Chapter Twenty Four

Maryam was having a great day. It wasn’t often her mother let her out of the valley, and especially not without an escort. In fact, this was the first time she was allowed to do a job completely alone. Not that it was that difficult of a job. All she had to do was deliver some artifacts to a well trusted merchant in Lancrin. She finished that over an hour ago and has spent her time since shopping and having fun. She would have spent many more hours wandering the streets, but it was getting dark and the shops were beginning to close.

Damn, looks like I’ll have to find an inn. Ah well, it’s not like the shops are going anywhere, I can just continue browsing in the morning. Now where was it I stayed last time I was here? I think it had something to do with a fox. Well, whatever, I guess I’ll just walk around until I find a fox themed inn.

It didn’t take her long to find the Radiant Fox, which was a bit disappointing since she was looking for an adventure. She entered the inn with a few hours until she had to sleep so she went up to the bar to see what they had. It was the innkeeper herself who was behind the bar. It was pretty easy to tell she owned the building since she was the only one with a pet fox on her shoulder.

“So what will you be having? A room or a drink.”

“Both actually. I’ll be staying here for a night, but I might as well get a drink while I’m down here. What’s your best non-alcoholic drink?”

“The room will be eight copper. As for your drink, how about some fruit juice? I normally use it for cocktails, but I’m sure I could mix something good up without alcohol.”

“Really? Thanks, I’ll take it. Most people just hand me a glass of water if they hand me a drink at all. The best I’ve gotten so far is milk. How much do I owe you?”

“Just a copper. I couldn’t ask for more for a drink that I can’t guarantee the quality of. Besides, its not like juice is very rare or expensive anyway.”

As she talked the innkeeper started preparing Maryams drink. She was pouring several juices into a glass before stirring it all creating a swirling mass of red orange and yellow. It had a sort of elegant beauty to it that only an experienced bartender could create. Maryam downed the whole thing in one long swig. She then took out a silver coin and placed it on the bar counter.

“Here, for the room and juice. And keep the change, the drinks worth double what you charged me anyway, might as well pay to match.”

Maryam had a grin on her face so wide and genuine that the innkeeper couldn’t help but smile herself. It was an infectious thing, that smile of hers. She had been told once that she could make any but her enemies smile with her if she was given enough time. She was just about to order another drink when the doors to the inn slammed open and six men strode in like they owned the place. Judging from the actual innkeeper’s expression though, they most certainly weren’t welcome. The were all wearing well tailored clothing, but with their arms exposed, showing off a tattoo of a shark eating a skull on their shoulder that they all shared. The other commonality they all shared was that they all had a weapon on them. Mostly clubs and blackjacks, but their leader carried a sword. They all sat around a large table in the center of the room while the leader called over a terrified waitress. Maryams smile was gone.

“Well they look like some rude customers.” Maryam commented. “Why don’t you get rid of them?”

“I can’t. Their loan sharks, and since my idiot son died while in debt to them, I now owe everything he did. Which is a lot.”

“That can’t be legal right?”

“It’s not. But it’s not illegal either. Apparently it’s a murky grey area in the laws that they are abusing to exploit people. I would hire someone to teach them a lesson, but they are taking all of the money I would hire someone with. I’m paying them every time they come by, but they keep on raising the intrest to the point where I can just barely afford to pay them.”

Shuka looked at the group again, seeing through her draconic eyes. She didn’t see any strong magical aura on them, and their personal mana reserves were pitifully low.

Hmm… no magical items and none of them are mages. It’s six vs one, but if I have time to prepare and I take one or two out by surprise then it might be a bit more even. Mom did tell me not to get into any fights but… if its for a good cause she will understand. I hope. Aright I’ve decided, I’m helping.

“I’ll do it. For free even.”

“Huh? Do what?”

“Teach them a lesson. You know, beat them up and all that.”

“For free? You look like you can fight a bit, but your outnumbered, I don’t want you to get hurt on my behalf.”

“Don’t worry about it, I’m stronger than I look. And I’m doing this because I want to, so don’t feel guilty about it. As long as I have a minute or two to prepare I can take them easy.”

“But why? I don’t even know your name, and I don’t think you know mine. Is it just out of the kindness of your heart?”

“Yeah, that’s one reason. I could also say it’s for training, or that I’m just itching for a fight, and that wouldn’t be wrong, but the real reason?”

Maryam turned to look directly into her eyes and her grin returned, but far less kind.

