Chapter 2: Who'd you expect?
The blackness started to fade, and muffled sounds filled the air. The rookie's eyes had started to open, greeted by a blurry mess. After blinking a few times, the scene started to come into focus. The blonde girl from before hovered right in the middle of the field of view.
"Oh ahh waahh hawn!"
The rookie shook out of a daze.
"Are you okay?" The noises finally turned into spoken language.
"Ughn..."
The rookie yanked off the Kobold-inspired head garment, revealing a slightly tanned, feminine face. She ran her gloved fingers through her neck-length, auburn hair and made more disgruntled noises.
"Oh my!" the girl said.
"Oh my, indeed," a gruff, but calm, male voice said from somewhere else in the room.
The rookie turned her head as far as she could manage to look at the corner of the room. A middle-aged, handsome man with short, brown hair stood up from a chair. Although a frown seemed to be permanently fixed on his face, he carried a comforting warmth with him.
"I guess there are girls who want to fight, after all," he said.
"Perhaps you'll finally relax your recruiting standards a bit, captain Aodhan," the blonde girl said sweetly.
"Perhaps we can all relax one day, Tieve. It pains me each time I recruit a new set of boys," he looked at the half-asleep rookie. "I'd much prefer not having to at all."
Tieve gave him a wishful look before turning back to the rookie.
"Thank you, by the way," she said. "I'd be part of the wreckage at the bell tower if it weren't for you."
"Just doin' m'job," the rookie rubbed the side of her head.
"What's your name?" Aodhan asked.
"I'm Bapple."
"Well, Bapple, it's good to formally meet you," he extended a hand. "I'd be honored to keep you among my forces."
"Sure thing, boss," Bapple smirked, grabbing his hand firmly. "As long as I get my own room somewhere in this town. No more stinky boys in cramped quarters, please."
Later...
Bapple had changed out of her armor into a lighter, more casual tunic and skirt loaned to her by Tieve. She walked outside, stretching and massaging her joints, and took a relieved breath. She felt drawn to the forge in the corner of town.
Inside, the sound of steel on steel and rising steam echoed throughout the room. A large, burly man with jet black hair and matching facial hair stood behind a brick platform, pounding away at what was undoubtedly going to be a weapon.
"Mornin'!" he shouted over his own noise. "Haven't seen you around before. You must be the talk of the town."
He set down his equipment and walked over. He reached out to shake her hand, but noticed both of his hands were filthy; he offered a smile instead.
"I must be," Bapple said. "I'm getting acquainted with this place."
"Well I hope I'm the first of the regular townfolk to welcome you to our humble little Colhen. I'm the blacksmith if you haven't figured. I can make armor, weapons, and pretty much anything that goes CLANK! Haha!"
"Good to know," Bapple said.
"Well, well!" a new voice came from the back of the room.
A pale, slender arm reached from behind a curtain and pulled it aside. A woman with volumed, dark red hair came out from behind it. At first glance, she seemed to have on more jewelery than clothing. Her chest section was barely covered with a few large pieces of cloth tied together around her torso, and a dress of exotic fur covered what was below her exposed midriff.
"So this is the girl who got into the Crimson Blades, huh? She's a cutie," she looked at Ferghus, pointing at Bapple. "Probably just another slab of meat with a mouth hole, though. Guess we'll see."
Bapple was inexplicably humbled and couldn't figure out a proper reaction.
"Strong, silent type, huh? Well, I don't guess you've had many chances to talk for a while. Anyway, perfect timing. When you're done playing meet and greet, how about you do me a favor? I'll have gold for you, of course."
Bapple looked at her, dumbfounded, and only nodded.
"Get me some black Gnoll leather," she said, not having waited long for an answer. "I'm sure you're crafty enough to find it." With that, she disappeared back behind the curtain.
Ferghus chuckled.
"That's Shayla. Sometimes you can feel her personality from the other side of town."
Back outside...
Tieve had suggested visiting the general store first, as it was statistically the most positive place in town. However, Bapple presently had no interest in the more orthodox parts of town. She headed for a lone building in the corner opposite that of the forge.
Creeeeak, went the door.
"Hello? Can I help you, or will you leave?"
"Er, hi. I'm Bapple. I'm meeting everyone in town."
"Ah, the one who killed Wenshardt."
"Who?"
"The big, white spider. Hard to miss."
"Oh, right."
"What is this place?" Bapple asked as she held up a large book.
"Put that down. This is my laboratory. I offer services typical of a magician... to those who need them. You don't seem to need them right now."
"Okay, okay. What's your name, at least?"
"I'm Brynn. Goodbye."
Bapple walked back outside, feeling slightly less confident this time.
