10: The Calm Before the Storm
As they approached the city gates, John couldn't help but marvel at the towering walls and the bustling activity beyond them. Guards stood at attention, their eyes scanning the approaching travelers with suspicion. John felt a twinge of nervousness, unsure of how they would be received.
To his surprise, the guards immediately recognized Barim and bowed their heads in respect. "Young master Barim, we are relieved to see you safe," one of the guards said, his voice filled with genuine concern. "Your father has been worried sick about you."
Barim nodded, his face flushed with relief. "Thank you, I am glad to be back home," he replied, his voice trembling slightly. "This is my friend John, he saved me from the goblins and helped me get back to the city."
The guards looked at John with a mix of curiosity and gratitude. "Welcome to our city, John," the guard said, his voice warm and welcoming. "Any friend of young master Barim is a friend of ours."
With that, the guards stepped aside and allowed John and Barim to pass through the gates. John couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him as they entered the city. The streets were bustling with activity, with merchants selling their wares and people going about their daily lives.
As they walked through the city, the scent of hot food caught their noses. John's stomach growled even louder, reminding him of how long it had been since he had eaten. Barim seemed to be thinking the same thing, as he pointed to a nearby tavern. "Let's get something to eat," he said, his voice filled with eagerness.
John nodded in agreement, and they made their way towards the tavern. The aroma of roasted meat and freshly baked bread grew stronger as they approached, making their mouths water with anticipation. They entered the tavern and found a table in the corner, grateful for the chance to rest their weary feet.
The tavern was bustling with activity, with patrons chatting and laughing over their meals. A serving girl approached their table, her face bright and friendly. "What can I get for you gentlemen?" she asked, her voice chirpy and welcoming.
John and Barim ordered a hearty meal of roasted chicken, vegetables, and bread. The serving girl nodded and hurried off to the kitchen to place their order. As they waited for their food, John couldn't help but marvel at the strange new world he found himself in. He had only been here for a day, and already he had faced danger, made a new friend, and discovered his own unique magical abilities.
The serving girl returned with their food, and John and Barim dug in with gusto. The food was delicious, and they savored every bite. As they ate, they chatted about their adventure and the challenges they had faced. Barim was eager to learn more about John's world, and John was happy to share his knowledge.
When they finished their meal, the serving girl brought them the bill. John reached into his pocket to pay, but realized with a sinking feeling that he had no money. He looked at Barim, who seemed equally at a loss.
Suddenly, John remembered the gold-colored coin he had found when he faced the group of goblins. He pulled it out of his pocket and examined it closely. It was unlike any currency he had ever seen before, with strange symbols etched into its surface.
He handed the coin to the serving girl, who looked at it with wide eyes. "This is more than enough to cover your meal, sir," she said, her voice filled with awe. "In fact, this is enough for several meals and even a week's stay at our inn should you require accommodation."
The offer clearly intrigued John, who had no place to stay and was uncertain about his next steps in this world. He smiled at the serving girl and nodded. "Yes, that would be great. Could you please arrange that for me?"
"Of course, I'll take care of everything," the serving girl said, her tone eager to help. "I'll inform our innkeeper, and your meals and room will be settled for the next week."
John and Barim expressed their gratitude to the serving girl, both visibly relieved by the convenience of the arrangements. With immediate concerns about shelter and sustenance addressed, John felt his mind freeing up to contemplate the possibilities of this foreign realm. They followed the serving girl through the tavern and upstairs to their new lodgings, the hustle of the city muffled by the walls of their accommodations. As they entered the modest, yet welcoming room, John felt a wave of contentment knowing he had a secure haven. The day's uncertainties now behind them, they could pause and plan for the mystery and potential that awaited them.
John and Barim entered the modest room, taking in the sparse furnishings and thin bedding. John's nose wrinkled in distaste as he surveyed the cramped quarters. He couldn't imagine spending a week in such discomfort, especially after the harrowing day they had endured.
