Torral (Rp for Adam)

He didn’t have answers to any of their questions. In the end, all he had was more questions and no answers. His dreams were filled with vivid and very life-like scenes. It was almost like the reading of a book. He could only see one page at a time, but each time the page was flipped, he got more information that he needed. He had lost his way and didn’t really know how to proceed. His leaving of everything he knew and held dear was hard and it caused change within him. Most of his people couldn’t have survived coming to this world. The change was simply too great. Was that why they had chosen him? Was it because he could adapt where others couldn’t? He had no answers, but his dreams were leading him somewhere. He was sure that just one more flip of the page would give him the answer he sought. So naturally, he woke just before that page turn. The dream was incomplete.

He listened for a moment with his eyes closed. He would know if anything was out of place. He shook his head and opened his eyes. Then he stood and went to the bathroom to answer the call of nature. With great difficulty, he even figured out how to use the shower to get his first hot shower. He had to smell all the stuff in there before finding a scent that wasn’t too girly. He still came out smelling vaguely of some fruit he didn’t even know what was. He had two towels wrapped around his waist, knotted at the ends, so that it was barely big enough to fit his frame. He put on clean pants and his own boots. He went through his meager supply of clothes and finally chose a simple homespun shirt. He ran a bone comb through his hair and then tied it up in a ponytail using a leather tie. He checked his face in a mirror thing. He would need a shaving kit as one of his essential items. It was too hot here for a beard.

He shrugged and went out toward the common area and kitchen. He wasn’t sure how long he had slept, but he felt very much refreshed. He stretched his arms over his head and yawned loudly. He was starved, but he didn’t want to sleep again. He had a feeling the healer had laced his food to make sure he slept. He would find out shortly he was sure. It was good to be awake and not feeling weak. His runes hadn’t activated, so his power was recharged. He was resilient to most things. He wondered idly if his people had ever encountered slime poisoning before. There was always a first time for everything. He had a feeling that they still had company. Since he was hearing sounds from the kitchen. Maybe even Shea was awake. He stepped through the doorway and looked around carefully.

“Morning, or whatever time of day it. I can never tell in this metal coffin. I want to feel the wind through my hair and the sun on my face. Even swimming would be acceptable if none of the others are to be had.”

He nodded and was happy to see that she was up and moving. She seemed to have healed up rather well. He listened to her explanation as he got a portion of food to eat. He was ravenous and sure enough, she cooked enough to feed a large family. Therefore, it should be just about enough for the two of them. He had just finished eating when she came out of the bathroom needing his help. He took the gauze and tape and bandaged her back. He had no doubts why she was having trouble moving.

“They explained toothpaste to me, I thought it was paint. The Gods were merciful to you it seems, though we were very sick, they helped you overcome the Slime poisoning. I had hoped they would heal more, but divine healing can only go so far as I understand it. You fought very well against the smelly fish people. If there is a next time, we should work together. Your speed and my size could do wonders. Also, I think we could prevent more injuries if everyone of the defenders paired up with someone. Even if they formed small groups of three or four and spent time practicing together. I do believe the fish people would be less inclined to attempt the city. Your input would be greatly appreciated on this subject. I don’t know enough to know if it is a good idea or bad idea for this place.”

He finished the bandaging and let her shirt fall back into place. This idea somewhat just fell into his head when he thought of them fighting together. He knew that he could drive them back, or knock them over and she could score many quick kills that way. It also offered both of them a degree of protection that they otherwise lacked. He also pulled out a small piece of the paper that he had originally drawn the runes on. He was making a list of things he needed from the inner city. A clothes hamper, clothes, a shaving kit, he put weapons and armor with a question mark at the end. He wanted to look and see what was offered, he doubted they would have his size, but it was worth looking at the smith’s work. Next, he wrote out a list of herbs, spices and incense. He needed a small stone etching kit, as well as flat, worked stones. He needed small brushes and ink making materials, only which had to be combined by him, as it needed his blood.

He looked slowly down through his list and wondered if he would need anything else. He thought for a moment before adding fishing gear. He wanted to be able to provide some of the food for meals. He showed her his list. He had written it out in common. His handwriting was cramped, but easily legible on the page. The letters were crisp and neat. It was at this point she would realize something interesting about him. He was trained in the old way. The script had to be cramped to make room for the calligraphy. He probably didn’t know that it was unnecessary to add it unless it was a holy script. Also, he drew it fast and accurately based on the letters. It was more as if he was drawing the words instead of writing. The best description for it was a stained glass window where the words seem to come alive on the page.

