Village token

I woke early, before the sun had even risen. Deep snores emanated from the other side of the curtain, telling me that uncle still slept. Would he be accepting of me today? I felt my chest tighten as I recalled what he said yesterday.

I climbed out of bed and looked at myself. I was a mess, my hair was clinging in clumps, dirt clung to me and my shirt was still hanging off me in strips. I sighed, I opened the wardrobe, expecting it to be void, but to my surprise it wasn't. Several plain dresses of differing sizes were hanging inside, either in a pale blue or dark red. Behind the dresses were some undergarments.

There was a small basin of water, and so I took advantage of it. Stripping off my clothes and washing myself. I carefully combed my hair with my fingers before braiding it back. The fabric of the dress was much coarser than what father and mother had been able to give me, but... that was too be expected.

I picked a red dress, it was plain, and blue was not a color I ever felt comfortable wearing. I pulled on my boots, and tied my belt around my waist. How hadn't I noticed the bag hanging from my hip? The water-skin was still there, but a bag, about the size of a small cat hung as well. Opening it revealed it was much larger than it appeared, as many logs and large bricks of stone were inside.

Oh! I pulled out the village token out of the pocket of my trousers. The bag must be the greater resource bag then! I placed the token on the bed and knelt clasping my hands in prayer.

System notification! Players will begin appearing in 9 days.

I slowly opened my eyes to read the prompt before returning to my prayer, one who is favored may need to be humble to continue to receive the gods favor, but some are not destined for great feats, instead choosing to live a brief life, forging a trail of glory behind them.

As I finished my prayer I stood and tied the resource bag to my belt, as it was a gift from a god, it weighed practically nothing. I took the token and pulled the curtain aside. Josiah was sitting at the table, hands clasped as he starred at the door, Kathy was leaning over a pot suspended over a small fire pit, stirring the contents.

I placed the token on the table. When uncle saw the platinum token, his eyes appeared to bulged, and his mouth formed an O shape. Kathy turned around, and had much the same reaction. However she recovered more quickly, managing not to drop the lade into the pot.

"Elizabeth." Uncle's voice was shaky, "where did you get that?"

"One of the gods saw fit to bestow it upon me." I answered, "but I would like your advice. I prayed just a few minutes ago, and I saw a magnificent city. But I am not sure if I created it, or it was a flight of fancy upon receiving such favor from the gods."

Kathy and Josiah glanced at each other for a few moments. "I'll get the village elder." Uncle stood and hurried out of the door.

Aunt finished the meal she was preparing and filled several bowls and placed them around the table. "I see at least one of the dresses fit." She smiled. She sat in the chair next to mine and put her hand on my shoulder. "Since your still growing, you should eat up."

I didn't argue as my stomach growled then. Instead taking the spoon I was offered and began to eat the porridge. I had made it through two bowls by the time uncle came back with a slightly rotund older man.

"Elizabeth, this is elder Trac. Trac, this is our daughter, Elizabeth." Uncle introduced the two of us.

Trac looked at uncle incredulously, "come now Josiah, I've more important things to be doing right now than meeting your new brat."

"I believe you are in the wrong elder." I said in that quiet, snotty way that only nobility could pull off when speaking to those of a lower station. "I am Baroness Elizabeth Almeria, I do not have the slightest light of day for those that do not show everyone they meet at least the common courtesy they deserve."

"My apologies then baroness, it is that I've been overwhelmed by the duties of rebuilding a village." He quickly replied, his tone with me changing in an instant. Aunt Kathy's face seemed red with rage and uncle did not seem to take kindly to Trac's remarks.

"I think it best you leave." Josiah said calmly, fists tightly clenched against his side.

"Surely I didn't come all this way for nothing?" Trac said with a joking smile.

"Yes you did. Now get out of my house." Kathy brusquely demanded.

Trac looked at us for a long moment before shaking his head and taking his leave. "I don't know what to say." Kathy sputtered angrily.

"It's alright." I put my hand on aunt's arm. "I'll invite my friends over to talk about it."

Kathy nodded, "It's for the best."

I nodded. "Then I'll be back soon."

I left, and began to wander the roads. I found myself walking down the road I had when I first arrived here? Had it only been yesterday?

"Still not had enough?" A rough voice called. "You stay away from Shanri hear me!" I looked around the corner into the alley which the voices came from.

"Then what am I to do when she comes to me?" Caleb asked incredulously as he tried to back away from the large figure slowly aproching him.

"Didn't you hear me? Or are you that stupid? Stay away from Shanri!"

"How am I to do that Jean?" Caleb asked.

"Just shut up!" A punch flew out and caught Caleb on the left side of his jaw, sending him sprawling.

"Leave Caleb alone!" I shouted, storming over. The looming figure, Jean turned and glowered at me.

"Oh?" He scoffed. "And what could a little birdie like you do?" He turned back around.

I stopped maybe half a foot away and leaned back, kicking at the back of his knees. A sickening pop was audible moments before a shrill scream, but that was cut short by the follow up kick to the side of his head.

I walked over to Caleb, who had scrambled further away when Jean turned to him. I helped him to his feet. "Are you doing alright?"

He nodded curtly. "Thanks"

"We're cousins now, why wouldn't I help?" Caleb didn't reply, instead beginning to limp out of the alley.

"Could you go to aunt's at least, I wanted to gather some people to discuss the token." I asked. Caleb nodded before slipping off.

With Caleb heading off I went to find the rest of my few friends.