Episode 82 — Learning To Ride
Episode 82 — Learning To Ride
Twenty-Eighth Day in the Month of Sakura (April 28) in the Year of the Griffon
Front Line — Floor 60
Bladescape was raring to go, but she wasn’t heading out with the others. She still had a few days left of downtime to do questing and she had things that she needed to do to be ready for the followup quests. Specifically, she needed to learn to ride a horse. Breakfast was good, but rushed as the others were focused on clearing the new floor.
“Blade, I have food packed for you in a sack on the kitchen counter,” Konpeito stated.
“Thanks,” Bladescape said as she stood up. “I need to get moving. I would like to finish the last two quests I promised to do by the end of tomorrow.”
“Good luck and have fun,” Natora said and Bladescape walked into the kitchen.
Bladescape grabbed the bags marked for her and departed. At Mo’s shop, Mo was entertaining a young woman. Even sitting down, it was easy to see the young woman was wearing a traditional European equestrian outfit.
“Join us,” Mo said, smiling under her full feathers and bright hat.
Bladescape sat down, picking up the cup of tea obviously for her. She took a drink as she settled in.
“This is Boots, she is a master with the horses in Aincrad and in real life,” Mo explained. “I have contracted her to help you learn to ride. She assures me it won’t be difficult. Although, I do have a question, how does riding get you the halter?”
Mo was good at information. Bladescape had been open with her, mostly, but it had been late last night.
“I believe I told you that before I killed the witch, I learned some information about two segments of the quest,” Bladescape stated. Mo nodded to her. “The princess was the witch. Her father, the king, is setting players up, wanting the items for himself and she wanted the dish to get back at him. He wants the Whetstone, plain and simple. I don’t know why. However, he already has the halter, except it is being used by his own knight in that quest and that knight will try to kill me as I ride into the correct arena. It’s a trap, but I haven’t figured out what that angle is for, maybe just to get rid of me after getting him the other two items?”
“Interesting,” Mo replied, lost in thought. Her eyes snapped back to Bladescape. “Go, learn to ride. I will dig up what I can and make the next plan.”
Bladescape followed Boots out. They teleported to Floor Twelve. Boots owned a corral there. She had acquired it a year ago from a quest that required a skilled rider to complete it. Floor Twelve also had a variety of wild horses. She had spent much of her time hunting them down and capturing them. She only kept a few of those horses for herself, selling the rest to the NPC market. She owned four horses and taking care of them was a big enough task. They were not familiars and Boots was not a beast tamer.
Boots quickly had two horses saddled and ready to go. She handed the reins of the chestnut horse to Bladescape. “Autumn Blaze is calm and a good starting horse. Technically, she is a pony by her size, but that makes her perfect to start. With any luck, we will get you onto a stallion by the end of the day.”
Bladescape had an easier time mounting the smaller horse. The idea that it was a pony was certainly confusing her soul. She was a human pony riding a virtual pony. She tried to not overthink it. Or think about it at all.
What she had picked up the day before didn’t hurt her form too badly. She was being taught to control the horse with only her left hand like the classic riding style. Traditional riding had a crop, or a polo mallet, or the right hand free for another item, like a sword.
Bladescape was constantly being told to kick Autumn Blaze more, and harder. It took a lot of prodding, but soon Autumn Blaze began to understand and trust Bladescape. Boots brought them up to a trot and then began to gallop out of the safe zone and into the open fields.
Bladescape actually laughed as they rode. It was fun. It was freeing. Feeling the wind rush past her face, blowing out her hair, while also having the surging muscles beneath her was a different feeling from anything else. She couldn’t stop laughing as Boots brought them to a halt in the middle of a field. Boots was grinning as Bladescape tried to calm her laughter down.
“It has been a long time since I have heard someone laugh like that,” Boots grinned. “Or smile the way you are.”
Bladescape started to reply but then let out one last chuckle. “It has been a long time since I have done something so freeing.”
“I know,” Boots beamed. “That's why I do what I do in both worlds. Follow me back and we will work on the finer movements. You will need it to beat that knight on horseback. Combat is different with a horse. It requires full trust by both parties.”
“I use a two-handed sword,” Bladescape replied. “A long one. I have a cheap, simple, shorter one, but it isn’t powerful. I probably need to find a better one.”
“I use a sword and shield,” Boots replied. “We can practice in the safe zone. But first, we need to get you able to make small adjustments so that you can put yourself where you need to be to fight on horseback.”
