Second Skin Omnibus

by M Damon Baker

  Gorth took the blades from me and after only the barest glance at them, his eyes shot open in surprise.

  “I recognize these daggers,” he said as he stared at the weapons. “I heard there was a change in leadership with the Bloody Hearts, I just didn’t realize that you were involved, Stel.”

  “We were there, though I dare say my friend here was the party most responsible. Is that a problem?” Stel inquired cautiously.

  “No, quite the opposite as a matter of fact,” Gorth replied. “Jorum and his people have been, shall we say, bad for business. You did everyone a big favor getting rid of them. With him gone, things will be much better for us all.”

  “Even so,” I quickly interjected, “I would like my role in the matter to remain unknown.”

  “Say no more,” Gorth replied firmly. “No one will hear of it from me.”

  “Now, about these blades,” he continued. “They’re quality blades, of that there’s no doubt. Normally, I would offer you four Marks each for blades like this.”

  “But,” Gorth went on. “These are not just any old blades. Jorum was something of a notorious figure, and his daggers are quite recognizable. There’s no small number of people who would be interested in having these as a display in their collection.”

  I hadn’t even considered that as a possibility. The fact that someone would want Jorum’s blades for a collection hadn’t even crossed my mind.

  “I don’t honestly know what I will get for these, but I’m willing to offer you one Talon for each,” Gorth concluded. “Consider my offer both a premium and a small gesture of appreciation for ridding the city of that menace.”

  I was more than happy with the price he had named, so we shook hands on it, and the daggers were exchanged for the promised coin. Stel and Gorth bid each other farewell, and Stel extended an invitation for Gorth to join us for supper or a round of drinks at the Fat Burglar while we remained in the city.

  As we left Gorth’s shop, I deposited one Talon in my coin pouch and passed the other to Stel.

  “Add it to the group’s general funds, please,” I told him as I offered him the coin.

  Stel seemed like he was about to protest, but then simply nodded and dropped the coin into his pouch before leading us back to the Fat Burglar.

  As we entered the common room, we were able to pick out Khorim and Broda as they sat at a table. Venna was also beside them, obviously returned from her visit with the Abbott.

  “It’s about time you got back,” Khorim grumbled as we sat down. “Venna refused to tell us how things went with the Abbott until you returned. Something about not wanting to have to tell it all twice.”

  Broda gave him a not-so-soft punch in the arm at his comment, and although he pretended not to feel it, I didn’t miss the quick grimace on his face at the impact. Then, as I looked at Broda for the first time that morning, I was taken aback by her ragged appearance.

  Broda’s normally smooth skin was drastically changed, and dark circles hung under bloodshot eyes that were rimmed in red. Her usually well-tied braid hung in frayed strands and was flung carelessly behind her back. Broda’s whole countenance spoke of a sleepless night spent in tears, something difficult for me to imagine for the powerful dwarven woman. I recalled the strained conversation the day before, and I couldn’t help but think that it was the cause of her discomfort. So, without making any comment, I silently slipped my hand under the table and extended it between us. Sitting next to her as I was, my gesture was unseen by the rest of our companions.

  Broda reached out in response and with a gentle squeeze, took my hand in hers. She continued to hold on tightly as Venna told us of her meeting with the Abbott.

  Venna had made her report to the Abbott and had left out no details regarding her own perceived failures. She told the Abbott how she had initially been unable to locate the undead lair and had only succeeded with my help. She also relayed how the final confrontation with the wraith had gone so poorly until she was forced to use the banishing rod, destroying it in the process.

  Fortunately, the Abbott had disagreed with her assessment and reminded Venna that her Goddess often moved about the world in a subtle fashion to provide her followers with the help they would need.

  In the end, Venna had indeed received her promotion to full Curate status, and when she finally revealed that, we all raised our glasses and toasted to her success. As the glasses clinked against one another, the distinctive ‘Ding!’ of an alert echoed inside my head, mingling with the ringing of our toast. I thought I knew what it meant, and I quickly opened my UI to confirm my suspicions.

  Quest completed — You completed the quest Venna’s Little Helper II. With your help, Venna has completed her mission and secured her position as a Curate of Thassa. You have been rewarded with 550 XP.

  Once my suspicions were confirmed, I closed the window and returned my full attention to my companions.

  After several more toasts were made, Broda finally released my hand. When I felt her fingers slip away, I glanced to my side and caught her eye as she gave me a nod and smiled at me weakly. There was obviously a dark chapter in her past that the previous night’s conversation had stirred up. Someday she might be ready to talk about it, and I resolved to be there for her when that day arrived, but until that day, I would do whatever I could to offer her comfort and support.

  “So, where are we off to next?” Stel inquired of Venna, redirecting my thoughts. “What assignment has the Abbott given you now?”

  “Actually, none,” Venna replied, somewhat dejectedly. “He told me I needed to be on my own for a while.”

  “Well, in that case,” I replied, as I recalled the quest that I had received the night before. “I just may have a little something we can do to keep us busy for a while.”

