Door Hunting

Jarrid made his way down the makeshift pathway to town. It was makeshift because it was just slightly worn down from Jarrid traveling it for the past few weeks. He traveled along quickly enough, but also slow enough that he could subconsciously take in the sounds and smells of the forest. If something was wrong, he'd likely feel it without knowing why.


He'd already done the hard work earlier in the week of loading up all of the major supplies. As he neared the stores, he fingered the bag of gold he'd brought along. He was one of very few that most storekeepers would trust with a credit account. He seldom went longer than a few days without paying, he just preferred to not be carrying sums of money at the same time he would be carrying lots of supplies, so he isolated the trips. This time, he didn't have a choice so he tried to bring just enough gold for the lumber.


As he walked into town, he saw two men it took him a moment to recognize. They were the two bystanders from the previous night. They were both of slightly above average height... but the one on the right had about 120 pounds on his counterpart. They were probably brothers. Jarrid nodded to them on his way by, but they didn't acknowledge him. Customers lost... damn.


He went from store to store and spoke briefly with the store keepers and a few of the patrons. They all laughed with him for a few minutes and excused him because he said he had business to attend to. They knew he was more than your standard merchant, but they loved being on his good side. He was the type of 'non standard merchant' that could really help them out in a pinch... if they could find him. Still, they kept a close eye on him out of curiosity... but he had told the truth and really was just there to pick up some lumber.



As he walked up to the store, he saw a pile of lumber out front. It seemed just about perfect. He walked in and asked the store manager how much for the same pile out front. When he was told that particular pile was already paid for, he inquired about any other lumber.


The store manager smiled. "You don't understand, Jarrid. It was bought for you. Your lady friend, it seemed? Anyway... she just came in here and said to get a pile of lumber. As I started to turn to look at my stores, she said you would be by to pick it up... and possibly something additional. She tossed me a gold back to cover twice what's out front. Interesting lady. Didn't smile much. Anyway... take what you like... you have a bit extra credit now."


Jarrid stood there for just a moment. "She's not my 'Lady Friend, good man."

As he walked out the door, he mumbled more to himself... "I'm not sure what she is."

Pariah Morning

Jarrid got up the following morning feeling less than fully rested. He was not sore, and thankful for that... but he had other worries on his mind. He loathed having 'guests' on his boat whose intentions he couldn't read entirely. It was a situation he would have to remedy one way or another.


He sat up on his mattress and took a minute to center himself.



He was up early, so he took care to be quiet as he gathered his necessary belongings for the day. Actually, he always took care to be quiet in the morning. As he slipped out the door and slowly down the hall, he paused at the first guest room, which is surely where Ralgo would have sent the woman. He held in his breath for a short count and couldn't hear her stirring yet. To be fair, she probably needed the rest badly.



He relaxed a little and walked into the Tavern. The morning's early light was starting to creep in through the unwilling window he'd recently acquired. He could smell the fresh air and dew, but there were no other signs of interesting occurrences since he took his leave. Ralgo usually wouldn't be up for another half an hour or so, so Jarrid walked the rest of the ship and took a mental inventory. Wasn't much he was needing... other than a door, that is.



To his surprise, Ralgo was actually wiping down the counter when Jarrid came around.


"Ah! Ralgo! I'm going to go ahead and make my way to the town and gather up some more lumber to fix our door. I think we've got about half what we'll need in the spare room in back. When you're done setting up for the day, do you think you could round it up and start to bring it together? You should be able to get that done before I get back, I think. Also, make sure and pay close attention to Akire when she comes out. I'm still not sure of her."


Ralgo looked at Jarrid. "She's gone. Finished her drink, glared at me and left through the... door. It's for the best, of course. We knew nothing of her other than her prowess when it comes to throwing men, and that we can't trust anyone while there's a price on your head."


Jarrid grabbed his cloak and headed for the door. "You're right of course. Stranger people have probably come through without instance before. Lets get what we need and get going. I'll be back this afternoon."

Jarrid's deal

There was an awkward silence for another minute or two. Jarrid kept staring at the woman waiting for some sign of humor behind her last statement. He never got it. Her steely gaze was as perfected as he'd known in his time on the Pariah.

Finally he closed his mouth and took another sip of his drink. He tried to calculate the next direction of the conversation carefully. He still wasn't sure she wasn't playing him. Finally, he spoke.

"Miss... I don't know exactly what you're getting at asking me about my intentions. I've invited you back here to offer some sort of explanation as to why there's a distinguished draft in my tavern! Instead, you think I should explain myself to you?!"

For a second, he thought he saw the corner of her lip twinge upwards a millimeter on one side... but then again, maybe not.

"Obviously, at this point you already have decided that I'm not truly at fault for what happened earlier, or I wouldn't be sitting here with you... one way or another. Other than that, I'm not feeling rather like disclosing much about myself at the moment. I've done nothing wrong. I ask again, what is your deal here? You rent your rooms out, correct?"

Again, she took him by surprise, and Jarrid couldn't help but laugh this time. He'd had half a mug thus far, but it wasn't enough to make him delusional or blur his comedic sense. She really must be lost in herself.


"Alright. Akire. I don't rent rooms randomly, nor do I openly invite danger into my home. Here's the deal. I don't have the patience tonight to play mind games with you for hours on end. You're free to stay tonight but beyond that I promise nothing and it is not a matter of gold.
Tomorrow, I go out to replace my door. You can come with me or you can leave."

With that, he downed the rest of his drink and looked at her for one last moment. She still didn't waver. As he got up from the table, she took a small sip of her drink. He walked up to the bar and gave Ralgo his mug. Ralgo looked him in the eyes and shook his head ever so slightly. As Jarrid left for his room, he saw her watching out of the corner of her eye.