"Welcome," a tall, attractive brunette called upon their arrival.
Sofia. Human taverner (Lvl 22). Neutral.
"We'll sit out here," Fergus said. "Four beers, please."
There were fifteen bistro tables in front of the tavern. The early morning sun felt good, but the crowd and livestock were kicking up more than a little dust. Killum liked it, though, because it gave them a good view of the comings and goings through the gate.
"We should've left the mule at the stable," Fergus said after their beers were delivered. "I can't imagine Asha coming all this way so fast."
"She'll make Oxenbluff easy enough," Tiana said. "It all depends on if she stayed overnight in Oxenbluff, or pressed on and camped out on the road."
Killum felt uneasy. What no one wanted to mention as the danger involved, especially for a single woman on the road. Asha was tough, and a fierce fighter, but if she crossed paths with brigands like they had, well…
"Maybe we should head back down Forest Road," he said. "With all of the brigands and Dread Ones running around, I'd feel much better meeting her halfway."
"Aww, that's so sweet of you," Asha said.
All four of them jolted upright in their seats, and gawked up at the grinning sorceress.
"How about that?" she said. "I don't need magic to be stealthy and sneak up on you guys."
"Asha!" Killum cried, leaping to his feet. He swept her up in his arms… And kissed her. "You made it back!"
Chapter 28
The sorceress just gawked open-mouthed. He kissed her. Killum had never kissed her before. Why did he do that? Did he care about her? Did he want a relationship?
Asha's mind whirled a mile a minute. She pushed him back a step, rubbing her tingling lips together. Her own reaction was just as confusing as his.
Tiana wasn't helping by smirking at her like that.
"Is there religion here?" she asked, looking around.
That confused everyone, but for some reason she wanted to know who would officiate at a marriage. Not that she planned to marry Killum, or anyone else. It was just that one kiss, after all.
She glanced at his lips, and then his broad shoulders. Tingles rippled across her skin, and deep into her belly. Asha bit her lip and averted her eyes, desperate to rein in her thoughts and emotions.
"I guess," Killum replied. "There's so many people wearing robes, it's hard to tell if anyone is a priest." He stared off into space. "I don't recall seeing any churches or temples."
"There was a columned Greek style temple in Oxenbluff, across from the town castle," Rand said. "The temple wasn't particularly impressive, and I didn't inquire who was worshipped there. Why do you ask?"
"No reason," she said, noticing Tiana shaking her head woefully.
The men looked at her expectantly, and then Fergus' eyes looked past her. Asha lifted the reins.
"I have a horse. Maybe we can buy the rest of you horses, too."
"We just looked into that," Killum said. "Horses are too expensive, but we have a mule to carry supplies and gear."
She weighed the purse hanging off her belt. After her little adventure in Oxenbluff, she came away with thirteen and a half silver shekels, and over a hundred coppers. If her friends hadn't spent her purse left behind upon her last death, then she had another silver and seventy-five copper shekels.
"I have money. How much are horses here?" she asked. "They ran around five silver shekels in Oxenbluff."
"It's double that here," Tiana said, and grimaced. "I had quite a bit of money from all of my efforts, but I was robbed this morning."
The way the men gave the redhead sharp looks said they didn't know anything about that. Asha sighed. They did not have anywhere close to enough money to buy four more mounts, so she asked them where she could sell her horse.
Asha didn't protest when Rand and Fergus wanted to stay and finish their beers. She was more than a little thirsty, so ordered a beer. When Sofia brought out her mug, she engaged the tavern owner in polite talk for a moment before broaching a more sensitive subject.
"I was attacked on the road by evil men," Asha said. "So I came into possession of some objects of Dark power." Sofia's eyes widened. "Is there somewhere in town I can sell such objects? Being a follower of the Light, I am uncomfortable having them in my possession."
"I understand, milady," Sofia said. "There are two places that buy Dark things. One is Lady Korz's shop over by the River Gate. I would advise against visiting her, since she has a bad reputation. And she's a drow sorceress. Very powerful. But Sir Danse is over by the North Gate, at the corner of Forest Street and Silk Alley. He's a Dark mage, but seems to be honest enough."
"Sir Danse it is," she said. "Thank you, Sofia."
They took the horse and mule back to Ollie's Stable. Asha spent a good half hour haggling with the old man. He put up a good fight, but when she discovered his weakness it was all over. Of course, a pretty girl is every man's weakness.
"Lord have mercy," Killum said as they walked away. "You certainly know how to amp up the sex appeal, don't you?"
She shrugged, but it was terribly embarrassing having her friends witness her behaving so scandalously. Indeed, she'd previously avoided it while playing Realm of Battle. But the Game had turned into her real life.
"It's a blessing and a curse," she said. "But men are easy."
"I resemble that remark," Rand protested with a leer. "I'll haggle with you any day, Asha."
When asked for directions, Ollie said to follow the street to the center of town. There was a plaza between the Baron's castle and the Grand Temple of Olar. Forest Street connected on the north side of the plaza and that ran all the way to the North Gate. He'd never heard of Sir Danse, but said Silk Alley did cross Forest.
They made good progress through the narrow, dusty streets. It was difficult staying on the right street, because it frequently forked with no indication which street was which. Locals were always happy to help. So they eventually arrived in the center of Knaresburg.
The plaza was pretty large. It was cobbled with multicolored stone, done in an elaborate design. There was a marble fountain in the middle of a naked man in a chariot, a spear held above his head. It was impossible to tell if he was a hero or a god.
A soaring castle sat on the west side of the plaza, with a pretty large white marble temple on the east. The temple resembled something out of Greek or Roman history, with tall fluted columns. It was circular with a polished copper roof. Men and women in bright white robes gathered with commoners all around it, appearing to council or pray. Asha saw money exchanging hands, and all of it was going to the priests and priestesses.
Rand looked upon the priests with distaste. "We found god and his greedy servants."
The priests were all shaved bald, with red and yellow stripes painted across their cheeks. One of them held an ornate silver and crystal staff, and had an eye drawn on his forehead in red, with a yellow center. Asha studied him.