- 73 -

It had been three uneventful days of travel in the single wagon with the frosty elf Seraphina.

The few times I’ve stopped by to chat she’s spat at me. I knew that I was going to use the Gallows Bird reputation to strike fear into criminals but this seems like an excessive amount of superstition.

Marcus made the bold and stupid move to ask her if Drew could join them and was shut inside a box of ice as clear as glass. Marcus could not be heard at all while he was within the box and after Damien broke him out all he would say as ‘so cold’ and ‘no air holes’.

Seems like there’s a bad history or two between the two elves. Seraphina has very little to say to Marcus and he won’t stand up for himself.

Drew managed to acquire the Forage skill on the second day. He had spent every pit stop and meal time break scouring the edge of the road and the tree line.

In addition to finding a variety of colors of Skeetles and some new spotted Mishrooms, he had found a few small stones that

Thrain said were a kind of slag copper and worth about a copper each. His most remarkable find were some light purple Skeetles. According to Thrain they were a local variety and worth 8 silver each. Which triggered his racial shiny quest.

This is how skurr normally level up. foraging, scavenging, and eating. Not a bad way to retire but I’ve got to pursue my crafting and get strong enough to protect myself.

New Skill: [Forage] You find things a little bit easier when searching for food or valuables in the wild. Higher levels of this skill increase your intuition on where to look.

Drew spent the third morning carving each of his enchantments he knew into his stones. After 2 hours he had barely increased the skill more than 20%.

“Damien, I’ve been practicing these enchantments all morning, why aren’t they earning me much experience?” Drew asked.

“Likely because it’s an enchantment you know well, and the materials are not high enough quality.” He said looking through the bag containing the carved stones.

“You may be able to use them in combat and get some experience from them Talha’s way. Try throwing them at the next beast we see.” Marcus said.

Drew looked up from his seat on the bench beside John as the wagon train crested a small hill and the city of Aldermere came into view.

He stowed his carving tools and took to the air to get a better view. He circled high over the wagons to get a good view.

It would have been a picturesque moment if they weren’t being attacked by a flock of long legged purple birds.

Marcus screamed and slammed the window shutter down.

The flock surrounded Drew to the point he could barely see the sky. He was battered by a suffocating cloud of beaks, legs and feathers. Without his armor he was exposed to their claws and beaks.

These things are like 75% neck! Some kind of purple Guile variant? Better not get bit again.

Drew sliced one across the meter long neck with his Shirk. It fell from the air with a wet honk.

He latched onto another neck with both claws choking it while he stabbed another one repeatedly with his knife. His Bane ability triggered several times.

“Damien! I’m surrounded!” Drew shouted.

He was completely surrounded within the pink cloud of honking monsters.

Are the others okay? I can’t hear the rest of the battle at all with this stupid honking!

Drew stabbed and clawed his way down, unable to see the ground as the seconds ticked away.

I just need to injure them and move to the next. My Bane Ability can do some work. They keep cycling around me so that the ones

I hit swap out for a fresh one!

He finally broke free to see the wagons had stopped and the mercenaries were shouting. And cheering.

“Go get ‘em Drew!” One yelled.

“Fearless warrior!” Maggie shouted.

“Spill their purple blood!” Jeff laughed.

HP: 100%

What? No debuffs? I guess yeah, my Bane ability triggered a few times, but I still shouldn’t have full health. They were all around me…

“Drew! They are just Flamingos! They are harmless!” Damien shouted. “Come back down here already!”

Drew separated from the flock, diving down to land on the wagon. The flock continued to circle the storage wagon from a distance.

“I count twelve! Who had money on twelve?”

“That’s me! I had 10! The next closest bet was 15.” Jeff said. “Pay up suckers!”

Drew checked his logs to see twelve nearly identical entries.

Combat Results: Flamingo (Purple) level 10. Exp 650

What the hell, how are there basic boring ass flamingos here? And why aren’t they shooting fire, or acid, or friggin laser beams?

