“A pleasure doing business with you.” Bok smiles at her.

“Likewise.” Sanora smiles back at him while stashing the book in her satchel.

“Ah, about time we arrive.” Bok says as he looks ahead. As Sanora follows his gaze, she spots thick walls in the distance, made of layered stones. Its right on the road and extends left and right. Big wooden gates are right where it blocks the road.

“Oh, they upsized quite a bit.” Bawarag mumbles.

“Have you ever been in Rivers rest?” Bok asks.

“Uh no, I haven’t.” Sanora scratches her head.

“It is a nice little village, and the only place to rest safely if you take the pass through the mountains. The inn has good food too, you should try it.” Bok says, and Sanora’s stomach rumbles at the mention of it. Bok and Bawarag chuckle.

“Sounds like a solid plan”, she laughs, her cheeks a bit flushed.

“Hey uh, one more thing before we go ahead though.” Sanora cocks her head as Bawarag speaks up.

A quick stop at the river later, the blood is now washed off Sanora’s face again. In the commotion she hadn’t even thought about it anymore, but it would have been sure to cause at least a little commotion in the village.

The sun is right at its zenith as they reach the thick walls. Atop them, right above the wooden gates, is a chair, and in it sits an elderly looking man, dozing peacefully. His beard grey, most of the hair on his head gone already.

“Good day! We’d like to enter!”, Bok shouts up at him, but the old many just keeps sleeping.

“Helloooo!” Bok tries again, but without success. He scratches his head and looks at the others.

“Any ideas?” he turns to the others

“Shout louder?”

“Throw a rock?”

Bok’s guards make some questionable suggestions.

“You got any ideas?” Sanora turns to Bawarag while Bok is arguing with his guards.

“Well, I do have one.” Bawarag nods

“So? Tell me.”, Sanora says with a raised eyebrow.

“Hmm… I can’t”, he says.

“Why?” Sanora cocks her head a bit.

“You wouldn’t like it.”

“It can’t be that bad”, she says, her eyebrows furrowed. Bawarag ponders for a moment, but shrugs.

“If you say so.” He grins before picking up Sanora.

“Oh shi-“Before she can finish, she is already flying up the wall. She barely manages to make a rolling landing on the top of the wall.

“Hey, your landing has gotten better!” Bawarag grins at her, but Sanora shoots him a glare.

“Don’t you ever do that again!”, she shouts down at him before dusting herself off.

“This guy!” She shakes her head and walks up to the still sleeping man. She carefully taps his shoulder.

“Excuse me?”

His eyes slowly open as he looks up and around.

“Hm? Oh, did I fall asleep? Apologies young lass”, he says with a raspy voice and gets up from his chair. He furrows his already wrinkled forehead as he looks at Sanora.

“I haven’t seen ya around”, he mumbles.

“That’s cause we just arrived and would like to come in.” Sanora steps aside, and the old man finally sees the group in front of the gate.

“Ah, so thas whas goin on. Sorry, sorry, be right down with ya”, he says and walks down some stairs on the inside of the wall. Sanora just shoots a quick thumbs up down to the group before following the slightly hunched over man. She walks down the planks built into the wall and gets her first look of the village. It is a small settlement built left and right of the road. Just after the gates to the left she sees a blacksmith’s building. To the right, opposite of the smith is what looks like a general goods store. Looking back at the smith she sees that behind the smithy, built directly at the river is a sawmill too. She can see the other end of the village too, and the local inn. It’s on the right side of the road, and the last building before the wall. There are only a handful of people walking about, but they all seem friendly and laid back, enjoying their tranquil life in the woods. As for Sanora, her first impression could not be better. Peaceful, somewhat secluded, small but still with everything you need to live, to her this seemed like a small paradise… Bawarag did say something about settling down didn’t he?

But for now, she just follows the old man down. He opens the gate, letting the rest of the group in.

“Sorry to keep ya watiting… oh, ‘tis Bok. Good to see you again”, the old man greets Bok with a smile.

“Likewise. Here’s the toll.” Bok hands the old man a gold coin with a smile.

