Tale of the Outcast Warrior: Ghosts from the past, Raylik, and making money.

Tyler and his friends stepped of the lift and left the spear. As they left, kaori sighed.

"You guessed it as well?"

The others looked at them quizzically. So, Tyler explained.

"Seline is at this very moment informing Tatiana of our arrival, everything we told her and all we know on top of the king's plight."

Wulf stopped dead.

"How can you be so sure?"

He laughed.

"You told me they are lovers every now and then. We told Seline we're headed her way. So, that, plus Ishtar's plight, you get a recipe for an immediate update."

Wulf and the princesses just sighed as they crossed a small bridge.

"That foresight is just plain scary."

"Yet they call YOU Farsight."

"HEY! It because I can see far!"

"….Really?"

Wulf slugged him.

"I hate you."

They were laughing as the bank came into view. The building was a massive structure, eight stories tall, and several hundred thousand square feet. The thing was purest white with pillars along the main entryway. There were throngs of people moving in and out. Some with pouches and coins, others with documents and other papers. A path cleared itself around the group as they strode inside the bank to head for the money conversion. There, a curious creature sat in the chair. It was maybe three feet tall, had a pointy chin and ears, dark brown skin, and red eyes. Tyler tilted his head as he looked at Kaori.

"We've seen this movie somewhere, right?"

Kaori chuckled.

"An interworld harry potter reference."

The two Warriors chuckled at the shared memory as they approached the creature. The thing smiled at the approaching party.

"Greetings Warriors. Welcome to the Bank of Raylik. I am head Gnome Girplik. I oversee all money conversions. How may I assist you?"

Tyler smiled politely.

"Me and my party wish to make a mass conversion."

The gnome looked at him.

"By mass, how much Sirrah?"

Tyler thought for a moment.

"We're looking at…..several thousand coins, of copper to silver, and silver to gold."

The Gnome looked at the dusty, clearly travel worn party.

"very well. I'm afraid that such a large transaction needs to be conducted out of sight of the masses."

"I understand."

The Gnome hopped off his chair and led the party into a small room, and the door was sealed as Tyler pulled out the party's coin pouches. Soon as the gnome saw them, he gasped.

"Where did you make that much so quickly?"

Tyler smiled.

"We killed a drakolisk and found it's treasure trove."

The Gnome shook his small head.

"That explains it. How, I assume you want the coppers and silvers made into gold?"

"Indeed. We're kinda running outta space."

The Gnome smiled.

"I also assume that you're aware of the two for every ten tax applies?"

"we are."

"Then we'll proceed."

The Gnome pulled a tube and had Tyler empty the pouches of coppers into the thing. Result was 99 silver coins with 99 coppers left over. The Gnome frowned.

"I dislike fractions."

"Let's call it an even twenty silvers."

The Gnome smiled again.

"More than fair. I suppose when you have such wealth, twenty silvers doesn't really mean much."

"It does, as we risked our lives to make it, but I hate math."

That got a chuckle. Then he had Tyler pour the silver into another tube, resulting in 61 gold with 14 silver left over.

"13 gold."

"Again, very fair."

Tyler got his coins and added them to his pouch. They now had 4032 gold, 14 silver, 99 coppers. Tyler smiled.

"Nice. Okay, that was all we needed."

The Gnome shook the bigger man's hand and showed them out. Afterwards, the party looked for an inn.

"We may be loaded, but we're not going overboard, got it?"

kaori sighed.

"Of course not. You're such a scrooge."

"Humbug!"

"Jackass."

The two friends laughed as the others just sighed and went with it. They passed a large building with a long set of windows, and Kaori happened to peer inside one, and sigh.

"Hey, Tyler. Look."

HE looked and sighed as well.

"Found their hospital."

The room within the window was lined with beds filled with badly hurt people. Men, Woman and children all laid out in bandages and wrappings. Tyler sighed.

"Let's get to it."

The group nodded and walked through the front door of the building. First thing they heard was the agonized moans and groans of people in pain. Tyler looked around for a head nurse of doctor.

"Sirrah!"

The looked over to see a tall lady with white bird wings and a halo on her head in a white habit walking towards them. Tyler smiled at the angel girl.

"Greetings, Miss."

she saw his Warrior insignia and froze in fear.

"Please, tell me you're here to help?"

Tyler smiled kindly.

"I am. My path is white and blue."

She sighed with absolute relief.

"Oh thank the gods. What's your most powerful healing spell?"

"Divine Resurgence."

She dropped her clipboard.

"You can cast that?"

"On demand. Ask the Cat."

Malico flicked her tail at him.

"HE saved my tail when it was hanging by a sliver."

The lady had even more relief.

"What other healing can you do?"

"Holy relief. I can close a gash nine inches long and four deep. I have a Blue spell that coats the target in water and heals them as well. Plus our supply of healing potions."

She picked up her clipboard as Tyler looked at her. The lady had long blonde hair, fair skin, blue eyes and a large rack. She smiled as she looked at them.

"Holy Relief is exactly what we need. If its that powerful, then I ask you see to the children first."

Tyler nodded.

"Lead the way."

So, for the next few hours, Tyler used his White path to heal the injured in the hospital. He smiled as the last was healed to full strength.

"There, that'll do ya."

The man flexed his hand where he'd taken a sword.

"I thankee laddee. Me hand feels better than it has in years."

"Ya got all the pieces of a hilarious dirty joke there, but Kaori's lookin at me."

The man chortled at the sight of the blonde beauty smacking him. Tyler drank a mana potion and smiled.

"I think that's everyone."

The angel girl came over with a look of gratitude.

"Oh thank you Sirrah. We were woefully under equipped to handle such a matter."

Tyler just shrugged.

"Eh, least you know. By the way, miss, what's your name?"

She smiled as she bowed, her bird wings flopping behind her.

"My name is Melirica, Sirrah. A pleasure to meet you…?"

"Tyler. My name's Tyler."

She jumped.

"The rogue Warrior that killed Gruven?"

"Ahh, yeah."

She looked at him, and then to the now happily resting patients he had healed, then smiled.

"I see the rumors of you being a heartless monster were in error."

"No, they're right."

"Yeah. His IS a heartless monster."

"Piss em off and watch what happens."

"He's nice to me though! Teehee!"

Tyler smiled at the now pale angel girl.

"I'm only a Demon to those that try to harm Kaori or my friends. Long as you don't try your luck, your safe."

Melirica smiled then as she understood.

"I see. Well, thank you for your aid."

"Sure. So, can you point us in the direction of a decent inn?"

A man spoke up from a bed.

"You can stay at mine, as a thanks for healing my arm."

Tyler looked as the man got out of the bed.

"You sure? It wasn't damaged in the rampage, was it?"

HE chuckled.

