Lilith's Errand to Tolstone
"Oh, you're that mercenary from yesterday."
The soldier who'd seen Yoahim heading to the mage tower greeted him with a nod. Yoahim gave a casual dip of his head in return.
"Here on the Tower Master's request."
"We've already heard. And those folks behind you—are they your party?"
Yoahim nodded. "Yeah. Mind if we head in?"
"Of course."
The soldier swung the door open, and Yoahim's group nodded back as they stepped inside the tower.
"Welcome to Kalsara Tower!"
Merilda greeted them with her usual booming enthusiasm. Spotting Yoahim, she continued, "Traveler, what brings you to the tower today?"
"Here to see the Tower Master. She put out a request for us."
"Lady Lilith? Hmm, the council healers were in a marathon meeting yesterday—must be related. Her room's on the tenth floor."
"Thanks."
Yoahim boarded the interdimensional lift with his group. They shot straight up to the tenth floor and stepped out right in front of a massive door.
"This must be Lilith's room."
He'd been here in the game before. He couldn't recall much else, but he remembered it being huge, like a library stuffed with books.
"Lilith, coming in."
He knocked twice, then eased the door open. A sweet scent hit him like a punch to the nose. Yoahim knew it was her fragrance. She sat quietly in the room's center, reading. Back in her original revealing robe instead of her conqueror's outfit, she shrugged her smooth shoulders once and slotted the book back into the shelf.
"Come on in. You're earlier than I expected."
"Tolstone's a good distance from Barakan. Gotta start early."
"Feels like you're just trying to get away from me quick. Not a fan."
Lilith narrowed her golden eyes at him, and Yoahim cleared his throat loudly, turning away. Not because he felt guilty—it was that gaze itself, some kind of magic. Staring straight into it felt like needles pricking his skin. Her little prank.
"Just teasing."
She withdrew the look, and Yoahim let out a sigh. "Here's the letter. It's enchanted—no damage till Tolstone's Tower Master reads it. Won't tear, won't soak, won't burn."
"That possible?"
Leon, who'd been silent, piped up. Lilith chuckled and handed him the letter.
"Give it a rip. Or burn it, whatever."
Leon glanced at Yoahim, who nodded. He took the letter and yanked hard, but it held like tough leather. Then Yoahim snapped his fingers, sparking a small flame. Leon held the letter over it—no charring, nothing.
"Wizards' tricks always creep me out."
"Aw, just for pointy-ears?"
Lilith laughed, and Leon snorted.
"We just deliver this to Tolstone's Tower Master, right?"
Yoahim asked, and Lilith nodded readily. "Yep."
"Do I bring back a reply too?"
"I'd appreciate it, but no need. Tolstone's master will handle that."
"Why send us all the way there in person? Can't another mage teleport, or use a travel scroll?"
Lilith extended her slender hand, raising three fingers one by one as she folded them.
"One: No other mage here can do long-range spatial transfer besides me. Two: Mages suck at long trips. Three: No pre-made scrolls to Tolstone. That answer your question?"
Yoahim nodded. "And the reward?"
She smiled at him. "Honestly, I'd give you anything—no regrets. But the Kalsara Council? Not so much. I'm Tower Master, but I can't just dip into tower funds freely."
"So, what's on offer?"
"Can't spend freely, but rewards can be generous. Tower's loaded. Though I'd rather give you something besides gold."
"Not money?"
"This."
She pulled a book from the shelf and handed it over. Why a book all of a sudden? Yoahim took it, read the title, and his eyes widened.
"This a magic tome?"
"Yep, a magic tome. To folks here. But for you? Different story."
As Lilith said, it wasn't just any tome to Yoahim. It was a skillbook. Locals could read it all day and learn zilch without grasping principles and practicing mana control. But Yoahim? Reading it would grant the skill outright. Different value entirely.
"Item info."
He muttered under his breath, and the details floated into view.
Upon use, Lightning Bolt skill level +1.
