After a prolonged draining session, which was pretty traumatizing to me, but disturbingly also quite refreshing, I can finally stop killing defenseless animals.

However, while I would like to be angry at Relia for subjecting me to this mental torture, it must have taken quite a lot to acquire all these pigs.
It's basically this very effort that keeps me alive.
It still rubs me wrong how I need to kill in this manner, but I should be aware of what she's doing for me.

 

"Good job, you two. I could actually see some improvements with you there. Especially you, Elin. Might be close to a breakthrough. Just grasp that feeling and make it obey." (R)

 

I should mention here that Elin had the misfortune of receiving the brunt of Relia's attention while I was busy killing pigs.
The bit I saw makes me concur.
Elin is pretty talented for someone her age.
Far faster and stronger than I ever was, even before dying.
She isn't all that tall, but this only serves to show me how she can accomplish what I couldn't, and still be a decent fighter, despite her small stature.

Urgh, this is frustrating.
I can only make an impact in a fight if I drain people.
At least, this session is finally coming to an end.

I get told to spend the rest of the day as I want.
I'm allowed to do some magical meditation practice, but only so much that I won't drain myself.
I suppose they don't want to push me too hard, as what I expend in energy will need to be replenished in life.
And life isn't all that cheap.
Shorter sessions, which I can properly digest, should prove more effective.

Following this way of thinking, I take it slowly, with a stroll through the fortress.
Yet as I try to do so, an issue comes up.
I turn around to face it directly.

 

"Ahem, why are you following me?" (Y)

"Because I got nothing else to do, and you're probably the most interesting thing around here." (E)

 

...

 

"Don't look at me like that. Didn't you notice? No other guards are tailing you. That's because I told Commander Relia that I would take the part of reporting any erring movements to her. Which I will. No offense, but this woman scares me shitless." (E)

 

What the heck?!

 

"Seriously, what is wrong with you? Aside from those who are ordered to follow me, you're the only one who's crazy enough to stick around voluntarily. Everyone else thinks I might suck their life out of their body if they're not careful." (Y)

 

And they might not even be completely unfounded.

 

"I'm not. I know now what I've got to expect. Also, you may not have noticed, but I used our free training periods to practice jumping out of range if you get needy again. You've got low to mid range for your drain, and don't seem all that inclined to run with your mouth open like this" (E)

 

She demonstratively opens her own as wide as she can at this, while pointing inside.

 

"So it's possible to escape when it triggers. I just have to be more decisive next time." (E)

 

Goddamnit.
This woman certainly starts getting on my nerves.
And those should all be dead!

However, she's right about something.
Without a big escort, I'm not drawing as much attention, which allows this stroll to become a whole lot more casual.

As I'd like to take advantage of this circumstance, I decide to go to the training fields in the second ring, where people hopefully won't cease what they're doing upon seeing me.
Last time, I raised quite a lot of attention, and I'd hope to see them going a bit more natural about their routines.
To a degree, it works.
Some apparently recognize my pale face, but as business is running, gossip isn't quite as possible, which means the news doesn't spread as much, and it isn't nearly as bad as last time.

 

"So... You're just looking at those people training? Is it the sweating bodies? Who do you prefer, males or females?" (E)

 

Ignore her, Yomi.
Don't even react to this and give an opening.
You've got no blood rushing through you that could make you blush.
Just don't scrunch up too much and don't react to her provocation.

 

"Not the most talkative, I get it. You're more of a silent enjoyer, right?" (E)

 

Argh, okay!
My limit for patience is apparently a lot narrower than I gave it credit for!

 

"Just so you know, I merely like the drill! The formations! The discipline! Something you might profit as well from!" (Y)

 

Hopefully, that will get her to shut up!

 

"Ah, so you got a military fetish. Well, that's a special one." (E)

"Excuse me?!" (Y)

"Sure. To each whatever suits them." (E)

 

I can't believe this girl!
I’m starting to miss my silent watchdogs.
Better I talk to someone else, who won't make me consider sending an undead army at them.
Actually, that's part of the reason why I wanted to get here in the first place.
Which is to talk to one of the only people who wasn't as judgmental towards me.

So I walk to the scouts' area.
There they train.
The riders in particular are certainly a sight to behold.
Especially the horses.
In my eyes, truly majestic creatures, who serve their riders dutifully, in one absolute display of unity and discipline.

Looking at them, I still feel bad about having killed some.
Especially the one that got killed twice.
They don't deserve that kind of end for their faithful service.

As I'm watching, I finally spot who I was looking for.
There he is, galloping at full sprint, drawing his bow, and releasing an arrow straight into the target.
Lauro, my friend.
Or, well, positively inclined acquaintance.

As he finishes his routine, he spots me.
Unfortunately, someone else spots him too.

 

"Hah! A horseman! You certainly don't see those in Ekoras. Or the capital. Or all of the rest of Rakis. Or anywhere west from here!" (E)

 

So Elin lived in Ekoras?
I've heard a lot about this wild border town, established inside the Evergrove, the great forest that consumes most of the land there.
Not much of it good.
Might explain why she's so good with the dagger.

Never mind that.
Lauro doesn't seem to appreciate her comment.

 

"Maybe we would show ourselves more often in those parts if not half of your people would either try to catch and sell us or kill on sight. I've heard in Ekoras in particular it's the latter." (L)

"Hey, as far as I know, the guildmaster took down all quests for your hides. Also, you don't have to get at me about this. I can guarantee you, I've never in my life sold a horseman." (E)

"The correct term is centaur." (Y)

 

I just had to correct her.

 

"Okay. I never sold a 'centaur'. Or their hide." (E)

 

Yet now it seems Lauro is being more inclined to interact with me.

 

"What brings you here?" (L)

"Uh, well, I got some time on hand, and this place just came to my mind." (Y)

"Yeah, I get it." (L)

 

He does?!
Well, it perhaps is a not-so-uncommon fascination.
After all, the horses running are quite a sight to behold.
Not quite what draws me in about this place, but I guess he's close enough.

 

"It's just pretty impressive how well you and your comrades can shoot at full sprint." (Y)

"That's all training, I suppose. You should join as well at some time. I think they'll want to deploy you soon enough. Riding will be an essential skill by then for you." (L)

 

He might be right.
I really should learn to ride.

 

"Well, I fear I need to excuse myself now. I got a mission coming, and my training isn't over yet, and I need to show those fools what I'm capable of." (L)

 

And so, he trots off.
It was nice talking to him, but mostly, I'm glad he's still alright with me.

 

"Mhm." (E)

"What is it?" (Y)

"So that's what you're into? I didn't want to say anything, but now that you asked me... That's quite crass." (E)

 

...

 

Maybe undead rampage wouldn't be so bad.