* To Jackie, Granate, Hilda, Phanna, and Miann.
I hope you are all doing well, I am doing fine so far, I have been allowed to join a team called The Raven’s Wing, we met a day away from Yari’s Yard. Whoever made the skewers, thank you, they helped me smooth over the whole interaction.
We have just finished the dungeon called Hunter’s Cave, my teammates and I have shared our secrets and they have filled me in on a lot of things I was unaware of. Jackie, I would like for you to share those secrets with the others, they have a right to know the truth, and you can all hit me for keeping these secrets when I return.
We have also found new teammates, a pair of sisters, and a beast-kin girl, we are going to be taking on a mission to build up our trust with each other. The beast-kin needed to be saved, and the state she was in, I was close to being lost again, however, one of my teammates pulled me back beforehand by letting me see that we did save her before it was too late.
As for my teammates, we currently only have one other guy, his name is Block, he is a smart guy and is really kind.
Our team leader is Claira, she is an ice mage, is calculating and goal-driven, and has a very big goal to achieve that falls in line with mine.
We also have a priestess called Jessica, she was the one who aided me in the rescue of our newest member, she is kind and a bit shy sometimes, but overall, she is sweet.
Our newest members are Winry, a half-Elben, and her sister Vinry, and the last one, who we had to save, is called Sarena, she is a Fox-kin, we hope by the time of my next letter we will be a step closer to our joint goal.
We will be using the Guild Hall as a base so you can send letters to me here and address them to Winters of Raven’s Wing. my team leader has agreed to this, and she will pass the letter along.
And while I know that the fact, I am only one of two guys in the party, I swear to not betray any of you, and remain faithful, I want to come back in six years to all of you and wish to never hurt you by being with anyone else. I love each and every one of you, and I will cherish our children with all my heart.
Blake Winters.
P.S. There is three gold coins to help with food or clothes for yourselves and the children, if you need more, please let me know.
Blake looked over his third draft, and promptly burned the other two before folding the letter up, sliding it into an envelope along with three gold coins, and sealing it closed with wax. Before writing their names on the cover, smiling to himself [I wonder how they are doing, I did leave a bit of a mess when I left.] leaning back while looking up to the ceiling, [I have no idea how they will react when Jackie tells them, But the worst case is Hilda tries to kill me] he giggled to himself.
Blake stood up and unequipped his armor, finally getting out of his clothes, and tossing them aside, falling into his bed, his mind summoning images of Jackie and the others, enveloping him in a wonderful dream of a peaceful life in the village. His days are spent teaching his children and helping with the work around the village, and his nights are spent in the embrace of his wives, the melody of a calm life, one his mind longs for but is out of reach.
He wakes up a while past dawn and sits up, glances about the room to find his spare clothes, and gets dressed, going with his sword and shield while leaving his halberd at the guild, making his way back downstairs, finding His team gathering at a table, including Sarena who spots him and smiles wide.
Blake waved back, while walking to the receptionist and got his two letters sent, one for the ladies that hold his heart, and the other to the village chief, then joined the team as some breakfast platters were brought to the table, “Good morning, everyone, sorry for oversleeping, I had a wonderful dream.”
“It’s ok,” Jessica said, then turned to Sarena “This is Blake, he was the man that came with me to find you last night. If you are ever afraid just stand behind him, and he will protect you.” She gestured to Blake.
“Hello Blake, I am Sarena, and thank you.” She said and bowed a bit while covering her head a bit with the hood of Jessica’s cloak.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, also can I do something, I promise it will not hurt.” Blake said and got a hesitant nod from her, so he reached over and held his hand over her head, “Greater Heal, Cure Conditions, Quick Recovery, Angel's Songs” Blake chanted quietly, noticing Jessica gasp.
As he pulled back, the magic fully restored Sarena to her true self as her hair grew back out, and her body was restored and healing her scars and piecing bits back, her ears were whole again, and her fangs grew in anew, and everyone is left speechless.
Jessica leans over and whispers, “Blake did you just use Angel's Songs for nothing but healing her to help her feel comfortable?” Jessica asked.
