Sorrowed Hills

Part 1 of 2

A man, old and brittle, muscles still visible, almost like he still worked out, makes his way over to a hut. Walking over he uses his sturdy broken pickaxe as a cane, he stands slumped over at about five foot five. Oil and grease stain his rugged clothing, muscular arms, and wrinkled face. Hanging from his broad shoulders a cream colored apron with scorch marks and worn holes from age. Obsidian gloves crafted from leather wrap tightly around his hands in attempt to bear heavy burns that would come.

The old man, limping with a broken pickaxe; used in place of a cane. Slowly approaches a low class cottage built of scrap wood thrown out by the wealthy, left to decay. A garden sets in front of the lawn with an astounding young lady attending the luscious vegetables so they don’t whether.

The woman, in her late twenties, stood the average height of a five foot two. A hazelnut pigment in the shape of a ponytail covered the top of her head, reminding the man of a forging fire as it glowed to the rays from the sun. She wore a tattered linen dress, almost as if it were her gardening outfit, from the embedded soil that was smudged all about her ware. She yields a steel tool, taking shape of a half circle, with the blade face inward to remove the invading plants, that never seem to disappear.

Off to the side of the garden the old man catches a glimpse of a young child, prancing around with a small pink wand in one hand, and the potion that allows her to magically summon small orbs, that flow along with the gentle wind. The girl, no older than ten, wore her hair the same as her mother's, only hers had a light brown tint. After having a pleasant time, it didn’t take long for her to notice a familiar face strolling up the dirt paved street. The girl stops her wizardry to run up the path, greeting the elderly man.

Wondering what possibly got the girl all worked up, the young woman glanced over to see what her child's focus was set to next, and couldn’t help to grin.

“Haru, what might this delightful visit be for?” The mother chatters once the aged man gets closer, with his new little campaign.

A man, unseen from before, begins to work his way down the disintegrating ladder, with a concerned look on his face. Still being polite to his unannounced guest, his motions his head in a greeting fashion, down from the ladder.

“Hello there sir, what may I owe this pleasant visit to?” The man speaks with a hidden tone of worry.

“Haru, would you like anything to drink?” The woman behind the thick wall of healthy tomato plants, politely asks.

“No, but thank you for the offer Asumi. I don’t plan on staying long.” Haru cleared his voice as it rang with sorrow. “Sorry Asumi, I would love to stay longer and visit, but I came to talk to Katu.”

Katu’s face grew drerry.

“Daddy?”

“Yes Yuki, I came to speak with your father.” Hatu’s stomach bunched up, as if it wasn’t already hard enough for him. Haru had spent most of his time with this family, paying them short visits after a long day at the blacksmith, keeping Yuki entertained, helping out with maintenances on their worn out home. They were Haru’s life long friends, even though he was much older than them, he still looked up to them. No matter how bad a situation got, they pulled out of it. Haru felt a bit of regret and guilt for what is about to come, but he had no other choice as the Blacksmith had a decreasing number of customers.

Changing his mind, he decided to take Katu’s wife up on her offer. “Asumi, I suppose I wouldn’t mind a quick cup of black tea. Katu, why don’t you grab yourself something to drink too and follow me up the trail so we can talk for a bit.” The sun grew old, but the 80 degree humid day didn’t, even though night was around corner.

“Okay sir. Asumi I can grab the drinks, don’t you worry about it.” Katu quickly runs inside to grab him and his boss a nice cool refreshing cup of black tea. The glasses had beads of water dripping off them by the time Katu made it back outside.

“Are you ready Katu?”

“I think so Haru.” Katu afraid to say much more.


Haru and Katu work their way down the dirt path a while, sightseeing in silence, They both looked in the same general location, spring had just weathered away so there weren’t many astonishing sights, other than what flowers trees kept a hold of. After a bit longer, getting tired of the heat, Haru took a sip of his semi-cool refreshment, trying to make it last until they got back to Katu’s home, though it wasn’t looking too promising. Than he finally got up the courage to start the conversation he came to speak.

“Katu, I didn’t want it to come to this, I really like having you work with me and all, but we haven’t had enough business for both of us to work up at the forgery. I’m sorry, but I have to let you go. I will be sure to let you be the first to know when we have enough customers to support both us and the shop!"

A deep silence broke out between them once again. Katu wasn't to sure what to say. He didn’t want his master to pity him, but he also couldn’t do without that job. His family, considered a lower class residents, couldn’t afford not having a source of income. Haru on the other hand felt bad. Katu after all was his best and only worker, but he had to make a tough choice of either losing his beloved shop, or his one of a kind worker. if he choose to lose his shop than what good what that have been for Haru? Katu would lose his job either way so the best option for Haru was to fire Katu.

Living in poverty, it really put Katu in a bad state of mind. A few moments later Haru had went ahead and worked his way back to the into the silence of the town as dawn slowly creeped upon them, Leaving Katu in peace to sort things out, and grasp the event that just took place.

After about a mile, Katu decides to turn back about, and hit the inn for their specialty alcoholic beverage to relieve some of the stress.

“Ah Katu, I was beginning to get worried. It isn’t like you to miss your six o'clock drink. What have you been up to today?”

