Chapter 21 - Leaving Colhen

Word spreads quickly of the rustle in the Outpost. It's no surprise that I became the most hated person in Colhen as I have been receiving looks of disdain from every pass-by mercenary.

Upon hearing the rumors they spread about me, I can only sigh heavily. They are certainly not pleasant.

But ever since the incident, the Crimson Blades stepped up their game. The refreshments of the mission board are constantly updated. Missions are taken down at shocking speeds faster than you can read it. A new level of respect is seen among the town folks. The wave of achievements boosted the mercenary reputation up by a whole new tier.

My name quickly spread across the town too. I was left with no choice but to avoid contact with the general population.

It eventually turns out that they are starving me from job requests so I won't be receiving payment. I can't keep living in the shadows forever without a stable income. My remaining funds won't last very long, especially after placing my order for armor to Kirstie.

However, I am put on watch. I can't simply grab a mission to complete it. The competition has exceeded my expectations for a small town. It seems as though they've been waiting by the board for long periods of time just for a mission. Thus, they naturally did not hesitate to accept any missions posted.

The Outpost is another force that prevented me from doing anything. They would stop me immediately and restrict me from soloing.

Thus I've been confined inside Colhen.

But that didn't stop me from exploring my abilities. However, without a life or death situation, it was difficult to evaluate my true potential.

Yet I was able to bring out a small portion of Berserker spontaneously, leaving me extremely tired afterwards. I have not quite mastered Berserker after all. All I can do with it is to swiftly dash forward within split seconds to catch enemies off guard. I stumbled upon this when I imagine the essence of Berserker surging through my limbs. After hundreds of trials, I eventually created a deadly side slash. The launch speed is easily comparable to a mighty gale; I call it, Gliding Fury. But this is only useful in desperate situations as the side effects leave me dead tired afterwards. If I don't kill my enemies with this, I'm screwed for the rest of the fight.

At the moment there are two factors restraining me. First is the lack of missions. The main issue is income as my current amount of gold won't last forever. The second is the Outpost. I'm placed on a close watch and they won't let me anywhere near the Ruins by myself. At the very most I can compromise my decision to form a party. That's a little late now. Who would want to?

This small town really is of no benefit for me. The greatest problem I face right now is the lack of money. With only 10 gold pieces left from an amount of 125, I can last a week with this...probably. If the Kirstie's armor didn't cost 110 gold, maybe I would actually be able to leave Colhen immediately.

On another matter, I have no idea of the nearby geography, nor do I know any other towns around here. I can probably find more information about that but the money problem doesn't exactly solve itself.

If the mission board is useless, then I must find another source. Luckily, I already completed a mission from a private contractor, Shayla. And she seems to be willing to offer me more work.

My next destination would be the lair of that woman. I grimace bitterly as I walk towards the Forge. The furnace blasts its heat out the center as if making our lives miserable is its duty. How does Ferghus work endlessly in this hellhole? My respect for the blacksmith has risen to another level. I yell out to Ferghus once I enter the humid Forge. Ferghus grunts out an incomprehensible reply while clanging away on his daily orders, which was pinned on the wall beside the front desk. By no means were they a simple list: 25 pairs of short swords, 100 small bombs, a bunch of other gadgets and secondary weapons. How is he able to finish them all? I'm deeply amazed that he does this on a daily basis.

I shake away in disbelief and then I set my eyes onto my employer. Shayla was sitting at her desk looking over her recent hulls.

Shayla: "Well well, if it isn't Lethita. How does it feel to be the most hated man in Colhen?"

I scowl at the sight of her polishing a red gem and once more at her remark.

"I don't give a shit about my status in the village."

Impressed by my words, Shayla does a double take and looks at me again.

Shayla: "You got spunk, Lethita. I like that in a man."

Her lips curl into a smirk and the way her eye glisten almost seem predatory. I look at her skeptically and reply.

"Good to know. Aren't you a little old to be picking up boys?"

She drops her smile and appears shocked by my words.

"Wh-you-I-"

Shayla swallows what she wanted to say and starts over after a calm exhale.

Shayla: "Your reputation precedes you. I can see where everyone is coming from. You know I'm only in my 20s?"

