Collisa (Outsider Book 1), page 31
It was obvious she had pain she didn't want to dwell on, or share with him just yet, so whenever she fell into that uncomfortable silence he'd pat her comfortingly and change the subject.
Back at camp Dare checked his snares and got to work curing hides and meat and cooking up some of the best bull steaks for dinner. Along with some new forage items he'd found on the plains, including potatoes.
Meanwhile Zuri got out the bolt of cloth and, with the mechanical competency of abilities, began crafting clothing. “You wanted my underwear to be sexy, right?” she said casually as she snipped the cloth into patterns.
He felt his face flush. “If you'll be comfortable in them.”
“I will.” She gave him an impish grin. “Turn around.”
Dare obliged, using the opportunity to take the weasel leather and fur he'd just finished curing and secretly make her a dress, leggings, and shoes.
When he turned back around a while later, whatever his tiny lover had been crafting was nowhere to be seen, and she looked up at him innocently as she cut more cloth into patterns. “What?” she teased.
“Going to make me wait to see it?” he asked, peeking around her back.
“Maybe.” She laughed. “I'm going to make your underwear sturdy and comfortable . . . you run around too much and too fast to get fancy.”
“Sounds good.” Dare looked at the bolt, which still had some left. “Can you make socks?” At her blank look he said. “Stockings, but only going up to the ankle or mid calf, depending on fashion and preference.”
Zuri looked dubious. “I have the pattern, but aren't they a luxury item?”
He laughed. “With how much running around we do, more like a necessity. They'll help prevent blisters, rashes, callouses, and infections. And they'll also help our shoes stay good for longer and keep our feet from stinking.”
She shrugged. “Okay. I'll take your word for it since half the time goblins don't wear shoes anyway.”
Dare grimaced at the idea; their feet must be rock hard. “They keep the skin soft and smooth too,” he teased. “More enjoyable to kiss.”
His goblin lover blushed darker green, remembering what he'd done earlier. “I guess that does sound nice. I'll try to alter the pattern to make us some.”
“Good.” Dare pulled his hands from behind his back, revealing the ermine clothes he'd made. “Also, I made these for you.”
Her eyes lit up as she eagerly accepted the items, running her fingers wonderingly over the soft fur and leather. “They're like a high priestess's finery, or the formal dress of a chieftain's concubine!” She flushed again. “Although I suppose that's right, since I'm the concubine of a great man.”
He blinked. “You think I'm a great man?”
Zuri laughed. “How could I not?” She stood and pulled off her tunic, letting him feast his eyes on her large breasts, flat tummy, and long legs. At least until she began pulling on her new clothes.
Which, as it turned out, also hugged her curves and looked elegant on her lush body.
Dare grinned admiringly. “Crafting clothes is so simple and the materials are so easy to get, I'm going to have to make you lots of pretty things to wear.”
She gave him a stern look. “Our packs only have so much room.” But she spent a long time staring down at her clothes, running her hand over the soft leather and even softer fur, before finally settling down on his lap. Yellow eyes shining, she gently pulled his face down to kiss him.
“Thank you, my mate,” she whispered.
“Your smile is all the thanks I need.” Dare wrapped his arms around her and slipped a hand under her tunic, rubbing her soft tummy. Then, grinning impishly, he slid his hand under the waistband of her leggings and trailed it down her soft mound towards her-
“Ho, the camp!”
Chapter Sixteen
Visitor
Zuri leapt off Dare's lap with speed born of terror and ingrained survival reflexes. Although he was even faster, moving as soon as she was clear.
To an observer, or whoever was out there, it probably would've looked like they went from cuddling contentedly to Dare on his feet, three arrows clutched in the hand holding his bow with an arrow nocked to the string ready to draw, in the blink of an eye.
He had to use Rapid Shot, but in the face of a possible attack now was the time.
“Easy, friends!” the voice called. It was male, deep and calm and oddly reassuring. “I merely wished to share your fire for a time and talk about an opportunity.”
