Chapter 9
Axion's P.O.V.
By nightfall we had reached Einwald. A small little town with a stone wall around it. The only way in was through the front gate where two guards stood on watch, holding spears at their side. They talked quietly to each other until we arrived at the gate which stood 12 feet tall. The gate was made of a solid iron door which looked like it wasn't easy to close.
"Welcome to Einwald," one of the guards said with a nod as we passed. We thanked them and passed through, into the town.
Lanterns hung on posts around the town square, illuminating the area. A statue made of stone stood in the center, a plaque underneath revealing it to be in the likeness of the founder. A few people roamed the square, only glancing at us for a second before resuming their business. A few streets branch off from the square in each direction. One road had a small wooden sign at the beginning with an arrow pointing down it with the word "Inn" in bold letters.
Rick noticed it too, "There's the Inn. Why don't we check in and get some dinner. We can talk after," he says.
I follow him down the street. I look at the houses as I pass. They were quite similar from those in Cobblestone. It reminded me of my home, now burned to ashes and my mom. Oh God, my mom! She must be so worried about me. Did the Elder tell her what was going on?
My thoughts are interrupted when we arrive at the Inn. It's a large wooden lodge with three stories. I'd never seen one so big before. We entered and were greeted with a packed bar and tables. Fortunately, there were a few seats left, but as we walked to them people turned to stare at me. I became more aware of how I looked. I stood out with my blue hair and strange markings and eyes. I tried to ignore their stares and followed Rick to a table near a window.
Around us, people murmured and pointed towards us. I think Rick could tell I was uncomfortable. "Don't worry about them, they've just never seen much magic or exotic things around here," Rick says just as a waitress appears. She's wearing a black and white maids uniform that looks pretty cute. Of course, her cleavage was the only problem. It didn't seem like the top covered much.
She smiles and asks "What can I get for you?"
"We'll have two plates of today's special and can you ask the manager if I might have a word with him," Rick replies.
"Certainly, it'll be just a moment," the waitress chips and turns on her heel. Her blonde ponytail bounces as she heads to the kitchen. Leaving us alone again.
"I hope you don't mind me ordering for you. I assumed you wanted to eat and get away from all these staring people as soon as possible.
"I don't mind and yes I am a bit uncomfortable, I'm not used to being looked at so much. Most people avoided me back in Cobblestone, but this seems different," I admit. I'm glad he understands.
Rick pulls out a map from his pocket and lays it on the table. I notice it immediately to be a map of Kunari. I looked at the different towns marked. I didn't know Kunari had so many. He points to a small dot near the center labeled Einwald, above it is Cobblestone. "Our next stop is gonna be Vazon which is south after we cross the river." He moves his finger to show me. "From their, our goal is to get to the South-Western Kunari Gate."
"What's at the gate?" I ask.
"The Bridge to Octavian, the realm where Mythical Creatures reside and where we're headed."
My eyes widen. I'd never expected us to be going to another Realm. Then again, I don't really know what I expected at all. Everything was happening around me faster than I could understand it. I wanted to know more. I had so many questions, but I would have to wait a bit longer, because a man walked up to our table holding two plates.
The man places the plates in front of us and my mouth waters as soon as the smell of chicken, vegetables, and buttered bread reaches my nose. He pulls a chair away from a nearby empty table and sits down with us, giving us a smile. "So I hear you wanted to talk to me, what can I do for you?" he asks. He looks to be maybe in his fifties, but I wasn't too sure. I didn't spend much time looking at him before my stomach growled. He laughed and gestured for us to eat.
I started eating and listened as they talked. Each bite was delicious.
"Yes, that was me. A friend of yours sent me, saying you would know what to do," Rick explains.
"Oh? Which friend?" He inquires curious.
"Elder Ryo."
The man's expression changes at the Elder's name. "The Elder sent you? Are you Rick?" he asks, his voice becoming quiet.
"Yes, I am. I believe he left some stuff with you for us."
"Of course, I have two rooms set aside with what he requested. He already payed for your stay. I'll go get you the keys. Is there anything else?"
"No, that was all, thank you."
The man nods and leaves. He returns not long after with two keys. "Here you are. When you're done, just leave the plates. The waitresses will clean it up." He leaves us to finish our meal, which we do in silence.
I'm relieved when we finally leave to go to our rooms. There's a set of stairs near the bar leading up. Our keys say our rooms are on the first floor. It doesn't take us long to find them. The smell of booze and tobacco wafts down the hallway.
"Do you think we could talk in the morning? I'm pretty tired," I ask. As much as I want to know more, I want to rest first.
"Of course. We can talk over breakfast. I'll be at one of the tables downstairs when you're ready. We'll probably head out after that."
"Alright," and with that we go into our rooms.
It's small but comfortable. There's a bed and a desk, and a bathroom in the back. The room is bare except or a large black bag on the bed. It must have been what the Elder asked the man to get. Is it for me? I sit on the bed after leaving the satchel on the desk. I wasn't sure what was in that either, but I decided to start with the bag. I unzip it and find that it's full of clothing and some books. I take out the two books first. One says Spells and the other says Races and Other Beings. I put them aside, deciding to look at them before I go to bed.
The clothing inside consisted of black leggings, boots, a jacket, some black shirts, and cloak. It was all simple and fitted me perfect when I tried it all on. I put the clothing back and grabbed the satchel off the desk. Deciding to look through it last. It wasn't heavy, but it did have quite a few different things in it, just by feeling it.
The first thing I pull out is an oval-shaped stone. It's smooth and mesmerizing. It's made of lapis with amethyst veins. It's fits inside my palm. I've never seen anything so nice. The Elder said the contents of the catchel were mine. This looked expensive. What's it for?
I set it next to me and reach inside. A medium sized journal is next. It has a black band that's stretched around it to keep it closed. I unwrap the band and open it to the first page. In black ink on the first page in large letters is the word Runathia. Everything below is a bunch of runes and marks. Each of the pages is filled with a language I can't read.
The next object is a small blade in a silver sheath. It has elaborate designs engraved into it. The blade is small, maybe a foot long. The handle is silver with ridges where my fingers fit nicely. It feels good in my hand. I've never held a blade to I was probably holding it wrong. I slid the sheath of and my mouth dropped.
The blade was made of a blue...stone? I wasn't sure. Maybe sapphire? Traditionally blades were made of metal. It was amazing and sharp. I almost cut myself putting it away.
The last thing inside the satchel was a set of jewelry and accessories made of the same material as the blade. A thin blue bracelet that was cool to the touch. A silver ring with flower shaped blue gem. The material must be a type of stone now that I see it on the ring, but that doesn't make sense when I see the last piece. It looks like the same material, but it's stretchy. It looks like an elastic for hair.
I put it all back and decided to question Rick about them tomorrow. By the time I'm done I'm too tired to read so I put the books back in the bag with the clothes. Sliding under the covers of the bed, I sink deep into the mattress which is soooooooo comfortable. My eyes soon drift closed and then I'm asleep.