{"id":6431,"date":"2019-08-06T10:27:04","date_gmt":"2019-08-06T10:27:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wandering-inn\/?p=6431"},"modified":"2025-12-24T01:00:20","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T01:00:20","slug":"6-35","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2019\/08\/06\/6-35\/","title":{"rendered":"6.35"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 54 \u2013 Ryoka<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

When the Wind Runner of Reizmelt woke up, she knew it would be another rainy day. Honestly, she was sick of them, but they were symptomatic of Izril in the spring. Wet.<\/p>\n

And it was still better than Liscor, whose spring rain season was the thing of nightmares. Even so, as spring waned and became summer, the rains persisted. And yes, they were good for crops and all that. Ryoka was still tired of being wet.<\/p>\n

She knew it would be a rainy day as soon as she woke to the drumming of rain on the roof above her room. But as Ryoka got up, she realized a few more things.<\/p>\n

Firstly, she wasn\u2019t in Reizmelt. She knew that because it was past dawn and Madain hadn\u2019t been banging about, swearing and shouting for everyone to wake up!!<\/em> Funny, but Ryoka almost missed that. And because her bed was freshly made, smelled of flowers, and the sheets had been washed by someone other than Ryoka.<\/p>\n

She was in Walta, staying at the Rose\u2019s Retreat, a very nice inn with a female [Innkeeper] who was accommodating and strict. Miss Iglesias Theroben had expressed a firm desire to Ryoka that her rooms not be sullied by impropriety or any untoward advances towards her all-female staff.<\/p>\n

She obviously hadn\u2019t been suspecting Ryoka of the latter, given how it seemed like most people in this world\u2019s society didn\u2019t acknowledge or even know about sexual orientations beyond being straight, but Ryoka was amused to know that the upstanding Miss Iglesias thought of Lady Bethal Walcha\u00eds as a paragon of virtue. She\u2019d been too grateful for somewhere to sleep and for Miss Iglesias\u2019 welcoming, if strictly proper, inn to shatter the woman\u2019s beliefs.<\/p>\n

That wasn\u2019t her. And as Ryoka got up and dressed with the speed and efficiency that came to people who live in a hurry, she realized one last thing: it was going to be a bad day to run. She could still do it, but it would be a bad day.<\/p>\n

Not a bad<\/em> bad day, to be clear. A few days of rest had cleared the minor potion-sickness out of Ryoka\u2019s veins and stomach and rejuvenated her after her now-famous run from Reizmelt to Walta, capital city of Lady Bethal\u2019s lands. She felt good, today, in fact. Hungry. It was just that as soon as Ryoka had sensed then felt the wind outside howling in the rain, she\u2019d known it was going to be a bad day.<\/p>\n

The Rose\u2019s Retreat was already bustling when the sleepy young woman exited her ground-floor room. Unlike other inns, the layout of this inn more closely resembled one of the cheap motels Ryoka had \u2018run away\u2019 to when she was sick of fighting with her father or trying to get her mother to agree to\u2026anything. Like a good motel experience, breakfast was a buffet.<\/p>\n

A very nice buffet. Ryoka saw the goat\u2019s cheese being spread onto a bun first, then she smelled some cooked sausage and saw a delicate spread of garden-grown vegetables, fresh from Miss Iglesias\u2019 own soil. Her stomach rumbled, but when she saw the somewhat portly, very gracious host, Ryoka stopped to greet her. There were such things as manners, and Ryoka wanted to mind hers.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, Miss Ryoka Griffin. A fair morning to you! I trust you weren\u2019t awoken unduly early? The blessed rain woke me up earlier than I would have liked, but you Runners do keep early hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

The woman sighed as she turned to greet Ryoka, goat cheese and bun in hand. Ryoka eyed the bread and decided she was having that first with some of the roasted meat. Miss Iglesias\u2019 inn might not have had the random excitement that was an attraction or a deterrent in Erin\u2019s inn, or the dirt-cheap prices and unique\u2026personality that was Madain\u2019s inn. But it was arguably better than both.<\/p>\n

Ryoka knew that was an insult to Erin, but did she have a dedicated [Cook] with [Advanced Cooking] and a host of other Skills like [Rising Dough] or [Two Hour Warmth]? Maybe her inn had changed, but Ryoka saw a [Maid]\u2014not a [Barmaid], just a [Maid]\u2014delicately arranging a gentle-smelling bouquet next to the dishes of warm, delicious food. Still warm, thanks to that Skill, and fresh as\u2026<\/p>\n

Ryoka\u2019s mouth watered. Say what you will, and Erin did make a good pizza, but this was home-cooking and as much as you wanted of it.<\/p>\n

Fresh and organic too, if that was your fancy. Ryoka would settle for delicious. She nodded politely to the smiling Miss Iglesias.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning to you too, Miss Iglesias. I\u2019m not so sure it\u2019ll be a fair one, though. The rain might clear up, but you shouldn\u2019t count on hanging anything out; the wind will be blowing hard all day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miss Iglesias glanced out of one of her glass windows with a frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? My [Gardener] friend swore her [Weathersense] told her it would be only rainy tomorrow, but perfect for gardening later on if I wore boots. But if anyone would know, it would be you, wouldn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka grimaced.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not an expert, Miss Iglesias, so don\u2019t quote me on it. If I\u2019m wrong, I\u2019d be delighted. But\u2026uh, this breakfast looks lovely.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh! I\u2019m terribly sorry. Go on and enjoy yourself by all means. I imagine you\u2019ll want to be up and about. Will you be staying another day?\u201d<\/p>\n

The woman stepped aside so Ryoka could fill a plate and chat at the same time. Biting into her first cheese-and-sausage roll\u2014Miss Iglesias stood on no customs aside from the bit about hanky and panky and horrifically graphic displays of sex\u2014she swallowed and then replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt it, Miss Iglesias. I have all my gear in my bag of holding here\u2014I\u2019m paid up, aren\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n

She patted the bag at her side. Miss Iglesias nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re free to leave, but I will keep your room open until tonight. If you wish to stay, you need only return. You have been a good guest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka smiled gratefully. Miss Iglesias was used to travellers, being one of the more popular inns for travellers to stop by. She had any number of rooms available, but keeping Ryoka\u2019s open for a day was still generous.<\/p>\n

Ryoka helped herself to a big breakfast\u2014she might be eating rations on the road if she took the offer she\u2019d gotten yesterday. She might have lingered to talk with Miss Iglesias, but a howl of wind against the windows made her, the innkeeper, and a few guests enjoying the early breakfast look up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a storm. My garden will need no end of work after this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Exasperated, Miss Iglesias went to the window and peered outside. Ryoka grimaced, trying to imagine running in that, but\u2014her internal sense told her the wind was upset. Yet that didn\u2019t correlate to the rain. Indeed, it was just a light sprinkle now. Ryoka brightened; she could handle that. And the noise made her realize something else.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, Miss Iglesias, I might be taking off now. I\u2019m very grateful for your hospitality\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The woman turned and realized Ryoka was edging towards the door. She opened her mouth and then realized why Ryoka was in a hurry. So she smiled understandingly and reached out to shake Ryoka\u2019s hand gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, as I said, you\u2019ve been very easy to look after. No messes, no blood or muck for my girls to tidy up\u2014if you stop by Walta in the future, stay here by all means! I know you Runners, and I have no doubt I\u2019ll see you again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka ducked her head, smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Miss Iglesias. I\u2019m normally around Reizmelt, but if I\u2019m ever in the region for a delivery\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She began to walk towards the door. But, too late, as Ryoka put one hand on the brass knob, she heard the sound she\u2019d wanted to avoid. Clip-clop, clip-clop.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ryoka cursed. Miss Iglesias sighed as she turned to greet another guest. Ryoka opened the door; there was still time to get away before\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Miss Iglesias! Ryoka! Hey, Ryoka, wait!\u201d<\/p>\n

A Centauress walked into the room. That wasn\u2019t a euphemism. She trotted in, her shod hooves clattering on the floorboards as she navigated her way through the cozy inn. A Centaur.<\/p>\n

Perhaps, if you had never met one, the idea of the half-human, half-horse species would be exotic. Fascinating. While that was certainly all true of the female Centaur, something else had to be pointed out. A Centaur was half-horse. And as such, the first consideration anyone in the nearby vicinity of a Centaur was\u2014<\/p>\n