“Thanks a lot, ‘ave a nice stay.”, the old man says with a friendly smile as Bok rides through.

“Good work lass.” Bawarag pats Sanora on her back.

“I will never stop holding this against you”, Sanora says with a pout. Bawarag just laughs.

“I know, I know. Let’s settle in for now”, Bawarag chuckles. Sanora lets her initial pout go as well, and follows after him with a light smile. They walk down through the village, both looking around curiously. A few of the people greet Bok, but that is pretty much it. There wasn’t much more to the village than the few houses, the stores, the sawmill and of course the inn.

“Well then, I’ll search a place for the carriages now.” Bok stops.

“Then we’ll see each other In the inn later?”, Sanora asks.

“Ah, apologies, but I still have some trading with the locals to do, and I actually sleep in the carriage. My personal way of saving some money.” The small man grins at Sanora, who chuckles.

“Very well, see you around then.” She waves him off as Bok drives down a side road.

“What a day”, Sanora sighs as she lets her hand drop.

“Sure was. And that’s exactly why you, young lass, need a drink and something to-“ Bawarag is interrupted by Sanora’s growling stomach.

“Exactly!” Bawarag laughs and ushers her on to the inn.

The wooden door creaks a bit as the two of them enter. They are welcomed by warms air and a heavenly smell of food. A big , square fireplace is built into the floor in the middle of the small hall, meat slowly roasting over it on metal stakes. Around the lit fireplace stand some tables, and some more are scattered around the hall. On the walls are several doors leading to what Sanoara assumes to be guest rooms.

“welcome” a girl calls out to them from behind a counter on the right end of the big room. She is young, maybe a year or two older than Sanora. Her blonde hair reaches a bit below her shoulder blades.

“What can I do for ya?” she asks with a smile on her slightly freckled face, mustering Bawarag and Sanora curiously.

“A meal, a drink and a room for each of us” Bawarag smiles back.

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“Comin’ right up, please, take a seat” she throws a washcloth over her shoulder before disappearing in a door behind the counter.

“Hey mind if we sit by the fire?” Sanora looks up at Bawarag.

“Not at all”, he nods. They walk in and pick one of the tables right in front of the big fire facing the entrance. Sanora slumps down onto the table, the warmth seeping into her exhausted body makes her a bit tired. It causes Bawarag to chuckle a bit.

“Tired?”

“I’m just noticing how tired I am” Sanora groans a bit. She is not just unused to carrying so much equipment, but also to the near death experience she had with the wolf as well as the fighting. And while the armor was light on a relative scale it was heavy nonetheless. And that’s just the physical burden she is carrying. Now that she has some time to settle down reality is slowly starting to catch up with her. Her memory was gone, she has neither home nor family to return to and knows practically nothing about the world she is in.

“What’s on your mind lass?” Bawarag asks. Sanora’s expression had shifted to a deep frown.

“I guess just about everything, which ironically, isn’t even a lot” Sanora lets out a wry chuckle

“I know this is all a lot for you lass. In times like these you can do anything but take it easy and hope for the best. But hey, you’re off to a great start, after all you met me!” Bawarag grins at Sanora. She feels her mood brighten a bit again. The wood in the firepit crackles.

“I kind of like this village” Sanora looks into the fire, leaning her head on her hands.

“It just seems so peaceful and easygoing here, like a small paradise” she muses with a smile on her lips.

“In that case, why not live here?” Bawarag suggest.

“Live here? Wouldn’t that be a bit hasty?” Sanora turns back to look at Bawarag.

“Yes, and no. Even if you live here for now, build a small house, you’re still young. You still have all the time in the world to go out and explore. You can always move out as well, or just make another house depending on how much money you are going to make” Bawarag tells her with a pondering expression.

“That seems… sort of plausible. But as precious as the coins you gave me are, I don’t think its enough for a plot of land and a house on top of it.”

“About that-“ Bawarag starts, but the girl from earlier comes around with their food and drink.

“Sorry for the wait, here ya go” she sets down two large treys with plates and mugs on each. Sanora feels her stomach taking control as the smell reaches her nose.

“Thanks!” she beams at the girl standing next to her.

