“I understand your desires,” the man said to Isa. “You’ve made them quite clear. But I’m telling you that you may not enter Fazar’s temple. You are, by your own admission, not a wizard, and you would get blood all over the books.” He crossed his arms and widened his stance in the temple doorway.

“Is there someone else I could ask? Your boss or something? I can make a donation.” Isa gingerly touched the gnawed sleeve of her bracer. “I am a traveler in need. Doesn’t that count for something to religious types?”

“Aggar?” A female voice behind the man spoke. “What’s the matter here?”

He turned his head to reply, “No matter, ma’am. I’m just explaining the rules to this--”

Suddenly a reed-thin woman in copper robes was standing beside him. Her dark hair was shaved close to her scalp, which only enhanced the sense that she was only a few feet from Death’s door. “You are a stranger,” the woman said to Isa, and it wasn’t a question.

“Yes,” Isa said softly.

“You need knowledge in order to feel safe.”

Isa opened her mouth to reply and then stopped. Yes, that was true. She’d never thought of it that way, but it was true. The class notes, the color-coded index cards, her tabbed text books, they were all shields against the uncertainties of the world.

“I am Ealda, priestess of Fazar” the woman said. “And you may enter. Fazar does not turn away true seekers of knowledge.”

The man stepped aside, and Isa nodded her thanks and walked past him. She bowed to the woman, and said, “My name is Isa Chamberlin, and he's right; I’m kind of a mess right now. Do you have a place I can just freshen up?”

“We have not the healing arts here, Isa Chamberlin.” Ealda narrowed her eyes. “If that is the knowledge you seek--”

“No! No-no.” Isa held up her hands. “Just a scratch really. I am, as you so succinctly put it, a stranger to Varana. I would like to understand this world, and I do that best when I can read. For instance, I should like to know more about the dog-men who inhabit the river area. The ones with the spears.”

“Gnolls?” The man said softly. “There are gnolls in Bywater?”

“Steady on, Aggar.” The woman named Ealda clamped a hand on his shoulder. “Do you have even empirical evidence to back up your claim? No, you have a dozen words uttered by a stranger as the basis of your theory. That is weak even by your standards. You may go.” She waved her hand in dismissal. “Oh, and Aggar - not a word of this, yes? Until you see gnolls at the river, any talk of them is simply idle gossip, and you know how Fazar feels about gossip.”

“Yes ma’am. Of course.” The man scurried away down a dimly lit corridor.

Isa half wanted to join him. This woman, this priestess, seemed quite serious about her temple, and Isa wasn’t sure she could bring the right level of gravitas to the situation.

Ealda turned to Isa. “Now then,” she reached out with one thin finger and lifted a strand of Isa’s hair; “blonde stranger, tell me more about why you have come here today.”

“I’m, ah, staying at Lund’s right now, and he said that if I was serious about reading up on Varana, that I should come here.” She flashed a smile.

Ealda started up a set of stairs and motioned Isa to follow. “You’re some sort of adventurer?”

“Yeah, I guess I am.”

“That’s excellent news.” Ealda turned suddenly to face Isa. “Do you want to know why?”

The priestess was already taller than Isa without being two steps above her on the stairs. Isa craned her neck up and shook her head.

“Because,” the woman continued, “it means that Fazar has answered my prayers.”

***

An hour later Isa was trudging back to Lund’s. She was not burdened by an armload of books or wiser for having gotten an hour with an encyclopedia - if they have such things, she added to herself. No, Isa returned to Lund’s as the evening light began to fade with another quest, and one with a deadline, at that. A deadline!

Ealda had taken her to a large room upstairs where books and scrolls lined the walls. Isa’s heart leapt to see them all. The shelving went to the ceiling on three sides and interspersed on the flat shelves were cubbies for bundles of scrolls.

Three robed figures sat at a large table in the middle of the room, and the only noise was the sound of pens scratching against stiff paper. The light coming in through the high windows was augmented by candles placed at the table and around the room in sconces and holders. Isa smiled and breathed deep, taking in the scent of paper, cloth, and leather. There was another smell too, an underlying note of a pungent spice perhaps.

“You discern our problem immediately,” said Ealda. “We need feldspice for the candles, and our local supplier says that his stock is depleted. Dragons, he says, have taken residence in his regular gathering grounds.”

Isa stepped back. “I’m no-- I mean, I can’t--”

“You won’t journey to Hanchen to buy feldspice in their markets? You haven’t heard my terms yet.”

