Kano and Anemone strolled through the streets of seekers in search of an inn. The place where they would spend the night. "Now that I have calmed down, I am starting to notice just how empty this village has become. It's not at all like I remember it being," she said as they were walking.
"Have you been here before?" Kano asked as he looked at the streets. Several of the stores were closed down. Only a few people were walking around. It appeared to be lifeless with just a bare minimum of people trying to keep the place alive.
"Yeah_ I came here with my mom when I was young. It was always so lively, you wouldn't believe it was a village made up of refugees," she added.
Kano saw an inn which was still open up ahead. "Wait, Refugees?" he asked as they approached it.
"You didn't know, this village was originally a refugee campsite established about 18 years ago. This happened following a war between our very own Conflagraflaria and the kingdom Fulguritania Enberg."
"But isn't the Fulguritania Enberg Kingdom one fourth of Scientific Central?"
The Scientific Central was a union formed by four of the most technological driven Kingdoms. The union was formed as a means to help in sharing resources as well as Knowledge. This was done to help in the innovation and creation of new technologies.
Each member kingdom of the union had a Divine spot which was crucial to further development as it provided necessary materials. Fulguritania Enberg had the divine spot, Polaral Stalline.
"Yeah they are. In fact, the materials used for the manufacturing of Floubulbs all come from there. It kind of makes you wonder why you'd want to ruin a diplomatic relationship like that," she said, "Anyway, the refugees all fled to Varaline Westalis. But their numbers quickly overwhelmed that area.
It couldn't support its own people while providing for the refugees so it pushed them further into the kingdom."
"That checks out, I mean….it's the province with low food security. I guess it was only natural they had to relocate them," he added.
"It might be part of a Kingdom known as Agricultural central but their farming lives are one of the worst. I mean, Majority of that area is affected by Polaral Stalline. Which is a divine spot that is the threshold for storms. The flooding is just too much there."
Each of the Divine spots in each kingdom influence its environment. But at places where two divine spots overlap, the areas there suffer the effects of both Divine spots. This happens particularly in provinces close to the border.
"We have found an inn," he said as he stopped.
"Let's keep walking…I have somewhere specific in mind." I am just hoping it hasn't closed yet. "So the refugee campsite was moved to this location though it wasn't legally a village at the time. It only became a village following an incident 16 years ago.
Apparently, the refugee campsite, soon to be this village, was attacked. The death toll wasn't excessive but the casualty count was."
Must have been some unhappy citizens. I mean, attacking a place where refugees live. Who else would do that? The only scary part is how they got to this place. I mean, it's deep in Redstar territory. He thought as his eyes darkened. A faint aura began forming.
"That kind of forced the kingdom's hand. Not only did they legalize the town but also sent a guardian to protect it. Kind of shows you just how much of a big deal it was at the time."
The guardians are the highest ranking faction in the knight force. Their authority exceeds even those of paladins.
"Wait…..how come this town is really developed?"
"They were allocated a lot of funds so that they could build it into what you see today," she said.
"What a waste that was then…I mean this place is so lifeless."
"And just like that, we have made it. The most famous inn in Seekers. Score Resurgee. Say what you will about the name but its services are well known."
Kano walked through the entrance before saying, "How come it's so empty then."
"Not this place too. I remember this place used to be super busy," she said as she walked in, "Only a few people."
They walked to the counter and there, they could hear someone counting. "301, 302, 303, 304, 305,..."
"Excuse me," he said, "Excuse me." He repeated as the woman behind the counter couldn't hear him. She was far too absorbed in her counting. "Excuse me!" He exclaimed, raising his voice. Only then did she hear him.
"Sorry about that_ pretending to count ... .I mean counting money can just be such a chore. I never even noticed you were there because business has been so stale….I mean busy lately. So what can we do for you?" She said.
"Right?" He said, "So how much does a single room cost."
"Oh…so you are customers then," she cleared her throat, "The prices depend on the services that come with the room honestly. For lodging alone, just ordering the room is three silver coins and two bronze ones for a single day. If you want a room with a meal then it's one gold coin and three silver ones. Again, that applies only for a single day. So which will it be."
The Kingdom's currency comprised six types of coins each representing its own number of units. The first was Mera, which represented 5 units. Next was copper, ten units. Third was bronze, 30 units. Then silver, 100 units. Gold, 500 units. Finally, platinum stands at 1000 units.
It's obvious we have to go cheap, "Two rooms with no meals." Anemone interrupted him as she said, "We are only getting one room actually."
The woman was shocked, jaw dropped and all, "One room? For both of you?" They don't look like siblings at all. She thought.
"Yes, will that be a problem?"
Kano had no idea what was going through her head. "Why a single room?"
"I will explain later," she added.
"No, I don't think there is a problem," the woman said before she gave them a key Labeled 14. She directed them to room 14 which was the fifth room to the left along the hallway.
As they were walking along the hallway, he asked, "Why a single room though? Wouldn't it have been more convenient if we each had our own."
"It wasn't about convenience _ it was about money. Remember at the gate when we bribed that security guard. I checked my bag, we only had 2 Gold and 2 copper left. Imagine if we each got a room, the remaining amount would be 3 silver. Not even enough to get a room for tomorrow and that's without considering food costs. It's best we cut down on expenses, don't forget, we are only like half way there."
