CHAPTER 8 SHOPPING AND A TALK WITH SHNEE

  I opened my eyes. Shnee was lying stiffly on the bed, breathing heavily. As soon as she noticed that I was awake, she blurted out the question that had obviously been bothering her all night: “Sir... why did you take off the colr? How is that even possible?”

  I sat down on a chair, looking straight into her new diamond eyes. “A small correction: call me Dave. No ‘Master’. I'm not into master-servant retionships. I'm interested in cooperation and loyalty, not fear. The colr was a fw in your structure, so I removed it. That's all.”

  Shnee froze. She stared at the bedding. “That... that doesn't make sense. I'm nothing. A sve without a master is lost...” “No one is lost with me as long as they follow my rules,” I cut in. “Don't analyze it now. Get up, let's go to breakfast. You need to eat something.”

  I offered her my hand. She hesitated for a second, then uncertainly took my hand and got up. “Get changed,” I pointed to the package from Elena. “It's just the basics, so you don't have to parade around in rags. We'll buy you something decent ter.”

  I left her alone. I went down to the main hall of the Gryphon, reserved a table, and waited. After a few minutes, she came downstairs. She was wearing a simple linen shirt and pants. Only then did I notice that she was barefoot. She approached the table, shifting uncertainly from foot to foot.

  “Dave...” She clearly had difficulty pronouncing my name. “Can... can I at least have a piece of bread and some water?” “Sit down,” I said, pointing to the chair opposite her. “No scraps. I ordered scrambled eggs with bacon and a fresh loaf of bread. You need to build up your strength if we're going to be walking around town a lot today.”

  She stared at the steaming pte as if she expected me to take it away. “Why are you doing this?” she asked quietly, taking her first bite. “The silver you spent on me... it won't pay for itself with breakfast.” “Don't worry about the cost,” I replied, starting to eat myself. “I'm investing in you because I see potential in you that others haven't seen. Eat everything. Then we'll go to the bcksmith and the tailor. You need equipment that suits your new essence.”

  The rest of the meal passed in silence. Shnee ate quickly, as if afraid the food would disappear, but with each bite, more life appeared in her diamond eyes. When she finished, she put down her pte and looked at me expectantly.

  We left the Griffin. The market in Oakhaven was bustling at this hour, but Shnee walked right behind me, almost stepping on my heels. She felt uncomfortable without her colr and barefoot on the hard cobblestones. I headed straight for the best tailor in town.

  When we entered, the smell of expensive fabrics and perfumes hit us from the doorway. Shnee stood rooted to the spot, staring at dresses that cost more than she had probably seen in her entire life. The shop assistant, seeing the girl's bare feet and her shabby clothes, narrowed her eyes and was about to open her mouth to chase us away.

  I took a step toward her. I let a sapphire glint fsh in my eyes—cold and unyielding. “I need clothes for my partner,” I cut her off before she could speak. “A dress that will highlight the color of her eyes, something comfortable for walking around town, and a set for home. Plus, some decent soft leather shoes. Find the best materials you have in stock.”

  The woman swallowed, suddenly very polite. “O-of course. Please follow me, miss.”

  They took over the back room for thirty minutes. I expected it to take them half a day, but apparently Shnee wasn't in the habit of dawdling in front of the mirror yet.

  First, she came out in city clothes—fitted, dark pants made of soft leather and a light tunic cinched with a wide belt. She looked solid and practical. “It fits well. You'll be comfortable in it,” I said briefly.

  Then she appeared in her “home” outfit – a loose, blue dress made of thin fabric. In it, she looked like someone who could finally breathe.

  Finally, she came out in her main outfit. A deep, dark silver dress made of fabric that shimmered with every movement, perfectly matching her diamond eyes. Looking at her, I could see the foundations of her new identity beginning to come together.

  I was speechless. I stared at her for a long moment, unable to say a word. Shnee began to nervously pick at the fabric, apparently mistaking my silence for disappointment. “Is it that bad?” she whispered.

  I found my voice. “No. It's just... you look like you were always meant to wear this. This dress is just a backdrop for your beauty. You are beautiful, Shnee.”

  The girl blushed all the way to her ears. She lowered her gaze, murmuring a quiet “thank you.”

