The shock registered on their faces remained for a long time.
“We can’t. If we give this spot up, someone else will take it,” Holly eventually said.
“You won’t need it anymore,” SJ said.
“But...”
SJ cut her off.
“But nothing. Now, do as I ask and pack up your belongings. You won’t be coming back here.”
“Here we go again,” Dave said.
‘What do you mean again?’
“Nothing.”
‘Yes, you do. What do you mean?’
“Cristy and her family and now Holly and the kids.”
‘And, what is your point?’ SJ could feel her anger rising as Dave spoke.
“You are too kind.”
‘How can someone be too kind?’
“I am just concerned that if you try and do this for everyone, you feel bad for that, and you will end up suffering.”
‘What would make me suffer from helping others?’
“Not everyone is as trustworthy or as worthy of support. Remember, not everyone is good in this world. You really know nothing of Holly or whether she has even told you the truth this time.”
‘But...’
“You need to be careful. Don’t just let your emotions control you every time. For someone as intelligent as you are, you rush into decisions without considering the consequences.”
SJ contemplated Dave’s comments as they continued to discuss the potential pitfalls of bonuses for helping Holly.
‘Only time will tell.’ SJ concluded.
It hadn’t taken long for them to pack their meagre belongings. The items disappeared into Holly’s inventory. They really had nothing to show for themselves.
“Okay. If you are packed, then let’s go,” SJ said.
Holly moved to the curtain edge and pulled it aside. The light from the flickering fire in the pit cast eerie shadows around the area. The beings sitting near the fire paid no attention to them as they made their way towards the wooden wall. Holly reached up and twisted a small piece of dowelling, allowing the wall to be moved. The smell of stale ale drifted into the pit as she did. It was supported by fresher air, thankfully. The stuffiness and dampness were left behind as they stepped into the inn’s cellar. Once they were through, Holly replaced the panel.
Lanterns hung on the walls of the extensive cellar area, filled with barrels and crates. A set of steps were off to the left-hand side, but Holly turned and walked to what SJ recognised as a barrel chute, where full barrels would be rolled into the cellar from the street above. Holly and the kids began to scramble up the chute, reaching the open air above and the still-falling rain.
“Right then. Let’s go,” SJ said.
“Where exactly?” Holly asked.
“District 11 for now,” SJ replied, pulling her cloak up around her face to keep the rain off. “Come on, the sooner we are there, the sooner we are out of the rain.”
“You’re not taking them home, are you?” Dave asked.
‘No. I will find a room in a nearby inn that they can stay in for now.’
As the family followed SJ through the rabbit warren of streets in District 10, SJ watched them through her rear vision. Holly whispered to the kids as they travelled, and SJ noticed a flash of silver in Harry’s hand.
‘I saw it,’ SJ said before Dave commented. ‘Holly probably doesn’t believe a word of what I said and thinks it could be an easy picking to make some coin.’
SJ suddenly stopped the gap between her and the family, narrowing quickly before they realised. Harry was almost at her back. SJ slowly turned and looked down at the small boy.
“Holly. You have a decision to make. If you wish to get away from your life in District 10, then I suggest you tell Harry to hand over the knife he has hidden in his sleeve. I also suggest that you don’t try to do anything stupid as you think you can attack me. I am not a member of a noble family born into wealth or an easy target. I am a Legionnaire and an adventurer.”
SJ hadn’t looked at Holly once, but she kept her gaze on Harry. She still saw her eyes open with alarm at SJ’s comments.
“I will count to three,” SJ said calmly, not removing her gaze.
Harry squirmed, uncertain of what to do. He could easily have lashed out at her with a blade from the distance he was. SJ doubted that even if it struck her, it would do any significant damage, and in the instance that he did, she could equip her claws and defend herself. She really didn’t want to fight them. They were malnourished and weak. She hadn’t identified them but knew that human children didn’t level until they reached their coming of age, which for humans was fourteen years old. She also couldn’t imagine that Holly was any threat.
“One, two...”
Harry rolled his hand, and the blade that he had hidden up his sleeve came into view. He turned and glanced at his mother briefly before he held his hand out, the handle of the blade pointing towards SJ. SJ took the handle, smiling at Harry.
“Thank you. Now, shall we continue?” SJ said, turning and continuing through the tight-knit streets.
SJ watched Harry shrug towards Holly and Joel, neither of which had said a word during the exchange.
It took them a good twenty minutes before they reached an area of the district where the filth and deprivation weren’t as apparent. SJ didn’t realise how far they had travelled until she noticed a stone building up ahead of them on the wider street. The building had bars over its windows, and a sign swung in the breeze. It had a picture of a snake and an apple on it. ‘Eve’s Guild, ‘ the sign running along its front stated.
‘A guild here?’ SJ thought.
