The Karek Swampland Nuisance

Ah, Lady Soira! We've been looking for you.

Hello, dearie. What can I do for you?

M'lady, Sir Lakhesis has requested a meeting in the castle guardroom. He said it's a matter of utmost importance and urgency.

Official business, Soira? You'd better go.

Lakhesis wants to talk to me himself? I wonder what could be so important.

Maybe there's a monster he wants slain, or a dignitary that needs protecting?

Ooh, or maybe it's watering flowers!

Flowers? Why would he call you out just to ask you to do that?

Who knows? Housewives around town are always asking me to help them with it.

I think your knightly duties are a little different from the requests around town...

Uh, yes. Indeed. I've given my message, may I go now?

Oh yes, of course. You're dismissed. Thank you so much for telling me.

Yeah, we'll head on over to the castle and talk to Lord Lakhesis. I doubt it'll have anything to do with flowers, though.

Soira, it's good to see you. I must commend you, I didn't think you'd come so quickly.

Thank you! I really did my best.

I'm glad to hear it. But I'll need you to try even harder from here on.

Oh, right. Do you have some kind of assignment for me?

Yes. An annoying monster has moved in to the Karek Swamplands. I'd like you to eliminate it and make the area safe again.

Is there a special reason you need Soira for this? Couldn't one of the other knights do it?

Everyone else has their hands full with restoration work. Soira is the only one with no other official commitments at present.

Well now, I can't let this monster go around causing all this trouble.

I thank you. You'll be doing us a great service. This monster has been destroying our new walls and barricades and fleeing before we can catch it.

Ooh, perhaps it just wants to play tag?

You're as mellow as ever, I see. In any case, you'll have a hard time defeating it unless you find a way to deal with its speed.

Do you have any information that could help us come up with a strategy?

There's a hunter in town at present. He's had a lot of experience with different monsters, he may be able to tell you something useful.

Thank you, Sir. We'll go talk to him.

Excuse me, are you the visiting hunter?

That's right, lass. And you're Soira, the knight who's after this tricksy creature?

Oh, you've heard of me? That's so flattering.

I heard you were spacey, but... Are you sure you want to do this? Your quarry's a fast one. You'll need to stay alert if you're going to have any chance of catching it.

Hmmm...I guess we're going to need a plan, huh? Maybe we can wait until it stops to take a nap...

Hey, lad. Is this girl, you know...all there?

Yeah...I think so. We sure could use some suggestions, if you've got any?

Right... Here, take this pouch. It's full of high-strength chili powder. Even that beast will have trouble running with a nose full of this stuff.

What a clever idea!

Yeah, thanks! Now we just need to figure out how to hit it with this.

Just leave that to me. I may not look it, but I have great aim!

Sure... Well, good luck, lad. I have a feeling you're going to need it.

Hey, I believe in Soira's skills! Mostly... Anyway, we'd better head out to the swamp.

I see some weird tracks here. Let's stake out this spot.

Okay. How about we eat lunch? It gets boring just waiting around.

We're not here on a picnic, you know.

Phew, I'm totally full.

Still no signs of that monster showing up.

I always get so sleepy after a good meal...

Hyum-num-num...

Soira? ...Did she really fall asleep?

Graaaaaargh!

The monster! Soira, wake up! The monster's here!

Mmm... Whoopsie, looks like I drifted off for a minute there.

Here's the powder, you ready to throw it?

Okie-dokie. Here...we...go!

What was that?! Where were you aiming?!

Graaa, rargh?! *cough* *cough* Blegh!

Wha, huh? A direct hit?

Wow, what a stroke of luck, the wind blowing in like that!

It's slowing down, now's our chance!

I'm still in shock about that lucky throw...

Yes, I was surprised, too. Hee hee hee.

Congratulations, I hear you successfully defeated the monster.

Hey there. Did the chili powder work out like we planned?

It sure did. We got it, pow! Right in its face.

You managed to hit that thing head on? That's amazing! Your skills must be the real deal after all. I'd never have pegged you as the type who could take on a foe like that!

Well, it was actually more like an accident that I hit it...

You hit it without even trying?! What was your name again?

Soira.

I'll remember that name. I've never heard of anyone fighting a monster that strong and speedy before. You must be some kind of hunting genius, Miss Soira!

Genius? I'm not sure about that. It was probably a lucky gust of wind that saved the day. Am I right?

Yeah... It really came out of nowhere...

I dare say it was the work of Soira's flag and the fortune it brings.

Her flag?

Yes, the banner she always carries bestows uncanny luck upon its owner. The tide of many a battle has been turned seemingly by chance, thanks to that flag.

I'd find that pretty hard to believe, if I hadn't seen it in action myself.