I need to learn to meditate? Well, I might just be able to do that. The information provided by Lofn certainly is as good a first step on my journey to solve my Mana shortage problem as I can hope to get. I just wish we had enough time for her to give me a proper demonstration too. That would probably save me tons of trouble, but I guess I can't have everything. At least I now know what I need to research. Learning to ask the right questions is after all the first step on the road to wisdom. Or is it the second after learning to shut up and listen?

After seeing the group of adventurers off on their way to either Starshard or Silver Lining, the two nearest frontier land towns in that direction, I turn around to walk back to Riverrun.

And, of course, to join up with Wiktor for the way back. It would be silly to keep up a game of play pretend after all, since I know he is there and he is well aware of the fact that I have taken notice of him too. I just greet him with a nod as he slinks up to me.

"It seems you had an exciting night, Viviona."

I take a moment to stretch thoroughly as we keep walking. That cold bath really put some unpleasant kinks in my back. I can't wait to sit at the fireside. Before he can actually grow impatient enough to ask again I answer though.

"I guess it was more than enough excitement for me for one night. Is Sylwia still stuck running the show? Or is Jerzy back in the saddle?"

He chuckles in reply.

"It's all still being heaped upon Sylwia's shoulders. If someone wants to move up they have to show how they handle pressure and how they deal with responsibilities."

That sounds reasonable enough. It's probably a hurdle I'll end up facing one of these days too. I have no intention of staying everyone's errand girl after all. I want to put my feet up on that table at the tavern one of these days too. Or maybe not. I'm still a little uncertain on that exact topic. If I ever actually eat at that table, then no, the feet stay under it. Otherwise it would be fine though. I guess I'll find out.

Wiktor tilts his head as I'm lost in thought for a moment.

"What's on your mind?"

I snort.

"Tables. And Feet."

He groans.

"Oh, for the love of all good gods and goddesses, don't be like Sylwia. I really don't want to see what people did step into up close. Thank you very much. Sylwia really isn't bad, but she needs to start thinking with her head instead of her fists a little more."

He probably wouldn't say that out loud and to her face. He probably could take her any day, but I'm very certain that he doesn't go out of his way to look for fights either.

I nod and smile as I answer, back in a good mood, the worst of tonight's bloodshed pushed out of my mind for now.

"Yes. It's not just about manners either. You really don't need to provide other people with clues as to your usual hangouts like that. If someone wants to find out they at least should work for it."

That isn't just idle talk either. During my many trips across town I have taken note that many neighborhoods have a very distinctive mix of detritus and trash out on the streets. And even with the trash collectors working hard to get rid of it some of these things always end up underfoot. That's just how it is. There is always a bucket that springs a leak, a crate that breaks or a pile that tips over.

Wiktor steers the conversation back to the original topic at this point.

"Want to talk about it? Without too many prying eyes and pricked ears, before we actually get back to town? You know that the guild will usually want to be at least somewhat informed about the exploits of its members."

I grimace. I guess there is no way around it. I still have to pretend to lay my heart bare before him though. I can just elaborate on the cover story for him. That is about as much as anyone needs to know anyway.

"Edyta the guard turned on the others to make off with the money, most of which would usually go to the captain of the guard if I'm not mistaken. I suppose it has to have been quite a fortune, at least in the eyes of a woman trying to shake down people at the gate for pennies."

Wiktor looks like he wracks his brain for a moment.

"Edyta … Edyta … ah yes! A good candidate for a scapegoat! Perpetually broke. Mostly due to her drinking habit. You sure she won't blab though?"

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

I grimace again.

"Very sure. She tripped at the riverbank, hit her head on a stone and drowned."

Wiktor looks at me open mouthed for a moment.

"That's … rather specific. Did she trip and drown?"

I look ahead again and nod.

"She did."

I don't elaborate on the details. Details that would imply that I did something. Instead I go on with cover story as it is intended anyway.

"Some riverboat men might find her downstream from Riverrun eventually. Her and the coins that spilled into the water at her side from that big bag."

He nods.

"Gods and goddesses bless her rotten soul. The riverboat crews aren't the most law abiding bunch though. They might not report their findings to the guard or even just the port master. Not right away at least. Not without making some of the coin disappear first."

I just shrug.

"Yes. They might muddy the water further. All the better for anyone else. And if the captain of the guard wants his coin back, he can take it out of their hide too for all I care."

He seems satisfied with the story and begins to whistle a happy little tune as we reach the outskirts of town. He isn't quite done with the conversation though.

"Just for the record. Try to give us a little more warning ahead of time if you cook something like that up again. It worked out fine this time, but if it's something big it might interfere with other guild business and we really don't need internal squabbles."

