Edited by Solyom
It was a peaceful ride home, the scenery was slowly changing – dull red and yellow wasteland slowly turned into greenish planes. The road was completely flat, literally nothing that could make the ride uncomfortable… but….
- “A-ha-ha! Sorry there! That rock appeared out of nowhere! I swear!”
But Gisele was driving. And as we all know, she had this rare, yet irritating ability to locate and HIT every possible obstacle. So, we would hit rocks, logs, pits. We almost fell off the road twice – before leaving the Red Mountains.
- “KHAAA!” I heard a painful yell.
- “Gis?! Did you just ride over someone?!”
- “Yeah! Don’t worry! That was intended!”
- “HOW COULD YOU DRIVE OVER SOMEONE AND…”
Your party member [Gisele Redwing] has slain [Wasteland Bandit Level 11]You have obtained [45 exp]
… oh.
- “Anyway, I was wondering… do you want to stop for a moment?” she yelled at me.
- “Don’t tell me that you are hungry already!” Impossible, she ate before we left. Miroslav and Aloizy wouldn’t be able to eat for a week with the same dose of food she devoured!
- “… Ok, I won’t!”
She really is hungry.
- “Mind reminding me which one of us is a mythical beast that is supposed to devour the world?!”
- “You are exaggerating! I am not eating THAT much!”
- “Gisele, you ate a whole roasted pig!”
- “It was small!”
- “Then you drank a barrel of beer and a pot of meat soup!”
- “… These were tiny too?”
- “No, Gis, they weren’t.”
The cart stopped.
- “I am going to have lunch anyway! With or without you!”
She really started unpacking a crate of food that dwarfs gave us as provisions.
- “Besides, there are dungeons rides during which I am starving! You need to eat a lot because you have no idea when you would be attacked by fire giants! I once spend almost a week eating barely anything! And…”
She kept justifying her appetite. It was actually cute. The act of her munching a piece of boar like a mad animal covering herself in fat… not as cute.
I ate half of my rations. Mostly because I knew what she would ask for.
I was right. After a moment or two she looked at my food, then at me, then at the food, and once again at me before asking:
- “Will you fini…”
- “No.”
- “Can I ha…”
- “Yes.”
- “Love you!” she yelled jumping on my plate. I still remember that she got me a chocolate bar on the battlefield. I was merely paying my debt.
- “Zaaariiii?” she asked, elongating my name like a child.
- “What now?”
- “Aren’t you curious how the armor that Fional made looks like?”
Indeed. I did not check the boxes that the armorsmith’s helpers put on our carriage.
- “No, I am waiting till we would get back home.”
- “Put it on!” she demanded as her eyes sparkled.
There was a reason why I didn’t want to try it on. I was most likely… not able to wear it right now. Florian told me that the materials were very durable… and heavy as damn. Most mortals wouldn’t be able to fight in it efficiently. I wanted to appraise it at home, check how much stat points I am missing, and then force myself into a few powerleveling sessions and trainings.
- Put it on!” the dragoness was not letting go.
No sweetie there is no way I would…
- “Put it on!”
No. That’s my final answer. There is no way I would….
... I put it on.
- “Looks great on you… but… your expressions! Zari, are you all right?!”
- “Yeah! I am all right!”
Narrator: Zari was not all right
SHUT THE FUCK UP! Go break the 4th wall somewhere else! Indeed, the armor was a piece of art. Sturdy, but also very elegant. Most of dwarfish armors had some adornments. Each of them could be exhibited in a museum as a piece of art, not just war tools.
Their helmets had either horns on the sides, or would resemble faces. On their breastplates and pauldrons, they carved heads of animals – usually wolfs and bears. But this… How could Fional finish it within a day? Without killing his helpers?! No. That level of details! This precision! I doubt he would let anyone finish his masterpiece.
The armor was black like Night itself, maybe even darker, only here and there you could spot some brown stitchings, that were holding pieces of leather together. It was fitting to my skin perfectly, when I breathed in and out, it was either stretching or shrinking. The only problem was… the difficulty while breathing. Yes, it was such a tight fit, that moving my diaphragm was painful, as if I was in an anaconda’s grip.
The armor’s set was made of: a hood with a bandana-like mask, which was protecting my face below my eyes; a leather gauntlet, reaching my elbows; spaulders; a knee-long boot and greaves. And a torso protector too, of course.
Did I mention the ornaments carved in it? Someone (Fional) carved patterns in it with some thin and extremely sharp tool. If someone would look from afar he wouldn’t see gloves, put beast like claws. In a way, they resembled to a certain comic book hero. On the torso, two howling wolfs raised their heads.
But, the most unique was the head-set, both the hood and the mask. The mask, covering the lower part of my face, was stylized into a wolf’s open mouth, and if I would put on the hood, which was made into a wolf’s head, I would resemble a huge, bipedal devil-wolf.
Fional also attached a wide, black coat. Unlike the rest of the set it, was made out of common cloth, simply colored. It wasn’t supposed to protect, but hide most of my body. Tha-ha! I could use it to hide my whole body like bloody Batman! No, it wasn’t put there so I would look cool. The armor itself, from boots to gauntlets had dozens of smaller and bigger pockets and straps. I could put in there lots of weapon, mostly short swords and throwable daggers. Using a coat, I could hide them. Trust me, you wouldn’t like if someone threw a dagger at you out of the blue.
