The Axe Falls 2 -ch 4-

Grimacing, Nick realized he couldn’t shake Sara today. That he would have to have a conversation with her whether he wanted to or not.

Tonight, he surmised given the way she had caught his gaze at dinner only part of an hour previous. The stare, cocked eyebrow, and head tilt, was all he needed to see to know her wish.

Thankfully, Claudia had just passed out almost immediately after they entering their room.

Even now his would-be fiance was snoring away in her bad that she would be sharing with Sara. Sprawled out in a way that made him believe absolutely that Sara was going to get kicked and punched in the middle of the night.

Nick would be camping out on the floor, but that didn’t bother him at all.

He had genuinely slept in much worse areas recently.

The room’s magic for hearth and home was actually quite good, all things considered. It didn’t seem to be something that would casually break and was was active.

Nick didn’t have to worry about harm befalling her which meant he could have this conversation with Sara elsewhere.

Looking at Sara who was sat at the only chair in the room he raised his eyebrows. Then he gave a thumb-jerk toward the door.

They had quite literally just been chatting about dinner only a moment earlier before Claudia let loose with such a loud snore that they both knew she was asleep.

To his gesture the High Elf responded with a pretty smile and dipped her head once and stood up.

Pushing off the wall he was leaned against, Nick opened the door and stepped out into the hall. His poleaxe unconsciously swinging up to rest against his shoulder while holding it partway down the haft.

He genuinely didn’t even think about it anymore as if it were truly an extension of himself.

Sara was right behind him and closed the door behind herself.

Moving down the hall Nick exited into the common-room, then straight out of the inn. Walking out into the dirt-packed road and finding that most of the small-city seemed to be asleep.

There were few magical torches burning and the lights of the homes nearby all seemed to be extinguished for the most part. A quiet city that reminded him of Dayton in many ways.

“I say north,” Sara remarked and pointed down the road exiting the city to the north. “Leads to an open plain. Harder for people to listen in as well as creep up on us.”

“Sure, sure. Just remember my limitations. I’m just human. I don’t get to see in the dark like you,” grumbled Nick. He was still somewhat bitter over such an ability like seeing in the dark.

“I mean, yes. But… you’re Human,” Sara said as she began walking down the road. “You have more strength than I do and better constitution.

“Complaining about me being an Elf is like complaining about you being a man and it’s benefits. Shouldn’t you be leveraging your positives, rather than fussing over your negatives?”

“Oh goodie. Now I get to have Claudia telling me to be an upstanding good-person and a pretty Elf nagging at me to have a good attitude,” murmured Nick under his breath as he caught up to Sara.

“I mean, yes? You should take it as a good thing. And there you go again calling me pretty. You sure you don’t want to ask me out again?” Sara concluded, turning her head and peering at him over her shoulder armor.

“Dating Jessie,” Nick countered immediately. He glanced around and saw that there wasn’t anyone immediately nearby. He could say a few things without too much of a worry. So long as he kept it vague and to what anyone might complain about. “Pretty sure I just got hijacked into an arranged marriage, too.

“I’m sure you can figure out a valid reason for that, as well. Oh, I wasn’t forced, mind you. They just made a really good point about how people like to take sides that they belong to.”

Sara sighed loudly at that and nodded her head. As if she knew exactly what he was talking about.

“Yes. I imagined it could be something like that given how the two of you looked to spooked,” admitted Sara. “That or something similar though in different regards. It isn’t very surprising though.

“That group of people really do prefer their own. If anything, I’d argue that the current selection you made was wrong. Need to aim higher.”

“I made the same argument,” Nick agreed as they slowly moved past the last house on the street. “I was assured that it wouldn’t be an issue if that happened, but they would prefer it as it is for now, just in case that doesn’t happen.

“Given how the world works though… I’m betting the head of that family will make me spend time with a daughter or granddaughter.”

“Ahhh… yes. Yes. Erica comes to mind as a candidate. There’s many more of course but you get the idea,” Sara put int with a curious look on her face. One finger had drifted up to rest at the corner of her mouth as she spoke. “Let’s wait a few more minutes to speak more. Enjoy the walk with me, won’t you?”

Nick snorted, but didn’t argue.

He could feel Ker wandering around behind him. He had been devouring rats and mice not long ago and felt lazy right now.

Though it seemed his familiar was unwilling to let Nick out of his sight again.

“That and our dear familiar is a lot harder to fool with camouflage of hiding than us,” Lucia advised. “If he and Sara are both comfortable, I would feel comfortable a swell.”

“Well,” Nick said in a slow way. “I admit when I asked you out I did want to take you out on a walk. The city is a bit much for me at times. I’m afraid I’m still too much of a country boy.