"Nah, my place is on another street. I only got caught in it when that heffer tried to slash a poor courier for tripping over her foot."

Tyler looked at Kaori.

"This Heffer have a name?"

"She was a Warrior, so it was an odd one, but I think I heard get called, Felicia?"

Tyler and Kaori looked at each other.

"She wasn't in our classroom when we came here."

"I think we need to pay a visit to the local adventurer's guild, kaori. I got a hunch."

He looked at the now curious man.

"You wouldn't happened to be acquainted with the vile girl, would you?"

Tyler sighed in resignation.

"She's my sister. Hurts as it does to admit it."

The man looked at him with pity.

"Boy, with a sister like that."

"You don't know the half of it. And do to be honest? You REALLY don't want to."

The man sighed.

"You have my pity boy. Now, before I fergit again, me name's Elirch. Allow me to show you to my inn."

Tyler smiled.

"Thank you kindly."

Sera squealed.

"yay! Beds!"

That got a chuckle as the party left the hospital. After the left, Melirica sighed deeply as the hospital overseer, a lithe Wolfgirl, came to stand beside her.

"We really owe that boy for this one."

The angel girl smiled.

"That we do. His sister was a part of the riot, and from what the reports say, STARTED the thing."

Tyler had Sera's hand in his as she bounced along while Elirch led them to a large building with orange tinted windows and a rather impressive double door. The Inn was called HERO'S REST. Elirch led them inside and immediately a loud squeal was heard.

"Daddy! You got released from the hospital!"

A small girl with light red hair, pale skin and freckles came sprinting out of the back to launch herself at the man. HE smiled as he lifted her up.

"Melly! You been good?"

The girl smiled as she got lifted into a hug.

"Uh-huh! I've been helping momma!"

Tyler and his friends smiled at the sight of the man and his daughter. Then the small girl spotted Tyler and his crew. She bawled.

"Wow, mister. You're handsome!"

Tyler threw his head back laughing as he patted the small girl's hair.

"And you're cute. So, good looks all round!"

Melly giggled.

"Well, except Daddy. He hasn't looked good in a few years."

"Oof."

"Yikes."

Tyler and his crew chuckled as the man got bullied by his own daughter. Elirch just sighed.

"Where's your mother ya scamp?"

"She's getting ready to open."

"I'll go say hi."

He put her down and looked to the group.

"Would you like one room or separate?"

Tyler looked to his crew.

"Ladies and Wulf?"

Kaori and Malico smiled.

"We'll be together so it don't matter to us."

Lillia and Sera nodded as well.

"Same."

Wulf sighed.

"Like I'd get left out."

Tyler smiled as he looked to the man.

"Do you have on big enough for all of us?"

The man smiled.

"Course we do. It even overlooks the street."

"Perfect for a midnight escape."

Kaori smacked him.

"No. Just. NO."

He laughed as Elirch saw the looks in the young one's eyes. Well done laddee, got yerself a fine lass an no mistake The group were led up to their room, and Sera and Lillia groaned hard as they laid in the soft bed.

"Ohhh, I missed this!"

"Soft beds!"

Tyler snorted.

"Spoiled princesses."

The snorted at him back.

"Uncultured swine."

"Barn raised peasant."

"Wow, Sera, good one."

That got a few chuckles as Tyler looked at Kaori.

"Let's go find a bath house."

The pretty blonde smiled as they left the room, Wulf right behind them.

"I need a wash as well."

Malico pouted, and Tyler looked at her.

"You already GOT a bath!"

The catgirl was still pouting as Tyler finally just groaned.

"Alright fine, Ladies, let's go."

The girls all giggled as they went downstairs to see Elirch talking to a tall lady with well built forearms, lone flowing red hair, blue eyes, pale skin in a belted tunic and boots. Tyler smiled as they were spotted by the large lady.

"A moment laddee."

Her voice thick and strong. Tyler stopped and she came over to his crew to extend a weighty rock for a hand.

"Thankee for putting my slip of a man back together for me."

Tyler shook the lady's hand.

"You're welcome miss."

She noted the fire that smoldered in his eyes, as if waiting for a spark to ignite a blaze. She saw, and approved.

"me name's Mia. Where might ya be headed might I ask?"

Tyler chuckled.

"We need a bath. So, we're looking for the nearest bath house."

She smiled.

"Ah! Ya want Mallie's place. Lessee, a street to the left of our front door and has the golden door."

"One street over and a golden door. Thanks Mia."

She thumped his back, and noted his chainmail hidden beneath his shirt…..and something else entirely. Tyler smiled as he saw the flash of recognition in her blue eyes as she felt his scars through his shirt.

"We'll head to the house. Thanks again."

His crew were eager to get wet, so they left without another word. Once the door shut, Mia looked at her husband and sighed.

"Elirch, there's something you might like to know about that boy."

The man was playing with their daughter, but looked up at her sad tone.

"What is it, Mia?"

She clenched her fist and unclenched it as she spoke.

"When I thumped his back, I could feel he had a hidden vest of chainmail underneath."

He tilted his head, confused.

"A very clever trick, but why do you look so sad?"

"Because of what I felt THROUGH his chainmail."

"What?"

She looked at him,

"Elirch, that boy has more lines on his skin then a belligerent slave in a sadist's ownership. I could feel them even through his mail. I don't know where that poor Warrior came from, but he grew up with some truly evil people."

Elirch sighed now himself.

"I understand what he meant now. That heffer that got me with the sword is his sister."

"May the gods have pity upon that poor boy."

They found the house in question without issue and went inside. Tyler paid the matron and tapped her shoulder as the girls went inside and slipped her a silver.

"Miss, if you could, I'd appreciate it if you'd help my blonde companion with her hair."

The lady smiled at his ploy.

"Aye, lad. That I shall."

Tyler smiled as he and Wulf went into the men's section. Wulf was still saddened by the mass of scars on his friends body, but just accepted it as a part of who he was. The men went in and climbed into the water. Tyler with his back against the divider between the men's and women's section in case of trouble, as he was always on edge when he couldn't see Kaori. Wulf chuckled.

"Even in the bath you're on watch. Admirable."

Tyler snorted.

"I've seen too many movies where the lead guy makes a fatal mistake. Like leaving the girl he was supposed to protect to do SOMETHING, what doesn't matter, and every time he does, the girl gets caught, killed, attacked or some combo of the three. Usually the bad stuff happens when the guardian lowers their shield."

Wulf smiled as he understood his logic. Lad thinks more like a general then a mere boy of fifteen years. And he's bigger then me to boot! Gods dammit! Tyler chuckled to himself. Dude has muscle mass on me, but I got the better dick! Tyler sighed as he had a thought.

"Hey, Wulf, I was curious on something."

The elf tilted his head.

