Darkness and Hellfire

Chapter 21 See Ya Around.

Isaac spent the rest of the day exploring the town. There wasn’t much to explore. There was a storehouse, barracks, and command hall that he was not allowed to enter as he was not an enlisted person. Those buildings and everything inside them were property of the Kingdom Of Altia.

Altia would occasionally send expeditions into the Innerworld and this outpost, Outpost Charles III was coincidentally the third stop an expedition would rest at before they would be truly off on their own. This being the case did not mean that traveling between any of the ‘safe’ zones would be without peril.

Caravans would always be guarded by a minimum of four soldiers per wagon and usually traveled in groups of four to seven. Any smaller and they ran the risk of not being able to fight off whatever vile monster or army of Ori-Masa they came across. Any larger and they might attract the attention of a ‘real’ monster.

These supposed ‘real’ monsters were drow raid teams, a dragon, or a monster known only as the Cleaner. Apparently these threats would leave groups as small as eight people or even a solitary wagon alone because they simply weren’t worth the effort. However, a larger group would make for an enticing snack or might have loot worth having.

The buildings Isaac could enter included the showers and tavern which he was already acquainted with. Also the three guilds, Adventurer’s, Cartographer's, and Merchants. As well as an armory and a general store. The armory was little more than a few shelves with different armors and weapons on them. All of which, according to Aria, were incredibly overpriced and should be avoided.

The general store had some interesting things. Everything you could ever need for climbing or camping out underground along with a singular healing potion and a few dozen empty glass bottles. Lanterns, torches, rope, bedrolls, blankets, the list went on and on. There were only two of most things but Isaac was surprised at the selection considering how hard Aria had said it was to get things down there.

Isaac tallied everything in his Inventory: Four days rations, a one quart waterskin, climbing spikes (Hands and Feet), twelve pitons, twenty feet of rope, Zei’s magical lantern, his letter, and his weird wooden box. Isaac figured he should lighten his load and stock up for the trip to the next town over at the same time. The trip should take him about three days if he had a map.

Isaac bought a map for one of his few platinum pieces. He also brought a second and third waterskin, a backpack, and a cloak to keep him warm for another platinum piece. His life savings had now fallen back down to eight platinum, one gold, ten silver, and ten copper pieces.

Once back to his room he loaded his new backpack up with his rations, in the sealed container, as well as his climbing spikes, rope, and waterskins. This left only his letter, lantern, spare shortsword, and weird box in his Inventory. Isaac wanted as much stuff in his backpack as possible because, even though it would make the walk less comfortable, it would be easy to drop it if he needed to fight something. He didn’t want all the extra weight slowing him down in a life or death situation.

—

The evening, as far as anyone could tell, found Isaac sitting at the bar talking to Jennie Windwalker. “I’m thinking about heading out tomorrow. Aria said there won’t be another caravan for a week or so and I want to sign up with the Adventurers' Guild over there.” Isaac told her.

“It’s lot more dangerous ta travel alone.” Jennie said as she poured a drink for another guy sitting at the counter. She handed off the drink and looked back to Isaac.

“Not for me. Well, not really. I’ll have to be careful where I sleep but otherwise travel is much safer when I can just disappear and walk away from my problems.” Isaac replied, ending his thoughts with a grin.

“I spose. You can stay a bit longer ya know. No need to go rushin’ ‘round everywhere.” Jennie responded.

Isaac dodged her reply by changing topics. “I have Chris’ pack with most of his stuff still in it. I got my own earlier. Where should I leave it?”

She raised an eyebrow. “By all rights it’s yours. You brought him back. It makes no difference if you left his back behind or took it for yourself to me or him.” A twinkle shone in her eye for a moment. “But, if you insist on returnin’ it, I can go up and get it later.” She said with a sideways grin.

Isaac thought for a moment. “If I decide to come back here you might just convince me to stay. But, for me, there’s a whole world out there to explore and get myself into trouble in.”

She looked at him for a second and then smiled. Her eyes fell for a second before they met his. “You’re sharper than you look. I understand. Well, if you ever come back, think about sticking around, will you?”

He smiled. “With a smile like that, how can I refuse?”

—

By the time Isaac woke up the next day Aria and Claus were already downstairs having breakfast. The table had four chairs. One had Claus, one Aria, one Gregory Windwalker, and the last had a dragon skull a little smaller than Isaac’s torso. The skull still had its horns and teeth but was otherwise picked clean. The guild had made sure not to leave a single scrap of material that could be used in some potion or for armor.

“Morning sleeping beauty. Enjoy your beauty sleep?” Aria called when Isaac was still only half way down the stairs. He nodded and yawned. He blinked a few times to get used to the light and walked over to the bar. Jennie handed him a bowl.

“Thanks. How much do I owe you? You said only the first night was free.” Isaac asked her while accepting breakfast.

“A pack with most of my son’s adventuring gear is how much. Now eat.” She ordered.

Smiling and nodding to her he replied: “Yes mam.” He walked over to the table with Aria, Claus, and Gregory. “They really cleaned that up nice.” He commented mentioning the skull.

“Yeah they make sure not to leave anything. I’m surprised you got the skull back.” Gregory rambled in between bites. “How are you gonna carry that thing around? Ma said you were leaving. Won’t it get damaged? It’s a pretty trophy.”

“I have my ways.” Isaac said. He looked around and noticed that the five of them were the only ones in the hall. He positioned himself in between the skull and the Windwalkers. Then he moved his Inventory window to the other side of the chair. He picked up his foot and pushed it off the chair. It disappeared before it had even left the seat.

From Gregory and Jennie’s perspective there were a pair of horns moving to the side and then they vanished. Both of them froze. “What?! How?” Gregory looked up at Isaac.

“I. Have. My. Ways.” Isaac replied with a smile. Then he sat and enjoyed his breakfast while refusing to answer any questions. He had noticed as soon as he had awoken that he and the skull still had a strong connection. Seeing it sitting there with the empty eye sockets staring at him had only made him want to run his mana through it. It was as if the skull was telling him to.

—

Isaac was at the gate to leave. The four that were in the tavern with him had come to see him off. Well, Gregory was now working as he was a doorguard. Aria was the first to speak. “Sleep off the ground if you can. Shadow-wolves can’t climb.” She smacked his shoulder. “And don’t die. Again anyway.”

Isaac rolled his eyes. “I’ll be more careful. I can’t do much if a… I’ll be careful.” Isaac replied. He almost let slip that a god was the reason he died the first time.

Claus nodded to him and Isaac nodded back. At the same time Jennie looked between them. “You died? When?” She asked wide eyed.

“When I got your favorite part about me.” Isaac replied and winked.

“What? Gross.” Gregory said and looked at his mother. “Really?”

Jennie’s face flushed slightly. “I just wanted ta make sure it wasn’t while you were bringin’ Chris back.”

“No. It wasn’t. Anyway see ya around.” Isaac said and then looked at Claus and Aria. “Thanks you two. I could have made it on my own but the company was nice.”

Aria shook her head. “Sure. Just remember we are the reason you got paid.” She retorted.

“Oh, yeah, thanks for that.” Isaac nodded and then turned to leave. As he was walking out the gate he waved without looking back and said: “Boys, keep those two out of trouble.”

Isaac couldn’t see but Claus nodded and put a hand on Aria’s shoulder. She turned to look him in the eyes, craning her neck, and squinted at him. He chuckled and met her gaze. “It will be hard.”