85 Meditation (1/2)

”Oh?” Launcelot followed Li's gaze to his shield and smiled sheepishly, raising a gauntleted hand to his head as he smiled. ”It must be strange to see me with a shield such as this, especially when compared to the former glory of my Silver Stronghold. Alas, its dutiful service to me ended under a torrent of fiery venom.”

”I see,” said Li mostly just as an automated response. His thoughts laid in processing the repercussions of Launcelot having this shield.

Undoubtedly, this was the very same shield that Chi-You, god of war and the strength stat, had sent to this realm when Li left the divine plane. The appearance was exactly the same, and it brimmed with a faint hum of war mystical energy that made it clear that it was no ordinary shield.

At the same time, Li realized there was not much to it. He knew the gods were going to eventually try and manifest, and he was more curious how the whole process would work. Would Launcelot lose himself entirely? Would the man die to be replaced by the god?

If Launcelot realized Li was tuning out, the shieldbearer did not show it, instead maintaining his cheeriness by raising the shield so that Li could get a better look. Li could tell that the shield, though once worn down and aged, had been thoroughly polished under Launcelot's care, reflecting the sunlight with ease.

”Its appearance may be middling, but I have always been taught that the heart is where one's wroth truly lies. And so it is I feel the same for this shield. There is some magic within, however faint, but above all, I firmly believe that it has chosen me.”

”You don't really believe, that, do you, Launce? A weapon is a weapon. You choose the weapon, not the other way round, and I would feel better if you had something a little sturdier to protect yourself with,” said one of Launcelot's party members, a woman who seemed to have a permanent scowl, a scar lined across her lip to accentuate it.

”It is not silliness, it is fate, Faye,” said Launcelot with firm resolution. He nodded to Li. ”You need not worry about me, good sir, for this shield appeared before my doorstep when I was at the lowest depths, bereft of my beautiful shield and aching all over from injury. But its timely appearance must only mean that it is a tool of destiny, a gift from mine very own guardian spirit, perhaps.”

Li wondered why Launcelot would think Li was worrying about him, but then again, the man was cut from an infinitely more optimistic cloth than Li. Somewhat similar to Jeanne, actually, though there was something about the way he carried himself, the way his steps were surprisingly slow and calculated, and that sharp glint in his eyes, that made it obvious that his optimism had been tempered by hardship.

”Well, I don't worry because at the end of the day, if that shield fails you, you can always fall back on our elixirs.” Li eyed the shield again, at how pitiful its durability and magical power were right now. ”From the looks of it, you'll probably be visiting here pretty often, too.”

”Hear that?” said Faye. She sighed. ”I know coin isn't an issue for you, but you shouldn't be hemorrhaging it along with your blood. Come, the remnants of Silver Stronghold can be reforged. Do that instead of waving that piece of paper around.”

”Silence.” Iona's voice cut through the air with a timbre that instantly caused Faye to grow quiet, and Li gave Iona a look that let her know she should mediate herself.

”I mean,” said Iona. ”You should not force him to abandon his ideals. Instead, as his companion, you should accommodate him. Yet at the same time, I foresee that many fangs and claws will carve into his tender flesh and bleed his life dry. Thus, I propose the contract you talked about to ensure he holds a steady supply of healing elixirs to preserve his fleeting life.”

Launcelot's expression brightened. ”Finally, one who understands me! And the contract, I will take with nary a hint of hesitation. With that, I will never have to worry about the bruises and scrapes I must endure to grow used to this shield.”

Li glanced at Iona, noting her satisfied look, and nodded. She had seen that Faye was about to stop Launcelot from wasting quite the sum of coin having to constantly buy elixirs to heal himself with an inadequate shield, and proposed a contract to rope him in. Her moneymaking sense was improving drastically, though perhaps the ethics side of it was a little lacking because of her lack of care for mortal life.

At the same time, it was Launcelot's decision, and it was not either Li or Iona's role to be his battle advisor.

”Alright then,” said Li to Launcelot. ”Consider this the start of our business relationship. Will a typical herbalist's contract do?”

Li agreed with pushing the contract as well because it also meant that it would keep Launcelot in his orbit. That way, he could keep an eye on the shield and further observe its effects on the knight.

As for the contract, it would involve giving Launcelot the privilege to request certain elixirs on a weekly basis, having them on hold until he could come by anytime to get them. For a fairly hefty price, of course, and for specialty workshops like Li's where quality trumped quantity, the costs were even higher.

In a dangerous profession where finding a sold out stall might mean several days of being unable to work or, worse, getting injured or killed, though, this was usually worth it.

”Most certainly,” said Launcelot without a moment's hesitation. ”My team and I are actually going on a hunt this very moment.”

Li nodded. ”It's quite late to be going out.”

”Indeed, but we are hunting direwolves, and they are most active under the night's veil. If ever you spot a particularly large one with a black patch upon his chest, then please let us know, for the fiend is the pack leader responsible for mauling an innocent young girl to death.”

”There's truly no stopping you once an idea pops in your head, is there,” said Faye as she shrugged. Her voice did not seem too bothered, however, as if used to Launcelot's personality. ”Now then, we really must hurry. The Winterwoods will cover the wolves' trails quickly.”

”We'll be heading to the woods, too,” said Li. ”Though after the sun sets. We'll have a few elixirs ready in the case any of you gets injured. Just let me know where your trail's going to be. Consider this a benefit of being our patron.”

This would also let Li know where the team was to avoid them.

”That does ease my burden quite a bit. I thank you, good sir.” Launcelot cocked his head. ”But I must ask, why now? I do not question your strength, for it is formidable, but certainly, were you to be picking herbs, then the day would be preferable.”