1.18

“I remember why I got bored of chess. There’s only one winner and one loser. The best game for both players is a draw.”

“I’ll make my own rules. And anyone that doesn’t like it can go to hell.”

“I am not gifted with perfect memory via Skill or otherwise. Let us make a proper list, and I will be able to see what you want, yes? It will take time, but we shall be more organized than me fetching this or that.”

“It’s kill or be killed in this world, after all.”

“You said he’s played for a few years, right?”

“So it is working. Tribes! Well, I suppose…they’re not the most common, and it is an expensive item. More gold than you have, Miss Erin. Not that I won’t sell it to you if you have, er, forty-eight more pieces.”

“If you’re about to say it was rigged, don’t bother. And if you want a rematch, I’ll gladly play again if you double how much you owe me. Which is a bad idea because I’ll win. I want my money.”

“I smell that too. Blood and death. Yet you don’t stink of fear anymore. You smell like a [Warrior] from my tribe after their first battle or hunt. I am relieved for that, yes? You have a bravery in you, to win a fight to the death alone.”

“Still a great game, though. Don’t take it personally. Let me just get a quick snack for the road. And I need some soap. Proper hygiene and all that. Where did I put the soap? Soap, soap, soap…I should really organize all this stuff. Maybe tomorrow.”

“Right. Let’s start flipping over tables until we find a receipt.”

“Hah! This is the first time I have heard a Human apologize in…months? A good day, yes? It is good you come to make amends. I will forgive you and forgive the smell you stink of as well.”

“Fascinating. This truth-stone earring says you are telling the truth. So I believe you.”

“—Of course, these games are quite rare outside of your home nation, Miss Solstice. I doubt they would have permeated to Izril yet. I have heard of and observed Shogi before.”

“Me? No. I’m not. Sorry?”

“It’s not anything to be proud of. At all.”

“Hah! You are a spirited one! I like you. So I will introduce myself. I am Krshia, [Shopkeeper] and seller of goods. And you are the Human who slew the Goblin Chieftain! What is your name, brave little one?”

“I am, and I see you’ve wrestled some coin out of Lism’s claws, that greedy hoarder. Good for you, Human. But if you are here to look down your nose again at my goods, I would prefer not to waste my time, no?”

“It’s just that I was having a bad day, and I met this other Gnoll who really didn’t like me. So, uh, I was kinda afraid you would get growly at me too. But I’m sorry about that. I shouldn’t judge by, uh, species.”

“There. We have met, and we are now friends. Come into my shop, Erin Solstice, and tell me what you need. For the pleasure of seeing Lism humiliated, I will give you a discount. And I will not steal your coins. That is a promise from a Gnoll of the Silverfang tribe.”

“Still, it’s not nice. And the law should be equal for everyone.”

“Good for him. But I’ve been playing chess for…at least fifteen years, now. I stopped playing for a while until recently, but I used to play at least three games before I went to sleep each night. He might have a fancy Skill, but a rookie’s still a rookie.”

“I, uh—well, I dunno. If he’s Level 20…I’d be Level 60?”

“Isn’t it? You stormed back here, trounced both Lism in words and his nephew in chess—although Olesm is the better of the two by far—and in front of all to see! Warrior and tactician, both! A fine day for a young woman to have—”

“That is a viewpoint I have not often heard since coming to Liscor. So, you truly knew what you were doing, but you pretended to be humble and baited him into that game. Cleverer still!”

“You smell of burned ash and trash. No; not just that foul smell. Even burning trash smells better. I know not what it was, but I can still smell it on you. You could also use some soap, a shampoo for your hair.”

“It’s nothing to be proud of.”

“Good game. Let’s play again sometime, okay?”

“Congratulations on your victory, Miss Solstice.”

“Of course. I am merely a lowly [Tactician], the first of the [Strategist] class line. But should I advance in level and learn more skills, I might qualify for the [Strategist] class. And perhaps after that I might one day become a [Grandmaster]…? It makes my scales shiver to imagine such a class.”

“Because you are Human. Few of us have ever seen your kind here, let alone talked to one.”

“It’s just a game. Just a game?”