Wait, the woman wasn’t asking her to fight a dragon? She was offering Isa a quest but a far less dangerous one. This quest economy was starting to make sense. “Alright, I’ll listen, but I just really want to look at some of the books. I mean I’m not trying to--”

“Friends of Fazar may read Her books.” Ealda inclined her head slightly.

“Ah, and friends help friends out by….”

“Helping out.” Ealda smiled. “We understand each other.”

“And this quest--” As she said the words Isa thought to put her hand on her small bag. She wanted to see if she could feel the vibration of her notebook as it captured the quest details, but the bag didn’t buzz. Hmm, maybe it had already happened when Ealda first spoke? Maybe it hadn’t happened yet because Isa didn’t know the details of the quest.

Details! Isa flipped open her small bag and got her notebook. “I’m supposed to ask for a man named, um Belchin, I think.”

Ealda stared at Isa. “Why is that?”

Isa pointed at her notebook. “It’s in my quest?” Were you supposed to talk about quests? Had she just made a social blunder?

“The giver of your quest is mistaken. I am the priestess of Fazar. If a quest brings you here, it brings you to me. Now, will you hear my terms, or perhaps you’d prefer to leave since you will not be dealing with a man.”

“No problem here. I’m listening.” Isa closed her notebook and held it in front of her at what she thought might be parade rest.

“It is 2-day’s journey to Hanchen. How you get there is your business. Once there, you will buy 5 bundles of feldspice at the market and return to us. I am prepared to spend no more than 5 gold per bundle. Do you understand?”

Isa nodded. 5 gold for a bundle of weeds? She was in the wrong business.

Ealda continued, “If the price is 3 gold, or although unlikely, less than 3 gold per, you are authorized to buy an additional 5 bundles. Feldspice won’t keep indefinitely, as you know, but we can sell the surplus to other temples.” The woman reached into her robe. “I will pay 5 gold to you now, plus another 2 for expenses. You will receive an additional 8 gold when you return with the feldspice.”

“That seems very fair,” Isa tried to keep her voice steady. She was about to have 7 gold in her hands. 7!

Her notebook vibrated, and Isa tried to hide a smile. She was figuring this world out.

Ealda handed her a small pouch and held up a folded piece of paper. “Here is 7 gold. And this is a letter of credit for Hanchen market. The letter is good for up to 40 gold coins. Do you understand? In the event that you got a good price, you may draw the additional funds. But only in that event.” She tilted the letter toward Isa who gently took it. “I understand,” she told the priestess.

“Good.” Ealda turned to survey the room. “We can’t have our books in danger of pests, can we?”

“That’s why you need this, um feldspice? It’s like a repellent?”

“It’s not like a repellent; it is a repellent.” The priestess arched one eyebrow. “As I said, our stock is low. I expect you back here with my feldspice in 6 days. That gives you 2 days in Hanchen, should you need it.” Ealda paused, “Adventurers have been known to take requests - quests as you call them - only to fulfill them weeks or months later. I will not take kindly to delays.”

“Can you give me 8 days? I’ve never - I mean, it’s been awhile since I took the road to Hanchen. There might be detours.” She gave Ealda her best smile.

“Very well. 8 days.”

So now Isa was heading home, to Lund’s that is, to figure out where Hanchen was and how someone would go about using a letter of credit.

As Isa opened the door to Lund’s, she was surprised to see that it was full of people, conversation, and light. Every booth was filled, and most of the bar was occupied as well. She was able to squeeze between two very large men to find a place at the bar.

Once she was situated at the bar, Isa was able to get a better view of the patrons. She spied Joth at the end of the bar sitting by himself.

She caught Lund’s eye, and within a minute he put a pint of beer in front of her. This was the sort of service that she could get used to. She grabbed her glass and made her way down to the end of the bar to stand beside Joth.

“What happened to you,” he asked. You look like you've been in a war.”

Isa looked down at her torn left bracer and then said, “It's kind of a long story but what can you tell me about some sort of creature called a gnoll? Looks like a dog-man, sorta.”

Lund came up as Isa was speaking. “Why are you having anything to do with gnolls? I think that's a little too tough for you. Start with something smaller.”

“Like spiders?” Isa looked at Joth when she said this.

“Yeah! Spiders are perfect,” Lund said.

“Some spiders,” said Joth, “are small. Smallish.”

“Well, I didn’t particularly want to fight a gnoll. I surprised one on my way to the temple, and I swear I just escaped with my life. Look what he did,” and she pointed to her bracer and moved to the side so that they could see the the rip in her leather tunic.