"What's that?"

"Well when you wake every morning, I noticed you perform a rite, was kinda curious what that was about."

Wulf chuckled.

"I just give praise to the sun goddess Saphia. I take it you remember our discussion on how to hone perception?"

"You said that religious prayer is a means."

"In Lectis, one may worship any god they so choose, regardless of race or class."

"be rather interesting to see a orc worship a Nature goddess."

Wulf snorted.

"The way your mind works is simply terrifying. My goddess is the Sun Goddess. So, I give praise to her every morning before I go about my daily activities."

Tyler smiled.

"Well, I guess religion means more here then in my old world. Though, I have to ask. Does she actually exist?"

Wulf chuckled.

"She does indeed. So do all the gods and goddesses. Sometimes they even give boons to those that earn their favor or punish those that do wrong."

"Never Directly though, right?"

"Not in the sense they kill the bastard themselves. More, they lend their strength behind a champion to purge the evil for them."

"Heard that one a million times."

Wulf laughed.

"Now, I'm curious as to how worship works in your old world."

Tyler sighed as he crossed his arms.

"It's a mess, Wulf. Lemme ask you this. In this world, how accepting of same sex relationships are the religions?"

Wulf tilted his head.

"Most don't care enough to bother. Other say duty first, play later. Like if you are a head of an important house for example, but you prefer men over women and you belong to such a religion, then all they ask is you fulfill your duty to your family by fathering an heir before following your heart."

Tyler chuckled.

"That's more than fair to be honest. Work first play after. In our world, in some religions, if you come out as openly gay or lesbian, then your demonized to the point of getting brutally murdered over it. One is so bad that they have straight up reform camps they send their children to to force them straight. I have seen a religious family literally destroy itself because a daughter was a lesbian. It was so bad, the father and the brother both took turns raping her to force her to get over her 'confusion' in their words, and marry the boy they'd picked out for her. The daughter snapped, and all we heard a few blocks down was gunfire as she killed them all in a psychotic break. Then she turned the gun on herself and blew her brains out."

Tyler sighed as Wulf just looked at him.

"That truly happened?"

"Sad all the time. Wanna know the kicker?"

"What?"

"The boy they set her up to marry? A thirty year old man. And guess how old she was."

"I know I'm gonna regret this, but how old?"

"13."

"Gods."

Wulf was disgusted.

"That poor girl."

"Yeah. I knew her too. She was a very sweet, caring girl. Basically Sera as a red head."

Wulf sighed.

"The world you called home was a truly hellish place."

"You have no idea. Lemme ask another question."

The elf looked at him.

"Sure."

"How bad can the discrimination between races get? I've seen Dragul. But I think that was an extreme case."

Wulf sighed as he rubbed his pointed ears.

"Dragul is indeed the worst example for just how bad it gets. For the most part? If I, a clear elf were to walk into some towns and cities, most I have to worry about are curious gawkers that had never seen an elf before. Weird, but understandable. The tailed people have it worse, as some try to pet them thinking they're animals or less then human."

Tyler smiled as he looked at the wall.

"I'll have to keep an eye on Malico then. As far as discrimination goes in MY world? Well, are you familiar with the term genocide?"

Wulf sighed.

"I am."

"Yeah, that bad. Some people get killed outright just for having darker skin. Others used And abused because they looked different."

Wulf sighed.

"Can I ask what would happen to me if I was sent to your world?"

Tyler laughed darkly.

"Dissection. While alive. After they forced you to impregnate women against her will to make more labrats."

Wulf shuddered at his near instantaneous reply.

"Thank the gods you left."

Tyler laughed again.

"True dat."

Then Wulf remembered something.

"I was curious about a term you used."

"Oh?"

"In your story, you said the word 'gun'. I am unfamiliar with it. Is it a weapon?"

Tyler crossed his arms again.

"Okay, how do I explain this? A gun is a metal tube that has a trigger like a crossbow that when pulled fires another bit of metal at high speeds to kill."

Wulf tilted his head.

"Is it magical?"

"Not in the slightest. It uses mechanical components, a powder the explodes when lit on fire, and practice. Literally all you need to make a tool that can kill hundreds without any real training."

Wulf was struggling to picture it in his head.

"A powder that explodes when lit. I wonder if it's similar to the fire powder the dwarves use in their mining?"

Tyler then had a thought.

"Ya know Wulf, let me put it to you like this. Your world has cannons, right?"

The elf nodded.

"We do."

"How do those work?"

"The cannoneer stuffs the fire powder into the large cylinder, then the ball on top of it. They light a fuse near the back of the tube and it sends it flying."

"A gun is that except smaller, more reliable, holds more ammo, and hits harder."

Wulf got it then, as his eyes went wide.

"The weaponry in your world is terrifying."

"Ha. You want terrifying? Okay. You know how big Thunder is right?"

Wulf nodded.

"He is a magnificent horse."

"He is indeed. Now, lemme ask this, how big across is Term?"

"From outer wall to outer wall, maybe a hundred miles?"

"Okay. In our world, we have bombs the size of Thunder that can turn the first four sets of walls in Term into a crater a hundred feet deep with the initial blast, and the rest of the city really flat with the resulting shockwave. That land would then be poisoned from the blast to where humans cannot live there for at least twenty thousand years."

Wulf shuddered at the thought of such destructive power.

"I think I'd like to stop hearing of your world. I still need to sleep at night."

"That's fair. Hey, wanna hear about OUR methods of transport?"

Wulf chuckled.

"Sure, why not?"

"Okay. You know how fast our horses run, right?"

"I do."

"We have horse less wagons that can make the trip from Raylik to term in mere minutes."

"No way."

"Seriously. We do! Speed is a national sport in my country, like hundreds of miles an hour."

Wulf just shook his head.

"Your people can destroy the world at will, and at the same time travel faster then a speeding arrow for fun."

"Annnd we've been to our moon."

"Of course you have."

Kaori was relaxing in the hot water, just loving the feeling of it washing away the dirt and grime of the road. She was sitting with her back against the wall dividing the sections, unaware that Tyler's back was just one the other side of the wooden divider. The blonde beauty smiled as she saw her still growing breasts in the water.

"Wow, enjoying your own look?"

Malico came and sat beside her and stretched out her own sexy form. Sera and Lillia were on the other side of the small pool and also stretched out. Kaori looked back at her cleavage.

"Just glad they're still growing."

Malico placed a soft, inquisitive hand on kaori's orb, and squeezed a little.

"Yep, they got bigger!"

Kaori was flushed a little at Malico's fondle.

"Still can't hold a candle to yours though."

The busty kittycat chuckled as she laid her head on the blonde beauty.

"Wow, he's right. These ARE fun to cuddle."

