“Edward, as a scout your mission is to reach the library and to search for any kind of magic than can seal the ruins. That is your first and foremost objective. We won’t be able to go after you if you are in trouble, that would result in only more Bloodmaws roaming in the area. The moment you enter the forest, you will be on your own. We don’t know yet how the monsters will react to the village, but it is highly doubtful that they will leave it alone. We can hold for some time in case of an attack, but if the beasts are staying around there will be more attacks to come. So, that won’t be a solution in the long run. That’s why you should avoid altercations if you can, killing one more of those monsters won’t change much for us and it will put you at risk. Always put your safety first, if you fail one time you can always try again, but if you die it’s over for both you and the whole village. I would like for you to keep that in mind.” Caspian told him.

“I will,” Edward replied, shaken that so many people were depending on him.

“Alright, you may go. You should familiarize yourself more with the village before leaving for an attempt to reach the ruins' library. See if we can provide you with anything that can help. I know you have good weapons, but some other equipment good help you. I’m also aware you don’t have much money. In case you see something that you need and can’t afford, take this, I will pay for you. It’s actually a bit ridiculous to see an awaken as penniless as you.” Caspian added, handing him a pouch full of silver coins.

Edward awkwardly messed with his hair and accepted the money. “Haha, I was never having much money, even back in my world. Anyway, thanks for the help. I will try my best to solve this situation, it happened partially because of me actually.”

Caspian nodded before turning toward Balin. “Balin, you stay with me, we have to plan how to improve the village defenses. Regarding the guard shift, I would like for you to take the day shift and I will take care of the night shift. If those beasts managed to break through for one reason or another, I will be able to stop them for some time. If this happens during the night, I’m afraid you won’t be able to stop them by the time it’s noticed. You don’t have the power to strengthen you after all.”

“Alright, we can do it that way. However, we will need to warn the villager as soon as we finish planning everything. The sooner the better.” Balin answered.

Seeing as the meeting was delving into finer details on how to improve the defenses, Edward did as he was suggested, and left the conference. I should follow Caspian’s advice and resupply. He looked at what he was wearing, with all the fights he had with monsters, and all the running he had to do, his outfit was in a bad shape. He had gotten new clothes when he joined as a guard, they were of good quality, but they weren’t made to endure this rough of handling. I do get where he is getting at.

I also need to have a belt with scabbards to put my daggers, having no choice but to constantly hold them or to store them in my backpack is really annoying. Besides, since Caspian is offering to pay for it, I shouldn’t refrain myself. I won’t be able to go far with the guard pay of fifteen silvers per month after all. That’s one of the reasons why I chose to join this cursed expedition in the first place, and in the end, I never even had the chance to get the money I was promised.

Edward shook his head and walked into one of the village’s streets. He had stayed there for two weeks, but he didn’t really have the opportunity to visit the village’s shops. I should go to a leather craftsman for the belt. I remember someone in the expedition mentioning an ‘old Greta’ who was using runes to make the best boots in the village. I should begin there, if she is able to use runes, I doubt anyone can compete with her for quality goods. The question is how to find her. I will go to the inn, the owner should know her whereabouts.

Edward quickly found his way back to the said inn, the place felt emptier than usual, travellers were rare, so the clients were exclusively people from the village. But some of the regulars had gone into the expedition, never to come back, the result being a half-empty inn. Edward found his way to the counter, greeting the bartender. The owner was a middle-aged man, with an impressive belly and an abundant beard. He was currently busy, washing some glasses, and was having his back on Edward. “Good evening Ishad, do you know where Greta is living?” Edward wasn’t very familiar with the village, but he had at least visited the only inn and bar in the village enough to know the owner’s name.

“Evening. Sure thing, you take the street on the left and once you reach the well, you go on your right. Greta’s workshop is her own hallmark, she is making the best boots you will ever find.” The owner, looked at him more attentively, wondering why someone would ask, something that everybody here, should know.