“Even this little city feels almost too crowded for me. It’ll be a while before I get over it. If ever.”

“Farming village?” Sara asked.

“Very much so. Give me a bag of wheat-seed, tools, and some land, and I could give you a pretty good crop, you know,” Nick bragged with a chuckle. “That or be the local executioner.”

Glancing at Sara, Nick activated Call to Account.

Nothing came back at all, which wasn’t surprising at all.

“I honestly wouldn’t have guessed that. I’ve been a city girl my whole life. Just not… Human cities,” Sara confessed. “I came to this country in my early teens with my uncle. Before you ask, he’s long since moved back. I’m here by myself now.

“That does actually segue really well into the point I wanted to make since it seems like we’re alone. If we’re not alone, then I’d be shocked given how much Ker is running about back there.”

Now that Nick thought about it, it did seem like Ker was rushing all over. He was clearly attempting to find anyone that might be hiding, while also likely flushing anyone who would be hiding, toward Nick and Sara.

“Now there’s lots to talk about, but since you brought this up first, this is where I’ll start,” Sara began. “Given the state of the country, I would almost argue that nobility of another nearby country could also be valid for marriage plans. Though if not marriage, why not as an ally to seek change?

“In fact, you could likely even make a deal with one to perhaps change relations with a change in government as well. Like say… the nation of Wretin. It’s predominantly Elves, but it does have a small population of Humans in it.

“I’d also love to point out that I’m a relative, though quite distant, to a grand Duchy in Wretin. I’m so far removed from titles that you couldn’t count it, but I’m related.

“I could easily broker a meeting with you and the Grand Duke.”

Nick couldn’t help but consider that possibility seriously.

It was true that there was a good deal of tension with Wretin right now. Tension that had been gradually rising year after year.

Only for his mind to catch back up to the earlier part of the conversation.

“Did you just throw yourself in as a marriage candidate?” he blurted out.

“I see no reason not to. You’re attracted to me, I’m of removed nobility yet nobility, I have high talent and stats, and you’re rather fascinating,” Sara said, ticking the points off on her hand as she went.

“That and it’d piss off Jessie,” Nick finished.

“It’d really piss her off,” Sara agreed with a wide grin, turning to meet Nick’s eyes. “That’s a bonus though. It’s not every day a girl runs into a prince of marriageable age that they can reach.

“That’s assuming I wasn’t even interested. I really did expect you to run me down later, Nick. I just made a mistake is all.”

“Mm. Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out then. Would you like to direct the conversation then?” asked Nick.

“That’d be wonderful, thank you. So! I assume first and foremost you’re recruiting. Slowly,” Sara stated. “You’re working more like creeping ivy rather than a forest fire. Which honestly is the right way to do this. The longer you can remain hidden the better off you are.

“With that in mind, I understand quite plainly that my life is now on the line. That if I don’t quickly make a choice than I’ll have to be relying on Claudia being angry at you for killing me.”

As he parsed through that, Nick could only nod his head.

Even as they walked along the road, he had genuinely been on his guard just in case Sara tried to do something. Which he didn’t think she would, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t prepare for it.

“I would much prefer to take a position with you, propose a marriage to you, and generally get in on the ground floor, so to speak. My uncle didn’t teach me all he could just to watch an opportunity pass by,” stated Sara with conviction in her voice. “Just because the risk is great, doesn’t make the rewards less. I just have to put even more into the situation.”

“And what kind of position would you want? You said in the end you wanted to be a tank. That lends itself to being a personal bodyguard for me or a royal guard captain,” Nick offered in response, guessing that’d be the next part of the conversation.

“Oh, I suppose on my back?” Sara said glibly and with a touch of heat to her words. Only to laugh and reach to pat Nick on the shoulder.

It made his plated-leather ping like a full pot softly.

Nick couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head.

“Personal body guard,” she continued. “I can take any blow aimed for you to myself instead and slip it. That and I can keep up with you rather than fall behind, too.

“Though… what’re your stats? What’s your level?”

Nick didn’t miss the insatiable curiosity in her voice.

He didn’t doubt for a second that part of her wanting to be with him was to know and learn more. At a personal level as well as at a royal level.

Until she accepted a position that’d get her executed though, he wasn’t about to reveal all his secrets.

“Show me your status please?” Nick asked as they walked along.

“Oh! Yes, that’d be a good thing to show you at this point, wouldn’t it,” Sara said with a laughing snort.

