The guild hall had become crowded with the adventurers that were still in the town. The smell of sweat and other body odors disgusted Nova.“They could stand to bathe more regurly,” Sapphire told Nova. While she scrunched up her nose.
“Here is a letter of recommendation for the magic academy. Don’t lose it,” Rose handed a wooden pcard to Sapphire. The wooden pcard had a brief description of Sapphire on it, including her affinities. There was a recommendation for a full ride schorship paid by the guild. The guild's emblem was also painted on it.“This is surprising. If I knew about this sooner. I might have joined earlier,” Sapphire said while her tail wagged.“I can’t say I’m not jealous. Rose, how expensive is this academy?” Nova asked.“It costs around ten faeries per semester. Only the nobility and wealthy can afford to go,” Rose replied.“That sounds years in the future for me,” Nova replied
“Becoming a wealthy high rank adventurer is not your only option. Each student is permitted to take one personal servant on campus with them. It’s a matter of pride for the guild to provide a servant for each student we send. Sapphire could request for you specifically,” Rose suggested.“What would my duties entail?” Nova asked, intrigued by the prospect.“I don’t know much about what a personal maid does. Why don't you ask someone who is a maid?” Rose responded.“I would prefer someone I know to take care of me than a complete stranger,” Sapphire said.“You just met me yesterday,” Nova pointed out.“I don’t get along this well with everyone. I think a lot of people avoid me,” Sapphire said as her ears drooped.
Sapphire and Nova joined Beornia, as they waited for the guild meeting to begin. Beornia patted Sapphire’s head in an attempt to cheer her up. Her ears perked up a bit at Beornia’s attention.
Rose stepped forward from the line of administrators. “As you all know the gates have been closed indefinitely due to the horde of monsters. Since the statue of the goddess has not yet been repced the temple will be unable to do a rge scale ritual to purify the monsters. You all will work with the town militia to guard the walls and gates from any monster incursion…”“What's stopping us from ditching this doomed town?” One surly adventurer asked. Many other adventurers voiced their agreements.“Even if you all banded together, few if any of you would get through the horde,” Beornia responded as if she were reprimanding children. “We have assigned time slots and locations to you all for watch duty, and defense,” Rose continued.
The other administrators gave each adventurer a pcard.“Night watch! Can’t the town militia handle that,” The surly adventurer compined. “You can refuse, but there will be a red mark on your record, and the guild will demote you,” Rose responded matter of factly.“At least the guild pays well during a crisis,” The adventurer said mostly to himself.Nova compared pcards with Sapphire and Beornia; all three of them had the first night watch in the same pce.
As Adventurers left the guild Rose approached Beornia.“I have a request for you,” Rose said.Beornia crossed her arms waiting for Rose to continue.“Can you help the town militia with training the residents? They want an experienced high level adventurer to teach them a few things about fighting monsters,” Rose expined.“I can do that,” Beornia confidently replied.
Nova and Sapphire left the guild. The town was bustling more than normal. Some of the people were carrying tools that had been improvised into weapons like bills and fils. A lot of people were carrying rocks, arrows, and other missile weapons to the walls. One woman was pulling a cart full of pots. What are those going to be used for? Nova wondered as she watched the woman.
Sapphire led Nova to the fertility wing of the temple.“You can wait here for as long as you need. I’m going to do some work,” Sapphire said brightly.The waiting room was crowded with people waiting their turn to do a ritual of pleasure. Sapphire led a woman in her forties into one of the private rooms.
Nova got a few strange looks from the people, as they noticed she wore the robes of the maiden goddess. The steady stream of erotic power flowing into Nova felt very strange. Every minute she got another big infusion of power. “You seem to be enjoying the atmosphere,” Sapphire said to Nova, confused while she was between clients.“This part of the temple is quite stimuting,” Nova responded.“I find it interesting how perverted some of the servants of the maiden goddess are,” Sapphire mused.“I would rather avoid pces like this. As it seems the gods or whoever cursed me enjoy making me uncomfortable,” Nova mented.“And yet here you are. Like a dog eating the leftovers at the god of fertility’s table,” The annoying bug whispered into Nova’s ear with a hint of disdain.“Maybe you can tell me more about your curse ter,” Sapphire suggested brightly.
—
The sky was beautiful at night. It was full of stars. Nova spent some time connecting strange consteltions together. The first night watch wasn’t so bad. Sapphire and herself met Beornia at the wall at sunset.
All the energy coursing through Nova made her feel uncomfortable, and very antsy. I just want to hit something really hard. Maybe destroy their whole army with holy magic. I kinda like how that feels. Nova spped her face with both hands as she came to a realization. Have I become a masochist? She thought in horror. As a memory surfaced unbidden.
(“Look at her she can step on me,” Nova’s friend said to her as she showed her a picture of one of their acquaintances on the phone.“You always say the strangest things Sam. Why would you want her to step on you?” Nova asked her friend, bewildered.)
“I didn’t know goblins could make dders?” Sapphire said surprised, breaking Nova out of her reverie.“Familiar’s of a demon have greater intelligence,” Beornia responded.Nova leaned on the crenutions to get a better look. Some of the goblins were indeed making primitive dders. Most of the monsters were patrolling around the town. On the lookout for any humans dumb enough to leave the walls.“I hope we can hold out until the bishop’s army arrives,” Sapphire said.“The gates have yers of defense we will hold,” Beornia replied. Sapphire’s eyes were soon drawn to the stars again; she had been looking at them all night.“What do you see up there?” Nova asked. As she admired the stars as well.“An incomprehensible jumble of past present and future,” Sapphire responded.“What? I see a bear,” Nova said as she held Sapphire’s hand tracing a bear between the stars. “And a pine tree there,” She pointed out the tree to Sapphire as well.“I see…” Sapphire started to say.“Hey you two we are not here to star gaze,” Beornia reprimanded them, cutting Sapphire off. The rest of the watch was rather boring. Even Sapphire got quiet after being told off. She still sneaked a few peeks at the stars occasionally. The guard shift couldn’t change soon enough. The brisk spring night air wasn’t the most comfortable to stand outside for hours in.
The two men that were guarding the town hall chamber from before came to relieve them.The men nodded to Nova while giving her a knowing gnce. “Do you know them?” Sapphire asked.“I may have done them a favor a few days ago,” Nova responded mysteriously.
Walking through the town after dark. Felt much different than walking in the middle of the day. Nova kept her eyes peeled for any thugs. She was surprised that she could see so well in the dark.“This new body is much sharper than my old one,” Nova mumbled absentmindedly.“What do you mean?” Sapphire looked at her suspiciously.“I briefly get fragments of memories from before…” Nova said unsure of whether she should finish or not.“Before what?” Sapphire asked, almost bouncing with excitement.“A few days ago. I can’t remember anything from before a few days ago,” Nova said.“Maybe the god of the moon and knowledge could help you remember,” Sapphire suggested.“Nope, he is the reason that mistress can’t remember,” Echo crified.
It might be hopeless… I will be stuck like this forever. Nova’s thoughts spiraled.“I wonder what you did to anger the gods?” Sapphire asked herself. “...If she can’t remember then we might not be able to rectify the situation. Juniper is an avatar. I will just ask them about it,” Sapphire continued talking to herself out loud.