An idea sparked in his mind, and a mischievous grin spread across his face. He focused his thoughts, visualizing the room transforming before his eyes. With a few lines of mental code, the code executed as the magic began to reshape their surroundings.
if (room.quality == "poor") {
room.furniture.transform("luxurious"); room.bedding.upgrade("premium"); room.size.expand(50%);
}
Shimmering motes of light danced through the air, and the room began to change. The worn furniture morphed into elegant, plush pieces upholstered in rich fabrics. The thin bedding thickened and softened, transforming into downy comforters and silken sheets. The walls seemed to expand outward, creating a spacious and airy atmosphere.
Barim watched in awe as the room transformed before his eyes. "John, this is incredible!" he exclaimed, running his hand along the soft velvet of a newly conjured armchair. "I've never seen magic like this before."
John smiled, pleased with his handiwork. But then a thought occurred to him, and his expression turned serious. He realized that in a world where magic was commonplace, their room could be vulnerable to prying eyes or unwanted interference.
Focusing once again, he crafted another code piece to execute in his mind:
room.addProtection("magic_barrier");
room.blockSpying();
room.disableMagic();
John watched, hoping to see some indication that his code had worked. But unlike before, nothing visibly changed in the room. No shimmering light, no hum of energy—nothing to see at all. He felt a brief flicker of doubt, wondering if his spell had failed.
However, John reminded himself of his unique magic's track record; it had not let him down so far. He had to trust that the code had executed correctly, despite the lack of sensory evidence. With a mental shrug, he chose to rely on the belief that the protection was there, as invisible and effective as the lines of code that had presumably woven it into place.
Satisfied with their newly upgraded accommodations, John turned to Barim. "So, what's your plan now?" he asked, settling into one of the plush armchairs. "Will you be heading back to your family's residence?"
Barim nodded, a hint of reluctance in his eyes. "Yes, I should return home. My father will be expecting me." He paused, glancing around the room. "But perhaps I could stay here with you for one more day? It's been quite an adventure, and I'm not quite ready for it to end."
John grinned, understanding the boy's desire to prolong their newfound friendship. "Of course, you're welcome to stay."
Barim's face lit up with excitement. As the two settled into their luxurious surroundings, John couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. Despite the challenges and dangers he had faced, he was grateful for the unexpected friendship he had found in this strange new world.
As John and Barim settled into their magically enhanced accommodations, miles away in the dense forest, the Claw of Vengeance gathered around their team's expert tracker. The tracker, a grizzled goblin with keen eyes and an uncanny sense of smell, had been tasked with locating the mysterious human who had slain their kin.
The tracker closed his eyes, focusing his energy on a powerful tracking spell. He chanted in an ancient language, his voice low and guttural. The air around him shimmered with magical energy as he cast the spell, seeking any trace of the human's presence.
But to his surprise and frustration, the spell yielded nothing. No glowing trail, no ethereal map, not even a faint whisper of the human's whereabouts. The tracker's eyes snapped open, his brow furrowed in confusion and disbelief.
"Impossible," he muttered, shaking his head. "My most advanced tracking spell failed. It's as if the human doesn't exist."
The other members of the Claw of Vengeance exchanged uneasy glances. They had never known their tracker's magic to fail before.
The tracker turned to his companions, his expression grim. "The human must be under the protection of a powerful mage or have some kind of anti-tracking magic," he explained. "My spells are useless against such defenses."
The goblins grumbled in frustration, their hands tightening around their weapons. They had been counting on the tracker's magic to lead them straight to their target.
"We'll have to rely on traditional tracking methods," the tracker continued, his voice firm. "No magic, just our wits and skills. It will be more difficult, but we have no choice."
The Claw of Vengeance nodded, their annoyance palpable. They were not accustomed to relying on non-magical means, but they were determined to find the human and exact their revenge.
The team set out, retracing their steps to the site where they had discovered the burned remains of their fellow goblins. The stench of charred flesh still hung heavy in the air, a grim reminder of the human's deadly power.
They scoured the area, looking for any clues or signs that might point them in the right direction. Footprints, broken branches, anything that could give them a lead. The tracker knelt down, examining the ground with a critical eye. He picked up a handful of soil, sniffing it carefully.
"The human went this way," he declared, pointing deeper into the forest. "The scent is faint, but it's there."
The Claw of Vengeance nodded, their determination renewed. They set off in the direction the tracker had indicated, their weapons at the ready. They would find the human, no matter how long it took or how far they had to go.