He had over 9000 exp so he selected his next level up and banked the stat points.

Just when I thought the strange creatures of this world couldn’t surprise me.

"What’s going on? Aren’t they monsters?” Drew asked.

“Well yes and no. They originated from a selective breeding program the hero put together a thousand years ago.” Damien said.

“They were bred to find Skeetles. History suggests the hero loved Skeetles and wanted to try each and every color. Records are unclear if he managed to accomplish his dream before he defeated the demon lord and was returned to his world.”

Holy shit, this ancient hero guy was from earth? And I just killed a bunch of his pets?

Everyone piled back into their wagons. One of the John’s hurried to gather up the slain Flamingoes and stash them in the storage wagon for processing.

“Wait, the hero wasn’t from this world?” Drew asked trying to sound casual.

“No according to royal records. He was summoned to this world from another through complex magics. He loved the birds of his homeland and recreated them here.” Damien said.

New Quest: The Hero’s Quest: Discover and sample every color of Skeetle in Lisaria. (4/???) Yes/ No

“Are you sure they aren’t a threat?” Drew asked as he selected yes on the quest.

“Surely not. These Flamingoes are no threat at all.” The John at the reigns of their wagon replied. “Children can defeat them with slings and stones.”

“The only reason they are following us at us is because we have some Skeetles stored on board as food rations. These birds can sense Skeetles for up to two kilometers.”

“Coincidentally that’s what gives them their vibrant colors.” Damien said.

“True, indeed, they are not very good eating either. All bones and feathers. Otherwise we would stop to net them all.” John said.

“Actually some Milliners do value their feathers if they are an interesting shade…”

“Mind the road,” the other John on a garnt shouted from beside the cart. “We will have plenty of time to hunt them while we wait for repairs in Aldermere.”

From their vantage point, the city was a sprawling mess of casual planning. The only straight road seemed to be the one that went right through town. The side streets quickly devolved into front yards, back doors, and dead ends. There were a few two story buildings along the Main Street but most were flat. Hardly anyone walking the streets in the midday heat.

“How many people live here? Do they even have a blacksmith?” Drew asked.

“Oh they do, or they did more than a year ago.” John replied. “Nice small town really, a few crafters, a few farmers a few inns and a few barmaids. Nice place really.”

This guys a poet or something close to it.

“And they have to have a carpenter to have built that palisade.” The roving John beside them chimed in. “We will either buy a new wagon here or have one made before we head on.”

“Damien, could you be troubled to craft any enchantments necessary. For an appropriate fee of course.”

“Of course John, my fees are not exorbitant. Why I am practically retired.” Damien said.

They rolled past a small farm with their gate nearly 5 meters from the road. “Erickson Family Farm” painted on a sign atop its arch.

“Nice family that one.” John said. “The brother can dance and sing to any song he pleases and the sister can do anything she wants to please me-“

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

“Keep it civil, John. They chased you out of town last time we were here.”

“They chased you out of town. I chose to go with you rather than lay in her warm emb-“

“Keep to the road, and keep your tongue civil. With our damn luck she’s with child.” John said before slowing his Garnt to check in with the rest of the wagon train.

“I just hope the guards don’t remember my face.” The third John said from the next wagon back.

Seeing the glare on Seraphina’s face, Drew flew up to get a better look at the city.

It’s more of a town really. If it wasn't for the farms they would look like a wooden fortress lost in the middle of this forest.

The forest grew right up to the southern palisade of the town leaving only 20 meters of space. The area was cleared of stones and weeds and was a muddy mire.

The other three sides of the land outside the city walls were farmland and pastures. Raised cart trails wove their way around fields of grain, with a few flooded fields of rice. There were small storage sheds and silos whenever they were needed.

Small farm houses peppered the area, some with outbuildings, most without more than a stable for their garnt.

Drew circled back to the wagon train as they approached the city gates. There was not much traffic heading in to or out of this gate and the wagon train rolled right up without slowing.

