Mad Maiden Ch1: The Silent Reaper

Normally today would be slow, boring, and she would have a lot of time to read. That however was not the case ever since they were visited by a dragon lord. They had people coming in and out looking for top notch weapons and armor from there, but only having two people in the store at maximum they were rushing all day long.

Now late afternoon Valery Mortis is sitting in her favorite chair reading her books while her adoptive father works at the counter. “Jeez. You really surprised that lord with your Draconic Val. I'm too old for this kind of business.”

“I don't know why you're complaining. He was such a nice guy, and we're making more money in a day than we did in a week before he came here. Maybe now you will be able to afford that expansion you always wanted.”

“Ha probably. I always wanted to have an enchanter in the shop. Magic weapons and armor sell for quite a lot.” He takes a look around. “Hey, since you aren't doing anything why don't you go get me some more metal and leather? After that last rush we're almost out.”

Val happily nods, takes the money and heads off grabbing her weapon on the way out. The streets of the elven kingdom were busier than usual. Apparently there has been a lot of terrorist attacks on the government. First the governor’s house blew up, then relics from the museum were stolen. “Crazy world” she thought. She finally arrived at the smelters hut where a friend of her father was waiting.

“Ah! There is my favorite silent friend! What can I do for you Val?” He hands her a parchment paper and a quill. She writes [Hi Malek. Father sent me to gather some metal and leather. We've been very busy lately. Can I also have some of that oil for my sweet heart? Gives her a shine like no other!] He takes a second to read the note and nods happily.

 “Of course Val! Your shop is the talk of the town right now. That dragon lord you wooed sure boosted your popularity. Let me get some for your old man. Ill be right back.” She waits for the items by looking around. Malek has samples of all the metals he owns in a case in the main counter.

 He has almost everything from iron, gold, mithril and she was shocked when she saw a “Limited” sign by a shard of adamantine. He comes out with a wheel barrel with a sack in it. “Here ya go Val. I'll just send over the bill later got a lot of new ore to smelt from the mines.”

Val curiously points at the adamantine shard and tilts her head. “Oh, yes. That was a new metal I've always wanted to own. Hardest and sharpest metal in the world. Too expensive for you though ha ha, I already did the math for your scythe. 32,000 gold just for the blade unfortunately. Sorry Val.”

Val just shrugs it off, waves goodbye at Malek, and leaves with the wheel barrel. Arriving back at the shop her father was on the shop floor stocking up new swords and shields he probably just crafted.

“Ah there you are honey. Malek sure took his time with the order huh? Sure looks like he did; that's a lot more metal he usually gives us.”

“I was also checking out some new materials he has. He owns some of that Adamantine stuff now. Too bad its 32,000 gold just for the blade of my baby. Oh! I also added some of that polishing oil to the list I'll pay you back for that.”

“Oh wow. I herd of that stuff. Really serious material there, good for him! Here I'll take this stuff in the back, why don't you put the rest of these new merchandise in their cases?” Val nods and sets off to work, and the day drags on from there.

Hours later business finally slowed down, and Val finally got to read today. Her father was polishing the counter, and she was in her chair happily delved in her book. The peacefulness didn't last long however when the door chime went off, making Val sigh in annoyance.

“Hello and welcome to the 'Clean and Quiet Armory' How can I help you?” Val looked up to see  a gnome toward the front, a female halfling with a large hat and a.. . monkey?

The gnome looked like a wandering merchant, the monkey had his hands wrapped so might be a brawler, and the halfling carried swords and she can see a pistol or two.

“Great, be careful, one looks like a pirate and another fighter. I might have trouble with these four if they cause trouble” He replied with a simple "We'll see." As she went back to her book.

It was the gnome that started talking “Sorry to come in at such a late time, but my colleagues and I are in need to sell things and perhaps buy as well. We are working with the king and governor against the Drow terrorist attacks. Unfortunately we lost two members of our group and we have no need for their stuff.”

Val was paying attention now since the word 'Drow'. Her father replied “Oh I am sorry for your loss. Well hopefully I can help out as much as I can! Now lets see what we can do for you.” While her father helped the merchant the others were taking a look around, but Val was looking at the pirate. “Not the most attractive I've seen, but I'd still hit that”

A while later they finished their conversation “Alright I'll have these gauntlets for you by tomorrow, and here is your change” He hands the gnome the money and they set out. “What a nice group of travelers. It's good to see they have people fighting off those terrorists. Interesting to hear they are Drow.”

“Kinda has me interested in their actual goals, and what the drow are up too. They had a lot of stuff. What happened?” her father explained they had a goblin rouge who got a little too greedy with traps and treasure and had the crown of his head taken off. “Ow. Sucks to be that dumb bastard.”

“Yeah. The man I was talking to was called Clark. He was a very reasonable man who knew his way around a deal. I like him. The gauntlets were an order from that monkey fellow named Jin-Shi Wukong. Val would you mind closing up while I start on those?” She closed her book and nodded.

While closing she couldn’t get the idea of the Drow out of her mind. She hated that race with a fiery passion. It reminds her too much of her childhood before her adoptive father. “Father. Did they say they were looking for a replacement for that dumb goblin?”

“Not really. Just trying to get rid of his stuff. He had a really nice rapier. Why do you ask?” She didn't answer for a while which concerned him. “Val? Are you thinking of going with them? You don't even know them! I know you don't like drow, but honey please I don't advise it.” She looked down at her book again.

“Yes father. I'm sorry. Money is counted and on the counter. I'm going to bed early. Goodnight.” She closed her book and left the room in thought. Her father watched her go. Sighing he collected the money and closed the rest of the shop before turning in for the night.

The next day business was busy as usual. Val was still not used to this kind of rush, and neither was her father. Eventually as time went on and business slowed. As she was reading again the group came back lead by Clark again. He also had the monkey, the pirate, and a new one. A man in armor and dual wielding swords.

“Oh Clark, Jin, and Mickey right? Welcome back. I have your gauntlets in the back. I'll go get them for you.” He left while the others just stayed there. Clark waved to Val in politeness but she just scoffed. Her father came back With the gauntlets.

“Oh those are fine tank you sir! I shall use them in all my fights from here on out.” While not having good grammar The monkey was quite polite too.

Her father smiled “Not a problem sir. I'm just glad to see another satisfied customer. Are you all off on another mission?”

The new man is the one to answer. “We are currently recruiting a new member. Picked up a new healer a few weeks ago, but now we  need a replacement for our rouge. Do you happen to know where we can find some decent fighters? Name's Comino by the way, nice to meet you.”

The shop keep stared at him for a second or two “It's nice to meet you as well. Unfortunately I don't know of any good fighters. All I know is my daughter Val.” The group looks at Val who is hiding behind her book trying to concentrate.

Comino looks over her carefully “Is she any good? She really doesn’t look like much. Sorry if that was too offensive.” Val flips him off.

“She is very strong. Saved me from robbery after robbery. I think her confirmed kills are at 56 I believe?”

“65 thank you very much.”

“My apologies 65” Comino's expression changes as if now he is interested, Clark nods, impressived, Jin is drinking, and Mickey just doesn't care.

The shop keep takes a second to look at Val, then turns to them again. “Would you like her to join you?” Val's head snaps up “What?”

“I feel like she can do you all very good in your adventures.” The group looked at each other silently talking about it, when finally they said “Alright you're in. Welcome to the team.”

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