I woke up this morning as I do every morning in recent history—in a fog that a spell of Clarity couldn’t cure. Serves me right for working on my alcohol tolerance with Thetick.
Stumbling over the few Rough Ash bows that litter my floor (I’ll get around to finishing them, honest I will!) I get to the door. Someone’s pounding on it (or it could just be my head pounding, I’m not sure but better to be safe than sorry).
"Hey Setsuna! You in there??"
I pause at the door, contemplating to ten significant digits the pause necessary to convey contempt for friends pounding on doors this early in the morning. Scratched the thought of grabbing my sword of Morin and giving my friend a close shave.
Finally, after leaning against the door, trying to gather strength from this solid piece of wood, I straighten myself up and open it.
"Sevaran, what brings you to this neck of the woods?" I ask in my most charming voice, which isn’t as charming as it normally is since my mouth tastes like an ale barrel and my tongue is as thick as a desert asp.
"Some fellow Crusaders and I are going to take a trip to the Runny Eye dungeon. Was wondering if you want to come for the fun?"
Runny Eye? Oh great. More "Death becomes her". Ahh, in this mood of mine, why not.
"Gimmee a sec to get myself together." I say to Sevaran.
I turn away from the door and try to gather my parts and pieces together. Sevaran steps in to my abode.
"Nice. I like what you did to the place."
I noted the sarcasm.
"Well, I try to keep it up but you know how it goes; girl meets boy, girl hangs out with boy’s friends, girl slays mighty beasts with boy and his friends, girl joins boy’s guild, girl goes hunting all the time with fellow guildmates, girl has no time to tidy up her home. Typical story. Happens all the time."
I can’t find my Trueshot bow. Figures. I was so excited when I successfully made my first one that I wouldn’t let it out of my sight for weeks on end. And now…
"Hey, have you seen my bow?" I ask Sevaran.
"There are all these bow pieces all over the floor…" he tries to help.
"No no no--my Trueshot. Thought I left it in the corner over here but now it’s gone."
"Don’t you remember? Once you and Thetick were mired into your little drinking game, you auctioned it off for 10 plat."
"I did what???"
"The druid you sold it to couldn’t stop laughing. I can still see him, walking off in to the night, just the happiest tree hugger I have ever seen."
I’m stunned. My Trueshot. Gone. For a few lousy plat. Teach me to try to keep ale for ale with Thetick. I think he slipped something into my kadash.
I sit down in my chair, miserable.
"Hey, don’t worry, you can always make another," Sevaran says.
Oh great. Getting to Freeport for treant shards, then travelling all the way to the Steamfront Mountains to kill a few dozen Rogue Clockworks to find 1 or 2 little gizmos. Then back to Kelethin--those arrogant tree lovers don’t care a whip for rangers from Surefall—to attempt a combine. Can’t wait.
A quick prayer to Kanara for strength and I stand up.
"Turn around, I have to get changed."
"Modesty? Now? After our many seasons of travelling and fighting together?", Sevaran smirks.
"Just turn around, I’m in a not-so-good mood."
Sevaran turns and examines some banded armour I left by the door. I slip on my Lockjaw Tunic and my Banded leggings. "’K, you can look now."
I start gathering the rest of my outfit, putting myself together. Moving around, getting the blood flowing, is causing me to wake up, and I’m feeling better about the trip ahead.
"Who’s all going on this little excursion?" I ask.
"Well, it’s a guild thing but, as usual, it’s whoever shows up."
Done with dressing, I stand in front of Sevaran. "Ready for inspection oh valiant leader."
"This leader stuff has to stop. We’ve known each other for a long time. Remember when we first met fighting in Befallen? Those were some good times."
I remember that. I was a ranger in my 13th season. So young and green behind the ears. I can’t believe I made it through those trials virtually unscathed to me now in my 25th season. The gods must have looked kindly on me.
"Lead on Sevaran," I say as we left my cottage.
