EDEN touched down gently on the road a mile west of the clearing where it had been deployed. Jade assured me it was safe to ride inside, but I decided to hike the distance through the woods with Yugal and Niiya instead. Heights were fine as long as I was holding onto something, but flying was a minor phobia. Even my triple jump boots made my stomach lurch.
“It really works.” I marveled as Tabula stepped out of the carriage. Rain followed closely behind her. The penguin stretched his flippers and hopped from one foot to the other excitedly.
“Rain.” Tabula addressed the penguin. “Start and maintain a three kilometer radial perimeter scan as we travel. Identify and communicate any potential threats before engaging.”
“No problem boss! Drone Form Go!” Rain hit three dramatic poses as he said those last three words.
“I forgot about that part.” I groaned. Remember the Ginyu force? Look it up.
Despite the cringe inducing call out, Rain’s transformations were admittedly epic. The penguin’s body contorted and split like any self respecting robot-in-disguise should. Moments later, a miniature stealth drone shaped much like a B-2 bomber hovered where the penguin had stood.
“Communication and video relays are live, proceed Rain.” Tabula ordered in her big boss voice.
Behind her back, Jade’s dragon lips silently mouthed along with Tabula mockingly as she waved her clawed forelegs dramatically. Niiya giggled quietly and I bit my lip.
“Video relays are live, meaning I can currently see everything that Rain sees in three hundred and sixty degrees... Jade...” Tabula’s voice was far too calm.
“Save me Master!” Jade transformed into human form and bolted behind me as she yelped. “That’s the stabby voice!”
“You better say sorry then, huh?” I retorted, uncomfortably aware of the intoxicating presence so close to me.
“Yeah sure it was a joke, just a harmless little joke. No need to give me a- OUCH!” She finished with a shout and clutched the back of her head with both hands as though she had been smacked.
“Next time start with an apology instead of those half assed excuses.” I advised caught somewhere between a lecture and sympathy.
Jade puffed her cheeks and glared over my shoulder at the satisfied half grin on Tabula’s face.
“Rain has already detected something.” Tabula’s voice interrupted the moment. “Five mounted individuals two kilometers west, and approaching us. They will intersect our location in less than five minutes.”
“Shit.” I took a moment to think before speaking again. “Yugal, go and hide beyond the treeline. I’m not ready to explain your presence yet. Jade keep Niiya safe and only intervene if necessary. Tabula you’re with me to greet these guys, and relay any more details Rain spots as they get closer.”
“There are three knights in plate armor riding in a diamond formation with one robed man in the back. In the center of their formation is a more ornately armored man wearing a circlet. The lead rider is carrying a standard: a black tower on a red field.” Tabula gave details as she observed them through her link to Rain. “Two minutes to contact.”
“They might just ride straight past us.” I mused hopefully.
I could now clearly hear the riders’ progress. A few moments later, the group appeared as they rounded a bend in the dirt road. With my new enhanced senses, I could make out clear details even at that far distance. They were obviously not bandits or brigands, they looked more like knights escorting a political leader.
I saw their formation tighten as they noticed the wagon and our group. I nodded to Tabula and moved to the rear of the wagon in clear view of the approaching riders. Thirty seconds passed and the group slowed their horses (all brown stallions) to a slow walk while they were still fifty feet away. I could clearly make out a hushed conversation happening between the men.
“He matches the description! Fancy but strange matching outfit with dark black hair.” This came from the robed man at the rear of the formation.
“Imagine the good fortune that we found him right away, and outside of town.” The important looking man in the middle added.
“There was no mention of a beauty like that traveling with him.” One of the knights said, admiration in his voice.
“No matter, best we simply take them both by surprise and get them back to Crown City. At my signal Tor and Kile flank them while Merius casts Sleep on the man. I’ll subdue the woman myself.” The leader ordered.
“I wouldn’t try any of that.” I called out loudly in a confident tone. “If you wanna overpower us, you’re about ten thousand people short and a hundred years too early.”
The riders stopped, unsure how they had been heard. The leader broke through to the front and answered back with a tone that indicated a lifetime of privilege and authority. A lifelong pompous prick if I ever saw one.
“Arrogant words for some criminal trash. I am Gurstav, lieutenant conscript of the Crown City Merchant’s Alliance! We know you sold an unlicensed potion to that old woman! She was killed for it outside of Crown City and her poor husband was left for dead. You’ll be returning to answer for your crimes after we confiscate any other contraband you have on you.” He ended his tirade by pointing a gold ringed finger at me.
