Chapter 30: Psychic Weaponry
Chapter 30: Psychic Weaponry
Thankfully, as the captain, it was Price’s job to stay back and give a detailed report back at Wayfarer headquarters.
After returning to the Sinwen manor and greeting her worried mother, Astrid dashed to her room and immediately stripped off her clothes and sunk herself in the steaming tub of water. The soapy bubbles caressed her skin. The smell of rose and honey cleared the smell of blood that lingered within her nose. Taking a deep breath, a light smile covered her face.
Astrid raised her bare leg out of the water as the cool air nipped at her toes. Daniel and the others owe me a drink or two, and I’ve still not forgotten about the loot!
Astrid growled. “That damned loot goblin’s already probably sold it all.” She still remembered Rachelle's grubby little fingers snatching up all the loot. At least I can trust them.
“Leena, drink please.”
The door swung open, Leena already had a platter of fresh fruit in one hand and a glass in the other. “And that’s the last time you’re leaving without me, Astrid!” Her rough, callused hands placed down the platter of fruit on the table by the bath. Astrid snatched the glass from her maid's hands and gulped down the contents. The bubble covered young woman let out a relieved breath as the refreshing filtered water sifted down her throat. The feeling of cool refreshing water made her sigh in relief.
“I admit, it’s kinda boring without teasing you.” Astrid said, she shifted her body and placed her arms against the edge of the bathtub and looked at her maid.
“It’s been a long time since you have seen your family, hasn’t it?” Astrid said.
“Ah, it has, my lady. But, I’m okay.” Leena said in surprise.
“I plan ongoing down to the Lower District tomorrow to meet up with Daniel and the others.” Astrid said as she placed a grape into her mouth and chomped down. The sweet juice exploded in her mouth. Groaning in satisfaction, she continued on with another.
“We’ll go to your house after visiting them.”
“It’s your decision, my lady.” Leena smiled.
After a dozen grapes, Astrid lost count. With a full stomach, her eyes became heavy.
“Oh, no you don’t, no more falling asleep in the bath.” Leena plunged her hand down into the warm water and pulled the plug.
“I don’t always do that!”
“The amount of times I’ve had to dress you said otherwise, my lady.” Leena wryly shook her head.
“Alright, maybe a few times, then. But not always.” Astrid stood up and exited the bath. Her maid quickly had the bathrobe at the ready. Placing her arms in Astrid's wet skin brushed up against the fibres of the robe. With a little shuffling, she shimmied into it.
With a few steps, she reached her bed. Shifting her balance forward, she flopped onto the velvety softness. Astrid caved into her tiredness as her eyelids closed shut.
Astrid was up bright and early. No thanks to the yapping of birds on the hunt for some of the ocean’s delicacies. Truthfully, she could no longer stomach the taste of fish. She knew it was a luxury, but it was something she couldn’t help. If one had the choice to eat other foods, rather than one every day for years. The choice was obvious.
Astrid’s fingers plucked at the leftover fruit, it was her favourite. The sweet explosion of juices made her eyes squint and shoulders rise. With her lips tugging, she quickly scrambled into her clothes for the day. Black shapely leggings, T-shirt, and a light brown jacket. Thankfully, the heat of the day was shrouded behind a vast wall of clouds.
Hmm, looks like it’s going to rain today.
With a chapping on the door, Leena entered. “My lady, will you be attending breakfast?”
“Not today.” Astrid grabbed a pair of boots and tightened them to her feet. “We’ll be busy. Better make an early start.”
Leaving the house’s manor in a rush, Astrid and her maid rushed around the upper district. First she grabbed something at the bakers. The chef had prepared his special meat pies. Astrid swore he put something… else inside. One bite after the other and it was gone in a flash. Resisting the urge to fetch another, she made her way to the Wayfarers headquarters.
Once she left, Astrid patted the heavy clinking bag with satisfaction. She had received her payment from the equipment they scavenged from Bubbled-Town.
Then was the elevator journey down into the Middle-District. Astrid was adamant on getting a psychic weapon. Her destination was perfect for finding one. It was rare for Wayfarers and Seafarers to sell their hard earned equipment in the Upper-District. The profit margins were strict, and they held no room for negotiation.
The Middle-District wasn’t as extravagant as above. There was a lack of sprawling gardens and buildings that travelled up into the skyline. However, the ceilings were raised high. Buildings were made of red bricks and had a limit of two-stories.
Astrid glanced at the usual long-hat of the magic store before walking in. A tinkling bell announced her entrance. The gentleman behind the counter had grey hair and a long moustache to match it. Wearing an exquisite three-piece suit, he stood with a smile. Then, as she approached, a bow.
“Greetings my lady. My name is Kerr. How can I be of help?” Kerr stood up straight.
“I’m looking for a weapon that enhances psychic powers. Level thirty, preferably.” Astrid gazed around the shop.
“Please, I’ll be but one moment. It’s not a usual request, I’m afraid.” Kerr spun around and disappeared into the back.
