“Ugh…” Ember groaned. ‘I don't want to experience another headache like that ever again.’ Ember stretched under her blankets letting out a small yawn. After giving herself a few seconds to allow her eyes to adjust to the light in her room she finally dragged herself out of bed and back to the world of the awake. ‘I wonder how long it's been? I dont think ive been out for too long seeing how the sun is still up. Plus I'm not starving so I didn't somehow sleep through the night to the next day.’
Ember walked over to the window in her room and looked out to observe the village around her. The streets were busy, filled with people walking around shopping or gathering in areas to chat. The largest gathering of people that she could see were gathering around a fountain in what she could only assume to be the food district with how many people were carrying something to eat, and the ones without were in line for one of the many food stalls.
‘Okay, that looks delicious. I'm pretty sure that one guy was carrying a huge turkey leg. That’s so cool, I haven't had one of those since I was little and momma took me to the ren fair.’ Ember thought to herself hungrily. ‘I hope it doesn't cost too much. I'm still not certain the actual value of these coins’ she thought while pulling the few coins out of her side zip pocket willow had given to her. She held out 4 silver quarter sized coins and ten nickel sized copper coins. I know it goes ten copper, 0r Bits, to make one Shill, or a silver, and one hundred Shill to make one Crown. I wonder what a crown looks like? Willow said it was a gold coin with a crown stamped on it, but it is also not likely for me to see one here, let alone need one. Ember’s train of thought was broken by a loud grumble rumbling from her stomach. ‘Okay you win. I'll go buy something.’ She giggled to herself.
Ember made her way through the crowds, following her nose and the mental map she made from her window, heading straight for the little food district she saw. On her way, Ember began feeling a little awkward from the looks and glances people kept giving her whenever she would walk past them. To make things worse she could hear them whispering to each other as well, but she could only pick out a single word or two out of each sentence. ‘I really wish I knew what these people were saying about me.’ she thought to herself, her eyes drifting down to watch the street while she pulled her hood up over her head. ‘Just ignore them Em.’ she thought.
About ten minutes later she found herself in an open area with a pretty white stone fountain in the center. The fountain looked to be shaped like a tree with vines growing up the trunk and drooping down from the branches. The water from the fountain drizzled down from underneath the canopy bringing back memories from Ember’s past. ‘That’s awesome and sooo pretty! It reminds me of the vacation to the Hoh rainforest in Washington.’ she giggled to herself. ‘Mom and I got caught in the rain and thought, Oh we’ll be safe under a tree, before getting drenched and walking back to the car soaked.’ Ember continued giggling to herself as she approached the stall selling the turkey legs.
“Hello!” The man behind the stall greeted cheerfully.
“Hello.” Ember replied nervously. “Umm… one please.”
“Something something!” He said again cheerfully, “Five bits.” He placed a palm out and Ember counted out the five of the small copper coins from her pocket.
The man took the payment and handed her a large leg with an even larger grin on his face. “Enjoy!”
Ember made her way to the fountain and took a seat on the lip of the pool. She enjoyed the smoky grilled flavor of the meat while listening to the conversations going on around her. She wasn't able to understand much at all but the longer she listened the more words she was able to start pulling out and piecing together. She spent a while sitting there enjoying the scenery slowly finishing her meal.
‘Now that i have some food in my belly I'm feeling so much better.’ Ember thought to herself with a smile. ‘My headache is completely gone now, I wonder what percent my manas is at. Status.’
[Name: Ember Abiss
Title: None
Race: Human
Age:23
Level:1
Class: “Locked”
Affinities: Rot, Nature, Void
Lifeforce: 50
Mana: 50/80
ki: 50
Alacrity: 5
Acuity: 7
Vitality: 5
Vigor: 5
Tenacity: 8
Fortitude: 5
Active Skills: 0/5
Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.
Passive Skill: 0/5
Classless Skills:1/5
Rot Aura - level 1 ]
‘Nice! I'm above half.’ She thought, giving a small fist pump. ‘I should ask willow or thorn how I get more stat points. I really wish I boosted my tenacity more than acuity now. I know it affects regen but i think i'd rather not run out in the first place then fill up from empty faster. I don’t know where thorn might have gone after our short training experience today. So I guess I'll stop by the library and see willow. Maybe I can find some kids books on the language.’ she thought downcast. ‘I really hate not being able to talk easily with people. Maybe I should have taken that skill instead of my aura skill. At least I'd be able to understand what's going on around me better.’
Ember made her way to the library, this time though she walked closer to the buildings and avoided the center crown as much as possible. The looks and whispers continued to happen until she was able to make her way into the building and out of sight.
“Oh, hello deary. I expected you and thorn to still be out training your magic or taking a simple request.” Willow greeted Ember cheerfully when she entered. “Did the two of you split for a lunch break?”
‘Finally. I can understand everything again’ Ember thought. “Oh, No. I… Umm… was a little dumb.” She said scratching the side of her face. “I gave myself mana depletion… and had to go take a nap before my brain imploded.”
“Oh my. You need to pay closer attention to your remaining mana. Weren't you told not to let your resource pools drop below a quarter of max?” Willow said with slight shock in her tone. “Mana depletion can cause you to black out. Ki depletion will make it harder and harder to move your body with zero equaling paralysis. The most obvious is Lifeforce. No Life means death.”
