Story part 2 – Welcome to Slickhaven

Benjamin eyed the skinny man. If that drunkard from earlier represented the street level, this one was certainly middle class, but he likely couldn’t aspire to the status of the local elite, if such a thing even existed around here. He had delicate features and must have been a bit younger than Benjamin’s own thirty seasons. He was holding a wicker basket and in it, between vials and neatly folded scraps of cloth, several grapefruits and lemons could be spotted. Those couldn’t be imported goods; there were several trade routes leading to Slickhaven’s ports, but probably not as exclusive. Cultivated locally, then? The fruits around here must truly had their own opinion on the climate they could ripen in.

“Benjamin.” He shook the pale man’s hand. This one, for a change, was neither dirty nor riddled with warts. “Benjamin Corvus, the Imperial Botanical Association, a pleasure. Yes, I just arrived.”

The man’s eyes lit up.

“Ah! A fellow seeker of knowledge, how wonderful! My name is Cooper Daugal, or simply Doctor Cooper, as they call me around here. I’m the local healer, in fact probably the only one, unless you also count charlatans selling window ornaments to ward off diseases,” he explained and laughed. “You’re looking for the butcher’s shop, aren’t you? Allow me to be your guide. It’s not far, but some streets tend to have… unfavorable factors included, if you know what I mean.”

Benjamin followed the doctor deeper into Slickhaven, deciding right off the bat that if anyone asks, he will not hesitate to point out Cooper as the first person he met in town. It was hard to find a good healer, and especially one so young.

The grey houses painted a picture different from what he was used to. In his native village there were mostly wooden huts, cramped but cozy, always with large doors to symbolize hospitality. The capital, on the other hand, was dominated by tall, soaring buildings with vast windows – the bigger they were, the more on the societal arena their inhabitants had to show. Here, it was different. The purpose of the buildings was to be functional, and they were meant to provide a roof over one’s head as such. Both the doors and the windows were small, which gave a clear idea about their residents.

“I still don’t understand,” Benjamin pondered, crossing a square with the town well in the middle of it. “You speak the language of the empire here, and yet when I asked about the meat market, the gentleman there became very displeased. I was under the impression that he only started to listen when I said I meant the Greasy Butcher.”

“The people of Slickhaven have their pride,” Cooper said. “Many are unhappy that they’re part of the Empire now. Of course, it’s been many years since the changes, but if you were going to the Greasy Butcher before the meat markets and the new government swooped in, that’s how some prefer to remember it, passing the tradition from one to the next. Worth remembering if you don’t want to make enemies here.” He shrugged. “I’m no linguist, but I suspect a habit has more power than any decree.”

“So how should I call you? ‘Medician’ Cooper? Or would you prefer ‘Physician’ Daugal?”

Cooper shook his head.

“A magnolia by any other name would smell the same, wouldn’t it? There is no room for prejudice in my line of work, and ‘Doctor Cooper’ will do just fine. I’m an imperial myself, too, but I think I’ve been here long enough they treat me as one of their own. Force of habit once again, probably, it’ll be less than a year for me here, I think.” Cooper stopped in his tracks and pointed to a large, decorative cleaver hanging over the street. “And we’re here. I trust you can follow through on your own?”

“Indeed, thanks for the help. Without you I’d be probably still stuck debating the local element.”

“You’re welcome!” Cooper replied cheerfully and reached into his basket. A moment later a large lemon landed in Benjamin’s hands. “A welcome gift from myself and Slickhaven. Should you need me, I live by the square with the well. Oh, and I’d better see you visiting as a guest, not a patient!”

Benjamin smiled and said his goodbyes to the doctor. A gift from Slickhaven… well, it wasn’t his village, nor was it the capital, but there was no shortage of interesting individuals here. Not bad at all.

He moved towards the establishment, but stopped mid-step. He threw a glance at the cleaver and for a moment a sense of paranoia swept over him. It wobbled a bit, but the chains seemed to be holding it well enough.

He shook his head. There was nothing to be anxious about, that whole Greasy Butcher would surely prove to be just as friendly.