I stand there perfectly still, the stench of this tavern beginning to burn my nostrils. I fold my arms angrily staring at the peasant I am trying to acquire information from. The tavern doesn’t have many patrons, and by the poor decor, cleanliness, and other basic factors, I assume it is going to stay that way.
“Ya know not many would even give you lot their time,” says the man with yellow teeth and shaggy black hair.
“For good reason? No. The quicker I get some answers, the quicker I can leave. It is simple. All of this nonsensical bullshit just keeps me here longer to be honest.” I reply, holding an ale, more for show than to actually drink.
“Fine, whaddya want?” The man takes a big drink from his mug.
“There was another of my kind that came through here. About my height, hair most likely a mess, also probably smells odd. Any ideas?” I ask taking a drink. The ale here was trash, I drink more to let the others feel more comfortable.
“Nope, one of ya lots enough fer me.” The man says, but it is easy for me to tell he is lying. Not only because I am a Master Reaper, but for the large black eye he has.
“You sure?” I ask again glaring at him, knowing he was lying.
“Fuckin’ magic bullshit, alright. I saw a guy like that pass by about a week ago. Long gone by now. Ran in here, got some food and drink and was gone in an hour. Honest.” I take another sip, hoping to prolong the silence. “Bastard. Fine, a couple of the local thugs had a bickering with him.”
“And you got cold cocked.” I tap my cheek showing where he was clearly hit.
“Yes, you bastards are strong, ya are. But he left shortly after that, only one he talked to was the barmaid. Best try talking with her. Now please leave me be.”
“Right. Thanks.” I get up and slap a coin down. He snatches it and I make my way over to the main bar spot. The waitress was helping a large group of patrons, who leave once I arrive. I lean against the bar, taking a quick look around. Nothing but drunks and horribly crafted furnishings.
“Another?” She asks.
“Gods no. Where was the barmaid that was here a week ago. During the little run in with another of the Reaper.”
“Cursed blighters you are. Bringing disease and famine to us.”
“Listen, we were the spawn of these shite events, not the bringers of them. Can any of you just answer a question?” I say forcing a grin.
“Probably Lilly, she’s normally here most nights.”
“And where is this Lilly, got a few questions for her.”
“You can try her house, but don’t think many are overly excited about having a Reaper come to their door…” She drifts off looking at a few more patrons coming in then stepping out after seeing me. “If you are done, can you leave? You are ruining ma’ business.”
“I am a paying customer, but whatever. Where is her home?”
“Furthest house down the road. Can’t miss it. Right in the middle of the fork in the road. Can ya scram now?”
“Thanks for your time. I will take my leave.” I turn and begin walking out. When I push the door open and turn to close it I see four guys cracking their knuckles.
“So ya lot just don’t fucking learn yer lesson eh?” One with a scar across his face said. He ruffles his beard.
“Do you think that’s enough to beat me? Just four?” I say arrogantly knowing my skill and strength was tenfold over theirs. To convince them more, I slowly tap each of my four blades. The two on my back for killing their kind and monsters, the one around parallel to my waist for killing other Reapers, and the last across my side, for show. Everyone has to have a nice sword to play with.
“We’ll fucking put ya in your grave heathen!”
“I beckon you to try. By the sounds of it another of my kind already put you in your place, but suppose you are all just stubborn.” A guard comes by just as they were closing in on me.
“Oi, break it up! Ain’t gonna have no fightin’ again.” I stand unmoving as the others spit at me and disperse. The guard leaves as well seeing the tension break.
I began to make my way down the road the barmaid told me. I always enjoy the angry glares, the whispers and just overall hatred I got. Seems to fuel the rage inside when I fought. This town is not the greatest either. Besides the tavern, mayor’s place, and the markets, there really is nothing besides a few wooden shacks these people call homes. It is sad really. I may not have much of a place to call home either, but I still live better than this. Oh what the world is coming too.
