We didn't need to go far to reach the square where Mills' stall is set up. Least, that's where I remember Thomas saying it was, and its not been more than a couple of hours since Thomas went his own way.
I poke Plight's belly as we walk. He looks at me and says, "Yes?" I quickly look away whistling inconspicuously. He seemed pretty confused as I poked him again, only to repeat my actions. I giggled as his confusion mounted and he asked, "Why am I being poked?"
"'Cause I'm harassing you." I grin at him. "Its just a type of play. If it annoys you, I can find another way to play with you."
"I don't really know how to play.. I've never had an opportunity to.." Plight tells me.
"Oh," I say, "Well.. I'll teach you as we do quests and travel together. How's that?"
He smiles at me and tell me, "I'll gladly accept that."
"Yes!" I raise my fist in the air in a celebratory manner, "I've upgraded you from companion to friend, then!"
He smiled again and said "I'll be happy to have a friend."
I feel excitement bubbling up in my heart at being accepted as Plight's friend. Grinning, I turn towards Mills' stall as Fish and Jack are standing there and Jack is trying to sell the man his poor quality feathers and the other bits he'd taken from the owlbears.
I look at Plight, uncertain if I should say anything or not. With him also not having much experience, I decide to wait. Watching the situation.
Mills offered a more than reasonable price for the damaged goods. Jack seemed displeased with the price, and Fish pressed issue with it. Telling Mills it doesn't seem to be a fair price.
With Fish acting a bit aggressively, Jack seemed emboldened as well. So I stepped in, Plight at my side.
"I do not wish to step on toes..." I began slowly, "But I will. Jack, you cracked a few of the claws, and left the long claws with the feathers.. and you didn't even take care of how you pulled the feathers... meaning they are broken in quite a few places and barely usable, even for decor." I take out what I harvested from the owlbear, "Do you see a difference, Jack? These feathers are unbent and whole, in spit of having been in my pack. And do you see these claws? I took care and used a small knife to remove them, not breaking them off. Harvesting isn't about the speed in which you do so, but precision. And NEVER try and force a higher price for subpar goods."
"How'd you get those?" Jack demanded.
"I meet aggression with death, just so you are aware before you do anything else, Jack. To answer you, Plight and I killed one by ourselves while the five of you struggled to handle the two you lot killed." I told him, I then look at Fish, "You are big Fish. That comes with responsibility. Big guys don't pick on little guys. They protect little guys."
My fiercely angry expression caused Fish to hunch his shoulders. "Sorry, little guy." Fish said to Mills.
Jack was still staring at me. Seeming to think his decisions over. He then turns to Mills and asks, "Does your offer still stand?"
"I suppose it would." Mills answers. Jack accepts it and leaves with Fish. "Thank you for stopping that ridiculous action. I'm not one for needless conflict."
"Being a pacifist is fine, as long as you have the strength to back it." I tell him. "That being said.. you are Mills, aren't you?"
"I am." he answered, "I am also not a pacifist. More, I don't see a reason to fight everything that comes my way."
I give a shrug and say, "Fair. Your herb gathering request said to see you."
"Yes, yes... I need Alleha, it grows tiny yellow flowers and is located around the lumber yard. I need five of those. Milorte grows pink flowers and can be found North of the lumberyard. I need seven. Saraceco can be found in a clearing further East, it grows little red fruits. which I need around a pound of. Helival, it can also be found around Saraceco. I need ten of it. And Vilerge, can be found south of the clearing, it has tiny pink or purple flowers and I need two of these, don't collect many more of those, they are incredibly rare and decreasing rapidly." Mills explained.
"Vilerge... It would be good to collect some seeds and grow them. Their roots have a much stronger and long lasting effect, so if brewed correctly could be used as a weekly medicine, rather than daily." I note. "Its leaves also have a nice effect, though differing from the flowers and root. It calms anxiety."
