Asa stood exhaustedly before Tyre Outpost, which appeared to be nothing but a few wobbly shacks. Slowly, he entered the town, wondering if there was someplace for him to stay the night, but being afraid to ask. Everyone he passed seemed to regard him with disgust, and he was at the other side of the town before he had realized it. Sighing, he shook his head, deciding to continue on until sundown and then set up camp. A great deal had happened since he had left his home town, at least to him. Twice he had been attacked by brigands, both times early in his voyage. He had bested them with no trouble due to his summoning ability, but the attacks had unnerved him nonetheless. Since then, he had continued on toward the south, still undecided whether to actually go anywhere, but feeling the need to leave.
Asa continued on the worn path that served as the outpost's main, and only, road. The terrain dropped off sharply, forming a ravine that was crossed at only one point. Asa followed the path until he found a bridge- a rather large and sturdy one, which contrasted greatly with the entire look of Tyre Outpost. Slowing down, he started across the bridge.
"Wait right there!" A commanding voice yelled from behind Asa. Slowly, he turned to see three men holding short swords and glaring at him. "This here's a toll bridge." The one closest to him said." Fifty gold pieces."
Rather than invite trouble, Asa decided to pay the men. Fifty gold pieces was a lot of money, but Asa was tired from the day's journey and was unsure about his ability to do anything about the situation. Carefully, he reached into his pouch and pulled out what he had there- Twelve gold pieces and three silvers. "This is all I have at the moment, sirs." Asa said as politely as possible, hoping they would take it and leave him alone.
"Well then, we have a problem, don't we?" The leader said, advancing. Deciding to act before he was acted upon, Asa pointed his rod at the trio and whispered something unintelligable. The three stopped advancing, fearful of some magic they had not expected. When nothing happened, the leader stepped forward. "Come on you two! He's bluffin'! That staff of his'll do nothing to us!"
Asa practically yelled the same thing he had whispered before. As if in response, the water ten feet below began to crash and swirl. The other two bandits looked at each other uncertainly. The leader showed no wavering, and continued forward. The water became even worse and waves began to leap the ten foot distance and strike the bridge, leaving puddles between Asa and the leader. The puddles on the bridge began to take shape- that of a person. Small at first, it grew with every drop of water that struck it. Unknowingly, the lead bandit attempted to slash at the water elemental with his sword, which passed harmlessly through it. The punch the elemental threw, however, sent the lead bandit reeling. The other two backed off slowly and then ran in terror. The one remaining bandit got to his feet, choking and gasping, eyes wide with fear. The elemental took a step forward, and that was enough motivation to make the highwayman run as fast and as far as he could.
Breathlessly muttering something else, Asa fell back as exhaustion almost overwhelmed him. The water elemental lost form and turned back into a puddle, and the river below ceased its clamor. Struggling to get up, Asa began making his way toward the end of the bridge he had been trying for in the first place. It wasn't safe on the bridge- as horrific as the episode had been to the brigands, others would be on their way to avenge the beating of their comrades. Asa decided to find shelter. The sun was retreating on the horizon, and Asa tried to quicken his pace. Slowly but surely he made it to the other end of the bridge, and almost instantly spotted a small house with someone standing at the door, leaning back on it with her arms folded.
"Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find good help? You just trounced the best robbers that money can buy." She said arrogantly, glaring in his direction. Asa simply stopped where he was. He was in no condition to summon anything else. At the moment, he could barely walk, let alone tame wild elemental forces to do his bidding. He decided to reply politely.
"My apologies, but I had to cross the bridge."
"Well, you could have paid them. They may be dishonest, low-down, no-good highwaymen, but I'm their boss and I'm a fair person. If you pay, then you can cross. Ten gold pieces is not unreasonable." She had not changed he posture at all, and her tone remained irate.
"They told me fifty." Was all Asa could think to say. His strength, what little of it remained, was fading fast.
"Fifty!" Finally, she uncrossed her arms and stepped forward. "Fifty! Why those dishonest, low-down, no good.... You!" She pointed at Asa. "I think you've done me a favor by beating the daylights out of those louses." Hurriedly, she opened the door and gestured inside. "The least I can do is offer you a stay here. You look like you're about to fall over dead."
Asa's common sense practically screamed at him (It's a trap! She's going to kill you and take all your money!) but his exhaustion had greater power. Tiredly, he entered the house.
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