[Nature Healing Magic] has leveled up[Nature Healing Magic is now level 12New manifestation available: [Troll's Skin]

[Troll's Skin]By studying arts of Nature, druids managed to mimic abilities of certain creatures.

By casting [Troll's Skin], druid can make its target skin far more resistant against physical damaged. It also makes damaged caused by wounds cure faster.

Grants [Lesser illness immunity]Mp cost: 50/useTime: 06h00m00sEND +5

CON +5

VIT +5Hp regen + 5/hour

[Nature Healing Magic] has leveled up[Nature Healing Magic is now level 13

[Nature Healing Magic] has leveled up[Nature Healing Magic is now level 14

Efforts of three days and night of healing, casting minor buffs, appraising possible injuries and diseases to get rid of them and working my ass off! Three levels of healing magic and useless buff… I mean, buff in quite nice especially for purpose of battle, but for curing Elana? Useless. I tried casting it to see how much it would help. 5 additional points of Constitution were supposed to give her additional 50 stamina points. It did. It added additional 50 points to “grey” part of the bar. Healing? Nope. It said – wounds. It would heal scratches, cuts, abrasions, but no mysterious diseases that were killing your from inside. At least they slowed down the process of her stamina bar turning grey a little. Technically – I wasted 50 mana that could be used to maintain life processes. Well, I wouldn’t know that if I wouldn’t try it. At least my healing from now on would have slightly better effects!

Also! As I want to look as badass, I can’t brag about my achievements to my team, so I will brag about it to you! More than 40 points of her Stamina bar are unlocked! After barely three days of hard work I managed to improved her condition by almost doubling her stam… What the fuck? Why did it drop to 39 again? COME ON!

“M..Mister An… Mister Zariel, is everything all right?” “Hm? Ah, yes. It is. It actually is quite fine. I…” ah screw this. Let’s brag a little “… I actually managed to temporary improve your condition, you should be ok till we reach capital, and in capital I would have better equipment, access to the books about healing and few friends to ask for help and advices. You will see, we will get you back in shape in no time!” I brushed gently her hair with my fingers “Y..Yes! I feel much better already! See?” she flexed her muscles puffing cheeks. Still, she pretty much had no muscles at all, so no matter how much she flexed not a tiniest bump appeared on her arm. But hey! She could force her palms into fists! That’s quite a feat! “Ok. Ok, easy there girl! Stop it or you would make me and all the sailors jealous of your frightening might…” her stamina dropped to 38, 37, 36 “… No! Nononono! I really mean it! Don’t you dare doing too many activities! I know that it may annoy you, especially that you have just felt better, but please, just couple more…”

She started chuckling

“Very well. I am good ad doing nothing, you can say I have quite the experience on that field. If my doctor says that I have to be patient, then who am I to do otherwise?” she said it with very serious-noble like tone.

The door were slammed open as one of sailors put his head inside the cabin

“G’day, milady, sir, captn’ Jack sayin’ that we’re about to get to yar destination in about a hour. Yar nicely asked to take your stuff, for ya all will be literally kicked in the water as we can’t stay ‘ere for long.” And he left. “Antsy to see different Kingdom for first time?” I asked as I saw her moving impatiently in her bed “Tell me, do you want to leave this cabin for a moment and take a look at the sea?” her eyes turned as big as golden coins “R..Really? Can I? Won’t it worsen my condition?” “I maybe will, but then I will just have to stay awake for two more days healing you. I told you, I will make you see the world… If you would allow me, my lady…”

I took her in my arms and carried her on the upper floor. As soon as we get on fresh air a bigger wave hit the side of the ship splashing us lightly.

“God damn it!” I hissed “That’s another reason why I preferred staying below the deck! Wait a little, I will dry us in no t…” “Drying? WARMING UP?!” pyromancer must have heard what I was just talking about “… PYROX WILL MAKE YOU HOT IN A JIFFY!” “No! We are fine! Do you hear me?! Pyrox! Don’t…”

But he did. I must say that I was nicely surprised. By his “warming up” I thought that he would put us inside pillar of fire, yet all he did was sending a warm wind in our direction

I looked in direction of Jason

“He learned to control his flames?” I asked raising my brow “He needed few tries tho…” he said pointing with his chin in direction of few sailors “Don’t you even mention it!” one of sailors with party burned beard said “Just…. Keep him away…” the other with still smoking hair said

I see…

“Lil Lady! Lil lady! Wanna see a trick?!” punk kept asking girl I was carrying.

