1-4

Okay, wow.  I feel refreshed.  After a week like that, it's always nice to get some shut eye.  Especially after quite the all-nighter.  I went back and looked at the last entry and I must say:  Oops.  I like my little made up language right there at the end.  Sorry I passed on you, log.  I guess you could say I slept like a you, ha, get it?

And I'm done for the time being.

In all honesty, I am feeling better.  Still, I can't help but wonder if I've been isolated too long the way I talk to you.  If only those villagers wouldn't have kept their distance from me, maybe I wouldn't turn out like this, eh?  Now it sounds like I'm blaming them for my silliness.  I don't mean that.  But I do kind of wish I could have had a friend or something from that place.  I feel so alone.  It probably doesn't help that I'm on this journey by myself save for the occasional shout out from three glowing, floating heads.  But what can you do, you know?

Oh, oh, you know what is hilarious?  So, so, I just realized exactly what I just went through.  Remember a while back in the first entry how I noticed something odd about the forest?  That's because it was a giant garden the whole time.  Seriously, why would the villagers isolate themselves in a corner outside a giant garden?  I don't get it.  Oh hey, hang on a sec, my lords and masters are summoning me.

Well, that was quite an interesting conversation.  Are you curious?  Well, too bad, I'm going to tell you anyway.  So, the head cases chose to answer my question and I got some more insight into my objective.  This is how they put it:

"THE TYRANT HAS INFECTED ALL THE LANDS WITH MONSTERS THAT DO IS BIDDING.  THOSE THAT ARE LEFT HAVE BEEN ISOLATED AGAINST THEIR WILL.  THAT IS WHY SOMEONE LIKE YOU MUST STAND UP TO THE EVIL AND SAVE THE ADJOINING KINGDOMS."

And yes, those caps are representative of their booming voices.  Seriously, their voices boom. My reply was:

"Why is he doing this?"

"VENGEANCE."

That caught me by surprise.  Before I can ask anymore, they poofed into thin air.  Again.  I'm beginning to get quite irritated with the way they do that.  Another thought that has crossed my mind is why don't they do something about it?  It seems like they can poof at will.  Maybe they have powers of their own.  Why must they use some puppet to do their bidding?  And why am I complaining?  This is a chance of a lifetime and I'm whining about it after only a week.  Okay, I'm going to stop now.  This is what I wanted after all.  And I made it through the first wave of monsters.  Now, from what I understand, I get to go visit a town.  Isn't that nice?  Well, technically, it is just an inn and shop.  But that just means there are some folks, right?  From what I understand, I will come across these occasionally in between my adventures.  Good, because I could use a rest.  So, off we go.

Alright, well, I am in my room now.  Let me tell you about the encounters I have had.  I'm not going to lie.  They were kind of odd.  So, I chose to check out the shop first.  There was this guy there.  He sold health potions and ammunition which was nice.  But the prices were a bit much. I know that I've acquired some gold alongside leveling points (or so you tell me), but certainly not enough for these prices.

"So, are you going to buy something or what?"

Can you believe that?  That is what he said to me.  The attitude on that guy.  I must say I was taken aback.  I thought that was just downright rude.  How about a little courtesy, huh?  Is that too much to ask?  What a punk.

"Excuse me?" was my more polite response.

"Buy something or what?"

Of course, I couldn't resist being a smartass, especially after the way he conveyed those remarks.

"Or what?"

"Or get out."

Seriously, I could mallet his face in if I wanted to.  In fact, I was tempted by this point.

"Really," I tried, "How about a better disposition, huh, chuckles?"

And you'll never believe his response:

"So, are you going to buy something or what?"

There was definitely raised brows on that one.  Did he just seriously repeat himself?  What in the worlds was going on here?  Am I going mad?  Don't say anything.

Sorry, I'm defensive.  I shouldn't be.  Now to be honest, this guy was looking a little rough around the edges.  He certainly had muscle to him and was not afraid to show it off with that sleeveless tunic he wore (brown, I think?).  Nevermind the viking hat mounted on his head.  The beard might be intimidating.  Still, mallet plus face equals stress release.  But I responded nicely.

"Didn't you already ask me that?"

"Buy something or what?

"Something?"

"How about this potion?"

So, I shrugged and showed him my money.

"Sorry, you don't have enough.  Buy something or what?"

