Chapter 5

Robin and I are now standing off to the side while we are waiting for this captain to show up. I believe this is a good thing, I mean Reline didn’t kill me outright because I was a traveller so why would they. After about five minutes of going back and forth trying to find a reason to outright kills us, I saw the soldier that was sent away coming back towards us, this time with someone else behind him. The other person was a relatively young man probably about my age, but he looked like he has done some serious combat training. I mean his arms were seriously defined, but were not overly huge. He has red hair with a short military like cut, and his eye were also red and seemed like they were watching everything that was happening. “You must be the traveller, and this must be your slave.” The captain voice caught me completely off guard, here I was expecting some gritting voice and instead it's a youthful happy voice. Wait did he just say slave? Is he talking about Robin? “Hello my name is John, and this is Robin my ‘Companion’.” I emphasized the companion part making sure this captain knows that she isn’t my slave. “Ah sorry my mistake I based what I said off the difference in clothing, anyways can you and your companion follow me. There are a few formalities that must be done when someone claims they are a traveller.” Good at least he seems to be able to correct his mistakes, though I do have to agree that my and Robins clothing is quite different. I am currently wearing an under armor shirt that is form fitting and some khaki pants, with some of the best hiking boots money can buy. While Robin is currently wearing a shirt and pants combo that is made out of what I believe to be hemp, which looks a lot like a burlap sack.

“Sure, lead the way.” I readily agreed to follow the captain as he doesn’t seem like a bad guy, just kind of scary. The captain starts walking into the city probably back from where he came from, so we followed right behind him. Then he looks over his shoulder at us, “Oh by the way my name is Grant, and as I am sure you know by now I am the captain of the city guard, welcome to Genus, the home to all races.” He spread his arms out towards the city, like he has done it a thousand times.

“This is my office, come in and take a seat.” Grant opened the door to a small single story building that was only about three minutes from the gate entrance. Robin and I walked in to see a single desk with lots of paper on it and two chairs placed in front of it. On the side was a sofa, and a table. The table had a teapot that was sitting on top of a plate, and the plate had some glowing symbols on it. Maybe some kind of hot plate? I know they don’t have electricity, but I don’t know the extent of what elemental power can do. Whatever I will ask about it later. We proceeded to sit down in the two available seats and watch as Grant walked over to the teapot. “Would you like some tea?” He gestured towards the teapot. I am not much of a tea drink mostly water for me, “No thank you, how about you Robin.” I looked over at Robin and noticed she was confused. “Ah tea is a type of plant that when soaked in water changes the flavor of the water.” I realized she didn’t know what tea was so hopefully that helped her. “If that is the case then I would appreciate some tea please.” Oh nicely said Robin where did she learn to speak like that? She is a smart girl. Grant comes over and hands Robin a cup of tea, then heads to the other side of the desk to sit down. “Well first things first I have to make sure you are a traveller, every so often we get someone claiming to be one that are actually just after the benefits.” Ohh there are benefits nice. “What do you need me to do?” I mean I am a traveller so it shouldn’t be that hard to pass. “You have to answer a simple question, one only a traveller should know. Name the computer company founded by Bill Gates?” Wait Bill Gates you mean the founder of Microsoft? I mean that's the obvious answer, but what would happen if I didn’t know who Bill Gates was? “The answer is Microsoft, also what would happen if I didn’t know the answer?” He seems reasonable enough to not get mad at me for asking something like that. “Correct, and we have other ways of testing, but this way is the easiest, and now I will need you to create a question for the next traveller.” Oh so I wouldn’t have just been thrown out if I got it wrong well that's good. But now I need to create a question for other travellers, just how many do they get. I mean I feel like he is treating this like a once a month thing. Hm the question should be pretty easy, but relatively new so how about some world news that almost everyone should know. “Just a quick question, from how you're reacting travellers are not super rare, how often do they show up?” Grant looks up from what he is writing and looks like he is thinking a bit about my question, “ I would say about once a year a real traveller shows up.” Oh well that's less than I expected, but still quite a bit. In that case I have a good question then, “The question will be who was elected the U.S. President in 2017. The answer will be Donald Trump.” Relatively big news that most people should know especially if it's a year from now.

