Dust Warrior Chp 2

 As she walked, she saw a few children playing in the street, doing a double take the second boy missed his mark on the ball he was trying to kick and fell. She glanced at them curiously as both stared at her with their mouths agape. Shaking her head at the oddness of children she continued. Passing the open-air market, she drew more stares and began to feel a bit uncomfortable as table after table grew silent at her approach. She wanted to stop and find out what was the matter but thought better of it and just picked up her pace. Finally reaching Tesven's door she set the bag down and knocked. She kept glancing nervously behind her, but no one was coming. Knocking again she heard a faint call-in answer. After a moment the door was opened by a tiny female wearing an apron and cap as if she had been cleaning. As she looked up at Nikawa her eyes bugged, and her mouth dropped open. After a moment of stunned silence, she turned and ran back into the house slamming the door in Nikawa's face. Shocked she stood there for a moment not sure what to do. The door reopened and this time it was Tesven that answered. Tesven gave her a sweeping look from head to toes and back up. He looked surprised, not just to see her, but at her appearance.

"Do I have something on my face or what? Why is everyone acting so strangely around me?"

Tesven stepped out the front door and motioned her to follow him around the back. She was pleased to see a beautiful, enclosed garden with a stone patio and a table and chairs. He instructed her to set her pack and bag down on the table and then led her to a small curtained off area. She realized it was a shower. There was a mirror there as well and as she caught sight of herself, she let out a small shriek. She looked awful, no wonder everyone had been staring. She had multiple rips and tears in her clothing, dried blood in some of those locations and worst of all there were several smudges on her face that looked like gore. Her hair was full of leaves and twigs, and she looked an absolute sight. Tesven watched her and began to laugh at the wide-eyed shocked look of her face.

"Here, please clean yourself up. I will have Pikipsi bring some fresh clothes for you to change into. They will be simple, but they will suit for the time being."

Stuttering her thanks, she quickly pulled the curtain closed and turned on the water, it was marvelously warm! Searching around the shower she found shampoo and soap and began the difficult task of removing the filth from her body and hair. She rinsed her clothes getting off most of the dirt and grime, but she would need to give them a thorough washing. After a short time, she heard the patter of small feet.

"Mistress, there is a chair sitting outside the curtain. It contains 2 towels and a change of clothes. If you want to hand me your soiled clothing, I can take it and have it washed and repaired."

Nikawa handed out the clothing with an embarrassed thank you. She then continued to rinse off, once she finally felt clean, she turned off the water and began the process of making herself more presentable. A short while later she came walking out of the shower area with a light green, loose fitted gown that looked appropriate to a highborn lady lounging around her home. She returned to the table and her things were and began to carefully sort out her rewards and materials gathered from the forest and the creatures within. After a while Tesven returned with Pikipsi in tow carrying a tray of finger foods. Settling down at the table he spoke.

"Now young Dust Warrior, I want you to tell me of your adventures."

Nikawa took a deep breath and began, pausing only to take occasional bites of food and sips of drink. After an hour and a half of reporting and answering questions Tesven finally sat back and seemed satisfied with all she had conveyed.

"I have a new task for you, if you want to continue your training."

Nikawa assured him that she was indeed willing to proceed. With a smile he asked her if she knew the Shaman Kyiat. Nikawa had seen her of course in her shop but hadn't really spent any time with the woman. When Tesven suggested she get to know Kyiat and advised that her next quest was to rebuild the fallen bridge behind her home she understood why he was suggesting she get to know her. With a sigh she looked around at the food they had pretty much finished and the glasses of fresh juice that kept being refilled.

"Well, there is no time like the present as they say. I will work on collecting my things and if you're willing to let me borrow this garment for a short while I would be happy to change and bring it back. I know Pikipsi said my clothes would be washed and mended, I'm thinking that might take a little time to complete."

Tesven smiled and waved a hand dismissively at the idea of her leaving right away. "Of course, you may stay here tonight, and even tomorrow night if you so wish. It would be best to get some rest for you will be battling more monsters to get the materials you need to complete the new bridge."

