“Sure?” Asin prods Daniel again as the young Adventurers fights to contain his yawns. Up early in the morning to meet the caravan to Karlak, the pair are walking through the city with their gear on their back.

“Yes,” Daniel nods firmly. As tempting as the offer to join a guild was, he could not choose it now. Would not perhaps. He had a quest that needed completing and what he started, he would finish. In truth, a part of Daniel knows he is putting the decision off, procrastinating.

Asin continues to chew on the improvised bread wrap she has made, content to let Daniel make the choice without interference. She understood she was not truly wanted by the Guild - they would not decline her if she joined with Daniel but she was not their target. If Daniel went, she would be content to join - the more advanced the dungeon, the more coin there was after all. If not, she would get there eventually.

As they come up to the caravan, Asin prods Daniel to take over the conversation, content to let him do the talking. Being in a new city, she had done more talking than she was used to and while she would never tell Daniel, her throat was rather raw from squeezing out words in Bard. It was so much easier to speak in Catkin and perhaps partly why she had gotten involved with Tevkin so fast. Her tail lashed again as she thought of Catkin and his luxurious fur, the way he used to nibble on her ear…

Daniel quietly moves slightly further away from his growling friend, having gotten used to the occasional switches in her temperament in the last few weeks. Tevkin had hurt her, more than she was willing to let on and once again, Daniel wonders how old his friend really was. Was he perhaps her first real relationship?

Pushing aside those thoughts, Daniel focuses on the job at hand and greets the caravan master, getting their orders. It would be a long few weeks back to Karlak.

Later that day, when things have settled and the caravan makes its way out Daniel finally pulls up the information on his Status. It was time to allocate his attribute and skill points. He had avoided the topic for days, not feeling the need to rush as the simple low-level Quests that were offered to them were easily dealt with by their existing skills.

Now, with nothing more to do but watch the surroundings and his decision to turn down the guild offers, he could focus on levelling up.

First, it was time to adjust his skills. Of course, he could upgrade his existing skills making each better and more effective but Daniel was more curious about the new skills he had the option to learn.

Now that he had upgraded his Healing skills and knew the human body better, he had access to two different spells - Cure Serious Wounds or Healer’s Mark. The first was a more powerful version of his current spell, providing almost instantaneous healing but at a higher mana cost. Healer’s Mark however just accelerated the healing process of the target over a period of time, allowing the target’s body to do the majority of the healing. It was significantly more mana efficient than either of his spells and was very popular among Healers because of that. It did have the potential of failure though - if the host body was not strong enough, the spell would fail and could actually drive the target to death.

In terms of his offensive skills, he could now learn Shield Rush which was actually a progression on the Shield Bash skill he already knew. Instead of a static attack, Shield Rush would allow him to attack using his shield at a distance by charging the monsters, allowing him to layer a stun and knockback attack. While not as versatile as Shield Bash, Shield Rush was extremely powerful against single opponents and the Stun effects normally lasted longer too.

His archery skills were still not sufficient to give him any Skill options but he did have a number of Club options to choose from. Power Strike continued to be available while two additional options had opened up - Crushing Blow and Perin’s Wrath. Crushing blow was a variation on Power Strike which did less overall damage but which gave additional bonuses against medium to heavily armored opponents. The skill focused on destroying and smashing through armor with over-reaching power and at higher levels was known for ignoring even physical damage resistances. Perin’s Wrath on the other hand provided a knockback effect that if used correctly could even throw a monster into the air for follow-on attacks. A similar skill had been what Niko had used to finish off the Overseer in the dungeon.

In addition to all these, Daniel had also gained a few additional passive skill options including Sprint, Greater Endurance and exclusive to him, Martyr’s Strength. The last made Daniel pull up the detailed information again to review.

Martyr’s Strength

A unique skill brought about by the on-going usage of Martyr’s Touch on the individual’s body. Combines unique understanding of the owner’s body with the user’s unique Gift to increase regeneration rates.

Skill: Passive

Cost: N/A

Effect: User has a permanent increase of 10% to Health and Stamina regeneration.

