Today’s snippet, titled “Teleportation, pt. 4”, is a piece I wrote about my PC in Mark’s Pathfinder Campaign.
Yes, another multi-part chapter. Chapter Forty was a beast – totaling about four thousand words, which may not seem like that much. Still, when you think that an average novel has about a hundred thousand, that’s 1/25th of a novel. Which maybe doesn’t seem like much either but really, it is. I swear, really.
Be forewarned, there may be mature themes and naughty language below.
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The trip to Ryvandale was smooth and when they landed, Rhiallis hardly wanted to vomit at all.
“I think I’m getting the hang of this,” Aimsley said, tossing her braid over her shoulder. “Don’t you?”
Rhiallis nodded.
They split up, making plans to meet back in this very spot three hours hence. Sadie’s favorite purchase of the day was better left unmentioned, though she laughed and promised to return to that shop again in the future. Rhiallis was far from prudish, but the harnesses and clamps and two-foot-long shafts of ivory or marble or polished wood made her blush like a virgin on her wedding night.
“Mira’s cloak was of the first sphere, but she was hoping we could find one of the second?”
The shopkeeper shook his head. “None of the second here, though I do have this.” He moved away and shuffled around amongst his wares before snapping out an exquisite cloak with a flourish. “Third sphere. Very expensive, but very worth it.”
Celeste and Rhiallis exchanged a glance. Mira’s share of the proceeds they had gathered so far would easily cover it and the upgrade would surely please her.
“We’ll take it,” they said in unison.
Aimsley and Sadie were waiting at the appointed hour, anxious to move on. Ryvandale was a beautiful city – one of the loveliest and cleanest in the region, certainly – but Aimsley had gotten word that Egede might have something she was searching for and they were ready to go.
Egede, a Mendevian border city on the shores of the Lake of Mists & Veils, was crowded with crusaders. Many of them seemed to be on leave from the front. They were frequenting the many taverns and brothels with frenzied abandon. Rhiallis did not disapprove of drinking or of sexual relations, but she turned her nose up at the notion of prostitutes. So often, they were forced into the life and were little more than slaves. Chattle. Still, the city leaders went to extreme measures to ensure that safety and cleanliness of temple whores and Rhiallis imagined that diseases were rare enough here – what with its heavy population of paladins.
“I found one. Finally!”
Celeste shook her head. “I cannot believe it took you four cities in three nations to find a simple haversack.”
“Well, this one is the right shade of blue, you see. And-”
She held up her hand. “Nevermind. Let’s find a decent inn – preferably one without whores in the beds – and get some rest. Tomorrow, we return to Drezen.”
“At last.” Rhiallis tucked one of her braids behind her ear. “It feels as if we have been gone for weeks.”
“Just a few days. We’ll be back soon enough.”
Sadie elbowed Rhiallis. “I’m sure your boooooyfriend will be waiting for you.”
“My what?” She felt her cheeks flushing.
“You know. That paladin who works for Irabeth. Jamie? James? Whatever. He’s got a blue-veined custard chucker he wants to introduce you to.”
“SADIE!” Aimsley’s pale face turned several shades of crimson. Celeste snorted behind her hand, not quite able to maintain her stoic dignity.
Rhiallis felt her mouth fall open in shock.
“Yeah, that’s pretty much the face he wants to see.” She grinned wickedly.
Slamming her jaw shut, she stammered. “That’s- that’s- That’s the most vulgar thing I’ve ever heard.”
“I notice you’re not denying it!”
“Well,” Rhiallis smoothed her hair back, trying to regain her composure. “A paladin rarely lies.”
They broke into raucous laughter and Rhiallis was glad when the moment passed, that Aimsley deftly changed the subject. She had refrained from thinking of James for days, letting their more immediate goals dominate her mind. But now she could see nothing but his handsome face when she closed her eyes; those intense green eyes poring into her own. A longing began to build, deep in her core, and she stood up suddenly, flushed to her hairline.
“I think I should go up and get some sleep. Good night.”
Though she could not see it, she knew the three of them were exchanging pointed looks behind her back. Climbing the steps, Rhiallis wondered, if they can tell, so easily, how attracted we are to one other… who else knows? Oh Gods, are they all talking about it when we’re away? Do they all talk about his – what did she call it? I can’t even… oh Gods. Oh… Gods…
She sat on the edge of her rented bed, held her hands in her head, and closed her eyes. She did not know whether to laugh, or cry.
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Note: Image is “King Jagiello Statue Central” by (Mulligand) from SXC.hu; edited by me