I dived into my soul space with renewed vigor. I was growing stronger. I was getting better at magic, real magic. Sure I wasn’t launching fireballs from my hand or flying or anything so crazy, but I was learning runes and creating spells. I smiled as I fell into my world and quickly settled on top of the Kings Rock to condense my core. For the time being I ignored the wisps of elemental mana, wanting to save them for last.
I wondered briefly if I could invite Luka and Sky to this place as Sky had brought me to her dreams, but I pushed the thought aside for the time being. I held out my hands, making a motion as though I were crafting a snowball. I felt the mana construct before me squeeze as though it were in my hands. I groaned as I focused on the idea of the mana becoming denser, more powerful. I wondered how dense I could make it, if I could crush this core into a single drop to regrow from. That thought, like my other errant ideas, was pushed away as I focused on doing what I could. With efforts of sheer will I found myself sweating soon.
I squeezed my hands, and the mana before me, for hours. Working my hands around to compact it further and further, a headache was growing in my mind even though I wasn’t here in reality. I restrained the urge to stop, pushing myself further than I had before. The headache built over the course of the next few hours, but the notifications to the side of my vision told me the adversity I pushed past was helping to gain more skill levels. I pushed and pulled on the mana, forcing it into a perfect sphere and by the time I finally stopped, due to the headache building past the point [Pain Resistance] would allow me to positively ignore, the sphere had shrank a fair amount. I panted and wiped sweat from my ephemeral brow, my bare back drenched.
Even though this was the world within, I plunged myself into the cold mountain stream somehow avoiding the gravitational pull of the sphere of mana above me. I gasped as the refreshing water chilled me and slowly ebbed the headache. From within the water I looked up at the flames, lightning, earth, wind and water mana still circling the shrunken sphere and raised a hand. I tried to pull the water mana this time as there was less of it than the others but it was just as unwilling as the fire mana had been. Frowning I tried again, and again, the headache building up again. I pulled the flowing water towards the core and yelled out at it to obey me, to no avail. The more I pulled the more it struggled, adamant that it would not become part of my core. Growling I gave it one last tug before I gave up on it. I felt that I was missing something when it came to the aspects of the maelstrom that circled my core.
Unsure how much time I had already spent here, within myself, I forced myself back to the world of the living and upon opening my eyes saw that it was dark outside. Hadn’t it just been morning? Luka looked up and flapped his tail as I started to stretch. Sky did the same and they both pushed their thoughts toward me. Are you okay Dad/Brother? The images seemed to ask. I smiled at them and nodded, patting both of their fuzzy little heads.
I went through a series of stretches before leaving the room. Taking the foxes back down to the tavern proper, I saw a few townsfolk there already drinking. I noticed that my friends had not yet returned but paid it no mind as Kristen brought me a tankard of ale and a juicy steak with sweet potatoes. I hadn’t the heart to say I didn’t like the sweet potatoes, grateful that both foxes gobbled them up. Their tails flopping about and whiskers twitching told me how much they enjoyed the sweet potatoes.
I sat for a bit after eating then went back outside, training once more this time without my foxes aid. My shoulder still ached so I couldn’t move too quickly but the pain was nowhere near what it was before. I danced and trained for several hours, then went back to the room to sleep. My friends had still not returned but I didn’t worry over them overmuch. I knew the quest they were on would take until the next evening at the soonest.
The next morn was much the same, with me coming out and training. Having the foxes help by creating sudden obstacles. I could feel Luka’s control over the stones steadily growing and Sky’s wind manipulation becoming more precise. Her gusts of wind sometimes, inconsistently, became blades that she cut me with. The papercuts stung but weren’t overly damaging, but even still I was impressed. From dark till dawn I danced and practiced, this time shirtless. When I had begun I realized my hair was rather long so I tied it back in a ponytail. My bangs didn’t quite reach so a few strands still hung over my eyes and face, coming loose every time I tried to tuck them behind my ears.
When the sun came up I finally rested, halting my movements and stepped towards the door of the tavern. It was then that I noticed Kristen sitting on a crate watching me. I hadn’t used [Portent] for much of the training, opting to rely on [Intuition] instead. I had a theory that if I could get both skills to a higher level and understanding that they could merge into something greater and clear up some skill slots. She blushed furiously as I caught her eyes and smiled at her. I pointed next to her where I had set my waterskin and shirt. “Toss me my shirt?”
