Jake reached the river’s edge four days after meeting with the Owl Priestess. When he set eyes on the great blue swath of water, he couldn’t help but feel a massive sense of relief. The owl had provided direction and guidance to Jake, as promised, leading him through the greenery in a more efficient path. Yet, the distance wasn’t something that the addition of an owl would change. Jake still needed to walk the several hundred miles from the middle of the forest to the river’s edge, and then he would need to walk north at least a day or so before he’d be near the target village. Though Jake didn’t need to look at his compass as often or guesstimate where he was going, he still had to walk. And those four days had taken a toll.

The unchanging nature of the forest and similarity of his environment played tricks on his mind. The walking constantly dragged on his body and his feet ached, even with his light magic. Every so often, Jake felt a bit wary about his directions and actually feared that he was lost or that he may never reach the river. A dangerous mental state settled in on the third day. All he could do was trust the owl, trust his compass, and keep walking.

With the reliance on the owl and a more accurate tool at his hip, or shoulder, Jake increased his pace and pushed through the night during those four days. He stopped only when his mana ran thin and rested just long enough for it to recover before stepping off again. When his exhaustion began to peak, Jake slowly cut back on his mana expenditure and leaned more into his physical ability, forcing his body to naturally take the burden of his efforts. His back muscled ached and his legs burned after the dozens of miles without magical reprieve, but he trudged on.

During the night, the owl continued to point him along even without the sun, its beak confidently directing Jake in the proper direction. Even at that constant pace it had taken four days to reach the water’s edge. Thinking of that distance alone, Jake must have covered over a thousand miles from the Ravine to where he now stood. Again. Jake huffed. His mind toiled over the numbers and how fast he must have been moving. If it weren’t for his magic, how long would such a trip have taken? A month? Two months?

“A year?” He mulled over the concepts of distance and time as his eyes stared out towards the soft, light blue flow. He sat down on a fallen tree, his body creaking as he groaned. The wood supported his weary bones, taking the stress off his knees and hips. He was tempted to shed the burden of his pack, but he knew that he wouldn’t want to pick it up if he did. Not until he reached his destination would he put the thing down.

In the open space without cover, the wind licked at his face and caused his clothes to flutter. He felt the morning chill tickle his skin, raising hairs and bumps as he shivered from its touch. The owl shivered and tucked into itself on his shoulder, similarly discomforted by the sensation. Jake closed his eyes to let his mind relax, taking in the sounds of the area and embracing the new atmosphere. It was a beautiful place.

“And to think I would never have seen a place like this…” Jake sighed as he scanned down to the left, watching a few birds land in the water and float on top of it. Their colorful feathers were a harsh contrast to the watery blue but they seemed content in their little world.

The nocturnal raptor let out a soft chirp as it called for Jake’s attention, interrupting the man’s moment of nirvana. Following the owl’s beak, Jake looked to the right and spotted a detail that further eased the fatigue in his bones. Several thin, black pillars of smoke reached skyward from within the treeline on the far side of the river. Judging by the location, Jake assumed the smoke belonged to the village he was looking for. Which meant this stretch of his journey was almost at an end. His goal was in reach.

Narrowing his eyes and looking further north, Jake could see a small pier and several wooden boats tied down to it. It seemed the fishermen hadn’t made it out to their boats yet. Something to be expected, as the sun had only risen from the horizon a few hours ago. The owners of those boats were likely still waking up, eating, or preparing for the day.

Just as he thought of those fishermen, Jake heard cheering and shouting. After nearly a month of walking, his ears picked up the first sign of other humans. Aside from the adventurers, of course, but they were more of a fluke encounter rather than evidence of civilization. He looked in the direction of the noise and spotted a pair of sailing ships. Long and wide, with several curved planks making up the portside that Jake stared toward. Their tall, broad white sails caught the wind as they sailed up river in the direction of the billowing smoke. On board, behind the wooden rails, men shouted and whistled at one another. The ships were not massive but certainly were quite imposing.

From his low angle and far distance, Jake could not see any of the crewmen, but he could hear their voices. Carried by the sound of the wind, their jubilee was infectious. He watched those ships, listened to those men, until they passed him by. The ships continued north, ultimately passing the pier. After their passing, Jake tucked into the woods and followed behind. Steadily moving towards the pier he had spotted.

Late in the morning, as the sun began to bath the river in his warmth, the fishermen appeared. They emerged from the trees on a pathway that likely led to the village itself. They prepared their boats before pushing off from the pier and the beach. In the water, the small fleet of fishmongers spread out across the blue expanse, stretching far and wide to avoid disturbing one another’s work. Every so often, Jake peered out into the waterway to watch them. Some boats paired together in the deeper parts of the river, dragging nets to collect larger crowds of fish. Others positioned themselves in more shallow waters, idle and alone, casting lines as they enjoyed the day of peace and quiet.

Oh, how Jake envied their lifestyle.

By nightfall, Jake neared the pier. The fishermen had long since docked and emptied their catch for the day. Their day of work complete, they carried the fruits of their efforts back to the village. By the time Jake arrived, only a single man was left rowing ashore. A younger fellow, burly in stature and bronze skinned. He had a broad smile on his face and was singing softly to himself as he moored his boat against the side of the pier. He tied it off to, using the wooden cleat to keep the boat from floating off. Once the line was tied, he collected his gear and carefully stepped out of his vessel. Jake stepped out of the forest as the man turned away and stopped near the edge of the small drop off that led to the water. Unlike the far side of the river, there was no beach between Jake and the water. Only stone and mud.

