《One Moo'r Plow》
Book 1: Chapter 1: Post-awakening stress disorder.
Book 1: Chapter 1: Post-awakening stress disorder.
Argos blinked in disbelief as he stared at his most bloodthirsty warrior. The chief had seen many things in his long years as ruler of these tribes. He had witnessed the birth of a great Conqueror among monsterkind, a uniter who had seeded in his quest, and had ascended to divinity. He had seen terrible wars -ones that made the current strife seem like friendly childrens y, witnessed honor and courage and cowardice many times over.
Yet he was bbergasted by the audacity of a minotaur who wanted to retire.
Leave? He sputtered. Yes, Garek had failed to reach his prime, that much was true. The breakthrough into the level thirties constantly eluded him, and yes, he had fallen behind his peers in the eyes of the system, for which he was constantly tormented. But few held the minotaurs sheer, almost divine bloodlust and thirst forbat.
He, Argos Stonegrinder, was for the first time in long memory at a loss for words. Not simply out of disbelief, but what did one say about a minotaur who no longer wished to fight? The very thought was anathema.
Leave, then. He rumbled. Pack your things and be gone before the sun sets. Never show your face within thesends again, to spare us the shame of your existence.
One of his own, turned coward, unable to taste the joy of bloodshed. Another soul lost on the long, treacherous journey to the one-hundreth level. The promise of ascension that came with touching the final level drew many. Most of whom perished in the attempt to reach it.
But to willfully turn and leave the sacred path behind? Dishonor and heresy. Men had been killed for suggesting less.
He refused to speak any more words, and simply stood in silence as the disgraced minotaur turned and walked away in his own shame.
/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`
This week was proof that whatever god there is hates me. I wake up just as this guys spirit vacates the body from an overdose of pills that make this entire ce fight-horny, find out Im a furry, and immediately get told to go stop a monster raid.
Sure, good deal. At least I have a massive beefb of muscle for a body, lots of experience, and ording to the System, a fuckload of Skills.
Immediately got my ass beat because what the fuck is a muscle memory when Im not human anymore?
No, seriously, trying to move feels like piloting a big furry mech suit. All stomp, no grace. Eyes out of alignment. Way too strong sense of smell.
I me the eye thing for how thoroughly I got stomped into the ground by the way. The others rescued me, pulled me back to camp and tossed me into what I assumed was my tent to heal up.
I immediately went and quit.
Fighting monster raids non-stop all my life,peting with the entire world to reach the one-hundreth level. Endless war after endless war here on the frontier? Fuuuuckkkk. Thhaaaat.
Garek or whatever his name was, had done a lot of killing. Like, copious amounts of it. His tent was piled with weapons forged from monster remains. Sacks of coin littered the floor, jars of rage pills were messily stacked by the shelf-full. Everything about this person was devoted to bloodshed in an almost fanatical fervor.
And I wanted none of it.
He had very portable loot, severalrge sacks, and more muscles than brains.
I didnt want to be an adventurer, a yer, a dungeon explorer, a warlord or whatever the fuck big beefy had for career options. Instead, I was going to do what I had been decently good at; Farming.
Screw glory, I already had gold, and if capitalism had taught me anything, its that the value of owningnd was priceless. Time to go be the bestest little farmhand nobody had ever seen.
A bag slung over my shoulder with every conceivable possession this brute had owned inside, I trudged out and awkwardly stumbled off. A big, clunky, furred mech suit indeed.
Someone waved and began to approach, and I just trudged along faster. They got the message, and within a few minutes, I had left the camp behind.
It took several hours of sifting through memories of gleeful violence and strangely ero visions of weapons. I would never recover those lost brain cells. But I did find some sort of useful information, at the cost of severe mental scarring.
Big man here hadnt been too interested in geology, but he had pretty vivid memories of where all the monster infections were, whichnds had what levels of creatures, and whatsuch. I aimed right for the nearest spot with weak-ass creatures roaming around. Stuff that I could whack around, but so could my geriatric grandmother in her rusty wheelchair.
I was taking no chances.
It took several days of blunders, and a bad deal with the local bigwiggit but I DID get my farm. The only satisfaction from that bargain was the small bag of seeds the man had kindly thrown in. Seeds that I nned to have nted as quickly as possible.
They just neglected to mention what state it was in.
Overgrown didnt even describe it. The word simply failed.
The house was rotted, crops filled with weeds and roots, stream was clogged up. Whoever had moved out here had done so because the task was hopeless.
But they werent an eight-foot-tall wall of walking muscle with Skills out the wazoo. Gareks body didnt give a shit where it slept, I had learned. He had no qualms about dirt-naps if they got him to the next ughter faster. But I had a need for those luxuries, like any civilized person.
The first thing was to rip apart the stump-covered field and get these seeds in the ground. Then to build myself a house. And no, strength would not make that process speedy. There were so many small details that simply took time. It was one of the few currencies I had plenty of.
Sure, I could have easily hired a crew of builders who knew what the fuck they were doing, but I wanted to build my domicile with these hands.
Bag dropped unceremoniously, I pulled out a beautiful, engraved war-axe and went to wage my first war upon the priceless earth of this ursed ce. Took a little longer than a few hours, but soon, I had a small chunk ofnd cleared out. Without a plough, I had to till the earth by dragging the axe as I walked, weapon in one hand and seeds in the other.
But soon, the task was done -as much as was able with the small bag of seed on hand- and I turned my attention -and willing axe- upon the forest.
Betwixt the forest and ground, catharsis I found. Hey, it rhymed. But with every swing that clove a tree trunk from its roots, I gained several things. Wood, of course. Piles of it. Trees toppled every which way, even towards me. But control, that was what I valued most. Strength was fine. Cool, even. Very, I might admit. But control was crucial. A better sense of how to steer my new body without tripping every few steps because I was several more feet from the ground than usual.
But there was an aplishment in good, hardbour. A feel-good sensation that came from endurance. From continuing when I could have just quit and waited for tomorrow. With every swing, every grunt of effort, I began to feel something that had eluded me for a long time.
Satisfaction.
Moonlight had begun to rise when I finally decided toy my head for the night. With a tree over my shoulder and axe at my belt, I wandered home.
The word rolled through my mind, and I smiled. This was the right choice.
There was a town not too far away, I recalled some timeter, sat upon a freshly hewn stump. A fresh fire crackled before me, a meal on a spit above it. Maybe I could go and hunt for food, but why bother when I had gold? I had fields to break open, a house to build and animals to procure.
Gareks Skill painted a very clear picture of the person this body had been inhabited by. A thoroughly pleasant fellow, I had to admit. Still, they could be made to apply.
Brutal Swing and Relentless Charge had immediate uses I could think of, while things like Scream of Fury and Blood for Blood were very much not things I was eager to explore.
After A lifetime of being just an average human, being able to hurl a tree like a javelin amazed me. Okay, it made me giddy. I even had fun purely kicking a tree in half before I realized that just wasted wood. But for all his ws, Gareks body was in excellent shape. And all the Levels he had umted made tasks trivial.
Why chop one log when I had the strength to cleave through a stack?
It was quiet. Peaceful. Serene, even. Just me and the woods. Things progressed slowly, but they went. Earth I ripped up with Brutal Swingto dig a foundation, then jammed the sharpened logs into the soft earth through sheer strength alone. Nails and hammers I had, but the human-made tools broke in my grasp. As such, I was pounding nails with a minotaur-sized warhammer. Gently, of course. Didnt want to shatter the floor I was constructing.
It was slow, careful work. My own strength made mistakes costly, and a very tight reign over my frustration kept things from escting. But deep within all that, all those mistakes and in the slow progress, I found something truly priceless.
Happiness.
It was not simple work, to build myself a proper home. But it was a task I took pride in. Yes, I could rip trees from the ground with my bare hand. tten sections of dirt with a stomp. Hew trenches in the soil with little effort. But could strength alone properly connect a joint? Shave down wood into boards and frame a wall? That was all skill and memory.
I could not build to human proportions, but to what must fit my new form. And so I did. A sturdy floor, framed walls with windows ready to mount in slots that could be covered for now. And finally, the worst part.
The rafters took several days by themselves. Even with a design as simple as I could make them, working on a rooftop was less than ideal. But it was done. Plywood didnt exist, so I had to make do with more boards. Another slow process as I trimmed them to uniform length and width and covered the outsideyer onto my new home.
The inside I left open for now. I would stock the walls with instion before I worked upon the inneryer. Gareks magical axe hewed stone apart for brick so that I may have a firece within. Before I knew it, a week and then some had passed, and I needed food once more.
Cloak about myself, dressed in what I assumed were decent enough clothes, I finally decided to venture to the nearest town and search for whatever I might need to thrive.
Tomorrow. For now, I needed sleep.
Thrive. Profit. Expand.
And just like that, the System kicked in.
Farmer ss obtained. Level One Reached. Sleep to apply.
Book 1: Chapter 2: The perks of being over-leveled.
Book 1: Chapter 2: The perks of being over-leveled.
Felt weird, waking up in another mans body.
Maybe I should just be thankful it wasnt a womans. Then itd be really fucking strange. Still, man or not, this was still a gigantic b of muscle and for whatever fault the previous inhabitant had possessed, it was built like it could toss most cars overhead.
I had somehow met the prerequisites for the System to grant me the Farmer ss. For now, I had no Skills to go with that. If my general knowledge was correct, those wouldeter. I was excited, sure, but had other things to dwell on. Like supplies and praying for some rain.
Kept that in mind as I trudged down the road towards the only town in any decent distance. Hullbretch was the same old one-stop little town he had passed through a dozen times between here and the frontier. At least that was how Garek remembered it. Inn and tavern were the same building, the vige head probably heardints and cases once a week, few dusty stores, hovels and houses scattered along the path, and big old Castle Ironmoor up the road to keep it relevant.
A few farmsteads along the roads broke up the ins, and wends dotted with forests made up most of the view. Lovely. My own farm was back towards Mount Redtip, so I descended downwards the entire way.
The scenery wasnt on my mind, however. Gareks skills were. I had briefly nced over them before, but with little to do, I sunk back in again.
Plethora was the only word that came to mind as an apt description.
He had skills for damn near anything that involved bloodshed, making it happen, finding the nearest source of it happening and prolonging it happening.
Case in point: Relentless Charge. Merely being focused on the Skill showed me a vague mental image of its application. Using it would cause me to charge in a perfectly straight line at increasing speeds up to a threshold and keep charging until I reached the enemy. Useful for a lot more than marathon running.
The entire list of what Garek possessed was actually staggering.
Brutal Swing, Relentless Charge, Head Smash, Thickened Fur, Shed Coat, Cloven Crash, Scream of Fury, Blood for Blood, It Will Not Die, Berserk, Ironhide, Gold is Power, and Brazen Bull Behemoth.
Brutal Swing came as advertised. An almost instant transition from any regr attack into a near-unstoppable swing meant to cleave anything in two.
Funnily enough, Head Smash didnt involve bashing somethings brains in, but ramming my skull into something. Given the glossy obsidian horns atop my new head, that could very well be fatal. To them, not me.
Thickened Fur and Shed Coat looked to be defensive utility skills. Some of the very few he had the sense to possess. Very: offense is the best defense vibe here. His fur already felt like a heavy wire brush at times. Didnt take a genius to see where these two were going. Thickened Fur puffed it up even further, Shed Coat trimmed it down for faster movement.
Cloven Crash was interesting, If any of the gore skills could actually have that effect on me. It locked the target in ce until Garek fullbody crashed into them. No stated duration on the effect.
Scream of Fury looked like a self-buff. Once wounded, you could trigger it and gain advantage against whatever or whoever inflicted said wound on you. Gained a bonus after they had been killed.
Blood for Blood was that but on hyper-steroids. Every wound you took for a single opponent would be paid back exactly as received. I didnt linger over the mental picture of two people horrifically bleeding out and mentally scampered on.
I blinked and realized why he had felt confident enough to take Blood For Blood. It WIll not Die was exactly as described. The wielder simply refused death while it was active. Why had I expected any nuance in the naming department of this System? Still, great skill, probably the best one he possessed. Should have activated it before overdosing. Okay that was dickish.
Berserk needed little exnation. Go rage, get stronk, soak damage and hit hard. Friends steer clear while active.
Ironhide made hide iron. What a surprise. Great potentialbo with Berserk, Thickened Fur and Reckless Charge though.
Aside from It Will Not Die, Gold Is Power was the skill I immediately took interest in the most. A straight boost to every other Skill I had depending on how much gold I possessed at the time. This had my undivided attention and interest. Copious amounts of money really did make everything easier.
Brazen Bull Behemoth had no description aside from being marked at Gareks Level Thirty ss-race Skill. Garek was Level twenty-nine. The systems way of teasing him -and me- by dangling the next Skill in front of the bulls nose? Clever. I was interested in knowing what it was, even though I had no intention of pursuing more levels in his Bloodstained Berserker ss.
This was, however, not his only ss. Abandoned long ago, he was also a level three Mason. Only a single skill, and I could see the proverbial dust on it. Stonecarve was a minor skill, something that merely gave you an edge at hewing rock. But it spoke something about his past that foggy, bloodstained memories did not. The Minoatur had been a person, someone with a past, connections and maybe even friends. And I was being a dick for judging him.
Wasnt much further up the road when I noticed the dust being kicked up. Didnt quite feel like reaching to draw the axe on my hip, so I just kept on walking. Hills on one side of the road and ins on the other didnt make for a great escape route.
For them, not me. I was the eight foot tall minotaur, they werent.
A tanned human, jade-skinned orc, and furred beastman rode around the corner. Pale red armor with the crest of a purple sun on their chest was what I noticed first. Second fact was that they were armed for bear. The riders fairly bristled with weapons. They rode on thick, wide warhorses covered in armor, armored themselves save for helmets. Stupid idea, that. Bandits announced themselves with arrows, not by giving time to get your gear on.
Even I could make outnces, a few maces, a sword or two, and greatbows as they drew close. These men carried enough weapons to make Garek envious. Wasnt particrly excited to find out how deftly they could use them, either.
They slowed at the sight of me. Talked, I imagined. Didnt me them, to be honest. Minotaurs werent amon sight in thesends, I had learned. And those that were usually proved to be renegades.
Still, they had no reason to be confrontational. In an ideal, peaceful world, theyd just mind their own business and keep riding. But this was not an ideal world, and people were rarely reasonable. They approached where I could make out individual features. The humans bushy ginger mustache, the orcs painted fangs, and the beastmans quilled beard.
I stayed on my side of the road, they on theirs. Only when they had pulled close enough to pass did the lead human stop.
Hail, traveler. He called. With no one else around, I stopped and turned toward him. We seek only directions.
I smiled painfully. I was new to the area and didnt feel like giving away that information.
Ask, then. Where are you headed?
Redtip peak. The orc grunted. People from the town werent might helpful, given that wevee to solve their problem.
The only trail I knew of that led to the mountain ran right past my farm. And I was loathe to direct these men anywhere near my home.
We are riders under the banner of the Verdant Dawn. The human spoke after a moment of silence. They expected the name to mean something to me. It did not. My shrug implied as much.
Monster hunters. He sighed. Our order specializes in culling overleveled monsters who have moved into lower-level areas and keeping the citizens safe. I had thought we were decently well known, at least.
Redtip peak has seen a recent migration of monsters driven out of other areas who have congregated here. Left unchecked, they will spill down the mountain, wipe out the lower-leveled monsters, establish dens and begin to permanently entrench themselves in the area. We are here to pre-empt that.
Or try to. The quilled man grumbled into the confines of his neck guard.
I blinked as the information digested itself. Monsters would be disastrous for my farm. Crops torn, animals ughtered, the stuff that nobody back on my homeworld had to deal with, but was just a matter of fact here.
To my genuine surprise, they simply thanked me and rode on once I had given directions. No sideways looks, no hidden jabs or threats. Maybe Id read too many books that dramatized medieval life.
Even at a brisk pace, it took several hours to reach the town of Hullbretch. To my surprise, I found a decentlyrge, walled settlement. Bustling didnt describe it, but there was traffic about. This beingte spring, people toiled away in damp cronds, seeding thend. There were a fewte nters still plowing their fields, in no rush thanks to the long seasons. Yeah, the seasons here were twice to three times as long as back home.
I had randomly pieced that together by circumstantial information gleaned from Gareks memories. Mostly how ungodly long the winter was.
Gate guards were, well, guards. Bored, paid to be suspicious, and on the lookout for anything outside the usual. I expected them to stop me and wasnt surprised when it happened. What did surprise me was that they just waved me through after a few questions.
What surprised me more was the stone streets, neatyout, and overall niceness of the town. Then I remembered levels and skills were a thing and that I wasnt the special messiah who only got and used them. There were trees between the houses, double-story buildings, wagons, and even gardens. Everything was a tad dusty, sure, but people here lived well, at least on the surface.
My small list of things I needed had simple destinations. A cksmith, carpenter, seed-seller, butcher, and grocery shop. Maybe a tavern as well. The cksmith was the easiest to find. Being arge forge right on the main street had that effect. Arge, gruff man with equally sturdy apprentices looked up as I stooped through the doorway.
Human-sized everythings were quickly bing my least favorite thing about this new world.
To his credit, the man didnt bat an eye at my request for a minotaur-sized, steel plough. Just took my coin and told me itd be done in a few hours. Of that, I actually had little doubt. While ploughs were usually made up of mostly wood, that was a little too frail for what I had in mind.
For the carpenter, I did end up having to g down several people to acquire directions. Mostly because several ignored me out of fright. The youngd behind the desk carefully informed me that his master was out of town on a job and would only return after several days. A hindrance, to be sure, but such was life. I could get my wood another time.
It ended up being the town stables that sold me a wagon, although he seemed insistent on selling me some horses to go with it. I didnt need them. After securing a promise to keep the wagon there until I was ready to leave, I was on my way again.
Being this big and beefy made the vague, implied threats of what would happen if the cart went missing all the more effective. This body was actually growing on me.
Next was the seed-seller. I waste in the nting season, so the unfortunate reality was that I would have to make do with crops nobody really wanted. Oats, barley and a few meager sacks of wheat were all that remained. I took them all. The woman behind the counter was best described by the product she sold, but tactical looming convinced her to hold onto my stock until I returned. Who knew intimidation could inspire such honesty in others?
A bronzed woman leaned against the butchers shop, covered in furs and thick with the scent of blood. A single eye stared me down, the other nk and scarred. The greatbow on her back, quiver of arrows by her side and knife in her hands revealed her as a Huntress. What set her apart was theck of any sort of fear-scent as I approached the shop. She knew what I was, and didnt care.
I was the one who looked away first. My excuse being that I had to stoop to get inside the ce. A man best described by stubble and gut turned away from the hanging carcasses and to me. Surprised as he was at me wanting meat, he was more than happy to sell merge quantities. A raucousugh informed me it wouldnt be going anywhere anyhow when I requested he hold onto it until I returned.
From the dry goods and general store I bought every conceivable item I could make use of. I needed storable food, actual utensils, cooking implements, rope, steel wire for fences, everything. This time I provided some gold instead of threats to keep the items in wait. They were still there when I trudged back up, the wagon pulled behind me. Heavy stuff on the bottom and crushable stuff on top was what I remembered while loading it.
I wanted to leave the butcher forst, because meat in the sun was no ones idea of fun. But straw and bup provided some decent, if temporary instion. The huntress watched me all the while, sharpening a knife in her hands.
The bags of seeds went in the front, away from any sharp corners that could tear the bags open. My plough was finished by the time I had returned, no doubt the product of a decent level and good Skills. I got several looks of surprise and even an impressed nod as I grabbed the mass of steel, hauled it up on my shoulder and carried it from the open forge area. That too got deposited onto the wagon.
Hell, it was most of why I got the wagon in the first ce. Everything else I could probably carry, but walking home with a steel plow on my shoulder would suck. Even for Garek.
Everything I needed save for wood in the wagon, I grabbed the handles and began to haul. It was a long way back home, and I still had things to do.
Book 1: Chapter 3: What hard work?
Book 1: Chapter 3: What hard work?
I had every right in the eyes of gods and mortals to just go sleep when I got back to the farm.
Long, hard day filled with bribery, merchants, and most stressful, pulling a fully loaded cart back up the mountainside. That was stretching it, I had to admit. It was more akin to a gentle slope upwards towards the general area of Mount Redtip, but still.
And yet I had work to do. The plow I set off in the general area of where the fields started, then continued to the clearing where my house now was. I parked the wagon, wedged bs of hewn rock beneath the wheels and began to unload. In the faint moonlight, I carried most of my items inside and stored them atop the crude counter and table I had crafted.
The meat stayed inside the wagon, for now. The cooler night air, along with the straw and bup would keep it from going bad, for a time. I would begin to dig a cer next to the housee morning. But for now, I had other things in mind. It took far longer than necessary to fumble through the darkness and light the wood piles I had stacked earlier.
A majority of the meat could be stored underground, but it would need to be dried first. From what I knew, at least. Proper refrigeration was still a long ways off, if I had to judge the technology of this world. With arge fire started inside a brick firepit, i wrestled the bulky wooden stand I had made over. Therge, impractical thing had one use; to hang meat from so it would smoke and dry above the me.
With newly acquired hooks in hand, I jammed one end into the wood and drooped long strips of meat over the iron. I had built and tested it specifically for this, and it worked. Finally, I covered the entire structure with bup sheets I had begotten.
Would it taste good? Hell no. Was it edible and would serve a purpose? Likely.
I had several of these set up, and was in the process of readying the final one when torches came into view. Horses came down the mountain, or so I guessed from the sound of hooves and the height of said torches. Didnt take a genius to guess who it was.
The Riders of the verdant Dawn had returned down the mountain. They saw me in the firelight, and once again drew near.
Once again I hail you, traveler. Came the tired voice as they sat mounted at the roads edge. Tis a long ride back to Hullbretch, and we would ask to join your fire for the nights remnants.
I did not particrly weepany, tired as I was. I could have sent them away and had very few people fault me for it. Yet they had been decent to me on the road, and asked for very little. In a world where I could be anything, I chose to be kind.
Come then, I called, still not used to how deep and rumbly my voice was. Sit and warm yourselves by my fire.
They needed no further invitation, I found. I observed them as they dismounted, only half paying attention as I maneuvered my smoke-stand away from the final firepit. The meat could wait until morning. The human was gentle with his horse, plentiful neckrubs distributed as he fed the horse from his own palm. The orc simply threw his reins over a low branch, tossed a bag of feed before his steed and lumbered over to the fire. The quillman seemed strict, professional with measured movements and careful distribution.
They were seated round the fire, none of them with their backs to the Minotaur when I approached as well. Venison, bread and nuts were what they ate. A simple meal, but still more than I could offer. With a grunt, I seated myself and extended a skewer of meat to them.
A surprise, The human smiled. But a wee one, aye.
The orc declined to wait for his meat to cook and simply ate it raw as the others watched.
How went the hunt? I queried after a few moments of silence. A look of annoyance shed across the humans face, followed by a pained sigh.
We arrived, culled monsters, found Apex Monsters, retreated. The orc grunted between bites. To save you the long story.
Another look of annoyance appeared.
Ser Stonefang is blunt, but he speaks no lie. The human sighed and pulled his mustache with one hand. We came upon the Redtip Peakte in the day and set about our cull. Twas but a few hours in when we encountered an Apex Monster. With our foe made clear, we chose to immediately saddle back up and head for Hullbetch once more.
I nod after disgesting his words for a bit.
No shame in leaving a fight you cant win. I searched Gareks memories for what an Apex Monster is, and found my answer. Effectively, a secret boss of a species, to put it in terms I was familiar with.
You speak as if you have experience in this matter. The quillman smiled thinly.
I fought on the frontier for years before my retirement. I spoke carefully. Their expression shifted minutely after my rewards, and I could see..was that respect?
Except for the orc.
So you deserted your post, then? He asked bluntly, chewing on thest chunk of meat.
I retired. With the blessing of my chief.
Words were chosen carefully now, by either side.
Perhaps Ser Stonefang would like to continue instigating our host? The human spoke, voice harsh. Or is the warmth of his fire and taste of his food not good enough?
Dont really care. The greenkin grunted and tossed his skewer into the mes. No love for deserters.
Thrones Above, man! The human eximed, anger in his voice. We have bellies filled with food, a warm fire before us, with ale and women to await us in the morrow, and you want to provoke this until one of us lies in the cold, hard dirt before the night is out.
This is why I dont work with orcs, Raffnyk. The quillman spoke solemnly. First he wants to stay and fight the Apex, and now he wishes to pick a fight with a minotaur to salve his wounded honour.
Fuck you two. The orc growled and folded his bare arms across a bulky chest.
No fuck your childish sense of honour. The quillman returned tly. We are not dishonoured because we chose to leave a fight we would not win.
In your eyes, maybe. The orc threw back, face even more sour than usual. But not in the eyes of my tribe.
I just sat sort of awkwardly, not sure what minefield I had just stepped into. There were obviously some hard feelings between the three riders.
I must confess, I am new to the area. I spoke after a moment. What sort of monsters did you encounter that roam Redtip Peak?
Krakks, mostly. The quillman replied. Shellmongers, stonewings and a few Arasks mixed in.
I nodded along as if I had any idea of what he had just said.
How much danger is there of theming down the mountain?
As of present? Raffnyk replied, expression guarded. Very little. They are content to fight amongst themselves and hunt other monsters for food. Once that runs low and they begin topete for territory and meat, you will find their presence immediately noticeable.
Should we have our way, that will note to pass.
I nodded at the quillman''s words and returned to my meal.
The next few hours are idle chatter and exchanged stories. Over this time, I learn more about thend and a little about its politics. Their order is not wee everywhere, as many nobles, tribes, kingdoms and other such authorities often use these incursions to test and train their troops. An often foolish and costly thing, or so their side tells me. Gotta be a little bias when someone interferes with your entire lifestyle, I suppose.
Still, there is no small amount in danger involved. Raffnyk sighed and wiped the grease from his face. I imagine whoever sold you thisnd must have given warning.
They had not.
Look, I am sure you are very well and capable of handling yourself, given your armament of enchanted weapons, general past and somesuch, but Apex Monsters are not to be trifled with. The human spoke. If you see one, just run. Better to rebuild this ce than dead.
I promised to keep that in mind, though I had no intentions of doing so. If anything wanted to have a go at my farm, theyd have to go through and then over me. This was mine. I left them to their sleep shortly after, though dawn was but a few hours away. Quick checks of the meat revealed most of the fires had burned down to their coals and were smoking nicely. Some fresh fuel provided, I headed off to sleep myself.
I woke upter and discovered the riders were gone. Only a burnt-out fire and horse droppings remained of their presence. Some coin under Raffnyks seat expressed their gratitude for thepany, but I had little need of it.
Garek, for some foolish reason, did not possess a magical pickaxe. Nor a shovel.
With little other options, I began to hew the ground open with his axe and scoop the loosened dirt away with my hands. A process that went much quicker than its description might apply. The perks of having this amount of strength. I roughly gouged a diagonal tunnel into the dirt a bit away from my house and then spent most of the morning and afternoon hollowing out a space below ground. Turns out freakish strength was great for packing the dirt above and around me. Once finished, I had a ratherrge, cool space below ground, with wooden beams for both support and to hang meat from.
Lacking a trapdoor, I instead opted to drag a stone b over the entrance, for now. Even more timeter, I had the remainder of the meat hung inside from hooks and rope, well cooled with how far down it was. If I had any vegetables in the future I could modify this as well to store them.
It was frankly amazing how fast I could work. This thought hit me once I had emerged. I was essentially on a scale simr to heavy construction equipment with none of the bulk and problems that came with those.
Next, I had the fields. The property hade with a rather generous amount of acres, sold at dirt cheap prices for reasons which I now knew why. Overgrown with weeds, roots and littered with stones, this would be a week-long, backbreaking job for any full team of men and horses.
Not for me. Axe in one hand, I walked in and set right to work.
By god -or gods, I wasnt too sure with this world- I loved being built like a fucking tank. Garek went right through vines as thick as his calf with a single swing, and ripped out tree stumps with his bare hands. Boulders, stumps, anything that vaguely resembled an obstacle was unceremoniously ripped loose and hurled out of the fields.
The fact that I was strong enough to hurl a half-tonne boulder overhead gave me so much joy I wanted to dance. Only when the sun had set upon another day well spent did I retire.
For a while, I just sat and rested, my supper over the fire and my back against a massive oak tree.
In my head, I envisioned what this ce would be when I was finished. The farmhouse there, on the hill, because farmhouses and hills were always together. A chicken coop, a barn for some cows. Okay the thought of a cow-man owning cows seemed weird at first, but humans did own pigs, if the skin simrities were what I was going by. But they were on every damn farm because they were a universal good investment.
But most importantly, I wanted fields. Big fields that overflowed with crops and life. Profit, too.
And just like that the System kicked in.
Farmer Level 2 reached. Sleep to apply.
The dopey grin on my face spoke everything about how eager I was to do exactly that.
Book 1: Chapter 4: Bouncing and brawling.
Book 1: Chapter 4: Bouncing and brawling.
Life was sheer, blissful happiness when I awoke.
I had a soft bed, a farm of my own, no immediate enemies that I was aware of. But most importantly, I was a level two Farmer. My breakfast simmered on two separate pans as I stretched in the cool, wet air of morning, content.
A random train of thought led me to contemte the realities of this world as I flipped meat around on the pan.
Did people here take as many sses as they possibly could? Gareks vague, hazy memories implied not. There was a strong aversion to even the thought inside the minotaurs mind. Our mind. Creeped me out, some mornings, waking up with another mans lifetime of memories just beneath the surface.
Like moving into an empty house and seeing all the ghosts there.
Honestly, I had very little toin about, with my new lot in life. But old habits die hard. I could be an ungrateful cunt, or I could take my newfound advantages and expound on them.
Garek had passed, after a life obviously doing what he loved. And now, I was the one to take up his name. I was Garek now.
I would not be Garek the yer, the berserker, the destroyer. I would be Garek the builder, the farmer.
But first I would be a destroyer of these roots.
Breakfast scarfed down, I simply sat beneath the massive tree and gazed out over mynd. The long grass fairly sparkled with dew in the morning light, a view made all the sweeter in the knowledge it was mine. Thest of the meat was being smoked upon the covered racks, nearly finished. With a sigh of contention, I grabbed my axe, heaved myself up and got to work.
There was a considerable pile of both stones and twisted roots by the time afternoon came. But, to my satisfaction, the overgrown field wasrgely clear. Now came the fun part. It took me little time to gather what I needed next. With rope and plough carried in either hand, I stomped back to the fields.
The plough I jammed into the earth, the deeper the better. The rope went through the ploughs handles, and then over my shoulders. Forget a team of oxen, it was time to see how strong I really was. With some length loose behind me, I gripped tight and began to walk. Eyes focused on the far end of the field, I braced and called for Reckless Charge.
eleration came immediately enough to almost induce motion sickness. I hit the end of the rope and just kept going. Hooves crashed into the soil below and the half-buried plough behind gouged clean through the earth. Buried weeds, roots, stones were all simply ripped loose as the unstoppable force of my new body simply refused to relent.
There was no such as tiredness when inside the skill, I quickly learned. It was intended to reach the enemy as quickly as possible and menial things like exhaustion simply were not considered. I charged up and down the fields at an exhrating pace. Dirt and rocks spewed in my wake as I gashed thend asunder.
It was..fun. Something that would have bored me to death back home when I did it by machine was now a source of enjoyment. That felt strange, in all the best ways.
So caught up in the task was I that I failed to notice an intruder until it was toote.
There was a massive, crimson form in my yard. I noticed the fur atop armored tes that covered its entire body, then the fanged, pointed face. Then the sheer amount of meat that hung from its maw as it stood over a flipped smoke-rack.
The horror on my face must have given some god out there a gutful ofughter, but I was far from amused. With a scream of rage, I was charging across the field as the massive armored bear-thing gulped down the meat that was to be my substance. I was not pulling that cart back to town anytime soon.
The bear took one look at me, smelled my fury and decided he was going to fuck off.
With a sheepish roar, it turned, tail tucked and began to lope into the woods. Strips of what looked like rotten flesh pped from between the chinks in its armored tes as the thing fled. Eyes wide with anger and a swirl of other emotions, I followed, fists clenched.
I barreled through the undergrowth, broken trees and gouged out earth in my wake. A crimson form bounced along ahead, a thief trying to escape. I was halfway up the slope when remembrance that I possessed skills pped my brain.
Faster. I needed to go faster. I called Shed Coat, and felt the fur spill from my body, yet little happened. Another use, but I only gained the small burst in speed.
The armored bear-thing barreled out of trees and into another clearing when I finally smarted up enough to use Cloven Crash. A roar burst from my throat, directed at the thief. It froze, and I knew its muscles had locked up. It was then I realized that I was on a collision course with an armored behemoth as tall as myself. Without a weapon in hand.
My fists would do.
I had enough sense to call Thickened Fur and Reckless Charge before I barreled into the massive form with my shoulder down.
Wasnt my first time tangling with a bear. I roared in its face as it twisted around on impact. Stopped a swiped w with my hand and punched it in the chest. The blow staggered it backwards and I was upon it, sheer fury and anger. A long tongue whipped out and snapped me across the face. I didnt care.
I had no words, only rage. Only fury. Judicious kicks from massive hooves sent the beast backwards, and crashing fists kept it reeling. Gareks memories bubbled to the surface, and I knew where to strike in order to kill. I didnt. The punches devolved into grapples, and soon the ground and sky were turning round and round as we wrestled.
A headbutt as it tried to bite dazed me slightly, but I refused to let go. Until, finally, I was exhausted. The monstery on the ground before me, yed out with its head bowed in submission.
Dont you ever, I gasped, in short supply of breath. Steal from me again, you hear?
It whimpered in acknowledgement as I slumped to the ground. The fast, hard rush of adrenaline had winded down, and now the jitters set in. Some things never did change.
I looked it up and down as I sat, panting for breath. It was a big, rotund thing. Not a bear, not a badger. Something in between, covered in crimson fur and crimson armor. My nose wrinkled from the smell as I noticed the strips of flesh that hung loose between the carapace tes. An oversweet aroma wafted from them. It was a giant amalgamation of nature. A freak.
Like me, I supposed.
Through the faint tinges of my anger -at the temporary loss of food i could rece-, I did feel a bit sorry for the beast. Its belly did not bulge from food, but obvious malnourishment. It whined, head between its paws, sore from the thorough thrashing I had applied on it.
In a world where I could be anything, I chose to be kind.
It flinched as I approached, too worn and beaten to move. Shied away as I slowly stretched my hand out to it. I held it there for a moment, let it sniff at my scent and hoped it wouldnt suddenly bite my fingers. Real stupid way to lose some important bits and pieces.
Was it irrational and entirely idiotic to attempt to befriend a wild beast I had just chased and pummeled into submission?? Yes, no doubt about it.
I was doing it anyway.
Look. I muttered awkwardly after a while. Im going home. You cane around if you want to. Maybe Ill even feed you a bit. But if you try to steal my shit I''m going to thrash you again.
It gave no indication that it understood anything I had said. Didnt expect any.
Damn well didnt expect the figure that stood at the clearings edge when I turned. The bronze huntress stood in silence, almost part of the undergrowth. My eyes went from her, to the absolutely massive greatbow she carried. I didnt know they made arrows javelin-sized in these parts. She stood, dead to the world, quiet and emotionless.
How long had she been there? I had no doubt that those arrows she carried could pierce straight through me. Gareks memories further backed that im.
My prey. She finally spoke, voice t. My hunt.
Me or that? I asked, unsteadily trying to bring humor into this.
Doesnt matter now. She retorted, words chopped. Ruined.
With nary another word, she stepped back and vanished into the brush. All that was left was the trees, wind and an uneasy feeling in my gut. I reached down and shakily gave the monster a few rubs on its skull.
Bet on any money I saved your life just now. I exhaled. And if you arent grateful she might be back.
I set off for home, the monster following me from a distance. I suspected the promised food interested it more than mypany. Still, I would need a name for it. Couldnt refer to it as the monster forever. Maybe I could even find a use for it.
I momentarily regretted my choice to save the burly thing once I returned to the farm. Even as I emerged from the trees, I could see the splintered smoke-racks, strewn meat and wed trenches next to the cer. Without an ounce of shame, it sauntered in after me, pausing only to gobble up stray strands of food it had left behind.
It sat and begged as I tried vainly to eat my own supper in peace. Wide eyes had no effect on me. Nor did its growl whenever I refused it a piece of what I chewed on.
Did you suddenly just turn helpless when I showed up? I asked incredulously when it began to fake weariness upon receiving no food. It was obviously intelligent. Just smart enough to bezy, in fact. I had no idea what its level was, but monsters'' physical attributes were not the only thing that increased for every threshold they crossed.
This was what made high-level monsters so dangerous. Not just their raw strength and experience, but the intelligence the system chose to mete out to them. Garek didnt care about that. Hell, to him, an intelligent opponent just meant a better challenge. But I was trying to build a farm and he wasnt.
That night, thoroughly rmed by the information I stumbled upon, I drifted off to sleep. Dreading the day the wolves outside learned to make molotovs. The general idea might have sounded amusing to some, but I sure as shit wasn''tughing.
Book 1: Chapter 5: The specifics of seeding.
Book 1: Chapter 5: The specifics of seeding.
The levels wereing nicely, I thought with a smile. It helped that everything was made easier by a massive degree thanks to my strength, yes. But in the eyes of the system, I was performing superhuman amounts of tasks and it saw fit to reward me as such.
That raised several questions. Were humans the baseline for experience and level gain in this world? If so, they would give non-humans an advantage. In fact, by all rights, that would make near-immortal races like elves and dragons insanely powerful. I stopped cold in my tracks when Gareks memories informed me that, yes, they were.
What else had I expected from races that couldpile centuries of experience with a system that rewarded constant effort? For them to idly fuck about in theirirs and waste time doing nothing? From what little I could glean out of Gareks memories, civilization continued simply because elves and dragons were so powerful they effectively kept each other in check. No one questioned it, minded their own business and hoped neither side took interest in them.
No part of me med them.
What was my concern, however, was acquiring Farmer levels in a fast, consistent manner.
Through sheer brilliance, I had deduced that work around the farm fed experience into the system, which would in turn trante into more precious Levels. Truly, my intellect staggered even titans.
What did surprise me was the patch of greenery that had sprouted already. The seeds I had nted upon my arrival had already begun to sprout. What seeds those were, I had never questioned, but a crop was a crop. If, by some chance, the very act of nts growing could be made to render me precious growth towards my next levels, then this world would truly be glorious.
What was not glorious was Gols generalziness. The giant badger-bear thing had been aptly named for his gluttony, and demonstrated that trait at every opportunity. And yes, I was aware my naming sense was wless before the eyes of gods and men.
Even now, the massive beastzed around the fields edge, sat on its hind legs. It drearily gazed at my hardbour, a yawn its onlyment as I pulled the plough past.
So d youre impressed. I muttered between strides. Guess that makes one of us.
I had learned the Reckless Charges im of charging in a perfectly straight line had vastly oversold itself. After yesterdays fun, the field was gashed crookedly, and I refused to have it be anything less than perfectly straight.
Would a crop still grow within? Probably.
Would it pain my soul every time I was forced to gaze upon it? Definitely.
As such, most of the morning was spent in rectification of my errors, of which there were legion.
I pushed through noon and broke up the remnants of the field before I allowed myself to stop for lunch. Gol promptly regained all energy and briskly followed as I left the field and set off back towards the house. There did exist a stream not far from where I had built the farmhouse, but it was choked with weeds, its flow barely a trickle. Still, it did the job, and with some vigorous scrubbing, my hands were marginally clean. Only for me to turn and Find Gol taking a piss into the water upstream. With a holler, I charged at the lout and sent him scampering away. A few sniffs of my hands told me that I had avoided it entirely, but the act still rankled me.
If the beast was going to stay here, it would have to learn manners. Its choice in that matter was entirely null.
Gol grumbled as I shook my fist in his -or her, I couldnt tell- general direction, but waddled back over all the same as i carried meat out of the cer. I kept a very close eye on the beast, and checked to make sure the stone b was firmly in ce before I left the cer.
Didnt trust it further than I could throw it, as far as my food was involved.
Gol still had the gall to whine about how small its portion was when I tossed it an entire strand of meat. Enough to feed me for a day and it asked for more. It sat and stuffed its face as I slowly enjoyed my own substance. Growls and pouts did little to convince me to relinquish possession of my own meal once its own was scarfed down.
I pped away a paw as it reached for a chunk of bread I had left unattended, and matched its stink-eye with my own.
So caught up in my food feud was I, that I failed to notice the visitor until she shouted at me.
AHOY! The yell startled me, and it required arge twist of my body to reveal its origin. There stood a girl on the road not far from my house, one hand waved overhead as she attempted to catch my attention.
Slim, tall and with green skin, she gestured for my attention, and I waved back. I took note of her features as she walked over, a covered dish in one hand. Fangs slightly protruded from her bottom lip and her eyes wererger than humans, marking her to be at least half-orc. The other half I puzzled out to possibly be elf, with long, pointed ears and silvery hair.
Greetins, Stranger. She happily spoke once close. You must be the new feh that moved in here after old Herrikson finally moved out.
I am indeed, I returned, wiping my hands and extending it to shake hers. Her hand was tiny next to my own, yet her grip was surprisingly strong. Garek is my name, and yours?
Ish Flintfang. She informed me with a grin. Ma and Pa didnt want to take each others name on ount of it being a human tradition, so they let my chose my own.
I nodded along, polite as I could be. She focused on Gol, who had slipped away most of my bread while courtesy had pulled my attention to thess. And this here big fellow is?
Gol the Glutton. I was happy to introduce the lout for what he was. An empty stomach disguised as a sentient creature.
That got her smile to stretch even wider.
Never thought Id see a tamed Arkaresh, but here we are. She nodded. Says a lot about you, then. They only ever submit to someone stronger than them.
This thing has submitted to me? I asked, eyebrows raised. Perhaps I should check my vision then, because I have not seen as much.
And what brings you here? I took the opportunity to pose my own query.
Why, you, of course. She happily informed me. Came here to see the new neighbor, offer a gift from the family as hospitality.
That was pie that I smelled beneath the cloth she carried. My very absolute best to offer my politeness in a measured way only barely seeded as she unveiled the glorious concoction and presented it to me.
If I''d know you were a minotaur Id have maybe gotten arger portion. She replied, only tough as I waved off her protests. Fork in hand, I began to devour it piece by piece, waving at her to sit down between bites. The lopsided grin on her face told me that she enjoyed every bit of praise I could muster as to the taste.
Gol got what little I remembered to leave for them, a fact that was protested quite loudly.
Well, I blinked and realized how much I missed home-baked goods. That was excellent. My many thanks to you and your parents.
The frown on her face indicated a dampened mood at my words.
That was all me. Ma and Pa are too busy fightin again to botherin to visit.
That topic seemed an obvious minefield, and not one I was eager to explore.
She lived just up the road, I learned. Her parents owned their own farm, but with their own nting season done, there was little to keep her entertained. Not that that surprised me, in all honesty. Any distraction from the routine of farm life was a thoroughly wee one, in my experience.
So, with you beingte in the year for ntain and everything, I wondered if you might require some help around the farm.
Well, I chose my words carefully. You havee at an opportune time. A perfect one, even. I do have a very long list ofbours that need to be attended to, and would offer a fair wage in return for honest work. How quickly can you begin?
Well, I do have mornin and evening chores round the farm, but I can work here in-between. What do you have in mind, and what wages do you offer?
I liked that. I really did. The can-do, get up and go attitude always garnered some respect from me.
Given the amount of tasks I have attend to, it would be a godsend to have someoneplete the seeding for me while I turn my focus to other things. The fields have been broken up, and all that remains is for the seed to be sown.
How soon do you want me to start?
Now? I ventured, then blinked as Ish hopped back to her feet, easy grin on her face.
Well, lead the way.
I obliged. The young woman obviously knew what she was doing, and given that she lived on a farm herself, I expected no less. I took very little time for her to begin sowing the seeds, and I nodded at her careful, even distribution.
Do you have anything to scare the birds away? She asked between handfuls, and I paused. I hadpletely forgotten about this. Given that machines in my former world injected the seed underneath the soil, there was very little worry of it lying loosely and being eaten by birds. It was also about then that I took note of just how many there were,
Flying overhead, perched on trees. All ready to swoop and begin to devour the precious grains of my livelihood.
None. I admitted. How does your family go about this task?
Pa has a Skill, but I dont see how that will help you, She shrugged. Scarecrows might work.
Unless I buried the seeds by hand, most of my crop would be gonee morning. It was then that idea struck me. I could make a harrow with what materials I had on hand. I left the girl with instructions to continue her work and set off back to my farm, a n in mind.
With rope, wood and far too much time, I had a crude wooden harrow firmly assembled in less than an hour. It was shoddy, yes, But I needed it for this single purpose until a better one could be obtained. I carried it back and dropped it at the fields edge. With a grin, Ish informed me that she could seed and pull the harrow at the same time.
I watched as she tied the rope to her waist, grabbed the sack of seed in one hand and began to walk. The wooden fangs sunk into the ground and flipped the earth as she pulled it along, all the while methodically spreading seeds. I wasnt the only strong person here, it seemed.
Still, I had no reason to doubt her abilities, and with onest wave, I set off back to the farm. With the girl doing the nting for me, I could focus on other projects. I required a garden, preferably near the house, where my own vegetables would be grown. That was next, and then I would need to fence a pasture for any cows, as well as erect a shed for them to be milked in.
This called for another visit to Hullbretch to gather wood from the carpenter and if at all possible, hides. If Hullbretch had a tannery, I would soon know.
Or I could just ask Ish. With a sigh, I trotted back out to field and just asked.
Yes, it does. She nodded, working all the while. But you could just as easily ask Lerish.
The huntress. She continued through my polite confusion. She lives not far from here. Save yourself the trip to town and get your hides for better prices.
Well, the more you knew..
Directions to the huntress home in memory, I made a mental note to pay her visit on the morrow and returned to break up ground for a garden. The rest of the day passed in blur as I hacked away dirt and carved out smooth rows next to my home. I shaved rocks with Gareks axe and lined a border to keep the weeds out, then began to nt seeds I had brought from the general store by hand.
The sun had begun to set when Ish trotted over, sweat on her brow and a smile on her face.
Fields done. She announced just as I was about to ask if she was quitting for the day.
Well, that was quick. And yet, her work was not sloppy, I found. There was very little loose seed, and the harrow had been dragged in neat, methodical rows. Cheerful, a hard worker and thorough. I liked her already.
Well, I rumbled, coin purse in hand.. I always believe in paying people for what I think their effort was worth. With that, I counted out several silver coins and handed them to her. Quite a bit, I was aware. Three days wages for most menial city jobs. The orc girl pocketed them with a grin, obviously well aware of her worth.
Pleasure workin for ya. She nodded. See ya in the mornin?
She was gone as soon as I confirmed, and I watched her sleek form race back up the trail, all bustle and the raw energy of youth. And so, another day well spent had passed.
Farmer Level Three reached. Sleep to apply.
Book 1: Chapter 6: Alone in the woods.
Book 1: Chapter 6: Alone in the woods.
Select a Skill.
The prompt hung before me, wholly incessant from the moment I awoke. I looked at it emptily for a while, brain slow and filled with heavy fog. I had not slept well this night. But the System gave no fucks, and it was happy to let me know that fact.
With little choice, I dragged my tired eyes across the small selection of Skills that hovered before me.
Hew The Earth offered no hidden surprises. Within the mental image, a farmer methodically did as described. A hoe rent through the earth, weeds cleaved from their roots with every cut. I felt the vague sense that this would also enable me to more easily work the dirt overall. Tasks that involved discing and moving ground would be ever so slightly easier.
Choke The Weeds made apelling argument for its own selection. Unlike the previous selection, it required no actual work. A very specific skill, but a powerful one. Again, a vague sense informed me that upon all my farnd, weeds would find the soil inhospitable. No matter how rich and damp it actually was.
I gave serious consideration to this skill. Most of the spring and early summer of a farmers life was an endless war against weeds. Even with the proper equipment and specific chemicals, it consumed so much time. And without those and naught but a hoe in hand to root them out? My days ahead looked monotonous indeed.
Raise The Crops did not seem like overmuch, at first nce. It simply inspired the crops to grow just a small bit faster. A pathetic amount, really. A farmer that selected this could expect to harvest their crops about a week before others nted at a simr time. Definitely not worth an investment of your first Skill slot.
That was where I happily diverged from most people, however. Courtesy of the old Garek, I possessed Gold Is Power. Now, I was not the happy owner of a small stache of gold. I carried a small fucking fortune, and I was about to prove the old saying about unspent gold being useless so fucking wrong.
Choke The Weeds was the easy way out. All it promised was less work for me. Hew The Earth whispered promises that my work would be easier. And yet, I did not even need to engage myself in the mind-numbing monotony of these tasks. Why do it when I could simply hire Ish and focus my efforts on other enterprises?
It was not a given if I could hire her services full-time, but given her work yesterday, the half-orc girls help would make things much faster. The perks of being raised in a farm environment were that you came with all the necessary skills to work upon another farm built-in. Without much other thought, I selected Raise The Crops and watched the words vanish before my eyes.
A quick check made sure that my new skill was indeed already delivered. Another to make sure it was turned on and hard at work.
With Ish not yet arrived, I instead had to be satisfied with Gols meagerpany as I nned out my day. I would need to make a trip to Hullbretch soon, simply for wood. I had trees that had been carved to serve the purpose, but I sorely wanted proper stakes and fence posts. Even with the cost in coin, they were a far better investment than settling for tree branches. I wrote that off for another day in the near future and instead looked over my field. For now, I had a single crop seeded in with as much of the wheat as possible, and then barley for the rest. I would need more room. A second crop of oats would be optimal, and then a third, empty piece ofnd I would rotate the crop into to preventnd fatigue.
In short order, I would need bins or whatever I could substitute those with in this new world, stables for horses, and shelter for other animals. Like as not, unless I was particrly fond of pulling wagons filled with grain myself, I would have to get animals to do it for me. They were a cost to buy and provide for, but a necessary one.
And so, I would need stables. They could mingle with the cows, but I would need a significant pasture. Which called for significant fence posts and significant costs. Yay. I had to visit the Huntress and buy hides in bulk, to properly cover all these buildings I had nned. Ish sauntered up shortlyter, happy as you please. Happiness that remarkably didnt falter as I handed her my axe and instructed her to clear the stream.
I could probably have done that myself, with some time, but I had a dozen different matters that I all wanted attended to yesterday. With instructions to begin clearing the second field once she was finished, Armed with a minotaur-sized ymore instead, I set off for the Huntresss cabin.
A bearded elf sat on the porch of a houserger than my own a few miles up the road, pipe in his lips and expression cross. He offered no greeting, and I chose not to disturb the man as I lumbered past his farmstead. His crops were already half-grown, I noticed, and nary a bird disturbed his skies. Respectable.
It waste morning when I finally arrived at the first crossroads. Further up towards the mountain, the path diverged. One directly towards the Redtip, the other a different, slower path in the same direction. Ishs instructions guided me down the slower path, and I followed. It was less of a road and more of a worn, choked trail between the trees that loomed to either side.
Any remnants of the trail disappeared when next I turned and began to follow onlyndmarks. Now, I was in the wilderness, with only vague gleams of the sun overhead to guide me.
I emerged from the shrouded overgrowth into a clearing and stopped cold. Not for surprise, but because of the wire I had felt mid-stride. With careful movements, I slowly eased my foot backward. Not today. Whatever traps there were, I had not sprung them.
The Huntresss home resembled a lodge. All manner of hides were being cured across racks along one side, stretched and fleshed.
Bundles of white, knotted vines hung down the side of her house, spread every few feet. They radiated heat as I approached, yet curious nces did not reveal why. Just another mystery. Knocks upon the door went unanswered, and I was presented with a choice. Leave and perhaps get more work done, or wait for her return.
It had been a gamble that she would be here, given her nature as a Huntress. But I did not believe in returning from a task empty-handed.
Instead, I took the opportunity to examine her domicile more closely. In contrast to my more traditional farmhouse, she lived in a rectangr wooden lodge. Where I had used strictly wood and nails to build my home, hers was notched logs with materials woven through to fill the gaps. Where I would have constructed a solid roof for the side overhang, she had a stretched of hides pulled towards wooden pirs for shade.
The same hides also covered her roof. The exact reason for which I was here.
There was not an absence of noise here that could have warned me. No, everything was normal, save for the javelin-tip that suddenly introduced itself to my ribs. Not overtly rude, however. Merely a firm poke. And yet that alone was enough to make me stiffen.
Bull. Came the Huntress distinct, t voice. Youre on mynd.
Im here to trade. I should be proud of how smoothly that response came out. I sounded cool and in control here.
The huntress snorted and withdrew. I had barely unstiffened my spine when she walked past, a carcass slung over her shoulder. A rapidly shrinking arrow she carried in one hand, and massive deer-like creature in the other. Blood still trickled from the hole torn in its neck, a fact she was supremely unconcerned about.
This close, I could make out feline features with Gareks middling eyesight. Sharpened ears atop her head, a tail beneath her heavy cloak. The huntress has dressed for the environment, all muted brown and green. Tinged with red now that blood had dripped over her cloak. The creature she carried was tossed into the shade of the overhang as she turned to me, arms folded.
Her one good eye was distinctly feline, I recognized now. Though I didnt take too much time to stare at it.
Your business, Lerish demanded, blunt as a hammer. Get to it.
She remained just as unimpressed through my exnation that I needed as many hides as she could spare.
Sold most of my stock to the tanner a while ago. She told me, her back turned. I watched as she looped a rope around a free-standing pir. Quick movements brought the rope down, fastened it to the deer-things hind leg and then yanked it into the air. If I had to judge, that carcass weighed several hundred pounds, yet it was hauled skyward with only a modicum of effort. It was promptly tied off and despite it being midday, the huntress lit a fire next to the corpse.
Those there still need to bepletely cured before I will sell them. She gestured at the racks that dried next to her lodge. I watched, arms folded as she squatted down and held the de above the me.
I need as many as you can procure. I reiterated. "As fast as you can source them.
A nomittal grunt was all that got from her. The deer-like creature that hung from the rope had arge, furred hide pocketed by crystalline growths. A closer look found that small buds grew everywhere on its back, with tendrils that skimmed across the surface like roots. An entire ecosystem of them seemed to grow from the creature, almost serene and beautiful.
Crystalcoat. She exined, knifes de almost red-hot. Parasite.
With that, she stood and began to dig away at the hide. Knife de jammed into the coat, she dug out a crystalline bud, held it up and then tossed it into the fire. The small fire sparked and red, its me a sickly green for a moment.
Dont eat anything with these on their coat. She growled. Less you wanna die in agony. Cant stop you then.
She held one up to me, and I gingerly took it.
Looks pretty, dont it?
I nodded in agreement. It did, in fact, look beautiful.
Latches onto the skin and pumps in toxin that removes pain. Or the ability to feel pain. Long as it gets fed, everything is fine. If it isnt fed, that toxic washes out. And the agony sets in. Keeps the host incentivized to feed it, see?
That was the longest sentence I had heard from her yet.
The point of this information is to leave them alone?
No. She looked at me then, a frown on her face. Kill them and Ill trade them for hides. Dont worry about meat, just leave the hides for me.
She gestured at the mes, where I could see burnt-out buds that had rolled out from the coal.
Alchemists want these buds. Some fool in Hullbretch is trying to make a potion to deaden pain. I have other uses. Buds for hides.
How about gold for hides? I offered.
That works as well. She grumbled, already at work. I have a stack inside, and more on the way. Can bring them to your farm once they are done.
You know where that is. Not a question, a statement. She just shrugged and kept on extracting buds.
Of course. Know where everyone near the redtip lives.
I chose not to question that further. But soon, I was lighter on gold and heavier on hides. I exchanged names as a formality, although I was sure we were already familiar with each other''s names. With arge bundle of hides on my shoulder, I set out for home, a rapidly clouded sky in my wake.
Life was, at this point, proceeding nicely.
And then fate proved me wrong by making it rain.
Book 1: Chapter 7: Monstrous matters.
Book 1: Chapter 7: Monstrous matters.
I wanted little more than a peaceful night. A good sleep followed by a healthy breakfast. Simple, effective, vital.
Fateughed and said no.
Rain bombarded thend, every drop a precision bomb that found the slightest crack in my roof and gleefully introduced itself to the floor below. I had no tubs, so with little choice I was forced to use my pots and fans to collect what amount they could.
All night long, I repeated a cycle. Sleep for a short time, awake, empty pans into the driving rain outside, and keep Gol from stealing my food. The beast refused to sleep outside, and after a time I could not bear its incessant whines and scratches upon my door. I had foolishly taken mercy and let it in.
I was only thankful that it was toozy to explore, and had slumped down in the corner to doze off. It stirred whenever I did, and before long I was thwarting its attempts to snatch up morsels left from my supper.
I judged it to be just before dawn when I finally gave up on sleep and heaved myself out of bed for good.
Gods, what a shitty start to my day. Just another day and I could have gotten those hides stretched across the roof and not had to deal with all this. But such was life, and regrets would not change what had happened.
The aerial bombardment had given way to a light drizzle, I found as I yanked the door open. It pattered lightly against my fur as I shuffled across the yard, headed to the cer for more meat. Gareks thickened hide meant I felt only vague dampness as my hooves squished into the wet earth. With a grunt, I stooped and heaved the stone b aside. Only to stop in horror as I looked within.
Even in the dim morning pre-light, I could see the water below. The cer was flooded.
To say I took it well would be a lie. I could feel curses rising, only to be choked back down as I struggled to rein in my emotions. Okay, it was a setback. An inconvenience. A product of my own oversight, much as I was loathe to admit it.
No ones fault but my own.
With little else to do, I waded down into the flooded chamber and took stock.
The water was up to my knees by the time I had descended all the way down. Much of the meat was soaked, hung as close to the ground as it was. Salted by the butcher and smoked by me, it was wet now. Obviously. The cer was useless to me, now that nature had made clear its fatal w. Just a hole in the ground to symbolize my wasted effort. It spoke to another problem.
I had constructed my house my modern methods, but without modern tools. Sure, I had shaved logs into crude boards with the supernaturally sharp edge of my axe, but they were still crooked and imperfect. The entire structure was serviceable, but not truly what I needed.
I would have to rebuild, in the future. If memory served correctly, the sound way would be to build a proper cer first, with stone -copious amounts of it- for the floor and walls, then cover it with a sturdy floor and then make a house atop. Lerishs lodge seemed to be the best idea for me currently. Large, rather spacious, and simple to make.
But that would be done at ater time when I was caught up on other tasks around the farm.
For now, I had a cer full of soaked meat to carry out, and a hungry Gol to fend off. I chose not to, in the end. Just tossed it some of the wettest portions of meat and watched it disappear down the badger-bear-things throat.
Ill find a use for you someday. I vowed with a sigh and began to haul the dripping meat inside. And there was the problem with my house. It took most of the avable space to hang the cured meat from the ceiling, even packed into the corner. I had built it for myself to live in, and little else. The goods I had bought from Hullbretch took up what space the hanging meat did not, and I was left with very little space for myself.
I would have to suffer the stench of meat inside my domicile for a time, then. With the final load hung, I found myself back outside. Aside from wholly reducing my cer to useless, the rain seemed to have done wonders for the rest of my farm. Spurred on by Raise The Crops and whipped on by the effect of Gold Is Power, the wheat had begun to grow. Not actually grow -that would be insane- but I could see small breaks in the soil where the seeds had burst and begun to push up.
Was Gold Is Power that strong? What other skills had it amplified so far that I assumed what I got was instead their baseline? I hunched before my crops, in close examination of the soil. It was dark and rich. Very close to topsoil, my preferred growing soil back home.
It was then that I stopped and focused my full attention on something else.
The seeds I had nted on my arrival had not just sprouted, they had grown a near-ridiculous amount. Overnight, in the rain, spurred on by my Skills, they had all but burst to life. I hurried over to the patch and bent down. These were not crops, but something else.
A vine grew upright, and thick, fat pods budded near the tops. My eyes widened as the nt yawned. Yes, yawned. The bud cracked open to reveal sharp, stained teeth. It idly snapped at my finger as I shakily held my hand close, yet its attempts were feeble.
My eyes dragged themselves to an orange bloom that spread itself close to the ground. It had just begun to unfold, with purple sacs that gathered near a chimney-like growth in its center. Motion and proximity did little to stir it, but my touch caused it to puff in protest. Small green clouds erupted from its tip and I drew back. I was not about to inhale that.
There were more. One was simply an armored ball that slowly erupted from the ground, smaller spheres growing off the main orb. Another was a miniature tree that had already umted insect corpses on its sickly branches.
There was simply a mass of eyes that slowly blinked at my approach upon one.
Magical nts.
Ish didnt think so. The orc girl stood with her arms folded, her perpetual smile gone.
Whoever sold ya these wanted to make trouble for ya. She announced. Sorry to have to tell ye.
These are monster nts. She glowered. Think weeds, but feral and dangerous. Touched by the system.
Yes, yes. I nodded, still absolutely fascinated. But what can they do?
I dont rightly know. She shrugged. People dont particrly try to find out, in most cases. Just kill them and be done with it.
I take they are not well-liked? I queried
Monster. nts. She returned, voice t. Its in the name. Monsters. Separated and marked by the System. Not normal.
So that was what differentiated normal animals from monsters in this world. I nodded sagely, still fascinated by the sprawl of life before me. The nts were scattered about randomly, intermixed with one another.
Leave them here, and theyll begin to devour the crop around them. Ish warned, expression mixed. Shame, though. Ive heard tell of people being able to cultivate them and somehow making use of them.
Well, I ventured, excitement bubbling in my stomach. What prevents us from doing the same?
She paused for a moment, a thoughtful look writ upon her face. The orc girl went through a range of emotions, she finally settled upon pensiveness.
For most people, that would be the inherent danger involved. Yet I am dead certain you are no stranger to that.
Indeed. I confirmed.
Then, if you are willing to go forth with this risk, little stands in our way. Ish nodded. I strange, sudden development, but I suspect the process will not be boring.
Beats hoeing weeds all spring. I offered and receivedughter in return.
And just like that, I wasmitted to raising and exploring the growth of these monstrous nts.
We will need to physically separate them all. ish spoke, her usual easy smile returned back upon her features. Simply being a monster in the eyes of the system does not mean they will co-mingle.
Stone barricades between the nts? I offered, and she nodded.
I would suggest they be walled offpletely, but well need to ess them, and they still need sunlight, rain, and whatnot. Fertilizer would be ideal for even faster growth, but you seem to have Skills to handle that.
I didnt borate, just nodded along.
I suggest we transnt them as soon as possible into their own areas. Like most monsters, they tend to grow at an rming rate. Better do it now than when they are toorge to safely handle.
Speaking of which, She sighed. I have to run home and get proper handling gear.
She was gone as soon as I nodded, already halfway up the road. Gol had wandered over, but kept back, wary of the nts. Perhaps I should nt a few outside my door.
With Ish gone, I began to haul rock and outline different sections of the crop. By the time thess had returned, I had different enclosures for the nts,rge and spacious. Some, we would nt together, simply because it was more convenient to manage a fewrge enclosures than many small ones.
Ish was covered in armor when she returned, the nks of her form heard before she came around the bend.
Is that all actually necessary? I asked, genuinely curious.
Yes.
I didnt ask further. I discovered why momentster when the first transnted tooth-vine tried to nibble my arm. The fangs pierced my toughened hair, only to stop at my hide because they could go further. I chose to let her move the rest, given that one of us was coated in metal and the other wasnt. No chances taken.
Instead, I gingerly moved the puffer nts with my longer reach. A cloth over my nose just to be sure, I held them at arms length and maneuvered around the released fragrance.
The first armored ball-nt violently exploded when I tried to move it. More startled by the bang then the impact of its armored spheres across my body, I yelped. Much to Ishs amusement.
Ish carefully moved a pepper-like nt that oozed what I assumed was acid, and I grimaced at the slurry it has turned the ground around itself into. Those went far off to the edge of the crop in their own enclosure. Even so, the liquid left dark stains on her armor, something she found little amusement in.
Without a word, I handed her an entire purse of coins once the day was done. This job had just gotten significantly more dangerous, and I would need all the good help I could find. This was her advance payment for services rendered.
I was a farmer, yes. But raising monsters? That was an entirely new enterprise to me. And I would be a bald-face liar if I said I was not excited and nervous about it.
Book 1: Chapter 8: Human affairs.
Book 1: Chapter 8: Human affairs.
Although excitement coursed through my veins, reality pped my face. Much as I wanted to immediately study and discern all of the different monster nts, I could not abandon my other farm work. And so, with great disappointment within myself, I instead spent the morning stretching hides across my roof. Or rather, Ish did, given that she was the lighter of the two.
I tossed her fresh hides and carried materials as the orc girl mbered about and nailed the material down. Shingles, they were not, but I instructed her to fasten them in the same pattern. And go heavy on the nails.
Dont nail them, I called up, only half jokingly. Knit them to the roof.
It took her a few moments to get the joke, and I received only a small guffaw in return.
Gol stubbornly proved to be as unhelpful as ever. Slouched, hungry, and cking off, the beast provided very little assistance. Instead, it seemed content to grace everyone with his presence and deemed that sufficient.
It looked butt-ass ugly when it was finished, but we hadnt nailed those hides up there for looks. They were there to do a damn job, and ensure I never had to spend another night tossing out pans again. With that done, noon was nearly upon us, and I took stock.
I wanted to go and pore over the nts. By every fiber of my being, I really did. They were new. Fascinating. The first truly magical thing I had encountered in this world. And yet I had so many other tasks that mored for my attention.
More fields to break open. A task doubly important to me now, given that I would need even more space if I wanted to grow more monster nts. I needed space to safely experiment, I vaguely thought, The farmstead needed a pasture, shed, barn, and feed for animals. Actual animals. By the gods, I wanted some fresh dairy.
Just the thought of fresh milk made me salivate. Okay that might be the minotaur part more than my actual taste for it. But who cared?
For now, although I rejected the idea, and railed against it, it was time for another trip to Hullbretch. For several reasons.
With a sigh, I turned to Ish.
Take your choice of tool, and just keep clearing the second field as long as you can.
I could see the smirk on thess face as she nced over the house where I kept my horde of magical weapons.
I must admit Ive had my eye on a few of those tools, She grinned. Ill have to test several of them, mmhmm.
Dont do anything stupid, I grumbled and stomped off towards the cart, pouch of coins already tucked away.
I make no promises! Came her reply, shouted at my back. Children and their love for new toys.
There was little to remark upon the journey as I pulled the wagon down the gradual slope and towards Hullbretch. But one thing did interest me. There were scores of riders that traveled in the same direction as I, and many of them were heavily armed. No gs announced their allegiance, and crests upon their armor meant little to me.
From these, I garnered wary looks but was leftrgely alone. A few asked for directions, though I felt they already knew their destination.
Hullbretch fairly crawled with these people. I will admit, they disproportionately gathered around the tavern, but still. The influx of mounted riders would see a great boom for the stables and inns, I supposed. Perhaps trouble on the side, as always followed these sorts of rough men and women. But I was not here to concern myself in their matters. I had need to supplies, and little else.
At least, until Raffnyk caught sight of me. Following courtesy, I parked my wagon and trudged over to where the human sat outside an inn. The sweat on my clothes was obvious, I realized as I wiped some away. I was in decided contrast to the humans worn, yet clean garments.
Garek. He nodded, and I grunted in return. You havee at an exciting time, it seems.
So you say. Enlighten me.
The word has spread of the infestation, and the presence of a Apex Beast. A purge has been dered, and many of my order and some adjacent have seen fit to gather here in preparation.
Hmmm. I nodded along, eyes squinted into the harsh afternoon light. The streets moved around us, and the smell of ale wedged its stench into my nostrils. Celebrating?
No. He grimaced. Fortifying themselves through liquid courage, most likely. Your presence at a purge is mandatory, should you join our order.
Huh. I take there are those who wish to be elsewhere?
A question that went unanswered.
I make it a point of habit not to speak ill of my fellow riders. He smiled ever so painfully.
A good habit. My respect for the man climbed a notch at that. And yet, these people would be passing through mynd and past my farm towards Redtip Peak.
Of which there seem to be many. Surely not all of them are perfect.
As if fate itself chose to illustrate my point, an orc chose to drunkenly grace us with his presence.
Stonefang. I forced a smile and stumbled upon his name. The orc guffawed, dropped into another chair unbidden, and belched loudly.
The bull speaks! He dered, to his own great amusement. Truly, a leader amongst your race.
Do not insult my guest. Raffnyks eyes were suddenly narrowed, tone harsh.
But I am merely foisting apliment, for he is the most intelligent taur I have pped eyes upon.
The orc was drunk, that much was in. I could smell the ale in his breath, see it in the way he slouched. As such, I didnt fully take what he spoke or implied seriously. Alcohol had ways of making men and women say things they should not. Yet, hisments did not go unremarked by me.
Perhaps then, you would argue my case before a gathering of my race. I smiled thinly. Foist your wisdom before my peers and argue that I should lead them, since you see such wisdom in me.
Whatever point I had tried to make was lost upon the drunken shores of his mind as the orc just snorted and hacked up spittle.
When will be fuckin go a kill those monsters on the peak, Raffnyk? Im getting bored of waiting. He demanded, words slurred.
An excellent thing then, that your boredom alone does not determine our time and course of action.
You sayin I couldt lead?
Indeed, Stonefang. I would trust you to lead me to the nearest bar or brothel. No further.
Ouch. There was some tension between these two, that much was obvious.
Any further quarrels were interrupted as a man emerged from the building and walked up, wringing his hands.
Good sers, He nodded, and received the orcs spittle near his shoes as a reply.
Good day, innkeeper. Raffnyk nodded politely. How can we be of service?
Yes, good day. Beautiful day. Wonderful day. I agree, ser. He muttered, a thin rail of a man who looked as if he wished to physically be anywhere else right now.
You did note here to discuss the beauty of the weather, Raffnyk encouraged. Or did you?
Nay, ser. He muttered. Was just bout to say some of your boys made a mess of my rooms, broke some of my things and was wonderin who would pay for it all?
Pay? Stonefang snarled. You ungrateful wretch, were here to keep your lousy hide alive. Men of-
The look on Raffnyks face could have killed. The orc shut his mouth and slouched back, rubbing at his temples. With another re, the human reached into his cloak and withdrew a small pouch of coin.
How much to cover the damages? Do you have any descriptions of who caused what?
Not much, generous ser. SImply a few beds, a few barrels of ale that were smashed open, and merely a table or two.
Disgruntled was the look upon the human riders face as he counted out the coin and handed it to the innkeeper.
For your troubles. He gestured and handed him a little extra. We would appreciate it if word of this did not spread.
The thin man stammered his thanks, nodded, and hurried back inside as the orc spat upon the cobblestones once more.
You''re soft, Raffnyk.
I am yourmander, and you will address me as ser, or I will make it known why you are under mymand with my de. The words were cold and hard, his kind tone gone. You disgrace our name, orc. You and your cronies.
We risk our lives for these ungrateful wretches and get not so much as a free drink. The orc spat back. Ser.
Good Queen Elith already pays all your debts, man! The human eximed. What need have you of something so petty?
Sounds like a good deal to me. I shrugged, in an awkward situation where I had little context as to what was happening. I could piece together the vague clues, but therger context eluded me.
Of course the cow agrees with you, ser. Stonefang growled, expression tight. What would he know of respect and dignity?
If you wish to insult me, perhaps be more original. I tossed back,rgely unbothered. If I am a cow, what are you then, a goblin?
The orc was on his feet and had cleared steel from its scabbard before Raffnyk grabbed his cor, dead hard look upon his face. I sat warily as the orc fumed, hate in his eyes.
You walked right into that one, Stonefang. He spoke, tone t. You made it about race and did not like what you found in return.
The orc gave no reply, yet his expression spoke louder than words. Mayhaps I had said the wrong thing. But he had provoked first. Still, that was a childish way to look at it.
Walk with me, Garek. The human abruptly stood and gestured. Given the choice between hispany and the crude, drunken orc, I chose the obvious option. I would find little of use sitting here. I joined the human as we walked through the streets of Hullbretch. Although I fairly towered over him, the man did not feel small next to me.
After a while, he sighed, a deep and tired sound.
The situation is not ideal, Garek. I will admit, I think of you decently so far, but I do no not seek yourpany entirely out of friendliness.
Speak, then, I rumbled. What do you seek from me?
Your sword arm. He admitted bluntly. As it stands, we amass a force to go and y the Apex, yet we will have to wait a significant time longer. Elite units that could aplish the task are a long ways into the horizon, and every day we wait is boredom to my men and women. They grow restless, and the townsfolk do not particrly want us here. Some entertain themselves with hunting lower leveled monsters, most merely lounge about town and get sucked into trouble.
And then there is the good baron, He grimaced. Ironmoor has no love for my order, and all know it.
There is trouble?
None yet, but it is a matter of time.
He nodded his head to the side, and I followed his vision to behold several green-d men that stood at another corner. Hard looks in their eyes and hands close to their weapons. The barons men, I gathered.
You served on the frontier. Regardless of what anyone makes of your leaving, that fact alone has set your honour and worth in stone. You have likely faced monsters such as this and lived to tell the tale. Should you lend us your might, I swear it will not go unrewarded.
I smiled and shook my head.
I am but a simple farmer these days, Raffnyk. My glory days have passed, and my bloodlust has been saked by oceans of carnage too deep for any man.
The man nodded solemnly.
Shame. I would have liked to give battle at your side. But your choice remains your own. I ask another favor of you then.
Ask and you will receive.
That you might allow some of my men to stay the night at your farm as they scout, should they require a ce to rest. You will be fairlypensated for their shelter.
I paused then. The monster nts. I would have to ask Ish about how people would react and prepare ordingly.
I only ask that they do not disturb my crops or farm, then.
The human nodded.
On mine honour.
We parted ways, shortly after. I had many things to be done, and ate day to chase me all the way. It was hourster when I finally left Hullbretch again, my wagon loaded with wood, proper tools to work said wood, more wire than I had initially bought for fences, and entire gate and hinges, actual cheese and herbs to make my food have taste, and a plethora of other things. I was significantly lighter on gold, but heavier on knowledge.
Trouble brewed in Hullbretch, and I wanted to be prepared when it boiled over.
Book 1: Chapter 9: Human affairs II
Book 1: Chapter 9: Human affairs II
Morning could note quickly enough. By the time dawns first rays broke the horizon, I was wide awake. Breakfast already in my belly and mind filled with unreasonable excitement, I was already outside to greet the sun.
Most of the wagon had stayed loaded throughout the night with only the essentials being taken inside before I copsed. Half-way through my stride I froze and realized a new, massive issue.
I had no hats.
This small, inconsequential detail bothered me. Before, I had always worn hats. Caps covered my head at all times, shielded my eyes from the sun and kept the dirt from my brow. Here, I had nothing. I was bare. Exposed. Just as suddenly as the problem had lept upon me, it resided into a malicious giggle beneath the surface.
I would have to rectify this.
But for now, I had fence-posts to pound and a pasture to outline.
A full armload of stakes for Garek proved to cover quite a distance. One of the many things I appreciated about my new body was therge amount it could carry with ease. Although hat-less, I didnt mind. The morning was cool and cloudy, which I preferred. With warhammer in hand and a trail of fencepostsid out before me, I set to work.
Hold post straight. Whack post. Rece post because it hit a rock and splintered from the force of whack. Consider toning down whacks.
The early morning passed fairly methodically, a simple and repetitive taskid out before me. But it took amazingly little time, and soon I had a fairlyrge pasture staked out.
Ish skipped down the road just in time to help me pull the wire. With a much smaller hammer, leverage and specific fence clips, we had multiple rows of wire pulled and the gate mounted before noon.
And now, we need to fill it. I sighed. A shed first, or cows?
Cows. She answered almost immediately. You already have a forest around you as a windbreak. What you dont have are the actual animals. An empty shed produces no product.
Smart. I remarked. Good business sense.
Thanks, She grinned. Got it from Ma.
Well then, I groaned and stretched to work the stiff muscles in my back. Do you know anyone who would sell us cows?
Welllll, Ish bit her lip and frowned. There was a pensive expression on her face as she chewed over her thoughts before speaking.
I doooo know a fellow. Several, actually. See, we have a few options.
I nodded along as she talked, interested in where this was going. We leaned against the newly erected fence-posts and watched Gol as it sniffed around the wrong side of the fence.
See, if we go regr cows, we need to get a bull, manage pastures, rotate and all that other stuff because they only provide milk when with calf.
Yes, I nodded. I had ounted for this.
Orrrrrrr. She paused again. You could not.
Exin.
My da knows a fellow who modifies animals. Gets em system-touched. One of his applications was farm animals. He breeds a type of cow that never stops havin milk, see?
I blinked and processed this information.
And why is this cow not amon sight on every farm, then?
Well, on ount of them being system-touched and with the modifications, theyre now very big and very mean. Like, first-birth momma cow and you just took away her calf mean, xcept its all the time.
Oh. I could see how that would quickly dissuade anyone with any sort of interest. But I was not just anyone, to pat my own proverbial back and hang medals in my own praise.
So, where can we acquire some of these?
Anything she was about to say further was cut off as Ishs face lit up and she began to violently wave past me. My eyes followed hers and caught the huntresss form just as she seemed to materialize. An active camouge skill?
Lerish carried a bundle of hides upon her shoulder, which she deposited down and then sat upon. With nary a word, the bronzed woman pulled a pipe from her robes, deposited some clear goo inside, and then lit it with a tap.
Ish. She nodded in greeting between puffs. Bull.
An excellent morning to you as well. I nodded and nced at the roll of hides she had brought. That was quick.
Mmmm. She nodded nonmittaly. For you, perhaps.
A job done is a job done. I shrugged. Our paces may differ, but it is done the same.
I nced at her pipe and the clear mist it produced. Her face formed a grimace as she sucked the vapor in and held her breath, then blew it back out.
Crystal slime ze. She offered for my curiosity. Regenerates tissue.
Ive never heard of it, I shook my head politely. Would be fortunate if I never needed any, I suppose.
Mmm. She agreed with another puff. Was once an adventurer. Like you. Like Ish wants to be.
A monster? I wagered, the context guiding me to guess the ce of her debilitation.
Worse. A mibeled potion. Instead of a fleshknitter potion I drank a Firebreathers Draught. Without any me resistance.
The very image of that made me grimace, and my expression stirred amusement from her. The first I had seen on her face. She waved off any further questions and just puffed away.
Any good hunting recently? Ish asked, and anyone who looked at her could tell she brimmed with curiosity. The orc girl did her best to stay calm, but everything about her gave her excitement away.
The huntress snorted and shook her head.
Too good. She continued after a moment. Everythings scared. Spooked. Easy to flush out. Too easy. Monsters moving in off the Tip. I kill a bunch, rest don''t care. Being chased down, I think.
The riders who came here a few days ago mentioned an Apex on the peak.
Lerish stopped for a moment, then slowly put away her pipe.
Exins things. Was gonna go up there myself today and look. Wont anymore. Too dangerous. She paused and nced up at me. Thanks.
For what? I asked. Im more than happy to take thepliment, though.
Information. She didnt borate further, and I did conclude she found value in me just passing along what Raffnyk had said.
An Apex. Ish grimaced. Mas gonna be gettin her weapons out again.
Lerish snorted again and shook her head.
Your parents should be staying home and tending to their farm, and their girl. Their ying days are over.
I know, but who wants to tell them? Who can tell them?
The grave will, and then theyll listen.
The conversation drifted into silence, spirits visibly dampened.
Him. Lerish broke the silence and pointed at Gol. My eyes followed as I searched for anything of interest on thezy brute. I found nothing. But they mystery of what gender the beast was had finally beenid to rest.
What about Gol? I asked.
I want to hunt him. The huntress stated, blunt as can be. Ill give you all these hides for free in exchange.
There was a very, very brief moment in which I considered that. But that moment passed and I shook my head. Gol, useless as he was, was mine. He was a drain on resources that provided exceedingly little in return, but he was still apanion. If my world had been dictated by cold, psychopathic rationality of benefits versus cost, I might have taken the offer, but it was not.
No. I simply rebutted, and with a shrug, she dropped the topic.
Suit yourself. But I would pay well for the opportunity. Not many of his kind on the Peak anymore.
It was around then that I noticed it was noon, and with no other reasonable course of action, I invited the huntress to join us for lunch. To my surprise, she actually epted instead of slipping off back into the woods. Guess nobody liked to stalk through the trees on an empty stomach.
A modest meal shared amongst three people and one whining Gol it was, but I enjoyed it nheless. Hunger made for a good cook.
"So, what ns do you have for today?" Ish pried, trying her best to stay collected and not seem too excited. Le''rish shrugged in return and flicked her tail at Gol as he tried to beg scraps from her.
"No ns. Not going up the peak now. Hunted enough for a bit. Nothing interesting to hunt either."
"If you are free," I ventured cautiously, just finishing the remnants of my broth. "Perhaps you would not be against helping Ish with a task for me?"
I swear the orc girl perked up faster than if I had offered her a bag of gold for free. Le''rish considered for a bit, then shrugged.
"As thanks for warning about the Apex. Sure."
I had just passed on the information, but who was I to reject a gift?
Ish here knows the location of a farmer willing to sell me cows. A bit stronger and sturdier than usual, or so she says. It would save us quite a bit of time if you could go with her and drive them back here. Ill send you gold to make the purchase immediately.
Lerish nodded as Ish nodded excitedly behind her back.
I know who you speak of. Have dealt with him before. Can do this.
And with that, they were gone momentster. Ish waved back, and then they rounded the bend and vanished from sight. With them gone, for now, I sighed and returned to my work. Much as I wanted to go and pore over my new nts, the fields called to be cleared. And my work mattered more than my curiosity. That was the justification I fed myself as I hauled yet another boulder from the ground and tossed it toward the pile I had gathered.
And so my afternoon dragged on. I cleared stumps, hacked apart roots, and yanked trees right out of the ground. With the monotony only broken by short breaks to drink water from the now-clear stream, my mind wandered.
I was bing used to this world. Getting used to this body. And it feltfortable. No longer did I awkwardly stumble around, about to trip over my own feet every few steps. Most of the time. The fact that everything and everyone had sses, skills, and levels was not an insane concept anymore, but an everyday thing. Perhaps it was because I had been able to detach from reality back home that I so easily epted this now.
I still knew little of the local pantheon, what gods were who and what people worshipped. Nor was I in any hurry to entangle myself in that. But I had deduced that most people viewed the system as a tool of the Gods Above, and I had no evidence to suggest otherwise.
The Garek who inhabited this body before had been a man of incredible violence. The Garek that inhabited it now would be a man of incredible farming. The joys of rampant capitalism, I thought to myself. I was ready to introduce them to the world.
But all of this was just an attempt to keep myself upied, and soon I was bored beyond belief. My mind strayed again and again to my monstrous nts. And after some time, I simply gave up and decided toe back tomorrow.
I had already worked a decent days stretch, and now it was time to ke my thirst for knowledge. Gol followed me towards where the nts had been moved, and then sat back, wary. There was no small amount of satisfaction on my face as I examined the biter pods. There were pieces of small insects scattered about where they were nted. In the single day I had been absent, these nts had grown the most.
Weeds, Ish had called them. And they seemed to grow as such. But insects were not all. What seemed like rodent piecesy devoured around the stalks. As I squatted on my haunches, something rustled beneath another nt. A squirrel staggered about beneath the fat leaves of a puffer nt, dazed and with spores all over its fur. It had made it only several steps before the vines bent and the biter pods snapped down.
It was gone before I could blink, and any desire to help the little creature was washed away with fascination as to how these nts worked together.
The wide, fat puffer ntsy dormant on the ground, while the biters were too slow to actually catch animals. By luck, we had nted them close together, and now they worked in tandem. The biters dropped blood near the puffer nts, and I could not yet tell if they fed off the liquid.
Everything and everyone steered clear of the armored ballbomb. There was nothing that went near them. Ish had warned me of how vtile these were, and each of them was nted separately. Something that had already been useful. Whatever had disturbed this one nt was gone, obliterated by the power of incredible violence. The metallic bulbs that had grown on its outside shell were gone, instead embedded into the rock that surrounded it.
The nt had burst its growths off like high-force projectiles, and whatever had disturbed it was now a smear across the soil. Now it was slowly regrowing, more bulbs sprouting in the bare spots on its carapace. These, I was not eager to disturb, but excited for the applications. Could they be harvested and turned into grenades somehow? The thought both mortified and amused me that I was essentially growing my own grenades.
The small, sickly tree-like growth was the slowest to grow. Small corpses decorated its branches, and a stench of gloom and rot emanated from it. There was an uneasy feeling in my gut as I observed this one in particr, but curiosity outweighed any dread I could sum up. Uneasiness curdled within my gut the longer I stared at it. It was wrong, on some level.
There was a series of vines that dangled grape-like fruits from their stem. There seemed nothing special about these nts, save that the small buds of fruit seemed colorless. Out of curiosity, I snatched up a piece of insect remains from the biter pods and tossed it near the nt. With excruciating slowness, the stalk sunk down until the fruit touched the piece of carapace Id just tossed there. It vanished into the nt on touch, and color spread through it.
Huh.
With a sigh, I heaved myself up and strode over to the crops edge where we had transnted the pepper-like nts. To some satisfaction of mine, they had not leaked their acidic fluid into the soil and turned everything into a slurry. Instead, it glimmered within cupped leaves, a sweet scent that filled the air. These leaves were unfurled now,rge and filled with a shallow pool of acid. As I watched, an insect buzzed by, only to turn around andnd on the pepper-like top. A stream of acid squirted from the surface on contact, and I watched in morbid fascination as it ate through the insects body.
There were more, of course. A singrrge nt that resembled the early stages of flytrapy open in the sun, only I could see a tongue that tasted the air and heard rattles within. Another was a single flower perched atop a stiff, narrow stalk that seemed to radiate a golden light.
Any further discovery was interrupted as I saw a man walk up the road from the direction of Hullbretch. Even from a distance, he moved quickly despite taking only what I could see were normal human-sized steps. He appeared smartly dressed, with clothes of good make, arge book in hand, and an air of assurance around himself.
An unexpected guest, perhaps. I did not know where he was headed. Up the mountain, perhaps? Should I warn him of the Apex? As it turns out I neednt have worried as to his destination. The man strode right up to me and sniffed as if he was not a small, skinny thing of a human in front of an eight-foot-tall minotaur.
I am in search of one mister Garek, owner of this property. He sniffed. If you would be so kind as to call him, for I have matters that do not concern the hired help.
A moment passed. Then another as I stood without deigning to reply. Until finally he attempted to break the awkwardness and nced at papers he carried.
This is the home of one mister Garek, is it not?
Indeed.
The man looked around and adjusted his sses.
Then, where is the man? I havent all day. Time is Money, after all.
He stands before you. I replied, my tone curt. So far, I counted myself lucky to have escaped those who would belittle me for my race and appearance, but I could not evade them forever.
I say; my word. He grimaced and adjusted his sses. First that orc and elf interbreeders, and now the bulls? Who next, the goblins?
I do not like your tone, I warned ever so politely. I was not a man to anger easily, but in some magical way, this person knew exactly which buttons to press.
Then it is with great pleasure that I inform you that I care little for what you think. He sniffed again. I am in the employ of Baron Ironmoor, and am here in regards to the sale of thisnd toyou, apparently.
You have my attention on that matter. State your business.
You see, Garek, here in thesends, we do not believe that the debt incurred by one should be excused with them shuffling off this mortal coil. As you will be pleased to know, the previous owner of this splendid farm incurred a significant sum which is owed to the good baron, and I am here to collect.
Book 1: Chapter 10: The Taxman Cometh
Book 1: Chapter 10: The Taxman Cometh
No.
The human stared up at me, and his eyes blinked asprehension failed to dawn inside his greasy skull.
Come again?
You heard me.
You will receive no coin from me. I rumbled, voice t. Whatever this was, any amusement had been taken out back and shot after the first minute. My day was not yet ruined, but it was on track to that destination.
Mister Garek, He sniffed again and waved a sheaf of magical parchment at me. I understand things may have been done differently in whatever ce you dragged yourself in from, but here on Baron Ironnmoorsnds, matters are handled in a different wa-
Dont care. I interrupted, arms folded. Fuck off.
I had no idea who this man was, if he really worked for this Baron, if he was a conman, whatever. And at this point, I had no patience left to find out.