Just as that girl said though, the house was right there in the middle of the road fork. I go up to the door and give it a hearty knock. Did not take long for someone to answer. The house was like the rest, a little wooden shack, with numerous half-assed repairs.
“Hello-” She looks at me in horror and tries to close the door. I put my foot between the door and stop it from fully closing.
“I am not here to harass you or anything, I just need a couple of questions answered.” I state.
“Sounds like harassment! I don’t want to talk.” Her voice was a bit hoarse.
“Everything alright?” Without caring I push the door open to see the girl. She has a large bandage on and held her side.
“Just kill me. Let it be done with.”
“I don’t kill humans, not without a contract at least… and some good reasoning. What the hell happened to you?” I ask watching her slide away from me until she hits her bed and falls onto it.
“P-please, just leave! You lot are nothing but trouble.”
“We are trouble to destroy trouble… I think that is one of those double negative into a positive thing. Besides we are not as villainous as you all coin us.” I say shrugging.
“But ya also don’t do nothing good.”
“Right. Not like we have to be granted goodboy deed papers by you all just to prove our innocence and aid in your affairs. Nope, we are devils.” I laugh, mocking her.
“Listen, what do you want.” She curls up.
“Well for one, aren’t you offly young to be a barmaid?” Judging by her height and bust she couldn’t be much over fourteen or fifteen. Then again she could just not have matured much, but why do I care. I am over two hundred years old.
“Pervert.” I cross my arms.
“Fine, just tell me where that other Reaper went and I’ll leave you to die alone in your room.”
“You are master alchemists no?”
“A nice dodge of the question, yes to answer that, but now answer mine.”
“Could you help me?” She seems to be changing the mood.
“Answer my question and maybe. Time is money and both is being wasted.” I reply impatiently.
“He left towards Falthermon Cathedral, said he had a contract to meet there and wanted supplies and directions.” She seems to be telling the truth.
“Right, thanks.” She stands up, still holding her side. “Best of luck with the dying and all.” I turn to leave but she grabs my arm.
“W-wait!” She cries, causing my anger start boiling.
“You know it's in the best interest of your health to NEVER grab a Reaper right?” I elbow her off me. “But you are wanting that potion? No?”
“I am sorry… I just… don’t want to die.”
“So grabbing me was going to heal you? Our potions as well would do more harm to you than good. We have a different digestion system, we could drink acid and be fine. You lot smell it and die. We are called Reapers for fucks sake. Everything we do involves death, except hopefully normal conversations like this.” I give an irritated sigh. Human’s can be dense.
“There must be something!”
“And what in your God's name is in it for me? A pretty little piece of paper to show I was a good boy?”
“I’ll do anything Mr. Reaper!” She seems genuinely worried.
“One condition.” I close the door and she looks nervous.
“Y-yes?” She says, trying to cover herself.
“If this kills you, I am not dealing with a fucking wraith. If you die… you stay dead.” I look around the small hut she calls a home.
“Umm, ya sure.”
“Got a table? Or something I can work on?” She walk into the other room which had a stone counter. Good enough I suppose. “Your parents won’t get mad will they?” I joke.
“They shouldn’t, they’ve been dead ages.” Worries me she was so calm on that, but I didn’t care at all about her past. Time to get to work. With that I pull a crate over and sit on it. I pull out my herb pouch and mortar and pestle. The girl watches me eagerly.
“If you start asking me questions consider me gone.”
She nods. I begin to pull out different leaves and crush them up. I added some tonic and constantly mix the potion. I reach into my mineral pouch and let a handful of Gixel it in. As I continue to mix it, the potion begins to heat up, good.
“Why is it boiling-” She stops talking when I looked at her.
I finish mixing it and add an herb stick to dissolve in to finalize the potion. Once it settles down I hand it to the girl. She looks hesitant and I force it into her unwilling hands.
“Bottoms up.” I say. She takes a sip nervously, smelling it and double checking its look. “Not made to smell nice and taste like heaven. Drink before its potency wears off.” She closes her eyes and gulps it down.
