The Village

(This story occurs after the attack on Ralton in The Paladin and the Pirates)

The queen called Jay and Chell into her throne room only two days after Kalf and C left. She asked them to travel to the south west and see what happened to a small town. This was a special place, a small village dedicated to tournament games, where many citizens from all over the empire visited. She wanted to see if it had been spared destruction or if something had happened.The couple arrived the next day just before the sun reached its apex and rode into the small hamlet. Chell immediately noted that there was no one in the streets. Jay had not thought about it until then but acknowledged that she was right. The paladin pulled his holy symbol out of his clothes to protect them against hostile undead. They progressed more slowly into the town center.

Jay dismounted and helped his lady down to tie the horse up before they entered the center of the village. They visited each store, workshop, and tavern to see if they could find any clues. The pair found many sets of clothes laying around the ground when they entered each building. They started at a glass blower’s workshop, finding a half finished vase in the kiln. The bard found the artistry amazing but was very unnerved by the lack of any other people. They continued to the woodworkers, then the vintner’s, a clothier’s shop, a quilter’s, a few food shops, and finally a blacksmith shop. The metalworker’s shop had two smelters, three forges with anvils and tools, with a full etcher’s station to make the functional weapons and armor into true works of art. The pair even found a few taverns and inns, all empty except for some clothes and personal items on the floor.

By the end of the day they were exhausted, having been on their guard all day, so when they found the main house they were ready to sleep. They walked through the main doors into a massive hall, running both directions from the center of the building. Each room entrance was decorated for the season creating a path of beauty. The pair found a beautiful suite with two rooms out of the over two hundred guest rooms in the manor.

Jay setup holy symbols over the doors and windows in their room to protect them from any undead that might be in the building then allowed Chell to take the main bedroom. They slept fitfully, waking at any little noise, but nothing disturbed either of them all night long. The couple woke with the sun, dressed, met in the common area of the suite, packed everything into Jay’s backpack, then exited into a ghost in the hall. It looked at the pair but didn’t move to attack or even threaten them. She was a sad looking woman wearing a fancy dress, she appeared to have been a noble lady.

“Hello.” Chell said with a nervous smile.

“Hello. What are you doing here?” The spirit asked.

“The queen asked us to check on this village. She was worried that the evil monsters who attacked the capital may have destroyed multiple towns to gain undead soldiers.” Jay answered.

“We were hoping we might be able to help.” Chell added, elbowing her companion.

“There isn’t anything left for you to do. They destroyed everyone.”

“Can I ask your name? I’m Chell and this is Jay.”

“I am Sofinia. I am pleased to meet you.”

“How are you here and hadn’t been conscripted by the vampire mages?” Jay asked.

“This is my home. They couldn’t overcome my connection to this building. I’m now stuck here, I can’t leave at all.”

“Are you willing to move on? I can ask Eim to free you from being tied to this world, letting you move on if you want.” Jay replied.

“I can’t leave my home untended. I just can’t.” She fretted. “I would like to also check on the other places in the village however.”

“I’ll ask for you.” Jay prayed quickly, asking Eim to allow her to travel the village. “Let’s try to go outside now.”

They headed to the front door and headed outside. Jay exited first with Chell and Sofinia walking together. The ghost was able to cross the threshold and exit into the village. The three walked around the town, giving her their thoughts about what happened. It was heartbreaking for the spirit, silver translucent tears falling down her face and vanishing just a bit above the ground.

“Everyone’s gone. I hope most escaped.” Sofinia pined.

“So do we.” Chell agreed. “What will you do now?”

“This is my home. But can you please help me clean it up? Take all this stuff away.”

The couple agreed and began putting all the items left on the ground in the paladin’s backpack. They collected clothes of all styles, sizes, colors, and genders. They picked up multiple weapons, tools, purchases, and walking sticks. It took them most of the morning but the streets, shops, and halls were clean when they stopped for their mid day meal. They ate with Sofinia floating nearby, conversing pleasantly. They finished with an admonition.

“Sofinia, the Queen may send some people to live here, could you please let them?” Jay asked.

“Yes. I’d like to see my home filled with laughter and life again.”

The spirit then guided them to the upstairs library. They were amazed that the massive collections of books and scrolls existed outside of a royal castle or university. Sofinia then pointed toward a book called ‘The History of Whittling’ and told them to take it off the shelf. When Jay pulled it, the bookcase swung open to reveal a full apartment. The couple entered and looked around for a time until the ghost spoke again.

“This was my room. It’s yours now. You’re welcome to keep some clothes here if you would like or you can wear mine.”

“If I put them on, they will change. I have a curse on me.”

“It’s alright. They’re yours if you want them.”

“Thank you, that’s so kind.” Chell answered.

The rest of the day they relaxed in the apartment, talking with the spirit and each other. The three spoke of the past and even the possible futures until Jay and Chell left for the capital the next morning.