An uncomfortable silence descended on the quaint treatment room. Ramsey expected he was taking too long to answer, but his response could greatly influence what happened next.
He had endeavored to avoid outright lies, but that was mostly related to his origins. He would eventually have to reveal his magic, but to who and how seemed incredibly important. Was this the right person? Did he have a choice?
If he tried to uphold some semblance of truth while still masking his abilities, would it be believable? He was already indebted to the guild, how would they react toward attempted deception?
Finally, Ramsey sighed, "Honestly… I just got really lucky by knowing a little magic."
Erron's heels methodically knocked the floor as he paced the room. "And this little magic was able to defeat a class 3 monster? What's your muse?"
"Elorr, Sir," Ramsey replied honestly.
"Impressive. I know several seasoned Elorr mages who would struggle to do the same.
Well, I suspect we'll be putting your talents to use - unless you were able to settle up with the doctor already…"
Ramsey shook his head, prompting Erron to withdraw a folded paper from an inner breast pocket. "This is a summons to appear at the Guild office within the next 3 days.
You'll be given a choice of jobs to compensate for the healing. The more difficult or dangerous the job, the higher the pay, and the sooner your debt will be cleared.
…Perhaps we'll get to see what you're capable of. Do be careful though, additional healings will result in a furtherance of your debt.
Of course, we're not evil, you'll receive a portion of your daily wage, which you can spend as you wish."
Ramsey reluctantly accepted the document, although this was not the kind of employment he envisioned. It was obviously rigged from the start. A safe job would pay very little, and with the guild taking their share, it was practically agreeing to a life of servitude. A dangerous job would allow you to earn more quickly, but with the increased risk of compounding your debt.
He said they weren't evil, but Ramsey wasn't so sure. 'Is it like this everywhere or just in Harkynn?'
"Oh," Erron stopped just before exiting the room, "if you don't appear within three days, one of the hunting teams I mentioned may come help you find the Guild office."
Ramsey nodded and the captain departed with a smirk.
'Damn, that was close,' he closed his eyes and allowed himself to relax. He still wasn't sure how people would react to him being a gravity mage, but a man threatening to hunt him was not an ideal confidant.
"Ramsey," Ella slowly stepped back into the room. "Apologies, I uh, overheard your name. Here, I washed your clothes, although… they're full of holes."
"Thank you, you didn't have to do that," he received them with a smile. "I don't suppose you know where I could buy a new pair?"
"Of course, there's a few places. A couple stalls on the eastern way, a store near the north end. I could show you if you'd like."
"That would be great, but first I'll need to sell those antlers. Any idea who might be interested?"
Ella sat on the corner of the bed, "Oh, you won't have any trouble selling those. Some people like them as decorations, others use them as handles for weapons, even the doctor could grind them down to make salves.
As you know, a krewlhorn's body is rife with acid, but the concentration inside their horns is only enough to provide a numbing effect."
"That's my apprentice for you!" Doctor Morten declared as he scurried back into the room, "but, I'm afraid I don't need all that you have. If you're willing to sell them in pieces, I can give you 1 gold for half of one. And that's a bit more than market value, as an apology for the Guild's treatment," beneath his energetic demeanor, Ramsey could sense traces of guilt.
'I doubt he's taken Earth's hippocratic oath to Do No Harm, but he's clearly a man with a kind heart.'
"It's a deal. Please take your share.
Ella has given me a great idea where to sell the rest," he nodded.
"I have?" She seemed surprised.
"Yes, a blacksmith friend of mine not too far from here."
As it turned out, they both knew of Treya, seeing as how there were only 3 blacksmiths near Harkynn.
Doctor Morten had even treated her a few times for cuts and burns when she was still training with her father. "That girl loved to ask me questions about my magic. You wouldn't have even known she was hurt if not for her frantic father."
Ramsey dressed, thanked his saviors repeatedly, and started back toward his room at the Break-Inn. He had a job to finish before heading back to see Treya.
Placing the antlers on a table next to Creepy Carra's statue, Ramsey knelt down in front of the soaking sword.
The vinegar had turned a cloudy brown from the dispersed rust, but from what he could see, the weapon beneath was free of its previous hue.