Bladescape nodded and they began to make their way back. When it came to the finer movements, they were not making quick turns around barrels or doing cowboy stuff. It was calmer, focusing on turns and getting Autumn Blaze to make small adjustments like simple side steps.
They took a break for lunch. Bladescape took Boots out to a local place for all she had done and knowing how much more she would do. Boots appreciated it. It was clear that she lived a meager lifestyle, not that she was unhappy as she cared for her horses. She was one of the happiest players Bladescape had met.
Out of nowhere, in the middle of their meal, Argo sat down at the table. She gave Boots a glance over and then a nod before turning to Bladescape. "You are working for Mo."
"Is that a question or a statement?" Bladescape asked.
"Why is the question," Argo shot back.
"I gave a promise that I would find something to relax," Bladescape explained. "No Skills found my fancy, so I went to see what she had for suggestions, which was three quests. I admit, I got roped into more than expected. I was a bit blindsided, but I have a few advantages. An important one is that she needs me."
"What exactly are you working on?" Argo pressed.
"Argo, I consider us friends, but I don't believe it is in my best interest to tell you that," Bladescape calmly replied. "Info is your job."
Argo scowled for a moment and then stood up. She took a few steps and stopped, turning back to face them. "I've done quests for Mo. She seems fair, usually is, but ultimately it's for her own gain. Even as good as some of the things she has done for the Assault Team have been, it still is about her. She has a profit margin to meet."
Argo was gone before Bladescape could reply. She didn't have a reply to give, but it was good that she was being looked after. Of course, most of what she said about Mo could easily be applied to Argo.
"Was that the legendary info broker?" Boots asked.
"Yep," Bladescape nodded. "Our guild has helped her a lot. We have a complicated relationship. In the end, what we do for her, it’s the same thing she just warned me about Mo. They both have a profit margin to keep, they both have their shadier side, and they both do their best to progress the game. Except that last one is as their eyes see fit.
"But none of that concerns you. You were contracted to teach me to ride and that is a straightforward and clean contract. Also, I'm enjoying it. I'm glad it is not a Skill though. What do you need to take care of your horses?"
"Outside of my battle skills, I make use of Ferrier, Animal Husbandry, and both sales Skills to keep the corral," Boots explained. "I buy a lot and I sell a lot, but I don't make a lot of money doing what I do. I have to go out and join parties to farm most of my Col. This contract was hefty and something I couldn’t pass up. It's been more enjoyable than I expected." Boots stood up. "But enough about that. We have more to teach you."
Bladescape followed her out. This time she was given a black mare with a diamond on her forehead. "This is Diamond Tiara," Boots explained. "I named her that for the diamond mark that sits where a tiara would."
"Makes sense," Bladescape replied. She didn't mention the younger girl at Canterlot High School that bore the same name.
"She has spirit," Boots warned. "She loves to jump obstacles and is a sprinter. However, her endurance is lacking compared to the field hunters. She will have plenty for what we need her for. Just be firmer to start until she gets used to you."
"Got it," Bladescape nodded.
She mounted the taller horse with Boots spotting. Diamond Tiara was prancing in place a bit, eager to go. Boots got up easily onto the same horse as before and they were off.
The start was much like the morning. They worked on control and macro movements, while slowly gaining more speed. They began to corner more quickly and soon Boots taught Bladescape how to deal with a jump. When Diamond Tiara charged a fence at a near gallop, Bladescape got her body in line. Staying straight, she rose off the saddle a bit to allow for the movement of the horse between her. Her legs and knees were her shocks. She wasn't thrown as they landed and Bladescape turned Diamond Tiara down the road at a good pace.
Boots caught up, laughing. They slowed to talk. "Well done. It's like you have a deep understanding of the horses and that is like a true rider. Let's race back to the corral and work the finer movements like earlier."
Bladescape just nodded and then got Diamond Tiara up to a gallop. Boots stayed behind for most of the trip. She made her move at the last moment and won the race. She wouldn't have suggested it if she didn't think she could leave Bladescape in the dust. It was an impressive display of natural skill by the equestrian.
The slow stuff was the same as earlier: back and forth, side to side, full and half steps. All was in the pursuit of perfection.
"I want to spar before you go tonight, if you can go without dinner for a bit," Boots said.
"I'm ready," Bladescape replied. "It's still early for dinner, at least for me. That's life on the front line."