Before the man stepped onto the path leading into the forest, he stopped. The fisherman turned around and scanned the pier. Then, he looked out to the water. Finally, his eyeline reached far to the other side of the river where Jake was standing. As if a hunch had tickled his neck.

Jake remained still. His eyes glued to the man, eyeing him closely to see what he might do. The pressure of that gaze caused Jake to even hold his breath. Something felt odd and Jake, for some reason, felt suddenly out of place.

An uneventful moment of tension passed as the fisherman quietly turned away. Walking into the forest, the man left the pier and Jake behind. While Jake wasn’t exactly trying to hide or sneak up on the man, he wasn’t certain of the reception he would receive just yet. Especially this late at night.

These people. Were they friendly? Or would Jake stumble into a potentially dangerous situation if he strolled into their village at such a late hour? He hoped they weren’t an enclave of brigands. That would suck. There was also the concern of angle. If Jake came from the river, the villagers might think it odd. Yet, if he wanted to circle around to a main road then Jake may lose an entire day’s travel as he wasn’t quite sure of the village’s size. He could estimate by how many pillars of smoke he’d seen but that would only work if it were true that there were no other smoke-less houses.

It was a peculiar situation that he didn’t waste much brain power over. If he did, he would spend all night worrying over details that honestly didn’t mean much in the end. So long as they didn’t try to sacrifice him to some god or rob him, he could find a way. Thus, once the man across the river disappeared, Jake waited a few minutes before briefly checking his gear. Confident that everything was strapped to him and wouldn’t fall free, he cinched down on the straps of his pack and began grabbing for his mana. The owl on his shoulder, sensing the sudden change, spread its wings and fluttered up into a tree to observe.

“Thank your priestess for me, yea?” Jake gave the owl a parting smile. “And thank you for helping me.”

The owl responded with a quiet coo, then hopped around and flew off into the trees. Disappearing into the night.

Jake gathered mana into his feet, his hands, and at his lower back. Three points of balance. Much like how he did in the Library, Jake prepared his mana for flight. However, he wasn’t going to fly, per say. Rather he was going to jump. High and long. One powerful burst that would send him sailing across the river, or at least midway across. Rather than attempt to burn mana through a continual flow, Jake decided he would shove himself across in either one or two bounds. Hopefully two, as it seemed to be more manageable and less demanding on his weary frame.

Jake wasn’t a fan of the idea of potentially smashing into the pier because he couldn’t catch himself.

The mana he gathered burned three of his tails and put a strain on his already heavily taxed flow. Having expended much of his mana throughout the day, and lacking in rest, Jake was very much already feeling like he had one foot in the grave. While he could wait for the morning, Jake wanted to rest on the far side of the river. That way, should he sleep for too long, he wouldn’t have to worry about being spotted in the daylight performing a magical feat. If these people weren’t well versed in magic, he could only imagine the bullshit he’d have to deal with.

“I could just wait and ask for a ride…” Jake mused, his eyes drifting towards the boats for a second. No, no he couldn’t do that. If they didn’t speak a common language, the effort would be useless and he’d be forced to not only jump the river but expose himself to potential danger. Jumping now would alleviate that nonsense.

“Just like I practiced in the Library…” he mumbled, looking down at his hands and feet as he began to convert the mana to wind. He collected the power into his heels and fingertips, and began to visualize the checklist of tasks that would keep him from becoming intimately familiar with the river’s bottom.

To make this work, Jake would need to time the initial burst of wind with his jump. Then, he’d need to stabilize himself in the air to keep himself from tumbling. Next would be the fall. If he cleared the River, he’d need to slow his plummet and support himself at the landing spot. If he needed another hop, he would need to immediately dump mana into his feet and shove himself upwards. It was that second jump that would be a problem, as Jake wouldn’t have a solid platform to balance on prior. He expected to flip over at least twice.

Keeping his jaw rather loose, Jake moved his tongue back and away from his teeth. He lowered his hips into a stable stance and looked out across the river. Before he could give himself any opportunity to doubt, question, or second-guess his life choices, he started moving. He sprinted towards the edge of the river, opened his hands and spread his fingers. Then, as his feet hit wet rock, he jumped off. He cleared the edge of the water and triggered the magic at his feet. Beneath the soles of his boots, the air cracked. A massive gust of wind swirled over the top of the water, blasting it outwards and exposing the glossy rock floor. Several small fish were scattered and the thin layer of moss was blown off the rocks.

Jake saw none of it. The wind licked his cheeks and his eardrums popped as the pressure pushed on them. His jaw clenched as his eyes dried from the air. His clothes and pack fluttered. His gear rattled as the air pressure shoved against him, fighting his acceleration. The sky cleared and Jake found himself higher than the canopy of the treeline, staring out over the expanse of the area. To his right and left, the river split the forest in two, providing miles of sightlines in either direction. He saw that the river had indeed forked off to his left, with the other flow disappearing on the backside of the target peninsula.

The village, his destination, was actually much larger than he expected. The trees cleared barely fifty meters from the river’s edge and dozens of homes and buildings filled the area beyond. Built out of what looked to be a mix of wood and rock, the buildings were of various size and shape, color and purpose. People strolled through the areas between, still awake and very much busy beneath rows of lights lining the roads. Jake even caught a whiff of food in the air. It made his stomach growl.