Both Ryoka and Miss Iglesias stepped hurriedly out of the way as the Centauress clattered forwards. Her hooves touched the floor lightly, but the Centauress was still over seven feet in height, and she had to weigh\u2026Ryoka thought about horses from her world. A ton?<\/p>\n

At least. And this Centauress wasn\u2019t even a big example of her species. Her horse parts didn\u2019t resemble the huge draft horses, but rather a lighter riding horse. She had a tan hair coat with a few large, brown spots, pale brown skin, and blonde-gray hair, cut short, but styled\u2014the Centauress trotted closer, and Ryoka leapt back again. She was barefoot, and she had no intention of having her foot broken by a stray hoof!<\/p>\n

\u201cCharlay, watch the hooves!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Centauress caught herself and checked her hoof placement. She tossed her head dismissively.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? I\u2019m nowhere near your feet. Stop being such a foal, Ryoka. Hey, good thing I woke up, right? I nearly missed you. But for the rain and I would have slept in!\u201d<\/p>\n

She gestured outside at the clouds, which had decided to dump one last time before giving up. Ryoka eyed the Centauress. She had a light shirt on her upper half, concealing the place where her waist met the horse parts. Her lower half was bare today, although Ryoka had seen Charlay wearing a half-skirt or full dress that covered her horse bits. She eyed the street, but it was too late. Charlay smiled at the [Innkeeper], who gave her a polite smile of her own.<\/p>\n

\u201cFair day to you as well, Charlay. How was your sleep?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. Thanks for the extra pillows. My legs were hurting from the ground yesterday. Ooh! Food\u2019s already out?\u201d<\/p>\n

She eagerly trotted over to the buffet and inspected it.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust what I wanted. Ryoka, stick around. I want to eat first.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Asian girl groaned. Charlay never<\/em> woke up this early. Both times before she\u2019d been up in the late morning. But after a second of staring out of the inn, she closed the door and walked back to the buffet. Miss Iglesias gave Ryoka a sympathetic smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Charlay. Good to see you. I\u2019m probably leaving today\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fine. I\u2019ll run with you to the Guild. Hey, you want this?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Centauress waved a bowl, and Ryoka saw what she was eating for breakfast. It was a bowl of boiled, steaming\u2026<\/p>\n

Oats. As bland as licking wheat seasoned with white rice on top of unsalted porridge with a bit of whole-grain bread for that rare contrast in flavor. Ryoka and Miss Iglesias watched as Charlay happily filled a bowl with the stuff and added some grains of brown sugar and bits of pepper flakes.<\/p>\n

Ryoka resigned herself to another helping and took about four times the pepper that Charlay had to add to a lovely browned sausage with some eggs. She liked the flavor, and the pepper wasn\u2019t so much hot as sweet to her palate. But Charlay blew out her cheeks halfway through her bowl.<\/p>\n

\u201cHot!<\/em> This is spicy stuff, Miss Iglesias! You should warn people, or they might get indigestion!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Human woman raised her eyebrows, but only nodded and took Charlay\u2019s suggestion \u2018under advisement\u2019. Ryoka waited as Charlay ate one bowl, then another, and coughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to be going\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the hurry? I\u2019m done, I guess. Good food, Miss Iglesias. Thanks for putting it out for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Centauress craned her upper body to speak to the woman while her horse half shuffled around towards the door. Miss Iglesias pulled a chair out of the way; Ryoka just stood back. Charlay was bigger than Calruz, both in height and body. And in a building built for Humans, she was like an elephant. Or a horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot a problem, my dear. Will you want supper? Or lunch?\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlay shook her head impatiently.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m done. And I\u2019ve paid my room; I don\u2019t know if I\u2019ll be back, but I\u2019m packed up. Let\u2019s go, Ryoka.\u201d<\/p>\n

She trotted towards the door without even saying goodbye. Ryoka went back to Miss Iglesias and shook her hand again.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you again, Miss Iglesias.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBest of luck, Ryoka dear. And you too, Charlay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Yeah. Thanks!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Centauress turned her upper half, nearly out of the door. Ryoka sighed and followed her. She found the Centauress outside, stretching.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood food, right? I like staying at the Rose\u2019s Retreat. It doesn\u2019t have stairs, and Miss Iglesias gets oats just for me. You liked it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYup. It was great.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAwesome. Stay away from me. I don\u2019t need you throwing up on me again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka paused as she stretched out her own legs. The Centauress smirked at her. She worked in the region around Walta as a well-known City Runner. And she was good at her job; so good that Ryoka had given up trying to lose her. Now the Centauress pointed in the direction of the Runner\u2019s Guild.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, let\u2019s run to the Guild. The streets aren\u2019t that wet, and the rain\u2019s stopped. Last one there is a mule!\u201d<\/p>\n

So saying, she took off. Ryoka watched her go and kept stretching; after three dozen feet, the Centauress noticed Ryoka wasn\u2019t following and galloped back. She scowled at the young woman.<\/p>\n

\u201cSlowpoke. Afraid to race me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m stretching. And I\u2019m not racing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAfraid I\u2019ll beat you again?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a Centaur<\/em>. I don\u2019t race things with four legs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not what you said last time. Or the time before that. Come on, afraid I\u2019ll beat you a third time?\u201d<\/p>\n

The young woman refused to rise to the bait. She took off running with a slow, contained pace, and after a moment, Charlay followed her. Then, at least, Ryoka had some peace. She ran down the streets of Walta, still slick with rain and deserted for the moment. The rains had kept everyone indoors, so the two female Runners proceeded down the street at a quick jog by Ryoka\u2019s standards.<\/p>\n

As they ran, Ryoka admired the city of Walta where she had been staying. She would be sorry to say goodbye to it. The streets were smoothed, and one-in-three buildings that Ryoka passed had glass instead of shutters. The city was lovely, like Amsterdam, but minus the canals and water. It was one of the most modern cities Ryoka had visited, aside from Invrisil, and the reason behind that was because Walta was about two or three times as rich as Reizmelt.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re so slow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlay complained as her hooves clattered across the stones. Ryoka sighed. She couldn\u2019t even admire the city in peace. Not that she was one for admiration anyways; two more seconds and she\u2019d have gotten bored. She looked at Charlay as her arms pumped at her sides; the Centauress was folding her arms and eying Ryoka as her legs easily kept pace.<\/p>\n

That was another thing Ryoka had learned about Centaurs recently; because they could run and do things independently with their horse and human halves, they loved to chat while running. It was harder for Ryoka, who was running with her entire body, but she could still respond.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just ate. You\u2019re a horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCentauress.<\/em> Don\u2019t be rude.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, my mistake. You\u2019re so different.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlay bared her teeth, much like an angry horse would.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are! We\u2019re intelligent, leveling<\/em> creatures. Not like animals at all! Are you a monkey?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFairly close. I\u2019ll acknowledge the link and resemblance. You\u2019re even closer. Half your body is horse. It\u2019s pretty much the same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Centauress turned scarlet. Ryoka grinned to herself\u2014their relationship was already well established by this point too. Charlay was easy to annoy. The Centauress snorted angrily as she ran ahead of Ryoka.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not<\/em> the same thing. Do you think I\u2019m like one of those things?\u201d<\/p>\n

She pointed down the street. Ryoka saw the rider and shifted left. Charlay made room, and the rider rode down the right side of the street. He was riding a roan, a quite energetic one. It whickered as the two Runners ran past; Charlay flipped it off. The rider looked affronted, so Charlay cupped her hands and shouted back at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot you, the horse!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that about?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka stared at Charlay. The Centauress folded her arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was checking me out. Damn animals.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou understood that horse? And you\u2019re seriously saying you\u2019re that different from them?\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlay looked blank.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously I can understand them. They\u2019re animals.<\/em> It\u2019s not hard. You can\u2019t understand monkeys? That\u2019s your problem. I\u2019m pretty sure they can understand me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014haven\u2019t actually met that many monkeys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh. I guess Izril doesn\u2019t have that many. I saw them all the time in parts of Baleros. Hey! What\u2019re you<\/em> looking at?\u201d<\/p>\n

The female Centaur snapped at another rider\u2019s horse passing by. Ryoka just shook her head. The streets were filling, and a good number of riders were filling it. More than average; Walta was a horse-city, catering towards treatment of the animals, saddles, stables, training, breeding, and more. The horses Walta produced were of a superior stock than most; if you wanted to get a proper warhorse or even a good riding horse, you\u2019d look for a Walta horse or come to the city itself.<\/p>\n

