Arvium [I.L.S. Beta Game #1]

39: Healers

Month 1, Day 4, 7:42:26; Arvium, Trinity Village

She yawned, sitting up and blinking as she recognized the small room she was in. she slid her legs over the side of the bed and smiled as she saw the black uniform laid out on the end of the bed.

She swiped up, checking her player menu. She tapped the inbox, seeing several messages and she clicked each one. Jakki had sent her thirty credits as payment for the previous night, stating that her crop had been untouched. I'll have to ask Garron about that--about what happened after he kidnapped me. The other messages were from Gemini, Sigmund, and Prince--all variants of the same theme: where she was.

She sighed as she dismissed the menu and stood up, taking a deep breath. What am I doing here? I'm fraternizing with the enemy, something that destroyed my Quadrant. I'm playing with fire.

She jerked as someone knocked on her door.

"Aella?" Garron's voice said. "I saw that you had logged in."

She frowned. Just what kind of abilities does this guy have? She nodded. He is a Legend, so I imagine some pretty advanced skills. She smiled as she called out "I just need to change into my uniform."

There was silence for a moment. "I'll be waiting outside. I just wanted to let you know that Marrilan and her daughter, Rachel, wanted you to join them in gathering some herbs before breakfast. It should give you a level up in scavenging."

She nodded. I really need to figure out what skills I need and how to focus on them. I need to get leveled up. "Sounds good," she called out, reaching for her clothes.

***

"I don't understand," Aella said, glancing at Garron's outstretched hand. She glanced around at the empty common area, her face flushing.

He sighed, chuckling. "If you don't want a forty minute walk straight up the side of the mountain, take my hand." He turned his attention to her, his face turning serious before he winked. "You'll have to trust me."

Aella raised an eyebrow as she looked at his hand, then back at him. She stepped forward, slowly holding her hand out.

He took it, stepping closer to her and putting his other hand on her waist. "Hold on tight," he whispered.

Aella squealed as the air crackled and she jerked away from him, trembling as she saw pine trees surrounding them. "What just happened?" she said, her tone harsh. She sucked in a deep breath, one hand on her chest as she felt her heart racing.

He laughed, clapping as he nodded to her. "You did well--most people throw up after they teleport for the first time."

"Teleport?" she said, shaking her head at him.

"Aella, Garron," Marrilan called to them.

Aella turned her head, seeing the older woman a dozen feet away, kneeling over a patch of green plants, with a younger woman next to her.

"Stop scaring the girl, Garron," the younger woman said, standing and waving to them.

Marrilan stood, both of her hands on her hips. She shook her hand at Garron, the green plants in her hand waving. "You could have warned her, Garron. You'll never cease acting like a child, will you?"

Aella nodded, crossing her arms as she glared at him. "Childish is right."

He laughed and winked at her, then turned and bowed to the older woman. "That's why you love me, ma'am. See you ladies later."