That pretty sight was short-lived, as Jake began to fall shortly after reaching the apex of his ascent. As expected, and hoped for, he needed to jump again. However, it wasn’t going to be as difficult as he’d thought. The air pressure here was similar to that of the Library and the cost of the initial burst wasn’t high as he originally thought. He’d cleared over three-quarters of the river’s width on his first jump, giving him more leeway with the second leap. Since he wanted to land in the sand rather than in the stiff dirt, he’d dial back on the mana used.

Jake steadied himself with his hands and rolled backwards to bring his feet forward. His heels centered beneath him and slightly back. Once more, he repeated his process. Mana to his feet, hands, and back. He steadied his weight with the air at his lower back, then oriented and stabilized with his hands. Triggering the mana in his legs sent power through his feet. Then, right before he hit the water, the spell triggered and Jake felt his stomach squeeze as he soared upwards.

Air whipped behind him, churning the water and causing a pair of powerful, counter-rotating whirls in the relatively calm flow. His body lifted into the sky, barely reaching parallel with the canopy this time. His arc was shallow and his fall quick. Jake pooled wind at his feet and around his entire body, catching himself in a sort of pressure net as he descended. Using the resistance of the updraft, Jake reduced his fall speed to barely that of a leisurely trip.

He hit sand in stride, jogging for a few steps to kill his momentum. He let the vertigo settle in his stomach as he walked away from the river, striding it out until his feet hit dirt. The adrenaline rush in his body was fierce and his knees wobbled beneath him, his feet uncertain as he moved away from the sand. Only when he was fully confident that he had landed did he finally stop.

However, even as he felt the firm support of dirt beneath his feet, the tingling sensation raging through his body didn’t break. Jake forced himself to take in a deep, controlled breath, trying to get his heart rate under control. The breath helped ease the pounding in his chest and his racing brain quieted down, but it wasn’t until he took a knee did it subside. He turned and flopped onto his pack, taking a moment to fully sit down and use the comfort of the ground to bring him back to center. It helped, but his fingers still tingled and his eyes remained wide. He stared out towards the river, replaying the feat he had just accomplished over and over in his mind.

That… was exhilarating.

It was one thing to jump and leap in the Library but it was different out in the Overworld. The Library was a safe place where there was plenty of magic and room for error. If he fucked up, he could shoot off to a side and land on one of the floors. He also had plenty of mana to fuel his wicked ideas and plenty more to protect himself from catastrophe. If he made a big mistake, the fairies would help him.

In the Overworld, far from the Library’s over abundance of dense mana and support fairies, there were no retries. No second chances or additional attempts. And there wasn’t enough mana in the air to facilitate an emergency response to a fuck up. Jake had one shot to jump and clear the river. If he botched it, he would’ve gargled water, drowned, and in the best case ended up downstream somewhere. That jump was done on sheer impulse and stupid decision making that was entirely voluntary. There was a perfectly good bridge maybe another day or two walk up stream with likely just as big of a village. Yet, Jake wanted to be bold instead and elected to gamble.

Well, he could chalk up his regular cultivation for why he was still breathing.. Without his mana control, he definitely would’ve fucked up that second leap. In the moment, Jake didn’t think of what would happen if he failed or of the possibility of a mistake. Such thoughts would have caused him to hesitate and potentially even panic. Locking up in mid-air would have definitely been deadly. Rather he forced himself to rely on impulse and instinct instead. By not giving himself that opportunity to fumble his life away and commit to a single course of action, Jake trusted his experience and executed.

The issue was his initial planning. It was rather minimal and he didn’t have an out-strategy if he’d actually made a mistake. Not that it mattered now but in the future, Jake would need to plan for such things. Whether he liked it or not. Thinking he would always be successful and never planning contingencies was why he’d had trouble with the Twins in the Arachkin den. His foundation work had saved him there but only after he’d been pushed onto his back foot.

“Gotta work on that…” he rumbled softly, staring out at the river.

He wasn’t being negative with himself to be depressive. No, but to remind himself that things were different now. Success was possible so long as he utilized his magic accordingly and leaned into his instincts, experience, and foundation work. He would not deny that his magic instincts were showing through. Just, now he was beginning to take notice. Little by little. His experience was starting to give him comfort in doing the excessive and he had the confidence to back up his decisions. If he kept his pace up and continued to push his limits, and gamble every so often, he knew he’d continue to grow. It wouldn’t make the gambling choices any easier to make but at least he would have the option to take them knowing he’d be fine on the other side.

His fight with the Twins. Clearing the river. Learning Elvish. Fighting in the mountains. His comfort when pressured by the Owl Priestess. They were all proof of his growth and examples of what his hardwork had allowed him to achieve. Minor victories that had helped him reach this point. Even his work in the Ravine could be pointed at.

This life he’d stumbled into was becoming natural for him. His comfort with his magic and understanding of the world around him was growing instinctual. As if this had been his entire life from the start and his magic was something he was born with. The only difference was that he wasn’t. Jake still could remember surfing the sand dunes, fleeing from terrifying Dune Beasts, being yelled at by his auntie, and running from Elana on a daily basis. Though it had been over a year since his encounter with the Gods, such a simple life seemed so far away…

…and if he continued to lay on his ass, staring at the sky, such a life would be far away in another sense as well. He’d never get home if he kept wasting time on his back.