Horses. In a world where automobiles and mass-transport were wagons, they were incredibly valuable. They\u2019d made Walta and Lady Bethal rich. These were her lands, after all, and Ryoka had stayed in the city after making Bethal\u2019s emergency delivery alerting her people of the rift between her and a number of factions in Izril. She was at war\u2014in a political and, to some degree, real sense\u2014but the city was peaceful still.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharlay, you know I work around Reizmelt normally. I might be going back there today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka decided to broach the subject at last. The Centauress snorted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou might. Or you might take that very lucrative delivery down south. Where was it again?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought personal deliveries were supposed to be personal. So what if I do? It\u2019s none of your business. Why have you been dogging me for three days? Do you like me that much?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHah!<\/em> Don\u2019t make me laugh. I\u2019m just scoping out my competition. Everyone\u2019s making a fuss about your little run from Reizmelt to Walta; I\u2019m not impressed. You might have a few unique Skills, but let\u2019s remember who the better Runner is here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe!<\/em> Don\u2019t get overconfident, Ryoka. I\u2019m a well-known City Runner around here. I have a nickname! Dustrider Charlay. I earned it after running in this area for two years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a nickname too\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The Centauress glared at Ryoka as they turned left down a street.<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up! See, that\u2019s your problem, Ryoka. You\u2019re infringing on my turf. And my theme.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour theme.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right. I was doing this first, so I have dibs on the dust theme. I don\u2019t mind you being the Wind Runner, but if people call you Duststorm Ryoka\u2014just because you can make a bigger cloud doesn\u2019t mean you get to take my nickname! I\u2019m the Dustrider! Dustrider Charlay!\u201d<\/p>\n

For emphasis, Charlay slapped her chest. Ryoka just stared at her. She could have sworn Charlay was her age, maybe a bit younger. But the way she acted\u2026Ryoka thought about being the adult, but it was too tempting.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hear they call you Dusty Charlie.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Centauress\u2019 face went scarlet. Ryoka had to laugh. She saw Charlay stiffen, then gallop ahead. If she had a horse\u2019s ears, Ryoka was sure they would have been flat. Charlay widened the gap between her and Ryoka until she was right in front of the girl, and Ryoka wondered if she\u2019d take off to the guild or just do that the entire rest of the way. Instead, the Centauress shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Spray Hoof]!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, don\u2019t you d\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka shouted in outrage, but it was too late. One of Charlay\u2019s hooves kicked backwards, striking a handy clump of exposed earth on the street where a cobblestone had been uprooted. Normally, she\u2019d kick up a cloud of dust, hence her name. This time, though, the result was a huge splatter of mud and water.<\/p>\n

\u201cGah! Damn it, Charlay!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The young Human woman stopped as the mud splattered her front and face. She wiped at it, and Charlay trotted back, looking smug.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t insult me, Pukey. You threw up on me, remember? As far as I\u2019m concerned, this is the least you deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka gritted her teeth. Then her eyes widened. She pointed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh shit. Is that a snake on the ground?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGyaaaaah!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The Centauress jumped<\/em> and ran screaming from what was, in fact, a line of horse crap. She turned to Ryoka, shaking.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t joke about that! Snakes aren\u2019t funny!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka chuckled as she wiped the worst of the muck off her face. Charlay glared, and Ryoka stepped back in case she tried to bite. The two regarded each other in the damp street. Ryoka sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow I\u2019m dirty. Truce?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine. Truce. Here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlay tossed something at Ryoka. The young woman blinked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDrying stone. Use it on the mud. It\u2019ll probably get all of it. Don\u2019t worry if it runs out; they\u2019re cheap.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka did just that. The stone didn\u2019t break or disintegrate, and she handed it back. The two ran on. Charlay huffed as she ran next to Ryoka.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe you\u2019re so mean to me. All the time! And I was nice to you even though you were so rude at the start.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m an awful person. You should know that by now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlay hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019re better than a lot of other Humans. No one else\u2019ll talk to me, much less talk back. Half of you lot are too scared to talk! The other half just act like I\u2019m an idiot or\u2026weird.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think there are many Centaurs in Izril.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere aren\u2019t. But it\u2019s not like I\u2019m <\/em>rare. There are just too many Humans! We\u2019re all over the place in Baleros, especially the middle. The south\u2019s mostly Lizardfolk and Gazers in the jungles. And Humans. You lot get everywhere. And the north is too cold for anyone but Dullahans.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut not many in Izril, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope. And it\u2019s a shame. Izril has these lovely flat places, especially in the north. If it wasn\u2019t for the need to cross the ocean on boats<\/em>, I think there would be tens of thousands of us here.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Centauress shuddered. Ryoka regarded her thoughtfully. Three days had taught Ryoka a lot about Charlay, if only because the Centauress had stuck to her like glue. She had a horse\u2019s palate for bland foods; she couldn\u2019t handle spices, and she went absolutely nuts for salty, savory stuff. She was afraid of snakes, had a temper, got seasick just staring at a bathtub\u2014<\/p>\n

Oh, and she held grudges.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, if you didn\u2019t keep insulting how fast I run and calling me the \u2018Puke Runner\u2019 or \u2018Pukey\u2019 or \u2018Ryoka the Vomitter\u2019, I\u2019d be nicer to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlay turned her head and glared.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou threw up. On me. Where\u2019s my apology?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLying somewhere on the road with the last fourteen apologies I gave you. Will you give it a rest? Why are you really following me? It\u2019s not for the fun. Don\u2019t you have a job to do? You haven\u2019t made one delivery since I got here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have to take jobs all the time. I\u2019m a successful City Runner. What, do you spend all your coin after each delivery in the taverns?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen what\u2019s the problem? Jeeze, why are you so rude? You\u2019re the rudest Human I\u2019ve met, you know. And that includes a lot of my clients!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka sighed. Walta\u2019s Runner\u2019s Guild appeared on the edge of the city at last. It was sprawling and had a stable attached\u2014a lot of the local Runners used horses. It wasn\u2019t economical for Runners in general, but the city was good for horses, and there was a lot of flatland around. Charlay trotted in first and didn\u2019t hold the door open for Ryoka. To be fair, it would\u2019ve been hard with her body shape, but she was at the [Receptionist]\u2019s desk, pawing the floorboards, when Ryoka walked over.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re here! Hey, Jilta! Ryoka\u2019s here to take that personal request!\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlay called out loudly. Ryoka sighed as some of the Runners in the Guild looked up. She\u2019d met a lot of them the last two days, and some waved at her in a friendly way. She waved and smiled back and was grateful for Charlay\u2019s presence for the first time; but for her, the others might have come over to talk to her.<\/p>\n

It was true that Ryoka\u2019s run had been noted, if not by the entire world then by the local Runners and those interested in such things. Her run hadn\u2019t been the fastest, but it had been for a [Lady] of renown, and Ryoka had beaten a number of groups aiming to intercept her. It hadn\u2019t been easy; Ryoka had paid a price for using so many potions and calling on the wind. But she\u2019d done it, and the fruit of her labor was the attention she gathered. And Charlay following her.<\/p>\n

The [Receptionist] at the desk sighed as Ryoka stepped up. She gave Charlay a sharp look that the Centauress innocently returned.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharlay! You can\u2019t announce things like that on Ryoka\u2019s behalf, much less publicly! There are rules, you know!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI could do it in Baleros. They didn\u2019t care there. Besides, everyone knows you can get information for free from the [Brokers].\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot in this<\/em> Guild. If you\u2019re not in line, step back. Runners get privacy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? But I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBack<\/em>, Charlay.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Receptionist] pointed. Grumbling, Charlay did retreat until she probably couldn\u2019t hear what was being said at the desk. The [Receptionist] watched her sharply, and the Centauress innocently turned her head. The woman at the counter had dealt with the Centauress before; that was clear from the long-suffering sigh she let out. She looked at Ryoka apologetically.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Miss Griffin. Is she still following you about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Receptionist], Jilta, the same woman who\u2019d helped Ryoka on the first day by making her puke the potions that were poisoning her and getting the Knights of the Petal, gave Ryoka a rueful smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019ll get bored in time. She just\u2026fixates<\/em> on other City Runners, especially female ones around her age and level. She\u2019s very competitive. Now, can I help you? Are you going to take the request from yesterday? The sender is, ah, waiting on a reply.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jilta said it delicately, but Ryoka knew she was very interested. As interested as Charlay had been; the Centauress had bugged Ryoka all about it yesterday. A personal request? With money backed by two [Lords]? Asking Ryoka to deliver a handful of potions to Riverfarm?<\/p>\n

