[CHAPTER FIVE]

Sloane walked along the dusty road. It was a dirt road left by wagon wheels

compressing the dirt. It was one of these ruts that she followed. She had a productive and lucrative week at Ohiris. But she was very glad to be leaving that place. The thing she was hoping for most in the next town was a bath. She had tried purchasing a barrel to bathe in in Ohiris, but had been rejected. The lord of Ohiris had even summoned her to his castle to warn her off being "a disruptive influence" and suggested she move on to the next town. She had complied gladly. There weren't any quests left in her ranking as she had advanced to the next level rapidly.

It was a five day journey by foot. And now that she was far enough from prying eyes she decided to do some testing. She was approaching a canyon, and figured she would find an appropriate target farther in. decisively she turned off the road and headed deep into the canyon.

Now she was completely out of sight of the road. The canyon branched and she decided to follow the left branch. After another bend she spied a perfect target. An old gnarled and scorched tree. Excited Sloane summoned her bow and nocked an arrow. She looked to the tree then drew back the bowstring focusing on the point of the arrow and picturing electricity gathering there. When the tip began to spark she loosed the arrow. A weak electrical burst released upon impact.

So I can do that.

Sloane repeated the process, trying to pull in more electricity each time. With the sun sinking low, and feeling exhausted, Sloane decided to make camp. There was a good ledge about halfway up the canyon wall she decided to climb to. She laid out her sleeping bag and sat with her legs hanging over the edge. She still had meals left from the starting supplies so she pulled one out and began eating.

She was surprised that she hadn't seen any animal activity in the canyon so far. It was odd as this was a natural shelter and she could see traces of water being available farther in the canyon. With her curiosity piqued she decided to explore the canyon before moving on to the next town.

Darkness fell, and the moon rose. Sloane watched the stars grow brighter as dusk gave way to night. She had spent many nights back home looking up at the stars. She didn't recognize any constellations in this sky. With that observation came the realization that she hadn't thought of the world before transferring after accepting that first quest. Had she just become too caught up in surviving here? Or was there a different underlying reason?

Sloane's eyes felt heavy and as she fell asleep she thought that she needed to 'write this down in her journal,' slipped away as slumber took over.

The next morning.

Sloane ate a small meal and packed up her sleeping bag. It was trickier getting down from the ledge than it had been going up. But she made it down the cliff face safely. As she walked farther into the canyon she practiced gathering and releasing electricity. Under her profile on the gauntlet her affinity read "low" and she was determined to improve it before reaching the next town. A trickle of water caught her attention, and yet there were still no signs of animal activity. The water smelled safe, and as far as she could tell it was safe. But if animals were leaving it alone she wasn't about to drink it herself.

Finally she reached the back of this branch of the canyon. The edge of the spring was scattered with sun bleached bones. Something had once feasted on creatures and discarded their corpses next to the mouth of the spring. Which meant whatever it was likely lived within the spring itself. Sloane stepped back, nocked an arrow and focused electricity onto the tip. The arrow flew true and struck the surface of the water with a crackle and hiss of steam.

The water surged and a long snake-like creature burst from the surface. Sloane already had another arrow ready and charged. She released it and immediately nocked another. The first struck the creature's eye. It screamed with pain as electricity burst from the point. With half its face charred the enraged beast thrashed and searched for the source of the arrows and pain. It locked its remaining eye on Sloane and surged forward. Its long body slammed on the ground and it slithered rapidly toward her. Its mouth wide open she released the supercharged arrow straight down its throat. 

Walking backward she continued to release arrow after arrow at the creature. It was convulsing but still forcing its way toward her. Her heel struck a stone as she stepped back, off balance she fell. She hit the ground and began scrambling backward, the creature still painfully crawling toward her. 

Sloane rolled, gathered her feet under her, and dashed away from the creature. She could hear and feel it at her heels. And then, it stopped. Sloane ran another half dozen meters before she realized it wasn't chasing her anymore. She slowed, stopped and turned back the way she had come.

