by K.N. Lee
“If you were a better tank, Benoit, your dps would still be here and we wouldn’t have had to come save your sorry ass.” I enjoy his anger far too much.
He sputters and stammers and, words failing him, he spins around and yells at his team to set up camp.
The fact that Benoit now has to camp a mob has made my day. I’m so tempted to pass on the loot, just so he has to wait even longer for Beringer to respawn. But I feel kind of bad for his team. It isn’t their fault he’s acting like a total newb. But they really would have died if we hadn’t come along.
I hope they learned something from us today. If they try to defeat Beringer again the same way they just did, they’re going to wipe. Then every single one of them is out of the running for the next questmaster. As much as I hate Benoit, I wouldn’t do that to his teammates. Before today, we were all friends. The roll for grouping changed things, but not so much that I’d wish any of them harm.
Then again, losing the potential to become a questmaster isn’t the worst thing that can happen to them. It’s hard to say which would be better. We all hope that we’re incorruptible, but every single questmaster who’s gone before us has fallen.
I loot the corpse so it’ll fade and respawn sooner rather than later, then quickly move my group out of the area out of respect for their healer. Having to resurrect fallen allies, knowing you failed to keep them alive in the first place, is awful. In front of another group? Beyond humiliating. I don’t envy Benoit’s healer, Claudette. Kimber and Alya’s deaths weren’t her fault, but would Benoit see it that way?
At least we’re not far from town. Our side trip only took us just northwest of Pine Ridge. As we pass the tower outside Neissfold’s northern border, the guards whoop and holler, congratulating us on getting the drop on Benoit.
Kanaan’s in no mood for their antics and passes right by them, running straight into town.
They won’t take it personally, though. At some point, they’ve gone through these quests as well. They know what it’s like to lose a friend or sibling, even if temporarily. And the guard tower is high enough and close enough to the cathedral they would have seen Kim and Alya go down.
Kanaan ran the rest of the way to town, probably hoping to catch up with his sister before she’s resurrected. I hope, for his sake, she’s not there.
She’d be nothing more than a specter, literally a ghost of her former self. No one really wants to see their loved ones in such a way.
I jog behind him, giving him as much space as I can while still being available in case he needs me. Seems like the right thing to do since he’s a member of my group. I’d always viewed a group as a sort of family unit in and of itself, and I’ll treat my group members as such.
Running past the blacksmiths’ shops and straight to the well in the center of town, he skids to a stop.
Both Kimber and Alya’s shades are already gone, back with the rest of Benoit’s group to camp Beringer.
His shoulders are heaving. I can’t tell if he’s crying or simply out of breath. Either way, I hang back.
He knows I’m here.
Impenetrable gray clouds above us keep the glaring sun at bay, and the morning’s mist lingers even though it’s nearing midday.
Joz approaches me, and I wordlessly hand over the loot from Beringer. She’ll sort everything for us to roll on when we’re ready. When Kanaan’s ready.
In the meantime, I sit on the edge of the well, facing Kanaan but staring down at the dirt at my feet.
I thought he’d be quiet for a while, so when he speaks, his voice startles me.
“She’s a damn good rogue, Tier’an. You know that. Almost as good as you and Sam, though not as fast. Too good to go down like that. All because Benoit’s a shitty tank.”
“I know.”
“We should be able to choose our own damn groups.”
I can’t hold back a wry laugh. “If that was the case, I wouldn’t even have a group. No one wants to follow a girl tank.”
He laughs, too, and hops up onto the edge of the well beside me. “That’s not true. You’d still have Joz. And Eli would follow you anywhere.”
Try as I might to play it off, my face heats up, giving away my discomfort. Eli probably would follow me anywhere, and I really wish the elders had considered that before grouping us together. Even if we were to try to have some kind of relationship in this screwed up world—God knows others have—I don’t have those feelings for him.
That’s beside the point, though. We were talking about choosing our groups.
