Chapter 43

(Melty)

Melty wasn't sure what to think about Usa.

Her mother, in an effort to groom her into a politician, had taught her how to read people. To pick up the silent signals they gave while interacting with others. How deeply one bowed, how firmly they shook hands, where they looked while shaking hands, where they looked while talking... The list could fill a tome, and while not very experienced just knowing there was something to look for made her more experienced than most.

For example. Raphtalia was determined to succeed. Not just for the sake of the party, but for everything. To chop one more log than the day before. To swing her blade one extra time every morning for practise. To shorten her spell casting times by a fraction of a second... Forward, always. Set goal, meet goal, exceed goal, find new goal. It was a little scary honestly, but Raphtalia's drive to improve had this kind of honesty about it, that encouraged others to do just a little better than before. Yes, even Melty had been affected by the raccoon girl's motivational aura.

But this determination spoke of a time when Raphtalia had been weak. Even without already knowing her story, she could tell Raphtalia had been humbled in the past, and badly. But instead of breaking her, it drove her to never be like that again. If anyone else had given her a second chance, she would still have been like this.

Clive... His appearance had made him very hard to read at first, until she realized his eyes gave even more away than most. Most would call his lack of words, or at least near lack, a disability. But Melty knew better. Those who listened were the most dangerous in politics. Clive, with his weird mobile eyes and patient demeanour, did not miss much. It made her wonder how he had ended up as a slave at all... But a moment's thought would hint at his observant nature being a learned response to never get caught again. Maybe, one day, Melty would ask him to write down why he ended up in a cage.

That aside, Clive made her think of the bow he used. Careful, direct, silent until it had something important to say. Thankfully, he was much friendlier than an arrow. His lack of speech in no way diminishing his ability to get along with others, so long as they understood he could only laugh at the joke, not tell them one. But also that he would almost always catch you making a fool of yourself.

Kodori... To her eyes, Kodori was either a few seconds from a total meltdown, or a genius at controlling how others saw her. Melty suspected she had been betrayed more than a few times, enough that she would forbid even her closest friends from lying. Yes, she had said she wanted them to tell her if she was about to do something stupid, but was that really all? Her eyes... Either Kodori was always hyper focused on someone when she spoke to them, or she was trying to intimidate them from the word 'hello'. But it was obvious that Kodori liked to be in control. Their daily routine, initial actions when they encountered monsters, keeping her ears and tails completely still while talking to people...

She reminded Melty of her mother in many ways. Though Kodori was far more free with small affections. A smile, a pat on the head/shoulder/ears, extra effort for meal times... But on the other side of that, if she was angry with you... Yes, that was it! Maybe Kodori wasn't such a mystery at all? If she was pleased with you, you would know. If she was angry with you, you would know. Otherwise, it was routine. Get along with the least amount of resistance... So much so, that Kodori seemed to 'let' people tell her mood. Happy tail swishing, obvious hand gestures, the use of slang and word contractions...

"Ma'am?" Usa called out to her, "Is something wrong?"

Yes... Then there was Usa...

Melty could guess why. And while her mother had encouraged her not to think of a Demi-Human as simply 'an animal with human form'... Usa really didn't help that stereotype. It was a little endearing, but he really did act like a rabbit. A prey animal. Nervous even while sleeping. Sensitive to any changes around him. Eyes always making those little nervous movements.

"Your heart suddenly sped up." He continued when she didn't reply instantly.

"Sorry." She gave him her best smile, making him relax visibly, "I think I just figured something out that has been puzzling me."

That was the other thing about Usa. He was honest. Everything about him was just so transparent. Was it the curse making him unable to lie, and the fear of the pain if he did? Or maybe an urge to keep everyone around him happy? She could guess why he was so eager to please. And it made her a little sad. But even so, that honesty about him also told you he was not a weakling. In combat, he was just as steadfast as everyone else, just as capable as any predator when it came to expressing a 'combat face'.

