Chapter 1: A Fish for Dinner

The smell of saltwater courses through the breeze. Watching the ships sail has become a calming pastime. Yet, no matter how serene the scenery may be, a loud grumble is bound to break the atmosphere. I stand up from my seat on the hill. With hands on my hips, I smile.

"Time to eat," I say myself out loud. Once one has been left alone for so long, they tend to speak their mind out loud regardless of the audience.

My gaze shoots towards the docks. Saunders is a village with convenient access to open waters. The Saunderian fishermen are known for their large hauls: cod, bluefish, marlin, and more. Though, I cannot forget my favorite, salmon! 

Swift as my feet may carry me, I scurry down the hillside. As an Ukhuni Elf, dexterity is a given trait and provides great advantages. After all, the surrounding grasslands are beautiful to embrace! Once I reach flat ground, I look towards the ocean to my right. The waves crash against the dock ahead. Soon my feet touch the sand. There are wooden steps that leads from the beach to the boardwalk. Many congregate to the marketplace located on the docks. In regards to the busy village, I prefer keeping to myself. Yet, I will embark on a venture into the common space for essentials. Especially when paying an old friend a visit. I mean, who can resist good company?

Here's the plan, sneak into a crowd of folks committed to make a purchase. Then, once the target is spotted, go in for the take!

Wait, there's no need to judge a poor Rogue so harshly. Everyone has to eat. Look over there, that stocky Saunderian man is the head of the village. He has an enormous amount of treasure, passed down unto him by a prestigious family. One would think such gold can be used for the welfare of the village. Nay, that is not the case. Good old Ode prefers to pocket himself a hearty feast: three eels, four crabs, and a healthy salmon all grace the man's wooden cart. The man enjoys uses his riches to purchase a surplus of resources. Of course, the village leader is not required to carry his own weight. Ode's servant is ready to provide the manual labor necessary to carry their haul back towards the village center. 

I stand within a cluster at the edge of the dock. While a familiar face engages with Ode, a thought comes to mind: 'Why not take his majesty's fish?'

A man's ego is his greatest downfall. A smile trickles on my face with the new scheme. With my hood raised and poised, my feet take action. Fortunately, there is a larger crowd surrounding the fisherman's booth. I simply do not understand why people cater to the likes of an ingulube- a pig in common tongue. One who rises above others without the love of their people is unworthy of adoration.

"God smiled on you today, Bordock!" The village head cheers while clapping the fisherman on the back.

"Indeed," the fisherman beams. "I haven't seen this fortune for a long time. The fish seemed to jump into our boat!"

As they continue their discourse, other eyes glare into Bordock's direction. If I am not mistaken, some competitors believe that the man has made use of magic to gain an upper hand in the fish market. As an elf, I can attest that I don't feel a surplus of energy surrounding Bordock. Yet, many charms can go unnoticed if they are not present. Perhaps the man keeps a water guardian close on his boat. He may even have an amulet that projects energy to attract sea life as moths are drawn to an open flame. Such advantages would be a stain against one's integrity as a merchant. Regardless of the rumors, I doubt Bordock's pride would allow for foul play. I shake my head.

"I cannot be distracted," my voice utters in a whisper. 

"Distracted from what?" A foreign sound breaks my concentration. 

To my right, an elderly woman surprises me. Bewildered, my attention shifts from that succulent salmon to the old woman. She looks up at me with a toothless grin. 

"How could you hear me?" I have to ask and learn her secret.

"You were shouting dear," she replies while taking a pinky to clean out her ear. 

Her answer makes my heart drop. Surely, she is lying to me. I couldn't be so careless as to shout on a mission! Could I have allowed my excitement to bring on a rookie maneuver? To clarify my assumptions, I look around towards the people roaming the docks. Many tend to keep to themselves. Yet, for the folks close by, their heads turn in search of the clamor. 'I'm too hungry this time,' my mind reaches a conclusion. Now that I have their attention, I must think fast...

"Idrako!" I scream while standing in an alarmed position with a finger raised towards the sky.

"Excuse me?" The woman asks while tilting her head. 

"Dragon!" I repeat while using her mother language. 

The villagers look to the skies in shock and confusion. Even good old Ode shuffles about in fear.

"Dragon? No one's seen one in years!" The nervous man darts his gaze back and forth. 

As people regard the warning with superstition rather than logic, I make my way towards the goal in sight. Deftly, I dodge some clambering feet and reach the cart. With my hand on the salmon, a smile crosses my face. 'Victory,' I think to myself and take a sprint away from the crowd. 

