Running is a peculiar thing. And it\u2019s one of the few things I\u2019m qualified to talk about in any world. For me, running is as close to living as anything I do. I\u2019ve studied it, practiced it, and made it mine. I can\u2019t claim anything else like that.<\/p>\n
But if running is pure, life is not. My body is not, for that matter.<\/p>\n
Funny thing. Apparently, doing a record-breaking, thirty-mile marathon at my top speed has consequences, especially on a leg that just got healed. Suffice it to say that when the Horns of Hammerad caught up with me, they had to let me ride on the cart most of the way back to Celum.<\/p>\n
Lying down in the middle of a field during a complete physical shutdown is actually pretty relaxing. I was so tired I didn\u2019t even think about what would happen if a monster found me.*<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
*Not that it\u2019s hard to think about. Apparently, the most common type of monster between the Human cities and Liscor are Goblins or a variety of avian species. I\u2019m told that it would be far better to have the birds start eating me alive than suffer what male Goblins do to women. Next time I see one of those buggers, I\u2019m kicking his head in.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Anyways, I\u2019m just lucky that one of their team members, Hunt, had an appropriate tracking Skill or something. The Horns figured out what happened pretty quick when I stopped moving. Again, running a marathon on a light meal isn\u2019t a good idea. I\u2019ve tried ultra-marathons, and the key to those runs isn\u2019t speed or even that much practice. All you do is take it easy and eat the entire way through. My kind of fun.<\/p>\n
Where was I? Oh yeah. Running. Running is simple, but nothing else is in life. Even jobs involving running are way too difficult.<\/p>\n
Case in point and why I\u2019m still standing outside the Runner\u2019s Guild rather than going in. I really don\u2019t want to have to deal with the people inside\u2014or anyone right now. In fact, the only thing keeping me remotely sane is the fact that my leg is better.<\/p>\n
My leg is better.<\/em> Four words, but it is all the difference in the world to me. From thinking I\u2019d never run again to being able to run wherever I go?<\/p>\n Life is good.<\/p>\n \u2014Unless of course you\u2019re an out-of-work bum with no money who has to borrow from other people to survive. Dad always warned me this would happen if I didn\u2019t shape up.*<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *Of course, shaping up for him would be going into politics to kiss ass and tell lies 24\/7, so he can go jump off a cliff.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I am quite literally penniless. Without the Horns of Hammerad, I wouldn\u2019t even have been sleeping in the inn for the last few days, let alone eating. The reason for that is twofold. One\u2014and again, this is my fault\u2014I had to rest up from the stupid marathon I ran right after getting my leg healed. Even with a potion, there was still some rehabilitation necessary. That took two days before Ceria told me I was fine.<\/p>\n The other reason?<\/p>\n People.<\/p>\n Every head in the Runner\u2019s Guild turns as I kick open the door. Just as quickly, most of the Runners look away.* Looks like half of the regular City Runners are here, plus a few people I recognize.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *It\u2019s a great look, too. It says that they were clearly expecting someone, anyone besides me, but I\u2019m here now, and they have to put up with me\u2014mainly by pretending I don\u2019t exist. Gods. This is why I hate looking at people\u2019s faces.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fals is talking to Garia next to the receptionist\u2019s desk. Both notice me, but Fals keeps talking and Garia\u2019s too moonstruck to interrupt him. And watching Fals from a corner of the room with her posse is another charming person of interest.<\/p>\n Persua.<\/p>\n Persua, Persua, Persua. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. If I didn\u2019t know what Magnolia had told me, I still would have been able to tell something was wrong.<\/p>\n She\u2019s still there, and Toriska\u2019s sitting next to her\u2014Claudeil might be around\u2014but they look like they just were at a funeral. Persua\u2019s sycophants aren\u2019t here\u2014all the Street Runners are normally missing\u2014and she looked like she\u2019s mad enough to cry.<\/p>\n Or run someone over with a wagon. But guess what? She\u2019s not a City Runner anymore. In fact, I daresay Toriska\u2019s look of wanting to throw up can only get better by the slack-jawed look of horror as I walk in.<\/p>\n Schadenfreude\u2014a German word for enjoying the suffering of someone else\u2014is my favorite thing right now.\u00a0<\/p>\n When Persua sees me, I think she might actually faint. Her face doesn\u2019t exactly have much color, but it drains of everything. She sways, actually sways<\/em> in her seat, then begins to get up. But Toriska grabs her, and she hesitates\u2014because I\u2019m looking at her.<\/p>\n One move. One smart comment. Come over here and I\u2019ll drop-kick you into a wall, Persua.<\/em><\/p>\n Am I going to go after her? I haven\u2019t decided. I want to\u2014and Persua looks for the door as she sees the look on my face. I hesitate\u2014<\/p>\n I\u2019ve still got to research what the punishment is for murder in this world. For now, I walk past her, just savoring her look of pure hatred.<\/p>\n The old Guildmaster is gone, but I never really knew his face. He\u2019s not in the Guild, so I\u2019m mostly focused on the front desk.<\/p>\n Fals and Garia are in front of me in line while the female receptionist deals with a kid trying to turn in a delivery. I normally don\u2019t like to talk to Fals, but I am in the best of moods today. Besides, their conversation sounds interesting, so I put up with Fals long enough to listen in.<\/p>\n Garia sounds pretty upset. Both Runners are talking about something. Oh, right, that unmarked request she showed me two weeks ago. Seems like ages, now.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Third Runner we\u2019ve lost so far. Pestrom.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? No. He was an experienced City Runner\u2014Level 19! I\u2014I saw him just the other week. I thought you said no one went\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t know he was going. He talked about it, and I thought I talked him out of it. I guess he wanted to go in secret. We wouldn\u2019t have known what happened if that [Shepherd] didn\u2019t find his pack. Damn it. The Guild has<\/em> to take down that request.\u201d<\/p>\n Fals shakes his head. He looks genuinely angry and frustrated, but I\u2019ve seen people wear perfect masks of emotion. Garia bites her lip.<\/p>\n \u201cBut he had an enchanted shortsword. He wasn\u2019t an adventurer, and I know that\u2019s not high-level compared to a Courier, not by half\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He breaks in harshly, more agitated than I\u2019ve heard him.<\/p>\n \u201cNone of that matters in the High Passes, Garia. The monsters there\u2014you\u2019d need fighting skills or insanely high levels\u2014something above Level 30 probably to get out unscathed. I told <\/em>Pestrom that when he brought it up and he told me\u2026I guess he didn\u2019t take me seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got to do something about it, Fals. The reward\u2019s gone up to eighty gold<\/em>. Eighty! A bunch of the new Street Runners\u2014they know it\u2019s dangerous. But for that kind of money\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Fals nods seriously. The Runner ahead of him is done, so he steps up to the counter and addresses the receptionist. Isn\u2019t she the one I know?<\/p>\n \u201cStenei, don\u2019t let any Runners take that open request. Spread the word to the other Guilds. Anyone who tries to take the High Passes request will<\/em> die. We need it off the requests board.\u201d<\/p>\n The receptionist\u2014Stenei, that\u2019s the one who often gives me deliveries\u2014looks distressed. She clearly wants to help Fals out, and she doesn\u2019t notice me as she replies.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t take it down, Fals. You know guild policy. Even with the new Guildmaster\u2014it\u2019s still a request.\u201d<\/p>\n Fals nods. He leans over the counter and smiles charmingly* at the receptionist.**<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *I assume it\u2019s a charming smile. The problem is, I\u2019ve seen so many charming smiles that this particular type of charm makes me want to break something every time I see it.