“Oh ho ho, that better not be the three Johns that we run out of here last year.” A tall guard said.

He removed his studded leather helmet and handed it to the guard next to him.

The second guard must be half dwarf, or just a short stocky human.

“Tonnson, you better go get the captain.” The guard said as he dropped a stout wooden pole down across the gate. “And the mayor. And Allen Erickson.”

A John rode up ahead on his garnt to meet the man. He dismounted a few paces away but held his ground.

The mercenaries stood at ease between John and where the wagons rolled to a stop.

They left enough room between them to whip u-turns and bolt out of here.

“Now Roy, we don’t mean any trouble. We just need some provisions and repairs.” John said.

“No! You don’t you use your silver tongue on me! You and your brothers are scoundrels.” He shouted.

People could be heard over the palisade, they were ringing bells and calling out to each other throughout the town.

“I have not got a silver anything, that’s my brother. I’m the trustworthy one.” John said.

“I said stay quiet.” The guard said and hitched his sword up loosening it in its sheath.

If a fight breaks out do I go for the guard? Would they arrest me, or would Damien do the time if they thought I was his familiar?

Damien stepped out from the wagon to stretch his legs. Marcus hopped out the other side and went over to calm the garnt John had left standing in the road.

A woman walked through the gate, she was wearing working clothes and long loose skirts in the traditional Ressian style.

She had wild red hair and human features. There were traces of straw in her hair and some stains on her billowing sleeves that could be blood or soup.

“Stand down Gareth. Let them through. Can’t you see they have respectable passengers?” She said placing a hand on the guard’s sword arm.

“But Miss Erikson these are-“

“I know who they are Gareth. Let them in and we can charge them an arm and a leg, each, for whatever provisions they seek.” She said. “And how many times must I ask you to call me Mara?”

“Sorry Miss Erickson, not while I’m on duty.” He said. “We should wait for the mayor to decide.”

“We don’t need to bother the mayor with this. And you are always on duty Gareth.” She said with a dramatic pout.

“Aren’t I the injured party you are avenging?” She continued. “And if I say I don’t press charges then why should we bar them and their coin purses from our city?”

“Thank you Mara, we only need some supplies and fresh steeds. Then we will be on our way.” John said with a shrug. “We could leave within the day.“

“See, quick and easy, exactly how I remember them!” Mara laughed and lifted the pole herself to clear the gate. “Welcome back to Aldermere.”

- 74 -

“You know your way around here John.” Mara said. “Head to the Widows Rest and we can get you your needfuls.”

Mara left them to find their own way to the Inn. Drew watched her head down the main street to meet two men moving at a near run.

One was a finely dressed older man and the other a younger man with her same shocking red hair. The wagon train pulled up to the inn and a stable boy took the garnts to be washed and rested.Damien and his trunk entered an arcane store across from the inn to barter away their supplies.

Thrain and Krag leased a clean corner of the yard from the stable boy.

They set up shop for the day. They paid a young girl to run around town advertising a merchant. Thrain instructed her to say: “Pots pans, knives, and presents for your wives.”

The mayor and a man dressed like a farmer walked briskly past where Drew was perched in front of the general store and entered the Inn.

Oh this doesn’t look good.

Drew flew over to the window to get a peek inside at the action.

“Detect” He said.

Raised voices came from the inn and the Johns were chased out into the sun where Drew could see the drama unfold.

“Which one of you was it?” Mara’s brother shouted.

“Now Allen, if she hasn’t told you then I won’t be the one to.” John said. “Let’s drop this and let the lady’s personal past lay forgotten. I’ll buy you a drink.”

Oh… something isn’t right. Either the brother knows? Or is the Detect skill hinting to me that he has his doubts?

The farmer, Allen, grew redder and angrier the more John spoke.

“Enough, whichever of you vagabonds seduced my sister, come forwards now and we will have a duel! With the mayor as my witness, I challenge John to a duel of knives, first blood for the honor you stole from my family.”

