The road ahead wound along the path as the two of them walked, the small brook that ran through the Village of Bubbleton slowly snaking its way alongside them. They had left nearly twenty minutes ago, saying their farewells to Lady Dandridge and her household as they began their journey.

  “So, we should be there soon.” Emily said as she took a swig from the water skin Bodrick had provided.

  Nate nodded and looked about as the woods around them began to recede, Lake Verona coming into view. “Yes, shall we start with Gerfusta?”

  Emily nodded and took another sip. “Yes, that does sound like the best plan.”

  Looking about Nate noticed that the trees were thinning as Lake Verona came into view. The light reflecting on the waters surface as a flock of birds floated along.

  “It’s peaceful here.” Nate said with a sigh as the warmth of the day began to settle into the shade of the trees. “If only it were this peaceful in real life.”

  Emily laughed and sighed. “Yes, well then I would not have much of a job.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes, I am a competative and variety streamer as well as a creative. If there were no competition then I would not be able to make a living.” she said with a shrug looking toward the now faintly visible outlines of the city.

  “I see, I tried streaming a few times but it never really went anywhere.” Nate said as he thought about his friends and family.

  “So, anyone back home you going to have worrying senseless?” Emily asked with a smirk as she turned back to him.

  “The only people I have back home are my parents and younger sister Adie.” Nate said with a shrug. “I have a few friends I hang out with online, but most of them will probably be playing this game.”

  She laughed softly, bouncing lightly on her heels as she walked. “Well, I have my mother but we rarely talk.”

  “I see, I am sorry to hear that. My parents and I aren’t as close as we were before I moved out a few years ago.” he said quietly, thinking about the last few months. “But we are all still very close, or at least close enough.”

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Emily shrugged and continued on up the path ahead of him, leaving him to his thoughts. Nate sighed and shook his head, wondering why she had suddenly darted off.

  ***

  The guards at the gates stood at the ready as they passed into the city. Nate kept looking about as the crowd pressed against him.

  “We’ll have to ask someone which way to Gerfusta.” Emily called to him as she pressed closer to him.

  “If we can get through this crowd.” he said with a frown, the noise grating against his ears.

  “This way, I think there is an alley right up here if I remember correctly from playing through here last night.” she said, taking his hand and pulling him along.

  The crowd shifted to let them pass, a few people grumbling. Slipping down the alley Nate was glad for the immediate drop in noise.

  “Much better.” he said quietly, rubbing his temples.

  “Yes, so...let’s see.” Emily said as she looked back out the end of the alley around where they had come from.

  “You know this area well?” Nate asked as he watched her.

  “Not well, but I did end up spending the better part of an hour in Theronica so I remember some things.” she said with a shrug. “I think there is a pub just up this street on and down the next right.”

  “Shall we star there?”

  Emily nodded and grabbed his arm again leading them back out into the crowd. Making their way up to the street proved easier once the crowd from the gate thinned and they stepped into the pub.

  The dim room was mostly empty save for a few men in at a table in the far corner, and...Nate blinked as he looked at the bar again, a tiny woman floated behind the bar with wings the color of honey and bright pink hair.

  Emily looked to him and then back to the bar before crossing over to sit down. The pink haired woman drifted over to her as Nate took his own seat beside her.

  “Watcha gonna have?” she croaked in a flat, bass voice.

  “We’re actually looking for someone.” Emily said as she looked the woman over.

  “Well then, spit it out girl. I ain’t got all day ta sit here an chat.” the woman croaked again.

  Nate wondered if this woman was a fairy or some other form of pixie. Her rudeness was nearly as wild as her hair.

  “Yes, well we are trying to find ‘The Finest Stitch’ or it’s owner Gerfusta Bemble.” Emily said, seeming to let the rudeness not bother her.

  “Ah, you’s wants Gerfy eh.” the woman said with a gufaw. “Well, alls ya gotta do is keep head’n down tha’ way about a mile. When ya’s get to the Guild Hall she’s just across the bridge on the right.”

  “Oh, thank you um....”

  “Honeydew Goldbery, owner of this pub. Honey’s Brewed Meads.” the woman said with a grin. “Nice ta meet ya, now you oderin’ or gettin’ out?”

  “We’ll order.” Nate said as he looked her over. “Mead for me, and...”

  “I’ll take an ale.” Emily said with a grin, turning to him with a wink. “Why waste a good chance to get a traditional ale?”

  Honeydew left them and they settled back at a table away from the bar. The other men in the room still seemed absorbed in their own conversation and meals, though several people passed by in the street outside.

  “Well that was easy enough to get directions.” Nate said as he took the drinks that floated over to them, handing her the ale.

  “Yes, but still a ways to go before we get to Gerfusta.” Emily said and took a sip of her drink with a satisfied sight.

  “That good?” he asked with a grin of his own before taking a sip of the mead, surprised by the crisp, fresh apple taste.

  “Yes, I see you like your’s too.” she said with a laugh. “She must use some sort of magic to keep them fresh.”

  Nate nodded and continued to sip his drink as they watched a group of female dwarves walk in and settle in a corner booth. He was startled to find that they all looked battlehardened and war ready.

  “Oh, dwarves. I wondered if we would see any of the other species so quickly.” Emily said as she turned her attention to the last dregs of her ale.

  He nodded, unsure how else to respond or if saying anything may prevoke them. “Yeah, well, shall we go?”

  She nodded and he drained the rest of his own mug before they left. Heading back out into the street they made their way through the city following Honeydew’s directions.