The voice sent a shiver down her spine as SJ turned to look into the face of a kobold.
'I wonder if there is anything Carlito can't transform into,' SJ thought.
"Considering the size of green dragons and my lack of knowledge about dragonlings, I really am not sure."
'How large are green dragons?' SJ thought as she turned fully to look at Carlito. The kobold before her had red-tinted scales and wore a tunic bearing the crest of Asterfal.
After removing the moon and sickle chain from her inventory, SJ slid her hand across the table to Carlito's palm, dropping the chain. Carlito sat, turning it in his hands for several moments, looking at it before looking back at SJ.
"Congratulations! You appear to have what I requested."
SJ whispered so as not to be heard by anyone sitting nearby. "There was a freezer in the cellar, and in the freezer, the remains of a being were hung up."
Nodding, Carlito didn't respond immediately, as the chain disappeared from his hand into his inventory. Casually, he said. "There were rumours of necromancy." Standing, Carlito went to leave. "Wait here. I will be back shortly."
As Carlito disappeared into the crowd at the inn, SJ lost sight of him. Actually, she still needed to find out if it was him, her, or something else.
"To answer your question, green dragons are one of the smaller dragon breeds. They usually vary in size from young, being ten to twenty feet, to adults, reaching eighty to ninety feet. Ancient greens may reach over one hundred feet."
'I will never know if Carlito is close, considering their ability to change form.'
"You may eventually reach a similar ability as your subterfuge skills develop. It won't be the same because you won't change form, but your ability to deflect your appearance and become an unknown will help in the long term."
'The speed at which my skills develop that may be a long time away.'
"Yes, but that is why completing class quests is so important. The extra class perks will make a significant difference. If you also get new skill paths opening up, it will help you in the long term. The more variation you have in skills, the better overall you will become."
'If a skill path is opened, can it naturally be developed? Like identification or shroud through use?'
"Excellent thought, and no, unlike your chosen skills, any gained path skills outside your Martial Arts and Subterfuge may only be improved with class perks points."
The thought of eventually having all the assassin skill paths and the diversity in her skills that would develop over time was amazing. She just needed to maintain her class path. One reason for purchasing the house was this specific reason. Knowing that class progression in Killic was impossible without assassins or guilds, she realised that being able to travel to Asterfal and complete tasks before returning to the cottage could aid her development.
As SJ waited for Carlito to return, she started thinking about her time in Amathera. She still hadn't been on Amathera for six months yet, and considering everything that had happened to her and the friendships she had made, she felt as though she had been here much longer. Killic was her home and always would be. She couldn't leave the friends she had made behind, but the bonuses that portals would allow her as she increased in level would be substantial. Travelling around the continent and across continents in time would be an enormous benefit. She wondered how many other Legionnaires used this function.
While SJ pondered her level increases and experience gains, she had a thought and could have face-palmed.
'Dave. You remember when we first met and adjusted the level progress?'
"You mean the auto-level increase? Yes, I remember."
'I guess it can be changed back?'
"Yes. Why? Oh, well, it was stupid of me not to think of that."
'It was stupid of both of us. I have been worried about experience gain, but my level only increased initially once I accepted the level increase after gaining enough experience. If I turn it off again, I can keep gaining experience and then level as needed. It will stop me having to worry about reaching level 20.'
"That is very true. My only concern would be if the system bases increase on experience gains rather than just level increases. Let me do some checking. I hope I will get the answer we hope for, but I will see."
'That would be great, thanks.'
"No problem, my YLF."
Selecting her character sheet, she went straight to the level icon and adjusted it.
⇢Level: 19
She still couldn't believe she hadn't thought about it sooner.
Sitting and watching the interactions of many beings in the bar reminded SJ of everyday nightlife in pubs and clubs in the UK. The only thing missing from the Black Griffin was music. Her display triggered.
Class Quest - Prove your worth - complete
You disposed of Mya, as Carlito requested. Find Carlito for further tasks.
Reward: One class perk point.
'Yes,' SJ thought.
Opening her character sheet, she went to her skills tree. A new entry appeared at the top of the skill tree, displaying perk points. Smiling at the addition, she expanded her trees, and a message triggered on her display as she did.
Your sponsor has offered you the opportunity to learn a new skill. Will you accept their offer?
'Do you know if this is normal?'
"It's very direct. Many sponsors would allow you random assignment or speak to you about options, not just offer you specific skills."
'It doesn't say what the skill is, that's frustrating.'
"You don't have to accept it. You can use the perk point against an existing skill if you wish to."
'Where is he? I want to ask him.' Looking around the bar, SJ couldn't see the kobold form Carlito had taken. Then again, he could sit beside her, and she wouldn't know.
'Grrr, this is frustrating.'
"It has to be from one of the other branches, since their skills differ from yours."
Whatever the skill was, it had to be something she didn't know. Staring at her display message, she selected yes.
