Monster's Mercy

by William D. Arand

  “Lori. Lori Moon,” she said, giving him a bright smile.

  Smiling back at her, he nodded.

  “I’m Rene Anatolis. I’m a recently arrived citizen. This is day two for me.”

  “Nice to meet you. Thank you for your help with the bad man,” Lori said, gripping Rene’s sleeve now.

  “You’re welcome, Lori.”

  “Where’re you from?” asked the little girl, her eyes staring up at him.

  Rene felt a little uncomfortable and put his eyes back on his catch and the road.

  “Oh. Far, far away,” Rene said.

  Lori was quiet for a moment.

  “Are you friends with Bill?” she asked finally. “You helped us, so you must be.”

  “I… ah,” Rene started. She reminded him distinctly of his own little sister when she had been that age. “Yeah. Friends with Bill.”

  “Good. You can come over tomorrow and we’ll play. My father is a blacksmith. We’re in the merchant quarter. We’re right along the main boulevard—can’t miss it even if you tried. Moon’s Blades,” Lori announced. There was no question to that.

  Rene looked at Bill, who shrugged his shoulders.

  Saying nothing more, Rene marched along. Caleb directed the way with simple hand gestures.

  ***

  Standing outside the courthouse, Rene felt good. He was several gold richer and had collected a stack of wanted posters on his way out.

  Such a funny way to pay the bills, to think we only need to use our skills. In this new role I’m quite satisfied, even if you do regard me as Hyde.

  “Well. I’d say that’s an easy set-up, then. I get you the information, you track them down, we split the coin fifty-fifty,” Caleb said, interrupting Rene’s thoughts.

  Turning his head to one side, Rene regarded the other man silently.

  “Fine. Seventy-thirty,” Caleb countered.

  Sounds like a good deal, providing the info is real.

  “Make that sixty-twenty-twenty. I’ll keep your equipment maintained and provide you with some new gear as well,” Bill chimed in.

  “And I’ll play with you when you’re not being a hero,” Lori added.

  A hero? Deal. You’re taking the deal. Say it. Say it. Say IT. SAY IT. SAY IT!

  Rene squinted his eyes, trying to block out the voice. It only got louder, but it didn’t force him to do anything. It didn’t have that kind of control anymore. Then, even to his own surprise, he nodded his head.

  “Done,” Rene muttered. “I need a steel short sword, a club—steel shod preferably, boots that won’t clatter and can move easily, and a small crossbow with a pistol grip. I’m sure I’ll need other things, but that’ll be a good start.”

  “Steel? That’s a bit pricey. Our family is new to the trade and we’ve had a lot of failures with steel.”

  “You want your twenty, that’s where it’ll come from,” Rene concluded. “You only have to get it once, after all.”

  Rene pulled out a coin and began lightly flipping it end over end. He was hoping to get an Agility increase if he kept at it.

  Supplies for today, hunting tomorrow.

  Let’s sleep in the library again. They’ll hunt the inns for us.

  “I’ll drop by to see you early tomorrow morning, Bill. Caleb, get me a target I can pick up during the day. Questions?” Rene asked.

  Both men shook their head.

  Lori held up her hand above her head.

  Looking at the girl, Rene gave her a small smile.

  “Yes, Lori?”

  “Can we have a tea party?” she asked.

  “Ah—”

  Yes! Now ask if it’s a formal party or casual.

  “Sure, Lori. But only until I have to go catch a bad guy.”

  “Kay!”

  You didn’t ask if we should dress for the occasion…

  ***

  Rene watched as the literary citizens cleared out. Those who stayed till this hour were those who wanted to debate the literature rather than simply check out books in the morning.

  “I’ll give it a little bit,” Rene muttered as he watched the library from its courtyard. Taking a seat on a bench, he opened his inventory and pulled out the martial arts manual he’d “borrowed” from the library.

  There was no cover, no title on the outside, a blank spine, and the pages were crackling and brittle at the edges.

