After discussing my chosen path to become a ranger, Alysand also showed me a new herb to pick as well as a root that we dug up from the banks of the stream. When I’d found several of each, I cleaned them off and helped Alysand make a stew of a small fire. The sun was bright, and Alysand made me crack up by using a few pieces of perfectly dry tinder to make a near-smokeless fire. Building the fire underneath a tree, I was pleased to see that no trace of our cooking was visible in the sky above us. Sneaky sneaky.
We ate in the shade of a tall tree, something like a fir. Tejón complained that his share was too small, so Pachi led him to go hunt nearby. They came back sated, apparently having eaten a half-dozen rabbits. The magnitude of their appetite would become concerning soon enough.
I wanted to take a nap, but before I fell asleep, I reviewed some of my progress. The Pathfinder class rank would bring with it new skills, and I was excited to see how they might change my gameplay. I checked that first.
Pathfinder Class Rank Requirements:
Herbalism: Level 7 out of 10
Rustic Cooking: Level 7 out of 10
Animal Harvesting: Level 12 (Complete)
Stealth: Level 8 out of 10
Shelter Mastery: Level 5 out of 10
Fishing: Level 6 out of 8
Skinning: Level 10 (Complete)
Ranged Weapon: Level 11 (Complete)
Ambush: Level 2 out of 3
Pet Bond: Level 2 out of 3
Mountain Atunement: Level 2 out of 3
My Herbalism and Fishing had leveled up, and all thanks to Alysand. Perhaps when we were done with the mines, I could find the time to finish those skills. Even my Rustic Cooking had improved since the last time I checked.
I was a bit concerned about the Shelter Mastery. The need to make a shelter hadn’t presented itself in quite some time, either because I had been traveling or staying somewhere more civilized.
The Mountain Atunement was new. I had received Forest Atunement when I was with Selna in the woods outside of Taelman’s Pond, but since then, I’d done several days of travel in the higher mountains. The original skill requirement was Field, Forest, or Mountain Atunement. It seemed my Mountain Atunement had surpassed the Forest and was now the main goal of that skill. Hopefully I would finish it before leaving Benham entirely.
The Pet Bond irked me the most. It was only Level 2! Pachi and I were closer than ever. We’d gained a second level after I revived her, which gave us the ability to use Mind Speech. What would it take to gain another? I thought of asking her, but she was sleeping in an ungraceful pile of wings and limbs with Tejón.
And though I knew I was still Level 21, I checked my character stats anyhow. Having gained a couple new Epic items made me curious.
Hana Kotoba: Level 21
Class Rank: Novice Hunter
HP: 5518/5518
Armor Rating 106
Vitality 29 (+3)
Strength 16 (+4)
Dexterity 26 (+15,+10% total)
Intelligence 17 (+3)
Stamina 22 (+12)
The difference was staggering. I’d gained 6 points in Dexterity and a whopping 8 in Stamina! The Vitality +3 from Marduk’s Mantle was reduced because I had removed the Swiftreed Cloak, but still, the extra +1 had boosted my HP. Then I had a thought. What kind of crazy HP did Madi have if she could absorb damage like she did? I would have to ask the next time a moment presented itself.
I continued to tinker with thoughts of level increases, juicy new skills, and what it might be like to dual-wield my swords. Anything to avoid the ticking time bomb that was my financial obligations. But soon enough my limbs were suffused with the gracious warmth of an unhindered but mild sun.
I let sleep claim me in its gentle arms at last.
If you sleep any longer, the warrior will kick you. It is time to wet our fangs, brood sister. Pachi’s voice woke me from a dreamless slumber, and I was pleased with how gentle it felt. Still, there was an edge of steel in her tone that told me she was looking forward to our raid.
“I’m up, I’m up,” I said, sitting upright and trying to get my bearings. I’d been exhausted, so I had slept deeper than usual. The night was closing its chilly grasp around me, and I marveled at the bear cloak. I’d simply rolled over on the grass, wrapping its bulk around me, and though it was cold now, I had slept cozy as anything. Thank you, Tumsley.
We decided to leave the majority of our gear in a pile under the fir tree. We took our weapons, of course, and Madi and I both took smaller packs that we had emptied, in hopes of finding some decent loot. Nothing was worse than scoring valuable drops only to have to leave it behind because you didn’t have the inventory space.
By the time we made our way back to our previous position, the sun was dying in an explosion of orange rays that lit the entrance to the mine. I made another count, and this time only saw a few ratkin guards to either side of the yawning cavern that led down into the mine itself. The larger one, the sleeper, was gone.
“Six?” I asked Alysand, and he nodded.
“Now, I will say this with as much reverence to your significant strength as possible, my dear,” Alysand began. “But Madi, you will need to stay behind while Hana and I take out the guards silently.”
Pachi growled low, and Alysand cleared his throat. “I will amend my statement. While Pachi, Hana, and I take out the guards. That only left one of our party members annoyed at being left behind. Tejón was too busy chewing on some grass he’d found to care. I watched him for a moment, wondering
