Chapter 8
“Xane, what is your level?” The Sergeant’s words brought Xane to a halt. He gave the woman an innocent look as his mind raced.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” He screamed in his mind as he tried to come up with an answer that wouldn’t give him away.
“Xane?”
Letting out a breath, Xane looked around, then fixed her with a look of seriousness. “Is there anywhere we can talk without being overheard?” He asked. The woman’s eyes went wide for a moment before narrowing. Minutes later, Xane found himself sitting across from the woman inside the tavern’s back room.
“Have you ever heard of the awakened?” He asked her, deciding to get to the point.
“Yes, awakened are those that remember their prev…ious….” The woman’s brown eyes went wide as her voice trailed off. After a moment, she asked. “Xane, are you saying you are an awakened?”
“Yeah. I remember my previous life.” He replied, giving her a nod.
“How old?”
“I was in my thirties when it happened.” Xane said, his child’s voice sounding hollow as he spoke. For reasons unbeknownst to him, Xane recounted his previous life and how it was ended by his former wife. By the time he finished, his eyes were staring listlessly at the rough wood of the table. Throughout his telling, the woman remained silent while wearing a horrified expression for the most of it. After a moment, she found her voice.
“Are you looking for vengeance?” she asked softly.
Xane snorted and shook his head. “No, I couldn’t do that even if I wanted. I just want to live my life of solitude and heal.” He said, getting a strange look from the lovely woman.
“To think the gods can be so cruel. Not only where you forced to live a life of suffering, but to be made to live as you are now.”
“Its fine. I asked for this after all. Just wasn’t expecting to be stuck in the body of a little kid.” He said with a shrug that brought a small smile to the woman’s face. Taking a deep breath, he asked. “Why are you being so kind to me?”
His question seemed to have touched a nerve in the woman as her smile fell into a look of sadness. “You look just like him. My little brother, Malik. He died nearly ten years ago, from sickness.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…”
“It alright, you didn’t know.” The woman said, giving him a soft smile. “So, what do you plan to do now?”
“Finish getting my supplies and head back home.” He replied, sliding off his chair.
“Let me help you. Not all the merchants will be as kind as old Helen or as easy to deal with as Thomas.” She said with a slight smirk.
Xane thought for a moment. He could feel Persephone and her mother were still moving away from him. Just a glance at the woman started setting off his anxiety. Figuring having her show him around the shops would save him time versus if he tried to do it on his own. Taking a deep breath as he made his choice. “I would appreciate that, Sergeant.” He said while looking down at the floor.
“Delores”
“Hmm?” he said glancing to her then back to the floor.
“You can call me Delores. Come on, let’s get you some proper boots.
After they left the tavern, Wraith flew down from his perch on the roof and landed on Xane’s shoulder. Reaching up, Xane scratched the raven on the back of head, causing the bird to close its eyes in pleasure.
“Is that bird your pet?” Delores asked, getting a nod in response.
“What is its name?”
“Wraith.” Xane answered, walking beside her as she guided him to their next stop.
The shop she took him to smelled of leather and oil and comfortably lit. As soon as they entered, they were greeted by a man in his early forties with a head full of dark brown hair and matching beard. Dressed in a simple tunic and trousers with a well-worn leather apron draped over.
“Delores, what brings you in today?” the man asked
“Hello Boyd, I brought you a customer.” Delores said as she motioned to Xane who still had Wraith on his shoulder.
“Why, hello there? Name’s Boyd as you heard. What’s yours, little man?” He said in the tone you talk to small children, while squatting down holding out his hand.
Xane fought the urge to scowl at the shop keep as he took the man''s calloused hand. “Xane.”
Giving Delores a curious glance, he turned back to Xane and asked. “What can I do for you, Xane?”
“Need boots.” Xane answered while lifting a leg to show his worn footwear. Letting out a low whistle, the man inspected the worn and nearly ruined boot.
“Boy, I can tell these aren’t that old. What have you been doing to tear them up like this?”
“Hunting.”
“Hunting? Hunting what?”
“Goblins,” Xane said, not caring if the man believed him or not, trying not to snicker at the man’s expression
Boyd’s eyes moved from his boot to look Xane in the eye, but stopped when he noticed his leather armor. “Is that hell cat leather?”
“And boar.”
“Where did you?”
“Killed it, made armor.” Xane said simply. Boyd’s eyes shot open before he looked at Delores again.
“Delores, a word.” He said, standing to his full height, then stepping a few feet away. Excusing herself, she stepped over to them as he started a whispered conversation. Left to himself, Xane moved to look at the man’s wares when Wraith hopped off his shoulder onto a table. The raven’s head twisted one way, then the other, as it seemed to inspect something. A moment later, it started pushing the boots towards Xane.
Curious about the bird’s actions, he activated identify and scanned the boots.
