by Eden Redd
Kavan gave him a kind nod. “Thank you, but I should pay you something.”
Durzol chuckled. “Come back to me when you need an upgrade or need help learning how to smelt and work metal. If you hit the old mine and bring me some ores, I’ll pay you for them. It’s difficult to get out and mine sometimes. It’s hard work and many in town don’t like doing it.
“Talk to me first before you investigate the mine. I’ll give you some pointers to help you.”
Kavan bowed his head. “Thank you. I’ll be sure to take you up on that.”
“How’s the leg?” Onka asked the blacksmith.
Durzol smiled and patted his thigh. “Healer Soki patched me up. I didn’t expect those kobolds to be so ferocious. I would have chased them if I wasn’t bleeding so much.”
The orc turned his attention back to Kavan, “Thanks to you, those ferals won’t be bothering us anymore. Maybe Moonvale will get a break for a time and give us a chance to better our defenses.”
“We can certainly try to make them better,” Kavan said with a nod.
“Let me get those tools for you. I’m sure the farm will need lots of work. If you need any help, let me know and I’ll stop by to help,” Durzol smiled.
“I will. Thank you.”
Kavan watched as the orc stepped away to a shelf and began picking up a few large tools.
“He’s one of the good ones,” Onka whispered to Kavan.
The dragonkin nodded as they watched the blacksmith pick up a few things, turned and walked toward them with a smile.
***
Kavan stood at the open, basement door. A faint memory crawled along his thoughts of Onka seeing him back to the farm and waving goodbye. The goblin was unlike any goblin he ever read about or played against back in his world. She was a little rough around the edges, but she immediately grew on him.
Kavan noticed the spark of attraction coming off of her and he couldn’t deny his own spark. There was something there, between them, but considering how much work he had to get his place in order, romance would have to wait.
The dragonkin made his way down the stairs to the bottom of the basement. He looked around at the charred crawler corpses along the dirt floor. He let out a sigh as he began reaching down, picking them up and tossing them in a pile by the stairs. The stench was horrendous and the slime from their broken bodies covered his hands.
“Kavan, I have something to ask.”
“Ask me anything,” Kavan said as he threw another crawler corpse on the pile.
“You seem inclined to stay here. I can sense it along the edges of your thoughts. Do you not want to return home?”
Kavan threw another corpse on the pile and stood up.
“This place is already growing on me. It was strange and weird to some degree when we arrived, but now I wonder if we do need to rush back to our world? We don’t even know how to get back. I don’t want to spend my time stressing over returning. Work will help soothe away the stress and maybe give us time to figure this out. For now, I’m not going to push it.”
“And if there is no way back and we are stuck here forever?”
Kavan smiled. “Returning back to a broken and scarred body isn’t exactly high on my list. I’ve never felt this good before.”
Kavan paused before he continued, “Do you want to go back?”
“I cannot answer that. I’m designed to inform and protect players of Monstar Saga. Since I am cut off from the game core, my directives dictate that I remain at your side so I may assist any way I can.”
“Sounds like an answer to me,” Kavan chuckled.
“I suppose so, in a way.”
“Viz, if we find out more about what happened, we will continue to unlock the mystery. Until then, we should make our stay here a little more comfortable, don’t you think?”
“Agreed.”
Kavan crossed the basement to a corpse by a stone wall. “I have to clean up this basement before I can start on anything else. The stench is burning my nose.”
Kavan reached down for the crawler corpse when something caught his eye. The dragonkin focused on the little thing, half buried in the dirt floor. Kavan reached down and took hold of it. He pulled it from the dirt and stood up.
A carved, black stone piece gleamed in the small light from the broken window. It was in the shape of man, holding a spear. It looked like he was in the middle of charge and wearing full, plate mail armor. The craftsmanship was detailed and expertly done.
Kavan eyed it as he turned it between his fingers. “This looks like a chess piece.”
A memory of the old lich in town touched Kavan’s thoughts, complaining of looking for his lost pieces.