"Being 29 is certainly 'in the 20s,' but there is a difference."

She slams her hands onto the table in a fit of rage. The gems on the table clutter noisily before settling down after a brief rumble.

Shayla: "I'm not that old!"

"Is that so?"

She sighs deeply before staring at me in annoyance.

Shayla: "If you were just a bit older, I'd pounce on you right now and make you eat your words."

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're hitting on me. But I do know better. And I am not letting you take advantage of me."

Shayla smirks lustfully while licking her lips.

Shayla: "Not even a little bit?"

I shrug away and gaze out the window at the mercenaries crowding around the mission board off in the distance. Her little scheme crumbled before it even took flight.

"I am not giving you any discount for my services. So stop trying to rip me off."

Shayla blinks twice when she realized that she has been outwitted and outmatched. Dejected, she slouches down on her seat behind the table.

Shayla: "Aw... You figured it out..."

Another idea hits me just when I wanted to ask about the next mission she may have.

"Is this how you make contracts? Seduce them into giving you good deals?"

Shayla cackles wickedly at my inquiry.

Shayla: "Yeah! All of them are fools! A little word play and a few lingering touches can woo any man."

I disapprovingly shake my head.

"You're an evil bitch, you know that?"

Shayla chuckles at my insult.

Shayla: "An evil SEXY bitch."

"Alright whatever, let's cut to the chase. What have you got for me?"

Shayla: "Aha, you're not denying it. Okay, give me a sec here. Let's see..."

She flips through a stack of paper and eventually pulls a scroll out. She then skims the content carefully. I question her amiable behavior while she's reviewing the scroll.

"Why have you suddenly become friendly with me? This isn't like you."

She pauses for a moment before setting her eyes downs at me. With a sigh, she answers me honestly.

Shayla: "You were not what I expected either. I never imagined the boy I met a few weeks ago could become so badass."

I raise a brow upon hearing that. I can't remember anything for her to change opinion about me.

"What do you mean?"

Shayla: "I mean… "

Shayla turns to face me.

Shayla: "You're not like the rest of them. You're not an ordinary mercenary. I've had my share of dealing with them for years now. But no. You're different. You're different from the rest of them.

First of all, you are still here. That's a big plus. Most have either been killed in action within weeks or taken an early leave.

Second, it doesn't seem like you're in this to make money. You have a completely unusual goal. Yes, my contracts are difficult to complete but they pay well, yet you've only taken one mission so far and have not come back for more until today. I've given some thought and it seems that living well on wealth is not a goal for you. All the mercenaries I've met came back begging for more within a day.

And third, you turned the entire Crimson Blades Mercenary against you. I have no idea what to think of that but that's very peculiar."

I take in what was said word by word in silence. I'm shocked, and I guess only a little bit impressed. Her analysis of my situation is spot on. She's not wrong. She's most definitely right. But her wits drive me to dislike her more.

Even my look of surprise does not escape her depicting eyes. She quickly explains.

Shayla: "You probably don't know, but I spent a lot of good years hunting down treasure. I've interacted with a whole bunch of different sort of people too. But you? You don't seem like... Well, you don't seem like the kind of person that spends their life following orders. I don't see you as a Merc. It just doesn't make any sense. Am I wrong?"

Shayla smiles when I shake my head blankly.

Shayla: "Maybe I can help you out. Maybe I know a place you can go to get away... I used to run with a good crew, the Coffer Chasers. They're stationed in a town called Malina. You're just the sort of battle-worn renegade that would fit in with a bunch of low-life thrill-seekers like them."

Shayla puts a comforting hand on my arm. I shake them off immediately. She takes the hint and backs off.

Shayla: "Look, I'm not trying to tell you what to do with your life. I just want you to know the world's got a lot more to offer than dead bodies and broken hearts."

A dark shadow flickers past Shayla's eyes. I say nothing of it. Her past has nothing to do with me. If anything, we're just going to get more attached.

Shayla: "There's a ferry running to Malina at the docks. If you're thinking of boarding it, I'll send you along with a letter and a little job for the guild. Well? What do you say."

