The Gift (Part 3)

The night before Idris had been creative enough in figuring out how to kill the Drone without a weapon. Even if he didn’t know much about real fighting, it couldn’t be that difficult.

“Oh, don’t even try me boy,” Tomme said, “You’re a big lad but I’ll put you down so hard you’ll wake up classless. Be an improvement in your case, I expect.”

Idris continued forward, fists clenching.

Eana tried to guess at the numbers on the matchup. As long as Tomme couldn’t get a knife out Idris was certain to overpower him with his strength stat of over fifty. Even with strength imbuing equipment, maybe a bracelet or a belt or something, it wasn’t likely the adventurer taking the scouting role in a party had anything near Idris levels of raw power. And with that body, she put him at twenty strength. Max.

A brief light of energy like lightning surged over Tomme as he set one foot behind him and breathed out steadily.

Idris approached, no hesitation in his movement. But as he extended his arms to push the man down with all of his strength, suddenly Tomme had stepped neatly aside and in the same motion brushed Idris’s hands past him.

Idris stumbled, his own momentum carrying him forward and then quick as lightning, Tomme sent his fist into Idris’s right side, just below his ribs.

With a whoosh all the air left Idris’s lungs and his body trembled and spasmed so hard it nearly dropped him to his knees.

And Tomme wasn’t finished.

With literally inhuman speed he sent another blow into Idris’s stomach, driving away what little wind Idris had left in him.

Then, almost disdainfully he stepped behind Idris and kicked the back of his knee out, toppling him.

Idris lay on the ground gasping for air.

Tomme stood over him, “Thinkin’ you could intimidate me with those miner’s arms, Light Bringer?” he turned his back on the prone Idris who struggled to gain control of his body.

“How about you girl? Want to come over and heal your brother so everybody can see it? See the Chaos coming off you thick like the stench off shit?” Tomme called out at Eana.

His lip curled up and he continued, “You don’t even need to. Look what happened to your brother just because you were here. Think he woulda ended up on the floor if you stayed home and stayed away?” He turned and made to kick Idris in the stomach when suddenly he stopped.

Another man stood over Idris, hard blue eyes stared at Tomme from under slicked back blonde hair. Conrad, leader of the Seekers, tilted his head to the side as he regarded the smaller man, who stumbled slightly as he halted his planned kick to the prone Idris.

“How about we give the healer some proper damage to fix, Tomme? If you’re so eager to see her at work again,” Conrad said.

Tomme stepped back from Idris and put his hands up in a placating surrender, “Conrad.” He looked back at Chrys, the big woman was peeking through her hands like she was no older or braver than Eana next to her.

“No need for any of that. We was just finishing,” Tomme said, putting on a fake smile.

Conrad nodded but did not move from where he stood over Idris.

Idris managed finally to take a breath and was now trying, shakily, to get to his feet. Tomme took one last disdainful look at him before he motioned to Chrys and the two of them left the inn.

Eana moved suddenly from the table and raised her hands to cast Minor Heal but Conrad held up a hand to stop her. He bent down and helped Idris to his feet, “Best he feel the pain and natural recovery of this one, young Healer. Some lessons are learned best when learned hard.”

He turned his attention back to the wobbly legged Idris, “Liver punch,” he said, poking him hard under his ribs and making Idris wince, “Almost as good as a hard fist to the jaw but with the size of you… probably figured he didn’t have the knockout power. Then he hit you in another weak point to put you down completely,” Conrad explained, poking Idris again just below his ribs above his belly, “Solar plexus.”

He looked Idris right in the eyes, “Yikes.”

Idris, for his part, just stared back and tried not to fall to the floor again.

“Just keep breathing, Light Bringer. No permanent damage done.”

Idris did as he was asked, though his face burned with shame.

“What was that skill?” Idris managed to ask between wheezing, struggling breaths.

Conrad stood up straight and motioned Idris and Eana back to his usual table in the corner and then motioned at the server.

“Adrenaline Rush,” he said, “Increases perception, reaction, and speed. To you, Tomme looked fast. But to Tomme, you looked like you were moving through water. All labored and slow with every move telegraphed to the point you’d never land a hit no matter how much he let you flail. And he isn’t an idiot, so he didn’t let you flail at all.”

He sat and motioned for the two siblings to take up their previous places at the table.

“So you were watching us?” Idris asked, voice frustrated.

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Eana felt for him, and felt guilty for her part in it. The humiliation of being defeated so completely was written all over him.

“Watching? Not sure how long you think that fight lasted, friend, but what I just explained to you happened in the space of a glance.”

He waited for Idris to see if he would argue the point, and when he didn’t Conrad went on, “What’s more, Tomme knows how to fight. He’s not the most dangerous man running the Hive Dungeon, but he’s no slouch either. He’ll have faced off with more than just monsters in his time. That’s clear enough from how he knew just where and how to strike a stronger human opponent.

“What you did, Idris, trying to take on a seasoned adventurer because what, you felt angry?” Conrad scowled as he let his words sink in, “That was stupid. You’re strong, I won’t try to deny you that, but you have no battle skills. No experience.”

Eana suddenly spoke up, “Idris killed a Drone!” she knew she sounded defensive, but she had to say something! To stick up for him in the only way she could.

Idris waved her off, looking even more embarrassed.

“Did he now?” Conrad said, unimpressed, “A single drone by itself isn’t much. Not much stronger or scarier than, say, a twelve year old girl. A far sight less dangerous than Tomme. Odd you found it by itself though.”

