The Reapers of Heliathan: Twin Souls

Chapter 4: The City of Ludeberg

Aeren and I continue our way to The City of Ludeberg.

"Since we came from here.. We should head... This way!" Aeren was mumbling to herself. I let her handle the navigation. "So.. How far?" I asked. Probably just a few hours now. "Finally! Oh wait.." I suddenly stopped to think about something. "Huh? Why did you stop?" Aeren asked. "Will our money be enough in the City!?" I came into realization that 25 silvers was only enough for meal and not for a place to stay! "Oh Jeez! How could we forgot?" She also realized it and it had us worried.

We continued walking until we came across a broken Caravan on the side of the road. "Oooh man! Why did this happen now?" An old man's voice came from behind it. "And I was so close to the City! Damn it!" We walked around to check who was it when the Old man noticed us. "You two!" He pointed at our direction! "Aah.. Eeh? Yeah? What is it?" I was a bit surprised. Aeren slightly hid behind me. "You two! Help me carry this supplies to the City!" He said with a grin on his face. "Huh? Wait. Why should we?" I asked the annoying old man. "Sigh.. Kids these days. Don't even know what courtesy is. Fine! I'll pay you!" I looked at Aeren to see if she agreed. She stared at me for a second before giving a little shrug. Sigh.. "Well we're heading to the City as well so.. Ok I guess.. But you'll be paying us old man!" We headed for the city.

We were walking for a few hours now. It was already noon and our travel took way longer because of the heavy supplies we were carrying. We finally reached the City gates. "Wow .." I unconsciously said with amazement. The Gate was really huge! And the City walls were bigger! That Dragon wouldn't be able to climb it unless he fly. "Alright kids put those over there for inspection." The old man ordered us while pointing to one of the Guards. We placed it on the ground. "The Guards will handle it now. Good work!" He gave us a thumbs up before slowly walking away. "Hey Kuzen. Don't you think he forgot something?" Aeren said while tugging my shirt. "Hey Old man! Our payment!?" I said while running up to him. "Tsk! Oh how could I forget. Here!" The tone of his voice sarcastically changes then handed us a little pouch with a few silvers in it. You won't get away old man.

Aeren and I walked to the City gates when a Guard halted us. "HALT! Business?" He asked. "Oh were travelers sir." Aeren answered with a sweet tone in here voice. "Oh! Is that it. Well go along now." The Guard flustered before opening the smaller gate. So that's what they call a woman's charm.

We went inside and a beautiful sight welcomed us! People of different races all around, Warriors and Travelers could be seen in any direction! We even saw a group with matching Silver Armor from head to toe. "Woaah.." We exclaimed in unison. "Hey! Those must be one of the Guilds." I said while looking at Aeren. She was baffled as well. This was our first time in a City and it was far more livelier than we imagined. Tall buildings and shops, we even saw some Elves and Werebeast.

Elves were a common sight in the Cities but the Werebeast are pretty rare, cause they live far south. Werebeast were a half-people and half-animal kind of race. I'm sure Aeren would love to know more about them.

We continued looking around for almost an hour. "Why didn't we come to this City sooner?" I asked Aeren with a huge smile on my face. She was also amazed by the different things we saw. "Hahaha.. This is amazing. I didn't know there were a lot of Adventurers in this place." We sat on a little bench to think about our next move. We should find a place to stay.

"Whew that was tiring.. So what now? Find an inn?" Aeren was asking for my suggestion about what to do next. I nodded. "Yeah.. We'll need some information. And a place to stay." I answered. "If it's a cheap one then.. I think I saw one a little earlier. Should we go check?" She stood up. "Yeah! No use staying here. Lead the way!" I continued to follow her while looking around. This place is really amazing.

We reached the Inn Aeren was talking about. Sure it looked old and cheap but it was better than sleeping outside. I took the lead on entering the door.

To the left were a few guys playing the lute. Some were singing. To the right were the tables filled with different kinds of Adventurers. There were some old veteran looking guys and also some people around our age and they were all having fun! Even if it was a cheap Inn people gathered here. Aeren and I were a bit surprised.

We walked  to the little bar where the innkeeper was serving food and drinks. As I looked closer.. It was another beautiful maiden. Aeren and I sat on the chair.

"Excuse me! Meals for two please!" Aeren ordered our food. "My my.. Are you two Adventurers as well? Oh but I don't see any plates. My mistake." The Innkeeper said. "Plates? What are those?" I asked. Aeren looked interested as well. "Ah you must be new. Plates are like badges of Adventurers. Without it you will not be able to take Quests in the guild hall." She explained. "Hmm.. How do we get one of those?" Aeren asked. "Ah. I knew you that was your goal. It's simple really. All you have to do is register at the Guild hall and pass the little test. After that you'll officially be Adventurers!" Adventurers.. That's not bad.

Since we already have some skills, living as Adventurers would not be a bad idea. I think Aeren would agree since she looked pretty interested on what the Innkeeper was saying. "Thank you for the information, Miss.." I paused a bit. "Dianne." She answered with a smile. Suddenly .. An Old man's voice came from the storage room behind her.

"Dianne! This is the last box! I'm done for the day." Somehow that voice seemed familiar. "Ah thank you Grandpa!" She replied. Her Grandpa walked out and we were a bit surprised when Aeren and I saw him. "Hey! It's the Old man!" I said while pointing. "You're right!" Dianne looked at us before asking. "You know my Grandpa?" The Old man talked before we could say anything. "Aaahh their no one! They just helped me carry those deliveries this morning." He said while turning around about to climb the staircase.

"Ahh so you guys helped my Grandpa. Thank you very much. He can be quite stubborn at times." Dianne thanked us. "No need. He did pay us." Aeren said. "By the way.. Do you still have any available rooms? She asked. "Oh I'm very sorry.. But the rooms are all occupied." She replied with a slight frown on her face. "Oh but we have an attic! I'll let you stay there tonight since you helped my Grandpa!" She added. "As long as there's a place to stay we're good." I answered. "Thank you very much!" Said Aeren.

A few hours later. Night came and we were laying on two old mattresses. "Aeren.. You awake?" I asked in a quiet voice." Yup. Still awake." She replied. "So.. We were talking about this with Dianne a while ago." I paused a bit. "Let's register as Adventurers!" I sat up then looked at her. She also sat up. "I was thinking the same thing.. So this will be our new life huh. Hahaha." She chuckled a bit. "It's a little exciting. Don't you think so Kuzen?" She looked into my eyes. "Yeah. I don't know how to explain it but.. I think this is not so bad." We both laid back down.

"Kuzen, goodnight." Said Aeren. "Goodnight!" I replied back. I quickly fell asleep.