– Day 8 –

The General

With General Armstrong’s life no longer in danger, I turn my attention to the five men pretending to be doctors. I have no idea who sent them, but they sure weren’t here to help.

“Nonsense! We were trying to save him!”

“If what you say is true, why were your hands deep in his wound? That served nothing but to make him bleed out quicker!”

“I..I was trying to stop..no contain, yes contain the bleeding!”

The four men with him look at each other. Knowing when they’ve been caught, they begin to draw their weapons while backing up slowly towards the door until they bump into Risk and Bella. Did I forget to mention that Risk and Bella followed right behind us? They are my guards after all; they would hardly stay behind.

The men are now trapped between us so they can’t escape without first going through either group. Anyone can tell at a glance that Risk and Bella are the most significant threat, so they naturally edge closer to Katharine and me who are beside Alexander.

“Aburi, catch!”

Risk quickly throws me an iron spear which was just in the nick of time as the men begin to charge forward towards us. I catch it and immediately thrust the spear into the abdomen of the closest guy, proceed to quickly retract and hit the second guy who’s closing in fast on the head with the butt of the spear knocking him out. A third is still charging towards me but is intercepted by Lady Katharine who delves her sword into his neck. She must have nicked an artery as the fountain of blood that followed, spewing everywhere; I thought only happened in movies–

*THUD*

The remaining two men just drop their weapons; they can see when they're outmatched.. I guess I would have done the same.

“Knock them out would you?”

“With pleasure.”

*THUD THUD*

Risk bops them on the head with the hilt of his sword.

“Bella on the entrance, Risk lay them on their stomach with hands on their backs and watch them closely–”

Katharine runs back to her father’s side before I can say anything to her.

“Quite the commander; are you really a merchant?”

“I dabble.”

“Clearly–”

“Father!?”

Katharine drops the sword I handed her and dashes over to Alexander’s side. I wander over and pick it up to wipe it clean; it’s a good blade after all..

“Father, can you hear me!? Wake up already! Father?!”

“Whoa Katharine, calm down, just give him a minute. Look, he’s walking up.”

I can already guess who sent these guys from my ‘off the record’ conversation with Duke Rayford, the real question; was this an attack of opportunity or them an attempt at finishing the job?

“..Katharine!? …H-How…Draconis? ..I see. First, you save my daughter's life, and then you save mine…”

He struggles to sit up. I offer out my hand and help him to his feet.

“I was hardly going to let you die General, but I guess these men were hoping for it.”

I point to them as Katharine helps steady him. The potions only do so much, after all, no matter how powerful they are. The only assailant still conscious is the guy I stabbed in the gut. He’s bleeding heavily and writhing in agony, but he won’t die any time soon. Gut injuries are a shit way to go.

“I see, who ordered you to do this?”

I hardly doubt he’ll talk willingly Alexander.. but I guess there’s no harm in asking.

“H-Heal me and s-set me f-free and I’ll tell y-you–”

“Would you like a hundred gold coins with that?”

Risk cuts in and kicks the guy's legs as he squeals in pain.

“H-Heal me, s-set me f-free–”

“I’ll heal you if you talk, freedom isn’t an option, but you don’t have to die.”

The man seems to contemplate my words for a moment before speaking.

“Lady Armstrong, *groan* Amelia s-sent for us.”

Okay, that… that I didn’t see coming, it would explain her absence, however. I knew she was a vile woman but this, after the wounded man successfully manages to make it home to his family, wow.

Alexander doesn’t bat an eyelid at it though? Perhaps they have a loveless marriage..?

“Draconis, heal the man if you would. Katharine, where’s your mother?”

“She left to get doctors but didn’t return with them.. Did mother really…?”

Come to think of it…this whole situations a little off..? How did Alexander make it home? I mean to the manor. Surely the guards at the gate would have seen him and rushed him to the garrison for treatment. This doesn’t add up...

“General, if I may… there’s a couple of things weighing on my mind right now, but the most pressing is; are we in danger by staying here?”

Alexander realises I’ve grasped something the others have not.

