Enora and I appeared in front of a shop. The placard out front had a picture of a purple caterpillar climbing up a rope towards a backpack. "Is this why you told me to move in that place?"
"Yes, I can sense the outside world in there, so I moved away from people. This shop should sell toothbrushes."
"Good! But I'm also going to need to shower tonight. I feel gross."
"I know what you mean. We should have showered at the inn. I-i guess we were too busy."
"R-right." I pushed the front metal door to the shop open, and as I did, I heard a bell chime. "Welcome! Oh it's you two!"
To my amazement, the guy manning the counter wasn't a bird. Instead he looked human almost, but his skin was dark gray. His ears were pointed, and his eyes were pitch black. He was wearing a brown woolen shirt. His smile showed small fangs. "Whoa! Wh-mmm"
My mouth was again covered by my girlfriend as she whispered into my ear. "Don't say anything rude. I know you are curious. He is a Dark Elf."
"Actually my kind prefers the term Dothnur." My girlfriend looked surprised, and embarrassed. "I guess you heard that."
"Haha, one thing my race takes pride in is our great hearing! Don't mind it. I get that a lot. What can I do for the person who bested Nychibi in combat?"
"You heard about that!?"
"I just said my ears are good, but all merchants should have good 'ears'. If they want to stay in business. By the way, are you girls adventurers?"
""Nope.""
"Ah that's unfortunate…" Enora and I looked at each other, but neither of us knew what was going on. We nodded to each other as we walked closer to his desk. "Is something going on?"
"Haha nothing you have to fret over. It's just that I wanted someone strong to be able to watch over my cousin."
"Your cousin?" He nodded. "She will be parting tomorrow. She is also a mechant, but she insisted on leaving before a caravan could show up. The guild knows, and I'm sure they'll find someone but…"
"You want someone strong?"
"Precisely, and you have already proven yourself to be stronger than Nychibi. I am just woeful to leave her in weak hands. She will be heading east and crossing over the Fallen Rock Mountains."
"I heard someone say that was a dragon's domain?"
"Yep, that is Kalameet's domain, but he isn't a problem."
"A dragon isn't a problem?" To my question, he shook his head. "That Kalameet won't attack anyone without ill will. Sure sometimes Bandits sneak through him, but the issue is the other side of the mountain. Once you get past the mountain you enter swamp lands. The Scalego kingdom doesn't control their Bandits close to the border. Damn Lizardmen…"
Enora narrowed her eyes at him. "You shouldn't judge the whole basket from a few bad apples." I looked at her strangely, isn't it…
"Hahaha! Isn't a few bad apples spoil the bunch?" I looked at him in disbelief. They even had that saying here. "If that's true then what do you make of the fall of the Calin Kingdom?"
"You mean that war that happened centuries ago? The Dothnur weren't… alright you win. My point still stands though. There are a lot of bandit attacks on the other side."
"Your cousin seems like a fool."
"Enora!"
"No, don't bother. Your girlfriend is right. By the way, I'm Belethor."
"Belethor? Where have I heard that before?"
"Dork, they don't have elder scrolls here…" That's it! I slammed my fist on my palm. Wait! She knew that game!? When I looked at her she looked away. "Right, so I'm not going to pretend I know what's going on between you too. You came here looking for something right?"
"Oh yeah! I need a toothbrush! Oh by the way I am Melle, and this cutie is…"
"E-enora!" I giggled as she pinched my side."A pleasure to meet you both, but please leave the PDA out of my shop. You'll find the toothbrushes over on that shelf. The third one."
"Thank you, Belethor!" We bounded over to the shelf, and to my amazement they didn't look much different from the ones on Earth. They were mostly brown, but there were a few of them with colors. I picked a red one, and Enora grabbed a black one.
"Did you find them alright?" We placed the toothbrushes on the counter. "We did! By the way, what's the deal with the caterpillar?"
"Oh, this place is the Violet Goods Store. It's named after the Violet Monarch Caterpillars."
"Violet Monarch Caterpillar?"
"They live around here. They are giant purple caterpillars that don't become butterflies. They burrow in a tree their whole life. It is a beneficial pact between the tree and the monster. I thought it would be a good symbol for a merchant's trust."
"That's actually… Wait!" I looked at my girlfriend who was making herself smaller. "You told me that was a Treepillar!"
"I-I said it might be a Treepillar!"
"Hmm, and what about that Bacaw!? There is no way something has that du-..."
"You mean you both saw a Bacaw!?"
"Huh!? So it actually was a Bacaw!? Are they really special?"
"Damn right, those divine beasts are quite rare. It's said that only one sage has ever been able to tame one. Around these parts they are a symbol of good luck."
"Oh! I don't mean to change the subject, but you seem to know a lot of things?"
"It's part of being a merchant. I need to know about monsters just in case. Why is there something you want to know? It might cost you depending on what it is. Information isn't free."
"Hmm…"
"Don't worry I can pay. So just ask, dork."
"Right, Belethor, do you know where I can find giants?"
"Giants hmm…" He placed a finger on his chin before. "I have never seen them…"
"So you really don't know?"
"I said I have never seen them, but I know where they are. Why do you want to know?"
"My dream is to wake one of them up!" Enora clapped for me as I jumped and cheered. Meanwhile…
"Pffft. Hahahahahahahahahaha….."
"Hey don't laugh!"
Belethor clutched his side as he slammed his hand on the counter. "I am… hahahaha… that is the stupidest thing I've ever heard." My cheeks started getting red as even Enora chuckled."STOP!"
"Haha… sorry, sorry I'll give you the information."
"How much?"
"Well, I just heard the funniest joke of my life, so this one is free…"
"Mou"
"Right, so if you cross over the Fallen Rock mountains there are a bunch of kingdoms. First there is the Scalego…" I didn't like how he frowned from their mention. "That is the swamp of lizard people. Past that you get to Farshaw planes. There are a few beastkin kingdoms there. North of that is my homeland, but that doesn't matter. Keep going East and you reach a human kingdom. North from there is…"
"Dusk."
"Figures you know. Once you hit that human kingdom, beware of the north. It's just some rumors but…"
"Out with it!" Enoras eyes became fierce towards the poor shopkeeper. "L-like I said it's only a rumor, but according to one of my sources… Dusk plans to siege that very human kingdom."
"Idiots…sorry you can go on."
"Right… once you pass that human kingdom. You reach the Ocean of Nahziim. Beyond that is the Giant Continent."
"A whole continent of giants?"
"That's right. The place is so dry and hot most species can't stand it. They love it though. If you are going east can you please ride with my cousin tomorrow? I will give you those toothbrushes for free! If you take this letter to the adventurers guild they will accept you as mercenaries." He pulled out a letter and began writing before we had a chance to respond.
"We shouldn't…"
"It's fine Enora! I will protect you… even without magic I can be your shield!"
"That isn't what I meant…" I gripped her hand while smiling. Thankfully she returned my smile. "...okay, I just have a bad feeling is all…"
"It will be fine!"
"Here you two go! Take this to the guild!" He handed Enora the letter, and just like that we accepted an escort quest.