Okay... what now?

With their warnings still in mind I found my way back to the longhouse. The beds still empty save for my own where my bag sat next to it. To their credit the staff did come by to clean and remake the bed. Something I had forgotten to do. My mother would have had my ass as a bad guest. Sitting down onto the mattress I ran my hand over my face. Only now realizing just how much hair had grown since I woke up. Not a full beared, seemed Ero’s kept that from me, but a thick stubble. With an internal debate I decided to shave it off after my bath. After I was a little cleaner.

Making my way to the counter Brie stood behind it checking over the ledger. Spotting me just as I reached the space in front of her. Pleasantries aside, she warned me that I would have to avoid sleeping in so late. Not that it caused any issues, but the staff were worried that I had entered into either a coma or worse. She explained that it wasn’t uncommon for adventurers to come in after a fight and die in their sleep. A tragic but all too common event. I thanked her for her concern and assured her that I was just dead tired. Next came my actual intent. After telling Brie that the water was needed she asked me to wait a short while and then it would be available.

The bath itself was warm and inviting. Nowhere the comfort that the inn had, but it was well above a creek. The water was warm, soap had a pleasant smell, and the room was still private. Not perfect, but good enough for me to scrub the dirt and my privates clean.

After my bath I stood in front of the mirror. Only the second or third time I'd actually seen myself since waking up. The only difference between now and the way I looked in the forest was the presence of thick stubble that stared back at me. Just the thought of it itched. Running my fingers over the stubble the thought occurred that I was low on razors, to say they're least. That and my broken sword, while still sharp, had also been used to kill some pissed of geckos. Not exactly what I wanted to risk nicking my cheek with. Staring into the mirror, trying to come up with a solution, I finally came with one. Digging into my clothes I'd taken off I pulled out the dagger that Yura had given me. Unused till now, it was the sharpest and cleanest blade I had on me.

I held the blade in hand as I ran it along my arm. Far from razor sharp, it did take some hair. Not enough to shave though. Rather it mostly just scraped across leaving a white scratch. Holding onto the blade I pursed my lips as I tried to think of something. I hadn't thought about how people in the middle ages shaved, now that I'm thrown into the future middle ages, I was shit out of luck.

Holding onto the blade, a single thought did occur. With the dagger in hand I started to channel my energy through it. The same way I had in the cave and when I trained in that meadow. Though it took me a minute to figure it out again, the blade burst to life with a thick blue hue. Intense static coming off of the dagger causing me to instinctively yank it away from my face. Unlike my sword the charge didn't seem to extend nearly as far, instead it only increased it to the length of a long dagger. From maybe about a foot to almost two. Damn near a shortsword, but far from the longsword length that the broken blade managed to create.

Though incredible still, the static was far far far too much to put next to my face. Closing my eyes I took deep breaths as I pulled back on the magic flowing out of me. Finding a happy balance between power and control. Finally after a few moments I can feel my arm begin to warm, the audible static slowly softening before I finally open my eyes. The blue hue that had swallowed the blade had become more of a faint glow. Running my finger along the blade it left barely a tingle. Next, running it along my arm the hair fell off as if a straight razor had done the job.

I took a deep breath. Steeled myself. Tightened my ass and brought it to my face. Flexing my jaw as I used the magic enhanced dagger to effortlessly shave off the hairs on my cheeks. Using even more care to shave off what had grown on my lip and neck. Moving slowly, methodically. Without the need for shaving cream it was odd, but somehow the magic didn't see fit to slice off a chunk of flesh or my throat. Eros knows I was thankful for that tidbit. With my face freshly shaved, I slapped myself with the now cool water. Letting the sting settle as my pores closed and remaining hair was washed away. Cleaned, shaved, fed. Now I only needed to find my way to a fresh set of clothes, and my, hopefully pleasant date.

Stepping out of the washroom freshly cleaned, shaved and dressed, I was met with a seemingly sour Tront. Standing near the wall with a bag next to him. His face carried a sense of seriousness that was only interrupted by that political smirk that he formed at seeing me exit. “Mr. Kross. I see you've taken to our facilities. Forgive them for their simplicity, it's what we can reasonably afford without major renovations.”

Lifting the bag he held it about waist height. He pulled out a smaller leather bound item. Setting the bag back down he held the new package out to me. It was a dark leather sack about a foot across, and half a foot tall. About the size of a medium purse. The leather was tightly bound and stitched, sealed on all edges by wax. “I'll also ask for your forgiveness for the intrusion. If you recall, we were to contact you last night. However… things have rapidly changed. Our deal and all its factors remain the same, save for you will be going tonight rather than two days from now. Don't worry, your clothing order has been updated and Miss Eleanor has been notified and is making the proper planning adjustments. Though it may be cutting the time a bit short, your clothing will be ready before your appointment.”

“Do… do I need to state how disturbing it is that you know my affairs so well?” I pinched the ridge of my nose. The idea this guy had just been following me in a trench coat basically being the only thing keeping me from losing my temper at his people's stalking. “Fine, so the time tables been moved up by a day or so?”

“No, I'm aware of how it appears and feels. Still, pays to be knowledgeable on current events.” Tront nodded his head and handed the package over to me. I ran my fingers over the wax sealed leather. The knots that bound it so tightly. If I didn't know the content, I'd have assumed it was a treasure. “Miss Eleanor has also been paid an additional sum to make her rush worth it. It will not come out of your funds. This was our gift for the inconvenience to each or you. Unfortunately, your other items will not be ready in time.”

“I see… and what do you know of my other items? Can I just assume you have intimate knowledge of everything I do?”

If I didn't know any better I'd say that Tront almost seemed embarrassed by being called out like that. He rubbed the back of his neck before replying. That knowing smirk shifts a shy grin for a moment. “Not everything. I'm no god, only have a network. If I make a request, it's fulfilled. Nothing that impressive really.”

“I'd beg to differ. Alright… so this evening then?” Tront simply nodded his head in reply. He went on to explain that I would be escorted by one of the guild members later that day. Since he didn't expect me to know the way, true as it was. He also explained something else.

“Your contact will not be interacting with you much. They won't have a drawn out conversation, and they won't ask questions. You'll know them only by this, “The stag bellows.” When you hear this, present the package and that will be the end of your part. Deal had, your night with Miss Cecilia assured.”