“Alright… Here we go.” Grunting, the man rolled over onto his hands and knees, then pushed himself up to his feet. Steadying himself, Jake put the river behind him and stepped off, heading towards the distant lights and sounds of life. He scanned the forest and spotted the path the fishermen had taken. It was a frequently trodden path, neatly cut out from the wild forest straddling it.

While there wasn’t rock or stone emplaced in the ground to mark the path, the compact dirt and grass made it clear where the route was. The bushes were cut back to make room for two people side by side and the tree banches were cut to ensure someone wouldn’t whack their head if they walked normally. It was a man-made path with one purpose; connect the village to the water. For whatever reason, the village hadn’t chosen to build all the way out to the water, so it seemed the path had been made to solve the issue of traveling between them. Which made the appearance of a gate and a guard standing at the other end something that Jake had already predicted.

“Whoa now. Who’s out there?” An average looking man with leather armor, a small metal helmet, a short sword on his hip, and a bell on his waist stood inside of a small shack beside the open village gate. Said gate was just a small set of logs tightly thatched together, then attached to the protective wooden wall by a simple hinge. It had an internal lock via a heavy board that would be put down across it from what it looked like.

The guard shack was large enough for the guard to sit in and had two windows to allow for visibility in all directions. The entrance to the shack didn’t have a door, though, so the structure mainly provided cover from the wind and rain but not much else. He seemed comfortable regardless.

A pair of torches illuminated the area around the gate and the shack. While two more lit the path further down the path towards the river, providing the guard with some kind of early warning. A bit weak of a warning, Jake honestly thought. All Jake had to do to avoid being picked up by the lights was approach from the side through the forest and avoid the path altogether. While he might make more noise that way, he’d at least be hidden from view and could force the guard to step out of his protective hole for an easy kill opportunity.

But, he wasn’t here for that. For now, at least. Jake kept to the path and approached at a steady and regular pace. Not deviating from his comfortable rhythm. He entered the illuminated space and exposed himself to the torches. His hood had been blown down at the river and his hair remained tied back behind his ears, giving the guard plenty to see as Jake greeted him.

“Good evening. I’m looking to find somewhere to stay for the night?” Jake stopped directly in front of the initial pair of torches, his thumbs hooking his pack’s straps as he settled onto his heels.

The guard squinted, his eyes taking in the view of the sudden guest. He rumbled to himself for a few moments and continued to evaluate the new face. His head tilted up and down as he looked Jake over from head to toe. When his suspicions or his personal curiosities were settled, he held up a hand.

“Sorry. It’s a bit late for a visitor. While we don’t typically push people away, I cannot let you proceed.” Leaning into the excuse of time, and likely discomfort with how Jake looked, the guard denied Jake entry. The decision made Jake’s teeth grind together.

“You don’t look to be a mere traveler or merchant who might have continued late into the night… You’re even alone. All by yourself. From the direction of the river no less.” The guard shrugged and shook his head. “Sorry, but there’s just a bit too much off about you. If you’d like to enter the village, I recommend making camp nearby and trying for the main gate in the morning.”

Jake huffed. He restrained the desire to kick a rock into the guard’s face and force his way in. Instead he elected to drop his pack and dug into one of the side pouches. He pulled out his traveler’s token, the one he’d been given by his village elder in Hawa. He doubted it would work here, so far from the desert, but there was no harm in trying.

He brandished the token and held it up for the guard to see. After showing both of his hands to imply that he was no threat, Jake stepped forward to hand over the token. “I’m not someone looking for trouble. Just a place to eat and sleep. I’m traveling from my desert village, Hawa and I’m going north. I don’t mind sleeping in the woodline if I have to for the night but a hot meal would definitely be preferable. It’s been quite the walk.”

The guard smirked and chuckled as he examined the token. “Oh, I’m sure. I hear the desert is almost a month’s walk. But I haven’t heard of any expeditions going out that way lately aside from some adventurers chasing a bounty again. That’s the next village over, not us, so it’s a bit disconcerting to see you here tonight.” He flicked the token and sighed. “While I believe you and this certainly feels authentic, I still cannot permit entry.” The guard returned the token to Jake and then sat down in his chair again.

He jerked his thumb over to his left as he continued. “But, show that stick to the guys up front. My night shift commander should be there and he’ll make the final decision on you, friend. Sorry. I can’t risk it.”

Jake nodded as he took back the token. He considered arguing but knew that there would be no point. Forcing his way in here would only lead to trouble. He returned to his pack, deposited the useless stick into its pouch, then shouldered his burden. The weight made his back muscles tense up, almost painfully so. “No worries. I understand.” The guard was doing his job and had likely been given very specific parameters for the gate. Any deviation was to be denied and redirected to the front. It seemed the village was very keen on security.

If that were the case, then why was the gate open?

“Have a good night and stay safe. I hear it might rain in the morning! It’s been a few days since it has and it rains rather heavily during this season. If you sleep outside, please make a good roof for your shelter.” The guard provided some insight as Jake stepped off to leave for the front gate. He then waved and sent Jake off with a smile, reinforcing the idea that he was just a man doing a job.

Weren’t they all.