A notification popped up in front of each person standing nearby.

A duel of knives between Allen Erickson, and the band ‘Three Non Johns’ is commencing. The duel is knives only, first blood loses. Do not intervene.

“What?? No no no! All three of you! Ahhh dammit Mara!” Allen drew a large hunting knife and ran towards the three brothers.

Oh wow! Yeah that’s the truth. Mara has been having a lot of fun.

One of the Johns stepped forwards and grabbed the farmer’s knife hand, and swung him off balance. A second tripped him up so he fell head over heels to the ground. The third pulled out a knife and sliced his arm, a small cut between the man’s wrist and elbow.

A duel of knives between Allen Erickson, and the band ‘Three Non Johns’ is complete. The band ‘Three Non Johns’ is victorious.

“Allen, pick yourself up man. Put an end to this foolishness.” John said. “A duel? Please. Lets go grab that drink.”

“Allen! What did you do?” Mara shouted as she stormed over. “Half the town got that duel notification!”

The three Johns escaped back into the Inn as Mara started hitting and kicking her brother while she yelled at him.

“That was a terribly foolish duel.” Damien said as he exited the arcane store.

“Well, we have cleared out both of our travel bags and most of the trunk. This small shop was very eager to get new stock. He took particular interest in your enchanted stones. Apparently there have been bandits in the south raiding their deliveries. I sold him the lot as miscellaneous enchanted throwing stones. Hah ha!”

“Sounds like we have some coin to spend.” Drew said. “There is a crowd forming near Thrain’s cart. Let’s go join them and see if we can seed the market. I’d like to pick up a couple of crafting kits.”

“Well of course, what are friends for?” Damien said. “Which kits do you have in mind?”

“The quartermaster suggested I pick up a Mending Kit and a Cooking Kit.” Drew said. “Are there any others you recommend?”

“Those both sound good for a traveling adventurer, you could also get a Scribes Kit, it would help with your enchanting. Mastering a few scribe skills, you could eventually start creating your own folio of enchantments.” Damien said.

They walked over to stand outside the group around the merchant’s cart. Drew had to keep a brisk pace on his little legs. Drew flew up over the crowd of 20 or so shrewd women and a few men before Damien was able to push his way into the crowd.

Thrain was haggling with three customers at once. He was fully in his element. He had set up a couple tables with common goods like pots and pans, and clothes.

“How much for this pair of gloves?”

“My aren’t these some fine rings…”

“See here darling, these crossbow bolts are more resilient…”

“Thats far too expensive.”

“Thats a month’s earnings for me.”

“Krag, my good fellow. Could you show us a list of your crafting kits?” Damien asked, projecting his voice so a few people dropped their conversations to listen.

Krag brought over the catalog and then went to pull the lever on the cart. The side and back folded and flipped around before inverting on itself and revealing a peg board with several kits tied onto the board with twine.

“Excellent, I’ll take a Scribes Kit, a Cooking Kit, and a Mending Kit.” Damien said. “Is there another one you would recommend for our friend Drew?” Krag thought for a moment and then looked up at the sky.

He pulled down the 3 kits Damien asked for as well as a Cartographers Kit.

“Oh that’s an excellent choice. I’ll give you 7 Gold for the whole lot.” Damien said.

“10, fine quality kits.” Krag said.

“Well even 9 gold would be too much for me to part with. Put back the Scribes Kit and we call it 5 gold.”

“Six gold and sixty silver and you have ye self a deal sir.” Thrain said stepping up.

“A great deal sir, thank you. Might you have a pan and camping stove for a few silver as well?”

“Why for an upstanding customer like yerself, already making such a large purchase, I could throw both in and call it 7 gold.”

Thrain said gesturing to a table to the side with pans big enough Drew could fill it with water and swim around.

“We have a deal, then. Choose any pan you like from this table here while we fetch a stove for ya.”

