The Wandering Inn

Book 4: Chapter 17

Ryoka stood in the darkness, heart pounding. She was afraid. Mortally afraid. There were things she feared in the world, and she was about to face one of them.

She had met Dragons, [Necromancers], Goblin Lords, and yes, each one was terrifying in a way that left scars on the soul. If she closed her eyes, she could still taste the fear. Such memories werent nightmarish, though. Nightmares were generally figments of the dreaming mind, and as such, couldnt come close to the experience of seeing a Dragon face to face.

Part of the fear was wonder. And when Ryoka sat up at night, heart pounding, seeing the Goblins slaughtering the Stone Spears tribe, feeling her fingers bitten off

That was a horror, one that did not disappear for waking. Because a nightmare was only suspicion, paranoia, unfulfilled fear. Goblins existed. The Goblin Lord was coming. So was the [Necromancer], and Ryoka didnt know what to do.

All these traumasRyoka hadnt even included dead things around a fire, or evil carnivorous goats. With so much to be afraid of in this world, it seemed silly to have this fear.

And yet, it stemmed from a different place than the ordeals she had gone through. This one was personal, intimate, and it came from a time when Ryoka had been in her world. She just couldnt face it without shuddering inside.

She hated visiting friends. Or to be more accurate, she thought she did. Shed never actually done it.

Until now.

Ryoka hesitated outside of the door of the large farmhouse. By her side, Mrsha fidgeted in the snow. She looked plaintively up at Ryoka as her stomach rumbled.

It was dark. That didnt necessarily mean that late; winter being what it was, the sun had gone down before it was time for dinner. And that was why Ryoka was here.

Dinner at Garias. Shed asked, and Garia had been only too happy to talk to her parents. And of course, Fals had agreed to come and Ryoka had known it was the only good thing to do as a friend. Still

It was going to be awkward. Ryoka dreaded that. She didnt know what to do, what to say, how to act, and she had a horrible fear of silence at the dinner table. At other peoples dinner tables, that was. Her naturally antagonistic relationship with her parents had made her accustomed to it at her house, on the rare occasions they all ate together.

But there was no help for it. Ryoka had taken Mrsha from Erins inn after Safry and Maran had been fired. Shed gone to Celum and run with the Gnoll carried on her back. There was actually a kind of basket the Gnolls used that could be used to carry their young. It wasnt exactly easy to run with, but Ryoka had crossed through snow and run down empty roads until she reached a farm a few miles west of Celum.

That had surprised her, learning that Garia lived so close by. But shed never talked to the girl about her family, aside from the basics. Garia lived on a farm. Her parents ran said farm. That was all Ryoka needed to know.

And the farm did seem like a properfarm. It was hard to see in the darkness, but Ryoka had spotted a structure very similar to a barn coming in. It seemed quite large to be run by just two people. Maybe they hired help? Anyways, it didnt fit with what Ryoka had expected. She wasnt sure what shed expected.

And now were here. I should have asked more questions. Like do I bring a gift? Im pretty sure a hungry Gnoll isnt a normal hostess gift.

Ryoka muttered to herself. By her side, Mrsha looked up imploringly. Ryoka had been standing outside in the snow for a minute, which in Mrsha time was probably a year. The Gnoll was clearly hungryshe could probably smell the food inside. She edged over to Ryoka and poked her leg with a claw, looking meaningfully at the door.

In a second, Mrsha.

She just had to steel herself. Okay, say hi, thanks for having me. Or did she introduce herself first? Ryoka hesitated. Maybe she should

Just go in, you daft coward!

Someone shouted in her ear. Then Ivolethe kicked Ryoka in the back of the head.

Ow.

Ryoka swatted at the Frost Faerie. Ivolethe flew around her and glared at Ryoka.

Stop dithering. I grow bored with every passing moment ye stay out here, and my kind watches trees grow for sport.

The Frost Faerie stared meaningfully at Ryoka. Shed come with Ryoka on the journey, amusing Mrsha to no end by tormenting Ryoka with flurries of snow, snowballs, snow pitfalls, and other winter-related pranks. Ryoka opened her mouth to snap back, felt another poke, and gave in after a short fight.

Okay, okay. Stop kicking mestop poking me, Mrsha. I know its you. Dont look around. Theres no one else here! Im doing it.

Steeling herself, she raised her hand and knocked loudly at the door. Ryoka had heard muffled sounds from within, and there were lights burning behind the shuttered windows. Now, at her knock, she heard a loud exclamation from within and heavy, running footsteps.

Ryoka!

The door burst open. Mrsha nearly went flying as Garia flung the door wide and then engulfed Ryoka in a bone-crushing hug.

Gah! Garia!

Its so great youre here! Oh! And Mrsha! I didnt see you there! Hello! Remember me?

She let go of Ryoka, allowing the taller girl to breathe, and bent to shake paws with Mrsha. The Gnoll blinked up at Garia solemnly, and then licked her lips as Garia held the door open.

Come in! My familys here and Fals came an hour ago. Hes really funnybut you knew that! Theres food ready and snacksoh. Is uh, she coming?

Garia had caught sight of Ivolethe. Like all people from this world, she stared a bit to the left of the faerie, looking at Ivolethes glamour. She looked apprehensive, no doubt remembering the events at the Runners Guild.

Crap. I uh

Ryoka hesitated. She wanted to let Ivolethe come in, but she was well aware of the chaos the Frost Faerie could cause by herself. And it was dangerous for Ivolethe to be indoors as well, even invited. The iron in Garias home would be a problem.

For once, Ivolethe solved the problem by herself. She spoke loudly, making Garia jump. Apparently she could speak to whomever she pleased if the need arose, although she seldom bothered.

I shall take my leave, Ryoka Griffin. I have things to see, and I dont wish to listen to your mortal prattling all night.

Oh. Uh. Sorry.

Garia stared at Ivolethe, white-faced. Ivolethe grinned at Ryoka and flicked her eyes inside calculatingly.

However, if ye would leave food for me outside, I might consider blessing this place. A proper meal, though. Without iron, mind! And with lots of meat!

Ill uh, Ill do that.

Wide-eyed, Garia watched as Ivolethe flew upwards and then disappeared rapidly into the sky. She looked at Ryoka. Ryoka shrugged.

You heard her. Put something out after dinner. Lots of meat. Ill bet her blessings are worth spit, but its better than having her annoyed. Dont worry either way, though. Shes pretty harmless.

