Entering the top of the main street, the aftermath of the battle was ever present; the splintered remains of two wagons were being cleared away. A group were in the process of cleaning up and picking debris from the street. Blood-red puddles could be seen amongst the debris. A few injured were still being cared for by healers as they topped up their health. SJ spotted Lorna walking from one of the side streets.
“Hi Lorna,” SJ called.
Lorna looked over, smiling, and walked to greet her. “I saw what you did from the other street. That was either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid of you. I have no idea how that fireball didn’t hit you.”
“I think I got lucky,” SJ replied, never wanting to mention symbiosis with a dragon. “How did you get on?”
“They are repelled for now but will be back—they always are. The attack wasn’t as bad as it has been in the past. The fact that the mayor could injure Bordon for a change, helped.”
“Has that mage always been present?”
“Yes. It was always protecting him. I don’t know what you were doing, but to drain the shield that quickly it uses has never happened before. Even with mages concentrating fire at it.”
“Oh. I was hitting it with my…” SJ paused.
“Claws, I think you meant to say,” Lorna said, smiling.
SJ flushed.
“At least I know what class you are now,” Lorna said, winking.
“I am sorry,” SJ stammered, “I should have said.”
“No need to apologise. I know monks never use weapons, so you can only really be one of two classes, discounting fighters since you wear no armour and you don’t look like a ranger or use a bow. So, the process of elimination only gives me one choice left.”
“I didn’t want to advertise it.”
“An assassin is an unusual class. I have met a few before, but many are not like you. They aren’t as open and friendly.”
Blushing even more from the compliment, SJ wasn’t sure how to respond.
“Where are you heading?” Lorna asked.
“The mayor wants to see me at the barracks.”
“I’m heading back to report in. I will join you.”
Walking back to the barracks, the rain still pounded the cobbles. The volume of rain had created small rivers that now flowed freely towards the lake.
“How long does the rain usually last?” SJ asked.
“When it comes, it stays for a while. I would expect another few hours before it starts to clear again,” Lorna replied.
“Is it always like this when it rains?”
“Yes. It’s clear most of the time, but when it does rain, it pours. It will do the crops well.”
“Lorna,” a gnoll called as he approached.
“Oscaray. How did you fair?”
“Well, the main hobs were still pushing the main street, so we didn’t get the same quantity attacking Hillier Street. Unfortunately, we lost one. Young Wesley fell before Alex could heal him.”
“Have you reported in yet?”
“Just returning. The mayor is, after some fae or other, wants to speak to her.”
“You mean SJ,” Lorna said, indicating to her.
Oscaray noticed SJ for the first time as she stood to the side of Lorna.
“That will be her then,” Oscaray responded. “Is it right that you brought the mage shield down?” he asked.
“Yes. With the help of mages,” SJ replied.
Lorna scoffed. “She is being modest. It would have been up much longer without her draining it.”
“My thanks to you then,” Oscaray replied, smiling. “It probably saved several lives today.”
A clap of thunder erupted, and SJ jumped, it being the first one for a while, and the rain seemed to increase in intensity.
“Anyway, I am heading back to report in,” Lorna said.
“No problem. I assume you will be at the Arms later?” Oscaray asked.
“We will have our usual table reserved,” Lorna replied, smiling.
Continuing to the barracks, the building was busy on entering. The old orc on the desk didn’t even pay any attention to Lorna or SJ as they walked straight through the swinging barrier, too busy dealing with the influx of townsfolk. Lorna led SJ to the wide staircase at the side of the room. On the first floor, there was a large open setup similar to downstairs, with two offices situated at the other end. In the middle of the open area was a large wooden table with a perfect replica of the town sitting on it. The details were immaculate, and two gnomes were busily shaping and adjusting some of the buildings at the table.
SJ stood looking at it in awe. It was unbelievably detailed, even to the degree of closer inspection, seeing the signs for the shops on little swinging posts. Lorna led SJ around the table and walked towards the double doors at the end of the room. They were open, and inside, SJ could see the impressive form of the mayor standing in bear form still. A female dryad dressed in a white robe stood talking to the mayor.
“I want the wagons replaced as soon as possible. Speak to Katiyanna, and if she tries to spin her line about payment and finance, quietly remind her that I oversee the businesses that can operate in this town and that she still owes pitch rent. We will hold a service tomorrow at the church for those who have lost their lives today. I have already spoken to Lythonian. Finally, once we have the damages totalled, inform any enquiring parties that compensation will be confirmed within five days.”
“Anything else?” the dryad asked.
“Could you get a message to Magius. My shoulder still doesn’t feel right.”
“Of course, mayor.” She replied as she turned and smiled at Lorna and SJ as they walked in.
“Mayor,” Lorna said, nodding her head.
Seeing the huge grizzly bear this close was quite nerve-wracking. Never mind the fact it was talking in perfect common. “Lorna and I see SJ is with you,” the mayor replied, SJ only guessing that the bear had smiled. “Please come in and take a seat while I change.”