They giggled as the princesses relaxed in their second bath of the day. Then the door slid open to show the matron with a brush, a bottle of shampoo and a stool. Kaori smiled as the lady looked to her.

"The young lad said you'd like help with your hair, miss."

That got a round of awwwww's from the girls as Kaori sat on the small stool and let out of it's pony tail. The lady chuckled as kaori's golden lockes were allowed to flow freely.

"Wow, Missy, you got gorgeous hair."

Malico was a little jealous as Kaori got her hair done for her. Kaori smiled.

"I'm amazed he remembered."

The matron was curious.

"Remembered what miss?"

"When we hit the first bath house in this world, he did the same thing, paying the lady to help me with my hair. I told him that'd be nice. So, I was surprised he remembered."

Malico and the other girls chuckled as kaori got her hair done. Then Sera had a question.

"Hay, Kaori. What was Tyler like in your old world?"

The other girls all looked at her, and she laughed.

"He wasn't as strong as he is now. In our world, Tyler got bullied by everyone and anyone that felt like it. He'd fight back, and lose every time. He was also a far colder person. Sera, if you'd been attacked on the street in front of him, he'd look you in the eye, and cross the street rather then waste his time helping you. He also was the type to just ignore you altogether if you tried begging. He never complemented me, unless I dragged it out of him with a horse, would actively ignore your existence, and was always getting pushed around."

Malico was a little surprised her hero had started off so meek.

"Was he a coward?"

Kaori closed her eyes as a bucket was dumped on her head.

"Not even close. Remember the Monster?"

Malico sighed.

"I wish I didn't."

"It was all Tyler could handle keeping that thing restrained. He COULDN'T show kindness since it always got used against him, plus with the poison the Monster leaked into his mind, he was a more hateful person as a whole."

"What's The Monster?"

Sera was now resting on a rock looking at kaori.

"The Monster was a split personality of Tyler's that absorbed all the evil he'd been forced to endure. If it was released, he became a wild animal deep in the throes of a rabid rage. The thing was created to help Tyler survive his family."

Sera sighed sadly.

"I understand. Is it still inside him?"

Kaori smiled as her hair was brushed.

"Not anymore. Tyler merged his dark side with his light to create what he is now. His boldness, kindness, and his humor are all results of the merge."

Sera sighed happily as she rolled on to her back, and her own little nipples were flopping.

"I like him like this. He's like an older brother."

Kaori laughed.

"He likes you, Sera. Way he played with you on Thunder was sooooo cute! Which is all the more proof to how much he's changed. Guy hated kids. Always complained they never shut up, made a mess everywhere they went and were a waste of time and money."

Malico chuckled.

"He'll love the Warrior's protection then."

Kaori looked at her.

"What's that?"

"It's a status effect that renders his shots ineffective so long as he is an active Warrior. Day he lays that sword down or retires from battle, he'll be able to father a child. Until then, well, he'll be able to shoot his seed, but they can't get you pregnant."

Kaori was surprised.

"How long do Warriors live?"

Malico tilted her head.

"Hmm, a thousand years? Still fit? Gruven was close to 500."

kaori just looked at her.

"We can live for a thousand years?"

"Warriors can. NekoPlesians two, elves and dwarves are immortal, and the average human has a good five hundred years."

Kaori just smiled.

"Wow, we'll be here for a while."

"Truth be told miss, no one really knows a Warrior's true lifespan, as they always die before their lives run out. Rather war, famine, accident, or illness, no Warrior was outlived their own live as of yet."

kaori just smiled.

"Something tells me, Tyler will find out."

That got a chuckle.

Tyler and Wulf were waiting for the ladies in the main entry way to the house. Tyler sharpening his dagger as Wulf leaned on a wall. The girls came out a bit later, and Kaori's hair was glowing like polished gold. Tyler smiled.

"Feel better?"

She hugged him.

"I do. Thanks."

Sera was smiling as well as they walked back to Elirch's inn.

"We needed that!"

Tyler patted her hair.

"Glad you got it then."

The group found the Inn and walked right on inside. Just in time to see a man start yelling at a now scared Melly.

"WHERE'S ME ALE YA LITTLE WENCH?"

Melly was clearly terrified of the roaring bully that was easily three times her size. Tyler took one look.

"Nu-uh."

Tyler walked right over to the man as he reached for the now crying girl. Tyler placed a hand on his arm as he nearly touched the smaller girl. The irate man looked at him.

"YA GOT A DEATH WISH BOY?"

Tyler glared at him with his Demon eye.

"Get Out."

Tyler squeezed and the man's arm shattered under his grip. The man howled in pain as Tyler then dragged him towards the door and threw him a solid forty feet to smash into a stone fence near the river. The man was speechless at the sheer distance he'd flown, and his arm was ruined. Tyler then looked to the four other men that had been man's table mates.

"YOU pay his tab. Or my knife comes out."

Tyler then walked to where Melly was wiping her tears on Mia's apron hem. Tyler sighed.

"Sorry bout that, Mia."

He then patted Melly.

"You okay?"

The small girl smiled.

"Thanks for saving me."

HE patted her as Mia chuckled.

"Kid, ya beat me to him. Thankee kindly."

Tyler shrugged.

"Be a pisspoor man if I can't even help a little girl when she needs it."

Mia laughed.

"Question, lad."

"Sure."

"What's your strength stat?"

"Strength? Last I checked it was 200."

That got her by surprise.

"I'd like to see it with me own eyes please."

"Sure."

Tyler pulled up his HUD, and found a little icon in a corner. He tilted his head.

"Hello, what are you? Eh, I'll look you over after."

He pulled his stats up and let Mia see. She shook her head as she saw the number.

"Thankee again. Now I have a grand story to tell, a Warrior with 200 strength."

Tyler smiled as he closed the interface.

"glad I could help your girl."

Mia waved his group to a table in a prime spot near the fireplace with a clear view of the door and the dining hall. Once seated and the order placed, Tyler pulled up his HUD again. Wulf was next to him, and was curious.

"What's wrong?"

"No clue. Just a new icon on my HUD."

Tyler pressed it, and found a new title had been added under his Friend of the Forest. He chuckled.

"I earned a new Title. And get this, it's Holy Adventurer."

That got a chuckle from the group. Wulf was curious.

"What's the bonuses?"

Tyler looked.

"Says my healing spells now cost less, heal more, and the title is displayed under my name when I have my insignia up. I guess a Holy Adventurer is a wandering healer."

Lillia smiled.

"That's actually a rather noble title. It's said that to become a Holy Adventurer, one has to be both of the White Path, and have traveled to at least two different settlements a good 200 miles apart and heal people there."

Tyler smiled as he looked at Malico.

"Well, I'm happy I stopped at the first place."

kaori smiled warmly as well as she looked at their cat friend.

