"I hope you won't consider me ungrateful, but why did you guys bring me back after all this time has passed?" I asked.
"Complete greed on our part." Bibs answered. "We missed you dearly so we wanted to bring you back."
I was a tough girl raised by two men. I teared up anyways. I approached Bibs and picked him up to give him a firm hug. "I love you both, too."
He hugged me back and said, "I knew that was the better option to Tilton's 'we weren't done with you, yet'."
I laughed lightly, gave him a light squeeze and set him down. "Goodness. I'm so emotional."
"You are. And that's alright." Bibs said.
We talked for some time, before he told me where I could sleep. I crashed as soon as I touched the bed. Being alive for a day didn't change my stamina or endurance, amusingly enough. The next day I had breakfast with Bibs and Kershka, and then I headed out to find excellent stones to knap arrowheads out of and with.
I'd headed North as it was pretty similar to what I was used to. The guards encouraged me to not go out, or to stay close though. I ensured them that I would be safe and keep an eye on my surroundings. The only misfortunate thing is that I was followed by a man.
I suppose it wasn't overly annoying initially. And the guards had relaxed some. He was even a little muscled, and I liked muscles. Though I liked Tilton's looks and old personality a lot more. I had serious feelings towards Tilton for the last few years.. well, last time I was alive anyways.
I was still a little sad over my secret feelings. He'd never return them. Tilton saw me as a child, and I understood that well. It's another reason I could never fault him for his views. Which led my mind back to this man following me around.
I wasn't very friendly of him, gave short answers to him. Mostly ignored him. I was relatively confident that I could harm him badly if he tried anything. Thus far he hadn't. Nor had he taken a clue.
"So.. do you know the Mayor well?" He asked.
"Tilton?" I clarified.
"Yeah." He replied.
"I do know him well. He's known me since I was a small girl." I answered.
"Oh. And the goblin?" He asked.
"I'm close to Tilton and Bibs." I sighed. I found some chert and jasper that I collected into my pockets. I'd knap them later when he wasn't buzzing about.
"Girls like odd rocks, huh?" He asked, offering me a riverstone.
"That's a riverstone. I picked up a type of quartzite." I told him.
"Oh." He dropped the rock. "You're really pretty, you know?"
"I grew up looking at Tilton." I replied.
He didn't take the hint. He started talking about how my beauty rivaled Elves and Yata yata. I tuned it out and collected a few more things I'd spotted. Including a striker. This is when he started talking about being an adventurer.
"So you think I'll sleep with you because you're an adventurer?" I asked bluntly.
He probably didn't fully think through his response because he said, "Of course you will. All women get wet for adventurers. Wait- I mean.."
I didn't even stick around. With my rogue skills I practically vanished, careful to not leave a traceable trail for him to follow. I stayed out, collecting some herbs that I recognized to be good for weariness. I brought back my bounty, hoping to turn the herbs into a tea for Gregor.
It wasn't as late as yesterday, which was fine. Just meant I should head into the guild house to see him. I smelled the scent of baked goods when I entered and saw a pretty middle aged woman with blue hair. She showed clear signs of her head aching, so I approached.
"Does your head ache?" I asked.
She pinched her forehead and said, "I am just having a rough day. How may I help you adventurer, or are you new?"
"I don't think there are any documents on my being an adventurer." I smiled at her. Cut if your head aches, I brought some herbs to make into a tea for Gregor. They should help a headache, too. Specially if it's stress that's the cause."
"It may be stress related. Probably induced by idiocy, but I will never turn down a nice tea, if you're offering." She replied.
"Might I use the kitchen, then? There is one here, right?" I asked.
"There is. But the cook may not enjoy you in there. But, he can't say anything if Gregor is the one who let you in." She said.
"Could I just ask him to brew it up, then?" I asked.
"Possibly." She replied. "Let me.. go and ask him."
I nodded. "Thank you, Mum."
She nodded back, and headed to the kitchen. She came back after a moment and said, "He has no problem with whipping up the tea himself."