“I think this might belong to Brom. I’ll have to pay him a visit,” Kavan said as he rubbed his scaled jaw and continued to eye the game piece between his fingers.
Six
Lightning, fire, and ice filled the purple sky. Kavan stood in the middle of the battlefield, his serpent gaze on many different glowing beings, hurtling elemental magic. Trees lay broken with smoke rising from them. Cracks and massive holes filled the landscape. Beings cloaked in different colored auras shouted and roared. Magical explosions rippled through the air and the cries of the wounded added to the symphony of chaos.
Kavan glanced around, seeing the many beings fighting each other. They were all kinds of monsters and humanoids. They didn’t seem to notice him as he stood, lightning and fireballs passing within a few feet of him.
This must be a dream.
Kavan drank in the magical battle as roars stabbed into his ears. A plume of smoke changed direction from an explosion. The dark gray smoke flowed over him and the battlefield faded from view, only the occasional muted explosion seen through the thick smoke.
“You’re one of us,” hissed a voice from behind Kavan.
Kavan’s eyes widened as he attempted to turn around. He stopped short when a scaly hand clamped on the back of his neck, claws digging into his scales and flesh.
“She calls to us,” the voice hissed and began to squeeze.
Kavan’s eyes opened. Slitted eyes turned to one side and then the other. He gazed at a small spider web in the corner of the master bedroom, the tiny black spider moving about, cleaning and checking its web.
Morning sunlight poured into the almost empty bedroom. Birdsong filled the air outside, welcoming the new day.
Kavan sat up and looked around. The dream lingered for a long moment before it faded to the background of his waking mind.
“I have a lot to do. Better get started,” Kavan said to himself as he threw the top of the bedroll aside and stood up.
The dragonkin looked down at his pile of clothes. A memory of him trying to clean off the crawler stench touched his mind. No matter how much he tried to wash it off in the nearby pond, the light stench lingered. He remembered Onka mentioning that there was a clothes and fashion shop in town.
If I get an early start on my day, I may earn some coin to buy some clothes.
Kavan grabbed his clothes and began to dress, the sounds of birds outside filling the morning with their melodic songs.
***
Kavan walked past a small pond and reached the edge of a medieval forest. The canopy was thick with trees, preventing any sunlight from reaching the forest floor. Inky shadows writhed, even in the brilliant morning. A cool breeze passed through the trees and washed over the dragonkin, his eyes closing and taking in the earthy scent.
Kavan opened his eyes as his scaled hand pulled back the flap to his tattered satchel. He reached into one of the inner pockets and touched the very thing he needed. He pulled his hand back and took out an axe.
Kavan lifted the axe up and inspected it. He remembered Durzol explaining that there are only certain metals used across Voldor. Copper was the most plentiful and easy to use. After that, it was iron. After that was mithril, which was not as plentiful as copper and iron. After mithril was star stone, which was a rare ore to find and the most sought afte
r. Star stone could be used to make many different weapons and tools, cutting back on effort and work. Durzol informed him that with some training, he could fashion his own metal works into tools to help the farm run better.
“Start from the bottom,” Kavan smirked as he lifted his gaze from the copper axe and looked at the primeval forest.
Despite Onka’s warnings of the Misty Forest, Kavan couldn’t deny the soothing air breezing through. For a long moment, it felt like Earth. He often spent his childhood hiking through forests and letting a calm peace fill his soul.
Kavan pulled off the tattered satchel and set it down. He then stepped over to the nearest, medium-sized tree. He eyed the trunk before lifting the axe and bringing it down. The axe-head bit into the tree. Kavan pulled back and struck at it again. Wood chips flew from the second strike, but it was far from ready to fall.
“This will be harder than I thought,” Kavan whispered to himself.
“If you spend time chopping down trees, you will increase your skills and maybe even your strength and constitution.”
“Good to know,” Kavan said as he pulled back the axe and swung again.
