Day 9
I made my way back to Low Town.
Once I crossed into Low Town, I became more aware of my surroundings. Captain Greystone's visit had not relieved my fear of ambush. I followed my map to the part of this city that I was contracted to help. I caught sight of several members of the Watch, but they took no interest in my actions.
I was close to the wall now, and it loomed high in the sky. Here, the buildings were even more rundown and decrepit than the rest of the area. This was the poorest part of Low Town.
I walked down the long street towards the building at the back that the rats had overrun. As I recall, I had to speak to one of the neighbours who was acting as the group's spokesman and had funded the quest.
Many locals were sitting or standing around, and they all turned and looked at me as I walked down the street. The cobblestones were in poor condition, and there were numerous potholes that I had to navigate around. Rubbish and other debris were also strewn on the street. I looked at the buildings again as I walked, and many were sagging or tilting. I thought to myself that a strong sneeze could probably knock a few of them over.
Some kids were playing on the street, and they quickly got out of my way. I saw a boy standing in the doorway of one of the buildings, as if it were about to collapse. It was hard to tell his age as he was dirty and looked like he was one bad day from starvation. A teenage girl grabbed him and pulled him in as I walked past.
It didn't take long for me to reach the end of the street, and before me was a large house. It looked like it had once been a grand place, but now it was overrun with weeds, and the walls were cracked. Most of the windows were smashed or boarded up. I spotted an old man sitting next to the doorway. When he saw me, he waved to me.
Hopefully, that will be my contact.
"Greetings, adventurer, here for our quest?" He asked, squinting at me. His eyes were failing, and what passed for an optician in this world he could not afford.
"I am, sir. I take it this is the house you will need a clear?" I just wanted to get down to business and complete this job.
"Aye. We're looking for ten dead rats." He rose with great hesitance as he spoke. His old bones creaked the whole way.
Looking at him, I could not help but remember what I was like when I was like him. He seems younger than I was when I was on earth, but I knew his stiffness and pain. Time claimed all and was merciless with its ravages.
I offered my arm to help, but he waved me off.
"No need, sir. End these rats, and we will be a happier people. Many in the area have been bitten, and the sickness is spreading." He looked around the street, and I followed his gaze. Many of the area's residents were now looking out their windows or doorways at us.
The poor lived in Low Town, and the poorest among them resided there. I knew such poverty could exist, but I never encountered it myself, and seeing it was a disturbing experience. I couldn't save them from it, but at least I could deal with the problem that they were suffering from now. I felt bad about taking money from them, since it was clear they desperately needed it. Looking at them, I could see a sense of pride, and I felt that they would be insulted if I refused the few coins they were offering. I was told Iwould be paid six silver coins for this job. I chose this job because it required me to be where I am. Looking at the people I knew, it was the right decision.
"Leave it to me." The weariness of dealing with rats again had passed, and a determination took its place. I pulled out my club from my belt and walked to the door.
I stood on the threshold, looking in, hearing the scuttling. Looking at the walls and what space I had to work with, I could not use the war mace here. Not enough room to swing it. I reached over and pulled out the dagger I had held in the other hand. I had a feeling I would need both of these weapons today.
This needed to be done, and I was going to do it.
I walked in slowly, scanning the floor and the walls. There were holes in the walls, some from natural erosion or damage, but others showed core and tooth marks. The entry hallway was strewn with debris. I had to check each piece to ensure I wasn't passing a rat. I did not want to be bitten again.
I flipped over various odds and ends, but I haven't seen any rats so far.
I pushed deeper and came to two doorways on either side of me. The rooms were both dark, and I realised that the rest of the house was probably just as dark, as most of the windows were sealed. I paused here and let my lantern. I was forced to put the knife away as I could only carry my club and my lantern.
I continued the exploration. The first room to my left was clearly a living space of some kind, with a rough bed on the floor and various personal effects scattered about.
The building was deteriorating from neglect and growing increasingly hazardous. The walls and floor were showing signs of water damage and rot. My footing had to be careful as I moved onward.
The room was empty, but signs of the rats were present.
I doubled back to the room on the right. Again, it was an occupied room, with a bed and additional personal effects.
Moving through the room, I checked for signs of rats.
The blur of movement was my only warning.
The rat jumped at me.
Out of instinct, I kicked at the blurred form. My armoured knee collided with the rat, knocking it away. There was a squeal of pain. I felt the impact through the armour of the knee.
The rat bounced but recovered, rolling back to its feet.
It charged me again, and I swung at it with my baton.
The edge of the club caught it on the side, knocking it out of course. Another squeal of pain came as it flew to the right from the impact.
It hit the floor and bounced.
I did not allow it to recover; I attacked again. My club rose and fell several times. The rat squealed, and I heard bones break as I hit it. It stopped moving on the third hit.
I stood breath hard and sweating. One down.
