After we leave Belinda behind in the Adventurer’s Guild Lilah and I make our way out of town but when we reach the edge there seems to be a problem. Three adventurers are surrounding the spot where Thirty-seven is usually at, and I can’t see her anywhere. I quickly run up to the group.
“Hey hey, what’s going on here?”
The group is huddled around Thirty-seven she is quickly looking back and forth between them truly terrified, when she sees me pleads with her eyes, but is too scared to move past the group.
Adventurer: “We found this girl out here she seemed really scared, and she won’t say anything.”
“It’s ok, just back up she is scared of strangers.”
Lilah runs up between them stretches her arms out and puffs out her chest.
Adventurer 2: “And who are you?”
“I am her brother. Two-Twelve, you have a problem you can talk to Belinda at the adventurer’s guild about it…”
Adventurer: “I heard of Two-Twelve, but never heard anything about him having a sister.”
“Well I need to take her home, you can ask at the guild about it.”
I reach my arm between them but one of them smacks it back.
Adventurer 3: “Hold on a minute here. This girl here is a slave, how do we know you’re not going to just run off with this girl when our backs are turned.”
Adventurer: “Miss is he telling the truth?”
The adventurer reaches for Thirty-seven with his hand causing her to turn her head, and close her eyes tight.
Adventurer 2: “Looks to me she doesn’t know you. I think it’s time you leave.”
“I am telling you she is just scared of people, just back off.”
Adventurer 3: “I think we will just take her to the guild ourselves, and we can sort this all out, if you’re telling the truth.”
“I have worked hard to get her this far, I am not about make her have to go around that many people.”
Adventurer: “You made her like this? I don’t care who you say you are.”
The adventurer begins to draw a sword from his waist, at this point Lilah jumps at him biting his wrist.
Adventurer: “Damn you little bitch. Get her off!”
The second adventurer punches Lilah in the side causing her to fly off the adventurer’s arm rolling in the dirt a few feet away. I quickly cast a [Freeze] spell at the adventurer that hit Lilah causing a bit of damage and slowing him down.
Adventurer 3: “Damnit he’s a mage! “
The 3rd adventurer then pulls a two handed sword from his back swinging it at me. I manage to avoid the blow while Lilah jumps back at the adventurer biting him again. I cast another [Freeze] spell at the same adventurer this time causing him to completely stop moving.
Adventurer 3: “Coby!”
The greatsword is swung at me again this time I am unable to completely dodge, causing me to suffer quite a bit of damage, and crash to the ground. The first adventurer throws Lilah off again, but wraps his hand around his other wrist Lilah seems to have gotten him good.
Adventurer: “Oh god… Kill the bastard already.”
Adventurer 3: “A mage taking a blow like that he should be dead!”
From the floor I quickly change to a [Fireball] spell hitting the greatsword guy is the chest knocking him back. The first adventurer starts to swing his sword at Lilah who is injured pretty bad on the ground, but Thirty-seven grabs the sword on the ground from the frozen adventurer stabbing the adventurer in the chest that is attacking Lilah.
Adventurer 3: “What the hell!”
He swings his sword at Thirty-seven hitting her hard causing a lot of damage, I quickly cast another [Fireball] into him causing him to hit the ground. I then quickly rush to Thirty-seven who appears to be bleeding really badly.
“I should have learned the healing spell the same time Belinda did…Lilah are you ok?”
Lilah: “Master it hurts, but Lilah will be ok.”
“I have to get Thirty-seven to so help quickly. Can you make it back to the dungeon ok?”
Lilah: “But master…”
“Fine just stay close I have no idea what’s going to happen…”
I quickly pick up Thirty-seven in my arms, she seems to have passed out, and I then run into the village. I make a line straight for the Adventurer’s guild as that’s the only place I know where there may be mages that can use healing magic.
When I kick the door open on the adventurer’s guild quite a few people jump from their seats startled, I then rush forward setting down Thirty-seven on the nearest table.
