"AHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
The sword clatters as it hits the wooden floor. My teeth gritting against the padded sleeve of my gamebson while waves of pain ebb through my shoulder. I wish it had come out as cleanly as it went in, but I'm not so lucky. The poorly maintained straight sword had a chipped edge. And even the soothing sensation of the healing potion Steppan is now pouring into my wounds isn't helping as much as I'd like.
The [Knight] grunts, handing me the other tincture he had. "Drink that. Should at least stave off the pain somewhat for now."
I accept it gratefully, popping the cork out with my teeth and downing the little glass bottle in quick succession. The warmth washes down my throat and spreads across my body. The sharp pain fades gradually into the background as I lean back against the wall. Sighing with some relief. "Thanks, Ser Steppan."
He offers a wry smile in return. "Just Steppan is fine. But don't thank me yet. These leg wounds are pretty bad. I've got nothing for them." He admits, taking a very gentle look at the deep gashes on my thighs. "Going to need at least a high potion for those, and ours are with our gear in the guest house."
I nod slowly and give a dismissive wave. "It's fine. The bleeding has stopped, and Thorpe has draught somewhere in here." My nose wrinkles at the thought as well, not just at the idea of drinking it again, but of its elevated importance now. "That man was trying to take them. I think he stole the bottle we opened earlier today, actually."
The [Knight] furrows his brows at that. "That stuff's expensive. I can understand why someone would want to steal them." He remarks, but his expression gives away his actual thoughts before he even verbalizes them. "But all the way out here and right now of all times. Something stinks to high heaven."
STOMP STOMP STOMP
We both flinch, heads swiveling toward the sound. Just to see two of the [Guards] stomping out the flames that the cantrip set off. A few more are entering the building through the breach. Lieutenant Walt amongst them. "Liore! Holy hells, you alright?" He says in astonishment while dropping to a knee in front of me. A grimace briefly flashes across his features when he spots the state my legs are in.
I slump a little more against the wall and sigh. "I'll be fine. Just a little shaken up."
Walt's eyes narrow. "Shaken up? You look damn near legless, you little arse!" He rebuffs, aiming his attention to Steppan instead. "Captain is on the way over. Ser Ethel stayed out front."
I can't help but smile at Walt's crude retort. Setting me more at ease. "How is it looking out there? Should they be risking leaving the battlefield like that?"
The [Guard] shakes his head. "The jackalopes are keeping back. I think we massacred enough of them to make them think twice about another assault. But they're still just sitting out there in the trees. Those two [Scout] mercenaries disappeared out there a while ago. Just waiting for them to come back out."
Steppan nods along with the report. "Shouldn't take long. Those two are quick as lightning." He assures, before his head turns over his shoulder as several new footsteps echo in from outside at a quick pace.
It doesn't take much longer before I spot Thorpe, Lord Felix, and my mother jogging this way. And upon seeing the damage up close, Old Guard and Mama both sprint the rest of the way inside. And surprisingly, my mother is much faster. Blitzing past Thorpe, she shoves Walt and Steppan aside to drop to her knees and hold me tightly against her. Letting go almost immediately as I flinch from the soreness. Her eyes are wild and distraught. "By god, my baby. Your legs…"
Taking a deep breath and leaning back against the wall, I give her a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine, Mama."
But the reassurance doesn't seem effective as her eyes widen. She points an index finger at the gashes in my thighs swiftly, very nearly jamming her finger straight into one. "You call this fine!? Your legs look like they're almost cut off!"
Walt, on the side, chuckles. "That's what I said." He says before flinching as Thorpe smacks him lightly on the back of the head with an open palm. "Sorry…"
Old Guard gives me a hard look that I meet, glancing to his bedroom doorway and back to him. The old man seems to get the idea, stepping into his room just as Lord Felix approaches.
The nobleman's eyes have been scanning every surface with a critical gaze. Finally stopping a couple of yards away before his sights settle on me. "Miss Liore. I am glad to see that you are still with us," he states flatly enough to sound formal, but his eyes betray a slight tinge of genuine concern. But only for a moment. Turning his attention to the [Knight]. "Ser Steppan, report if you would be so kind."
Steppan rises to his feet and gives a bow. "Of course, my lord." He answers curtly before clearing his throat. "Miss Liore was engaged with a skilled assailant. Upon arrival, the front of the cabin was already blown out, and the assailant was battered but attempting to re-engage her. I intervened." The [Knight] gestures to me and the straight sword on the ground nearby. "When I found her, she was pinned to the wall by that sword and severely wounded. I engaged with the assailant, and he proved to be skilled enough to put me on full defensive. But he had already sustained significant damage from Miss Liore, which I assume was slowing him down. Once the archers on the wall joined, the assailant popped smoke and attempted to silence Miss Liore with a fire bolt cantrip before he escaped."
I purse my lips at his version of the event. I know he didn't see most of my part of it, but I hardly think I did enough damage to the guy to slow him down. He just looked more annoyed than anything. But I guess I can't complain about the vote of confidence.