The creature lay dead, arrows protruding from its eye, mouth and neck. It had no feet but was covered in large, rough scales that allowed it to crawl on the ground and cling to the rock edges below the water's surface. 

Now what?

She measured the creature by pacing along its length. Fifteen steps from nose to tail. The scales were metallic and its blood seemed closer to oil than anything else. She wondered if she could fit it in her inventory. To her surprise when she placed her hand on the remains with the intent to try it flashed and then appeared in her inventory. She could feel the weight of it. Her bag was heavier than usual.

Ah, I guess it is time to get moving.

Sloane left the canyon and resumed following the road. As she walked she continued to practice her control over electricity.

The rest of the journey to the next town was uneventful to the point of being boring. There were no more remarkable geographical features, and the only thing to keep her occupied was practicing her electrical mastery. By the time she arrived at the next town her control had improved from low to intermediate.

Where Ohiris had felt somewhat medieval in design this place felt like a fort built on the frontier in the eighteen hundreds. The sign by the gate read Fort Langton. The fashion as well seemed to fit the Victorian era more than the clothes of Ohiris which had a feel more toward the thirteenth century earth.

"Traveler!" a female voice called out as she stepped through the open gate. "Welcome!"

Sloane looked around as she walked down the main street. The place felt like it had been ripped straight from "the old west"; there was even a saloon just a few buildings down from where she stood. Footsteps on the boardwalk drew her attention and she turned.

"Howdy traveler," the tall man with a thick beard addressed her politely, but his eyes were wary, "What business do you have here?"

"I'm looking for work," Sloane returned the polite smile, "Could you direct me to the quest board?"

"Follow me," he replied after examining her with a critical eye, "I'm Sheriff Sands. Behave yourself and we won't be having any problems."

"I'm Sloane," She said, stepping up onto the boardwalk. "And I've no intention of causing problems for you. The opposite actually."

Sheriff Sands grunted in response and led the way farther down main street. They passed the saloon, a bank, and a hotel before arriving at a building with a large sign that read "Traveler's Guild".

"Everything you need will be inside." Sheriff Sands grunted and then left without saying anything else.

"It was nice meeting you," Sloane called after him and then turned and went inside.

Sloane spotted the quest board near the front entrance. She went to it first before going to the counter and checking in with the guild. She wanted to see what kind of quests were available before doing anything else. To her surprise there were a variety of quests ranging from escort to delivery, to farm chores and gathering and hunting. But one caught her attention above all others.

Scourge of the Water Holes.

Target: Ohmyohme

Habitat: Interconnected Springs

This Ohmyohme plagues the watering holes around the Twelve Springs Ranch. It is unknown which watering hole it is currently stalking. I'm sick of losing employees and livestock to this thing. Please rid us of this scourge.

Classification: Emergency

[This quest is available to all ranks, the difficulty is unmeasured. Proceed with caution]

The provided image was crudely drawn, but strongly resembled the creature she had slain in the canyon.

She accepted the quest and headed to the counter. "Hello," she smiled at the clerk, "I'd like to-"

"Name?" The clerk interrupted and held out their hand for her ID.

"Sloane Anderson," She replied, slightly taken aback at the brusque demeanor of the clerk.

"You are now active in the region. Rooms are up the stairs to the rear of the building. Have a good day." Not once did the clerk smile or meet her eyes, and the tone was flat as if the interaction was nothing more than routine.

"Wait-" Sloane called out but the clerk had already disappeared through a doorway into another room.