<\/p>\n **Why are they always female? Oh, right. Feminism isn\u2019t dead in this world; it probably never existed to begin with. Unless you count someone like Lady Magnolia, and she\u2019s probably a rare exception due to her influence and wealth. Lovely.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know. But you could, ah, suggest<\/em> to other Runners not to take the request, right? Believe me, it would save lives.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe already do that. I\u2019m sorry about Pestrom, I really am.\u201d<\/p>\n The receptionist and Garia both blush when Fals smiles, which only ticks me off more. Fals considers this.<\/p>\n \u201cThen\u2026what if this request just happened<\/em> to be hidden below other ones on all the boards in the other guilds? It happens. Organization can be bad. It\u2019s not against any rules, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n She hesitates, then nods.<\/p>\n \u201cI could ask about that. Let me just pen a [Message]…I think you\u2019re right, Fals.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn that case, Garia and I will tell the other Runners to spread the word and let everyone know what happened to Pestrom. Thanks, Stenei, you\u2019re a lifesaver. Literally.\u201d<\/p>\n Fals smiles at her again. She blushes and starts fiddling with the delivery Seals on her counter.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no need for flattery, Fals. Anyways, don\u2019t you have a lot of work to do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI always have time to chat with a lovely lady. How\u2019re the kids? Are you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Okay, interesting discussion I can deal with, but flirting\/chitchat I\u2019m not waiting around for. I don\u2019t quite elbow Fals out of the way* as I step forwards.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *I don\u2019t. Really. But I might have stepped a bit on his foot.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHey. Got a request for me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka! You\u2019re on your feet!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Garia\u2019s exclamation is so loud that anyone not looking at me already\u2014I wince, but she sweeps me up in the biggest hug I can.<\/p>\n \u201cGaria, put me down\u2014Garia!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n To my huge annoyance, Fals joins in. Which makes Garia let me go\u2014but he gives me a squeeze.<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka.<\/em> It\u2019s so great to see you! Your legs are healed\u2014that\u2019s incredible! That\u2019s impossible!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid Magnolia Reinhart do it like she said? She\u2019s so generous!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTotally unlike the rest of her family, no matter what they say about her.\u201d<\/p>\n Fals agrees. I have to actually put a hand on his shoulder and move him back. I think he\u2019s trying to cop a feel.<\/p>\n \u201cYou done?\u201d<\/p>\n He blinks, steps back, and flashes me a huge smile which goes unreturned.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry\u2014I\u2019m just so glad you\u2019re well. Where did you go? Tenbault?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Liscor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLiscor?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a long story. I had help from some adventurers, not the Healer of Tenbault. They fixed me up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWh\u2014really? There\u2019s a high-level [Healer] in Liscor?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSomething like that. Anyways, I just got back. Any interesting running requests around?\u201d<\/p>\n Garia still looks delighted, and I have to admit, she was there for me.<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka, this is so great.<\/em> You have to tell me what happened! Let\u2019s get a drink\u2014or visit my home! I mean\u2014you\u2019re well!<\/em> And guess what happened to Persua and the Guildmaster?\u201d<\/p>\n Fals hesitates and gives me the side-eye as I try not to smirk.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, yeah. Did you hear about that, Ryoka?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI may have. Persua\u2019s a Street Runner now? Oh, that\u2019s terrible. <\/em>What happened? Did she get her just desserts? Or did someone realize she\u2019s nowhere near a City Runner\u2019s level?\u201d<\/p>\n Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Persua freeze up and then turn redder with every word. Fals gives me a cautious look as Garia looks delighted\u2014nervous, but I can see other City Runners snorting.<\/p>\n That\u2019s right, everyone knows she did it and she\u2019s being punished.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201c<\/em>So you did know what happened.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Fals looks at me cautiously, and I give him a bland smile. Maybe he knows Magnolia\u2019s to blame, but I didn\u2019t make her do anything.<\/p>\n \u201cI heard it on the way here. What, is it a problem? Us runners have to stick together, so if Persua needs some guidance\u2014I\u2019m sure I can give her tips.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNah, Ryoka. I think it\u2019s all sorted, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Fals looks at Garia and the receptionist for support, but he doesn\u2019t get more than a nod from the receptionist. Garia frowns\u2014and I turn away from him and his shallow politics.<\/p>\n I plant my hands on the desk.<\/p>\n \u201cHey. I\u2019m back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Ryoka! It\u2019s wonderful to see you on your feet.\u201d<\/p>\n Stenei smiles, and I hesitate. Wow. That\u2019s a good act if it is one. I cough, embarrassed.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks\u2026uh, Stenei, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCorrect! How can I help you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm\u2014contracts. Any big ones for City Runners? Or me specifically?\u201d<\/p>\n I\u2019ve heard that popular City Runners get special orders for just them, which is a sign they\u2019ve made it. I\u2019m mostly asking about emergency runs for adventurers, and I\u2019m curious about what Fals and Garia were talking about.<\/p>\n Eighty gold coins?<\/em> That\u2019s a fortune! Is that related to\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cActually, Miss Griffin, we have several<\/em> open contracts for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWh\u2014really?\u201d<\/p>\n Fals and Garia turn instantly. I blink in gratification\u2014but it becomes a scowl as Stenei reads them out.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re all for Lady Reinhart, and they list you as the only Runner. If you\u2019d like to take a look.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPass.\u201d<\/p>\n Stenei looks astonished, and Fals\u2019 mouth falls open.<\/p>\n \u201cBut Miss Griffin, these are urgent, and the Guild\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want a delivery for Magnolia Reinhart. Anything else for me not from her? No? Okay, I guess it\u2019s regular deliveries, then.\u201d<\/p>\n I shake my head. Stenei is trying to offer me the files she has.<\/p>\n \u201cBut Miss Griffin, it\u2019s very, very<\/em> lucrative and not that difficult\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n But I don\u2019t want to talk to Lady Reinhart. <\/em>Yes, she helped me, but she made me one of those offers I couldn\u2019t refuse, and I did refuse it. She knows I\u2019m from\u2026somewhere else, and she scares the crap out of me, if I\u2019m honest.<\/p>\n She\u2019s dangerous, and I don\u2019t want to talk to her, so I walk over to the cork board with the requests.<\/p>\n \u201cNevermind that. I\u2019ll just take this one to Remendia and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Griffin, I am so<\/em> sorry, but the Guild would like you to take Magnolia\u2019s requests. Before you take another one.\u201d<\/p>\n I stop, one of the pieces of parchment in hand. Stenei is standing there, and she looks uncomfortable as she shakes her head at me. I try to place the request on the counter. She doesn\u2019t look at it.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019re you talking about? This one is open. I\u2019m free. Put me down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t do that, Miss Griffin. The Guildmaster has orders\u2014and the other Guilds do too. Here\u2019s a quick delivery to Lady Reinhart. Sugar from the north. You can pick it up right in the city.\u201d<\/p>\n She offers me a slip, and I look at it. Then push it back.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Put me down for\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Then I see the look in her eyes and realize I\u2019m not arguing with her. All at once, my good mood fades. I look at Garia, who\u2019s confused, and Fals, who\u2019s staring at me as if he\u2019s figuring something out. But I?