After explaining the situation to Derge he just nods his head and fiddles with a knife.

“So you’re using a dead man’s gear and weapon. It's not ideal but it works for situations like what you were in. You came to the right place though, I can get you geared up no matter what your price range.” Eyeballing my gear once more Derge put down the knife. “So what kind of fighter are you? I noticed during your fight you were quite handy with that run of the mill dagger. And you were fast so I'm assuming light or medium armor then? What do you say?”

“I do like short weapons, so maybe a short sword or long dagger would do, one with a little more weight than this one.” I put my current dagger on the counter in beside Lilac. “I’d also like some medium weight armor, I enjoy movement but I don’t want to sacrifice too much protection for it.”

“Alright, I can make you a full set of medium armor starting at three silver for bottom line, six gold for my best. As for the dagger it’ll be a specialty so the price for that will be about three gold and nine silver.” Lilac began flying around me with a string that had red marks on it as Derge was giving me the prices. I look over at Aiden since I don’t know the norm for prices. He points to his armor and holds up 5 fingers, then points to his dagger and hold up a thumb so I'm assuming I get what he means.

“Sounds good, How about 5 gold for the armor, no helmet but if you have a hood that can block the rain that would be nice, and I’ll pay the three gold and nine silver for the dagger. Though do you also have any throwing knives? I’d like to look at them as well.” Thinking I did the right thing I look over at Aiden and give him a thumbs up just to realize he’s staring at me with wide eyes. As he holds up a silver from his pocket and points to his armor.

Oh whoops, I guess he 5 silver…ah well what’s done is done.

“Ah hahah, I like you boy, here my sets of throwin knives. I only have three at the moment, from the left to the right I have, Iridum Steel: Light and fast but the most fragile of the three, Black Iron: Heavy, a little slower but sturdy and reliable, lastly we have a set of Sea Iron Daggers I was traded by some folks a while back. Being from the sea they will never rust and they have some type of obsidian in them so the blades won’t need too much attention.”

Looking at the three sets I was more sold on the last one. It had four knives to the set with one larger than the other three and the pouch looked to have been made with some type of sea creatures scales giving off a soft green hue.

“The prices for these three ar…”

“I’ll take the last one.”

Shocked by the sudden interruption, Derge takes a second to regain himself.

“Ah alright then, that’ll be a total of twelve gold and nine silver. You can either pay up front or half now half after I'm finished re-sizing the armor.”

After Lilac finished her measurements she fly’s to the back room and brings out a piece of paper and passes it to Derge. While they look over the paper I get my money pouch out and put out the payment for the gear.

“Your size is just about average so I won’t have to make too many adjustments to the armor, but the dagger will take at least two days to make to your request. If you sign this here it’s an agreement of what you’re ordering and the total price as well as the given time for completion. If not completed by then, you have a choice of either a full refund and no weapon or a partial refund with your weapon at a later time. Sound good?”

Seems legit to me, guess I’ll go with it. I sign two copies of the slip and keep one for myself as Derge counts the money and puts it in a drawn with the other slip.

“If you don’t have a place to stay I suggest Mira’s Inn back on the main road, its good food, security, and decent price.” Sliding the throwing knives over the counter to me he throws out the suggestion as we begin to head out.

“Thank you, I’ll take a look.” I give a slight wave and then we walk out of the smithy.

Aiden didn’t say too much until we got to the inn and sat down at the bar.

“Missy, can I get a couple ales please? Oh, and if you have any more food some of that as well.” As he put down some silver on the counter Aiden calls out to a young female waitress behind the bar.

“And who this with you Aiden? I don’t think I’ve seen him around before.” Quickly putting a couple mugs in the bar in front of us while taking the change off the counter she looks at me then back to Aiden.

“This here is my friend Thomas, Thomas this wonderful lady if Missy.”

“My ACUTAL name is Missandra, but everyone calls me Missy. It seems after two or three ales saying a name longer than two syllables is a burden for these drunks.” Smiling Missy passes Aiden a plate of salted ham and potatoes, at least that’s what it looks like to me.

“Hey Missy! We need more drinks!” Down the bar a group of drunks called out and started making a ruckus.

“If you need me just get my attention any way you can, see you later Aiden!” With that Missy bounced back to the other end of the bar and started serving the other.

“You’re really not from around here are you?” I almost choke on my drink when Aiden ask me that out of nowhere.

