The next day, I stayed at home.

  Elayne, Paige, and Zaion had not returned, which had me worried but there wasn’t anything I could do. I only had a vague idea of the direction they went, and while there were a few adventurer camps near the edge of whatever kept the majority of the bugs out of the settled areas, it was anyone’s guess which one. And after the last run in with adventurers on the road, I was still wary about stumbling into a group of them that I didn’t know.

  Since I was mostly waiting on Deacon now, I spent the morning with the usual exercise routine. I’d also asked Deacon about the Exalted traits I still hadn’t chosen between. He didn’t know anything, but when I asked for his input his suggestion took me a little by surprise.

  “Why Personal Armory?” I asked, wanting to hear his reasoning.

  He shrugged, “Since I lost my arm, getting dressed has been a pain. It’d be nice to just… will my stuff on, if it works with clothes. Even if it doesn’t, I’ve seen how long it takes and how many people are needed to put on any armor worth the name.”

  “That…” I tried to find an argument for the logic, but couldn’t. I wasn’t planning to use anything too complex, but if it could work with clothing… “I’m not saying no. But I want to ask Grimoire, Calmar, and Porter for their opinion.”

  He’d agreed before heading out on the town for the day. I wanted to know more about the dead body that had been found and gave him a couple hundred crystals in case people were difficult. Rather than argue, he asked for more just in case, which I gave him. I was fortunate enough to have the funds to spend on something like this, even if I was still having trouble with the average costs of things. Books on economics could only do so much for local markets.

  With Deacon gone, and nothing else to do, I decided to bother Cal. After cleaning up a bit, I went looking for him and, for once, didn’t find him in the study he’d turned into his office. Instead, he was in the sitting room on the first floor that over looked the rose garden that Zaion was now tending to in his spare time. With him were two other people, both richly dressed, who were both wearing pleasant expressions as Calmar talked. I only caught the tail end of the story.

  “...then the idiot tried to argue with me that the paperwork was wrong, when I’d verified it three times with him that the contract said fifty crystal per gram instead of the usual fifty per kilogram. He even tried to get a lawyer to fix it after the fact, but by then the orders had already been placed and filled. Faster than usual, but the merchant council in Morn had been looking to bring him to heel for a while.” He was smiling, and it made him look younger and less like the weight of the world was bearing down on him.

  I knocked on the doorframe, looking between the rooms occupants, “Mind if I join you?”

  Cal waved me inside, his smile shifting slightly. More guarded, from what I could tell. I decided to try and put him at ease and sat on the same couch as him. It did seem to cause him to relax a little as he motioned towards the two. “Danielle, you do not remember them, but these are our neighbors. Sir Ethan Tulio and Lady Vanessa Palen.” I smiled and nodded to them both as I took them in.

  Ethan was a broad and large human man, wearing a button up pale yellow shirt with black slacks. I noticed his knuckles were rough, probably the result of numerous fights. There was also a weight to his presence that I couldn’t pin down, but wasn’t hostile.

  Vanessa was an elegant looking scaled woman with a humanoid face and no visible ears. Her eyes were strange, and I could see the irises shrinking and expanding as she looked me over. Her clothes were a practical, but well made, emerald green blouse that complimented her red scales and thick brown pants with numerous pockets. Oddly, I expected her to have claws, but if she did they were filed down and her hands looked mostly human.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” I said before rubbing at the back of my head, “Sorry if we’ve met before.”

  “No worries.” Vanessa said, smiling and revealing several sharp teeth. “Your brother here has mentioned there was an incident. He was sparse with details, but I do hope whoever caused such a thing is strung up by his genitals and left with a bucket of rats glued to his abdomen.”

  Everyone besides Vanessa went a little pale at the mental imagery. Ethan cleared his throat, “What, I suspect she’s trying to say is, we hope they are caught soon.”

  I smiled politely, but internally thought, What the fuuuuuck…. “I… appreciate the thought.”

