“Miss, what can I get for a quick meal?” Alburet asked as he took a seat.
“We only have bread, cheese and fruit in the morning costin' two copper per item. We also have tea available if ya want somethin' other than spirits to break ya fast,” She brushed her red hair back from her face as she replied to him with a smile. Her green eyes twinkled as she looked him over, “What would ya like?”
“Let’s take the bread along with some cheese and a mug of tea please,” Alburet said, placing six copper on the counter.
She swept them up with a business-like smile before yelling his order into the kitchen door. A moment later another maid, this one maybe eight years old, came out carrying a mug and plate. The first maid took them and set them down before Alburet. “There ya go, sir,” she said. Turning back to the young girl, she asked, “Does Hilda need any help back there?”
“Nay, she be doin' fine,” the girl replied in a thicker accent before disappearing back into the kitchen.
“Sister of yours?” Alburet asked as he broke the warm roll open so he could stuff the cheese into it.
“Aye, we are a family run place. Da handles the bar in the afternoon on, Ma runs the kitchen until dinner is ready. Me and me sisters are in charge of everythin' else that be needin' done,” she replied, her smile back in place as she turned to him. “We get busy in the evening, which means we are all workin' besides Ma who be getting her sleep in then.”
“So you work the morning and night? Sleeping during the middle of the day?” Alburet asked between bites of the cheese sandwich. He was really enjoying the nutty wheat flavor as well as the tangy bite of the cheddar.
“About right. Each of us handles specific tasks mostly, but all of us minus the youngun are workin' the taproom durin' the busy hours.”
Having demolished the food in short order Alburet grinned, “Well, the room was warm and comfortable last night. The food this morning is better than anything else I have eaten here in the city, and this apple tea is delicious.”
The maid giggled slightly and her accent deepened, “Ah ya jest sayin' tha’. Will ya be stayin' with us again?”
Finishing the tea, Alburet stood, “Anytime I’m here in town I will be. I’m probably heading off to kill some goblins to the East first, though.”
“Oh, ya be a two-souled then. Not many of ya be takin’ rooms wit’ us. I wish ya the best in the goblin slayin' and will welcome ya back when ya return,” She took the empty mug and plate into the kitchen.
Even though he was short on coin himself, Alburet dropped another copper onto the bar for her before he headed out. Just as he was clearing the door he heard her shout out to him, “Thank ya kindly for the tip.” He chuckled as the door shut behind him.
The sun was just rising, spreading light over the city. Alburet wondered what he should do. He didn’t have the money for a transport spell to get him to the goblins quickly, which meant having to hoof it to the east. He could always go out to the starter village and see about doing the quests there to raise money, which would get him enough for the transport. He could wander the streets and hope to find some quests that way. He pondered what he felt like doing. His second day here in Alpha World and he had plenty of options.
He chuckled as he considered a third option that might work. Shouldering his bag into a more comfortable place, he started walking back to the stockades, whistling as he went. As he whistled one of his favorite songs he thought this game could really use a music feature. Since there wasn’t any background music in each zone, maybe an interface for players to listen to downloadable music. Shrugging at the thought, he continued his song as he walked along watching the streets start to become busy as more people woke and left their homes.
A while later he arrived at the stockades, nodding to the guards as he passed through the main gates. Instead of walking to the main building, he headed towards the training building. Just as he reached the door a guard came bustling out, only to pause and stare at Alburet with a glower. “What do you want Summoner?”
Sighing as he realized it was the guard from the main gate Alburet replied, “I am going to see if Roberto will listen to a proposition I have.”
Scoffing, the guard shook his head, “The Head Trainer doesn’t have time for trash like you, so get going.”
Alburet eyed the guard for a moment before shaking his head, “I think Roberto should be the one to tell me that, Skippy. As it is, he seems to have taken a Liking to me, so why don’t you either go and ask him or get the fuck out of my way?” Alburet spoke calmly, his voice flat, which is why he was surprised when a notification popped up before his eyes.
The guard took a step back, his face going grim, “You threatening me?”
Letting out a deep sigh Alburet stepped back, raising his empty hands, “Nope, you just seem a bit thin skinned and biased.”
Another guard came out of the training room, pausing to take in the scene. “What is going on here?”
“I wanted to speak with Roberto and Skippy here told me to get lost,” Alburet said with a shrug.
The gate guard went a little red, “That isn’t right at all. I stopped this Summoner from entering the training building. He seems to think he has special permission for some reason.”
The second guard looked at Alburet closely, “Did you come here yesterday? Is your name Alburet?”
“Yes to both questions, sir,” Alburet replied, ignoring the first guard.
Sighing, the second guard nodded, “Move over Wilbur. Roberto talked with him yesterday, this is the guy who showed Roberto how to apply that new choke technique.”
Wilbur blinked as he shook his head, “Ridiculous, Summoners don’t fight hand to hand.”
“Look, why don’t we all just go talk to Roberto?” Alburet suggested. “If I’m, lying arrest me. If I’m right then just stop talking down at me Skippy.”
Wilbur growled back, “My name is Wilbur, not Skippy, dammit.”
Alburet couldn’t stop himself from responding, “Sure Skippy, sure. Just skip along out of the way so we can go talk to Roberto okay... Skippy?”
Wilbur stepped forward, his fists balled and his face red. Alburet promptly dropped his staff as he leaned back to avoid the first swing from Wilbur. As the arm went by, Alburet grinned as he latched onto it. He spun Wilbur around, his arms going up and latching onto Wilbur’s neck. “Why is it that the young never learn the simple lessons? Can you tell me that, Skippy?”
The second guard shook his head, “Release him Alburet, otherwise I shall have to call it attacking a guard and arrest you.”
Alburet sighed, holding the pressure for another second before removing his arms as Wilbur dropped to the ground bonelessly. “I would not wish that at all,” he said with a straight face as he stepped back from the unconscious guard. The door opened again and Roberto stepped out.
“Alburet? Why is Wilbur on the ground at your feet?” Roberto asked, one eyebrow raising.
“He swung at me and I stopped him from damaging himself. I had come to talk to you about a proposal and Wilbur there wouldn’t let me pass. This other guard came out and told Wilbur that I should be able to speak with you, but Wilbur again didn’t want to listen. After a bit of back and forth he swung and I dropped him with a simple choke.” Alburet said with a shrug, “Regrettable all things considered, but I’m not about to let myself be attacked for no reason.”
Roberto turned to the other guard, “Steven, what happened?”