As Liz and Alfred entered the bookstore they saw a white haired lady with cat ears surrounded by bookshelves and stacks of scrolls. She was standing next to some bookshelves and writing something on a piece of paper, her ears twitched and she said ˝How may I help you?˝ Still focusing mostly on the piece of paper.

˝Um, I would like to buy some magic and sword fighting manuals. Do you have any in stock by chance?˝ Liz asked hoping to get a good answer.

Finally finished writing, she rolled up the paper and added it to the stack of scrolls. She then looked at Liz and said with a warm smile. ˝I do, unless you want some manuals about magic-sword fighting. Those are very rare and extremely sought after, so I don't have any of those.˝ Her eyes looked intriguingly at Alfred while awaiting a response from Liz.

Liz positioned herself between Alfred and the lady ˝Just some basic magic, sword fighting with shields and spear fighting manuals please. And please don't stare too much at my golem, old lady.˝ She tried blocking the lady's line of sight to Alfred, but was unable to do so since she was smaller than her. 

The lady then turned around chuckled and said ˝Sorry, it's just that it seems different than the other golem I've seen. And my name is Emari, not old lady.˝ She said as opened a drawer and put an orb on a nearby desk. ˝Please put your hand on this crystal orb.˝

Liz reluctantly put her hand on it. ˝So, why does this crystal do?˝

˝Oh, nothing serious. Just your class, adventurer rank and if you have any criminal records. There are laws that prevent me from selling you certain books, especially if you have a criminal record. ˝ Emari said as she stared at the orb, reading the words that were now lighting up on it.

This made Liz sigh, as she had none of the above. At least none of her titles were visible. ˝So will there be a problem with buying the books, now that you've seen it?˝ She removed her hand from the orb.

Emari thought for a second before replying. ˝Sadly due to you not being an adventurer, I'm only allowed to sell you utility magic books. For the other books there is no problem, since you don't have a criminal record.˝

Liz knew this was going to happen, but she smiled and said. ˝Well, it's better than getting no books. So about those magic books, what kind can I even buy then.˝ She looked at the bookshelves while saying that.

This made Emari scratch her cats ears as she thought about what to say. ˝I suggest some body strengthening magic and some household magic. This should allow you to get a got foundation for learning other magic at a later date.˝ 

˝I'll take those then, so uh how much would those books cost?˝ Liz said hoping not to spend too much of Paulus's coins. 

While she was saying that Emari was gathering 5 books from around the store with extreme speed. She clearly knew exactly where certain books were stored. She stacked them in on the table with the orb and said. ˝Well, let's see. Spear wielding for dummies is 10 silver,  Sword fighting manual for trainees is 20 silver. Now the magic books are a bit pricier at 40 silver each. I'll even throw in a small manual about mana channelling, I wrote it myself.˝ She placed a small scroll on top of the books.

Liz then put 1 gold and 10 silvers on the table and started putting the books in Alfred's backpack. ˝Have a good night, we've got to get to the in now, so bye bye.˝ She waved as she started opening the door.

˝One more thing.˝ Emari said, as she suddenly appeared next to Liz. ˝Since you remind me of my grandchildren, I'll give you some advice. Alfred and Liz, trouble is brewing in these lands so you best stay on your guard. And don't worry about your secrets, they're safe with me.˝ She laughed.

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Alfred immediately held his spear at her and said  ˝How do you know our names?˝ 

Emari showed them a pendant around her neck. It looked like a closed book. ˝Now, now don't be scared. The god of magic just told me to tell you that, it seems your goddess asked him to look after you since he has more followers.˝

Alfred still didn't believe her, so he prayed for a bit to Artisia who said into his mind. ˝Um, yeah I asked Tim the god of magic to help you out. But I didn't think he would do it so soon. Something really bad must be happening in this kingdom.˝ Alfred thanked Artisia for the help and ended the prayer.

Alfred then pulled his spear away and said. ˝I am sorry for not believing you before. We are grateful for your warning. Have a pleasant night. Goodbye.˝ He left the store.

Liz then left after him while saying ˝Sorry about that, thanks for the books and the advice.˝ 

Emari then mumbled ˝I better send some letters to my kids. Maybe it would be better to prepare for trouble as well.˝ She then help up a staff that was hidden behind a bookshelf and summoned three crows. Attached a letter to each of them, opened a window and sent them away.