Boots smiled mischievously. She soon came back with a larger horse, and she was kitted out for battle. Her gear wasn’t too impressive, but she wasn’t near the front lines for a reason. She passed the reins of a brown horse with a flaxen mane to Bladescape and then mounted up. Bladescape mounted the horse as well, adding the cheap and short two-handed sword she had from the mission with Argo.
As they headed to an open courtyard in the basically abandoned city to spar, Boots informed Bladescape of the situation. "I'm on Wind Rush, a full stallion. You're on Fire Streak, a gelding. He's calmer than a stallion but will serve you well. He's used to combat and noise. Remember, a lot of what we will be doing will be the fine movements and steps.”
The center of the village was rather quiet since they were on Floor Twelve. It was also large enough for them to maneuver and set up, but confined them like an arena would. They didn’t clash weapons at first. Boots ran them through some charges and maneuvering moves to help give Bladescape an idea of what combat from horseback was like and how much the horse had to be directed. Both horses were used to the sound of battle, so they wouldn't spook, they just needed to be told where to go and they would do the rest. They had no problem charging each other and blitzing by with no room to spare.
When their swords finally clashed, Bladescape was outmatched. Fire Streak responded correctly, but Bladescape was not ready for a different fighting style. Boots’ sword was right up against her neck immediately. They reset and began again. Bladescape tried to play it more defensively, but she failed without a fight. It was difficult to move her sword like she needed to.
“This is too heavy,” Bladescape stated. “I need a lighter sword for horseback.”
“I agree,” Boots said with a nod. “I shouldn’t be beating a member of the Assault Team just because we are on horses. It’s the sword, not your obvious skill.”
Bladescape had the open skill slot, even to use temporarily. Heraldry might be plugged in, but the switch would be simple. The problem was any new weapon Skill wouldn’t be enough to beat the quest with. Even with a top tier sword, she wouldn’t have enough Sword Skills to do anything.
“I have an idea,” Bladescape replied. “It won’t take me long.”
“The teleport plaza is right down that street,” Boots said, pointing to it. “I can take both horses back.”
Bladescape dismounted, passed Boots the reins, and headed to the plaza. She jumped to Floor 48, Lindarth. She went straight to Lisbeth’s shop. Lis was, as expected, busy with a few customers. Bladescape ignored them and stepped around the counter.
Lis glared at her as Bladescape forced her to address her. “What?” She growled.
“I need a two-handed sword, light and built for speed," Bladescape explained. "Shorter too.”
“I am kind of busy here!” Lis exclaimed.
“And I have the Col to compensate you,” Bladescape fired back. “Do you have what I need on the shelf or not?”
“Of course not,” Lis huffed. “No one needs a lightweight two-handed sword. That defeats the purpose. I do have the materials to make something like that though. But what is wrong with Harmonic Salvation? You just picked her up!”
“A quest,” Bladescape replied. “Timed. If you can’t do it, I will go elsewhere.”
“Wait!” Lis exclaimed as Bladescape took a step towards the door. “Let me finalize with this gentleman and then I will make you the sword you need.”
The Wondercolts gave Lisbeth a lot of business. She was their weapon smith now. She did the bulk of the maintenance on their weapons and enhanced them. It was not something easily lost. Playing that card against their friend was kind of mean, except Bladescape was on a schedule. She couldn’t be absent from the front much longer.
The others were not happy at Bladescape cutting in line, but none of them were clearers. Bladescape just leaned against the wall, waiting. She didn’t have to wait long.
Lisbeth beckoned for her to follow her into the back. She was still annoyed. “What exactly do you need?”
“A two-handed longsword that is short," Bladescape explained. "It needs to be the minimum length for a two-handed sword, as light as possible, built for speed and use in tight quarters. I need to be able to use it with one hand. This isn’t for front line combat, so the stats can be lower. This is what I tried to use and it failed me horribly."
She showed Lis the basic sword she had used. It was the same one Argo had gotten her for that mission.
“That's a tricky order,” Lisbeth replied, not even checking out the menu on the offered sword. “I have the materials here for it. You're lucky on that. And it will cost you for barging in!”
“Fair,” Bladescape nodded. “I expected to pay for the rush order.”
Lis grumbled as she connected the water wheel, to heat the forge, while she got the materials from her shelves. It didn’t take long.
“How is the outfit working?” Bladescape asked, making idle chatter. “You're still wearing it."
