by M. Coulray
Jin tilted his head. “Cooking for ten or more? That would take a large load from my shoulders. Your equipment is suited for one, perhaps two, and I am using it without pause.”
I nodded and repressed a grin. “Find me when you’re done here. We’ll go meet some Scaleless.”
My next stop was the alchemy hut. Unfortunately, no progress had been made with the resistance potions. We were down about half the venom, and the prospect of gathering more wasn’t really thrilling me. However, I was there to speak to Telix and Krees.
“I would like permission to let the player visit the village,” I said.
“Why?” asked Krees.
“I think she can help with the temple. I know she isn’t one of the people, and I don’t know if she will ever be one, but she might become a strong ally if we treat her well.”
“This should be discussed officially,” said Telix.
“Fair enough, but there’s one other thing. All these people are going to claim names for themselves that were given by their parents. They don’t value naming the way we do. Can we overlook this?”
I held my breath. This was the first major cultural hurdle we faced on the road to cooperation. Well, besides the smiling thing.
“As long as they do not claim the privileges of Named ones here, and they only use these weak names to identify each other, then I see no issue,” said Telix. Krees nodded.
“Thank you. I will ask for one last favour, but not until we are in the audience room.”
I left in a hurry. Votess was working with the warrior trainees today, so I found Nuln and brought him along with me to the human encampment. I really wanted to start building some bonds between the two cultures.
When we got there, Mika was nowhere to be found. Joenn said she’d left for the other world, which I took to mean that she’d logged off. Nuln stood silently while I gathered the two men and two women who declared themselves to be capable of hunting. Then, over the course of a slow and painful hour and a half, I interpreted a lesson on what was and was not safe to hunt.
I learned a lot about the local fauna. The straylix, for example, was delicious, but required at least three to hunt because it was undetectable until you stepped on it, and then you were in trouble. Apparently the lizard folk hunted it by tying a braided vine around the waist of the weakest hunter, then tying the other end to a tree, and having her stomp around in likely pools of water. Then when the straylix drew itself up around her, the other two pulled her back in by strength of arm.
Luckily, there were plenty of other game to be found, including something that I was pretty sure was a deer. Nuln was very interested in the bows the refugees use to hunt. The lizard folk were more than strong enough to throw a spear as far as needed. The dense foliage and thick mist kept most hunting engagements at a fairly close range, so the spears were good enough for them. However, where a lizard hunter could carry perhaps half a dozen spears, an archer could carry twenty arrows or more, and still have their hands free. This was something that had Nuln excited.
The lesson was cut short when Mika appeared in the middle of the camp, looking fresh and happy as usual. She wanted to get the remainder of the equipment from the old camp.
“I don’t know the way,” I said. I was pretty sure if I lost sight of the palisade, I’d never find the village again.
“No problem at all, if our new friend here would guide us?” Mika grinned at Nuln, who hissed at her. “Sorry! Forgot about the teeth thing!”
I really needed to spend some time educating everyone on the idea of a smile. “Nuln, would you be willing to guide Mika and some of the others back to their old camp? They want to haul the rest of the stuff here, as much as they can.” I didn’t figure they’d get the wagons, but the contents should be fine.
Nuln nodded. “Of course. I will gather two hunter recruits as well. The load lifted with many hands weighs the least.”
When Nuln’s impromptu crew came back, we had a quick session teaching the humans the basics of the lizard folk’s hand signals. Just some stuff like stop, get down, and run; that sort of thing. I hoped it was enough. What I really wanted to find out was how the humans got along with the swamp people when I wasn’t around. The fact that Nuln and his two trainees were armed with hunting spears settled my mind greatly. The humans weren’t likely to start any trouble, but if they did I was glad to know my people would finish it. I asked Nuln to report back on anything he felt was out of place or aggressive and he agreed readily.
While they were gone, I found Votess and took her to the audience chamber. What I had to suggest wasn’t likely to be that well received, so I let her in on my idea first.
“Denel, you are one of the people, and you earned your name. But taking a Scaleless into the temple ruins is not something my mother will allow.”
“Believe me, I know how she fells about Scaleless. But I’m hoping once I explain things, she’ll be at least receptive to the idea. You know how that mist stops you from healing?”
“I have never experienced it, but I have spoken to those who have. It dulls the mind and makes the body unable to heal. Warriors who go in the temple must beware going too far, lest they become too wounded to return. Their bodies are never found by later expeditions. Even the most daring have never entered the dormitories that housed the priests and their servants.”
The fallen lizard men most likely became undead. I didn’t voice this thought. “I think that between my barriers and Mika’s healing magic, assuming she isn’t lying about it, we should be able to reclaim the temple entirely. The three of us, and then perhaps a fourth if we need someone else.”
Votess stopped. “Do you think it is possible?” Wonder filled her voice. “Our histories tell us of miracles lost to us, hidden in the depth of the ruins. The purification of water through magic and the knowledge of enchanting weapons were mastered by our people, then lost when our Goddess was taken. Imagine what we might find!”
Her enthusiasm was exactly what I needed, and we headed into the audience building.
