I finally made it! After weeks of travelling the tall, sturdy stone walls of Bearsdeck is in sight. It is a medium sized town despite being one of the few trade centers between the human kingdom of Celzit and the dwarfs with their mountainous strongholds. The perfect place for a mercenary of mediocre skill to ply his trade.

A smile slips onto my face as I follow the packed dirt road to the gate with dozens of people and wagons crowding around it. My sore feet hurry up to get inside and rest. I notice that the wagons are stopped and inspected as I go by, but I pass unimpeded.

I can’t stop my eyes from going wide with wonder as I crane my neck to try and take in every sight I can see. From the bustling streets filled with all kinds of races to the white and blue colored buildings on each side of the street. I am overwhelmed by the sounds and smells, especially since I’ve been in the middle of nowhere with only an old man for the past seven years. My musings are suddenly interrupted when a human kid who could be no older than ten dashes in front of me from an alley and starts waving to get my attention.

“I s’posse you’re new in town mister, aren’t you.”

I scratch the back of my head a little sheepish, “Is it that obvious?”

Nodding his head up and down in an exaggerated manner he exclaims, “Specially cause you’re starin wide eyed at everything! And because a big, strong warrior like you is new, I’ll offer you a big deal. Just three coppers instead of my normal five to tell you the best places to visit!” He says with three fingers held high.

I guess it can’t hurt if it’s just three. It’ll save me a few hours of wandering around. I dig three dull copper coins out of the coin purse on my right hip, hand them over and say, “Deal.”

“I knew you was a smart one when I saw you; most mercenaries stay with Mrs. Alica at the Mug and Key Inn. Two blocks that a way while a good smithy is one block to the west. Finally, Jackson by the southwestern gate is who you want to go to if you want to sell monster parts. Got all that… good, now see ya around mister!”

I smile after him as he dashes back into the alley where I see him and a few more kids around his age run off down the alleys. Then I sigh because as much as I want to go to that inn and take a bath, I should probably check out that Jackson fellow since he is closer. I also want to ask him what monsters are in the area, so I hike up my backpack and trudge off in his direction.

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A few streets down I come across a short, blue stone building with a sign out front which has a knife and wolf head on it. I walk inside and a little bell rings as the door opens. A voice yells out, “In a minute!”. After a few a short but stocky man swings the curtains that leads to the back aside.

“Ah, a new face in town, hoping to stay for a bit?”, who I assume is Jackson says in a deep and gravelly voice.

“Yes, that’s the plan at least. I came to check out the shop and see what monsters are in the area. The names Liam by the way.” I reach out to shake his hand.

He reciprocates, “And I’m Jackson most just call me Jack, so you don’t have something for me, ahhh that’s fine lad, at least you’re smart enough to not go charging out into the wilds and get yourself ambushed by some Earthen Squirrels.” Jack shivers, “That’s enough to make a grown man scream.”

Quirking an eyebrow up I ask, “Do I even want to find out?”

He shakes his head, “No lad, unless you’re a part of the Baron’s specialized extermination squad, you don’t want to go near those little fucker’s territory. Oh, and if you want to know about the monsters that live in the wilds you can head up to the library, they have several copies of an explorer’s guide if you can read or a worker there can read it to you if you can’t.”

“Thanks Jack, I’ll go check it out once I’ve had a bath and some hot food. See you when I have some parts for you.” I smile and wave at him.

“Aye lad, don’t go get yourself killed, I need new customers hahaha.” He bids with a deep chuckle while I leave the shop.

“Alright, next stop is the Mug and Key Inn.” I trudge off with a spring in my step.

Half an hour goes by as I follow the directions that kid gave me until I find a two-story wooden building that’s light green with yellow trimmings on the sides. The sign out front has, of course, a mug and key on it. I walk inside and take in the homey atmosphere. A lit fireplace strait ahead and a dozen tables spread throughout the common room. Off to the left side is a bar with three people nursing drinks and an older looking woman behind the bar. We lock eyes and I give her a nod and a smile as I make my way towards her.

“Hello! I’m looking for a room, some food, and are there baths here?”

The woman gives me a motherly smile and say, “Rooms are 25 coppers a night, dinner is included but you must pay for breakfast or beer. We do have baths; they are through that doorway just before the stairs. They are separated and clearly marked. Will that be all honey?”

“Wonderful, I’ll have dinner after I finish my bath and I’ll prepay for 1 weeks stay.” I reach into my coin pouch and uuhhhhhhhh… Where did all my money go. I just had it on me when I paid that kid…..

“Those fucking kids!”