Chapter 12
Xane snapped away with a start, sitting up and panting heavily. Looking around his surrounding, his eyes took in the wooden walls and sunlight coming in through an open window. Turning his head to the left, he found he was eye to eye with the face of a little girl. Letting out a startled cry, Xane reeled back before falling off the bed with a crash and a shout.
“Ahhh!”
A moment later, as he was untangling himself from the covers that came off the bed with him, the door opened.
“Charlotte, I told you not to bother him!” came a woman’s voice that made him freeze in place. Next came more footsteps as the woman entered the room and walked around the foot of the bed. Looking up at the scowling face of a woman with her auburn hair pulled back in a braid. Seeing her face caused Xane to pull the blanket tightly around himself while pressing his small body into the corner of the wall.
The woman’s scowl softened into a look of concern, lowering herself to her knees and holding her hands up in a calming manner. “It’s okay, you’re safe. You passed out after your ordeal, and my husband brought you here.” She said, speaking with a gentle tone to him.
“Where…?” He asked, looking around nervously. His heart hammering in fear of the unknown woman between him and his freedom.
“You’re inside the town infirmary.” The woman replied, still speaking in her soothing tone with her hands still visible. He was about to ask who she was when more footsteps pulled his attention to the door.
“Xane, you’re awake.” Delores said, rushing into the room, then coming to a stop seeing his pitiful state. “Mary, I’ll take it from here.” She said, motioning to the woman with her head to leave. Mary looked between the two of them before letting out a sigh. Slowly she stood before moving to take the girl’s hand and leave the room.
Seeing the sergeant seemed to relax him, which made him wonder why. He had lost the bolstering effects of being bonded with Persephone months ago. Over the months and his visits to town, he had unknowingly begun thinking of her as an older sister. Plus, she never spoke down to him like he was a child. Which was always a plus when you have the memories of a man in his thirties.
Delores moved to the side of the bed while holding up a familiar object. “Here, I’m sure you want this back.” She said, sitting his satchel down on the bed before taking a seat in a nearby chair. Pulling the blanket close to his naked body, Xane slowly reached up, then snatched his bag. Opening the flap, he inspected the contents finding the flowers were gone.
Seeing the questioning look he was giving her, Delores started to explain.”
“Wraith found me and dropped your bag at my feet. That was smart, tucking the flap the way you did, or else I wouldn’t have been able to get inside. I found the flower and got them to the apothecary. When I had returned, you had already passed out and Captain Alder was bringing you here.”
Xane took a moment to take in her words when his eyebrows shot up in surprise as his head turned to the door, then back to the sergeant. “Mary?”
“Yeah, she’s the captain’s wife and the town healer.” She said with a smirk. “Go on, get dressed. You’ll find some clean clothes behind the screen in the corner.” She said, motioning the privacy screen set up opposite where she sat. Rising from her chair, Delores left him alone in the room. Stepping behind the screen, he found the clothes she had mentioned. A soft linen tunic dyed dark green with a pair of supple leather pants made of dark brown leather. Both items looked to have been made for his size. Setting down his bag, Xane begun dressing as he started checking his notifications.
Quest complete: Bloody Delivery
While you didn’t personally bring the Night’s Blood Blossoms to Sergeant Cartwright. Your quick thinking and use of your bonded pet succeeded in the face of overwhelming odds.
Rewards: 500 exp, +3 to Herbalism skill, +2 to Luck
New title: Hell Cats’ Bane
This title awards the following:
+5 to Agility, +3 to Dexterity, Predator skill +25% damage against feline type beasts and monsters
New Skill: Predator
Predator: This skill allows you to hide your presence from other beings. You can also exude an aura capable of stunning a target for two seconds. Higher levels in predator will increase effectiveness of skill.
What followed was a host of level up notifications from his fight with the hell cat and the quest completion. When it was finished, he felt his body swell then shrink back down from the stat changes. Opening his, sheet he checked his changes.
