User blog:Ihaveawiixboxds/пять

Ihawxd cautiously crept through the gargantuan gate, tugging his stubborn steed as he proceeded. Inside the gate there were countless buildings, crowded together all along the sides of the paved pathways. Some were dimly lit, although most of them were devoid of light. As the Holden native proceeded through the empty streets, he eventually reached a court. There were many stands surrounding the court, indicating that the it was home to a market during the day. At the center of the court was a fountain. Most of the stands were empty, but Ihawxd managed to find one where a hooded farmer, remarkably small, still remained. Ihawxd approached the short farmer and asked for directions.

"Do you know where I could find something like an inn?"

"Potato." the farmed stated, placing a potato on the counter in front of her.

"Right... Uh, thanks." Ihawxd pulled an uncertain grin across his face as he slowly backed away.

Soon after exiting the court, Alderaan and his master stumbled upon an inn. "Wait out here." Ihawxd commanded as he tied the horse's harness to a pole. The inn's door created an obnoxious creaking noise as it was being opened. The room that the traveler found himself in was illuminated by a few lanterns hanging from a low roof. It was cluttered with tables and chairs, almost to the point where it was impossible to navigate one's way through the room. Directly ahead of the door from which Ihawxd had entered was a blonde man, wiping the wooden counter in front of him. On both his left and right were stairs leading upwards, presumably to a second floor.

"Welcome, welcome, welcome! What can I do for you?" the man at the counter asked.

"I'm looking for some place where I can keep my horse. He's outside right now, but I don't think he's allowed to stay there." Ihawxd explained.

"Ah, of course. Tell you what, there's a stable a couple doors down that way." the man motioned to his left. "You can leave your horse there for a while. I'm good friends with the owner; I'll be able to explain that it was for a customer."

Ihawxd thanked the man, exited and, after leaving his horse in the stables a few doors down, re-entered. The same man who told him about the stables was still cleaning up. "So what brings you here?" the man asked.

"It's kind of a long story, but, basically, I'm looking for help."

"Well, my name is Som, and I'll be willing to help... Depending on what kind of help you need."

"My town has been raided a lot, and we're pretty much defenseless. They sent me out in order to find some defenses." Ihawxd clarified.

"Ah, guess I can't help that much, then. You gonna approach the king about it?"

"To be honest, I didn't even know there was a king here. I was just riding around, hoping I would find some sort of settlement with weapons or soldiers to spare. I don't even know where I am."

"Well then welcome to the kingdom of Alemas the Corrector. We've got some pretty strict rules around here, but they result in a practically crime free environment. The one rule I don't get, though, is the one about shouting. The king banishes anyone who shouts, no matter what the occasion. No one knows why he instated such a ridiculous law, but some speculate that it was because of some sort of traumatic experience he had as a child." Som shook his head. "He's also got some trust issues. You have to go through an intense interrogation process before you're permitted to enter castle grounds. Still, whatever he does seems to work, because this is a financially stable kingdom."

"Huh. That's interesting. Well, thanks for the info. I'll be sure not to shout at all while I'm here." Ihawxd briskly stood up and exited through one of the staircases.