I could sense dozens of invisible gaps in the suit. Two on my shoulder blades, a few running down my spine, one directly over my a… I mean, at the bottom part of my back. These would allow me to grow wings, some spine bone-spikes and tail. There was one on each of my finger tip, I tried to quickly pull off and hide my claws. Yeah, it worked perfectly.
Fional… I would never tell you this right in your face, mostly because you are an arrogant, spoiled asshole… But damn, you are good. Amazing even.
There was oooone little annoyance though…
Jackal's Armor SetBase Defense bonus:225Requirements:STR120 (or higher)DEX40 (or Higher)RFX40 (or higher)Resistances:Slashing type of damage reduction:75%Piercing type of damage reduction:50%Acid resistance:50%Fire resistance:50%Cold Resistance:50%Bonus effects:Chances of casting [Fear]-based effects:+10%No penalties in movement while wearing it (light armor trait).Item Description:Leather armor made by Fional Redbeard, one of the greatest smiths that ever lived.
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
To create it, he used the best quality materials and used all of his skills and knowledge.
Still, he made it more as if to test his abilities, as he doubt anyone would ever be able to wear it (efficiently).
Your [STR] is far too low to wear your current [Armor Set]. Penalties will be applied:Stamina Consumption Up:All activities consume 2000% more [SP]You can't run. Till you wouldn't get rid of the extra ballast, you can only walk.Dexterity and Reflex Down:Your reaction time has been lowered.RFX:-50%DEX-50%You now walk [75%] slower.
Yeah. Outstanding, isn’t it?
I took a step, then another and yet another. Each time, I felt as if I was carrying an elephant on my shoulders. Oh, I started sweating too. Even such a simple task, like raising my leg, felt like another torture session in the Inquisitor’s castle.
- “Damn, it really looks good on you!” Gis gave me a light punch in the shoulder.
But, as she did, I was in the middle of making another step, thus my posture was bit out of balance. That light punch actually sent me to the ground. I tried raising from the ground…
… Exactly. Tried. The ground was simply running from below my feet. After two more attempts, I gave up.
- “Gis… Would ya… consider… Giving me a helping hand?”
- “Why? You got that lazy recently, or can’t you get up by your… No… No way! You really can’t…?”
Her eyes widened, cheeks reddened and in next moment she burst into a hysterical laugh.
- “Yes, very funny! Now, if you could…”
- “BUAHAHAHAHA…!”
- “Come on, you will be able to laugh later on!”
- “…AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA….”
- “You are hurting my feelings, Gis!”
- “…AHAHAHA…Ahaha…ha…eeeh… ok. I am fine now… MUAHAHAHAHA!”
Aaand she started from the beginning. After she calmed down, she did gave me a hand, and pulled me off the ground. Or, that what she intended to do. Because when she jerked my hand… she fell on me.
- “What the hell?”
- “Told you! It’s heavy!”
- “Ok,ok. I was not prepared for that! I will just have to change my balance… One… Two… THREE!”
She dug her feet in the ground and tilted her whole body in the other direction. I actually raised from the ground. A centimeter, then two, five, ten… and when I was already thinking that I am about to raise… her hand slipped.
My ass landed once again on the dirt.
- “Sorry Zari. I think you have to stay there. But fear not! I will return in a couple of days with help, and hopefully we would…”
- “Or you could help me taking off this armor piece by piece. Then we would put it back in the box and drive home.”
- “I think this can work too!”
So she bent over me and began pulling the straps apart. The mask and the hood hit the ground first, then the pieces from my legs and arms. When most of my body was free, I could get rid of the torso protector by myself. Once again, I put on my comfortable robes.
We resumed our journey, but before I got in the cart, I noticed that the dragoness’ lips were still curved into a wide grin.
- “This thing from before… it never happened.” I said to her before getting inside the cart.
- “What thing?” she asked innocently.
- “Good girl.”
Oh, I was more than sure that it will be the first thing she would tell everyone after getting back. Not about war, not about battles nor feasts, no politics, no reaches she saw. All she would talk about will be “Zari couldn’t get up from the ground.”
I should have foreseen this. I shouldn’t have put it on myself a the first place! Not before appraising it!
----------------------------------------
Few days later. Neira.
We actually lost one more day to get back home because of the weather. Out of nowhere, grey clouds covered the sky, unleashing rain – rain that made traveling harder. But it doesn’t matter! I have completely no idea why I mentioned such unnecessary fact in the first place! It sounds as some author that has no idea about what he is supposed to write, so he just throws out of place, random facts just to hit the word count! Pathetic action, I tell you!
The first thing Gisele did after returning was kicking the guild’s door open and yelled:
- “SURPRISE EVERYONE! GUESS WHO IS BACK!”
Her response was cacophony of sad moans and irritated whispers.
- “They are back? Already?”
- “Ah! And it was so peaceful!”
- “And once again we won’t be able to sleep at nights!”