  “Pack everything up,” I said to the seamstress, pulling out my purse. But before we left, I stopped at the lingerie section. Shnee stood next to me, clearly embarrassed by the sight of ce and delicate fabrics. I looked at her and lowered my voice so the seamstress wouldn't overhear us. “Choose a few sets. Ones that you'll be comfortable in. Don't look at the price and don't worry about me — I'm just paying. Call me when you're done choosing.”

  I turned away, giving her space. Shnee stood motionless for a moment.

  but finally she began to shyly browse through the merchandise. After ten minutes, she approached with a few items, still not looking up out of embarrassment.

  “That's all? But Dave... that's a fortune,” Shnee grabbed my sleeve, incredulous. “Your comfort isn't a cost, it's an investment,” I cut her off. “Take the packages. We're going to the bcksmith.”

  We left the store. Shnee was wearing new shoes and carrying clothes, still stunned by what had happened.

  I paused for a moment in front of the tailor's shop. I activated Shin-gan. The city's fabric became transparent, and I quickly located the right source of heat and metal. “This way,” I said to Shnee.

  Five minutes ter, we entered the smithy. Inside, amid the smoke and the cnging of hammers, a middle-aged dwarf was at work. Shnee was no longer staring at the assortment of goods as she had at the tailor's, but I could still see a hint of disbelief in her eyes. I approached the counter. “I'm looking for some light armor for her,” I said, pointing my thumb at the girl. I looked at her and added, “Shnee, what weapon do you prefer? Choose whatever feels best in your hand.”

  She thought for a few seconds, then whispered, “A rapier... I think a rapier would be appropriate.”

  I nodded and turned to the bcksmith: “Light armor and a silver, light rapier. The best banced one you have.” The dwarf wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked us over. “Silver and good armor aren't cheap, young master,” he muttered in a bass voice. “Money is not a problem. It has to be solid,” I cut in, pcing part of the payment on the counter.

  The dwarf immediately changed his attitude. “All right. I have to measure it carefully to fit the armor. Come back in the afternoon, it will be ready for pickup.”

  He invited Shnee to the back room. I waited by the hearth, analyzing the area in my mind. After fifteen minutes, they came out, and Shnee looked even more dazed — the vision of owning her own weapon was slowly becoming a reality for her.

  We left the forge. “Since the armor needs time, let's go get something to eat,” I decided. “Then we'll go for a walk. You need to clear your head before the evening conversation.”

  We headed to one of the better restaurants in the center. Shnee was walking a little more confidently, though she kept gncing at me as if to check if it would all disappear in a moment.

  I chose a pce away from the main hustle and bustle, where no one would give Shnee dirty looks. I ordered roast venison and wine. The girl ate slowly, savoring every bite, as if trying to remember the taste in case the dream ended.

  “Dave...” she began suddenly, putting down her cutlery. "Why are you doing all this? These clothes, the armor, the silver weapons... You could have bought ten other girls for a fraction of the price.

  I looked at her, analyzing her essence. "I'm not interested in quantity, Shnee. I'm looking for quality and loyalty. Others saw you as nothing more than a sve with a blemish on your eyes. I see the foundation on which something powerful can be built. I didn't buy you to serve me. I invested in you so that you could become part of something bigger. I'll expin the rest to you tonight.

  We finished our meal in silence, which was no longer as heavy as it had been in the morning.

  After eating, we went to the outskirts of Oakhaven. The cobblestones gave way to hard-packed earth and greenery. We walked along the old walls, where the wind from the forest carried the scent of resin. It was necessary—after the noise of the forge and the smells of the tailor's shop, Shnee needed space for her mental structure to breathe.

  She looked at the world with her new eyes with the fascination of a child. She stopped by the trees, touched the leaves, as if checking whether their texture matched what she saw. “It's all so... sharp,” she whispered. “Before, I only saw spots and shadows. Now I can see every vein on a leaf.”

  “Get used to it,” I replied. “This is your new reality. You don't have to cower from the world anymore.”

  We walked like this for two hours, letting time pass naturally. Around five o'clock, the sun began to descend, coloring the sky orange. We headed back to the bcksmith.