“You do not need to worry now I’m on my feet! I’ll answer your questions at a later time.”

*blink*

Hmm, guess that’s for the best. I take a tonic from the inventory and heal the guy with it. I get Risk to knock him out after confirming the wound had closed. Better safe than sorry after all.

“What do we do with them?”

“I think that’s a question for the General Bella, but if the crisis is over and the General is safe, Katharine is safe, then we will take our leave here. Please come and see me when you have time General.”

“I appreciate your candour Draconis.. and for you saving my life. I will come to find you later, rest assured.”

“Then we will take our leave here.. Oh, one more thing, if you see Duke Rayford before me, tell him to pop by as well.”

Hopefully, that hint isn’t too vague.

We leave the manor and get on the carriage to head home. Sitting in the carriage, gazing out at the sunset as we move through the quieting city streets, I’m struck by the sudden realisation.

“..I’m covered in blood..”

Risk and Bella who had also been enjoying the sunset turn to each other with wide eyes before bawling out in laughter... So I can be a little air-headed sometimes, sue me!

It’s unfortunate, but I don’t have a change of clothes. I’ll have to make do until I can go out and get some new ones made..

..We arrive back at the house to be greeted by everyone. Emily, disappears immediately upon seeing us. Kate and Hannah grimace at the sight of a blood-soaked me.

“Was everything alright?”

“It’s fine Kate. Nothing to be concerned about and it’s all resolved now anyway, and no one died”

On our side at least. Emily suddenly reappears with an outfit–

“Tada~ I bought it earlier when ya sent me for clothes. I remembered ya needed to visit a tailor so while ya were sleeping, I took your measurements…”

She goes a little pink and trails off? Oh, why am I not surprised.

“I got these in case of..this–”

She points to my blooded attire.

“–and order three tailored outfits for ya!”

“Emily, you're a godsend, I could hug you but. I need a bath–”

“Master, it just so happens we prepared one for your return. After seeing Lady Armstrong, we thought it best.”

Millie points to the room on the opposite side of the house. So that’s where it was huh.

“Thank you all. Then I’ll go wash up!”

I head into the room and it is indeed a bath. It’s nothing compared to the one at the Manor de Armstrong, but this is definitely more me. It’s still more substantial than a bath needs to be as you could fit several people in here with plenty of room to spare. The walls are old mossy stone with a number of old stone pillars just away from the walls, evenly spaced, holding up the stone ceiling. Daylight, or rather the red evening light is shining in through the centre of the ceiling over the bath and Ivy is growing down from the outside. A pleasant earthy smell mixed with salt and lavender fills the room.

I get undressed and drop into the water. The bath is considerably deeper than I had expected and I have to stand to be barely above water. While treading water, I notice all the corners of the rounded square bath have a single, deeply submerged step. They must have the dual purpose for sitting on or getting out. I decide to take the one with my back to the door and relax in the milky warm water.

By the gods, it’s been a marathon of a week, hasn’t it? Or should I say eight days.. Has it really only been eight days?

So much has happened that I find it hard to believe. Do events really stack up this quickly on regular people? So much is still to happen too...

There’s the shop, training Emily, training myself, levelling up, rising through the adventurers guild…well, saving the city comes before most of that I guess, but this is only a small section of what lays ahead of me.. Did green-boxy send me here knowing all this?

Although deep in reflection, I hadn’t missed what was going on behind me. Kate had entered, collected my clothes and left. Millie had popped in to try and peek... shameful girl, and Emily is currently undressing behind me.

“Put your clothes back on Emily.”

“Wha! How’d ya know?”

“Because I know you.”

“Pah, you're no fun!”

“*Sigh* If you want to join me that badly, go get us a barrel of ale and some mugs.”

“You're serious?! Ah ha! I’ll be back!”

Sorry Emily, I only said that because I already knew Bella would be nursing the barrels and isn’t going to let any go easy… Yep, sure enough, I can hear Bella and Emily shouting about it now haha.

