by Eden Redd
Kavan eyed the leather frock, large leather boots, simple shirt and leather leggings on the goblin. He was roughly the same size as Onka, except he was bald and his ears had longer, floppy points. His nose and chin were pointed as well, like the bottom of a crescent moon. His skin was an emerald green, a little darker than Onka’s skin color.
Oaks jumped down from a crate and made his way over. He reached a small counter and climbed several wooden steps until his waist reached the edge of the counter. He stared at Kavan, the goggles obscuring his eyes.
“Greetings. How can I help you?” Oaks said with a monotone hiss.
Kavan nodded. “I have some lumber to sell.”
Oaks made one simple nod. “How much lumber do you have?”
“Twenty-four pieces. I chopped them into logs.”
“Let me see one,” Oaks said simply.
Kavan reached into his satchel and into one of the inner pockets. He pulled out a single log from the satchel and held it up.
The goblin reached out and took it from him. He turned it around, his green fingers moving as he spun it around. The goggles were pointed firmly at the log as he inspected it. After a long moment, Oaks placed it down on the counter and gave a simple nod.
“Good wood. From the Misty Forest. Many are afraid to chop wood there. Twenty-four logs? I can pay three gold coins for what you have.”
Kavan raised an eye ridge. “Three coins?”
Oaks nodded. “Normal payment, one gold coin for ten logs. You’re new here. Wish to welcome you with generosity. After today, payment will go back to normal.”
The goblin reached under the counter, grabbed something and lifted it up. Kavan looked down at a piece of thick, braided string. It had notches colored in sections. Oaks took the string and wrapped it around the log before him.
“Must meet this size and length. Take string to help keep track and calculate payment. After time, you will know it by heart,” Oaks explained.
The goblin pointed to a large bin against the wall. “Put logs inside. When finished, I pay. Ten logs for one coin. Remember.”
Kavan nodded. “I’ll remember.”
Oaks continued, “Must repair West Gate doors. Need lots of wood. Bring a lot of wood and receive bonus. Welcome to Moonvale.”
Kavan bowed his head. “Thank you for the welcome.”
Onka smiled as Kavan left the counter and moved to the large wood bin by a wall. He reached into his satchel and began pulling out logs and dumping them into the bin.
Moments sped by as Kavan unloaded his haul. Oaks hopped away from the counter and went back to sanding down a piece of wood. Onka stayed by the counter, watching Kavan work and licking her lips as his shoulders moved.
When Kavan was finished, he stepped back to the counter and Oaks rushed back. The goblin stabbed his hand under the counter and placed three gold coins on top of it. Kavan thanked him and scooped up the coins.
“Tell me if you need furniture. Happy to help. Fair prices.”
“I will, when I have a little more coin,” Kavan said and bowed.
Oaks bowed.
Kavan and Onka left the shop as the goblin jumped down again and resumed his work.
Outside, Kavan placed the three coins in a side pocket. Onka looked up and closed her eyes, the sun on her skin.
“In case you're wondering, he’s always been like that. He grew up in a home and has a large family. He just likes working with wood. It’s his passion. He doesn’t talk much, but he works fast,” Onka said and opened her eyes.
Kavan smiled.
“Where to now?” Onka asked.
“Are you going to go everywhere with me? Not that I mind.”
Onka gave him a sly look. “I’m your guide and you’re my responsibility until you become part of the town.”
“You take the role very seriously. Which is at odds with what Rujin at the inn said when we met.”
“Rujin doesn’t like me because he gave me a gift and I declined.”
Kavan remained silent, unsure what Onka meant.
The goblin looked up into Kavan’s confused eyes and sighed. “You are new here, aren’t you? I don’t mean to Moonvale, but to any place outside of the spire cities.”
“I haven’t had a chance to soak in the cultures yet. I spent more time travelling,” Kavan lied.