Boots of the Woodland Strider
Item type: crafted
Item quality: uncommon
Durability: 150/150
These boots are made for those who are at home in the forest.
While worn, these boots provide the following:
Movement speed increased by 5% while wooded/forested areas
Wooded and forest terrain does not affect item durability.
Item resized to fit wearer
Does not require binding
Xane thought for a moment then nodded to himself as he picked up the boots gave Wraith a piece of smoked meat in appreciation. The whole time he was listening to the “adult” conversation.
"Delores, who is that kid?”
“That’s Xane.”
“That’s not… what’s he doing hunting goblins. Not to mention, have you noticed his weight?” Boyd asked, exasperated.
Xane saw her glance over at him before turning back to the shopkeeper, as he pretended not to notice.
“He was thinner the first time I met him. Why do you think Xane’s underfed?” she asked, getting a shocked look from her friend.
“Underfed? Hardly, that boy is too heavy for his size. I could tell from his boot soles.” Boyd said. Xane couldn’t see his face, but if he were to guess from Delores’ reaction. The man was scared. Giving the man one last glance, she looked back at Xane to ask.
“Xane, will you come here for a moment?”
Not liking where this was going, yet unable to say anything. Xane reached up and grabbed the boots before walking over. Looking up at the two of them, Xane was about to ask the price of the boots when Delores spoke first.
“Xane, do you mind if I…” She paused, looking at her friend with a look that said, “I can’t believe you''re making me do this?” Turning back to Xane. “May I pick you up?”
Xane did his best not to scowl at her, but nodded anyway. “Might as well get this over with.” He thought. Squatting down, Delores reached to pick him up from under his arms when Boyd moved. Thinking Xane was distracted, the man lunged for the dagger that hung at Xane’s hip like a sword. Moving out of Delores’ reach, Xane struck out with a punch. His small fist met the man’s arms that he managed to bring up in time. Boyd was sent back on his ass and skidded a few feet, his back hitting a cabinet.
“Xane, Boyd!” Delores screamed, stunned at the sudden attack. Xane’s fists dropped as the man started laughing in good spirits.
“I knew it. That boy has some levels under his belt.” He said, laughing as he picked himself off the floor. Xane just hung his head in shame at being played by the man.
“God damn it Boyd, I brought Xane here to do business, not get attacked by your dumbass.” Delores shouted as she hit the man on the shoulder repeatedly as his laughter deepened.
“Xane was it? You said you hunt goblins. What’s the biggest one you seen?”
“Lord.” Xane replied.
“A goblin lord, huh? And what did you do? You didn’t run, did you?” He asked as Delores stopped her assault on his arm and resorted to glaring at him.
“Killed him, trap”
“Trapped him, hmm? That’s a smart way to do it.” Boyd replied, looking sincerely impressed. Behind Xane, Wraith let out a noise. Seeming to remember why he was there, Xane held up the pair of boot.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“How much?”
“I’ll let you have them for a gold. And if they wear out on you before a year, I’ll give you a better pair.” Boyd said with a glint of pride in his eye. If there was one thing Xane had learned as Alex. Good footwear was worth the money. Fishing out one of the gold he had gotten from the butcher, he handed it over to the man before sticking the boots in his bag.
“Care to tell me what his secret is?” Boyd asked Delores as he took Xane’s coin. Noticing her questioning glance, he narrowed his eyes before nodding.
“Xane is an awakened.” She said. Seeing the man’s eyes go wide, Deloris raised her hands. “Not a word to anyone.” She said, giving her friend a serious look. Boyd nodded before a look of realization came over his face.
“Xane, can you show us your sheet?” Boyd asked, clearly interested.
“Swear not to tell anyone?” Xane asked. A moment later, a notification filled his vision.
Boyd the cobbler has sworn an oath of secrecy.
Boyd has sworn to not divulge any secrets he has learned about you.
(public knowledge does not apply)
If this oath is broken, he will be reduced to level 0. Losing all gained stats, skills, and classes. Boyd will also be marked as an oath breaker.
Delores Sergeant of Stonevale city watch has sworn an oath of secrecy.
Delores has sworn to not divulge any secrets she has learned about you.
(public knowledge does not apply)
If this oath is broken, she will be reduced to level 0. Losing all gained stats, skills, and classes.
Delores will also be marked as an oath breaker.
Xane’s eyes went wide at the two notifications. He had read in the journal about system oaths and some of their punishments, but seeing one in person was unexpected. Letting out a sigh, he gave them a shrug before going into his menus to share the information.
