“What a view!” Max stood on a small hill just outside the town of Riverwand, taking in the breathtaking view.
After another day of walking, they finally reached the town. The sun was setting, and the yellow rays of light were slowly disappearing. Below him, the town was next to the river Andar, which shimmered under the sunlight.
Max could see the cobblestone streets leading people between many houses. The red clay roofs felt warm, with a nice mix of flower boxes with many different colors. The town square looked as if it was calming down as the day came to an end. The large stone fountain in the center depicted a nymph gracefully pouring water from its hands, sparkled in the sunlight.
To the left, the marketplace was still active like always. Some vendors were packing up their stalls, preparing to head home, while some were just coming and unpacking for a long night. Children played tag in the square, their laughter echoing up the hill.
Small wooden docks and boats bobbed gently on the water. The weeping willows that grew along the riverbank dipped their branches into the water, cooling themselves on a long summer day. Fishermen were cleaning their nets, and some preparing the fish they caught that day to bring home.
The Silver Tooth Inn stood out even from a distance. Max looked forward to sleeping in a comfy bed for a change.
Beyond the town, huge hills and farmlands stretched out, wheat, and corn swaying gently in the evening breeze.
After being on the road for so many days, the town of Riverwand seemed like a haven, a place where he could rest from the adventure. And a place where he can get some fresh food, and restock.
“Let’s go Snickers! Beers on me!”
“Uhmm…” Snickers still stood in place. “Can’t come with you, I’m not welcome in the human towns this south of the border.” Max could see the sadness in his eyes.
“You must be shitting me.”
“It’s okay, you buy everything you need, rest, and tomorrow morning I’ll be waiting there,” he pointed with his finger on the other side of the town where the road led.
“See you tomorrow then. Are you sure you’ll be alright?” Max asked, a little worried.
“No worries, I’ll hide in one of the trees, take a long-ass sleep, and tomorrow I’ll be ready for our adventure to continue. Until tomorrow then.” Snickers went to the border of the small forest and slowly went down the hill.
With a final glance at the beautiful scenery, Max started down the hill, ready to get into the comforts and warmth of Riverwand.
Max descended the hill, and the cobblestone streets of Riverwand welcomed him beneath his tired feet.
The busy marketplace hummed with lively evening activities. Lanterns were being lit, casting a warm glow over the streets and the wooden stalls.
Freshly baked bread filled the air, and the sight of ripe fruits and vegetables piled high in wooden crates brought a smile to Max’s face.
Max picked some juicy apples and a handful of berries at a stall with an elderly woman.
“That’ll be 5 copper,” she said.
Max handed over the coins and continued to browse, excited to find something tasty. He found a vendor selling smoked meats and selected some thick slices of ham and sausages, perfect for a good, high-protein, meal on the road.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“10 copper for the lot,” the butcher said, wrapping the meat in brown paper.
Max nodded, paying the man and moving on to a stall that sold cheese. He chose a wheel of soft, creamy cheese, perfect to pair with the bread he intended to buy next.
“That’s 8 coppers,” the cheeselady said, handing Max the cheese wrapped in cloth.
Right next to it, is a baker’s stall. The smell of freshly baked bread was irresistible. He picked up a loaf of crusty bread, and some sweet rolls for a treat.
“6 coppers for the bread and 4 for the rolls,” the baker said with a kind smile.
He had a lot of money so he kept on buying stuff. A small blanket (12 coppers), and a few candles (3 coppers). Then he returned to buy one blanked for Snickers as well: “Why not? Maybe he’ll like it,” he thought.
For his last stop, Max approached a stall selling beverages. He bought a bottle of mead and a small flask of herbal tea.
“15 coppers for the mead and 5 for the tea,” the merchant said, tipping his hat.
Now he had everything he needed for his journey, and a few treats for Snickers as well. He made his way to The Silver Tooth Inn, a charming building with a sign creaking gently in the breeze.
The glow, when he entered the inn, was almost magical. The common room was filled with the comforting sounds of laughter and the sound of mugs hitting one another in cheers, or when being put down on the wooden tables. Max approached the innkeeper, a man with a big beard and a big white smile behind that beard. “His teeth are better than mine!” Max thought, but he almost said it out loud.
“A room for the night please,” Max said.
“That’ll be 20 coppers, and it includes breakfast,” the innkeeper replied.
Max paid the man and received a key to one of the cozy upstairs rooms. He climbed the wooden staircase, each step creaking softly under his feet. The room was small but cozy, with a soft bed, a small table, and a chair by the window.
He looked in his inventory, with all the stuff he bought today, checking once again if he forgot something, but everything seemed fine. He took a bite of the sweet roll, savoring the rich, sugary flavor.
Then, Max blew out the candle on the bedside table and climbed into bed. The mattress was soft and comforting. He could hear the gentle murmur of voices from the common room below, mixing with the distant sounds of the river.
Max felt himself drift off almost immediately, tired from the long walk. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, he needed the rest in the cozy embrace of The Silver Tooth Inn.
“Run! Snickers! RUN!!”
Max’s voice echoed through the early morning streets of Riverwand as he sprinted down the cobblestone alley, out of the town.
Snickers appeared next to him. “What did you do this time?!” he glanced over his shoulder.
“I, uh, might have accidentally spilled mead all over a very large, very angry and large, man’s lap,” Max admitted between breaths. “And then I tripped over his friend’s foot, and I think I might’ve set part of his bread on fire with a stray fireball.”
“SERIOUSLY?! Can’t leave you alone for a minute, can I?” Snickers said, trying not to laugh, but he had difficulties doing so. “AND YOU USED FIREBALL IN THE INN? A WOODEN INN?!”
“WHAT ELSE WHEN THEY ATTACKED ME?!”
“That’s when the innkeeper started chasing you too I assume?” Snickers could not hold his laugh anymore.
Behind them, the innkeeper, and some other angry guys, one holding a partially burned bread, were hot on their heels, shouting angrily.
“YOU’RE DEAD KID!” the innkeeper roared, waving a chair leg threateningly.
“I’m sorry!” Max yelled back. “It was an accident!”
The river Andar glimmered in the morning light, and the rolling hills welcomed them in the distance.
“We need to lose them in the woods!” Max said, leading the way toward a small forested area near the river.
Snickers, with his mall legs moving swiftly, followed without hesitation. They dashed into the forest, trying not to fall over the roots. The angry shouts from the townsfolk grew fainter as they went deeper into the woods.
“Do you think we lost them?” Snickers asked, looking back.
“Maybe,” Max said, leaning against a tree to catch his breath. “But, let’s keep moving, just to be sure.”
“You really know how to make an exit, do you?” Snickers laughed.
Max chuckled. “Well, at least it was a memorable stay. And look on the bright side, we got everything we needed from the market.” Max pulled out a sweet roll and gave it to Snickers.
“Thanks! This is a nice reward after running this much on an empty stomach.”
As they walked away from the town, the morning sun climbed the sky higher. Max made a mental note in his head: “Be more careful with fireballs in the future.”
The Silver Peaks, with snowy spikes, could be seen in the distance. “I hope there is a road or something, a tunnel leading straight through.”
“You can only wish!” Snickers smiled, his face covered in sweet roll crumbs and sugar.