"Ah, good." He smiled back at her. Then one of his ears rotated a little towards the door of the shop, the rest of his head following, "A new customer I think."

Melty put on her best, newly learned 'customer service' face a half second before the door opened, "Welcome to the Fox Emporium."


(Kodori)

My first impression of this kid was 'driven'. His stance, his face, even the slow lash of his tail. He had a purpose, and he knew exactly what it was. His eyes were like mine, intense, vertically slit, but almost glowing blue. Like his tail, his hair was black and white striped, mostly spiky with a short braid hanging down on the right.

But, purpose or not, he knew better to interrupt a smith while they were hammering. This didn't stop him from... not prowling per say, but watching Tetsu and Kunshu as they worked. He might have been maybe ten years old, but he was acting like a fighter.

But didn't demi-humans age with their level? Was his level low, despite his obvious experience? Stupid weird world mechanics... can't even be consistent!

His clothes were interesting too. It was a mix of Arabic and Chinese. Flared pants, 'slipper shoes', metal wrist cuffs, wide belt, leather vest. Easy to move in yet still covering the common striking points, but also easily replaceable despite the unique look.

I set the metal I was hammering back in the forge, wiggled it around to get it just under the coal, and gave him my full attention. "What can I do for you?"

He looked away from Kunshu (who had basically given him a couple wiggles of her antenna and lost interest in him in favour of making more of her 'swarm'). "He-" And he said this in a tone of grudging respect, "-sent me to you. Said you could replace these."

I moved my hammer a little to give him a bit more space on the anvil, and he placed down a pair of... well, they used to be plated gloves. Now they were just metal bits hanging off shreds of leather. "I'm glad you didn't want me to fix them." I said seriously.

I smiled, trying to get this young man to... I dunno... relax a little. But... that 'purpose' of his... It gave me the impression I was wasting his time.

"I'm one of his. So-" He stopped when I held up a hand.

"I understand." Aha, he was a fighting slave, under the ownership of the Ringmaster. "He mentioned I might have some side work just for him. Gimme your hand."

Almost reluctantly he held out his hand, and his serious face blushed just a tiny bit when I used my hands to measure his. This boy was a fighter like me. But wasn't stupid enough to fight bare handed. Soft palms, knuckles that were starting to become 'spurs', fingernails that were a bit harder than a human's but not sharpened into claws like I'd seen of some demi-humans (three of four worlds for this one).

I let his hand go, "Finger-less, rounded knuckles, metal backed." I said, "Spikes? No spikes? Bracers?"

"I haven't moved past the second league yet." He replied, a little shame in his voice, "So I am not allowed lethal weapons. And I've never had bracers before..."

"Studded then. I have several fighters in your league, but I haven't heard much past the 'not very sharp' weapons they are given."

"Ah... Um..."

Tetsu appeared out from behind the collection of crucible pots, and set a little stool down, "Here you go sir! Um... it's almost dinner... my tummy is sad."

"As soon as those are ready to be poured, and I take his order, we'll call it a day." I said, turning my attention back to the boy. "Go on."

He sat down, though he looked ready to stand up instantly if need be. "Since this is personal gear, I am not allowed to have it spiked or bladed. Your..."

"They are slaves, yes." I wouldn't lie to him, "But mostly for legal purposes." This wasn't a lie, but could mean anything from 'they were former criminals' to 'they were paying off their debts to me'.

He nodded, "Well, if they use weapons that aren't allowed, they will be given ones that are enchanted by the arena masters. Extra pain, edge blunting, that kind of thing. Enough effort will cause permanent harm, and you have the occasional lucky strike that takes out an eye. One level above where I am, is 'common steel'. Plain, non magical equipment only, but no safety measures. Then one above that is... well basically anything goes."

I did my best to look interested, "And anyone can participate?"

"Y...well mostly? Usually it's just slaves. Next are the sponsored fighters, settling disputes of the merchant kings. But sometimes you get the crazy ones. Looking for quick coin. The smart ones win once and move on. But..."

