Chronicles of Corronath: Book 1 The Inbetween

Chapter 1

Dead center of a trade route between shorelands of the continent, Silmoria was a mixing pot of nearly every culture and race on Corronath. Farmers and miners alike could come to make small fortunes on what they had to sell. However, none granted the money of the one trade that Silmoria was built upon. Slaves were purchased to participate in the glorious arena, a glory that only added coins to the pockets of those holding their chains.

Today was no different for the trade city, though there was more to celebrate.

The Founding Day Festival had done a fair job of erasing frowns from the faces of Silmoria's citizens, most walking the streets with little care of much else. The smell of fried dough and cooked meats filled the area, and the yells of merchants and stall owners grabbed any passerby's attention. Silver coins were continuously placed amongst the wooden counters, everyone clamoring to get their shots at the games or looking to enjoy the many foods offered.

Still, with the number of townsfolk filling the streets, there was enough room to move between individuals without getting uncomfortably close to another person. A situation that suited Godric well enough.

"I do believe that we might have picked the wrong day to arrive, Dewdrop."

"Godric! Why are you always so gloomy? You are most definitely wrong about it being the wrong day, this is just what you need."

Godric's green eyes drifted as they usually did when his hitchhiker spoke, never sure if it was a way of acknowledging that he was being spoken to; or the most likely scenario of showing his distaste for the positivity that poured from the pixie. "I have told you before I am not gloomy. Large crowds just put me on edge."

Tugging at the hood of his cloak had become something of a habit in the last few months. Pixies were fairly rare in any part of Corronath, so to be a pixie or have one in your care in a town as rough as Silmoria would attract more eyes and questions that neither wanted to answer.

From where Dewdrop was beneath the hood of Godric's cloak the two shared a well-aligned thought. Hood up, and to keep hidden. A feat that Godric knew would be a challenge for the living embodiment of chaotic happiness. There was a good chance Dewdrop was struggling to not ask about participating in some of the festivities. Of course with barely enough coins in his pouch for a hot meal or a place to sleep as it were would do them more harm than good to spend until they found some work.

Considering how much Godric attempted to avoid large crowds for several reasons the festival was not without its merits. It also helped that Silmoria as it were was outside of the jurisdiction of any patrol or guard belonging to the neighboring territory of Aberole. As such it meant he was less likely to be recognized, and the fact that Silmoria was essentially a Sanctuary for anyone.

More so it came with the further protection that Silmoria prevented the work of bounty hunters from collecting their target, at least while they were within the city limits. A law that Godric had every intention of making use of during his visit; he was certain that the likelihood of any hunters having picked up his bounty so quickly was unlikely; it didn't mean that he should not be cautious.

Between the shouts of stall vendors or children yelling for the attention of their parents, there were a few shouts that stuck out among the voices. An adventurer guild would solve a lack of coin and offer some sort of respite for a weary traveler.

Gildenhart Adventurers Guild was a marvelous-looking building, especially amongst the buildings in its vicinity. The open yard of the fenced perimeter offered some sort of separation from the rest of the city. An abundance of flowers filled the window sills around the building, and the green grass gave the building a more natural look. An old oak tree played the part of one of the corners as the remaining walls were given the appearance to have emerged from the great oak. Godric had to admit that there was a feeling of ease as he walked through the gates.