*Bryna's POV*
"Why'd the dwarves move here from Moon's Rise mountains?" I asked Bibs.
"Actually the mountains are called Wolven Falls now." Bibs said, "Their home was invaded by something, so they opted to move to Dueling Rivers."
"I assume the walls are their work?" I asked.
"Indeed, the walls were built by the dwarves." Bibs said.
"Tilton told them so?" I asked. "He likes flame retardant materials." I spotted a little blonde boy going around with an odd small and flat bread that he seemed to be immensely enjoying. "Shouldn't kids be home by now? Why is the bread like that?"
"Thomas is a special case. And the bread is shaped like that cause it's called a cookie." Bibs said.
"Oh," I said, "Hi Thomas!" I called smiling and waving to the boy. He wasn't far away, so I didn't have to shout.
Thomas stopped and looked up. He looked confused, then recognized Bibs and Kershka and waved back. He walked over to us and said, "What's got ya out the house, Bibs?"
"I'm showing a friend around town. She was curious about your cookie." Bibs told the boy.
Thomas popped the cookie in his mouth and with his mouth full said, "Kaz has cookies."
I laughed and said, "What are cookies, Thomas? Don't fear, I don't take things from little kids. I take things from meanies."
He cocked his head a little and said, "Thomas believes Thomas is taller than you."
"Are you?" I asked, then I jumped down from Kershka's shoulder, realizing my mistake I half shifted my legs as I landed, so I wouldn't be hurt. Shifting them back, and standing up to see our difference between us, I frowned. He was a little over a head taller than me. "Well, shoot. You are taller. Well, you're still a cute little kid."
His face turned red and he said, "Well, you're just a cute little kid, too."
I laughed and said, "I guess you're right, Thomas. Whachu doin'?"
"Thomas is on a very important mission." He replied.
"A mission?" I asked, tilting my head.
"Mm." Thomas nodded. "A very important mission. Thomas cannot be distracted from his mission."
"Oh. Want some help?" I asked.
"Thomas will take help." Thomas said.
"Bibs, I'm gonna help Thomas, is that ok?" I asked checking in with my old friend.
"That's fine. I'm sure Thomas has a very important mission and needs all the help he can get." Bibs replied.
"'Kay, love you Biffy. See you again soon. You, too, Kershka, I'll see ya soon." I grinned at them, then turned back to Thomas, "I'm all ready."
"Just come back to my place when you're all done." Bibs called as me and Thomas started off. I waved my hand and showed an 'ok' symbol to acknowledge him.
"We will start with the South Gate!" Thomas said.
I followed him and asked, "What's the mission?"
"Our mission is to see that the guards are alert." Thomas replied.
"Who said?" I asked.
"Tilton." Thomas said.
"That trouble maker." I huffed.
"Who?" Thomas asked.
"Tilton's a trouble maker." I told him.
"Tilton's not a trouble maker." Thomas disagreed.
"Hmm. He was when I knew him. He may have matured, I guess." I said.
He stopped and looked me up and down and said, "Thomas thinks you talk funny. But that's ok. Back to the mission!"
"How we gonna check, Thomas?" I asked.
"We sneak up on them. If they spot us, we're alert. If they don't, I punch them in the thigh." Thomas said. "Thomas has been told that his punches hurt worse than goblin sword."
"Impressibe." I replied, grinning. "I'm very sneaky. Tilton taught me when I was little."
"You are little. Thomas hasn't seen you before." Thomas said.
"That's cause I died a long time ago, and now I'm alive again." I told him. He probably wouldn't believe me, it'd just be like a silly story.
"Oh, ok." Thomas said.
"Maybe you can teach me how to punch better." I said.
He gave a big smile and said, "It's all in the hips."
I grinned at him as we got close to the gates. I confessed to Thomas, "I snuck into town past the guards earlier."
"Which gate?! They get punched." Thomas declared.
"This one. Around four." I told him.
"Super sneak, super punch." He said.
I snuck around a different way, feeling greatly amused at the game. I took position directly next to a guard without them noticing me. I even reached up and took the guys hand. Poor guy must be a parent, he didn't notice.