  We picked up the equipment. The silver rapier was light and perfectly banced, and the leather armor, reinforced with steel ptes in key areas, fit Shnee perfectly. When she fastened the weapon to her belt, her posture involuntarily straightened. She was no longer the intimidated girl from the market. She was beginning to look like someone who had the right to stand next to the Creator.

  “Let's go back to the Griffin,” I said. “It's time for a serious talk.”

  We returned to the room. Shnee put the packages on the dresser and walked over to the window. She stood there for a long moment, watching the fading lights of Oakhaven. The silver rapier at her side glinted in the candlelight. She looked different now—her posture had lost its svish angurity.

  “Sit down, Shnee,” I said calmly.

  She took a seat. The room was silent.

  “Today was a test of foundations,” I began. "You have decent clothes and weapons, and your eyes are finally working as they should. Now it's time for a concrete offer, because I have no intention of keeping you here by force. You have two choices. First: you take everything I've bought you, walk out that door, and live as you please.

  but finally she began to shyly browse through the merchandise. After ten minutes, she approached with a few items, still not looking up out of embarrassment.“That's all? But Dave... that's a fortune,” Shnee grabbed my sleeve, incredulous. “Your comfort isn't a cost, it's an investment,” I cut her off. “Take the packages. We're going to the bcksmith.”We left the store. Shnee was wearing new shoes and carrying clothes, still stunned by what had happened.

  I paused for a moment in front of the tailor's shop. I activated Shin-gan. The city's fabric became transparent, and I quickly located the right source of heat and metal. “This way,” I said to Shnee.Five minutes ter, we entered the smithy. Inside, amid the smoke and the cnging of hammers, a middle-aged dwarf was at work. Shnee was no longer staring at the assortment of goods as she had at the tailor's, but I could still see a hint of disbelief in her eyes. I approached the counter. “I'm looking for some light armor for her,” I said, pointing my thumb at the girl. I looked at her and added, “Shnee, what weapon do you prefer? Choose whatever feels best in your hand.”She thought for a few seconds, then whispered, “A rapier... I think a rapier would be appropriate.”I nodded and turned to the bcksmith: “Light armor and a silver, light rapier. The best banced one you have.” The dwarf wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked us over. “Silver and good armor aren't cheap, young master,” he muttered in a bass voice. “Money is not a problem. It has to be solid,” I cut in, pcing part of the payment on the counter.The dwarf immediately changed his attitude. “All right. I have to measure it carefully to fit the armor. Come back in the afternoon, it will be ready for pickup.”He invited Shnee to the back room. I waited by the hearth, analyzing the area in my mind. After fifteen minutes, they came out, and Shnee looked even more dazed — the vision of owning her own weapon was slowly becoming a reality for her.We left the forge. “Since the armor needs time, let's go get something to eat,” I decided. “Then we'll go for a walk. You need to clear your head before the evening conversation.”We headed to one of the better restaurants in the center. Shnee was walking a little more confidently, though she kept gncing at me as if to check if it would all disappear in a moment.I chose a pce away from the main hustle and bustle, where no one would give Shnee dirty looks. I ordered roast venison and wine. The girl ate slowly, savoring every bite, as if trying to remember the taste in case the dream ended.“Dave...” she began suddenly, putting down her cutlery. "Why are you doing all this? These clothes, the armor, the silver weapons... You could have bought ten other girls for a fraction of the price.I looked at her, analyzing her essence. "I'm not interested in quantity, Shnee. I'm looking for quality and loyalty. Others saw you as nothing more than a sve with a blemish on your eyes. I see the foundation on which something powerful can be built. I didn't buy you to serve me. I invested in you so that you could become part of something bigger. I'll expin the rest to you tonight.We finished our meal in silence, which was no longer as heavy as it had been in the morning.After eating, we went to the outskirts of Oakhaven. The cobblestones gave way to hard-packed earth and greenery. We walked along the old walls, where the wind from the forest carried the scent of resin. It was necessary—after the noise of the forge and the smells of the tailor's shop, Shnee needed space for her mental structure to breathe.She looked at the world with her new eyes with the fascination of a child. She stopped by the trees, touched the leaves, as if checking whether their texture matched what she saw. “It's all so... sharp,” she whispered. “Before, I only saw spots and shadows. Now I can see every vein on a leaf.”“Get used to it,” I replied. “This is your new reality. You don't have to cower from the world anymore.”We walked like this for two hours, letting time pass naturally. Around five o'clock, the sun began to descend, coloring the sky orange. We headed back to the bcksmith.We picked up the equipment. The silver rapier was light and perfectly banced, and the leather armor, reinforced with steel ptes in key areas, fit Shnee perfectly. When she fastened the weapon to her belt, her posture involuntarily straightened. She was no longer the intimidated girl from the market. She was beginning to look like someone who had the right to stand next to the Creator.“Let's go back to the Griffin,” I said. “It's time for a serious talk.”We returned to the room. Shnee put the packages on the dresser and walked over to the window. She stood there for a long moment, watching the fading lights of Oakhaven. The silver rapier at her side glinted in the candlelight. She looked different now—her posture had lost its svish angurity.“Sit down, Shnee,” I said calmly.She took a seat. The room was silent.“Today was a test of foundations,” I began. "You have decent clothes and weapons, and your eyes are finally working as they should. Now it's time for a concrete offer, because I have no intention of keeping you here by force. You have two choices. First: you take everything I've bought you, walk out that door, and live as you please.

