Another Argo

Chapter 2 : Starting Somewhere

'Man, I'm parched. I wonder where I can some water from.' Walking down the central street of Radel, Akito couldn't help but look around.

Everywhere he looked, the buildings were either made of wood or stone. There was stalls filled with many kinds of fruits, most of which he didn't know about. Some had fish in them, some had meat. The stalls were arranged in a row besides the central street, which was wide enough to allow a caravan to pass through the village unhindered.

'Growl' 'Shit, I'm hungry too!' Akito hadn't eaten a single thing since he started his journey in the morning. It was already afternoon, and since he didn't have a single dime on him he has no way of getting food from here.

Though he could......... steal........ Nah, not worth it. He saw one of the stall owners hanging up an old sword beside his stall, he doesn't want to know what getting cut up feels.

'What do I have here that I could trade for something........ Oh right! I still have that ring!' With that said, Akito went of to try and find someone who was willing to trade with him.

"The miners are coming!" The guard that stopped Akito shouted.

"Ah, that's good. Business ain't been good in the past few days, I could use a few drunkards in my tavern!" An old man said to the side while laughing.

"Please tell them to keep it down alright? They're so loud at night, I can't get a wink of sleep in!" A woman said.

"Eh, I'll try, Miya. Don't expect me to be able to force them though, does guys aren't exactly that easy to sway. Especially the dwarves!" The old man said, chuckling.

"Ugh, whatever. I'll be in the back preparing the booze and foodstuffs." The woman said, clearly annoyed.

The woman left to go towards a building somewhat larger than the others in the village.

"Huh. So that must be the tavern. I wonder if they have rooms to sleep in." Akito thought out loud.

"That we have, young man! 'Radel's Booze Barrel' doubles as an inn. If you want a room, go check in the counter." The old man said.

"A-ah, thank you, but I don't have much on me in the moment so maybe not right now." Akito answered.

"Well, why would that be? I ain't ever heard of a traveler that don't have money with them. You some kind of pilgrim?" The old man asked, rubbing his chin.

"N-no, sir. I am a scholar. I was traveling alone for a while but someone stole my bag from me. Most of my valuables were stolen, all I have left is a these books and this ring."

'Man, lying to this old man's face puts a bad taste in my mouth. Good thing I've got a great poker face.' Akito thought.

"Hmm. Well, I don't do charity foodstuff don't come cheap after all. Radel has a jeweler that knows her way around trinkets like that, you might want to go see her. See if she's willing to buy that ring from you."

"Though, that ring got no sentimental value to you, no?" The old man asked.

"No, not really. Thank you for the tip, sir. May I know your name?"

"Ah, silly me. The call me Old Rook. Go check out my tavern you got money on you, alright? And none of that 'sir' business, I'm just an old tavern owner" Old Rook said.

"Ah, thank you, mister Rook. Ny name is Akito Akihara. I'll be sure to go there later." And with that, Akito set out to find the jeweler Old Rook told him about.

After a while of asking around, Akito was able to find the home of the jeweler he was looking for. Knocking on the door, he heard someone shout from the inside.