“Probably not a very good one, looking at the condition of the area and the fact it has barred windows.”
‘I need to spend time looking into all the guilds in this city at some point.’
“Another thing to add to your list,” Dave chuckled.
As they passed the building, a large man walked from its front door. He wore full chain mail armour, and a long sword hung on his belt. A dark crimson cloak hung around his broad frame, and he pulled his hood up over his balding head as he stepped onto the street. A young kobold who had been standing by a horse attached to a rail outside the building on seeing the man quickly unleashed the reins and handed them to the man. The man promptly mounted the horse to sit astride its saddle before he flicked a coppery-coloured coin towards the kobold. It sailed over the kobold’s head, and he scrambled to chase it. SJ watched as another young kobold that was stood by another horse dived towards where the coin had landed.
A fight ensued as the two small kobolds fought over the copper piece. The man on the horse laughed at the scene.
SJ removed a piece of copper from her inventory and walked towards them. “Here,” she said as she looked down on the two sodden beings sprawled on the ground. “You have one each now.,” she said, turning and looking at the man.
The man looked at SJ with disgust before turning his horse and trotting off down the street towards the inner city wall.
‘What is it with people?’ SJ thought.
“I did say what many Legionnaires are like,” Dave said.
‘He was a Legionnaire?’
“Yes. Level 27.”
‘No wonder we can get such terrible names. I am glad that beings don’t see me like that.’
“Not that you are aware of.”
SJ didn’t respond, cursing inwardly at the problems this city had.
Fifteen minutes later, they had left District 10 and were in the much more pleasant surroundings of District 11. The streets this close to the inner walls were broad and much cleaner than anything she had witnessed in District 10. The difference in wealth was significant, with stone buildings replacing the mostly timber buildings used in District 10.
SJ knew there was an inn not far from her home and headed towards it. Now, she was back in an area of the city she knew. Holly and the kids were still following her at a short distance, not wishing to be too close.
“I think this place will do,” SJ said loud enough for them to hear her as she turned, heading towards the entrance to the Halberd Arms Inn.
The inn looked well-maintained from the outside. The windows were clean, and the tables and chairs were neatly stacked outside, currently not in use because of the weather. The common room was wide and open, and the smell of fresh ale and pipe smoke filled its interior. SJ walked straight over to the bar, where a large-looking half-orc stood with a brown leather apron, cleaning a tankard.
“Hi,” SJ said.
The half-orc turned and looked at SJ. “Hello. What can I get you?” he asked, smiling.
“How much is it for a room for a small family, mother and two children?”
“You don’t look old enough to have a family. It would be fifteen copper a night for a family room. If you wished for breakfast as well, then it would be another ten.”
SJ knew that District 11 was one of the more expensive areas of the city.
“I will take a room and breakfast included for four nights initially.”
“That would be one silver.”
SJ removed the silver and placed it on the bar. The half-orc took the coin before it vanished into his inventory and moved to a set of shelves behind the bar where some keys hung before returning and placing it on the bar for her.
“Here you go,” the half-orc said.
SJ couldn’t see any stairs in the common room area. “How do I access it?”
“Side door. The key will open the outer door and the room itself. Room 7, second floor.”
“Thanks,” SJ said. Holly and the kids had not followed her into the inn and remained outside on the street. SJ left the inn and walked up to the huddled family standing against the side of the building out of the worst of the rain. None of them wore cloaks. Time had been passing quickly, and SJ checked her display, knowing that she would soon have to meet with Alice.
“Follow me,” SJ said as she moved to the side street off to one side of the building. The street was narrower than the main street on which the inn sat, but it was still large enough for two carts to pass each other easily. A sign swung above the side entrance, ‘Rooms’. SJ unlocked and opened the outer door before heading inside.
“Come on,” she said, seeing the family’s looks of uncertainty. Slowly, they followed SJ inside. A wide set of steps was in front of the entrance, and SJ headed straight up, turning on a landing and heading up again to the second floor. The stairs and corridors were all made from stone, with very little wood used in their construction. Finding the door with the number ‘7’ on it, she used the key again before entering.
The room was vast and open, reminding SJ of the suite back in Killic. A table and chairs sat in front of a wide fireplace, with logs piled high at its side. The room had a window, which SJ noticed and looked out onto the front of the inn. There was a door to the right, and SJ walked to it and opened it. Inside were two gigantic beds, two small wardrobes, a smaller fireplace and the one thing that SJ couldn’t live without: a bathtub.
‘Perfect,’ SJ thought.
The family had slowly followed her into the room and stood gawping at its contents. Hanging on the walls were various paintings strategically positioned to be viewed easily by those sitting at the table.
“Here,” SJ said, handing the key to Holly. "It is yours for the next four nights, and breakfast is included. I suggest you spend some time considering your future choices.”