She only smiled and nodded.

Pyrox raised his open palm making a small flame appear on it. Then, on our eyes, the flame turned into small horse and jumped off his palm. He was running through the air around us making circle or two, before landing again on his palm, then when our attention was fully focused on the flame it burst into small inferno taking shape of Elana face.

“Good job, Pyro, good job…” I said nodding with appreciation. “How many tries he needed for that one?” I asked again Jason, yet this time he pointed in direction of huge, black marks on the frontal part of the ship “That’s the reason why we are landing before noon. Jack increased the speed because, as he said: [I want to get rid of this madman before he would burn my ship!], or something like that.”

Another reason to thank Pyrox.

“You little ungrateful bastards!” Jack said aloud from behind a steering wheel “Welcome in pirate’s bay. Leave only your foot print in the sand, take only memories… no, honestly. If you would try taking something from those guys, they will slice your throats. Anyway, I was supposed to leave you somewhere else, but I would prefer not risking getting by ship burned. No refunds. Prepare to get lost in 10 minutes!”

o-ho. Jack didn’t like our team? Not that I would miss him, but he did his job and thus earned his coin. I throw additional coin in his direction, which he caught in skillful manner

“Consider it a tip.” “Tip is supposed to be 10% of what you spent! And if you think that I risked my life for 10 silver, then I must dissapoin…”

A golden coin flew after it’s silver sister.

“Stop whining, Jack, you did your part so I will be far more generous than by giving you just a coin.” “And what do you mean by that?” “I will let you live!” I said with smile on my face.

He burst into laugh, but after seeing my gaze he stopped.

“Well… T..Thanks, I think…”

Soon we jumped from the ship on wooden footbridge below.

“Farewell!” Jack said taking his Capitan’s hat off his head “I hope that we shall never meet again, for you were a shitty clients! If you would need a smuggler, don’t ask for me! Consider me dead! Yet, you may always cherish the day, when you were honored to sail with Capitan Jack Sp…”

Huge wave hit his ship splashing water on him and making him stop in half of his sentence.

Wooden bridge was leading in direction of cave partly burrowed in the sea, I couldn’t ignore the fact that it was locked by iron door… wait, iron would corrode, so maybe stainless steel? How would they managed making stainless steel with their current techno…

“Stop right there! Entering fee is gold coin per person! Pay it, or leave it!” a rude voice could be heard from behind.

Gold per person? Now, I am slowly running out of gold, so…

“Open it.” Another voice could be heard from behind. “The hell are y… Oh, I mean.. I am sorry, I just…” rude voice owner wasn’t so rude any longer “Just open it, you pig.”

The gate rattled as someone was turning the key inside and taking off blocking beams. Pretty soon gate was opened to the side. On the other side a fat, bald, old man was sitting on the chair – I recognized in him the one demanding gold, and five hooded individuals leaded by man with his face uncovered.

“Aw! Marcus! How do you do, all rat?!” Ay cherished seeing the man who demanded opening the gate

He only nodded in her direction as his greeting before turning in my direction. He raised his hand and his right hand turned into fist hit open palm of his left hand. The hoodies behind him mimicked his behavior.

“We greet you. We are happy to see you alive and in good health, we hope that journey wasn’t tiresome and you do well. We also hope that company of Ay wasn’t too… annoying.”

Oh my. Someone is happy to see me?

“Rogue sent you?” I actually stated my mind more than asked. He answered by nodding. “We shall accompany you in your journey to the capital. Ay, you are also expected. Is there anything you wish to do? Here, in pirate’s bay is placed quite infamous black market. If you have any desires to buy something, master Rogue told us to get everything you need.” “No, let’s head back as fast as… or wait. Books. Can I get here some rare books?” “Indeed. Holy Kingdom ordered to burn many tomes, but smugglers every time in a while manage to take a copy or two. Also, there are few books banned by Council. If there is place where you could find them, it would be here.” “Ok… Wouldn’t that be rude of me if I would give you a list of books that would be needed and then…” “I may leave two of my men here, we would ride to the capital and if anything that would met your preferences would be found, we would sent it to the factory. Does it satisfy you?” “It does. It is more than just enough.” “Please, pay no attention to courtesy. Because of you my unit is fully operational. If you would order a sandwich with tuna from east coast and bread baked in the fire of volcano, you will get one.” “I… You almost made me ask for it. But no. Rogue is waiting and even I have quite urgent patient needing treatment.”