In the end, Daniel closes the screen again and rubs at his chin. There were so many options to choose from that Daniel sits quietly, attempting to structure his thoughts. If he focused on his most likely opponents in the near future - the Ogres- both Crushing Blow and Shield Rush would benefit him the most. However, the use of Perin’s Blow with his other skills could allow Daniel to inflict significant damage on a single target in a short period of time. In fact, over time, Perin’s Blow probably could become the linchpin of his attacks against a tough opponent.

However, that would not benefit him in a fight against smaller opponents. If he upgraded his Double Strike ability, he’d be able to attack four times in quick order, making him a much deadlier opponent against multiple individuals. It would have made him significantly stronger against the Imps for starters.

A Healer’s Mark on the other hand would always be useful especially over the course of a day. It would ensure they could stay in tip-top condition while they fought and when they increased their party, it would be even more important.

If he wanted to be selfish, he could even take his unique Skill and increase his own health and stamina regeneration. The significant increase in both would make it easier for him in dungeon levels and everyday life though it was probably the least useful in a group.

It was not a simple choice and one that Daniel had agonized over for hours now. Worst, he knew that these kinds of decisions would come even more often as he developed in strength.

Later that evening Asin prods Daniel, taking him out of his contemplation as he prods at the fire. “Skills?”

Daniel pauses, staring at the fire before he finally answers her, “I chose to get Perin’s Blow.”

Perin’s Blow

Named after the God of Storms, Perin, this strike sends concentrates the force of the user’s blow to create a knockback effect against targets.

Skill: Active

Cost: 25 Stamina

Effect: User’s Strike does 15% more damage and knocks back target. Knockback level dependent on user’s strength, Club skill, weight and size of opponent and striking area.

“It’s a knock back effect, kind of like Niko’s,” Daniel explains, before continuing, “I think it’d be useful against the Crawlers and Ogres and if I learn to use it right, it should also allow me to control where the monsters move during a fight.”

Asin just nods as Daniel calls up his Status Screen once more, hoping he made the right choice. When he got back, he would ask Khy’ra to teach him Healer’s Mark. If she was still willing to speak with him after he told her of what he did.

Name: Daniel Lai

Class: Level 6 Adventurer (14%)

Sub-classes: Level 7 (Miner) (14%)

Human (Male)

Statistics

Life: 229

Stamina: 229

Mana: 168

Attributes

Strength: 22

Agility: 20

Constitution: 28

Intelligence: 17

Willpower: 18

Luck: 13

Skills

Unarmed Combat: Level 3 (37/100)

Clubs : Level 9 (04/100)

Archery: Level 2 (18/100_

Shield: Level 7 (84/100)

Dodge: Level 5 (12/100)

Combat Sense: Level 5 (98/100)

Perception : Level 6 (07/100)

Mining : Level 7 (78/100)

Healing : Level 8 (89/100)

Herb Lore: Level 3 (31/100)

Stealth: Level 2 (14/100)

Cooking: Level 3 (21/100)

Singing: Level 2 (14/100)

Skill Proficiencies

Double Strike

Shield Bash

Perin’s Blow

Mapping (II)

Spells

Minor Healing (I)

Gifts

Martyr’s Touch - The caster may heal oneself or others by touch and concentration, sacrificing a portion of his life to do so. Cost varies depending on the extent of the injuries healed

Pushing aside those thoughts, Daniel stands and moves to the back of the caravan. He had made his decision. Better to keep busy and that meant helping others. Interestingly enough, the hanger-ons from Silverstone seemed both less numerous and better fed so Daniel expects that he will have less to do than before.

Days pass in quiet contemplation and evening bouts of training. The other Adventuring group that had hired on with this caravan was highly insular, refusing to interact with Daniel and Asin outside of the bare minimum. After over-hearing a particular conversation about the Catkin, both parties were more than happy to ignore each other.