<table width="494">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Name
</td>
<td width="142">
Xane
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Age
</td>
<td width="142">
6
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Level
</td>
<td width="142">
25
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
experience
</td>
<td width="142">
0/26000
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Hp
</td>
<td width="142">
7600
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Strength
</td>
<td width="142">
76
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Agility
</td>
<td width="142">
86
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Dex
</td>
<td width="142">
84
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Intelligence
</td>
<td width="142">
94
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Wisdom
</td>
<td width="142">
94
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Constitution
</td>
<td width="142">
76
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Defense
</td>
<td width="142">
8
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Luck
</td>
<td width="142">
15
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Mana
</td>
<td width="142">
940
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Mana regeneration
</td>
<td colspan="2" width="212">
94pts per sec
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
skill points
</td>
<td width="142">
40
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Skills
</td>
<td width="142"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Archery lvl 5
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Compacted Mass
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Crafting lvl 3
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Double Dip
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Healing lvl2
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Identify lvl5
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Fletching lvl2
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Herbalism lvl9
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Mining lvl3
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Trapping lvl3
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Earth Manipulation
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Animal Empathy
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td colspan="2" width="212">
Body Reinforcement lv4
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Multi shot lv3
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Dodge
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Night Sight
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Poison immunity
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Predator
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Item Granted Skills
</td>
<td width="142">
Stealth +35
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Precise Shot lvl9
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
special
</td>
<td width="142"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Arrow rain lvl3
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Boons/Blessings
</td>
<td width="142"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td colspan="2" width="212">
Amora''s enchanced blessing
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td colspan="2" width="212">
Blooded (obsidian dragon)
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Soul bonded
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Spells
</td>
<td width="142"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Harden Earth lvl 3
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Soften Earth lvl 3
Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Raise Earth lvl 2
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Shape Earth lvl 2
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Move Earth lvl 3
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Bonded companion/s
</td>
<td width="142"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td colspan="2" width="212">
Persephone (obsidian hatchling)
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142">
Wraith (dusk raven)
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="142"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Titles
</td>
<td width="142">
Hell Cats'' Bane
</td>
<td width="71"> </td>
<td width="71"> </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Xane was taken aback by the changes his sheet contained. All of his stats had gone up by at least thirty-four points. A number of his skills had also leveled because of the fight. After going over the title he earned, his eyes shot back to the top. Apparently, he had a birthday recently that he had missed. Shrugging off more painful memories of the past, he finished by placing a dark green cloak around his shoulders and slipping his feet into a new pair of boots, Courtesy of Boyd. After slinging his satchel strap over his shoulder and pulled the hood of his cloak up, Xane stepped out and left the room.
Stepping into a larger room with empty cots laid out for patients. He found Delores waiting nearby with Mary, along with the woman he remembered was Sarah and the girl Charlotte clinging to her skirts. Clutching the strap of his bag in both hands, he did his best to fight back the anxiety. The little girl was the first to notice him as she left her mother’s side and skipped over to him.
“Hi, I’m Charlotte, but you can call me Charlie. Momma says you’re the one who brought the medicine?” She said, coming to a stop a few feet from him. The little girl’s innocence and sweet smile, help to set him at ease. He responded by giving the girl a nod with a small smile. Charlie''s voice drew the attention of Delores and the other women.
“Xane… I want to thank you for what you’ve done. If there is anything I can ever do to repay you. Please let me know.” Sarah said as she stepped up behind Charlotte and placed her hands on her daughter’s shoulder''s. Unable to protest, he just nodded his head in acceptance.
The door opened with a tall figure silhouetted against the outside light entered as smaller shadow speed through the open door. Mary turned, raising her hands and started shouting.
“NO! Get that bird out of here this instant!” she said as she tried to shoo Wraith back outside. “Let him be, Mary. It is his pet, after all.” Captain Ader said with a hearty chuckle. In response, the man’s wife sent him an angry glare before relenting. “Fine, but if it makes a mess, you’re cleaning it up.” She said as she walked over and poked her husband in the chest.
“Don’t worry, I’m here to collect your guest. Provided he is fit enough to leave.” He said, with his hands raised. Mary looked between her husband and Xane before nodding and stepping back. Delores stepped forward and placed a hand on Xane’s shoulder, causing him to tense momentarily. Wraith had settled on his shoulder and for once, wasn’t begging for a morsel to eat.
Following the man outside, he found he wasn’t far from the gatehouse, which proved to be their destination. The captain pushed open the door and waited for Xane to enter. Entering the small room followed by Delores and the captain, Xane found himself looking upon the face of the smiling quartermaster.
“Xane it’s good to see you''re finally up and about. You had us worried sick after you passed out during the captain’s speech about you.” Marcus said with a wide grin, to which Xane only gave a small smile and looked back at Captain Alder apologetically. For his part, the captain shot Marcus a glare before giving Xane a small smile of his own.
