Chapter 30

  With a bit of pep in our steps… which I hate myself for saying, we covered more ground that should have humanly been possible. Whatever those drinks were, they were, well, magical. Still, by the end of the day, my legs were killing me, and my feet demanded rest. I’d also worked up a thick sheen of sweat that left my clothes drenched, and all around, well, uncomfortable.

  “Allow me to introduce to you, another fantabulous perk of traveling with, well, a Traveling Guy.” Guy said, barely breathing hard, his moustache and mullet still as pristine as this morning. Seriously, this guy was like that damned Energize Bunny. He just kept going and going. As he produced a crystal, and brought forth what was contained within it, I realized, much as I hated his mullet, and endless energy… traveling with him wasn’t all that bad.

  Where before there had been an empty space of ground, white light flashed and grew from the crystal, as if the earth itself was materializing what had been stored within. In seconds, an honest to whatever deity applied at this moment building appeared. It was two stories and looked much nicer than the tent he’d produced earlier. Which was hard to believe as well, given that tent had been about as grand a tent setup as I’d ever seen.

  “First floor has a fully stocked and working kitchen, as well as lounge, and bathing space,” Guy said with a grin, noticing my slack jawed expression. “Second floor has living quarters. Because traveling with a portable inn is another important aspect for everyone in my profession. After all, basic needs include a place to eat, clean up, and rest after a long day of traveling.”

  He nodded towards the sign, which I’d missed before.

  Traveling Guys Inn

  All paying customers welcome*

  Focusing on the asterisk, a smaller prompt appeared, much like the names and other notifications that were activated by my Tamer’s Gauntlet

  *All Mun must remain stored while within the Inn. Mun Battles are prohibited. Traveling Guys reserve all rights to remove any unruly patrons by force.

  “Do you often get people using your inn?” I asked, wanting nothing more than to step inside and quickly clean up. I had a single set of spare clothes, courtesy of the Mayor. And, I’d learned that storing clothes in their crystal form cleaned them after eight hours. Another small detail that made this world so much better than the one I’d come from.

  “Quite often,” he said with a nod. “Traveling Guys are well known for not only the quality of goods and fair prices of our dealings, but also our hospitality. We turn none away, so long as they respect the rules of our establishments. And, these crystals, and those very rules, are enforced courtesy of the magic of the world around us. Within the Inn, I am judge, jury, and executioner.” He smiled, his moustache more menacing in that moment than I was sure he intended, before his goofy expression returned. “In short, if a Guy wants to, he can send people away much in the same manner as you sent those cultists away this morning.”

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  “Good to know,” I said, glancing around the road. For now, there was no one else in sight, though, I supposed there was still an hour or so of light left. And, who knew how many people traveled into the dark of night. With the right Muns, or a flashlight I suppose, you could travel pretty late into the night if you wanted to. Especially with the Gauntlet letting you know what threats were around you, and their levels. I had a feeling people didn’t have the same worries of traveling alone here as they did back home.

  “And, just for you,” he motioned towards the building, “I’ll give you a discount on your stay, as well as anything you may wish to purchase tonight. I cannot give you a free night, sadly, as I’ve already given you quite a few freebies. But, a discount you shall have, for services provided to the Traveling Guys in the form of the information you provided which will most certainly ensure great profits for my fellow Guys.”

  My excitement drained almost instantly. And it showed on my face, considering Guy immediately frowned.

  “Did I say something wrong Taylor?” He asked, actual concern in his voice. “I am most sorry if you thought the night would be free. Truly, I wish I could, but, a business is a business. And I assure you, the discount will still be generous, and—”

  I held up a hand, cutting him off. He actually seemed legitimately flustered and apologetic. If not for that mullet… and him being a morning person…

  “—it’s not that.” I began sheepishly, “it’s just, I, well… I don’t have any currency.”

  As of yet, I’d not had the need. And considering the mayor had seemed eager for me to leave Cogni, I’d not made much of an effort trying to learn about the currency. That was a problem for later Taylor. Which… well, I guess was me now. I needed to have a word with past me. That damned bitch.

  Guy rose an eyebrow, before he leaned back, laughing. My temper flared as the man kept laughing, seemingly unconcerned that I didn’t appreciate being the thing he was laughing about.

  “I’m sorry,” he said after he finally felt the ice that had formed in my veins. I’d been told I had a resting bitch face, and between that, my crossed arms, and the venom I was shooting his way with my eyes, it seemed to finally break through his mirth. “I don’t mean to offend, it’s just,” more laughter, as he wiped tears from his eyes. Fucking tears. Asshole. “I’ve a feeling you’re not short on currency, considering all those Mun you’ve been beating up.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked, more defensively than intended, because well, I was pissed. I didn’t like being laughed at. Especially when the laughter was at my expense for something I had no control over. Sure, I could have asked about currency before traveling, but I literally had been a part of this world for just over a week. Ignorance seemed pretty justifiable. I’d been traveling alone, too, until this morning.

  He motioned back towards the building, “come on inside Taylor,” he was still chuckling, though it was no longer the full bellied laughter. “I’ll teach you about how currency works in Mutopia as well. And add this to the list of things to inform my fellow Guys about.”

  I followed after him, still seething, but also intrigued. Was the laughing to the extreme he’d just done fair for the situation. I didn’t think so. But, I was relieved to hear I probably did have a way to buy things from him, and rent a room tonight from his inn. Which, combined with the fact I was getting to finally learn about the way currency worked in this world, which was arguably a very good thing to know before I bumbled into Silver Springs, had my veins quickly dethawing.

  Which was why I only partially glared daggers into his back, as I followed the man into the building. Partially.