19 Mithra's Cleric

"You wish to leave the church?" 

Bishop Alexander questioned me as I knelt before him with one knee. Being an orphan, I had been a devout servant of Mithra since the church took me in. Still, I could feel that my real calling lies elsewhere.

"How then, will you make a living?" The Bishop's tone hinted no anger, making me feel good about the chances of my request being granted. 

"I will….become an adventurer."

"Then there is no need for you to quit this church, I'll talk to the guild master by tomorrow and have you instated as a silver adventurer."

That's fine and dandy if I wanted to stay here in Alcune, but I don't.  The kingdom of Alcune had this reputation of being unfriendly to non-humans….. Oh, who am I kidding, fine I'll admit, this kingdom is racist. Because of that, the population of non-humans living in this place can be counted on one hand, it is that severe. I want to travel to a place where all races coalesce, where everyone is given equal opportunity, I want to become an adventurer in Elaria. 

With resolution, I rejected the Bishop's offer, "I humbly reject your kindness, your eminence. I'm planning on traveling to Elaria."

Bishop Alexander raised his brow, "So you want to apply to Elaria's guild, do you know how to fight? They don't accept applications you know, you must battle your way in."

I don't. But, I know healing and divine protection! Surely that would be enough for me to land in at least bronze? 

Sensing my hesitation, the Bishop sighed. 

"I know you don't. You have devoted your entire time to this church, cleaning, doing laundry, and cooking. If this is what your heart truly desires then it is time for the new clerics to earn their keep. Go Stefano, and if you find that the burdens of an adventurer to be too much, you are always welcome to return here."

I almost lunged at the bishop after hearing what he just said, luckily I was able to regain my composure and just gave him a heartfelt thank you. 

Immediately heading to my quarters, I knew I could count on Bishop Alexander, that's why I already packed my stuff in advance.  As I stripped from my robe and into my shirt and trousers, my joy was marred a bit when I laid my cleric robe on my bed. I may have taken them off, but the teachings of Mithra will forever stay within me. 

Strapping my leather backpack on my shoulders, I walk out of the church with a wide smile. Elaria, here I come!

+++

As soon as I entered Elaria's city gate I was greeted with colorful buildings, Alcune has them too but I could tell that the buildings in here have more personality. 

Staring into the rows of Elaria's crowd filled market, I have never seen this many non-humans gathered together in my entire life. It feels overwhelming. I'm not overwhelmed because of their races! Dear Mithra, It's just because….I can't think of a reason…am I racist like my fellow country men!?

I clutch Mithra's pendant as if offering a prayer to cast out my doubt before I head into the crowd. A servant of Mithra will not be shackled by such narrow worldviews. 

Time to see what this market has to offer. 

As it turns out, it had a lot. From weapons, armors, food, scrolls, etc. One that caught my attention was a stall where a druid, an attractive woman with cervine horns and hooves for feet, is currently talking to an eager man who appears to have a tentacle where his left arm should be.  As soon as they were done conversing, she channeled her spell and green light swirled around the druid, she laid her palm on the man's head and bull horns emerged on its side right after. 

Paying in gold for the transaction, I could hear him rejoicing, saying "YES, YES!" as he walks right past me. By Mithra, what in the heavens is he planning with those horns? 

Continuing my stroll, I noticed that someone was trying to call out to me. 

"Pssst. Handsome, come over here."

For a second I thought he was calling someone else, I mean me? Handsome? My looks are average at best. 

"Servant of Mithra, over here!"

Okay, now I know he's really talking to me. 

I cautiously approached the red skinned lizard, "How did you know I was a servant of Mithra?"

The lizard pointed towards my sun pendant. Figures. He then whips out a dragon tooth necklace. "This necklace was blessed by a ritual passed down from generations to generations by my ancestors. It will fill you with the necessary strength to surpass your most dangerous ordeal. I'll give this to you for the low low price of 5 silver."

