Chapter 54: What is it, Halloween?

You know how they say don’t drink while running up the stairs, or any number of similar sayings. I am currently breaking a new variant; flying while eating breakfast. Although if I was within an aircraft, I am sure it would be fine, excluding jets.

It's driving me mad. I have never been a patient person. Now tell me I need to make a long journey and watch me wince. Let's just arrive and be done with it; so, I am eating while flying.

You may be wondering how I am eating while flying if my Armor needs the full set to fly. I’m using my spare flying belt. Allowing me to fly with or without the final part of my Armor. Quickly scoffing fruit after fruit from my bag of holding.

I have stored a variety of food items within, so I can minimize the amount of time I have to return home. Even thinking over it myself, it's just silly; yet I can't help myself.

Flying without my Armor; it’s different that’s for sure. Having my face exposed to high-speed winds is exciting but also cold. With the sun shining it's pleasant, but when it's shrouded, I get cold quickly.

Placing my helmet back on, having finished my meal. I lazily gaze across the landscape. I have tried falling into a meditative state while flying. Didn’t work, in fact, I fell asleep and hit a big tree. So, all I can do is move forward. Like a driver on a long journey, just focusing.

I have been watching these rolling hills for hours, it's mind-numbing. Sighing for the tenth time today, I remove a book. It’s an art, reading in light wind.

After a while, I spotted the next town. Noticing its size; far larger than the towns I have seen so far. The wall is of similar size to my original town but the sheer scale and building density are obscene.

Descending slowly to the floor, finding soft grass underfoot. I walk towards the gate; finding a small group of guards standing by the gate. A couple of them look very bored, I can't help but sympathize.

Coming to the gate, as normal; I am stopped. “Halt,” says the only guard who looks interested. One of the other guards places their hand on their weapon, remaining on guard. A light smile blooming my face. The other guards turned an ear to alleviate boredom more than protect the town.

In a stern, authoritarian voice the guard speaks. Appreciating his work ethic, I listen to what he has to say.

“Excuse me, what is the reason for your visitation of the town? Also please remove your helmet for identification.”

To bothered to ask for a private booth I remove my helmet. Identifying curiosity and concern in equal measure between the guard's faces.

Remaining polite, “I am simply passing through; traveling is very boring so I hope to take a short break within the town before continuing on.”

His authoritarian tone slipping slightly, “I must say, what an odd complexion that is.” I feel like tall people constantly receiving comments on the weather. He continues on, “May I ask, how a traveler such as yourself can make any distance with no travel supplies?”

Recognition blooms on the other guard's face, they all straighten their backs ever so slightly; some grasping their weapon.

Now I am in a pickle, should have thought of this. Do I show them the bag of holding? Or will that cause even more issues? Sighing at this silly pickle I find myself in.

Lightly rubbing my brows, “Look, I don’t want to tell you; I wish no harm on this town. I would rather not lie.” I just don’t want to lie to them, it may very well make things worse for me.

The guard simply replies, “Just spit it out, otherwise, we can't let you in.”

Replying in a frustrated voice, “Of course I had to wear the Armor, it always catches people's eyes, yet I feel naked without its protection. Fine, you want to know? I have a bag of holding.” ‘flashing the golden bag’ “Satisfied?

The guards were a little taken back by my sharp tone and the surprising reveal. I simply add, “Look, I don’t want to be a target of thieves, nor do I wish to cause trouble; I just want a break from traveling.” Huffings slightly, feeling my stress dissipating like smoke in the wind. Didn’t realize it bothered me so much.

The guards think over my words slightly, the leader relaxes finally. I notice the other guards relax as well like a wave. “Go on in, just… stay out of trouble. I should tell you; we have to inform our superiors of high-value travelers.”

Replacing my helmet, “Do whatever you need to, have a good day.” ‘slightly bowing my head.’

Noticing the guards returned to their duties, occasionally stopping someone for a multitude of reasons.

Sighing at the silliness of it all, no procedure; amateurish. Moving through the cramped town, I find it's even more compact with the bustling population. People crammed shoulder to shoulder; this can't be sanitary. Thankfully my Armor obscures odors so I am saved from the assault of foul smells I can only assume plaque this place.

Finding a café that has a semblance of peace, I enter. Addressing a woman with flowing brown hair and fiery eyes. “Hello, may I order some tea and one of those,” ‘pointing towards a pastry within a glass bell jar’

“Yes, that will be 4 bronze,” she says robotically. Poor lass has had her soul sucked by her job; I know the feeling.

Handing her the money, I walk towards a table in the corner. Removing my helmet on the way, I appreciate the worn wooden room. Old tables, well used but clearly maintained. Sitting down, I relax in the sturdy seat.

Given the woman a sidelong look, I spot a slight glimmer of surprise on her face. That’s something I suppose; watching her quickly and efficiently preparing tea. Noting her care for quality. She even warmed the mug with boiled water before preparing the tea; not bad.

She brings over the tea and pastry, looking at me for a moment longer than necessary before leaving. I eat my pastry first, the tea still being too hot for me. It was sweet with a fruity filling. I enjoyed it thoroughly, resisting the urge to purchase a second.