I nodded and brought the herbs out of my pocket. "That'll be enough for you and Gregor, and the cook, if he likes."
"Not a cup for yourself?" She asked.
"I didn't bring enough to share with everyone and also have some, so I don't mind losing out to help relieve others' stress." I smiled.
"Well, if memory serves, the cook doesn't like tea, he's more of an ale drinker all day, so there may be a cup for you, yet." She said.
I smiled. "If that's the case, I'll happily take it."
"Well, let me get these back here to him, and he'll get started." She replied.
"Much obliged." I said cheerfully.
She took the herbs into the back room, and I sat, patiently waiting. I trusted the cook would know what to do with the herbs. Then I wondered if Gregor even drank tea. Some people don't, after all. Well, if he didn't want it, I'd drink it myself. She came back shortly, and we waited for the tea to steep.
"So, are you planning to join the adventurers guild?" She asked.
"Yup. I had joined a long time ago, but I don't think it counts." I told her. "I'm currently making myself a bow and some arrows, once they are ready, I'll be joining."
"Alright. We can easily get you set up with a test as soon as you're ready." She said.
"Thank you. I heard the latest recruits leave something to be desired." I commented.
"I'll put it this way. They best part of them joining.. is that you brought me tea." She said.
I grimaced. "Oof. That's terrible."
"Not if it's good tea." She pointed out.
I grinned. "That's reliant on the cook now."
"Oh, then it will be excellent. He may not drink it, but he can prepare it." She insisted.
"Does Gregor even drink tea? I only just met him yesterday." I said.
"Oh, yes. He drinks tea. Typically black tea." She nodded.
"I'm so rude." I said, smacking my forehead. I offered her my hand then, "My name is Ashtar."
"That's quite alright. I am Krista." She said, taking my hand and shaking it.
The cook brought out the three good sized mugs. The aroma was light, warm, floral with a hint of fall. "Oh, my. How delightful the scent is." I commented.
"Indeed it smells wonderful. I told you he could make a wonderful cup of tea." Krista said. She looked very pleased. She hooked her finger, signaling him to come to her, and when he obeyed she gave him a sweet kiss.
"Oh my, how cute." I said, "You've refined taste, sir cook. This Mum is very lovely."
"Yes, she is. And I hope that this tea works. These idiots have been really getting to her." He said.
"If it does, I'll bring more tomorrow." I grinned. "It's the herbs Tilton taught me that helps with stress and such. I really appreciate you making the tea in my stead."
"Eh. It's kinda my job." He replied gruff. "But I do enjoy doing it. And I can't have random people in my kitchen."
"It's best if I especially don't anyways. A goblin once said my cooking was inedible." I admitted, though they probably assumed it was a joke.
He scoffed. "I could teach you."
"Brave man." I replied.
"I work in the same building as the people who piss off my wife. I am a patient man." He said.
"I can respect that." I said, thoroughly impressed.
"Alright. Well, you two enjoy. I've gotta get back to it. Come by anytime you feel up to a lesson." He said, turning and heading back to the kitchen.
She took a sip of the tea and relaxed considerably. When I asked where Gregor's office is, she told me. After a brief chat, I headed up with the two remaining mugs and knocked on his door.
"Just a moment." He said from within. It took a few seconds, but he opened the door.
"Hello, would you like some tea?" I asked, raising a mug towards him.
"Well, hello." He said, surprised. "Yes, I would love a cup of tea. Would you like to come in?"
"Sure. I noticed you seemed a little stressed, so I brought some herbs and the Krista's husband made it into tea for me." I smiled, as he accepted a mug from me. "Krista is lovely. I haven't gotten along with women well, before."
"She is dealing with a lot right now. Her daughter is a little under the weather, and all these buffoons aren't helping. Thank you for the tea, it smells wonderful." He said.
I smiled and said, "You're welcome. There was enough for us and Krista. I'll look for some herbs tomorrow to help her kid."
"I'm sure she would appreciate that. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" He asked.
I shrugged and said, "I saw the herbs that Tilton said helps alleviate stress while I was out earlier. So, I picked some for us to share." I smiled.
