I guess that Numis didn't need to eat or drink being that she was a god, but she also apparently shared senses with me. She could taste the food I tasted, and could even feel the same pain, or in some cases emotions as me. Once I finished eating I made sure to drink some of the remaining water I had left we would need to find some more soon. Numis knew about my past, so at the very least I wouldn't need to explain much, so we continued west along the path. Along the way she explained some of the basics of magic, but she seemed amazed at the fundamental knowledge I was lacking.
Numis inquired, "Seriously in the past this kind of magic was common knowledge I have an infinite amount of things to teach you. I suppose before bed each night I will have to teach you some of the more basic aspects of magic, but before that Kreyol what do you know of the other races?" I hesitated at first I squeaked out, "About the same as my knowledge of magic." Numis looked annoyed, "I would assume nothing then oh boy you really need a proper teacher, or we will be in trouble going forward. I suppose I can briefly list some of the races we will encounter on our travels, and if you have any questions you may ask me after." I nodded my head it was early in the afternoon since I slept all day yesterday, so I was prepared for another lecture.
Numis explained, "The races are as follows humans, dwarfs, angels, demons, fairies, elves, dire beasts, goblins, dragonkin, beastkin, and orcs. I should also point out there are subcategories for each, but as we encounter these races I will provide the necessary information." I had two questions, "What race should we be worried about most, and what exactly are dire beasts." Numis asserted, "We should be warry of angels, demons, and dragonkin they are the most powerful races out of the ones I have named. Although I am sure you are well aware of the capabilities of angels. The next question can be answered easily enough the thing you killed when we first met is a dire beast they vary greatly in power. The dire rabbit is by far the weakest dire beast, but is still quite formidable to any regular human."
Numis frowned before continuing, "The races that are less powerful at least in my time were usually owned as slaves for the other powerful races. I would hope that has changed, but I have no doubt that the slave trading still exists to some degree." I frowned I had heard about slavery happening elsewhere, but humans have been mostly isolated from anything else. I started to see something in the distance finally once the forest cut off the dirt road lead us to some plains. Following the dirt road one could make out a small town in the distance some of the bigger brick buildings stood out in a sea of open space.
I pointed at the town, but Numis spoke first, "Yes I see it we will check it out, but be take what I said as a warning not everyone takes kindly to humans." This was a good opportunity to restock om supplies like food, and water. I didn't have any direction in particular we needed to go anyways because we mostly just needed allies to save my father. I needed allies for Numis to regain her powers too, so getting allies benefitted us in a number of ways. I had brought a bit of coins with me, but I had also been making some bone art out of the animals we had killed. My dad showed me this as one of his hobbies, but I took to it, and now I was hoping to make use of the art.
We approached the town I noticed as we got closer the town was surrounded in wooden spiked fences, and two guards stood at the entrance. The guards were both human, but were clad in regular steel plate armor they held out two swords as we approached the entrance. The one on the left with a thick black beard, and toned body called out to both of us. The man said in a hoarse voice, "Aye state your business ya blaggard." I responded, "Kreyol Mallory from Gensia I have come to trade." The man looked me up, and down sizing me up, "Ah Gensia rare to get a envoy from there, but ya look harmless enough." The man parted his sword the other man followed his lead, "Aye you may enter the town of Falrock, and chief stay as long as you'd like the mayor is looking for fresh hands nowadays."
I entered Falrock the layout was as expected the dirt road stretched out ahead, and most of the smaller houses were made of wood. The seemingly important buildings were made of stone, but I could tell the town itself wasn't particularly wealthy. The people we passed by were all humans, and they seemed to be mostly ignoring us which was weird considering we stood out a bit with Numis. Numis responded quietly, "I can make myself invisible to people, so that we don't get as many questions." That makes sense I am sure most normal people would be questioning the tiny floating human following me. Numis reading my mind was easier to accept now that I realize that others would see me talking to myself a lot otherwise.
I made my way to the center of town to find a weapon shop, or a general goods store, so I could make a profit, and buy some necessary supplies. I found a weapons shop "Armas Iron Works" I went inside to a wooden building in the back of the town center. The weapon shop seemed to carry different kinds of weapons from swords to spears to knives. I wasn't looking for anything ground breaking I just needed something affordable. In terms of currency most places took bern which I had about 2000 on me, but this wasn't a lot most of the swords here cost at least 1000. I found a lackluster katana in the corner of the shop the sticker said 1100 bern.
I guess it would have to do I picked it up, but was stopped by Numis who whispered, "I will not have my host use such a tasteless blade put that down Kreyol." I sighed, "What can I do we only have enough for this plus I still need to buy other stuff." Numis raised an eyebrow almost like she was saying this was some things that couldn't be compromised. She pointed to a sword in the corner of the room it was a creepy sword I had never noticed until now. The sword was seemingly made out of nothing but bones was she seriously suggesting I buy that creepy sword.
The blade was sharpened bones possibly from a dire beast, and the price was in our budget 1200 bern. I can see why nobody had wanted it though the sword just reeked of an unpleasant aura almost liked it was cursed or something. Numis whispered, "You humans need to work on judging something based on looks alone that blade isn't cursed. That blade is a catalyst for curses, but it is not cursed yet. Since I am a god of curses I can tell the blade is special it was made to hold and enhance curses. It is likely the shop owner doesn't understand its true value, and just put it off to rot in a corner."
Huh I wouldn't have guessed I just assumed it was just a creepy looking sword nothing too notable. Numis mumbled, "You should know its not the only one out there they call these rune blades this one is unfinished. Usually they come preloaded with runes that hold magical power, but luckily this one is empty at the moment." I don't really see how that is a good thing, but ok. Numis continued, "Do I have to spell it out for you that means we can inscribe our own curses to this blade, and it would seem the blade can hold at least eight. This blade is very valuable I would say from what little I know of your human money it would cost 10's of thousands of bern. What it is doing in such a low grade shop like this is beyond me, but Kreyol this is a must have."
I picked up the creepy blade I was convinced by Numis in earnest to buy it, so I did the blade itself was rather light to hold. The grip was made of tough leather, and a guard made out of bones poked out from either side. I had heard that bones are very strong, so it should hold up in a fight, but it felt very weird to hold a sword made entirely out of bone. I took the sword up to the shop manager it was a young guy he took my money with a bored face, and waved me off. I walked out of his shop I noticed a few doors down a line was beginning to form at the goods store. I walked down since I would need to go to the goods store next for supplies I waited in the back of the line for my turn. I asked a short impatient looking man in front of me, "What's the line for is there a sale today?" The man turned around looking annoyed he responded, "Geez kid you must be from out of town we are stocking up on supplies, because we go into battle soon."