I Just Need a Giant Spider Fang

[klaudi]

(Open at any time)

Elgar entered the gates of the city of Olme. He had heard rumors that the town was beautiful, but he never thought that the city would be this beautiful. Though the walls of the houses were made out of bricks and the roofs were made out of wood, lush trees and gardens lavished all over the town. The brick roads were a pleasant sight to see, and the people were quite friendly to each other. Looks like I’m going to enjoy this place, Elgar thought. Maybe I can find that item too.

With a faint smile on his face, Elgar strolled around town, looking for the one item that would help him. He was looking for a giant spider fang. Harder than iron, the fang can last longer in a battle. The only place Elgar knew where they keep giant spider fangs is the general store. Fortunately there was a store close by.

With a sigh Elgar opened the door and entered the store. There were many shelves lined in rows containing many items form food to potions and from bone to iron ore. A checkout counter was near Elgar, and behind the counter appeared a stout Elven man wearing a green tunic and cap. He seemed to be a middle-aged man, probably in his early forties.

“Welcome to my shop,” the man said. “Is there anything I can get for you?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact I do. You don’t happen to have giant spider fangs?”

“I might have some. There isn’t any on the shelves, so I’ll have to check the back. It might take some time though. Probably about five minutes.” The stout man walked out of the door with an awkward gait.

[Sol Drugont]

Indeed, Olme was certainly what some would call quaint. The flourishing flora was breathtaking to Sol, though it only made him think of his home. Sauri did not boast as beautiful a garden, nor as large, but its trees and shrubs could survive the coldest of winters. Sol had always admired their sturdiness, as if they were determined to prove to the world that they could withstand anything the Gods tried to uproot, shrivel, or freeze the mighty plants.

Sol had not traveled to Olme to marvel at the wonders of botany, however. He was running low on money and needed to procure a source of funds. At first the young man wondered if the city needed a helping hand to trim and mend the massive garden, but he quickly disregarded that possibility seeing as how he lacked the proper tools for such a task…as well as the knowledge of gardening. With a light squint of his eyes as he internally slapped himself for his stupidity, Sol began another attempt at brainstorming.

It was then that he heard a voice from a nearby store asking for spider fangs. Giant spider fangs, to be exact, were incredibly durable, or so he had read during his studies as a child. Well, he did not require such items…but this young man did. An idea instantly appeared in his consciousness. He could assist this fellow in his endeavors and could either be given payment for his services or at least be given a share of whatever they happened upon during their trials. Also, Sol knew that the fangs of the enormous arachnids sold for a fair amount of gold. Furthermore, Sol knew where the beasts normally spun their webs, at least according to the latest edition of encyclopedia that his tutors had purchased.

Sol walked towards the store and leaned outside the doorway, listening in to the young man and the shopkeeper. He hoped the store was empty for his sake.

[klaudi]

Elgar leaned on the counter tapping his fingers as he waited for the proprietor to return. He hoped that the man had some giant spider fangs in stok, for he didn’t know where to look for them. Even if he didn’t know where to find them, he would search all of Althanas to get one if he had to.

Five minutes later had passed and the man returned to the counter. “Sorry,” the man said, “But we don’t have any left. I could tell you where they could reside, but the spiders forced themselves into hiding, picking off any organism they can find. They could be anywhere for all I know, but I heard a rumor that one spider lives in the Brokenthorn Forest.”

“The Brokenthorn Forest?”

“Yes. It is west of here. They say that the spider spins it’s web close to the river because people and animals take a drink from there. Once the person takes a drink it’s easy prey for the spider. Well that should help you.”
“Thank you sir.”

“Good luck on your journey and farewell.”

Elgar nodded his head and walked out the door. It was then when he saw a man, about the same age as him leaning by the doorway. By looking at the man, Elgar knew that he needed money, and the Giant spider fangs can be sold for a reasonable amount of money. Even thought he thought that the man had appeared to have been be eavesdropping on his conversation, he needed to have a cohort for this quest. “I know you were eavesdropping on my conversation. Care to join me on this quest?”

[Sol Drugont]

Sol was taken aback by the young man’s straightforward approach. He blinked as his body jerked away from him. Sol fumbled with words, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. It was ironic in that that was how Sol felt at that moment. Out of instinct to save face more than logic, he hurriedly constructed a counter.

“S-sir? I do not know that of which you speak,” he said with a stern tone, attempting to cover his surprise of being discovered with indignation. “What makes you think I was eavesdropping on you just because I happened to be a short walk’s distance?” He paused for just a second as an idea came to mind. He could still use this to his advantage if worded carefully. “And what quest do you speak of?” he added a touch of curiosity to his tone to make it appear genuine. “I do happen to be looking for employment, so inform me of what it is you search for and I might be able to assist you.”

As Sol waited for the young man’s response, he cursed himself once again at his reaction. His stumble at the beginning of the conversation had certainly exposed his intentions. He could only pray that his bid at genuine surprise was enough to conceal that fact. What concerned him even more was this youth’s ability to immediately discern Sol’s actions and goals from simply gazing at him. Was he that easy to read? If Sol was not cautious, this man could possibly determine where he was from, as well as those who had designs for his death. Then again, this person could have used some form of magic to hear his thoughts. It was also possible that he was thinking wishfully and, by chance, was correct. Either way, Sol found his interrogator’s “talent” for ascertaining the truth suspicious. He would have to be prudent so as to keep vital information hidden.

[klaudi]

Elgar rubbed his chin as he heard the young man’s reply. Never in his life had he seen anyone so curious about a quest; when he asks somebody for a quest they usually denied it of said that they were too busy. By looking at the youth’s eyes he could tell that the boy wanted to accompany the adventurer on his quest for the fangs.

Elgar stopped rubbing his chin and leaned on the wall beside the young man. “So you were eavesdropping. In this world one must be careful when to eavesdrop. If I weren’t as friendly as I am, I would have probably killed you by now.”

He glanced at the sky for a second to put his words together. Then he glanced at the boy in the eye. “Anyway, you heard about the quest from eavesdropping right? In case you didn’t get the whole conversation, rumor has it that a giant spider lives in the Brokenthorn Forest. The forest is west from here and is very close by, so we should get there in about 30 minutes to an hour. After we enter the forest we have to follow the path until we reach to the river. There we should be able to find the spider.”

Elgar paused for a moment as a second idea came into his mind. “You also said you were looking for employment yes? If you come with me, I’ll give you one of the spider fangs since there are two from every spider. Of course it will be dangerous, and we might have to fight as well. So are you going to join me or not?” Getting so much into the quest, he almost forgot to ask the youth’s name. “The name's Elgar. What’s your name?”

[Sol Drugont]

Realizing that he was not going to convince Elgar that he had not listened in on the conversation with the shopkeeper, when in truth he had, Sol simply replied in answer to his question.

“Sol,” was all he said, seeing no point in giving this man his surname, even though it was as false as his given name. He refused to admit that he had, in fact, been eavesdropping though, figuring it would at least let the possibility linger in Elgar’s mind. There really was no point in arguing the point any further. Elgar had described his quest and invited Sol to accompany him. That’s all that mattered.

“Well, since the location of its dwelling is so near, we should not require many supplies. When were you planning on embarking for the river?”

[Taskmienster]

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