"Ah, he always was a wizard with herbs. He could make a 10 minute nap feel like a full nights rest. Of course, you would pass out after about twelve hours for around twelve hours. No if ands or buts about it." Gregor said.
I grinned and said, "His tea is divine. When I do well at something, he makes some tea and we share it together." I took a sip of the tea. It really was good. "It it's inappropriate, because you're working, I'll be more mindful in the future."
"Oh, that's alright. Sometimes it's good to take a break every once and a while." Gregor said.
"Krista said you prefer black tea?" I asked.
"It is what I typically drink." He said. "I was never much of one for making tea, so I made one kind and stuck to it."
I smiled. "That's okies. I may take some cooking lessons from the cook. The results won't be good, but he sounded so confident that he'd manage to teach me what Tilton couldn't." I thought for a moment. "So there are two things I can think of that he couldn't teach me."
"What's the other thing he couldn't teach you, then?" He asked.
"Swimmin'. I panic every time my head goes under water." I said. "Baths make me anxious even."
"Well, I can't say I can teach you to swim. I'm not a particularly strong swimmer myself." He said.
"That's alright, Gregor. You're awfully busy as is, just like Bibs and Tilton." I replied. "I'd feel bad if I took up more of your time."
"Please, take up more of my time. I am so tired of looking at all of these papers." He said, drinking some tea.
I giggled, "You'd never get done that way, silly man."
He laughed a little, "Yes, I suppose I wouldn't. Is that really so bad?"
"That relies on your opinion, I think. I'm much more of a physical person, so I don't think I could handle a job like yours." I smiled warmly at him, "But it's admirable that you do it and you're maintaining your training."
"Hoh, my training is quite simple these days, some light exercise and meditation. The meditation is mostly so I don't kill anyone." Gregor said.
"Anyone particularly annoying today?" I asked.
"Haaoh." He sighed. "That's a bit of a loaded question, really. There's always someone annoying. But today I'd have to say it was Randal. Boasting and starting fights in the common areas downstairs."
"About what?" I asked.
"Boasting about getting some action out in the woods. I believe he called it an 'adventure bunny'." Gregor said.
My smiled stiffened. "Oh? Surely an adventurer wouldn't take their tryst into the woods currently, when the guards are warning against heading out."
"Haah, some never listen." He said.
It wasn't sitting right with me. "This Randal guy doesn't happen to be a brown eyed dirty blonde man whose barely taller than me, would he?"
"Yeah, actually, he is. Why?" Gregor asked.
My stiff smile morphed into a mocking and cold one. "Oh, I'm gonna beat his ass then."
"Oh, please tell me these rumors aren't you.. obviously that's a load of horse shit." Gregor said.
"I did go into the woods today, and I was followed by some chatty imbecile who jabbered on the whole time, and basically said he expected me to want to sleep with him, just acause he's an adventurer and called me pretty. I ditched him in the woods." I quietly raged. "I should have just kicked him in the nethers until he went to sleep."
"Hwooh. Yes, you should have. Looks like I'll have to have another talk with him aside from just in general not being an ass." Gregor sighed.
I narrowed my eyes. "Nope. Don't worry bout it. I'll ask Tilton. After I hurt him for lying about me."
"Oh, I pity the man. But alright. If that's what you want to do. I'm sure Tilton can lecture him into an early grave." Gregor said.
"He'll probably leave town, at least." I said.
"Probably. It's not a loss for the guild." He noted.
I sipped my tea and said, "I don't think he'll open his mouth again in the meantime when I'm done. I'm not a violent person, but Tilton and Bibs didn't raise me to take any crap, either."
"Good. You never should. It would be a disgrace to yourself if you let him fill the air with such filth." Gregor said.
"I can't imagine what else he'd said." I replied.
"Give a fool time to ramble, he'll keep pulling out things you'll never imagine." Gregor said.
"I'll let him talk till tomorrow. Give me more time to decimate his pride. Plus, it'll be worse if Tilton learns of it himself." I noted.
"I could only imagine." He said.