“I will give you a fair price. Just as I said. I hail from the Silverfang Tribe, far to the south. The Great Plains of Izril. Have you heard of us?”

“Hm. How good is ‘really good?’ Olesm may be young, but he is considered the best player in Liscor sheerly by how much he plays. From how you speak—it sounds like you made a choice to ‘bully’ him. If he were a Level 20 [Warrior], say, what would you be?”

“I want my money back. All of it, thank you. And while you’re at it, I’ll buy the chess board and pieces too.”

“Perhaps it’s a class only obtainable at high levels in the [Strategist] class line. If ever I have the opportunity, I shall take that class at once.”

“Really? You can smell all that?”

“Runners run. They are quick ones, those who can run long distances to earn money. Sometimes they deliver letters, other times valuable things. Goods, yes? Magical items, messages that must only be spoken to one person. Such are expensive requests though. Only the best carry such things. Most just deliver goods very cheaply. I can call one and have all that you buy delivered to your inn for a good price.”

“If you say it’s so—so you could beat him one-handed, eh? Blindfolded, even? What did you want? Soap? I have a few from the [Alchemist]. But to wash the body…no, this is hair conditioner for Gnolls. I don’t think you need quite this much. Scale cream…I will have someone find it.”

“I am merely fulfilling my duty as a member of the Watch. And once again, may I congratulate you on your victory? I would greatly enjoy playing a game against you once I am off-duty.”

“I do not mock you, Human. But I laugh because I forget others do not have our nose. Forgive, please. You stepped in something on your way to the city.”

“Of course. Did you think many would carry off bags of flour as you did? It is too hard. No; the stupid shopkeeper Lism, fur sheddings that he is, didn’t tell you and gave you the bag on purpose. But then again—have you never had a Street Runner deliver anything? It may be a bit more for somewhere outside Liscor, but I know a few Street Runners who will do it.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve never seen a Runner’s Guild Seal before? Hah—maybe not Drake ones? You haven’t? Well then…they are for Runners. When I give you one, I will keep its twin, yes? Then, when a Runner delivers your goods, you will give him the Seal you have, and then I will know my goods have been delivered. It is simple.”

“…Four silver coins. Not a small price. If it were the city, it would be one, or maybe coppers for a small delivery. But it is far, yes? And if it is heavy and monsters lurk about, the price goes up. You are lucky the Goblins are scarce and the Hollowstone Deceivers do not travel this late in the season. So I advise you to buy a lot and have the delivery done once, yes?”

“Eugh! What was—that’s so gross! I’m so sorry! I had that on my foot the entire time? You’re totally forgiven. Your nose is amazing! Do I, uh, smell at all beyond that?”

“And he is a Level 22 [Tactician]. There are few higher-level [Tacticians] even within the Liscorian army. Although that is largely because most consolidate to [Strategist].”

“Humans are strange. He would not give you the same if he were in your place; he surely would not.”

“Two gold pieces, seven silver, and four copper exactly. I don’t have a receipt, but I’m sure Klbkch and Relc could help you find out.”

“As Senior Guardsmen, we would be happy to provide assistance in assessing all financial income for your business, as well as any unpaid taxes that may be extant. For now, we will have to order your shop closed while we begin a thorough investigation of your wares and inventory.”

“Hrm. If you insist. I apologize if I’ve erred. Humans can be difficult to understand.”

“Shield Spider gear! Cheaper than Pallassian steel and almost as good! Anyone fancy some adventurer’s equipment? No? Please?”

“Wh—truth stones? That’s what that thing is? I’ve never seen something like that! Is it magic?”

“Really? Not once? I…have never seen a truth stone before either.”

“Tell you what, next time, we can play a bunch of games. Not just chess—if you guys have got other strategy games, I’d love to play them too.”

“Is this ‘grandmaster’ you speak of a class? Is it possible—could I take such a class myself?”

“Oh yes. It’s not too bad now though. All that blood and oil covers it up.”

“Er…I might be able to beat him blindfolded.”