“Eck! Tch! What is that?!” She says, extending her hands out and coughing.
“My dish.” I snag my mortar and pestle back and clean it with a rag. “Should feel the wound healing soonish.” I pack my things. “If not, just back to where you were and I am out a few hundred gold for those dried herbs.”
“I am sorry… but thank you. I can feel it working already.”
“That is most likely just it ripping your stomach lining.” I place my packs back on and get up to leave.
“Well still, you helped me. I appreciate it.”
“Yup.” I try to leave but she stands in my way.
“Wait.”
“Little wounded, crippled girl standing in front of a Master Reaper and his weaponry? Not wise. What now? Do you give me my good boy paper, hand me a candy, and let me off?”
“Listen…” She stalls for whatever reason.
“You have about two seconds to explain why you are wasting my time.” I cross my arms.
“I want to go with you.”
“No.”
I shove her aside and open the door and leave. She follows me regardless, still looking weak from the blood she has most likely lost.
“Please! I will do anything! I want out of here…”
“No. If you will do anything though, leave me the hell alone.” I turn and keep moving. She stumbles trying to keep up with my pace. “If you want to leave so bad, just go to another town.”
“But it is not that easy…”
“And following a Reaper into dangerous realms, facing creatures of the unknown is easy?” No matter what I say she follow me like a puppy back to the inn as I untie my horse and begin to put my things on.
“Who is the girl?”
“D-di-did that h-horse just t-talk?!” Lilly stops dead in her tracks.
“Nobody, we are going to Faellencorn.”
“Find our missing Reaper?”
“Nope, said he was going towards the Cathedral, so we will make a pit stop at Faellencorn, maybe he might still be there or we can get more directions.”
“I have family out there! I can get you contacts!” The girl pleads.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Lies.”
“I know the way there!”
“So do we.”
“I can cook!”
“I can too.”
We argue back and forth as I load Rogue, my horse, up.
“Stubborn little thing isn’t she?” Rogue chuckles.
“Yes… I’m out about a hundred gold on the thing and now she wants to tag along with us.”
“Ooooh?”
“I made her a potion… nothing else.”
“Might have missed a chance Yorrick, she's a looker.” I hit his side.
“Enough. Wasn’t here for the women, just supplies and a meal. Besides she is what, fifteen?” I got on.
“Just turned nineteen two weeks ago you ass!”
“I am over two hundred, glad we established that.”
“To Faellencorn then?” Rogue questions.
“Yes, and be quick about it.” I reply, angrily with this turn of events. I hit the reins but Rogue did not move. I made sure everything was secure on him.
“Go?” I say, impatiently.
“Being held, want to do something about that?”
“First me AND NOW my horse?! Are you suicidal girl?!” I turn to see the girl holding his tail. I tap my skull. I was getting more upset by the second. We have a lead Lorrick is only a few days ahead of us and now I’m being held back by some commoner.
“Please take me with you! I won’t be a bother at all… promise!”
“Riiiight.” I reply sarcastically. “I will take you to Faellencorn AND NOWHERE ELSE.” I rub my forehead. “Go pack your things, quickly.”
“Okay!” Just like the ditz she is, she left.
“Alright let’s ride.”
“Cruel as ever boss, I love it.”
“It is for her own good. I run contracts not refugee aid.”
Rogue began to trot out of town and then into a full sprint once we leave. As if some type of bad curse I hear someone behind us. I turn to see the girl on horseback as well.
“Fucks sake. Rogue, heel.” Rogue stops, harshly.
“That was not very nice!”
“I am not nice. You have a horse? Yet you require me to take you elsewhere?”
“This isn’t mine.”
“Did you steal a god damned horse?!” She is more of an idiot than I thought. “You are a disaster let me tell you… fine, get off the horse.”
“Why?” She asks even though she justs jumps off.
“Will be easier if we both ride one horse. Get on.” I start grabbing rope as Rogue allows the girl on with no trouble.