  “I would perform the act myself, should you find him and are unable to think of a better punishment.” Vanessa added, clearly ignoring Ethan’s attempt to downplay the situation.

  “I will keep that in mind…” I said, turning to look at Calmar, who had put his hand over his face. I returned my gaze to the two, focusing on Ethan who seemed… safer. “What brings you two over?”

  “Just checking in. Calmar was away for long enough I grew concerned.” He said, smiling at the man. “And, I wanted to set up a time to talk actual business. The latest shipment of dungeon goods needs to be sorted and sold.”

  Vanessa nodded, “I am here for similar reasons. I would also like to speak to whoever your new gardener is. I can smell a rather delectable hypomyces that is usually rather frowned upon due to the pervasive nature of their spores.”

  The thought of a pervasive mushroom variant made me tense up, which Vanessa noticed and laughed a rough, hissing laugh. “Fear not, they only grow on other mushrooms. I wanted to know if he had any for sale, since my cook can never find the varieties typically toxic to humans.”

  “Are they not toxic to you?” I asked, curious.

  “They are not, but they do provide a rather fun bout of euphoria when prepared properly, which is why I want them.” She grinned, “It helps deal with some of the more tedious parties.”

  Ethan groaned, “Don’t remind me. Germaine is gearing up for a massive one.” He set his cup down and shook his head, “I’m planning an expedition to the Grave Woods for a relief force, so I will thankfully not be here.”

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  “And I am getting ready to visit the Caverns again. I am running a little low on petty cash, and selling some sand and mirror ore should give me enough to get through the year.” Vanessa added on. “I am still searching for a party for the trip, would you be interested, Danielle?”

  I actually considered it. My plan had been originally to hit the Flame Flower Fields, since I had familial connections to it. “I will think about it. I am just a Sneak for now, though.”

  “A sneak!” Vanessa leaned forward, “Now I simply must have you join me. If my guess is right, you’re about the go up a tier, yes?”

  Technically, I could probably go up a tier any time… I thought as I considered all the options that had opened up from finishing Outdoorsman. It was a lot of what I’d thought: Hunter, Woodsman, Herbalist, Archer, and Ranger. There were a few ones that were a bit weird as well, like: Shifter, Natural Predator, and Courier. I was really only interested in Courier, though I did wonder why it said it improve proficiency with Firearms and gave bonuses to the effects of chemistry based buff consumables.

  “Kind of?” I decided to say instead of explaining my situation. “My skills were all removed, so I want to improve those before deciding on what to upgrade.”

  “Ouch.” Ethan said. “Had a friend get hit with something similar. Lost all of his movement skills when he recovered from being run through by a Tuskthumper. Something about the trauma, according to the healers. Luckily it was only Sprinting and Hiking, which are easy enough to relearn.”

  “I’ve been happy enough with my progress so far, though I am still trying to figure out some easier ones to pick up that would be useful.” I shrugged. “I should probably ask Grimoire for a list or something.”

  Vanessa let out a soft hiss and I swear I heard Assessment trying to figure out how to classify the action. I settled on thoughtful after she started speaking. “If you do not already have them, I would recommend seeking Speed Reading, Sprinting, Climbing, and at least some variation on the detect skills. I enjoy the Scent Detection skill’s alerts, since most do not think to hide it.”

  I put down Climbing and detection in a note. “What about you, Ethan?”

  “Hm… Hiking, Sprinting, Wrestling, Cooking, and Small Knives are all good ideas. Cooking gets some support from Small Knives.” He responded.

  “Why Wrestling?” Calmar asked before I could.

  Ethan wiggled his eyebrows up and down at Calmar, “It helps some… other skills.” His grin was lewd. Considering it, it made sense. I put his recommendations down, though Wrestling just because I thought it’d work with Unarmed Combat.

  Calmar was flushed red when I turned to look at him, “What about you?”

  He didn’t seem to hear me, so I asked again. He shook his head and blinked, “Wha-?” Then he looked at me and flushed again. “What was the question?”

  “What do you think I should grab for skills?” I asked.