“Somebody that has healing magic, quick.”
I quickly look around the room but don’t see Belinda.
Receptionist: “Two-Twelve what happened?”
“Where is Belinda?”
Receptionist: “She just stepped out…”
“Anybody!? Can nobody use healing magic?”
Adventurer’s nervously look around the room, nobody however steps forward.
Lilah: “Master…”
I quickly open [Menu] and ask Belinda where she is at.
“Belinda where are you? I need you, Thirty-seven is dying, we are at the adventurer’s guild!”
Belinda: “What happened? The bakery, take her to the bakery!”
Without another word I quickly rush out the door with Thirty-seven in my arms heading to the bakery. I can feel that I am losing Thirty-seven I don’t know if she is going to make it. When I burst into the bakery Susan screams.
“Please! Belinda said to bring her here!”
Susan: “Here, here set her down here.” –She motions to the counter.-
I place her on the counter and Susan quickly rips Thirty-sevens shirt open to get to the wound.
Susan: “It’s bad…I don’t know if I can.”
“Please.”
Susan places her hands over the wound and begins casting magic
“Belinda where are you?!” –I ask her in [Menu]-
Belinda: “I am on my way as fast as I can!”
Susan beings to sweat really bad focusing on the magic, she soon has to prop herself up with the counter then she loses it, completely drained of magic she looks like she is about to pass out herself.
Susan: “I’m sorry, that’s all I could do…I might have been able to save her a few more minutes…But I’m sorry.” –She then collapses to the floor.-
Lilah pulls on my arm.
Lilah: “Master…”
“I don’t know Lilah.”
I then message Belinda again.
“Belinda! Susan is out of magic, it wasn’t enough.”
Belinda: “I am almost there.”
“This is my fault… I made her come down to the village, hell I insisted on her getting closer… I should have learned healing magic…”
I hit the counter with my fists.
Lilah: “Master.”
I hear a horn blow in the distance. A few seconds later Belinda rushes in, she quickly looks the room then rushes up to Thirty-seven and thrusts her hands to her casting a healing spell. After a short time passes she drops to her knees, and begins to cry.
Belinda: “I’m so sorry…If I wasn’t on the other side of town…”
I move forward placing a hand on her shoulder. Lilah moves forward pulling on Thirty-seven’s limp arm crying.
“It’s not your fault…I should have learned healing magic…I shouldn’t have left her alone…I…”
I hear the horn blow again and several people in the distance making racket, but right now, I drop to my knees next to Belinda. Belinda turns grabbing my shirt crying into my chest while Lilah grabs my arm crying into my shoulder.
I feel a pain in my stomach, and there is an uncomfortable feeling in my throat. I feel I should be crying as well, but no tears come… After the third horn sounds Susan has woken back up…
Susan: “What happened? Were you attacked by monsters from the dungeon?”
“No, it was adventurers. It was just a stupid misunderstanding but before I could set it right they attacked.”
Susan: “The horn then? Did you kill them?”
“They left me no choice, they almost killed Lilah, Thirty-seven stopped them, but…”
Susan: “Are you ok to talk? I need to go tell Harald what happened.”
“It doesn’t matter…”
Susan: “But Belinda worked so hard! If they destroy the dungeon off of this everything she has worked for will be for nothing!”
“What do you mean destroy the dungeon?”
Susan: “The horn blowing, it means they found the bodies, and think it was monsters from the dungeon. They are probably on the way there now with every adventurer they can round up.”
I quickly stand. “We have to stop them.”
“Belinda take care of Lilah, I have to do something!”
Belinda: “What about you? That cut is deep.”
“It won’t matter if they destroy the dungeon.”
Belinda: “Please, be careful…”
Lilah: “Master! Don’t go!”
I quickly rush out the door heading to the edge of town. From base of the mountain I can see at least 30 people quickly making their way up the mountain. I quickly rush up the trail. Once reaching the group I try telling them to stop but none listen, so I push my way through the group.