“S sure of of course.” She stammered nervously and threw it at me. The rolled up roughspun fabric fluttered in the air as it reached me. I caught it and pulled it over my head slowly, noticing that Kristen’s eyes hadn’t left my body.
I felt a sense of smug satisfaction before a pang of insecurity. I supposed I hadn’t realized how lean and muscular I looked these days, but in my previous life I had been a touch overweight and not the most attractive. While it felt nice to be admired, I couldn’t help recall how I looked previously and felt a weak aversion to this sort of attention. I ignored it and finished pulling the shirt over my torso, frowning at how tight it was becoming. I had made this shirt and my others a year or so ago and I was still growing. It didn’t fit as well as it should and I could tell that my pants were also a bit short. Perhaps it was time to acquire some clothes that fit again, or to make some.
“Kristen, is there a tailor in this town or someone who sells fabric? I think my shirt is becoming a bit... tight.” I glanced down. The other thought that crossed my mind was that I could afford something a bit nicer than the hemp clothes that I currently wore.
“T there is. S sorry for uhm watching you I came out to get water from the well and was um... I just admired your swordsmanship.” She was red in the face as she tried to explain herself. It was cute in a way how nervous she was after being caught watching me.
“Its okay, I promise I don't mind.” I stepped closer to her and grabbed my waterskin, taking a deep long drink. I was aware of how she fidgeted as I stood half a foot from where she sat. My stomach gurgled quietly but rather than face the door I turned towards where I had seen the well. “May I accompany you to the well, Kristen?”
“Y yes!” She yipped like a fox and hopped off the crate, grabbing the bucket and walking quickly in the right direction. I was quiet as I followed, some amusement in my eyes and a smirk on my lips. We walked in silence until we reached the well. I pulled up the bucket and helped her fill hers, hers was larger than the wells and I had to pull it up thrice before the water was just below the edge. I picked it up as she protested, saying she could handle it.
“Nonsense, what kind of man would I be if I allowed a lady carry such a heavy burden?” I flashed her a winning smile, enjoying her frustration and acceptance. As we started our wending journey back to her work place I said, “I’ll be leaving tomorrow or the day after, I believe. Thank you for taking care of my friends and I while we were here.”
“Of course... Where are you going next?” There was a shy sadness in her voice. She had known I’d be leaving soon but that knowledge didn’t help the crush she had developed. Even so, even in her youth, she was mature enough to understand I’d be on my way and hadn’t allowed her crush to perpetuate.
“I think to Edderton then along the boarder until we reach Ironfell. We will probably stop in most towns and cities on the way.” There was a comfortable silence as we carried on towards the inn. The Sleepy Drinker was quiet when we arrived, as it was most mornings. Kristen took the bucket from me before we entered and I made my way to the same table we had claimed since arriving here. Briefly I wondered if my party was safe and okay, but dismissed the thought as the owner of the tavern made his way over with a plate of food.
“Lios, was it? Kristen informed me your group may be leaving in a few days.” He wore a scowl that eased up when I looked up at him. I nodded after a moment of thinking.
“We are. Thank you for your hospitality during our time in Kinnesville.” I withdrew a few copper to pay for the meal but he held up his hand, stopping me.
“Pay it no mind. My daughter has been quite... taken with you, you know. Of course she knew you were soon to go but... well, thanks for being kind to her. Often travelers come through and are not always well intentioned but you neither pushed for her attention or anything untoward.” He set down the plate of food and stood there awkwardly for a moment. “She asked for a few moments away to show you to a tailor, if you don't mind.”
“That would be excellent, sir. Otherwise I fear I’d find myself wandering for hours.” I put the coin back in my pouch and nodded emphatically. He smiled at that and walked back to his spot behind the bar.
