#chapter 2-1

First page for Chapter 2-1 available now over at Patreon! Consider becoming a patron for early access and behind the scenes content.

The following day after Marri’s recsue, the young half-elf is resting and relaxing in a tavern not far from the City Hall. In another part of town however, a certain green haired tiefling is in hiding after receiving a beating from her fellow Gulid member and thief, Shakas. And to make matters worse, it’s currently raining.

Kallista hisses in pain as she bumps her now bandaged arm against a wall as she makes her way through a back alley in the most run down part of the city. It’s a large, circluar section of Mastith known as the Dust Bowl. A gathering place for the poor, the homeless, and all sorts of criminals.

After a while, she hears someone calling to her. “Hey! Hey Kallista! Over here!” Kallista looks around in confusion, but she eventually spots the person calling out to her, a thin and scrwany little rat man who looks barely out of his teenage years by human standards. It takes a moment, but she recognizes him as Kraz. He’s one of the few people in the city she really considers a friend, and possibly the only person who knows all about the accident that rendered her mute.

As she comes closer, he winces a bit. “I’ve told you before, don’t think so loud. It gives Kraz a headache”, the ratman hisses as he rubs his temple. Kallista rolls her eyes and sits down. “It does so matter. A thought can be just as loud as a voice. Besdes, you’re the one who refuses to learn sign language. Kraz is not to blame for your stubbornness, or for this being the sole way for us to truely communicate.” He twiches his nose with a slightly irritated look.

Kraz tilts his head as something accures to him. “You mistook Kraz for one of his many brothers and sisters, again. Didn’t you?” Kallista frowns and looks away, her expression one of mixed embarrassment and annoyance. Kraz sighs. “No matter. Kraz has heard about what happened between Kallista and Shakas. Very nasty, that one.” He looks at her swollen black eye, the multiple cuts up and down her arm, and the nasty bruise where her neck meets her shoulder. “….Kraz knows good healer. Can’t fix all your wounds, but should be able to do something about the really bad ones”, he says as his gaze lingers on her bandaged arm. The bandages are slowly turning red with blood. “That must be a very nasty cut.” Kallista nods her head, looking pained.

“Good morning, everyone! It’s now 7 am and officially daytime! Be sure to have a beeeeea-utiful day~!”

“Hmm..?”

I had powered down for the night and charged back to full power by now. The murder yesterday...the trial...the execution...they were all still fresh on my mind. I know about death and the loss of life but...but I've never seen it before.