Garia nodded uncertainly as Mrsha lost patience and padded into the house ahead of the two. Ryoka was about to follow when a snowball spiraled down from above. It hit the back of her head and nearly knocked her flat.

Of course Ryoka had grown used to snowballs thrown by faeries before. Shed been hit by ones with rocks inside them, bits of ice, and so on. But this one had come down at an extreme speed and angle. It had a ton of force behind it. In short, it hurt. Ryoka stumbled, turned and raised her middle finger to the sky.

Fuck you!

A distant laugh answered her. That was coincidentally also when Fals and Garias parents came out to meet Ryoka. Their first impression of her was thus an angry Asian girl flipping off the sky, hair covered with snow. As first impressions wentwell, Ryoka had had worse.

-

So youre friends with the Winter Sprites, Miss, ah, Ryoka?

A few minutes later Ryoka was sitting around a table with Mrsha, Garia, Fals, and Mr. and Ms. Strongheart. Of course, no one spoke like that, so they were Wailant and Viceria, the married couple whod raised Garia.

Theywerent what Ryoka had expected. For one thing, well, they didnt look the part. Not that Ryoka had expected a pair of Southern-accented people with hats and overalls, but she had considered the standards of farming in this world fairly below hers. Shed been prepared to meet a fairly poor couple, living in a village and farming a patch of land that might be owned by a [Lord] or other kind of landowner.

Instead, she met the oddest pair imaginable. The father, Wailant, had huge, tattooed and scarred arms revealed by his sleeveless cotton shirt. It had taken Ryoka several minutes just to process the incongruity of his appearance. She managed to break down the weirdness into several layers.

Firstly, his arms were muscled. Not surprising on a [Farmer], and Garia was certainly strong as all get-out from her years working. But the tattoos? One was of a twisting tentacle holding a ship, the other of some kind of horrific fish with a gaping maw. The other, well, Ryoka was just glad that Mrsha was more interested in her food than in Wailant.

And his shirt! That was another weird part of him. Because despite wearing a sleeveless shirt, it was far from a poor quality cloth. The shirt itself was a light blue gilded with gold. It had a flowing edge around the bottom and sides reminiscent of a golden wave.

And the scars. Unless farming in this world involved fighting mutant rabbits with teeth like swords, Wailant had gotten the savage scars that covered his arms somewhere else. He had a particularly nasty circular woundfrom an arrow, perhapson the side of his stubbled face.

In short, he looked as little like a [Farmer] as Ryoka could imagine. And his wife, Viceria?

She was a [Mage]. She wore the robe, spoke like Pisces when he wasnt being obnoxiously wordy, and Ryoka could sense the magic about her. She had long, flowing hair tied back in a braidlight brown, contrasting against Wailants black hair. She was slim, elegant.

Ryoka sat at a dinner table with the two of Garias parents as she ate, filling her plates with roast yams, a hot egg-and-pork casserole, spooned potatoes and some kind of weird, soft and sour vegetable called Tashal onto her plate, and tried to make conversation.

Uh, yes. Thats right. Her names Ivolethe. Shes aha friend.

Oh? I wasnt aware they had names. Garia told me about seeing your friends true form. I had no idea they were using a glamour at the time, but that would explain their other abilities. How did you meet her?

Viceria tapped her fingers together as she studied Ryoka over her plate. She was using silversilverware. In fact, the plates were costly ceramics. Ryoka carefully chewed down a bite of Tashalit really was good with potatoes, like sour creambefore replying.

I ah, attracted their notice. Those little bthose pests followed me for days, pulling pranks on me, throwing snow at my head, and so on. In the end I managed to impress them a bit, and Ivolethe seemed to like me.

So you have one of those devils following you?

Sitting next to Fals and his wife, Wailant snorted. He folded his arms as Mrsha tried to fill her mouth with food. The Gnoll was happily consuming everything she could reach, and her plate kept being filled by Wailant, who seemed to enjoy watching Mrsha eat. She and Garia were the only things he seemed to approve ofFals and Ryoka were getting the third degree.

Those pests can wreck a farm in a day. I remember one of the farmers south of here lost an entire spring harvest when they covered his fields with eight feet of snow! He had to hire [Diggers] to shift it while all the other snow had long melted away!

Ryoka coughed awkwardly and saw Garia wince. Her friend was sitting on her right, next to Fals, and she looked guilty as her father stared hard at Ryoka.

I uh, didnt know about that. Im sorry for your friend

My friend? I hated that bastard. Im glad the faeries covered his fields. Served him right. But your friends not going to do it to my farm now, is she?

No. Absolutely not. Ivolethe doesnt generally cause troubleshe just pulls pranks.

But she can do quite a lot on her own, cant she? Garia told us about what happened to the Runners Guild in Celum.

Viceria gazed at Ryoka, making the Runner girl cough. She was saved by Fals, who interrupted with a placating smile.

Im sorry to say the Runners Guildand most of the people withinprobably deserved it in that case, Miss Viceria. I havent seen Ryokas little friend doing anything else like that. In fact, Id consider someone whos familiar with snow and such an asset.

Oh. So thats why Miss Ryokas had all those lucrative contracts? I wanted to know how she got deliveries for goldhundreds of gold coins or so Garias saidwhile shes still running deliveries for silver and copper. Is it all because of your Frost Faerie friend?

Garia sat up in her seat, flushing scarlet and glaring at her father.

Dad. I dont think Ryoka isdont embarrass me!

Wailant Strongheart was unmoved. He was giving Ryoka a look she wished she could bottle and use on everyone she didnt like. Coming from him, it was, well, hard not to flinch. Ryoka met Wailants green eyes, not backing down.

I got those contracts because I was in the right place at the right time. I didnt take them from anyone.

So you say.

Wailant shifted, uncrossing one arm. Ryoka could see every muscle in his right arm shift for the motion. Sitting across from her, Fals leaned back as one of Wailants arms flexed, making the fish tattoo seem to swim. He grinned a bit desperately and nodded at Ryoka.

Were ah, all City Runners here, Mister Wailant, Miss Viceria. No one takes advantage of each other if we can help it. Were a team. Ryoka just happens to be one of the best Runners in our Guild. In truth, I wouldnt take half the requests she does. Running through the High Passes? Id rather play tag with a Creler, or paint myself red and run through the streets of Celum naked.

