Pandora's Box

Chapter 2 - Toadsmouth

A week passed since her betrayal of Yuden, Pandora had been adventuring through the world of Gaia. She had destroyed the Holy Sundowner and Defeated Yuden: The fact she spared him was basically guaranteeing that more members of the Sun Priests would go after her.
She spent a few short days in a small self-made campsite on the Old Capital, using the few supplies she had; She admittedly wasn't very good at hunting or tracking down animals.
After those days, she decided to head to one of the most crime-filled areas of Gaia: Toadmouth.
Toadmouth was a small, decrepit village localized in a massive swamp, with water as deep as some seas, and massive Mahogany trees growing everywhere.
She had been on countless missions with Yuden to all throughout Gaia, and thus she had an incredible sense of direction and knowledge on Geography; That, plus the fact she had a Horse available, led to her quickly finding herself in the Swamp.
She admittedly didn't like dirtying herself with all the mud and the murky water, but she slowly got used to it.
After some walking, swimming, tree climbing to avoid Mud Sharks, and also a little eating frog legs, she finally reached Toadmouth.
It was just as she remembered: The houses, made of uneven and misshapen wooden planks, on top of wooden pillars that emerged from the water and the frail plank bridges used to connect the houses that made an awful, creaking sound when walking on.
The villagers also were different from the rest: They were the ones known as Amphibians. With a quadrupedal stance, a flat, salamander-like head and a long tail that served as a grasping appendage, with the equivalent of a hand on the end.
Thankfully, she knew how to speak their Language: Due to years of acting as a ''Assistant'' of the ''Great'' Yuden, she had to force herself to learn anything that could help her become more useful, and being diplomatic was definitely one of her fortes.
''Maybe i could eat something that isn't a Frog Leg for once this week.'' - She Thought to Herself.
She asked the Amphibians she passed by if there was a Tavern or anything similar: Immediately, as soon as she asked one of them, they responded:
''Miss, Miss, You talked with me! Do you not repulse me, Miss? Do you want to be Friends? Do you have some money? I want to eat! eat!''
She was a little in shock, she didn't expect such an energetic response from a simple ''Do you know if there's a Tavern around here?''. She gave them some gold coins and moved on, without saying anything, a sorrowful look in her face.
''Is this world really that corrupt? This new power of mine, can i... can i make the world a better place with it?'' - She spoke to herself quietly.
Finally, she found a Tavern. It was called ''Frog Legs for Days''.
She was a little upset over that name.
After walking in, she saw the Tavernkeep, a Saggy, large-bodied and dark green Amphibian. The structure of the Tavern was a lot different: She had to crawl to enter the door, as it was made for Quadrupedal folk. Inside, the drinks were all served in bowls, not cups or bottles.
It was... not comfortable. At all.
She started talking with the Tavernkeep, who seemed to be a little more used to people from outside the village.
''So... Yer new here. Not everyday we see anyone.. or anything new here. There's that Pink Kid, but that's bout it. What ya came here for?'' - Exclaimed the Tavernkeep.
''Nothing much.. I'm just passing by. Trying to find a reason as to why somethings have been happening in my life.....
You know, i wonder why i decided to come here. I didn't think about it, it just came, like an instinct. '' - She responded
''What da hell are ya talking about, lass? Who would have a instinct to come to the most miserable place in Gaia? Okay, let me guess, you want some slaves and are trying to make yerself sound nice so they accept, don'tcha?''
She was a little offended that he would think that, and quickly responded
''I'm not, promise. I myself was somewhat of a slave until recently... i suppose''
The old Tavernkeep Amphibian then replied.
''Ah... Not every day you see a Human that was enslaved. Let me guess, Elf?''
''Yes. A ... really important one too.'' - Pandora said in a worried voice
''Ah, i see, i see. Well, i just realized i haven't even introduced myself. Name's Maston Finle. Local Tavernkeep of the Frog Leg for Days tavern. What bout cha, lass?''
''Pandora. I don't have a last name. it's just... Pandora. I'm not sure if i can really call myself anything more than a girl looking for answers. Nice to meet you too.''
''So, will ya eat something or not?''
''Heh... You know, i was hoping to not eat frog legs again, but i feel like it'd be a crime to NOT eat frog legs here.''

She was smiling.

CHAPTER 2 - END