“What do you mean?” Trying to play it off I let out a fake laugh and continue to drink.

“Well you look at almost everything around here wide eyed as if you’re seeing it for the first time. You shell out twelve gold as if it’s nothing when that’s easily enough for a person to live comfortably for the next ten years. The way you hold yourself is that of a soldier but not stiff like the capital soldiers we have, and I notice how you’re always looking for an exit and watching your back even though you’re in a friendly area. That’s not something normal people do. Not even most adventurers are at in guard as you are. I know you are a friend, but I feel like you wouldn’t hesitate to kill and it’s kind of a frightening feeling.” Downing half of his drink on one chug Aiden looks at me. “I don’t want to make you an enemy, but I do want to know who I'm dealing with.”

Sigh… well I wasn’t trying to hide it anyways.

“Hey Missy!” I raise a hand to get her attention. “Can I get a room, one furthest in the back it possible?”

“Alright, it’s three silvers for two days and if you pay an extra five copper you get a free breakfast in the morning!”

“Sounds good, here ya go.” I pass her four silvers. “Keep the change, and if you can keep anyone from coming near my room for a little bit. Thanks.” After I pass her the money I down the rest of my drink. She leads me and Aiden to the second floor where the guest room were.

“Here you go! Breakfast is served until eight in the morning. Have a nice night.”

“Thank you again Missy.” I thank her then close and lock the door.

Looking around the room it’s just the basics from what I can see. A small bed with linen, medium table with a couple of chairs beside it and a simple chest with a lock on it to secure personal item throughout the night. Aiden was already sitting at the table so I took the other chair and sat across form him.

“Can we keep what’s said here to just this room.” Looking at him I ask hoping to keep trouble from happening if someone else finds out.

“As long as it’s not a threat to the village or county I’ll keep my lips shut, unless you say otherwise.”

“Alright, I guess I should start from the beginning. My name is Thomas Allen, but you’re right, I'm not from here. I was brought to this world by someone from my world.”

“Who brought you here?”

“I don’t know, when I woke up I was in a white space with an old man named Milas. HE explained that I was picked by someone higher up than him and that I was to be sent here to live another life.”

“MILAS SENT YOU HERE!” jumping out of his chair Aiden yelled in surprise looking at me as if I was some holy being.

“Quiet down I don’t want the whole village hearing you. But yes I was sent here after talking with Milas. I don’t know why I was sent here or who those higher ups were, but I'm just trying to survive for the time being and have a fun time here.” Luna who’s been feeling neglected all this time nudged my hand so I gently scratch between her ears.

“People don’t just talk with Milas and walk away though. Throughout history there are records of him causing both good and catastrophic events to happen. One city was falling into ruin when he was rumored to have appeared, the next thing you know they dig into a mine overflowing with natural resources. Then there is a record of a man cursing the gods for something, then Milas appeared and destroyed the entire city, not even the children survived. You don’t just meet him and talk, that never happens.” As if all his energy has been drained Aiden slumps in his chair.

We are really gonna need to talk next time Milas shows himself.

It doesn’t take long to run Aiden through the chain of events from me appearing to now.

“So you not only met Milas and walked away, but you also met with Titum, got his blessing, and began traveling with his pup…..’ Letting out another sigh, deeper than the last he slumps lower in his chair. “…dude you are NOT normal. We need to get you back to the capital to meet with the Adventurers Association Head.”

“Why? What’s so special about him?” Curiously I lean back in my chair and relax.

“He kind of specializes in holy interactions. He’s also been blessed by one of the gods. But you’ll hear enough about him later. What did you do before you came to this world?” Looking at me Aiden ask what’s been on his mind since I let it slip earlier.

“Ahh, I got drafted into the Royal Erikan Self Defense Force after I graduated school, went to advanced reconnaissance school and was attached to our countries counter terrorism and first strike squadron.” Resting my head on the back of the chair I decide to just let it roll out and tell him everything he wanted to know. I have no reason to hide it from him.

“Counter Terrorism and First Strike Squadron?”

“Yeah, when there’s a terror situation going on my team was called to deal with it. When there wasn’t a situation happening but we got some info telling us where some guys were who’s planning to do bad we would sneak in, kill them and get out before anyone even knew what happened. Standard operation kind of stuff. After I left the CTFS I went to work for the local law enforcement in my home town and joined the K9 unit for a year but got laid off when my they downsized the force. Then I started working for my buddy who owned a construction and development company as a manager.