Five after nine, leaning against the wall next to the West Gate. Had been here for fifteen minutes already and no Riley or Wolfe in sight. Waiting another ten minutes and then deciding to call it. Not a big concern, they`re likely both at work today. Probably. Brushing away the disquiet.

　　Back to my normal five day cycle. Out of here again tomorrow so need to get ahead today. One and three at work, two, four and five here.

　　As for getting ahead, the safest place solo is underground. Not very popular. Outside the gates, groups running into other groups, mostly no issues. But solo? Much worse odds. Underground, barely run into anyone, and easy to avoid others if they`re there. But when people do end up coming face to face, its likely going to end in a fight. Not each and every time, but people down there are typically the different sort. Its a good place. My old stomping grounds.

　　But before spending all day in the caves, below the sewers and above the ruins, need to head over to Ishtar. East side of the city, near the temple.

　　Before the real estate grab and great realignment, House Ishtar had been the largest and, likely, wealthiest of the bunch. They had their eyes set on the temple, but then when everything happened, it didn`t flip. And then Mink secured the Mage Tower, Stormhawk the Warrior guild, Haven the Grove, Wyrmsblood the Monastery, and then Solstice. Wait, what did Solstice get? Hard even thinking about them. Solstice. Solstice. Snatch went to Solstice. Can think about him, sent him a letter. But the location of their guild keeps skittering away. Huh. In any case, they did move out of their old house so they got something.

　　As a result, House Ishtar remained in their previous accommodations, a manor house on the east side of the city, three stories, sitting on an acre lot and surrounded by a wrought iron fence. Coming up to the gate and finding it halfway open. Walking up to the front door. No guard. Debating knocking, but then trying the knob, unlocked, and pushing the door open. Small entryway, hardwood floor, and there, directly across from the door, dominating the room, a statue. Coming inside and standing in front of it. It looked like a woman wearing robes. A beautiful face, long, flowing hair, full, sensual lips. A big, closed mouthed smile, not exactly friendly, more that it knew something you didn`t. And coming out of the end of the sleeves where the arms should have been, tentacles. Considering the thing.

　　A deep growl to my right interrupting, my hand instinctively going for my knife. A mountain lion, and beside it, a large man with a beard, muscled, bit of a gut, his hand on the cat`s back. Relaxing my grip after the cat didn`t try to pounce.

　　"I see you`re admiring our patron," he said. "Were you coming by on a pilgrimage?"

　　"No. I`d never worship this thing."

　　Instant malevolence radiating from the statue at the words, and the man`s friendly look turning alarmed.

　　Turning back to the statue, slowly pulling my knife and cutting my hand. Letting some of the blood drip onto the statue`s robes, the liquid being absorbed. The malevolence fading, changing to pleasure. Using Tracing and then Rune of Mending on the cut, the flesh sealing and closing, and then putting the hand on the statue, letting it take the blood still on the surface.

　　"Insulting her, and then giving an offering. Of your own blood, nonetheless." A slow shake of his head, his eyes and the cat`s eyes both staying on me. "I don`t know if you`re stupid or very clever. Maybe both. If you`re not here on a pilgrimage, what can we help you with?"

　　"I heard you were looking for people to help with your expedition out west. Wanted to see if I could join up for it."

　　Curious look on his face. Not expecting that. Giving me a complete once over. Looking at the statue, then back to me. Compressing his mouth. "Are you a spy?"

　　"What?" Watching me intently. "No."

　　A slow nod. "You look very young, and you seem like you know more than you should, but I don`t think you`re lying. I can take you for a proper interview, if you want. They`ll know for sure if what you`re saying is true. Or, you can walk out that door right now, and not waste any of our time. Your choice."

　　"I`ll do the interview now. Thank you." His eyebrows climbing at my quick response, and then letting loose a belly laugh.

　　"Now?" The man glancing at the door. "Shit, I guess I walked myself into that one. You better do good or we`re both going to be in trouble. C`mon." Beckoning me to follow.

　　Walking a few steps behind him, his cat keeping an eye on me the entire way. Following him to the second floor.

　　"You`re going to be talking with the big lady herself," he said. "So be polite, answer as truthfully as you can, and you`ll be fine. If you want to back out you`ve got less than ten seconds."

　　Getting to a door. Looking at me. What are we waiting for, let`s do this. The man shrugging, and then knocking on the door before opening. "Hey Liz."

　　"Roy, what are you doing back so soon, you forget something?" The comment coming from the woman wearing the obviously expensive, and undoubtedly enchanted, set of emerald earnings. Elizabeth Conner, Mistress of House Ishtar. Cleric. And probably high priestess to that thing they have in the entryway. Another woman also sitting in the room, also curvy, and slightly chunkier than her Mistress. And there, on Conner`s desk, a smaller version of the thing. Wonderful. Should hopefully still be in its good graces. Not one of the judgmental ones, definitely the type that laughs at misery.