“What is the rope for?” She again questions.
“Hoho do pray tell?” Rogue whistles.
“To tether the horses together so they don’t separate.”
Rogue gives a sad sigh. I glare at him, then walk up to her, and rope her to Rogue in a matter of seconds. “Take her back to the town, I am going to get this horse back.”
“Aye.” Rogue was off with Lilly in a flash. She cries out something which I did not listen, nor care.
I ride the horse back to see Rogue standing there with the girl flailing around. Guards are all over as I enter. Each coming towards me, cautiously with swords and spears in hand.
“Stop!”
I get off the horse.
“This little one thought it wise to grab a horse and trot off.” I say going over and taking Lilly.
“You backstabbing asshole!”
“I told you a hundred times to just stay here. It is safer than leaving with a Reaper.” The guards take her. She resists as best she can, but I just turn to the one who approaches me and I assume is the captain.
“We thank ye Reaper, horses are not easy to come by. Not used to ya lot just helping others either without incentive.” The guards bind her, even more than I already did.
“A minor roadblock for me, and getting rid of her IS my reward.” I try to joke. Passes over his thick head.
“Ready a noose.” The guard says, turning to the others and I notice Rogue turning to eye me.
“Wait, huh?”
“For treason and theft of the barons property, you hang.”
“The horse was returned? Why not just subjugate her to work?”
“Don’t I have a say in this!?” Lilly screams. A guard hit her.
“Shut your whore mouth.” Damn it all, I can’t let them kill her, not for something this stupid.
“Wait, I will take her.” Everyone turn looking at me like I was insane, especially Rogue. I mean hell, I might be.
“You will what?” The guard says.
“Take her. She won’t trouble you anymore.”
“Then we will have to ban her from giving ya contracts lad. Also won’t let you in these parts without a warrant.” The guard laughs.
“Fine.” I sacrifice the little this town had to at least get this girl to Faellencorn safely.
“Pfft, works for me. She is yours.” They throw her towards me. I keep her bound and toss her back on Rogue.
“Very well, see you never,” I taunt and tap Rogue. “Let’s go.”
We begin leaving and the girl stays quiet, most likely in awe of what just happened. I did not have much time to react and figure that was the best option. Rogue stays quiet as well thinking this silence was for the best. I walk by their side as we move along the path. The girl finally decides to speak.
“Thank you… I don’t know what else to say.”
“Nothing.” I say keeping my eyes on the road.
“No really, you just saved my life!”
“It would have never been in peril if you just stayed there.”
“Can you just not accept my appreciation?”
“No because now I am banned from a town I frequent for supplies. Now I will have to dodge Tende and pass from Kalkurt to Faellencorn!”
“Well it is not like I had a choice.”
“Didn’t have a choice?! You damned idiot, this is all your fault.” I rub my temple completely baffled and unable to converse with the girl so I put a gag over her mouth. Her muffled ramblings are better than anything she is going to say. “I am a Reaper, I take life, not give it.” I sigh.
“Well she is a special case then huh?” Rogue retorts.
“Shut it and keep moving. We will have to detour to Tale and bend around the Mellanow mountains. There is a path that cuts them in half and to my knowledge there should be a town we can stop by as well before reaching Fallaencorn.”
With that we are off in silence. Lilly gives up her squirming, much to Rogue’s delight. We move for numerous miles as quietly as possible as we begin to near Tale. It was not the safest place to travel but it was one of our only options.
“Rogue stop.” I hear something ahead of us. I can smell death.
“What is it?” Rogue questions.
“I don’t like the smell in the air. Smells like a corpse and a corpse eater.” I swiftly draw my silver, obsidian infused blade awaiting a fight as I begin to walk. Sure enough behind a rock, there was a beast devouring a lone traveler.
“Find it?” Rogue says coming near me haphazardly. The beast screeches. “That you did!” He bucks backwards in fright.
