Life Review Ch. 05

"That's a neat trick," Shawn said appreciatively.

The man glanced up from his scroll and smiled, "It's not mine I'm afraid. It's a nifty little enchantment that was placed on the building during its construction. It only works on books, scrolls, and parchment though."

The attendant closed the scroll after a few more moments of study and sent it back to its place across the room with another sharp note from his lips. He opened a drawer and pulled out two thick sets of documents and placed them before Cassidy and Shawn, "Everything seems above board. The only other thing we need to do is sign the paperwork and seal it with a drop of your blood."

"That sounds ominous," Shawn didn't like the idea of his blood being used for any sort of contract.

"It's so the enchantment placed on your holdings can be identified by you and only you," the assistant reassured him.

"It's a very effective security measure. Almost everyone who banks with the Merchant Guild does it," Denza said encouragingly.

"So it's like biometrics," Cassidy asked, looking curiously at Shawn.

"It seems like it," Shawn shrugged. He turned his attention back to the attendant, "Is it just our blood or are there retinal scans and fingerprints too?"

Shawn felt a boot kick him sharply in the shin. He glanced around to see Denza shoot him a warning look. The attendant frowned and looked confused, "I'm not sure what you mean, but the way the spell works is that blood calls to blood, so it's like a key. Only you and those you grant permission to are allowed access to your holdings."

"We'll just need one account then," Cassidy smiled, sliding her documents towards the man.

"I see, I apologize. I didn't want to assume," The attendant nodded.

"Wait, assume what?" Shawn whipped his head around.

"When I have Expeditionaries come in together, I assume they are working as individuals and not a party," The attendant explained. He sat back in his chair and studied the three of them before addressing Cassidy. "You are aware that while you may have access to the account, the proprietary holder has complete power over the account in question?"

"I understand," Cassidy reassured him. "I'm not worried about him running off or cutting us out."

"Well, if that's the case," The attendant shifted himself forward and began to explain the finer details of the arrangement to Shawn, having him sign and initial when needed. On the final page he directed Shawn to place his thumb inside of a blank square next to his last signature. When his thumb made contact, he felt a sharp prick and when he removed his thumb, the square was completely crimson.

"Well, there goes my immortal soul," Shawn muttered dryly.

"I can promise you-" the attendant hastily tried to assure him.

"Relax, it was a joke. Our fearless leader is quite the comedian," Cassidy rolled her eyes theatrically.

Looking relieved the attendant produced three rectangular pads of paper that could easily be described as a cheque book, "If you are not carrying any coin on your person, you can use these to write payment notes which will authorize funds to be released when submitted and verified."

"Now all we need is a black credit card and we'll be all set," Cassidy nudged Shawn.

"If you would like to open a line of credit, we can help facilitate that once you have a more robust fiscal history with our organization," The attendant added in an offhand manner.

Shawn gave Cassidy a stern look, "You have a horrible history with both credit and gambling. If you remember Atlantic City? Who had to bail you out three grand after you got hosed in blackjack?"

Cassidy quailed under his gaze, "That wasn't my fault! The game was rigged!"

Shawn arched an eyebrow, "And how would you know that?"

Cassidy looked away shiftily, "I did the numbers in my head and the odds should have let me win."

"So you counted cards?" Shawn pressed, letting her writhe under his displeasure.

"Yes?" She mumbled, looking abashed.

Shawn sighed and shook his head, "You do know they started playing with more than one deck right? They have a forced shuffle system to fight it. I know you can manage up to two decks in continuous play before you get lazy."

Cassidy looked shocked, "How do you know that?! I never told anyone!"

Shawn poked her nose, "You told me on the drive home. You were way too drunk and I had to explain to the doctors and your parents why your liver function was shot to hell the next week. You were up fifteen then lost it all and more when you made sloppy bets."

Denza kicked Shawn again. She smiled at the attendant, "That will be everything for today. If we could move forward with the deposit, we have business to attend to."

"Of course," the man replied politely, looking slightly relieved. "Just fill out the deposit slip and we'll take care of the rest."

Shawn quickly filled out the slip offered to him for the amount of five thousand gold pieces, one antique chest, one large leather bag, and six salamander skins. Once everything was complete, the attendant placed the slip on the chest which then adhered to the container like it was fused to the surface. The slip rippled slightly as if in an unseen breeze before it unfolded into two paper colored ribbons that secured the chest.