From the other side, a guard went, "Argh. Dammit Thomas."
"You are not paying attention!" Thkmas scolded, then looked towards the other guard and me, "And you are super not paying attention.
I giggled, looking towards Thomas and the other guard.
"Oh shit!" The guard said, jerking his hand away and stepping back.
I laughed delightedly and said, "You got kids, huh?"
He looked at me and said, "Yes. Two of them."
"Thought so. Otherwise you'da noticed when I grabbed ya." I grinned.
"I would certainly hope I wouldn've. But yes, Thomas, I suppose we were being a bit slack." The guard said.
"Yeah, you let a wolf puppy into town earlier, too." I said, amused.
"Oh?" The guard asked, "I don't see how we woulda missed that."
"Yeah, it went after Tilton, too. You can ask him or the stall workers." I said.
"Hoh, boy. That's gonna be an earful." the guard grumbled.
"But Tilton likes animals." I shrugged.
"Yes, Tilton likes animals. He doez not like animals just sneaking into his town though." He said.
I laughed and looked at Thomas.
"Ok." Thomas said, "Onto the next one."
Thomas and I went off to the West gate next. We split up again going after different targets each. This time, I watched Thomas and struck when he did. Popping the guard at the same time he thumped the other. The guard Thomas punched had been slouched against the wall, the guard hit the ground on one knee, then he reached for Thomas, but Thomas back stepped him.
The guard I hit said, "Gyah, who even are you?"
"Bryna." I answered. "I'm helpin' Thomas."
"Helping Thomas punch people?" He demanded.
"Yes? No. On a mission." I said.
"Hoh. Let me guess, check the alertness of the guards mission." He said.
"Yup!" I answered. "Thomas said ya get punched if you don't spot us."
"Yep. That's typically how it goes." He sighed.
I gave a big grin, then turned to the guard Thomas had hit. "You got lucky you didn't touch Thomas. I'd've had to teach you better. A little kid's fist don't hurt that bad."
He looked at me and said, "I'm gonna assume you've never been hit by Thomas. Try it sometime."
"Maybe you should have a desk job. Do paperwork." I retorted.
The guard growled annoyed. "Alright you little twerps. You've done your mission here. Who else have you punched today?"
"Tilton got attacked by a wolf puppy earlier." I told him.
"That poor thing." He replied.
I turned to Thomas, then. We headed to the next gate, the North one. We followed the same pattern at this gate. These ones appeared to be alert, but there was no humanly way for them to spot me as I snuck up on them. Right as Thomas punched his guard in the thigh, I goosed mine in his hips, since I couldn't reach his sides, and made a sharp noise.
"Byah!" The guard shouted, jumping forwards, and turning.
The other guard was rubbing his leg and said, "Hello Thomas."
"You're worse than Thomas. At least his is just a punch. I can FEEL my heart." The guard I scared said.
"Ooh. Scaring is effective!" I said, wrinkling my nose and giggling.
Thomas said in a stately manner, "Thomas's request for a round two has been approved. Stay vigilant."
"Hoh, I've been dreading this day." One guard said.
"You know Thomas, I could just ask Kaz if he can leave some cookies out for you." The other said.
"Bribery of a mayor's official is two punches!" Thomas said and delivered both punches to the same spot.
I watched his movements, then mimicked his stance and threw a punch at air." Is that right?" I asked.
"No, no. Your toes are pointing all wrong." Thomas said, showing me the correct way.
"Oh." I said, trying again, "This?"
"Much closer." Thomas nodded.
"I'm gonna have to practice." I sighed.
"Thomas practices on his missions." He said.
"I'll find some goblins that aren't nice and practice on them." I said.
"There are lots of those." Thomas said.
"Is there? I only seen a coupla bandits and drunks." I replied.
"Oh yeah, they're out there. Just hiding. But Thomas knows where they are." Thomas said.
"Ooh. Cool Thomas." I say.
"You two probably shouldn't go out and hunt goblins. Don't do that. If you want to practice head to the guild hall and use some dummies." A guard suggested.
