My‑re sat on a wooden log on Willow Beach. She stretched her legs and pulled her skirt past her knees to get more warmth from the sun. She watched heavily armed Lord Protectors head to the docks to hunt for a new monster fish inhabiting the Lake of Mists.
“What in the nine hells are they doing?” Anusha asked, coming up and sitting next to her on the log.
“Going fishing,” My‑re responded.
However, their attention turned to Captain Darien's muscular form. Wearing little more than a thick leather skirt, his perfectly carved muscles boasted power as he pointed and shouted orders to the other protectors boarding the craft.
“Now, there’s a nice catch,” Anusha cooed, motioning to Captain Darien.
My‑re nodded.
They heard another approach and saw Rao strutting down the beach toward them and the docks. His youthful face had a wide grin plastered across it. He checked the reach of his scimitar and then pulled the straps on his plate mail armor tight.
“It seems nothing brings out the boys like a good old-fashioned monster hunt,” My‑re commented.
Anusha nodded. She let her garment slip off one shoulder. Her ankle bracelet jingled, crossing her legs.
As Rao approached them, My‑re couldn’t help but notice Rao staring at Anusha’s chain.
Anusha asked, “Don’t tell me you’re going with these Alastarians to search for this Lake of Mists’ monster?”
“Yup.”
“Sounds like a fool’s errand.”
“Nope.”
“How are you going to hunt for a monster that inhabits the deepest part of the lake?” My‑re asked.
“Live bait.”
“You’re going to be the only Rirorni on a boat full of Alastarians. Who do you think they’ll use for ‘live bait’?” Anusha asked.
“Humph, they’re going to use some sawfish caught earlier. They really thrash up the water. It’ll surely attract the beast,” Rao said confidently.
Anusha looked Rao up and down and questioned, “Why all the armor?”
Scoffing, Rao explained, “In case I get bit.”
“What if you fall off the boat?” My‑re countered.
Rao looked out toward the ship and then the water. He grimaced as the logic sunk in and cursed, “The nine hells.” He began to unbuckle the plate mail.
“You’d better hurry. It looks like they’ll be leaving soon,” Anusha said.
“Anusha, take my armor back to my room at the Broken Sword,” Rao stated, removing his breastplate.
“I’m not lugging that heavy mess back up the road,” Anusha said.
Rao dropped the ensemble of armor next to the log. He stripped down to little more than a light shirt and leggings. His muscles showed he had been training his strength in the arena. “Watch my armor until I get back.”
“When is that going to be?”
“I don’t know. Before dusk.”
Anusha’s eyes glared at the armor and then back to Rao. She scowled.
“As a favor.”
“I don’t know,” Anusha used his words back at him.
The group heard someone else approach down the rocky beach. My‑re saw Almond heading their way.
“Great day for a hunt,” Almond exclaimed.
“Have Almond take your armor back,” My‑re said in the Rirorni native tongue of Rathiri.
“Why would he do that?” Rao asked back in the Khan’s tongue.
My‑re looked around Rao to Almond and the scale mail armor he wore.
Rao smiled. “Hey, initiate! Take my armor back to my room at the Broken Sword along with yours.”
Almond’s brow wrinkled in confusion. “Why? I need my armor in case I get bit.”
“What if you fall off the boat?” Rao countered using My‑re’s words.
Almond looked at his scale mail, then back to the water and cursed, “The nine hells.”