He looked at girl in my arms

“I hope she won’t interfere with your responsibilities.” “Ah, I didn’t introduced her. Elana, that’s big bad assassin. Big bad assassin, this is Elana Scarlet.”

He looked back at me and then on her, on me, on her, on me and on her. Finally her nodded

“Madam Scarlet. Welcome in Neira. As long as you stay mister Zariel’s guest, we shall take good care of you.”

Poor girl didn’t know what to say.

We followed inside after a man called by Ay “Marcus”. Inside of the cave was a fully functional hidden city lightened up with red crystals hammered into walls and ceiling. With inns, bars, brothels, mercenaries guild, and – a market. It was a round building in the center of the city surrounded by stalls.

“Pay attention sir, the closer you are to the grand theatre the better quality goods you will find… by higher price. If you would buy something from those nearest the edges you would be most likely ripped off and got a junk. Just yesterday I saw a man trying to sell me a grimoire. He said that it contains a powerful spells written in elvish. Indeed. The book was filled with elvish text, but fortunately I know a word or two… those were all rhymes describing how two dwarves have their way with mother of reader and such…” “He at least knew what he was selling?” “I doubt it. That man wasn’t looking like the one who would spent his time studying languages.”

I see. Funny place. Still, someone like me – with appraisal, could probably earn a small fortune here just by buying enchanted equipment from fools that have no idea what they were having on stock, and then re-selling it with profit. Maybe someday I would take Rogue here to do some shopping?

“Carriages are this way, sir.” “Carriages? Plural? You knew that I was coming with company, or just..” “Syndicate is owning its own fair share on most black markets… since you helped it. If we say we want a carriage. We get a carriage.” “Aren’t you overvaluing my merits?” “You gave us potions. Potions gave us gold. Gold gave us information. Gold gave us equipment. With information and tools we were able to resume our activity.”

In half of an hour we reached the other side of the city were carriages were waiting for us. Me, twins and Elana got into the first one, Morgana, Pyrox, Jason and Ay into second. Marcus and his men put on some mercenary’s plates and headed away.

The journey like a journey. Nothing weird nor unusual happened for next couple of hours. Elana begged her place near the window, she spent her time watching scenery outside. Oh, she was so excited. Every time in a while she would look grabbed me by sleeve just to show me some weird tree, mountain that looked like someone’s face, cloud in shape of lion’s face and such. She was so excited about such silly things. Of course she would be excited. For more than a year all she saw was a white ceiling of her room. Also, I noticed twins didn’t like Elana. I had my own assumptions why is that so – because of her I was busy for past few night, thus they couldn’t sleep on my extra-fluffy fur. Spoiled brats.

Our little “princess” felt asleep four more times for more than half of an hour. That’s quite the improvement! Still, for now she is literally tied to me. I need to contact Daralon as soon as possible.

With small breaks, we were traveling by whole day and few hours – reaching capital in next day’s evening.

“Halt! State your business!” a guard called from the gates. “What!?” Marcus yelled angrily from his coachmen sit “Can’t you see the plates, you fool? We are expected! Asked you Capitan!” “Sure, cuz capitan of city guards has nothing better to do than…” “Oh? Sylvio, since when are you responsible for my day schedule to know better what am I supposed to do in which time of a day?” the man I already met asked “Let them in.” “S. Sir, yes, sir!”

Efficient. I like it. We moved past adventurer’s guild as we headed deeper in the slums. For a moment I shut the windows of the cart, so none of my friends would see me. Not just yet, my loves, not just yet.

We stopped in front of the factory. I stepped outside carrying Elana and walked inside. Most of workers already left, doesn’t matter. I moved on the floor to my private laboratory, where my students were supposed to do their job.