"As am I."

Malico was glowing a little, and her tail was swishing back and forth like a playing kitten. Tyler went back to his HUD, and noticed another icon.

"Hey, nifty, I got a new screen."

Wulf and kaori looked and sure enough, he got a new interface.

"It's a list of bounties I can get. Nice."

Tyler smiled at this new feature.

"So, all I need to do to add to it, is go to a local broad, look at it and it'll add their faces, descriptions and other important details to it automatically. Nice."

Wulf chuckled.

"It'll make finding bandits easier."

"So true."

Tyler had 30 points to throw, so he added them to Mana. Bringing his total to 310. Kaori was smiling.

"I see you've been adding to your mana. What's your level now?"

Tyler looked.

"Says, 30. What about you?"

Kaori showed him her stats.

"I'm 25. Strength is at 100, Agility 225, Stealth is 150, my physical defense is 100, speed is at 225, stamina at 200, magic 200, and Mana is 360."

Tyler looked to Malico,

"What my kittycat packing?"

Malico laughed as she showed her HUD.

"My level is 24, my strength is 100, agility 275, stealth 195, physical defense 95, speed 300, magic 260, Mana 380, and Stamina is at 200."

Wulf and the princesses were shocked at the extreme numbers of the trio. Tyler smiled.

"We got a lot of toys to play with."

Wulf just sighed.

"Warriors. Right."

Lillia and Sera sighed as well.

"Just gonna smile and nod."

"Lucky bastards."

All heads turned to look at Sera, the one that just spoke, and laughed at her cute pout. Melly came over then with a tray of ales and juice for Sera. Tyler smiled as he patted the small girl again, getting a happy giggle before she ran off to her next task. Kaori chuckled.

"Now's he playing big brother to all and sundry."

Tyler patted Kaori's hair then.

"Feel better?"

The table laughed at her blush as he patted her like she was his little sister.

"I will get you for this."

"Of course you will, barbie."

"I will stab you."

"Don't break a nail!"

She slugged him, and the table laughed again at their banter. Tyler pulled out his Holy relief License and decided to add the ability to cure poison, most diseases, and remove blindness. Wulf saw that last one, and chuckled.

"What?"

"I can't tell you how many stories I have heard of a party of adventurers that went into a cave, got hit with a blindness spell, and were never heard from again. Nice to see some foresight."

"Wow, Wulf. Two sight puns in the same sentence."

The elf chuckled.

"You're not the only one with jokes."

"fair."

Tyler put his Licenses away as a lady came over to their table.

"Excuse me, Sirrah, but are you that White path healer that visited the hospital earlier?"

Tyler smiled.

"I am, miss. Are you hurt?"

The lady smiled,

"Not me personally, it's just you healed my little girl. So, I'd like to offer my gratitude."

The lady placed a few coppers on the table.

"Please, take it, I know it's not much, but I'd like to repay your kindness."

Tyler chuckled and gave the coins back to her.

"Just hug that girl o yers tighter, and we'll call it a fair deal. You need that money more than we do."

The lady smiled and bowed before leaving. Kaori chuckled as she looked at Sera.

"The Tyler I grew up with, woulda demanded double."

Sera smiled as Tyler pulled his Blue Dagger and was rubbing a cloth on it.

"Like I said, I like him like this."

They laughed as Melly came over with a cart with their meals. The friends thanked her, she got another pat off Tyler before they dug in. Tyler was munching on his burger when a group of men, a few women, and another elf walked in the door. He then felt Wulf stiffen up beside him.

"What's up?"

Tyler kept his head in his food as he asked his question. Wulf took the hint and ate as he told him.

"I know that elf. She and I…..don't like each other much."

"Old flame?"

"She's my ex-wife."

"Yeesh, yeah that'll do it. Was it peaceful?"

"Not even a little. It was a near bloodbath."

Tyler watched as the group took a table in the opposite corner.

"They fuck with that girl, I'll say hi."

That got a quiet chuckle. Melly walked over and the group were cordial to the small girl as she took their orders, though Tyler noted the look of hunger on one man's face as he leered at the small girl. HE nudged Kaori subtly.

"Guy with the narrow face, brown hair, dark eyes with the bow. "

Kaori took a bite of her own sandwich.

"Got him, and I saw it too."

"I'll tell Mia."

Tyler got up and walked to where the outdoor was, and as he passed the kitchen counter where the tall lady was he tossed her a small note she deftly caught. It read: Watch Melly near that man with the Narrow face, brown hair, dark eyes and the bow. Guy's leering at her In a way I do not like.

Mia was an experienced restaurateur, and well versed in subtly, so not a single soul at the now marked table were aware of a thing. Tyler came out and noted that Mia was now serving the group instead of Melly, while at the same time, the small girl was still serving Tyler's table. The Warrior retook his spot at his table as Melly came over with their dessert, some chocolate cakes and a cold drink to wash it down. Tyler was patting her when he felt a malevolent gaze. He looked in the direction, to find himself locking eyes with the now foiled predator. Tyler gave Melly an extra fond pat, eliciting a giggle, as he fixed the man with his Demon Eye. The result was priceless, as he went bone white. Melly skipped off to the kitchen as the lady directly to the man's left gave a yell.

"Ahh, what the hell, Mallick? Did you seriously piss yerself?"

Tyler had to take a bite of cake to keep himself from bursting out laughing as the man was now getting absolutely destroyed by his now irate companions. Then Mia came storming over, gave him an ear full, and promptly kicked him out after making him clean his mess. Tyler's table just looked at him smirking. While Tyler merely ate his treat in peace. After, he had a thought.

"Soo, any chance we can load up on these for the trail?"

His table laughed. Then Melly came over with refills, and dropped a note under Tyler's hand. Tyler ignored it as he teased Melly by poking her in the side, getting a squeak. The girl left as he looked at the note with his licenses out, as if looking them over.

"Good job. I saw that creep too, we'll be double barring our door tonight, and I'd prefer it if Melly slept in your room tonight. That guy has a nasty rumor about him in another city."

Tyler sighed as the note was placed in a pouch. He then nudged kaori again.

"We got a predator. Melly's with us tonight."

The table nodded as they drank deep. The group in the opposite corner, now minus their predator, was grumbling as they still had to pay their companions way. Tyler marked them, and ignored them as he pulled out his map. Wulf and kaori looked on as he opened it up. Tyler focused on the road ahead.

"Okay. It's a four day ride to Wulf's homeland. Looks like the terrain is more mountainous then what we've been running through till now."

Wulf chuckled.

"Well, I AM a mountain elf."

"Really? Explains that boring rock of a personality."

"Dude kiss my elven ass."

"Not into dudes, but thanks, I'm flattered?"

Wulf groaned as kaori smacked him. Tyler chuckled as he looked at the map.