Name: Sara Mysil

Race: High Elf

Class: Swordsman

Strength: 14

Dexterity: 19

Stamina: 16

Intelligence: 09

Wisdom: 13

Charisma: 24

Equipment-

Head: None

Shoulders: Plate Pauldrons

Hands: Plate Gauntlets

Chest: Breastplate

Forearms: Plate Vambrace

Waist: Fauld

Legs: Plate Greaves

Feet: Plate Boots

Back: None

Left Hand: None

Right Hand: None

Level: 19(93)

Experience: 11

Hit Points: 208

Mana: 120

Holy hell.

Her stats really are rather incredible. Her level is also nice and high

I’m surprised at her intelligence stat though. I didn’t really… does a low intelligence stat show?

“Yes, Sire. It does show. Yes, Sire, I did feel as if she had an intelligence stat that wasn’t above normal. The wisdom stat does reflect on her ability to use the situation to her own ends,” answered Lucian, jumping to the unasked questions. “Her charisma, is also not surprising. Her stats are second to none for her chosen profession though. Dexterity as high as Jessie’s with a great deal more strength and stamina as well as being able to lug around heavy equipment.”

“You’re status is quite good,” Nick congratulated her. “

“As the last of the royal line of the Randolph family, I Appoint you as my personal body guard,” said Nick, putting the command of an ability into his words. “This is a lifetime position that only I can take from you. Do you accept Sara Mysil?”

“Ah?” squeaked the High Elf as they walked along, her feet tangling in themselves and nearly sending her to the dirt. Nick had to reach out and steady her with a hand on her shoulder.

“I keep hearing that what’s offered is rather over the top,” he said in a steady tone, holding her by the shoulder. “How many levels did it give you?”

“Thirty,” whispered Sara, looking to him wide-eyed. “I’ll be one-hundred and twenty-three at my max. It… it also put an multiplier on my stats. This… this is… yes.

“I’m happy to be your personal body guard and I accept. I will gladly put my life between you and anyone else.”

Household member gained!

Personal Bodyguard has been assigned as Sara Mysil!

“Well, since you’ll be guarding my life. I might as well share my stats with you. So you know what I’m working with and where to shore up my deficits,” Nick murmured then shared his status with Sara.

Who only squeaked again staring at the screen.

Then shook her head and looked to him.

“Do you really need a body guard?” she asked in a tight voice, as if she were a bow-string pulled taut and ready to loose.

“I mean… I almost died in the dungeon. Would’ve been nice to have you there,” he offered as an answer along with a smile.  “Now, was there anything else you wished to know?”

“Is this your only class?” she asked after a pause.

“No. I’m also a Sorcerer, Executioner, Prince-In-Hiding,” he answered honestly. “Though, now that I think about it, I really should have Dr. Palt go over my skills. Just in case something changed.

“Well, hopefully he’s in Dayton by now. That’d help.”

Sara was breathing oddly, staring up at him. There was only the barest hint of fear in her eyes, along with what looked like realization.

That if she hadn’t given herself over to him in service, the chances were good she wouldn’t have been coming back from this walk.

Nick gave her a smile, gave her a shoulder a pat, and started walking again.

“So, you want to marry up, huh? You sure about that?” Nick asked, not waiting for her. “Because you could end up being my wife, only to have Jessie as your queen.”

In the span of three breaths, Sara had caught up to him.

“That’d be fine,” she said with a decisive nod of her head. “She wouldn’t be able to control me, and I wouldn’t be able to control her. It’d come down to could provide you with more children.”

Competitive to a fault.

Though, surprising she didn’t say “which children were better”.

“Yes, Sire, though that’s a good thing. It would be better if your children could perform as a cohesive unit,” Lucian warned him. “Infighting would be the worst possible outcome. You will need to be strict and direct with who inherits what.”

“—not even sure what to think of that though,” Sara continued on. “Ah well, I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. Though I suppose I should begin figuring out how to apologize to Claudia.

“It’s clear she has a strong feeling of love toward you. Both Jessie and I have already maneuvered around her though, as you’re bedding Jessie, and interested in me.”

Clicking his tongue, Nick didn’t want to think about that.

“Tell me about Wretin,” he said instead.

***

Nick lifted his hand and wrapped on the door with a grin.

Dr. Palt had indeed already moved into Dayton.

Sandy had also already moved as well and the two of them were living in this nice home on a side boulevard.

Sandy had also bought a large manor home not far from their actual house and was in the middle of tearing out it’s insides.

It looked like she was rebuilding her inn all over again when he’d walked by this morning as they re-entered town.

Sara and Claudia were going shopping for a few things at the market while Nick checked in with the Doc.

Jessie and Rahak weren’t in their room as far as he could tell when he’d checked on them.

Which meant they’d likely be at his cabin at the moment.

