Free Wielder's Awakening by T.B. Christensen Page A

it stolen.”
    “That’s true enough but make sure you don’t go walking down dark alleys or you’ll get more stolen than just the money you’re displaying for everyone to see,” John chuckled.
    With all of the business taken care of, Hank and John shook hands with Mr. Sottle and led Traven back out of the warehouse and onto the street.  Night had crept up on the city and engulfed it in darkness while they had been in the warehouse.  All of the buildings around were dark and there was no one to be seen out and about on the streets.  Traven muffled a yawn with his right hand as he started Dapple down the street after Hank.  The shepherd led them down the streets, turning every few minutes.  He told Traven that all of the good inns were toward the center of the city and with all the money he had just gotten he was going to get a very comfortable bed and some very good food.  Traven followed in silence as they made their way through the city.  The moon only gave off a little light, and most of the buildings that they passed were bathed in shadows.  It was hard to tell in the dark, but he was almost certain that some of the buildings that towered over the street were at least four or five stories tall.
    At last Hank turned the final corner, and Traven found himself in a large square.  He could make out in the darkness a statue in the center of the square.  On the far side rose an immense building to rival the warehouses in size.  John told him that it was the baron’s palace and it was a sight to see in the daylight.  Across from the palace there were several large inns with their doors wide open, spilling light into the square.  Hank headed for one of the smaller ones.
    “I may have quite a bit of money right now Traven, but believe me, if I went into one of those bigger inns, I would have to spend almost all of it.  By the way, do you have enough money for the inn John and I are staying at?  There are several inns that are a lot more affordable down that side street over there.”
    “I’m pretty sure I have enough,” Traven replied, thinking of all of the gold coins his grandparents had sent with him.
    He figured he had enough to stay at one of the biggest inns.  It couldn’t really cost as much as Hank had implied.  With Traven’s reassurance that he had plenty, they took their horses into the stables to the right of the inn that Hank had chosen.  Several stable boys scrambled quickly down from the loft to take the horses.
    “Make sure that they get really good care.  And give them each some good oats.”  Hank tossed the stable boys a silver and then left the stables and headed for the front of the inn.
    Traven could not make out the name of the inn in the dark but could see a picture of what appeared to be a blazing fire on the sign above the door.  As they entered the common room of the inn, they were bathed in the music of laughter and the sweet aroma of hot food.  There were people everywhere milling about the common room.  Hank led them to one of the only empty booths along the side of the room.  With the smell of warm food, Traven realized how hungry he was.  His stomach growled as soon as they sat down.  A plump serving woman with a welcoming smile was soon at their table asking what she could do for them.  Hank and John ordered a mug of ale and a roasted pheasant each.  Traven thought it sounded pretty good and decided to order a roasted pheasant as well with his hot apple cider.  He glanced around the room and looked at all of the different people.  They all appeared to be wealthy merchants by the look of them.  A few even appeared to be Balthuns.  They all seemed to be better dressed than he and his companions.
    Traven was promptly interrupted from his study of the room with the appearance of the food he had ordered.  Hank slipped the waitress a tip, and she grinned and bobbed a curtsy before wandering off to another table.  The food looked so inviting.  Traven dug in