So, I had a full sized chapter for you guys on Wednesday . . . . . and then the internet goes out and drags the chapter with it. Blows . . . and Easter family yada yada, so slow couple of days. Sorry about that.
I had something for this author's corner, but I forgot it, so oh well. Thank you for the second readable review, it really helps :)
ENJOY!
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The Adventurer's Tavern was in a festive mood as Steel and his charges exited the basement. Loba and Akami slightly drooled at the smell of cooked meat, causing rowdy laughter with their antics. Steel took a moment to marvel on how quick the tavern had changed since he had gone down to the basement and completed the quest officially. There was even a time limit bar above the tavern that showed how long the festivities would last before returning to normal.
Mema winked at him from her place behind the bar, passing out drinks and plates to happy customers. "Celebrate the traveler of the hour, Steel Resolve! He killed the mice that be filling your bellies!"
The patrons let out a resounding cheer and lifted their classes.
You have received 30 fame for being acknowledged as a master mouse killer
No, you do not get a title for making your beasts do the work for you.
Steel shrugged, "Not like I want a mouse slayer title anyway. Still, 30 fame is good to get I guess." He mentally increased his fame to 140.
Mema finished handing out a plate before walking over to Steel with a wrapped meal. "Little Steel, here take this. A customer of mine is terribly busy this time of year and won't make it here in time to have some of this meal. He works as a tanner in the training district, so I would be a favor to me if you could take this meal to him."
Quest AddedDeliver the MealMema the Tavern Owner has asked you to deliver a meal to a loyal and helpful patron. He works as a tanner in the training district.Objective:Deliver the meal before the day is over.Reward:Intimacy with Mema, fame within the city, exp
Steel nodded his head, "I'll be glad to deliver it to him." As soon as he confirmed the quest, Mema turned away and resumed serving her customers.
"Thank goodness for this marker on the mini-map, otherwise I'd be screwed on where to find a random tanner." Steel muttered to himself as he left the tavern and began walking toward the training district. Loba and Akami scrambled after him, their bodies quite used to their new forms after battling for so long. Loba was now a bit bigger than Akami, but both had their teeth grow to a reasonably terrifying length. Their intimidation factor was slightly ruined by the excited look in their eyes as they chased after Steel. They obviously were looking forward to the meal he had promised them.
Steel nodded at the two, "I'll cook it for tonight's meal. We have to work hard until then though." Pacified, the two animals trotted and hopped alongside him for a little bit before disappearing back into Steel's body. Steel rolled his eyes at their laziness and followed the arrow on his map.
It took a little bit, but Steel easily found the tannery where the patron worked at. He walked on in and was met by a manager on the inside. The manager smiled and said, "Esteemed traveler, are you here to learn the art of tanning?"
Steel shook his head, "No, I have a deliver from Mema at the Adventurer's Inn. She sent this as thanks for your patronage."
The manager perked up and clapped his hand excitedly, "Really, it's from Mema? I was actually fretting because today's work load was going to be too much for me to leave for a meal. You have really helped me with this, even if you seem scary."
Quest CompletedDeliver the MealThe tanner received his meal and will not go hungry this day.Reward:Intimacy with Mema has risen
20 Fame
Exp has been acquired.
A quick check confirmed that Steel was barely under the level 8 marker. Privately gritting his teeth, Steel turned to leave when the tanner called out behind him.
"Excuse me sir, but I was wondering since you did me this favor if you were interested in helping me with another?"
Steel paused, and then turned around. "I happen to have a lot of small pelts that need to be tanned."
The tanner grinned, "I heard about your achievements at the tavern; I'd be happy to work on your mouse pelts for a discount if you helped me. You can accomplish this request even with the unnerving feeling you give me." The tanner didn't seem to notice the annoyance on Steel's face, as Steel disliked being reminded of his curse, as he removed a letter from his pocket, "My mother lives on the other side of the city, but I'm so swamped during this spring season I never have the time to visit her. Can you take this letter to her so she knows I'm alright and will visit her when I can?"
Steel quickly accepted the quest and took the letter, "I'll deliver it for you. Here are the pelts I need to be tanned." He handed over the pelts to the tanner, who eyed them and nodded his head.
"At a discount, that comes to 10 silver."
