[A preview of my next coming work. I decided to post this to test the waters, since well I rarely post, and the last thing I have posted were comical lewd things from my "Dense" project.]
The rapid pitter-patter of raindrops grows into a gentle roar in the cloudy countryside. The rhythmic drumming producing different sounds from the leaves of the forest, to the soft ground of the road, to the tiled roofs of the village, to its hard cobbled streets.
The raindrops turned the world fuzzy as they traveled to the ground, but closer to the village they glowed light fire as they caught and reflected torchlight. The roar of the rain is accompanied by the pounding of boots on the hard cobbles, until the sound of footsteps begin to echo and drown out the rain.
“After it!” a voice called out
“Don’t let it get away!” called another.
“It’s heading for the alley! Quick if we can block em all we can trap it and flush it out!” said a third
The village was in an uproar as its residents flooded the streets, and began blocking the entrances to each alley one by one. The brandished torches, clubs, and other makeshift weapons, as they patrolled the area.
“Keep your eye’s peeled everyone! Don’t let that kobold get the drop on you.”
Hah-hah-hah-hah. . .
Small, heavy panting could be heard coming from within a compost bin in one of the blocked alleys, as a reptilian eye peers out from a space in the wood. The eye belonged to a young kobold. Its scales were a mossy green, and small round horns protruded from the back of its head.
The kobold moved against the back wall, and began to catch its breath. It closed its eyes and took slow deep breaths, listen out for the villagers.
“Be sure to check every nook and bin, that kobold’s small so it could be hiding in a tin can for all we know.” a voice called from somewhere in the street.
“I’m not that small.” the kobold thought to itself with a pout.
Its pouting face was quickly wiped away and replaced with an expression of fear as it heard heavy footsteps entering the alley.
The kobold peeked out the gap again to see four shadows moving in the alley. The sudden crash of a trash can being knocked over caused to kobold to jump, but it managed to cover its mouth to muffle it’s scream. Footsteps filled the alley again getting closer, before the sound of another bin being knocked over echoed out.
The footsteps continued to approach, and with each step the kobold became more anxious, its mind turning into a jumbled mess of delusional escapes and what horrors awaited it, when they found it. Soon the steps stopped right at the kobold’s bin, the shadowy silhouette of a hand reaching out and grabbing the lid cast through the gaps. The time had come,would the kobold fight, flee, or cower?
“It’s getting away!” a voice called from the far side of the village.
“Don’t let it out of the village! If it reaches the tree live, we’ll never catch it!” Another yelled.
The shadows quickly moved away as the rapid pounding of feet on the cobbles got further and further away.
The kobold peeked out from the bin again to confirm the coast was clear, before falling back with sigh of relief.
“That was too close.” it said to itself, “Since they think I’m small enough to fit in a tin can, they probably chased a rat out of town instead.”
“Rat, kobold, I’m sure they’re the same to these people. Vermin sneaking into their homes to steal and spread disease, not to mention where one can be found hundreds of others can’t be far away.”
The kobold’s heart sank like a stone at the sound of the voice. It shakily moved towards one of the gaps to peer out, when suddenly the lid of the bin was lifted off. The kobold didn’t even have the mind to scream as it swiped at the space above it with it’s talons, hoping to at least land one hit, but they instead moved harmlessly through the air. All that was above the kobold was the sky filled with dark clouds, and raindrops falling into the bin.
“But that’s what’s going through their heads. I, personally, am more curious as to why a young kobold would not only wander into a village, but to also enter a Guild Art correspondence office. I’m sure even a fresh hatchling wouldn’t even do that. So the question is, why did you?”
“M-my village, it was-” the kobold began in it’s high voice.
“Perhaps something has happened and you’ve come seeking help. That’s the general reason someone goes to a correspondence office.” the voice interrupted, “Yes, I’m willing to bet that’s it, but surely even you know that there is no help for a kobold here. Even if you didn’t before, the villagers surely made it clear.”
The kobold’s heart began to sink, as the words the voice spoke rang true. It could barely ask for help, before it was chased.
“Yes, if you’re seeking help, you’ll find none in this village, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find it elsewhere.” The voice continued, sparking a glimmer of hope in the kobold. “But I’m afraid to inform you, elsewhere isn’t close, though, it isn’t too far away either. If you’re desperate enough, I’m sure you could make the trip and be back in no time.
“I- I am! Please my vil-” the kobold began, but was cut off when a small bundle fell on its head.
“Head south-east to the river, there you will find a boat waiting. Cast off in it and it will take you to the sea, and from there the current should carry you to the island of Loras. On Loras there is a guild that exist to solve the problems no one else can or will. Find them and explain your problem, I’m sure they will help you.”
The kobold sat and listened but no more words came.
“He-hello?” It said standing up and peeking out of the bin.
The alley was empty, the owner of the voice was nowhere to be seen or heard, as the rain overtook the village with it’s soft roar.
The kobold looked down at the bundle that lay at its feet. It reached down and undid the tie. The bundle consisted of a traveler's cloak, a loaf of bread wrapped in leaves, a small bottle filled with a fizzy liquid, and lastly a folded sheet of paper.
“Hmm.” the kobold said figuring out how to put on the cloak, having never needed to wear anything before.
It sniffed at the bread, which smelled fresh, then the liquid which smelled a bit spicy and burned it’s nostrils a bit. Tucking the rations away, the kobold picked up the paper. On the outside there were two words written, two words that weren’t familiar to the kobold, but for some reason filled it with determination and hope.
