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The market was glowing that night, Silas had just set up his stand and was excited. Finally being free of the kingdom of Flowsha he was now able to explore the world freely, have enough money for food, etc. Any opportunity he could dream of was within his grasp. He knew it deep within his soul that this could be true.
And so kicking the rocks of the dirtied pathway he walked along the towns roads. No place in mind as to where to rest, all he knew was that this was going to be his big break. The stars glittered the overhead portion of his vision, humming a small tune. Upon seeing a particular glow from the outside of a tavern he took it upon himself to dive in and take a gander, opening the door he was welcomed with a variety of people all boasting loudly about their exploits or failures form the day. This community was so inviting and heartwarming.
“Epamis, you are going to be such a lucrative experience.” Silas would mutter to himself.
The boy stepped inside the tavern, his seasick green hair with faded grey ends falling to his side in a large long ponytail. Rubbing his eyes the bright lights made it hard to see, and that was on top of his already poor vision. Chatter echoed the walls when he noticed an open spot along the bar table, he sauntered over and took a seat. Soon enough a bartender took note of his arrival and called out to him from shining the dirtiest glass.
“Greetings Sir, what can I interest you in tonight?” Asked the white haired man.
“Could I simply get a tall glass of water, please?” Silas responded with a subtle smile.
“Let me rephrase, Sir, are you going to be buying anything tonight?” The bartender questioned more firmly.
“Does water not cost money here?” Silas laughed, trying to make it sound like an ironic joke, desperate to hide his lack of knowledge.
“Haha, no, can I interest you in…” The man would glance at Silas more closely now, “are you even of age?” Interrogated the man.
This wasn’t really going according to plan, Silas had thought that he could just buy a glass of water and observe the townsfolk. Maybe living in a forest was going to be a bigger detriment to his social skills than he had once thought.
“Do you maybe provide lemonade?” He’d comb through his greenish grey hair with the tips of his fingers with an edge of nerves.
“Kids..” The bartender would silently groan to himself “Yes, we do have lemonade. I will get that for you in a moment!”
Silas was now free to stare at people, a joy of his. For the most part everyone was in groups, a few pathetic looking people sitting alone. The must be nut jobs or totally unlikable freaks if they were going to be sitting alone. I mean, who does that, go to a bar just to drink alone, pathetic is the word for that.
“Virgin lemonade, kid.” The bartender was back and had slid the drink over.
“Thank you!!” Turning back to the people Silas’ back against the counter.
In the far off corner was a blue haired woman with odd patterns on her skin, if it even was her skin. Sitting across from a man who looked as though he could crush the skull of any passerby. Nothing of note really, none of them looked like they needed an accountant. The woman looked broke even, a trait he did not want to share in the near future. Then off in another section of the tavern was a man handing out candy canes. The man seemed to have no affiliation with the tavern or its owners at all, which is definitely illegal. Taking a sip of his lemonade another individual had caught his eye, hazelnut skin and pointed ears. It was funny, he’s seeing all these people out here yet a mere elf shaped character stood out the most. Nose buried in some pathetic book, all alone, what an idiot. Silas’ teeth hit the rim of the glass suppressing a small grin. Sooner rather than later his drink emptied and he had paid his bill.
The man left the tavern and was back on his way through the town step after step he thought back to the people he had seen. Now with his stand prepared for the next day he walked back to the market square. Silas feeling along the wooden stand was excited for what the next day would bring, taking a seat on the dry dirt plot, his back rested against the stand as he closed his eyes.
He hadn’t gotten much sleep, with each new step his eyes flashed awake. The sounds of the rainforest or even the ocean were easier to sleep to, with the constant squawking of birds and clashing of branches. But people, talking and boots hitting the floor like it was a pile of meat couldn’t help but keep him awake.
Regardless the moment he caught a glimpse of the burst of golden rays from the sunrise he was up on his feet dusting his suit off. Behind his stand with a small, confident, practiced and approachable smile ready to hit a customer where it matters. The sign on top of his very trustworthy and approachable stand said ‘Actuary For Hire!’ in big bold red letters. He wanted this job desperately, what better place to promote than the market!
And so as the people began to flood the market for their daily produce and nicknacks Silas stood excited to find work. The day went on and soon the sun began to set, not a should had stepped up to Silas’ stand. It was a real shame, Silas was a genius at his craft and he was well aware of it. Back in Flowsha when he was scraping up enough money to escape that godforsaken town every business within the kingdom had reached out to him. It was an interesting phenomenon, anytime he would contract a business the company would prosper significantly. The sales would skyrocket and the people in charge would profit well off of such highs. It was like Silas was the Midas of business, the tap of his finger and it didn’t matter what it was, everything would go perfectly. Word spread around the entire kingdom, and he was praised highly for his financial conquests.
It wasn’t long after the hanging that he was able to work with enterprises of all kinds. In just three years he was able to gather a large enough sum from all those contractors to finally be able to escape Flowsha. No longer would he have to live in that stale kingdom, with its horrible leaders, disgusting structure and terribly corrupt system. Best of all, he’d never have to witness its plaza.
“I need you two to locate a new blacksmith. We need more weapons for Bizonu.” A voice determined and rigid would detail to a couple of disgruntled soldiers.
”Yes Sire!” With that the soldiers ran off.
The man was many feet from Silas’ stand, the actuary hadn’t even taken note of the man yet. With the soldiers off on a search for the next blacksmith, the man draped in a blue robe with gold dripping in all the right places would take his sword out. He picked a rock up off the path and began to sharpen it, watching the sparks jump off the blade he continued. It was almost perfect, just one more scrape and it should be good, he raised the rock near the base. From the corner of his eye Silas’ practiced smile caught his attention.