“Well, looks like congratulations are in order, apprentice,” Waflaw greeted as Lucinda emerged from the kobold cave. “Defeating an entire den of monsters by yourself, and even finding some treasure from what I hear.”

Still considering who might have won the Druidic showdown, the wide smile her mentor offered her seemed to suggest he had. However, there was no detectable sign of upset from Grissa. Dropping her bundle of bones, Lucinda shifted back to human form to demand the truth of things.

“I had a lot of help… Who won?” she asked.

Waflaw and Grissa shared a brief smile as the former chuckled quietly.

“I did end up losing,” Waflaw admitted. “Though I regret nothing.”

Lucinda frowned at her mentor’s words, somewhat surprised by his apparent change of attitude.

“You’re just confusing her, Waffles,” Grissa said, before directing her words towards Lucinda. “We fought, I won, then we had sex. Clear?”

“Oh…” Lucinda’s face flushed red.

A certain admiration for the first female Druid she’d met had been accumulating within her mind. The casual reveal of Grissa and Waflaw’s shared activities didn’t exactly alter her opinion, but it was still shocking in its directness.

“You really are trying to foul my poor apprentice’s mind,” Waflaw playfully admonished.

“I’m just telling her how it is.” Grissa shrugged. “And if you were really worried about ‘fouling her mind’, ya wouldn’t have bedded her.”

“…You told her!?” Lucinda exclaimed as her cheeks heated violently.

Suddenly feeling an urge to help Marrow preen her feathers, Lucinda spun around and knelt down to do just that. That her actions hid her face from the two Druids was purely a coincidence.

“It’s not a big deal, girl. I don’t blame ya, he’s not bad lookin’.”

“That’s not the point…” Lucinda replied quietly.

“Relax, will ya. He didn’t tell me anything. It was just obvious from the way you two act.”

Are all Druids like this? …Is that what Waflaw was getting at before?

“Maybe it’s time we had that talk, apprentice,” Waflaw said, almost as if he were reading her mind.

“What talk?” Grissa demanded.

“The talk where I reveal a few remaining facts about Druids and their general behaviours and attitudes.”

“A bit of directness wouldn’t kill you, Waffles… Wait, is this the whole Cleric thing?”

“Something like that.”

“Ah-ha, I see now. Alright, you run along, leave this to us girls to sort out.”

“I’m not sure that’s…”

“Shush, Waffles,” Grissa interrupted. “It’s girl talk time. Go scout ahead, you can even clear a path for my elephant while you’re at it.”

Lucinda turned from helping Marrow just in time to watch Waflaw’s reaction to Grissa’s words. They had clearly annoyed him, and he appeared quite hesitant to give in to her demands. But when he matched Lucinda’s gaze and rolled his eyes, she couldn’t help but laugh a bit at the situation.

“Very well… Gristle. I shall do that.”

“Hah, better, but far too late!”

“Well, what can I say? Unlike some, I don’t waste much of my time thinking up silly nicknames for other people. Not since I was a foolish young boy at least.”

Grissa scowled in Waflaw’s direction as he gave a parting wave and began wandering off away from the cave.

“We’ll be talking about you,” Grissa called after him. “Bad things too!”

“You do that,” he shouted back.

Once again amused by the antics of the two Druids, Lucinda smiled at Grissa as their eyes met.

“How about a ride on a large grey beast?” the female Druid asked.

“…That’s what you meant about the elephant?”

“Sure is. Interested?”

“Yes!”

A short time later, Lucinda was sitting atop the back of an identical-looking elephant to the one she had seen do battle earlier in the day. Grissa was sat with her, with both of them having being lifted up by its trunk – an experience Lucinda was thrilled to have received. Marrow too had been invited, and was comfortably seated on the very top of the animal’s head, while Lucinda was facing backwards towards Grissa as the animal travelled.

“I should apologise,” Grissa started once they were both comfortable. “I only realised you and him were a thing after we’d… done that. Shit, now I’m doing it. Fighting makes me horny – it’s weird I know – but if I’d known, I might have tried resisting. Or asked you to join us.”

