KNOCK ON WOOD
Iris woke up well before the sun had risen, feeling a little groggy from the previous day's travel. She sat up and stretched her arms above her head, wincing as her sore muscles protested the movement.
As she contemplated what to do next, her gaze fell upon her armor laid out neatly beside her. The dull steel glinted in the morning light, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of purpose stir within her. It was time to get to work.
She stood up and shook off the stiffness from her muscles before reaching for her armor. Piece by piece, she donned the heavy steel plates that protected her body, taking care to ensure each buckle and strap was securely fastened. As she worked, she couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in the familiar weight of the armor.
Once she was fully suited up, she strapped her sword to her waist, the familiar weight of the weapon a reassuring presence at her side. She took a moment to adjust the straps and make sure the sword was secured in its scabbard before nodding in satisfaction.
With her armor and weapon in place, she felt ready to face whatever challenges the day may bring. It was time to continue on her escort quest, to protect the merchant wagon and its two people.
Iris, with practiced finesse, reached up to gather her untamed tresses and skillfully wove them into a sleek ponytail, securing it with a leather tie. The strands of her hair, reminiscent of the fiery hues of scarlet oak leaves, gracefully framed her sharp features and captivating, stormy grey eyes. The adventurer had no need for false modesty; Iris was acutely aware of her allure.
A quick check confirmed that everything was securely in place.
Damn, I look good in armor.
As she headed toward the entrance, she noticed the soft rustling of leaves and the dawn chorus of birds outside. She reached for the laces that held the tent flap shut and untied them, letting in the fresh morning air. The scent of pine and earth filled her senses, and she smiled contentedly. She took a deep breath and stepped outside her tent, ready to start her day.
First full day on the escort quest.
Mocha was already up and grazing nearby, giving her a nicker of greeting when she saw her awake.
Iris smiled. “Hey girl, you’re up early. Couldn’t sleep?”
The horse snorted.
“Yeah, me neither. I don’t know how you can sleep on the ground,” Iris said.
It may have been a trick of shadows, but Iris would have sworn that Mocha just rolled her eyes.
She’s getting bolder every day.
She looked around at the campsite they had set up the night before. The merchant wagon was parked a little ways away, and she could see Tanith on watch duty, his sword resting across his lap as he gazed out into the darkness. Sera was sound asleep in her tent, her soft breathing barely audible from where Iris stood.
She walked over to the wagon, peering inside to see the boxes and crates that made up the majority of their cargo. She could hear the soft snuffling of the horses that pulled the wagon as they shifted in their sleep.
It was going to be a long journey, but she was excited for the adventure ahead.
After a few minutes of stretching, she walked over to Tanith and took his place on watch duty. The man was tired and short on words, which suited her fine.
Iris settled down in a comfortable spot and monitored the area.
As she sat there in the pre-dawn hours, she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement mixed with apprehension. This was her first real adventure, and she was determined to prove herself capable. She scanned the surrounding area with hawk-like focus, keeping a close eye out for any potential dangers.
The forest around her was quiet, save for the occasional rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds. It was a peaceful scene, but Iris knew better than to let her guard down. She kept her hand on the hilt of her sword, ready to draw it at a moment's notice.
She was determined.
Steadfast.
Lightning magic surged through her.
Bandits beware, for a Platinum Adventurer–No. An S Ranked Adventurer was on the job.
Iris Stuart was a stalwart sentinel protecting the innocent merchant and the novice guard against the dark.
Ohhohoho. She would not falter, she was the rocks on which the waves broke. The bastion of light…ning. The Savior of Cosdale.
A Named Ranked Adventurer.
✦ ✦ ✦
Iris lay on her back, her legs straight up against the rough bark of a tree trunk. She tossed a small rock up into the air, watching it fall back into her waiting hand with a dull thud. She repeated the motion over and over again, trying to stave off the boredom that threatened to consume her.
Her eyes traced the patterns of the leaves overhead, but her mind was elsewhere. She missed the bustle of civilization, the lively taverns, and the raucous laughter of the patrons.
Out here in the wilderness, everything seemed muted and lifeless. She yearned for adventure, for excitement. She knew her calling would be filled with monotony, but… maybe taking this job–
No. This was her role, and she would fulfill it. After all, it was good practice.
She let out a sigh, tossing the rock a little harder this time. It flew high into the air, disappearing into the treetops. For a moment, she felt a small spark of joy. It was almost like flying. But as the rock fell back to earth, the monotony of her task settled back over her like a shroud. She caught the rock, staring up at the sky, and tried to push away the feeling of restlessness that gnawed at her.
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
As she lay there, Iris noticed a small bird perched on a nearby branch. It chirped softly, seemingly unfazed by her presence. Iris watched it for a moment, transfixed by its tiny form and its simple existence. It was a reminder that life was all around her, even in the quiet moments. She smiled, feeling a small sense of contentment wash over her.
As Iris gazed up at the bird, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy at the effortless way it took into the air, soaring higher and higher with each beat of its wings. The grace with which it moved was nothing short of mesmerizing, and for a moment, Iris was lost in the beauty of it all.
But her daydream was cut short as a sudden commotion caught her attention. A hawk swooped in out of nowhere, its sharp talons striking the unsuspecting bird with deadly accuracy. Iris watched in horror as the once-glorious creature was reduced to a flurry of feathers and pained screeches.
It was a sobering reminder of the harsh realities of adventuring, you could be strong one day, and the next… a murder hare was feasting on your corpse.
As Iris watched the hawk fly off with its prize, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of resignation settle over her. “Well, shit,” she muttered under her breath. “That’s my cue.”