<table width="423">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Name
</td>
<td width="212">
Xane
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Age
</td>
<td width="212">
6
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Level
</td>
<td width="212">
8
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
experience
</td>
<td width="212">
175/900
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Hp
</td>
<td width="212">
3600
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Strength
</td>
<td width="212">
42
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Agility
</td>
<td width="212">
42
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Dex
</td>
<td width="212">
60
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Intelligence
</td>
<td width="212">
60
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Wisdom
</td>
<td width="212">
42
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Constitution
</td>
<td width="212">
42
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Defense
</td>
<td width="212">
82
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Luck
</td>
<td width="212">
11
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Mana
</td>
<td width="212">
600
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Mana regeneration
</td>
<td width="212">
60pts per sec
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
skill points
</td>
<td width="212">
6
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Skills
</td>
<td width="212"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Archery lvl 3
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Compacted Mass
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Crafting lvl 3
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Double Dip
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Healing lvl2
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Identify lvl5
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Fletching lvl2
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Herbalism lvl4
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Mining lvl3
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Trapping lvl3
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Earth Manipulation
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Animal Empathy
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Body Reinforcement
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Multi shot
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Dodge
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Item Granted Skills
</td>
<td width="212">
Stealth +32
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Precise Shot lvl9
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Special
</td>
<td width="212"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Arrow rain
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Boons/Blessings
</td>
<td width="212"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Amora''s enhanced blessing
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Blooded (obsidian dragon)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Soul bonded
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Spells
</td>
<td width="212"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Harden Earth lvl 3
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Soften Earth lvl 3
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Raise Earth lvl 1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Shape Earth lvl 1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Move Earth lvl 2
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211">
Bonded companion/s
</td>
<td width="212"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Persephone (obsidian hatchling)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="211"> </td>
<td width="212">
Wraith (dusk raven)
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Xane watched as their eyes went out of focus as they check the notification.
“Is that how I look when accessing my menus?” Xane thought to himself, not having seen anyone access their menu before.
“Holy fuck! His lowest stat is an 11, and it''s in luck. I don’t even know to get that.” Boyd said as he blinked and doubled checked what he was reading. Delores had her eyes on a unique entry on his sheet.
“You’ve been blooded? By a… dragon? How? Why?” Delores asked as she slumped onto a display table, looking at him in confusion.
“What?!” Boyd asked a second later when Delores’ barrage of questions registered in his head.
Rolling his eyes, Xane told them about how he was woken up in the middle of the night by a feeling of distress calling out to him. He then told them about the goblins and their ritual he interrupted and ultimately stopped. How he passed out after healing the egg and waking to find Thresh and her daughter in his home.
“Thresh?” Boyd asked.
“Thresh is the dragon, right Xane?” Delores said, confirming with him at the same time.
“Oh, right.” Boyd said after a second, making Xane wonder if the man may have been a bit slow in the head. His eyes focused on Xane as a sly grin grew on his lips. “The dragon, was she pretty?”
Xane rolled his eyes as he gave the man a nod and a grin of his own. Delores threw up her hands, acting disgusted as she grumbled, “Men.” Moments later, the three of them looked at one another before bursting out in laughter.
When they finished laughing, Boyd fished out the gold coin and tossed it back to Xane, who snatched it out of the air with a quizzical look.
“Keep it. The way I see it, you saved this town. Think of the boots as my thanks.” Boyd said, giving him a wink. “Come to the tavern later and have an ale on me.” He added. Xane’s look of appreciation turned into confused scepticism.
“Don’t like ale, fine wine it is, then.” Boyd said, misunderstanding the reason for Xane’s expression.
“I think in Xane’s previous life; children didn’t drink ale or wine.” Delores said, somehow understanding him.
“Ah, whiskey it is then!” Boyd said excitedly as Delores smacked him in the back of the head. Xane rolled his eyes, then waved the man goodbye as he turned to leave. Delores said her farewells to Boyd and followed him out the door.
Stepping outside Xane, waited for Wraith to follow before letting the door close. Finding a nearby bench, he took a moment to swap out his boots. He watched in amazement as the boots shrunk down to form to his feet. Smiling, he dropped his old boots into his bag, looking up to see Delores was waiting for him.
“First time seeing a crafted item fit itself?” she asked, getting a nod in response. Chuckling to herself, she asked. “What’s next on your shopping list.”
The next couple of hours were spent as she took him to the various shops that Stonevale had to offer. By the end, he had picked up all the items he needed, along with a few others at Delores’ suggestion. The most expensive of the items being the healing potions and the molds for arrow heads.
Leaving Thomas the butcher with his elk flank and hide in hand, Xane checked his menu for the time. Thinking if he left now, he could make it back to his cave before sunset. He turned to the woman who followed him around all day. While sometimes annoying, she did help him with his shopping, and it didn’t hurt when the mayor’s son spotted him.
“Gotta go.” He said, feeding Wraith a piece of scrap meat the butcher had given him.
“Are you sure you want to leave now? The forest is dangerous at night.” Delores replied out of concern. Xane just gave her a look that said, “Really?”