It made no sense. But Ryoka, who knew who the real sender was, had thought hard over it last night. Laken Godart had asked her for help, and after thinking it over, there was only one real answer she could give. She slowly nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026think I will.\u201d<\/p>\n

She had a lot to say to Laken, and he had a lot to explain, but visiting Riverfarm was essential in either case. Jilta nodded sharply and reached under the counter.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well. It\u2019s a priority delivery, although there\u2019s no time frame on it; I have, er, six healing potions and three stamina potions here.\u201d<\/p>\n

She offered Ryoka a satchel. The Runner pulled out her bag of holding.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got a bag.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, well, place them inside\u2014you\u2019ll need to deliver them straight to Lady Rie Valerund. They\u2019re\u2026just generic potions we bought from the local [Alchemist]. The request did<\/em> say to do that, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Jilta looked at Ryoka, and only her professionalism kept her from asking the obvious. Who paid that much gold to get a bunch of potions you could get anywhere? The answer had to be that it was either something that had to be delivered personally\u2014a message or secret item with the potions\u2014or the Runner herself. Ryoka smiled and didn\u2019t explain.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get it there as fast as I can. Can I see a map?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Receptionist] pulled one out. Ryoka studied the route to Riverfarm; it was south of Walta and Bethal\u2019s lands, southwest of Invrisil, a bit of land in the shadow of a small mountain not claimed by any noble house. The Valerund family, whose [Lady] was apparently in Riverfarm, had a small area of influence, but they were a day\u2019s journey away from Riverfarm.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks straight enough. I\u2019ll be going through this marsh\u2014I hate marshes. But aside from that, it\u2019s straight. Thanks, I\u2019ll head out right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka nodded at Jilta. The [Receptionist] smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. If you want to come back this way, I can do the confirmation. But of course, any large Runner\u2019s Guild can handle it. Even so, we\u2019d be happy to see you here again, Miss Griffin. You\u2019ve been the talk of the Guild since your dramatic delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka felt her face heat up. Jilta was in her late twenties, a former Runner herself. Ryoka didn\u2019t recall much of what had happened when she\u2019d staggered into the Guild\u2014she recalled throwing up on Charlay, and the Centauress reminded her of that every few seconds\u2014but she also remembered Jilta helping her puke onto the floor. Ryoka cleared her throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really grateful for all the help. I was an imposition with the wind, the sand\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Jilta waved that away.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a request from Lady Walcha\u00eds. And this is my job. As I said, you\u2019re welcome back here. And you\u2019re easier to deal with than\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She nodded at Charlay. Ryoka grinned and ducked her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks again.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned to go and jumped. Someone else was waiting in line with Charlay. Only, this woman wasn\u2019t a Runner. A woman in bright pink armor with a shock of grey in her black hair nodded to Ryoka as she tucked her helmet under one arm. Ryoka stared at the Knight of the Petal as Charlay blinked and stepped out of the way. The Runners in the Guild and Jilta looked up. There was a flurry of bows as the [Knight] strode forwards. The woman halted in front of Ryoka and offered her a slight formal bow.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Griffin. Good morning to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDame Truvia. Uh\u2014how can I help you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka recognized one of the senior Knights of the Petal, one of the protectors of Walta. Dame Truvia was a Knight of the Petal, like the others that Ryoka had met. Lady Bethal\u2019s personal order of [Knights]. They garnered a lot of respect from Walta\u2019s citizens, but also in general; the Knights of the Petal were a fairly powerful order of [Knights] for their size, or so Ryoka gathered. Truvia\u2019s presence certainly had an effect on the rest of the guild. Jilta bowed again.<\/p>\n

\u201cDame Truvia! I\u2019m terribly sorry to keep you waiting. We\u2019re just opening\u2014how can I help you?\u201d<\/p>\n

She was poised, ready to attend to any of the [Knight]\u2019s needs at once. Truvia smiled, her stern face warming slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no need of your assistance, Miss Griffin. Nor do I need to place an order, Miss Receptionist. I am simply here to check up on Miss Ryoka\u2019s condition.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka blinked. Charlay was staring behind her. Truvia nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cLady Bethal was most impressed with your run, especially the\u2026spectacle of it. She ordered me to check up on you before you left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s kind of her. Er, Lady Bethal was very generous. If she has any other requests, I would be happy to take them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka bowed awkwardly. Sending a [Knight] just to see if she was well was strange. But Bethal Walcha\u00eds defined the word. Ryoka distinctly recalled the woman. Passionate and strange barely described her. Truvia nodded, looking Ryoka up and down.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure Lady Bethal will remember you. It is just a formality. Forgive me for imposing.\u201d<\/p>\n

She bowed to Ryoka and Jilta. There was something so graceful about her humility. Impressive too; the woman was almost everything Ryoka wanted to be at her age of around\u2026forty? Fifty? Except for the pink.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot at all, Dame Truvia. It\u2019s an honor to have you in the Guild. Can I offer you refreshments? Anything else\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jilta was fussing over the woman, star-struck as if Truvia were a minor celebrity. Which\u2026she was. Ryoka stepped back, and Charlay trotted forwards. Breathless, the Centauress held out a hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cDame Truvia? Dustrider Charlay at your service. I\u2019m the best Runner in Walta, and if you have any needs, any <\/em>at all\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Truvia turned politely to Charlay, barely blinking over the Centauress. Ryoka saw Jilta\u2019s face color, and the [Receptionist] chased Charlay away. Charlay trotted back, looking hurt.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just making an impression. Sheesh! No one else in this Guild does it, but why not?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s another thing they do in Baleros but not here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHah. Baleros is more open. Here\u2019s too much about etiquette. I could talk to a Named Adventurer or famous leader of a Company in Baleros. Okay, maybe not Marian if I saw her, but that\u2019s different.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlay huffed as she watched Truvia speaking with Jilta and a few Runners who\u2019d decided to follow Charlay forwards. She stared at the Rose Knight\u2019s armor, clearly impressed. Then she bumped Ryoka with her hindquarters.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of Lady Bethal\u2019s personal <\/em>[Knights] here just to make sure you didn\u2019t sprain an ankle. And you got to do a delivery for her! You got lucky. If I<\/em> was there, I\u2019d have done the run in half the time and with half as much puke!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah. You\u2019re not that much faster.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka glared at Charlay. She hated to admit it, but the Centauress really was faster than her. Charlay refused to be placated though. She tossed her head again and stamped a hoof.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot that much faster? I\u2019m twice<\/em> as fast as you. Just check the rankings! Any [Broker] could tell you how good you are, if you\u2019re important. I am. I suppose you are now. But I\u2019m still better. You barely<\/em> qualify for Courier rank, and you were out for two days recovering after that! I\u2019m well faster.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know the rankings.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka folded her arms. She hadn\u2019t known they\u2019d existed until Fierre told her about them. And she\u2019d seen the ones Jilta kept as a [Receptionist].<\/p>\n

\u201cIt says your endurance needs work. And you have a lower combat ranking than me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The two were pleasantly bickering as Ryoka walked towards the door. Then the door opened and let another Runner in. At least, Ryoka assumed she was a Runner. A young woman with a shock of light blue hair walked into the Guild. That caught Ryoka\u2019s eye first. The hair color. Then she took in the entire young woman and blinked.<\/p>\n

The woman was in her late twenties, had blue hair, a hat, and robes. Her hat was slightly pointed, but angled, swooping off to a point behind her. And both her robes and hat were that of a [Mage]. But her body, the way she walked, all spoke to Ryoka of someone who was athletic. Her irises were a bright, pale pink.<\/p>\n

She was striking.<\/em> But there was one other reason Ryoka stared. She felt a strange tugging<\/em> at her chest, almost like the sense that told her the wind wouldn\u2019t obey any of her commands today unless Ryoka really pushed<\/em>. It was odd, unfamiliar\u2014<\/p>\n

The young woman walked into the guild and noticed Ryoka and Charlay in her way. Rather than walk past them, she stopped and stared. There was nothing apologetic or furtive about the way she did it; she just stopped and looked both up and down.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019re the Wind Runner, huh? Interesting. And here\u2019s Charlay, already following you about. Hi, horse-girl. Anything interesting about?\u201d<\/p>\n