Denza ushered them out of the Merchant's Guild with a friendly wave behind her. Once they were outside she rounded on them in a furious whisper, "What part of laying low didn't you two understand? You keep talking about places and things that don't exist here. If you don't get yourselves under control, the wrong person will hear the wrong thing!"

Denza didn't wait for an answer. She turned and stormed off with a chastised Shawn and Cassidy in her wake. They didn't speak another word until they found themselves in a moderately sized shop sporting armor of all types. The elf had left them to their own devices and made a beeline for the clerk.

"She can be really testy can't she?" Cassidy bumped her hip against Shawn as she moved to look at a skirt of chainmail on a wooden dummy.

"She has really good hearing too!" Denza called over her shoulder.

Shawn flinched, "Denza has a good point. We haven't been very careful."

"This sucks, I hate being all censored and shit," Cassidy grumbled. She held up the sleeve of a grey linen robe and grimaced in distaste. "Also, while I appreciate not having to wear a plate bikini for armor, I have to say the colors and designs are atrocious."

"Since when have you cared about fashion?" Shawn chuckled. He had his eyes glued to an ornate rose gold suit of plate that looked like it would be at home on one of King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table.

"Uh, have you looked at me lately?" Cassidy gestured to herself in her snug fitting plain leathers.

Shawn smirked, "I can't say I have."

Cassidy snorted, "Let a girl have her indulgences. You get a tasty elf side piece so I can get whatever clothes I want."

"Side piece? Are you insinuating that you are the main attraction here?" Shawn moved behind Cassidy and placed his hands on her hips.

Cassidy twisted away from him and wagged her finger playfully, "First off, ew. Secondly, Jenny. She'll always be your main bitch while you're off backpacking across the universe and Captain Kirking all the hot fantasy babes."

"I can hardly be Captain Kirk because I don't have a ship and we aren't in outer space," Shawn chuckled.

"Give it time. We are bound to fight pirates or travel the open ocean at some point. Just put it on our to-do list," Cassidy's eyebrows shot up and she snatched a black cloak off the wall, it jangled as she swung it over her shoulders. "Check this out!"

"Ah, great choice!" A voice boomed out right behind Shawn. He looked over his shoulder to see a short man, who only came up to Shawn's chest, he had a braided black beard which had a multitude of colorful ribbons woven into it. "That is custom cloak that I created just this month!"

"It's soft, but there is something under the lining?" Cassidy rubbed the garment between her fingers. "They feel like small squares."

"Exactly!" the bearded man beamed at her. "That cloak has three layers to it, an oiled external layer made from blended spider silk and plant fiber, a second layer of thin steel plates for added protection, and a treated velvet internal layer with wolf fur trimming. It is both practical and stylish!"

"Isn't that a bit too warm given it's what, summer?" Shawn asked skeptically.

The bearded man's eyes sparkled, "That would be true, if not for the treatments applied. The weatherproofing exterior is a wonderful insulator while the treatment on the inside fabric aids in keeping a consistent temperature. Even if you were to wear the cloak while it was on fire, you would only be pleasantly warm."

"This does feel really comfortable," Cassidy shifted her shoulders and walked around to test out her mobility. "It's not too heavy and doesn't get in the way. I like it."

"You said there is steel plates sewn in, how do they hold up in terms of protection from projectiles, spells, and conventional weapons?" Denza appeared from behind a row of leather vests sporting three quivers under her arm.

"That cloak is added protection. It should never be your only armor option. The steel plates will ward off glancing blows and unskilled attacks, most projectiles short of heavy crossbows and armor piercing arrows, as for spells," the man tugged at his beard before shrugging, "There are no warding enchantments, so it would only help as much as leather armor would."

"Not much help in the way of stealth," Shawn weighed in.

"Since when do I do stealth? I blow shit up, in case you've forgotten," Cassidy joked.

"A spellcaster, are we?" The bearded man studied her carefully, his well trained eyes taking in Cassidy's form and her current clothing. "I don't mean to sound patronizing, but you do understand the interactions of magic and materials correct? The reason most spellcasters wear cloth or light armor is because of the flow of ambient magic into your body."

"I am aware," Cassidy smiled indulgently. "We only recently arrived and have been in few scrapes. Leather gives me the protection I want while also making my ass look amazing!"

