"Niel, Hey!!"
Reality came whirling back to me with my hands loosely holding the cup I'd been wiping for god knows how long, shaking my head I turned around to Thranduil and then the door as a man barely taller than the half-dwarf himself stood with modest clothing and a distant gaze. It was the first paying customer we'd had ever since the large celebration from two nights back yet even at the possibility of money finally rolling into my pockets I was barely elated or even concentrated on that fact.
My mind was still concerningly fixated on the scene of last night of which I tried relentlessly to convince myself of it just being a group of new cemetery workers that most probably came about as a way to put some families loved one's to proper rest since barely any were able to acquire any with the sheer mess the city was left in however the sight of the child from last night placed a hole in that idea, slowly I placed the large glass of ale the person had asked for with a bright warm smile like I would to any customer(mainly referring to the customers from two nights ago) the man smiled back barely as gingerly before chugging down the ale in front of him with quite the enthusiasm.
"Something bothering you?"
I said trying to spark some type of conversation as my thoughts weren't necessarily a place I wanted to delve myself into, a conversation would at least distract me for the time being.
"bothering....?"
The man stared at the glass cup completely within a world of his own till he suddenly snapped out of it and scratched his head awkwardly.
"apologies you see I'm a merchant, business hasn't been the best for people like me"
"With some of the remnants from the cultists, I thought business would be easy for most of you?"
The man laughed wearily at this while moving his finger around the rim of the glass.
"I wish it were so but those damned bastards blew themselves to hell and everything else they had straight with them, anything left is worthless junk just left there to mock us...."
The man stared more blankly into the glass cup that I started to feel as though I was poking at open wounds and only making it worse, desperate to lighten up the atmosphere I searched for a topic that would at least pull up his spirits however my choice made an even worse impact.
"what about the non-human trade union, I heard merchants were succeeding in that try-"
"Ha those beasts, they're all gone, they disappeared just like before, the only ones left are the elves and even then it's only the elf kings throw away daughter. She's a kind woman however her political influence is barely useful...."
'non-humans...disappeared?'
"aha, what do you mean by the non-human's disappearing?"
"hm? I mean exactly that, they've left, disappeared"
noticing my genuinely confused and curious expression the man sighed slightly but not out of annoyance as it seemed this was something he'd been waiting to voice to at least anyone at this point and my unknowing-ness to the current political states of the world and its impact on people ho relied on this such as merchants gave him just the opportunity to do so, he first started with various issues brought along by the 3rd calamity and the state of the non-human races and human races.
The man was a merchant during the 3rd calamity when humanity along with all the other races banned together for the first time in what I saw was quite the grand spectacle, up until that point most non-human races although having their own tension with themselves had completely shut themselves from humanity ruling us greater evil or whatever other words for just bad people. The treaty although first thought of as risky quickly came with dozens of new materials and resources to humanity thanks to the exchange act that came along with the union and luckily enough the largest benefactors other than the whole human race were merchants.
Having more knowledge on faster routes and a more charismatic and informal feel made merchants better acquirers of the information and with that advantage came the hefty prices(even in a war threatening the entire world the bastards will find some way to fill their pockets).
'huh come to think of it I didn't think much of that, I guess I thought the union would naturally sustain itself after the successes of working together and exchanging information and goods to one another after the 3rd calamity however the lack of non-humans other than Thranduil should've told me that the treaty had long deteriorated. Good things just can't last'
Apparently, a few hours after the victory non-human leaders quickly cut ties with humanity for a second time and non-humans who were residing in some human societies at the time abruptly vanished, resources, materials, and revolutionizing information on magic quickly came to a halt putting merchants who'd thrived at the seemingly growing era of unity hit rock bottom while having to adapt to change once more or hug whatever information the non-humans left behind but even that was fruitless with most of it being barely anything of value.
I stood there listening to the mans rambling but I wasn't necessarily angered but more disappointed....at myself, it seemed the more I tried to accept my new circumstances the more of my own prior mistakes came rolling forward to confront me, of course, the non-human disconnection was nothing truly my fault, however, in all honesty, I didn't contribute that much in keeping it together either. Once again it was something that I placed way too much trust in others to maintain.