The morning shone on as the lone dragonkin chopped at trees. Woodchips lay scattered along the mossy ground. The first tree fell easily. Kavan was proud of himself and moved on to another tree. The second one fell with a little more effort. It was after the next tree fell that Kavan noticed he didn’t sweat, but heat dripped off his body. It grew steadily as he worked and reached a point where the world was a tinted hazy red. Muscles burned with acid fire and the dragonkin was breathing hard.
“You have a strong constitution, but I think dragonkin may overheat from too much exertion. You may have to cool down.”
Kavan nodded silently as he turned and stepped to the small pond. He took off his boots and flexed his taloned feet. The dragonkin stepped into cold water and relief instantly filled him. Kavan continued to flex his talons as his body cooled. When he felt cool enough to work again, he stepped out and walked to the edge of the forest. He lifted the axe and brought it down hard on the trunk.
The sun slid to its zenith. Kavan huffed as he looked down at three downed trees. He continued to grip his axe as he plotted how he was going to move them. When he glanced at his satchel off to the side, a small knowing smirk appeared.
Kavan moved to one fallen tree and lifted his axe. The sun moved across the sky a little as the dragonkin chopped at the trees. His arms and back cried out in misery, but Kavan stayed with it. When the sun reached early afternoon, many logs lay scattered across the forest edge.
Kavan stepped to his satchel and picked it up. He put it over his head and shoulder, lifted the flap and put his axe into the magical satchel. He then moved to the thigh thick logs, picked one up and shoved it into his satchel. He continued picking up logs until he collected twenty-four pieces.
I will have to see how much gold this will get me.
The dragonkin turned to the walls of Moonvale, sun painting the gray stone in brilliant light. He picked up his boots and put them on. Once they were on, he made his way to town.
It didn’t take long for Kavan to reach the south gate and step inside. Muscles continued to ache, but he ignored the small torment as he drank in the town once again. He couldn’t help but feel the town reminded him of small, European villages. The quaint homes and shops spoke to him, even with the visible cracks and flaws.
It’s only my third day here and it's already beginning to feel like home.
Kavan took his time walking up the street, the pleasant atmosphere filling his senses. He had just about reached the town center when the mayor caught sight of him and made a direct beeline for him.
“Lord Cynder!” Kogan shouted with a hearty smile.
“Mayor Sunaxe,” Kavan greeted.
The fat orc approached and gave the dragonkin a bow before standing straight up again.
“I heard about the crawlers. Nasty little creatures. I’m pleased to know you’re alright and you dispatched them.”
“Are there any other surprises I should be aware of?” Kavan asked.
“Not that I know of. But if I do hear of anything, you’ll be the first to know. Aside from that, I don’t wish to pry too much, but where are you headed?”
“I chopped down some lumber. I was coming to you or Onka to find out where I can trade it for coin.”
The mayor nodded. “You want Sturdy Planks, on East Street. Oaks Splinter is the owner and proprietor of the shop. He can also make any kind of furniture you may want. For a goblin, he is unusually focused and carries a quiet demeanor. He’ll buy any wood you bring to him at a fair price.”
Kavan nodded. The dragonkin was about to turn away when the mayor cleared his throat.
“Before you go, I want to invite you to the weekly town gathering, tomorrow evening. It helps keep the townsfolk connected and keep our sense of community. I often speak to any current events in and around town. Everyone else gets a chance to air their grievances or observations.
“It might be the perfect moment for everyone in town to get to know you. It will also give you a chance to meet many of our folks here.”
Kavan hesitated.
Mayor Sunaxe grinned. “There will be free drinks, courtesy of the mayor’s office.”
Kavan grinned, showing his sharp teeth. “I’ll be there.”
“Excellent! I will be sure to let everyone know you’re coming. We usually have half the town show up, but if you’re there, everyone may come just to meet you. It starts at sundown. If you want a new outfit for the occasion, visit Orb Styles on East Street. It’s not too far from Sturdy Planks.”
