Lorian’s dead body fell sideways to the floor. Lythonian stood still, watching the light fade from her eyes before he turned.
“Are you ok?”
SJ was shocked at the cold demeanour that Lythonian had shown, never expecting the cleric who spent his day praying and providing services for so many different gods to be so ruthless and effective. He did not look as though Cet had even landed one strike on him, and his cloak and clothes still shone with the bright white of his order.
“I am fine.”
“Good. I will need to report this to the mayor.”
“Will you not get in trouble.”
“No. This is church property, and I am the leading member of the Order in town. I will only do it out of politeness.”
“That was awesome. Did you see how great Lythonian was?” Dave asked.
SJ didn’t reply. Looking at the state the room was now in, blood covering various areas and the room destroyed.
“At least you now have the evidence to clear your name.”
“I do, and it is thanks to you,” Lythonian said.
SJ heard the crying from the other room and turned to glance at the door.
“I will go and speak to the children. They will be traumatised if they witnessed the fight at all.”
There was a large gaping hole in the wall where the huge ice spike had shot through it. Lythonian turned to walk to the door. SJ removed her blades and bent to loot Lorian’s corpse.
70 xp awarded for the death of Lorian Mercanji
2 x light mana potions, Dagger of Piercing, Robes of the Wanderer, 4 gold, 17 silver, 23 coppers
SJ gawped at the amount of gold, knowing its value, especially in the town, and then identified the Dagger and Robes.
Dagger of Piercing
Quality: Good
Damage: 5-8
Robes of the Wanderer
Grade – Rare
Quality – Rare
Durability - Good
Enchantment Slots – One
Armour Class – 5
Attributes – Improves mana regeneration by 100% when out of combat
Lythonian walked back through.
“I have looted Lorian. She has some of your missing gold.” SJ called the 4 gold and the 17 silver from her inventory and handed them to Lythonian.
“Thank you,” Lythonian said, walking over to Cet’s body and bent, looting it. “Another 7 gold and 4 silver. That is nearly all twelve returned. I should be okay with the remainder to balance the books.”
“At least that is one good thing to have come out of this.”
“Do you need any of the equipment?” Lythonian asked.
“I don’t know what he has.”
“Chain mail armour, it’s a decent set, dwarven-made, with an axe + 2, rations, and a backpack.”
“No. I am fine.”
“I will sell it for the church then. The axe should raise a few silver at least.”
“I got some robes and a dagger from Lorian.”
“Keep them if you wish. I have no need for mage items.”
SJ quickly searched the room. There was nothing else of value, so she and Lythonian left the hall. Lythonian locked up after them, and they returned to the church. Once in the Vestry, Lythonian removed the chest and, taking out the gold and silver, placed them inside. As Lythonian closed the chest lid, her display triggered.
Quest – Find the source - Complete
You located and dealt with the heretics undermining the church’s work.
Rewards: 200xp +20% 240xp awarded
Congratulations on reaching Level 6
You have been awarded the following:
5 hit points
5 mana points
+1 Dexterity
+2 free points to distribute as you wish
SJ immediately added +1 to Charisma and Wisdom. This would make all her base attributes 10 and boost her secondary bonus, meaning all her attributes earned minor bonuses.
↻ Level: 6
Experience: 231 of 800
Hit Points: 39 of 39
Mana Points: 35
Wisdom: 10
Charisma: 11
“You are progressing really well,” Dave said proudly.
“Thank you again for your help, SJ. If you require healing at any time, do not hesitate to come and see me,” Lythonian said.
“I will, and may I ask you a favour?”
“Of course, what is it?”
“Could you possibly not include me in the story with the mayor? I would prefer to stay out of the limelight if that is possible.”
“If you wish. Although I am sure he would wish to thank you for helping remove trash from the town.”
“I just want to level quietly if I can,” SJ replied, smiling.
“Don’t worry. I will not say you were involved if that is what you wish.”
“Thank you. I am going to head back to the inn. If you need anything, please let me know.”
“I will, and thank you again. You have saved me from a lot of trouble.”
Congratulations! Your reputation with Lythonian was raised to Liked.
“Your knitting is coming along,” Dave said.
SJ had just finished the fourth pair of woollen socks. They looked more like open-ended tubes rather than shaped like socks, but they had triggered as poor-quality items and allowed for four of the five she needed to be complete for her tailoring quest. Alongside the morning training routine, wing exercises, and then trying to knit the socks, she had spent nearly all the next day on them.
“I am not sure I can call these coming along,” picking up one of the tubes and pulling it on her arm. It was more like the woollen sleeves she had owned back on Earth, and she could poke her fingers through the larger holes she had left.
“Only one pair left, and then onto level 3.”
“I need to finish this last pair,” SJ replied, picking up the knitting needles and continuing. She had been getting faster with each pair. Another hour passed before she eventually finished the fifth pair.
“It took a whole day to make five pairs of socks,” SJ said as she placed the last pair down. This last pair looked like they had a heel, and when she identified them, they showed a common quality.
