Master Of None

Walker awoke from his rest feeling invigorated. He had stayed awake much later than the rest of the party thinking about the things that had occurred the last free days. There were too many big events that he was starting to feel dizzy when he kept them in order. Not t mention the party had just received another long term quest, one that would affect their entire continent and even the world.

The rest of the party were still sleeping soundly so Walker decided that he would head out for a walk in the morning to breathe in the fresh air. When he set foot outside the treehouse they were staying in he found that the entire elf city was glistening with morning dew. The light shown on every leaf and reflected back shining rainbows. The breeze was pleasant. Many elves were peacefully moving about the city grooming plants and cleaning small areas. It was calming to view.

"Good morning Sierra, I hope you rested as well." Walker found that the enforcer commander was at his side in the blink of an eye. 

"Of course sir Walker, I hard my enforcers guard your dwelling at night. I returned in the morning to assist in the tour of the city. It appears that the rest of your party is not awake. Should I wait until later?" 

Walker was impressed by the commander but he didn't intend to force his party awake just yet. They deserved as much rest as they needed, and he just happened to wake up earlier. "No, it's fine. They need to rest more. I just had hope that I could take a walk for a little bit?" 

He formed this in a question since he wasn't sure on the rule she would need to follow, luckily Sierra answered him. "You are allowed to walk about anywhere you wish but for a few places that only elves may go. I am sure it is the same in your kingdom as well."

"I can respect that. If I start to head off where I am not supposed to be just let me know, meanwhile,{" Walker jumped to another branch and started to head towards the cobblestone road. "I feel like exploring a little"

Sierra was surprised that Walker was able to move so easily, however, she had been briefed by the queen on what he was capable of to her knowledge. She pursued him closely since she was ordered to be one of his guards while in their city. 

Walker reached the ground surprising a few elves going about their day. They had seen him with the queen the day before and were shocked that he was walking among them so casually. Walker waved and offered a greeting which were hesitantly returned. The elves would need more time to properly adjust to having a human wander around the city.

"Hey Sierra, do you know what this shop is?" Walker found that there was a shop that had all manner of strange looking materials and items. They appeared to be a mix of household and magical items in particular.

"This is a general magic item shop. They are very common here. We have specialized in magical craftsmen after all." Walker was excited to hear this and proceeded to enter the store through the front door.

"Good morning. It's rare to have a guest so ear- ah hello sir hero. Welcome to my shop, I am honored for your visit." Walker was taken aback by the sudden change in greeting from the older woman behind the counter. 

"Please, just Walker is fine. I am sorry for interrupting your sewing, that is a lovely table runner. My sister is a seamstress and she would love to watch you work. I hope I can bring her to the city one day." 

"Oh, you are such a flatterer. I am a general goods merchant. I am just making this with the basic sewing skillI to alter items for a customer. May I ask what brings you here on this beautiful morning?" She had relaxed slightly hearing that Walker was not uptight about titles and standings. It had been a general worry of the people after the queen's speech.

"I saw the shop and wondered what it was. We have a lot less magical item shops in my kingdom so seeing one so full is pretty amazing to me." Walker was glancing at some items and found that there were many elemental mana crystals used in the creation of these items. 

" I may have a few interesting things for you then. Nothing ground breaking, they are for general use. This for example is a bowl carved from a stone that absorbs fire elemental mana well. When a fire elemental mana crystal is added, it can keep things warm until the mana runs out. Here we have a water spike, it is a water elemental man crystal carved in to the shape of a spike and then inscribed with mana writing. It can channel water elements in to the ground to keep the soil damp through the dry summer." 

Walker looked in awe as many of the items were explained. He saw a great deal of useful ones for around the mansion but the water spike had drawn his attention most. They were an item that he was sure farmers would use like they were more valuable than gold. "These water spikes, how much gold do they cost each?" 

"Well, we usually sell them five for fifteen gold. But they are so easy for us to make that we usually discount it to twelve gold for five." The older woman just laughed since these were some of the less popular items they had.

"I can tell you a good business trick then. When trade opens up with our kingdom and even the demi-human kingdom, you will want to sell them for more gold. We don't have them in our kingdom and as far as I know, the demi-humans do not as well." Walker smiled calmly. "On another note, can I buy twenty?" 

The older woman was shocked but nodded her head and pulled out a case filled with twenty of the water spikes for him to purchase. Since Walker knew that he may encounter traveling merchants who may not have bank accounts with the guilds he had brought some gold within his inventory. He silently thanked his mother for telling him to do so and paid the woman. 

"I threw in an extra five. Thanks for helping out our forest. Hopefully, you can make your garden flourish." This was a sweet gesture and Walker gave the woman his best smile as he left and store the water spikes. 

"If ever shop owner is that polite, I may have to visit here more often." Sierra was honored to hear this from such a title holder. They had not received guests in this way as a race within her lifetime but seeing that there was already a good impression forming touched her heart. 

Walker and Sierra continued their walk through the cobblestone streets seeing many of the early to rise elven archer heading off to train. Some he recognized from their attire and quivers as arcane marksman that Gil would most likely meet later. Others looked to be shop owners or craftsmen leaving to open shop. 

When Walker made it to the square from the speech the day before he saw that the base of the massive tree was actually a substantial garden. The square just bordered the garden, which he had been unable to see from above it. There were many plants and flowers he had never seen in his life, but only a few elves tending them. 

"You're bringing our guest here to early Sierra. How strange, I usually find you here to eat breakfast with the tulips." There was a voice but no body. Walker looked around and found nobody nearby. 

"Great water spirit, please be respectful of our guest. He can not see you when you are spread so thin." Sierra was keeping her poker face well, but Walker swore he saw a small twinge of a smile on her face.

"Hehehe, I can show off a little." The water from the air started to condense in to a small doll like figure of a little girl. It changed shape constantly as if the water was still trying to find an ideal shape for it. "I am the great water spirit that resides in this garden. You may address me as such. It has been some time since I saw a hero title holder. Let alone a true hero title holder."

The water spirit giggled to itself even more seeing that Walker had been thoroughly surprised by her statement and appearance. "This great water spirit has been alive since the planting of our great tree. Us forest elves only made our city here after it had grown to half this size. The history of the tree is not defined by our race."

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