“What do you think of my list for supplies? We can get the core ingredients while in the inner city. I still want to catch some big fish from the deep water. There is likely a place we can trawl fish. Hang a line out and let it run for fifty or sixty feet. That would let the speed of the city draw it for us. Then we pull in whatever takes bite first. It’s a good idea if we are allowed to do it. I have seen some of the fish as the nets are hauled up. I want to catch one that size on a line.”

He didn’t speak when they entered the shop. He figured that silence would serve him better than speaking. He was learning, but a lot of this stuff would just take time. He raised an eyebrow when they came to a fair price of 50 platinum’s. He had never even seen 10 platinum’s before. In the northlands, he would be rich, able to do whatever he wanted for the rest of his life. He would not have to worry about anything except supply. He couldn’t believe a few sparkly stones were worth this much. These lowlanders were airsick.

When she led him to Markum’s store, he was very surprised to find stuff that he could wear. He put three changes of clothes in the basket. This included shirts, pants and underclothing. He scanned the armor and chose out some boiled leather. He didn’t want it to be too heavy, but also wanted it to be wearable while he worked. A second pair of boots went on top of the other things he had found. He got small things like the razor kit, and a nice set of cheap, but flat stones he was looking for. He found a wide variety of spices and foodstuff that would make many meals for them. The last thing he found was fishing gear.

He smiled as he went through the different types. He found the trawling line as well as the regular kind for dock fishing. He got strong line; he planned to catch a fish so big that it could feed both him and Shea for a few meals. He rubbed his hands together as he got what he expected they would need. Then he showed Shea what he had gotten. He almost forgot the laundry hamper, but the basket she gave him seemed to be one. At least it was serviceable as one. He remembered other toiletries after thinking of the trio of old guys who came to her apartment place. He picked up toothpaste, a toothbrush and other basic toiletries, like men’s soap and shampoo. Not that he knew much about it, but it was worthwhile to have the stuff he assumed. They were just cheap sundries. He honestly didn’t know how much all of this would come too.

Once she saw the stuff, he went back inside with it and tried the weapons on the rack. He liked some more than others. He frowned heavily as he lifted a particular axe up. He asked the person watching him a very serious question.

“These all feel strangely light, do you have anything heavier? Like a lot heavier? How can I mow through the stinky fish folk with stuff this light? I would prefer a two hander. I want to try my hand at dual wielding two massive axes or a hammer and great axe. I don’t see many hammers among your wares.”

He looked to Shea, though he doubted she would be able to help him with weapons.

He grabbed a hamper to make her happy. He sighed heavily wondering why they would want to make such light weapons. The y obviously favored speed over power. He wasn’t sure why that was the case. Shea was a speed type fighter, but for him, he was afraid he would over swing and do more damage to himself.

“Perhaps I should bring my axe, but puny smith here couldn’t even lift it. You can say what you want, but the truth is there is more kinds of fighters then speed type. If you’re only strong enough to use mithril then I can sort of understand it, but its only one type of metal. Seems to me your weakening the metal by not utilizing it effectively, none of these would have passed even an apprentice level smith in the Northlands.”

It may sound like an insult, but truthfully, he had seen better apprentice level work. He wondered how his own work stacked up against this stuff. His weapons had made the sahguin run like they feared for their lives. They felt the weight and power behind his attacks and it scared them. It seemed to him that they did not understand the difference between speed and power. With speed, one usually needed multiple attacks to kill. With power, it generally only took one hit and he enjoyed taking out more than one with a single hit. He was critical of the work, but he had to be. His life depended on how good a weapons make was. The vendor had made fun of him for wanting a heavier weapon. He saw no reason not to tell him exactly what he thought of his wares. He looked back to Shea.

“Is there any master or grandmaster smiths in this town? Or must we wait until we get someplace with real fighters? You look tired and in pain. Perhaps we should go back so you can rest. I should not have kept you out here so long. The healer will probably yell at me and try to make me eat soup that puts me to sleep for two days.”

He listened as the smith spoke. He nodded as the man stood and showed his runes. He hadn’t spoken since he finished insulting him. He hadn’t even realized that he had shifted to the Viking language when he talked to the male. He was so upset over being treated poorly. At least that was what he assumed the smith was saying.

“My weapons are made from platinum and iron mixed to form a stronger weapon.  The axe I carry is my primary forging after I completed rite of passage to adult hood. I was 12 when I learned the secrets of the forge. Were you making fun of me when you laughed? It sounded like it in common tongue. The inflections are still strange to me. I don’t usually take offense, as the customs here are still strange to me. “

He looked to Shea and then thought about the fish creatures and salt water. He reverted to the common tongue as he looked at one of the mithril weapons.

