Woman in the Mountains

When the sun rose we made our way into town. Demi left for the guild while I went to look around. The village was fairly active, much more than I'm used to. There were a significant amount of soldiers on patrol. The market was bustling and there were actually kids running around. I heard there were a handful of places that had immediately isolated the tainted at the beginning of the pandemic. I guess this was one of them. Judging by the amount of soldiers it would seem possible.

As I continued walking I noticed that there was more than just the market open. There were about three smithies, all busy, and taverns that had been transformed into family restaurants. There were also taverns open solely for hunters and soldiers. I entered the closest tavern for hunters. It was full with food and alcohol being distributed to each of the tables. My gaping mouth gave me away as a stranger because one of the servers approached and asked if I was new to town.

"Haha, was it that obvious?" I nervously chuckled.

"Pretty obvious," the lady smiled. "But I also heard through the grapevine that a man and a woman arrived at the hunters guild last night. And since I don't recognize your face..."

"Wow, I guess word travels fast in this town."

"Indeed. This town even has an information guild, if you're willing to pay. This town is full of hunters and the guild has turned many away. I doubt there's any room in the dorms. Did you stay at the inn?"

"You guys have an inn? How is this town doing so well? The only thing open in my previous town was the market and people only went if they had to."

"Wait, so you're not at the inn? The guild is letting you stay?"

"Umm, my partner is talking to the guild leader now but last night they let us stay at the little house on the outskirts of town."

"Hmmm, maybe the inn was full. Can't let people who aren't on a mission go around wandering at night. To answer your question, this town has always had a lot of security because it's the last town before hitting the mountains. Anyone who lives up there or is travelling there has to come to this town for supplies. Since bandits frequent the mountains, we have lots of soldiers stationed here. I guess you could say we had a head start in subduing the tainted."

"Ah that makes sense. Umm, since people come here so often I was wondering if you've seen a lady with red hair and green eyes? She would be in her late twenties."

"Red hair...well there is a group who come down from the mountains every month. They always where hooded capes and mostly keep to themselves. But one of them does have red hair and I'm pretty sure it's a woman. They stop at the market and smithy when they come, but they've already been here this month."

I tried to squash my rising excitement. Don't get your hopes up Taya. Red hair is rare but that doesn't make her Tali. "Thank you. Could I get some cornbread to go?" She handed me a paper bag of cornbread. It cost me a silver for the loaf but it smelled so good in there I couldn't leave empty handed. Having accomplished my mission, I made my way back to the house to wait for Demi.

Demi returned a few hours later looking exhausted. He took off his boots and roughly plopped himself down on a chair.

"Umm...did the conversation not go well?" I hesitantly asked.
"It went fine," he sighed. "That man just talks way too much." he said with a scowl.

Oh. I temporarily forgot that personality trait of his. Jeez, he's even grinding his teeth. How much did that man talk? I hesitantly passed over the bag of cornbread. "I bought this at the market. I already ate my share so this is yours. It was a bit expensive but I couldn't resist."

Demi opened the bag and tore off a piece of bread. "Taya, I'm rich."

Wow, he's bragging with such a straight face. I only taste fresh bread in my dreams. "Ok, it's expensive for a pauper."

Demi furrowed his brow. "That's not what I meant. I mean you can buy cornbread everyday we stay here if you want."

He tossed me a pouch of coins and nonchalantly continued eating. My eyes widened. It's not even silver, it's gold. I can't believe he's been carrying this around the whole time. "Are you sure that's okay? This is yours." He nodded. I think I might start tearing up. Fresh bread, everyday! Demi seemed startled by my moved expression.

"Sorry, I normally eat whatever's convenient so I didn't even consider you might want something else. The duchy isn't lacking in finances. Buy whatever you want."

"Thank you. Did you want to go into town with me tomorrow?"

"Well I heard there's a smithy here, and I need a new sword." He pulled out the longsword he had been using. I gasped, his brand new sword looked like it aged twenty years. There was even a thin crack running up the middle. I can't believe that young master gave us such cheap weapons! What a scrouge. But why is Demi making that face?

"I got a little emotional when I killed that mutant. The sword couldn't withstand my aura. The one I lost was specially made for me so this doesn't happen" he said sheepishly.

Oops. I apologized to Jer in my heart. "I saw three smithies. When do we have to go to the guild?"

"Day after tomorrow. We should get a sword made for you as well."

I didn't think that was necessary but I didn't want to waste my breath arguing about it. We exchanged updates about our day and then retired for the night.