After hours of treading miles though the dense forest, Aleksis finally reached the outskirts of the village he saw with his Demon Reconnaissance. Surprisingly, he wasn't even tired when he arrived - in his old body, he definitely would have been sweating and gasping for air. But alas, he stood tall, not a bead of sweat on his face, his expression stoic and unfazed. Standing at the wooden gates that served at the entrance to the village, two guards clad in chainmail gear stood sentinel, their eyes locked on him in suspicion. Aleksis gave a wry smile.
"Excuse me, I was wondering if I could come into your village?" Aleksis asked, stepping closer towards the guards.
The guard on the left, a seasoned man with a well-kept beard and a sharp glint in his eye, took a step forward threateningly. "Not another step closer, outsider, or I will cut you down where you stand."
Aleksis froze, but his composure did not falter. He simply raised an eyebrow. "I'm an adventurer from ... a foreign land, far from here. I've been walking for miles, and I really need some rest... I won't cause any trouble, I promise."
The guard on the right, a young man with a clean-shaven face, raised his eyebrow at the other guard. "Should I search him, Monty?"
The older guard, Monty, huffed and nodded. "Search him, Hephren."
"I will have you know, I have a dagger," Aleksis disclosed, holding his hands up as the younger guard, Hephren, began to pat him down. "It's only for self-defense. I'm no killer."
As if to confirm, the guard unsheathed the dagger at Aleksis's waist and showed it to Monty. Monty crossed his arms, his eyebrows furrowing. "What foreign land did you say you come from? What is your name?"
Aleksis kept his hands raised. "I'm... from Seattle. Seattle, Washington."
"Seattle... Washington..." Monty repeated the words as if it were a foreign language. "I've never heard of it. I ask again, what is your name?"
"A-Aleksis."
"Aleksis... just that? No family name?"
Aleksis paused, his mind racing to come up with something. "Uh, yes, I have a family name... Vocta."
"Aleksis Vocta..." Monty looked Aleksis up and down. "You mean, the same name as the serpent god of justice, Vocta?"
Aleksis chuckled, shrugging sheepishly, feigning humility. "I wouldn't go that far... but y-yes. Like that. I don't think it has any special meaning in my case, though."
"Your ears are pointed," Hephren said, casually pointing a finger. "You're an Elf?"
"U-um, yes. Is... that a problem?"
The two guards looked at each other, and Monty spoke up first. "No. I just don't know any Elves who come from Seattle, wherever that is."
Aleksis laughed nervously. "Ah, well, now you do, I guess, heh. I-it's, uh, up North." There was a brief, awkward silence. Skepticism remained written all over the guards' faces.
Aleksis couldn't help but wonder what being considered an elf meant for him, and what would happen if people found out the truth that he was actually Half-Demon, and that he was from another world entirely. Considering that Vocta said that this world was being oppressed by demons, he thought it best not to say too much, but rather let people think what they want to.
Monty took Aleksis's dagger from the younger guard and examined it, flipping it over a few times in his hand. Finally, he sheathed it back into the scabbard at Aleksis's waist.
"Okay, Aleksis Vocta of Seattle, Washington... I will let you pass. No trouble from you, y'hear? What I said about cutting you down where you stand... just keep that in mind as you go about your business in our village. The people of Keke Village don't normally take to outsiders, and neither do I. Cause trouble, and I will find you."
Aleksis took this as a safe sign to put his hands down. He nodded his thanks. "Y-yes sir. Thank you."
Monty lifted his head up and shouted, "Open the gates!"
There was a mechanical sound of a lever being pulled, and the wooden gates slowly opened, revealing a cobblestone path leading into the village. The guards stepped aside, and Aleksis walked through, nodding at both of them as he passed. When he crossed the threshold, he let out a sigh of relief and silently thanked the Ancients. He scanned his surroundings, taking in the first sights of Keke Village.
As Aleksis walked further into Keke Village, he found himself enveloped in a scene that seemed plucked from the pages of medieval lore. Narrow cobblestone streets wound between timber-framed houses, their thatched roofs sloping gently under the weight of time. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, carrying the savory scent of bread baking and the sharp tang of woodsmoke.