“Harald!”
Harald: “Two-Twelve, you look horrible! Did you get attacked by the monsters as well?”
“You’re misunderstanding the situation, it wasn’t the dungeon!”
Harald: “There were three dead adventurers right outside of town, I know you are close to Belinda, but we can’t risk it.”
“No, I am saying it was me.”
The group begins to halt.
Harald: “What do you mean? You killed the adventurers?”
“It was a misunderstanding, they attacked, and I had no choice.”
Harald: “The bite wounds, and the magic.”
“The magic was me, the bite wounds were from Lilah.”
Harald: “Your slave girl? Why don’t you tell me what happened.”
“You know about my sister right?”
Harald: “The one afraid of people?”
“The adventurers surrounded her, upsetting her, and when I tried to stop them, they attacked. We had no choice, but to defend ourselves…”
Harald: “So that wound? It’s from the adventurers?”
“Yes…And Thirty-seven…They killed her…”
Harald: “This is serious, you’re going to have to come with me back to Tobes till we get this all straightened out.”
“Fine, whatever just call back the adventurers…”
Harald: “You said your sister is dead, yet you’re worried about the dungeon?”
“Belinda… She worked so hard, I don’t want her to lose all her research over a misunderstanding…”
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
I couldn’t think of anything else to say so I mimic Susan’s words. The group slowly begins to dissipate, and Harald leads me back down to Tobes, I lead him to the bakery. When we enter the bakery, I see that they have moved Thirty-seven, and she is now lying on a blanket on the floor with another one over the top of her.
Susan is talking to Belinda with her hand on Belinda’s shoulder. Belinda is no longer crying but her face is red, and she is still sniffling. Lilah is huddled in the corner arms crossed with her head buried in her knees, her new white dress torn, dirty, and splotched with blood.
When Belinda sees me she runs up to me wrapping her arms around me, and she begins to cry again.
Harald: “I’m sorry Belinda, but I am going to have to take him, and the slave girl till we get this all figured out.”
Belinda: “Are you kidding me?!”
Harald moves over lifting the blanket to look at Thirty-seven. Lilah rushes forward, but I manage to grab her before she reaches Harald.
Lilah: “Don’t touch her filthy human!”
“Lilah, that’s enough.”
Lilah: “But Master!”
After giving her a stern look, she calms down, and stops struggling. After a moment Herald lowers the blanket.
Susan: “Harald, you’re not really suggesting Two-Twelve murdered some adventurers are you? The kids are hurting.”
Harald: “I am sorry, but I have to do my job…”
“I don’t really know how I can explain anything more. I told them to leave Thirty-seven alone, they drew weapons, and we were forced to protect ourselves.”
Harald: “Where I am getting hazy is how 3 people, one of which is a small child, the other two not even adventurers. Yet the still somehow, not drawing weapons first, still manage to defeat 3 seasoned adventurers, and even using magic to do so.”
Belinda: “Do you really think I a princess of the kingdom would hang around questionable people? Besides, I can answer that point. They received training while they were slaves, I can’t tell you the details for obvious reasons, but trust me.”
Harald: “I am sorry princess, he has been here for almost a year, yet nobody knows anything about him. Then he has a sister that appears out of nowhere, and can’t even interact normally with people. Then he buys a slave, which with his background I could understand wanting to help a child, but after all this time, she still has her collar.”
“She has never asked me to remove it.”
Belinda: “I am telling you, if he said they drew weapons first, that’s what happened.”
Harald: “Fine princess, but I am going to continue to check things out, if I turn something up, or anything else happens, this safety of the village comes first.”
Harald seems angry but Susan ushers him out of the bakery, she then nods to Belinda stepping outside and closing the door. Belinda moves over to me healing my wound. She then places her hand on my back.
Belinda: “Are you ok?”
