Luke stopped by his dorm quickly.
After changing into the best—more civil clothes he could manage on short notice, he used crystal spray to cleanse himself. He kept Wayfinder and Xera on, but the rest of his gear remained in his Inventory.
Before Luke rushed out the door, Wayfinder said, “Be careful of people’s agenda for you, lad. No one around you seems to want to outright harm you, but me needle senses say not all of them have your best interest in mind. Best you remember that around all these new power maniacs you’ve schmoozed.”
“Anyone particularly suspicious? What makes you say this?”
“Everyone has a desire, the only difference is if it’s one with you benefiting from it or not. That Musai character is one I can’t read, yet me gears trust him. The three crazy hags around you each have different reasons they cling like moss to an old stone around you. Depending on your choices, not all of them are good for you.”
“Keep an eye out for me then Wayfinder, you have a better knack for this than I do, and I know it. If it gets dangerous, speak out whenever you need.”
“Aye. Got me shiny clasp peeled.”
Luke rushed out the Defier’s guild and came to the entrance next to the walls that wrapped around the guild. Inspecting the local area, his shoulders began to slump, “Did I take too long? She might think I got cold feet and skipped out.” Breathing out, he was about to use the sigil stone to clarify the situation for Lilly, but a timid voice spoke behind him.
“Is that you, Luke?”
The Reaver turned around, creaking as he did so. Wearing an awkward smile, he began to apologize, but Lilly dumbfounded him. She wore a lovely red summer dress, white gloves, and stylish leather boots. Her long raven black hair with blue eyes, a shade darker than his own, accentuated the light red dress.
Luke reflexively reinspected himself. While his shirt was a nice plaid one, his pants were passable…
Well, it was the inside that counts, right?
Turning off the useless internal doubt, Luke responded to Lilly, “Yeah, it’s me, Lilly. Sorry for keeping you waiting. Lost track of time. Have anywhere you want to visit?”
Lilly put her hands behind her back while swinging back and forth on her feet. She beheld the two moons in the night sky with her eyes, “Would you like to try a food bar with me? A kind old elf lady took me in there when I came to this city. Before Cassandra found me, I worked there. She’s like a godmother to me, and I haven’t visited her in a while.”
Matching his pace to Lilly’s, Luke replied, “You didn’t start off in Sylen? And food sounds like a good idea. I tried working on Runes for about two hours, and it turns out that sort of thing makes me hungry.” Luke rubbed his cheek on Sooty, “How about you, food sound good?”
Sooty cooed lightly. She was fine going where Luke went. The bird refused to be any significant distance from him.
In a much less bashful mood, Xera said, “I wonder what food tastes like? Why do people like it so much? I’m never hungry. Is that a bad thing?”
Lilly jumped up and held Luke’s arm on the opposite side of Xera, “Swords can speak?” Her eyes flashed open.
“Take that back!” Xera said.
Huddling closer to Luke, Lilly said, “Take what back?”
“I’m no measly sword but a proud sword wand. Luke, let me show her, please?”
Keenly aware their stroll had attracted attention with Xera’s speech, Luke said, “Perfect idea actually,” He spoke to Lilly, “This is Xera, and she likes to be particular on what she’s called. This is why.”
The Reaver spent some essence transforming Xera into a wand. Xera exclaimed, “Tada! I bet you wish you could do this, priest lady.”
Lilly laughed at Xera’s absurdness, finding comfort in Luke’s oddball weapon: “It’s a neat trick. You must be a great weapon, Xera.”
Shifting her wand tip slightly toward Luke, Xera said, “She understands me better than you do! She’s a keeper. Hey, priest lady, are you interested in dating master? That’s how you get one of those girlfriends, right? Or no? He could use an extra close friend. Wayfinder told me that- oops.”
Luke blew air and chose not to comment on Xera’s slip-up. If he acted like it didn’t matter, less attention would be drawn to it. The Reaver and priest pair had already surprised the civilians and off-duty hunters around them. Although, that was mainly caused by Xera speaking at all rather than what she said.
As for the name drop on Wayfinder, Lilly was too preoccupied with Xera’s straightforward ask to care about anything else. She flushed a deep red and finally realized she’d been clamped onto Luke during their walk. Shutting her eyes, she scurried back in embarrassment, bumping into a tora behind her. She zoomed around and apologized. The older tora gentleman smiled at her with a toothy grin, “Open your eyes, young lady, or you’ll miss what’s around you.”
Flustered, Lilly apologized faintly and sped up to mirror Luke’s pace. Eying Xera, she said, “Since when could your sword speak? She didn’t say a peep when we were at the Beast Divide.”
Putting his hands into his pockets, Luke said, “I told her not to at that time. Things have changed. I’m more confident in staying alive even if people know she’s a valuable talking sword wand. She’s specific to my class, so the number of interested people is way less than, say, an epic item that anyone can wear.”
