Chapter 121: Advice for a Friend

“Katlyn! Ann!” a cheery voice called as they left the gates.

It was the next morning, and for lack of anything else proper to do, the trio had kidnapped Lucia and Bren to find something fun to do.

Turning, Ann saw a familiar, massive woman with wide horns waving as she ran toward them. Sybil, the huge yak Vulhardrin, tripped over her own hooves and stumbled before she caught herself. She had a goofy smile on her face as she looked down at the party.

“Oh, sorry, I don’t know you two. And hi Rosalyn!”

“Hey,” Rosalyn responded quietly. The crowds kept her voice down, but she waved back.

“My name is Bren, and this is Lucia,” Bren introduced them deftly. “I take it you know my friends?”

“Do I? Boy, do I. Well, maybe not that much, but still, after what I heard that night, I feel like I do.”

“Ah, you were there for… that,” Bren sighed.

“Kept anyone out. Was weird, but it sounded like it’d be worse if I didn’t. Anyway, how’ve you all been doing? Any new fun since that night?”

“Nah,” Ann shrugged. “Just been to a Seed, helped some people. Almost died a couple times. The usual.”

“That’s normal for you?” Sybil asked, looking a little shocked.

“Comes wit’, bein a merc. Bren, Lucia, this is Sybil. She’s a brawler from the Guild. Good lass.”

“A pleasure,” Bren said with a showy little bow.

“Sybil,” Lucia nodded simply.

“Nice ta meetcha,” Sybil smiled and bowed with both her massive hands clasped in front of her.

“So, what have you been doing?” Ann asked. “It’s been a couple weeks.”

“I’ve been busy, that’s for sure. Training hard after our fight. I’m so excited! I’ve got a team and we’re going to have an excursion here in the next week! Finally, I get to use this Path for something good!” Sybil danced from hoof to hoof with a giddy energy Ann knew too well.

“Good fer ye!” Kat laughed, clapping Sybil on the shoulder.

“So, if you all have been in a Seed, I mean, if it’s not a bother, I could probably use some advice,” the massive woman asked.

Ann looked at the other four, then nodded. “Yeah, we can do that. Let’s go find somewhere to talk.”

They found an open park just outside the mountain’s face. Rosalyn, Lucia and Bren took seats on the swept grass, while Kat, Ann, and Sybil stretched their limbs.

“So, just want to talk, or have some fun with it, too?” Sybil asked. “See how far we’ve both come?”

“Sybil, I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m pretty sure I was already better than you, and I’ve gotten like, what, three or four levels since?”

Sybil’s eyes went wide. “That much? Holy crap, you’re awesome!” She raised a hand, and Ann happily clapped it. “Good for you! Then let’s just make it a friendly thing. Kat can be ref and we talk as we go?”

“Sounds good enough tae me,” Kat shrugged.

Ann shook out her arms and legs, then nodded.

“So, just makin’ sure, ye’ve got yer blessin’ set up?” Kat asked as she started the fight.

“Sure… do,” Sybil grunted, trying to kick at Ann. It missed, but Sybil spun elegantly for someone her size and was ready for her counter. “Got an Illdall priest to give it to me last week.”

Ann took it slow, just wanting to mime a fight rather than getting into one. She thrust her fist forward and let Sybil knock it off course, then jabbed at a joint. Sybil grunted, meaning she’d hit the pressure point correctly. “What’s your team looking like?”

“We have me as a front line bruiser. My role is to take and deal damage in equal parts. Then we have a real heavy fighter, with all this armour and a lot of defenses. He’s really cool, and super nice! Then our mage and healer. The mage is a bit gloomy. Lady likes to dress in black. The heavy vouches for her, so we’ll be fine. The healer is this little Inlon thing. He’s a bit crass and likes to curse. We’ve practised a few times together, though, and we work pretty well.” Sybil took a couple hits using her skill to absorb the impact of Ann’s strikes, then using the weird disorientation it caused to try to trip Ann. She got a couple touches in, keeping the hits light.

Ann changed things up. Instead of going after Sybil, she let her attack. On each dodge, she tried to focus on how to best get to weak points in Sybil’s body and disable her.