"Okay. We're dealing with mountains now. Wulf, how's the road?"

He pointed to a few spots.

"It gets tricky here, here, and here. Like a hard climb, but nothing the horses can't handle."

"What makes it tricky?"

Wulf sighed.

"Well, that's Silisk territory. And I know your next question, here, lemme tell you. A silisk is a type of serpent/lizard hybrid thing. Usually eight feet long, 4 feet tall, and spits poison at a range of up to 30 meters. Bastards are covered in dark grey scales, and when they sit motionless against a rock, not even an elf can see them."

"I wonder if I could, since my perception is so extreme?"

Wulf thought about it.

"You probably could. My advice? Get a few detection skills or spells at a shop. Those may prove extremely potent since they use your perception as a power base."

"Good idea. Okay, do they attack in numbers?"

"Pairs. Usually a male/female pair. They have no team work though."

"Other than the poison, what else can we expect?"

"They have a nasty bite, a long spiked tail, and long claws."

"Are they valuable to hunt?"

"Not really. Their meat is toxic to humans and elves alike, their teeth are too weak for arrow heads, their claws too brittle for hard cutting. Only thing on the beasts worth harvesting is their poison. It's a nasty toxin that rots flesh on contact."

"An acid. Okay, we'll need to keep Sera and Lillia in our center. And our heads on a swivel."

Tyler sighed as he looked at the map.

"Okay, Sera, Lillia, how's your horse skills?"

Sera and Lillia looked at each other.

"I can ride pretty well. It was more a hobby, but I can at least keep pace with you."

Sera looked down.

"I don't know how to ride a horse."

Tyler patted her head.

"I'm sure Kaori can teach you. She taught my bitch ass everything I know on horse riding."

Kaori smiled at the now hopeful girl.

"As long as you listen to me."

Sera nodded furiously.

"I will! I promise!"

Tyler smiled, and looked to Kaori.

"We'll stop by the stables and we'll pick out their new friend."

"You mean I'll pick em out. Like you have a freakin clue."

"Well then, kaori, I'll just settle for scaring the hell outta the poor bastards as you run circles around them with your know-how and make them fall head over heels in love with those stunning good looks I love so much."

Poor kaori squeaked in shock as she blushed at his on the fly flattery, and the table awww'd again. Tyler was chuckling when he felt a familiar gaze to his left. He looked to see Melly bringing a fresh refill, and the nasty man staring at her through a window.

"Are you kidding me?"

Tyler sighed, as Kaori, along with the table knew exactly what was up. Melly gave them their drinks, and was about to run off, when Tyler tapped her shoulder. She looked at him curiously.

"Stick around for a bit, Melly. Trust me."

She smiled as she took a seat between him and Kaori, as Tyler took the outside seat. He then looked back out the window, and saw the man now glaring at him with open hate. Tyler just fixed him with his more....hateful, glare. Dude went bone white again before literally bolting like a startled rabbit. Tyler patted Melly between them as Mia came out now concerned why she hadn't returned. She caught Tyler's nod to the window and sighed as she realized what he'd done. She also saw him teasing a giggling Melly with a smile as he looked at her. Mia then knew her girl was in good hands. She ALSO knew she needed to give the town guard the heads up. She looked to Elirch.

"I need to step out a moment."

"I got the inn love."

Tyler looked at her as she went by.

"Watch your back. There's a snake loose."

She smiled as she went by. Tyler sighed, and pulled his licenses out to double check something. Kaori also sighed.

"You think so too?"

He had his Holy Relief out and was looking at it's poison healing.

"It is a trope for a reason."

The others were curious, but just let them be. The Melly noticed the dagger on his belt.

"Is that dagger blue?"

Tyler chuckled as he drew the foot long blade to show her.

"it is, Melly. See?"

She went wide eyed at the sight of the now lightly glowing blade.

"Wow! It's so pretty!"

Tyler chuckled.

"Should see my Magicite sword when I wield it. Thing looks like I'm wielding the sky."

The small girl looked at the hilt poking over his shoulder.

"Is it that big one?"

He hugged the inquisitive girl.

"It is. I'd show you, but I can't draw a large weapon in a restaurant. Not nice you see."

Melly nodded sagely.

"Glad you get it. One time two men drew swords in here, Momma grabbed their swords, snapped them, and threw them out on their faces."

"Did she at least make them pay?"

Melly laughed.

"Yup! Double!"

Tyler smiled.

"I knew I liked her for a reason."

Tyler then spent a few minutes showing Melly his dagger, making it glow brighter, twirling it in his hand like a top, flipping it in his hand, and just amazing the small girl with his dagger skills. Tyler smiled as he looked to Malico.

"Show her your green dagger."

Malico smiled and pulled a green Path dagger off her set, the sight of the beautiful blade making Melly's eyes go wide.

"Green's my favorite color!"

Tyler and Malico looked at each other.

"Sweetie, do YOU have a path?"

Melly sighed.

"It's Yellow. Green's opposing color."

Tyler and Malico sympathized with the small girl, and their secret plan ruined. Tyler sighed as he patted her hair.

"Yellow paths use lightning magic right?"

Melly nodded.

"yeah, and light spells, some enhancement, and a few illusion spells."

Tyler looked at Malico.

"What's green's thing again?"

Malico chuckled.

"Green is more earth spells. Like rising earth walls, some enhancements, a few healing, and a few poison spells."

Tyler tilted his head.

"Poison? I thought that was exclusive to Black?"

"Not exclusive to it no. Black poison spells are just the most potent. Green poison is more like paralysis and snake venom."

"Hmm, I'd like to add some anti undead spells as well. Just in case."

Wulf nodded.

"That is a very wise move. Undead have a very nasty habit of appearing when least expected."

Tyler looked back at the map,

"Okay. I think we should stay in town for maybe, two days. We can unload, get hooked up at the local guild, get some new gear, and get our fill of civilization. Sound good?"

They all nodded.

"Alright. In the meantime, we stick together, no one goes anywhere alone. Okay?"

Another round of nods. Tyler rolled up his map and stowed it away when the found door opened, and Mia came in with the nasty man with an arm around her throat and his dripping dagger in his fist. Tyler sighed.

"Gods dammit."

The man looked around till he spotted Melly.

"You coming with ME now-"

Tyler's blue dagger magically appeared out of his skull. HE blinked with the 4 inches of handle growing out of his head before he fell over backward mid-rant. The dude was dead before he hit the floor. Tyler walked over and cast Holy Relief on Mia as he'd noticed a scratch on her neck. The muscular woman chuckled as the magic took effect.

"I see letting you handle him was a wise move. Thank you again."

Tyler chuckled.

"No biggee."

Then man then retrieved his blade, and commenced searching the man. His former companions taking offense to this.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing?"