“Eh, doesn’t look too bad,” Joth took a swig of his beer.

Lund pulled Isa’s left arm, turned it gently left to right, and said, “I can't say the same for my bracers.”

Joth patted her shoulder. “A good night’s rest and you’ll be right as rain.”

“Is he for real?” Isa asked Lund.

Lund looked carefully as Joth. “Yes, I believe so.” He lightly slapped Joth’s face. “Real.”

“It’s a expression in our country,” Joth told Lund. “What Isa means is, ‘Is Joth being truthful about sleeping and healing.’”

“Oh. Yes, he is. If you sleep for 8 hours tonight, in the morning you will be healed. My bracers, however, will not.”

“I’m sorry, Lund. I’ll make it up to you. I got another gig! A paying one. What are you doing tomorrow, or actually what are you doing for the next few days? That priestess of Fazar wants me to go to Hanchen and buy some herbs for her.”

Joth said, “I could go with you.”

Isa ignored him and looked at Lund.

Again Josh said, “Really, I could go with you.”

Someone shouted Lund’s name. To Isa he said, “I really don't have time to leave the bar for a few days. It's at least a couple of days journey to Hanchen. I’m sorry, little sister.” With that he turned and move to the other end of the bar to serve the other patrons.

Isa could feel Joth’s energy beside her. He was coiled like a clock spring. Finally she said, “So I have this quest. Lund suggested that if I wanted to read up on this world, that I should go to the wizard temple - this Fazar. And that was fine up until the point that the priestess said I had to do a favor for her before she do a favor for me.”

Joth nodded, “Yeah,” he said, “that's kind of how the quest economy works. You said it was a paying gig. What did she offer you?”

“I just really need someone to keep me company on the road,” said Isa. “I don't need a partner.” She paused. “So if you’re needing to go there anyway, fine. But I’m OK on my own.”

“Those bite marks in your bracer and the gash in your side say otherwise,” said Joth. “They say you need a companion for the journey. I’m not proposing marriage, Isa. Do you even know where Hanchen is?” He finished the small glass of beer that had been sitting in front of him.

“No,” she said quietly. “You’re right, and I, I should have asked you first, I guess.”

“I’m not the most lovable guy. I know that. But we can help each other.” He gestured to her left arm and the dried blood.

“The gnoll thing, it surprised me,” she said. “I did get a few whacks in with my staff but it wasn't enough. The truth is, I ran away.”

Joth laughed. “That's what smart adventurers do sometimes. There’s nothing wrong with running away.” He put both arms on the bar. “So tell me more about this quest.”

Before Isa could answer Lund returned to join them. “So this priestess, Ealda, told me that she'd give me gold if I went to Hanchen and got her some sort of herb that she uses to keep bugs away from the books. And there's one more thing, she gave me 8 days to do it.” Isa made a face. “She said she was tired of adventurers jerking her around. She, ah, didn’t use those exact words. I’m paraphrasing.”

“I got that,” Joth smiled.

“You got your first timed quest, Isa!” Lund thumped the bar with his fist. “Well done! Those usually pay well. And,” he said, “8 days is very doable. But you really shouldn't go alone. Take Joth! Wizards come in handy.”

“That's what Joth was just saying to me,” Isa said wryly. “So I guess he's volunteering for the job.”

“I have nothing more pressing,” he said airly and then grinned. “It will be fun! How much money do you have?”

Isa snapped her head back. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“If we're going to go to Hanchen together, you're going to need better gear.”

“I just got this armor,” Isa said.

“And it's quite... lovely,” Joth said. “But I actually meant your weapons. The staff is fine but we've got to get you a proper sword. You can keep the dagger,” he said. “Just keep it in your boot…” He pointed at Isa’s running shoes. “What are those?”

“You’ve been here so long you forgot about running shoes? These helped me outrun that gnoll, so there.”

“She needs a rapier,” said Lund. “Light, flexible. She’s not strong enough for a long sword.”

“She needs better strength. A rapier is fine to start but when we face-- I mean, if she runs into any larger creatures, a rapier will snap like a twig.”

“Any strength she’s lacking, she makes up for with--”

“She’s right here, you know,” Isa waved her hand. “I only have 7 gold. Can I get a decent sword for that.”

“No.” Lund and Joth said at the same time. “Not even close,” said Joth. “And you need an explorer’s pack, at least. We can probably stay at Traveler’s Rest, but you never know, right?”