Ember gulped at the thought. “Yes Ma’am!” she replied hurriedly. “I actually wanted to ask you how I can get more stat points? I want to increase my mana pool so I never run out again. If that's possible.”
Willow gave a gentle laugh. “Of course it's possible. You will need to level up and that will aid you with all of your concerns.”
“Level up. I remember you talking about that yesterday but how does that even work?” Ember asked.
“To level up you need to gather essence.” Willow said, then noticing the confusion in Ember's gaze continued. “Essence is released when a magic beast or awakened person dies. Essence is essentially a concentration of all your life experiences, skills, and levels. Everything left behind by the soul as it leaves to begin its next journey.”
“Okay… so my first fear is confirmed. I will have to kill things to level. Is there any other way to gather experience?” Ember asked.
“Not until you pass your first trial.” Willow answered. “At that point you will be given options for a class. Most crafting classes don’t require combat to level. Some need to produce a certain amount of product, some it's based on quality. It really boils down to what classes are available to you after the trial.”
Willow took a moment to consider something before speaking again. “Ember, if you have a class in mind you would like i can direct you to the books that can guide you.”
“I… I would really appreciate that. Although I think it would do me much better to try and learn the language better. Then I can read about anything I don't understand.” Ember said with a smile growing. “Oh! Do you happen to know why everyone seems to be talking about me, and giving me odd looks?”
“I'm sorry dear, it is partially because of our small village. The closest city or town to us would take a three day journey. So it isn't often that we get outsiders in town.” Willow informed her. “The other reasons are two parts, first and most likely to be drawing everyone's attention would be your clothing. Most of what is worn out here is made locally, so it isn’t often people splurge on bright color dyes. Your orange hooded coat is very eye-catching and it doesn't appear to be made out of any wool or cotton based fabric I've seen before. The second reason, and the reason you have probably noticed people talking is because you, is because a cute new girl from outside the village was brought not only to town but directly to the house of young Thorn.” Willow took a moment to allow Ember time to process what she said.
“Wait. Why is it odd for Thorn to bring someone to his house? I'm sure he has other friends around our age.” Ember asked.
Willow took a moment to think over her words before replying. “You see, Thorn is a part of a noble family. He may not act the part often enough or come across as a bit childish but his father owns the land we all live on. His family’s title is the lowest title given to a noble family, that of a count, but even so his family is held to noble standards. I say all that so you can understand that as a noble, the fact that he has invited a woman into his house directly and has been seen around town with her has most likely led to rumors spreading of his future engagement.”
“Oh.” Ember said, before her eyes grew wide with understanding. “OH! No. No. No. How can I stop that from spreading? I just met the guy. How could they think anyone would jump straight to marriage before even getting to know them or dating?!” She spat out, growing more flustered as she spoke.
Willow gave a light chuckle and spoke to Ember in a calming voice. “Do not worry about this. It is just a rumor and rumors fade. Give it time, when there is no marriage announcement they will start to forget and put it behind them. Besides, once you're comfortable and settle in as an adventurer you can spend more time out of town or even visit new ones.”
Ember looked to be appeased by that answer so Willow continued on. “You said you are interested in language books. I have a few I can think of to help get you started. I'll bring them over to you shortly. Make yourself comfortable at one of the tables or desks and I'll be back shortly.” Willow said cheerfully as she meandered away through the maze of bookshelves.
Ember found a single person desk and sat down. ‘I can't believe people are jumping to conclusions of marriage that quickly. I need to find a way back home so I don't have to worry about setting someone off because I don't understand some strange custom or societal standard. To do that though… I have no idea.’ Ember dropped her head to the desk with a light thud from her forehead hitting the wood. “Ugh…”
A few minutes pass by with Ember lost in her thoughts before Willow returns carrying three books, one fairly small one and two normal looking books. She placed the set in front of Ember and pointed out what each book was.
“First you should start with this one.” Willow pointed to the thin book. “This one contains the alphabet. It is mostly pictures with simple words included for clarification. It is a go to for parents when starting to teach their children. Next I present to you a two parter, first is a dictionary with all the words in alphabetical order. Second is also a dictionary,” Willow chuckled, “but the words are ordered by sound rather than spelling. It helps with confusing words like knight and knife that have a silent letter thrown on to the beginning of the word.
Ember began flipping through the little picture book, “Thank you so much for all the help. Seriously, I don't know how I'll be able to repay you but if you need anything from me just ask.”
Willow smiled at Ember’s honest response. “Thank you but it was nothing. I'm happy to help you out, and it's very nice having someone to keep me company during dinner again. Now I'll leave you to read. If you need anything you come ask or if you don't see me there is a small bell sitting on my desk by the front door. If you'll excuse me then, I need to get back to sorting and cataloging.” Willow gave a small nod before turning to disappear in the rows of books.
‘Wow… how does she just disappear like that?’ Ember wondered. ‘Nevermind that now. I need to memorize all of this today and tonight so I can try practicing with Thorn in the forest tomorrow.’ Ember looked at the three books in front of her with a hint of dismay. ‘The sooner it's done, the sooner I can talk to people freely again… Let’s Go!’