“People like them make me sick. They need a fist to the face, and I’m all to happy to deliver.”

All sorts of less than nice thoughts were going through Maryams head, but she put them to the side for a moment to focus on spellcasting. She had to focus on the spell itself, but also what her actual goals were, distractions or unwanted thoughts could end in death. Theirs more than hers, but Maryam was no murderer.

Beat them up, don’t kill them. Beat them up, don’t kill them. Beat them up, don’t kill them. Alright I think I got it.

The first spell she cast was a defensive shield that covered her skin, acting as armour, but without the weight. Without the protective capabilities of a full set of armour either, but better than nothing. It was also nearly invisible, but what was visible was the claws that started to grow out of Maryam’s fingers as she finished the spell.

Shit, I forgot about my claws. Okay, closed fists, kicking, and spells only, I don’t want to accidently cut an artery.

The next spell was a basic physical enhancement spell. Strength, speed, stamina, it did it all. Not by as much as a spell that focused on just one of those traits, but much more efficiently, and that was more important for Maryam. It still caused purple scales to grow out from her claws to cover her hands. The last spell she cast in preparation, wasn’t on herself, but on a small rock she always carried with her. It had been primed for enchantments making binding spells onto to it far easier, faster, and more mana efficient. Maryam was used to putting all kinds of spells on that little rock, but the spell she chose this time was a light spell. A very bright light spell. Bright enough to temporarily blind everyone in the room when it went off. A few minutes ago Maryam would have been worried about blinding the rest of the patrons in the common room, but at the moment she was only thinking about the loan sharks. Well, the loan sharks and the new pair of horns that had just sprouted from her head.

I’m onto horns already? Don’t my teeth normally sharpen first? Oh shit, they’re sharp already, I didn’t even notice. Goddamnit enchanting is too expensive! It’s the cost of two spells for the effect of one, even if it is more convenient. I’m going to have to limit my spells in the fight, only one or two, max. Fixing my pants every fight because my body thought I wanted a tail or some weird ass legs is a pain. Ugh, I’m getting distracted, what’s important in beating them up and not killing them.

Maryams preparations were done and she was ready to fight. There were a few people giving her odd looks due to her transformations, the innkeeper included, but Maryam didn’t care about any of that. She was walking up to the loan sharks with one purpose in her mind. Normally she would have given a snarky comment or two, maybe taunted them a bit. But that wasn’t a part of beating them up or not killing them, so instead she approached the leader from behind while they were all laughing at something and smashed his head into the table. Maryam was a strong woman even before she enhanced her strength with magic, but with it? His head went straight through the wooden table as splinters went flying everywhere. It took the entire group by surprise, even the few who had saw her coming. The surprise didn’t last for long though as they all reached for their weapons and got up from the now broken table.

“What the fuck? Who the he- AHHHH!”

Maryam didn’t wait for him to finish his sentence before throwing her enchanted stone and activating it. With her eyes closed of course. The light only lasted a second but it was bright enough that no one but Maryam could see for the next few seconds. Those were seconds that she wasn’t going waste. She managed to kick one guy in the chest, knocking him into another table, and pick up a chair and smash it over another ones head before they started regaining their sight. They all attacked at once, hoping to overwhelm her. They almost succeeded. She dodged one, blocked another with a spell, but the last hit struck her in the back of the head. It hurt, but the defensive spell she cast in preparation protected her from the worst. But it did hurt.

Oh good, I was worried this was going to be boring. Time to have some fun.

*

There she was. Maryam. Shuka hadn’t seen her in a decade, but here she was looking like a monster. She looked normal at first, but then you looked closer and saw what didn’t belong. Hands wrapped in not skin, but scales and tipped with sharp claws. Horns that just barely peeked out from under her hair. Too sharp teeth that came with fangs you would see on a predator. And, of course, piercing purple eyes with thin slitted pupils that looked like they could see your very soul. It was causing a bit of a conflict within Shuka, because the rest looked so much like what she remembered, if aged up a bit. A wide grin, kind or cruel depending on the situation. Fiery red wavy hair that reached down her back, although it was now mixed with the same shade of purple as her new eyes. Even her posture was the same, full of energy and ready to move. And she was fit too, even more so than Shuka who practiced archery and all but lived in the woods. Her cloths seemed to indicate she lived an active life too, which came to no surprise to Shuka. She wore sensible, if a bit colourful, travelers’ clothes that looked nice, but also tough enough to take a bit of a beating. The only part of her outfit that stood out though was her large leather boots that went almost up to her knees, that for some reason had stiches around the toes.