“I… I don’t know, I know I should feel strongly about this, but the truth is I am just angry…”
Belinda steps forward wrapping her hands around me from behind, laying her head on back.
Belinda: “What do we do now?”
“We move on… Any one or all of us could be lost at any time. I just didn’t think that it would happen to Thirty-seven, she isn’t even connected to the dungeon…She would have been fine if I didn’t try to force her into coming out of the dungeon.”
Belinda hugs me tight and says. “It’s not your fault, the adventurers that did this, it is their fault… They did attack first right?”
“Of course do you think I would attack adventurers without any equipment outside of my dungeon? Well technically Lilah attacked first, but they had already begun drawing their weapons, she is just…Fast.”
Belinda: “That’s good enough for me, just don’t tell anyone else that part…What do we do with Thirty-seven now?”
“What do you mean? She is gone there is nothing we can do…”
Lilah has returned to the corner burying her head into her knees, Belinda seems to choke-up again but manages to speak.
Belinda: “I mean for a funeral? How do you handle death of other dungeon cores?”
“I don’t know, besides Thirty-seven is human now, how do humans deal with it?”
Belinda: “It really depends on the human…We have many ways, adventurers often leave no body, so there is usually a group of friends and family that just get together to remember them. The only difference when there is a body, the friends and family usually gather around the body to morn and celebrate the life of the one that died.”
“Thirty-seven spent her entire life in a dungeon, the only ones that have even had contact with her is in this room with the exception of Madam Erin…”
Belinda: “Ok, I will take care of it. You and Lilah head home, but be careful, we don’t need Harald poking around our business.”
“Alright.”
Belinda hugs me tight again then slowly lets go, I then move to Lilah when I tell her it’s time to go the moves to Thirty-seven grabbing her hand under the blanket. It takes Belinda and me both to convince her to let go.
After leaving the building Susan is sitting on the front step of the building. She nods to me when standing up then taps me on the shoulder heading back inside. Lilah and I make our way out of the village.
Once we reach the lake I notice someone following us, I direct Lilah the opposite way into the woods, and it takes a while to lose the person tailing us. Once we are sure no one is watching we enter the dungeon then quickly head to the core room.
I continue to watch for a while, but I see no signs of anyone approaching the dungeon. I send a message to Belinda warning her about us being tailed, and to be careful. I finally notice a screen that I moved out of the way when we entered.
Monsters have returned from battle
Battle Results:
Monster Lilah has gained a level
Acquired: none
Loss: none
20xp gained from external source
20 XP Total acquired.
“20 xp…Thirty-seven lost her life, it cost us so much and we only got 20xp…”
I decide I have to now inform Madam Erin…
“Thirty-seven has lost her life in a battle with adventurers outside Tobes earlier this evening.”
It’s not even a few minutes before I get a reply from Madam Erin.
Madam Erin: “Battle, what was Thirty-seven doing battling adventurers? Did she join your dungeon?”
“No… I was working on getting her able to interact with humans, and although she was greatly improving, even making it as far as entering the village even if it was every so brief.”
Madam Erin: “That is amazing, although I guess it doesn’t mean a whole lot now. What exactly happened?”
“She began to follow us down to the village when we visited, she however waited outside. This evening she had a group of adventurers surround her, and scaring her. When I confronted them they pulled their weapons, and after the battle Thirty-seven sustained damage her human body could not heal and she died.”
Madam Erin: “Damnit… How are you holding up?”
“Everyone keeps asking me that, I haven’t had a good answer for any of them… For whatever it is worth, know that she did manage to take one of the adventurers with her, I took care of the other two, with the help of one of my monsters.”
Madam Erin: “At least the bastards are dead. Your dungeon going to pull though?”
“Locals are starting to get antsy, got someone following us, but I think we are ok. My boss monster is planning some human ritual concerning Thirty-seven’s death. I know how long you cared for Thirty-seven, so I thought you might want to know.”
Madam Erin: “Tell me when and where, if I can I will be there.”
