Sitting duck

I stood at the base of the stairs of the building. I struggled to remember what the original module said about these traders. I couldn't remember their names, but I did know they were, in fact, bad guys. Of course, in the old adventure Hommlet was not under siege. Nor was the keep completed. Things were different. It was possible that all of this took place after the original adventure, which made sense given the fact the keep was nearly complete. These might not be the same people...or they might be.

I grumbled. I asked myself for the fifth time why I agreed to this.

I started to look behind me, and then changed my mind. I didn't want to tip off anyone inside. I took a deep breath and walked up the steps. The wooden steps bent nearly to the breaking point. The porch was not much better, squeaking angrily with each step. It occurred to me this was a good alarm system. As loud as this porch was, sneaking in would be difficult.

The building itself seemed sturdy, but just barely. The boards were warped from years of being pounded by the elements. The metal parts of the door were solid rust. It was as if only the most basic repairs were made, and just enough to keep the structure from falling over.

Much like my own home back on Earth. Of course, nothing would keep it from falling apart now.

I opened the door. The jingle of a chime sounded, but I didn't see one anywhere near the door. I walked inside. Shelves crowded the open room. The first thing I saw were racks of herbs and spices. Spices, I thought. I'd have to return here if I ever got the chance. Nearby, other shelves held candles, oil lamps, lanterns, and further away I could see hammers, nails, saws, and other construction tools. Out of habit, I looked for price tags. Old habits still die hard.

"Greetings sir."

The voice startled me, but I managed not to jump. A gentleman walked toward me from the back of the store. He reeked of a mixture of sweat and perfume, and he dressed in what looked to be elegant clothing, but worn. He offered his hand and I accepted it.

"Rannos Davl," he said.

"John Carter," I said.

"May I help you?"

"Well, yes," I said. I took a quick look around. "I was looking for something in the way of some studded leather armor."

"Ah, armor," he said. He turned around and walked to the other side of the shop. "You know, we are running a little short, but let's see what we have."

I glanced at my surroundings. In spite of being worn and old, the walls looked pretty solid. I wondered if the others could hear my cry for help. This adventuring thing sounds fun on paper (along with dice), but this could get down right dangerous, assuming these guys were actually working for the moathouse or the Temple. Getting hurt would ruin the fun of adventuring. Dying even more so.

I tried to think positively. I reminded myself that even if they were still in league with very bad people, I still might get away with this. That assumed these traders were traitors, of course. The individuals that had familiar names seemed to have personalities similar to those in the fictional adventure. If these were the same guys as in the adventurer, then they might have the same personalities...which was bad for me.

If only I could remember the names of the guys who ran this place from the adventure.

"Ah, here we go," Rannos said. "How fortunate! We have one set left."

"Cool," I said. Rannos looked at me strangely, and I quickly rephrased. "I mean, fortunate indeed."

"Yes," he said slowly. "However, I cannot guarantee that it will be 'cool.' Armor is notoriously hot."

"Of course," I said. I wondered if I could come up with anything he didn't have in the store. According to Ostler, they had extra supplies in the barn. I needed him to go back there so I could have a look around. The more I thought about this plan, the less I liked it. I don't even know why I went along with it. As friendly as everyone seemed, I realized they could be using me. If a total stranger gets hurt, then who would care? Especially someone who claims to be from another world. If they believed me, then they knew I didn't have any family or friends who would miss me (at least on this world). If not, then they assumed I was crazy and no one would care. The perfect sitting duck.

Maybe I wasn't cut out for this adventuring thing after all.

I held up the leather armor. "Very nice. This will do. Ah, and I would also like something in the way of weapons. May I see what you have?"

"Certainly, sir," Rannos said. "What exactly is it that you are looking for?"

I wondered if he had a katana. My kenjutsu training would make that handy, but if oriental weapons did exist they were no doubt very rare. "Do have anything in the way of katanas?"

He rubbed his chin. "I don't have anything that rare, I'm afraid." I managed to hide my shock that such weapons actually did exist in this world. "I do have some sabers that are similar, but not on the shelves. If you will wait here one moment, I will check our stores in the back."

I nodded as he turned and went through a small door in the back of the store. I waited until it latched shut, and then looked around. Time to get to work.

There was a small counter at one end of the store. I looked behind it. There were stacks of papers, but they looked like stock lists. I realized that the list was not in English, but I understood it fine.

I kept looking around the store. Across from the entrance was a curtain. It looked like it might cover a window, but I didn't remember a window being on that side of the building. I went to the curtain and looked behind it. Beyond was a small room with a bed, a desk, a book shelf, and a chest.

Jack pot.

I started to check the chest, and then thought about the possibility of traps. The bed looked filthy, and I wondered how many flees rested in it. Something else I'd have to get used to, I thought. Clean sheets were probably a luxury.

I checked the desk. Stacks of papers filled the drawers, so much so they started falling out. It occurred to me that the desk could have been trapped. Sloppy amateur, I thought. I reminded myself that the proper term was "first level."

I flipped through papers. Most were letters addressed directly to Rannos. I tried to remember the names of who sent them. Hedrick, Feldrin, a man who simply referred to himself as the Lieutenant...I wondered if I had time to shove some of them in my pocket before he came back. In any case, I didn't have much time.

The curtain was thrown aside. A crossbow pointed directly at me, held by a scruffy looking man. He smiled wickedly.

"I told you," the man said. He spoke over his shoulder. From behind the scruffy man, I saw Rannos.

"Yes, you did," Rannos said. He didn't look surprised or angry in the least that I was rifling through his stuff. At least I assumed it was his. "Excellent work, Gremag."

I guess I didn't have as much time as I thought I did.