“That’s okay, we’re not really… Uhh, join you!?”

Grissa burst into laughter as Lucinda’s cheeks flared red once more.

“Oh, you’re a Cleric through and through, girl!” the older woman replied before returning to her laughter.

“Am not…” A pout found its way to Lucinda’s face.

“Heh, maybe not. But, if something like that embarrasses you so easily, this party is going to be an interesting experience for ya!”

“Is it… What…” Lucinda struggled to find the right words. “…You make it sound like it’s going to be… an orgy.”

“Not far off for some, maybe.”

“…Then maybe I shouldn’t go.”

“Hey, I said ‘some’, and ‘maybe’. I’m starting to get a better idea of what Waffles meant now though.” Slowly plodding along on their large mount, Lucinda waited patiently for Grissa to continue as the older woman stared off into the distance for a time. “Okay, how about this: You liked bedding Waffles, right?”

“…Yes.” Lucinda replied, averting her eyes from Grissa as her cheeks heated back up again.

“There you go, then. It’s as simple as that.”

“I…don't follow.”

“That’s what being a Druid – or Shifter – is all about. Do the things you like doing, and damn anyone that says otherwise! As long as you’re not hurting anyone anyway.”

“Oh… But…”

“I know what you’re thinking, maybe. All those rules you’ve been told by your temple, or your parents, or whatever: All bullshit. The expectations too! You’re from a town or city, right?”

“Yes, Kloip, it’s a…”

“And it had leaders? How many are women?”

“Umm, well, none.”

“See! Fuck that! These rules are all made by men. Saying who we can sleep with, and when, while they do whatever they damn well want!”

“I… guess…”

“What gives them the right to decide? Tell me your parents weren’t trying to arrange a marriage for you!? Or tell you to wait for some man to decide when you could be allowed to get laid for the first time!?”

“I can’t…”

“Because it’s all bullshit! Bullshit!” Grissa’s ranting had grown increasingly aggressive and loud. Her face too had become inflamed with a noticeable shade of red to match her passion. “Argh!” She smacked one fist into the other’s open palm.

“Are… Are you okay?”

Grissa took several deep breaths before she made to reply. “Yeah.” Her gaze returned to the horizon briefly, before finding Lucinda again. “My sister… Ah, forget it.”

“Umm, you know being a trainee Cleric gave me some experience in listening to others,” Lucinda offered.

Grissa’s anger finally seemed to fully abate as a brief spurt of laughter erupted from within.

“You really want to hear it? Alright… Sis and me were always close. She was only a year older, and way prettier too, if you can believe that.” Grissa smiled widely at Lucinda, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I always knew I wanted to be an adventurer, or do adventuring at least. I used to dream about nothing else, and Sis was always there with me. Then, as soon as she came of age, our parents announced they’d found someone for her to wed… You sure you wanna hear all this? I’m supposed to be telling you about Druids…”

“It’s okay, I don’t mind.” Grissa held Lucinda’s gaze for a few seconds.

“…Alright. She refused, obviously. It didn’t matter who he was, they gave her no choice! But, after a few months of them badgering her, brainwashing her with their bullshit, she said yes… I can’t say how much that hurt me… Still does.” A slight sniffle emerged from Grissa. “She’s still with him too… Gave up on her own life, just so she could sit at home and make some bastard happy. It’s sick…”

“Maybe she’s happy too…? In her own way…”

“No! She just… She doesn’t know any better! Our parents got to her and…” Grissa sighed loudly and dabbed at her eyes. “I don’t want to see anyone else go through that. See them have their life and freedom stripped away from them… All because it’s ‘traditional’ or ‘proper’, ugh, even ‘lady-like’. Makes me want to vomit.”

“I think I see what you mean,” Lucinda said, as she tried to imagine how she’d have felt being in Grissa’s shoes. There was an undeniable closeness to her own thoughts and actions in some ways.