"Lady, I am looking for anything-ouch!"

He jerked his hand back as he touched the license ring around his neck. Tyler then drew Oblivion, and cut the thing off, before flicking it to a now waiting kaori. He then looked at the dead man's companions.

"Nobody move. You do, you die. Kaori!"

"Another Misery and Mind."

Tyler looked at her.

"Both?"

"Both."

"Fuckin hell. Add em to the pile."

Tyler then walked over to the group, and banged Oblivion on their table as his insignia was shown.

"Where did you meet that man?"

The group gulped, as they knew that mark and the emblem. Then, a tall man with black hair spoke up.

"We met him on the road here from the town of Yalik."

"That's a port town, is it not?"

"it is. Well known for trade."

"How long have you traveled with him?"

"Only to here. We only just arrived through the city gates fifteen minutes before we came here."

"Last question. What was his Path?"

They looked at each other.

"He said red."

"Red?"

"Yeah. He said he was a red path, and cast a rather powerful Red spell to prove it."

"Kaori?"

She sighed.

"He's got a mainly Black ring. The only red spell here is a highly upgraded Fireball."

"That's yours."

"Already claimed it."

Tyler looked to the now nervous group of adventurers.

"Did he say why was headed this way?"

The female elf spoke up this time, his voice a little irritated.

"What is the point of this interrogation? We barely knew the man!"

"Lady, I am NOT in the mood for this right now. Answer my questions, and hope you don't give the wrong ones."

Tyler was openly glaring at the elven lady, and his voice had a scarcely contained fury. The now scared lady stopped talking and another lady answered.

"He said he'd had business in Term. That and he said he'd needed to put distance between himself and the town. We figure it due to a long sea voyage had left him ocean weary."

Tyler sighed.

"Man was a black wizard with some nasty spells. I myself am of the White path. And, man was a child predator."

The group looked at Melly, shocked. Then the elf spoke again.

"So THAT'S why he got scared to piss himself!"

Her companions nodded.

"That little girl had a Demon looming over her."

"I'm no coward, but when he did that glare, I nearly cried for me momma!"

Tyler chuckled, as the elf looked at him.

"I know of a few black spells so evil they burn the White pathers with a single touch. They were all banned, yet you yourself were burned. Does that mean he had what I think he had?"

Tyler looked at her. She was a tall elf, with the same red eyes and dark hair as Wulf, only whereas his eyes reminded Tyler of blood, her eyes brought smoldering coals in a fire to mind, her skin was pale and her bust large. Tyler sighed.

"I can't tell you more an I have, as you're not in my party."

The lady sighed.

"I understand. I hate not knowing, but I do."

There was the sounds of bootsteps and Tyler looked to see a group of the town guard enter the building with shields up as a broad shouldered man with green skin and beady eyes stepped forward.

"I am Lorgah captain of the guard. What happened here?"

Tyler told the man the story of the attempted kidnapping and hostage taking. The man nodded.

"I see. I rule this killing fair play. Have you any further need of the corpse?"

"Just to see if he's hiding anything else my party needs to be aware of."

The man nodded in a clank of metal.

"The Lady Seline as instructed the guard to aid you if required. Do you have any orders?"

Tyler looked at the man, then to the other group.

"He rent a room?"

The lady elf nodded.

"He got himself a small room at The Backalley Hideout.

Tyler looked to the man.

"I'd ask you to search the place with a White path mage if you have one. He was a Black pather."

The man sighed.

"Unfortunately, we don't have any white path mages we can call on."

Tyler sighed as well.

"I am a white pather. We'll search it then. Just lock the street down and try to keep on lookers out."

"That much we CAN do."

Tyler searched the man, and came up with a small book. He narrowed his eyes as he opened it, only to close it right after.

"Jesus Christ in a stroller."

Tyler rubbed his eyes, as the captain looked at him.

"What is that thing?"

Tyler just handed it to him. The captain opened it, and nearly threw up, as it was a magically taken photo of a horribly mutilated child the size of Melly. Tyler took the book, and flipped through it.

"Fuckin hell. Kaori, we got a scrap book here."

"Jesus. How bad?"

"Jack the Ripper meets harry potter."

Tyler was flipping without a reaction to the horrors as he went. Lorgah was appalled by his lack of a reaction to the atrocities he was now skimming through.

"Boy, how are you not throwing up from that?"

"I've seen worse. This is bad, don't get me wrong, but in the world we came from, yeah, it gets worse."

Tyler sighed as he closed the thing.

"Okay, from what I gathered there, there is NO WAY he does not have a bounty on his head."

Tyler opened his bounty screen and used a feature to scan a face to check for any outstanding bounties across the magically handled boards. It did not take long.

"Got em. Molick the torturer. Wanted dead, with the black book he carries. Reward is….500 gold? Wow, they hate this guy. Okay, Lorgah. I'll take him to the collection booth myself."

"We understand."

Tyler looked to his crew.

"I'll go get paid real quick, you keep an eye on Melly, kay?"

They nodded as Tyler hefted the dead man. He slung the dead guy over his shoulder and walked along the road whistling as he went. Tyler walked into the spear and headed right for the booth with his newest haul. The same lady was still in the booth, and was surprised to see him again so soon.

"Good evening Sirrah. Who do you seek to collect?"

"Molick the torturer."

She gasped as he held up his head and the placed the small book on the tray.

"The torturer? I need my supervisor for this transaction Sirrah."

"I understand."

The lady hurried off as Tyler hefted the dead man like a sack of potatoes. Tyler waited patiently for the lady, and just watched the comings and goings of the late day Spear. HE even spotted the lady that had sent them to see Seline still at her desk. HE caught her eye and he waved at her and got a kind smile in return. HE then heard a set of footsteps within the cage, and a man's voice.

"I understand you caught the torturer."

Tyler looked to see a tall elf with the lady.

"I did indeed. Here's the corpse and his book."

He placed the man on a sheet of metal to the right of the booth and the book through a slot. The man opened it, and sighed.

"This is indeed the torturer's book. This alone had a bounty of 250 gold. The man himself 500 dead. Looks like you got a big fish here, son."

Tyler chuckled.

"Well, he's dead now."

The man got the confirmation.

"Indeed he is. My own daughter was taken by him a few years back. So, this is a transaction I am all too happy to complete."

Tyler sighed.

"He can't hurt anyone anymore. I'm sorry the bastard got to her before I got to him. At least now she can rest easy."

The elf slid the pouch with the gold through the payout slot.

"That she will. Thank you Sirrah."

Tyler took the gold and said farewell as he headed back to the inn. The pouch was not enchanted, so he had to add it to his other pouch of gold. He had made 750 gold off a single head. Good coin in bounties. Very good. He was walking along the river to the inn. Just enjoying the sounds of a peaceful town. Tyler noticed the river rand straight through the town and curved to head off towards the outer wall. Tyler was crossing the bridge when a yell was heard.

