North Tarak [foot of the Torrent mountain range], local time [1793.11.22]
As they passed through the gates, Zeph was surprised to see how thick the wall was. The passage was actually longer than the wall was high. He started wondering what purpose it served, but he knew too little to even guess.
On the other side, two sliding grates rested against the walls, each of the length similar to the width of the passage. The whole arrangement was confusing for him, but he decided to ignore it for the time being.
The town was spacious and had a lot of greenery. Buildings were placed sparsely and each had a smallish plot of land to its sides and back. Looking behind the wooden fences from the height of the cart, he could see more utility structures placed orderly inside, mostly wooden cabins with stone foundations. The houses themselves were built entirely of stone and had tiled roofs. None sported more than two floors, but they were expansive.
Soil walkways separated the estates, most sporting some decorative shrubbery. Lush trees were growing on two greenery lanes on both sides of the main street, separating the foot traffic from the road.
The one thing the town wasn’t lacking in was space, it seemed. It gave Zeph an impression of a crossover between old Scottish and Slavic villages.
As the falling night deprived the vicinity of light, the streetlamps started to flicker alive. The almost empty streets were painted in the shadows of trees by the reflecting light.
They unhurriedly moved further into the silent town. The buildings were becoming smaller, higher, and more densely packed. He was almost sure the more wealthy were living on the outskirts, for some reason.
After half an hour of travel, the atmosphere of the town changed altogether. Most of the buildings were three or four floors high and stood almost side to side. But their shapes weren’t uniform. Some of the floors were wider than the lower ones, creating covered passages under them. Some took less space, creating stone terraces. A maze of wooden stairs, platforms, and balconies was set between the structures. From simply allowing direct access to the higher-floor apartments to traversing above the main street to connect the terraces and platforms, they cluttered the space around.
Most of the bars and taverns were open and full of customers. Streets and terraces were populated by humans in different states of intoxication.
Zeph was quite surprised by the festive mood. He expected much more… calm place.
Aisha drove the cart into one of the side streets. After a few minutes, they stopped before a big building. It was separated from the ever-present wooden structures.
An old human with a long white beard, thin like a twig but higher than even Aisha, slowly stood up from a bench, helping himself with a cane. On a big sign above the doors to his right the name ‘Old Nagger Inn’ was written in simple letters.
“Welcome,” he said in a deep but weak voice, eyeing their mismatched group. “You are quite late. Two rooms and a place in the stables, I suppose?”
“Yes, but make it two joined rooms,” she said, jumping off the cart. Zeph and P’pfel followed her, their backpacks full of the most important and valuable items.
She took out some papers and presented them to the old man. He took them and quickly read through the text.
“Give me a moment…” he said, coming close to the cart. He placed a hand on the sidewall and just stood there for a moment. Then, he took out something resembling a ballpoint pen from a pocket in his jacket and made a note on the documents.
“Weight recorded. Are the crates sealed?” he finally asked, looking at Aisha.
“No, they’re just tamperproof. And no, we don’t need additional protection,” she said, rummaging through her pouch. The wild Gremling made sure they would know if the crates were touched. Well, a potential thief would learn why and how. “Do you accept pure Hydrargyrum units?” she asked, showing a small metal sphere.
The old-timer took it from her and examined the contents somehow. Probably using a Skill.
He nodded, returned the bead, and wrote some more. “Yes, although the exchange price has gone down lately. That would be two units for the cart and five more for your rooms,” he said, handing the papers back.
He took the reins from Aisha and guided the horse to the side walkway.
“Isn’t it a bit pricy?” Zeph asked. A unit was about 2 grams, and it should easily cover one day in an inn for one person, meals included.
“After our buying spree in the last village I don’t have enough money to pay for us all, and the guy just rounded it up,” she stated in a neutral tone. Although, Zeph could feel her irritation. “And this place is indeed high-cost. But enough of that, let’s go to our rooms.”
They followed her inside and Zeph was instantly taken aback. The place was elegantly opulent, in contrast to the mundane exterior of the building. Dark, polished wood decorated the spacious interior. Intricate carvings and small sculptures adorned the walls, supports, and furnishing. Warm, yellow lights illuminated every corner, the shadows adding depth to the adornments. The tables and counter were made from black, smooth stone of some kind. Dark brown leather cushions were set on each chair. Near the walls, at low tables surrounded by leather-bound armchairs, a few patrons were relaxing, chatting quietly.
Aisha ignored everything and walked directly to the counter. A young-looking woman with black bob hair was manning it. She was around Zeph’s height and was wearing something suspiciously similar to a black-and-white barman’s suit. She didn’t have a tie, and the waistcoat had semi-long sleeves ending wide in a reversed tear shape.
She had a pale, oriental face, contrasting strongly with her dark-red lips. She smiled, noticing them and Zeph could see two rows of much too many teeth, two on the upper jaw were significantly longer than the rest.
“Zora, it’s good to see you! The mission was successful, I see?” she greeted, eying both men with curiosity.