It wasn’t long before I finished my meal and Kristen, wearing a different outfit than before, came up to my table. Where before she was wearing a generic brown skirt that fell below her knees and a white shirt made of breathable cotton, now she wore similar white shirt with green and gold trim and a long green skirt. Overtop of the shirt was a brown corset with gold painted trim and clasps. I knew that this was an outfit that cost a fair amount of coin for folk in these small towns, the cost of dye was often prohibitive for these outskirt towns and usually the lower class citizens who lived here only tended to have one or two outfits with dyed cloth. On top of that, it seemed the entire time I ate my breakfast she had spent doing her hair. Where normally it was straight this time it was curled and springy. It bordered her face prettily, the dark brown curls highlighting her light skin.
I let my eyes wander for a moment, admiring the outfit before I refocused on her now framed face and smiled. “You look fantastic. Thank you for showing me to the tailor. Though, now I feel underdressed as though I were simply the escort for a noble woman!” I laughed at my own joke, and enjoyed the blush that colored her cheeks.
Even though she was still shy and nervous, she cutsied then put on a false scowl. “Well, come on then servant boy, you must escort me to the tailor!” she giggled as she tried to act as a snobby noble and I grinned. Standing, I offered her my arm. Even if it was only a quick jaunt through town I decided to enjoy a partial day off from my incessant training. A part of me felt bad, knowing that this date with Kristen could go nowhere, but the other part resolved to make it enjoyable for the both of us.
“How long did your father give you to show me about?” She took my arm and started walking me toward the door. At that moment I realized I hadn’t bathed since a couple days ago and likely smelled of sweat. I winced internally, but Kristen did not make a face. Of course it wasn’t standard for folks to bathe every day. At most they’d wash with a cloth and take a few days a week to go to the bathhouse or a stream. With that in mind I withdrew my arm and stopped her, feeling embarrassed. “Actually, would you allow me to wash up upstairs before we go? It would be rather rude of my to allow you to adopt my stink.”
She laughed and nodded. “And he gave me the day... so if there’s more you need to see I’ll be able to take you.”
I nodded to show that I had heard her before bolting up the stairs. I left my armor in the corner of the room with my pack but grabbed a set of clean clothes, despite knowing the ones I wore were self cleaning I couldn’t stop myself from going through the motions. I went then to the room at the end of the hall where a washbin stayed and took one of the provided cloths to wipe the sweat and odor from my body. All told it took maybe ten to fifteen minutes to clean up, after which I quickly brushed my lengthening hair and put it back in a ponytail, feeling like a warrior from an asian manga. Lastly, I donned my boots which felt a bit too snug and belted on my sword. I did grab one of my sets of clothes as well in order to potentially sell to the tailor and filled my coin purse with the gold I received from the quest and pelts.
I looked to the foxes and mentally asked if they would like to go with us or go off on their own. Luka expressed an interest in hunting by showing a vision of him eating a rabbit and Sky yipped in agreement. I told them to remain together and not to go too deep into the woods, there were at least four wolves still somewhat close to the town after all. With that, I made my way back down to Kristen who was watching the stairs intently.
I once again offered my arm to her, this time less self conscious of the smell, and grinned wide. “Milady, may I escort you?”
She was smiling wide as she took it, looping her arm through my own. “You may, I suppose. To the tailor? She’s really nice you'll like her!”
She broke free from the noble persona as we headed out the door. I nodded in affirmation. “Mayhap after if you could show me to a cobbler or leatherman so I can get a new pair of boots. These ones are becoming a bit snug. I’ll treat you to some lunch if that is okay?”
“Y you don't have to! It’s enough to just... go out with you.” She lost some of her bravado at that and cracked, her nerves palpable.
I chuckled before I could stop myself. “I really must insist Lady Kristen.”
She was quiet for a few seconds and dragged me towards the shop in question. Like most buildings within the town, it didn’t take long to reach our destination. As we stepped inside, a bell rang and the smells of different dyes struck my nose, making my eyes water briefly. It seemed they made their own with various flowers as well as ingredients purchased from the merchants that often came through town on their way to Ironfell. Through a door that led to the back of the shop I spotted a few vats sitting over firepits, they weren’t lit at the moment but I knew once the tailor wanted to dye some cloth they would be and the cloth would be boiled with the natural dyes.