“Do you use zirconium to seal the blades you make? Iron and steel would turn to rust in days here. I have not worked with mithril, but liquid zirconium would stop that. The weapon would never corrode as long as the zirconium metal coats the blades. It would also help against slime and even acid.”

He followed Shea over and handed over the amount necessary. He did have to change out platinum, but he was thrilled to see costs weren’t much worse than he was used too. He needed to learn more about this place. He just didn’t know exactly how to put his thoughts into words.

He nodded to Schmidt as he replied to his query. He had jumped the gun then. He would need to make things right. He thought for a moment as Shea spoke to him. He shook his head and then responded once again to the old Viking.

“I offer apologies; I took insult where one was intended. I would offer you blood rite. I spoke out of anger. Your weapons did feel very strange in my hand. It is likely because none of them were made for my hand. I would like to learn more of southern smithing. You say the mithril is for speed and strength. But if one is strong enough. Would extra weight hinder the killing of the piranhaguin? Also would a mithril great axe or hammer weigh double what these smaller weapons do?”

It was weird for him to have this conversation, but he was very curious. He was trying to understand. His Northern upbringing would not let him believe mithril was superior to his weapons. The side of him that protected would use the best means he possibly could. It was as if he was at war with himself. His pride in weapons he made with his own hands. That was against his need to protect those around him. It was a hard battle, especially after he called the work apprentice level.

His mind went back to Shea’s questions. He had a feeling they should get back. He doubted if she could walk that far unaided now though. He frowned slightly.

“No we can go back. You look ready to fall down. You need to eat and rest. I should probably rest more too. Maybe after you rest, if you’re up for it, we can go fishing. I still think a harpoon setup, with fresh, bloody bait would bring the biggest fish. What do they call those strong monster fish? Sharks? I heard they taste really good. I can carry you back if that would be easier. I think we would make better time. I know you don’t want to be a burden, but you can’t weight more than a few stones. I think my axe weighs more than you do. So the stuff I paid for will be delivered?”

He waited for nearly thirty minutes before entering the teashop with all his things. He had little doubt he would find her among the racks searching through every type of tea that caught her fancy. He wanted tea as well, but his type needed a kick. Instead of searching for Shea, he perused the Northern Continent teas. He wanted to see if their master blender had some of his People’s teas among their stores. He had a feeling someone would arrive quickly. This was most likely due to his being the proverbial bull in a china shop.

He was taking his time and being careful as he searched the teas. He found one he recognized and grinned wickedly as beside the tea was hard cured yaks butter. He would purchase some of this tea and the butter. He liked variety, so he marked this spot and kept looking. He would like a measure of a few. He was thinking of looking at the teas of the southern desert. On his way to other sections, he almost fell over Shea, since he wasn’t paying attention to his feet.

“I thought you got lost in here, though I can see the fascination. I want you to try special tea. They have it here. We can have tea upstairs I believe. I was looking for some of the southern spice teas and maybe one to two others that are different. I like to sample a variety to see if I like them or not. The more unique the scent and blend the better the experience. So perhaps we can pick a tea that originates some place neither of us has been to, seen, or even heard of. The experience is worth it even if the tea doesn’t taste good.”

He nodded and laughed about the valerian root tea. He explained to the seller the tea he had picked out and he wanted five bags of it, plus five of the yak’s butter. He was sure she would know exactly what he meant. Few teas here likely had yaks butter as an ingredient. He smiled to Shea.

“I have heard the spicier something is, the better it is for the heat. But, I do want you to try the tea of my homeland. You might find it tastier then you expect. I have a feeling it is very much like your chai. We add yaks milk as well to it. So perhaps I can find some here. I guess any milk or cream would do, but it would be odd.”

They were passing teas, but he caught scent of something great. He stopped and tried to find the elusive scent. It took him a moment, but he pulled out a bag and inhaled deeply. It had a strong earthy scent, one he remembered from somewhere. It was as if someone pulled a fresh loaf of bread out of the oven. Only it didn’t smell like bread. The scent and blend was very complex. His nose was still identifying all the herbs within. He could easily smell the vanilla and cinnamon. The elusive scent was peppermint and something he couldn’t quite name. Whatever it was, it was powerful and heady. He grabbed as many bags as he could hold. He seemed very happy to have found a spicy tea; he saw the label marked it as spiced pu-erh chai.

“Shea, look what I found. It has the most amazing scent imaginable. I have to get some.”

He seemed happy to have found it. It was something new, but the scent evoked strong nostalgic feelings within him. There was a very good chance he would love it. The scent was very nearly intoxicating.