Sloane sighed and decided to go check out the rooms here before getting a meal and more information. She followed the directions to the back and up the stairs. Most of the rooms were marked unoccupied and unclaimed. To her surprise there were digital interfaces next to each door and the rooms were claimed by using the traveler's ID. Sloane chose a room farther from the other occupied ones and scanned her card. The door unlocked and swung inward. Stepping through Sloane realized it was quite a bit larger than the rooms in Ohiris. There was a queen sized bed with a stuffed mattress, a chest of drawers with a wash basin and pitcher on top, a desk, a table with two chairs and a night stand with an oil lamp set on top as well as a lamp on the wall next to the door. The room was clean and tidy. There was a small door toward the back of the room and when Sloane checked to see what was beyond it she was shocked to see a cast iron tub and a full mirror.

Sloane hadn't seen her face reflected in anything but water since stepping through the portal. She studied her reflection. Her skin was clearer than she remembered. But her face was thinner, and she had been sunburned a few times and her skin was an angry red under the tan. Her gear showed wear, but was far from worn out.

Sloane checked the position of the sun outside the window. It was still high in the sky. "All-righty then," she spoke to her reflection, "I'll wash up, get a meal, some information hopefully, and then do some laundry."

Sloane was so excited for a hot bath she didn't even mind that she had to carry buckets of water up the stairs herself. With the tub sufficiently full she sank in blissfully. She had forgotten how nice a hot soak felt, and how much cleaner she felt in comparison to a sponge bath. She let herself soak in the simple pleasure for a while longer, then stepped out, toweled herself off and laid out her last set of clean clothes. 

After changing she descended the stairs and headed to the hotel to get a hot meal. She planned to eat till she burst today. It had been weeks since she had a meal that wasn't preserved. She stepped up onto the walk and through the front doors of the hotel. The hostess at the counter's eyes widened a bit at the sight of Sloane but she put on a professional smile and greeted her.

"Welcome Traveler, here for a meal?"

"I am," Sloane returned the smile, "anything you would recommend?"

"The vegetables were all delivered this morning, and the steak all comes from the Twelve Springs Ranch," the hostess answered, setting the menu in front of Sloane, "If you like aloiva meat I'd order that. Your waiter will be here in a moment."

Sloane smiled gratefully and studied the menu.

"Good evening Traveler," a deep voice spoke and she turned to see a man standing at her elbow with a pad in his hand, "would you like to order now? Can I start you with a beverage?"

"A glass of water, and can you tell me what a dark brew is like?"

The waiter thought for a moment before answering, "I'm told it is very much like your coffee. We also have, ah what did that other traveler call it, oh yes, soda. He called our dark tonic a soda."

"I'll have a dark tonic then. I'd also like a bowl of your soup of the day," Sloane pointed out the menu items as she listed her order, "a large aloiva steak with the fresh vegetables as the side dish, and whatever sweet thing you suggest for dessert." Sloane handed back the menu with a smile.

"Anything else," the waiter asked as he scribbled on the pad.

"A good place to get information." Sloane studied his face. She hoped this place would not be as tight-lipped on regional information as Ohiris had been.

"Well, the saloon is a good place for gossip and getting the lay of the land. You might have to buy a few rounds though."

"Thank you," Sloane replied with a smile. She didn't want to tell him that she didn't drink.

The waiter left and quickly returned with her beverages. As he placed the glasses in front of her she looked up and spotted Sheriff Sands stepping into the dining room. His eyes locked on to her and he crossed the room directly.

"Care to join me?" Sloane offered and gestured to the chair across from her.

The sheriff grunted in response and pulled the chair out. Once he had settled in, signaled by the cessation of his grumbling, he turned his attention to her.

"You accepted the ohmyohme emergency quest." He was direct and stared at her intently.

"I did." Sloane replied. She was relaxed in her seat and turned the glass of soda on the table, she hadn't tasted it yet.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" He demanded, his voice low.

"First of all, no I'm not," she took a sip of the soda, it tasted like root beer, "Second, what's it to you?" Her voice had become firm, her eyes glinted with restrained frustration.

"Others have challenged the beast before you." His voice held regret, "I do not wish to see another share their fate. Please, if you must challenge this beast, do it with a party."

