Chapter 27: A Moment of Peace (Patreon)

I opened my eyes to find myself on a battlefield. The haunted figures of Devils I had killed were all around me. A haze of purple covered their bodies, and they paid no attention to me.

Looking down, I found a sword in my hands. Strange, considering I didn’t have one, and I couldn’t use one—not well at any rate. I searched my mind for any Game alerts but found none.

How did I get here?

I scanned the battlefield. To my dismay, the most familiar face I saw was that of the half-orc player. I started walking toward him. He was standing in the middle of the dead Devils, staring me down. His hands were behind his back—hiding his morningstar from sight, I thought.

“Ada,” I called, but there was no response.

Turning my attention inwards, I realized that the place within me where she normally resided was unnervingly empty.

I started jogging toward the half-orc, not knowing why I did so. Maybe he knew what was going on and why I couldn’t talk to Adalinda.

Being surrounded by people who wanted me dead was frightening, but I needed answers from someone—anyone. Even the half-orc would do.

I reached the player in what felt like seconds—despite the massive size of the battlefield. As I drew closer, he brought forward his arm, revealing what he held.

A dead fire lizard.

“This what precious path will bring you,” he cackled, a demented smile spread across his face. Swinging the limp celestial from side to side, he started laughing. “You won’t change destiny!”

I attacked. Holding my sword high, I brought it down in a sweeping attack that should have wiped the smile of the orc’s foul mouth.

Only, he had disappeared.

“Over here, girl,” a cheerful voice called from behind.

Turning around, I saw not the half-orc but Cantos. He, too, held a limp Adalinda in his hands. Sprinting flat-out, I hurled myself at the Butcher.

But the same thing happened again.

Cantos vanished.

A grinning Matthew replaced him on my left. Then cackling Sten. A worried Fargo. An amused Celeste.

And so on and so on.

This isn’t working, I finally realized, screeching to a halt. I needed a new plan.

Cantos reappeared, swinging Adalinda’s corpse around. Holding myself tightly, I watched him.

“Don’t you want to save her?” he shouted across the field, his voice ringing loudly in my ears.

Exhaling slowly, I stared him down.

Cantos blinked forward, his face suddenly inches from mine. He waved Adalinda’s corpse under my nose. “You should drink this.”

My brows furrowed. “What?”

“Drink this, girl, it will heal you,” Cantos said, pushing Adalinda closer. I jerked back. But he didn’t sound like the Butcher anymore.

What was going on?

I whipped around, looking for whoever was speaking. But there was no one about. Only Cantos. “Come on,” the voice said encouragingly. “Drink.”

Narrowing my eyes, I focused on the figure before me. The battlefield disappeared. Cantos and Adalinda did too.

In their steed was a bed, a gnome, and vial.

“Just a small sip,” the gnome said, waving the potion under my nose again.

“Where am I?” I croaked.

“In my shop. Now drink.”

I opened my mouth, this time without protest, and moving faster than I imagined he could, he poured the contents down my throat.

Tommin has restored you to full health with a full healing potion.

My eyes widened, and in an instant the fog around my brain cleared. “Adalinda!” I cried, my head whipping left and right as I searched for her.

“You’re searching for the lizard?” the gnome asked. “Don’t worry, she is fine.”

I focused on him again. The alchemist was younger than I imagined him to be. He had a giant mop of purple hair, a green hat, and kind eyes.

“Thank you,” I said, breathlessly. “How did I get here?”

“I found you lying outside my shop last night,” Tommin said. Taking the empty vial from my hand, set it on a table on the other side of the room. “I couldn’t just leave you there.” His eyes twinkled. “After all, you were bleeding all over my new steps.”

I smiled. “Thank you. You saved my life.”

“You should be thanking her,” he said, gesturing to one corner of the room. “If not for her endless scratching, I would slept through your appearance and never have opened the door.”

Following his pointing arm, I spotted Adalinda curled up and sleeping soundly. Her scales lacked their usual healthy gleam and bloodstains marred her snout. “Are you sure she is alright?” I asked worriedly.

“She is,” he said firmly. “When she awakes, she will need to ingest a healing potion, but for now, what she needs most is rest.”

He pinched my wrist between two fingers and looked at a watch on his arm. “Well, your heartrate is back to normal,” he said with a smile. “Drink this, and you will be as good as new.”

He handed me a steaming cup. Looking inside, I saw it was filled to the brim with a strange, green liquid. Sniffing at it, I detected hints of mint, lemongrass, sage, and a few other less recognizable scents.

“What is this?” I asked.

“A herbal remedy of my own devising,” he said. “It doesn’t contain any magic, but it will speed up your recovery in more mundane ways.” He added with only minimal emphasis. “It will also help calm your mind and stave off traumatic flashbacks.”

I sipped the brew and immediately felt its calming effects, as the shadows gathering around the edges of my thoughts receded. “You know a lot about healing.”

“Live as long as I have you and you are bound to acquire some tricks.” At my disbelieving look, he added, “I am older than I look.”

“Fair enough,” I replied, drinking the cup to its dregs. “You’re Tommin then?”

He tilted his head to the side. “What gave me away? The sign?”