Dare dropped into a crouch, bow still ready. “Get ready to jump on my back and hang on if I tell you,” he murmured to Zuri. She nodded grimly, moving around behind him, as he raised his voice to the intruder. “You'll pardon my caution. I believe in guest rights and the sanctity of travelers sharing a campfire, but we've had run-ins with bandits before.”
“Understood. But I assure you I'm unarmed and mean you no harm.” The man sounded a bit amused, as if he'd made a joke. Although a friendly one.
Dare lowered his bow slightly. “Then approach slowly.”
“As you wish.” The voice slowly came closer, and Dare felt the man enter his perception circle. “A man who holds to noble traditions is one I can trust, and I'm willing to take steps to earn yours.”
He came into view and Dare looked him over: a short man in his late 20s, lean but muscled and with a sense of power like a coiled spring. Or maybe an undetonated nuke.
His head and face were shaved smooth, an odd tattoo of some mystic pattern inked along one cheek and stretching up across his forehead before disappearing over the crown of his head. He wore form-fitting tan and brown clothes, everything tied with cloth strips for ease of movement and silent passage.
As promised, he had no visible weapons. Which led Dare to conclude, based on the other clues, that the man was a Monk or some other type of combat-oriented Cleric.
Of course Dare didn't need to guess; he activated his Eye and saw “Human, adult male. Class: Monk Level 14”. His attacks were all unarmed and included what sounded like abilities that channeled the power of the body into focused techniques.
That would explain the man's joke about being unarmed.
“I'm Ilin,” the bald man said, stopping just within the circle of firelight. “A traveler from distant lands, seeking to explore the world while improving myself in body, mind, and soul.”
Yeah, he even talked like a Monk.
People were people, of course, but generally members of a group that tended to be ascetics and sought balance and peace could usually be trusted. Dare lowered his bow. “Well met, Ilin. I'm Dare, and this is my companion Zuri.”
Ilin bowed respectfully to him and, surprisingly, to Zuri as well. Which immediately made Dare more kindly disposed toward him. “Well met, friends.” He motioned. “Might I join you?”
“Please.” Dare motioned to a spot across the fire. “Come have a seat. We've got food cooking which you're welcome to share.”
“That's very kind of you.” The Monk approached and squatted down across from them, looking comfortable and well balanced in that position. Like he could stay like that all night.
“So, what brings you to our fire?” Dare asked, turning the meat on the rack and stirring the potatoes frying on the griddle, which had been positioned to catch the fat dripping from the steaks.
“Aside from the joy of meeting new people and learning new things?” Ilin smiled slightly. “There is a monster camp a bit farther north. Kobolds . . . nasty creatures, sneak thieves and murderers of the weak and helpless who'll leave their spawn point if left for too long. But they also tunnel, and I've heard they have a chance to drop ores of precious metal, gold and silver, as well as uncut gems and semiprecious stones.”
“A Mon-” Dare cut off, realizing the man hadn't revealed his class. “A monetary goal for one seeking enlightenment?” he said instead, tone light.
The man chuckled. “Even the enlightened must eat, if we would not be beggars or spend our lives in toil rather than exploration and service to others.” He motioned idly. “And any wealth I do not have need of, I donate to orphanages and the like in cities I pass.”
Reasonable enough. But Dare still didn't think it was that straightforward. “Generous of you to share this information with us.”
Ilin scratched at his jaw. “Not just generosity, I'll admit.” He leaned forward. “I can handle one or two enemies my level, and according to what I've heard these are within my range, 12 to 15. But the times I tried to draw one, no matter how isolated, three would accompany it.”
Ah. “Not exactly a spawn point for solo levelers.”
“No indeed.” The Monk rubbed his jaw ruefully. “You may be a bit low for them, but your gear seems decent enough. In a group I think we could handle four of the fiends.” He nodded at Zuri. “Especially if your companion is a healing class, as I suspect.”