Grateful for the hospitality Nikawa followed Pikipsi upstairs with her things and settled into a lovely guest room. It was simple with crisp clean lines and pale colors to emphasize the natural lighting. Settling into the room she stretched out on the bed and pulled out her resource book regarding the creatures of the Luciola Forest. Not long into her studies she fell into a fitful sleep full of difficulty and distress. Waking with a gasp she sat up in bed and decided she should find the restroom since there wasn't an attached bathroom. She really should have asked before being left alone, but she thought there was likely one nearby. Stepping out into the hall she shivered slightly at the chill in the air and made her way down the hall searching for the door to the bathroom. After she had found the bathroom, she returned to bed and hoped fervently for a better night's sleep.

Next morning, she woke as a cock in the yard started to crow. 'Ah good old fashion alarm clocks' she thought with a smile. Sitting up in bed she tried to stifle a groan as her stiff muscles obeyed her command to rise. As she moved the stiffness was somewhat reduced, so she finished her morning ablutions and then proceeded downstairs where she found Pikipsi pouring coffee for her master. After polite greetings and inquiries as to how she had slept, Tesven asked her if she had any questions about the next quest, he was sending her on.

"No, no questions. I will be going to the market and trading some of my excess materials and then I will plan to get started in my pursuit of rebuilding Kyiat's bridge. I will just need to see Pikipsi about my clothes. I appreciate you allowing me to borrow this beautiful gown, it was too kind."

Tesven acknowledged her thanks and advised that he would like to gift her the gown. When she started to protest, he held up his hands and insisted that he would not take no for an answer. With a small bow she smiled and accepted his gift. Later that afternoon she took herself to Kyiat's shop to talk to her and look at the bridge. She found that Kyiat was a dour woman. She wasn't particularly chatty which seemed odd in a shop keeper. After her time with Kyiat she went back to Tesven's and collected her things to take into the town market to barter and trade. She almost had everything she needed, but it was obvious she would need to get back out into the forest soon to collect a few odds and ends. She allowed herself another day to rest, at which point Pikipsi brought her clothes, which were expertly mended, even the tears in her leather jerkin had been reinforced. On top of the clothes was a bit of scrap leather. When she inquired Pikipsi gave a small smile and suggested Nikawa try her hand at making arm bracers, they wouldn't be particularly fancy with that leather, but it's tough and would help to guard your arms while you're fighting the monsters in the forest. Nikawa was truly touched by her thoughtfulness and thanked her. She then set to work measuring and cutting the leather to suite her arms. She new she would need some lacing as well but didn't have any, so she went back into town and was able to make a trade for leather lacing and an awl to punch the holes in the leather. Finally, when completed she tried them on and loved the way they looked, even if they were plain.

The next morning Nikawa collected her things and wished them well. She told Tesven she would check in again when the bridge was repaired. Trekking into the forest this time she was a bit better prepared. She had her sword and hammer, but she now she also had a helmet that came down around the neck to help protect her from attacks. It wasn't long until she came across a berry patch. Kneeling down she inspected the berries and recognized them as snozberries, one of her favorites! She set to collecting the berries into the pouch when she heard an angry rustling, she wasn't sure what made her think it sounded angry, but it did. She turned and saw a group of 4 Wignow. They seemed to be taking offense to her collection of the berries. She looked from the berry bush to the bush-like creatures and asked, "Is she your mum?" and then smirked at her own joke. The Wignow may not have understood her, but they seemed to understand the smirk and they didn't like it. She had tied the bag of berries to her belt as she spoke and then reached for her weapons right as the 4 little beasties leapt forwards. They were relatively small it was true, but 4 of them was a bit much all at once. They were quick and as she fought, she began to feel a certain flow to the movements, almost like a dance. In that moment She heard the faint tolling of a bell in the distance. The bell seemed to bother the Wignow, perhaps they had a more acute sense of hearing than she did, which was somewhat hard to believe with the size of her ears compared to theirs. In fact, she wasn't sure that Wignow had ears. Becoming distracted she received a bite to the forearm and was incredibly grateful for the bracer that saved her arm from being savaged by those sharp little teeth. Bringing her sword arm around she lopped off the legs of the Wignow that darted in towards her and then drove the sword into the center of the Wignow clamped on her arm. That was two down and out of the fight. The larger of the two-remaining charged at her like an enraged bull at seeing their fallen comrades. She noticed that the last Wignow was running away into the forest and smiled grimly. She would catch it if she could. Besting this Wignow took a strong hammer blow to lay him out on the forest floor. She ran after the last Wignow and followed its trail as best she could with the ground so dry. Eventually she came upon it in a clearing. She called out to it, and it backed away fearfully. Watching it she noticed it was a smaller creature. It looked afraid and she wondered then if it was a young Wignow. Feeling a twinge at the idea of killing a youngling, even of the monster variety, she told it to go and turned around and walked away. She knew that some would question her soft heart. Did she really have what it took to be a Dust Warrior? She thought she did. It shouldn't be all about the fighting, but about mercy and justice too. As she trekked on, she kept an eye out for other creatures and was surprised to come across a Reenu. They were odd buzzing creatures, more of a nuisance than anything, but still a creature that could give her some useful materials. She killed the beast and collected what she could. Her day continued until she felt she could go no further. She stopped by a stream to wash her hands and face. She didn't want a repeat of the other day when she went back to town. Taking her haul with her she trekked back to town with no other monster sightings. She went to her room at the Inn and deposited her things before she went to the bathroom to check on her appearance. She looked much better than the other day but felt she could still be more presentable. She went ahead and cleaned up, brushed her hair and put it up in pigtails, loving how her loose curls made the hair twist.

