Teach a Princess

A voice calls me ... the old lady ... with a crystal on her hands ... I go closer, and an image appears.

Looks like a Dwarf ... With a lot of vials around his chest, several small pouches ... He holds the red liquid and says.

" Adventurer, I have a special quest for you. If you accept I'll give you this experimental potion that ... "

" Green potion. "

My answer surprises the Dwarf, but not the old lady. He turns to her, nods, and vanishes. The old lady says.

" Green potion. Guard small human until night. "

I nod, and seat on the table, the old lady continues to talk, whispering to the crystal ... but I can sense the vibrations.

" You were right Guild Master ... This Potion I made ... is useless for her ... Such a waste ... I bet it can increase Sonja's intelligence ... She might even be able to use magic ... "

" A Barbarian using magic, and maybe reading ... You understand that the only way we have to control them, is to be smarter ? That potion, if it works, can change the power balance ... Even more Sonja. She could be the next Queen. "

" Queen ? You are exaggerating Guild Master. If it wasn't an order from the Princess, I will never ... "

" You don't know Sonja, Master Crafter. Didn't you see her her eyes looking at your pouch ? "

" Why would a Barbarian want to have a Pouch of Infinity ? "

" To store Green Potions, or like we called them Minor Healing Potions. "

" Oh ... Sonja did asked the Potion ... How did she ... Ah, my bandolier ... Sonja thinks fast ... When the Princess arrives, we will ... "

" She is getting dressed, Master Crafter ... And told me to not reveal her presence. "

They continue to talk, I listen to all ... the Princess, future ruler of this land, wants to be an adventurer ... I can prepare her properly for that ... Using scan I can sense her presence, here she comes ... a normal adventurer.

Perfect skin, and posture, and walks like she owns the area ... Near her is a big man ... Bodyguard, covering his armour with a mantle ... but my scan can detect the metal ... smart ... I'm going to use that trick soon.

" I'm Melody, a Rogue. This is Clay, a Warrior, but he never speaks. You are Sonja, guide me. "

Her words are perfectly paused, like the entire room was waiting for her royal speech ... and the GM comes running.

" Rogue .... What is the meaning of this ? "

" I changed my mind, Guild Master. I want Sonja to teach me to be strong like her. "

The GM looks to Clay, he nods discreetly, and she turns to me. She thinks for a moment, then says.

" Sonja ... Quest changed ... Teach small human how to fight. "

A good call, since a human can't never be as strong like a Barbarian ... Let me try ... I look at her for a moment. Then I get up. The GM points to a small chamber, and lights the torches when we enter the chamber. I go to the centre of the room, and drop my big sword. Melody is surprised, then I point at her.

" Grab. "

She walks proudly towards the sword, while Clay looks at the GM. He already knows what is going to happen. Mel tries her best, with all her strength, but the sword doesn't move. Clay prepares to step forward, but I am faster. I grab the sword with one hand, and Mel looks at me with her eyes full of tears. Clay looks surprised to the GM, and then I return my sword into its place. Mel nods.

" I understand ... I can't be strong like you ... and ... "

" Seat. "

My word surprise her, the Princess is not used to be interrupted ... Then she looks at the dirty floor, and to Clay.

" SEAT."

I repeat once more, with a little more power on my voice ... Maybe I exaggerated, since Clay is about to draw his sword. But Mel, nods, and seats. I nod back, and continue.

" Rise. "

She is surprised once more, because this is a word she knows ... and uses frequently. But without hesitation she stands up. We continue the game for a while, and Clay whispers to the GM.

" Sonja is crazy ... What is the point of all this ? "

" Teaching ... Sonja is taming her new student. Seat, rise, follow, stay. Later, it will be attack, and run. "

" A beast ? Sonja is training her like a pet ? "

" And probably the way she learned ... Sonja already understood that she is weak ... and is adapting. "

" Where are they doing now ? "

The GM stops talking, when I wave my hand to Mel. My whole group marches to the kitchen, surprising the young receptionist. I ignore that she makes a little nod to Mel, and grab a potato. Then I toss it to Mel.

" Before sword, knife."

Mel is confused, like all of them. I grab a potato, and pull a dagger from under my mantle. Then they are all surprised. It's nothing special, just peeling a potato in a single movement, while rotating the potato with the other hand. I place the whole skin on the table, and toss the peeled potato to Clay. Mel begins to try it, under Clay's supervision. It's clear that this Rogue never grabbed a knife. The GM looks at me.

" Sonja ... where did you learn to do that ? "

" Wolf's skin broken copper, whole gold. "

Two simple words directed to Mel. Then I look to Clay helping Mel, and get up. Mel says.

" Where are you going Sonja, we have to ... "

" Stay. "

I point to the pile of potatoes, and Mel looks at the GM. All look at me, I nod.

" Stay. Practice. Practice. Practice. "

Clay nods, and looks at the GM. He knows that the secret to master any skill is to practice. Mel doesn't look happy.

" How peeling a potato will help me fighting, Sonja ? "

Typical spoiled Princess, all needs to be explained. I grab the knife and aim at my throat. Then I simulate the peeling motion. Mel is shocked, The GM is speechless, Clay nods. Reality time, Mel.

