[Beta] Ashborn - 6. A Formidable Cold (Patreon)

VI

A Formidable Cold

Herman led me through the village gates. Beyond were rows of homes of equal quality to the village’s defences.

“The village doesn’t have much,” Herman said, “but we have an inn.”

I sniffed my arm and had to stop my face from contorting.

Herman chuckled. “Baths are only five coppers.”

“Thanks. Where is it?”

He pointed down the road. “A big building near the centre. Can’t miss it.”

I thanked him and hurried ahead. He called out at the last moment.

“Jaoma is in town. He’s a travelling merchant. From what I heard, he’s looking for cultivators to defend his caravan on the trip back to Castle Shield. The quest may be of use to you.”

Jaoma was the person for my quest. Also, a caravan trip? That was bound to mean monster attacks, which would count towards my new Family quest. What a fortunate development.

‘I’m getting on that caravan by any means necessary.’

I lowered my head. “Thank you, Sir.”

“Consider it nothing. You’ll find his shop near the inn.”

I left him behind me. Stray townsfolk strolled over never-maintained roads, carrying harvest or farming equipment. Given that none of them were in a panic, the attack just now must be a regular occurrence.

The inn indeed couldn’t be missed as it was twice as big as any other building. A sign at the front of the double-story building said ‘Dragon’s Den’. Some of the windows were boarded up, and the roof looked like it had recently survived a fire.

‘Is he sure this place has baths?’

Lacking any better options, I pushed aside the revolving wooden doors and headed in. A plump woman stood behind the bar, who looked up upon my entry. Her gaze went to my back.

“No weapons in my inn,” she called before I had taken my second step. “Leave them by the entrance.”

I blinked. “Ah, sure. My apologies.”

There was a weapon rack on the side. Someone else’s weapon was already there. My breathing shortened. Fog oozed out of the gap between the blade and the entirely white scabbard. The essence was a physical pressure that weighed on my shoulders.

[Winter’s Bite - Rare]

Whose weapon was that? They must be a cultivator of considerable power. Or influence. My lips formed a line. Hopefully, not someone that was out for my neck.

I finished putting down my own, mediocre weapons, and turned away before the innkeeper thought I was a thief. I approached the bar. The innkeeper glared at me.

“Thievery will see you banned from my inn.”

I huffed. Too slow, it seemed.

“I’m only here for a bath.”

“Hot or cold?”

I thought for a moment. “Hot.” I deserved it after travelling through the blizzard.

“Seven coppers.”

My brow rose. “Herman said it was five.”

“That’s the price for regulars.”

A moment passed.

I sighed and reached into my pouch. That’s when a terrible, prolonged rumble escaped my stomach.

“Dinner is freshly baked bread and tomato soup,” the woman said without pausing. “Eight coppers for a total of fifteen.”

Ten coppers was one silver coin. I put down two. “Keep the change.”

Her gaze strayed from the money in her hand towards me. “Your bath will be ready in half an hour. Dinner an hour after that. You can leave your other supplies upstairs.” She reached below the counter and handed me a key with the number three on it. “Watch out for the room at the end of the hall.”

“Thanks.”

A strange warning but sure.

The stairs creaked as my weight settled on them. I crossed the last step and stopped. The air was colder. Carefully, I strode forwards. The deeper I went, the colder the air. I glanced at the door numbers. Three was in the middle of the hallway. I paused in front of the entry to my room and glanced down the aisle. Low-hanging mist curled underneath the gap from the last door.

That must be the owner of the blade.

Part of me wanted to knock and see who it was—better to know what was coming for you. But the logical side of my brain called me an idiot. Saber was still regenerating. What if a battle broke out?

So I entered my room. It was small and bare, nothing beyond a closet, a tiny desk, a wooden bed, and a window that offered the majestic view of the farm fields at the rear of the village.

Not what I’d love to wake up to.

Dropping into a quick yogi pose, I consolidated the essence the kills collected me. As I thought, despite killing six level five’s, the EXP wasn’t enough to get me over the edge to the next level.

There wasn’t much else for me to do, so I left the room and headed downstairs.

The innkeeper watched me collect my weapons.

“I’ll be back soon,” I said.

“Don’t blame me if your bath grows cold.”

“I won’t. Where can I find the merchant named Jaoma?”

“Left and around the corner.”

I nodded my thanks.

The merchant’s shop was called ‘The Wandering Rose.’ Three wagons covered in drapes stood beside the entrance. Night had fallen, blanketing the world in an even deeper cold and sense of dread than regular. But a light was on inside the shop.

“Pardon my intrusion.”

A bell chimed as I entered.

The man behind the counter put away his book and stood.

“Welcome to the Wandering Rose! How may I help you on this fine night.” His gaze roved over me once. “Milady,” he added.

I took in the shop. Weapons and attire against the cold. Herbs, pills, and even a few ability scrolls. This was a merchant of means.

I turned to him. He wore a green, indoor robe fitted with fur. Despite the size of the wear, I could make out his lanky frame within. His eyes were also sunken.

[Merchant - lvl. 10]

‘Level ten, huh. He doesn’t feel powerful.’

“Would you be the merchant Jaoma?” I said.

“Indeed. Have we met before, Milady?”

“You can drop the honorific. And no, but I picked up a quest related to you.”

He stiffened but kept a jovial smile on his face. “Not a violent one, I hope?”

“Not at all.” I reached for the pouch on my hip and handed it over.

He accepted it with risen brows and gently pulled apart the string to glance inside. His pupils widened.

“This…”

With reverence, his fingers lifted the locket.

“Where did you find this?”

“An emergency shelter not far from here. It looked important, so I decided to return it. Would you consider the retrieval complete with this?”

“Ah, yes, certainly!” He hurriedly reached beneath the counter. In his rush, a glistening drop tumbled from his face onto the ground.

Quest completed [Jaoma’s Heirloom].

The merchant handed me a bag of coins. “This is three gold’s worth of coins. Please, accept it.”

“The system already offered me a monetary reward. You may keep it, Sir.”

“I insist.” He shoved the bag further towards me. “This heirloom…it is the last remembrance of my wife. You cannot imagine how long I searched for it…”

The pendant of the heirloom clicked open, apparently. Jaoma gazed at a photo within.

I smiled. The bond between family, no matter of whom, was one I could respect.

“Then even more so,” I said. “I will not accept this coin.”

The man’s features softened. “Is that so…”

I turned back to his wares. “Could I pick one of your robes instead?”

“Any you like,” he perked up. “My recommendation is this one lined with Snowfang fur. It’s from a local leopard species.”

The material for the robe was thick and soft. It was also enchanted. And though the enchantment was a lesser one than my own, it would keep me safe from scraping blows.

“I’ll take it.”

Jaoma hurried to bag it for me.

I waited in front of the counter. “I heard you’re searching for guards? I would love to hear more.”

He glanced at a space over my head.

“The level requirement for the trip is level five…but the other lady is there too…yes, it can work. We leave tomorrow afternoon if that doesn’t inconvenience you. Payment is two gold coins. Half up front, the other half once we reach the castle. We’ll travel through the mountain pass up north. Depending on how well you do, I’m willing to throw in a small bonus at the end.”

“This “other lady” is the one staying in the inn?” I asked.

“Lady Aurille,” he confirmed. “Not a talkative girl, but she’s formidable.”

Yeah, didn’t need to tell me that.

“Do you know anything about her? Which clan is she from?”

He shook his head. “Unfortunately not.”

The merchant offered me the quest [A Troubling Journey] (an ominous name, to say the least), then I made my way back to the inn.

I’d have to figure out what camp this Aurille belonged to the hard way.