Standing here trying to be still while I'm poked and measured is hard. The tailor works quickly but I'm still bored. She is shorter than I am, which is nice for once. Being towered over everywhere is rather discouraging. I slouch, I regret it as the tailor reinforces my posture with her needle. She has lavender colored hair that is in a neat bun. Why am I stuck with dirty blonde? Another needle enters my side.

  “Couldn't you have sold me something you already have made?”

  “O the wee lass presumes I have clothing pre-made to her size at the ready.” That's rich coming from her. Did I mention I'm taller than her?

  “Right then, two outfits including under garments, made from materials that aren't flammable, is there more you want to steal from me for one silver.”

  I definitely had to use Belna's threat to get Miss Briknae to even pay attention to me. And again when she quoted me the price. I'm certain I wasn't slouching for three of the new holes in my side.

  “Well since your offering I could use a head band that has some give, also not flammable.” Sweat in the eyes is the worst. That earns me another needle.

  You have gained the skill [Resist Pierce] Basic 1

  Resist Pierce - you resist piercing attacks

  Basic - you can antagonize tailors for longer

  Gain 1 exp

  Is it just me or does it feel like all constitution skills are oddly specific. Another needle enters my side, just a tad less than the previous sticking.

  “Pay attention when someone is talking to you.”

  “Sorry, what was the question?”

  “I was asking why this headband you want needs give.”

  “Oh, one of my skills works better when I cover the eye.”

  I had thought about an eyepatch but pirate chic is costly. Got to get a poofy hat, proofy shirt, a coat with aggressive epaulets and a parrot. I can't afford to feed myself much less a bird that will only show love by mocking me. Also I would be going around with the eyepatch mostly up anyways, which would ruin the pirate look. The parrot would never let me live it down. Needle again, damnit.

  “I'm paying attention, I'm paying attention.”

  “And I suppose you know when your clothes will be ready?”

  “This evening?”

  I'm guessing, no doubt it shows on my face and posture. The sour look on the tailor face is all the confirmation I need that I wasn't fooling anyone.

  “Yes this evening, come here after Belna closes up shop.”

  Hey, I guessed right. She has her hand out, I put my only silver in her hand and head out.

  -----

  You gained the skill [Fire Tending] Basic 1

  Fire Tending - the ability to maintain non magical fires

  Basic - you gain a general sense of what a fire needs to be sustained

  Gain 1 exp

  “I did it.” I jump up with a fist in the air.

  Belna continues shaping the sword she is working on.

  “I said I did it.”

  “I heard you hatchling, inform me when you reach a competent level.”

  That's not going to be for awhile. It's nearing evening already. The work goes from super tiring to boring. It's not as bad as the first day, I have to assume the increase in stats is helping that. But as I don't get winded as much, that means the stretch of boredom only increases.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “How do I gain the skill [Identify]?”

  Still looking at her work, “Doesn't your little book you were waving around earlier all excited explain such things?”

  “It might, but seeing as I can't read, its value is the same as toilet leaves.”

  “Where do you stand on that” more hammer pounding.

  “Eh?”

  “Your [Speak:Common] skill, where is it at?”

  “Apprentice three”

  “After our evening meal, we will be going over every item in the store. For now the thing you are maintaining the fire in is a furnace, make sure you repeat any new words you hear. The system recognizes effort. Now say the word. “

  “Furnace.”

  “Good, now this is an anvil.”

  You have gained [Speak:Common] Apprentice 4

  Gain 2 exp

  -----

  Before dinner Belna walks with me to the fountain. We both have empty buckets that need filling. It's supposed to be my job to get our daily needed water but apparently waiting for me to fill the smithy basin now would mean our bathtime would be past midnight. I think Belna is exaggerating. Starting tomorrow, I'll be bringing buckets of water back during my downtime. Anything to fill the time I suppose.

  Belna does her tithe. She tells me to try to provide only a tenth of my mana. I touch the orb, it's only half as exhausting as before. At least it's an improvement.

  You have gained [Mana Manipulation:Self] Basic 2

  Gain 1 exp

  Guess the system thinks so too. I filled my one bucket, Belna got eight and a rod to balance them on. It's crazy how much stronger she is. My staring evokes a response.