Stepping closer again to Luke, Lilly apologized, “Sorry for asking. I rarely think about that side of having better items.” She chuckled, “No one wants my uncommon quality wand and tome.”
“We tend to ignore or barely consider things that barely affect us. Don’t mind it. Surprised you’re not paying Sooty much attention, she might be a little jealous.”
The Priest smiled at Sooty and tried to touch the bird, but in a very non-bird-like fashion but precisely as a cat would do, Sooty flapped away once she was given any attention.
Patting Lilly on the shoulder, Luke consoled, “She’ll come around. Sooty’s….become more afraid of people. She knows you, though, she’s only being a scardy cat. Right, Sooty?”
Sooty pecked Luke on the cheek for rating her out. “See?” Luke said.
Reaching out to Luke, Lilly said, “Is she okay? What would make her more scared of people like that?”
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
Darkness fell on Luke’s face, ice formed at the young man’s feet, but becoming more aware of that habit, he melted it immediately, “Some bastards tried to kidnap her. She’s safe now; that’s all that matters.”
Putting a hand over her mouth, Lilly said, “Poor girl, that’s a terrible experience to deal with. I could have Cassandra help you if you need it.”
It’s them who will need help against me.
Ignoring the inner thought, Luke questioned, “Where exactly is this custard place? As for help, I think I have it handled for now. But if it gets any worse, I’ll come ask the dependable Lilly to show up with her team.”
Taking the opportunity, Lilly grasped Luke’s hand, “Let me show you a faster way to get around town, it’s expensive to use, but if you’re in a hurry, totally worth it.”
“We can slow our roll if it’s costly, I don’t want to place that on you.”
Waving her index finger across her body, Lilly said, “No can do. You promised me an hour or two, and I want to make the most of it, enjoying some food. It’s not all that expensive to people like us anyway.”
Letting Lilly half drag him along, Luke questioned, “People like us?”
“Anyone who can hold their own in a dungeon. I’ve reached level 15, and with the last ability the Interface gives out, my team can grind for longer now. Finally able to save money!” Lilly cheered toward the end.
“Lilly, you’ve been around this city for longer than me, how much more do hunters make anyway?”
Guiding Luke toward what appeared to be a station with mage guards around, Lilly said, “The true beginners, which is anyone below level 10, make the same as everyone else. Coppers a day, a silver or two, if they’re lucky. It’s when you can get a stable team for the Beast Divide that our earnings start to shine.”
The Reaver agreed with that internally. He’d gone through hell and back to get, what, thirty silver or so during the three days at the tomb? The items were clearly worth astronomically more, but he could see how lower-level hunters also struggled. Turns out, no matter the line of work, being below average means breadcrumbs, while those at the top are given dozens of loaves.
Pointing to the station they were approaching, Luke said, “And where is this?”
“I thought you wouldn’t know about these yet. These are portal stations, all of them only work within the city. Three portals they host are restricted, but four others drop you off at the Silver Black Tower, the port, or one of the two gates. The stations are along every other mile except for the South Quarter.”
Wonder why Iona didn’t have us use these when going around the city. Stalling for time, maybe? Walking and talking isn’t so bad.
Coming up closer to the mage guards, Lilly held up two fingers and asked, “How much for two for the North Gate?”
A tora mage-guard responded, “This is about the evening rush hour, it’ll run you twelve silver per person. Six silver for the companion, due to her small size.”
Luke subconsciously sucked in his teeth. The habits formed from being poor remain long after you strike gold.
“Drats, forgot about how you greedy guards change prices by the hour. Sorry, Luke, that’s too steep for me. Would you rather we do a walk around the city before it’s time to call it a night?”
The Reaver slowly shook his head, “Let me cover it this time. Treat it as a thank you for letting me know this place exists.”
Before Lilly could try to protest, Luke pulled out a gold piece, put it into the mage guard’s hand, and said, “You’ve got change for a gold?”
Scrutinizing the gold piece, the mage guard responded, “Non-counterfeit currency. The deposit box should have more than enough silver. Wait here.” After gesturing, the tora retreated into a building attachment to the station. He handed over Luke’s change and said, “Step inside, the portal master will direct you to the correct one of the four allowed.”
Accepting the change, Luke dropped it into his Inventory. He pulled lightly on Lilly, and they strode to the station’s interior. Stepping in, Luke observed four portals of a light blue hue floating side by side. A black partition cut them off from three other portals with a yellow tint. At the front of the partition, a mage guard with the city emblem and a captain insignia strapped to his chest stood.
Speaking lowly, the mage-guard interrogated Luke and Lilly, “Have you paid the fee?” A subtle pressure focused on Luke.