“MY TABLES!”

The two long lost friend were interrupted out of their stare down by a not so happy innkeeper.

“You were supposed to beat them up, not use all of my furniture to do it. Where are my patrons supposed to eat and sit now?”

“Oh, uhh… sorry I forgot to add ‘don’t destroy stuff’ to my mantra. Here I’ll pay for it.”

Maryam took out a coin pouch and started filling it with coins. Shuka didn’t see how many she put in there, but she did see that they were gold. Although she seemed a bit… odd. She couldn’t place what exactly was wrong, but Maryam seemed a bit dispassionate. Like she was only pretending to care and that didn’t seem like her at all. Still she paid the innkeeper and then turned back to Shuka.

“You are Shuka right? Don’t tell me your just some random stranger who happens to look like her a bit.”

“Uhh, no I am Shuka. And your Maryam right? I haven’t seen you since you were adopted, what happened?”

Maryam seemed to think about that answer for a bit but then just shrugged.

“Stuff happened I guess. I don’t really feel like chatting right now though so I’m going to take a nap. Bye.”

What the hell is going on? Why is she being this nonchalant about our reunion? There is no way she would care this little, even after ten years. I know I certainly don’t. She’s not even smiling anymore. I can’t just let her leave, right? And besides, she might be able to help me.

“Maryam wait! Don’t you want to catch up? It’s been years.”

She stopped, but looked slightly annoyed about it.

“Do you just want to catch up or do you have something actually important to talk about. Because if it isn’t important, then it can wait until after my nap.”

“I do want to catch up, but I also have something important to talk to you about.”

“Ugh, fine. We can talk. I guess I probably want to talk with you anyway.”

Shuka didn’t have the time to ask her what she meant by that, because Maryam started drinking a murky potion she pulled out of her travel bag. She then promptly began vomiting all over the floor. It wasn’t a pretty sight, but as she retched, Shuka saw Maryams scales morph back into skin, and her horns shorten until they were hidden by her hair again. She couldn’t see her teeth through all of the vomit, but Shuka was sure they had returned back to normal as well. The vomit itself was interesting too, as much as she didn’t particularly want to look at it. While it had all of the usual stuff you would expect from it, there was also this strange glowing blue liquid in the growing puddle on the floor. Once the poor girl was done her ordeal, she was entirely back to normal, without any… odd parts to her. Except for her eyes. Those stayed even when everything else disappeared.

“MY FLOOR! That’s it, get out of my inn, I need to clean this up. You can keep your room, but it better be in PRISTINE CONDITION in the morning, got it?”

This time Maryam actually looked guilty.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry! I promise to make it up to you. I swear once I’m done talking to my friend, anything you need I will do.”

The shift in her personality was both immediate and extreme, but it was a lot closer to what Shuka remembered. She also seemed to have recovered from vomiting fast.

“All you alright Maryam? That was a lot of vomit just now.”

“Yeah, don’t worry about it I’m fine. The better question is are you alright? I don’t know what kind of magic you’re messing with these days, but you must have fucked it up bad for it to leave you this messed up. Why are you even using dark magic anyway? It’s dangerous, and not just for your enemies.”

“Wait, how do you know there is dark magic involved? And wait a second, it wasn’t me! I got cursed by a witch, and now I’m trying to get it lifted.”

“Sure, sure. And was this witch you? I’ll believe your cursed, I can see it attached to you after all, but it seems much more believable to me that you just messed up a curse and it backfired onto yourself.”

“How is that more believable?!”

Maryam was about to answer that, but then she stopped to think about it a little. By all accounts, Shuka being a witch herself really was the less likely option, so why didn’t she think so?

“She’s telling the truth.” Xorvos interjected. “Shuka really did get cursed. The problem is the curse makes her more untrustworthy, so its really hard to convince people of that.”

“Ack! Xorvos, when did you get here?”

“I’ve… been here the whole time. Didn’t you notice me?”

“…So about this curse. It is pretty weird that my first thought was that you were up to no good, and if Xorvos says it was someone else then it must be true.”

How easy it was for him to convince her. Well at least she believes me now.

“So you never did say how you knew about the curse. And why were you so weird back at the inn?”

“Ah, well it’s a bit complicated. But I suppose we got some time don’t we, here let me explain.”