While it was often quicker to travel through the center of Jorial rather than the boarder roads, it held a fair amount more danger. Oftentimes merchants who couldn’t afford to hire high class adventurer’s would take the slower route and trade between the towns they encountered. The mountains and forests in the center region of Jorial had a number of towns and cities themselves, mostly larger and more prosperous than even Arborton which was among the larger towns on the borders, but the paths leading to them were rife with more powerful beasts and monsters. The dangers on the outer edges were more akin to brigands and bandits who would sometimes attempt to rob a caravan, like the group we faced on the way here.
I saw a figure, a slender woman, working on some fabric, turned away from us. She was likely working on some piece of clothes so I started to peruse the clothes that were already made. They were primarily dull or simple colors, greens browns and blacks. There were a few with different colors, a pink dress and a purple pair of pants seemed the most vibrant. I felt the different materials, trying to decide what I would want to wear in the coming months or years before I grew out of it.
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I was rubbing a long sleeve shirt made of silk when a cough came from behind me. I turned and saw the figure was an older woman, likely in her forties, with graying brown hair and bright blue eyes. “Hello, how can I help you young man? I don’t recognize you, are you with that group of ‘venturer’s I’ve heard so much about?” She spoke with a subtle accent, nothing near as bad as Adriens or Prisma’s.
“Ah, yes, I am. I asked Kristen to show me to a tailor as my clothes are becoming a bit... tight.” I pulled at the hem of my shirt as it had been riding up a little bit, revealing my skin. I looked at the woman sheepishly and reached a hand out to shake. “My name is Lios, I was hoping to purchase a set of simple clothes and then a couple of bolts of fabric that I could make my own clothes with during my travels.”
She took my hand and gave me a gentle smile, before looking to the side at the blushing Kristen, who was trying to not look like she was obviously watching me as she perused this womans wares. “I see. I can certainly help you with that. You have experience with tailoring? Impressive skill for a young man. You’d make a worthy husband someday, for some lucky lady.” She looked knowingly at Kristen who let out a soft squeak. “My name is Hilda. A pleasure to make your acquaintance Lios. For the clothes, is there a particular style you are looking for?”
As she waved her hand outward towards all of her stock I stepped up to a nice, slightly larger than necessary, white tunic and pulled it off the rack. Then I grabbed a pair of brown pants and glanced back at her. “How much for these and a dozen pairs of socks and uhm. A few pairs of undergarments?”
She laughed at my flash of embarrassment and Kristen giggled a little bit. “I can part with these clothes for a total of...” She appeared to be doing some math in her head. “Two silver.”
I nodded amicably and set them on the counter. “And bolts of cloth enough for say, three sets of shirts and pants? I was thinking silk, mayhap this wisteria color and a simple black if you have them?” I pointed to the purple pants I had been admiring, the specific shade of purple I was a huge fan of. It was lighter than the royal purples of Rome, from which I drew inspiration for my armor, and I quite liked the shade.
“That, I’m sure you know, will be a touch more expensive. I have silk available but it isn’t dyed in that wisteria, so you’d be paying for the process of dying the silk as well. I do have some already black dyed silk available though so that’ll be a bit cheaper.” She tapped on the counter, her eyes looking into the distance as she mouthed some numbers. “Around one gold, thirty silver for the lot.”
I hesitated, was I really going to spend so much for clothes? That was the equivalent of staying in our inn for four months. Seeing the hesitation in my eyes she shook her head slightly and opened her mouth to speak but I interrupted her. “I’ll take it. I have one last question as well.”
I pulled the folded clothes I’d been holding onto the counter and showed them to her. I knew with the fabric being so rough they’d be difficult to sell but the two enchantments may change the price. “These are enchanted to repair themselves and stay clean, would I be able to sell them to you?”
At first she raised her eyebrows at me placing them on the counter. They were of a fabric that was of worse quality than what she had available. But the moment I mentioned the enchantments she opened her mouth then closed it, brow furrowing. While enchanted items weren’t so uncommon among the wealthy or adventurers, they weren’t common to people who lived in towns like this.
“I could add them to the trade at... hmmm. They’ll take a while to sell so... I’d normally give you about seventy five silver for them, lets call it eighty so you’ll still owe fifty silver?” She felt the hemp fabric and considered it.
“That would be perfect for me. I have two other sets as well, if you’d like to purchase them. The set I’m wearing now and another back at the inn.”