“Just yell if ya need anything”, the girl says with a smile before turning to walk back. As she does, Sanora too a quick look at her now that the counter isn’t blocking the line of sight. The girl is wearing a simple ankle-long dress. It was grey, but probably used to be white, but the color faded after long and hard service. Her hands are well worked, and while Sanora can’t see what curves are hidden under the dress, she did get a good look at the buttocks.

“Whatcha looking at so intently?” Sanora jumps in her seat. Bawarag had seen exactly where Sanora was looking at. He is wearing a huge, stupid grin as Sanora’s face starts to turn beet red.

“I was looking at nothing” She puts her hands up in defense.

“Really? Nothing? Cause I could swear I saw you staring at the innkeepers a-“

“Ahh!- stop shush!” Sanora flails her arms stopping Bawarag from finishing. Bawarag just leans back roaring with laughter, holding his stomach.

“Well lass, see it the positive way. At least we know somethingabout you now.” Bawarag says and with that, starts eating. Sanora shoots him another pout before finally getting to eat herself. She looks over the food. A plate with what looks like a roasted cut of meat, seasoned with roughly ground salt and some herbs. A bowl with a thick stew in it, and as a side a cut of bread and a piece of cheese. Not wanting to waste any more time Sanora picks up the crude cutlery to finally dig in. She starts with the stew. It is thick, cooked with small bits of meat and mostly carrots and turnip cubes. She took a spoonful, and it was nothing short of delightful. A bit on the sweet side with a strong hint of beer and bread. The vegetables have been cooked soft, and the meat pieces are tender as well. The stew is gone in no time, and Sanora gets to the meat slice. It has been grilled over open fire, probably the big one in the hall. It is intense and other than the stew, on the salty side. On the outside is a nice, crisp crust, and the inside is still warm and juicy. Sanora has to hold back a moan as she eats. It might be because its her first ever meal for all she knows, but it’s the best she has ever had in her life. She wolfs down about half the meat before getting thirsty. She takes a swing out of the big mug. Immediately a tingling sensation runs down her throat, making her feel all fuzzy. The drink itself tastes a bit bitter, but mostly mellow and with an herbal sweetness to it. But more noticeable was still the sting of the alcohol.

“Woah” Sanora sets down the mug and leans back.

“This is intense” She says, the alcohol slowly starting to rise to her head.

“This? I’d say its still pretty mild” Bawarag looks at his own mug, two thirds of the content already gone.

“Ah well, I guess you aren’t used to it. Although I can’t think of a country that serves much else” Bawarag mumbles. Sanora shakes her head a bit before deciding that finishing her meal is more important now. So, she gets to the rest of the meat, eating the fresh bread along with the cheese too. The bread had a nice crust and was soft inside. The cheese is pretty salty, and tastes of the same herbs as the meat. Before long, Sanora’s plates are all spotless. Her drink she enjoys small sips at a time lest she gets drunk.

“Now that was just heavenly” she tells the innkeeper with a smile as she clears the empty plates off the table.

“I’m glad to hear” the blonde girl says with a wide smile herself before carrying the empty plates back. Be it the influence of the drink, or curiosity, Sanora did steal another glance at the young woman’s behind.

“Want me to play the wingman?” Bawarag asks, poking Sanora in the side with his elbow.

“Stop it already” she chuckles with a red face, although at this point if could be from the alcohol as well.

“Although I won’t deny she- “, Sanora starts but is interrupted.

“Excuse me miss?” The innkeeper says behind, Sanora who jumps in her chair and starts coughing after choking on her spit, Bawarag gets a great laugh out of the whole scene.

“Ah uhm yes? Something the matter?” Sanora asks after regaining her bearing and swallows nervously.

“Yer two are adventurers, aren’t ya?” The girl asks with a glint in her eyes.

“I uh…” Sanora scratches her head, but Bawarag hits her back before she can say anything else.

“ ’Course she is! And one of the best at that!” He grins at the innkeeper who starts smiling.

“Really? So, if it’s not asking too much, could ya tell me some stories?” the girl asks with a bright smile and sparkling eyes.