"Why are you repeating yourself, sir?"

"Or get out."

Okay, it was certainly hammer time by this point.  I was through playing games with the lost barbarian and got my mallet ready.  Oh boy, was this going to be nice.

Except that I stopped myself at the last moment.  Damn my conscience.  I couldn't do it.  No matter how annoying he was.  Maybe I didn't understand the way he spoke, but then again, have you read the stuff I've been writing?  Maybe he's lonely too.  I pondered this briefly and offered friendship.

"Hey, you want to be friends?"

"Buy something or what?"

Nope, screw it.  The schmuck's a broken record.  I'm done with this idiot.  I decided at this point I was going to check into my room.  I was ready to take a load off and relax.  After an overnight visit, I needed to get going.  I went to the inn and had a little more fun.  It was a cozy place, but damn near empty.  The tables needed more patrons, I decided.  Still, you had an elder lady enjoying her drink.  There were two middle-aged fogies in green clad vests playing some game at their table.  Some pale woman who also appeared withdrawn stayed by the fire, almost perfectly still.

It was creepy.

I moseyed over to the innkeeper behind the bar, a round fellow with a big mustache, jolly complexion and lacking hair on the top of his head.

"Hello, mate, what can I do you for?"

Finally somebody with manners.

"I would like a room for the night."

"You bet.  How about some food and drink?"

"Nah, just a room."

"Alright then, matey, here's the key, first room on the left when you go up the stairs."

Then, you beeped and said I obtained a room key.  I feel special.  Still I didn't expect a transaction so quick like that.  Then, I realized the money was lowered on my wrist and said to myself, "Ah."

I decided to make conversation with this guy and be polite.

"How's it going, sir?"

"Would you like a room?"

"Oh no, now don't you start.  Now listen, I don't want any trouble  But if I hear anymore repetition and an attitude, there's going to be some real trouble in this inn."

"No room?  Then what are you wasting my time for.  Get out."

Son of a bitch.  I was getting the hammer ready by this point.  How about that, you know?  I finally meet new people.  I think to myself I might have some real conversations.  And for some freaking reason, they are completely narrow minded and rude at that.  I wonder if the Tyrant's reign had something to do with that.  It's possible.  Maybe they were affected more deeply by the isolation and being lorded over by monsters.  Ah, the possibilities.  Well, I decided to explore around a bit and see if I couldn't find anybody to chat with.  I started with the two gents enjoying their game.  I think it was chess.  Either way, they were not in a chatty mood.  Then, there was the elderly lady, but she seemed to enjoy her drink.  So, I left her alone, too.  Then, creepo by the fireplace.  Yeah, I was hesitant and I walked slow.  But I caught up with her and finally asked:

"So, come here often?"

Smooth, right

"Will you find my husband?" was her weak response.

"I beg your pardon?" said I whilst also thinking, Gee, I guess that means she's off the market.  I'm a terrible person.

"Will you find my husband?"

I didn't know how else to respond, so, I simply said yes.  And she thanked me.

That didn't stop me from trying to continue a conversation with her.

"So, where was your husband last seen?"

"In the Garden Forest," she responded, "He went there for some special vegetables, but never came back.  Please find him."

The garden forest.  Didn't I just come from there?  I didn't see him.  He's probably dead at this point.  Still, I noticed you beeped to let me know I have a side quest.  I didn't realize I could do a little heroing on the side.  But shouldn't I not go back?  I thought I was supposed to be going forward.  Isn't the world going to end or something if I don't hurry?  I don't have a freaking clue anymore.  I just kept trying to talk to her.

"So, where are you from, originally?"

"Have you found my husband?"

"Uh no."

"Oh please find my husband."

And anything else I tried saying would end up with that response.  I gave up and went into my room.  *Sigh.*  And here we are.  It's actually a nice room.  Very cozy and much better than the ground I've been sleeping on the last couple of days.  I'll take it.  Well, log, it sure will be interesting to see what we have next in store for us.  To be honest, I can't help but question so many things at this point and I've only begun.  But so far, it's been strange.  We can at least agree on that right.  Here's to hoping I'll meet more folks with more to say than a few sentences.  I'm not sure how much more repetition I can take.  But I suppose I should consider that to be life for the duration of this quest.  Ah well, I'm done mulling it over for now.   

Have a good night, log.   

Don't let the giant bugs bite.