Congratulations! Your sponsor has allowed you to learn the Shadow Discipline skill Shadow Step. You have used one perk point.
Shadow Step - allows a user to move between the shadows. At level 1, you may jump a maximum of twenty feet. As levels increase, so does the permitted distance. Cool down at level 1 is 10 seconds.
'Wow. That's not what I was expecting. That sounds like an amazing skill.'
"It can be handy at a high level. Travelling in a city at night can be very quick, and during fights, being able to step around an area between shadows can make fights safer, especially if you need to escape a situation."
'I wonder where Carlito is. I would have expected them to return and speak to me about it. Then again, I wonder if Carlito is normally very sociable, considering.'
After sitting in the bar for a further thirty minutes, no one approached her and checked her display; it was now 21:43. She wanted to head back to her new home and check on Cristy, and she also needed to find Zigferd with the request from Petunia and Tanias. Leaving the bar, she headed back towards the small park. Turning down the side street, she looked at her new skill, assigning it to an empty slot. Stopping in the darkened street, she looked at a patch of shadow further ahead, triggering the skill.
It felt as though someone had just dragged her forward, as if a pair of hands had grabbed her and pulled her. Her stomach lurched at the sudden movement as she reached her new location. She staggered a few steps before regaining her balance.
'That's going to take some time to get used to.'
"You can see why Carlito closed in so quickly on you in the room now. He must have been using it."
Waiting for the skill cooldown to run down, she triggered the skill again, focusing on another area. This time, she was prepared for the sudden sensation, and even though she still staggered when reaching the new location, it wasn't as bad as the first time. Moving down the street, SJ continued to Shadow Step.
"It's easier to use when moving," Dave said. " You already have the forward momentum so that you can step out of it."
Walking forward, SJ waited for the cooldown and triggered it again. This time, the action was much smoother. She effortlessly covered twenty feet in a single stride.
'That's much better.'
Reaching the empty park, SJ shrunk and took off. Her clothing was still plain, and she adjusted the colour to her night-flying form. Heading over the city, the noise of the night filtered upwards. Reaching District 11, she headed to the inner wall before sweeping around to where her new home was situated. A light was being cast from the living room's first-floor windows. Smiling, she flew up to the balcony on the third floor, landing silently. She had left the door unlocked when she had viewed the house. Growing, she opened the door and headed downstairs.
As she walked down, she could hear the voices of Yawnee, Lurtew and Cristy and stopped to listen.
"This place is amazing," Cristy said.
"It's fantastic. I'm not sure what SJ wants from us for using it," Yawnee said.
"Nothing. I have told you five times already."
"She must want something. No one gives anything away for free."
"You don't know, SJ. She is the kindest being I have ever met. She took care of me when Dad died and has always been there for me, even when I went after the hobs. No one else came to save me, but she did."
"Look what she did for me," Lurtew said. "SJ doesn't even know us well, yet put herself at risk, saving me from the cage."
"I know. I find it strange, that's all," Yawnee said.
Continuing down the stairs, SJ walked into the lounge. "I do want something from you."
Cristy and Yawnee screamed while Lurtew dropped the box he was carrying in fright.
"SJ, don't do that," Cristy said.
Feeling bad, SJ apologised. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
"How did you get in? I locked up downstairs," Lurtew asked.
"The balcony."
Yawnee looked as pale as a ghost. Staring at SJ, her eyes now fearful. "So what do you want from us?" she said nervously.
"Not from us, just you. I need a woman's touch in this place. When I am here, I will use the third floor and need it furnished. I also need to get other furnishings for other areas in the house. I would ask Cristy, but I have seen her style," SJ grinned at Cristy.
"There is nothing wrong with my taste," Cristy huffed.
"Those clothes you bought from Nexis! The brightly coloured ones, you looked like a jester."
"I was going through a phase, that's all."
SJ chuckled, and the colour returned to Yawnee's face.
"So you need us to buy items. It will take us time to purchase them, so we will need to save."
Sighing, SJ looked at Yawnee. Despite not knowing each other well, I would never anticipate you paying for anything that belongs to me.
"Yes?"
"Would you be able to enquire about getting hot water? I need to know the monthly cost."
"Hot water?" Yawnee said, wide-eyed.
"Yes. I am not living anywhere without now. I didn't even know it was possible until I came to Asterfal and since being in the tower."
"Will you get it back home in Killic?" Cristy asked.
"I am going to speak to Zigferd. It may be possible. I don't know what is involved."
"It would be so nice having hot water," Yawnee said.
"I will check tomorrow," Lurtew said.
"That would be great. What do you still need to move?"
"Quite a bit yet. We still need to bring all our tools and equipment over, as well as some more furniture."
"I will get Jay to come back and help you again tomorrow. I have things to do, so I won't need his help. I guess you got your beds here?"
