World Witout Wizards: Guard

I woke up feeling inexplicably uneasy. Nude and bandaged Lysandra was peacefully sleeping nearby. She was beautiful in spite of the fact that her bruised face. I was looking at her until a MESSAGE emerged.

Defector Lysandra, 18 years old

Slave

Owner—Michael Greystle

Would you like to see the details?

Amazingly, it turned out, that the details were also available. Surely, I was interested.

Total Bonus - 2 (dying)

Strength - 1 (weak)

Perception -1 (half-blind)

Dexterity -1 (clumsy)

Stamina normal

Intelligence +3 (rare)

"How did you manage to make such a mess with brains like yours, sweetie?" I whispered. I wasn't surprised by the stats for 'Strength' or 'Dexterity.' They couldn't be high—she was not a man doing hard physical work from morning to night. I was wondering how she had been able to level up her 'Intelligence' so much.

The MESSAGE also had a description of her skills, but I decided to study them later as well as my own abilities.

I pulled the cover over Lyska and went down to the dining room. There were not many people in the morning, I saw neither Yanka nor the innkeeper. Only a troubadour was sitting on a high chair. That was the same musician who played so beautifully yesterday. He had a complicated musical instrument with several tubes hanging on his neck. His wasn't dressed expensively, but his clothes were very bright and colorful.

"Ha-ha, traveler!" the drunken musician smiled. "Do you want to hear a story or a song for a copper coin?"

"No, thank you, not now. Have you seen my partner—the Black guard?"

"Oops, excuse me, sir. I haven't recognized you without your armor," the troubadour stammered fearfully. "I haven't met anyone. I can play for free for you. What do you prefer: 'The HAND'S Power', 'The HAND Kills the Enemies' or "A Black guards' Company'?

"Thanks. I don't have the time." I was eager to listen to a real musician and hoped he wouldn't run away before tonight; maybe he'd sober up and play better.

"I don't need it now."

I quickly went outside, putting the sword behind my back, and confidently headed for the nearest forest. Thanks to my elven mother, I knew many herbs and could brew common and complicated potions. That was my advantage under the circ.u.mstances.

Of course, I wouldn't be able to brew a very rare potion even if I had all the necessary ingredients. I decided not to set impossible tasks, and to rely only on my knowledge. So I carefully examined the plants, which were wet after the rain, hoping to find a blood leaf or healing root.

Perception Check

Base 0

Bonus +1

Dice Roll 2

Requirement 4

Failure

Unfortunately, someone had already walked through the woods before me. This person gathered all the herbs, leaving only small sprouts.

It made my task more difficult. I had to go deep into the forest. My mother always warned me about wandering the woods alone, but I was an a.d.u.l.t now! I had a fine leather armor, a splendid sword, and magical abilities. So, I decided I can handle it.

It was the right thing to do. As soon as I went into the thicket, I found plenty of valuable herbs. I got carried away and didn't notice the beast sneaking behind me. I heard it when it was too late to climb a tree or run away.

Unknown fierce beast, +2

Damn it!

It was a bear—the Lord of forests! I'd never seen a monster like that even in the pictures. The beast's fangs were sticking out from its mouth like huge daggers. It was as tall as me. I tried not to think how many other people and animals the bear had eaten. I pulled out my sword and started waving it in front of the beast's muzzle. But my weapon looked like a tiny toothpick against this giant.

Perception Check

Base 0

Bonus +1

Dice Roll 3

Requirement 2+2 (Expirienced Enemy)

Success

Stepping to the side I noticed the beast limping on his right leg. This meant that I had to attack him from that side.

Dexterity Check

Base 0

Bonus +1

Dice Roll 2

Requirement 2+ 2

Failure

The beast rushed forward without waiting for me to step aside or hide behind the tree. I tried to bounce back but I only hit my back on a tree trunk.

Repelling an Attack Check

Base 2

Bonus 2 (weapon + skill) + 1

Dice Roll 1

Requirement 3+ 2

Success

I miraculously managed to parry his blow; the beast cut himself on the blade. He roared and jumped back, I decided not to give the monster a chance to recover.

Strength Check

Base 1

Bonus 2+1

Dice Roll 2

Requirement 1+2

Great Success

My sword didn't let me down. The bear, stepping on his sore paw, hesitated a little. I threw my sword like a spear. The beast tried to cover himself and lifted his paw but only pushed the blade deeper into his throat. The blade sliced through the monster's mouth, splitting the bone and piercing his neck. But the bleeding creature was still alive and was still trying to kill me.

Remembering the previous battle, I decided not to risk and to do only what I knew I did well. If I couldn't avoid assaults, then I had to fend off attacks, jump back and to the side, to leave the tree between us, so that the bastard couldn't pounce on me, keep him on his toes all the time.

Repelling an Attack Check

Base 2

bonus 2+ 1

Dice Roll 2

Requirement 4+ 2

Success

His paw was very heavy, the bear almost knocked my sword out. Fortunately, the metal was very strong and the blade was longer than the beast's claws. The bear lost a lot of blood and was exhausted. But I still didn't dare take a risk. Any attempt to attack him could result in death. If I defended myself, sooner or later the beast would be defeated.

Repelling an Attack Check

Base 2

bonus 2+ 1

Dice Roll 3

Requirement 3+ 2

Great Success

Finally, I managed to overcome the beast! Its long claws collided with my sword; I swung my blade over the beast's head and furiously struck his unprotected neck.

Strength Check

Base 2

bonus 2+ 1

Dice Roll 1

Requirement 1+ 2

Success

The blade pierced through to the other side of his neck. Blood spurted out in all directions, splashing me from head to toe. His last desperate attack ended with another wound and soon the creature fell down. I did it!

I doubted anyone would believe me if I told them about this fight. I decided to take the dead animal with me. Looking around, I found a huge branch and cut it down with a few blows. The bear was enormous, and I didn't know how to carry it.

I had three available options:

— take the paws and muzzle as trophies. I'd get a reward for them, though less than for a whole carcass. Each paw was worth twenty copper coins, the muzzle cost several silver coins;

— take the whole carcass to the village and get money for the meat and the trophies. The liver cost no less than ten copper coins, it could be used for making potions. The skin would be worth five silver coins;

— leave the beast's corpse in the forest and go to brew a potion to heal Lysandra.