“First off, I wanted to let you know we recovered most of your weapons that were… lost during your fight. As for your armor, it was too far gone for us to repair.” Xane’s smile at hearing most of his gear had been recovered, faltered at hearing about his ruined armor. Delores must have sensed his disappointment, because she put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
“Though I’m sure you will be more than happy with what our leatherworkers have come up with.” That got Xane’s attention as his head snapped up with a raised brow.
Xane stood alone in the room he first used when he had gotten his first set of real gear. In the corner of the room was a sewing dummy with a set of dark leather armor draped over it. Beside it, his two short swords sat in their sheaths hanging from a peg by the included chest harness. Leaning against the wall, he found his bow and quiver. Satisfied that his weapons were back in his possession, he turned to the armor and inspected it.
Hell Cat leathers of the Stalking Hunter
Item type: crafted
Item quality: superior
Durability 400/400
Defense +200
Stealth +25
Attached skill: shadow blend
Shadow blend:
User becomes one with the shadows, obstructing them from the view of others.
While active adds +50 to stealth while active.
Unlike his old gear, that was dark green. This armor was predominately a dark grayish color, with streaks of forest green. Ten minutes later, he was stepping to find Delores waiting with Captain Alder and Marcus.
“Now that’s a fierce-looking halfling if I’ve ever seen one.” Marcus said wide grin from his seat on a footlocker as both the Captain and Delores gave him appraising looks.
“We had our best leatherworkers craft that for you from the skin of the beast you slew. “The captain said that caused Xane to give the three of them a concerned look.
“How… how long?” Xane asked.
“You were asleep for a day and a half, Xane. Mary… she didn’t know what to do after we brought you inside. For some reason, our scans don’t work on you.” Delores said, giving him a gentle look.
“Thank you.” He said as his eyes looked down towards his feet.
“I think we should be the ones thanking you instead, Xane. You saved one of our own at great risk to yourself. Especially with you having to face off against a level 50 demonic beast. So on behalf of Stonevale I thank you.” Captain Alder said, surprising him by giving him a fist to chest salute. Before Xane could react, he had already turned and left the room, along with Marcus, a moment later.
“Is there anything you need before you leave town?” Delores asked him as she stood and stretched. Xane thought over everything and remembered breaking his knife during the fight.
Xane’s heart calmed as he stepped into the shadows of the forest. On his shoulder Wraith clicked his beak then took flight. This time, his journey back to his cave took longer than normal, because he kept veering off track to collect herbs. The sun was still high overhead while Xane was crouching down, harvesting a small green mushroom that was useful for mana potions. Collecting the last of the small shrooms, he stood and was about to head back to his cave when he felt something. Whatever it was, he could tell it was small, frightened and… alone. The feeling was similar to what he felt the night Persephone called to him in desperation. Unable to ignore it, he motioned for Wraith to scout ahead.
Xane had been searching the woods for over an hour when he found the source. He was crouched outside the opening of an animal den that had been dug deep under the roots of a large tree. From inside, he could hear the mewling cries of something crying out for its mother. Crouching down on all fours, he crawled into the dark hole, taking his time so his eyes would adjust to the light. With his Night Sight active, he could make out the form of something barely as long as his forearm as it squirmed around helplessly.
Reaching out, he could feel the soft fur of the unknown animal. Gently as he could, Xane picked up the squirming baby before scurrying back out of the hole. Back in the light, he could see the animal had six legs with a feline head and tail. Even without his identify, he knew exactly what the little creature was.
Hell Cat (Infant)
Threat level: none
This beast can be tamed
Would you like to bond with Hell Cat (Infant)?
Yes/No?
Xane looked over the young kitten, even knowing how deadly and terrifying large it would get. He couldn’t help but smile at how cute the baby was. That got him to thinking about the cat he once had, when he was Alex. He had found Tom huddled against the stairs to his and Angie’s condo, abandoned by his mother. He had scooped the poor thing off the wet concrete and took it inside. So many nights spent awake, feeding him with a bottle until he was old enough to eat on his own. Then one day, when he had gotten back from a book signing, Tom was gone. Angie had claimed he had run outside while she had been coming home from her mother’s. It wasn’t until months later when he found out she had taken Tom to the vet and had him put down.
With those memories, he clicked accept on the prompt while hugging the kitten to him. When the first screen vanished and the second appeared. Xane sat for some time as he stoked the animal in his arms, while he threw out names.
“Vaettr” He finally said confirming the name. Overhead, Wraith squawked loudly in protest over his acceptance.