Mister Garek. He insisted in what Im sure he imagined was a forceful manner. I have a document right here that proves beyond all doubt my words.
He flipped open a folded letter that glinted with light, frowned, and pulled out another. With another imperious sniff, it was extended to me. And held there as I continued to stare him down.
Youre supposed to ept it. He hinted thinly after a few moments. I did not.
With a disgruntled expression, he flipped it open and began to read.
By the order of Baron Ironmoor, Regent of the Redtip peaks, Knightmander of the Purple me, first of his name, the Lion of Kunath, long may he reign, the owner of the Property formerly in possession of the now-deceased Farmer Herrikson must carry his debt of Seven hundred and twenty six gold pieces, to be paid at all due haste, failure toply will lead to harsh consequences.
I couldnt give two fucks, but I didnt humor him by saying so.
He waved the paper at me, obviously expecting me to be impressed by the wax seal and gaudy ribbon that hung from it.
Mister Garek, He implored again, his voice ever so slightly shrill. You have a contractual obligation!
My silence remained the only answer.
Remove yourself from my property, or you will be removed. I rumbled. I meant it. Gol peaked out from behind a stand of trees, and I briefly considered sing the burly beast on the shrill human.
Mister Garek, He sniffed in return, chest puffed up. Are you threatening violence on an agent of thewful regent!?
I do not threaten, taxman. I promise, and I deliver on my promises. I shifted closer to loom over him, and the man seemed to realize how small he was before me. I could kill him, here and now. Feed his carcass to the biter pods and have them grow. The Garek who inhabited this body before me would have. Inwardly, I hesitated, as I wanted to be a better man.
He didnt know that.
Aha! He eximed finger waved at me. You have broken thew, beast!
It was about then that several riders appeared down the same road he hade from. A green standard with a golden lion upon it. Same color as the men who had loitered around Hullbretch. Baron Iroonmoors men, I wagered. They hade loaded for bear.
This was not a coincidence.
The greasy taxman was smarter than I had wagered. Perhaps amunication spell? That glowing parchment he opened by mistake earlier. Everything afterwards had been bait. I grabbed for the man and found him already gone. He moved at unnatural speed, off towards the riders. If he could not intimidate me with legalese, he was happy to resort to more thuggish means, it seemed.
But I was not about to roll over and let them have what they wanted without a fight.
I had Gareks ymore at my side today, and eyes narrowed, I drew it and nted myself in the middle of the road. Eyes focused on the riders, I whistled to Gol, and to no ones surprise, the beast just yawned and stayed hidden. Why had I expected anything else?
The riders approached as the taxman waved them past, their weapons drawn. They hade for gold, and they would take it by force, or so they thought. Any nervousness hidden, I steeled myself and sank into Gareks memories. A man of peace, I wanted to be, but that was not possible today. These men came to take what was mine, and fully expected to shed my blood in the process.
They had crossbows, I saw as they drew near. Loaded and ready to fire. Which they did immediately. No warning, no boasts, just spread out, raised their weapons and fired. I had Ironhide.
The bolts ricocheted from my skin as I charged at them, massive ymore in one hand. They were here to kill, but I was no easy prey. The first mans horse, being a horse, reared as I approached. The rider was thrown to the ground, and the beast fled in panic as I loomed. To his credit, the thug was on his feet in a heartbeat, likely the product of some skill. He wielded a mace in both hand and backed up hastily.
I could see the horses moving to nk me as more closed in from the sides. Spears glinted in the afternoon light as they galloped at me.
My lungs opened, and Scream of Fury shook the air. Beasts reared and turned aside in sudden panic at the noise. It was all I needed to step close, swat aside the thugs mace and cleave him in half with a single swing of my de. I grabbed his spear from where ity next to the rapidly dying man, hoisted it up, and threw it like a javelin.
It pierced another rider through the chest and yanked them from the saddle. And just like that, the tide turned. I needed not kill them all, merely a few to break their morale. The riders wheeled and fled in panic, dust raised as they galloped away in all haste.
And now, I was left with the favourite past-time of every tax evader. Body disposal.
The knowledge that I had just killed multiple people in the space between moments struck me, and I found that I rather didnt care. I had no connection to these people. They hade to kill me and take what was mine, and should have weighed their lives to have more value beforehand. I was not some unfeeling beast, or so I hoped, yet I had little empathy for these thugs.
Gol finally trotted out from where he had hidden and wandered over to the pierced man. His chest had been crushed by the force of the spear, it seemed. Died almost immediately. Hmm. If I owed a pen of hogs, disposing of the corpsespletely would be simple. Instead, I could feed the nts.
Either way, I had made new enemies today. Or perhaps revealed some that were merely hidden.
Fully aware that what I was doing seemed wildly psychotic, I hefted the ymore and began to hew the corpses apart. Not there, of course. I didnt want the bloodstains all over the road, but near the nts. The men wore no armor, save for some light leather. The maceman had a nose broken several times, some light stubble, and a mouth open in an eternal scream.
He got fed to the biters. I watched in morbid fascination as the fangs from the pods rounded mouths closed around his flesh and pulled away neat chunks with ease. They hungered, and soon an entire mass of vines were bent together, swarmed over the bodys remnants. Suddenly feeling inwardly nauseous, I tossed the rest in for them to pick clean in due time and turned away.
I hadnt killed before. Garek had, in absolutely copious amounts. But me? No.
The worst part about it was how little I felt.
It was then that I was reminded of the horses the thugs had left behind. Well, this day might end up being a positive after all. It took far, far more time than I was proud of to approach the animals. I couldnt catch them, not when they had so much space to run off to, and my scents frightened them. But I persevered, slowly moving towards them with soft, gentle words and slow movements. In the end, I did catch up to them, one at a time, and led them over to the pasture.
I didnt bother working more that day. I now had a new enemy to chew over, and an already eventful day behind me.
The taxman showed up. Was what I exined to Ish and Lerish once they returned, several massive cows driven before them. The herd, or rather group, stomped and snorted the entire time as we drove them to pasture.
Mmmm. The huntress nodded. Ironmoors debts?
I sighed and confirmed, that yes, there had been inherited debts.
Refused to pay? Good. She nodded. Leech wants a bite of area. Fuck him and his thugs.
They done further than our ce. Ish nodded solemnly. Scared of Ma.
Lot of things with sense are. Lerish shrugged. Lots of farms long this road they still shake down, though.
They left several men short today, and I am several horses heavier than I was yesterday. They attacked without warning, and I defended myself. Didn''t want to, but I did.
Good.
The huntress and Ish stayed for supper as we sat in the shade of evening, a fresh, small herd of cattle put to pasture. The animals were muchrger than what cattle I was used to, their coats dark red and thick obsidian horns above their heads. Simr to mine.
Ish noticed my looks and scratched at her neck before she spoke.
My theory don hold much water, but Id wager they were modified with minotaur essence. She paused. Kinda weird though, no?
Iughed and waved her concerns off, assuring her that all was fine. They could be milked all the same, and it mattered little to me what they had been modified with.
Ironmoor, tho. She spoke, a frown on her face as she leaned forward in her seat. Pa says hes a leech, but a dangerous one. Big name, from an old house, in good with the crown, lets of riders under his banner.
Bad man. Lerish grunted, side turned to us. Dont underestimate him. He loves conflict. Peace burns a hole in his pocket, methinks. Bad metaphor.
He should be distracted, for a time. The Riders of the Verdant Dawn are gathered in Hullbretch, and he apparently has a feud with them.
Hmmm. Ill head out then. Lerish suddenly announced. Ish bounced to her feet and volunteered to keep herpany up the road, a matter I wished them luck with. With them gone, it was once again me and Gol in each others meagerpany. After some time, I remarked that the unpleasant business of killing aside, the day had gone rather well. I now had several new cows, a pair of horses, the contents of their saddlebags and knowledge.
A wee bit lighter on gold, but Garek had a very nice amount left, and this being a farm built from nothing, investments would have to be made. Still, the bulk of spending was now behind me, and soon it would be time to see the profit. And I could not wait.
Farmer Level Four reached. Sleep to apply.
The local authorities have branded you a Tax Evader. Status updated.
Book 1: Chapter 11: Unto the redtip.
Book 1: Chapter 11: Unto the redtip.
I had underestimated this task. This was the thought that ran through my mind as my face ran through the dirt. The massive taur-cow snorted and seemed tough in amusement as I picked myself up from the dirt, spilled bucket of milk at my side. To say the morning was going badly would be a lie.
Instead, it was horrible. Gol had taken a shit right outside my door and then scampered off the hide amongst the taur-cows. Said cows were less than impressed at me, and even less so at my attempts to milk them. I quickly learned that my massive frame was not an end-all against beasts that weighed more than I did and were much meaner.
The animals werent just strong and mean, but smart as well. They knew to wait for opportune moments of distraction to suddenly ram their bodies into me. As I had painfully discovered. Until finally, I had enough.
Pail in hand, I stomped up to one of the massive cows, focused on it, and called Cloven Crash. A yell escaped from my throat and the beast was frozen midugh. With a grunt, I plopped down my stool next to its frozen form, pulled up my pail, and got to work. The effect did specify that any target would remain frozen until I full-body crashed into it. And as rough as my impatient milking was, it failed to break the effect.
Sometimeter, I had several frozen cows and a full pail of milk. The price had been steep, but the reward would be worth it. Gol received nothing but a stink-eye when he wandered over and tried to beg. This was mine. A single sip reminded me of why I hated warm milk. With a grimace, I carried the bucket back to the house.
One of the fortunate purchases I had made in Hullbretch was a terracotta pot. Soaked in water, the cooling properties of the te would keep the milk at very low temperatures, for a while. But I needed something better.
Ish had a solution. Thess blinked and rubbed her hair, her fangs biting into her lip as she thought.
Well, you could do it the usual way an dig yourself a cer to keep things cool.
Not going to happen for a while, I sighed. Ill seriously look into that when I rebuild the house, but thats a way down the line.
You could hire a runesmith to nt cold-runes around your house, but they''re expensive enough to give even Pa pause and need to be topped off every quarter-year. She offered.
Not feasible. I shook my head as she nodded. We were leaning against the fence posts, a spot that had be our regr morning meeting ce. Out on the pasture, cows were beginning to unfreeze as my skill wore off. Due to time or distance, I didnt know. Gol loudly yawned, rubbing his face as sunlight broke over the treetops. In lieu of me, he had plopped himself by ish now, given that only one of us was angry at his early-morning defecations.
You could try to go up the redtip and gather frostvines, then. She shrugged. I know miss Lerish has them on her lodge, and the inside is wonderfully cool.
I frowned and tried to remember. I had meant to ask the huntress what those white bundles on her walls were, but had forgotten as the conversation progressed. Ish nodded at my description and flicked a bug away with her hats brim.
Id tell you the redtip is dangerous, She shrugged. But I think we both know youd go anyway. Between me an you, my moneys on you against whatever monsters up there.
Gods, I wish I shared her confidence. I was a big death machine, but one with only a slim grasp ofbat and reliance on Gareks memories. Even yesterday had been all him steering the ship. I was a farmer in a berserkers body, and damn lucky I had the remnants of his instincts and reflexes to fall back on. I still had no baseline for what twenty-nine levels had done to Garekpared to a level one minotaur, but given the contemptuous ease I had killed those men yesterday, it was a lot.
They grow higher up, near the peak, Ish mentioned, already concluding that I was going. In barren ces, mostly. Something about them feeding off heat and sucking it in. Look in rocky ces with little other fauna.
I sighed and decided my ownfort indeed outweighed any potential danger. Most animals preferred to avoid confrontations they could not outright win, after all. Outwardly, I presented a dangerous foe. With a determined nod, I made up my mind.
I could even get and store more milk instead of staying with my singr jug this way. That was the justification for my recklessness. And more milk meant potential sales and profit, if I could find someone to buy it.
I would do this in the name of profit. What better reason to risk my life?
Very well, I decided. I will head on, and leave the farm in your hands. There are new seeds for various vegetables just inside the house. The garden should be ready for them to be nted in. Although Ill want to make a separate patch for potatoes. Leave those. Once you finish that, the second field sohuld be nearpletion. Clear that, if you have the time. If enough of the day remains and you have the energy, begin seeding that with what seed we have.
No offense but, your seed selection is a bit..
Poor? I sighed. I am aware, but I had to take what I could get.
Thess nodded, bright eyes now dim as she scratched the back of her neck and stood awkwardly.
One other thing.. She trailed off.
Yes?
I cant uh, strictly read. Yer gonna hafta show me what seeds arebeled which.
I blinked, shrugged, and decided I had not changed my opinion of her for that.
I see little issue with this. Itll simply take a few moments more.
And thats all it did. Instead of making readablebels, I merely drew simple shapes over the sacks of seeds and she figured out the rest. Gol elected to keep herpany and safeguard the farm -or at least pretend to do so- as I geared up to explore up the mountain. Arge, mostly empty pack on my back, waterskin at my side and ymore opposite from it, I set out.
Time passed swiftly as I traversed up the slope toward Mount Redtip. Beneath Gareks long stride, the distance seemed so smallpared to my human days. The sun gleamed down through a vast expanse of blue, and Imented myck of a hat. I would have to ask ish where she had procured hers when I returned.
The only traveler on this road was I, today. I passed the same farmhouse as before, with no one there now. At the crossroads, I chose a different path this time and began my ascent. Cleared farnd vanished entirely as the forest crept closer to either side. asionally, I heard rustles in the undergrowth, but saw nothing.
I med Gareks mediocre vision. For all his advantages, eagle-eyed sharpness of the eye was not among them.
Scent flooded my nostrils with every step, a deluge of sensations I could barely pick apart. Instead, I focused on the path forward and trudged along, my course set. The path grew steeper, and my strides grew more careful. The trees were less dense here as I passed from the greenery that ringed the lower mountain into the rocky waste further up.
Here there were caves and craters, decorated by boulders and hardy weeds. I caught the asional glimpse of wildlife, from a long, thin being that scaled sheer walls to fat, horned lizards. Many ignored me from a distance, most fled and only a few stayed to observe me. I realized now why they called it Redtip.
It was literal. The stone itself was red, the rocks were red, even the vegetation was red. All save for what I was here for. The good part about everything resembling a crimson paint bucket being sloshed over it was that the white nts I sought were easy to find.
They were cold, I found upon approach. Less of a chill and more of a thorough absence of heat in the space around them. Despite the near-oppressive heat here, tinges of frost covered the ground around the stems. With no further ado, I grabbed one near the base and yanked. It tore loose, but Ish had said the drain would linger for several weeks.
Hands cold all the while, I carefully stuffed it into the pack I carried and moved on. Soon, I was the proud owner of a full satchel of these nts, and finishing a sandwich, I set off back down the mountain.
But fate refused to let me have simple days.
Something stomped from the undergrowth, and I got my first true glimpse at a monster. This was no animal, that much was certain. It vaguely resembled a tree, I say that in the most vague way possible. It shuffled atop a mass of writing roots. Gnarled, thickened bark grew into a tall, thick body that sprouted far too many slender branches.
Crows sat perched upon its crown, silent save for the rustle of wings. It lumbered out of the undergrowth and set itself into my path. Look as I might, there was no easy escape. I had no idea what this thing was, what it was capable of. But I knew it was in my path.
The air rattled as branches were raised, and before I could blink, the ground erupted below me. Earth and stone were hurled skyward, with me in their path. Ravens crowed withughter as stone and earth alike struck me with enough force to pulverize a man.
Theughter ceased when I emerged whole, my ymore drawn. Boulders rolled towards it, called by whatever force it wielded. Waves of earth rolled beneath my hooves as I charged toward it. If it was meant to throw me off bnce, it would need to try harder. Every stomp I took crushed the rolling soil beneath me and the creature redoubled its efforts.
Its roots shifted as it began to propel itself backward, earth and stone alike hurled at me. Cloven sh was unleashed with a roar, and the monster visibly slowed. I got the vague sense the skill was weakened by several uses already today. But it did its job. Ironhide was already active, and now boulders nged as they were stopped by my skin.
With a snarl, I stepped in close, swung the ymore and activated Brutal Swing.
And that was it. The ymore tore through magic, bark, and core alike in a single motion.
The monster fell, cleaved in twain. I got the vague sense that I was drawing near Gareks thirtieth level in Bloodstained Berserker, and the flock of ravens nested in the things crown dispersed. Off to find a new host.
Once again, the forest was silent. I bent before the thing to examine it and found little of interest. Save for a piece of bark that wriggled beneath my touch. With A grunt, I tore it free and found arge seed within. For a moment, I debated keeping it but saw no value to outweigh the danger. It took little time to pry it free, crush it beneath my grasp and then continue back down the mountain.
This time, naught dared disturb me.
Book 1: Chapter 12: Curiosity begets ill rewards.
Book 1: Chapter 12: Curiosity begets ill rewards.
Trouble had decided I was not out of the proverbial woods just yet. Even though I had already left the physical woods behind me. Confrontation awaited as I turned the road toward my farm.
Ish, bless her heart, stood in the middle of the houses clearing, axe in hand and Gol at her side. I didnt know what to be more amazed at, the fact that she was staring down three riders or that she had gotten Gol to volunteer his presence. Either way, things seemed to have settled into an impasse. I broke into a faster stride and approached the group.
Gols whines announced my presence, and they turned to look. I could see the glimmer of relief on Ishs face as her tense expression eased. The riders were lightly armed and didnt bear the green colors of baron Ironmoor. Verdant Dawn, then, I wagered.
This was confirmed momentster when one of them stepped forward to introduce himself. Long,nky, and clean-shaven, he looked to be a youth fresh into adulthood.
Farmer Garek, I hope? He asked, nervousness hidden in his tone.
I nodded in confirmation and curiously looked as he extended one hand. After a moment I took hold and shook it, The boy was nervous, that was obvious to anyone.
Joram, ser. Thed made the introduction with a hitch in his voice. Ser Raffnyk sent us. We were told we could rest here for the night?
Im no ser,d. I rumbled and nodded, And a friend of Raffnyks is a friend of mine.
They were trying to just ride onto here an im hospitality, Ish announced, expression cross. I was doubtin they were who they said.
Ah. I should have informed her to expect riders, but once again, I had overlooked it as a minor detail and forgotten about it. A bad habit I would have to work on.
How long were you at an impasse? I queried.
...an hour? Ish shrugged. They had no way to prove the worth of their word, and I would not take chances with anything. Especially after yesterday.
Curiosity dawned on Jorams face, but he asked nothing. There would be a questionter, I assumed. For now, I just waved the others over as I walked past.
Theyre guests, I told Ish with a soft smile. Though, you did the right thing,ss. Dont think Im paying you enough to stick up for my humble farm anyhow.
Aint about payment, She mumbled and followed at my side, axe over her shoulder. Gotta look out for other farmers with all these thugs and bandits muckin about.
She didnt so much as flinch as I pped a hand on her shoulder, only nced over at my smile.
Thanks. I mean it. But if you see Ironmoors men, just vanish. I can rebuild, but I cant rece some of the best help I ever had.
She grunted nonmitaly, and soon we were gathered by the unlit fire. I watched as the riders hitched up their horses and trickled over, some slower than others. Most were nervous, betrayed by their scent. The youngd, Joram, sat in silence across from ish as I began to gather the ingredients for a pot of stew. Doubtless they had their own rations, but tonight they were my guests and would suffer my cooking.
So, what does Raffnyk have you lot up to? I broke the silence after a while. It was getting awkward and the most noise from anyone was a few mutters as they nced between me and Gol.
Were to scout, ser.
Im no ser, I insisted again. Just call me Garek.
A few nods were all I received in affirmation before thed continued.
Were to ride up the redtip and try to get an urate count of what will await the expedition tomorrow, then report back to ser Raffnyk.
I see. Even though I did not. And this Apex?
Now I could see true apprehension dawn on their faces. Good men followed orders, was the saying. But these did not do so without fear.
Well, theres nothing to be done about that. Just pray and hope we donte face to face with it.
A grand solution indeed. Ish remarked dryly.
Misery was their only answer. These men knew they were riding into danger and did so without protest. Id say it was admirable, but most of me just thought it foolish.
Pardon me for askin, Another human broke in. But your helper mentioned Ironmoor, and I believe I may have heard a wee snippet about trouble yesterday. May I ask your rtion with the good baron?
Not a human, I saw as I peered closer. The scales on his face should have been obvious, but again, Iy the me squarely on my poor eyesight.
Shtane, he introduced himself as. I nodded and reached over to shake his hand as well before I answered. The third man remained silent, content in his anonymity.
The good baron sent a taxman to foist upon me a debt that I refused. When he persisted and sent thugs to im it by force, they returned home lesser than had arrived.
Silence fell around the camp as my words sunk in.
Well, I guess that further deepens your standing with the Verdan Dawn, then. Joram nodded. Weve no love for the Ironmoors, and theyve even less for us.
I would normally be supportive of stickin it to the good baron, Shtane hissed. Literally. He even had a snakes tongue to go with it. But Ironmoors brother is in bed with the queen. Metaphorically, of course. I would never nder the good queen that way. To refuse the tax is to dere Ironmoor the illegitimate ruler of thesends.
He is, Ish refuted, her arms crossed. Bastard murdered a better man than he and stole his throne.
With the crowns blessing. Shtane threw back. I just sat and followed the conversation trying to soak up context and piece together images of who was what and when. There was aplicated web here, and I wanted to be aware of it all.
Crown blesses any vengeful warlord these days, long as it suits her goals. Ish spat.
Careful, girl. The third man finally broke his silence. We ride under the crowns blessing ourselves.
Do not mind ourpanion. Joram hurriedly broke the tension. He is a dedicated man to queen and country.
I am loyal. He spoke bluntly from within the recesses of his hood. As was my father before me, and his father before him, back to the days of Jerak the Bold. And will remain until time itself fades.
You cant deny that your queen favors bloody men, long as they aplish her goals. And Ironmoors hands are bloodiest by far. The half-orc growled. There was resentment in her words, a hidden anger that bubbled up beneath the surface.
No ones gonna deny that Ironmoor is a right bastard, is all Im sayin. Joram replied. But he is still rightful regent by order of the crown.
He hates your entire order. Ish rebuked. Would seem that would make you wary of whoever props him up.
He can hate all he wants. Stane hissed with a smile. We ride under the crowns grace as well, and he would be a fool to attack us. Him and his dear brother may be blood, but they are not friends.
Vicious as he is, no one can use the good baron of being a fool. Joram solemnly nodded. You being on his bad side will lead to much trouble, I predict.
Imit tax evasion. I rumbled with a thin smile. But any agents he sends to bother me will have their skills in axe evasion tested.
The conversation shifted to small talk, and with less strained topics behind us, I got to know the men who dined at my fire this evening. Joram was the son of a knight who had left the familys service, instead wishing to more actively serve his people. He had been with the Verdant Dawn since he was a youngd, and was a passable rider, though I suspected he said that with a thickyer of modesty. Shtane had wandered into this country and sought a trade where he could make coin and spend most of his time doing nothing, he proudly hissed.
Thest man kept his secrets, and I didnt pry.
Keep away from my fields. I offered lightly as Shtane stepped away to relieve himself. You may not like what you find there.
Its an uhh, interesting ce you have here.
Iughed a waved it off. He was being polite, at least.
Its half-built and still overgrown. I sighed. But its home.
Speakin of, Ish grunted and heaved herself up. Thats where I gotta go. I have chores and stuff. See ya tomorrow?
I nodded, and the orc girl set off. Joram rose as well and offered to escort her, only to sit back down when she rejected his offer. The unnamed man excused himself to go check his horse, and all that remained was myself and Joram. The youth quickly looked around and leaned forward, only to stop as I held up my hand.
If youre going to whisper secrets, do it sitting upright so you dont look suspicious.
I could tell he had been itching for the chance to do so.
Ser Raffnyk asked me to pass this to you in confidence. He hurriedly whispered, spine stiffer than a rod. There is far more happening beneath the surface here than what is being shown. Avoid Hullbretch, for the time being. I am not at liberty to say more, but I suspect it would be beneficial if you remained here for a time, a thorn in the barons side.
He mmed up as Shtane emerged from the bushes, a content look on his face. The snake-man gazed around in curiosity and was about to ask something when a scream rang through the night. From the crops.
That fool! I bellowed and burst to my feet. I charged ahead of the others, off towards my fields. Shrill shrieks rang through the night as a man howled in pain. I was headed towards the biter pods, I realized. I had told the idiot to stay out of my crops.
He only still lived because the pods were slow and engorged, still stuffed from yesterdays meal. With a snarl, I grabbed the mans cor and yanked him from the swarm of vines. I could smell the blood here, taste its coppery twang. In the darkness, I pulled him towards the fire and waved off the others as they rushed towards me, weapons drawn.
His limbs remained attached, but not intact. Chunks were missing, and he gasped for air as the shock set in. I gazed upon him and saw a man who was about to die. Until Shtane ripped a sh of thick crimson liquid from his pouch.
Fleshknitter potion. He snarled and ripped the top off. I watched as he sloshed liquid over the bites, and then pped the man and forced it down his throat. We surveyed him unsteadily as he writhed, and my eyes widened as the flesh began to regrow.
Fucking. Idiot. Shtane hissed. Just had to sneak off for a look. Couldnt just fucking listen for once.
Time passed unsteadily as we gathered to watch the man moan in agony and regrow missing parts. I marveled at the sight as torn muscles visibly rebuilt themselves before skin slithered back over gaping wounds.
That potion was fucking expensive. The snake-man hissed in anger. What are you growing out there anyway?
Well, this would be a fun exnation.
Book 1: Chapter 13: Growing monsters.
Book 1: Chapter 13: Growing monsters.
Some men are content to raise crops and tame regr animals, I rumbled, arms folded as I gazed upon the two men that stared up at me. I am not. I raise monster-nts. I gave you fair warning, asked you to stay away from my crops.
Gods Above, man, Shtane hissed. I just want to know why?
Curiosity. An edge on opportunity. Profit, perhaps. I shrugged. Like I said, I am not other men.
It is not safe. Joram struggled to formte the response. Im not trying to be incredulous here, ser, but raising monsters? Thats like tending to a wounded fiend, knowing full well it will attempt to kill you once it is physically able.
You see, that is where we differ, I gave the boy a tight smile. It is dangerous to you as a human, but I am not human.
And there it was. The rejection of my now-lost humanity. Not morally, of course, but physically. I had epted that I would spend the rest of my life in this hulking form, forever stooping through doorways and a titan among men. It was strange. I had not at all even been interested in finding a cure or somesuch. Just epted that this was my new lot in life and was trying to make the best of it.
It might have helped that I never really considered myself close-minded. Yes, I had my interests, beliefs, and circle offort I like to stay within. Yes, there had been some moments in my life where I reacted badly to circumstances, but I had not at all regretted the passing from a human body to another.
I saw no reason to return, in all honesty.
There was a lull in the conversation as I was lost in my thoughts. A polite cough from Joram snapped me back to reality.
As I was saying before, I uttered. This task might be dangerous for ordinary men, but not for me. And so long people can follow my very simple warnings, no harm shoulde to others.
Yes, so we have heard. Shtane sighed, frustrated. But why? I have no doubt in your ability to wrangle whatever things you have out there under control, but what do they yield?
To that, I could only shrug. Partly because I truly did not yet know what could be taken away from all this. Partly because I did not want to reveal everything I knew. Raffnyks men they might be, but I would not trust them with my secrets. And if the unnamed mans snooping had proved anything, it was that I was correct in my wariness.
You are down a man, until he recovers, I observed. How will you proceed with your mission tomorrow?
Jorams pensive expression vanished entirely, reced by dread.
We shall have to decide thate the morrow. he grimaced. For now, I suggest we haul Colbrek into afortable position, give him plenty of water, and hope he is fit to ride when dawnes.
A vain hope. Shtane hissed, but bent to grab the man nheless. They dragged him to sit upright against the tree, ignored his moans, and stuffed a waterskin into his trembling hands. With a grunt, I sat myself back down and scooped up some of the remaining broth from the pot. One of the things I disliked about this body was the massive, voracious appetite it had. One that it required to make all this function, Imented. I consumed a ridiculous amount of foodpared to what I had used to, yet always felt an edge of hunger for more.
Pardon my askin, se- thed caught himself halfway through and fumbled for words. Mister Garek, but what was your callin before all this? We heard you spent time on the frontier.
I was a Berserker,d. Good at what I did. Still am. And now I aim to be a Farmer. I shrugged between sips of hot broth. Simple. And you?
Im a Bleakwind Rider. He returned, proud look upon his face. Shtane abstained and informed me he didnt wish to share his ss. I nodded and soon the small talk petered off. With a sigh, I heaved myself up and looked around.
My bed awaits. Rest here wherever you arefortable till morning. Just, this time, keep away from the crops. And with that I was off, back to my cramped home.
It smelled of meat, a constant stench I found myself losing all fondness for. And that was not my minotaurness speaking. I slept with wadded cloth in my nose to help staunch the stench that overpowered everything in the room. I slept long and deep and awoke to a knock upon my door.
It waste morning, I found as I stepped outside. Ish already awaited me, and the riders were currently arguing by their horses.
Morning. I yawned to thess, and received a usual greeting in return.
Someone slept well. Shemented dryly. I just nodded in agreement. I had dozedfortably. Milk bucket in hand, I walked over to the riders to see what decision they had arrived upon. Joram gave me a tight smile and thanks for the hospitality, while Shtane did the same, albeit with an annoyed hitch to his voice.
We will return the Hullbretch. He grimaced. Colbrek was our method of escaping detection by the Apex, and he is barely in any state to ride. Without him, we ride to almost certain death.
I nodded, and bid them farewell as they rode away. Once they were gone, I set about the morning chores. But first, I had methods to try. The icehusk vines were still within my pack, and now I carefully drew them out. A finger dipped into the terracotta jug confirmed the milk was now cooled slightly. It hovered just under lukewarm, likely due to how I stored it.
But now, I unfurled a long vine and wrapped it around the jug, then another. Satisfied, I returned the lid and prepared another, empty pot. Once finished, I stepped back outside and stomped over to the pasture. This time, I used Cloven Crash right away, too upied with other concerns to fight the taur-cows this morning. I milked in rtive peace, but with hateful stares from frozen beasts on me the entire time. Ish joined as well, another pail in hand as she squatted next to a frozen behemoth cow and filled her pail.
And in little time, we had all the cows done and two nearly-full pails of milk.
So, I asked as we strode back towards the house. How did youe by that hat? Is there someone here that makes them?
The young Gursenhein couple down the road dabble in leatherwork and such, so I got them to make this for me, She grinned and spun it upon one finger. Fits nice an snug.
There was a small farm I had passed a few times, I distinctly remembered. Perhaps I would drop by, introduce myself and extend some neighborly hospitality.
"Tell me about them.
Ish was happy to provide. I suspected thess liked to gossip a little but rarely found an open ear. I was provided with an overview of their history, when they had moved in, what they did, what they grew, failed ventures, current struggles, their problems, everything.
Well, you see. She pondered, deep in thought. We might have something beneficial here, in my opinion.
She said we, and I did not refute her. I viewed Ish as a necessary part of the farm now, someone who provided nearly as muchbour as myself. So much that I considered her a boon, not an expense.
I realize that its an iffy subject, but they have recently fallen on unfortunate times. You see, the young maam, Lindse Gursenheim, has given birth to strappin young twinds.
A great fortune for her, then.
Ish rubbed her neck as her expression twitched.
Shes also dry as a bone. No milk for the babes.
Ah. I winced. Blood-soaked as my hands were, the specifics of women and their bodies always did make me feel a little ufortable.
Well, tis a very opportune thing we have here then, isnt it? I nced at at the several pails of milk we carried. We appear to be uniquely situated to offer a gift, then. Perhaps a gesture of goodwill to show people that the massive brute growing monsters up the road isnt so fearful after all.
Yeah, thats what I was thinkin. Ish half-smiled. Youre a more than decent person, Garek, but theres a reason you havent had any more folks over to visit and wee you. Appearances do matter, and you have many people frightened.
And yet you stopped by. I muttered, bemused.
I was taught not to judge strictly by appearance. Its often a good metric, mixed with a healthy dose ofmon sense. The orc girl nodded as we approached the house. But it aint the end-all.
Well. I remarked and stepped inside. I have plenty of milk. While I do have an appetite for it, it is more than I can consume. Perhaps a gift to this unfortunate young couple is in order.
Strictly from a point of profit, this was a mediocre idea. And yet, I figured a gesture of goodwill was worth more than the few coins I could make from selling this. Extend a good impression to the neighbors, perhaps open up some channels that would otherwise remain closed to me. And even without the business side of it, I thought it was the right thing to do.
I had the opportunity to, at little cost and effort to myself, help another in their time of need. And in a world where I could be anything, I chose to be generous.
Well then, I asked Ish as I emerged, carrying the terracotta pot of milk, vines wrapped around it. How would you like to run an errand for me?
The smile on her face spoke in ways her words could not.
And make sure to get me a hat! I yelled at her back as thess trudged off, pot secured and Gol wandering after her. What had she done to make the sted beast like her?
The morning almost over, I walked over to my crops and sighed. Shtane had asked a good question. What did I intend to do with these crops of monster nts? Some, I could figure out immediate uses for. With some caution, I could potentially harvest the acid from the pepper-nt. The spores from the puffer seemed to make whatever they came into contact with slow and lethargic. The biter-nts'' teeth seemed to easily pierce anything not strictly metal,
The armored ballnt was a vtile bomb, but I believed with enough experimentation, I might be able to harvest and harness its growths before they violently exploded. With a grunt, I squatted down to a nt I had not touched before. Purple leaves grew in a spread above the soil. With no discernable effect, we had elected to leave it where it had been originally nted.
I seized a handle of the leaves and yanked it free. My eyes widened upon the sight of what appeared to be a small, wrinkled humanoid form beneath the earth. That was all the warning I had before it screamed, and my world swam as the full, piercing shriek went straight through my skull and into the brain.
The world swam. ck spots gathered in my vision. There was blood in my ears. I could smell it.
Instinct took over and I mmed the thing back down and jammed it under the soil.
The scream mercifully ceased, and I was left in a deafening silence.
What the fuck?
Book 1: Chapter 14: Deafening silence.
Book 1: Chapter 14: Deafening silence.
Blood dripped from my ears. I could smell it as I staggered away. The world spun in a blurred rotation before me. Everything inside my skull decided to hurt all at once. And through it all, the crushing, deste silence reigned. Both my eardrums were burst.
It hurt. Beyond anything I had felt in this world.
The pain inside throbbed between sharp and dull with every breath I took. I tripped and found myself in the dirt. Picked back up and clutched my head as I staggered onwards. Back to the house. Needed something. Anything.
Pain ruled my existence. How could a scream hurt like that?
Mandrake. Or something close to it. I realized. Never liked old folklore much.
Should have probably paid attention. Gods, it hurt. The sound had gone directly to my brain.
Chills went through me. I remembered that mandrake screams were fatal. Better hope these werent the same monster. My memories slogged together with the original Gareks as I tried to pick apart what was what. Not much sess.
Pain was weakness leaving the body, my furred ass. I snarled, aware somehow. Trying to distract myself from the sheer, mind-numbing pain. Found myself at the house suddenly. Threw open the door and almost fell inside as a fresh wave of pain almost crippled me.
Why was that scream so powerful?
Sense of bnce was horrible. I crashed into the table and dropped to my knees as I fought the urge to wretch my guts up. Thoughts came in sharp burst from the haze of pain. Gods it hurt.
I was a minotaur. This sort of pain was something Garek had never experienced. Magical fuckery.
Should kill the nts, I thought. I fumbled for bandages from the counter. Swiped away objects. Needed to stop the bleeding. Didnt want to pass out bleeding directly from my skull. Normal burst eardrums shouldnt have this affect on me. But this world wasnt normal.
I wrapped cloth bandages around my head. Was aware it didnt fix the problem inside. Didnt care. Just needed the bleeding to stop.
My hands trembled when I finished. Not good. Fucking mandrake. I nced at one of Gareks spears propped up by the back wall. Should go and kill those nts right now. Realized it was a stupid decision made by anger. And for a while, I just sat on the floor, blood-stained bandages wrapped around my head. Alone in the silence.
That was worse than the pain. The absoluteck of any sound. Could be a war outside my door right now, and I wouldnt know. No chitter-chatter of birds. No sound of the wind. No gurgle of the stream. Couldnt hear the cows in the pasture. Noughter of the crows as they harassed smaller birds in the trees.
Nothing. I saw a bowl fall off the table right in front of me and didnt hear the tter.
I needed a healing potion. But I had none on the farm. I staggered upright and leaned against the houses wall. Realized I had no clue where to go for one either. No choice but to wait for ish toe back. Gods, I relied on that girl for so much now.
The smell of my own blood and the stench of meat inside the house roiled my stomach, and I staggered back outside. I could feel the warm wind on my face now, but couldnt hear its whisper. Dread nestled further into my stomach. A wee distraction from the haze of pain.
I was fucked up good. Dangerous nt. Would have to make sure Ish knew. But it was the right kind of dangerous. The profitable kind. The kind I wanted. I could already think of uses for it. Forced myself to do so as I copsed into the shade of the massive tree in my yard. Anything to get my mind off the throbbing pain in every corner of my skull.
Could fucking nt them in pots, sell them to adventurers. Needed to fuck up an entire crowd of enemies? Stick in earplugs and toss the sted thing at whatever was in your way. Dungeons, sieges, anything that involved crowds of people.
There were no birds above the field, I realized with a start. But there were corpses on the soil. They usually circled and would drop down to peck at the dirt for seeds that hadnt taken yet. The scream had outright killed them, I realized with a chill. The same dread continued as I realized that my massive form didnt make me invulnerable. Hard to kill physically, but that was not the end-all.
Might be perfect for scarecrows, I realized. Birds werent stupid. That was how I had kept crows away from my poultry back home. Hung their carcasses from posts where I kept my animals. Crows saw it, realized there was something there that had killed one of theirs and stayed away. Smart birds.
I didnt have to make a mandrake scarecrow to scare them off or anything. I just had to hang their bodies on a stick.
My bnce wasnt good enough for that, I discovered. Sat myself back down and slumped back, looking out over my farm. So many different things I wanted to do, but my head demanded otherwise. Still, I tried to force myself to be productive. The first thing was that I couldnt rely on just rain to grow my crops. It was a problem that gued every farmer, but I wanted a solution if the years rainfall was poor.
I had a healthy stream next to my house. No idea where the water ran from up the mountain, but it came steadily, and I had to make use of that. I had no fancy pipes for irrigation, first of all. Buckets and watering by hand could work, but it was inefficient.
I could dam the stream and then dig irrigation trenches towards the field. A lot of work, but that was most things. Would need to make overflow conditions to keep the water running downstream though. No idea how many other people and farms relied on this for water, and I wasnt about to be a prick who hogged it for himself. Too many bad experiences with that back home.
Mentally, I walked myself through the paces. I would need Ish, lots of wood, and patience. You couldnt just drag a dam in a river and call it quits. I wanted water to spill over and continue downstream, but also move towards an irrigation trench Id dig towards the fields. Maybe a holding pool?
I was so lost in my thoughts that I failed to see Ish arrive. Hours had passed, I realized with a start as I felt her hand p on my shoulder. A worried expression was etched on her face as she looked at the bloodied bandage around my head. The world was quiet as I tried to exin what happened.
My mouth moved and lungs pushed out air, but I heard nothing as I tried to exin the mandrake to her. But thess caught on quickly. She pointed at my ears and I shook my head. I couldnt hear anything. She mimed a healing potion and I nodded. Without any further ado, she was gone. I watched as she sprinted up the road, dust in her wake.
Although, it wasnt all bad. She had even brought me a hat. With holes cut into it for my horns. I held it gingerly, a pained smile on my face. I wanted to try it on, but it wasnt going anywhere near my blood-stained scalp.
Having Gol soundlessly loom beside me was a fright. I was startled as the massive beast just appeared at my side. I would have sniffed him out, even with my dead hearing, blood permeated every sense I possessed. Instead, I just slumped as he sniffed at my ears, suddenly extremely interested in my well-being.
Im not dying yet, youzy shit. Is what I hope I said.
Ish was back long before I expected her. The orcss came down the road at breakneck speeds, flustered and exhausted. Gods, how fast had she run? She flopped down in front of me, a crimson sk in her hand.
She mimed instructions, and I removed the thoroughly soaked bandage from my skull. I could see the grimace on her face as she tilted my head sideways and poured the liquid into one ear. I could roughly feel it slosh around, then evaporate. Same with the other one. It tasted sour going down my throat in a burning rush.
With that, Ish squatted back on her heels and watched.
A tingling burn spread through my skull, and sensation began to return. I could faintly make out words as she spoke.
-an you hear me? The sound came from far away, but it was there. With a grimace, I nodded. Relief returned to her features, and her usual grin slipped back into ce.
Your lucky ma believes in keeping the healin potions in iron sks and not ss potion bottles, She grimaced herself. Tripped on the way here and nearly had to go back.
But you got here anyway, I rumbled. Gods, it felt so good to be able to hear things again. Thank you.
Her frown returned as I exined the mandrake and how to recognize them.
Theyre dangerous, She frowned. But so is everything else. We need wax and cloth to plug our ears when working with them. Wax for this, armor for the biters, and the acid. I think we should just build storage space for dedicated safety gear at this point.
You present an excellent point. I sighed. The wood I brought to erect a shed for the cows can be used for that instead.
Good. Dont wanna run home for my armor every time you want to handle the biter pods anyhow.
So? I grunted. I take the young couple received our gift with gratitude?
Thess snorted, a cheeky grin on her face. Her fangs appeared more obvious than usual as she grinned from ear to ear.
Gratitude? She asked. Have you ever seen someone burst into almost spontaneous tears? I watched both of them tear up real good when I told em it was a gift. Theyre just a small ce without cows and were havin to buy milk at cutthroat prices from another farmer down the road, from what I understood of his blubberin. Real mighty overjoyed at such a neighborly gift. Tried to foist a whole bunch of hats on me when I asked bout one.
You didnt take them?
Eh, woulda been too small for you anyway.
I nodded, a happy smile on my face despite the pain.
Well, I cant work too much myself today, so were not doing anything. I offered. Care to stay for supper or somesuch?
She did, and the day faded as we discussed uing projects on the farm, what we needed and who it would be beneficial to get in touch with. Ish seemed to be of the idea that once the fields were seeded, I should go and meet the neighbors. I didnt disagree. I couldnt stay holed up forever and just drown myself in work. Wasnt healthy. And if problem times came, I would rather have friends to call upon than a small bit of progress more in some project.
And so ended another day. A painful one, yes, but one well spent.
Book 1: Chapter 15: And life goes on.
Book 1: Chapter 15: And life goes on.
The cows were strangely quiet when I walked to the pasture the next morning. No grumbling moos roused the morning air to greet me. Perhaps they were settling into the routine? Any hope I had of that was dashed as I saw my small herd.
They were lying on their sides, barely moving. I dropped the pails and broke into a brisk run, my eyes wide. I was stupid. I hadnt even thought about any other animals in earshot. If the scream had killed those birds above the field, what had it done to my cows?
I knelt and grasped ones head, turning it side to side. Weak protests came from its mouth, which brought some relief to my mind. No blood anywhere. Meant they werent bleeding out like I had been. I moved from cow to cow and found them all in the same state. Weak, lethargic and only ably to feebly protest as I drew near.
The mandrake scream had affected everything in earshot. The horses nervously grazed on the far side of the pasture, at the very edge of hearing. But just the revtion made me stop to think.
What if Ish and Gol had been next to me when I yanked that thing free? I doubted that they could have borne the brunt of the scream better than I had.
I needed some way to iste the mandrakes from the rest of the farm. If that small, infant monster could kill animals with sound alone, I did not want to see what an adult was capable of. I gently stroked the poor creatures head, and nodded in sympathy to its feeble moos. No milking today, then.
The only mercy was that the horses, by virtue of being bullied to the far end of the pasture by the cows, hadnt been affected. They were at the very edge of earshot, and other than some nervousness at my approach, I could see nothing wrong with them. A relief. Something good hade from having mean cows, then.
I had been attacked by a monster just a few days hence and thought little of it. Just killed it and moved on. Attacked by thugs a few days prior. It spoke volumes to this world that no one considered that noteworthy. Was violence and danger such an everyday thing here that people just didnt care? Gareks skewed memories suggested so.
So did Ish. The orc girl leaned against her usual spot as she pondered my question.
Yeah, She agreed. See, for city folks, it might be a bigger deal. And you know, thats a good thing on some level that they dont have to be adapted to constant danger. But out here? Away from the walls and with monsters in the woods? Its just something that happens.
Seems vermon. I suggested, sort of at a loss for words.
Ish just shrugged and tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear.
You know, one of the strangest things to imagine is a world without monsters. Whatd give us levels and skills then? Side from our main sses, I mean.
See, Ive always thought it a bit strange that killing monsters is the universal way to gain levels. It means that even if you cant do a job or secure a lifestyle, you can still make someone of yourself through violence, She noted, oddly pensive today. But Ma always says Im overthinking it. I mean, what a fantasy, right?
I nodded awkwardly. Yeah, what a fantasy indeed.
What sses do you have anyway? I asked. If you dont mind sharing.
Thess rubbed the back of her neck, a gesture Ide to associate with her being thoughtful.
Well, Im a Farmhand, mainly. But I still have the opportunity to transition that into a Farmer if I get my own ce an meet all the requirements.
What are the differences between the two? I asked, mostly out of curiosity. I could vaguely guess, but any new knowledge of this system as a whole was useful.
Well, from what Ive heard talking to Ma and Pa, the Farmhand ss focuses more on physical farmwork, with lots of skills that actively and passively work towards, yaknow, helping me work the farm. Farmer ss instead focuses more on the farm as a whole, I understand.
I nodded along as she spoke. Made sense, that.
Though Im also a low-level Prizefighter, She grinned. Pa werent too happy when I came home with that shiny new ss one night.
Do tell. I asked dryly. Gol whined in what I assumed was confirmation. Couldnt tell. The beast was slouched next to ish, letting the girl stroke the soft part of his head. He yawned smugly at me,zy as ever.
Well, out here, its up to us farmkids to make our own fun, see? She grinned mischievously. So wed all get together and have sparring matches. Course that was a polite way of puttin it. We absolutely beat the shit outta each other with a crowd watching. Most parents didnt care, right until we started sproutin all the wrong sses. Then that was the end of that.
They cared more about sses than physical harm? I stated the obvious, incredulous.
Course, She nodded. Broken bone or cracked rib can be fixed be with a healin potion. Gettin the wrong ss cant.
Your ents slipping. I noted with some amusement. She blushed and rubbed the back of her head again.
Been tryna work on ittely. Thess admitted. "Dont wanna seem uncouth round Miss Lerish or anythin.
We drifted off into further discussion, and came to the agreement that wed need to be more careful with the monster nts. Specifically, the mandrakes would require extreme care. We finally settled on transnting them to the far end of the field, physically away from the farm. But before that we would need material to plug our ears, both physically and magically. Which would warrant a trip to Hullbretch.
Despite Raffnyks warning, I needed another visit to the town in order to advance things on the farm. But this time, I intended to collect some profit. Fresh milk was a valuablemodity, I learned from Ish. Most people preferred to turn theirs into cheese and milk to prevent it from going bad. The jars and vines I had would grant me a few days of safe storage, even though I knew I should pasteurize it or something, just out of habit.
"We should break up a third field, I suggested half-heartedly. Just for the crops, yaknow?
Aye, we should. came the agreement.
Buuuuut that can wait.
Ya, I agree.
Field wont run away, I assured myself. How bout we build that safety shack instead?
She was very agreeable to that idea, I found. And with two people, it went much faster than expected. In the end, we elected to just make it an add-on to the current house. Needed less wood that way. We were actually done by mid-afternoon. Crazy how two people made everything easy. If I were still human and by myself, this would have been a multi-day job. Which led me to another line of thought.
Why is it that human standards are used as a baseline for everything anyhow? I asked out of curiosity.
Ish shrugged at that.
In most of this continent, sure. Buts that cause humans are everywhere here. She grimaced a little. Not ta be an asshole or anythin, but theyre kinda like pests. Short lives, breed a lot of kids, spread and stick their noses in everything. Dont matter if you kill a few, theres always more to take their ce. Kinda like bigger, pink goblins.
Ah. That was a very vivid description, then.
And actual goblins?
Thess frowned and made a face at that, scrap lumber over her shoulder as we carried the junk away. Cleaning up after the job still needed to be done.
Most orcs dont like beingpared to goblins, just to warn ya.
So Ive learned from experience.
Good. She nodded and paused to think for a bit.
Humans an goblins aint too different in the end, see. Breed lots, are kinda everywhere you go, always happy to get into a scrap with outsiders. Main difference is, humans work together and will make peace and treaties if it suits their interests. Goblins have too much Trork in them. Dont trust each other, fight among themselves, refuse to adapt to the world. Theyre like humans without the most valuable trait humans have; adaptability.
Trork? I asked.
Nother point of contention among us greenskins. She made a face. Aint something we love spreadin round, given as so many races already hold us in a bad light.
And yet..
We walked in silence until we dumped the lumber and stood to admire the view. Ish was chewing over her words here, obvious distaste on her face.
All the greenskin races are devolved, She finally started abruptly. Trolls, goblins and orcs were once one race. Trorks. Or whatever they were called. The name is lost to time. But over time, after some massive fuckery nobody remembers, we got split and over time lost most of what made us the dominant race in the world.
Trolls got most of the strength but became near brainless and infertile. Orcs kept the warlike spirit and adaptability, goblins kept the numbers but got shafted in every other regard. Lotsa orcs hate being reminded we were ever the same race.
Ah. Was all I had to reply.
Look its a bad topic. She sighed. Im only tellin you this cuz youre a decent person and been great so far. Wouldnt expect that from a minotaur. Your race has a reputation, and yall earned it.
I nodded vaguely, blissfully unaware at the moment of what exactly she referred to, and in no hurry to discover it for myself.
In time, we moved back to the farm, and began to discuss what we wanted to do in the immediate future. After a bit, we decided to wait a few days and then head to Hullbretch to sell milk and search for a potential buyer for monster parts. That way we could guarantee some profit between now and when the crops were ready to harvest, and Ish needed to pick up personal things anyway.
After much debate, it was decided that the irrigation ditch could wait. It was already past the time to dig it anyhow, as the field was seeded and already sprouting.
Watering by hand will be a chore, Ish sighed. But its just another job.
Aye.
Remind me to buy a lock, I spoke distractedly. And two keys. For the shack.
I mean, we have Gol to ward off intruders. Thess offered.
We both stared at each for a moment and then startedughing.
Yeah, I didnt think so either. He seems more liable to slink off than chase off an intruder.
Honestly, the thing Im worried about most is the barons men showing up while were away. Ish frowned. I have a feeling Ironmoorsckeys would have little qualms about razing this ce while youre away.
That gave me pause. I could probably fight off however many thugs he sent, but that meant nothing if they jolly well sallied up while I was absent. An empty farm wasn''t going to defend itself.
Any suggestions for this?
Well, not to seem too in favor of her, but you could hire Miss Lerish to run security while youre away.
Im seeing a clear pattern of favoritism here, I smirked. I wonder why?
The blush I got out of her with that was worth the angry squawks that came afterward. Butter, I did decide that having the huntress stalk the trees and frighten off any potential intruders was worth the coin if it kept my farm untorched. I couldnt stay holed up here forever, and no amount of justification would get me to put Ish in danger. Thess could handle her own, no doubt, but I was taking no chances and brooking noints.
Book 1: Chapter 16: New faces.
Book 1: Chapter 16: New faces.
The next several days passed in routine. Get up, milk the cows, check on the nts and proceed with menial farm work. Ish helped construct scarecrows that were pretty much just poles with cloth and dead bird corpses hanging from them. Crude, but effective.
Carefully, and nervously, we walled off the mandrake nts as a temporary measure. We had been lucky insofar, but I refused to let something stupid like a rabbit yanking them free kill us all. That would be an insanely stupid way to end my new life, but I brooked no chances.
Even more carefully, we siphoned some of the acid from the pepper nt into metal sks. It took considerable effort to attach thickened bags over the sprout of a puffer nt and let it furiously puff away all day to fill it with spores. Harvesting some metallic spheres from the bomb-nt was a loud and violent process, but we did it in the end.
The crops were sprouting, yet I had a feeling in my gut their progress would have been much faster if I hadnt spent as much gold.
Might be a good thing, that. Faster growth meant faster water consumption. After furious debate, we had decided to backtrack on our previous decision and instead go with the original crop irrigation method. Myst visit to Hullbretch had, thankfully, acquired my greatest asset yet.
The mighty steel shovel.
Amon trend in all my mundane tools. Wood was too flimsy for me to work with, sadly. It cost more, but all my new tools were solid steel. Perfect for a minotaur. It was also during this time that I met Ishs father.
The bearded, muscled elf looked me up and down, distinctly unimpressed. He looked nothing like what I envisioned an elf to be, aside from unusual eyes and pointed ears. Instead, he more resembled a tall, thickly muscled viking with a bushy crimson beard and braided ropes of red hair. The loose shirt he wore didnt fool me a bit; the man rippled with muscles on every exposed surface. He moved with the fluid grace of a serpent and with the light step of a cat.
Everything about the man tripped rm signals inside Gareks mind.
Pa, this is Garek. Ish introduced the two of us. The hand I shook was firm, even when I applied my own strength. We were next to the stream we intended to dam, materials stacked about us.
Havent seen one of your kind in years. The man spoke briskly. Didnt imagine one would move in right next to me. The Gods are hrious like that.
I nodded politely. There was some subtext beneath the surface I wascking here. That much was certain.
Please to make your acquaintance, mister? I trailed off pointedly.
Grenzwald. He spoke bluntly. My girl didnt call me out here for endless pleasantries. Dispense with them and lets get to business.
I did just that and turned to the running stream behind me. Unclogged, it now ran deep and wide, easily up to my waist in the center and several body-lengths across. We had already dug outrge holding pools on this side. All that remained now was to erect the dam and let the river overflow into them. Gouged trenches would then carry the water downhill toward my crops and into the funnels we had dug there the day prior.
There remains one final step in all this. I gestured at the river. And though your daughter is exceptionally resourceful, we cannot figure out a solution as to how we might dam the stream without all our materials being swept away.
And so you havee to me. He puffed at a small pipe and looked up and down the stream with a pointed eye. You require magical means. I require gold for my services.
Well, Pa, Ish interjected. I was actually hopin youd do it as a neighborly gesture, see?
The man snorted and shook his head.
No. I have talents, and you have a need of them. Youve a suspiciously soft spot for this ce, girl.
Thesss face crumpled a bit, but it wasnt like I couldnt afford to pay for this job. I had intended to in the first ce.
Well, cant me me for wanton to make a good impression on our best neighbor. She huffed, hiding her disappointment. The elf just shrugged, unconcerned.
Plenty of other opportunities for you to do that. He remarked. With a slight nod, he named his price and watched as I counted out the coins. A bit pricey, but that was the price of immediate results and convenience. With another puff of his pipe, the man pocketed the coins and rolled back his long sleeves. The tattoos inked onto his forearms squirmed as he gestured towards the stream.
The results were immediate. Water collided with an invisible wall further upstream, swelled and began to build. Pipe puffed furiously, he raised one red eyebrow and seated himself on a stump, fist clenched.
I suggest you hurry, He spoke mildly. The water will overflow, with enough time.
No more encouragement was needed. Ish and I began to drag materials into the shallow mud and hastily began to construct a crude dam. Stone, lots of it. Large bs were maneuvered in and jammed into trenches we hewed into the mud. But there was an issue. There were cracks in said stones, which would allow water to flow through. Once the thick, sloped wall of rock was finished, I turned to the elf.
The other part now, if you could.
He snorted and brought up his other arm. I watched the ground physically harden around the stone, be near stonelike itself. The crude piles of stone melted and fused together. It shifted and distorted, then settled into a thick, rounded wall of solid rock.
Now came the moment of truth. With a grunt, he released both hands, and the stream rushed forward once more. It struck the dam and swirled violently. With nowhere to go, the water rose and began to spill over. On one side, into the holding pools we had dug. On the other, down the stream. An even split into the two.
I sat back with relief. There was little doubt it would have worked, but relief still came sweetly.
His business done, the elf nodded at me, bade me a good day, and strode off back toward his farm.
Dont mind Pa, hes just like that. Ish grimaced. Bein an elf an all.
And with that, my crops slowly began to receive water. One crucial problem solved.
I slept soundly that night, I had to admit. One less worry on my mind. The next, we decided to head for Hullbretch. Lerish and Ish both arrived at first light, albeit from separate directions. The orc girl came at her usual sprint, while the huntress stalked out of the woods. She took my gold withoutment, only giving a gruff greeting to myself and thess.
It took longer than I was proud of the catch the horses and attach them to the cart. Bute mid-morning, I was seated in the front and trundling along the dirt road. The cart had not been built with a minotaur driver in mind, and I sat hunched over, legs ufortably cramped. Ish sat in the back, a close eye kept on the pots of cooled milk and various harvested nt-parts.
First to the Gursenheins, then off to Hullbretch? She asked in confirmation, to which I nodded. It looked to be a very busy day, hence the attempted early start. The horses weredistinctly not trained for pulling wagons either. But Ish had tried to ease them into it over the past several days. Tried.
It was slow going, no two ways about it. Probably would be faster if I pulled the cart myself.
But we rumbled down the dusty roads all the same, the sun at my back and naught but roads, trees, and fields before me.
The Gursenhein family already hadpany, we found. There was another cart out front when he approached, this one pulled by a single horse. Its covered cargo sat right in the middle of the single trail that led to their modest house. After briefly conversing with Ish, I took a small jug of milk and headed off to introduce myself.
I wanted nothing but the best impression, and so I chose toe bearing even more gifts. A young couple on their own was already a hard enough life, and what better way to cement myself in their good graces than by providing them with much-needed aid? I was firmly aware of the incredible power of gossip as well, however. Better that it be positive things being whispered about me than fearful mutters.
-already sold my sheep to pay you, Pert. What more do you want?
The sound came from around the corner as I approached. I was aware that I moved quietly for someone my size, but even then there was no lul in the conversation as I drew near.
I am a bunsinessman, Leon. And we have a deal. A contract, even. I know how difficult it is to be a loyal family man in times like these. I really do. All these dangers that lurk on all sides. These temptations that might lead good men astray. You wouldnt do that, would you? Go back on your word, renege a signed contract? I am a good, peaceful man who would hate to see any misfortune befall my neighbors.
I rounded the corner just then a found a thick, burly man with his back to me conversing with another, much younger fellow who stood in the doorway, his arms folded.
Now, I have this milk here, which you have agreed to buy from me at these absolutely meager prices I am offering it for, Leon. Understand that I passed up another, much more lucrative contract just so I could sell to you at such a discount. And here I stand, having learned you no longer want my milk?
We already have milk this week, Pert. The young man spoke, voice weak. Don need your supply. Mighty thanks for supplyin us so far, but we won be needed any right now.
Leon. Leon, my good man. See, we have an agreement. And part of that agreement is that you buy every week. Now I dont care if you have an entire herd of the finest milk cows right in your backyard and an ocean of cream, you will give me my Gods-earned gold.
No, Pert. The young man insisted, focused on the other person. We know you been sellin to us for way higher than we could get in Hullbretch, and that you been musclin your way into gettin other folks to stay away. We don want none of it.
The bigger manughed deep in his gut.
Hullbretchll sell you anything, Leon. But Hullbretch isnt here, is it? And I dont see a way for you to get there. And what business other folks have with me and their decision aint none of your business now, is it? You just keep that thin nose of yours buried in your business and everything will stay just fine.
I could see a pail of milk next to the man, and it didnt require a genius intellect to piece together context as to what was happening here.
Now, you be a goodd and tell this new uppity supplier of yours to git, so we can all go back to the nice, peaceful arrangement we had, you hear?
It was at that moment that a babe wailed from inside the house, and the young man noticed my massive form. His eyes widened as I fairly towered over the third man, who yelped as I pped one hand down on his shoulder and spun him around.
Why dont you tell him yourself? I rumbled.
Book 1: Chapter 17: Fickle fate.
Book 1: Chapter 17: Fickle fate.
To be fair, he was a big man. Human-wise, Pert -context implied this was his name- was a broad-shouldered, strapping hulk of a man. He had nearly a full head over the shorter Leon and weighed easily a hundred pounds more. The man didnt need to specify threats to intimidate people, his bulk did it for him.
And then there was me.
I was him, but better. The upgrade, in every way. I admit, I took no small amount of inward pleasure as his eyes visibly widened at the sight of me. There was something about frightening an obvious bully that I had never outgrown.
Please, I smiled softly. Continue with whatever you were saying. Dont let me interrupt.
The silence that stretched out was thick enough to run a knife through and spread on a loaf of bread. I could see, even smell the emotions that flickered behind his face. Shock, the rejection that this wasnt happening, eptance that it was, and then thinking on how to salvage the situation.
Or maybe I was just overthinking it and the man was simply dumbfounded. Either way, I remained with a fresh jug of milk carried in one arm, and loomed over the human as he tried to formte something to say.
It took a few coughs and false starts, but I believed in his ability to say something. Eventually.
And whore you?
We both knew the answer to that, but I humored him anyway.
The new supplier. I smiled broadly. Pleasure to meet you.
I believe theres been a mixup, He sputtered after a moment. I have a signed contract with these here folks to exclusively provide them with milk, and I believe you to be uwfully intrudin upon that.
I nodded politely.
To whom is this *contract* beholden then, mister..?
I trailed off, expecting his name.
By thews of Baron Ironmoor, of course. As per thew of exclusivity ratified by his excellence himself, you are trespassing upon my fair, Gods-given rights and interfering with my business. He said, gaining confidence with every word. Deliberate disruption of another mans legitimate business will not stand. I suggest you keep yourself in yourne or well see what the sheriff of thesends has to say.
He was attempting to salvage this by turning the subject to my transgressions and deflecting to me. Twas a good thing I was not inexperienced with such tactics.
It is fortunate for me then, I rumbled with a soft smile. That I do not give a single illegitimate fuck about the baron or hisws. All I see is bully trying to take advantage of a desperate family.
You would nder my honor and cast doubt on my good name? He all but puffed up. Ill have you taken before the baron for -
I am not casting doubt on your good name, ser. I interrupted the very image of patient politeness. I am denying its entire existence.
I pre-empted the redness that burst onto his features by pping my free arm down on his shoulder and yanking him close to me. There wasnt a peep as I leaned forward and looked him dead in the eye.
Now, with your best interests and safety in heart, I suggest you fuck right off. Walk back to your cart, turn it around, and drive on home before anyone gets any harsh feelings over all this. I said that as nicely as possible, tone soft but stern. And if you have any untoward ideas abouting back to make trouble for these folks, I know where you live.
I didnt, but hecked that knowledge.
Is that a threat? Ill have thew here before you can so much as blink! He sputtered angrily, trying to pull away. I tightened my grip on his shoulder and let him wriggle about for a bit before I answer.
Mister Pert, I smiled lightly and shook my head. I dont make threats. I hold no stock in childish boasts of violence. Myself, I believe a man should only make promises as to what he can back up.
With that, I steered him around my form and let him go. He stumbled away as I smiled and gave him a small wave.
Twas a pleasure meeting you. I nodded and pointedly kept quiet as he stumbled away, his face several shades of crimson.
Good man. I nodded at his back. I was starting to very much appreciate this new form and its incredible size. I didnt even need to imply violence, simply let others imaginations do all the work for me.
The young man stood in silence as I turned my attention to him.
Leon Gursenhein? I asked politely. More as a way to start the conversation than an actual inquiry. I am Garek. I believe young miss Flintfang delivered a gift from me several days ago.
Youre a whole lot bigger in person. He finally spoke. Pardon me, but I aint never seen a minotaur before.
And now you have. I smiled. I hate to be abrupt, but I simply stopped by to drop off another gift and introduce myself. Been holed up at my ce for a while too long and neglecting my neighborly obligations.
I handed him the fresh jug of milk and swore I could see the beginnings of tears in the young mans eyes. He looked absolutely ragged, now that I was closer. Smelled of exhaustion and that unique scent that came with terminal sadness.
Its been a rough few months. His voice was cracked as he took the gift and blinked furiously. Arga already had a rough time carryin twins and then the gods saw fit tough at us again when they were born.
I nodded wisely, catching a glimpse of a smaller woman with demi-human features just inside the house, The young missus, then. Although from my awkward angle, I couldnt make out much of her.
Well, life aint fair, so it falls on good neighbors to help relieve the burden, I nodded. I give freely and without any strings attached. Would just feel mighty obliged if you could perhaps return those jugs once they''re empty and we can see about getting you some more.
With that, I epted his thanks, grinned at his remark on how well my hat fit, and was on my way again.
Someone left in a pleasant mood a few minutes ago. Ish grinned, sprawled out in the cart. Think you might have gotten your goods tampered with or reins cut if I hadnt been here.
A very fine coincidence then, that I have you in my employ. I somberly chuckled. I had probably made an enemy, but I cared little for the friendship of such craven men. If he intended to make any trouble for me and mine, I would not extend him the courtesy I had this time.
The road to Hullbretch was slow and bumpy, filled with dust and wary riders. The guards seemed like they wanted to speak of something, and seemed reluctant to let me through. But in the end, they decided not to obstruct me further. My cart rolled into town, and with Ish looking after the cart, I set off to find an alchemist or some such.
It took a while to prise directions from the townspeople, but I did eventually make my way to a ratherrge shop. I took note of the amount of green-d men who lurked in most corners and alleyway, and could almost smell the tension. The Riders of the Verdant Dawn seemed wound-up, tensed like a wire ready to snap. Whatever was going on, I wanted little part of it and hurried about my business.
Walchs Royal Alchemy was the ces name, and it did look rather fine, I noted upon stooping through the entrance. Neat racks of clearlybeled bottles were kept along the walls, while baskets ofmon herbs and ingredients were stocked down the center. A hub for all things alchemy, I was told. The marble walls were spotless, save for the asional decoration.
It even stocked what I assumed were magical items. Staves, orbs, and other rted objects were neatly kept behind ss disy cases. A few items caught my eye, not out of necessity, but perhaps the promise of convenience. An innocuous wooden box promised to keep all materials inside at a warm temperature for as long as the lid was closed. Advertised with an average lifespan of several months, I could already imagine the warm meals this could hold for me all day.
It wasrge for a human, perhaps, but just right for me. And at not-quite-steep price. I didnt need it, per se, but it pleased me.
What did not please me was what the shopkeeper told me shortly after.
Come again? I asked mildly, my emotions kept tightly in check.
The short man shrugged and scratched at a burnt spot on his forehead.
Is simple, my good man. Youre a Tax Evader. Decreed by the Baron. Status says so, and status doesnt lie. Now, this here bein a fine establish in good standing with the baron, I cant buy your product. He scratched away nonchntly Les of course you get that status removed by payin your fair share like the rest of us, you wont see a single grubbin sliver of coin from me.
Well, thatplicated things. Still, no sense trying to force a man into doing business with me when he obviously didnt want to. I could just find someone else to buy my goods from. I wanted a long-term profit and buyer, not a one-off deal neither side liked. With a sigh, I plunked the basket onto the countertop.
Ill just buy this and be on my way, then.
Right gentlemanly of you, ser. The tanned man nodded. Thatll be seven gold coins.
The what? I almost bellowed. Thats double the price listed on the shelf!
Tight rein on those emotions, I told myself. No reason to lose it over some haggling. Wasnt haggling, it turned out.
Fraid thats what youll be paying. The man shrugged again, supremely unconcerned. Tax Evaders gotta pay double on any goods, barons orders. You have an issue with that, take it up with Lord Ironmoor.
I contemted unwise things, but decency got the better grip on me. Without another word, I turned and strode from the shop.
I had not made it more than a dozen strides when a youngd waved me down.
Garek, ser. He spoke nervously. He knew me, but the reverse was not true. Ser Raffnyk has asked me to bring you to him. The matter is urgent.
My mood was already foul, but at least there was someone in this bloody town I liked decently enough. With a nod, I gestured thed on and followed him through the streets. The roads were quiet now, eerily so. People wandered about their business, but the bustle and hubbub of it all was gone. We drew near a tavern I recognized, and thed ushered me through.
Raffnyk, the orc I recognized as Stonefang and several others were gathered within. The human looked up as we entered, his expression tight.
Garek. He greeted me, face pinched.
Raffnyk. I returned with a nod.
Gods Above, man. He sighed. The rider was worn thing byck of sleep, with bags around his eyes and normally neat clothes in disarray. You could not have picked a worse day to do your shopping.
What did I wander into this time?
Violence. He groaned. Incredible amounts of it. That fact that youre here heralds it as toote to leave. Theyll have sealed the gate by now and be looking for us. And for you.
Who? I demanded. I could smell the unease in the air and the men and women in here shifted, tensed.
Ironmoors bloody bastards. The orc growled. We should have been tipped off when they stopped letting our men out of the sted town.
The good baron has decided the settle the score with our order once and for all, Raffnyk grimly informed me. Up until now, tensions brewed, yes, but there was some modicum ofw and decency.
See, The orc grunted. Just yesterday, the good queen passed away in her sleep. We ride without her protection now.
The time for hard feelings and strained civility has passed, Raffnyk growled. Bloodshed is inevitable, now. The town is locked down, and theyreing. You wandered in at a fatefully disastrous time, my friend.
Gods Above, and this day had started so well..
Book 1: Chapter 18: Vestigal truth
Book 1: Chapter 18: Vestigal truth
Raffnyk paced now as he ryed the situation to me. I could smell the emotions that ran rampant here. Nervousness, some fear, tension, and danger. Stonefang reeked of that particr anger-scent, something his face eagerly conveyed.
The time is nigh, Raffnyk growled. Ironmoor thinks he is clever, and will probably justify this as security. If we had not received a letter than the queen had died this morning, it would have worked too.
I take he would not have done this had she lived? I asked, tense myself. Full aware of the danger now, there was a hollow pit in my stomach. I had little taste for bloodshed, but the situation seemed like it was intent to force me toward it.
By Queen Eliths decree, we were to keep our grudges aside and cooperate. Whoever struck the first blow would have their protection revoked and be subject to the full wrath of the crown. The quill-man who had apanied Raffnyk to my farm solemnly stated.
Queen Elith is dead. Stonefang snarled. Her decrees are worthless now. An Ironmoor likely holds power in the capital, and his brother will have free reign here.
So, do we sit here and wait for the axe to fall, or do we pre-empt the blow and break free? Raffnyk asked quietly. We are trapped in a very real cage. The longer we wait, the worse this bes. We could sully our honor and strike down our hosts, ughter the soldiers here, and then funnel our men out under nights cover and ride hard for The Mornwood.
I say we do this. Stonefang grunted. I just loomed quietly, arms folded as I took in the situation.
The quill-man shook his head.
Your honor is impable, Raffnyk, and I know it to be a hard thing to sully it so for the sake of your men. But instead of wholesale ughter, I suggest we make a break for the stables, strike down only those in our way and then break through the gate and ride for Livant. Give the men orders to split and ride till their horses drop. Smaller groups will mean a better chance of leaving Urthal.
The men chewed it over, in deep silence. Finally, Raffnyk turned to me with a tired look.
Garek, it was a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I have heard you are no friend of Ironmoors, but I would not want to endanger you further by asking you to lend us aid. This matter is farrger than a dispute over taxes. The Kingdom of Urthal isrge, and with massive resources they can bring to bear. Our actions here will almost certainly spark the embers of war.
And yet here I am. I rumbled. Happy, I was not. That much was clear. War?
Only as a warning of the danger, my friend. And yes, we are foreigners, here on a specific mission. The outrage this will cause is not inconsequential.
This fucking mission was supposed to ease tensions between our countries, not inme them further. A woman snapped, seated at one of the tables. But thats the danger os these requests.
Danger. It suddenly struck me.
Ish. I realized. The orc girl was unaware, likely still with the cart. She had no idea of this plot or the danger. I must go.
Raffnyk smiled sadly.
Then this is goodbye, minotaur. He offered one armored hand. I shook it solemnly and looked at a man I respected. You can no doubt find your way out of Hullbretch no matter what stands in your way. Leave, and do not look back. Distance yourself from whatever happens here. The baron will soon have bigger matters to concern himself with than you.
I nodded onest time and whirled. I was through the door and past the men standing guard outside in heartbeats. The streets were quiet as I barreled through them at a near-run. My ymore was in the wagon, because I hadnt wanted to intimidate the citizens any further. A foolish decision on my part. My mind swam as I tried to process it all at once.
This had alle out of nowhere. I had been aware that the baron and the Verdant Dawn had no love for each other, and had stumbled into a trap meant for others. Was there an evenrger conspiracy at y? Gods Above, I just wanted to farm.
Armored men stepped out of alleyway ahead and spread out, hands on their weapons. I gave no shits and charged right at them. Even with Ironhide I barely registered the impacts as I smashed into and through the line they had formed. Bodies were thrown aside and men screamed in pain as I smashed through them without slowing. Shouts rose from behind me as I swerved down another street, near my destination.
Ish was safe, thank the gods. She sat upright as I barreled closer, concern on her face.
On your feet, girl! I bellowed. Sheplied and hopped off the cart As I nearly crashed into it myself. My ymore was ripped free from where ity, and with one regretful look at the milk and goods I was forced to abandon, I gestured her away.
Follow me. Were in danger. I spoke in short, clipped bursts as I strode down the streets. We need to get out of Hullbretch.
Gates are that way. She pointed down another street, but I shook my head.
Cant. I growled. Guards are all Ironmoor. Out for blood. Dont want to get bogged down with archers. Id survive, but Im not risking you.
You have another idea in mind? She asked cautiously as we ducked down an alleyway to avoid a mass of guardsmen ahead.
Yes. I grunted and smashed through a barrier fence. The wood splintered under impact as I forced a path between the two buildings. Head for the wall.
A lone man awaited as we burst from the alley, and his eyes widened as I bore down on him. A single backhand swipe of my arms sent him into a wall, where he soundlessly slumped on impact. There were no archers atop the section of wall we arrived at. The wooden palisades were meant to keep the monsters out and townsfolk secure. Now, they were a cage.
Stand clear. I ordered and lifted the ymore. Ishplied and hopped backward to give me space. With a grunt, I lined up the massive de and swung. Brutal Swing elerated the strike, and the enchanted de ripped through a section of the wooden wall. Two more slices and I kicked the section of wall outwards. Unable to exit via the gate, I made my own.
With onest nce back at Hullbretch, I ducked through and beckoned for Ish to follow.
Run. I simply said and gestured towards the road we had arrived on. Her pace matched my longer strides as we cut through farmers fields, growing crops trampled underfoot. I kicked up dirt with every step, back tensed as I expected shouts from the wall and the inevitable arrows. They never came. Ish kept stride, her expression grim as we dashed for the road.
Farm animals scattered ahead of us, their brays of fear an rm signal that mercifully went unnoticed. I was panting heavily by the time we came to the road, and continued in silence until the town was out of sight. Until finally, I copsed against a tree and was forced to rest. Bulky forms were not made for running. My muscles burned, and adrenaline coursed through my veins.
Ish squatted not far from me, barely winded. The orc girl had a tense expression on her face, fists clenched as she kept watch.
What happened? She asked, tone worried. I waved at her and indicated my shortness of breath before I could give an answer.
Ironmoor. Riders. Enemies. The words came out in gasps as my chest heaved. Start of a war, maybe.
Her eyes narrowed as Ish processed the information. She was on her feet and in front of me in a heartbeat, deadly serious.
Exin. Not a question, a demand.
Urgency coursed through me, but reality forced me to pant for breath. Gods, I had not run this hard in years. Gareks body was excellent for short, intense bursts, but not long, protracted running.
The Queen is dead. Without her protection, Ironmoor is moving to eliminate the Verdant Dawn. Theyre trapped in Hullbretch and anything they do will trigger a war between countries. Raffnyk-
No shes not. Ish interrupted.
What? I stopped and sat for second. But, the riders received word this morning.
Shes not dead, Garek. Ish shook her head, confusion on her face. Queens are a big deal here. I understand it might be different for you, but if she were dead, everyone would know.
Maybe the messengers havent gotten here yet? I suggested. Either way, now that her protection is gone-
Again, Ish cut me off with a shake of her head.
Garek, if she were dead, the System would tell us, her subjects, directly. I would have lost my Subject of Elith ss. There would have been a ripple in the system. Queens and Kings dont just randomly die without everyone being told. When old King Rosharth died, there was a message from the system to all of his subjects.
But-
You arent a Subject, I think, and the Verdant dawn are all drifters unbeholden to any one crown, but I am. I would have known. And there were no mourning bells, no gossip, no gs. If she had died, the damn Eagle of Ulrath would be flying over every house in that town. The death of a ruler is a massive thing, Garek. We would have felt her Skills dissipate, seen effects vanish, stuff like that.
I had to stop and think on that. My heart was still pounding, and the adrenaline made my limbs twitch and mind race.
Why would someone tip them off that she died, then?
The question answered itself a momentter when I remembered what Raffnyk had said.
The Queens protection extended as long as she lived, but whoever struck the first blow forfeited it.
Horror dawned on me as the pieces fell into ce.
Its a trap, I whispered in horror. But not the one that Raffnyk thinks it is.
The baron was not some mildlypetent fool. Only now did I see how brutally cunning the man was.
He intends to lure them into striking first. I mouthed my thoughts out loud. Thats why those guards didnt draw their weapons on me. They closed off the town to scare them, spurred their emotions on with a false letter, and made it seem like they were closing in. if they attack their host, he has every justification to kill them.
And with the risk of sparking a war, their home country wont shield them. Ish continued. Lerish did warn you that Ironmoor was smarter than you thought. The man didnt get to be a baron by being a simple-minded thug.
I heaven myself up. The trap had been set, and Raffnyk was about to walk right into it. I had no time to sit herementing about how I had been bamboozled into this fuckup.
Stay here,ss. I ordered. If Im not back by nightfall, assume the worst.
I didnt wait for her acknowledgment and rushed off. I ran, but it was too slow. With a curse, I called Reckless Charge and picked up speed. My hooves tore through the ground, earth and stone alike sprayed behind me as I charged for Hullbretch. Just moments ago I had thought I was leaving the town behind for good, and now I returned in all haste.
Open the fucking gates! I roared as I neared the wall. They were closed shut, and I was in no mood to go find the opening I had hewed in the walls. Every second mattered here. The guards out front simply milled about as I approached at breakneck speed. Either uprehending or intent on refusing me entry.
Fine.
I called Ironhide and Reckless Charge again and braced as the wall of wood drew near. It loomed before me, approaching at rming speed. With a grunt, I put my shoulder down and smashed into the wall at full speed.
Wood splintered on impact, and with an explosion of debris, I was through. I emerged from the other side, took a second to get my bearings, and was off again. No one was fool enough to step into my path this time.
The tavern was empty when I arrived, and it took precious moments to pry the information from the frightened innkeeper. My frustration and roars likely didnt help, but I was in no mood for niceties and patience. Rage swirled beneath the surface, coated in desperation. Finally, the sniveling man told me that Raffnyk and his men had marched for the stables.
With another curse, I tossed the man out of my grasp and burst back outside. Vaguely recalling which direction the stables were in, I ran for all I was worth. Stone crumpled under my hooves and my muscles burned as I moved at speeds that should not have been possible for a form thisrge.
I was risking my life but godamnit it was for one of the most good, decent men I had ever met, and I was not about to sit back and let him be killed because I hadnt tried hard enough. There was still a chance to stop the madness and bloodshed, and I wasnt about to let it fade.
I barreled into the square before the stables to find a scene I dreaded.
Raffnyk and his men stood across from a massed force of armored men, all with their weapons drawn.
SHES NOT DEAD RAFFNYK! I bellowed at the top of my lungs. Fuck breathing, I had to get the godamn message across. THE LETTER WAS A RUSE! THEY WANT YOU TO STRIKE FIRST TO FORFEIT THE PROTECTION!
With that, I clutched my chest and slumped sideways against the brick wall. My head swam, and my lungs felt so small and tired. Blood pounded in my eyes as the men milled, ripples going through their form. A form dashed towards me, and I recognized Joram. The youngd, lent his strength to my weight and helped me towards Raffnyks stiff form.
Garek. My friend. He spoke tightly, caution and relief on his face. I did not think you would return.
And here, I gasped. I fucking am.
Are you sure of this? He asked, his voice tight. Do not give me false hope. Please.
I am. I gasped, and exined as best I could.
Thank the gods you came back. Raffnyk groaned when I finished. Or Hullbretch would have been drenched in blood.
Fuck the gods. I groaned. Thank yourself for being such a decent person that I actually cared.
Anything further I was going to say was cut off as a figure stepped out from the crowd of soldiers across from where we stood.
Well then, A womans voice spoke from within the confines of a drake-faced helm. Would you care to disperse, or will you lift arms against your hosts leal guardsmen?
I could almost hear the sardonic smile in her voice as the weight of her presence settled across the shoulders of everyone in the square. A powerful, oppressive feeling that radiated malice.
You are free to return after our inspection of the stables for fugitives is finished.
Who are you? I curtly demanded.
My name is of no concern. Came the gleeful return. I am the barons Adjudicator, and you can thank your gods I have little interest in you. Keep it that way., bull.
After cautious milling about, Raffnyk ordered the men to disperse. My eyesight never left the draconic-armored figure as we left the square, a crisis averted by the thinnest margins. There was still anger and bloodlust in the air, but the worst had been averted. For now.
Gods Above, He finally eximed tiredly when we had returned to the tavern. What did I do to deserve a friend like you?
The reward of simple kindness and respect. I smiled thinly. I expect you to return the favor, someday.
We are leaving Hullbretch. He decided suddenly. As soon as that sham investigation of the stable is concluded, I am going to round up all my men and march for the Redtip. Set up our own camp somewhere and wait for further orders there.
Good. I grunted tiredly. And Im going home.
The guards didnt try to stop me this time and seated on my wagon, I rolled back out of town, picked up Ish, and began the long drive home.
What a day. Politics, treachery, bloodshed barely averted, and the stark revtion that I had underestimated Iroonmoor by an absolutely gross margin.
Gods Above, I just wanted to farm in peace.
Book 1: Chapter 19: Allusions to aftermath.
Book 1: Chapter 19: Allusions to aftermath.
Night ruled the skies above before we returned to the farm. Ish tried to cheer me up, of course, but my mood remained pensive the entire ride. Raffnyk -and by extension me- had been yed like a fiddle. Even if we had avoided crisis, that didnt feel good. Ish did her best, truly. The orc girl offered up usible exnations, all of which I was too distracted to really appreciate.
Well see, She chewed on her lip as we rode along. It makes sense, donit? The Verdant Dawn, being outsiders, wouldnt have a specific Subject ss. Being foreigners, they wouldnt be informed of her death anyhow.
I suspected this was a ploy to bolster my mood, but listened anyway.
And what of all these other signs that should have been so obvious? The bells being tolled, the g over every house? I threw back half-heartedly. I myself had not been aware of these traditions, but I was not strictly from this ce either.
I dunno if they ever mentioned it, but the Verdant Dawns homnd, if it can be called such, isnt a kingdom. Part of why Iroonmoor dislikes them, I suspect. Its more of an elected council of people. Those rarely die in office, and the system doesnt ce any great stock on their deaths. Nor has thisnd, Uth, had a monarch die in half a century now.
Ironmoor gambled on a simpleck of knowledge, and nearly seeded. I returned quietly. It was a chilling thought. A reminder that despite being massive, strong and -with Gareks memories- experienced, I was not infallible. I had let myself get swept up in the rush and feel of danger, and nearly watched friends die.
We traveled the rest of the way in silence.
Ish led the horses to pasture once we returned to the farmstead itself. For once, I was d to hear Gols whines as the beast wandered over and peeked into the cart. With the jumbled mess of politics, rtions, feuds and strife outside, there was something reassuring in his simple-minded hunger.
The cart could stay loaded tonight, I decided. The jars were covered anyhow, and everything else was sealed.
Lerish seemed to appear almost in front of me, but I was too tired to be startled. We exchanged greetings, and tired as I was, I only half-heartedly invited her to stay for supper. She still epted. Soon, we sat before a crackling campfire, me clumsily slicing meat and vegetables into a pot. Lerish puffed away at her pipe, her face as a grimace as she inhaled the crystal smoke.
Ish wandered over, bade us goodnight and walked off down the road.
Unusual. Lerish remarked at thesss back.
It was an long day. I grunted. Not a good one either?
Share? She asked, and I did. She stayed quiet throughout, leaned back against a tree with her legs crossed and one arm behind her head. I didnt downy my own oversights and mistakes, but conveyed exactly what had happened to her as she asionally nodded along. Supper was ready to serve by the time my story was done, and the huntress graciously epted a bowl.
People underestimate the snake. Iroonmoor. She grunted and blew into her soup. Man didnt be baron by being stupid. Calcted gambles always go well for him. Too well. Think he has a Skill that sways oues in his favor. Cant confirm. Knowledge like that is secret. Secrets that people die for. But Ive seen people with it before. I suspect he has a few levels in Gambler.
Eager to not be reminded of my own failures this day, I instead chose to chase down this path of conversation.
Ish mentioned this as well, a while back. I questioned between sips of soup. Why is it that having more sses seems to be regarded as negative?
Mmm. Lerish shrugged. The higher your level, the better your Skills. A single Skill in level thirty to forty is infinitely more useful than a dozen skills from one to twenty. Having multiple sses splits level growth as well. Already slow enough at higher levels, but with multiple sses it bes a drag.
She hacked and coughed after speaking that long, and grimaced between inhtions of her crystal haze.
Has to do with how levels grow. She rasped. Killing beings that are part of the System grants you growth. Depending on their own growth in the System. Universal way of advancement for every ss. Doing ss aligned tasks also brings growth. But thats a down-trickle.
borate.
She did so, after a few more moments of silence and long pulls of her pipe.
Your highest-leveled ss will split its growth with the next highest ss. But the reverse isnt true. So while killing will split experience across all sses, doing things in the highest ss will feed the next highest. She grunted. Its generally not worth it to have multiple sses. Past level thirty, most sses slow to a crawl. But every new Skill is massive potential.
Gareks memories contained none of this information. This being my first real look into the System, the information fascinated me.
For instance, what would you suspect Baron Ironmoors level to be? I asked.
Lerish shrugged.
Hard to tell. Wager hes a higher level Warlord than Baron. Spent years on the northern campaigns. Plenty of experience killing. Suspect he has a few levels in Gambler. Wars a risky business, but things seem to go in his favor. Unless he found a way to consolidate his sses, I''d wager him to be mid-thirties in Warlord, mid-teens in Baron and mid-teens in Gambler. If he has it.
ss consolidation? I asked, interested. I have never heard that term.
Doesnt happen much. She grunted. You need some massive feat. That uses both your sses. Combines them into one. Most people already dont take more than one ss.
Interesting. I nodded.
If you say so. She grunted. What now?
Your ns. She borated a momentter.
I shrugged.
Stay here. Farm. Do my damnest not to get mixed up in all this. Im already in deeper than I like. I tiredly grumbled. I just want to grow my crops, experiment with my nts, raise livestock. But now I cant even sell product because of my Tax Evader status.
Maybe not on Ironmoorsnd. Lerish suggested. But youre not far from his borders.
She grabbed a loose stick and leaned forward. With a flourish, she drew a round oval in the dirt.
Not urate. But close. Think of this as Ironmoorsnds inside the kingdom. She stabbed at a part towards the middle. This is Hullbretch. The edge of the settlednds.
She moved the stick left and gestured at the empty space. This over here has far more towns and viges, with the city of Koth on the border.
With that, she brought the stick back and poked a dot past the halfway-point of Hullbretch and the border.
This is where we are. Right on the slopes of Mount Redtip. Once you leave Ironnmoorsnds, your Tax Evader status bes nulled. Find towns not far from the border and sell your goods. I suppose.
With that, shepsed back into silence and began to eat her soup.
Thank you, Lerish. I sighed. This information is arge help.
She shrugged and waved me off.
Fuck Ironmoor. She grimaced. Enemy of him is friend of mine. Mostly.
You seem to have a past with him. I remarked.
Worked for him, long ago. Things went bad. She gestured at her chest. I have him thank for my torn lungs every morning.
Shepsed into silence, and I didnt ask further questions. After a time, she stood, thanked me for the meal, and walked off into the brush. Gol wandered in and flopped down in her ce. A massive downgrade inpany, I had to say. Still, I wasnt in the mood to be angry with him today. For all his faults, thezy beast wasnt actively scheming my downfall. Was he?
