Works not Eats not

The village is pretty small so it doesn't take me long to find the well. Just some larger buildings in the center surrounding the well with the village adventure basics: inn, blacksmith, stable, and some other buildings I can't determine. Well first lets get clean. Won't be able to bum some lodging if I'm filthy, though it might help with the pity plea. I get to the well and start taking off my shirt gingerly so as not to make the scratches worse. Once off I look down to check out my scratches and notice something off.

Right there in the middle of my chest, is one massive tattoo. Well massive to me, I've never had a tattoo and this thing is one solid picture in the shape of a shield covering almost my entire chest. Big round with what looks like a dragon head in the middle. Looking closer I notice what look like sockets in the shield.

'Wait is this my cheat. Can I socket things in this shield and get superpowers or something.' I take a moment to study the tattoo poking and prodding, but nothing happens and it feels just like what a normal tattoo would at least I think so. With nothing happening I clean myself up and wash my wounds and my makeshift bandages before reapplying them and hoping it doesn't get infected.

Now clean and what I hope is decent I move toward the inn hoping to get some answers and help. It's a nice three story building, the stables next door, and a sign board saying Traveler's Rest in worn out wood on top. Going inside the door I see what looks like a dining area on the right with a reception area on the left. There is looks like a hanging bell next to the reception desk and a hallway past it. Seeing no one I ring the bell hoping service bells are the same beyond worlds.

"Just a minute!" A voice comes down from above and pretty soon I hear footsteps. Out of the hallway comes a big brown haired woman whose plump enough to look matronly but skinny enough to give second thoughts. The extra large chest helps.

"Oh, you're new. Hi I'm Bertha. This is my inn and are you here to spend the night and get some grub or did you wanna show off more."

"Huh, show off?" 'Where did that come from?'

"Oh silly, I think everyone in the village got a good, long look at you what with all your playing at the well."

"Oh, right." I did spend quite a bit of time trying to figure out what my tattoo is or does so I guess they thought I was showing off. Must be a perk of getting a new more ripped bod.

"Well no I wasn't planning to show off I just wanted to ask some questions and see if I can get some help."

"Well questions are free but help is not so ask away and we'll see where it gets you."

"Well first off where am I."

"Well you're in the Traveler's Rest but I don't think you meant that."

"Uh no, you see I got separated from my friends on the road and lost my way."

"Well sorry to hear that and this village here doesn't have a name really too small. Most people just call it after my inn Traveler's Rest."

"Well are there any landmarks around that I can use or someway to find my way."

"Nope, nothing around here except the road and us."

'Great getting info out of this woman is like wrestling a hog.' "Is there anything you can tell me that might be helpful on how to find my way."

"Well that depends on where you're going sweetie." She gives me this big smile and I can swear she's trying to get me to lose it.

"I'm lost and don't know where I'm going okay. Could you at least tell me where the closest city is." I'm getting really tired of this; my scratches are aching, I'm hungry wet and tired and this lady wants to play twenty questions.

"Alright then no need to get upset. The closest city is Orario which is why this village exists. We're a stopping point for merchants and would be adventurers who are making their way there. I'm sure if you head there you'll be able to meet your friends." She backs off the trickster smile and finally gives me some good info with a motherly tone.

"Thank You"

"Now with that out of the way its getting dark and I don't think you want to sleep outdoors so how about a room."

"Um about that. You see my friends were carrying all the money so I'm a little broke right now." I try the story I came up with earlier, but I'm not good at lying and I think it shows cause she gives me this appraising look that feels like she can see everything on me.

"Well you may not have much money but hey we can barter. How about that box of yours. I could give you a room, some grub, and even some extra coin for something like that."

"NO! Oh sorry, but no this is a family heirloom and I swore to my parents to keep it safe. Sorry if I got a little defensive." I jerk and hide the Pan'ku box behind me. Where did that come from I know it's dangerous but what was that reaction.

"Oh well, if you promised your parents I can kinda understand, but that still leaves you penniless. Tell you what, I get people like you occasionally so I know just what we'll do. You are gonna work for me while you stay here and in return you can get food and a room. Now that's the worst food and a room in the stable mind you. Also while you stay here I will keep that pretty box of yours as insurance so you don't run off in the morning."

"How do I know I'll get it back?" It sounds like a good deal but this is her village and nice she may be but she's still a stranger.

"Hahaha" Suddenly she steps forward faster than I can blink and she's right up in my face as a wind brushes my cheek.