Returning to the main hall of the inn, I skipped asking the barkeep for information in favor of wandering around myself. Before getting my bearings, I headed for the edges of town. While it wasn't too large, it neared the limit of how far away the grave shadows could be. At the moment they skulked in the wall’s shadow, but as it remained incomplete I couldn't mindlessly have them try to circle around town. Any manned gates would pose a problem as well.

Circumnavigating the town over the next hour, by getting close to the wall the shadows could be sent far into the fields. A few dozen meters probably would have been enough to avoid notice, but I didn't wish to test the slothful guards. About a third of town had yet to be walled off; barricaded they would still be fairly safe for my shadows to pass with the exception of where the wall was being developed.

This outer perimeter appeared to be solely storehouses and residential zones; reflecting a measure of city planning from the outset, as well as a lack of time passing that required the infrastructure to be altered. Likely built near the edges of city patrols, it could remain a self sufficient agrarian town while at the same time capitalizing on the trade that went between Medean and Glaucen.

However this inorganic style of development lacked the low income areas and numerous alleys that twisted through Glaucen. Built as a tool for accumulating wealth, there was no space for the vagrants that came crawling in. Thanks to the intentional stability, finding a job was highly unlikely. And so, having missed the caravan out of the region, after scattering out of Medean, many found themselves trapped at the end of their funds.

Weaving deeper back into town, the faces of loiterers were not yet gaunt. It had only been a few weeks since the caravan left, and none here were so ill prepared as to not have funds for the journey. But men with resignation on their faces slowly trod about, women were in despair on street corners, and children were trudging behind parents. Failed pilgrims without enough to set up a new homestead, and in a land that forsook charity.

I wasn't really in a position to be distracted by their situation. Even if I could find some niche for them, I figured it would be too impersonal a deed for Tagalong Girl to understand. All that besides the enormous time cost that would have me setting Ria’s matter to the side. There at least was the concept of honor and keeping promises within Tian Meng so Tagalong Girl could understand the prioritization of philanthropic deeds.

Even as I thought that, if anyone looked into my eyes they would see ‘quest accepted’ reflected in them. Next to a bag filled with a collection of tools, a man and woman sat on the ground. Sewing together a shirt next to a pile of clothes, the woman worked diligently while the man called out to those on the street.

“In need of repairs? Six cupra for axles or doors, four to repair wheels or shutters. Anything I fix will be better than new. Save yourself time and hassle, price negotiable depending on the state of disrepair, but guaranteed to be the lowest around.”

Now this was an eye-catching form of desperation. Going by their knapsack and slightly randomized assortment of essentials it seemed like unlike other vagrants in the city, they’d actually fled from some disaster in a hurry. Yet even though they only escaped with a few belongings, the couple was clearly making an effort. Unlike despondent wanderers, helping those virtuous enough to help themselves might be a good example to set for Tagalong Girl.

The real trick to it was finding a way to properly approach them to receive a quest. On our way to town I’d already taken the time to patch up my clothes, and the cart was still in fine condition. Looking them over more intently, their souls weren't strong or defined enough to confidently recognize at a distance either. There needed to be some form of connection to ward off chaos. Interesting things happen all the time, but setting up a quest took some effort.

Repeating his advertisement, the man himself gave me an idea. Putting on a slightly relieved expression, I approached from his side.

“Ah, a carpenter are you? And one without much on hand. Tell me, do you possess any Livewood Oil?”

“No, but as you should be able to tell, I'm not in a position where I can buy an expendable tool like that. I need to continue saving money, so unless you've something for me or my wife to fix, move along. I'll consider any work though, not just carpentry.” Speaking in a sharp tone, his eyes wandered in attempt to weaken our interaction and dismiss me. My form made it a little difficult, but even if he had simply been looking the other way I wouldn't forfeit that easily.

“I’m in a situation not dissimilar to your own, you can expect an excellent deal. Since I’m currently traveling with my family, it is quite the hassle to keep all my ingredients preserved. You can take either two or four doses, at 80 and 120 cupra respectively. I can have them made by evening.” I lightly gestured as I talked to help maintain his attention, but at mention of the price, he seemed rapt. “Even out here you may have heard of Theodore of Glaucen; I received my knowledge from the greatest alchemist in the land. Meaning I can make concoctions more efficiently with fewer materials, thus lowering the cost.” I didn't go so far as to laugh arrogantly, since depending on the quest I'd have to interact with him in front of Tagalong Girl, but my smug disposition certainly made the price more believable for him.

“Harlod, let's consider our priorities. Even if his product isn't a scam, won't that set us back?” At last, the wife interjected; her intensity of work indicated she wasn't some wallflower, and seeing the dynamic of both would help me set things in place.