“Heh, if I could have chosen my team, I’d definitely have taken Joz, Kimber, Alya, and Claudette. But I’m kinda glad I got stuck with you guys. I can’t imagine fighting beside anyone else.” With a gentle touch on his arm, I add, “Or trusting any other healer with my life. You were great today, Kanaan.”
His warm brown eyes meet mine and he smiles at me, that gentle smile that warms me right down to my toes.
I blush. Getting all sentimental makes me uncomfortable, that’s all.
“Enough of this mushy crap, let’s go roll for some loot so we can eat!”
The smell of roasted meat drifts toward us as we meet the rest of our group at the cafeteria. Jozani hands me the loot inventory, neatly categorized by stats.
“Joz, this is crazy amazing. How in the world did you manage to organize the list so quickly?”
She shrugs like it’s nothing. “Been doing this a while.”
Yeah, I guess she has. Her dad’s the town’s general merchant, so inventory tracking is something she’d have been doing since she learned to count.
“All right, then. Looks like we’ve got some caster gear, and a couple of pieces for Baezu. Nothing much for us rogues, Sam.”
“Eh, it’s fine,” he says. “We got what we went for.”
“True enough. Jozani, Eli, Kanaan... grab some dice and get to rolling.”
Jozani passes on everything but a crossbow. Since Eli uses a one-hander and Kanaan uses a staff, they don’t even bother to roll on it so the two-hand ranged item goes to her. Damn decent of them. I’ve seen Benoit roll on a piece he knows he won’t use just so he can turn around and sell it. That’s Benoit for you.
My personal rule is you don’t roll on anything you can’t use unless no one else in the group needs it. Whether Eli and Kanaan passed on the crossbow because they know how I feel about that or they would have done so anyway, I’m not sure. But I like to think they’d have done the right thing regardless of my opinion. My heart swells with pride, but it’d be too condescending to say that out loud.
When the last roll is done and the loot sorted, Joz grabs a spit-roasted boar shank for us to share. Following Kanaan, we return to the well in the center of town. He’s waiting here just in case Kimber dies again. I know that without asking because I’d do the same if it was my family.
Sam and Eli spread out a blanket and we all pile our rations in the center, forming a circle around the food. Sam’s dad being the unique items vendor, he always brings something interesting to the table. In this case, it’s some sort of sauce made from who knows what. It’s light, like butter, but spicy and somewhat sweet, perfect to dip the sourdough bread in.
“There you are.” Elder Dannison approaches us. He should be in the upper halls of the main building around this time of day.
I quickly wipe my hands and stand up. “Elder Dannison. We were going to turn in the Amulet after lunch. Is something wrong?”
“No, not all!” The way he’s waving his hands, and with his eyebrows nearly disappearing into the wrinkles on his forehead, you’d swear I’d suggested he’d done something wrong. This guy has zero chill. “I will collect the amulet from you as planned, but please do come as soon as you’re done here. The council has taken note of your exceptional leadership skills in light of today’s events, and we’d like to proceed with your specialization quests immediately.”
“My spec quests? Really?”
“We’ll discuss it when you get t
here.”
“When we get where?” My head’s spinning, and he’s not helping at all.
He’s already turning as if he’s in a great hurry. “To the Council’s Chamber in the Upper Hall. No need to bring your entire group. Just bring the amulet.”
Just like that, he’s gone again. Seriously, zero chill.
Everyone else is as stunned as I am. Well, maybe not Jozani. Her default expression is bored. She has all the chill Elder Dannison missed out on.
Eli just looks pissed. For some reason. I don’t even want to know.
“I know what he said, but I’d still like one of you to come with me.”
Eli looks somewhat appeased by that. Maybe he doesn’t trust me? That can’t be right.
“I’ll go.” Kanaan offers before anyone else can open their mouth to volunteer.
“Great! Thanks, Kanaan.” Seriously, thank you Kanaan. It’s not that I don’t trust Eli, things are just weird between us. He knows I don’t have feelings for him, but he’s persistent. Says I’ll ‘come around.’
