Pawly preened and meowed at him.
“Yup, I got it just for you. Who’s a pretty girl, hmm?”
Pawly purred loudly and pushed into the hand stroking her head.
After a few minutes of giving her affection, he stood up. “Okay, let’s go see if there are any quests going to Brightstone. We’re on the road right after that.”
Pawly stretched, then began to walk ahead of him.
~*~*~
The Dungeon Walkers’ guildhall wasn’t as busy in the morning, but there were still a few groups scattered about the room. Almost everyone focused on him when they entered. His jaw tightened under their gazes, but he headed for the quest board.
“Blighted with a cat? That’s not something I’d thought I’d see,” one voice snickered.
“Lead, one mark,” another said. “Maybe he’s not blighted. He could just be one of them.”
Stern did his best to ignore the voices, but Pawly’s fur was fluffing up in anger. She stalked after him, clearly unhappy.
Stern looked at the board with dozens of papers attached to it. Each one was stamped with the minimum badge rank required to accept it. His eyes skimmed over the rankings— the highest he saw was prismatic steel. He whistled softly at the need for someone ranked that high, then looked past it, as that was well out of his range.
A few for the various elemental metals came next, and he kept going down the board. Bright and dark irons came and went as he kept pacing down the large board that covered half the wall. The precious metals were after them, and then down into the common metals. He sighed— even tin was more than he could accept at the moment.
At the very end of the board, he found the ones for lead-ranked Walkers. The quests he expected to see were there. The first was asking for help gathering herbs from the nearby forest. Next to it was another asking for help getting a rat problem under control at a local bakery. There were several more small quests that would pay okay, but not incredible, and all of them would keep him tied to the city here.
The last one was a simple delivery quest to Brightstone. The bonus was that it was a Walkers’ quest, meaning that he wouldn’t have to go to another place in the city. Touching the paper, he willed it to accept him. The page vanished off the board and he smiled.
Going to the single desk in the room, he nodded to the balding man seated behind it. “Sir, I took the quest to deliver goods to Brightstone.”
The man was giving him a pensive look before nodding back to him. “Yes. Regina did say you might if it was still there.” He looked away from Stern and pulled a drawer in the desk open. His hand vanished into an inky void before returning with a messenger bag. “Here you go. As the quest said, it must be delivered unopened.”
Stern accepted the bag, removing his backpack before slinging the bag on. With it around his neck, he got his backpack strapped on again. “Five days for a three-day trip? I’ll get it there with plenty of time to spare.”
“If you stay on the road,” the man replied. “Some leads like to wander off the paths.”
“Until I become a tin, at least, I’m not likely to stray.”
“Hmm, if only more felt that way. Best of luck.”
Stern nodded and turned toward the door.
“Hey, pup!” a voice called out to him.
Stern looked up to see Gustav and his crew entering the room. “Gustav.”
“Heading out already?”
“Delivery to Brightstone. Once I’m there, I’ll see if anyone will take me on. If not, I’ll be going solo again.”
“Are you planning to stay on the road?” the angelic woman asked.
“Yes. Until I gain the tin rank, it’s silly to go wandering off-track.”
“Heh, but it can be fun,” the man with triangular teeth grinned. “Good eating in the woods.”
“Stop it, Jaq,” the woman said with a glare. “He doesn’t have your physique.”
Jaq grinned. “True enough.”
“Stay safe, and have a safe run,” the elf said, stepping aside for him. “Will you be heading as quickly to Bloodstone after that?”
“Probably,” Stern said. “Depends on what happens in Brightstone.”
“We’ll be going that way in a few days,” the elf smiled. “Maybe we’ll see you there.”
“I’d like that, Miss…?”
“Stella,” she replied. “Just call me Stella.”
“Oh, right,” the angelic sighed. “Melia.”
“Stern,” he told them. “See you in Bloodstone.”
Gustav slapped him on the back as Stern passed him. “Safe runs, pup. Find a crew.”
“Is the cat with you?” Stella asked.
“Pawly, and yes,” Stern said, nodding his head, but not staying to talk.
Walking swiftly down the street, Pawly trotted along beside him. “They were nice once Gustav mellowed out. Hope he gets over calling me ‘pup.’”
Pawly meowed in agreement.
~*~*~
Stern was glad when the gates of Brightstone came into view. Staying on the road meant no trouble unless bandits had taken up in the area or in the unlikely event of a horde. Hordes were improbable near the three lower cities— lead and tin Walkers scoured the areas nearby to finish the quests they could. Bandits preferred the cities where higher-ranked Walkers were, as they would have better loot.
“Bandits… idiots who put themselves in danger targeting people who’ll fight back just to grab a few trinkets. It’d be safer to go into a dungeon and get their own,” Stern snorted.
