RPG Time! (7) (Patreon)

Oh what the hell, you think, it's not like you're on a tight schedule. You walk up to the back of the cart and assume a pushing position. The big man looks at you but says nothing. He places the pole he is using for leverage behind the wheel and begins to pry. You push with all your might. At first not much happens. You rock the cart a few time and slowly it begins to inch forward.

You push with all of your strength and without warning, the cart suddenly lurches forward with a jerk, sending you face first into the muck. As you lie there spitting mud, you watch the cart slowly continue on until it disappears around the next bend and out of sight.

With a sigh you clean yourself off as much as possible and begin trudging along once more. As you approach the bend in the road the ground begins to rise slightly and you find the way drier and much less muddy. You continue on and to your surprise, you find the man and his cart patiently waiting for you as you round the bend.

He gives you a nod as you climb up into the back of the wagon and then urges his mule to continue on. It only takes about an hour to reach the next town and the little cart comes to a stop in front of the local inn. You take it as your cue that the ride has ended and hop down from the bed.

As you turn to leave the big man comes up behind you. You turn to find him holding a small pouch in his hand that he offers to you. You accept the pouch and thank him. He gives you a curt nod before turning back to the cart and driving off without a second glance.

You wait for him to be out of sigh (you don't want to be rude) and then glance at the contents of the pouch. It contains a two MARKERS for the inn, worth at least the price of a room and a meal. It also contains an OLD GIF.

You hadn't really planned to stop in town today, but cleaning up a bit and getting a meal doesn't sound like such a bad idea now. You take a glance around. You're clearly getting further away from civilization. The town is actually quite small and rather ramshackle. Life out here must be hard, especially being in such close proximity to the HAUNTED WOOD.

You enter the small inn and have a look around. It's quite small and appears to also operate as the local tavern, general store and probably the city hall as well. A large burly woman meets you at the door. Nearly as large as the man on the road, she is middle aged and dressed in a ragged dress and apron, the neckline of which leaves little to the imagination. She is quite stout with broad shoulders and thick, well muscled arms. She nods to you but says nothing.

Geez, does nobody speak around here? "I'd like to get a room and a meal." You say, handing her the markers. She looks at them and nods with a grunt, before snatching them from your hand and heading up the stairs. You assume you are meant to follow, so you go up as well. She opens the door to the first room at the top of the stairs and gestures for you to enter. You do and the woman disappears only to return moments later with water and clean (meh... mostly) towels. You thank her and shut the door,

As soon as she's gone you disrobe and clean off all the caked on mud. Then you change into your spare shirt and breeches. Maybe you should spend a couple silver to have your clothes cleaned before you go. The room is already paid for, you could just as well spend the night. You suppose you might use the time to gather some info about the HAUNTED WOOD from the locals, that is, if you can get any of them to actually speak. What should you do?

(You acquired a reward pouch!) [Attached below.]