Chapter 3: New Delsta Flats
Osvald turned out to be a much better navigator than Crick. He even had a map of his own, in one of the many pockets that his coat possessed. Not just that, he was truly a powerful scholar. Crick didn't need to have much experience with magic himself to know that much; the monsters that previously gave him a little trouble (not that he would admit it) were barely any issue as the three made their way out of the Winterlands and into the Brightlands.
Actually, there was one issue; having two magic users among the three of them put quite a strain on their supply of plums.
Crick's abilities as a Warrior (and as a Sanctum Knight, on top of that) didn't require a whole lot of spiritual power, but the same could not be said for Temenos' magic. Thus, he thought it prudent to buy as many plums as he could before the two left Flamechurch. Luck favored the prepared, after all! There was no telling what sort of dangers they could face, and it wouldn't do for Temenos to run out of healing magic at an inopportune moment.
That wasn't to say that Crick blamed Osvald for anything! In fact, he was glad that he and Temenos could help out in his time of need.
...It was just that Crick would much rather not have to watch Temenos and Osvald peruse through what he suspected to be a black market.
He didn't know what the nuns were selling - nor could he figure out why nuns would be selling anything in a place like this in the first place. They seemed to recognize Temenos and Crick right away on top of that - they had tensed up significantly since the three had arrived. There was very little doubt that they actually were clerics themselves. They seemed to be looking between Temenos and Crick - who had chosen to position himself in an area not too far from their little setup - with apprehension.
Whatever they were selling, Temenos and Osvald seemed to be having an interesting discussion about it. Between his current position and the fact that the two must be whispering, Crick couldn't hear what the two were talking about. Was it strange that he wanted to know regardless?
Osvald walked off into a location that Crick couldn't see, which left Temenos to look through the shopkeeper's wares by himself. Crick was frozen; between his unease of the possibility of this being a black market and his duty as Temenos' bodyguard, sitting in this location seemed the best compromise.
Temenos made eye contact with him and waved him over with that enigmatic smile. Duty won out over reason, and Crick didn't hesitate to go to him.
"He's with me," Temenos assured the nuns as Crick got closer. He walked over to Crick and - with the staff in his hand - gently tapped his shoulder. "Honestly, Crick. Must you wear that armor everywhere we go? You might scare people off faster than any monster."
Crick looked down at himself. What was wrong with wearing his armor? Yes, there were a few dents from monster battles...but that was part of being a knight, and a bodyguard on top of that!
"I'm your bodyguard, Temenos," Crick responded, "and a knight besides! You know it's my duty to-"
"Yes, I remember you protecting me from that beast's attacks like it was the other day," Temenos responded with a sigh. "I am not saying you shouldn't take pride in your station as a knight. But at least consider what we're up against, hm?"
Crick's expression must have given away his confusion, because Temenos continued, "What would our target think if they heard of a member of the Sacred Guard gallivanting all across Solistia? What would they do?"
"I-" He...actually hadn't thought of that. Yes, he did have a change of clothes packed for the journey. Several changes of clothes, including his sleepwear. But if traveling around in his armor could somehow give the culprit a chance to run away before they could catch up…that would be problematic, hesitant as he may be to admit it.
Apparently Temenos did not care if anyone overheard them, because one of the shopkeepers spoke up.
"If I may...there's a house on the road up ahead," she said. "The man who lives there might be willing to help you. He claims to be an inventor of some kind? I don't know what he claims to be an inventor of, but I do know he designed his own outfit. If nothing else, you might get a few tips."
Temenos regarded her words with a polite smile. "Blessings of the Flame to you for this gift, Sister."
"You as well, Inquisitor." The nun gave a small smile before returning to answer the questions of a merchant that had been passing by.
"Speaking of flames," Crick questioned, "where did Osvald go? It's been some time since he walked off..."
"He said he was going to procure something to sell," Temenos responded with a shrug. "He wanted to buy one of each of these Soulstones, but we're one short. He shouldn't be gone for too long, so let us just wait for him here."
Something to sell? So was Osvald some kind of collector? He must be, if he wanted one of each of these things. Were Soulstones part of his studies, or did he think it wise to bring so many to act as an emergency measure?
Osvald soon returned, giving the shopkeeper an antique coin (of all things!) to sell. As the shopkeeper gathered the money to give to Osvald, Crick asked, "Temenos said that you had been looking for something to sell. I must admit, I was expecting you to come back with an herb or two, or something that a monster would have dropped. How exactly did you get an antique coin like that?"
"...I have my ways," Osvald answered. And he left it at that. Which caught Crick's attention as the implications sank in. Having had parents that encouraged him to steal from and use others, Crick wasn't completely oblivious to the signs of thievery.
The problem was that he didn't know how best to pursue the matter. If it were anyone else - any other situation - he would most likely jump into action and condemn him as a thief.
But right here and now? Not only did he have no solid proof of that being the case, but Osvald was a traveling companion of the man he was supposed to be protecting!
Gods…what should I do?
Mercifully, Crick didn't have much time to worry.