“Ok got it written down, now that I know you are actually a traveller I will need to explain a few things, then you can ask me anything you would like.” Grant looks up from his papers to see if we are ready for all the info. Though currently I am trying to remember all the things i have been wanting to ask since I got here. With a nod of my head Grant starts to inform us about a lot of things. “This is the city of Genus, here you will find every race under the sky. For the most part I would like to think we do not discriminate, but there are dark parts of the city where even I have trouble watching over. Each race has savage and non-savage individuals meaning that even goblins which I believe back in your world are considered mindless killers will have civilized members here. From what I can tell you have already been slightly informed about elemental powers, but let me give you the general run down. There are the six element fire, earth, water, air, light, and darkness. Each person is born with the ability to absorb elements, but some are born with more affinity towards an element. I myself am a flame-touched human, an evolved race of humans. Now getting into races, each race has the ability to evolve: humans, lizardmen, harpies, dwarf, fairies, or dog-kin they all can evolve. Evolutions are usually shaped by your chosen element, so when one evolves they are able to hold more of their chosen element. This makes them stronger and have longer life spans, to put it into perspective for you, I have evolved once and my life span will be around three hundred years. So about three times the normal life span of a human. All in all you will find that most people here are currently stronger than you in almost every way. Though travellers has a knack for being some of the strongest people on the continent. Speaking of which, yes there is a adventurer's guild which is located between the market district and the housing district. That is probably the most asked question. I think that is everything. Your turn to ask away.”

Wow I haven’t had this much information thrown at me since I asked Robin all about elemental power. So friendly monsters, already known elemental stuff, every race can evolve even humans, evolutions are tailored towards your element, and evolving makes you live a fuck ton longer. Just wow, the main things I am thinking about is the fact that I might be able to evolve. “Ok first question can travellers evolve also?” Right off the bat I need to know if the rules apply to me. “Yes, from what I have heard almost all of the rules of this world apply to travellers also.” Awesome, super me here I come. “Second question, what is the name of this world?” Been wanting to know this one for a while, can’t just keep calling it other world. “Gaia, and there are three continents: Ciera is the one you are currently on, Jason is to the northwest of us, and Zeus is to the Northeast. Also if you are wondering why they have such common names besides Zeus it is because they are World Trees which is an evolution of a Forest Dryad.” Well that's good to know, I didn’t think that a plant monster could become an entire fucking continent, but hey I am going to have to learn to live with it.

“Third question, is there anyway for me to make money, and possible sell something, also what is the currency like here?” I know what the adventurer’s guild is, but I would like to get settled first before I start killing monsters. “Ah I almost forgot, here is two gold coins, I am going to say that your currency was USD, so two gold coins is equal to about two hundred USD. Currency is bronze, silver, gold, and platinum each ten times the former, starting at one bronze coin equalling one USD. For making money you could join a family, become an apprentice, or work as an adventurer. To sell something there are shops in the market district that will buy what you have.” Grant pulls out a small sack with couple coins in it and explains how much it is after looking at what I can only believe is a conversion chart with money types from ‘Earth’. “What is a family?” How do you make money off of joining someone's family? “A family is as many other travellers have said is like a guild. You can join them and they will give you an allowance and housing, but in return you must follow the family rules.” Ah so it's a guild, got it.

