Enzo was up early the next morning, feeling truly rested for the first time since he found himself in the forest. A blanket and pillow are definitely on the list for the cave. He stood and gathered his belt and sword, before pausing before the mirror.

This is the first time I’ve seen my face clearly, he thought as he stared into the mirror. Unfamiliar bright green eyes stared back at him. He traced his fingers around his cheeks and along the stubble growing along his jawline. Curly brown hair fell just above his shoulders. It all looked and felt so out of place. This isn’t me, he thought, and a rush of half remembered thoughts pressed to the forefront of his mind.

A strange office, out of focus and surreal, yet solid… A man in a suit, saying something important… further back, just emotions. Heat, burning hair. Desperation. Pressure built and an intense headache forced Enzo to stop searching his memories.

This is who I am now, he thought, staring down at his hands before looking back into the mirror. A face, brown eyes, neatly trimmed hair flashed before his eyes. A young professional. He blinked and the green eyes he’d found stared back at him. No, not found. This is who I am. He shook his head and pushed aside the thoughts and feelings. Enough of this. I’m here to pick up some provisions and tools and bring them back to the cave. It’s already been long enough, Talwen is sure to be wondering when I’ll return. He grabbed the pouch that held his coins and made his way down to the main lobby.

He was up before most other patrons, and had the bar area to himself. After a moment, the innkeeper, Olena, approached from the kitchen.

“Morning, you’re the boy who was with Tobias yesterday, right?” she asked. “Come to apprentice under him?”

Enzo nodded to her absentmindedly, thoughts on the things he needed to buy today. A pack was going to be another necessity.

“Care for some breakfast? The traders just brought in my order, so we’ve got fresh potatoes and eggs this morning,” she continued.

“Sounds delicious,” Enzo replied, looking up at her from his thoughts. He paused. She’s beautiful, how did I not notice her before? “I’m Enzo, by the way,” he added awkwardly.

Olena smiled at him. “Olena, nice to meet you,” she said, ignoring his stumble. “ I’ll have your food ready shortly.”

Enzo smiled back and nodded, and watched her return to the kitchen. Bet every guy here has taken a shot at her. Beautiful innkeeper with delicious food and makes her own mead? Can’t ask for much better. Probably good for business, too. He returned to thinking about where he could find all the supplies he needed.

Food supplies I can probably get here, honestly. Don’t really want to gather too much, I think we can set up some snares pretty easily for ratkel. Talwen will have to fend for herself, but I’m sure she can do that. Maybe see if there’s a fishing rod available at the general store. I’ll need some more clothes, and ideally, I’d like to find a skillet. A couple pots or jugs should be easy, and I think I’ll bring some mead back for Talwen. No idea if she can drink it, but more for me if she can’t.

Olena returned with the food while he was deep in thought. “Here you go, dear,” she said with a smile. “Got something on your mind? Maybe I can help.”

The food smelled heavenly. Roasted potatoes, with a bit of garlic and salt paired with two sunny side up eggs. The smell brought back the half forgotten memories. Saturday mornings in the kitchen, before the noon kickoffs… Man, I missed this. He ignored the pounding that was building in his head and took a bite instead. Bliss.

“I’m actually looking for some supplies, maybe you can point me in the right direction?” Enzo responded after a moment.

“Here,” she said as she handed him a scrap of paper and a stick of charcoal. “Write out what you’re looking for and when you’re done, I’ll give you a hand finding things.”

Enzo thanked her and Olena went back to her business around the inn. As he ate, he noted down everything he was looking for, leaving room for prices. It’ll be good to keep track of all of our income and expenses, and the information will help when I need to shop again. Not trying to get ripped off again, he thought, frowning at the mental image of Tobias laughing at him yesterday.

10 copper = 1 silver 100 silver = 1 gold

Scale - 65 silver

Belt and sheath - (15) silver

Meal at Olena’s - (2) copper

Pack

Skillet

Rope

Jugs (2)

Mead

1 Silver

Shirt

Pants

Rod

Pelts

Blanket

Pot

Bow?

Arrows?

Ledger?

Charcoal

Salt

He wasn’t sure he could afford everything on the list, but Enzo was satisfied he’d remembered everything. As he finished eating, Olena approached the bar and took a look.