Jake returned the wave and stepped off, following a circular path of cobble stone that traced the perimeter of the village. There was a short gap between the stone path and the thick wooden wall, forcing Jake to stay almost ten paces distant at all times. Along with the gap and some wood, the village even had guards posted in towers. Armed with bows, arrows, and torches to light their area of vision, the guards remained vigilant as the night toiled on. They watched him pass by, each scrutinizing him as Jake walked through their sector. While none called out to him, he did find their stares to be a little off putting. Some scowled pretty hard at him, as if picking a fight with their eyes.

“Keep your cool, muscle head.” Jake sighed to himself and focused on the path in front of him, careful not to entice any more ire than he already had earned, for whatever reason.

By the time Jake reached the front gate, a group of guards were standing there waiting for him. Three were stockier than the others, their muscles bulging and their frames sturdy beneath their light armor. The scars and markings on their hands, faces, and forearms were enough of a tell to share their experience in battle. These weren’t the normal guards, it seemed. Even their stances were different. More refined. More prepared for a fight.

One of those three stood nearly a whole head taller than Jake and the bruising around his eyes made him look rather imposing. His hair was auburn colored and cut short to his head. Well kept and made to not get in the way of his vision. It hung loose around his ears, but the rest was neatly combed back. He, along with the rest of the guards, had no facial hair to speak of. Their refined and disciplined appearance told Jake enough- don’t pick a fight unless he was ready for a difficult time.

As Jake approached, one of the guards nodded in his direction, causing them all to turn their attention towards the fresh arrival. Jake clenched his jaw and surveyed the lot one more time. Weapons. Spacing. Environmental factors. Expressions. Little details that would potentially be useful in a fight all moved to the front of his mind. He didn’t expect a fight here, but he wouldn’t be caught on his heels.

The guards waited until Jake was only a bound away before the auburn haired one called out to him. “That’s close enough, traveler.” He signaled for Jake to stop and turned to face him. Though his tone was harsh, he greeted Jake with a loose smile. “You must be the inquisitive guest I was told about.”

It seemed the guards had passed along his arrival. Interesting. Jake never saw a runner.

The guard stepped forward to meet Jake and then extended a hand. An odd gesture, but a welcome one. It showed he wasn’t here to fight either. “I am Captain Yorick. Are you looking to stop for the evening?”

After checking over the guards one more time to see if they had changed their positions at all, Jake looked up at the man in front of him. He nodded, then grasped the hand in front of him. “I am. I’ve traveled quite a distance and would love to find somewhere warm to eat and drink for the night.”

The guard hadn’t placed himself in front of Jake out of malice it seemed. It simply allowed the two to speak without too much discomfort. However, the distance ensured the Guards would have enough time to react and close the gate should something happen. It also gave the men behind the wall an easy sight line on Jake. A subtle move by the guard captain. He was no fool.

“I see. Well, you’ll have to forgive me for the warm welcome but it is odd for travelers to arrive so late in the evening. Not many people are willing to brave the forest around here even during the day. Especially by themselves.” The Captain narrowed his eyes briefly as he glanced over Jake’s shoulders. “I was told you came by the river path. May I ask why? Did you come ashore by boat? Or…?” The Captain eyed Jake, looking at his clothes as if curious as to why he wasn’t wet at all.

Jake pressed his lips together and contained a huff of annoyance. He should’ve expected this. The guard Captain was right to be nervous about Jake. The unknown individual arriving at the village this late and by the river was an oddity that almost required this sort of response. The details were unnerving and didn’t quite add up. If the report was true, and Jake wasn’t lying, then the circumstances pointed towards Jake being someone they really, really didn’t want to deal with. Not in such a small town, isolated from potential help.

Yet, Jake wasn’t a threat, not from what he showed them or based on how he approached them. So while they found him strange and potentially dangerous, there was little evidence to warrant denying him entry. Not yet.

“I’m a mage. I jumped it.” Thus, Jake elected not to lie or potentially develop any problems. He simply told the truth. With his response, Jake held out his hand and conjured a ball of wild in his palm. “I’m a Wind Mage and used it to cross the water. I was traveling this way from the east and saw the smoke in the morning. I thought it would be smart to stop here for the night and just happened to arrive later than I thought.”

All truth. Jake had seen the smoke when he reached the river that morning but he had seen them from quite a distance. A distance much further than the typical person would be capable of crossing in a day. His magic was also on an entirely different level compared to the normal mage. But he didn’t share such details, instead hoping that they took his words at face value.

The Captain’s eyes widened a little in shock at Jake’s answer and he planted his hands on his hips. Almost as if baffled by Jake. “You crossed that river using just magic? You jumped across?” He asked, louder than Jake would have liked. The other guards began to look at each other and mumbled.

“Yes. I jumped it. I don’t exactly have a boat and walking to the next village would have taken another day or two.” As he spoke, Jake pulled his pack around and set it down in front of him. “I don’t know if my supplies would have lasted through those days so I thought I’d come here instead. Stock up, rest for a day or two, then continue north once my feet have stopped hurting.”

Jake opened the main flap to expose the inner contents of his pack and then he also grabbed the traveler token from its pouch. “Here. This is from my village. It is proof of my status as a traveler. My elders gave it to me when I left. Though, I’m not sure how good it will be beyond the desert. I am unwise to the customs of your territory here.”

Rolling the token in his fingers, the Guard Captain let out a soft hum. His eyes worked over the object he’d been given as he processed the story Jake had shared with him. Jake could see it on his face, the difficult decision lingering in front of him. Whether or not he should give entrance to this oddity. Jake had shown no malice to the village and didn’t seem to be lying in much capacity. The weapons he carried were all well kept, sheathed, and Jake even had a traveler’s pack that looked like any other. Though Jake’s clothes looked a bit out of shape, that was to be expected of someone who likely traveled a great distance. The desert was quite far from here, after all.