"Calm down," a large voice booms. "There is no dragon!"

I glance backwards to the crowd. Sure enough, Bordock's words help alleviate the stress. My elven ears pick up on another sound. In front, a watermelon cart appears around the bend. Rickety, rickety, rickety, the wagon wheels cross across cobblestone. Another issue arises when the sound of scrambling feet approach from behind.

"Damn you Umlingo!" The fisherman gives chase with his fist in the air.

"Now the fun begins!" I say with a loud laugh.

I place the fish in one hand, while reaching for my dagger. My gaze shifts to the watermelon cart. The fruit are kept in a rundown wagon with a missing a hatch. Instead of a wooden panel, the wagon has been amended with rope to secure the precious cargo. Swiftly, I dash towards the rear of the wagon. Within a single slash, my dagger slices through the multiple ropes restraining the watermelon. One by one, watermelons begin pouring out from the cart. 

If I had another set of arms, then I would have stolen a melon too. Yet, the salmon is enough to satisfy my stomach. I sheath my dagger and peer over my shoulder. 

"What in Pandemonium," Bordock scoffs as the melon blockade stops him in his tracks. "This is the last straw. You're not a kid anymore!"

With a wicked impulse, I climb onto a parked wagon. Albeit, a one-handed climb is a bit clumsy. Once I find my bearings, I shout back to the enraged fisherman. 

"I'm sorry, but I'm still a number shy of one hundred." My banter goes unappreciated. Perhaps, another bit would be more pleasing. "Trust me, without me, you would be 'bored doc.'"

The pun only makes the fisherman explode. 

"You orange menace," he booms. "By tomorrow, your face will be plastered on the walls!"

I shrug off the threat and bid him goodbye. With dinner in my arm, my feet skitter through the village towards my temporary home. I go past the rustic village homes and reach the trail that leads to the forest on the outskirts. The old path sees less feet now than in the beginning of its time. On the occasion, my ears overhear word that the village folk believe the forest is haunted by spirits. The house of which I call home has seen wicked days. Some fear that the ghost of a murderer resides in the abandoned building. Others suggest that the spirits of countless victims hold contempt for the villagers. Apparently, those murdered still blame Saunderians for their death and are delighted to spread misfortune to those trespassing in the forest. Although I have not seen a spirit, I am grateful for such superstitions. Shortly, I reach my desolate abode in good faith.

"The threat has been waged before izinhlanzi," I tell the fish. "The man's talk is cheap."

I sit in the center of the rundown living quarters. I start a small campfire with sticks and dead grass. While the fire crackles, I pierce the fish with a long stick. As I cook it, the smell of the salmon wafts through the building. Such a savory catch! I'm not sure about others, but I believe that a delicate fish requires a tender center. After all, the fish will dry out if left too long on an open fire. Once cooked to perfection, I dig into the fish's scales and all. 

A thought keeps running through my head: what if Bordock is serious? The notion of his bravado will have to wait 'til the 'morrow.

The sun rises above Saunders Village with a brilliant hue of red. The amber sky casts a warm glow while birds begin their daily ritual. I stretch my back while feeling rested from the night's hearty meal. I step outside and inhale the fresh air. 

"Time to investigate, no?" I say out loud to myself and the birds. 

I shut the door behind me and make my way towards the village square. If any posters have been placed, then that's where they will hang. I whistle along my path. The sunlight does an Ukhuni good. I enter the village with my hood raised. As my feet trail towards the center, I realize that there is not a soul on the streets.

The villagers are quiet and I wonder where they tarry. In truth, I'm not sure what day it is, but it seems to be their time of worship. 'That could explain their silence,' I think to myself. Saunders has a large church towards the center of the village. I do not hear the bell, so that suggests folks are still partaking in their religious rituals. 'A great opportunity to explore,' my mind concludes. 

After passing the park, I can see the village square. To the left is the pathway towards the large white church. In the center, rests the village's meeting house where they talk about diplomacy and the various issues present in their lives. My eyes glance towards a large board standing near the entrance of the village square. As I approach the board, I can see various advertisements and on one of the papers; 

"He wasn't lying!" My voice drops in disappointment. "What a poor representation of my face!"

I rip the paper from the board. My heart drops further as I read the price: 5,000 gold. Now that's a healthy sum!

Before I can think further, my ears note the sound of... bells.

Ding...dong...ding....dong...

They are coming.