The mayor’s body began to shudder, and his limbs began to change from the huge paws they were back into hands. Then boots and clothing began to appear. Watching in amazement, the mayor turned back into the bear of a man that he was. The clothing he had been wearing was restored as he changed.
“Please do sit,” he said, smiling at SJ, who had not gotten past the office threshold and was standing open-mouthed, watching him transform.
“Sorry,” she blustered, walking into the room and sitting in one of several large armchairs facing a huge wooden desk. The mayor didn’t walk around the desk but instead walked to a cupboard at the side of the office, opened it and took out a decanter and three glasses. Walking to where the armchairs were, he placed the glasses on the edge of his desk and poured three before turning to them in and handing one to both Lorna and SJ. He then sat in another armchair, not sitting behind the desk.
“First, we toast,” he said.
SJ held the glass containing the red liquid in her hand. She could smell a spice coming from it.
“To our fallen brethren,” he said, lifting his glass and drinking it in one.
“The fallen,” Lorna said, doing the same.
“The fallen,” SJ copied and drank the liquid. It had a strange taste but the flavour of cinnamon and root beer. It did not have the harshness of Zej’s dwarven brandy and went down easily.
“Now then, SJ. I and we, the town, owe you a thank you,” the mayor stated.
“I am not sure what for. I only did what anyone would have done,” she replied, feeling a little nervous next to this beast. Now that her identity as an assassin was assumed, she worried that people might start adding two and two together about Darjey’s death.
“You are a low-level Legionnaire, but you took no thought in throwing yourself in peril to defend the town. That is not something we are used to witnessing. Especially considering it was against the mage. That mage is powerful and has ended several over the years.”
“Years!” SJ exclaimed in shock.
“Yes. We have been fighting the hobs for a long time.”
“I had no idea.”
“Thankfully, it is not a regular occurrence, but still too frequent for my liking.”
“I see.”
“If you had not managed to take the mage shield down today, I am unsure how long I could have fought Bordon while he was invulnerable. Thankfully, it isn’t very often that he comes to attack himself. At least our scouts got the message back before they arrived.”
At that comment, a large bird similar to a raven but with red plumage landed on the windowsill of the mayor’s office and tapped on the window. The mayor stood and walked over, opening the window. When he did, it hopped inside.
“Rex, Alice has just left,” the mayor said as Rex ruffled its feathers and sprayed water from its body.
“That must be a scout of the druids,” Dave said.
Rex squawked at the mayor.
“You know, I don’t understand what you are saying. She was going to the wagonistas if it was urgent. If not, stay out of the rain for a while. I am guessing her window was closed.”
Squawking again, Rex began to preen his feathers. The mayor returned to sit down.
“Sorry about that,” he said.
“Not at all,” SJ replied.
“Now, back to business. Without you taking the mage shield down so quickly today, we may easily have lost many more before pushing them back. Can I ask how you did it?”
“I was just hitting it.”
“Hitting it? Did you not take damage?” the mayor asked, frowning.
“No. I used my claws.”
His eyebrows raised, and a half smile appeared on his face. “Claws, you say.”
SJ’s nerves were on edge. She had mentioned her claws to the mayor, but it was too late now. By all accounts, she had been seen by too many during the battle. “Yes. I use claws to fight.”
“Do you mind if I see them?”
Sitting nervously, SJ lifted her hands from where they had been resting on her knees. Feeling her palms were sweaty, she called her blades. The gloves appeared instantly on her hands, with their four black claws on each.
“I see, and I wonder why you didn’t take damage from the shield. Those who have hit it before have always been shocked. Are they magical?”
“They are +3.”
“That is not a great deal?” he replied, frowning again.
“They also have a bleed effect that can trigger.”
“Now that is interesting. I wonder if that is what prevented you from harm.”
SJ had no idea. She had been shocked when she crashed into the dome but had never even considered that she would have got shocked using the claws.
“It’s your boots,” Dave said.
SJ had never even looked at her boots since first putting them on. Quickly checking their details, she saw the changes.
Boots of the Assassin
Grade – Epic
Quality – Perfection
Durability - Excellent
Enchantment Slots – Two
Armour Class – 5
Attributes – Protection from lightning – Going to slit a mage’s throat? Sneak along a trapped corridor? You don’t want to be shocked in the process by crafty defences. Feet must be grounded.
“It’s the same reason the mage’s personal shield in the church hall didn’t affect you. Most mages can give off a nasty belt from their shields, as you found out crashing into it.” Dave said.
“It is my boots. They give protection,” SJ said.
“That’s interesting to know. What sort?” the mayor asked.
SJ felt very open to answering these questions, feeling uncomfortable and uncertain under the spotlight.
