Where to go next was obvious if I wanted to find more answers, but I did have some other concerns. Accommodation for the night rated highly, as did a place to clean up. I was also in dire need of undergarments; the subtle yet progressive feeling of chafing had settled between my thighs. The promise of food and drink at the saloon sated my stomach for the moment, under protest though.

The sun was high in the sky, and surely there was plenty of time to do that after. So, mind made up, I followed Kurt’s directions.

In a town the size of Oro City, you could swiftly travel from place to place. The town was huddled like a bird’s nest around a main street, with the unusual addition of a ring of piled dirt and several watch towers along the edge. I’d seen them coming in, but largely ignored them as no people stood watch. Now, I could see that they largely held piles of firewood, once again stacked up and ready to burn. This town had a fire fetish.

Mary Percival’s house was exactly like the others lining the street front. Single story, solid wood, with lanterns everywhere. Nondescript - that was the most appropriate word.

I banged on the door and it cracked open, revealing the face of a twenty-something woman with long brown hair that must have gone all the way done her back. She seemed surprised a moment, as she cast her eyes over me. ‘Anything you want?’

My hands once again made the I surrender gesture. It definitely wasn’t an ‘I’m harmless’ gesture, as it would be hard to convince anyone of my threat factor. ‘I came upon a locket, that I’m returning, Ma’am.’

‘Outcast huh? Well, let’s see it.’

These people had a fixation with my accent. But, shrugging, I removed it from the duster and passed it to Mary.

QUEST COMPLETION

· Return the locket to Mary Percival (optional).

You have been awarded 5 experience for giving a woman back the possessions of her dead, canyon-lying father. Well done. Anything else you would like to give her?

Was that a hint, possibly one that could bring a reward? I momentarily ummed and ahhed over what I should do, before deciding to commit to nothing. I could always give her the silvers later, but right now I was destitute without it. Mary had a house over her head at the very least, and I could come back and help her later if needed.

While I procrastinated, Mary’s face crumpled, and tears momentarily threatened her blue eyes before a mask descended. ‘You can come in and tell me about it.’ Mary pushed the door wide and I saw her clearly for the first time. Long brown hair was pulled up to keep it off her face and away from any work she was doing; sewing by what I could see on the table. Her eyes were wide with a hint of sadness – permanent sadness not easily erased by a smile. Her clothing I would best describe as practical, as Mary wore a knee-length white cotton dress largely covered by a thick brown apron. She had little in the way of accessories – solid leather boots held no flair, nor did the simple blue ribbon that held her hair in place. If there was a feminine element to her, it was hidden behind the practical.

Following her inside, she offered me a seat at the table. I did a cursory look around and made some simple comments about how nice her home looked. ‘The house looks comfortable… but can I ask, what’s with all the lanterns?’

‘Most important thing in the town. That’s where we spend all our money, of course. But I don’t want to think of money right now. Tell me where you found the locket.’

‘I’m new here, and I was travelling past the canyon.’ Ah yes, and I woke up naked and half-buried, but let’s just move past that point. ‘There’s not much to tell. I found your father. He was dead.’

She paused for a moment, but didn’t bat an eyelid as she said: ‘Then you took his clothes. What was wrong with yours?’

I rubbed my face awkwardly. ‘I was… not clothed at the time.’

Was this woman insane? Who invites someone into their home if they know you wear the clothes of their dead father?

Mary cocked an eyebrow perfectly. ‘Is that so?’

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Completely flustered by this conversation, I blushed in response. ‘Yeah.’

Her eyes lingered over my blushing cheeks, and I hoped that she would write it off as some stupid prank while drinking. How else do you explain – your father was dead, so I stole his clothes? ‘I’m sorry for your loss,’ I told her. Deflect her attention, yes, deflect, deflect, deflect.

Mary nodded slowly, patting her apron to her chest as if the touch reassured her. ‘That’s life here, in Oro City. Death takes and takes, and we pray for the saints to save us.’

‘I didn’t know it was called Oro City until today.’

‘Yes. You’re an unusual sort of person, I’ll give you that. Travelling to a town with no clothes, while not knowing its name. Can’t say I’d be doing that. Tell me, how did you manage the night?’

‘Wasn’t travelling at night.’

‘Wise. Alright, I think I’ve seen enough now. No point in wasting any further time. You came here for a business proposition – so make it.’