Iy awake in bed a whileter, unable to sleep. For all its ws and fuckups, today had been an important day. Its events had closed doors for me, but also opened others. In spite of everything, I saw opportunity.
A camp of Raffnyks riders here on Redtip would need supplies, and I found myself in a prime position to offer some. Milk for one, and perhaps vegetables and wheat down the line. I still needed an alchemist to sell my goods to, but if that failed, I would have to find separate uses for them.
And so I turned restlessly long into the night. My mind whirled, thinking of new ideas and purposes for the deadly nts that grew in my fields.
The most relevant was that I could possibly make either acid or spore grenades. But that would require care and some ingenuity. Still, those could perhaps be a source of profit, and I would have potential buyers nearby.
What Lerish had said about sses and levels gave me much to chew over. I effectively had three sses now, with Bloodstained Berserker, Farmer, and Mason. But it seemed I didnt have to worry about any growth from Farmer bleeding down into Mason. And even if it did, it seemed that the ss wouldnt actually gain any levels unless I did tasks that rted to it, given that Garek had such a disproportionate gap in his levels. Despite his memories indicating he had taken Mason at a young age.
There was a vague sense inside me that if I used the ss and its skills just for a little while, it would level up. But I didnt want that. I was close to the next level of Farmer and wanted to focus on that as much as possible.
And I would do just that. In the morning.
The time between sleep and awakening came far too quickly, and with a grumble, I stumbled out of bed. I had fed Gol yesterdays leftover soup, and I didnt trust him enough to leave any meat over the fire while I did chores. With a yawn, I stumbled outside, blinked as the dawn sunlight struck my eyes, and went off to visit the cows.
The mandrake incident had made them even more resistant to my approach. Something that Cloven Crash was forced to remedy. But soon, I had a field of frozen cattle behind me and a full pail of fresh milk. With a sigh, I heaved open the door of the storage shed where we had moved the milk to and stopped.
A cat-like creature sat on its hind legs, half a jug of empty milk in front of it as it blinked up at me with big round eyes.
That was officially when I decided to no longer take things well.
Book 1: Chapter 20: Feline Fury.
Book 1: Chapter 20: Feline Fury.
To its meager credit, the cat was fast. All of two heartbeats passed between me yanking the door open to it bolting between my feet. Or it tried to. The pail of milk hindered it somewhat. And I was no slouch in speed either.
My haste fueled by rage, I grabbed the creature before it could escape and hauled it skyward. It squealed in protest as I breathed heavily, contemting simply hurling it at the sky with all my strength.
Do you know what happens to thieves? I rumbled, blood pounding in my eyes. This farm already had one cking-off useless resource drain. And he mostly existed because I was too far into the sunk cost facy to kick him out.
No? it whimpered. And I blinked in surprise. Of course there were talking cats here. Now that I red at it closely, it also wore some rudimentary clothes.
Thieves get fed to the nts. I growled and stomped toward where the biter pods were.
Nonono. It meowed furiously. Im sorry-sorry for taking your milk. I was hungry, yes-yes.
Sorry isnt going return it. I snarled. I was well and truly fed up with all the random bullshit life had been throwing at metely, and this threatened to be thest straw.
It squirmed in my grasp, ncing over its shoulder as I approached the nts.
Im really, really sorry, mister. It yelped. I can pay you, yes-yes.
That got a twitch out of me, and I stopped. It was firmly in my grasp, but I wasnt squeezing tight enough to crush it. The cat was near two feet tall, and weighed a few dozen pounds, I reckoned.
Coin. I rumbled. Now.
I have none but I can help on the farm! it spoke in a rush. Help on the fields, catch vermin and stuff. I promise-promise.
I paused and considered. I did need some way of keeping mice and other vermin out of my harvest, and having some controble way of doing that seemed good to me. Still, I wasnt about to let this be another Gol. I yanked the creature close to my face and red at it.
Fine. I growled. You can stay and earn your keep. But any funny moves and I feed you to bear. Try to run off without repaying your debt, and Ill send the best huntress this side of Koth after you. Am I clear?
Yes-yes. It nodded enthusiastically.
With that, I dropped the creature and folded my arms. It righted itself mid-air andnded on its back feet, tensed up.
First of all, Im going to need a name.
Artyom. Itplied.
Art it is, then, I grumbled. Now what can you do?
Ish interrupted me halfway through the cat-creature boldly listing all its traits and skills, most of which I assumed were exaggerated.
A felinid? She questioned, fresh in from her morning run.
I shrugged, not knowing what the creatures race was, and exined the situation to her. The orc girl nched when I recounted the details of it all to her.
Best you keep it far away from milk, Garek. She told me staunchly. Its a near-drug to them. Too much will cause them to turn manic. Seen it happen before. Ration anything you let this one have.
I duly noted that, and ignored Artyoms hisses at Ish. The felinid had its ears ttened along its skull as it red up at thess.
Look, all Im saying is that theres a reason theyre known as a race of wandering thieves, and most of ites from them being given unrestricted ess to milk and going absolutely manic from it and needing it again.
Im not like the rest of my kin-kin, greenskin! Art hissed at ish, hostility in his eyes.
It did consume half a bucket of milk and it still ludic. I offered.
Take no chances. Ish insisted. Last thing this farm needs is a drugged-up felinid tearing through everything in desperation.
With morning already well underway, I set Ish to look after Artyom for the day, and they both headed out to weed the crops, tools in hand. I trusted thess to watch over the cat-thing and tell me if she thought it was worth to keep it around. I gave Gol the stink-eye as the beast rolled over from where it had been fast asleep the whole time and loudly yawned. Some guard-animal he was.
With that, I settled in to n the rest of my day.
Construction on any new buildings was temporarily halted. Until I could find an actual source of good wood, I was going to focus on other things. The dam and irrigation trenches needed a blockade to cut off water to the fields as needed, so I focused on that. The neat rows of nts that had sprouted were separated by small trenches filled with water. At the opposite end of the field, I could see ish and Art carefully making their way through the mud and beginning their mass extermination of weeds.
But here, upslope from them, I wanted a method to cut off the water. After a while, I settled on making a proper barricade for the small stream. The water would stay in the holding pool, and could be let out as needed. It took me a few hours to construct and implement that, but the task was finished before long.
I waved to the two as they worked their way up the first field, and set off back to the house. The garden next to the house I had to water by hand, and so I did. The vegetables had sprouted, spurred on by my skill. I had tomatoes, corn, cucumbers and peas all separated into separate rows.
A hoe in hand, I carefully worked away removing weeds, and sank into thought.
What I had nted here was enough for me, yes. But there would be more people moving into the area soon. If they nned to stay for any length of time, it would be beneficial for me to clear morend and perhaps nt even more vegetables as soon as possible. That way, I could sell locally.
I tried as much as possible to put Ironmoor and anything rted to him out of my mind and instead focus on the farm.
The rhythmic movements were cathartic, I had to admit. Forget all the tensions, plot and schemes of the outside world, I just wanted to be at peace with my farm. Slowly, carefully I hoed out the weeds, cutting their roots and doing my best to rip them free. It took a while, but with that done, I sat by the massive oak tree and rested for a time.
I very much had a finite amount of meat, and didnt look forward to hunting myself or acquiring more. Id never been much of a woodsman, to tell the truth, and myrge size would make hunts even more difficult.
I could send Ish, came the solution. I was the Tax Evader, not her. I stopped, blinked, and realized this solved so many of my potential problems. I couldnt sell or buy goods reasonably, but thess could. This didnt entirely answer the question of finding new suppliers and buyers myself, but I more than trusted her head for Hullbretch and bring in a load of meat.
Lerish was an option, but I had first met her outside the Hullbretch butchers ce, so I assumed she got her kills processed into meat for herself. Would have to inquire about that.
A light mealter, I returned with axe in hand and began to hew earth for a muchrger garden patch. This one, I made closer to the stream, so I could either water it via the holding pool or even by hand. I carved out a muchrger plot ofnd simply by dragging the axe as I walked to break up the soil. Then hitched up the plough and crudely turned the soil along the furrows I had craved.
Back and forth I went in steady repetition in the afternoon heat, turning the soil over and over.
It being this close to the forest, I debated on fencing it off immediately but decided to leave it. It wouldnt be ready to nt until I acquired more seeds anyhow.
The reality of it was, most farming was a waiting game. nt the crops, weed endlessly, harvest, and repeat. There was little to break up that cycle, and the sheer amount of work I had done in the past while was all to get the cycle in ce.
With those tasks finished for the day, I found myself once more back at the monstrous nts I had sown.
Being the one most capable of catching prey -and the ones I had fed the most- the biter pods were thergest. By now, they were at my waist, with pods the size of a baseball. But I wasnt here to admire them. I wanted to see what made them tick.
Long knife in hand, A approached a long vine and reached out. A mouth grinned open and fangs revealed themselves, but my hand shot forward and closed around the pod. With it trapped, I cut off the pod and pulled it free as the others began to turn towards my touch.
It was then that a surprise revealed itself.
The pod in my grasp continued to wriggle and strain. Curious. Separated from the vine, it still lived. It refused to relent either. After a few moments, its movements were still as strong as before. I peered at it, absolutely fascinated. When detached from its stalk, nts should, by all logic, die themselves, cut off from theirck of nutrients. But what was essentially a rounded mouth with fangs inside instead moved as if it were alive. It seemed agitated, even.
I needed to test this out. With brisk strides, I crossed the yard and into my house. Pod still in hand, I cut off a strip of meat and emerged back outside. Having smelled food, Gol wandered over, but I had no interest in him.
Instead, I tossed the meat into the grass, and then, cautiously, tossed the pod next to it. The reaction was immediate. The pod hit the ground and bounded towards the hunk of meat, and I watched in fascinated horror as it tore into it with gusto.
What was essentially just a mouth swallowed a chunk of meat near its own size, its form swelling all the while. Gol growled as the pod turned towards him, and I swooped in to snatch it up before it could do any harm.
It could function separately from the vine. But that changed my perception of it. Beforehand, I had thought the pods to be a contraption of sorts, controlled by the vine. Now I saw it more of its own separate being that just so happened to feed the vine nutrients.
I crouched there in the grass, a dozen different ideas whirling through my head. I observed the pod as it wriggled in my hand, gnashing its teeth for more. Where was it putting all that material it consumed?
Eagerness in my mind and some degree of glee in my eyes, I turned away and hurried back to the house. I had some experiments to run.
Not A Chapter Announcement Time. Patreon, discord, update schedule, art.
Not A Chapter Announcement Time. Patreon, discord, update schedule, art.
Hey hey people. Exe here. I regret to inform you that due to extraordinary circumstances -mostly regarding my fantastic driving skills and multiple feet of snow that infests the ditches here- today will a suboptimal day.
Thest of such, I assure you. Please, I implore you, turn those pots of tar and feathers at another poor soul. I do bring some happy news.
The first tier of patreon is ready tounch.
I have finally, at the express bullying advice of my fellow authors,unched this venture. As of current, there are three tiers.
The first tier gets 3 chapters-1 week ahead of RoyalRoad.
The second tier gets 6 chapters- 2 weeks ahead of RoyalRoad
The third tier gets 13 chapters- just over 1 month ahead of RoyalRoad.
As of current, tier 1 ispleted and will be filled by day''s end. I will be writing 1-2 chapters a day. Every day. Until the rest are also topped off. Only then will my yed fingers receive some small stipend of rest.
this would also be a great time to announce changes to the posting schedule:
RoyalRoad now receives 3 chapters a week.
I know, I know, sphemy and heresy and lynching time. But, hear me out. This writing business is not a sprint, it''s a marathon. I have foolishly written and yoloed all this content onto RR without so much as a chapter of backlog. I must now attend to that. While there are some superhuman machines out there that can reliably output insane amounts of words with little regard for what us mortals can achieve, I am not among their ranks.
As such, chapters will now be posted Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
There is a discord.
Link below :3
There is new art iing.
No, it is not AI-made.
And with that, I will see you all tomorrow. Unless of course you''ve signed up for Patreon and gotten the speedball special by then.
Book 1: Chapter 21: Experiments with natures rejects.
Book 1: Chapter 21: Experiments with nature''s rejects.
Materials spread on the table before me, I hurriedly made a prison for the pod out of what steel implements I possessed. Crude, but it would have to work. I dropped the carnivorous bud inside and stepped back to examine its actions. Inside the metal, it just plopped down quietly. Moments passed as I waited for it to move, yet it seemed content to do nothing.
Had it gorged itself to the point of not wanting to seek more? Was it digesting the meat? Or doing something else?
No amount of waiting revealed tangible answers, and I decided on another path.
I tossed a finger-sized chunk of meat into the circle of metal and bent forward to watch. The reaction was almost immediate. Even as the meat flew through the air, the pod rolled toward it, and spread began to feast. Its body swelled with every bite, yet its feasting remained relentless.
So it had no defined appetite, as far as I could tell. Simply hunger. This was further proven by several more chunks of meat being devoured greedily. Would it eat until it burst? I wasnt quite eager to test that theory. Still, I had several things I wanted to test.
The pod left there on the table, I hurried outside and began to rummage through the storage shed. With its free space, I had been able to move some of the items that cramped my house into here. Several moments of fruitless rummageter, I emerged victorious, ss jars in my hands.
The pods could function autonomously to the vine, but how long could they survive?
That was what I was well and truly interested in. Knife in hand, I stalked back towards the field and liberated several more pods into a bup bag. Writhing mass in hand, I returned from wence I hade, wickedness on my mind.
Experimentation on living being had never sat right with me, but for these things, I could make an exception. That, and the promise of profit. The little buggers tried to nip at my fingers as I reached into the bag, but Ironhide meant they merely dulled their teeth. Loved that skill more every time I used it.
Two pods in close proximity were content to ignore each other, I observed. I had tossed the second pod into the prison, only for it to roll over and do nothing. This, however, became aplete reversal as soon as meat entered the equation. Both biters surged for the piece, and the slimmer one reacher it sooner. For a few second, they gobbled at separate parts of the flesh, at an uneasy truce. Then only scraps remained and the fight was on.
Teeth clicked as they snapped at each other over thest few chunks. And when that failed to dissuade the other, they instead brought forth the wondrous power of incredible violence. Truly a time-tested method of achieving ones goals.
I beheld the two as they snapped at each other, though the smaller one was at an advantage here. Therger, engorged pod moved sluggishly. Bloated and slow, it seemed to stumble around as the smaller pod nipped at it. And then the teeth snapped down in a sudden blur of speed and it was over.
Therger pod seemed to have no interest in devouring its kill, however. It spat the smaller remnants away and went back to fruitfully doing nothing. Interesting. A scarcity of food would cause them to fight without regard for their primitive lives.
With that out of the way, I instead return to the experiment I wanted to run the most. One by one, I fished out the pods and deposited them into separate jars. For some, I left the lids off, and others on. Some got no food, others a small bit, and a select few got an entire handful. I wanted to see how long they could survive while detached from the stalk, and the effects of different conditions.
Once all was said and done, I cleared a space on the counter and lined up the jars. With that out of the day, there was little to do but wait. On them, that was. I had one more pod left, and one other experiment I wanted to run. A wriggling bag firmly in hand, I left the house, blinked as the afternoon sun struck my eyes and headed for the wagon. There were deer-like creatures grazing at the edge of the forest, I saw, but I ignored them.
A groan escaped my throat as I drew near.
There was a fresh hole in the wagons back. I discovered the source a few momentster. The acid I had stupidly stored inside metal sks had eventually eaten through the material, ran free onto the wagon and chewed its way right through the wood.
Excellent.
Truly, a wonderful development.
Only by the divine mercy of Ishs packing skills had the acid sks been stored at the very back. As such, they had spilled and eaten through the wood, but not touched the other goods. Speaking of which, there were still pots of milk with chilling vines wrapped around them out here. Which I probably should move into the shed and lock it before any more of Artyoms kind came along to liberate the liquid.
Not that I had a lock, thanks to my wonderful trip to Hullbretch.
With a grimace, I stepped around the slurry the acid had left on the ground below and instead pulled free a bag that burst with collected spores. The proverbial fruit of the puffer nt. Breath held carefully, I carefully extracted a pinch from said bag and sprinkled it into the pods sack. At first, there was little effect, but gradually adding more caused the struggles to recede.
Until eventually the pod was no longer agitated by my presence at all. Even shaking the bag had little effect on stirring it. I strode back towards the house to experiment further. Dumping the dazed, spore-covered pod in close proximity to meat showed a remarkably different result than before.
It had no interest in the food, merely lying in ce, its mouth snapping weakly. This beggared the question; why didnt the spores affect them while on the vine? They were in close proximity to the puffer nt. Perhaps it was because of the small amount the puffers produced normally that kept them calm?
Further tests would require me to transnt some of the away from the puffers and see how they behaved afterwards.
Still, now that I had established that the spores had a tranquilizing affect, there was one other nt I wished to test this on. I stored the dazed pod in its own jar, and with bag of spores in hand, approached the crop.
Slowly, carefully, I approached the quivering armored ball nt. I moved with extreme caution, not for my own safety, but because we had deduced that motion triggered these things. Anything that moved quickly in close proximity would have metallic orbs violently fired at it. This is I had learned through repeated triggering of said orbs.
With extreme care, I edged close and sprinkled powder over the one nt inside this enclosure. It shivered violently for a second, and I watched with bated breath. More and more I added until the bag was nearly empty.
Finally, its quivers stilled entirely. I sprinkled on some more for good measure, and settled in to wait. After a time, I slowly reached out and grasped one of the orbs. They were the size of a baseball, growing from pits in the nts armored surface. With a twist, I snapped one free. It remained dormant in my hand, absolutely doused in spores.
With careful movements, I backed away and held it up. Simr to the pod, it seemed to suffer no adverse effects upon being away from its parent nt. I turned it over in my hand, trying to find anything unusual about it. Apart from it being essentially a massive bullet for a bomb-like nt.
A few moments of experimentation revealed nothing extraordinary. And then my eyes caught sight of the deer again. I shrugged a general apology in advance and made my way in their direction. They stood at the woods edge, a wary eye kept on me as they drank from the stream.
Just some wildlife minding their own business and going about their lives. I almost felt bad for interrupting their scheduled meandering like this, but curiosity called. And who was I to refuse it answer?
With a grunt, I dusted off some of the spores and threw the sphere in the general direction of the animals. It hurled through the air, shedding a trail of puffer particles in its wake. With sudden violence, it exploded in speed and elerated into a blur. The next thing I realized there were screams in the air as the animals scattered. They bolted into the undergrowth save one.
A wince rose unbidden to my face as I approached the site of impact. The sphere had homed in on the deers center and plowed right into it like a massive iron bullet. The only sce from that is that I imagined it must have died almost immediately. With a wince, I pulled the bloody corpse aside and found the orb embedded in its caved-in chest.
Covered in blood and dirt, it seemed lifeless now, its vtile energy spent. I grimaced at the sight of it, not wanting to imagine the damage those things could do to the human body. Effective immediately, nobody was to go near the orbs.
Ish frowned at the corpse while Artyom cowered behind her. The grimace on the orcsss face made it clear she shared my sentiments.
Theyre all yours. She agreed. Ill make sure the Felinid knows whats which sort of danger.
Speaking of which, I sighed as we both watched Gol sniff the corpse and tear off a few chunks for himself. Youve ran Artyom through the paces. Do you reckon hes worth keeping as a farm helper?
I intended to work the cat until his theft was paid off, but beyond that, I did need specific sorts of help. Ish, amazing as she was, couldnt do everything herself.
Hes noisy. She pondered. Makes mistakes. But he didnt try to run off or anything. Has enthusiasm. A bit clumsy, but that can be worked out. Works decently hard for one of his race. Id say its worth keeping him around, especially for when we have to worry more about rodents and vermin.
I didnt bother to string Artyom along, just turned, looked at him and told him he was hired. He had sort of wandered here and didnt have a ce to go, so I would arrange sleeping quarters for him. With the sun sinking low to herald the advent of evening, we gathered for supper.
The sounds of horses interrupted our meal a whileter. Riders of all banners trod past my humble farm, all headed further up the mountain. The Verdant Dawn had made their exodus from Hullbretch and were on the move. I spotted Raffnyk and his squad amidst the column, and raised a hand in greeting. I received a salute in return, but none of the riders broke off to join ourpany.
Columns of horses kicked up dust as they rode past, their banners high. A select few brought up the rear, carts loaded with materials. But all too soon, they were gone, and we were once again alone.
Well, Ish grunted. Id best be off. Same as usual tomorrow?
Aye. I confirmed. And thess strode away.
Soooooooo, Artyom yawned, eyes blinking furiously, "I have a ce to sleep, yes-yes?
That would have to get sorted out tomorrow, but for now, he could sleep inside the house. A few hourster, I drifted off to sleep, my mind whirling with possibility.
Farmer Level Five reached. Sleep to apply.
New Skills unlocked.
Book 1: Chapter 22: Human Affairs III
Book 1: Chapter 22: Human Affairs III
Fertile Soil, Green Thumb, Apiary, and Hallow Earth awaited me once I awoke. With a sigh, I swung my legs out of bed and immediately began to examine them.Might as well get it over with.
Despite having simr names, Fertile Soil and Hallow Earth functioned differently. The first gave me the vague sense that allnd I owned would be more fertile in a slight regard, while the second was far more specific. Land that I worked would receive an infusion of mana. I was not a magic wielder, so I had little idea what that would do. Was mana helpful? Was it harmful? I had absolutely no idea how magic functioned in this world, and neither did Garek.
Apiary was yet another oddly specific skill. It would give me a nket buff for working with bees. The issue that I currently had none presented itself at that moment. Sure, fresh honey would be nice, and could likely turn a nice profit, but I simply didnt have the bees.
Green Thumb offered me a tangible boost for my nt-handling skills. Oues would more often be swayed in my favor, even if I did things incorrectly.
These were actually hard choices. Discounting Apiary, the rest could all be immediately relevant. And yet..
The soil I already farmed was prime topsoil, some of the best quality dirt around. I didnt need better soil. I had no idea what mana-infusion into a crop did, and it was already toote to go work the soil again with the crops sprouting. Green Thumb looked to be the most appealing, especially given that I was often fumbling for results with the monster nts. An invisible force turning oues in my favor while handling wildly dangerous nts? Yes and yes.
Reassuring myself with a nod, I selected that and blinked as they words disappeared from my vision. With a yawn, I got up, woke the felinid and began my day.
Artyom stood unblinking next to me, an image of willpower and deadly focus. The felinids eyes never left my hands, not even for a heartbeat. So enraptured was he that Ish was able to sneak up on him unnoticed. Even then he gave no head to her friendly bop on his head and continued to stare.
Ill admit, it was a little disturbing to have him watch me milk a cow this intensely.
Someones enthused about all this, Ish grinned as she walked up with her own pail and stool. Maybe we should let him try it, eh?
I just shook my head and returned to mybour. The cat-thing had kept me up half the night with his screeching snores. For something so small and slim, his capability to produce noise went unmatched.
It took a few seconds for the felinid to register what Ish had said, but he enthusiastically nodded his approval of the idea.
Yes-yes, I should learn soon. Help with chores, very good idea. He all but bounced in excitement at the thought.
No. I grunted. I dont trust you to not slip some for yourself.
I didnt even need to look to see his expression had fallen. I was generous, not blindly stupid. Letting the felinid have unrestricted ess to milk would end badly, if what Ish had said was true. She had worded her suggestion just now as a jest to get a response from Artyom, I imagined.
His wide eyes never left the pails of milk once we left the pasture, and followed us all the way to the shed where the rest was stored. I could imagine the physical effort it took to tear himself away once we headed off, but he followed close behind.
More work, yes-yes? He asked, voice cheerful.
Given that youre going to be working for me for a while, its only right that you have a ce to sleep. I grunted. I could have been a prick and made him sort that out by himself, but I wanted my help to be enthusiastic and willing. Making the felinid sleep outside or forcing him to build something on his own time didnt gain me much of anything. Instead, with seeding done, all that remained now was weeding and construction. The first was freshly finished for now, and the second required proper materials.
Once I was prepared, I would begin work on a proper lodge as my actual house, and convert the current one into quarters for any workers or storage space. Then I would need storage space for crops before harvest came, and so on.
But for now, I reckoned I could get Artyom a bit experienced with building and practice for my own lodge by making him a small cabin.
This is the fun part, I assured Ish and Artyom as I handed distributed Gareks magical weapons. Myself and Ish will begin chopping trees, while you gathered smaller branches and stones.
The felinid held Gareks smallest knife like a massive greatsword, a wide smile stretched on his face as he pledged death to any small trees and staggered off.
Perhaps not the wisest idea, I winced as we watched him stumble over a root and trip forward. What if he cuts himself?
Then it will be a lesson. Ish nodded, uncharacteristically serious. Besides, I have some healing potions on-hand. Which you really should get yourself.
Aye, I agreed with a sigh. I couldnt just drive myself to a doctor if something happened. That had taken a while to sink in. A serious danger this far away from the nearest doctor or cleric could be certain death if there was no one around. The idea of clerics as a whole intrigued me, I had to admit. Literally calling on the power of the gods above to mend someones body seemed like a wishful fairy tale to me, and yet here it was a reality.
Didnt know if I still trusted it, despite ishs assurance that it was how people who couldnt afford to carry potions on hand survived. I voiced my concerns as such, and she just shrugged as we trudged towards the woods.
Well, think about it. She spoke. Monster hunting and purposefully seeking out danger seems stupid to an outsider, I guess. Without clerics or potions, Itd be so much more dangerous. Just imagine getting wounded out in the wilderness, hours from anyone who can help, and not having either of those. Certain death. Its why most low-level yers, adventurers, or monster hunters stay close to towns or cities with those avable. Even though the monsters there are likely scarce, its still safer to slowly level on them than risk the wilder frontiers.
Hmm. I nodded. Makes sense.
Look at every famous Named Adventurer, every well-known band or party of yers. What do most of them have inmon? She asked, and answered her own question. Theyre rich. They can afford the best potions on demand, can afford to hire Clerics to journey with them and the like. And because theyre rich, their kids will have a much easier starting point than say, somemoner.
Speaking from experience? I asked, and received a wryugh in return.
I wish. Ma and Pa have retired and stuck their coin into the farm, not me. Orcish culture demands I carve my own path through the world, as does the Elves meritocracy system. They raised me, sure, but its on me to prove myself.
I did hear mention you want to be an adventurer someday.
Ya. She sighed wistfully. But I wanna start off smart, yaknow? Have a good stash of coin for potions, gear and maybe hire on somepanions. Solo adventuring is the most profitable, but too dangerous for anyone but a fool to consider.
Well, plenty of time to practice your swing on these trees. I smiled and we split up. The morning was spent hewing decently-sized trees and hauling them back to the farm, but it went quickly with three people focused on the task.
Soon, we had neat piles of simr-sized logs and a n in mind.
A small area was cleared near the old house, myself dragging the harrow around the break up any grass. ttening and packing the dirt took a bit of time, but soon we were ready. Logs split lengthwise served as the floor, for now. Knife in hand, I carefully notched full logs that would beid together and have pegs driven through to serve as the walls.
I was attempting a log cabin out of memory, this time, instead of using my moreplex modern building techniques. Ish filled in much of my missing knowledge, such as how to properly align and stack the logs.
Artyom enthusiastically applied mud from the stream and leaves between the gaps for filler, and slowly, the building progressed. It was smaller than my other buildings by far, but it was exclusively for Artyom. And so, it went exceptionally quickly. With two people who knew what they were doing and one over-eager felinid, it was mostly done by mid-afternoon.
Once we had reached the part where I was confident they could finish construction themselves, I excused myself.
Im going to head up the mountain and see what the riders have decided to construct for a camp. I told Ish. Perhaps I could find a willing buyer for some milk, given that streamwater is not the most ptable option.
Hmmmm. She nodded. These men and women will have spent thest few weeks sating their thirst with ale, wine, and the like. I myself would not be over-eager to return to water after that.
Though, Id like to find a buyer first, not haul a cart full of it up the mountain and achieve little result. Speaking of which. We headed over to the cart, and she grimaced at the acid-burns in the wood.
Feh. She clicked her tongue. Oversight on my part.
I shook my head. Dont me yourself for my decisions. I chose to store it in metal sks without first testing it.
She shrugged, and set about finding something to cut away the burnt parts. Trusting the two to keep themselves upied for the day, I grabbed my ymore and headed up the mountain. Felt a bit strange, making sure I had a weapon at my side every time I left the house, but that was the reality of things here.
Clouds had set in after a painfully clear morning, and a cool wind blew down off the mountain. I couldment that hot weather was better for the crops, but instead chose to see the good fortune in things. I wasnt hot and sweating from the weather alone, at least. Speaking of which. I sniffed at myself and figured I should perhaps invest in a good bath soon.
Something made me stop, and I looked around. My eyes saw trees, undergrowth, flowers, rocks, grass. Nothing out of the ordinary. My nostrils still drew too many smells, all jumbled together into an iprehensible mess I could not sort out. Everything appeared ordinary, and yet I could not shake a feeling that tingled beneath my skin.
A sense of anticipation that kept me on edge all the way to the riders camp. I emerged from the trail to find a clearing had been forcibly made in the forest. People milled about, hard at work. They were chopping down trees, making an erged area to set up tents and beginning to work on walls.
So they were setting in for the long run, here. Dug in to wait for reinforcements before heading further up the mountain.
I did award myself being so damn big for the reason Raffnyk spotted me almost immediately. The human waved and walked over, wiping sweat off his brow.
Garek. My friend. He greeted me with a smile. What brings you here?
Curiosity. I admitted. And perhaps the possibility of profit.
The two seem to go hand in hand, He nodded. Come, exin to me what designs you have to drain our purses.
I did just that, and found myself seated amidst the bustling camp, a water sh offered to me by the human. This was the first time, I had seen Raffnyk without his armor, I realized. His arms were dotted by scars, which surprised me. The image of an untouched, stiff knight I had was tempered by the mans humility.
Coin interests everyone, He sighed. How would you like to make some? Right now, I mean.
Book 1: Chapter 23: Dusk and death.
Book 1: Chapter 23: Dusk and death.
I cannot promise long-term help, I rumbled. My farm needs me, but if you another task in the meantime, I shall see what can be done.
And he did. Raffnyk showed me where they were attempting to build a wall that would encircle the camp.
Monsters out there, He grunted and step stepped over loose timber. Would be foolish to leave an area with this many system-touched gathered unfenced. Irresistible target for any monsters hungry for a level or two.
Cant only be monsters who are hungry for levels, I vaguelymented. Just a filler thought.
The human didnt think so. His face turned morphed into an angry grimace and spittle hit the dirt.
Aye, Came the snarl. Theres plenty scum around that dont particrly care how they get their levels. Ifn monsters are in short supply, theyll happily turn to other sources.
He looked at me, a cold, dead look in his normally warm eyes.
You run into anyone those level-grinders, Garek, do the world a favour and kill them on the spot. Youll be saving a lot of lives that way. He spat again. Theres men and women that have given up their morals and humanity for a few more levels. People that dont care where the blood and levels flow from, long as they do.
The bitterness in his voice was in to hear, and I just nodded along. But that too passed, and we found ourselves near a crew of people busy erecting a wall.
I have to go and make sure some of my knuckleheads dont go cking off in the woods Raffnyk sighed, his eyes already lurking towards the forest. But Id be most pleased, and pay handsomely if you could give these here people a hand or two.
I was inclined to do as much, out of respect for the man. And his coin. Introductions were swiftly made, and I was soon hard at work. A mass of timbers carried on my shoulder, I lumbered past holes dug in the ground and jammed them in to create a wall of wood. Pounding down the sharpened ends did little to slow me. The perks of being a minotaur, I found myself very keen to enjoy.
Humans scurried to and fro around me, hustling hard to match my pace. My movement remained measured, steady all the while. Jam down a post, hammer it down with my fist, move on. Rinse and repeat. Return to the log pile for more. But even in my unrushed state, the rest began to fall behind. The pile of logs dwindled as people hurried to the forest for more, and multiple people sharpened those on the pile. Three separate groups dug holes ahead of me, barely able to keep up with my pace.
I could have slowed, of course. Taken my time. But I was being paid to work my hardest, and that was what I intended to deliver.
I told as much to a scarred woman with a lopsided grin after she had approached with a request for me to slow down.
Its not that Im trying to make you look bad, I gently said. I am being paid toplete a task, and I intend to so with all possible efficiency.
Right, She nodded. Folks are already worried bout Raffnyk bein friends with one of your lot, and these here are a proud, hard headed bunch. Take it from me.
That presented another thought I wanted to follow up on. Gareks memories revealed little of interspecies interactions. Hell, the man had only given any sort of fucks about what he could kill, and little else mattered. I would find no answers poring through the gore-stained depths of his memories.
Why do they fear me? I posed the question between blows as I hammered down another post. I knew part of the answer, of course, but more discourse was always beneficial.
She shrugged, watching me with her arms crossed.
Youre a taur, for one. War of the Beasts is still fresh on many peoples minds.
Ah, there were faint memories in the back of Gareks mind. Something when he was just a young calf, only vaguely remembered.
Like as not, people are rightly frightened that your kind has long memories and little forgiveness. Lots of old bulls still looking for vengeance for Gane.
That was before my time. I assured her. I have no grudge with you humans.
Then youd be the first. And with you being a minotaur and us tiny humans, people will be cautious. Except for optimistic fools like Raffnyk, apparently.
Hmm. I nodded nonmittaly and continued my work. I had learned something new today, it seemed. People didnt just fear minotaurs out of prejudice, but because of a past event. Still, the two were not entirely separate.
There was some attempt at small talk, and if though my eyes couldnt see the visual cues, I could smell that she was nervous. As were many of the others around me. Not because of the danger outside -they seemed used to that- but because of who strode in their midst
That was the one scent I could reliably recall from Gareks memories. Fear.
But I kept about my work, maintained my pace, and by the time Raffnyk had returned, my work wasplete. The human just stared in surprise at the newly erected posts that formed the basis of his wall.
Well, I dont know what I expected from a minotaur, but it was not this much. He shook his head and fished out a small purse of coin. Take it all. I owe you as much for the work, and for all youve done for me. This and more.
I epted the coin, satisfied to finally turn a profit on something. But I had even more to sell. Several inquiries as to food revealed he didnt have much faith in his own riders hunting abilities. I put in a good word for Lerishs talents in that regard. Didnt hurt to bolster your neighbors a little.
Milk? He asked when I brought up the subject. I mean, given that we only have a limited quantity of ale, and will soon be reliant on stream-water, I suppose a few might like to try it? It is not exactly what one imagines a camp of armed warriors drinking.
It is healthy. I frowned. Good for the bones.
I mean, I guess you can try to sell it. he nodded without much faith in my chances. But I make no promises.
A small bit of chatterter and a coin purse heavier, I set out for home as the sun sunk toward the horizon. The shadows stretched long around me, with only the faint sounds of wildlife mypany.
All was well until the silence set in.
It was not the sounds of whatever was in the undergrowth that made me uneasy. It was theck of it. With a physical enemy to face and stare down, I would feel fine. But here there was just a gaping void of absence. Hand tight to the hilt of my ymore, I hurried on.
Dusk had set in by the time I reached the farm. Gol was nowhere to be seen as I strode onto the yard and waved Ish away from her work. Artyom followed her from the fields, tools slung over his shoulder. The worry on my face was evident, I learned quickly after.
Theres something in the woods. Following me. Havent seen anything, but I cant shake the feeling. I exined between brisk breaths.
Ish tapped her foot as we stood, obviously tense.
There is little on this mountain that can give you pause, I imagine.
Not myself I am worried about. I rumbled and shook my head. You and Artyom are not as invulnerable as I am, neither is the farm itself. The cows are system-touched as well. Monsters seek system-touched others to kill, do they not?
Yeh, She nodded. Been gettin a little less on edge round heretely, I guess.
Very safe, yes-yes. Artyommented from beside her.
Not right now it isnt. I bluntly spoke and gestured towards the house. Inside. Everyone.
They followed without much protest, and I found myself within the confines of my house as night overtook the world. Leaned against the open doorway, I kept a careful eyes on the farnd.
Wheres Gol?
Ish shook her head, my axe over her shoulder.
Havent seen him all day.
Gritted teeth were the only reply I could give her. It had inevitable, I suppose. Just because I had moved to a zone with low-level monsters didnt mean they would leave me be forever.
Night fell, and the cackles began.
I strode from the house, ymore in hand. I was not some frail old man, to hide behind the flimsy safety of wooden walls while the monsters stalked my yard. Gareks vision was poor, but equal was the measure in which it functioned. Light or darkness, it saw the same. I lumbered across the yard, and nostrils sniffed at the air in a vain attempt to pick out any unnatural scents.
Only now did the woods that surrounded my farm seem oppressive. Cackles came from all sides, maliciousughs that alternated between high and low pitched.
They coulde, and I would give them something tough about.
I was nearly to the pasture when the first projectile sailed through the air and hit the grass, mes trailing in its wake. Hunched, wolven forms stalked at the trees edge on two feet, a chorus of hrity that I failed to see the humor in.
They threw more ming projectiles, I picked up a tree and hurled it back in return.
The roar that tore from my throat bellowed through the darkness, and with my sword raised, I charged.
They had picked the wrong fucking farm.
Book 1: Chapter 24: Dusk and death II.
Book 1: Chapter 24: Dusk and death II.
A hunched, humanoid form with a too-skinny torso and bulky chest loomed from the darkness. It took one look at me, turned and scampered into the darkness as I charged. I refused to let it
escape. Another roar burst from my throat as I called Cloven Crash, and it froze mid-bound.
A sweep of my ymore rent it in half, and a bellow of triumph served to chase more of these beasts back into the woods.
These were not crude, vaguely intelligent monsters. The tools they carried were of decent make. I glimpsed a shortbow upon the ground as I stepped over the dying corpse. Felt arrows mere heartbeatster as silent shafts whistled from the trees. Shrugged them off as they barely pricked my hide and kept forward momentum.
I could see them all around as the pack streamed from the trees. Illuminated by the harsh moonlight, they loped forward on far-too-long forelegs, weapons clutched as they ran. I charged into the densest patch of them, and they sprang away.
More and more poured from the trees. I backhanded a leaping creature, felt its bones break beneath my hand. Flung its corpse aside and moved on. Howls mixed through the night, only drowned out by the bellows of fury I unleashed.
This was notbat. This was ughter. And I was king.
It felt good. Too good. I charged after fleeing monsters, moving at speeds that should not be possible for a form thisrge.
One of thenky creatures twisted in mid-air to escape my de. It was torn asunder as the steel chased its movements.
Horses galloped past me, neighing in fright, creatures hot on their tails. A round sweep of the ymore missed one and gashed another open with just a nick. The de hummed, every drop of blood a piece of kindling on the fires of hunger.
Out here in the darkness, furthest from the light, I was the true monster.
My eyes could see them running, tearing through the yard. A swarm of locusts, seeking to devour while fleeing my wrath.
Arrows dotted my hide, I found. I could not care less. Still, with a roar, I called Blood for Blood. A feeling of my wounds stretching outwards shed through me for a second, then was gone. I could darkened forms crumpling among the trees as every wound I took was repaid in kind.
Dirt was ripped free beneath my hooves I stomped across the fields, moving towards wherever the pack was densest. They circled the herd of cows, arrows flying past their dancing forms. Trampled, broken formsy across the earth, a reminder of those that got too close. Firebombs flew and fraily tried to set damp grass alight. I thanked whatever god took amusement from this for the recent rains and charged in to kill.
One, two, three died beneath my de, and the rest scattered, off to find softer targets. A loud bang rang through the night, and my eyes were torn toward the crops. In the bright moonlight, I could make out a long,nky form as it copsed backward, its head obliterated.
They had found the bomb nts, and received hospitality in kind.
More explosions set off as other creatures bounded near, and a firebomb lobbed at the nt sent shrapnel in every direction. Explosive force cut a swathe through leaping bodies. Blood and bones alike were torn free, and the stink of blood permeated the air now.
Undetered by the losses in their ranks, the cackling horde continued. Frightened neighs of pain torn through the air as they pulled down a horse. My roars of fury as I approached did little to deter their malice. There was a sick feeling in my stomach as I watched blood run from the cuts across the animals neck.
Cloven Crash called over and over froze entire groups, and my greatsword returned them to the dirt.
I left anger now, hot and heavy, Burning through my heart and filling my veins like boiling poison.
I ughtered, and they rent senseless destruction upon me and mine.
A saw an arm cocked back, a firebomb clutched in hand and aimed at the house. The arm swung, the faltered as the beasts head was split open. Ish grunted and pushed the corpse aside, a swift kicked sending the projectile away. The orcs armor was stained with blood, and my axe was little cleaned, in her hands.
Stonemongers. She snarled. Fuckin murderous vermind, scum an-
Your pet has leveled up.
The notification cut off whatever she was about to say. But before I could think on it further, I cackling horde rolled across the field. I roared and charged towards them, only for them to veer and flow away, leaping towards the trees.
They were broke. Running. Routed.
I was not content to let them flee. More roars locked limbs in ce as I stormed after them, by de rending the apart.
Until they were vanished into the trees, gone.
Dim fires burned everywhere, I realized. I stood, panting, and took stock of the damages.
The pasture fences were broken. Posts were alight. I could see a dead horse from here. Cows resembled pincushions from a distance. And everywhere. So many bodies. Stonemongers, Ish had called them. They were scattered across the fields, in the pasture, in the crops. Draped over Artyoms ruined house.
Everywhere.
I could see some by the fields, still writhing as biter podstched on and devoured it live. With a snort, I stomped over and ended its misery.
Youll eat well tomorrow. I tiredly promised the nts. The adrenaline rush was gone now and soon woulde the crash. But first, the damage.
My eyes turned to the woods, and the heart within my chest nearly stopped.
Gol, my brave, foolish pet, staggered from the trees. I couldnt tell where the blood ended and crimson carapace began. Scraps of flesh hung from hides hide, and arrows filled every gap in his armor. He reeked of death and blood.
I found myself at his side, in horror as I looked at his wounds.
There dazed, empty look in his eyes frightened me in ways the swarm hadnt.
Ish! I roared, and the orc girl came running. Not fast enough. She took one look at Gol, turned and dashed for the house. Hands that trembled gently held my beasts head as I physically grabbed and held thergest wound closed.
There was so much blood.
I cared little for my own wounds.
The big,zy, gluttonous mass of bear and badger-thing in front of mey barely panting. My eyes couldnt leave the multitude of cuts,cerations, and the insane amount of arrows that stuck out of it.
You could have just stayedzy, gods above. I whispered. Hid somewhere. Kept your nose to yourself.
He whined in return, a pitiful little sound of hurt and tiredness.
Dont. I rumbled gruffly. Stay still.
I had one hand one his head, the other holding a massive gash closed. Lifted the former as Ish dashed up, a trail ripped in her wake. Thess forced a sh into my hand and ripped the top off another.
Largest wounds first. She barked as I stared at the metal dumbly. What was I going to do with some water?
It took me a second to remember healing potions existed. Seconds too long. My hand still holding the bleeding gash closed, I shoved the contained into my mouth. Teeth ripped through the entire top and I dumped the thing onto Gols wounds.
Ration it. Ish snapped. Its all I have here at the farm. Iplied, instead dabbing it over his body. Gol growled in pain as Ish pried out arrows and dumped fluid into the gaps.
Should wash out the wounds first. The orc girl growled. No time. Get as many wounds closed as you can.
We tried our best, I think. Spread out the precious fluid, prioritized the biggest wounds.
In the end, it was enough. Barely.
Goly, panting, groaning in pain as every breath reknit the flesh and muscle of his body. He was in agony, but he was alive. I knelt back on my heels, relieved.
I was exhausted. Covered in wounds. Bleeding. My farm was damaged. Buildings were destroyed, and shit was on fire. My crops had been torn through by packs of monsters. But I was alive. Those I cared about still lived.
And that was enough.
Farmer Level Six reached. Sleep to apply. Farmer Level Seven reached. Sleep to apply.
Gods Above, I had every intention ofplying with thatmand.
Book 1: Chapter 25: Dusk and death III
Book 1: Chapter 25: Dusk and death III
To say it wasnt pretty would be a bald-faced lie. Even in the moonlight, my poor vision could see much of the damage that had been wrought. There were fires to be put out, first and foremost. I left Gol in Ishs hands and hurriedly stomped about, from one me to the next.
The fires cackled with glee, happily devouring what I had built with so much sweat and effort. But such was the nature of me.
Or something like that. I had little interest in the philosophical quandaries about the nature of the world and only gave two singr fucks about how quickly I could extinguish them.
I kicked dirt onto smaller mes, tossed a lit fencepost into the stream, and generally proceeded to extinguish all fiery life I could get my hands on. The creatures had made liberal use of firebombs, and my farm suffered for their enthusiasm.
The sheer pissed-off factor of the moos that came from the pasture was not lost on me. Dead beasts were ground into bloody pulp as the taur-cows stomped over them, enraged by their presence and stung by arrows. The lone surviving horse huddled in their midst, protected by walls of angry cow-flesh.
The other horse was a casualty of this attack, I confirmed. Knelt next to the warm corpse, I could do little but confirm its death. Even copious amounts of potions could not revive what was already dead. A deep, tired sigh in my throat, I rose and trudged on.
All I wanted was to be left alone, Imented. To farm in peace.
How many times would I have to go through this very scene before anything changed?
A hard, cold edge formed in my thoughts as I looked around at the destruction that had been visited upon me and mine.
I buried it for tomorrow. Tonight, my hands were still meant to rebuild.
Butbat had left a weight across my shoulders, and fatigue whispered my name. I tiredly mended the fences where the wire had been torn down and leaned snapped posts back up. And through it all, I weaved around corpses, the stench of blood thick in the air.
And through it all, anger bubbled inside. A melting pot of emotions was stirred within, and there was one vor that overrode the rest.
But soon, tiredness meant I could function no longer. Gol would be fine, Ish assured me. Wounded, hurt and would be in pain for a while, but fine. Much as I trusted her word, I was not content with it alone. Bloodstained ymore in hand, I copsed next to them, my back to a tree. And soon, my eyes were pulled closed and sleep took hold.
The simmering anger returned as soon as I woke. I blinked and realized the sun was already halfway towards noon. I had slept deep and dreamless, held down by exhaustion. It was a funny thing. I could work hard all day, but somebat and a light spot of bloodshed demanded rest.
Or was it the system that induced sleep whenever new levels came? That was food for thought. Eyes encrusted, I blinked, yawned and looked around. Goly next to me, head in his paws. Whines of pain drifted from his jaws, and a wince rose from my throat as I looked at him. Still stained in blood, every exposed spot of skin seemed pink and raw. An effect of fresh regeneration, I assumed. The man who had foolishly wandered into my crops had been much the same.
If there were any simrities between then and now, my brave beast would not be moving much for the next several days. But he deserved his rest, I thought with a sad smile. I would have given him some scratches behind the ear, but the skin there looked particrly raw.
Ish was not alone, I found. With a grunt, I hauled myself up, grimaced at the dried blood on my de and trudged over to the two.
Lerish was crouched to examine a corpse and only spared me a nce. Knife in hand, she used the de to lift a monsters head and grunted.
Stonemongers, She grunted. Was just a matter of time. Before they were pushed. Down the mountain.
She spoke in even shorter, more clipped bursts than usual. Her clothes had blood on them as well, I saw. I wasnt the only one whom the beasts had paid a visit.
Why now? I asked grumpily. Though I already suspected some of the answer.
Already down here. Already amassed, She shrugged and flipped the head over. Just needed a spark. Riders moved in. They went crazy.
Single Stonemonger. Not much of a threat. Stays by itself. Lurks around. Maybe harasses weak animals. But a coward. She coughed and grimaced. With a grunt, the huntress rocked back on her heels and straightened.
But they aint loners, Ish remarked. You never see em alone.
Lerish idly kicked at a decapitated head and nodded. And looked closer, and noted the shoulders were stilled attached. Wonderful. Ishs handiwork, as I didnt remember doing that. But my memories were a blurred haze of anger and bloodshed anyhow.
True. The huntress continued. Group up. Get brave. Strength in numbers. Bigger groups attract more. Till theyre a screeching mob. Affects their thinking. Their actions.
And then they decided to show up and burn my farm. I spoke bluntly, arms crossed. Wow.
Pretty much. Theyre brave in numbers. Crude and intelligent. Enough brains for weapons and tools. We walked across the corpse-scattered field as Lerish led the way. But no one ever used them of being smart.
What drew them here, in particr? I grimaced. Im just another farm down the mountain.
Youre not. The woman spat in the dirt. Dont delude yourself. Lots of system-touched animals. nts. All calling to the monsters. Amazed they stayed away this long.
I looked around at the destruction, a sunken feeling in my gut. There was littlefort in the knowledge that I had single-handedly driven off a horde just hours ago now. A target was painted squarely on my farm, on my home.
What are the chances theyll stay away? I asked, the desperation in my voice hidden.
For a small while. They will. Lick their wounds. Cower in fear. Then theyll forget. Grow bold. Come to sniff again.
Ish stopped and cocked her head, her eyes locked on the fields. I followed her gaze, and found only empty dirt, battered crops and scarecrows.
What if we erected something more..ominous? She queried. Scarecrows, but, yaknow, bigger. A few stonemonger corpses here and there.
Would work. For a bit. Deter them. But theyre greedy in groups. Theyll raid again. Will just be more of them.
And if Im not content to sit and wait for the horde to return?
Well then. There are options.
What little remained of the morning was spent on mass corpse disposal. The biter pods did not feast, they engorged themselves on flesh, bone, and hide. Lerish found no use for the corpses herself, and was content to help drag them to the fields.
Artyom looked to be a cross between horrified and enthralled as he carried severed limbs. Eyes stretched wide, he watched the biters tear an arm to shreds, then stumbled backward as they turned to him.
Don get too close, or theyll have themselves a morsel. Ish warned, not a drop of humor in her voice.
Let them feast till the burst, I decided. What remained could always be desposed ofter. There was a nt missing, I realized. The flytrap with the serpentine tongue had disappeared from where it had been nted. But as I watched, a green mouth burrowed from the ground beneath a corpse. Large jaws wriggled out from either side of the corpse and spread wide as fluid gurgled with the spread mouth.
I kept an eye on that as I hauled away more corpses, and witnessed it slowly dissolve over time. Until it was naught but a half-liquid slurry that the monster nt gulped down.
Most brutal of all were the bodies thaty around the bomb nts. Pieces were simply missing with messy holes blown through bodies. I grimaced, decided not to look too closely, and pulled them away. Didnt need any more nightmares to keep me up at night.
Lerish helped quietly, only asionally answering awkward questions from Ish. Her breaks were plentiful, however. She sat and smoked a blue haze periodically, her face a grimace all the while.
Out of all the carnage, my monster nts had not escaped undamaged, however. The grape-like vines of what I had deemed the absorber nt hung loosely, torn by stonemonger ws. But behind it, I saw the glow of another nt.
The single, rigid sunflower that had grown amidst the other shone now, and its light was radiant.
I watched nts physically mend in its glow, and sat back, astonished. The nt was a cleric. Harsh was theughter that escaped my throat. Out of all the monsters I had grown so far, one was a healer. Carefully, I plucked a single petal and held it near the torn mimicvine. The grape-like bulbs turned towards it, and I watched it absorb the petal.
The effect was immediate.
Yellow color spread throughout the vines, and bulbs turned from deathly white to pale gold.
In the midst of the destruction and carnage, I had found something that could mend. Could heal. Restore the broken and torn. There was something almost..poetic in that. I was not one to ce much stock is fate, but this was something grand.
I looked over my shoulder to where Lerish sat, deep in her sour vapours. She coughed and chatted with Ish with puffs of haze.
Perhaps.
The day had started in death and destruction, but it did not need to end tarnished by the memory of such. Something good could stille from it.
I reached out, plucked several petals and stood. I could walk over right now and give them to her. But another, better idea presented itself. With a wave, I beckoned Ish over and turned my back. Thess stood and wandered over, curious. I could see and smell the awkwardness mount as I exined my idea. The butterflies in her stomach were no doubt rampant as she finally turned and made her way back.
I watched, the smile on my face hidden. This was my thanks to both of them, for separate reasons. Only a fool could not see that ish was smitten by the huntress, but too shy to actually do anything. I watched as the orc girl awkwardly approached and held out the petals to Lerish.
The feline huntress looked at them curiously as Ish muttered an exnation. She took one, looked at it strangely, then cautiously put it in her mouth.
Nothing happened.
For a moment. Then the woman spat out the dull, spent petal and grabbed the rest. With trembling hands, she dropped the rest into her mouth and copsed backwards in her seat. It took me a moment to realize she wasughing. A full, giddy sound.
There was a smile on my face as Lerish hauled herself up, grabbed Ish and swept the blushing girl off her feet.
The smile on her face was the purest I had ever seen. Just pure, unbridled happiness as she spun the orcss around and yelled with joy, her lungs healed.
And I was satisfied, happy in the knowledge that something good hade of this day. Even disasters had a silver lining, if one searched deeply enough.
Book 1: Chapter 26: Smoke and ruin.
Book 1: Chapter 26: Smoke and ruin.
Much as I hungered to leave and set about solving my newfound monster issue, responsibilities came first. Even though the back of my mind itched for violence, I stayed home and tended to my farm. Artyoms new hut was, sadly, no longer existent. A burnt pile of wood remained in its stead yes, but the felinid needed elsewhere to stay.
Without so much as a sigh, I told him he could sleep inside. Provided he did something about his purring snores. They seemed innocuous at first, but the high-pitched sounds and whines he produced while asleep quickly grinded my nerves.
But such small difort was fixable.
Were I a more brash man, I would have taken my weapons and headed off to observe the problem-fixing capabilities of copious violence. The old Garek would have. Been right eager about it as well. But instead, I spent time at my farm, cleaning alongside people I knew. And even, daresay, liked.
Never had I seen a smile so content as the one Lerish wore now. The petals had not done anything for her missing eye, true. But she did notment that. Instead, she blissfully strode along, happily breathing. Something so simple could give a hardened woman like her so much joy. I found that frankly amazing. Truly, the simple things in life mattered most.
Wounded or not, the cows called to be milked. And with buckets in hand, I trudged over to attend this task. After yesterday, I was simply too sore to be bothered with Cloven Crash. Instead, I plopped down on my stump-stool beside one and just shot it a tired, grumpy stare.
There was much pawing of hooves, shaking of head, and otherwise dissatisfaction. But, ultimately, it relented and let me carry on with the task while it chewed bloodstained grass.
Several others were not so understanding, but I tried anyhow. Only after several spills of the milk bucked did I give up and freeze them in ce with my entirely misused skill. I did my best to be patient, truly. Yet I was still human and wed, and it only extended so far.
With four people hard at work, the farm was mostly repaired by the time evening fell across the sky. We gathered for supper, with Lerish and Ish both epting my invitation. The huntress sat, her usual hard exterior melted away to reveal happy smiles underneath.
Mmmmmmmm. She breathed in deeply. I usually dont make assumptions. But none of you have any idea what its like to breath. After years of cracked, stunted lungs. Safe assumption, I think.
I didnt, and admitted as much. Sheughed and shook her head. There was genuine happiness writ on her features.
It is intoxicating. Glorious. Clean, fresh air. No more fucking slime-haze. Gods Above I fucking hate that taste.
Im happy for ya, Ish spoke quietly, between sips of soup. Soup that she almost dropped with a squawk as Lerish leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek.
Thanks,ss. She smiled, and I grinned myself as Ish furiously blushed. Artyom made noment, face buried in his own food. The felinid had more important things on his mind than two women flirting. His grub, for one.
There was a distinctly happy feeling in the air tonight, I found. No doom and gloom and worrying about tomorrows problems. We had survived the raid, beaten back the monsters, and rebuilt. An ordeal had befallen us, and we had emerged in a better situation than upon going in.
So, I was more than content to simply sit here and sip my soup, rather than break my skull over tomorrows problems. Enjoy the wins as they came, and worry about the problems of the world another day.
So, your didnt care that you were attacked? Lerish asked ish, her eyebrows raised. Thess shrugged and ran a hand through her hair with a sigh.
Not really. Ma just asked how many I killed and Pa expressed his approval of me survivin, but he didn expect stonemongers to threaten me anyhow, She grumbled. On ount of me bein their daughter and whatnot.
Your parents must have a lot of faith in you. I remarked.
Ehhh, She shrugged. Think its more then thinkin so little of the monster around here. Dont really care about pests and whatnot.
Mmmm. Lerish nodded. Im pretty sure your mother could march off and murder half the monster on the redtip without breaking a sweat.
Yeah, but thats Ma, not me. Ish grumbled. And they wouldnt let me take the Adventurer or yer ss until I was of age, and by then the Farmhand ss had leveled up so much that any progress I make now will be cial.
Did you level upst night? I rumbled out of curiosity.
Yeah, Farmhand went up for defending the farm. Maybe if Id taken yer instead of Adventurer i would have gotten a level in that too.
Theres a reason you didnt take the first one? I grunted.
Well, to me, adventuring aint all about killin. Now if Id have taken yer, Id get more Skills and stuff that specifically helps me kills monsters. And now, dont get me wrong, every party needs apetent yer. But I want my adventures to be about more than that. Fighting andbat are dangerous. People die. We all know that. Prepare for it best we can, but it still happens, especially if you around lookin for trouble, which is what that ss specializes in.
Now, if you want to find trouble and stay out of its way, you be a Stalker. Lerish grinned. Like me. Hell, Im sure the four of us have the right makeup for a decent party ourselves.
Youre a? She gestured to me, and I shared my ss with a shrug.
Right, Berserker. Assuming you have apetent Stalker, thats one of the better yer offshoots to have in a party. Doubly so given youre a minotaur. Youd have me to make up for your poor vision andck of range, find the enemies before they find us. Traps, pits, enemy scouts and assassins? Forget about them. Ish havin the Adventurer ss could take the Treasuresense, Danger Alert and Pathfinder skills and the like to round things out.
The woman leaned back, a thoughtful look in her eyes.
Cat. She gestured at Artyom. What ss do you have?
He looked peeved at being referred to as that, and looked around ufortably before sharing his ss.
Scavenger. Hmm. Not too good, not too bad. Usuallyes with Skills that let it pull useful items from nowhere. Increase finds in certain ces. We find any relics or chests, we let him pop them open.
In this hypothetical scenario, yes. I sighed. But I am a Farmer.
True. Shemented with a rueful smile. Youd have made a great adventurer. Maybe even grown to a high-ranked or Known one. But youve made you choice, and I am happy you chose toe here.
I nodded, and the conversation drifted off into other topics. Lerish mentioned she had been approached by the Verdant Dawn camp to hunt for them, and intended to take them up on that offer.
Good pay. Turns out soldiers who ride around all day and prefer to loaf in town cant hunt for shit. I mean a few of them can. But not enough to feed all of them.
And thats where youe in.
I have services and talents, they have needs. She shrugged. Long as the coin flows, those services will continue.
Artyom muttered something about her seeming like a very expensive doozy and immediately bolted as Lerish whipped her spoon at him. Still cross from being called a cat, the felinid bounded across the field as Lerishs death re followed.
Just because theyre small doesnt mean they cant be mean. I shrugged. Cats are vindictive little bastards.
Ill exact payback. She shrugged, and I remembered she too had feline features.
Ish dismissed herself soon after, citing that chores still awaited her at home, and Lerish left with her. With littlepany save for a sound-asleep Gol, I turned myself in for the night.
Sleep did not find me waiting. Instead, I sat on the beds edge and stared at the wall. I contemted tomorrow, and all that I intended to do.
In all this time here, I had not gone to purposefully seek out violence anywhere. Even my fight with Gol was a spur-of-the-moment decision of righteous anger and rashness. But here I sat, preparing to go to do so.
I hade here, far away from any possible strife and conflict to be at peace.
And yet, the monsters of the world refused to leave me alone. For there was nothing that fate hated more than a quiet, peaceful ce, it seemed. It refused to simply let me be, to quietly raise a homestead and live out the test of my days in silent satisfaction.
My eyes rose to the wall, where Gareks armor was messily piled into the corner. Weapons and armor forged for the express purpose of war. I had hoped to never use them except in self-defense.
But how much more would the next raid im? How many burnt crops, dead animals and ruined houses would be piled here when more monsters came knocking in the night? Would a stonemonger run down Art, or a lucky blow down Ish? Would Gol find his way back to the farm next time?
These were all questions in the aimless hands of fate, and I was not content with that.
Hard was the resolve that lurked within me as I straightened and gazed upon the steel before me.
If fates answers to those questions were uncertain, then I would remove the variable that posed those queries in the first ce.
I was not a soul that hungered for violence, but I was also not some helpless creature to be carried by the current and hope it did not dash me upon the rocks below. And I refused to let tragedy strike because I was too scared, too tied up in my own morality to take necessary action.
This time, I had emerged lucky. Next time, I might not.
There would not be a next time.
Book 1: Chapter 27: Slaughterstorm.
Book 1: Chapter 27: ughterstorm.
Little was the sleep I had earned once morning came. Instead, dawn found me outside, already carrying back pails of milk from the pasture. My chores finished, I donned Gareks heavy armor, lumbered past Artyoms still-asleep form, grabbed several bags, and headed for the fields. I would need spores in great measure for what I had in mind.
It required slow, careful work, but I was finished before Ish came trudging down the road toward me, lost in her thoughts.
The stonemongers pose a continued problem, I grunted in response to her query. I will force a solution.
Id tell you to stay safe, She offered, expression both wry and tired. But I doubt ya need the warnin.
I didnt, but to say I left the sentiments unappreciated would be a lie. I spent scarce timeying out her work for the day, directed her to build scarecrows and mount what stonemonger corpses remained, and then moved to set off. For a moment, I nced between my remaining bag of spores and the mandrake nts, tempted. Done right, they could offer an immediate solution to all that ailed me. Yet the risk involved was frankly insane.
I was not fully equipped for that, and neither was anyone around me, I suspected.
A random train of thought gave me pause once more. If killing things was a guaranteed way to level up in this world, these specific nts were a level-grinders wet dream. The image of some maniac strolling into a city with one of these wrung a shudder out of me.
Horrifying.
With a vague thought to do something when I got back on my mind, I shouldered my pack and set off up the slopes that led to Mount Redtip.
A long, grim day awaited me, and I was not about to keep it waiting. Might as well go and get it over with. Scarce as the traffic was, it was still far more upied than any time before. Riders trotted along on patrol, and a few other farmers recognized the same opportunity I had. Cartsden with goods trundled towards the camp, and I silently nodded my own greetings as I met them.
But that was not my destination today. I turned towards Lerishs lodge where the path split, and with due haste, I arrived. The huntress awaited me, syed out peacefully in a hammock. She raised a hand in greeting as I approached, and then sat upright. One bright eye regarded me, the other socket empty and scarred.
Not too early, not toote. She grunted in approval. You have everything?
Aye. On my end anyhow. You?
She gestured at a pack that leaned against the wall of her lodge.
Healing sks. Emergency items. Only what we need in the worst situations. Pray it doesnte to that. Prepare for it anyway.
This was her way of thanking me, I knew. She had little personal investment in my problems with the stonemonger swarms, yet had offered to guide me to their nests.
And I was ready to engage in some good ol shotgun diplomacy.
My eagerness to move was not hidden, I suspect. Yet Lerish wasted little time. She had grabbed her stuff and was moving towards the undergrowth in heartbeats, with me close behind.
I will admit, the huntress was silent as she moved through the overgrown forest. I was not. Branches snapped with every few steps I took, trees were pushed aside to make room and she quickly grew annoyed. I shrugged helplessly as she threw annoyed nces back at me. Nothing asrge as my frame was made to be quiet.
The entire point of ambushing a stonemonger nest is not to be heard half a horizon away. She hissed as a particrly loud snap cracked through the air. I attempted several more steps, at which point she gave up and stalked back along the trail.
Her wed fingers touched my form, and everything became muted. I spoke, but heard nothing.
Mute skill. She spoke. Affects the immediate area around you. Ill drop it when we get to the first nest. Just follow me for now.
Unable to protest, I did just that, and we quietly moved through the trees. Thick nkets of clouds above blocked any possible sunlight and left the forest dull and muted. The undergrowth stretched in every direction now, with no clear sign as what went where. I shuddered and just kept behind Lerish as our path wove up and down hills, into crevices and over streams.
Where exactly we were headed, I had no idea. But without the huntress I would be lost, I already knew.
Vague shapes moved through the trees at the edge of vision, yet whatever was out there did not seem keen to bother us. Instead, we moved in rtive silence, save for the sounds of animals in the growth and the shrieks of birds overhead.
Minutes blended together, as did the greenery around us. I had never been a proper sort of outback survivor, and a new world hadnt magically improved those non-existent capabilities. Couldnt improve talent if there was never any there to begin with.
Lerish signaled a stop and, my eyes firmly on her, I obeyed. One hand beckoned me forward, and I cautiously approached a break in the trees.
A swarm of stonemongers congregated in a clearing before us. Dozens, perhaps over a hundred of thenky, rock-scaled creatures moved around. But this was not a primitive, writhing mass. No, something stopped me whole as we silently watched the scene.
Large, carved stones were clearly the focal point here, gathered in a circle of all this. Adorned with rags and symbols painted everywhere, they stood high above gathered creatures. Manyy off to the sides of this nest, others worked on weapons. I could see several trading, more preparing food. But what was happening in the center truly took my attention.
Several forms stood on a slightly elevated b of stone, opposite to each other. I could not make out their gutturalnguage, yet I could see the ebb and flow that took ce there.
Are they..debating?
Was what I attempted to hiss. Being muted meant nothing came of it, however.
But yes, to my astonishment, this was not some primitive tribal system where an alpha or something ordered around the rest. The creatures had arge portion of their numbers gathered as several unremarkable members debated each other before the stone idols they had erected.
The perspective in my head of these creatures was shifted from a mindless scavenger swarm to one more refined. But being smarter made them more dangerous, gave an edge to their malice. It elevated them from beasts to deliberate evil.
Lerish drew her bow and nodded to me.
I hade here for a reason. It took a few moments to harden my heart, but with ymore in hand, I stepped from the trees.
A bag of biter pods flew overhead, shed open and spilling hungry nts all the while. Lerishs muting skill faded halfway through my roar as I charged from the trees, head down. Relentless Charge and Head Smash carried my forward at the surprised masses. Scaled figure leaped to its feet, only to to gored upon my horns and hurled away as I straightened and roared again.
Brutal Swing and my wide reach cut through a mass of monsters as I continued forward momentum. Into the crowds of screaming, hissing stonemongers as their fury sang around me. Any blow that managed to reach me was stopped by Gareks armor.
Arrows filled the air around me as wood and steel whistled from the trees.
Creatures ran from my path as they found attacking futile. Yet I was not here to solely ughter. My ymore chased down monsters with every swing, and I bathed in the blood of my enemies.
I was not a farmer.
I was a berserker.
A god of blood and fury granted a mortal shell.
Lost in the fury, I nearly forgot myself.
Blood beat through my eyes as my mind demanded death to any that stood before me. The Gods Above had made all on this world,rge and small. But it was I that made them equal in death.
Great was the effort that forced me away from the ughter and towards my real objective. Screeching stonemongers gathered around the stone idols, weapons in hand as one of their kind gestured toward me and screamed guttural words.
They would die here, bleeding for every step I took. Desperate to protect their gods.
Let them.
The earth shook beneath me as I stomped at thest defenders. All hesitation was gone as the sanguine red rush enveloped my being. I was divine, a deity of blood and carnage. Faces I would soon forget died screaming beneath my de, their attempts to stop me futile. I never ceased momentum, but carried forward until I stood before their Stone Gods.
Brutal Swing tore through the stone as attacks nced off my back. One stature toppled, followed by another. I rent their idols in twain, then rampaged through the rubble until they were reduced to pieces, killing all the while.
Screams of fury, anguish and rage rang through the nest, but their spirit was broken. Those that still lived fled into the wilderness, chased by arrows all the while.
I stood panting in the center of it all as the red rage cleared from my mind and I beheld the destruction I had wrought, Yet I refused to ignore it all and look away like a coward. I had this to protect me and mine. My face grim, I wiped the blood from my de and looked to where Lerish emerged.
If the ughter bothered her, the huntress was excellent at hiding it.
She nodded on approach and examined the idols.
Worship their own pantheon. She exined. Every nest is built around these carved rocks. Where there are no rocks, there are no stonemongers.
And you know all the locations in this area? I grimaced and watched a plethora of biter pods gnaw at a corpse.
Most of them. Some small ones are well hidden. Big ones are the ones to focus on. Bigger statues, more stonemongers. Simple.
I nodded grimly and sheathed my de.
Then let us move on. The bloodshed here is done and the nest is cleared.
A long, bloody dayy ahead of us, and who was I to keep it waiting?
1:28 Slaughterstorm II
1:28 ughterstorm II
Dead stonemongers are good stonemongers. Lerish grunted as she picked our way through the undergrowth. Nobody will argue that.
This was the point where I would interject something clever about a but, yet I found myself muted once more.
But. She spoke, and I found myself vindicated. There are more efficient ways.
She assumed interest through my silence and continued as we dipped into another valley. Ground crumbled underfoot as I navigated the loose earth with a silent grimace. Lerish continued unimpeded and spoke crisply all the while.
Stonemongers are strange. She stated the obvious. Left to their own devices, they are cowards.
Follow me. She beckoned, and with little choice in the matter, I did. She -and by extension I- crept up another clearing, and stopped to look. As the one before, this was filled with stonemongers. Yet the differences were markedly clear.
There was not gatherings of the creatures. Instead, they kept to their own corners of the nest, sat alone and in silence. With a gesture, Lerish dropped our camouge and stepped forward into the nest unarmed. It took several moments for the monsters to notice her, at which point they barked and fled in all directions. I watched them go and followed the huntress.
Ive hunted mongers for years now. She grunted and kicked over a small firepit. Formed conclusions. What do you notice here thats different?
Blessedly, I found myself able to speak again.
Less of the monsters overall, I observed.
And why is that?
A good, long look around the clearing brought several thoughts to mind, but one stood out before the rest.
There are no idols here. I guessed. Unlike thest clearing, there were no crudely carved and decorated statues in this nest.
Yes. Lerish answered simply. With no rocky outcrops to carve into their gods, there is no reason for them to gather. And withoutrge gatherings to egg and spur each other on, they remain in their base state. Cowards and scavengers.
You are suggesting we destroy every rock formation around Mount Redtip? I shifted and looked around the gloomy clearing. It seemed like a rather tedious chore, yet if it was necessary..
The huntress snorted in reply and waved her arm in dismissal of the idea. She surveyed the area, then turned back to the forest that walled this ce in.
No need. These are thest remnants of the packs that were on Mount Redtip. Or so I have observed. Most were wiped out or driven off the mountain by the influx of higher-leveled monsters. Although some have rapidly adapted and evolved tobat the threat. New subsses, higher-leveled individuals and the like.
Monsters gaining sses. A new revtion to me, but I did not question it. Just nodded along and followed the woman into the brush once more. Mostly because I was already muted again.
Point is. They need these stone gods to be anything more than reclusive cowards. Destroy them, and you destroy their will and morale. Simple.
Perhaps I did not see everything too clearly, but I nodded along and followed her as we made our way through the valley. Walls of rock and asional greenery rose above the trees as we traversed the massive gash in the mountains side. Everything smelled wet and lush in here, overly ripe and sweet. Bloom and life surrounded us as we stalked through it, on our way to deal with matters of death.
My sense of time was skewed, but I estimated it to be a nearly an hour before we reached our destination. Once again, Lerishs skill applied camouge to us as we stalked forward to observe our target.
This was by far thergest nest, of the three we had now seen. It easily dwarfed the first in size and numbers. The carved stones here were absolutely massive, to where we had seen them over the trees even from a considerable distance. As before, we approached with sound muted and active camouge around us.
There were several,rge differences here, I could see immediately. The Stone Gods were the center of all activity, and were carved in far greater detail than before. I could make out features on the rocks now. Carefully chiseled and painted, they showed three separate individuals, which resembled more humanoid, regal stonemongers. One was in the ssic image of a warrior, the other a mage or schr, the third a cloaked form I would guess at being an assassin.
The debate podium around these towering statues was sophisticated in design, with an ascending gallery that held stone benches to either side of a ssic debate floor. I saw lodges, organized campfires, ideas that seemed crudely copied from humans and other races. And all of it swarmed with monsters. Stonemongers in all shapes and sizes gathered here, and I felt my throat turn dry at their sheer numbers.
There must have been nearly a thousand gathered here in this massive nest, situated in the heart of this valley. Even though we were a considerable distance away, I could make out stark differences in the beasts.
Many of them had bulky, rocky armor that covered them like a carapace. Others were smaller, sleek and hard for the eyes to keep track of. But there were several individuals that caught my attention. There was a stonemonger nearly asrge as me, covered entirely in bs of stone that floated around its body.
Stone Collosus ss. I heard Lerish whisper into my ear, even though she remained some distance away. Big. Strong. Slow.
She gestured to others around the camp. There was another, smaller than the Collusus that carried a small shield and strangely enough, a scimtar-like weapon.
Likely a Rock Guardian. She grunted and gestured to wild-eyed, bellowing figure that presided over the debate floor. And that strikes me as a Stonebinder. There should be a Shadowstalker in here, but I cannot find them from here.
She held an arrow in hand and gestured to what seemed to be a massive kennel made of rocks.
Those house their Mahounds. Stonemongers that have regressed back even further into bestial forms in exchange for power.
I nodded solemnly, my ymore drawn and at ready. In one hand, I held a bag filled with spores and sleeping bomber-pods. Grim as it was, there was already a n in my mind. Throw my bags into their midst and then immediately cut a swathe to the statues. Blindly rampaging around like the first nest could mean I could get swarmed and worn down through sheer numbers.
Stay here. Lerish hissed. Ill scout around the area to ensure there are no nasty surprises.
She was gone before I had a chance to protest. With a silent sigh, I crouched in ce and surveyed the nest. But I did not wait long. Lerish had been gone only moments when a scout came screeching from the woods, and I tensed.
Had she been discovered?
Whatever the creature ryed to the nest, the disturbance was instant. Masses of creatures swarmed every which way, a hundred things happening at once. I could see them scrambling for weapons, and smell the fear that permeated the air now. The kennels were thrown open, and lumbering, metallic hounds nearly the size of Gol emerged.
But had little time to prepare.
Something soared above the treetops andnded in their midst as stonemongers scattered desperately around it. My eyes could see a tall, slender form thatnded before the podium. Those words were a lie, however. The creature was taller than I, yet while slender in the context of its size, easily matched me in bulk. Bipedal, with feathered legs that shimmered red.
A thickly-built chest gave way to a flowing mane and draken appearance. Steel wings were folded upon its back, with long, muscled arms that ended in sharp ws.
I gazed upon it for but a second, and knew this was the Apex.
A heartbeat passed, and chaos reigned.
Eyes wide, I watched the massive for cleanly pivot, swivel and catch the rising Stone Collosus in the chest with a blurred kick. Even as the massive form was broken and ragdolled through the air, the monsternded, swept low, and spun its steel wings wide. Stonemongers were caught and shredded by the sh of steel. It moved like a dancer, with fast, graceful, yet with heavy blows.
Butchery was the only word I could describe its actions with. Long, powerful legsshed out and simply broke anything in its path. It danced, every movement an act of ughter that smoothly flowed into the next.
A wall of rock erupted from the ground as it surged towards the Rock Guardian, and it shattered it with a powerful axe kick. Momentum propelled it forward even as a mass of car-sized boulders appeared above it and slid through the air to crush it. One second, it upied a space beneath the tonnes of falling rock. The next it simply didnt.
My eyes could barely follow the monster as it sh-stepped forward swatted the Stonebinder away like an insect. Stone rose from the ground the entrap its legs in that instant as the mage sacrificed their life to trap it. A futile effort. The Apex glowed, applied pressure downwards, and I watched as the ground around it shattered. Stone and dirt were thrown in every direction with enough force to hurl away the swarm of Mahounds that raced towards it.
It sh-stepped again, and I watched it appear before the Rock Guardian. There was terror in those final moments, I was sure. I could see the creature jerk backwards as therger monster loomed before it. Then be crushed into the ground by a flurry of blows.
There was something primal about the destruction it wrought. A storm of relentless carnage that came at blinding speeds. The Apex tore through the nest of stonemongers without so much as a pause, and death followed its wake.
And all the while I watched, silent.
I had thought an Apex to be just another higher-leveled monster, never taken the threat seriously. I had been wrong. It was the literal apex of its species, an avatar of brutality and sheer force. In truth, I did not know if I could defeat it inbat myself. I was strength and blind, directionless rage.
It was power and focused carnage. Speed and massive strength, meshed by perfect control.
Quiet, emotionless, I watched as it stood before the statues of these stonemonger gods, and it sneered at them. The nesty in ruins around it, hundreds of monsters butchered in the span of minutes. Its bright red form stained with blood, it gazed upon these gods and spit at them.
A single leg rose and nted its spread, wed toes on the stone surface. Then squeezed. The rock shattered beneath its strength and it cawed in mockingughter at thest few stonemongers it had left alive. Watched their despair as it reduced their gods to rubble. With onest screech of malice, it bent, spread its wings and leaped into the air.
It was gone long before Lerish returned.
Apex. She nodded quietly. Fortunate we did not arrive sooner.
I was inclined to agree. With naught else to do, we turned and set off for home, the silence heavy in the air.
Book 1: Chapter 29: A new dawn.
Book 1: Chapter 29: A new dawn.
The was little to say as we made our way home, but much left unsaid. Things hadnt changed, in truth. My perspective had. Beforehand, true danger was a far-off concept, with the Baron being situated far away and with other matters to upy himself. Conflict and confrontation was there, but as a vaguely hazy thing further down the line.
There were monsters up the mountain, yes, but I had, for some reason, been incorrectly confident that I was the top dog or somesuch in these areas. That illusion was shattered now. Gareks memories held vast amounts of blood-soaked experience, yet the berserker had never fought an Apex himself.
Much as I wished I would not have to, I refused to be an optimistic fool. I would pray for the best, but steel myself for the worst.
Quiet and somber was the mood as Lerish led us back out of this wooded maze. The huntress deftly found trails my eyes would have passed over, and kept up moving in a consistent direction. Lost and with my trust in her, I followed.
Overcast as it was, I guessed it to be early in the evening before we emerged back onto the road. It was not where we had entered by her lodge, but close enough.
Well. She broke the silence. Till we meet again. I will be working at the camp these next few weeks. Hunting for those who cannot do it themselves. Yourpany would not be unwee. If you find yourself in the area.
I solemnly nodded and thanked her for all she had done today. The huntress gave me a rare, wry smile and went off on her own way. And I was left alone with my thoughts once more. There was a tiredness in my limbs as I trudged down the slope, following the road that would lead me home. Just I, the sound of birds in the distance and the dull evening light.
Exhaustion crept through my body, yes. But I was not too tired to smile when Gol lumbered up to me as I approached the farm. Ish passed me on the road as I drew near, the big burly beast by her side.
Had a good day? I asked and leaned forward to scratch Gol behind the ears. The way he pressed his head into my hand brought a small smile to my face, I had to admit. Thest few days had caused me to appreciate the big lummox.
Was alright. Bit boring, but thats how I like my days round here. Yourself?
Unexpected things happened, I grunted. Finished what we set out to achieve, and had a change of perspective.
Want to share?
Maybe in the morning. Too tired to do anything tonight. Gonna wash in the stream and go to bed.
Sounds like a n. She grinned in her lopsided way. I still got chores at home or Id do the same and be asleep.
Well, have fun with that.
She chuckled and shook her head.
I make no promises in that regard. But Ill try.
And with that, she was gone. I watched her race down the road, dust kicked up in her wake. Gol followed me home, close at my side. And of course, I spoiled him with an abundance of head-scratches and much pets. Just to express my gratitude. He had risked life and limb for my farm, and now it was his home as much as mine. Supper was a vague blur of Artyom cheerfully chattering along and describing the day. Truth be told, I could remember little of what was said.
Fatigues iron grip tightened its hold on me, and soon I found myself in bed, eyes closed.
Farmer Level Eight reached. Sleep to-
I was out before the message even finished.
Deep and troubled was my sleep, and haunted were my dreams. A sea of blood and carnage was all that I remembered once I woke, my body covered in cold sweat. With a grunt and a sniff, I realized I had forgotten to bathe yesterday.
The clear pre-dawn air and cold water did wonders for me, I found. Rxed in the pool created by the dam, I allowed myself to simply soak and enjoy the early morning. It was quiet, almost serenly peaceful with a decent view of the farm from here. I could see the cows out in the pasture, the lone horse amidst the herd.
Better than a reservoir to the crops, I had my own sizable bathtub. But all too soon, it was time to go and attend to my duties. Thest few level-ups had not yielded me any Skills, I had noticed. Were they spaced further apart, or was there another criteria for them that I was unaware of?
The cows were milked and jugs loaded onto the freshly patched cart by the time Ish arrived. Artyom sat on the carts front seat with a wide-eyed, innocent look. Inviting himself along, or so he thought. The felinid visibly twitched as he gazed at all the gathered milk, and I sighed.
Look, I rumbled between securing jars. If Ish is impressed by your efforts today when I return, Ill see about slipping you some when she isnt looking, alright?
Slip him what? Came the voice from behind, and with a grunt, I finished the binding and turned to find the orcss.
Some extra coin. I lied in a way I wanted to think was smooth, but came out a little too dyed. She eyed me skeptically, but shrugged.
Sure, well go with that. Anything you want done today?
I directed her to begin harvesting biter pods, with the caveat she take things slow and careful. Said pods were absolutely engorged by the feasting they had done these past several days. So stuffed were they, in fact, that the vines had begun to sprout more pods in random areas. There were additional affects all-throughout the range of nts, but I intended to leave investigation of those until I returned.
With workid out, and promises that they would keep safety paramount secured, I set off. Yesterdays clouds had passed without so much as a drop of rain, and an empty expanse shone with sheer sunlight today. Nothing bothered me on my way to the riders camp, save for a few passing patrols. Raffnyks men and women rode along these roads now, armed and bored as they kept a lookout for trouble.
It was one of the reasons I wasfortable leaving the farm, despite knowing Ironmoors men mighte knocking. The Verdant Dawn patrolled up and down the mountain, ceaseless in their vignce. But I was headed upwards, with my cart in tow and an eagerness in my step.
I had milk to sell and knowledge that had to be shared. All in all, the day looked to be very productive indeed.
It was with such expectations that I gazed at Raffnyk sometimeter. The human smacked his lips slightly, face scrunched up as he tasted some of the milk from a cup.
It certainly tastes..unique. He admitted after a few more sips. Quite unlike any milk Ive tasted before. But you wanted to talk about other matters.
With a sigh, I took the returned mug and ced it back with the others as I leaned against the carts frame. There was some curiosity as to my products, but insofar, only Raffnyk had approached me. Despite my every attempt to seem friendly and approachable, I was betrayed by my own body.
A huge, hulking beast offering samples of strange liquid was not theforting sight I had hoped it to be after all. Shame.
I encountered the Apex. I stated bluntly. In the heartbeat, the mans face went from rxed and curious to alert and tight.
Every detail you can provide me will bepensated for in gold. He spoke, voice hard. But I waved him off.
From one friend to another. I assured him. Keep your coin, and instead do me a favour in the future, should I call upon it.
Very well. He agreed, voice low. But every. Single. Little. Detail you can provide me will be valuable beyond anything. Every scrap of knowledge might save a life when we have to go and fight it, might make the difference between killing it and a rout.
That was where I wholly agreed with him. Information and knowledge was what won battles, and decided wars. I knew this very, very well. Which was why I hade to pass it along. Hoarded, that knowledge was useless to me, but shared, it could benefit all. The worst thing I could have done was simply sit on it and fail to mention it to anyone.
Not a sound came from Raffnyk as I described the encounter in bluntly excruciating detail. Every little thing I could remember, from how it moved to its attacks to its stature and attitude. Frankly, the conversation took far, far longer than the actual ughter at the stonemonger nest.
I thank you for this, friend Garek. He spoke once I had finished. He abruptly stood and sped hands behind his back. Way your woes be few and your days many. I must go. Now.
He stalked away, and I watched a good man leave.
While I wish I could have said the day was profitable, that would be a very severe over-reach. Few and far between were the people who actually approached me, and fewer still were those who were willing to buy an entirerge jar of milk after a few sips from the sample cup.
My business strategy was sorelyckluster, I finally concluded. Soon, evening came, and I could wait no longer. Cart just as heavy as it had been this morning, I turned and began to trudge back home.
Not entirely disheartened. Just more experienced. I would need to make several adjustments andpromises, but I had a n.
If just milk was not enough to attract attention, I would need to add the proverbial spice to my selection.
Once again, it waste enough that Ish passed me on the road home. Thess assured me that everything had gone well, albeit slowly. The harvested pods were safely stored and awaiting my attention, and she had drained some of the acid into proper ss containers.
Artyom deserved whatever reward I had promised him, and that was not because she had seen him chased across the yard by a massive biter pod before cleanly running it through with a spear. The image roused both concern and amusement in me, but I thanked her for her effort and we parted ways once more.
True to my words, Artyom was rewarded. I sat beneath my evening tree and watched the felinid happilyp away at a thick bowl of cream. Spoon abandoned, he slurped the liquid straight from the bowl, a content look upon his face.
Truly, blissfully happy. I let him enjoy it, my own supper already eaten. But I was not content to head off and sleep just yet. Despite my very un-nocturnal instincts calling, I heaved myself up and lumbered off towards the fields.
Amidst the freshly harvested stalks and vines, a single flower bloomed in the darkness. Surprise and delight swelled inside me as I regarded the sunflower in all its clerical glory. The petals I had plucked were already regrown. Did its healing capabilities also apply to itself?
With eager hands, I plucked several of the pale gold petals and headed back to the farm. Sleep could wait. I had some experiments to try.
Book 1: Chapter 30: Magic within milk.
Book 1: Chapter 30: Magic within milk.
Cold steel in one hand and colder milk in the other, I braced myself for the moment of truth. This idea was frankly ludicrous, yes. But so was every second thing I had encountered since my abrupt arrival on this world. Operating entirely on logic from my old home was a crutch that served to slow me down, I had realized.
There was quite literally magic in the air. And if I refused to utilize it, I was an even bigger fucking idiot than in my old life. I vaguely remembered some bullshit about patient people waiting for opportunity to knock on their threshold. Well, I was more content to go and kick fates door in.
Forget waiting for opportunity. I was going to make my own.
Teeth grit, I pressed the knife against my forearm, frowned as it failed to prate, and pressed harder. For a moment I feared the de would dull before it pierced my hide or somesuch, but I had faith in its prowess. And after a time, I seeded in cutting myself.
What an achievement.
Sticky, precious blood pooled against the shallow sh as I observed it, detached. But such a small wound did not interest me. I needed to go deeper. I angled the knife in so as to avoid anything important, muttered a quick prayer at whatever god was out there, and then jammed the de home.
Shock withheld pains vestigial advance for a scant few heartbeats and then was swept aside before its arrival. Eyes wide and teeth ground together, I slowly withdrew the de and shakily reached for the milk I had set aside.
The moment of truth.
Wounded arm braced against the table, I guided the small cup up and gulped it down between shivers or agony. I had been wounded before, but that was in the heat of battle, where adrenalines fiery surges kept the worst at bay. It was a special sort of hurt when you knew it wasing.
The effect was instantaneous. I watched, eyes stretched open and refusing to blink as my flesh simply flowed back together. This surprised me. The fleshknit potions I had both seen and administered myself were a rough, brutal method that reknit the torn nerves, veins and skin, and was as painful as that would sound.
This felt smooth, forck of a better word. Again, I delved into Gareks memories for an exnation. His kind held little stock in the clerics of other races, for any minotaur not a warrior was worthless, in their eyes. But he had encountered humans that wielded divine might, and what hazy memories I could glean from his remnants indicated their healing prowess was far superior to any alchemical potions.
What man could create was not equal to divine providence, it seemed. And yet I suspected that these petals were more akin to clerical healing than other forms. I had simply dropped the plucked petals into the milk and let them soak for a while to test my theory. And now, I needed more.
I had a small, finite amount, yes, and would need to use them carefully. But for now, I had work to be done. Ish had, upon my request, gotten me a few smaller jugs. I would have liked to have more variety in the sizes, but that would have to wait for the future. For now, I had my regr pots and several smaller ones, all of which I nned to sell separately.