Congratulations! Tailoring Apprentice level 2 completed.
Quest
Tailoring Apprentice – Level 3
Collect 10 bundles of cloth.
“I think I need to go and see Fizzlewick again.”
SJ had looked at her profession screen and noticed the list of potential recipes had increased. She could now learn various woollen item recipes, and cloth gloves could also be learned. Considering the recipe, SJ thought it must be the next crafting recipe she would need to make. It was early evening when SJ headed towards the Tailor’s shop. She was not sure it would even be open. On arriving, her feelings were right, and a sign on the door showed it as ‘Closed’.
“Damn. I wanted to get the cloth bundles and get to level 4.”
“We can come back in the morning. It isn’t as if you don’t have time,” Dave said.
“I know. I know,” SJ sighed.
Heading back into the centre of the town, SJ’s senses tingled. Her increased senses felt so strange, considering the last time they had triggered like this. She scanned around quickly, looking for a potential threat. She could not see anything or anyone.
“I sensed something,” she whispered as she continued down the street.
“I can’t see anything,” Dave replied.
“I know. It’s strange, though. Something doesn’t feel right.”
The scream came from off to her left. SJ turned immediately and ran towards the sound. Running down a side street, she came out onto the street behind the Tailor’s shop and saw a group of townsfolk standing around something on the floor. SJ walked over. Slowly making her way through the gathering crowd. A deep voice boomed out.
“Step back. Give me room.”
SJ saw Captain Broadaxe’s stocky and powerful form making his way through, the crowds parting, allowing him. Lying on the ground was the form of a dryad, blood covering the cobbles where she lay. SJ could see a bolt sticking from her chest. Captain Broadaxe bent down next to the still form and felt for a pulse.
More of the guards started to arrive and began to push the crowd back, making more room around the body. SJ could hear people muttering in the crowd about a second murder.
Captain Broadaxe spoke to a couple of the guards before turning to the gathered crowd.
“Everyone needs to leave and go about their business. Standing here is not helping the situation.”
A voice cried from the crowd. “That’s another murder. Why haven’t you found the suspect yet?” More muttering and grumbling supported the call, and SJ could see the frustration etched on Captain Broadaxe’s face.
“I SAID EVERYONE NEEDS TO LEAVE,” he bellowed, anger visible on his face. His beard twitched in response.
SJ began to move away from the area when she saw a face she recognised.
“Gary.”
Gary turned from where he was ushering people away. “Hi, SJ. I’m a little busy, sorry. Come on, you heard the captain. Move back and on your way,” he said as he continued to usher the gathered crowd away.
SJ turned to leave and made her way back towards the inn. “Another dead body,” she whispered.
“Yes. It’s strange for a starter town for there to be a murder.”
“I haven’t helped.”
“Yours was legitimate.”
“It still doesn’t feel good.”
“Meh. It’s your job and calling now, remember? I am not sure who would have killed a dryad. They are usually among the most respected races due to their natural skills and supporting town growth by providing crops and the like.”
By the time SJ returned to the inn, the news had already travelled there. One thing that was apparent in the town was the speed of gossip. It was like an information highway, and if SJ hadn’t known better, she could have sworn they all had mobiles and messaged each other. The usual crowd was starting to appear, and with the news, even more had arrived at the inn. It was a gossipmonger’s paradise. SJ stood at the bar and waited patiently to order a coffee while listening to the chatter.
The dryad who had been found dead was one of the farmers. She spent her days in the fields caring for the crops and was well-liked and revered by the town. The fact that she had been shot with a bolt just by the edge of town had started the tongues wagging that it may have been someone from outside who caused it. The thing was, no one could work out why she would be targeted.
One story mentioned that she had had an affair with an elf’s husband, but this was quickly refuted, and the comment nearly caused a brawl until Bert stepped in to calm everyone down. Looking at Bert, you would expect he would be the strong arm of the inn, but it appeared more feared Kerys when she raised her voice than Bert.
“Coffee, please,” SJ called to Kerys over the growing din.
“Sure,” she called back, grabbing a mug and bringing the pot over. SJ had realised that she was the only one who ever seemed to drink coffee in the evenings, and Kerys left her with the pot so she could serve herself.
Kerys was alone at the moment and ran off her feet, trying to contend with the growing crowd. She had not expected such an influx so early. “You need a hand?” SJ called to her.
Kerys glanced at her briefly. “If you could grab some empties, that would be helpful. Fhyliss is on her break for another thirty minutes yet.”
SJ smiled in response. Taking another swig from her coffee, savouring its bitterness, she put her mug down and began to make her way around the bar. She collected empty glasses off of several tables, getting confused but grateful nods from several of the patrons. She was a beautiful fae, after all, and several of the males’ eyes wandered on her a little longer than they would if their wives or loved ones had been around.
The thirty minutes passed quickly, and soon, Fhyliss appeared back in the bar area and took over from SJ. SJ returned to the end of the bar where she had left her coffee mug and poured herself another cup. Kerys briefly thanked her before being dragged away to serve more customers.
