As much as he liked the attention, Veronika gave him with her sponge bath. The chance to soak in an actual bathtub was too much for him to pass up. Veronika had stayed with him for a little bit, but it was clear that she would not jump into bed with him. To his surprise, he respected that more.
"Settled your differences, I see," Rocko said from the bedside table.
"Going to have to tie a bell around your neck if you keep sneaking up on me like that," James teased.
"I am helping you improve your perception Skill," Rocko said with a laugh.
"Healer says I am all fixed up. So what is the next step in our plan?" James asked.
"There was a dungeon found a few months ago in a low-level area. I told you about it before you jumped in front of a poisoned dagger," Rocko chided.
"To be fair, I didn't know it was poisoned at the time," James corrected.
"Anyway," Rocko continued, "None of the Champions found it, and they are unlikely to return to that area. As such, it is recommended by your advisors that it would be perfect for you. You get another 'Dungeon First' title and bonus experience. You can pick up a quest in that area, which ties into the dungeon."
"How do you guys know all this?" James asked.
"Several of the people on the team are guides. So they know what their Champion knows, which is a lot more than you do. Also, we have a few other people with specialized knowledge." Rocko explained.
"Secrets?" James asked, his conversation with the guild master all too fresh in his mind.
"Exactly"
"Alright. I can respect that. But you may want to include me in some things since I am the one taking risks." James reminded him.
"There are many of us who are taking a risk, James, but I understand what you mean. If you need to know, I will share it with you. But part of this is to protect the other people on the team."
"Okay. How are you doing? I haven't seen too much of you lately." James asked.
Rocko hesitated for a moment, "I decided to try your suggestion. I went to a healer and had them break my wing. Then set it in a splint and allow it to heal naturally. It should take about four to six weeks to heal. After that, we shall see."
"How does it feel?" James asked.
Rocko chuckled, "Unnatural. My wing has been bent for so long that to have it straight doesn't feel right. On top of that, the splint makes me feel off-balance. And it is itchy."
James looked at the wing, but he saw nothing different. The wing looked the same as it did before. "How come I don't see the splint?"
"This image is a simulation created when I took the job."
James nodded and sat up in the bed. Although he was healed and not feeling any pain, he still felt himself to be weak. He stood up slowly and started to stretch.
"Put that thing away!" Rocko cried as James stood up naked.
James just chuckled, "I need a shower."
"If you need me, call. But please be wearing clothes." And with that, Rocko faded from view. Remembering the cord, James leaned over and tugged at the cord and called for a bath.
The maid guided James to the ground floor to a large bathroom. Jones had to help him down the stairs, but otherwise, he made the trip independently. The room was rather fancy and had a large marble tub in the center of the room. Laid out on a table were towels, soaps and containers of dried flowers. This room was the bath Veronika must use, James thought. It was much too fancy for her father. James decided not to take any risk and asked Jones to help him into the bath. The water was hot, but the tub's interior had steps he could sit on, depending on how much he wanted to be submerged.
"Don't expect me to scrub your back," Jones stated as he walked out of the room.
James soaked in the tub for a while before having an idea.
"Rocko?"
Rocko appeared a few moments later, "What did I say about having clothes on the next time you called?"
James chuckled, "I have a question for you. Something that came to me when I woke up this morning. Can you give me information on the Enchanted items that I have that I could not Analyze?"
"You mean, like the Belt of the Dwarves and the Wand of Flame Bolt?" Rocko inquired.
"The two potions as well. I know they are a Potion of Strength and a Potion of Magic Armour, but that doesn't tell me very much."
"I can only tell you what they did in previous Challenges. Some of the rarer items may have their properties changed." Rocko paused. Trying to speak faster seemed to tire him out.
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"I know that potions have always remained the same until you get to Tier 4 potions. The Potion of Magical Armour blocks all magical attacks against you up to Tier 1 for a minute."
"That's not going to help much," James added.
"The Potion of Strength gives you +5 to your Strength Attribute for a minute. Long enough for a fight, but not much more."
"It can also be handy if I need to lift something or where a feat of strength is necessary."
"The Wand of Flame Bolts is just that. It casts the Spell at Tier 2, I don't know what the damage is for that spell, but I know it is a step up from Firebolt."
"So, something to sell, considering I have my PSI Bolts."
"The Belt of the Dwarves may have changed since it is rare. Earlier iterations of the item allowed the wearer to shape-change into a Dwarf, give them Darkvision at fifty meters and allow the wearer to understand underground construction and stonework. But there have also been versions where the belt gave Poison Resistance and Magic Resistance."
"Well, that is very good to know. I will have to improve my Analyze Skill to figure out what it does. Are there people who can help identify Enchanted items?" James asked.
"Of course. But that would be akin to asking an assassin to cook your food or a moneylender to count your coins," Rocko snarked.
