Huge thank you to my patrons, like seriously. OdeToAKite, Danielle Warvel, Michael, JewBot9000, Jonathan Newman, Kolonji Francois, Samuel Ochoa and taw for always being patient and supporting in what I do.
Hope you enjoy this chapter as I enjoyed writing this one.
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"...you want to go back to Ashwick…to buy food?"
"Yes, my lady," Evelyn said while standing in front of their bed. Seraphina's hair was messy, and her face was tired. Aric was sleeping peacefully with his hands over her body.
"...didn't we just get the food delivered to us by the merchants…?" She said sleepily.
"Yes, but due to Mr Aric's cooking, we ran out of potatoes and a couple of vegetables. I want to restock them so we won't have an issue. I'll be back by evening."
Seraphina looked at her with half-opened eyes and immediately lay back down,
"Just make sure…to have someone with you. Please stay safe."
She bowed, "Of course."
Evelyn closed the door only to be met with Lira, who was standing at the door, sipping tea.
"Ashwick, really now?"
Evelyn kept her composure, "You…knew?"
She sipped and continued to speak, "It's not like I am against it. But this estate has a policy and even a written rule that wolves and dogs are not allowed in this place. How are you going to bring it here?"
"It feels like, if I tell you, you're going to tell on me."
Lira stared at her and scoffed in amusement, "You've known me for so long, and this is the one time you won't trust me? I could've easily just told that baby what you were going to do."
Evelyn thought about it for a second before reluctantly agreeing, "Fair enough."
Lira gave her a ring, "Put this on any finger that fits. You can teleport into Ashwick and back here when you channel enough mana. It's not a big amount, but considering your reserve, I say, make sure to keep absorbing mana from nature. If you use this, you can get in and out of Ashwick easily and return here before she even knows it."
Evelyn wore the ring on her middle finger. It was a silver ring with a small cyan gemstone in the middle that lit up in conjunction with the flowing mana.
"Run along now. Seraphina can only sleep so much before she realizes you talked to her half asleep."
Evelyn bowed to her in thanks and teleported to Ashwick.
Lira walked down the stairs and sipped her tea, "With the ring, I can protect Evelyn even if that energy pops up again."
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Evelyn appeared at the fountain, which was coincidentally in front of Adam. He had a mini heart attack and clutched his chest. She had a small headache for a moment.
"What…I…how did you even get here, Ms Evelyn? Aren't you supposed to be with the lady?"
Evelyn shushed him with her finger, which made Adam a little flustered,
"Shh. I am here on a mission. Do you perhaps know where I can get a dog, any breed is fine, but a loyal and a fighter is preferred. I also need a couple of sacks of potatoes and tomatoes."
Adam didn't answer back as he was still shushed. Evelyn realised that and immediately pulled her hand back,
"I can get the vegetables, but why do you need a dog? Are you finally settling down as a lonely w—"
She knocked his head with her knuckle.
"No. Don't ask too much."
She rummaged through her pockets and took out a gold coin,
"This will cover everything. If you ask for more, I will shove a stick up your ass."
Adam wanted to joke around, but Evelyn looked at him with a 'try me' smile.
Adam scurried off to find Linda. He found her at the local merchant shop, which is now fully upgraded with modern equipment thanks to Aric. Even a better cash register as well.
"Linda! Hey!"
Linda looked at him, confused, "What's going on, Adam? Did Mira tell you she doesn't want you for the 20th time now?"
"No-No! Well…"
He shook his head aggressively, "Anyways, I need help with something. Have you seen any dogs?"
She was more confused, but as she judged his face, she realised he was serious about it,
"Uhh, I have not seen any dogs, but you can go and ask Atlas. He's the head of merchants after all."
"Atlas?" she muttered, rubbing her head like she just got a migraine.
"Please tell me you mean a different Atlas. A normal one. One who doesn't... talk like his life is a theater act?"
Linda blinked. "That's the only Atlas I know. Why?"
Evelyn exhaled a long sigh. "God, help me."
She turned to the shopkeeper behind the counter—a short woman with freckled cheeks, Lesley.
"Please tell me there's someone else who handles livestock. Anyone. I'll even take a shady stranger in a cloak."
Lesley laughed awkwardly while bagging the vegetables Adam had requested,
"Sorry, Miss Evelyn. Atlas handles all livestock trades. He said something about 'revolutionizing the economy,' after Lord Aric's speech."
Evelyn facepalmed, "Of course he did."
She grabbed Adam and walked out of the shop,
"I'll come back for the vegetables once I'm done."
"Sure thing!" Lesley chirped.