Instead, in the evenings, Daniel finds himself working with the caravan guards. Once word of his free healing was passed around, even the caravan manager had taken to speaking with Daniel in more friendly terms - if nothing more than to soothe his ulcerous stomach. The caravan guards were more than happy to train with Daniel for his aid, whether it was for magical or non-magical healing.

A week and a half after they leave Silverstone, the caravan meets its first sign of trouble. The other Adventurers having left to complete another quest, the caravan is sparsely guarded for its size and the pair have been forced to take on evening guard duties as well. As Daniel rolls over to grab his mace after being woken to take his turn, an arrow strikes his bedroll. For a moment, Daniel just squats there, staring at the arrow as he attempts to understand this strange feathered disturbance.

“Attack!” roars one of the guards and the shout makes Daniel move, having him grab up his shield. Crouching low with his shield in front of him, he searches for the attackers and spots a good dozen bearing down on him. Another scream from behind him makes him turn and he spots another dozen bandits, making Daniel’s mouth turn dry. They are out outnumbered two to one!

Making a snap decision, Daniel rushes the group ahead of him, holding his shield before himself. While he might not have the skill, there was no reason he could not use his shield as a battering ram and so he does, ducking low and scooping his arm as he runs into his opponent. The screaming, dirty bandit flips over Daniel and smashes into the ground and Daniel stands swiftly, engaging his Double Strike to crush the arm and then knee of his next opponent, flashes of electricity lighting up their fight. As the downed bandit begins to roll over, Asin pounces onto him and shoves a blade into his throat. Blade caught, she leaves it in his throat as she draws a throwing knife to provide Daniel further support.

His second opponent crippled, Daniel spins and steps forward quickly to his next opponent, engaging Perin’s Blow for the first time in combat. He strikes low and to the side, the bandit’s clumsy block smashed aside as the mace catches him on the hip and sending him bowling into the line behind him. The scream and momentary spray of spittle is soon forgotten by Daniel as Asin works her knives and a bolo onto the struggling pile, tangling the group before casting an enchanted oil flask into the mass.

Daniel can feel the heat behind his back, drying his shirt as he steps forward to deal with another bandit. He catches the first strike high, attempting to strike with his mace and having an arrow slam into his unarmoured torso, spinning him around. He screams, the coarse wood of the arrow shaft digging into his muscles as he stumbles away from his attacker, a second arrow missing by inches.

Daniel’s attacker follows up, swinging his sword once and then again, both blows caught on Daniel’s shield. Stepping forward, his attacker hooks his foot behind Daniel’s and pulls, dropping the adventurer on his back and elicting an involuntary scream as the arrow in his shoulder shifts. As Daniel recovers from the fall, the bandit thrusts, the blade puncturing Daniel’s chest and grating along his ribs.

Asin meanwhile has spun around but has had to dodge to the side as the archer fires again and again, forcing her to keep moving away from the fight. She snarls, her thrown weapons unable to reach the coward. Not given a choice, Asin jumps back again as the archer fires and throws her knives, activating her skill Fan of Knives. Her single knive blossoms, mirrored in flight to smash into Daniel’s attacker and forcing the bandit away. Even as she lands, she rolls and comes up, catching and sliding a blade away from her immediately, the blade slicing along her shoulder slightly as it does so.

Given a moment’s respite, Daniel grabs and pulls the arrow out and then casts a Minor Healing on himself, whimpering in pain as his body forcefully heals the wound close. Able to use his arm again, Daniel looks up in time to catch his opponent’s next blow.

Lips pulled tight, Daniel smashes forward with his shield, triggering Shield Bash and stunning his opponent. Stepping forward, he brains his assailant before searching for another. Realising that Asin is hard-pressed by two attackers, he rushes over to aid her. The momentary distraction of the short, stout adventurer is enough for Asin to spin away and draw a throwing knife to throw, sending a Piercing Throw deep into the groin of an attacker and dropping him.

