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They all silently agree to keep their natures as Dynasts hidden as they park down their cart near the edge of the town and go in. The three of them split up, with each heading off to do whatever they please. Ena goes to reserve a room at the only inn in town, Kaya looks through the markets and Jet strolls down the streets, taking a good look at the homes and especially the gardens of the folk. His estimate of about 20 families was roughly correct, but it's obviously hard to guess if every household belongs to a separate family at a glance.
The place really is an insignificant little shithole by all accounts. There's a blacksmith, a tailor, a hunter who's also the tanner, a tavern and the square where most people went to sell whatever surplus they had, but many simply set up shop wherever they could and last but not least a temple, more of a shrine really. Presumably for some local protective deity. Mostly however the people pursued simple lives, growing food in gardens, raising livestock or doing other necessary work like chopping wood or mining stone and trading for which they lacked. Yet after the tour even Markolab started agreeing with the choice of location.
“Yes, this place indeed has potential. Good choice.”
“How so?”
“I’ll tell you later. However, I think you should stop.”
Jet did so purely out of curiosity and he realized that a person whom he thought was simply going the same way he did was actually following him. A young looking girl wearing plain and frankly ragged looking clothes approached him with a cheerful smile.
“Blessing of the gods upon you stranger!”
“Erm. Good day to you as well.”
“I hope the others did not trouble you that much. They fear outsiders.”
As they should. Most random travelers are usually scouts for bandits, or worse.
“I’m Eruka by the way. Welcome to Summer Valley!”
“Uh…”
Jet struggled for a moment. He was not used to warm welcomes such as this and thus he struggled to come up with a name.
“Nice to meet you. Call me Master Saffron. And no, we were not disturbed. But you seem awfully eager to engage people you’ve never met before.”
“Ah, that’s precisely why I wished to talk with you. I’m not used to new faces. And I don’t know why but I just know when I look at you that you aren’t a bad person, mister Saffron.”
“Just Saffron, please.”
Jet grumbled, whilst wondering if the girls affection was also a result of his infernal powers. But he wasn’t about to ignore a potential asset just because of that.
“As you wish. By the way Saffron, what brings you to our village?”
“Actually me and my family are looking to settle down.”
“Oh…”
Her cheerful expression sours.
“I wouldn’t recommend that.”
“Why?”
She looks from left to right and then begins whispering.
“Truth is the town has been attacked several times recently. I wouldn’t recommend you start a new life here mister.”