Slowly savoring the tea and the atmosphere. Almost like an oasis from the hustle and bustle outside. I really dislike crowded places; I wouldn’t live here with a gun to my head. The tea didn’t last long once it has cooled, so I get up and walk to the exit. Stopping for a moment, turning to the woman, seeing myself in her eyes; soul-crushing work, just making ends meet and being bored to death. Walking towards her, in a quiet voice; “You know, I was once like you. Bored out of my mind just trying to pay the bills. If you are unhappy, strive for more.” Handing her a bag of holding and a crafting table.

Leaving quickly, it's all on her now; does she grasp a better future or stay within security. For all I know I could be misreading the situation. Yet I followed my gut all the same.

Walking through the busy streets, I swatted at least 2 pickpocket attempts. Not a surprise considering the population density; lots of opportunities.

Finding a stall selling ready-made meals, I take one to eat on the way out. It's odd how all cities so far have a gate in each cardinal direction along with a road to further towns, almost like a wonky grid. Heading towards the east gate, saving the food for when I get out the door. I would rather not lose my grip on my meal from all the shoulder barging.

Exiting the city, I take a deep breath. Screw busy… towns? Or is that a fully-fledged city? I hated human geography anyway, let's continue on. Eating the vegetable-packed meal, a single measly bit of meat in the middle. Once finished I take flight. Not completely out of sight of the city but I hardly care, it's not on my visit list that’s for sure.

Finding myself back to flying over rolling hills, “I am sick of hills by now.” Back to reading it is, if only you gained intelligence stats for it. Sadly, getting smarter is not that simple.

Over the day I passed the few reaming towns, all within the incessant hills. They were all startlingly close, although far smaller than the city I spotted previously. Many of the hills are converted into farmland and animal rearing. I have made it a habit to place a Telepad near every town I have found so far, creating almost a warp network for easy travel.

Coming upon the town that hosts the Coven, I am excited, to say the least. Unfourtaneley the sun is setting, not much time is left in the day. Looking upon the city, shadows cast by the large walls surrounding it. It's slightly eerie; guess that means I am In the right place.

The walls are made of a combination of stones, the buildings from a distance seem to be some kind of dark wood. Chimney smoke clouding the air above the town. I had no plans to fly above the town, much less now I realize it has a perpetual cloud above it.

Settling onto the ground, finding the grass drier; a hint of yellow within the green. A few trees dotted around, most gnarled and evil looking. Really setting the theme hu? Are they trying to scare travelers away? Well, whatever, let us see how they react to me. Equipping a large backpack this time, I come towards the large gate.

A singular guard looks up, almost surprised at seeing someone actually wanting to come into the town. I already had removed my helmet in advance, hoping to skip all the random reasons the guards stop me.

He doesn’t seem to be stopping me, as I walk right past him into the town. Look through the dark buildings, illuminated by hanging lamps, I turn right around. Walking up to the guard; “What the hell? Why is everything built to be so creepy?”

The guard smiles lightly, “How else we supposed to scare off the rabble, evil look, and some nasty rumors; you won't find a bandit for 20 miles.”

Wait I was right, they are trying to scare people away. How do they grow and progress without people coming into the town? Let's ask our friendly guard here. “So… how does this town prosper without you know, people?”

Lazily leaning back, “Well that’s simple, we have a few trusted merchants who come through and we have specialist exports. We don’t need people; the towns well off as is. The slow population growth of its current residents is more than enough.”

‘Nodding along’ makes sense; an interesting method to progress a town that’s for sure.

Politely replying, “Thank you for the information, know any good inns for me to stay at?”

The guard, clearly expecting the question. “Sure thing, go to the amber leaf; just up the road, can't miss it.”

“Thanks, have a good day,” I reply before leaving the guard to his devices. Walking up the road, I spot a large sign with a giant autumn leaf on it. Suppose that it, noting the writing underneath, ‘the only inn in town.’

Walking inside, I find it… quiet. It's jarring comparing it to the hustle and bustle of the city then this spookily quiet town. The main room has a couple people spread across the vast room. The smell of hops clues me into their drink of choice.

A barman stands, polishing a long glass. An array of crystal-clear glasses of varying size behind him. He's tall, in something reminiscent of a suit, long arms and well-groomed mustaches, the ends graying ever so slightly.

Coming to the front of him, I speak my intention. “Hello, I would like a room for the night.”

In a polite tone, he sets the glance down; placing his hands behind his back. “Certainly sir, simply a silver.”

He sounds like I am making a deal with the devil, sighing; I pass him the silver he requests. He gives me a key an embossed piece of wood attached, 13.

“The stairs are to your right, do try and avoid getting lost.” He smiles lightly. As I turn to leave, he speaks once more. “We have breakfast at 1pm, feel free to join us.” Mentally adding, ‘hell no’ before finding my room.

It’s the room at the far end of the hallway, entering I find a clean room smelling light of incense. Quickly checking under the bed and inside the closet; satisfied I head to bed. Opting to keep my Armor on this evening. Tomorrow is the big day, let's meet a true Coven.