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“That’s terrible news about the old lady, she seemed decent. I promise to go settle whatever problems there are when I’m done around here. I have a demon to kill and an invasion to stop. Oh that sleep spell your little pal just tried won’t work on me by the way.” I crossed my arms and noted the slight twitch near Tabula’s eye. She was pissed.
Tension grew as the seconds slipped past. I could feel it. The men were about to charge. Jade’s voice suddenly chimed in from the side as she walked around the wagon with Niiya peeking out behind her.
“Oh my god I’m soo bored! Are we really wasting time with these nobodies?” She dragged her hands down her face to accentuate her exasperation. Before I could stop her she shifted into her fox form, causing gasps and even one startled yelp from the mounted men. Her eyes glowed when she spoke next. “Hey dumb idiot moron dipshit guys, you couldn’t find the people you were after and you tried your best. Go home to your ass ugly wives, or husbands, or dogs, or whatever nasty thing you sleep next to.” Jade blasted them with ridiculous commands and insults.
I choked on my intervening words and Tabula simply sighed in resignation.
The riders' faces suddenly drained of all expression. Another moment of silence passed, then beyond all reason they turned their mounts around and began riding back the way they had come at a brisk trot.
“Jade!” Tabula snapped. “Mass Beguile has a long cooldown. You should have consulted Mr. Gray before using it.”
“He said intervene if necessary! What time would that be more necessary? You’re only barking because you were mad and wanted to slug that guy for disrespecting Master. Don’t try to deny it either.” Jade growled out her indignant retort.
“There were other solutions...” For once Tabula sounded a bit deflated, and it was obvious that she saw the validity of Jade’s argument.
“It’s okay, I wanted to punch him too. He’s got one of those ‘punch me’ faces.” I consoled Tabula. “By the way Jade that was a good judgment call, and a hilarious delivery but lets both try to clean up the language around the kid, alright?”
“Wise of them to flee.” Yugal’s heavy footsteps heralded his deep voice a moment later.
“Alright let’s get moving. Yugal, will humans attack you on sight or will we have a chance to explain?” I lifted Niiya onto my shoulders as I asked the giant.
“I am not certain. I have heard of my kind trading with them but have never seen it myself.” The giant answered ponderously.
“I think I know how to handle it.” I said. “It does require you to hang back and hide out for awhile though.”
“Understood.” The giant nodded along.
“Should we play rock, paper, scissors to decide who pulls the cart?” I asked rhetorically even as I rolled up my sleeves and walked toward the front to volunteer myself.
“I got it.” Jade said, cutting in front of me. Her scent was a dream that Chanel could chase for a thousand years and never catch. “Just hook the things up to me.” She shifted into her huge tiger form as she stepped between the breeching bars. I snapped out of it and complied.
“Someone’s gunning for employee of the month.” I chuckled.
I was glad I saved the yoke and tack in my inventory. The apparatus was a tight squeeze over the huge tiger’s head but fit well enough around her muscular shoulders. After a fair amount of guesswork, trial, and error Jade was adequately secured and ready to pull EDEN properly. It was a hell of a sight though - a giant green tiger pulling a carriage with a mountain giant escort. There was no fear of discovery with Rain patrolling the air above, and we soon settled into a comfortable pace.
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“I’m telling you, I am this close to sealing the deal with Sonya!” Theron, the tall guard that had once greeted Lain at the west gate of Filam bragged to his shorter partner.
“You’re dreaming. She’s just a copper hungry bartender and you’re a perfect sucker.” Kerk replied with a dismissive wave. “Just relax and enjoy that we dodged patrol duty for the third day in a row.”
“Psh what do you know? She said I looked handsome just last night. Also patrol duty is better than sentry duty. Sentry’s boring.” Theron rebutted. He was about to say more when he noticed Kerk wasn’t paying attention at all. Theron followed Kerk’s intense gaze out to what was approaching on the eastern road.
“Isn’t that the guy from the west gate the other day?” Kerk asked, squinting at the distant figures. “But who’s the woman with him and what’s THAT pulling the wagon behind him!?”
“Woman? You mean super goddess from above the heavens!?” Theron had better vision than Kerk. “That looks like the same guy but bigger, and there’s a giant green cat pulling the wagon.”