With careful measurements, the smaller pots were soon filled, and I evenly distributed the petals among them to soak overnight. With cloth and vines, I covered the tops and kept them chilled. Satisfied, I had onest task to attend to before I could turn in.
I had half a sheet of wood that remained from my various construction endeavors. For a while, I sat and thought, wondering what catchy things I could carve upon its surface to attract the eye. In the end, I came upon the conclusion that simplicity was the best option. My products would speak for themselves. Why promise something shy and fancy when my quality would best be known anyhow?
Some timeter, with it finished, trudged in and retired for the night. Morning came as soon as I had closed my eyes, and with a groan, I prised them open and hauled myself from bed. A new day had dawned, and I was not content to waste any of it on my back.
Tired as I was, the chores seemed like a slog this morning, and I found myself nearly butting heads with my thick-skulled cows. But that too passed, and I had the wagon loaded before Ish came bounding down the road.
Off again today, eh? She inquired as I secured the new goods properly. The bags of biter pods still wriggled where I had forgotten them yesterday, and I made a note to check the ones I had sealed away inside the house. I had intended to speak to Raffnyk about sales of these, but the subject had been lost in our talks. Ah, well, such was life sometimes.
Aye, I grunted. Should be a better day than yesterday. Didnt know what I expected, honestly. Just rolled up and hoped for the best.
A different n today, then? She grinned and looked at what I had prepared. Learning from your mistakes and all that?
Something like that, I admitted. Like most people, I did hate to admit -especially to myself- that I could have done better, but here we were. Look after the farm while Im away.
I spent a chunk of the morning walking around and pointing out specific tasks to her that I wanted done, as well as some demonstrations. I took particr time to fil her in on the cleric flower and its properties, and what I wanted done with it. We mused over how to possibly reproduce it, but eventually concluded we knew absolutely nothing about it insofar. I admitted that to her, and Ish justughed as I trudged back to the farm and my cart.
With a crooked grin, she waved me off. I set off up the mountain, cart pulled behind me the sun rose up the empty horizon behind my back. I was not the only person on the trail, however. Raffnyks riders were already out on patrol, diligently trotting along. Clouded and flooded as my sense of smell was, I could smell a familiar scent as I passed the trio, and it didnt match my own. Beneath the heavy odor of men, horses, sweat and steel, there was a faint wisp of a more recognizable smell.
Milk.
I frowned, seeing as I didnt quite remember selling these men any of my goods, but shrugged and trudged onwards. In due time, I arrived at the camp, and stopped short as I cleared a rise in the road. Another cart was already parked just outside the half-finished walls, having set up shop. I recognized the short, broad human even as my mind tried to reach for his name.
Pert, I remembered atst. The other supplier of milk in this area. We had the same idea, then. I could see him turn towards me, and then tense up as his eyes took in my form. The odor of baked goods wafted from his cart, and it was in that he had already made several sales.
Without missing a beat, I kept on moving and pulled my own cart up to where it had been yesterday. If he was tensed for a confrontation, he would be sorely disappointed. I had little time for the man, and did not deign to so much as acknowledge him.
Instead I parked my cart, turned my back to him and began to set up my wares. Which didnt take much effort, in all honesty. Just me loosening some bonds to make it easier to retrieve tied-down items and pulling up my sign.
Gareks Goods: Healing Milk And More. was all it dered and all it needed to. With that sat up, I simply loitered around and waited, content to let word of mouth spread about my ludicrous im. Word spread slowly at first, I saw. A few people drifted by, curious looks levied in my direction. More followed. One or twoughed at the sight.
I beckoned a young, bandaged man close as he hovered around the fringes of the gate, obviously intent on watching me. After a moments hesitation, he hobbled over and looked me dead in the eye.
What do ya want? He asked bluntly, unable to summon a single fuck to give under theyers of cloth that covered his face. A burn victim, or perhaps acid. I couldnt tell.
Very little. I replied truthfully. You just happened to be in the right ce at the right time. How would you like a free sample?
The suspicion upon his face was obvious as he eyed the sign up a down, wary.
What ya sellin? He demanded gruffly, and I gestured to my sign. His eyes followed my hand and evoked nothing. Not everyone has time for your fancy scribbles.
He couldnt read. Wonderful. Instead, I sighed and exined it to him on blunt terms.
So yer iming you have fleshknit potions mixed into yer milk? He scoffed and scratched at his ginger scalp. What kind of fool idea is that?
Momentary weakness nearly made me send him on his way, but I persevered and did my best to remain patient. Even those offered a cure to their illness were hesitant to take it, lest it be a false hope. I myself had gone through such experiences before this life. And I understood his position, and his right to doubt my words.
Free of charge. I rumbled and held out a cup filled with petal-soaked milk. The cure for what ails you. If it isnt, Ill pay you for your time.
If anything, that seemed to make him even more suspicious. But the offer proposed was too good, and in the end, he epted. With bated breath, I watched him chug down the cup and then look around. Waiting for something to happen.
What a load of rubb- Anything the young man was about to say was cut off as his free hand shot up to the bandages that covered his face. He blinked nkly several times and groped the skin beneath the wraps that he pulled free.
Huh. Was all the reply I got from him. Well, Ill be damned.
With little else to say, he wandered off, busy feeling at his smooth skin once more. While I would have liked his thanks, they were not strictly required. Others had been watching, and now their testimonies spread. Before I could so much as refill the cup, I had another human striding up to my cart.
How much? She demanded gruffly and pulled out a purse of coin.
I listed my price, and she matched it without flinching.
Your stock. She gestured. Ill take all of it.
The coin tempted me, it really did. Visions of its pale gleams in my hands seemed sulent, but I wasn''t here to sell out in half an hour and then trundle home with my main draw depleted.
Two per customer. I returned, although it pained me to pass up that much immediate coin. I knew it was the better n to spread out my sales and establish long-term interest, but there was something alluring about immediate gratification.
She bargained and haggled, but I remained firm.
Two per customer, I repeated stubbornly. There will be more next week.
Truth be told, I hade with ten small healing pots, used one as a demonstration and wanted to stretch the remaining nine as far as I could.
I have other wares, strictly for the discerning adventurer. I offered once she had epted that I would not sell her more. Coin she had aplenty, it turned out. Several momentster, I was light one bag of biter pods, a sk of acid and a jug of regr milk.
Not all my customers were as free with their coin as her. Several balked at the price of the healing milk, but I refused to budge. I knew it was a bit higher than was reasonable, but it was still fair, and a preciousmodity. The healing pots went far quicker than I had expected, and soon as I was forced to tell interested parties that they were sold out.
Across the road, Pert had a small trickle of customers for his milk and baked goods, but the majority visited me first. Even if I could no longer provide what I advertised, the rest of my wares held the interest of the riders. Giving monster hunters the tools they needed to easier do their jobs was profitable, who woulda thought?
By day''s end, my cart was light and my purse was full. Satisfied, I packed up my cart and pointedly ignored Pert as he waved me over. No doubt he had some business proposition in mind, but I had little interest in the man. It wasnt that I thought he was inherently evil, just greedy, or that I thought lesser of him. It was simply that I possessed better ways to waste my time than in his association and presence.
Through polite conversation with my clients, I made sure to spread the word that I would return once every week, each time with a fresh batch of goods. Those who came first would be served first. And then, after a day well-spent, I hitched up my cart and began the trek back home.
Book 1: Chapter 31: Pensive
Book 1: Chapter 31: Pensive
To my immense surprise, I discovered that variation produced patterns. Yes, that was indeed sarcasm. My wit knew no limits, I was proud to admit. Come dawn, I was already awake and conducting my examinations apanied by the faint pre-dawn light and Artyoms squeaky snores. Gods Above that little windbag had an entire orchestra of sounds down his throat, and I had been his unwilling audience all night.
Back turned to him, I sat upon a crude stool and examined the countertops worth of biter pods. Entombed in ss, theyy in various states of affairs, with remarkably few of them showing any signs of thriving. Who would have thought that sealing organic life inside a ss container could have such an effect?
Predictably, those that had received the least food withered first. That conclusion had been forgone, however. What interested me was how quickly they had degraded. Those that had gotten none were simply dead, cut off from the vine, food and air. Truly, a stupendous oue. There were faint signs of life left in those that had received some small morsels, amplified in the jars I had left open to the air above.
Those I had allowed to gorge surprised me the most. They positively thrived inside their castles of ss. Several had sprouted vines from what I would tentatively refer to as their backs, and one had gone so far as to behind growing more pods from a thickened vine that curled along the jars floor.
Soil, while optional, was not strictly needed, or so I was led to assume.
The results here fairly lined up with what I had guessed the natural oue to be, yet I wanted to conduct more advanced experiments. Rather than just figure out a way to grow more, an eagerness to manipte the conditions further simmered within me. A thirst for knowledge that demanded my attention as if a physical need.
Tentative expression set upon my face, I gathered up those that had perished and left the hut. The husk of those dead I disposed of in apose pile Ish had started, and refilled their containers with soil. They could survive in sub-optimal conditions, yes, but how much did it affect them versus those nted in lush soil?
Artyom had woken upon my return and scurried off at my insistence. Morning chores would not perform themselves. He was to feed Gol and check the crops for weeds, along with a small list of other tasks to rotate through day by day. The wonders of being able to rely onpetent help.
While he attended to those chores, I further divided up the nts and their conditions. Most got soil, and I watched as the vines of several nts snuggled into the loamy dirt. A few trips back and forth provided some with water, some with food and a healthy variation across all those that remained. This time, I made sure to carefully mark all of the jars to indicate their conditions. Loathe though I was to admit it, but there were only so many details I could cram into my skull and expect to remember it all.
Ish had returned from the fields with milk pails in hand when I finally emerged, her morning chores alreadypleted.
Thought I was going to be fighting with the cows again today, I admitted as we leaned against the fenceposts and observed Artyom weaving through the crops. Harvest was, frighteningly, weeks away by my estimate. That unsettled me the most. Back home, it had been this immutable thing that urred on a set pace, and even for all our technology and studies, humans had been able to do naught but speed that process up by a few weeks. Now, a Skill, a power I could not feel and had little control over, hustled that process along by months. Unnatural.
Well then, aint you d I was in the area to do it for ya? the orcss distractedly replied, her usual grin just a slight twitch upon her face.
Something was bothering her, and I didnt want to dance around it or pretend like it wasnt a concern. Some people just wouldnt care, as long as it didnt effect her work. Do your job and deal with your problems on your own time, or somesuch. I wasnt one of those people.
You want to talk about it or be distracted from it? I sighed and leaned against the crooked wooden post. I can see something is eating at you. Share, if you are willing.
She frowned and shook her head ever so slightly.
Ehhh, its stupid.
Let me be the judge of that. I reassured her.
Ish sighed and made a face before she straightened and crossed her arms, a serious expression on her face.
I wanna be an adventurer. Think I mentioned this before. Buttely Ive been havin arguments with Ma and Pa about it. Look, I know the whole thing about kids and their parents shing and then tempers simmering, so dont worry bout that. Its just.. She trailed off with a deep, tired sigh that I felt. I really did.
I know that I have it better off than a lot of young folks my age, and am in a better situation than plenty people round here. Ma and Pa are leaving me the farm and everything, Ive got a great headstart with my sses, inherited great Skills from both of em, have a fair sum of coin saved up. I could live well once the farm is mind.
And yet. I nodded along, sort of sympathetic and able to empathize with her position.
Its selfish n shit, but I dont want it. Its secure, stable, a good life. But it wouldnt make me happy. I know that. And I got only one life to live.
Of all the things I expected to do this morning, helping a young adult with their existential dread and uncertainty of the future was not among my long list of possibilities. And yet, she had tirelessly helped me all this time, risked her life for my farm. This was the least I could do for her.
Well, I slowly replied and scratched my head. I cant make that decision for you, Ish. All I can do is offer some advice and share my experiences. How much have you thought this through? Do you have all the necessary equipment and funds secured to be an adventurer? A person can train for it, but no amount of practice in a safe, contained environment prepares you for a life of constant danger and uncertainty.
Im aware. She nodded with a grimace. Ma has told me that a dozen times. You never know whats around the next bend, out there in the world. Or so Ive been told. I have a potential party, but all of us are greenhorns, to put it bluntly. I got my stuff, but theres never a set time for us to set off, yaknow? Just always some vague date in the future that never seems toe.
The worst part is, She continued. Itd break Mas heart so badly. It took her so much effort to leave all that behind and settle down with Pa.
I can imagine. I nodded and really didnt.
Leaving the call of blood and battle is torture for someone of the orc blood, but she did it for me. Ish sighed quietly. And here I am, off to go break her heart.
No matter what you do, make sure you do it on good terms. Dont let the sun set over regret or anger. And whether or not you stay or go, I just want you to know this, I am thankful to have both met you and had you help me in the past weeks.
Thanks for that. Really. She nodded. We discussed it for a time, content to just stand and share thoughts. But soon enough, other deeds mored to take precious attention. Ish led me over to where she had transnted the clericflower into my house-side garden and I squatted to examine it with a frown.
It seems..sickly. I stated the obvious.
Indeed. She nodded sagely. Was like that when I scooped it out and moved it over.
The golden petals had been drained of color, now an unhealthy off-white instead of their pale gold. The flower seemed to droop, devoid of any prior healing prowess.
Perhaps I plucked too many of its petals. I ventured carefully.
Could be. Could also be its not getting fed enough.
There is sunlight and water aplenty here. I frowned even harder. I was going to say that I had never heard of a nt shriveling up so fast but then reminded myself conventional wisdom had been tossed out the window the second I was forced into this world.
True. But if not water and light, what is it feeding off of?
Ish shrugged and gestured to the field where she had transnted the fragile flower from.
Given the past few days, and how you only noticed it after the raid, I would hedge my bets and just say its either blood or death.
I couldnt even make a decent counter-argument against that, given what kind of other flora grew among my crops. They had a very specific ingredient that linked all of them together.
Well then. I nodded. Might as well test it and see, first. Anything we can bleed onto this?
For once, the thoroughness with which the biter pods disposed of whatever meat I had thrown in front of them disappointed me. I would have quite liked something readily on hand to test Ishs theory. But it was not to be, and so a grabbed the knife and decided to do it myself.
Face already a grimace of anticipation, I towered over the pale bloom and held the knife to my palm. The pain was barely there, but I still shivered as cold steel parted the flesh and blood flowed free.
Crimson was the precious liquid that seeped from my clenched fist into the dark soil below. Droplets sttered across the soil, fat drops of bloody rain that stained the pale petal where they struck. Stains that faded in mere moments as life returned to the bloom.
It hungered, and I gave it substance. The pale gold returned before my very eyes, and we stood, blinking.
Seems about right. Ish nodded. Any further questions were interrupted as Artyom came tearing across the yard, bounding on all fours.
Riders, yes-yes! He screeched. Barons men!
Not a moment of peace at all, it seemed. Ish broke off and headed for the storage shack where the weapons were stored. This early in the morning, I hadnt been lugging around my ymore. An oversight. Danger did not chose convenient times to reveal itself.
There was a sense of dread that pervaded the air as I strode towards the road, intent on confronting the riders, and any potential trouble before it reached my home. Ish met me halfway, axe in one hand and my massive de in the other. I nodded thanks as she handed it to me hilt-first.
Stay back and watch. Was all the instructions I mustered before she was gone. Back to the storage shed for her armor, I assumed. Gol stirred from beneath the massive tree he snoozed under, but I did not wait for him. Artyom bounded towards him, and I turned my attention back to the road. They came around the corner, a full contingent of armored men with their green banner flying overhead.
And at the forefront, a figure I recognized. The Adjudicator rode in full armor, her draconic helm a sneering visage upon the world as she surveyed all with regal disdain. They saw me at the same time I caught sight of their column.
With a crack of the reins and flick of her boots, the warhorse she rode broke into a gallop,ing right at me.
Book 1: Chapter 32: Dread.
Book 1: Chapter 32: Dread.
Instinct screamed for action as the frenzied mass of flesh and steel galloped toward me. Wisdom whispered to stay my hand. Eyes narrowed, fist clenched around the hilt of my de, and sweat upon my back, I chose to follow the quiet voice. The dark figure pulled to a halt before me, her horse viciously jerked to the side.
Again you stand before me. Came the imperious statement, delivered from on high. A moment passed as I carefully considered my words. Cold was the malice I discerned in her tone. Something about her..unsettled me. Put me on edge as I nced at the figures that continued to march on.
You sought me out, not the other way around. I returned slowly, trying to stay expressionless. What brings you to my humble farm?
Had the baron decided toe in force, to attempt and make an example of me? The sheer amount of soldiers that marched along the road behind the adjudicator could flood my farm in bodies, drag me down through sheer attrition.
I could almost hear the sharp smile behind that ckened armor.
No need to tter yourself, farmer. The barons business lies elsewhere today. You being here is merely a distraction on the route. But, as you have seen fit to bring up the subject, She swung one leg over and slid from her horse. Armor nked as she struck the ground and strode towards me. Instinct screamed and I took a step back before realizing what I had done.
There was something wrong about the figure. A sense of dead and malice that entered my mind whenever I looked at her. Irrational emotions that reigned over my mind. I was a giant before her, the imposing one here. But there mere sight of this figure brought uneasiness into my heart.
Is the supposed hospitality of farmers simply a fable? Came the sneering voice. Given only to those you favor?
She expected me to invite her into my home, well-
No, she expected the rebuke. This person wasnt stupid. I had already seen that. Back at the square. Taunts meant to get rises out of better people. She would not receive the like from me.
Pained was the smile that came through my gritted teeth, but I cordially stepped to the side and invited her to share my shade. Another rider drew close behind her, and she simply waved him on.
You are not ipetent enough to not carry on without me. She snapped at that the soldier. You have your orders. Follow them.
They were marching up the mountain, I realized. Towards Raffnyks camp. Cold eyes followed my gaze and a derisiveugh broke escaped the confines of her throat.
Your friends will not be harmed today, The Adjudicator sneered. But they cannot outrun my lieges wrath forever. Vengeances hand will close round their throats, one day.
Those words I chose to ignore and instead led her towards the tree where I entertained my guests. Ish had vanished, I found. The young woman had seen the situation, put the factors together and bounded away into the woods. Good. Much as I considered her ass, she was a capable, grown woman experienced in her own ways.
Gol growled warily as the armored figure approached, slowly backing up as she drew near.
You tamed one of these for a pet? Came theugh, almost scornful. How quaint.
Grateful am I, then, that I hold little value in your approval. I tossed back and sat myself on thergest stump. Everything seemed eerily quiet as the woman sat herself in the shade across from me. There was an awkward silence as she looked around, her posture rxed. Someone who was used to strolling right into a ce and owning it. I could not exin why she unsettled me. Physically, she was perhaps half my size. Yet I had learned that in this world, there was much more to a person than would meet the eye.
I stood abruptly and dusted off my pants. Something to keep my hands distracted instead of sitting there quietly.
Could I offer you a drink? I spoke with forced pleasantness.
If she realized that, the woman was content to let me fumble along.
The guest is finally offered refreshments? She clicked her tongue but didnt answer my question. With a sigh and rolled eyes, I trudged towards the storage shed and fetched a small jug, as well as two sses. Her attention seemed focused on Gols retreating form as I returned, and for a moment I thought she had turned her attention away from me.
I thought wrong. The draconic head of her ck helm fluidly turned to stare at me as I approached, difort in every step of my body. Her scent was..unstable. Humanstench sporadically oveid something else I didnt recognize, something unnatural. Crackling and cold all at once, with a hint of corruption mixed in. Hard was the battle I waged to keep my features from twitching as I set a ss before her and poured the creamy liquid within.
Only when I had withdrawn and poured my own did she reach forward and grasp it in gauntleted hands.
Milk. She stated tly.
Perhaps you would settle for streamwater or air?
The rebuke I expected did note. Instead, a hand reached up, undid catches, and pulled the helm from her head. Intense darkened eyes emerged from beneath the steel, with colorless hair cut short over them. Several of her teeth were sharp, I found as the not-quite human face took a sip from my her cup.
A narrow tongue ran across her lips with slow deliberation after every sip, something that only served to unsettle me further.
The more she revealed, the less I understood about this being.
After a slow agony, the cup was drained and set back upon the stump she had taken it from.
Delicious. Shemented. You have fine taste.
Shame that your friends do not reflect this fine taste. She continued, teeth bared into a smile. You chose to throw your lot in with these vermin, and that choice was exceptionally poor.
I need not justify my friendships to you. I shrugged. Yet honorable men and women make far betterpany than the man you serve.
Sharp was the smile that cut through her stone face, and with the helmet gone, I could see the sneer beneath.
Keeppany with the riders, and soon all you will have forpanionship will be corpses.
Is that a threat? I asked softly, eyes narrowed.
No. You are not worth wasting the barons time on. But that is a promise. My master has burned with righteous vengeance for longer than you have been born, furback. And you will not stand betwixt him and his retribution.
Your master is fond of grudges, I glean. Must be a delightful person to serve.
You know so little, small man. That me of has burned since days long gone, when what was considered a monster was a far..looser term. When organizations like the Verdant Dawn were allowed much more freedom, answered to no man, She hissed. And killed who they pleased in the name of protecting the people.
You have wandered into a feud you know frighteningly little of, and entrenched yourself with the wrong side. Her smile was sharp now, pitiless. Know that the world is not kind to the mishaps of fools, and I am even less so, Farmer Garek.
You know my name, yet I have not heard yours. I cocked my head. Somehow that doesnt seem fair.
Fuck fair. She spat. But since you finally asked, I am Valencia.
Valencia, Adjudicator in the service of Baron Ironmoor and currently enjoying my hospitality. Does that sound right? I asked.
You are far better at grasping the surface details than any other of your kind. Valencia smirked coldly. And I have met many of you brutes. Killed nearly as much of your spawn as I met.
If that was meant to provoke a reaction from me, she received naught but silence. Sharp fangs smiled further as she sniffed the air and found the scent of my discontent.
Yes, Farmer. You are a long way from home. Not that your kind has a home anymore. The War of the Beast saw fit to end that.
Many people speak of this event, yet I find I care little for it. I shrugged and sipped at more milk to calm myself. I would not let her bait a rise from me. Not now, not ever.
And I. I served on the front lines in the minotaur campaigns. I know more of your kind than you do.
Enlighten me, then.
She did not pause, but immediatelyunched into what she intended to speak next.
You are a simplistic, brutish species. Fueled by bloodlust, barely able to contain your desire to pige and ughter. Even your precious kingdom was only built because the elves altered your rules. But you, a base bull, are only drawn to ughter and bloodshed. Consumed by it. When you have naught else to fight, you strike at each other.
I cannot evenmend you on survival of the fitness or might through strength. Your kind is too animalistic and savage for even that. Even worse than the orcs. They, at least, have some structure and honor. Your kind is fallen, corrupted. You fight for the joy of it, for the very act of bloodshed and little else.
She stopped and looked me up and down.
And that is why you have provoked my interest. To move out here, in the middle of nowhere. It must be torture not killing everything youe across.
It really wasnt, but I left her continue on.
This facade of calm you have. The Adjudicator looked at me with unblinking eyes. It will slip, sooner orter. And then I will be at hand to contain you.
But for now, She smiled. I am satisfied with your hospitality.
She reached into her cloak and pulled out a sealed roll of parchment and ced it on the stump, then stood.
And what is that? I asked, not moving to pick it up.
Payment due for assaulting a guard, and two separate instances of damage rendered to the walls of Hullbretch. The baron understands that such decisions were made in irrational haste and is willing to overlook them if you agree to pay for what you broke. Contemte it.
Personally. She offered. Im hoping you dont. Be the nail that sticks up, so I can return to hammer you down.
Before I could formte a response, she had strode across the clearing, mounted her horse, and galloped off, leaving me with a bill, an empty jug of milk, and dread roiling in the pit of my stomach. A fantasticbination.
Book 1: Chapter 33: Dread II.
Book 1: Chapter 33: Dread II.
A scare, Raffnyk grunted as we sat in the dusk shade of my yard. Nothing more. Just the good baron flexing his might and showing us that distance means little to him. Officially, I am certain it was some rubbish like sending the troops to see if we needed reinforcements, given how long this has taken.
Too long, I assume? I replied with a grunt and epted the sk he passed around. After my confrontation yesterday, I needed a drink to take the edge off my nerves. The resounding tiredness in the humans sigh made me nod in pity as he rubbed at weary eyes. I felt that, I really did.
Part of my wants to make some pretty reassurance, tell you well be okay. He quietly spoke after a few moments of silence.
That would be a fucking lie. We are, quite frankly, trapped in a massively undesirable situation. The baron choosing to force our hand made the situation markedly worse. With the Apex up the mountain, our task of culling monsters is proceeding at a frankly cial pace. Ive told my riders that any hint of contact with it means theyre to break off and retreat. But despite that, Weve already begun to lose good soldiers. And now, He is beginning to apply pressure from the other side.
Caught between the anvil and the hammer. Lerish remarked from where she sat.
One of the barons adjudicators paid me a visit yesterday, I mentioned, swirling the viscous liquid inside Raffnyks sk before I took a sip. Potent stuff. Or maybe that was amplified because I hadnt had booze in so long. Didnt particrly miss it either. Splendid person.
Lerishs normally tight features visibly soured as I described what had happened, culminating in an abrupt spit of disgust at the ground.
Valencia.
You know her?
Of her. The huntress snorted. Nothing good, anyhow.
Raffnyk made a noise and leaned back, features t.
This Adjudicator presents a unique threat to myself and my soldiers. I would say us but you are not in deep enough to yet withdraw. Make no mistake, we are all individuals experienced in killing monsters. I know my men and women are all decently leveled. Some are even approaching their level twenties. We had expected this expedition to be, frankly, overkill.
Doesnt look that way now. Lerish grunted and I nodded along.
Seems to me like youre beset on all sides. I mentioned and took another swig, then passed the sk back and wiped at my mouth.
We still have the good queens decree. But I fear he will inevitably find a way around that, given time. The man has a single-minded focus for brutality.
He seems highly motivated. I concurred. The woman mentioned something of a past grudge, in that regard.
SIlence fell now as Raffnyks face turned uneasy. I could smell the uncertainty from his body and he chewed over his words.
Just spill it. Lerish growled. Whatever urred between your order and Ironmoor in the past changes nothing about what I think of the man.
A shrug was the only response I could give at his questioning look. Truth be told, if the man had not bothered me again and again, I would have been content to just let him rule from his far-off tower. But even now, I had no strong feelings either way. Aside from the physical dread I had felt in the presence of his Adjudicator yesterday, I was not overmuch bothered by him and his schemes. Inconviencinces, yes, but such was life. I had found that the measure of a man wasnt wether or not he could avoid lifes hurdles, but how well he dealt with them once they inevitably slipped beneath his feet.
Fine. The human finally straightened. But do not judge me for the actions of others.
Go on. I waved him onwards as he nced around as if looking for a verbal nudge.
Firstly, understand that this was before my time, so I know only the basest details. Secondly, it happened at a uniquely vtile time. The War of the Beast had just ended. Tensions were high. People were afraid. Those in higher positions than I decided we needed a solid win. Something, anything to detract from what a pyrrhic mess the destruction of Gane was.
And? Lerish fiddled with a cold, empty pipe as the man trailed off. I shot her a nce, and she just shrugged. It seemed I was content to let Raffnyk continue at his own pace, and she was distinctly not.
And Le Ironmoor just so happened to be in the wrong condition at the wrong time in history. People were terrified of anything even resembling a monster. Demi-human folk had fled thesends, and with good reason. The human purist and their sects had whipped the people into a fright. One that nearly erupted when it became known, through a loose-lipped castle maid, that the young Ironmoor maiden suffered from lycanthropy.
Think on that for a second. It was revealed that an aristocrat was possessed by uncontroble bursts of madness and hunger that could inflict on others a fate more feared than death. The stripping of their own humanity. Regardless of anything the Ironmoor family said or did, thend was enraged, howling for her to be put to death for their safety.
The old patriarch refused, of course. Human or not, she was an Ironmoor and would be given the respect and dignity that afforded, regardless of her disease.
The king disagreed. He, and others, saw the mood of the people and needed this to go away. Quickly. Decrees were issued, and the monster hunters were brought it. Armies were raised and marched on castle Ironmoor. Possessed as she was, the youngss saw what wasing and, by all ounts, wanted to spare her family theing storm.
With the help of her brothers, Rend and Londer, -the man you now know as the baron- she slipped away into the night. But, you see, the Verdant Dawn was already near, and with such a hefty reward on her head and with the promised favour of the king, was not content to let her escape. By all ounts, they ran her down andnced her in front of her own brothers.
His face was pale now as Raffnyk recounted what he knew.
In any regard, it is not a proud time in my orders history. But different times, different men. Almost all involved have since died off, given how many years have passed.
And yet.
Rend Ironmoor, by all ounts, grieved for his sister but he understood the politics behind it and eventually epted them. He ys a simr tune in the queens court these days. Londer..never did. He grew up filled with hate and cold rage for not only my order, but for any semnce of the filth that had debased his sister to a subhuman form in the first ce. He spent years on the campaigns learning to wage war and exacting his vengeance on anything that moved. But vengeance is a hunger unfilling.
The grandmasters had hoped the years would have tempered his rage, quenched the fires of his hatred, and that this operation would be seen as an offering of peace between our two factions. He shrugged miserably. They were wrong.
Not a word was uttered for several moments after the human finished.
Well, Lerish finally offered. That does exin much.
You see why I am not eager to share that story with every person Ie across. he tightly smiled. But it exins, quite nicely, why I am currently grandly fucked in my current position.
Well then. I reached for the nk as it was passed round once more. We are afforded a choice here. Either wallow in our misery and troubles, a path where we let doom and gloom consume us, or plot a course through this haze of despair. And between us, I would rather be captain of a ship that blindly leads to where the fuck I dont know than just a passenger helpless aboard a drowning vessel.
Pretty words, but they need action to mean anything. Lerish grunted. But if we intend to do anything about this mess, begin by examining it and everyone involved.
And how are you involved in all this? Raffnyk asked warily. No offense, but we just met. Were it not for Garek, I would not have shared my knowledge with you.
Not. The huntress shrugged. Every opportunity to jam the thorn of my existence into Ironmoors side is a wee moment, but know that this is not strictly my fight. I stalk unseen, not waste my potential standing in rank.
Fair enough. He shrugged.
Lerish is a hard case on the surface, I interjected with a smile. But give her some time and shell grow on you.
If you say so, He muttered, decidedly unconvinced. Lerish just shrugged and leaned back, scratching at Gols ears as the beast slept next to her. It was just the three of us here, with Ish and Artyom having left to go elsewhere for the night.
Valencia. I addressed the elephant in the room. Who and what is she?
Shrugs were all I received in return.
Given that Ironmoor has been a long-standing enemy of my order, we have kept tabs on him over the years. From what little I know, she followed him back from the endless campaigns and firmly cemented herself as his Adjudicator. To put it bluntly; I have no gods-sted idea how she came to his service when by all ounts she is the more powerful of the two. Yet she has chosen to serve him, and has done so with bloody efficiency over the past few years. But aside from that, and her list of bloody merits, there is little I know of her.
Shes a Cursed. Lerish neatly threw that bomb into the proverbial room.
Which means what? I inquired.
Raffnyk looked like he wanted to throw up as Lerish answered.
Shes either a husk overtaken by the demon invited into her body, which would make her a Taken, or a Fiend.
You couldnt tell? By what means did you acquire this knowledge anyhow? Raffnyk demanded.
Dont ask. Unless you want me to lie. But anyway, Cursed is a ss that hides another ss beneath. Like how Spy or Sabateour are hidden beneath other, ordinary sses. In one path, she has been consumed by a demon and is a living manifestation of that corruption and malice.
And the others?
She consumed the demon, broke it beneath her will, and now wields its unfettered power with impunity. I honestly dont know which one is worse.
So we are caught between her or the Apex. Raffnyks head was now firmly buried in his hands and the sk of liquid courage had run dry. You now know the stress I deal with every single day.
You have Garek as a friend. Lerish offered. That is far from nothing. In all this, if hemits to your cause, you gain a massive boost to your forces. Consider that. You have a very well-level minotaur firmly at your side.
Hes a farmer. A mane to seek a peaceful life. Even if I had to, I would still detest dragging him into this.
I already am in this. I interrupted with a frown.
Any deeper. He reiterated with a sigh. Look, I wont lie. You, just sitting here, are already arge buffer between us and Ironmoor. The elf and orc up the road are too, to a different extend, but nobody is stupid enough to fuck with them, and they dont care for mortal affairs. As long as Ironmoor leaves them alone, they wont intervene. So, theyre effectively removed from this conflict. Leaving, essentially, you and this Adjudicator as perhaps the strongest people on either side.
Isnt Ironmoor also fairly high-leveled? I asked Lerish. I recall you telling me so.
Levels do not equatebat prowess. I have no doubt he could hold his own with a weapon, but I suspect the barons skills lie firmly in ruling and overseeing hisnds now. Hence why Valencia is his primary executioner.
Interesting. I nodded. Please, continue on.
Morning came before our conversations ended, as talks drew long into the night, any idea of sleep was discarded and ns to move forward were drawn up. Yes, the situation seemed bleak, but I was not one content to wallow in endless misery and induce headaches wailing about my problems. Rather, I would search for solutions and be done with it.
By the time the sun had begun the strain over the horizon, farewells were said, departures were made and the cows mooed for attention for pasture. Another lovely day approached, and head spinning from both ideas andck of sleep, I heaven myself up and trudged off to the fields where my duties called.
Book 1: Chapter 34: Exemption.
Book 1: Chapter 34: Exemption.
It was with great reluctance that I approached the gates of Hullbretch once more. Against my better judgment, but under the advice of other people, I was here to swallow some of my pride and make life easier for myself. Myself and the other had debated this topic briefly, and the general consensus hade to a simple fact; Business in this town would be easier than a lengthy journey elsewhere.
Was my pride on this one explicit matter, and my time more valuable than just getting the matter sorted out? None of the other had been able to make a resounding case for that, so here I was. Cart pulled behind me, I approached the wooden gates in a peaceful manner. Or attempted to. Even as I stood before the wooden walls, guardsmen swarmed at the top, clearly panicked.
Bows were levied over the top of the wall in response to my polite waves, and I reconsidered this for a moment.
Whadyya want?! Came the shout off the battlements, a harsh response to my approach.
Ie in peace? Was all the reply I had energy for. I think?
Didnt seem that wayst time! Another, distinctly nasally voice shouted from off to the side. Yah nearly ran me over!
Somehow, that did little to evoke any sort of pity within myself.
My brother in Aurn, I shook my head and referenced the deity of wisdom. You chose to stand in the bulls path. Am I meant to ensure that yourmon sense functions correctly? Im here to pay what I owe, not incur even more damages.
A string of curses was all I received in response, and after a moment a head popped over the wall and red down at me.
Fine. Came the bark of annoyance. Youre granted entry, provided you actually honor your word.
Have I ever not?
The guard captain snorted and shook his head as the gates began to creep open.
Nice try, but I dont know you, so your words about as useful- he trailed off and cleared his throat. Point is, therell bewmen following every step you take, bull.
If that makes you feel better, then by all means, proceed. i shrugged and hefted my cart once more. Flippant though I was, I was eager to get into the shade of Hullbretch and out of the boiling sunlight. But I fail to see how that will affect anything.
Fully aware that I had just dered his men unable to stop me from doing as I pleased, I strolled beneath the walls of Hullbretch and weed myself back into the town. If not I, then who else would wee me, after all? Certainly not the good citizens or their outstanding guards.
True to the captain''s words, a contingent of hard-faced men and women in armor trailed me from a distance, but even with the space between us, I could smell the fear that roiled off their bodies. Others might have considered this a perk, but for me, the fear instilled at the mere sight of my form was an annoyance. I just wanted to be bloody friendly. That was rendered rather difficult when every person that passed within view of me reacted as if my mere presence courted death directly upon them. Preposterous.
I was not that scary.
Was I?
Either way, it made the task of acquiring directions to the towns debtor office rather irritating.
I frowned at yet another hastily fleeing citizen and stood with my arms crossed, deep in mental debate. The majority was to simply say fuck it and leave. I hade to pay off the inconvenient fine for damaging the walls and attempt to sort of out this stupid tax business, and yet how would I do that if I couldnt even find the gods-sted building?
Fate offered me yet another kick to the shins a momentter. I rounded a corner and found myself facing down a trio or rather..colourful individuals. In the time it took their eyes to widen, I distractedly nced them over and was about to dismiss their presence when I looked again. Before me was arrayed a woman who was unmistakingly an elf, a purple-skinned man with ram horns that flowed from his scalp and a decidedly bored, extremely short person I took was either a dwarf or a halfling. Couldnt tell because I had yet to meet any other of his race.
One by one, their eyes found me and a variety of expressions crossed their faces. The elf disyed a droll curiosity, the rather mboyant humanoid recoiled in surprise and cut off midway through a joke, and the dwarf -if such he was- stepped back.
Greetings. I rumbled with a wide smile. You have most wonderful timing.
Hullo? The humanoid peeped in return, still frozen mid-step.
Indeed. I nodded. See, Im looking for directions.
The mention of that made him perk up and straighten his open-chested shirt before the man swept into a shy bow. From which he straightened with a beaming smile and extended grip. There was enthusiasm in his grip as he shook my farrger hand and introduced himself. The captain of an adventuring party fresh to the area and seeking trouble, as he put it unashamedly put it.
If you would be so kind as to direct us to the nearest worthwhile gathering on monsters, we would but of course make it worth your time! He beamed. Hispanions seemed less enthused but nodded along, content to let him do all the talking.
Well, I admitted. Im afraid I know but one such gathering ce, and that happens to be the general vicinity of Mount Redtip.
Splendid, splendid! He enthused. Many thanks, my good fellow. The Unbound des will be sure to remember your generosity for ages toe. When they sing epics of our adventures, I will be sure to include you, the reliable and thoughtful purveyor of directions.
I blinked, squinted at him and snorted.
I would be more thankful if you chose to forgo that and instead just gave me directions to a specific building in this town. I rumbled, and confusion crossed his face, followed by a sheepish regret.
Well, as I said, we are new to this area and know very little of the architecture. Yet. I assure you we will be the most reliable of direction acquirers in the future.
I sighed and shook my head, ready to let myself just turn around and march back out of town. Supplies be damned, this was too much of a hassle.
Dont know why I expected fresh faces to know where the tax office is, but thats on me.
The tax office? You should have led with that. By your good fortunes, we just came from there. He pointed.
Confusion must have dawned upon my face, because heughed and exined a momentter.
We thought it wise to pay the adventuring tax early and get it out of the way.
The what now?
The new adventuring tax, apparently. The dwarf broke in with a grumble from behind a massive, bushy beard. Twere informed that the lord of thesends has issued a new tax and that we were subject to it as soon as we entered hisnds.
How, even? I asked, mostly out of polite curiosity. It didnt affect me as I was not an adventurer, but it seemed to me thatunching new taxes haphazardly was not a sign of the barons good mood. Or it could herald a build-up of coin and armed forces in the near future.
A Taxman approached us on the road, of course. Vultures like those are always lurking about. They have a special skill that informs them of unpaid taxes, you see. So were just minding our own business and trekking for town when this dandied up leech justes a-zoomin down the road, fresh on the trail and huntin for the scent of unpaid dues. Stops us and informs us that were to pay the adventuring tax either to him right there, or to the office here in Hullbretch. We did nay have the bloody coin, so we had to borrow from the bank and pay it off right now. Only mercy was that we didnt have to actually go into the bloody office and just paid it outside.
Did this taxman perhaps have a description? I asked, curiosity now firmly piqued. Well-dressed, greasy,cking any semnce of facial hair?
Why indeed! The swashbuckler replied. A splendid description.
Well then, I smiled, my teeth bared. It seems I have urgent business ahead. Some matters that need settling, you understand.
Once I had foisted directions upon the trio, I straightened, parked my empty cart, and strode off. There was unfinished business that I was about to conclude. It had waited long enough and would be dyed no longer.
The office had forgone to bother with receptionist, and so I stooped through the low doorway and knocked upon the first closed door I could find. The human within quickly straightened and tucked away a bottle as I chose not to wait for an answer, then directed me to the office that handled matters of tax with all due haste. More out of fright at my form than eagerness to get back to drinking, I assumed.
The man I found slumped behind a desk within was distinctly not the greaseball I remembered. Instead, this fellow seemed old, paunchy, and positively stretched thin. The same tired look of bureaucratic fatigue I had seen so many times. It was a testament to his inability to summon a singr fuck to give that a full-blooded minotaur stooping into the confines of his office only evoked a single raised eyebrow.
How might I assist you today? Came the dry, dusty voice of a man too tired for any of the worlds bullshit.
I debated between just getting this over with in a semnce of politeness and the utter ruination of his day. In the end, basic decency triumphed and I took the far too small offered seat and extracted my coin-purse.
Here to pay off a fine for damages incurred to the walls and the damages to the wits and emotional sanctity of a guard.
Long and drawn out was the sigh I received in return. With a grunt, the man pulled open a cab and began to rifle through them.
Outstanding warrants, dyed fines, unpaid bills. He muttered to himself and sorted through sheaves of paper. Several awkward moments passed before he found a single piece of parchment and held it up to better squint at it.
A mister Garek? He asked, to which I nodded. He read off an amount, to which I counted coins onto the desk. A smaller amount than I had expected. It was finished soon, and the man signed something onto the parchment and filed it away in a separate cab.
I believe that is now all, unless you have another matter to discuss?
I did, in fact.
Indeed. I am here to appeal a matter of unpaid debts.
The man blinked and nced between me and the cab. Visible confusion etched itself across his face as I described the situation, the generational debt and my newly acquired Tax Evader status.
Mister Garek. He finally broke in as I civilly attempted to exin how it hurt my business. That isplete and utter hogwash, sir. You do not owe the baron a single copper, and whoever told you otherwise is a chatan of the basest degree. My lord is too busy with the actual affairs of ruling to care about extorting some poor farmer at the edges of hisnd, I assure you. If fear you have been taken advantage of, or at least attempted to. Could you perhaps provide a description of this alleged Taxman?
Fate must have had a bloody goodugh right about then, because the door opened behind me and said man walked right in.
Book 1: Chapter 35: Vengeance upon thee, taxman
Book 1: Chapter 35: Vengeance upon thee, taxman
Momentary shockpelled both the taxman and I to freeze in ce as we took in each others presence. I recovered faster. Superhumanly fast, the man flowed backwards and mmed the door closed, or so was his vain attempt. Gareks reflexes triggered on instinct, and my massive hand closed around his scrawny shoulder. A yelp of surprise and pain sang from a constricted throat as I yanked the chatan back into the office he was attempting to vacate.
Remembering that you have to be somewhere? I smiled through bared teeth, hot breath washing over the mans face as I yanked him close. I must inform you that has just been superseded.
With a grunt, I roughly navigated the shocked human into the chair I had upied heartbeats earlier. He protested my kindness, but a mped hand and a flex of my muscles stifled those outbursts.
Several moments of deep, measured breaths worked to calm the anger that simmered beneath my otherwise calm facade. A task that was far more challenging than it seemed. This man was, directly and indirectly responsible for many of my problems. The sleep I lost at night when I remembered the men I had killed, my frustrations in trying to do business in Hullbretch. The hole I had myself into in perpetual wariness of the baroning to collect when the man likely hadnt even known I existed before the incident at the stables.
Silence reigned here, broken only by the elderly man methodically filing away papers, very few fucks given that I had just restrained an enforcer of the baronsws in his very presence.
Call the gua- The man yelped out words that turned into a cry of pain as I squeezed. I could smell the fear that boiled inside him now, and part of me enjoyed it.
If and when the watch is called, it wont be for me. I rumbled. My form filled arge portion of the space inside this room as I loomed over the human, my words chosen carefully. Anger pulled at my emotions, but I refused to relinquish the reins. Instead, slowly, thoughtfully, I selected my words of usation.
Some time ago now, you approached my farm and demanded I pay you a hefty fee for a debt left behind by the farms previous owner.
I did no su- Again, I brought pressure down on his shoulder and cut off anything he intended to say.
Silence. I snorted.
Time is Money. I havent got all day. The man blurted, and I stepped back with a blink. Why yes, he made sense with that. My thoughts sped up and I blinked and tried to make sense of what I was going to say. Everything but running so quickly now, and I shook my head in confusion. I was holding up everyone here. I needed to make a decision quickly.
It seems the brute has been struck speechless. The taxman stood and began to walk towards the door. If that is all, then-
With a roar, I broke out of the Skills effect, grabbed the man and physically heaved him into the air. Anger boiled through me now, heated and ready to overflow. My eyes bulged as I barely held back the boundless rage within and kept myself from ripping this puny, arrogant manthing in twain.
Use another Skill on me. I snarled. And it will be thest thing you ever try.
A dusty cough interrupted me and the older taxman waved a sheaf of paper at me with a disdainful look. At me, the man in my grip or the situation atrge, I couldnt tell.
Could we at least attempt some semnce of civility here? He sighed and rubbed at weary temples. If it is not beyond you two.
Names. I demanded. If Im to use anyone, I would like to know what theyre actually called.
I am Drius. The old man shrugged. And the man in your grasp is Thodic. Who also, coincidently, was given the undeserved fortune of being the magistrates spawn.
I nodded sagely, having decided on an equal distribution of fucks to give. None divided void was still null, after all.
Superhuman was the effort required to force a smile upon my face, but I managed it. Somehow.
Well then, seeing as we are already acquainted, we can skip further pleasantries and get right to the meat of the unique quandary I find myself in. It took physical effort from myself not to let righteous wrath consume my actions and squeeze this greasy sack of feigned humanity until the juices ran from his wrung-out body. Although I had already recounted my tale, it gave me no insignificant amount of pleasure as I retold it, this time from a position of power, not victimhood. How quickly the tides of fate turned.
I was but a fresh-faced arrival to this goodnd, when, lo and behold, I am greeted by a man whoes to my doorstep in name of the baron that rules thesends and demands my coin. An inherited debt, tied to thend now mine, he ims. And when I refuse, he sends thugs to beset my in attempt to take what is rightfully mine through force, then runs like a coward when they fail.
But that was not, as Id hoped, the end of the charade. Mere hours afterwards, a special status was applied to me. One that has caused me great headaches, meddled with my business and contributed towards making enemies. All for what? I snarled into the leechs face. Because I didnt roll over like some rube and let you shake me down?
My hand closed around the humans throat as weeks of repressed anger bubbled to the surface. By some grace, I managed to stop myself from snapping his throat like a twig. I was a peaceful man, not a monster.
But he didnt know that.
You thought it was clever, didnt you? Some final fuck you to a farmer who refused to go along with your robbery. Thats what it was. Nothing less than bald-faced attempted burry. First through treachery, and then force.
In the name of- Was as far as he got before my grip cut off all air to his lungs. I could feel the soft, crushable flesh beneath my grasp, and temptation sung for me to repay this scum for the troubles he had inflicted upon me and mine.
The next word you be yourst. I rumbled quietly, deathly serious.
Do you have any proof in regards to your ims? Drius sighed, and I whirled towards him. Not because I disbelieve you, but because any allegation you make against a rtion of the magistrate will require actual evidence.
I did not. I also did not possess the capability to care. With a grunt, I turned back to the pathetic worm that reeked of fear in my grasp.
That status. Remove it. Now. Breath a single excuse as to why you cannot, and may the Gods Above help me, I will tear your stem from stern, here and now.
The only movement from the man was the quivers of fright that danced within his eyes. A hand that trembled with erratic motion gestured towards the desk, and I eased aside. With a pinched frown, Drius slid him a piece of paper and a quill, freshly dipped in ink.
Suspicious gaze peering over the mans shoulder, I watched as he quickly scribbled out a notice, then snatched it from his grasp once finished.
This decree signifies that Farmer Garek has paid his dues and is now freed from his bond as a Tax Evader. Witnessed and signed by Thodic Greatmoor. Paid his fucking dues? I roared in his face. I have owed you no fucking dues that I am forced to give you my coin.
Tax Evader status lifted. The system informed me of this change even as I raged.
Now. Drius interrupted. Proof.
My grasp held firm round the worms throat as I shivered in anger.
I can provide you little. came the stark admittance. His word against mine, with scant few other witnesses. Thugs in the barons livery or his actual guards, I know not.
You mentioned that you repulsed an attack. Were there any casualties?
I slew two of them and kept their horses.
If they were truly the barons men, their saddlebags would have contained items and the like that told you so. Did you search them?
I had not. They sat forgotten at the back of my storage shed back home, and I admitted as such.
Then we will require other ways to extract the truth. Drius binked and ran a hand through his receded hairline. I have long suspected foul y and mishandling of thew here in Hullbretch. But Thodics actions today have given me confirmation. This will be..dealt with. The baron has ways of making men talk, and I suspect he will not be fond of extortioners roaming hisnd and turning the citizens against him by using his good name.
The taxmans eyes widened and pleas squeaked from his throat and Drius gestured to me.
Good day, mister Garek. he sniffed, and I realized this was him letting me bow out of this mess. Please send in the guards, if you would be so kind.
I took some sce in that Ironmoor would inflict much worse on this man than I could ever bring myself to as I straightened and released my grip on the whimpering man. Contempt writ upon my face, I spat on his fancy shit and saw myself out. A group of armed guards awaited me as I emerged back into the sunlight, and I smiled and directed them through. They hade for bloodshed or to make an arrest, but I suspected the end result was not what they had expected.
Now, I had an alchemist to visit.
The bell rung behind me as I strode into Walchs Royal Alchemy, now entirely without the brand of a nefarious evader of taxes.
He returns. The short, bald man grunted from his stool behind the counter.Got rid of that status yet or fixin'' to pay me double anyway?
Its gone. I smiled, teeth bared and lips thin. Fate dealt me a rather surprising hand.
Good, good. Now, what among my many wares catches your eye?
The shopping couldeter. With a grunt, I strode up to the counter and carefully set down arge bag or neatly arranged, well-cushioned ss jars. A week''s worth of acid extract, the gathering of which had signed more than a few hairs off my arms.
Tell me, are you in the market for a certain liquid able to eat through steel, bones and flesh alike?
The perk of his features and coy look was all the confirmation I needed. There was coin to be made here and now.
Perhaps. He murmured, trying his best not to seem too interested in the bags contents. His scent betrayed the cool, measured look upon his face. I smelled excitement. But I would need a demonstration of this acids effectiveness before I would even deem it worth my time.
Have you anything you would not greatly miss once gone?
He did indeed, and a momentter, a preserved, feathered tentacle end was dropped into a freshly unsealed jar of acid. The man watched in fascinated horror as it visibly dissolved before his eyes. A fascination quickly reced by want and the smell of need.
How much? he demanded.
Ten gold coins per jar.
Walch -or so I assumed his name was- squawked and clutched at his breast, his face painted by a wounded expression.
You would rob of my home and goods? Beggar me until I am unable to put food upon my own table? He eximed. Three gold coins a jar. A fair offer you would receive in any reputable establishment even in thergest cities.
Eight. I countered. This is a rare, dangerousmodity, and we both know it. Youll not find another who can provide you with such a resource the world over.
You rip the food from the mouths of my children! he cried, and then cast around his gaze and arms. Have you no mercy, no spirit of support for your local alchemist? Five gold pieces for a jar, and I shall have to flee from the debt collectors for months toe!
No. Six, and throw in some magical items of my choice.
The hand that snaked out to shake mine moved as lightning, and before I could blink, the man was counting gold onto the countertop from a remarkably fat wallet. I checked them as he presented the pile, bit into one, and found it solid. Momentster, my business concluded and with several items of note tucked into a bag he had the audacity to charge me for, I exited the alchemists shop and set off for the carpenters store.
Just a single stop for building supplies, and I could begin to embark on my journey back home. The day had gone much better than I expected so far, and I prayed that this luck would hold for as long as possible. Little could sour this day, no matter how the world might try.
A crack of thunder across the suddenly-clouded sky reminded me that to tempt fate was hubris, and the godsughed at my arrogance. Hurry in my step, I jogged along, the road ahead suddenly promising to be long and remarkably wet.
Oh joy.
Book 1: Chapter 36: Proposition.
Book 1: Chapter 36: Proposition.
Ish yawned behind one hand and gazed skeptically at the crude ns I had drawn up. The orcsss eyes were half-closed, drooping from a distinctck of sleep. Or such was my guess. What exactly kept her awake long into the wee hours of the morning was not something I was privy to, nor felt the need to ask. If her fatigued state bothered her overmuch, it wasnt disyed overmuch. She had shown up, done her chores, and immediately sagged against a fencepost and purveyed the blueprint I had spent the night assembling.
Just the two of us? She grumbled and rubbed her eyes.
You doubt our capabilities? I asked wryly and scratched Gol behind the ears. The big lug had sat himself firmly by my side, now wholly recovered from his wounds. A rumble of content eased itself from his throat and prompted me to continue.
Not particrly. She shrugged. Only reason Im askin is with it being this close to the first harvest is all. Crops look like theyll be ready to take off in a week or so now.
And that is arge reason of why Id like to have the main house finished by then. I nodded as she handed the parchment back to me. I didnt need to survey it myself-I had just spent the entire night sketching it up and was short on sleep myself. As if to exacerbate my point, a yawn slipped from my throat and into the freedom of mornings cool air.
It seemed neither of us would be functional at optimum capacity today. A fact that didnt bother me.
In myst attempt to build a proper house, I did several things wrong, I admitted and gestured at my temporary domicile. Attempted to use building techniques that did not frankly mesh well with the materials needed. A sort of franken-structure, if you will.
A what now?
A bit of old, obscure culture from back home slipped through the cracks, which I waved off. That exnation would benefit no one. Instead, I began to discuss our ns, the tools and materials avable, and a step-by-step process. It took time, yes, but I found that giving those who worked with me a detailed overview produced better results for me than withholding information to make them reliant on me for instructions like an absolute jackass.
First, the basement, I concluded. We have actual tools with which to dig it out this time. A pained sigh rose from my throat as I looked at myst attempt to dig a cer. The water inside had not magically disappeared, to my immense disappointment.
And of course, properly line and seal it off this time.
What do yeh have in mind? Ish asked as we watched Artyom bound across the fields to do his morning chores. Routinely checking the fences and nts was a little too much early-morning exercise for my bulk, I was unashamed to admit.
Rocks. Hundreds of them. I beamed and held out my axe. Expectation demanded her face fall as realization of her work sunk in. It did not. Faced with the prospect of back-breakingly arduousbor, she instead grinned crookedly and seized the enchanted weapon.
Theres an exposed cliff face not far from here. She drawled a little and spun the weapon around in her hands. Ill be over there, ventin some frustrations.
Long as you get me my stone on time, feel free to carve up the whole mountain. I nodded at her already-receding back.
Thess liked idle conversation as much as the next woman, but there was a thirst for action and movement inside her that had been made clear since I first met her. Was it just her, or an orcish trait? Either way, she had her work, and I had mine. An oversized steel shovel in hand, and a plethora of other tools at ready, I set off to dig myself a cer.
A task that, while being made easy by virtue of the body I inhabited, was still monotonous. Sink the shovel in, prise loose the dirt, and cast it aside. Strength made the digging part trivial, yet the motions through which I cycled all demanded their share of time. Gareks body was made for strength and endurance, not hyper-fast bursts of speed. And so Ibored on, the dirt piling around me.
There was little for either Gol or Artyom to do, and so they sat and watched my work from atop ever-growing mounds of earth. And through it all, I was once more entranced by the relentless movements of my own body. Gareks form moved with near-machinelike consistency, with performance that did little strain his muscles.
But I was soon distracted from admiring my own form.
Artyom jumped up and scampered off towards the road, then returned momentarily. I frowned and wiped the sweat from my brow as he announced that there were ridersing.
Not baron or Raffnyks men, no-no. He assured me and plopped back down on his throne of cool dirt. Just three horses and riders.
Caught between curiosity and apathy, I shrugged and returned to my task. If they had business with me, I would soon know. If not, then they would simply be passing through.
Neither were true, it turned out. My eyebrows rose as I recognized the adventurers from Hullbretch. The ones who had fallen for the fake tax. Only now they seemed armed for trouble, with packs and weapons upon their steeds. They were halfway up the road when one nced at me, hollered a greeting and promptly guided the others towards me. I frowned as they trotted across my property, not having bothered to unhorse themselves.
It wasnt so much that anything was damaged then I expected some form of politeness. My scowl was reformed into a neutral expression as they drew near and their leader swung from his steed in a single, fluid motion.
Why, my good man, I did not think we would meet again so soon! He eximed, teeth shed in a wide smile. And so near our destination! Surely this is good fortune for all involved.
Quit your jabbering, Etlos. The elf tiredly snapped. Just skip to the point where you try to recruit him and he says no. The man has a farm and a life, hes not going to abandon it toe with us.
The purple-skinned humanoid -a tiefling by Gareks memories- winced and shook his head, disappointment on his features.
My own party has so little faith in me, s. He eximed. A ir for the dramaticsy in this one, I surmised.
Weve traveled over a hundred leagues to here, and have nothing to show for it. The woman replied, cold as a winters breeze. Myck of faith in you has been naught but vindicated with every step that passes beneath our feet.
I aint nothin. The dwarf glowered up from his markedly smaller horse. You sayin Im nothin?
Not in the mood to repeat myself. The elf hissed.
When are you ever?
There was some...tensions within the group, I gathered. Events that I was not privy to had likely urred.
Wee to my humble abode, such as it is. I plunged my shovel into the dirt and looked around. What can I do for you?
Herees the sales pitch. The elf groaned as Etlos straightened and beamed. Could we just skip it this time?
Well, my good man, I have delightful news for you. There is a significant chance for us all to be filthily rich, you see.
Theres a dungeon up the mountain, or so we''ve been told. the elf cut in. An undiscovered one.
Silence reigned as the others took in what she had just said.
What the fuck, Marile? The tiefling spoke tly, his cheerful expression gone. That was our knowledge to share. And you just give it away?
A hundred different people have heard it from your lips, Etlos. It isnt a secret anymore. It hasnt been a secret for months now.
It is, however, the first I have heard of this. I spoke. And I live here.
Relief settled on the tieflings face at my assurance. Relief that vanished as I continued.
This alleged dungeon is not the only thing at the mountains peak, however. An Apex lurks there as well.
Well, fuckity. Came the reply after a moment of silence.
It changes nothin. The dwarf rumbled, arms crossed. We simply avoid it and find the dungeon ourselves.
Or.. The elf trailed off and nced me up and down. We follow through with Etloss small-eared idea and take on a fourth member.
Not interested. I cut them off right away. My adventuring days are over.
It was at this time, in this ce, that Ish chose to appear from the trees, a mighty load of hewn stone bs carried in her grasp, enchanted axe hanging from her belt. One by one, their eyes went from me to her as they observed the young woman stomp across the field, several hundred pounds of rock carried in her arms.
Perhaps there is another.. Marile mused, arms crossed. If you let her, that is.
She is not my daughter. I shrugged. The choice is hers.
All eyes remained firmly on her as thess dropped the stone bs in an avnche of rock, straightened and strode over with a grin. Introductions were made, with Gol and Artyom included. The tiefling opened his mouth to give her the same pitch as he had attempted to give me, and was silenced as the elf broke in.
How would you like to be an adventurer? She posed the question bluntly, refusing to dance around the subject. There is a dungeon up the mountain, or so we have been told, and we intend to plunder its depths, yetck a fourth member.
Ish was caught t-footed, and simply stood in stunned silence as heartbeats passed.
Well, Id love it, I suppose. She finally spoke cautiously. Always been my dream. But I got obligations right now. When do you n to go up there? Its right dangerous, you understand.
Were adventurers,ss. The dwarf grunted. Dangeres with the profession.
Thats a mighty simplistic way of lookin at it. Ish returned with a frown. There was some relief within as I saw that the promise of adventure and the call to fulfill her dreams had not blinded hermon sense. Excitable and easy-going as she was, she had a solid, sensible head on her shoulders. Perhaps even more so than I.
What the bushbeard means to say is; in this line of work, danger, and risk are sometimes necessary. We can evade most potential danger and locate the dungeon. I am confident of this. But we are too few. A fourth member of the party, even temporarily, would greatly increase our chances of sess.
Dull as my eyesight was, even I could see the struggle the orcss underwent right now. Fate hadid before her the chance to live out what she desired, but with an added price. And in truth, I did not particrly want to lose her services. Harvest drew near, and even outside of that, the amount of work she performed for me was frankly considerable. Yet it was her choice, and I would respect whatever she chose. I told her as much.
Let me think it over. She finally muttered. This is a big decision to make for me. Ill sleep on it and let you know.
Promise secured, the Unbound des informed her that theyd be staying at the Verdant Dawn camp as they gathered they of thend for the next few days, and rode off soon after. I watched them go, a tight feeling in my gut. Like as not, I had grown attached to ishspany, and would sorely miss her if she left.
Thess didnt say much, just returned to her work, lost within her thoughts. It was onlyte in the evening, when we had gathered around the fire for supper that she finally spoke.
Book 1: Chapter 37: Proposition II
Book 1: Chapter 37: Proposition II
I dont know where to start. Ish admitted, voice heavy. The orcss was slouched forward, staring into the crackling me. The mood was quiet tonight, almost pensive. Even Artyom seemed to realize that something important was about to happen and sat subdued on his own, much smaller stump. Gol whined and insisted Ish scratch at his ears, which she distractedlyplied.
Their offer tempts you. I spoke, both a statement and a way to open the topic.
Yes, it does. She admitted bluntly. But I have reservations, yaknow?
A slow nod was all I could offer in return.
I don know em, first of all. Ish sighed. Seems stupid to entrust my life to a band of strangers. You prolly know that better than I do.
That is arge part of adventuring, yes. I admitted. I did not know that, but Garek did.
No ones heard a peep of this supposed dungeon either. If there were really one, the entirend would know.
Garek proved to have very little experience with those sorts of ces, I found. Hurried scouring of his memories revealed he held a disdain for their enclosed spaces and traps. Honorablebat given upon the open field of battle had been his preference, and those wants had been followed like sacred tenants.
Theyre ces of some interest, I take? I prised, tone soft.
No. Theyre not of some importance. Ish snorted and poked a stick into the fire. The discovery of a dungeon is, no two ways bout it, a monumental thing. Which makes me suspicious bout how casually the tiefling was throwing it round.
I have very little experience with them myself.
The young womans expression was tight as she nced at my shrug, and then back into the me. Her scent came as a mix of anticipation, uneasiness, and sweat. Almost drowned out by the stench of Gol next to her. Ish held, in my eyes, few faults, and I had not yet decided if wearing her heart upon her sleeve was one of them. She was open, excited, seeing no need to conceal what she thought or felt. And I envied her for that, some days.
Look at it this way. In some ways, his story could be true. Nobody has ever poked around Redtip Peak. Its just some random ce in the middle of nowhere. Whod wake up one mornin and decide to go there? Even Ma and Pa came here simply because it was empty. Hullbretch was just a small town when they got here, far as I understand. So, it could be usible that theres a hidden dungeon just slumberin up the mountain.
Hmmmm. I rubbed my chin, weaving among the streams of thought that flowed through me. Lerish might know. She seems to be the only one who actively traverses the mountain and explores it. Perhaps you could ask her for any further information.
Moments of silent passed on the wary breeze as Ish considered.
Things have been quiet on the mountain since she settled into the area, to tell yah the truth. Ma sometimes sees her stalkin the valleys, but never really near the peak. And with the Apex showin up now, I doubt shell want to go pokin up there herself.
Still well worth the attempt.
Yah. She agreed. But that brings me to another point. I don know these people. Don know their reputations, their histories, all that muck. Always imagined if I went adventurin, itd be with friends I knew and trusted.
You have reservations.
Plenty. Ish snorted. But understand that this is my dream. I have waited so long for an opportunity. And Im nervous that if I let this slip, there may never be another. What if there isnt another chance? What if this falls through and I dont have the means to find another?
If youre concerned with work, therell always be a job for you here, I spoke softly, reassuring as best I could. Youre young, Ish. You have a chance to chase your dreams. I say you take it. I wish that I had when I was your age. Be careful. Be thorough. But dont let yourself be steeped in regret.
The young womanughed, a deep and throaty sound.
I expected yah to try and convince me to stay here, Garek. Not shove me off on some half-usible quest for adventure. Is mypany so stale?
Sad was the smile upon my face as my head slowly shook.
Yourpany is always wee, Ish. But I am not fool enough to stand between you and your ambitions. If you chose to go, I will miss you and your help, but you have my blessing.
Her smile sobered, followed shortly by a deep sigh.
I know the harvest is close, and you could sorely use help. Ill try my best to amodate that. Gonna sleep on it and make a decision in the morrow.
And your parents? I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
I am a woman grown. She shrugged. My help around the farmes from courtesy and respect. But if I chose to go on my own way, they would not stop me. Mas heart would be broken, yes. But time will heal that. I hope.
Make your matters right, first. I advised. Do not let the sun set over regret and hard feelings, if ites to that.
It wont. But thats all jus spection. I havent decided wether or not to go with them. And even if I do, it could likely just be for this quest. Go up the mountain, poke around, probably wont find anything ande back home. Pray we dont meet the Apex, and run away if I do.
And if you find a dungeon?
Well, She took a deep breath, and the scent of excitement made its way into my nostrils. Everything will change, then. But thats just wild dreamin. If I do go with them, do you have any advice for me? For fights and stuff, I mean. Ive gotten into my share of em, but I aint arrogant enough to not look for new advice.
I considered her words for a few moments, sifting through Gareks memories. The minotaur had experience in this matter. In fact, that very statement was a grand underselling of his capabilities. But most of that experience was him crushing smaller, weaker underhoof. By simple virtue of being the massive, hulking monster did he win most engagements.
If you must fight, be the first to do so. Strike first, hard, andst. Do not hesitate. Better to realize a mistaketer than not be alive to ponder it. If a fight seems nebulous or the oue unclear, withdraw and attempt to put yourself in a favourable position.
Her eyebrows raised at thatst bit of advice.
Didnt expect that from you, pardon my sayin so.
There is more than presents itself to the eye, Ish. You yourself should be an example of that.
She agreed, and wepsed back into silence. This was a subject we had brushed on before, but I had not expected it to be relevant so soon.
Perhaps you could offer me some advice in return. I queried, much to her surprise. She nodded after a moment, and I carefully forged on.
I have been..stuck, for some time. At my current level. It has always been on the verge of leveling to Thirty, yet despite all the recent bloodshed, there has not been enough to tip me over.
Which ss? Came the reply, and I told her.
Huh. Was the only thing I got for a few moments. Honestly, that aint too strange. Youre at a point of major advancement. The levels where you could just crush weaker foes and receive the blessings of the Gods Above are behind you now.
And that means? I asked quietly, a sinking feeling deep within.
If you intend to break through into the next stages of levels, you must prove your worth to the Gods Above. Perform a truly monumentous task in service to the path you have chosen. She looked me dead in the eye now. Yer are at a bottleneck, Garek. Yah have already umtedrge amounts of strength and blessins through the Gods system. Level twenty-nine is already higher than many people will ever achieve in their lifetimes. But now, your progress in withheld by the System itself until yah prove yourself worthy.
Yah need a breakthrough. Yah could drown thends in oceans of blood from those weaker than you, but yah would not gain another, single level. Understand, that by going in the next set of levels, you will gain strength beyond mortal means. But only if you prove yourself in the eyes of Gods and System.
As a Berserker offshoot ss, youll need to conquer a truly monumental foe, or perform such an act of, well, berserkin that the Gods Above allow you through to the next stage. There is no other way. No hidden shortcut. No ancient technique of bullshittery, pardon mahnguage.
Ah. Was all I replied with. And if I dont?
Then youll stay at level twenty-nine till the end of your days, already stronger than most.
That sounds fine to me. I admitted.
Stronger than most, but noticeably weaker than those higher. She nodded, expression t. Of which there are an unusual amount in this area. For a ce so empty and quiet, thends around Mount Redtip seem to have attracted folks with the same idea and Ma and Pa.
Let me guess; they came here to live quietly away from the stress and danger of other areas?
Yeah, same as you. Theres Miss Lerish, but nobody knows her actual ss or level. Pa told me hers was cloaked by a skill, and it aint what she tells people.Which, to be fair, is her business and no one elses. The baron is fairly highly leveled, but hes had years of constant campaigns and seeking out bloodshed in the crowns name. This Valencia woman with him is highly leveled as well, but even Pa dont know anything about her.
Thats a healthy amount of good-leveled people for arge city, Garek. All just here in the bumfuck middle of nowhere. Thats more than strange, but whatever.
She concerns me. I replied. That woman who works for the Baron. I get this sensation of pure malice and dread whenever she draws near.
An aura. Ish bit her lip, face concerned. A manifestation of emotion that physically impacts the world around the wielder. I dont know who she is, but best be on your guard. Thats a powerful skill to have. I know of kings and queens that would kill for such an ability.
I sighed and waved the conversation off.
Here we are, getting all gloomy about what-ifs and could-bes, when we should be celebrating this chance and opportunity for you.
Oh? Ish perked up.
I may have picked up some rather strong spirits on myst trip to Hullbretch, courtesy of an alchemist. I rubbed my hands and nodded to an eager Artyom. Get the bottles, if you would.
He needed no second encouragement, and was vanished into the harsh moonlight before I could finish speaking. Momentster he stumbled back, burdened by the weight of two ss bottles filled with an amber fluid.
I dont normally drink to celebrate anything, but I feel as if this celebration is long overdue. I smiled and handed her one of the bottles. And so, I propose we quiet literally drink our worries away, and give thanks to a long, fruitful season worked together.
Little more urging was needed, and the nigh flowed on as I tried liqour in a new world for the first time. Damn tomorrows hangover, I refused to let this night end on a sour note.
Book 1: Chapter 38: Forlorn.
Book 1: Chapter 38: Forlorn.
Yesterdays drinking had returned upon my skull as todays hangover, I found. Perhaps -and I meant this in the loosest way possible-, we had overdone it by a small amount. But such thing were inconsequential. I had reaped what my own hand had sown, and now I lived with the aftermath.
Philosophical ramblings proved too little of a distraction as I stumbled along, skull tight and the drums of alcohol pounding at my cerebral flesh. Already, my day was off to a spectacr start. Much to my shock, the knowledge that being able to barely concentrate hindered my ability to harness Skills had been rudely foisted upon me.
As such, my morning tussle with the herd was far less one-sided than I would have preferred. And now I stumbled away, battered and bruised both of body and mind. With a groan, I waved Artyom away as the felinid cautiously approached. Two meager, half-empty buckets of milk in my grasp, I trudged back to storage shack, yanked the door open and plonked them inside.
This monumental taskpleted, my form betrayed me once more, and soon I found myself in the dirt.
Gods Above, I was a mess.
Legendary amounts of alcohol had been consumedst night -myself the primary culprit- as Ish had made several runs back to her parents farm for more as we had seen fit to celebrate a sessful time together through the night.
All else aside, I had needed an excuse to finally give celebration to something.
Was regret at the forefront of my mind? Indeed.
Would I do it again? Undoubtedly.
Cursed by blurred vision and feeble hearing, I staggered upright, wandered across treacherousnd and let myself fall facefirst into the dammed pool of cold water. So dyed were my senses that colds shock took several moments to strike my sensations. But like a hammerblow, it rippled across my body as Iy submerged.
Fully clothed, I let myself simply sit within the pool, in woe as I clutched my skull and contemted never drinking again. A sound strategem, perhaps.
So invested within my own self-pity was I that Ish was nearly upon me before I realized the scent upon the wind was hers.
My heart sank as I turned to look, and found her with a pack slung over shoulder, a closed expression on her face.
So, this is it. I stood and shook off water. Youve made your decision.
Yah. She replied with a quiet nod. You look like shit, if yah dont mind me sayin.
Youd say it anyhow, if I minded or not. I grunted, somewhat aware of the state I was in. I know now why the call it spirits. Because they always return to haunt you.
Mirthless was the smile that graced her lips now. She probably wanted tough, but empathized with my pain. Still, that was not what she was here for. Courtesy, likely.
So, off to follow the call of adventure then. I sighed and rubbed my temples.
Yah. Ish replied, tone muted. I know ites at an awkward time for yah, but Ive been waitin on this for way too long to pass it up.
And your parents?
Ma cried a bit. Pa just gave me advice, some gifts and told me if I was gonna leave em for the adventurer''s life, I was gonna do it right.
Youre just going up the mountain for now though. That seems..
Like an over-reaction? The young woman shrugged. Not really, I guess. Its less of me physically movin away right now and more of a lifestyle change, I guess. Thought on it myself for quite some time.
Youll stay..okay, I hope? I would have said safe, but there was no such thing in that sort of life.
No promises, but Ill try. Just wanted toe by and let you know. Courtesy and all. And because youve been a good friend. Need to grab my armor as well.
Onest thing. I grunted and beckoned her to follow. Ish in tow, I crossed the yard, mid-morning sun already hot against my soaked form. Gol whined and approached, Artyom on his back as I made my way to the storage shed. Steel gray armor hung to the side with the safety gear, its fur trim burnt by acid. Yet my attention was on another.
With a heavy sigh, I withdrew the great axe from where it hung and passed it to Ish. The smile that blossomed across her features made the loss of such a powerful weapon worth it.
My gift to you. I rumbled. I haveid down my own tools of war. Mostly. May it serve you well in my stead.
Arms that attempted to wrap around my form was the only response I received. After a moment, I realized thess was trying her best to give me a hug. I returned the favor in kind. My own try was more sessful than her, my quite a long shot. Still, I found myself touched as we stood in silence for a few moments.
Anything that needed to be said had already been uttered yesterday, either sober or under the influence. Nothing more was uttered as Ish donned her armor, one piece at a time. Axe in one hand, she scratched Gol behind the ears with fondness in her eyes, petted Artyom as the felinid protested and then turned and set off up the mountain.
I stood and watched her go, soaked and already boiling under the clear blue sky. Silence lingered long after she had vanished from view, none willing to break it first. Until finally, I turned, closed the sheds door and trudged over to my new house-to-be.
Much as I would have liked to stay and reflect on her departure, work called to me. A wee distraction from my thoughts, I soon found. I had made much progress in lining the floor and walls with rock yesterday, and now came the much more tedious task or sealing the cracks. Ish had made a truly monumentous effort to have me supplied with hewn rock throughout the day, and with that to minimize wasted time, the cer was mostlypleted. Arge pit lined with sealed rock walls atop a stone floor was what I worked within now, carefully stuffing the cracks.
Artyom worked alongside me now, jabbering on about random things. He could not hold a subject for more than several minutes, I found, always leaping from one topic to the next. Yet his paws kept in steady movement even as his mouth ran a mile a minute.
I didnt mind, truly. Was just something else to distract me from otherwise monotonous work.
This work was nearingpletion after a long day of which I remembered little when Lerish appeared, perched at the pits edge and staring down at me with her one good eye.
The huntress made noment as I straightened with a groan, my back in pain from being bent over for most of the day. By divine mercy, the headache that gued my skull had faded to a dull throb somewhere in the endless monotony of the day. She remained quiet as I approached, only offering a greeting once I had drawn near.
Finished for the day? I grunted and drained thest of a near-empty waterskin. Another time, I would have offered some to her, but Id rather not have a conversation with my throat recreating the sensation of sandpaper.
Long ago. She replied, her eye following my motions. Easy day. Overhunted for the camp. Free for next few days.
Too good at your job. I managed to crack a smile and swung up to sit next to her. Shame.
Mmmmm. She agreed.
Anything I can do for you?
She shook her head and sighed a little, still crouched next to my muchrger form. The huntress looked uncharacteristically on edge tonight, her expression twitching in mild ways. Her scent was yet another mess ofyers I could not pierce. I realized at this point I had never been able to pinpoint a defined pattern in her smell. Probably a Skill that jumbled it or something.
What do I owe the pleasure to, then?
She shrugged once again, nonmital.
Figured Id drop by. Not much to do at home. Either this or go back and sleep. Chose this.
Yourelonely? I asked cautiously.
Lerish rose to her feet a momentter, her face going from a grimace to t in a heartbeat.
Mistakeing here. She grunted and turned to stride away.
No, no, Im not judging. I rumbled frantically. Please, sit.
Her form paused mid-stride, then returned and squatted back down to her former position.
There was both tension and understanding in the air now. The lone huntress, always stalking her own path, isted away from most of civilization, wantedpany after all. I empathized with her, I really did. It hit me as to why she visited so often. Not because she wanted something, but because she, like I, craved thepany of others.
I didnt push it further, just mildly inquired as to the details of her day and made small talk. It wasnt much, just a fragile understanding that thepany kept was preferable to none at all. She sat in silence as I filled in the silence, talking about the nts and my recent breakthroughs. An empty pipe was idly turned between her fingers, and I found the huntress was an excellent listener.
Eventually, the conversation ran dry, and a topic-change was in order. She grunted and nodded as I informed her my debilitating Tax Evader status was gone, gave a few more vocal affirmations as i described the Unbound des, then snorted when I told them of their suspicions.
A dungeon? On the Redtip? A fools dream.
I wouldnt know myself, I shrugged and offered her a ss of milk that Artyom had fetched from the shed. She took it and sipped between spurts of talk.
Ive all but lived on and around this sted mountain for the past few years. Seen nearly every crag and rock with my own eyes- She paused mid dip and grimaced. Eye. An entire dungeon, hidden up that slope? Self-delusion at best.
Ish seemed to think there was some merit to their theory. I mentioned, and her eyes narrowed.
Where is she anyhow? She usually seems glued to this ce.
I noticed her eyes widen, then narrow as I told her that the orcss had left to adventure with the Unbound des, as per their invitation. Her scent red, and the ss cracked in her grasp. Before I could blink, she was on her feet and already moving across the clearing, headed for back up the mountain.
Another time! Lerish called back over her shoulder, seconds before she vanished from sighpletely.
What had just happened?
Book 1: Chapter 39: I.
Book 1: Chapter 39: I.
Ish stepped over another crag and did her best to quash the profound sense of longing that filled her being. She should be excited, ecstatic, and overjoyed that her time had finallye. Instead, she felt nothing, and that was worst of all. For all that she tried, she had barely been able to stir emotion at the sight of tears in her fathers eyes as he hugged and told her to stay safe. Her mothers pained silence had done little to stir anything within Ish as she turned and left.
And now, she trudged over another cluster of rocks, in close pursuit of the party. Harsh, relentless sunlight broiled down from on high, a nket of heat that did its best to smother her. Still, Ish clutched her axe and soldiered on, bringing up the rear.
She was not the only new face among the partys ranks. Several others had joined from the Verdant Dawns camp, and now near a dozen adventurers-to-be made their way up the slopes of the Redtip in search of ancient treasure, and an even older danger. The guide that wove their path ever higher was decent, but he was no Lerish.
But he served his purpose, and as the sun reached heavens zenith, they emerged unto the peak. The stone itself bled here, crimson in color, barren save for the asional bloom that struggled to grow.
Weve arrived. A long,nky man with a rogues smile and dissaffacted posture indicated the obvious. Now we need only scour the peaks entirety, dispel whatever magicks and traps hide the entrance, if any among this lot are capable of the task at all.
He was among the several gathered from the Verdant Dawns camp. The man carried no weapons, at least none that were obvious to Ish. He consulted with two others that stood near him as Etlosughed, loud and boisterous. His face showed humor, but his scent conveyed none, the orc noticed. For her part, the groups edges offered the mostfort.
I would be delighted to tell you then, that we need not waste days, nay weeks in search of this entrance among these barren rocks. The tiefling beamed and swept around the gesture grandly at the expanse of stone thaty before them. For we have what no other expeditionary party to this Gods-forsaken ce has had before.
A dwarf. Said fellow grunted and withdrew a hammer-staff. No stone can hide its secrets from a true son of the Underdark.
Without another word, the small, sturdy manling strode across the rock, hammer raised to smite the ground every few steps. With naught to do, Ish settled her back against a b of stone that jutted skyward and surveyed those who she would entrust her life to.
Etlos, a reckless hedonist. She could smell the stench upon him even now, from this distance. A man who could fake it till he made it. Marile, the disaffected malcontent. Whatever schemes the elf had, she kept them close to heart and dissuaded all attempts toe near with a razors tongue and unfiltered, brutal honesty. Vargosh Stoneheart had only so far demonstrated a liver of steel, and now revealed that he could wield magic. An unseemly talent among sons and daughters of stone, or so she had been taught.
Their guide, an on-edge beastman, conversed nervously with the trio of mercenaries from the camp below. Anky human in brown and green, with dark hair and darkerplexion. Several others stood with him, all of varying height and seriousness. Some joked, others stood stoic. All reeked of nervousness. Separated from the rest, Ish found herself approached and straightened as Marile drew near.
Ello. She nodded briefly as the elf stepped close. Wisp thin and without scent, the elf unsettled Ish. The skin was perpetually pale, without so much as a hint of tan under the harsh sunlight.
You are a halfbreed. Not a question, a statement.
Yes, and? The half-orc shot back, expression defiant.
Nothing. Simply curious. You are unique. The first of your kind, even. I have never heard tell or seen another elf copte with an orc, of all races.
And now you have. She crossed her arms, already wanting the topic to bugger off. There was enough grief on her mind in rtion to her race, buried deep. There was little want for more. Are you satisfied?
Not at all. The womans eyes slowly moved over Ish as if surveying a quaint new distraction. Sizing up her muscles, lingering on her pointed ears and small tusks. You are not optimal, but better than I would have expected.
At what? Came Ishs scoff. A turned back was her only answer. Half-tempted to throw something at the haughty elfs back, she instead settled back in to do naught but wait and boil beneath her armor. Mercifully, the boredom did not hold long, and shouts rang across the stone.
The dwarf had discovered something.
Ish brought up the rear as the party congregated and found themselves before a wall of rock. The dwarfs hammer-staff smote the stone, and a massive web of cracks formed.
Sealed shut. Marile murmured so low that only Ish picked it up. That bodes well.
Etlos was too busy exulting to the heavens to hear her, the sounds of his rejoicing serving to drown out anything the elf muttered further.
We have crossed countries, walked through harsh deserts, flirted with danger all the way to find this ce, and atst fate has seen fit to reward us! He announced, arms spread wide. Let our names live on in legend as the first to find this ce, and the first to plunder its depths!
Wait, we dont know if- Ish voiced her protests, only to be cut off as the rest turned to her.
This is the adventurers life. Etlos silenced her, and raised a clenched fist up. We seek riches andugh in the face of uncertainty! If you have the spirit, the thirst, then you will understand. If not, return to your farm and leave this life behind.
Ears red-hot and face burning, Ish dropped her head and looked away as scoffs came from the others. She was an adventurer now, Thrones-damnit. She would prove that, one way or another. For now, others reaped the glory of the find, and she tailed the rear once more. There was a serious few moments as the rest armed themselves fully,id out a few ns and discussed formations. Throughout it all, unease pervaded the half-orcs gut. The ns wereid before her, but she understood little overall. In her case, she was simply to guard the rear and be the muscle if it was required.
All too soon, the time came. Axe in hand and a few stolen fleshknitter potions at her belt, Ish breathed in and crossed the boundary between the world and this dungeon.
Nothing extraordinary happened.
The air remained hot, even in the shade. No trap sprung from the floor, no monster emerged from the darkness. A moment passed, then another. Until she let out a shaky sigh of relief and began to follow the party into the darkened depths.
Etlos drew a saber from his belt and held it high with a hearty yell as Ish blinked, momentarily blinded. Phantoms sprung to life around him, their bodies lighting up the darkened interior of this high hallway. An unorthodox way to provide light, but the glow they provided was crisp and flooded the stone walls. Inside a massive corridor, they traveled continuously downwards into the earth. Lifeless statues of alien beings were half-crumbled along the walls, their rocky forms dwarfing the party.
So high was the ceiling that Ish could barely see it, as well as the lumps that coated it. Whoever had carved this tunnel had obviously not given it the same attention as the faded grandeur that they passed with every step.
Ish remained silent and wary the entire time, on edge with every further step she took into this ce. Only Marile seemed to share her wariness, as the others were content to boast and examine every small thing. The dwarf seemed fascinated by the statues and stone, only to be dragged further inwards as the Tiefling urged everyone along.
They passed through endless corridors, skirted around a massive, empty pit and passed through empty gates. This ce was ancient. Anyone could tell that. Abandoned. Half-broken traps jutted from the walls, jammed des that still gleamed without rust. Nary and corpse or bone decorated the empty lengths of stone hallway, however.
By the fourth gate, Ish was well and truly on edge. There was something wrong about this ce. Yet any concern she voiced wasughed off and waved away. If anything, Etlos moved even faster, spurred by a hunger to find whatever treasure was hidden in these depths. The path diverged, and one was chosen at random. Then another split.
Soon, Ish found herself creeping down steep, spiraling staircases as the statues vanished, reced by sigils and craved tapestries of stone. Multi-limbed beings offered up sacrifices to gods she didnt recognize on perfectly preserved murals of iron. The worn corridors were tinged with color now, and above all, the walls seemed..fragile.
Yet through it all, she fought her own nervousness. She would be brave and venture these depths, not be spooked and yearn for home with every small detail. She was Ish Flintfang, and no one would ever use her of cowardice.
They emerged into a new cavern, and she gazed in awe at a massive mural set into a titanic wall. The entire scene was built around a massive, upraised altar that housed a slew of wispy orbs atop it. Behemothic beings did battle with each other, set forever in stone. Smaller, alien creatures bowed before the titans, knelt in supplication even as their own brethren were devoured by these things.
So entranced was she that Ish didnt realize she alone still stood at the entrance. Only a loud click snapped her from that wondrous trance. Her eyes snapped across the room to where Etlos had liberated an orb from the altar and held it high.
A moment of triumph.
The spike that pierced his chest turned it into one of horror.
His scream drowned in rock as the ceiling shattered, and rubble fell throughout the cavern. Shapes tumbled amongst the thin bs of rock, hidden by clouds of dust. Ish whirled, gut tight and axe in hand as both walls of the corridor they had just walked through copsed and revealed the silent, forms within.
Eyes dragged open and forms unstirred for millennia began to move.
The trap had been primed,in in wait through the ages, and now its steel jaws snapped shut.
Ish had always thought herself fairly tall, with an advantage that let her loom above what few peers she possessed. A mix of wiry elvish frame and orcish height left her with an innate advantage in many physical fields. Now, she furiously swung upwards, axe aimed at the long, multi-limbed creature that towered over her. It cut into the monsters bulky, jagged skin, tore through its upraised arm, and gashed open the throat.
Shouts and screams mixed among the whirling dust, the chaos illuminated by shes of light and surges of power. The orc ducked beneath a vicious lunge, mmed her form into the monster to topple it, and found it unmoved. Too sturdy for such a thin form. She jerked back on reflex and barely saw the wicked w that passed a hairbreadth from her forehead.
Were the axe not enchanted, she doubted it would even have affected these monsters, came the thought as its magical edge struggled to separate flesh beneath another swing. A furrow of ws carved into the armor and left bloody tears down her back.
Pain came heartbeatster. Eyes bloodshot, she tore through one monsters leg, stumbled forward and ducked beneath another blow, and split the legless creatures skull open with an overhead swing as it toppled forward.
Pale, sunken eyes regarded her as she whirled to find more of these monstrosities. Amid the clouds of dust, shecked the eyesight or smell to see how the other fared. Nor did she particrly care, here and now. She faced at least four of these pale creatures now, and however many more lurked within the haze.
Retreat was her best option. Only a fool would charge right into their midst. With that in mind, Ish hopped backward, turned, and ran. Her armor was as effective as butter beneath those scythe-like ws, and much as she prided herself for being able to fight, certain death was certain death. Arms pumping, she charged through the dust, coughing all the while. Eyes wide, she move around a silent blow and dashed past the monster.
There was nothing to guide her path, save for the asional sh of energy that shone through the clouds of dust like a fleeting ray of sun, only to vanish and leave her in darkness. Her foot struck something, and she looked down to find a corpse. One of the mercenaries, his eyes stretched open wide and body cleaved almost in twain. Bile rose in her throat, but she pushed on. No time for that. Death nipped at her heels as the orc ran towards the light, every near miss that swung from the darkness another death denied.
She ran towards the shes of brilliance, even as they faded, became fewer and further between.
Only for them to fade entirely as she drew near. The light died in quiet whimpers, and the darkness reigned now. Quiet, unsteady, every direction promising the end. The halfbreed crouched, eyes wide, trying to see anything as the dust began to settle. She caught glimpses of steel string as the wire whipped soundlessly through the air, eviscerating anything it touched.
