24 Chapter 24: Hello Darkness

*****************************MASAMUNE POV*********************

With Maya taking care of my student I'm at a loss of what to do. I can't teach, and the next moon cycle is still a ways off. So with no better options I slowly make my way to the front of the manor. The shadowy halls and dim fixtures make for a somber mood. I am able to faintly able to hear the scurrying of maids, and the tiny pawed feet of the countless unknown residents of this manor.

The front door glides open for me with no issues, and it isn't until I reach the gates that I find any sort of resistance. Asshole and idiot are there again...great.

"Hey guys, whats up." I call out trying to make my tone sound kind and jovial. The last thing I want now would be another fight with these guards. I'm not even sure if Lord Ravvin is awake to help me this time.

The same guard who barred my way last time springs to attention and narrows his dark eyes at me. He has a stiff unconvincing smile plastered on his stupid face.

"Well, if it ain't the high and mighty druid here!" He calls out to me. He walks towards me as I meet them closer to the warmth of the light near the gates. As he walks closer I can pick up the faint smell of something I had nearly forgotten about. These guys have spirits! Strong ones too!

I groan softly in the back of my throat as I inhale deeper. "You guys....You guys don't happen to have Gin do you?"

I ask my face brimming with excitement. I had loved gin on Earth, it was perhaps the most delicious beverage to grace the face of the land!

The guard grins stupidly at me before shaking his head. "No, no, no, no, we don't have any of that.....Gin was it called?"

I look away slightly crestfallen when the guard puffs up his shoulders and boldly proclaims. "What we got here Mr. Druid is Dragon Water. The tastiest drink this side of the mountains!"

From just a small sniff I would have to agree. This smells as good as any gin I ever had on earth. "So Mr. Druid, did you need sumthin?"

I gulp down the saliva that built up in my throat and I nod eagerly, "Well I was going to head into town, but if you guys would rather share...." I can see pretty clearly they have no intention of sharing.

'Oh well, can't be too let down. This shit smells amazing, I doubt I would share any if I had some either.

The guards don't respond, they can see that I understand as I drop the issue and head through the gates into town.

The night air of the town fills my lungs as I can finally see a bit of nightlife in my new world. In the town square there is a vast open air market. I can see every delicacy, and treasure that this town offers within just a few miles of each other!

Most of the items on display can be categorized fairly easily. On one side, we have the daily necessities. Everything from food, to clothing, to weapons, to even healing potions. Just the staples that anyone would expect in a medieval fantasy RPG setting. Its the other group that draws most of the money, and people. Old magical relics, and spell books. Everything magic related, and unusable was collected in the various stalls as well. Even though most items required the non-existent abilities of magic, there were a select few items that didn't require magic.

I had eyed a few especially nice looking druidic robes, but I don't actually have much money in this world yet. I basically just let Maya handle the finances, I was never very good about it. Money always just seemed to slip through my fingers with the barest of ease. This was a troubling trait for me in this world, and my last one. But I mean...I like to buy things....But only things I need! I promise! I I would never waste a lot of money on useless junk....again...

Thankfully I was able to find a nice sized bar or two in town as well. While there were certainly very many different options I settled on a bit of a smaller bar, a couple of streets away from the main square. I was really just in the mood for a stiff drink tonight. Ever since those guards tempted me with that Dragon Water I became a man on a mission! The Barkeep is a middle aged man with greying brown hair, and watery green eyes. His body is massive, both tall, strong, and even fat. Though the fat is certainly eye catching, he has a powerful build. Clearly able to crush and rip apart a boulder with just those anvils he calls fists!

I nod at him and sit at the bar, he eventually wanders my way. My heart is pounding, "I want some Dragons Water."

He stares back at me blankly for a while before rubbing his neck and bringing his head closer to me, ""Listen here young master. I wouldn't go 'round sayin' you want tha' stuff 'round 'ere."

Confused I ask, "But, why?! I saw some guards with it, they seemed fine?"

He closes his eyes forcefully like he has a severe headache but he looks me in the eyes quickly enough and drops his tone even further. I lean in close to try and listen in,

Suddenly and intense pain in the back of my head is all I can sense. My eyes are watery and as I slide onto the floor I can vaguely hear talking in the background. I try my hardest to focus on everything around me, but I can't. My arms feel week and unresponsive.

Feeling fear flood my heart I know I can only due at most one more action before I completely lose my consciousness. As much as I struggle, I can't move so I focus my remaining will power through one of the flowers blooming in my room back at Lord Ravvins manor. I am able to vaguely see Maya and Arith in the room still so I grow my vines as quickly as I can until I am able to feel, ever so slightly, one of the many thorns on the vine I control sink into the soft malleable flesh of Ariths thigh.

Then darkness.