The tavern reeked of piss and beer. Bards singing ballads at the front, drunk men with their trousers falling to their asses, dancing to said ballads and swinging the beer around, splashing the hard wooden tables and floor, and with each drunken step they all took, the festive tavern creaked and croaked as if it was singing along with the men. In the far left corner of the tavern, two men sat across from one another, enjoying two large platters of deer fish and their beer keg. The table was pressed firmly against the taverns dusted, wooden walls, and the man who sat right in front of the wall looked eagerly at the festive songs and dancing men near the front.
“I envy you.” Said the man, who was wearing a dirty black cloak which smelt of dog shit. His eyes were blue, his hair buzzed, his skin white, and he was considerably taller. The other man sitting across from him, A dwarf with a darker complexion and his hair in a long braid, slammed the keg down on the table, wiping his bearded mouth as he flashed a toothed smile. ‘And why is that?’
"Because you don’t have to see the idiocy I’m seeing right now." The cloaked man would say, shaking his head and taking a bite of the deer fish.
‘You mean the lads behind me? Let them be. This tavern is their only escape from the war ongoing, the only chance they can live freely.’ The dwarf picks the large Keg up and takes another gulp, slamming it down, this time the table shaking from the impact. The dwarf wipes his mouth again, opening his lips to speak.
"You’ve been feasting on that deer fish, but the beer.. haven’t seen ya take even a swig." ‘I don’t drink.’ The cloaked man says quickly and assertively, Setting down the deer fish and meeting the dwarf's eyes. The dwarf's lips were forced open for a moment, visibly shocked. ‘I’ll be damned… everyone in Hyria drinks. Even the young lads down in Eatoruun get a sip or two in. I've been drinking ever since I’ve been pushed out the wet walls.. my first memory was-‘
‘Save it. You’re a dwarf, drinking is second nature to someone like you. For me? I’ve never liked it. At least.. I think I’ve never liked it.’
The dwarf curses something in his native language, stroking his beard as his eyes concentrate on the keg of beer. ‘And here I am buying a keg for the both of us.. What a waste of-‘ ‘I never told you to buy it. Nor did I tell you I wanted it.’ The cloaked man says assertively, his eyes still focused on the smaller gentleman. ‘…Very well, you are right about that. Enough about the beer, what about your name? Everyone has a name, whether they like it or not.’ ‘My name is Resto. My last name... I can't remember.’
‘Ah right, you told me about that. Lost your memories eh? I found ya in a cave right outside of town, a pack of wolves circling your body, ready to have their dinner. If I wasn't out looking for keef flowers, you’d be chopped up by those vile things. Had to fight them off with my bare hands- could’ve died for you ya know.’
‘Never asked for you to do that.’ The dwarf shakes his head. ‘You love saying that Don’t ya? My name’s Cloddy, a humble blacksmith of this dear village.’ Cloddy would give a half-assed bow while staying seated. Resto still staring at him, the stare turning more into a glare. His eyes traveled down to the leather pouch Cloddy had on his hip, which held two pouches of what appeared to be gold or silver.
“Nice to meet you Cloddy. And... Thank you for saving my life. As for the memory loss- I couldn’t tell you anything. I know me, my first name, what I like and dislike... but that’s it. My last memory was staring up at the cave, water droplets sticking onto my forehead, and then suddenly a howl. That’s when the wolves came, and then you saved me.” Resto finished the last of his deer fish, moving his plate to the side of the wooden table, looking up at Cloddy, who was clearly thinking about something. ‘Lad, you mentioned you don’t remember anything, though when I found you and saved ya, you were rambling on about a... Starlight. Now I’m not the smartest dwarf in Hyria, but isn’t starlight-‘ ‘Yes.’
Resto’s face was more concentrated than before, putting his rather dirty hands on the table and colliding them both together. ‘I need to go there. It’s one of the only things on my mind currently… Ever since I woke up in that cave, something has been telling me to get to starlight. Do you know where that is? What it is?’ The dwarf stares for a moment, his eyes shoot up like he saw a dragon. He suddenly slams his fist on the table, holding his chest and belting out a primal laugh- so loud the whole tavern got quieter for but a moment.
‘STARLIGHT!? You want to go to Starlight!? Well, I’ll be damned- Humans are more stupid than I originally thought.’ The tavern quickly begins to roar into song and dance again, as Resto raises a curious brow. ‘I didn’t expect that reaction. Judging from it though, I'm assuming it’s a hard place to get to?’ ‘Hard place? Lad, it doesn’t exist. Starlight is a fairy tale. A mystery only bards and poets conjure up. It’s said to be a place free of war, free of dispute, and contains infinite happiness. Though everyone north of Sararix knows such a place cannot exist. Something like that is unheard of in Hyria.’ Resto would lean back, crossing his arms over his chest as he chooses his next words carefully. ‘I need to get there. It's my only lead at the moment. I don’t care if it’s some fairy tale only told in children's books- I need to go.’