The elf lived, and danced amidst the carnage, cutting through the monster with contemptous ease. Long streams of steel string flowed from between her fingers,shing through the gloom. Every flick sent creatures back to the dirt, bodies shorn apart.
Barely able to hold back the tide.
The elf vanished and appeared before Ish before she had enough time to so much as blink. Firm hands seized onto her shoulders as the elf snarled. Ish shook her head, blinked and realized she was saying something.
-dead. Fucking bushbeard teleported himself out. Only you alive. Run. Flee. Dont you dare look back. Tell them the dungeon has woken.
With that, Marile shoved Ish away and lept back towards the horde, wires shing.
No time to process anything. She turned and ran. The elf had done something. Magic settled into the orcs skull and something red behind her eyes. Sweet agony blossomed. She stumbled mid-stride caught herself and found she could see through the gloom. A small spell, but a wee one.
The walls were empty, she found. Broken open, hollow. Horror settled into Ishs stomach as she saw a few lone corpses slumped inside. Fears confirmed themselves as she rounded a corner and saw the mass of monsters that streamed before her. Hundreds of them. Thousands. All headed down the path the party had entered through.
A pack turned towards her as she stood, shocked. Instinctpelled her to turn and run. Desperation sped her limbs. Reason whispered she was trapped between two hordes. A half-crumbled section of wall offered salvation. Through sheer force of need, she ripped a corpse free and dragged it from its stone cocoon. Their footsteps drew near the bend as she wriggled into the hollow wall and jammed herself in among those that had not awoken from their slumber.
Pressed on all sides by stone and dormant creatures, Ish waited, the sound of her own heart a drumbeat, her breath impossibly loud.
Death drew near. Trapped in the darkness, her breath came hard and fast, wedged in amongst the monsters. The sound of stone being scraped by ws passed long before she moved once more. Eyes wide, she stared at the stone for far too long before remembering she needed to move. By the grace of the Thrones Above, the dormant monsters did not wake as she ripped herself free of their embrace and spilled back out into the corridor.
Insanity presented her with a bafflingly dangerous n. Follow the horde to escape. Without another option, she moved to do just that. Pressed against the stone, she clutched the axe in hand and peered around the corner. Empty space greeted her. No mindless stragglers waited to be dealt with or alert the others to her presence.
These monsters were anything but mindless, she reminded herself. This was not a shambling horde of undead. Slowly, cautiously, she followed. The statues and stone murals invoked only mild horror in her now. Parts of her brain were shut off to function with this, Ish realized vaguely.
This much death and carnage in a short span had no profound effect on her. Even that thoughtsted for but a fleeting moment as her thoughts were wrenched back to hyperfocus on survival. Her escape from this ce was all that mattered now. The rest coulde at a more convenient time. She stalked through the darkness, quick, low and quiet. Or as quiet as armor allowed.
She found the horde before it found her. A flood of monsters poured before her, all long, multi-limbed humanoids. She kept at the edge of vision and tailed the flood, heart pounding away all the while. Silent, as they were, their movements produced enough noise to mask her own.
Eyes darted back and forth as she kept ncing over one shoulder, expecting more toe at any moment. Only now did she realize how stupid this n was. But fate smiled in her general direction this day, and she they drew near the entrance.
Only for that smile to turn into a gleefulugh.
Something else loomed from the darkness. A towering form of draconic features and steel feathers burst into view and crashed into the flood. Bodies began to fly and the massive corridor shook as the frenzied Apex tore into the monsters.
Ish did not question the hows and whys. Ish did not stay and watch the storm of fury that spilled loose before her. Ish turned and sprinted back the way she hade.
And fate chose to be cruel to her this day. Monsters streamed from a fork in the tunnel. Stragglers to the flood behind her. The axe ripped through most, and through some small mercy they were not bunched together. But it only took one. One misstep. One stroke of poor luck. One failed swing, one return swipe that cleaved through her armor like the steel was paper. A single sh and her lifes blood ran onto the stone below.
Ish screamed and smashed the monsters head open, making it burst like a rocky fruit beneath the axes de.
Ity dead, but she was not far behind. A long furrow gashed into her body from stem to stern. Cold agony gripped her now as the orc writhed on the stone, limbs flopping around as the wound began to burn like nothing her short existence had felt before.
True pain nked out all else as it gripped her in barbed talons. Fumbling hands managed to pull the fleshknitter nk loose from her belt. The metal was dented but whole. A sight she almost sobbed in relief at. Her hand proved useless at twisting the cap open. So she jammed it into her mouth and let her fangs tear the top off instead. Crimson liquid spilled onto her cheeks, guided by a trembling grasp. It burned going down her throat, and red even harder as she sloshed it directly onto the massive wound.
Another would have cked out from the shock. But she was the daughter of Teshalis Warborn, and by virtue of orcish blood alone did she remain conscious. Her throat screamed raw as the fleshknitter worked its agonizing purpose, but she lived.
Dazed, beset by fresh agony and hounded by deaths looming presence, Ish stumbled up, copsed again and screamed in frustration. She refused to lie here in pain until another one of these twisted monstrosities showed up to end her. Crippled by agony, she grabbed the wall and hauled herself back up, gasped and began to move.
Roars from behind only pushed her harder as the Apex moved through the flood like an avatar of destruction. It was enraged beyond reason, a wild dance of death ripping monsters to shreds. But it was one against thousands, and the monsters cared little for how many fell beneath its wrath.
Spurred on by the enraged cacophony, the halfbreed staggered along, further into the darkness of this tomb. She lunged down new paths, took turns at random. The corridors were a maze now, deste and broken. And on she plunged, ever further into the heart of darkness.
Ever further from the light.
Down here in the darkness, furthest from the light, there was no sce. Every corner held the promise of danger and death. Most lied, and she was thankful for that. But now, Ish limped along, teeth clenched in pain, the stench of her own blood clouding all else. Her armor was rent open both front and back, the metal pressing into barely-knit skin.
A small difort, inconsequential in the quiet void that surrounded her. She staggered through long hallways, took paths at random and kept moving. Forward, step by step. Anything to avoid stopping. Uncertainty was preferable to stagnation. If she had options, her pace would have been slow, methodical, thorough. She was not afforded those.
The dungeon woke around her. Rumbles and screeches sounded over the nk of her armor and the sound of heavy footsteps. Far-off cries of strange creatures she had no desire to meet. Adrenaline spiked in her veins, a sensation that kept her footsteps swift and mind on the razors edge. Breath came hard and fast, lungs trying their best to keep pace as she pushed her body close to the limit. Long, fast strides kept Ish just below a run.
Another turn brought her to the edge of a pit that yawned before her, its gaping maw vanishing far below. A stone ceiling stretched high above, at the edge of vision. She nced back, and thought of seeking another path, then discarded it, Onwards.
Adrenaline, blood, fear, and need fueled the sensation, the drive to keep pushing onwards.
Something stirred below, deep in the darkened guts of the pit as she edged along its outer circumference. The orc hugged the stone walls and froze as something swung its gaze along the walls. Something stung her ears, and instinctive motion brought her hands up to cover them as a high-pitched whine brought physical pain into the confines of her skull.
The depths roiled as darkness stirred below her. Ish bolted along the slim path, legs shuffling in a stumbling run as something ascended from the pit. She caught glimpses of a tattered, serpentine figure that emerged over the edge as her legs carried her across the stone, through the arching exit and back into the darkened stone corridors of this ce.
Flogged onwards by some invisible thing to her back, she delved further and further into the depths. Pain red in slow, excruciating waves throughout her form as she stumbled down myriad halls, through massive rooms lined with sleeping golems, past ancient altars to foreign gods and over massive, detailed mosaics wrought into the stone itself.
Pristine silence surrounded her now, only desecrated by the sound of her own movement. Every lungful of air she sucked was dry and cold, beleaguered by pain and tinged with the faint taste of her own blood. Her limbs felt numb now, slow and heavy. Yet the drive, the will to live pushed her onwards, even if the destination was unclear.
Ish stepped through a doorway, felt something m into her stomach and lurched backwards, a frenzied scream of pain torn loose as she clutched at her gut. The traps de had not pierced her armor as it swung around, but dented the metal inwards. Eyes wide, she swore and grasped at either side of the split metal with her hands. The metal dug into her flesh as she strained. Slowly, excruciatingly, it pulled back outwards and she copsed.
Nausea reared its head inside, and ovee by it, Ish leaned against the wall and vomited. Bile and blood sttered across the cold stone as her eyes stung with moisture. Pains sharp talons raked across her insides as she slumped against the wall for a moments rest. A brief respite in this hell. One that did notst long. With a grunt, metal-d hands heaved her back up, to continue her desperate dive into the depths.
Hands grasped the cold metal, and with a grunt, she ripped the trap free from the stone, spit at it and threw it aside. It ttered lifelessly as she stepped into yet another massive chamber. A hall of crumbled statues greeted her now. Massive behemoths towered over her, vaguely humanoid and otherworldly. Some intact, some hacked apart. All in various poses of splendor, grandeur, and victory. Perhaps they were some beautiful color, but her eyes only saw greyscale as they pierced the darkness.
Another altar loomed between the statues, upon it a long, decorated spear, held aloft by invisible force. Past thaty her actual destination. Archways led to more tunnels, darkened recesses of stone that called to her.
Every movement made sent noise echoing across the massive chamber, something she flinched it. She felt..small in here. A tiny, insignificant intruder in this hall of ancients. She passed beneath the titanic statues, their stone gaze felt upon her back as she shivered. Her careful path took her towards the upraised altar and she carefully skirted around it. Thest altar being touched had events that lingered fresh upon her thoughts.
The ground gave way beneath her, and only a desperate leap saved her from the pit below. A leap that carried her forward and had her clutch the altar, her hand brushing the spear.
The sun rose within this stone tomb as lights blinding brilliance bloomed before her. Stone began to shake as pure, raw heat entered her arm and flowed up into the orcs body. The smell of her own flesh heating was drowned away by power and sensation. The greatspear vanished, and things began to stir about her.
Ish turned her head, saw the statues were beginning to move, picked herself off the altar and bolted. Pain and heat ruled her existence, but instinct guided her towards the nearest archway as everything began to shake. The walls crumbled before her even as she desperately dashed into the corridor, dragging her body.
Monster emerged as panic rose in her throat, only for the creatures to fall forward. Bodies copsed in sequence before her as Ish dragged herself along, her life a haze of agony. She noted massive holes ripped through bodies as she stepped over them, beheaded sleepers scattered everywhere. Uncrumbled sections of wall showed methodically ced holes at head-height. Butchered while they slept.
The adventurer stumbled over bodies, clutching her superheated arm and pushing on through the haze. Another doorway loomed ahead and she staggered through.
A mistake.
A stone b materialized behind Ish as she entered, even as the chamber came to life before her. Frozen monsters moved as she entered, only to copse in pieces. Not all, however. Several remained alive, their gazes turned towards her. Fangs bared and back slumped against the b that sealed her within, the orc struggled to draw her axe.
She would die here.
Cold. Alone. Entombed by the endless tone.
But she would not die with a whimper. If she went to meet her maker this day, it would be upon her feet, screaming rage and hatred into the void. A bloated, chitinous force stalked near, long armes tipped by scythe-like ws. Smaller hands set further back upon the arm. Bulky, long and armored. She saw clearly now, without dust to obscure her vision.
And they were horrifying to look upon. Wrong was the only word that sprang to mind.
Back against the wall, she panted and raised the axe as the monster drew near. Legs wobbled beneath her as the momentous toll upon her sapped the strength from weary limbs. Four arms were raised as the creature darted forward and brand all of them down at once.
Ish lunged forward, into the blow. The wicked des whistled over her head and sliced the stone to her back even as the ck arms crashed into her shoulders. She buckled beneath the blow, for an instance, then grunted in anger and brought the axe up. It tore through the beasts stomach, then chest and neck as she strained.
Freshly knitted wounds threatened to tear themselves open as she gouged a massive rent into the monster and saw the light leave its eyes. Breath heaving, she ducked aside as it toppled towards her and let it slump forward, into the sealed doorway.
More came.
Her arm tingled as Ish stumbled into a vague mockery of a run. A doorway beckoned to her, offering her an escape from this ughterhouse.
Her legs gave out halfway there. Ish tasted stone and blood as her face smashed into the floor and pain blinded her once more. Her throat howled raw, she flipped over and began to drag herself away as the monsters approached. Somethingpelled her, urged her on, and she raised her burning arm. The limb trembled, barely held upright. Swollen, bloody eyes widened in pain and shock as light bloomed in her grasp.
A massive, weightless spear formed as her flesh felt dipped into the sun itself. The hair upon her head smoked, another small bout of pain added to the excruciating heap she endured. With nothing to lose, ish shakily aimed thence at a monster bearing down upon her and hurled it with what little strength remained.
The pure, unfiltered ray of light tore through the darkness. Heavensnce obliterated the monster, those behind it, the wall, the earth and much more before it vanished. In an instance, they were. In the next, gone. Ish blinked, dumbfounded as she surveyed the pure destruction she had just wrought.
She felt oh, so cold.
Her body shivered as she copsed once more, any and all energy spent. Not a single spark remained within. Drained by her desperate flight and thest vestiges taken by the spear, she could not find a single smoldering ember for her to burn.
Shey, empty and spent, eyes staring into the darkness, deep beneath the surface, far, far away from the light and any hope. A tear rolled down her eye as she watched the end approach.
One monster had survived, part of its body simply sheered away. Its remnant tottered towards her. But there was nothing left. Her limbs hung, lifeless, her muscles unresponsive. Heart beating slowly, faintly, she gazed upon deathing to take her.
A life short-lived, burned away in pursuit of her dreams. Another soul, imed by the System.
Her death loomed before her as she stared at it, unable to do so much as close her eyes. ws raised up, and its chest burst open. wed, metal arms reached through and tore it in twain. Ish stared nkly as the monster fell away and another emerged. This time, one in human form. Dread and malice struck her like a hammerblow as the dark figure loomed above her. Colorless hair spilled beneath a skull-like helm as deaths face examined Ish.
A greenskin. Came the sharp, female voice. Metal hands grabbed Ishs chin as zing eyes regarded her. Down here in the depths. Your kind never learn.
The void took her as Valencia looked at her with disdain, disgust, and a hint of pity. As the light left her eyes, thest sensation she felt was being slung over the dreadknights shoulder as she finally found peace.
Book 1: Chapter 40: Blood and milk.
Book 1: Chapter 40: Blood and milk.
I had made a habit of involving myself in the messes of other people as ofte, often to my own expense. Largely because I could not help myself when it came to matters I had strong opinions on. Even if it cost me, I would rather be entrenched in trouble for doing what I believed was right than die a slow death inside from apathy. Inaction was defeat, in my eyes.
That emotion tugged at me today as I watched riders gallop along the dusty trail that ran outside my yard. Frantic dashes up and down the mountain that I stood and observed in silence. Something of importance had urred, and I was none the wiser. Had Ish and her party discovered the dungeon?Curiousity pulled at me, whispering for me to go and see what new events transpired. But responsibilities firm voice drowned out these whispers.
My home was still in its early stages, the bare frameworkin for the floor. And so, with a deep sigh, I quelled my curiosity and turned back to my work. With Artyoms help, I had erected several thick wooden pirs in the cer that would help support the weight of the floor,plete with crossbeams. The particr wood I had hauled for this was far thicker than usual, but I would brook no chances. Even now, I sometimes underestimated how much my body weighed.
The morning progressed at an agonizing pace as I dragged timbers and slowly secured the floor overtop the gaping cer, Only when thest length of lumber was firmly in ce did I rx and allow myself to observe the road once more. Riders still galloped along at intervals, and carts were being hauled up the mountain en masse.
Fed further by this information, my curiousity only grew further. Yet I stifled it and forced myself to go sit and regain my strenght through nourishment. Artyom, Gol and I shared lunch as I distractedly fiddled with a small nt. The pale, grape-like growth hadtched on to my fascination as ofte. Were my imagination more vivid, perhaps I could have named it something clever, but for now, I had dubbed it a mimicseed.
Original, I know.
And yet, I spent hours cautiously examining the small things. They seemed to be very particr about exactly what they drew from. One cautiously touched against a piece of meat I was about to eat showed no effect, and I hade to think that they were unresponsive to inanimate objects.
They shifted between a duo of states: empty and full. When barren, they resembled small, shriveled grapes, devoid of any colour. When in contact with a living entity, the flesh peeled itself back to reveal a multitude of pods beneath the skin. Thosetched on to whatever found itself in contact. I watched as that currently transpired as my own finger pressed against the singr grape.
I felt no sensation of pain or any otherwise as the pods pressed themselves to my skin and bulged. Their fleshy covering quickly retracted, and changes came near-instantly. A fur coar that matched my own grew as the grapes pale skin bulged, small stub emerging that were simr to the texture of my horns.
Artyom. I beckoned as the felinid looked up from his meal. Catch.
He caught the loaded grape as I flicked it through the air and looked at it with curiosity. I waited in silence for a moment, but nothing happened now, as it hadnt either the first several times we had done this test.
Another one, yes-yes?
I nodded, and he hurled it back at me. Any further musing were interrupted as my eyes followed the projectiles arc through the air and stopped squarely on Lerishs ragged, bleeding form as she stalked across the yard. My untouched meal spilled to the dirt as I bolted upright and strode towards her, worry in my eyes.
My concern was brushed off as the huntress hauled herself past me, murder on her usually impassive face and dropped heavily onto a stump.
She looked..horrible. Gashes were everywhere on her body, shes that had yed open the skin and torn into the muscle beneath. How she even walked upright was a profound mystery.
Work your magic, minotaur. She growled, hunched over the dead fire, a seething rage in her tone that I had never glimpsed before. Please.
Artyom. Clerical milk. Imanded gruffly. The felinid rocketed from where he had sat frozen atop Gols slumbering form and hit the ground running. My monstrous pet woke and began to whimper with concern as he smelled the sheer volume of blood that coated Lerish. Some, her own. Most, not.
How? Came the demand to know.
Fucking idiots. Lerish snarled, though I knew not if that was in response to my query or a general statement. Absolute imbeciles.
That does little to narrow anything down. I winced and examined the gashes on her back. Long, deep and oozing a clear, viscous liquid. As bad as any wound I had ever seen, yet Lerish remained upright when by all rights these should have rendered her, well, frankly, dead.
Id gut those maggots if they werent already carrion. She spat, her body heaving for air. Her normally cool exterior was wholly shattered by whatever had happened, and rage roiled beneath. One hand up, I gestured at Artyom to hurry as he staggered across the field, jar in hand. The huntress wheezed in pain as I snatched the jar, wrenched off the lid and held it to her lips.
Drink. Imanded, and she obeyed.
She gulped down far more of the clerical liquid than I thought she could hold, and slumped forward, elbows on her knees as she groaned. I kept watch, my expression worried. The milk..wasnt working. Not as it should. Clear liquid bubbled from Lerishs wounds, almost seeming to boil against her skin.
My naked eye could see the flesh begin to close at a frankly agonizing pace. There was something wrong, something that worked against the pure healing magic.
Lerish, I need you to tell me what happened. There is something in you that is actively fighting against your body being healed.
It took her moments to reply as Imanded Artyom to get me water and rags. The huntress was a blood-caked mess, and likely to suffer from infection if her wounds were not cleaned and closed. The milk worked from the inside out, expelling discrepancies from the body as it returned to its original state. Or at least, it would have if not for whatever force strove against it now.
Chased up the mountain to save those fools from their own idiocy. Came toote. The flood has been unleashed. Fought off several of them. More gashed me open. Had to flee. She grunted, head in her hands. Apex showed up and copsed the dungeon entrance. Bunch still forced their way out. Everything is fucked.
My mind processed all that while I worked on her wounds.
This fluid. Is it from these monsters? I gently scraped a massive gouge on her back clean, feeling her muscles tremble under the cloth.
Likely. She gasped. Not toxic, far as I can tell. No changes to my insides or bloodflow. Aside from it spilling out.
It is directly counteracting the healing properties of the milk. I observed, growing more concerned by the moment. The towel I used to clean herrgest wound was already soaked through with blood and fluid, and I shouted at Artyom to get as many as he could from the house.
Fleshknitter! I bellowed as Artyom vanished into around the buildings corner.
No. Lerish snarled.
Why?
It physically pulls the flesh together.. She grunted in pain. Anything inside stays there.
Well, fuck.
This is going to be a long, painful process. I warned and dabbed at another wound. Hunched over lerishs back, I could see and feel the raw muscles move beneath my touch.
Dont care. She shivered. Need to get moving. Warned the camp. Dwarf from the party had teleported in not long before me, grabbed a horse and started riding. Going to find that fucking bushbeard and rip his head off.
They did it, Garek. The absolute imbeciles woke the dungeon. Theyre likely dead and the mess is firmly in ourp.
My hand froze mid-wipe.
Ish.
Dont know. Went in with them. I tried going in, but there were too many. Dungeon is huge. Slim chance shes still alive. Pray to every God out there that she is. If she isnt, there will be death aplenty.
My mind whirled now, only half aware as I cleaned the clear liquid from the huntresss wounds. Ish couldnt be gone. Not like this. Some cold, hard part told me that she hadnt survived. I refused to listen.
I should go. Up the mountain. Try to find her myself. I spoke abruptly.
No. The huntress grunted. Only get yourself killed. These things arent like any monster Ive seen. Giant. Nearly as tall as you. Fast. Powerful. ws go through butter like armor. There are thousands of them in that ce. Going in by yourself is suicide.
I threw away a soaked towel and grabbed another, hands trembling. I needed to do something, anything but sit here. Lerish drank more, her cleaned wounds beginning to heal at a cial pace.
The nk of metal began to sound in the distance, a cacophony that grew louder with every passing moment. As we watched, columns upon columns of soldiers under green banners came into view, marching up the mountain.
Barons Army. Come to contain this mess before the inevitable flood. Lerish grunted. The adventuring parties, yers, delvers, dungeonbreakers and the rest of their rabble wille soon enough. But until then, defences are needed.
Ishs parents. I asked quietly. Do they know?
I could feel Lerish grimace beneath my touch.
Yes. Tehalis is on a warpath right now. Shes out for blood. The dwarf should pray to every deity in existence that I find him before she does. The death I will give him will pale in brutalitypared to what she will do.
And the elf?
He was headed for the peak when I passed him by. Dont know much else.
Artyom carried another jar of milk over and sighed in relief as Lerish relieved him of its weight. The felinid staggered and sat back in the grass as the huntress began to drain this one as well. Her wounds were finally beginning to heal, and I had a significant pile of soaked rags and several empty jars to show for it. Beneath the blood, sweat and fluid, Lerishs scent was..gone.
The fact lingered in my mind only briefly as she coughed and spat up blood.
Not my own. She grunted. Swallowed some in the carnage.
Well that was reassuring.
You knew of the dungeon this entire time. I realized.
Yes. She grunted. And I did my damnest to keep it hidden, keep fools away. Entirely to prevent what has happened. What an absolutely amazing feeling it is to have years of work undone by some brainless imbecile rushing in without any idea as to what theyre about to unleash.
Thrones Above, I despise adventurers. She groaned.
In that moment, I truly shared her sentiment.
Slowly, surely, I got her stitched up, burning through my entire stockpile of milk in the process.
You know, luck smiled on you this day. I grunted.
A bold statement.
Luck, and my ownziness are why I even have all these on hand to heal you with. I noted with an inward shiver. I was going to sell my stock yesterday, but Ish leaving sapped my will to go up to the camp and hawk my wares.
Id thank the Gods Above, but my gratitude goes to you. She muttered. I came right here from the camp. Nothing I have at my lodge would have worked. Need to get some of your stock for myself.
Youll have to wait a while.
We have nothing but time. My advice, however? Get more cows and get more of those flowers yesterday. Youll soon have a veryrge market on hand. A flood of fresh bodies will swarm this area. Foolse in search of riches and levels. Might as well profit off their soon-to-be corpses.
A grim way of viewing this. I grimaced.
Realistic. She shrugged and winced in pain as I cleaned another gash.
Anything further was interrupted as both us took note of a massive, green form striding across my yeard, warpaint on her face and axe in either hand.
Book 1: Chapter 41: Tehalis Warborn.
Book 1: Chapter 41: Tehalis Warborn.
Cracked scars, fluid muscles, stalking forward on silent limbs, she approached. Sight of her shaved head, vibrant tatoos and distortions in the area around her triggered some faint recognition within Gareks mind.
A Wyld Orc.
Far from home, but never long from danger. Gol nestled his head between tworge paws and fell quiet, whimpers trailing off into silence. Artyom vanished as I stood, turned to face the enraged guest upon mynd.
You. Her voice was restrained, measured as she regarded Lerish.
Me. Lerish shot back, her mood soured even further.
You have failed, huntress. The calm voice that came and the angry face it emanated from could not be any different. With a grunt, I fully rose and stared down at the woman who had just stormed onto my farm. It did not require great breadths of knowledge to realize who she was, or why she was here. And yet, I realized Ish had never given me her mothers name.
Perhaps introductions are in order. I rumbled. I am Garek.
A weak name, for your kind. The orc smiled through bared fangs. Not Garek Bloodhewn, or Garek Skullcrusher?
I had several such names, I smiled thinly in return, and such was true. I chose to leave them behind.
I know of you, Came the taut reply. The one man whose praises by daughter would not stop singing of. I am Tehalis Warborn.
And we know each other. Lerish grunted, still hunched over in pain. Loosely.
And so we stood under the afternoons scorched heat, two friends and a mother, tenuously united by the same person.
Could I offer you a seat? I gestured towards and empty stump as the woman snorted.
No. I am here to find my girl, not pass idle conversation infort.
I could swear murder entered Lerishs eyes in that moment, only for her to choke it back down and remain calm.
Of course, I reassured her. Everyone here wants to find Ish.
Some more than others. I have need of you, minotaur. These adventurers my daughter was with. Tell me everything about them. Every small detail.
I did so, to the best of my ability as I continued to clean Lerishs wounds. The glowering huntress sat quiet throughout, her body twitching on asion as I dabbed at exposed muscle and nerves.
A tiefling, an elf and a dwarf. Tehalis grunted, restlessly running her thumb along an axede. The camp says only the dwarf survived.
Do you n to find him? I questioned, handing Lerish another small cup of milk to drink.
The orc stared at me long and hard before she replied, venom in her tone.
I love my daughter very much, but I am no fool. No one touches dwarves. So it is written in the great book of wrongs beneath the Far Peaks.
She spoke the words, yet all could hear her tone was not sincere.
There is..a price to pay. For harming a dwarf. Any dwarf. Lerish grunted. Even the outcasts.
For my girl, there is no sum too small. Tehalis spoke, her eyes nk.
I could perhaps offer some gold. I suggested, only to be me with a raucousugh from the orc.
The price is not of gold, but blood. What use have the Underdarks masters of a few golden coin when they sit upon the hoards of dragons in, at the worlds wealth theirs?
We left it at that.
The dungeons itself? I asked. Last I know, Ish was somewhere inside.
A mess. My husband will restructure the rubble. It must be sealed until proper defences are prepared.
With Ish inside. Lerish spoke, her voice t, devoid of any emotion.
That provoked something in Tehalis. The tall, imperious orc red for just a moment, blood in her eyes, crimson spirits drifting around her. For an instant, I could see wrath and wroth approach, saw her want tosh out and hurt the huntress. A hand instinctively gripped at my missing ymore as I prepared for bloodshed.
Quickly, quietly, the moment passed. Her scent faded back to a still calm, and the spirits faded away.
I love my daughter as much as a mother possibly can, Came the low, serious growl. But I will not be held to the deaths of hundreds, thousands if that dungeon breaks free. I will not be the one to bathe thisnd in blood if that evil wrenches free of its shackles.
Once the humans have prepared as best they can, and only then will the entrance be opened.
Ish aside, why not entomb it forever?
And allow the dungeon to grow and expand uncontested until it isrge enough to swallow thend whole? There was derision in her tone now. It must be dealt with. We had known there was a dungeon that slept at the peak, but had no idea of its true scope. An abandoned, sleeping infant, or so we thought. Neither of us went near it, lest our very presence cause it to stir.
She stared tly at Lerish now.
Instead, there was a guardian. One meant to keep intruders away. One that failed.
And what now? I asked, still working away at Lerish.
Nothing. We let the humans continue their preparations. Stay here. Farm. Enjoy your peace while itsts. But when the time is right, I will return and ask you to join us as we plunge into the dungeons guts and rip the life out of it.
A few days ago, I would have refused. Told her I was but a farmer who wanted to peaceful life, though the world nned otherwise.
Now, I was not so sure.
Wander in wisdom. She spoke curtly. I have found what I came for.
She paused for a moment, half turned away.
I am told you have..milk capable of healing most wounds. Tehalis spoke after a moment. I would like to see it.
Artyom appeared from behind Gol as she spoke those words, and I nodded to him. A cup was drawn up and given to the orc. She sniffed at it, dipped a finger in and tasted a dollop. The paint on her face seemed to move and flow as she stood still, having consumed some of the milk.
Power pervades this liquid. Divine might came to seal the flesh and heal all. Yet I cannot tell what deity it is drawn from. Curious.
With that, she handed the cup back to Artyom, turned and strode away.
Leaving us to sit in silence. Only when she had left did Lerish speak.
Heal me, Garek. Fast. My hunt continues.
The dwarf. She seemed to think even touching him is a bad idea. I grunted and began to clean what small wounds remained. Lerishs back, arms and front were a mass of barely healed flesh, still stained with dried blood. Her clothes were ragged, almost shredded. One could see that she cared little for that.
Is. Horrible idea. She grunted. Anyone asks, you had nothing to do with it. A price will be exacted, but they will not find me wanting.
I did not press further, only did what I could as a friend and quietly mended her back to full.
He took a horsest night. From the camp. Will already have been riding hard. Have a long road, long hunt ahead of me. But I will find him. Rip the beard hairs from his face. Tear the flesh off his skin. Make him tell me.
About Ish?
That. Where they came from. Who told him about this ce.
I had onest gift for Lerish, then.
In that corral is a horse. I grunted and pointed, bloodstained rag in hand. Take it, and ride like the wind. I have saddlebags and all the necessary bits in the shed.
The huntress staggered upright, her one good eye focused on me.
Thank you. Was all she spoke, then turned and bounded towards the herd where the horse grazed. I told Artyom to clean the mess up here and strode towards the storage shed to retrieve a saddle and reins for her. It smelled vaguely of dust as I wrenched open the door, carefully moved around empty pots and chillvines, then stooped to one of the saddles.
I should have checked these a while ago, I remembered. But it had always slipped my mind.
Now, I hauled up a pair of saddlebags, open them up and rummaged inside. Dried venison, a scribbled map, a small pouch with coins, a pair of hide gloves meant for human hands were what remained of a dead mans possessions. I found no sign of Ironmoors green livery within.
What instead was found was a scroll that denoted the man was to be paid his weekly sum from the Hullbretch Watch.
This man had been a member of the town guard.
Something I would have known all along if I had bothered to examine these earlier.
With a frown of abject disgust, I emptied the saddle bags onto the ground, grabbed the saddle itself with one hand, the reins in the other and hauled everything back out.
Lerish approached, horse led by its mane. That got a raised eyebrow from me, but the poor thing stayed right where it was once she let go.
Its gained some weight. I noticed with a wince. Hasnt been ridden or exercised in some time. Dont run it into the ground, okay?
Will try. No promises. She grunted and took the saddle from me. She tossed it over and began to fasten the underside with quick, smooth movements. The creature bucked against the bit going into its mouth, but froze when the huntress snarled at it. After a tense moment, it timidly opened its mouth and let the bit slide past its teeth, then stayed in ce as she fastened the reins.
Something about the huntress scared the horse, I could tell. Frightened the beast past the point of bolting away and right into submission. Its scent was terrified.
Best of luck on your hunt. I spoke quietly. Come back in one piece.
An empty eye socket stared at me, then bobbed as she nodded.
I will find her. If that dwarf could teleport out, he can teleport back in. Wether or not he wants to.
With that, she flicked the reins, dug in her heels and galloped off. Once again, I was left in silence, my thoughts to keep mepany.
Ish was alive, somewhere out there. She had to be. I did not want to imagine a world where such a bright, brilliant soul could be snuffed out in the blink of an eye.
I should have discouraged her from going. Should have trained her with sparring at least. Instead, I had been so focused on the dream of me avoiding bloodshed that I had neglected her.
Could have, Should have, Would have.
Useless phrases to wish for empty things. The time woulde when I would delve into the dungeon proper. When I would take up the de once more to strike down danger before it could rise up to strike down those I cared for.
I had been toote for Ish.
But that would not happen again. Once more I was left with my thoughts, a host of revtions in mind as I stared out over crops that would soon be harvested, nts to be examined and cared for. And beneath it all, tunnels filled with ancient monsters that I would soon whet by de upon.
So much for the quiet life.
Not a Chapter: Fanart contest.
Not a Chapter: Fanart contest.
Hey hey people, Exe here. It is my given duty to announce the fanart contest currently being hosted over on the discord to the public as well.
Time limit: 2 weeks.
AI usage for pictures is strictly disallowed, and I WILL be sending them to people who have daily expeience with art-AIs to test them.
Objective: Create fanart of Valencia, Le''rish or Ish. Alternatively, bestest chad Raffnyk. Really, any character or scene of choice works.
First ce winner: gets 100$ CAD transfered through PayPal and 3 months of advance chapters at the same rate as the 10$ Patreons.
Second ce winner: Gets 50$ CAD, same transfer methods as above and 2 months of advance chapters.
Third ce runner-up: Gets 25$ CAD, 1 month of advance chapters.
Any other runner-ups: Everyone who participates gets a discord role, advance chapters and publics links to their relevant artstations disyed.
Will slot in links to the discord below for those who are interested in joining and showing off their skills.
Casual not-a Chapter.
Casual not-a Chapter.
Sup Roadians. Don''t mind this, this is for another audience.
To all the folks reading this over on Randobes: Sup? I''ve known about that site for a while, and even read through thements on the chapters and story now and then. Just a few quick things to toss at you.
OMP is posted on Ranob without my knowledge or permission. It is scraped off RR where it exists in English form and posted to the site while cutting out all the author''s notes, links and etc etc. That means it actually blocks you from essing more content like the discord and other important announcements like the uing audiobook done by the wonderful folks at Podium Audio.
RR is also where I interact with most of mymunity, and with randobes scraping system, it doesn''t update for grammar fixes and edits.
Now tbh I wouldn''t have much of a problem with my work being reposted on other sites if it had been done with my permission, but it''s being hosted without my knowledge or consent, with all my author''s notes neatly trimmed and blocked off. The aim of Ranobes is to keep you ON randobes, not on sites where you can interact with the author or theirmunities directly. Many of the novels are not tranted, but are actually in English, seeing as they were written in thatnguage.
Unlike what Ranobes ims, there are not "100+ chapters written" so to the folks who are asking where they can read the RAW chapters: There are none. I post on RR directly. There is no trantion involved.
If you want to interact with themunity directly, ess the discord and other relevant ces, hop over to RoyalRoad and have a look around.
Book 1: Chapter 42: The Mimicseed.
Book 1: Chapter 42: The Mimicseed.
Life continued on. Despite my worries, despite my fears for Ishs safety, the world did not stop for me. Night passed into day, and I found myself tired, distracted while I worked. A night of twists and turns had done little for my wellbeing and mental energy, and now I gazed at my half-finished home and groaned inside,
So much remained to be done, and I distinctly was not at all willing to continue on. The walls had beenin, formed to be a proper lodge of notched logs atop each other, cut from thergest, longest trees I could find. With a sigh, I shook my head, sniffed at the wet, cloudy morning and got to work. Wether or not I liked it, it had to be done.
Harvest nipped at my heels, and it was necessary for me to vacate the old home and move into her so I could have a ce to process the crops before they would be stored in this houses cer. Having lent my horse to Lerish, any trips to sell nt parts and other goods would have to be made by the strength of my own back.
The huntress had also all but depleted my reserves of milk, and with theing influx of bodies on the horizon, the prospect of profit demanded more. Once she had returned, I would ask her for the location of this farmer these cows were from and wrangle more back myself. The bare minimum done for myself to consider this an eptable day, I turned and instead directed my attention to the fields.
Past the ripened crops, the birds that circled warily above and mice that crept below. Onto my monstrous nts. They were fattened now,rge and above all else, dangerous. I had forbidden Artyom from being close to them, for his own safety. The stalks from which I had harvested biter pods wer thick and engorged, birthing new pods from veiny vines.
I bent to examine these half-grown podlings, and found them aboust as expected. Tiny, only partially developed. Their thirst would emerge soon enough.
Every time I approached the metallic burstbombs warranted more and more caution. For the sake of ensuring rtive safety and not random violent demises delivered to anything in theimmediate area, I no longer approached without a full bag of sleep spores. Every slow movement was an agony to me as I inched closer to the trembling growths and dusted their surfaces with the powder.
Slowly, quietly, their trembling ceased, and I could harvest several more. Carefully packed into bags filled with spores, they uneasily slept, their raw explosive energy barely contained.
The others needed a much lesser level of caution when handled, but some was still required. Without Ishs help, the entire process ate through the afternoon, until the final far of freshly-harvested acid was safely tucked away.
Now, my expirements could begin.
Try as I might, I could not summon any excitement. Ish was not here with her usual lop-sided grin and words of encouragement. I know not if she was even alive. Now, I could do little but wait for the call that this dungeons entrance had been opened and that the search could start.
There remained one particr experiment I wanted to perform. The mimicseed I had tested on living persons, inanimate objects, and the like, but there was one venue that I had not yet touched upon.
Various bags of harvested nts in either hand, I nodded farewell to Artyom, told him to keep Gol on the yard and set off for a secluded ce. Where, I hoped, the carnage would be minimal. A clearing in the dense forest yielded itself some time after. With careful touches, I pulled free one of each specimen at a time.
For this, I did not want my essence copied by the mimicseeds, so I brought forth an entire vine. Held by its stalk, it was navigated to hover above a drowsy burstbomb. A gentle brush against the metallic surface was all a lone seed needed to peel open, attach itself, and gain a quivering metallic appearance.
Carefully plucked from the vines, it seemed in every way a miniature burstbomb. Size, shape, and even the same quivering energy. A cautious flick revealed it held none of the originals explosive energy, however.
I had suspected this when it mimicked the cleric-shines energy and radiance, yet offered no healing effect. There remained one other wild possibility I wanted to explore, however.
The first mimicseed lost among the undergrowth, I touched another pale fruit to the slumbering burstbomb, waited for it to absorb its properties and then brought it over to my other specimen. The biterpod.
Its fleshy, toothy surface swelled as the mimicseedtched on. As I watched, the metallic features flowed from the seed into the biterpod. It transformed before my eyes, bing erged, hardened and shaking. Now for the test.
Breath held in trepidation, I tossed the newly created amalgamation into the air, followed its arc and blinked as it burst through the air and shredded through the nearest tree. A mad flurry of teeth and steel were all I caught as wood flew through the air. It struck the ground, cratered the soil and burst from the ground once more, aimed at something deeper in the woods. A shrilled scream rose and died off, followed by the sounds of crunched bones and the wet squishes of torn meat. All in the space of several heartbeats. More followed, and I found a trail of destruction as I cautiously followed the hybrids frenzy.
Shattered trees, the torn corpse of a mossdear and more awaited me as I approached the final crater. They newly borne hybridy lifeless, its life spent in an uncontrolled frenzy of decimation and destruction.
More than just the physical characteristics, the mimicseed had fused the burstbombs short, explosive life with the biterpods insatiable hunger to propel it far further than it previously ever could have, I realized. A wince writ upon my face, I gazed back at the sheer destruction wrought by an organism unconcerned with its own life or safety. We had stepped from the realm of mildly dangerous to a true terror in the wrong hands.
Were I wholly an ethical person, I would have given this up buried these experiments far from the light of day.
I was not.
Curiosity, hunger for knowledgepelled me onwards, and I answered the call.
In that moment, I realized a glimpse as to why mad scientists even existed, although I tried to convince myself I would never go that far.
A beautiful lie. But one I would hold onto nheless.
I retrieved the amalgamations empty husk, not wanting to leave it out here in case something were to happen. No sooner had I tucked it away than my attention turned to another.
The mimicseed was fully capable of transferring one essence to the next. Now, what if I preformed the same process but in reverse?
The biterpod wriggled between pinger fingers as I dipped the stalk of mimicseeds down to meet it. One pale fruit touched, and learned the wonders of dental hygiene. I was truly a revolutionary with all the concepts I introduced to this world, to pat myself upon the back. Unlike the now re-sedated pod, the mimicking did not bulge and struggle with hunger, but stayed dormant.
A state thatsted all of several moments as I dipped it towards another fresh burstbomb. A screech of metal ripped through the air as the iron ball suddenly found itself in possession of a gaping, teeth filled visage, coupled by a void of hunger within.
It sprang from my grasp, and All I saw was an approaching iron meteor headed right for my skull. Instinct led me to duck as it rocketed past overhead.
Right into my horns
Steel teethtched on to my right horn, gnawing and chewing at the hard, massive growth. And worse, chipping away at it. All thoughts of scientific pursuit abandoned, I bellowed and threw my head around in attempt to dislodge it.
It held fast, grinding away at my horn. Slowly shredding through.
A fast, wild swing connected the horn to a massive tree as I threw my body around. A sharp twinge ran through my skull as the horn ripped through ancient wood, ttening the ball of steel, hate and hunger.
Or so I thought.
It clung still as the horn emerged from the tree, ttened, leaking, and battered, determined to never let go.
Another bellow and vicious rear of my head tossed it skyward. With thest of its life, the hybrid defied gravity, reversed itself, and shot back down towards me, maw stretched wide open.
And impaled itself right on the horns sharpened tip. Such was the force at which it came that its body only stopped halfway down the horn, nearly split in twain.
All of this happened in the space of several heartbeats.
This was onebination I would not recreate under any circumstances, I vowed to myself. Grimace on my face, I felt at the jagged grooves in my otherwise untarnished horns where the teeth had shorn through. A reminder for myself, and my future ambitions.
Both variations had been relentless, exerting themselves right up until they violently perished. The burstbombs explosive potentialbined with the biterpods relentless hunger should have been a predictable oue.
If I did not know before, I could no longer im ignorance as an excuse.
Cautious further experiments showed my own essence, although copied by the mimicseed on a direct touch, could not be transferred to the nts. And with that concluded, I gathered everything back, heaved up the broken mossdear corpse and trecked back home.
Thick and dense though the undergrowth was, I had some sense of smell to guide me through the otherwise pathless forest. The trees faded away, and I found myself uphill from my farm, gazing out over what was mine. It seemed idyl at this moment, a picture of tranquility. But I knew that it was a fragile peace I maintained, one that could be shattered at any moment by the world of dangers upon my doorstep.
Blood leaked and dripped behind me as I walked, corpse slung over my shoulder. But it was not for meat I was concerned.
The cleric-shines lonely blood grew amidst dried puddles of blood, its plucked leaves rapidly regrowing as it sucked nutrients from the stained soil. It stood alone, as I had been unable to duplicate it. Insofar, I had been unable to find any seeds on the nt itself, but I would keep trying.
For now, I tossed the corpse into the dirt next to the nt to let it bleed out and feed the flower.
After a long day, I was tired, bloody and matted by dirt and sweat. A bath was in order. Fresh clothes grabbed from the house, I stopped and looked at Artyom dejectedly sitting atop Gol. The felinid was staring up the road, his ears drooped and tail lifeless. A small pang went through my body as I observed his sadness. I wasnt the only one who missed Ish, and burying ourselves in work hadnt paid off for either of us.
Shell be alright. I tried to convince him, but whatever facade of courage I mustered was revealed by the tired tone of my voice.
Thats what I want to believe, yes-yes. He muttered. Annoying orc brat. Free from her torment. Not here to bother me, no-no.
There was little I could do to lighten his dejected tone, but still i tried.
Go get yourself some milk. I suggested. Wth my permission.
No." He simply replied. Bad for me. We know this both. Stupid to bury myself in addiction and hope for better times-times.
I respected that decision. With a nod, I trudged off, intent on thoroughly cleansing myself. The water proved lukewarm, and was soon filled with dirt, loose hair and blood. All which would soon be washed down to water my crops. A small whisper that no matter what hardship I endured, the world marched ever onwards.
It was sometimeter that I sat beneath the massive tree and watched the sunset, my mood pensive, a litntern bobbing by my side. I did not know fully what that moment signified, but at the time I was entranced by the image of a small, warm light shining into the darkness, faintly bobbing on the wind.
Book 1: Chapter 43: Beyond All reason.
Book 1: Chapter 43: Beyond All reason.
Inaction was the slow death. Unforseen, unforgiving.
This, I pondered as I awoke to a new dawn. My chores passed in a tired haze as I felt the affects of yet another sleepless night. Worry clouded my thoughts, ate away at the fringes of my mind. Gnawed and chewed till I could stand it no longer. With a grunt, I poured the pails of milk into cooled, vine-wrapped jars, mmed down the empty metal and decided to go and do something about all this.
I bellowed for Artyom, told him to look after the farm and feed Gol. ymore at my belt, armor secured and my few remaining sks of healing milk on hand, I set out for the mountains peak. Just like that. A decision made like a snap, yes. But I could stand the worry no longer. The uncertainty that came with trying to bury myself in work and experiments. The vain hope that all would be alright.
I refused to just sit here and not be a part of rescuing Ish, if she was still alive. Tehalis had told me to wait until they were ready. Well, I was going to elerate that readiness.
A mountain d in steel strode up the path as the sun began to clear the horizon to my side. The roady bare with none to cross my path. Save one.
Deep was the shout that echoed from behind me, a greeting from one traveler to another. I turned and observed a man who seemed wholly unfamiliar. A human casually strolled towards me, a rogueish smile upon his face. An unbuttoned shirt made of fine material was what I first saw, backed by a pearly smile, dark stubble and slicked-back hair. A rapier hung alongside red pants. Something one would expect from a nobles court, not traversing towards immin danger.
Greetings. The man hailed enthusiastically. A tone I did not return. Merely a ruble of acknowledgement.
Tiredness still pulled at my eyes, sunken as they were beneath the helm I now wore.
Forgive me for staring, but I have not seen one of your kind in so long, let along this deep in humannds! He beamed, eyeing me up and down.
Now you have. I grunted. What do you want?
This. he pondered. This is an opportunity.
It was only now that I noticed a wrongness about this man. The smell of blood loosely sttered about his clothes. A gleam in his eyes. He walked like a cat, strung tight and ready to pounce.
The Gods Above must truly love me, if they have given me this unique chance, He rambled on as I cautiously eyed him up and down. To not leap at it would be to spit in their faces.
There was a hidden dirtiness to his clothes. The sign of a man who was constantly on the move, without a stop to wash or clean. I had been that way, once. But this did not stir empathy in me. The opposite, in fact.
Be on your way. I rumbled, eyes narrowed.
Tell me, minotaur. Do you consider yourself a religious man? Do you fear the Gods Above, give thanks that they let you live another day, so you may have met me?
They exist. But I do not fear them. What use is fear when they will do as they want?
Early morning theology was not among my strong suits. Before I hade here, the idea of actual deities roaming the skies above and watching the world seemed foreign to me. Here, it was an everyday thing. Even Garek had memories of having once seen one of them descend in the distance, albeit opposite a battlefield to him.
On this day, they have put you before me. And I give thanks for this feast.
The space between heartbeats passed as the words slithered into my ears, struck my brain and screamed danger. A blur streaked towards me, de shed up and aimed at my throat. Wouldnt draw the ymore in time. A fist encased in metal swung around and struck the madman across the chest.
Felt like striking a feather. The man twisted beneath the blow, thrown aside by sheer force. Tumbled through the air andnded upon his feet. A bloody, vicious smile upon his features. The stench of bloodlust filled my nostrils now. He and I both drew something at the same time. Mine, a ymore. His, a blurry shape I recognized toote.
Crossbow.
The string twanged and bolt raced across the open space. Right at my eyes. A vioent twist of my head and it nced off my helm instead. Barely phased by the impact, I closed the distance with long strides. Ready to kill. Peace only went so far when some lunatic attacked me.
You will be my next breakthrough! The push I need for the next level! Heughed and danced backwards, a blue blur pulled from somewhere. A crystal, my vision found. It shattered beneath the mans grip as he squeezed, a loud and pure sound.
Blue sprung into existence round his form, and I blinked in confusion as the man seemed to stretch. An after and beforeimage seemed the only exnation. He lunged again, even faster. A b of iron I called a sword swung to meet him and cleaved through the man.
A doppelganger, I found. The second image stepped over the firsts corpse and thrust a gleaming rapied at my face. Alreadymitted to my swing, I could not pull back as the de neared my face. I stumbled forward instead and took it to the chest. It pierced my armor and flesh with ease,ncing through my hide to the flesh, muscle and precious insides beneath.
With a bellow of pain, I swung aside, weapon buried deep within me and ripped the hilt from his grasp. The mans sword firmly embedded in my flesh, I continued momentum, dragged the ymore along the ground and twisted with all my might to cleave a massive moon of steel around me.
He rolled beneath the blow, then froze as I bellowed and called Cloven Crash. Again, he faded backwards, a ghost of himself left frozen as my de split it in twain. Then staggered and clutched a gaping hole in his chest as Blood for blood found him.
Hate and rage flowed through my veins like poison now. An acid that burned at my soul, made it so much more satisfying when the physical force of Scream of Fury knocked the man backwards. Lean arms fumbled at pockets and more crystals were flung at me. Explosions of light and sound did little as my already poor vision blinded. Yet I stomped forward, firmly on the mans bloodstained scent.
I felt the rapier rip itself from my shoulder as my vision cleared. Some sort of recall skill. One metal-d handtched onto the de and I ripped it from the sky as hot fury snorted itself from my nostrils.
Not today.
Another roar made the man flinch, ever so slightly. His pull faded for an instant, and just like that I hauled the weapon back, leveraged it against the ymores de and snapped it in twain.
I recognized the red fluid of a feshknitter as the man jumped backwards, lifesblood spilled from his body. He swallowed, staggered and then roared with bloodshot eyes as the wound began to close. Far faster than any other I had seen. Pain entered his scent now as he yanked free more crystals. More afterimages. A spectral whip of des formed in three separate grasps. The world blurred, trees reced by an azure sphere that surrounded us.
But I was not trapped in this ce with him. Quite the opposite.
His whip did not have the piercing strength of the shattered rapier. Instead, I let it skid off my armor, blue streaks of frost left behind despite the sheer heat. A brutal dance of his retreat and my advance ensued now as I stomped ever forward, shredding through doppelgangers one bellow at a time.
Cloven Crash proved its worth a dozen times over in the span of a minute. For all his speed, I only needed to lock them down one at a time. A swing did the rest. The has tiredness on the mans face as he approached the asuze globes wall and slipped through. I crashed into it secondter and found myself halted.
Not for long. Reckless Charge gave my speed, grinded my body against the hardened wall until it shattered around me. I burst from the bubble, eyes locked on my attacker, filled to the brim with murder and rage. Ance of force appeared before my eyes and mmed into my face before I could do more than blink. A blow to kill another man.
Not me.
To another, this man would have been a monster. An oppressive force, with Skills and relics to kill them with contemptous ease. I had beenw arned of his ilk. Grinders, or so Raffnyk had named them. Thatmuch I could piece together. Shells of men who saw others as nothing more than more levels. Scum. Ruthless. Dangerous. Prepared to kill.
To me, he was naught but a conduit upon which to vent my rage. It crossed my mind that nothing sorge should move this fast as I barreled towards the man, shrugging offnce afternce of azure force hurled at me. My armor chilled and cracked on impact, cold to the touch.
I drew near and looked my attacker in the eyes. Eyes that swelled and glowed brilliant blue, followed by his skin doing the same. Shockwaves of force hurled me through the air as all turned briint blue. The explosion ripped through the still morning, trees toppled and earth sloughed outwards by pure power as the hand of a titan batted me through the air. I struck a tree, broke it in twain and kept going.
Ironhide likely saved me, brought up right before detonation. I struck the earth, went through the base of another tree and cratered through the dirt. Fury ripped itself from my lungs and hands trembled with anger as I seized the ground and hauled myself upright. My ymore was somehow still within my hand. Eyes bloodshot, temples pounding and breathing in heaves, I charged through the undergrowth. Without sight, I relied on scent.
It did not fail me.
Trees fell away around me as I emerged back onto the road, blinded by hatred and driven by sheer berserk fury. A massive crater was now in ce of the road, and in its center tottered the madman who had started it all.
Hooves ripped free dirt as I charged through the crater, and for the first time, fear entered his scent.
I watched it dawn in his eyes as I bore down on him, ymore over my shoulder.
The end was here, and he had brought it to his door. Eyes widened, mouth moved to say something.
Rot. Came the snarl from my lips as the de descended like a steel meteor.
I watched the light leave his eyes, and found myselfsatisfied as he died.
At then I was left empty, standing there in dirt, blood and cold all around me. Death hade to visit me this day, and had not found me wanting. And above all else, showed me that it did not wait for a time when a man was ready. That it coulde on the most peaceful mornings. My breath trembled as the wroth and wrath let slip their grasp, and I found myself seated in the dirt, gazed up at the sky, wondering what god I had offended to start my day out with such carnage.
Book 1: Chapter 44: Beyond All Reason II
Book 1: Chapter 44: Beyond All Reason II
There was only mild interest as I lumbered into the Verdant dawns camp, nearly bissected body slung over my shoulder and covered in blood. Many gazes turned to me, only a few stayed. Movement flowed all around me, headed in random directions as armored figures swarmed like ants. Uneasy gaps were left between the green liveries of the barons men and the many-coloured mercenaries of the Verdant Dawn. Tensions sickly sweet scent poked through the odour of blood that engulfed my form, in part due to my own wounds.
Mostly contributed by the cadaver over my shoulder.
I passed vaguely familiar faces as I stomped through the camp, searching for theirmander. People who had perhaps introduced themselves to me, but whos names I had forgotten. Their faces however, those I remembered.
The spunky woman who had brashly told me to slow down with the walls stood off to the side, a lone still figure in a sea of constant movement. Her arms crossed, she regarded me with a hidden expression. People parted before me on the merit of my size alone, yet few bothered to stare.
I had just carried a dead body into this camp, and nobody could be bothered to care.
Raffnyks eyebrows raised and he grunted a greeting as I dumped the carcass before him. The mans helmet was sitting lopsided on a table, serving its grand purpose as a paperweight. One hand rose to greet me, a feeble gesture from an otherwise slumped posture.
I would inquire where that corpse was made, he grunted and waved around. But you can see that I have other matters at the forefront of my limited attention.
Good morning to you too. I picked up a full cup of liquid, smelled wakebrew gone cold and handed it to him. The man sighed, looked at it with loathing writ on his face and drained it all with a single gulp.
Any more of that vile shitewater and Im going to throw up. There is also the distinct possibility my heart will explode.
I believed that. Any more color, and his eyes would be crimson instead of just bloodshot.
Coincidentally, I grunted and looked around. When was thest time you slept.
There was a pause in movement, halfway through the task of turning over another page, quill frozen in midair.
That is a splendid question.
There was no further answer, only the sound of paper nearly being stabbed through as his hand descended.
Sometime before that dwarf teleported in, screamed about an awakened dungeon, stole a horse and fled.
And then disaster saw fit to visit its presence upon me once more. Apex at the peak. Dungeon entrance revealed and promptly half-buried, monsters getting out. Abominations. Elfs up there right now, reshaping thendscape so we can erect proper defenses and attempt to entrap whatever spills out. Worst is yet toe.
He spoke in a fast, blunt tone, little emotion in his words.
Laughed when that tiefling told us there was a dungeon up the slope. No merriment about it now.
He finally took some interest in the corpse at my feet and leaned forward for a better view.
Anyone Id know?
With a sigh and a seat taken on a very flimsy chair, I ryed the ambush and following events as best I could. Raffnyk listened diligently throughout, scribbling words on a fresh sheet of parchment as I talked. Eventually, words ended as I reach the conclusion of my recollection. He nodded, half-stood and spat at the corpse.
To the pits with him and all his ilk. Scum. Tired as he was, there was venom in the otherwise friendly mans voice.
Word of the dungeon spread this quickly? I grunted.
Possible. But this isnt right next to some bustling city. Could be he was nearby and heard. He paused again and red tly at the corpse. Could be he was on his way to this camp to try his luck on us. Fate is never certain in the presence of these lunatics.
Keep whatever armaments and relics there are on this body. The kill was yours, and the world is better for it. No one will dispute it.
You just believe me?
A sigh dragged itself from Raffnyks throat as he flipped over a stack of paper and revealed a rounded stone beneath. It glowed with a soft viridian sheen. Beautiful as it was, I could not see how it was relevant to the situation.
Truthseer stone. he grunted. Ive dealt with so much possible deceit, lies of omission, false promises and other forms of hogwash that Ive given up on otherwise guaging the truth and its nuances. Any official or person in ce of importance will have one of these discreetly tucked away. The presence of lies causes it to fade and die. What I know of you aside, this is the brightest its been in the past several days.
Well that exined several things.
Understand that perhaps this is perhaps the best news I have received all day. That and not having to deal with that blood-thirsty monstress Ironmoor keeps in his employ. Insofar, she has been mercifully absent from all these proceedings and I am instead dealing with his slightly less arrogant guard-captains.
He gestured, and my gaze followed his hand. Outside the camp, soldiers were hewing down tress en masse, all headed up the mountainside. Teams of horses carted lumber, and where they were not enough, the soldiers did it themselves.
We require walls. Stakes. Trenches. Pits. Traps. The entire area around the dungeons maw must be sealed off, fenced in and watched at all times. The bulk of our forces will be moved up the mountain to be stationed on full guard.
He gestured back into the camp, and I watched heavily armored and armed groups moving in and out of the open gates.
As we speak, all of my killteams are conducting wide-scale operations on and around the peak. With the Apex mercifully absent after fleeing the dungeon, we must scour the area of all monstrous life. With the dungeons threat, there can be no other distractions.
He slumped back, sweat wiped off his face as the afternoon sun broiled down.
And here I endure. Endless reports, paperwork, reassurances to superiors, gauging our inventory, ordering fresh supplies, requesting help from adjacent orders, trying to find godssted healing supplies anywhere, gathering provisions, trying to find cksmiths to move here so I might repair weapons and armor for my men and women. Sending letters begging for more coin before we run dry.
He stopped halfway through a sentence and looked up at me.
Healing. His tone became somewhat excited. That milk you sold to my troops. That could heal wounds. Ill take your entire stock and every ounce you can give me. Now. Double anyone elses offer.
I winced at that.
I am, unfortunately, currently dry. Used it all.
The hope left his face and some vestige of buried emotion crept up as Raffnyk struggled to control himself.
I can, however, produce more at a consistent rate. I reassured him. The human grunted, pulled a bag of coins from beneath the table and slid them across to me.
Down payment. Get me as much as you can, as soon as possible. I have more faith in you than that wretched alchemist.
Alchemist? I queried, and followed a quivering finger towards arge tent halfway across the camp.
Forgot his name. Some royal alchemist of other balderdash from Hullbretch. Promised me as many Fleshknitters as I could I pay for, hasnt produced anything yet. I swear on Iyiss benevolent name that if cannot bring me results soon Ill have him driven up the mountain buck naked and covered in tar.
That was a harsh promise, but I knew Raffnyk to be a man of his word, for better or worse.
I will go see if I cannot help resolve this issue. I promised and stood. Raffnyk thanked me, then nced between me and the body lying before his table.
Id offer you a bag to carry that, but we are also in perilously short supply of those. Leave him here, and Ill have on of mine strip the goods from him and bundle them up for your convenience.
With a nod of thanks in return, I lumbered across the camp, eyes locked on therge grey tent he had indicated. A small, bald man who I recognized as the resident alchemist of Hullbretch was within, in an argument with a muchrger, burlier man I assumed was said quartermaster. Try as I might, I could not remember his name, so I simply skirted around that issue.
A hand pped on the mans shoulder caused him to startle as I gazed down at him.
We meet again. I rumbled as his irritability turned to fright and back to relief.
Gods Above, you are the face I had hoped to see!
Minotaur. The quartermaster grunted from behind folded arms. I had never met the man, but it seemed my reputation preceded me. Or the man had simply made a very astute observation as to my species.
What troubles are present here?
The short man threw his arms up in frustration as he began to recount to me all his woes, his ideas on how proper supply chains should be run, andck of any potential ingredients or regents for him to create fleshknitters with.
Through it all, the quartermaster simply shrugged, his face set in stone and expression disinterested.
And what do you need to rectify this issue? I cut him off midway through another rant. Rather than expound upon your woes and how they affect your life, propose to me a solution.
Well, I was just getting to that, He huffed. But that acid you sold to me. Wonderous thing. With the proper tools, I could extract and make several more batches of fleshknitter drafts from itspounds.
So you need more of it?
Well, yes. But I imagine something in that stock must be exceptionally rare and difficult to acquire. It was extracted from monsters, was it not?
Lets go with that. I nodded. I may perhaps have more on hand, and a way to produce even more in the future.
The gods Above Ill take all that you can give me! He all but crowed.
...Today, perhaps? He continued.
Fine. I grunted. Have the coin ready upon my return.
Problem resolved, I turned and strode back to Raffnyk. True to his word, there was a sack that shifted and nked next to a half-naked corpse upon my return. Efficient.
The loot is yours. he grunted after I had exined his supply issue could be rectified soon. Well, one of them. I would chat for a while longer, but I have so much on my te, and this mess has only yet begun.
I pitied him, I really did. But no force between heaven and earth could make me take his ce. With a farewell, I took my bag and set off.
Not a dozen steps had passed when someone yelled at me.
Minotaur! The orc I remembered as Stonefang beckoned me closer. He reeked of blood, sweat and tiredness as I approached. Open wounds glistened sickeningly over his wound as he stood, leaned against a wooden post.
Money to be made for one of your talents. he grunted as I drew near. Killteams would be d to have one of your kind among their ranks right now.
He spoke true. Battle was Gareks element. The heat ofbat, the thrill of ughter. I suspected the coin would be secondary in motivation if the old soul was still within this body.
But not mine. I sadly shook my head, told him I had other things to take care and set off back down the mountain, his eyes on my back until I had left the camp.
Book 1: Chapter 45: Beyond All Reason III
Book 1: Chapter 45: Beyond All Reason III
For once, I was thankful that nothing of great import urred in the time it took me to deliver a load of bottled acid up the mountain. Once the viscous liquid was firmly the alchemists problem, I made my way back home, considerably richer in terms of coin. With the sun dipping towards its afternoon slouch, I sat the cart back down and pondered what would happen next.
It was..inconvenient, to say the least. The first harvest loomed ever closer, the crops ripe and ready to be taken off. But once that was done, what would I nt in return? I had taken thest stock of seeds from Hullbretch, and unless there were others with Skills like mine that elerated the growth cycle, my pickings would be slim indeed.
The crops I had nted were not entirely optimal either. Having discussed prices and the like with Ish, I hade to conclude that they could instead be channeled back into my farm. My original n had been to sell the crops for profit. This had changed.
I leaned against the fence and gazed into the pasture as Gol approached and pressed his head into my side. The big burly beast was well-fed and cid. Slow and lumbering, not unlike the bears he resembled. But I knew all too well what lurked beneath that exterior, had seen firsthand how terrifying those creatures could be when spurred on by hunger.
It raised an interesting question. How and why were several of the animals here loosely simr to those back home?
While I had no concrete answer or even a theory, I did possess multitudes of questions. Queries for another time. For now, I simply stroked thezy goofs head and surveyed my fields. Large as the pasture was, the cows kept it under steady pressure. The growth of grass kept up to their needs, but just barely. My eyes wandered over sections gnawed down to the ground, yet I knew it would rapidly regrow and sprout with the new few days.
I wondered on this for a while. Was it at all affected by my Skills, like the crops in the field just across the road? If it was indeed not, could I then some influence it?
The situation called for me to introduce even more cattle to this pasture for the sake of profit. More milk meant more supplies streaming up the mountain. Scent flooded my senses as I took in the smell of grass fertilized by cow manure. Hmm. That would unfortunately need to be cleared, sooner orter. Too high concentrations would render the soil burnt and unwilling the grow anything, if my experiences remained relevant.
A dirty job I could perhaps foist upon someone else. If not, I would need to grit my teeth and do it myself.
Oats would make for a decent feed supplement, I reckoned as my poor gaze slid between the fields and the pasture. Help take the strain off the grass and be able to amodate more cowsfortably, for a while. Mental notes set in order, my attention turned back to the crop that could render me the most profit.
Monster nts.
The cleric-shine held so much value that it could not be understated. I had an entire stone fence erected around its patch to prevent the possibility of any pest being able to damage its precious petals. It alone was the source of my best seller, and I would do everything in my power to ensure it remained so.
Deal with the alchemist secured, the acid leached from the pepper-like nts now could also serve as a stream of revenue. If the burstbombs and biterpods proved popr among guards and adventurers, I would also soon need to harvest more of them.
The spores I nned to keep for myself for the time being, and other nts I had examined, but could not find a practical use for. A snake-like flytrap that moved unground seemed like a cool concept, yet it offered me little in terms of financial gain. Perhaps I could harvest its fangs?
Not everything that moved could be forced to turn a profit for me. This I realized.
But for now, my affairs seemed to be in order. I needed work. Forward momentum to bury myself within as I hoped for news regarding Ish. I had no idea when Lerish would return, nor in what state. At current, she was the sole person I knew who could tell me where this entric farmer lived that could sell me more of these cows.
Perhaps Ishs parents knew, but I doubted they would be keen to answer. Even as I stood here, I itched for action. To get up and move. Do something. Anything. Try to upy myself with anything but standing here and wallowing in my own worry.
I needed help. Up until now, Ish had stop-gapped that issue with impunity, single-handedly carrying the workload of several men. And now she was gone, and I knew that realistically, unless I tore myself seam from seam, something would fall behind.
Artyom had earned his ce here, no one would dispute that. But his size alone prevented him from doing so much of what needed to be achieved. Another task filed away in my mental list. Wary gaze on another column of green-liveried infantry marching up the road, I continued to scratch behind Gols ear and sighed.
With so much excitement whipped up by the dungeons discovery, I suspected help might be hard to find.
The day grewte, and a choice was presented to me. Prepare supper and likely end the day, or try to cram in some more, much-needed work before the light fled beneath the horizon?
I chose thetter. I had already achieved a long, tenuous prosperous day. Survived an attempt on my life, cut several deals and reaped a very respectable profit. But there were tasks that called to be finished with all haste, and I had procrastinated long enough.
The sounds of evening rose around me, a mixed cacophony that sounded from all directions as I slid lumber onto my lodges roof and did my best to secure it. Log after log was heaved into ce,in into grooves and secured as best I could. Artyom perpetually hovered around me, ready to hand me tools or fetch supplies as I worked on the wooden roof. This time, I followed Lerishs design, with a few of my own adjustments to better house someone my size.
Slow and deliberate as it was, I managed to get perhaps half the roof in ce before ack of light forced the day to end. With a sigh, I helped Artyom pack away the tools opting to store everything inside the lodge. A door was still required, and I could perhaps work on a few windows afterward, but the structure wasrgelypleted. With how much I weighed, I had some misgivings about the hollow space beneath the floor, but the lumber held my weight without much protest.
A few more good days of work, and my new home would beplete. Just in time for me to vacate the old house and convert it into a storage space for crops and other goods. The vegetable garden near the ce was also doing well, elerated onward by my Skill and otherwise bountiful conditions.
The lodge would beplete just in time for me to be rushed headlong into more work. Torch in hand, I left Artyom with instructions to go light the fire and carry some water to the pot while I procured ingredients for yet another soup.
Some part of me said it was just begging for thievery if I left the tools unsecured in the lodge. Another replied that if there was a thief ballsy enough to stalk onto my property and not be mauled by Gol, I wouldnt even feel peeved about the loss.
Lantern in hand, I yawned, stooped to make sure the chill-vines were properly secured around jugs of milk and groaned as I realized I would soon need to harvest more. Either that or find a way to grow my own. The idea of venturing into a warzone to cut more of these for myself held little appeal, yet I needed them to preserve my goods.
Milk. Ish was the one who usually delivered to the young couple down the road, and often returned with several small gifts of gratitude in return. They were due a delivery soon, I remembered. Another task past due on an already lengthy list. Something caught my eye, and I grabbed the sack I had stored in here earlier this day.
All that remained of the madman and his vain attempt upon my life.
With a snort, I tied that to my belt, grabbed varied ingredients and trudged off to once more taste my own miserable cooking. Perhaps it was Gareks tastebuds being skewed, but nothing I had eaten in this world had ever tasted quite the same as back on the old world. I almost thought of it as home, then. The thought lingered, yet I banished it and forged onwards. Sentimentality aside, there remained little for me to return to, if I ever could.
If I ever wanted to.
By some mercy, Artyom volunteered to try his paws at tonights meal. More than d to pass this task to another, I instead sat back and began to pull items from the sack. The worth of this man remained..meager. All that he left in this world was a broken sword, a pouch with scant few coins, faded crystals, some trinkets and little else.
I knew not his name, yet I was certain he had died a fool.
The snapped de still thrummed as I slowly moved the broken rapier around. A few experimental pokes showed it slid through the wood and even stone with almost no resistance. Even in its broken state, whatever spell made the edge so lethal held true. But how long would thatst? The hilt was unremarkable, save for etches and patterns that adorned the guard.
Most of the crystals inside the bag were spent, lifeless husks. I had distinctly seen the man pull out several of these if a glowing state and call forth power stored within. What were they, exactly? The ones he had used when attacking had been cast aside once spent, yet these were carried still.
Was there a way to refill those spent? What were their affects? Those few that held an azure glow within I avoided, lest I somehow trigger them. I had no idea as to their effects, yet thinking back on the blurred, focused moments of the attack, I noticed a general pattern to them.
Most, if not all, had aided the caster in some form. The doppelgangers, the icy whip, the azure prison. Only the explosion had not been something that directly buffed or enabled the wielder in some shape.
Questions piled upon each other with no distinct answer in sight.
I distractedly thanked Artyom for his wonderful cooking and sipped soup directly from the bowl as night reigned across a starry sky. Yet tired as I had been, sleep did not call for me yet. Curiosity fueled my search as I turned trinkets in my grasp, determined to see if they were mundane or magical.
Of note was a metal star enclosed by an iron circle, a t pendant dangled from a steel chain. There was something hidden inside it, I was sure. Yet try as I might, I could not coax forth its secrets. The fire flickered, faded and eventually ran out before I looked up and realized Artyom had headed to bed and Gol was sound asleep.
With my own yawn, I decided that this was enough exploration for the night and rose to turn myself in.
Almost to the house, the sound of hooves striking dirt caught my attention and I turned to find a ck figure riding through the darkness atop a silent stallion. Malice and dread washed over me as the specter drew near.
Valencia.
Book 1: Chapter 46: IV
Book 1: Chapter 46: IV
The dreams of death were the sweetest Ish had ever tasted. She skimmed along its calm surface, enthralled by the song of those silent depths below. Far-off melodies that promised peace eternal called her further down, even as she left the light behind.
Calm. Still. Quiet.
An expanse of gentle darkness bubbled soundlessly around here, a beautiful song sounding from further down. She hung here now, all the worlds weight lifted from tired shoulders. Slumbered within their cool embrace.
There existed no feeling here, only calm. Only contentment. Surrounded by oceans blue, she drifted along just beneath the surface, following that silent song.
Water was shorn apart as chaos descended. ck dread steel grasped her neck and ripped her back to the surface.
Ish felt blood within her mouth as Valencia pped her again. Roars, howls and worse sounded through the stone corridors, followed by the rank stench of rot and ichor.
Open your eyes, greenskin. The dreadknight snarled. I will have my dues before the void takes you.
She was back in the dungeon. Deep inside its stone guts. Dragged by a woman who despised her. Her mind a hazy fog, Ish fought to keep her own eyes open. There was blood everywhere. The wounds that were supposed to have healed seemed barely contained, about to split open once more. A scream longed to rip itself free, but her throat refused to work.
She vaguely lolled her head as Valencia straightened, dipped under a striking w and sttered the monster across the rock wall. The dreadknight reeked of destion and malice, cold hatred focused on anything that dared bar her way.
Things that vaguely resembled corpses decorated the dark corridor around them, torn asunder by the sheer force of the Dreadknights savagery. Ish could not bring herself to summon emotion as she watch a ck-d fist close over a horrors head. It was shaped into resemnce of a crushed grape a heartbeatter.
What remained of the corpse slumped forward and sent up dust
On some level, Ish realized that the true monster here stood before her now. Evidencey all around her in the broken and torn bodies of the very horrors that had pursued her mere moments before. There had been an ambush, she was certain of. Spikes from the walls, horrors that emerged from all sides.
Valencia had simply not cared. There had been contemptousugh upon her throat as she ground them down to heaps of skin and bone, ripped ancient nightmares limb from limb.
Now, this fiend above Ish, her very presence able to pierce the veil of apathy that draped across the orc.
Stay awake, girl.
Nary another word was given before Ish found herself slung over the other womans shoulder once more.
Vague blinks were all she could muster as the ckguard carried her through pitch-dark corridors. The elfs spell had run dry, and now the darkness grew deep around them. They descended downwards, deeper into this hellscape. There were bodies here now. Old ones. Bounced along like a rag doll upon Valencias back, Ish could only just make out vague shapes as the woman strode overtop them. But the smell showed what sight failed to see.
The orc faintly registered ichor and decay as she was carried along, the scent almost suffocating in intensity. They were not headed back the way she hade, back to the light above, but down another path. One that Valencia seemed to know well.
Here was silence, now. If she had the energy to think, Ish might have wondered why. But for now, she let herself be carried through corridors of carnage. Even at her full strength, she knew that trying to oppose the ckguard would have been the image of futility.
Stone corridors faded abruptly as she was carried through a sted section of wall, up dirt tunnels and then wrenched across Valencias back. From the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a pinprick of light in the distance, only to lose it once more as the dreadknight began to climb.
Consciousness faded, then was torn back to life a steel fist pped her awkwardly.
Fight, greenskin. The woman snarled. Surely you can do the one thing your kind adores.
Ish watched the ascent through a thin haze, barely able to see thedder being climbed. It took so, so long before they emerged inside rounded stone walls, barrels and weapons stacked all around them. She blinked blearily as Valencia carried her to a table and then felt pain inside as her body was deposited upon its surface.
Upwards she stared, eyes nk as the dreadknight circled and sniffed the air. She leaned over Ish and jabbed one wed finger into the massive gash upon her front. Steel dug through the scab, ripped it away and felt at the clear liquid beneath.
I expected some sort of intelligence from a half-elf. She snorted and tore the partially healed skin away. Ishs eyes widened in pain and another scream died before it could be born. You continue to quash even those meager expectations.
Fleshknitters were the worst thing you could have consumed. She spoke in a conversational tone even as her steel ws raked along the wounds open flesh. These mongrels were made with these potions in mind. This recipe, this alchemy, has existed since your kind was young upon this world, halfbreed. Did none of you ever think, in all your arrogance, there would be one who could turn it against you?
She spoke on as Ishy twitching, her ws prying open every wound barely sealed.
Quickly, and efficiently, Ish found her armor stripped off, and shey oozing clear fluid atop the wooden b, unable to move as Valencia circled.
Even if you kill them, their intent is to ensure your demise. Heed this lesson, little girl. She bared her teeth and tore open another wound. There a ws in these potions. And where there are imperfections, there will be those like me to wrench them wipe open.
You cant feel anything. She stated. A small mercy as it melts your insides. The venom paralyzes. Slowly at first. You expand energy, but are unable to gain any back. It is a testament to how fucking resilient you greenbacks are that you even have the strength to breathe.
It kills you. Slowly. Gently. A death, one handspan at a time. Unforseen. Unforgiving. She sounded almost..approving.
Heat approached from on high as Valencias stripped away her guantlet and brought her hand near to Ishs gaping wounds. The flesh seared, the clear venom being burned away as a sun formed in the dreadknights hand.
Until finally, mercifully, Ish could scream. She emptied her lungs of air as the woman knit her flesh back together and dried the fluid through sheer, focused heat.
Then the smallest wound was closed and the ckguard moved on torger ones.
She could not tell if the dreadknight jammed a strip of leather between her teeth out of disgust or pity. Nor did she care. Teeth clench and eyes bulged as Valencia set about her work, brutally mending the orcs broken body.
A haze, a blur of agony was all she could remember. Gently being flipped and roughly sewn up were motions she registered through the mind-shattering sensation of pain. She discovered new depths of agony, found things about herself she did not know existed.
And then it was over, and the cold returned once more. She found her head forced up, drink poured down her mouth. Some foul concoction. And then came deep, dark sleep. Filled with restless nightmares and the faces of those she had seen killed.
Not for long. She woke and struggled, only for Valencia to force her back into the nightmares once more.
Sleep or your body will kill itself before I have the chance to. Came themand.
Ish obeyed.
She awoke. Stone. Cold. Alone.
A thin sheet draped over her.
In so much pain.
Effort beyond anything she had ever expanded was needed to sit upright and groan, head held in her hands.
The sound summoned dread. Physically. The aura washed over her as Valencia stepped through a doorway. Tall, pale and terrifying. Whatever fear Ish held for her before was now only exacerbated by what she had seen her do.
Monstress. She croaked. Almost a greeting.
That I am. Came the wicked smile in return. You live because of I.
Where? Ish grunted, barely able to see.
A tower in the middle of nowhere. Came the reply.
How? Why. She couldnt form more than short bursts of speech. Too tired.
Too many questions, greenback. The other woman smiled, a sight that stirred no joy in Ish.
Tell me everything. How you fools found the dungeon. How you woke it. Not a query, a demand. For a second, she was hesitant. But if not for Valenica, she would be a corpse inside a stone tomb right now. She owed her this much.
Slowly, painfully, she recounted all that she could remember. Valencia sat in silence, a still specter of gloom in the otherwise lit room.
And none of this surprises me. The woman intoned once Ish fell silent. She was leaned backwards on a throne of piled chests, her arms draped over the sides.
Tiefling foolishness, Dwarven greed and Elvenck of near-term consequences. And you. When have orcs ever done anything but heap their tters high with death and destruction.
And the humans with us? Ish tossed back, her face in a half-snarl.
Fools and corpses. Valencia shrugged. Their reward for trusting one of you. Bad as the orc within you, the elven half of you is perhaps even worse.
Close enough to human to fool those who would grant you some leeway, but never one of us. They hide it. Bury it. But there are those of us that know where the dungeonse from. Those who know the truth, though they hide it, lest one of the sunwood assassins visits their homes in the wee hours before the dawn.
They say I am a monster because I reject those who are not of my kind. She smiled thin and filled with malice. But they never ask why. You have glimpsed the evil your forbearers wrought, though you know it not. They were the Gods mistake, and the world has paid for it ever since.
She rose now, her presence an unbearable pressure on Ish.
The others are dead. The dwarf has fled, and only a fool would touch him and risk their name being writ in the Book of Grudges. Only you remain. I could snuff the candle here, let the me for this be ced on you all.
Tense and thick was the silence that spread now, only broken as ish flexed the fingers of her guantlets.
Would seem like a cruel joke, to die here. Im sure the Gods Above will approve.
She loomed above the orc, a towering presence d in ckest armor, strength beyond reason within her limbs. She reached out and grasped Ishs throat.
You will not die this day. Not at my hands. Valencia tilted her head from side to side, as if examining a piece of meat.
I will ride you home, instead. Remember this mercy, orc. It will not soon be extended again.
She left her then, and Ish fell backwards, exhausted. Hooves soon came outside, then rode away again. Once more, she was draped over and armored shoulder, then slid into a saddle as the light began to fade from the sky. There were no roads here as they trotted along, her tired arms wrapped around Valencias ck form.
The sun sank, and moonlight began to rise before she finally recognized some of the scenery. They were near Gareks farm. And before she could blink, they were riding across the road, past the crops she recognized so well, towards a figure that stood in the darkness, antern held high.
Book 1: Chapter 47: Through a thin haze.
Book 1: Chapter 47: Through a thin haze.
Naught needed be said. I could feel the proverbial hackles rise as my ymore descended through the air into a readied stance. There were painfully few reasons for this woman to visit her presence upon my door under nights cloak, and none of which I particrly liked.
Fate proved me wrong. The ckguard swung her horse alongside me, sneering down at my raised guard. It was then that I glimpsed the figure slouched behind her, arms wrapped around the dreadknights dark armor. Silver hair, green skin and the smell of dried blood all struck me at the same time. My weapon was tossed aside and Ishs grumbling body caught as Valencia roughly hauled her up with one hand and tossed her to me.
Questions tumbled through my mind, one quashing the next before they could be voiced.
Your pagan gods have granted you blessings upon blessings this day, bull. Came the derisiveugh from on high as the stallion reared towards the sky. Count them all.
And who should I send to notify you once they have been thoroughly counted? I snarked back, unable to keep myself from rising to her jab. In my defence, the past few days had been an unpleasant experience, and now this topped it all off.
Send unto me anyone you like. Valencia smiled, teeth bared in the moonlight. But make sure you do not want them returned.
Why me? Why not take her back to her parents? I demanded.
Soon there will be death enough for all. The reaper does not yet need me to exacerbate this harvest by ushering in an early dawn.
Herugh echoed through the chill air, fading into the distance as she wheeled and trotted back into the gloom. Gone just as quickly as her arrival. And here I was left to hold the groaning body of the girl I considered my closest friend.
Artyom answered my bellow, eyes fighting the onught of sleep. Door bursted inward under my hoof, I saw the felinid scramble from his bed as I hurried past to dump Ish into mine. The scent of melted flesh reared fear inside me, followed by an almost instinctive bellow from the healing milk. Irritation red as he didnt budge. Dissapointment and a hin of fear followed his words.
We have none, no-no. He sleepily grumbled and rubbed at his head. Used it all, yes-yes.
My mind stood nk for a moment before realization struck that yes, I had indeed used it all. Between sales to the camp, healing Lerish and my own wounds, my supply was thoroughly exhausted. A few petals had been left to soak today, but they would need days for their effect to spread into the milk. Days I might not have.
Run to the shed. Imanded. Fish what petals you can out of the milk and bring them here. All of them.
Worried gaze cast back at Ishs quiet form, I too left the house. Hurried strides carried me to my garden where the lone cleric-shine reveled in its pool of liquids. Its petals were premature, small and just beginning to settle into their growth. Without so much as a thought, I plucked them off, cupped them in my hand and hurried back to the house.
Ish had not magically disappeared during my brief absence, nor showed any signs of wanting to. Shey on the bed, obviously in no small amount of pain. But not pained enough to prevent her from cracking a pained smile as I hovered nervously above her.
Look at you, She croaked. A big, burly healer, worried like an old housewife. I should keep ya around more.
For a heartbeat, I was tempted to roll my eyes so hard heaven itself would break. Just back, obviously been fed through the grinder and already eager to spout off sass. It relieved a part within myself that she had not been changed in this short time. That small piece of me foundfort in that idea. The rest worked on keeping her that way.
Mouth open, tongue out. I rumbled and deposited a few scant petals as she obeyed. My eyes traced massive scars of fused flesh up and down her body. I found myself wincing at the thought of what had caused those.
How? I demanded. Her tired eyes followed by own and thess groaned.
Valencia.
My temper red at that moment as my mind ran with possibilities. What had that monstress done to Ish? Thoughts screamed through my mind, driven by anger and the stirrings of vengeance.
Healed me. She continued.
Oh. I replied, and thoughts of violence dissapated. Seems like a very crude way of healing to me.
Was right painful. She grunted. But necessary.
There were none of your fleshknitter potions on hand? I questioned, skeptical. Ish nched at the mention, something that only further piqued my morbid interest.
Those both saved mah life, and nearly ended it. Thess groaned, one arms flopped across her face as I hung thentern and lit the candles. Where was Artyom?
Through rough, pained breaths, she slowly recounted the events that had transpired, all the while swallowing what few petals I had left. Her breathing became smoother, less erratic as the cleric-shined worked its magic upon her form, though I could not see the results.
I would call it a series of unfortunate mishaps, but to be blunt about it, the Tiefling led you all to your deaths.
There was a grimace, a pause, and a nonmital shrug. Too good for, well, her own good. But who was I to advocate for cynicism? My entire outlook was to try and see the good in people, even if there were those in which that was naught but a hungry void. One name sprung to mind when I thought of that.
Valencia. Despite what I thought of her, her actions forced me to acknowledge that, buried somewhere deep within, some inestimably small spark of good still survived. I could not write her off as aplete monstress. Ish lived because of her, and that alone meant much to me, and to others.
And the tower she kept you in? I asked and fed her thest of what few petals remained. Do you know its location?
A shaken head was my response as thess chewed and swallowed.
Nah. Dont know. Lotsa trees round it. Somewhere in teh forests. Dont know which direction though.
I nodded along to that, pondering the revtions that came with this.
She has her own entrance to this dungeon. I spected, crouched near the beds edge. So she knew of its existence, and found her own way inside.
Moren that. Ish winced and gulped down air, one hand mped down on a shivering leg muscle. Been actively delvin through it. Butcherin the monsters inside without wakin the dungeon.
Butchering is a very..ah deliberate description.
Only one that fits. ughterin works too.
I listened, attention rapt as she described the methodically pierced walls, guardians asleep inside obliterated, then casual decimation of those that had awakened and sheer disdain with which Valencia killed those in her path. Every word only further solidified her as a danger. The more there was revealed of this woman, the more I doubted my own ability to defeat her inbat, should it evere to that. I was strong, a monster in the eyes of men, yet through sheer brutality, she seemed to exceed even that.
For now, you need rest, not me interrogating you for information that can be shared another day. I rumbled and rose up. I need to go see what is keeping Artyom. Once you are better healed, further topics can be discussed, if you so will it.
One could almost feel the smile fade from her face as I turned, followed by her slumping backwards. She did not disy it, but I would be shocked if the ambush and following pursuit had not scarred her on some level. The smile on her features had not matched her scent at all.
I cleaned these same wounds off Lerish several days ago. I paused and spoke that into the silence. She ran for the dungeon to save you. Came back just in a simr state as you. Even now, your parents are preparing to tear apart the dungeon in search of you.
Silence was my answer, but the faint scent of some small happiness reach my nostrils before I strode through the doorway.
I found Artyom leaned against the sheds doorway, slumped and dejected as he stared up at the pale moon.
Questions swirled through my mind, some irate, others worried. I choose the civil response, merely asked if he was alright.
I cant. The felinid replied quietly, his usual excited stammer gone.
Cannot do what? My tone stayed gentle as I squatted before him.
Go inside. Dip my paws in the milk. Feel it on my fur. Smell its sweet, rich scent. Taste its presence on my tongue.
You dont understand, Garek. he continued before I spoke. It is an addiction to my kind. We are born with it, and will die with it. Does this seem like an awkward, inopportune time for it to re up? That is what I deal with every day, yes-yes. I fled my previous home because I was bing too reliant on it, spending all my coin on it, about to resign myself to near very for another taste.
And all this time I had been making him work right next to it, with it, getting him to carry it.
There was little I could say, just quietly nod, promise to help him with it, and send him back to the house.
Fishing the petals out by myself was a quick task, although I wondered what would have happened if Artyom had tried to. I couldnt imagine, but he obviously knew his demons and what they would have done.
A small batch of petals gathered, I trotted back to my humble abode. Ish grinned weakly as I entered, followed by a grimace as she swallowed the petals in silence. Muchrger than the ones I had plucked from the bloom, these seemed to have a far more noticeable effect. Her hands traced the gash down her front, watched as it began to fade, until all that remained was a thick scar.
Huh.
Indeed. No matter how often Id seen these petals work their magic, there was always a joy in seeing something so pure happen. The act of healing, of mending itself was magical in all the best ways. No other power, skill or act fascinated me as much as seeing what was broken made whole once more.
There is somethin of importance I am tryin to remember. Ish frowned, halfway through running a finger over another wholly closed wound. She sat upright now, strength returned to her form by the blooms blessed nature. It keeps slippin off my mind.
Perhaps it is not of great import, then. I suggested, tone mild.
But I feel like it is. Somethin crucial. Theres a hole in my memories, and I know its vital to somethin.
It might return in the morning, when you have slept at truly rested. I paused and nced out the window. Although, that is not far off.
The night had already beente when Valencia had arrived, and now, hourster, the moon was sinking towards the horizon, chased further down as dawn approached.
I have a feeling we should perhaps skip breakfast and get you back to your parents before anything monumental transpires. Wouldnt want them to go and invade the dungeon is search of you because we dyed to have a meal or something foolish like that.
