Chapter 23

Builder Ellen

“… and that’s basically how it ended,” Adventurer Ellen finished.

It was an interesting story that gave a lot more information about some of the side effects of the duplication they’d been experiencing. Shared Skill Enhancer unlocks was a good thing to know about, and it also confirmed the theory that their Class unlocks were carrying over, even if a different ‘lineage’ of Ellen died.

Ellen still rankled at being here talking instead of working. She had a lot to do, and every minute sitting here discussing things was time she could be spending to plan out the very necessary tasks needed before the very unavoidable winter deadline. Hunter Ellen seemed to be the only one who understood her need to focus.

It was unusual to have all five in one place at the same time, though.

“I’ve almost hit Level 8 myself. Good to know what I’ll have available.” Hunter Ellen leaned back against the travel pack and rubbed her chin while Village Ellen set out some bowls of stew. Hunter Ellen was a better cook, by now, but Village Ellen had been catching up fast and also had that flair for serving that looked so much more efficient.

The whole thing was a little weird, seeing the contrast between Village Ellen and Adventurer Ellen.

“I think I shouldn’t announce that I own the place until the Briar Thorns leave.” Merchant Ellen accepted the bowl and set it on her lap to cool. It was a warmish day, considering autumn was closing in, but a nice warm bowl was still pleasant to have there. Ellen had found the clay bowls tucked away in one of the ruined buildings, and about half of them had been salvageable. More than enough for the small cluster of Ellens.

“Only if they don’t stay too long,” Ellen sighed. “We need that ridge beam as soon as possible, and it will be easier to get if they know they’re doing it for the lord of the land. Four days, that’s as long as we can wait. I can find other chores for us in the meantime.”

Adventurer Ellen flopped over on the pile of blankets they’d gathered. “Boring. Every time we get together you all start talking about planning and stuff. I don’t really care as long as it gets done. Just tell me what to lift with my mighty thews, weaklings.”

Village Ellen giggled at that, and even Hunter Ellen had to smile. As impatient as Adventurer Ellen was, they all knew her whining was just because she didn’t know how she could best help. Fortunately, Ellen knew.

“If you’re bored, go grab the axe and go out to practice cutting down some trees. It takes technique, you’ll need to try it on a few small ones anyway.” Ellen pointed over to the axe. “Don’t pick anything too close to us, we want to keep the tree line mostly intact for now. Maybe start on one of the ones in the road.”

“Great!” Adventurer Ellen hopped to her feet, clapping her hands. “Will do! I’ll probably be pretty useless during winter, so I’ll try to do all I can before then! I’ll come back with like, thirty trees!”

“We only need three!” Ellen called after her, then rolled her eyes and turned to the other three Ellens, who were trying not to laugh out loud. “I doubt she can get three before nightfall without collapsing from fatigue. It’s like she doesn’t even know how much effort it is…”

Merchant Ellen sighed wistfully. “I don’t know, I kind of miss having that enthusiasm and wide-eyed wonder. How many of us could have fought through a dungeon and still remained cheerful like that?”

“I mean… any of us, I guess?” Hunter Ellen tapped her chin. “We aren’t that different I feel. We just choose to approach life differently because we can, now.”

“Well I think it’s adorable.” Village Ellen huffed as she settled into the blanket they all shared. “She has such a zest for life! We’re going to have to make sure no scummy sort sweeps her off her feet, you know. I’m sure she’ll be popular with the boys once the adventurers start coming to town.”

Ellen glanced at Hunter Ellen, who shrugged back with a raised eyebrow. Somehow, Village Ellen was the only one who still thought about romance lately.

“I’m sure you’ll be flirting with all of them first, so I wouldn’t worry about that.” Merchant Ellen said what Ellen had left unsaid, in a mild and dry tone.

“Drunk and flirtatious sorts leave better tips.” Village Ellen smiled smugly, one finger twirling in her slightly curled hair. She always looked so impeccably presentable now, from a smooth and uncreased dress to a bounce and shine to her hair. Ellen was almost envious, if not for her other self’s flighty nature.

She shook her head to dismiss the thought. How had she thought of her other self that way?

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Hunter Ellen sighed and waved a hand. “Not really important. We have to get things ready. Merchant Ellen, do you think you can get that ridge beam ordered soon enough?”

The answer was a shrug. “If the Briar Thorns are gone, it’ll basically be the same day. Builder, if you have the dimensions we need, give them to me before we split up today. I can put the order in then, but I’m not sure how long it will take.”

“Realistically if you’re the landlord now, he’ll prioritize it. So probably as soon as he can do it.” Hunter Ellen looked over at Ellen questioningly.

She shrugged back. “Maybe a day, two on the outside, unless they just don’t have the material on hand. If that’s the case it will get complicated. We’ll need to order from another place, and that could get both expensive and messy.”

“Great.” Hunter Ellen looked at Merchant Ellen again, and sighed. “We’re also going to have to figure out how to explain to the village our situation, sooner or later. You and Adventurer Ellen or maybe even Builder Ellen can pass for one another easily enough you can frame it as being Village Ellen’s sister, but Village Ellen doesn’t really look like us any more. And if I walked down there, everyone would know something was wrong.”