“You said you were from the desert?” The Captain asked, as if confirming a detail.

Jake settled onto his heels and watched as the Captain took his time. “Yes. The village of Hawa in the desert of Maur, to the east and beyond the mountains. It’s about a month’s travel by foot if you’re slow.”

The Captain’s brow furrowed. He clutched the token, ceasing his fidgeting. “If you’re slow?”

Jake nodded and repeated. “If you’re slow.” Jake didn’t want to give away his own timeline. Nor the specifics on how he crossed both Ravine and the mountains. Telling how he’d crossed the river was a given, as it was in such close proximity to the village. The other two he hoped the Captain was ignorant to. If Jake had to explain those two obstacles, he might be in trouble.

The Captain nodded briefly before once more examining the stick. Then, he checked over Jake. “Well, you don’t seem to be lying. Again, sorry for the scrutiny, I hope you understand.” The Captain extended the token back towards Jake and returned it to the man. “Protecting the village is my job, after all. You showing up at night, and from the river no less, caused quite the stir. I almost didn’t believe the report but if what you say is true then it makes sense. Your skin tone alone matches what I’d expect someone from the desert to be.” The Captain smirked as he made note of Jake’s darker complexion compared to his own pale appearance.

“We don’t often see people of your skin tone around here, traveler, so be aware of that when talking to some of the others inside.” The Captain jerked a thumb towards the village as he spoke. Then, he pointed at Jake’s pack. “Before we let you in, I will need you to be subjected to a brief search so we can make sure you’re not carrying anything illegal or dangerous into the village, then we’ll get you off to our little inn.”

The Captain turned and began walking to the gate. He motioned for Jake to follow and then gave his Guards a nod. At the gesture, one stepped to the gate while another moved to the side as if to move out of the way a little. “Weapons and survival tools are fine. We know you’re a traveler and I would expect you to carry protection. However, strange artifacts and weird books are a no-no. Can’t have you conjuring up a cursed demon or something out here.” The Captain motioned for Jake to step forward and then he walked towards the gate. The larger and more imposing guards returned into the village, leaving behind two of the normal looking guards to deal with their guest.

“Sure.” Though Jake wasn’t a fan of having to be searched, he wasn’t going to fuss over it. After going through the debacle of gaining entry, he wasn’t about to make his life even more difficult by complaining. Especially if it meant having to stay outside in the cold all night again. Not that he minded, as he’d make a shelter here, but a bed would be nice. In the morning, he had no doubt that the guards would just ask for the same thing anyways. Getting it done and over with now would suffice.

Thus, Jake went to work fishing everything out of his pack. Every pouch was opened and emptied per the request of the guard and his items were neatly set out in the space he was provided. When Jake was ready, the guards stepped forward and began to take inventory of everything in front of them. Jake’s clothes were patted to ensure nothing was hidden in them and his back was thoroughly checked through. Every pouch was fingered, every crevice touched to check for loose items. Every strap was loosened and unclasped to allow entry. It was very thorough. While a bit embarrassing, Jake applauded the guards for their attention to detail. It made him wonder if they had come across a problem before that elicited such a response. Though tempted to ask, Jake held his tongue. Now was not the time.

“You’re good,” one of the guards spoke up as he gave Jake the clear. He then returned to his post at the gate. The other remained behind and actually helped Jake replace the items into his bag. It helped with the process and Jake was thankful for it.

“Do you have any valuables that you’d like us to make note of, in case they go missing?” The guard asked as he passed Jake the extra swords that had been set out. “We mark them as a courtesy, should we find them later.”

That was smart, but Jake didn’t need it. “No, it’s fine.” Jake closed the top flap of his pack and then hefted it onto his shoulders.

“Okay, no problem. Let me get your information then you’re cleared to enter.” The guard led Jake to the gate and stepped into a shack just inside of it. He returned with a piece of parchment and a feather pen. Jake answered the questions asked, providing his name, destination, origin, expected days of stay, and occupation.

Jake stuck to the story; a traveler passing through.

“Marne, is he good?” The Captain had remained nearby, watching his guards perform their task from a safe distance. Likely to stay out of their way and evaluate them. When his underling gave the thumbs up, the Captain nodded. “Good. Come with me, traveler. I’ll show you to the inn.”

“Enjoy your stay, Mr. Furrow.” The Guard smiled and then stepped back into the shack to return to his nightly shift.

Jake bowed briefly to the guard before walking over to where the Captain was waiting. “You're very thorough in your job.” With the search complete and the suspicions cleared, Jake finally pointed out the bluntness of his reception. “Any particular reason for it?”

Captain Yorick grinned and stifled a laugh. “Aside from us being so far removed from the rest of the world out here, and the dangers in these forests? No.” The Captain glanced over at Jake. “Blame yourself for it. Coming to this village at such an hour and from the river no less wasn’t smart. Next time, I’d wait until morning.”

“Noted.” Not really. Whether Jake earned entry or not only determined the kind of bed he would sleep in and the type of food he ate for the night. Comfort would be the only difference and Jake didn’t mind building a shelter. He’d made it this far. He could go another night.

