Lowlife, Scoundrel, Bandit Queen

It turns out I really need my cloak as a second blanket in the night. I probably should consider getting an actual bedroll or something like that if I'll adventure out in the wilds more often in the coming days. The nights are getting a little more chilly recently.

Other than that the night spent at the guildhall's dormitory is pretty decent though. The bed is soft and no one snores. Not to a degree where I would have noticed anyway.

[*Ding!* You slept pretty well! Health increased by 0! Mana increased by 5!]

I'd say that is a pretty decent start into a new day. As I wake a little before most of the others I sneak off to wash up a little quietly and gather up my things upon my return in silence as well. There is no need to wake anyone else after all.

For a moment or two I consider sitting down atop my bed for another little while to meditate a little. I should practice that particular skill some more after all, and my Mana reserves are not yet topped off despite a night of pretty good sleep either. In the end I decide against it though.

My Mana reserves may not be topped off, but I have more than enough for two shape changes, which is enough in my eyes. And I want to visit both the tavern for a chat with Jerzy, or whoever else may be there, and Beldragor at his shop. Thus I have no time to waste on meditation. Not yet anyway. I still might be able to squeeze in an hour or two before the little adventure with Matylda and Sylwia planned for tonight. Yes, overall that seems to be the better approach in my eyes. Thus I'm off with a quiet wave to the guild clerks already preparing for the morning rush down in the common room.

The gates are not open yet though and the night watch is still out on the streets. Thus my first order of business is to get off the streets and up onto the rooftops before I run into a patrol. I don't waste any time and get climbing just around the corner.

I can't jump from wall to wall here. Here directly at the central square of the inner city even the back alleys are too wide for that. Thus it has to be a regular climb using the many hand and footholds provided ornamented facade to ascend. Thankfully the people here don't belief in plain and boring construction. As a result I get up on the roof without much trouble. Even better, my [Climbing] skill improves a little too. It's getting so very close to the next level up.

Well, getting to the rooftops is only half the rent. I still have to get out of the inner city. Since the night sky is only barely beginning to lighten I decide to visit the tavern by the downstream waterfront first. With my mind made up I take off at a run, a wide grin almost splitting my face as I move from rooftop to rooftop at a breakneck speed, pushing my limits.

I'm not doing it just for the thrill either, although I'll admit that this is my most exciting rooftop run so far. Several of my skills benefit. My [Running], [Jumping] and [Balance] skills all show some growth. It's too bad that actually moving stealthy at this pace is not an option. No progress for my poor [Stealth] skill. The best I can do is to be long gone by the time the people just waking up in their homes or the patrols on the streets below take note of me. Oh dear, how sad. Never mind.

I don't time my arrival at the wall with the same exact precision as usual, but I still take care not to run into a patrol atop the wall. And a moment later I'm out of the inner district and back down to street level in a quiet back alley, out of sight of any casual observers.

Out here the city is already much more lively. Possibly because it never goes entirely to sleep at all, unlike with the walled inner district where the wealthy people want some peace and quiet.

Well. I won't complain. At least I don't stand out too much, as I make my way to the guild hangout in the tavern by the downstream waterfront. There is a little surprise waiting for me, as I enter the tavern. Today it's not Jerzy holding down the fort, but Wiktor. He of course seems not surprised in the least by my presence, thus I slink over to him with a grin and drop down on a chair by his table. I barely even look over at the serving girl, as I hand her a penny to get a mug of beer. Instead I decide to open the conversation while I wait for my drink.

"My, oh my. Did Jerzy stick you with his job again?"

He takes it with good humor, flashing me a crooked grin in turn.

"It happens from time to time. He gets everyone at some point. He is the boss for good reason after all."

I nod in thanks as the serving girls delivers my mug of beer and take a long sip from it right away, before I speak up again.

"Any news from Matylda and Sylwia I should know?"

He shakes his head.

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"Nothing I'm aware of, which better mean that no, there is nothing you need to concern yourself with."

No news is good news, at least in this case. I'll just have to wait for either of the two to come and pick me up for our next performance at the underground fighting ring in that barn then. I take another sip before I address the next topic.

"I was doing some adventurers' guild work yesterday. Shoveling clay and hauling bricks and stuff like that. For that new granary. You might have heard. It's got me wondering though. There are a whole lot of bricks being burnt for that project. Boatloads upon boatloads in fact."

I drink some more, while motions for me to keep going.

"They have been at it before I got there yesterday and as far as I can tell they are still at it today. No clue if they will stop any time soon. That work camp and the brick ovens out there. It looked like a long term project. So, how many brick do you even need for a granary? Even if it is a very big granary? And where do they even store them? Or is the construction already underway?"