<\/p>\n I just looked at the Runner\u2019s Guild, and all my goodwill towards Magnolia fades away as I realize I\u2019ve just been hit with the other side of her power and influence.<\/p>\n I have to deliver something to her?<\/em> I look at the [Receptionist] and realize she\u2019s telling the truth.<\/p>\n I am totally conscious of my empty money pouch. So that\u2019s what her game is? She must have the entire Guild\u2014is the entire network<\/em> of Guilds under her thumb? And if she does, then how do I earn money?<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Griffin? It\u2019s not hard to do it. Just one quick delivery and I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll be allowed to give you all the ones you want.\u201d<\/p>\n I stare at Stenei. Slowly, I look down at the request earmarked for me, and I can see Magnolia just waiting at her door. To invite me in. There\u2019s no one pushing<\/em> me into doing this. Magnolia never forced me to do anything\u2026but pressure? I can feel it all over, and you know what?<\/p>\n I hate being pushed.<\/em> So I push the paper back and step back. Instead of my smile, I\u2019m scowling as I walk away from the desk.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I\u2019m sure. Forget about it. I\u2019ll try another Guild.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Celum Runner\u2019s Guild was the one I was just at. It\u2019s not far to other cities\u2014well, it is to run for no pay, but if you\u2019re pissed and still enjoying running, like me, it\u2019s not too far to spite a [Lady].<\/p>\n Of course, she probably has the power to make Ocre and Remendia not listen, so I\u2019ll go to Wales the next day. It turns out \u2018no money\u2019 doesn\u2019t cover a few silver coins in my pack. Enough for a crappy room, and if I eat from my stale rations, that\u2019s breakfast, lunch, and dinner.<\/p>\n Wales is way <\/em>far away from Remendia and Ocre. Fifty miles. She can\u2019t\u2026<\/p>\n The [Receptionist] at the desk knows me before I get to him, and he makes the other City Runners step back and offers me the only request he has\u2014take a bunch of letters to Magnolia\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n Every Guild I try is the same. I even try to pretend I\u2019m not Ryoka, but it\u2019s hard to change skin-tone and my height. Every single [Receptionist] has the same reply, and I\u2019m about to kill everything.<\/p>\n No requests. No deliveries, and no pay. That\u2019s the message I\u2019ve gotten every day since I got back. I tried Runner\u2019s Guilds in three of the cities around here, and all of them are doing the same thing.\u00a0<\/p>\n In fact, they\u2019re even making it so I can\u2019t even go behind the Guild\u2019s back and do unofficial work. Someone\u2014and I bet it\u2019s Magnolia\u2014has decided to make the Runner\u2019s Guild fulfill every<\/em> request the moment it comes in. Even if it means they have to work every other Runner around the clock to get it done.<\/p>\n By the time I get back to Celum, it\u2019s just to see how long they can keep this up. Half of the Street and City Runners in here are practically dead on their feet, but they\u2019re still doing it. And it looks like they\u2019ve called in the better City Runners like Fals to help out.<\/p>\n In short, I\u2019m being shut out until I give into their demands. Which I won\u2019t do. What they actually want isn\u2019t hard\u2014<\/p>\n But I\u2019m not doing it. I don\u2019t give in to bullies and peer pressure. And the innocent look the receptionist is giving me makes me want to punch her lights out.<\/p>\n Screw this. It\u2019s time to get unpleasant.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n When Ryoka Griffin came back to the Runner\u2019s Guild, Stenei was still on duty. This time\u2014Garia felt for her.<\/p>\n She was a nice woman and had really been upset when Persua got away scott-free. But Ryoka was so furious that it was written on her face.<\/p>\n Garia understood why and was just glad Persua wasn\u2019t here today. Apparently, she was still running as a Street Runner\u2014and furious\u2014but she, Claudeil, and Toriska were in trouble, and everyone knew it.<\/p>\n The problem was\u2014Ryoka seemed to be in trouble too. She stomped her way towards the counter, and she looked both hungry and tired. Garia had offered to let her stay at her parent\u2019s farm\u2014they lived just outside of Celum\u2014but Ryoka had told her she didn\u2019t want charity.<\/p>\n Garia watched Ryoka and sensed trouble. She didn\u2019t have any particular skills like [Dangersense], but she didn\u2019t need to. She knew<\/em> Ryoka, not just as a friend but as a meteorologist knows weather. And if Ryoka were a storm, then she\u2019d be a shipbreaking hurricane with lightning and hail thrown in for good measure.<\/p>\n The tall, barefoot girl leaned over the counter and glared at the receptionist. Garia felt for the older woman. Stenei was nice and helpful to everyone\u2014she was just doing her job, even if Garia herself didn\u2019t agree with it. It wasn\u2019t her fault.<\/p>\n Then again, Garia wouldn\u2019t have wished Ryoka on anyone when she was this angry. Maybe Persua. Ryoka\u2019s bright green eyes flashed with annoyance.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been four days<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka leaned over the counter and glared at the wilting receptionist.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you\u2019re telling me that there are no requests? <\/em>Except of course for Magnolia.\u201d<\/p>\n Stenei opened her mouth, hesitated, and cast an imploring glance around the room. And who should be there except for\u2026<\/p>\n This time, Garia wondered if someone had told him to be here. Because he just happened<\/em> to have run in ten minutes before Ryoka, and that was despite doing seven deliveries in the last four days. He looked as tired as everyone else, but Fals stepped forwards and smiled at Ryoka in a way that made Garia\u2019s heart beat faster. Ryoka turned her glare on him.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t want to get in your way, Ryoka\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh really? Then stop taking all the delivery requests.\u201d<\/p>\n Fals scratched the back of his neck and smiled again awkwardly.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d love to. Really. But Ryoka, it would be best if you took one of Magnolia\u2019s requests first.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka knew why, but she wasn\u2019t in the mood to be helpful. She crossed her arms over her chest.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Another smile, slightly strained.<\/p>\n \u201cLady Magnolia\u2019s refusing to take any other requests until you deliver something in person. That\u2019s hurting Runners in every city around here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo? Just do the deliveries yourself. She\u2019ll take them if I don\u2019t deliver anything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d like to, really we would, Ryoka. But Lady Magnolia\u2014no one tells her what to do, Ryoka. Take a look at her requests, won\u2019t you? It wouldn\u2019t even be that hard.\u201d<\/p>\n From what Garia knew of Ryoka, an easy delivery would be even less attractive to her. But as Stenei held out one of the requests, Ryoka grudgingly stared at it. She curled her lip as she read the requests one after another.<\/p>\n \u201cHot peppers? Cabbages? She could get that in any market.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut she wants<\/em> a Runner. You, specifically.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo until she gets one, I won\u2019t get any other jobs, is that it? And I\u2019m supposed to ask her to let other Runners take her requests, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe wouldn\u2019t say that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n Fals seemed to choose his words carefully.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019d\u2014suggest<\/em> to Lady Magnolia that she open up her delivery requests for every Runner, things would be\u2014smoother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight. And you all get paid so everyone\u2019s happy?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka turned from Fals and stared around the guild. Street Runners and City Runners returned her stare countless times over. They were all silently watching Ryoka, and not with friendly expressions either.<\/p>\n \u201cSo until then, you\u2019re all going to keep taking the requests.\u201d<\/p>\n Fals shrugged ruefully as if caught out in a prank.