That got a laugh. Garia giggled and Wailant barked out a guffaw and slapped Fals on the back. Ryoka winced as she heard the crack of flesh on flesh. Fals kept grinning, although it looked like he was now struggling not to cry out in pain.

He was being charming, funny, and talkative. At first Ryoka had assumed it was the usual Fals, but shed quickly realized that this was a defense tactic. Keeping Garias parents entertained was far more preferable to having them ask piercing questions. Ryoka wondered how hed survived an hour already.

To change the subject, Ryoka cast about the table. Hostile parents aside, Garias house was really very nice. Extraordinarily nice. Again, Ryoka had expected a family that conformed to medieval economics, which was to say, dirt poor. But everything in the Strongheart family home looked well-made and some things looked expensive. They had a bookshelf filled with books for crying out loud! Ryoka chose that as the subject and nodded at it.

I see you have quite a collection of books. I uh, didnt know that [Farmers] were so well read. Ive tried buying books myself, but theyre as expensive as healing potions, some of them. How did you come by this collection?

Were humble folk, Miss Ryoka. That doesnt mean were stupid. Or poor, for that matter.

How did she manage to put her foot further into her mouth? Ryoka saw Garia burying her head in her hands as Wailant pushed back his chair. There was nothing poor or humble about the way he brought out several of the books for Ryoka and Fals to admire. She stared at the covers, noting several from her time perusing Magnolias library.

Its a magnificent collection.

Of course it is! Ive read them all. Viceria here knows several [Shopkeepers] and [Merchants] who sell to [Lords] and [Ladies]. Of course, a poor family of [Farmers] cant afford more than one or two first-edition tomes. Read all of these, have you?

Not all of them.

Ryoka found herself being quizzed aggressively on the books she had read as the dinner continued. All the while, she saw Garia grow more and more anxious. She kept breaking into her fathers flow, trying to change the subject.

So uh, does anyone want dessert? Mrsha? Why dont I uh, get it? And you, Dad.

She practically dragged her father out of his chair and into the kitchen. Mrsha followed, waddling a bit with her full belly and standing upright so the food wouldnt come out if she fell over. Fals took that moment to flee for the outhouse, leaving Ryoka in a moments reprieve.

Well, Viceria was still there. Ryoka eyed her across the table and saw the woman smile.

I apologize for my husband, Miss Ryoka.

Its uh, fine. Call me Ryoka. Why do I get the feeling that he doesnt like me?

Viceria laughed softly. She looked like she was ten years younger than she was, which was, according to Garia, in her thirties. Ryoka was having a hard time imagining her giving birth to Garia. Oh, the features were there, the hair color was the same, but the body shapeno.

I think that its because you look a lot like the girls that used to give Garia a hard time when she was growing up. You have their look, and I think Wailants concerned you might be taking advantage of Garia. I wont pretend I didnt have the same thoughts when I met young Fals, but he seems decent enough.

That clarified some things. Ryoka sat back in her chair, hearing Garias not-so-quiet argument with her father about much the same subject in the kitchen.

Oh? What do I look like?

Viceria shrugged, looking slightly bitter.

Tall, beautiful, thin. Its not as if Garia doesnt look lovely herself, but she thinks she should look more like me, when she inherited her fathers build. And of course, her first class was [Farmer], not [Mage]

Wait, her class?

Ryoka frowned. Viceria looked surprised.

Of course. Dont you know? Some classes dictate the way in which we, well, look. I am a [Mage], for instance. Working with magic means I tend to look younger than I really amof course, there are spells that help as well. But [Mages] tend towards thinness. We burn too much energy for most of us to gain weight. Whereas classes like [Farmer], well, anyone who grows up with that class tends to grow a lot larger than say, someone who was raised as a [Clerk].

Was that really true? Ryoka frowned as she tried to unpack this. The way you looked could tie to your class? She could buy the bit about [Mages] burning energy, but surely broad shoulders were in Garias genes, not a byproduct of her class. Then again, this was a world governed by Skills. Why couldnt there be a passive effect that did just that?

I didnt know about classes like that. But Garia and I are, well, friends. She made my acquaintance and weve hung out. I wouldnt ever take advantage of her. Shes a good person.

We know. But while she doesnt say it, weve heard her talking about people less kind than you two are. Weve met some of them before, as well.

Viceria shook her head, looking troubled.

Some girls seem to think theyre better than Garia just because they weigh less, or they can run faster. Apparently, Garia isnt well thought of in the Runners Guild.

The same in every world. Ryoka gritted her teeth. She took a breath, and then looked Viceria in the eye, speaking clearly.

I think Garias worth twice as much as other City Runners. Shes had my back in two fights so far, and both times she didnt hesitate to help me, even when we were fighting a group of adventurers.

The woman blinked at her.

Garia? In a fight?

What?

There was an exclamation from the kitchen. Ryoka turned her head and saw Wailant, holding a pot full of custard. Behind him, Garia buried her face in her hands.

Wailant put the pot on the table and turned to face Ryoka. He wasnt frowning, although he did loom a bit.

Are you telling me my girl was in a fight?

Ryoka leaned back a bit. This was going south. She wondered if she could jump out a window with Mrsha if it came to it.

Yes, Mister Wailant. It was my fault. She was defending me after some idiots picked a fight and

Howd she do?

Wailant stared at Ryoka. She froze. He stared at her expectantly, as did Viceria.

Did she knock anyone down? How many folks were in it? Did she kick anyone in the balls? I told her, thats the way to start and end a fight in a hurry.

Dad!

Ryoka stared at Wailant. She felt like she was running on the wrong trackshed felt that way the instant shed met Garias parents. But for the first time, she felt like she could see the right way to talk to him. So she sat up in her chair, smiled a bit, and nodded at Garia, who was red as an apple.

One punch, Mister Wailant. She took out a Bronze-rank adventurer with one hit. She probably would have done the same to his friends, but the Watch broke things up before we could get to it.

The fight at the inn with the adventurers that Persua had brought came out over dessert. Ryoka sat at the table, eating lightly spiced custard while Mrsha licked two bowls clean and then lapsed into a food coma. Fals came back, and Garia covered her burning face as her two parents heard both times when Garia had stepped up in a physical way to defend Ryoka.