"Some get drunk on success and get fatally greedy." I finished for him, "shame... I'd only be able to fight in the 'anything goes' class." All this talk of fighting was giving me that Amazon Itch.

The boy however gave me a puzzled look, but shook his head, likely thinking it wasn't his business. "I'd avoid that... I mean... I don't want to sound like I'm judging you... But some of the fighters in that bracket are sponsored by the richest in Zeltobe. Magic weapons, magic, special training, mercenaries who've been fighting for decades..."

"I'll keep that in mind." I smiled, offering him my hand, "Kodori. I'll have something for you by lunch tomorrow."

He blinked at my hand, then blushed again, "I forgot to introduce myself. Name's Fohl."

"Hi! I'm Tetsu!" Again, the energetic dragon girl just... appeared from behind the crucible furnace, "That's Kunshu!"

"bzz."

"And boss? I think I got it all poured properly? I'm hungry can we go now?"

"Tomorrow then." Fohl said, "I've got at least one more fight before I eat..."

We watched him go, and I sighed. He wasn't fighting for himself. That much was obvious. I knew that attitude towards combat... It was like mine. A job. Pick up sword, slay monster, get money, put down sword.

"Remember Tetsu, we have to bank the fires and clean up a little first." I gave her a gentle Karate Chop of Justice, "But yes, then it's dinner time."

"Yay!"

"And no, you can't stay and make more." I told Kunshu.

"bzzzzz..."


A bit later that night, after everyone had eaten, gotten together in the nice 'common room' for some group self improvement time (I wondered how many people could say they had a dragon who could read on staff?), I found myself getting a little impatient.

No surprise, Usa picked up on it, "Ma'am? You're pacing again."

"Just wondering how we can speed things along. Or if we should wait one more day." I said, "I know, the initial plan was to work about a week..."

"The Occulus for my mother has yet to arrive." Melty said, "Until it does..."

I looked at her, then felt myself blush a little with shame. If anyone should be impatient, it would be her. "Fair." I nodded, "Having this timer in my vision all the time makes me feel a bit of pressure."

"Isn't it like that at home?" Raphtalia asked, "You've mentioned this... dungeon place."

"For the most part, it's always a problem. But you know about it, where it is, and really only need to go there when you need money. Sure, keeping it suppressed is important! But so long as you do your best, along with everyone else in the city, it's just... there." I tapped the side of my head. "Here, its different. You know when, but not where, or what."

There was a moment of quiet, and their concerned faces finally wore me down enough to sit again.

"Any ideas on how to gain more attention?" I asked, looking to Clive and Raphtalia, "Safely." Since I didn't want them to say 'jump to the champion arena bracket' or something.

"Maybe..." Melty paused, tapping her chin with a fingertip, "Put something special on display at the shop? The dragon tooth daggers get a lot of attention, but..."

"Suppose not everyone wants a skinning knife that will never dull..." I mumbled, "Okay. Oh, I know we've been saving some for special occasions, but should we sell the other trinkets we all made? We can make better ones now, but well, that will take time we've already spent."

I was of course talking about all the enchanted stuff we made learning to do it at all. Rings, bracelets, little amulets, a cloak pin or two... All things we could 'put on quickly' for various increases in defence or offence.

"We can make more... We do a lot of travelling, and with the little forge..." Usa said, "It's relaxing work too..."

Everyone else nodded agreement, so I reached back to fetch the Shield from under my mini-cape, and started emptying it of 'enchanted accessories'. It was kind of funny, thinking on it. This happened in a lot of the games I played. Always keeping the spare magic rings or amulets around until you ran out of inventory space.

We spent a little time sorting through them, cleaning them up a little, then calling over a Metallica clown to get it ready for the morning.

"Now the question is, just how fancy should I make the display piece?" I asked.

Again, Melty supplied the answer, "A nobleman's weapon is just as much form, as function."