Sloane slid the glass of soda across the table to sit next to the water glass. She leaned forward, arms resting against the table edge.

"I do appreciate your concern. It's not something I've been shown in a long while. But, would you still be so doubtful if I told you I already have experience dispatching a similar creature?"

"Impossible," he scoffed, shifting backward in his chair and looking away. There was an angry flush on his face and Sloane appreciated that he restrained his anger rather than venting it upon her.

"I have proof," She smiled gently, "I can show you after I've eaten. If you would like to order something please do. It has been a long time since I've shared a meal with someone."

Sheriff Sands scrutinized her, gauging her veracity, and assessing her loneliness.

"Ryerot, and a steak."

Sloane signaled the waiter and added the Sheriff's order to her bill.

While they ate Sloane peppered the Sheriff with questions about the terrain, the locals and the flora and fauna. She found that the locals didn't know much more about the ohmyohme than she had been able to glean from the spring in the canyon. The sheriff revealed it had been about two weeks since the last sighting which either meant good fortune in their choice of watering holes and timing, or that the beast was laying low and they were due for a big loss.

"Tell me about the one you slew," Sheriff Sands spoke around a mouthful of steak.

"I will," Sloane smiled with a mischievous twinkle, "when I show you. You may not believe me otherwise."

"Fair enough," he grumbled.

After dinner the sheriff walked with Sloane back to the Traveler's Guild. "I'm surprised you could eat all that looking at how small you are."

"My stomach feels like it's about to burst," Sloane laughed, "Just seemed like a good idea to get a full meal while I had the chance."

"Afraid I'm gonna run you out of town?" He asked with a snort.

"I asked too many questions in Ohiris." She replied unamused, "I was asked to leave when I ranked up."

Sheriff Sands didn't respond. He waited in the lobby while she retrieved her pack and returned. 

"Is there a good place for me to remove this from my inventory?"

"Well," he said thoughtfully, "we could head out to Twelve Springs Ranch. They know best what this beast looks like. If you have indeed slain it already they will be able to confirm it."

"Let's go then," Sloane followed him back to his office where he hitched up a buckboard and motioned for her to sit next to him. She marveled at the cart as it looked straight out of a western movie, except that the natural color of the wood was a vibrant purple and the metal hardware looked like bronze but it shone with a blue hue. The creature pulling it looked like a horse, was called a horse, but its coat pattern was that of a clouded leopard and the mane and tail stood stiffly on end and felt like thin wire.

Sloane sat with her bow across her knees, eyes scanning the horizon as they traveled.

"You run into much trouble since arriving?" Sheriff Sands asked, observing her hypervigilance.

"I don't think it's been much," She responded distractedly, "but everything here is so different and strange and familiar all at the same time. I don't know if I will ever adjust. And if I do relax…" her voice trailed off.

"Well," he turned his attention back to the road, "I understand your concern. Back in Ohiris and here, it's said that both places came from different worlds, and that the beasts are because these worlds don't belong together and cohabitating is what is tearing us apart. It's been thousands of years, yet the structures haven't changed, they don't need repairing, maybe a bit of paint for a change now and then. But nothin' gets changed. My Pappy tried building a structure with the help of a traveler who knew about such things. It was quite the marvel to hear him tell it. Had a box inside that could carry people up to the top. The day after it was completed it blinked out of existence. Two decades of work gone in a blink and no trace left behind. Even the ground looked as if nothin' had ever disturbed it. My Pa talked about it as well. So either its the longest running prank I know. Or something keeps us stuck. The only thing that does change are the things influenced by the travelers. Things that come through the rifts. Those fancy quest boards and the locks on the doors at the Traveler's Guild. Those were made by Travelers I'm told."

Sloane stared at him. She didn't know Sheriff Sands could speak so much.

Sheriff Sands cleared his throat, "Only a half hour now and we will be there."