Putting down the lantern, I dug out the old sack and put the body into it. I strapped the sack to my backpack, open and ready for more bodies. Standing again, I continued through the building.
The house had a dozen rooms, an attic and a basement. I went through all of them. It was longer than I'd planned and far more painful. Each death added to the sack and the additional weight I was carrying.
I killed the ten rats completing the quest, but at a cost.
I had been bitten numerous times. I was sore from my injuries, and my gear suffered as well. The damage to my armour hurt me most as I thought about the cost of repair. The disease started at twenty hours. I suffered more bites, and two were added to the timers. Five hours each time was added.
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I made a small gain of 2% with my [Clubs] skill.
Leaving the house, I started to feel the effects of the disease. I was sweating more and feeling chills up my spine. My joints were starting to ache as well.
Stepping out, I found the sun, but it brought me no joy. I was blinded by the light from the darkness within the house, and I extinguished my lantern. I was running low on oil—another expense to account for.
I removed my backpack and unstrapped the sack containing the dead rats. As I did so, the old man from earlier hobbled over to me, his knees clicking with every step. He was flanked by two younger men who might have been related to him, but I wasn't sure.
"Adventurer, are you finished?" He wheezed slightly as he spoke.
"I am. Ten dead black rats as requested" I gave him a look at the contents of the sack. He grimaced slightly but seemed satisfied.
"Thank the Mother. This means those who live here can return." His tone was happy, but I was concerned about the state of the house. I wanted to ask you if it was safe, but looking at the buildings around me again, I knew that was always the time.
"Adventurer, I must say you do not look well. Have you contracted the fever?" I found him peering at me. He had to get closer to his eyesight, which was far worse than I thought it was.
I saw no reason to lie. "I have."
"We shall pray to the Mother then that you recover quickly." He looked around at the people on the street he could see, nodding to himself.
"Thank you." I knew that this world's gods were real, but I didn't believe in them. But it might help in the long run. "I must be away if there is nothing else."
"No adventurer. Thank you for all you have done." The old man almost bowed to me, but his body refused to allow him. The two younger men flanking him nodded their thanks as well.
I set off carrying the sack of dead rats. I set my HUD map to take me to the Sealochs. I was going to offload the ten rats to them and donate the proceeds to the temple dedicated to the Mother here in Low Town. I was in no condition to go to the Adventurer's Guild, so I quickly dismissed that idea.
As I walked, the symptoms got worse.
By the time I reached the Sealochs, the fever was well and truly settling in.
Mrs Sealoch noticed my approach. "Adventurer Hector, back with more…. Dear boy, are you ill again?"
She was evidently concerned with my physical condition, as I probably looked like death warmed over right now. The growing damage to my armour probably didn't help either.
"Alas, I am, Mrs Sealoch. I hope you understand if I would like to make quick work of our business." I wasn't lying to the woman; I was suffering the beginnings of delusions of seeing my bed.
"Of course. Let's see what you have." I handed her the sack with no fanfare. She quickly took stock of what it contained, rolling them out onto a table to count the bodies. "I will give you 12 copper for the lot."
"Thank you." With my confirmation, she stepped back further into her house/store. They give me time to look at her wares on display.
I noticed the greater number of black rat hides that were now for sale. The smell of cooking still came from within, and I felt slightly more ill at the smell. The disease was playing around my senses as the fever got worse.
I had asked her a few days ago what she was doing with the bodies, and wondered what alchemists were paying for some of the parts of the corpses. The meat was destroyed as it was tainted, but the hides were salvageable and used by the locals.
She handed me the money, and I nodded my thanks.
"Away with you, Adventurer Hector, into bed. It is not good to contract the black rat fever again so quickly." She shooed me away from her stall, and I departed willingly. As I walked away, I set my HUD map back to the tavern. I knew that it would take me past the temple.
I walked the streets doing my best to avoid the people out and about.
It wasn't long before I reached the temple and walked up to the donation box. I could not hear the children, so I suspected they were in class. I placed the 12 coins into the box, turned, and walked away.
Just a typical….
I stopped suddenly. "Uh?"
I had to reread the message twice before dismissing it. That was totally unexpected, and I wondered how it would affect me going forward. The Mother was the dominant force in the Pantheon of this city. It indicated that those who believed in the Mother would view me in a more favourable light—a passive blessing but one that might open up new possibilities.
I looked at my health bar and watched as it slowly regenerated. Once I've eaten and rested more, it will get faster, but it seems I will not be back to full until tomorrow. The disease was affecting my reduced vitality.
I returned to The Poor MMan'sDream, each step growing harder as I moved forward. My backpack was growing heavier, and I felt even more weighed down by the armour I was wearing.
Isabel Lodestone saw me as I walked in, took one look at me, and sent me to bed. Some people sniggered as she sent a heavily armed Adventurer to bed, but I didn't care.
I headed upstairs and eventually got to my room. I stripped off my armour and collapsed into the bed.