Once again, I was struck by how quickly things moved beyond my control. ‘What do you mean? I just came to return the locket, to tick off a quest.’

‘For a few measly experiences, I’d guess, based on how easy that task was? No, that’s not why you’re here. I knew that you were wearing Papa’s clothes the moment you walked to my door. You kill him?’

‘Uh – ’

‘No, I know you didn’t kill him. What are you, Level 1?’

I nodded.

‘Not you then, or you wouldn’t be Level 1. So, he was dead when you found him.’

‘Yes.’

‘Where?’

‘The canyon.’

Mary sucked in a deep breath. ‘He was at the canyon?’

‘He was when I found him. And I… I’m so sorry. I was in need. I hope you can understand that, otherwise…’ I’d like to say that I wouldn’t rob a dead man if I didn’t have to, but how would I know what I’m capable of?

Her eyes weighed me for some time, considering, then finally deciding. ‘Back to the business proposal. Have you come to claim me?’

I choked a little on my own saliva. ‘Claim you? What do you think I am?’

‘Men have been trying to claim me for years now, but Papa held them off well enough. With him gone, I don’t suppose it’s long before the next one comes. Not more than hours, days at best, I’d imagine.’

‘I’m not claiming you.’ I felt the need to be very direct about that point.

Mary looked me up and over – something that seemed to cut through the superficial layers. ‘And why not? Level 1’s not in your favour, but you seem a well-to-do sort. Not much hard labour touching on those hands. Keep books? A doctor perhaps? What class do you have hiding away?’

It was becoming abundantly clear that people in this town could see your level if they were higher than you, but not necessarily your class – and they very much desired to fill in that blank.

I shrugged, while Mary pouted a little. ‘You can always try with the low levels, to see what they say. That’s why I think I like you for this proposition. You’re smart, I’m guessing. So, my question still stands. What’d be wrong with claiming me? Don’t have that amount of money for it to register?’

‘I will not purchase you, Mary.’

‘Not even five silvers to claim a lady?’ She sighed somewhat dramatically. ‘Tomorrow will be a dark day for me. I fear where I will be as evening comes.’

Five silvers, to purchase a person? Just further evidence that I was so far out of my depth – an unskilled, unlevelled village idiot, in a harsh world with undefined rules. What chance did I have? Although… Yes, I did have five silvers stashed away on my person, which was also, technically, her father’s money. But the moral dilemma of using the money I’d stolen from her father to purchase her ‘freedom’ while enslaving her to me? Uh… queue headache.

‘I don’t have a lot of money,’ I tried to dodge the metaphorical bullet.

‘There’s always pay in this town – moving firewood, guard duty, or working the mines. Take a loan, then make it up in no time.’

‘Let me think about it. Can I have a few days?’ Played like a fiddle. That was the best way to describe what was happening.

Mary nodded. ‘No longer, mind. The wolves will be circling within a day or two when they find that my Papa is not returning.’

New Quest – Claim Mary Percival (optional).

QUESTS (active)

· Find the reasons for the body in the canyon.

· Gain some skill at firearms.

· Get a job.

· Visit Father Clarence’s church (optional).

· Claim Mary Percival (optional).

‘Where is a good place to stay in town?’

‘You could stay here?’ That eyebrow arched perfectly again. I want to stress, that I don’t think this was a sexual thing with Mary, she simply knew that if I stayed, I’d ‘claim’ her. A clever tactic, nothing more.

‘Perhaps in a few days,’ I told her plainly.

Mary nodded, then smiled winsomely. ‘The Helping Hand has the best prices if you’re saving some money for me.’

‘Thank you.’ The fading writing reminded me I had an active quest to find out why her father was in the canyon, but I didn’t want to press the issue at the moment. I suspected – although I genuinely was not sure – that Mary’s stoic front would dissipate the moment I was out of the house. She needed some time to grieve, and I needed time to process everything that had happened before I ended up purchasing a woman. Something within me screamed in protest at that idea.

Outside again, I took a deep breath. This town was warped, warped something bad. I don’t know why the thought of owning a woman set my teeth on edge so badly, especially if it was the common practice in these parts… but it did, something fierce. Did that mean I had a good sense of morality buried deep inside? Maybe I did. It gave me a flicker of hope that if my memories did decide to return, they might be worth remembering.