Ethari passed through the village of Kellen, his eyes absorbing the scenes before him. It was dusk, and the sun was beginning to settle at the horizon. Several houses were scattered around, smoke rising from their chimneys, drifting into the sky. Several men and women were in the front of their quaint homes, sitting on their porch to admire the brilliant sunset, tending a small flowerbed, or hustling their children indoors after a long day of play in the sun. Ethari was pleased to entire the village setting once again.
He had spent a long time in the bustling district of commerce, Taras, and spent even longer travelling in total solitude. But now he was in a small little village, that reminded him so much of his home that he grew up in. Although this brought him good memories of his past, it also brought back horrible memories of his childhood. Growing up with webbed hands and toes had been tough. He was so foreign to them all, but at heart, he was still a small child! Now, his colleagues and friends were more mature, able to handle the diversity, but the childish abuse from his younger years still brought back bad memories.
A old man, sitting on a rocking chair in his front porch gave a small wave at Ethari, with a small smile. Ethari waved back with a similar expression. He stopped in his tracks, and turned back, and headed towards the man. "Excuse me sir, would you happen to know were the Green Gryphon is? Its my first time visiting this village," he said with a sheepish smile. The old man looked directly in Ethari's eye, with a look of hospitality. "Why, its only a little way over. There's a party tonight that I'll be goin' to, so why don't I walk over there with ya." Ethari gave a little bow, " That would be fantastic," Ethari said politely.
The man stood slowly. Ethari didn't know which creaked more, his old chair, or his old bones. After a bit of a struggle, he was standing, hunched over. He was shorter than Ethari, and had short gray hair. He grabbed a cane, and started trotting over to the make shift street, and Ethari trailed slowly behind him.
"Well," the man said, "my name's Izz, and I've lived in this here village for my entire life. I would have loved to have the life of an adventurer like you, but the love of my life kept me here." Ethari nodded and said in reply ", My name's Ethari. I don't know what would have happened if I met a woman, but right now my only love is Magic." The old man stopped and laughed, or coughed, Ethari had trouble discerning the two. "Well," Izz said after he caught his breath, " I sure do love my Kait, but the love of my life is farming!" Ethari realized why the man had laughed so loudly, and he himself began to laugh uncontrobly.
After they had both settled down, they continued walking. Ethari could make out the building that was the Green Gryphon from his location, but out of respect stayed with Izz. "You know," Izz said suddenly ", I haven't seen any of your kind around here for a good while. New people are such a pleasure here, I'm sure glad you came to help an old man like me!" Ethari laughed a little, and said ", Well, I haven't encountered another of my species as well. But I'm still mainly human, so I don't have any trouble fitting in here." Izz smiled, and continued.
They had arrived at the Green Gryphon, and Ethari held open the door for Izz. "Thank you, young man," he said with a pleasant smile. Ethari followed after him, and was stunned at the beauty of the inn. He took a sit, at the table Izz had sat at. A young barmaid approached and said ", here for the party Izz?" "Why yes I am," He replied ", and I brought a newcomer." The maid held out her hand, and said ", I'm Tina, a barmaid at the Green Gryphon." Ethari shook it, and replied ", My names Ethari. Its nice to meet you." "So what can I get you two," She said with a smile. Izz said ", We'll both take and ale," Izz replied. Ethari said his thanks and waited for his beverage, surprised by the generosity of the small village.