Lisbeth let out a big sigh as she started to soften the metal. “It's working great. I'm hot news because I'm the cute and adorable smith who can make top tier weapons. It has tripled my sales. It was well worth it. I just hate being the ‘cute’ smith.”
Lisbeth was done talking as she grabbed her hammer and pulled the metal out. The hit count was lower because of the type of sword she was making. She also was well rested compared to when she made Harmonic Salvation. It didn’t take her long to forge it. With the sword done, she passed it to Bladescape.
“Its name is Bajutsu,” Lisbeth declared, rather spitefully. She didn’t think the name fit. Lisbeth only had a few sheaths premade and matched the handle to it.
The sword was plain. It had a brown leather hilt and pointed pommel. There was a bump in the center of the long handle, exaggerating how long it was. The crossguard was thin and the scabbard was the same, brown leather with steel end cap and steel locket. It also had a metal ring attached to the locket and one towards the middle of the sheath.
Bladescape performed some basic Two-handed Sword Skills and smiled. It was very light. The length was rather ridiculous for a two-handed sword, but even while doing the simple skills with one hand, it worked fine enough yet perfectly for what she was going to be doing.
“What exactly are you doing that you need a sword like that?” Lisbeth pressed. “You're grinning, yet it has to be the worst sword I have ever made since I became good at making swords. The balance point is in the handle, in a bad way. It isn’t a sword I would be proud to admit I made. And the name is weird.”
“A quest requiring combat on horseback,” Bladescape said as she pulled up her window.
“Horseback?” Lisbeth stammered.
“Yes,” Bladescape said, grinning. “I’m taking a short respite from the front and doing some solo quests. Harmonic Salvation is too large to fight with while controlling a horse. I need a weapon for a single hand, but I got rid of that Skill a long time ago. Hence the weight and length requirements.”
Lisbeth shut up, not speaking another word. Bladescape went back to paying for the sword. She withdrew what she thought was a good price and handed it over. Lisbeth clicked on it to see the actual amount transferred. By the way her eyes widened, it was more than what she was expecting.
“Thanks,” Bladescape said, heading up the stairs to leave.
“You’re welcome!” Lisbeth sarcastically shot back.
The horses were still saddled and ready. Bladescape showed Boots the sword.
“This will do nicely,” Boots said as she held the sword and tested it without Sword Skills. “A trick for this quest will be putting this blade on your saddle, rather than your body. That way, if you get knocked off, you can go to the longer blade. Even on foot, you have the range to hit the knight with your sword. The horse is too heavy to stop with an attack, but your sword is as long as a medium spear and can knock a rider off with ease."
Boots attached the sword to the saddle for Bladescape, making full use of both rings on the sheath, and then she mounted Wind Rush. Bladescape followed suit and mounted Fire Streak. They trotted back to the square and tried again. This time, Bladescape came at Boots with confidence. She kept Fire Streak moving forward as she swung. Boots was forced to let go of the reins and use her shield against the lightning fast blade. She expertly stayed on her horse, despite the hit knocking her back. Wind Rush turned instinctively and charged. Boots got her swing in, but it was useless against Bladescape’s well honed skill. Bladescape blocked and flipped her blade around, smacking Boots on the shoulders with the flat of her blade before she passed her at full speed.
“Alright,” Boots said, catching her breath. “I don’t think I have much to teach you there. You're keeping Fire Streak moving like you need to.” Boots took a deep breath in and let it out. “I fight from horseback on this Floor for fun. That is more of what I was expecting from you the first time we tried, well, a little less actually. Your reaction time is far beyond what I thought was possible.”
Bladescape couldn’t help but smile as she laid the blade across her lap.
“I tested the weight of the sword,” Boots stated. “But, while it's about the same weight as my sword and only slightly longer, it hit me with a lot of force. More than I can ever produce. And the speed is another issue entirely.”
“I'm very strong,” Bladescape stated. “I have to be in order to wield Harmonic Salvation. Plus, this was made with what the smiths usually refer to as speed metals; lighter and faster metals or alloys designs for speed weapons like rapiers, daggers, certain spears, and some one-handed swords. Usually they are not good for two-handed weapons."
“What is your cavalry sword’s name?” Boots asked.
“Bajutsu,” Bladescape replied.
Boots snorted. “Appropriate name, despite how plain it is.”
“I was first told by the smith that it wasn’t a good name," Bladescape stated. "Her reaction when she found out it was for combat on horseback was priceless. I forget, Japanese is my second language, I know the root is referring to a combat art, but what exactly does Bajutsu mean or give reference to?”