Mills' face seemed to light up as I spoke. "You seem to have some medicinal plant knowledge.. The last group of adventurer's to take on a quest for herb gathering messed up the plants so badly they were unsalvageable. Its why I needed to start including to speak to me first."
"Idiots can be a problem, yes. Do you want seeds to try and grow them yourself? They do decent with a gentle hand." I reply.
"I could certainly try it and see what I can do with it." He nods firmly.
I give a friendly smile before telling him we'll be back with his daintily useful flowers. I then lead Plight towards the East Gate.
"My mom used to live around here somewhere. I don't quite recall where, though. In sunny places you can find a special poisonous plant that is delicious. If we spot any, I'll send some to her." I tell Plight.
Plight looked at me quite confused, "Why?" He asks.
"Mom knows a way to make them edible without repercussions." I tell him. "It's her favorite thing. Next to Dad, anyhow."
I grin at him as we're stopped by the guards at the gate. They state in about 5 hours they'll be closing the gates, ask what we'll be doing, and warn us to be quick. We explain we're going herb collecting for Mills, and that we'll do our best to be on time.
It's a good thing we went East because that turned out to be where the lumberyard was located. Right across the bridge and to the right anyhow.
"Do you know anything about herbs, Plight?" I ask him.
"No, I don't know much about them." He replied.
"Want me to teach you? I studied the herbs found in this region extensively before choosing to come here." I offer.
"It does seem that it would be good to know, you healed everyone with herbs after the owlbear attack, after all." Plight agreed.
As we looked for the Alleha, I covered with him the uses and how to harvest it. He listened intently, and even spotted it before I did.
I let him try harvesting it. He really took the information well. I did notice that the lumberyard was particularly quiet.
"The lumberyard seems like it's been abandoned. Doesn't it?" I ask him.
"Does it?" He asks.
I nod a little then shrug, "Not my business. Let's move onto the next one, shall we?"
So I start telling him about the Milorte. After traveling North for a handful of minutes, we spot the Milorte. We make short work of gathering them and then head to the next location for the Saraceco and Helival.
As we were collecting the plants I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. A stiff awkward smile crossed my face as I turned my head towards Plight.
"P-Plight... Darling.... I think we have company..." I stammer.
"Hmm? What's happening?" He looks at me, and then turns his head a bit more and frowns, "What the heck is that?"
"Heheh.." I laugh anxiously, and then I stand slowly and look.
I gasp as my eyes fall on a demonic looking jaguar with two tentacles that end in spiky pads, and its six legs.
"Oh fuck its a displacer beast.. how in the fuck is there a displacer beast here!?!?" I know better than to take a step back. "They kill for fun, not just food. And they play with their prey, just like a cat with a mouse..."
As the situation sinks in I tell Plight, "We can't both outrun it. Go to Dueling Rivers and get Tilton."
"I'm not leaving you." Plight tells me firmly.
"Then we die, together." I replied grimly. I took my string out, then my bow and strung it while watching the beast. I then nocked and arrow and took a step back. As if on cue three dogs rush from the trees into the clearing as the beast lunges for me.
I dodge the first tentacle, the second one catches me. Plight steps in and hits it with his hammer. Then I shot it. The dogs then bit it where they could, two at the hind end one edging closer to me. Barks all around.
After its next clobbering of me I backed up as it then hit the dog that had made its way to the front. It hissed its frustrations, as Plight hit it solidly once more. I then shot it's shoulder, the dogs bit where they could.
It turned its frustration on the lead dog, trying to clobber it down, Plight healed the poor dog and hit the beast once more. I tried to shoot its head, missed and the dogs managed to catch hold of its legs really well.
It hit the lead dog one more time as Plight killed the beast. Once it was dead I sat heavily on the ground. Plight healed me, too, and I thanked him.
I then looked at the dogs. I told each of them 'Thank you' in their heads. I couldn't hold a Link with them, but I found they could be spoken to. I just didn't know their language.
