Fae and Fare (The Wandering Inn, #2)

by Pirateaba

He tried to loom over Ryoka, but she didn’t even bat an eyelid. “And who are you supposed to be?” “I am Brunkr, warrior of the Silverfang tribe. And I—” “Okay. Piss off. I need to talk to someone important.” Erin’s mouth fell open. Mrsha’s ears flattened and suddenly she was the one clinging to Erin. Brunkr’s eyes narrowed and he opened his mouth. “You dare? You dare to insult me? You?” Cold sweat ran down Erin’s back. She’d thought Ryoka had gotten better—or at least she wasn’t crazily angry anymore. But she wasn’t showing many signs of sanity at the moment. What should Erin do? But Ryoka seemed to have a plan of her own. She calmly stared at Brunkr as the Gnoll drew back his lips and bared his teeth. “I dare. I dare because there are more important things than you, little Gnoll. Krshia Silverfang. The Stone Spears tribe is gone.”

:(

I think I have it figured out. I’m Ryoka Griffin. I’m a Runner, and an arrogant young woman who thought she was better than she actually is. Because I was a fool, people died. Maybe I couldn’t have saved them anyways. But I could have been stronger, and maybe that would have made a difference. Regardless though, they died. The people who helped me died. It may not be my fault, but I still have a debt. A debt to the dead. One person still lives. A kid, a child. I will keep her safe. But I will also pay off my debt. And the first part of that is confession.

Oh Ryoka ;(

Silence. I stare at Erin, and then Mrsha. She’s crying again. Erin stands up. She doesn’t say a word. She just punches Brunkr hard enough to send him crashing into a wall. Krshia nods in approval. “My deepest apologies, Erin Solstice.” “I think we should go.” Erin looks sadly down at Mrsha. She’s crying, and clinging to me.

Oh poor baby, and he's an asshat brute

The faeries watched as Erin laid Ryoka down and then looked at the other patrons of her inn. They all had the same far-off expression in their eyes. “Should we remove the flowers?” “But ‘twas a gift! We cannot take it back!” “What if we gave actual gold? Would that suffice?” Inside the inn, Erin brushed against Klbkch. The Antinium had gone completely still after drinking his mug, just like Selys and Halrac. Now the slight nudge sent him toppling backwards, and like a domino the Drake and Human toppled over as well. The faeries watched as Erin began to panic. “‘Tis funny.” “Yes.” The faeries paused. They looked at each other. “I wonder what the drink tastes like?” “Swill, I heard.” “Good swill?” There was only one way to find out.

Oi

“Why bother with the niceties? Are you trying to get us on your side so we can help your Hive?” Klbkch’s gaze doesn’t waver. “So long as Erin lives, she will help my Hive. But to answer your question: my Queen is not aware that you and Erin come from another world, Ryoka Griffin. If she was, you would be captured and quickly interrogated.” I feel a chill. But, wait a second. Klbkch is saying—he’s saying he’s lying to his Queen? For us? No. For Erin? “Aren’t you supposed to be the right-hand of the Antinium Queens, or something? I thought Prognugators were loyal.” “I am. But loyalty takes many shapes, and I have grown to question the direction the Antinium are taking. I believe leaving you alive is preferable to your deaths. No—I know this is the case.” My god. Is this…is this Erin’s effect? She created individual Antinium, but affecting the allegiances of a Prognugator? Or is this something already occurring? I reach for a mug to take a drink. My hand is shaking. Klbkch nods, seeing my reaction. “I have not informed Erin of this because of the dangers involved.” “But you’re telling me? Why?” “Because you can keep a secret.

Oo

“And why do the Antinium need to be strong? To conquer the continent?” “If necessary.” The cold-blooded response ties my tongue. Klbkch looks at me and shakes his head. “The Grand Queen is more minded to pursue peace at the moment, at least until she is certain victory would not weaken the Antinium. Moreover, I believe I can convince my Queen to speak against such an action. This continent is not what the Antinium seek. We require strength to take back our home.” “Your home? Someone chased you out?” My god, the book—I need to read the second part. What he’s saying changes everything. Klbkch nods. “It is why we fled Rhir. And why we continue to attempt to build our forces. We left because we were losing, Ryoka Griffin. And now that we are gone, the enemy will soon emerge above-ground again. This Blighted King is strong, but he is unprepared.” “Unprepared for what?” “We must be stronger. I must be stronger.” Klbkch looks at me. I’m transfixed. For a second, he seems huge. Ancient. I’m like a bug—in his eyes.

