The Gambling Hero

Chapter 14: One Big Mistake

Despite my sleep starting peaceful my awakening was all but peaceful. I was woken up somewhat violently by Lilith who glared at me displeased. I rubbed my eyes, "What's up with the rude awakening Lilith." Lilith said with a frown, "Master are you trying to insult me?" I blinked and while confused asked, "What? I haven't even said anything yet." Lilith angrily stated, "Master I am your servant never forget that don't try to be kind to me by giving me the bed that only serves to insult me." It seems my thoughts from last night are coming to bite me in the butt I glanced over at Bastrin for help, and he looked through the cracks of his eyes with a smile on his face. It seems Bastrin being the demon he was, enjoyed me being scolded I told Lilith, "Fine sorry I won't insult you again, but please don't wake me up so violently again."

I got up, put on one of my changes of clothes that had been washed, and left out I presume by Kramlin I silently thanked his golden heart. My clothes had really begun to stink since travelling. I never got around to washing them really since we hadn't stayed anywhere proper. I decided before leaving I would give Kramlin a very proper thanks he was a saint to me since we had arrived. I walked out of the room Kramlin had let us use, and marveled at the sheer size of the place that he ran I had to wonder if he also rented these rooms to people on the side. I found him behind the counter and walked in front of him I bowed, "Kramlin sir thanks for your generosity I will try to repay you in the future I won't soon forget what you have done for us." Kramlin laughed, "Lift your head up boy we are the same kind of people if we didn't have eachothers backs who would?" I smiled to Kremlin, "Thanks again sir, I've gotten my stuff together, so my companions and I will be on our way."

Lilith and Bastrin had gotten ready in the time we spent talking making sure to refill on our water for the trip, and had gathered the rest of their belongings together. Kramlin looking cheerful said, "One second kid I got something good for you to take with you it's on the house." I nearly tripped as I turned around again. I wanted to tell Kramlin he had done enough, but I couldn't turn down his kindness. Kramlin took out a sizeable bag of what appeared to be some leftovers from last night he thrust it out for me to take. I spoke up, "Kramlin sir I can't take this this would cost a lot if you were to just sell it normally." Kramlin said, "Nah kid nobody wants to buy leftovers just take it, and you can pay me back someday when you come back to my place someday." I reluctantly took the bag of leftovers, and put it in my backpack. I would never be able to repay his kindness. I decided it was best to leave before I choked up. I walked towards the door and before I left I shouted behind me, "Next time I come here Kramlin I will be the one treating you, so prepare yourself for the finest human food."

I walked out the door with my companions in tow, and we proceeded on through the gates to the stables to the horses we had left. I looked out at our horses who seemed like they were left in the same condition as when we left they were probably starving though, something had been different since we last saw them though. It seemed someone had laid out some water for the horses, and what appeared to be some fruits. I felt my stomach drop again dammit these dwarves were too much for me. It seems that the guards we met yesterday took the liberty to even feed our horses. The horses would have been fine given we woke up early and planned on feeding them, and giving them water now, but it seems the guards at the gates had prepared this for us. I would need to go through town again to make off for Hastain in the north, so I had another debt I would have to repay in the future. Bastrin got on my horse with me, and Lilith got on her own horse as we proceed for the gate.

I rode slowly up to the gate, stopped, and looked at the guards who gave me a smile. I spoke up, "I have some stuff I can give you as payment for the food and water you gave the horses." They frowned for a second, and then said, "Haha no need kid that was free. I love horses. I just wanted them to get proper nutrition is all." I can't believe that all dwarves acted this way were they really prepared to give like this to a total stranger. I lowered my head, "One day I plan on paying you back for what you have done for me. I will see you again." I waved my hand at them, and proceeded on through the open gates. We rode through town, and went out the back gates to our destination in the North. It would only take a half a day on horse to technically be in the country of Hastain that being said we had no specific town in mind this time.

I would have to fill out the map as we went along in Hastain that being said it wouldn't include everything in the country, but would at least be a rough outline. I talked to my companions as we travelled the road on horseback. I decided to bring up something that had been bugging me. I said, "Those dwarves were way kinder than I ever expected when we first arrived. I never expected they would be so welcoming. Compared to the beastmen it was almost like visiting another planet." Lilith was the first to speak up, "Master the reason for that is the dwarves think highly of humans given that they are of similar status it seems they have a certain respect for humans." Bastrin now in his cat form added on, "Dwarves tend to be a very peaceful race, but it's because of this that they are often preyed on by other stronger races." I took this in and decided on a new objective for my journey outside of simply travelling.

I gave both of my companions a determined look and stated, "I have a new objective in mind." They both turned towards me, "I won't try to make every race see eye to eye, but I would like to at least make some difference as I travel. I want better relations between the weaker, and stronger races even if it's just a little bit better. I don't think the kind dwarves should be treated poorly, and I also don't think that the beastmen should be able to take advantage of weaker races like they have been doing." Lilith looked at me in disbelief, but kept her mouth shut, but Bastrin on the other hand sounded cheerful, "Kid you always have something stupid to say, but I will stick by you until you reach your goal since I want to know if a human can truly travel the world, and likewise make any difference on the way."

On the way we stopped to eat, and drink again, but travelled mostly in silence it seemed Lilith was in deep thought maybe she didn't like what I had said. The dirt road we had been on for a week now had finally stopped. I figured that was because we had crossed over to Hastain. There was no indication when the country started since the country was lawless, but I figured this was a good enough indication. We followed an invisible path forward which led us north the only way to our next goal. This would be the most dangerous country yet since it was lawless we had no idea what to expect we had no idea where the towns were at worst we would have to ride right through the country no stopping. I decided it was probably about time we took a break after we had traveled a few more hours, and maybe looked around for some valuable resources. We got off the horses in a nearby deeply forested area. I feared we would have to leave the horses behind if no paths opened up for us here, but kept my concerns to myself.

Bastrin jumped out of my backpack without a word, and he began running ahead. I called out to him, "Bastrin, what are you doing don't run too far ahead." I called from behind him, but he simply spat back, "Dante there is something here I feel it, and it reeks." Something smells? I don't really understand what could have a demon so startled, but nonetheless I ran after Bastrin with Lilith following behind. Bastrin ran into a small clearing, and seemed to have stopped abruptly he seemed to be staring at something close by. I ran up to see what it was, but once I stopped I realized it was just a piece of jewelry, and it looked like someone had just dropped it here. I walked up to what appeared to be a ring I bent down, and tried to pick it up as I touched it I was hit in the back hard knocking the wind out of me. Bastrin gave me a look like I had never seen from him before he looked like he was about to attack me again any second. He hissed out the words, "Dante you just made the stupidest mistake of your entire human life, why would you touch something we randomly found on the forest floor boy!"