Onka nodded. “In most places, gifts show your willingness for friendships, partnerships, and romance. Depending on the gift, it will show your intentions. For example, if you gave a shipment of lumber to Oaks and refused payment, it would further your working partnership. There would be a better chance of him wanting to give you discounts and deals he wouldn’t give another.
“If you give something useful to someone, especially if they need it, you enhance your friendship. It shows your thinking of them and wanting to help.”
“What about romance?” Kavan asked with amused eyes.
Onka looked at him and slowly blinked. “Intimate gifts are things of worth and can be fancy. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just something that speaks and acknowledges affection. It can take one gift, or dozens. It depends on who someone is courting.”
Onka’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, and the gifts don’t stop after a bond is formed. They better keep coming or someone is going to be very upset after a time.”
“Durzol and Oaks were very generous with their gifts,” Kavan mentioned.
Onka nodded. “Oaks was trying to show you he is ready for a partnership. Durzol was much more giving. I think he wants to be your friend.”
“How does courting and romance work here in Moonvale?”
Onka’s bright, yellow eyes looked away, a sudden shyness touching her expression. She quickly pushed it away and spoke to Kavan with a matter-of-fact attitude.
“There are three ways to court one or many partners. The first way is the Spark. It tells a potential partner you’re interested. A small gift is usually given to show interest and a willingness to see if partners are compatible.
“The second way is the Chase. This means you wish to be a little more serious. Partners come up with rules between them to ensure honesty and fairness. A gift can be very personal, something not too obvious unless you know your partner well. This step may lead to the third way of courtship.
“The last one is the Bond. This is where all partners involved become bonded together. It usually means a piece of jewelry, often times a ring with a gem on it.”
“A courtship can have many partners?”
Onka nodded. “It can. As you see, just because different races can court, doesn’t mean they can bear children. Bonds and relationships will often have a partner of their own race to have children, but everyone bonded works together to raise them. That is why many races across Voldor have lived in some kind of harmony over the last few centuries.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, what did Rujin give you as a gift?”
Onka blinked before a wide wicked grin formed. “It’s not polite to ask such a question. It gives an unfair advantage in courting. But, since you're completely clueless to courting, I’ll tell you just this once.
“Rujin gave me a special painting from the inn. He loves it so much; he will sometimes talk about it. It has a deep and powerful meaning to him.
“I had only lived here in town for a few months. I was picking up some tea when he stepped over to me and handed it to me. I was flattered, but I had to decline. He came on too strong, giving me something so special to him. He didn’t even try with small gifts. He went full magical explosion on me.”
“How did he take it?”
Onka’s shoulders and ears drooped. “Not well. He got into a few extra fights with his brother. For a while he didn’t look in my direction. It’s been a long time and he is normal with me now.”
“Sorry you had to go through that,” Kavan said with an understanding tone.
“It’s fine. Courting can get messy.”
Onka changed the subject, “Did you say you needed new clothes?
”
Kavan nodded. “I’m stopping by Orb Styles. I think it's right down the street.”
Onka nodded. “You’re going to meet Zellee. She owns and operates the shop. I think I should tell you about what happens when a bonding is broken.
“There is a root called a Wither Root. They are hard to find, but not impossible. You just have to know where to look.
“Once you dig up a wither root and present it to a partner you’re bonded with, it will signify the bonding is broken and cannot go on.”
Onka took in a breath and let it out in a long exhale. “As I’m sure the mayor told you, we don’t have any children here. Hynrik and Zellee were our last hope at a new generation here in Moonvale. So many families left in the past few years, it seemed they would make a difference to the town. Hynrik owns a farm to the northeast of town. Zellee has her shop, but spent more time helping Hynrik with the farm. It caused them to bicker, a lot.
“About a year ago, during one of the town gatherings at the Shouting Troll, Zellee gave Hynrik a wither root in front of everyone. You could hear a pin drop. Hynrik looked down on it as Zellee turned and left the tavern. When he looked up to see her gone, he looked like a broken arachnix. They haven’t spoken a word to each other since that night.”
