Joe looked around at the battlefield and saw that most of the beasts were dead or dying and the dwarves were doing clean up and treating their wounded. Then he noticed that he was completely naked. Rory noticed Joe become a bit distressed about his lack of attire and pulled a blanket out of his inventory. Joe thanked him but waved it off as he pulled his cloak, which got Joe a sly look from Rory, but he said nothing and continued to guide Joe back to camp. As the two walked back towards camp, the other dwarves slowly began coming up to Joe and clapping him on the arms and back, congratulating him on such a massive feat. The cloak began doing its job and within about ten feet of walking, Joe was clean and wrapped in the warmth of his cloak.
Halting the group, Rory told the others to clear some space so Joe could loot the salamander. The huge beast appeared on the ground and Joe tapped it with his hand and at Rory’s insistence, he stored its body in his own inventory. He ignored the notices that had begun to pile up and for the first time saw that the salamander had died far from where he had jumped in its mouth. Had he not stopped it where he did, it would have been a disaster for the camp. As they passed through the camp gates, more dwarves took up shouting his name and giving him hearty claps on the back and Bixby was praised as well. There were smiles all around.
After Rory guided him back to the Inn, he, Rory and Bixby made their way to one of the back tables and Sophie came over from the kitchen with a couple of bowls of stew and mugs of something hot that smelled earthy. “You’re a right doolally and’ thank Mithra for you!” She kissed Joe on the cheek and gave him an appraising eye, which made him tighten the cloak around his nakedness and then she sashayed back to the kitchen.
“Har! That there’s a right reward fer a hard night’s work eh what?” Rory smiled and took a sip of his drink. He took a few bites of his stew and then set the bowl on the floor for Bixby. “I’ve gots to go help with the cleanup. You two stay here and rest up. Sleep if you can an’ I’ll come getcher in the morn.”
Joe nodded and then said, “I’d like to help if I can. But I’m out of clothes, well at least I’m out of trousers.”
“Nae. You an’ Bixby are the heroes of the hour. Stay here and in the mornin’ we’ll get you sorted.” Rory clapped Joe on the shoulder and scratched Bixby’s ruff. As he left. Joe heard him mutter while shaking his head, “Jumped inter the mouth of a Salamander like a right numpty. N’er have I ever…”
Joe ate in silence and gave Bixby the last of his stew. The hot drink tasted like chickory and chocolate and he downed the entire mug. Because of his high statistics, he was not really sleepy, but he decided to head back to his room to check his notifications and maybe sleep if he could.
Once in his room, he realized that Bixby was still covered in gore and lay the cloak over his companion. Bixby curled up on the floor and was snoring within minutes. Joe sat on the edge of the bed with the bed covers on his lap and opened his notifications.
Congratulations! You have earned the skill, Intimidation Tier 1.
Where did that come from? Did I intimidate the salamander? Or was it… Oh, it was probably that asshole Hamish. Huh. OK. Joe closed that notice and opened the next.
Achievement Unlocked! Down the Hatch! Kill a monster from inside its body! Well, that was nasty wasn’t it? Rewards Unlocked! You and your companion gain, +2 Constitution, +2 Willpower and +1 Luck. Exp earned, 10,000 (Banked). Gold earned 5,000.
Well at least the gamble paid off. That was nasty and I will rethink doing that in the future. Looks like all that’s left is loot. Joe shifted on the bed and opened his inventory. Other than more gemstones, the first thing he noticed was a new book. Hell yeah another spell!
Spell Tome: Fireball
This spell allows the user to launch a small ball of flame to a point that they choose within the range of the spell which then bursts into a conflagration of fire. Creatures and structures caught in the blast take 400 health damage. Casting this also lights anything in its area of effect on fire.!#&JHDJ!^#*…
The spell tome screen flickered a few times and when it recovered it said,
Spell Tome: Haste
The user may cast this spell on any willing creature within range. Until the end of the spell, the target creature’s movement and reaction speed is doubled. While hasted, the target creature gains a +50% to their Perception and Agility. Spell duration 2 minutes. Mana cost 50.
