The Chosen One made the party pick the next quest, which involved running around Cobbletown trying to find a flower seller who moved from street to street on an unchanging circuit. Qube didnt think that there was much point to this surely the person who put up the request could have just waited for the flower seller to walk by? but at least the little girl whod requested it was very grateful when they finally gave her the golden daisies she had so badly wanted.
The Hero, however, didnt seem to be particularly interested in the social quest. Even the fact that the golden daisies were sothing that the party hadnt run across before didnt excite him.
Chosen One, are you well? Qube asked as the Hero handed over the flowers without trying to bargain with the little girl to keep so of the daisies or shake her down for more money. Those were unique flowers.
Wait, they were? the Chosen One asked, whipping his head back around to where the girl had just jerkily skipped off. He winced. Ow, okay, that hurts. Qube instinctively reached out and cast [Lesser Heal]. The Hero shifted as her spell sank into him.
We should really get so rest, Qube said. The tiredness from the Wizards Academy had sowhat subsided, but the longer they spent in Cobbletown, the more it returned. A certain pressure was starting to build in her head as well. It wasnt the commanding chains of the Golden Prophecy, rather it was more like cotton wool was stuffed inside her skull, stopping her from thinking as fast as she normally would.
The Chosen One gave one long, slow blink.
Sure, he said, the word sounding slightly distorted. Yeah. Lets go to the inn and get so rest. I dont know if I can stand this for much longer, sorry.
Dont worry, Im tired too, Qube reassured him. An eyebrow flew up, and he examined her face, and then swung around and looked at the rest of the party.
All of them looked tired, and a little bit tattered, like theyd just finished a battle.
Wait, are all of you tired? Like, actually sleepy and not just saying that? the Hero asked. The rest of the party nodded. Even Squiggles gave a big yawn. The Chosen One chewed on his bottom lip. He looked genuinely worried.
Its normal to be tired, Chosen One, Qube reassured him. Why, we used to sleep every night! You shouldnt get so used to adventuring life that you forget what keeps you healthy. When was the last ti you ate?
Actually when was the last ti the rest of the party had eaten? It had been a month or two, at least. That was probably not ideal. The spirit of their grand quest keeping them going was all well and good, but at so point they would need to eat proper food.
Aside from Squiggles, who was munching on sothing crunchy. Qube narrowed her eyes at the pet, who did her best to look as innocent as a furiously chewing sharktopus could.
Squiggles, Qube said warningly. That had better not be sothing you took without asking.
Squiggles grinned, revealing the corner of a flag stuck between her jagged teeth. Qube blushed in embarrassnt.
Yes, well, she said, coughing into her fist. That was for an ergency. Also stop eating that, Sexy Screamy Spider Lady made it especially for you.
My darling, if it brings her more pleasure to consu her adornnts than wear them, I would never tell her not to, the arachnid said as her thorax once again briefly ate a section of her top. The whole party had changed back into their regular outfits so ti ago, sothing Qube was grateful for.
One day she would figure out how to change outfits. One day.
By this point theyd reached the inn, and the Chosen One barged past the crowd of chickens and approached Zakora.
Do we need to pay for rooms to sleep in or we just do it? he asked with his usual tact.
Five copper a room, Zakora said. While she was still polishing a mug, and had yet to actually leave the inn to check out the areas the Royal tokens had given her access to, she seed noticeably friendlier. Unless shed left while theyd been off rescuing Timmy?
Who would even look after the inn while she was away? Normally shopkeepers stayed at their shops until the shops closed, and would then go about their business. The only exception to that was Mr. Igma, who never left. But the inn was always open, and it was always just Zakora there. How did this half-orc take ti to herself?
Before Qube could persuade one of the other party mbers to start interrogating the barkeep about maintaining a healthy balance between work and leisure, the Chosen One threw so money on the counter, and marched up the rickety stairs.
It was a sign of how far Sexy Screamy Spider Lady had co with her self-control that she was not only able to climb the staircase with only a tiny amount of sticking, she also didnt knock over a single item as her legs scrabbled up the wooden stairs.
As soon as they reached the top, the Chosen One walked past the sohow still smouldering ruins of what had once been the Exiled Prince and Exiled Princesss dining room, and brought them to four doors near the end of the corridor.
All right, he said, looking at the party. Ti to [Sleep].
Imdiately, each mber of the party turned to a door, walked into their respective rooms, and fell fast asleep.
---
Qube dread of the Chosen One. In her dream, the numbers that made up her friend turned, and walked downstairs to the inns entrance. There was a strange portal next to the inns doorway, right where the Save Point would be in the real world.
Qube was being watched. She couldnt seem to move, pinned in place in that way peculiar to dreams, but she could feel attention focused on her from the direction of the castle.
It reached out, seeking a connection.
The Chosen One rged with the portal, and all awareness fled.
---
It was morning again by the ti Qube opened her eyes, although it felt like only a few monts had passed. If she hadnt known any better, she would have thought it was the sa morning as when theyd gone to sleep. Or maybe it was only later in the sa day? She heard heavy footsteps climbing the staircase, and the Chosen Ones voice bounced down the corridor.