Xane rolled his eyes at the bird while fishing out a piece of smoked meat and tossed it to the bird before fishing out some cloth. Fashioning a makeshift sling, he turned away from his cave and headed back to town. An hour later, he was passing Mel and Gibson at the gate, then came to a stop.
Charlie and her Mother stood in front of him, Sarah taking him in with wide eyes.
“Mr. Xane, I thought you had left?” she asked. Looking up at her, Xane pulled back his cloak, exposing the little bundle at his side. Charlie squealed in glee at seeing the baby, while her mother gasped in shock.
“That… is that the child of that monster? What are you doing with it?” she asked.
“Vaettr.” He replied, giving her a scowl while Charlie had wiggled loose of her mother’s grip to pet the kitten
“What?”
“Vaettr, not monster.” He said simply. Hoping she would let him get on with his business.
Sarah stood there blinking in a slight stupor as Charlie squealed happily as she now cuddled the fuzzy baby. A moment later, Vaettr began to whine.
“Mama, she’s hungry.” Charlie said, turning to look up at the woman. Sarah looked between the two of them. Sarah let out a sigh of defeat, seeing the hopeful look her little girl was giving her.
“I’m guessing you returned to get a way to feed her?” Sarah asked. Xane smiled and gave her a nod. The woman thought for a moment before a small grin crossed her lips.
“I do still have a few bottles from when Charlotte was a baby. I can let you have one, but you need to come and have dinner with us tonight.” She said, looking down at him, waiting for his answer. Xane looked up at her with a raise brow. Reaching into a pouch, he pulled out a silver coin and offered it to her.
“Oh no, I won’t take your coin. If you want the bottle, then you need to have dinner with us.” She replied, holding up a hand in protest. Looking between Charlie and Vaettr, his shoulders slumped in defeat as he nodded his acceptance.
Thirty minutes later, Xane found himself sitting at a dining table in a small home, while Charlie sat next to him feeding Vaettr. Sarah was busying herself with preparing food when the door opened, letting a man inside.
“Papa!” Charlie shouted as she hopped off her chair and ran to him, still holding the nursing kitten. The man scooped her up in a hug, mindful of the animal she was holding. After kissing her on the cheek, he fixed his eyes on Xane.
“I’m told you’re the one that helped my little girl?” He asked, to which Xane just nodded.
“Hmm. Just because you saved her doesn’t mean you get to marry her.” The man said with a stern expression. Xane shook his head furiously while he waved his hands in front of him. The man’s stern expression broke as he let out a boisterous laugh as Sarah came over and swatted him on the arm.
“Don’t scare the boy. Clive.” She said scolding him, causing him to laugh even more with his daughter giggling along.
“I’m just messing with him, hon.” He said, giving a smile before setting Charlie down and taking Sarah in his arms. Uncomfortable, Xane turned away as the two flirted. A moment later, the two separated after a few quick kisses. The man turned back to Xane holding out a calloused hand.
“Name’s Clive. I’m one of the town’s leather workers. Actually, I’m the one that was tasked with making that new gear you now wear.
“Thank you, gear good.” Xane replied
#
Sarah watched Xane, since before he entered her home. She had expected him to be loud and talking about all the adventures he had been through. But he was quiet, and painfully so. Her little girl seemed enamored with him, yet he… seemed afraid. Charlotte would scoot her chair closer to him and he would move his chair away until he was up against the corner of the table and had nowhere to go.
The both of them tried to talk with him and ask him questions, to which he would only nod or shake his head. The entire time, his eyes were always downcast. She noticed the way he would tense anytime she picked up either a knife or other utensil, like he was expecting to be attacked.
When her husband arrived home, he had relaxed slightly but still remained quiet. Though spoke a few words when Clive would ask him anything that would require something other than a yes or no answer.
By the time dinner was finished and the last of the dishes placed on the counter, Charlotte was getting sleepy and had returned his… pet back to him before going to sleep. When she had offered to let him stay at their home for the night, his face paled in fright. Before she knew it, she and Clive were watching him head towards the town gate. When he was out of sight, her husband let out a heavy sigh and pulled her into their home.
“Clive, why didn’t you insist he stay? It’s dangerous outside the wall after sunset.” She asked.
“It wouldn’t have done any good, Sarah. Even if you did convince him to stay, I’m certain you would have found he had left during the night.”