Boots snorted again. “You're correct about the root. Bajutsu is the traditional Japanese martial art for combat on horseback. It's separate from Yabusame, the art of archery on horseback. Bajutsu is also about the art of the horse and rider working together, and the care for the horse by their rider, who were exclusively samurai until recently. High ranking samurai mostly because horses were, and still are, rather scarce in Japan. There just isn’t good room for lots of horses.”
Bladescape mulled all of it over in her brain. Japan loved perfecting things into an artform. It was an aptly named sword, once again, by a system that was supposed to be impartial and random.
“And it's a very good sword for the type of combat required of it,” Boots added. “It’s intriguing to think that the system designed it so perfectly and also named it randomly. The smith only has marginal control over the weapon created. They can control the base parameters, but that is it. The system rolls a dice to determine the rest.”
“Maybe,” Bladescape replied. “That is what the official system setting is, but I'm not so certain it holds true any longer. Harmonic Salvation is a very appropriately named sword for me. It’s not the first powerfully named weapon the Wondercolts have used. I've noted some things where it seems that the user and the game engine can sort of synchronize. It's a highly adaptive and sophisticated game engine connected to a game console that literally reads our minds. That's the best I can explain it."
“Lucky for you all,” Boots said. “I can’t afford a custom sword and certainly not one from the smith you have to be using.”
“Lisbeth is in high demand for a reason,” Bladescape replied. She couldn’t resist a smile. “She was mad at me for barging in and sort of strong arming her into it. I paid her handsomely, but she still was extra sassy. I did cut the line, definitely deserving it. She did it because I have a time limit and all us Wondercolts go to her. I can’t stay on these quests for too long as they keep me off the front line. She also wears a pretty outfit that she bought at our big sale that Diemond had not too long ago. It has brought her more business from the boys in this game.”
Boots snickered in understanding. She changed gears. “Want to go hunt the bandits on this Floor? We still have plenty of light."
“Sure,” Bladescape grinned. “Let’s really test what you have taught me.”
Bladescape followed Boots out of the city and then south. It wasn’t long before she began to pick up the bandits with Search. The bandits heard them coming from the noise of the hoof steps. It grew to a thunder as they went from a strong trot to a full on gallop.
Bladescape chose her path. She would pass by one bandit and then go between two more. Fire Streak was straight and true, understanding what she intended to do. Bajutsu glowed red, slicing through the first bandit. She crossed the blade over to the left side and timed the stab correctly with the Sword Skill. The blade impaled him in the throat. She flipped it back over to the right. She swung, this time without activating a Skill. She was beside the target as she swung, which meant she was past him by the time the sword came around. The blade’s tip dug into his back, tracing a red arc across it. The bandit howled in pain and then popped into polygons.
Boots had been forced to slow down as she made finer turns to deal with each bandit. It took her a few hits with Sword Skills to take each one down. She was very good at combining them with the movements of her horse, which also lessened the issue of her delay. Fire Streak surged forward at Bladescape’s direction. She held Bajutsu out and down as she chose her next path. She braced the handle along her forearm and charged, never swinging. The blade sliced through one with ease and then a second. Bladescape cleared Boots’ right side in a single pass and without changing the position of her blade. She came around the back and skewered two more as she came up on the left of Boots and Wind Rush.
Boots looked around quickly. She couldn’t believe that the bandits were all gone. Bladescape started to laugh, mostly from the joy of riding, but also from the fight.
“I'm a member of the Assault Team,” Bladescape reminded her, still laughing. “My Two-Handed Sword Skill is maxed and I have a solid sword in my hand. We're on Floor Twelve. They don't stand a chance. They never did and never will. With my battle healing rate, I could stand still all day long and they never would take me out of the green. They wouldn't even get close."
Boots just shook her head, grinning, in a shocked and silent reply.
“There are more over there,” Bladescape said, pointing with Bajutsu. “Let’s get you in a party with me so it is not a waste on your end. You can at least share the XP and Col and you should gain more than running solo beside me.”
Boots nodded and accepted the party request. “Lead on and let me watch you so I can see if you need to fine tune your actions, rather than relying on brute force.”
They headed off. Bladescape was rather intuitive about striking from horseback. She wouldn’t admit it, but she felt like a part of it came from understanding how a horse walked and moved. She molded herself to that as she directed Fire Streak and let loose Bajutsu.