“Uh sorry but I don’t really have any stories” Sanora says furrowing her eyebrows. The girl deflated a bit, at least until Bawarag intervened again.

“She’s just overly modest. Sanora has plenty. Just tell her how we met, that was quite an adventure itself I daresay” Bawarag says, shooting Sanora a grin and a wink.

“I’d love to hear them, please! Oh, my name’s Genny by the way”

The innkeeper, Genny, looks at her expectantly with eyes like stars, so Sanora can’t bring herself to turn her down. With a sigh she started, or at least tried.

She clears her throat.

“So, it all started when I … scoured some old tomb ruins. At first it was all normal. Lots of dust, pretty cold since it was in the mountains. I didn’t find a lot in there, besides an old wooden chest” Sanora starts, Genny hanging onto her every word. It elicits a small smile from Sanora, seeing how invested the girl was.

“So of course, I stepped up to open it. The only treasure I had found after an otherwise fruitless search through the old, dark ruins. What I found inside didn’t look like much a first. A book, a bottle, and something I couldn’t even recognize with how much dust had gathered on it. So, I took a look at it. The book I opened first, which wasn’t quite smart in retrospect. The grimoire burned a spell into my brain the second I read the first word” at the mention of magic, Genny starts shifting around the bench.

“A spell?” she asks curiously, and Sanora nods.

“It turned out to be a fireball” she smiles smugly, a small gasp escaping the blonde girl.

“Onto the rest I moved- “ Sanora continued, conveniently leaving out the mental breakdown, the crying and being naked all throughout it.

“The bottle was small, and inside I could see some red liquid splashing around. Only later did I find out it was a healing potion. ‘A good find’ I thought to myself and stashed it away to move on to the last piece. After unwrapping it from some old cloth, I found a sword under it. A bit dull, but still I took it.”

“An old sword?” the girl leans in a bit closer

“Want to see it?” Sanora gave her a smug smile. Genny nods enthusiastically. She looks at it in awe as Sanora unbuckles her old sword from her belt to hand it to the curious lass. With careful hands she takes the weapon, looking it up and down in awe.

“It looks so old.” she whispers while running her fingers over the sheath. Suddenly, as if poked by something she looks up at Sanora again.

“What happened then?” she asks with a smile, her eyes glinting like stars.

“Well next the worst came to be. With my treasures in the bag I tried to make my exit, but as I opened the old door I looked right in the face of an undead. A bulky figure, clad in brutal, rusty armor. In its hand a giant axe.” Sanora makes a small break. A piece of wood in the fire cracks loudly, and Sanora resumes.

“it swung the giant axe at me, wasting no time, but I managed to duck right below it and jump back to get ready. A smirk spread on my lips. ‘A fine opportunity to test my new spell’ I thought. I got into stance and pointed my finger at the foul creature. Wisps of flame flew together and formed a bright orange ball of fire. I let it fly and watched as the undead was blown into bits” Sanora feels a little bad. It wasn’t all lies sure, but she was still mostly telling half-truths. She just hopes that the village wouldn’t need some brave hero anytime in the near future because she sure knows who everyone would come running to if these stories spread.

Genny just sits there, mouth slightly agape, still clutching Sanora’s old sword. Sanora can’t hold back a yawn. After a long day and telling stories until late into the night she’s quite beat.

“Sorry, I think I gotta hit the sheets” She tells genny while getting up.

“Of course, thank ya for telling me so much! You sound like a hero, like in one of the old stories” Genny hands back the sword along with a room key, a bright smile still on her lips.

“It was nothing” Sanora says with a smile herself and takes the sword.

“You go ahead lass, I still need a drink …or five” Bawarag snickers.

“Alright have fun” Sanora chuckles and looks for the room which’s number is the same as the one on her key. She closes the door behind her as she steps into the dark room. Some starlight shining through the window let her roughly see where the bed is. And it is all she wants after the day she had. She lets herself fall right In with a relieved moan. She doesn’t even bother to undress, all that’s on her mind is sleep, and she already feels it claiming her.

‘Bawarag was right, that drink really did help some’ She thought to herself before peacefully drifting off.