As the dawn broke, the sun shone onto Ash, both warming and waking him. He looked up to see Nina feverously pulling items from her robe jotting something down and then putting it back.

  ‘Morning’ he said

  She didn’t reply, so he sat up and waved but still no reply so he walked over and put his hand on her shoulder and said ‘Looks like someone has her own trance’

  She jumped with a start and looked up at Ash.

  ‘Is it morning already?’ she looked around ‘You are really wasting your potential of your TOOL you know’

  ‘My what?’

  ‘Your TOOL power, I think it was given to you to make sense of this world and give you a chance to understand it in a way that makes sense to you’ she said

  ‘So what are you doing’ he asked

  ‘Cataloguing, your tool gives descriptions of objects and powers that we just cannot get, for example my flame power, look’

  Immolate – Calls forth a cylinder of fire, intensity can be changed by reducing or increasing the mana input, additional targets may be selected for additional mana input.

  Nina continued to go through the different functions and the ways they could be used throughout the evening.

  She had used the map to find water and keep an eye on Ash as he lay unconscious, for the last few hours she had used it to make notes on various magic and non-magic items as well as some explanation about the world.

  She particularly enjoyed how the TOOL gave numerical values as a smart young elf this made the most sense to her rather than the current go to which would best be described as ‘Feeling it out’.

  ‘Do you have any idea what this means for the identification and information available regarding core abilities and magical items?’ Nina said excitedly

  ‘Erm, no’ Ash replied

  ‘Please come work for me, we could revolutionise our whole system’ she said

  ‘I’ll think about it’ he said politely ‘I just don’t think that’s what I saw myself doing when I can to a world of monsters and magic’ he relied

  ‘I guess you are right, perhaps we can keep the party going so I can make use of it though?’ she pleaded

  ‘Fill your boots’ Ash said stretching his arms

  ‘With what?’ she said pausing a moment ‘idiom?’

  ‘Idiom’ he said at the same time ‘sorry I really am trying not to use them’

  Ash could see the familiar glow from just out of his vision, bringing up a window inviting him to loot the bandits from the previous night. He then brought up his inventory and looked over the boxes that covered the screen, his eyes went over the pelts meats and other items his eyes came across a gilded dagger which he thoughtfully removed and turned it over in his hand.

  ‘I’ve seen this dagger before’ Ash said ‘We found it in the goblin encampment and Alastair took it to see the lord, are they common?’

  ‘Golden daggers? I shouldn’t think so’ she chortled ‘’

  Ash examined it ,

  Gilded Dagger of House Renwick

  A golden dagger held by House Renwick, mainly ceremonial serving very little in regards to combat effectiveness however that is not to say it has not seen its fair share of blood.

  Often used as promise of payment for a completed contract.

  ‘Are you ok?’ Nina asked

  ‘I’m not sure’ Ash paused ‘What’s Lord Renwick like?’

  ‘I’m not entirely sure, he never bothers with the mages guild, the only issues are with those guardsmen of his that complaints seem to fall on deaf ears’ She said

  ‘I think we may need to go find Alastair’ he said

  ‘He’s only been gone a day or so, they weren’t exactly on an easy mission, it might require a few days of study to make a plan of attack before charging in head first’ she sighed

  Ash didn’t look up and continued to stare down at the glimmering weapon in his hand.

  ‘I’ll tell you what, if we return to town today, gather some supplies we can track him down tomorrow.’ She said

  Ash looked up.

  ‘Aslong as I can keep the TOOL going for the evening, I think its potential is quite frankly wasted on you’

  ‘Sure, you’re probably right, I could do with a good meal and a night’s sleep in a bed.’ He said

  ‘It’s a deal then’ Nina said proffering a hand

  ‘Deal’ he replied

  They shook by the wrist and using the map, laid out the safest route back.

  The town was cheerful as ever in that it wasn’t at all, people skulked the streets as Ash and Nina made their way through to the open square, they noticed the crowd of people grew denser towards their destination.

  They approached the pub he had stayed at before it looked much the same only busier and now a shingle hung above the door saying ‘The Sandy Witch’.

