Hand? Ringcat had waited until camp to broach the subject.
I know. I, I don’t know. I didn’t do it but I’m glad it happened.
Don’t understand.
You’re telling me.
The campfires had been reduced from three to two. This was partially because they’d camped in a smaller forest with less available wood to burn, though each training team had also bonded as Lograve had hoped. With time, everyone in the group may mesh together.
Daniel regretted his internal word choice as he saw a series of glances pass between the groups. Right after Lograve finished reviewing the day’s fight and offered his suggestions, Tak stood and started walking away. Evalyn quickly followed. Their outlines faded as the identify effect on them was banished by a mortified Daniel.
“Huh.” Thomas watched them go until they were lost amidst the trees. “I was sure she would snag someone the first night. Wonder what took her so long.”
“Bards.” Gadriel said the word as a curse. “What if they were ambushed?”
“There’s nothing dangerous around,” Daniel reported, not looking up.
Thomas laughed and looked at him with a mix of interest and apprehension. “Wait, Guy, are you watching them right now?”
“No!” Daniel said emphatically.
“Is Ringcat?”
“Crest no,” Daniel answered, adopting the curse. “It’s an aura I can put on people. Looks kind of like that Nova ability you used to save my life but with color to distinguish friend from foe.”
“Quite a strong ability for a healer, if I dare say,” Gadriel added. “To disrupt level two foes.”
“I’d be dead if you’d run Guy, so we’re even. That ability takes a lot out of me.” Thomas looked at Gadriel. “And that flying sword thing, just amazing.”
“All in a day’s work.”
“Speaking of,” Lograve broke into the conversation. “I’d neglected to ask earlier. Who earned advancement potential?”
Thomas and Daniel raised their hands. Tak was absent from the poll and Gadriel declined. “Good. We’ll need to hold on commitment until we reach Roost's Peak, but this means we’re going at a good pace.”
“Everyone save Daniel and his supposed instant advancement.” Gadriel almost sounded jealous, which was better than his earlier reaction. “Have you committed your potential yet?”
“Not yet. I was thinking dexterity this time. It seems like that’ll be helpful for the crossbow and it’s my lowest attribute right now. I can see why the balanced path is so powerful, you were a monster out there Gadriel.”
“If I have your measure correct, our resident showoff is only a few points below me in total attributes,” Lograve admitted. “It’s why you’re on this team. Together we balance out Kob on the other. Tak is certainly proficient although I have noticed he can be, well, single-minded.”
Gadriel ignored the compliments and gossip. “I wish to see this instant advancement, if you would oblige?”
Daniel almost flinched when he looked at the phone in his hand. It wasn’t the phone, it was the hand. The hand that had changed and punched its way through brains earlier today. The others didn’t seem to notice. He opened the settings app and tapped dexterity twice. Tingling flooded his body as he committed the potential.
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Your Dexterity is now 13! You have gained Ability: Snap Shot.
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“What happened? I cannot read this language,” Gadriel said with squinting eyes.
“Hang on I have to look it up. Can’t just go straight from the notifications, no. Stupid Encyclopedia. I got an ability though.”
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Snap Shot (Ability, Dexterity, Attack: Ranged Weapon, Domain: Destruction, Level: 1)
You possess the Power to improve your aim. Activating this ability while targeting a Creature shortens the duration required to correct aim and ensures greater accuracy. This effect scales with dexterity. Use of this ability requires a minor amount of Mana and a ranged weapon you are able to use alone. This is a Magical Ability that does not function in an area of Magical Suppression.
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“Hey, it is an aiming ability. I might not need to use Ringcat as a sandbag anymore.”
“Strange,” Lograve commented. “I would have expected something more affiliated with magic, crafting, or commerce for an Artificer. Congratulations all the same, you needed something to use in combat. Your ringcat was pulling all the weight.”
Ringcat grumbled and Lograve glanced at him from the corner of his eye. The Arcanist still had no idea what to make of the sapient beast.
Daniel stood to grab his crossbow, then realized he’d done it without using his hands and in a far smoother motion than normal. The others had noticed too and must not have expected this level of change from a small improvement to his attribute. “Uh, get anything else Guy?” Thomas asked.
“No, but it feels like it.” On a whim, Daniel attempted and completed a cartwheel while still wearing his pack. “What the heck?”
Lograve wore a knowing smile. “Did you forget how people normally feel after advancement? We don’t all get a mystical mirror that tells us our heart’s desire. In the absolute best case you hire someone with an identification power if you get stuck. Otherwise, most people just need to feel out the difference. There’s usually a guiding instinct, though you would not believe what it took to make me realize I had Aquakinesis. Perhaps you’ve missed something in your Encyclopedia. Getting two powers with two advancement potential is lucky, by the way. On average, mortals gain one every other potential spent in the early levels.”