The mood in the room had changed. Wailant was nodding with fierce, fatherly pride and Viceria was smiling as they heard how Garia had knocked out her opponents with one hit on both occasions.

Thats my girl. One solid punch is all you need. Once the other fellows on the floor, a few good kicks and theyre out for good.

He jabbed out with a fast punch to demonstrate, nearly clipping Fals. Ryoka grinned at him as Viceria filled her bowl with some more custard.

Youre pretty proud of Garia for fighting. I would have thought youd be worried.

Worried? Hah! Our daughters got [Enhanced Strength]! At her age, no less! She could knock out an ox with her fists if she wanted to.

Dad! Stop! Come on!

I dont doubt she could. But Garias no fighter. Shes a [Runner].

Wailant ignored his daughter as she tried to kick him underneath the table.

Yes, but shes my daughter, and that means shes got a warriors blood in her veins. Shes more than a match for a green-ass adventurer who doesnt know the handle of his sword from the blade.

Ryoka eyed Wailant, askance.

I thought you were a [Farmer].

He grinned at her, suddenly chummy.

I am. But I used to fight for a living.

Really now?

Oh yes. I was a [Sailor]. Havent you seen the tattoos? I used to sail across the world, to all five continents!

He flexed one bicep to show Ryoka the image of the tentacle grabbing the ship. Shed hardly missed it, but all the pieces suddenly fell into place. Well, some of them at least.

Fals blinked at Wailant.

You were a [Sailor]? Howd you end up here?

Wailant opened his mouth, but his wife cut in.

My husbands not a sailor, Fals. Im sorry to say thats the little lie he likes to tell. He did sail, but he was hardly an honest man.

Yeah, Dad. Tell the truth!

Garia glared at Wailant, who protested.

I was a [Sailor]!

Two pairs of female eyes stared at him. He sighed.

No? Fine. I was a [Pirate]. Happy?

Both Ryoka and Fals mouths dropped open. Mrsha rolled over in her seat, oblivious, but suddenly Wailant the [Farmer] became someone else. He sat back in his chair, the custard forgotten and started telling the two Runners about his past.

Oh yes, I was a [Pirate]. What, you think I got these scars from pulling up potatoes? Well, this one I got from killing a Creler. Nasty bastardsas bad as anything at sea, thats the truth! But I took my first step on the deck. My family was from Balerosyes, they were [Pirates] too. Its in the blood, not that I knew them. My father died at sea before I was born and my mother died in a battle when I was five. I had two brothers and a sistercant tell you where they are. But I learned to fight and got my share of the plunder as soon as I could use a sword.

The world was a funny place. Ryoka knew you could meet all kinds of people in her world, people who lived in quiet places who had all kinds of amazing stories to tell. But this? Wailant had been a [Pirate]. Hed sailed under a ruthless [Pirate Captain], taken down enemy ships, fought in the worst storms against monsters, even battled with a group of Gold-rank adventurers whod been after his ship!

Hed been a Level 27 [Pirate] when he quit sailing for good and found an honest ship headed for Izril. Not because hed lost his ship or run into any bad luck eitherhed retired as wealthy as any Gold-rank adventurer. But he hadnt stayed at sea like the rest of his crew.

I got sick of rocking ships, the damp, salt in my hair and thousands of glowing eyes watching me from the waters on bad nights. Out there in the depths of the seaI could have become a [Storm Sailor], or a [Captain] of my own ship had I wanted to. But I chose land instead. Do I have regrets? Perhaps. I could have had a ship of my own, but you see, I knew in my heart that I was making the right choice

Both Garia and her mother rolled their eyes as Wailant went on. Theyd heard this story a thousand times, probably inflated no end over the years. But Ryoka and Fals were entranced. Fals broke in as Wailant waxed poetical about nights spent on deck, staring up at the stars.

Howd you end up around here though, so far from the sea?

The man grimaced.

Practicality. The vast amount of my fortune went to clearing the bounty on my head. What I had left I used to buy a farm, and then to pay for food and supplies for the first few years before I leveled up enough to make a living with my own hands. I bought it far inland because I was sick of seeing waterand because I had more than a few enemies who would like to see me dead. I thought a farm would be nice and relaxingand it was, after I learned how to manage it!

The first few years had not been kind to Wailant, but hed persevered, not shying from the work.

Plus, I had my advantages. I couldnt figure out how to make the damn oxen plough a straight line for months, but I didnt have to stick together in a village, afraid of monsters at night. If a band of Goblins came roaming around, or a Creler tried to dig a nest in my lands, Id kill it with this!

He had a cutlass, shimmering with an enchantment that he apparently kept with him while farming at all times. Hed looted it as his share of treasure long ago, and it had saved his life more than once on the farm.

Its also how I met Viceria. She was a Wistram graduate, trying to study the Blood Fields when she ran into a group of Carn Wolves. I found her escort dead and killed two of the damn things before the pack ran off. She and I got to talking, and well, nights are cold on a farm.

Ew! Dad!

Garia shoved her father, sending him tumbling across the room. He cursed like a sailoror pirateas he got to his feet, and Ryoka sat back in her chair. That explaineda lot.

Thats incredible. And youMiss Viceria

Just call me Viceria. Thats right. I stayed. Im an expert at magic involving plants. Im no [Geomancer], but rather a [Green Mage]. Thats different from a [Druid], by the way. Im a respectable level in that, but I found being a [Farmer] far easier than competing at Wistram. Theres not much respect for disciplines involving growing, or there wasnt when I lived there.

And so, the incredible farming duo had been born. Neither Wailant nor Viceria were specialists in the [Farmer] class like the Level 30 [Farmers] who could supply an entire city with produce, but they had their own skillsets that helped a great deal.

Most farms, well, they need two dozen farmhands just to harvest and guards and so on. Even a high-level [Farmer] has to be wary of bandits and monsters. I dont have that issue, and my wife has the spells to grow crops faster than normal, as good as a Skill! Between the two of us, we supply a good deal of produce for Celum. Enough to live comfortably on and I can always hire a few brats to take in the harvest when it comes time for it. Besides, the farming lifes fairly quiet, and I enjoy not fighting for my life every other day.

Wailant and Viceria smiled as they looked at each other. Garia looked away, blushing, but Ryoka felt a bit envious. Wailant had seen the krakenliterally, apparentlyand walked away. Hed found a way to live that was satisfying and hed found someone to share it with.

