Chương 13: Canyon of Amber Lake

Absolutely not." The young woman had already seated herself inside the cabin. Space was rather tight, taken up by multiple cloth bundles that presumably made up her luggage. As for the woman herself, she too was wrapped tightly like a bundle. Headwrap, scarf to cover her face, and a cloak that draped over her whole body. All drab shades of gray. Amidst this gray-scape rose a skin-colored oasis: a perfectly rectangular slit that housed the woman's serene pair of eyes.

<Character Sheet> Name: CANYON of AMBER LAKE Race: Human Age: 26 Class: Chronicler, Lv. 8 Vessel: Gourd of Foresight Interesting. So far, every class Jordan had run into (yes, even Brothmaster and Embroiderer!) also existed in the base game. Yet, here was a Chronicler— unique to the Cauldron Wars expansion, perhaps much like Jordan's own Gatekeeper. It instantly roused his curiosity, which was why he perhaps spent too much time staring." Why are you still here?"

The woman's voice was muffled by her scarf, and her tone was as final as her refusal.

"I've no need nor desire for a traveling companion. And frankly, I'm left wondering why my Pathfinder has yet to start us on the road."" Aw, don't say that, Miss Canyon!" Foxhill chirped, cheer undented.

"These journeys take a long time, and things get awfully boring out there. You'll be glad to have someone other than my uncultured hide for company, you'll see. And look, feller's a Westerner! Isn't that neat? You'll have so much to talk about!" Despite Foxhill's enthusiastic defense on his behalf, Jordan had no illusions about where the Pathfinder's priorities lay. As far as the grinning man was concerned, Jordan was the ticket to a few extra coins. Nothing more and nothing less.

And judging by the woman deepening her frown, she could readily see the same." Have I not made myself clear? When we entered this agreement, Mr Foxhill, I expected two things. That you'll deliver me safely to Featherift City in a timely manner, and that I'll have solitude and privacy on the road. Now, if you can't hold up your end of the bargain, I've no choice but to—"" Pardon me, Miss," Mallet butted in then, ever mild and genial.

"I couldn't help but notice your origin name. Where in Amber Lake are you from? It's just that I've got some relatives there that I haven't seen in ages. Do you know a Billhook… or maybe his wife Hayfork?" It was all Jordan could do to stifle his laughter at these outrageous NPC names. He very well might have failed, were it not for a sudden and rather dramatic change to Canyon's demeanor. The woman's eyes widened within their slit, even as the skin-colored rectangle paled a subtle yet perceptible shade." I…

no, can't say I know anyone with those names."" Oh? A shame. Would've been nice to have some tidings about them. Old Bill is the town gossip everywhere he goes, yet I haven't heard a peep from him in so long." Mallet, unlike Foxhill, had no ulterior designs behind his kindly chit-chat. For he, quite genuinely, just wanted to hear some news about his relatives. And yet, the woman squirmed in her seat, visibly discomfited by the innocuous line of questioning.

Looking closely, Canyon's spellcaster class wasn't the only peculiar thing about her. There was the fact of her having achieved Lv. 8 at the tender age of 26: a progression pace more in line with Imperial elites than with her fellow grassland folk. The fact she carried a gourd: a far more substantive Vessel than was strictly needed for farm work. The fact she could afford this trip at all, not to mention her overladen luggage, her furtive attire, her sophisticated diction, etc etc.

Charisma DC 10: success N üwa: "The wench is hiding something." Yeah, no shit. And therein lay an opportunity for Jordan to step in." Hey." What an opener. Really, Jordan had been in rare form ever since his encounter with the Imperial Rangers. Thankfully, the woman merely shifted her gaze onto him, apparently happy for any change in subject. And perhaps more relevantly, the system chose this moment to jump in, helping to articulate Jordan's thoughts. Canyon has refused to let you ride with her to Featherift City.

But you sense that she might be one astute prod away from relenting. Will you … 1) Guilt-trip her. She's being real selfish and snobbish about this, more than would otherwise be expected of her 'station'. You just might hit upon a sore spot. 2) [Charisma DC 10 (Easy)] Nah, the play here is to kill her with kindness. This is an independent young woman made vulnerable by some sensitive secret. You have zero intention to pry, though, and that's what makes you the perfect rideshare partner.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. [Favorable: CHA modifier (+2). She's flustered because Mallet has inadvertently caught her in a lie (Advantage).] [Adverse: [Doom Spiral (Lv. 1)] (-1).] Oh, thank god (not you guys) for an [Easy] check for once. The relative absence of adverse factors was encouraging. And the [Advantage] stemming from Mallet's innocent small talk was absolutely huge. 2) Just be nice to this girl who just wants to get on with her life.

Charisma DC 10 Rolls (Advantage): 6, 13 Final: 14 Result: success Thanks, Old Mal! I really needed that win, if only to start chipping away at my [Doom Spiral] …" Look, I'ma be level with you," Jordan began.

