The Bizarre Adventures of a Half-Elf

4. A New Quest

"Charlotte, we have some news." The head Cornello cleric peered at the Half-Elf over the book in their hands.

Charlotte felt her stomach drop. "Well, don't keep me in suspense."

"It appears that the Faistraad fighter who stabbed you was using an illegal poison," they began, matter-of-factly. "There is some necrotic damage to your muscle, and you will need to stay here under intensive care until we can reverse the rotting effects." 

Her eyes widened. "He what?! How did that happen?" She turned to try and look at her bandaged shoulder. "I'm rotting?!" 

"Unfortunately the House Wars work on an honor system, and there are no weapon inspections before the battles. But the fighter has been reprimanded accordingly. And... yes, the tissue in your shoulder is slowly dying. But we can use Life magic to bring it back."

"He had better be," she scowled. "Do I have to pay for this?"

The cleric shook their head. "No, Lord Cornello will be providing these services for you. Hopefully we can patch you up in time for the next battle, but I doubt it. You'd best prepare yourself."

 The process involved her being asked to lay still while they poked, prodded, and rubbed salves on her shoulder. Christa also came by frequently to fret over her older sister, and Charlotte had to shoo the younger Half-Elf away every time.

The next battle came and went, and, judging by the state of how the other fighters returned, they seemed to have lost. This meant that the House War had come to a close, and any fighters who were not pledged to House Cornello had to leave. And so, once the rogue was given clearance by the healers, she packed her things and made to collect her gold.

"Are you sure you would not like to stay and pledge your allegiance to House Cornello?" The old lord had asked her when awarding the money. "We could use someone of your skill."

But the Half-Elf shook her head. "Sorry, but I don't do the whole pledging thing. However, if I am in the area and you need assistance again, I will come to your aid."

"That is fair," he nodded to her, and then turned to the next mercenary.

Kano had already taken his share of the money, but had waited for Charlotte by one of the entrance halls with a large rucksack over his shoulder. "Where ya 'eaded now, miss Charlotte?"

"Hm. I don't know," she admitted, "Wherever the wind takes me, I suppose."

"'Tween you an' me, this town's a whole mess a'trouble. Could probably use a coupl'a skilled heroes teh make it right again."

"Is that so? You sticking around then?" She asked.

But the Human shook his head, lowering a traveling hat down over his face. "Not this time, lass. I 'ave a ship teh catch. But 'ere." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a smooth, fist-sized stone that had a green shimmer to it. "Use it when ya need."

Her mouth gaped open slightly as he placed the rock in her hand. "A communication stone? These are ridiculously expensive! Why are you giving one to me?"

"I told ya," Kano smirked slightly, "Me and mine'll be watchin' out fer ya." When Charlotte seemed to struggle for words, he nodded to her. "Good luck."

He then held his forearm out, which she firmly grasped after pocketing the communication stone. "And to you, Kano. The world needs more people like you."

As Kano nodded and turned to leave, Charlotte then saw Christa rushing down the hall toward her, skirts rustling. "Wait! You can't be leaving already! You just got here!"

Charlotte chuckled at the flustered state of her younger sister. She looked just as she had many years ago, when Charlotte used to go and do her sword training.

"Don't worry, Sister, I think I'll still be around for a while," Charlotte patted Christa's head in reassurance. "It's a large town, so I'm sure there's plenty of work for me to find. I just can't stay here in the manor as long as I am not pledged to Cornello."

Her sister continued to pout, but she nodded in resignation. "Very well, I can understand that. But promise that you will come and visit? And promise that you will stay safe?"

"I promise. Or at least I'll try to on that last one," she smirked. Then she pulled Christa into a long hug. "You've done well for yourself here. I'm proud of you." With a kiss on the forehead and a last goodbye, Charlotte was out the door and into the sun.

The trudge downhill was much less arduous than going uphill had been, and this time she had company. The other fighters from both sides were also heading into town, and Charlotte suddenly found herself surrounded by people she had previously faced on the battlefield. She scooted over and ended up walking between Schnelze, the long-haired Human she had sat next to at dinner, and Guillotine, another Human carrying a giant sword over his shoulder.

"You were pretty good at helping us strategize back there," Guillotine said to Charlotte, making her turn her head. The man had almond-colored skin, with shaggy black hair that covered his ears. Despite wielding a massive greatsword, he wore simple leather armor over a purple tunic with the sleeves ripped off.

After giving him a quick once-over, the rogue nodded slightly. "Thank you. I'm just disappointed that I couldn't help in the last battle."

He shrugged. "Aye, it was a good fight. That one bloke who poisoned you got banned from the House War, but I think he just got replaced with another assassin-type. No one was really watching out for him, isn't that right, Schnelze?"

The other man glanced over with bright green eyes. Charlotte couldn't read his expression, as the lower half of his face was obscured by a loose scarf, but he seemed to nod in agreeance.

"Don't mind him," Guillotine said, "He's real quiet. But he's good with his daggers. He and I are planning on making a duo and taking on any bounties the Crimson Guard has."

The Half-Elf tilted her head. "The Crimson Guard?"

"That's what the city guard here call themselves, and why they wear red armor."

"Ah, I see."

There was a pause, and then, "So do you want to join?"

Charlotte hesitated, considering. "Maybe. I kind of want to see what else Aushire has in store before I agree to anything."

"Okay, fair enough. We'll see you later, then! C'mon, Schnelze, we have to beat everyone to the Guard Captain's office!" Guillotine then took off running, laughing excitedly at the prospect of battle.

Schnelze appeared a little taken aback by the sudden exit, and, after a brief nod in Charlotte's direction, he began to jog after the other man.

Now exposed to people she didn't know, Charlotte decided to break away from the crowd and head towards the docks. Once there, she had to dip and dodge her way around the dockworkers carrying rope, crates, and other shipping materials.

The rogue examined all the ships in port, and listened to the conversations about who was going where, for what reason, and for how long. She tried to catch a glimpse of Kano, and was slightly disappointed when she did not see him. But the excitement of the docks renewed her energy, even if her shoulder still was a bit sore.

She followed the winding paths all the way back into the center of town, where she found a small group of people gathered around and looking at... well, she couldn't quite tell.

Curiosity peaked, Charlotte wiggled her way through the small crowd until she could see the large board with both official and non-official papers pinned to it. She tried to read what was on there, but she was still too far back and the other people obscured her view. Finally, she asked aloud, "What is that?"

"It's the town Quest Board. People pin quests for adventurers to undertake, and then pay them if they're completed," someone next to her answered.

The Half-Elf turned to see the Woad Elf archer she had dueled against. His hands were empty and he was smiling at her, so Charlotte simply nodded in surprised response.

"I'm Türin, by the way," he reached out as if to shake her hand- but then the Elf's features twisted into something that looked like pain, and his whole body turned unnaturally as an axe head sliced through his side.

**AN: Oh no! Who could it possibly be?! Make sure to vote, comment, and tune in next time!