Outside on the street Alfred and Liz spotted Rora and Jill exiting a store. ˝Oy, Liz! Heading back to the inn?˝ Jill started yelling and running over.

˝Yeah, we're all done shopping. Oh, what have we here. So you decided on what weapon to use.˝ Liz said as she saw Jill holding a staff and a bow on her back.

As Rora came over holding her head. ˝She didn't really know what to pick at first. But decided on a bow and staff, thankfully it is something I can teach her, so that was a big part of it. She was so excited at the thought of being more help in combat. Haah, my head hurts.˝ She had two quivers full off arrows on her back. And peaking from her pouch were a few salves and bandages to help with her wounds.

Jill pouted and said ˝That's mean Rora, of course I'm happy to be of more use. After all I'm gonna become an amazing adventurer.˝ She said while holding her sides with a proud look on her face.

This made Liz and Rora laugh, while Alfred looked at her and her funny looking pose. ˝Enough of that. Let's go back to the inn. I'm sure Paulus is waiting on us.˝ Rora said as she started moving towards the inn.

On the way to the inn, they talked about what they had bought. The spear really intrigued Rora. And when they got to the inn they saw something they didn't expect.

˝Hic, ah, you finally arrived. Hic.˝ It was a drunk Paulus, he seemed to have started drinking right after getting them rooms. 

Liz seemed confused at the situation and asked ˝Paulus, are you alright? How come you got drunk? Does he always do this?˝ Liz looked at Jill and Rora.

Jill shook her head and said. ˝He never drank alcohol when he was staying in our inn. I wonder what happened.˝

They went to the innkeeper who was a middle-aged human. ˝So you're his companions huh. He payed for your room, just up the stairs to the left. He's got his own room on the other side. And please make sure he goes there to sleep. I don't want a drunk staying in the dinning area all night.˝ He said as he looked at Paulus that was slowly drinking some more ale. 

He then noticed Alfred and said ˝That thing is staying in your room too right. Don't worry there are 4 beds in the room. So as long as it isn't too heavy it should be ok. So just go up and put your stuff there. I'll get you some food, don't worry he paid for it already. Before getting piss drunk, hah.˝ Handing over the key to the room they went upstairs and left their bags and weapons in the room before going down to eat.

They sat down next to Paulus, the innkeeper brought them some stews and bread. As well as some ale and said. ˝If you need anything else let me know.˝

Liz immediately started eating and said ˝Food, good food. Ahh, this is the best.˝ Alfred was also sitting, but clearly didn't get food so he just stared at Paulus being merry.

As Jill and Rora started eating as well Rora asked ˝Paulus, what happened. Why did you drink so much?˝

Paulus placed down his tanker of ale frowned and said. ˝I just wanted to forget about something. Since the incident with the goblins, I keep remembering that event. Don't worry, hic. I won't go overboard, hic. Since we're not on a ship, hahaha. Hic!˝ He kept on having hiccups.

˝If you need some help, just talk to us. We'll help out in any way we can right?˝ Jill said, while everyone else nodded. Liz with a full mouth of stew and bread, of course.

˝Thanks, hic, but no worries, hic. I'll be fine tomorrow.˝ ˝Thump˝ Paulus said as he fell asleep on the table.

This made everyone smile and so they continued eating and talking, after they were done with the meal. Alfred carried Paulus into his room and put him on the bed, putting him on his side. This was suggested by Liz. 

He then went to the room where him, Jill, Rora and Liz were staying. He saw them all in their beds trying to sleep. ˝Good night.˝ He said in a quiet voice.

Since he didn't want to disturb their sleep he just sat on the bed. It was too dark, otherwise he would have started reading the manuals. Suddenly he heard crying coming from one of the beds.

He went over to check and saw Jill crying and muttering in her sleep. ˝No, don't kill me. So scary, so many goblins.˝  Alfred looked at her an remember how he felt when he was attacked by the wolf. He felt sorry for her and tried petting her head. While he was doing that she muttered something else. ˝No, Alfred, don't come closer. Please don't kill me.˝

This shook him. He moved over to his bed and sat there. Thinking to himself ´She is clearly still afraid of me, I hope I won't be causing her more nightmares. I will try and make her understand that I am not a danger to her.´ He sat there thinking of how to accomplish this until morning. As rays of sunlight pierced through the big window behind his bed.