“Good… That’s good. That’s why I say: do what you want. Be free… Make up your own damn mind. You see a guy or gal you like the look of, and they like the look of you, bed ‘em. Simple as that. And if people don’t like it: Fuck ‘em!”

Regardless of how Lucinda felt on the matter, she had to admire Grissa’s strength of character. Thoughts of becoming such a no-nonsense sort of person in the future herself were highly appealing, though she wasn’t sure she wanted to end up exactly the same.

“Lecture’s over. Any questions?”

“Umm… Pregnancy?”

“Heh, one of the best things about being a Druid, ain’t it? I've heard it's a bit scary when you do want kids, though. Shift by accident and... yeah. But for others, there’s potions.”

“Oh… Are you against marriage?”

“No! I’m just against forced marriage. Or maybe even young marriage. I’m 31, and I’m still too young… Better to enjoy the single life! Shop around, have fun!”

“I guess so… Umm, when you said no rules…?”

“Okay, okay,” Grissa said with a slightly sheepish grin on her face. “Some rules are okay. The obvious one, obviously. Noone underage, no family members, and definitely no animals.”

A grin crept across Lucinda’s face.

“I thought that’s why you chose Grussi…”

“Ugh, don’t even joke about that!” Lucinda couldn’t help laugh at Grissa’s powerful reaction. “The rule goes doubly for cats.”

“Umm? It does?”

“Spines,” Grissa said simply, affixing Lucinda with a pointed look.

“Spines?”

“Yeah, spines.” Grissa’s noticeable grimace didn’t help Lucinda discern the meaning behind her choice of words. “Look, forget about it. You good with the whole Druid meeting thing now?”

“Mmm, maybe?”

“I might have to take back my comment about you being smart.” Lucinda’s resulting frown was met with a gentle pat on her shoulder. “Just kidding, girl. I did get a bit carried away with other things. Basically, most Druids are open about what they want. If someone takes a liking to you during the party, they’ll tell you. If you’re interested too, great, if not, no big deal. I wouldn’t worry though. Yalia must know about your Cleric background, and things’ll probably be a bit tamer than if you were a proper Druid, or Shifter.”

“…I think I’ve just been insulted.”

“You know what I mean.” Grissa poked Luincda in the ribs, which she still felt despite her hardened armour. “Maybe we should talk more sex stuff? As a Cleric, heh, trainee Cleric, you’re in dire need of a real education!”

“Umm… I think I’m okay… Weren’t we going to talk about Waflaw next?”

“Oh yeah! Okay, that first.”

“First…?”

“Yeah, come on, it’ll be fun, I promise.” Grissa’s grin was extremely mischievous, and Lucinda couldn’t help but worry about what she might have in store for her. “It’ll only be words, don’t look so scared, girl! Anyway, what do you think of him?”

“…He’s nice? I’ve had a plenty of fun learning from him, even if he likes to tease me a lot…”

“That’s great, but I meant in bed.”

“Oh…” Lucinda’s face burnt brightly. “Can I not answer that…?”

“You don’t have to describe the details! Just a simple short answer will do fine.”

Lucinda tried to fight her flushed cheeks as she scrambled for an answer.

“It was… good.”

Grissa laughed loudly. “How I wish he could have heard you say that as you did just then. Oh well, not much better than telling me you enjoyed it, but that’ll have to do. As for me, I’d rate him as above average. Just.”

It was Lucinda’s turn to laugh despite her embarrassment. “Poor Waffles…” she said, causing Grissa to laugh along with her.

“You see, this doesn’t have to be all weird and awkward! If you’d been my apprentice, we’d be discussing men and their skill in bed as easily as the weather.”

“…Women too?” Lucinda dared ask, as she recalled Grissa’s earlier comment.

“I prefer men, honestly. But, who can say?” The older woman’s subsequent grin brought more redness to Lucinda’s cheeks. “I am kinda surprised you asked though. Unless…?”