Shaking her head, she decided on another approach. “Did you know that when I offered to let him have those feeding bottles for him having supper with us. He tried to pay me instead.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t just runaway.” Her husband said with a chuckle, though his eyes didn’t reflect the mirth in his voice.
“Are you saying my cooking is so bad makes children run?” she asked, upset at Clive’s joke.
“I didn’t mean it like that. That boy was afraid of you and Charlotte.”
“WHAT?” she nearly shouted.
Clive closed his eyes and let out a slow sigh. “There was trauma behind that boy’s gaze, Sarah. I’m guessing he was treated horribly, and from the way he reacted. It was a woman, most likely his own mother, that did it to him. I’ve seen that look before on children in the slums of the capital. Children who are abused and neglected by their own parents.”
“If that’s so, then it’s even more reason to keep him inside the town walls.” She told him, wanting to go chase the boy down and drag him back.
Clive shook his head as he gave her a gentle smile. “Sarah, I know you see just a small child in need of a loving family. But you didn’t see what I saw atop the wall the other night. Xane is a lot tougher than he looks, a hell of a lot tougher.” He said, this time letting out a chuckle that was mirrored in his eyes. “That beast he fought was level fifty, Sarah. A level fifty hell cat. I don’t know how he did it, but he fought that beast and came out on top.”
“But.” She started to protest before her husband kissed her.
“If you need more convincing, you can always go ask Delores. She seems to be somewhat close to the boy.” He told her as he pulled back and looked her in the eyes. Sarah could feel the small grimace on her lips even as she gave him a nod.
“If you hurry, I’m sure you can find her at the tavern. I’ll watch over Charlotte.” Clive told her as he gave her a soft squeeze before heading inside. Taking his advice, Sarah picked up the hem of her dress and headed towards the center of town.
Minutes later, Sarah pushed through the tavern door to the loud sounds of conversation and laughter. Moving past the filled tables, she took the open stool next to sergeant Cartwright and her friend the cobbler.
“Sarah? What brings you here?” Delores asked her after she set down her mug on the bar top. Sarah sat there for a moment as she pieced together her question. “How well do you know Xane?”
Coughing as she had nearly choked on her ale, she wiped her mouth with the back of her sleeve as she fixed her with a glare.
“Why do you ask? Are you second guessing asking him to find the medicine your girl needed? If you haven’t noticed, it’s a little late for that.”
“What? No, nothing like that. Honestly, I am extremely grateful to him. It’s just that….” Sarah said as she waved off the sergeant''s concerns. She told the woman about her interactions with the boy, starting with how he had showed back up with the hell cat’s offspring in search of a means to provide for the tiny creature. After she finished telling the woman how he acted during the brief dinner. She asked. “What should we do?”
“Let him heal in peace.” Delores said, as her friend Boyd nodded silently beside her.
“Can we really let one so young roam around outside the town’s wall like it''s nothing?”
The sergeant let out snort before taking a deep pull from her mug of ale before fixing her with a hard look. “You had no problem sending him out there to get your daughter those flowers, Sarah. I understand your desire as a mother that you want to protect him. Even I want to protect him, but Xane is strong and knows what he is doing.”
“But he should be, he should be with his family, not living like he is.” Sarah protested.
“Damn it Sarah, it''s because of his family that he is living like he is.” Delores said before taking a deep breath. Sarah was about to speak when the sergeant held up her hand. “Sarah, I can’t say much, but what I can say is this. As you may suspect, he was…. horribly treated by his own mother and nearly died because of it. You may not like it, but Xane is much better off out there. Forcing him to do otherwise… it won’t end well.”
“I suppose… Xane does seem to have a good head on his shoulders. Did you know he even had a diaper on that kitten of his?”
“If you think that’s impressive, you should see him haggle with old Thomas. You know he got two gold out of the old codger for that elk there?” She said, motioning to the recently added elk''s head mounted high above the wall.
“What?” Sarah asked, surprised to hear a child came out ahead against that money grubber.
“Oh, it was a sight to behold, especially when he did it with hardly saying a word.” Delores said as she broke out into a laugh. After a moment, she fixed Sarah with another look, this one softer than the stern glare from before. “Besides, unless he has a goat or two stashed away somewhere, I’m sure we’ll be seeing more.”
Sarah could only agree with the woman. Besides, maybe Charlotte could help by befriending the boy. Her little girl was already enamored by him. Flagging down the barman, she got herself and ale before turning back to the sergeant. “Tell me about his time with Thomas.”