I took out some of the dried meat and offered it to the dogs. The dogs cautiously approached and accepted the meats. They laid about us, enjoying it.
"Phew. I'm so happy. I've never been happier to be wrong." I tell Plight. I idly pat one of the dogs.
"Yeah.." he breathes. "Yeah, I'm glad you were wrong, too."
"Its thanks to these dogs.. hm?" I watch as one dog tried to take meat from the other, the dog took its meat and seemed to teleport. "Blink dogs! They're fey creatures, too, just like the displacer. They're sworn enemies." I stare at them in surprise.
I then remember our task, and offer the dogs more meat. "Plight, if you'll finish collecting, I'll take what we can from this beast. Their parts are particularly valuable. Incidentally their blood is very good for potion making. It enhances the effects."
Plight agrees and go back to our task. I note the dogs finishing their meals and then focus on harvesting the beast. I manage 5 vials of its blood, its pelt, and its tentacles.
"Hey Plight, Do you want the meat from it?" I ask him.
"Yes, thank you. I'll have it for dinner." Plight says.
" A sweet dinner, as we live another day!" I gloat.
I start putting away the hide and other goods. My pack was starting to get heavy at this point.
"Plight, we can sell the beast's hide, or we can make you a cloak out of it. Which would you prefer?" I ask.
I smiled as he hesitated. "It'd give the same property as the beast showed, the difficulty we had to hit it. It makes you shifty to the eyes, like a mirage. You can think on it."
After I'd cut the meat free of it, I stood and looked at him. He'd collected the rest of the flower's now and was watching me. "I'll go get the last of the plants and meet you back here to return to town, ok?"
He seemed hesitant at the suggestion, so I asked him, "Well, what would you prefer? You like to eat alone, and I can give you that opportunity if I go get the Vilerge."
"Normally, I'd take you up on the offer, but we've just fought a displacer beast, so I feel its an unnecessary risk at the moment." He replied.
"Hmm. Eat on the go then?" I ask.
"I'll just wait.. Its ok." He says.
"Do you want a pouch for the meat, then? I have some of the wrapping I've used on the dried meat free now." I offer.
"Yes, that would be nice." He says.
"You speak more easily now, not as shy?" I tease him.
"I suppose I am getting.. used to company." He replied.
"You're handsome, do you know? You'd be a ladies man in the capital." I help him package the meat and place it in his pack.
Plight's face flushed red and he seemed to be at a loss for words. I giggled at his distress, thinking he's innocent.
As we got ready to go collect the Vilerge, I noted we'd spent 3 and half hours, so far, our here collecting. I start telling him all I know of the Vilerge plant, then I notice.. The dogs are following us.
I guess they'll get bored. They are friendly. I shrug and continue telling Plight about the plant. It didn't take us long to find or harvest the plant. I made sure to carefully get seeds of the plant that were ready, and we headed back to town. Getting there just before the gates closed. The dogs followed us all the while.
Ignoring the dogs, aside from a pat to whichever canine head was closest to my hands, I went directly to Mills' stall, as everyone is just starting to close up.
"So, do you know what a displacer beast is?" I ask Mills as we approach.
He looks at me and says "Yes... Why?"
I take out one of the tentacle, point it at him and say. "They hurt."
"How... What?... Did you run into one outside!?" Mills seemed to be shocked.
"It's thanks to the blink dogs that Plight and I lived..." As I said so, the dog at my hip growled deeply, alarming me.
"What's the matter?" I asked it.
I then spotted a pelt that looked similar to the dog. I looked at Mills, "Ah... I see. You appear to have a blink dog skin..." I try and sooth the dog, "there, there. He was a bad boy, wasn't he? He probably didn't mean to."
Mills says "Yeah.. I didn't know it was a blink dog, it was snared in one of my traps.."
"We have all your herbs. Can you recommend who to see tomorrow to get the displacer's pelt made into a cloak?" I ask, stroking the dogs head. 'He's sorry.' I tell it mentally.
