Chapter 87: Travel Supplies

Chapter 87: Travel Supplies

Stryg and Loh finished their meals and put on their cloaks as they left the inn. Rhian and Maximus stood outside waiting.

Good morning, Master. How was breakfast? Rhian asked.

Food was great, I brought you some, Stryg held out a slice of shepherd's pie wrapped in a cloth napkin.

Uh, this is for me? Rhian pointed at herself.

Thats what I said. Dont waste time, take it, Stryg shook his hand.

Rhian grabbed the pie gingerly.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

Can she even eat that? Loh asked as she hopped on Maximus back.

Technically, we can eat anything Mistress can, Maximus said.

Its just that we normally arent given any, Rhian finished. Master, are you sure I can have this? I dont wish to take away from your food. This one is a beastkin.

Stryg tilted his head, I know you're a beastkin, obviously. What difference does that make?

Well, people dont think beastkin are worthy of such extravagant food Rhian trailed off.

Oh. I see, Stryg stretched. None of that matters. Youre a daughter of Ebon Hollow now and the tribe shares food. You cant refuse, get used to it. The chief always eats first though, which I already have, so just eat your food already.

O-okay, Rhian took a small bite. Its good, she mumbled.

Of course it is. I told you it was great, Stryg pulled himself up onto the saddle.

Loh watched her apprentices exchange silently. She was not sure if Stryg simply had a soft spot for the centaur, unlikely considering how the goblin was. Or if it was because he just did not care for the conventional ways of society.

Lets go pick up some supplies for the road, Loh said.

The group made their way to the villages one and only trading post. Stryg followed Loh into the shop. She took off her hood as they entered, he preferred to keep his on. There were only a few shelves and a single counter inside.

This is weird, Stryg said.

Yeah, its not a boutique in the Villa District, but itll serve our needs, Loh rang a small bell on the counter.

What I mean is that this place is small, even though the outside building was much larger, Stryg glanced around.

Thats because most of the supplies are stored in the back. The storefront is meant more for everyday things, Loh said.

The door behind the counter opened, a woman stepped in. Good morning, what can I get ya- She froze like a rabbit catching sight of a stalking wolf.

You were saying? Loh crossed her arms.

Ah, sorry, the shopkeep bowed her head. I was just a little surprised we had visitors is all. Ive been so busy these past few days, I havent caught up with the latest news. Dullwater normally only gets out-of-town folk when caravans stop by or during harvest season. Are you part of an incoming caravan by any chance?

No, Loh shook her head. I am Loh of House Noir and this is my apprentice. We were just in need of resupplying for our journey.

An aristocrat? The shopkeep swallowed, An actual aristocrat?

Quite right. Now, Id like about two weeks worth of dry food for four people. Along with two bedrolls, a few logs of firewood, and a small shovel, Loh said.

Thats quite the large order, the shopkeep laughed nervously.

And I have quite the money, so if youd please, Loh raised her coin pouch.

The shopkeep nodded, Youre in luck, Miss Noir. We just had a caravan stop by a few days back. Were still unpacking some of the goods, but I think we should have everything youre looking for.

Great, Loh said.

Ill be right back, the shopkeep left into the back of the store.

Stryg could hear her rummaging about with crates and cloth sacks while ordering someone to move a few things. After a few minutes the shopkeep returned, carrying a few sacks in her hands.

Here you are, two weeks worth of food for four. I packed in some oats, dried fruit, plenty of hardtack, and of course jerky, the shopkeep winked.

I was hoping you had jerky, Loh cracked a grin.

The door behind the counter opened. A young man stepped out. He was tall, but not in a robust manner, more in a lanky way. His skin was a pale pink, his hair a charcoal black. His amber eyes did not look up at the guests and instead were focused on the shopkeep.

M-moma, you f-forgot, forgot, the b-b-b-b-bedrolls he said.

What are you doing out here!? The shopkeep yelled.

Loh would have guessed the young man was an adult based on his height, but his voice cracked as he spoke and his face looked childish.

Who is this? Loh asked.

Nobody, Miss, the shopkeep stood in front of the young man, trying to hide him and failing miserably.

I j-just. I just want-t-t-ted to b-bring you t-the. The b-bedrolls, he stuttered.

I was going to grab them afterwards, now go on and head back, quickly, the shopkeep tried pushing him through the backdoor.

What are you? Stryg asked.