  Old, unmaintained, and quite possibly forgotten in the shelves. Rene had pulled it out on a whim from the rack.

  Flipping it open to the first page, he found himself reading a debate on force without any type of introduction.

  When to use such force and how much to use.

  Raising his eyebrows, Rene had to wonder if he should just ditch the whole thing. His approach up to this point had always been to bring the maximum amount down on someone without question.

  Using anything less was an invitation for them to strike back. Rene forced himself to make it through the first chapter.

  With a grunt, he went to flip the thing shut.

  Your skill in The Elemental Way has increased (1)

  What’s this? What’s that? A hidden skill requiring but a look at?

  Intrigued, Rene opened the thin manual again.

  “Did you steal that?” asked a light voice.

  Looking up from the book, Rene found Alana standing in front of him, as confirmed by the name plate floating over her head.

  Without her mask, she definitely had the feminine looks that befitted her race. He had thought her eyes large before. Now, when he could see her pretty face fully coupled with her small features, she almost seemed owlish.

  “Checked it out. I’ll return it when I’m done,” Rene closed the book and laid it down in his lap, staring into her eyes.

  “I see. Come, we have work to do,” Alana said, turning on her heel.

  Frowning, Rene watched her leave.

  Easier to be invited in I say, and I’m ever so delighted to be away.

  We can always taste her blood if it goes wrong.

  I wager it’s sweet. Sweet like honey.

  Sugary sweet.

  With a sigh, Rene stood up and followed the Elven woman, slipping the book into his inventory. He didn’t wish to harm her and the invitation she offered, without stating it, was definitely easier than him breaking in.

  Slipping into the library behind her, Rene came in close to her side.

  A knife came free easily from his belt and pressed eagerly into his palm. If it was a trap, she’d regret it instantly. Without even the time to properly do so.

  An old man nodded his head to Alana as she skirted by.

  “Night, Alan,” rasped the older gentleman.

  “Goodnight, sir,” came a much deeper voice than he expected from Alana. The one he’d heard first when she’d surprised him.

  She hides her gender, and plays the bender. Perhaps she fears for her virginity in this city without divinity.

  As if she read his mind, her dark eyes flashed at him. A brown lock of hair fell out of place and the tip of her ear peeked out.

  Letting the situation play out without a word, Rene merely followed her lead.

  Alana moved towards the back, then wrapped a long-fingered hand around a cart handle and shoved it towards him.

  Quickly replacing the dagger in its sheath, Rene grabbed the cart and brought it along as he followed her.

  And like that, they spent a few hours returning books to their appropriate locations.

  It was simple work, made quicker by two sets of hands. With little to no conversation.

  He was perfectly happy with that. Conversation with unfamiliar people wasn’t his strong suit.

  Suddenly, he wished to speak to his family. They always understood him, even when he felt like he couldn’t explain himself.

  Having such a thing in his second life was a blessing he’d grown to love.

  “Good. Our work is done. Come,” Alana stated, moving off once again. Rene shook his head, bringing h
imself out of his daydream. Leaving the cart at the dumbwaiter, he chased after her at a brisk walk.

  “I brought you dinner as a reward. Once you’re done eating, you can do as you will,” Alana explained, pointing at a seat.

  Rene glanced around. They were in a secluded room offset from the main floor. It looked more like a modest bedroom filled with books than anything else.

  “I see,” Rene took the indicated seat. For whatever reason, she managed to keep him trotting after her.

  Eighteen years of a family softened us. Understandable, and not regrettable.

  She set a brown paper parcel in his lap and then took the only other chair in the room.

  Unfolding the stiff wrapping, Alana picked up what looked to him like an open-faced sandwich.

  Her large eyes flicked to him as she lifted it to her mouth.

  A strange look passed over her for a split second. Then it was gone, and she opened her mouth to reveal two pairs of canines. One set was elongated beyond what a human would have. To the point that it looked more akin to an animal. The second set looked more normal.