A sudden, short scream that is cut-off abruptly tells the tale of the archer as reinforcements from the other parts of the caravan start adding their weight to the battle. Wagoneers, woken from their sleep grab at crossbows and clubs to aid the guards, one of the shots having caught the other archer. For a moment the bandits pause, wavering. Panting, Daniel catches another bandit in the stomach with Perin’s Blow, picking him up into the air and then triggering his Double Strike as the man is in the air, slamming blows into the body and casting blood into the air.

The brutal attack is the last straw as the bandits realise that it is not just guards but Adventurers they must fight. Screaming, they flee back into the forest, letting Daniel collapse onto the ground. He groans and focuses on his injuries and tapping into his Gift to close the wound. Memories shift, fading away as he does this but he knows he will be asked to heal others soon. Best to use his Gift on himself than face other questions.

As always, the aftermath of a battle is a sad affair. The smell of iron and voided bowels fill the camp along with the stifled cries of pain and the slow dragging of bodies as the wagon guards first kill and then dispose of the bandits bodies. No one objected - bandits were the lowest of the low and were killed on sight in Brad and the caravan had lost many. Three waggoneers had been slain in their sleep, another two guards dead before Daniel is able to make his way to them.

When the healing is done, the caravan master comes over and offers Daniel a drink. Daniel gratefully takes it, coughing slightly as the spirit burns its way down his throat. “Bad luck this trip.”

Daniel can only nod, waving Asin over. She sniffs, taking the bottle while Daniel lets a finger linger on her palm, sending his Gift into her body to check for injuries. Finding nothing more than a few shallow cuts and a pulled lower back muscle, he leaves her alone.

“Thank you,” the caravan master adds, stroking his mustache absently. “It would have been worst without you.”

Asin can only nod again, too tired to suggest a monetary bonus. Perhaps later if the caravan master did not make the offer himself. For now, there were still bodies to put aside and fires to rekindle and a watch to be set.

Days later, the caravan has pulled to a stop near a river bend, sheltered from the rain by a copse of trees and from attack from one two sides by the river. The group is more relaxed now, the caravan master having found replacements for the guards and having picked up another Adventuring group. That evening, after dinner, Daniel wanders to the water to fill his waterskin and finds Asin sitting by herself.

“Asin?”

At her name being called, the Catkin scrubs at her face for a moment before she looks at Daniel. Black fur, plastered down by tears track down her face, dark green eyes daring Daniel to mention her weakness. He knows better, instead choosing to sit down next to her in silence companionship.

As the silence stretches to the breaking point, Asin finally speaks; “Tevfik liked me. Yes?”

“Yes, I think so,” Daniel replies and she nods jerkily.

“Stupid,” she mutters, claws coming out to knead her knees. She stares at them for a time, disgusted at her own actions, for reacting so emotionally and blaming him. Yet, she had truly felt betrayed. “I liked him.”

“I know.”

“No future,” Asin says again, rubbing at her knees. “Stupid.”

“To fall in love?”

“No love. Like,” Asin insists, glaring at Daniel who offers a quick nod. “Stupid anyway.”

“Why?” Daniel frowns, on uncertain ground now. After all, they were consenting adults.

“Because over. Always. I leave. He leave. Stupid,” Asin insists, shaking her head. “You, Khy’ra, stupid.”

“Hey!” Daniel glares at his friend, waving a finger at her. “Just because you don’t agree doesn’t mean it’s stupid. Khy’ra and I are adults. We know what we’re doing.”

“Stupid. Get hurt,” Asin states again.

“Maybe. No, certainly. But in-between, I know a smart, wise, tough and beautiful Elf,” Daniel points out, shaking his head. “We know what’s coming, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it.”

“Still stupid.”

“Yes, but it’s a good kind of stupid.”

Asin lets out a chuff of frustration and then puts her head on her knees again, her tail uncurling from her back slowly. “Hurts.”

“Yeah,” Daniel sighs, unsure of what to say. So he says nothing.

After a time, Asin stands up, moving back to the fire. As she passes, she pauses to say, “Thank you.”

When she is gone, Daniel stares back into the water, thinking of Khy’ra and the talk he must have. Stupid. Yeah, it probably was.