Hewie points at the map that's kept rolled up and in my pocket alongside the mirror. I take it out and open it while Merle looks over my shoulder.
"So, our destination lies somewhere in the outskirts of the Haunted Glade." I say and point at the rough location where it should be.
'It's a bit odd how he isn't asking me anything. I expected him to ask why we're going there or what I talked about with Ellirith. Although I'm not surprised about the latter. It's personal business, after all.'
"Alright. I'll lead the way." He says, and I nod in agreement as I roll the map before I think for a moment.
"I should get a weapon with me." I say and look at him as he just sighs and suddenly starts dragging me somewhere. He lets go of me after we arrive in a store with clothes.
"I wanted a weapon... not clothes." He just looks at me and allows the lady to get my measurements as I awkwardly stand there.
After everything is done, I notice Merle whispering something to the lady, and I raise an eyebrow a bit. Then, I receive clothes made exactly for me. That was quick...
I thank the lady and go try thek out. It's a black, sleeveless turtleneck top and dark brown trousers. I put them on and then notice another piece of clothes.
I take it and realise that it's a set of archer sleeve gloves. It's made specifically for a left-handed person... so he noticed. I slip them on and notice how perfectly they fit. It's not a bad outfit, although I don't think that it's practical for fighting... why would I fight in the first place, though?
I take my old clothes and walk towards the lady and Merle. "It fits very well. But could I please buy a belt and a pouch?" The map and mirror won't magically fly around by themselves after all.
"Of course! Please choose whichever you like." The lady nods with a clear business smile and shows me the variety of the belts and pouches that they sell here.
I choose carefully a belt with a pouch and try it on with the new outfit. It falls into place perfectly. I nod to myself as I realise that I have only 3 silver and 15 bronze Rousk on me.
"Uh... how much is this, Miss?" I ask politely, hoping that it's within my limit. She only smiles and chuckles. "It's free, sir. It's a gift from the Village Elder herself. This young man just informed me that you're getting dispatched on a mission assigned by the Village Elder."
That's surprising. I didn't think that Ellirith would keep her promise to support me during my search. But how the heck did she get my measurement? I'm pretty sure that they had them even before the lady took them earlier.
"Thank you, Miss..." I say and bow my head slightly in gratitude as I then look at Merle and nod at him as well. He seems to understand, and he says goodbye to the lady. We exit the store, and I feel a bit awkward in the new outfit, although it's quite comfortable to wear as it fits perfectly.
Merle then drags me to another store, an armoury where I get a bow, a quiver full of arrows, and straps with a sheath attached to them and put on my thigh, sheathing a dagger made for close combat and self-defence.
I put the mirror and map into my pouch and leave the clothes at the armoury, entrusting them to the smith who seems to be an acquaintance of Merle.
Finally, we make our way out of the village with Merle leading the way while I follow him. It was a good choice to take him with me.
It takes almost 2 days to travel to the Haunted Glade itself. During those 2 days, I learnt shooting at real, moving targets, and slept outside for the first time.
Now, finally. We're here. Hewie flies around and sits down on something oddly shaped... A chill runs down my spine once I see what it is.