Time passed, neither slow nor fast, for Liza and company who were staying hidden in that small hunter’s cabin. Their days were tranquil. No one came to chase after them again, nor there were any emergencies that required their helping hand.
Ben continued his learning efforts, followed by Eliot who was now speaking more frequently and coherently (much to Liza’s delight) and Boro. At first, everyone thought that Boro payed attention to the lessons just for fun, but they soon realized that the dragon could now understand what they were saying! It seems that Boro could always hear their conversations perfectly¹, it’s just that before he didn’t know the meaning of the words that were being spoken.
It was already their third month in hiding. On one day, much like the others, they were all gathered around the table, eating the lunch Ben had made.
“Guys, I think we’ve waited long enough. From what the villagers said, things have been winding down at Starfall lately. They haven’t been as careful with the check-ups and they are no longer breathing down the necks of everyone that brings that subject up. I believe they’ve finally let go,” said Liza.
“Hurray! We can finally leave! This place is boring! Me and Boro have already explored every nook and cranny of these woods! Right, Boro?”
Boro nodded his head.
“If you think we’re in the clear, that’s fine by me. Do you have a destination in mind?” asked Ben rather slow and deliberately.
“I’m not sure… I was thinking of maybe dropping by Tirin for a bit…” replied Liza.
“If you’re unsure, how about we go to the capital?” asked Ben.
“The capital? What for?” said Liza.
“Capital? I remember what a capital is! It’s the biggest city in the kingdom, right?!” exclaimed Eliot.
Finding that the conversation was becoming too complex for his current level of skill, Ben let the ring take over. The ethereal version of his voice continued the talk in his stead.
“That’s not quite right Eliot, but almost there. The capital is not necessarily the biggest city in the kingdom, but is usually the most important one, because that’s where the king lives.”
“Oh, right, the king! The fat dude with a crown, like the one you drew for me before!”
“Well, they’re also not necessarily fat, that was just an illustration. A representation of reality based on the preconceptions that the artist, in this case me, has of what your average king looks like.”
Eliot blinked a few times and tilted his head to the side.
“Huh, what?”
“Just forget about it. As I was saying, I suggest we go to the capital because I assume that’s where the main branch of the adventurers’ guild is. Am I right?”
“You’re right, but what about it? We can do tasks for any branch, it’s all the same,” said Liza.
“Hey, Ben. Ben. Ben. What did you mean? Representation of reality and kings and all that?”
“What I meant is that was just a drawing, not the real king.”
“Oh, duh! Of course it’s just a drawing! I could’ve told you that! Hahahaha, Ben’s stupid, he doesn’t know what a drawing is!”
Laughing out loud, Eliot ran outside followed by Boro, who was also snickering. Ben shook his head, smiling wryly, while Liza giggled lightly before nodding for him to continue.
“Yes, we can do tasks for any branch, but the main office of the guild should have a log of all the quests available throughout the kingdom. This way we can make a triage of all the most rewarding missions that we are able to clear and separate them by location. Then we just need to go to the place that will better reward our efforts.”
“Oh! I never thought of that! That makes so much sense! But do they actually keep a record of all the available missions?”
[Well, that’s just questing 101. You’d probably have the same idea if you ever had the chance to play an MMO. Plus, the capital should be the best place for me to buy books about magic and other related stuff,] thought Ben.
“Going by what you’ve told me on how they keep extensive records on tasks taken, quests completed and all other kinds of information, I’m sure they do. Otherwise they wouldn’t be able to stay as a centralized power for so long.”
“It’s decided then, we’ll go to the capital. But before that we’ll need to talk to Isadora and see if they are going to make a trip to Starfall anytime soon. There’s a few things we need to check before we leave,” said Liza.
In the afternoon, Liza, Eliot, Ben and Boro paid a visit to the elder’s home. The old lady was surprised to see all of them together by her door and quickly invited them in.
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“Well, to what do I owe the pleasure of having you all visit me together? Eliot and Boro stopover every day, but you two are hard to come by,” said the elder.
“We were wondering if there are any plans to make a trip to Starfall in the next couple days. We need some information and to buy a few things,” said Liza.
“A trip to Starfall huh – here you go Eliot, Boro, I made steamed meat buns today – we were not planning to go, but it wouldn’t hurt organizing one trip either. Some tools need fixing, and we need more cloths, threads, and a few other things.”
Eliot and Boro devoured their meat buns and smacked their lips. Isadora gave them a wide smile, before looking at Liza and Ben apologetically.
“I’m sorry, they come by every day, so I always have something special ready for them. Worry not though, I’ll make some tea and get you some honey bread.”
“Don’t mind us, we’re fine,” said Liza.
“Nonsense, just wait for a bit.”
“Thanks granny, it was delicious! Boro liked it a lot too! Can we also have some honey bread?”
Boro nodded vigorously, his tongue flapping about in anticipation.
“Hahaha, of course my boy! I was going to bring you two some even if you didn’t ask!”
“Hurray!”
