Chapter 224 - Days DCLXXVII - DCLXXX, Part I

The next three days were kinda boring. I did my daily routine of enjoying bot bathhouse and the cafeteria and also hanged out with Tam. I checked up on Hatta, daily, and tried to help him whenever he needed me, but there was not much work. Where I was supposed to be, was out there, hunting, gathering crystals. 

My friend managed to find the old man, Brutus Sinclair, a job as an assistant to a quartermaster, although Wuxia didn't have the real one, and Hatta was mainly dealing with that job. He was planning the guards' schedule, assigning some resources. Nothing too big, as he first had to earn the trust.

But it was enough to have a room in the barracks, and three meals a day, which put my consciousness at ease.

On the second day, Rishi showed up with this magnificent dagger. Dark blade, curved blade with red handle, and a beautiful leather sheet. Magical. That much was as clear as day the very moment I touched the thing.

Boy on the contrary looked terrible. Even worse than when I brought him crystals. I felt like I need to intervene, and went to talk with Jayadeva to talk. I learned that Rishi is overworking himself, and not listening to his father's requests to take few days off.

The two of us ended up forcing him to take few days off. He wasn't happy, but I told him, that I'm gonna kick his ass out of the workshop if he will try to work instead of resting. It made him listen, although he wasn't happy. It felt to me like he developed some kind of need to create.

I also ended up hanging out in the pub, having a beer in the evening and just sitting there. I couldn't enjoy my loneliness for too long though, there was always somebody around who ended up joining me. One time it was Bård, Urho and Ylva.

They got themselves a spot in the larger gathering focused on hunting rats. Amit was the one responsible for managing the whole endeavor. They just felt like they have to share that news with me.

Then I was flooded with the question of how hard it is to defeat an orc, or other monsters dwelling in the further laying hunting grounds. I did my best to explain my tactic from back when I first explored the canyon, but the memories were not as sharp as I originally thought, and I found myself smuggling bits of strategies I was using those days.

It didn't feel right, so I ended up telling them, that it's best to find your own way of fighting.

On another day I met Amit. He was tired and moody, so we didn't talk too much, but after a few drinks, he ended up complaining about how hard it is on him those days. He obviously needed a break. I listened to him, carefully, asking some questions, nodding from time to time. He probably just needed to get it out of his system.

Then finally the third day came, and it wasn't any different at first, but with the night slowly approaching Will, and the rest of the brave hunters, that went to the canyon, returned. There was a bit of a ruckus involved, as I wasn't the only happy person about their comeback.

They looked tired, and a bit shabby, probably because of the harsh environment and everyday effort. They brought carts full of crystals, which also grabbed people's attention.

I waited patiently observing them from afar, as they unpacked, exchanged greetings, and proceeded to share and sell the score. Only then I came to say hi. We quickly ended up going to Velvet Lotus for a few drinks.

There was Boris, Hailwic, Martin, Alice, Nil, Nobuo, both Ryuu Otis, and Hideaki Miyajima. Will, obviously, and me. Juan also joined us, although he was mostly silent.

- I hate to ask this - said Will, as we were sitting around a few put-together tables - but when are we returning to the canyon? With Peter, this time.

Few people let out groans. Those were so loud that even the nice, jazzy music was not enough to not let people around us hear them.

- You fell in love with those orcs or something? - asked Nil.

- Yes. With you around, I simply went for the prettier beastes.

- Oho! I'm a handsome man, how dare you - Sanders smiled.

- You are as ugly as a brick - said Brois, and got punched in the shoulder, which almost made him drop the glass he had in his hand. - Stop it, asshole!

- Alice, tell them!

- Yep, a brick - she said with as a straight face, as she could pull off.

- Ok, fine! I'm gonna go out there - he pointed behind himself with his thumb - and return with a girl in five minutes! That will make you shut your mouth!

- Go - said Boris, with a smirk.

And Nill went.

- He does get provoked easily - Nobuo pointed out. - And about the canyon, I believe we should rest for a week.

- Good idea - Martin agreed. - As fun as it is to go there, and battle, I'm missing my bed.

He smiled wide after those words. Hailwic for some reason, I bet we all know which, got all red on her face. As a good friend, I quickly changed the subject before more people noticed.

- I've been sitting on my ass for the whole three days! And now you want me to stay a week more?

- Stop complaining you bastard! - said Boris. - You have back made of iron, we don't!

- Phi! - I snorted.

At the same moment, Nil showed up with a familiar girl. Eshe. She was wearing a skimpy red dress.

- Hi - she said.

- Tell them, honey! Tell them.

She smiled awkwardly.

- I've been told you have an argument about the handsomeness of this man. He is...

- A brick! - Will yelled on top of his lungs!

Laughs just exploded.

- You bastard! - growled Nil, although the smile was still on his face.

- He is just jealous - said Eshe.

Sanders sat on his chair, and she joined taking the sweet spot on his lap.. Then she winked at me, but for me, it felt more like a punch.