"I desperately need to get to the city within the week, and this carriage might well be my last chance. You got first dibs, though, and I respect it; always hated line-cutters and freeloaders myself. But if you agree to share this ride, I promise you won't hear a single word from me. Just pretend I'm not even here, and we'll get along just fine. That solitude and privacy you wanted? You got it, ma'am, and that's a guarantee."

By the end of Jordan's sales pitch, Canyon had gone back to frowning, though more in bemusement rather than annoyance." You… you say you're from the Commonwealth?" she asked in a kind of daze.

"Truly? Because you're not like any of the other—" Canyon stopped hastily. And if Jordan weren't mistaken, a part of her rectangle had just gone slightly pink. The woman cleared her throat into her scarf." Oh, very well," she huffed, back to her baseline arrogance.

"We're losing light arguing over nonsense. Get on if you must, but be quick about it." Jordan was. Or at least his helpers were. Mallet led Chestnut closer to the carriage. Foxhill cast [Enhanced Magic Hand] on the Heavenly Cauldron. The 500-pound Vessel lifted smoothly into the air, as if picked up by an invisible giant. It then landed softly on the roof of the cabin. The whole structure sagged under the new weight, but it held well enough.

Next, Foxhill cast [Manipulate Ropes] to lash the cauldron onto the cabin, before covering the roof with a woolen tarp. He then turned to Jordan with a knowing smirk, as if to say: your secret is safe with me. Dexterity DC 16: failure Nezha:"Oh, I like him. I for one wouldn't terribly mind if our Gatekeeper kicked the bucket and ceded his Bucket to this here Pathfinder." Jordan didn't know what secret Foxhill thought he held over him, but he appreciated the gesture all the same.

Despite his [Character Sheet] announcing his highly unusual situation everywhere he went, he was, in reality, severely underpowered. The run-in with the Imperial Rangers had been proof enough of that. Therefore, it was best he kept as low a profile as possible. And now, with everything loaded and ready to go, it was time for one more goodbye." Safe travels, Ah-Jo," Mallet said, smiling his fatherly smile, "and don't be a stranger, you hear? If not for my sake, then at least for Old Sar's.""

Thank you for everything," Jordan replied, struggling to steady his voice. He stuck out a hand, then immediately realized that the gesture might not translate. Mallet took it anyway, after only a moment's hesitation. They shook hands like the westerners of Jordan's home—quite possibly the first pair in Stormvaster history to do so. It was a stirring moment, but somehow, it didn't feel like enough. Jordan struggled for more to say—all the words he'd been holding back…

not just for the last three days, but also for nearly half his life." I'll never forget what you and your family have done for me," he finally managed to choke out.

"I promise I'll be back someday to repay you. Until then, please, take care of yourself." Mallet's smile grew crinklier, as he gave Jordan's hand a gentle pat." Your friendship is reward enough, Ah-Jo. But if you still insist on feeling indebted, I ask that you pay it forward. Help another traveler like yourself or someone else in need. So that your kindness might spread across the land and grant a home to all the lost souls of Stormvast." Charisma DC 16: failure N üwa: "Now, that's what I call speechcraft.

You could stand to learn a thing or two from this peasant, lordlet." Lordlet? Where the hell did that come from? Rude though they might be, the peanut gallery was useful for keeping Jordan on task. He now nodded toward Mattock, fully expecting to receive nothing but a brooding glare in return. To his surprise and delight, the younger man finally deigned to acknowledge his existence. The traditional Stormvaster greeting: hands clasped before chest, with the left palm cupped over the right fist.

Jordan returned it eagerly, though rather clumsily at that." Alright, enough of that already!" Foxhill called out in mock reproach.

"You fellers are about to make me feel emotions, and we can't be having that, can we? Now, chop chop! We've got a long road ahead of us." As good a call to action as any. Jordan finally turned his back on the Mallet clan and climbed into the outbound carriage. There, he was surprised to be met by Canyon's intense stare. For someone who claimed to value privacy above all else, she seemed perfectly happy to pry into the business of others. And what was more… were those tears in her eyes?

The young woman gasped softly as though she'd just remembered herself. She then turned to face the wall, apparently determined to uphold a vow of silence. Jordan settled himself into the opposite side, giving Canyon and her luggage plenty of room to themselves. Not a moment later, the carriage rolled out. With it, Jordan's heart began to pound. Nervous, yes. Anxious, yes. But also excited for what lay ahead. As if to commemorate the occasion, the system returned with another update. New Feat unlocked.

[N üwa's Blessing (Lv. 1)]: To be silver-tongued is not the condemnation some would have you believe. Rather, it's a most humanistic privilege—the purest expression of man's innate passion for storytelling. In recognition of your speechcraft, you've gained a permanent [1]-point upgrade to Charisma. CHA: 15 -> 16 (modifier: +2 -> +3)