“I’ll get the Appraisal mage, stall them and don’t let your guard down.” Kerk warned.
Theron gulped and nodded. Even from here a sense of pressure was rolling over him from the approaching group. He tightened his grip on the spear he was holding and stood directly in front of the gate.
“Hello again.” I greeted warmly as I approached the grim faced guard. “These are my friends Tabula and Jade. I’m sure you have some concerns. We don’t mind waiting and answering questions but I do have an urgent message for Guildmaster Stonesong.”
The tone and words eased Theron’s posture significantly. His gaze moved between Tabula and Jade rapidly. He had an overwhelming urge to kneel that he couldn’t understand. Those two were something otherworldly. Tabula’s expression was cool and friendly but her eyes seemed to be looking down on him like he was no more than a curious insect. The tiger was visually more intimidating than any monster or beast Theron had ever seen, and its eyes shone with intelligence and cunning.
It was a long while before Theron realized he hadn’t answered. He coughed and cleared his throat, embarrassed.
“Oh, w-well yes certainly. Once my partner returns with the Appraisal mage we will send for the Guildmaster.” Theron couldn’t even maintain the pretense of authority as he spoke.
Several minutes of awkward silence passed when Kerk returned with another unfamiliar man trailing behind him.
“Now what’s so important that you clods would interrupt my dinner?” A thin and nasally voice heralded the approach of the blue robed man with thinning brown hair and a thick lensed monocle that made one brown eye appear unnaturally large next to the other. “This is why I have an apprentice...” The man stopped talking as he noticed the party.
“Ah Mr. Lue! Sorry for the intrusion. This man has already been appraised by Miss Shaye, but his ally hasn’t.” Theron greeted as he gestured to Tabula.
“Allies!” The tiger protested, emphasizing the plural. “How rude!”
Theron and the appraisal mage both instinctively leaped back and stared at the tiger in terror.
“Please be at ease, gentlemen.” Tabula’s voice was both soothing and commanding. “Jade is a very rare and unusual being but she won’t cause you any harm.”
“No offense sir but Tabula and Jade are most likely beyond your Appraisal ability. You’re welcome to try though.” I followed Tabula’s assurances with my own.
That seemed to bring the man back to his senses.
“Ha! My Appraisal skill is the second highest in the entire region!” The man’s pride won through his apprehension. “By the holy goddess in her infinite wisdom, I demand that the unknown be revealed to me. Appraisal!” The look of confidence melted into one of pure open mouthed shock. “Impossible...” All color was gone from his face, and the monocle dropped from his eye to dangle by its gold chain.
“What is it!?” Theron was clearly alarmed. He gripped his spear with white knuckles and was slowly backing away.
“I only glimpsed her name and level. She must be using a max level Falsify Data in combination with a max level Appraisal skill, there’s no way that a level three hundred can exist!”
“I do not possess any skill to alter the appearance of my statistics.” Tabula said earnestly.
“What should we do?” Theron whispered to the mage and Kerk.
“I’m sure the guildmaster will vouch for us if you send for him.” I called over to the huddling trio.
“Right... well please wait where you are then.” Kerk said as he turned to hustle away.
“Mind if we wait in the wagon?” I asked the lanky guard.
“That should be fine.” The guard seemed somewhat relieved at the idea.
I nodded to Tabula and Jade. The tiger transformed to her human form and gave the two remaining men a sly wink as they leaped back in shock once again. She let the heavy yoke slip down her petite frame to the ground and swaggered behind the others to the back of the wagon.
Once they were out of sight, both Theron and the mage collapsed side by side onto the bench.
“So I’m thinking of moving to Crown City.” The mage said to himself.
“I’ll help you pack if you help me pack.” Theron said. looking up at the overcast sky.
“When people like that appear, it’s never a good sign. Powerful humans only show up when powerful monsters do. Do you think they’re actually S rank in disguise?” The mage’s voice was tinted with both wonder and fear.
“I wish I knew. I’ve never felt pressure like that, and my senses aren’t even that sharp. That Tabula woman gave me the impression that I was nothing but dirt to be stepped on.” Theron replied thoughtfully. “And thank her for the pleasure.”
“What if it’s real? What would a level of three hundred even mean?” The mage continued. “Thousands of Health? The Strength of a dozen giants? Spells that twist reality itself?” The mage leaned back against the city wall and looked up in thought. “What if we’re detaining the first SSS ranked being to ever live right now?”
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