:(

Klbkch pauses. He sits in Erin’s inn quietly, but his eyes reveal what he is. There’s something timeless there, something akin to Ceria’s gaze. Or Teriarch’s. Don’t look at Klbkch and see a bug. See him for what he is. A creature from centuries ago. An old hero of the Antinium, maybe. Something ancient. Only now do I realize how terrifying what he’s saying is. The Antinium. Creatures numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Millions, even. Why did they ever run from Rhir? What could have caused them to flee? Klbkch’s voice is the only thing in the world. Soft. Yet the words he speaks are so loud I can feel them shake my soul. “We fled from a God, Ryoka Griffin. There is a God buried in Rhir. And it is trying to wake up.”

:(

view Magnolia Reinhart with the same amount of caution.” Another surprise. No—I really shouldn’t be surprised, should I? “You know him? Teriarch?” “We know he is a Dragon. He incinerated two armies sent against him in the Second Antinium War. It was a mistake to attack him. I advised against it, but the Queens did not listen.” Get the book. Read the book. Unless that’s the part of history that no one knows about. Yeah, I think people would know if a Dragon lived on the continent. Another secret to keep. “If you are able to convince him to part with one of his treasures…yes. That would no doubt satisfy the Gnolls.” “If. Any tips?” “Do not attack him.”

:)

“It is considered a mystical element of our world as well. Most people understand the mechanics, but there is no consensus on the reason behind our leveling or advancement.” Really? I frown. “Can you explain some of the mechanics to me? From your perspective—a native’s perspective, that is.” Klbkch nods. He taps a finger on his arm a few times, a dry, clicking noise. Then he speaks. “Leveling is a means by which we grow stronger. As we take interest in certain activities, we gain classes. By pursuing these activities we gain more levels in a class. However, gaining levels grows exponentially more difficult as time goes on.” I nod. That all squares with what I understand. “Most people will end up around Level 20 in one class over the course of their life. Few individuals reach Level 30. A handful in each town; a few dozen in a city. Few will ever reach Level 40; those who do are considered famous in their own right. Those who pass Level 50 in their class are generally known throughout the world.” Again, more information I know, but Klbkch saying it is still useful. “Is there anyone who’s ever hit a…maximum level? Level 100, for instance?” Klbkch seems to frown. He has no eyebrows but—is it just my imagination? That’s the sense I get from him. “I know of no individual with a level approaching one hundred. Legends speak of individuals with levels above eighty and ninety, but why would there be a limit of one hundred levels?” “Because…” I pause. Well, because it’s a round numb...

or 30 or 60 depending on the MMORPG

“Right, but you still have over sixty levels total, don’t you?” “Correct. But that is only cumulatively. As I have said, I am leveling slower due to my advanced age. I am quite old, and it is an established fact that older individuals gain levels slowly.” Wait, but what Klbkch is saying doesn’t make sense to me. I tap the table as I speak. “What about your cumulative levels? I mean, you were Level 70 in total, and now you’re Level 64 in total. Wouldn’t that explain the slower growth you’re experiencing?” Klbkch pauses. Again, I get the impression he’s frowning at me. “Why would cumulative levels affect my growth?” “Because you’re nearing the level cap of one hundred. If it exists in this world. Look, in a video game leveling up requires more experience the higher level you are, right? Just like this world. But that cost is also based on your total number of levels, not just a single class’s level.” Do they really not know this in this world? Does that explain lower levels? Gods, it might. The Antinium stares at me across the table skeptically. “That conclusion requires a number of suppositions that cannot be substantiated. I am not sure your belief that there is a maximum level in this world is correct. Moreover, why would each class count towards this total?” “Why does age count towards leveling?” I shoot a question back at Klbkch. Okay, it’s a cheap debate trick, but I feel like I’m on to something. “The problem I’m hearing with your world is that everyone assumes you sl...

Hmmm

“I would appreciate it if you did not use that expression.” I hesitate, and look at Klbkch. “Oh, right.” Gods are real. When I think of that—it makes the revelation of leveling seem pale in comparison. I still can’t believe no one in this world realizes there’s a level cap. But if most people never level that high up, and the few who do just think they’re ceasing to level due to age… “What can you tell me about the God?” “Very little. I only know what my people know. And I would prefer not to speak of it in any case.” “Why?” Klbkch looks at me. “Because even speaking of Gods gives them power.” American Gods. Neil Gaiman. Or—alternatively, Small Gods, Terry Pratchett. My mind races. I—I close my mouth and walk with Klbkch in the snow, thinking.