　　"On my way out I ran into someone you need to deal with," said Roy. "She says she wants to join up."

　　"Do I really need to-" glancing at me, "yes, hi, hello. Do I really need to deal with this right now?"

　　Walking into the room while they were yammering, taking an available seat facing the desk.

　　"You should. She seems interesting."

　　"A few minutes, then. And you`re staying."

　　He had already come inside and was in the process of grabbing a chair, his cat following along, sitting at his feet, its eyes unblinking, still on me.

　　Conner looking at me, and then glancing at the statue on her desk. Sitting a long moment, getting a thoughtful expression, and then returning her gaze back to me.

　　"Welcome. My understanding is that you want to tag along for our expedition next cycle. In order to do so you need to apply for provisional membership with the house. If everything goes well we`ll reconsider your provisional membership in, say, about a month, and hopefully get you up to full status. Is that fine?"

　　"Yeah, fine by me."

　　"Good." she said, then tilting her head at the woman. "Annie here is going to make sure that everything you say is truthful. So please try not to mince words."

　　This could go bad real quick and suiciding my way out isn`t really an option. They`re very close to the temple.

　　"I`ll try."

　　"Please state your full name," she said.

　　Here goes.

　　"Lucilia Macarthy. But, Lucy, please."

　　Hopefully it always stays this funny. The reactions. Roy looking over, surprised, then fighting back a smile. Conner wondering if maybe she had misheard, glancing at Annie, and Annie looking back at her, giving her a gesture meaning, well yeah that`s what she said.

　　Conner looking back at me and letting out a laugh. Looking at Roy, "You`re right, this is definitely interesting." Back to me. "Well there we go, off the standard script. First question. I don`t think that`s ever happened before. I`m sorry, I`m not trying to make fun of you, but you know why we`re reacting like this, right?"

　　"I`m aware."

　　"Okay. Just so you know. My next question is, are you related to William Macarthy?"

　　"No, I`m not."

　　"What is your relationship with the man, if any."

　　"The last time I saw him I got stabbed in the eye. Two days ago, at the gala."

　　"Is that right?" she said, glancing at Annie, who nodded. "So you`ve died already?"

　　"Yes."

　　"That is, well, I`m sorry about what happened, but that`s actually a plus." Stopping for a moment. "Alright, lets not belabor the point. What`s your class?"

　　"Runemage."

　　Blank look. Glancing at Roy, who shrugged. Glancing at Annie, who also had no answer. Looking at the statue. A couple moments passing. Squinting an eye and giving a dismissive wave of her hand to it.

　　"This is great. I guess I shouldn`t be surprised, but you really found something, didn`t you?" Roy giving a smug smirk. "What can you bring to the House?"

　　"It`s enhancement magic. Roy, do you mind if I see your sword for a second? Test the sharpness and weight before giving it to me."

　　Unsheathing it, holding it extended and ready, testing the edge with his thumb, and then giving it to me.

　　Using my finger to draw the Rune of Accuracy and activating it. Returning the weapon.

　　"Its," he said, feeling the weight and testing the edge again, "its definitely different. Lighter, somewhat, and noticeably sharper."

　　"As far as the House, I can support weapons and armor, make everyone able to fight better and take less damage."

　　"That sounds very useful." Her eyes momentarily back on the statue. "How are you in a fight?"

　　"I can hold my own."

　　"What`s your level?"

　　"Eight. Nine in about two hours."

　　"Hmm." Her hand going to her face. "That`s not great. Make sure to get it up to at least ten by the time you leave. I guess the last question. Are you currently a member of another house, or seeking membership in another house?"

　　"No."

　　"In that case," she said, glancing at Annie for confirmation, "I don`t see any particular problem with you coming along. Well, except we`re going to want to see how you actually handle yourself in a fight. Roy, Daniel`s in charge of the expedition now, right?"

　　"Yeah, but I don`t think he`s in today."

　　"He`s not. Hmm," Her hand back on her face, then a finger extending. "Good thing you`re here then, right?"

　　"Liz..."

　　"Just another errand. Don`t do anything crazy, just see what she can do."

　　***

　　"These are boars."

　　"I know," said Roy Belgrave. "I don`t know where you`re at, just do what you can do."

　　Is he fucking with me?

　　"Are you fucking with me?"

　　"Just take your time, you`ll be fine," he said, watching me, trying not to look too bored, his cat laying in the grass nearby.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it`s taken without the author`s consent. Report it.