Glaring at the bartender, not holding his emotions back one bit, he finally manages to slip a few words from his dry, dehydrated mouth from the long walk in the heat and humidity.

“Nothing good I’m afraid of. I lost my job, we didn’t have enough support from our customers. It was either I lose my job, or Haru closes the smiths. I take pride for Haru’s decision, it was a hard one on his hands, but in the end he did what was best. It would have been pointless and stupidity for him to close the shop on my account, because either way, I would be without a job. There is no sense in running two people out of out of bread money when there is still hope for one.”

“Well, I’m sorry to hear that. I’m glad to see that you are taking this fairly well. I suppose I wont be seeing you around here much then, at least not until you get on your feet again?”

“I’m afraid so.”

Katu sat in silence for the rest of his time there. He sorted through options trying to find out where he can work next. Nothing came in mind, which left him to dribble with one unpleasant way to make money. Katu skimmed them room before deciding any further to see if anyone posted fliers. Noticing something behind the counter of the key holder, Katu spotted that someone was in need to be rescued on a thick book. He took it upon himself, even though he was sure he wasn’t suppose to see that book as he has never seen it there before, to go to the rescue. Wobbling on his way out he heads back up the path where Haru took him, heading to the thick canopy of trees. Katu didn’t pay much attention as to where the young lad was, he just knew the general direction of which to head. Being in shorts, it was a bit of a task for Katu to breeze through the viny forest floor through the dark without worrying about what creepy crawlers he had to shoo off his legs.

After about an hour of aimlessly wandering around Katu had seen something the struck his interest, there was a bare spot in the middle of the forest, almost like a settlement was once there. Prowling around the area to research more on the mysterious barren he had come across a young follow laying about on the cold damp ground, surprisingly nothing scavenged him for meat while he was past out. Bugs made sure to steer away as if there was a force field of some sort protecting him. Katu was certain this was the stranger that needed rescuing, and searched no further. He had wore himself out with the tedious swatting throughout his adventure.

Lifting the boy on his broad shoulders Katu heads back to the inn to place the human in a safe environment for the night. On his way back out of the woods thick greens Katu thought more and more about what he came up with back at the Inn and made up his mind. He would turn to theft, to continue to support his loving family.

Lorekeepers Inn: Opachii’s Stay

Lorekeepers Inn: Opachii’s Stay

By Justin O’Neal

“Oh hello there, you must be the new person in town. I welcome you with all my warmest regards! A villager brought you here after spotting you unconscious out in the woods, to the Lorekeepers Inn, where stories come from all over the place. New content arrives only so often, though the stories do bring in a wide amount of travelers. They either have a story they would like to share, or hear. Its nice to see the Inn growing in such a rapid pace! Many people who drop their stories off are those, of travelers passing through. It is hard to tell if the stories are true with the wide amount of people stopping in, but they are still a delight to read --Tales of those who travel are always the most intriguing.”

The Inn keeper doesn’t have a clue who the man he is talking to, isn’t quite comprehending to his where abouts. He acts if though he were a lizard, looking every which way, with scepticism in every glance taken. “Where--where am I?” The stranger a little confused, he still managed to mumble beneath all the commotion going on within the Inn. “It’s all arcane to me! The last thing I remember is gliding through the mists of the forest by foot. I must have passed out or something! Oh, not again.”

“What is your name?” A young winsome lady intruded. Her hair was a glossy brown, and worn in a ponytail that came over her shoulder. She stood maybe five foot four. Her eyes, when she batted them at you, were mesmerizing, they were hazelnut colored. She was just outstanding, words she spoke being nothing more than a sweet melody.  

The mans heart was racing wondering if she was talking to him. He gave her a confused look as if it were wrong for him to be spoken too. “I-I’m Opachii.” The mysterious man stuttered while trying to remember his own name, he was dumbstruck. Why would anyone of such beauty speak to him?

“Why so surprised O-pa-chii-- is that how you pronounce it?” The Innkeeper speaks though already having trouble with the newcomers name. “Is this the first time you have spoken to a woman before or something?” The Innkeeper pleads as if he hasn’t had a hard time speaking to women himself.

Opachii Flinches, trying to reassure himself; trying to stop daydreaming about the girl that is, he is still puzzled about the whole thing. “I have, just not one with staggering beauty. What are your names?” Opachii asks out of kindness.

“My name is Mia.” The girl flashes a smile at Opachii.

“The regulars know me as Emrik. It’s a pleasure to have you here!” Emrik also smiles, but… it wasn’t as enthralling as Mia’s.

A silence broke out. It was so quiet, you couldn’t even hear a pin drop! Seemed as if someone cast a soundproof barrier on the place. Then an abrupt cough, coming from Opachii’s direction, broke the silence, bringing attention to himself.

“So… I suppose I have a few questions if you could spare the time answer them.” Trying to demolish the tranquility of silence that flooded the Inn.

“What might the inquiry be?” Emrik raises an eyebrow and strokes his beard, professionally ready for any question that may be thrown his way.

“What is this place? I know I’m in the Lorekeepers Inn, but what hamlet am I in?”