Oo

“What the hell?” It’s a playground. And those are…trees. And grass, growing right next to the cobblestones that line the circular perimeter of the park. That’s normal. Yeah, parks, trees in a city with walls. I can see that. But the playground catches my eye. Because it is not like a Human playground. Human playgrounds aren’t this cool. It’s a…jungle gym. At least, that was what it was. But some mad architect took one look at the plans and decided to make a playground for children that would give any anxious parent a heart attack. Long tunnels of smooth, polished wood connect towers that spiral upwards like a miniature castle. Monkey bars are set twenty feet in the air, above a floor that you have to climb up a long rope just to get to. Even as I watch, a Gnoll cub slides down a slide that curves downwards over thirty feet, dropping the kid down

Oo

I know my mouth is gaping. I stare at the giant tower and I want to climb it. But while the child in me dreams of swinging and jumping around high up there, the practical part of me wonders what the hell happens if someone falls? There are so many ways to topple off—that damn rope bridge has huge gaps in it! A fall from that high ends up in death no matter how soft the grass is. And then, just as I’m imagining that scenario—a kid slips. I see a Drake child overbalance and tumble off the side. I open my mouth to shout and I dash forwards, but I’ll be too slow, I know it. But then—the young Drake’s body pauses as he falls through the air. I watch in incredulity as the air around the kid seems to freeze, and he slows down to a crawl. He softly lands on the ground and laughs. I stare, and then hear laughter. Some Drakes are laughing at me, not the kid. I guess the look on my face must be hilarious. “Please do not be alarmed. The magical spells on this playing area are cast by a Wistram mage and checked upon each year.”

Good intentions tho

“But that slows you down. It takes away from the maximum level you can achieve. It hurts you, but no one realizes it because everyone thinks it’s due to age.” “And few people have the desire to reach higher levels in any case. So the issue is never noticed. In any case, why would anyone assume there is an artificial limit?” Only someone from another world would assume that, and only because older video games like Pokemon had hardcoded limits to their system that prevented them from going past Level 100. Why would a system in this world have that kind of limit? It would only make sense if someone created the system… Klbkch looks at me. I nod. My heart is racing. Selys shakes her head repeatedly, as if dazed. “This is huge. This is…do you know what this means if this is true?” “It will affect all in small ways, and affect few in huge ways.” Klbkch said the words softly as Mrsha nipped at a Drake’s tail and elicited a shout from the Drake and her parents. I consider what he’s saying. For many, I guess this information wouldn’t be too useful. Not if they don’t have the ambition to level up faster. But maybe it would allow everyone to reach Level 30,

Hmmm

“For now, just don’t level up if you don’t want to. You can refuse to level up or take a class.” Selys shakes her head distractedly. “I never understood why that was possible. I thought you’d have to be crazy to turn down a level or not gain a new class.” I nod. It’s not a conclusion anyone would make if they didn’t understand games. Is it a trap for the people in this world? Or just an oversight? Does anyone know this secret? Some people must, but they would hide it because it’s so valuable, wouldn’t they? “I think—yeah, I think if my suspicions are true, it’s for this exact reason that you can refuse to level up.” A system based on a game, except no one knows the rules. My spine tingles. Gods. One is still alive. We don’t say much after that. Selys and Klbkch just stare at each other and she mutters about classes while he…goes through his Hive’s information. I’m not sure how he does it. Is it stored in some location, or are the Antinium all carrying bits of the data? For now, I don’t ask.

Oo

People are clustering around the southern gate, and I hear people exclaiming and laughing. Klbkch, Selys, and I make our way through the crowd, Selys holding Mrsha so the small Gnoll doesn’t get lost. We get close to the southern walls—close enough to hear the laughter and exclamations—but the people are packed so densely around the gates that there’s no way through. “Up there.” Klbkch points towards the battlements. The citizenry aren’t allowed up there, but his position as a Senior Guardsman gets us up there. And that’s when we see it. “Oh my god.” At first, it’s just an odd shape moving around in the snow. You can see from a long distance on the battlements, and that’s how I see Erin. And Toren. And then, when you look closer, you see it. The [Guardsmen] on the wall are laughing so hard they can barely stand up straight. I stare down at Erin and Toren as they…traverse the snow. Yup. Just when I think she can’t get any stranger, Erin does something like this. I look at Selys. She’s covering her mouth as she tries not to guffaw. Klbkch is just staring. I think he’s in shock. Someone has to say it. I stare down at Erin and shake my head. “That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”

:)

“What’s the matter?” “She needs entertainment, Erin. She can’t stay in an inn all day, and she needs a minder, not…” Selys nodded to Ryoka. The other girl was still motionless. Toren approached and tentatively reached for her plate. The other girl made no response, even when he waved a bony hand in front of her face.