  Taking a bite of her food, she cocked her head to one side, and then watched him as she chewed.

  Rene had been shocked to discover this world had all the standard non-human races he’d read about as a child back on Earth. His father had noticed the interest and hired tutors of each race to give him a good groundwork of understanding for each species.

  Unwilling to be the first to break eye contact this time, Rene unfolded his own paper blindly. Scooping out a similar sandwich, he took a bite as well.

  After swallowing, he dipped his head once to her in thanks and let his eyes fall away.

  A cold-blooded killer we are, not an uneducated tiller without manners.

  “You’re strange,” Alana said.

  “I’m afraid that is neither a question nor something I can respond to easily,” Rene said.

  “You’ve no reaction to my race. You’re aware I’m a woman. You know my name. We’ve never met before—I would remember,” Alana stated. Each piece of that little speech felt like a knife sliding along his skin. “You’re an enigma.”

  Rene stalled for time and took a bigger bite than he needed to.

  He didn’t want to kill her, despite the Monster’s desire to taste her blood. Nor did he want to reveal too much about himself to her.

  She felt strange to him. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on, and yet, something he knew he couldn’t avoid.

  “Once again, not something I can easily respond to, and none of it a question,” Rene replied, meeting her grand eyes.

  “I’ll figure you out. You’ll return here to assist me each night. I’ve prepared a cot for you,” she said, pointing a long finger towards a mattress against the wall.

  Rene felt a little out of sorts. He couldn’t keep up with her. She was moving faster than he wanted and kept pushing him where she wanted him.

  “No, I don’t fear you. Were my life or body in danger, you would have done something already. Which isn’t to say I don’t believe you’re capable of such a thing. You strike me as the type that could slit a man’s throat as easily as a butcher could break down a cow.” Alana set the brown paper to one side, her eyes staring into him.

  “I fear I must repeat myself. You leave me little to respond to or even answer,” Rene said.

  “I know.” Those black eyes, which looked more like pools of ink in the torchlight, drew him in.

  “I’m not here during the day, as I’m preparing for university in a few weeks. You’ll stay here until I’m satisfied. If anyone asks, I’m training you as an assistant should my duties become too hard to complete quickly with my classwork.”

  “I see.” Rene took another bite finishing up the sandwich. It’d been tasty, if without seasoning.

  “Good. I expect honesty from you, as I will treat you the same. Since I have no secret that you haven’t already rendered worthless. My only question at this time is thus: are you human?” Her eyes took on a piercing quality, wanting to know his answer.

  “Yes. I’m very much a human.” Folding the paper into its original packaging, Rene set it down to one side.

  Alana considered that and then nodded her head once. “I have math work I must complete. You’re free to do as you will.” Alana turned in her chair, facing a desk he hadn’t really noticed.

  Rene tried not to stare at her.

  I like her. She doesn’t fear us.

  Let’s eat her later. She’ll keep for now.

  Clicking his teeth together, Rene opened his inventory and retrieved the slim book now identified as The Elemental Way.

  Opening it to Chapter Two, he began to read.

  Chapter 7

  Rene was seated on the ground with Lori directly across from him. She was in the process of miming pouring him a cup of tea from a crudely carved wooden teapot.

  It was several hours before evening would set in. He’d wanted a day job, but this was probably as good as they’d be able to manage. People with bounties on their heads didn’t typically survive wandering around during the day, after all.

  “Ah, thank you, Miss Lori,” Rene said, picking up the little wooden cup.

  “Of course, Mr. Rene. You must come by more often,” Lori said in her best grown-up voice.

  “I’ll make a note of that.” Rene held the cup to his lips and took a dainty sip. “Good tea. Nice house.”

  “Thank you,” Lori said while giggling.

  “Alright, Lori, I need to borrow Mr. Rene. I’m afraid he’s got work to do,” Bill said. He’d been in the workshop, finishing up, when Rene had arrived.