Their big sale sparked other customers to step forwards with purchases, while the prices were hot, the quality of the goods showed through and Thrain made several sales.

“There is time before dinner, let’s see what we can do with these kits.” Damien said as they moved behind the merchant’s cart to their tent and set out the Cooking Kit.

New Item: Stir Fried Mishroom - poor quality. 15 exp

New Item: Stir Fried Mishroom - poor quality. 15 exp.

New Item: Stir Fried Mishroom - poor quality. 16 exp.

New Item: Stir Fried Mishroom - okay quality. 20 exp.

Quest Complete: Hunger: Reward 25 exp

Quest Complete: Hunger: Reward 25 exp

New Skill: Cooking lvl 1. You know your way around ingredients and cooking tools. Higher levels of this skill reduce waste and increase the quality of your food.

New Skill: Cartography lvl 1. You have a knack for geographic landmarks and drawing at scale. Higher levels of this skill improve your accuracy and the quality of your maps.

After his cooking spree and small feast, Drew flew over the town and started on his map.

The town is very small. Only two taverns, one of which is also an Inn. There’s a blacksmith, potions shop, and a lumber mill, and a carpenters shop. The rest of the town is small homes, the mayors estate, and the guard barracks.

It’s much smaller than Rottervale. It could fit within those massive city walls 10 times.

He sat and sketched out the map roughly, doing his best to keep things to scale. It was much easier to draw with his mage hand than it was to carve and he had quickly finished a rough map.

New Item Crafted: Map of Aldermere. - Good Quality. 250 exp.

“This is a great map Drew. I keep forgetting you aren’t just a Gallows Bird.” Damien said while he looked over the map. “Do you remember anything else about your previous life?”

“Not really, but things like drawing a map to scale seem to come easily to me?” Drew said awkwardly. “Did the Johns end up finding a wagon?“

"Oh yes, there was one available for a steep price. It’s being modified to carry passengers and should take a couple days.”

“Does the city have an enchanter?”

“They had an enchanter but she married a merchant passing through and now they pass through four times a year to sell goods and restore the enchantments around town.” Damien said. “I’m actually helping to update some of their wards on the western side of town. They’ve been having feral goblins attacking recently.”

“I’m happy to help carve the enchantments if that will speed things up. For the city and the wagon, might help me up to the next level.” Drew said.

“Damien, Drew. A moment of your time?” A John asked as he walked up with the mercenary captain.

“As you are aware, we are purchasing a wagon. Part of the terms of the trade are that we help clear out some goblins to the west. The captain here has offered to compete the quest on our behalf, with first rights to the loot. He is requesting some assistance as it sounds like there’s quite a few of them.” John said.

“Indeed, our initial scouting group shows a small village of feral goblins half days march.” The captain said.

“I’m free to join.” Drew said.

They will likely need healing.

“I may not be able to go.” Damien said. “The mayor hired me to take care of the enchantments and wards around town. And I need to start on the wagon as well.”

“I’ll lend you a hand with the wards around the town. Those may go quickly since I can cover more ground flying.” Drew said.

“Drew you are an enchanter as well?” John asked.

“A novice one so far,” Drew said. “It’s only a matter of time.”

“Then count us both in.” Damien said. “I was about to get started on the norther defenses, let’s work in opposite directions and see who can get to the southern gate first.”

“We also hired their blacksmith to band the wheels. Could you check in on his progress and work some enchantments into the bands as well?” John asked.

“Certainly, I’ll swing by after checking the wards.” Damien said holding up the map Drew had made. “It’s near the south gate so it shouldn’t be hard to find.”

”We leave bright and early tomorrow morning, so get some sleep tonight.” The captain said.

Drew and Damien sorted through the trunk for their carving tools and Damien set aside the alchemical baths Drew had purchased.

“After dinner we should have time for one of these treatments. I’m interested to see how well your healing ability can contest the affects.” Damien said.