"Mm. I should start laughing the next time I see him and call him micro." I decided.
"Micro?" Gregor asked.
I shrugged. "Tilton started a fight one time after he said that about a guy. Well, he said another guy said it of him, so.."
"Must be something terrible then." He said.
"I'll ask Bibs what it means later. Or maybe Krista would know? Tilton never would tell me." I said.
"Well, that's suspicious all by itself." Gregor said.
I rolled my eyes and said, "He always said I was too young to know."
"Wonder why he wouldn't just tell you." Gregor said.
"Maybe it's dirty? He thinks of me as a little girl, still." I said.
"Hm. Something that makes men upset that he won't tell you. It is extremely likely that it is something dirty." He agreed.
I pondered a moment, then shrugged. "It'll work."
"Well, I suppose I should get back to these papers. And I suppose I'll hear the results of your experimentation." Gregor said.
I flashed a smile, "Yup. Promise to do my best to minimize destruction around me. If you've finished the tea, I can take the cup down."
"I have indeed. It was lovely. Thank you for taking it, and for stopping by." Gregor said.
"Not a problem. You're good company with a great laugh." I said, picking up the cup. I offered him mine, "Wanna finish mine off?"
"Oh, why not." He said, accepting the cup and downing the remainder, before handing me the cup back.
"See you soon." I said, heading out his office and down the stairs. Krista dealt with the cups for me. When she came back, I asked, "May I ask you an inappropriate question?"
"How inappropriate?" She asked.
"It's something I overheard once, but I don't know the meaning to. I want to use it against a man who has besmudged my dignity." I said.
"Alright, what is it." She asked.
"I heard he's being saying he slept with me, and I intend to laugh at him and call him 'micro', as I saw it enrage a man before." I said. "Do you know what it means?"
"Ah. My dear that um.. means his manhood is very small." She replied.
"That's an insult?" I asked, baffled.
"To a man, yes." Krista said.
"Would it decimate a man's dignity?" I asked.
"It could, depending in the situation." She said. "The way you wish to do it would hurt quite a bit."
"I heard he caused some fights and was being noisy in here. I'm sorry." I said. "What he said was false, though."
"Most everything that one talks about is bull." She agreed.
"Oh, may I be nosy?" I asked.
"By all means, what do you want to know?" She asked.
"What's your daughter's symptoms? I can go look for herbs to help. Tilton taught me all about herbs, you see." I said.
"She has a cold at the moment. We haven't been able to get a healer." Krista said.
"Oh, alright. I'll get some herbs and come back, I'll try to be quick. Cold's can be serious, after all. But they are really easy to make better." I said.
"I cannot wait for you to join the guild, you'll be great for the reputation." Krista said.
I smiled, before I hurried off. I headed out the North gate and headed towards the mountains. I was after Echinacea Root, Ginger, Honey, Rosemary, Thyme and Yarrow. If I was lucky, I'd find Saraceco, which helps with headaches and dulls loud noises.
I spent a couple of hours, got stung by a few bees, but managed to get everything but the Saraceco. I gave up and was almost back when I found some. Pleased as punch, I came back in with a basket full of ingredients. I'd found the basket broken and abandoned along the way.
On the way back to the guild, I saw Randal with a group of adventurers. He saw me, too. And smirked. I froze started laughing boisterously and said, "Oh, Gods. It's Mr. Randal the Micro gone to market I see. Would love to chat, but I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to find that pitiful thing you say you used on me."
I used my cunning action to peace out of there, then and heard him shouting all kinds of obscenities, even while I was about to enter the guild building. I thought I saw Tilton, briefly, but I wasn't sure. Either way, I asked for Krista's hubby for a moment.
I was in the middle of explaining the herbs to them when Randal burst into the Guildhall. I ignored him, and passed the Saraceco to Krista. "... And this helps with headaches and dampens loud noises."
She looked past me. "I believe we're bout to have another altercation."
"Probably." I replied, turning and looking at him.
Fury was practically radiating off him. "How Dare you!" He snarled.