I stop then and there, not just because that essentially is the point, but because I can feel my [Slyd] language skill improve a little too. Most curious. Why now of all times? Is it because I usually don't talk that much? Not all at once anyway. Oh, never mind. I'll take whatever progress I can get and besides, I'm curious about Wiktor's answer anyway. Even more so, as he doesn't answer right away. Finally he speaks up though.

"Well, actually, it takes plenty of material to build a decent granary. It's not just the outside walls with a roof slapped on top of it after all. Lots of internal compartmentalization. Numerous floors. Vaulted ceilings. It's probably not going to be small either. I even heard that they are bringing in specialists from the bigger coastal cities to make sure the underground levels are water proofed and there will be no flooding. Not even in spring."

I tap my chin thoughtfully, as he explains. It makes plenty of sense, but it still sounds a little off. Not even my [Gather Information] skill improving a little can make me ignore that feeling of wrongness.

"Specialists from elsewhere? Water proof bricks and mortar? You know what else that could be used for? Say, the actual planning wouldn't happen to be done by these foreign experts too?"

He grins and nods.

"I like the way you are thinking. But don't worry about it. The reason why I'm here is in fact that Jerzy is busy trying to get on top of that issue. And besides, it won't be too bad if we can leverage the situation in such a way that we might just get actual sewers out of it, right?"

I snort in amusement.

"As long as I'm not the one who has to either dig them or clear out any jamming that is sure to occur."

I finish my beer with one last big gulp.

"Well, I guess I'll be off then to see Beldragor. Supposedly Sezemat and her caravan are coming to town sometime soon, so I'll see if he needs any more help with anything. If Matylda or Sylwia come looking for me that's probably where I'll be."

The duelist chuckles, as I get up.

"Oh? Is it that time of the year again already? Well, have fun. I'll let them know where to find you should they ask."

And just like that, with one more cheerful wave, I'm off again. My next destination is across town, near the upstream waterfront. Even as I move through the streets of the waking settlement, I slow down a little. A stray memory of yesterday gets me thinking. The leader of the Water Rats, at the other bank of the river, essentially out of reach for me.

I make a decision then and there. I need to develop some form of ranged combat. I'm just not sure yet what it should be. A crossbow maybe? Those aren't very hard to use. Getting hands on one might be a little tricky though. And they aren't exactly easily concealed weapons either.

What about learning some magic instead? There has to be some kind of middle ground in between the rather harmless water attacks the rats and the crabs have used on me and the total overkill unleashed by Ediva Glimmersong. The only serious downside I can think of right away are my not so impressive Mana reserves. Thus a spell probably shouldn't be my first choice either. I'll keep the idea in mind though. Having the option might still come in handy some day.

A smile blossoms on my face as another thought comes to me. Throwing weapons. Relatively small and possibly even concealable throwing weapons. Nothing fancy. Some plain and simple throwing knives should do the trick.

If I'm lucky enough my [Blades] skill should count too when using them, in addition to my [Ranged Weapons] skill and a [Throwing Knives] skill I will hopefully still pick up. That would be a very helpful synergy bonus and damage boost. Wouldn't that be nice? Well, I can hope, can't I?

Now I'm a little torn though. I could visit that little smithy where I got my utility knife. I might find something fit for throwing there too. But I'm not sure if I can afford more than one. I might be able to negotiate some as a reward from Beldragor though. If he has any that is. Ah well, I guess I'll just have to wait and try. No way around it.

With my mind made up, I move on with a little extra bounce to my steps, humming a tune I picked up at the tavern along the way. Surprisingly enough the Paws & Pawn is already open too, as I arrive.

Still humming cheerfully I make my way through the overloaded shelves and other displays to the counter, where my favorite little dragon is already waiting. He is actually at the counter and not reclining on his hoard in the background for a change! I have to admit I'm a little surprised.

"A good morning to you Beldragor! How is my favorite dragon?"

He is prompt to replay, but I can't help but feel that he sounds a little anxious despite the cheerful air he tries to put on.

"A good morning to you too, Viviona! I'm fabulous! Ha, ha! Of course, I am, this is me we are talking about after all! What brings you here?"

I chuckle softly.

"Of course. I was wondering if you would happen to have any throwing knives in store. One or two, preferably matching ones. Oh, and I'd like to practice a little with them too, if that isn't too much trouble. Other than that, I was wondering if you still want some help with anything. I see your scales look fabulous already, but maybe there still is something else that could use a little dusting or some polish?"