Chapter 183: Let’s get running

Chapter 183: Let’s get running

Mason chewed his...whatever it was called...and grinned. Just watching and listening to his girls calmed him down, made him feel something approaching...normal. Though he knew his life was far from it.

"Oh!" Becky turned to Haley and slapped her arm. "I went down to the temple yesterday lookin' for yer thyme, and I smelled this...amazin' thing, so I went over to see some flowers. And I was gonna pick a few to bring home, and one spit at me! Hit me right here.” She gestured to a little patch of red skin on her hand. “I was so surprised I just turned and ran like hell."

Haley gave a sympathetic face. Mason laughed. They both looked at him with disapproving glares.

"Oh come on. The mighty Rebecca, who can charge a line of murderous orcs, defeated by a flower. It’s funny.”

Haley slowly smiled until Becky looked at them both with an open mouth in mock offence.

"Some sympathy I get!"

"I'm sorry, you're right," Mason reached across for her hand. "Show me where the little rose hurt you. Are you OK? Do you need the infirmary?"

She slapped his hand and clearly fought a smile. "I'll remember this. You'll rue the day."

"Very intimidating." Mason chewed and grinned, then cleared his throat. "So, I need another nymph visit." He could see both girls were about to comment about not being enough last night so he held up his acorn. "I need them to tell me what to do with this, and a bag of little magic gems."

He stopped and wished he was as clever as Blake but just gave up and said what he meant.

"I need to take Rosa to Calypsa, but I don't want to come right back after. I was thinking you could come with us Becky and take her home. Maybe...get to know her a little."

Becky mostly just stared. "With you and Rosa,” she said finally. “To the nymphs."

"Um, yeah," Mason said, and Haley nudged Becky with her shoulder.

"It's a good idea, no?"

"Peanut butter and chocolate is a good idea," Becky mumbled. "This is more like...whatever the hell’s in dynamite."Fôll0w current novÊls on n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(co/m)

"We won’t...stay," Mason winced, "I just need their knowledge. Rosa needs recipes from Calypsa. And...you and she need to get to know each other."

Rebecca quirked her head as if to say 'oh do we?'

"Just me and her in the woods?” she said. “Alone?"

"I’ll know if you kill her," Mason said deadpan. "She’s in my contract list. I’d technically have to punish you. Or the system would."

Rebecca glared and stuck out her tongue.

"I don’t...dislike her," she sighed. "I just don’t like to share is all."

"You share with Haley right now," Mason countered.

"That’s different. Haley’s the best."

Haley grinned at that and the girls exchanged another shoulder check.

"Rosa is good people," Mason said. "Get to know her, it’ll be good for you both. For me?"

He glanced over the walls towards the large mountain not far in the distance, knowing it was very likely time for a visit soon. And not just for materials, but because the last dungeon implied he might find a certain ‘guild’ of goblins there that might need a lesson in consequences.

Streak’s excited howl interrupted his thoughts, and the increasingly large wolf bound inside the settlement walls ahead of Phuong and the others. Some nearby citizens and player guards went to greet them, but John and Seamus were clearly awkward as they mostly stared with open mouths at the settlement.

"Sweet merciful Jesus," Seamus said, frenzied eyes moving from trees to buildings to houses. Then Mason realized Haley had come out and walked down to greet them in her more formal clothes, and Seamus' eyes finally found something to focus on.

"Welcome," she said, with a glance at Mason to make sure they actually were. He nodded, and she smiled. "I'm Haley, Mason's assistant. I can help get you settled."

"We've found bloody paradise, Mac," Seamus beamed as he smacked the bigger man's arm. Then he pointed a finger at Haley and lowered his voice. "Are you single, darling?"

Her smile strained ever so slightly.

"I am very not. This way, please. You must be tired. But you're in luck, we have free houses again."

"If he gives you any trouble," Mason called without any indication he was kidding, "just let me know. I still debate killing him occasionally."

Seamus laughed with exaggerated volume. "He's a funny one, that one. But nevermind, sweetheart. We’re good pals now."

Mason sighed and turned to Phuong.

"Can you...

"I’ll keep an eye on him, Patron. Don't worry."

Mason put a hand on the man's arm and gave it a squeeze.

“The trip back was uneventful?”

"Quite peaceful. You’re off again?" Phuong added, eyebrow slightly raised. "Need any help? I wouldn't mind a bite to eat but..."

"Watching Seamus is more than enough help. I've a lot of ground to cover this time, but I'll take a few people to the great tree first. Take care of everyone for me."

Phuong nodded and smiled, then walked off towards the 'restaurant'.

Mason told Haley he was ready, then soon found himself at the gate with an awkward and obviously competitively 'sexy hiking' dressed Rebecca and Rosa.

Streak came loping over chewing on...something, obviously no intention of being left behind again.

"OK." Mason put on whatever small charm he had. "I've still got a lot to do. So let's get running."

The girls both looked rather determined as they stepped out into the trees, and Mason legitimately wondered if they’d both run until they dropped.

“I bet we can make it today,” Rebecca called back, rolling her shoulders and lifting or bending her limbs. Rosa was similarly preparing, both of them unintentionally giving Mason a leg and ass show from his position at the gate.

“Possibly,” he said, knowing if he offered either woman a ride at the moment they’d be telling him to go to hell. “But let’s not overdo it. You’ll need to actually be able to walk back.”

Rebecca and Rosa gave each other the briefest glance before looking back at him with a ‘well let’s bloody go’ sort of intense stare.

Mason sniffed and clicked for Streak, leading the way as he set the pace. He wanted the women to get along, of course. But if he was honest, the competition wasn’t entirely turning him off...