"Yes. We have everything to stay here. The sooner we can leave District 3 behind, the better," Lurtew said.
"That's great." Removing five gold coins from her inventory, SJ walked to Yawnee and handed them to her. Yawnee just stared at the golden coins SJ had placed in her hand. "That is to support furnishing the place properly, and if there is anything you want or need, just let me know."
"Five gold would furnish five houses, never mind one," Yawnee said.
"Just buy what you need, and if you want new stuff for yourselves, get it," SJ shrugged. She had more than enough coins and would prefer that they had everything they needed to get settled. "Keep hold of anything left, and it can be saved to pay for hot water, depending upon how much it costs."
"Of course," Yawnee eventually said. She walked over to a small chest and placed the coin inside. The room was sparse, but SJ could imagine how homely this place could be when furnished. "I will go shopping tomorrow for furniture."
"Great. It would be nice to have the place sorted before I have to go back to Killic. Right, I must go. I will see you tomorrow, and I promise to try not to scare you when I arrive."
Cristy ran and hugged SJ before she returned upstairs. Taking off from the balcony, she headed straight back to the tower, landing in the bushes and growing before entering the tower. At this time of night, there was only one clerk at the desk, and she walked over and asked if anyone had seen Zigferd yet. The clerk shrugged, apologising, saying they had only been on duty for an hour and hadn't seen him.
SJ hadn't eaten and wished she had got food at the Griffin. After emptying her stomach earlier, she felt starving. Walking through the dining hall, she headed to the kitchen. Knocking, she opened the door. The kitchen was empty, but she could hear voices, so she entered.
"Hello? Is there anyone there?"
A young girl appeared from a back room.
"Can I help you, miss?"
"I don't suppose there is any food available still? I haven't eaten yet."
"Give me a minute. The chef's gone for the night, but Lacey is still here."
After a few moments, SJ heard a voice bark and a thud before a female gnoll appeared in the kitchen. She looked annoyed at being disturbed.
"What?"
Taken aback by her tone, SJ apologised. "Sorry to be a nuisance. I wondered if it was possible to get a sandwich. I haven't eaten this evening."
The gnoll glowered fiercely. "And who might you be? We don't cater for those cleaning the tower."
The gnoll must have thought she was just a member of the tower staff. Realising that she was still wearing her adjusted dress that was plain and common in appearance, she flushed.
"I am the ambassador for Killic."
"And I am the ambassador for Luxoria. Begone," the gnoll said as she turned her back on SJ.
SJ stood shocked for a moment before replying, "No, I know the ambassador for Luxoria's son, Cristian. I think you are mistaken."
Lacey stopped in her tracks. "You know who Cristian is?" she said, turning.
"I said I am the ambassador for Killic."
She raised an eyebrow and looked SJ up and down. "You don't dress like an ambassador," she said.
"What do my clothes have to do with my position?"
"I have seen no councillor in the tower wear such common attire."
"I can guarantee you I am the ambassador for Killic. Are you not aware of the issue caused by the new fae councillor?"
"What issue?"
SJ spotted the young girl standing in the doorway behind Lacey. "They closed the tower. Scriers were brought in," the girl said.
Lacey turned and looked at the girl. "She is an ambassador?"
"Yes. I served her the other day."
Lacey, now wide-eyed, turned and babbled, "Why didn't you say? Please accept my apologies. I only got back to work this evening. I didn't know."
"No need to apologise. I am just a little shocked at the reception I got."
"You would be amazed at the number of cleaners who try to come here asking for food."
"And why can't they get fed?"
"Tower rules. What can I get you?"
"A sandwich would be fine, hogling or salad; I don't mind."
Lacey hurried off to make SJ a sandwich, returning after a few minutes with a huge three-tier affair stacked on a plate with freshly cut salad. "Again, please accept my apologies."
"That's fine," SJ said, taking the plate and leaving the kitchen. Sitting at an empty table in the dining hall, SJ ate the food. The sandwich was delicious, reminding SJ of a BLT. Crisp lettuce, accompanied by crispy hogling rashers. Wiping her mouth with a napkin, SJ carried the plate back into the kitchen placing it on the side.
"Thanks," she called, leaving again.
'I am worried about Zigferd.'
"He is probably in bed, asleep."
'Perhaps." Walking back outside, SJ again shrunk before taking off to her room. She approached her balcony and diverted to the one for Zigferd's room. The drapes were open, and there was no light or sign of him inside.
'If he isn't there, then where is he?'
"He can't have gone far. Did he say what he was doing today?"
'No. I never asked. He just said he would be busy.'
"There isn't much we can do about it then. We will have to hope he is back in the morning."
Flying to her balcony, she entered her room. Lighting the lantern, she undressed while she ran herself a bath. Considering what had happened throughout the day, SJ realised that she now had two lives—one she couldn't share with her friends.
