Yew's dreams, of course, revealed some status screens. His Speech skill had leveled up and he was only a few dozen points or so from getting to level 5.
Yew woke up to the sounds of his lover getting dressed. It wasn't a bad sight to wake up to, seeing Ivan's firm ass as he put on his leggings.
"You heading out?" Yew asked.
"Yeah. I have a contract." Ivan said.
"Well...good luck." Yew said.
"I don't rely on such things." Ivan said.
"You sure? I could give you a kiss or a token for good luck?" Yew said teasingly.
"Tokens are for knights." Ivan said. And he left with arms and armor fully equipped.
Yew headed downstairs after Ivan left. He joined Greta, who seemed slightly distant. Yew was slightly concerned about that but Greta had been drinking a lot so Yew didn't make too much of it.
Then he noticed that Hualda seemed slightly awkward. He would have to talk to Greta about that a bit later.
"What are you two going to be up to today?" Hualda asked.
"Well I-" Yew and Greta both said at the same time. Then they paused and looked at each other. Yew was about to take over and say that they were going to see more of the city, when the door to the inn opened.
It was a woman in robes similar to Greta's. Robes of the priesthood of Kyrenath. She was pretty attractive actually, and lustful thoughts began filling Yew's mind again.
"Greta dear. I heard you were back in town. It is good to see you." The woman said.
"Danica? It's good to see you as well. How has the temple been?" Greta said.
"Suffering somewhat from the war. However, we are making due." Danica said.
Yew took this opportunity to seek out Mikeal. He had to complete his quest after all.
"Your Mikeal right?" Yew said.
"Yes, indeed I am. And your that traveler. I hear you've been going all around town claiming to be a druid?" Mikeal said.
"I've been claiming that because it's true." Yew said.
"I knew a druid at the Bard's College in Solitude. Yes...you do have the robes of the order, at least for a neophyte, but I don't see a sickle or any of the other holy symbols." Mikheal said.
"Until recently I have been traveling as light as I can and with a desire to keep my allegiance to my order secret. With this dragon attack, I find no reason not to advertise my presence as a druid." Yew said.
"I see." Mikheal said.
"I wanted to talk to you about something much different though." Yew said.
"Oh?" Mikheal said.
"Carlotta. You should leave her alone." Yew said.
"Carlotta...yes. She is a rare beauty. Why would I stop attempting my seduction? I feel like I'm inching ever closer." Mikheal said.
"Because she wants you to stop." Yew said.
"I'm not sure I believe that. Much as she might protest it, I believe she is interested in me." Mikheal said.
"What if...you bedded me instead? I'd be down for it." Yew said, looking Mikheal up and down, and stroking his knee. Mikheal pushed his hand off.
"I don't bed with boys. Even pretty ones." Mikheal said.
"Sure I can't talk you into it?" Yew asked.
"Nope." Mikheal said.
"Fine then. But now imagine if I continued pressing the point, and started bragging to everyone within hearing distance that I'm close to bedding you." Yew said. Mikheal looked thoughtful, gave Yew a strange look and went back to thinking.
"Your right. I suppose I was wrong. You can tell Carlotta I won't pursue her. I was getting bored of trying anyway. Just...if your thinking of pursuing her yourself...a word to the wise. She's been a bit broken when it comes to men. Her old lover abandoned her and her child." Mikheal said.
"Good to know." Yew said. He felt a rush of power. He was certain he had leveled up, either just in speech or as part of his general level or both.
"Yew...I'm going to head off with Danica. I want to talk to her alone for a bit." Greta said.
"Ok. I'll go explore a bit around town then." Yew said.
"Sounds good. I'll meet up with you soon." Greta said. With that Greta and Danica left. Shortly thereafter Yew headed out himself to tell Carlotta and complete his quest.
"I've convinced Mikhael to abandon his seduction efforts. You won't need to worry about him anymore." Yew said.
"Well, I'll believe it when I see it. But still...thanks for talking to him. Here's something for your trouble." Carlotta said, handing some gold to Yew. He also felt another rush of power, which Yew realized was the experience points. He also was glad for the smile on Carlotta's face.
Greta was with Danica, near the altar of Kynereath speaking in hushed tones.
"Those desires...have you accepted them." Danica said.
"I...I have not brought myself to fully accept them." Greta said.
"I'm sorry to hear that. Though I understand how it is difficult to, considering your past." Danica said sympathetically.
"Yes..." Greta said.
"That man you are traveling with..." Danica said.
"He has been good for me, I think. It's been nice traveling with someone. Working together with someone." Greta said.
"I see. You know...that man is a druid." Danica said.
"Yes. He is." Greta said. She was slightly confused at why she was bringing that up.
"He could be quite useful to the temple." Danica said.
"I see...but he has another mission. He wants to investigate the dragons." Greta said.
"That is a worthy cause. However, this temple is weak. You are weak. He is weak. In order to complete your mission, you need to get stronger. In order for this temple to protect the city, we need it to be strengthened. Please, we can help each other." Danica said, laying a hand on Greta's shoulder. Greta felt an involuntary shiver of desire.
"I...I'll ask him." Greta said.
"Thanks. That's all I ask of you." Danica said and removed her hand.
Yew spent some time talking with Carlotta. She was a charming, intelligent and funny woman, though hard in places from her rough life.
"You are very compassionate and quite a lovely person, or at least seem to be." Carlotta admitted.
"I try." Yew said.
"Well, you do well. I would like to talk to you and see you for as long as you are in town." Carlotta said.
"Then I'll catch you when I can." Yew said. They said their farewells and Yew went to Arcadia's cauldron to practice some alchemy and talk with Arcadia. He sold off some of his newly made potions and kept the rest. Then he made his way back to the Bannered Mare to get some lunch.
He was tucking into his lunch, minding his own business when he suddenly felt a slap on his butt. He turned around and saw that amazon of the woman who spent nearly all of her time at this inn. Uthgerd.
"Hello, there cutie." Uthgerd said as she eyed him.
"H-Hello there." Yew said, eyeing her back. She really was quite attractive in a distinctive, show!Brienne of Tarth sort of way.
"I noticed you looking my way last night. It's nice to meet a man who can appreciate a strong woman. Particularly one so lovely as you." Brienne said.
"I certainly can. You look quite strong and attractive. I'd very much like to see your body underneath that plate." Yew said.
That was when Greta came in.
"U-Uh hello Yew. I hate to interrupt but..." Greta said, quickly figuring out the situation.
"No need to apologize." Uthgerd said, and her gaze fell on Greta with the same intense lust.
"What is it Greta?" Yew asked.
"I...I wanted to discuss something with you. Priestess Danica has offered us a quest." Greta said.
"I'd like to hear about it." Yew said.
"A quest? I'm sorry to intrude but I am a warrior as dedicated to Kynereath as any. I'd be pleased to assist you." Uthgerd said. Yew looked at Greta.
"A skilled warrior would be helpful to have aid us in combat." Yew said. The two of them could really use a tank, and she seemed like she could provide that.
"I..I'm ok with that." Greta said.
"Ok then." Yew said, getting up.
"Let's go see Danica." Yew concluded.