I knew that of course. But the reminder made my next 'project' clear. So, I went back into the Shield's inventory and got out a few of the 'precious metal' items I had. Then I put the Shield away again. "Early day again. Get some sleep."


"I heard about your 'idea', Yes Ma'am." The Ringmaster greeted us as we all stepped out of his guest house. "And I took the liberty of adding a display case to your little shop!" He tapped the point of his cane to the cobblestone, and one of the Clowns appeared from around the corner with a nice wood and glass standing cabinet. Big enough for Clive's bow, it would easily fit most 'normal' weapons. "Like this case here! Which will also be put into your little shop!"

He grinned up at us, and I nodded, "It's good to have a professional working with us." I said, diplomatically ignoring that he was listening in to our conversations. "Is the other case for smaller items then?"

"It is! With nice padded satin and magic security!" He nodded, "Also, I must warn you." His smile faded just enough to notice, "Your success in the arena has attracted the attention of the higher ranks. You may be tested today."

"How so?" Raphtalia asked, her tail puffing out a little.

"Of course! Part of your success is based on fame. Victory is good, however, glory and fame run a close second. If you are challenged to single combat, be very careful about your answer! You may refuse, and be safe, but it may sour the rest of your efforts towards your goal." He explained, "I am only supporting you, not sponsoring you as well!"

"So you will offer us a cut of the profits, but suffer no loss of face if we do poorly." I stated.

"Just so." He nodded, "That said, I am already getting questions about you! So you are gaining traction in both the arena, and your little shop!"

"We will continue to do well then." I looked to my party, but Raphtalia especially, "My warning to Tetsu applies to all of you. That said, if you think you can win, accept." I turned back, "If that is all?"

"It is!" The silly smile was back in place, "Ma'am Melty, my associate will escort you."

"Kunshu? Go with her. Tetsu, you're with me. You three, if you can make it to the third bracket, do so."


Day three in the shop. With Tetsu's brute strength, eagerness to learn and please me (more headpats and cookies if she did well), all I had to do to get started on 'the new display piece' was light the forge and go.

Of course, I also had 'the side project'. Fohl seemed deserving of my best efforts as well, so while things were in the furnace to heat up, I worked on the soft things involved in making a pair of good armoured gloves.

However, my need to do all the things at once got me 'caught'. Right around lunch time (if Tetsu making little pouting noises was any indication) the tiger boy in question walked into the workshop just as I had jammed my hand into the coals to fetch the mostly done sword.

"How are you doing that? Doesn't that..." He started, his eyes wide as I calmly put the sword on the anvil and started hammering. "Hurt?"

"Where I am from, I have the name Demon Smith." I smiled, looking up just long enough to wink at him. "Your order is done, just let me..."

"Um. Yeah..." He looked at me, trying not to seem like he was looking at my horns. Of course, they knew he was looking, and tingled under the scrutiny.

A minute or so later, I stood, looked down the length of the blade to make sure it was the shape I wanted and not warped at all, then slid it into the tempering oven.

"Right, so..." I said, wiping off my hands with a rag, "Lemme show you what I put together."


It made me homesick to have Fohl sparkle at me. It reminded me of almost everyone at the Manor (except Ryuu and Mikoto, the most reliable squares ever...) when they got new equipment.

"They fit perfectly! And... did you say dragon bone? Where did you even get that..." He did a little shadow boxing, his form pretty good.

"We killed it!" Tetsu blurted before I could say anything.

So I rolled with it, "My party is most reliable." I said as Fohl picked up his jaw from the floor, "They will be trying for the 'live steel' arena today, if nothing goes wrong."

"Who..." He paused, "Wait, the nice raccoon girl, the rabbit man, and the... I'm not sure what he is..."

"That's them." I nodded.

And to my surprise, he looked... frustrated. But also to my surprise, he didn't get angry. He did however sit down, "How are they so strong? Were they mercenaries before they joined you?"