" Cut a throat ? I could never ... "

" It's the only way, Rogue. Without proper physical conditioning, or proper training ... Sonja gave you a way to win a battle. If you are capable of using it or not ... is your decision. "

The GM pulls a small green vial from her mantle, and hands it to me. I nod, She continues.

" That is enough, Sonja ... I'll make sure the Rogue peels the potatoes. You can go. You know who she is ? "

" Rogue ... soon."

My answer makes Mel smile a little, and Clay sees it ... but for now is time to leave them ... I need to think.

" Wait ... "

Mel says coming after me, and stays silent. She can't find words. I point to the kitchen.

" Potatoes first. "

She nods, and runs back to her task. A noble ... being near royalty is an opportunity to shape the future ruler ... Maybe ... if she wants to be shaped.

For now is time to go to the forest, and grab a rabbit ... Using my scan sounds unfair ... So I change my mind, and purchase one ... One gold piece, a slap on the head, the sleeping rabbit returns with me alive. I enter the kitchen again, Mel is proudly looking at the little pile of potatoes. I look at the skins, and see her improvement ... Clay helped a little, but Mel did the work. Then I place the bag in front of her. Mel opens it slowly, and steps back.

" No ... I can't do that ... This is not ... "

Before she continues, I grab a pot, and open it in front of Mel. Her face chances, and Clay steps forward.

" That is enough, Sonja ... Mel can't do this ... You have your payment ... you job is over. "

I point to Mel, place the knife near the bag, and point to the pot ... She doesn't move, but says.

" Not fighting ... Hunting ... I get it, Sonja ... But I'm not ready, and ... "

I step forward, pull the bag to my side, and work fast. They can only see my back, the receptionist sees what I'm doing, and begins the other preparations. The potatoes are properly chopped, I pull from my inventory under my mantle a small pouch with herbs. Just opening the small bag make all raise their heads. Proper seasoning is important to make a meal. Humans just like to add a little salt ... terrible ways. I step back, and the receptionists smiles. A small fireball flies from her fingers, and the wood begins to burn. It's called ordinary magic, and now the GM knows I can't do that. While the stew is being cooked, the GM comes closer.

" This is how you eat on the forest, Sonja ? Next time I'm going with you. Hahaha. "

" Fire calls beasts."

A simple sentence that reveals to the GM how rusty are her surviving skills. But ordinary magic is useful, I wonder if I can use it after absorbing a few more mages ... The receptionist is adjusting the fire to cook faster ... smart ... I should absorb her before leaving the town ... My scan shows that the meal is done. I go forward, and wrap it on my mantle. They are all surprised when I walk away.

" Hey, Sonja ... it smells amazing. Give me a little ... "

Mel begging voice, is different from her spoiled princess tone. I wave my hand, and she follows me ... With all the others. A small group, carrying a pot towards near the gate.

" We are going to eat in the forest, Sonja ? "

Typical human ... the Princess can't see what is under her eyes, I turn to the side near the gate. And look at Mel.

" Reason. "

She doesn't understand, I deliver the pot to her, and point forward. Clay, and the GM follow her closely. This is the part of the town closest to the gate, so they are the poorest, and the first to be attacked. A meat shield for the nobles. On the end of the path is an old lady eating hard bread.

" We don't have much, but if you are sick please enter. "

Then she breaks a little her hard bread, and offer it to Mel ... Still surprised to see the gesture. Without thinking .she offers her the pot, and opens the lid. The aromatic smell fills the air, and the children begin coming out of the door.

" Oh ... thank you, Adventurer ... This is ... "

She stops talking, and begins to cry. Mel also cries, while seeing the children with small bowls. While all this is happening, I walked into another street ... There is a reason why the dagger was covered in sleep potion, and after scanning it, I can find the source. No surprise ... here is the Rat with the wounded hand.

" It's her, must be our lucky day."

Sonja's generous forms, and small armour are enough to make all men move fast towards me. I scan the area, no more eyes watching ... but from the way they move, it's not necessary to use my tentacles. I pull out the small sword, and dance between them. Hands, arms, legs ... there is a little for anyone. The screams call the guards.

" Where ? "

One word, that makes the Rat points at the crate. I already knew it, but is important to pretend. I toss him in the air with one hand, and before he lands on the hand of the guard, I kick the crate. Inside there are several women sleeping ... with their clothes ripped. The old soldier comes near me.

" We take it from here, Sonja ... About to leave the town ... I'll enjoy interrogating him. "

I nod, and crouch. The old soldier smiles when he sees what I'm doing. A few gold coins, some rusty daggers ... but my goal is this ... A bigger mantle ... Bear probably ... Now my body can be fully covered ... to deploy my tentacles unseen ... I return to the street where I left them, the GM looks at my mantle.

" Looks cool on you. "

" Found. "

" I know the owner ... As you guessed, Rat is a friend of ... Copper. I understand what you are doing ... But showing the Rogue this ... will make things harder. "

I point to the line of kids eating the warm meal, the GM has no words, until she says.

" You can't stay. "

I nod, and return my wood plate to her, she smiles.

" Ah ... so this is how you lose your plate ... Now what ? "

I touch my new mantle, and she is speechless once more. Is time to hunt.