[Beta] Ashborn - 7. A New Identity (Patreon)

VII

A New Identity

I melted into the hot water of the bathtub. Every worry, grievance, and curse that lingered on me washed off my skin.

“This is heaven.”

It was worth every penny. I must’ve spend half an hour just soaking, but I didn’t want to miss dinner, so I reluctantly climbed out and dried myself. I caught sight of a mirror on a wooden stand nearby.

A thoughtful hum. I hadn’t seen myself in the mirror yet. I picked up the glass, and blazing pupils stared back at me.

Ashe…was pretty. Well-endowed near the chest and her bottom didn’t lag behind. Her hair was a distinct light-red, naturally curly, and fell over her shoulders, which curved up a slim neckline to reveal a long and elegant face. The tan of her skin was modest, almost golden.

Natural looks weren’t everything—a cultivator’s appearance grew more perfect as they ascended through the realms—but it was definitely a boon. A piece of dung could become a sunflower with time. But a sunflower could become a pearl.

My finger rubbed over my skin. Smooth. Ashe had taken care of herself.

“I won’t waste your effort,” I whispered. No need to disrespect the dead.

I sniffed the jar the innkeeper, Rachel—pronounced ra-gel—left me.

“Smells like lavender.”

I combed the oil through my hair, then dabbed some onto my cheeks and hands, which were grateful for the moisture. Finished, I donned a pair of trousers, which were a sleek black, and a short dress for underneath my robe that I fastened with a brown belt buckle. All items I bought from the merchant. Well, got for free.

‘I’ll have to do something about my hair.’

With it being that colour, it was no wonder that Alex’s party had recognised me.

‘Rachel may have something to dye it.’

I exited the bathroom.

A light but sweet smell crowded the hallway leading back to the main room of the Dragon’s Den. Saliva poured through my glands.

I pushed open the entrance, and now the smell fully engulfed me.

“That’s a great smell…” I mumbled.

My stomach growled, cutting off anything else I wanted to say.

Rachel put down a boiling pot on a table in the centre. She cast me the look of a knowing mother.

“Dig in,” she said.

I seated myself, which was when I noticed the other person at the table.

A girl in a light blue dress. Her eyes were closed, and she sat so still I thought her a statue. But her chest was definitely rising, albeit shallowly. Long, silky smooth black hair fell past the table to an unknown length. A gentle wave of cold emanated from her person, and I suppressed a wanton shiver.

“Do we know each other?” she asked without looking.

Her voice was melodic like that of a lark.

I exhaled, smoothed the bottom of my dress, and took a seat.

“My apologies. For a moment, I thought we did. You must be Aurille? Jaoma told me of you.”

She was looking at me now, her bright and deep eyes absorbing me.

“You’re level four…at least you have a rare class.”

Well, if she was going to identify me, I would do the same. But no letters appeared above her head. I frowned and glanced at her wrist, where I spotted a golden bracelet.

“Level 15,” she said easily. “Frostmaiden.”

Then she lifted a steaming cup to her mouth. She didn’t speak after finishing, and I sensed talking to her now wouldn’t achieve much.

‘She’s not out to kill me, at least.’

Or maybe that part was still coming.

My stomach no longer afforded me any distractions. I barely had the manners to slice the loaf and pour the soup into a cup before dipping. The taste exploded in my mouth. In a different realm, this may have been considered bland. In this one, it was the product of a master cook. I dragged from my tankard, water, and forced down a mouthful of bread that was too thick for my throat. Gods, all the fighting and trudging through storms had made me as hungry as a bear.

From the corner of my eye, I caught Aurille glancing towards me, her brow raising as if to say: ‘it’s not that good.’

I couldn’t care less. There was no end to the pit in my stomach. I went for seconds, and then thirds. I didn’t remember how much Ashe ate before this, but I doubted she ate as much as me.

‘It could be class-related,’ I thought during mouthfuls.

Some classes required more energy than others. It wasn’t unthinkable that I, who was opening gates into another realm, needed more than average.

I patted my stomach and leaned forwards, finishing my food carnage.

‘Still have a little room left.’

But I had already emptied the pot Rachel left us. I peered to the side. Aurille was halfway through her first serving. She caught me staring. Her hands slowly moved to her plate and pulled it further away from me.