Heading downstairs she settled in at a table and ordered a mug of ale, venison, potatoes and buttered greens. She sat eating and observing others. There was music playing from somewhere. Looking around she found the harp player on a raised dais on the other side of the room. She sat and ate, quietly reveling in the soft music. She was almost finished when someone walked up and plopped down in the chair opposite hers. She was quite taken aback until she saw the familiar pointed ears and shock of black flame like hair. His green eyes sparked with mischief as he grinned at her. Sitting back in her chair she picked up her mug and took a swig before greeting him, "Darragh Riverwind... well met. What brings you here?"

He laughed his green eyes sparkling, "Same as you I expect. I've come to be a Dust Warrior!"

"Is that so? I didn't realize you were interested in that way of life." She said. "You always struck me as the type that would live in Ogawa forever. A fisherman or shop keeper or some such thing." His smile faded as he looked at her. "Those are both fine professions" he replied. She agreed of course, but they both knew she saw them as menial and unimportant. He tried to put the smile back on his face, but truthfully he felt like she had slapped him. He had always liked Nikawa, but she seemed uppity now, like she was better than him or something. He didn't like that, not at all.

"Well listen, I won't bother you any longer. I just thought I'd stop over to see a friendly and familiar face. Clearly I've interrupted you. My apologies." He stood stiffly and she realized she had offended him.

"Wait Darragh , I'm sorry I'm just tired. I would recommend you seek out Tesven if you haven't already. He lives on the north side of town and was once a Dust Warrior himself. I have learned so much from him already. "

Darragh smiled again, and she realized she really had missed it. "Thanks Nikawa, I will look him up. Have a good night!"

