Chereads / Shadow of The Spire / Chapter 4 - Seeing the town

Chapter 4 - Seeing the town

After calming down about finding out his own age, Alan decided to go out of the house to take the basket filled with materials to his fathers shop. After realizing he never actually found out what kind of materials his father needed, Alan decided to drop the basket and get a little nosy.

"All I can tell that is in here are some rocks, plants, and animal hides. I can't tell what kind of craftsman my father is with these random things." Alan said out loud while placing the basket lid back on.

Two or three minutes after leaving the house Alan finally got past the trees covering his view, the largest castle Alan had ever seen, even larger then he could have imagined that cast a shadow over the town seemed dark and dreary compared to the bustle of the town and the bright spring day.

Not too long after entering the town did Alan find himself lost, not having any idea where he should go forgetting to ask his mother how to find the shop. While he struggled with the heavy basket on his back while searching the town for a friendly face he started pay attention to the different people around him. Some that looked like they probably lived in the town wearing normal clothing from rugged to elegant, rough to soft. Some faces looking as if they were desperate for something to eat, to those looking as if just having to see the previous would make them ill. Along these people were also those that look like travelers, some looking dashing and heroic in armor plating with large swords, some in robes obviously meant more for show then combat, even more people were wearing more common armors made of all types of materials and configurations, from leather to furs, chain and scale mail, to simple breastplates. Not to mention the weapons from elegant Rapiers to the most robust mace. Simple bows to amazing, expensive looking staves set with gems.

While Alan was absorbed in the fantastic equipment he didn't even notice that the people wearing it looked like they gathered from all over the world. 'There must be a purpose for this kind of gathering,' he thought to himself as he continued down the winding streets.

"Thanks this looks great!" a patron of a shop exclaimed causing Alan to look in her direction.

"I'm glad you appreciate the time it took to create," Alan heard his father reply to the happy customer. "It took nearly two weeks to get it just right."

"Oh! Alan I'm glad you found the shop but what are you doing here boy?"

"Mom asked me to bring this basket of materials to you and I told her I would and left in a hurry and before either of us realized, with my memory the way it is, that I had forgotten the way. I've been wandering around the town for a few hours now." Alan told his father. 'I truly didn't mind it was amazing looking around the town at all the people' he kept to himself.

"By the way, dad, what kind of craftsman are you?"

"The normal kind," The female patron that Alan had forgotten that had yet to leave giggled. "He is quite talented tho being able to produce just about anything I ask for. My names Emily." she finished while holding our her hand.

Alan took and shook her hand. "I'm Alan. What is it you do with the items after my father makes them?" he asked curiously trying to take in as much knowledge as he can.

"I don't do much with them honestly I am a Magic craftsmen, which sounds like I would be able to produce the base item myself but I really only imbue magic onto the item. From giving it better durability from wear and tear or in the case of my most sold item, and that of every magic craftsmen, are bags that can hold many times more of there less special equivalents volume."

"That's amazing!" Alan shouted loudly.

"Calm down son, while Emily is very good at her profession it is more common then you might think." Jack said trying to hold onto some of his pride even if it meant being petty.

"He's right, Alan, I appreciate your enthusiasm but there are many that practice my profession in the world and I am no where near the best." Emily explained.

"Well I still think it is cool"

"Thank you Alan, and as much fun as this conversation has been I have work to do so I must be leaving," she said as she was walking towards the door throwing a wave over her shoulder.

"Well should we go home aswell?" Jack asked.

"But its still pretty early dad shouldn't you stay open for awhile longer?" Alan questioned, not wanting to cause an issue.

"Maybe but its your birthday, you shouldn't have to wander the streets of town trying to find your way home" Alan's father explained while closing and baring the windows. "Besides this way your able to receive your gifts."

'I'm going to receive gifts?' he thought to himself not expecting to hear that.