“We’ll definitely make a profit with oil at that price, and getting more money will be for the better, we can't skimp on this.”

“And if we arrive too late? Or we find it all ruined? Then it won't matter how much we spend.” Even as she argued, Harlod’s wife continued stitching with great speed.

“And if the monsters are still around, not spending enough will be the end of us.”

“If I may interject, perhaps we all can come to an even more profitable agreement. It sounds to me you know a place sacked by monsters, your old village? I passed through the unsettled lands between here and Glaucen with my own skill, defeating a few beasts on the way…” My proposal in general seemed to be going well, but I could tell the two thought I was overeager. “It hasn't happened long ago, correct? There are likely provisions still intact there, and since my family and I aren't looking to settle in this area, the *lion’s* share will belong to you.”

“Your guess is rather accurate, and a bit happy about heading into danger…”

“I had an idea of what your predicament was when I saw you. It’s merely fortunate I was on the mark.” Nothing like dispelling suspicion with truth. Even though my motives were in truth much more pure, the couple was relieved that my strange action just happened to be those of an honest scavenger.

“Then what price do you offer your services at?” Harlod asked.

Oh.

I have absolutely no idea what a mercenary charges.

Per day? Per expedition? Should I include upkeep costs? Even if I would waive it, doing so without treating it as a favor would be strange.

“First I’d like a little more information on the task. Do you want me to fight any stragglers? Are you just seeking to recover valuables, or will you try reclaiming your home?”

“If the homes are not in ruins, we hope to return before winter begins in earnest. The village was overrun by a number of large goblins, probably two dozen at most. Since I've only heard of them around wooded areas, they've probably left by now; it’s been four days. We can reach the village with an extended day of travel by walking.” He was hitting the major points of the issue, but I would have rather he told an elaborate story of their escape.

“Mhmm, were the goblins armed?”

“Lorn?” Harlod turned to his wife who stopped stitching for a moment. The two of them seemed deep in thought. Yes or no, given how long they were mulling it over, the answer better be important. I asked because it seemed like a question a mercenary would ask; honestly whether they had weapons or not, those below the rank of chief were fodder either way.

“I can't remember it clearly, but perhaps one or two had weapons? I don’t remember them being armed, however they didn't leave the impression of assaulting with fang and claw like beasts. Then again, we were rather focused on escaping with our lives.”

“So a ‘cleaner’ attack, huh.” While not bright, a few dozen goblins intelligent enough to fight with more than instinct was easy enough to imagine. However if they possessed that much intelligence, how did they come to be out in these empty fields? A goblin nest couldn't possibly go unnoticed this close to a city. Given the level of politicking and plots I saw in the forest, it wouldn't be unreasonable to assume the attack was not something random.

Just another reason for me to accompany them there.

“Two argent for the whole job, assuming it takes a day of travel and three days of guarding.” That came out to about double the price of staying at the inn for that time. Even if it was a low estimate, since I would make a good profit, it wouldn't seem suspicious.

Lorn’s greedy blue eyes were forcibly holding themselves back in false hesitation. “We’ll take your offer. We’d like to purchase a weapon first, but we’ll go as soon as possible.”

“Ah…” To show I noticed my inexperience I sighed. “I've already paid for an inn. How about tomorrow morning? What direction is your village?”

“The two of us shall wait by the northern gate.”

“I look forward to working with you. I’ll meet with you as soon as possible.”

As I moved to leave, Harlod joined Lorn in mending clothes. His work didn't match hers, but it seemed the two would at least try to meet the demands of their customers before leaving. A good sign— while showing virtues of being proactive and preparation, reclaiming their home wasn’t in itself an upstanding act. I’d truly be troubled by both the position I’d be put in if the quest I was setting up for Tagalong Girl resulted in Negative Karma, as well as what it meant for my ability to evaluate people in this world. I wasn’t quite used to the societal pure-hearted selfishness.

In any case, though self interested, the couple appeared benign enough to render aid unto without hesitation. It may have been a little awkward, but a quest had been acquired easily enough.

However this put me on a time limit for the real limit we stopped in town. I needed to find the location of cartographer and before dawn.

I say that, but in light of my predicament, instead of coming up with an entertaining harebrained scheme that could fail, I just asked some people on the street. With little trouble, it was revealed that while the town on the river didn’t have a cartographer proper, merchants there would be able to offer directions and would ferry others for the right price.

Disappointingly settled, it made sense to classify it more as a quest prerequisite anyhow. On the bright side, I could spend the rest of the evening finding a TavernBro to gossip about the Randall-Varren caravan and elves that presumptive innkeep went on about. Nothing like a good bit of lore to pass the time.