  “Don't worry, hatchling, when you are a proper apprentice you will be carrying this rod.”

  I fear for my shoulders. I turn to head back to the shop, and there is Cecelia. I stiffen, look around at possible escape routes. Belna already passed the guard captain, a slight nod given in greeting. I suppose this is an encounter I must handle alone. It was bound to happen.

  “Captain” I try to be like Belna and walk by Cecelia with a nod in greeting.

  “Sara.” It was said in a way that meant hold. “You were gone for a week.”

  I wince, “It was necessary.”

  “I want to know why Sara, come, I will join you at Belna's shop.”

  No argument, the walk is in silence. I wanted the walk to stretch forever but we are already near the cooling furnace. Belna further inside, she left the water buckets before the smithy water basin. Guess it's still my job to do the transfer. It will be a good distraction for the conversation ahead.

  I take a breath and begin, “It was the only option I had to move forward.” I dump a water bucket.

  “You went to three of the five places I suggested on the first day, I would have helped you until you found your way.”

  “Did you have someone watching me?”

  “Sara, you disappeared the same day as when your village chief arrived, there was an investigation to make sure nothing untoward happened.”

  Ah makes sense, I dump another bucket. I'm doing my best not to look at Cecelia, the mana on her makes it hard, and I don't want her to notice my right eye.

  “Sorry, that makes sense, after I spent my afternoon here, I figured out that there was no place that was going to take me if I couldn't demonstrate an ability, and I couldn't learn them.”

  “That doesn't explain hiding in town for a week while making everyone think you're hunting goblins.”

  I pause with a new bucket in hand. She thought I was hiding? Well, kinda was, but not in town. I pour the bucket.

  “I wasn't in town.”

  “Of course you were, you have no way through the barrier.”

  I will my ring to stop hiding my title, I turn and finally meet Cecelia eyes.

  “Am I lying, Cecelia?”

  I feel like she is really looking at me now, she sees the state of my clothing and the bands of sap traveling my arms and legs. I'm looking right back at her, I see the bags under her eyes, the exhaustion, has she slept? The guilt grows but there is still something I need to say. A notification pops up, I ignore it and the pain in my eye.

  “Why did you return the boots?”

  So we come to the hard part. “I had heard your conversation with my village elder. About the potion.”

  “That was to protect you, you clearly didn't want to go back, you never claimed your knife.”

  “I know, the potion excuse was like the boots, I don't deserve them, none of it, it's too much, if I accepted it, I would never be more than [Voiceless], I can't keep becoming indebted to you or I'll never be anything more than a burden.” That came out louder than I wanted, I ignored the notification box that popped up.

  There is silence between us now, the only breaking of it is when I pour another bucket into the basin.

  “But you're still [Voiceless].”

  I give her a mirthless smirk to that, she sees it, and then she actually sees it.

  “You managed to change it.”

  “Only a little, it's mostly the same, but I can learn new skills now, please don't tell Mister Lancas.”

  “Why don't you want Bart to know?”

  “Because I was a curiosity before, now I might be valuable. I don't think he has my best interest at heart.” I told her about the canceled request.

  “Did you consider that he may not want to be the reason for your death.”

  I shake my head at that, “I had already left, pulling the rug from under me only succeeded in throwing me into despair. I gave a lot up, risked a lot more on the payout of that request. No, the old man gave me all the information necessary to pull off my plan. He was either foolish or wanted to mentally break me so he could pick up the pieces. You tell me, which is it?” There's real bitterness in my voice.

  She aghast at the thought, then her face hardens. “I won't be informing mister Lancas of your changes.”

  “Thank you.” It came out small, just a murmur.

  She turns to leave, her back is to me. I can't stand it anymore. I rush behind her and hug her waist. I'm crying at this point, I had said what I resolved to say, now I must apologize.

  “I'm sorry I can't be worthy of your kindness, sorry I left without a word, you helped me more than anyone, you gave me hope.” I keep going, becoming rather inconsolable and no doubt incoherent. She turns around, pushes me back a tad and kneels in front of me. She promptly flicks me in the forehead. My hands clasp my forehead, shit still hurts.

  “I'm the one who decides who is worthy of my kindness.” She pulls me into a hug, her breastplate makes it painful, I don't care. “I'm glad you're still alive Sara.”