Chapter 150: Swinging in the Breeze (1/2)

There was mucus leaking out of every orifice. ”Water,” I croaked but no one could hear me - they were too far away. The massive qi core rolled ahead of me like a giant beach ball and the sight of it made me feel like it was all worthwhile.

When a core was severed from a creature that creature was surely dead. The moment this core moved far enough from its well the Gargscarab died, even though it was still inside its massive head.

It was sure a hell of a lot easier ripping its core from its roots than chopping off the Gargscarab's head. It was just a messy, disgusting task.

Gisael was the smartest women in the world because she loaned me her waterskin and tsked while she wiped me down.

”There is a river,” she said and titled her head in a northerly direction; we'd passed it on our way. Rivers large and small were abundant in the plains surrounding Salastria which is probably why it had become a city in the first place.

The three of us moved north and because we took the core - everyone followed. Demon Bird flew above us and was my eye in the sky.

We rolled the core for now, but eventually we'd have to make it a sling and drag it. One jagged rock in the wrong place and we could lose the precious contents.

”Is there a better way to deal with these things?” Sakaala asked.

”The Qizhu,” Gisael said. ”They used to make legendary artifacts which can store qi.”

”Those guys are like the super nerds of this world,” I said. Gisael didn't understand the term so she ignored it, which was her way.

I removed my leathers and bathed in the river. With great relief the mucus washed away in the flowing water. When I rose there were many red faced women who turned away at the sight of my nakedness in all its glory. It made me laugh.

The whitecloaks had brought my pack and weapons. ”You're naked,” Ying said.

Sakaala and Gisael weren't fazed. Gisael guarded the core while Sakaala cleaned my leathers.

”What did you expect?”

Ying shrugged and flicked his head back towards the others. ”The protectors want to speak with you.”

Sakaala held out my leathers. ”They're still wet.”

”Thanks, they'll dry,” I said and threw them over my shoulder. I donned my pack and weapons while making the protectors wait. They stood atop the embankment and pretended to be patient.

The young blond turned only to find out I was still naked other than my pack. Her cheeks flushed red again and she turned back around quickly. ”It's still naked.”

”Go back to the city Peppin,” Brione said. She huffed but did not move. The leader of the protectors turned to me. ”My apologies for the intrusion and our thanks for killing the Gargscarab. I am Brione Protector of Salastria.” He sounded educated and his words were formal. He did not hold out a hand, he just gave a nod of his head.

I nodded back. ”I am Benzhi Protector of the Forest.”

”The one in the north?”

I nodded.

”There is a forest to the east by the sea do you lay claim to that?”

”Nope, first I heard of it. We don't lay ambit claims to lands that are far away and that have nothing to do with us.” I traded his slight for a slap in the face.