The following is a rewrite of my story The Journey Begins with some minor and major changes to the story. Currently I am focusing on the story with the reader being able to skip the sex scenes if they wish.

I walked with a skip in my step and a smile on my face as I headed down the road. I had no particular plan of where I was going or what I was going to do next but I was sure I would figure it out. Hell knows I couldn't take the quit village life anymore. I didn't want to grow old living my life seeing the same old people day in and day out. I wanted, scratch that, need some kind of adventure in my life. Their would be plenty of time later in life to settle down and have a family, provided I didn't get myself killed of course but I didn't plan on it. I had saved up all the money I could so that when the snow had melted good I was on my way before I got stuck helping some neighbor sow their fields or some other mindless manual task came along. I was tired of reading about the world in books.

I had left my old boring life in a quiet little village with everything I could carry. A hunting bow and hand made arrows on my back. A rusty hand ax for chopping firewood on my hip and a knife in my boot. What few clothes I owned were in my knapsack along with coin purse which I knew better then to keep on my hip. Last thing I needed was some cut purse to come along and take it off me. It would suck to have to turn back and head home the same week I had left.

I smiled as I came to the top of the hill where the forest ended to give way to open fields of the plains. I finally reached the city which was sprawled out before me in the distance. I knew I had to have been getting close when I had reached the stone road a few days back but I had made better time then I would have thought.

There where more buildings then I could have ever imagined which looked like a maze of streets and alleyways from where I stood. The town I came from had one road, if you could really call it that, and a single row of houses to either side. The city was surrounded by a wall on all sides with large towers scattered along the wall and gate houses at the entrance ways as roads ran outward in several directions. At the heart of the city stood the white stone castle on a hill which towered over most of the other buildings.

The city seemed to get larger as I walked. Farmers where busy tending their small plots of land for the planting season. The small farm houses seemed to be built of timber that had been cut down to clear an area for farming and stones dug up from the fields. Though their was still enough trees to provide shade for the small homes and to the merchants in their carts traveling along the roads.

When I finally reached the walls they towered overhead. A bridge lead over a deep moat to the gate houses which where pushed back from the main wall. Guards watched from above on either side as people came and went. As I passed through the gatehouse I was overwhelmed by the sites and sounds of the city. There where more people on one street then my entire village. The buildings where made of wood timber frames and white walls between. Many overhung on the second floor slightly allowing for more living space upstairs as well to create some shade from the midday sun. Vendors yelled at passerby's trying to get their attention as they peddled their wares. A nearby blacksmith pounded away at hot metal working it into shape. People moved about browsing what they could buy. I saw clothing and fabrics dyed in a variety of colors. People from different races and cultures passed by me. Humans, elves, gnomes and a variety of others. Back home this would have been a bizarre site to behold but here it seemed to be common place. I was a little overwhelmed not being sure where to go first.

I perused the markets as I went stopping to browse their wears before I figured I should look for a tavern to stay the night. I could use something besides water to parch my thirst and I was sure that the taverns here where probably first come first serve with this many people if I wanted a place to sleep tonight.

Finding a tavern was fairly easy. I actually had my pick of places being a dime a dozen. I had stayed in taverns that had soft beds, some that had fair prices, some that served good food and quality drink that didn't taste like horse piss. But never all three. Despite the early hour I could hear the typical commotion of people inside that most places had at night. Probably people like me just looking for a drink or food and a place to rest from the midday sun.

I entered the tavern to see all manner of folk sitting, talking and laughing. Several humans, a couple of elves, a few gnomes which one might expect but I also saw an orc sitting in a corner enjoying a meal. A cute young gnomish woman smiled as she made her way past carrying a few drinks. Her nice large ample tits bouncing as she walked which caught my eye. She gave a smile and a wink as she passed me. I couldn't help but admire her ass as she went. Gnomes, sometimes called dwarves or halflings though never in polite conversation, where slightly shorter then humans but not by much. She stood about shoulder high.

I saw a lovely older gnomish woman at the counter pouring a drink for one of the cat folk and laughed at something they said as she touched his hand. She wore one of those lace up bodices that pushed her nice full ample tits up. Her white shoulder less chemise was cut low showing off her cleavage. I couldn't help but smile as they jiggled slightly as she cleaned the counter. She smiled and came over to me as I took a seat at the bar.

"Hello stranger, what can I get you." She said placing her hands on the bar top and leaned over showing off her large tits which were bigger then the serving wench who was working the tables. I was sure it was probably why the Tavern was so full this early in the day.

"Something to drink would be nice. Whatever is cheapest." I smiled reaching in my bag.

"I don't carry anything cheap dear but you are new so this one is on the house." She held up her hand then reached under the counter to grab a mug giving me a better peek of her breast. She pulled out a mug and poured me a drink from a cask on the bar and handed it over.

"Thank you." I smiled and took a drink chugging about half of it before taking a breath. "This is really good."

"I am glad you like it." She smiled. "Plan on sticking around or just passing through?" She smiled.