C’mon luck. Give me something! Astrid crossed her fingers. Then her eyes brightened as the shopkeeper walked out with a black tiara.
“Here we are. It’s only level twenty-five, the highest one we have.” Kerr placed it on the table.
With her mind, she fetched it into her hands.
You have identified a rare piece of class - set - equipment!
Mage Class - Level 25 - Psyker’s Circlet 2/3: ???
| 19 added intelligence.
| 12 added wisdom.
| 5 added constitution.
| Magic spells deal 10% extra damage.
| Mana regenerates 2.5% faster.
| Enchant: Auto repair.
Set of the Psyker.
Set bonus 2/3
|+25 intelligence
Set bonus 3/3
| Offensive psychic abilities are 20% stronger.
| There is a chance to double cast a psychic skill with no extra mana cost.
Astrid’s eyes sparkled. Her feet began tippy tapping on the floor. She wasted no time and placed it on her head. The cold metal snuggly hugged her.
Kerr flashed a cheerful smile as he rotated a mirror for Astrid to check herself. Inspecting it, it had a silver, almost white sheen to the metal.
“Have you got another piece of the Psyker set?” Astrid’s hungry eyes rested on the shopkeeper.
The shaking of his head dampened the fire within her heart.
“However, I can have my people on the lookout. The moment I receive it, you will be the first, and only one to know.” Kerr said.
“I’ll take it. How much?” Astrid grabbed at her pouch.
“Twenty gold pieces, please.”
Astrid nodded. With haste, she emptied the pouch onto the table. Now that I think about it… Is twenty gold a lot? Ah, who cares? Give me it!
“Here’s fourteen gold changes, my lady.” Kerr handed over the sparkling gold coins. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”
“No, that's everything, thank you, bye.” Astrid rushed out of the shop with a hop in her step.
“One more piece, Leena!” Astrid grinned.
“I’ll pray to Goddess Iara that you receive it, my lady.” Leena continued. “Are we going down to the Lower-District now?” Her eyes glanced at Astrid.
“Yes, I don’t need anything else.” Astrid said.
They entered the elevator once more. The gravity pulled at Astrid’s legs. She took a cursory glance at Leena, her lips were tugged into a smile.
Stepping foot into the Lower District, the smell wasn’t as bad as she had remembered. Am I used to it, or have they begun spring cleaning early? The previously saturated pavement was void of any water, dry as a feathered bird. The residents were flitting about, getting on with their monotonous daily lives. Some were shouting, trying to sell what appeared to be a stack of thin paper. While others had rickety metal stalls out on the streets, the smell of fried goods wafted through the air.
They’re a lot better off than those at the underbelly. Astrid had heard that there was a population problem, and that’s why a lot of the Lower District had to go in further, moving near the Underbelly. She also noticed a few Wayfarer badges wandering around–weapons strapped to their waist–but there weren't many.
Taking another sniff, Astrid couldn’t stop herself from approaching one of the food stands. The sanitary conditions were dubious, but her stomach betrayed her. Having already recovered from the pastries above, she gazed upon the wall of golden-brown sandwiches. She watched the lady fill it with strange meat that she had never seen before. It was almost red and crispy. But it smelled delicious. She finished it with a white sauce and then slapped it onto the grill. The buttered bread sizzled as steam wafted upwards.
“One–no, two please!” Astrid took out a gold coin and placed it on the counter.
The older lady’s eyes widened at the sight of the sparkly coin. Leena quickly snatched it away and placed a few coppers instead.
“My lady, that’s far too much.” Leena said as she placed the gold coin back into Astrid’s purse.
“Oh, okay.” Astrid said as she took hold of the fried sandwich and handed one to Leena before grabbing her own.
“Thank you, my lady.” Leena said before devouring the sandwich. Her eyes lit up at the taste.
Astrid bit right into the middle as the strange meat and an explosion of flavour entered her mouth.
“Mmm, It’s shicken!” Astrid chewed.
“My lady, don’t talk with your mouth full.”
“Mmm, whatever. Let’s go to your house, lead the way.”
They began wandering down the narrow streets of the Lower District. It would be the first time that Astrid had accompanied Leena to her own home. The quality of the homes dropped. The inferior quality brick was crumbling away.
“A–are you sure your mother doesn’t want to join the Sinwen manor?” Astrid said as she swivelled her head. “I know it holds sentimental value to your mother, but--”
Leena sighed. “Thank you, my lady. But, she’s stubborn.”
“Much like my family.” Astrid said.
“And you.” Leena added.
“I’m not as bad as them!” Astrid countered.
“No, you're worse.”
They turned a corner to the sound of shouting. A group of men were looming over a short woman at the doorway. The sight wiped the smile from Leena's face as a scowl replaced it.
That must be her mother. Astrid stepped forward as she hoisted the group high into the air. She felt a tug at her mind. They aren’t completely weak. A hotness swirled up inside her at the thought of people with strength bullying her friend's mother.
Level 21 - ???, Class: Brawler
Level 17 - ???, Class: Plunderer
Level 9 - ???, Class: Warrior
Your Anger has reached 45/100
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