“You know the ritual I am talking about?”
Madam Erin: “You don’t deal death to humans for this many years against humans, and not learn a few things about their rituals concerning it.”
“Ok, as soon as I hear something, I will let you know.”
Madam Erin: “Be careful pup. This is a crucial point for your dungeon, this could make or break you, don’t let me down.”
“I’ll do my best…”
Lilah: “Master?”
“What is it Lilah.”
Lilah: “Lilah wants to kill the humans. They took Thirty-seven from her.”
“The humans are gone Lilah.”
Lilah: “Master gets to kill humans all the time, Lilah wants to kill them too!”
“You don’t have any training Lilah, you will end up just like Thirty-seven, I am not going to risk it.”
Lilah: “Then if Lilah trains, master will let Lilah kill humans…?”
I don’t think Belinda is going to like this, but Lilah is after all a monster… I take the key to her collar from the desk, unlocking the little collar around her neck.
“You want to train ok? I won’t stop you, but no fighting humans till I say so.”
Lilah: “Lilah will work hard! What does Lilah do now?”
“For now you go to bed, once all this settles down we can start training you then.”
Lilah: “Lilah wants to start now!”
“Lilah, for now you go to bed…”
Lilah: “Yes master…”
After transporting Lilah to Thirty-seven’s room she picks up the cat stuffed animal hugs it and begins crying again… Without anything to say I tell her good night and head back to the core room.
I use [Menu] and learn the [Heal] spell, I then try to use it to teach it to Lilah, but it won’t allow me to teach spells to standard monsters… I try a few more spells but all come out the same so I decide to give up for now.
I message Belinda asking what is taking her so long, when it starts to get late, but she tells me she is going to stay in Tobes for tonight to take care of things, I tell her again to be careful.
A few days after Thirty-seven’s death I still haven’t had any activity in the dungeon, Belinda has seemed to put a hold on commissions, keeping the adventurers at bay. She hasn’t been to the dungeon since that day, but has giving me strict directions, of when and where to be and what to wear when I get there, I have since informed Madam Erin.
Lilah and I leave the dungeon for the first time since Thirty-seven’s death, we take a long trip around entering Tobes from a hunters trail on the side of Tobes. Lilah wears a dress much similar to the blue or white one she has worn in the past but this one is black in color. My outfit is rather simple but also black in color.
Susan has been waiting for us at the edge of the village, once she sees us she moves up to us.
Susan: “I am glad you made it, I know things have been rough the last few days, Belinda told me you have been hiding out in the forest because of Harald’s accusations… Belinda wanted me to make sure you made it there without any trouble.”
After I nod Susan leads us through town, there isn’t any trouble but there are a few more eyes on us then in the past. Once we reach a small building we enter to find a long room with benches on either side, a long carpet leads to a large box on a table.
Belinda stands when we enter walking up to me placing her hand on Lilah’s head and taking my arm, she leads me to the front. After I sit down I wait for a while before a few more people enter the building. After an hour even though each bench will probably hold 15 people most only have one person.
Most of the benches have adventurers that are here out of respect for Belinda, and when Denova enters I have to keep Belinda calm. Shortly later a huge beastkin woman enters that causes many of the adventurers to get nervous. The woman slightly smaller than the door frame makes her way through the building her wolf like ears droop and her tail drags on the carpet.
She wears no armor, but her clothes are very elaborate. She wears a large sword that can only be described as a greatsword at her hip like a normal sword. The jewels around her neck and on the rings on her fingers would probably buy half of the village each.
Making her way through the building Madam Erin places her hand on the box lowering her head. After a few minutes she walks up to me making Belinda and Lilah nervous. After slapping my shoulder she sits on the bench next to us causing the bench to creek as she sits.
Many of the adventurers being to whisper amongst themselves, questioning just who this adventurer is. Soon a man enters the building from a side door, he stand in front of the box and begins to talk about Thirty-seven like he knew her offering words of comfort.