“Honey, cover your ears please.” I smiled to young Scarlet “B..But why?” “Cuz many, bad words are going to be said.” She did as I asked bringing her hands to her head.

I kicked the door and yelled

“THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?!”

Only Clarice and another girl whose name I already forgot were inside

“W..What’s supposed to be wrong?” Clarice asked with her eyes widened “Hm? Oh, nothing. I was bluffing. But I am happy to see you. Clarice, you will make me two concentrated stamina potions…” I said laying Elana on the table “… and you…” I said looking at the other one “… Marianna?” “Exactly. You, Marianna, will deliver a message for me…” “I…I studied to be an alchemist, not errand…” “Alchemist? You are nothing more but useless fart! But, I will let you prove me wrong. Do you want to cook 20 potions till the morning, or take a fucking note to the place 30 minutes away from here?”

She opened her mouth, then shut it.

“Perfectly. See? You are not as stupid as you look! Another reason not to judge a book by its cover! CLARICE? How are my potions?!” “I…I have barely lit the fire under the pot!” “To slow! Minus 10 points!” Oh, home, sweet home. Barely spending my time here activates my mad scientist “W..What does it ever means? Minus ten from what?” “From my relationship points! The less points you have the worse I am going to treat you! And don’t talk back, damn it!” I said writing down a note. “Maria – to adventurer’s guild leader! And don’t you dare saying anyone from where it came! You have never seen me! And I am not in the city! Also, as you would finish delivering this message fell free finding Daralon… you know him, right? Great. And you will nicely, politely, almost lovingly – ask him to come here.” “B..but you said all I had to do was to deliver…” “MINUS ONE MILIONS POINTS” “I..I am going right away…” “Plus five points. Which means that you still have minus nine hundred and ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety five points… go girl… go, go, go, go…”

I said while sending her away. Rest of the team followed me inside.

“That’s how you treat your workers?” Morgana asked raising her brow “Also, all of them are witches?” she asked with smile “Useless shits, no witches. To closest to be a witch has that girl behind my back…” I said mentioning Clarice “You… girl..” Morgana asked “Who are you girl?” “Yes, Madame! I am stupid dense and useless piece of shit trained by merciful master Zariel to become somewhat decent mage and alchemist. Please! Forgive me that I am breathing!”

Oh. I forgot about teaching them that. I mean, come on! That’s hilarious, plus I never actually thought that somebody would actually ask her anything inside factory.

“Heh. Classic.” Jason appreciated my taste of humor.

A young alchemist run into the guild. She yelled from the doorstep.

“Master Jericho! Please, where is master Jericho!? Urgent message from master Jericho!” “On the floor! In office! Door in front of the stairs…” she rushed there pushing out of her way few adventurers “… ok! Ok! No need of saying [thank you]. Honestly.. people these days are so…”

The door to master’s office was slammed open.

“Master Jericho! Urgent news!” “Ah, my young lady – there are no such things like urgent news and not-urgent news! There are only… news…” he opened a letter “… these are really urgent news. Tell me, my young where did you…”

But woman already vanished. Old man turned his gaze back on the letter. It said:

Jericho!

Damn you! Ok, I have slept with your daughter, but to try getting my killed?! Ok. I am quite busy – so I will just let you know. I am back in the Neira – I just have lots of stuff to do. Calm down Gisele, tell her that I am all right and we will see each other soon… JUST DON’T TELL HER THAT I AM ALREADY HERE – or she would break the town apart looking for me….

Ps.

I will thank you for sending me to the Holies. Really – I brought few guyz with myself – the one that you will take into the guild. Few B and A ranks are about to empower our little guild. Nice people – we were in same block. “For dangerous specimen”.

Xoxo.

Z.

“What do you have there?” Gisele asked looking over Jeremy’s shoulder

Old man quickly rolled the paper into ball and swallowed it

“Nothing! It was nothing!” He said still chewing. “Good news. I will take your chains off now…”

That picked dragoness curiosity.

“What’s the trick…” “I just got message from Zariel. He is safe now… he should reach the city in… couple of days…” “Really?! REALLY!? You aren’t lying are you?! Can I see this message?”

Jericho swallowed

“Sorry, sunshine. I think I have lost it somewhere.. If I would find it I would let you know…”

Good job, Jericho. You barely made it.