Eliona's War 3: Lethal Healer

Ch. 24

Time Elapsed: 00:38:02

As far as first meetings went, Severance thought it went pretty well.

They'd found a busy corner on one of the market streets, in full view of a dozen Vigilant guards and twice as many high-leveled players. Severance didn't think either would do much to deter a Knight, if one so chose to attack again, but Jack had simply stated that people were both witnesses and obstacles, and sometimes that was enough to make the enemy think twice.

Ironhide had assured them that security had been increased all throughout the city, with both players and Elionan guards keeping careful watch. The Eternal Champions had been creating repeatable quests for guard duty, he'd said with a wry smile, though Severance had already known that thanks to a certain Shade.

Either way, Tomorrow's Edge felt more crowded than usual today. It put Severance on edge, and Vast wasn't any different. The beast gave off a constant, vibrating rumble, his ears swiveling towards each new sound.

Severance gave the furry head a quick pat, taking comfort in Vast's presence. If someone did pose a threat in the nearby crowds, he trusted Vast to be the first to pick up on it.

"So," Jack addressed the unfamiliar player standing in front of them. The tank had folded his arms across his silver breastplate, with the sunlight reflecting off both it and the metal of his bracers. It made it hard to look at him. "You're the one sent by the Champions."

Internally, Severance rolled his eyes. Would it kill Jack to at least pretend to be friendly?

The player merely smiled, a flash of white teeth amongst dark skin. The name floating above her head was Kiah.

Though Severance had seen players come in all shapes, sizes and colors, there had been nothing quite like the woman before him. She was tall and lithe, with the build of a long-distance runner. There was only the faintest suggestion of curves beneath her hooded coat and loose trousers, the latter of which was tucked into her flat-soled boots. She had the hood down, letting her dark curls bound out into a stunning afro. With deep ebony skin, a high forehead, strong jaw, and cheekbones that models could only dream of, Kiah had a unique beauty that was both noble and fierce.

"Yes," she said, in answer to Jack's question. Her voice was melodious and warm. "Though it was the Valkyrie who asked me to come. They even made a quest out of it." She laughed, which made Severance instinctively smile.

"They made meeting us a quest?" He asked, both impressed and baffled by the notion.

"They are very grateful for how you aided one of their sisters," Kiah explained. "When they heard you were looking for someone to help with dungeons, they asked me." She spread out her hands. "And so, I come."

"Well, thank you." Severance thought that was very nice of the Valkyrie, if a little unexpected. "Does that mean you're actually one of the Valkyrie?"

"Yes."

"Okay, cool. You ah, you look a bit different from the rest," he gestured towards her awkwardly.

Kiah laughed again. "Of course. Not everyone wishes to walk around in leather bikinis. Besides, it's better if we try to blend in, especially now."

"Yeah, that's understandable." Inwardly, he winced. It was a fact that he'd seen no Valkyrie around since the tragedy at Two Bridges. With Kiah's statement, he realized that they still must be in danger if they had to disguise themselves.

What a situation! His thoughts flew to the underground room where he'd found the Valkyrie prisoners. It made his stomach twist.

Jack cleared his throat. "Let's move this along. What's your class?"