If I remember correctly, that would be a Hannyajin? he thought, trying to remember what he had learned about the race. Those are human descendants bearing the genetic heritage of an ancient woman who managed to alter her race around 1000 years ago... Hmmm… Known for their physical prowess…
“Hi, Kwan,” Aisha answered with a genuine but strained smile. “Yes, but we will catch up later. I need some rest,” she said, placing the documents and seven metal beads on the counter.
“My, my, it had to be difficult for you,” Kwan commented, giggling into a hand. “Although, it’s hard to believe those two are worse than Makani,” she stated idly, examining the beads one by one and placing them in a small box.
And, of course, she would be bff of Aisha… The two ogres are probably exchanging strength training advice while sipping protein shakes during the tea parties…
“Here are your keys. Do visit me tomorrow,” she said, taking out three big, brass, cross-cylinder keys from under the counter. “I will send food to your rooms in short order. You can retrieve your entree tomorrow morning. Ah, right, wait for a moment, please.”
She crouched down and started rummaging under the counter.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
I wonder how old she really is… Probably as old as Aisha, he thought absentmindedly, looking around. The patrons seemed utterly uninterested in them. Quite a difference from the normal reaction to the presence of a Warrior Priestess. How often is Aisha visiting this place, anyway?
The sound of moving glass and sliding doors could be heard. After a moment Kwan stood back up, holding a package wrapped in yellow paper and a big bottle of dark green liquid. “Here is your old order. I hope it will help, have a nice stay!” she said with a sweet smile.
Aisha nodded with gratitude, grabbing everything from the counter. Zeph and P’pfel followed her upstairs without a comment.
Their rooms were on the third floor. The quality didn’t disappoint. The same elegant decorations were present. A shower room and separate toilet were present in each apartment. Everything was fully furnished and spacious. The third key was for the doors connecting the two bedrooms.
After examining the space, they started to unpack. Food was delivered a few minutes later by a young lad, and Aisha closed all the doors after moving the trolley inside.
She moved a table and three armchairs to the center of the room, near a small sculpture of a bird.
“Sit,” she said, moving the trolley closer. She settled in an armchair herself. They obliged, and she placed her hand on the bird’s head.
She didn’t move for a good minute as they waited, still intimidated by her bad mood.
“Zeph, check for outgoing connections and construct the Air Sphere,” she instructed, taking her hand away.
He shrugged mentally and constructed the ‘Air sphere’ around them, he Stabilized it trying to feel if any external Mana currents were trying to pierce the construct. Checking the floor was tricky, but after his Mana-L seeped deep enough into the wooden planks, he could block or feel any external Mana going through. It took him only a minute.
“Finished, but the vibrations can still travel through the floor,” he reported.
“I’ve already taken care of that part. Now, eat,” she said, taking out a glass from the trolley and pouring the green liquid she received earlier. Surprisingly, it smelled quite nice.
Zeph and P’pfel looked at each other and shrugged. Zeph removed the dish covers and handled the dishes and cutlery around. He was quite surprised by the two-prong forks but didn’t comment on it.
He wanted to ask Aisha about the entree, but as he took a bite from the vegetables, he was stunned.
It was his first proper meal after coming to this world, and he was in the seventh heaven. The gourmet cuisine hit him hard enough to squeeze a few tears from his eyes. Especially the tender meat, which flared in a multitude of flavors each time he took a bite. The steaks were miniature in size, barely a mouthful, but each of them brought new ground-breaking gustatory sensation.
The Gremling was affected no less than him. While both of them relished the masterfully prepared dishes, Aisha was just slowly sipping from her glass while reading some documents from the yellow envelope, lazily scanning the vicinity from time to time.
It was almost a TV commercial breakfast scene. A father was sitting at the head of the table, reading a newspaper and sipping on his coffee, as two kids were slowly but ravenously finishing their meal.
Well, one bearded and one very ugly kid, and not coffee but something stronger than spirit, but you can get the picture.
Nothing can last forever, though. Fifteen minutes later, the blissful atmosphere was broken. Aisha put the glass down and loudly clapped her hands, startling them both.
“Okay, protocols were fulfilled,” she declared, much more relaxed. “Time to discuss some things.”
“What protocols?” absentmindedly asked P’pfel, placing another bite of the delicious food in his mouth. Zeph wasn’t far behind.
“The secrecy protocols. You may have noticed, but this inn isn’t exactly normal. For… acquainted individuals, it serves the purpose of securing a meeting place. Mainly, at least,” she vaguely explained. “Now, assuming you kept your vigil…” she started, looking sternly at Zeph. He nodded immediately. With the Willforce Morphon, directing his Spells was easy.
She nodded back and continued, “we can assume we are in the safest place in this town. No one in this place should be able to eavesdrop, believe me.”
Interesting… I suppose a lot has happened in the background in the last… few minutes? he thought, trying to recall how much time he spent eating. It was a fruitless endeavor, though. Few hours?
“First, I have bad news. You may not know, but this town is under the major influence of Landlord Oric. The same one who made a deal with the Barringstone. His people are stationed near the town hall, System Shrine, and any other important council-regulated building, doing detailed check-ups. You two are forbidden from using the System Shrine here, as well as getting close to any council building,” she declared in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone.