"Depends if I can find work." I nodded. I didn't know much about city life.

"No shortage of work around here. Here you go."

"How much is a room for the night here?"

"Three copper. Not counting food and drink." She said wiping a spot where some of the ale had split.

"That cheap?"

"Um hum. Three for a night or eighteen for a week." She smiled. Which meant one night was free. I was certain they kept the rates low to get people in the door. The Ale was good enough to get people coming back.

"Astrid." A voice said. I turned to see a lovely Elven woman with red hair coming over with the serving wench.

"Hello Rose." The Barmaid said to the woman.

"She just talked to Sura. She said Tovald left stonehills early this morning at first light but she didn't pass him on the road. He should have been back by now."

"He could have just gotten turned around or stopped to see one of his friends. You know your brother dear."

"I don't think so, I can feel something is wrong." The Elf shook her head. Elves had a connection to magic and the supernatural that I didn't really understand but when they spoke of bad omens it was usually smart to listen.

"We should go looking for him or hire someone to do it." The serving wench spoke.

"Dear, that is a lot of road to cover." The barmaid touched her hand. I could see now that they were standing together that they had to be mother and daughter. I let out a little sigh.

"I can take the horses and go look." The daughter spoke up.

"Absolutely not. If something did happen I don't want you out there. Neither of you" The barmaid shook her head.

"But..." The serving winch began to say before he cut her off.

"No Buts." She shook his head at his daughter.

"I can do it." I spoke up and finished my drink. I knew well enough that no good deed goes unpunished but I wasn't the type to leave a woman in distress which I am certain will be the death of me one day.

"We can't ask you to..." The Barmaid began to speak.

"I am a hunter by trade. I know how to track animals." I shrugged. "I take it he was traveling by wagon?" There was no other reason to go to Stonehills then trading. It was a mining town just off the north road. I had been to Stonehills a few times with my friends who's family runs a mill to drop off lumber they would use for support beams in the mines. If he was anything like my buddy the gnome had stopped to stay the night at the brothel.

"Yes. He was picking up a shipment of alcohol from up north. Gnomish Ale." The Elf nodded.

"Here. Can you hold onto this for me." I said handing my knapsack to the barmaid.

"Sure. Of course. Thank you." The Barmaid smiled and touched my hand. "My daughter Helga can get you saddled the horse." I nodded and headed after her through the back to the small stables that housed the horses of guest staying at the tavern. Helga told me that her brother typically ran the stables but she knew enough to get the horse ready. The old stallion looked like he had seen better days and was in no shape to pull a wagon or work the fields but I was certain he could handle the trip. Helga showed me out and pointed me in the right direction for the gate he should come in.

I ran into a few travelers but none of them the Gnome nor had they seen him on the road. My luck he had already made it back but had went out a different gate I missed him. If so I might get a night or two free at the tavern so a little afternoon horseback ride wasn't a bad way to spend the evening.

As the sun got low I was just about to head back when I saw something. There where tire tracks from a wagon leading off the road into the brush. I headed off the trail and went into the woods a little ways before I noticed something. Smoke coming from behind a hill up head. That meant who ever's campfire it was wouldn't be seen from the road at night which made me suspicious.

I got off the horse and tied him to a tree so he wouldn't wonder off. I noticed the wagon headed toward the hill along with small footprints which made me curse under my breath. It had to be goblins. Not the smartest of races but they could be cleaver at times. Their small stature made them weaker but none the less dangerous. Especially in large numbers which the tracks on the ground told me there was. I stopped noticing a rope with several bones from it. If i hadn't noticed it I would have tripped over it and made the bones rattle, notifying the goblins to my approach.

I made my way up the hill to get a better view as I got closer I heard voices. I stopped as I saw a gnomish man tied to a tree. There were three goblins gathered around the fire cooking something that smelt pretty good. Tovald had blood on his head and face but seemed to be okay. His carriage and horse was behind him tied to a tree. One of the goblins went to the wagon and poured himself a drink making Tovald upset as he pulled against the ropes.

"Want another?" One of the men said.

"Where are my manners, To our host. Share a drink with me friend." The Goblin said coming over and pouring a drink on Tovalds head. The Gnome fought against the ropes but they had tied him pretty well. Tovald managed to kick the goblin in the shin. The goblin hopped back holding his leg making the other two laugh at his misfortune. I drew an arrow and nooked it ready to strike. I could feel my hands shaking a bit, it was one thing to kill a deer but another to take a life. Plus deer couldn't shoot back. I didn't see the Gnome lasting long if he continued to put up a fight. If they decided he was more trouble then he was worth to keep alive. I debated my options. I had the advantage of surprise but couldn't just murder them in cold blood could I? I could wound them maybe but there where three of them and one of me. I didn't think I could sneak around and free the Gnome without being seen. I could maybe try and talk some sense into them but keep my bow ready.

Special thanks to all of those who have read this story and my others as well as those who have hit the like button to show their support.