With that he got up and wondered off. She realized he was likely staying in this Inn. Perhaps she would aim to leave in the morning. She wasn't sure she wanted to keep associating herself with him. He came from an even less influential family than her own and she wasn't sure she wanted to be seen with him. She did want to kiss him though. Terribly... as she had always had a bit of a crush on him. He didn't know that of course, and she wouldn't tell him. Her parents had made it clear she was expected to marry who they chose for her and she new Darragh would not be on that very particular list. She wondered though, 'what about when I become a Dust Warrior, that will bring many advantages to the clan and more specifically to her parents. Would they still try to force her to marry with no real experience or knowledge of a man, just hoping to find one that would take care of all that needed doing and would raise the family standing through a lucrative alliance? Honestly she thought they might. She wasn't pleased at the idea. After finishing her meal she went upstairs to her room and decided she had better get some sleep. That night she slept without any dreams or restlessness and woke ready to tackle the day. Gathering her spoils from the day before she took them to town to finish any needed trades to fix Kyiat's bridge. Once completed she made her way to Kyiat's and set to work. She hadn't realized how long it would take to make the repairs. Some were so places were so far gone she would be building more than she realized. After a long day of work she found that she was about halfway done. Returning to the Inn she ate a quick supper and then went upstairs and fell into bed falling almost instantly asleep. The next day started with a good hearty breakfast and she hurried to Kyiat's to finish. When she got there she found Kyiat standing there staring morosely at the bridge. Nikawa wondered if she had done something wrong, something that Kyait didn't like. "Good morning Kyiat" she called as she approached. Kyiat turned her head and surveyed Nikawa for a moment. Then with the barest nod of her head in greeting she turned on her heel and returned to the shop. Nikawa let out a deep breath and shook her head. Looking at the bridge again she set out her tools and materials and got back to work. Another 6 hours had gone by and she was a the end of this quest. She had only a few minor touches to complete it. Once finished she pulled out a long stretch of red fabric cut like a large ribbon. She stretched it from one side of the bridge to the other and tied a big red bow right in the middle. This would give Kyiat something fun to do and announce to any that see it that the bridge was fixed. Grabbing her pack and any excess materials she had she decided to go back to the inn to clean up and then she would head to Tesven's to report her success. This time when Pikipsi opened the door she smiled and ushered her inside. She was shown to a parlor where there was a crackling fire and bid to make herself at home. Tesven was out but was expected back any moment. Thanking Pikipsi she began to explore the books on the shelves. She found herself drawn to a collection of leather bound books. Each was a slightly different color creating a muted rainbow. Pulling one off the shelf she began to read and found herself intrigued by what she saw. It was about a Dust Warrior's travels through Luciola Forest! She sat down absorbed in her reading. She didn't even realize Tesven had entered the room. He stood there watching her for a moment then cleared his throat. She started and looked up. "Tesven! I have finished the quest you gave me." She noticed him looking at the book in her hand and she felt her cheeks flush. "I hope it's okay... Pikipsi said to make myself at home while I waited for you." Tesven merely nodded. "I believe I met a friend of yours, one Darragh Riverwind, also from Ogawa, I think..""Oh, good he found you, I recommended he seek you out when he told me he had come to be a Dust Warrior." Tesven nodded and took a seat in the leather armchair across from her. He crossed his legs and sat back just watching her for a moment. She fidgeted with the book for a moment then quickly closed it and got up to put it away, when she returned, he smiled at her. "So, tell me about your quest to help Kyiat."She took up the tale and regaled him with the fights, the building of the bridge and the things she learned from both experiences. He nodded appearing to be pleased with her progress. "You are doing well Nikawa, I'm happy with how you are progressing. I am going to give you two days off to rest, explore, read, whatever you want to do. At the end of the two days come back to me and we will talk about your next quest. Leaving Tesven's she wandered into the market and strolled about looking at what was available. She was just browsing today, not shopping for anything in particular. She came across an elaborate headdress filled with the most interesting feathers she had ever seen. The shape was unique, and the colors ranged from black, to shades of green to cream. Catching the shopkeepers eye she waved him over, "Excuse me, these feathers are lovely. What creature do they come from?"

He began his sales pitch complimenting her and how the headpiece would look lovely on her fiery red hair. she thanked him for his kind words, but again inquired about the creature the feathers came from. Realizing she wasn't interested in buying the piece he dropped his sales pitch and answered her. "The bird is called Nitana." She thanked him and then went on her way. She perused other stalls and saw many interesting items and learned more about the creatures of the forest. She even heard a few horror stories about the larger Aracnu and about the Mawt, a fearsome beast that looked a bit like a giant wingless bat crossed with a star nosed mole. She shuddered at the thought. She knew that the star nosed mole was harmless and really more of a nuisance, but the idea of that crossed with a giant wingless bat gave her the creeps. Apparently, they came in black or a grey, almost white pelt. She sincerely hoped she didn't find one of those for quite some time. She didn't want to think about fighting anything so tough until she had managed to upgrade her armor and weaponry. The smaller creatures were probably her best bet for now. She finally set herself down at an outdoor eatery and watched the people of the town wander past on their own errands. She was quite pleased with the apple cider, it was incredibly fresh tasting. After an evening of polite conversation with some of the passing people and other diners she went back to the inn for a hot bath and a good night’s sleep. She thought she might even sleep in.