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re just doing our jobs, Ryoka. But you\u2019re right. We\u2019re working together on this, Runners and the Guild.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t like being pressured. By anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Fals put a hand on Ryoka\u2019s shoulder, making the other Runner instantly tense up. He flashed her a reassuring smile that made Garia\u2019s stomach do flip flops.<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka, I completely agree with you. But please, look at it from the perspective of the rest of us Runners.\u201d<\/p>\n He gestured to the other Runners.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re a team. Okay, sure we don\u2019t all get along, but if every Runner was out for themselves, it\u2019d be a mess. We work together to tackle hard assignments, and we share the wealth so everyone gets ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n He tapped his chest lightly.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re Runners<\/em>. We might charge high prices, but we get the job done! And if some people don\u2019t like that, it\u2019s because they don\u2019t understand how tough our jobs really are. We risk life and limb to help others.\u201d<\/p>\n The other Runners in the room warmed to Fals\u2019 speech. They murmured agreement as he continued.<\/p>\n \u201cSo if we work together\u2014if we help support each other\u2014we\u2019ll survive. Hundreds of Runners die every year, but the Guilds around here lost the least amount of Runners each year. We don\u2019t take dangerous requests, and we team up if one of us is in danger. Sure, we might not earn as much as other Runners, but we know we can count on each other.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka stared at Fals as the other Runners in the room cheered. Then, calmly and deliberately, she grabbed his wrist and plucked his hand off her shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cNice speech. But you\u2019re full of shit.\u201d<\/p>\n Garia stopped smiling. The mood in the room froze over in a second. Ryoka stared around at the other Runners, unflinching. She looked back at Fals, who was staring at her uncertainty. Then she shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou want to talk about Runners and preach about playing nice and sticking together? Fine. But leave me out of your little party.\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed a thumb at her chest.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a barefoot<\/em> runner<\/em>. If I cared about what people thought, I wouldn\u2019t run at all. Runners run. We deliver stuff. It\u2019s a job, not a calling.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked around again, and this time, she caught Garia\u2019s eye for a moment.<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t care less whether or not you lot like me. All I\u2019m here to do is deliver stuff and get paid. I don\u2019t want Magnolia\u2019s stupid requests. If you lot want to earn favor with her, deal with it and leave me out of it. You should want<\/em> me to not work with her. You think I\u2019m trying to be her special, personal Runner?\u201d<\/p>\n Fals spread his hands out helplessly.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d like to believe you, Ryoka, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou think I\u2019m lying?\u201d<\/p>\n The edge<\/em> in Ryoka\u2019s voice made Fals hesitate. She took one step forwards, and he took one step back.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t lie. And I hate liars. When you make a promise, you keep it. When you speak, you look someone in the eye and mean every word. When I say I\u2019ll do something, I mean<\/em> it. If you want to do deliveries to Magnolia, take the damn requests. I don\u2019t care about your politics.\u201d<\/p>\n She poked Fals in the chest hard enough to make him take another step back.<\/p>\n \u201cBut if you get in my way, I\u2019ll kick your face in.\u201d<\/p>\n Fals opened his mouth, but this time, Garia grabbed him and pulled him away. Ryoka turned and glared around the room. None of the other Runners were willing to meet her eyes, but the feeling they gave off\u2014<\/p>\n She stalked over to the request board and glared at it. Countless requests were listed, and not a one was for her.<\/p>\n There was no point to taking any of the requests, she knew. Even if she took one to the counter, it would be \u2018miraculously\u2019 already taken by another Runner. Or they\u2019d refuse to recognize her effort or just not hand over the item she had to deliver. Even if she did the delivery, the funds were already deposited in the Guild, and they wouldn’t be released until Magnolia said so.<\/p>\n But\u2014she had a thought. Wasn\u2019t there one delivery that promised payment upon just getting<\/em> to the person? One that no Runner could take. Should take.<\/p>\n Slowly, she investigated the board, removing requests and tossing them to the floor. The receptionist looked upset, but Ryoka dared her to object. She was looking for something\u2026aha<\/em>, just like Fals had asked. Right on the bottom.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ryoka pushed back several requests and selected one at the bottom. She brought it back to the counter and handed it to the receptionist.<\/p>\n \u201cThis one. I\u2019ll take the request for the High Passes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Stenei blinked at Ryoka. She stammered.<\/p>\n \u201cThat one\u2019s\u2014but you can\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot a good idea, Ryoka.\u201d<\/p>\n Fals pulled himself gently away from Garia and moved in front of Ryoka again. His face was concerned.<\/p>\n \u201cThe High Passes aren\u2019t a place for Runners or even most adventurers. Whoever put that request in doesn\u2019t know what they\u2019re doing. You shouldn\u2019t take it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not? There\u2019s nothing else for me to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka snatched the piece of paper back from Fals. Then she grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cUnless you want to do it? I\u2019ll follow you out to make sure you get it done.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka smiled maliciously at Fals. He recoiled visibly, and she nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I thought. I\u2019m doing the request.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll die!\u201d<\/p>\n Garia broke into the conversation. She flushed as all eyes turned on her, but she continued desperately.<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka, Fals is right. This is serious. Just take one of Magnolia\u2019s requests! The High Passes\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll survive. And I\u2019ll complete the request even if it\u2019s dangerous\u2014not just for money. Apparently, that\u2019s all Runners think about.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka pushed Fals back and moved past Garia. She walked towards the door and stopped as another not quite barred her way. Persua.<\/p>\n She didn\u2019t have her posse anymore, just Toriska and Claudeil. Both glared at Ryoka\u2014but moved back as Ryoka\u2019s hand curled into a fist.<\/p>\n \u201cPersua. <\/em>What\u2019re you doing here? Don\u2019t cause a scene.\u201d<\/p>\n Fals raised his voice warningly, and Persua shot him a murderous look\u2014but even the [Receptionist] was giving her a stare. She was red-faced, furious with humiliation, and, Ryoka thought, pinched for coin much in the same way Ryoka was.<\/p>\n The two were giving off sparks of hatred as they looked at each other, but Persua just tossed her head defiantly, ignoring Fals\u2019 warning. Ryoka growled.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you going to try and stop me too? Hi, Persua. I\u2019d love for you to try.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Toriska, and the girl shifted, a hand on her knife, but Ryoka was ready to punch. Persua\u2019s look clearly said that she would like nothing better than to stop Ryoka, very painfully if possible\u2026but she was standing behind Claudeil. She tossed her head as if her hair were a whip she meant to strike Ryoka with and sneered at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI<\/em> don\u2019t need to do anything. You\u2019re going to die in the High Passes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh really?\u201d<\/p>\n Persua\u2019s tone dripped venom as she stared at the request Ryoka held. Contemptuously.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do you think none of the experienced Runners take those kinds of requests? We\u2019re<\/em> smart enough not to risk our lives. We<\/em> work together, not like you. You\u2019ll die alone because you\u2019re a fool.