What in the Hell? Another glitch? That was an awesome Fireball spell and the whole thing changed? How the fuck does that even work? Someone has got to be screwing with me. Joe took the book out of his inventory and read it. His Mana pulled the spell knowledge into his mind, and he sighed. At least that kind of replaces my lost boots. He looked at the last item left.
Winter’s Bite
This rare War Axe deals 200 points of Cold Damage in addition to the regular damage done by a War Axe. If imbued with 100 Mana, the next successful hit will freeze its target in place for 5 seconds and deal an additional 50 points of cold damage per second. While wielding this War Axe the user cannot be paralyzed by cold based attacks nor take any movement penalty while traversing snow and ice.
Damn! Joe let out a low whistle that woke up Bixby. “Sorry, just got a new weapon. Go back to sleep.” Joe patted Bixby’s back and then laid down on the bed. I think I know just the way to apologize to Iona. Joe lay back but his head swam with all sorts of questions that he knew there would probably never be an answer to. All too soon, the sun rose with an all-new day to face.
Joe was pulled from his thoughts by a knock on his door. It was Bixby that got up to open the simple latch to find Kier standing there. He showed a quick surprise at Bixby but then stepped into the room. “I had one of our tailors make you a tunic. Nae need walking about with your bits hanging out. No telling what Sophie’d do if she caught you prancing around nekkid.” He smiled and tossed a blue tunic trimmed in a gold knotwork pattern that looked like flames.
Joe donned the tunic and found that it fit him very nicely. Kier handed him a red leather belt as well with the same flame motif etched down the length of the belt. Joe pulled his dragon armor boots from inventory and began putting them on.
Kier asked, “What’re those?”
Joe looked up while tugging on his left boot, “Um, boots?”
Kier looked at Joe like he was an idiot. “Nae. I mean, why were you nae wearin’ those last night?”
“Cause I was wearing my other boots.”
“Are ye trying to get me thinkin’ yer a nutter? Why were you nae wearing your armor what obviously goes with the boots? I assume you have a full kit? Probably from the dragon?”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“Oh. Yeah. Sorry. Uh, well, the dragon armor is great, but it takes way too long to put on, and there was really no time last night.” Joe got the other boot on and stood.
“You cannae summon your armor?” Kier looked very puzzled.
“Well, yeah, I can pull it from inventory, but it’s in pieces that I have to put on.” Joe was equally confused by the conversation.
Kier let out a small sigh. He was wearing a tunic and belt, much like what Joe had just put on. His face took on a momentary look of concentration and suddenly his tunic had been replaced by his armor.
“Holy shit!” Exclaimed Joe. “That’s awesome!” Bixby wagged his tail and took a few sniffs at Kier.
“Once you’ve worn your armor, you can call it back to yourself. Have you worn it all yet?” Kier’s voice sounded like he was teaching a child.
“Um, yeah. Yeah I’ve worn it all before.”
“Aye an’ fair’s fair, just will it to your body.”
Joe stood there excited and spoke to Bixby, “Dude, if this works...” He closed his eyes and thought about wearing the full set of his dragon armor. After a tense few minutes he opened his eyes in disappointment.
“Reach with your Mana, lad.”
Stubbornly, Joe tried again, this time pulling with his Mana and imagining the armor appearing on him. Like a light bulb flicking on, Joe felt his Mana touch the armor and then he felt the weight and constriction of the suit as it settled onto his body. “Oh, hell yes!” Joe whooped and Bixby barked his approval. “Oh, man, I wish I had known about this before.” He stood looking over his arms and legs to see if anything was out of place.
“Tis a fine suit you got there lad. Tis a king’s fortune in armor.” Kier stared with obvious jealousy at Joe’s dragon armor as he stepped forward to run a hand across Joe’s arm. He gave an approving nod.
