Shumbachena

As we entered, my senses were met with an overpowering smell of unwashed bodies and cooking meat. People milled around everywhere. There was a lot of noise and I saw that there were market stalls selling meats, clothing, weapons and other bits and pieces. We moved on through the crowds and headed towards a large stone building that had the look of a tavern. Morwell pulled up outside the building and dismounted, gesturing for me to stay in the saddle and wait. The building was large and...
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As we entered, my senses were met with an overpowering smell of unwashed bodies and cooking meat. People milled around everywhere. There was a lot of noise and I saw that there were market stalls selling meats, clothing, weapons and other bits and pieces. We moved on through the crowds and headed towards a large stone building that had the look of a tavern. Morwell pulled up outside the building and dismounted, gesturing for me to stay in the saddle and wait. The building was large and three stories high. A large veranda straddled the complete frontal area of the building. A few minutes later Morwell reappeared with a short stocky looking man following behind him. Morwell motioned for me to dismount. Morwell then removed his saddlebags as did I. The stocky man then took up the reins of our mounts and walked them away. I then followed Morwell up the stairs and into the building. I was right, it was a tavern, and boy was it heaving with people. I followed closely behind Morwell and followed him up the stairs to the top floor. Morwell pointed to a door and I entered. Inside, a small single bed and a stand-alone washbasin stood near the window. Well, I at least knew I had a bed for the night. I closed the door after seeing where Morwell's room was and removed my cloak. I dumped my bags on the bed and went over to the washbasin. I poured some water into the basin from a metal jug, splashed water on my face, and washed through my hair with my fingers. While washing I could feel stubble on my face and wondered to myself if I should try and shave or just grow a beard. I couldn't see any sort of razor so I left that thought alone for the time being. After drying off I felt really invigorated. As I lay on the bed, I looked back on what had happened to me over the last day or so. It was hard to comprehend everything that I had seen and done in such a short period of time. One thing I knew for sure was I was missing Patria. I actually felt a stab of regret in having left her behind. Was I feeling something more than friendship? Before I could answer my own question a knock at my door brought me back to reality. I opened the door and Morwell entered the room and sat on the end of my bed. He looked at me then pointed to me and then to him and intertwined his fingers tightly together. I took it he meant we must stay together and not get separated. I nodded that I understood. He smiled got up and moved towards the door. I followed and we descended the stairs to the bar and dining area. Morwell caught the eye of a serving girl and ordered some food and drink. While waiting for the food I looked around the room noticing that there was an assortment of patrons frequenting the tavern. I recognised Dwarfs and humans like Morwell and me. There were some other beings not so human, but were mingling all the same. The food and drink finally arrived and I ate with relish. The meat tasted very much like the meat I would have eaten in the bush and had a very strong after taste. The tankard of ale was good but not very strong. While I ate I noticed that darkness had fallen. Lamps had now been lit, lining the street outside. The bar was fuller now and I was being jostled from behind. The noise was reaching a crescendo and I started to feel a bit uncomfortable. Morwell noticed this and pointed his finger up. I nodded. As we moved through the crowd, I was pushed up against one of the more human-looking patrons. He turned to me, pushed his face right up to mine, and snarled. He looked real mean and it seemed that he didn't like being pushed. He was wearing some heavy, leather, body armour so I took it he was a warrior of some sort. I saw his hand reach down to his sword, I reacted also and made to draw my sword if he did. He noticed what I had done and let go his sword, gave a great guffaw, turned away, and got back to his drinking.