However, can his combat approach genuinely be labeled as 'full defensive'?
The nobleman nods through the explanation, stroking the curl of his mustache. "Skilled enough to put even you on edge? One of the brigands, perhaps?"
The [Knight] frowns and shakes his head. "I caught sight of some tattoos on his arms. He's definitely coastal." His eyes narrow somewhat. "South coast…"
Lord Felix's expression darkens, staring hard at his companion's face as if trying to read him. His mouth curving into a slight sneer. "Are you implying he was a [Bandit]? Are you certain? We have discussed that theory at length before."
Mama, who has since sat down close beside me to let me rest against her, shares a grimace with me at the twos exchange.
Steppan gives the nobleman a blunt nod. "Yes, my lord. Quite certain. But not any run-of-the-mill clanner."
Footsteps thud on the wood to our right as Thorpe steps back out of his room with that metal chest I saw beneath his floor now tucked under his arm. His expression looking grim. "A fucken [Highwayman]…"
Silence overtakes the room as even the [Guards] with us freeze at the mention.
Steppan lets out a long-winded sigh. "With how fast he was and the skills he was using? No doubt about it." The [Knight] states, reaching up to scratch the back of his head. "And to be honest, I don't think I would have been able to take him on my own normally. But whatever Miss Liore did to him really threw him off his rhythm. He was pretty badly injured. Had a gnarly bruise all over his torso."
I look to the [Knight] in surprise. "I did that?" Honestly, I'm more shocked I did enough even to addle someone that powerful. I mean, I know I kicked him through a wall, but he seemed to just shake it off.
Lord Felix's brow raises high as he glances at the breach in the cabin again, likely with new information. Then, obviously, he returns his attention to me with more focus. "Miss Liore, if you would care to share your side of this, it would be much appreciated."
My chest starts to tighten when everyones attention turns to me. But thankfully, Mama interrupts, looking quite agitated at the lot of them. "If you fools hadn't noticed, she has massive open wounds right now that need tending to first!"
The four men are shocked out of their focus. Even Lord Felix loses his usual dignified mask as he clears his throat and adjusts his ascot. "Right! Yes, that takes priority. Get her wounds tended to, and we can discuss after. Should likely put the [Guards] here back on patrol as well."
Thorpe nodded in agreement before looking to his lieutenant. "Walt, take the others and sweep the village. Send someone to take inventory of the armory and make sure that the pack I gave you yesterday is still in there. "Aye, Captain," Walt answers, rising to a stand, but Mama grabs his hand before he can run off. She furrows her brows at him, a slight downturn in the corners of her mouth. "While you're at it, find Arno. He was checking in on the others already, and he hasn't reported back yet. Fill him in on what's going on if you find him."
Walt offers a swift nod, understanding the urgency in my mother's tone. "Aye ma'am. I'll track him down post haste." He assures, before heel turning and jogging off, shouting out orders that pull the other [Guards] to him like yanking on a leash.
Old Guard lets out a low and slow breath through his nose. "That big lug better not have gotten himself hurt." The old man mutters, adjusting the chest in the crook of his arm before moving into the kitchen and opening up one of the lower cupboards to grab a cork remover. He gives a wave over his shoulder as he steps towards the breach in his cabin. "Gonna step out for a moment to pop open a fresh one of these. I'll be right back."
I sigh in relief as he steps out and disappears around the corner. I honestly half expected him to open it up in here. But looks like he's giving me some grace from his shenanigans. With a collapsed lung, the last thing I need right now is my throat tightening up from noxious fumes.
My mother reaches in to cup my cheek and tilt my head to look at her. Concern hard set into her features. "Can you check your status for me, dove?"
I lift a brow briefly at her. I don't feel any worse than I already was, but I can tell she needs the assurance. So I sit up straight and nod. "May the blinded see."
______________________________________
[[LEVEL-01]]
//Name: Liore Perro
//Age: 12
//Class: [Farmer] -> [Knight]
//Status: Wounded [Shattered] [Major Lacerations] [Minor Suffocation]
[[STATS]]
//Strength: 2
//Dexterity: 3
//Intelligence: 2
//Perception: 3
//Stamina: 3
//Resilience: 3
//Magic: 1
[[PASSIVE]]
[??????????]
[Slayers Aspect]
[Favored]
[Battle Theory] -> [Sword Theory]
[Threat Detection]
[Mana Sense] = [Weak]
[Mana Storage] = [Minor]
[Secrets] = 1 Charge
[[SKILLS]]
[??????-??????]
[Leap Stride] + [Spring Kick]
[[CLASS QUESTS]]
[Plant A Seed]
______________________________________
Looks like my perception stat went up. That will definitely be handy. Especially with my [Threat Detection] radius. Looks like that's about…
Wait. Why does [Secrets] only have one charge left?
Could that guy have had the [Inspect] skill? I guess he must have used it before he attacked me. But I had five charges left before, why is there only one left?
