Restart Again: Volume 1 by Adam Scott (pocket ebook reader TXT) 📕

tongue. Doing my best to conserve the bulk of my stock for the road I followed it up with an apple, casually munching on it as I reflected on my plans for the day.

I wonder if Hark delivered my order yet. Lia’s equipment order was the only thing keeping us in Atsal at this point and I was eager to leave as soon as possible. The wait had been necessary, though; My experience working on rush orders in Ashedown’s forge had given me a good idea of what would be possible for an experienced armorer, and a single afternoon wouldn’t have sufficed. I was about to walk down to the front desk to inquire about the package when I remembered another more convenient option: detection magic.

With a quick centering breath, I reached inwards and pulled on my mana reserves, sending the energy shooting off under the door and down the hallway. By not taking the time and effort to scan in an even circle around me I was able to reach the main lobby of the inn without feeling any strain. Scanning around the room I noticed two men in heavy armor sitting together in the common room by the fire, both quietly watching the stairs. Sweeping towards the reception desk, I was pleased to detect a large wooden crate sitting behind the counter next to the attendant.

Satisfied with my findings, I decided to test my abilities and see how far I could extend my mana. Pushing out the door I was surprised to find the street completely empty of foot traffic. The hair on the back of my neck stood up as I slowly scanned outward, revealing in my mind a small display of the surrounding area.

Nine more men clad in the same armor as the two sitting in the lobby were spaced out evenly outside the building. One stood leaning against the wall next to the door, with two sitting at a patio table underneath the inn’s canopy. Three men were stationed on the opposite side of the street directly across from the entrance to our building. The last three patrolled up and down the road, never getting too far from the inn before turning around to walk in the other direction. I scanned out as far as I could in either direction down the street, but I reached my limit before encountering anybody else, armored or otherwise.

They found me, I thought solemnly. Who tipped them off? The receptionist? Hark? Some random passer-by on the street? Shaking my head, I let out a long, aggravated sigh. I guess it doesn’t matter. They’re here, and they know I’m here. That’s the most important thing right now. My eyes fell upon Lia, still buried comfortably beneath the sheets of our bed. No. She’s the most important thing right now.

I stood slowly and moved to the bedside, sitting down on the corner. “Lia,” I said softly, gently shaking her shoulder, “It’s time to wake up.” One amber eye cracked open just enough to see me before she rolled onto her back and stretched, letting out a small squeak.

“G’morning Lux,” She said groggily with a small smile. “Is it time to leave already?”

“Almost,” I replied, doing my best to present a calm and neutral face. “I think you might have something waiting for you down at the front desk.”

Lia’s face gradually lit up with excitement as she remembered the delivery. “You think it’s here already?” She launched out of bed, throwing her nightgown over her head as she rushed to get dressed. “I’m going to go check now!” As she yanked her tunic on and ran for the door, I stood to follow her, concerned.

“Lia, wait,” I called out, maybe too harshly. She stopped in place with her hand on the door latch and turned to look at me. “Be careful, okay?” Lia looked confused for a moment, but she quickly regained her excited smile and gave me a nod before heading out into the hallway. I reached out with my mana to follow her, worried as to whether the guards downstairs knew she was with me or not.

I watched her bound down the stairs, slowing down only when she rounded the last turn to the lobby. The two armored men still sat by the fire, casually watching as she skipped out to the front desk. To my great relief, they quickly dismissed her and went back to watching the staircase. Lia said something to the clerk at the front desk that caused him to nod and turn around. He retrieved the wooden crate from the floor and slid it across the counter to her, smiling pleasantly.

With her prize in tow Lia returned to the room unharassed. She pushed through the door and triumphantly called out, “It’s here!” Moving quickly to the table she sat the box down and unclasped the large latch on the front. She looked at me excitedly before flipping the lid open, gasping when she saw the contents. I stood and rounded the table to admire Hark’s work as well.

A full set of leather armor was stacked neatly at the top of the box. Each piece was dyed a beautiful deep forest green color and chased with delicate silver patterns similar to mine. Lia reached into the box and removed the heavy leather gloves, handling them with an over-cautious reverence. She laid them out gently beside her on the table and returned to the box to withdraw the next piece. When she was finished, a pristine set of gloves, vambraces, pauldrons, and greaves were spread out before us with an elegant chestpiece set up on a chair.

Reaching back into the crate one last time, Lia retrieved two matching leather sheaths dyed the same dark green as her armor. Setting the smaller of the two down on the table, she admired the longsword in awe. “Go on,” I said, barely above a whisper, “let’s see it.” Lia pulled the blade from the scabbard, filling the room with an echoing