The introduction caught Ryoka off-guard. She winced, expecting Charlay to have a snappy response, but the Centauress froze.<\/p>\n

\u201cA\u2014Alevica! I\u2014I wasn\u2019t doing anything. I was just talking with Ryoka.\u201d<\/p>\n

The strange new Runner eyed Charlay as the Centauress backed up and tried to hide behind Ryoka. She had a piercing stare, and when she smiled\u2014Charlay grabbed Ryoka\u2019s shoulder, and Ryoka felt the Centauress\u2019 hands shaking slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine. Hey, you are<\/em> the Wind Runner, right? You feel like the wind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Surprised, Ryoka turned back to the stranger. She\u2019d assumed her face was known, but perhaps not.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe name\u2019s Alevica. City Runner, like you. I hear you\u2019re good. Slow, but you conjured a storm. I saw it. Let\u2019s get along.\u201d<\/p>\n

The hand was slim but strong when Ryoka grasped it, and Alevica\u2019s smile seemed genuine. Although there was a reserve there\u2026she wasn\u2019t challenging or anything. Ryoka almost thought she\u2019d like Alevica\u2019s boldness and the clear way she gave no care to how others saw her. Charlay trembling behind Ryoka gave her pause.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. I\u2019m on a job, but if I see you around, I\u2019d love to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure. Something like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alevica nodded. Then she looked at Charlay, grinned, tugged on her hat, and walked past the two.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see both of you around. It\u2019s a small continent.\u201d<\/p>\n

She strode up to the counter, past Truvia and the other Runners, all of whom drew back at the sight of her. Jilta looked up sharply, and Ryoka noted her wary expression as well. Ryoka pointed at Alevica\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s that, Charlay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlevica. Don\u2019t point! And don\u2019t say anything bad about her!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy? Is she some hotshot Runner?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka didn\u2019t see it. Alevica seemed fit, but her calves didn\u2019t speak of a runner to her. But she did have good ears. She turned her head and grinned as Jilta fumbled with something at the desk. Charlay whispered as she tried to pull Ryoka further back.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s really good. Really<\/em> good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter than you, the best City Runner in Walta?\u201d<\/p>\n

At the desk, Alevica burst out laughing. It was loud and mocking. The other Runners looked uneasy. Charlay paled. She whispered in Ryoka\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t quote <\/em>me! That was a boast! Are you stupid? She\u2019s faster than you or<\/em> me in short distance travel. And she has the levels and Skills to be a Courier. But there\u2019s more to passing the Runner\u2019s Guild\u2019s tests than just speed.<\/em> Obviously.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even scared, Charlay still managed to find a way to be insulting. Ryoka blinked. That good? And if Charlay said so\u2014why was she so afraid? She whispered to the Centauress.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s holding her back?\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlay stared at Ryoka.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that it\u2019s Alevica?<\/em> You really haven\u2019t heard of her? She\u2019s famous around all the local Guilds! Reizmelt has to know of her!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t keep up on other Runners.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, remember her!<\/em> Alevica\u2019s one of the least-trusted Runners, even though she\u2019s a good one. She opens mail, threatens other Runners\u2014and she\u2019ll throw away important packages rather than deliver them if the client insults her! She could be a low-tier Courier, but you have to be sponsored to become a Courier, and no Courier or any of the local Guildmasters will vouch for her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka whistled. That was exactly the kind of Runner she didn\u2019t want to be. The ones with the lowest reputations almost never got personal requests, or if they did, the requests were shady and dangerous. On the other hand, you could make good money doing what Alevica apparently did\u2014if you didn\u2019t mind attracting the wrath of your clientele. But from the way Alevica turned and grinned at Charlay, she didn\u2019t mind the rumors about her.<\/p>\n

At the desk, Jilta was fumbling with a paper. She didn\u2019t look happy, but she eventually nodded and pulled something out. Ryoka blinked as she recognized a metal box sealed with a magical lock. Jilta looked at Alevica.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do have one Steel-box delivery. It\u2019s worth eighteen gold coins and seven silver if you manage it. The penalty is double, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alevica interrupted Jilta and casually reached into a pouch. She pulled out gold coins and began counting them onto the counter carelessly. Ryoka and Charlay stared. Ryoka muttered out of the corner of her mouth to Charlay.<\/p>\n

\u201cA Steel-box delivery?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know we had one. I\u2019m glad, though; I\u2019m not paying that price! It must be a dangerous request!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka nodded slowly. Steel-box deliveries were a form of request she\u2019d been introduced to in the north. Sometimes someone wanted something delivered, but the cost of it being intercepted was too high, and they might be wary about Runners risking their wrath. So what any citizen could do was post a high price on a delivery, but require a Runner to put their own gold on the line by way of insurance. If Alevica failed this delivery, she\u2019d have to pay double the fee for success.<\/p>\n

Naturally, this was a high-stakes delivery, and the Runner\u2019s Guilds usually demanded to know what was worth the risk. Steel-box deliveries weren\u2019t often picked up and usually only confident or desperate City Runners or Couriers would take them. Alevica was clearly the former; she grabbed the box and headed for the door before Jilta had explained more than the destination.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait, Alevica! The danger\u2019s\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t know, don\u2019t care. Just have my gold when I get back.\u201d<\/p>\n

The City Runner tipped her hat and flashed Jilta a mocking smile. The [Receptionist] stopped, frowning, but she let Alevica go. Ryoka was impressed. She didn\u2019t like the risk aspect of Steel-box deliveries. You put not only your reputation but your own money on the line. And any delivery for a Steel-box delivery was guaranteed to have some peril during it.<\/p>\n

As if she could read Ryoka\u2019s mind, Alevica stopped and turned to the City Runner. She tapped the metal box with one hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019ve the guts, try taking on one of these. The pay\u2019s good, and sometimes it\u2019s worth more not to deliver. We\u2019ll see with this, won\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRunner Alevica! You\u2019re obligated to obey the Runner\u2019s Guild rules\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Jilta\u2019s voice fell on deaf ears. Alevica strode out the door with the box under one arm. Charlay stared from behind Ryoka until she was gone and then exhaled slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWow. She\u2019s the one person I didn\u2019t want to meet today. Let\u2019s get going before she decides to come back and cast a spell on us all or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCast a spell\u2026? Hold on, I\u2019m going on my delivery. Sorry, Charlay, but this is where we part. It\u2019ll take me days to get to my destination, and if I\u2019m back in the area, we can meet again\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka blinked and tried to walk towards the door. But the Centauress, suddenly bold and bothersome again, just snorted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? No. I\u2019m bored, so I\u2019m coming with you. I\u2019ll keep you company. Two Runners are better than one, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

She trotted towards the door to the Guild. Ryoka stared at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to follow me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYup. I want to see you actually run. Come on, where\u2019re we going? And for who? You can tell me when we\u2019re on the way if Jilta\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlay winced as the [Receptionist] strode around her desk. Jilta waved a finger as the Centauress danced backwards.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Charlay, you cannot follow another Runner on her request, especially not a personal delivery!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Jilta\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve bothered Ryoka Griffin enough. Your behavior reflects on Walta\u2019s Guild, and if you follow her, I\u2019ll issue you a penalty\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka\u2019s voice made both Centaur and Human turn. Jilta blinked at Ryoka.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Griffin, you don\u2019t have to accommodate Charlay. I don\u2019t care how Baleros does things, but here\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s fine, Jilta. I don\u2019t think my client will mind. And I\u2019ll take some company for the road.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka glanced at Charlay. The Centauress looked delighted, then instantly tilted her head up and looked superior.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m only doing it because I want to see how good you are, Ryoka. And to prove that I can outrun you any day of the week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

The tone needled Ryoka, but she\u2019d caught the look on Charlay\u2019s face. So had Jilta. The [Receptionist] pursed her lips, but slowly nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re fine with it, Miss Ryoka. But I\u2019m warning you, Charlay. If Miss Ryoka complains or claims you interfered with her in any way\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just running with her! It\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Centauress rolled her eyes. She trotted towards Ryoka, and the Runner nodded. They were heading towards the doors at last when a last person stopped them. Dame Truvia. She approached the two and put her helmet on.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re leaving on a delivery, Miss Griffin? Allow me to accompany you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlay\u2019s jaw dropped. Ryoka blinked up at the pink [Knight].<\/p>\n