Belinda begins to cry at one point burying her face into my shoulder, and after a while the man motions to Belinda. Belinda steps forward wiping tears from her eyes.
Belinda: “Many of you here might not know Thirty-seven, so let me tell you what I know of Thirty-seven. She may have been and awkward individual trapped in a trauma that she could not shake, but that didn’t stop her from constantly pushing boundaries trying to better herself.
Thirty-seven left behind Two-Twelve, a brother that dedicated himself to his family helping in any way he can, and by Lilah, and although she may herself be a slave Thirty-seven treated her closer than anyone else, caring for her dearly.
Thirty-seven gave her life much like she lived it going forth paying the ultimate price to keep those she loves safe. Although I may have not been able to get close enough to become part of that family, I am proud I got the chance to be able to get to know her.
You may define a hero as the adventurer who faces a dungeon and destroys the crystal, but I define a hero as the one who risks their lives for those they love. Thirty-seven was such a person, and although she may not have been able to show it well she deeply cared for her family.
Many of us have come accustomed to losing those close to us in our profession, and although Thirty-seven was not an adventurer, many of the struggles her and her family face are very similar. If any of you here today, do not know of Thirty-seven I ask you to take a piece of her with you, let her live on inside of you.
I Belinda Gowen 3rd princess of Gowen kingdom thank you all for coming.”
She bows lowering her head to the audience then returns to her seat next to me taking my arm she hugs her tightly burying her face in my arm. To my surprise Madam Erin stands walking to the front of the room.
Madam Erin: “Thank you all for coming, Belinda Gowen thank you for your kind words, I know that although she would have never said it Thirty-seven would have really appreciated it. I consider Thirty-seven and Two-Twelve my very children.
Although they both came to me requiring lots of work, Two-Twelve managed to thrive. Although I had more trouble with Thirty-seven, I heard after Two-Twelve took over her care, she managed to make a lot of progress, so I also wish to give my thanks to Two-Twelve.”
She then turns to the box hitting it with her fist causing the wood to creak, and everyone in the room to jump, and she says a few things quietly then returns to her seat. After a few more minutes the man from the start returns thanks everyone for being there then dismisses everyone.
Belinda stands, not letting go of my arm, and after I stand she turn to Madam Erin.
Belinda: “I am glad to see you. I am happy you could make it.”
Madam Erin: “She was like my daughter, so of course I would be here. Now as tragic as this event has been, maybe I can bother to have a word with you?”
Belinda: “Of course.” –She looks at me, and after I nod she then let’s go of me. - “We are meeting at the adventurer’s guild after this meet me there ok?”
Belinda leaves the building with Madam Erin, while Lilah and I move forward to the box.
“From what I understand, Belinda told me this is your last chance to say your last goodbye to Thirty-seven. Do you have anything to say?”
Lilah: “Thirty-seven, why did you have to do that? Lilah promises she is going to get strong, so nothing happens like that again. Nobody else is going to die cause of Lilah…”
“Lilah…”
Lilah: “Ok master Lilah is ready.”
I don’t know what to say in this sort of situation, so I simply set my hand on the box.
“Thirty-seven I am sorry I failed you…Good-bye.”
My stomach hurts and I feel angry again, as I turn around walking out of the building with Lilah. As we make our way to the Adventurer’s guild I notice we pick up a follower. When we enter the adventurer’s guild the man following us takes a table by the door.
Belinda and Madam Erin have already arrived, and are sitting at a table of the far end of the room, Belinda looks to be blushing. Madam Erin seems to be talking to someone across from her other than Belinda, but the figure is hidden behind Madam Erin’s massive size.
Lilah starts to run forward to Belinda, but after passing Madam Erin, she quickly stops herself, changing her expression. When I step forward I notice the person sitting across from Madam Erin is no other than Denova.
Madam Erin: “Oh Two-Twelve? I see you arrived just fine. See I told you there was nothing to worry about. After Belinda and I had our chat, we ran into your friend here, I asked her to join us.”