"No. I bought them as slaves, but instead of just getting them to do as I told them, I taught them what I knew, had them teach me in return, and together we are travelling around and solving problems." I took another sword shaped bar of dragon steel out of the forge and started hammering. "Slaying monsters, transporting goods, selling medicine, that kind of-"

"Medicine?!" He looked away from the metal and into my eyes, "What kind of medicine?!"

Surprised, I almost missed a swing, but regained my rhythm quickly, "All kinds really. Monster hunting is dangerous work, and the roads don't always allow the normal merchants to get it to where it is needed."

I met his eyes again, and had to stop hammering. Aha. This was why he was fighting. That look was back on his face. "Are you a doctor?"

"I would say I'm better than some, certainly." I replied.

"Boss can bandage anything!" Tetsu said, lifting her head away from her work at the hilt making station. "Even wings!" She made her cute little wings flap, "Um... need more goop! Do we have more goop?"

"Can you... can you come look at my sister?" Fohl asked. "Later, since well... we both have work to do."

Driven and responsible. I liked this kid, even though he was making me more homesick by the minute. "Sure. Be here after your last fight for the day. Oh. You said the third bracket allowed 'non magic only' for personal weapons?"

"Yes ma'am." He said.

"I will trust you to get this to Raphtalia." I went over to the side board to pick up a nice dragon steel blade. We could always enchant it later, but it would be a good advertising tool. "She'll know who it's from. And it should pass inspection."

He took hold of the sheathed blade, went a little wide eyed, "I'll have to take the main streets to get there..." He mumbled to himself.

"I'll let her know you've got it. And please, take a minute or two if you can to say hello. The only thing I've forbid them to do is lie, and they'd be happy to meet you."


"It just arrived." Melty said about an hour before dinner. "This..."

"You said 'form as much as function'." I said.

"Not even father has a sword this fancy." She said after a moment, "If it does not sell, or bring you a commission, I will be astonished."

"That's the idea. How's the rest of it?"

"The basic swords you sent a little earlier have sold. If I'm not mistaken, they were part of a mercenary group. While they could have stood to bathe, I am sure they were wearing a uniform of some kind."

"Excellent. Profit, and a good word. That's what we are aiming for." I smiled, "I will be a tiny bit late getting back to the Ringmaster's manor. But I shouldn't miss dinner."

"Understood. You better not, else I will send Kunshu to look for you." Melty promised, the Empress Bee's head appearing over her shoulder in the occulus 'picture' with a threatening, "bzz!" of big sister energy.

"Don't worry!" Tetsu said cheerfully, resting her chin on my shoulder, "I'll carry her back if I have to! Meals are important!"

Poor Raphtalia was missing out on Big Sister time it seemed. "Carry on then." And I covered the occulus.


"You okay to get there on your own?" I asked Tetsu, letting her press her forehead between my breasts. It was the same thing she would do in her massive dragon form when she wanted extra headpats, but not only did her current size make this look far more adorable, it reminded me of home. So of course, extra headpats still happened.

"Yup! I know the way. And if anyone bothers me..." She giggled a little.

"Now now. Just call out for Kunshu. She'll hear you. We can't do what we did to those bandits here, okay?" I had to resist her weaponized puppy eyes, "No, we are guests here. We must follow the rules." Though, an idea occurred to me, "Maybe we can get you into the arena as well, just to let off a little energy."

Tetsu's happily wagging tail froze, "Um... would I be allowed?" She looked to Fohl, who was finally starting to relax a little around me, and smiling at the interaction.

"I'm... I don't mean to sound rude, but it is a dangerous place." Fohl was obviously trying not to insult Tetsu, "You are really strong! But..."

He had watched the two of us hammer metal, or dragon bone, and it was not easy material to work with. Certainly harder than siderite, if a bit weirder to work with. "We can talk about it later. Go meet up with Melty."