Oo

“She’s sort of like a puppy, don’t you think?” Erin whispered to Selys as the Drake scratched Mrsha behind the ears. Selys shrugged. “Gnoll cubs are pretty animal-like. And Mrsha’s young; I wouldn’t worry about it. Drake hatchlings like to bite everything they can fit their mouths around. Aren’t Human children different too?” Erin thought of screaming babies and toddlers who would eat bugs and sand and poo. She nodded. “Well…if you don’t mind, that would be great, Selys! Thanks! Then Lyonette can help me and Toren look for cool stuff.” Lyonette’s brows snapped together.

Oo

Erin had seen snow that went knee-deep, but she couldn’t remember ever seeing waist-deep snow. But in some of the valleys, the snow had accumulated to the point where it made progress impossible. “Why are we even out here?” Lyonette complained even more loudly Toren slipped in the snow and face-planted. Erin sighed. She was already regretting taking Lyonette with her, but it was either that or inflict her on Ryoka. And Ryoka would probably kick Lyonette in the face. Why hadn’t she left Lyonette with Ryoka?

Oo

Erin was aware that Lyon was gaping at her. She cleared her throat, slightly embarrassed. “Anyways, if it’s just a Shield Spider or a Rock Crab we’re fine. I can scare away Rock Crabs and Toren and I can kill Shield Spiders.” “You can!?” “Well, yeah. You just hit them and keep dodging their fangs. And legs. Oh, and don’t fall into their pit traps.” This was all normal to Erin. But Lyonette stared at her as if this was all completely new to her. Which, come to that, it was. “But—Silver-rank adventurers take on requests to slay Shield Spiders!” “Yeah?” Erin scratched her head. Lyon stared at her. The silence lengthened until Erin felt it was time to move. “Okay, we’ve got to go. Toren, take us to the place you found the mushrooms!”

Oo

Yes, the snow could not be avoided. It was everywhere, making people’s lives a misery. The Frost Faeries felt smug at that thought. But then—movement. From their position high overhead, the faeries saw something odd making its way across the snowy plains. They swooped down, keenly interested in anything unusual. And as they got closer their tiny jaws dropped and their eyes bulged. They’d seen sleds before, of course. The Gnoll tribes used them for all kinds of transport, and sleighs were similarly used in colder weather. But this—this was different. No horse pulled the sled that had been mounted on skis, and indeed, this device alone was making quick headway in the deep snow. Because of what was pulling it. A horse, fast as it might be, could only travel on relatively clear roads. The same went for a dog team; even the best dog sleds would have issues in waist-deep snow. But there was one creature that ignored all temperatures, which could run full-sprint for hours on end without tiring, and most importantly, couldn’t disobey orders. “Mush, mush!” Erin shouted happily as Toren pulled the sledge she’d built through the snow. The wide and long vehicle she’d constructed with the use of her [Advanced Crafting] Skill was six feet long and wide enough for both her and Lyonette to sit on it comfortably.

Oo

Erin flapped the reins again and Toren endeavored to run faster. She looked over at Lyonette and saw the girl had the same expression on her face as the Frost Faeries overhead had. A sort of slack-jawed stare with glazed eyes for the full effect. “Isn’t it great?” Lyonette stared at Erin. Her eyes were fixed on Toren. The skeleton was fighting his way through another thick drift of snow, his jaw gnashing furiously as he pulled the sledge up a hill. “Go for it, Toren!” From her position at the head of her ride, Erin stared across the open landscape. This, now, this was what she’d been missing. This was fun. She felt a song coming on, and began to sing, her voice carrying for miles around. “Dashing through the snow, on a one-skeleton open sleigh, over the hills we go, laughing all the way!” Erin’s voice echoed across the snowy landscape as the wind rushed past her head. She pointed. “There! Go that way, Toren!” She was pointing towards a cave opening in the distance. Toren change directions, and Erin whooped as she felt the sledge shift smoothly on the snow. “Let us ride! We demand to join in!” Erin looked up and Lyonette screamed as Frost Faeries flew down from overhead, laughing and pointing at Toren. They settled on the side of the sledge and for once Erin didn’t begrudge their presence.

:D

“What song is this? We must sing along!” “Sing! Sing for us!” “Okay! Everyone join in!” The faeries cheered and Lyonette stared at one as it landed on Erin’s head. The young woman thought of the few Christmas songs she knew by heart, and began to sing. “You’d better not shout, you’d better not cry; better not pout, I’m telling you why! Santa Claus is coming to town!” “Ooh, threats! Good!” “Who is Santa Claus? Does he eat children?” “Run faster, dead thing!” Toren staggered as a snowball bounced off the back of his head. Erin looked at the Frost Faeries in surprise. “Haven’t you heard of Santa Claus? Lyonette?” No one had. And it was a bit too windy to explain about Santa, so Erin found herself switching songs.

