|Chapter 2|
-.-.~Hmph...~.-.-
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“Herbology and Remedies - Medical or otherwise… “Meden Blooms”, a relatively common flora distinctive in both it’s medicinal properties and tendencies to form in batches of 7-10 throughout most all moderately covered forests. Composed of a stalky, canary yellow stem, and a dozen bunches of 3, vibrant red palmately compound leaves; This plant is unique even disregarding its extensive alchemical and pharmaceutical uses. Considered one of the most versatile ingredients in potion making, and a starting herb for aspiring alchemists, the Meden Bloom is quite well known. Thus it is of no real surprise that it is exceedingly popular for Guild Quests and likewise aspiring adventurers. But, to all who read this, BE WARNED. Sapients aren’t the only ones who prize this miraculous flower. And it makes for no easy payday. They only grow in moderately remote places in an already dangerous environment. It's not unheard of, or uncommon really; For a fledgling alchemist or greenhorn adventurer to die whilst searching for some. No one is ever truly prepared to face an angry goblin or feral hog whilst picking flowers. Truly, the first rule for anyone venturing into nearby forests, is to NEVER let your guard down... - Jarloid Xarchiver, “Paragon of Apothecary””
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??? - POV - 3 minutes ago...
‘…The Noisy Ones sure do live up to their name.’.
Sitting upon a branch in a sunbeam several rolls from the Noisy Ones, the patient slimes laid motionless in deep thought. It doesn’t quite get as to why they make all of those weird sounds in the first place; Their machinations further eluding the, put lightly, simplistic slime.
‘No Foods come if you are noisy! So why?’.
Contemplating a plausible motive—to no avail—it realizes that the strange creatures had moved out of (ear?)shot. Quickly, it barrel rolls towards the duo, bounding forth with every bit of awareness as a taurus in a potion shop. Not that it would know either of the two.
Bounding between branches with surprising elegance, the sli-CRACK…
’…’
SNAP!
’!!!’
Barely four rotations in, and the once suspended platform of intertwining branches and budding leave gave way under it’s careless approach. In a blur of spiraling greens and streaking browns, it tumbled towards the leaf littered ground.
Suddenly, without a chance to even attempt and brace itself—It crashes… Right into the welcoming embrace of snagging thorns: Courtesy of a nice, pointy bush.
‘Thunk!’
Stunned, and with it’s core spinning, the now flattened blob opts to lie there for a few moments, dazed, but otherwise mostly unharmed. Regaining it’s wits, it shifts its core upwards in order to better survey it’s condition.
Upon closer inspection of it’s gelatinous body, it notices that it had landed in the one—singular—bush in the immediate area that had thorns.
‘Hmph...’
Fuming, it shifts to un-embed the puncturing, javelin-like spines; Wholly oblivious to the giant, scarred hand ever so slowly reaching down for it.
‘!!?’
Caught unaware—again—it attempts to view the culprit. However, before getting a good enough look, its thrust fast to the side. Further disoriented and prone as needling wind pricks it’s now elongated form, it resigns to it’s blurred, avian fate.
’This suck-‘
’“AAA-”. SMACK!’
’…’ Confused, it writhes about in a bid to reform it’s now displaced mass.
‘…What's this?…’
It could feel its mass enveloping a perplexingly smooth, yet bumpy surface; One that is vaguely warm to the touch. The vibrations oscillating from the impact being steadily absorbed through it’s membrane until it stills enough to concentrate. Warily, it shifts it’s awareness forward hoping for a more concrete image of it’s landing spot.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
‘...’
A Noisy One.
It froze, overcome with near palpable fear. It stared at the being, eye to core; It’s connection gradually breaking apart as gravity tugged it down the Noisy One’s face.
Slowly it began to pull away, hopeful that it could make a roll for it upon contacting the sweet, sweet ground. Unfortunately however, it is stopped by yet another giant hand. This time by the very being it had just impacted.
‘Squelch…’
The creature’s grasp harshly pulls it away, effortlessly held about two rolls from the Noisy One's now-strangely-bright red face.