“Yes, and I did so willingly, as I can understand how it feels to be rescued after that kind of event.” Blake whispered back while smiling at Sarena’s active exploration of her hair and ears.
Sarena suddenly climbed over the table and tackled him while crying, throwing the two to the ground, hugging tight onto him, Blake hugged her back while stroking her hair carefully avoiding her ears, he shut his eyes and leaned back, “You don’t need to thank me, I understand a lot.”
But Jessica got up and pulled her off and pulled her cloak back down, getting the girls and ladies to blush a bit.
Blake smiled and raised his hands, “Let’s eat then go shopping.” he stood up, reset his chair, and sat back down. “Did we get the newbies registered?”
Claira maintains her glare while she nods, then holds out a page for him.
Blake took it and read it over, going a bit wide-eyed at the information.
Name: Vinry. Class: Shadow-Blade. Race: Half-Elven. Current power rank: 43
Health points: 100/100, Spell Points: 150/150, Spell Power: 64. Energy points: 150/150
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Strength: 30, Dexterity: 50, Constitution: 29,
Intelligence: 34, Wisdom: 63, Charisma: 27,
Trust: -10, Faith: -15, Honor: 34.
Skills: Basic Shadow Magic, Intermediate shadow magic, magic proficiency (Trained), Dagger Proficiency (Skilled) Short sword Proficiency (skilled), Short bow Proficiency (Skilled), Light Armor Proficiency (Trained)
Abilities: Rend, Deep Cuts, Power strike, Backstab, Snapshot, Multi Shot, Hawk Eye, Power shot, Shadow step, Darkness Blade, Dread Haunting, Heart Seeker, Fast Step, Snap Redirected.
Blessings: Blessing of the Shadowed hand.
Blake looks up and Vinry for a second then to Claira, getting a nod from her. “I see, then how about Vinry and Sarena take a joint position, Vinry will be in the shadows while Sarena will be the face.” Jessica, Block, and Claira all nod, getting a confused reaction from the three new teammates, and he warmly smiles, “Don’t worry, we will explain everything on our next mission, and I promise that you will return in one piece.”
“Speaking of our next mission, the guild has given us a mission.” Claira said out loud getting everyone looking at her, “They want us to go and subdue a Blood troll deep in the east forest close to the village of Lute. it was spotted two days ago by a hunter who said the troll didn’t see him, but it was living in a cave somewhere deeper in the forest at the edge of the hunting zone. The reward is twenty gold, which will be a nice sum.”
“So, blood troll? any worse than a normal troll?” Blake asked calmly while getting some food off the platter.
“Well, a blood troll is bigger than a normal troll and has the ability to use fire magic. They are a rare breed as they can’t be stopped with fire-enchanted weapons and have a strong regeneration trait.” Claira added, then looked gloomy, “They are also really strong and favor swords over clubs.”
“Hmmm, does it wear metal armor?” Blake asked before he took a bite.
“No, at most it will have a breastplate made of hard leather, but no armor.” Winry said quickly. “The only types of trolls that wear metal armor are the armored troll, troll knights, and guardian trolls.”
“Then the one I killed is likely to be an armored troll.” Blake said then took a sip of his mug.
The table turned to him, and Jessica spoke first, “Blake, can you describe the troll you fought.”
“Umm, it was about twice the height of Block, it had crude plate armor with a masked helmet and had a club that was made of a tree.” Blake said before finishing his plate.
The table looks at him in shock, Block is first to react and stifles a laugh, followed by Claira, who laughed out loud, joined shortly after by Jessica, Winry lets out a screech in shock, while the two girls look on in awe at his explanation.
Blake smiled a bit at their reactions and then joined in the laughter, they slowly finished their meal and got up to go, their shopping trip was a long two-hour ordeal, with Blake and Block carrying most of the bags, they had bought both clothes for all the new members and armor for Winry and Vinry, and they managed to get a magic bag too, and they even found a useable weapon for all of them.
As they got back to the guild, Claira went off to return the bag they borrowed and to get the items they found identified along with selling the gems and coins they had. Jessica had run off to the temple to speak with the oracle, while Vinry went to meet with her master and get permission to join the team in earnest, which left Blake, Block, Winry, and Sarena to sit at a table and have a chat.