OO

“Are we going to take all of the mushrooms with us? How will we carry them?” Erin snapped her fingers. “You’re right!” She waved at Toren and hissed at him. “Toren! Get the rest of the mushrooms quick, will you? We’re going back to the inn! We need jars! Lots of jars! Ooh, and I can make us lunch!” The skeleton twitched.

I mean ... you can see why he went further & further to the dark side in his teen years. :(

could back away without triggering— “Wretched insect! Know your place! Begone!” The Frost Faerie on Erin’s head flew up and smacked the bee on the head. Frost spread from where she’d touched the insect and it recoiled. The bees suddenly became agitated, and the Frost Faerie flew at them, screaming insults. Erin didn’t need to see any more than that. She turned. “Run!” Lyonette was already gone.

So helpful ...

After what seemed like an eternity of tinny voices shouting and buzzing confusion, Erin dared emerge from her snowy cover. She found several dead bees littering the snow around her—all of them frozen, and triumphant faeries laughing and chasing the few remaining bees into the hive. “Take that, ye craven fools!” “Trouble not the fae!” It seemed like there was some definite antagonism between the species. And even as Erin watched, the faerie began eating one of the bees.

Oo

“S-should we hide?” “Why? He’s the one getting the honey.” Erin felt rather smug. Even Pooh Bear couldn’t do as well as she could with a skeleton helper. Lyon shook her head. “But even if he’s unharmed, what happens when they follow him out and find us here?” Erin stared at Lyonette. The girl stared back. “Run for it!” In the sledge, the Frost Faeries laughed as the two girls jumped into the snow and began trying to cover themselves again. “Hah! Foolish mortals! Let the buzzing things come!”

:)

snow. The skeleton stared at her reproachfully. The faeries stared at the bee larvae and licked their lips. Lyonette threw up. “Um. Well, good work everyone. Let’s take a five minute break, okay? And can you look around for Toren’s bits? I think that’s his hand over there.” —- Aside from the bees, though, it was really a pleasant ride through the snowy plains around Liscor. Once Toren was reassembled and the faeries had…eaten…the bee larvae, he pulled them onwards and Erin and Lyonette could relax and try to warm up. The honey was delicious, and all things considered, they felt good. Even the Snow Golem attack didn’t bother them much. “Aaah! Help!” Lyonette screamed as Erin found herself pulled off the sledge by a snowman twice her height. Erin hit it with her frying pan repeatedly, but the packed snow resisted her blow.

Oo

The girl just shuddered and stared at the abominable snowmen. She stared at Erin. “How are you so calm? They tried to kill you!” “Yeah, but they’re not that dangerous. Besides, isn’t it so cool?” Lyon stared at Erin. Erin stared back with a smile on her face. “Some monsters are horrible, but this is magic. And we’re on an adventure, right?” “…Are we?”

Oo Well ... yes?

Then he clattered his jaw and unsheathed his sword and got to work at hacking the horns off the heads. He wasn’t quite wishing the sledge would burst into flames. He was more praying that he accidentally crashed into a Shield Spider pit and they killed everyone at this point in the journey.

Oo

But now the Human was doing something different. She stared down the hill, and then called something towards the skeleton. He ran at the sled and pushed it, and then the [Guardsmen] heard the scream, slightly delayed, as the girl went flying down the hill. That was the thing. A sled was customary for sledding for one reason. It was actually slower than something like a sleigh or skis. This was important; while speed was preferable, there was such a thing as too much speed. The guardsmen watched the girl shoot down the hill at a speed faster than any horse

Oo

Ryoka couldn’t tell if it was envy in her heart as she stared down at Erin, or sheer amazement. She’d actually done it. She’d actually found a way to trivialize even Toren’s existence. From undead warrior, he’d become a glorified dishwasher and cleaner. And now he wasn’t even that. He was a sled lift. “That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.” Ryoka muttered the words as she and a crowd of [Guardsmen]—and a large body of Drakes and Gnolls citizenry—watched Erin as she laughed and shot down the hill again. Selys held up Mrsha so the Gnoll could see Erin. The Gnoll stared with fascination at Erin, and Klbkch just stared at the sight, perplexed. “That is so stupid.” Ryoka felt she had to repeat herself, because no one had responded to her comment. She looked down at Erin on the sleigh and hesitated. “…I want to ride that thing.” She’d gone snowboarding and skiing before, but Erin’s crazed vehicle was another level of crazy.