I was awoken several hours later to the sounds of the tavern in full swing below me. It was louder than usual, and the place seemed to be full.
I got up still feeling the effects of the fever. I was thirsty. Dehydration was a problem. I looked around, found my canteens, and realised I had already drained them.
This meant I had to go downstairs and get some water sent to me. I would also get some down there. I looked at the door, planning this great physical exertion to get me out of bed and to it. Eventually.
I got up in the room span. I steadied myself and pushed to the door. I left the room and walked down the corridor to the stairs. Finally getting up and moving seems to help somewhat, and I became more focused. By the time I reached the end of the corridor and began navigating down the stairs, I was making better time.
Once I reached the bottom, I looked out at a packed common room. This was not the usual crowd. Rugged, bearded men dominated the room. They were dressed differently in sturdier, rougher clothing. I listen to the conversations around me and notice the slight difference in the accent as well.
"Hector, you should not be up." One of the waitresses said to me. I can never remember her name. I found it quite embarrassing; I was usually good with names. She was standing next to the bar as a tray she had was loaded with tankards of alcohol.
"Need water. Who is this lot?"" I kept my sentences short, not out of disrespect but because talking was hard. I gave the room full of strange men a vague wave.
"The city received a shipment of wood today. These are the lumberjacks coming in for their monthly pay. The trains are unloading for the next day or two."" Before I could say anything else, she disappeared into the crowd carrying the tray of tankards.
Seahold received shipments of materials by water and rail. Most of the wood came from a neighbouring forest and was brought in by rail. It seems that the workmen had come with it.
My condition was poor, but I continued to look around the room. I noted the increased number of bouncers and male staff. The waitresses were moving between the tables, and many of them were fending off more adventurous llabourers'hands.
I knew the type. I also knew that my intervention would be unwelcome, as the staff were accustomed to handling such men. I spoke to one of the barmen about having a tankard of water and a pitcher that could carry up to my room.
He handed me the tankard of water and promised to get the pitcher soon. I took the tankard and downed its contents, feeling the cool water soon in my sore throat. It was a simple bliss I revelled in for the short time it lasted.
I went back to looking around the room, and that's when I spotted Mica.
She was moving quickly around the edge of the room, trying to avoid everyone and remain unnoticed. The problem was that she was. Most ignored her, but many looked upon her with obvious disgust.
She spotted me and headed in my direction. Just before she reached me, a man stepped back and bumped into her. He turned, and when he saw her, he snarled, "Begone, filthy mixed-breed!"
He was drunk or close to it. Mica winced and shrank under the glare and words. The man's friends jeered at her, making her shrink further. It was then that the first man lifted his hand to hit her, and I stepped in.
I was unwell, and my reflexes were not what they should have been, but I was still able to catch the mman'shand by the wrist before it struck her. He turned angrily on me.
""et me go city fokker! Mixed breeds like this aren't natural, "he was slurring his words slightly, and closer up, I knew he was drunk.
"Leave the child alone, there is no need for violence. How about I buy all a round?" I tried to defuse the situation. Unfortunately, my words were falling on deaf ears.
"Na. Me and the boys are looking for a fight instead."" He punched me with his other hand, holding the tankard he was drinking from. I managed to get my arm up just in time, seeing him moving before he threw the punch.
The impact along my forearm was painful and sharp, but I managed to prevent the tankard from hitting my face.
It had been decades since I was last in a bar brawl or fight. But some instincts remained. His friends were looking to join in, and I needed to bring them down fast. And in this fight, you fight dirty.
I was still holding his arm, and we were close. Closer than he realised, I think, because I rammed my knee into his groin. This caused him to collapse in pain, with the air being taken out of him. I let go of his arm as he collapsed.
One of his ffriends'fists, however, caught me across the face, knocking me sideways. The three of them soon jumped me, and I did my best.
I lashed out with fist and elbow. I use my knees wherever I can as well, but against three men used to fighting with their hands, I was on the receiving end of far more hits than I was giving out.
By the time the bouncers got involved, I was severely beaten but still standing. Just.
Health: 18/110 (-10 due to debuff)
Isabel must drag me upstairs as the bouncers drag the others out. I did know when she appeared, but she seemed both annoyed and strangely happy.
"By the Mother, Hector! Have you never learned not to fight when you're ill?"" She was using the tone of a mother schooling a child.
"He was going to hit Mica," I said in a very muffled tone. My jaw wasn't working properly, and I think my nose was broken. He also had to throw in that my face was covered in blood, and I suspected I was going to have black eyes tomorrow.
"And I thank you for that. But in future, please learn how to fight in a bar brawl or leave it to my bouncers!" With that, she opened my door and almost pushed me in.
I staggered as she closed the door and collapsed onto my bed.
I lay there on my back, looking up at the ceiling, wondering how today had gone so terribly wrong.