"I'll think about it... For now, I might stick around here for a bit."

It's true that I wanted a way to get away from this backwater town. I've created a nasty bunch of aggressors against me as a result of me trying to cut off ties in the mercenaries.

Shayla: "Ok, I've rambled on for too long. Here."

She points at a crumpled up scroll under her other hand.

"One for Perilous Ruins. This-"

Perilous Ruins? No no no.

"I would really like one that's not in Perilous Ruins. I'm...limited to options."

She pauses to look at me.

Shayla: "Uh, why not?"

"You heard about what happened. I'm put on watch. Can't leave by myself. Captain's orders."

She nods understandingly and doesn't dig deeper. She then flips through another scroll.

Shayla: "Gimme a sec... Ah here it is. Hoarfrost Hollow."

She tosses the scroll over facing me. I take a peek at the contents and realize I have no idea where it is or what it is I'm looking at. I give her a blank stare as I glance upwards from the scroll.

Shayla takes in my expression perceptively.

Shayla: "Have you ever been there?"

"Nope. I'm still a rookie."

I answer her immediately as I was expecting that question to be asked.

With a sigh, Shayla quickly takes out a map and points at a location northeast of Colhen. Then she traces downwards along the river until Colhen is in view.

Shayla: "Here it is. It isn't too far away from the Perilous Ruins. I need you to get ahold of some frost stones inside the cave. They worth quite a bit. The buyer this time is even willing to pay thousands just for one. I know you won't disappoint this one as well."

I scan the map a bit longer. I can travel along the river from the other side. The distance is the question here.

"How long does it take by foot?"

She takes a long look at my face. Then she realizes I wasn't joking with a serious expression.

Shayla: "You're crazy. You're not actually thinking of going there by foot, are you?"

I hang my head down as I skim through the map Shayla laid out. If I were to travel alone on foot, I would have to follow along the river until...the next town here...

"Only choice I've got. Captain's orders."

I repeat that line again the second time depressingly.

"I can't leave unless accompanied by party members."

Shayla nods understandingly.

Shayla: "Okay well, I have no idea how long your route will be as no one is limited enough to walk there. I recommend preparing lots of food and water. If possible, find a caravan that goes your way. Maybe you can even hitch a ride or something. Just be careful okay? Fomors aren't the only thing to watch out for. Humans aren't that friendly either."

I nod to her warnings. I'm assuming bandits lurk around the woods or mountain passages. I should be very wary of my surroundings once I'm out there. So...

"I'm taking the map too."

Shayla sighs.

Shayla: "You know I don't simply hand things out for free? But consider this a gift as the start of our wonderful relationship."

"You mean partnership."

I correct her on a whim. Her teasing has no effect on me.

Shayla: "Yes of course."

Her smile shows me a mouthful of glimmering white teeth.

I leave immediately.

Having a need to explore a new region, Hoarfrost Hollow, I can't help but feel excited in a long while. This time I won't be held back by the Outpost. And I finally get to test out the extent of my new attack.

First I need to prepare enough food and water to last me a few days. I also need to check up on the armor in progress. I suspect it should be done or nearly done in a week. I want to be the most prepared when I embark on the journey.

I enter the building with a sign on it that read "General Store." The bell rings as I open the door to enter. A wave of homely smell teases me as I view the interiors. The shelves are stocked with miscellaneous inventory such as toys, craft materials, wood, jewelry, etc. Another shelf in the back holds the drinks and food. The aroma in the air is delectable.

"Welcome-oh hello! I don't believe we've met before. Are you a new member of the Crimson Blades?"

A short black haired woman in her 30s greets me behind the counter of the shop. I nod back in response. Another sporty gal around my age pops out from the back. Her dazzling red head tied in a ponytail swings around as she jumps out from the back room.

"A new face? Hey! It's the new Blade, the one who saved Tieve at the bell tower! Thrilled to make your acquaintance. I'm Clodagh, the beautiful tailor of Colhen. If you need any tailoring, I'm the gal to look for."

The red head takes a moment to stare and suddenly hangs her mouth wide open when she truly realizes who I am.