His mood was sour. The rain had started yesterday and continued with only minor pauses. At the moment, all he wanted was a dry, warm room to rest in, and maybe some hot food.
“And a drink...” Stern muttered. “Whiskey’d be good. That’ll warm me up from the inside.”
Slogging down the road, he was glad that all of the main roads were paved. He would have hated the trip more, otherwise. The sky was darkening when he finally reached the gates of Brightstone.
The two guards on duty eyed him when he got close enough to talk. “Bit crap to be out in, isn’t it?” one of the guards asked.
“Hasn’t been a good few days,” Stern said tightly, keeping his head down so the rain dripped away from his face and off his cloak.
“City rules apply,” the second guard said, clearly bored. “Any objections or questions?”
“No. Inn?” Stern asked, just wanting out of the weather.
“Closest is Walker’s Rest, two squares straight ahead. It’s next to the academy, Dungeon Walkers’ hall, and dungeon.”
“Perfect,” Stern said. “Have a good shift.”
“Thanks. Be glad to be out of this weather,” the second guard said.
Stern went past the two men without wasting any more time. They’d given him a destination where warmth and dryness could be achieved, and that was all he wanted right now.
The inn was easy to find— the door was open and music was spilling out. Stepping inside, he found it busy, which wasn’t surprising as the main room was a tavern. A small stage took up the far corner of the room, giving anyone on stage a clear view of the door. A large fireplace was roaring on one wall, providing warmth to the entire tavern. The majority of tables were full, but a few had open seats. The infernal on stage was singing a lament about lost love, and Stern paused to hear the last few words.
“Love, never to be found...” The lyrics were haunting, and with the last strum of her lute, she gave the crowd a sad smile.
The room applauded and a few people wiped at their eyes. The emotion in the room hit him in the gut, and he took a shuddering breath. Swallowing, he turned to the bar as there was no desk by the front door.
The dwarf behind the bar glanced his way, seeing only the sodden cloak and hunched form. “Room, food, drink?”
“All three. Deliver food and drink to the room, please,” Stern said. His voice trembled, as the emotion of the room was still affecting him.
“That bad, huh? Fin
e, fine. Two large copper. Food and two drinks tonight and tomorrow are included. The bath is down that hall.” He pointed to a hallway by the stairs heading up.
Stern fumbled out two large copper. “Heated wine and food in an hour, please?”
“Done,” the bartender said, fishing out a key with a metal disk attached to it. He tossed the key down to Stern. “Number nine, second floor.”
Stern picked up the key and turned away before he paused. “A small saucer of milk, as well, please.”
The bartender gave him an odd look, then shrugged. “Fine.”
“Glad you all enjoyed it,” the infernal on the stage grinned. “How about something more upbeat? Perhaps ‘Fire Makes Me Hot’?”
A roar went through the room, and Stern chuckled as he made his way to the stairs. The song was a bawdy one that was well-known by most tavern crowds. It was all innuendo and suggestive gestures, but was already turning the room into a happy place. The opening tune helped dispel the gloom weighing on Stern’s soul as he climbed the stairs.
Finding his room, he pushed the door open. It was dark inside— the sun having set already— though the thick clouds wouldn’t have let much light through, anyway. He could see the candle on a table inside and approached it. A striker lay beside the candle, so he clicked the device until the wick caught.
Once it was lit and the room had light, he shut the door. The single candle didn’t give off a lot of illumination, but it was enough for him to find the chest at the foot of the bed. Stripping off his bags, he put them into the chest, pausing long enough to pull out a second set of clothing. He laid his cloak out on the chair in the room to dry, then exhaled slowly.
“Bath, food, bed...” he told the empty room.
Leaving the room, he nearly ran into a young boy. “Sorry,” Stern said.
The boy looked up at him with wide eyes, fear growing on his face.
“I’m not blighted,” Stern said simply.
Mouth moving, but no sound coming from it, the child continued to stare at him.
Stern saw the lantern in the boy’s hand. “Was that for my room?”
With his head twitching in a jerky nod, the child held it out to him.
Stern sighed to himself and pulled a single copper out. Offering it with his right hand, he extended his left for the lantern. “Trade you?”
The boy was quick to exchange the lantern for the coin. He then scurried away with a few glances back at Stern.
Exhaling, Stern went back into his room. He used the candle to light the lantern, which illuminated the room better. Snuffing out the candle, he left the lantern on the table. At least he didn’t scream for help, Stern thought as he left the room again.
Making it back downstairs, he slipped into the hall quickly, glad that everyone was watching the stage. The singer saw him, but didn’t react beyond her eyebrows rising, as she was on the finale of the song.
“And that’s why I always say it’s only fire that makes me hot!” her voice rose above the crowd, which was singing along with her.
