After a good night’s rest, the party made their way back to town. The walk back from the hot springs was pleasant with the morning air being cold in a good way. With renewed energy and having somewhat recovered from the violence of the previous day they entered the streets of Tormir. The morning was filled with the bustling of a city waking up and people were traveling to their work and setting up their stalls and businesses. The sounds of hammering and sawing filled the backstreets of the small city and Cobal could even hear a fish peddler off in the distance trying to bring in her first customers of the day. The cart hit one of the pebbles and everyone shook awake as they entered the street where their inn was located. The innkeeper was outside, sweeping the street. “Ah, you all made it back. I was about to clean up your rooms and open them up for new folk.” He laughed. “Not that we expect more visitors with those bandits around.”
“Well, we have some good news for you.” Eliana said with a big smile on her face.
“Oh?”
“We took care of the bandits. They shouldn’t be a problem anymore.”
“Really? And the monster in the forest?”
“Wasn’t really a monster after all, just a giant being abused by the bandits.”
“A giant?”
“Well, not quite a giant, but a giantkin of sorts, they’re a peaceful folk that live further east, but after we dealt with the bandits he agreed to go back home.”
“Well, I am hesitant to believe all of that, but I hope to be proven wrong in the coming days. Breakfast?”
“Breakfast sounds lovely right now, thank you.” They hitched the horses to a post out front before going inside. “You’re leaving then, I presume?” the innkeeper asked as he served up some fresh bacon and eggs.
Cobal nodded. “We’re moving further east, as we planned to.”
“Business in Marsolin?”
“You can say that.”
“It’s a nice city, the wife’s family is from there.”
“Can you tell us about it, we’re not from around this area,” Mana asked.
The innkeeper thought for a little. “Well, it’s a strange place for one. I liked it while I stayed there, but there was always a feeling in the air of strangeness. Sometimes people would walk in the streets and they felt like they weren’t quite what they seemed. Like there was more going on behind closed doors. But the libraries were mighty impressive and the people were always kind while I was there, so I suppose maybe I was just judging them based on my own preconceptions.”
“Anything we need to keep in mind if we want to make a good impression?” Eliana asked.
“Not really, folk are folk. No matter where you go, people will differ yet be the same.” The innkeeper chuckled. “There’s some life lessons for you, as different as people get, they still share similarities even if they don’t want to admit it. We all want the same things in life after all.”
“And that is?” Eliana asked.
“A comfortable bed, good food and better company.”
Eliana smiled. “Now that’s something I can get behind.”
The innkeeper went to a different table to help out some of the locals while the party finished up their breakfast. After all the food was gone Cobal stood up. “Well then, we’re close to our destination, might as well get there swiftly.”
The other two followed and they made their way outside.
They removed the horses from the post they were tied to and got to driving. The sun was getting higher in the sky but there was enough daytime left to get some distance in. After about an hour they met up with Grac who had been hiding outside of town. Eliana gave him some of the extra food they brought and after quickly catching up with him they made their way towards Marsolin. The road was pleasant and after they came back to the main road again from their detour of avoiding the capital city the rest went by without a hitch. Grac stayed close to the road throughout the day and sat with them in their small camp at night. When Marsolin was finally visible on the horizon he split off once more. He told them about an old cave he saw once before. He would wait there while the party would help him find out more about his wife.
“I’m actually kind of excited to get there,” Mana said.
“Because of the books?” Eliana asked.
“Honestly, yes. I’ve always been a fan of reading even in my old world. And I feel like there’s some things about magic and this world that I’m close to understanding, but I’m not quite there yet. I still have a bunch of questions about what is possible and although Dionil has a very good understanding of magic, I think there might be more to it. I hope to find this out while we find a way to help our friends.”
“Well, if there’s any place to do it, this is a pretty good one. That or the lost library of Owlana, but that’s a legend.”
Mana smiled. “Who knows which legends end up being true.” The sun peeked from behind the clouds and shone in Cobal’s eyes, making it hard to see. When his eyes adjusted again, the large wooden gate surrounding Marsolin was visible. They made it to their destination.
Opal Kaharis 