"I'd recommend Tibin's. He'd know where to send it off to." Mills said.
I nodded and helped Plight take out the herbs. "Who'd want the tentacles? I know they can be classically made into ropes, easily enough, or.. whips. But I'm not sure if they've other uses."
"Probably also Tibin would be your best bet" Mills nodded.
I took out the quest paper for him to sign. "Do you make potions, or do you just sell the herbs?"
"Been known to dabble in potion making, but it's not my strongest suite." He replied.
"Hmm. Ok. That's alright. Displacer blood boosts effectiveness of potions and magic." I tell him. "Do you need any help closing up?"
"Nah, I should be alright. Should be done here quick and in a jiffy." He tells us.
I nod at him, and turn to Plight, "Plight, do you want to sing with me at the Tavern in a few hours? I'll get things sorted with Tibin, and you can get a room at the Inn for yourself."
"I've never been much of a bard myself, but I can give it a shot." Plight said.
"I am also not a bard. But I was taught by one. I can teach you." I smile at him.
"Sounds like a lovely skill to learn." He replied.
I nodded and said "You can come with me to Tibin's, or not. Up to you. I'll be at the Tavern at nightfall, unless Lana is playing there, then I'll play at the Inn."
"I would like to go to Tibin's and look around." he says.
I smile at him and take him along with me to Tibin's general goods shop, the dogs following. At the shop, I took note of the hours. The latest it stays open is 9 and its just past 7.
"Hello and welcome to Tibin's general goods and supplies. How may I help you?" an older Halfling greeting. I assumed he's Tibin.
"Hello, do you buy alchemical goods? Also, do you have any instruments?" I inquire. The dogs staying close to me.
"I have several instruments, and alchemical goods are not generally my bread and butter but I believe I can handle them." Tibin said. He didn't mention the dogs.
I took out the organs from the owlbear, then the vials of blood from the displacer beast, and the tentacles. "Do you know someone who can turn a displacer hide into a cloak?"
"Yes I do, in fact." Tibin said as he looks it all over.
"What's the cost of labor, referral and transport?" I ask.
"I'd need to talk with the guy before giving you those numbers." Tibin replied.
I nodded and said "Very well. That's fine. We've just got the pelt off a beast. Can I leave it with you and pick it up when it's a cloak?"
"Yes. You can do that." Tibin said.
"Excellent." I grinned at them. "What are your instruments."
"I've a variety of them, over there and I have one from a great bard.. Though I'm having a hard time remembering who it was. Huh." He started thinking, "Anyways, it's a red lute, would you like to see it?"
"Yes. I would. May I get an alchemist's kit, and a sewing kit?" I ask.
"Of course. I'll get those for you in just a moment. Here's the lute." He says placing it on the counter.
I pick it up and thrum a few notes. "Oh, it's excellent. I'll take it, too please. And a drum."
He says, "Very well, lute, drum, alchemist's kit, and sewing kit.. the cost would be ninety-seven gold. The heart, liver, blood and tentacles leaves brings the cost down to four gold."
"That's fairer than I expected. So the profit from those thing would have been ninety-three? Here, Plight. Your cut is forty-seven gold. And here's the remaining balance. I appreciate it. I'll check with you in a few days on the price for the beast hide being turned into a cloak. Good day, sir." I incline my head to him, smile at Plight and ask if he wants anything from his shop.
He didn't yet, and so I signaled the dogs to come and we went to the inn to rent rooms for the night, to train Plight some, and to have dinner.
As we practiced in my rented room, with the dogs on the bed, I found his voice to be beautiful, just like his face. He also learns very quickly. He's seriously talented. After an hour passed I sent him to his room so I could change clothes, and also go order a meal.
As I was munching my meal at the bar of the inn, with the dogs up in my room, Lana and Ash began to play on the stage. I'd chosen correctly. Honestly they weren't bad together. They meshed well. But they couldn't hold a candle to me.