She shot me a look of incredulity. “Who did you rob to acquire so many pieces of enchanted clothes?”
“I made them myself!” My pride evident in my eyes as I boasted, standing a touch straighter. “Unfortunately, these were the best materials I could afford at the time and I’ve grown out of them.”
“I see. That’s very impressive. So you are a swordsman as well as an enchanter?” She gave me a discerning look as though trying to identify if I were being untruthful. I simply nodded, not needing to get into the finer details of my second class. “Interesting. Okay then, change into your new clothes and I’ll take the set you're wearing off your hands. You’ll probably want to keep the last set until you have made some new clothes.”
She waved towards a door that I could only assume was a dressing room. I entered, changed clothes, and admired the feel of the fabric on my skin. These clothes were both spun from soft cotton and the pants were a bit loose on the legs, allowing my legs to breathe. When I stepped out she had an additional thirty silver for me which I quickly scooped into my pouch, as well as the bolts of silk that I had asked for. “Thank you Hilda!” I called out as Kristen and I left. I hadn’t even needed to spend any money! This was great.
We walked for a few minutes in silence before Kristen spoke. As we walked I observed the people of this town milling about, the guards changing who’s on watch, others patrolling. Several people entering a bakery nearby and coming out with fresh baked bread. We crossed a bridge under which was river where a number of women were washing clothes. They laughed at something one of them said and I smiled, I could see how life would be enjoyable in a town like this even if it weren’t for me.
Kristen and I chatted idly as she led me to a leatherworker who would be able to help me with some boots. I quickly found a pair that suited me and spent 20 silver for them. They were perhaps a size too large but I didn’t care, I wanted something I could grow into.
“So, is there anywhere else I can show you to?” Kristen asked as we stepped out from the store. She had grown a little less timid in our meandering through this town. I thought for a few moments then shrugged, I may as well see about finding some books while I was in a spending mood. Books were pretty expensive but if I could find some for magic or enchanting, or even one that cataloged the different metals within the world that would be eternally helpful.
Before answering though, I took a peak at the sky. The sun was not quite high yet, meaning it wasn’t yet time for lunch. “Mayhap a bookstore Milady?”
Even though she had grown a bit more brazen she still squeaked lightly at my teasing. “Of course Milord! Right this way!” We passed a few of the townsfolk who knew Kristen, granted most people in this town knew her through the tavern. Most smiled and waved and a few whistled as we passed or called out ‘arya on a date!’ and ‘Well, who’s yer boyfriend?’ which embarrassed her to no end.
Soon though, as she spoke about some of the buildings and who lived at each one, we made our way to a general store. A place as small as Kinnesville couldn’t afford a full store dedicated to books. As we entered, the shopkeep shot a glance at Kristen and I, arm in arm as we were, and a huge grin spread across his face. His voice was booming, the sort that even when he spoke normally would be heard in a crowded room.
“Kristen! Kristen Kristen Kristen, finally got yourself a boy? Well well well young man I’m Dalton and welcome welcome welcome to Daltons Treasures!” He stepped from around the counter and held out a hand for me to shake, forcing me to dislodge from Kristens arm as my left hand was still in the sling. Kristen had carried the fabric for me as we walked.
“Uncle Dalton h he’s not my my boy!” Kristen stammered and huffed, puffing out her cheeks as she pouted at his exclamation.
His grip was firm as he shook my hand, though bereft of callouses. “Ah a tight grip young man! And what do ya mean kiddo, he’s not yours? But but but you have him in your arm do you not?” He furrowed his brow in consternation, as though it were inconceivable that she hadn’t claimed me.
“Ah, alas, I am not worthy of such a beautiful lass. Kristen was escorting me around town to help with my shopping before I had to leave town.” I answer jovially. “She has been a great help, I fear even if she had written down directions I’d have gotten lost.”
“Ah! So you say she didn’t come here simply to see me, her dearest uncle?” He put the back of his right hand to his forehead and mimed fainting.“Woe is me, woe is me, woe is me, for my sweet niece cannot simply visit without having need of something from her dearest uncle Dalton!” He let out a dramatic sigh as his knees buckled and he sank to the ground in his colorful clothes. Now that I took a second to process it, his tunic was far fancier than most I’d seen. It was garish orange with green stripes, and his pants followed the pattern as well. He looked to be in his late thirties and had laugh lines next to his eyes. His teeth were yellowed and he had wrinkles around his mouth that seemed to indicate smoking of something, but I wasn’t sure what.