They couldn’t continue after a few more fights. The horses needed rest and food and they were out of light. They took the horses back to the corral and Boots quickly got them squared away.
She came back out. “You adapted fast. Faster than most, and you went from basically no experience riding to being able to fight on the back of a charging steed in a day. I'm surprised, in a good way.”
“Thanks,” Bladescape replied. “I do have you to thank. I might have some natural tendencies, but you brought them out. Let’s grab dinner, but not here. My treat.”
“I won’t deny that offer,” Boots replied. “I eat rather plainly most days. Well enough, but plain.”
Bladescape directed them to Lindarth. Boots had never been that high up in Aincrad. She had no idea where they were going.
“One quick stop,” Bladescape said.
Boots shrugged. “Hey, you're paying, so I don’t mind.”
Bladescape took them to Lisbeth’s Smith Shop. It was still open, barely, and empty of customers.
“You got your swords here, didn’t you?” Boots asked as she saw all the weapons on display.
“Yep,” Bladescape replied. “And get them enhanced and kept in perfect condition.
“Again?” Lisbeth huffed when she came out of the back to see who had entered.
“Still with the sass?” Bladescape asked, matching her sass. “I know you made more from me than what you did from the others I cut in line.”
Lisbeth rolled her eyes but didn’t deny it.
“I want to set up an order for enhancements,” Bladescape continued. “I want to increase the Quickness, Accuracy, and Sharpness of Bajutsu. Maybe Durability if it isn’t hard to get the materials.”
“It’s a very basic sword,” Lisbeth replied. “Despite having used a speed type metal alloy, I have all that I need on my shelves. Although, I doubt I will after you finish.”
“Can you do it now so I don’t have to worry about it?” Bladescape asked.
“If you pay an extra fee for out of hours work,” Lisbeth kicked back.
“Of course,” Bladescape grinned.
Bladescape pulled Bajutsu out of her inventory and handed it to Lisbeth. “One of each please, except heaviness. I can’t afford to add weight.”
“Give me a few minutes,” Lisbeth huffed.
Bladescape looked at Boots. She was testing the weight of a sword. It wasn’t to her liking and she set it back on the wall. The next one was a better fit. Bladescape could tell by how her hand gripped the handle and how her eyes lit up.
With four enhancements being added, it took fifteen minutes for Lisbeth to do them. Thankfully, each one took. She had sixteen more enhancement attempts for Bajutsu. Bladescape paid the price Lisbeth quoted. The four enhancements were cheaper than what it was costing for a single one for Harmonic Salvation. Although, they were about to hit the point where Bladescape would have to acquire the enhancement materials herself in a vicious hunt across all of Aincrad to get the materials. Or pay Phaedra to contract the acquisition. The sword was becoming stronger, but rarer, and so were the enhancement materials.
“What is the cost of that sword?” Bladescape asked, pointing to the one Boots’ eyes had lit up over.
Lisbeth was confused. “I just made that one the other day. It's not my finest work, but it made the cut to be put up for sale. The Wondercolts already have better though. It will serve a mid level player well.”
“What is the price?” Bladescape pressed.
Lisbeth let out a long sigh and leaned forward onto her counter. It had been a long day. She gave the price. She was shocked when Bladescape opened her menu again and pulled out the Col.
“Wha?”
Bladescape turned to Boots, who had been discretely listening while she patiently waited for dinner. “It’s yours. I couldn’t have gotten ready for what is going to come without your help.”
Boots almost fainted. She had heard the price. She had also tried to not get excited about hearing it being discussed.
“I seriously keep getting Col,” Bladescape explained. “I’m a warrior with little use for it. Other than materials for weapon enhancements.”
Boots cautiously took the sword off the wall.
“Now you can properly hunt,” Bladescape added. “At your level, you shouldn’t have had such a hard time against those low-level Bandits. It should be all one swing kills.”
“Desert Orchid,” Boots said in awe. “The name is most appropriate.”
“In what way?” Lisbeth asked. “I know it has the flower on the guard, but that's all.”
“He was a National Hunt racing horse of great renown,” Boots explained. “National Hunt is an endurance and jumping race event. He was one of the best. It's an appropriate sword to use on horseback.”
“So you were the one training her,” Lisbeth grumbled.
“And handsomely paid for by the sponsor of Bladescape’s quests,” Boots added. “As handsome as it was, it wasn't close to the cost of this sword, but we should depart so you can close your store.”