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re probably right.\u201d<\/p>\n Persua blinked in surprise. Fals and Garia both stared at Ryoka along with the other Runners. Ryoka nodded and looked around the room again.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I do it your way, I probably would live long enough to retire. And maybe I\u2019d even earn a lot of money, who knows? And if I kiss your ass long enough, maybe you\u2019d even like me. If I were like the rest of you, I\u2019d never take this request.\u201d<\/p>\n She paused. Then she stared right back at Fals as she delivered her next line.<\/p>\n \u201cToo bad I\u2019m not a coward.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka turned and walked out of the guild even as the stunned silence turned into shouts of fury.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I burn bridges as I breathe. It\u2019s a talent. I\u2019ve done it all my life, and I guess some things you just can\u2019t change. Me and my big mouth. I got kicked out of one school for telling the principal what I really thought about him and the other\u2014<\/p>\n They\u2019re pissed. I can hear them yelling as I open the door. But I\u2019m still smiling as I walk out the building.<\/p>\n One thing matters. One thing I cling to even in my darkest days. And that thing is integrity.<\/p>\n I am that I am. I am who I am. And I will not change for anyone except myself. Countries and cultures have their own laws. Society pushes and prods. Everyone has an agenda, and no motive is honest.<\/p>\n But I will bow to no one, especially not petty tyrants and liars like Fals. So I smile even as I sever ties. It may be that after this I\u2019ll have to go elsewhere. Actually, not \u2018may.\u2019 Probably I\u2019ll have to go or else have both legs broken this time.<\/p>\n How far does this group of Runners\u2019 influence stretch? Well, no matter where I go, they\u2019ll probably follow with rumor and lies. And it will be the same wherever I go.<\/p>\n What a crappy, small group of people. But what a wonderful world. If I need to, I\u2019ll run to the very edges of it to find a place to be free.<\/p>\n If only everyone weren\u2019t so petty. Well, those that aren\u2019t are like Fals, and he\u2019s worthless in his own way. But one of them\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Crap. Garia\u2019s the only person in that group worth a grain of salt. In her case, she\u2019s probably worth a small mountain of salt. A hill, at least.<\/p>\n She jogs to catch up. Part of me wants to just keep walking and lose her, but even I\u2019m not enough of a jerk to do that. Besides, she\u2019s helped me so much that I owe her.<\/p>\n Garia hesitates as she slows to keep pace with me. I\u2019m expecting her to defend the other Runners, but what she says next surprises me.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll keep them off your backs if I can. But they\u2019re angry. Really, really<\/em> angry.\u201d<\/p>\n Huh. But maybe I should have expected that? Garia\u2019s a stand-up kind of girl. That\u2019s why I like her.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re pissed off because I told them what I thought of their little cult?\u201d<\/p>\n Garia hesitates.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t\u2014I don\u2019t agree with everything Fals said, Ryoka, but I think he\u2019s right in some ways. I think you\u2019re right too, though. But you\u2019re special. You\u2014you can do deliveries by yourself, but some of us need<\/em> to work together. Without the way the Guild does things, we\u2019d get hurt way more often.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo we work together and drag everyone down who doesn\u2019t agree with us, is that it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t say it was perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPack mentality. And Fals thinks he knows everything. Are we dogs or gods?\u201d<\/p>\n I thought that was clever. Or maybe it was stupid. Ouch. Garia\u2019s look makes me feel like a complete jackass.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re neither. We\u2019re just people, Ryoka. And they\u2019re not perfect, I know. But we can\u2019t all be like you. Some of us have to work together to survive.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2026Damn it. This is getting painful.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to be able to run like you. But I can\u2019t. I\u2019m too slow\u2014I can only carry really heavy stuff instead of fast requests. If it weren\u2019t for the way the Guild works, I wouldn\u2019t be able to run.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026I know. But I won\u2019t answer to them.\u201d<\/p>\n Garia nods and then visibly braces herself. Here comes her pitch.<\/p>\n \u201cCouldn\u2019t you\u2014couldn\u2019t you just talk to Magnolia? Would it be that hard to just ask her\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n In some ways? No. In some ways\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cIn some ways, no. But in some ways, yeah. I\u2019m not doing it either way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you\u2019d say that. I told Fals you would.\u201d<\/p>\n That bastard. He asked<\/em> Garia to go after me. That manipulative\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cWhen are you going to go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow. Fals and the other Runners will probably try to stop me if I don\u2019t. I know Persua will.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, okay.\u201d<\/p>\n Suddenly, Garia seizes me in a bear hug. And she\u2019s\u2014strong<\/em>. Seriously, I think she\u2019s going to break a rib. But then she pushes me back.<\/p>\n \u201cGo. I\u2019ll try and keep them busy for a little bit. And don\u2019t die, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n She turns and runs away. Slowly, by City Runner standards. Her posture really is quite bad. But she\u2019s got heart, and that makes her the best Runner of the lot in my opinion.<\/p>\n Okay. Okay, that was\u2014surprising or gratifying? Both. Also a bit humbling. But that\u2019s right. I\u2019ve gotta go.<\/p>\n Body check. I\u2019m all in one piece, and I\u2019ve got no injuries. Plus, since I haven\u2019t been running any deliveries\u2014I\u2019ll call it at least 92% readiness. Perfect.<\/p>\n Motivation on the other hand\u201460%. Not good, not bad*. I\u2019d like more, but even though I\u2019m happy about being able to run, the amazement\u2019s worn off.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *I generally think of a good run at anything about 80%. On those runs, I get into the zone and outperform my best. Obviously, I can still run really fast even when I\u2019m not motivated, but there\u2019s a clear difference between me when I\u2019m feeling good and feeling bad. I could make 40% motivation Ryoka eat my dust and lap her if I were at 90% motivation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Normally, that\u2019s good enough for any kind of run. I could do a marathon like this, but as everyone\u2019s said, these High Passes are different. I read up a bit on them with the local literature and\u2014<\/p>\n Yeah, I might die. So I need to prepare a bit before I go, and quickly too. Fortunately, I\u2019m in Celum, and even more fortunately, a certain Minotaur and a bunch of adventurers like to frequent the inn where I stay.<\/p>\n I pick up my pace as I head towards the inn. Garia might be able to slow the other Runners down, but I really doubt she\u2019ll buy me more than a minute. I\u2019ll make a pit stop at the inn and head out.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve gotta hurry either way. It\u2019s already midday, and the High Passes are far enough that I should hurry. I\u2019ll be heading about halfway through the pass, so I do need supplies. And the Horns of Hammerad are the only people who\u2019ll lend me stuff right now. Aside from Magnolia. She can go to hell along with the other Runners.<\/p>\n Damn it. I hate<\/em> having no money.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Delays.<\/p>\n Ryoka tried not to grit her teeth. She hated delays. But explanations took time, especially when the ones she was trying to explain to weren\u2019t that quick on the uptake.<\/p>\n Gerial blinked at Ryoka again. He, Ceria, and the male magician from the Horns of Hammerad had been eating lunch when Ryoka found them.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me get this straight. You\u2019re going on a dangerous delivery, and you need our help. And\u2026you want us to take your belongings?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to be gone for at least a day, and the other Runners are probably going to trash my room while I\u2019m gone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy would they do that?