He nodded as she found more teas. He snagged one rarer one. Well it was rare to him. He snagged a few bags. This one also bore an earthy scent to it. It was different, he had never smelled anything quite like it, but it called to him in ways nothing else did. He actually got the last bags of it. He nodded to himself and then spoke aloud.

“Alright, let’s go pay. Then we can have fun sampling the teas we got. I want you to try my homelands tea. I think you might like it. It’s a winter blend, but it shouldn’t hurt too badly. Seasonal teas are hard, especially since the only seasons I have seen on this ocean were hot and wet.”

He moved toward the front and set down the new teas he had acquired in his travels around the world of tea. He counted many bags, nowhere near as many as Shea had. He even paid without thinking out of the money he got changed for the platinum piece. Then he frowned slightly.

“Shea, how does this tea parlor place work? I don’t understand how we brew it up there just to taste. Is it a special place?”

He nodded slowly and gave her money for the tea and the use of the basket. He followed when she led him upstairs to the tearoom. The rooms were a bit strange to his way of thinking. When she finally got to the section, she wanted he simply blinked. He didn’t understand what made this section different from any of the others. It was just different and he didn’t really know how.

He frowned at her reaction. He knew she was going to need the doctor to check her out. She was stronger, but she had worn herself out. He asked for two cups of his homelands tea, made with yaks butter and yaks milk if they had it. He had a feeling she would need the extra. The doctor may disagree, but this tea was good for a variety of things. It’s why they drank so much of it in the northlands. Yes, it was mainly to help with the cold, but it was also herbal, and it was really good for a cure-all. He thought about asking her to add something else to it, but he didn’t know how Shea would react to it. He had to think about it for a bit. He did ask for something special though.

“With the tea can we get a pot of honey? Preferably, with honeycomb and pollen not removed. Shea will need the boost from the honey. Otherwise, I may have to carry her back to her rooms. Do you serve foods as well? I don’t mind paying extra.”

He pulled a slip of paper and a writing utensil from his stuff. He wrote a quick message on it and handed it to the waitress. He had not spoken aloud on purpose. Shea would have been pissed if she knew what he had planned. The note was simple and he wanted to make sure it was understood. He requested the presence of the healer or if she couldn’t come, to send some of her handy sleeping potion to add to Shea’s tea. She needed something and that was all he could think of at this time. He had a feeling she would be better in a few more days at most. With the note, he added a gold piece as a tip.

“That’s for the special treat I am asking for. I will add another tip after we finish up here.”

He winked at her before his attention went back to Shea.

“Are you alright? You’re looking a bit green around the edges. I know you over did it, just wish I knew how to heal with runes. Sadly, I don’t have any toothpaste with us; the room did smell very good afterwards. Sick rooms always stink, so I did you a favor by my way of thinking.”

He smiled as they brought the food and tea. He ate ravenously. He finished the large sandwich before drinking his tea. He savored it and only added a small bit of honey. He really liked the tea that could be because it was the main tea his people had. He watched her intently as she drank the tea.

“The tea is delicious; did they add something to yours? Your face looks like the milk is curdled. I am glad the omelet agrees with you. It looks like your losing the fight against sleep. You have been fighting it for the last while. “

He continued to sip his tea as he watched her carefully. He knew she suspected or outright knew he had them give her the healer’s tea. She needed to heal and she couldn’t do that without rest and sleep. She was burning up her already depleted stores of energy by fighting her need to rest. His smile deepened as he asked for the bill. He was going to pay for this one way or another. So he may as well start by paying their bill. He even gave a generous tip. He was sure they didn’t care much about the tip; they were just worried about Shea. He knew he would have to carry her back to her place. He just had to manage his bundles so he could carry her too.

He smiled at the waitress. He figured he had done pretty well for the day.

“She will be pissed, but I am hoping she forgets quickly. She really needed the sleep; she just wouldn’t stop long enough to heal up. Can I get some raw honey and honey comb to go? It’s really good and Shea seems to love it too. We will be back when she is feeling better, there is a lot more tea blends I would like to try. Especially the earthly scented blends, they call to me.”

He settled everything and got his goods secured in a way he could manage both them and Shea. He lifted Shea up and carried her back to her apartment. He only had to stop a few times to ask for directions. It was a decent walk and he didn’t know his way around very well yet.

Once back at her place he settled her into bed, only removing her boots, before covering her up. Then he went to put the leftover food and supplies away. He hummed contentedly as he worked. He did any clean up that needed doing, and then he tended to his weapons. They always needed a good sharpening and oiling.