I was finally back in town. I went straight to the nearest inn, where I ordered a hot chowder. The tasty meal helped me recover a little from my long journey. After the meal, I decided to take a stroll through the streets to enjoy the atmosphere of the city and perhaps meet some acquaintances.
In one of the streets I noticed Michael walking with Goliath. I called out to them, and the conversation started almost immediately.
- Oh, Alex! You're back already? - Goliath exclaimed, his face spreading into a smile.
- Yes, I had something to tell you," I replied, feeling the joy of the meeting warm me.
- We're staying at a tavern near the guild. We didn't rent a room for you, so you'll sleep at my place," Michael said.
- Okay, thank you! Where are you going? - I asked.
- Let's go get a new crossbow for Michael! He's been begging me to go with him all morning, haha! - Goliath said with a chuckle.
- Good luck to you! I'm going to walk around the city," I said, waving goodbye.
- Don't be bored! - Goliath shouted, and they walked away toward the store.
I continued on my way and soon came across a local brewery. As soon as I stepped inside, I was enveloped by the pungent but familiar smell of freshly brewed beer. The room was bustling with men and mercenaries, discussing the latest news and betting on the upcoming battles.
I sat down at the bar and ordered a hop honey on the brewer's recommendation. Although I didn't like the taste of alcohol, I hoped the sweet honey would be more palatable. I wasn't going to gorge myself like last time, so I decided to limit myself to two or three mugs.
After the first mug, I felt my face turn red. Do I get drunk so easily? After getting some courage from the alcohol, I dared to talk to the brewer.
- Man, can you tell me what's going on in town? It's no fun to drink in silence," I said, trying to look casual.
- Aren't you from around here? - The brewer asked, raising an eyebrow.
- No, I kind of live here," I replied, not knowing how true that statement would be.
- Well, there's talk that conflicts are growing on the border between Grimslein and Frousal. Some people think there's going to be a war," the brewer said, winking at me.
At this moment, the man sitting next to him, who looked like a mercenary, thumped his fist loudly on the counter and exclaimed:
- Those damn barbarians don't know their place! Frousal's land is ours! Why would the king even choose to share his land with them?
- Their army is dangerous. Frousal was vulnerable during Soland's collapse, and the king obviously didn't want to get involved in the infighting," Brewer replied, looking at the mercenary with bewilderment.
- The Frousalians have no honor and no mercy. They burn villages and kill innocents. I've witnessed it myself," I added, feeling my heart grow heavy.
- That's right, kid! They're savages! Even Soland doesn't want anything to do with them! - The mercenary backed me up, his voice fierce.
- Speaking of savages," continued the brewer, "I recently heard that one of Frousal's troops was wiped out by a subhuman. He didn't even leave any bones of them, but he didn't touch the eyewitnesses!
Goosebumps ran down my back, and a drop of sweat broke out on my forehead. They were talking about me! Why hadn't I thought of that before? What if I was being hunted? Maybe one day they would find me and kill me. My hands trembled, but I kept listening, unable to look away.
The mercenary sitting next to him laughed loudly:
- Ha ha ha ha! Even a subhuman has more grace than a Frousalian! That's hilarious! - He was literally rolling on the floor with laughter.
- Ha ha! Indeed so! - picked up the brewer, laughing with him.
I laughed, too, to keep from standing out, but it soon became unbearable. The thought that my secret might be revealed was unbearable. I wanted to leave the place as soon as possible.
- Speaking of Subhumans, do you happen to know where the bestiary is in this city? - I asked, trying to speak as calmly as I could.
The mercenary and the brewer were instantly silent and staring at me. I was frightened. I didn't know what I had said that had caused such a reaction. I was about to jump up and run away when they looked at each other and laughed loudly again.
- Ha-ha, boy, you're a real piece of work! A bestiary in Greenhaven! Why don't you ask where the library or the king's palace is? Ha-ha-ha! - said the mercenary, wiping away tears of laughter.
- I don't understand..." I said quietly, feeling my face flush.
- Ha-ha, boy, the bestiary is only in the capital. In Greenhaven, the best you can find is a bestiary scribe, and he's hard to get to," Brewer said, still laughing.
Shame came over me in a wave, and I hurried out of the brewery. I put a couple of silvers on the counter and went outside. The evening air cooled me down a bit, but the thought of how little I knew about the world kept me awake. Even though I'd lived here for over a decade, my country roots were making themselves felt. I walked around the city a bit, trying to calm my mind, and stood against the wall, pondering my next steps.
I went to the tavern where my companions were staying and asked the owner which room Michael was staying in. When he answered, I went to his door. Inside I saw Michael carefully tending to his new crossbow. I put my things by the door and sat down in a chair.
- How do you like that crossbow? - I asked.
- Worse than the last one, but it was the best option available," Michael replied, wiping the crossbow thoughtfully with a hard cloth that looked like sandpaper.
- Look, you don't know anything about subhumans? - I asked cautiously.
- Subhumans? I've never met them, but I think Zenaris told me about them. Ask him," Michael said.
I thanked him and went to Zenaris' room, having first checked its location with Michael. When I knocked, I entered and saw Zenaris talking to Goliath. In the corner sat Helen. I sat down on the floor next to them and noticed a shining long sword standing against the wall.
- Zenaris, is that your new sword? - I asked, pointing at it.
- Yeah, I got a pretty good discount thanks to Goliath," Zenaris replied, winking at his friend.
- Yes, of course, I'm in charge of discounts and connections," Goliath said irritably. - Next time, buy it yourself, I'm tired of following you around.
- Zenaris, I was wondering, do you know anything about subhumans? - I continued.
- Inhumans? Yes, I know, I've even fought one! When I was a kid, I went hunting with my dad, and we were attacked by a huge subhuman with teeth all over his body! It took us by surprise, so my father and I split up. I got lost and started looking for him, and I found him just as he was being attacked. I jumped on him and stabbed him in the neck. He ran right away," Zenaris said.
- A subhuman with teeth all over his body? - I questioned.
- Yeah, I don't really remember what he looked like, it was a long time ago. Why do you ask? - Zenaris asked.
- I heard from the brewer that there's one wandering around, only without teeth," I replied.
Immediately, Zenaris' face reflected seriousness, and the atmosphere in the room changed. I felt uncomfortable.
- What is it? Did I say something wrong? - I asked.
- No, that's right. It's just that subhumans are dangerous. Though I've had few encounters with them, I've seen the consequences of their actions. Whole villages have disappeared because of them. They're more dangerous than the Gluhsar army we fought," Zenaris said.
- Sol exterminated them all in the olden days, but some survived and still threaten lives," Goliath added.
Sol? I've heard of the god Sol, the one most people on the mainland believe in. But that he would exterminate subhumans? Maybe he was a mythical hero? I doubted the existence of gods in this world, despite the fantasy aspects. I needed to know more about Sol; perhaps he was like me.
At that moment, Michael entered the room, leaning against the wall.
- Hey, Zenaris, when are we going to get to work? My supply of coins is running low," he asked.
- I think sometime next week, then we'll definitely be healthy," Zenaris replied.
- I looked into the Guild and saw a lot of interesting orders. I should get them soon," Goliath added.
We recovered quickly enough from the ordeal. The dungeon was a distant memory, though I still dreamed of the horrors of it at night. I hoped that I would never have to face anything like that again. But something told me that this was only the beginning.