Thanks to Sheyla’s indications, Edward quickly found the herbalist’s shop. From the outside, the shop looked like any other. Nothing was showing that it was an herbalist shop apart from the tell-tale wooden symbol above the shop with a medicinal plant. That plant was unknown to Edward but it must have been pretty common for it to be used as a shop design. However, as soon as Edward entered inside, the ambiance changed completely. Rows of plants were hanging from the ceiling everywhere, and Edward could sense the strange herbaceous smell resulting from so many plants stored in the same place. Apart from the ceiling, Edward could see several shelves displaying flasks containing either liquid or paste from different colors, he also noticed that there was another shelf further back dedicated to books.

As he was taking the sight, a slightly hunched man with grizzled hair came to him. “Hello, young man, welcome to my shop, tell me what can I help you with?”

Edward finally regained his bearings. “I would like to get plants for healing. I wish to have a disinfectant, and something to stop bleeding.”

“I see.” He looked at him and notices his belt with the daggers. “You are embarking on the path of an adventurer I presume. Most people who are coming to me for medication, do so either for light injuries or to help against diseases. Don’t expect something too potent, for that you would have to see an alchemist, but I do have what you need. It won’t save your life, so do take care not to end up heavily injured, but it will be of some help that’s for sure. I would also advise you, to familiarize yourself with medicinal plants. If you end up far from civilization you won’t have anywhere to restock.” Simon explained while showing with a gesture the shelf displaying the books.

“That’s a great idea, but I don’t really have the time right now. Maybe another day, I will stay around for a while.” Edward answered.

“As you wish, ah the impatience of youth.” He said shaking his head. “Here take this.” He gave Edward two flasks containing an ointment. “The green one is for disinfecting and the brown one is to help stop bleeding. For the bleeding, though, apply it once the fight is finished. It won’t hold if you run everywhere.”

It’s not the equivalent of a health potion in video games, but at least it will make sure I don’t die stupidly after a fight because I wasn’t able to heal sufficiently.

“Thanks, have a nice day,” Edward said while paying for the medicine.

“You too, take care out there,” Simon answered before returning to his activities.

Scabbards checked, healing ointments checked. I should also go visit the smith, I don’t need weapons, but I could take a look at what they have for protective gear. Full armor is out of the question, anyway against a monster like the Bloodmaws, the best way is to avoid them rather than to endure an attack. They pack quite a punch, there is no way you can take an attack head-on unless you have a power that makes you as frighteningly strong as them just like Caspian.

Edward hadn’t asked for directions this time, but he was able to quickly find the forge by following the smoke coming out of it. The building was quite different from the others too, it was one of the few made with stones instead of wood. Seeing as no one was around, and since the door was opened, Edward came inside.

“Hello, is there anybody here?” he asked while entering apprehensively.

“What now!” answered a clearly irritated voice. Soon a woman with long brown hair tied by a bandana came into view from another part of the building.

The first thing Edward noticed, was her impressive muscular arms, before looking at her face. She was frowning while looking back at him, dark eyes flashing with anger and pride.

“What, are you another one of those who were expecting a man? I’m the smith, got a problem with it?” she asked aggressively.

“N-No, no problem at all. I wanted to see what you had on display. I’m searching for light armor Edward answered surprised by the outburst and a little intimidated.

“I see. I was thinking someone else was asking for beef shoes or something alike.” She said calming down. “I seriously need some variety, I’m getting fed up of doing the same thing again and again.” I can sympathize with that Edward thought. “Sadly for you, I don’t have any chain armor to sell you. I’m lacking iron, it’s not growing on trees, and unless you have some for me to melt, I won’t be able to sell you anything. Honestly, if I had all the materials I needed, all the guards would have chain mail armor by now.”

“Oh okay..” Edward answered slightly disappointed.

That’s a shame, but I will still be alright. I manage to cross the ruins without armor, I can survive without it. Wait…Marc’s guard in the expedition had swords and chain mail. If I could retrieve it, there wouldn’t be an iron shortage anymore. I need to go back to the library anyway, but it won’t be easy with all the Bloodmaws roaming around.

“I might have a solution for that but I can’t guarantee anything right now,” Edward added after having this idea.

