World Witout Wizards: Guard

Yanka Red-haired, 16 years old

Tavern servant

Charges: theft, fraud

Penalty: 3 silver coins

Such a young girl, and already guilty of serious crimes. How is that possible?

"Here is your room, Mr. Guard," Yanka said, opening the door, "There's only one bed and a mat for animals. There's a latch on the door. The toilet, if you need it, is at the end of the hall. The river, though I think it's useless after this rain, is not far from the tavern. Is there anything else you need?"

"Well," I was slightly confused. "How come you're an a.d.u.l.t at such a young age and why do you already have so many crimes?"

"Even though you're a guard," the red-haired girl said frowning, "I'm not going to serve you in bed. You might as well whip me. The innkeeper is using me for carnal p.l.e.a.s.u.r.es while his wife is pregnant."

"Wait, that's not what I meant," I shook my head.

"I'm not reproaching you; I just want to understand how this is possible?"

"It's simple. My master came to me, I couldn't refuse him. We have a hard life, so we have to make unpleasant decisions. It happens to everyone. As for the crimes, sometimes guests forget their purses, and I take them or say that a mug of booze costs not one copper coin but two. If you're not going to use or flog me, I'd better go downstairs and bring you dinner if you want."

"Yes, thanks. By the way, where is the madam? The chief told me about her; she came from the city."

"You should have said that you wish to have fun. Madam Slaudy and her slaves are at work now. They're busy. When my work day is over, I'm ready to entertain you. The price is one silver coin."

"Oh, no! Screw it!" I felt angry. She put me in a foul mood. "If you want money, bring clean towels and hot water."

"Why?"

"Are you blind? I've got a wounded girl here. I need to bandage her wounds." This maid annoyed me because she kept smiling unnaturally and thought I was a pervert.

When she heard about the bandages, something flashed in her eyes. The girl was very attractive— a freckled face, large firm b.r.e.a.s.ts, wide h.i.p.s, and a flat stomach.

"I understand," Yanka nodded, "I'll bring it all, prepare the coins."

"Go," I said to the girl and entered the room. It was rather cosy. There was a real wooden bed with a straw mattress and an oil lamp with a thin wick. I tried to smell what was in it, but I couldn't tell. Apparently, it was a mixture of vegetable and animal fats. I wasn't versed in alchemy.

Intelligence Check

Base 0

Bonus +1

Dice Roll 1

Requirement 2

Success

I wasn't worried about the innkeeper and his sheets. I put Lysandra on the wide bed. I needed to take off the girl's shirt in order to clean and bandage the wounds. I knew I'd see her completely n.a.k.e.d.

"There's no need to be shy. I saw her n.a.k.e.d at the lake," I cheered myself up.

"Oh," the maid appeared in the doorway. "I've brought water."

"Come in and help me."

"The guests are waiting for me downstairs; I can't stay here," the red-haired Yanka protested.

"I think your clients won't run away. Would ten copper coins be enough?" The maid nodded silently and came closer to help. I realized that she had already treated wounds before.

Her movements were very fast and skillful. Wetting the fabric with warm water, we took off Lysandra's shirt. Despite her deplorable state, the girl looked very attractive. But I couldn't think about it.

"If you give me another twenty copper coins, I'll bring a bottle of 'Sailor's Tears." Yanka offered, "so we'll be able to disinfect her wounds better."

"Do you want to cheat me?" I looked at the girl sternly. "I have an alchemist skill. One bottle is worth three copper coins."

"I know. But you don't know where to buy it now. And I can get you two bottles in a minute. Okay, twelve copper coins?"

"Screw it! Okay! But it mustn't be diluted!" I was losing my money. I would have to pay fifty silver coins to the healer— the Flower Witch.

I wonder where she got that nickname.

Yanka came back quickly. In five minutes, we were cleaning Lysandra's abrasions and cuts. They looked scarier than they were. The wounds were superficial, mostly bruises. There was no threat to life. Still, I felt better when I bandaged the damaged skin.

However, I had to pay Yanka three more copper coins because there was not enough 'Sailor's Tears.' So, I spent twenty-five copper coins for Lyska's treatment, it was exactly half of what I earned for escorting the criminal sleeping on the bed.

After I had dinner I kicked out the girl, who tried to sell herself for half a silver coin, I fell asleep. The day was long and troublesome, I was very tired. Neither cries from downstairs nor music disturbed my sleep.

Warning. Change the log. Virtual error. Please wait

What a strange dream. There's light everywhere. I think I've been here before. At least the faces of the angels are familiar.

"Mr. Nigel," Joseph bowed slightly, "I'm glad to see you in our Department."

"What about him? What is progress?"

"He's in the River village now. It's nineteen miles from the starting point. He has obtained…

"I'm not interested in your little games. Where's Sebastian? Why the hell is the progress so slow?"

"We can't just send him to the core. We helped him unlock the achievement in advance. He lives his own life. We shouldn't rush him or to create an unreasonable motivation."

"Well, make it reasonable. What do we have nearby: hordes, gangs, cults?

"There is a small Sukrum cell half a day away," one of the angels said. "But it isn't a great danger. I don't think you should disturb him while he's asleep."

"I'm not interested in your opinion. So, shut up. As for the danger, give them the vision. I'm sure the vote regarding waking the guard will be unanimous. Make it so, that somebody will survive and deliver a message in these backwoods. Our guy shouldn't have missed it."

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