Re: An Ancient Compact (Farren, Gargantuablarg, Copper)
As the pair of them made their way through the village, Altair looked around to take note of things. Such a small village only had one Inn, although it did look in reasonably good state; with their reasonably new-found emphasis towards trade and reaching out to the rest of the world, they wanted a place where visiting merchants and travellers could rest comfortably. The Sparkling Cove Inn, certainly sounded fancy, no doubt a reference to the local waters.
The pair did not walk far from where they had parked the wagon to reach the village chief's building. On the way, Shayer was greeted merrily by many, and even Atair got a few "Welcome stranger," or "How do you do, traveller?". At least on the surface, things didn't seem to be all gloom and doom, which was always a good sign.
The pair were quickly shown through to the chief when they arrived, who sat behind a desk, doing some accounting by the look of it, although he looked up when they entered. "Shayer, my dear friend, so good to see you again," he said, standing to his feet and moving around from behind the desk to greet the merchant properly. "And who is this you have with you? An apprentice perhaps?"
Shayer gave a soft chuckle, "I know I'm getting old Jorran, but I don't quite feel a need to start grooming someone to replace me just yet," he replied jovially. "No, this is young Atair, who has been travelling for a while, chasing rumours of the shadow for the Empire of the Nekomata. He's come to see if he might be able to help with your little problem," Shayer said, now very serious with his voice.
The chief, Jorran, gave a nod and wandered back over to his desk. "I see... it is good that you've come, Atair. Were it anyone else, I'd be sceptical due to your youth, but I have faith in the Nekomata and their ability to fight the darkness," he says in a hushed voice. "How much do you already know about our situation?"