“A king’s fortune huh? Just how much is that? I mean, honestly, I have no idea how much things cost.”
Kier eyeballed the suit and quite obviously used the Identify ability on it as his eyes went slightly vacant. “Oh, I think the Shoppe’d sell something like this for a good thirty thousand gold. Probably more.”
Joe’s eyebrows shot up, “Really?” He thought for a moment and said, “Kier, you and your siblings have been fair and kind to me and I know you said to keep a low profile, and I think I can trust you. I want to tell you something and get your honest opinion.”
Kier looked slightly shocked but also pleased, “I’m honored you think so highly of me and mine. I’ll do you fair.”
Joe looked down at Bixby who seemed to know what Joe was about to say and nodded his head up and down. Joe caught Kier’s eye and said, “You said yesterday that fifty thousand was a king’s ransom. So, what I would like to know is exactly how wealthy am I? I have over half a million gold.”
The smile on Kier’s face dropped to one of sheer astonishment and his mouth actually fell open. “You said what now?”
“Half a….”
Kier waved Joe off from continuing, “Oh, aye and I heard you a’right.” He became lost in thought for a few minutes causing Joe and Bixby to exchange worried glances. “You’re a right mystery Joe. I’ve nae idea how you came to such wealth. It does nae seem possible. “
“Well, every time I got an achievement or a title, I gained a bunch of gold as well as every time I loot a monster there’s gold.” Joe watched Kier’s face for any reactions, “Oh, and there’s the dragon hoard too.”
At that Kier’s eyes lit up, “You took a dragon’s hoard?” Kier walked over and sat on the edge of Joe’s bed and rested his hands on his knees deep in thought. “Joe, when you looted the ogres, how much gold did you get?”
Joe thought about it and said, “I think four hundred each. And that seemed low considering their levels.”
“Mithra give me strength.” Kier mumbled. “Four hundred seemed low to you. Heh.” An odd smile came to Kier’s face. “Me lad, methinks there be something watchin’ out for you. I got fifteen gold and five silver for that kill, which tis a fair amount for an ogre of that level.” He looked hard at Joe, “I thank you for the trust and I think you needs to nae let anyone else know your value. Once we’re on the road, you can tell the others, but fer now, keep your head.”
“That’s what I thought. It’s more than just a lot of money, right?”
“Oh aye. For to give you an example. That tunic cost me a single gold. You could stay here at the Crooked Shaft for the rest of your days in the best room and having Sophie wait on you hand and foot for two gold a day.” Kier stood up and clapped Joe on the arm, “You’re in it enough to buy a city and still nae feel the pinch to your coin.”
Joe rubbed his face with his hand and let out a breath. “Kier, I think the System is messing with me.” Kier got an inquisitive look as Joe continued, “The loot that I got from the salamander had a fireball spell book, but when I Identified the book, the screen flickered, and the spell changed to Haste. And that’s not the first time a screen has flickered, and something has changed. Is that normal or is the System prone to glitches?”
Kier scratched at his nose while answering, “Nae. I’ve ne’er heard of such a thing. But..” He held up his hand to forestall Joe’s reaction, “I am nae a System scholar. When travel between Realms is possible again, we can look fer a scholar, or mayhaps you can buy the information from a Shoppe.” He stood back up and smoothed out his tunic. “Until then, let’s keep this bit of strangeness between us, right?” Keir walked to the door, “And you may want to swap out your armor for now.” He said with a wink.
Joe nodded, concentrated and his tunic reappeared as his armor was stowed away back into his inventory. The three made their way downstairs. As they descended the stairs, Joe marveled at the sight of the entire Inn filled with dwarves. The mood seemed very subdued and somber except for the fact that the dwarves were smiling. At the bottom of the stairs, he saw Iona and Rory standing with Sophie and Duggan. Other dwarves that he had met the day before were standing in the crowd all acknowledging him with a nod as he met their eyes.