“You are not going to steal it, are you?” She asked suspiciously, squeezing her eyes.

“What! No! It’s just that I need to retrieve it in the forest, and I don’t know if I will be able to do it before trying.” Edward explained, offended by the accusation.

“You are risking going inside the forest just to get a piece of armor? Usually, it’s the reverse, people don’t want to set a foot in the woods without armor and good weapons.” She asked, surprised.

“Well, I needed to go there in the first place, so I might as well retrieve some iron for you at the same time,” Edward answered, rubbing his head with one of his hands.

“I see. You are not from here, are you? I don’t remember seeing you before. Are you trying to become an adventurer?” She asked curiously.

“No, I’m a foreigner, although I will probably stay for some time. Yes, I’m trying to become an adventurer. But right now, I feel like I'm creating more problems than anything else.” Edward answered, thinking of how he set the Bloodmaws free from the ruins.

“Okay, nice to meet you, I’m Leyla by the way.”

“I’m Edward.” He answered realizing belatedly that none of them had presented themselves to the other.

Since he had finished his supplying run, Edward went back to Caspian and Balin to see if they had decided how to arrange the village’s defenses and how to announce the news to the villagers. Right now, he had restrained himself from telling the people he met that new monsters were roaming inside the forest. He preferred to let Caspian manage the explanations.

Once he met them, they were actually waiting for him. “It’s good that you are back. We were about to send someone to fetch you. We have finished planning the defenses, and we are ready to announce the grim news to everyone. We already send some guards to gather people at the marketplace.” Caspian announced.

“Yes, the sooner we tell them the better,” Balin added.

“As awakens we have to show them that we can take care of the situation to avoid causing a panic. The villagers also need to see you, they don’t know yet that you reach the same level as us, and they need to be able to recognize you and to count on you.” Caspian added

Thus, the three of them headed to the plaza, where the market was usually held. The place was full of people, judging by the numbers there should be at least several hundred people. Caspian and company walked onto a stage to be visible to everybody. Caspian waited for the crowd to quiet down before beginning his speech.

“I gathered all of you here for gruesome news. As you know some of us left the village for an expedition several weeks ago. It is now confirmed that the expedition was massacred by monsters. The only survivor is Edward, present here, who managed to become an awaken through this hurdle.” He announced while showing Edward with a gesture. The crowd erupted in a cacophony, everybody talking to his or her neighbors. Caspian hit the stand loudly with his foot, bringing back the crowd’s attention to him.

“As you know, the wilds and the forest, in particular, are dangerous. Those who chose to join this expedition knew the risks. This is actually not the primary reason why I brought you here tonight. The fact is, that the monsters which doomed this expedition, were disturbed from their lair in some ancient ruins. They are now roaming the forest, and we believe it is only a question of time before one of them discovers this village. Each of these monsters is equivalent to an awaken in strength. Apart from Balin, Edward, and me, no one will be able to face them head-on. That is why we devised a plan to reinforce the village defenses. We will need all of you to make efforts to secure the village. We can’t let those monsters come inside. Balin and I will enforce the village security while Edward will scout the forest to cull the monsters at their source. If we manage to block the ruins they are coming from, the problem will be solved without any fighting.”

This time, instead of a cacophony, the crowd was dead silent. It was a first for this village, and the villagers realized that their survival was at stake here. It wasn’t some wolves attacking and killing an imprudent guy, the whole village could get destroyed.

“We don’t know enough about those monsters’ behavior to know how they will react to the village. However, we expect that if the village is too hard for them to get into, they will leave it alone and roam somewhere else. That is why it is essential that everyone give its all to assure the village’s defenses.” Caspian finished.

One guy in the crowd shouted aggressively “This expedition was pure folly, I called it from the start. If they want to die, why do they need to involve us! We shouldn’t have allowed it from the start.”

“Carlson, we know what you think. Thank you for your input, but once again I’m telling you that we can’t just close the village and live as shut-ins without knowing what is happening outside. It is important that we explore and exploit the environment around us. Besides, those monsters would have probably been released upon us one day or the other. At least right now we know they are coming and we can prepare in advance.” Caspian cut him out coldly before dismissing the assembly.