Not that I’ve had a ‘real’ orgasm, but I’m pretty sure that a thick slap of wild deer meat seared over an open flame covered in a honey pepper sauce and roasted vegetables is what it feels like.

Fuck, have I missed real food over these last weeks. Not to diss on Brandon’s campfire cooking, but if he doesn’t want me to start complaining, he’s going to have to raise his skill.

Brandon’s annoyed about the minotaur, but clearly relieved I didn’t kill her. It’s like him and Helen think I’m some wanna be murderer or something.

The bath is also amazing, even if I have to carry the water buckets from the heater to the tub myself.

The bed is actually not impressive. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice sleeping on a mattress. But, maybe it’s because I’ve grown used to the ground, but I had a tough time falling asleep.

Breakfast was just as good as dinner. Omelet with thinly sliced meat and root vegetables and a tomatoee version of dinner’s honey sauce.

We’re all in good spirits when we set out, and while I don’t expect that’s going to last, considering how things have been going. I’m going to enjoy it as long as it lasts.

*

The trek to Indianapolis takes about a month.

All things considered, it’s uneventful. Maybe we’re now far enough from Detroit, none of the people there know where we’re at. There’s a few monster attacks, one on the road itself. Something the system identified as a Boarik. Take a pig, make it the side of a horse, give it tusks sharp enough to slice through hard leather, and a temper to rival the worse tempered person you know.

I don’t really know anyone bad tempered.

It was a nasty fight, but we won. And got a lot of meat out of it. Finally got my first level in butchering on it.

A few days before we reached Indianapolis, killing a Jumps-a-Lot as part of my daily hunting got me to level eleven.

It served as a reminder I had points, so I assigned them.

For abilities, I put one in Taking it on the Nose, bringing it to five, which lets me put a point in Grit Strike. That first monster attack got me my thirteenth creature fight, so finished the fourth step for the fighting creature quest, which gave me an ability point

For my attribute point, that went in Aether without hesitation.

Distributing my skill points had me waffling again. The urge to keep all of them for ‘the right moment’ is so strong. But I buckled down and placed five of the eight points I had. Letting myself keep those three points for ‘emergencies’ is the only way I manage it.

Aether training, of which I finally got my first level on this leg of the trip, got one of the points. Dexterity training got two, Leather Working, and First Aid, both got one.

I cannot believe how hard doing that was, and how my relief at being done was mixed with anxiety I’d screwed up beyond redemption. Everyone I’ve ever listened to talking about going up in level and assigning points made it sound so simple.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

‘I think too much,’ is what Brandon says is my problem.

It’s so much easier with those I’m training. I can feel my dedication to raising those skills. That way, Archery, sword fighting and shield all gained a point. Tracking, meteorology, and cooking gained two. Butchering gained three, and just as with Aether training, I gained my first research level from reading the book on the Appalachians, and starting the one on the North American Buffalo, Brandon handed me once I was finished. I’m not going to claim it was an interesting read, but it’s worth points, so I’m going to push through.

When we reach Indianapolis, it’s with a mix of dread and hope on my part. It’s a large city, surrounded by well-tended fields, and that means being able to resupply, have good food, and some entertainment that isn’t Silver’s violin. She’s good, but I need a break from that.

But the memory of Detroit is still there. And masses of people mean a different kind of danger to that of the wilderness.

If I’m being honest, I prefer the wilderness’ danger.

Brandon’s just eager to reach the club, and we all know what’s he’s looking forward to. Helen looks like she might cry from joy as we walk through the city gates and are surrounded by shops. But she doesn’t venture away. I think, I fucking hope, we’ve all learned our lessons about venturing anywhere alone, and yes, I hope I’ve learned that lesson too.

I will give Indianapolis this. It is a beautiful city. The roads are large with maintained trees down the center of them. The buildings are in good condition, even those that are clearly older. The people smile and nod at us in passing and it’s unreasonably putting me on edge.

Detroit’s made seeing people being nice come across as unusual. How fucked up is that?

It’s past noon by the time we reach the club, and, unlike Detroit or Toronto, it looks inviting.

“I thought you said the clubs are all in forgotten parts of the cities,” I say as we walk toward it. The road split to go around the grassy area around the building. There are people sitting and playing.

“There’s away going to be someone who’s going to buck the trend,” he replies with a shrug.

“I think this place needs to set it,” Silver says.

We have to follow the right side road to reach the entrance.

There is something that feels old about the building. It’s all stone, massive blocks of them, that have the feel of being worked by hand. Wooden shutters are open, and they look recent, in contrast.

The inside is mostly wood, with tables and people seated at them.

“Welcome to the club,” the older man behind the counter greets us.

“A bath,” Brandon declares, “and someone to share it with.”

I grab his arm before he throws himself at someone. “Where’s the hotel for those who aren’t explorers?” I ask.

“In here,” the man laughs. “We have a wing for those who assist our members. They have to pay, but our rates are fair, and come with things like a bath included in the price.”

“What’s the arrangement if one of us needs an escort through the city?”

He looks at me, his expression losing some of the joyfulness. “Let me guess, you came here by way of Detroit. You don’t need that here. Indianapolis is a safe city, but—” He raises a hand as I open my mouth to protest. “—if you insist, you have the choices of off-duty constabulary or one of our members. Both at reasonable, and monetary only, rates. We don’t do that trading ‘favors’ for work here.”

I tell myself that the matter-of-fact way in which he recites all of that is because I’m not the first to come here with a paranoid mindset, but it doesn’t help with not feeling like an eel at the moment.

I let Brandon go, and he’s at the counter. The discussion is quiet enough I don’t hear, and he’s through the door at the end of the bar before the three of us reach it.

“Will you ladies want to room together or separately?”

“Together,” Helen answers.

“The baths are at the end of the floor.” He hands her a key. “Let the attendant know and they’ll heat water for you.”

“I’ll be taking mine alone,” I state.

“That’s entirely your decision,” he replies, then hands me a key. “Your friend said he’d be rooming with you.”

“Lets wash up, then meet here to decide on our next steps,” I tell Helen and Silver, then head to take my much needed bath.