\u201cMe? But why?\u201d<\/p>\n

The older [Knight] smiled as she raised the visor to her helmet.<\/p>\n

\u201cLady Bethal also bade me to ride with you. She would not wish you to suffer injury on her lands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka stared at Truvia, thought of Bethal, and then gave up. This was<\/em> overkill, but Ryoka didn\u2019t want to waste any more time. Charlay trotted out, and the two saw that Truvia\u2019s horse was already being led out of the stables. The horse had pink armor, like the rider. Charlay shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are so<\/em> lucky. I\u2019ve been trying to get a request from Lady Walcha\u00eds myself! Apparently, she tips really well\u2014and now you get an escort?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill you be riding with us all the way, Dame Truvia?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka called to the [Knight]. Dame Truvia mounted up in one motion and nodded down at Ryoka. Her voice was slightly muffled, but entirely distinct.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs far as the outskirts of Walcha\u00eds lands, or if an incident takes me. I am on patrol. Don\u2019t trouble yourself, however; set whatever pace you please. I\u2019ll keep up.\u201d<\/p>\n

The nonchalant air of the [Knight] as she sat on her horse in full armor made Ryoka raise her brows and Charlay snort. The Centaur and Human Runners looked at each other. A [Knight] was one thing, but this? This was their job. They grinned at each other.<\/p>\n

\u201cNice and slow then, right, Charlay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure. Hey, can you use your wind-thing? You can conjure a breeze, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka hesitated. She looked up. The wind was still blowing hard. The rain had stopped, but Ryoka still felt it. It was angry, wild\u2014why? Ryoka reached for it and finally understood.<\/p>\n

Ah, that was it. Out there, somewhere, someone was trying to control the wind. And it was pissed.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNope. Feels like a [Weather Mage] or someone\u2019s doing something to the wind. It\u2019s out of my control today. Or rather, I wouldn\u2019t risk it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She\u2019d tried it once on a day like today. The wind had thrown her into a wagon. Charlay shrugged, her hair blowing in the strong gusts.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe it\u2019s Alevica. She\u2019s got a lot of weird abilities. Fine. Your legs still work without your wind?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the time. We\u2019re heading south. Dame Truvia, can you keep up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Knight] watched as Ryoka lowered herself into a Runner\u2019s starting position. Charlay just tensed. The two took off like a shot, racing down the street, startling Truvia\u2019s horse. She calmed it and laughed as the two Runners raced out of the city. Then she dug her heels into her horse\u2019s side, and it raced after the two.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ryoka ran out of Walta with Charlay by her side. She raced across the outskirts, the suburbs that had sprung out around the city, and across wide, flat land devoted to farmland or pastures for the horses.<\/p>\n

Walta, no, the lands of Lady Bethal Walcha\u00eds were rich. It reminded Ryoka of a true medieval world, only with less poverty and more Arthurian romance. A world, a time that had never truly existed in her world as far as Ryoka knew. But it existed here.<\/p>\n

[Farmers] tending fields as prosperous\u2014if not as scrumptious\u2014as the corn fields tended to by Farmer Lupp looked up as Ryoka and Charlay raced down the road. They waved at the Runners, amused by the competition and Charlay heckling Ryoka as she maintained a horse\u2019s length of lead on the Human girl. Then they bowed or cheered the Knight of the Petal, Dame Truvia, as she calmly followed the two Runners.<\/p>\n

She was fast! <\/em>Dame Truvia had a Skill that allowed her to keep pace with Charlay and Ryoka despite the armor. Or her horse was magical. Or simply a superior breed. Ryoka was the slowest of the three, and she slowed the breakneck run as soon as it became clear that she wasn\u2019t about to lose Truvia. Charlay slipped into an even run beside Ryoka, and they just enjoyed running. It was what they did.<\/p>\n

The lands of House Walcha\u00eds passed Ryoka by, green and verdant, growing from the spring rains. Ryoka saw people looking up and waving at her\u2014not just at Charlay and Truvia. They recognized her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the Wind Runner! Hey, you! Don\u2019t blow any more dirt into my fields! And do something about this wind, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n

A [Farmer] raised her hoe as Ryoka passed by. The young woman raised a hand, slightly embarrassed, and Charlay waved with both arms as well. Ryoka had passed down this same road on her way to Walta\u2014through a few fields too. At the time, she\u2019d been so tired she hadn\u2019t noticed, but she\u2019d dragged a dust storm through any number of farms and down roads\u2014even through a village! Part of the last few days had been coming out here and apologizing for the destruction, even offering payment.<\/p>\n

She\u2019d expected the people to be furious, and they were. But one line saved Ryoka from a lynch mob: it was for Lady Bethal. Suddenly, the people were all too happy to take Ryoka\u2019s coin, even congratulate her on the run. It was incredible, but the [Lady] was beloved. As one furious [Shepherd] had said whilst his dusty herd of sheep had to be bathed and their wool combed, that changed things.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it\u2019s Lady Walcha\u00eds, then it\u2019s fine. House Walcha\u00eds has always been good to us folk. They paid for medicine with the Redvein Plague two decades back, fought for us during the Sacrifice of Roses\u2014any bastards who\u2019d smirch Lady Bethal\u2019s name I\u2019ll personally put an arrow through. Just let them try to attack her lands!\u201d<\/p>\n

And he\u2019d meant it. The Knights of the Petal had gone to war for their [Lady]\u2019s honor, and the people of Lady Bethal\u2019s lands had immediately refused to do business with anyone who\u2019d sent Bethal a rose. It was incredible, actually, for Ryoka to see that much loyalty. But Bethal was beloved for her flights of fancy as much as how she treated her folk.<\/p>\n

Speaking of which\u2026Ryoka and Charlay paused as they ran towards a more populated stretch of road. They didn\u2019t need to run on the road, but Dame Truvia was clearing a path for them. Pedestrians and travellers moved over to let the [Knight] race after the Runners unimpeded.<\/p>\n

Walcha\u00eds lands lay along one of the natural routes going north towards First Landing. If Reizmelt was a local hub, one of the crossroads near Walta was a major one, and the wide road had hundreds of people and wagons moving up it. Ryoka stared at the huge flow of traffic, but Charlay just pointed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll cut across there and run south. Just don\u2019t block anyone. It\u2019s easy, see?\u201d<\/p>\n

There were five City Runners running up the road that Ryoka could see, one of whom turned towards Walta at the crossroads. Ryoka nodded\u2014and then spotted something else.<\/p>\n

A [Knight] in a golden suit of armor painted with silver was slowly riding up the highway. He\u2019d stopped once to address a family in a wagon, and he had a shield and mace strapped to his side. Ryoka blinked and pointed out the armored man to Charlay. The two Runners slowed to stop and observe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a patrolling [Knight]. What, are there none around Reizmelt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m from further south. Celum.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, right. Well, you see them around here. They help get rid of [Thieves], patrol roads\u2026they\u2019re great if you get into trouble, unless the trouble gets them.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlay shrugged. Ryoka hesitated. So they were like roaming police officers? This world\u2019s version of a patrol car? She opened her mouth to ask another question and heard a voice from behind her.<\/p>\n

\u201cRyoka Griffin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka turned. Dame Truvia was frowning at the [Knight] in gold. She lowered her visor, and her pink-clad horse pawed the ground. Truvia reached for a holstered lance and nodded to Ryoka.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. I fear this is as far as I take you, Runner Ryoka. I bid you a safe journey, but I cannot accompany you to the edge of Walcha\u00eds lands. That is a [Knight] in service to House Averin. I recognize the colors. I must address him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAddress\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka stared blankly at Truvia, and then she remembered. One of the black flowers had come from\u2014<\/p>\n

Truvia rode past Ryoka, picking up speed. Charlay chortled and trotted back to watch; Truvia rode straight at the [Knight], and the traffic on the road parted to give her a wide space. People leaned out of their wagons or stopped on the road, sensing what was about to happen.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Knight] of House Averin! Hold your ground!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Dame Truvia roared across the highway. The gold-armored [Knight] looked up and raised a hand. He called back towards Truvia.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat seems to be the matter, Lady Knight?\u201d<\/p>\n

His voice was conversational, friendly even. Ryoka winced. Like the Clairei Knights, this one hadn\u2019t gotten the message about the flowers, or he hadn\u2019t understood the import. Truvia\u2019s voice was loud enough for everyone in a hundred paces to hear clearly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour order has insulted and cast false accusations against the name of House Walcha\u00eds and Lady Bethal, whom I serve! This insult cannot stand! The Knights of the Petal ride to their lady\u2019s honor, and until our grievance is met, House Averin is our sworn enemy!\u201d<\/p>\n