Kavan listened, absorbing every word from the goblin.
“Zellee is a very nice arachnix. She has clothed this entire town for years. I’m sure she will be happy to have a new customer.”
The drama in this town is through the roof.
“Yes, it is.”
Onka started walking. Kavan walked with her.
Thoughts swirled as Kavan processed everything he was learning. The rules of courtship and friendships were a little involved, but he was glad he had some insider information. It would make navigating his relationships with the townsfolk a little easier if he knew what he was doing.
The pair reached a shop with wide windows. A wooden sign hung from silver chains; “Orb Styles” carved into a stylish font. Onka opened the door and they both stepped in.
Kavan took a moment to take in the place. It was an open space, like a large warehouse. Wooden dummies stood, each one clothed in a different outfit from the mundane to an extreme style. Four tables filled the center, clothes neatly folded and piled on one another. Kavan could make out everything from simple shirts and leggings to what looked like overalls and elegant robes.
The dragonkin continued to look around, the shop reminding him of some of the larger chain stores back on Earth.
From a wide archway in the back of the shop, something big clicked out.
Kavan turned his attention to the archway and fought to keep his gaze neutral. A nine-foot-tall woman came out, part of her body covered in a stylish white and blue robe. It was the rest of her that caused Kavan to pause. From the waist down and behind her was that of a spider abdomen. Slender spider legs bent from the sides and moved with graceful dexterity. She clicked through the wide aisle, making her way across the shop.
It hit Kavan where he saw her before. He remembered glancing at her when he was introduced to the townsfolk the first night in Moonvale. It all happened so quickly, he didn’t have time to process what he was seeing. Now that the spider woman approached him, it became that much more real.
The arachnix approached with a welcoming smile and bright, black eyes. Her hair was pulled back and in a stylish braid. She had high cheekbones and flawless, alabaster skin. Kavan could not deny her beauty as she approached. The robe adhered to her body and trailed down slightly lower than her underside. She had a large black spider abdomen behind her and her black legs were slightly thicker than Kavan’s own legs.
“Welcome to Orb Styles! My name is Zellee Orb and I’m happy to see a new face here in my shop. How can I help you?” the arachnix beamed.
Kavan smiled, unsure what to say.
Onka looked up to the spider woman. “Kavan needs a few outfits.”
Zellee didn’t look at the goblin, her gaze purely on the dragonkin before her.
In that moment, Kavan could see she was attracted to him. He didn’t spend a lot of time dating in the real world, but he knew it when he saw it in many other virtual worlds. Her attention was like a laser on him, drinking in every detail.
The arachnix moved a little closer and lowered her body so she and the dragonkin could see each other in the eye.
“Kavan, it’s so nice to have a fresh spirit in our little town,” Zellee’s dark eyes lowered to his cut and punctured leather armor. “Oh my, the kobolds damaged your leather. I can repair it for you. No charge because you’re a new resident. I simply want to help with your adjustment to our town.”
The courting and friendship rules stabbed into Kavan’s thoughts, not sure if he should accept such a generous offer.
Onka saw Kavan’s hesitation and acted. “He would love that. Thank you!”
Zellee turned her gaze to the smiling goblin before turning it back to Kavan. “Do not fret, Kavan. My offer has no strings attached. It’s simply nice to have someone new to design for.”
Kavan glanced at Onka and the goblin gave him a quick wink.
“I assume you will need a few new pieces of clothing?” Zellee asked.
Kavan nodded. “I want to increase my wardrobe with some new clothes.”
“I’m sure I can accommodate you. I have many pieces that are stylish, practical, and affordable. Let’s take a look around and I can show you some pieces that may fit your style.”
“Thank you,” Kavan said simply.
Zellee let out a bubbly laugh. Her hand reached out and touched Kavan’s chest before quickly pulling it away.
“No need to thank me yet. Let’s take a look and you can thank me after we’re finished.”
Zellee reached down and took Kavan’s hand into hers. She turned sideways and walked sideways slowly, gently pulling Kavan with her.