In the village square, bustling with activity, craftsmen hammered at anvils, sparks flying as blacksmiths toiled over glowing metal. A potter deftly shaped clay into vessels of all shapes and sizes, while nearby, a carpenter measured and cut wood with precision. The air was filled with the rhythmic clink of tools and the murmur of conversation.
Children darted through the streets, their laughter mingling with the occasional bark of a dog or the creak of a cart wheel. Market stalls overflowed with colorful produce - plump pumpkins, baskets of apples, and bundles of herbs tied with twine. Merchants called out their wares in jovial voices, negotiating with villagers dressed in homespun tunics and skirts.
Near the village well, women gathered with buckets balanced on their hips, exchanging news and gossip as they drew water. A group of men leaned against the inn's rough-hewn walls, tankards of ale in hand, sharing tales of the day's hunts or the latest gossip from distant lands.
In the distance, the towering spire of a stone church pierced the sky, its bells tolling the hour with a resonant clang. Aleksis's eyes hovered over the sight for a moment, a feeling of curiosity welling in him.
"HEY! GET BACK HERE!" A shout pierced the village air, snapping Aleksis's attention away. He turned to witness another spectacle unfolding before him. From a rustic inn burst a young boy in tattered clothes, his hood stained with grime. Hot on his heels were two men, their arms adorned with swirling tattoos and faces etched with menace.
"Come on, we gotta catch that brat!" bellowed the burly one, a battle axe swinging at his side.
"Damn thief!" spat the tall, wiry man, his voice a snarl of frustration. They thundered through the narrow streets, paying no heed to startled onlookers. The boy darted around a corner and vanished from sight, the men vanishing soon after in pursuit.
"Hm. Wonder what that was all about," Aleksis pondered aloud, shaking his head. But his curiosity was soon redirected to the inn from which the trio had erupted. Muffled laughter and chatter spilled from its warm interior, enticing him closer. A weathered sign creaked above the door, proudly declaring itself as "The Drunken Dragon."
Approaching the entrance, Aleksis caught the eye of a striking woman leaning casually against the wall. Her ebony hair framed a face with eyes that seemed to hold secrets, and she was dressed in flamboyant attire that demanded the attention of passerbys, especially men. She leaned against the wall of the inn, smoking from a pipe. There was a certain beauty about her - perhaps in the way she dressed, or the look in her eyes, that reminded Aleksis of gothic Europe.
Their eyes locked briefly, and she offered a smirk that danced with mischief before playfully winking. Aleksis, unfazed by her allure, pushed open the inn's heavy door and stepped into the bustling warmth of The Drunken Dragon.
As Aleksis pushed open the creaky door of The Drunken Dragon, he was greeted by a lively scene that tickled his senses. The air was thick with the smell of roasted meat and the tang of ale. Wooden tables were scattered across the room, some filled with raucous patrons clinking tankards, while others engaged in intense games of dice or cards.
At the bar, a stout bartender with a bushy beard polished tankards with practiced efficiency, nodding to regulars and newcomers alike. Nearby, a bard strummed a lute and sang a rollicking tune, his voice weaving tales of love and adventure that drew cheers and applause from the crowd.
In a corner booth, a group of merchants haggled over the price of a rare jewel, their voices rising and falling in animated debate. At another table, a trio of knights in shining armor regaled each other with boasts of their latest conquests, their laughter echoing through the room.
Aleksis found himself a seat at a small table near the hearth, where a fire crackled merrily, casting flickering shadows on the walls adorned with hunting trophies and tapestries. From the kitchen, he could hear the clatter of pots and pans as the cook worked diligently to prepare hearty meals for the hungry patrons. As he settled in, a serving wench with a mischievous grin and a tray of frothy mugs approached, her eyes twinkling with unspoken secrets.
"What'll it be, stranger?" she asked with a playful tilt of her head, her voice carrying over the bustling atmosphere.
