“I really like the bow.”

Joe nodded, “Hmm… It’s a good one… especially for range. The spear also gives you a range attack… but then you lose your weapon, so… The arrow can give you a good dozen or two shots, but… it is really bad in melee range. You pretty much don’t have any defense, really… not without ruining your bow… so it’s really only useful for hunting or from sneaking up on someone… or from a defensive position… really strong there, so… oh… well… maybe… there is one more benefit to that one cause of the system. You could get hunter and only have to level that up to five and have the bow as you need… and save the ring for another weapon… then you can have your cake and eat it, too. Spear and bow.”

Garnedell’s eyes widened at that, and his grin grew, “Would I not have to stay… hunter for bow?”

Joe shook his head, “Remember what I said about growth skills? They allow you to use them… even if you do not have that job.”

Garnedell nodded, “Hunter… only to five?”

Joe nodded, “You will need commoner to twenty first though…”

Garnedell paused in thought at that, falling silent. Joe opened his mouth and almost pressured him on it, but a quick glance at Garnedell’s face let him know he was thinking very carefully about it, and the two returned to the inn in silence. Joe allowed him the time to think, and they were soon in the inn and back up at their room. It was empty, Zilnek long gone and Joe didn’t know where Kilniara had gone, but wasn’t truly concerned.

Garnedell seemed to break out of his thoughts when the made it back to the room and Joe took a look at the armor, considering it. It was of two pieces, a thick but soft under shirt shaped exactly to fit the leather armor, and an outer piece of leather armor that slipped over it. Joe considered his tunic and then the armor before finally deciding that he would rather have the tunic on the outside as it was incredibly baggy and the armor looked rather tight. Welp… holding it and bringing it home was easy enough… no problem. So… now…

Joe took off his shirt and draped it on the bed before taking the soft sleeveless under shirt, a gambeson, and placed it on. But as soon as he grabbed it off the bed, it seemed to violently shake in his hand, and Joe frowned. This… isn’t a good sign… but… He wrestled with it, able to get it on with some effort.

He hadn’t worn armor often, mostly learning to fight and train without it, only wearing modern protective gear when dueling, especially with weapons. True armor intended to be worn for battle was a rarity in modern Earth and while he’d learned how to wear it and use it, even having some deliberate practice times using it. He wasn’t as versed as his weapons, however.

The gambeson slipped on, and shifted rather violently, for a piece of clothing, around his chest, never settling. Joe frowned. Not… really a problem right now… it’s a rather soft piece of clothing… but this hard cured leather… Joe grimaced at the thought of it slamming into his throat as the gambeson was literally bouncing around his chest. It was one of the weirdest experiences to have. It felt like he was wearing a live animal of some kind.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Joe frowned and looked towards the leather piece. Well… nothing but to try… got the healer coming tomorrow… so…

Joe reached for the leather piece and it fought even harder than the gambeson had, and Joe’s concern spiked. Right… not a good sign. He was able to easily hold it firm enough, but it wasn’t comfortable. It grew incredibly uncomfortable when he started trying to slide it down his arms and head. By the time he got it past his head and on to his chest, Joe felt he’d been hit a half a dozen times, even taking the time to check his status to see that he’d lost a good couple dozen points of HP just getting the thing on.

On his body, it vibrated even more violently than before, but not enough to actually cause him harm… at least as defined by his HP stat. Still, Joe found the whole thing quite uncomfortable and finally sighed as he began to pull the whole thing off. It quieted when he started taking it off, which Joe found interesting, but when he stopped to put it back on, the violent shaking restarted and Joe almost lost his grip on it. Right… so… not useful until I get some kind of armor skill then. But man… this is… really irritating!

The armor came off and Joe dropped it on the bed, staring at it for a bit before turning to look at Garnedell.

“Well… that sucks.”

* * *

The rest of the day passed easily enough, and Kilniara really enjoyed her time with Gwenvair and as she learned ever more about her, Kilniara only grew more certain and simultaneously more concerned that she would lose such a friendship. The day ended much more quickly than Kilniara would have liked, Joe having called an end to the day just at noon as he always did, and the group escaped the dungeon to find food at the local guild hall. The food was as delicious as ever, a luxury that Kilniara never thought to be able to taste. But she found her time with Gwenvair to be the true joy in the meal and Kilniara’s worry left her unable to truly enjoy the company. She found the day slipped too quickly through her fingers. Gwenvair left after the meal and she found herself alone in her own thoughts, bathing then going to the inn. When Joe returned, Joe proved willing to spend the late afternoon with her and she accompanied him to the temple district where Joe attempted to change his job to priest once again, diligent as always in his daily attempt which proved to be a failure again as he returned to her, stoic as always after each failed attempt. While she enjoyed her time with him, her thoughts remained on Gwenvair.

Despite the day being early, she soon found herself in her room alone, the day done and worry and deep thought robbing her of the day. She could only hope that her fears were unfounded. She would find out tomorrow.

* * *

The Saga abbot of Coushar woke the next morning with his daily prayers and ritual cleansing, satisfying the demands of his goddess. As only appropriate, his word from his goddess lay patiently glowing to his side awaiting his attention. It had taken him years, decades even, to gain the discipline and humility to cast aside his arrogance and desire to see the personal growth of his own temple, to see ever more under his care. He fought daily in his prayers until he’d been able to finally cast aside the desire to raise himself ever upward.

But still, even to this day, he wanted, desired, to seek out his own gain, even at the expense of his goddess, and struggled to maintain the good work he must put forth in raising up his goddess and caring for those who chose to put themselves under his care. His strength to resist had increased and he soon faithfully completed his prayers and ritual cleansing.

As a matter of strength, he refrained from bringing forth his goddess’s communication until he’d arrived at his office and prepared for the day. I will master my pride. It will be no master of mine for I have but one master, my goddess Saga. The chant helped him remain strong and he settled into his morning preparations and the daily drudgery all living must accomplish on any plane, especially for those who must lead. With his daily work complete, and the special cases soon to begin, he took the time to accept the blessed message of his goddess and smiled to see two new acolytes. He frowned, noticing one seemed familiar. A brother… or a cousin… mayhaps… He didn’t spend much time on it, simply happy to see Saga’s flock growing. So much to do…