A good n. Ish agreed.
And that was that. Dawns pale light had justced itself across the sky above as we took to the road, Ish supported at my side and hobbling along. The past few days had been tense, filled with dread and uncertainty. Yet now it was time to take her home.
Book 1: Chapter 48: Vulture.
Book 1: Chapter 48: Vulture.
Perhaps it was a fault in my own nature that I found my attention not upon Ish, but on her parents rather prosperous crops. The farmsteady empty as we approached. Windows dark, porchcking its usual upant. Animals grazed in fields far from the road, yet the were no signs of life otherwise.
A sharp rap upon the wooden door stirred no life within, a fact that seemed not to bother thess at all.
Theyll be back in a bit. She tiredly drawled and jabbed one finger towards the trees. My vision followed her,nded on a hunched vulture sat atop an old tree, and followed it skyward. The birdughed once,unched itself heavenward and soon disappeared behind the forests wooden walls.
She knows now. Ish grunted as I slid her weight onto the ratherrge, sturdy chair that overlooked the road. Out for a mornin hunt, gonnae huttyin back soonish.
A nod was what I offered in return, head turned to look around.
Nice farm. Imented, even though I had walked past here a dozen times. Maybe less.
Was born here, raised here, and Gods willin, I wont die here. She grunted, slumped back and weary. There was something in that sentiment I shared, truly.
Farm life is nice. Mostly safe, specially with Mah and Pah scarin off all the wildlife just by existin. But they always wanted me to just live here with em.
Parents are protective like that. I shrugged.
Worst part of this is, I proved em right. Ish sighed. First time I go out and try tah do somethin on my own, everythin goes horribly wrong.
About that. I winced. There have been..developments.
Ah yes, please do tell, Came the groan as her head lolled back. A quick recount of the areas response to the dungeons abrupt awakening brought an..terse mood to her face.
There will be blood over this. She spoke quietly once I had finished. Someone will call for a scapegoat. The one responsible for this. For what is toe. Dungeons are not just unleashed and the cause of their awakening forgotten. For smaller, easily contained ones, they would herald you a hero for finding it. Not this.
How so?
This, this thing is ancient. Massive beyond anythin I have heard tell of. It spans leagues below the earth, and thats only what I saw. There was a distant look in her eyes as Ish gazed at the morning sky. Filled to the brim with monsters, traps, creatures I dont want to remember. There will be blood, Garek, and I am firmly in league of those who woke it.
What about the others? I questioned
What about them? Sheughed, her voice hollow. Dead to a man. Dwarf teleported out.
He ran. I ryed what Lerish had told me. Took a horse and fled.
Knew what wasing. Didnt want to risk it, even with his vaunted protection.
His what?
No ones fool enough to touch a dwarf, Garek. From kings to street rats, every livin being on this continent will sing the same tune. A dwarf dies, and more go to war. They dig under the cities,e from where there is no defense, and they leave no survivors. No one in their right mind will touch em. But people wont be in their right mind, once the horrorse burstin out.
So only you remain.
Aye. Perfect mess Ive dug myself into. Didnt even think o all this before I went in. Just some fool girl in search of adventure and treasure. Life has a way with harsh lessons, I guess.
Something puzzles me, I must admit. I mused after a moment.
Do tell.
Valencia.
I have no idea why the fuck she saved me, if thats what yer askin Ish gave a chokedugh. What goes on in her mind, I have the faintest idea. One day, Im sure shes some irredeemable monstress that despises me for simply existin, the next shes draggin my carcass out of a dungeon and piecin me back together.
She is.. I pondered for a moment.
Evil? Yes. Monstrous? Agreed in a heartbeat.
My suggestion would have been unpredictable, but those work splendidly. Came the sigh from my throat as we waited. A flock of ravens approached over the treetops, their distant caws ofughter a hammer against the mornings quiet.
The towering green form of Tehalis Warborne burst from the trees heartbeatster, carcass of a mossdear slung over her shoulder. Long strides closed the distance at all speed, and soon she loomed over Ish. Muscr arms swept thess into a crushing hug. A weak smile on her face, Ish returned the gesture. I simply stood by a watched, the vague feeling that I was intruding on a rare moment gnawing at my mind.
So. Therger woman spoke once she had released her daughter. You have brought my child home. What reward do you seek?
Blunt and to the point, even if there wasnt one.
None. I rumbled. I am not wholly responsible for her rescue, only for healing her. Her safety is my sold concern.
Then you are different than most of your race.
And here I thought that had already been firmly established. I grunted and wrinkled my nose at the sweet stench of blood that permeated her form.
We will see. She shrugged and turned to the returned vulture that now sat upon the porch rails.
Fly. Came themand, and with wings spread, it obeyed.
Daughter scooped up in her arms, the orc led the way inside. For once, I did not have to stoop far to enter the doorway, a matter I found pleasant. Everything inside was builtrge, and built sturdy. A table seated three, with a firece along the far wall,fortable chairs,rge windows, and all the furnishings one would expect from a significantly well-off family.
Ish was taken from one chair and deposited in another, then sat as her mother checked her over.
Tell me. Everything. Tehalis demanded.
Ish ryed her experiences once more, the story just as genuine as when I had heard it hours ago. I found myself wincing as she described the trap, the desperate flight, the pitfall and Valencias arrival. Those came in vivid detail. What followed after she described as an unclear blur up until I had taken her from the dreadknight.
While I stood and empathized with her pain, Tehalis paced, her knuckles tight on the handles of sheathed weapons. An anger simmered within her, one that was in to anyone that gazed upon her.
Listen to me, girl. She abruptly stopped and grasped Ishs shoulders. Take me back to the start. Where did you meet the party?
At Gareks. She replied, puzzled.
No, when you went up the mountain.
We met on the road, The words caused some relief to wash over the orcs otherwise tight face.
You did not mingle with them inside the camp, were not seen in their presence? Came the terse questions.
Not that I remember.
I could smell the relief that enter Tehalis then.
Then as far as the world is concerned, you never stepped foot in that dungeon. No one knows you were missing. As far as the soldiers are concerned, your father has been helping him from the goodness of his heart, and I have been furious with battle-frenzy. You were in the house this entire time, sick with fever or somesuch.
But-
No. There was a certainty, an absolute in Tehaliss words that gave even me pause.
She has valuable information about the dungeon, its monsters and what other horrors are contained within. I pointed out. Knowledge that could save lives.
Knowledge that will see her killed. The orc snarled. I will not have my daughter offered up as a sacrificialmb when those that rule demand their scapegoat for unleashing that ce onto everyone.
The air cracked, and a me-haired giant of an elf materialized before me. Velton Grenzwald looked around, spotted his daughter and swept her up into a hug as she feebly protested. He demanded to be let in on what had happened, and Ish ran through the events once more.
In contrast to Tehaliss pacing, he sat quietly, pondering her every word as his head sternly nodded along.
I am inplete agreement with your mother, He concluded. As of current, only a very specific handful of people even know you were inside the dungeon. Six, to be exact.
Myself, your parents, you, Lerish, and Valencia.
Tehaliss face twitched at the mention of Lerishs name. Interesting.
The huntress will not reveal such information unless it is in some way directly beneficial to her cause. The dreadknight, however, I can make no assurances for.
So we silence her. Tehalis growled.
Quench your bloodthirst for a singr moment, dear. The elf sighed. Remember why we moved out here and what, perchance could destroy what we have built. The ckguard is still a mystery to me. And I despise uncertain battles. I propose..diplomacy. The word seemed bitter as it left his mouth, and all knew why.
There might be seventh you are not thinking of. I interjected. The dwarf that fled.
Ah. Velton sighed. Him. That is now firmly out of our hands. As it stands, we stand to lose nothing by his absence either way. He does not know that Ish survived.
Lerish has left to run him down. I followed up.
Of course. The elf groaned. She demands her pound of flesh, no doubt. Blinded by her anger. But that will be her reckoning, not ours.
What are sunwood assassins? Ish threw that bombshell into the conversation, and the room froze. Tehalis stopped mid-stride and turned to her daughter as Velton leaned back and closed his eyes. I remained clueless, yet could smell the tension that suddenly coated the air.
Where did you hear that term? The elf quietly demanded.
Valencia mentioned it to me while she was gloating.
Of course. Velton sounded tired now, ragged. Of course she knows.
Knows what?
Were life good, and things reasonable, we would never have to have this conversation. He continued. All eyes turned to look at me.
Much as we respect you, Garek, this is not for your ears.
No. Ish held up her hand. I insist. There is no closer friend or better person in this room. I explicitly trust him with my life. Whatever this is, he hears it as well.
The elf just sighed and shook his head.
Stubborn girl.
I got it from both of you. She shrugged.
Fine. He grumbled.
There were a few moments of silence as everyone sort of hovered around, waiting for him to speak. I leaned against the wall, Ish sat upright in her chair and Tehalis gazed out a window.
There is a reason your mother and I live in the middle of nowhere, Ish. And it isnt simply because we desire istion. Up until now, I have taught you little, about your elven heritage, and for good reason. Ours is not a pretty history, nor one I would ever want you involved in. One of the less..desirable parts of this is the Sunwood. A faction obsessed with elven purity. Maintaining the reputation of my species.
Not our species?
Never. He hissed. You are my daughter, and I love you beyond all things, but do not ever think to mix yourself in amongst them. Elves do not mix with the lesser races, nor allow others to. We, your mother and I, left in secret, traveled a continent away and buried ourselves deep inside humannds where the locals might mutter about us, but never take real interest.
Then we had you. And for a time, things were manageable. Now that is..murky. This is why we did not want you to be an adventurer. Mere word of your existence as a halfbreed would bring these fanatics to you. To them, the elven bloodline with remain pure or not exist at all. All the power, all the strength you umte would never deter their des. Even now, they visit those who are in possession of inconvenient knowledge. And ensure they speak it no further.
Then why did you let me go up the mountain? Did you know there was a dungeon there?
No. We knew there was something, but were convinced the Apex would scare off any potential threats. It has nested up there for as long as we have been here, and for a long time, that was enough. No one came here. No one went up the Redtip. Whatever secret was up there stayed buried. But for as much as we know, we are not omniscient. Events have transpired in frankly unfortunate ways, and now we are left to salvage what remains.
Book 1: Chapter 49: Bindings and growth.
Book 1: Chapter 49: Bindings and growth.
I will admit, there were more questions within my skull as I left the farm than when I had entered, if such a thing was even possible. This was yet anotherption to my dream of idyllic, peaceful farming. Yet for today, things seemed to be on the upturn. Perhaps. Ish was back in safe hands, if perhaps scarred by her adventures. We had discussed matters of supply and how to best deal with the situation at hand.
For now, Velton had assured me that we needed only to pretend as if Ish had been sick for the past several days and had nothing to do with the awakening. I had not disclosed the information to anyone else, save for Artyom and Lerish. Any other leaks would be..taken care of, or so the elf promised. Truth be told, the tone of voice in which he had suggested that unsettled me.
For now, they were content to let the proverbial ball roll at its own pace and for events to take their natural conclusion. News would no doubt be spreading akin to wildfire, and they intended to step back and let the humans either save or damn themselves for now.
There had been a glint in the elfs eyes when I asked how he intended to avoid further scrutiny, and I had chosen not to press the question further.
For now, I tiredly walked home. Chronically deprived of sleep, I yawned in the mid-morning heat and vowed to catch up on some much-needed rest once the chores were done. I would have a visitorter, but nothing that rushed to be addressed at the moment.
Fate smiled upon me, and I made it to the safety of mine own home without further altercation or some monumental event unfolding upon me.
The cows were not yet milked, I discovered, but all other chores had been tended to. Artyom was currently entrenched within the vegetable garden, stalking his prey with the look of a hunter set in his eyes. As I watched, his ears ttened, fur stood on end and hiss escaped his mouth. Like a blur, he shot across the dirt, bounded over the stem of a tomato nt, and ripped free that which he stalked. The weed spilled dirt and was deposited firmly into the wicker basket carried at his side.
One more foe ovee.
With a tired wave, I made note to thank him for his hard work, grabbed some pails myself and headed for the pasture. Come hell upon this earth or grace evesting descending from the sky, the cows would be milked.
Several turbulent tusslester, I gave up on trying to milk them withoutCloven Crash, froze them in ce and went about my work. Patience could wait for another day. Milk stored in the shed, I sighed, rubbed weary eyes and sought out the shade.
Sleep should have imed me before my eyelids properly closed, but instead I just sat there, sort of half-awake and caught between my waking dreams and the thought of just slogging through the day anyhow.
By some grand miracle, the darkness took hold, and I drifted off.
Not for long.
A rather rude kick woke me, and my eyes dragged themselves open to find a crimson-haired elf patiently drawing back for another jab. A few confused blinks confirmed that yes, it has mysteriously turned intote afternoon despite me only falling asleep mere seconds ago.
The time for rest willeter. Was all he offered as I blinked at him with using eyes.
Fine. Was all the response I deigned to offer him. It took more effort than I was strictly proud of to haul myself up and stare balefully at the smaller man. Tall as he was for his kind, I was still a minotaur, and held several feet of height to my advantage.
If he was at all intimidated by that, it showed neither in his scent nor on his expression.
This supposed wondrous flower with remarkable healing properties my daughter maintains is so all-important. I would wish to see it.
A yawn stifled in my throat, I nodded, lumbered past his smaller form and led him to the garden. With a grunt, I nudged the bled-out carcass aside and gestured to the already-regrowing petals with a wince. It was..rather bare at the moment.
Id offer you an example, but I expended it all to heal your little girl.
For which you have my gratitude. Came the stiff reply. If I might?
A nod of approval was given, and the elf knelt down to inspect the nt. Much more hands-on then I had been about it. He poked it physically, prodded it with magic, felt it out and hummed to himself all the while.
It feeds on blood, I take?
A suspicion I confirmed.
I suspect a sort of vampirism, but the healing properties seem anathema to the usual nature of such beings.My second theory it is an older strain of nt from a time. A more relevant one would be that this is an exceptionally foreign nt from some distantnd where blood sacrifices to their native gods in return is still amon practice.
Make no mistake, the power exhuded by it is clerical in nature. Only those dedicated in service to one of your Gods Above emits the same radiance.
As he spoke, a knife was produced, and a small incision cut across Veltons palm. Blood dripped from tanned skin,ing tond directly upon the petals.
Your Gods? I questioned. Interesting wording there.
Correct. He nodded, attentively in examination as the petal lost their pale hue for a moment. They seemed to swell as the blood waspped up, its rich scent fading from the air. The elfs lifeblood smelled..different. What a strange thing to think, but here, amidst dried ichor in the soil below us, his had an unusual tang to it.
We -dragons and elves alike- are firmly the mistake of the Old Ones. This new pantheon begets no worship from us.
A rumble of thunder rolled across the clear sky as he said those words, yes all it elicited from the elf were rolled eyes.
They bark and yammer about it asionally, but are content to let well enough alone, for the most part. He headed off my next question. A much more lenient bunch than those they overthrew.
Garek, unsurprisingly, had no memories nor interest of local pantheon politics. He only knew that their followers were marginally harder to kill on the field of battle, which in turn made him seek them out more. A mind for a challenge, that one.
Observe. He demanded. The difference between clerical might and human alchemy.
Two shes were flicked up his arm, and a sk filled with viscous liquid withdrawn. A substance I realized was fleshknitter he poured over one wound, then ripped off a half-grown petal and smeared it across the other. I watched closely as the first wound pulled itself closed, muscles and flesh pulled back together as if by maic attraction.
The second healed much more slowly. Split skin reconnected from the inside out, a pure and gentle rebinding of the flesh that purged the wound. One left a scar behind, the other did not. With a grunt and a flick, that mark too vanished, and the elf nodded up at me. I had heard this described, and knew the difference, of course, but seeing the difference in action, side by side, was a new experience.
One is roughshod human invention, a maniption of the System and its gifts. The other is divine absolution.
Now. He bent closer. For the real test. What is the usual growth length for one of these petals?
A frown came to face as I scratched my chin and tried to remember.
Constantly fed with blood, watered and with good sunlight, around four to five days? I mused.
And what sort of blood do you stain this soil with?
Mossdeer, various small animals that Gol brings back. I gestured to the slumbering creature.
Mmmm. Has it ever consumed the blood of creatures more directly affected by system. Say, ah, monsters or people?
Would Stonemongers count? I asked, trying to remember if those things I had disposed of had been near the cleric-shine.
Absolutely. It reacted rather quickly to my blood, if youll recall. He continued on, brisk and no-nonsense.
My theory of this being from a and where blood sacrifices to their Gods are stillmon seems to grow stronger with every new revtion. As such, I would assume that this nt is attuned to the System itself.
And this means?
To put it very simply, the blood of higher-leveled being will spur its regrowth on faster than not. A crude way of putting it, I realize. Yet that is how it works. Am I being blunt enough with this?
Thisst corpse here was a human, I take.
I blinked and realized that yes, it was.
A level-grinder that attacked me on the road. I nodded.
Then one could safely assume youll see a growth spurt within the next day or two. Keep feeding it good blood, and it will continue to grow quickly. Lower-leveled, water-down slop with drag out its potential regeneration and properties. Youll find the system demands something be given in exchange for another thing taken.
Nothing is ever free. I nodded grimly.
Not in the purview of your benevolent Gods, at least. He chuckled.
This is excellent. I nodded. Wisdom that will help me and my endeavors.
Im sensing a but here.
It is not entirely the knowledge I seek.
And so we arrive at your actual query.
It is imperative, for me at the very least, that we find a way to replicate this nt. I myself have not yet discovered a way to do this.
It has regenerative properties, does it not? This should be evidenced by how it heals itself whenever you pluck off.
Indeed.
Then, I would suggest a small test. Like so.
He gestured, and my eyes widened in horror as part of the blooms center was simply cut away. The elf gestured, and the piece sprung to his hand, which he then presented to me.
Unless my extensive knowledge on this topic suddenly and inexplicably fails me, it should be fine. He reassured me with confidence I did not share. That nt was by far the single most precious thing on this farm. Its value was absolute. To see it so casually damaged after I had carefully tended to it for weeks now was a shock, to state it mildly.
He handed it to me with instructions to bury it in soil, water it thoroughly in quality blood, nourish it with water and copious amounts of sunlight.
Now, I am not entirely suggesting that you start cutting down high-leveled individuals or somesuch to get better blood for this thing.
I am sensing a but here. I returned his earlier quip.
You are close friends with Lerish, are you not?
I would hesitate to define our rtionship as close.
Yet she of all people would be able to procure these needed substances if you but ask. And dont pose too many questions about the hows.
Noted. I replied. Yet, such a dubious offer would not sit right with me. I had my morals, I would stick to them or die trying. There were obvious implications in what the elf had said, and none that I was willing to closely entertain.
Well then, I believe that concludes our business here today. He nodded. Before I could so much as protest, he was gone, naught but the sound of a thunderous crack left behind. With a tired sigh, I rubbed my eyes, looked down at the frighteninglyrge piece of cleric-shine, and hurried off to find a pot and some soil.
Whatever the weeks toe would hold, I could rest assured that at the very least, I likely would not find myself overly bored.
Book 1: Chapter 50: Harvest
Book 1: Chapter 50: Harvest
Harvest was upon us. And I was woefully unprepared. This I realized as I stood and stretchede morning, one hand rubbed across my eyes in a futile attempt to dispel sleeps hold.
There was some innate sense that told me the crops were ready, before I even need look upon them. Something tied to the ss I possessed produced a vague..feeling deep within. Much as I appreciated such boons from this worlds system, I was not reliant on its input alone. Physical examination confirmed that yes, the fields were ripe to be reaped. And wether I liked it or not, now was the time.
Acres stretched before me, filled with oats and barley to be taken off and processed until it could be fed to the cows and in turn fuel their production of milk. Ish being here to help had been my original n for all this, but such designs did not hold up to the worlds weight as it moved around me.
Artyom rode atop Gol as the two made their way over to my disgruntled form.
Early as the time was, with dawn barely having broken above the horizon, there was work to do aplenty. One of the many tools I hadmissioned from the cksmith in Hullbretch was, to put it bluntly, a massive scythe. In human hands, it would have been ludicrouslyrge. Overkill would have been an urate descriptor.
Not in mine. In fact, it was a tad small, but a few test swings showed it would do. The felinid and Gol in tow, I lumbered over to the fields and instinctively groaned as I looked out over the fields. With the tools that I possessed, and unaided by Skills or sses, the average human could reap roughy an acre on a good day.
I intended to do it all. Grasped by hilt and handle, the scythe traveled in its half-moon path, honed de shearing through ripened stalks without resistance. I had no frame of reference topare it to, but would have been willing to wager that the edges sharpness was the result of the cksmiths own system-fueled skill.
Iron whirled, oats fell and Artyom moved at a mad pace. I cut, then stopped for a moment to watch as he energetically bundled the falled oats together into stocks. With a grunt, he slid a stalk around the pile formed and tied it together. Quick and knowledgeable. But despite that, my tremendous form, strength and relentless rhythm soon left him in the proverbial dust.
Hard worker though he was, the felinid was only a single person, and slower than a human. It was not in my nature to leave another to work alone, I found. With a sizeable lead formed, I rested the scythe and turned back to help him catch up. My farrger fingers proved clumsy when I attempted to do the same bindings as him.
So the natural conclusion was that I would stack the stocks, and leave him to bind them. Golzed about at the fields edge, perhaps thinking of yet another slow day in which he neednt do anything. I had other ns. With a yawn, he followedmy whistle and beckon, trudging through the dirt and sniffing at freshly reaped stubble. A sack of thin ropes deposited nearby, I watched as Artyom tied several bundled stocks together, sizing up Gols bulk to adjust the difference.
Ready for some exercise? I posed the non-question while rubbing Gols forehead carapace. In truth, his readiness made little difference. The task would be done.
Without so much as a grunt of exertion, I lifted the bundled mass and dropped them upon Gols back. While I typically they would have just been left and propped up for a few days to dry, my need to get the soil growing something again meant that I didnt have that time to wait for them.
With instructions to take them back to the house andy them out in the sun, Artyom waved from atop Gols back and the duo lumbered off, stocks of oats hanging from either side. Though I sincerely doubted that he felt the burden at all, there was still some protest, although quickly quenched by Artyoms iron paw.
With long, wide strokes, I cut my way around the fields borders. It was with caution that I now approached the spots where my monster nts had been sown. There were a concerning amount of skeletons around the cohabitat of the biterpods and spore-puffers, most of which seemed like pests and other small rodents. But not all.
With a sigh, I watched the brownish waves of oats fall as my scythe passed beneath their crowns. Careful scoops brought the stacks of grain far away from the eager teeth that hid among therge vines. Up to my waist now, these nts had been well-fed, and hungered for more. I had no doubt that if Artyom tried to bundle up stocks in their presence, they would not hesitate at the free meal.
And yet, dangerous as they were, I intended to grow more.
A section of the ground closed before me, green fangs retracted back into the soil as the snake-like flytrap fled my presence. Always lurking within the same small area, I hade to realize it was somewhat of a coward. But that only meant I could ce my hooves without the worry of stepping right into its mouth.
A cold chill raced up my form and my scythe halted mid-swing. Brown grain fell away to reveal the de that rested against the squat, colorless tree that had been nted here, drained corpses of insects and rodents hanging from sickly branches. Dubbed the Hanging Tree, I still had little idea as to what use I could extract from it, and now, with it hidden amongst the crop, I had nearly mowed it down.
Slowly, carefully, I withdrew the de and winced at the gash it has left in the supple, fleshy bark. It already looked fragile enough as was to the eye, like it might wither and die onmand. Didnt need me to speed along that process.
A trail ofbour left in my wake, I continued to work my way around the field, snout wrinkled up as I approached the pepper-like acid nts. The sickly sweet smell barely covered up the burnt stench of flesh and carapaces anymore. Despite posing the highest danger, these were perhaps the easiest nts to work around, given that they only squirted upon touch.
With that in mind, I still directed Artyom to be especially careful. Would It be that I could follow my instructions, however..
The outside swathe cleared, I returned to help my tired felinid bundle and load stocks onto Gols broad back. Once hisining ceased and a properlyrge load hung from either side, I waved him off with a grin and turned to cut across still standing oats to where my scythe rested.
Something round and jagged struck me, I realized. I was staggered back, hit with all the force of a speeding truck. My eyes widened and I looked down to see the detonated burstball slide down my skin, having physically struck me harder than anything Id experienced before.
There was pain, for no surprise was trulyplete in its absence. Writhing, dull agony apanied by the knowledge that if Gol or Artyom had been in my ce, they would resemble a stain across the field.
This has gone far enough. I stomped back towards the house, shoulder clutched in pain, yelling at Gol and Artyom to stay clear. Blinking in the faint hope that nothing was broken, I wrenched open the door to the old house, realized I had the wrong ce and headed to the storage shed. Fat bags of spores were exactly what I was looking for.
One hand waved off the duos concerned looks, the other carried several bags of spores as I returned to the fields. The bomb-burst had detected me from outside what I knew its usual range to be, and was capable of inflicting harm on me. I did not think on what it could do to the others, nor had any particr want to.
Ironhide was called, the sensation of my skin bing hard a faint thing as I stomped through the dirt. I stepped past where I had been struck moments earlier and another sphere mmed into my skin. This time, barely felt. Another exploded violently from its nest and grazed my skull. A blow that would have caved the head of another. Another came, and more followed. By the time I was close, the entire side of the metallic nt that faced me was bare, its fury expanded at me in futile impotency.
With a grunt, I dumped the entire bag onto thergest of the metallic spheres and stepped back, my own breath tightly held. It squirmed, and the attached metal sphere began to vibrate with rming intensity. Only to fall short of the violent dreams of flight and still themselves as the powder took hold.
Another sack held upon, I twisted off those spheres that remained and dumped them in amongst even more powder. The sphere stripped bare, I contemted its destruction. It was quite obviously worth something. There were those who would no doubt pay heavy coin for its capability to simply destroy. Yet was the profit worth the lives of one of those close to me?
I had initially thought that if I kept the quivering spheres stripped at a certain stage, it could be contained. But now, it showed that its range was expanding, and I had failed to notice up until a situation that would have killed another. Suppose Ish had been here and taken the same shortcut as me? That would have been a brutal mockery, to survive the dungeon only to have her life cut short by a random nt.
Decision made, I reached down, grasped the metallic ball with both hands, and ripped it free. A mass of roots writhed beneath the surface, the dome above home to life beneath. A pang passed through me to destroy what I had cultivated for so long now, but my mind was set.
I moved from one to the next, stripping off the spontaneous burst-bombs and heaving their growth pod from the soil. Only when they had all been uprooted did I rest, and then only for a moment. Some things were just too dangerous to let live, and I was not a fool content to y too close to the fire and then wail why when it burned. Better to extinguish it early than suffer more grief.
Bags that bulged with drowsy upants in hand, I returned to the house, told the duo that it was safe to continue harvesting and stowed the remnants of the burst-bombs away. A sore shoulder reminding me as to what had happened, I too returned to the scythe, far warier than I had been before.
Despiste, no perhaps in spite of my alert state, there urred no other notable events throughout the day. With quick breaks were taken to eat, and a few more to rest and refuel with the knowledge that Artyom could not keep pace with my relentless nature. Both too soon and after far too long, evenings end approached, and I could not keep pace any longer. If I had perhaps pushed, then yes, I could have cleared the entire field by myself in this single day, but Artyom was not some machine that could keep up forever, and Gol had begun to whine hours ago.
They, I sent off to eat and rest while my own work continued, only elsewhere. I had slept in the old house for thest time, I vowed. The exterior of my new lodge waspleted, and now the inside beckoned to be attended. Byntern light, Imenced the great task of moving my goods and furniture from one to the other. A quite literal uphill struggle that at several points made me wonder why I had chosen to build it atop a hill.
Only once my bed, table, tools, weapons, coin, armor and experiment jars had been carried across did I decide it was enough for the night. The most important things settled, I too found rest beneath the tree that hade to be my evening retreat and let myself sup on what food Artyom had prepared.
A long dayy behind us, and tomorrow only promised more of the same.
Book 1: Chapter 51: harvest II.
Book 1: Chapter 51: harvest II.
Sore muscles and a stiff back were my reward once morning visited its presence upon this world once more. The sigh that escaped my throat echoed from the empty walls as an unfamiliar sight greeted my eyes. Only once several moments had passed did it register to me that I was now within the lodge. Sunlight drifted in from unfamiliar angles, and the scent of dried meat hanging in the corner did NOT pervade the air. A wee change.
After several moments of confusion, I managed not to trip down into the cer and find the door that led back outside. A yawn wrenched itself from my throat as I emerged from my ce of dwelling and greeted a new day. One that promised to be just as long as that before. No grey cloudsden with rain greeted me on the horizon, something I was both grateful and oddly disappointed for.
While a clear azure sky did mean I could perhaps work uninterrupted, it also disappointed a part of myself that would not be opposed to a day off. Some figment that, against my better judgement, just wanted to spend a single dayzing under a tree, aplishing a grand sum total of nothing.
The sum total of what was miney spread below me, And it was beautiful. Lacking an urgency to do something, I instead leaned against the doorframe and simply stood in simple admiration of all that I had built.
This too passed, and the ever-marching grind continued on, leaving me with little choice but to follow its pace. Another yawn stifled in my throat, I made my way down the hill, banged on the doorframe of the old house to wake Artyom, and headed for the storage shed. There was yet another reminder that I needed fresh chillvines to keep my milk cooled awaiting me. Where before they had been almost icy to the touch, those that remained were now cool at best. Not exactly optimal for keeping precious milk stored cold.
Buckets in hand, I greeted Artyom as he sleepily emerged and marched towards the pasture, intent on getting this done within record time. Such a feat proved itself to be impossible rather quickly. Means they were, the taur-cows were not stupid. Far from it. Today, they scattered at the sight of me, dispersing to the farthest reached of the pasture out of sheer spite. I stomped after them, pails in hand, Cloven Crash readied for when they got in range.
Stubborn, boorish beasts though they were, I prided myself in being even more hardheaded. One by one, I bore down on where they trotted to, let my shout echo across the green fields and did my needed chores. Their stubbornness cost me dearly in the currency of time, however.
And here I was, thinking of bringing even more of them onto my farm. That future promised no shortage of entertainment indeed.
Eventually, with some spige involved, I was able to procure several full buckets and empty them into chilled jugs that awaited. With that out of the way, I groaned, grabbed the scythe and headed for the fields. Artyom raced across the yard, in hot pursuit of Gol as the muchrger beast fled the felinids wrath.
Gol, it seemed, had realized another long day ofbour was expected from him, and wanted none of it. His lumbering gait easily towed the screeching felinid along behind him. The rope Artyom had wrapped around his neck did little to inconvenience the massive monster. In fact, he seemed to treat it with amusement, grunting wickedly as he dragged Artyoms yowling form along.
He barreled across the yard with gleeful contempt for the felinids indignation. A wild charge that saw the smaller being pulled through the dirt like a rag doll as he refused to let go. One that ended with me looming in front of him.
Firm hands mped down and stopped the beats in his tracks. He protested, of course, with grunts and surly growls. But the message was delivered. Like as not, he was headed back to the fields.
Without any new surprises from the monster nts, the day instead descended into a monotony of cutting, stacking, and helping the bumbling duo load stocks for delivery. Once again, even helped on by virtue of my size and strength, the work progressed at a painstaking pace. Without variation came boredom, spurred on by how the end of this single field seemed to inch closer without anyrge breakthrough or hurry.
A dry throat soon demanded water, and with orders for the other two to carry on, Iid down my scythe and headed for the stream. It was on this path that I passed by the piled husks of the burstbomb hosts, and stopped in examination. They had not yet been ripped free for a day, and had already begun to degrade.
Their metallic sheen had faded, and a brownish rust had settled itself in. Cracks ran through the previously impervious dome as the sheer density of the shells worked against itself. And yet, I did not regret my decision to destroy them. There was such a thing as quitting while I was ahead. My reasoning that they were too inherently dangerous to be handled safely remained sound.
Their fruit had a singr purpose, and that was destruction. I had removed the threats before they could bring harm to me and mine. If it had only I, then perhaps I could have found some reasoning to keep them, but that was not so.
Their now-decaying state dismissed from my mind, I continued on my way. The cold, clear water chilled my insides as I drank with a smile, already having been sweating under the harsh sunlight. It was a wee, unexpected surprise that the stream remained cold and crystal even in these conditions.
Another stark surprise presented itself as I made my way back to the fields.
Further up the road, a figure hobbled towards my farm. Green skin and rough clothes covered her form as she walked along, obviously in pain. Yet her smile remained, and one hand waved tiredly at Artyoms eager form. Gol broke into a loping run at the sight of Ish, with the felinid bouncing on his back. Thesss eyes widened as a full tonne of badger-bear monster hybrid bore down on her, happy and excited.
The collision did not ur. With her, at least. Gol tripped in his own excitement and skidded into the dirt, Artyom beingunched from his back and into Ishs arms. The orc still grunted on impact, but caught the felinid as I fought the urge tough and made my way over.
Mah wants me out and about. She exined once I had checked to make sure Gol had not suffered any injured that might interfere with his work. He could have chosen to fake some then and there, but instead hauled himself up and snuggled against Ish. Twas a somewhat strange sight, to see a beast thatrge all but beg to be petted.
For your own health, or?
Her face scrunched up a little and she made a sound that could only be described as a resounding bleh.
Bit of both. Mahs a firm believer in tough love and that adversity builds character or somethin. She groaned. But it also helps with the you-know-what.
Ah. You being out and seen about somewhat helps to deflect suspicion.
Exactly. Far as everyone is concerned, Im just a farmhand who never left her job. Mah gave me all of yesterday to rest up, and today Im back to work.
One might conclude that this is not entirely by choice. I mused.
One hand stopped halfway across Gols scalp and she gave me the deadest look I had yet to receive.
Mighty keen of you to notice that. She held a frown for all of several heartbeats before her smile slipped back through. Didnt need much of an excuse tahe back here anyhows.
There was a silence for a while, and eventually we all sort of drifted back towards where the work awaited us.
That aside, how are you? I asked, scythe in hand as Ish sat herself down underneath a tree at the fields edge, content to watch us work.
My bodys healin up fine, I guess. She shrugged. Mentally, I dunno. In a weird ce right now. Happy to be alive, but dont wanna sleep or think too hard on what happened.
I empathize with you. I rumbled. Please, feel free to simply keep uspany. Your presence alone could brighten the day.
Those words proved to be true. Gol proved to be much more eager with Ishs presence spurring him on. The big lumbering brute loped along at all speed, setting a pace that Artyom could scarce keep up to. Scythe moving in almost machine-like fashion, I too worked my way towards the fields end. Small interruptions aside, and periodic stops to chat with Ish, the day seemed to all but fly past, and before the sun had begun to sink low on the horizon, thest stand of grain had been felled and now the bundling began.
My back still sore and the cutting done, I instructed Artyom to attend the stack bundles I had worked upon while I took over his task of transporting loads back to the house. I could hold just as much in my own arms as Gol could fit upon his back, and the field began to be emptied at all haste.
Not content to simply sit by, Ish made her way over to the perpetually hunched felinid and began to lend what help she could. Her movements were stiff, obviously burdened by pain. She grunted under the weight of what had been wrought unto her, yet did not falter.
The sound of hooves in the distance was low at first, then grew to where I stopped and gazed down the road, curious. Riders were not umon, especially with what had been happening as ofte, yet the urgency and speed in this one were unmatched.
Death rode a ragged horse onto my yard, and I recognized Lerish beneath the blood and torn clothing. The huntress pulled my barely conscious horse to a halt ahead of me and swung from the saddle.
It is done. Were all I heard as she handed me the reins. What and why, I did not feel the need to inquire. I already knew that it involved bloodshed, and not her own.
Her eyes traced across the fields, and came to a rest on Ish as she stood, framed by the setting sun. Without another word uttered, the huntress stalked across the barren fields of freshly-felled grain. I could almost see the smile bloom on the orcs face as she hobbled towards the advancing woman, fighting pain with every step.
And yet, there was a smile on my face as Lerish seized Ish and hauled her upwards into a tight hug, one that she reciprocated.
Fool girl. I could hear her whisper as I drew near, an uncharacteristic tremble. I thought you were gone.
All the worlds horrors couldnt keep me down and away from you. The orc blushed a little as she fumbled the worlds.
Lerish drew back and looked her in dead in her in gleaming eyes.
I know. Was all she spoke.
Youre bleeding. Ish finally noticed. A lot.
Not mine. Now just shut up and let me hold you.
Unable to find a decent moment to interrupt their precious moment, I instead decided to sort of awkwardly hover a distance away. Let them enjoy the moment and have whatever time they needed together. The recollection of what had happened with Lerish and her dwarf hunting expedition could wait untilter.
So. I rumbled one they approached me. I take your venture blessed you with sess?
Wrong word. The huntress grunted. Nothing good everes from dealings that involve the Under-dwellers. But yes, I am here and I am alive. Count that as sess, if you will.
Book 1: Chapter 52: Harvest III
Book 1: Chapter 52: Harvest III
By scrunched nose, wrinkled face and sour expression, one could tell that the stench approached.
You stink. Ish put it bluntly. Lerish nced down and indicated that yes, she did indeed reek of sweat and dried blood. A foul odour, I had to admit. Several other smells I did not particrly want to identify were mixed in there as well, and I was more than happy to leave them a mystery.
Yeah. She grunted. Should go wash.
And just like that, we finished work for the day. With a sigh, I instructed Artyom and Gol to carry a final load of stocks and led the group back to the house. Ish hobbled off towards the storage shed and emerged with an empty bucket in hand. I guessed her intent, took it from her and set off towards the stream. One quick dipter, I had procured a full load of crystal cold streamwater, bnced carefully as I lumbered back across the yard.
Lerish seized the bucket from my hand and unceremoniously dumped it over her head. A small yowl escaped her mouth as the sheer cold struck her, some of the feline within slipping out. Ears ttened against her skull, she scrubbed herself with a rough towel I recognized as my own from the house. One furious shakingter, she proved to still be covered in various substances, and more buckets were brought forth.
I could see the hiss that formed on her lips as the fourth bucket approached, but she allowed Ish to dump it on her withoutment. Only once the multitude of fluids were solidly washed off her form and into the grass below did she seem satisfied.
Once would assume there is quite a tale behind that. I nodded solemnly once she had stood back up from her stool.
Yes. She grunted. I left it at that and gestured towards the usual ce. I found myself beneath the massive oak tree shortly after, gathered in thepany of those I had perhaps bonded with in my time upon this world. Those whose opinions and well-being meant much to me.
That horse is about to slump over and trot on to meet its maker. She remarked. Brave, foolish thing has been running hard for. Well, I dont know how long.
I turned to look, and yes, that looked to be the case. Alone and forgotten, it swayed in the middle of the yard, quite literally upon itsst legs. A grimace rose unbidden, and Artyom hurried off secondster, instructions given to feed it cleric-shine petals and lead it to pasture. The weary animal gave no resistance as the felinid gently guided it along, too tired to protest.
There was writ anger upon the huntresss features as she sat and mused in silence. A single sunken eye moved between my form and Ish. Weighing the weight of her words as Ishunched the third retelling of her story in my presence. One that became more dragged out than thest as Lerish frequently stopped her to expound on more details, provide descriptions for nearly everything. Any hint of emotion was abruptly brought to an end when thess mentioned Valencia.
Lerish sat still, quiet as a tomb while Ish continued her narration uncontested. Her features were cold now, hard and withdrawn, all trace of feeling erased.
Of course. She knew. My ears had never been graced by a tone quite so thoroughly dead. All this time. Wasted.
Although the knowledge was already firmly within, I was once more tempted to simply ask what.
Silence fell as Lerish sat and almost seemed to tremble with restrained frustration. Deep heavy breaths were taken, and not because of her lungs being damaged. Her singr eye gleamed with dull light, cold and lifeless as she chewed over words.
I trust no one. She started with a grunt. Not fully. Not even you.
There was no proper response to those words, and so I held my silence.
This knowledge wille forth. Sooner orter. And I would rather you know it from me than her.
There was no zed, faraway look in her eye as she began to recount something, only a frozen intensity that sheared through her facade of emotionlessness.
Secrets should sometimes remain so. This knowledge had remained buried for my safety. And that of others. Yet now, all I have wrought is bing undone. So let the truth me free, and judge me not.
Back in a time when the Baron had just returned from his long campaigns. When you were still a child and I was a young, eager adventurer. Things were.rgely the same. The only adventuring party of note here was myself and several close friends. Eager for adventure. Hungry for a taste of power. Too hungry. We came to the attention of Ironmoor and his captains after overhunting the monsters that inhabited thesends.
For such a small group, this was it. This was the chance we needed. The breakthrough. And yet, we all know where this story goes. Lerish let slip a small sigh. Within the past half hour, she had disyed more emotion than the sum total of all our other time together, I realized.
Perhaps Ironmoor knew. Perhaps not. One of his captains approached us with an innocuous task: Investigate a possible mine at the peak of the Redtip. It was specified that this mission was to be kept secret, even from the Baron himself. At the time, he -and Valencia- were thoroughly upied by a rebellion near the northern borders. The coin was good, and the man himself friendly enough, despite his affiliations.
There is a long and tragic recount here. Dont want to dive into it, even now. The mine was not what it seemed. We discovered a dungeon, and a trap. My story echoes yours. She addressed Ish directly now. Everyone died. Only I escaped back to the remnants of the camp. I had lost my friends, had my eye taken in exchange for power. But another ambush awaited me there. The captain wanted credit for this discovery himself. A fool who had failed his way upward into a position over others. He died that day, his men with him. They had me dead.
She stopped now and stared at the darkening sky, her head tilted back.
Nothing less than divine intervention is why I sit with you today. The Apex appeared and tore through the captain and his soldiers. From within the dungeon, or summoned by the seal breaking, I dont know. Dont care either.
This was the first sighting of the beast? I questioned.
For all intense and purposes. Lerish grunted.
I learned after that this captain was greedy, not stupid. We had rested overnight at this camp. Been given fresh fleshknitter potions. Or so I thought. They were fire-breath draughts. Icked fire resistance. Only actual fleshknitters I had kept from before prevented this secret from dying with me. Death surrounded me. Spite burned in me.
I buried the camp and its corpses. Resealed the dungeon and helped hide it. Tried to keep its existence secret. I was determined Ironmoor would not get what he wanted. If that demanded I kill all that came near, so be it. Under my watch, it would never be unveiled.
Over time, it dawned on me that perhaps Ironmoorcked knowledge that there was a dungeon there. Had perhaps epted the story that this captain tried to betray him for his own gain. No one had ever used the man of being virtues paragon. I lurked among the mountain-tops, ever on guard. Keeping the watch. A year passed. The another. Small teams came to investigate, and were frightened away by the Apex.
All this time I have hoped, I have believed that the dungeon was truly hidden away. Sealed. And now I am shown that that was a false hope.
Worse than any sort of despair, there was a dangerous emptiness in her voice.
So Valencia knew. I stated the obvious.
More than that, she has created her own way into that ce. From what Ish has described, she has grown adapt at traversing it. Without waking the ce. Only the Gods Above know how much sheer, raw power she has harvested from within.
Then why did she let me go? The orc posed the question quietly. If its such a secret.
The ruse is up. Lerish spoke simply. The knowledge has spread like wildfire. Every straw-chewing hick and their mother and their dog knows. It can no longer be contained.
She wants us to know. I hazarded a wild guess.
Arrogance, or confidence supreme, I know not. The huntress shrugged quietly. But what I know of her, it is very much in line. She knows her position is impable. And now? She holds all the cards. Valencia knows the dungeon, what it contains, who woke it and all else there is to know.
So, there are now a scant few here that know the entire truth behind this matter.
No. Lerish groaned. There is another.
The dwarf survived? I queried, eyebrow raised.
No.
Then who? Ish all but demanded to know.
Whoever told the dwarf. Someone informed the fools who dragged you to die with them.
And?
And the less you know of what I did, the safer you are. The smile on her lips was obviously forced, sharp teeth gleaming on thest hints of sunlight.
He refused to talk, once I had ran him down. Yet I have ways. Methods that proved insufficient. Something scrunched his body as he finally gave me a solid description. A very powerful, very well-ced Skill he did not know about.
There was disgust on my face as I attempted to imagine that.
That blood, those fluids on you earlier?
Yes.
Gods Above. Ish grimaced and made a sign across her chest.
And now? I sighed, eyes rubbed at my tired eyes. Every day revealed new secrets that threatened to shake the world around me, yet the farm life continued on.
Now, you keep this to yourselves, and you deal with Valencia even more cautiously than before. Arm yourselves with this knowledge, so it cannot be used gainst you.
And you?
And I will hunt. Wherever this tower is located, I will find it and whatever secrets it holds.
I would have offered her some words of caution, but those would have been worth little. More than perhaps anyone, the huntress knew what she was getting into.
If you were the dungeons supposed guardian, why did you let this happen? Ish spoke quietly. Everything stopped, and all eyes turned to Lerish as the orc posed the question I had been dreading.
I didnt. Lerish returned softly. Please, understand that I am not all-seeing, all-knowing. It happened at such a rapid pace, while my attention was focused elsewhere. Had I been there, knowing you were about to walk to that doom, I would have ripped the mountain itself apart to stop you. To spare you from that horror.
Did my parents know? Came another question, an almost usatory edge to her tone.
Somewhat. They knew there was something up there, but not its full extent. A dungeon perhaps, but for all they were aware it was a small one, jealously guarded. And yet, they loved you enough to let you go.
Ish was not an irrational person, or even an overtly emotional one, yet I could see her struggle to contain herself then.
I cannot say that this was the worst possible oue, however. Lerish smiled faintly. You survived, and that is what truly matters.
It took several moments of silence for me to realize the two were about to have a moment. With a sigh, I stood up, dusted off my pants, and bade them goodnight. I was not quite sure if they heard my words, but I thought it best not to check twice.
Some moments were best left undisturbed.
Book 1: Chapter 53: Harvest IV
Book 1: Chapter 53: Harvest IV
She had not left the night before. This I found with a pail of milk in either hand, eyebrows raised as Ish stumbled from the old house. Sleepy still, her eyes bleary and posture slumped, the orc gave a sheepish wave in my general direction as I returned from the fields, chores finished and another day of harvest ahead of me.
Up till the wee hours of morning? I guessed, tone wry. It took her a few moments to reply. Minutes in which I stowed away the mornings load and began to prepare for the day. Breakfast was a hearty affair, given that I preferred to consume my food now for a shorter breake noon. Artyom stomped from the house behind her, a positively foul expression distorting his features.
One could add up the sum total of what had happened the night before and perhapse close.
Its not what yah think. Ish rubbed her eyes and cracked a wistful smile. We were only talkin.
Chatter somewhere else next time, yes-yes. The felinid hissed.
To say everyone was sore -one way or another- would be an understatement. Myself excluded somewhat, Gol and Artyom definitely felt the pace of the past few days, and Ish was still in recovery. My own body only lightly felt the strain, but I was blessed with unrivaled physique and relentless endurance by virtue of being a minotaur. An unfair advantage I had whollye to enjoy. Relish even.
The thought of returning to a weak, frail human form no longer interested me, I found in a sudden, stark moment of rity. I fortable within my new body. In enjoyment of it, even.
A slight cough from Ish interrupted this moment of self-appreciation as the orc held out a small bowl. I realized mydle had frozen halfway through the air, about to serve up some leftover stew for breakfast. A good, healthy meal, but one I feared would not quite get everyone ready for the day. Sore muscles and all those other worries that did not overmuch trouble me.
One very short internal debateter, I stood and abruptly made my way to the garden. Watered by now-gone blood the cleric-shine valiantly regrew precious petals. Pale, silky things that promised great profit. More than that, they could save lives. The wound inflicted by Ishs father had already healed, rendering the nt whole once more.
Without a fresh source in sight, I sighed and drew the knife. Heartbeatster, it supped on my blood, smeared across its form as I gently plucked off a few of therger petals with another, cleaner finger.
These I passed out among my friends and helpers as I returned, with instructions to consume. Perhaps a pricy action to alleviate some soreness, but I would rather they be happy and healthy than try to pinch a few coins more.
At some point, I should have realized I never saw Lerishing, nor did a scent fill my nostrils. Instead, the huntress seemed to appear beside me, cloaked in silence.
You look better. I grunted in an effort to hide my surprise. Startled or not, I was determined to get used to her constant habit. A light blossomed in Ishs eyes, an one could see a smile form behind her bowl as the orc scarfed down her breakfast.
Hmmm. Was all I was returned. Little expected, little given. No one had ever used Lerish of being a fascinating conversationalist.
Off to the hunt once more?
Soon. Here for a bit.
The slight grin upon my features were all thement I deigned to give on that subject.
While I have your attention, The conversation veered off-track and presented her with a bowl. It was seized from my grasp, sniffed for a second and then chugged down with all haste.
There was something I had a mind to ask of you. I continued undeterred. A favor, in fact.
Mmmm. A slightly barbed tongue licked away some leftover liquid and stared tly. For a moment, all was silent save for distant birdsong as those feathered greeted the morning sun.
Ask what you will. She shrugged.
If you ever have free time, it would be a great boon to me if you could deliver me the carcasses of higher-leveled creatures. Their blood, in particr.
The single eye that gazed upon me didnt so much as blink.
Sudden penchant for necromancy? Was all she asked.
Dont think Ma and Pa will particrly appreciate the attention that brings. Ish winced quietly into her own bowl.
The conclusions you leap to wound me. I sighed. But no, it is for something else.
Done. Lerish spoke. After a brief pause, I found that no, I did not have to exin what it was for. There was something nice about knowing a person that simply could not be bothered to care.
She did not stay much longer. Naught but a few moments had passed when she stood upright, nodded to everyone and left in silence. A wistful look adorned Ishs face and bright eyes followed the huntresss path.
I hate tah see her go, But I do love watchin her leave. She muttered. There was a pause, then a sudden, deep blush as it struck her everyone had heard that. Despite my most heroic efforts, a smile cracked the edges of an otherwise t expression.
There was a collective groan shared between Gol and Artyom as I stood, ready to head off and begin my work.
A few more moments, yes-yes? The felinid pleaded with big, round eyes, I relented after a moment and told them toe when ready.
Anythin I can help with? Ish grunted and heaved herself up. A skeptical nce showed she was not gifted at hiding her stiffness.
Youre still healing up. I stated the obvious.
Yes, and? Thess tossed back. I can still work. Need to repay you somehow.
Look. She continued after a moment. You healed me. Kept me from havin to walk round for the rest of my life with achin scars and a broken body. Thats no small thing. Im whole because of you. Somethin words cant really appreciate. So dont be stubborn and just let me help to show some small part of the gratitude I owe ya.
After a moment to fully appreciate what the orc had just said, I grinned and sped my hands.
So, how much do you threshing?
It didnt take long for me to have Ish positioned over arge sheet covered by stocks of grains. il in hand, she groaned, stretched her back and began to beat away. No instructions were needed, and after a few moments of observing her motions, I was satisfied. She knew what to do, and would likely have them ready for winnowing before the day was out. The il rose and fell as she beat the oats, the blows separating the grain and straw through brute force.
A long and enjoying day of repetitivebour set before her, I made myself scarce and trotted back towards the fields. With one stripped bare, another awaited me. Oats were still the dominant crop here, with sections of barley and wheat also nted.
All would serve to feed the cattle.
My eyes drifted across the road where said cows roamed the pasture, and another smile found its path unto my face. The horse that had been fed cleric-shine petals just the night before was not doing better. That would have grandly undersold how full of life it seemed at the moment, being chased around the pasture by the taur-cows, having made an annoyance of itself through overeager exuberance.
All was indeed well.
Thoughts firmly set aside, I hefted the scythe, sighed at the extraordinary full field before me and got the cutting. Even with the stream having been cut off days ago, the ground was still soft beneath my hooves. Every step sunk into the rich, loamy earth as stocks fell around me. At first, I worried about how badly I was discing the earth. Then it dawned upon me that I would likely plow it before the next crop anyway.
Another irrational worry ovee, I released a grunt of contention and felled another sweep of oats. With little to distract me, I made steady progress in both the cuts and stacking. This field thankfullycked any monster nts, and so Icked the need to slow down and carefully work around them. All of the seeds the an had given me had been spread into a single field.
With a frown, I cast my mind back and attempted to remember something, anything. An expression that only deepened as I attempted toe up with any sorts of features or look. Nothing. Less than that, there was a void within my memory, one that troubled me. I had never been good with names, but I could remember a face for a lifetime. But here, not a single thing about the merchant that had sold me this farm and these seeds could be recalled.
A raven cawed at the treetops, almost as if to mock my concentration andck of results.
Sour was the expression I leveraged at it, yet it onlyughed harder. One of Tehaliss eyes, here to keep watch on her daughter? If so, it was situated terribly for that. It seemed intent to gaze upon me rather than Ish who remained hard at work across the entire yard. A brown, puffed-up body made itrger than any sort of darker-feathered raven I had seen before, and yet the mix of features was unmistakable.
Large, dull wings rested against its body and calloused ws dug into the branch it imperiously perched upon. Straw covered its body, jutting out from between feathers. It seemed, in every way, at home on a farm.
A slight tilt of its head brought one gleaming eye towards me, and for some godsforsaken reason, I found myself having staring down a raven, refusing to blink. Neither of us moved, eyes locked upon each other as sweat ran beneath my coat of short fur, teased out my the suns heat. A droplet ran directly across my eyeball, and it demanded willpower supreme not to blink.
Heartbeat after heartbeat marched on, each one slower than thest. I did not quite know how I had wrapped myself in this foolishness, but at this point, I refused to leave.
A thrown-back head and sharp, raucous caw signaled my victory. Wings spread wide and pped overhead were all the congrattions I received. Even then, it simply sat on high, content to watch me as I shook my head and got back to work.
And yet, the Gods Above were not content to simply let me continue on with my life.
The first signal I received was the raven. Wings spread into an upright fan, it began to caw incessantly. I red at it in annoyance, debating on trying out my rock-flinging skills. I stopped that train of thought as my eyes dipped down from the treetops and saw the forms that emerged.
Stonemongers.
They came in small groups, weapons in hand. Long, sinous forms that broke from the forest in silence, slinking from the undergrowth towards me.
With no weapon in hand, I was caught tfooted. But I was a minotaur, and they were small, frail things. My hands would be enough. If it came to that.
Without the armament of choice close by, I hefted the scythe and watched them approach. A shout back across the yard caught the others attention, and Gols snarls quickly sounded through the area.
And then they stopped, the scattered groupsing to a halt as a singr,rger Stonemonger approached.
It knelt before me and offered up what looked to be gems in hand, knees buried in the dirt and wed hands held outstretched.
For my part, I simply stood there, dumbfounded. This was not at all what I had expected.
Book 1: Chapter 54: Harvest V
Book 1: Chapter 54: Harvest V
Were I a more clever man, there would no doubt have been some witty response to what had just unfolded before me. Some flourish, a show of bravado as the conqueror epted tribute from those overrun. I had no such reaction. A heartbeat eked its way into the void of time, then another as I mimicked a stone in movement.
The monster knelt before me smelled of naught but raw fear and nervous sweat. Its head remained bowed briefly as I gazed upon its supplication. No n presented itself as I watched it twitch back and forth, ncing back at its kind, those who lingered just outside the treeline. Much as my mind refused to readily ept what had just happened, there was no indication of treachery in its scent. Only fear. Even so, I kept my gaze upon it, ready for the twitch of muscles that would give away a sudden spring forward, herald a surprise attack.
In my example, the creature decided against any action, simply keeping knelt in the sweltering afternoon heat. Sweat ran down its brow, the only noticeable scent amidst the raw stench of trepidation that cloaked it.
One hand reached out and plucked the gem from its upturned palms before I could second-guess my actions further. Adequaterge and rather shiny, I supposed it was a generous peace offering.
Exin yourself. I rumbled, and then resisted the urge to smack myself for not phrasing that better. An empty stare tinged by traces of confusion met my gaze. Several more moments passed as I repeated this. Comprehension dawned soon after.
It could not understand me. And much as I believed that actions spoke louder than words, experience indicated that any aggressive actions I took would ruin the moment. Likely cause them to bolt back into the trees and continue whatever existence they eked out. By virtue of being a minotaur, that would cover the wide range of..well, anything I did. Even while I remained motionless, the sheer amount of raw fear that roiled off the creature and invited itself into my nostrils gave me pause.
Gods Above, they were terrified beyond belief.
And so we were back to the very first square, at a one-way stalemate, if such a thing was possible. Several splendidly productive momentster, a tug on my pants and the scent of feline indicated Artyoms arrival.
They speak in anothernguage, yes-yes. He stated the obvious, one word at a time. The Low Tongue. All monster-adjacent species are gifted it by the System, Mhmmm.
A facet of knowledge I had not been in possession of.
And one might assume you can speak this?
I may try, yes-yes.
And that was all that I needed.
Ry to them my thanks for the gift, and inquire as to their purpose here.
A series of low, guttural sounds came from Artyom momentster, to which the creature slunk backwards, fangs bared.
Its long snout moved as it began to bark something in return, then cut off and dropped into a much lower whimper. A verbal exchange thatprehended exactly none of, but this was not the onlynguage I understood. Its bodynguage spoke of submission, even with small res to other emotions as it grumbled back and forth with the felinid.
Well? I asked once the light breeze was the primary source of sound once more.
You are the Great Destroyer. Artyom stated in a matter-of-fact tone. Breaker of Gods, Shatterer of the Sacred Stones. The one ofy their Stone Gods low. They havee to pay tribute, so that your wrath may be appeased.
Only great restraint kept theughter inside my throat as the sheer absurdity struck me.
And yet.
Was I not nearly a god, from their perspective? A divine force of wrath that had returned to punish their hubris and shatter their weaker gods before me?
The thoughts ruminated for several moments, A reminder that the shards of the old, arrogant being who had been Garek before me still lived within.
Tell them I am pleased with their gift, but that I am no God. I replied, and watched draw near, Gol protectively between her and the stonemongers. The great beast had its fangs bared, ears ttened and visible clumps of fur on end. The orc held him back, soothing words uttered and gentle strokes along his head as they approached. He had not forgotten, nor forgiven.
Chatter resumed between the two as the rest waited for the results in strained ignorance.
It says that if you are not a God after such ruinous wrath and feats of strength, then what are you?
A farmer. Was all I returned. There were visible hints of confusion on the creatures face as Artyom tranted.
It crept backwards and nced up at me, not sure what to make of what Artyom was saying.
Its scared stiff. I remarked to Ish as Artyom and the stonemonger conversed.
Any and all can see as much. She remarked. What did you do to these beasts anyhow?
Cut down their leaders, toppled their idols and scattered them into the wilds. I returned without pause. But I only culled out a single nest. The Apex destroyed thergest settlement.
A re in fear -if such a thing was even possible- came before the creature lept backwards, earsid t and fangs bared as its body trembled. If I scared these beasts, then the mere mention of the Apex cast terror into their very being.
It took several moments of calming gestures from us and words from Artyom to reassure the stonemonger. All throughout, its eyes darted back and forth, tongue flicking at the air.
You destroyed a gathering nest. The felinid tranted after several moments of harsh jabbering back and forth. The Apex destroyed their..well, the rough meaning is civilization.
I know. I was there.
As you have destroyed their warrior god, whose name I cannot trante, they havee to pay tribute and beg for peace. Artyom continued.
They did not seem overtly peaceful upon ourst few encounters. I smiled thinly, stark memory of a howling tide descending upon my farm fresh upon my mind. The opposite, from what I saw.
They have only reassurances to offer. Came the reply several momentster.
I am a peaceful person, not a stupid one.
They are mostly harmless in small groups. Ish chimed in. Its only when they get tah rilin up in big packs is when the trouble starts.
Much as I valued her opinion, and had heard the same from Lerish, I was not entirely eager to budge on this subject.
It was easy to think of this monster as weak, fearful with how it cowered before me, ready to leap away at the smallest movement. And yet, a part of me admitted that it took real courage to approach that fear, to be terrified by it, and to face it down. The absence of fear was not courage. That was reserved for those who would try to ovee what scared them.
What now? Ish asked. I had no reply to give. It took several moments of musing toe up with a decent solution.
I ept their tribute. They may go in peace. I finally had Artyom ry. What else was I going to do? Put them to work? Have them run errands for me? Teach them to cook?
It was at this moment that another chose to make their appearance at the worst possible time. Hooves clopped and wheels creeked as a semi-familiar cart rolled around the roads bend to appear from the trees. Atop it sat Pert, likely on his way to the camp to pettle his wares.
I did not need to be close to smell the focused interest with which he surveyed the happenings. My scowl matched his gaze and I stood with arms folded as he slowly trundled past. Much as I disliked the man, the road was not my property, and I could do little to halt him. Legally. SHould it ever go beyond disagreement, I had other options.
While I did not know the man all that well, I had heard of him, and by ounts on and all, he was a bbermouth. A gossip-leach through and through. I had little doubt this would be the talk of the campe sundown, with whatever twist he wanted to add to this.
All too soon and not quickly enough, he was gone, and my mind turned back to more important matters. Namely, the obviously valuable gem held in my hand. In its current form, it was rough, uncut. A hunk of shiny crimson stone. Yet I could be made into more.
The promise of profit hung over me, yet I did not want it to cloud my thoughts.
I will leave you alone. I promised to the stonemonger. So long as you remain peaceful, and deliver tribute.
It took but moments for Artyom to get the message across, the monsters eager nods a clear indicator despite thenguage barrier. With little fanfare, it turned and slunk away, the rest of its kind electing to follow suit and disappear among the foliage.
A wise decision.
So. That happened. I mused in monotone.
Yah. Thess agreed. Nice little distraction. Make for a good story too.
Back to work? I suggested. Not exactly a question, but Gol seemed to think so as he plopped, tension leaving his body. Only to be dragged back up as the felinid began to harass him. A small smile broke across my features as I watched the two. One that only slightly shrank as I caught sight of the brown-feathered raven sat astride the treetops,ughing silently down at me.
My very small arsenal of witty remarks being found sorelycking, I did the humble thing and simply returned to my work. The day passed slowly as multitude of thoughts stormed through my brain, one eager to edge out the next. Of all the things I had expected when I rolled out of bed this morning, this had been among thest. In my mind, the stonemonger problem had firmly dealt with and filed away.
But life here had proven it was no stranger to handing out surprises to anyone and everyone involved. Lost within my thoughts as I was, I still managed to clear well over half of this field before the day was forced to end. One final push tomorrow, and my first harvest would be finished. The reaping, at least. Threshing, winnowing and more promised to eat up what free time I had, and then, as always, more work awaited me.
But that was for some date in the distant future. For now, for today, my work was firmly done.
Supper proved an amicable affair. My own cooking had remarkably improved since my arrival in this world. And yet at times, there was much I would sacrifice for a good, greasy burger. The thought made me pause.
Given the body I inhabited, would perhaps be cannibalism? A moral question for one stronger than I, for the greasy goodness of fast good could bend even the strongest wills.
Stars looking pretty tonight? Ish questioned, and I realized I had been caught staring up, into the void.
Thoughts of home pervade my mind. I admitted. I sometimes wonder if they inhabit the same stars we do, if they can see the same view as me.
Hmm. Doubt it. Angles, distance and all that. She grunted between bites of whatever meat Artyom had prepared tonight. I had not yet touched mine, I realized.
Ever feel like going back? Came the question after a short pause.
I have considered it. I admitted. And yet, while I could im I have no way to return in order to soothe myself, I have no true desire to return. Here is where I have put down my roots. All those I know, all those I care about are firmly in this small area. And here is where I have made a life for myself.
Thats as good a reason as any. Myself, Im morefortable drifting around. Or so Im hopin anyway. I love meeting new people, gazin upon new horizons. The few trips I went with folks to the city, I loved every minute of it.
We left it at that, and soon enough, Ish heaved herself up.
Mas gonnae lookin if I stay out another night. She grinned in her lopsided way. Gonna borrow Gol to ride back home.
Amused by the sight of the orcss sitting astride the lumbering beast, I bid her farewell and watched until they vanished into the distance. Tiredness crept across me all at once, and just like that, another day had concluded.
Book 1: Chapter 55: Harvest VI
Book 1: Chapter 55: Harvest VI
In the aftermath of several eventful days, it was almost refreshing to have one where nothing of great import urred. Save for the reapinging to a close, and Ishs struggles with threshing, calm finally settled around the farm. A sort of eerie stillness only asionally shattered by increasingly colourful persons on their way up the mountain. Mercenaries, adventurers, delvers and dungeonbreakers, if stored knowledge did not suddenly fail me.
Some stopped to exchange pleasantries, most just kept to the climb. Almost all stared at the sight of a minotaur preparing the winnow the threshed oats. Few returned my gaze. The process itself involvedrge sheet, gently tossing the oats into the air so that the light chaff might be swept away upon the wind and leave the heavier grains to fall back down.
A slow, repetitive process, made only longer by the remarkably weak gusts that ran through the grass. Dust swirled around, raised with every p of the sheet. That they have cloth bound over their mouths for at least some protection was a point I had refused to budge on. I did indeed know they were hot and not quite models offort, but they were more than necessary.
There were protests at first, of course. And while I didnt enjoy being someone who condescendingly stated they knew what was best for others, this was an instance of such. Although,, the sight of Artyom in an oversized bandanna did stir some amusement.
Ish finished the threshing towards mid-day, her strength and enthusiasm having shortened the task to a far more manageable time than I had dared hope.
There is a task I cannot put off any longer. I informed her with a grimace once my position had been handed over to her. The decision made to forgo dinner entirely, I hefted the massive ymore and its equally ridiculous sheathe, grabbed arge pack, secured my gear and set off up the mountain.
If all went well, I would be returnede evening.
Experience had taught me to expect that it would not.
Many souls traveled up the mountain. Few flowed back down. Drawn, like moths to the me. The dungeon woke, and those who gathered here came on the faint promise of riches. The prospect of glory hidden behind a veil of danger.
I was not here for such petty things.
The climb took me ever upwards, the gradual slope growing steeper with every step. The trees tightened around me until the path was choked by growth to either side. Just big enough for a team of horses and a cart in tow. This had not been the case when I first ascended here, but the Verdant Dawn had hacked away the undergrowth until there was just enough room for supplies to be hauled up the slopes.
Dirt became less and less frequent as the ascent continued. I passed the first camp, originally home to the order of monster hunters I had fallen in with. Now, more distinct colours mingled among the walls. Morend had been cleared, and even more formations erected as theyboured to transform it into a proper staging ground now.
A greeting rang through the air, a voice I recognized. Raffnyk waved tiredly from a toiling mass of bodies. There was exhaustion in his eyes, yet he issued orders at his brisk pace as I approached.
How goes the farm life? Came the question. A polite formality, I guessed. Not content to waste his time, I simply imparted to him a brief summary and took to usual affirmations in return.
And this? I asked with a vague gesture to the men and women clearing trees, ripping loose stumps and piling wood to either side of the road.
After much deliberation, the decision has been made to erect a proper fort here for the time being. He sighed as we walked along.
Irnonmoor wont take offense? I asked, eyebrows raised in surprise.
The opposite. I never thought I would see the day when reason and calm came from that man, but he has agreed that this should be a shared project. One necessitated by circumstance, yes. It seems the Baron has decided that the situation at hand is more important than pursuing his old grudge with us. For now.
Still, I was pleasantly surprised that he was capable of seeing past his prejudices and grievances to view theing threat with this rity. My soldiers have been mostly rotated out of guard duty at the peak and can now focus entirely on construction of this fort. With more mercenaries pouring in and eager for some pay before the dungeon is opened, I expect we will be finished in several weeks.
A reminder that levels, skills and the other gifts of this world could harshly skew timeframes inparison to what I would have expected otherwise.
We will of course need supplies in a constant matter, some of which I am sure you could supply. Speaking of which, I have not yet received any shipments of healing milk from you. He stated bluntly.
There was an emergency that required I use it all. I winced. More is in production, currently. Should be ready for delivery soon.
Good. He nodded. By the mercy of the Gods Above, we have not yet required it, aside from the initial wave that broke from the dungeon. Monster culling aside, there has been no significantbat. Although I fear this is a wary peace that will no maintain itself for long. We scramble more every day, trying to shore up defenses just a bit more before the flood inevitablyes.
He gestured around as we walked along, gauntleted hand sweeping over freshly-clearednd.
This here will be ast resort, should ite to that. With the elfs help, the defences prepared at the peak should, no, must be adequate. If they break through, this is the only true path down the mountain and will need to be fortified. If it doese to that, I suspect all is already lost, yet the attempt must be made.
You intend to see ifplete, well-stocked and armed to the teeth. I nodded.
Aye. He nodded curtly. If it falls, then so will I. My duty has been given from on high, and my life will be forfeit before I forsake my oath.
With that, we reach the roads end, at least as far as Raffnyk was concerned.
Tiredness and fatigue pervaded the man, and with some pity, I let him go. My own roady further on, higher up the slope. Here, the trees grew thinner, with less soil to fully sustain the lush forests below. The soil began to take on a crimson tinge, almost as if stained by blood. No monster bothered me as I climbed towards the summit.
The was not truly a mountain, as itcked a distinct, single peak. The top was shaped as if it had been shorn off, with a cratered teau that served as its highest point. Undisturbed save for the asional patrol or messenger riding past, I soon found myself above the treeline, the vastness below me so far, far away.
Only once had I traveled this way, and yet the path was familiar. Possibly helped on by the that there was only one such route up the mountain, but that was far from the point.
I crested a ridge and gazed into the craters that had been torn into the mountain soil. Manyy empty, naught but dust and crimson rock. One in particr however, teamed with the life.
Quick nces showed it was thergest in sheer size, and now it overflowed with humanity. Where the dungeons entrance was located, I assumed. From where I stood, my eyes could not glimpse the actual opening, so heavily buried was it in fortifications. A stone fortress now stood within the crater, reinforced with wood and iron. Veltons handiwork?
There was no sight of the elf, yet everything I had heard ofte indicated he spent most of his time on the peak. In preparation of the inevitable wavee to crash upon the defences and see if they were wanting.
Soldiers patrolled along the battlements, Ironmoors green g flown overhead. From here they seemed small, off in the distance. But I was not here to admire the elfs handiwork or to specte if these preparations were in vain. I knew little of fortifications and how they were designed to keep monsters locked inside. I would leave such things to those with more knowledge than I.
Instead, I set off to find the chillvines I hade here for. Knife in hand and pack empty, I scoured the mountaintop, searching under every shaded rock and among the scarce bushes. They were plentiful up here where magic permeated the air, and I harvested quickly. Despite the packs instion, I could feel the cold upon my back, in sharp contrast to the heat that broiled down from above. When I had first cut and carried these, the chill had been ufortable. Now, it was wee.
The pack ran over soon enough, stuffed to the absolute limit I could manage without crushing those already inside. But I wanted more. These were more than enough for the jugs I had now, yes. Yet forward-thinking and my ns to expand demanded I thinkrger. So, I draped them around my neck and over my shoulders. Cold to the touch, almost icy, even under the smothering heat.
But I did not do this task quickly enough. Riders approached, the barons banner held overhead.
What business have you here? The one leading demanded from atop his stead. Were I a human, this armored figure would tower over me. Instead, he was just a bit above head height for me.
I am gathering nts. I stated simply, arms folded. nts needed for my farm.
They nced back and forth for a moment before the man shrugged.
Very well. We are only here to warn you, if by some miracle you have not yet heard of the dungeon close to here, then you know now. Monsters are abundant here, and prone to bursting from the depths at any moment. Tread with caution.
Much as I tried to find some hidden threat in the mans words -and could see that hard look in his eyes-, I could admit he was simply too tired to give a damn.
The fort. I broke in suddenly. I would like to see it.
There were nces of suspicion, but once more, their unwillingness to release a single ounce of caring shone through.
I am a farmer, yes, but also adept at battle. Should an attack happen, I would not drag the defense down, only bolster it.
First part surprised me more than the second. The lead man grunted and pulled down his visor. Forts open to all brave enough toy down their lives in defense of thesends.
With that, they galloped away, back towards the stone castle, and I was left unbothered. Mayhaps they really had been sent to simply investigate and report. One never knew what surprises awaited. Still, I had plenty of daylight left, and my curiosity was firmly piqued.
Rocks crumbled beneath me, crushed by the weight of my hooves as I began the descent into the crater. The soil, while hard, was malleable underneath my sheer bulk and prowess. The singr path towards the fortress was smooth and leveled perfectly, in sharp contrast to the steep jagged slopes that surrounded it.
Veltons handiwork.
Arge question posed itself. Was it possible the elf had raised the crater walls to entrap this entire ce? Such power seemed frankly god-like, or at least what I could think of a god to be. To shape the veryndscape itself in his image was true power, by my reckoning.
Or maybe it had always been like this. I did not truly know, as my only other expedition up here had been the outside ring of trees and rocks, not the peak itself.
Any further thoughts I had were drowned as horns began to sound. I did not recognize those. Gareks memories did, and blood stirred within. The call came of war, a signal that monsters had been sighted, and that an attack came.
Hesitation cast aside, I ripped my ymore from its sheathe and began to run towards the promise of blood.
Book 1: Chapter 56: Appease the Gods.
Book 1: Chapter 56: Appease the Gods.
Long, powerful strides carried me across the sculpted rock, towards the call of battle. Thoughts on whether or not I should even intervene were cast aside before they could form, only the hunger for righteous ughter left in their wake. I was put unto this world to y, and my purpose would be fulfilled before I went to meet my gods.
Cold fur rustled as I shook my head mid-step in an attempt to clear away the old Garek. These were his thoughts. This hunger for carnage that burned inside and drove me onwards. There was no way to deny the eagerness with which I charged forward, however. Legs flexed and hooves ripped up rock as I overtook the riders galloping back towards the fortress, then left them in my dust.
Walls of crimson stone rose before me, muchrger than I had guessed from a distance. Warriors of all ss and profession moved in haste, shouts echoing from the distance. None attempted to stop me, focused only on containing those within. The stoneyout left me confused, and I suddenly found myself somewhat lost as I attempted to hastily navigate the unfamiliar fortress.
A second set of walls even thicker than the firsty within the inner ring, staircases filled with soldiers moving upwards. Cracks split the air, the sound of rock being violently broken as I nced around in search of somewhere, anywhere to go.
I knew my worth, and determined I would be useless upon the walls. Rangedbat was far from my forte, and it would be too crowded for me to engage should the walls be climbed. A voice shouted directions at me from on high, and I followed the soldiers stabbing finger to find a singr opening in the smooth ring of stone. Large enough to hold me and then some, I saw.
One, single corridor was bored into the stone, and only when I approached did I appreciate how thick the wall was. Magically made, it spanned an entire distance, perhaps two-dozen of my body-lengths, barred with several steel portcullis.
Through the gaps in the steel, I could glimpse whaty outside. A killzone, ringed by massive walls of red rock surrounded a cliff face, from which poured long, thin, jagged nightmares. They bounded across the torn earth and sted rocks with speed and jerking movements as destruction rained down from on high.
Streaks of lightning exploded from nothingness anywhere they clumped up, and fire fell from the skies above. The earth was warped, going soft beneath the monster''s ws to drag them down and harden once more. Crossbow bolts and massive arrows shrieked through the shimmering air. Sheer waves of heat and me distorted the air, bringing forth mirages as those attuned to the magicks let loose their might.
Long, slender darts of venom sped through the air in return, and from the screams above, they found targets with some regrity. Pirs of stone were ripped from the ground and vanished into the air with frightening speed, only the drop back down like titan fists momentster.
And for all this wroth and wrath, the flood could not be contained. They came, moving akin to blurs across thendscape.
Headed right for me.
The tunnel was just wide enough to swing the ymore, as I grunted and prepared for battle. Ironhide came first as I watched the roiling tide swell before me. Any fear I might have possessed was drown as battle-thirst reared its head and bellowed approval.
Finally, a worth ughter. These were no small, weak monsters or frail humans such as inhabited thesends. Eldritch dread crawled across what I could glimpse of their features, and their hardened skin shrugged off all but direct hits of divine fury. Thickened Fur came next, my coat growing heavier as I waited breathlessly, eyes wide in refusal to blink.
A sinuous form leapt upwards, shrugged off a bolt of me that washed across its back and crashed into the first portcullis. Cold, dead eyes regarded the interlocked steel as I did my damnest to keep my gaze locked on the creature. There was something wrong set in its appearance that tickled unawakened parts of my mind, beckoned me to look away.
Feel something, anything aside from the thrill of bloodlust that I could keep barely contained. I refused. Roars rumbled from within my throat, magnified by the rock around me as the creature tore through thickened steel with only moderate frustration. It stalked through the first gate and spat through the seconds bars at me.
One forearm came up just in time to block the acidic globing at my face. Fur sizzled and metal wrenched as the creatures tore through the next gate and charged right for me. Thoughts and calctions left my mind and I swung on pure instinct, wrenching to a brutal stab as the monster attempted the eat the blow and keeping.
The ymores enchantments ripped through its hardened shell and sttered ichor across the walls as its ws fell short. More came, pouring through the shorn gates, acid flying through the air as they closed the distance.
It stung, and that was all.
A wild swing was easily evaded as the monster slid backward without so much as stopping. Its carcass toppled as I halted the momentum, stepped forward, and gained speed off of a small flick with Brutal Swing. The de met the monster, continued through it and tore through the stone wall before I yanked it back.
Toote to stop the other horror that lunged at me. Instead I let one hand go from the hilt and yanked it around into a hammerfist that caught the creatures side. Even with my prodigious strength, it barely staggered, yet that was enough. Its long, singr hooked w scraped along my side, its edge carving through my hardened hide.
That was all I needed to go Berserk.
Stopped by its treacherous bulk, my hand closed around its head through sheer hatred and pulped the snarling carapace between it and the wall.
The corpse dropped and I staggered backwards, stung by acidic darts as more poured in through the opening. Pure fury bellowed from my lungs, I charged forward to meet them. The corridor barely held several of the long, sinuous monsters, their length making the sheer bulk of each one deceptive. A w pierced past my defenses and ran along my neck even as I hacked the body in twain.
Cloven Crash stopped the others from tearing into me, but barely. They strained against its might with a strength I had not seen in other creatures.
The de cut them down all the same.
Is this all!? I roared as more screamed through the tunnel. A vain boast, for soon I had no time to speak. Acid and ws forced me backward, the ymore ripping through stone, shell, and horrors made manifest. I found myself at the tunnel''s mouth soon enough. They could not be allowed into the courtyard.
A portcullis dropped from the ceiling ahead of me, the creatures underneath speared through by several tons of dropped steel. A moments respite was all I was afforded before that too was torn wide open and the quiet storm approached.
So say the flooded forward would be a lie. That would imply some simplistic beast. Instead they seemed to stalk at full speed, ready to explode in any direction. They came, they died, they learned. Full assaults turned into lightning-quick jabs and shes, acid aimed at my eyes. Several would split, forcing me tomit to a side as they danced on the des edge.
Unconcerned for their own lives, they threw bodies at me simply to drag me down and let the wounds grow. I screamed raw, of pain and sheer fury as my hooves crunched among the corpses, skills thrown wild. Another group was yanked to a halt by Cloven Crash, only barely held in ce long enough for their lives to be ended.
The dead piled around me, broken corpses in their dozens felled within my reach. The footing was treacherous now, even as I stomped onto and through bodies. My head twitched aside, and the dart aimed at my eyes only traced across my cheek.
How many had been returned back to the dirt, I didnt know. Didnt care either.
They still came. Unrelenting.
A mass of acid shots sent me reeling back, pawing at my face as the poison fried through my fur, slid off the iron skin, and into delicate orifices like my ears.
ymore raised overhead, I brought it down, saw the monster begin to dodge, and bisected it stem from stern as Brutal Swing turned the steel into a blurred moon arc.
And then I tripped.
In a moment that broke my heart, my hoof slipped upon carapace and Iy on my back atop the mountain of bodies I had made. Grip held tight, I managed to bring up the ymore and impale one as it lept at me, the stench of its ichor and ancient shell seared into my nostrils. A roar in my throat, I twisted and flung it away.
More came, and without any time to stand, I was overrun.
Scythe-ike ws scissored into my chest at blinding speed, my armored skin shorn right through. I gasped at venomous ws sliced into the flesh, muscles and precious organs thaty beneath. Shock took hold as ws moved like blurs to eviscerate me. Not one, but several monsters stabbed into my from all sides.
Only because I had seized It Will Not Die As I had fallen was my time on this world not ended here and now.
They tore my flesh apart, sank w and fang into my being even as I thrashed, my rage breaking them apart.
I cast one off and staggered upwards even as more ws came to drag me down. Atop a mountain of carnage, beset on all sides and without another choice, I dipped with in and used all my strength and summon Blood for Blood.
The cacophony of shrieks nearly bled my ears as the masses writhed in pain, my wounds returned to them. One and all felt my pain, and they could not bear it. Dying rasps filled their corridor as those strong enough to survive the initial shock of their inside being torn apart still survived.
I clung to It Will Not Die with a singr determination and staggered up. The bloodletting was not yet over. The gods of violence demanded their tribute, and I would give it. Those that lived did not linger upon this mortal coil much longer. I assured that.
Until, finally, my grisly work was done.
It was then that I finally looked down and realized I would die the instant I released the Skill.
Potions. I needed something. Anything.
The way back out was choked with bodies, carcasses stacked high in tribute to some carrion lord. I tore through them with my bare hands, creating my own path. Ichor burned my hands and venom ran free as I hauled and hurled away corpse after corpse, all the while determined to not look down. Spare myself the sight of whaty exposed and torn.
The gathered force stared in silence as I emerged from the carnage, having braced here to receive any force that broke through the gate.
They would not have been enough.
But now, they stared at another monster, one covered in blood and ichor, body ripped apart and alive against all reason.
Stareter. I snarled, temples still pounding red. Fetch me a healer.
It was with some irony that I found myself holding a gon full of my own milk, stuff I had sold to some soldiers so long ago. A figure I could not be bothered to give attention to assured me they were a Cleric, and could attend to my wounds. With onest sigh, I tipped the liquid into my mouth and copsed backwards once it was empty.
Firm, gentle hands brought heat and light close to my body as consciousness faded in and out.
Bloodstained Berserker Level Thirty reached. Sleep to apply.
Finally.
Book 1: Chapter 57: Revered.
Book 1: Chapter 57: Revered.
I refused to let sleeps grip smother me under as the cleric attended my wounds. Somewhat out of sheer spite, mostly because A small voice whispered into the recesses of my mind that I would not wake for days. The feat I had wrought had proven my worth, and the Thirtieth level awaited me. Messengers from the System, from the Gods Above let it be known that once I lost consciousness, no force would awaken me until the breakthrough had been achieved.
A legendary Skill awaited me, for such a time when I was ready. The uniquebination of my ss and race, it dangled just out of reach, not yet given to me. Soon.
Hands that knitted my flesh moved quickly, with uncanny precision as clear fluid was scraped out of my wounds and the flesh pulled closed beneath her touch. Red robes d the woman who attended to me. A stern, drawn face seemed without emotion as she expertly made me whole once more. Not a trace of revulsion or other such weaknessy in her scent as she worked through my insides, everything returned and reattached to its proper ce.
You have experience with this. I grunted in pain.
Not the first fool nearly made into a corpse Ive worked upon. Nor the first of your kind. She returned briskly, ck hair speckled with grey bobbing as she moved. I grunted as a rib slid back into ce, blood coughed up in my mouth.
Whatever Skill still gives you life, cling to it with all your might. She demanded, and I happily obliged.
Thought they just used Fleshknitters here. Was my attempt to make small talk to distract from the pain. I was slumped back against a wall, the woman standing before me. She barely had to bend to stitch away at my chest, her fingers beckoning the flesh closed.
A mockery of godly grace. She snapped. I use no such cheap sphemy. The Red Godling guides my hands, and through him you are made whole. Now be silent. I have others to attend, and the sooner you are stable, the better.
Why me first then? I almostughed. Would have, had I not been so utterly crushed in the grasp of agony.
Youve fashioned yourself a bloody hero. came the cranky reply. Now shut up and stop moving.
Her words rang true, I realized. There was a quiet sense of awe in the gazes of those who looked upon me. Some fear buried behind the amazement, so deep I could only smell it. Dazed though I was, I fully realized what I had just aplished was no small feat. The swarm had been contained by a single minotaur. It was then that I was finally, fully thankful for this body and its strengths.
Even as I sat here, tired beyond belief, the fortress moved around me. The injured needed to be tended, the bodies cleared, massed carcasses hauled away and damage fixed. Duty slowed for no man, I knew. For a time, I sat and observed the ringed fortress moving with life around me as the pain slowly faded.
She stood abruptly, thin gloves pulled from her hands and cast aside. I realized then that her work was finished, and while still sore, I was no longer about to die. At least not immediatly.
With a sigh, I finally released It Will Not Die and felt the breath leave my body as tiredness clubbed me about the head.
Im told you sell this..milk. She asked after a moment spent regarding me. It radiates divinity, yet from no god with which I am familiar.
The empty sk she had handed me, I realized after a moment of confusion.
Indeed. I replied cautiously.
You are the farmer who lives on the path up the mountain, yes?
Again, I nodded. She seemed satisfied with that.
I shall pay you a visit in the future, then.
And with that, the Red Cleric turned and strode away, off to mend the wounded. Someone who took her duties quite seriously was the impression I had gotten, brief though this had been. She had stitched me back up with surgical precision, only the exact amount of power needed to heal each and every individual gash used. Were in not done on my own body, I would have perhaps disyed more fascination as to this and her methods.
For now, I was merely thankful she had been present. It had not been my strict duty to involve myself in this battle, but such had been my choice, and I stood to reap the rewards.
Physically, I did find just a smidge of trouble with that. And while my healer had left, I was not left to my own devices.
The first thing I noticed was the singrly bushy, magnificent mustache that graced the mans upper lip and covered most of his face. Proud eyes webbed by crows feet from constant smiles gazed at me as I stood, and a beaming smile was perhaps not something I fully expected.
If a minotaur towering before the man frightened him, his face did not show it.
Gods Above, I am pleased that you are on our side. He addressed me in a cheery fashion, helm held under one arm as the other extended forward in the offer of a handshake. A grasp that I gently took and gave a few pumps, careful not to squeeze too hard. Not everyone shared my prodigious strength, levels and whatnot aside.
Ser Damian North, Knight-Commander of the Redstone Fortress. He introduced himself and gestured around. It is not much, but it is mine.
Garek. I returned. A farmer.
Humility or false modesty, I cannot tell. He looked me up and down. Dont care a whit either way. The fortress stands because of your timely intervention. Let nothing diminish that feat, or what gratitude is owed to you.
Come. He beckoned. With a groan, I followed his strides, my longer legs allowing me to slow alongside him. We passed marching troops, couriers being dispatched with reports, mercenaries heading to loot what they could and people emerging from designated habitat towers.
A fairly long climbter, we emerged atop the wall and gazed down into the massive pit the fortress ringed.
It was a charnel house. Corpsesy strew in the thousands, the full might and fury of all the fortresss defenders unleashed into the swarm as it had emerged. There was nary a patch ofnd empty, all covered in strew, broken bodies. Sections of wall crumbled, eaten through by acid barrages and hewn apart by ws.
Youve rendered us a great service this day. The armor-d man spoke solemnly. One that will not, and should not soon be forgotten. The tunnel you held very likely saved the fortress. The wave, this horde was farrger than any we had seen or prepared for. If they broke through, they would have overrun the castle from the inside.
Why even have a tunnel such as that? I questioned. If the point is to keep them contained, would a solid wall of rock not be better?
We tried that, aye. They just swarmed up the walls and ran over them. Lost many good soldiers in those first few attempts. Then the elf insisted on the tunnel, and we found they instead flood towards it. The easiest route, you see. There were still more than came up the walls, but those were repelled.
It made sense. They could cut through steel, yet the funnel created by said tunnel would attract them all toward one ce, where, in theory the ranged volleys could crush them. That theory had beenrgely disproven today.
And yet. I gestured back, down to where soldiers struggled to pull the massed corpses from the tunnels mouth.
Aye. He sighed in acknowledgment. We did have some semnce of a n for that.
My n. Came a tired voice as Velton appeared before us, announced by the air itself splitting with a sharp crack. One that, while no properly implemented, would have failed anyway. I expected a rational increase in the number of beasts sent while they tested the defenses. Instead, it found a weakness and flooded much, much more than I thought the dungeon would.
Master elf. Themander nodded. I see you two are acquainted?