Hm I believe I have most of my questions out of the way. Wait what about the strange rock, “One last thing, do you think you could tell us what this is?” I took the small bag out from within my backpack and showed Grant the rock we found by the goblins. He showed an expression of surprise, “I don’t know where you found that, but I believe that is a elemental rock, most likely air, and quite pure at that. These things act like the element themselves, but allow a person to absorb the elemental power at a much easier rate. Very valuable, that thing could probably sell for a good ten platinum.” Ten platinum, by my math that should be about ten thousand dollars. Holy shit isn’t that like two month's salary? “That's great to hear now we don’t have to worry about money for a bit and can buy you some new clothes Robin.” Robin returned my enthusiasm with a small smile. Not one of her big ones but it was enchanting nonetheless. “And what about you young lady do you have any questions?” Grant looks towards Robin, who seems to be thinking over something pretty hard. “I have wizard blood and am a variant, will I be treated fairly?” I am sure she fears that she will be treated the same as before. “Haha, why would you be treated unfairly, you are wizard variant a rare trait upon a rare trait, there will be families more than happy to take you in.” Wait what? “Wait, but isn’t wizard blood considered cursed?” I stepped in to ask, because it looks like Robin is too stunned to speak. “Cursed? Oh you mean that lie that those with wizard’s blood tell to keep them safe from bandits. No wizard’s blood isn’t cursed they just say that to scare bandits away from doing horrible things to them. Most people know it's a lie, but I guess those of the Dragon clan still believe it.” So Robin got treated like trash for nothing? Thats shitty, I mean really shitty, but I guess it's nice to know she won’t be hated for it. Also how did he know she was from the Dragon clan? “How did you know she was from the Dragon clan?” “Pretty simple actually they are the only lizardmen that live in Casadi, and she looks like she was treated pretty badly there, which is normal for lizard sic in the Dragon clan.” That makes sense considering we came from the direction of the forest, and Robin’s current apparel shows she wasn’t treated the best. “Whats a lizard sic?” Robin chimes in on the term that I was kind of wondering about also. “We use the term sic for any race that has a difference in their looks, a human-like lizardmen is called a lizard sic, while a one with full lizardmen features is just that.” Ah so that is how they name the difference between ones with human features and not.

“If that is all your questions then you better be on your way, there is a inn next to the adventurer’s guild that is pretty good. You can also sell that rock at a store called Maceface, I guarantee they're fair. Also even if you don’t plan to do much adventuring, you should register there, as adventurers don’t have to pay the entrance fee at the gate.” Grant stands up and goes to open the door for us, while telling us those last bits of wisdom. “Thank you Grant, for your time, and could you point us towards the adventurer’s guild.” Giving him a quick hand shake as I exit the office, I realize that I don’t know where the adventurer’s guild is. “It's that tall building over there.” He points to a three story building that is about a half a mile away from the office. It is pretty big considering it stands out against all the houses around it. “Well once again thank you, and we will be on our way.” Once more saying goodbye to Grant, me and Robin head towards the guild.

“Hey Robin what do you want to do first: register at the guild, get a room at the inn, get some new clothes for you, or go sell the rock? Actually are you ok with selling the elemental rock, you are the one who found it.” I realized I was planning to much and almost did not let Robin decide anything. I need to make sure she can express her opinion on matters, we are a group now. “I am fine with selling the elemental rock as it will not help me very much, but I don’t actually know what an inn is?” I kind of forgot that Robin grew up in a village so there are probably a bunch of things new for her here. “An inn is a place that people can pay money to, and they will allow them to sleep in rooms that they have prepared.” Robin gives me a nod showing that she understands my explanation. “I believe it best that we get money first, because we don’t know how much we need.” I agree with Robin currently we have two gold coins, I am not sure how much the inn is going to cost. Along with that clothes for Robin might cost a bit, and registering with the adventurer’s guild might cost also. “Ok, I agree, Grant said that the adventurer’s guild is in between the housing district and market district so we should be able to find the shop Grant told us about after passing the Adventurer’s guild.” Robin give a nod of approval to my idea.

After a bit of walking Robin and I find ourselves in a very busy section of the city. People running every which way, large carriages, and having to watch out for tails and other appendages makes it all the more difficult to move through here. I now lightly remember why I don’t like cities, I mean I don’t hate people, but I would rather not have some stranger’s body rubbing against mine all the time. “Hey Robin you ok with holding hands so we don’t get lost?” I feel like it would be too easy to lose her in this mess, especially considering she is already completely distracted by the scenery. I grab hold of Robin’s hand, “Eh?” Robin looks down at her hand, then back up at me. “Are you courting me?” What? “What?” “To lizardmen holding the hand of the opposite gender is considered a courting gesture.” Robin explained to me, while holding up the hand I was holding. “I am not trying to court you, I was holding your hand so that we can travel through the market district without losing each other.” Robin is a beautiful girl, but after all she has been through I don’t feel right trying to start anything romantic with her. It has nothing to do with her race, but more of the fact that right now I would consider this a type of stockholm syndrome[1]. I have taken her away from her home, and while I am trying to make her understand she is free, I am still the only person she has any relation with here. If she develops feelings for me after she has become normal once again then I will respond. “I see that is reasonable.” WIth a quick response from Robin, we started to look for the shop “Maceface”.

