The meeting with the chief took the most part of the day. He kept poking and prodding trying to get more information about what happened before I woke up in the plains, but I kept that to myself. I don’t know how they would react to me being from another world. Somehow I was able to change the topic when I mentioned the petrified adventurers.

“Do you mean Sera, Mortimer, and Cyrus?” Marylin piped up when I mentioned the location of the camp. “She told me that they were headed to Ravers Peak to work on their anti-air capabilities…but I haven’t heard anything from her since.”

“I'm not sure about that but I did retrieve these…” I brought out the registration and passed it to her. “…that was also where I was able to get this gear, it was in one of the bags I found. I'm not sure if that’s against the laws here but ill return them if there’s an issue. Ill also mark on a map where their campsite is so you can go recover their bodies, if you want to.” Starting to cry silently Marylin was holding the registration close to her.

“Please do Mr. Allen, as for the gear you can keep it. It's more use to you alive then it is the dead. Ill also grant a reward for the finding after we send a team to retrieve them.” The chief looked at Marylin then at myself and slid me a local map, much like the one I got from the campsite.

“I don’t want a reward, please pass it off to the families of the dead.” I mark the location on his map and slide it back.

“Please let me go Chief, Ill retrieve them.” Softly Marylin speaks to the chief as she looks at the map.

“Alright but take Crom with you.”

“Yes sir.”

With that, Marylin and Crom leave to retrieve the bodies, leaving myself in the room with Aiden and the Chief alone.

“Aiden, can I speak to Mr. Allen alone for a second?” After a moment of silence the chief speaks up.

“Yes Sir.” As Aiden stands he puts a hand on my shoulder and looks at me for a second before walking out. “Thank you.”

“Maids please leave as well.”

“Yes Sir!” All four maids leave in an organized line after Aiden and close the door softly.

After another moment of silence the Chief stands up and pours himself a glass of water.

“Want one?”

“No thank you.”

“One of the boys you found was my son….Cyrus…He was a dumb boy who thought of nothing but getting famous and fighting with hero’s from the capital….I told his he would get himself killed one day chasing those ridiculous dreams. Thank you for finding him and his companions.” The chief sat back down in from of me and got a serious expression on his face.

“You’re welcome and I'm sorry for your loss...” Not knowing much else to say I give my condolences.

“Don’t be, it’s the fate of an adventurer. The thing to be worried about though is what caused their deaths. Petrification isn’t a normal thing around here, maybe if we were closer to the Reaves Nesting site but that’s a three week journey away from their campsite.”

I look down at the cracked table map and find the location he was talking about. It was only a little ways to the south-east from the site but I don’t know what the scale is on this map so that could be a far distance and I'm just being an idiot.

“I don’t plan on interrogating you, you did help save the town so I guess you did earn a little lee-way. Now that you have an ID you shouldn’t have any trouble getting into towns or villages. For helping save the village take these…” The chief tossed a bag on the table. “…Inside you’ll find some silver and gold coins to buy supplies, there is also a letter of introduction from me. If you take that to one of the adventurers guild branches there should be no issue with you getting an application approved. I don’t know what your plans are but if you head to the capital, talk to Guild Leader Vancit. Just mention me and he should be willing to help you out in any way you need. Now please go, I want a few moment to myself.”

“Alright, and thank you for the stuff.”

I grab the bag and walk out without argument, he seems like he’d force me to take it anyways if I did argue.

“Hey Thomas! Is everything alright?”

Aiden called out to me from a bench down the hall and waved. I walk over to him and take a seat beside him.

“Yeah, he forced me to take a reward for helping in the fight so I guess I can sleep in an actual bed tonight rather on the ground.”

“So you had no camping equipment? How long were you out there?”

“Maybe a week…I lost count of the days after a bit.” Scratching my head I laugh a bit. “It didn’t bother me really, my time in the defense force got me used to it.”

“Defense force? You’re military?” Aiden looks at me questionably.

Shit…I got slack and let that slip.

“Uh yeah, old history though, not the best of memories so if we could not talk about it that’d be wonderful.”

Nice save!

“I guess….why don’t we hit up John’s store then, get you some gear at least and a room at the in. How much did the chief give you?” Obviously wanting to ask more Aiden seemed to decide to hold off and changed the topic.

“I didn’t count actually.” I grab the reward bag from my side and look in curiously.

When I opened the pouch I was greeted by a miniature sea of silver and gold. “Holy shit man, that’s a years’ worth of savings for a top tier adventurer! You’re gonna be set now!” Aiden surprised by the amount slaps me on the back and stands up. “C’mon we’ve been sitting around for too long, let gt you some better gear! I know the Smithy here and he’s top notch.”

With that being said I was drug out of the building by Aiden followed by Luna who was thinking it was a game. We headed back in the direction towards the southern gate but turned to the right shortly before re reached it. About five minutes after following along the inside of the wall we come across a small clean smithy with two extremely dirty men hammering away on some red hot iron.

Clink…tap tap….clink…tap tap…clink…tap ding…. “NOW!” Whack…Whack…whack…….

Watching from the sidelines, the sounds from the forging process filled the area. Going from gently tapping the metal to hitting it full force, enough to cause the iron anvil they are working on to sink down slightly into the stone foundation. It fascinated me seeing two people with such immense strength and skill.

“Done. Get that blade in the soak and prep some drinks, we have guest.” Putting the hammer away the older looking one turns towards us. “So are you just going to stand there and gawk or are ya commin in!” He waved his hand and walked into the building.

“Let’s go Thomas, he isn’t the one you want to keep waiting.”

We fast walk to get inside and follow the smith. Surprisingly once we got inside it was spotless, not a single speck of dirt or soot came in from the outside work area.

Soft Cleanse

After walking in the shop I felt the same as when Marylin used her magic on me. I look around and hear a little giggling above my head.

“He’s a funny one, it’s like he’s never herd of a housekeeping farun before.” Sounding as if a little voice was speaking directly in my head I look up and notice a little person, maybe the size of a bat flying above me and Aiden laughing.

“Stop messing with him Lilac and come down from there.” From behind the counter the smith called out in our direction. He was also completely void of any dirt and grime from just a few seconds ago.

“Aye!” Flying down she landed by the smith and sat on the edge of the shops counter folding her wings behind her.

“Welcome to my smithy, what can I do for ya?”

“Morning Derge, just need some gear for my friend here. The good stuff too.” Slapping my back Aiden pushes me closer to the counter.

“Ah, who’s this? Is this the rumored person who stole ya kill in the fight against the boar?” Derge looks me over and reaches out a hand. “I'm Derge Trowl. The best smithy in the area.”

I take the hand and shake firmly. “Thomas Allen, Nice to meetcha.”