Arcane Innovator

After deciding to assume a new identity for the time being, I now need to figure out what to do next.

I knew that pretending to be an orphan came with its own difficulties - for example, I wouldn't be able to get any reasonable job.

And I certainly needed some sort of a day job as my pouch was now all but empty, and I was down to my last few coins since I gave most of my silver to Father back in the Forest.

'I should have left some silver marks in my stash...' I thought with exasperation. However, it was too late to cry over spilled milk.

I still had my bag of gold safely tucked away in my innermost pocket, but I couldn't possibly take out any of it while dressed like a poor commoner, as everyone would automatically assume I stole it somewhere.

Not to mention, I couldn't simply live in an inn while flaunting my sizable wealth, as that would be highly suspicious, and someone might begin to ask some dangerous questions.

Thus, if I want to truly blend in with the crowds, I need to wholeheartedly adapt to my new reality and refrain from using my magic so that nobody can recognize me.

That also meant I couldn't take advantage of my extensive knowledge of herbs and potions, as that, too, could give me away.

So what I was left with was... nothing. I smiled bitterly as I painfully realized that I had focused all my time studying magic and hadn't bothered to learn anything else.

'Whatever, I will figure something out...' I thought dejectedly as I sat beside the small fire, staring at the stars.

But then I widened my eyes as I realized something else. Assuming a new identity was fine and all, but if I looked the same, then somebody might still recognize me as my face was pretty famous around Ereneth.

However, this was something that could be easily solved even right now... I briefly looked at the flickering flames before getting up with a wistful sigh.

I wasn't too happy with what I was about to do, but I knew it was necessary. I approached the glowing fireplace and made a small pit next to it.

Then I scooped some ash into the pit and filled it with a generous dose of water from my waterskin before stirring it with a stick until I was left with a thick grey goo.

I furrowed my brows as it still wasn't exactly what I was hoping for. Yet I didn't let it discourage me as I previously noticed a thicket of wormvine growing nearby.

So, without wasting a breath, I quickly picked out some vines before carefully slicing them into tiny bits and squeezing their potent juice into my disgusting creation. I added some more water and continued stirring until I was finally happy with it.

The result was a thick, black, slimy solution that I wasn't attracted to in the slightest. Yet I still overcame my strong reluctance out of sheer necessity and picked a sizable chunk of it with my bare hands before meticulously spreading it across my head, coloring my hair black.

I let it soak in for a while before I conjured more water, as my waterskin was almost empty at this point, and then proceeded to thoroughly wash myself.

Some of it also stuck to my fingers, and I couldn't wash it out, but that was fine as it only added to my image of a dirty peasant, so I didn't mind it.

I haven't got a mirror with me, so I couldn't check how I looked, but I could imagine that not even my parents would be able to recognize me now, at least from afar.

I finished my transformation by making a few ash smudges across my face, and then, with a pleased smile, I succumbed to a long, dreamless sleep.

***

'This is wonderful...' I smirked, looking at my reflection in the calm surface of a small pool I discovered next to the road the following day.

My hair was an ugly mess - wild, unkempt, and completely black. When I combined this with the fact that I hadn't bathed for almost a week and my clothes were severely stained with plenty of dirt from the many days spent on the road, I now truly looked like some poor orphan.

With a satisfied nod, I resumed my journey, eagerly following the paved road, and as I was nearing the new town, the traffic thickened.

I noticed that the town's walls were not as tall and majestic as those of Ereneth, but they still posed a significant obstacle. Thus, I patiently stood in the long line of people before it was my turn to be inspected by the guards.

The road to the town was bustling with many people, carts, and animals, all trying to get closer to the gates. There was a sense of anticipation in the air as the people eagerly chatted among themselves.

'There must be some sort of market or other special occasion going on today, as there seem to be too many people trying to get inside so early in the morning...' I thought while cautiously observing my surroundings.

This situation actually worked perfectly in my favor as it allowed me to effortlessly blend in with the large crowd.

Still, I anxiously looked at the two watchmen standing at the entrance doing their inspections, and before I noticed, it was already my turn.

Seeing my miserable appearance, one of the weary-looking guards furrowed his brows as he regarded me with obvious disdain. "What is the purpose of your visit? Mind you, we won't tolerate any beggars inside the city's walls!"

I widened my eyes and hurriedly replied. "I'm not a beggar, mister! I'm going to the market to look for a job!"

I knew nothing about this town, but seeing all those people, I gambled on the possibility of a market taking place today. And by the looks of it, it must have worked as the watchman's guarded expression visibly softened.

Yet he still narrowed his eyes on me. "Alright then, but be warned, If we catch you loitering or doing anything suspicious, you will be flogged and thrown out of Ostengard without any fuss. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir!" I eagerly nodded and wanted to proceed inside, but the watchman promptly placed his spear in my way.

"Hold your horses, lad! Since you're not a citizen, the entrance fee is two copper marks... You got any money?"

'Ah, I almost forgot. There's always an entrance fee...' I sighed with exasperation before taking out a few of the last precious copper coins in my possession and placing them into his outstretched hand while thinking, ’I need to quickly find a place where I can exchange my silver…’

"Here it is..." I said, and after I saw the watchman reluctantly retracting his spear, I quickly squeezed through the narrow side entrance before he had time to change his mind.

'Ugh, the hardest part is behind me. And now I at least know what this place is called.' I exhaled in almost visible relief as I eagerly walked across the main street.

I immediately realized that there was undoubtedly some festive occasion taking place here as I took in my surroundings.

The streets were bustling with activity, and there was an almost palpable atmosphere of excitement in the sizable crowds of people, who all moved in a singular direction toward the town's center.

With mild curiosity, I let myself be carried with the throng while at the same time quickly committing to memory every interesting sight along the way.

I quickly noticed that Ostengard was a far cry from Ereneth, with its muddy streets and shabby huts. Yet, despite its somewhat rugged exterior, it had a certain charm.

The low buildings made of wood and stone, with simple thatched roofs, were arranged into very narrow streets winding through the town, seemingly without any apparent order.

'This seems like a perfect place to lay low for a time...' I thought as I curiously took in the new sights all around.

Soon, I was already at the main square, where a bustling market was taking place. The merchants sold various items from the surrounding villages, ranging from simple vegetables to clothes and even weapons.

The things on display here were the cheapest of goods. Yet even with such shabby offerings, the local merchants still haggled aggressively, trying their best to squeeze out every last copper from the passers-by.

I walked among the various stalls, browsing around to familiarize myself with the local prices and see if I could find some good deals as I sought to replenish my own dwindling food supplies.

But then I got to the very center of the muddy square where the town crier was just making an announcement in front of a small crowd.

"Good people of Ostengard! Be aware of the despicable witch named Darian, last seen south of Ereneth... He is a heinous criminal who murdered his own master in cold blood, the venerable mage Liliam, and who then massacred all the brave guards trying to apprehend him!

In his madness, he burned everything in his path before cowardly escaping into the woods. A generous reward is being offered by the city of Ereneth to anyone who could provide information about his current whereabouts."

'Oh, crap!' I widened my eyes as I cautiously looked around at the people's agitated faces. They were enthusiastically cursing me, not realizing that the target of their snares was standing right there with them.

'Well, If I wasn't famous before, then I certainly am now...'