“It’s fine. It’s normal to discuss skills, abilities and bonuses. Many use them as bragging rights to try and earn better positions, and that is not just Legionnaires. Look at Lorna and her ability in martial arts or Fran at the mage academy. They wouldn’t have got their roles without others knowing their capabilities. It would be unusual to mention your assassin class unless you trust those you are speaking to. As it can receive a poor reaction at times,” Dave said.
She resolved herself to the fact that she was here now, and with Dave’s supporting words, she answered the question.
“They protect from lightning.”
“Excellent. I am sure one of the enchanters may be able to consider enchanting some of our guard’s equipment with that attribute if that’s the case. If not, maybe Mistress Francisca. The difference would be that being able to attack the mage with melee rather than trying to wear its shield down with spells would be significant.”
“I volunteer for that,” Lorna said.
“Ha. I bet you would,” the mayor smiled. “I may even offer my own boots as well. Anyway, I wished to see you, not just to say thank you.”
SJ felt a trickle of sweat run down her back at the thought of what he may now ask.
“What was the reason then?” SJ asked nervously.
The mayor stood and walked around the desk, opening a drawer and returning with a small box. He handed the box to SJ. “This is to say thank you for what you did today. As I say, you saved lives with your bravery.”
SJ took the box, feeling relief and embarrassment all at once. She felt her cheeks go red.
“I didn’t expect anything,” she replied.
“It’s nothing large, don’t worry, but I thought you might like it as it matches your dress,” he said, smiling.
Opening the small box, SJ gently lifted out a green choker. It was identical to her dress’s colour, and hanging down at the front of the choker was a large green stone. It was beautiful. SJ turned it in her hands in amazement.
“This is too much,” she said, flabbergasted.
“Nonsense. It’s not much. It is just a thank you from the town for what you did today.”
Lorna looked at her, smiling. SJ met her eyes, and she just shrugged, indicating to take it.
“Thank you so much,” SJ replied.
“That is an Arcavian Earth Stone. It is quite common, but that cut is especially good. You may be able to get it enchanted. Identify it and see what it says,” Dave said.
Choker of the Earth Stone
Grade – Uncommon
Quality – Flawless
Durability - Excellent
Enchantment Slots – One
Hidden - Alignment fae (1 of 5)
“Oh my god,” Dave said in shock. Knowing SJ couldn’t reply, he continued excitedly. “Most pieces of jewellery have one enchantment slot, so there is nothing unusual there. Enchanters use jewellery items often to hone their skills. It’s that hidden part. I have only had two Legionnaires before who have ever got set items, and neither were five-piece sets. A five-piece set is ridiculously rare. There is no guarantee that you will ever get the other pieces. What is mind-blowing, even for my amazing level of knowledge, is the fact that it is aligned to fae only. The chances of you being here at this time in this place and then being offered a piece of jewellery for what you have done for a starter town as thanks with a much higher-level structure than any other starter town I have ever seen has a probability of 0.0001.”
SJ placed the choker around her neck and brushed it with her fingers, looking down. “May I,” SJ asked, indicating to a tall mirror at the side of the office.
“Please.” The mayor replied.
She walked to the mirror and looked at herself. The choker finished off the top half of her outfit perfectly. The large green gem shone and twinkled in the lantern lights in the office, fighting off the dimness of the storm clouds. She couldn’t help but smile at her appearance. She was a beautiful creature as a fae.
“Thank you so much. This is lovely,” SJ said.
“It is only a trinket, nothing special,” the mayor replied, smiling.
“What little he knows,” Dave replied.
“Lorna. You have an update for me?”
“Yes, mayor. The street held its ground, one wagon damaged but repairable. Five casualties are all being healed or healing currently. We will require a new supply of potions for the spell casters. Supplies are starting to run low.”
“Excellent news, and there is no problem with the potions. Oscaray stated the same, so I have already asked Alice to instruct Master Rui and Constance to start producing them,” the mayor replied.
It was a surprise to listen to the report and see how everything seemed to be aligned throughout various areas of the town. It was so efficient, discussing combat and then logistics straight after a battle while still cleaning up the chaos that it left behind.
“SJ, can you join us this evening in the Arms? We will toast our fallen and fill our bellies,” the mayor said.
It wasn’t really putting her out since she was living in the inn, “Of course. I would love to join you.”
“Excellent. We will see you this evening.”
The gathering came and went. They spent time talking about all the members of the town who had lost their lives, which totalled six. After toasting their bravery, the bard had sung, bringing many of the inn to tears with tales of valour and lost love. The food had been served. Roast hoglings had been placed on the tables, which had been rearranged to accommodate the much larger groups. Once the food was served and those invited had eaten, the tables were moved, and the drinking began.
As the evening went on, it seemed as though half the town was in the inn. It was so crowded, and by the time SJ eventually excused herself and retreated upstairs, she was feeling a little worse for wear, having joined in with too many toasts to the fallen. It was a memorable evening, but she hoped it would not be repeated for a very long time.