　　Walking up to the boar. This is goddamn pathetic. Looking down at it. Looking back at me, mouth full of grass, chewing, its little boar eyes begging for mercy. Its not even hostile, several levels higher than it. Oh no, there it goes, trying to attack. Completely ineffectual against the shield. Make it quick. The dagger skewering its eye, dropping it.

　　"Happy?"

　　"That was pretty good, go do another."

　　Motherfucker.

　　Killing the next one with a flourish, not even bothering to use the shield.

　　"Are we done here?"

　　"Good job, good job," he said, nodding. "There are these lizards around here we may want to do next."

　　"No. Fuck that. Let`s do Manticores."

　　"Manticores?" His face breaking out in the beginnings of a smile. "Okay, normally I wouldn`t suggest it, but if you insist."

　　Manticores. Now these are proper fights. Leonine head and two front paws, and then the poisonous stringer on the tail. Swapping back to the hatchet for the added range. Putting a paw out of commission before getting the head, keeping the shield ready for the tail, or chopping at the tail and then striking while it was trying to retreat. Too much variety with this type, too much fun.

　　A sudden growl from the cat my only warning before an arrow whizzed by, killing my current Manticore. Roy coming over with a determined stride, his bow in one hand and a finger to his lips.

　　"Someone`s coming." His form suddenly blurring in a wave of greens and browns and greys, the colors blending into the natural surroundings. "Get over here."

　　Pulling me behind a tree, putting my back to it, standing over me protectively, peering around the trunk.

　　"There`s a whole group," he said. "Stay quiet and let `em pass. No reason to let them know we`re here."

　　Steadying myself, his muscled arms filling both sides of my vision, his chest in front of me, rising and falling with each breath. Both of us holding the pose for a couple minutes, him checking around the tree periodically.

　　"Looks like they`re gone," he said, giving me some room and putting a comforting hand on my shoulder. "You okay? You look a bit shook."

　　"I`m fine."

　　"Alright. Probably time to head back in. What are those that you`ve been collecting anyway?" he said, referring to the pebbles produced by Disjunction.

　　"Those are money. I don`t know what we`re going to run into in the desert, but they`ll be a nice bonus for everyone on top of the pay we`re getting for the escort."

　　"Is that right? Okay then, I`ve seen enough. You`re very capable," his hand ruffling my hair, a warm feeling rising at the praise, "but in addition to that level Liz mentioned, I`m going to need you to upgrade your weapon to something better than plain steel. And make sure you get clothes for the desert. You`re leaving six days from now, on day 3. Then four days out, five days there, but only be in for one, the middle day, and then four days back. Make sure to put in your schedule request as soon as you get out of here."

　　"You said I`m leaving in six days, are you not going to be coming?"

　　"Nope, they`ve got some work they want me to do here, so Daniel`s responsible for running the show this time around. With you in the mix I think we`ll have eleven total now, one five and one six. And then around fifty people getting escorted, plus animals and wagons. You`re leaving from the West Gate bright and early, eight in the morning."

　　Only eleven. They probably wouldn`t mind if Evie and Kate joined up, then. They`ll take Kate for sure, but Evie will be a harder sell, and they may try to persuade her to worship that thing. Doubt that`ll fly. See if they`ll be game next time we meet up.

　　***

　　Heading to a different inn for lunch and paying for a room for tonight and tomorrow. Always a good habit to never stay in one place for too long. Dropping what wasn`t needed in the room and then getting lunch. There`s the tick, level 9. Assigning points and scouting out the next two Runemancy spells.

　　Tenth rank.

　　Infuse: Allows the caster to recharge magical items. Chance of success is increased with more ranks of Arcane Lore, Transference.

　　Ah, that`s what Matheson had been advertising. Another likely culprit for why Runemages don`t advance very high. And with the cooldown on Copying a gold coin being a little more than twenty four hours, it looks like they can live very easily with very little effort. Going to need to visit my master at some point, find out when his classes are going to be held. Would like to find out what kind of people even normally become Runemages in the first place and say hello. Anyway, need to begin collecting things to charge. Going to have to head to the pawnshop soon, if only for a new weapon.

　　Eleventh rank.

　　Carve: Causes the caster`s hands to harden into sharpened claws. Adds Brawling ranks equal to the caster`s Runemancy ranks. Attacks made with the claws have up to a +40 AS. Attacks cause piercing or slashing damage. While active causes the duration of all runes activated to be increased to twice the normal duration. Duration is 1 minute per Runemancy rank.

　　Brawling? Let`s see, there it is. Fifty percent more expensive than Simple Weapons, would have to drop something else to swap over full time, and not great against even moderately armored opponents. Well, would necessitate precision strikes. Hmm. As for the spell, a very interesting effect, but eleven mana to cast and a short duration. Not economical, but the future looks promising and, for now, an absolute must test. Undoubtedly invaluable in a pinch.