Cloddy had a look of profound dumbfounded Ness on his face, shaking his head again and giving his cheek a light slap. ‘Lad I just told ya, it doesn’t exist. Tch- humans these days and chasing dreams.. just accept the fact that life is shit and move on. You won't find this secret goo goo land no matter how hard you try.’ Cloddy got up and grabbed the keg of beer, holding it under his armpit as he turned away from Resto. ‘I pray for good luck on your travels son. Don’t get yourself killed looking to cross into the unknown. I highly suggest you visit Eatoruun- a very snotty religious village east of here. You wouldn’t catch me ever looking that way, but if you are truly serious about this starlight journey, then they are your best bet. I reckon those maniacs preach the fairy tale to the kids of the village every morning.’
Resto would stand up, brushing himself off as he maneuvered away from the wall of the tavern and behind Cloddy. As Cloddy begins to walk away, Resto follows closely, raising his hand above his shoulder. ‘I appreciate the assistance Cloddy, and I wish you well as well. Though I need some assistance on my travels... No hard feelings but-‘ Resto lowers his fist and punches Cloddy in the back of the head. The dwarf's eyes go blank and he falls to his knees, causing a loud bumping sound as he gets knocked out. The men in the tavern watch as Resto turns the dwarf around and takes both pouches off his leather belt, pocketing them in his cloak. Resto, with assertive steps, makes his way to the rusty wooden door of the tavern, turning his head to the men. ‘Have a good one lads.’ He says, pushing the door open and looking east. His next destination- Eatoruun.
“This is copper!!! You dare come to me and offer me copper!? I’m the best blacksmith in Savarix, yet you bring me copper!?” A tall, large bearded man says, raising the two pouches that Resto gave him, and emptying the copper coins onto a large table. Resto, staring at the man with a confused expression on his face, would clear his throat quite awkwardly. ‘To be fair, I thought a dwarf of his status would carry around gold or silver.’ ‘What was that?’ ‘Nothing.’ Resto awkwardly looks to the side, avoiding eye contact, not to look suspicious as if he didn’t just steal someone's money.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
‘Listen- I need a good sword and some good armor. If I don’t get those things I'm afraid I can't leave town.’ ‘Well Boo Hoo, go take these copper coins to a brothel and spend it on a whore who’s been used more times than the toilets in a tavern. Cuz that’s the only thing this will get ya! Do you see my product!?’ The blacksmith would point to the abundance of swords, axes, shields, and armor hung up behind him, the glow of the sunlight making it all look extra prestige. Resto would sigh, leaning on the table separating the two. He twiddles with his thumbs, hesitantly opening his lips as if to speak. Finally, he does. ‘Listen, I’ll compromise with you. Do you have any work...? You know, any monsters you need to take care of, anyone stealing your shit or vandalizing your product? I can take care of it for you. In exchange for some of your goods.’
Resto had a sly smirk on his face. He didn’t like the idea of slotting himself off for work, though he needed a weapon and some protection. The blacksmith would grunt, nodding his head. ‘You sure are persuasive. I got a Mutant rummaging around in the cave I get my materials from. Lately, it's been causing havoc, breaking shit, destroying my ores. I need it gone. I was going to hire a Slinger but... well guess you got here quicker. You can find the cave behind the village, near an old well. Bring me the mutants head, and we got a deal.’ ‘Sounds like a plan to me.’
Resto would stand straight again, looking at the wall. After staring at it for a moment, he points to a small, silver hand axe, glistening in the light. ‘That one. If I’m to complete this job, I have to have a weapon. I want the axe. If I bring you the head of the mutant, I get to keep the axe and get more. Am I correct?’ ‘Sure thing. I’ll alert the guards to keep an eye on you, so you don’t run off. Come back to me with the mutant’s head and you get whatever you’d like.’ ‘Before I go-‘Resto leans on the table. ‘Information is free, right? I am new to these lands and was wondering what you meant by Savarix.’ ‘You don’t know? Were you just born or something? Savarix is the kingdom we all are in right now. The world of Hyria consists of four kingdoms. Savarix, Boris, Pollicaria, and Azef. Savarix is the kingdom of dwarfs, Boris is the kingdom of humans, Pollicaria is the kingdom of elves, and Azef is the kingdom of wizards and sorceresses. Nowadays you can see every race of person in just about every kingdom. Right now, we are at war with Boris... a meaningless war, over resources and Money.’
‘I didn’t ask for the entire history of the world but... thanks, nevertheless. One more thing- Eatoruun. It’s a village east of here. Know anything about it?’ ‘Sure do. Bunch of wackos there. Preach about the almighty creator, try to get you to join their church when you enter, sing gospels and ballads every Monday... crazy shit. I wouldn’t go there if I was you.’ Resto sighs, stands up, and turns away. Waving a hand at the blacksmith. ‘All right, I’ll be back with that mutant head. You can count on it.’