She took a sip of mulled wine. By this point, everyone was sitting around a dim fire. Mrsha was curled up next to it, snoring, and Garia was yawning. As Fals and Ryoka chatted to her parents, Garia grew sleepier, until she had to excuse herself for the night.

I might have to do the same.

Fals admitted after a jaw-cracking yawn. He stood up as Viceria offered to show him to the room theyd prepared for him. She, Garia, and Fals left as Wailant sat by Ryoka, staring at the fire. Viceria came back alone, and that left Ryoka with the two older Stronghearts.

She didnt mind. It was odd, but in the course of an evening, Wailant and Viceria had turned from intimidating, antagonistic parents into, well, people. Ryoka even found herself liking Wailants style of dressing. Apparently he couldnt live with sleeves after having bared arms all his life.

Its an incredible place you have here, Wailant, Viceria. Im glad Garias got such great parents.

Hah. Great parents would be able to help their daughter. But shes a [Runner] and weve no idea if shes safe or in danger half the time. Its only when she comes back that we know shes safe, and she does that too seldom.

Wailant sat with a stiff drink in his hand. Hed already downed six, having an incredibly high tolerance for alcohol, but he was in the depressed stage. Viceria sat with wine by the fire, glancing between it and at Ryoka.

She says shes been doing well. But Ive heard her stories and I hear you have something to do with helping her out.

Just a few things here and there. Nothing much.

Ryoka shook her head. Wailant stared at her, tapping his fingers.

Thats not what she says. She came back with potions at her belt a few weeks ago. That was thanks to you. We offered her coin for it before, but shes too proud

She wont let us buy her magical artifacts, or buy her things ourselves.

That surprised Ryoka. She would have thought Garia would have taken any chance to get ahead, but her parents shook their heads when asked.

My daughters as stubborn as I am. She wanted to fit in, not get ahead. I told her the best Runners have all the advantages they can get, but she thought it would make her too different, that it was cheating. I told her, on the sea you cheat if you can do it! Put a hole in the enemys hull, climb onto their decks and stab them while theyre sleeping! But Garias not like me.

Shes not a warrior, you mean?

Wailant shook his head, looking unhappy.

Id have liked her to be. It neednt be her class, but it would set my mind at ease if she could defend herself. Only, shes got no talent with a sword.

Or magic.

Viceria nodded as she traced around the rim of her cup.

She cant use a spear

Or bow

And I wouldnt bet a Drowned Mans eye against her hitting anything but a tree with a hatchet. Our daughters strong and tough, but shes too clumsy to be a warrior, if she had the temperament for that class to begin with. Which she doesnt.

Wailant downed his cup, tossed it aside. Viceria gave him an accusing look which he ignored. He stared at Ryoka.

You say she punched out a man in armor? Thats good. But fists arent enough against swords or arrows, let alone magic. A brawls one thing, but [Bandits]? How can I rest easy knowing she might be jumped by them? Seas wrath, she has been attacked before. Someday Ill get a letter from the Runners Guild, and then

He trailed off, looking tired and worried. In that moment, he looked like every parent Ryoka had ever known. Like her parents. She felt something squeeze at her heart.

Garias brave. She has people looking out for her. Fals, for instance, and I try when Im in the area. If fightings the problem, maybe she can carry artifacts?

Maybe. But an artifacts only good if you can use it. A Skill lasts, and theres the instinct of a warrior as well. I could be sure of myself if I was jumped, but if someone took her by surprisesalt and shores, Im not half as strong as I would be on a ship, but I wish I could give that to Garia. Some way to dodge arrows. Or a ring! But that costs coin and the farm doesnt earn enough for us to buy an artifact that expensive

Ryoka stared at the fire. A girl who couldnt fight and two parents who worried about her. It was a story for this world. In any other world, Garia could live while relying on law enforcement, but here the law ended at the gates, and sometimes didnt even work within a city. What could you give someone who couldnt use a sword? Without the ability to use magic?

The Runner girl stared at Wailants arm, and then at her hand. She made a fist, and stared at it.

Oh.

Both Wailant and Viceria looked at Ryoka. She blinked at her hand. It felt like forever since shedshe stood up and threw a punch.

Nice one.

Wailant watched Ryoka as she punched and then threw a hook. She stood differently, moved differently than Wailant as she did. Hed punched like a boxer, but Ryoka kept her hands higher, at head-level, and further apart, bouncing on her feet. She was moving according to a style, and Wailant, used to fighting, saw it.

Are you a [Fistfighter], or some kind of [Brawler]?

Not quite. I learned how to fight back home. Only, its not a Skill I learned, but a style. A way of fighting.

Ryoka jumped and kicked. Viceria made a sound. Wailant stared.

Ive seen idiots do that when fighting. Jumping around before they get cut to ribbons. But that looked like it could have done damage.

Not to a monster. Not with my strength.

Ryoka shook her head, remembering trying to fight a Carn Wolf. She punched and kicked, dodging back from an imaginary foe. Her muscles protested a bit. How long had it been since Ryoka had practiced?

So why learn how to fight like that?

It helps. Against humans, people with knives. I could defend myself. But Im not strong enough. If I throw a punch, it wont knock down a Carn Wolf. Or a Minotaur.

She paused, felt a pang and hung her head. Calruz. Wailant nodded.

Minotaurs cant be beat with bare hands. Ive seen their black ships too many times. Theyre deadly at sea and on land. No sane [Pirate] goes near their islands. But learning to fight like thattheres some grace to it. Better than I do in a fight at a bar.

Yeah. Only it wont save me from a monster attack. Thats what my legs are for.

Ryoka turned to Wailant and Viceria. She tapped her arm.

Im not strong enough, like I said. If I punch with mystyle, I can be sure Ill hit someone. However, even with a good punch it wont do enough. Not from me. But if someone else punched like that, someone who could knock an ox out with a punch

The former [Pirate] and [Green Mage] stared at Ryoka. Wailant sat up. Viceria smiled.

You think Garia could learn to fight with her fists? Shes never learnt any other way of fighting. She doesnt have the knack for it.

Yeah, well, martial arts isnt just about talent. Its something everyone can learn. It just takes practice.

Martial arts. Is that what its called?

Ryoka shook her head, smiling.