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cIf Persua\u2019s anything like the other girls I\u2019ve known, that\u2019s one of the first things she\u2019ll do. Good thing I don\u2019t have any shoes so she can\u2019t fill them with thumbtacks.\u201d<\/p>\n Again, Gerial blinked uncomprehendingly at Ryoka. But Ceria nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll guard your things. Runners wouldn\u2019t dare break into the Adventurer\u2019s Guild, and we have our own storage space. But what\u2019s this about help? We could escort you to the outskirts of the Passes, but Calruz isn\u2019t here, and we\u2019re understrength. And frankly, even at our best, we wouldn\u2019t be able to go far into the Passes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t need an escort. I just need supplies. Healing potions\u2014food\u2014I\u2019d buy it myself, but I don\u2019t have any money. I\u2019ll pay you back\u2014double what I\u2019m borrowing.\u201d<\/p>\n Gerial and Ceria exchanged a glance. He nodded. She reached down below the table and opened a travel bag.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got some healing potions right here. And a few dry rations. Enough for four meals.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s enough.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen take them.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria pulled out several colored potions from her pack and handed them to Ryoka.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are better quality than you\u2019d buy in the marketplace anyways. And you\u2019ll need them.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure? I can buy some\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you were broke, Ryoka. We still don\u2019t have any contracts, and Calruz isn\u2019t back yet. Take the potions, Ryoka. If everything I\u2019ve heard about the High Passes is true, you\u2019ll need them.\u201d<\/p>\n She was right. Ryoka nodded and silently began stowing the potions in her own pack. They were various hues of red and yellow, which Ryoka fastened to the outside of her pack so she could reach them quickly.<\/p>\n Yellow health potions didn\u2019t feel right<\/em> to Ryoka, but apparently, color didn\u2019t really matter with most potions. Anyone could toss some food dye in a bottle to make potions whatever color they wanted. She supposed she should just be grateful health potions didn\u2019t look like vomit. They tasted like vomit, but that was an entirely different matter.<\/p>\n Ryoka gently set her pack down on the floor next to Ceria\u2019s.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks. Really.\u201d<\/p>\n Gerial frowned, anxious.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m still not sure I agree with this. Are you sure<\/em> you have to do this? If the Runner\u2019s Guild is giving you so much trouble, why not seek work elsewhere?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m taking a delivery request. The reward is for eighty gold coins.\u201d<\/p>\n All three adventurers whistled.<\/p>\n \u201cBesides, if I take this request, I should be able to find work even if they keep blocking me. I just need the money.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe could lend you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka stood up.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll get my stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n Gerial stared helplessly as she walked upstairs to her room. The male mage patted him on the shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cNice try. But she\u2019s determined, isn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI never knew the Runner\u2019s Guild was like that.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the same in every guild. Ours is no different.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBelieve me, Gerial. If you look close enough, you see the same things repeated over and over. Humans are just like that.\u201d<\/p>\n Both men looked sideways at Ceria but made no further comment. They stared at the stairs, silent in the general hubbub of the inn. They didn\u2019t notice the girl Ryoka would have described inaccurately as sallow-faced sneaking up to the packs on the ground and swiftly rearranging the contents of both.<\/p>\n A quick few minutes later, Ryoka clattered down the stairs, nearly knocking a barmaid over. She had all of her possessions bundled in her arms, which she dropped on the table, nearly into the adventurers\u2019 meals. Only a quick flick of Ceria\u2019s wrist made the bowls and plates spin off onto another table.<\/p>\n \u201cHere.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka didn\u2019t have much. Just some clothing, the magic bandages, and quite a few books that interested Ceria. She handed them all to Gerial, ignoring his blushes as he handled her underwear and equivalent to a sports bra. Then she paused and pulled one last item from her pocket.<\/p>\n \u201cTake care of this. It\u2019s very fragile.\u201d<\/p>\n Gerial blinked down at the rectangle of metal and plastic in his hands. He had never seen anything like it\u2014in fact, the smooth casing of the iPhone was completely, unsettlingly alien to him.<\/p>\n Ceria leaned over the table, suddenly fascinated. She and the other mage stared at the iPhone, astonished,<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is that?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA device. I\u2019ll explain it if I get back.\u201d<\/p>\n Gerial held it at arm\u2019s length.<\/p>\n \u201cWill it\u2014will it do anything?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka shook her head, almost sadly for her. She touched the blank display regretfully.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s broken. Just treat it carefully\u2014don\u2019t put anything heavy on it and don\u2019t drop it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf it\u2019s broken, can\u2019t you repair it?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka smiled as if Gerial had told a very funny joke.<\/p>\n \u201cNo blacksmith or craftsman in the world could fix this. Trust me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen what about magic?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n The male mage shrugged. He pushed his plates aside and picked up a faintly shining wand from the table.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you let me try a spell?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka hesitated. She was clearly torn, but then she nodded. Very slowly, Gerial handed the iPhone to the mage. He inspected it, running his fingers delicately across the touchscreen.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat exquisite craftsmanship. I can\u2019t detect any faults, but perhaps the issue lies within? Regardless, if it is not of magical creation\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen this should work. [Repair].\u201d<\/p>\n The mage waved his wand in a half-crescent and then tapped the iPhone. The tip of the wand flashed green as it touched the casing\u2014<\/p>\n And then the iPhone\u2019s screen flickered into life.<\/p>\n Ceria gasped, but Gerial\u2019s reaction was even more dramatic. He shot backwards in his chair and crashed to the ground in surprise. Ryoka just stared. She stared and stared at the iPhone.<\/p>\n \u201cDone.\u201d<\/p>\n The mage smiled and handed Ryoka her iPhone. He stared with intense fascination at the brightly lit screen and then at Ryoka\u2019s face. She was just staring at the iPhone in her hand. Staring and staring. But then she touched the screen and swiped it.<\/p>\n The display changed. Ceria and the mage were astonished twice-over, perhaps because they could sense no magic in the iPhone despite what was happening, but Ryoka just sighed. She turned to the mage.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, I never got your name. Or maybe I forgot. What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n He blinked and then smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cSostrom Reidez, at your service, Miss Ryoka Griffin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSostrom.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka took his hand and shook it. She looked him in the eye.<\/p>\n \u201cI owe you a great debt.\u201d<\/p>\n Sostrom flushed lightly. He was in his early thirties or his very late twenties but unfortunately bald save for his eyebrows. He tugged his pointy hat lower on his head.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was nothing, really. Just a spell\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot just a spell.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka smiled at him. In the dim lighting of the inn, the iPhone\u2019s glow lit up her face.