World Witout Wizards: Guard

"What body? What are you talking about?" I couldn't believe it.

"The body," Tren'ya shrugged, "I'm not good at medical terminology. She seems to have died from her wounds or blood loss. The Flower Witch didn't have time to determine the cause of her death."

"I treated the wounds and bandaged her yesterday, and…" I replied dumbfounded, "the bleeding stopped."

"I'm not a healer, buddy. Your broad wasn't breathing, so she died. What else can I say?" Polozoob muttered. I was speechless, so we went on in silence.

What a disgrace! The bear was more important to me than the girl, and she died because of my stupidity… If I hadn't been so greedy, could things have turned out differently? I could have paid only two silver coins and she would have been all right! I wished I haven't been so presumptuous and have taken Lysandra to my mother, she would completely have healed the girl with her potions.

What should I tell my parents now when they ask me how I did on my first quest? Should I tell them that I delivered Lysandra to the destination and she died from her wounds, or that she was sentenced and I couldn't exonerate her, or that I wanted to kill the man-eating bear terrorizing the village, and she died waiting for me?

I can't lie to my parents. Only breaking an oath and betrayal are worse than that. I don't mean nobility or high principles. My parents are the only people in the world who will always support and understand me.

Mothers love their children even if they are murderers, they bring their children's drawings to the court, tell how their offsprings played in the sandbox in childhood... I'll have to tell my father and mother the truth.

"Listen," Tren'ya nudged me. Taking into account that he was wearing steel armor, his touch was quite painful.

"Oh! Don't push me!"

"Calm down," Polozoob grinned, "look, there's a dirty chick here. She seems to like you."

"What?" I turned around and saw a peasant girl walking behind, I couldn't help but swear, "Why the f.u.c.k is today such a terrible day?!"

Vasilisa, Forest maiden, 16 years old

Slave

Owner—Michael Greystle.

Any other details?

"Aha-haha," Trenya burst out of laughing, "I understand: you just can't live without concubines! You haven't even buried the first one, you already purchased another younger wench. Come here, honey. Tell me honestly, do you like to work? Do you know how to do housework and take care of domestic animals?"

"Of course, sir," she said, bowing, "I've been working in the field since I was six years old. I've been caring for crops and pulling out weeds."

"I wish you were my wife," Tren'ya grinned. "Unlike your previous slave, this one looks like a really useful acquisition."

"Let's go back," I said grimly, turning around. "This is all a big mistake; I have to stop it now."

"No, wait. What for?"

"I don't want any slaves!"

"Why?"

"I'm supposed to be going to the Baron's service, not fool around with women."

"You have only one now," Tren'ya grinned, "the second hussy has died."

"Damn! Screw it! I'm just gonna get this girl back to her parents."

"You can't," Tren'ya smiled even wider, "have you ever read the laws of the Empire, wise guy? What does it say about slaves?"

"What?" I was afraid to ask, but couldn't help it.

"Only officials and nobles have the right to own slaves. You can't give this girl back to ordinary peasants."

"Isn't there a way to release her? She became a slave by mistake so I can free her."

"You can't. You're not a warlock. Only the local governor of the HAND can decide to liberate her. Do you think he will release such beauty or keep her for his own needs? So, she'll work in his fields and wipe his old a.s.s."

"Please, sir, don't give me to Vagol!" the girl begged, falling to her knees. Fortunately, the road was timbered and clean.

"F.u.c.k!" I g.r.o.a.n.e.d. I couldn't just leave the girl here. Lysandra's story could happen all over again.

"OK. But remember, I'm a very lousy host. My last slave died while I was away. As soon as we get to my parents, you'll live at the forge and help them with the housework. And then maybe I'll figure out a way to free you."

"Oh, buddy," Polozoob put his arm around my shoulders, "you're lucky, and you're giving up your happiness. Come on. We have to fill out the paperwork about Lysandra's death; it'll be night soon, and we haven't drunk a drop of ale yet!"

I had no choice. Fortunately, it wasn't far and five minutes later we were in the house of the Flower Witch. She lived next to the tavern. The house looked quite expensive. The windows had wooden shutters with patterns. As soon as I opened the door, I smelled flowers and herbs aromas. I felt a sharp smack of spices on my tongue.

Now I understood why the Flower Witch had such a name. Her whole house was filled with flowerpots, and there were many beds of strange plants around, most of which I saw for the first time in my life. The flowers differed in color and size. I froze with admiration when one of the plants caught and chewed a fly.

"Hey, lady! Here's the owner of the corpse, I brought him to you," Tren'ya yelled in the hallway. We heard indistinct grunts and moved on.

Luck Check

Base 1

Bonus +1

Dice Roll 3

Requirement 2

Great Success

The door to the living room opened and I saw Lyska sitting on the bed. She was very pale but still alive. I rushed forward, hugged her, there were tears in my eyes. "Thank the HAND, you're alive!"

"So, you're her master, my dear," the witch croaked. She was so old, that I couldn't imagine how she was able to take care of all those flowers. I thought she must be older than a hundred years, I decided to check it and she hit my forehead. "You're too young to look at me so shamelessly," the ancient healer smiled, "I've saved your loved one, now you owe me half a gold coin." The witch looked sternly at me, then at the girl.

"How can I get so much money?"

"It's up to you. You can give me the girl to pay the debt with her soul."

On hearing that, Lysandra grabbed my hand as if she was drowning. I thought my skin would crack.

"Don't give me away, please. I'll do anything for you." she quickly whispered in my ear.

"Stop it," Polozoob smiled, "keep in mind, you're talking to a real Black guard. Do you really think he's not capable of making money? The man-eating bear alone is worth at least five hundred silver coins."

"Are you kidding? Was the bear killed? When?"

"This is the guy who killed the bear and brought him from the forest on his own," Tren'ya replied proudly as if he had done it himself.

"The whole carcass? Usually, the hunters bring only a muzzle and paws. Do you have its liver and heart?"

"Certainly. I only slightly damaged its skin and cut its throat."

"In that case," the Flower Witch shook her head and said, "give me all the bear and your debt will be paid."

"The bear was taken to the appraiser," I said honestly, "perhaps…"

"What a pity," the old woman sighed and began to fuss, "they'll take the most valuable stuff. I'm afraid I won't be able to receive the bear blood and fangs to make healing potions. I need them. Hurry up. Come on!"