I seriously hope he outgrows this crush or whatever soon.
My appetite has abandoned me. “Well, no time like the present. Kanaan, you ready?”
“Yep.” He shoves one last mouthful of bread, with the spicy-sweet butter stuff dripping from it, into his mouth, then we’re off to see the council.
The campus’ main building is only fifty meters from the well. Still, it’s odd that Kanaan offered to come with me. Not odd that the healer would accompany the tank. That’s pretty standard. When a party is made up of only two people, a tank and a healer is the way to go. But it’s odd because I’m sure he wanted to wait for Kimber, just in case anything happened.
“She’s okay, you know.”
He nods.
“I’m sure Benoit learned a valuable lesson today. He knows how to defeat a summoner now. Kimber’s going to be fine.”
“I know, Tier’an.” He stops me with that look, the one that demands one hundred percent of my attention. Soft brown eyes plead for understanding while still hiding whatever he’s really feeling deep down inside. “Whatever the council’s about to say, I’m curious. And I need the distraction. Otherwise, I’ll just sit there and worry about her. I know she’s fine, but if I keep thinking about it I’ll go crazy. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“So, I don’t want to talk about it.”
“I won’t bring it up again.” When he’s ready, he’ll bring it up.
We climb the stairs and he’s gaining some distance on me. His legs are only about ten meters longer than mine. Okay, fine. Maybe I’m exaggerating a tiny bit, but still. Such an unfair advantage. You’d think he’d be faster on the field, too. I could be faster if I wanted to, but I don’t draw on any magic unless it’s necessary or at least helpful.
So, I set myself a comfortable pace and make him have to wait for me at the door to the Council’s Chamber. The tag on the door reads Principal’s Office, but the room beyond hasn’t been used for that purpose for as long as anyone alive can remember. We don’t have schools or teachers or subjects anymore. We learn from guild masters and guild approved trainers. The island is our classroom. The Council, our Principal.
I raise my hand to knock on the door, but someone on the other side unexpectedly opens it.
I end up accidentally knocking on Elder Dannison’s stomach.
Well, this is starting off great.
“Tier’an! Welcome. And I see you’ve brought Kanaan. Please, come inside.”
“Well, I figured someone else from the group should be present at turn in—”
“Of course, of course. Please, have a seat. Both of you.”
Dannison’s making me so nervous. He’s unusually shrill when he speaks and spastic when he moves. He’s like a harpy, a really big harpy, with way too much energy.
Kanaan and I take a seat in two small chairs with little L-shaped tables attached to them while Dannison joins four other council members, including my mother, behind a dark wooden desk.
Elder Kit’sanari smiles serenely, instantly putting me on edge. She seems nice and all, but she looks kinda creepy. She has really pale skin, really dark hair, and really light green eyes. The combination is both shockingly beautiful and terrifying. I’ve never seen anyone else who looks anything like her. The dark kohl she lines her eyes with amplifies the effect, giving her a feline look. Striking, my mother once said.
She definitely looks striking. Like a viper. Sparks of intelligence light up her eyes, even though everything from her delicate hands resting on the table to her gentle smile suggests calmness. Those eyes tell a different story. Like she’s always plotting or something.
“Tier’an, I’m pleased to welcome you to this special meeting of the council.”
Her soft, pleasant voice matches the rest of her, with the exception of her eyes, of course.
“Thank you, Elder Kit’sanari.” Getting out of the little chair is a bit of a chore, and I stumble on my way but manage to turn in the amulet without breaking anything. I’m never this clumsy. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. Retreating to my seat, I endeavor to keep my mouth shut lest I embarrass myself further.
Kit’sanari rises from her chair, but everyone else remains seated. “Potential Questmaster Tier’an Bai, your efforts to excel at tanking have come to our attention. Fighter Guildmaster Herron speaks highly of you, as does Ranger Guildmaster Battar. When Benoit sent word of your heroics today—”
“Wait, Benoit spoke well of me?”
