Good News

Kade wasn’t sure what it was, but something was pulling him from home. Maybe it was wanderlust. He normally never felt struck by the need to travel, but when he was younger, he had done a lot more of it. He’d encountered a girl recently who was so proud and open about her dragon heritage that it got him thinking. He knew better than to be that open about things he’d been taught to keep secret. He didn’t flash his fangs for anyone. He didn’t explain to anyone just how strong the aroma of his flower garden could be to him. His flower garden, a very specific reason to stay home. He’d spoken to Ava about tending to his flower garden. She claimed it would be a pleasure, though something in her eyes implied manual labor was still beyond her. He would be interested to see how she handled things. Still, he only knew of one person at Lamia Scale, one human being, who knew he was a dragon slayer. A little girl whose relationship with the darkness made his insistence on speaking to her laughably ironic. How had she found out? A moment of weakness. She knew more about him than she probably wanted to, but at least she had listened intently. Her inability to turn away when he spoke to her so seriously only encouraged him talk to her later, despite her hiding from him.

Just because Kade didn’t talk about his history with Celtor didn't mean he wasn't proud of it. It probably frustrated him more than he would admit when he saw people bragging about it. They didn't need to be ashamed of it, but he couldn't imagine all the dragons having such a different stance on dragon slayer training. Oh, was one dragon telling his pupil that they needed to keep this a secret? For all the reasons he had learned and abided by as a child. But no, if someone else wanted to spill the secrets, as long as it wasn't you, that was fine? Kade was pretty sure that was inaccurate. Oh well, he couldn't help them. One of the two he'd seen acting in that way annoyed him, the other interested him. The boy was rather... reckless. The girl was as well, but something about her calmed Kade's otherwise existent frustrations. Perhaps it was that someone important to her so clearly idolized her. He could see it in their interactions. How important was she to him? A girl who couldn't look him in the face, and would probably never consider them friends? Important enough that were she gone, it would shake him deeply.

Luckily Kade didn't expect Ren to be going anywhere. Really, nowhere. When she decided to take a job recently he was shocked. Of course, he'd encouraged it. Encouraged her all the way out the door. When she returned, battered and generally a mess, it hurt him. He felt responsible. The cut on her face, the deep burns on her hoodie. A hoodie he knew was like a close personal friend to her. He felt... bad. It was only the look of satisfaction on her face that swayed him. And oh was she satisfied. In fact, she was so proud of herself, she went to buy someone else a present. He knew she didn't even like money, getting it or giving it, so this was a change. She was doing good for herself, and good for others. Shouldn't Kade be doing that too? Maybe that was part of why he'd left his lovely home in Lamia Scale, and was taking a small trip. A trip to Clover. He'd never spent any amount of time there, but why shouldn't he? Maybe he would find someone who needed help, someone he could talk to. He did so love to travel, and to learn people's stories. Yes, wanderlust and a desire to help people... that was why Kade was travelling.

He had on a short sleeved t-shirt and some jeans. His necklace was a strange addition to this outfit, but he wasn’t about to take it off. He had a change of clothes and a lightweight coat in his backpack. His bow was also slung over his shoulder. He planned to use his bow for some good hunting while he was gone. He could sleep in a tree, wash up in a river, and hunt for his food. It was going to be a real return to his roots. Of course he would venture in to town to meet people and hear their stories. Wow, he was getting excited. He didn’t even care that he’d been walking for days to reach Clover Town. Why Clover Town? Because when he pointed to the map, his finger hit Clover Town. Did people have other reasons for picking locations when all they had was wanderlust and the need to help? Well, okay, he hadn’t known anyone who fit the first qualify, so that was an unfair question. It didn’t really matter though. As he neared Clover Town his aching feet and general tiredness no longer mattered. He was here, and he was going to have a good time. Well, until some woman approached him. She seemed to be paying special attention to the slightly visible guild tattoo on his arm.

“Oh, excuse me sir,” the woman said, walking somewhat quickly toward Kade still. He paused, not sure what she wanted at that moment. He didn’t usually get accosted for services from strangers, although it had happened. His life sometimes looked like a hero on some less than epic quests. Townsfolk needed help raising a barn? Cat stuck in a tree? Did you really need some help talking to your brother-in-law about that debt he’s owed you since he married your sister? Well the blue haired man with the shining personality was clearly your man. The tattoo on his arm seemed like a beacon for petty tasks to be thrust upon Kade. It was perfect for him, since he loved learning about people, and helping them.

“Yes ma’am? Is there something troubling you?” he asked, feeling just a bit more like that hero on his mundane quest. Mundane was all well and good for Kade though. It wasn’t about the flash and the reward, it was about the people, and about living life. The woman put a finger to her lips thoughtfully, then gently pointed at his arm.

“You aren’t by chance part of Blue Pegasus?” she asked. It was a rather disappointing question for Kade, but he lifted his sleep to show her the sign better, and seeing her face drop practically wounded Kade.

