Chapter 396: Competition: Dryad Mode
"Hello, mister. Are you really helping for free?"
Hearing a small voice come from the other side of the table, Hex looked up. A pair of watery eyes peered over the top of the table at him.
’Another child with a small grazed knee or a birthmark?’ Hex suppressed a sigh. His ’client’ seemed to have barely recovered from a bout of crying. She could easily start a second round. He didn’t think it would do his reputation any good if he appeared to be bullying children.
So, he put his brightest smile he could muster and pointed at the banners fluttering around his small tent. Not far from her stood an elderly woman about to take her to watch the match in the open-air arena. The fighters in this part of the city were mostly locals or servants of visitors.
"Of course. As it says, be free of small ailments or injuries. No payment required."
Her eyes brightened when she received the affirmation she had sought.
’She appears to be from the poorer sections of the city. Perhaps she has a problem and no coins to pay for.’ He came to his conclusion based on her dirt-covered dress, her mud-stained shoes, and unkempt nails. The girl couldn’t be older than ten but showed signs of having worked in the fields.
"What can I do for you, little miss?" Hex asked politely. She chuckled embarrassedly when he followed up with a little bow, as was the custom when handling female patrons in the city.
"Bluey has broken his leg," she said, her smile faltering remembering why she had come.
"Bluey?" Hex asked, finding the name a little strange. Perhaps, another kid. "I am sure I can fix him up. Where is he?"
"Really? He is here, mister," the girl cheered and pointed at the ground. Apparently, Bluey was below the table, which shocked Hex. He didn’t sense another person nearby. He lifted the cloth covering the table with a jerk.