Double Edge

The Tavern

A double edged sword, they called it. One of great risk, but great power, if the wielder was careful enough. How poetic, you thought, that it landed in your hands. It had been many years of living in the wild, with Philza being your adoptive parent. He had taught you everything you knew about survival.

But once you turned eighteen, you realized you had to find your true calling. Sure, you were happy here, in the tiny cottage in the woods, with beautiful scenery and mountains... but when nightfall came, and the stars revealed themselves, they called to you- no begged you, to follow them.

And who were you to evade the star's call? So in the middle of the night, to not make a fuss, you took your backpack, and the most basic of supplies... and off you headed, towards what you hoped was a happy future.

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Three weeks later

The tavern was bustling with activity. Sweaty drinkers, sloppy hands... it was childsplay. Snagging gold when you could become second nature to you, seeing as it was your means for survival, it had to be second nature. You were sitting in the corner of the tavern, the bartenders looking at you with curiosity...

Shit. you thought. I've been here too long. Not to fret, you'd be gone in the morning.

Three days was more than enough time in a town like this. With everyone knowing everyone, you were bound to run into trouble here. You felt the metal by your side, it was cold to the touch. Being that it was the only item you valued, keeping it close to you was always on your mind.

Phil himself had crafted the sword for you. It indeed was double edged, but only if you clicked the button in the middle to deploy it... otherwise it was just a stick.

It came in handy when there was a no weapon policy. Your eyes glimmered in the candlelight tavern, your hair had grown a bit since leaving... and you thought about the prospect of cutting it, when out of the corner of your eye, you spotted something you've never seen before.

His skin was pale pink, and he carried himself with a regal aura. Intimidation was everyone's first feelings when gazing upon him. He was hypnotic... you quickly averted your gaze.

Someone like that was bound to cause a scene.

Adventures were not uncommon up in the northern bit of the mountains, it was always easy to tell if they were. They carried a heavy bag, with too much gold and adventuring gear. You smiled. You knew that if you wanted to travel, packing light would be the only way you could travel with ease.

People were much less likely to raise questions when all you looked like was a kid too poor for cleaner, less worn clothes.

You decided it was time to turn on in for the night, and carefully made your way up to the bar.

"I'd like to pay for my tab," you said, quietly so not everyone could hear. The bartender nods and takes the coins you handed her, and off you went.

Walking out of the tavern was like walking out of a sauna. You felt the beads of sweat grow cold to the ever encroaching winter ahead of you.

Making your way through the courtyard outside of the bar, you noticed all the decorations hanging from the street lamps.

Was it already Christmas? You thought of Phil, and began to feel a twinge of guilt. It wasn't wrong for me to leave. You told yourself. There had yet to be a moment where you regret your decision on leaving, but in a moment of weakness... one could never truly forget what home was like. Nor could one never return there again.