I take an empty seat at the table and Lilah looks at the seat next to Madam Erin rather nervously but as the only other chair is on the other side next to Denova she decides to sit.
Denvoa: “Thanks for telling me more about Two-Twelve and Thirty-seven, I always figured their story was deeper then they Two-Twelve were letting on, but I never thought it was that tragic.”
“I’m sorry?”
Madam Erin: “I was just telling you friend here, about how Thirty-seven and you managed to escape from your master, and how it led to Thirty-seven being so fearful of other people.”
“Oh?”
Denova: “Such a shame after going through so much, for Thirty-seven to not be able to break her chains… I’m going to get us all drinks.”
Denova then gets up from the table heading across the room.
Madam Erin: “Interesting friends you have managed to make in your short time among humans pup. Well I found out from Belinda here what I wanted to, and paid my respects, so I think it’s time for me to get back home.”
When Madam Erin stands up, Belinda does as well. Belinda then says. “And about what we talked about, I will take it to heart, I promise, leave it to me.”
Madam Erin: “Good girl and Two-Twelve, don’t blame yourself for Thirty-seven. Her fear was her downfall, despite your best efforts to cure it.”
On her way out the door Madam Erin then leans in to talk to the man that followed Lilah and myself in, and after his face goes pale he nervously nods, then with a smile Madam Erin disappears out into the street.
With several mugs quickly set down on the table Denova asks where Madam Erin is going, after we told her home, she quickly rushes out of the adventurer’s guild as well.
“Should I have anything to worry about?”
Belinda: “No, Madam Erin didn’t say anything sensitive, but she did manage to reinforce your background story.”
“I meant her talk with you.”
Belinda: “Oh…” –She begins to blush again. - “Nothing, I promise…”
“So, what is it we do now?”
Belinda: “Unfortunately there is nothing for us to do other than move forward.”
“Then I guess we should head back”
I begin to stand, but Belinda places a hand on my wrist.
Belinda: “But not today.”
I sit back down, and Belinda takes one of the mugs that Denova left behind. She then asks stories about Thirty-seven. We spend the next few hours talking about Thirty-seven, and when I run out of things to say Belinda begins to get sad, she then asks me to start over retelling the stories.
At some point the guy that was watching us disappears from his seat, and doesn’t return. Once evening rolls around Belinda has had way too much to drink and requires Lilah and my assistance as we leave the adventurer’s guild.
Nobody seems to follow us on our trip home, and even with it being a bit difficult with Belinda in her condition we still take precautions. Lilah and I then put Belinda to bed, I then take Lilah to the other room and she sits down on the chair picking up Thirty-seven’s stuffed cat petting it gently.
Lilah: “Master?”
“What is it Lilah.”
Lilah: “Can Lilah have a new bed…It doesn’t seem right to use Thirty-seven’s bed.”
“Well actually it was Belinda’s cot, but I don’t have any objections to you wanting a bed.”
I then purchase a standard bed for Lilah placing it in the room. Lilah hugs the stuffed cat tight then sets it on the cot. She then crawls into the bed. I head to the core room, after sitting on the edge of my own bed, my stomach beings to hurt, and I can’t manage to fall asleep.
The next day when I ask Belinda about the pain that still hasn’t subsides she holds a saddened expression and tells me it will eventually get better. She stays with me that day, even getting Lilah to join us in the core room, but not much is said and everyone wears somber expressions throughout the day.
The next morning Belinda decides to head back to Tobes to begin her work again. The pain in my stomach is about gone, except at times when I think about Thirty-seven then it returns. Like when I started to prepare food, only to realize without Thirty-seven around there isn’t really any point.
Lilah asks me to stay in the core room, so she doesn’t have to spend all day alone. She sits quietly for a while, but then starts asking questions about the screens and the monsters in the dungeon. For the next of the weeks things continue much like this.