“I think we could,” Dare agreed, leaning close to the fire to begin portioning out the food. “Want to check it out tomorrow?”
Ilin took a small camping kit with bowls and utensils from his pack, accepting his portion with a murmur of thanks, and dug in with gusto. “Aye.” He paused, giving them a curious look. “Just a heads up, it's a large spawn because the kobolds are guarding the entrance to their mine . . . a dungeon that randomly spawns at that point and is currently active.”
Dare perked up. He'd assumed, or at least hoped, that dungeons would exist in this world. But this was the first he'd heard of them. “I think I've encountered a large spawn before,” he said, thinking of the huge Boarite city he'd avoided. Although he hoped the kobold one wasn't nearly as large or intimidating or even the three of them wouldn't stand a chance. “Never seen a dungeon before.”
The bald man nodded, pausing from taking a bite to respond. “The lowest ones I've heard of are Level 21, which I assume this one is considering the location and level of the entry guards. Most require a party of at least six of the same level, maybe four or five if they're well geared, have good class synergy, and work well together. At higher levels fewer could probably manage it, with care.”
Dare scratched his jaw as he mulled that over. So the entry guards were lower level than the dungeon; that wasn't too out of the ordinary. “Guess we'll be steering well clear of it, then,” he said with a wry smile.
Zuri nodded emphatically. “From what I've heard, dungeons eat more adventurers than party rated or even raid rated monsters.” She shivered. “They go in and never come out.”
“I've heard the same,” Ilin agreed soberly, tearing into another steak. “Although the loot is good.”
“So it may take longer than usual to clear out the spawn point?” Dare guessed.
“A great opportunity for loot and experience, as long as we're careful.” The Monk looked between them. “Speaking of which, we should probably agree on some things.” He smiled wryly. “I doubt you'd be willing to join my party.”
Definitely not. “We're already in a party,” he said carefully.
“Ah.” Ilin nodded. “I have similar reservations about joining your party. Party leaders generally need to either find a group of close friends or develop a very solid reputation for integrity to have any success finding members.” He gave them a respectful nod. “Always heartwarming to see such trust between companions.”
“Thank you,” Dare said, returning the nod. “I have a system for optimizing experience between people outside a party. It won't require much extra effort, and it'll be better for you . . . with how the party experience sharing works you'll end up getting 40% of each monster's experience, while me and Zuri each get 30%.”
The bald man shifted uncomfortably, chewing and swallowing before answering. “I wouldn't want to take so much more than you.”
“Actually, with how experience sharing works outside of parties, if we tried to distribute it evenly we'd just get a bit more while you got a lot less. This is fine.”
“Dare figured that out with just a few experiments,” Zuri said proudly. “I bet most people don't even consider trying to figure out how experience sharing works, outside major adventurer's guilds and adventurer factions who try to optimize everything.”
For a moment Dare wondered why everyone didn't immediately do such simple tests. Then he remembered that they couldn't see health bars; without that they'd have to basically guess based on the damage of their items and abilities, and how many hits it took to kill a monster.
Still, while it would be more difficult it wasn't impossible. Which would explain why the factions did it to give their people an advantage.
Or maybe those guilds included a high level person who had access to Adventurer's Eye, and helped them. Or they'd obtained the information from some person in history who had the Eye.
Ilin was eyeing him thoughtfully. “A sharp young man,” he said. “And more knowledgable than you seem.”
Had he noticed Dare's slip earlier where he'd almost identified his class? “I'll keep track of how much damage you do to each monster to ensure we all get our share of experience,” Dare said. “And we'll split the loot three ways. Fair?” He held out his hand to shake.
The Monk hesitated. “I hate to be churlish after your generous offer with the experience. As well as your even more valuable information on how you manage to split it so evenly, which will aid me tremendously in the future.”
“But?” Dare asked.
“But I'm two levels higher, better geared, and I was also the one who gave you the information about the kobolds.” Ilin offered his own hand. “Let's stick to the theme and say 40, 30, 30?”
