The forest was eerily still as Erlinda and I hurried along the leaf-strewn path, our footsteps muffled by the musty carpet of decaying foliage. Anxiety coursed through our veins as we strained our ears for any sign of Darwin amidst the sounds of distant battle. Our breaths came in short gasps as we pushed our aching bodies to quicken our pace, desperate to meet up with our ally. As we neared the outskirts of the forest a breathtaking sight awaited them—the picturesque town of Parstone revealed itself in the distance. With a final look back, we moved in the massive line of merchants and people as they waited to enter the town. After paying the guards a small fee to enter the gate, the transition from the outside to inside was akin to steeping into a vibrant tapestry. Its towering walls stood tall, weathered by time and the weather held a massive gate, which was adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures, creaked open, revealing the bustling heart of the town beyond.
Cobblestone streets wove between rows of charming houses. Market stalls lined the streets, selling fresh produce and crafted goods, filling the air with inviting scents. Children played and performers entertained a captivated crowd. The town square served as a gathering point.
We walked the winding streets, marveling at the mix of quaint cottages and grand structures. The townspeople greeted us warmly. The distant clanging of a blacksmith's hammer blended with the murmur of a bubbling stream, adding to the lively ambiance of Parstone. The occasional glimpse of a stray cat or a curious dog added to the charm of the scene.
Both of us looked around for any danger or familiar people as we weaved through the crowd. I knew we had to find someplace to rest and think about what to do next. Spotting a small inn nestled in a quieter corner, I suggested we seek shelter there. The innkeeper, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, noticed our worn-out expressions as we approached. She welcomed us with a warm smile. "Greetings, travelers," she greeted in a gentle voice, "Welcome to The Wanderer's Haven. How may I assist you?"
Erlinda and I exchanged a quick glance, before I went to the counter, “ Hi, we seek a room to rest” I said with a smile. The innkeeper nodded, "Of course, you both look like you could use a good rest," she said. “Just 15 bronzes for one room and it includes dinner”. My eyebrows rose a little for a moment before Erlinda stepped forward, "Actually, we'll need two rooms, please."
The innkeeper, taken aback by the correction, quickly adjusted, and nodded understandingly. "Of course, two rooms it is," she replied. Erlinda went to her pouch and pulled out her leather money bag. Then she places 30 bronze coins on the table. The innkeeper quickly counts the coins before placing them away. Smiling, she raised a bell ringing it to summon a boy about the age of 14, who said “follow me”.
We followed him up a narrow staircase, the creaking of the wooden steps beneath our feet adding to the charm of the quaint inn. As he led us down a dimly lit hallway, the scent of freshly baked bread and stew wafted from the common area, making our stomachs rumble with hunger. The sounds of laughter and chatter from other guests filled the air, creating a sense of warmth and camaraderie.
Pointing to two doors on opposite side of each other, ”These are yours,” before handing us each a key. “Dinner is at sunset” before turning around and leaving. Opening my door, I looked around the small room. With a single bed adorned with soft quilts and fluffy pillows. A small window overlooked the town's rooftops, allowing a gentle breeze to drift in. The flickering flame of a candle on a nearby table cast a warm glow, creating an inviting atmosphere.
The afternoon sunlight filtered in through the worn curtains as Erlinda and I entered the small inn room. Erlinda let her leather satchel slide off her shoulder onto the floor with a thud, the tension evident in her hurried movement. I propped my iron sword against the wall within easy reach should trouble arise.
Erlinda began pacing the room, her boots tapping out a staccato rhythm on the wooden floorboards in time with her racing thoughts. She paused by the window, peering out at the people hustling along the cobblestone streets below.
"I'm worried about Darwin," she said, turning to me with a furrowed brow. "What if those soldiers got him while we waste time here?"
I stepped over to her and put a hand on her shoulder reassuringly. "I know, I'm concerned too. But Darwin can handle himself. He's gotten out of plenty of scrapes before."
Erlinda nodded, but I could see the anxiety still swirling behind her eyes. "It's just...I've never seen him look so worried. He was trying to hide it, but I could tell."
"He did seem more on edge than usual," I agreed. "But dwelling on the 'what-ifs' won't do us any good right now. Let's focus on this book like he asked. The faster we can figure out why it's so important, the sooner we can get back to helping Darwin."
Erlinda took a deep breath, steadying herself. "You're right. Worrying won't change anything." She walked over to where her satchel lay on the floor and pulled out the aged leather book Darwin had entrusted to us. The embossed title on the front cover had long since worn away, leaving no clues as to its contents. I took it from her gently and opened it, the musty pages crackling. Strange symbols and glyphs filled the yellowed pages.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
"Can you make any sense of this?" I asked, glancing over at Erlinda. She leaned in, scrutinizing the cryptic text.
"I have no idea," she said, shaking her head. "But this book must be important for Darwin to go to such lengths to make sure it doesn’t get taken." I nodded, running my fingers over the faded script. After puzzling over it awhile, I sighed, rubbing my eyes. "We're not getting far on our own. We need someone versed in magical texts." The strange symbols and arcane diagrams in the book were unlike anything I had seen before. Erlinda nodded, stifling a yawn. “And we should find you a ruby amulet. Your fire magic could really help." she said I frowned slightly, wishing I didn’t destroy my old ruby amulet to create a fire spell. But she was right - having access to my fire spells would be helpful.