“Good balance,” Lucia said from the sidelines. “Need another ranged.”

“The mage has skills that let her use her damage pretty freely. They’re less powerful as a result, but she can make up for that.”

“Dang, wish I had something like that,” Rosalyn said.

“It would be useful, but your spells are far more powerful as a result,” Bren reminded her.

“Yeah, things do go boom,” Rosalyn giggled.

Ann laughed as she parried a fist, letting it sail by her head, and tapping the inside of Sybil’s elbow. If her claws were out, she could have cut a couple veins and tendons. “So, which Seed are you going after?”

“A smaller forest one. It’s further southeast. There’s good documentation on it, so it should be relatively good for us. We’re not aiming to get the Guardian down or anything. Just get in, fight some Warped, and get out when we feel ready. I can’t wait to see what monsters we run into!”

“Careful,” Kat chided. “Gettin’ careless’ll get ye killed.”

“I’m not being careless.”

“Nae, but gettin’ too excited distracts ye.”

“You’re one to talk, Kat,” Rosalyn scoffed.

“Pot callin’ the kettle black,” Kat retorted. “Still. I’ve been at this fer years. Ye need tae make sure ye don’t get in o’er yer head.”

Sybil nodded, her posture slumping, allowing Ann to get a few more touches in. “That’s enough. Sorry, Ann, just lost the spirit.”

Ann relaxed and brought Sybil into a side hug, ducking to avoid the wide horns. “Hey. Kat’s right, but it’s also really exciting. Don’t let the wonder run out, hear me? Even if it’s dangerous, the inside of a seed is fascinating. You’ll see stuff that’s impossible anywhere else.”

Sybil sighed, then looked Ann in the eye, forcing her to duck again as a horn swung by her head. “You’re right. I’m looking forward to it. Just a bit sobering to think about the danger, too. I try not to.”

“It is necessary to come to terms with all facets of this profession,” Bren said. He walked over and set out an open book to restore their stamina from the spar. “Even the most prepared can be caught unawares, and disaster rarely cares about your preparations.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Sybil nodded solemnly.

“So, when do you head out?” Rosalyn asked.

“Two days! We’ve been going over packing lists for the trip, the time in the Seed and the travel back. It’s a lot, but manageable.”

“Food fer someone as big as ye’s gotta be a haul,” Kat teased. “What wit’ all that muscle, I mean.”

“You have no idea,” Sybil giggled. “I eat more than anyone I know and look!” she clapped her chest with meaty hands. “Even with all that, I’ve got nearly nothing going on up here. You and Ann really lucked out in that department.”

“Eh, me muscles make the girls look bigger than they are,” Kat shrugged.

“Not mine. All boobage,” Ann laughed, squeezing her chest with her own hands.

“How do conversations always take this path with you two?” Bren asked, shaking his head.

“Excuse me, I have great boobs too!” Rosalyn protested.

“You three. Excuse me,” Bren corrected himself.

Lucia just rolled her eyes and lay back to stare at the sky some more.

“Sourpuss,” Kat spat, sticking her tongue out at Bren. “Don’t listen to ‘im, Sybil. He’ll take the fun outta everything. Even when he’s hangin’ around Lucia an’ ‘er damn nice set, too.”

Ann saw the twitch on Lucia’s face, and the blush beginning to spread, but the woman didn’t make any other response to Kat’s teasing. Stoic as ever.

“Not fair, low blow,” Ann groaned.

“Nae, it’s chest level. Nothin’ low about it.”

“You know what I mean,” Ann sighed.

“Yeah. Ye mean kickin’ er in the cunt,” Kat laughed.

“No! God damnit, Kat. Anyway, where the hell were we before all this?”

“Food!” Rosalyn called, having gotten distracted by some nearby birds.

“Right. So you’ve got your food and water. You have much in the way of equipment?”

“Some basic leather armour. I don’t really have the money to buy my own stuff yet, but I’m hoping to change that with this group. Maybe some sturdy leather? It really depends on if my Path opens up and I can use heavier equipment.” Sybil said.

“Wouldn’t that slow ye down?” Kat asked.

“Yeah, a little, but I’m plenty strong to make up for it.”