“Right,” Isa said.

“A pack comes with important stuff. A bedroll, torches, some rations, a water skin.”

“I need that,” said Isa. “How much?”

“Usually 10 gold or so. Unless there’s a sale.” Joth grimaced.

Lund said, “Meet me in the kitchen. I might be able to help with that.” He turned to serve a new party that had commandeered the other end of the bar.

“What’s he mean?” asked Isa.

“I dunno. But let’s find out.”

As she entered the kitchen Isa suddenly thought about her job. “Um, Lund,” she said to him, “Can I have a few days off?” She grinned weakly.

“I wondered when you’d think of that. Washing dishes is no job for an adventurer. It’s fine.” He bent down and pulled a dirty wooden chest from under a counter. “Let’s see what we have in here….” He lifted the lid and peered inside. Joth looked over his shoulder. “Oh wow,” he breathed.

“Yeah, sometimes I take trade. Sometimes someone dies and well, I keep the stuff in lieu of payment.”

“How often does that happen?” Isa took a step back from the chest.

“It happens in our world sometimes, you know,” Joth said.

“Yeah, I guess so but really, the thought….”

“Here we are,” Lund said as he dragged a dark gray pack from the box. “I won’t lie - I have no idea where this came from. The rations, if there are any, are probably unuseable.”

“Not if they are dwarven.” Joth reached into the box. “Look at this,” he said and held up a small clear bottle, filled with clear liquid. He shook it gently, and the contents shifted.

“Oh yeah!” Lund held out his hand. “I forgot about that. Guy said it was worth 25 gold, traded for 5 gold worth of room and board, but I just thought it was kind of neat.”

“What is it?” Isa looked closer. The object in the bottle was about the size of a thumb drive, grayish in color.

“If I’m not mistaken, it’s a troll’s fingertip.” Joth held it to the candle and brought his face closer. “You should put that under lock and key,” he said and handed it to Lund.

Isa looked from one to the other. “Why?”

“I’ve never used one myself, but it is a pretty rare spell component. In the right hands, it could be deadly.”

Lund nodded and added, “You can use it to make a healing poultice, too. Hard core stuff.” He slipped the bottle into his pocket. “Here,” he handed the pack to Isa. “Let’s see what we have, then I’ll know what to charge you.”

“I’m not going to find someone’s nose or something right?” Isa held the pack at arm’s length. How did Joth know so much about this world? He said that he knew about iPhones, so he’d been here less than 10 years. You can learn a lot in 10 years, she told herself. Especially if your life depends on it.

“Hand it here,” Joth sighed. “I’ll take a look for you.” He upended the pack and let the contents spill onto the floor.

“Hey!” Both Isa and Lund cried out in protest. “I swept that floor this morning!” Isa said.

Joth ignored her. “We got a sleeping roll, good-good. Tinderbox.” He shoved that at Lund. “Any good?” He continued with his inventory. “We got 3 candles, unused. A water skin.” He grinned at Isa. “A nice length of rope. What’s this? An oiled cloak! That’s a bonus.” He handed it to Isa. “Try that on.”

“It’s a dead man’s!”

“You don’t know that for sure. Tell her Lund. That’s worth a few silver on its own.”

Reluctantly Isa put the cloak over her shoulder. The hem came down to her calves, but it seemed to fit across the shoulders.

Lund nodded. “Looks good,” he said. “Keep off the rain. I’ll throw it in. We got what 5 things, plus the cloak?” He shrugged. “5 gold? Seem fair to you?”

“4 gold,” Joth said before Isa could speak. “There are only 3 candles after all, small ones at that.”

“That’s a nice pack! Look at the stitching.”

Isa ignored their bartering. “I also need some sort of brush, a spool of thread, some charcoal, and mint. They have mint?” She asked Joth.

“It’s for her teeth,” Lund whispered loudly to Joth.

“Yeah, I got that, Lund.” He pulled Isa to one side. “Do you think you could try to fit in? People here are not obsessed with their teeth. I’m sure they clean them after a fashion, but no one is grinding charcoal.”

“What do you use?” She tried not to be obvious about staring at his teeth.

“Twigs, alright? It’s something the Babylonians used to do. You fray the ends of a fresh twig and….” He made brushing motions with his finger.

“I didn’t think of that. That’s good short term. I gotta have floss though. The thread.”

“Fine,” he said and turned back to Lund. “5 gold if you throw in some thread.”