7 Unexpected Trophy

Shine was removed from the enemy's belt and scabbard. She picked up her enemy's sword and dagger from the ground. A smile graced her face. The Plas knew how to make great weapons and she would be able to make good money from the sale of trophies. The adventurer was not shy and checked the pockets of the jacket on the swordsman's body. She paid particular attention to his hands. Mages preferred to use rings as quick access artifacts. From her opponent's fingers, she removed seven artifacts. Good booty! In the bag on the belt, she found gold and silver coins from Plas. These coins she could exchange for Ark's coins at the bank. The girl did not demean herself to pay attention to the clothes on the dead man. She laughed softly,

"She will offer the newcomer an upgrade in his closet. His clothes look ridiculous and might cause bad attention to him. Even the clothes of their Plas losers look more dignified and stylish!"

The girl looked toward the summoner and saw that he was already on his feet. The pet rejoined him and rested on his shoulder. Shine walked over to the young man and shook her head. He looked lost and miserable.

"I'm in so much pain," whimpered Pete.

Shine looked at the grass and saw his enemy's sword. Another great blade. It could get about a thousand gold pieces for it.

"I can heal you. I'll spend the scroll, but I'll take that sword." The girl offered.

The young man answered nothing. He looked at her with a silent plea. She did not need his words. The girl pulled out a healing scroll and activated it. The expression of a child who had received the sweetness appeared on the summoner's face. Dracat turned his muzzle and looked at the girl. She was uncomfortable with the pet's attention. Even a baby pet is a threat. He has enough power to cause trouble for his opponent. Shine did not believe that the newcomer summoner was capable of controlling her pet. And she was certain that Pete's survival was a tribute to dracat!

"You are permitted to take your trophies. The weapon and the belt with the money. Take the rings from his fingers. They are artifacts. Look in his jacket pockets. Maybe you'll find something of value. And don't forget that it's a gift from Elvira!"

Pete was silent and couldn't move his eyes to the corpse. She was suggesting that he take up marauding! This was wrong. He would take the weapon. The rest of the dead man's belongings he would not touch. The young man bent over the body and removed the scabbard with the dagger from his belt. He stood up and asked the girl,

"How shall we bury them?"

"The usual way," she snorted. "We'll throw the bodies in the river. And then I'll take a swim. I need to wash away the unpleasant impressions."

Her answer didn't please him. The tranquility did not break out in a wave of indignation. On the contrary, his voice sounded with cold confidence and dignity,

"They were soldiers. They deserved respect."

"They were scum from the Plas. And they wanted us dead!" objected Shine.

Pete realized that it was useless to talk to her on this subject. He retreated to the edge of the forest, where the young trees were no taller than he was. Trank sensed his intention and jumped to the ground. Pete knelt and began digging the grave. The dagger rested comfortably in his hand. The young man felt a strange sense of quiet pleasure. It was the first time he had ever held a real weapon in his hand. It was a strong and good impression. It was truly like a man's. He, too, was acting like a man, doing the right thing. This world can be proud of its laws and its civilization. He may be a wanderer and a newcomer. But he will not allow himself to be turned into a cruel man. For a start, he will bury those soldiers. And he also forgot to do another important thing! Pete raised his head and winked at the kitten,

"Thanks, friend. It was painful, but it was in time. Your help saved my life."

Dracat got up on his hind legs and spread his wings. His appearance spoke louder than any words, "Yes, that's me. I am the great and mighty rescuer and helper!"

Shine understood why this lunatic was digging the ground at the edge of the forest. She did not interfere with him. Everyone is responsible for his actions. The summoner can do whatever he wants with his dead body. He can even eat it for dinner! And she will drown the corpse of the bastard who wanted to kill her! Then she will take off her clothes and walk into the clear water of the river.

The girl walked over to the swordsman's body and grabbed his legs. She was disgusted to touch the dead man's cold hands. Ugh! She dragged the body toward the river and grumbled about the Plas losers. Idiots are only capable of stuffing their bellies. They should be practicing more fencing! She works on perfecting her skills every day, so she has a great figure. The Plas soldiers can try again and again, she can easily handle these losers.

Shine stepped into the river and let go of the dead man's legs. Then she kicked the corpse so it could swim away downstream. The girl grinned and spat into the water,

"Everyone buries their dead!"

She returned to shore and began to undress. This was the moment she had been anticipating since the morning she'd go down to the river and into the river she'd dive.

Pete dug a shallow grave. He went back to the body and stopped. He didn't know how to carry the corpse. But then he remembered how to carry corpses and wounded people. He approached from the side of the head and grasped the swordsman's armpits with both hands. Pete began to move carefully backward toward the woods. Then he dragged the dead man into the grave and began to cover the body with the earth. He did not feel anything during this process. The young man again found a state of harmony and tranquility. This feeling of self-confidence did not waver even when he glanced at the river. Pete saw Shine's naked body. At that moment a new change happened to him! His vision changed. It was as if his eyes looked through the eyepieces of binoculars! The vision became tunnel vision. The girl's naked body came closer for inspection and the boundaries around that view lost definition. Pete shook his head.

"Trank! Stop messing around! We don't need this. I've got to finish burying this guy," the young man muttered.

And his eyesight returned to its normal and familiar state again.

"Well done. I'm sure you'll soon learn to talk. You are a fairy magical pet. You are the heir to a dragon and a cat. I've never heard of talking cats, but dragons are the wisest of creatures. Justify my hopes and make Daddy happy!"

The kitten pleased him with a soft meow. Pete smiled and began to finish his work.

Pete finished with the grave and looked at Shine. She stopped a few paces away from the summoner and contemplated the patch of grass. Then she uttered with a strange expression in her voice,

"Give me this and you get my body for one night."

He didn't understand why or what she said.

"What?"

"This!" the girl pointed her hand at something in the grass.

Pete walked over to her and looked in the right direction. On the grass, he saw a small figure of light-colored material. It seemed to him that this oddly shaped figure was made of bone.

"What is it?" he asked quietly.

"It is a spiritoire. An artifact in which the spirit of a skilled magician is enclosed. It can reveal magical procedures and spells, contains sorcery recipes. This spiritoire was created by a mage from Plas. Pete Harrison, I beg you, give it to me."

The young man did not have time to answer. Dracat answered for him. The little one leaped toward the figure and shielded it with his body. After a moment, dracat turned and sat down on the grass. People watched in silence as he licked his paw. They found no words. Spiritoire was gone!

"Did you eat him?" asked Pete in a quiet voice, a silly question.

Trank stopped licking his paw and raised his muzzle,

"Meow."

"Your pet ate an artifact worth several thousand gold coins!"

Shine couldn't keep up the indignation. She had had enough of these lunatics. What a summoner, such a pet! Two lunatic savages! She turned and walked quickly toward the camp.

Pete looked at the pet and muttered nonsense,

"I don't mind, but I'm restless. A diet like that wouldn't hurt you? Of course, I've heard stories on the subject. Dragons love to chew on gems. Cats can chew on things, too. Boy, are you all right?"

Dracat did not answer his friend. Little One flew up and nestled on his shoulder.