Book One Chapter Eight: Establishing Main Hub

Book One Chapter Eight: Establishing Main Hub

They stepped into the castles shadow as they entered Cobbletown. It was carved into the side of a mountain, and dominated the small town that dwelt at its feet. Thick stone walls encircled it, ending only when the mountain peaks became too harsh to make it practical. It was a place built to last.

The wide wooden gates were open as Qube and the Chosen One approached, and it looked straight into the town plaza where colourful mosaics were picked out in tiles. Shops with black timbre and whitewash lined the walkways, colourful flags and signs flapping madly in the wind.

Qube felt like her eyeballs were on stalks as she swiveled this way and that, trying to take in as many details as she could. So many new sights! So many people! Shed never seen so many strangers before in her life! Granted, shed never met a stranger before, but so many! There were five whole strangers in the plaza in front of them!

Two guards exited from the wooden guard hut next to the gate. The blue-clad officers approached them briskly but before they could speak, the Chosen One sidestepped them.

Shops, then chatter, the Chosen One said to Qube. The guards stood, rotating in place as they watched the Chosen One approach the first shop.

Shouldnt we greet them? Qube asked quietly, overawed by everything.

Nah, theyll still be there when we get back. I want to try something first, the Chosen One said casually, opening the first shops door. Come on.

Still trying to take in as much as she could Qube neglected to look at the sign above the store. So she had absolutely no warning for what she was about to face.

There, behind a scarred counter, stood

Mr. Igma? Qube gasped.

Yup. Same uncompromising expression. Same dim lighting. Same items on display. At her words Mr. Igma stirred, but he kept his focus on the Hero.

How did you get here? the Hero asked then, with a worried glance at Qube, cut himself off. You know what? Never mind. Dont care. What items do you have for sale?

Everythings for sale, Mr. Igma said.

Even this bookshelf? the Chosen One said snidely.

Everythings for sale, Mr. Igma repeated evenly.

What about you, are you for sale? the Chosen One snarked.

...Everythings for sale, Mr. Igma said.

I really dont want to think about the implications of that, the Hero confessed eventually. Anyway. How much for a healing potion?

Five silver, Mr Igma said instantaneously.

What? The Chosen one bellowed. But in the village it was only three silver!

Rent. Transport. Meeting market prices. Mr. Igma shrugged. It is what it is.

The Chosen One scowled, before suddenly perking up again.

Sure thing, too easy, he said. You dont mind if I pick up this item, do you?

As long as you dont try and leave without paying for it, Mr. Igma said, a thread of wariness in his voice. Or try and do anything magical to it. I object to magic in my shop.

Of course, of course, the Hero said soothingly. He picked up a healing potion, turned it over in his hands, and carefully put it back on the counter. He drummed his fingers on the scarred surface of the counter, contemplating Qube with narrowed eyes.

I would like to buy a wooden bucket, he said eventually.

Right. Back to clearing the shop, he said, shoving Qube back into the store.

They seemed really important, she said, but continued carrying out everything.

Steal now. Plot later, he said. So she did.

Once theyd cleared out Mr. Igma of all his possessions Qube automatically started walking towards the Tavern the two mysterious figures had gone in.

This way, the Chosen One said, heading into the nearest alleyway.

Shouldnt we go and see what they wanted? They seemed really important.

Theyll still be there when were done.

Qube chewed on one of her fingernails. She supposed the Chosen One was the most important living being in the entire world. Those two mysterious people would have to wait. If he thought there was something they needed to do first then it would have to be urgent.

Popping out of the alleyway he carefully looked around. Seeing the street deserted he crouched and squat-walked towards the closest house. Scuttling up the stairs he reached out and grasped the door handle, grunting as he pulled on it.

The door handle didnt move. Scowling, the Hero stood up and pulled on it harder, jiggling it.

Why wont this open? He growled, pulling with all his might.

Its probably locked, Qube whispered. She looked around but no one was paying any attention to them. There was only a stranger swathed in a soft grey hooded cape, standing over some kind of grate.

Why would someone lock their front door? he asked incredulously.

To stop people from stealing their stuff? Qube replied cautiously. The stranger was now looking at them from underneath their hood. A lot of hooded people in Cobbletown, she thought to herself.

The Chosen One turned and looked at her very seriously.

But I want their stuff, he said, and pouted.

The Saviour of All Living Creatures was pouting. He was pouting at her like a giant golden baby with cheekbones that could cut glass and a jawline you could use as a shovel. It was extremely disturbing.

Horrified, Qube deployed her most powerful Companion ability: her Understanding Smile.

Im sure people will be more than happy to give you items and supplies if you just help them out a bit, she said, not actually sure of anything of the sort. That had been how it worked in their village though, so surely these townsfolk couldnt be so different?

Urgh. The Chosen One threw back his head. I was hoping to avoid starting anything until Id looted the place but fine. Youre right. I need to at least find a Rogue or something if were going to be dealing with urban environments.

Qube turned her Understanding Smile up another notch.

There we go! I knew you would think of a solution, teehee!

Argh! No! She thought shed been free of the teehees! How had they followed her here?

She would destroy these teehees, she silently vowed as the Hero and her walked back to the main gate. Find whatever birthed them in her and pull it out by the roots. And when she was done, she would have cleansed the world of teehees so thoroughly that no one would ever be able to teehee again.

The Chosen One, unaware of his Companion swearing terrible oaths next to him, walked up to the gate guards.

Hi there, he said, talking over the guards greeting. Do you know where I can find a thief?