“Don’t feel bad. I’m not a professional player, but I’ve won a chess tournament or two in my time. I’ve even played a grandmaster and won. One of the few female ones, which was really cool. But I was so nervous at the time I totally forgot to castle, and I lost my rook to—”

“May I ask how you managed such an incredible display? I would not have thought it possible, nor deemed it prudent to bet against Olesm in a game of chess until this moment.”

“I must congratulate you, Miss Solstice. I have been truly humbled by your skill. Please, accept my sincerest apologies for questioning your ability.”

“Do you like these kinds of games, Miss Solstice? Gnollstones? Magical cards? I’m sure you must be quite good at any game you play.”

“Wow. Okay. That’s a lot of stuff. But that’s good, because I need a lot of stuff. Like food, clothing, um, soap. Toothpaste—do you have—?”

“I didn’t know he was going to challenge me to chess! That was a lucky coincidence. I just—happen to be really good at it.”

“You are too kind. But I know when I’m outclassed. I have to ask—are you a [Tactician] by any chance?”

“Oh, we are fine [Traders], but we also mine silver and do much with it. I have not been home in nearly a decade, but you may find many Gnolls in Liscor are Silverfangs. Sit, sit! Ah, here is some parchment. Now, tell me what you need. And then I will have your goods delivered rather than make you pay for a bag.”

“Another game? Sure, sure. After I finish my shopping—well, one or two more games won’t hurt, but I don’t have time today.”

“I knew I liked you for a reason. Then tell me what you want, and let us not waste the light, eh?”

“Aha. I see why Lism got exasperated. Let us take a moment to breathe, Miss Erin.”

“Sorry, I don’t want to make you mad again. But—do I really smell that bad? I just had a bath.”

“Why do all of you say that? I’m Human. So what?”

“Well, you’re the first Gnoll I’ve talked to. The first one that wasn’t angry at me, at least.”

“It is the broken inn a few miles east of here, yes?”

“My mind is…slightly hazy. I’m afraid I have no recollection of how much you spent. Unless of course you could tell me?”

“Not at all. Um—maybe we should save that guy’s shop?”

“Miss Solstice. I believe this is your wager.”

“Runner’s Guild? So you’re saying it’s like a postal service?”

“Oh, I love all kinds of strategy games. I always surfed YouTube for—uh, what I mean is, I used to watch and play tons of chess games. And not just chess; I learned how to play Shogi, Go, and even a few card games. But I couldn’t gamble, so there was that.”

“Um. Maybe? It’s more like a title where I come from. Besides, grandmasters only play chess. I’m not sure if that’s a class.”

“Excuse me, but I am unfamiliar with these games. Is ‘shogi’ another game of strategy as chess is?”

“Right, sorry. I just haven’t ever heard of these Runners before. What do they do, besides make deliveries?”

“Food. I hate painting.”

“Well, that’s what I was always taught. Plus, I bullied Olesm a bit.”

“That is what I have said, Erin Solstice.”

“Oh no, you were a good player too. I really shouldn’t have played like that as well against a rooki—another player.”

“Oh! Yes! Sorry, it’s my mistake for not recognizing—hah, I suppose there are a lot of games I should look into. Forgive me.”

“You won. But how did—but he’s—you won!”

“Since you were a child. Hrr. Now that’s…”

“What? No, no. I’m actually here to, uh, apologize.”

“Right, well good luck with that.”

“Why thank you, Klbkch.”

“I feel bad about that, actually.”

“Um. No. A tribe, huh? What does Silverfang do?”

“Knight to D4. Pawn to E3.”

“Checkmate.”

“Oh? What do you have to say then?”

“No, no. Shogi is a game that originated in Japan. And, uh, Japan is…and…um…”

“You can do that?”

“Um. Hi. Are you open for business?”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Aw. The water.”

“So. These deliveries…how do they work?”

“I like it.”

“Delivered? You do deliveries?”

“I’m Erin. Erin Solstice.”

“Is that off?”

“No.”

“I—that game was—”

“Thank you, Klbkch.”

“Um. A delivery service?”

“What’s a good price?”

“No Killing Goblins.”

“Silverfang?”

“Bad?”

“A what?”

“Um. Sorry?”