"I'm joining the guild tomorrow." I tell him.
"Well then, I wish you luck and you should probably wait till then to go goblin hunting." The guard said, in a condescending manner.
"Sir, you are lucky Tilton would scold me if I beat you up." I said. "You shouldn't talk to people like that."
"You also shouldn't threaten your elders." He said.
"Being old don't give ya a pass to be condeswending." I scolded.
"Alright." He said, raising his hands. "Sound arguments."
"Asides that, I'm very capable despite my looks." I said. "Like an alley cat."
"I'm sure you'll make a fine adventurer. Attitude is half the battle." He said.
"I just want to help people like Bibs and Tilton taught me to." I replied.
"Helping those in need is indeed a noble pursuit. It's not usually an adventurer's goal, but I could see you doing it." The guard said.
"Are you ready for the next one Thomas?" I asked.
"Yes. But it will be our greatest challenge." Thomas said.
"Will it?" I asked, tilting my head.
"Yes." He said. "That is where the goblins attack most."
"Ooh. Ok. Let's do our best, then." I said.
We headed over to the next one. I immediately noticed a difference. These men were definitely on task. Still, Thomas was heading to try, so I followed his lead. Slowly and methodically stalking towards a guard.
As soon as we broached the gate area the other guard said, "Are you finished with the other gates, Thomas?"
Thomas snapped his fingers and said, "Yes."
The other guard turned and looked at me. "And who might this one be? Does Thomas have an assistant now? You are quite stealthy."
"I'm Bryna, I'm gonna be an adventurer tomorrow." I said.
"An adventurer, eh?" He asked, "And what grand things do you have in mind? Slaying dragons? Rescuing cities?"
"Philanthopy." I answered. "I wanna help people. And the only time a dragon needs to die is if it's attacking people. Most just stay wif their horde."
"Well, then. That's a fine ideal." He said. "What weapon will you be using?"
I took a dagger out of my bag. "Mostly this, but Tilton taught me to shoot bows. I just haven't found one yet."
"Well, if you go to the guardhouse just tell them Frank said you can take his bow." He said. "You can use it for the exam."
"But why?" I asked, tilting my head.
"Well, why not? It's just sitting in storage currently." He countered.
"Hmn.. I can't really argue that." I admitted. I caught an off smell and scrunched my nose a little.
"What's wrong? It seems like you smelled something quite foul." Frank asked.
"Something smelled dead." I told him. "On the breeze."
"Dead, huh?" He asked. "We have had reports of dead things wondering."
"Well, I could sniff it out.. But I think it's a ways to the North, yet." I commented.
"Well, we can't exactly go wondering off to hunt it down, so it'll have to be as it is." He said.
"Since there's adventuwer's here, shouldn't they deal wif it?" I asked.
"If someone puts up a quest about it. It's the only way they'll do anything." He said.
"Ew. How lousy." I said.
"That's just how it is. Adventurer's do their thing for money." He replied.
"Hmm. I'll research and see if dead things is something I can handle." I said. "I'll definitely borrow your bow for a bit, Frank. Thank you."
"Not a problem. It will take quite a bit to string it though, I must warn you." Frank said.
"Ok. Thomas, whatcha gotta do now?" I asked.
"Report Thomas's findings." He answered.
"Can I go, too?" I asked.
"Yes." Thomas said. "You helped Thomas and can get the reward as well."
"Such a cute kid." I grinned. "Let's be friends, Thomas."
"Thomas always likes having more friends. Especially if they can help out on the missions." Thomas agreed.
With that decided, we headed off to report on Thomas's findings. Which was to Tilton's house. Thomas knocked on the front door and we waited. After a moment, Tilton opened the door.
"Thomas... and Ashtar... Are you corrupting the boy now?" Tilton asked.
"Thomas is showing me how to punch!" I grinned.
"Oh, it's the other way around." Tilton said.
"Thomas doesn't corrupt. Thomas teaches." Thomas said.
"And he said he'd be my friend." I said.
