This is a daily reminder: You have 384 unallocated stat points

  In the end, Stone managed to coax me back to the fire. I was on watch. My three hours of sleep made it easy for me to take the shift after Stone. I flex my right hand again. There is cloth covering it now. Wrapped around each digit. Too valuable to be seen, was Stone's remark. Too creepy to be seen, was Rin's. Do whatever you want, was said with Glindinal's glower. The fire ebbs. I grab another piece of wood and throw it onto the embers.

  “You're not asleep.” I don't direct my desire.

  The Elf gets up and approaches me. “Is it true, you plan on killing her?”

  I look at Glindinal. Her emotions range from hope to disdain. I stare at the fire.

  “I have everything I need to do it. But my soul won't release her blood. It's as you implied, I lack conviction. All I have learned should make me hate her but I still love her.”

  Her emotions twist at my words. It was unfair to use my voice in that way. I bunch myself up, drawing my knees to my chin. I wince at doing it but I want to just hide. She shakes off my words and hugs me from behind. I don't understand her.

  “Just like me then. I should hate you but I also feel warmth for you. You're infuriating. And I ruined it yesterday.”

  “It was heading to ruin the moment you thought having my child would save you.”

  More unkindness. Her chin rests on my left shoulder as she pulls herself around my back. The hug became fuller.

  “True.” She gives a huff that tickles my cheek, “You aren't an Elf. You cried for the lives of man eating birds.” A moment's pause, “You had asked me to flee with you. And I have, if only for the chance to save myself. Now I hear you could save us all. If you could stop caring for monsters.”

  “Live a lifetime as them. It gives perspective.”

  A chuckle was heard. “If you keep not holding back your words, I'll become inured to them.”

  I turn and look at her. She pulls a bit away to allow the stare. “Wouldn't want that.”

  I grab her face and I steal a kiss from her. It was my turn. I'm clumsy at it but I caught her by surprise. I don't steal any blood. No, she must give it willingly. Even if I am thirsty. It was wonderful. It left her in a bit of a daze. I give a small smile and go back to looking at the fire. She might be a kiss thief but I at least have taken one back.

  “Even after all that I have said, you still…”

  More turmoil inside her. I feel a wetness on my shoulder. I lean my head against hers. Feelings are complicated.

  -----

  I didn't ride in the cart this time. It hurts but I keep walking. Every step I hope for it to be less. I look up and see a village. Five buildings and a few cottages.

  “What is its name?” I ask Stone.

  “I don't right know, may not even have one.” He says as the cart continues to trundle on its way. He peers at me, “Your mismatched ears will bring attention.”

  Glindinal laughs next to me, “They will just assume she a fool on a Lark. Is that not what all think of Elves?”

  Stone snorts at that. Rin gives a laugh. Something kicks me in the chest. I'm sprawled out on the ground while the rest turn to me confused. I get up and slowly walk forward. My body stops after a certain point, the center of my chest pushed up against something.

  “I think barrier.” Rin says in stilted [Common]. Both Elves have been working on their [Common].

  “You mean to say, ‘I think you ran into the barrier, idiot.’” Said tutors.

  “Yes, I think you ran into the barrier, idiot.” Rin repeats back. A nod from Said, a scowl from me. Rin gives a confused look and turns to Glindinal.

  “You said it perfectly.” Was her response, which got a smile from Rin.

  “Sure, I'm an idiot. Still doesn't solve the immediate issue.”

  “Could jump back into the box, girlie.” Stone chimes in.

  “I prefer not to suffocate.” I gripe.

  Barriers are made of mana from the fountain. If it's mana then can I drain it? There was a bit of a shudder. I felt a hole open but it closed immediately. I frown.

  “Mourns…”

  I ignore him and drain more. Just enough for a hole to slip through. There is a loud screech but I step in. It snaps back with a wobble.

  “Fark, Mourns. You're goin’ to get whateva counts as a garrison to show up.”

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  I shrug my shoulders and keep walking forward. A man in leather armor and a spear runs out of the village. He has brown short cropped hair. Well at least where there was hair. The balding spot on top was a stark contrast to the rest of his head.

  “Ho there, did ya'll be runnin’ from a monsta or somethin’. I ‘bout shit myself when I hear the barrier screech.”

  I turned to the others, “I didn't hear anything.”

  You have gained [Tell Lie] Apprentice 7

  Gain 2 exp

  He frowns at me as the others shake their heads. I wonder what their [Tell Lie] was at.

  “It's not righ’ to lie to the guard, Lady.” He declared.

  I returned his frown, “Apologies, the barrier made a screech when I passed through it.”

  Not a lie that time.

  “Passed through it.” He says, sounding out the words. Seems he was rather wary of me now. Said giggles which causes him to swing the spear and aim it at her. “A monster.”

  “Just a piece of her soul.” Said answers back.

  He squints at her then me again. “I can tell ya be tryin’ ta mislead me.” The spear swivels to me again.

  “Ya clearly don't see monsters, lad. Could ya step aside so I can get to my warm meal and mug.” Stone says in a huff. The spear shifts to Stone. A moment's hesitation. Then a decision.

  “I be escortin’ ya to the mayor. He can decide.”

  “Lead the way then, lad.”

  “Did you understand what he was saying?” Rin asks Glindinal. She gets a shake of her head as an answer.

  We follow the wary man to the largest building. He motions us to stop and runs in. There is another guard behind us now. Was it the full garrison? A portly man who looked related to the guard stepped out. He had less hair, a portent of a future for his son.

  “My boy tells me that you broke through the barrier and you might be a monster in disguise.” He says, sounding rather bored. Stone speaks before I do.