Finding Atlas wasn't hard. You just had to follow the noise. Like the sound of enthusiastic bartering, clanging boxes, and one man shouting about 'discounts that would make kings cry!'
As Evelyn followed the noise, she found the Atlas. Atlas Fraust, the self-proclaimed 'Greatest Merchant Alive,' is standing on top of a crate with his arms spread wide.
"Step right up, my fine folk of Ashwick! I present to you the latest, the greatest, the never-latest innovation in home cleanliness—the broom that cleans itself!"
He paused dramatically, flipping a broom in the air like a showman.
"Does it work? No one knows! But it looks clean and isn't that half the battle?"
The crowd erupted in laughter, but Evelyn and Adam were facepalming harder than they would like,
"Oh for the love of—"
Before she could even finish her sentence, Atlas's eyes locked onto her. His grin widened to full salesman mode.
"Ah, if it isn't the illustrious knight of silver steel and stone-faced sass! Lady Evelyn, gracing us with her presence!"
Evelyn immediately regretted coming here. "Atlas," she said flatly, "A word with you, please."
"Of course you do! People always need words from me, words of wisdom, words of charm, words that change lives! Step into my humble office!"
He gestured grandly to what was very obviously a normal office named,
Atlas & Co.Trading
Evelyn and Adam went into the office and sat down. Atlas locked the doors and hopped on the table,
"So! What brings Lady Seraphina's right hands to my humble shack of dreams?"
Evelyn crossed her arms. "I need a dog."
"A dog?"
"Yes. A loyal one. Preferably trained, strong, and not rabid."
"Is that code word for a human? 'Cause if that's the case, I'm afraid I can't deal with—"
Evelyn raised an eyebrow and cut him off, "A dog, Atlas. Four legs. Tail. Barks. Preferably does not eat its own leash."
Atlas nodded while stroking an imaginary beard. "I see, I see… a beast of loyalty, courage, and companionship. One who would die before abandoning its master."
"You're not buying it for emotional support, are you? Because if so, I recommend a cat. They're cheaper and won't eat your shoes."
Evelyn rolled her eyes in annoyance, "It's not for me. It's for someone else."
"Oho? A gift! A secret mission! A partner, perhaps?" Atlas gasped dramatically, grabbing his chest.
"Lady Evelyn, I didn't know you were the romantic type!"
Evelyn's eyes twitched. "If you keep talking, I'll 'romantically' punch you."
She sighed, "So? Can you get one or not?"
Atlas grinned. "Can I get one, she asks. Woman, I am Atlas Fraust. I can get you a goose that lays contracts and a cow that files taxes. Of course, I can get you a dog."
He snapped his fingers at the back door. "Mary!"
The back door burst open. A beautiful young girl with pigtails walks in hastily,
"Boss!"
"Run to Nessa's and tell her we need something. Use the green password and if she makes a fuss, remind her that she owes me a favour."
The girl ran while Evelyn looked at Atlas with a questioning look,
"See. I don't remember every name here, but I certainly remember the ones in positions like yours. Who is Nessa?"
Atlas grabbed his coat and started to wear it. "She recently came here to settle down. I was the one to bring her in. She was running away from her village as she was apparently seen as unclean."
"All I saw was a strong woman with marks all over her body and face. She's a good person. You'll find her interesting."
Adam stood up from the chair, "Who approved her paperwork? I certainly didn't."
Atlas stared at him, "Look. I will make her paperwork, alright? I am not an idiot to bring disaster to this place I call home. You can see her for yourself, and I believe you will see her as an asset, too. Just don't ask about her village. She's very sensitive about it."
They stepped outside into the bustling marketplace. The smell of spice and fresh bread filled the air as Atlas led them through the maze of stalls.
After weaving through a few alleys, they reached a blacksmith's lane where the sound of hammers was loud. Hanging on the front gate was a sign carved into old wood:
Nessa's Handiworks
When they entered inside, Atlas immediately ran to Nessa to greet her, but Evelyn and Adam? They stood in place.
Evelyn's eyes were wide open, ...Wow.
Adam's thoughts reflected the same as well. I bet she could crush me with her thighs.
Nessa stood at a whopping 190cm, which towered over everyone. Her arms were so big that they stretched out her tunic. Veins were visible all around. Scars traced her forearms, and one long, jagged line cut diagonally across her face, stopping just shy of her jaw.
But what was most strange was that her voice and face belonged to someone else. Someone more gentle by comparison to her body. It was an odd contrast that gave off the feeling of a mama bear.
I don't even sense any mana from her, Evelyn realised, but that body could crush a minotaur's skull with one arm.