Shortly after Osvald's return, some new merchants had arrived, relieving the nuns from their work and offering new wares. Temenos and Osvald looked through them, but at the moment they didn't seem to be interested in buying anything. Crick had taken his previous position at a spot not too far away from what was happening. He had thought about what Temenos said about his armor, and also he was a little apprehensive about this whole setup in the first place. Now he was almost certain it was a black market.
It shouldn't not shock him that Temenos took this in stride. Not only that, he accepted it and had absolutely no qualms about participating. It wouldn't even surprise him if he knew and condoned Osvald's methods.
He supposed that just meant the information finally sank in...Temenos was truly unlike any other cleric he had met.
Granted, Crick was aware that not all clerics fit perfectly into the 'pious and devoted' picture that most would believe. So long as they devoted themselves to the Sacred Flame, blessings and protection in the form of holy magic would follow. Temenos clearly had both, so he must have some degree of devotion to the Flame...even as he openly questioned the gods and used unorthodox methods to forcefully obtain information. He could clearly take care of himself (both verbally and physically), to the point where Crick often wondered if he really needed a bodyguard in the first place.
That said, Crick could certainly see why the pontiff chose him to be an Inquisitor. Despite how harsh Temenos' words and actions could be (and Crick would know, having been the target of many a teasing quip or nickname), it could not be denied that there was a kindness to them as well. He didn't have to guide Crick to the cathedral, and he had been the first to jump into action when they found Osvald lying in the snow. Even after they put down the beast in Flamechurch, Temenos had not hesitated to ensure that both of their injuries were not too serious.
Surely a person who would help others to such an extent-
His musings were suddenly interrupted by something being dangled in front of his line of vision. Almost as suddenly, the scent of seasoning and smoke practically assaulted his nose. Was this...a piece of meat? It couldn't be anything but. But where did it-?!
"You want some? You look like you need it!" It was only when the stranger spoke up that Crick actually took notice of her; long hair, a toothy grin and…did she have a tail? And was that tail wagging? Was she a beastling, then? A malamowl was perched on her shoulder, peering over at Crick with what he could only assume was curiosity.
For a moment, Crick could only stare. He had so many questions, but he had no idea where to start. It was only when the owl made a cooing noise that he snapped out of his stupor.
"Um. Is that jerky?" He questioned, mentally kicking himself for his lack of eloquence. When the girl nodded, Crick questioned further; "Are you quite certain?"
The girl left no further room for protest; she practically shoved the jerky into Crick's hands and sat down besides him. She pulled out a second piece of jerky from her bag and answered, "Yup, I'm sure! I hunted soooo many Ratkin today, we got enough of this stuff for days!"
Crick nearly dropped his piece of jerky. This was made from Ratkin? He was almost hesitant to try it now that he knew that, but it would be rude to accept food (even if it was a piece of jerky) and then not eat it...that, and he was feeling a little hungry.
"Thank you." Slowly, Crick took a bite and was surprised to discover that it actually wasn't that bad. Idly, he wondered if Temenos and Osvald would like this. Would she be willing to part with some jerky for them?
"Now we're friends, so I'm Ochette!" the girl introduced herself between bites. "And this is Mahina!"
"Ochette and Mahina," Crick repeated. "It's good to make your acquaintance. My name is Crick."
"Nice to meetcha too! So, you on a journey too?" the girl asked. Crick nodded. "I am. My companions are looking through the market there."
The two looked over at the market. The cleric and scholar were still there, although it seemed like they had started to negotiate prices with the shopkeepers. And what was that in Temenos' hand-?
"I got a look through their stuff too," Ochette continued, getting Crick's attention again. "The two from earlier, anyways. The stones they were sellin' aren't that special in my opinon, but Mahina wouldn't let me leave until I grabbed some."
Mahina huffed and made some cooing noises. Crick couldn't understand what she might have been saying, but Ochette clearly did. The beastling huffed back, "I know that. But it's not like I can eat them!"
Crick was about to respond when he noticed Temenos and Osvald approaching. Temenos had a pleasant smile on his face as he commented, "Well, I see our dear Crick has made a friend."
Ochette immediately hopped onto her feet as she noticed the two newcomers; she pulled out two pieces of jerky and offered them to Temenos and Osvald. They both accepted the offer, although didn't eat it immediately.
"You're Crick's friends? I'm Ochette!" she greeted. "My friend Mahina and I are on a journey to find three Creatures of Legend to protect Toto'haha!"
Crick was surprised at how casually she said that. She basically told them that she was going on a perilous journey all over the world as casually as one might be talking about the weather! Temenos quirked an eyebrow, and Osvald was as unreadable as ever.
"So where are you guys headed?" Ochette asked. "We're thinkin' of stopping by that New Delsta city before we leave the Brightlands. If you're goin' the same way, we could go together!"
The second she mentioned New Delsta, Crick had a feeling as to what was about to happen. And he was proven correct; just as Temenos accepted a traveling companion in Osvald, he offered that Ochette accompany them. She eagerly accepted.
This time, Crick found no reason to protest.