“Hey, wait a minute. Didn’t you go with the expedition? I heard that someone came back but I didn’t get to have any more info about what happened to it. Are you really the only survivor?” Ishad said while turning to face him.

“Sadly, yes..” Edward took a few moments to tell him the main events of the expedition’s demise. However, he chose not to tell him the part about the monsters, now roaming freely in the forest nearby. He would let Caspian handle that part. He thanked the bartender before leaving to find Greta.

He followed Ishad instructions, first going on the left until he reached the well. It was made with a simple but effective design, stones piled up on top of another, with an iron arch upon which a wooden bucket was tied with a rope. Nothing fancy, but it did the job done and could be easily repaired in case of damage. He then turned to the right, soon seeing Greta’s shop in sight, the hanging wooden panel with a leather symbol engraved on it was difficult to miss. The shop was in a good state, the facade made of white plaster separated by wood beams. It almost felt as if the shop was trying to grow bigger, expanding on the street to be able to hold all the products inside.

Edward entered inside, just as someone else was leaving, he wasn’t alone in the shop, two other patrons looking at the different products on display. A young woman was with one of the clients, helping him to make his choice. Edward looked at the offers on display. There were several satchels, bags, and pouches, in another section were some leather armors and gloves, and further ahead he saw several miscellaneous accessories including belts and scabbards.

I’m at the right place. This shop seems quite successful. He came closer to some articles, looking at the prices on display, each satchel was around five silvers on average, while pouches were at two silvers. Well, I can understand why it is so successful. I would barely have eight silvers on me right now if not for Caspian’s help. Five silvers is a full third of my monthly wage as a guard. Luckily, I can now offer myself what I need. I should take a few pouches, I should go to an herbalist too, stock up on some healing plants, or whatever they use in this world for disinfectant. I can heal by absorbing the blood of monsters, but it won’t necessarily take care of all the damage, and it means I must be able to injure the monster I'm fighting in the first place.

He took two pouches, before moving up to the belt’s section. The belts were having some hoops where one could attach pouches or whatever they wanted. That’s a good idea... as long as you don’t encounter thieves. But the easy access makes up for it in a combat situation. He chose one of his sizes, before looking at the scabbards. He tried some with his daggers, being careful to check the length and if the blade was fitting nicely inside. He did one more turn of the shop but didn’t see anything else interesting. That guy in the expedition was talking about boots, but I don’t see any here. It’s fine I already have almost everything I needed.

He went to the counter to pay for what he owned. “Good evening, how much for all of this?” Edward said showing all that he chose.

“That will be twelve silvers. I haven’t seen you here before, are you a traveler?” the saleswoman asked.

Edward paid with Caspian’s pouch. “Not really, no. I will be around for a while. Are you Greta? I thought you would be older.”

The girl giggled “Certainly not, I’m her daughter Sheyla, old Greta is in the workshop, bringing the finishing touch to some products.”

“I heard you make the best boots of Agripin, but I don’t see any here. Do you keep them somewhere else?” Edward asked as he still needed to change the ones he was wearing.

“Good boots, need to be custom made to adjust well to your feet, we will need your measures if you want some. It will take some time, but if you are staying around, it shouldn’t be a problem.” Sheyla answered.

“Great, let’s do that then. By the way, could I speak to Greta later?” Edward asked. I should ask her if she can teach me some runes, or at least where she learned them from.

“Sure, why not? She usually dislikes taking care of the patrons but you look like a good client after all.” Sheyla answered showing all the products he had bought. She then proceeds to take the measures for the boots. “Come back after a week, the boots should be ready by then.”

“Thanks, do you know where I could find an herbalist by the way?” Edward inquired.

“Oh, yes, there is Simon, he is not that far from here.”

Sheyla told him where to find him before wishing him a good day, and taking care of another client. Edward left, now equipped with a new belt, and scabbards to hold his daggers. This is certainly a lot more practical this way he thought. Now let’s stock on some healing.