The West Road

Shairi decided to take the west road. With luck, whatever reward was being offered would put some much-needed coin in her pocket. And Shairi had a great curiosity, and was wondering what exactly this ‘Trouble’ was.

That evening, she came to the small village built round the mine. It was a drab, grey place, where hardworking miners lived and engaged in their crude pleasures after a hard day’s work.

Groups of burly men moved from place to place. When they saw Shairi they stopped to regard the teenage half-elf with lustful eyes. She’d have to be careful here. She looked around. The small town had few landmarks. Shairi noted a rickety three story building. From the sign outside, it was the town’s tavern. From the young women who lounged in the porch wearing low-cut dresses, it was also the town brothel.

The other large building was the Mine Overseer’s office, where all the administration of the mines would take place. The Overseer would be the one to talk to about the job. There were also a few shops, although Shairi didn’t have much money.

And over it all, on the hill above the town, was the entrance to the silver mines. Even this late in the day, the smelters still glowed, belching flames against the dark sky.