Grasping the handle, Ramsey raised the dark steel colored Thorn and studied its shimmering wet blade. It was already greatly improved, but a quick wire brushing was in order before moving to the next time sensitive task.
The salt used in the solution would have the unwanted effect of promoting rust if not treated immediately.
Ramsey rinsed the sword thoroughly in the water of the washtub, drying it quickly before applying a layer of oil. The oil would act as a barrier preventing oxidation and rust.
Despite being marred by scattered pitting where the rust had been severe, the oiled blade shined, likely for the first time since it had been made. Its vine etching revealed its original prominence, contrasted beautifully by the polished steel.
Ramsey thumbed its edge, gauging its sharpness. 'It's a wonder it sliced through the warvles like this.'
The next few hours were spent arduously sharpening the blade, his body growing tired quickly as the doctor had warned. He was no blacksmith, and was a bit leery of Treya's opinion, but once the sword easily shaved hair from his forearm it was good enough.
'Much better,' he examined it with a satisfied smile.
After a quick flourish, he returned the sword to his belt.
[Inventory Updated]
"Yes! I knew it!"
Ramsey opened the menu to inspect its changes.
[Items]
[Thorn]
[Type: Short Sword]
[Attack: +5%]
[Effect: None]
'Its attack rose from 2% to 5%. That may not seem like much, but it more than doubled.
Pretty nice for a novice restoration.'
Satisfied, Ramsey decided to venture once again to the lively tavern for a quick meal followed by some much needed rest.
***
Rejuvenated and excited for the day ahead, Ramsey bathed, dressed in a combination of his least destroyed clothing, and packed for the trip back to Treya's forge.
He fashioned straps of cloth cut from shopping bags to carry the krewlhorn antlers like a backpack. Various loops of his belt were filled with spikes and the now shining Thorn.
'I should have grabbed the rope and horseshoe before.'
Thinking back, the rope dangled out of the gaping wound in the monster's side when it rose into the air. Meaning he would've had to fish it out of the mess he made of its remains.
'Or maybe not.
I'll be walking that way, might as well stop and check.'
Ramsey turned several heads as left town. After all, a young man toting a rack of thorny antlers nearly his size was not something you saw everyday.
He quickly trekked the 100 yards to the site of the krewlhorn battle, where surprisingly, not much remained. Any vegetation touched by the splattering had burned away, leaving only scorch marks.
The folded carcass of the monster was gone as well, likely consumed by its brethren or some other nocturnal fiend.
A length of rope was found nearby, burned down to a shortened twenty feet.
'Where is it?'
Ramsey focused his senses, searching for his previous weapon. Stepping into the scorched starburst, he heard its fluctuation before he saw it. Directly in the center, camouflaged by its charred surroundings, the horseshoe slowly rose from the ground.
With a cool indifference he simply walked forward, collected it from the air and continued on his path.
The journey to Treya's forge was much different in the daytime. The rushing winds and rustling trees were now just the soothing sounds of nature.
Some forty minutes passed before the forge came into sight. It was still somewhat early and given the silence up to this point, she had yet to begin work for the day.
Ramsey glanced down at the revitalized Thorn, a little nervous. 'Nah, it was just trash to her before, she could probably care less. That is, until I share my other news.'
He passed by the cold forge, around the long stone wall, and back to her familiar cabin.
He knocked and heard her moving about, 'I hope I didn't wake her. Maybe she's not dressed.'
After a moment, the door cracked open to reveal an old man, hunched over and peaking through the opening.
"What do you want?" He asked unwelcomingly, his voice parched and squeaky.
"Uh, is Treya home?" Ramsey asked, confused.
"No, and she won't be able to finish your work. Sorry, now go away," he said while shutting the door.
"Wait!" Ramsey yelled through the door. "I'm a friend, not a customer."
The door cracked open again for the man to peek through, then opened fully.
"I'm sorry, she's had some unsavory customers come by," he scoffed. "I'm Elias, I used to know her father. She asked me to watch the place while she's out of town."
"Oh, where did she go?" Ramsey said disappointedly.
"Where else? The academy in Farian. She's been saving up her earnings for years waiting for her bloom. I thought you were friends," he said questioningly.
'Her bloom?'