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Dinner that night was a splendid affair. Although there were only three of them for supper, the guild master, who James finally found out was Ferdinand Del Torro, was a superb host. Supper lasted more than two hours, covering five different courses and three different wines. There was plenty of time to chat and relax between courses, and James enjoyed the company immensely. James noticed that his food was a little different from his hosts. He suspected that the chef had catered the meal to the fact that he had not eaten much lately, and a heavy meal would not be wise. During the dessert course, James let his host know he would be leaving in the morning but was hoping for the option to return.
"Are you sure you have to go so soon," Veronika asked, "You just finished getting healed."
James took a sip of wine, "I am afraid so. I need to make some effort to get back on schedule."
"When will you be back?" Ferdinand asked.
"With luck, in a few days." James stated, "But it will depend greatly on how long it takes me to get to where I am going."
"Where are you going," Veronika asked. James just smiled.
"Do you need anything from us before you go?" Ferdinand asked.
"Actually, I do. I have a list of items I need—things like armour, a shield, etc. Also, permission to return. I can use my bedroom as an entry point."
"An entry point?" Veronika asked.
"Like a doorway. I can enter and exit the room through the doorway. It lets me travel around this world." James explained.
"How marvellous. Imagine that skill among our guild members, father," Veronika said.
"Yes, that would be a blessing for us." Ferdinand agreed with a twinkle in his eye. James had to agree that an assassin with his skills would be formidable. It reinforced his earlier image of a ninja.
"I also want to complete our original business. I came here to give you some money." James reminded the guild master.
"After dinner, please. I so hate talking business during a meal." the guild master waved him off. James nodded and continued to eat his sweet jello concoction.
"As for permission to return, that is easily granted. The two rooms you currently have are yours for as long as you wish to stay here." Ferdinand stated, getting a nod from his daughter in agreement.
"It is the least we could do for saving my father's life."
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James was not surprised that Veronika visited him that night in his room. He had hoped that she would.
"Do you know when you will return?" she asked again.
"No, but it shouldn't be more than a week."
"I am afraid I won't see you again if I let you go," she pouted. James wanted to look around for the hidden cameras. That statement was a little too dramatic for him. He was sure that Veronika was no delicate flower, but this was a bit over the top.
James stepped back from Veronika and walked over to the vase of flowers, "Have you ever killed anyone?"
Startled, Veronika stepped back, "What do you mean? Have you?"
"Yes," James said, turning around to face her. "I have killed a lot of people. But my question is, have you?"
"Why are you asking?" her voice slightly quivering.
"Knowing who your father is, I suspect that you have. He doesn't strike me as the man who would shelter you."
"Why would you say that?" she asked.
"He has left us alone in my bedroom several times already. If he were so protective as to keep you from the family business, he would never leave you with a strange man." James explained.
Veronika looked to the floor, "I have. Killed, I mean."
"Then what is with this..." James said, waving the hand with the glass, "act."
"What act?"
"You are being coy, demure, shy, submissive, needy and fragile. Which to me is an act." James said, hoping he was right.
"Why do you think it is an act?" Veronika asked, stepping towards him coyly.
"It feels like you are behaving this way because you think this is how I want you to act. It is like an actor playing to the crowd. "
"Am I not what you want?" she asked with a pout.
This next part was the gamble. James would have to leave tonight if he hoped to live if he was wrong. "No, it is not."
Veronika looked at him with shock and horror written over her face. Her hand went up to cover her mouth as she stifled a gasp.
And then, just as quickly, she laughed.
"Oh James, do you prefer your women to be aggressive," she said, her voice lower by an octave as she walked over to him. "Dominating," she said as she grabbed the lapel of his jacket and kissed him. With her one hand sliding down the front of his pants, she leaned into him, "And I can tell you want me. How do you want me?" she whispered in his ear while nibbling.
James pushed her away. He took a deep breath and moved back, "Jesus, what is wrong with you?"
When James was a young man, his mother taught him many things about women. And one of those lessons had failed to register with him because she once told him. Never, ever ask a woman what is wrong with her.
Veronika's eyes narrowed, and James swore the temperature in the room dropped.
James held out his hand, "I don't mean like that. What I mean is, why are you doing this? I thought you liked me?"
Veronika continued to stare at him before muttering, "I do."
"Then why this? Why not be you. Why be someone you think I want you to be." he asked.
"Because," she said, pausing. "Because I want you to want me." There was suddenly a look of vulnerability on her face. This evening was spinning out of control. James wasn't sure if it was real, but he had to recover from this situation.
"Veronika," he said, taking a step toward her. "I do like you. But I know that tonight's people in the room are not you. I don't want Aggressive Veronika, or Coy Veronika. I want honest Veronika."
"How about Sexy Veronika," she asked with a slight smile.
"You are always Sexy Veronika," he replied quickly.
The smile on her face looked sincere as she moved closer and kissed him gently on the lips, "Very well. I will see you in a week." With that, she turned and strode to the door. Before she closed it, she looked back at him and lowered her voice in warning, "Don't make me come looking for you, James." As the door clicked closed, she was gone.
"That could have gone better," Rocko said from behind James.
James squealed in fright and turned around. James grasped the edge of the washbasin with a hand over his heart, "A bell, you son of a bitch. I am getting you a fucking bell."