“Thank you, Mayor.” Kavan said and bowed his horned head.
“I look forward to seeing you there. Let me not keep you. I have…” the mayor was cut off by a small shout.
“Kavan!”
The dragonkin and orc turned to see Onka rushing toward them. Her legs were a blur as she tried to shout again, but hadn’t caught her breath. She skidded to a halt and placed her green hands on her knees, gulping in air.
“I… saw… you… and… wanted… to… see… how… you… were,” the goblin huffed.
Mayor Sunaxe smiled. “I’ll leave you to it. See you tomorrow evening.”
The regal orc stepped away as Kavan looked down on Onka. The goblin continued to huff. She lifted her hand as if to say something and then placed it back on her thigh.
“Take your time,” Kavan chuckled.
Onka seemed to have caught her breath and stood up to her short height.
“Where’re you going?” the goblins asked.
“Sturdy Planks, to sell some lumber and then visit a place called Orb Styles to see about some new clothes. I can’t wear what I’m wearing all the time. It still smells a little like Crawler guts.”
“You don’t smell that bad to me, but then again, we goblins love odd smells.” Onka grinned. “Can I join you?”
“By all means,” Kavan smiled.
The pair turned and made their way to East Street. Kavan mentally mapped out the small town. Despite the walls and several story buildings, the town was small to almost medium sized. To his gaze, it was a lot of town packed into a small area. He had no idea how far the town’s territory extended, but it may be more than he thought, at least that was his impression.
“How was your first night on the farm?” Onka asked with curious oval eyes.
“Okay. It was a little rough sleeping. I kept thinking about what if we missed a crawler. I eventually passed out and my dreams were strange.”
“What did ya dream about?” Onka asked as she walked by his side.
“Different creatures fighting in some great battle. Someone grabbed my neck from behind and began to squeeze. I woke up after that.”
Onka nodded. “It could be stress or anxiety. I’m sure the bad dreams will go away once you’re more comfortable here. Did the Mayor tell you about our weekly gathering?”
Kavan nodded. “He did
. I told him I would be there.”
Onka jumped up and pumped her little green fist in the air. “Yes! You’ve been the talk of the town!”
The goblin seemed to catch herself as she landed. She fixed her tight shirt and ran a hand down her sleeve, smoothing it down.
“I mean, I’m sure everyone will enjoy making your acquaintance,” the goblin said with regal flair.
“You don’t have to talk like that,” Kavan chuckled.
“That’s how the upper-class speak in Loduss. It’s like nails on the back of my neck. That’s why I make fun of them as much as I can,” Onka laughed.
“How did you sleep? Any crawlers?”
Onka shook her head. “Slept like a babe. I think meeting you and fighting giant crawlers were enough for me to pass out.”
“Glad I could help in some way,” Kavan smiled.
Onka smiled and flipped her purple-pink hair over her shoulder.
The pair walked along the cobblestone street. Kavan looked ahead until his gaze caught a hanging sign that read “The Sturdy Planks.” The words were carved with an eye-catching style. As they approached, the whole front of the shop caused Kavan to stare.
The front of the shop was carved, stained wood. Wooden pillars were carved out of the very front. Vines and leaves were cut into the wood, giving it a 3D appearance. The craftsmanship was superb, but the wood was all the same dark brown color. The leaves and vines were not painted. It looked almost half-finished, the carvings done in incredible detail, but the lack of color dimmed its full potential.
Kavan was still impressed as he reached for the iron door handle and pulled. Kavan and Onka stepped into the wood shop. The scent of freshly cut wood washed along Kavan’s nose. Tables and workbenches filled the center of the room. To the far left was what looked like a saw bench with a half-blade exposed along the tabletop.
A goblin with goggles stood on a crate. He had a metal tool in his hands and he was shaving down a piece of wood. Thin strips of wood peeled and fell off as the goblin worked.
“Oaks!” Onka shouted.
The goblin stopped what he was doing and turned his goggle-covered eyes in their direction.
