With the sun sending off the first rays of light, Marcus feeling rested and refreshed got up from his mat and blankets and started getting ready for the coming day. He noticed that the three members of Wild Wind were still vigilantly keeping watch around the camp while everyone else sleeps.
'Ugh stretch… that felt nice, looks like I am the first one up, now that I look at it I am the only one without a tent, wish that I had one but since I spent most of my money on my weapon it cannot be helped.'
Marcus then noticed one of the tents moving like the occupants were thrashing around and he moved closer to investigate. However, as he approached Marcus heard what sounded like flesh slapping together and the soft moans of three people. Realizing what was going on Marcus quickly moved away and pretended not to notice.
'Holy shit they are having sex in the middle of the woods, I know they are young but there is a time and place for everything. Man did I have Bodie pegged wrong, I thought he was the clueless nice guy that was a dense as a black hole, but it turns out he is actually a harem master. So, when he offered to let me join yesterday it almost certainly was not just as a member of his party.'
Thanking his good sense of not joining Bodies party Marcus went over to strike up a conversation with the three guys from Wild Wind.
After around an hour the rest of the camp had awoken and began preparing breakfast. The meal was not anything elaborate just some simple porridge thrown together in a large pot. Once everyone had finished eating the lackluster breakfast they packed up and got back on the road.
The day's travel had gone pretty uneventfully with the party begin attacked only once by a pack of wolfs that they were easily able to take care of. Setting up camp again for the night next to a small pond the merchants and adventures started to cook up a feast from the bear meat Marcus was carrying in his item box. One of the merchants who was well versed in cooking, took out the largest pot the group had and stated making a stew. He of course used the bear meat as the main ingredient followed by plethora of vegetables. He added wild mushrooms found nearby in the forest, carrots and potatoes, and many other vegetables Marcus had never seen. They even added a number of spices to the stew enhancing its flavor to another level.
'DELICOUS, this is far and away the best thing I have had to eat in a long time, the meat is tender and juicy the vegetables are amazing and whatever spices he assed to this has made the sauce taste impeccable. I had always heard that animals like bears are incredibly gamey, but this guy knows how to cook pretty well because even on Earth I rarely got to enjoy a meal this good.'
As the entire camp was savoring the delicious stew, conversations started to flair up and one of them between Jasper and Bo caught Marcus' attention.
"So far this has been a great trip no major injuries or deaths, we have only been attacked twice by beasts, this stew is the best thing I think we have ever had to eat while out on a request, and tomorrow we can sleep in a real bed in Trostenwald. So, what are you going to do tomorrow in Trostenwald Jasper see that girl of yours again, though if I remember right her mother hates you with a burning passion?"
"Hey at least I have a girl I do not think you have ever had a relationship in your life Bo, adventuring is fun and all but during the winter having a place to go back to and call home is nice."
After eavesdropping on Jasper and Bo's conversation for around a minute Marcus decides to ask the question that had been on his mind.
"Excuse me Jasper and Bo I could not help but overhear you say something about a place call Trostenwald, could you tell me more about it."
Having their conversation interrupted by Marcus Jasper and Bo looked at each other before shrugging and then Jasper responded to Marcus.
"Sorry we did not realize you did not know but Trostenwald is a town that is in the middle of these woods on the route to Loursend. It has the largest coal mine in the entire northern region and supplies the majority of the fuel that keeps river Landing and Loursend warm through the winter. We should reach it before the end of tomorrow, and it is in fact my hometown."
"Thanks for the information Jasper I am new to this region so other than River Landing and Loursend I had not heard of anywhere else."
Marcus then excused himself from the conversation and prepared for bed early since tonight he had the last watch.
The next morning the group got up rejuvenated by their excellent dinner and with renewed vigor set off once again. The day went especially peacefully as a group of merchants that was coming from Trostenwald had already cleared out any potential threats and around late afternoon Marcus' band of merchants and adventures saw the wooden walls of Trostenwald.
When the group approached the gate, the guards skimmed over everyone's IDs and gave cursory glance at the carts' cargo before collecting the entry tax of one copper and letting everyone into the town. Once inside the merchants led the way to an inn that they frequent called the Lesy Inn, arriving in front of the rustic inn the merchants got out saying that they would arrange rooms and to wait out here by the carts.
'This town is a lot different from River Landing, every building is made out of wood instead of stone and the streets are much quieter. I mean Trostenwald is only around half the size of River Landing, but it is a bit eerie how silent it is.'
Soon the merchants came back and started to hand out room keys before telling the adventures that they had the rest of the day off to do as they wished and to be ready outside the inn tomorrow morning.
'So now I have a few hours to kill be night, I wonder what I should do I cannot imagine that a coal mining town is going to have the best tourist attractions.'
While thinking about what to do Marcus is startled when Bryce yells out, "how about a drink I know a great tavern on the south side of town and the first drink is on me."
At this everyone starts to cheer except for Jasper who had mysteriously disappeared already.
'You know I have not had any alcohol since coming to this world and all these guys are pretty nice so a bit of drinking would not hurt.'
Thus, all of the adventures minus Jasper, followed Bryce toward the aforementioned tavern.. Once they arrived the could all see the sign that said Tuknite Tavern and the group burst in ready for a night of fun.