Still the beginning of a longer story, Master of the Dungeon.
This is Chapter 2, preceded by The Archer and the Blacksmith (2), followed by The Fighter (1)
Shotani Nao sipped from his third pot of an entirely respectable herbal tea. He had returned to the Angry Goose not long after the sun had risen. Unbidden, Lendry had brought him a generous portion of a new batch of porridge, and a nicer beverage than expected. The hint of caffeine pushed Nao a little closer to the early morning energy of the first of Sorchas’s friends to sit down at the bar with him. His new compatriot seemed much more alert than someone with this many stories of overnight adventures should be.
“And, in the third barn, finally, some sheep,” said Aeron, in between bites of a pile of what looked like thin strips of mostly fat. Nao was pretty sure this preferred early meal was simply the belly of swine, cooked hard. This man might eat anything.
Nao said, “The sheep?” He adjusted his dark glasses.
“Yeah, they always have the best gossip. No one questions a sheep in a field, right?”
“I would not.”
“They are always watching. Oh, hey, Walda.”
“Good morning, Aeron,” said Walda, nodding as she approached. “And, good morning to you, Shotani-sensei.” Walda bowed.
Nao stood and bowed in return. “Today, I know the wise Walda. Sorcha speaks highly of you. We will have many conversations, I hope.”
“Hmmph,” said the short one at Walda’s side.
“Hey,” said Aeron, his attention elsewhere in the room.
Nao said, “And, you are Gris.”
“I am,” said Gris. He grabbed several ribbons of meat from Aeron’s plate. No one mentioned it.
Nao said, “Sorcha has told me that you understand metals.”
“She is correct,” said Gris.
Nao said, “Do you have a source for saltpetre?”
“What is that?” asked Aeron. “Salt and pepper at once?”
“No, it is different. There are other names. Perhaps, we will pass a merchant who sells fertilizers,” said Nao.
Gris smiled. “You seek an oxidizer. A powder that burns quickly?”
“Yes.”
“Fascinating. I see that the two of you will get along well,” said Walda. “Here she is.”
Sorcha walked up and said, “Great, everyone is here already.”
“Where is your friend Zon?” asked Nao. He waited patiently as everyone exchanged glances. “Will we meet him on the way?”
Gris’ face softened. “That sounds about right.”
Sorcha said, “Mister Nao, I told you stories of my fellow travelers, but there are many details best left to the road. Zon likes to scout ahead when we are leaving town.”
Nao found his tea cup empty. He said, “Of course. And, please, we are all business partners. Please call me Nao.”
“Courtesy of Mister Nao,” said their tavern host, Lendry. He delivered an enormous platter of fresh fruit and vegetables. Lendry poured from a fresh pot of steaming tea into five small porcelain cups. A few were chipped on one edge, but the obvious family heirlooms were conspicuous.
“Thank you, sir,” said Nao. Lendry attempted to bow and disappeared into the kitchen. Nao turned to Sorcha and said, “I believe that I overpaid last night.”
“Nao, you didn’t purchase the place, did you? We were hoping to leave soon,” said Sorcha.
Nao said, “No, I do not intend to stay here.”
“She was joking, Nao,” said Aeron. He picked up a spear of broccoli. “What is this?”
“Something good for you,” said Sorcha.
“This all looks good. Thank you, new friend,” said Gris. He filled a small plate. “Welcome to the Compass Kingdoms! Our ancestors were not very inventive, but they kept the peace.”
“Most of the time,” said Sorcha.
Nao watched as Walda and Gris exchanged a look. These two were close. He said, “It is a curious name.”
Aeron said, “East-west-south-northland doesn’t work any better, like at all.” He had found a small pot of white cream sauce, flecked with green herbs, and was dunking everything.
Walda raised a teacup much like the brandy last night, and said, “To new friends.” Nao followed their practiced ritual.
They ate and spoke of the road ahead. It should take three days on foot to reach Eastoria’s Vigil, the grand castle on the ocean cliffside, above the capital city. Nao had passed several caravans on the coach ride down here to meet them. They were bound to catch up with a queue for the main gate, heading back northeast.
Gris snuck another morsel off of Aeron’s plate. “You traveled, from our destination, to meet us here?”
Nao said, “Meeting at this place was Sorcha’s wish.”
Sorcha tried not to choke on fresh melon. “Gris, you know the map. There are no reliable ports on the southern coasts. We agreed to meet halfway.”
“I could only find sea transport to Eastoria,” said Nao. “There is value in knowing where we are going, however.”
“Early reconnaissance, “ said Walda.
“Exactly,” said Sorcha.
Gris chewed and remained silent.
“Like the sheep,” said Nao.
Aeron said, “I knew I liked this guy.”
“He passed the sheep test. Can we all go now?” asked Gris.
They laughed together, packed the heartier vegetables, and finished the tea. Gris and Aeron were excited to see Nao’s knives at the security desk.
From the rooftop of the Angry Goose, a solitary rat watched their departure from town.
Still the beginning of a longer story, Master of the Dungeon.
This is Chapter 2, preceded by The Archer and the Blacksmith (2), followed by The Fighter (1)