“These strange advancement powers of yours. I still would not believe it had it not just witnessed you.” Gadriel narrowed his eyes again, though there was an analytical element to the look rather than a hostile one. “You are not consciously using whatever this power is, so it must be a feature. One that improves balance, it seems. Aptly, there is one named Balance that I suspect we share. Useful both in and out of combat.”
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“Just what kind of class is Artificer?” Thomas wondered aloud and turned to Lograve. “Are other ones like him?”
Lograve shook his head and gave another cautious glance to Ringcat. “No, I don’t think anyone is like Daniel.”
…
After Daniel had spent some time joyously acquainting himself with his new aiming power, nailing several trees with his daggers, Tak returned. Everyone was still awake and it was impossible not to notice as he strode back to the fire. There wasn’t exaggerated confidence at least, and Tak didn’t appear the kind of person to show off. He stopped by Daniel on the way to his bedroll to whisper, though. “Good advice. Put in a good word for you too. Maybe tomorrow?” Daniel’s mind was too preoccupied to be completely flustered, though his face reddened slightly.
“Uh, thanks,” Daniel said and tried to look away to hide the blush. “Can I ask another question?”
“You have more than earned one.”
“You grew what looked like ringcat paws when you fought today. Would an air Totem Warrior grow something more birdlike?”
Tak tilted his head slightly. “Yes? Why ask?”
“No reason,” Daniel said lamely, looking at his hand.
After a long time spent staring at his hand, caught between musings on the past and future, Daniel settled into his pack. Ringcat’s voice came to his mind in the haze just before sleep. I will hunt.
Good luck!
The ringcat didn’t leave immediately. After a pause, he thought, Growth soon.
Growth? What does that mean? For some reason, Daniel got the impression that Ringcat was capitalizing that word. He doubted the murder cat knew why and didn’t ask any more questions since he had a lot on his mind already.
I will Grow.
Is that like advancement? Do you advance like we do?
Do not know. Will just Grow.
Will it happen tonight?
Maybe. Do not know.
Any thoughts about your name?
Like Longfang.
Daniel stifled a chuckle. You can’t be named that, that’s the crossbow’s name. But it’s good you have a preference. Maybe we should name you when you Grow? It sounds like leveling up so we should celebrate with a name.
Will think. Ringcat silently departed.
“You do that buddy,” Daniel whispered to the night air.
…
“Guy, she looked at you again,” Thomas said with a hint of his on-the-job personality as they walked. The eleven were semi-climbing up the road now as it crossed into the foothills. The real struggle would be tomorrow, but that would be a shorter journey that would end in Roost’s Peak around midday.
Evalyn had been doing everything short of using her powers on Daniel over the day. He didn’t know what Tak had told her, but he’d been the best- Don’t do it, Daniel warned himself, before folding instantly. Tak had been the best wingman he’d ever had. “It’s kind of weird that you’re more excited about this than I am,” Daniel rebutted.
“Not really. She’s working her way through the group which means she’ll get to yours truly soon enough. Who do you think’s next? Actually.” Thomas pulled out a red coin. “Let’s bet on it. Two bronze?” Daniel looked in surprise at the metallic coin. It was the first sign of currency he’d seen. “What, no bet?”
“I lost my wallet during the Upswell. No one’s been using money so why bother trying to get more?”
“Ah, shame. A gentleman’s wager then? I’m thinking she goes for Tlara after you.” Thomas peered surreptitiously at the avianoid walking next to the spark rhino. “She’s mopping up the Totem Warriors so the Beastmaster is the next logical step.”
“I’m not a Totem Warrior.” Daniel’s response was automatic, but he’d stopped believing it.
“Keep telling yourself that, Guy.”
Trail conversation continued as the day continued into late afternoon. Group dynamics were mostly confined to the two set training teams. One exception to this was the heavily armored Sigron’s newfound disdain for Tak. Daniel could see small splits forming that could crack holes in the team and wondered if the Bard was doing it on purpose. That did nothing to smother his anticipation of tonight.
“Are you alright?” Lograve quietly asked, later in the day.
“Uh.” Daniel brought his mind back to the present. “Well enough I guess.”
“From your story, the whole story,” Lograve emphasized. “I had the impression that was the first time you were in a fight. Aside from when you arrived here.”
