Going to the City 1

The harvest season was coming to an end, and as the autumn leaves started to fall, it was finally time for us to journey to the city's big market.

It was a long and arduous half-day walk from our village, and we had to wake up early to make it in time. It was the only opportunity for us to acquire the scarce resources that we needed for the winter months.

We would be staying with my uncle's family in the city for the night before heading back home. I've never met my uncle, so I'm both nervous and excited.

Our cart was loaded with goods to sell, but it was only half full since we will mostly be buying things that are hard to come by in the village, like cloth and dried meat.

I also brought along my prized possessions: two rabbit hides from my hunting expeditions in the forest. My father promised to help me sell them, and I couldn't wait to make my first money!

As the sun was slowly rising above the horizon, we headed out to the village, crossed the village square, and joined the other villagers who were heading out to the city as they made their way along the dirty road out of the village.

The air was crisp and fresh, and I could feel the cool breeze on my face as we walked.

The journey to the city was no easy feat. The road was long and treacherous, winding its way through dense, dark forests that loomed on either side.

The very thought of what lurked within sent shivers down the spines of even the bravest travelers. For the road was fraught with danger, the constant threat of monster attacks ever-present.

But despite the danger, the road was still one of the most well-traveled paths in the land, for it was the only way to reach the bustling city that lay ahead.

And so, with hearts full of trepidation, the villagers braved the forest, armed with nothing but their wits and the hope that the patrols of our Lord's soldiers and the local Beast's hunters would keep them safe.

As we trudged along the narrow path, the dense foliage closed in around us, casting a gloomy pall over the road. We could hear the rustling of the leaves and the creaking of the trees as the wind blew through the forest, a constant reminder of the danger that lurked within.

But just as we began to feel the weight of the forest closing in on us, the sound of distant hoofbeats broke through the silence. The patrol was coming!

We breathed a sigh of relief as we saw the soldiers emerge from the shadows, their shining armor glinting in the sunlight. They were a formidable sight, and we felt safe under their watchful gaze.

As we walked, we passed by traps and snares laid out by the local Beast's hunters, who used the forest to their advantage in the battle against the monsters.

Their knowledge of the forest was unmatched, and they knew every inch of the terrain like the back of their hands.

We felt grateful for their presence, for they were the ones who kept the monster population in check and made the road passable.

After a very long time of walking, which I spent sitting on the cart since my stamina was still too low to walk all the way on my own, I could finally see the city in the distance, and my heart raced with anticipation.

High stone walls surrounded a huge portion of the horizon, making the city seem like a fortress.

Which was kind of true. The city was named Ereneth and was originally just a border fortress protecting the kingdom from the beasts' attacks and then slowly, with time, turned into the sprawling city it is today, as I learned from my father during our journey.

When we came close, we could see the queue of people ahead of us waiting to enter the city gates.

When it was our turn, we came up to a pair of guards, and they checked our cart and asked us a few questions. After a brief inspection, we were allowed entry.

Since we were coming to the market, we were exempt from the entrance fee. But it was an exception only for markets and important occasions. That was also the reason we never came here any other time of the year.

As we passed through the gates, my heart pounded with excitement. The smells and sounds of the city filled my senses, and i was eager to explore every nook and cranny.

We made our way inside, and I could smell different scents of the city. Multitudes of shops and stalls flanked the main street, and the city was full of people.

The air was crisp, and the smell of roasting meats and freshly baked bread wafted through the stalls.

As we made our way deeper inside, my eyes widened at the sights that greeted me.

People of all shapes and sizes bustled about their business, their clothing and mannerisms unlike anything I had ever encountered.

The market square was a cacophony of sounds and smells, with people haggling over goods, the sweet scent of pastries wafting through the air, and the bleating of goats and sheep mixed in.

I walked with my father, taking it all in as we made our way through the crowd. The sights were overwhelming: colorful stalls displaying everything from shiny trinkets to woven fabrics to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Children were running through the crowds, and music floated in the air.

We stopped next to one of the stalls, and Konrad started to offload our cargo while Father was haggling about the price with a sly-looking merchant.

I decided to go around to explore more, although I was warned not to go too far.

When I turned a corner, a large, imposing building caught my eye. The exterior was made of dark, weathered stone, and the door was heavy and made of iron.

Above the door, a banner fluttered in the wind, bearing the image of a snarling wolf—the Beast Hunter Guild.

I stood there, gazing at the building; I could hear the faint sounds of men training within—the clash of swords and the shouts of commands.

I could almost smell the fear and sweat of the hunters as they prepared for their next mission.

As I understand it, it was somehow similar to the famous adventurer's guild from games and anime.

This, on the other hand, was a much darker place.

The pay was meager, and the dangers were great. Beast's hunters' sole purpose was to scout the woods and surrounding countryside for any monsters or monster's nests and exterminate them before they could cause harm to the locals.

But since those who ventured into the Woods rarely came back alive, it was a place reserved for the lowliest of the low, like orphans, bastards, and former criminals who didn't have anywhere else to turn.

Despite the ominous appearance of the Beast Hunter Guild, I couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for those who dared to venture into the wilds to protect their city from the beasts that lurked beyond its walls.

As I continued my way through the bustling streets of the city, one particular shop caught my eye. It was a quaint little storefront, nestled in between the market square and the Beast Hunter's Guild.

The building itself wasn't very big; the walls were made of a pale stone, rough and uneven, as if carved from the very earth itself.

Ivy vines grew up the walls, their green tendrils winding around the stone and reaching towards the sun.

The windows were tall and thin, with simple wooden shutters painted a vibrant green. A small garden filled with herbs and flowers lay at the front of the shop, their sweet fragrances wafting through the air. It was clear that this was some sort of herbalist shop.

I was immediately intrigued. Although my lessons with the hunter were very useful, he didn't know much about herbs and what uses they could have.

As I peered through the window, I saw shelves lined with jars and bottles, filled with various ingredients and elixirs.

I could see roots and herbs hanging from the ceiling, drying in the warm sunlight. The entire shop was bathed in a green light that seemed to emanate from every nook and cranny.

If I could learn which herbs are useful and what they look like, I could then gather them up in the Forest and bring them here next time!

Full of excitement at the prospect of earning more money, I decided to go inside.

As I pushed open the door to the shop, the tinkling of a small bell announced my arrival.