“Your lazy ass just cost me 3 ability points!” Karen screamed.

  The Ranger, Bob, did not respond to the healer’s tantrum. He was long used to her emotional fits.

  Karen was furious at Bob, “It’s your fault I didn’t win the gambling quest! I told you ambushing caravans would take too long to earn the credits.”

  Bob eyed the luxury items and gear Karen had purchased instead of waiting until after they purchased the quest clue, but again, he said nothing.

  The three members from the Second Deck’s Acid Guild had learned to stay silent and keep their eyes and heads down. The healer would never strike the Ranger out of anger, but she regularly beat or tortured them nearly to death when she was displeased. She would then heal them only to the point necessary for them to serve her, always leaving lingering wounds that caused constant suffering.

  “With the loot from this caravan, we should have enough to purchase the quest clue. Now, get going!” she ordered the three guild fighters. They had experienced first-hand the torture Mistress Karen visited upon any that upset her. They knew better than to comment or try to run away as they set off to attack the caravan.

  “Thank you for your assistance!” said the caravan captain to the Ranger and mage that had come to their aid.

  “Happy to help!” replied Bob, as the captain watched him head towards the downed screaming bandits. The captain had no way of knowing that while Bob was saving them and shooting the “bandits” full of arrows, Bob intentionally made sure none of the arrows would cause immediate death to the three acid guild members.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Karen approached the Caravan and said, “I am a healer and would be happy to cure any wounds and relieve your suffering.”

  The captain looked at her suspiciously, and said, “What would you charge for this service? We only have one woman with a minor arrow wound to the knee?”

  Karen replied, “I will heal the woman in exchange for 25 silver and rejuvenate everyone else in exchange for 5 days’ worth of rations.”

  The captain grunted, “Agreed,” and followed Karen closely with two of his guards as she healed the woman back to full health, and then continued to follow her as she proceeded to touch everyone in the caravan for just a second providing instant relief to their aches and pains.

  The captain said, “Mistress Karen, your skills are truly amazing! Thank you for all you have done,” as he paid her the 25 silver and ordered his men to bring the rations to her and the ranger.

  The captain started to look around for the ranger when he collapsed to the ground dead, with blood pouring out of his eyes.

  “Ha ha ha ha!” laughed Karen as all the men, women, and children in the caravan started collapsing to the ground dying from massive brain bleeds.

  Karen was still laughing as she approached the three acid guild fighters and screamed, “get your lazy asses off the ground and gather up my loot!” at the same time as she healed them from the arrow wounds just enough for them to be able to follow her orders.

  Bob thought, “Crazy bitch, talk about wasting time, we could have simply ambushed this group and been away with all the loot hours ago,” as he mentally started making plans to permanently go his separate way after the quest was finished.

  “Move it everyone! It’s time we purchase the quest clue!” screamed Karen.