“Don’t matter if ye can’t hit what yer aimin’ at. Take Ann. She’s been slippin’ all ‘round ye.”

“Point taken. I’ll consider it for sure. Not even sure if we’ll find anything worth bringing back besides the report, but I’m still really excited. Oh, gosh, I’ve gotta run. There’s a lot I still need to pack up, and I still have work that I’m late for, and oh no!

“Hey, go deal with all that,” Ann said, patting the yak woman on the shoulder. “Give us a holler when you get back. Let’s grab a drink, get Kearan to come, and celebrate.”

“I’ll definitely do that! She’s actually been talking to me a bit since that night. It’s kinda nice. Anyway, gotta run. Bye!”

With that, Sybil’s bulky form turned and clopped off into the city.

Ann felt a tightness in her chest, worry settling into her. “I really hope she’s alright.”

“It sounds like her group is well prepared,” Bren said. “She even mentioned not pushing themselves. It will be a trial run. It will be a test of their skills and cooperation. I believe I know which seed they are heading to, and most of the creatures within are on the less dangerous side.”

“I’m still worried,’ Ann griped.

“Can follow?” Lucia suggested. “Just in case.”

“We need to be here for the trial,” Bren reminded her. “No. No, we can not skip it. I feel that.”

Lucia just rolled her eyes and turned away.

Speaking of, Ann had been putting the whole trial and providing witness out of her head because, like everything in this world, she had no clue how she was going to handle it. If it was anything like being a witness on TV, though, she should be ok? Maybe? It was probably better to just ask.

“So, uh, about all that. Do I need to dress up or something? Get a dress?”

“Nae. Make sure ye’re clean an’ beautiful as ever, an’ ye’ll be fine,” Kat reassured her.

“Then what?”

“We will each be called to give testimony about what we saw within the Seed. Warped activity, survivors, the escape.”

“Don’t they already have all of that? We gave the whole report to that guy who was in charge.”

“Yes,” Bren nodded patiently, “however, there is something to be said for a first hand recounting. Once we are done, both sides of the trial will pose questions, which we are to answer to the best of our ability.”

“I… don’t like the sound of that,” Rosalyn shuddered. “Just sounds like a lot of attention and being the focus of stuff. Can I just let Ann do it?”

“Sorry, love,” Kat said, running a hand through Rosalyn’s hair. “This is one we can’t take fer ye.”

Rosalyn whimpered, but nodded.

“Ugh, this sucks. So what then, do they do the whole thing in a day or is it going to take a while?” Ann asked.

“A few more days. Sentencing and then carrying out the sentence. I expect this to proceed quickly. No one wants to have this be drawn out unnecessarily. Not for the families of the lost.”

“Yeah. Shit. Still have nightmares about that run back, ya know?” Ann said, huddling up with her knees to her chest. “So many people died. Keep re-living the moment one of those harpies just crushed a researcher. The way their body just crumpled and blood being everywhere.”

“Yeah, you’ve been a bit restless in your sleep,” Rosalyn nodded. “You’ve kicked me awake a couple times.”

“Sorry.”

“If that’s why, no need to be sorry. Are you getting enough sleep?”

“I think so. Now I’m worried you aren’t. Here,” Ann said, offering Rosalyn her coffee cup, already filled with steaming brew. “Have a drink. It’ll help if you’re tired.”

Rosalyn accepted it, then took a deep drink. She smacked her lips, eyes wandering as she explored the flavour. “That tastes… nice? I’m not much of a coffee person. It doesn’t taste bad, though. I can see why you like it.”

“Would you mind if I tried a sip?” Bren asked. “For purely academic purposes, of course.”

“Right. Totally don’t want to know what five thousand year old coffee tastes like,” Ann laughed, handing it to Bren.

The man took the ceramic mug reverently in both hands. He swirled the contents, watching the rich brown mix with the bit of cream that Ann preferred, then lifted the cup to his nose. Satisfied, he brought the rim to his lips and drank deep. He sighed, eyes closed, then handed the mug back to Ann.

“So? You like it?”

“It is good. I prefer my teas, but I do understand. There is an odd flavour I’m not familiar with in there. A sweetness with a strange aftertaste?”

