"What just happened? His Archery skill is at Master level?" Said the guide.
"No, I suspect it is higher. He is being hampered by the inferior weapon he is using," said the Arbiter.
"How is that possible? He seems completely... inept."
"His actions were analyzed when he drew and aimed the bow. I reviewed them myself. Every shot. They were flawless."
"Well, that's weird." The guide re-evaluated her charge.
"He must have deep muscle memory for that weapon. He has used it extensively in the past."
“Well, he seems to have satisfied his need for revenge,” said the guide.
“Yes. It is good that he is moving on,” said the Arbiter. “Continue to assist him as he asks for it. He seems to be unusually unsettled by our presence.”
“You think?” she replied sarcastically, then mentally caught herself.
“Yes, I do think,” said the Arbiter blandly. “And you might consider doing a bit more. There is something not quite right going on here and I may need to escalate the matter to determine the best course of action. Try to gather more information if you can.”
* * *
It took two more tries before they stopped coming. He kept his word, killing them more slowly each time they returned.
The warrior was screaming and cursing the last time that he wouldn’t come back if I just ended it. I asked him how many people he killed in that glade before I came along. He was silent for a moment then began to cry.
I still killed him slowly.
When no one had shown up for three days, I felt they finally got the message.
I broke up the little camp I had set up and decided to go find the nearest town.
I followed the path through the woods for about a mile before I came to a clearing. At the other end of the clearing I could see a large wall manned by a couple of individuals armed with spears. I slowed and looked things over.
I could see an open wooden gate with two men standing to either side. The men on the wall watched my approach.
“What’s your business stranger?” said one of the two in front of the gate.
“I’m just passing through. Is there any work here?”
“Your an adventurer?” said the other.
“If I have to be. But, I am willing to do regular work as well.”
Another man spoke from up above.
“I believe the smith is looking for someone to help with pumping the bellows. Jemmy hurt his hand when he tangled with one of the rats in the silo.”
“Rats?” I said.
“Yeah, they are becoming a real nuisance. One of them bit Jemmy when he went to get some grain for the miller.” It was the first one speaking again.
The first one looked me over and I saw his eyes shift to my back.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“You any good with that bow?”
“I’m getting better. I believe I could take out a couple rats.”
The first man spoke.
“Well, if you want to try, go see the miller. At this point I believe he would be willing to offer a few coppers to anybody who can get rid of them before they breed again.”
I nodded.
“Thanks for the advice. I’ll do that.”
The second man spoke.
“Go through the gate and follow the main road to the far end of town. You will see the grain silo and the miller’s shop is on the opposite side of the road. has a big water wheel, can’t miss it.”
“Thanks.”
“Welcome to Fishhook.”
I walked through the gate. The two men at either side nodded amiably, and I returned the gesture.
The main street was basically a cart path that meandered through the tiny hamlet. The road was a bit dusty indicating it was used fairly regularly. I had gone about halfway through when I suddenly noticed a strange roar. Looking around, I suddenly realized that the hamlet was in a far more defensible position than I first imagined.
To my left and straight ahead were high cliffs. To my right was a calm pool of water in which a couple of children were currently splashing. There was a small spit of land that came out from the cliff and ran in a shape that resembled a huge hook. Beyond the tiny spit of land was a raging river.
At first I thought the roaring was coming from the river but as I looked further ahead I suddenly realized that the river was being fed by an immense waterfall that was plunging off the cliff straight ahead.
I stopped and watched the water thundering from the cliff face and plunging down to disappear behind a large silo.
“Must be what I’m looking for,” he thought.
I paid little attention to the other buildings as I kept walking down the road toward the silo. As I got closer, I could see a smaller building across the road. It was much closer to the falls and was situated so part of the building was over the river while another part faced the pool. A large water wheel turned at a brisk pace from the movement of the river.
I walked across a narrow porch and opened a well made wooden door. The smell of warm bread made my mouth water. I looked around and spied a young woman with her back to me kneading a large mound of dough.
“Excuse me.”
The woman’s head came up, and she turned.
“Yes?”
“Is this the millers?”
“No,” she said. “He’s around back. Out the door, down towards the water and you’ll see a second door. He’s in there.”
“Thank you,” he said. “What’s your name?”
“I’m Choral,” she replied.
“The bread smells wonderful.”
“Thanks,” she said. “Copper a loaf.”
“I don’t have any copper, but when I get some, I’ll be back.”
She frowned. “All that gear and you don’t have a copper?”
His guide interrupted.
“She is referring to currency, not the metal. You do not have any coppers but you do have several silver pieces.”
“Oh. What’s the exchange rate?” I said. Choral’s head tilted slightly.
“One silver piece equals 10 coppers.”
“Ok.” I reached into his inventory and pulled out a silver.
“Can I purchase a loaf with this?”
She gave him a skeptical glance. “Trying to be funny?”
I took a step back. “No. I’m new to the area and I don’t know much about the currency.”
“Well the currency here is the same as everywhere else in the Kingdom of Elaria, so if you don’t recognize it you must be from very far away.”
“Elaria? What’s that?”
Her hands went to her hips. “Now I know your trying to be funny.”
My guide spoke up. “Elaria is the name of the kingdom you are currently in. It is fairly large and covers leagues in any direction from here.”
“So you know where we are? Why didn’t you say so?”
“You haven’t asked?”
“Who are you talking to?” Said Choral her face no longer smiling and friendly.
“My guide.”
“What guide? Is that like a familiar? Is there an invisible sprite in here? If so, I want it out right now!”
“Choral does not have a guide,” said the guide.
“Why?” I said. Choral spoke up her voice rising and her shoulders hunching.
“Because I said so, that’s why! And you can take your riches with you and get out too.”
“I wasn’t talking to you, Choral. I was talking to my guide,” I said.
“I don’t care if you were talking to the gods themselves. I want you out of my shop before I call the guards.”
“Actually, my guide does talk to the gods. At least occasionally.”
“That’s it! Out!” Choral snatched up a large bread knife and waved it.
I turned and fled the shop and she slammed the door behind me.
The guide spoke. “While I do speak to gods occasionally, that is not something the… locals, need to know about.”
I stopped. “Why not? And how come I have a guide and others do not?”
The guide hesitated searching for an adequate excuse that was least likely to cause future problems.
“You are fated,” was the excuse she settled on.
“What does that mean?”
“It means that the deities have taken an interest in your fate and I have been sent to monitor it and help you where possible.”
I thought for a moment.
“Do you know my fate?”
“No.”
“I see. And are there others who have guides?”
“Yes, but most people you encounter do not.”
“So, what should I do?”
“I cannot make decisions for you, but my advice would be to go talk to the miller before Choral biases him against you.”
“That conversation could have gone better,” I admitted.
“Yeah, not the smoothest approach,” she replied.