Tetsu pouted at me, though I couldn't tell if it was for the sudden lack of affection, or the denial to let her fight in the arena (for now). But she turned, waved over her shoulder, and ran down the street. "I've never seen a dragon demi-human before." Fohl admitted, "And... she's younger than I am, isn't she?"

"She is, certainly." I nodded, locking the workshop door and putting the key in a pouch, "Lead the way?" I didn't want to give away too much information, even if he reminded me of Bell, the less he knew about who I was the better.

He started walking, "I... hmm... I have to tell you, just so you don't worry, my sister. She's not contagious. It's something she's had since birth."

That got my attention certainly. "You've met Usa, right?"

He nodded, "He's kind of funny. If I hadn't watched one of his matches, I'd never have known about his arm." He shook his head, "But no, my sister... She's blind, but also has... I'm not really sure, honestly, but none of the doctors I've seen can do much more than ease her suffering."

I frowned, that sounded... grim. If we were in Orario, almost anything but death could be cured with alchemy. But here, I lacked the ingredients to make what I knew would work. "I'll do my best." I said.

We turned down a side street, away from the nearly sleepless main streets of Zeltobe. We were near the Ringmaster's tents, but they were still a couple streets over. "Oh, who do we have here?"

Fohl froze in place for a half second, and I stopped beside him. "Damn it..." He mumbled under his breath, "Get out of the way."

Three thugs, all dressed in nondescript 'normal' clothing. Unlike many of the 'thugs' I'd seen so far, these three had no mercenary emblem or 'common' clothing item, like a red scarf or yellow armband.

"Now now little cat." The one in front said, his the muscles of his broad shoulders and thick arms twitching as he cracked his knuckles. "We were hoping to catch you on the streets."

Thug two grinned, while thug three said, "Yeah, catch. Hee hee." with all the intelligence of a car bumper.

"I told you, all of you, I won't throw a fight. No matter how much you try and bribe me." He sighed, "I've already got a good deal with Mr. Beloukas."

Thinking on it, I don't think I'd ever heard his name. Him or his nephew back in Melromarc.

"Well ain't that just too bad. See, we was under the impression... Oh now who's this?" He stopped in mid sentence as if he'd just noticed me. "What a sweet looking thing... I didn't think you had it in you little cat!"

Fohl made to move in front of me, but I put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a wink. "Gimme your gloves."

"Wha..." He hesitated a moment, but hastily took off the gloves I'd made him. He had big knuckled hands for his 'age' so they weren't too bad of a fit.

"Oh? The nice lady wants to play rough? Need a woman to step in for you? Thought you only had eyes for your sister?" The three of them taunted one at a time.

"I feel kind of bad." I said, stepping forward, "That I'm going to be fighting before Tetsu." I clenched my fists tight, then let them relax, "I wonder if this city has garbage collection, because I'm going to put the three of you in the gutter."

They were obviously old hands at 'thug' work. But since they had only been sent to send a message to Fohl, their only weapons were short clubs. Good for bruising and leaving a painful reminder that it could have been much worse.

However, once I took the first one down with a wrist grab, into a hammer lock, followed with an ankle sweep that bounced his chin off a stone windowsill, the other two pulled knives.

"Gonna gut you, you horned freak!" One said, slashing at my face and making me back away a half step.

"Will anyone care if I kill this guy?" I asked as I lazily wove around between their dagger swings, short kicks, a couple of punches and a poorly executed shoulder charge.

Fohl took a moment to speak, just long enough for me to deflect one thug's punch into the other's nose. "You'll probably upset whomever hired them."

I was just considering how to humiliate them in the most profound way, when a sort of familiar voice spoke up alongside a slow drawing of a blade. "You're not bothering my blacksmith, are you?" This was then punctuated by the sound of a torch igniting.

The two thugs stopped cold and turned to look towards the voice. Down at the end of the alley was a huge man with a flaming sword. "Ah, don't do that Mr Frost." I said, pretending to be distressed, "I just put her back together again!"