“It is so, Uncle, for my friend Lios seeks books, and you are far too much for me to deal with on a normal day.” Her voice was playfully stern. Despite her flash of embarrassment at the start of the conversation. “Uncle you embarrass yourself with these theatrics.” She tsked a couple of times and set the bolts of fabric on the ground near the door for us to pick up on the way out.
“Oh so you visit Hilda before your dear uncle? Lios, Lios, Lios, what is this world coming to that my darling niece would become so cold and callous?” The man stood up in a flash and clasped my shoulder, gently turning me towards a bookshelf. He was careful not to jostle the arm that was in a sling, clapping my right. His grip was again firm and tight. “Now now boyo, what sorts of books were you seeking? Ol’ Dalton has got you covered no matter your needs!”
“Oh? I was looking for a book on runes, one on different fabric, one on different materials used in smithing. Hmm... is there anything else?” I tapped my chin and felt him squeeze my shoulder before letting go and looking at his books. He removed two rather quickly. “Oh! And one on the basics of magic and wizardry.”
“Found yerself a mage, eh Kristen? Impressive impressive!”
“Hmmph! Uncle I told you he isn’t mine! Lios is an adventurer and leaving in a couple days!” She stomped her foot and blew hot air through her nose. Dalton cackled at the display and brought the books to the counter before heading through a door to the back of the shop, likely to storage. He returned a few moments later with a dust covered tome.
“Now this is my only book that has anything to do with magic or runes.” He wiped the dust from the binding and revealed golden filigree to show me the title, ‘Spells and Incantations for the Budding Wizard’. The other two books were a material list for blacksmiths and metalworkers, and the same for tailors.
Before letting Dalton know that the spellbook wouldn’t be useful to me, I started to flick through the other two. As I had hoped the book on fabrics mentioned what grade of enchantments it could handle before it was destroyed by the mana that flooded it. The book on metals did not have any such additions but even still, I wanted it so I could improve my secondary class.
“I’d like to purchase these two, unfortunately the spell book doesn’t suit my wizardry.” I smiled wanly at the man.
He quickly stowed the one I didn’t want beneath the counter. “Those two will be five silver a piece.”
The teasing tone had left his voice now that money was part of the discussion. I pulled out the requisite amount and placed it on the counter. “Pleasure doing business with you, sir!”
I stepped outside, books under my arm, and started on my way back to the tavern. “How about we drop these things off then I can treat you to that promised lunch?”
“You really don't have to treat me...” Kristen fidgeted timidly but I simply kept walking.
“I really must insist.” She chased after me, having to jog a few steps to catch up then falling in stride beside me. We quickly made our way back to the tavern and dropped off my new items, the most cumbersome of course being the fabric but I simply strapped them to the sides of my pack for the time being. I was grateful for the system in that moment as dying the purple silk would normally have taken a number of days to process, but, with the magic of this great system, only took minutes. That, and, if this were back on earth I’d never have dreamed of backpacking with such encumbrance.
Before we left the tavern again I checked up on my companions who replied with feelings of exhilaration and pride as they hunted and sped through the forest to the south and west of Kinnesville. Luka seemed especially prideful but wouldn’t tell me what he had done, and Sky seemed to respect his desire to keep it a secret. I met back up with Kristen in short order and had her grab my arm, smiling at her father as we passed.
Quickly we found ourselves at a bakery, the same one we’d passing this morning, and collected a handheld meat pie that reminded me of pasties. I also made sure to get four different sweet treats, a biscuit with something akin to chocolate inside, a rich sweet dark cream though not overpoweringly sweet. Next was a danish filled with a fruit jam I was unfamiliar with, and two slices of sweet bread that Kristen had been eyeing and nearly salivating over. The six items only set me back around thirty copper.
