The Lights of Mokhaven

The two suns began to dip towards the horizon. They painted the sky in shades of orange and deep purple. Bob was tired. His legs ached, and his stomach felt very empty. His stick-sword felt heavier than before.

"Almost there," Traveller's calm voice said.

Bob looked up. They were standing on the crest of a hill. Below them, nestled in a valley, was a town.

It wasn't a big town. Buildings were made of dark wood and a smooth, grey stone he had never seen before. Smoke curled from chimneys into the evening air. As the sky grew darker, yellow lights began to glow along the main street. They came from large, glowing crystals set on top of wooden posts.

Bob stopped walking. He had never seen so many houses in one place. He had never seen lights that weren't the sun or the moon. He pulled his grey hood a little lower over his face. The world felt very big all of a sudden.

Traveller waited for him patiently. "That's Mokhaven. Our stop for the night."

They walked down the final slope towards the town gates. The gates were just a wide opening in a low stone wall that circled the town. Two guards stood there, holding long spears. They wore simple leather armor.

The guards saw Traveller's white robe and nodded respectfully. "Traveller," one of them said. They didn't ask any questions. Their eyes barely glanced at the small, grey figure at Traveller's side.

Bob kept his head down. He could hear things now. The murmur of voices from inside buildings. The distant sound of a hammer hitting metal. The faint melody of a stringed instrument. It was a lot of noise.

The smells were new, too. He could smell woodsmoke, cooking meat, and something sweet like baked bread. His stomach rumbled loudly.

Traveller's hand rested on his shoulder, a steady weight. "This way. I know a place."

They led him through the main street. People of different shapes and sizes walked past them. Some were tall and slender with pointed ears. Others were short and stocky with thick beards. No one looked like Bob. He was glad for his hood. He clutched his stick-sword like a lifeline.

Traveller stopped in front of a large, two-story building. A wooden sign with a carving of a funny-looking animal hung above the door. Warm, yellow light spilled from the windows, and the smell of food was strongest here. Laughter and music drifted out from inside.

"The Gilded Grox," Traveller said. "The food is decent, and the beds are clean."

Bob looked at the big wooden door. It seemed very loud and bright inside. He felt Traveller's gentle nudge.

"It's okay," they said softly. "You're with me."

Bob took a deep breath. He nodded.

Traveller pushed the door open, and they stepped inside.