“This is Emerson.” Emrik states with such gratitude. “It is quite a small village.” His boasting turned into a little disappointment. A small settlement isn’t always the greatest. Emrik feared Opachii came from a kingdom of somesort. “The village can only hold a few hundred people.”

“Thats good I’m a bit social phobic. Could you describe the village a little to me?” Opachii seems to have brightened up after hearing there weren’t too many people within the walls of which he now lives. “I can’t really go back to my old village anymore. It just, vanished. I know where it should be, It’s just not there anymore.”

“Hmm, thats quite bizarre. Maybe you could tell me more about the mystifying experience after I get to your question. The inn loves to getting new stories whenever there is one to be told. Your story on the other hand seems to be fairly interesting, new I suppose you could say. Not often do you get word of a village dissipating. It may just be the best article to be logged into the chronicle. I just started this inn up a few weeks ago, so there really isn’t much in the journal yet.

“Emerson; though a small village, is well organized. The huts are lined up in such a manner they make a cross with a circle in the middle, where the towns market is set up. A dirt route allows for a set of huts on each side, making a total of eight rows of housing. It may not seem like much but for only that of a few hundred citizens, it seems to work just fine.

“The marketplace is my favorite part of Emerson. We have a blacksmith, alchemist, leatherworker, jewelcrafter, inscriptionist, and an herbalist. Most villages will have a few professionists at a time, that is what makes this ones market so remarkable. Emerson also has to offer a place to where you can bring in raw meat you scavenge from beast, and they will cook it up for you. There is also a first aid, fish market,  and Bazaar.”

“The first aid is never short on supply, Emerson has one of the cheapest care units in the entire sphere.  This is because over the years we have obtained many different types of herb seeds, containing just about all the healing properties we need for this village. We were able to get these seeds from travelers who would sell their herbs to us. One of our citizens, who was in need of herbal tea to cure headaches, accidentally discovered something that would change everything. They had forgotten about the stocks to the herb, and found them a few days later, in a puddle of water, with roots growing out of the stem. That allowed us to get seeds from that plant after it bloomed, so we tried it with plants we have gotten afterwards, not all worked, but most did. We were able to germinate roots by simply placing them in water. What herbs that worked we then started collecting seeds when they bloomed,and grew  more of them to collect more seeds to have a ready supply.

Then eventually Emerson was able to make it’s own herbal garden. We gave each herb five rows each in a length of about forty to fifty each. To spice the fields up a bit we then took the wood from trees we had to cut down in order to fit the garden, and put ties up around each different herb to separate them. Making the plot a little more organized, and easier to organize. There was still enough wood left over to make signs, that way we don’t have to harvest the entire crop when someone is in need of help.      

“You can sell fish you catch to the fish market, or take it to the cook for them to prepare you a dinner of great delight. The fish are mostly sold to those who pass through the village. They need more food for their journey. Since there is a large amount of wet, slimy creatures that lurk the water. We figure it’s best to sell it to travelers so we don’t overflow with fish. Fishing is one of the top pastimes around here as well. We even have a dedicated day for everyone to get out of their house and get the “biggest” catch. Who knows, if you stay maybe you can experience the contest.”

“The bazaar, I won’t go to much into it, but is used for travelers to drop off unwanted items they no longer need in their satchel. It has some of the best artifacts you could ask for, though business there is a little slow. Mostly because the only people who truly buy from the Bazaar live here. Most of the bypassers need every little bit of money they make from selling items for their journey, and as much space as the can have. It would almost be pointless for them to sell then buy. That is of course unless they are heading back after a journey.

“It all sounds to good to be true! Now I guess it’s only fair for me to share to you my story, so it can be apart of the chronicle too.” Opachii announces a bit querulously, and soon begins to look up on his dreaded fear of being alone once again. He felt as if the Lorekeepers Inn was to be his home all this time.

“You seem pretty wore out, why not see if we can’t book you a room for the night? Tomorrow then, you can tell me your story, on your fullest strength. I’m sure all that has happened, has left you stumped and dumbstruck.”

“You’re right, my head is a little foggy. I would probably forget to include important matters. Problem though, I don’t really have any currency. I wasn’t expecting my village to disappear, I wasn’t quite prepared.”

“Not a problem, I will let this night slip, that way you can take a little time to figure things out. I can help you find a job and place to stay if you decide to live here in Emerson from now on.” Emrik gestures a welcoming smile.

“Really? Thank you! There weren’t many--anyone for that matter, at my old village, Vongor that were nice, or willing to help me.”

“Thats a shame. It looks like we have a few open rooms. Since you don’t have any belongings, right this way.” Emrik motions his right arm, guiding Opachii up the narrow staircase, to the left and into his room. “Sorry if it seems like I’m abandoning you, but unfortunately something has come up.” Taking a nervous look over at a piece of parchment. Emrik can see letters starting to appear on the paper. Only bad things were written on that parchment though, from an enchantment someone had cast on it. Despite what he knew, he managed to keep calm, as he yelled “I hope you enjoy your stay, and figure things out soon. See you in the morning Opachii!” while heading down the stairs.