  EPILOGUE

  After I told my companions about the quest I had received to find and rejoin the pieces of the amulet, they had readily agreed to help me retrieve the remaining sections of the artifact. Since we had no other plans, we decided to begin the search for the first piece right away. We also agreed that the search for any other pieces might have to wait as we also decided that if Venna’s Abbott contacted her with a new task, it would take precedence over my personal mission.

  When I grasped the amulet, it had given me a rough sense of the direction and distance I needed to travel to find the next piece, but it had not provided me with its exact location. And while I knew that as I drew closer, the information from the amulet would be more precise, at the time all I had was a rough concept of where we were headed. Even so, using the directions I had as a guide, it seemed likely that the search for the next piece of the amulet would require us to travel outside the relatively safe confines of Lorida.

  The area we would have to traverse was far more dangerous than anything we had encountered before, but we had grown in power as well. So, as we discussed the journey, everyone agreed that we were ready to face the challenges that were ahead of us.

  Since there was no great urgency to my quest, we decided to stay in Hasse for a while before taking up the search. The training grounds there offered us an irresistible opportunity to hone our skills and would ensure that we would be as prepared as possible when we finally crossed over into the treacherous lands beyond Lorida’s borders.

  We spent nearly two weeks training together, advancing our individual skills, so when it came time to set off, I had managed to work nearly all my new talents up to the 20% proficiency limit. Only See Truth lagged behind, and that was mostly due to the restriction that limited me to practicing the Ability just once each day.

  I also managed to learn a few new things during that time. Up until then, I had only encountered metal weapons and armor made from either iron or steel, but as I toured through the bazaar one day with Khorim, he pointed out the high-quality items that were forged from two far superior metals.

  The first of these was Dwarven Steel. It was made from iron, just like regular steel, but had been altered thro
ugh a secret dwarven process. The metal was not only lighter and stronger than basic steel but was also more receptive to magical enhancements. For these reasons, Dwarven Steel was much sought-after, and the exorbitant price of the few items available reflected the highly-desired nature of the uncommon metal.

  Rarer still, and at an even steeper premium, were items crafted from Khelduin, also known as Strong Silver. The metal had been discovered by dwarven miners long ago and still bore the name they had given it; however, a few veins of the rare ore had since been found all across the continent. Although many different people now mined Khelduin, the ore was still exceedingly rare, since the uncommon veins that had been discovered never managed to produce a large quantity of the superior metal.

  Possessing weapons and armor crafted from these two metals was the true mark of a powerful adventurer. Although the cost of them was way out of my league, I knew that I would eventually need to upgrade my equipment to include high-quality items that were crafted with them. I might have paid a decent sum for a single arrowhead fashioned from either metal, hoping that my quiver would be able to duplicate them. However, despite my inquiries, none were available.

  In the end, I didn’t purchase any new weapons or armor before we left Hasse. Although the rest of my friends did replace some of their equipment, I felt that what I had was still more than adequate for my needs, and I was reassured when my companions agreed with my assessment.

  My education in Hasse did not end with Khorim’s lesson in metallurgy—I also took the opportunity to find an herbalist in the bazaar and spent many hours taking lessons from him. While my studies didn’t come cheap, I not only increased my Herbalism skill, but I also learned how to make several basic potions. Having the ability to craft extra healing potions while out in the field seemed well-worth the cost to me.

  By far, my happiest day in Hasse was the day one of Lukas’ men came to find me at The Fat Burglar. He spoke to us and told me that Lukas had not only taken care of the last of Jorum’s people but had also made certain that the bounty on me had been completely removed.

  The news brought tears of joy to my eyes, and both Broda and Venna hugged me in a tight embrace. They held onto me for a long moment, but as soon as they released me, I whipped off my hood to rejoice in my freedom, and we spent the rest of that evening in celebration.

  We had trained all we could, and upgraded much of our equipment, so we left Hasse the next morning and set off in search of the next piece of my mysterious amulet. With all of my burdens lifted from my shoulders, our departure almost felt like I was starting my life all over again—I only hoped that the quest we were embarking on would be as rewarding for my companions as I somehow knew that is was going to be for me.

  Dreya Dae

  Human Female

  Level - 10

  27417/34200

  Health 190/190 Aura 420/420 Endurance 190/190

  Class – Warden – Wardens gain a 10% bonus to skills associated with nature or which have natural effects

  Specialization –

  Mastery –

  STR - 21

  CON - 19

  DEX - 22

  INT - 20

  WIS - 16

  CHA - 25(+1)

  Abilities

  Ignore Armor – Your next arrow will ignore a portion of the target’s armor. Cost – 20 Aura. - 25%

  Stun – Your next arrow has a chance to stun its target on hit. Cost – 20 Aura. - 23%

  Block – You may attempt to use your bow to parry a single melee attack. Cost — 20 Endurance. - 20%