No. This is called Muay Thai Kickboxing. And this

She took a different stance, threw a different punch.

is called Karate. It might be better for Garia. I dont know. I thought about teaching some techniques when I saw her in that fight at the inn. I never got around to it. But if youre worried, I could give her some lessons. She could practice herself if she takes to it.

She looked at Wailant and Viceria. It was just a thought, something to reassure them. The two parents looked at each other, speaking without words and then Wailant stood up. He cracked his neck, and then beckoned at Ryoka.

Try me, then. Go ahead. Ive a few drinks, but if you can knock me downyou dont have a class, do you?

She grinned at him.

Not a one.

Garia said that. I couldnt believe someone would be that stupid.

Really? Then let me show you

Ryoka twisted, kicked. Wailant dodged back. He laughed, surprised, as Ryoka hopped backwards. She grinned at him, beckoned.

There was something here. In this room, as Viceria told them to not damage the furniture and Ryoka tagged Wailant with a kick that sobered him up and he showed her how fast a former [Pirate] could punch.

In the end, they stopped with bruises and light hearts. Ryoka found herself being slapped on the back by Wailant, and talking with Viceria. She smiled, and carried Mrsha to a room upstairs to sleep. She thought, just for an instant, that it was strange. Shed expected awkwardness, dreaded meeting Garias parents, and gotten off to the worst start possible. But suddenly

She was enjoying herself.

Fancy that. Then Ryoka slept. The next day, she began teaching Garia how to punch. And Ivolethe

Began teaching her how to use magic.

-

Ryoka Griffin stood on a hill, facing the wind. She breathed in deeply, and felt the chill of the mornings air blow through her hair. She stared into the open sky and felt the world pressing down at her.

The clouds were impossibly high overhead. The wind rushed about her, invigorating Ryoka, filling her with quiet contemplation. Her breathing slowed. Her pulse settled. She cleared her mind, became still, meditative. Her mind grew tranquil as Ryoka absorbed nature

Not like that, fool! What are ye doing?

Someone threw snow into Ryokas face. She spluttered, opened her eyes, and scowled at Ivolethe.

What the hell was that for? Im trying to sense the wind!

Ivolethe buzzed around Ryokas head, an angry blue butterfly with attitude.

What kind of an idiot does that with their eyes closed? I told ye, to learn faerie magic, ye must first sense the wind.

Right. And thats all you said. Im here for a lesson. So tell me, how do I sense the wind?

Ryoka folded her arms and scowled. Ivolethe looked exasperated.

The two were standing on a snowy hilltop near the Strongheart farm. Ryoka had woken up to a very enjoyable breakfast, talked with Garia about learning martial arts and gotten the girls wary agreement. Shed taught the girl how to stand and punch and Garia had seemed willing to give it a try, even though shed giggled and not taken it as seriously as Ryoka would have liked. But Fals had tried it as well, and that had made Garia grow more focused.

Everything had been going swimmingly, in short, until Ivolethe appeared and demanded that Ryoka start learning faerie magic. And that too was greatin fact, Ryoka was excited by the prospect.

Only it appeared Ivolethes methods of teaching werent as straightforward as Ryokas. Shed taken Ryoka to this hill and told her to sense the wind.

How does it work?

Ivolethe sighed gustily. She flew in front of Ryoka, folding her tiny pale-blue transparent arms and pointed.

Ye see the wind?

Uh, maybe. I see air.

Ryoka stared at a blank patch the faerie was pointing at, which was probably what Ivolethe meant. Ivolethe smiled.

Good! Now follow it.

She waited. Ryoka stared at the empty patch of air and then glanced at Ivolethe.

What do you mean, follow it? Theres nothing to see!

Ivolethe slapped a hand to her face, making a sound like breaking icicles. She flew to Ryokas face and punched the girl in the eye. Ryoka shouted and swung wildly.

Did I tell ye to stop looking? Look at the wind, you bleeding idiot!

Theres nothing to see!

Exactly! So look at nothing and see where it goes!

Ivolethe screamed in Ryokas ear. Ryoka opened her watering eye and glared at the faerie. The faerie glared back.

Let me get this straight. Youre telling me to stare at something invisible.

Ivolethe rolled her eyes.

Of course. To control the wind, to know it, ye must see it. And it is invisible! Of course it is! Otherwise you mortals would have already seen it!

But how can I see if

Ryoka guarded her face as Ivolethe swooped at her again. The faerie flew past her and spoke into her ear.

Look, fool. Look at what is invisible and see it. With your eyes. With your soul. Look and see. That is all I need tell you. Look. Ye have done it once, on the magic coach.

Ryoka remembered. Shed seen Ivolethe flying, and seen the wind, followed it for one glorious second. She didnt remember how shed done it, butshe nodded.

Fine. Ill try.

Ivolethe nodded, still looking impatient. Ryoka took a deep breath and stared ahead. Watch the wind. See it.

She saw nothing. The wind blew, and it went still. It blew again, but aside from some snow caught up by it, there was nothing to see. Nothing to look at. Ryoka struggled to look at the wind, but she always looked at the wind, didnt she? It was always there.

Invisible. Unseen. How was she supposed to see it? Ryoka tried adjusting the way she looked at the world, focusing her eyes, tracing an imaginary path the wind took. Nothing worked.

Five minutes passed. Ryoka searched the air for something she couldnt see, couldnt imagine seeing, and Ivolethe floated in the air beside her, making discontented faces. She yawned hugely, and Ryoka gritted her teeth.

I saw that.

Did ye? Good. Your eyes are working, then. Now see this.

Ivolethe yawned wider, showing Ryoka the inside of her mouth, pale red ice and sharp teeth. She flipped one wing as Ryoka growled to herself.

Hurry up! Im bored!

Im trying to learn. Youre supposed to be my teacher! Shouldnt you have some patience and let me try to figure this out?

No, fool! Because if ye were going to get it, youd have already gotten it by now! Magic isnt something you can keep trying over and over!

Thats because youre not giving me any instructions. If you want me to see the wind, tell me how in more detail.

Ryoka snapped, but Ivolethe just flipped herself over so she was staring at Ryoka upside down. She spoke, suddenly serious.

I cannot.

Why not? Because its secret?

No, because there are no words for it. It is magic, Ryoka Griffin. Magic. It is something you understand in here, not here.

She flew over and tapped Ryokas chest, then flew up and tapped her head. Ryoka nodded slowly.

