Earthdragon

Chapter 4

(James)

The village interior was beautiful, stunning, otherworldly, dozens of stalls were set up down the square, in front of stores, all selling strange and wonderful things, the smell of spices thick in the air, and the smell of fresh bread in the oven. 

It seemed that this was the heart of the village, with side alleys leading off to lodgings. Adventurers were milling about, with swords and armour all in different shapes and sizes strapped to their bodies, laughing and exchanging stories of adventure.

In the corner of the square off to the right was a large wooden building with two huge tusks crossed over secured by leather with a sign hanging in the space between them, on the sign, written with skinned sticks to spell out letters, was the word Guild. 

A few more stores littered the main Street, but the only two that caught my eye were the blacksmiths and the armour shop. I made note to visit the armour store later when I had money and to go to the blacksmiths to get some better equipment. "So, what do'ya think of my village? It may be on the small side but it's all I got…", "It's stunning, absolutely stunning..", "Thanks".

 The sun winkled through the gaps in houses and the long shadows in the square reminded him that it was getting late, " Are there any lodgings that would be willing to take me until I can pay?". "It just so happens that my pops owns some lodgings" , she said, looking at me curiously, "How come a traveler like you doesn't have any money?". The scale rubbed uncomfortably against my forearm when she mentioned money, "Well, y'see, I got mugged whilst I was traveling, but I got away with only my sword and the clothes on my back" I said, rubbing the back of my head sheepishly. At this she looked amused, "So you got 'mugged', more like you just decided to travel unprepared, you can't fool me!!". " Hahaha you got me", 'Oh thank the creator she believed me'. "Shouldn't we start heading in? I asked, "Well, duh, where did you think we were walking to?", It was then that I realized that we had been walking towards a stone lodge. "I'm back father! I brought a guest!" 

An elderly man poked his head around the corner. "Welcome back honey!" He exclaimed, with a joyous expression on his face, before turning to me and giving me the evil eyes. His voice was dark and twisted when he spoke to me, with a dark aura pulsing off him, " If YOu hURT HeR I WiLl COMe afTer YOu", at this a single bead of sweat rolled down the back of my head. "I assure you sir, I have no intention of hurting your daughter, I look only for lodgings". 

"Payment?"

"I'm hoping that I can earn enough money tomorrow to pay my debt off."

"Fine, if you can't pay it off tomorrow night then you'll have to work it off scrubbing floors."

"Here, upstairs, down the hall, last door on the left." He said, holding a key on a chain towards me between his thumb and index finger.