  Swarm – Your next arrow duplicates itself in flight. Cost – 20 Endurance and 20 Aura. – 28%

  Flurry – Perform three rapid strikes with a bladed weapon. Cost – 30 Endurance. - 21%

  Parry – Chance for your blades to block next melee attack targeted at you. Cost — 20 Endurance. - 20%

  Hamstring – The next arrow fired has a chance to cripple your opponent. Cost — 20 Aura. – 20%

  Hilt Bash – Stun your opponent with a successful hilt strike from your bladed weapon. Cost – 30 Endurance. – 20%

  Blood Price – Your arrow inflicts a damage-over-time bleed effect. Cost – 30 Aura. – 20%

  Blind – Your next arrow has a chance to inflict blindness on a successful hit. Cost

  — 30 Aura. – 20%

  Achilles Strike – Cripple your target with a slash of your bladed weapon. Cost – 30 Endurance. – 20%

  Protector Abilities

  See Truth – Once per day the spoken words of your target become visible to you, allowing you to see the truth held within them. Strength and duration of this effect increase with proficiency. Cost – 60 Aura. Modifier – Wisdom. – 8%

  Spells

  Enhanced Sight – May be cast on self or ally. Improves visual acuity of the recipient in dark or obscured conditions. Cost – 20 Aura. – 31%

  Create Trap – Place a magical trap upon an area. Size, type and trigger of traps is determined by your proficiency. Cost – 40 Aura. – 20%

  Elemental Arrow – Your next arrow is imbued with elemental energy and causes additional elemental damage accordingly. Cost – 30 Aura. – 20%

  Bolt – Release a Bolt of pure Lightning at your target(s). Cost – 40 Aura. – 20%

  Skills

  Bow – 30%

  Critical Hit – 28%

  Blades – 24%

  Short Sword – 24%

  Dagger – 21%

  Critical Hit – 21%

  Two-Handed – 21%

  Armor – 22%

  Medium Armor – 24%

  Perception – 29%

  Environmental – 28%

  Identify Enemy – 23%

  Identify Person – 22%

  Combat Dodge – 20%

  Subterfuge – 26%

  Stealth – 27%

  Find Trap – 5%

  Disarm Trap – 4%

  Set Trap – 10%

  Manipulation – 11%

  Persuade – 13%

  Barter – 13%

  Survival – 23%

  Tracking – 24%

  Identify Creature (Beasts) – 8%

  Skinning – 13%

  Field Dress – 12%

  Alchemy – 12%

  Herbalism – 21%

  Potion Craft – 12%

  Second Skin

  Pieces

  BY: M Damon Baker

  © 2018 M Damon Baker All Rights Reserved

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Digital book(s) (epub and mobi) produced by Booknook.biz.

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Epilogue

  Prologue

  “You’ve been spending a great deal of time looking down on the world below, little sister. What has drawn so much of your interest there?”

  The Goddess of Vengeance looked away from her gazing mirror to see who had spoken to her, but the gesture was purely reflexive. Nentai had instantly recognized the voice of her sibling Set, Goddess of Nature. Set was the elder of the two by mere fractions of a millisecond, the birth of the entire Pantheon having occurred in far less than the blink of an eye. Still, Set never tired of reminding Nentai
exactly which of them had come first. Despite the mocking interruption, Nentai was grateful for her elder sister’s presence. Perhaps her insight into the present matter might prove useful.

  “There is a Deathless I have been watching, sister,” Nentai replied.

  “Ahh, Father had hoped that our message would persuade those few remaining below to cease their abuse of our people,” Set responded. “What depravities has this one committed to attract your attentions?”

  “None, dear sister. Quite the opposite, in fact. She has taken up my path, seeking vengeance on behalf of those who have been wronged.”

  “Interesting. Very interesting indeed, though I still fail to see why you would waste so much of your time merely observing such activities,” Set commented.

  “You haven’t, by chance, been aiding this Deathless in any way, have you?” Set added pointedly.

  “I know the restrictions as well as you do, sister,” Nentai replied with annoyance. “I have provided no direct aid to the Deathless.”

  “No direct aid, you say…” Set left the implication hanging in the air between them.

  “I may have provided her with a small bit of insight, or maybe a tickle of curiosity here and there, that sort of thing,” Nentai conceded. “Nothing more. I am certain she is unaware of my influence.”

  “I believe you, sister,” Set admitted.

  Nentai’s sense of relief was short-lived.

  “But I also believe that you intend to continue your interference, perhaps beyond the limits we have placed upon ourselves,” Set finished.

  “I have my reasons. Perhaps if you let me explain, you might agree?” Nentai offered.

  Nentai knew that if Set disapproved of her actions, she would request an assembly of the Pantheon to prohibit any further interference on her part. The Gods had learned long ago that their meddling in the affairs of the world, no matter how well-intentioned, always seemed to cause more harm than good. That was why they had withdrawn from actively participating in the daily affairs of their worshippers, largely restricting their own influence to more subtle and indirect means.