I finished my meal, paid for it, returned to my room for the instruments, then left to go to the tavern. Crossing the square over to the tavern I walked inside with an easy gate. The only weapon I had on me was a dagger, hidden at my back.
I was wearing a lovely thigh length red dress with red high heals, my face made up lightly with pink lip stick, my hair hanging about my shoulders, and gold earrings on.
I approached the tavern keep, noting the dogs are still following, "May my friend and I play for your patrons tonight? He'll be here shortly."
"Certainly, we always welcome some entertainment." The tavern keeper replies.
I thank him and head to the stage area that they have. As I got it set up to my liking, Plight arrived. I waved at him, as he approached.
"Was I supposed to dress up, too?" he asked as he joined me on the stage.
"No. One bit of eye candy at a time is fine, Plight. Besides, you'd outshine me in looks alone." I giggle.
He seemed flustered once more and I tell him, "I am being honest, but I'm also teasing you. I only want your friendship. I can stop if you'd like." I look out at the crowd while getting Plight ready. I spot a familiar face in the crowd. It's Mills.
Once we were ready I took out the red lute and started with a melody that was relaxing the blink dogs laid down at the edges of the stage. Plight followed my lead on the drums. I changed the tune to something more exciting, then began to sing a thankful folksong to the hard work that goes into their lives everyday. I then started on the most popular songs played at the crimson hoof in the capital. Drinking songs, and songs about kissing pretty girls.
I let Plight rest his voice after the first couple of songs. Amazingly enough, I started noticing some faces that had been at the Inn drinking after the fourth song. If Daelyn were here, we'd pull the whole town in one.
I noticed a fair number of dwarves in the crowd, and so my fifth song was one that honored dwarves. I respect them quite a lot. Even if they can be awfully racist at times.
As we played a sixth song, one about love, Lana and Ash came in. Plight was singing this one with me. Which was nice, our voices blended beautifully. We took a break after that one, and I got us some honeyed waters to sooth our throats.
Plight thanked me, as I returned with our drinks. Lana boldly proclaimed, again, that we should play together. I declined. "If you'd like to play here, you may. I am tired anyways." I told her.
"You're stuck up." Ash said.
"I have the right to be. What right do you have to bother me?" I asked. The lead dog growled at her.
Before she could respond I started playing another melody with the lute as the dogs laid about my feet. I had no intention of listening to her anyway. They've judged me multiple times and the mean girl vibe just wasn't it for me.
Lana and Ash ended up leaving. I didn't listen to whatever they'd said on their way out. Neither did the crowd.
When it got to 11 pm, I decided to turn in. I ended my performance, and bid them all a good night. The tavern keeper did so well kn sales he asked us to come back the next night.
I told him we may if we're here and up to it. Plight and I made our way back to our rooms. I bid him goodnight and went to bed after washing my face. The dogs got in the bed, too.
The next morning, I give the dogs some meat, while getting ready for the day. They munch it and then pop out of the room, I assumed to use the bathroom. How handy!
Having dressed myself in my usual attire, I get busy writing letters. To my sister I ask her for all the useful information that I couldn't remember about blink dogs. I also tell her about how travel went, and my first two quests.
To my Bit, I wrote about how I've got a new friend, and a pack of dogs. Though, I wasn't sure how long they'd stay.
To Daelyn, I wrote about the performance with Plight and told him about all the interesting people I've ran into so far. And my issues with the two women.
To Jasper, I wrote about the fight Plight and I had against the displacer and the owlbears. And how the five people struggled to take down 2 owlbears, vs Plight and I taking down one.
I write to Uncle with a simple and brief point. Just inquiring if eating a displacer beast would be cannibalism for Leonin since they are both large felines. And asking if he thought someone begging to be punched in the face should be appeased.
I then wrote to both of my parents, writing much the same things to them as to the kids. To Mom I kept it positive. To Dad I explained my grievances, though few, and my victories. Like how I made Plight my friend.