  This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Ash smiled to himself looked at Nina and said, just wait till they find out about burgers’

  ‘What’s a burger?’ she asked looking up momentarily from her notepad.

  ‘The future of fast food’ he chuckled

  ‘Oh like rabbit or venison, we already have that I’m afraid’ she said

  Burt shoved his way out through the front door to address the crowd and announced ‘Ladies and Gentle folk please, we are currently at capacity for tables, the wait may be some time to be served’

  He spotted Ash and walked over at a pace that suggested what he wanted to do was run.

  ‘Young master Ash, your sandy witch idea has taken off, I’ve had to take on new staff’ Burt shook his hand. ‘I thought you might be coming back today so I have saved you your spot at the bar and your room.

  ‘Very kind of you Burt, do you need any help tonight?’ Ash offered; he could use the distraction.

  ‘Not unless you have some way to feed these people without tables?’ He laughed ‘Do you?’ he looked pleadingly.

  Ash grinned ‘of course I the great Ash am about to bestow upon you the greatest invention since sliced bread’

  ‘That was only a few days ago?’ Burt said

  ‘Burt my friend we are about to create this world’s first take away’

  Utilising waxed paper then binding them in string, sandwiches were soon flying out of the kitchen, people were initially confused by the concept but soon took to unwrapping the tasty treat and tucking in.

  The evening was raucous waitresses and waiters running around with flagons of ale and platters of meat and bread, Burt found himself having to empty his till which he normally only did at the end of the evening.

  Ash found his seat at the end of the bar however found himself coming round to help pull Ales as Burt quickly found himself overwhelmed.

  ‘Who’d have thought your Sandy Witch would’ve been so popular Master Ash?’ Burt said

  ‘Honestly it’s just a very basic food where I’m from’ Ash responded laying down some fresh ales.

  ‘Well between you and me sir, I’ve almost enough coin to take me Rose and Elody to Andover and start a new tavern there, with the sandy witch I’m sure I can give my girls the life my late Lizzy always dreamed we could’

  ‘How much more do you need?’ Ash asked

  ‘Well I should get about two gold for this place when were good and ready and a day or two more sales here and we can be off’ He smiled

  Ash reached into his space and produced four shiny golden coins, and held them outstretched to the barkeep. The man upon seeing the coins dropped the flagon he was filling and put his meaty fist over the coins and pushed them back to Ash’s chest.

  ‘What are you doing lad?’ Burt said in an unusually informal tone ‘You know how much you are flashing around there?’ He asked his head looking around for anyone who’d noticed.

  Satisfied that no one had he turned to Ash again.

  ‘I just want to help’ Ash said ‘You have been kind and I wanted to return the favour’

  ‘Master Ash’ he returned to his formal tone ‘you have been a paying guest here and you have helped serving when needed, there be no need of any charity’

  ‘Ok well an investment, I’d like to buy this place and the rest can go to starting up the new place, I’m not sure how long I’ll be here but I’m sure I’ll make my way to Andover at some point’

  ‘For that kind of money you could take the place apart and ship it to Andover and rebuild it there.

  ‘I’d just buy somewhere there instead then’ Ash smiled

  He pushed the coins back into the beefy man’s hand.

  ‘In fact if you can make arrangements I think Alastair and I will be looking to travel to Andover when he gets back, maybe we could all go together’ Ash smiled

  ‘Sounds like a fine idea Ash’ He returned the smile

  ‘No more master Ash?, That’ll take some getting used to’

  ‘Well you are a partner now, are you ok to cover while I go tell Rose and Elody the good news’ Burt beamed

  ‘Of course, she’s just ducked into the kitchen I think’

  The man almost skipped in his excitement making his way out the back.

  The evening drew on and the kitchen closed eventually which drew many audible sighs.

  ‘This is incredible’ Said Nina chewing her sandwich.

  ‘Its all thanks to Ash here’ said Burt clapping Ash on the shoulder who in turn spilled a drink he was pouring.

  ‘I wouldn’t compare it to the food of my home city but I’ve never had anything like it in the human realms’ Nina said through a mouthful ‘When were you going to tell me about this?, what other foods do you have from your world?’

  ‘Other world’ said Burt