A Hero With/Out Time

Chapter 1: My Sudden Death. (Part 3)

Wester was a smaller town than Stonewall. It was quiet with much less traffic passing through than others. Most people heading West would deviate further North where the roads were more protected and monsters were less likely to amble from the forests. Of course with the Hero and her party, there wasn't quite the need for protection. Or you would so think had I not died three times so far.

Like the previous night the Hero and her party stayed at the inn and I stayed outside with carriage. Unlike before however I had an agenda and I quickly completed my duties and brought the extra supplies needed in town. Usually I'd quietly settle down to sleep or pass the time by doing one of my many 'hobbies'. While the others were at the inn I chose to head to the bar.

It was a place to drink and talk but also for shadier dealings as well as being a great place to pick up rumours.

"What'll will you have?" the bartender asked me as I approached.

"Spiced wine, half glass, no ice," I passed him the coinage required and he returned with the glass. "I was wondering have there been any strange things happening in the area lately?"

"What's it to you?" the man eyed me suspiciously.

I waved it off and took a sip, "Please, I'm a driver for a carriage. I'd rather not get into any trouble." The slight burn down my throat from the alcohol was refreshing.

"Couldn't say, I spend all my time here." He pointed to the back wall, "Those guys in the back however are another story."

"Thank you," I passed him another coin and moved to the group of men. They were wearing traveling gear, though it had definitely seen better days. From the side of their cloaks well used daggers poked from their belts.

One scowled at me as I approached, "What do you want?"

"Peace my friend," I held up my hands. "I'm just a simple driver here to share a drink."

"Really now," another smiled. "Because mines empty."

I raised my hand, "A round for the fine gentlemen." With the Kingdom's support, money wasn't a problem. Though me spending it how I liked was another issue entirely. I'm sure they wouldn't mind.

"How generous of you."

"It's the least I could do for a fellow traveller," I smiled amicably. "The bartender tells me you're not from around and I'm a man fond of stories. Anything interesting?"

"Bit of this and that," one chuckled as he sipped at his fresh tankard. "Demons along the border be getting rowdy. Monsters more common than usual."

"Anything to the west of here?"

"West huh...," a quick glance was shared among them. "Sorry we came from the south."

"I see...." It was strange then that their clothes were thin. The southern temperature was cooler than the North. Most people coming that way had thicker cloaks, however I felt pointing that out would be unwise.

"And what's a traveller like you going west for? Guiding a merchant?"

"Nothing of the sort, just a band of travellers. What about you, heading East?"

"We're thinking of staying in the region for now," he let out a smirk. I hid my frown. Just my luck. When the bartender said these people might know something, I thought they'd be part of the solution not the problem. I couldn't be quite sure, but they were probably bandits scouting the town. Unfortunately I had just painted a target on my back.