She pointed her lance with one hand at the startled [Knight]\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cSir, I challenge you! Put up your shield or retreat!\u201d<\/p>\n

With that, she kicked her horse into a trot and then a gallop, picking up steam and surging behind her shield. Ryoka could see the Averin [Knight] do a double-take. He swung his horse around and raised a hand as he fumbled for his own equipment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait\u2014what did you\u2014wait, wait!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlay danced in front of Ryoka, and the Runner swore.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharlay, I can\u2019t see!\u201d<\/p>\n

She shoved at the Centaur, but Charlay was, again, over a thousand pounds, and all Ryoka managed to do was push herself back. She tried to step around the Centaur, but there was a lot of Charlay to manuver about. Then Ryoka heard Truvia hit the Averin [Knight] along with a roar from the spectators.<\/p>\n

Ryoka heard a crash<\/em>, a horse\u2019s scream, and finally got around Charlay, who was dancing with excitement. She saw the Averin [Knight] lying on the ground as Dame Truvia strode towards him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDead gods, <\/em>are you mad? We\u2019re both [Knights]! I have no quarrel with you!\u201d<\/p>\n

He screamed up at her. Dame Truvia grabbed her weapon; she didn\u2019t carry a sword or shield but a spear to go with the lance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no excuse for dishonor! Draw your sword, ser!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

She charged, and the Averin [Knight] swore and grabbed his mace. Ryoka decided that was enough and started running, watching the battle as the two warriors, one dressed in gold and silver, the other pink, began dueling along the highway. Ryoka ran south, past the traffic jam and people calling out to ask what had happened up ahead. The clash <\/em>echoing behind the two Runners made Ryoka wince. The Centauress just smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like the people living around here. It reminds me of home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s certainly\u2026fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka had to smile as they ran ahead. The two Runners passed further down the road, calling out what was going down to the people shouting warily to know if there was danger ahead. The wagons couldn\u2019t move off the road, but any number of people hopped down or walked or rode ahead to see. The fight between the [Knights] was certainly something Ryoka wanted to see, but she had a job to do.<\/p>\n

Riverfarm and Laken\u2014Ryoka\u2019s mood grew less exuberant. Yes, she had a debt to pay, but to whom and how, she had no idea. She just wanted to see the trouble Laken had hinted about. After that\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cRyoka!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Ahead of her, Charlay suddenly drew up, nearly rearing in alarm. Ryoka halted at once, and her hand went to her bag of holding. Then she saw what Charlay had seen and blinked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you serious?\u201d<\/p>\n

A familiar face was poking out of a carriage rolling past them. The vehicle wasn\u2019t going that fast due to the traffic, but the amused face that met Ryoka\u2019s eyes was familiar. Ryoka had just seen her.<\/p>\n

Alevica, the strange City Runner that scared Charlay, was sitting in the carriage. She had hired<\/em> it along with three other bored passengers. She was riding one of the travel-carriages that went from city to city. It was an expensive option, but quick and comfortable.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlevica?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka stared. Charlay just froze. The young woman with the blue hair and hat nodded to Ryoka and Charlay.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re heading this way too. Fancy that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014yeah. Are you taking the carriage?\u201d<\/p>\n

Alevica smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s safe, secure, and pretty quick. Why? Want a ride?\u201d<\/p>\n

She patted the seat next to her. Ryoka just shook her head. Alevica was<\/em> a bad Runner. She wasn\u2019t running, first of all. Ryoka supposed the payment for the carriage wasn\u2019t much given how much she stood to earn, but she was putting everyone in that carriage at risk!<\/p>\n

If someone wanted the Steel-box delivery she had, they\u2019d attack the carriage. Ryoka opened her mouth to say so and saw Alevica looking at her. Just\u2026looking. As if she knew exactly what Ryoka was going to say and just wanted to know if she\u2019d say it.<\/p>\n

Slowly, Ryoka closed her mouth. Alevica nodded to herself, and her smile grew a bit deeper.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a bad way to travel. I\u2019ll go my own way if I need to. But it really does save energy. You\u2019re running barefoot? It\u2019s a long journey for me. You too, I suspect. Why not ride with me? It\u2019ll be free.\u201d<\/p>\n

She offered carelessly, ignoring the looks the other passengers and the driver gave her. Ryoka hesitated, and she looked at Charlay.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharlay won\u2019t fit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t offer her. If she wants, she can run alongside the carriage. She\u2019s a Centaur. She could keep up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alevica\u2019s eyes didn\u2019t change once as she turned to regard Charlay. The Centauress shuddered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll\u2014I\u2019m\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked at Ryoka. The Runner girl didn\u2019t have to think twice.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, but we like running, Alevica. Maybe some other time.\u201d<\/p>\n

The young woman shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs you please. You\u2019ll make better time than we will. Looks like that [Knight] duel is stopping us. See you around, Wind Runner, Charlay.\u201d<\/p>\n

She waved at the two, and Ryoka slowly kept on running. Charlay gratefully followed her. The two were silent as they ran further, and then Ryoka turned to Charlay.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, what<\/em> is Alevica? A [Mage] with a temper? Some kind of criminal class? What?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Centauress shook her head and warily cast a glance back down the road at the stopped carriage. As she ran, she leaned down and whisper-shouted to Ryoka.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a [Witch]! We don\u2019t have them in Baleros. Not really. We have different classes. But Ryoka\u2014I\u2019m glad you didn\u2019t ride with her, but if she ever tells you to do something\u2014do it. She\u2019s powerful and dangerous.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka nodded. Alevica gave her that impression. She was no Persua, who was a mean girl taken to the extreme of pushing someone into a wagon. Then try to murder you, yes, but Persua worked up to it.<\/p>\n

Alevica looked like the kind of person you made enemies with and then tried to murder as fast as possible. Before she got you. She gave Ryoka goose bumps. Then Ryoka latched onto what Charlay had said, and her skin and that sense inside her tingled.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cA [Witch]? Are you serious?\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned her head. Alevica was out of sight, but that dress, the hat\u2014yes! It wasn\u2019t classic Harry Potter, but it all fit. Ryoka was just so used to [Mages] that she hadn\u2019t noticed. Charlay nodded. She slowed to a trot, and Ryoka saw her breathing hard.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat makes you so scared of her, Charlay?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Centauress hesitated. She glanced back, and Ryoka saw her shudder again. This time, when she spoke, there was no bravado, only fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just heard rumors. And one time I\u2026I was in the guild, and she cut in line. So I said some things, and later on the road, she passed me. I think she cast a spell because the next thing I know, my tail caught on fire.\u201d<\/p>\n

She gestured at her tail with a shaking hand. Ryoka stared at the pale hair. It appeared alright to her, but there was something\u2026she looked at the Centauress. There were tears in her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t put it out. I had to use four healing potions until the fire stopped, and my coat\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka looked closer. Charlay pulled away, but Ryoka had seen the faint imprint around Charlay\u2019s hindquarters and tail. Traces of a burn scar.<\/em> She looked back sharply at Alevica\u2019s carriage.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe I\u2019ll go back. I don\u2019t feel like running anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlay slowly pawed at the ground with one hoof, her upper body drooping. She looked unhappy. And Ryoka, watching her, was struck by a thought. Charlay had followed her for the last three days, bickering, insulting, but always waiting for Ryoka. Talking with her, running at her pace. It might be Charlay\u2019s personality, but she hadn\u2019t been unpleasant all the time. And not once had Ryoka ever seen one of Charlay\u2019s friends looking for the Centaur.<\/p>\n

Slowly, the young woman looked at Charlay.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want to go back to Walta, no one\u2019s stopping you. But\u2026hey, I could really use someone to run with. Want to check out Riverfarm? That\u2019s where I\u2019m headed. You could do some deliveries on the way. And I wouldn\u2019t mind the company, really.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlay paused. She looked at Ryoka, and her miserable expression vanished. She visibly perked up. Then she hesitated. Ryoka saw the head toss coming and recognized it as what it was. Bravado.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I suppose if you insist. <\/em>I don\u2019t like you, Ryoka. You\u2019re rude, slow, and you took my theme. But I suppose I could keep you company.\u201d<\/p>\n

She hesitated and peeked at Ryoka out of the corner of one eye. Ryoka folded her arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that how you really think?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. No. Okay, fine! I would like to come, happy?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Centauress stamped one hoof. She glared at Ryoka.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t take it personally! I know I made fun of you a bit. But I do that all the time with my Centaur friends. In\u2026Baleros. I guess it\u2019s different here.\u201d<\/p>\n

