Chapter 437 - Village of Earn [2] (1/2)
'What an opening impression for the Village,' thought Staxius sat under the mid-day sun. The slated-brick roofs were old and some close to collapse – masons were on scaffolds restoring those of 'privilege'. The night was spent over a similar roof – the view of the starry sky, in an almost enchanting way, forced him to peer into what Syhton gave her will for.
'The village wakes from their sleep as if nothing happened.' Staring down to the village square – where once bodies burnt, the area was cleaned. No trace of ashes remained nor even the evidence of a fire. The local market opened with vendors bringing their moveable stalls, some rode on horseback, and others in the back of vans. The disparities of how businesses profited were shown in the medium through which they sold.
Layered in a neat and narrow cell-type arrangement, the traders shouted to invite customers. Those who shopped where the ladies of the many families. Daughters, young babes - the majority being female; walked to bargain. The younger 'men' were with their fathers, working as apprentices in physical labor. Farming, blacksmithing, craftsmanship, to name a few, the modest work-shops were in a differing section.
”Master, I've information on the people of last night,” said Éclair with the glasses flickering. It showed the portrait picture of a few people of interest.
”The village leader, the doctor, and the resident alchemist,” mumbled he, ”-I came to investigate gang-trouble…”
”Master,” interjected the spirit.
”What?”
”We should intervene.”
”For what reason?” asked he with a grudge for early morning hunger had the stomach crawl with noise and hate.
”I heard what thee mumbled last night, during the age of where demi-humans weren't accepted, the age where witches were viewed as the devil. You hypothesized that the situation here is the same as back then – humans fear the unknown and would rather comfort to mindless drivel from a religiously dressed man opposed to the rambling of a man of science.”
”They don't seek reason,” sighed he, ”-getting involved might cause more trouble than we're due.”
”Isn't it the job of someone with the power to help those who are helpless?”
”No,” said he sharply, ”-I'm no hero. I'll help if the situation relates to the task at hand. If not, the village can burn to ash – hell, I'd call on Intherna to help them be at ease,” the murderous smirk manifested in small inclinations.
With the sun as background, he jumped to stroll around town. The outfit was soon changed to one modest and not eye-catching. Attracting attention wouldn't help the task at hand. Thus, he hid his presence and became a walking shadow. The heightened hearing senses went from person to person, filtering, listening, and waiting. Éclair did the same for he logged what people said using lip-reading. The habitual chatter was of prices going up, a scandal of two youngers running off to marry, or the next-door weird neighbor having touched another animal. Left to right, granted he could have used the All-seeing eye – ended in naught, the sunset with the 26th coming to a close end.
A one-story high inn opened its door at dusk. Men from all over arrived in work clothes, some with concrete, and others with paint. They joined arms to enter with smiles – the atmosphere was the typical 'I need booze to take the day's worries away'.
”Good evening,” said Staxius walking to a small counter atop which rested a cactus.
”Good evening,” returned a demi-human, ”-how may I help you?” asked she with a yawn.
”Is there lodging available for tonight?” asked courteously, the lady's ears perked.
”A traveler I presume?” said she with pride as if cracking the secret to a long-awaited mystery.
”Yes,” nodded he, the outfit and backpack made it obvious.
”There is lodging available,” said she after a few moments.
”Good,” said he giving a once over. Brown long hair styled in front covered her neck, chest, and downwards towards the stomach. Her right eye held the scars of a bad injury, each time she smiled – reclusively, it would reveal lost teeth as well as a few chipped. ”-Might I book one?”
”Listen,” she grabbed his shirt and pulled closer, ”-we have a room available – I'd personally recommend camping. The rooms are used for… let's just say the bonding of two strangers. Your white hair and red eyes are tell-tell signs of thee being a vampire. I'm from Arda, I long to return home. Dreams are dreams, as a fellow Ardanian, don't subject yourself to the disgusting lodging we have.”
”Aye Mela, how are you!” said a broadish man waltzing over the counter, ”-long time no see,” he slapped her bottom to then smell the fingers whilst giving the strangest lick of the lips.
”Excuse me,” voiced Staxius, ”-tis improper to jump the line. If thee wishes to do such an act of disgust, please, book a room instead, I'd rather gouge mine eyes than to be subjected to such vileness.”
”What he say?” he frowned.
”Mr. E, please,” she jumped into his arms, ”-he's a traveler, doesn't know the ways of Earn. Please, go have a seat, we'll send the usual.”
”Sure, sure,” he fondled her b.r.e.a.s.t as if pressing a horn to then hit Staxius's shoulder.
”Weak,” he snickered and left to be greeted by other tough-looking individuals.
”What were you thinking?” returned she with a disheartened face.
”Is it not normal for an Ardanian to help another?” said he casually, the murderous fire swayed with every passing moment.
”Oh…” she paused with a relaxed visage, ”-I appreciate the thought, it does mean a lot.”
”Mela, bring over the drinks!” screamed the man across the room.
”What will you do?” she turned to Staxius with urgency.
”I'll have a room booked,” he smiled, ”-I also want to experience the ways of 'Earn'.”
”Sure,” her eyes rolled, ”-use room 03, I cleaned it yesterday. That'd be 5.54 Exa.”
”Have 40 Exa.”
”…” she glanced upward, ”-it's too much…”
”Take it as a tip,” the gentle voice made it easier to swallow, ”-an act of gratitude from a fellow countryman.”
”Thank you so much,” quick to hide the excess inside her undergarments, the lady guided him upwards.
”MELA, WHERE'S THE DRINK!” screamed the man with a tensed almost painful expression.
”Jonny's bringing it over,” fired she across climbing the stairs. Each step brought a sinking sensation breaking. The planks were rotten and nearing their life-span.
”Here we are,” said she with flushed cheeks.
”You weren't lying,” commented Staxius, ”-they are really going at it, hard.”