"I hear you there, and counter, how dare you." I replied coldly. "You're a small man further dwarfed by your inferiority complex. To lie about your 'deeds' and I hesitate to call it that."
He crossed the room at me, I took the hand are from my belt loop and readied myself, just as he started to yell, the guild's door opened again. A rather large and grumpy looking Kershka came in followed by another grumpy individual.
Kershka was across the room in and holding Randal up in an instant. "You don't touch Kershka's friend!" He declared.
I leaned towards the couple. "This is an unforeseen circumstance."
"I did not know you knew Kershka." She replied.
I scratched the back of my neck and turned back to the last couple of ingredients, explaining their preparation. Randal seemed to have the self preservation skills to not speak at this moment.
Kershka took Randal out of the building, while Krista and her husband listened to me. Tilton had approached and once I finished speaking, Tilton said, "Taking care of a cold, I see."
"Amongst other things, yes. But this was my priority." I answered.
"So what have you been up to today?" He asked.
"Mostly collecting herbs and some quartzite." I took one out of my pocket to show him. "That fellow followed me like a lost rat and then when I lost him in the woods he returned and boasted about the Adventure Bunny he laid."
"Ah. I feel a lecture is in need." Tilton said. "That's if Kershka hasn't accidentally broken his neck."
"Well, I did provoke that rat a little bit, because of his lies. I called him, 'Mr. Randal the Micro gone to market', and said, 'Would love to chat, but I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to find that pitiful thing you say you used on me.'" I informed him.
"Went for the pride, eh?" He asked.
"You taught me not to tolerate such things." I reminded him.
"I'm glad you remembered the lesson and applied it so accurately." Tilton replied.
"Yes. You hadn't told me what that meant, but Krista did, so I was able to maximize the damage. It's just a shame that this was the second ruckus the rat caused after Gregor chatted with him." I told him.
"Hmm. Sounds like Gregor needs to get his people in line." Tilton said.
"Some don't learn through chatting." I said with a shrug.
"Indeed." He said. "Some need a very firm hand."
"It's good to see you, though. Were you checking on the town when he caused a ruckus?" I chatted at him.
"I was indeed doing my inspections." He agreed.
"You're so diligent, I'm really impressed." I smiled.
"I had to be. This town was a little.. disheveled when I arrived." Tilton replied.
I looked back towards Krista, noticing the herbs and her hubby had gone to the kitchen to prepare the medicine. I placed a hand on my cheek. "Oh my, what a diligent man you have, Krista. He went right away to make the medicine, huh?"
"Well, of course." Krista said. "He is worried about her as well."
"Thank goodness for the honey, then, because it'll make it go down easier." I said.
"That's what my mother told me. It hardly ever helped." Krista said.
I giggled and looked back at Tilton, "Krista said they had trouble getting a healer, so I fetched the cold herbs you taught me. The bees were mean, though. I didn't prepare smoke to calm them."
"Did you at least gather the herbs to sooth the sting?" He asked.
"I didn't see them on the way back." I replied. "But it's not bad."
He sighed and reached for a pouch, bringing out the herb. "Use this."
"Yessir." I replied, obediently obeying him. "I'll be more mindful in the future to directly tell men to screw off."
"Being direct will get you fine results. Especially at the end of a blade." He replied.
I smiled again and said, "I wouldn't want to cause trouble if I can avoid it. This time I felt it was necessary."
"In my town, you are always allowed to defend your honor and your body. You may attempt to defend your mind." Tilton said. "I must be off to complete my rounds. Do try to not incite anyone else."
"I won't today, probably. See you soon." I replied cheerfully.
"Yes, yes. I will see you later." He said, before heading out.
I looked at Krista, "I hope the herbs help your daughter."
"If the herbs work as good as the tea tasted, I'm sure it'll be fine." Krista replied.
I smiled and said, "Tilton's probably gonna terrorize that guy."
"Well, it would seem he needs to be terrorized a bit." She said.
I nodded. "I spose I'll consider the situation even with that guy now. And hey, maybe he'll leave which will be one less annoyance."
"Oh, that would be good. He has not completed a single quest without some kind of incident." Krista said.