The cave was dark. Too dark- Resto couldn’t see a wink in there. Regretting the choice to not bring a candle, a lamp, or any other light source, he uses his hand to trace the sides of the cave, occasionally hitting a few bumps along the rocky walls. As he descends, he steps on a few rocks and branches that startle him, every now and then raising his axe to his hip to get ready to slash something. He finally reaches a branching path to the cave, the left being dark, and the right being a faint light in the distance. He chose to go right. Walking along the path, the ambient sounds of water droplets smacking against the cold cave rocks were evident, creatures lurking in the depths of the cave making small sounds. Resto makes sure not to alert any, and as he approaches the faint light, it becomes not too faint.
He was now staring at a creature, lying down on a small, raggedy rug, sleeping, back facing the approaching Resto. It looked hideous- the creature had the body and shape similar to a human, though its flesh and skin were torn off, as just the murky, bloody complexion of the underneath of a human's flesh remained. It was bald- having big round ears and bloodshot eyes. It was snoring, sitting next to a little traveler's lamp, which was the source of the light Resto had seen earlier. He slowly approaches the mutant, careful with his footsteps, he raises his hand axe, wielding It with two hands, and just as he is about to strike- the loud sound of a creak omits from the cave. He looks down to the source of the sound, seeing the leg of a skeleton now crushed under his foot. He knew what was next, swung the axe down to his chest, and looked at the sleeping mutant-… it was gone.
Resto heard faint breathing behind him. Stunned with fear, he pants heavily, the breathing caressing his earlobe as it gets closer. Resto stops... time stops. Everything was quiet… He felt a wet substance hit his neck, slowly... the mutant’s tongue traveled the human's neck as if it was marking Resto. Knowing he had to act, he gripped the handle of the axe, quickly swinging it behind him to behead the creature in one sweep. The axe connects with the air, missing the mutant who dodged back right before the axe could contact its neck. Resto jumps back, knocking over the small lamp, and putting the axe up in a defensive position.
The mutant would make a horrific scream, as it lunges at Resto, its clawed feet digging into the cave ground and propelling it forward, its horrific face connecting with the axe, as Resto's arm rests right below the mutant chin, the two’s faces being mere inches away. The mutant's face was contorted- Its face and nose formed a hideous snout as its eyes were open and veiny. Its teeth were everywhere, ruined and crushed, and its breath- smelt of mutant dung and human flesh, a combo Resto wouldn’t be able to forget for the rest of his life. His arm pushed the mutant back the best it could, as Resto’s back was against the cave wall, the tight space not helping his current situation.
The mutant chomped its mouth together, its rotting teeth clamping together and echoing throughout the cave. Knowing he couldn’t move beyond this point, Resto grabbed the mutant by the neck and then by the mouth, holding its mouth open, sticking his hand in its mouth as he used his axe to slice the mutant's throat. A clean cut, the sharp end connecting with the mutant's flesh as it screams again, biting down on Resto’s hand and digging its claw into his stomach. Resto screams alongside the mutant, feeling its shape dip into his own flesh, he quickly pulls back his hand out of the mouth of the creature, and two of his fingers break while he does so, the creature's sharp teeth catching them when he pulls the hand back.
He uses the hand to grab the creature's clawed hand that was slowly digging into his stomach to pull the claws out, redirecting the mutant's claws to the bottom of its chin- stabbing the mutant with its own hand. The mutant cries out again, stepping back slightly. Resto readies the axe, lifting it in the air, and slamming it down onto the mutant's head. At the same time, the mutant uses its other hand to claw at Resto's face. Resto endures the pain, digging the axe down deeper and deeper onto the mutant's head, and after a second, he hears a large cracking sound. The creature falls to his knees, and then on its back, lifeless next to its rug.
Resto would pant heavily, leaning his back on the cave wall behind him. His stomach was bleeding at a fast rate, his face- had visible claw marks, and blood pouring out of his eye. He wobbles over to the dead mutant, pulling the axe out of its cracked skull, and decapitating it. The sound of blood pouring out filled the cave, and even more blood splattered on the human, who grabbed the hideous mutant head with one hand, and slowly walked out of the cave.
Sounds of wet steps were heard as a bloody man entered the village. The guards all turned to Resto, who was walking- no, wobbling through the village, leaving trails of blood with every step. Kids looked as they gasped, some crying seeing such a man stroll into their home. Crowds were formed as they watched the man struggle to walk. Quickly the town began to gossip- people shrieking and staring. Resto swung the blacksmith's door open, walked In, and tossed the mutant head on the table. A bloody trail was left as the sloshy footsteps and horrible smell of the man filled the blacksmith's shop. “…Your Mutant…” Resto would belt out and with one final, heavy breath... He passes out.