She hesitated. And Ryoka realized that Centaurs really were different. Like any other culture, really. She wondered if anyone else had realized that. Slowly, Ryoka smiled and shook her head, pretending not to notice Charlay\u2019s anxious look.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, I don\u2019t mind. Just don\u2019t do it all the time. You know how thin-skinned we Humans are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and touchy. But insulting each other is what friends do. We are<\/em> friends, aren\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlay\u2019s question took Ryoka off guard. But then Ryoka nodded. And Charlay\u2019s smile provoked one of Ryoka\u2019s as well. Without a word, the Centauress trotted forwards and then into a run.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that was obvious.<\/em> Why did you need to spell it out? Come on, Ryoka! Let\u2019s go!\u201d<\/p>\n

She beckoned, and Ryoka followed. The young woman stared at Charlay\u2019s back as the Centaur laughed, running with all four legs, and shook her head, mystified, happy\u2014she turned her head up towards the sky.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so easy, Erin. Why didn\u2019t you tell me that? Why didn\u2019t I listen?\u201d<\/p>\n

And then she ran off, south. With a new friend. As they ran towards Riverfarm, Charlay\u2019s voice echoed back towards her.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Hey! Do you know if we\u2019re going the right way?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

If Ryoka Griffin\u2019s first encounter with a [Witch] left her less than impressed with Alevica, well, like Charlay, there was more depth to the odd class than Ryoka first thought.<\/p>\n

It seemed like [Witches] were on the mind, and not just hers. Charlay and Ryoka were stopping for directions\u2014just so Ryoka could stop Charlay from asking\u2014when they heard people talking about [Witches].<\/p>\n

\u201cFive<\/em> with broken arms. Men and women no less! At least they burnt down that wretched place. [Witches].\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWitches?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka and Charlay turned to a knot of distressed men talking in a marketplace of the town they were in\u2014Totiled. It wasn\u2019t large, and Ryoka first thought they were discussing Alevica, given Charlay\u2019s description of her. But instead\u2014<\/p>\n

Well, the first thing the cluster of townsfolk did was clam up, but when they were introduced to two City Runners, they relaxed. Charlay was certainly novel to them, and they stared up at her and asked questions of the Centaur, who clearly loved the attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s this about [Witches]?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPsht. They\u2019re all about, Miss Runner. Going here and there. Run out of villages. And good riddance, I say!\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the townsfolk who\u2019d been listening to the other men spat, but the group who\u2019d actually run into another objectionable [Witch] turned out to be from a village, not the town itself.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not all like that! We had<\/em> a good [Witch]\u2014in Ecedale, twenty miles yonder. But it\u2019s all gone bad. Terribly so! First one [Witch] dies in the streets, the next, our [Witch] throws down, and then her schoolhouse burns down and she\u2019s gone!\u201d<\/p>\n

What was this about? <\/em>Schoolhouse? Ryoka had to get some clarity here, and the story, when deciphered, worked out like this. Charlay chewed on some flatbread as she listened.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt all began\u2026oh, I can\u2019t say how long back. There was talk about, well, bad witches.<\/em> That\u2019s how it all began. You hear stories of \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone nodded, from townsfolk to villagers. Ryoka scratched her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you have one.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man from Ecedale protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a good<\/em> one! Very normal, she was! No warts or hexes; she kept a clean place, had a bunch of little ones in training\u2014Miss Agratha, she was. But you hear stories<\/em> about the bad ones, now and then. There was some business in Terandria\u2026I don\u2019t want to tell stories or run my mouth. I figure they\u2019re bad enough not to spread.\u201d<\/p>\n

The villager actually took something from a pouch at his neck and tossed some over his shoulder. The others did likewise. The townsfolk looked amused at this quaint superstition, but the Ecedale folk went on.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Agratha was telling everyone it was pure nonsense. She\u2019s well liked for the little magics she does. Not by all! But I never had anything but politeness from her, and she always paid for anything she bought.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot like some folks.\u201d<\/p>\n

The dour mutter gave Ryoka an odd impression of \u2018Witch Agratha\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo where\u2019d the dead [Witch] come from?\u201d<\/p>\n

The men looked at each other nervously.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s just it. It happened one night: Miss Agratha was out travelling. Witches do that sort of thing, you know? A stranger comes pounding on our doors, shouting for help. Says she\u2019s been chased! Hunted! Now, most folk were ready to take her in, but then they realized she was a [Witch]. Pointed hat? So they turned her away. They didn\u2019t want trouble. Miss Agratha has a schoolhouse, and they pointed her there. The poor woman must\u2019ve made it, but Agratha and her apprentices were all gone. We didn\u2019t know it, but when someone went to check\u2026she\u2019d expired in the schoolhouse. Leg infected, worn to death. Poor woman.\u201d<\/p>\n

The street went silent as Ryoka swallowed hard, and Charlay lost her appetite. Poor woman indeed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like bad business. Who was after her?\u201d<\/p>\n

Even the townsfolk looked slightly shaken. The villagers\u2019 spokesman spread his hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one knows. Perhaps she was a\u2026bad witch. There was a vote that very evening on whether or not we should kick Miss Agratha out. You know, just in case? Obviously, most people were set against\u2014until Agratha returned. When she found out one of her kin had died there, well, she caused havoc.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another man cut in, looking wide-eyed with respect as much as regret.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe laid into the folk who wouldn\u2019t open their doors! All of us! She has a tongue like\u2014well, some of them who didn\u2019t like her got a bit pushy and stroppy. The next thing you know, there\u2019s a full brawl in the middle of town and she\u2019s laying about with a club!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? A club?<\/em> I thought it\u2019d be with witchcraft!\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlay burst out laughing, but the villagers gave her dark looks.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well, who needs magic when you can hit someone that hard? After all was said and done, it was a lot harder to vote for her, but it didn\u2019t matter either way; someone burned her schoolhouse down in the night. The next thing you know, Agratha\u2019s gone, and all her apprentices run off too. Even some of the children she was tutoring!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s kidnapped children?\u201d<\/p>\n

That brought the townsfolk against the [Witch], but from what Ryoka had heard, it was all a mess. The Wind Runner shook her head as the villagers clarified.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt might<\/em> be kidnapping\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was tutoring the girls, two of whom had no proper parenting\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne family\u2019s put a bounty on her\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAgratha\u2019s the right sort. She set my leg when it was broken better than a [Healer]. If some idiot hadn\u2019t torched her schoolhouse\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The townsfolk of Totiled were a lot less sympathetic. One spat.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019ve heard similar rumors about witches of late. I say, run them out everywhere. I\u2019m glad this one\u2019s gone! As for one running a schoolhouse<\/em>, hah! Who needs that sort of thing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka stared at him for a while until she remembered [Teacher] wasn\u2019t even a class on Izril, really. People did apprenticeships instead. She had never been the biggest proponent of education herself, growing up. But still\u2026Charlay went back to eating and added a comment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWitches. Huh? Are they just a pain or are they useful?\u201d<\/p>\n

That provoked a long silence from all. One of the townsfolk answered airily.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, they\u2019re useful sometimes, but you can\u2019t trust a lot of them. Good for villages. Not a town or city. And there\u2019s always a bad witch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEver met one?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka got a glower from one of the townsfolk and shrugs from the villagers of Ecedale. No\u2026not personally. But there was always one.<\/p>\n

And it seemed like everyone had heard something<\/em> about a \u2018bad witch\u2019 of late. Maybe it was something like the witch hunts of Salem, that paranoia that swept over people for a while. Or the inquisition. Or\u2026Ryoka saw a few of the villagers touching the charm that Witch Agratha had apparently made for them. She heard a whisper.<\/p>\n

\u201c…Helpful Servants in Noelictus. I heard\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

But they fell silent when others looked at them and did not want to say it out loud. And Ryoka and Charlay had to be going. They were running down the road when Charlay pointed something out.<\/p>\n

\u201cI still think you don\u2019t know where you\u2019re going, Ryoka.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Wind Runner sighed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 54 \u2013 Ryoka \u00a0 When the Wind Runner of Reizmelt woke up, she knew it would be another rainy day. Honestly, she was sick of them, but they were symptomatic of Izril in the spring. Wet. And it was still better than Liscor, whose spring rain season was the thing of nightmares. 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