Realizing what she said, she tried again. “You should at least collect your bounty from Marcus. The scouts should have reported back by now.”
Xane rolled his eyes and shrugged before following her to the gatehouse. Entering the small room, Xane was surprised to find Marcus was busy talking furiously with an older man and a pair of guardsmen. When he entered, followed by Delores, the room went silent as Marcus’ eyes locked on Xane. The intensity that the quartermaster’s eyes burned with caused Xane to step back and bump into his escort.
“Who is this child?” the older man asked, noticing the look the quarter master was giving Xane.
“Mayor Unger, this is Xane. The boy that brought the ears to me this morning.” Marcus said as he sat behind his desk and let out a sigh.
“Sergeant Delores, what is your relation to this boy?” Another guardsman asked with a voice of authority. Looking closer, Xane noticed he had a silvery insignia emblazoned on the front of his leather breastplate.
“I was just escorting him around Stonevale, Captain Alder. Xane had come into town to procure supplies, and needed some assistance in locating them.” She said.
“Gathering supplies? Surely the boy’s parents should be the ones to do that?” The captain said questioningly as he kept his eyes locked on Xane.
“He… doesn’t have… any.” She answered. Xane did his best to not grind his teeth, at the looks of pity he got from the captain and a few other guards. Xane hated those looks. He remembered them as Alex from his time in foster care. The look of well-meaning adults, who tried to help but had no idea what to do. It was looks exactly like those that sent him into the homes of those who couldn’t care less about him, wore. So many homes that didn’t see him as a victim, but a paycheck and something to take their frustrations out on.
Granted, they weren’t psychotic like his own mother. That bitch was a true master of suffering. Nearly every cut, burn, and bruise was expertly inflicted on his small body with such precision. That she could easily explain them away as him being a rambunctious child. Then one night she came home drunker than usual and beat him within an inch of his life. She had broken his ribs, both his arms, and one leg. But it was the skull fracture that had pushed his small body over the edge.
He remembered waking a room surrounded by people in white. The looks they gave him as their eyes landed on his broken body were just like the ones the guards were giving him now. It was those looks of pity and sorrow he got from the case workers every time he was pulled from another home. It was like he was a magnet for abuse, and his case workers were just using him to find abusers in their system.
Shaking off those thoughts, he tuned back into what everyone was talking about.
“Sir, when we arrived at the location we were given.” One of the guards was speaking with captain paused to swallow nervously. “We found piles of goblin corpses. Each had been looted and, if possible, their ear was removed. We also found the remains of a goblin lord that had been… crushed to death. Along with the body of a shaman near the broken shell of a dragon’s egg.” The man said, finishing his report. Looking over the man, Xane guessed he had to be a ranger or similar class from the way he wore his leather armor and dark green cloak. The man wore a longsword on one hip, with a quiver of bolts on his other. Slung over a shoulder was a well-used crossbow.
“Was that all you found?” The captain asked.
“We also found these.” He said, holding out a handful of broken arrows. Xane could have kicked himself when he saw the familiar white and blue fletching. Unconsciously he dropped a hand over his quiver as he took a step back. The captain seemed to notice him, as he fixed him with a raised brow.
“Let me see your arrows.” The man said as he took a step closer while holding out a waiting hand. Xane could only sigh as he pulled an arrow from his quiver and passed it over. The captain took his arrow and compared it to the one his scout had given him for only a second before he gave Xane an appraising look. A moment later, the man let out a sigh, then bowed his head to him.
“Xane, it seems we are in your debt. Somehow you single-handedly saved us from a grave threat we didn’t know existed. For that, I thank you.” The captain said as he bowed his head. The old man, who had remained silent, chose that moment to speak.
“Xane, was it? It is my understanding that you are the one responsible for what happened to my son, Billy.” He said as he fixed Xane with a stern look.
“Mayor Unger…” Delores started protesting when he silenced her with a raised hand.
“Xane, what was the reason for the confrontation?” The mayor asked. In response, Xane sent him an angry glare while he clutched his satchel’s strap in a tight grip. That small motion didn’t go unnoticed by both the mayor and the captain.
“I see, Billy tried to take that bag from you?” The mayor’s statement sounded more like a question. Xane just gave him a curt nod in reply.
“You have my apologies, then. Billy has gotten it in his head that he can do what he wishes with him being so close to gaining his class. I assure you, he will not trouble you again.”
Xane’s eyes went wide at seeing Stonevale’s leader humbling himself before him. After a moment, the mayor turned to the captain and spoke. “Captain Alder, you have my full approval.” With that cryptic statement the captain nodded in response, before the mayor gave Xane a pleasant smile and a pat on the shoulder before he left the small room. Xane’s eyes moved around the room, taking in the others before landing on the captain with a raised brow.