Chapter 7: A Walk in The Woods

Thomas made a hasty exit to the front of the guild. Stepping on the street he quickly went to the entrance of the alleyway beside the guild. Out of sight from the people passing by, taking off his pack he slid his hand under his shirt and jacket to check on his wound from yesterday.

It was still tender and mostly closed, taking off the bandage noticing it had a few drops of blood on it. Probably irritated it from all the moving around he did today. Sighing, he pulled out the ointment from his pack, took off his jacket and put it down as well.

He didn’t want to unnecessarily use more of it, but if there was a possibility of him being thrown into fights he wanted to be in top condition. Being injured could lead to him making a mistake, and mistakes in combat can get you killed.

“Hmm, you are wounded. Doesn’t seem that bad but please let me heal it for you.” Startled again by the familiar voice. Setting the ointment back down on top of his pack, letting his shirt cover his injury again.

Turning around he saw the penetrating but amused goldens eyes of Abigail staring intently at his side. Speaking up he said “Ah um no it will be fully healed by tomorrow. So, no need to worry about it.”

Her demeanor slightly changed and in a stricter tone said “You will be accompanying me on an investigation, I want the person who is collaborating with me to be in top condition. So yes, I will worry about it. It will only take a few seconds so please allow me to heal you.”

Feeling like this will be a losing battle no matter what he said. Thomas nodded and asked, “What do I need to do?”

With a bright and cheery smile, she said “Just lift your shirt so I can see the injury.”

As soon as he did, her hand shot out like a striking snake, her softly almost delicate hand was laid on the injury. Then intense freezing cold penetrated his body, focused right on the wound, only for a split second before it was gone. Then just as fast her hand was off his side, it was literal seconds.

“What was that! That wasn’t normal healing!” He said in voice just under a yell from being surprised.

With a sly smile on her face “well mana can do a lot more than most realize. My mana isn’t the best for healing, but it works in a pinch. Pay close attention today and maybe you will learn something.”

Looking at where the cut should have been all he saw was a red handprint. As well a very faint red line where the cut previously was. That was it, noticing him looking at it she spoke again “the handprint will go away in a few minutes. Just irritated from my mana.”

Stuttering a bit “that is amazing…. Just how… no, never mind its rude to ask” a small shake of his head. “Thank you it would have been fully healed by tonight or tomorrow with more ointment, but this will make it easier to move.”

Thomas had to stop himself from asking how she did it. He learned quickly that asking for specifics when it came to someone else’s mana techniques was considered taboo and it could lead to a angering the person.

Looking back up to her he noticed she had the ointment in her hand giving it a smell. Saying “Interesting, this ointment seems rather powerful. Not to the level of a healing potion but still rather good. Fascinating, mind telling me who made this? Is it the same person who made that book you were reading?”

“Yes, she did. She is a unique alchemist and would probably call her a friend.” Surprised, she made the connection between the two. Taking the ointment from Abigail and placing it back in his bag.

What startled Thomas even more was that he only just now noticed Abigail wasn’t wearing the professional, the almost military style shirt and skirt from before. She looked ready for war.

Full set of metal armor, an ornate breast plate that was clearly enchanted. Shoulders, upper arms, forearms, thighs, shins, all of her was covered in. The armor looked like it was a master craftsman's finest work. She finished it off by sliding on the gauntlets. He couldn’t tell what type of metal it was made out of, but it didn’t look like the standard steel he had seen before.

The sword he saw previously was strapped to her hip, accompanied by a long dagger on the other side. She didn’t have any luggage with her, so he didn’t know if she had a helm to go with it.

His intense staring was only broken when a very lady like laugh interrupted him “Mr. Thomas it is rude to stare at a lady.” Her voice and laughter made him think of some highborn lady.

Getting flustered again he said “ah um sorry, that armor looks beautiful, and well crafted. I was looking at trying to get myself something earlier and was just admiring it. Wait that’s not the only thing, it’s only been like two minutes since we left the meeting how did you get that on so fast?” Making a gesture towards her now armored form.

With an even bigger smile on her face, she replied “Oh that’s strike two asking for a lady’s secrets now. This is a masterpiece thank you for noticing. It’s one of my most prized possessions. Anyways let’s move to the front to wait for Dawns Horizon.” Abigail strode off with Thomas in tow.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Not sure what to say since that entire exchange had him so flustered. Being flustered especially from a woman was something he hadn’t felt in an awhile. It’s not like he hadn’t had a few experiences with women in his life, but Abigail was an anomaly. He didn’t know how to act around her, in some moments she seemed playful, teasing. Then in other moments she carried herself like a leader, with the authority to back it up.

Either way it was too soon to even have a guess of who she really was. Having a beautiful woman tease him a bit wasn’t the worst fate there was after all.

They stood in comfortable silence, Thomas not even knowing what to ask, while she seemed content with just watching the bustling street. Abigail tied her hair up in a ponytail as they waited. That’s when he saw her ears were a little more pointed than his, not like a full or even half elf, so maybe a parent is half elf. He wasn’t too sure, but he knew from experience asking about someone parentage could end badly.