"And we're back to you corrupting him. Nice little cycle we have here." Tilton grumbled.
I hugged his leg. "Heehee. I really missed Tilton." I giggled.
"You can release my leg at any time." He said.
"But it's all I can reach right now." I said.
"What do you mean by 'right now'?" He asked darkly.
"I'll grow. Or you'll sit down." I told him.
"Urgh. What can I help you two with right now?" Tilton asked, as I let him go and stepped back.
Thomas was looking at us bizarrely. I grimaced, wrinkling my nose and sneezing this time. Then I looked around. I couldn't spot anything really.
"Feeling a bit under the weather, are we?" Tilton asked.
"No. I just smelt something dead again. It was stinkier." I said, "Thomas said he had to report his findings."
Thomas then launched into a detailed report about what all we'd done and what the East Gate guards had said about undeads being around. Tilton listened patiently to the boy. I was impressed with how detailed Thomas was at his age.
"Yes, the undead are a known threat." Tilton said. "I've already posted a quest about it at the guild."
"Ooh. I'm gonna join tomorrow." I said.
"Of course you are. I suppose I'll have to inform Greggor of your taciturn nature." Tilton said.
"Greggor?" I asked, tilting my head.
"Yes, Greggor. The one who runs the guild." Tilton said.
"Oh! He's the one Bibs was talkin' bout then." I said, "Bibs just said 'a friend of mine runs the guild.'"
"Yes, he was a member of our adventuring party." Tilton said.
"What's he like?" I asked.
"Well, he was once a very stern monk. Now he's a very loose drunk." He said.
"Like you went from a rapscallion to a mayor?" I asked.
"And you went from bothersome twerp to bothersome twerp in a new body." Tilton retorted.
"Aw, I love you, too." I beamed.
"Uuugh." He groaned.
I looked at Thomas and said, "Long time ago this guy raised me with Bibs and he acts like I'm not like him."
"You are an instigator, I am a problem solver." Tilton said. "You seek trouble. I resolve what's already here."
"You're traumatized." I replied. "You're the one who said, 'If some guy grabs you, stab their eyes.'"
"Still solid advice." Tilton said.
"Why was Thomas's advice 'Just wait. They'll return Thomas in an hour?" Thomas asked.
"Well Thomas, that's because everyone around here knows you. And if they don't, I'll find them." Tilton replied.
I gasped. "That's scawy."
"Good. That's the point." He replied.
Tilton rewarded us for our 'efforts' and sent us on our way. I asked for a hug reaching up towards him.
He stared at me for a few seconds and said, "I will grant you this once. You can choose to use this one time hug now, or later in life. Do you still want it now?"
I hesitated. Unsure if he was serious or not. "Yes, and if I don't die again I want to demand another in sixteen years." I said.
He smiled and said, "Alright, now it is." He then knelt on a single knee and hugged me. His arms easily fit around me, but his slight elven frame was too broad for me to wrap my arms around.
I planted a kiss on his cheek and said, "Thank you." A single tear rolled down my cheek when I let him go.
He ruffled my hair and said, "I did miss you, you twerp."
"I missed you, too, troll toe." I replied, grinning.
"Tilton you said you never hug!" Thomas said.
"Yes, Thomas, this is true. But she literally died a long time ago and came back. She gets one." Tilton said.
"Thomas doesn't want to die for a hug." Thomas said.
I tilted my head looking at Thomas. Then I said, "I can give you a hug."
"Thomas would like a hug." He said.
I wrapped my arms around the boy giving him a light squeeze. The boy hugged me back.
"Yes, yes. Very touching. I do have another job for you." Tilton said.
"Thomas accepts any mission." Thomas said.
"There has been a disturbance at the bakery." Tilton said. "It would seem that Kaz's latest batch of that Elven Pillow he's been making has gone a bit awry and he's wanting some help dealing with it. Do you believe you can go help him out?"
I tilted my head looking confusedly at Tilton. Thomas agreed to the mission immediately. I grimaced slightly when another breeze occurred. But it smelt further away, so I wasn't concerned.
"See you later." I told Tilton.