“We’ve had a few strange arrivals before at such an hour and most of them haven’t brought good intentions. Especially individuals carrying weapons. So you’re not out of the woods yet but I won’t turn you away based off the actions of those before you. Unless you show me otherwise, you’re just a man who needs some good mead and a comfortable bed.” The Captain explained his reasoning and the history of his encounters briefly, giving Jake some incite into who he was dealing with. Captain Yorick didn’t seem like a bad man. Just someone with some well founded reservations for nightly visitors to his home.

“Anyway,” he waved off the annoying topic of Jake’s arrival and then began to point at the buildings as they passed them. “Blacksmith. General store. Tailor and Seamstress. He sells some potions, medical supplies, and herbs for injuries. She sells armor and exotic goods. That is the library but don’t expect much. There, there, and there are places where you can find some good food.” The tour was swift and to the point. The Captain wasted no words and provided Jake with only the basic details, showing no intention of babying Jake. He likely presumed Jake would find his way regardless and simply pointed out the stores to orient the traveler.

When they reached the center of the village, Jake took note of how open the center of it was and the large radius of the circle. A massive fountain was set in the exact center with a fancy statue of some woman in armor erected in the middle of it on a pedestal.

“Village square. Over there is the Guild Hall, make sure you check in there for work if you’re looking for it. To the left is where most traveling adventurers stay when they show up to do guild work but to the right is the inn where you’ll be staying. The tavern next door is where I recommend finding some good food. It’s also your only choice this late.” The Captain let out a chuckle after that final detail. A moment later, shouting could be heard from inside the lively tavern. “Hope you don’t mind the noise.”

Jake huffed at the thought of having to deal with the rambunctious atmosphere of that tavern tonight. Though hungry, he didn’t have the energy for it. “I might pass for tonight.”

Captain Yorick shrugged. “Come on. Let’s get you that bed then.” He led the way toward the inn and knocked loudly on the front door before opening it. “Good evening, Ralph.” The Captain looked over to the right as he stepped inside, then moved out of the way to clear Jake’s path in. “I’ve got a late arrival. Do you have a room to spare?”

The inn looked like every other building in the village. Rather typical with nothing fancy to make it stand out. The wood and stones were aged from years of weathering and there was plenty of patchwork where repairs had been made. Majority of the windows were closed and there weren’t many lights in those that were open. Some vines dangled off the roof but they didn’t look dangerous to the building’s structural integrity.

The interior was much like the exterior; simple and orderly. There were a few tables along the left wall and a counter along the right. A set of stairs led up to the second floor just beyond the tables and there was a hallway straight ahead that led to a set of six rooms. Three rooms were along each wall. There wasn’t any bright wall painting or fancy items strewn about to make the inn any more enticing than it needed to be. The only space that was decorated was the area behind the counter. A few family portraits, a pair of potted plants, and some dishware.

“Ah, of course.” Along with the decor, an old man was set behind the counter. He greeted Captain Yorick and Jake with a wide smile. He marked the page in the book he was reading then placed it down on the counter. “I hope your trip wasn’t difficult. For you to come this late, I’d hope you didn’t have many troubles.”

Jake smirked and shook his head. “Not many. It was just a long ways.” Jake approached the counter and then looked over at the Captain. “I appreciate the escort. Is that all?”

“It is. Take care of him, Ralph.” Captain Yorick bid his farewell and then pulled the inn door closed as took his leave. Jake listened to his heavy footsteps and the rattling of his gear as he left.

“Now, how long will you be staying?” With the Captain gone, Ralph went straight into business mode. He seemed eager to help Jake find a proper bed.

“For now, two days. I don’t need anything extravagant.” Jake set down his pack beside him and then fished out the coin pouch from inside it.

Ralph took that moment to laugh. “Don’t you worry. The fanciest I could offer you is a bucket and some soap.”

Jake chuckled as he stood up. “I see. Then any room will do.”

Ralph nodded, his smile unwavering. “Perfect.” He reached beneath the counter top and pulled a key off its ring. He then set it down on the counter. “For two nights, that will be forty copper. Twenty per night.”

Jake nodded and then pulled free the string from his pouch. He pressed his lips together as he stared down into the mess of money and found himself in a bit of an issue. He didn’t know the currency here. The coins weren’t all from the same place as some were made differently than others. Most of the coins were silver and gold, as well, so he had an odd proportion of colors in front of him. Based on the price, he figured a silver piece might do fine.

“Uh, how much is this?” He set the coin on the counter between them and looked at Ralph.

Ralph blinked and looked at the coin. From Jake’s question, it was clear that he wasn’t familiar with the money. Even so, Ralph kept his smile and answered warmly. “Ah, a silver piece? That is worth one-hundred copper. Plenty for the cost. One moment. I’ll get the remainder for you.” He started to turn, but Jake cleared his throat.

“No need. You can keep it.” After stopping Ralph, Jake placed another silver coin on the counter and tied off his pouch. “Consider it payment for the information. Thanks, Ralph.”

“Erm, you’re very welcome traveler but I can’t take this.” Ralph plucked one of the coins and extended it to Jake. “This is far too much. I insist.”

Jake returned his pouch to his pack and then stood back up, smiling as he folded his hands behind his back. A sign that he would not take the coin.