- “I just hope Gisele won’t force me into a training session again!”
- “No! Please! Don’t let this beautiful dream be over!”
- “HAHA! That’s why I love you guys! You are such a jokers!” the dragoness chuckled. I am afraid that she really treated those yells as jokes.
- “Sister Giseeeeleee!” Oh, my least favorite guild assistant is behind the counter today. “Gimme a hug!”
The cat girl had some weird affection towards Gisele. I didn’t mind it, as long as she would eventually die in some pit, lonely and forgotten.
- “Aww! What a wonderful necklace! Show me!” she quickly noticed the new piece of jewelry hanging on her neck.
- “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Gisele beamed with pride.
- “Yeah! Cuuute! It looks just like you! Green and red! It must have cost a fortune!”
- “Maybe, I got is as a gift from Zari!”
- “… On the other hand I can bet it is worthless…”
Oh, you little!
- “Hello, Kimi…” I greeted her. “.. .still breathing? I hoped you ate some sick rat and died.”
- “Greetings, Zariel, unfortunately no, I didn’t meet your family members yet!”
- “Aww! Kimi! That one was good! How long were you making up this little insult? Good job, good job!”
I patted her head. She threw at me hateful gaze, I responded with a mocking smile.
- “Ah! I forgot!” her eyes shined. I didn’t like that. “…You became quite popular, Zariel, lots of people wanted to meet with you as you were away! One person was coming eeevery single day. Even today. She would wait for a couple of hours before leaving. Very dedicated, I tell you. You can consider meeting her now. Like, right now. In the inn section.”
I felt Gisele’s grip on my shoulder.
- “She? Another woman?” she smiled at me.
- “God damn it! Gisele! Morgana hates me, and trust me, this hate is mutual. And Elana was my ticket home AND is too young! You know what kind of relations I had with Ruby. Plus it is not my fault that I am an attractive partner for magicians, and as you know, most of the magicians are females. I can bet that this lady, whoever she is, had exactly the same kind relations as the ones I have already mentioned!”
She sighed.
- “I get it. Sorry sweetie.”
Gisele apologized to me. I won argument with my girlfriend! Hallelujah!
Gis said her farewells to the catgirl as we went to meet with the mysterious woman. And as soon as I saw her, my heart jumped to my throat.
That very pale-white skin, making her blood red lips and jet black hair even more exotic. She was beautiful, breathtaking beautiful. She was so beautiful that most of the males (and females too) in the guild couldn’t avert their gaze. She was clearly enjoying the attention she had.
There was but one problem. Her name was Diavora. The lady from the brothel I slept with.
- “Ah! Mister Zariel!” she raised gently from her chair, greeting us. “… I was hoping you would come soon. Please, I have very urgent matters to discuss, if you could find us some private place to talk…”
I wanted to suggest some cafeteria in the city – or speaking in other words – place far away from guild AND Gisele. Yet the dragoness was faster than me.
- “How about my room on the floor? The three of us could have peaceful conversation without worrying of being eavesdropped.”
- “Umm…” the beauty got confused for a moment. “… pardon me, but who are you? And what kind of relations you have with Mister Zariel? I am afraid that I will be talking about bit intimate matter…”
Her claws dig deeper in my skin.
- “Intimate, you say? Well, he is my mate!”
- “Oh… OH! Pardon me, now I see that you could confuse what I was talking about right now! Pardon any possible misunderstandings I could cause! Our relations are strictly regarding businesses… yet may not be completely… legal…” she added the last word as a whisper “… this is what I meant by intimate!”
- “Oh. I see.” The grip on my shoulder was no longer painful. Good job Diavora! Well, technically you didn’t tell her a lie even a single time!
- “Actually, Gisele, I would prefer not dragging you into this. My relations with this lady contains lots of scheming, so nothing that would interest you or…”
- “No. I appreciate that you kept that secret to protect me, but I want to partake in your life, no matter how hard it is. Actually – I am very nervous when you disappear on the verge of the slums every few days. At least I want to know who should I hit if you would disappear!”
- “You found yourself a very interesting partner, Mister Zariel.” The hooker said with a warm tone. “Very dedicated. Well, I will leave decision to you, Mister, if you are all right with her company while discussing… specific events, then so am I.”
Damn it. DAMN IT! It’s bad! Of course that Diavora will keep her mouth shut, in the end, privacy is the main policy of her profession, what I am afraid about is ME being the one that would mention something wrong! … And the whole mess with the Syndicate. Gisele! Damn you! Why do you have to be so pushy!
I could either take her with us – getting her involved into this mess, or make her stay, then she could become suspicious…
No. She is a clueless brute. Rogue would eventually try to use her to do a dirty job… Or to threaten me a little. I can’t risk it. I can’t risk her.
- “Sorry, Gisele. I will tell you everything about it, but not today.”
- “Not trusting me, are ya?” she puffed her cheeks, irritated.
- “Quite the opposite. And this is why I need to keep you away from this.” I gave her kiss on forehead “Miss Diavora, there is a cafeteria a few minutes away. I am sure that no one would be able to spy on us there, also, I could really eat some cherry pie.”