The council

Chapter 5: 50

The Beginning.

Me and Freya stepped out of the feywilds. My vision went dark and I began to see things that weren't there. A person made of shadows revealed themselves. It began to speak in a language I didn't understand, but somehow I knew what it said. "It was a lifetime ago... I am a god... Seek out my people and you will have your answers..."

"What are you talking about-" My vision clears up and I am back in the common realm.

"Yukiro... Are you alright? You spaced out for a moment."

"Yeah... I'm just surprised. Let's search for a village. Need a place to stay... even if temporary."

We start to walk in the forest searching for a path. After a bit of walking Freya speaks up. "There's a path!"

"Freya... not so loud. We don't know who or what is in this forest."

A few moments after saying those words, there is shouting from about 10 feet away. "Kitsune! What is your reason for being here!"

I turn towards them and raise my hands. "We just left the feywilds. We are adventurers."

Freya speaks up. "Adventurers? I thought that only referred to people who entered the feywilds..."

"Freya... That also refers to people who are adventuring out into a new place... This place is new to us, so we are adventuring into the area."

The four people who were hiding come out of hiding and put away their weapons. One who looks like their leader speaks up. "Not exactly. If you are signed up with the adventurers guild, you are an adventurer. Since you guys just left the feywilds, I'm going to guess you aren't adventurers."

He pauses for a moment. "But that also explains why you have little knowledge around here. We'll escort you to our village."

I smile at him. "Thank you... uh, what's your name?"

"It's common courtesy to give your name before asking for others."

"Oh... sorry. I'm Yukiro. Her name is Freya."

"I'm Phil. Most people call me Ace though."

Ace and the other 3 guards take us to the village. The buildings are huge compared to our village.

"Yukiro... these buildings are huge!"

"Yeah... it's insane."

We hear Ace sigh then speak up. "The inn is over there close to the tavern. I expect you have the coin to stay there a few nights, right?"

I chime in. "Yes, of course. Thank you for the escort."

Me and Freya make our way to the inn Ace pointed out. When we get there, the innkeeper speaks. "Hello. How many rooms do you need?"

Both Freya and I speak at once. Freya says, "One room." I say, "Two rooms."

I look over at her confused. "One room?"

"It's cheaper."

I sigh. "Fair point... One room."

"One room it is." The innkeeper shifts around with her keys and hands one to Freya. "Room 12 on the second floor."

"Got it." Freya replies.

Freya goes off on her own to the room. I sigh and I follow.

The Magic Archery

Throughout the next year, me and Freya help around town and get to know some of the residents. I was helping out another resident by grabbing their bow from a fletcher nearby. When I reached the store, I started to look around. I was admiring the longbows when the shopkeeper returned from the backroom. "Oh? A customer. What can I help you with?"

"Oh, I was sent to grab Nora's shortbow."

"Okay, I'll bring it out for you."

He goes back into the backroom. Then comes back out quite quickly with a well made shortbow.

I walk up to the counter. "Your bows are well made. Do you allow testing?"

"Yes I do. Are you wanting to try out any specific ones?"

"What about that one that's hanging over in the corner?"

"Go right ahead." He sets an arrow on the counter for me.

I walk over to the longbow and pull it off. I head to the counter, pick up the arrow, and shoot the dummy in the corner directly in the chest.

"You're a good shot."

"Thanks. I like the bow, but could you put a thicker string on?"

"Of course. The bow will cost 4 gp and I won't charge you for the restringing. I'll be done at the end of the day."

"Thank you." I grab the bow I was originally sent to grab and leave.

Eight hours later I head back to the fletcher.

"Welcome back. Your bow is ready."

"Thank you." I set 4 gp on the counter and grab the bow.

"Oh, are you a magic user?"

"Yeah? What about it?"

"In the village there is an archer who puts magic in his arrows. You might be able to get him to teach you how to."

"I'll think about it. Thank you." I leave the shop and head back to the inn.