“The Game and the sign,” I admitted. “I’m Elana.” I pointed to the celestial. “And that, as you already know, is Adalinda.”

“An unusual name,” he mused, staring at my companion. He turned back to me. “So, Elana, what made you choose my doorstep to die on?”

I laughed. The gnome was unusually easy to talk to and talking helped keep the terror from my recent trauma at bay as much as his spectacular brew did. “Odenna recommended you.”

“Odenna,” he mused, with an odd glint in his eyes. “I must remember to thank her.”

“Well, Tommin, thank you again for everything you’ve done,” I said. “And you must let me repay you.”

“Forget it,” he said. “I’m sure someday you will repay the favor, but believe me, it was no trouble at all.”

I felt my eyes grow moist. I wasn’t sure why, but the gnome had saved my life. And Adalinda’s. And for that, I’d always be grateful.

The gnome took my cup away, set it on the table, and left a full vial next to it. “When she wakes up, give her this,” he said, pointing to Adalinda. “It will heal her fully. I have some things I need to take care of in the shop. I will be back soon.”

Walking out of the room, the gnome left me alone with the celestial.

✵ ✵ ✵

Some time later, I heard my companion stir. “Ada,” I said softly. “Are you awake?”

The lizard stirred, lifting her head to look at me. “Oh, El, I am so glad you’re okay,” she said. “How do you feel?”

“As good as new. But you’re still not in good shape. Here...” Opening her mouth, I fed her Tommin’s potion.

You have restored Adalinda to full health with a full healing potion.

“Ah,” she sighed, her scales shining with fresh color and new life. “I needed that.”

I nodded. “We both did. And we have Tommin to thank for it.”

“Where is he?”

“At the front of the shop,” I replied. “If you’re up to it, we can go check on him.”

“I am,” she said firmly.

Picking up my backpack where Tommin had left it, I opened the door and strode into the next room.

The alchemist’s shop was small, but well laid out. It was packed tall with shelves and was filled with all sorts of reagents, vials, and books. Morning sunlight streamed in from windows placed at the front of the store. The dark wooden floor was covered in carpet, and herbs hung from the ceiling.

Toward the back of the shop, I saw a little green hat bobbing up and down behind the counter.

I walked up to him. “Tommin?”

The gnome’s head shot up. “Goodness, you gave me a fright,” he said, clutching his chest. “Everything alright?”

“We are much better, thanks,” I said. “But we need to get going. Could you help me with a few health potions?”

The gnome placed a small stool next to the counter and stood on it. “Sure, but I’m going to have to charge you this time,” he said apologetically. “I do have a business to run.”

“Of course,” I said.

“Have a look around. There are lots of things that might interest you. You will find the prices next to the items.”

I nodded and walked around the shop. I needed health potions, and if I was going to journey through the sewers again, perhaps also darkvision potions. Thankfully, Tommin’s prices appeared reasonable—not that I could accurately judge the true value of each of the items.

Grabbing what I thought I needed, I headed back to the counter.

“Will this be all?” the gnome asked. “I also have some skillbooks and ability tomes too, if you have any interest in those.”

“I don’t have enough gold for that,” I said. “Unless you’re willing to accept other items in trade?”

Tommin brows lifted, and he hummed in thought. “I can do that,” he said, “depending on the items in question, of course.”

I smiled. “Of course.”

I walked around the shop again, this time carefully inspecting the books on offer. None of the skillbooks attracted my attention. Most were for fighters and archers, and seemed inappropriate for both Adalinda and me.

But when I went through the ability tomes, I found more than one something that piqued my interest.  Picking up the first tome, I inspected it carefully.

The target is the basic ability tome: witch armor. Governing attribute: Faith. Tier: basic. Requirement: summoning skill.

The witch armor spell is basic defensive spell that provides the caster with a modicum of protection from physical attacks. It is not a spell oftentimes favored by light magic spellcasters since, unlike a tier 3 mage spell, it does not completely repel a foe’s attacks. It is, however, an ability that even novice casters can employ and, with time, can become a powerful spell in its own right.

You can learn this ability, but Adalinda cannot.

Although witch armor was not strictly a healing ability, it would help reduce the damage I sustained in battle. Not only that, but I would be able to use it on others. I was fond of that idea, especially if Soren and Alon were going to be fighting by my side.

“I found something,” I called to the gnome. Returning to the counter, I set down the witch armor tome.

“This is a good one,” he said. “What do you have to trade for it?”

I retrieved the two-weapon fighting skillbook I had been carrying ever since we’d looted the Devil’s lair. I considered giving him the analyze ability tome but wanted to hang on to that for a little longer.

I set the book down on the counter, waiting for Tommin to read it.

“This is perfect,” he said.

A grin sprawled across my face. “So, we have a deal?”

“Give me fifteen gold for the potions, and we’re all set,” he replied.

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the money and dropped the coins on the counter.

He wrapped my items up in a brown bag and handed it to me. “There you go,” he said, sounding pleased with the transaction. “And, no offense intended, but I hope not to find you like I did again.”

I chuckled. “I will try my best not to come dying to you again. Goodbye Tommin.”

The gnome gave me a warm smile and waved farewell. Grabbing the bag with my purchases, I walked out, feeling ready to take on whatever came my way next.