"Are you quite all right, Miss Liore?"
I lift my head to meet Lord Felix's gaze. Finding that the man is giving me a concerningly sharp stare. One that sends a shiver down my spine. But I clear my throat and try to keep my cool. "I'm fine, my Lord. I was just surprised that my perception stat went up. I'm wounded, of course. Major lacerations, one of my lungs collapsed, and some of my ribs are broken. But I'll be alright."
My mother's hand squeezes my forearm a bit tighter, drawing my attention to her pained expression. "Y—you're not lying to me—are you?"
The question stuns me. Silence hangs between us for far too long. My head tilts to the side a bit while trying to read her. Why would she ask that? Why would I lie? "Mama, I…"
"She is not lying, Mrs. Perro. I checked her status just a moment ago. I can confirm." The noblemen cut in flatly, still studying me. A fact that is still making me very uncomfortable.
I wish I could appreciate the rescue, but it just further cements the issue I am now faced with. The [Highwayman] could have certainly had [Inspect], but it's very unlikely he would check my window more than once. He wouldn't need to.
Which means [Lord Felix] has checked mine 3-4 times just in the last few minutes when he walked in. And maybe he could have just been checking repeatedly to make sure my status hasn't gotten worse. But with the look in his eyes right now, I doubt it. The reaction to my window definitely didn't help either.
I have no idea how he'd react to me being a [Farmer]. But Thorpe and Mama wanted to hide it for a reason. The church could easily see me as a cursed class. And Lord Felix has a powerful position that is tied to them.
But can I really stop him from finding out when he's already proven just how paranoid he is?
"Sweetheart. Are you sure you're okay?" Mama asks, breaking me from the fearful pit I was spiraling into. And meeting her gaze, I can tell she is still worried. And she has every right to be.
I hate seeing her like this. But it's all my fault she is. I thought we had moved on from it, and we could be normal with each other again. But that was just wishful thinking.
Because to her, she's still there. In my room almost 3 years ago. Watching me die.
A few tears shed down my cheeks, causing her to frown. She scoots herself closer and wraps her arms gently around me. "It's okay, dove. Mama is here."
I clutch tightly to her, resting my chin on her shoulder. Letting out a few sniffles but not letting myself cry any more than that. "Sorry. I'm okay, really. It just hurts a lot."
She pecks my cheek as she rubs her hands over my back. "It'll be alright. Auguste will come back with medicine for you, and you'll be right as rain."
I can't help but chuckle at that. "That's going to hurt even more though…"
Ser Steppen grimaces, and Lord Felix offers a light hum from the side. "Yes, I have heard Healer's Draught is quite agonizing. Is that true?"
I pull myself out of my mother's grasp to look up towards him and nod slowly. "Agonizing is definitely a good word. I've had it three times now, and I passed out for the first two."
Ser Steppen gives a low whistle. "Already three times, and you aren't even thirteen yet. I can't tell whether to be impressed or pity you."
The nobleman furrows his expressive brows and folds his arms behind his back. "Indeed. It sounds like a terrible way to heal wounds..."
"Yeah, it's not ideal. But Thorpe says you can't get better healing from anything other than a [Cleric]. And not even Mercs have the luxury to have them around." I answer with a light smile. "The pain is a small price to be back up on your feet and rejuvenated."
Lord Felix turns an appraising look back to me for a moment, tapping his fancy boot on the scorched wooden floor. "I suppose you are right. I could hardly turn such a thing away if I were so severely marred." He admits, turning his head towards the breach as quick footsteps echo through.
Mr. Thorpe and Lieutenant Walt move with swift intention. The old man sets the newly opened bottle next to me, along with a wooden spoon and a towel to bite on. Then, he looks to my mother with a hard stare that Walt seems to share. "Yara, I'm gonna stay here and get Liore up. You are going to follow Walt over to Arno." He says carefully. "He's alright, but it looks like our thieves might have clocked him, and he's pretty shaken up."
Mama's eyes widen, and she climbs to her feet quickly. "He was hurt?" She sucks in a breath through her teeth, giving me one last look before she turns to Walt. "Take me to him." The [Guard] runs back out with her tailing behind him.
I watch her go for a quiet moment. A bit shaken myself at the idea that Mr. Wyatt was attacked. My lips curling into a hard frown, and I glance at Mr. Thorpe while he's filling up a spoonful of the horrible miracle liquid. "Is he--is he really okay?"
Old Guard freezes for a moment to meet my gaze. Holding it there for a brief few seconds before finally nodding. "Yes, he'll be fine." He states, finishing pouring the draught carefully into the spoon.
My face scrunches up a bit in confusion at the pause before his answer. Something is definitely off, and Thorpe isn't saying. Which usually means he's noticed something that he might not be sure about yet.
He hands me the cloth and the spoon, which I take, albeit apprehensively. Cycling in a few slow breaths to psych myself up.
Whatever it is that has him worried. I suppose I'll be finding out.