What Do You Mean I'm The King Now??

"Your eyes are sharper than mine, so keep a lookout, okay?" I whisper as I lean in towards my elf companion.

"You think 'they' will show up, King Ash?"

"I don't know, but it's better to be safe than sorry."

"You can count on me, King Ash."

I nod before turning my gaze forward, feeling more secure as we head into Riverbend, knowing that Candy will be keeping a wary eye on our surroundings. At least we won't be straight-up ambushed in the streets or something. And as long as we keep a low profile, don't draw any attention to ourselves, our quick shopping expedition should conclude without incident.

Now if only a certain centaur would calm down a bit...

I look up and spot Argeias several paces down the road, fidgeting about with restless energy, her head snapping to and fro, fingers pointing this way and that, and I can't help but let out a sigh. Ever since Riverbend has come into view, the centaur has been acting strangely, prancing about and going on long rants only to suddenly fall silent for stretches at a time, a silly grin on her face all the while.

Is going to a slum like Riverbend really that exciting for her? She's acting like an exuberant child on a field trip. Wait, now that I think about it, that actually reminds me. Just how old is she? For some reason, I couldn't see her age using "Tactile Feedback".

I gesture to the centaur, calling out her name. "Hey, Argeias, can you come over here for a second. I have a question for you." She looks up at me, her face flush with lively energy, and she gallops back, nearly knocking me over in her haste.

"What is it, Ash?" she asks, breathless from excitement rather than exertion.

"How old-"

"Twenty-one."

"-are you? Wait, what?! Fast! You answered that way too fast, Argeias! And what's up with you right now? You're acting like a cat on a hot tin roof!"

"I-I don't know what that means, Ash."

"It means, what are you so worked up about? You seem more restless than normal."

"Argeias, could it be that you've never been to a city before?" Candy asks.

To my surprise, I see the centaur blush before looking away in embarrassment, and I quickly add, "You've never been to a city before, Argeias? Not once?"

The sheepish expression still on her face, Argeias slowly shakes her head. "Centaurs are a fiercely independent and proud race, nomadic by nature. Back when I was living with my grandfather, we never stayed in a single place for long, and we never strayed far from the forests along the Norbojd Mountains. Traveling to human cities was also strictly forbidden of me."

"Wait, if you never go to a city, then how do you get supplies?" I ask.

"We mostly traded with passing elven caravans."

"That makes sense," Candy says, "The elves and the centaurs have always been on friendly terms due to their shared attunement with the natural world."

"I guess," I mumble, trying to process everything. Then suddenly, a thought occurs to me, and I look up. "Wait, Argeias, you said you were traveling with your grandfather in the forests along the Norbojd Mountains. But that's several hundred miles away. How'd you end up all the way out here in Ill.u.s.tria?"

"I...that is…" Argeias begins to reply, but before she has a chance to speak, a wild gust emerges and blows past us, carrying with it a flyer which hits the centaur right in the head. The paper flutters about for a second, plastered to her face, before Argeias finally manages to peel it off. As she holds it in her hand, I can see her reading the page. Then suddenly, her eyes open wide. "Ash, I do believe the moon goddess is smiling favorably upon you today."

"What are you talking about, Argeias?"

"Take a look at this! All your problems are solved!" Argeias exclaims. She holds out the wrinkled parchment paper for me and Candy to see, and I read the lines aloud:

"'Are you tired of living in the same small house everyday?

Are you tired of people calling your home a cave?

Wouldn't you rather live like royalty and have people treat you like a king?

If you answered yes to any of the above, then boy does U.N. Owen have a sweet deal for you. For a measly fee of 50G, submittable to our offices on 123 Faux St, you can be entered into our Grand Prize Draw, with the winner receiving a very surprising reward. Get this. The grand prize is a...castle!'"