Lightning Bolt—early AoE spell for mages. Yoahim wasn't a mage, so he couldn't level it further, and as a lowbie skill, damage was meh. But better than nothing. Weak damage, sure, but the light paralysis effect made it a solid crowd control mez.
"You're giving me this? For real? That's okay?"
"Only valuable to you. To others, just a regular tome."
"Thanks, Lilith."
"No biggie. You getting stronger makes me happy. Speeds up the world's endgame. And brings you back to me."
"Uh...."
Yoahim nodded awkwardly. Lilith turned to Leon and Sasha. "You two get gold—five coins each? Covers travel expenses, paid upfront."
Five gold was fair for Barakan-to-Tolstone distance and risks. Leon and Sasha nodded, and with a flick of her wrist, a jeweled chest popped open. Ten coins floated out, five to each.
"There—upfront paid. Good luck."
"Wait—this skillbook's upfront too? What if I bail?"
Full pay before completion? Another merc might get ideas. Lilith grinned. "Fine by me."
"Huh?"
"I said it's fine. Told you—I'd find you anywhere. Ditch the job? No problem. I'd drag you back by the collar. Happy, even. All mine then."
"...I'll deliver it pronto."
She wasn't joking. Yoahim's face hardened. Lilith giggled softly. "Oh, and three horses. Merilda'll hook you up at the stables."
Not borrowing—giving. Tower really was flush.
"Take care, Yoahim. You too."
"Surprising. Thought you wouldn't care if we dropped dead."
Sasha quipped, and Lilith tilted her chin up. "If you get hurt, he does too. Not worried about you—worried he'll get hurt because of you."
"Ah, got it."
Lilith and Sasha shot each other a glance. Yoahim stowed the letter and skillbook in his inventory.
"We're off then."
"Yeah. See you next time, Yoahim."
See you next time? Mages' words were magic themselves. Yoahim nodded and headed down to the first floor with his group.
"Tower Master said to take three horses."
"Right away!"
They exited with Merilda and hit the stables behind the tower. They grabbed three horses from the stablehand and led them out.
"Safe travels, travelers!"
With Merilda's cheery send-off, Yoahim's group passed through the gates and left Barakan.
"Apostle, you ride?"
Sasha asked. Yoahim nodded. No horse experience pre-game, but survival here meant learning. Kinda. Game characters came pre-loaded with mount skills. His body remembered.
Yoahim mounted smoothly via stirrup. Leon and Sasha hopped on nimbly too.
"Tolstone, huh. First time for me. You know the way, Apostle?"
"Roughly."
Small villages? No clue. But big cities like Tolstone or Barakan? Game haunts stuck in memory.
"Head east. Four days straight should do it."
"Got it. Let's roll."
"Hyah!"
Yoahim kicked his horse's flanks; it snorted and bolted. The trio raced east. Cool wind smacked their faces. Long time no ride—pure speed rush.
An hour in, eyes front, no chatter. Nothing to say mid-gallop. Silence stretched, till Leon pulled alongside Yoahim.
"Pursuers."
"Pursuers?"
Out of nowhere. Who? Why tail me? Anyone even care?
"Not a mistake?"
"Nope. Five riders back there, chasing. Our ears pick up distant sounds. Keeping pace."
Long ears weren't for show. Yoahim tilted his head. "Just folks heading same way? No reason for tails."
"You doubt me too much, Apostle. Slow, they slow. Speed up, they match. Steady distance. Same direction wouldn't bother."
True tails then. Why? Who? Not Genie—that idiot wouldn't dare again. Lawrence? Avenging his apprentice quietly? Nah. Gregorius? Book lust? Unlikely. Bandits maybe?
"Yo, Leon."
"Yeah, Apostle."
Didn't matter much either way. Leon's calm meant they weren't hotshots. No sweat for Yoahim.
"Bet on who drops more?"
"I'd win easy. Why bet?"
They grinned, yanked reins, and wheeled their horses around.