World Witout Wizards: Guard

What the hell is that? What forest maiden and what property do they mean? I don't need that dirty girl…

I wanted to cancel the 'property transfer' by selecting the proper option. But the scraping of metal and the sounds of heavy, loud footsteps distracted me. A few seconds later, ten men in motley outfit appeared on the outskirts of the forest. They had wooden plaques instead of shields over their c.h.e.s.ts. But a real Black guard headed that group.

"Attack!" the breathless official yelled as several militias stood in a semicircle, trying to assault from the sides.

"Wait, I'm one of you," I shouted at the last second, but no one was interested. Who would believe a dirty man with a bloody sword?

Repelling an Attack Check

Base 2

Bonus 2+ 1

Dice Roll 2

Requirement 1+ 2 (experienced)

Great Success

In spite of the fact that I was tired and the enemy was experienced, it was very easy to repel the Black guard's attack after fighting with the forest monster. It was difficult for him to attack me due to the magic, the sword, forged by my father, and 'Compatibility with weapon'.

Strength Check

Base 1

Bonus 2+ 1

Dice Roll 1

Requirement 1+ 5 (2 experience, 1 class, 1 shield)

Failure

My sword cut through the air and suddenly it occurred to me that I was going to strike the Black guard with all my strength.

Damn it! I'm attacking an officer of the HAND! Although he assaulted me the first...

I had no time to make a final decision, my blade instead of cutting the enemy, bounced tangentially up from the shield, causing him no harm. I was astonished by the ease with which the guard had repelled my terrible blow. He was obviously much more experienced. I couldn't count on luck, favoring me all the day long, as well as I couldn't hope for the good sword or 'Compatibility with the weapon.'

I'm finished.

The peasants with the spears also got into the fight. Despite the fact that their blows were very inept I was constantly distracted... They could have killed me at any moment.

Repelling an Attack Check

Base 2

Bonus 2+ 1

Dice Roll 4

Requirement 1+ 2

Great Success

I didn't know why that guard was assaulting again, but now I was more proficient with magic and weapons. I managed to parry his sword attack, striking his blade flatwise. He staggered, slipped and fell backwards the mud, dropping the weapon. As he fell, he tried to keep his balance, leaning on his shield. The frayed weapon straps instantly burst, and the Black guard was completely unarmed. Although my foe had a dagger in his boot, it would be madness to assault me with such a weapon, taking into account that my sword was about three feet long. The guard understood it well.

"Go back! Close the ranks! Don't let him reach the peasants!" the guard commanded; the fighters immediately obeyed the order.

It was discouraging. Even though I was a pretty reckless guy, I wasn't going to attack unarmed people who'd never done anything wrong. I was tired of all this confusion.

You haven't canceled the property transfer

The property is obtained

You are the owner of Vasilisa, Forest maiden

Rights have been established

Change the slave's name? Yes. No. Later.

"What the f.u.c.k?!" I yelled it out loud, which was a complete surprise to others. Oh, more men are joining them.

Seven other guys joined the six fighters standing before me. One of them was a Black guard. Fortunately, I knew him, so I'd have a chance to settle the conflict and promote peace. At least I'll try.

Intelligence Check

Base 0

Bonus + 1

Dice Roll 2

Requirement 1

Great Success

"Polozoob, save me! They attacked me with pitchforks and torches, I just tried to defend myself from the peasants and from that Black guard."

"What?" Tren'ya didn't recognize me immediately. It took him about ten seconds, and luckily, he didn't attack me right away.

"Buddy? What are you doing here?!"

"I went to the forest to collect herbs, then I killed a bear and tried to drag it to the village. These lunatics thought I was a forest monster and acted aggressively."

"Is he telling the truth?" The Black guard growled.

Report to the Black guard

Conflict in the River Village

Assessment of circ.u.mstances

Insufficient data

Clarification required

Michael Greystle's charges: fraud, threat, illicit enrichment

Jack Wahl's charges: assault on an official

Group of persons' chargers: attempted murder of an official

Indict?

"Well," I read the MESSAGE and froze. On the one hand, the system seemed to have to imposed a punishment by itself, and on the other hand, I didn't want the death sentence for these people.

"What shall I do? Tren'ya, I see the MESSAGE. It says there's insufficient data."

"Read it out loud!"

I read it, indicating their penalties. Everybody there was confused; I could guess what they were thinking about. Suddenly the Black guard that fell down began talking first. The system had singled him out from the rest of the assailants.

"Well, listen." he came over, trying to scratch his head through his helmet. "Listen, buddy. Take me off that MESSAGE. I have a very good armor— a b.r.e.a.s.tplate for example."

Attention

Possible attempt to bribe an official

Impose a penalty? Yes/No

"Forgive us, sir, Have mercy! We serve for the sake of the HAND!" the fighters pleaded one by one. "We were sure that you're an enemy!"

"Is everything all right?" I made a calming gesture, then mentally pressed 'No'. "Nobody got hurt, right? Let's just forget about it. There are no casualties, I hope."

The conflict in the River Village…

Updating…

The parties dropped the charges...

Reconciliation

Is it resolved? Yes/No

"Have you got any objections?" I looked at each of them carefully and pressed 'Yes' The task of the trial immediately disappeared with the MESSAGE.

"Well, you were lucky," Wahl sighed, "I almost shat myself. You're very quick-witted buddy. Here's my armor, as I promised."

"Stop it," I tried to refuse from bribe as friendly as I could, realizing that it was me who was the real culprit. I found out something very useful:

— a person who acted the first was likely to be recognized as lawful;

— any conflict could be resolved peacefully.

This meant that Oulsast could have pardoned Lysandra, if he had wanted to. But this son of a bitch obviously wanted her dead.

"What is this shaggy bundle?" Tren'ya asked thoughtfully.

"I killed a bear while looking for the herbs in the forest. I already told you."

"You did it alone?" Jack specified dumbfounded.

"Yeah. Something wrong? I just defended myself, and I got lucky."

"What's up? Do you know anything about this monster?" Polozoob asked.

"Of course, it's the man-eater I told you about in the morning. Damn beasts never obey the laws of magic and aren't considered to be transgressors. This beast hasn't been caught or killed for weeks. It intimidated the entire trade route and constantly appeared on the river. This animal killed several villagers and three merchants."

"Buddy, you're definitely lucky," Tren'ya patted me on the shoulder, "You'll get a lot of money for this. As far as I know, this beast was worth fifteen silver coins, wasn't it?"

"Right, go to the chief." Jack said, "we'll carry the carcass ourselves; we just need to find a cart and a hog, Okay, guys?"

"Of course!" The unlucky fighters were still in euphoria, not believing that their lives had been spared.

"Thank you," I nodded, "but I don't know where to deliver it: to the market, perhaps? To a tanner or to a local hunter?"

"To an appraiser," Tren'ya offered. "There is no such a person in our village, but in every big settlement like this, there is one or even several appraisers. Magic expects them to tell you appropriate prices. It's accepted to pay ten percent of all the estimated goods for honesty and decency. Keep this in mind."

"Okay, thanks for the information." I bowed slightly.

"Stop bowing! Just when I started thinking you were a normal guy, you've ruined it again. Don't forget we have to visit the Flower Witch."

"Why?"

"Well," Polozoob shrugged thoughtfully, "the innkeeper brought the body of your slave to her, the Witch was to witness Lysandra's death. However, we didn't have time to finish the job, because the villagers came and told about the conflict on the outskirts of the forest. We had to come here. Now we need to get back. Besides, you have to take her soul."