<\/p>\n \u201cNot just a spell. Someday, you\u2019ll have to teach me it. If I can do magic, it would be just to cast that. And now\u2014those assholes aren\u2019t going to know what hit them.\u201d<\/p>\n She turned and walked out the inn. The three Horns of Hammerad exchanged a glance and then rose to follow her. They couldn\u2019t tell what\u2014but something had changed about Ryoka in the moments after Sostrom had repaired her phone.<\/p>\n She seemed different.<\/p>\n She was different.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The iPhone is warm in my hand. It glows, and it makes the rest of the world seem different. The vivid colors of this world are quite, quite different from the artificial colors on the display. Both are brilliant in their own way.<\/p>\n It is fixed. Completely, utterly. The power bar reads 100% at the top of the screen. It\u2019s the most glorious thing I\u2019ve ever seen, bar my healed leg. And it is fixed.<\/p>\n I barely even feel my body as I walk outside. It feels as though I\u2019m floating in a world of my own. Legs\u2014fixed. iPhone\u2014fixed. That\u2019s all I need.<\/p>\n It\u2019s time. Time to do what I\u2019ve always wanted to do.<\/p>\n I step out into the middle of the street. No carts are passing by, and the pedestrians are mostly in for lunch. The others ignore me. Some stare at my iPhone, but I am just another Runner. That\u2019s the way I like it.<\/p>\n Except of course that there\u2019s always someone watching. Ceria, Gerial, and Sostrom have come out of the inn to watch me, but I can see several Street Runners casually lounging across the street. Ready to follow and intercept? Most likely.<\/p>\n And of course, I can\u2019t see anyone else, but there\u2019s a prickle on the back of my neck. I wonder if Lady Magnolia hires assassins or whether her maids have diverse skill sets. Or maybe it\u2019s someone else. Who knows? Who cares?<\/p>\n Death. That\u2019s what everyone tells me the High Passes are. And they\u2019re right. It\u2019s probably the most dangerous spot in this part of the continent. Even if it\u2019s not certain death, it\u2019s more than any sane person would want to risk.<\/p>\n But I\u2019m not sane. Nor am I a normal person. Fear and exhilaration share equal parts in my heart right now. I want to see it. People tell me something is deadly and dangerous? I want to see it for myself.<\/p>\n Besides, what about this world is normal? What about this world is sane? Ever since I\u2019ve come here, I\u2019ve slowly pieced together the real shape of this crazy planet. From the local area, you might think it\u2019s safe, a kind of medieval culture advanced several hundred years technologically thanks to magic. But it\u2019s not. I know it.<\/p>\n In this world, the untamed wilds threaten to overwhelm the fragile peace of civilization. Though the thinking races of this world are numerous and possess technology and magic, their hold is tenuous. When the undead rise in numbers or the things<\/em> living at the far edges of the earth venture out, nations burn.<\/p>\n The books I bought tell me different things from people. And that\u2019s because books are written by individuals, while people are quite stupid. People only know what they want to know. The individuals who write books make it their business to know as much as they can.<\/p>\n Peace and stagnation. War that does not change. This continent is wracked by it. The Human nations fight against the non-Humans to the south, sending armies to fight and die in the Blood Fields each year. A genteel war to fight only in the same place? No. But the cost of a true war where cities fall is too much for either side at the moment. So it\u2019s a long war of attrition and changing alliances. Meanwhile, the natural landscape and monster attacks are enough of a problem for the city-states either way.<\/p>\n But this continent is peaceful. Compared to some.<\/p>\n To the northeast, far across the seas, the Blighted King wages an eternal war against monster tribes and demons. His continent has seen war for five thousand years, and his is one of the last nations not consumed. Nations send their own armies to support him, but his people have never known peace. Their heroes and soldiers are some of the finest and the most impoverished. He fights a daily war that he is losing over the course of years.<\/p>\n In the south of the world lies a continent called Chandrar. The largest desert in the world fills the center of that landmass, and no one lives there; all the countries and kingdoms surround that death zone, fighting for moisture and land in the livable spaces.\u00a0<\/p>\n Chandrar has more dead nations than any other continent. Poverty is ever-present there too, but the nations still fight over what\u2019s left like starving dogs. They used to be unified, but the kingdom which united another continent collapsed and now everyone\u2019s worse off. A classic story.<\/p>\n Once, a warlord unlike any other managed to conquer the whole damn continent and was sweeping through this one when his empire suddenly collapsed. None of the books said why this was. This king did not die\u2014nor was he apparently harmed. But he abandoned his dreams of world conquest. Now he sits in his crumbling kingdom as other countries pick apart his once-great empire. The King of Destruction sleeps.<\/p>\n The continent north of this one is filled with Humans. Terandria. They have subjugated their lands and created a peaceful continent, or at least one with fewer monsters. But despite that, they fight amongst themselves in a never-ending battle for supremacy. Their royal families hold mighty artifacts in their vaults but fear to use them in case of mutually assured destruction. It sounds like a bunch of kingdoms of inbred, infighting [Kings] and [Queens]. Europe, essentially.<\/p>\n Other nations. I have read of them. The western oceans contain the last continent, a jungle in the south, plains and then tundra to the north. The species there are\u2014odd\u2014but Baleros is engulfed by endless low-level conflicts that give rise to an entire culture of [Mercenary] companies. Four of the biggest companies practically rule the entire continent, and a lot of the wilds of Baleros lie unexplored.<\/p>\n A few other great powers exist, like an archipelago called \u2018Drath,\u2019 ruled by, you guessed it, an [Emperor]. Few nations have no monarch. Even Calruz\u2019s homeland, called the House of Minos, another archipelago, has a Minotaur King.<\/p>\n Apparently, they fight against some kind of eternal threat similar to the Blighted Kingdom of Rhir. Some sworn enemy of the world is enough to keep nearly a million Minotaurs in a constant state of war and peace. Well, a million is the number the book I read touted, but it was written using information decades old. But the Empire of Minos has its own strange culture Humans and other races don\u2019t want to learn about for some reason.<\/p>\n More continents, more islands and places my books could only hint at, that once existed or have changed\u2014but I want to visit more than anything.\u00a0<\/p>\n An icy arctic shelf with icecaps taller than skyscrapers in Terandria\u2019s north. The \u2018end of the world,\u2019 The Last Tide, which has killed more ships and taken countless explorers and armies, never to return.<\/p>\n A legendary isle where mages gather to learn spells and where anyone is free to study, Wistram, the Academy of Mages. Even continents that once stood that are now buried in the ocean, cities of people who live under the water, Drowned Folk.<\/p>\n These are the legends and wonders that shape this world. Yet here I am, in one of the most boring places in one of the safest parts of the world, and people warn me about the High Passes as if they\u2019re dangerous? For all the unrest, this is an era of peace. All the terrible battles happened long ago.<\/p>\n The gods are dead, and no one tells me who these gods were or how they know they\u2019re dead. Because I knew to look for them, I found hints of the Elves, but no book of nations and countries lists their race anywhere. They\u2019re long dead, and half-Elves are the only species around who bear their legacy. The Dwarves are hidden in the heart of mountains that make the Himalayas look like foothills.<\/p>\n The age of great wars, myth and legends has ended. Magic endures, but those who wield it have faded. Nations fight in brush wars, but the balance of power has been kept. There\u2019s a marker for this era: The Waning World, it\u2019s called. Well, the book claims that Gnolls named it that. Do Gnolls get to decide what each era is called? I like the name.<\/p>\n This is not a time of heroes. And that\u2019s fine with me. I am no hero. But I want to see what remains. I want to see what wonders still lurk in this world. For I am certain: they are legion.