17

The rest of the day goes by without incident. Every task that comes up throughout is either identical or damn near so to any of the myriad activities you used to participate in at home, the difference being that here you are actually needed, and so you have to work a little harder. Your limbs are initially a little stiff and slow to respond, but after a hearty lunch of pork killed only the day before it gets much easier. Restore 4 Vitals points. As you recover your faculties you begin to notice Elia’s attributes more. You only really see her when she finds you without work and gives you more, so there isn’t time to learn anything special about her. You rather like the curve of her eyebrows, as well as other curves. The cloth she wears covers her well, but it can’t hide her sizeable backside, nor the substantial amount of material sprouting from her chest. She seems to be working just as hard as you if not more, herding beasts, feeding them, wheeling barrelfuls of grain freshly harvested yesterday. She must be well carved out under her clothes.

Night falls. The cows have been milked, and let back into the field for the night. Apparently it’s their second night out this year, with spring slowly warming to summer temperatures. You thought it was a little cold when the sun went down and the last light was retreating, but said nothing of it. If the beasts have been out already they must be able to cope. Elia gives you your last task of the day, which is to kill, skin and cook a chicken for the two of you.

After you’ve eaten, she shows you to a room in the main house on the second floor. It has a proper glass window, and a bed long enough for your feet to not dangle from out the other end. A rare luxury.

“I wake you at dawn.” she says. “When you reach the city gates ask the guards for directions to The Big Bight inn. My uncle is the owner. Tell him everything you told me, and to send his best men. For your troubles he’ll let you sleep free of charge a night or two, on my behalf. Good night.”

You nod, and she turns to leave, only to stop and add “By the way, he’s half-goblin, and he has magic. He’ll know you’re telling the truth.”

You turn in, wondering whether her uncle will be able to see your mildly lustful feelings toward his niece. That could be embarrassing, and a very good indicator of how powerful he is.

Turn to 19.