lowers his entire stance, leaning forwards into me a little bit. Gently, he utters “Some questions shouldn't be asked in broad daylight.” He stands upright and disappears into his kitchen. I can hear pots and pans clanging as he moves stuff around, his heavy footsteps moving back and forth from one side of the kitchen to the other. I glance around the tavern and it seems to have gotten a little bit quieter, yet it looks like the place is completely full. There are several people eyeing me, like they heard what I said. I smell an interesting little conspiracy. Tanners footsteps begin to get louder again, He’s coming back my way. His belly rounds the corner before he does, but he happens to be holding folded up piece of paper in his left hand. When he makes it back towards the counter, he slides the paper to me. I begin to get a little bit nervous, but I reach out, grab the paper in my hands and unfold it. I was greeted by a sketch of a young woman. Beneath her drawing were the words “missing Person: Jenna Fritz. Last seen near Oros Ridge”

Gently, Tanner speaks, saying “I said it was a peaceful area, but here recently, a lot of people have been going missing. I highly suggest you do not get involved with the search parties, because they tend to go missing too.” He takes a deep breath, and sighs heavily. “Whatever is taking these people, we have practically been supplying them in mass.” Missing people? Missing search parties? Thats kinda messed up but now, I’m not too sure i care anymore. If its just some monster or whatever, I’m sure somebody will come along and kill it. Its not really for me to worry about. As I was thinking about what could be taking so many people, some guy wearing a brown coat sitting at one of the tables gets up and promptly leaves the tavern. Maybe he knew somebody that went missing and couldn't handle listening in. Serves him right, he shouldn't be eavesdropping dropping anyways. “Well, ain't that something, Tanner. Missing people? Sounds pretty bad. What else can you tell me about this place? The kingdom or whatever?” By asking that question, it seems like I’ve given Tanner a bit of relief. People vanishing isn’t exactly a fun topic to discuss, even for myself. “Well, young man, you are sitting in the great kingdom of Areville, ruled by King Clarus Areville the fourth.” Well, I suppose I got an answer to what I was looking for, but not quite. He didn't exactly give a whole lot of info. “Well, at least I know I’m in a great kingdom, rather than a sucky one. What can I do to make some coin around here?” Tanner takes his massive greasy hand and strokes his face with it in thought. “Well, if you want to be a soldier, theres a recruitment office north of town. Perhaps you can be a guard here in Esela. Im sure there are construction jobs here too, if that suits your fancy. Otherwise, your best option is to become a merchant. Learn the ways of the trade industry and make some money for yourself at your own price.” Well, those don't sound too bad. I assume if I’m going to survive here, I should become a soldier, however, being a merchant sounds nice. I can go find my own resources and sell them as I please. Im sure I can fool plenty of people around here and make a good profit. “Thanks, Tanner. I’ll go see where I can get started.” Tanner nods his head in approval and I turn away. Some people at the tables are still eyeing me up, probably because they’ve never seen somebody of my caliber before. Leaving the tavern, I decide my best course of action would be to set off for the woods and begin collecting things. I may have some issues, however, seeing as how I don’t have a knife, or a pouch to hold anything with. I begin walking deeper into the town, seeing vendors left and right, offering clothes, fruits, vegetables, expensive looking jewelry and even some weapons. Walking past a fruit vendor, I grab a tomato and purposefully bump into somebody, dropping it and making them spill some of their own produce. “Oh! Im so sorry, I didn’t see you there. Let me help you clean this up.” I bend over and begin helping load fruits and vegetables into her basket, but I hold a tomato and some berries for myself. “Here ma’am, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me.” She looks at me and smiles “Oh, thats quite alright dear.” And voila, I've successfully stolen some fruit. I weave through the people and make my way to a jewelry vendor, gazing upon his merchandise, i see plenty of things to steal. “Excuse me sir, I ran out of money buying food, is there any piece you have that you'll be willing to barter for this tomato and some berries?” The vendor looks at me as if I were a moron but he sighs and states “Perhaps. I haven't eaten yet, so maybe a trade isn’t a bad deal. Let me see what I have.” He bends over behind the stall and fishes through a basket of really cheap, crappy looking jewelry. While he made the mistake of not paying attention to me, I quickly brushed a bracelet off the table and caught it with my other hand, sliding it into my pocket. The vendor stands back up holding a little brass ring. “Here, I’ll l take the fruit for this ring.” “Sounds like an excellent deal sir, thank you.” I promptly walk away, and hurried my way down the street. I came upon a blue tent with a burly man inside selling weapons. Walking in, I immediately see some very impressive sets of armor, some lined with gold and obsidian, some made of brass. There were very fine swords, shields, spears and bows all over the place. This guy has some taste, thats for sure. I could honestly sit here and browse these weapons all day. The man of the tent and I make stern eye contact. “What can I do for you? Better yet, what can you do for me?” He asks. “Well, sir, I'm in need of a sword. However, I've only got a bracelet made of pure gold and a little brass ring that I can trade. I don't have any actual money at the moment, but I assure you, this bracelet is plenty.” Handing the bracelet to him, he gawks at it suspiciously. Taking it in his hands, he begrudgingly says “So you wish to barter? Very well.” He stands up and grabs a sword from a shelf on his right and hands it to me. Its a short sword made of steel with a leather wrap for a hilt. The pommel looks to be made of some rock found outside. Overall, it looks like a pretty crappy sword. “Hey man, this bracelet is worth at least 100 gold coins. Cant you do something better than this?” He laughs at me, like I'm a fool. Me? A fool? I don't think so. “Listen kid, that bracelet isn't real gold, at least, not all of it is real gold. Its only worth 12 gold pieces at most and most of these weapons cost more than 500. You’re lucky to walk out with that sword at all.” Fuck this guy. “Very well. It seems I was scammed prior. Thank you sir.” As I leave the tent, I’m filled with rage. How could this guy laugh at me like that? I’ll be back for that motherfucker someday. But for now, my new life as a merchant begins.

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