Indeed. He acknowledged with tired eyes.
What was your n, then?
There came a frankly exhausted sigh as he quickly conjured images in the air to help an exnation.
They would be forced through the tunnel and out of a controlled choke-point, where there would be a mass of armed guards and mages stationed to greet them. If all went ording to n, they would pour out, right into a ritual spell I had prepared for the barons mages to trigger.
Time Slow. Within a selected bubble, this would force those caught inside it into a cial pace, allowing those defending to urately pick them off. However, the sheer crush of bodies the dungeon sent would have eaten through the avable mana so fast I doubted it would make a difference.
I see. Was all I could give.
I will need to prepare something else for the next assault. So same tactic works twice against the monsters. The swarm watches, and it learns. I fear these are the worst sort of foes.
With that, he headed off along the wall, pausing the repair sections through his magic.
As he said, your ferocity and prowess held the fortress for another day. Commander North smiled tiredly. Ask anything of me, and I will see you rewarded for it. I fo not forget those who render me aid.
Some coin would not go amiss. I grunted and observed the feast for crows thaty below. Although, I do have another request.
Simply ask.
Have your men bring several cartloads of those carcasses to my farm. I assume you know where it is.
He shrugged and said that yes, he was aware.
I have given my word, and it shall be so.
Once more, I found my gaze back towards the dungeon. Its entrance stood in the middle of a cliff face, its entirety ringed by the massive fortress.
He made this, didnt he? I gestured around.
The elf? Aye, he did the bulk of the magical conduggery, helped on by Lord Ironmoors resident wizards and sorcerers. A great feat in its own right, but something within the realm of possibility with his kind.
We watched as Veltons distant form levitated an entire broken section of wall back up, the rock fusing back into its original cement.
Mages. I nodded, my first real taste of what the arcane could do fresh upon my mind.
Indeed. Too fanciful for a simple man like me. My work is done through steel and strength, my battles won with bravery and good supply trails. Let those who y with the Gods gifts stay focused upon my enemies, and not on me, I say.
A good way of thinking of it.
Nowe. Your rewards awaits.
With that, he led the way back down the walls, pausing every so often to issue orders and sign some parchment or other presented by an endless flows of peoplee to seek him out.
But he held his promise, and before long, we were at a tower I found to be hismand center.
Before long, I was one heavy coinpurse richer, my pack retrieved from where I had mercifully had the sense of mind to shed it outside the walls. Cold kissed my hide once more, and with the chillvines slung over my shoulder, I set off back down the mountain.
Tiredness gripped every limb I possessed and some I perhaps did not as I staggered into the yarde evening. Within mey just enough strength to gesture a greeting towards Ish and Gol as they looked on. The climb up the hill towards my lodge was the longest I had ever endured, and the pillow had just barely touched my cheek before sleep dragged me under.
Unique ss/Race Skill: Brazen Bull Behemothgranted.
Your actions please the Gods Above.
Book 1: Chapter 58: Behemoth
Book 1: Chapter 58: Behemoth
I drifted in sleeps deep waters, a contented tiredness about my body as the System worked away at my body. This, I was fully aware of yet, yet there was no panic as the gifts of the Gods Above shaped my body to its natural course. To the man I was before, perhaps the experience would have been a source of fright and horror, to have my body changed in such a way as I gazed on. Yet here, it came naturally. If some outside source provided influence to calm me, I weed it.
My visions were strange things, even for this world and what I had experienced insofar. This was not a peaceful sleep that I inhabited. So say it was would be to reject reality itself with such a level of self-delusion.
My thoughts were filled with ancient, primal things. Transcendent visions of a different time, one where all I could see were massive, furred beasts that only resembled minotaurs in the vaguest sense. Gone were the plethora of dull colors that my races fur was. Those that came to me in dreams were colored of whitest snow, their long, pale hair streaked with vibrant paints.
Even in the dreamscape, the strangest feeling entered me as I gazed upon these beings. One I had yet to experience since I hade unto this world. I gazed upon what had once been, and I felt small.
An event of great importance unfolded around me, I realized. Several of the ghostly forms drifted past, speaking in strange tongues I could notprehend. And as they whispered their lost wisdom to me, my very being changed.
The Gods Above had sent me a tribtion, and it had been ovee. Now was my reward. My proof that I could be entrusted with even more strength, an irrefutable argument that I had the potential to rise even further. Give greater battle in their name. I knew this distant pantheon of fickle deities not, but I weed their gifts all the same.
Whatever immortal wisdom these great furred beings tried to impart was lost to the void simply as I could not understand theirnguage. Something precious gone forever.
The waking world seized hold and dragged me back to the light before I could dwell on this.
My eyes slowly cracked open, and I found myself in a wholly unfamiliar ce. The shell of this ce had been built by my hands, but I could not remember the insides this way. Counter-tops wereden with objects, my weapons and armor neatly mounted upon the walls. The faint scent of dried meat drifted through the air,ing from the cer. Whoever had moved all my possessions from one house to the next had done so in the time in which I had slept.
The world spun as I stood. Everything seemed just a tad..off. Misced. Too far away. The doorway that had beenfortable to walk through before, that I had built specifically for my height now required that I tilt my head. Even then my horns scraped against the wood as I blearily emerged from my lodge and winched as the sunnced into my eyes.
The yard was bare, the fields were empty and-
The first harvest has beenpleted. You have reached Level Eight. You have reached Level Nine. New Skills will be avable for selection once you rest.
I had just woken up from said rest, but okay. Was it a massive trickle-down from my main ss leveling up that had triggered this surge?
The thought fleeted across my mind, only to be swept away as a shout rang across the yard. Ish waved from where she and the others worked near the dam. The sight of me caused all attempts at said task to be abandoned. They approached my mildly confused form with varying degrees of speed.
Wee back to the living! the orcss announced, her grin stretched wide, fanf-tips poking past her lip.
How long? Was all I sad in reply.
Several days. Gettin up on a week now. First day we were sorta worried, then Pa came by, realized you were breakin through into the next stages of levelin and assured us youd be alright.
She stopped and looked up at me with eyes that were full of awe.
Garek, what miracle you rendered at the fort was beyond what even I thought you were capable of. She spoke solemnly. I fought those monsters first. I know what theyre capable of. Pah told me everythin.
It was an act of the Gods Above that I survived, yes. I agreed, leaving the skill that had literally pushed death aside unsaid. Moments passed until Ishs serious frown flickered and smile emerged beneath.
In the meantime, you werent round and the work wasnt bein done. Got the oats, grain and wheat all sorted out and stored away, cows milked and more pots of healin milk bein worked on right now.
I could not help but notice my lodge is far better decorated that when I left.
That too. She beamed as Gol groaned and sat on his haunches. Ran out of other work, and the cows only take so much time tah be milked, so I figured wed finish what ya started. Werent gonna wake up either way, no matter how much stuff Gol dropped.
Thatst part was apanied by an usatory re at said recipient, an action that only elicited a pitiful whine.
We were sorta countin on you bein up from that power-nap once that ran outta things to do. Once that didnt happen, we got the vegetables picked and sorted into the cer. Once that was all done andtidied up, we were seein if we couldnt do somethin with the dam and try to hook some fish.
A scant few wobbles ran through me as I quietly nodded and processed the situation. That was quite the load that had been lifted from my back.
Men from the fort dropped by and dumped a bunch of carcasses at the fields edge. She made a face and pointed across the yard. Ill admit, my reaction..werent pretty at first.
Ish scratched the back of her head and looked away, hand on one hip, her scent uneasy.
To be honest, I mighta freaked out and and nearly killed one or more of em. You asked em to deliver those things down here? There was something strained in her voice at that.
I had done that without thinking of the effects on her, true. My exnation that I intended to study the enemy and derive uses from their corpses eased some of the strain from her posture and voice.
I thought theyd start stinkin and goin bad under the sun by now, but yeah, nothin. She pointed out. You can have at em whenever you feel like. Just count me out for now. Not too excited bout the prospect of lookin at one of those buggers anytime soon.
I could not find it in me to judge her in any way for that.
For as much work as the trio had aplished, there was still more to be done. Once congrattions were given and my thanks firmly expressed, there were other tasks that desperately needed to be ran. The lightning-fast battle at the fort had instilled in me a reminder that now, more than ever, logistics were supreme, and I intended to integrate myself into those.
More to help save lives than for profit, but I could not lie and say thetter would be unwee.
Ish informed me that yes, she had also been harvesting from the monster nts while I slumbered. The jugs of acid were plentiful, and there were adequate jugs of healing milk. For a while, I questioned the validity of using milk as aponent for healing. It was not exactly a substance known for staying good under sub-optimal conditions. Yet I had heard noints insofar, and the draught I had taken at the fort held up just fine despite being sold weeks ago. Was part of the healing power working to keep it preserved?
It was deep in the afternoon once we had the singr horse hooked up and cart fully loaded to head up to the Verdant Dawns camp. I elected to stay upon the farm for this one, having my own interests to attend. Ish had earned my trust so many times over that sending her to do this was a trivial concern at best. Artyom leaped at the chance to apany her, and Gol took to opportunity to slink off under some shade and sy himself out.
Soon, they too were gone, and I turned my focus to what excited me this day. A power coursed within, eager and ready to be called. For so long it hadin dormant, a carrot held before me to pursue the next great breakthrough. Now, it was within my grasp, and I intended to see its glory.
Soon, I stood alone, save for a familiar face that rested among the treetops. The straw-covered raven had returned, its brown wings folded and its dark eye turned to observe me in silence. Out in the middle of a barren field, I took a deep breath and dived deep within.
Brazen Bull Behemoth writhed and shook as I attempted to drag the Skill to the surface. Unlike the others, it resisted with stubborn ferocity, some great beast that disliked that I roused it.
A candid description, I found.
The space before me flickered and distorted, shimmers running through the air as something became undone. A massive shadow throbbed and pulsed, features blurred and then sharpened. Back and forth it went, being all but dragged into reality. Cold limbs were rendered unable to move as I stood and witnessed what I had wrought upon this world. Amand had been given to the world itself, and it was absolute.
Rumbles that sounded like boulders being ground together down a mountain slope sounded as the massive towered above me. Broad shoulders, long fur, massive form. An ancient, titanic minotaur stood before me, a monster that dwarfed me in every way. Scarlet streaks ran along snow-white fur, a crown of horns upon a gigantic head.
Primality itself radiated from every pore of this massive, hulking brute. It spoke of strength and sheer resilience, every pore of the creature exuding strength.
It hit after a few heartbeats of awe and vague terror.
The Skill had summoned a behemoth unto this world. It stood silently, and I instinctively knew it awaited amand.
Hesitation blinked aside, I grunted and ordered it to step back. There was a small dy that caused me to fear anguage barrier could screw this all over.
Earth was shoved aside as legs thick as tree trucks moved, hooves that dwarfed mine mming into the earth itself.
I was a giant among men. Thergest creature that existed in this general vicinity, save for the Apex. This thing made me seem insignificant. I felt giddy inside as I beheld the behemoth in all its slouched, shaggy glory.
There was so much farmwork that could be made trivial if I had this to do it for me. I suppose it would be rather invaluable for any future battles and dungeon expeditions as well. A whim flitted through my mind, and amand was issued. I watched with no small amount of fascination as it turned and tromped away, every step sending small tremors underfoot. Its sheer weight and bulk crunched the earth itself, every step sinking into the ground.
A tree was uprooted with ease as the behemoth closed its fist around the sizeable trunk and tugged sharply. Said dirt, bark and greenery vanished into the distance as the behemoth reared back and hurled it up the mountain.
I watched with no small degree of giddy joy as the massive trunk, roots and leaves vanished into the general horizon. A feeling bubbled within me now, a childlike excitement and penchant for mischief as I cast about to see what other feats I couldmand the primal minotaur to do.
This was perhaps the single best oue of this Skill I had ever envisioned.
Come what may, I was going to have copious amounts of fun.
Book 1: Chapter 59: Behemoth II
Book 1: Chapter 59: Behemoth II
Words failed to describe the glee with which I observed the behemoth messily uproot mynd. Trees were ripped from the loamy soil and tossed aside, vaguely stacked as I filed their presence away forter usage. Now, in the moment, I was solely focused on theplete and utter destruction of thendscape surrounding my fields. I had imagined the act of clearing the forest to be a long, tiring one that would eat through my avable time.
The concern had been addressed, scoffed at, and tossed aside in a crumpled mess as Fate decided this amused it more.
I trailed in the ancient beings wake, thend torn asunder as Imanded it to create for avable farnd. Birds rose from distant trees, disappearing into the distance as the disturbance spread. There was a faint strain about my body as I issuedmands, a touch of tiredness that came despite my long slumber.
Everything had a price, I was reminded. This was not the exception. Yet for now, I was more than eager to pay it.
Wanton destruction only ceased once a yell echoed across the fields, somehow piercing the cacophony. Ish hopped from the cart and strode across the yard, head tilted back to take in the giant.
I saw that over the trees. She eximed, eyes wide and the scent of excitement about her. Im assumin its your breakthrough Skill?
While I did not quite understand the terminology she chose to use at that moment, I could piece together the context and nodded.
Gods Above someone up there really must be pleased with ya. The orc all but glowed as she observed the behemoth casually ripping a tree from the ground. Summon?
I wanted to ask how she had guessed this quickly, then realized that she had spent her life in the presence of a powerful mage.
Insofar as I can tell, yes. I nodded, then frowned. The energy required to both engage in conversation andmandeer that massive minotaur was now a noticeable strain. It was through my energy and will that it was held to this ne, the System whispered to me. Powerful though it undoubtedly was, it dide with rules.
This is amazin. She continued. I know the breakthrough skill everyone gets is a unique mix of ss, race and some other stuff, but this? Her head shook in silence as Ish gazed towards the behemoth with amazement.
A head turned towards the road showed the she was alone in her wonderment. Artyom lingered by the cart, ears ttened to his skull and tail on end. The felinid refused to approach any closer, trying to calm the horse. Gol hid at the furthest reaches of the yard, at the very edge of my notably poor vision. Although drowned out by other noises, I could almost imagine him whimpering.
Even the taur-cows were backed against the furthest fence, grunting their disapproval. It was around then that I realized I could not hear the wildlife within the forest, nor did I see any birds overhead.
The lone raven sat in its untouched tree, silently smug as it viewed the destruction that apanied the giants wake.
I felt nothing as I gazed upon the behemoths primal form, only the sense that it would obey my everymand. Yet simply because I did not experience something would not mean others were the same.
Ish, I asked. Does this invoke any feeling in you?
Yah. She nodded, eyes still focused on the giant. Sense of fear. Something absolutely overwhelming is near. Danger screaming in my ears.
And your not bothered by it?
Not in particr. The orc shrugged. Grew up with the same feelin whenever I looked am Ma.
That would do it.
A decision was amde, and with some faint sense of regret, I released my hold on the bond that kept the titan tethered to this world. Great red eyes turned towards me as the beast slipped free of realitys grasp and faded away, gaze on me all the while. It left naught but ruined forest and massive, gouged hoof prints in its wake.
So..that certainly seemed worth the effort. I mused as we stood amidst the barren field and observed the fresh ruination.
Never heard of someone gettin a disappointing breakthrough skill. Theres good reasons why people always chase that next level.
Dedicated though I was to a simple life on my farm, I could begin to see the allure of new skills and levels.
How went the trip? I asked, steering the conversation away from such topics as we tromped back towards the farm.
Faster then I expected. Alchemist made some rufflin bout how long it took for the acid to be delivered to im. I told him if he wanted it that bad, he could just came and got it.
And Raffnyk?
Yer human friend? He took everything we had, handed over the gold and was back to work quick as you please. In and out, no trouble at all. That other feh though, Pert, he was lookin like he wanted to throw in somethin as were talkin'' but got told to mind his business.
The man just couldnt let it go. He was still searching for a way to get back at me for whatever petty slight I inflicted on him. And sooner orter, it woulde to a head. One that he would dislike.
Anything else?
Ma or Pa will want to talk to ya soon. Just remembered. Expect them toe find you in the very near future. Dungeons been actin up more and morest few days, and theyre thinkin it might be time soon.
Time for..what exactly? I could perhaps guess, but to hear Ish confirm it might be better than leaping to assumptions.
That questions between you and them. She grimaced. Ma doesnt seem particrly keen to share new developments with me. Kinda frustration.
I could imagine.
The skill had sapped a fair bit of my pep and energy at this point. Though I had maintained it for quite some time, physical exertion while using it had greatly increased my fatigue. That in and of itself was understandable. Past experience with how other skills functioned showed the same thing. Although, this drained me at an even faster pace than any other power I had called save for It Will Not Die.
More than even my new-found summon, that skill enthralled me. The ability to simply refuse death for a short time was, frankly, beyond belief. Ity dormant now, and a vague feeling stirred within that it would not be avable again for a long time.
I entrust you to take care of the horse and cart. I nodded to Ish as we parted ways. Thest agreed, and headed off to finish up her work as I made my way toward the stack of corpses that awaited me.
Menacing in like, made awkward in death. The long, jagged corpsesy in a somewhat crooked row, the product of a hurried drag and dump. Up close, they only looked the slightest bit less horrifying than when they had been blurred shapes streaking through the half-darkness. The soldiers had picked the most intact, but even those were rent apart by incredible amounts of violence.
Their ichor stained the grass, I observed as I knelt and began to turn the corpses. The carapace that covered their bodies was jagged, bulky and flexible at the same time. It grew into what little skin could be found beneath the various wounds and overall burnt smell. This one had obviously taken an entire flurry of crossbow bolts before colliding with a sizeable fireball. Charred and burnt, it moved stiffly, limbs seized up.
What interested me most was the scythe-ws. Distinct memories of those long, hooked uni-ws piercing my hide with contemptuous ease were still fresh upon my mind. With careful motions, I pried one seized-up limb loose, brought out the knife ever-present at my belt and hacked the entire limb off.
A firm grasp on the severed forearm, I swung at the air and found it, to no continued surprise, stiff.
Much as I wanted to test the edge, I knew better than to do something as inane as pricking myself with it. There were plenty of other corpses on hand. Make-shift shortsword raised, I selected the closest one, brought the edge down on a piece of carapace and began to cut.
It went through. Eventually. Nowhere near the easy slices that hadin open my hide. Perhaps it was dulled. Through a sudden burst of violence, I acquired another w -and attached arm- then returned to the same experiment. This one also proved fruitless. While no doubt sharp, the pale wscked that ceaseless edge that ade them so effective against everything they came into contact with.
Several moments spent in thought of this conundrum led me to conclude that it must have been a skill unique to the now-in horrors.
I had known monsters also harnessed the System and reaped the benefits that came with it, yet the full implications of that had not bene considered until now. They not only wielded skills, but powerful ones. An entire species of monsters possessed the ability simply ignore armor. rity struck like a hammerblow as several murky subjects were made clear. People cherished and chased after levels not in blind pursuit of power for their own gain, but because of the creatures that would see them dead. This was not just a race among what one could consider the civilized races, but all beings.
Left struck by this rather obvious revtion, I found myself once more above the gathered corpses. Without sheer levels on my side, I would need more unorthodox ways of ensuring my safety. If these were what the dungeon considered fodder, I shuddered to imagine its more elite dwellers.
Thankfully, this was one topic I had refused to remain ignorant on, and ishste-evening schooling helped me glean some insight here.
For now, however, a veritable trove of materialsy before me, ready to be stripped and made use of.
The ws, while a minor disappointment, still contained something I considered precious.
Some timeter, I had several spare pots at ready, along with just-too-tight gloves stretched over my hands. Teeth grit, I held a w in one hand and the knife in the other. With slow, deliberate movements the de sliced off the ivory tip, and my prize ran free. Clear liquid ran in a thin stream, arced through the air and into the jug below.
The venom carried by these creatures was a scentless, deadly thing. Capable of neutralizing most conventional methods of healing, it showed a firm step in the philosophy behind these monsters. If their adversary did not fall beneath the w, the venom would end them.
The more I cut away at these corpses, the more I studied these unnatural bodies, the more I be convinced that these horrors were not birthed, but rather made.
Only an intelligent mind could design something so focused on the express purpose of inflicting death at all costs. When I had used Blood for Blood back in the tunnel, it had not targeted a single creature, as I had intended, but rather the entire swarm. It has swept right past the monster I had focused on and to the mind that controlled them all.
There existed something up there in the darkness that puppeted andmanded these monstrosities. Saw through their eyes, adapted, andmanded their movements. A hive mind. It made them effective, I realized. When every being was expandable, that mind that oversaw the swarm could be afforded a fluidity in battle that humanmanders would perhaps not have the stomach to match.
The alchemist would pay good coin for this, I wagered. Yet it might benefit everyone more if I delivered this to Raffnyks possession and set his resources to another task. Finding an effective antidote to counteract this would be a costly endeavor, I realized. And a small stopgap anyhow. But it would save lives. Were I wholly concerned with profit, I would not have had this discussion at all.
Still, if it was any sce, I figured the ichor would sell nearly as well. Alchemists had a weird obsession with foreign materials like it, even if no discernable use presented itself.
Book 1: Chapter 60: Supply and demand.
Book 1: Chapter 60: Supply and demand.
Logistics was something much easier in imagination than reality, I found. In minds eye, acquiring additional taur-cows for the herd was a task that had been all but fulfilled. I had help, Ish had the location and the coin was at hand. Now, as I stared down a baleful herd of temperamental half-monsters, I found myself unsure.
There was remarkably little I could do with a small whip in one hand and a dream in the other. A half-hearted crack at the air elicited no more than a few snorts of disdain. The pressure of Skills waiting to be chosen hovered at the edge of my vision, forcibly ignored as I attempted to challenge the systems patience.
Harder. Ish grunted, followed by the air being loudly split apart. Her own whip came down mere handspans from a taur-cows face. If those t faces could convey emotion, this one would be distinctly unimpressed.
Should have brought Gol. I sighed and contemted the trek back. We would need to travel downhill, cut across several areas and finally meet up with the road that would lead back up the terrain towards my farm. I had started the journey exceptionally early with the assumption we would have returned by noon. I saw now my naivety and arrogance for daring to think that.
The farmer -if indeed I could call him that- offered no help whatsoever. He had happily taken my coin, opened the gate to the small, cramped pasture that contained this sullen herd, and promptly retreated to his decrepit cabin.
This was firmly our problem now. The sale had been made, and he had no further obligations in this matter.
Off tah try an find the next big breakthrough. Ish mentioned once she followed my gaze. That coins gonna be gone within the next full moon, Id wager. Man could be half-rich by now but keeps throwin it at every new fancy an experiment that catches his eye.
The sight of this shoddy cabin, run-down yard, sagged fences, overgrown weedsbined with the general gloom struck a feeling in me. Almost pity, but also a hint relief at my own situation, weirdly enough.
This doesnt make him enough coin? I asked with another ineffective crack, my irritation mounting as the taur-cows refused to budge.
Heavens, yes. Ish almostughed. There some folks that pay ludicrous amounts for some of his experiments, but, if ya dont mind me bein blunt, he pisses it all away. New toys he uses once and never again, some expensive enchantents from far-offnds that dont live up to the myth, the most inane things. Ma and Pa have tried to help him since he crafted up some stuff for them, but he dont want none.
No one can argue hes not a genius, She scowled, face turned uncharacteristically sour. But people round here dont want asional burst of glory followed by throughs of mediocrity. They want consistency and stability. Results delivered on time so their own businesses and farms can function without gamblin on someone elses moods.
Sounds to me like you speak from experience.
Yeah. Was all I got in return.
There was a brief moment in which I realized this man mirrored me in many aspects. A product in demand, ways of achieving it unbeknownst to others, resources at hismand. Yet ording to Ish, he was content to squander it. It was at that time that I inwardly decided I would never be the same. Deliveries would be on time, rain or shine. I had established myself as a friendly, valuable source of goods in the area. Now I needed to prove the most meaningful test of all; reliability.
But first, these cows had to be driven home, and I tired of their disdain.
You may want to cover your ears. I suggested mildly, letting the whip fall and feeling the dry air sucked into my lungs. Scream of Fury shattered the air heartbeats after Ishs hand mped to her head. The shockwave of sound and sheer anger red reaction and movement in the herd. The shifting mass turned and began to trot away, mooing all the while as they funneled down the narrow path.
Sometimes, all one needed was a little fear.
That works. Ishmented as she jogged alongside me to keep up with the herds pace.
Not the skills intended use, but I would take it. Stubborn as they were, the taur-cows were still beasts, and prone to guidance from their instincts. They slowed, of course. Base fear onlysted for so long. Yet I was eager to supply them with more roars, much to the dismay of whatever wildlife existed nearby. Birds pped from trees, animals burst from the bush and scattered in random directions as my wake continued.
Such was the extent of my bellowing that I found myself with a sore throat once we had arrived back at the farm. The task of herding them into the pasture was made somewhat easier with Gol around. Artyom, while riding valiantly atop Gol, was simply too small for the cows to care about. While I would rather not see him randomly trampled by some beast dozens of times his size, the decision to help from up close was his.
The beasts were eventually guided into the pasture, despite some breakaway attempts towards the end. They lingered in their own groups, the two herds distrustful of each other. There was plenty of grass for them to share, I reckoned. For now. The growth was spurred on by my Gold is Power, and those more I umted, the more I would be able to keep my cows sustained and even perhaps, dare I hope, happy.
We really should get that shed built someday. I mused to Ish as we leaned against the fenceposts for a quick break.
She agreed.
Other things to focus on for now, though. Need to break up thend cleared yesterday and turn it into a proper field.
While I wanted to go and run experiments on my nts, the more mundane tasks of my farm received attention first.
Mas gonna be aroundter today. Ish muttered under her breath, looking around. Needs to talk.
Dungeon? I assumed.
Yeah. There are a few..hups. Didnt tell me what, but I can tell.
Ill keep that in mind.
With that firmlymited to memory, I headed off to carve myself a fourth field with newfound gusto, magical weapons and a solid steel plow. Much as I liked grass, even enjoyed its scent both as a human and minotaur, it had to go. As did all the bushes, brambles and general undergrowth that the behemoths tree-ripping rampage had missed.
It wasnt hard work, per se. Just a boredom-inducing slog that took up overly much time. Progress was steady, but slow, simply because carrying around waste and destroyed ntlife took time. Anything heavy I could toss beyond the fields boundaries, but the lighter chaff would simply flop and blow with the wind before dropping into the other fields.
Stones and boulders alike had to be heaved from the ground and carried away, although I did question just how necessary this was. Still, habit demanded I do so. There was a nice little rockpile being stocked up by the time I saw the Wyld Orc approach. Her weapons were not at hand this time, I saw as she drew near. From a distance, she could have been mistaken for Ish, were it not for the shimmer in the air around here as her bound spirits swirled.
Tehalis. I greeted her with a neutral, somewhat respectful tone. While she was the mother of a dear friend, I did not know her well enough to be fully friendly.
Garek. She returned curtly. I have sought you out for a reason. We must discuss some..inconveniences.
Her tone and sufficient context of the situation implied they were far, far more than that.
A wordless gesture indicated the conversation might be better served inside the lodge, away from any prying ears. Enough experience with this world and its magic meant that even that might not be safe, but it was better than no precautions at all.
Tehalis gave no visible protest to Ishs presence as her daughter joined our path towards my home. Only a quiet grunt escaped her throat. The orcs scent betrayed her impassive demeanor, tinged with impatience and frustration. Was it then a merit to her, that her expression hid those emotions well? Or a sign that others might take that no matter how restrained she appeared, orcish anger stewed beneath? Context and interpretation to whomever peered closely enough, Where a bee might draw nectar, a spider could suck venom from the same source.
Her mother stood while Ish took an offered seat. Truth be told I expected neither of them to make themselvesfortable.
There have arisenplications. Tehalis spoke, crisp and curt.
Do tell. Ish drawled.
The dungeon is waking rapidly. And with it, the danger grows with each day.
We knew this already. I confirmed the obvious.
Not to this extent. What we see now is merely the first shard stirred. The base monsters that swarm from the forts entrance stem from that sphere of influence. Now that it has shaken off the chains of slumber, it seeks to extend its influence towards the other shards. It is a vast mess of ecosystems and share-cores that all remain connected to the final, deepestyer of the dungeon, or so I suspect.
And now, the foremost part has been tickled awake. I have stalked the dungeons halls unseen, and insofar, only it has been woken. Why or how the rest has slept so far remains a mystery, but we must act soon, or it will not slumber for long.
So we prepare to storm the dungeons gates, then. I sighed. There had been some faint hope that if the situation could not be resolved without me, it would at least be dyed some time further in the future.
No. Tehalis grunted. A frontal assault would fail, regardless of how well our current numbers worked together. The swarm that awaits within will overrun almost any force. To attempt it would be the basest stupidity.
Then how? Ish demanded.
The huntress searches for the Dreadknights tower and entrance concealed within. Tehalis stated. I will aid her search from within the dungeon myself.
Youll be fine? I asked, a healthy dose of skepitism in my mind. Much as I did not doubt she was a fearsome warrior, she had just finisged saying any frontal assault would fail.
The swarm cannot strike at what it cannot sense, bull. The Wyld Orc said. With the huntress searching ovend and with my efforts to locate this shaft from within, we may soon find it. We need to find it.
Very well. I nodded. I will stand ready for when the timees.
Good. Increase your alertness around here as well. The fort is quickly bing an untenable position to hold. They know this. Even now, we have found traces of some stealth variant of these monsters slipping over the walls at night and disappearing into the forests. Be on your guard at all times.
Stock up on every item of importance you can think of. Tehalis looked around with those intense eyes. Once we enter the dungeon, none of us leave until the task ispleted. We seed, or we are buried in there.
You wouldy down your life for these people? I asked with a genuine curiosity. Given what I knew of her and the elf, they did not strike me as the type.
No. Not for these humans. Not ever. But to stop another full awakening and the shambling apocalypse that follows The Swarm That Walks, yes. There are some things worth dying for.
The task before us is monumental, then. Are you sure we are enough for the asion?
The nearest help is weeks away. These elite hunters that the Verdant Dawn has promised your human friend remain unknown, and even with news of a possible dungeon, it still requires time to travel to the ass-end of nowhere. I would ce little faith in outside help at this point, minotaur. We will have to be enough.
And on that cheeery note, The orc departed as quickly as she had came, silence left in her wake.
Book 1: Chapter 61: The Coming Storm.
Book 1: Chapter 61: The Coming Storm.
The notion that I would need metal to protect my skin seemed almostughable as I gazed at Gareks old, polished set of armor. I had worn it perhaps once now, and it seemed that in all honesty, I was better off without it. My skin was already naturally tough, and with the relevant skills, that could be enhanced to a level that the steel could not hope to match.
A moment of rity struck me and I leaned back, caught in sudden thought. Ironhide was strong, yes, but how much of it was enhanced by Gold Is Power? Icked a baseline to go off of as I had the boosting effects of said skill activated before being forced to use the formers protection. Gareks foggy memories did little to provide aid. There were glimpses of faint battles where the mind remembered usages. These indicated that there had been a time where it was just strong enough to deflect an axe-swing. Yet another, further memory showed of a time when it could stop a warnce at full charge.
A time when Garek was at the height of his wealth, perhaps? The minotaur had been, well, rich. I had merely taken what I could carry and walked away, and those resources still gave me a massive advantage. Now that I was assembling wealth myself, I could begin to climb back to the heights he had once achieved.
There was pressure about me as the System continued its insistence that I pick a Skill after myst level-up, yet I continued to ignore it. I hade this deep, and I wanted to see the full extent to which I could hold out.
Instead, I chose to focus on my current task. With the armor set back to its stand, I instead turned to survey the rest of the lodge. Ish toiled away at the far counter, all my avable harvested monster-nts asleep within containers of spore-dust. Biter-pods, the remaining bomb-bursts, sks of acid, and a single small, perfectly sealed cube that countained soil, dust and a nt I had not meddled with in a long time.
Experiments with the mimicseed had, after great reluctance, produced bags of hybrids that had been dosed with far more spores than any others. Dangerous as I regarded these things, this was it. All stops pulled out, no holds barred. This would be do or die. And I intended to have all avable advantages on my side, morals be damned.
Youre sure abouting? I proposed the question to Ish once she had turned.
Sure as Ive ever been. The orc nodded. She had a set, stoic air about her, a focused calm that stripped away any vestige of her usual cheer.
Just making sure. Youve had some bad experiences. Nobody would protest if you decided to stay home.
Hmm. She shrugged. Wouldnt be any adventurer worth a damn if I let one setback put me down for good, would I?
Well I suppose not, but taking time to heal is something crucial to wellbeing both physical and mental.
Again, she simply looked at me with a curious expression.
Im of sound mind and body, Garek. Nothin is weighin me down. She wasnt lying either, her scent told me.
What you endured in the dungeon could shatter many people I knew before. Sudden violent deaths, danger, pain and agony. I shrivel to think of experiencing those myself were I in your body.
Im an orc, Garek. Bloodshed, war and death are so deeply ingrained in my race that it is an everyday thing. I realize this might shock some others, but its who I am. Yah, it would weigh other races down, but not one of such as me. My people grew up on seas of sand and oceans of blood. Everythin an orc has ever wanted, they had to fight an bleed for.
I had wondered how she had been holding up so remarkably well, and herey my answer. Instead of being deeply traumatized by the horrific experience, it had simply slid off her mind by virtue of her race.
Ill trust you on this. I nodded solemnly after a short time. And that was that. This concluded, I turned back and began the task of attempting to organzie all my supplies into a neat, carryable position. While my belt did possess ces to hook things onto, they were not enough. I would need spaces for sks of healing milk, bags of various nts and containers of acid.
I was going to need a better belt.
It was about right then that the pressure in my skull increased to frankly unbearable levels. With a defeated sigh, I realized this was as far as resistance could take me. This had been inevitable.
Fine. I grunted to no one in particr. Show me the choices.
Finally.
I blinked as the words resonated in my skull. The usual robotic scrawl was lost, reced by something that oozed exasperation.
Before I could contemte this further, a litany of choices were all but shoved down my throat.
Safety in Stone caught my eyes first. It promised tiny sentinels that lingered around and in piles of rock around any of thends I owned and would alert me to danger, prespassers and other irregrities. In the mental image projected by the System, this skill, while useful, had rather limited range.
The Fields Shall Flourish offered deeper roots and better water absorption for any nts I grew. While useful, not something I was in dire need of at the moment.
Wild Friend. The sense that I had only been offered this because of where my farm was set up came to mind immediately. Rather simple, its effect was to make wild creatures that came across my property less prone to damage anything, could repel low-level monsters and make it easier to befriend creatures.
Prepare the Harvest was the final one, and while it would have tempted me a week ago, it was the one I discarded the first. The promise of a quicker post-harvest process might interest some, but to me it felt like the worst skill to take.
For now, I stood and pondered. These were all moderately useful Skills, and the opportunity to acquire more would not be present for a while after this. Each selection promised to nudge the farm in a different direction. Quicker growth if watered was something I considered, but it did not explicitly offer this, but instead simply to better retain avable water. Friendlier wildlife might have tempted me, but insofar I had very little interaction anyhow.
In the end, Safety in Stone seemed the logical choice. I could put the piles of stone in my fields to good use, and the ability to detect intruders was invaluable to me. This task would have fallen on Gols nominal shoulders, but we both knew the reality of that.
Conviction in my choice, I selected that, and felt something new flood into me.
The choice is made. Until next time.
And just like that it was gone, leaving me to wonder what had happened. Ishughed as I described this her.
Ah yeah. She grinned. The breakthrough changes a few things. Seein as you proved your worth and maybe attracted the attention of some minor God by surpassing the seal, youll now have an actual messenger deliver you words from the Gods Above instead of the usual lifeless scribbles everyone else gets.
Well, that certainly threw me for a loop. To me, the Gods Above existed as faraway, mythical powers I would never have to interact with, and now one might be watching me like I was prime reality entertainment. A strange feeling.
I chose not too let that bother me overly much. Realistically, there was little it changed and even less that could be done about it.
Some folks chose to use this, Ive been told. Ish mentioned once I had ryed my thoughts to her. Always tryin to please and entertain whatever deity is watchin them to get some boons or gifts.
Seems like itd be exhausting after a time. Imented idly.
Agreed.
With that said, I left Ish to her preparations and strode out into evenings fadingte, off towards the fields. The stone piles simply existed exactly where I had left it, with no noticeable changes. With a curious nudge, I focused upon it and called Safety in Stone. A small rumble emerged from with the rocks once a few heartbeats had passed. Rocks were shoved aside and a small, crude stone form wriggled its way out. About a foot high, the moving rocks faintly resembled a humanoid, with rocky legs, torso, arms and a head-shaped lump mounted on top.
It plopped down upon the top rock as I gazed on with fascination. And then it simply stopped moving. Its form faced the woods, still and silent. Something opened in my senses, and a vague mental connection formed. It was stolid for now, all else ignored as the construct waited for anything, something to cross its vision.
How did it see anyhow? Despite close examination, there was no answer avable to me. It resemble a small stature carved from rock, with no visible magic to indicate System interference.
Eventually, my curiosity ran dry, and I lumbered towards another, smaller pile of stone. The sentinel that emerged from this rubble was noticeablypact inparison to the other. A direct cortion to its stone-pile, I guessed. This was further backed up by the other mounds of rock I summosed sentinels atop of. Before long, I had no less than half a dozen rocky denizens seated atop their mountains of rock, overlooking mynd.
As I watched, a moss-deer emerged from the trees to nip at a shrub that had been torn loose and tossed around. The sentinel closest to it whipped its head around, and, forck of a better words, a notification shed in my mind. I suddenly knew there was a non-threatening creature at the edge of my property.
A shout came from the house, Ish waving at me, something in her hands. I had taken but a dozen steps in that direction when a mental rm caused me to stumble with sheer intensity. Every sentinel screamed danger with shrill insistence.
The moss-deer made it all of a single bound before an a salvo of obsidian missiles pierced it through the side and pinned its shocked form to the ground. Leaves silently parted as something stepped from the trees. I took one look and ripped free my ymore.
Long, sinous and armored in a dark carapace, these monsters were evenrger and more horrifying than the horrors whos corpses currently fed my biter-pods. A second set of longer, muscled arms grew from its back and curved forward over its head. Spikes emerged here, freshly regrowth to rece what had been fired at the deer. This creature matched me in size, yet moved inplete silence as it stepped over the shocked, utterly silent animal it had just impaled.
Tehalis had warned me there were monsters that hade over the walls. And now it hade directly to my home.
It was not alone.
Screams of tone resonated through my skull as more emerged all around my farm. Seven, if I could rely on my newly-found sentinels. They stalked towards me in utter silence, without scent or sound. I roared to Ish that danger was close and called every skill I could hold onto to.
The air distorted as my behemoth stepped into reality, space torn asunder and shockwaves spreading through the air as it roared. des of bone emerged from the behemoths forearms as astral skin peeled itself back, the danger alongside my intent preparing it for ughter.
You too will fall. I snarled.
Salvos of obsidian missiles were all the reply I recieved. I avoided most of them, even if by mere handspans. One pierced my shoulder from behind, and another my gut as they slid right through my armored skin. Wounds that could have crippled another. Inconveniences to me.
Roar upon my lips and furyughter in my heart, I charged. Their blood would whet my fields before the hour was out.
Book 1: Chapter 62: The Swarm That Walks
Book 1: Chapter 62: The Swarm That Walks
Something sorge should not move so quickly. This was the first thought that entered my mind as the behemothshed downwards. The air blurred white as it attacked, crushing force directed at the nearest Swarmling. It darted forward, under the blow and my vision was torn away, priority given to the foe that approached.
An aura radiated about this thing, a deration that it was a Champion. The sinuous growths that curved over the shoulders of others were forsaken here, reced instead by a second set of arms below the first. Larger than I in height and just as bulky, it strode forward with a jagged fluidity, all honed edges and calcted movements. The singr scythe-ws of the regr swarmlings were gone, reced by wed hands that grasped a multitude of weapons.
Long swords of bone were held steady in the top set, a dull shield and rounded symbol grasped in the remaining arms. Any curiosity as to what that could do was dispelled secondster when it gleamed and an inferno was conjured around me. Dark mes licked at my body in search of flesh and found naught but steel.
The ground broke beneath my hooves and the champion drew close as I exploded forward, ymore raised. Deceptively long, the arm holding the buckled swung up to meet the blow. Snarl upon my lips, I leaned into Brutal Swing and the mass of steel I called a de blurred with eleration.
Violent was the only way to describe how it stopped and yanked backwards as I staggered back, force turned against me as the shield pulsed on impact.
The Champions dark form surged forward, des poised to stab into my chest. A pained roar brought forth Cloven Crash, and its charge was halted. For all of a heartbeat. The eldritch symbol gleamed, and it shattered my skill to continue its rush.
That single, precious moment was all I needed to regain my footing. de whirled overhead, I used my longer reach to bring it down once more. The shield darted up, and I swung the feint aside, stepped in, and savagely kicked the side of its leg. The sound of splintering bones was audible even as I leaned back to avoid both des being pincered into my chest.
de dragged along the ground, I stepped backward and realized, in this moment, the others still existed. Obsidian spearsnced into my back and elicited bellows of pain. My brain clouded as waves of oppressive energy crashed down upon my psyche. One of the Swarmlings hovered above the ground, suspended by psychic energy as it targeted me from the far distance.
The behemoth engaged three swarmlings at once, I knew without the need for a nce. ck thornsnced its body, yet it cared little as it pursued the trio with furious purpose. These were all small details I was able to glean as my psyche began to crumble under the eldritch assault. I raged against the crushing darkness as it closed around me, but bloodlust and hatred failed to stem the tide of nothingness.
Ish stepped from the lodge, arm drawn back. With a howl, she whipped forward and hurled a metal orb through the air. It blurred halfway along its arc, and the crushing tide of mental energy ended abruptly. I straightened just in time to see the psycher tumble through the air, neck and chest crushed inwards.
Axe in hand and bag of bomb-bursts at her belt, the orc screamed fury and entered the fray.
The sounds of flesh and bone being wrenched and warped reached me before Iprehended what the champion wrought. It had staggered back for a moment, leg bent inwards at horrific angles. The eldritch symbol raised, itmanded the wound to be undone, and it was so. Another roar froze it in ce as I let hatred rise and stepped forward once more.
It broke through the skill once more. I fed it another. Cloven Crash was called again and again in the space between heartbeats, the skill almost exhausted by the time I had reached the champion of these horrors.
de aligned with its neck, I swung the ymore with all avable might. Fate cheated me once more as its body abruptly contorted and it gave me its arm instead. I watched with disgusted fascination as limbs shifted around before my very eyes, only some small satisfaction gained at one main arm was sheered off.
If this evoked pain, there was no visible sign of it. The monster righted itself once the de had passed andshed out. Its bone de sliced through my metallic hide with ease, the edge traced along my ribs. Snarl of pain dragged forth, I twisted with momentum and mmed another low kick into its form even as it twisted with the blow.
Death needed to be visited on this monstrosity, and I would be the one to deliver it. Yet the strain ofbat and keeping the behemoth bound to this ne was heavy upon me. I caught a stumble mid-step, then stomped down on the severed arm as the eldritch symbol red once more. Not this time.
The ivory-white bone de thaty next to said arm warped and bolted through the air as the champion straightened. It struck the other de in almost liquid form, melding itself to the surface. Unmade and remade in the space between blinks, it now wielded a massive greatsword with a single arm.
The shield projected another blow right back at me. I could see iting, but knowledge did not mean the power to stop the effect. A low rumble of triumph interrupted my thoughts, and I sensed the behemoth had crushed a Swarmling beneath its weight.
My eyes moved to check on Ish, yet even as I tried, my attention was dragged back to the champion.
Was it..using a Skill to keep me focused upon it?
Clever.
A blur streaked overhead, and a swarmling stumbled mid-stride, midsection caved in.
Brilliance red as a sun sparked to life from my side. Even with my gaze locked upon the champion, I witnessed Ish haul up a massive spear of light. A howl of rage sounded before the srnce annihted the swarmling.
Three dead.
The champion spoke, and force shoved me back. Hooves dug in, I ripped the earth loose as titanic pressure attempted to throw me away.
It was denied. More words rang through the air, and it held the eldritch symbol high. A bomb-burst blurred toward it, aimed right for its neck. Something blurred, and the steel nt impaled itself upon the ivory greatswords tip. Through sheer expanding force, it levitated off the ground and stretched its body wide. Ragged cries came from around me as the swarmlings were seized by the effect.
Relentless Charge helped me push back into the immense pressure. Step by slow, agonizing step, I dragged myself towards the dark champion. Whatever it attempted to invoke, I would snuff it out before it could be wrought. Intent alone could not sustain this dream, however. I found every inch forward to be the slowest I had ever taken. Before my eyes, I watched the giant horror be undone, disassembled and scattered until only a single w held the unholy symbol upright.
Massed particles swarmed around it, the remnants of other swarmlings pulled into one giant cloud. A solid core formed, a long, jagged torso that shifted and swayed treacherously.Too many eyes ringed an armored head, and masses of arms floated around it. Long, powerful legs barely needed to touch the dirt as multitudes of bone weapons slid into existence.
The behemoth stepped in and squashed the entire form beneath its massive ws.
It attempted to, at least. There was deadly fluidity as the nightmare-form broke apart and flowed upward, along the white-furred arm. Innumerable shes left the skin stripped to the bone. It reassembled, perched atop my summons shoulder, all des raised. A vicious head-swing tore through it, horns gauging apart its swirling form.
Yet ven as the massive ck horns passed through it, I could see the monster begin to reshape itself, poised to stab a dozen de its the behemoths skull. Cloaked in desperation, I channeled Cloven Crash and froze it just for a heartbeat. Long enough for the behemoths swing to tear away the entire side of the nightmares body.
It , a dozen low voices that sounded like leaves being rubbed against each other. des shed down faster than I could see, ripping into the behemoths neck as it thrash backwards and with another shout from me to freeze it, sent it flying.
Fury and rage filled the primal minotaur now, I felt. The swarm-thing righted itself in the air and buzzed back to the ground. It couldnt fly, then. Suspended by elritch power, it raised every de to the sky and let rip a bolt of sheer darkness that disappeared secondster.
The ground tore itself asunder as dark energy ripped through my fields, the earth cratering upwards. A dark volcano brewed beneath my hooves even as I charged the walking swarm. Miasma and brimstone choked the air as the nightmare faced me down, a cked form than the darkness that cloaked it now. The stars hid from its presence, the sky enveloped in veils of deepest night.
This was sheer, unholy power, I knew.
Didnt stop me from charging it anyway.
A multitude of des descended upon me, a storm of swordse to rend my flesh and rake my bones.
I stopped abruptly, let the storm crash down before me and did the stupidest thing possible. Muscles screamed and the air blurred as I hurled my ymore end over end. It spur through the darkness and impaled itself right in the monsters chest. But even a blow directly to the core did little to faze it. It was stunned for perhaps a second, yes. But that was all.
All the time I needed for the behemoth to charge in and seize it. Giant though it was, the behemoth trapped it within two mped palms as it began to swarm and slice once more.
Just enough time for Ish to wind back and aim another pulsingnce right at it. The air pounded and light pulsed in erratic waves as the young orc brought her full power to bear. Slowly, surely, she dragged the immense sunnce through the space, and aimed it as if guiding a sunbeam.
Flesh shredded and bones beginning to fray, I gasped, able to feel the behemoths pain as it kept the swarm in ce.
Ishials arm flexed and shot forward, and in that instant, I dispelled the power that kept the behemoth bound to this world. The swarm was fast, beyond any human being. But there was naught that could outrun the sun. A streak of heaven-light tore the night away, turning all to day for the briefest moment. To say the nightmare was obliterated would be to understate what had happened. Its very being wasnced through, the spear tearing through the magic and flesh that bound it to this world.
There one instant, gone the next.
Only the eldritch symbol remained, suspended in mid-air. It hovered for a moment, then shot heavenward and vanished into the night.
Gods Above. I panted and copsed backward. The stress ofbat and summoning the behemoth had sapped any strength that I had managed to build.
Those were not creatures created by the hands of deities. Ish offered as she staggered close, looking dead inside.
Whatever they were, they came here with a purpose in mind.
But the question is, did theye to kill me, or you?
Dont know. Dont care. Ish grunted. Back to the mud with all the damned things.
That was a sentiment I wholly shared.
So. I grunted with a groan. Suppose we should go see what was wrecked this time.
Aye. Might as well. Might as well forget about sleep as well, I guess.
A tender wince from me confirmed that. Much as my inner bloodthirsty minotaur loved the fight, nobody was really appreciative on what happened afterwards.
Book 1: Chapter 63: Walking Wake II
Book 1: Chapter 63: Walking Wake II
Farmer Level Ten reached. Sleep to apply.
So. I grunted, pain barely suppressed within my voice. An attempt to distract myself more than to actually conversate as I pried one of the obsidian spear-thorns from my body. What was that?
The spear? Ish returned, half-distracted in her attempt to prise another spike from my back. Gods Above I absolutely despised these particr monsters ability to ignore armor. Every confrontation with them left me in vague resemnce to a hairy pincushion.
Found it in the dungeon. Must have forgotten to mention it. I gritted my teeth as she yanked the barbed head free, already aware that chunks of flesh had been taken with its exit.
Seems like an awfully significant thing to forget. I poked at another wound, trying to determine whether or not these monsters possessed the same clear venom as their lesser counterparts. Better to err on the side of caution anyhow, I grimaced at another opened wound and took a swig of milk. Ish had emerged from the ughter unharmed, but I was not so fortunate.
That was close. Imented. Too close. The nightmare thing they had transformed into had nearly been a full counter to me specifically. The way they fought, worked together, the variety of powers they possessed..
Killteam. Ish grunted. Made specifically for you. Or the version of you they fought back at the fort.
And it would have been enough, I replied soberly. With the bloodlust gone, I could see now with terrible rity. Genius really. The Champion locks me down, able to engage me in singlebat, the psycher crushes my mind and the rest turn me into a pincushion. If all else fails, they merge into that swarm-being.
I mused my own destruction, and found the monsters n had nearly been wless. There were only two things they had not ounted for; my behemoth and Ishsnce. Yet, I could not shake the theory that clung to my mind, that these things had been created with the sole intent of killing me in mind. More and more I came back to this, and evermore I was convinced there was an intelligent mind behind these abominations.
This strike had failed, yes. Would the next? I doubted we could afford to wait and see. That alone was foolish. To let the enemy prepare from the safety of the dungeon was to inevitably lose. And in this race, there was no constion prize for second.
Artyom tended to a wounded Gol not far from where I sat hunched over. The brave, foolish beast had charged out to protect the farm, distracted one of the swarmlings for a few short moments, and had been battered away. Strong of a monster as Gol was, the severity of the threats I faced had quickly outstripped his capabilities.
Wait. I suddenly spoke and felt Ishs hands paused, about to rip out another spike. How did you know they were made for me?
I had been so lost in my thoughts that herment hadin unregistered until now.
Depends on how old the dungeon is, but their deepest workings often possess near-human intellect. And this one in both ancient and massive enough to warrant that. From what you and Pa told me, it isnt all that hard to puzzle out theres a mind behind these creatures. You yourself pointed out that they adapted to your tactics at the fort.
I wanted to p myself, simply for the reminder that I was far from the only intelligent person in this locale. Of course, people who had far more experience with the absurdities of this world could easier ept these seemingly far-fetched ideas.
So, the spear. I returned to the subject. Seems exceptionally powerful.
Yeah. She returned, tiredness in her voice. Kinda frustrain tho. All this power at my fingertips, and I cant tell anyone.
Why not? I frowned.
Ma and Pa know, but they asked me not to spread it. Its a giveaway that Ive been in the dungeon. That, and there are other reasons.
Such as?
Its power, Garek. And like any sort of might, there are those who crave it. While I live, the artifact is bound to me. But when I die, its up for grabs.
You are concerned someone may attempt to kill you for it.
May? Sheughed, derision in her voice. Sure as the sunrise, certain as winter wille, therell be those who will seek me out with only the intent to end me and expand their own strength.
I see now why you chose not to speak on it. I sighed.
I explicitly trust you, Garek. Was just waiting for a time to bring it up properly. Thess sighed and ripped out another spike as she spoke. While I appreciated her enthusiasm, a little warning would have been weed.
Last one. She saw fit to warn me now and grasped a particrly deep thorn in my shoulder.
Just..get it over with. I rumbled. Can always heal- Anything I said was cut off with a sharp intake and growl of pain as the barbed spike was ripped free. My eyes fairly bulged with pain as Ish handed me a full jug of healing milk. It was one thing to endure pain inbat while the adrenaline flowed, another entirely when I knew every tear came slowly.
There was an almost frantic urge with which I gulped down the life-giving fluid. I refused to stop for air until the entire container was empty and I could feel the clerical warmth spread through my body. Once the wounds had been dabbed clean and the flesh began to knit, I stood and shivered my muscles.
Well, no use putting it off any longer. I groaned and went to survey the damage.
Obliterated in its entirety, the field in which the battle had urred was now a mass of upheaved dirt and thick, liquid miasma. Even from a distance, the stench evoked displeasure in me.
Thats going to be a fustercluck to fix. I sighed and hobbled around, still very much in pains sharpened depths.
We have shovels, a plow, and other assorted tools. Ish replied. Now all we need are some sturdy backs an preferably weak minds. Those ask fewer questions.
Imagine the panic at the fort if this got out. She grimaced. Theyre already strained as is tryin to keep the swarm-things contained. The average soldier is gonna take one look at that Champion an realize he got about the same odds as your average kobold tryin to be a dragon does. And the swarm-bein?
Hmm. I pondered this in an attempt to distract myself from the absolute wrecking my fields had undergone. One could argue that giving this information and letting them fully prepare might be better.
Then you have more faith in that garrison then I do. Theyre already just hangin on. What we need is to find Valencias tower and strike into the dungeon to destroy the shard.
I agreed with her on that. Now, everything rested on Lerish and her ability to track down the towers location. Without it, we could only twiddle our thumbs and idly wait. I could sit here and let myself worry endlessly, or I might actually attend to the ruination of my farm. Even though the night was deep, I was too spiked up with adrenaline to sleep. So, there was only a single clear choice.
I will admit, that spear is powerful. However, it left pitifully little behind.
A good thing. Thess grumbled and kicked over a stone.
I was thinking one might like to examine the corpses, perhaps loot the weapons they used. The swarm-things stripped apart all the bodies, both alive and already perished for material. Which was then erased.
Ill try to be less deadly next time.
That got me to frown as I realized she had taken it the wrong way.
Its not meant to chide you as if anything important was lost. Our lives and the farm are both still somewhat intact, and thats what matters. It was merely an observation.
Silence drifted among the deep darkness as I hoisted thentern up and continued to survey the torn fields. Upheaved earth, ruined water-trenches thaty dry, torn nts and a gleam in the distance.
You know, Ive never gotten fully used to that. Ish mused and walked along behind me as I hurried towards the glint. A minotaur, speaking so eloquently. Ma had told me most of your kind are particualy brutish and see no value in speech beyond short sentences.
Thetter is true, and as for the former, I am very much not simr to the rest of my kind.
I gathered as much from our very first meeting. I could hear the smile in her voice. A small thing of beauty amidst the stinking destruction.
Ah yes. The best pie I had ever eaten. Not that that was a very high distinction at that point, but still, a moment to treasure.
There, amidst the dirt and miasma, wasin a single silver relic. I gingerly scooped the shield from the dirt and held it up. Faint scorch marks were the only sign it had borne the sunnces full brunt. Knock upon its surface showed whatever enchantmenty within still worked, my own force jerked back into my hand. With a smile, I turned and presented it to Ish. The orcs eyes glinted in the darkness as she reached for it with a tinder grasp.
Your kill, your reward. I spoke simply. Too small for me anyhow, I prefer to fight with both hands.
Bit awkward, but I can use the axe with one hand, I guess. She took it with a smile. Perhaps the most valuable relic had survived the attack. Another artifact from within the dungeon. Might need to get Pa to put a disguising enchantment over it and make it look in for now. But, really, thanks for lettin me have it.
Youre the adventurer, not me. I smiled. Dont think Ill need it to fend off wolves or whatever.
Huh. The orc remarked. Might need to change my name soon. Ish Sunspear or Ish Brightshield?
The spear befits you. I nodded. An orcish custom, I assume?
Yah. Though I should prolly wait till the mess with the dungeon is cleared. Ma will want to have a proper feast if I do that.
Make sure to invite me. I grinned and began to tromp back towards the lodge. The fields, while torn, could be fixed. The dam and stream had taken no stray attacks, and save for a few spikes, the smaller house was whole. The damage was there, but minimal. The storage shed had been pierced by a single bolt, but that wasrgely empty now, with only tools and milk stored within.
Well, looks like Artyom is gonna have some breeze to keep himpany tonight.
Sleep eluded me, I found. With that conclusion forgone, we worked through the night, pulling spikes from buildings, restacking scattered piles of rock, and talking all the while. Mostly idle chatter or empty worries, but it was enough to keep my mind upied. I sipped a cup of wakebrew as the horizon began to light, realizing it would be some time before I went and slept again.
My newfound level-up could wait for some time longer. There were more important things at hand now.
That point was driven home by a figure that emerged from the trees. Lerish gazed around at the sheer destruction wrought across my property, made a facial expression I couldnt fully make out and stalked towards where we stood.
Long night? She offered.
Aye. You?
Mmm. Found the tower. Make your preparations and gather the others. We will go soon. She looked around. Rather thanter by the looks of this ce, methinks.
I looked down at what pitifully little wake-brew remained, groaned, threw it back, and settled in for a long, rough day.
Important notice to yall.
Important notice to ya''ll.
One week from now, on July 30th, I will make the final upload of One Moo''r Plow book 1''s manuscript to Kindle Unlimited. Doing so, I will be required to remove 80% of the book''s content from RoyalRoad in order to maintain exclusivity. Starting from around chapters 3-4 to near the current section, content will be scrubbed for the first book. If yall are reading this, I''m going to assume you''re already caught up. Future chapters will continue to be posted on RoyalRoad, including the start of book 2 and onwards as soon book 1 finished uploading here.
If ya''ll are nning to do a reread, do it now, as this is a week''s worth of notice before the big day. The KU release is ted for August 4th, and that''s as close to the deadline as I can legally keep the content up.
Have fun ya''ll.
Book 1: Chapter 64: Scorched Light
Book 1: Chapter 64: Scorched Light
Blessed was I, that I inhabited this body and not another. The minotaur physique was uniquely suited to go long periods without rest, I had discovered over the past few weeks. While it was optimal to acquire sleep, it was not, strictly, needed. Tiredness soon faded and my inner reserves were called upon as I held myself upright and felt the fog slowly dissipate from my mind.
Half-days journey from here to the tower. Lerish continued from her own seat. There was a nk tiredness in the huntresss eye, only interrupted by how quickly she chewed. I nced over my shoulder to see Artyom bring out yet another length of dried meat.
Lerish. She nced upwards at the interruption, seeing the faint worry upon my face. Have you perhaps eaten in the past several days?
Mmm. She shrugged and swallowed. Rations ran out after second day. Didnt want to waste time returning home for more. Scavenged a little.
So thats a no. Ish frowned from next to her. The two had shared a moment once Lerish had returned, all warm hugs and happy expressions. This had passed, and now there were more serious topics at hand.
Needed to be found sooner thanter. Lerish spoke in defence of her bad habits. Rest and food could wait. Time is invaluable.
On that, I agree. I gestured around. Your newses at a wee time.
Her curiosity was piqued as I and Ish alternated to fill her in on the freshly-urred attack and its consequences. Expression adamant throughout, she chewed on a fresh link of sausage and nodded asionally. With every morsel she consumed, her posture straightened just a bit further. If this was the effect of a ss skill, then I had to admit a part of me was jealous as I watched her regain energy right before my eyes.
We delve today, then. I rumbled. Every hour idly spent is another chance for the fort to be overrun. They barely hold on at this point. Every wave could very well be thest.
And if the dungeon breaks free, thisnd is damned. Ish repeated what everyone already knew. The Barons army is thergest force in the area, and as much of a bastard as the man is, Ironmoor has done the right thing and diverted all avable troops to the garrison. But his army aintrge enough, and itll take a lot of political wranglin an time for more forces to show.
We have all agreed that to flee here now, when we could be the ones to make a difference would be to live in shame and cowardice. I rumbled solemnly. I could not in good conscience live with myself if I let so many die when my strength could have stopped it. Try as I might to havein down my weapons and live a life of peace, it is time for war.
Good. Lerish agreed, no lengthy speech needed from her. Ish, get your parents. Please.
The orcss hopped up, nodded to us, whirled and tore across the yard, running full tilt up the trail.
Silence crept upon us in her wake, yet I did not wee its presence. This was it. Possibly the most important danger we would face. Our lives were not a sure thing within the dungeon. Our return even less so. If I was to go andy down my short life for others, I intended to face it with all possible knowledge that might be gleaned.
And you, huntress. I spoke. How do you fare?
The short pause that came stretched into a moments hesitation, then a quiet stillness as Lerish pondered her words. Exhaustion was set not in her features, but in how she held herself, in the way she slowly moved. Though she fought against it, I was well enough versed in thenguage of bodies for it to be clear in my eyes.
Tired. She put it bluntly. One hunt after the next. Now we dive into the darkness.
You fear it? Curiosity nudged on my words.
Not particrly. I approach every danger as if it may im my life. I am a Stalker, Garek. The quiet hunter among the trees. What good am I, constrained by stone tunnels and bare chambers of stone?
For perhaps the first time, I heard her sigh. Her hardened facade slipped just a little as her head tilted back and gazed up at dawns clouded sky.
We fear the monsters within the dungeon. Not the charnel house itself. Pray you only lose life or limb within, and not what truly makes you whole. Your humanity, although that word does not apply to us. Never did.
Fools venture within to seek treasures and strength. Yet that ce will always take more than it gives.
There was scant little conversation after that, only short answers to my myriad of questions. Yet we were not left like this for long. Sudden pressure raced through my eardrums as the air itself cracked and split. Three figures appeared before me, holding onto each other.
Velton stepped from the teleport, dressed in a short, rune-covered tunic and loose pants. Combat robes, I guessed. Tehalis sported form-fitted armor that made nary a sound as she shifted and nced around. Ish gripped the mirror shield in one hand and enchanted axe in the other, although it seemed smaller now.
All of this I took in as attention turned to Lerish.
The tower. Velton spoke sharply. Shall we go now?
No. Lerish heaved herself up. Only you and I for now.
Why?
Surveince. The huntress grunted. There will be detection sigils, rm spells and far more. Would you expect a ce so valuable to be unguarded, even if not by human hands?
Your thinking is sound. The elf agreed briskly. Your proposal?
Your magic will move us there at all speed. Less bodies, less exposure. I disarm the traps, you teleport back for the others. Simple as. Traps disarmed and sigils unactivated, we descend into the dungeon without another enemy aware of our presence and able to take advantage of it. We already know Valencia will be just as worthy a horror as any we find in the stone depths.
I have no counter-argument. Velton nodded and looked around at his wife and daughter. Let us go.
True to his word, the elf wasted no time. Tattoos and runes wriggled across his bare forearms as spells enveloped the time. I gestured farewell as they streaked across the yard and along the forests edge, over twice their regr speed and surrounded by an aura that blurred them from sight.
Rest now, for there will be none once we are among the stone tombs. Tehalis grunted and seated herself. Warpaint streaked the wyld orcs face, ented by the spirits that swirled around her. Curiositypelled me to stare at the specters, an action that elicited only a shrug from her. I was, it seemed, far from the first to express fascination in this.
Every moment I sat here, the awareness that this was far from optimal grew within. It Will Not Die stilly dormant, not yet ready to be called upon again, and Brazen Bull Behemoth had just been freshly used. It would require time to reach its full potential again. Time I sorelycked.
Armed as I was in body and mind, I dreaded this journey. I knew not the danger, only that it required a stalwart soul to face and ovee. Time and again, the greatest fear to haunt a man was that of the unknown, and its shapeless form stared down at me now. Even within this mighty body, bolstered by divine might and steeled with righteous purpose, there crept doubt within me.
Rations and Drink. Tehalis abruptly cut through the silence. Do you have any prepared with you?
I did not.
Pack for yourself, and some for others if needed. We know not how long this will take, and delving consumes particrlyrge amounts of energy. Frequentbat and constant alertness does that, although I think you would be familiar with such things.
Garek was. I was not.
Very well. I nodded and stood. Just another pack to carry. It did not take overly long for my to fill a waterskin and cram a pack full of dried goods to much on. Just one more source of weight on my alreadyden belt. And then, the waiting continued.
It was near midday when the air was once more split apart, a thunderous p sheering through monotonous silence. Velton stepped from thin air and gestured. It took all of a second for me to wave goodbye to Gol and Artyom. Another for me to sp the elfs shoulder. Less than that to be violently wrenched sideways through reality itself and emerge in a new, unfamiliar ce.
Trees surrounded an overgrown, squat stone tower on all sides, the structure almost choked off by nature. A worn path along the ground showed movement in and out, but other than that it was almost entirely closed off. I blinked and nodded at the sudden shift, not so much as dizzy or nauseous as I had expected teleportation to be. A nce around revealed Lerish slightly hunched before the towers doorway, patiently working away at something.
Snares and rm sigils have been stripped. She grunted back over her shoulder. Stay away and give me several moments to finish this one.
Not fool enough to wander around randomly and set off more, Iplied. The group sort of awkwardly stood amidst the small clearing, armed to the teeth and ready for the ughter while the huntress worked away silently. A faint cough broke the air just before Lerish stood and nodded to me.
Door kicking, anyone?
Eager as I was theply, Velton simply sighed and wrenched the door open with a smooth wave and invisible force.
No need to immediately give ourselves away to anyone who happens toe by here.
His logic, while sound, did deprive me of a rare and excellent opportunity. Unfortunately, I did agree with him on this all.
One after another, they disappeared through the low doorway, bodies swallowed by the darkness within. Through it all, I could not shake the feeling that eyes rested upon me, though the wind betrayed no scent. Yet, watched or not, this mission would go through anyway.
I was forced to stoop through the doorway and emerge from the other side to find mypanions clustered around a hole gouged into the floor.
Ladder has been removed. Lerish grunted and gestured to markings.
Be thankful then, that I have no need for such human things. Velton smiled thinly. A snap of his fingers, and rock pulled itself from the walls of the tunnel to form a long, slow descent that wound down into the darkness.
We tread into the dungeons realm now. He looked around. And I am the only one that can see its treachery in the magical ne. Should Imand something, do not hesitate.
Affirmations came from the group.
Good then. Garek, if you could lead, given you are perhaps the most resilient and skilled inbat?
I saw no issue with this. Breath steadied, I carefully drew my weapon and stepped onto the conjured stone. The cramped, angled staircase was not to my liking, but it served a purpose and carried me downwards. More and more joined me, in single file as he descended towards the heart of darkness. Orbs of light swam around us, Veltons creation bringing life to the heavy darkness.
Nothing ambushed us upon the stairs. There came no sudden, fatal attack from the gloom. Only quiet, faraway sounds, almost drowned by the echo of my hooves upon the smooth rock.
Too soon, the stairs ended, and I found old, carved stone beneath me, a small cave torn into the side of a long, dead hallway.
And now, the true test. Lerish grunted as she emerged next to me. Find our purpose within this ce, or perish.
From on high, at the tunnels mouth, a figure stood nad watched as stone slid back into the walls, all trace of the partys passage erased. Or so they thought.
Book 1: Chapter 65: Depths
Book 1: Chapter 65: Depths
Someone possesses a penchant for ughter. Velton remarked as we stood amidst the butchered hallway. A mere short pace after the empty stone corridor from which we emerged, the carnage began. Long, jagged bodies were sttered everywhere, strewn across the floor and hanging from half-broken sections of false wall in equal measure.
Cold, dark airy heavy with the stench of ichor and rot. Bodily disposal was obviously not high upon the dungeons list of priorities. The elfs orbs of light pierced an otherwise epassing darkness, shadows thrown far into the distance.
Who shall be the torchbearer? Tehalis growled. Decide now.
More symbolic than actually needing to hold a torch, I found once I had volunteered. The hallways here were high and vaulted, able to easily clear my bulk. Velton strode beside me as we stepped over old bodies. Lerish nodded once as she slid past. The air shifted and the colors of her form changed, bing dull and lifeless to match whaty around us. Heartbeats passed as I lost her void of scent into the gloom as well.
Daughter and mother brought up the rear, Tehalis also fading from sight to ensure we were not surprised from behind. This was far from her first dungeon delve, I gathered. The corridor of corpses turned a corner and led into another, this one filled with rubble. Methodically spaced holes came into view, punched into the walls. Curiositypelled me to grab a section of the thin rock and rip it loose. Dead was the face that stared back at me, empty eyes still within the deepest slumber.
Any urge to plunge my ymore into the familiar form was stifled as I noticed the massive hole torn through its chest.
Valencia. Ish offered from behind me.
Of course. A snort came as I stepped away and continued my way along the ruined path.
Strange. Veltonmented as we turned yet another corner. She caused all this destruction and never woke the dungeon. She must possess an absurd amount of knowledge about it.
With little knowledge to back up either assumption, I chose to hold my tongue and continue onwards. An oppressive darkness cloaked us just beyond the lights range, surrounded by a silence only broken by the sounds of our footsteps.
One dead corridor passed into the next, all a trail of destruction.
Would you know where we are going, by any chance? I posed to Velton.
Not entirely, no. The elf frowned. But I am following the aura of darkness that stains this air. Keep on its trail, and we will find the heart of darkness soon enough.
ymore in hand and perpetually on edge, I nodded and chose to believe him. Deathy all around us, wrought by a fiendish hand. I would be thankful if we did not join their eternal sleep before the day had passed.
Tragedy nearly visited itself upon us, only stopped as I withdrew the de mid-swipe. Lerish had materialized directly before me, and in my surprise, I hadshed out at her. She regarded the withheld blow and sniffed.
Chamber ahead. Removed the trap. Monsters likely inside.
Short and clipped information conveyed, she once more stepped back into the gloom. Heart pounding away in my chest at the sudden shock, I nodded nkly and followed. True to her word, a doorway loomed, a b of iron that somehow passed as a full door upon hidden hinges. Closed bear trapsy piled in the corner, removed from wherever they had been hidden.
No mechanism. Lerish appeared again. Garek?
A look around to make the others were ready, I nodded, called the necessary skills to prepare forbat and rammed my shoulder into the metal. For a heartbeat, it attempted resistance. The next, it gave way. The screech of crumpled metal shattered the silence as I burst into the room, weapon at ready.
Swarmlings turned to face me, but they were of a sort I had never seen before. Metal, wood and corpses dropped from massive ws as they lumbered around, tiny eyes buried within wide, hulking forms. Only a heartbeat was avable for me to take in an almost oval, bulky carapace that stood to nearly my height, with inverted mouths, bulky arms and thick legs. All covered in a jagged grey carapace.
Low screams rumbled through the air as the alert sounded almost instantly. One charged to meet me, arms outstretched, not a weapon in sight. Right into the ymores descending mass. The short, bulky head was caved in and shorn beneath the des enchanted edge. I still stepped aside as the corpses momentum carried it forward.
Another roar followed a wild swing around as my de missed a bulky swarmling by handsbreadth and ripped a pir in twain. Rubble copsed downward and struck the stocky monsters back to stagger it ever so slightly. Just enough for me to kick its knee out. Downward momentum drove the ymores tip into the creatures chest, out its back and through the rock below.
Force blossomed beside me as ethereal spears shot from Veltons outstretched grip andnce through several clustered swarmlings. One staggered backward to my side, a double-fisted blow into ishs shield nearly breaking its own arms. It dropped to all fours and opened its mouth to fire a long, barbed tongue at the orc, only to crumple as Tehalis appeared before it and pulled both axes from its head.
The orc vanished once more and I continued my forward charge. Brutal Swing tore right through a swarmling as it pounced forward, top and bottom halves brushing against me. One appeared before me andtched on to either arm, firm ws holdings my sword arms down as its mouth opened.
I caught a glimpse of sharpened teeth and something coiled deeper, then a bloody pulp as Head Smash blurred my perception downwards. The monsters dead body clung to me, dead weight that refused to let go. The battle died around me as the final few were brutally cut down, only I left to extract myself from the monsters grip.
One mighty heave and a roarter, I found the obsidian finger-ws refused to budge but were tightening instead. They could not pierce Ironhide, but I could feel the grip shrinking with every passing heartbeat. ced perfectly upon my biceps, I did not possess the leverage to bring up the ymore and hack them off.
Velton appeared beside me and ended that problem for me. A translucent de of force in one hand, the elf neatly slit off the creature''s arms and let the dead weight fall. With a grunt, I moved one hand over, grabbed the fingers and began to pull. Nothing. For all my strength, it was akin to trying to pry open a badgers bite.
Clear discs of force moved to assist me as Velton attempted help, but to no avail.
What in tarnation? The elf grumbled. The hands simply refuse to open.
I gathered as much. I growled. Any other solutions?
Allow me. He sighed and moved to grasp the stumps in either hand. I am not well-versed in flesh maniption, but I did learn some.
The nerves in these ws are deformed unlike much of what I have seen. They are not meant to open without having closed to a certain distance first. Rather crude, but effective. There was a grudging admiration in his voice. I might have indulged his curiosity sooner were it not for my arms being the material mped down upon.
But they are nerves nheless, and can be puppeted as such.
With that, the ws slowly creaked back open, their grip on my arm gone. Velton regarded the decapitated hands for a few moments and tossed them aside.
These creatures appear to be made. He poked at the bodies. They are not the warrior-type we have been encountering at the fort. A worker breed, perhaps?
The materials they had been carrying seemed to give credibility to that guess.
We are not here to stand and guess the nature of these things. Lerish appeared once more, appearance gaunt in the floating light. Onwards.
This sentiment, I agreed with.
One room passed into the next, and within, therey a different scene. The bodies of the warrior-type swarmlingsy upon stone bs in neat rows here. A stench pervaded the air, one of ichor and chemicals. The masses did not stir as we approached. I saw why soon after. Sigils glowed beneath the bodies as theyy split open, all bearing identical wounds.
Necromancy. Velton wrinkled his nose beside me. Someone is performing modifications on arge scale.
Dozens of simr bs stretched off into the distance, with every creature upon them in an identical state. Chest cavities sliced open, skin and shell peeled back.
Kill them? Ish offered from behind.
You cannot kill what is already dead. The elf grimaced as he examined the sigils and bodies. But I can dispel what keeps them frozen. Whoever did this has moved from corpse to corpse and performed the exact same procedure on every one. Attempting to imnt something foreign within the bodies or modify them in some way.
Any idea what?
No. And may it die with them. Circles of power glowed around his hands and tendrils snaked towards every altar of rock. The air filled with the sounds of creatures dying horribly as the sigils flickered out and the sheer shock of massive wounds proved enough the end the subjects. Most of them. A few retained enough strength to climb from their bs, and I put them back into the dirt.
Again, Velton seemed to want to linger, yet Lerish urged him onwards. The party moved forward from room to room, simr situations found in each one. By the third, the huntress simply decided too much time was wasted on dispelling the magic and that our concerns needed to be turned further inwards.
Another hallway of stone greeted us as the chambers of undeath faded to our backs.
Prepare yourself. Lerish announced. There lies something powerful behind that door.
Once more I approached and made sure all Skills were brought to bear. I ensured the others were at ready and backed up. My shoulder rammed into the door at all speed, only for it to distort and warp beneath me. Teeth and tongues appeared from the surface as the liquid metal flowed to epass me.
Mimic! I heard Ish yell as I thrashed.
Sheer cold spread through the metal, the flowing liquid being frozen around me. Cracks ran through it, the teeth bing brittle and tongues ripped off as Veltonmanded the elements. Roar of rage in my throat, I twisted myself free and tore into the brittle metal. Incensed beyond reason, I tore the frozen mimic to pieces to reveal the actual door beneath.
Well, that was only a matter of time. The mage sighed. Excellent thing we had you take the lead then. I dread to think what might have happened had touched it.
Lerish didnt detect it? I nced at the huntress.
Do not fault her. Tehalis stepped from the shadows. They are dead to magic and most every possible form of detection. I would not have seen it either.
I do noty me on her, but merely a question.
Questions that cer, Lerish growled, on edge. Onwards.
With that, Iplied. This door too crumpled beneath my strength. With a heave, I toppled the ruined mass of steel inwards and stepped through, only to shield my eyes as unnatural light struck me.
Crude machines whirred within, giant tubes propped upright that overflowed with the scent of magic. Pipes transported liquid everywhere, dozens of rounded altars prepped with sigils and strewn with unholy essories.
What ungodly mockery is this? Velton almostughed as stepped within. It is so..crude.
A figure emerged from the darkness, a tall thin corpse-like creature with sunken eyes, pointed ears and, most notably, skeletal forearms. The flesh was simply gone, and in its ce were iron constructs that held spools of the thinnest wire I had seen. An elf. And, if my knowledge was not incredibly mistaken, undead.
You. Ish growled, eyes narrowed and weapon at ready.
Book 1: Chapter 66: Hellish descent.
Book 1: Chapter 66: Hellish descent.
Any movement I took was suddenly halted as I felt a wireid taut against my throat. Even through Ironhide, Its edge bit into me. My eyes traced from left to right as I now saw the small, almost invisible string stretched between pirs. Attention returned to the undead elf as I now saw her finger for what they truly were. Spools of wire wound along mechanical reels and disappeared into the darkness.
You know her? Velton demanded, arms writhing with magicks that wailed to be unleashed.
The elf with the party. Ish growled. Youre alive. How?
There was the semnce of a smile upon the drawn, dead lips.
Not a word I would use to describe myself. She uttered, voice harsh. Not for the longest time.
And yet here you are. Velton rebuked. In the dungeons bowels, mostly whole and doing quite well for yourself.
This was true. The workshop, for that was what it inly was,y quiet around us, a vast expanse of mage-machines and resources. Tanks glowed with multi-colored fluid, bodies suspended within.
The wire tugged at my throat, only to loosen and fall ck an instantter as the undead elf gestured. One hand came up and I traced the small nick in the steel that my hide had been transformed into. Some type of mono-fment wire, perhaps? Or just magic would be a more likely exnation.
Webs of it coated the room, I saw now. With a flick, those too vanished, though to where, I knew not.
Despite the situation I find myself in, I know that any confrontation with you will end in my demise. The undead elf spoke and spread her arms even as Lerish appeared behind her. Perhaps I may be able to kill a few of me, but my own survival would be far from assured.
So youre switchin teams now? Ish barked withughter, a sound that echoed through the massive chamber. Not once, but twice.
Her scorn only elicited the smallest of shrugs from the figure.
Whatever happens, my own survival remains my primary concern. One does not grow to be as old as I by taking foolish, uncalcted risks. Of those, I have already chanced too many in thest little while. The tiefling who led us here was such a fool that even I was swayed by his reckless enthusiasm. No longer. I have faithfully assisted the swarm-mind after it spared my existence, and I will not endanger my own survival now to stop you.
So you are twice a traitor. Tehalis spoke, face t.
I cannotmit treason unto one that never held my loyalty to begin with. She looked between Ish, Velton and Tehalis now. Your..mate might know of this.
There was no show of power, only grim silence as the red-haired elf regarded his undead counterpart.
Tread carefully now, lest thest spark of your existence be snuffed out.
Oh no. She smiled in return. The remark was not meant as an insult, but rather an observation. I am one such as you, if you could perhaps not tell. Just as you have, I yearn to experiment, to create, to elevate my race, even if it must be through methods they do not approve of.
And you think I share your motivations? Velton looked cold enough to freeze a volcano now, drawn taut and ready to spring free. That what I do is for the sake of the elven race?
Silence. Lerish growled, her voice far deeper than anything I had heard from her before. Every moment you stand here and trade insults is another this swarm-mind grows more aware of our presence.
Ah yes. The undead one replied. The Arnthemas Overmind prepares for its descent down into the dungeon, to devour the shards that still sleep and rise as true conqueror of the dungeon. You may want to hurry.
You. Lerish seized the elf from behind. Will guide us.
Revealing my newfound treachery to the Overmind will endanger my own safety. The elf frowned.
Further than it already is? The huntress snarled, her hackles well and truly raised.
Absolutely.
It is a divine thing then, that I care little for your safety. I could almost feel the malice in the huntresss voice. Something spurred her on that was far deeper than shown on the surface. Through it all, I stood silently and let them exchange their duels of words. Now, I stepped forward, expression grim.
Tell us. Everything. She gazed up at me, illuminated by the sickly light of a containment tank next to us. For a moment, I saw a sardonic smile cross those dead lips.
Perhaps I could show you instead. She turned and began to walk, a gesture to follow her made to us. With a growl, Lerish released her hold and trailed to the side, teeth bared.
The Overmind prepares below. Onest wave upon the surface, and it will have gathered enoughbat knowledge to overpower the guardians that await it in the depths. She revealed casually. Lerish stopped and turned upwards, her face suddenly contorted. Almost on instinct, I turned and grabbed the huntress to haul her back as a wall of force mmed between us. Vetons spears struck the shimmering wall, sending cracks through the ward.
And unfortunately, I will not be here when that happens. You have opened the perfect path for me. With your presence, the Overmind will be too distracted to notice as I slip away into the darkness. I should thank you, I suppose.
ymore out, I battered away at the wall of force, determined the shatter the thing before the elf escaped. Cracks spread along the surface as I watched the elf hurry towards several particrlyrge tanks and fiddle with their sides. Horror overshadowed by annoyance which in turn was drowned out by rage grew as several popped open and revealed massive Arnthema inside. The wall had nearly been splintered when she realized this and bolted for the far exit.
Perhaps it was her own arrogance that demanded she turn and give onest wave of mockery just as the wall fell.
Either way, she did not witness the wall behind her buckle and explode as Valencia burst through. ck, armored fingers wrapped around the elves throat and hoisted her upwards.
Remember me, sunve? The dreadknight snarled.
Any reply was drowned out as ck, hellish mes engulfed the corpse-elf, her existence wiped from reality a heartbeatter. One arm still upraised, Valencia turned and opened her fist to let ckened dust fall.
Who shall join her? The dreadknights cruelughter drifted through theboratory as I processed what had just happened. Here one moment, snuffed out the next. A reminder that life was not cheap within this ce. It was worthless.
Go. I growled solemnly to the others. I will ovee this foe and meet you further in.
To this regard, I had my doubts, yet we could not afford to be held up here. If what was spoken had been the unfettered truth, there would soon be a new wave unleashed upon the surface. And without Velton there, it would almost certainly break through.
The burden of countless livesy upon our shoulders, and this weight would not find my wanting.
The Arnthema unleashed wobbled around, still fresh from their tanks, unused to these massive bodies. It was rare that I faced a creaturerger than I, yet these abominations stood my height and then some. Larger than I, and perhaps stronger. One for I, one for Valencia. The dreadknight ignored me as she stalked towards that closest to her, fists ame. She give not a whit of notice to the others as they moved along the chambers walls, towards the door.
The ymore slid into one hand as I regarded the twisted giant whose gaze and rage turned itself upon me. The other dug into a bag upon my belt. Spore-dust fell as I withdrew metallic spheres, several inside my fist. I had seen what these hybrids were capable of. Now my enemies would learn the same.
Frantic energy began to pulse beneath my fingers as the burst-pods awoke. I felt fly the spheres of hunger, and watched as they blurred through the air, an entire volley of nearly mature fusions. Steel meteors crashed into the giants body with enough force to crumple its carapace. Then they ricocheted again, buried deep inside it. Its body wracked in pain, the monster did the unthinkable and charged me.
ymore at ready, I stepped forward and chopped the b of steel down to bite into an upraised arm. The goliath continued even as the de sheered away a hand and bit deep into the shoulder. Cold and focus flowed through me, the realization that I would not stop the charge on the forefront of my thoughts. I let slip the de and ducked aside as three massive fists crashed through the space behind me.
One army upon the cold stone floor now. Three more remained. Ichor flowed from rent-open wounds, yet the creature showed no pain. If it was even capable of feeling the sensation. Leg drawn back, I stepped forward and stomp-kicked into the side of its knee joint.
Carapace splintered and something beneath shattered beneath my weight and force. Leg destroyed, the obsidian mass had nowhere to topple save toward me. Once more I move aside, cold and methodical strikes breaking it piece by piece.
Shrikes of unholy fury roiled from its maw, and just in time I saw the ss behind me shatter from the force. More bodies joined the fray now, destroyed tanks awakening those within. An unnaturally thin formnded before me, a multitude of ws outstretched. Its head vanished a heartbeatter, my fist in its ce.
One final surge of valiant effort left within, the goliath staggered to one knee and raised its arms heavenwards. Whatever it attempted was rudely destroyed as I crashed into its body with Relentless Charge, sheer force enough to sy it out upon its back.
Even on its back, it attempted to batter me with powerful fists. With a grunt, I seized the ymore still embedded within one shoulder and ripped it free. A swift kick to the head interrupted another shriek. Motion from behind told me to whirl, and another monster was upon me.
Another worker-type lunged for me, ws outstretched. My hoof caved its chest in as I snapped off a front kick. Simply beingrge did not mean I was unathletic. The opposite, really. The ymore swiped its head off a heartbeatter as it staggered back up. Well clear of the crumpled body, my attention turned back to the goliath.
Once more, it attempted to rise, and again I kept it down. More and more flocked to its rescue, a swarm of Arnthema throwing away their lives so that the goliath might live. But death was not denied this day. It too fell, ymore buried within its head. For it was true that Prodigious size alone did not dissuade the sharpened de.
Well done. The mockery rang within my ears as I turned to face Valencia. Corpsesy strewn around the dreadknight, torn to an unrecognizable degree. Raw hatred flowed within her, her scent naught but danger and malice and spite.
Step aside. I rumbled in return. This was not a fight I desired. Not with this much gambled upon our sess. There are greater things at y here.
Sheughed, a cold and cruel thing.
You bow to the will, to the needs of others. Give and give and give until you are naught but an empty husk, and expect me to do the same? Came the bite of derision. I will have what mine heart desires, no matter the cost.
Now, the truest test, minotaur. She howled with dark glee, fist crackling with hellish rebuke. Gods Above and Below, witness me now!
Book 1: Chapter 67: Hellish Rebuke.
Book 1: Chapter 67: Hellish Rebuke.
No greater foe. No sweeter glory.
Malice roiled off the dreadknight in low waves that pounded away at my sanity, eldritch force thatmanded I yield. Naught but refusal was given to these requests. The voice of darkness was at first a whisper, then as thunder, it demanded fealty. It received only cold steel in return. Pressure cracked the stone around me, ss and metal crumpled beneath sheer will as Valencia approached.
Relentless Charge carried me through the crushing weight, Brutal Swing turned my de into a steel blur as I roared with Cloven Crash. The dreadknight shattered the skill, stepped into the blow and mmed one fist into my gut. The metal that encased my flesh give way as a sickening feeling spread through me. Head Smash rocketed me forward, only to collide with a solid force.
Bared teeth mimicked a twisted smile as Valencia stood unfazed, my face pressed against hers.
Violence exploded as she jerked her head back and mmed it forward into my own. Sick, wet sounds followed by pain were what I experienced as my snout crumpled under the force. Long legs carried me backwards, one hand over my face as sheer agony bloomed across my skull. My back struck a stone b that jutted from the ground, my journey backward at and end.
Defiance was all I roared as Valencia stalked near, fists at ready. I saw the blow that wove round and nted itself in my chest at lightning speed, yet I could not avoid it.
Rock shattered as sheer force passed through me, through my front and out my back. A wild swing of retaliation bit only air as the dreadknight ducked beneath the blow. Scream of Fury came just in time, almost choked off as a ck-d fist mmed into my throat. I dropped down and rolled, as Valencia loomed overhead. Her fists tore through steel on the missed swing even as I coughed dust and blood.
Cloven Crash gave me but a heartbeats reprieve before it was shattered once more. All I needed to regain my feet and distance. Valencia pressed in with unnatural speed, battering past my own attacks. Her strikes seemed as titan-blows, each punch the heaviest I had ever been struck. Even beneath Ironhide and Thickened Fur, I was battered.
Berserk fed me strength beyond mortal hands, made pain an afterthought as I struck blow for blow with the fiend. Rage and bloodlust and hatred screamed within, the howls of fury that kept the me alive beneath this oppressive gale of darkness.
The ymore mmed into Valencias side and bellows of triumph came. Only to fade as she gripped the blow and twisted the sword from my hands. The smallest nick now decorated her armor.
Now came the reckoning.