Instinct? I have to get a feel for it, thats what youre saying. Then if I keep practicing

No.

Ivolethe sighed. She rubbed at her face, frowning hard. She shook her head.

It is not instinct. You cannot learn this by practicing.

But you said

It is grace, mortal. Grace and naught else. Grace and wonder. A moment. It is not something ye can learn in a book. It is not something you can keep trying to do. You will learn it in a moment of purest understandingor never.

The Frost Faerie looked at Ryoka in the eye. Ryoka felt a slight chill that had nothing to do with the cold. She opened her mouth, paused. What Ivolethe said spoke to her, but it made no sense at the same time.

Thats not how magic works in this world, though. [Mages] study magic in books. They can write it down. They have to study.

True.

Ivolethe nodded, frowning.

How shall I explain? That is magic. Tamed, and bent for use, yes, but it is still magic. But it is not my magic. Not the magic of the fae. Not deep magic, which runs wild. If ye wish to study that magic, practice. Understand, by all means. But ye shall never see the wind if you think of it as something to be understood, to be learned. The wind is the wind. I ask you to see it, Ryoka. Not understand the why of it.

Ryoka struggled to make sense of this. On one level she got what Ivolethe was saying. On anotherhow could you stare at something and not want to know why it was? But that was magic. Ivolethes magic.

A moment of grace.

Back to trying. Try and if you cannot see it, we shall try later. But this is the first step, Ryoka. The only step. Learn to do this, and ye shall see all in time.

See the wind. Ryoka tried. She really did. But she couldnt keep what Ivolethe had said in her mind and just try to feel something naturally. And the Frost Faerie saw it.

Stop. Another chance will come. Look for the wind elsewhere, Ryoka, but ye wont see it here.

And that was it. The lesson was done. Ivolethe floated past Ryoka as the girl sighed, disappointed. The Frost Faerie laughed as she pointed down the hill.

Go back to your mortal friends. Look at the child!

Ryoka turned and saw that her martial arts lesson had attracted more than just Fals. Mrsha was standing clumsily in the snow, trying to punch like Garia. She kept punching, and falling over by her own momentum.

It was very cute. Ryoka laughed and took out her iPhone as she descended the hill. She tried to turn it on, but found to her deepest disappointment that it had run out of power! She cursed to herself. It was hard to remember to get Pisces to cast [Repair] on it. Erin would just have to imagine Mrshas antics.

Ryoka! I dont think this is right!

Garia was complaining as she punched the air, blushing as Fals did the same beside her. Shed been willing to try learning, especially after her father had vouched for the effectiveness of Ryokas kick, but she was clearly feeling silly.

Dont worry, youre doing good. Raise your arm a bit more. And like I saideach time you punch, breathe out. Like this.

Ryoka demonstrated, bringing her fists up and punching slowly as she exhaled. Garia copied her, but complained immediately afterwards.

I get that Im learning to punch, but I feel silly. Im just hitting the air!

Well, thats the point. Look, youre practicing, like you would with a sword.

Yeah, butno ones going to stand there and let me punch them.

The girl rolled her eyes and Ryoka barely resisted doing the same.

I know that, but you have to start at the beginning. Look, just punch like I showed you. Youre using the muscles in your stomach. If you can feel them as you punch

But why would muscles in my stomach help my arms?

Garia looked confused. Ryoka groaned. How could you explain hundreds of years of biological science to someone who hadnt even heard of muscle fibers? Well, with martial arts, actually.

Its all connected. Look, one of the principle of martial arts is connectedness. Every part of the body works together. Your arms arent one separate thing. Thats why when you punch, your entire body, from your arms to your legs go into one motion. Thats why you take a stance and move the same way. Its the most effective.

Is that why you had me do jumping jacks?

Thats part of the warm up, yes. So is swinging your arms, rolling your hips, and everything else. You need to be flexible. Thats what these exercises will help you do as wellbuild muscle so you can move freely.

I dont see why. My arms are already strong. Isnt that enough if Im punching someone?

Garias cheeks were red as Ryoka walked her through more exercises, making her learn how to do knee lifts to the elbow, and then hiza-geri, a form of knee striking from Shotokan Karate. She clearly didnt want Fals to see her doing this silly routine, for all he was doing it with the two girls and Mrsha was too.

Punching someone isnt enough, Garia. Strength isnt enough, although its pretty damn important. But martial arts practices defense, movementits a way of living. Itsa way to be graceful. Grace.

Ryoka stared ahead until she realized shed stopped doing knee strikes. She made Garia do twenty until the girl complained her legs were getting tired.

And I have to do this every day?

If you want to get good, yes.

Ryoka snapped, growing impatient with Garia. She was trying to help, but Garia seemed determined not to get through even the basic forms! She was trying to help

Why dont you show us what a master looks like, Ryoka? Im sure you see how all this matters, but Im like Garia. It feels silly to do all this. What does it look like once you keep practicing for a while?

Fals spoke up and Ryoka blinked at him. She opened her mouth to tell him it wasnt one kind of thingand then realized he was right.

Mrsha had grown bored of watching Ryoka practice with Garia. Shed started playing in the snow. Garias parents had a hot drink and were smiling and Garia looked fed up. Ivolethe was laughing at Ryoka, and Fals had his eyebrows raised.

They didnt know what martial arts looked like. Perhaps no one in this world did. Ryoka nodded.

Youre right, Fals. Let me show you what it looks like, Garia, everyone. Mrsha, get back. Ivolethe, you can stay right there for all I care. Ill show youwhat training your body can do.

Ryoka took a few steps away from Garia and cleared some snow off of the ground. There was grass underfoot. Not idealRyoka would have liked a firmer surface, but it would have to do.

Garia sat back with Fals, blushing at him and watching Ryoka with a bit of interest. Ryoka smiled to herself. There was something familiar about this moment. Hadnt she done this once? Oh yes. When her leg had been healed. When shed been able to move again.

It was the same. Ryoka took a breath, and then ran forwards. She jumped, and then did a handspring into the air. Her audience gasped, but that was only a warm-up. Ryoka landed, twisted, and back flipped up and over, landing on a patch of snow to silence, and then cheering.

What was that? How did you do that?

Garia nearly tripped over her own feet, running over to Ryoka. She stared in amazement at the girl, but Ryoka put up a hand.