Steel nearly coughed out blood from biting his tongue in shock. That was a high price for just a bunch of mouse skins; he had handed over the other pelts to Marie earlier. "It's not a lot though."
The tanner nodded his head at Steel's expression, "It cost the same coin for 10 mouse pelts to 1 cow pelt. I must use the same rack whether it's for one small pelt or one large pelt, so the price is set. I should have your pelts completed by tomorrow morning. Thank you for delivering my letter." The man bowed with his palm outstretched.
Steel paid the man reluctantly and once again made his way across the city to the faith quarter, where the tanner's mother lived. This time, he had Loba and Akami walk with him so they could see this part of the city. The too seemed oddly cowed as they walked through the faith quarter.
"She lives next to graveyard huh; this is one ominous game." Steel remarked as he walked up to a little house next to one of the graveyards. The house was small and in the midst of other, similar houses. Steel knocked on the door and took a step back.
"Who is it?" A small voice came from within.
"Letter." Steel called out from outside.
There was a pause, and then the voice spoke up in an angry voice, "I can feel your ominous aura from here beast. Curse you land-shark, leave me alone!"
Steel coughed awkwardly at the old woman's dementia, "Um, I'm a traveler with a letter from your son the tanner. What's a land-shark?"
"HA! Just what a land shark would say!" The old voice cried out in triumph.
Steel rolled his eyes and began to talk smoothly, activating his 'Persuasion' skill, "Your son was very worried about you since he's so busy during this time of the year. He asked me kindly to give you this letter so as to reassure you he was okay and would be visiting when he had the time."
There was a slight pause, and the door cracked open a tiny bit. Before Steel could move, a cross-bolt hit the ground in front of him, startling Loba and Akami into running behind the gate behind him. They peeked out slowly to make sure the coast was clear. The door fully opened to reveal a muscular grandmother holding a crossbow in her hands. Steel observed a large naval tattoo on her arm, as well as a permanent scowl on her face.
"Darn, I thought I had the beast this time, but it's just a traveler boy." She muttered to herself, putting the crossbow down. She looked him up and down a moment before barking, "Letter boy, give it here now come on then."
'Maybe he makes himself busy on purpose.' Steel thought to himself as he handed over the letter. The old lady took it and read it, a warm smile blossoming over her face. She hugged the letter and stowed it away before grabbing Steel into a hug.
"You've made this old woman very happy young traveler. My son is such a good boy, but he doesn't have time to visit me nowadays because of his new family. I'm just glad he keeps his dear old mother in his thoughts while I wait for the grim reaper."
"Ma'am, no offense, but I doubt the reaper wants anything to do with you." Steel could not help but let the comment slip before he could stop himself.
The old lady laughed a hearty laugh and nodded her head, "I served as a ship captain for many years boy, and I had to deal with all sorts of lowlifes and bastards in my day. Only the accursed beast followed me here, but I'll get it someday." Her eyes gleamed ominously as her hand twitched toward the crossbow."
Steel took a quick step back; he had no desire to trigger any quest related to a land-dwelling sea monster. "I hope you son visits you soon ma'am." A hand grabbed his shoulder before he could make his getaway. Loba and Akami watched him with pitying eyes from a distance. Seeing them give up on him, Steel resolved to make their meat super spicy.
"Hold on there sonny boy, come on in for some tea and biscuits whilst I tell you the tale of the beast." The old lady remarked as she tried to drag Steel inside.
"Personal circumstances ma'am forbid me from staying; I really must be going to find a place to stay the night." Steel told her as he wormed his way free.
The old lady nodded, "Fair enough; not like we're old friends anyway. Now, I do owe you a favor for this letter, so if you ever need help just come back here and I'll see what I can do. By the way, be careful to avoid that alley at sunset. And beware land related sea monsters." With that lovely note, the old lady closed the door and Steel found himself on the street again.
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Status WindowName:Steel ResolveAlignment:Chaotic NeutralLevel:8Class:Centurion WarriorRace:HumanGender:Male
TitlesStrength Seeker, Rabbit Friend, Cursed OneFame:200Infamy:0
Health:200Mana:150Stamina:200
Constitution:20Dexterity:21Intelligence:15Wisdom:9Strength:30Endurance:20Leadership:12Luck:5Charm:10Faith:0
Elemental ResistancesFire:0Water:0Wind:0Earth:0Light:0Darkness:0