I leave the inn and head back the way that I came, hoping to arrive at the place where Baldrick and I parted ways. From there I can follow the directions he gave me no problem.
I haven't eaten anything since arriving in this world, so as I stroll down the cobbled streets, the smell of grilled meat immediately captivates my nose.
I suddenly feel very hungry. I guess I was suppressing it unconsciously after having a whole host of things to deal with, but now that I have secured a bed for the night and the potential of some work as an adventurer, hunger has caught up.
I follow my nose and quickly come across a middle-aged man who is grilling skewered meat at some king of food stand. I do not care what kind of meat it is, I am starving right now. I inquire about the price and he tells me it is 2 copper coins per skewer, or I can get 3 for 5 coins.
I leave the stand with 3 skewers, shovelling them into my salivating mouth. I can taste that the meat has been seasoned with salt and then grilled over charcoal. Incredible! At 5 coins for 3 skewers it's as cheap as it gets too! If I stay longer in this town, I will eat this daily!
I pass the point where me and Baldrick had parted ways, and continue down the road he had pointed out to me before. After a few minutes of walking I encounter what surely must be the adventurer's guild.
The first thing I see is a number of combat ready individuals entering and leaving the building. They are all armed with something or another, I managed to make out spears, swords, bows and axes, a good mix of medieval weaponry.
I move towards the door and enter what I interpret as the main hall. Strong looking individuals sit around tables looking over maps and having heated discussions.
My eyes are drawn to a muscular man sat in the corner looking at some kind of paper, discussing it's contents with a woman who has a tail and a set of ears on top of her head. And there it is folks, yet another otherworldly cliche: demi-humans.
Not feeling surprised in the least, I start slowly making my way over to the counter at the back of the hall., taking in the decoration of the hall as I go. Along the walls there are quite a large number of stuffed and mounted heads, similar to hunter's trophies. But here they are not deer or antelope.
I can see one which appears to have a humanoid head. The head is bright green, bald, and has what appears to be bright red war paint adorning one side. The lower tusks jutting out give me the impression that it was some kind of orc, which on Earth only existed in fantasy, but here they seem very real.
Another head is that of what I can only assume is a chimera. It has 2 heads, a lion and a goat, but posed to make it seem they are roaring.
The counter has 3 different lines, each with an attendant behind it, but no indication as to if there is a difference between them. I stand in the shortest one and wait my turn.
The girl behind the counter greets me. She is wearing some kind of white button-up blouse with a symbol embroidered over the chest. I have seen the symbol a few times in different places walking around the hall, so I can assume it is the logo of the guild.
She has short blonde hair and is about as tall as I am. I am not a towering individual, but I am not short either, I just under 6 foot, so when is tall for a girl. She gives me a smile, which of course I recognise as a customer service smile, and asks how she can be of service.
'I was thinking of registering as an adventurer, and was wondering what the process is. Also, can you tell me about the benefits of being an adventurer?'
'Certainly. The benefits of being an adventurer are numerous, but the notable ones are the guild itself, and its facilities.
Firstly, the guild is independent of any nation, so guild members cannot be conscripted into the military during a time of war, and can work as adventurers in any country where the guild is present.'
So far so good, I could become an adventurer just to avoid being sent off to war, and I can travel pretty much anywhere I like if I have the money. That right there is one form of freedom I am definitely here for.
'Secondly, guild jobs are guaranteed to be paid. The guild gets paid in advance, takes a cut for itself, and the rest goes to the person or persons who complete the mission. There is no concern about shady clients finding a reason not to pay, as we have their money here with us.'
Even better for me. That way, nobody can take advantage of me being naive. I am not stupid, and I don't blindly trust what I am told, but the fact that this is a new world could be an issue. Also, there is the whole Derrick thing, which showed me I might not be as good a judge of character as I think.
'Finally, the guild offers services for a reduced price. We can service weapons, butcher meat etcetera. Some guild halls also double as Inns for travelling adventurers.'
Ok I am pretty much sold. I can take small easy quests like gathering herbs, and still enjoy all the benefits the guild has to offer. 'How do people register?'
'Pay a small fee of 5 silver coins, and give us your name. We don't care about your background, although if you commit crimes as an adventurer, we will place a bounty on your head. Dead or alive.'
5 silver coins! I don't have that right now. I have 2 silver coins and 92 copper if my mental mathematics is correct. I guess I just need to scrape together the silver needed to join. I did it in my last life, I am sure I can do it again now.
I thank the kind receptionist, who didn't react when she saw my face drop at the mention of silver, and start making my way back outside but before I reach the door to the guild, I feel a soft feminine hand on my shoulder.
'Young man, could I have a moment of your time?'