Her cheeks heated further as the perfect opportunity to discuss a topic she’d been wondering about for some time presented itself. That she’d only met her conversation partner that day should have made talking about such topics difficult, but Lucinda found the woman’s incredible openness and direct manner sufficient for her to consider doing so regardless. Even still it took her some time to find her voice.

“I met this girl in Malart… She helped me out, then we had some drinks…”

As the memory came back to her ever more clearly, Lucinda found herself unable to carry out the task to its completion.

“Too late to lose your nerve now. Us Druids ain’t so bad at listening either you know.”

Another brief silence passed as Lucinda struggled to finish what she’d started.

“…We kissed.”

“Oh-ho, is that so? How naughty of you, miss trainee Cleric!” Grissa’s teasing brought an annoyed frown from Lucinda. “And?”

“And…? And… I’m not sure how to feel about it!”

“You haven’t been listening very well, have you?”

“What? I have…”

“Then, you should already know the answer I’m going to give.” As Lucinda continued to frown at Grissa, the older woman released a heavy sigh. “It’s easy: Did you enjoy it?”

“I… I’m not sure… It wasn’t bad… But…”

“Yes, or no,” Grissa interrupted harshly.

Lucinda’s heart thumped heavily inside her chest as she was forced to make a proper decision.

“…Yes?”

“There you go then!” Grissa exclaimed. “Mystery solved.”

“But…”

Grissa snapped one finger against Lucinda’s lips. “No buts, girl. You planning on seeing her again?”

“Umm, yeah, she’s the leader of the adventuring group I’m thinking of joining…”

A loud spurt of laughter boomed forth from Grissa’s lips. “To be so young and naive again!” Lucinda’s frown was met with a single jabbing finger to her ribs. “Think you’ve answered your own question, even if you haven’t realised it yet. If I was Waflaw, I’d probably leave it there. I’m not though, so: Don’t you think that if you were against it, that you’d be looking for a different group? Or if you weren’t bothered either way, that you wouldn’t be worrying about it still? You see what I’m getting at?”

“I… Umm… Maybe…”

“I’m sure you do. You think about it. Make sure you keep everything I’ve said in mind, and you’ll be fine.”

“Okay…”

“You know what, I think we can leave the other stuff for another day. Why don’t you tell me about you instead? Why’d you become a Shifter? How was being a Cleric? Were your parents okay with the change? Stuff like that. What do ya say?”

“Sure!” Lucinda replied with some relief and plenty of enthusiasm.

Riding atop the conjured elephant, Lucinda told Grissa all about herself as requested over the next hour or so. Naturally, Grissa provided similar information about her own self, and from there they moved onto plenty of other topics – though nothing overly lewd, as had been promised. Lucinda also managed to inquire as to how Grissa had dealt with unwanted advances when she was a younger Druid; Unfortunately, her only advice was to all-out attack said person and then flee if that failed. Having been hoping for some trick that might ensure her safety, Lucinda was a bit disappointed, though still grateful.

Their time together on the elephant was brought to an abrupt end, when Grissa failed to realise her summon was about to expire. One moment they were talking about what animals Lucinda should seek out in the near future, the next Lucinda was lying on the ground experiencing a reasonable amount of pain. Of course, Marrow managed to react in time, giving her the perfect opportunity to express great amusement at Lucinda’s plight, and when Waflaw showed up moments later, he did likewise.

With around four days to reach the Druid gathering, their travel through the wilderness was intentionally conducted at a snail’s pace. Lucinda’s venture into the cave turned out to not be an isolated occurrence, as the magical navigation provided by Waflaw and Grissa made pinpointing similarly occupied locations in the untamed land a simple matter. Unfortunately, no further treasure was found.

Outside of foul monster hunts, Lucinda spent as much time as she could training her animal forms. She travelled in them, slept in them, and obviously fought in them. Despite Grissa’s complaints about the lack of entertainment provided by fighting summoned creatures, the convenience factor was hard to ignore. That and the chance to face off against the more powerful animals that had been revealed during the Druid duel, was more than enough to keep Lucinda happy, even with the conjured tigers alone being still too much for her.