My most dangerous ordeal? I think my most dangerous ordeal right now is getting scammed out of my 5 silver coins. 

"Look, Mister lizard man, I may be new to this city but I know a scam when I see one. It is a neat looking necklace but 5 silver coins is a lot for someone like me."

The lizard folk sighed, "I knew you were going to be a stubborn one. Listen well, I am a Seer. One day the fate of this world will depend on you and your group. If you don't take this necklace you will die in the near future."

Well that took a grim turn. Also, what group? I just got to this city!

"Well, why do you need to charge me for it if the fate of the world hinges on it!?"

"Because I need to eat! You know what, take this. By your honor, repay me when you've made use of this necklace."

I'm going to feel really guilty if I took this necklace, this is some advanced level scamming stuff. It is a neat looking necklace. Alright, you win Mister Lizard, I'll probably earn that 5 silver easily once I become an adventurer. 

"No, here's the silver. You're lucky I like the style of this necklace." I grabbed the dragon tooth necklace put it in my backpack, this necklace might be stylish but I'm not dumb enough to wear a necklace and a pendant both at once. 

"Why aren't you wearing it?" The lizard man questioned me. 

I pointed at my pendant. The Lizard folk then pointed at his multiple layered dragon tooth necklace. I'll admit, those look rad but my pendant and necklace just won't mesh that well. 

"I'll think about it." I waved, saying goodbye to the lizard man. 

"Wear it! Trust me, it will look fashionable on you!" I heard him shout as I was a few distance away from his stall. 

Will it? I held the thought for now as I continued my stroll. 

+++

I was so engrossed by all the stalls that the moon had already rissen once I was done galavanting.

Since I am tight on budget I decided to settle in on an apartment that looks right about my budget. 

I asked the friendly looking halfling receptionist if they had any room left. Just my luck because someone had left the other day.

The cheerful halfling guided me to my room, he was busy finding the right key from his key ring so he could unlock the door when I saw two women hand in hand while walking towards me.

One was a gorgeous looking jovial woman with a toned body, by the clothes she was wearing, I would guess she's a Barbarian or an Amazon. 

The other was a dark elf, equally as beautiful with a slender build. The eye-patch she wears on her right eye would have given her a gruff look if she wasn't smiling from ear to ear. 

The friendship they had forged despite being different races must be pretty deep for them to hold hands while walking like that.  Elaria truly is a wonderful city. 

After the halfling found the right key, the two good friends went into the room right next to me. We're neighbors, it appears.

+++

The landlord took the key out from his ring and handed it to me. I gave him a friendly smile as he exited my room. 

A pretty mediocre room, wooden floors, wooden walls and just the right amount of furniture. 

Tomorrow is the day Elaria's guild will start accepting its applicants, I better hurry and hit the hay so I'm well rested for tomorrow. 

Changing into my sleeping wear, I laid on the bed ready to close my eyes when I heard playful giggling from the room right next to me. Wait, our bedrooms are ajacent?

It's a bit muffled but what they were saying passed through the wooden walls. 

"Ellamir, no! Tomorrow is an important day! Hahahaha!"

"You know you want to."

By Mithra, what are those two doing in there? Could it be?….Nah, it couldn't - I'm just jumping to conclusions. I tried to cover my ears with a pillow, forcing myself to sleep.

+++

Moments after falling asleep. The creaking of bed and the high pitched erotic moans by the two woman next from the next room woke me up. 

Oh, indeed it do be. 

M-maybe they'll stop soon? 

Nope, it had been an hour since they started and they're still going at it like rabbits in heat. 

I stand up from my bed and slam the wall as hard as I can with my hand, "Hey, some of us are trying to sleep over here!"

There we go, at least they seem reasonable. 

Right after going to bed the creaking and the moaning continued! By Mithra, now I know why the owner of this room left!

I press the pillow harder on my ears. I have a feeling going to be a long night.