We wound our way around town until we found a spot undertree to picnic. We spoke mostly of our childhoods, me about my friends and my dreams of becoming an adventurer. How I had spent most of my days training, rarely taking breaks and only taking them when the people in my life insisted upon it. I told Kristen about a time that Ento and Ralphy had gotten into a tiff about another girl our age who I didn’t really know named Frida. She was a cute lass but, knowing that I was set to wander, I never paid much mind to the girls around me. Of course, that and our ages tended to be the determining factors.
While I told some brief stories about my meager interactions with other people, she talked about running the tavern when she was older. How her father continuously spoke about retirement but constantly overworked himself insisting that they, as a family, could handle all of the responsibilities of maintaining the tavern. Just the two of them, father and daughter, would ensure that the tavern kept going.
“If you don’t mind my asking, what about your mother?” I knew it was likely a sensitive topic but also felt she wasn’t the type to dwell on such things, that she’d be relatively okay talking about her. I was not disappointed.
“Well. When I was younger still, eight years ago so before I had a firm grasp on this world, our small town was attacked and pillaged by a group of bandits.” At this point she hesitated and I reached out to hold her hand, rubbing a thumb across the back of it.
“You don't have to tell me.”
“No, it’s okay, it’s just difficult. Most of the civilians were rounded up to the center of town and my parents and I weren’t an exception. But my mother, and a few of the other women, were commanded to go with the bandits, as a part of their... spoils.” Her eyes were fiery and her tone grew into a growl. She squeezed my hand tightly as she spoke. “My mother, and the other women, knew that if the men fought back the bandits would not hesitate to raze the town to the ground and begged the bandits to spare us should they go with them peacefully. I remember trying to run after her only for my father to hold me close to him, crying just as hard as I was when they left. It wasn’t until years later that I understand what kind of spoils the women of this town were. A few years ago we discovered the bandits had been killed and a few of the women were recovered but they are... understandably, they are shells of their former selves. My mother was not among them, though I thank Sylvine every day that my mother is no longer suffering.”
I let out a heavy sigh. I knew the story would follow this vein, a tale woven of tragedy and a reminder of why I must become strong. I wasn’t as familiar with Sylvine, truly I had hardly paid mind to the pantheon of Ravos, but I knew she was a goddess of hope and justice. A light in the darkness who’s followers preached kindness and selflessness and righteousness.
“I’m truly sorry for your loss. This is part of why I’ve decided to be an adventurer. Not so much to be a hero but to at least stand up for the meek and the weak where I can.” I felt a small amount of the weight of killing those bandits from before lift from my shoulders. I moved to pull my hand away from her, feeling awkward after the morose topic, only for her to tighten her grip and stare at me a bit. She was quiet for a few moments before she let out a soft breath.
“Thank you for humoring me Lios. With this date I mean. I know this won’t go anywhere but it’s really nice to sit and talk to a boy I like, and a future hero at that. I know its selfish of me to ask but,” Her eyes were wide and I could clearly see the specks of gold and green in her hazel irises. With the sun reflecting off of them they were bronze and bright and, despite the tale she had just told me, hopeful and happy. It was easier to move on from such tragedies, I felt, in a world where they were commonplace. Or perhaps she had stronger strength of will than I gave her credit for. Her cheeks darkened with redness as she leaned forward, catching me by surprise. I could have dodged it, we both knew, but instead I closed my eyes as this timid girl brazenly fought her nerves and stole a kiss from me. It was over quickly, and when I opened my eyes she was blushing even more furiously a smile curling from the edges of her pink lips.
“You didn’t finish your question.” I stated after taking a few moments to process what had just happened.
Her laugh erupted over the small park we were sitting in, twinkling like chimes in the wind. “I suppose I didn’t. Oops.”
I joined her laughter and we continued chatting for a while longer. When it neared dinner time we returned to the inn. It felt nice to take a brief break, to enjoy being a teenager for a few moments. I felt a bit of the weight I had been placing on myself ebb, and resigned to take some time to relax more often. For the rest of the day, as Kristen returned to work chipper and happy, I sat at the familiar table and settled down to work on a new enchantment for the clothes I was soon to make.
The fabric book told me that the silk I bought could handle a bit stronger of an enchantment so I began to work on one that was twenty five runes rather than two five rune enchantments. I wasn’t sure if I could manage what I wanted but I would at least give it a shot.