"Atlas. You didn't tell me you were bringing company."
Evelyn was completely thrown off guard. Her voice DOES NOT match her body at all! It's smooth, soft, almost melodic! It's like listening to my mom!
Nessa wiped her hands on a cloth and extended one enormous palm,
"You must be Lady Evelyn, Seraphina's right hand. I've heard of you."
Evelyn shook her hand and could feel her hand hurt, "...From him, I assume?"
"Of course!" Nessa said fondly, giving Atlas's head a gentle pat.
"He's always talking about the people he admires."
"So," Nessa said, turning back with hands on her hips. "You're looking for a dog?"
"Yes. A loyal one. Not aggressive. One that listens and protects without attacking first."
Nessa turned off the fire with a blow and water, "Well, I don't have a dog to sell, but I rescued some when I was journeying with Atlas. I am okay with letting them go to someone good. It's hard for me to keep feeding them with just my wage."
Her eyes widened and her fist hit her palm gently, "Oh dear, I just remembered I don't have my paperwork. You see, Mr Atlas here got me out of my village as soon as he could, which means I didn't have time to get my adventurer card. Ashwick also has no guild here, so I couldn't really get a new one…"
She bowed, "I'm really sorry, but please don't kick me out…I have nowhere to go."
Evelyn was about to ask what about her birth certificate but realised that it was only meant for nobles and those who could afford such luxury.
"Hmmm. It's okay. I heard you had a rough time at your village before and I won't question it. But what I will say is, please give it as soon as you can. I heard Atlas here will help with that. Don't forget to ask Adam about some improvements to your shop. We have set up a couple of plans for blacksmiths to enjoy, as we need weapons to arm ourselves here."
"And if you're open to it, find a dwarf named Grumlin. He could teach you some tricks."
Nessa felt flustered and raised her head, "What…you're so nice!"
Evelyn smiled at her, "Come on now. Show me the little cuties. I have to get back by evening."
Nessa led them to a rear room. Straw, clean water bowls, the easy sighs of sleeping animals. Three dogs lifted their heads in unison when they heard the door open.
The dogs looked well-fed and clean.
She spoke slowly, "The one on the left is a little cutie I saved from bandits. They were using him to track me, and he did a really good job, but they abandoned him when I kicked their butts. They didn't treat him right, and he looked skinny. It took a while, but I managed to make him friendly again. His name is Junky."
She pointed at the middle and the right, "These two are brother and sister named Medy and Mikle. They always move together, so if you want one of them, you will need the other. I saved them from being eaten by a bear."
Evelyn's face was dumbfounded, and she couldn't believe what she was hearing. She wanted to doubt it, but her peripheral vision caught something. She turned around and saw a bear's head on the wall.
Nope. She's telling the truth.
Evelyn crouched and offered the back of her hand. She waited for a minute to see which dog would smell her first. Junky sniffed first and immediately wagged his tail.
"Good boy." Evelyn said.
She moved towards the dog's head and waited for approval. The dog scooted his head towards her hand and she rubbed it.
"I will be taking him if that's okay. I can't raise two dogs in my place, but he seems like a good boy."
Nessa crouched, which took up every room in there, "Junky boy. You're going to a new place. Somewhere big, probably a lot of green and offspring there. You need to be a good boy, okay."
Her voice sounded a little broken but she masked her voice the best she could. Nessa opened her palm and Junky immediately put his paw there,
"I will miss you, my sweet boy but I will visit you someday if that's okay."
She looked at Evelyn, and she nodded. The dog barked at Nessa a lot,
"Protect the people there. I heard they are good people, just like you."
Nessa's eyes were glassy but she kept patting him and hugged him. The dog whimpered at her hug. Evelyn put her hand on her shoulder,
"You can visit him as much as you want. He seems to really love you."
Nessa eventually put him on a leash and handed it to Evelyn. Evelyn left a gold coin for her and promised to send some coin for Nessa's dogs and walked out to grab the potatoes and tomatoes with Adam. Atlas stayed behind with Nessa,
"You love Junky a lot." he said gently. "Why give him up?"
Nessa sniffed, swiping at her eyes. "Because… he's never liked anyone on the first scent. Not like that. It felt like they were meant to be and you know me...I can't...protect them forever..."
Her voice broke even more, which made Medy and Mikle caressed her legs as if comforting her,
"And…and…I know she's a good person. Junky will be somewhere better where he can eat all the meat he wants and play all he wants…all…and I'm just…a good for noth…"
Atlas hugged her awkwardly, "Don't do that to yourself. Your mother was wrong about you."