She was just a mystery, sighing, he turned and watched the busy street.

Finally, after ten minutes the Dawns Horizon stepped out. The mage Steven was the first one out, a large backpack, one even bigger than his own on the man’s back.

Shortly followed by Phillip who seemed to only have a small compact pouch attached to his lower back.

Then stepped out Tristan, with a woman trailing behind him who looked upset, she is saying something to him. The noise on the street made it impossible to hear. Before Tristan could fully step away from the woman, Thomas could see the man turn with that charming smile that seemed to have an edge of something else mixed in. He said a few words to the woman before she turned and went running down the street while crying.

Thomas thought to himself, He really does seem like one of those types.

Already deciding that Tristan was going to be the most annoying part of this whole trip.

As the group approached them, Tristan spoke. “We are all here so let get this over with quickly.” Tristan only throwing a glance at Thomas but only truly addressed Abigail. He seemed like he was trying to gloss over the scene they all just saw. Everyone seemed happy to act like they didn’t see it.

They set off towards the cave, exiting the town was uneventful. As soon as they left the town the group slightly separated. Phillip, the Beastkin was leading with Steven a short distance behind. The leader of the three, Tristan, was walking beside Abigail trying to have small talk.

Thomas was subtly pushed to the back. Trailing the group as they went down the road, Thomas got some morbid satisfaction out of watching Tristan try to flirt with Abigail the entire time. She would lean away when Tristan leaned in or if he tried to place a hand on her she would slide out of the way. She made it look effortless or as if it wasn’t intentional the entire time.

Thomas could clearly tell that she was doing it intentionally the entire time.

Nothing changed until they turned onto a trail. Abigail exchanged a few more words with him then waved her hand like she was shooing him away. Tristan hurried up his pace and caught up to walk beside Steven.

There were now a few yards distance between Abigail and the team. Abigail slowed her pace until she was walking beside Thomas and spoke “I haven’t personally been to this forest before. How far is it until we reach the cave?”

“About an hour or so at this pace, we should reach it before noon. If you are allowed to tell me, how is this related to whatever investigation you are conducting?” Thomas asked.

“Hmm I won’t say yet. But I have a personal question if you don’t mind.”

A bit hesitant about what it could be still he nodded. “Sure, go ahead.”

Curiosity was on her face before asking “why did you become an adventurer?”

“The short answer is freedom and the money you can make. Then being able to help people who truly need it makes it even better. The long answer is a bit more in personal.” Thomas said with a smile thinking about the journey it took to find his calling.

“Oh, there is a long answer. We have time I wouldn’t mind hearing it.” she said, flashing him a smile in return.

Thomas still didn’t know who Abigail was, so he didn’t feel comfortable giving a large part of his life story to her. “It is kind of personal so maybe another time. But what about you?”

“That’s fair, mine's similar. I wanted freedom to make my own choices. Plus, you get to meet interesting people in this line of work so it’s fun.” Silence enveloped the two of them as they walked.

Not sure what to say to keep the conversation going, he went with a simple question “So where are you from? I doubt it is Les.”

“I grew up in a city called Hammel in the empire. It borders the corrupted lands but it’s a beautiful city. It is a city that has massive wall, its primary purpose is a barrier to keep the corrupted beasts from rampaging into the empire. I only really care about its beauty though; it had beautiful gardens and amazing people. I truly love the place. I haven’t been there in a while.” As she spoke, she had a bit of sadness ting her voice.

Realizing her hometown is a sensitive spot, he tried to change the topic. “The Phoenix empire? It takes a long time to even reach its southern border from the capital, doesn’t it? And you came from further north? It is impressive you made it this far. Have you traveled to a lot of places?”

“Hmm they still haven’t noticed.” Abigail muttered in a low voice. That’s when Thomas noticed that she was observing Dawns Horizon closely and didn’t actually answer his question.

When she finally looked at him, he just raised an eyebrow. She answered his unasked question in low voice “we are being tracked by a pack of something. If I had to guess they are rust wolves, at least ten. Don’t say anything but be prepared to defend yourself.”

Startled Thomas scanned his surroundings even closer. During this entire trip his guard has been up, taking small mental notes of plants he could harvest later. Yet he didn’t see or hear anything.

“How? I haven't seen or heard anything, but I will believe you. Why not tell them at least?”

Abigail’s somewhat playful demeanor was gone. Now she was serious even as she spoke in a low tone. “Can’t tell you why not but trust me please. They are still about a hundred yards out from us. Their C-ranked, even in a pack of ten the wolves are weak.”

Nodding Thomas loosened his sword from its scabbard. Muttering to himself “still doesn’t explain how you know they are there.” She flashed him a smile before turning back to Dawns Horizon.

After five minutes of still not seeing anything, he heard Phillip yell in a gruff voice “tighten up everyone we are surrounded by something! There’s a small clearing just ahead better for a fight let’s go!” Everyone picked up their pace at that.