Im just getting started. Watch out

She did a standing front flip, which was easy, but again, totally astounded everyone watching. Mrsha ran over to Ryoka, screaming in inaudible excitement. Fals stared at his feet and hopped experimentally as if to try.

The Humans and Gnoll watched as Ryoka did another backflip, this time with a run up. Ryoka cursed as she nearly slipped on landing. The snow was not the place for tricks. But her audience didnt care. They had never seen someone move like Ryoka could.

The next thing Ryoka tried was a standing cork, or standing corkscrew. It involved her standing with her left leg raised slightly off the ground and behind her right leg, which was slightly bent. Then, Ryoka jumped up and her entire body twisted around and up, sending her spinning up and around. It wasnt like a front flip at all. In fact, it was so fast that Garia and the others couldnt even tell what Ryoka had done.

It was a move from a martial art devoted just to tricks. Appropriately, it was called Tricking, a way of doing flashy moves like youd see in movies. Naturally, Ryoka had learned how to do several tricks, and this one, a standing cork seemed to defy the laws of gravity for those watching it for the first time.

In slow motion, it would look as if Ryokas leg came up, propelling her into the air, and then her body curled and twisted several times before her foot came down, landing her on the ground. Ryoka did this again for her stunned audience

And wiped out.

Spectacularly, as it happened. Ryoka messed up the landing and slipped on some snow and hit the ground hard. She was up in a second to reassure Mrsha, but shed hit herself hard enough to bruise.

That actually helped, because after seeing her flub so badly, the watchers were even more convinced Ryoka was insane as she did several more tricks. Determined to make up for that hilarious failure, Ryoka did a spinning aerial kick that hit Ivolethe as the faerie flew a good six feet up in the air. The faerie went flying, screaming insults, more surprised than hurt.

How are you doing that?

Practice!

Ryoka laughed as she did a series of tricks, spinning and kicking into the air, flipping aroundflying. Tricking. It wasnt a formal martial art. Or rather, it wasnt a type of martial arts that applied to fighting or self-defense. It was more like a sport, an activity, an exhibition of what the human body could do.

There were very few situations that required Ryoka to jump into the air, spin, land on one leg, flip herself forward and then kick, but that wasnt the point.

It was a performance. Ryoka did a running flip off of a handstand in the snow, jumped up, kicked at a target twice her height in the air and landed. She nearly slipped and fell in the snow, but then she was laughing, hearing Garia and Fals shout in amazement.

See? This is martial arts! This is what you can do if you practice!

Next, Ryoka showed the group some more practical moves, doing the roundhouse kick she loved so much, punching, blocking, moving to avoid and counter invisible enemies. It wasnt as showy as Tricking, but it was just as amazing to the people watching.

Because they had never seen this either. Warriors with swords were one thing, but this was different. This was martial arts, which emphasized moves that had no wasted movement, that could be performed because the user had practiced them again and again.

No one in this world did flips. What would be the point? Oh, maybe a [Tumbler] could do it, or an [Acrobat] if they even existed. But no one in this world had had the time to practice, to do a backflip. Because there was no point! No point, which is why there werent people doing acrobatic tricks in ancient Rome, at least, as far as Ryoka knew.

There was no necessity to anything Ryoka did. No reason to do it, except because it was amazing and wonderful and inspiring.

And fun.

And as Ryoka ran and did a handspring into the air, she felt alive. Shed forgotten, somewhere, what it was like to just move for the sake of moving. The wind was blowing through her hair. She felt like she was flying, just like the first time shed ever pulled one of these tricks off.

It felt as though at any moment, as you were flying upwards, the world twisting around you, that you could just soar into the heavens, that your body could carry you upwards without limit. Ryoka leapt, and saw something in the air.

A flash of movement. She saw the wind. She saw it twist around her

Ryoka!

Garia cried out and Ryoka found herself flipping over and over, upwards and up. And then down. She shouted, lost control

And fell.

It was a long way down. When Ryoka woke up with Mrsha covering her face, Garia told her Ryoka had gone for a gainer, a backflip off of one foot. Shed leapt into the air, and then, somehow, kept flipping upwards. She ended up flying ten feet into the air before falling. Ryoka had successfully done a quadruple gainer, a feat never performed in the history of human kind as somethingthe windhad carried her up.

Unfortunately, shed missed the landing. Panicked, confused by what had happened, Ryoka had landed the most impressive face-plant in the snow, again, perhaps the most impressive one ever seen. Shed knocked herself out as everyone had gone running over.

When shed heard all of this and gotten Mrsha off her, Ryoka sat up, looked for Ivolethe, and tried to kill her friend.

What the hell was that for? Was that payback for kicking you? Because if it was

It wasnt me! It wasnt me!

Ivolethe shouted as she flew away from Ryoka. The girl stopped, glaring at Ivolethe and swaying on her feet.

What the hell do you mean? It was you! I saw it! You used the wind

Not me, you fool! I did nothing!

What?

Ryoka stared at her. She realized what Ivolethe was saying and paled.

But then I

The Frost Faerie grinned at Ryoka. The girl froze, staring at her, at the clear blue sky.

But thats impossible. I was showing off. I wasnt trying to

Ivolethe floated up, smiling broadly. She tapped Ryoka in the chest, grinning and shaking her head.

Showing off? That was the best time for it! You didnt try. In that moment, ye were Ryoka at your most natural. You did not feel. You saw. And the wind saw you.

I did it?

Ryoka stared at Ivolethe. She stared around, at where Fals was gingerly trying to do a handstand, at Garia, who was determinedly punching the air and Mrsha, doing flips as Wailant tossed her up and Viceria watched with a wand at the ready, just in case.

Then she looked at Ivolethe. To her surprise, there were tears in the faeries eyes.

Whats wrong?

The small Frost Faerie shook her head.

Ah. I did not know. I did not know what else Humans came up with. I lived with a body like yours for years, but this?

She did a corkscrew in the air, flipping over, a perfect copy of the move Ryoka had done. Ivolethe laughed.

This! This is new. This is something else. And for this, Ryoka Griffin, I thank you. For showing me something I have never seen.

She landed on the ground, and took a few steps. Ivolethe kicked up into the air and back flipped up past Ryoka, into the sky. Her laughter was all Ryoka heard. It filled the world as Ivolethe flipped upwards, not flying, but borne by the wind. Ryoka stared as the faerie flew and whispered one word.

Grace.