After paying Ember and him writing down my measurements, we left the shop.

  “Alright, Paige. Let’s go see your mother.” I motioned for her to lead the way.

  She looked around nervously, before nodding. “Right, we’ll be fine. We’re in town.”

  I side-eyed Frank, who was less nervous, but had pulled a book from a pocket in his robe and fastened it to his belt with a clasp. After a moment, Paige did finally start heading down the street.

  It took us almost a half hour to get to the River District. Paige had relaxed a little, but she was still jumpy. We came upon a shop that only had a needle balanced on a spool of thread on the front door to show what was there.

  Paige led the way inside, “Ma, I brought customers!” She shouted, before freezing momentarily.

  Inside, a rather gruff man was pointing a knife at a lean woman wearing an apron with needles stuck through it haphazardly. He looked from her to the new people and back to her in a panic.

  Suddenly, Paige’s arm blurred and a knife was flying through the air at the man. He dodged to the side before charging forward. Paige stepped to the side and he tripped, barreling towards me.

  On instinct, I moved and then slammed a palm strike between his shoulder blades, slamming him into the ground. He cried out as his head made a rather unpleasant CRACK when it impacted the ground immediately after his chest. Frank had pulled his book out and it was glowing, but paused, looking at me curiously.

  Paige looked down at the man before putting a knee on his back and her hands restraining his arms, one positioned in what sounded like a painful manner. “Frank, get the guards. There should be a station two blocks riverway and one right.”

  He took off, not waiting for more. I looked around and decided to lean against the wall next to the doorframe. I focused on calming my breathing and trying to calm down, the adrenaline still going through me.

  Notifications were flashing in the corner of my vision, but I didn’t acknowledge them. Instead, I kept an eye on the man as well. “Okay, you might have been onto something at Ember’s.”

  She looked at me in panic, before turning her attention to the woman behind the counter. Said woman was glaring at what I suspected was her daughter. “We’ll talk later.”

  Paige groaned.

  A few minutes later, a pair of guards stepped into the shop. I didn’t recognize them, and they were all business. One took a statement from each of us in turn while the other put cuffs around the attempted robber and took him outside.

  After he’d taken them all, he went with his partner, taking the man to some jail, probably. Paige and I watched them go as Frost found a chair to sit in and tried to recover from his run back. When they went out of sight, we went inside and closed the door.

  “So, you brought customers? Ember too rich for her pouch, so you bring her here out of pity?! I won’t give her a discount, if that’s what you were thinking!” The woman shouted at Paige as the girl shrank back in on herself.

  I decided to step in before this got out of hand, “I actually did buy something from Ember… And then wanted to come here on Paige’s recommendation.”

  The woman turned her glare on me. I returned her gaze and it slowly shifted to confused, and then interest. “Then why come here?”

  “I need everyday clothes. Something comfortable to move around in.” I said, warily.

  After a heartbeat, she snorted and looked at Paige. “Why didn’t you say that in the first place?” She motioned me forward, “My name is Isabella. Let’s get a look at you.”

  I stepped closer, noticing Paige behind her mother and glaring at her back. I returned my attention to Isabella. “What do you need from me?”

  “Just stand still for a moment, I’m getting your measurements.” Her eyes moved, seeing something I couldn’t. “Okay, it won’t be that hard to make some dresses.”

  I shook my head, “Pants and shirts.”

  She looked up at me, “Are you sure? You’ve excellent bone structure, and I could make your chest…”

  I interrupted her, “I’m sure.”

  She huffed in annoyance, but did finally nod. “Alright, well that’ll actually make things easier. How many do you need?”

  “Hm…” I hadn’t thought of a specific number. “How much would five outfits be?”

  She considered it for a moment. “45, a small discount for so many at once. Would you like any specific customizations?”

  I shook my head, “How long will you need?”

  “I’ll be done by tomorrow morning. I can send Paige to deliver it for 10.” She grinned.

  “Hey!” Paige called out ineffectually.

  I held out my hand, “Deal.”

  She took mine and shook on it. I then reached into my pouch and pulled out five oranges and a yellow crystal. I pressed the sides of the yellow and it read 5. I handed them over.

  Isabella put them into a pocket on her apron, “Where shall I send her?”

  “The Rosecrest manor.” I said, moving towards the door.

  The tailor snorted and muttered, “Your money.” Shaking her head.

  I looked back, but Paige started pushing me out. “Later.” She shouted behind her.

  Letting myself be guided down the street, Paige sighed, “Why’d you bring up Ember’s?”

  I shrugged, “Didn’t think it’d be a problem.”

  Frank started walking next to me on my side opposite Paige, “She likely also thinks you’re just trying some kind of scam.”

  Paige huffed in a way that kind of sounded like her mother, “She doesn’t even believe I’m in the Adventurer’s Guild, despite bringing home crystals to keep her shop running.”

  I blinked, “What does she think you do?”

