The first light of dawn crept through the small window, waking Bryan and Aiden from their slumber. Today was the day of their meeting with the ruler of Reykholt.
After a quick wash in the small, rustic bathroom attached to their room, they felt refreshed. Although the water was cold and there was no option for hot water at that moment, it did the job of waking them fully.
After bathing, they dressed in clean simple shirts and trousers and once they were ready with the documents they needed, they left their room and made their way to the ruler’s residence.
The ruler’s home was grand, no doubt, but still rustic. The exterior was built from stone and wood, its roof thatched and windows small, just like every other house in the village, except that this was more grand. Finally reaching the ruler’s home, a pair of guards stood at the entrance. These guards were dressed in traditional garb, their swords at their sides.
As Bryan and Aiden approached, the guards gave them a nod, already expecting them. “The ruler awaits you,” one of them said, opening the heavy wooden door with a creak. “You may go in.”
They went inside, the same guard with two more, taking them to where the ruler was. His hall.
The ruler’s hall was warm and inviting, with a long wooden table stretched across the room. The surface of the table was lined with trays of fruits, smoked meats, and bread, as well as the air being filled with the scent of firewood and herbs.
At the head of the table sat the ruler, a stern yet welcoming figure with graying hair. He also had a fur-lined cloak draped over his shoulders.
“Please, sit.” He gestured to Bryan and Aiden for them to sit as his servants quietly filled their goblets with mead.
“I have been expecting you two, ever since I received your letter,” the ruler said as Bryan and Aiden took their seats across from him.
“We have been looking forward to this meeting,” Bryan said.
“Thank you for welcoming us,” Aiden added with a slight appreciative nod.
The conversation began with pleasantries, but soon moved to the heart of the matter, which was why they were really in Reykholt.
Bryan leaned forever, his voice business-like and steady. “We have come to propose a plan that could benefit Reykholt. We believe it is time to bring modern currency into the village and into circulation by moving from coins to money that can attract investors and traders from the cities. This would benefit Reykholt and its people immensely.”
Aiden nodded, adding, “And with our resources, we can help develop infrastructure, improve trade routes, and Introduce new opportunities for your people, while still preserving the village’s uniqueness.”
“Hm…” the ruler listened carefully, his fingers lightly tapping the table. “You speak of progress,” he mused. “This progress you speak of can be dangerous to a place like this. We have maintained our traditions for generations, and many here would be or should I say, are resistant to change.”
Bryan acknowledged the ruler’s concerns as well as the concerns the people might have. “We understand, but we believe growth can coexist with tradition. We have eaten the food here, seen some things, and furthermore, we are looking forward to learning more about this place and its tradition. Our goal is not to erase the past, but to build a future that honors it.”
There was a pause as the ruler looked at both of them and after a long sip from his goblet, he finally spoke, “I will consider your proposal. You leave in a week, right?”
“Yes. We will only be here for a week,” Aiden answered.
“Enjoy your stay here, then.” The ruler said, “And before you leave, I will give you my answer.”
With a respectful bow, Bryan and Aiden stood and left the hall, looking forward to the answer the ruler will give to them. As they stepped outside, the village was already bustling with activities. Instead of returning to their rooms, they decided to stop at the pub they had noticed earlier.
The pub was lively as they entered, and they were definitely not surprised by that. Men sat in clusters, drinking from mugs and laughing. Bryan and Aiden took a seat near the bar, ordering a couple of drinks and roasted meats.
As they sipped their drinks and ate their meats, they could not help but overhear a group of men who were talking loudly a few tables away.
“I tell you, the old man’s completely lost it!” one of the men guffawed, slamming his mug down on the table. “He is always going on about creatures from the wild, talking nonsense about werewolves, monsters, and other such rubbish. That could explain why he has no family too, he is obviously mad! Who would want to be and build a family with a mad man.”
Another man chimed in, shaking his head, “He claims he has seen them, you know. He says they are real! He’s just looking for attention. We all know he is just a crazy old, lonely fool.”
The others burst out laughing, their voices very loud in the pub. “He is harmless though, but quite scary with his stupid talks,” one added, wiping a tear from his eyes. “But if he keeps spouting off about monsters and werewolves, someone might have him locked up. The village has no use for him anyway, I still wonder why he has not been punished or locked up.”
Hearing all this, Bryan and Aiden exchanged glances, their interest piqued. They wondered who this old man could be as whoever the old man was, seemed to have a lot of information that humans should not have.
Aiden then decided to get additional information and leaned toward the group. “This old man you speak of… where can we find him?”
Immediately he asked, the laughter around the table quieted as the men turned to look at them. “Why would you want to find him?” one asked suspiciously, surprised by the sudden question.
Aiden shrugged, a half-smile on his face. “Let’s just say we are interested in hearing more of these stories for ourselves.”
The men exchanged uneasy looks, sizing Bryan and Aiden up before one finally answered, “He lives in the woods, go into the woods and you will find him. But don’t say we didn’t warn you. He’s mad.”