"Indeed. See you later. Do try to stay out of trouble without confusing everyone around you." He said.
"That may be impossible, but I can try cause you asked." I said.
"I'll just have to accept that then." Tilton said.
Thomas and I started walking back to town. On the way, Thomas began his line of questioning.
"Thomas is not trying to be mean, but why do you smell like dog?" Thomas asked.
"I'm a Wolfborn. My late parents were werewolves." I said.
"What's a Wolfborn?" He asked.
"Hmm. Well, a Wolfborn is a person who is a wolf, too. They're werewolves without the curse. Means I can transform anytime, but I also can't make others werewolves." I explained.
"So you can transform at will?" Thomas asked.
"Yes. And I have a half-way form, where I look kinda like a furry kobold." I said. "A Kobold is like a tiny Dragonborn, which is a dragon mixed person. I don't know how common they are anymore."
"Oooh.. not too common." Thomas said. "Thomas hasn't seen another Dragonborn in a looong time."
I looked at him, "You're a Dragonborn?"
"Thomas didn't say that." He said, "Pup has no proof."
"True nough. But you said 'another'. I don't care if you are or not. Tilton and Bibs taught me better than to hurt others cause of their species." I said. "Asides, Wolfborn's are hunted and killed just cause their parents are cursed."
"Thomas doesn't think that's fair." He said.
"It's not. It's why my parents died. Acause they were cursed." I said.
"Thomas can sort of relate. Everyone thinks Thomas's parents are dead." He said.
"How come?" I asked.
"Lots of blood, goblin weapons and no bodies." He said.
"Oh. But they aren't dead?" I asked.
"Nope. Mama's down below." He said.
"Below?" I asked, tilting my head.
"Thomas isn't allowed to say where." He said.
"Oh. Well, maybe when I'm stronger I can look for her." I said.
"That's what Thomas is gonna do. Get strong." Thomas said.
"You're really so cute." I laughed.
"What are you gonna do when you get your adventuring license?" Thomas asked.
"Quests and help people. Asides that, I dunno. I've been dead for almost four hundred years and the world has changed a lot. Did you know that it used to snow around here?" I asked. "Three months a year it used to snow so much it'd cover our heads."
"No, didn't know it snowed around here. It hasn't snowed my whole life." Thomas said.
"Have you seen snow?" I asked.
He pointed back towards the mountains. "Why did you call Tilton a troll toe?"
"Cause it's the opposite of him. He's really pretty and elegant. But he made me really mad one time and I called him that. He called me a twerpy gutter rat, and it just became habit to call each other names. We don't mean nothing by it." I told him. "It's just like siblings fighting, Bibs used to say."
"Thomas never had siblings. Mom said Thomas was everything she ever needed. Thomas misses her and wishes she would come home already." Thomas said.
I gave Thomas another hug. I would definitely try to find his mom no matter what so that she can return. I petted his hair and said, "Do you got any more questions?"
"No, Thomas good." Thomas said.
"I'm sorry, Thomas, that you're sad. I wish I could make it better for you." I said.
"It'll be all better.. Once Mom is done with her mission." Thomas said.
"I'll help her as soon as I can if she hasn't come back already, ok?" I smiled at him.
"Ok." Thomas said.
We'd gotten to the bakery now. I'd followed him since we were talking. He opened the door to the bakery, and I followed him in, I was still curious about 'cookies'. A dwarf was behind the counter, cleaning things up. I sniffed the air. The bread smelt wonderful. There was butter, cream, eggs and a sugary smell in the air.
The dwarf looked over and said, "Oh, Thomas, you have a friend! What could I do for you?"
"Thomas has been sent on a mission." Thomas said. "Tilton said you needed help with an Elven Pillow."
"Ah, ok. It's not so much an Elven Pillow anymore. Come to the back." He said. He brought us into the back where an half orc lady was leaned back and rubbing her bloated belly. On the table was a huge pastry with some parts of it missing. "I wanted to make it bigger... I did so a little too well. I don't want to let it go to waste. Do you two think you could handle it?"