lol Poor Toren -- he's just developing dignity & Erin tromps all over it. Not that she's aware he's anything but an automaton. Then again -- she's seen the Matrix .... politeness counts!

if she had chosen the wrong kind of clientele. But no, the Antinium were her guests! They were nice and they were polite— Even if they did like to eat bugs. She could handle it. Erin could handle the bees. Her [Advanced Cooking] applied to them, oddly. Slicing through the chitin and frying it up in a pan wasn’t disgusting. It wasn’t. It was horrific, but Erin didn’t throw up. And when she was done, she had some steaming bees that she could drizzle honey and cheese on, couldn’t she? And it would be delicious. Erin stared down at the glistening fried bees on the plates and shuddered. They still didn’t look good to her.

Oo

Erin frowned at him. If she didn’t know better she would have thought that was rude. Lyon sniffed as she rubbed at her hand. “That thing bothers me.” “Who, Toren? He’s probably just tired. Or something.” Did skeletons run out of mana? Erin resolved to ask Pisces more when he came back. She sighed and picked up the pan she’d been using to cook the bees. Then she stared at it. It wasn’t precisely messy, but bits of the bees had been broken off as she’d fried them. And certain internal fluids had leaked out. Slowly, Erin put the pan down. She carefully tied a piece of red yarn to the handle of the pan she’d used and pointed it out to Lyon. “This is the bug pan now, okay? Bug pan.” Lyonette nodded weakly.

Oo

He had no desire to be smashed by bees again, and he found gathering all these mushrooms…tedious. And then there was the sound. The awful, endless, sound. Dingle. Dingle-dingle. The sleigh bells rang as Toren ran on. They were the most obnoxious things he’d ever heard. They clanged together on his harness. His chains. They were sounds to drive any creature insane. Dingle dingle dingle. He was angry. No; he was furious. Toren resented every order coming from Erin’s mouth now. The endless sleigh rides where he’d been forced to pull it up a hill for laughing Drakes and Gnolls had been torture; this was the final straw. In Toren’s mind he began to wrestle with Erin’s orders. She had given him orders, but they were bad. No—they were worse. They were unacceptable. Part of him told Toren to obey. This was his duty, what he’d been created for. But—no—he didn’t want to do it! Toren wanted to be free, free to fight and kill and— Dingle. Dingalingle. He hated this. He hated taking orders, and hated pulling this stupid device. Toren wanted to grab his sword and hack the sledge to bits. Or—or he could use it on Erin to— No. he couldn’t do that. The magic binding him still prevented him from doing that. But he was beginning to feel the limitations of it in his soul.

:( dammit Pisces -- we find out what you did later on -- and this is result -- it's not your nifty spell either ><

They were thirteen Goblins in all, and not your ordinary group of Goblins either. Each one was over Level 10 in a combat-oriented class, and they all wore armor and carried swords that were neither rusty nor broken. They were part of the Red Fang tribe, and they were on a mission to kill. The twelve Goblins and one Hobgoblin that marched through the snow had only one task: kill the [Innkeeper]. Kill the girl and do not tell the Chieftain. Each one of them had been told this by Garen Redfang himself in secret, and so they moved tirelessly through the snow, alert for any signs of this Human. After a while, the Goblins halted for a quick break. They sniffed the air, studied tracks in the snow. Then they looked at each other. None of them spoke, but they were all thinking the same thing: Which [Innkeeper]? Which girl? What did she look like? Where was she? Was she strong? Did she taste good? After a moment the Hobgoblin scratched at his back and pointed in a random direction.

Dammit Garen .... and dammit Garen you also suck at commanding. ><

At least, in my mind. But when I finally looked up and saw what was worth holding onto, it slipped from my fingers like starlight in the harsh light of the truth. I ran for my friends and found only blood and bones before my eyes. Piles of bloodied rags in the darkness. Memory in shadow. It hardly seems like they’re gone. The lack of any goodbye haunts me. I fell down and the Stone Spearstribe lifted me out of the cold. They offered me a hand—a paw—and lit a fire to ward away the cold. They died to destiny and monsters, fighting alone against a horde led by the Goblin with empty eyes. And one last time, yes, one last time I run. Onwards, to save a friend who made a place to live in a world filled with monsters and magic. She built a place to keep my heart, and I brought death to her doorstep. Is that my fate? Is that the price I pay? The cruelest of fates would be that. If destiny could read my mind, it would know that punishing others for my transgressions would hurt me most. If that is the case, why shouldn’t I run far away, far away and find a place where I will be alone forever? I tried that once. But people who loved me found me. I tried it twice, and they still brought me back. Was it truly love, or just the need to fulfill their duties as parents and guardians in a society that judged? I should have asked, even if it meant listening to lies.