Clodagh: "Wha-you-uh-I-you're that hated mercenary! They say that despite your achievements, your rotten attitude has earned negativity in all mercenaries of Crimson Blade Mer-"

I was about to shrug her off but the woman behind the counter forcibly closes Clodagh's mouth in a fluid motion. Her immediate response shows that this isn't the first time she had to do this. This also tells me her efficiency in dealing with her staff and customers. She must've spent quite a few years in this town.

"Oh shush Clodagh. We don't discriminate anybody in the town. Mercenaries have their own circumstances. Who are you to only listen to one sided stories?"

She scolds her immediately. Then she turns to me in an apologetic manner.

"Sorry about Clodagh. She is young and is currently still learning. However, she is our talented designer and tailor, even though she is like a playful child."

Clodagh: "Hey!"

The woman rolls her eyes and continues.

"Anyways, my name is Aislinn and I am the manager for the General Store here. Now, how may I help you?"

The two stares at me with two completely different emotions; one of shock and awe and the other with indifference. Given the opportunity, I make my order.

"I need a few bags of food and rations. Or however much 10 pieces of gold can get me."

With the last bit of my money to spend on food, I guess I am now officially broke.

I toss my all remaining gold onto the counter.

Upon seeing my money and hearing my request, Clodagh's eyes bulge outwards as if they were going to pop out at any given notice.

Clodagh: "You're leaving already?!"

"Huh?"

I send her a look of confusion.

Clodagh: "What are you going to do with all those food? You must be leaving!"

I shrug in response.

Aislinn: "Clodagh, that's enough. Don't you have other work to do? Like finishing your orders for tomorrow?"

The realization of her work slaps Clodagh across the face and she sulks back to her room at the back. Before completely disappearing behind the door, she turns around with a smile.

Clodagh: "I don't believe any of the rumors about you, Lethita!"

So she already knows my name.

Aislinn: "Phew, that girl is finally gone. She's been like this with everyone she has taken interest in. Don't worry about her. Anyways, let me see why I can gather for you. Fenella!"

Another woman in a yellow bandana also in her 40s enters the main room with a broom in her hands. Aislinn introduces me immediately.

Aislinn: "This is Lethita, 'the famed mercenary.' And Lethita, this is Fenella. She is an assistant shopkeeper here with plenty of experience. He has placed an order for food rations that can last 3 days. Can you see what we have in stock?"

Fenella: "Sure thing Aislinn. Lethita, I will be right back."

And then it was just us two in the room. Aislinn breaks the momentary silence first.

Aislinn: "I'm honestly impressed by you, Lethita. We don't usually have outstanding mercenaries emerging in Colhen. The last one that stood out was Keaghan from a few years ago. Now he's the commanding officer in the Rocheste castle."

"Well, I'm trying not to stand out. It's funny how things don't go your way."

I remark bitterly.

"I never asked for any of this."

Aislinn nods empathetically.

Aislinn: "This is one of the harsher lessons in life that many don't learn until it's too late. I hope you just won't step onto the wrong path."

"I'll try..."

Fenella enters the room again, this time with two brown sacks.

Fenella: "Well, these two bags are the only ones we can sell at the moment. They should be able to last you for at least 4 days. We don't usually receive a big order at once. Are you planning on leaving immediately? If you come back in a few days, we will have more in stock."

"No that's okay. I want to leave as soon as possible. I've got a mission to complete."

Aislinn inspects the bags before passing them over for me to make sure that the food quality is acceptable. I nod at the large supply of edibles in my hands.

Aislinn: "Since that's all we have at the moment. We can't accept the 10 gold you have given is. So we are returning 3 gold back."

I receive the change from Aislinn after slinging both bags over my shoulder with my hand.

"Thanks."

Aislinn: "Pleasure doing business with you. Be careful out there, Lethita."

Fenella: "Take care."

I nod to both of them and head out of the General Store.

After placing my food supply in my room, I head out to the Traveler's Shop to check up on my armor in the making.

I find Kirstie snoozing on her counter. Business must have not been good. Her head was about drop on the table so I slam my hand down before her head with a loud smack. She wakes up with a startle. Her dazed eyes quickly scan the room before resting them on me.