“Ah, I’m afraid not, Ma’am, but I am a part of Lamia Scale. Is there anything I can help you with?” Kade asked her politely. He wasn’t sure what she needed Blue Pegasus for. Maybe she had a sibling among their ranks and needed a message delivered. Blue Pegasus weren’t Kade’s favorite group of people, but he would at least try. Still, he needed to hear her request first, if she was willing to explain it to him.

“Oh, well… you see, I sent them a request. I need someone to send a letter for me,” she said, biting her lip and seeming somewhat distressed about the whole situation.

A letter? he thought, hiding his question from his facial features. He didn’t want to seem rude. “If you don’t mind the question, Ma’am… why don’t you just send the letter via the normal means? Why would it need a guild escort?” he asked her calmly.

“Oh, but it isn’t just a letter!” she insisted. He was sure she would say something about secrets, or money, or… well, something crucial. Instead she informed him that “it is a letter to my dear Mark. He’s so lovely. The love of my life,” she said with a deep sigh. Kade smiled at her. It was… cute. “I cannot risk him not receiving my letter. Its so important to me,” she insisted yet again.

“Ah, well I assure you, I understand the importance of that,” he told her, using his best comforting voice. He could be quite sympathetic and quite understanding when need be. She looked at him, as if she wasn’t sure she could trust him with this most important task.

“have you ever been in love?” she asked him. He let out a small, almost amused laugh, and felt for sure his cheeks were just a bit warmer than necessary.

“No, I can… definitely say I haven’t been in love. However I dearly love some people, and I don’t find the understanding of love to be exclusive to those currently in it.” She eyed him like he wasn’t making enough sense, but after a moment she nodded. He certainled hoped this Mark fellow returned her feelings. She seemed so deeply emotionally involved, and she also seemed a pleasant lady. There was also her beauty. The woman, whose name Kade had yet to learn, looked around his age, had blue eyes similar, but brighter, than Kade’s, and long sea green hair. He could imagine bards singing songs about her, and painters using her as a muse. He had known many eternal beauties painted or written about in Celtor’s collection. She was most certainly not lacking in any of the proper qualities, at least from first impressions.

“Well… I also… I don’t know if I can let anyone else take the task,” she reminded him.

“Are the people here to take your letter yet?” he asked, looking around. The area was empty except the two of them.

“… clearly not,” she sighed, sounding disappointed.

“Is the letter very urgent? Is it very important to you to get it there as quickly as you can?”

“Oh, definitely!” she said, immediately perking up with almost desperate insistence.

“Then, Ma’am, my name is Kade Lazarus,” he said, extending his hand toward her, “And if you would like my assistance, you very clearly have it.”

She beamed at him, immediately swept up in the offer. Well, that had worked better than he could have hoped. He wasn’t lying to her. He was a reputable mage, and he was going to make sure her letter got to its destination if he had to walk right into a dark guild to do it…. He then might freak out and fight everyone. Still, that probably wasn’t going to be the case.

“My name is Linda. I really appreciate your help. I’ve been just so anxious waiting for someone from Blue Pegasus to show up. But I suppose… you are here, and Mark must get my letter… so can you come back to my house so I can explain things to you?” she asked.

“Absolutely, Linda,” Kade said. He still felt like calling her Ma’am to show respect, but he felt familiarity was more important right now. She wanted comfort, and to feel as though she could trust him. Keeping a respectful distance was all well and good, but he didn’t think it was what she’d need at the moment. He kept this in mind as he followed her to her home. She was a beautiful woman, he reminded himself, and this Mark guy was lucky to have her. Kade even informed her of that.

Linda blushed, “Oh… well, I think I’m luckier to have him. You don’t know him, of course… but he’s a wonderful man. We can’t be together yet… and he’s so far away… well I won’t bore you with all the details, but I do so appreciate you delivering this for me. It… it really means the world to me,” she insisted. He nodded, smiling gently and assuring her he would do a good job. It was nice to see someone so wrapped up in their relationship that they could be that happy. He’d flirted with women before, and he’d actually dated a few since he got back into normal society, but nothing where he was deeply in love. It made him even happier to help.

She explained to him that her dear Mark lived in Era. Oh… so Kade had just made it here, and now he was leaving again. His expression mellowed for a moment. Less of his happy “I am so pleased to help” face, and more thoughtful. Linda seemed to worry, and asked if something was wrong, or if he didn’t want to go to Era, or some such thing.

“No, no, Era is fine. I promise. I was just surprised at the quick turnaround. Show up, meet a lovely woman, leave immediately,” he said with a smile and a shrug. Well, she didn’t seem to take him as lightheartedly as he’d hoped, and worried more, “Really, really I promise it is fine, Linda. I’m happy to travel. I will head out there, deliver the letter, and if he has anything for you, I’ll even bring it back. And no need to worry, I’m a professional,” he reminded her, teasing just enough to get a smile back on her face. He liked being able to make people smile.