Kavan glanced over his shoulder to Onka. The goblin covered her mouth, fighting back her own laughter as the dragonkin was pulled further into the spider woman’s den and shop.
Seven
A tree shuddered before it began to tilt. Kavan stepped back with axe in hand, taking a small break as the tree tipped and fell with a subdued crash. The dragonkin huffed as his muscles burned with acid fire.
Taking a deep breath, Kavan lifted his scaled snout to the sky. Gray clouds filled the heavens from horizon to horizon. The air tasted of a coming rain. The mixture of the sea scent and coming rain drifted into Kavan’s nostrils and he let out a small sigh. When he lowered his gaze, he saw four downed trees.
The morning had been productive, Kavan waking as soon as it was light outside. He quickly dressed in his new farm clothes, which consisted of a white wool shirt with brown leather patches on the elbows and chest. Brown leggings covered his legs. Black boots covered his taloned feet.
Kavan smiled to himself as he remembered how Zellee fawned over him in her shop yesterday. She had an energetic excitement as she picked up shirts and held them to Kavan’s chest. Onka had stayed off to the side and watched as the arachnix tended to her new customer.
Kavan remembered it being a whirlwind as the spider woman moved around him, sizing him up and asking questions. He had to confess he didn’t have much gold for anything fancy and Zellee merely nodded. She didn’t seem terribly concerned. After seeing a few outfits, Zellee and Onka nodded in agreement on which outfit was best. A short time later, he had several outfits and was four gold coins lighter. Most of the outfits were working clothes, strong enough to handle farm work. One outfit was picked out for the Moonvale gathering tonight.
Kavan stood over a fallen tree, remembering how Zellee stole small touches as she helped him pick outfits. They weren’t unwelcomed, but Kavan did wonder if everyone was this forward in Moonvale, or even across Voldor. His thoughts slid to the gift traditions Onka mentioned and wondered if that was something he should pursue.
“Kavan, at our current rate, it will take us years to gain enough gold to
leave this place,” Viz’s voice drifted along his thoughts.
The dragonkin nodded. “We will have to ramp up production. I have some land. Farming crops may improve our income. Maybe livestock?”
“I don’t have enough information to calculate different income sources. Crops take time. Livestock might be faster, depending if we need time for livestock to grow and feed. We need to know more.”
“I can ask around at the gathering tonight. Onka, Zellee, and the mayor seemed very excited for tonight. It might open some opportunities.”
“Agreed.”
Kavan nodded to himself. He looked down at the fallen tree before him. His body had cooled from the breeze and he lifted his copper axe. The axe blurred down and stabbed into the bark.
Two alerts populated his gaze.
You have gained 1 degree in Strength!
You have gained 1 degree in Wood Working! Wood Working is now 1st degree, Weak.
Kavan smiled as the alerts crossed his vision. “I already increased my strength? I thought it would take weeks of constant hard work to improve it?”
“New information unlocked. Attributes do increase through usage, but certain attributes increase faster than others, depending on racial class. Dragonkin have efficient bodies, making their growth faster than other races. As your attributes increase, it will take longer and harder work to reach higher degrees,” Viz explained.
“No pain, no gain,” Kavan chuckled.
“It would seem so.”
The acid fire along Kavan’s muscles ebbed away. He flexed his arm, feeling like he was stronger. It was an odd sensation, but Kavan didn’t mind it at all. With each passing day, everything felt more and more normal.
The dragonkin lifted his axe to strike at the downed tree when a small moan touched his ears.
Kavan lowered his axe and looked to the forest. Shapes moved through the thick brush, several moans rising up and floating along the air. A small decayed stench touched the dragonkin’s nose and it wrinkled slightly in dismay.
Kavan turned to the forest, his gaze peering through the low branches and brush. The figures moved slowly, making their way closer. Kavan’s eyes narrowed as he caught glimpses of haggard bodies and white bones against the green forest.