Arrival:
The stagecoach arrived at the small mining town of Eclipse. It was so named because two fortuitous events occurred twenty years ago. The first was the discovery of mithril by the famed prospector Magnus D. The second was the full solar eclipse that occurred that very same day and so the mine and the town were named in that inspiring moment. My name is Valakhor Bloodrose and this is the story of my time with the people of Eclipse. It was my publisher's idea to come here and write about gunslingers, dance hall girls, and the savage ways of the frontier. The Civil War has ended, and our nation is on the mend. My job is to distract, inspire, and maybe even create the next generation of dreamer or writer. The three-day ride from the train station to Eclipse was my first real taste of the frontier.
My two companions sat across from me as silent as the moment they had boarded the stage and laid eyes upon me. I was used to people gawking at me. Whether it was my brilliant violet eyes or the six digits on either hand. My people were a dying race in a time when the world was growing so quickly. A new nation was being born and I was going to be a part of it. I endured the quiet and the constant barrage of being tossed about by the lack of what civilized folk would call a road. I was sore in places I didn't think I could get sore. I let the couple disembark first and then left the coach and stood up straight and stretched. I felt my muscles ache and my spine stretch and pop. I retrieved my luggage from the rear of the stagecoach. I set it on the ground and then helped the driver retrieve the couple's luggage as well. The driver passed me their pieces from the roof and I in turn handed it over to the husband. They thanked me once they had all their belongings. It was the first words they had spoken to me. I tipped my hat to the lady and gathered up my things.
I turned to face the wooden sidewalk and there standing before me a former slave. I knew he had escaped the South and a brush with a lynch mob. The scar on his neck was clear evidence of the trials he had faced to reach freedom.
"I am sorry for staring," I said and his color paled.
"Me too," he replied. "I've never seen anyone like you before."
"My people are called Duskwalkers," I shared smiling. "Can you direct me to the hotel?"
"Sure, follow me," he said. "I am heading over that way. I work for Galen. He's the owner and usually works the front desk." He continued as we walked. "It has inside pipes."
"Thank the gods," I exclaimed. "I was hoping for a bath."
"A hot bath if'n you want," he suggested. "It has hot water. Much of the town has pipes. It's one of the few good things that crazy bitch on the hill has done for us."
"What crazy woman?" I asked, and he pointed to a steep hill beyond the town proper that was topped with a rather large stone and wood structure. "Nice house."
"That's her... what does she call it? Oh yeah, her laboratory... the mayor calls her our local mad scientist whatever that is."
The young human opened the door and I stepped into the dark interior of the Hotel Umbra. Galen Nighthallow stood behind the front desk. He was dressed in dark slacks, a crisp white shirt and a matching dark vest. Being a gnome, he had the dark chestnut hair that many of his folk possessed. It was his bright blue eyes that really caught your attention though. He had an easy smile and welcomed me with a handshake and a kind word.
"Welcome to the Umbra Hotel Mr. Bloodrose. I hope you'll have a pleasant stay with us."
"I have heard that you have inside plumbing, is that true?"
"I bet you want a nice long bath after days on the road."
"You read my mind."
"Please sign the register and I'll have Timothy take your bags to your room. Once you are settled you can have the bath for as long as you want. I will set out some towels and other necessities for you."
Galen handed Timothy my room key. I handed the young human a few of my lighter bags and he guided me up to my room. In my telegram I had asked for his nicest room. I wanted to spoil myself a little while I was here. I already had an idea for my first interview. A story or even a series of stories about a mad scientist could be interesting to the folks back home. Timothy opened the door to my room and he set my bags next to the bed. I was surprised at the craftsmanship of the wooden frame of the bed. I looked around and the dresser had been made with equal skill.
"Henry made them," Timothy explained noticing my hand caressing the wood.
"Who is Henry?"
"He is the town's carpenter, but he calls himself a cabinet maker."
"I am impressed. He could make some serious coin back east." I said and handed the young man fifty cents. "Speaking of coin take care of yourself and don't be a stranger."
He left, and I sat on the bed testing the mattress. I let out a deep sigh of relief being able to stretch out after being confined for so long. I unpacked my bags and put away my clothes. I stripped down and dressed in a robe and slippers. I tore a small piece of paper from my notebook and as I left my room I slipped it in the upper most corner of the door. I carefully closed the door and locked it behind me. I made my way down to bathe. I heard running water and that guided me to the washroom. I opened the door and stared at the small tiled room which was dominated by the large wooden tub. The tub was nearly topped off and seated within a cute female dark elf. She crooked her finger at me and then pointed at the other end of the tub.
"Well, talk about hospitality," I said closing the door behind me.