As usual, the central throne stood empty, but both elders were present to hear me out. Their reactions were as predictable as ever. Telix was interested but cautious, and Krees was dead set against it.
“Why not go in with your magic? Surely you can shield a warrior from harm?”
“Yes, Krees. It’s not a problem to shield Votess or whoever, but whatever gets through, we can’t heal.” I held up my two healing potions that I’d made. “I can drink these and recover from injury, but have you found anything analogous for your own kind?”
Krees settled back on her throne and tilted her head downward in a displeased expression. “You know we have not.”
“Then I honestly believe Mika is the best opportunity we have. She can, theoretically, heal injuries through her own faith, and my magic is great for preventing as much injury as possible. Won’t you let us try it?”
“Leave. We will answer you in the morning.” Krees waved her hand and Votess and I turned to go. “Wait, Votess. I will speak with you in private.”
I waited outside for Votess, who came out looking angry. “What’s up?”
“My mother dared to ask me my thoughts on your loyalty.”
“Oh.” There wasn’t really a good way to respond to that.
“She wondered if you and Mika knew each other, as you both come from the same world.”
“Shit. There’s literally nine billion people on that world. I’ve never met her before in my life.”
“Nine billion? Impossible. No matter. I trust you, and I told my mother as much. Telix agreed with me. I hope she can convince Krees to allow your expedition.”
Something else was troubling her, but I let it sit. If it was important, then she’d tell me. Instead, we walked silently back to the eating hall, to find Jin and see about getting him access to the human’s cooking tools.
22
The meeting of the cooks was a raging success. Jin and the chief camp cook Garth got along li
ke a house on fire, and I gave myself a big high five at my success. The hunters we’d trained didn’t fare very well, but Jin brought meat from the village and Garth helped him cook it to a turn. At this rate Jin was going to outpace me in cooking skill, not that I minded. I was already putting the idea of being a quiet merchant aside permanently.
When the group that went to retrieve the last of the gear returned, I saw that things weren’t all rosy. Nuln was visibly angry, and one of the refugees had a huge gash across his face that had been clumsily bandaged. I winced inwardly.
“Let me guess. He smiled at one of you?”
“No,” said Nuln. “He simply didn’t listen. I used the hand signal for ‘follow’ and he alone wandered off into the trees. He was attacked by a mist cat and only my spear saved him.” Nuln gestured to one of the travois, where something like a leopard, but with too many eyes, was strapped.
I shook my head. “Why’d you go off the trail?”
The refugee touched his face gingerly. “First, can you tell him I’m sorry?”
I did so and Nuln nodded. “Tell him that his action endangered everyone. This is not a safe place for the weak and inattentive.”
The other refugees had gathered around by then, and some were obviously concerned. Once the foolish man had explained himself, he got a cuff on the ear from Joenn. “Idiot! These people know what they’re doing! Listen to them when they tell you something!”
“But it was such a pretty flower…” The man’s voice trailed off as he headed towards Mika.
“Thanks, Nuln. Anything else?”
“No. That was the only incident. They are constantly afraid, but not of me. It is somewhat amusing.”
That was good to hear. Fearing each other wouldn’t help anyone. I headed over to where Mika was unwrapping the bandage on the man’s face.
“Jesus, Coll. What did this?” She reached out and inspected the wound with a critical eye. Coll glanced at me.
“Swamp beast,” I said. “He learned a valuable lesson, I think.”
“Yes, sir,” said Coll. He looked at Mika. “Can it be healed?”
“Of course,” said the priest. This was my chance to see if she could do what she claimed. I watched in fascination as Mika’s hands glowed with yellow light. She reached out and drew a fingertip down Coll’s face, closing the wound and leaving unscarred skin behind.
“Nice. Is that cheap to cast?”
“It’s free, actually. That one can only heal minor wounds and requires touch, but I can do it as much as needed.” She drew her hands up and held them outstretched. “I can cast stronger healing magic at range, and eventually I might be able to raise the dead, assuming I stay in Minolt’s favour.”
“Well, that’s useful.” Something inside me twisted and I felt ugly for a moment. Why couldn’t my parents have lived in this world where magic might have saved them? I knew that I was talking nonsense, but the people I’d met here were as real as anyone out there.
“Are you all right?” Mika’s smile had faltered. She reached out to me, and I stood up fast.
“Fine. Sorry. Do you have time to meet the village elders?” I was desperate to get away from the topic that threatened to rear its ugly head.
“No problem, Denel. Ready when you are!” She unbuckled her armour and sword and they disappeared, presumably into her inventory. “No sense showing up looking like I’m ready for a fight.”
Honestly, the lizard folk might respect that more, but I kept my mouth shut. On the way, I gave her a quick primer on lizardman thought, and she absorbed it with attentiveness. When we arrived, I brought Mika in to the audience chamber.
Inside, the two elders waited with the usual five guards. I brought Mika forward then whispered for her to kneel. She did so without complaint.
“Denel. Please translate for us,” said Krees.
“If anything she says seems wrong, tell us. Knowing the truth is not always enough to know another’s intentions. We are relying on you,” said Telix.