She laughs and for the first time I can ever remember, her eyes don’t seem threatening. She looks genuinely amused. “I won’t lie to you, Tier’an. Benoit was furious with you. However, we also received reports from the tower guards. His group would have failed had you not intervened. The term heroics wasn’t his word but mine.”
“Ah. Okay, that makes sense.”
The elder laughs again, and I find myself liking her a more by the moment.
“Indeed. In any event, you’ve proven yourself an effective tank. You show great potential. As such, the council has decided to... fast track your advancement.”
This is huge. I think. “What does that mean?”
“It means your next quest, if you accept it, is a tank-specific quest. Collection only, but there will be some fighting of course. You are only allowed to bring one group member, and that member must be a healing caster. You may choose a druid, shaman, or cleric, of course, but no other class is allowed.”
I catch a glimpse of sympathy in her eyes before she turns her attention to Kanaan.
“Kanaan, you may not be present as she makes her decision. She must not be influenced by—”
“I already know who I’d bring. I choose Kanaan. He kept me alive today, he proved himself a great healer.”
The edge is back in her eyes. Worse, it’s in her posture as well.
“This isn’t a decision you should make so quickly. You need time to think it through. While you must choose someone from your group, you have options to consider. Jozani is a talented druid, and Eli is an exceptional shaman. Either of them add an element of additional damage that, frankly, Kanaan cannot provide as a pure healing caster. Are you quite certain you won’t consider an alternative healer?”
“I’m sure.” I really am. When you have a party of two, you always choose a tank and a healer. Always. And there’s no better healer than a cleric. Everyone knows that. What’s her deal?
She lets out a heavy sigh and sits down again.
My mother stands up and gives me that look. You know the one. The one that usually precedes your entire name on an exasperated breath. When she speaks, her gentle tone surprises me.
“Tier’an, you’re a rogue. Built and trained for dps. While you do have great potential to be an excellent tank, you can’t do it the way a knight or a warrior would. You have to get creative, use your head. The standard rules of battle won’t always apply to you. You can take a hit, but Baezu can take a hit better. You can deal
damage, but Eli and Jozani can deal more. You’re fast, but—aside from your shadow abilities—Sam’s faster. And you have no supplemental healing abilities whatsoever.”
“They’re right, you know.” Kanaan’s words come out just above a whisper.
“Kanaan?”
“You need a healer, but you need someone who can fight beside you. Someone who can help you, not just keep you alive. Eli’s the best choice for this.”
What just happened? This went from great news to... I don’t even know what. Kanaan’s sitting there looking defeated. My mother’s dropping truth bombs like nobody’s business. And Elder Kit’sanari is back to looking sorry for me. I don’t understand. I thought I was doing great. ‘Heroic’ even. Now they’re telling me I’m... what? Weak?
An uncomfortable cough from Elder Dannison breaks the silence and flips a switch inside me I didn’t even know I had.
“This is bullshit. You asked me to make a decision. I did. If the quest is still on the table, I’ll take it. And I’m taking Kanaan with me or I’m not going at all. You take some time to think about it.”
Kit’sanari’s eyes give nothing away. Her expression is carefully blank. For some reason, that makes me even angrier.
“If you really believe any of the things you said to me just now, you’ll trust in my ability to choose my own damn healer.”
I don’t even wait to be dismissed. I turned in the damned amulet. So, if any of my group members becomes the next questmaster, I’ve done my part. I can wash my hands of the whole damned thing.
By the time I jog down the steps and reach the lower hall, I’ve run out of steam. The implications hit me all at once. If they rescind the offer of this quest, does that really kill my chances at becoming the next questmaster? That, I can live with. But if it means I can’t become a tank...
That’s all I really want, my specialization. And I probably just blew my chance at getting it.
I should be on my tank quest right now. Instead, I’m training a bunch of twelve-year-olds hand-to-hand combat.