The two burly guards led James through the village. Several kids followed them. A kid that look like a human but with large luminous eyes said, “Mister, did you see pirates? The ones with four arms? They’re the best. I wish I had four arms.”

James didn’t want to tell the boy that he killed a few of the pirates. He said, “We were attacked and the pirates nearly took over the ship.”

The boy smiled and then ran away. The guards shooed the group of kids away.

A child said, “Ah, we never get to meet any strangers.”

It was a little dwarf girl holding a yellow stuff doll.

One of the guards pushed the little girl away. “Leave this man be. He needs to speak to the Elder.”

The houses were all squat and circular. He noticed the walls were made out of mud brick and mortar. The villagers were also all of the different races. They stared at him as he was led through the village. Signs were posted at the ends of the dirt street. Even though the guides were faded he saw the images there. One sign read mercantile district and also barracks.

Ah, he thought, he needed to get supplies after he talked to the Elder. He saw the house he was led to. The home was the same mud brick home style but it was easily double the size of the other homes. A small garden was in the front of the home and a small creature sat on the ground feeling along the dirt. Before the creature was a plant with a red and white flower plant. Its petals seem to move with the breeze.

The guard pointed to the small creature on the ground. “Go.”

“Thanks.”

James didn’t know what to expect. He tentatively moved closer to the creature. “Hello, my name is James.”

The creature stood. “Ah, a newcomer. You can let your familiar come out of hiding. My name is Chorken. I’m the Village Elder.”

The creature stood only up to his waist and his skin was multicolored from white to blue. It was like looking at a rainbowed gnome.

A familiar voice came forward. It was Meryl. “Hey, how did you see me?”

“I’m a gnome and I can see through your enchantments, fairy. It doesn’t matter. James, you said your name was. Please come inside. Are you hungry?”

“Sure,” he said.

He was led inside with Meryl sitting on his shoulder. She seem to be sulking and he didn’t care at the moment. Her wings fluttered every so often. The home was built small because of Chorken’s stature. James had to duck a few times. The furniture was made from dark brown wood and glowed with varnish.

Chorken walked very fast for such a small creature. He almost lost him around a corner. He walked into a large room. It had a round table with chairs all around it.

“Please sit,” Chorken said.

James noticed the table was human size with other chairs for his size. He thought Chorken must entertain other people his size. The village elder sat on a high seat. There was already a teapot with cups sitting on the table. The village elder poured the hot liquid into the cups. The smell was tangy almost like being a spice shop. He noticed the elder waved his hand and a small cup appeared before him and floated toward the fairy.

Meryl said, “Thank you.”

James sipped his cup and the liquid was an odd mixture of flower petals and a spice he couldn’t recognize. He instantly felt relaxed and alert at the same time.

The fairy squealed in delight. “Wow, I haven’t had sweet dew drops in ages.”

Chorken sipped his tea and then looked at him. “The Oracle on the mountain said you would come. We need your help.”

James nodded. “Yes Elder, what can I do?”

The elder said, “We tried to contact the Royal guards but they didn’t respond to any of our requests. Understand that this task would be very difficult and we had many warriors who came here and failed.”

James didn’t like the sound of this. But he tried to muster some confidence. He said, “I can do it. Test me.” He was trying to show the Dominion that he could finish these Trials and show him that humans like himself were strong and powerful. He smiled. He wanted to scream and leave this place. His fear was making his legs shake. Meryl placed her small hand on his shoulder and his legs stopped shaking.

Chorken said, “Well, yes, you would have to complete a task before you can finish the quest. You need to speak to the farmer Sionis. His place is outside the village. He is having a pest problem.”

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“Sure, I’ll go find him,” he said. He finish his drink and stood.

Chorken said, “Also, please take this and get what you need to help you. When you’re done with you task, please see me.”

The village elder handed him a bag. James took the bag and unstrung the top. It was pieces of gold. It disappeared.

Received 50 gold.

James walked out of the house and into the village.

Meryl was still sipping her drink.

He said, “You should had left the cup with the elder.”

“Nah, he’s used to it.”

James shook his head. “So, guide, what should we do first. Get supplies or test my new abilities?”

He said this to himself instead of asking Meryl. And he didn’t expect her to answer since she was still engrossed in her drink.

Meryl said, “It’s up to you but I think you want to check on yourself before getting stuff. Or even find out if what the Farmer needed before you go all Rambo on the Quest.”

James thought it over. But he wanted to visit the Merchant store.

“Let’s check the stores first.”

He moved toward the end of the street and looked at the signs. He nodded and walked toward the south end of the village. The homes started to change and become less populated as if they have been abandoned. He looked into a window and saw that the house was sitting empty. This was not a good sign for the Village Elder he thought. He also noticed some of the building were burnt and broken.