"Used to be that pay would be docked, flogging possible, and revoking adventuring membership would be issued for screw ups. Things have really changed." I sighed.
"With how few recruits we get out here, we try to be a bit more lenient. Sometimes that comes back to bite us." Krista said.
"Nan always said leniency breeds incompetency, and that was why the village was poor. Then again, Nan was the village witch and turned her grandson into a magpie, or so everyone said." I said.
"I can certainly understand that." She said.
"I don't even know whose Nan she was. Everyone just called her Nan. Isn't that funny?" I asked.
"I don't know if I'd be able to call anyone Nan except my Nan." Krista said.
I grinned. "You're nice to talk to."
"And you are a wonderful change of pace." She replied.
I glanced out the window and said, "I'll head out and let you be. I'll bring more herbs for tea tomorrow."
"Well, then, we'll look forward to seeing you tomorrow." Krista said.
"Be safe." I told her and headed out the building. I headed towards Bibs' house when I heard a man's voice call my name. I turned an looked to see Gregor. I paused and smiled at him.
"Where are you off to this fine evening?" He asked, approaching me.
"I was gonna head to Bibs' house. Kershka seemed upset, over ... Randal's actions." I replied. "Not that Randal got to do anything."
"Hah. Then Randal will get exactly what he deserves. Bibs will see to that." Gregor replied. "I was off to get some dinner myself."
"Food is good for fueling your body." I smiled. "I managed to get all the herbs needed to treat Krista's daughter's cold."
"Food is indeed good for fueling the body. And thank you for the herbs. I'm sure her daughter will feel a lot better." Gregor said.
I smiled and said, "I like helping people. Even if what I do doesn't impact the world, I can atleast say I improved the lives of those near me while I can."
"That's a wonderful way to look at it." Gregor said, his voice becoming gentle.
"It's what Bibs and Tilton taught me." I told him.
"I wish you could have been there during our adventures. I feel it would have really livened it up." Gregor said.
"I would have loved to have traveled with you all, too." I said, smiling. "Bibs told me they were greedy, and that's why they brought me back. Because they missed me dearly. I never wanted to be a scar in their hearts."
"A lot of the time we don't get that option." He said. "Would you like to have dinner with me again, or are you too busy?"
"I'm never to busy for friends, I can join you." I replied.
"Alright. I will certainly appreciate the company." He said.
We headed to the tavern, then, I didn't worry about Randal's fate. We took the same seats we had last night, guided by Gregor. Which I learned was his preferred spot to sit and dine in the tavern. And that he eats all his meals here.
After we ordered and got comfortable, I said, "Krista told me what that insult meant."
"Oh? And what did she reveal to you?" He asked.
I leaned towards him, placing my hand on his shoulder, and whispered, "It means a man's manhood is very small."
"Ah. I can see why that would upset someone." Gregor said.
"I don't get why it would be. Bodies are all different." I shrugged.
"Yes, but for some reason, make genitalia is tied to our pride." Gregor said.
"Interesting." I commented. "Perhaps they were a touch over protective."
"The ones suffering from such a condition are the ones who usually take offense." Gregor said.
"Does that mean I can't mock you about it?" I asked in a joking tone.
"You may mock me as you please. You'll find it has no effect." Gregor replied.
I looked at him, cupping my chin thoughtfully and narrowing my eyes with a smile. "Mm. Muscles good, body appears proportionate.. I don't think there's anything about your physical appearance to criticize, acause your face is good, too, if furry."
He laughed. "Slow down, I am not used to so many compliments at once."
"Observations." I said, "guess it would have to be your demeanor or intelligence, but I know neither of you."
"Both of these you'll need to learn in time. If I tried to explain, I don't think I'd do a good job." Gregor said.
"I could ask Tilton how to mock you." I said.
"Oh, I'm sure he could come up with quite the list." Gregor said.
I dropped my hand and said, "I wouldn't want to cause any friction between you both."
"Heh. There's plenty of friction. It's how we function." Gregor said.
"You don't like each other?" I asked.