Soon, Isadora returned with two teapots and a wicker basket. She served everyone a cup with one teapot and poured the contents of the other in its entirety in a bowl for Boro. From the basket she grabbed delicious looking pieces of honey bread and put them on individual plates for everyone. This showed she knew what would’ve happened if all the pieces were in one big plate for all of them to share.
“Humm, those are great!” exclaimed Liza.
“Hahaha, thanks! My goal is to one day surpass Paul, that old fogey.”
“Uh, uncle Paul cooking is super-super delicious!” said Eliot.
“Hehehe, I know. I still can’t hold a candle to him, it’s infuriating!” joked Isadora.
“About the trip to Starfall, could I’ve Jimmy do the things we need?” asked Liza.
“Sure, borrow him all you want. That kid loves to play hooky and fool around, but whenever it’s something for you guys, he does with all seriousness.”
“He’s just playing around a bit. He’s a smart and brave kid, you’ve nothing to worry about,” said Liza with a smile.
“I know that, he’s a smart bugger that one. The only problem is that the other kids have taken to follow his example, so it would be good if he were more serious about his chores.”
They kept talking till dusk, enjoying their teatime. On the way back to the grove, Liza stopped by to talk to Jimmy, giving him instructions on what he needed to do for the trip to Starfall.
A couple days later, a small horse drawn wagon left Kelna and moved westward. Jimmy was part of its crew, and the first thing he did after arriving at Starfall was part ways with his fellow villagers to do his assigned job for this outing.
He followed Liza’s instructions and asked for directions until he found himself in a rather dilapidated part of town. He was scared, but he trusted Liza implicitly, so he gritted his teeth and kept going. When he was about to enter an abandoned and unfinished house, a bright voice filled with suspicion stopped him.
“Where are you going friend, are you lost?”
A small boy was sitting on top of an unfinished brick wall, watching Jimmy with a questioning glance. Jimmy was so focused on the directions he was given and not getting lost that he didn’t even notice that someone was there.
“I was told to search for Popis,” said Jimmy.
“Ho? And who told you to search for this Popis person?”
“Liza, a friend of mine. She said she’ll need Popis’ help again this time.”
The boy jumped from the wall and rushed at Jimmy, dragging him inside the abandoned house and out of view. He pushed Jimmy against the wall and stared at his face.
“Who are you? Who sent you here? How do you know those names?”
“Liza sent me! I’m telling the true! Are you perhaps Nicola? Or Simon? No? Lars then?”
“You do know a lot… but why should I trust you?”
“Liza gave me this, she said it’s her guild necklace. She told me Popis would know it was genuine for sure.”
“Urgh, I can’t read. Guess I’ll have to take you to see Popis. Let me warn you though, if you’re lying… you’re toast!”
The young boy, who he later learned was Simon, led Jimmy to a hidden basement where he waited for Popis return. The few children inside that damp and dim lit basement eyed him with a mix of curiosity and caution. Looking around at the conditions these children lived in, Jimmy swore to himself to never play hooky again and do his part of the work properly.
Eventually he met a dark-skinned girl who called herself Popis. She examined the necklace Liza gave him for only a brief moment before confirming it was real. Having heard the verdict, the other children approached him and asked many questions, which he answered enthusiastically.
“It’s nice to know they’re safe. We figured it was the case because of all the wanted posters, but’s good to have a confirmation,” said Popis.
“They’ll be happy to hear you’re all doing fine too.”
“All that is good and all, but why did she send you here?”
“First, she asked me to tell you this: you can all move to live at Kelna village if you want, she already talked to our elder about it. There you’ll have a warm place to sleep and enough food for you to eat.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m good. I value my freedom and I already have a job. I won’t trouble you if anyone wants to leave though.”
“No, I’m staying with big sis!”
“Right, there’s no way we’ll ever split up!”
“Right, right!”
“There you have it,” said Popis with a smile.
“That’s a shame,” replied Jimmy sadly.
“No need for the long face. What else has she told you to ask me?”
“Right, the second thing was this: how is the situation in Starfall? She wants to know if there’s any news about them in the guild, both above board our underground. She said only you’d know for sure. She also needs you to turn in some goblin ears for her and buy a bunch of things. Here’s the list and the money.”
Jimmy gave Popis a jar, a piece of parchment and a small coin bag. Popis gave the list a perfunctory glance and tossed the bag up and down on her small hand.
“All right. How long will you stay in town?”
“We leave in four days.”
“What inn?”
“The Drunken Pig Inn.”
“Ok, I’ll have everything ready before you go. It was nice meeting you Jimmy.”
“Thanks! It was nice meeting you guys too!”
Four days later the small horse drawn wagon exited Starfall, starting its journey back to Kelna village. Jimmy was sitting at the back of the wagon, looking at the retreating city walls.
He thought about Popis and the other kids, wondering why they chose to remain living inside that dark and damp basement instead of moving to Kelna. No matter what, he couldn’t fathom the reason. In the end he shook his head and began memorizing, for the twentieth time, all the information he needed to relay back to Liza when he returned.
-
¹As was later translated to everyone by Eliot, who was always able to communicate with Boro non-verbally.