I take the chance to finish up in the bath and get out. Kate is standing there with a robe–

“Oh my..”

“…It’s rude to stare.”

“Yes…I suppose it is.”

After that cheeky back and forth, she hands me the robe. I guess towels aren’t a thing in this world. I could get used to being waited on..

“I’ve taken your clothes, and Hannah’s washing them for you. Unfortunately, we don’t currently have a press so they’ll have to air dry. The clothes Emily bought for you are waiting for Master in his room.”

“Thanks Kate”

“You’re most welcome Master, is there anything I can get for you?”

She says with a glee smile.

“No, I’m good.”

I proceed upstairs to get dressed. The clothes Emily have bought aren’t new, but they’re definitely something I’d wear. Dark leather trousers with cloth interior and a dark red shirt with a collar. It goes well with my silver hair and tanned complexion. No underwear again though, but I guess second-hand underwear..eww.

I’m wholly dressed and looking in the mirror when Kate knocks on the door once and proceeds to enter. She doesn’t wait for me to say anything but instead disrobes immediately after closing the door.

..Ah, there’s that bountiful chest again..you’re even more forward than Emily aren’t you. You’re also in my strike zone and more my age..argh resisting is going to be hard!!

“I know you said you didn’t need anything but you haven’t fed since this afternoon correct?”

She holds out her hand looking for the sword… Part of me is gladdened, the other half, well..

HP: 330 / 330 MP: 670 / 670

Hunger: 16% Thirst: 11%

Blood State: Low

*blink*

I take the sword from my inventory and hand it to her with a faint smile. She holds my hand for a moment and then takes it from it.

“You’re very kind Master. You needn’t feel guilty for asking this of-f us.”

Her words falter towards the end as the blade slices her smooth, supple skin.

[Absorb]

HP: 330 / 330 MP: 670 / 670

Hunger: 2% Thirst: 0%

Blood State: Normal

“The very fact I made you a slave… disturbs me greatly. People are not commodities.”

Kate cracks a slight smile while shrugging.

“If not you, another would have bought us, and our fates would have been far worse.. Personally, I’m very happy…”

She edges ever closer, placing one hand on the centre of my chest while speaking softly..

“that I…am here…”

She pivots her weight on one leg, accentuating her gloriously curvy figure while gently rubbing the back of her soft hand down the side of my face to my chin. Her beautiful face now close enough to feel her warm breath on my skin.. I should kiss her.. I want to kiss her.. I’m going to kiss her, whoa nelly, stay down!

“Master! Bella won’t give up the Ale!”

Emily bursts through the door to see my hand on a naked Kate. Kate pulls back quickly and puts a hand over her mouth while giggling as Emily charges right at me.

“–Master! If ya needed treatment!”

It seems she put most of it together and stopped there. Kate smiles faintly while nodding to me before collecting her clothes …I’ll need to be careful of that one; she’s got game. SERIOUS game!

“Calm down Emily, here.”

I hand her the sword as she’s already undressing and doesn’t look like she’ll take no for an answer.

“Owie”

[Absorb]

HP: 330 / 330 MP: 670 / 670

Hunger: 0% Thirst: 0%

Blood State: Good

*blink*

“Thanks, both of you, I’m all topped up.”

We head back downstairs to find Bella in the dining room nursing a barrel of Ale from dinner which is now almost empty…the woman sure can drink–

“Aburi! This ale is good stuff *burp* Join me!”

“Um, where’s Risk?”

“Washing up! Come on–”

She finishes her mug and begins to fill it and one for me.

“Say Aburi…something has been bothering me since we left that manor…”

“Oh?”

“Why was the General even there *hick*? At his house I mean. If his men were ambushed on the road… Why didn’t he go to the garrison?”

“That’s the same question I asked him.”

She looks at me puzzled.

“When?”

“When I asked him if we were in danger.. I think someone inside the Kingdom may have had a hand in the ambush and the General knows, or at least suspects, someone in particular”

Personally, I think it’s all the work of General Syvian, the bulb knight from Lybian but that could just be my unexplainable dislike of the man. I do tend to jump straight to him when evils afoot…

I take a sip of the poured Ale. It has a bitter, tangy taste to it.

