Chapter Seventy - In Which Broccoli Kidnaps the Cute

Chapter Seventy - In Which Broccoli Kidnaps the Cute

Chapter Seventy - In Which Broccoli Kidnaps the Cute

So, were going to the Greenshade Exploration Guild place first, right? And then I guess we can shop around for some of the stuff well need for our adventure? I asked. I was still holding onto Awen and Amaryllis because... well, because I liked being in contact with my friends. Amaryllis might complain that I was touchy-feely, but she wasnt wrong.

Thats about right, yes, Amaryllis said. She looked around, but both sides of the street before the Bristlecone manor were lined by pretty houses with little yards, and no indication of any sort of guild buildings. Miss Bristlecone, could you guide us to the guild building?

Awen was staring at my hand, her face looking a little red. It took a moment before the silence seemed to snap her attention around. Um, pardon me?

The guild building, Amaryllis said.

Awa? Oh yes, I can do that. Its- its that way. She pointed off to one side then squeaked when I started marching off in that direction.

So, Awen, are you a member of any guilds? I asked.

N-no, Im not, she said. I thought of joining the mechanics guild, theyre not very big yet, and they have lots of work, but, um, its not suitable for someone of my station.

I worked to keep a scowl off my face. It wouldnt do to have a new friend think I was a scowler. Thats too bad. I bet youre a great mechanic.

Awen shook her head, a fresh new blush climbing to her cheeks. Im really not. I dont have nearly enough experience, and I have... other obligations.

Oh, I said. But do you like tinkering with things?

I love it! Awen said. She coughed a little, as if the outburst had taken something from her. I mean, yes, I enjoy it. I only ever get to work on things for my uncle. Its how I got the class, actually.

That sounds like a story, I said. Do tell!

Really? she asked. I nodded a whole bunch. Oh, awa... w-well one day, when I was about the age that Callio is now, Uncle Abe came to visit and he left this big repeating crossbow in the dining room. It was a model from the Snowlands, with a system that used a rack and pinion mechanism that slid a new bolt into place. It was very intricate, and one of the prettiest things I had ever seen.

Say what you will of the Snowlanders, Amaryllis said. Their trinkets are impressive. We have been trying to catch up to their industrial ability for some time. And while we can outproduce them with ease, the quality of their engineering isnt as easy to reproduce.

Yes, Awen agreed. It was very well built, but Uncle Abe was a little rough with it.

I can imagine that, I said.

Awen nodded. He used it to club a drop bear. A-anyway. The problems with it were all small, and there were some tools around, so I... fixed it. And I got the Mechanic class. Uncle was very happy but my parents werent.

Why not? I asked.

Awen shifted and her grip around my hand tightened. She seemed to be looking for the right words to say, but Amaryllis beat her to it with an exasperated huff. The humans around here have some weird notions about class and nobility, especially the younger clans... pardon, families. Its all quite backwards.

Thats awful, I said. I couldnt imagine my parents being disappointed in me, let alone expressing disappointment when I found something that suited me and that I enjoyed doing. As long as it didnt hurt others or anything like that, it could only be a good thing. Well Awen, I like your class. Mechanics are cool.

You... do? she asked.

Yup. There are a lot of machines where Im from, so people that build them and fix them are really important. I nodded. Oh, and Ill need a bunch of mechanics when I buy my airship one of these days.

Amaryllis snorted at that, but Awen was practically glowing. Awaa... I wish I could join you on your airship, Miss Bunch.

I dont see why you couldnt, I said.

I wasnt too sure what to say. She looked miserable, but maybe her parents just wanted her to be safe? After all, the stories that Abraham spouted made it clear that not everything was safe out there. It took a special kind of someone to want to go wrestle a drake or fistfight a bear.

What do your parents want you to do? I wondered.

I was focused on the book, so it took a moment for the quiet to really settle in and grow awkward.

When I looked up it was to find that Awen was staring at the floor as if it was a puzzle to solve. Im to be married, she said. To a duke in Port Hazel.

Um, I said. Usually, congratulations would be in order, but she didnt seem keen on that.

He, awa, he wants me to bear his kids and, and stay at home. B-but first I need to change my class. T-take something thats appropriate for my station. Um, maybe something that will make it easier for me to give birth?

I felt my breath catching in my throat. What? I mean, do you want that?

Awen shook her head.

I worked my jaw, looking for the right thing to do in this situation.

In the end though, the right thing to do was very easy. The first step, of course, was to give Awen a hug.

She squeaked as I glomped her and held her close. You poor thing, I said.

The second step in helping a friend out of a bad situation was, of course, kidnapping.

Youre coming with us, I said.

Awa-what?

I stepped back, still gripping her by the shoulders. Youre coming with us. We can leave right away when were done here. I looked her up and down. Well have to stop and buy you some nice gear first. I have a few gold, and Im sure Amaryllis would pitch in.

Awawa... why? I mean, you cant, my parents--

Are big fat meanies if theyre doing things to you that you dont want done. I huffed just like Amaryllis did. You could come with us, get some levels, go on a big adventure, and when you return youll be a whole new person. Or, well, I guess you could stay. Im not going to make you come with us.

No, I mean, yes, I want to, Awen said. Her lip wobbled and she dabbed at her eyes in a hurry before trying on a wobbly smile for me. I really want to, Miss Bunch.

Why is the girl crying? Amaryllis asked as she walked over to us.

Ah, I said. Now came the complicated part. Explaining to Amaryllis that I was planning on kidnapping a new potential-friend.

Awa, Miss Bunch, she, she wants to save me, Awen said. She snorted in a most unlady-like way.

Broccoli, are you being an idiot again? Amaryllis asked.

No?

She gave me a flat look. Are you certain, Broccoli? Because Im getting some very dumb vibes from this general area, and Awen here doesnt seem like someone whos braindead.

Well, I said. I might have agreed to consensually kidnap Awen to bring her on an adventure with us. And I might, maybe, have said that youd help pay for it?

World damn it, Broccoli.