At the bottom of the stairs, Duggan stepped forward and offered his hand, which Joe went to shake, but Duggan firmly clasped Joe’s forearm with some force and a huge smile cracked his dour look. “Many think you’re off your head, but all agree you got a ballsack of steel. Nae many would have the bollocks to do what you did last night and it’s fair agreed by all that you saved the camp from that manky salamander. We know you’re yearning to reach your kin, so we wanted to show our gratitude for you. None here recollects a human ever truly putting their life on the line for a dwarf, let alone for a whole camp he’d just met. We hope that your kin are of the same mettle and we’re honored to call you friend.” Joe could see all the dwarves in attendance nodding their heads in agreement. “So to get you going on your travels, I wanted give you this coin of the Stoneshear Clan. Tis enchanted to show that you and Bixby’re friends of the Clan to any dwarf you meet and for them to treat you with respect.” Duggan handed Joe a silver medallion with the same design embossed on it as he saw on the banner at the Overseer’s building.
Joe took the medallion with surprise and a great amount of humility. “This is an exceptional gift. I…” Joe stumbled for words as he looked out at the assemblage. “Thank you.”
Joe received a notification.
Achievement Unlocked! Friendship is Magic! You have befriended a chosen race! You’re the life of the party, aren’t you? Rewards Unlocked! You and your companion gain +2 Intelligence, +2 Willpower, +2 Charisma. Exp earned, 10,000 (Banked). Gold earned 5,000.
Title Unlocked! Dwarven Friend! You have Impressed the dwarves enough to make friends with the whole lot of them. That’s a lot of friends! Rewards Unlocked! You and your companion gain, +2 Intelligence, +2 Willpower, +2 Charisma. Exp earned, 20,000 (Banked). Gold earned 5,000.
Joe barely had a chance to react to the notices when Sophie stepped up and pulled him down into a huge spine crushing hug. She whispered, “Me door’s open to you any time. If’ you know what I mean.” As she broke the hug she winked knowingly at Joe. His face turned red, and the gathered dwarves roared with approval and laughter.
Kier took Joe by the elbow and guided him through the room towards the door. Every dwarf they passed gave Joe some form of thanks and a pat on the back. Bixby threaded his way through the crowd with dozens of back pats and head scratches. Once out the door, there were even more dwarves milling about in the street and a shout went up as soon as he had exited the Inn. The atmosphere was festive, and the shouts were joyous. Joe’s eyes began to water as he became emotional at the outpouring of affection and attention. He turned to speak to Kier only to find Iona at his side. He smiled at her, and she smiled back. He asked quietly, “Am I forgiven then?”
She got a coy look on her face and raised an eyebrow, “Remains ta be seen.” And then she smiled a mischievous smile that made Joe nervous. He had not seen her out of armor before and in the morning light she was striking. She wore a green and gold dress adorned with hand stitched flowers that set off her hair and the green matched her eyes.
A push from behind and Rory cajoled, “Quit leering at me sister and getcher lanky legs a’movin’.”
Caught staring at Iona, Joe quickly turned another shade of red, much to Iona’s amusement and he moved along the street. More hand shaking and back clapping followed as the dwarves of the Stoneshear Camp escorted him and Bixby to the gate. Once at the gate, the dwarves on guard in the towers relayed the all-clear and the gates opened.
As the gates creaked and the party made their way through them, all the dwarves began singing a merry song that echoed out of the camp. Joe stopped and turned to see many hands waving and the dwarves beginning to go back to their daily tasks, still singing a farewell song. Duggan stood at the gates and called out, “Lang may yer lum reek an’ haste ye back!” Kier called out something in Dwarvish which made Duggan smile as he turned away, back to his duties.
The party of five walked to the break in the ditch, crossed the now repaired bridge and immediately turned West.