  Paige blushed, and didn’t answer. Frank saved us from an awkward silence, “I believe you wanted to visit a weapon’s shop or some kind of blacksmith?”

  “Oh yea. Thanks for reminding me. Know where any are?” I had forgotten after they started freaking out.

  “There’s a good smithy closer to the river.” Paige said, turning us around to point in the correct direction.

  After some walking, it soon became obvious where the smithy was. The street was a small market with blacksmiths, fishmongers, and a mill. It was very loud, but something I noticed was a lack of fishing. I didn’t comment, since I could also smell something acrid in the air.

  My two bodyguards were talking, discussing the incident we’d just taken care of when someone bumped into me. I yelled, “Hey!” As he disappeared amongst the crowd.

  The shout caught Paige’s attention, and she looked from where the person had disappeared to me, swearing. “Shit, he took your pouch.” She moved to start heading off as I looked down to examine it.

  The strap that had secured it to my waist had been cut, and the whole thing taken. I frowned, but as Paige started to go after them, I put a hand out to stop her. “It’s fine, let it go.”

  She looked at me funny, “But he took your PEC.”

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  I reached into a pocket and summoned one of the orange crystals, “No, he didn’t.”

  Frank looked at it, brow furrowed, but Paige just laughed, “That was clever. Wow, they’re going to be pissed when they look at it.”

  I shrugged and put it back in my pocket, disappearing it like I’d summoned it, using the EXP Absorption trait. “Not our problem. Shame about the pouch, I kind of liked it.”

  The other woman shrugged, “Better the pouch than a knife in the gut. Some thieves are a little more aggressive.”

  I winced, thinking about it. If he’d been a little less skilled, I probably would have been injured. Could I have healed a stab wound there? It wasn’t something I wanted to find out. Not at the moment, anyway.

  We continued on our way to the smith and went inside the shop proper. Paige talked with the man behind the counter while Frank looked around with me. I liked the feathers the shopkeeper had and he seemed really animated seeing her.

  Frank, meanwhile, stepped a bit closer so they couldn’t hear. “You don’t have those in your pocket, do you?”

  I looked at him out of the corner of my eye, but didn’t respond. Instead, I picked up a couple of daggers to try them out. They were a little heavy, but that wasn’t an issue if I was using them for training. The edges also weren’t very sharp, and the blades a bit longer than normal.

  The mage sighed and looked over at Paige before turning back to me, “It’s none of my business, I guess. Just be careful with it. It’s usually a skill reserved for banks, and they don’t take kindly to others using it.”

  I looked over at him, incredulous, “It’s not like it grants infinite PEC.” I responded, keeping my voice low.

  Frank snorted, “No, but tax evasion is a serious crime.”

  I groaned, not wanting to think about that. “Thought they already taxed experience somehow.” I held onto the daggers and wandered around and finding a few throwing knives I wanted to try out too. They had a better balance, but still seemed off.

  “They do, but the banks have a tax on deposits and withdrawals separate from the kingdom taxes.” Frank muttered. “They’ll hit you with so many fines you won’t be able to do anything.”

  I saw something that seemed to call to me. It was a pair of wooden sticks with a handle about a third away from one end. There was a label with the price, calling them tonfas. I grabbed those too and headed for the counter.

  Frank, unhappily, followed behind.

  As he did, a flashing exclamation appeared near the top right of my vision. It was unusual enough that I focused on it.

  Quest Discovered

  Unregulated Taxation

  You have been notified of possibly illegal tampering of Personal Experience Crystals. Investigate further and figure out who authorized it. If necessary, enact Repayment Protocols on the organization responsible.

  Repayment Protocols? I thought, brow furrowing. I would look into it when I got back to the manor. It certainly sounded less… horrific than some of the other penalties I’d seen in the Moderator Manual. Whoever thought of trapping someone in a sensory depravation bubble is a horrible person.

  I paid, and we all left. Paige offered to carry some of the knives and daggers, and I’d gotten a belt loop for the tonfas. Frank didn’t look super happy, but I wasn’t willing to talk about it and he didn’t look like he was going to push.

  “So, anywhere else you’d suggest we stop at before taking me home?” I asked Paige, since Frank was sulking.

  “Hm… how about a herbalism shop? I need to pick up some of their teas for cramps, anyway. I ran out last month.” She started to lead the way, and we followed behind.

  It took a while to get to the store Paige was guiding us to. It was a small place with a large glass building behind it. I could see rows of plants and vines within, as well as a few sparkling lights flying about inside. I couldn’t tell what they were and didn’t want to use Scan again because of Frank’s warning.

  Instead, we went inside and a small bell chimed. A plump, came from the back after a few seconds and hopped up onto a tall stool behind a counter. “How can I help ya today, Paige?”

  She smiled, “Hey Stan. I’m picking up my usual order, and brought someone to look around.”

  “I’ve got it all set out for you already. And who do I have the pleasure of meeting?” He said, beaming at me.