  “Oh.” He said. Clearing his throat, he started, “Speed Reading, Mathematics, Bartering, and some kind of weapon skill. You’ve got that covered, though.”

  “Really?” Ethan asked, looking me up and down. I was wearing a blue shirt and brown pants today. “You never struck me as someone interested in weaponry before, but now…”

  Vanessa hissed a laugh, “You are most fierce now. I can smell the strength coming off of you in waves.”

  “What’s it smell like?” I asked, curious. I’d never thought of someone’s strength having a smell.

  “Sharp and spicy. You smell like someone who doesn’t have enemies because you slay the ones you make, rather than let them fester. Like a field of targetted rage, frosted over by a thin sheet of reason.” She gave an esoteric description, but I could imagine it within my mind. It hit a little too near the target for my comfort.

  Calmar was looking at me with surprise and a little bit of apprehension. “You’re still talking with Toren, right?”

  “Not this past week. He’s being forced to politic because people recognized him at the Duke’s party.” I sighed in exasperation, “And having to wait for Deacon’s arm to finish recovering is annoying me. I bought a new spell to try out too.”

  “You’re a spellcaster as well? You’ve gained a great deal for such a tragedy. Maybe I would downgrade his punishment to simply iincineration.” Vanessa hiss thoughtfully.

  Cal and I both shuddered.

  “Perhaps we should go back to Germaine’s party?” Ethan suggested with the subtly of a large beast. “I suspect people will begin showing up soon enough from other cities.”

  Calmar sighed, “And we’ll have to make an appearance since father is still busy with the dungeon.”

  “I take it you weren’t referring to you and Porter with that we.” I said, resigned to my fate. I didn’t want to interact with that crowd again, but I could think of worse ways to spend a night. And there was a good chance of decent alcohol.

  He smiled, “Sorry, but missing another party will make us both look bad. Like we don’t respect them. So, even if we don’t, we have to at least show up, mingle, and then we can leave.”

  “I kind of want to see if you’ll slep someone else.” Ethan said with amusement.

  “He kissed me!” I objected.

  “What?!” Calmar shouted.

  I furrowed my brow as I remember. With a brief shudder, I said, “I handled it.” This also reminded me I still hadn’t heard back from Elias. I’d have to look into it later.

  “That’s hilarious.” Vanessa hissed out with amusement, “I wish I’d seen it.”

  We made a bit more small talk, but eventually Ethan and Vanessa said their goodbyes before leaving. Finally alone, I asked Calmar his opinion on the traits. I read them off to him.

  Exalted Trait Options

  Prime Example

  Increases the effective limit of stats from 30 to 45.

  Personal Armory

  You are now able to store equipment in it’s own private space. With an effort of will, summon anything from this private space already equipped and ready to use. Who needs a squire?

  Second Chance II

  We should really stop meeting like this. Not only have you died and come back once, but you’ve turned this into a recurring theme. You may now resurrect once per week at the greater cost of 1 Class level or the total amount of banked experience available. Seriously, stop. It’s not healthy.

  He took a minute to consider it, asking some questions about what having 30 in each stats actually felt. I could easily lift up to three times my body weight and was incredibly flexible. I even showed off a bit of Juggling I’d started practicing.

  “So, Physical is probably into the high 100’s.” He nodded, “Makes sense. What did Deacon suggest?”

  “Personal Armory. Says it’s more practical.” I did kind of agree with him.

  “Certainly. Upgrading Second Chance would make me feel better, but I agree with Deacon. Have you asked Grimoire?” He asked.

  I shook my head, “He’s next.”

  “Bet you he’ll say the same thing.” Calmar grinned.

  “Nope.” I said, shaking my head again. “I’m almost certain he will.”

  We both got up and went our separate ways. He went towards his office, and I went in search of Grimoire. His opinion was more valuable in my eyes than either Deacon or Calmar’s. Maybe Porter, but he wasn’t here for some reason.

  When I found him, I asked him. He agreed with them.