"I guess that makes sense."
Later that day;
The time was around 8.00PM and they both made their way to the dining hall after each skipping lunch. That was an attempt to save money. The inn doubled as a restaurant for all those who wished to order food only. This option was popular among the bachelors who after a long day at work were too lazy to cook their own food.
"It has been a long day," he said as he surveyed his options on the menu, "I just want to eat and go to sleep."
The menu was a stack of small wooden tiles with carvings on it. The carvings were the dish options.
At the time, Anemone was absorbed in her own thoughts. She was feeling out the wooden tiles' smooth surface with her fingertips. It's really smooth. Plus, it looks really good. I am finding it hard to believe that this was all done with hardwood. I am sure I can't make anything this good.
"I never knew things were this expensive," he exclaimed as he glanced towards her. She was gently moving her fingertips along the tile.
"Hey ... .Anemone ... .Hey." he said, bringing her back to her senses, "Have you had a look at the prices yet?"
"No, not yet." She said before she surveyed her options. "How is everything so expensive?" Her eyes widened as her jaw dropped.
Kano chuckled as he said, "Here, look at the prices of food with meat. The lowest we have is worth one silver and one copper."
"That's not funny," she added, "But look at the vegetable meals also. They are also expensive. The cheapest we have is worth two bronze and one copper. That price is so high it's criminal. With orders like these, we are not going to eat tomorrow."
"Not necessarily," he added, "Looking at these prices gave me an idea." Mr. Vito once told me. If everything related to food is expensive in a restaurant or inn, it often boils down to a low supply. They probably don't have enough stock or the supplier is too expensive. "I will cut a deal with the manager as soon as the place clears up. For now, I think we should eat."
"What did you have in mind?"
"Did you forget, I am a hunter."
"Right, we can just go hunting tomorrow.
"Yeah, but we shouldn't order something expensive. We can't say if he will agree or not."
Immediately they finished eating, a waiter walked through the hall passing an announcement. "Alright everyone….you know the rules. Time to clear out. No one is allowed to be outside past 9.00PM. Start leaving while you still have some time left."
"Curfew?" He said as he thought, Well, that's convenient. Anemone got up as she said, "I have gone back."
"Right." He waited until the dining hall had all cleared out. He then went to the counter once more.
"Excuse me," he said as he knocked on the counter. This time the woman was counting as she was writing in her notebook. "I was kind of looking for the manager."
"I am kind of busy at the moment so make it quick," she said.
"I was wondering if you might be interested in buying meat. I could even bring you vegetables if you liked. I was going through your menu and realized that the majority of your dishes were vegetable themed. Also, the numbering was all over the place on your meat one. It made me think that you were low on stock or running out or something."
The woman stopped writing as she stared at him. "You have any…. I will take all of it, even the dried variety. I will take it."
He smiled as he said, "I am glad to hear it. I will go and catch some tomorrow."
"Nevermind then." She said as she continued writing.
"Don't worry, I am a licensed hunter and not a poacher. You won't suffer any form of allegations."
"No…it's not that. I just wouldn't want to get you killed."
"Killed?" He murmured, "Can you explain."
She put her pen down as she said, "As of late, anyone who dares to step out the village has gone missing. What am I saying, it's been happening for a while now. I think it started about a year ago. Most people even started moving away to avoid themselves or families being next."
"Is that why you are given a curfew?"
"It is. At night is when our resident knight goes to work surveying the areas. He is not around to protect us so we have to be locked inside. It's really dangerous to go outside and you are still young so it's best you don't."
"I see," he replied, "I will bring your order tomorrow then. I think I can catch something worth twenty silver."
"Were you even listening," she added, "It's dangerous outside!" She exclaimed. Her voice rose as she spoke.
"I heard you. But it should be fine if I stay away from the denser parts of the forest. Thank you for accepting my offer by the way." He then took off.
The woman continued writing. He seems to be such a good child. I hope he doesn't go missing. As she wrote, tears rolled down her. She tightly squeezed her pen as a memory of a little boy came to mind. He wore a yellow shirt and a beige short. He was playing in front of the inn. The very inn that has come to be called Score Resurgee. Nyambe. She thought as her tears dripped onto the notebook.
Kano returned to his and Anemone's room only to find her still awake and looking out the window. She was gazing at the empty streets as the crescent moon's rays shone across it.
"So you aren't asleep yet?" He said as he closed the door.
"I was just wondering what was up with this town. It has a curfew and there are fewer people than I remember. It's nothing at all like Ganase."
Kano looked towards the window when he asked, "What are you looking at when it's so dark outside."
"Dark," she repeated. What is he talking about? The streets are visible thanks to the moon and the stars.
He walked towards the window as he said, "I mean take a look at the sky, can't you see the dark clouds covering it? I mean like, hasn't it been like that since we came to this inn? It's like it's about to start raining."
She wondered what he was talking about. The sky was clear as far as she could see. The moon and stars were shining, bathing the streets in light. When she looked at him, she was surprised by what she saw.
Tears were rolling down his face as his eyes were releasing a black aura. He was smiling as he said, "Am I right?"