He found the bath and was glad it was empty. The room was divided in two by a wooden screen, with two more that could be pulled out to block a bath off from the door or another bather.
Placing his dry clothes on the small table, he made sure his screen was pulled closed. As he stripped off his clothing, he sighed, glad to be out of the wet things. Stern noticed that the tub was runed, which he was grateful for. It meant that the water would be as hot as he wanted it to be.
Plugging the tub, he got the water going. After a little bit of looking, he found the soap, along with towels. Once he had everything ready, he climbed in, exhaling as the heat soaked into his legs. The tub was just long enough that he could extend his legs out all the way. It left him sitting upright, but that was fine— it was deep enough that the water came halfway up his chest. When the tub was completely filled, he turned off the water and just sat there, soaking for a bit.
~*~*~
Clean, dry, and feeling better, Stern grabbed his clothing which he’d cleaned and rung out. He planned to lay it out on the table and chair in his room so it could dry overnight. He made it to the taproom and darted up the stairs before anyone could get a good look at him. The musician had finished playing, so the inn was back to normal.
When he made it to his room, he exhaled in relief that he didn’t have to deal with anyone else. He set his clothing out on the chest for the time being, knowing his food should be along shortly. He’d just finished when there was a knock on his door.
“Sir, your food,” came a female voice from the far side of the door.
Stern let the maid in, waiting for the inevitable.
She was smiling as she moved to the table and set his food and drink out for him. “Will there be…?” Her voice trailed off as she stared at him.
“Obviously, I’m not blighted,” Stern said with a sigh. “Thank you for the food.”
Staring at him, the preteen stood stock still.
“You should probably get back to work,” Stern said not unkindly.
Head jerking up and down, she rushed out of the room. Stern sighed as he shut the door behind her and went to the table. His plate had a steak, some vegetables, and a chunk of buttered bread on it. A mug of steaming wine sat beside it— he inhaled the aroma and sighed happily. There was also a saucer of milk that the maid had brought along with his food.
Fingers flexing, he smiled and summoned Pawly. He’d missed his friend over the last couple of days. He knew that Pawly hated the rain, not that he blamed her. Now that he had a room and some food, he could summon her and enjoy having her company.
Chapter Seven
Once he’d finished stretching, Stern made sure he had all of his gear for a dungeon run. He was going to keep the inn room, as he’d want it again tonight. With his first aid kit strapped to his back and the delivery bag slung over his shoulders, he rolled his neck.
“Breakfast, delivery, dungeon,” he murmured as he opened the door to his room.
Heading down to the taproom, he saw an older woman behind the bar. “Ma’am, I have room nine. I’d like to keep it for another night.”
She looked his way, her lips thinning. “You’re the one scaring my kids.”
Stern just stared at her and waited.
“Three large coppers!” she snapped.
“Your husband charged me two last night,” Stern said bluntly. “I’ve done nothing to anyone in your establishment. I was even polite and tried to ease your children’s fears.”
Lips twisting, the old woman growled out the words, “Two is fine.”
Stern placed them on the bar and pointed to an empty table. “Breakfast and some hot tea, please.”
The old woman’s eyes narrowed before she swiped the coins and went toward the doorway at the end of the bar. “Breakfast and tea! Hurry it up!”
Shaking his head, Stern took a seat facing away from the sour woman. At least it’s not just me... she’s just a bitter old prune.
A few minutes passed by before a teenaged boy brought him a plate and mug. “Your meal.”
Stern heard the tremor in his voice and felt the fear and hatred radiating off him. He ignored the kid and focused on his food. Two scrambled eggs, a hunk of cooked meat, a slice of hot buttered bread, and a serving of beans. Should be filling, Stern thought as he cut his meat in half and pushed one of the chunks toward the edge of his plate. Pawly will enjoy something this morning.
His breakfast was mediocre, but it filled him up. Stern tossed down the last of the tea before picking up the uneaten piece of meat, shoving it into his pouch, and heading for the door. He didn’t bother to inform the woman behind the bar that he was done. She knows already, considering those two daggers digging into my back.
The sky was overcast, but it wasn’t raining at the moment. The city was awake and people were everywhere. Stern watched a large chicken pulling a wagon with a shake of his head as his father’s voice came to him. Fat Choco… what was the wor
d again? Screw it. Fat riding chickens.
Stern turned to the Walkers’ hall, pausing when a man riding a giant wolf came his way. Dressed in robes, the man was clearly a user of magic. He was carrying several different wands in a bandolier on his chest.
The man stopped in front of the inn and jumped down from the wolf. “They have rooms?” he asked Stern, giving him a curious, yet piercing, look.
“They should, but the woman behind the bar might try to gouge you,” Stern said. “Two large copper is what I just paid.”
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