"Well, if these two don't pick up that sad sack on the ground there, and leave, right now... Well, I do carry a backup." Frost reached behind him with his other hand and produced something similar to a Dao, a short rectangle shaped blade. "It's great for cutting through bone, chopping wood, or crushing skulls."

The two thugs picked up their mostly toothless buddy, and dragged him out of the alley. Sure, they looked over their shoulders at me and Fohl, but they weren't very dangerous. "Wow..." Fohl said, accepting his gauntlets back, "Where did you learn to fight like that?"

"I'm curious too." Frost said, putting away his dao, then letting the flame over his sword vanish before putting it away as well. "Fohl." He nodded to the boy.

"Sir." He replied.

"A lady must keep some secrets to herself." I replied cryptically, "Thank you for solving how to handle them."

"I didn't need to step in." He shrugged, "I take it you're going to show..."

"Yeah." Fohl replied. It was obvious the two knew each other, and had some kind of low level friendship going on. Maybe not 'friends' but at least some respect between them.

"Good luck then." Frost replied, "Oh. Saw one of your swords in the arena today. Nice looking girl swinging it too."

"She's one of mine." I said, "Have to take care of her."

"Rabbit and the lizard too?"

"The guards I arrived with, yeah." I nodded.

"Huh. They gonna be in the third bracket tomorrow too? Might make some money." He grinned.

"Maybe more." I shrugged, "But only if they think they can."

We shook hands, and he replied with, "Well, got a tavern to drink dry. Oh, you do armour?"

"Takes longer, but of course."

"Hope you're in the city a little longer then." And he wandered off again.

"Let's go, Ma'am." Fohl said. "Oh, before you ask... One of his company looked at my sister too. Even if all she could do was bandage wounds and make minor poultices..."

"I understand." I said, giving his shoulder a pat.


The dorm he was staying at was... Well it wasn't run down, but it was very basic. It was also within sight of the Ringmaster's tents, and just out of sight of the little manor my party was staying at. But, basic or not, it was clean, warm, and dry. I saw other rooms as well, as he led me up a small flight of stairs. A... 'working' slave dorm? I mean... I didn't hear any of that kind of work, so maybe this was for other gladiators under the Ringmaster's banner?

Fohl interrupted my thoughts when he stopped by a closed door, knocked, then opened it, "Sister? Atla? I brought someone."

The room was small, just big enough for two beds, a narrow path between both, and a wooden crate that was on its side so it could serve as storage and little table. The only light in the room came from the open window and a single magic light that had been bolted to the wall.

"My work with Mr. Beloukas lets my sister and I stay here, instead of in a cage with most of the others. What he doesn't take goes to medicine for her." He explained as he set a few things down on his bed, then sat on it.

The second bed held... well, honestly, it looked like a large wrinkle in the blankets with a bandaged head resting on a simple pillow. A few small bits of hair, the same stark black and white as her brother's, peeked out from the bandages, but aside from that, all I could see of what was underneath were a pair of eyes.

Milky blue, they looked straight up at the ceiling as they opened, before the bandaged ball that contained them turned glacially slow towards Fohl. "Brother... Another doctor?" A pause, a delicate sniff of the air, "A woman?"

I stood next to Fohl for a moment, then sat down, "Kodori Haruhime." I introduced myself quietly, looking into her clouded eyes, "I'm not really a doctor, but I have some experience along that line, and skill with alchemy and medicine."

I felt for a moment, that she wasn't really blind. But instead of looking 'at' me, she was looking 'through' me. "Hero." She said quietly, her thin body shifting slightly as she tried to move, "You're the Shield Hero, aren't you?"


Notes!

Yes... in the books, Alta instantly knows who Naofumi is. Also, for those who know the series, this is like... 7 (SEVEN!) books early...

It's all the King's fault.

Thank you for reading! And if you want to see any full colour art, join the discord!

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And my actual book, Were Too? is on Inkitt.

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