“So, Blake, Jessica told me this morning that you are the one who suggested I join your team, why?” Winry asked while trying hard to glare.
“We need someone who is classless for our objectives.” Blake said back plainly.
Sarena looked down and away, “Then why am I here?”
“Because we need someone who can make us stronger when we fight something hard, and your magic will be great and powerful after we get it set up.” Blake said back at her with a warm smile and earned a slap to the back of the head by block.
“Too nice dumbass.” Block said then went back to drinking.
“Wait, you and the team have talked about who to add based on our team goals?” Winry asked a bit shocked.
Blake nodded, then added, “Our overall goal right now is to gain power, but with the addition of your sister, I think the protection of your part will be easier.” he said in an even tone.
Winry seemed to think over the answer while glancing at him and Block, then finally sighed, "So, Blake as you are the only one, I don’t know anything about, can you tell me a little about yourself." She said as she scooted her chair closer while smiling.
Blake thought about it while taking a long drink from his mug, [What would she even want to know, Moreover, what can I tell her? I guess talking about my actual past should be fine…] he cleared his throat, and finally spoke, "Well, I am a bit of a mother’s boy, she was kind and resourceful. I am a widower and no, I don't want to talk about it. I am also the team cook, and yes I do take requests.”
“What’s a widower?” Sarena asked with a fair bit of innocence and true curiosity.
Winry shifted a bit before answering her, “That is a name for a man who has lost his wife and has not remarried.” She said softly.
“Oh…oh,” Sarena said then shifted to a sullen expression, as her ears sagged and her tail stopped moving. “I am sorry Blake.”
Blake smiled gently and waved off the sadness, “I am fine, I have grieved, and I had many friends that helped me, I am now ready to move on.” his tone was as reassuring as he could. “That and i already found a few people that have my heart.”
Winry leaned over and pulled his arm in. “That is good, I am happy you are stable, I don’t think I could handle a person with a death wish.” She said with a tone of happiness.
Blake leaned a bit away, “Yeah, and I would ask you to not do the same.” He said calmly before taking a drink.
“So, I heard you are strong, but I don’t understand your class.” Sarena said out loud.
“Well, I guess you can think of it like a knight, but I work for the gods instead of a noble. And because they have my oath, I get some powers like priests.” Blake said back.
“Oh, wow, so what is the smite spell you used?” Sarena asked with growing wonderment.
“Oh, that is a spell that lets me punish sinners, the spell erases the sinners' form from the world, while destroying their souls, if used on someone that is being used against their will the soul is free to go to the gods so that they can handle their fate.” Blake said after a few seconds, “I also have a variant of it that burns the cuts closed and does nothing to the soul.”
“Did you use that one on the troll you fought?” Winry asked and pushed in a bit more on him.
“Umm. yeah, it is called burning smite, it's worked on its leg, but it ripped the burned area off and let its regeneration kick in and give it a new leg.” Blake said with a smile, then inhaled before placing a hand on Winry’s shoulder and pushing her back a bit, “Also, Winry, I am flattered by your show of affection, I am not looking to find anyone right now, please let’s just be friends, okay?”
Winry blushed and pulled back, “You already have someone?” she said in a shy tone.
“More like five.” Block said plainly, getting the other two to gasp and stare at Blake in shock.
“Oh, I am sorry, I understand, then let’s be friends, and hopefully one day I can be friends with them too.” Winry said then smiled warmly.
Sarena put her hood back on and started to sulk a bit, her demeanor shifted after the information.
[Right, I guess it is like Claira mentioned before that most only have one or two wives, I still don’t think I will do anything.] Blake sighed, then got up. “I have some things to get done before the end of today. I’ll see you guys later.” he got up and walked away with a wave while heading to the stairs. [I need to get a new halberd and armor, I also need to get some spices and supplies, plus see about getting some magic tools, I would like to limit out our overall luggage] Blake sighed and looked back to the table as Winry was actively asking Block questions and Sarena was paying attention, and he smiles wryly, [ being a kind man will be the death of me.]