<\/p>\n The world I\u2019ve seen so far\u2014the cities and people here\u2014are so petty. They care only about their small struggles and what they think of each other. Magnolia, for all her cunning, is a small landowner in a tiny part of the world. And that is wonderful.<\/p>\n The worst thing that ever happened to my world was globalization. Once we reached the ends of the earth, we lost our curiosity, our drive to grow<\/em>. But I feel it. It calls to me.<\/p>\n Adventure<\/em>. Pure and simple.<\/p>\n I can see the other Runners watching me. But I don\u2019t care about them. The iPhone is warm in my hand.<\/p>\n I tap the screen, and it lights up. Gerial and the other Horns of Hammerad gasp again, and even Ceria looks amazed. But to me, it\u2019s like looking at an old friend.<\/p>\n An old friend. An iPhone 4, to be exact. Black, sleek. It used to be full of scratches and dents where I dropped it, but now, the plastic shines in the daylight. It looks like it just came out of the box.<\/p>\n Slide to unlock. No password. I should probably put one on, just in case. If I lose my iPhone, I deserve to let it get hacked. Not that there\u2019s too much on there. A few books, saved files, an empty contact list, basic essentials like Safari, which is useless here\u2026only one thing takes up nearly all 32 GB on my phone.<\/p>\n Music.<\/p>\n It\u2019s all there. Thousands of songs, some great, some only mediocre. But every song I ever liked and bought\u2014or more often downloaded illegally\u2014is here. All here.<\/p>\n I can\u2019t help it. I start laughing. Laughing for the pure, joyous salvation of magic. It\u2019s given me everything I\u2019ve ever wanted. My wings, and now my music. With it\u2014with this\u2014<\/p>\n I am free.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ryoka stared down at her iPhone and then began to laugh. For her, it was joyous. But for everyone else\u2014<\/p>\n Gerial and Sostrom edged away from Ryoka, and the other people on the street took one look at her and then hurried away. Ceria could only smile in astonishment.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat an evil-sounding laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n Perhaps Ryoka heard that, because she stopped. She reached into her pocket and drew out two earbuds. To the confusion of everyone watching, she plugged them into her iPhone and then into her ears. Then she turned and began to jog.<\/p>\n The Street Runners left their positions and began to follow, but Ryoka\u2019s jog turned into a fast run in an instant. She disappeared from view even as the Horns of Hammerad watched.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you suppose that device was? Did it resemble anything you saw in Wistram Academy, Ceria?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria raised an eyebrow at Sostrom.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve no idea. Besides, that thing had no magic in it. How strange. But I can see why Magnolia is so fascinated by Ryoka and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n A thought occurred to Ceria. She reached into the pack she\u2019d brought with her, now stuffed with Ryoka\u2019s clothes, and began pawing through it.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria paled as she checked her pouches and pulled out a blue potion.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no. How could this happen? I swear<\/em> I checked to make sure\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n She turned to Gerial and Sostrom and showed them the potion she was holding.<\/p>\n \u201cThe healing potions I gave her\u2014half of them were mana<\/em> potions.\u201d<\/p>\n They stared at her in horror. But even as they turned to shout, Ryoka was long gone. She was running. And she couldn\u2019t have heard them in any case.<\/p>\n The music was about to begin.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ryoka sensed the other Street Runners trying to keep up as she raced through the streets, dodging past cursing pedestrians and keeping well away from any carts, wagons, or larger vehicles. The paved stones felt wonderfully smooth underneath her feet.<\/p>\n Hm. The Street Runners were keeping up well. Only to be expected since Ryoka had to dodge too many things for her liking. But they weren\u2019t smart<\/em>. They didn\u2019t know how to shift their weight to get the best out of every step and how to turn corners quick. They were just talented amateurs or, in most cases, just amateurs.<\/p>\n Ryoka reached the gate and sensed more Runners following her. City Runners. They were faster. She wondered if Persua were in the crowd trying to catch up. Well, they could prepare any kind of trap, but they\u2019d have to catch her first. She was already running faster than normal, but it was time.<\/p>\n She could barely contain the excitement burning in her chest. Time. After so long, the mere thought of it was giving her goosebumps. Ryoka ran while keeping the iPhone in her hand. She flicked through the screens, selected the Music app. Then\u2014it was at the top of the screen, a pair of crossed arrows.<\/p>\n She hit the button.<\/p>\n Shuffle.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019ve run races, marathons, even an ultra-marathon once. I\u2019ve run through snow, rain, hail, through thunder and lightning and even hurricanes. But I\u2019ve never run like this.<\/p>\n Motivation. After so long of running in silence, the instant I heard the guitar\u2019s first chords, my legs churn into overdrive.<\/p>\n \u201cSweet Home Alabama\u201d thunders in my ears as I race out the city. Lynyrd Skynyrd\u2019s lyrics blast through my ears as I pick up speed, shedding Runners left and right. The music\u2019s not the best for running\u2014but far from the worst. And it\u2019s not the song that matters so much right now. It\u2019s just the music.<\/p>\n Running. Music. Running music. The greatest thing ever to be invented in the history of ever. It takes away the pain of running and puts me right into the zone. I could run barefoot on nails and\u2014<\/p>\n That\u2019s a terrible idea. But I could<\/em> probably dodge highway traffic and run a six-minute mile forever while listening to music. How is it that it can take away your focus on running and at the same time focus my mind even more on running? I don\u2019t know.<\/p>\n It\u2019s just music<\/em>.<\/p>\n Sweet home Alabama, where the skies are so blue.<\/em> I\u2019ve always wanted to go to Alabama just to run around listening to this song.<\/p>\n Motion. A bunch of Runners are ahead of me. Fals and some of the highest-level City Runners. They want to cut me off, and they\u2019re sprinting as fast as they can. And it might be a skill or a Skill, but they\u2019re quick enough that they could actually catch me.<\/p>\n On any other day.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t even have to look down. I\u2019ve memorized the exact placement on my iPhone so that my fingers can immediately find the next button. It\u2019s not that I don\u2019t love a good country rock song, but if I\u2019m going to go full-throttle, I want faster music. The shuffle god works his magic. And then I hear it.<\/p>\n Oh. Hell yeah. I can tell when the first bell tolls which song it is. \u201cI Will Not Bow\u201d by Breaking Benjamin. Then the guitar and drums blast in, and everything disappears. I run like I\u2019ve never run before.<\/p>\n I catch one glimpse of Fals\u2019 stunned face before I blow by him and the other City Runners. They can\u2019t even turn fast enough to see me. The landscape blurs and disappears underneath my feet. I\u2019m running just as fast as I did when I got my leg back. Fast as that. Faster.<\/p>\n I am heavy metal. I am death and rock. I am running, and running becomes me. I will not be stopped.<\/p>\n The vocalist screams in my ears, and I run on. The High Passes await. A mysterious delivery request, deadly monsters, and mystery. I leave behind intrigue, angry Runners, and petty infighting with every step. Onwards, ever onwards. I run with music taking away the pain of the world and run to keep death from catching up.<\/p>\n At last.<\/p>\n I am free.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Running is a peculiar thing. And it\u2019s one of the few things I\u2019m qualified to talk about in any world. For me, running is as close to living as anything I do. I\u2019ve studied it, practiced it, and made it mine. I can\u2019t claim anything else like that. But if running is pure, life is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52856846,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"patreon-level":0,"patreon_level":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11693081,349],"tags":[],"twi_volume":[11693130],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-13641","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-1","category-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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