“Come at me you wretched thing.” I whistle to get its attention. I did not have the proper sealing on my sword for this beast but nothing I couldn’t handle in a real one versus one scenario.
“FL-FLESH!” It leaps at me. I roll easily to dodge it before turning to ready myself for another assault. Instead it is going for Rogue as it knew I am out of its skill level. I draw my arm crossbow and shot its leg in order to hinder its movement. The creature stares at its leg in agony, its twisted body trying to move as I begin to near it.
“Not so fast you little demon.” I walk up to it as it claws at the bolt lodged in its leg. I thrust my sword down its shoulder and picked it up like a kebab. It squirms until I thrust it off my blade and cleave it in two with a quick pirouette. I clean my blade with an old rag. I notice Rogue drops Lilly who was cowering next to a tree. I slowly walk up and retrieve her.
“Good work my Lord.” Rogue says walking over to me.
“Yes, this is a common occurrence little one.” I say to Lilly as I plop her on Rogue again. “If these types of things scare you, I worry for your survival with me.”
She sighs. Against my best judgement I take her gag off.
“Thank the Gods…” She huffed.
“Do you want it on again?” I threaten still holding the damp cloth.
“No…”
“Then let’s continue in peace please. Rogue.” He begins moving.
The long silence seems to get to Lilly as she speaks out as I was busy meditating. Such a woe.
“I never really got to know… well your name…” Rogue laughs.
“He is that which is not called by anything but A Reaper.” Rogue gives a pause. “Or pervert, on occasion.” He jests.
“Do you have a death wish horse?” I glare at him. “Remember who gave you the power to speak.” Rogue teases further.
“Your butler milord. Not you, might I remind you.”
“Remember who will take your life away.”I start to draw my sword.
Rogue shut up and I sheathe the sword.
“I can’t call you anything?” Lilly for whatever reason was unphased by that little conversation and not realizing that Rogue had mention my name earlier.
“No. In about three days I won’t see you again and you won’t see me. No sense in mindless exchanges. Now be a good little thing and shut up.”
“Rude.” She sighs.
I move ahead of Rogue and just want this journey to end. Our rations are low and knowing our luck we will hit more trouble along the way.
“You spoke of a butler Rogue, is he rich or something?”
“He is nobility my lady. He is a prince.” Again Rogue didn’t let his laughter hide. I did not care to listen to Rogue spew lies. But for the sake of keeping the girl interested in something I allow him continue. “If not for the Dark Spirits Soul giving him his Reaper powers he would be a king.” Lilly looks wide eyed. What the hell is the Dark Spirits Soul? Certainly he isn’t talking about my summoning, because that is far from what it is called.
“What! I had no idea!”
“Oh but there is more!”
“Really?!” Lilly exclaims excited. Dumb little child.
“Yes, he was the son of the late Lord of Daelclast. Through good nature and a war torn world, he became second to none in combat as well as intelligent as they come.”
She must have completely ignored the whole part I was SPAWNED into this world, not born.
“Oh wow! Daelclast is that dungeon firey land isn’t it?”
God the innocence of this girl is going to get her killed twice fold.
“Alright Rogue enough, you are going to hurt her.”
“Damn, I was on a roll this time,” Rogue whines.
“Nothing about how I slew dragons or walked through caves of lava?” I joke recalling other things he has said.
“I felt nobility was fitting.”
“So that was all lies?” She seems let down.
“I have a butler, yes, but not because I am nobility. His name is Rengust and he runs my estate. Something I used my excess gold to acquire and rest when I have the chance. AND NO, before you ask you are not permitted there.”
“What do you not trust me?” Lilly appears hurt.
“Like the plague,” I reply. “Maybe that is a bad metaphor, I am immune to your human ailments. Perhaps like a demon? But nevermind that. There is nothing there for you anyways. As I need to state numerous times for you it seems, Faellencorn is all the further you are going.”
“You say that now but…” Dark clouds begin to come over us.
“Storms a brewing,” Rogue states obviously.