The next street he saw a two story building which clearly said “Village Inn” and also a smaller building with smoke billowing from a chimney. He moved toward the smaller building. He saw a sign in front of it stating, “Mercantile Store.”

“Ah, here it is,” James said. He didn’t here anything from the fairy.

He saw a sign underneath the Merchant Store sign. It read, “No fairies allowed.”

He walked through the doorway and encountered a man behind a counter. “How can I help you sir?” The man said. The voice sounded odd like it was speaking through water.

James nodded. It wasn’t a man behind a counter but creature with blue skin and webbed hands and feet. A glowing blue sphere appeared above its head.

“Ah yes,” James said. “I want to see your wares.”

“I know what you’re thinking. Why would a Razen be in charge of a store?”

“No,” he said. James didn’t know what to say. The creatures ears were large and webbed and shook as it spoke.

“We are more than smart but great merchants,” the Razen said.

“Sorry, I’m a stranger here. Can I ask you about your glowing blue sphere?”

“Oh, I didn’t know your not from here. My race resides underneath the ocean. The blue sphere let’s me breathe in your air,” the Razen paused and pointed on James’s shoulder. “Fairies are not allowed here. I know your a stranger. But rules are rules.”

The merchant waved his hand and Meryl appeared. She looked at the Razen with a coy look and waved at him. “Leave.”

Meryl flew out of the Merchants house.

Razen said, “That’s better. We cannot have those fairies try to effect the transactions. Do you want to see my inventory?”

“Sure.”

“Do you need a tutorial?”

“If you don’t mind. This is all new to me.”

The Razen waved his hand and a screen appeared before James.

“On the first section is your weapons and armor, the next section is spells and then the last section is potions and traps.”

Pictures with weapons and armor appeared and next to them were the prices. He saw Breastplates, shirts as well as knives and swords.

“You can scroll downwards by thinking about looking by the next part.”

James focused and another group of weapons and armors appeared. He focused on a large sword. The weapon move to the forefront. It read: Large Sword, need strength 15, 25 gold pieces. He had enough money and he clicked on the sword to buy but the weapon turned red.

The Razen said, “Sorry, you cannot used that weapon. Your a monk.”

“What?” James said. “What can I buy?”

“We will get that later. Check out each section by thinking about it.”

He saw tabs on top like his own menus. He notice the Spell section look like a book and mentally clicked on it. He saw fireball and lightning spells. James almost tried to buy one.

He said, “I can’t use any of these spells.”

The Razen said, “That’s correct. Only wizards and some other classes can use this.”

James started to regret his class. He almost forgot the Monks class were powerful fighters but couldn’t use any armor, awesome weapons or spells. The monk was actually the awesome weapon and his body was strong. He hope was correct in his assumptions.

James looked at the last tab which was a picture of a bottle. He saw images of healing, stamina and other potions he didn’t understand.

“So,” James said, “Can I filter the items that I can use?”

“Yes,” the Merchant said, “look at the last tab.”

James mentally clicked on the last tab which had a face on it. He recognized as it was his mug. A portrait of him. The last menu shows all the item that he could use. It showed a dagger, a monk robe and also all the potions. There wasn’t any magic spells there. Well, James thought, he had enough money for a dagger and some healing spells. He looked one potion called regenerate potion. He clicked on it. It read, “Potion to give 25 hp and 25 kp.” The regenerate potion costed 30 gold and he could only buy one. But he thought he should get it.

In the end, he bought one dagger costing 7 gold, 4 minor healing spells costing 2 gold each and one regenerate potion costing 30 gold. He spent 45 gold all together. He needed to get more money and also experience points.

“Thank you for your business, monk,” the Razen said.

James took his leave and turned back and asked, “Why don’t you like fairies in here?”

“Well, fairies like to steal and they have a charisma spell that would bring down my prices,” the merchant said.

He took his leave. Outside, he found Meryl waiting for him on a large log. She said, “Are you ready? That merchant is a jerk.” She stick out her tongue at the doorway. James didn’t think the Razen could see her.

He said, “Let’s go outside the village and let me see if I can use my skills.”

Meryl flew next to him as he looked for an exit. He walked by the inn and saw the short wall that surrounded the village. There was an exit that led toward the forest.

He said, “Do I have a map?”

Meryl said, “Sure you do?”

James mentally thought of a map. A screen appeared showing his location in relation from inside the village. There were sections not showing. He understood how the map worked. The only placed that would show was the area he already traveled on and the more he journey the more of the map would be shown. He also noticed the map showed the merchant, the temple and the Village Elders homes. He needed to grind and gain more experience. He wanted to be ready.

Walking outside the village, he heard a scream. It was a woman. James ran toward the noise.

Meryl said, “Wait!