Dare immediately shook his head. “We would've probably found the kobold camp eventually, since we're headed north in the direction of Kov leveling as we go. As for you being higher level and better geared . . .”
He grinned wolfishly. “Let's make a bet. You and me will single out two equal level kobolds and each have a race to see who kills theirs first. You win, we'll split it your way. I win, even split.”
Their prospective companion frowned. “As a rule, members of my order frown on gambling.”
Dare waved that away. “A challenge, then. To the victor go the spoils.”
Ilin perked up a bit at that, then his expression soured. “There's also the fact that you're ranged. I have no doubts I could best you in a fair fight, or in your little race if we could both begin damaging our targets at the same time. But as it is you'd kill it before I could even do damage. Also there's no way to make sure they're the same level, and on top of that they come in groups of four . . . your “challenge” would never be feasible.”
That was a good point. Dare was confident he could think of a way to arrange it so they could both began damaging their enemy at the same time, but it wouldn't do much good if Ilin didn't believe the monsters were the same level. And he wasn't about to tell a complete stranger about his Adventurer's Eye, even if he thought the man would believe him.
“Okay then,” he said with a grin. “How about a footrace?”
Zuri looked startled for a moment, then giggled knowingly.
Ilin also looked startled, then roared laughter. “You want to race me?”
“I do.”
The man kept chortling. “I don't believe in tricks or deceit, so I should warn you my class is Monk. We hone our bodies through a lifetime of intense training and meditation to push ourselves not to the limits of what we're physically capable of, but beyond.”
He looked Dare over. “You're tall, and your body looks like it was sculpted by a god to be the perfect athlete, but you have no idea the kind of speed and power I'm able to call upon.”
The Monk obviously expected Dare to be surprised or impressed by that revelation, maybe even intimidated. But he just nodded blandly. “Okay.”
“Okay?” Ilin repeated in disbelief. He glanced at Zuri, but she also had an impressive poker face. “You don't have any speed increase abilities at your level. No archer class does, and from your camp and clothes I'd say you're a Hunter, which I'm confident doesn't.”
“Nope,” Dare agreed. “Aside from a small bump in the woods, but we're on the plains.”
“And you don't have high quality boots with a speed bonus,” the man pressed.
“Not that it would be significant, but no.”
The Monk stroked his jaw thoughtfully. “All right, I'm intrigued. If for no other reason than to see what kind of secret you're hiding that makes you so confident.” He offered his hand. “Deal. If you win, an even share. And if I win, 40, 30, 30 in my favor.”
Dare returned the handshake firmly and found Ilin's grip to be crushing. And the man was clearly holding back; that didn't do much for Dare's confidence. “How does five miles sound?” he asked; anything that pushed the body beyond its limits wouldn't be sustainable for long.
Ilin chuckled knowingly. “A hundred yards sounds better.”
Dare was confident he'd be just fine at that distance too, but no sense making it too easy for the Monk. “One mile?” he compromised.
The man nodded and glanced at the fading light. “How does bright and early in the morning sound? We'll use the road.”
“Next morning, then,” Dare agreed.
The Monk finished his last few bites of food, then stood and bowed politely. “Thank you for your hospitality. I'll camp closer to the road. You can find me by taking a straight line back there.”
With that he was gone in the night, stride brisk.
“You have a mischievous side, my mate,” Zuri said, grinning.
Dare chuckled. “If you've got it, use it.”
“Mmm.” She smirked as she looked pointedly at his crotch. “Speaking of which, I still haven't shown you my new underwear.” She motioned to their tent. “Ready to turn in?”
He eagerly wolfed down his last few bites. “Yup.”
His tiny lover slipped past him on her way to their bed, and he hurried to join her.
Her new bra and panties turned out to be very sexy. Although they didn't stay on for long.
* * * * *
Bright and early the next morning Dare and Zuri packed up camp and headed for the road.