The bearded man shared an exasperated look with Shawn before nodding, "We are talking about a fifteen to twenty percent reduction. Aesthetics aside, and do forgive me for being so forward, are you open to the idea of getting proper armor? That cloak is a great step, and if you are willing to spend the extra coin, I can help you find something that is both stylish and nonrestrictive."

Cassidy pondered his words before her face lit up and she linked her arm through his, "What was your name?"

"Ruth. Ruth Helmslock, of Helmslock armory!" He said brightly.

"Well, I am in your expert care, Mr. Helmslock!" Cassidy let herself be led off deeper into the shop while chatting animatedly with Ruth.

Shawn looked after her, "How does she do that?"

"Do what?" Denza asked, standing next to him and following his gaze.

"She has this uncanny ability to make people love her, she was never this sociable before," Shawn said perplexed.

"Well, you said she was sickly in your world. It sounds like she never had much time for others?" replied Denza.

"Not really. I was pretty much her only friend outside of those she made online," Shawn said with a hint of sadness, remembering how lonely Cassidy had been in the last years of her life on earth.

"Are you jealous?" Denza asked, looking at him with her piercing stormy speckled eyes.

Shawn frowned, "I don't think so? This is the Cassidy I'm used to seeing. It's just strange seeing it in the outside world."

"Maybe you felt like it was something that is special to you because you were the only one to see that side of her?" Denza probed.

"That could be part of it," Shawn admitted. "You know, you are quite the observant one, aren't you?"

"Me? No. I'm just the side piece," Denza said frostily.

Shawn felt his stomach drop, "Denza, please don't be mad. Cassidy was just joking."

"Was she?" Denza glowered at him. "I had hoped you would rise above the other humans, but it doesn't seem to be happening."

Shawn looked towards their bond to try and decipher her anger. The roiled waves of emotion were like turbulent waters during a storm. Denza felt deeply slighted and diminished in stature. Shawn tried to take her hand, but she jerked away from him, "Denza, talk to me. What's going on? Is this about this morning? I'm sorry it turned out like that, but it just sorta happened."

Shawn's words only seemed to anger the elf further. Denza's high cheekbones and the latter half of her ears turned scarlett. "I don't care in which garden you plant your seeds, Shawn!" Denza hissed through her clenched teeth, "You disrespected not only me, but our mentors too. Is this all a joke to the two of you? Huh?! Do you not care for the fact that your childish behavior makes me look bad too? Not only that, but you blatantly ignored Nessa's orders not to have sex so you don't hurt yourself!"

Shawn felt his insides turn glacial. Denza's words were like a cold knife in his gut, only slightly less painful than Roark's had been. He hadn't been considering that his actions reflected on Denza, as she was bound to him. He was at a loss for words. "I'm sorry Denza, I didn't think..." was all he could manage.

Denza's fury grew as the elf barely contained her voice as to not make a scene, "That's it? 'I'm sorry, I didn't think?'. That is the best you have come up with? Gods above Shawn."

Denza threw her hands up before turning on her heel and storming out of the shop with her purchases under her arm. Shawn stood rooted to the spot as he watched the furious elf disappear into the crowd. He didn't know how long he stood there, as his thoughts raced around his head. Cassidy's hand on his shoulder broke him out of his revery.

"What happened? You look pale," Cassidy asked him, turning him to face her.

"I just got my ass chewed out by Denza," Shawn said tiredly, running a hand through his hair.

Cassidy blinked, "Seriously? For what?"

"She overheard your joke about her being a side piece, coupled with how we messed around despite Nessa saying not to, and how our reckless and immature behavior reflects on her," Shawn said flatly.

"What the fuck?" Cassidy shook her head in disbelief. "Where does that girl get off?"

"She has a point," Shawn started to come to Denza's defence before Cassidy shut him up with an upraised finger.

"She has a point, my ass!" Cassidy steamed. "I have no idea what has got that girl's panties in a twist, but it's getting irritating real quick. Since when does she get a say in how we act? Please tell me you aren't going to give anything that sniveling excuse for a lacky says the time of day!"

Shawn's eyes widened in shock when Cassidy went on her tirade. That shock quickly turned to anger just in time for Cassidy to stop talking. Shawn closed his eyes and took a breath. There was too much spirited emotion circulating. Once he got his temper in check, he opened his eyes to see Cassidy looking sheepish.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean that," Cassidy apologized. "That was over the line and none of it was true."