Linda informed Kade that he could spend the night at her house. He might have been wary about sleeping at a stranger’s house, but it wasn’t part of how his mind worked. If he could sleep in the woods alone and wake at the slightest danger, he could sleep at a helpless woman’s home for a night. So he readily agreed and she made him a bed on her couch.

Kade had nothing against Era, but he’s been surprised to be going there. He had nothing against sleeping outside, but he was grateful for the couch. Isn’t his bed at home. IT wasn’t his bed back at the castle. It wasn’t as good, but it was still a pretty cool place. That morning Linda made Kade breakfast and he made small talk with her. He loved small talk, and apparently she was quite a fan of that as well. They enjoyed themselves for about an hour that morning, before Kade headed out. It was a good situation… the weather was nice, the road was clear, and Kade was loving the sunshine.

He was nearly to Era when he first encountered some people. Kade’s first reaction was that he could hear the steps as they came out of their hiding place. His second was oh, how cute, they have masks. He wasn’t’ foolish, he knew what two masked men, approaching an unarmed man on the road into town would mean. It was classic. He chuckled to himself, hands behind his head, fingers locked.

“What’s up, fellas? Coming to invite me to tea? Or… let me guess… are you looking for something from me?” Kade had his bow on his back, the lack of arrows probably making him look temporarily helpless. His guild tattoo was covered, and his pack contained the letter. They didn’t look to fully appreciate his teasing.

“Joke’s over. Give us your money and you can leave. Just a small finder’s fee,” one of them informed Kade. The other one nodded.

“Yeah, just everyone you’ve got and you can go.”

“Aw, but I really like everything I’ve got,” Kade said, his expression turning into an easy grin. Really though… bandits? Really? He just was not impressed. “Come on, we can talk this out, or you can attack me. It’s your choice, but you’re not getting any of my money. I’d really like to get to Era without conflict,” he informed them casually. He swung his arms down, stretching a little. He was sure this would result in conflict, and they certainly didn’t disappoint him.

One of the ill prepared robbers created a lightning spear and charged Kade, attempting to spear him with it. Kade rarely got to show his fighting experience. Usually it was ranged or few and far between sparing matches, but right now he was going to enjoy it. He sidestepped, swinging an elbow into the man’s head. It wasn’t charged with a spell, but he was definitely disoriented. Kade swung around with a kick. He could have gone from behind, knocking the man’s legs out from under him, but instead his leg swept around from up front, using enough power to sweep the man over, knocking him down on his face.

The other saw the trouble and made his own spear. It appeared he was going for ranged combat. “Oh, I can play that game,” Kade said, smirking. He slammed his palms together, hands open, and before the robber could think, he had charged his spell. His hands turned into pure light energy and from them he shot is solar beam attack. It was far from his strongest spell, but he wasn’t looking for overkill. If need be, he would make them suffer, but not unless they refused to leave him be. Or if they ticked him off. He was actually enjoying the minor conflict right now. What was there to complain about?

The attack knocked the spear out of the man’s hand, singeing him as well. He ran forward, about to enact some very foolish attack stratedy, but instead Kade threw a punch in his direction. A slice of light moved from Kade’s hand, sending two of his overcharged Light shards at the man. It flew through the air at high speeds, connecting and lodging in his shoulders. He let out a yell, but then fell to his knees.

“Wasn’t that fun, fellas? Well, I’ll leave you to tending to your wounds. Towns not far, maybe check in to a doctor. I’m sure you have an honest living to maybe… figure out,” he said with a shrug. He had yet to break a sweat. It was actually fairly disappointing… oh well. He didn’t fight just to fight. He walked past the men without incident.

MP: 140/200

Kade strolled right into Era. He went to the address, and lo and behold, there was Mark. He had a small hesitation at dealing with Kade. Oh, some random man around his age was sending letters for his girl? Well, she was lovely, as Kade reminded him. That didn’t help. Mark knew she was lovely. Oh well, he just wanted the letter. Mark was immediately pleased and pacified by whatever was in the letter. Kade went to lunch, giving Mark time if he wanted to return something to his lovely Linda. He did. Kade got the letter on the way back and bid him good day.

Mr. Lazarus whistled to himself as he walked. Why did he travel this much? Well, at least he was in shape, right? That was the important thing. Also the more important thing was that he knew Linda would be pleased. He enjoyed helping people. When he returned to Clover Town Linda was on her porch. She lit up at the sight of Kade, though he knew it was just because of the letter in his bag. Messenger man, that was him. No super specially trained dragon slayer. Nah, that was a different day. Today was about making people happy. He couldn’t help but smile as Linda beamed and blushed and took the letter. She paid him, but he wasn’t all that worried about the money. As he headed out, happy to find his own adventures again, he was warmed to know he’d made her day.

MP: 140/200
Word Total: 3006/500