A day away from Strong Village…

“What are we going to do once we’re in town? Will we get an inn? A bath? Can we get different food? Could we see a physician? I think we need one.”

Drifa had been asking these questions all day and I was tired of it. She was probably asking all the questions because we were going into a different town. Strong Village is closer than the Town of Faur we were at last time. Both to the dungeon we were in and the ones we’ll be going into later.

Drifa picked up her speed so she was facing me instead of behind me. She looked up earnestly, “Please? It’d make things go smoother if I know whats happening, right?”

I grimaced. She was percistant.

“We’ll get two rooms. We’ll each clean up so we don’t attract as much attention and head to some st-”

“Shopping! Are we Shopping?” She clasped her hands together and looked up at me excitedly.

Now there’s somebody who won’t save a penny.

“I’m good at that! Can I show you while we’re there? That’d be great!”

I hadn’t agreed yet. I met her sparkling mismatched eyes.

“No.”

Her expression instantly lost all of its enthusiasm and became pleading.

“You could oversee all of it. That way, I don’t buy anything you don’t want me to.”, she looked around thinking frantically, “If I do a bad job, then that means that you can use that as an argument against me shopping again…”

Drifa looked up at me searchingly.

I don’t think she’s really been this enthusiastic about something so far. She’s right, I could use it in an argument, but I’d rather not lose the money in the first place.

Drifa piped up again in my silence.

“If you’re not convinced I’ll get the cheapest thing then, …” she tapped her chin for a moment then snapped in success, “I’ll buy whatever you want me to buy and you give me the money to buy it,” she spread her hands, emphasizing the next words, “Bare minimum. But, as an incentive for me, If there’s any extra money, I get to spend it on whatever I’d like.”

She’s setting herself up for failure.

“Only if I’m supervising the entire thing.”

“Deal! You won’t regret it!”

I’d better not. I’ll get the prices while settling into her room.

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She lent a hand for a shake. I raised my brows and refused to offer my hand. She awkwardly scratched the back of her head and smiled, dropping in line behind me again.

I tried to think of how we could make sure we were let into the gates without looking too out of place. Drifa’s clothes were quite dirty and had holes in the back, she also had blood staining herself everywhere, including her hair which was frozen solid. I was wearing a fresh pair of clothes, but I was still dirty.

She’ll have to wear Balder’s cloak.

The sun was dipping, we’d take a break soon.

Should I see a physician?

…

I will, but Drifa won’t. She hurt as bad and isn’t using swords or anything… I might give her some advice on how to use that knife at some point though.

I glanced over at her.

I definitely need to be looked at. It hurts just walking around and carrying this bag and I need to be able to fight. I won’t need to see one once Drifa figures out some more of her healing magic.

* * *

Ten minutes from the village entrance…

I could see the gate now. I had decided that if we were asked any questions, we’d say we were attacked by wolves by a river on the way between towns. It can explain Drifa’s hair being frozen solid, maybe say that she has frostbite or something as well.

“What’s our reason fro going between villages again?”

“We wanted to… no what. Let’s just not get into a position where we’re asked that question. I’ll figure something out if I have to.”

It’s not like we’re going to make friends or anything. Just transactions.

Drifa bit her lip and nodded hesitantly.

“I’m doing the talking.”

She nodded silently.

A few minutes later we reached the gates. The guards looked down through their thick braided beards.

“Halt! State your buisness.”

I looked at each of them in the eye.

“When we were traveling we came across some wolves and I’m looking for medical treatment. I’ve heard you have a good healer around.”

At least according to what The System told Drifa. Wasn’t great for my story of knowing the area well.

The guards still looked uneasy despite my answer.

“Why did you want to come here before that?”

Shoot!

I had to think quickly, my heart sped up.

“My goal is to go across all of the continents creating maps. I’m a cartographer. While we were attacked,” I gestured to Drifa, “She fell into the water along with our papers. We think she might have frostbite or something.”

The guards shrugged noncommittally at one another.

“Come in!”

I bowed my head in thanks and walked forward. As soon as I was passed the gates I was hit by the crawling feeling that filled the air. I have to admit, it was much better after I got the contract from the System. But it seemed more potent in this town than the other, despite it being so much smaller.

Scratch,

Scratch,

Scratch…

I looked back at Drifa sharply. Her arms were moving back and forth vigorously under her cloak. I gave her a small shake of the head. She didn’t stop but she made it less noticeable at least.

Oh boy.

After asking for directions a few times and wandering enough, I found a simple-looking inn. As I walked inside I found a small dining area. Most of it must’ve been taken up by rooms. That was good for

us. The first thing I noticed when I walked into the room was the smell. It was strong. It smelled like cleaning alcohol. The next thing I noticed was a large middle-aged man. He was massive. Standing, he’d probably be about seven feet. I could only see his slick, curly, auburn hair at the back of his head and the muscles showing through his coat. He had a thick wolf pelt vest and a large axe strapped to his back. He was intimidating.

He looks dressed to go into battle… but I thought people didn’t do that. This doesn’t make sense.

At this point I was fairly certain that the alcoholic smell was coming from that man, he was ripe.

I looked above his towering head and found something interesting,

> [Absinthe Hapsburg [Hardcore]]

-he was a Hunter.

That explains a few things and makes so many more questions.

I walked up to the counter and asked for two rooms and baths and the man behind it was happy to oblige.

As I took the keys the odd man slowly turned towards me. It was startling. Much to my surprise, he was wearing a mask, but not any old mask; it was made of pine wood and was painted black with two large eye holes cut out. There was a straight red line painted in a straight line across his eyes from temple to temple. Copper was engraved on the mask’s forehead in the shape of a… bottle of booze? It was strange. There were also two grey-red marbles embedded in the mask. His eyes were strange. They looked like a toad with their green colour and horizontal pupils.

Past his mask, a large, thick, braided, handlebar mustache stuck out. He appeared approachable and in no way sober.

As he spoke, his horrible breath spewed around me as he poked me with a meaty finger, “What are you doin’ in this… place? I’ve never seen you.”, He took notice of Drifa and pointed between us, “Neither of you.”

I grimaced and took a step back, pushing his sweaty hand away.

“I’m a cartographer. We need to fix ourselves up and get supplies.”

The man mumbled something under his breath, squinted above our heads then let out an uproarious laugh and pointed at his head.

“I got you… I like the way you, uhm…” He paused seeming confused, “… I’m going on an, a… trip myself soon and I need a carto-car, car? …A… map maker. Yes, a map maker. Come with me. I’ll pay!” He waved his muscled arms extravagantly before leaning in with a low, well-said whisper.

“Make a deal or I'll find a fake.”

I went a bit pale.

He was confusing, concerning and very much in control of himself.