She’s probably settling in like the little monster she is.

I’m sure she already picked out furniture and took it all the way there.

I wonder if she got the cart first or just bought another one.

The door swung open and Dennis Palt stood there in the doorway.

He was roughly the same age range as Sandy with dark hair that was starting to go white.

The mans eye’s were a hard-gray color that looked like shale.

“Hey there Doc,” Nick said with a grin. “Figured I should drop in for a check-up. That and I figured you want to talk to me anyways.”

The doctor blew out a breath, sighed, then pulled the door open wide and stepped to one side.

“Yes, that’d be good,” he confirmed.

Nick walked inside, careful to not bang his poleaxe on the doorframe or the walls on his entry. He had already dug a hole into a low-ceiling because he wasn’t paying attention back in Ashcroft.

Easing his weapon away from his shoulder he set it against a wall near the entry way and turned to face the doctor as he closed the door.

“I now have Swordsman, Sorcerer, Executioner, and Prince-In-Hiding as my classes,” explained Nick. “And who else could I see but my Royal Physician?”

Chuckling at that Dennis nodded his head and then gestured to the side of the entryway. Into what looked like an office to receive patients in.

“Yes. I figured that might be the case so I made sure to set up a private practice. For now I’m just operating out of my home.

“Which… given Dayton… that’s not a terrible idea at the moment.

“Should I assume you’ll be bringing along other people as well?” the Doctor asked as he and Nick entered the room.

“Yes. Right now I’ve got Rick’s daughter, Claudia, Sara the ex-guild member, Jessie a Dark Elf, and Rahak,” confirmed Nick, taking a seat on the table and looking to Dr. Palt. “By the way, did Sandy like the title? After I spoke with Claudia’s father it seemed like it was the best idea.

“He’s my Chamberlain now by the way.”

“Yes, it notifies the rest of us every time a new household member has joined and she was quite delighted. The level gains… were large, of course. I get the impression she briefly considered going back into a dungeon just to toy around,” Dennis said with a smirk. “As to Rick, that nasty jerk… I’m sure he’s cackling madly that Sandy ended up marrying me.”

“He seemed rather pleased about it and unsurprised,” admitted Nick. “Claudia remembered who you are, by the way. She might be annoyed. I recommend sweets. She still loves them.”

“Well. Seems like Sandy and I were the only ones who didn’t see it till we almost missed it. I’ll be sure to pick up some pastries later,” mumbled the man, stepping up to Nick. “Ah, there we are. Oh, you’re looking quite good, Sire.

“Your skills are organized fairly well, too. Now… let’s…”

Dennis’ voice trailed off as he stared at the screen that was most likely floating in front of him.

“As your personal physician, he can see your status without permission, unless you restrict it, Sire,” proclaimed Lucian.

“Hm. Everything looks exactly as it should be. Nothing that would bother another skill Doctor if they were to take a peak, Sire.

“Though, I should mention that it appears that your Swordsman abilities have moved to the second rank. Advance, Disengage, False Disengage, Lunge, and Parry, are all level two,” said the Doctor, nodding his head. “It seems as if your Executioner rank has gone up as well. Call to Account and Death Stroke have reached level two.”

“Mm, great. Thanks Doc. I’ll bring everyone by later on to have you give them a once-over,” Nick said.

“Good. As ever, be safe Sire,” the Doctor said.

Except Nick felt like that had a lot more undercurrent to it than he expected there to be.

Exiting the Doctor’s house Nick froze on the doorstep.

Jessie, Sara, and Claudia were all standing there.

Nick instinctively gripped his weapon tighter as it rested on his shoulder

Only to feel it bump slightly to the side as the door was shut behind him.

“Perhaps this would be a better conversation held elsewhere,” suggested Nick.

“Ya think?” Jessie growled with a shake of her head.

Looking at the three women, he could guess where the issue was.

One said they would be the queen, the other the fiance, and the last that she wanted to be either of those two.

“I love you Jessica Tiller,” Nick said boldly, wanting to head this off immediately. “Regardless of anything else.”

Jessie’s chin shot downward and her shoulders partially hunched inward. Only to forcefully standup and meet his eyes. All while her face took on a blazing red color.

“Well… maybe… we should go discuss this elsewhere,” Jessie murmured in a quiet whisper that was barely able to be heard. “Come… come on. Let’s… let’s go chat in the room. We’ll need to figure this out.”

She got two steps away and stopped as Sara and Claudia moved with her.

Turning her head, Jessie met his eyes and gave him a smile that gave her a truly beautiful look.

“I love you too, Nickolas Dol,” she said, then rushed off. Leaving Claudia and Sara to catch up to her.