“You could join us for dinner,” Bladescape added. “My treat.”
“Really?” Lisbeth asked, perking up.
“Really,” Bladescape nodded. “Boots got me ready to ride, you got me ready to fight. Harmonic Salvation was not an option.”
“Alright,” Lisbeth said. “I'll take you up on that offer, but! only if you are paying for her dinner as well.”
“Of course I am,” Bladescape grinned. “Got a recommendation?”
“Yeah,” Lisbeth smirked. “A new place just opened up in Lindarth. The owner has real world training. But, it isn’t cheap.”
“Fine by me,” Bladescape shrugged, undeterred.
It was an expensive place. Lisbeth’s usual level of sass was dropped as the evening got later and the three of them became more personal. The price of the amazing food meant nothing compared to having fun with the two of them. It felt good to spend money on others who deserved it and had helped her out so much. It served her better buying them good food than sitting in her wallet, doing nothing.
BLADESCAPE: Level 80 — Two-Handed Sword — Searching — Weapon Defense — Leather Armor — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Sprint — Blade Throwing — Extended Weight Carry — Acrobatics — Open
NATORA: Level 76 — Two-Handed Spear — Purchase Negotiations — Sales Negotiation — Weapon Defense — Light Metal Armor — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Acrobatics — Armor Pierce — Sprint
MALUS: Level 75 — One-Handed War Hammer — Heavy Shield — Heavy Metal Armor — First Aid — Extended Weight Carry — Battle Regeneration — Fishing — Search — Martial Arts — Rend
THUNDERBORNE: Level 75 — Rapier — Sprint — Acrobatics — Weapon Defense — Light Metal Armor — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Armor Pierce — Martial Arts — Blade Throwing
KONPEITO: Level 75 — Two-Handed Axe — Cooking — Weapon Defense — Light Metal Armor — Martial Arts — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Music — Blade Throwing — Bard — Extended Weight Carry
DIEMOND: Level 76 — Mace — Heavy Shield — Sewing — Heavy Metal Armor — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Light Metal Armor Forging — Heavy Metal Armor Forging — Extended Weight Carry — Jewelry Creation
DOOMBUNNY: Level 79 — One-Handed Dagger — Hide — Fighting Spirit — Blade Throwing — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Familiar Cooperation — Mixing — Listen — Reveal — Main-gauche
KIEFER: Level 73 — One-Handed Curved Sword — Slash Weapon Forging — Light Metal Armor — Weapon Defense — First Aid — Katana — Battle Regeneration — Slash Weapon Forging — Blade Throwing — Armor Pierce
SORYUTO: Level 71 — One-Handed Sword — Shield — Light Metal Armor — Music — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Fighting Spirit — Armor Pierce — Acrobatics — Extended Weight Carry
REISENKI: Level 73 — One-Handed Axe — Heavy Shield — Heavy Metal Armor — Equipment Repair — Metal Equipment Repair — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Cooking — Metal Refining — One-Hand Weapon Creation
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Quite surprised the horse is named after the Kirin from fim.
What a coincidence!
sword she has used.*
It's better than nothing at least.
Huh.
How thoughtful of her.
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Why the surprise? I love weaving in easter eggs to find! lol. And Japan has a lot of mountains. Horses are best raised on open plains with a lot of room. Europe had the space to make them used by many people of all economic statuses, or breed and import them, while Japan could not. Their land and size limited how many the could sustain and combat was a major use, while Europe saw the horse used more agriculturally or for travel than it was for cavalry. Being Japan and heavily used by the samurai caste, they have an art for horses. lol.
Also, fixed. Not sure how that one made it past everyone.
nice chapter as usual! Loved sassy Liz lol
So, Bladescape finally begins to learn how to ride horseback. I liked the easter eggs with the horses being named Autumn Blaze and Diamond Tiara. Also, I thought the sword Bladescape ordered specifically to be used for while she is riding being named Bajutsu was smart.
Personally, if I was turned into a small equine and carried by a chimpanzee, I wouldn't question it. Well, I'd question how I got turned into a small equine, but not the part about being carried by a chimpanzee
AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!
I ran out of chapters!
Mindrop help!
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I have more hijinks planned and need to plan even more.
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Yep. I'm working on it. Chapters/Episodes get released every Tuesday evening.
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Don't forget the shenananigans
Yup yup horses let's go
So nice to finally see Sunny doing something that makes her that happy.