Chapter 11: A Stressful Encounter

Lisa had that awful acidic feeling burning in her stomach, as she watched Theo saunter over toward the two of them with a plump sack of loot. The words fell from Lisa’s lips, “Oh no,” seeing swords with scorched handles and crisp leather armor burned black with metal studs glistening off what little light illuminated the world. 

Ren stepped forward, “You must be Lisa’s…friend.”

Theo chuckled, “Me and you have two different definitions of friend orc. I’m more of an evaluator.”

“Evaluator?” Ren crossed her arms and took one step forward.

“Yeah, evaluator…” Theo looked unphased by the orc staring him down. He turned to Lisa, “You gonna stand there gawking, or are you gonna display some manners and introduce me to this fine mountain of metal.”

“Um, yeah, this is Ren. A friend of mine from, she owns a local herb shop.”

Theo pushed out his bottom lip, “I would love to know what kind of herbs you have that require full plate armor.”

“Can one ever be to careful when protecting their stock?” Ren said with an unamused look of a disapproving parent.

“Well, may I be brash?” Theo asked. Lisa went to open her mouth, knowing that it was not going to defuse the situation, but he started talking. “So you got this look on your face like you got a problem. Is there something I can assist you with?”

“Lisa says you got a way out.”

“Not that she needs to be blabbing to everyone, but yea.” He tilted his head to Lisa, “Next lesson, learn what to say and not to say. Not everyone needs to know our business.”

Shit this isn’t good, Lisa rubbed her thumb and index finger together, “Well I just thought—”

“You didn’t think very much.” He turned his attention to Ren, “You never know what someone is like when things get serious. Enemies are safe, you know they want you dead. Friends and so called allies, are a different story.”

“I think my actions speak for themselves,” Ren says with a frown.

“I think the signal of the Lightening and Wood Spirit of the West says more.” Theo spoke his hand rested on his hip, half concealed under the cloak.

Ren rested her hand on the great maul, slung from her hip belt, “Is that gonna be a problem?”

Theo held out his arms and shrugged, “Fey in general are a problem, but I haven’t set any trees on fire or the like…so I’m feeling pretty confident that I haven’t pissed him off, yet.”

Lisa felt the palmable tension feel the open plaza. She caught a few of the adventurers looking over at them. Curious eyes and itchy trigger fingers sent the red flags off in her mind. “Hey, so yeah Ren. He has been evaluating me on how well I can handle myself in dangerous situation. He also showed me how to build Moflams. You know the big fire that killed the slavers, he really helped guide me to the solution.”

“I figured, what are you? Rogue?” Ren’s voice sharp as a dagger.

“Unclassified, but if I was gonna test for something. Yes, a rogue. You? Assuming Crusader?”

“Crusader class one. Warrior Flail-man class one.” Ren grinned.

Theo raised his brown, “A bonafid Crusader, that my fine lady is impressive.”

“Thanks,” Ren placed an arm around Lisa’s shoulder. “What is your plan for my good friend?”

Good friend? You really think that about me? Lisa blushed, “Well—”

“We have a few tasks to complete, to make sure she is equipped to handle herself in case, you know. Fights happen.” Theo looked at Lisa with eyes that told her she was in for a lecture. She knew it from that look, so many times had her masters given the very same one, when they couldn’t lash out at her in the present moment of her mistake.

Lisa grabbed onto Ren’s arm, “Hey…you said they were almost done?” 

Ren looked back at the cart and they could all see that her crew was done loading the cart and sifting though the few remaining crates. “Yeah, guess so. The cart is yours. I will talk to Gerolt about your offer. Becareful, don’t let a blind gift become your curse.”

“The only curse here, is how good I look.” Theo spoke with a shit eating grin on his face. “Look, she will be fine. Pain and suffering are tools for growth. You should know that crusader, how many lessons bless your skin?”

“More than yours,” Ren said kissing Lisa on the forehead. 

“Huh,” Lisa watched her friend walk away, confused at why Ren had kissed her. Never before had she done that. Lisa wondered if that was a normal part of the Lighening creatures faith. 

Theo slammed a hard hand on her shoulder, squeezing tightly. He put on a hollow grin, “I remember my first kiss to. Gods was that girl ugly, still the biggest waste of a silver coin.” He stepped off pulling her forward toward the cart. 

Ow, that hurts, Lisa tred to squirm from under his grip, “Did I do something wrong?” 

“Lisa, you were a slave. You know how cruel people can be, so why do you still walk around the world like it is a playground full of trustworthy people?”

She had known Ren for several years and her name at the guild was spotless. Why wouldn’t she trust her? She didn’t trust Theo, but it was best to let him say his peace. She shrugged, hoping to not give him any more ammo to lecture her own.

“Your not stupid so don’t act like it. Trust is earned, then once someone earns it, be even more cautious around them. Trust makes us lazy.” He said reaching the cart. He extended his arm is a wide sweeping motion. “Question, what is this?”

“Huh,” Lisa looked between him and the cart, is this a trick question? “A cart?”

“Negative one point for being unsure. If your gonna say something, say it with confidence. No, it is a lesson.” He said with a smile.

“A lesson?” 

“Yep, a lesson in cardio and endurance. Your gonna push this all the way back to your place.” He patted the handle bar.

“What? No way, that is two districts over.” Lisa stepped up to him, heat on her forehead, knowing he was serious. “It will take hours.”

“I know, you should start.” He hopped onto the cart, resting on a crate.

“Really? No I am not doing that.” Lisa settled her foot firmly on the ground along with her mind. 

“Then you fail my exam and you can deal with the undead.” Theo leaned back on the crate, like he had already one.

What a piece of… She let out an exhausted breath and got behind the cart and inched it forward, one step at a time.