“Probably sweetener. There’s some name for it I can’t remember, but it’s not really sugar,” Ann explained.

“Give,” Lucia asked, holding out her hand.

Ann smiled at the awkward request and handed the mug over. Lucia took it, inspected the liquid for a moment, then downed the whole thing. It refilled as soon as she brought it back down. She nodded and handed it back to Ann. “Like it. Want more. Maybe share?”

“Remind me, and I’ll pour you a cup in the mornings. Kat, you want some?”

“Erm, sure? Don’t really do coffee or tea too often,” Kat shrugged, taking the offered mug. She slurped at the hot liquid noisily, then handed it back. “Aye. Don’t like it. Dinnae what ye all are on about. Too bitter fer me.”

“Kat,” Bren said. “When in the hells have you ever not liked bitter?”

“All the time? Why.”

“When you drink coffee, you drink it black.”

“Aye, an’ it’s feckin’ nasty. Why do ye think I don’t drink it much?”

Ann and Bren shared a look of exasperation.

“You know you can make coffee sweeter, right?”

“I’m not dumb,” Kat grumbled. “The base is bitter and gross, though, so it’s gonna be there every time I taste it.”

“I’m changing that opinion,” Ann decided. “We’re working on getting you to like coffee. Swear to Orenous, I guess, is there a coffee God?”

“Not that I know,” Bren said. “Though there is a God for pretty much everything. Maybe they are located further south and do not travel this far north?”

“Speaking of, got a question about that. How do you all get coffee? And why can’t a god be down there and also up here? Aren’t they kinda everywhere at once?”

“Trade between the tribes south and east of us is friendly,” Bren explained. “We offer a large amount of metals and stone they have a harder time procuring, and in return we receive a large amount of agricultural aid.”

Ann nodded. That made sense. Coffee had to grow in a warm climate, and Korvas was not that whatsoever. She was slightly surprised that trade was that widespread, but also figured that magic helped transportation of goods.

“To answer your second question, that is something the Gods have discussed during their time on the planet. Their power and will is omnipresent, but they are not omniscient. You may feel love, and that is of Orenous, but she is not actually with you in the room, paying attention when that happens. Her power is, for certain, but her consciousness likely is not,” Bren said.

“For some reason,” Rosalyn said, then coughed into her hand, grinning at Ann. “I think we might be the exception. Wouldn’t be surprised if she’s just hanging around most nights.”

“I asked her not to be a perv about stuff,” Ann groaned.

“And I asked ‘er tae join us if she was,” Kat said, joining Ann in her grumbles. “Wonder if feckin’ an illusion in me mind is like feckin’ a ghost.”

“And we have derailed once more,” Bren sighed.

“Oh, come on. That’s a real brain tickler,” Kat said, flicking the side of Bren’s head. “If it’s not actually there, can ye even feel it if yer brain tells ye that ye can?”

“I do not know, and I will not humour this line of thinking,” Bren protested.

“Don’t even ‘ave tae be about feckin’,” Kat said. “Maybe pain? Or just a touch. Shite like loosin’ yer arm an’ feelin’ that it’s still there. Heard plenty o’ stories from Polaris an’ other soldiers about their friends who dealt wit’ that. Some say the spirit o’ the missin’ piece is still stickin’ around, and yer brain can tell. Makes some sort o’ sense tae me.”

“You derailed harder than Rosalyn does,” Ann whistled. “Kinda morbid after talking about fucking Orenous.”

“My life is filtered through fightin’ shite. O’ course I’m gonna take it back there,” Kat shrugged. “Feck, I dinnae what tae even do wit’ the rest o’ the day.”

“Need to go to smith for crystal. Maybe gem cutter. Lens for rifle. Scope,” Lucia suggested.

“Feck, we need tae start thinkin’ about gettin’ our gear enchanted. Ye’ve got a tonne o’ space worked intae yer armour, Ann. Let’s tag along.”

“Sounds good to me,” Ann said, standing and helping Rosalyn up.

“I heard there are some extra craftspeople in the city for maintenance on one of the sky lights. Maybe we can find one that is not occupied?” Bren suggested.

“Off tae the craftin’ district then,” Kat said, turning on her heel and leading the way.