“Keeping a ledger? Smart, I like that,” she said. “I can sell you some salt, the jugs and the mead of course. You’ll probably want to talk to Tobias for the pot and skillet, he won’t have them ready right now but I’m sure he can make them. As for the rest, you’ll want to look at the general store. It’s just down the road, on the left. Lea can get you sorted out.”

“Thanks! I’ll come back after I grab a pack for everything, don’t want to try to carry it all around,” Enzo replied. He took the list and paid for breakfast, before heading out and over to the general store.

Inside the large, square building, sat several counters around the outside edge of the building, with an open space in the middle. As Enzo entered, a small bell chimed on the door and alerted the shop keeper of his presence.

Clothes sat neatly folded on shelves to the left of the entrance. Next to them, an array of small hand tools and hunting equipment hung on the walls. An assortment of arrows sat out on the counter in front of the tools. Along the back wall, blankets, leathers and furs hung on long rods, allowing customers to see their designs and quality. The right side of the building opened up to other rooms, one a fitting room and the other looking like an office. A door in the back seemed to lead into the living area of the owners.

As Enzo looked around, a middle aged woman entered the sales floor from the office and stood behind a counter. After allowing Enzo to look around for a while, she approached him.

“Hey there, anything I can help you find?” she asked.

“You must be Lea, I’m Enzo. Olena said I could find most of what I’m looking for here?” Enzo responded, showing her the list. She took it and began moving around the store with practiced grace.

“...Start with a pack, 10 silver, rope, 5 coppers… would you like me to fill in the prices on this sheet? I see you’re starting a ledger here, that’s a good idea,” Lea asked, as she rounded up the items on his list.

“If you wouldn’t mind,” Enzo said. “Is there anything you’re missing?”

“I’ve got a spare skillet, but not the pot or fishing rod. You’ll want to head to Baybreach for the rod. Don’t have much in the way of pelts either, the hunting this year was pretty poor. Might have a wolf pelt in the back, but that’s about it. You’ll have to make do with rough spun fabric for the clothes as well.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said. Enzo examined the selection of bows while Lea worked. Three were available, each with the specific details of the bow listed out beside them. Cheapest was a simple oak bow, then a supple yew longbow that would cost all of his budget and finally, a dark, ebonwood longbow. The ebonwood bow shone in the sunlight, with intricate carvings along its spine. Upon further inspection, Enzo noticed the telltale gleam of starmetal cord used to string the bow.

“That one’s not for sale,” called Lea, as she approached with his order. “The king gave that bow to my father many years ago for saving his son, and it’s one of a kind. I don’t have any skill with it, but it certainly draws the eye when young hunters come in to shop,” she said with a smirk.

“Think I’ll stick with just the oak bow for now, and a dozen arrows,” replied Enzo. Lea took the bow from its spot on the wall and laid it out with the rest of his order on the back counter. She handed him back the list.

Pack

4 silver

Skillet

5 silver

Rope

5 copper

Jugs (2)

2 copper

Mead

1 silver

Shirt

3 silver

Pants

3 silver

Rod

Pelts

5 silver

Blanket

10 silver

Pot

Bow?

10 silver

Arrows?

5 silver

Ledger?

5 copper

Charcoal

2 copper

Salt

5 copper

“All together, it’ll come to 46 silver 4 copper,” she said with a smile. “Since you’re buying so much, I’ll throw in a couple ratkel pelts as well. They aren’t big, but they are pretty soft. Make for a good place to lay your head when you’re traveling.”

Enzo counted out the money. After everything was said and done, he had a couple silvers and coppers left in his pouch. I might have to take the job with Tobias regardless of what Talwen says, this just about cleaned me out. He thanked Lea, shouldered the pack and carried the bow back over to the inn.

Inside, the merchants from the previous night were awake and breakfast was in full swing. Enzo stopped Olena for a bottle of mead and a small pouch of salt, before heading back out into the sun. He could hear Tobias working at the furnace, and poked his head in on the way out of town.

“I’ll be back soon with an answer for you,” he shouted over the noise. Tobias waved his hand and continued hammering away at the metal. With his goodbyes taken care of, Enzo headed out the gate and back up into the woods.