"tch I apologize for rambling like that, it's just...you'd expect better living after that hell hole"
"it's nothing to apologize for, a tavern is meant for things like this"
"Right..."
the man asked for another few glasses while comfortably switching to less depressing topics that genuinely pulled a few laughs from me till eventually, the conversation went on as if we'd known each other for years however the man's explanation of the countries political state with the non-humans and even the entirety of humanity placed another thought of worry inside my head that made distractions pointless. As the man left and placed the bag of payment on the table before shooting an expression more gingerly than the one he'd had from our first meeting I was left still on the subject of the non-humans, the boy, and just how much I'd done up until this point for this place after the 3rd calamity. I truly hadn't done anything of significant help or purpose even if my mana was no longer what it used to surely there was something I could do right? however, this didn't seem to bother me even as I said this as an insult that I was barely doing anything for the place I called home a part of me was completely unfazed or rather elated at my current circumstances and the choices I'd been inclined to make.
"if somethings bothering you just say it, you're concerningly spacing out a lot"
I blinked with Thranduil's words pulling me out of another void of my thoughts as I quickly scratched my head with an awkward chuckle, my mouth opened to voice the topic however it quickly closed as I realized it wasn't something I could openly speak with anyone and expect some level of understanding or advice that'll be helpful.
"nothing, sleeping on the ground can be harassing"
I half lied, it wasn't the actual reason for my dilemma but the hard street floor wasn't something I'd put under the category of comfortable even with Belrog as a pillow.
Thranduil's face softened a bit with his expression looking rather sympathetic towards me, an odd thing I never would've imagined seeing.
"you don't have a..., nevermind your personal life is none of my business anyway"
said Thranduil trying not to show the mere levels of concern he had for my wellbeing outside the tavern, amused a tad bit I chuckled slightly at Thranduil's attempts at brushing off the concern as he stared back almost glaringly.
"I don't remember telling a joke"
"lighten up I was laughing at something I saw the other day"
"Mhm..."
Thranduil turned around to the shelves of ale and beneath to a cupboard which he searched for a while but only let out an annoyed huff of air, standing up the half-dwarf took out the bag of money from the recent customer and placed it on the table to count till eventually turning his towards me and sliding the money across. Surprised at the early salary I reached forward to grab it however Thranduil quickly placed his hand over it just in time before the money was firmly within my grasp.
"Don't get the wrong idea this is for the taverns food supply"
"eh! but I thought...."
"Need I remind you that eventful free party was all your decision"
'You were enjoying it like a maniac just as everyone else!!'
Cursing under my breath I retracted my hand from the coins to which Thranduil clearly instructed on what to buy with the money, a few loaves of bread, and a plane board.
"is the board necessary?"
"personal reasons"
'right'
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Time passed as slow as ever with the board Thranduil had no intention of spilling the details for its use, placed beside my head as a shield from the burning rays of heat from the afternoon sun, a long queue spanned like a snake to just one open bakery between two buildings inside an enticingly shaded alley. The bakery was informal, to say the least, so I'd chosen it out of the thought of low prices and a short queue but I regretfully underestimated the sheer amount of people forced into poverty.
Moving through the line with my head faced down and anxious for the shade a prayer made its way to my ears, the prayer was short and rhythmic with the constant repetition of a few lines. Curiosity peaking me I looked up to a one-eyed figure wearing a bright red and white Cassock, his hair was pure white however unlike myself it wasn't natural color but instead from age.
He said the prayer a few times like a song to himself although I refrained from thinking of it like that as a prayer was something of great importance to some and often a personal endeavor not to be dwelled upon or judged by others however the prayer struck me as odd, I wasn't well versed in a lot of religions but I was at least versed in the religion of my own home city yet the man's prayer was something I'd never heard before.
Stopping his prayer abruptly the man glanced behind with a gentle smile.
"Is the prayer annoying, I have been reciting it for a while now"
Noticing that my constant staring may have put the idea of a sense of annoyance I raised my hand dismissively to the question.
"N-no it's just that I've never heard it before so I was just curious"
"Taros the voice from the dead, Souls are not sent elsewhere but linger and guide the ones they love while those with no attachments are given another life. That is our faith"
"ah, so your religion is different from most"
The man slowly nodded.
"The concept of your loved ones still staying beside you is far more relieving than a transcendence to a higher realm, even for those who've done wrong a second chance in other circumstances is still an option"
"I see although your religion doesn't seem to center around a god of some sorts"
The old man chuckled slightly, surprisingly amused rather than insulted.
"Its as you said, our religion is different from most"
"aha, right"
Turning his attention to the ground the old man soon asked me a question in turn.
"do you follow a certain religion?"
"No..., they don't really suit me"
"Haha I've only met you for a few minutes but that's oddly fitting for you"
'Anything fits me at this point huh'
Glancing back for one more warm smile the old man stared forward and it was only till then that I noticed just how much time had passed, the old man was now at the front of the line and ready to order, he placed ten fingers up and two gold coins. The bread was brought to him and then surprisingly the old man turned to me.