"Then why did you say it?" Shawn asked heatedly.

Cassidy sighed and shook her head, "Look. I know she has a lot going on, but I'm not going to apologize for who I am, and you shouldn't either. I'm having fun, Shawn. For the first time ever I get to be whoever I want to be. I pushed you to have some fun with me this morning because both of us needed the release and because I wanted to. Denza also wanted to, she's mad she gave in too easily."

"We blatantly ignored Nessa's orders," Shawn challenged.

"So fucking what? In case you haven't been paying attention, I've been ignoring doctors' orders since I was twelve. You were perfectly willing and able, am I wrong?" Cassidy asked pointedly.

"No, you aren't wrong," Shawn admitted.

"Nessa complained and got a little pissy with me while we were talking, but she got over it. I have a firm belief that your body will tell you when it's fine and when it's not," Cassidy continued. "The point being, I think Denza is the one acting immaturely by storming off and not talking about her problems until she explodes. She has a history of making rash judgement calls, which is actually how she ended up tied to us."

"I get what you're saying, but we can't judge her actions and reactions by the same criteria we are used to. This place is completely different from what we know," Shawn said, not believing his own words as he said them.

"Bullshit," Cassidy scoffed. "I have seen no evidence that emotions work any differently here than back home. Do you know what Denza is? A miserable, angry, horny, bundle of hormones with no outlet. She basically has the emotional maturity a high schooler."

Shawn sighed, "So what should I do?"

"Normally I'd say got boink her until she has a smile on her face, but she's still a virgin apparently, and that probably doesn't work with most women. Something about cheapening their emotional value," Cassidy tapped her chin.

"So why did you even suggest it?" Shawn asked, trying to figure out what page Cassidy was on.

"Oh, because that's what always worked for me before Jenny came along," Cassidy laughed.

"Why am I even asking you for advice?" Shawn groaned.

Cassidy grinned, "I have no idea."

Shawn closed his eyes and blew out his cheeks. When he reopened them after he counted to twenty, another trick he had learned to deal with Cassidy's insanity, Ruth the store owner had returned.

"Shawn, was it?" Ruth asked. When he nodded, Ruth pressed on, "Your lovely companion here was telling me that you are quite the special case."

"She did?" Shawn looked suspiciously at Cassidy.

"Oh, yes! It has been years since I last had an honest to gods monk in my store. The challenge of protecting such a versatile fighter is such an exciting challenge!" Ruth exclaimed.

"I'll have to take your word for it," Shawn said awkwardly.

Ruth's wide smile never left his face as he walked slowly around Shawn, taking his measurements quickly and skillfully, "Let us see. Given your physique, you are used to martial combat and aren't one of the pacifist floor kissers if I'm not mistaken."

"You are not, and I'm sure that is highly offensive," Shawn smiled.

"Don't tell any of them I said that, I'd lose my monastery customer base of zero," He winked, Shawn and Cassidy laughed at his jest and the tension eased from Shawn's shoulders. "Cassidy also says you are magically inclined too. Do you find yourself using one method more than the other, or do you use both skill sets equally?"

"Equally. My fighting style uses my magic in my techniques," Shawn answered to the best of his ability.

"Hmm. I know this might be a bit unorthodox, but would I be able to see you in action? Maybe a sparring match? I will be able to better understand your needs and a get a feel for your style," Ruth rubbed his hands in anticipation.

"Well, we are kind of on a time crunch," Shawn wavered.

"That won't be a problem," Cassidy chimed in. "We both got new abilities that we haven't had time to test out yet. I was going to suggest we familiarize ourselves with our expanded repertoire before we head out on our mission tomorrow morning."

In the end, Shawn gave in and followed Cassidy and Ruth back to the Expeditionary Guild. When they got to the sands there were only a few members practicing. All eyes turned to Cassidy, then to Shawn as they made their way around the outskirts of the practice arena. Ruth took his place in the stands as close as he could get and took out a spyglass and notepad.

Shawn stretched for a few minutes while Cassidy dove right in to her own tests. The spells she had learned were still classified as beginner spells, which didn't really mean much when in Cassidy's hands. She warmed up with the first spell she ever knew, fireball, and flexed her magical muscles by bringing the burning ball of energy up to its critical point before reducing it down to a tiny ember. She worked on her speed at which she could ramp up the spell, and how fast she could cast the spell from start to finish.