Once the ink was dry I put all the letters in envelopes and make sure I have everything packed up, then I head down for breakfast and to ask Fred to deliver the letters. He'll be heading back today.
He was grouchy, but he accepted responsibility for the letters. Asked me to place them in his cart for him. Which is what I did after breakfast.
Plight came out of the Inn as I stored the letters in the cart. "Ready for a new day?" I asked as I glanced over my shoulder with a smile.
"Yes.. I believe so." He answered.
The dogs returned at that moment. Looking fit and happy. I patted them and said, "Lets go see the hunter Arthur, he'll probably buy out animal stuff. We've collected a lot."
He agrees and we head to the square again. I see Mills setting up along with the rest. I also spot an old woman who has an odd feeling to her. It felt like she was beckoning us, but she sat still in her stall with a smile on her face.
As I focused on the odd feeling around her, I'd stopped moving. It kinda felt like something snapped into understanding for me and the world suddenly made more sense. My mind felt more open and a word came to my awareness. Mystic.
I marveled at the newfound insight for a moment before Plight caught my attention, his face was twisted with concern, "Everything ok?" I saw him looking between me and the old woman, suspicion growing on his features.
"Hmm. Yes. Everything is fine," I tell him, "I just had a sudden thought. We can talk bout it in a minute, let's go see Arthur." I patted him affectionately.
Once we'd approached Arthur, we noted his disdain for the dogs. "They're smarter than most people, I'd wager " I tell him.
Arthur shrugged and asked what he can do for us. So I took out what I had of our hunts, and Plight took out his. Arthur looked them over and bout them off us. A huge load off.
With that completed I started off towards the Guildhall and did my best to explain, through Mind Link, to Plight that it felt like a mental block was lifted and expanded my mental awareness for some distance. Once we arrived there, I immediately went to a table and wrote out a second letter, well, third, to my Father asking him if he knows anything about psionic master's called "Mystics". I waved it to make sure the ink dried, put it in an envelope and put writing things up again. I told Plight to wait there and ran off to add the letter to the rest of them in Fred's cart. I was just in time, too.
Once I'd returned to Plight in the Guildhall, I had him follow me to the secretary, Clara, to turn in the two quests we'd completed. She handled the paperwork efficiently, while telling me its to early in the morning to be that peppy.
"I am an aquired taste, I know." I tell her.
With being closer to advancing status in the guild, I went to the guildboard to view the new quests at our status. There were a few fetch quests, and a deliver quest left. And a different hunting quest.
"What would you like to do, Plight?" I ask him.
"Stone delivery." Plight says.
I take that one off the board and say "Let's go, then."
We leave the Guildhall just after Ash and Lana enter. I'm unconcerned. We have to go all the way to the square and then over a bridge. Right next to the odd old lady.
I look at her again, she doesn't appear to have moved at all as we pass by. Odd lady. Right, Thomas had called her the Mushroom Lady. I ponder on the meaning behind that before deciding I'd go and have a chat with her after this quest.
As we cross athe bridge, I notice Jack in the water. I point him out to Plight. His reaction was much the same as mine. Just recognition and lack of interest.
We walk along the stone houses of the dwarves, the rest of the town is wood, until we reach one that says 'Union 782'.
"This's the place." I tell him. Once we'd entered, we notice its highly rowdy. The dwarves are boisterous and lively. Plight seemed to tense up, so I asked him, "You ok?"
"I'm alright. Just not used to so many rambunctious people at once." He replied.
I gave him a reassuring smile as we approached an eldery dwarf behind the counter.
"Yes? What can I do for you?" The old man asked.
I take out the quest paper and show it to him, "We're here bout this."
"Ah, yes. If you'll go right outback we can get you all sorted and moving stone." He said, walking towards the back door and opening it for us.
"Thank you." I tell him as Plight and I walked out. We see another dwarf outside who immediately notices us coming out.
"You're the lot we have helpin' move the stone?" He asks.