Oh Ryoka. :(

I’ve gotta admit, even though part of me feels bad for hitting someone who looks like he’s four times my age, I enjoy that immensely. Add that to my gravestone*. *Ryoka Griffin, 1995 – 2017. “Never knew when to shut up. Also, punched a Dragon.” The old man stumbles backwards. I blink. What? He raises a hand to his nose and looks at the blood gushing from one nostril. Oh no. Oh shit. I didn’t—he’s human? But I thought— “Hmf. Humans are so violent.” And then the old man in front of me wavers, and vanishes.

Oo

He looks nonplussed. And then I get a bit annoyed. My mouth opens, and it takes charge instead of my fumbling brain. “So? Are you a Dragon or a lizard that likes to hide under rocks? It’s a challenge, idiot. What part of that don’t you get?” Teriarch gapes at me. The faeries gape at me. My mouth continues as it shoves my brain into the backseat. “Are you really as stupid as you look? A challenge isn’t meant to give you something. It’s an attack on your authority! If you think it’s so easy to beat me, why not prove it rather than act like a coward and stall? Bring it!” I’m pointing at Teriarch. His eyes fix on my finger. Above me I hear cheering. I see massive teeth draw back into a snarl, and then I hear the voices, at the edge of my hearing. “She dares! She dares!” “Let havoc cry and slip loose dogs!” “‘Tis the moment! It is upon us!” I hear something, or…feel something from overhead?

Oo

Was I rhyming? Why did I say—it seemed so natural— “They have an odd sense of drama.” Teriarch glares at the faeries as countless icy pinpricks freeze my shirt to my back. But his tone is more conversational. “They alter the sense of—well, I suppose you would call it your perception of reality. It gets quite tiresome after a while. Still, it is rare to see them do that.” “Oh.” My knees are weak. Teriarch blinks a few times at me. His anger is—gone. He’s just looking at me now. “Curious. This has been an odd day.” You’re telling me? I knew I was going to be facing down a dragon at some point, but this—

Oo

And when I’ve finished my desperate riff on an unfair classic question, only now do I realize how stupid it sounds. This isn’t a fair riddle. He just asked me one about time, for goodness sake! Why did I think—? I’m—I’m going to die now. I look over to my right. The faeries are—all of them—giving me the fish-eye. I can hear them whispering. “Is that a Human riddle?” “I don’t get it.” “What Crypt Worm? She never mentioned one!” “What’s fulvous?” I chance a peek at Teriarch. It might be the last thing I ever see, after all.

Oo

I fold my arms. “Won’t work. Even if you could get me to erase all of my contingency plans, the faeries would just tell me again.” The Dragon pauses. He looks towards his cave entrance, almost uncertainly. “They wouldn’t do that. They don’t choose sides.” “But they are annoying.” And I’d just bet they’d love to do that – if it occurred to their tiny little minds to do it. But the argument seems to work. Teriarch frowns.

Oo

I take it that you are aware the faeries are not from this plane of existence?” “I am.” “They travel between worlds, and so they have different perceptions. In some places, or so I am told, the will of the world and fate can conspire against interference and punish those who would dare such folly. In the same way, Gods guard their demesnes jealously. Even the fae would not tempt the wrath of such beings lightly. Hence, their rules are kept and enforced among their kind.” Oh. That makes a ton of sense. I try to give Teriarch my most engaged-student look. I’m bad at it. I never paid a lot of attention in class if I knew the material, but if Teriarch were my lecturer, I’d go to every class. “Their superstitions and internal laws are meant to protect, but sometimes become redundant. In this world, for instance. The Gods are dead. They have more authority here, hence their control over the weather. But I suspect the fae dislike attachments and debt in any case, which is why they would refuse to help. Too, they love tradition, and would demand a gift for any great aid freely given.” Gift? Was that my fingers? Or—no, that was an exchange. But could I get them a gift? An iPhone? “But that is enough of faeries. Stay away from them, or not, but take my gift to the Gnolls. Tell them it is…for their future.”

:)

Ryoka felt like throwing up. Her insides felt like someone had shoved an electric egg beater in them. It had been like that last time as she recalled, although at that point she’d appeared above the rooftops of Celum. She’d been more preoccupied by not sliding off the roof she’d landed on to worry about throwing up. The smell wasn’t helping. Octavia was staring at Ryoka in shock, but Erin had, in her own way, adjusted to the situation in a second. There was almost something commendable about her mental resilience. “So was that a spell? Oh wait—you look like you’re going to throw up. Here!” She handed Ryoka a large, empty jar. It looked like the disposal container for failed alchemical reactions. The taller girl pushed it aside and took a few deep breaths. “I’m fine, Erin. Just give me a moment. And fresh air.”