"Stop! Thief!"

Tyler looked to see a man come sprinting towards him, with a lady yelling. Tyler took a step forward, and kicked the man in the ankle while tugging his wrist. The result was the man getting flipped right onto his back. The now stunned man could not even move a finger as Tyler planted a foot on his chest as the lady came over. She was of middle height, average build, short black hair, moderate bust. Just yer average lady of the town. She smiled gratefully to the boy.

"My thanks Sirrah. This black guard stole my pouch."

Tyler chuckled,

"Glad I got em them."

Tyler grabbed the man by the throat and lifted him like a piece of paper.

"Give the lady back her Pouch."

The caught thief handed the lady her coin pouch, and a passing guard saw this. Tyler explained, and off the men went to the stockade. Tyler chuckled as the lady thanked him again before heading off. After a quick check of his own gear in case of fast one, Tyler returned to the inn. Tyler's smile died as soon as he stepped inside, for Wulf and the female elf were at each other's throats and yelling.

"I did not come here to see you!"

"YOU'RE ALWAYS FOLLOWING ME! EVEN AFTER WE SPLIT!"

Tyler wasn't having it. HE walked right over, and slapped them both across the face twice. The now stunned elves looked at him in shocked surprise. Tyler sighed.

"Wulf. Back to our table. Now. You. Your own table."

Wulf looked about to argue, and all that got him was a harder slap. Tyler just looked at him.

"You're an ambassador. Fuckin ACT like it."

The lady elf was smirking smugly, and that got her a slap.

"You. Shut up. I don't care about your past history. In MY presence you will act like adults, or I'll slap you until you do. Now, the both of you, sit down, and SHUT UP."

Wulf glared at Tyler, but did indeed take his seat, and the lady took the hint. Tyler then looked to Kaori.

"What the hell? I leave for twenty minutes and this happens?"

Kaori sighed.

"They literally looked at each other once less an five minutes before you walked in the door. One shocked eye lock later they were at it. I was just caught by surprise by now quickly it went to shit."

Tyler sighed again, and retook his seat next to a stunned Melly. Tyler then looked to a fuming Wulf.

"I don't know what happened in the past. And I don't care. You are in MY crew right now Wulf. I expect better."

Tyler's calm admonishing undercut Wulf's anger, and he sighed.

"My apologies. You're right. I just hate that friggin woman."

"She's getting the same lecture. Be right back."

Tyler got up, and walked over to the openly glaring other table. Tyler looked right at the elf.

"Now, then, miss. I don't care what happened between you two. You wanna kill each other, do so when NOT near my crew. Understood?"

She glared at him.

"Love to see how you'd handle meeting the man that raped your sister."

Tyler looked at her, then to Wulf, who was now looking at the table in shame, then back to the elf lady.

"Okay. I see I need to have a word with my companion."

Tyler then walked right over to Wulf, grabbed him by the hair, pinned him to a wall, and gave him the full force of the Demon's Glare.

"Is this true?"

The terrified elf gulped.

"It is. I was under the command of a banned spell at the time. And as such was unable to control my body."

Tyler sighed as he set him down.

"I bet that's what made you hone your perception and mental fortitude."

Wulf nodded.

"It was indeed. I swore never to allow myself to be another's puppet again."

"I see. Sorry for the near heart attack."

Wulf chuckled as he brushed off his tunic.

"I'm used to it by this point. The hair was a bit much though."

"Fair."

Tyler walked back to the lady elf. She snorted.

"He give you the story about the black spell?"

"He did. And I guess you don't believe him."

"He's a lying snake. He lied on our wedding day, he lied on our loveday, he did NOTHING but lie to me."

"He's NOT lying."

She got right up to scream in his face.

"HOW THE HELL WOULD YOU KNOW BOY?!"

Tyler calmly brought up his HUD, and went to perception. He then made the lady look at his Perception skill:556. Her jaw dropped at the extreme number. Tyler sighed.

"THAT's how I know he's not lying."

The elf lady looked at him.

"How? How is your perception 556? That's just not possible!"

"I'm a Warrior raised in the bowels of hell by a hateful family. Look at my mental fortitude"

She looked at the number 1032. She went from disbelief to just pity.

"Now I see. Only way for that one to get that high is to literally suffer hell itself. So. Wulf was indeed under a Black Spell?"

"Yup."

"Our Queen said the same, but I thought she was just backing her brother."

Tyler smirked.

"Explains how much of a royal pain in the ass he is."

Kaori snorted as Lillia and Sera looked at each other.

"I'm amazed he didn't use that one on us."

"Me too."

Wulf just sighed.

"I still hate you, you infuriatingly arrogant bastard."

Tyler chuckled. Then he looked at the other elf.

"Now, what's your name?"

"Rose Longleaf."

"Wow, that as stereotypical a elf name can get. Okay, Rose, I am sorry for what happened to your sister. But for the love of the gods, don't start random bar fights. Makes you look like an ass."

She sighed.

"I will try to remember that."

"Alright, I'm good."

Tyler left her and her crew and sat back at his table. Melly was happily hugging Sera as Tyler sat back down. He looked at Wulf.

"Alright, we good?"

The elf nodded.

"We are. Now, how much did you get for the bounty?"

"750 gold."

Wulf's eyes went wide.

"That much?"

Tyler chuckled.

"They really hated that guy."

Wulf sighed.

"He must have been a true monster to get that high a bounty."

"That book I found was nothing more than a collection of photos of his kills. AFTER the games."

"By the gods."

Tyler sighed, and Sera yawned.

"That's the bell. Melly, wanna join our mess?"

The happy girl squealed with joy. And Mia was heard chuckling.

"No loose ends, eh lad?"

Tyler smiled as he placed a pair of gold coins on her counter.

"I never leave an end untied lest it be the one I trip on."

Mia smiled gratefully as she took the gold.

"Looks like there's still a few good Warriors left."

"Best keep it that few. I LIKE this job!"

That got a chuckle as Tyler led his crew upstairs to their room. Once the door shut Malico stripped to the fur, and stretched on a bed.

"Ohhhh that feels sooo good!"

Tyler chuckled as he sat on a bed near the door. Kaori beside him, as he laid out his weaponry to still be close at hand. After, he removed his shirt and vest before laying down in the soft bed with a groan.

"I'd forgotten what a bed feels like."

Tyler settled in as Kaori got in next to him, with Malico beside him on his other side. Sera and Melly in another bed, Lillia alone, and so was Wulf nearest the door.

"Goodnight ladies."

Wulf just sighed, not taking the bait as the group drifted off to sleep.