Visibly shrinking under the creature’s gaze, it awkwardly squirms around.
“...”
Silence, resounding silence. Void for but the intermittent chortling of the now gaunt, rude Noisy One that had just chucked it. Anxiously, it continued to stare at the thoroughly flushed being standing in front of it, before suddenly being dropped to the ground without the slightest of warnings.
’Splat!’
Reverting back to its default shape, it sluggishly gazes upon the now looming figures. For some odd and inexplicable reason, it had proceeded to strike it’s partner in the groin whilst emitting loud—near primal—sounds of unadulterated rage.
Taking advantage of this newfound opening, and the fact that it hadn’t been eaten, it silently slinked back into the lush, veiling greens from which it came.
Gradually it’s trembling began to cease as it reacquainted itself with the shadows. Once again hidden, it peeked back out towards the confounding duo.
The rude one is currently gaunt and heaving; Having fallen to its knees in response to a swift kick by the other one shortly thereafter. Turning away from the ensuing chaos, it urgently made haste back to it’s hole.
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Rolling beneath a small splotch of light, a stray glint of dazzling violet captured it’s attention. Focusing within its viscus body, spotting a strange, sparkly metallic object. That being part of the pair that the Noisy One had worn on its ears…
‘...Pretty…’
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Nuki - POV - Three Hours Later...
The trek back towards civilization was more so annoying than it was treacherous. Though Travis thought otherwise, constantly complaining about some sort of pain; No clue why.
Sighing, I review the day’s happenings. ‘Not great… to be honest, but at least we aren’t entirely empty handed.’. Patting the bundled cloth satcheled to my side, I again focus on the path forward.
Across from us lay a well trodden path—caked in a web of cracked dirt and mismatched impressions; Long melding the once even road into a maze of waving lines, hooves and varying shoe prints.
Treading the beaten path, we arrive upon a barricade of cobblestones and pikes. Engird within the encompassing barrier lays our destinations.
Turpiloco.
“Move it, Travis. I’ve got to repair my boots before they are ruined.”
“No-OK!!”. Satisfied that we were on the same page, I retracted my tightened fist; Continuing onward without the slightest remorse.
Humming as we passed the poorly manned gates, I can’t help but notice the clear lack of officials roaming the streets. Fortunately, that works swell for me. Less questions to waste our time. And no entrance fee! ‘Its great!’.
Then again… There still were some guards and citizens within the walls. So being followed in tow by a hobbling man carrying an exposed claymore; It was of no real surprise the amount of attention we still managed to garnered. But a quick flash of the iron Guild tags around our necks were enough to dissuade the less curious of the bunch.
Moving to my side, Travis says something wholly unexpected. “Sorry bout that Nuki.”.
”Oh~ Now where did that come from? Hmm?”
Rounding the corner diagonal to the central shopping outlet, we arrived in front of an old-but well kept-heavy timber building; Laced with smoothed stone bricks. The Guild.
Walking in I am immediately hit by a wave of revolting stench stemming from the BO, sweat and overall poor hygienics of the local Guildies. Suppressing a gag, I continue up towards the counter. Sitting there, head propped up and resting on their palm, is a bored attendant; The bags beneath her eyes indicating that she’s seen better days.
“Welcome… What have ya?”
Reaching into my leather satchel, I pull out a rather unremarkable bundle of cloth. Laying inside are four stems with leaves of Meden Blooms that I found on the way back.
“I’d like to fulfill my quest. Ma’am.”
Shrugging, the attendant reaches over and grabs the swaddled herbs. Upon quickly counting them, she haphazardly throws the plants into a giant bin labeled “Quest Shit” located several feet behind her. Reaching down, she pulls out 2 silver Datolles and a couple of copper coins. All but shoving them to me, she sits back down.
Satisfied with the money, not service, I head back out; Idiot in tow.
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Getting into the inn's washroom, I start undressing. Boots, pants, shirt, undergarments, hair tie, singular earring…
“...”
‘WHERE IS THE OTHER ONE!?!’