He frowned and put down his loaded fork. “What do you mean? We created my backstory for exactly that occasion!” he said in indignation, glancing at the papers.
“You are not authorized to read those,” she said seriously, putting them back into the envelope.
“The normal check-up,” she started explaining deliberately, sipping some more of the green liquid, “requires you to send an Effigy of your race, Class, and Profession, levels included. The detailed check-up, if one has the authority to request one, requires you to also send the Effigy of names of your PE. As you know, they change colors when unbalanced,” she finished, playing it as if he knew of the color change and as if that was the main reason.
And why no one explained it to me earlier? he angrily thought, but quickly forced his face to stay neutral. In his peripheral vision, he noticed the Gremling’s head snapping in his direction. He could feel his inquiring gaze trying to penetrate his skull. Shit, asking that question near P’pfel was a mistake!
The Gremling was never informed about his Greater Will.
“And why aren’t those guys stationed at the gates?” he asked, trying to distract the little guy.
Failing miserably.
“Because the council would never allow for such brazen assault on their authority. And because there are at least thirty gates in this town. To man them fully, Oric would have to send at least 360 people, 90 authorized and 90 specialists among them. Which is a full battalion, guess how would the locals react.”
Wow, this town is huge as fuck… he thought, trying to ignore P’pfel’s glare.
“I think Oric’s people will hear about me sometime tomorrow, so we don’t have much time,” she sighed, displeased. Evidently angry at herself.
“But you are in luck, they are looking for him,” she said, looking up and pointing at the Gremling. “Anyway, Peepfel—”
“It’s P’pfel!” he screeched, interrupting her. Now distracted from the topic of Zeph’s stats.
“Whatever,” she deadpanned.
“Gruuummm,” it wisely vibrated, nodding. ‘That’s how you do it!’ was Gru’s message.
Shut up, traitor! he sent back, ignoring the light smile on Aisha’s face and turning his head away.
“You need to finish preparing your papers on the cure by the day after tomorrow,” she continued. “They don’t know where we are, and I will make an appearance tomorrow, so just sit here for the day. Both of you,” she explained, looking eager. Zeph had a suspicion she just wanted to spend a day alone.
“We will introduce the papers, alongside your initial testimony, to the local church to bypass the check-ups and all this political bullshit.”
As she said that, a cold shiver run down Zeph’s spine. He raised his hand involuntarily.
“We are staying here for three days total… Yes?” she paused before skeptically allowing him to speak.
He wasn’t sure what to say, he just raised his hand by instinct. “Umm… I have a feeling it’s a very bad idea…” he said in a weak voice. Why did I even react, the plan is sound?!
She paused, slowly placing her glass back down. “And how strong exactly that feeling it is?” she asked after a moment. Her eyes were absolutely serious.
“I am not sure… Why are you even asking that?” he asked uncertainly, surprised.
“Your intuition is high enough… And if it is working at full capacity right now…” she started, adding to the Gremling’s misunderstanding. “You know, your premonitions were correct in Barringstone. I am starting to believe you have formed a basic auguring ability…” she said, trailing off.
He frowned. “And how would that work? Not that I want to be skeptical, but how can someone predict the future?”
This time the professor answered. “Your alien society had to be isolated from Gods for you to not know this,” he said, correcting imaginary glasses. “That actually explains a lot…” the misunderstanding continued. All he knew was that Zeph was from another world, but now his imagination started to stir, it seems. “By means unknown, you can approximate what you perceive in the Soulscape,” he started, using strange words. It was almost as if he was reciting some old text. “Be it the Will of Gods, be it fate, be it your own talent, the effect is the same. Clairvoyance is a gift you should never ignore.”
Zeph made a face. It was cliché as fuck.
“Speaking scientifically,” the Gremling continued in a more natural tone, “you are able to abstractly predict certain outcomes after getting some information from the Soulscape. Think of it as familiarity with certain patterns. But that changes our situation a lot… Actually, I have to ask, am I to be left here?” he finished, looking at Aisha.
Now, that’s more of an explanation…
“Grrraa!” Gru commented.
I am not stupid! Just… lost a little…
“No. You are under my jurisdiction, and you will redeem yourself under me,” she answered, to the Gremling’s relief.
Ah, so that's how it is.
“Change of plans. Zeph, how do feel about shaving?”
“Like it was due four months ago?” he answered, trying to scratch the skin under the dense hair.
“We still need to inform the local church, the Netherling’s presence in Barringstone cannot be ignored,” she started, to Zeph’s displeasure. “But I will not do this without preparing an escape route. We will stay here for a week. Zeph, you are commissioned with selling our goods tomorrow. Shave, take the clothes I will prepare. The perishable herbs should be enough. You, Gremling, don’t even try to stick your nose out of the window! Make sure your papers are usable by simple-minded people – you have three days. I will need to negotiate tomorrow with our host. Be ready to receive guests in the evenings,” she said standing up.
“That’s all. Now, go and rest!” commanded the dictator.
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Interface: no change (yet again!)