Shae slowly started to relax a bit after her close call with the village head. While her ability to suck up worked to a degree, he was still too stormy for her likes. She figured she would give him a day or two before she talked to him again about the world or at least the local areas, and the easiest way to earn some money. So far, she had not seen any money changing hands. No one paid for meals at the inn, that she had seen. She wondered if it was like a mess hall for the villagers. It would make sense, they all worked toward one goal, no need for money if you pitched in. So maybe if she could find a way to help, she could earn some lodging and food, and stay to learn more from the village head.

She sat and mulled over her current choices a bit. As she still had more options. She still had her own meager rations and water enough to maybe make it to a larger town. Then look for proper work, maybe as a tracker or something. She was sure this world would have need of such things. Even if it was just to hunt down regular game.

Neither Kyle nor Pendra, his wife, bothered Shae while she sat. Eventually he brought her out a bowl of stew and some fresh rolls to eat. Things had relaxed, but the inn keepers were acting like another shoe was going to drop.

After her meal, she brought her dishes up to Pendra who was standing behind the server area. Then asked “Is there any way I can repay your kindness somehow? Maybe help hunt some game for you or some such?”

Pendra gave her a slight smile, which faded into a frown, which made Shae worry a bit.

“Young lady if you have the beans to stand up to Canson like that. I’d say stick around. There is trouble brewing and I am sure we will need your help very soon. In the mean time, You just relax while you can.”

“Canson? Would that be the Bear… err, the village heads name?”

With a bit of a chuckle at Shae’s slip and a smile returning she replied “I’d be care dear. Canson is not a mean person, but he doesn’t like people suggesting he is a half-breed. Leave well enough alone. Or I am willing to be he will lose his temper and spank your bottom for bring so rude to his feelings.” Then she looked Shae over more closely and continued. “I’m not sure how things work where you’re from, maybe your people are more open about such things, but around here, you need to be more careful about what you say to certain people. Some meaner folks would not hesitate to beat you within an inch of your life and rob you for looking at them the wrong way. Just a warning mind you. People around here are much kinder.” She hurried to add as she saw Shae’s face go a bit pale. “And of course, Be warry of bandits out in the wilds. If you see a band of people walking in the open, avoid them just in case. And if you’re in the forest, well, keep an eye out. Not everyone with skill believes they should do an honest day’s work, they’d rather hurt others and steal for their daily bread. If you can beat them, and no one will care if you do it fairly, you can earn yourself a reward for their capture or deaths. If you cannot get them to town yourself, your better off killing them and telling the guards where they are for your reward.” She stopped there seeing Shae’s face, she had a blank look, staring far off.

“You there dear?” She asked, wondering if her husband was right and this was a controlled ersatz.

Shae’s focus came back to her, she looked the woman directly in the eye. “I’m not sure I could take another person’s life!”

“Well, around here dear, you might just have to. Keep that in mind as you travel. Most folks are good people. But there are always bad apples and rotten fish out there. Fact of life.” Pendra shrugged.

Shae had a bit of a worried look; she did not even consider she might have to kill someone to defend herself. Coming to another world might have been a big mistake. “I need to sit down.” She replied shakily.

“Take your time love. Maybe it would be best if you returned home.” Pendra had a look of caring concern.

“I… I wish I could. But I am stuck here, for a long while at least.” She walked over and sat down with a plopped. Needing time to unpack what was just said to her. Killing people. Sure, it happened in her world. But not like she just realized would happen here. Sure, you would hear about gang wars and well wars in general on tv, but that was all so far away. Something see couldn’t even imagine being a part of. She had hunted with her uncle… that was different though, it was for food, for survival…

When she got to that thought something clicked. She realized in this world you might have to kill someone else for survival. Could she? Would she? In the heat of the moment, she wasn’t sure. She had trained and fought other people, but again, that was sparring. Not trying to kill each other. She felt like she just walked into a zombie apocalypse world where you killed to survive.

Was She blowing things out of proportion? Maybe she would be ok if she kept to well-traveled roads. She could minimize her risks, and maybe keep minimal items on herself so she could just cut and run.

She went over and over these thoughts, like a hamster on a wheel. She was getting nowhere.

Shae jumped as four people, three men and a woman came down the stairs. They all looked haggard, dark circles under their eyes, and worry on their faces.

All four gave her a quick once over as they made their way to the exit. Except one of the twins, the one without weapons, gave a start and stared at her. His brother who got stalled behind him, gave him a shove on the back of his shoulder to get him moving again. They both followed the first two out the door, but not before the man who starred at her took one more look at her over his shoulder, earning him another but lighter push to keep him moving.

“Think you’d never seen a young lady before.” She heard the pushy twin say to his brother.

She only heard some of the reply, “It’s not that, It’s her ma… need..”

She only caught that last word when some of the noise outside quieted for a brief second.

After the four had left, she went back to her dilemma.

It took her another thirty minutes to finally come to a decision.

Her uncle had explained a lot of things, and about his past. He had had to kill more than his share of people to make the world a better place. She decided, if she was forced into a corner, she would do what she had too. After all this was not earth. She would absolutely not go looking for that kind of trouble though. She would try her best to live a bloodless life, but if fate stepped in, she would step up. She might be a bit of a worrier, and unsure of herself at times. But as her uncle had said many times, she had strength within her, she could stand up for herself. Sometimes even without realizing she was doing it.

She had done well with the village head after all.

‘And he was part BEAR!’

As she went over her plan, firming it up in her mind. Coming to terms with a new world. She jumped again as the village head plowed his way into the inn.

“You! Girl. Come with me. We’re going to need your help!” He was flush with energy and looked like he was getting ready for war.

She almost blanked out at his overpowering demand. But she had just decided she would take care of what needed to be taken care of, however she could. She was going to live this life for all it was worth. It was, after all, her adventure!

She was going to kick it! Even if she wasn’t a hero, she would do her best to make her uncle proud.

‘By help, I hope he means, help, and not, if you don’t, we’re all going to die kind of help.’ She wasn’t ready for life threatening just yet. She had no gear, no real training, and no guiding compass here yet. The least they could do was let her get on her feet before tossing her to the wolves.