“So.. he had to avoid being found until he was healthy in case they came to finish the job?”

“Exactly. It seems we’ve been caught up in a political plot…so don’t over drink tonight, we may have guests.”

“Might have told me sooner–”

“You should have figured this out yourself Bella.”

A half-dressed Risk enters and lightly reprimands Bella by taking her drink and downing it.

A well-dressed Risk hides his build very well and makes it very easy to underestimate him, but right now, his build is on full display. Muscles on top of muscles which are all highly defined and dense… with scars everywhere to boot. He’s definitely been through many life and death situations, but that sizeable star-shaped scar in the centre of his chest though must have a prominent story behind it. I guess I don’t know him well enough just yet to pry..

“Told you it wouldn’t be boring.”

*Sigh*…Fine, so danger follows me; don’t gloat! I think while shrugging.

“After the girls head to sleep, I’m going to set up some wire traps downstairs. I’ll let Emily in on what’s going on and make her sleep with the others tonight in case something does happen.”

“Sound’s like a good idea. I’ve already set up some illusion traps in the backyard that will slow anyone who hops the walls. I’ll also take the guard duty tonight–”

“I’ll keep you company.”

I slept yesterday, so I don’t need to sleep tonight after all.

“You know you hired us for this sort of thing right?”

“Doesn’t mean I’m okay with leaving it all to you.”

“Ha well fine, but if there is an attack, you’ll have to follow my orders this time!”

I can’t resist a slight chuckle while nodding.

“I can do that.”

And so we drank a little and talked about random stuff until the girls headed to bed… Bella included, but I have a hunch she’s just guarding the girls. I briefly tell Emily what’s going on and ask her to stay with the girls in case something does happen.

Risk helps me set up some basic wire traps that will make a significant noise should someone attempt to sneak in and we hold up in the dining room. We take up position on the floor away from the windows so as not to be seen by any onlookers or scouts.

Several hours pass without incident.

It’s probably around 2 am based on the pale blue moonlight that’s shining in through the window. As it’s a full moon, midnight would have been the best time for an attack, but nothing came. Risk and I have been chatting nonsense while playing a card game like ‘jack-change-it’ from my world; it’s different only by the card values.

“So tell me, what’s the deal between you and Lady Armstrong?”

“Katharine?”

He nods while lifting a card.

“Not much to tell you. I saved her life on the highway after her unit was attacked and she had been poisoned. When I made it to the capital, I was taken to the garrison where I was thanked by her father and sent to the manor… that’s pretty much everything.”

“Come on; you know that girl is sweet on you right?”

It’s pretty obvious, I know.

“…I do”

“Ah, …it’s the elf thing right?”

“How astute of you. I mean, I do like her and all.. If this were another place and time, I might explore that, but I’m not young enough to be naive. Jumping down that rabbit hole will only bring us all grief, so I’m ignoring it as best I can. Not successfully enough though it seems–”

I pick up a card from the pile and gesture to Risk.

“Wait, young enough? How old are you?”

Elves in fantasy games and novels live for hundreds of years right? And they always look young.. so revealing my right age shouldn’t be an issue right?

“..33”

“Really? You damn elves, you look 18 at most..”

Guess that explains a few things..

“What about you?”

“I’m 28.”

“Not that much difference between us..”

I take another card before continuing.

“My turn. I’m curious about that scar on your chest, the star-shaped one. Does it have a story?”

He awkwardly lets out a slight laugh.

“Well… I was captured and held underground for a spell.”

“Captured?”

“Ah it’s not really a big deal, the job went bad, received a little torture, was thrown into a pit..the usual.”

Risk’s a private person… he doesn’t like to talk about himself in any real detail unless drunk and even then, it’s undersold. I always get the feeling prying will backfire, so I just go with it. He’ll tell me more if he feels like it.

“Well, at least you got out.”

“…heh. I win”

“What; Damn it.. Again?”