  You are free, no one will pursue you. It is your choice.Shnee flinched. She stared at the tabletop, and a long, heavy silence fell over the room. I could see the old tangles of fear cshing with her newfound freedom in her mind. For a full minute, she analyzed every aspect of the proposal.“The second path,” I continued, "is to remain by my side as the First Pilr of my elite. This means the rank of my woman. There are responsibilities involved, but also specific benefits. My closeness and intimacy will truly strengthen your essence and body. You will grow in strength directly through me. Decide. Freedom on your own or a pce by my side on my terms.Shnee looked up. Her diamond eyes searched my face. She stood up slowly, walked over to me, and stopped right next to me.“If I left, I would be just a free nobody,” she said quietly but confidently. “With you, I felt for the first time that my existence had some structure. I don't want freedom without a purpose, Dave. I want to be your Pilr. I accept your offer and everything that comes with it.”She put her hand on my shoulder. The trace of uncertainty disappeared.“Good decision,” I replied, standing up. "Now that the foundations are stable, it's time to seal your new rank and strengthen your essence.We ate in peace. The thick tension after the conversation about the Pilrs slowly gave way to natural curiosity. Shnee put down her wine gss and looked at me, frowning slightly.“Dave...” she began, getting used to my name. “You said you were building something bigger. That you needed the Pilrs. What does that actually mean? Do you want to take over Oakhaven?”I looked at her over my pte. Her curiosity was justified. “Oakhaven is just a starting point, a small knot in a rger structure,” I replied sternly. “I'm not interested in being a local warlord. This world is full of fws, chaos, and weak foundations. My goal is to impose a new logic. I want to create a force that stands above the current kingdoms. An elite that is subject to no one but my will.”Shnee licked her lips, absorbing this information. “So... you're building your own empire? An army?”“Not an army. Armies are slow and easy to break. I'm building a structure based on powerful units — Pilrs.” You are the first. My pn for the immediate future is to secure an operational base here, take over the Marquis's influence, and eliminate anyone who tries to disrupt the order I am establishing. We will act with precision.“What about those who don't want your order?” she asked quietly.“It's simple. Anyone who doesn't fit into the new structure and tries to destroy it will be cut out like unnecessary tissue. I don't recognize half measures, Shnee. Either something supports the foundations or it weakens them. I remove the tter.”She fell silent for a moment, looking at her silver rapier. “I understand. Since I am the First Pilr... my job is to make sure those foundations don't crack, right?”“Exactly,” I nodded. “You will be my right hand. Where I set the direction, you will enforce my will. That is why tomorrow we will begin to test your skill with weapons. Your essence must harmonize with the silver you carry at your side.”Determination fshed in her eyes. There was no longer a trace of a sve in her. She saw the goal. “I am ready. Show me tomorrow how to serve you... I mean, how to work by your side.”“That's the right attitude,” I said, finishing my meal.