It was not long after that Gary and Setu arrived at the bar. They walked up to order drinks, and when Setu saw SJ, he came over to her, grinning.
“Hi SJ. I have been waiting to see you,” he said.
“Hi, Setu. Why, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Margu has been awake for two days now, and after I explained everything you did to help, she said she wants you to come around for dinner.”
“That would be very nice. When?”
“Tomorrow ok for you? She said she would cook hogling steaks as a treat.”
“They aren’t cheap,” SJ replied.
“It’s a special occasion. Without your help, we would not even have a stall now.”
“Tell her I accept, and I look forward to it.”
“Great. Do you want to come and sit with us?”
Gary smiled at SJ.
“Sure.”
They walked over and took a table nearer the far side of the bar, which was a little quieter.
Gary pulled a deck of cards from his pocket. “You ever played Hangman’s Noose?”
“No. I have never heard of it,” SJ replied.
“Time to learn then,” Gary said, starting to deal, creating three piles of cards on the table.
It took SJ a while to pick up the rules of the game, but the cards were similar to cards from back on Earth; the only difference was that the face cards were different. The Hangman’s Noose was the name of the Ace cards, and the jack was a knight, the queen was an empress, and the king was an emperor. The values were otherwise the same.
After a few practice hands, Gary suggested that they play for coppers. SJ declined and said she would watch the pair of them play. As they played, Gary sat down and discussed what had happened with the dryad.
“They think the bolt is hob.”
“What?” Setu said in shock.
“Yup. They don’t think it was an aimed shot. Looking at the angle at which it hit Florina, it was on its way down.”
“But a bolt being fired randomly towards town? They have never done that before.”
“They?” SJ asked.
“Hobgoblins from the valley. It has been a while since they last hit, and it was probably a scouting party or similar.”
“How often do they attack?”
“Not very, but they are often out scouting. That’s why we have so little on that side of town field-wise. Most farmers are based on the far side, so the town is between where the hobs would come from. No one wants to get caught up in a hobgoblin raid if they can help it.”
“Why do you not have a wall?”
“It has been suggested many times, but Mayor Maxwell has always resisted it.”
“Why would he not want to defend the town better?” SJ asked in surprise.
“It’s not that he doesn’t want to defend the town. It’s more the cost involved. The town doesn’t have endless coffers. We don’t get many Legionnaires through here, so we do not often get the bonus payments for growth that other towns might.”
“This is all down to this false economy, isn’t it?”
“What do you mean by that?” Gary questioned, frowning, uncertain about what SJ was referring to.
“The town’s economy seems to be self-sufficient. The movement of money seems to occur cyclically. It doesn’t seem like wealth grows. Rather, the economy stays constant.”
Gary’s frown deepened, still unsure what SJ meant. Setu smiled, replying, “Like our fishing conversation, I agree, SJ. After we spoke about it, I think that is a pretty good view.”
“I think that the money the town has seems to go from one to the next, then back into the town coffers as tax, and then regurgitated again. I don’t think there is much the town can do to bring in more money apart from the town’s population.”
“I think I understand what you mean,” Gary eventually replied after scratching his head thoughtfully.
It was obvious to SJ that Setu was the more intelligent of the two friends and understood much more about the town’s economy.
“What is the plan with the hobs?”
“There is no plan, just increased guard presence on the town’s borders.”
“How far are your borders?”
“The edge of the first field out of the east of town is the general town border. That is why the Wandering Ogre is outside the town’s jurisdiction. It is built past the boundary.”
“Doesn’t it get attacked by the hobs as well?”
“I am not aware it ever has been. It would not surprise me if Niweq had a deal struck with them. He is a crafty sod at the best of times.”
“I met Niweq when I went looking for the alchemist.”
“Careful,” Dave suddenly said.
SJ, suddenly realising she mentioned she had been to the inn, changed the subject. “Talking about the alchemist, any more news on a suspect?”
“The half-orc has never returned. That means we have no other suspects. Captain Broadaxe spoke to Mayor Maxwell today about closing that investigation down. Especially now that we will also have Florina’s death to deal with.”
“I see. From what you said, he does sound like the prime candidate.” Thankfully, neither Setu nor Gary had noticed her slip.
“Captain Broadaxe said it was too much of a coincidence for him to go missing at the same time. Especially now we know about the scheme they were running.”
The evening passed quickly, watching Setu and Gary play. Setu came out as the overall winner between the pair, but it was all in good humour, unlike the last time SJ had seen them play.
“I need to get going,” Gary said, downing the last of his ale.
“I should go as well,” Setu said, hiccupping. He had been drinking honey wine and was on his third glass, the alcohol taking effect on him. Standing, he swayed gently.
“I am going to head to bed now myself. Tell Margu I will be there tomorrow.”
SJ watched as Gary steadied Setu, supporting him as they left the bar. SJ smiled. It was nice having friends again.