Sloane closed her eyes, feeling the sun on her face and the wind through her hair. She found herself wishing for a hat and not for the first time. The warm smell of earth and the slight tickle of dust filled her nose. The breeze changed direction and she picked up the smell of the lush grass and a faint note of water. She opened her eyes and looked toward the source. A stand of trees in the distance marked the presence of a spring.

"That's First Spring." Sheriff Sands grumbled, "the other twelve are spread across the ranch."

"Is it possible that my spring is connected to these?" Sloane turned and stood, swaying with the motion of the buckboard and scanning the horizon. She opened her map and studied the locations in relation to what she had uncovered. She couldn't be certain, but she was beginning to suspect that there were either more than twelve springs, or more than two ohmyohme inhabiting this region.

"Are they certain it's only one ohmyohme?" Sloane asked desperately.

"I can't answer that. You will have to ask the ranch hands."

Sloane fell into thoughtful silence.

"Sloane, we've arrived." Sheriff Sands pulled to a stop and stepped down from the buckboard. He reached up to assist Sloane. She took his hand and stepped down, falling into step beside him.

"Hello the house!" Sheriff Sands bellowed.

The front door swung open and a middle aged woman stepped onto the porch, wiping her hands on her apron. She dabbed her forehead as if that would erase the worried furroughs on her brow.

"Sheriff," she smiled nervously, "what brings you out here?"

He jerked his thumb at Sloane, "This one accepted the emergency quest. She claims she's slain an ohmyohme already and just needs confirmation that she's got the right creature."

"Oh of course," the woman smiled in relief, "they won't be back until supper time but I can surely set some extra places if you would like to stay?"

"Gladly Mrs. Walker," He beamed, "Any chance for a home cooked meal and I will be there."

About an hour later more than a dozen riders rode up to the house and turned their horses into the corral. Sloane stopped her pacing and watched them approach. She picked out the boss instantly, his clothes were nicer, he was better groomed and he was slightly older than the majority of the other riders. The body language of the other riders also suggested respect.

"Sheriff," the older man called out, "what brings you out here?"

"Mr. Walker," Sheriff Sands smiled affably, "I've got a Traveler that needs to meet you."

"Is that so?" Mr. Walker replied seriously. 

"I'm Sloane Anderson." She extended her hand as they approached, stepping forward to close the gap.

"Silas Walker, owner of the Twelve Springs Ranch. What is it that you need from me?"

"I accepted your emergency quest. I encountered something on my way here from Ohiris and it sounded an awful lot like the ohmyohme from your quest. The illustration wasn't very detailed, so it seemed that it would be best if I showed it to you and your men what I slew directly."

"Well," Silas gestured impatiently, "let's see it."

Sloane moved a distance from the house, set her pack down, and opened the inventory. She was extremely grateful that the inventory halted decay on all items. Otherwise this thing would be an absolute mess. She selected the creature and chose the "remove" option. The space in front of her was instantly filled with the giant snake. She turned to the crowd in front of the house just in time to see one of the hands pick himself up off the ground and dust himself off. He glanced around to see if anybody had seen him stumble. His eyes met hers and his face flushed.

"How!" Silas Walker bellowed in disbelief. He ran forward and circled the creature examining every scar and scale. The other hands approached and examined it as well.

"So this is an ohmyohme?" She asked, placing her hand on its side.

"It is!" Mr. Walker exclaimed, whirling to face her, "how did you manage this when entire parties have failed to kill it before it withdrew into the depths of the springs?"

Sloane recounted the events of the encounter and even demonstrated her ability to manipulate electricity.

"Incredible," Mr. Walker exclaimed, "You must stay for dinner. Stay the night, I want to show you tomorrow just what you saved."

"Thank you but-"

"She would be glad to," Sheriff Sands interrupted, "and I'm sure getting a lay of the land would benefit her if she plans to stay in the region for a while longer. Would help her out a bit if some more of the locals learned to trust her."