　　Name: Lucilia Macarthy

　　Profession: Runemage Level: 9

　　Sex: Female

　　Experience: 28,591 (2,700)

　　Age: 20

　　Until Next: 6,159

　　Health

　　71

　　Mana

　　61

　　Stamina

　　32

　　Spirit

　　8

　　Strength (STR)

　　56 (3)

　　Constitution (CON)

　　63 (6)

　　Dexterity (DEX)

　　68 (14)

　　Agility (AGI)

　　86 (18)

　　Discipline (DIS)

　　76 (13)

　　Aura (AUR)

　　80 (15)

　　Logic (LOG)

　　71 (15)

　　Intuition (INT)

　　74 (17)

　　Wisdom (WIS)

　　44 (-3)

　　Influence (INF)

　　76 (13)

　　Name

　　Trainings

　　Bonus

　　Armor Use

　　6

　　29

　　Physical Fitness

　　10

　　45

　　Simple Weapons

　　10

　　45

　　Arcane Symbols

　　15

　　60

　　Magic Item Use

　　10

　　45

　　Harness Power

　　10

　　45

　　Mana Control

　　10

　　45

　　Runemancy

　　10

　　45

　　Arcane Lore, Shaping

　　10

　　45

　　Arcane Lore, Transference

　　3

　　15

　　Survival

　　10

　　45

　　Perception

　　10

　　45

　　Climbing

　　10

　　45

　　Swimming

　　10

　　45

　　First Aid

　　10

　　45

　　Trading

　　10

　　45

　　Stalking and Hiding

　　10

　　45

　　Heading to the general store after lunch and buying several torches and more boxes of matches. The Manticores had been nice for showing off, and for Disjunction, but the goal for the moment was accumulating experience. Had unlocked Rune Trap, but need to sew the symbol on a glove, or maybe my cloak, before using it. Nine mana, fairly expensive, but it`ll be nice when confronting larger targets. Heading to the nearest sewer entrance and going to the caves below, Blind Stalkers and White Newts the primary targets. Easier prey than the Manticores, the disjuncted stones they produced being black and white, respectively. Should be solid hunting for the next couple days.

　　Emerging from the sewers after dark, tired, wet and shivering. But had made tremendous progress, the little bag filled with about twenty five stones. Heading to the bathhouse for clean clothes and a long soak

　　Standing at the bathhouse front desk with freshly cleaned clothes, debating whether or not to rough them up and demand entrance to see the Council. Deciding against it. Even after the long soak, still feeling a bit cold. Heading back to the new inn for supper, foregoing the customary pint in favor of hot tea and one of the leaves from my pouch. The last leaf, had used all the others today. Need to stock back up and get some more potent herbs for the trip. Chewing the leaf, same awful taste, but feeling better, especially with the hot tea and seafood stew.

　　No Stormhawk here. Mostly unaligned, or unmarked, a table of Mink and a single Solstice at the bar. Which either means Solstice is somewhere in this general vicinity, or he`s wandered in from somewhere a bit away. Probably the latter.

　　Up to bed, wrapping myself in the blanket, warm again and well fed. Never been out to the desert. Don`t even know where exactly we`re heading. Trading post or some type of city, could be either. Bit disappointed Roy said he wasn`t coming. He`s something. My hands starting to wander. Closing my eyes.

　　Back in the forest, my back to the tree, him standing over me.

　　"I love it," said Roy, pressing into me, my fingers simulating, "we`ve only just met and you`re already letting me do whatever I want."

　　Continuing with his pace, continuing with mine, then admonishing me for making too much noise. "If you can`t keep it down they`ll hear." And then a crafty look. "Or maybe that`s what it is, you want them to hear."

　　No, don`t want them to hear. My gasps and whimpers coming out regardless. Increasing his pace, my fingers increasing mine. Using my thumb on that place, a light touch and then more insistent.

　　"You certainly seem very capable," his praise filling me again with good feelings, my fingers pressing in more urgently, "but you should try to be more honest." Reaching my peak.

　　"You`re going to do great," he said, "a horny little slut like you`ll be a welcome addition to Ishtar."

　　Coming down, letting my fantasy fade. Like any good fantasy: indulgent, idealized and imaginary. But a seed of doubt beginning to sprout, worry beginning to grow. Maybe going to Ishtar had been a mistake. Maybe its all too fast. Know their reputation. But then they had seemed so friendly. Had been sitting in the interview, nerves completely raw, and they welcomed me. And then, afterwards, in the forest, he protected me without question. Remembering that, remembering his genuine concern, and his smell. A good smell. And getting lost in the fantasy again.