Jacob pulled off the itchy sheet covering him. He examined his clothes for damage. His t-shirt had one or two more holes than it had prior but was otherwise undamaged. His blue jeans were a little dirty, probably from his dirt nap, but some pats and brushing them with his hands quickly resolved that.

Jacob wiggled his feet and finally noticed, “Where are my shoes?” He asked Archival and Hellen. The latter turning to him and the promptly pointing at the door. There on the opposite side of the door to where it had been slammed into the wall when it was kicked in, were his shoes.

Jacob placed his feet on the cool dirt floor. It was a wonderful feeling, the cool earth beneath his soft feet, He felt that he was somehow, greater, more complete, and powerful like this, without much blocking his feet from the earth. He heard the voice of the system in his mind.

Due to divine blessing, Earth Affinity is increased while your bare feet are touching the ground...

Jacob smiled and made his choice. Jacob removed his socks, walked over to his shoes, and placed the socks inside them. “Do you guys have a spare bag or backpack?” Hellen looked at him sternly, “No if you want one, you’ll have to go buy it yourself.”

Jacob was a little aggravated at her comment but understood none the less, “Can I barrow a little money, I’m fairly certain you guys don’t take…” Jacob stopped speaking as he had found something in his pocket, well that and a lack of something. “My wallet is gone, but what is…”

Jacob said as he pulled a single large gold coin from his front pocket. On its face was the likeness of Hethara herself, and on the opposite side there was the depiction of a small scene. A hammer raised above an anvil next to a forge. The edges of the coin were smooth, as if the gold coin had been pressed in a perfect mold.

Hellen’s eyes went wide, while Archival simply had a warm smile on his face. Then Hellen began yelling. “Where did you get that are you a thief? I’ll cut…” The paladin who had been lifting her great sword abruptly stopped her tantrum, her eyes seeming a million miles away.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

She blinked, focus returning to her eyes and a small smile forming upon her face. “Hethara has seen fit to bless us will some traveling funds being as she has so graciously provided, who am I to deny her kindness?”

Jacob looked down to the large gold coin in his hand, it was two inches wide and about half an inch thick. “So how much is this worth?” This simple question elicited expressions of dumbfoundedness on both Archival and Hellen.

The three of them exited the small house, Hellen looking over to a man a dozen feet away working in a small garden in front of his home. She waved and he waved back. Jacob could now see just how small the village they had brought him too was. There were no more than 2 dozen buildings, including the general store and a larger building he suspected to be a store house.

The rogue and barbarian walked out of one of the larger family homes. At least he assumed that is who they were, based on their attire. The barbarian wore little in the way of clothes, some shorts by all appearances. The rogue wore what seemed to be midnight blue stained leather armor, with a heavy cloak. Quite probably to help obscure her identity.

As the two drew closer they began to wave and greet Jacob, and he got a better look at them. The barbarian had light brownish green skin and a set of horns coming from the sides of his head. He stood more than a head above Jacob; he would guess his height at about 6’6.

Upon his back he saw the handle of what appeared to be a great axe. The blessing of Hethara told him that the great axe upon Thomas’ back was an object drenched in passion. He blinked and suddenly a dark scene played out before his eyes, he now knew more about that axe than he wanted to.

Turning his attention to the rogue whose hood was down. She was an elven women about his height. Her hair was black and in a long braid down her back. As she moved her cloak swayed in the breeze and as he glimpsed inside, he saw dozens of throwing knives in pockets on the interior of the cloak.

Her midnight dyed leather armor appeared glossy but did not reflect the light as much as he thought it should. “Don’t you get hot with all that on?” Jacob asked Calisa the rogue. Her only respond about, “No. It doesn’t.” Jacob suspected her to be lying, but then again it could be magic armor, so he let it slide.