  “Danielle. A pleasure.” I didn’t give him my last name, cause I didn’t feel it was needed. “I’m thinking of getting some herbs for sleep.” I looked at Paige, “Think I should get some of what you did?”

  Paige hummed, “They might have something back at your home. Couldn’t hurt, though.”

  Stan smiled, “Ah, first time buying for yourself. It’s fine, I get a lot of girls in a similar position for one reason or another. As for sleep…” He hummed and looked around his store. “Think a mixture of Dead Leaf and Dizzy Weed might do. Let me get everything together.”

  He hopped down, and I looked around at some of the dried herbs that were stocked amongst the shelves. There were things for pain, hangovers, sleep, and a dozen or more other uses. One proclaimed to take you into the clouds, whatever that meant.

  After a few minutes, Stan came back with a couple of packages. Paige took hers and Stan started to go through the things in the small sack he’d put everything in. “These are the teas I usually give to girls. This is for tea, a mixture of Nerve Berries and Yellow Frond. It acts as a mild muscle relaxer and mood stabilizer. Take it when you start your cycles and until it stops.” He set the small bag of dried herbs off to the side. It had a clear label and a note with instructions.

  “And is this the Dead Leaf and Dizzy Weed?” I asked, motioning to the other small pouch.

  “No, this is a preventative concoction. If you get intimate with someone, drink a tea before or after.” He said, and gave me a stern look, “Be cautious, though. It’s not guaranteed. Any complications may require a trip to a Melrose clinic and they aren’t cheap.”

  I nodded gravely. Probably a good idea. Not that I plan to do anything like that. I was kind of creeped out just from the thought, if I was being honest with myself.

  “This, is the sleep aid.” His tone returned to something closer to jovial. “It’s best burned as an incense. Though some people roll it into cotton or paper cigarettes and inhale.”

  Paige giggled and Frank shook his head. I looked at them, “What?”

  Frank sighed, “It’s legal, but Dizzy Weed is used more often to get high. He’s forgetting to mention that it’s mildly addictive.”

  Stan frowned and looked at the mage, “I was getting to it. I also included it in the instructions, as well as warning you,” He pointed at me as he returned his attention to me, “Not to overindulge. The Dead Leaf is added to keep you asleep, and too much could make you not wake up. Got it?”

  Nervously, I looked at the instructions on the mixture, “So, use maybe once a night?”

  His mouth twisted as he thought about it. “Try to sleep without it, if you can, honestly. You will also need to make sure any room you use it in is well ventilated after you take it.”

  I nodded and he told me the price. I sighed, and converted some of my class experience to cover what I didn’t have. The weapons had been pricey, and these were more expensive than those.

  He packaged everything up, and I took the instructions for the sleep aid. For incense, burn one hour before bed and ventilate room for ten minutes after it has burned out. For smoking, smoke outside or blow it out the window. Do not take more than a gram per usage.

  “How much is a gram of those herbs?” I asked outloud as we headed back towards the manor.

  Paige held her thumb and index apart. It wasn’t that far. “About a ball that size. Honestly, I’m surprised you bought that.”

  I thought about how much to say, and decided it wouldn’t hurt to give a brief explanation. “I had a nightmare and when a maid tried to wake me from it… I apparently attacked her. I broke several bones in her face, apparently.”

  Paige blinked, “That’s… surprising. What was the nightmare about?” She hesitated and scratched the back of her head, “If it’s not too much to ask about.”

  I shrugged, “No idea.” I lied. “Already talked with someone about it, though.”

  Toren had said dreams weren’t anything to worry about…

  She shrugged too and patted me on the shoulder, “I’m sure it’ll get better.”

  That didn’t really make me feel better, and we walked the rest of the way in silence.

  Name: Danielle Rosecrest

  Age: 17

  Race: Human

  Class: Noble 4

  Class EXP: 731/800

  Experience Bank: 0/2000

  Unspent Attribute Points: 0

  Statistics

  Physical

  Strength: 10

  Dexterity: 12

  Agility: 13

  Endurance: 10

  Constitution: 10

  Mental

  Intelligence: 19

  Insight: 12

  Charisma: 13

  Perception: 11

  Magic

  Mana: 4

  Mana Control: 2

  Mana Power: 2

  Skills

  Assessment: Tier 1, Rank 5

  Unarmed Combat Tier 1, Rank 5

  Cheap Shot Tier 0, Rank 2

  Mana Sense: Tier 0, Rank 1

  Speed Reading: Tier 0, Rank 1

  Deception: Tier 0, Rank 1

  Staff Combat: Tier 0, Rank 3

  Mathematics: Tier 2, Rank 13

  Throwing: Tier 0, Rank 1

  Traits

  Noble Birth

  Experience Conversion

  Experience Absorption

  Moderator’s Veil

  Second Chance

  Spells

  Healing: Tier 0 Rank 3

  Scan: Tier 0 Rank 2