By the fifth day since their visit to the Sporga arena, the continuous training had brought her spell masteries ever higher, but still a long way shy of their goal, while four more of her forms reached rank 5. Starting with lynx, she had moved onto badger, then black bear, and finally, deer. With the experience gained from doing so, and the excitement of discovering what new ability awaited her, she had little reason to not eventually rank up every form she possessed, even if some of them might never see serious use. Combined with the experience from killing kobolds, Lucinda was thrilled to reach level 6 alongside her deer form’s final rank up. She gained a new single target attack spell of the lightning variety, which appeared to be a much weaker version of one of the bolts she’d witnessed appear from Waflaw’s thunderstorm-like spell. Testing the new spell was as fun as ever, but thinking about how she should distribute her attributes and newest skill point was a difficult enough decision for her to put it off until after the Druid gathering.

It was late afternoon on the fifth day, with Lucinda trundling along in horse form, when a sudden announcement from Waflaw drew her attention to their surroundings.

“Not far now,” he said.

“Gee thanks, Waffles, we had absolutely no idea,” Grissa replied, though her tone was playful rather than overly sarcastic.

Lucinda laughed (whickered) at the exchange, though she hadn’t been exactly sure herself. The forested area had been growing increasingly dense, but to her mind, it could have been a simple terrain feature, rather than an indication of Druid habitation. However, when a solid wall of trees and branches blocked their way forwards, it became obvious even to her that that was exactly what they’d found.

As Waflaw, Grissa, and their animal companions stopped in front of the unnatural seeming natural barrier, Lucinda shifted back to human form, displacing Marrow from her back as she did. She barely had a few seconds to gawk at the bizarre sight before a section of the wall split apart cleanly, leaving a large gap through to the space beyond.

“You told her about the whole naked thing?” Waflaw asked Grissa suddenly.

“N… Naked thing?” Lucinda stammered, bringing a booming laugh from her mentor.

“Ignore him, girl,” Grissa said. “It’s not a requirement.”

“A requirement? But, then…?”

Grissa and Waflaw shared more laughter, while Lucinda’s cheeks flushed slightly. Her worries about the gathering had not been entirely dispelled, and the words of the two Druids weren’t helping matters.

“Teasing her is such fun,” Waflaw commented.

“Too easy, too,” Grissa agreed.

Lucinda frowned intently at both Druids, as the pair produced another bout of lesser laughter at her expense. Pushing past her tormentors, the sight of the walled-off interior greeted her, as well as two people who appeared to have been patiently waiting for them to enter.

“Welcome, friends, to the Circle of the Wild.”

Focussing on the source of the voice, a startled squeak escaped from her lips as her eyes found a considerable amount of bare skin on display, and as Waflaw and Grissa moved up behind her, another short chorus of laughter came with them.

Status:

Status

Name

Lucinda Bazan

Class

Shifter

Level

6

Experience

4%

Health

Strength

Agility

Endurance

198

198

8

10

22

Mana

Intelligence

Willpower

Spirit

240

240

25

25

25

Animal Companion

Name

Marrow

Species

Bearded Vulture

Sex

Female

Age

5

Level

6

Specialisation

Offence

Health

Strength

Agility

Endurance

210

210

35

38

26

Spells Name Description Mastery Jolt Attack target with a bolt of lightning. Has limited range, but no projectile.

Shaping Steps: 4 · Base Mana: 12% (17)

Attribute: Intelligence 1% Pounce (Lynx)

Deals greater than normal damage if attacking from behind, and much greater damage if undetected when initiating.

Scales with Base Level.

Cost: 20% Base Mana Frenzy (Badger)

Temporarily increase speed of attacking or digging. Duration: 30s. Cooldown: 10m

Scales with Base Level.

Cost: 40% Base Mana Roar (Black Bear)

Attempts to stun nearby foes. Cooldown: 2m

Scales with Base Level + Spirit.

Cost: 10% Base Mana Sixth Sense (Deer)

Through scent, passively detect nearby magical items. Detection is limited by level.

Scales with Base Level.