"It's egg based isn't it?" I asked, covertly sniffing the air.
"Yes, it is." The dwarf said. By this point, I assumed he's Kaz.
Thomas cracked his neck and said, "Yes. Thomas believes he will be of great help on this mission."
I walked over to the lady. "You're a hunter, lady?" I asked.
"Currently upset tummy lady." She replied.
"Indigeshone?" I asked.
"I suppose it may be indigestion, yes." She said.
"Oh," I said. I thought about it for a moment, then took a blanket out of my bag and some plant leaves that makes things feel warm after you crush it. I sprinkled the plant all over the blanket, then folded it so it'd hold the crushed warming leaves inside it's folds. Then I picked it up and said, "Excoose me. Watch your hands, pwease." Then I climbed into her lap to cover her distended belly with the blanket. I got back down after doing so. "Dat should help in five minutes."
The lady had watched me with confusion. But as soon as the warmth set in she relaxed and fell asleep snoring. After noticing the ladies relaxation Kaz spoke up.
"Oh, thank you. My poor Dear has been in much discomfort." He said.
"How come?" I asked. "The indigeshone?"
"Yes, indeed, the indigestion. I tried to tell her to go slow." He said.
"Oh. Well, lemon water can help, too." I said.
Thomas was looking at the blanket and said, "Ooh, a sleep blanket."
"It just has a plant on it. If you cwush the leaves it get's really warm, but doesn't catch fire." I tell him.
"Does it help with sleep?" He asked.
"I dunno. It made her sleepy I guess." I said.
"Hmph. Sleep blanket." He said firmly. He turned back towards the table. "Ok. Time to tackle the pillow."
I wasn't sure bout this new thing. I watched Thomas tear a piece off and start munching it. He seemed to like it quite a bit. But I was nervous of it. I never particularly cared for eggs or anything made from them. Of course, I hadn't really tried them in this life.
"Did you have a problem with eggs?" Kaz asked after a few minutes.
"I don't know." I said, "I haven't tried eggs before."
"Well then this would be a fine introductory to them." Kaz said.
Feeling rude, I went ahead and cautiously tried it. A small enough piece to be polite, but big enough that I wouldn't have been scolded if Tilton was watching. Trying a bite, it was light and fluffy without an eggy taste to it. In fact, it tasted like blueberries. I wasn't fond of the texture, but the taste was fine. I wondered if Kershka and Bibs would like it.
"It tastes nice but it feels funny." I said.
"Feels funny? In what way? These are good notes." Kaz said, unoffended.
I frowned and placed my hand over my mouth. "It's tingwy.." I felt a little distressed, though I knew I had resistance to poison.
"Alright.. Um. maybe no more for you. I believe you're having an allergic reaction. If it's just tingly you should be fine." He said.
"Maybe Kershka can habe some." I said.
"Ah, yes. I believe Kershka enjoys the elven pillows." Kaz said.
"May I pwease have some Elven Piwow for Kershka and a loaf of bwead?" I asked, understanding he runs a business, I offered him the gold piece Tilton gave me earlier. "I should go to Bibs's house now."
"That's quite alright. You don't have to pay me right now. But yes, we can cut Kershka off a piece here." Kaz said.
"Are you sure?" I asked, realizing my tongue was swollen. "I don't mind. Baking is hawd work."
"It's fine. It's the stuff left over from the end of the day." Kaz said, cutting out a decent sized chunk for Kershka. He packed up a loaf of bread for me, too.
"Ok. Thank you." I said.
"You are most welcome. Stop back by any time." Kaz said.
"I will. See you later Thomas." I said.
Thomas waved and with a chipmonk cheek-full he said, "Bye!"
I left the store, heading back to Bib's with my arms full. Unexpectedly, Kershka was waiting outside for me. I walked up to him and offered him the wrapped Elven Pillow. "Hewe you go." I said.
He bent slightly and picked it up. "You ok? You talk funny."
"My tongue is swowen." I said. "It's uncomfy."
"Oh. Bibs might have something for that." Kershka said, opening the door and coming inside with me.