  “Aww, Bill, no. He’s actually playing with me,” Lori grumped, staring at her brother.

  “He can play later. He has to go catch bad guys, remember?” Bill asked.

  “Yeah, cause he’s a hero.” Lori nodded with her statement, looking to Rene.

  A hero!

  Rene gave Lori a small smile and set the cup down. “Another time, Miss Moon.”

  Stepping away from the play table, Rene joined Bill.

  “As you asked, short sword and club. No crossbow yet, since I have to buy it, then modify it. Never heard of such a thing as a pistol grip,” Bill muttered, turning to enter the workshop he shared with his father.

  “Call it a bias,” Rene said as he moved over to the table where Bill was.

  Picking up the short sword, he did a quick Analyze on it.

  Item Name: Steel Short Sword

  Description: Forged by William Moon. A sturdy and serviceable sword. A lot like your first girlfriend—you could do better, you could do worse.

  Damage: 8-17

  Functions-

  Stabbing and slashing (What else did you expect?)

  Attributes-

  Pointy

  Who the fuck wrote all that out?

  Whoever it is, they’ve a smart mouth. I’d like to make it stupid.

  “Good. I’ll leave it here for now but take the club. Supposedly, I won’t need the sword on this hunt. Because Caleb assures me this fellow isn’t dangerous,” Rene said, while nodding his head. Then he looked to Caleb on the other side.

  “It’s true. He’s a gambler and vagabond. His bounty is alive only. They want to get him branded as an extreme debtor and hold him for a bit,” Caleb said defensively.

  “Good.” Rene picked up the club and slipped it onto a belt ring he’d picked up on the way over.

  “He’s only worth two gold, but I figure this is a good start to see how it works out. He’s supposedly been hanging around the more well to do merchant taverns, trying to get drinks for free as of late. I’d start there,” Caleb added.

  Rene couldn’t disagree with that. It was a good start, decent equipment, and an okay plan. All that remained was the intelligence and seeing if it was worth anything at all.

  “In addition to finding bounties and information on them, I want you to look into a kidnapping ring. They’re targeting all walks of li
fe and seem to be after younger family members. They had a few people turn up dead the other night. Use that as your starting point, but don’t make yourself known. You can’t reveal that you’re looking into it,” Rene demanded.

  He then ghosted off, not allowing questions or responses, leaving his two compatriots standing there.

  Letting his mind wander he started to consider The Elemental Way.

  He’d spent an hour reading it last night. He’d found it mildly fascinating. It was a manual on a monk temple’s school of thought and training.

  He hadn’t gotten out of the introductory chapters yet. It had dealt mostly with the beliefs of the temple and their philosophy.

  Rene had at least gotten multiple skill-ups for his reading. He’d moved all the way up to the eighth level of The Elemental Way.

  For whatever benefit that yields.

  “No rhyming today?” Rene muttered, his eyes flowing over everyone around him.

  We’re calm at the moment. Satisfied.

  No need.

  Rene fell silent, pondering the Monster’s comment.

  So lost in thought was he, that he nearly walked right by the first stop Caleb had suggested checking in on.

  Adjusting his mind and thoughts, Rene fell into a focus he’d perfected in his past life. He entered the upscale establishment as if he belonged there.

  All around him were men and women of a certain station. Low tables with cushioned chairs set around them. A quiet murmur filled the area and expensive bottles of booze lined the area behind a bar.

  A bouncer’s hand rested on Rene’s shoulder before he could even take a step in.

  “Sir, you’ll forgive me, I’m sure, but this establishment has a cert—”

  Meeting the man’s eyes dead on, Rene said nothing. He merely stared at the bouncer.

  Two seconds became five, and then ten. The bouncer dropped his hand and his eyes at the same time.

  Acting as if he’d never even seen Rene, the bouncer was cowed and waited for Rene to act.

  Tear his face off. Wear it like a mask.

  Show him the look on his face when you pull out his liver and use it to paint the floors red.