5 Ashford Town (1/2)

The town isn't that big, maybe a mile in diameter. You estimate around 1,500-2,000 residents. It is fortified with a wooden wall. Not strong enough for a proper siege — but enough to keep wild animals and ruffians out. You see three guards at the entrance, lightly-armored and carrying spears.

”Eomer!” one of the guards hailed. ”How was the hunt? Will we get to see more boar at the stands?” he asks eagerly.

”Indeed, indeed,” answers Eomer. ”We managed to subdue three of the beasts. My part should be enough to cover the wife's delivery and the new kid.”

”I heard your wife was due any day now,” remarked the guard. ”It's a good thing you got back in time.

The guard finally notices you — or finally chose to notice you. ”Who's the new kid?” gesturing towards you.

”He's a fellow hunter from Fishcreek,” answers Eomer. ”He'll be living with Thomas for the time being until he can settle on his own.”

”Caleb,” you introduce yourself to the guard.

”If Eomer and his hunters will vouch for you — then you're more than welcome in Ashford.” The guard says as he shakes your hand. He looks to Eomer afterwards, ”Get that boy a bath. Where the hell did you find him?”

Eomer and the hunters laugh but provide no further answers.

”I'll be taking the wagon with Trent to sell the goods,” says Eomer. ”You guys can go home.” He pauses for a bit and turns to you, ”Do you want me to sell your pelts and beast cores?”

”Yes please, thank you,” you answer as you give him the beast cores and two of the pelts. You keep one of the frostwolf pelt for yourself.

The hunters go their separate ways, although you and Thomas stuck together. He wanted to get dinner in some inn but decided not to. ”After a bath,” he chided. ”Alice will kill me if I bring someone as grimy and smelly as you to her inn.”

You laugh silently. You're looking forward to the bath yourself so you can get to know more of this town. At first glance, everything seems so alien and a bit primitive. Everyone you pass by seems to be living comfortably, but something tells you — you've seen far better conditions.

After a few minutes of walking you arrive at Thomas' residence. It was definitely not a commoner's house. It had its own courtyard and the house was relatively large compared to the others that you passed by. It even had a couple of archery targets by the wall. The location wasn't that good as the house was located directly beside the town's defensive wall, so maybe that brought down the cost a bit.

”Welcome to my home,” Thomas proudly says. ”The bath is to the left and I will get you a fresh set of clothing before you're done.”

You nod in gratitude and enter the bath. It was a crude and simple one — with just a large barrel filled with water and a copper water dipper. Surprisingly, you find a crude form of soap.

You quickly take your bath, getting rid of the accumulated grime and bear musk. You open the door to find a fresh set of clothes on a stool. The clothes fit, a bit tight in some places but quite suitable.

You hear sounds of splashing water as you approach the house. Apparently, Thomas had another bath inside — quite luxurious for a mere hunter.

Thomas emerges from the house, dressed in flamboyant red clothing. It's a good thing he gave you plain-looking clothes — at least this way he gets most of the attention.

”Let's go,” he says walking towards the street. ”Time for you to get to know the hungry cat.”

You follow in his footsteps and after a couple of minutes walking, you arrive at your destination.

Hungry Cat was the name of the inn.

You hear boisterous conversations inside as well as the sounds of everyday people having their meals. You count twenty three patrons inside and three serving girls. Alice is probably the older woman behind the counter.

You and Thomas approach the counter and take your seats.

”A house special with double the servings of meat for me and my new friend,” Thomas orders for the both of you. He looks at you and says, ”My treat for the time being — you can pay after you get your money from Eomer by tomorrow.”

”Thanks,” you accept the small kindness.

The meal consisted of what seems to be double portions of leg of lamb, some vegetables, and a pint of ale. It was quite suitable, easily digestible and filled with nutrients. The ale had an alcohol concentration of around 6 percent. You could have made a more accurate measure but you didn't bother with the insignificant detail.

You see Thomas chatting one of the barmaids. It seems they have some sort of relationship or the barmaid is just really good at her job. Eventually, Thomas got tired of flirting with the barmaid and the two of you return to his house.

He leads you to a small shed behind the house. It's dark but you could see a wooden bed with a somewhat thin mat.

”This is your place for as long as you need it,” says Thomas. ”I should have cleaned it before we left, but it's still better than the open ground. ” He gestures at a few objects inside saying, ”There's a lamp, some wood, and flint inside if you want light or fire.”

”Thank you,” you say wholeheartedly. ”I'm sure this place will be fine.”

”We'll meet Eomer and the others in the guild tomorrow for our money,” he says with a bit of excitement. ”Those boars will sell for good money and those cores of yours will probably get the attention of the more expensive shops.”

Thomas enters his house, visibly tired from the journey and you are left alone in the converted shed. You light a fire with the flint, making a small fire before eventually lighting the lamp. You start working on your solitary wolf pelt — shaping into something like a hood that you can wear. You do this not out of a sense of fashion but protection.

You have an instinctual aversion to cold and this wolf's pelt seems to be immune to it. You saw one of the wolves getting hit with another's frost breath but it didn't seem to take any damage and you're hoping the pelt somewhat retains this ability.