I huffed. “Pardon me.” I made my way to the counter, taking the empty wares with me.

“Thank you for the meal, Rachel. It was lovely.”

Her plump figure curved to look inside the empty pot. The innkeeper smiled for the first time that day. “You know what’s good for ya—every girl needs some fat.”

“Wise words,” I said.

Though I doubted they needed as much as her.

Leaning over the counter, I cupped my mouth. “This may be sudden, but do you have anything to dye hair?”

She glanced at my hair. “To darken?”

I nodded.

“Not with the strength you’ll need. But I can give you an ingredient list. If you visit ol’ Mac down the street, I can whip it up for you. Keep it in while you sleep and in the morning you’ll be ready.”

“Please do. How long will it last?”

“‘Bout a week. I can give you some pots to take with. Enough for a month.”

And so she gave me the list.

The next morning, my hair was a walnut brown. My eyes still burned, but there was nothing I could do about that. It would throw off anyone who only remembered the red.

I turned to more important matters.

Court of Flame

Summons: Ashenblood Cub

My fingers drew on the canvas that was the world, and my lovely stepped out of the portal.

I crouched and hugged him. “Glad you’re back.”

He purred.

The tiger had regenerated yesterday evening after my bath, but as I had gone to bed immediately after dinner, he’d stayed put till now.

“Watch over me, okay?”

He lied down in front of the entrance to my room while I settled into a meditative pose.

Though I hadn’t gained enough experience to reach level five, I had some essence stones from both the quest reward and Alex’s crew. I absorbed them.

The combined energy wasn’t enough to bring me to the next level, but I could feel I was on the verge of overflowing and dripping my way into level five.

Saber got up and growled before the person knocked on my door. I stood and opened the entrance.

Aurille hovered in my doorway. She languidly glanced down at Saber, who was still growling. I tapped the tiger on the shoulder and he relaxed.

Her attention shifted back to me with the momentum of a glacier. “We’re leaving.”

“So soon?”

“It’s afternoon.”

I glanced out the window. More light filtered through than before.

‘That’s why stones are inferior.’

Killing was an instant energy transmission. Drawing from a crystal took time.

“I’ll be down in a minute.”

Aurille turned and strolled away without another word.

A woman of little words indeed.

I fastened my pouch to my side, donned my new robe, and strapped my weapons. My blade remained unchanged, but the spear I carried was newly bought.

Judith’s staff had gone for one gold coin, while Alex’s spear went for five silver.

Together with the quest reward and the money I looted, I had around ten gold coins currently.

Not bad.

I checked the room a final time, then went outside.

The three wagons I’d seen in front of Jaoma’s store were packed to the brim. The merchant must’ve been keeping things in the back of his shop, because he didn’t have that much in the showroom.

Aurille sat in the back of one of the wagons, appearing elegant despite being surrounded by boxes upon boxes. She also wasn’t wearing anything besides a dress…I guess she had a class related to the frost.

“Glad you’re here,” Jaoma called as I got within earshot. Saber drew his attention.

“My summon,” I said.

I hated the term, but it was easier than explaining ‘he’s family.’

The merchant smiled. “Feel free to pick whatever seat. We’re leaving in a minute.”

I chose the same wagon as Aurille but seated myself near the edge. Saber jumped inside after me.

Seven men joined us—soldiers. Herman walked up behind them.

He bowed towards me.

I returned his greeting. “We’ll be in each other’s care again.”

He shook his head. “I’m only here to see off my men. I cannot leave the village unguarded.”

Admirable. Despite only knowing him for a day, I quite liked Herman.

“Good luck, Captain,” I said.

“You as well.” He frowned for a moment. “Say, I never got your name.”

“Ah, it slipped my mind,” I said.

It hadn’t at all. I had bought myself time to come up with a different one.

“Aedan,” I told him.

“Aedan,” Herman repeated. He nodded. “I’ll remember it.”

Then he was off.

An icy gaze drilled into my side. I glanced back just as Aurille looked away.

Time passed in silence until the caravan was ready to get a move on.

“Final check!” Jaoma shouted.

No one said anything, so the horses spurt into motion. The long street passed by us and soon we were out the gate.