Kirstie: "Wha? Huh? Lethita?"

"How's the armor coming along?"

She takes a second to collect herself before realizing she had drool dripping down the side of her mouth. She then turns around and wipes it off before shifting back to me.

Kirstie: "Oh. I'm almost finished. Here, have a look."

She leads me to the back room of the shop and reveals her cozy little workplace. A little fire sits in the center of the room warmly. The glass window peeks out on Brynn's laboratory. Evie is in the backyard of the lab practicing spell casting. Several blue ethereal magic circles appear out of thin air in a snap and Evie summons a pillar of icicles.

Turning back my attention, I notice the unfinished armor standing up against one of the walls. The dim light lit by a fire resting in the middle provides barely visible outlines of a set of light armor.

Even though it is incomplete, the smooth glisten of the armor plates under the dull light offered by the fire displays a work of the finest efforts and sweat. I walk up close to inspect Kirstie's hard work. The feeling of the iron plates under my fingertips feel light and sturdy to the touch.

Kirstie appears on the side and pulls the rest of the set down. She motions me to try them on and I am not one to refuse.

The chest plate clips on tight and snug, offering an improved sense of defense and endurance. The leg armor fits perfectly around my already covered legs. The weight of it doesn't seem to slow me down either. The boots and gloves give off a strong grip and security. What I'm only lacking now is the helmet that goes with the set but Kirstie is still working on that.

"This is amazing... I feel I can actually move around better in these. The joints aren't scraping against the armor as I move around. The leather grips on the gloves provide a good sense of control while the backhand offers some deflection against enemy attacks. And the boots feel heavy enough to plant me firm into the ground."

With a nod of approval, I give Kirstie an impressed look.

"I like it."

Kirstie smiles back while scratching her auburn hair.

Kirstie: "I'm glad that they fit you well. Now I don't need to worry about readjusting the rest of the equipment before I'm finished."

I give her a quizzical look. She takes notice of that and quickly explains herself.

Kirstie: "Well, you're not exactly someone who is seen often. I have no idea where you are. And the other mercenaries won't talk to me about you at all. Additionally, all the rumors..."

She lists a bunch of reasons after that. The gist is that measurements were not everything there is to make suitable armor. I had to physically try them on as Kirstie progresses with the craft. That's probably why she still hasn't finished yet. The fact is that even though I have not been in sight, Kirstie could still mould it around my figure is impressive enough. And this makes me appreciate Kirstie even more.

"So... I need this armor set now. I'm leaving tomorrow on a journey and won't be back for a while"

Kirstie nods understandingly and promises to finish the helmet once I'm back. Well, that is, if I don't need another pair by then.

Kirstie: "Be careful out there."

I bid my farewell.

As I leave through the door, I bump into someone familiar, Fiona. We brush our shoulders past each other. She turns around and let out a mutter.

Fiona: "Lethita..."

I stop in my track. Fiona doesn't appear any different than before. Her dazzling blond hair is resting neatly in a ponytail and her ocean blue eyes gazes deep into mine. There is a sea of questions reflecting in her stare. Her usual aloofness is still there but she actually called out my name. Her next question catches me off guard.

Fiona: "...Are you going somewhere?"

She must have noticed the new light armor I had equipped.

"Nothing for you to worry about."

I dismiss her question easily. I need not to involve anyone in my journey. Having said that, I continue my way out of the Traveler's Shop.

Fiona: "...Wait."

But her soft voice is lost in the closing of the door.

Once out of the shop, a frustrated cry reaches my ears. Evie is jumping around up and down like a rabbit while stomping her feet as she lands, her arms flailing around crazily.

Evie: "Why! Won't! This! Work!"

Her aggressive thrashing results in a spectacle for bystanders around Brynn's lab. I guess everyone has their own problems to solve. Evie is no different, even if she's a rarity in a thousand. Her magic will take her far some day. I know it. Meanwhile, I can't do anything in hopes to catch up to her level.

Alright that's enough time wallowing in self defeat. I head to the inn to prepare for tomorrow.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring.
Fomor extermination I hope.
My face distorts into an unconscious smile as I walk back deep in my thoughts.