"Water?" Aleksis managed, feeling a bit awkward. The waitress eyed him with a hint of suspicion but nodded.
"Water's free. I'll be right back with that, darling," she replied, her voice carrying a playful tone.
"Thank you," Aleksis said sincerely, sinking back into his seat with a long yawn. The weariness from his journey through the forest was catching up with him, his eyelids growing heavier by the minute. The predicament of his empty pockets weighed on his mind.
"Some things never change," he muttered to himself, staring absently at the worn wooden table. "Just like back on Earth, I'm broke in this world too. Need to figure out how to make some coin..."
Returning swiftly, the server placed a brimming tankard of water in front of him, her welcoming smile still intact. "Enjoy, darling."
"Thank you." Aleksis lifted the tankard with a heavy hand, taking a long gulp. Setting it down, he was surprised to find the server still standing there, watching him expectantly.
"Um..." Aleksis faltered.
"Oh, sorry! I'm just curious about newcomers," she said apologetically. "Where are you from, mister?"
"Uh... I'm from up North. It's a place... not many people know about. Seattle."
"Se-at-tle," she repeated thoughtfully. "Huh. Never heard of it. Is it cold there?"
"Yeah, it can get pretty chilly," Aleksis replied with a modest smile. "I'm Aleksis. Aleksis Vocta. Nice to meet you." He extended his hand, and she clasped it warmly.
"Bree. Short for Brianna. Been here at The D.D. since it opened, so I know most folks around here. I like to keep tabs on our regulars. Hopefully, you'll be back?"
Aleksis chuckled. "Maybe I'll become a regular... Actually, I was wondering... how much is a room?"
"22 Sylva. Our rooms come with everything you need - bed, bath, warm blankets. Planning to stay?"
Aleksis nodded hesitantly. "Yes, but... I'm not exactly financially prepared for that."
Bree frowned playfully. "Aw, poor thing. I sympathize, but I'm not sure I can help. Although... the boss has a deal for folks short on coin - in exchange for a room, you work a shift here; a hard day's work for a good night's rest. Sound fair?"
Aleksis's eyes lit up. "Really? That'd be great, if it's not too much trouble."
Bree laughed and waved her hand. "Oh, no, not too much trouble at all for a handsome adventurer like yourself. Wait right here, I'll be right back." With that, Bree turned and made her way to a door that led to the back of the inn, where Aleksis assumed only employees were allowed.
Aleksis waited with bated breath, a spark of hope igniting within him. He marveled at how effortlessly he had secured a room, even without a single coin. And now, it seemed, he had a chance to earn some money as well.
It wasn't long before Bree returned, her smile lighting up the dim hallway. "Good news. Boss is looking for extra hands. He wants to meet you. Mind coming to the back?"
Aleksis nodded eagerly, rising from his seat. "Y-yes, of course."
Bree grinned, leading him down the corridor towards the kitchen, where a burly chef with a bald head and a curly mustache bustled about. Further along, they reached the end of the hall where Bree stopped. "Here we are. Boss's room. Come on in." She opened the door and stepped inside, with Aleksis hesitantly following behind.
The room was cozy, warmed by a crackling fireplace casting dancing shadows across the walls. In the center stood a solitary desk and chair. To Aleksis's astonishment, seated in the chair was not a human, but a tall, feline creature that instantly brought to mind the Khajiit from Skyrim. Dressed in a sleek black suit adorned with a stylish bowtie, the humanoid cat puffed on a cigar with nonchalant ease. A sly smile curved its whiskered face as it blew smoke rings into the air.
"Greetings and salutations. I am the manager of this establishment, Sebastian at your service, though most simply call me Boss," the creature announced in a smooth voice, its yellow eyes gleaming with amusement. "And who do I have the pleasure of meeting?"
Aleksis stumbled over his words, taken aback. "Y-you're... a cat?"
Sebastian erupted into hearty laughter, tapping ash from his cigar into a wooden ashtray. "Hahahah! I like this one. Where did you find him?"