Blog Post

The Adventure Shop: Part 7

8/26/2021

Dahlia woke in a comfortable bed, though her body felt as if she slept on the floor. Her eyes stung and her throat was sore, but otherwise did not feel any worse for the events of the day before.

Was it the day before?

She stood and found a shirt, pants, and vest that was not hers hanging on a peg behind the door.

Dahlia had no clothes. She sat back on the bed as the events of whenever it was came back to her. 

At least she had a piece of the stone. Dahlia pressed a hand to her neck where the moonstone rested. 

Hazel secured it and made sure it would not be lost. 

Dahlia looked at the door where the clothes hung. It was time to brave the other side and figure out where she was. At the moment it all started with her getting dressed.

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Dahlia made her way down the stairs and found the bar and tables that resided at the inn. This floor was familiar as it should be since she had been there many times, but not having stayed here it was no wonder the second floor was a mystery.

Sitting on the bar stools were people of various sizes, heights, and features. All of them looked a little rough, some surly and others as if they had already had a few of the inn’s brew.

No one seemed to notice Dahlia yet as they argued across the bar on a topic she could not quite understand from what she presently heard. She left her presence unknown to the group as she tried to understand what they were discussing as she stayed a few steps up the stairs.

“We should leave tomorrow and go after that woman. There is no way the shopkeeper can be of any use on the journey, especially in her condition.” 

“I disagree. The shopkeep has knowledge and has created many items we all use. She may be found useful.”

“You forget her present state. Her magic is almost gone if non-existent. And what she makes is useful for our adventures. Who is to say she can use them herself? We can not endanger her anymore than she already is. Let her stay for the rebuilding of her shop and leave her to what she knows.” 

Dahlia growled under her breath. Who were they to decide what she did? And who were they anyway? Not that she could really see accurate descriptions of them from her vantage point. 

“Do you think you, with all your power, could keep the ocean at bay?” Dahlia heard Aster ask the others. “Do you think you could keep our shopkeeper from coming with us? Or even following us once we have left? This is her fight as much as we wish to fight for her. So Dahlia, what do you wish to do?”

Dahlia silently cursed Aster under breath at revealing her location and slowly made her way down the stairs. 

“Based on the information I was present to hear,”

“Don’t you mean eavesdropped?” One of the patrons at the bar interrupted.

“Would you have discussed this with me in person?” She asked in return.

After the patron’s silence she continued, “I gather you do not want me to go. I understand. I have never shown much desire to venture beyond my shop. But that does not mean you know the day to day that I experienced in my shop. Did any of you ever wonder where I got material that was kingdoms away?” She shook her head, “No you did not. I have had more adventures and have more skills than any of those, who never asked by the way, have the right to comment on.” 

Dahlia found a seat next to Borg. Once she sat down she finished her statement, “I am going. Who will be coming with me?” 

She looked at all of them around the table. There was a reason that Borg, Hazel, and Aster were her favorite patrons, and in all honesty were her only close friends. Others came and got what they wanted, but no one really ever stopped to actually get to know her, or for her to even know them. Though she did not know them well she was thankful they were here now.

“Of course you are welcome to come with us, but you must know that you pose a risk of being connected to a moonstone.” A young elf, Riskar commented. 

“Are you certain Dahlia that you would not be worse off?” An Ogre in the corner, Xaxol, asked. His gruff voice filled the room as Dahlia noticed his presence.

“I was not aware that any of you were told of all the details of that woman’s visit.” She looked at her three friends. 

“Of course they were told. I would not have called them to town without giving them all the information. Your life is tied to that stone. It is important that it is regained whole. Of course we would share that information with those that want to save your life.” Hazel said from across the bar. 

“Of course. I am sorry. This has been a lot within,” She paused, “What day is it?”

“You have only been asleep for about twenty-four hours since you were moved to the hotel. It has been about three day since the woman visited.” 

“Oh. Can I have something to drink?” Dahlia asked, after having been silent for a moment she remembered how sore it really was. 

After Candoor handed her a mug of her own she drank before commenting, “Shall we begin planning?” 

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Dahlia readied a pack given to her. In it she had quite a few items she spent most of the night creating. Hopefully she wouldn’t need them though they could be useful since her magic was all but gone. 

She placed a cloak over her shoulders, placed a dagger and sword around her waist, and headed downstairs.

The others were gathered outside as Dahlia felt her stomach suddenly feel nauseous.

“Good morning, how are you?” Aster asked.

“I feel like I’m gonna throw up.”

“Ah, first adventure jitters.”

“I have been across the world. This could not be that.”

“You left and returned to the safety of your shop in less than a day. This is the first time you are leaving with no idea if you will return. With no idea what the day will hold. No plans, no expectations. Just an open horizon. This is your first true adventure.”

And with that in mind Dahlia realized as they began their journey that he was right. 

She left the adventure shop and took the steps of her first adventure.