Though monster sightings around the node were rare these days with all the adventurers around, Conrad might not think it was so odd if he had known it had been chasing her.

He was probably just like Tomme, and it hurt her to think that Conrad’s surprise at the fight with the Drone was just more confirmation of her bad luck.

Conrad looked skeptically at Idris, “What were you doing outside the node fighting Drones, Idris? Trying to be the next fool to end himself attempting to solo the Hive?”

“You know I didn’t,” Idris said.

“Still, it's unusual. Just as unusual as you being here at all. The sun is up and it isn’t like Graham to give you the day off. And yet here you are, at my table,” Conrad said, leaning back and showing a small, confident smile, “Does that mean you thought about my offer?”

Idris nodded, smiling.

Eana looked between the two of them sharing knowing glances, “Offer? Maybe one of you could… you know… tell me what you guys are talking about?”

“Put the puzzle together, Healer. I’ve made no secret about attempting to recruit your brother into my band,” Conrad said.

“OK but that would be a major fight with our dad, I mean if he was here he… would…” Eana trailed off noticing both men staring at her, willing her to get it.

Her dad wasn’t here. Idris had made her sneak out with him and it was well past time Idris should have been going to the mine, so he was skipping work! And he had insisted on sitting at Conrad’s table of all the tables in the Inn…

“Hey!” she said, “Is my birthday present watching you spend all your XP on a new class?”

The charoite bracelet for her tenth birthday was a gift he would likely never top, but even keeping that in mind this was a let down.

Maybe that was just selfish though.

“Not quite. Conrad, I was hoping you could teach me… teach both of us,” Idris gestured at Eana, at which Conrad’s smile betrayed a hint of disappointment, “to become Warriors. Or, at least... to train us enough that we can start walking the path on our own.”

“Teach… me?” Eana said, dumfounded.

The thought had never occurred to her. She didn’t hurt people, she helped them. But then again,she had wanted to destroy Tomme.

But maybe that wasn’t all there was to it. If she was a Warrior, she could have fought the drone on her own. She could have completed the Hunted No More quest which now adorned her Failed Quests list.

As a Warrior not only would she have new ways of earning even more XP, but new skills, and new skills meant new ways of looking at the world. Maybe she could stop being the victim of all this bullying and finally earn a place for herself.

The possibilities spread before her like the endless stars of unknown skills and abilities in her interface. If this worked, Idris really would have managed to outdo the charoite bracelet.

The server brought over a plate of breakfast and a steaming cup of tea. Conrad took both and sat silently for a moment and took a few small sips.

Finally he set his cup down and asked, “Why are you ‘hoping’ I’ll help when you’re here at my invitation? This isn’t charity, Light Bringer. I aim to make you into an adventurer. Put that strength to purpose and give it technique to guide it. And after that you’re going to help make my Seekers even stronger.”

Eana shared a grin with Idris.

Not just a Warrior, but a Seeker? Him? They were the best! More than that even, the best of the best!

Conrad continued, “You’ve got raw talent and the lack of other skills plus stored up XP is going to make you a quick study. Your sister though,” he looked apologetic and seemed to mean it, “She’s skinny. Too young by half. She’s got a useful class, sure, but that’s a lot to overcome as it is. There is a lot to be said for natural talent and playing to your strengths - might not make any sense to make her a Warrior when Healer is so different. Could end up wasting-”

Eana cut in, “I’ve already mastered my Healer class. Well, almost. I’ve got extra XP too. I know I’m not big like Idris but he got that way because he works hard and I can do that too! I just haven’t had the reason yet, but with this? Please! I can do it!”

The thought of being able to defend herself and actually fight back if needed was so new to her, she would not let Conrad snatch it away.

He stared Eana right in the eyes. Hard blue gaze taking in her small frame and crimson hair.

Eana stared right back.

“I don’t mean to doubt your courage, it’s just that…” he glanced at Idris before continuing, “I can’t take you into the Seekers. Outside of being small theres all this with-” he gestured a moment before seeming to change his mind, “You’re too young. But…”

Eana stayed quiet. It took a few moments but in the end, she waited Conrad out.

“Idris,” Conrad said, “I hate to say it but I think this one wants it even more than you do.” He smiled and immediately the tension in the air broke.

“OK,” he said, “You can come with us. Show some aptitude and I’ll share the insights with you that I’m giving to your brother. One word of caution though. I hate to sound like your father but dual classing in your case might be a hindrance. Taking on a Warrior class could just end up a waste. Not every dual class can lead to new higher level classes.”

Eana nodded, she hadn’t considered that but hearing Conrad say it made it make a lot of sense.

“He’s right, Yahn. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. I don’t want you to end up stunted on your path like me with Light Mage,” Idris said.

Balling her fists and looking determined, Eana said, “No. This is the best birthday gift ever, Idris. I want it.”

Conrad nodded approvingly, “There aren’t a lot of bands with a healer…” he said, but still looked unsure, “Anyway, think you two can manage a few minutes without getting into any more fights? We’ll get started when I’ve finished.”

“Already?” Idris said, shocked. Suddenly his eyes glazed as he noticed a notification in his vision. He smiled and stage whispered to Eana, “Quest complete.”

“You have other plans?” Conrad asked.

Idris and Eana shook their heads and shared a grin. Idris grabbed a couple pieces of leftover bacon from Eana’s plate and then tagged his sister on the arm.

“We’ll be outside.”