A tier two is stationed here? To guard portals? Must be a serious source of revenue for the city if that’s the case.
Unhappy at the low-key intimidation tactic, Lilly said, “We have. Why do you always try to scare people the first time you see them, Captain Jared?”
Blinking once, the stern portal master dismissed Lilly, “I am to ensure the city’s precious harnessed Ether does not go to waste. If you have paid, go on.”
With Lilly showing experience being here before, the portal master didn’t bother to explain which of the four went where. Lilly led Luke to the blue portal on the far right. She stepped in, and Luke followed after. Blue light filled Luke’s vision, and he reappeared next to Lilly. Sooty pressed her talons down on his shoulder half a second later.
Gathering his new location, Luke oriented himself when the North Gate proudly stood some half a mile away. At this time of night, hordes of refugees still poured into the city. Getting his mind off the implications, Luke asked Lilly, “How close is this place to the North Gate?”
“Not long, less than five minutes from here. Come with me.”
The priest girl gradually relaxed around Luke, and as the two were veering toward the northeastern section of the city, she asked, “What have you been up to in the last couple of days?”
The Reaver began to rattle off his list, “Cleared out the rest of the Beast Divide. Argued with a bratty noble elf girl after a close shave with Onelius—”
“It was you who entered that raid and stole the boss’s loot?”
“Is that what’s being said? Interesting way to take it, Onelius would’ve killed every member of that raid if I hadn’t stepped in. Could’ve taken every piece of loot, and it would’ve been well within my rights. Give an inch, and people take a mile, sheesh.”
“Ludia Drel went around screaming that she was stolen from. She was steaming mad while walking in circles in the hunter’s branch. But after seeing what you did with us, I don’t believe her. I think she’ll sick her grandpa on you from what I remember.” Lilly laughed at Luke’s expense.
Luke saw the light of recognition go off in Lilly’s eyes as she turned the corner with him. She said, “This is the place. Good, no line. Quick! Let’s head in.”
Dipping into the rustic building, Luke saw a quaint bar with booths filling the interior. Lanterns with glowing crystals were embedded in the ceiling. The chairs were cushioned with soft, wipeable fabric. Hardwood floors were shining, and three waiters served the customer’s orders.
The food bar’s tables were already half-full. Lilly took him to the corner of the bar in the center. They took two stools at the edge. Cheerfully, Lilly greeted an older elf woman with gray hair, brown eyes, and faint crow’s feet stretching her skin, “I’m back, Lisandra, did you miss me?”
Responding to the call, the elf stopped shining glass cups. Her eyes widened after recognizing Lilly, “You rascal of a girl. Finally here to visit little ole’ me?” The elf broke into a motherly smile. Her eyes shifted to Luke, “And who is this young man?” Noticing Lilly holding onto Luke, the elf came to a conclusion on her own. Lisandra joked, “Did you come back to tell me you’re getting married?”
Lilly stopped, grasping onto Luke, “We’re here for your wonderful food and to..um..hang out! Yeah.” Lilly looked down to the floor.
Serving two glasses of water, Lisandra said, “Being shy won’t do you any good. When you target a man, you’ve got to pounce quickly, Lilly. The good ones get snatched up before you know it.”
“Stop embarrassing me. We’re friends. Luke saved my team at the Beast Divide, and I wanted to thank him today.”
A monic waiter caught wind of those words and came behind Lilly, “Lilly, did you forget about your big sister already?” Noticing Luke, she said, “I see how it is, putting a man before me. Hmph.” She winked to cue in that she was teasing.
Lilly, however, oblivious to that, tried to defuse the monic woman, “Falena, I didn’t forget. You looked busy, and Luke and I are both hungry.”
“Let’s get that solved. Then you can tell me all about your new boyfriend.” The monic woman strolled into the back kitchens before poking her head back out, “What did you want to order?”
The priest poked Luke in the side, “Have any idea of what you want, Luke?” She waved hurriedly in front of herself, “You haven’t seen a menu, ah, um.”
Satisfied, Lilly seemed to have another home to come back to; Luke said, “You’re lucky to have this place, Lilly. You said something about Custards earlier. I’ll order the three most popular kinds and some bread if they have it.”
Lilly spoke to Falena while Lisandra set her elbows down in front of the two, “I’ll have the lemon custard with the seasoned vegetables and potatoes.”
Falena said, “How many times do I have to tell you it’s not potatoes. It’s—“
Lisandra chided, “You know exactly what she means, dear. Let’s not keep them hungry for long.”
Switching tones, Falena corrected herself before skipping back into the kitchen, “Yes, Boss!”
Turning her attention back to Luke, Lisandra narrowed her eyes at Luke, “What are your intentions with my god-daughter, young man?”
Luke complained internally. I was just here for the custard…