Erlinda went to her satchel and pulled out the amethyst necklace she always wore, the gemstone glinting in the lantern light. She caressed it gently, and I knew she was already readying her wind spells. Then her eyes darted back to the window, clearly contemplating using her speed to rush to Darwin. Sensing her intention, I folded my arms, fixing her with a stern look. "No. First, let's find a crystal shop to buy a ruby amulet then find a nearby bar and grab something to eat.” "Who knows, but the time we are done, Darwin might already be there, waiting for us."
Leaving the inn, Erlinda and I strolled through the bustling streets of Parstone, the lively atmosphere of the town enveloping us. The aroma of freshly baked bread and savory spices wafted through the air, mingling with the cheerful chatter of merchants and the laughter of children playing in the cobblestone alleys.
As we kept a vigilant eye out for any sign of soldiers or Darwin, Erlinda's sharp gaze caught sight of a peculiar sign adorning a nearby building. It depicted a boar with a dog's head, looking in the window, and she saw that it was a tavern. Intrigued, she tugged at my sleeve and nodded towards the establishment, indicating our destination.
Shaking my head with a smile, I followed her lead, my curiosity piqued. As we stepped into the cozy tavern, we were enveloped in an atmosphere thick with the tantalizing scent of roasted meats and the distinct aroma of ale. Finding an empty table, we settled down, our weariness urging us to seek respite and nourishment.
The barmaid, a young girl with vibrant red hair and a sprinkle of freckles, approached our table with a warm smile. Erlinda, with a hankering for something hearty, ordered a steaming bowl of meat soup. I, craving a substantial bite, opted for a meat-packed sandwich. Our orders placed, we awaited our meals, with Erlinda darting her eyes to the door.
When the mugs of ale arrived, their bronze liquid shimmering invitingly, my rumbling stomach reminded me of my breakfast, the only meal I had that day. I relished the frothy concoction, savoring the coolness as it quenched my thirst and revived my spirits. A few minutes later, the tantalizing aroma of freshly cooked food wafted from the kitchen, signaling the arrival of our meals.
Erlinda's meat soup arrived in a rustic wooden bowl, brimming with tender chunks of meat, accompanied by an array of meticulously chopped vegetables. The steam wafting from the bowl carried a tantalizing blend of aromatic spices. My meat sandwich, on the other hand, was a carnivorous delight. Thick slabs of succulent meat were nestled between freshly baked bread, its enticing aroma mingling with the tangy seasonings.
We dove into our meals with unrestrained enthusiasm, savoring each mouthful. Our taste buds danced with delight as we exchanged satisfied smiles and appreciative moans, our conversation punctuated by blissful murmurs of culinary delight. We shared our thoughts on the delectable flavors, marveling at the skilled hands that had prepared our meals.
Between bites, we spoke in hushed tones about the cryptic book and Darwin's troubles. Our conversation halted abruptly when a shadow fell across our table. "Pardon the interruption, but I couldn't help but notice your striking blue hair, miss," came a smooth male voice. Erlinda and I glanced up to see a tall, raven-haired man gazing at Erlinda with keen interest. His polished blue armor and regal red vest marked him as a soldier of high standing. "It's quite an uncommon and beautiful sight around these parts. Might I have the pleasure of your name?" he prompted.
As the man gestured towards Erlinda, my brow furrowed with suspicion, my gaze fixed on the newcomer. Meanwhile, Erlinda, momentarily startled with soup on her lips, quickly wiped her mouth with a napkin. She looked at the man, her expression polite but cautious. "I'm sorry, who are you?" she asked, her curiosity mingling with a hint of suspicion.
"I'm Alistair," he introduced himself, his voice deep and resonant as he extended a gloved hand. Erlinda glanced at me and before she could decide to shake Alistair's hand, I move first albeit with a tinge of wariness. "Hi, I'm Lucas. Nice to meet you," I said, trying to maintain a cordial tone.
Alistair's smile, though still present, seemed to carry a hint of a sneer. "Hi," he replied, his voice laced with a touch of arrogance. Sensing the tension between the two men, Erlinda's eyes darted between us, observing the subtle nuances in our expressions. It was during this exchange that she noticed the golden dragon on the hilt of the sword hanging from Alistair's hip.
"As you can see, we are in the middle of our meal. Perhaps you could come back later when we're finished," I suggested, my tone polite yet firm. Erlinda watched intently as we maintained their smiles. Her eyes flickered to the emblem on Alistair's sword, a symbol that piqued her curiosity.
"All right," Alistair responded, removing his hands from me, and turning his attention to Erlinda. I'm staying at the Rose Inn, should you wish to continue our introduction there later," he purred, eyes fixed on Erlinda. "I hope to see you there." With that, he swiftly made his way to the door, donning his helmet before disappearing into the bustling streets.
"So, that happened," I remarked, my frown deepening as I watched Alistair's departure. The food on my plate was now forgotten, I couldn't help but feel uneasy about the encounter. Erlinda, too, wore a concerned expression, but her unease stemmed from a different reason. She had seen that emblem somewhere before, and its familiarity gnawed at her thoughts, frustrating her inability to place it.
"Yeah, but his sword is more intriguing to me," Erlinda replied, her voice tinged with curiosity. She took a sip of her ale, her mind delving into memories and fragments of information. Before I could reply, the barmaid approached nervously. "Pardon me for saying, but you'd best keep your distance from the Royal Knights' Captain. He seems to have...taken an interest in you, miss," she warned Erlinda.