His words make sense, thus I nod. At the same time though I can't help but think of Barandon and his squad of goons. Do they and their attempt to rough me up not count as an internal squabble? Was that just a little roughhousing with the new girl? All in good fun as long as no one loses any teeth or an eye? Where is the line? I can't help but suspect that I'll end up at odds with other guild members eventually anyway, even if I do my damn best to avoid it.

I'll master that challenge when I have to face it. No need to hurry things along by being needlessly antagonistic. Thus I steer the conversation into another direction again.

"Say, do they serve warm food at the tavern? Or is beer all you get there? Not that I mind, it's pretty fine beer after all. I just need a little something to warm myself back up."

The question leaves him stumped for a moment. Finally he admits defeat with a sigh.

"To be honest, I have no clue. I usually get my meals elsewhere. Beer is the only thing I have ever ordered there. Beer and some of the stronger spirits we happen to have in store nowadays. Just to taste test them."

I roll my eyes. I'm pretty sure he already did enough taste testing with the farmers back then when he negotiated the deal for those very spirits. As long as he doesn't start to drink irresponsibly I won't complain. If he ever shows up drunk for a job though, I'll rip his head off.

He just pats me on the back as we keep navigating the narrow streets and alleys of the district outside the city wall.

"Don't worry! I know a nice place that still is open at this hour. There is always someone hungry looking to grab a bite after all. They have a marvelous noodle soup! It's quite tasty and they never skimp on either the noodles or the vegetables! I'll even treat you to a bowl! Just this once though. Don't expect this to become a regular occurrence!"

I roll my eyes, but accept the invitation. I don't say anything, but I suspect that he is buttering me up for another project. I just hope it's not something that will go down tonight.

I want to eat something hot! There is still a shilling in my purse I want to get rid of at the temple too. And last but not least I want to get some sleep.

I'm dead tired. Not just physically either. This whole affair has taken a toll on me mentally and emotionally too. It probably is for the best as well. The day I can commit murder casually without it affecting me mentally is the day I should start to worry for real. I suspect Fox would have words with me well before that point though. Thus I focus on the more pleasant aspects of the evening.

"Noodle soup? And you treat me? I can't wait to get a taste!"

It isn't far and Wiktor knows the way by heart. He might be a regular at the little roadside eatery that is our destination. The way the elderly lady running the shop greets him reinforces that impression. The food doesn't disappoint either. It's good and affordable. Even better, it's warm and filling too. Wiktor hasn't promised too much. This place really is something else! I might have to drop by every once in a while myself. My [Streetwise] skill seems to agree. Yes, this place is worth remembering.

Afterwards, after taking our sweet time eating and enjoying the food, once we finish our meal, we part ways again. He'll return to the tavern to share what he has learned with Sylwia. I on the other hand head towards the city wall. I have to make one more visit to the temple after all.

I retreat back into the deeper darkness of one of the small alleys once I get there, to do some more stretches. Maybe I should have made my trip to the temple before eating so much noodle soup. Being stiff from my cold bath and full at the same time is not a good combination, despite the fact that the warmth of the food slowly alleviates the stiffness a little.

I decide not to take any risks. I prepare as well as I can and I take the easiest and quickest route to the temple too. My [Climbing], [Balance] and [Jumping] skills all benefit from the rooftop trip, improving at least a little each. It's my [Running] skill though which makes the greatest progress, as it earns me another divine whisper.

[*Ding!* Your skill Running has leveled up to level 9!]

With this my scoundrel class should be about a quarter to the next level up already. Well, maybe not quite, but close enough anyway. That is quite a bit of progress for such a short time. This has really been a wild night and it isn't even over yet!

I take a moment to catch my breath and compose myself, only then do I enter the shrine dedicated to Fox. I move to kneel before the altar with the statue and the offering box right away. I don't pray formally, as I pull the silver shilling I brought out of my purse to make my sacrifice. Instead I address Fox informally.

"Well, Fox, it was a wild night. I got to put your gifts to real test for the first time too. Anyway, here is a little something for you. Thanks!"

I'm rewarded by a soft chuckle and a whole slew of notifications as soon as I drop the coin into the offering box. There is the clattering of dice mixed in too.

[*Ding!* Your skill Sacrifice has leveled up to level 4!]

[*Ding!* Your Karma increased by 12!]

[*Ding!* Your class Masked Mediator leveled up to level 7!]

[*Clatter!* Your Health increased by 5!]

Marvelous! This should give me the necessary Karma reserves to practice my healing a little too. Tomorrow, after getting some sleep.

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