Daniel looked at his hand again. Tak’s powers had seemed so intriguing until his hand had morphed into that thing. Only Ringcat knew about it and Daniel wanted to keep it that way for now. Sure, trusting Lograve had worked out so far, but this was too close to home. “As far as almost dying goes, I’d give it a seven out of ten.”
“You were never in any real danger. None of our team has worked together before but we’ve all had hunting experience.”
“I saw how you all handled the alpha’s charge. Well, I guess I should say I saw it and then realized what happened a few minutes later. In the moment though it seemed like we were, you know, done.”
“Those alphas probably thought so too until Gadriel decided to start prancing about.” Lograve wasn’t entirely using his customary sarcasm as he said this and Daniel noticed the difference.
“He doesn’t seem as unworkable as back in the village. Are you sure he’s a bad Hero?”
“You’re just saying that because he’s mildly impressive,” Lograve sulked. “Though seriously, there’s no way of telling. A good Hero would save you because it’s the right thing to do, while a bad Hero would do it for fame and standing. He might have honestly made up with you, or he’s doing it to try and recruit you as a toady.”
“Why would he do that? I’m just a level one and he only knows half the crazy stuff that’s going on with me.” Lograve eyed him suspiciously.
“By my count, he knows more than that. The remainder is your past and that possessed thing you let walk beside you. What else are you hiding?” Lograve could have asked Ringcat what was meant by the growl that followed but didn’t want the beast in his head again. “Anyways, just be careful.”
Lograve made to walk away, but Daniel could tell by a quick backward glance there was something else on the Arcanist’s mind. “What is it?”
“If you want the question then I’ll ask, but don’t feel like you need to answer.” Lograve sighed. “It’s the kind that can be revealing and I don’t want you to assume you have to tell me everything I want you to.”
Is this about Evalyn? Daniel’s spirits sank. Is he going to tell me not to see her for the good of the team?
“Why didn’t you run when the alphas charged? If you were frozen with fear you would have never drawn your sword. You had the chance.”
Being wrong about the topic did nothing to help Daniel’s sudden trepidation. “I told Ringcat to run but he didn’t want to.”
“That’s not an answer, unless your loyalty to him runs that deep.”
“I wouldn’t just abandon him! But, that’s not it,” Daniel admitted. “I guess it’s not just because of one reason. On,” he lowered his voice, stopped, and looked at Lograve pointedly.
What?
On my world, there are animals that are more likely to attack if you run.
These were already attacking.
Y-yeah. But I also had the chance to see you guys covering for me even when you were being attacked. Everyone, even Ringcat, was doing something in that fight to help me. What would I be if I didn’t do something in return?
If Gadriel hadn’t been as fast, then that would make you alive.
Right. There wasn’t as much agreement in his thoughts as there should have been. And Thomas or Ringcat would have died instead. I don’t know if I could live with myself if I let someone else die for me. That’s actually it. Daniel blinked. I have to live here. I have to sleep on the ground, eat meat I don’t recognize, and have a talking murder cat. Maybe that last one isn’t so bad but what it adds up to is that I can’t be the guy that runs away. When I think about the person I was back home, the person I still am now? I like the thought of being some brave, confident monster slayer who can talk to people without tripping over his words. I can’t get there if I don’t improve myself.
Lograve nodded to the rest of the group. “You almost sound like Gadriel. Sure you’re not hiding a third class in your shoe?”
“Might as well at this point. Look, if I had run, would I still have advanced?”
“Probably,” Lograve replied thoughtfully, which wasn’t at all what Daniel expected. “The Octyrrum rewards bravery and prudence evenhandedly. It’s been shown that as long as you don't just run but do some fighting you can gain potential for survival alone, even if your target doesn’t die.”
Daniel made a faint sound from the back of his throat as he considered exactly how much his earlier bravado was justified now that he didn’t get more magical points for being brave. He shook his head. “The point is I’m not going to sacrifice people for personal gain, and if I start running now that’s all I’ll ever do.” Daniel frowned. He did sound like Gadriel. A less medieval Gadriel, but Lograve had a point.
“Stick to that answer and you’ll be a great Artificer. Assuming you stay here, and assuming that answer doesn’t change. If it does change then that is no reason for shame. You’ve seen one battle on this expedition so far and the odds were with you. You never really know yourself until you face an enemy you aren’t meant to beat.” There was a far off look in his eyes and Daniel looked at the scar that took up almost a quarter of Lograve’s face.
“Are you ever going to tell me what beat you up?”
“So about young Evalyn,” Lograve changed the subject.
Aw come on, he is isn’t he?
“I wish both of you a pleasant evening.”