15 Return to The Noble Lady (1/2)

By the time I stepped out the door of the dojo, it was already sundown.I shaded my eyes with my left hand to prevent the setting sun from shining into my eyes.I looked around but I didn't see any street signs.How did people know where to go without street signs?

I glanced back and saw that Kalistra was watching me at the doorway.I was NOT going to ask her for directions back to The Noble Lady!With a huff, I turned away from her and started walking north.Honestly, I had no idea where I was going but I did not want to be anywhere did that evil cat girl.

As I walked along the street, I had a nagging feeling that someone was following me.I quickly turned around but saw no one standing behind me.There were a few male peasants further down the street but they were a good ten feet away from me.However, I did see a white tail sticking out behind one of the men.

Oh, God!Why was Kalistra following me?

*SMACK*

I slapped my right cheek.Don't think about her, Larry!I needed to return to the tavern before the night arrived or else I would need her to rescue me from thieves again.I did NOT want to be in her debt a second time.

Putting my personal pride aside, my health was dangerously low.The Exhaustion condition had reduced my Health down to 21 points.Evil cat girl poked me in the shoulder blade once for -2 Health and five times in my rear for another -10 Health.Thus, my current Health was only 9 points.I could trip on the street and lose the rest if I was unlucky.

Walking slowly and carefully, I continued to push my sluggish body up the street.I had a vague idea that I was heading in the right direction.When I was chasing after Kalistra after lunch, we were indeed heading southward.We were forced to make a detour to the Watch headquarters, but that was a few blocks west of The Noble Lady.So all I had to do was head north until I reached the Watch headquarters again and then head east until I see the tavern.

After walking six blocks north, I finally saw the white cross on a spire peeking above a bunch of buildings.The cross wasn't exactly due north of my current position but rather northeast.Using the cross as my guiding light, I managed to arrive at the Watch headquarters; I had to walk three blocks east and two blocks north, though.

I approached a guard in front of the building and asked for directions.”Excuse me, good sir.Which way is The Noble Lady?” I asked.

The guard, who wore a chain mail hauberk and carried a halberd, pointed east. ”It's three blocks east and then one block north,” he replied.

”Thank you,” I said and started walking east.As I turned away from the guard, I casually looked around at my surroundings and saw the ever present white tail sticking out again, this time among a group of noblemen dressed in gaudy but expensive looking clothing.However, I did not care to ponder why Kalistra was following me.I was still angry with her for the way she pushed my body to exhaustion during my training this afternoon.