"Where did you get that spear, kid? Talk."
"Well as I was saying there were some goblins near my house and I was attacked by three of them, one of them was holding this.
It was in a considerably better condition than the other weapons they had on them, so I took it with me, what, is it a crime or something?"
"Hmm, no, it is not. It is just that about a month our town's Guard Captain has sent a squad of guards to confirm if there were really some goblin gatherings happening, but none of them came back even until now.
We already considered that they died there but now we have got a confirmation. Sigh... that's some bad news you bring with you kid, but whatever, it seems that we will have to post an extermination quest for Goblin Leaders to the Adventurers Association again, fucking leeches.
Whatever, if you lived in the forest am I to assume that you don't have an identity token with you?"
"Nope, none at all."
"Eh, come with me then brat, no funny business. We will have to make you a temporary one. Stan call Danny and stay here. Your shift ends in an hour. Then it is Daren's, Tom's and Gary's turn. Right, what is your name kid?
"Mark"
"Very well, come with me then, Mark."
The guard exchanged a couple more words with the others out of Mark's earshot and then he led them to a building that looked more fortified and bigger than the others around it.
Made completely out of stone unlike the other buildings made either out of wood or with some stone foundations.
He assumed it was some barracks, cause it didn't look like the a town hall, it was sturdy and had only one floor. He went in after Ralph, and entered a room, directly to the right from the entrance. There Ralph had him seat by the table. He went to a cupboard by the wall and took some strange device out of it and he set it on the table directly before me.
"It is a Lie detecting Artifact. It will check everything that you say and will start glowing red immediately if you tell a lie, so now let's start. Name?"
"Mark"
"Age?"
"18"
"Class?"
"Hmm, why, is that relevant?"
"Of course it is, it helps us keep the outlaws and bandits out and helps us catch them if they dare show themselves. Everyone that walks the path of crime no matter what he was doing before changes his class to a banditry related one. So, class?"
"Hmm, well none?"
"Ok, and the last one, your level?"
"And why is that important?"
"To allocate you a danger level if you were to do something stupid, ok?"
"Oh, then I am level three."
He looked at him with a strange gaze and said.
"Hmm, ok, wait here."
He said and then went out. About five minutes later he came back with a small copper token in hand. He passed it to Mark and it instantly expanded in his eyes, exactly like the marks on his wrist when he looked at them, and saw all the information that he gave to Ralph recorded on it. And when the boy thought about his system he realized something. When he looked at the guards wrist he saw a vambrace covering his whole wrist also there were some runes carved on the wrist guard in the place where the Menu is supposed to be.
He guessed that it was to hide the statistics from others, he didn't really know why but he guessed that if he asked he would be stared at weirdly again so he didn't.
"If you register with the Adventures remember to return the token, if not it is yours till you decide to leave the town."
When we went out of the barracks Mark asked him some more questions though.
"Hey Ralph, do you know where I could stay for a while, get something to eat and maybe get better weapons or repair what I have here?"
"Sure, there is Dancing Goblin down the road in this direction and the local blacksmith is a couple buildings down the same road."
"Thanks"
"Don't cause trouble kid."
After parting with the guard Ralph, Mark went to the Dancing Goblin to book a room and maybe get a warm meal. Walking down the road the young man saw many people walking around, from what he saw the situation here wasn't so bad, the people were decently clothed, apparently well fed, and all of them were smiling, also there were no beggars on the streets or abandoned alleys where they would huddle together, and he saw no slums.
After entering the Dancing Goblin what greeted him was a really cozy main hall that during this time has already started filling with patrons. Ignoring the growing bustle he quickly walked up to the bar and was greeted by a slim man who looked to be in his forties.
"Hows it goin lad. Somethin to drink ey?"
"I'm ok, do you have something to eat?"
"Aye, jus a moment, it's goin to be a meal time soon."
"That's great, how much for a mug of beer?"
"Its 2 copper son, you want one?"
"Sure"
After the inkeep gave him the beer, Mark turned around and observed the now crowded inn. There were people laughing, playing some card games, drinking and a couple waitresses running around with beer and greeting new guests.
It was pretty much what he imagined whenever he read about those kinds of establishments. He couldn't help but feel strange. The atmosphere was really good with a homey feel to it.
People talking, laughing, no superior to always look over his shoulder. Though he must admit he was missing his Young Miss. She was always so bright, filled with a radiant light, as if nothing could pollute her being. Being near her you could fee as if all the impurities disappeared from you the moment you were in her presence.
Suddenly he felt his body relaxing, all his worries, anxiousness, fear of the unknown on this strange planet, started to slowly leave him, his head felt clearer, his shoulders lighter. At this moment there was a bell ring sound and all the waitresses went to the backdoor behind the bar, and a moment later exited with plates full of food. The last to enter the hall was the barkeep with only one plate and placed it in front of Mark.
"Thank you"