Oo

She offered the bowl to Ryoka. “Here. I think it’s done. Want to try some?” The other girl stared at the bowl of steaming liquid and looked back at Erin. “Why don’t you try it? Shouldn’t you do it if you’re the creator?” Erin hesitated. “Because…I don’t want to.” “Well then, why should I try this stuff?” “Aw, come on. It’s probably harmless. The flesh-test didn’t do anything.” “That doesn’t reassure me. I could still get food poisoning or have a horrible reaction.” “My [Dangersense] isn’t going off. That means it’s okay, I think. And Octavia said the Corusdeer horns aren’t poisonous or anything. Just…hot.” Ryoka eyed the soup like someone watching a ticking time bomb slowly counting down.

lol

“Don’t bother keeping your voice down, Erin. I’d bet there are spells that can record our every word in here. And you can bet that more than one person’s going to read that message or pass it along before it gets to anyone in Liscor.” “Really? How do you know?” Ryoka smiled crookedly. “Because knowledge is power, or money. [Message] spells don’t seem to be that well-encrypted magically in the first place, but having secretaries handle the mail means that all kinds of secrets are probably sold off or kept. Most people might not know that, but you can bet all those [Receptionists] read all the messages before they go out.” She hadn’t bothered to lower her voice. A rich, fat man waddling towards an exit looked at Ryoka with a horrified glance, and Erin winced as the people at the counters glared daggers at Ryoka’s back. “Are you sure?” “It’s Human nature. But I didn’t say anything they can use; just so long as our friends know we’re safe, it’s fine.” They were outside the building now. The rich guy had done a u-turn and was moving at speed back to the desk to confront one of the flustered secretaries. Just in case though, Erin lowered her voice.

:)

That made Erin worried for two entire streets, until Ryoka paused to reassure her. “Don’t worry; Runners are used to transporting all kinds of secret stuff. I doubt anyone would pry too far into my business, but I’m just being cautious.” “You really think about different stuff than I do, Ryoka. I just try not to let a monster eat my face off and make good food.”

:)

“A friend? You?” Garia’s open face was a bit too shocked for Ryoka’s comfort, but she sat and Ryoka flagged down one of the barmaids—what was her name again?—and soon they were talking. “Anything new happen? Where’s Fals?” “Oh, he’s out on a delivery. Nothing’s new—unless—have you heard about Persua?” Ryoka made a face. “Tell me she’s dead.” “No—actually—” Garia broke off and sniffed at the air. Ryoka stopped and looked up too. Something had changed. The odor of the inn, like background noise, had long since stopped sending active messages to Ryoka’s brain. But something had changed. The odor of slightly burnt meat had changed, and something new and fragrant was in the air. It made the mouth water, and it was coming from the kitchen.

:) The Erin effect

Bar fighting. Erin kicked the table over and then punched another man hard enough to send him to the floor. Ryoka watched as customers fled, and then heard a voice. Garia was sitting in her chair, staring at Erin as she took on all five men at once with a good deal of success. She stared at Ryoka, pale-faced. “That’s your friend, Ryoka? She’s even crazier than you are!” “I know. Isn’t she great?” Ryoka grinned. Then she turned, vaulted a table, and kicked a man in the back. He staggered into his buddy and Ryoka got to do a roundhouse kick on the man who’d slapped Erin on the butt.

:)

them. He would have preferred to burn the entire city down, but Rags had overridden him. Now he folded his arms and spoke to her as he watched their tribes racing through the city. “They will never forgive us for this. Even what you have done is not enough.” Rags nodded. She stared at the burning wreckage and looked at the bodies on the ground. So few of her own, but too many. And there were countless dead. Humans lay where they had fallen, bristling with arrows. Goblins shared their space too; they lay in clumps or in bits, where Garen’s elites had forced them into desperate clumps before hacking them apart. Either way, there was too much death here. Too much, to too little point. When had she started thinking like that? Rags didn’t know. But it was different, to think of things in terms of cost and gain rather than simply life and death. There was still a large part of Rags that didn’t care if every Human died. But the rest of her, the part of her that had learned, knew that this would only make living here more difficult for her tribes. Moreover, it might mean the Humans would send armies against her tribe rather than the real enemy. Rags’ eyes narrowed as she saw a cluster of her Goblins break off from the main stream and crash into what looked like a blacksmith’s shop. Good. She hoped they wouldn’t try to grab the anvil though; they already had one.

:(