It would not be long before we found ourselves in the midst of a massive storm and still a long ways from our destination. This way of life sucks… all two hundred years of it.
“Not like there is anywhere to stop, we are miles from civilization.” I put my hood up. A loud crack of thunder roars and Lilly falls off Rogue who bucks in fright.
“That is no ordinary lightning!” Rogue cries, scared idiot horse. I call to try and see if it was a Boltling.
“Why are you yelling?!” Lilly says lying on the ground and within moments three Boltlings appear in a flash.
“That is why. Just let me do my job.”
“Xexe,” they cackle. I draw my blade ready for combat. I roll my sleeves up and attach my absorbing gauntlets.
“So who's first to tango?” I spin my blade as all three come at me. I slice one in two and stab another one. The third lands a hard zap and cut along my side before I was able to cut it down. I feel blood ooze from the wound and before the little devils could regroup I smash them with an Absorber. I kneel as the pain of being shocked and bleeding was not too great. They are always so quick, I tend to get hit at least once during their encounters. I look for Rogue who was nowhere to be seen. Did he really flee? That worthless sack… Lilly was coming my way, still tied and falls to her knees eyeing me. I shove her away.
“Hey look you ass, you are hurt, let me help you.” Lilly glares at me with a passion as if she can actually do something. I grimace.
“As if you know how to treat a wound like this. It is not a common cut of a mortal blade. I was sliced by light. It does not heal with prayers and cloth.” She looks sternly at me.
“Then teach me how.” I wish the blow just ended me. Can I make it another three days with this thing?
“No.”
“Is that all you can respond with?” She frowns.
“No,” I ironically respond.
“I will prove my worth to you if you just let me.”
“Let me see. First you barely help me at all with what I needed. You then harassed me to tag along on my journey’s, you got me banned from a town I frequent, you abuse my supplies and test my patience and now you wish for me to be a teacher? You ask way too much girl.” I say but she does not seem to care. She continues to stare at me unmoving.
“I am human, we are nurturing.” I actually laugh hearing her say that to my face.
“Humanity? Please, you lot would kill and attack the hand that feeds you and belittle the ones that protect you from the demonic world. And you mean to tell me you are a caring race?” I feel intrigued though as she was not really like every other human I face. “I will give you one chance to prove yourself.”
“I will not fail you!” she says, perking up a bit.
“Well if you do there is a reason it is one chance.” She looks hesitant.
“Are you going to… kill me?” I shrug.
“No, you will kill both of us, this is not an ordinary procedure.” I slide over as blood still poured from my wound. I hand her a pouch of healing items. “Listen and listen closely.” She holds the pouch as I cut her binds.
“Yes?”
“My body flows with electricity so do not touch me with metal. So first off is to get it out of my body with this rod.” There was the rod and glove used to handle it in the pouch. She took it and much to my surprise she put the glove on too. “Now place it against the wound.” She did as instructed and I felt the pain of my body releasing the electricity from my veins. After a few moments I speak again to instruct her. “Good, now place those orange leaves over the rod, CAREFULLY.” Again she did as told. I take the rod and crumple the leaves as they turned to dust and sparked away. “You are fortunate it is an easy procedure to walk through, now just dress it like any other wound.” She did and removes the glove and packs everything in and then she throws the pouch over her shoulder, and onto her back.
“I will be your medic now.” I rise up.
“Not a chance. Give me my pack.” I take it. “You got lucky.”
“That was not luck, it was skill!”
“Yes, my skill as an expert.” I shove her from me, packing my things. “Whether or not you are useful or whatever is completely erased by your constant chatter.” I place everything away and gesture for her to mount up on Rogue.
“You are just mad I did that thing successfully,” Lilly begins. I rub my temple.
“I still have the gag, you would be best to shut your trap.” She crosses her arms not caring about my constant verbal abuse.
“Fine, enjoy the silence.”
“I will. Thank you.” With that we begin on our journey once more… in blissful silence.