"Yes, we are." Plight says.
"Well, here's where you'll pick up the stone, and drop it off when you give up." The dwarf says.
"Uh huh. So where's it need delivered to?" I ask. "Dwarves can be short sighted, surely, but I wouldn't expect you to turn away helping hands responding to your quest."
I noticed Plight had walked toward the stone bricks and lifts one. He didn't even grunt. So I followed his lead and picked one up as well. It was heavy, but not heavier than my six foot tall little brother.
The dwarf gave a grunt, then said "Each of the gates need 5 wheelbarrow loads." He then walked away.
I stuck my tongue out towards him. Then chose a wheelbarrow to load up. "Make sure you drink water, Plight. Lifting like this can be unexpectedly tiring."
"Do you have water?" Plight asked.
"A water flask, yes. And there is a well in the square." I replied. I then considered my words and how I'm consistently giving these little tips and such. Am I mothering him? Am I acting like a sister to him? Hm. I do think I'm treating him like a younger brother. He looks older though.
I ponder this as I load the wheelbarrow. Plight loads his faster than I do. "Am I babying you?" I ask abruptly.
"In what manner, precisely?" Plight asked.
"Hm. Like telling you to drink water to keep up energy, and the other tips I give you. Checking in on you, making sure your ok. That sort of stuff. Men don't like it." I tell him.
"I thought that's what friends do." He says.
"To be honest," I said as we start wheeling our loads towards the West gate, "I'm not sure. That's how I treat my siblings, even though they don't need those reminders. Two of them are geniuses, ones silly, and the other could whoop my butt pretty well. My only friend was previously Dean, but he wants to sleep with me. Aside from my siblings and now you, I don't have friends."
He listens to me speak, and then seems to think on it. "Well, with friendship experience you still have me beat. I don't have a lot."
"You're friendly and nice, though. People like people like you. I am stuck up. My family taught me to be intolerant towards what annoys me. It's a serious flaw. If I'd let their rudeness go, I might've made friends with Lana and Ash, for example. I don't think it would have been wise, however." I tell him.
"I can agree that that would probably not have been good." Plight said.
"I'm not nice. But I am kind, atleast. You seem both nice and kind. There are many who'd take advantage of you, if you let them. I appreciate you." I smile at him as we spot a dwarf near the West gate.
"Bring the stone over here," he waves at us, "Unload and bring back some more."
"Yessir." I nodded at the dwarf, and we did as instructed.
We repeated this trip, while chatting, then had to split, so he delivered to the South, or Main gate and I delivered the last one to the west gate. We met up again and got our load together to deliver to the South gate again.
This being our fourth trip my cheeks were a bit flushed and I was sweating quite a bit, already. "One more, then I need a break." I tell Plight.
He agreed, readily. I laughed breathlessly and said "We're pansies."
"I don't agree. Its just a different kind of labor than usual." He said.
"Uncle could do this by himself easy." I complained.
"Well according to you, your uncle is some kinda demi-god. Which we are not." Plight tells me.
"See, thats it though, my birth mother is the champion of the Arena in Ymir's Town. I only remember her vaguely as a half dead woman." I tell him as we're unloading the bricks at the gate. "I am currently wishing I had a fifth of her brawn. Or Uncle's."
"Well, we could always try getting into more fights. I hear that builds muscle." Plight suggested.
"That is what Adelaide, my birth mother did. I need to try again to meet her. She's lost in rage currently." I tell him.
We started back towards the pick up location, and I gulp some water. "What do you mean, 'lost in rage'?" Plight asked, then also taking a drink.
"Did I tell you how it is I came to be adopted?" I ask him.
"No, you have not." Plight says.
I think it over. "Alright. Let's do this next load, and we can go sit by the river just outside of town and I'll tell you about it. How's that?" I ask him.
He agreed, saying it sounded like an interesting time and story. So we finished the last load we were doing for now, and returned the wheelbarrows. I then lead him out the East gate.