"I'm sure this is enough for two"
'Eh?! Really?!'
"Thanks!!"
I said with a polite tone that didn't give the misleading thought that I was only being nice just to hopefully take advantage and reach this conclusion, exiting the alleyway and walking with loaves partially covering my sight of view a bit with the old priest holding another half of the large load although out of pure gratitude I insisted on carrying a larger sum which at first the priest refused however my persistence finally prevailed.
The walk continued silently with the lack of conversation slowly opening my mind once more to the conflicting dilemma I'd so tirelessly been trying to suppress, I barely even noticed the fact that the direction we were taking lead straight to Cranborne, and the priest still hadn't taken his share of the loaves and gone off. My mind was far too distracted for such an observation to even pass by.
"Is something on your mind?"
Blinking a few times to the familiar sentence I fazed out for a split second before instinctively dismissing the topic as always.
"I was just thinking about a pet of mine"
"a pet?"
"ah it's a mana beast that's a little stubborn but for the most part he can be thoughtful at least"
The priest stared blankly at me before transitioning to the usual warm smile, caving walls and the smell of ale and warmth signaled to me just where we are. Stopping at the door to Thrands tavern I attempted to put the bags I was carrying on the ground and split the bread evenly however this time it was the priest who insisted on me taking eight while he took two, it was an absurd offer however the priest wasn't at all bothered by this and just like myself, he persisted till I had no other choice but to comply.
"Think of it as a small gift, kindness like yours should at least be rewarded accordingly"
"s-seriosly though I was fine and talking to someone is natural you know"
"I've just arrived here and your gesture truly has been impactful on me"
Sighing I was about to leave when the priest put out a slightly wrinkled hand with a circular scar over it however brushed past that and took the hand to shake it.
"Gale Hund, may the hands of time treat you well"
"you too"
Stumbling into the tavern as I tried opening the door without my hands and stumbled upon a scene somewhat similar to the celebrations from a few nights back with the only distance being the people attending, soldiers and knights were the only ones occupying the tavern with only two regular civilians seated together at the corner of the room with their hands hanging and already completely out for the count.
Thranduil placed a glass on a table and stared at the door grinning widely till I followed after, money was dancing in the air right into our pockets.
The thought was shameless for a knig-former knight such as myself to even plot however the thoughts of the uncomfortable city ground sent shivers down my spine, yet again I was successfully...forgetting.
______________________________________________________
EREBORE
Exhaustion finally crept up from my head down with my sight going black for a while before coming back, I yawned a few times and turned towards Curtis who was suffering from the same exhausting feeling of riding without sleep for days on end, and unsurprisingly enough the person who'd suggested the idea for faster arrival sat upright with a cheerful and determined smile as the sight of the city was finally in the view over the outstretches of vegetation.
"almost there!"
"Leia let's stop for a while, we're human remember?!"
said Curtis in his usual tone, his depression finally diminishing after days of wordless interaction which I'd worried over for a while although thankfully enough his situation slowly developed more positively. I wasn't sure what had sparked the change as no form of encouragement had pulled Curtis from the depression before but nonetheless, I was pleased and more thankful than anything for whatever pushed him to senses.
Chuckling sinisterly as she bathed in her non-human born abilities to go longer days without sleeping, Leia teased the idea of continuing forth however ultimately laughed and complied to taking a rest after witnessing our devastated expressions. Three blankets and fire were made atop the cliff facing the towering image of Loridae, the sight was breathtaking with the additional bonus of the high cliff area making it an easy job to spot incoming mana beasts.
Relishing at the chance of rest I allowed my body to fall face flat on the hard ground, completely ignoring any pain that came after, all that mattered was allowing my eyes to see the darkness a little longer than a few seconds.
"Haa I wish I was more reliable than this"
said Leia as she placed two fingers inside the flickering flames till eventually pulling them out to reveal a part of the flames now dancing on her fingers which she lazily played with by switching the flames to another part of her hands.
"It can't really be helped that you're the result of a royals fling"
"that's the twelfth time you've said that joke, you can at least be more creative!!"
Laughing in unison with Curtis while Leia sat pouting as she hugged her knees and distinguished the flames she'd been entertaining herself with I turned over on my back as the exhaustion from before took a sudden halt at grasping my body.
"Just go to sleep already, clearly none of you know how to condone a woman's feelings"
Curtis chuckled slightly and rolled over for the flames to warm his back till eventually, snores came leaving just me and Leia as the only ones awake.
"You should rest too you know, I can do just fine night watching"
"Right just reminding you that you're the one signing the paperwork for why we were gone for so long"
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