Mythran's Master Of All

Ren awoke to the sound of Teepo telling him that breakfast was coming. He sat up and heard clattering dishes being brought up the stairs. He hopped out of bed and unlocked the door, then jumped back into bed just as a knock was laid upon his door.“It's open.” Ren said.The door opened and the innkeeper brought in a heaping tray of food. He set it down on the desk and laid out a napkin for Ren to use.“You didn't have to bring it to the room. I would have gladly come downstairs for breakfast.”“It's no trouble, sir. No trouble at all. It's just part of the service.” The innkeeper said and smiled.Ren knew he was lying, but didn't call him on it. He didn't want the innkeeper to think poorly of him.“Thank you very much, sir.”The innkeeper bowed slightly and left the room. Ren got out of bed and went over to the desk. He saw porridge, toast, a scrambled egg, a glass of milk, and two pieces of bacon. At least, he hoped it was bacon. He had not seen any pigs in the city... or chickens. Ren shrugged and assumed they either had it delivered, or was by default the setting for 'breakfast' in the game. In any case, he sat down and gobbled up as much as he could. Teepo told Ren of his adventures around the room and Ren laughed. Teepo added in voices for the furniture and his interactions with them. By the time Ren was finished breakfast, he got the popups for 'Well Rested' and 'Well Fed', giving him a +3 bonus to his Vitality and Endurance for the next hour. Ren put Teepo on his shoulder and picked up the tray of dirty dishes. He brought it downstairs to the front desk.“Thanks so much for breakfast, sir.” Ren said and placed the tray on the desk.“You didn't have to bring the tray down. I would've gotten it eventually.” The innkeeper said.“It was the least I could do for the excellent food.” Ren said and put a silver coin on the counter.“Thank you, sir!” The innkeeper said and swiped the silver coin away in a flash. “Have yourself a good day, sir!”Ren said he'd tell everyone about where he stayed that night and about the excellent service. The innkeeper beamed a smile and waved as Ren left.********In the shadows across the street, a lone figure stood watch over the inn. When Ren came out the door and walked down the street, he discreetly followed. He had been told, in no uncertain terms, that he was to not let that little elfling out of his sight.********Ren figured the first thing he should do was pop over to the alchemist's shop and see if the old man needed any sunflowers or Balefire Moth dust. The old man was again delighted at the offer, and paid handsomely for it. Ren told him about his adventure, but left out how tough the tent had been. The old man laughed and slapped his knee.“You had a close one, then.” The old man said and had a wicked grin on his face. “Most people just open the holes and scrape the sides.”Ren just stared at the old man. “You could have told me that! I spent nearly two days there, waiting!”The old man laughed. “I wanted to see what you would do. I expected some kind of a surprise, but letting it eat your tent and getting trampled, just to get some dust? Bwahahaha!”Ren couldn't help himself and laughed, too. Teepo chittered as well. Thinking back on it now, it was pretty funny. They talked a bit more about proper technique and Ren showed him the potions he'd made. The old man was impressed that he'd advanced his learning so much in such a short time.Teepo whispered in Ren's ear. “Just as I told you! Master is a great alchemist!”Ren blushed from both comments and said goodbye to the old man. Ren and Teepo headed out the west gate to go and pick some more basic ingredients. He cleaned the field of herbs again, but remembered there was better herbs in the forest. He hadn't forgotten that there were wolves in there as well, but he wanted to try. He got near the edge of the forest but couldn't see or hear anything out of the ordinary. He activated Sneak, and crept into the forest. He got about 20 feet in and saw some fresh potency berries. He picked them gingerly and continued into the forest.********A figure that had been following Ren cursed to himself. He went back into town to the little house in the Housing District.“I'm sorry, miss. I lost him in the forest near the west gate.” He said.The woman just nodded and paid the man. He walked away at a brisk pace.He was a slippery one. The woman thought.********An hour later, Ren had leveled up Sneak several times and had more than enough ingredients to make a lot of potions. He wouldn't have to come back for a while. He turned around and heard a low growl. Teepo hopped off his shoulder and skittered into the underbrush. Ren reached into his inventory and took out one of his paralyzing potions.“It's all right, master. He can't see you.” But can he smell me? Ren thought.

“Probably, master. It's sniffing the air. You should move to the tree on your right.” Ren did so, and no sooner had he reached the other tree when the wolf pounced on the spot he'd just been. It sniffed the air, turned around, and went back into the forest.That was close!“Not really, master. Your scent is all over this part of the forest. You could have stood right next to that tree and it wouldn't have found you. Your scent was just strongest at that last spot, since you stayed there the longest.”Oh. Thanks, Teepo.“You're welcome, master.”You can still call me Ren, you know.“I know, but it just doesn't feel right. I'm just too used to saying master, I guess.”Ren nodded and sneaked out of the forest while following Teepo. He met no other wolves on the way.When Ren and Teepo, now perched back on Ren's shoulder, entered the city they saw the city had changed while they were gone. It was covered in people. They saw jugglers and performers all over the place as they made their way into the city square. It was almost as many as when he'd come back from the expedition. Ren smiled and told Teepo it was almost time for the party at the mansion. He told Teepo all about what had happened and how he'd forgotten about him. Teepo was glad that Ren was having a party. He'd never been to a party before. Just as he approached the mansion's gate, he got a popup that he didn't expect.