Holly stood in shock, the two boys having ventured past SJ and entering the bedroom.
“It’s so soft.” SJ heard one of the boys say.
“Why?” Holly said.
“Why what?” SJ asked as she moved towards the door to leave.
“Why have you helped us?”
“Why not?” SJ said as she stepped from the room, closed the door behind her, and headed straight back down the stairs again.
‘I will need to sort out clothes for them,’ she thought as she walked back onto the street.
“You really do live up to the good part of your alignment,” Dave replied.
‘Right. I am off to the tower to meet with Alice. I can’t wait to take her to the orc restaurant.’
“I am guessing you won’t be telling Alice what you have done?”
‘Is there a reason to? What I do is up to me. No one controls me.’
“Apart from your level gains.”
SJ huffed as she headed towards the tower. The rain hadn’t let up, and she could feel the dampness seeping through her cloak onto the shoulders of her dress. She knew this wouldn’t be a problem with the dress’s ability, but her cloak had never given up on her before, always keeping her dry.
‘I may have to craft a better cloak,’ she thought.
“You have the recipes. I am sure you can craft what you want to.”
‘Yeah. I don’t have anything with me, though. It may be easier to buy one while in Asterfal.’
SJ considered various cloak designs as she headed to the tower. The usual crowd of beings had dwindled as night had crept in, and the tower steps were empty. Only one set of doors remained open. SJ walked through into the main hall and to the desk, asking if they knew where Alice was.
After being told she was up in one of the offices, SJ thanked the attendant and headed up the stairs. The offices were situated on the first floor of the tower and were available for outside parties to use as necessary while doing official business in Asterfal. As SJ approached the office, Alice had been assigned a familiar voice called out to her.
“And when were you going to come and say hi?”
SJ turned to see Petunia’s grinning face looking at her from an open doorway.
“Petunia,” SJ beamed, seeing the elderly gnome. Even though Petunia was elderly, knowing the power and level of this gnome was enough to quell many. SJ walked over to Petunia and went to hold out her hand when Petunia grabbed her and hugged her.
SJ returned the hug, the strength in the gnome’s arms disconcerting. Then again, she was at an exceedingly high level, if not the highest, in Asterfal, she may even be one of the highest on the continent.
“Sorry. I only arrived today and have been a little busy since I did. I was planning to come and see you. Zigferd and Isavil pass on their love.”
“Ha,” Petunia scoffed. “Isavil, maybe. Zigferd, I am not sure he knows what love is.”
“He speaks so fondly of you.”
SJ noticed Petunia’s cheeks were slightly pink. “So, have you found anything out yet?” Petunia asked.
The question took SJ by surprise. “Erm...”
“Don’t worry. I was the one who suggested you may be the best placed to look into things for the chancellor.”
“You did?” SJ was now surprised.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I? I know your skills and also have a vague idea of your contacts. If anyone can solve the recent problems, I am sure it is you.”
SJ could feel her cheeks colouring now. “Thank you. In answer to your question, no, not as yet. I have been dealing with another matter that I hope may assist me in looking into further details.”
“I see. That sounds interesting. You will have to tell me all about it at some point. Unfortunately, I can’t spend too long talking. I need to go and get ready. I have a guest visiting the city in a few days and much preparation to do.”
“Who is visiting?”
“Oh, no one of importance to the city. He was a senior member of the church until he retired and is coming to stay for a few days.”
“Well, I hope your plans go well then.”
“I am sure they will. Drop by when you have a moment, and we can catch up properly.”
“I will,” SJ said as Petunia turned and headed down the hall.
SJ moved over to the office that Alice was using and knocked on the door before entering.
Alice looked up from her desk, where she was busy reading through parchments. Her face was a little surprised. “Is it that time already?”
“Yes. Just turned eight.”
“Okay. Let me quickly finish up, and we can head out,” she smiled.
“Did things go okay today?”
“Yes. Nothing that can’t be sorted out. There are a couple of minor disputes caused by traders, but nothing that can’t be resolved peacefully. It is always the guilds causing the problems,” Alice sighed.
“Which guilds?”
“There are a few key ones, not just for professions but adventuring guilds, which have contracts with various townsfolk. The ‘Eve’s Guild’ is one of them. Every visit, I have to deal with problems that our traders have with them.”
“I saw their guild earlier. It is in District 10.”
“Yes. I have only been to the guild once. I don’t care for the district itself.”
“Some nasty piece of work was just mounting a horse when I passed by and made the young horse watchers fight over a copper.”
“That doesn’t surprise me in the slightest,” Alice replied as she rolled the parchments up before placing them neatly in a holder on the desk. “Okay. Let’s go. I have been looking forward to visiting this place since you told me about it.”
They chatted casually as they stood at the steps of the tower, awaiting a cart before heading to the orc restaurant.