It didn’t take us long to find the shop as it was pretty big, it has two stories and is pretty wide. When we entered the shop, we found all sorts of things. Swords, armor, plates, cups, chairs, tables, and even some clothes it was like a Wal-mart, but with adventure gear mixed in. I spotted a person behind a desk, which is probably the clerk. When I got closer I noticed that they weren’t all that human, they had a couple pairs of eyes above the normal ones. Once I reached the counter I could see that the bottom half of the person was spider. I believe they are called Arachne, well it doesn’t really change anything, just cool to see a race I have heard about before. “Hello, I am looking to sell an elemental rock, and was told by Grant that this would be a good place to sell it.” The clerk looks at me for a second, “Wait here a second while I get the owner.” After he said that he moved through a door behind the counter. “Hey Robin while I wait why don’t you see if there is anything here that you like. We should be getting some good money so no need to hold back.” Hopefully she can find some clothes that she will like. “Ok” She surprisingly gave an audible response. Seems like she is happier about shopping than i thought she would be.

A couple minutes later the Arachne walks back out of the door, with a very short man in tow. “Are you the fucker that’s looking to sell a elemental rock?” A really deep voice comes from the short man, and I realize that he is a dwarf. “Yes, my name is John, and Grant told me I could sell this elemental rock at this store.” I hold the bag open to show the dwarf what I am trying to sell. He grabs the rock out of my hands and inspects it for a second. “Come with me, I need to take a better look.” The dwarf waves for me to follow him as he goes back through the doorway. I look over at Robin to check what she is doing, and I find that she is staring pretty intensely at a stuffed toy pig. Kind of an odd choice, but to each their own. This shouldn’t take long hopefully, and she seems pretty absorbed into shopping so she should be fine out here. With that thought I walk through the doorway to follow after the dwarf.

I see the dwarf at the end of a long hallway as he goes through another door. I quickly follow after him to make sure I don’t lose him and when I go through the second door I am confronted with blast of hot air. Inside I find a furnace and an anvil, I am taking a wild guess that this dwarf is also a blacksmith. I look over to see said dwarf looking at the rock through a magnifying glass. “You got really lucky to get your hands on this kid.” WIthout even looking at me the dwarf started to talking. “This elemental rock is a good pure one, i'll give you eleven platinum coins for this.” Nice even more than what Grant told us it would sell for. “Hm I don’t know.” Maybe I can squeeze out a couple more coins. “Don’t fuck with me kid, I know eleven platinum coins is more than what Grant told you it would sell for. I ain’t going any higher.” Looks like I pissed him off a bit with my act. “Ok i’ll take the eleven platinum coins, but I want you to throw in a stuffed toy pig.” “What? Fine the fucking thing is only like three bronze coins anyways.” Nice, I got a present for Robin and an additional platinum coin. “It was good doing business with you.” “The names Dranen Maceface, and if you get something like this again come sell it to me I will give you another good price.” While I don’t plan on monster hunting now, I will in the future and it's nice to know I have a place to sell to.

Leaving the way I came I get back into the main shop area, and start to look for Robin. I initially can’t find her and thought that maybe she went to the second level, before I head upstairs I pick up one of the pigs. Just as I am about to head up I see a scared looking lizard sic with white scales. She is standing in a corner of the store partially shaking. The scared lizard sic spots me and her facial expression goes from scared back to it's usual blank state. She walks towards me with at a pretty fast pace and as she reaches me grabs hold of my whole arm, I can tell she is shaking a bit. “Don’t do that again.” The scared lizard sic says to me in a low voice, but I can tell she isn’t angry. “I am sorry Robin, I thought you would be too immersed in shopping that you wouldn’t notice me being gone for a few minutes. I won’t leave you alone again, and I will not abandon you so you don’t have to worry.” I try to sooth Robin, and reassure her that I am not going to leave her. “Good.” Was all I got from her, but her little tremors disappeared after I said that to her. “As an apology for leaving you alone I got you this.” I bring the stuffed toy pig up to Robin’s face. She stared at it for a second and then before I could even notice it was gone from my hands. I found the pig now being pressed against Robin's breast by the arm that was not holding mine. “Thank you.” A can see a shy smile appear on Robin’s face. “No problem, well now that we are done here let's go get you some new clothes.” With a small head nod from Robin we left the store, and eleven platinum coins plus one stuffed toy pig richer.