After a few moments, Ralph sighed and submitted. He plucked the second coin from the counter and set them both down beside him. “Thank you, truly. It does help. Allow me to include that bucket and soap to show my gratitude. And I will not take no for an answer this time, young man!” Ralph held up an anger finger as he walked into a back room. Jake chuckled as the old man disappeared and waited patiently for him to return. When he did, Ralph carried with him a bucket and a candle. “Here. I also found an extra candle for you. I’ve placed the soap, a rag, and some matches in the bucket for you.” Ralph set the items beside the key and then looked at Jake again. “Do you require anything else?”

“Nope. That is all.” Seeing their exchange complete, Jake shouldered his pack and then picked up the candle and bucket.

“Great. Your room is on the second floor. First door on your left.” Ralph returned to his stool and shifted a little on top of it, making himself comfortable. “In the morning, my wife likes to make breakfast for the guests. If you’re interested, feel free to join us.”

Jake nodded as he stepped away from the counter. “Thanks, I sure will. If I don’t come down in the morning, would you come knock? I’d love some breakfast.”

“Certainly. Have a good night Mister…?”

“Furrow. Jake Furrow.”

“Mr. Furrow.” Ralph smiled again.

Jake returned it, then bowed his head. The stairs leading to the second floor were well lit by a few hanging lanterns and the hallway he stepped into had similar lighting. Enough to show the way but not enough to flood the space. It was night time after all, and the other patrons were likely sleeping. There were eight rooms on the second floor, four to a side. Jake found his easily and slotted the key. Just as he went to turn it and unlock the door, he heard an odd but familiar noise off to his right.

In the next room over, he heard the faint and muffled sound of pleasure. He recognized it only because it reminded him briefly of his entanglements with Elana. Though, there wasn’t anything too saucy about the noise. No creaking, no grunting, no smacking of flesh. Only the sound of a woman enjoying something a little too much and struggling to keep her voice from getting out. Though he didn’t mean to be nosy, Jake couldn’t help but take notice since she was next door.

“A solo act, hm?” Jake paused only for an extra second to confirm his suspicion. Not for any reason more than nosy curiosity. Not hearing the movement of a male partner, Jake shrugged and pulled his door open. He closed it a little more loudly than he normally might and then began to occupy the space. The noises ceased and Jake found himself able to finally enjoy some peace.

The room was simple, once more a detail matching that of the rest of the house. A simple bed. A simple desk. A simple wardrobe with a small dresser set beside it. At the foot of the bed was a wooden chest that could be latched and locked shut, but there was no lock provided. Furnishings provided to give the guest the basic necessities and an option for additional security should they choose it. Jake was thankful for the chest. While he didn’t have a lock, he would be able to use magic to close it up.

He set the items in his hands down on the desk and then placed his pack beside his bed. To deal with the stale taste in the air, Jake opened the window and used a soft breeze of wind magic to circulate the air. He then shed his gear and stripped out of his clothes, organizing it all on the desk. A chill to his groin made his entire body shiver so he made sure to work quickly lest he get a cold.

Jake conjured some water into the bucket and heated it so that he could start to wipe himself down. Using the rag and the provided soap, he cleansed himself of the filth from his journey. He made sure to scrub the rag over every crevice of his body, applying plenty of soap to the rag so he could truly clean himself. He changed the water three times during the affair, dumping the dirty water out the window and into the side street below. After his body was cleaned, he then rinsed out his hair and used a comb to deal with any matty patches or knots that he’d incurred since his last bath. Once his hair was finished, Jake swirled hot air around himself, drying off his body and then blowing out his hair.

Cleaned and feeling refreshed, he fetched a fresh set of clothes from his pack. He left the dirty set on the desk for cleaning tomorrow and then placed the rest of his equipment into the chest and the provided wardrobe. Using magic, Jake sealed shut the door, the window, the chest, and the wardrobe. His stomach gurgled at him so he sated it with a light meal, feeding on his rations for one more evening before he’d finally get to taste some good food again.

Jake was very interested in that tavern, but the travel for the last four days had worn him out. He would survive with a stale sandwich, jerky, and plenty of water to wash it all down. He had plenty of extra fruit that he’d harvested in his trek through the forest so he ate the small red berries he’d found to cover the need for sweet flavor.

The evening meal complete, Jake created a heating rune that he placed beside his bed to warm the room. He then aired out the bed to snuff out any potential bugs or critters that might’ve taken refuge inside of it. He was no fool to those insects. He wasn’t a fan of unwanted guests in his bed. Using the air and some fire, Jake cleaned them out and then burnt them all to a crisp, ensuring he wouldn’t wake up to anything crawling on him in the middle of the night. Satisfied, he crawled under the provided sheets and nestled his head onto the pillow.

Tomorrow, he’d look into the village and take some time to recover. He’d head to the tavern, the guild hall, and talk to some of the townsfolk to begin collecting information on the area. From potential threats to even some potential work. The coin bag he carried was quite full but he wouldn’t mind a monster hunt or two if available. Something simple to calm his mind and help him reset.

For now, it was time to sleep. The man shut his eyes and took in a deep, long breath. On his exhale, the tension in his body revealed itself. A few aches also crept forward but nothing that a little rest wouldn’t take care of. He steadied his breathing, let his mind ease, and slowly felt himself begin to drift. In seconds, Jake felt his consciousness slip and his body slackened.

On that night, Jake didn’t visit the Library nor was he visited in his dreams. He had no nightmares and he had no stirs. For the first time in a long time, Jake found himself able to enjoy a truly peaceful night’s rest.