The shopkeeps face paled, Oh, dont worry about him. He just helps me out sometimes. You know what, you can have the food for free. How does that sound?

Hes your son, Loh said.

The young man shrank back behind the shopkeep, but he was far taller than her.

It was nice meeting you, Olly bowed his head to Stryg.

Dont let outsiders hurt you, Olly. The first one who tries, make an example of them. And by that I mean break their arms and legs or just kill them, either one works. Just remember, it doesnt matter if they hate you if they cant stop you, Stryg made a fist.

Stryg, I dont think thats the takeaway, Loh snorted.

Olly gripped his fists, nodded and went to the back storage room.

How old is he? Loh asked.

The shopkeep cleared her throat, 13.

I cant imagine life has been easy out here for that kid, Loh whistled.

Life has never been easy for Olly, the shopkeep sighed.

Even with food all around you and lack of various predators in the area, a hybrid kid can still die, huh? Stryg looked at his reflection in the window.

The shopkeep swallowed, People can be cruel, even when they dont lay a finger on someone. They call my innocent child an abomination. I suspect you have experienced similar treatment. Or perhaps not, you are a mage after all.

Mm, Stryg mumbled.

He knew a thing or two about cruelty. Though, there were many people that respected him now, most were out of fear. The Merry Crescent was the prime example. But, even at that tavern there were folk who despised him for what he was, they were simply too scared to act on it.

Abominations, huh? I forgot humans call hybrids that, Loh took another bite out of the apple.

The shopkeep looked down in shame, Its not right.

Yes, well, its just another bit of culture you humans brought over from the Jade Realm, Loh said between mouthfuls.

The reason people hate hybrids is because of the Jade Realm? Stryg asked.

There are plenty of reasons why people hate hybrids, but for humans it is more often than not their cultural belief in species purity, Loh said.

Feli doesnt think that way, Stryg said.

And Feli is with someone like you, so I think its safe to say she should not be considered as the standard norm, Loh yawned.

What is that supposed to mean? Stryg narrowed his eyes.

All Im saying is, dont waste your time thinking about why people hate you, they arent worth the effort in the first place, Loh patted his shoulder. This woman didnt bother wondering why we might hate her son. She just assumed we did, which is why she tried to hide him, isnt that right?

The shopkeep looked away in shame, Outsiders dont care if I own the trading post, theyd hurt my Olly if they could.

A mother should always try to protect her children from harm. Im glad you didnt break in the face of fear, Loh threw her a gold coin.

This is too much. A silver coin would cover the cost of all your supplies, the shopkeep said.

The coin is for the apple, Loh rubbed her temple. By any chance do you sell anything for hangovers?

The shopkeep smiled, a gold coin for an apple? I have a few tonics, non-magical, though.

Theyll do, Loh squinted as the front door opened, flooding the room with light. Is this what you deal with?

Pretty much, Stryg squinted as well.

Louise walked in, Oh, h-hello.

Did you miss me already? Loh smiled broadly.

Louise blushed, I actually came here looking for my uncle. He was supposed to bring some potatoes over to the inns kitchen, but he hasnt showed up yet. I was wondering if he was still here by any chance.

Your uncle hasnt stopped by today, the shopkeep said as she rummaged through her medicine cabinet.

Thats odd, Louise frowned.

Hes probably passed out drunk somewhere. It wouldnt be the first time, the shopkeep muttered.

R-right. Well, I better go find him. It was nice seeing you, Loh. May the gods bless you on your journey, Louise curtsied.

I dont believe in the gods, but I appreciate the sentiment, Loh grinned.

Louise smiled and left.

I have some better tonics in the back, one moment, please, the shopkeep went to the storage room.

...Hey, Stryg, Loh tapped her foot.

Hm? Stryg suddenly found a wonderful interest in the ceiling.

You wouldnt know where Louises uncle is by any chance?

Hard to say.

Loh gripped his shoulder, The world is dangerous, we have to lie sometimes, I get it. But, I have to be able to trust my apprentice. No matter what, you and I need to stick together through all the shit this Realm will throw at us, because it will, your gifts have ensured that. Now, tell me what happened.

Stryg sighed, He was going to try and hurt us.

Stryg, what did you do?

I dealt with the threat, he said calmly.

Uh-huh, Loh shook her head. Were leaving after we get our supplies. I rather not have to deal with an angry mob while fighting a hangover.

...No matter what, huh? Stryg whispered.