With a shake of her head, Iris sat up and brushed off her clothes. Clearly, she couldn't waste any more time on idle daydreams, they got things killed. She had a job to do, and she was determined to do it well. She got up, stretched her arms over her head, and headed back to her watch.
It was time to focus on the task at hand and leave her restlessness behind.
Iris froze in her tracks as she heard the sound of wings beating against the air, large ones, not the tiny flutter of the bird she had just seen, nor even the purposeful movements of the hawk. Her senses were on edge and she felt as if she could hear a slight buzzing noise. It was an ominous sound, one that she had learned to associate with her [Danger Sense] during her time as an adventurer. She peered into the trees, scanning the shadows for any sign of movement.
The rustling grew louder, and soon she could make out the silhouette of a large bird. It swooped down towards her, but despite her earlier boredom, she’d never stopped holding mana within her at the ready. She lifted a hand toward her avian adversary and launched a [Spark].
The crackling energy bolt shot from her fingertips, illuminating the dark forest as it struck the bird head-on. The creature let out a piercing screech before plummeting to the ground, its body smoking and twitching. A small rush of energy filled her, but not enough to be what she associated with a level-up. No, she just gained some experience.
Iris approached the fallen bird, her hand still crackling with residual lightning magic, and inspected it carefully. The bird was an eagle, but as Iris examined the creature more closely, she could see the telltale signs of monsterization. A phenomenon that she associated with the effect large concentrations of mana had on animals, like those drakyyd.
The creature lay still on the ground, its once-golden feathers now matted and stained with blood. Its razor-sharp talons were still extended, the deadly claws dulled by the impact of the Spark.
Despite having to kill the creature, Iris felt a small sense of satisfaction. She had taken down the monster with ease, and protected the innocent people under her watch.
She glanced around, scanning the canopy above her, using her [Mana Sight] to search for any signs of more animals.
Iris couldn't help but smile at the sight of five tiny wisps of coalescing mana sitting on a nearby tree branch.
✦ ✦ ✦
Sera woke up to the gentle warmth of the sun streaming into her tent. She stretched her long, slender limbs and took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air of the wilderness. As she got ready, she couldn't help but feel a nagging sense of worry in the back of her mind. The road to Brightburn was dangerous, and she couldn't afford any mishaps. She was grateful that she had hired Iris as a second guard for her wagon, but she couldn't help but wonder if that was enough.
As Sera emerged from her tent, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she was greeted by the sight of Iris cooking eggs over the campfire. The self-proclaimed adventurer had a wild look in her grey eyes as if she was ready to take on any challenge that came her way. Sera found her a bit intimidating but refused to let it show.
"Morning, Sera!" Iris called out cheerfully. "I've made breakfast. Care to join me?"
Sera nodded, suppressing a smile as she took a seat by the fire. Iris served her a plate of eggs and a hard biscuit.
“I hope you don’t mind, I grabbed the biscuits from the supplies in the wagon.” the woman said.
Sera’s eyes narrowed as she took in the plate in her hands. “Wait. Where did you get the eggs?”
The redheaded terran shrugged and pointed over to the side. Sera followed where she indicated and let out a squeak of shock. “What is that?!”
On the ground was the corpse of a partially processed bird of some sort.
“Some bird that tried attacking me. I didn’t want the eggs in its nest to go to waste. So… breakfast!” Iris said, her tone betraying how normal the woman believed the action to be.
How could this ever be normal?
Sera took a step closer to the bird's corpse, her eyes still wide with shock. She had never seen such a large bird before. Its feathers were a deep, rich brown, and its talons were as long as her hand. She couldn't help but shudder at the thought of facing such a creature in battle.
“It's huge,” she said softly, still in awe of the bird's size. “How did you manage to take it down?”
Iris chuckled. “Magic,” she said simply, a hint of pride in her voice. “It didn't stand a chance.”
Sera nodded slowly, still processing the fact that the terran she had hired had taken down such a fearsome creature. While she had expected a guard to have to potentially face a drakyyd, she suspected they would do it with Tanith at their side. A fierce battle that would still have them flee. Not… this.
She glanced over at Iris, taking in the woman's untroubled demeanor and the scatterbrained air she seemed to exude. It was easy to see that Iris was a dreamer, lost in her own world of adventure and fancy.
“Well, I suppose we shouldn’t let such opportunities pass us by. Thank you for the breakfast,” she told the woman.
The terran smiled, but then her eyes widened as if remembering something. “Oh! I forgot to mention,” she said, reaching into a pouch she kept at her side. “I got this out of it.”
Sera's eyes widened as she recognized the fist-sized orb that Iris had pulled out. It was a mana core, and she knew all too well the potential value it held, especially since it swirled with two colors. A rarity. At the moment, only kingdoms, academies, and interested nobles were willing to pay a decent amount of coin for them, but it was only a matter of time before demand trickled down to others within society.
“What do you think?” the terran asked.
Sera needed to play this right.
A core that large would bring a considerable amount of profit to her company.
Maybe even create the opportunity to transfer to the headquarters in Strathmore, or if luck would have it, to the company’s new location in Maireharboura. She heard that Mister Fenren was expanding their shipping business and had sent out representatives to entice a company out west into dealing with them.
Sera smiled, her grin feral.
“Miss Iris, I would appreciate and consider it a favor if you would allow me to purchase or trade for that core. I believe I have some items that someone of your particular… profession would find appealing,” she offered.
The look Iris returned made her involuntarily shiver, like that of a predator who was sizing up prey. Sera glanced over at the bird that was as large as she was… and realized maybe she wasn’t that far off.