Rise and shine! he said. Qube instantly sat upright and was out of the bed in seconds, despite the fog still hindering her thoughts.
Chosen One, did you sleep at all? she asked, looking in shock at the nearly-haggard Hero. The Chosen One rubbed his face.
What? Oh. No. Ive been busy, he said.
What have you been doing? Qube asked, hurt that he hadnt invited her.
Studying, the Chosen One said.
Studying? Qube asked, blinking. Had he gone to the Royal Library to study? Without her? She started breathing deeply to try and stay in control but could still feel her cheeks beginning to redden with emotion. Im sure I could have helped you study, Chosen One! I wasnt that tired!
The Hero stopped rubbing his face and gave Qube a slightly dazed look. After a few seconds, what she was saying seed to sink in.
Oh, he said. Oh! No, no, not here. Studying sothing in the Devs Realm.
Oh. Qube dropped her shoulders slightly as she realised shed been bracing herself. Thats different. Of course, you would have more ti there. Well, if you ever need any help studying things from the Devs realm and youre allowed to share them with us, Im sure everyone would be more than happy to help you study!
Certain things would be of interest to . Science and anatomy in particular, Definitely Bad Guy said thoughtfully. Sewer Bard also perked up.
I would indeed be most pleased if you could find a way to bring us copies of the various sagas popular in the Devs realms! he said, with more enthusiasm than Qube had heard from him in a long ti. Why, I could help adapt and popularise them here, while also bringing our local stories to the Devs realm when we ascend!
It was the first ti Qube had heard him actually sound excited about ascending.
Sexy Screamy Spider Lady was silent for a mont as she looked at the Hero. The Chosen One looked directly back at her, sothing he rarely did. The Hunter smiled, showing her fangs as she tapped a claw against her cheek.
Hmm, she said playfully, popping out her abdon. Maybe just so fun, light reading for ? Oh! she straightened upright, as just struck by a sudden thought. I wouldnt want to get into trouble when we ascend, so maybe you could help a girl out and find so books on the law? I wouldnt want to get arrested or anything for being naughty, she finished with a pout.
Qube nodded her agreent. That was sothing she hadnt even thought of! They would have to make sure they knew what all the rules and laws were when they ascended, so they didnt accidentally offend anyone or do sothing illegal! The Chosen One, no doubt stunned by Sexy Screamy Spider Ladys brilliant idea, stared at the arachnid a second longer before shrugging.
Sure, I can see if theyll actually I dont know how theyll do any of that stuff, but I can ask, the Chosen One said. He looked at Squiggles, waiting to see what her request was.
Squiggles just opened her maw.
The Chosen One nodded.
Sure, he replied to her unspoken request. He yawned and stretched. Oh man, I am exhausted, he complained. Oh yeah! How are you all feeling?
No different, Qube said, and the others all made various noises of agreent. The Chosen Ones mouth quirked downwards for a second before reverting to his usual amiable expression, marred only by the weariness weighing him down.
Hmm, he said to himself as he slowly led them down the stairs and into what was now a truly enormous amount of chickens hanging out with the inns regulars. The clucking, drinking, and smoke was almost overwhelming. The Chosen One certainly seed affected by it, trying his best to carefully shove chickens and patrons out of his way so he could exit the place. He didnt even stop to greet Zakora, instead rapidly shuffling until he was outside.
Not that things were much better there, as soone was still teleporting around, and the childrens laughter was echoing despite the fact that no children were visible. Even the music was now skipping every few seconds.
The Hero pressed his fingers against his temples, closing his eyes.
Okay, this is this is hurting, he said thickly. So you all feel bad and tired too, right? Then this isnt working. I put in the request but I dont think I can be here while we wait. Im sorry.
What did that an? What were they waiting for?
He reached out and touched the Save Point, and reality jittered. His body contorted for a second, before his hand finished passing through the Save Point, and he straightened up, reinvigorated. He looked around, rolling his shoulders.
Yup, still a hot ss, he said as he scanned the entire courtyard they were standing in. But now Ive got a solution! he said cheerfully, with all his renewed energy. Follow !
He started walking towards the richer area, where they had once found a basent full of skeletons.
Hopefully once were out of the main area things will settle down a little, he said, pressing a few fingers to his temple again. This is so serious overload.
Qube wasnt sure if she should be asking the Hero to tell her what exactly was wrong, healing him, or demanding to know what his solution was. Instead she just settled for looking at him inquiringly. Her brain was so foggy.
Things did indeed seem to be less chaotic as they reached the area with the larger houses. Qube noticed that the house theyd burned down however long ago was still destroyed, no efforts having been made to fix it. Who was responsible for that? Given the city was run by a tyrant, was it left to the owner to call in a crew to co fix up the burned-out property? The owner had been Evil, Qube was pretty sure, so maybe they just didnt care about fixing things?
All right, the Chosen One said, stopping at the abode next to the ruined house. Before we go in, though, theres a couple of things Im going to have to explain.
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