  “Ya can clearly see we ain't. Can we get to the part where we go to the guild? I'm ready to be swindled for my earnin’.”

  The balder man barks a laugh at that, “I do see you [Identify] as people but you must understand we need to be careful.” He looks away. His hand is outstretched, waiting for something. Stone flips a small silver to him. He catches it without looking. “Ah, clearly not monsters, they know the ways of government. Do apologize to the master Dwarf and his companions, my boy.”

  The guard stammers an apology while the one behind us walks back to the village edge. The first guard is still eying us. He is jostled out of his vigilance by Stone, “Well seeing as I paid for less suspicion, which of these buildin’ be the guild hall, lad?”

  The guard points to the second biggest building. We head that way. Stone leaves the cart behind the building while grabbing his sealing chest off of it. Glindinal is carrying her chest as we enter.

  “Wait here now, I'd be right back.” Stone leaves us at the request board. He heads to the receptionist, a gnome woman standing on a stool. They exchange words at which point he is pointed to a door. He goes in. Rin heads to the gnome.

  I look at the board. Ogre, goblins, spiders. Find some Ptra, whatever that is. Clover, another unknown. Harpies, I shudder. Axen. Iron Horned Rabbits.

  “Anything easy?”

  I shrug at Glindinal's question. She squints at the board. “What about these gather ones? Figure finding plants should be easy.”

  I roll my eyes, “I don't know what they are referring to.”

  “That's easy enough to solve.” She drags me to the counter.

  “One small silver, nine large copper and two contribution for the ears.” The gnome says to Rin. Rin nods and receives her pay. She better be buying me dinner with that. I frown, not that they will serve me what I need.

  The gnome leaves before Glindinal can ask her a question. Glindinal frowns at the gnome as she goes to the same door as Stone. A moment later she comes out.

  “Which one of ye is ‘She who Mourns’.” I raise my hand. She mumbles and goes into her drawer looking for something. A familiar piece of paper and a silver card. She pulls a knife, but I give her a shake of my head and touch the paper. It lights up as my blood exudes out of my left pinky. She picks it up.

  “‘She who Mourns’ Chimera Adventurer in good standing. Roaming.” She nods to my confusion. Seems they changed my documents. She then taps the paper to the card and then hands it to me. “‘Stone Cleaves for Profit’ wanted me to tell ye ta to stop losin’ it. His words, not mine. Guild profits every time we have to issue a new one.”

  I put it next to my rolled up pardon. Glindinal steps forward.

  “Can you tell us what clover and ptra are?” She says slowly, making sure she is understood.

  The gnome rolls her eyes. She hops off her stool and rummages below the counter and a blue weed is thrown onto the counter. “Clover.” Then a white tuber, “Ptra.” I touch each one with my left hand. It annoys the receptionist as she clambers back onto her stool. “Oy, no one eva tell ye to look not touch. That's for clients.”

  “Sorry.” Not sorry, I know where quite a few of these plants are.

  “Ye look a bit stupid so I goin’ ta tell ya not to be harvestin’ entire patches just ‘cause ye passin’ through and don't got ta hear the complaints of the locals afta.” She insults and admonishes in turn.

  “Of course.” I reply before Glindinal can return the insult. I drag her to the food hall while she sputters. Stone exits the room he was in and hurrys over to us.

  “Ah, a warm meal that ain't be needin’ my hands to make it.” He speaks as we sit down. Finally my legs can stop hurting. Small reprieve that it will be. He motions for three at the Elf behind the counter. Guess he figures I ain't eating.

  “All go, well? Surprised they didn't want to talk to me.”

  “Eh, at this point I just be passing along reports. They ain't ‘bout ya anymore. Now they will give warnin’ to any announcin’ they headin’ north.”

  The three plates come, they are placed in front of us, leaving Stone out. “Is there word from our homeland?”

  I push my plate to Stone. A small smile, “Not hungry.”

  Glindinal answers the question, “The oppressive rule is still in place. There is a princess on the run, have you heard any rumors? I aim to claim the reward myself.”

  The Elf was in shock, “A new princess you say? This is the first I've heard of it. Surely none would escape her for very long.”

  Glindinal just shrugs while I do my best not to react. He leaves. I want to say something but he would easily hear us. Damn it. Is she exposing us or playing some game of misdirection? I don't get it. I huff out a sigh.

  “So you going after Clover and Ptra?”

  “It's ‘are you’, and I guess. I need to find something else as well. Think I could get another water skin here?”

  Stone grumbles, “I doubt ya'd earn enough to repay the favor.” A small gold is flicked to me.

  “Not my fault they confiscated my stuff at the border.”

  “It is your fault for not claimin’ it at the quarter master.”

  “Um, have actually asked what balance is?” Rin asks. I look over to her eyebrow raised. “Like adventurer of high rank. What if account?”

  I blink at her. “What account?”

  “The guild does bankin’ services, it might be good to check before askin’ favors, Mourns.”

  I shrug my shoulders and walk over to the receptionist. “Um hi, could I hear the balance on my account?” I wince even as I ask.

  The gnome rolls her eyes, then grows a bit shocked. “Why the hell ye askin’ about clover if ye got ‘is much.” She murmurs.

  “Miss?”

  She looks around and writes something down. She then turns the paper around for me to see.

  1795 Large gold 7 small gold 6 large silver 4 small silver 7 large copper 2 small copper

  “Understood?”

  I nod and make an audible gulp, the paper burns.

  “You ain't about to ask for a cash out are you?”

  I shake my head, “Just five small gold and two small silvers.”