A rush of something alien filled my heart. I realized that for the first time in a long time, I felt like I belonged. Telix and Krees trusted me to protect their people over any loyalty I might have to the players from the real world. Obviously Krees had decided in my favour. Once again, I swore I’d do my damndest for them.
Their interrogation was short. Throughout it, Mika answered without any prevarication or hidden meaning. I relayed her answers to the elders. They wanted to know if she was a vanguard for an invasion, if she knew of their Goddess, if she intended to harm the village.
“What do you want from our temple?”
This was the first question that made Mika pause. “Honestly, I didn’t know there was a dungeon, ah, a temple here. From what I know now, it’s important to your people. I guess that what I want isn’t really anything from your temple; I just want to help you so you’ll be willing to help us.”
“A fair answer. It is hard to trust a stranger who offers aid but asks for nothing.”
Once they were satisfied, Telix spoke to me directly. “Do not translate this. Take her back to her people and return to us.” I nodded, and walked outside with Mika.
Once we were outside, she let out a huge sigh and grinned at me. “How’d I do?”
I shook my head. “Dunno. They didn’t tell me either way. I’m to take you back to your camp.”
“Is that normal around here? They sure don’t seem interested in making friends.”
“You gotta understand, Mika. These people aren’t exactly xenophobic, but they aren’t that welcoming either. The other day we had a player group attack us. Today you’re here with ten or so humans and you all want to set up shop outside our walls. This is our village and its safety is paramount.”
We walked in silence for a while. Then Mika spoke. “You’re really one of them, aren’t you? Like, not a lizard, but one of them anyway.”
I nodded. “Yeah. They helped me, and the person who put me here—” I bit off my words. The memory of Liara dropping me from a thousand feet still filled me with helpless anger.
Mika didn’t push. I walked her through the gates and bid her good day.
I started wandering back to the audience chamber. At some point Votess found me. Her arm was cut up and scabbed over. I looked at her with concern.
“It is nothing. I was careless with a trainee.” She pointedly stared at me until I dropped my eyes.
“Jesus, Votess. A trainee did this?”
“Those spears are not dulled,” she said. “Do you remember when you trained with Son of Rorst? Were it not for your magic, I saw three times where you would have been killed, and at least as many when you would have been crippled to die later.”
“You know I don’t heal like you guys do, right?” I scratched my head and laughed nervously.
“I would have stopped the fight if you were in real danger. Besides, you return after death.” Votess flashed me her teeth.
“Is that a smile?” She nodded. “Well, keep practicing.”
We walked on for some time, making our way to the elders. Votess said nothing, but I could tell something was on her mind, so I asked her.
She was silent for a moment. “I do not know what to think about the other Scaleless, the one you call Mika.”
“She’s told us the truth so far,” I said. “She can heal wounds and she’s willing to work alongside us.”
“The last group of her kind that came here killed three of our people and discovered our secrets. I am right to be suspicious.”
“Were you suspicious of me?”
She considered her words carefully. “I was, until you helped me. Then I was intrigued. But you have proven yourself to me and to the rest of Goddess Watch, Denel. There is no need to talk of your trustworthiness.”
We walked in comfortable silence until we got to the door of the audience chamber. Votess waited outside for me. Inside, Telix and Krees sat on their thrones. The centre throne, as ever, stood empty.
“What do y
ou think of this Scaleless that calls herself Mika?” asked Krees.
“She seems all right,” I said. “I never got the feeling she was hiding something from us when she was in here.”
“It is challenging to speak to someone through an interpreter. Thank you for your help.”
I nodded. In the future we’d have to figure something out to get the two peoples talking directly. “So what can I do for you?”
Telix spoke. “We will allow you to take the Scaleless Mika with you into the temple, but there are conditions.”
“Thank you. What are the conditions?”
“Votess goes with you. She will watch the Scaleless Mika. We trust you, Denel, but we are concerned that you may be vulnerable to manipulation.”
“What do you mean, Telix?”
“She means that we do not understand how your kind arranges mates,” said Krees bluntly.
My face reddened. “There’s nothing to worry about there, I promise.” Mika was attractive enough, but my mind wasn’t thinking in that direction at all.
“Even so. As for you, your job is to ensure that Votess survives. If there is a problem with the Scaleless Mika, then abandon her and return. Of the three of you, only she cannot return from death.” While it was Telix who spoke, it was Krees whose eyes were fixed on mine.
I nodded. “Of course. Is there anything else?”
“No,” said Telix. “Make what decisions you feel are best. You are one of us, Denel. We trust you.”
“There is something else,” said Krees, as I turned to leave. “Is any of this of use to you?”
Behind her, a guard pulled up a wooden chest, bound with bone. The guard opened the chest and I looked inside. There was a number of items in it that caught my eye.
[Leather Armour of Agility]
ATK: 0
DEF: 7 (base 7)
Durability: 75/75
Quality: Normal Enchanted
Special: Weightless when worn, Agility +1, self-repairing if Durability not reduced to zero
[Ring of Vision]
ATK: 0
DEF: 0
Durability: N/A
Quality: Normal Enchanted