Dark suns glowed in each fists as the dreadknight hammered away at my body, each blow shockwaves of heat, force and pain that ripped into the veil of Berserk. I struck back, a messy roundhouse across her face only slightly staggering her. A ck fist crashed into my stomach, and I saw burning blood as she withdrew. Huge hands seized her as I attempted to grapple and throw her away.
My strength failed to so much as budge her. Feet set and body swinging, she tore into me even as I moved forward to envelop her. Crushing force struck my side as I charged in, and her elbow smashed into my ribs.
Sanguine bloodfury held me now as I bit and tore, every attack doing pitiful amounts of damage. Explosive force erupted into my chest, and I found myself flung backward, a ragdoll struck by the hurricane.
Stone and steel greeted me, ss shattering as I was flung through a tube, its upant crushed.
If darkness could ever shine like sunlight, it came from Valencia now. The dreadknight zed with dark glory, her very being a nova of hellish me and unbridled malice. She stepped from shadow to shadow, in relentless pursuit. Some semnce of thought felt, I tore a sk from my belt and hurled the acid across her face.
She licked it clean.
Wide, frenzied eyes beheld me, a storm within as the acid melted her skin. With augh, she brought her will to bear and I watched in horror as the flesh was knit. A hastily hurled burst-pod was easily caught in her grasp and crushed beneath her fingers as the metal oozed foreign substance.
Is this all? Came the demand from on high. Have ye no more rage for me?
Plenty. I snarled, upon my feet once more.
A lie.
The Behemoth was not content to heed my call, for I had just summoned it. It was on the verge of agreeing, but that meant I had to survive against her for some time more. No other ploy in mind, I threw the entire bag of biters at her and watched with some satisfaction as theytched on across her body.
Only to recoil as me consumed her being and seared them from existence. The distraction, small though it was, allowed me to retrieve the ymore. Another to swallow as much healing milk as possible. The warmth of divinity spread through me for a mere heartbeat before the howling void was once more before me.
Stone shattered beneath Valencias feet as she stomped forward and swung overhead, her weight behind this blow. Once more, I saw it draw near, yet could not move. A meteor-impact crashed into my chest and stopped my heart on impact. Flesh gave way, bones shattered and heaven pierced me. My eyes locked on the ck form even as thews of reality threw me away.
Blood for Blood delivered the blow back to her with all might. A wall could not stop me, not another. Rest came only once I was buried in rubble. Yet this would not be my bed for long. Weak roars petered out in my throat, dead in their inception as I struggled to regain lost footing. There was blood in my eyes as I heaved upright and downed another few mouthfuls of milk.
Valencias wildughter roared across the broken chamber, the dreadknight aze with glory and might. To fight her was foolishness, I realized. But I battled not to win, but to withhold her from the others.
Thy flesh unmade. The words rolled across the chamber as she drew near once more. Thy life consumed.
Ye will feed the inferno thates. She promised, and I saw not a hint of deception within her.
Only once you have returned me to the cold, hard dirt. Blood followed the vow from my throat as I strode to meet her, de in hand.
I like you, minotaur. Came the fiendish smile, a rictus of emotion on her dead features. Burn all the same. The only fate your kind deserves.
Every skill used at once, I stepped forward and brought the ymore down with both hands. The dreadknightughed as the mass of steel I deigned to call a sword descended upon her.
And then she caught the de. Both arms above her head, the horrorughed as I pressed the ymore down. Muscles strained and my eyes bulged as I applied every ounce of strength my body possessed. Rock cracked beneath me as Valencias form was shoved down, the stone giving way before she did. Then I was stumbling backwards, overwhelmed as she threw the de back and mmed forward to headbutt my chest.
Pain. Caved ribs and shattered things I wished not to think upon.
A sideswipe caught her and staggered her ever so slightly off-course. But she was a storm, and one could not stand before natures relentless wrath. Blows that would have torn humans to pieces ripped into my side even as I returned all the strength I had left to give.
Defence an afterthought, I ground my hooves and traded blows with her as I raced fatigue and pain. Every wound she inflicted upon me was returned by Blood for Blood, yet one needed not eyes to see the dreadknight did not care.
Savagery unrelenting washed over me, and I struggled to withstand the tide.
My form crumpled backward and rested against a heap of shattered rubble as Valencia stood, her breath heavy and blood-stained smile upon her face.
Arrogance betrays your kind, minotaur. The dread being that pretended to be human smiled down at me. You think yourself the strongest, the most fearsome. They will fear me, for I havee to guide them to depths their minds cannotprehend.
Not this one. Not today.
Someone loomed from the darkness. Lerish. The brave, foolish huntress, returned to save me. No match for the dreadknight. Yet even as she spoke, my eyes went wide. Her body writhed and stretched, beast-folks features gone as something more emerged in her ce. Steel feathered headdress, metallic wings, draconic features.
The Apex.
Valencia roared and spread her arms as the beast Lerish had be tore through the air and struck her with an almighty blow. Laughter cracked through the air as the dreadknight returned the favor in kind. Muslces flexed up and down her mighty body as Lerish grabbed Valencia in one hand and ripped through the wall with her.
She came out swinging. Lightning greeted her as Lerishs maw gaped open and storm-fury sted loose, shearing paths through stone and crystallizing stray goo through shear heat. The void gleamed with irreverent light as Valencia raced forward, the stream of bolts taken dead-on.
This is what I have sought! She screamed with joy and pounced. Her form blurred through the air and crashed into Lerish to send the Apex tumbling backward. ws and fangs shed with fists and heat as the two brawled. Meanwhile, I clutched nkly at my wounds and consumed milk as much as the pain would allow. I mended, but far, far too slow.
I needed to be back in the fight. To be the lynchpin that could sway the deathduel either way. Even after all the energy she had expanded upon me, Valencia fought like a caged tigress, and monster with its back to the wall. Every blow was one too many for the Apex as it tried to strike back for every hit it took.
Depths take you! Came the primal roar. Lerish hauled Valencia overhead and mmed her into the floor with all her might. Too hard. The stone, already weakened from my battle with the dreadknight, gave way. I watched in horror as stones copsed downwards, tonnes of rock suddenly in a freefall.
Only once I was upon my feet and racing towards the edge did I realize my folly. Fatepelled me to continue, however. And there I found Lerish, clung to the edge, dangling above a sheer void. No time wasted, I plopped down to one knee and fought through the pain to grab her arm. There was very little strength left within me, yet I managed to haul her skyward.
Weakened already, my throat shuddered with a singr sigh as I copsed backwards. Lerish crouched above me, her expression shrouded. Another time, my head might have reeled from the revtion. Lerish was the Apex?
Here and now, I was simply too fired.
Thank you. I rumbled.
Shes not dead. came the clipped, pained reply.
I know. We will see her again I pray it itter, rather than sooner.
There was precious little healing milk left, yet I offered it to Lerish instead of myself. Though her face showed little emotion, her body was battered and torn to the same extent as I.
This, I groaned and heaved myself up. Was aplication we did not strictly need.
Fate delivered it all the same. But she has been removed, for now.
Onwards, then. Down and deeper into the heart of darkness. I offered one hand to Lerish, and after a moment, she epted.
You have a story to tell me once this has all been concluded. I grunted.
Aye. But for now, onest battle awaits.
Kindle release is in 2 days, other announcements.
Kindle release is in 2 days, other announcements.
Big daying up for me. Kindle release is in 2 days and if stress could be a physical taste I am overwhelmed by it right now.
there''ll be a short pause in content as I dedicate all my time and effort to the postunch promotion cycle, maybe set up a giveaway although I''m debating doing one now or when the audiobook releases at the month''s end. I won''t be able to split my focus between the necessary reddit/FB promotions and writing so I''ve made the decision to do the promotion before the writing, and will resume releases/writing this time next week.
This is a quick call to ya''ll. Even if you don''t intend to buy the book or read it via a KU subscription, please take the time and give it a rating and/or review because those have a massive impact on the book''s visibility on the Zon algorithm, and are among some of the most important things for an author on that website. If ya''ll have wanted to do something REALLY impactful and visibly tangible for this particr story, that would be the time and method.
That aside, nning for the 2nd book is underway, almostpleted as I have the opening chapters up on patreon, and it''s a tonal shift I think most readers will be happy with. Lessbat, more focus on the farm and its inhabitants.
I do listen to feedback that ya''ll give me pretty seriously, even if I don''tment anymore, I read every singlement left here and have always appreciated your input and investment.
Peace, Exe.
Kindle release is tomorrow, other announcements.
Kindle release is tomorrow, other announcements.
UPDATE: Apparently Amazon has locked theunch into the 3rd, and the book is already live in parts of the world without me knowing. Update to the text below
Big daying up for me. Kindle release is in 2 days and if stress could be a physical taste I am overwhelmed by it right now.
there''ll be a short pause in content as I dedicate all my time and effort to the postunch promotion cycle, maybe set up a giveaway although I''m debating doing one now or when the audiobook releases at the month''s end. I won''t be able to split my focus between the necessary reddit/FB promotions and writing so I''ve made the decision to do the promotion before the writing, and will resume releases/writing this time next week.
This is a quick call to ya''ll. Even if you don''t intend to buy the book or read it via a KU subscription, please take the time and give it a rating and/or review because those have a massive impact on the book''s visibility on the Zon algorithm, and are among some of the most important things for an author on that website. If ya''ll have wanted to do something REALLY impactful and visibly tangible for this particr story, that would be the time and method.
That aside, nning for the 2nd book is underway, almostpleted as I have the opening chapters up on patreon, and it''s a tonal shift I think most readers will be happy with. Lessbat, more focus on the farm and its inhabitants.
I do listen to feedback that ya''ll give me pretty seriously, even if I don''tment anymore, I read every singlement left here and have always appreciated your input and investment.
Peace, Exe.
Book 1 of One Moor Plow is now available on Kindle.
Book 1 of One Moo''r Plow is now avable on Kindle.
Thises earlier than expected thanks to Amazon, but the entirety of Book 1 is now published on Amazon via Kindle Unlimited.
If you''re willing to, please take a few moments and head on over to give this book a rating ad/or a review as this massively helps with Zon''s algorithm and viewability. After months of time, effort, and money on my part, this is the culmination of OMP''s first step into the market, and arguably its most important one. If you''re here this deep, it''s a safe bet to assume you''re invested in the story and its future.
And this is how you can best support it. Through just a simple rating and review that means more than you might suspect. Every single rating is important in these early days, and reviews leave a massive impact.
I am excited for this now that it has emerged onto the market, and doubt I''ll be sleeping tonight. I have dedicated the past half year of my life to writing this singr book, and now it hase to fruition. An audiobook narrated by the legendary Johnathan Keeble will follow less than a month from now, something I am massively excited to share as well. I''ve received the audio samples from Podium and they sound IMMACULATE, overflowing with life and character.
But for now, my efforts remain focused on ensuring the publication of this first book turns out to be a sess. And I cannot do this alone. But I will do my part and try my damnest.
Cheers, Exe.
Book 1: Chapter 68: Deeper Darker.
Book 1: Chapter 68: Deeper Darker.
Darkness stirred around my form as we two hobbled along, healing supplies drained dry to sustain weary bodies. We had tentatively triumphed in this battle, if only because Valencia had been physically removed from the battlefield. Yet there was a sick feeling deep within as realization crept upon me. The price of victory in the battle may have cost us the war.
Freshly healed wounds radiated phantom pains across my body, every dark blow struck refusing to let go even as the cleric-shines magicpelled it.
Garek. Lerish spoke from beside me.
Yes?
I have shared a secret with you this day. The others do not know. Dont tell them. Please.
The words came in short bursts as the huntress looked away. We had not spoken on this, and the knowledge made my mind whirl. So many questions had been raised, and I knew answers would need to wait until we emerged from this ce. If we lived to see the day through.
Your secret will follow me to the grave. I swore.
Every new obstacle lessened our already slim chances of survival. And now that our only known path had been very clearly copsed behind us, the only way was forward.
Deeper into the dungeon stone guts.
Destruction passed us by, thrashed chambers and ruined hallways lined with corpses. The road thus far was lined with carnage, every step paid for in blood. Not mine, in ther here and now, but with the ichor that spille from hundreds of Arnthema corpses. The Overmind hurled swarms upon the party, even though it must know they would be defeated.
Why? To purchase more time through the sheer crush of bodies it might flood these corridors with? To learn more about our fighting patterns? Likely.
We turned through darkened corridors, the only light a torch Lerish had procured from somewhere. Gone was the luxury of Veltons mage-lights now. We wandered in the deepest darkness, held only at bay the smallest flicker of light and life.
Lerish grimaced and sniffed at the air. An open pit of spikesy before us, I saw a momentter. A nce inside revealed nothing had been swallowed into its depths.
Move around the side. She gestured, and Iplied. Would be a fool way to die after so much had been ovee, I reckoned. Feet light and step sure, Lerish stepped past and back onto the main path.
Only for the floor to vanish beneath her as the illusion vanished and the second pit was revealed. Reflexes beyond anything human saved her as the huntresss body contorted in mid-air and grabbed back onto the ledge. With a grunt, she yanked herself back up, irritated.
Always think theyre so smart with the double illusion. She growled.
It almost did get you this time. I noted with some wry humor. An attempt to make the most of an increasingly dire situation.
Startled me. She grunted. Thats all.
The floor flickered back into ce behind us, ready to im an unwitting victim. Would it too fade if we destroyed the shard that supposedly powered this section of this hellish ce? I hoped so.
More rubble and ruin passed us by, until we finally emerged into a tall, vaulted chamber filled with magical light. Figures sat within, and after our short time apart, the party was reunited. Velton stared up at massive statues that depicted ancient beings unfamiliar to mine or Gareks memories. Faceless Gods that stared down from on high, only in the barest resemnce to anything humanoid. Many seemed to have several more limbs than I was used to, one depicted in splendor with a full growth of stone tentacles that swept from its back like a cape.
In this dusty chamber, they were almost perfectly preserved, altars beneath every individual statue.
Garek. The elf turned. You have ovee your challenge.
For now. Was all I spoke as Ish gave a tired wave. The young orc looked positively exhausted, soaked in blood and ichor. She sat slumped atop a stone altar as her mother paced about the cavernous room.
We awaited your return, for to approach this final fight without our full force would be folly. Velton exined. We have a n.
A cruel one. Ish frowned.
A necessary one. He insisted in return.
Shall I hear it before we march off then? I sighed and seated myself. Recovery woulde easier once I was seated than if standing, or so I hoped. In truth, I was simply tired. The post-adrenaline crash had set in, and now my limbs felt as stone. The ughter not even a day before andck of sleep only further exacerbated this.
We know with certainty that the Overmind directlymands the Arnthema swarm. Velton sighed and weighed his words. We are in possession of a crucial piece of knowledge. One more swarm will soon be sent to the surface. Not to break through, as we expected, but if the traitor-elf is to be believed, simply gatherbat experience.
Several thingse to mind. It views these numbers as expandable. Knowledge is gleaned through their eyes and action, which means a direct psychic link, unless their physiology wildly differs from any other such example I may think of.
You intend to disrupt it? I guessed.
Oh heavens no. Velton almostughed. I am but one elf against an entire swarm of minds all guided by this Overmind. The utter annihtion of my own mind is not a clear path to victory.
Think a little..deeper. Tehalis offered from across the room as she examined ancient statues. The elf imed their main purpose is to gatherbat experience. But we have learned that they need not be alive to pass that onwards. Neither do they store it and carry it back for extraction like some species.
There exists a continuous link at all times, which I theorize is how the Overmind directlymands and modifies the Arnthema mid-fight. Unless it is a horrendously powerful being -to a degree we cannot hope to defeat anyway- it was be an immensely taxing process tomand the swarm.
We can all see where this is goin. Ish grimaced, her arms crossed.
The n was simple, yes. Even with what little context provided, one could piece it together.
You intend to let the swarm march on the defenses and then attempt to y the Overmind. Not a question, a statement. Even in my exhausted state, the potential for this to go horribly wrong was clear to me. Others agreed, I could see. Ish sat, her arms folded and expression t.
We came here to save lives, not endanger them further. She grumbled at her father. Yet for her bravado, she was willing to go along with this foolhardy n. Even I was.
Would you rather face this Overmind and its entire swarm, or have those forces split and the Shards power divided both literally and mentally?
Silence followed this question. And I pondered something. Just how many lives was I willing to sacrifice for this victory.
To make something abundantly clear. Lerish stood and gazed dead at the crimson-haired elf. You are in full mental faculties, and aware of the disastrous consequences should we fail?
Yes. We came here to stop it before another swarm was unleashed on the fortress, yet this new knowledge changes several things. It will be forced to choose between maintaining control of the swarm or its own preservation, and as a being who has lived just as long as this shard has, I believe it will choose thetter option.
Or it could be that the elf lied, and that all we heard in thatboratory were honied words meant to lure us to certain death.
Velton snorted and waved that off.
She was a high elf, Garek. Her kind is too arrogant to lie. A final twist of the knife before she slipped away, rather. Truth, but for her own ends, meant to hurry us towards the Shard and not in pursuit of her.
Valencia saw fit to end that loose thread. I nodded.
Lerish was clearly on the fence, and so was I. But I too relented and agreed that while his n was rife with risk, it was our best chance of sess. We were battered and low on supplies, frankly. Every advantage we might eke out could be the crucial point that tipped the scales in our favor.
Can you teleport out of here? I posed the question to Velton as Ish strode across the gap between us. The elf simply shook his head, then exined a momentter.
Teleportation requires clear knowledge of both locations. The point of origin and destination, as well as a mental path between the two. With how violently dungeons reject thews of reality and culminate distance, to attempt it would be both insanity and certain destruction.
So no.
I epted the sk Ish handed me with a thankful smile, and found healing milk within. Thess ordered I drink thest of her own reserves, just to be ready for the battle that awaited us. A kind gesture, and one that I would remember.
And we waited. Velton stood still amidst the chambers inner circle, wreathed in an aura of magic. Tehalis stalked the shadows in silence, not content to be still. Ish and Lerish sat together, perhaps a final moment of each otherspany in the likely event none of us returned alive. Content in my own silence, I rested and let my wounds heal. It seemed oddly..peaceful down here in the darkness. The asional far-off sound drifted through the stone corridors, but here beneath the gaze of ancient, foreign gods I found rest.
Sharp was the hand upon my shoulder that jerked me awake. Sleep had imed me, I realized. I felt heavy now. Tired. With weary hands, I forced myself upright and gazed around. Noise struck me first. The dungeon moved around us, the sounds of a thousand feet on stone in every direction.
The Overmind awaits. Tehalis pointed one axe down a side corridor. Itsir lies not far away.
Miss anything? I grunted, too tired for proper courtesy.
A few scouts meant to probe us. It has decided against sending its swarm to confront us directly, it seems. The way ahead lies empty. The traps I found were disabled, and the doors are opened.
It desires conversation, I think. Velton frowned. I did not n for this.
The Overmind of the Arnthema awaits us to bargain. The words rolled through the chamber as I stood. Who are we to keep it waiting?
We will hear it out. Velton agreed. But first, battle ns.
Silence enveloped us as the elfs magic took hold, and then the discussion began. There were..rather good ns within. Risky, sure. But most were simple and safe. In the end, all roads led to the same conclusion. The methods of arrival were simply varied in theirplexity and danger. But we hade prepared for death.
Triumph or death. One or the other, no other end to this journey. I rumbled. Grim resolve weighed upon me now, and this I would see through.
If nothing else, I am d to have met you. Lerish addressed me and Ish. An sad, uncharacteristic smiley upon the huntresss features, her one good eye upon the orcss.
We will..speak about this if all of us live through this day. Tehalis promised, a thumb upon her axe de as she regarded the two.
Naught more needed to be said as we left to approach the heart of darkness. Convictions were set, oues known, and now, only this task needed be carried out. I prayed we were strong enough to see it through.
Book 1: Chapter 69: The Swarm That Walks.
Book 1: Chapter 69: The Swarm That Walks.
Blessed silence came as we passed beneath stone arches, the irritable noise of the dungeon left behind as we descended. Monuments and murals to ancient beingsy carved within every surface save for the floor we walked upon, no two the same. Decades and centuries of history passed us by, unappreciated in our hurried wake.
The Overmind awaited. Trapsy open and empty with every step taken, ingenious designs that I shuddered to think of in action. Once more, I was the honorary torchbearer, in the lead to ward against treachery.
But no me was needed where we dared tread. The downward slope gave way to massive gates of steel that were barred tight, massive bs of iron from which only orange light escaped. This deep glow spread across the party as we approached. Onest check to ensure all were at ready, and I heaved the doors open. Steel screamed upon rarely used hinges, and my eyes were forced open as I embraced the light.
Whaty within defied reality. A deep orange sun was set in the rock above, a pulsating mass of light and heat that baked the sheer rock below. We emerged unto the throne of arrogance, steppes of stone and steel that flowed upwards past statues of ancient gods that bowed in irreverent glory to the figure at this mountains peak.
Mortalis. Came the swarm of a hundred voices all at once from a single figure at the mountains base. Something massive turned towards us, a tyrant of spikes and sinuous limbs. A dozen eyes that burst with divine power regarded the insects before it, the mountain of carved gods to its back.
Overmind. I returned, de at hand as we tentatively closed the distance. The creature seemed..unconcerned as we drew near. It towered over even me, of massive size and unshakeable strength. Obsidian tes covered its form, flowing down into a long battle-dress. It seemed like someones idea of an ancient priest, with symbols grown from its body in ce of wearing anything.
Is this what they have named me? Came the voice akin to a whirlwind of leaves and a low buzz that irritated my skull. It cast no shadow, I saw as it stood perfectly beneath the sun mounted into the roof above. It speaks to arrogance. Alludes to being above the rest of my kind.
Are you not, then? Velton queried. The elf gazed on with fascination. Upon the magical ne was ayer to this creature my eyes could not see, no doubt.
Your false Gods have deemed me the Apex of my kind. They do not understand me. Thrust words and meanings upon me so they might give me shape. Apply meaning to my existence.
Your Gods? I asked. Like all others of its kind, there was an aura of wrongness about this thing. A pervading sense of unease that one garnered simply by viewing it. It came forth in the way it stood, its bodys structure, the aura that surrounded it.
They are not worthy of my worship.
You give fealty to the Gods Below? Lerish spoke. The huntress had moved off to the side, eyes cast about for anything that might be of use.
Traitors. Usurpers. They founded this all on the greatest of lies. Creators of my kind though they are, I refuse to give them my respect.
If not Gods then, what are those? I gestured to the mountain that stood carved in painful detail behind the great being.
These hands, unworthy though they may be, will create a pantheon worthy of my worship. Who I may bow to and feel respect as I look upon their forms. It will be a long, harsh road, but of this I dream. Of a home for the Arnthema to one day live.
Know this; I cherish this dream with every fiber of my being. Stand in its way, and I will unmake you as dust upon the wind.
We are one. Though this crude temple I call a body may house the spirit, I am every one of the constructs you have met. Every being you have given battle to. Every body you have in. I have known the weakness of the flesh, that it may falter and fail me. I also know of you.
You havee here to y us. It stated. The being remained unconcerned even as the party had spread out in preparation for violence. In your eyes, We are a threat to your short lives.
You say otherwise?
No. The sun itself will be torn from heaven above and the skies will rain crimson before we falter in pursuit of our dream. Your lives, so short, will simply be cut shorter. I offer you an alternative path. Flee this ce. You will not be harmed. You are specks to us. Mayflies. Ours is a journey of millennia. Your names will be forgotten and legacies turned to dust before we emerge once more.
Silence filled the pulsating chamber as these words were contemted.
Even if we agreed to this, you ask us to trust the word of a monster, to damn future generations.
In our eyes, you are the monster. The product of heresy and false Gods. Fate demands we strike you down for the blight that is your existence, yet we are not without mercy.
You fear us. I can see it. Tehalis growled, axes at ready, eyes locked on the titanic form.
You are an inconvenience. A small danger. Yet we have dedicated far too much time unto this road to humor such risks. We will not have it destroyed over some minor spat. We refuse the chance, however small. You have seen we are not without reason, not devoid of logic orpromise. Leave this ce, and your safety is guaranteed.
Oppose us, and all such mercy will be withdrawn. We will crush your corpses under the flood that is we, bury you so deep the sun will never touch your skin. Legions await to be called, warriors that will not stop until our purpose has been achieved. You face preparation that has marched on before you were even conceived. You gamble with Fate itself here now, Mortalis. And it favors me upon its table.
Threats are typically not a brilliant way to sway people to your side. I pointed out. Velton was up to something, and the longer I could keep the Overmind upied, the better.
You have invaded our home, in hundreds of our constructs, and you worry about threats?
It sounded almost..amused.
You invaded ours first. I pointed back.
Untrue. This halfbreed and others with her desecrated a shrine upon their trespass. Our response was within the bounds of reason. A message was delivered not to intrude further into our domain, yet this too was refused.
You dont think the repeated assaults upon the fort were perhaps a little overkill?
Your stubbornness needed to be remedied. I require total non-aggression on your behalf
Well, that puts me at ease. I snorted, derision in my voice. Would you like us to promise to keep every human in thisnd from this dungeon as well while were at it?
In fact, yes.
Tension pervaded the air now, thick enough to cut with a dull knife.
Your offer has been duly considered and refused. I spoke after a shared nce with Velton. If fate demands I have a grave in this ce, then I will either triumph or embrace it. No other paths. No lesser Gods. Your dream dies here, today.
There were no more words.
The sky broke as Velton channeled the power of suns down upon the figure even as the ground broke and legions emerged around it. I found myself in furiousbat as pirs of heat and fire crashed from a stone sky. Sheer heat singed at my eyes, the metal that was my hide beginning to cken. Furiopus swing cut through packed masses of Arnthema as I found myself before the mouth of a tunnel. They climbed from the earth in their dozens, and I hewed them back down.
Missiles whistled through the brimstone air,nces of force and magic that decimated swathes of Swarmlings. Lerish crouched somewhere high above, streams of metal death let fly down towards us. A Champion loomed before me, only to stagger back as half its head vanished. The ymore helped liberate the rest.
Velton was locked in magicalbat with the Arnthema Overmind, a nce told me. The air was strewn as spells tore at reality, fireballs, lightning bursts and spears of sheer force running haphazard through the air. An ice missile crashed into the pack of monsters before me. The explosion of cold yanked me backward, eyes wide from the sudden pain.
It was about then that I realized by hatred for magic.
Every problem that had really, truly given me pause had been magical in nature, insofar.
The elf suddenly tumbled through the air, overwhelmed. I caught his form with one arm, the other busy with matters of decapitation. Blood was snorted back into his nostrils as he regarded the Swarm-form high above.
I may have underestimated its full arcane abilities. He admitted with a grunt of pain.
Happens to us all. I spared a moment to reassure him. You know better now.
Aye. He replied as I turned to punch an Arnthema workers head off. That I do.
It was about then that I realized every corpse in the room was locked in levitation. It took all of a heartbeat to nce between the shielded, hovering figure and the sheer mass of corpses that were drawn towards it for realization to strike me.
Oh no. Was all I uttered.
Kill it. Kill it now! I bellowed with all the capacity of my lungs.
The primal spirit minotaur protested as I disturbed its rest once more, yet I did not care. Fight as it did, I forced it upon this world. Brazen Bull Behemoth distorted the air as I focused now, vulnerable for but a moment as I summoned the ancient being into reality. Velton came to my aid, hexde in hand and me in the other as Arnthema swarmed towards me.
With a little more leeway, I might have attempted to summon the behemoth above where the Overmind floated now, to see it crushed by the weight of the fall. This was not to be. Instead, it came into existence and immediately began to thrash about, bloody carnage in its wake. That was not what I needed. I required something to attack the Overmind itself. Lerish missiles sparked its shield, yet she was only one woman.
Spirit hatchets swirled through the air, volleys of violent force hurled by Tehalis. Sunlight gleamed as Ishs great spear was brought to bear, all blinded for but a moment. Heavensnce flickered through the air with speed beyond all but Gods, might inorexible levied at the half-orcs foes.
The Overmind simply moved aside. It transcended space for a heartbeat, its form physically shifted through reality and emerged unscathed as thence tore into the ceiling above. Tonnes of rock crumbled down in the distance, the vast cavern beginning to crack from sheer pressure and damage. Bone de could not reach the creature as the Behemoth tried to swipe. A statue ripped up and thrown at it merely broke against its shield.
Bodies massed through the air, material to the furnace as limbs were pulled apart and swirled around the dark hurricane. Imanded Velton to target those, and firestorms were pulled from the miniature-sun above to set the stream alight.
My body balked against the heat of what came, but it was necessary.
Too little, toote. All ceased, and as I watched, a demi-god descended from on high. A fluid body made of a billion parts, all in perfect movement and synergy.
The Swarm That Walked opened its maw, and storm clouds tore through the rock, headed right for me.
Book 1: Chapter 70: The Swarm That Walks II.
Book 1: Chapter 70: The Swarm That Walks II.
ck death swarmed towards me, A swarm-cloud that drowned out all else. The particles tore through rock as they swirled in their hunger. No skill would save me from that shredding force, I realized. White epassed me as the behemoth stepped between me and fate. The giant seized my form and wrapped its body around me. Fur and muscles epassed every sense I possessed, save for sound. Buried in the behemoths grasp, I could still hear death as it swarmed around me.
It swirled faster, tighter, tearing through flesh with impunity. Only a matter of time before it ripped through this temporary shield and reached my form.
The tendril withdrew, gone quickly as it had beenmanded upon me. Unable to bleed, the primal beast dropped me and returned to the attack. A valiant attempt, at least. The swarm-beast floated high above, a storm in the Overminds shape. Tendrils extended downwards towards us, a billion different beings under one unifiedmand.
Cloven Crash was a valiant, yet feeble attempt to lock it in ce. Easily broken. Yet it provided a heartbeat where the skills hold was absolute. The behemoths bone des crashed into the solid tendril to tear it loose, yet it was the smallest nick in the bloated swarm.
Thats not a sun! Velton shouted as he attempted to draw power from above. The massive orb glowed and pulsated, yet refused to yield any more aid. Its a reliquary!
I bellowed in acknowledgment despite mypleteck of understanding.
Massive des of shifting darkness formed as the swarm reshaped itself, weapons autonomous from its main body. These whirled round and crashed down from on high,e to blot out the light. me met them in return as Velton set himself and brought forth dragon-fire. The elfs magical wroth and wrath seared through the descended swarmfall and upon the cloud itself.
Yet this was a feint I realized. Cloven Crash froze the swarm for just a heartbeat as grey magic swirled above. A conjured moon whirled with silver energy and fired dullnces of force to crash down upon us. Annihtion came for the elf, eldritch magic to y the flesh from his bones and sap the magic from what remained. Small though it was, the dy had given Ish enough time to dash close and take the full brunt of the pir that descended.
For a moment I stared in horror as it engulfed thess. This turned to relief as the mirror shield refused to yield and reflected the magic skyward. This tore into the swarm, colossal force directed back to its wielder.
Grease rained from the sky as Velton gestured, and a simple fireball set the mass alight even as it reeled from the blow. It coalesced into a singr being rather than be consumed as a billion smaller ones. A roar and lightning-breath from above forced it down just enough for the behemoth to seize a burning chunk and rip it from the sky.
The cradle of unborn gods shook as the Arnthema Apex tore into the mountainside, rubble left in its wake. The behemoth dragged it down to earth, fire and fervor shredding at its white fur. Bone-white des caught only rock as the massive being shifted aside and returned the favor. Even as I charged toward the fray, the behemoth staggered back with an array of des that jutted from its back.
Lerish crashed down to earth in all her draconic glory, wrath brought forth in thunder as she expelled lightning at the downed swarm. Bolt-breath struck the creature as it rose and tore the earth open with a gesture.
All this magic and wrath, and here I was, just a minotaur with a sword.
All I needed to be. Scream of Fury loosed itself from my throat and directed the titans attention to me. It was a solid mass now, alight with grease-fire. Tehalis whirled into view upon its back, axes falling in savage repetition. Its body contorted and mmed into a wall, the orc leaping out just in time. Psychic force nearly brought me to one knee as the Apexs mental might shredded right through Berserk.
I staggered up and continued my charge, ymore raised.
Cold and cruel was theughter that came at the sight of me running towards it. A small, insignificant speck. This was silenced as the behemoth plowed one massive fist into the creatures side. Bone des ripped and tore in frenzied rhythms even as the Apex returned the punishment in kind. Rock broke beneath their fury as the two titans shed, then outright shattered as Lerish joined the fray.
Fast kicks shattered the ground in sheer force as the second Apex flowed from one attack to the next, just barely twisting past counter-attacks. Faced with two beings nearly its equal, at least in title, it did little but survive the onught.
All it needed to.
The grease burned away, and once more the massive thing dissolved into a storm-cloud that shredded everything it touched. Lerish leaped backward, blood dripping from her front as the behemoth staggered and bore the full brunt. The air trembled in anticipation as the demigod took flight once more, unfathomable amounts of magic within its grasp.
My eyes locked with Velton as I mouthed the words.
Now.
All sound ceased as the elfs spell took hold round my head, then spread to the others. On my belt was a sealed metal cube. This I plopped onto the ground and dug my fingers into the seams, then ripped it open to reveal the cube of earth within. Large green leaves sprouted from this, and without further ado, I seized these and yanked the creature free.
The mandrake emerged with its mouth open, death-scream already being bellowed from its lungs. With onest gance at the little fiend, I wound up and hurled it towards the swarm with all my might. Its pudgy body arced through the air, an announcement of damnation wherever it traveled.
Grey death spread through the swarm as all that heard the sound withered away. Waves of particle-beings fell, shriveled and used up as the screams ripped through the swarm. The vast cloud crumpled and reformed into a single creature that staggered about, in pain. Legionsy dead around it, in the center of it all a baby-like thing that wailed death and despair. The behemoth stepped in and hammered it down, once more able to engage in directly. It thrashed and struggled, curled up in pain.
No more.
These words pierced the veil of deafness and I watched with horror as both the mandrake and behemoth were disintegrated. They were not sted, destroyed or otherwise damaged, but simply unmade.
The price of your arrogance will be eternity.
This it spoke and the sun shattered above. One, ten, a thousand orbs of light emerged from this shell and swirled downwards.
Souls. Power. Fragments of divinity.
Velton threw his arms forward to stop the transference and was hurled across the chamber with violent force to crumple into the wall. Tehalis was snatched from the sky and buried straight into the ground. Lerish fought but was likewise tossed aside. Ishsnce pierced it through the chest as the orc screamed in rage, and my ymore whirled for its head.
It cared little for these, I found as it stood braced, arms upstretched as the mass of light descended upon it.
You witness the ascension of a new God. The system confirmed my worst fears. Sick was the feeling within my gut even as I dashed forward in desperation.
We are not worthy of divinity, yet you have left little choice. The beingmented.
Then I will take it from you.
A cold, cruel, frenzied voice emerged from a singr shadow the being now cast. A familiar, dread rasp that spoke with coiled malice. One that I had never been so grateful to hear.
Valencia emerged behind the being, an inferno of dark glory. Hands aze with dark suns seized the massive Arnthema, her fingers piercing into the flesh itself. Darkness shone as the array of souls struck the creature even as the dreadknight pulled the life from it. Brilliance gleamed through the void, cut loose by the scream of millions. They stood wreathed in glory and hellfire as pure power rained down from the false heavens and flowed into them both.
Reality violently expelled them both from the void that crumpled upon itself where they had stood. Valencia flipped through the air andnded next to me, bloodied smile upon her face. My ymore was in her grasp, I saw. She flipped it towards me and I snatched it from the air.
Again we meet, Garek. There was blood and lust and hatred and scorn in her words, that crooked smile upon her face. So soon you hurry back to me.
You just tried to kill me. I stated bluntly.
I have been led on for so long now. She grinned. Can you me me for wanting a taste?
I chose not to think on that further and turned back to the half-ascended Arnthema.
You steal power meant for divinity,y im to might your mortal shell cannot hold. It raged. We are the creator of Gods. The Overmind. The swarm unleashed. We are billions. Who are YOU to stand in our path?
I am Valencia. The dreadknight sneered at the eldritch half-godling before us. Breaker. Undoer. Butcher. And I will cast you down.
I am Garek. You end here. Now.
Ish only gave a scream of fury and charged past us, axe raised. Valencia still beat her there. The dreadknight warped through shadows and staggered the godling with vicious blows fueled by its own stolen power. She stood and traded blow for blow with the ancient of days, every strike delivered back to her but the smallest dent in her armor.
She was literally shrinking the blows, I realized with some vague sense of approval as I closed the gap. Genius. The Arnthema was wreathed in heavenly glory and light, where her own inferno was darkness and void. Her appearance flickered back and forth, human and something sharper, a being with fangs and too many horns as she shifted between nes at speeds I could only witness.
I crashed into the godling and brought the ymore down on its neck. My arms rung as for the first time, something refused to yield beneath the enchanted de. Still focused on Valencia, its elbow recoiled back and mmed me across the face. It struck it again and again, a flurry of blows with all my strength and rage that did little.
Valencia burned through consumed souls with a mad fervor, more power expanded in heartbeats than I had ever witnessed. She danced through shifts of reality, the worst blows narrowly avoided as sheid a storm of blows into the Apex. Ishs axe found the same problem as I, and she cast it aside with a snarl.
The being back-handed the dreadknight and staggered her for the first time, its entire power still focused on her. The mountainside of carved gods wasid to waste as it tore into her, all magic abandoned in return for sheer strength.
The dreadknightughed and gasped beneath the blows, mes of fervor still in her eyes as she struck back. Sunlight bloomed as Ish summoned another massive spear of light and jammed it into the godling point-nk. Blood ran from her eyes upon the exertion, dried through sheer heat. In desperation, I seized the Godling''s arms from behind and yanked it back, off Valencia.
The dreadknight came up swinging, suns of void-light tearing into the Arnthemas mighty body. She bled now, exhaustion in her features, writ alongside sheer joy as she zed with power. Elbows and spikes mmed into me as I brought all my strength to bear and held the godling in ce. A fist to the neck tore open the indestructible shell and let liquid flow free.
Ichor and obsidian flesh flew, torn off by strikes as the battle turned in our favor. What force still held me up through this exhaustion, I did not know and did not question. Something shattered and Valencia staggered back, howling in fury as she clutched her face. I let loose the massive being, heaved it around, and seized the open wound upon its throat.
No skills were needed as I looked the being right in its dozen eyes and tore the wound wide open. It choked now, then screamed as I grabbed the sunlightnce buried in its side and twisted upwards to tear it in half.
Noise and chaos died as it fell backwards, and the three here bore witness to the death of a newly ascended godling.
It was an.. unceremonious thing. Flopped a few times, had some light leave it and then dissolved.
What came after made up for it.
You have been granted the thirty-first level. You have been granted the thirty-second level. You have been granted by the will of Gods Above the thirty-third level of Bloodstained Berserker.
You have been granted the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth level of Farmer.
You have achieved a mighty feat through the culmination of both sses. ss consolidation will ur once you sleep.
Book 1: Chapter 71: All That Crumbles. [End Book 1]
Book 1: Chapter 71: All That Crumbles. [End Book 1]
We just killed a god. Ish stared in shock. The half-orc looked battered and near-broken, held aloft by sheer grit and orcish tenacity.
Not a full god. Valencia grunted and rolled her shoulders. Godling at best. Tried to rush the ascension. Managed to hold on to a fraction of its intended power. A fool, as these things usually are.
You. I stared down at her. The dreadknight remained malicious as ever, her aura of dread in full effect. She looked barely winded, my own fight with her and this battle barely having only lightly taxed her. Or so she showed on the surface, at least.
Me, minotaur. Are you not thankful I came to your aid? She grinned, her every word derision and blood.
You remain an enigma. I continued. Why?
Why not? I am unbound by your rules, your petty moralities. My heart desired this, and so it was given.
You fought a God simply because you wanted to? Not to save thisnd and its people, prevent annihtion? I asked with tentative disbelief. The fervor in her eye made me realize what an excercise in futility that question had been.
Yes. Was all the answer I received. I came to witness its arrogance, to see how mighty it set itself and thought it was above me, then to see it broken and driven before me. Humbled, in its final moment.
And now? I asked, still tensed for the possibility of battle.
I am satisfied. She dered. You will walk safely this day. You really should attend to the elf.
She tossed that in casually, her smile burned into my memory as I whirled and raced toward Veltons broken form with Ish in tow. The elfy crumpled against the wall, chest a slow rhythm of weakness as he wheezed blood.
Pa! Ish yelled as she shook his form. There was worry in thesss voice, and rightfully so. The elf was crumpled and broken, his body smashed upon the rocks. As I watched, one eye cracked open and he gasped in pain. My worry was in vain, however. The elf wriggled tattood fingers and with some disgust, his body was realigned to proper proportions.
Itll take more than being chucked into a wall to end me, girl. He grimaced. But I do appreciate your concern.
Magic. At high enough levels, it was oft indistinguishable from telling the universe what to do. Yet the elf was not some this, frail being. There was no small amount of respect garnered as he hauled himself up and looked around.
Weak though I was, I could still witness you seed, He gave Ish a pained smile. Know that I am proud beyond what words can express right now.
A hug of reunion was what I left them to and strode across the chamber in search of the other two. Tehalisy groaning and waved off my assistance, yet seemed fine otherwise. Lerish sat inside a massive crater, returned to her humanoid form. She stared nkly upwards, her expression bleak.
No words needed to be said as Ish strode past me and down to Lerishs seated form. Thess simply understood. I turned away as the two embraced, willing to leave them some privacy as the others gathered. Those who remained, at the least. Valencia had vanished, gone back to wence she came.
So. We have in the Overmind. Now what? Even these words were forced out as exhaustions hounds nipped at my heels.
Now, we go home. We rest, we heal, we celebrate this victory and then we return to our daily lives. Tehalis offered these words of wisdom with a pain smile as Veltons magicks worked to mend her body. Without any semnce of healing potions left, magic would need to be the stopgap until we emerged from this ce of fear and darkness.
To be exact, how do we get out? A long trek back to thedder and its tower?
A simple gesture upwards showed sunlight high above. I realized then that Ishsnce hadpletely burrowed through the caverns roof and smote a tunnel to the world above. The unposed question to whether anyone could fly was summarily answered by a tform of dirt being torn from the ground beneath me. There was little said and even littler to say as we hovered skyward, the cradle of a god left below us. Light slowly approached,e to greet the victorious.
The air was oddly peaceful as thick green canopies of forest bloomed around us. The dry earth gave way to fertilend, dead dungeon reced by lush forest. Perhaps a little winded and my fear of heights being thoroughly renewed, I staggered off the tform and into the underbrush. Fallen trees made a suitable seat as I basked in sunlight and warmth, grateful for lifes simple pleasures.
Onest bit of magic, then. The elf sighed. I doubt anyone particrly wants to walk home from this ce.
You recognize it? The area seemed foreign to me, yet the elf had lived here far longer than I.
Indeed. Was all he offered. There was little conversation as those present gathered round, and once more I experienced the unique sensation of being pulled sideways through reality. Never had I been so grateful to see Gol startled as we appeared en masse upon the farms property. The big lug loped up to me and buried a thoroughly cold nose into my side, whines given all the while. My attention turned to thoroughly spoiling him with rubs and scratches, barely able to nod farewell before the others vanished.
And then I was alone once more. The weight of what we had done had not fully settled in, I knew. The task was done, countless lives were saved, and most importantly at all, my farm was safe once more.
Strange was emotion that came to my tired mind as I pondered upon this. Without the vague threat of danger that loomed over me, there was now no force to hurry my actions. A hitch in my strode, I hobbled towards the storage shed and gently pulled the door open. Fresh milk sat inside, pale petals being soaked. Stiffness and the sore pain of pulled joints made themselves known as I bent to scoop up a full jug and slowly sipped the precious liquid.
Sleep called, yet I did not answer to what awaited me. Once my eyes closed, that meant more levels, more skills, more power, more expectations from the Gods Above that expressed interest in me now. An onward march of endless events and danger.
There was naught I desired more than the simple caress of peace in this moment. The silent regard for simple things, small joys and wonders in which I could satisfy myself every day. Much as I desired this, it was not to be. Realization had slowlye that if I desired such things, they would have to be made by me. Moments such as this where I sat beneath the shade of trees that were mine, a cool jug of healing milk in my hand and the other upon the head of my dearest pet.
The dungeons saga had not ended. Only a fool would think so. Its threat, while subdued for now, would no doubt returnter. Yet that was tomorrows worries. For now, I allowed myself to revel in what had been aplished by my own two hands. Artyom was nowhere to be seen, yet I had faith that he was alright.
For the longest time, I sat and let the wind blow through my fur, watched the sun slide across the sky. I aplished nothing in this time, yes. But such were my intentions. To simply enjoy the feeling that came without the need to hurry from one task to the next. These hands had built this farm, gathered all that I owned and preserved this realm. Now was time to let them rest.
The baron remained an enigma, a man who I had never met, yet whomanded so many aspects of my life. Valencia did as she wanted, and I dreaded the way I would confront her once more. I was not the only one who had walked away from that desperate battle with the gods rewards upon me. If that act had been enough to propel me so far, how had it affected her? What had it granted Ish?
Lerish had hid her true self for so long, perhaps in fear of what others might judge her as. Yet now that it had been revealed, I only found more sympathy for her. The signs had always been there, yet I had never given enough thought to the matter. It changed..frankly little, I realized. In my heart, she was counted as a friend and would continue to be so. Yet I was aware that this world was not so understanding as I.
Questions for a future time.
Onest battle I waged now, this time against sleeps smothering embrace. There was a determination within, a stubborn refusal to obey every one of the Systems whims. It was small, yes. Petty, to be frank. Yet I would dictate when and where I gave in, not be nudged along by some unseen force.
Milk was all I had, and after long hours of exhaustion settling upon my limbs, I could thwart this foe no longer. I would not awake for some time. This I was aware of. Gol had himself drifted off to sleep, I saw once I rose. High above, evenings dull light faded as night set upon this world once more. Another yawn stifled in its infancy, I walked up the hill towards my lodge.
At the threshold I paused and turned, if only to survey what was mine. It was unchanged as when I had left, a ce of simple beauty that I could appreciate. Even as I turned and closed the door behind me, I knew many more adventures awaited me, whether I weed them or not.
Such was the fate of one Godtouched.
End Book One.
B2-Chapter 1: Awakening.
B2-Chapter 1: Awakening.
I really did not want to wake from this divine slumber. A surety surrounded me as Iy cloaked in absolution, yet my consciousness was slowly, steadily forced toward the light. There pervaded a feeling throughout my mind, a dread realization that something important was slipping away. What and why were soon made hollow as those thoughts too were stripped from me and I emerged anew.
I fought this, much as I could, for there was something of great import that slipped away. A warm embrace, a cocoon of light that opened wide and wilted away as I rose to the surface.
I woke hot, covered in sweat, empty pitchers stacked before my face. Moments crept past until realization struck and memory returned. I was, thankfully, within my own house. Yet things were not as I remembered in the brief moments before consciousness had been lost. My clothes were clean, for one. Different scents drifted into my nostrils, the air itself changed.
Sleep had held me, and for quite some time. This length was not immediately answered, but there were enough differences to indicate a reasonable change. Groggy as I was, head thickened and feeling of cotton, I cast around even as one arm hauled myself up.
By the mercy of the Gods Above, I had not grown in size.
Yet once more my physical form was not excluded from changes. Words could not describe how I knew, yet there was a surety in me that I was not much denser than before, my muscles and bones themselves thickened and reinforced with new strength. The bed upon which I hadin was soaked in sweat, my dried lips a small distraction from the void of hunger that pulsed within.
All else was to be consumed. Eyes still weary cast around for sustenance and found naught. I heaved upright, the dull spread of hunger having encroached all else. Yet I refused to stagger around like some crazed, wild-eyed savage within my own home. There was little here, yet memory whispered that the cer was filled with the bounty of plenty. My eyes pierced the shade as I descended, only to notice my stocks were..lesser.
Some level of concern mounted, held down for now as I snatched food from the walls and began to satiate myself. Only once I was well and truly full did I notice the sheer amount that was now gone. My gorging had contributed to that, surely, but an entire months worth of vegetables, meat and spices had vanished. Either I had been robbed, or my slumber had dragged on for an absurd amount of time.
Neither offered a pleasant solution.
It was now that I found the reason for my long, forced rest.
My Bloodstained Berserker and Farmer sses were gone. In their ce existed a single, consolidated ss.
Bloodsoaked Harvester. The theme of blood had been kept, yet for now the implications of frenzy and mindless rage had been superseded with one of weariness and dedication. And remembrance did bring that to light. My approach to bloodshed had been simr to how I toiled about my farm. With thoroughness and endurance, only briefly dipping into blind fury and rage.
Perhaps not the most logical progression, but I was reminded that the entire System was shaped and controlled by the beings I called Gods Above, and at their whim and will. It was a revtion, in a way, that there was no set path for me to journey down, but rather the gloom of the unknown.
The differences within my bodyplimented my new ss, came the thought. Instead ofrger growth and more explosive vtility, I was now afforded even more endurance, a great degree of steadiness in both work andbat. All things I pondered as I idly chewed on dried venison and climbed back up the stairs.
What little light came through into the lodge shone dimly, an indication of evening. I quickly look around showed aside from the table and pitchers next to the bed, little had been moved. Someone, however, had taken care of me while I slept, if only to keep my body hydrated. Ish, perhaps?
There was a plethora of changes among my skills, I had found. Several new, relevant ones that I found myself drawn to once I had seated myself.
Harvests Bounty stood out to me the most, both simple and straightforward. Sessfully reaping something that lived would provide me with a portion of further vitality in return. I sensed that the living part here was purposefully vague, yet I could see how this meshed well with both previous sses, and further bolstered my new sss theme of steadfast endurance. So long as I kept reaping lives, I would be fed back continued stamina and vitality.
While it was clearly meant to be a middle-of-the-line power, it too could be bolstered by Gold Is Power.
One that could not be enhanced was They Are Felled. For a brief, single swing any de I carried would cut true, unable to be stopped or deviated. No other skill could influence this power, and it leaned heavily into bloodshed.
Sundering Wrathde harkened back to the older, more rage-focused skills as it could lift and cleave the ground itself into an explosion before me, bingrger the angrier I was. Just a taste of my old ss mixed into the plodding, stoic confines of the new one I wore now.
Berserk was gone, reced by Wrath. A skill that provided simr effects, but did not cloud my mind. Rather, it seemed to indicate that it would passively strengthen my actions in regards to how much anger I channeled at the moment.
Primal Wroth was the final new addition, single-use skill that would shift my features and body into a morenky, elongated version that was simr to the behemoth I had summoned. More speed and vtility in exchange for perhaps a less sturdy body?
A plethora of smaller changes dotted my other previously held skills, most meant to rece whichever parts of them made me enraged. I was a berserker still, but now it seemed more of a cold, dispassionate anger than a madman blindly frothing at the mouth. Couldnt say I disliked what had urred.
It was to my great relief that It Will Not Die remained wholly unchanged. My final trump card, a power that could reject death itself for a brief period. And here, death was final. No resurrections, no calling the soul back to its mortal shell.
Where had that knowledge juste from? I blinked, thrown off track before the thought slipped from my mind and a stood with a yawn. There was a particrly unpleasant feeling deep within, as if I was hungry despite my filled state. Grunt upon my lips, I heaved up and went to look outside. The evening had well and truly set in, yet it was not the suns faded light that prompted me to stop and blink.
There were crops. In my field. Almost fully grown.
Gods Above I really had slept for so long.
A worry filled me as I marched down the hill and cast about the farm. The pasture now sported a proper shed for the cattle, and I could tell it had been erged. Someone had installed proper feeding stations along the fence. While empty, I could see therey scraps of grain at the bottom, indicating someone had mixed the cows diet to include more than grass.
A garden of vegetables was in full ripeness, many ready to be plucked shortly. Speed hurried my steps as I veered away from the pasture towards the house-shed where Artyom had made his home. It was empty, I found upon bursting in. There was a messy bed for the felenid and various bits and tools about, but without a living soul inside. Jars and containers of various monster-nt substances and specimens stood messily, carefully preserved.
A need, a desire to talk to someone, anyone rose within as worry spread through me. Far as I could tell, someone had taken very good care of my farm whilst I had been locked in this sleep, even progressed several ns I had discussed with ish. Yet there was no one here. Even Gols usual presence was nowhere to be found.
The monster nts were massive now, my eyes saw as I approached the field. They had swollen in size under the expert care of whoever tended to my farm. It was then that I once more became aware of my stone sentinels. Oncerge piles of rock that these tiny creatures sat upon now barely rose above a sea of yellow wheat, small inds in an expanse of gold. This made me smile, for a time.
Where was everyone? This question lingered at the forefront of my mind, followed only by another, more insidious query.
Why had I slept so long? As Ish had briefly described it, this process should have only taken several days. Try as I might to drag remembrance of her words back to the forefront, the conversation remained clouded.
It was then that I took notice of a figure cloaked in red striding down the road. Not on the dirt and stone path itself, but across mynd. Towards me.
Vague memory recalled that she was the rough, brisk cleric of the Red God from the fort.
You woke. She stated the obvious. Marvellous.
bbergasted perhaps described me urately as she stopped before me, armsden with bags and scowled.
You may not remember me, given our brief interaction thest time you were conscious, yet I havee to know you quite well.
Then why do I not recall you in return?
Not meant as a jab, but rather a polite question.
Someone has been keeping you alive for the past month. That dubious distinction has fallen to me. Have you eaten?
While inwardly taken aback by her bluntness, this was far from the first direct person I had dealt with, and I mildly informed her that yes, I had indeed gorged myself.
Stupid idea, She growled. Were you human, your body would have fallen into shock by now from eating so much and fast after such a period of starvation. I am no expert of the physiology of your race, minotaur, but I suspect you will respond the same. Dyed perhaps, and not nearly as fatal, but still in a simr fashion. Back inside, now.
She marched past without so much as waiting for me to respond, leaving me to stride alongside her.
I was contacted upon the fourth day, She cut off any questions even as I began to speak. After you did not rouse and would not respond to outside stimulus. Since then, I have kept you alive with copious amounts of water and healing magicks. The body way wither without food, but it will die without water. An endless amount of clerical might has been pumped into you so as to keep your frame functional while you were locked into sleep. Now that you have awakened, I will unsure you are not ready to die, lest my efforts be wasted.
I cut her off with a wave as she crossed the threshold ahead of me.
First, why?
Cold eyes turned upon me, hard globes that were almost dead of emotion. Clerics, doctors, surgeons. I had heard that over time, the horrors they saw dulled the empathy within them, yet they still persisted on and on, ever more numbed to it all. I saw this now.
The orc girl paid handsomely for my services, and I have provided. But more than that, you are now interest to both people and beings. Your name is now known, Garek of the Redtip. What feat you aplished is whispered of and a song for bards. And as such, there are people who would keep you alive, if only to meet you.
You now interest people, for all the woe that will bring upon you.
B2-Chapter 2: Onwards.
B2-Chapter 2: Onwards.
My work here concludes. The cleric announced abruptly. The faint glow around me faded as her hand dropped to blood-red robes, a quick and curt nod given. Tell the orc that I have rendered the services I was hired for, and expect the other half of her payment soon. Have it delivered to the fort.
You seem eager to leave. I pondered out loud. More of an observation of the obvious than a jest.
Dead eyes started back at me for a second before she shrugged and stood from her chair.
You are, best as I can tell, hale and healthy. Your body was kept from atrophy by my hand, and no ill effects linger upon you. All I was paid for to do has been fulfilled. Unless you wish to purchase the pleasure of mypany, other matters await me.
I recall you asking to see the healing milk my farm providedst we met. I threw in as I stood. Might as well get that over with so she had no need to return.
I did. And now I have seen and tasted it. Part of the orcs payment to me. Its secrets will remain with me, before you ask. For once, there crept the rictus of a smile onto her face. The Red God has..simr power to grant his followers.
With that, the woman turned and swept from the lodge, gone with the same speed as her arrival. She left only confusion in her wake. I watched her departure from my doorstep, inwardly wondering what I was going to do for the nights remainder. There was not an ounce of tiredness within to weigh me down, so sleep was a far-off dream. I had beenatose for nearly a month, and had little desire to return to that state.
Nighttime found me wandering around the farm,ntern in hand as I took in all the changes. Thich, tall and nearly ripened, the crop looked ready to be harvested within a few weaks, if the weather permitted. The cows slept, unbothered as I lumbered past their fields. There was a solitude here, one that I found myself not particrly fond of. Faint memories of endless fever dreams and visions drifted back to me from within the void. My time locked within sleeps hold had not been pleasant, I gathered.
Disconnected nightmares and ethereal visions gued me, barely remembered save for the feeling of dread. The woods were unnaturally silent as I paced through the trees edges hourster, bored and with little of my farm unexplored. I stepped around massive trucks, waded through bushes and snapped plethoras of twigs in my wake. Little moved here, and this gave me concern. Up until now, the forest had been active all times of night, cacophonies of sound that all mixed together.
Now, still as the grave.
A mossdeer stood frozen, its one eye turned at me as I emerged from behind a tree, contemting how much of this I would need to clear for more farnd. Perhaps my presence so close was what frightened it, or mayhap my stench rmed the poor thing. It bolted immediately after, the sounds of its bounds soon swallowed by the dark woods.
Constant checks kept me just a few paces inside the treeline,ntern held high as I explored. To wander in the woods at night was foolishness, I knew. Yet I was bored, and more than likely the most dangerous monster that stalked this ce. Much of the smaller wildlife seemed to have just vanished. In scent and sight I could find no traces, and scouring provided only old evidence of their existence.
Curiosity mounted as the hours dwindled away in my increasingly mad search. I knew that this was not something that personally affected me, yetIcked better things to do. Morning found me sitting on a stump -freshly created, but that was its own problem- awaiting the sunrise and Ish. The orc arrived just ahead of the light, tiredly plodding down the road.
There dawned a smile as the rays of sunlight bloomed across the sky, and I could not tell which was more radiant. I had but a chance to stand before her arms attempted to wrap around my frame and squeeze me into a hug. A valiant effort, even if the finished attempt was somewhat awkward. Still, I truly appreciated it. Excited conversation told me she was happy to see me finally awake, and a quick stream rattled off everything she had done around the farm.
Forget the farm for a time. I gently interrupted. How are you?
This caused her smile to fade somewhat.
Alright. She grunted after a few steps back. Could be better, I guess.
Well. I stepped back and gestured towards out usual gossiping ce. Tell me all about it.
Lerish has disappeared. Ish started off once we had settled in. After we killed the Arnthema Overmind, she just abruptly left into the forests. Hasnte back out since.
The hurt in her voice has old, but still there. The familiar feeling of someone who yearned for another.
Dont rightfully know why. But she hasnte back out. Ma has found traces of her, mostly her Apex form. But I cant find er.
Thoughts churned inside as I contemted this, even as Ish went on to exin she had been training with her mother as of recently. With the cat well and truly out of the proverbial bag, her parents had abruptly decided that she would now dedicate all her free time to learning what they deemed important. Combat, survival and stealth. To their credit, they had not held on to the idea of trying to hide her for much longer, and rather doubled around to focus on her training.
Do you think, I wondered. She might be scared?
Ish blinked for a moment.
Of what? Shes a terrifyin Apex that can rival anythin here in sheer power. Gods Above what would she ever be scared of?
Your rejection. I replied in a heartbeat. Losing you. You have be something, someone she is close to. It could very well be that she prefers not to take that chance that her true identity would drive you away.
Gods Above! ish eximed in frustration, her hands thrown up.
There could be other reasons, but that is the one thates to mind.
Ish simply groaned into her hands as I tried to reassure her.
You were saying things have changed, earlier? I prodded gently in an attempt to steer the conversation away. This worked, after a moment as she began to recount the franklyrge changes in the area. Hullbretch was now a hub of delvers, yers and adventurers, whose presence had in turn brought in merchants, alchemists, armorers and the like. It made sense thatrge congregations of men and women with fast des and faster purses would attract those opportunistic in the search of coin, but not the danger.
The town had blossomed, as had the price of most things. Higher demand meant higher costs as those with wares to sell took advantage of this short boom before things would begin to settle once more.
I was informed that there had been a fast, ugly streak of tensions after the baron had locked off ess to the dungeon upon the Overminds death. For two weeks, only his soldiers had been inside, with increasing hostilities as various frencers and guilds demanded their rightful ess.
Not to side with the man here, but if this is not hisnd, is it not his right to control who enters and who does not?
The orc shrugged and slumped forward, hands upon her knees. Her answer was half-hearted at best, I found.
While it is the baronsnd, it is by divine decree of the Gods Above that all may be permitted ess to the dungeons. Conquierin em, growin stronger an such. While it is the right of lords to see who may wander upon theirnd, divine precedent overrules the will of men. There are times when this can be altered, such as during the siege upon the fort, but those are not meant to be frequent.
The words came as if she was repeating something, and after a moment she noticed my raised eyebrow and saw fit to give exnation.
Pas teachings about how adventurin works. Delvers, yers and the like rarely align themselves politically, lest those who governs thends they wish to travel have reason to keep them out. Unless you are powerful beyond mortal reason or stand to gain massively, choosing sides in a matter of politics often signals the end of an adventurers career. There are exceptions, such as the Hignds of Catahr, which are ruled by adventurers themselves and home to a wealth of dungeons.
And this establishes that Ironmoor cannot bar adventurers ess from the dungeon, yet he did. I mused. These matters of politics did little to interest me, and I tired of them quickly. Yet I refused to remain ignorant to currents I would have to navigate.
For a bit, She nodded.
How fares the fort?
Bolstered. The Verdant Dawns elite hunters arrived nearly a week after we slew the Overmind. Their presence there does much to keep tensions quashed. Your friend may chafe at being forced ta give up control, but methinks hes d its someone elses problem now.
And you? I returned to the subject.
Training and working. Pa has split his time between constructing more of the fort and learning me in matters of politics and how to navigate all these ces I can hardly remember. Ma has a much more upfront approach. Out into the forest to stalk and hunt with her. Fight some monsters. All that. End of the day I still maintain the farm while youve been locked asleep.
Sounds to me like youre busy, then. My gaze turned around to the progress that had been made during mya. Too busy to be building all this.
That was a gift. Your friend Raffnyk. He said he had little gold to spare at the moment, and instead sent men and women down here. Tah help me build all the things we talked about, remember?
I did indeed.
But why?
Ish blinked and abruptly stood.
There might be a few things yah want to see, Garek. Back at my folks ce. Didnt think it was safe to let everything sit here while you were out for so long.
Brisk strides carried me alongside ish as my curiosity mounted.
Gol and Artyom have been stayin the nights at my folks ce. Pas put rm wards round your farm to tell him if anyone intruded, but we decided it was best to leave you there and not attempt to move you. But it isnt really safe for them there all alone.
She looked up at me with dead-serious eyes as the tres passed by and a faraway sun rose across the clouded sky.
You killed a newborn God, Garek. People know, and they want to get to know you. Do you have any idea how many messengers and couriers have showed up with letters, gifts and gold? Everyone wants a piece of ya. To butter ya up and get you in their good graces. Youre famous. The System specifically named you. And people havee lookin.
This was distinctly not what I wanted. The opposite, even.
Then let theme. I grimaced. Im not going anywhere. I am still a farmer, and I intend to stay that way.
Not if the world has anything to say about that.
Her parents farmy not far ahead, although the walk there seemed to drag on forever as anticipation mounted into swarms of butterflies that buzzed within my stomach. Ish marched up the porch, mmed open the door and led my actually snugly-fitting form down a wide flight of stair hidden away in the corner.
There, neatly stacked before us, sat an entire trove of treasure. Just for me.
Go ahead. The orc grunted. Its all for you, after all.
And I did, quite happily. After all, who didnt deserve a reward after the monumental task we had undertaken?
B2-Chapter 3: Rewards aplenty.
B2-Chapter 3: Rewards aplenty.
The many letters of invitation and greeting were important, Ish assured me. A solid chunk of this treasure stash wasprised of excessively fancy letters, marked with increasingly luxurious seals and even spells in several cases. With my inborn tendency to leave the best forst hard at work, I started with these. One envelope joined the next as I carefully cracked the seal, only asionally awarded by a sh as magic dissipated.
These ones I set aside after some deliberation with Ish. If a house or person was willing to pay extra and ensure their letters reached only my hands -for that is what such a design was- then they were either truly serious or truly wealthy. Both of which I could benefit from. Within was message after message, transcribed with different words and phrases, yet all were guided toward the same overall message.
Whether they were short and abrupt, or long and flowy, all roads led to one thing.
Me.
My presence was now known, but I was not some simple farmer anymore, much as I wished to be. Houses, names I had never heard of requested my presence, extended, or asked for the honor of meeting me. Much as my outer facade remained unchanged, my mind swam inwardly.
And after a time, even the stone of my features turned to a frown.
You realize the mess yer in? Ish smiled mirthlessly.
Yes. Came the kurt reply. The wealthy, the powerful have their wants, and those include me now.
It was then that I made the decision.
The only way to beat this game, this charade of the powerful is to not y. I nodded.
I had thought you smarter. Came the voice from atop the stairs as Velton materialized. How long had he been watching us?
Give me a reason to be embroiled in all this? These cutthroat games of power and alliances where all seek to use me as a pawn?
What you and I want has, unfortunately, beenpromised. I wanted a quiet life for my daughter, and now some God Above has taken interest in us. If we do not adapt and y along till they grow bored, they will create their own entertainment. Look at this all as such. The muscr elf gestured at the grown pile of summons and invitations next to me. In all the room, those letters are of greatest value to you. Learn to y their game, and it will benefit you. The tools, the means with which to expand your farm, should you wish to do so, have beenid before you. Power and connections, resources at your beck and call, if you would seize the opportunity.
If Imit to this, we both know this tangled web of politics will never let me go free. I rebuked, but his words held truth in them.
Or you could ride out these waves of interest until they dull and grow smaller. Meet a few, assuage their concerns and use their goodwill in your favor. Let the rest assume.
Assume what, exactly? I asked, curiosity grown within now. Velton was much more experienced within this particr arena than I, it seemed.
Whatever they please. He shrugged and eyed Ish as she innocuously read through several letters. These people of power have a way of overthinking and making overlyplex assumptions borne of the smallest movements. But you have been handed the opportunity, the very chance all but pressed into your hand, to be something muchrger. The what and the how lie squarely upon you shoulders.
And if I want a simple life, forgotten by the world and in the peace of my own home?
Silence hung thick now within the basement, and I could feel the tension that radiated off Velton.
Then you would be a fool. Let me repeat myself, Garek. A God Above has had a hand in all these resources you have now received. It watches you now, and you are expected to do something with all this. Squander it at your own peril. The wrath and wroth of those on high is not to be trifled with.
My eyes could see the pain hidden in his features, smell the strain in his scent. I know this far too well.
Do not repeat my mistake. Even if all of these amount to futility in the end, He gestured again towards the piles of parchment. The worst action you could undertake is nothing.
Much as I refused to ept this, I knew what he spoke was the truth. The System itself had informed me that there existed beings that now took interest in me, if only for their own entertainment. I would be crowned a king amongst fools if I could not adapt. And so, with a heavy heart, I promised Velton I would take these seriously. Not now, however. The list of names and ces that bade me greeting or invitation blurred together, and called for more serious consideration at another time.
Now, however, came my reward.
Bags of coin were marked with messages both physical and arcane that congratted me on such a momentous aplishment. Thinly veiled words that were meant the procure my favor. Excited at first, I soon grew stoic to the ever-erged pile of riches that mounted next to me.
Ish seemed almost..proud as she observed me go through bag after bag, a smile set upon her face. The orc leaned against the wall, her head tilted as she seemed content to let me discover what richesy within.
The sheer plethora of coin thaty piled next to me was frankly astonishing. Every single person of import within quite a distance had decided I needed to know their name. There was a strategy to this, yes. A generous gift with their name attached would serve as an eptable way to open the door for furthermunication with me for their own ends.
There were those few, however, that stood from the rest. One was a lengthy spear-sword, made of darkened material with words inscribed upon the shaft.
For they that ovee.
I turned it within my hands and gave it the proper admiration such a weapon deserved. It was a long, simple thing. Yet even to my untrained eye it seemed well-made. Aside from the words writ upon its hilt, it was a dark, dull thing. An attached note stated that it was a gift from the yers Spire.
A collection of men and women that seek out and y the most dangerous monsters there are to offer. Ish informed me once the name had been repeated aloud. They recognize the magnitude of your aplishment. Out of all the gifts, this is perhaps the one with the least strings attached.
A greatshield stood propped against the wall, this one adorned with a plethora of regal symbology. A massive stag reared upon a mountains edge, the sun itself held aloft by its horns. While certainly striking, it was rather gaudy. More for show than an actual weapon. A brief re of magic informed me it had been a gift from the Deepwater Collective, and there would be many more toe should I heed their call. A guild of pirate-merchants that operated along the coasts, I learned from Ish.
Fit for the brow thatid low a God.
This was inscribed upon a crown of twisted steel that I held aloft, an artifact of arcane might that swirled beneath my fingers. It struck me then. Truly settled down upon my shoulders. The full magnitude of what I had aplished.
I hadin down the final strike that felled a God. Ended a divine. And all knew now. I was not just someone, I was known. Desired. I stood there, crown in my hand, my eyes staring emptily at the wall as everything emerged all at once.
Garek? Ish asked after a few moments. Are you alright?
Possibly not. I admitted. My thoughts were a jumble in this moment, a mess. I needed to think.
What else is there? I asked, suddenly not too eager to delve into the pile.
A pair of enchanted scimtars, from the House of Duels, A Cloak of Catfoot, with nothing attached, A set of dwarven forge-hammers, Wrath-soaked Bracers from Fallen Bytaris, She continued to list of items with names that meant little to me, her fingers tracing from object to object all the while. And finally, a single broken horn.
That stirred memories. Not mine, older ones. Of the Garek that inhabited this body before me.
The tribes have deemed me a traitor. I stated tly, my eyebrows raised. They hade to know my feat, and chosen to send a message, if these memories proved correct.
This horn signifies broken trust and abandonment. I gazed upon the cracked, gnarled thing, my own arms folded. It is a promise that there will a price exacted.
Is there something we should know? The orc queried, horn held in her hand.
Nothing too sensational. I sighed and sat down atop chair that fit my bulk. I chose to leave them and their warring ways behind, give up the life ofbat and move far, far away. Such is my own prerogative.
Silence stretched as Ish looked down at the horn in her hands and then back up at me.
They seem ta disagree on this matter.
Let them. I shrugged. If they take such offense to what I have wrought without them, then they may make their displeasure known to my face.
They will. Velton even as he materialized once more. You can be sure of this. Your race suffers the misfortune of being among the most thick-headed, prideful individuals I have sharedpany with.
Hence why I left.
I am sure that among the taurish race there are individuals who break the mold such as you. I simply have not, in my century of wandering, made their acquaintance yet.
Dont look too hard. I grimaced. They are fewer than you might think.
The elf shrugged, clear indication that he had no ns to do so.
A safe guess right now would tell me you wish to transport all of this back to your own home?
I more than agreed with that. The sooner all this gold was safely hidden away and on my own property, the sooner my other skills might be bolstered. There was a fortune here. Enough for me to simply take andfortably live out the rest of my days on. Yet this did not interest me, nor did I think it would even be a possibility now.
Very well. Your lodge? It took me a moment to realize he had just offered teleportation. Faced with the prospect of physically carrying all this back to home and instantaneous transportation via magic, the choice was simple.
Wait. I held up a hand as the elf unfurled his arms. Am I going to be charged for your services?
A pointed stare and tired huff was all I received for a while.
No, Garek, I will not charge you for a quick teleport. You have already given my girl so much, and provided help to me and mine. This one thing I will do for free.
An arcane circle was writ into the ground my Vetons magics, and reality physically shifted. Gone was the underground basement from one instant to the next. Now I stood before a familiar sight. My own lodge.
Out of curiosity. I cautiously asked as my head moved between the small mountain of loot and the confines of my house. Would it be possible for the freebie to get extended to one more task.
It could be indeed, I found some timeter. With my cer well and truly thered in wards, I began the long and arduous task of transporting my many riches inside and down the stairs.A task that promised to take several hours as I carefully stacked and sorted eevrything.
Suffering from sess indeed.
B2-Chapter 4: Growth and destruction.
B2-Chapter 4: Growth and destruction.
Axe grasped tight within my grip, I stared out upon all that was mine and pondered. Not an unusual thing as ofte, I hade to notice. Now, however, I happened to sport and considerable fortune and even more considerable expectations. Beings of great power had taken interest in my doings, and it now my task to deal with this. The sheer amount of coin I now boasted staggered me once it had settled in.
With great gold now came even greater possibilities. By my lonesome, I now trod the worn paths that led through mynd, my mind ame. My primary focus should be expansion, I concluded. Morend to farm meant more resources and more possibility for ever-more gorwth. I had gold, a veritable wealth of it. And I was no dragon to hoard it all with supreme jealousy.
I was well aware that coin unspent felt wasted, yet I had a specific skill that rewarded hoarding. Fine was the bnce I would have to strike, but I was equal to this task. All the worries of politics and conflicts put aside, I fantasized at what my farm would be.
Morend could be cleared at haste. I stood for a moment, axe in hand that Ish had returned until she needed it once more. Twaste in the afternoon now, and yet why dy for a future time what could be wrought now?
The repetition of hewn trees and ripped stumps soon settled in as I began to clear suitable parts of the forest. And once more my thoughts returned to the future even as I caught a falling tree and heaved it aside. The sun roasted down, a mild irritation as I idly stacked massive trunks and plotted what was toe.
A greenhouse was what I would like the most, I decided. Arge, enclosed space to safely contain and grow the various breeds of monstrous nts that now ran rampant across my fields. A location where I could experiment in rtive peace and safety. The crude stone walls I had erected to separate monster-nts and crops had been quickly outgrown till both spilled together in a messy affair.
More clearednd did not have to mean simply crops, I realized between strained pulls at a particrly stubborn section of roots. More pasture could be sown and cultivated in case I wished to expand in livestock. Space for buildings, should the situation call for such.
By methodical fashion, I cleared through sections of the underbrush, with only overturned dirt and shredded foliage left in my wake. Yet for the precision with which I worked, my thoughts were not the same. The subjects of new buildings and crops was soon left behind as I instead wondered what else I could now acquire.
A proper team of horses, a decent wagon, an actual stone well so I needed not rely on the river solely for water? It would be satisfactory to have my drinking water taken from another source. One possibility left half-explored as more entered my mind.
I had gold. And coin spoke in volumes louder than any other. Doors were now opened to me, wether I wanted their opportunity or not.
Ish shared some of my excitement, I found. The orc had found her way back to the farm and was rending me aid with a grin writ upon her face. She dragged away felled trees to stack them as we progressed, hauled up boulders and tossed them into sizeable piles. The rewards fromying low a godling had not just gone to me, I saw then. The System had rewarded her heavily.
Ivee to wonder these past few days, I grunted and physically shoved a tree over. The sound of its trunk being violently broken resounded through the air to interrupt me. Only once it had struck the ground did I continue with my deliberations.
Mmmm. Go on. Ish urged after a moment of wrestling with the jagged trunk.
The Gods Above. Never paid much heed to them, until now. Given my due respects, far back as I remember, but never really wondered about them.
Fair nuff.
How active of a role do they take, in this day and age? My own race and people had a rather estranged rtionship with them, far as I can recall.
I had alwayscked the reason to even ask these questions before, although we had discussed this theology and some of the more well-known stories over supper before.
Well enough, I spose. Far as anyone can tell, theyve always just been there. Pa has told me that therev been many attempts to understand em, but you cant apply mortal reasonin to un-mortal beings. She prefaced and waxed poetic even in the midst of hauling a tangle of bushes away.
It seems like they really do whatever they please. Ish chewed over her words. Not in the way rampant children would, but theyre ungoverned by any rules, far as pa could tell. Only really kept in check by each other. And even then that tends tah shift quick as you please.
Huh. Several moments ofbor passed before I digested that fully. It surprises me that the world is not an apocalyptic wastnd, then. Beings of absolute power doing as they wish?
By mortal reasonin, that should be the case. She nodded in agreement. But again, these are un-mortal beings.
Pa has this inane theory that they view us in the same way we view ants. Entertainin, for a time. Endearin in our efforts, even. But ultimately of no consequence and receable.
That only reinforces my belief that they would be cruel gods, though.
The orc frowned and thought that over for several moments.
The Gods Above just..are. Youre attemptin to apply mortal thinkin and reasonin to beings that just..arent. I know the example doesnt make sense, but think of it like this; Just because you can step on an anthill and destroy everythin within, does that mean you will?
No. Came the thoughtful answer. No I wouldnt.
Thats where the thinkin differs, methinks. We do everythin for gain, for growth, in one way or another. Greater glory, more riches, better connections and bonds with people. But they are gods. They already have everythin.
She made a fantastic point here, and one I was surprised to see her so well-thought on. Once more I was reminded that Ish had hiddenyers that I was not aware of, if indeed I had even searched for those before.
If they are such powerful beings, what is the distinction between a God and a Godling then? I have heard both terms used several times. The cleric at the fort, the one you hired to care for me served the Red Godling, while others I have heard referred to the Gods Above and Below.
I don rightly know. Pa would be much better versed on this. But I think its time. The Overmind tried to ascend, but it was in the weakest possible state a Godling could be in. And that was before Valenciatched on and tore away like half its power. If there have been other ascensions throughout history, then they have been lost to time.
I had thought the only way to ascend was to reach the one-hundreth level. I frowned. Yet this had been proven wrong. Or not.
I think that ascends you right into a full God. Ish leaned against a stack of trees taller than she was and wiped the sweat from her brow. But there are other ways to be a Godling. Its also mostly Godlings that directly touch the world and their followers, now that I think of that. Huh.
Speaking of which. I veered the conversation off-track into a topic I needed to sort out lest my memory fail meter. We need hired help.
I thoroughlyid out my vision of expansion for Ish as we continued along the receding edge of the forest, stripping away trees and foge to render thend bare. Infrequently poised questions aside, she seemed content to let me continue until I had thoroughly exhausted every avenue possible.
Well then. She nodded cheerfully. Your gonna need quite a few strong backs and weak minds to keep all that goin.
And therein lies my dilemma. I frowned and wiped one dirty arm across my forehead. I am not overtly eager to trust strangers around my farm, now of all times. More than ever, people wille to seek me out and attempt to take advantage of me, foolish as that is.
Way I see it, there are two possible avenues. Either thoroughly examine and brief everyone you hire to ensure they are somewhat trustworthy, or divorce yourself from them and allow them explicitly few positions. Hire them for certain tasks and certain tasks only. Be strict but fair. Watch their every move. Allow them only ess to specific ces and thats it.
Your ent I noted once she had finished. It was decidedly much less thick, with clearly pronounced words now.
Yeah, yeah, been workin on itst month or so. Figured if people were gonna show up here I didnt really wanna be seen as some hick girls slurrin her words.
Fair enough. Let me think on what youve said. Either way, once I have concluded this, we will need farmhands to keep this ce in smooth motion. And between you and I, I would rather that be people I can trust than strangers I have to constantly babysit.
No one you would knowes to mind?
They did not, indeed, and I stated as much.
The only people I well and truly know are you, your parents, Lerish and Raffnyk. And I would not be mistaken if I took a wild guess and predicted none of them are interested in the life of a farmhand.
Yah. Ish agreed. Id agree on that. Hiring strangers it is, then.
Aside from actual warm bodies, we would need equipment, rudimentary as it was, more security and all the other wonderful perks that came associated with arger farm.
Have you perhaps thought of using a golem do the harvesting for you? Ish asked. With the amount of farnd you n to acquire, and considering just how much gold you have at hand, it would not be an unwise investment.
I had not indeed thought of that, nor of golems in general. For some reason, the idea that autonomousbour could exist in a world without the technology I had grown used to had eluded me.
Something to remember at ater date. I nodded and hid my general ignorance. First chance I got, I would thoroughly educate myself on the topic. The old Gareks memories proved unhelpful as the only golems he had encountered were across a battlefield. Perhaps if one might stretch the imagination enough they couldpare war and farming, but I chose not to waste my time upon such matters.
Whatever you decide to do first, Ish advised. Do it fast. The interests of others a belssin and a curse. There are gonna be those who will attempt to trip you up an undermine you, both publicly an in private. Simply because you threaten to upset their settled water, real or perceived.
Sadly, I expected as much. There are those who would antagonize me for no other reason than to further their own name. To somehow use me as a footnote upon the pages of their own stories. I know this, and I will be prepared.
Tomorrow, we buy all thend possible.
B2-Chapter 5: Rumblings.
B2-Chapter 5: Rumblings.
Farmer Doleds eyes twitched between my face and the veritable offering that rested upon my upturned palms. His face remained impassionate -much as it could be when a stranger offered you a fortune- but his scent betrayed any emotion he attempted to hide. On the surface, he chewed over his thoughts, a man on the edge of epting my offer. Underneath, the scents of uncertainty and adrenaline raced.
This seems well and good enough. The middle-aged human finally admitted. A more than reasonable offer for mynd, given everything thats been happenintely.
I am aware. I nodded in quiet stoicism. He was not the first farmer to take my coin today, and heavens willing, he would not be thest. A modest farmstead and decently maintainednd not too far from my own. We were both aware that what I offered was a decent, generous sum that was just a tad more than what thend was worth. House and animals included.
He wanted more.
I could be persuaded to part with my hard-earnednd. But tis a hard thing, for a man to give up what is his. He nced me up and down all the while, his scent reeking of uncertainty. Lots of memories here. Lots of time. Might need some time to think it over.
The decision was already made, I knew. Now came the part where he tried to get as much value from my generosity as possible. I could respect that, on some level. Yet that did not mean I was wholly willing to y along.
Think quickly, then. I rumbled back, fully straightened to loom over him. There was fright in his stench now, but such was not my intent. I was merely tired of having to hunch forward to better talk to the man.
There are others who would be more than happy to take this coin. I have offered you the courtesy of time, and coin that more than equals the wealth of yournd. Yet I am not deprived of other options. You are paid for the convenience, not the need.
What I spoke was the truth. If he wanted to drive a harder bargain and attempt to wring more gold from me, there were options aplenty further down the mountain slopes. While further away, there was only so much I was willing to pay for sheer convenience. I had already purchased thend from several of this mans neighbors that was closer to my own homestead, yet his would neatly round out this section.
The decision had been made to approach everyndower here patiently, with pleasant greetings and chats of the weather before I inevitably sprung the offer to neatly purchase all theirnd from underneath them. There was a price of what the amassed acreage was worth, and there was a cost of what it would sell for. These people were, in general, a stubborn lot. Had to be, to make it both as a farmer and to live somewhere so far away from the rest of society.
Several had left me with offers to think it over and contact me once the decision was made. Those, I had respected, for even coins allure could not convince men and women to quickly part with homes they had sunken years of daily effort into.
Farmer Doled, however, had already made his decision. From what Ish had told me of the neighbors, he was more than eager to be rid of this property and onto a new step in life. Now came the matter of how stubbornly he negotiated price. One could argue that I was stubborn in my refusal to go higher as well, yet I preferred to be thought of as firm.
He did relent, in the end. In the face of my polite refusal to go higher, the man chose to wiser option and simply took my coin. A legally binding deed was written up and the property transferred to my name. The man seemed almost entranced by the bag of coin that sat upon the table, his quill paused every so often as he stared.
Surely a week will be enough for you to be moved elsewhere? I rumbled as he handed me to dried deed. It would be within my legal rights to have him evicted within the day, but simply because I could undertake an action did not mean I would. What was legal was not, strictly, moral. And while I was not a paragon of moral virtue, I was still, in my own eyes, I decent man.
A week? Heughed, almost choked on derision. His hands snatched the bag off the table and stood, a crazed, manic smile upon his features. An hour and nothing more!
With that deration, the squat man strode past, tipped his old, leathery hat to me and vanished out the door. Following him only revealed him hauling a saddle from his modest stable and throwing it atop the one horse here. I questioned how smart it was to leave without having packed food or his possessions, but a mans choice was his own.
Yer wee to it all! Came theugh over his shoulder momentster as his steed began to trot away. All the problems too! Maybe itll be a tad nicer to one of its own kind!
Cawingughter followed the mans form, and my eyes traced upward to find a semi-famr form. Atop a tree sat the huge brown crow with straw in its wings. Its mockingughter echoed as Doled disappeared down the dusty trail towards civilization, and I wondered if there was not more to this than met the eye.
Any questions more I could have asked were denied as the former farmer vanished down the trail, leaving me with a new property and a plethora of unanswered inquiries.
This marked the final piece I was wholly willing to buy down this stretch ofnd. The mountains slopes were almost unnoticeable here, so far down were we. The area was lush, surrounded by the forest that seemed the choke the Redtips base.
What I now owned was an escting stretch of properties, interspersed by holdouts and those entirely unwilling. This road here was the main path down the highway, yet there were several more that I was interested in. Pack over my shoulder, I set off down the mountain and settled into a brisk stride. ns were formted as I moved along, attention only half-paid to the road ahead.
Now that these properties were mine, I would need to procure workers and begin easing them into responsibilities until they earned more of my trust. I had favored the idea of having other farmsteads operate semi-autonomously, but that had been decided against. Instead, I wanted every property to be focused towards a specific goal.
Several of them could be entirely focused on crop growth, with my umted wealth boosting Gold Is Power and spurring production on at all speed. Now woulde to test to see if the skill would apply to all crops uponnd that I owned. But first, I needed actual farmhands, and that seemed as though it would be a chore to find.
The obvious choice was the hire the farmers I had bought out, yet few had been willing to entertain the idea, and I had not pursued it overmuch. I did not me them.
Once at the mountains very foot, I veered across the road towards Hullbretch and kept on for a time, then turned back towards the slopes on a much smaller, far less maintained path. Up I climbed on what could be urately described as a fair-weather trail. Growth choked to either side here, and at times overtook the meager trail entirely.
Map unfurled and sweat caking my hide, I poured the remnants of my waterskin down my throat and wondered if this was a reasonable use of precious time. Ish had promised it was, and the orc had yet to let me down.
Perseverance yielded reward, albeit muchter. The trees ended abruptly and I emerged into what would best be described as a massive crater upon thend. Yet this was not a rocky, ruined wastnd. The earth here was lush and loamy, a massive reserve of soil andnd.
All unimed, or so I was told. The crater itself was not overtly steep, I found as I paced along the edge. Simplyrge. Grass, weeds, and blooms overran its soil and tree roots poked from the edges. Large enough to fit the entirety of my home farm several times over. Others might look at this and see the mess of weeds, roots and boulders, but I chose to see opportunity.
Once more, I rolled out the map that Velton had drawn up for his daughter. If the elfs geometry was correct, I was not physically far from my own home. Thick, choked forestsy between this destination and mynd. With no path, the only option was to go down the mountainside to follow the trail over and up again, a multi-hour journey on the best of days.
In the rain or at night, I myself would be hard-pressed to make this journey. The forest presented a barrier for even the hardiest of humans. Massive trees swarmed by undergrowth, bushes,yers of ancient leaves and growths of every variety presented an impossibility that would render almost anyone lost within moments. Canopies above blotted out the sun and made direction meaningless.
And yet. I was a minotaur. There was an axe at hand. And I had a dream, a need for this ce. If the forest would block my way, then the forest would be made to yield.
The afternoons sweltering heat had begun to coole the time when I finished my examination of thend and turned to my task. I checked and doubled the map to ensure I was correctly lined up. Once satisfied, I hefted the enchanted axe and began to swing in powerful, measured strokes. Trees crashed down around me -asionally onto my form- as I began to cleave a path of destruction through these woods.
If there was no path avable, I would make my own. I returned to a simpler time, now. Cut, push and move on. My trail was marred with destruction as I clove the forest in twain, a path of shattered trees and trampled growth left behind me. I was thirsty long before the end was in sight. Yet I trusted the map and pushed on. My faith was put in Velton that this was indeed only a quarter-mile stretch of woods I needed to rip through. For now, I focused only upon therger, much more obvious trees to hew down.
There were people on the road, I realized as the trees abruptly ended. The massive trunk next to me tethered and began to fall. A tired, agonizing momentter, I realized that instead of standing there and watching it, I could just grab and heave the damn thing in another direction.
There were yells of surprise as the tree reversed direction and copsed back into the forest, its weight and trajectory tearing down others in its path. I did what any friendly person would do, then. Waved, hoisted my axe, and stood to admire my handiwork. A rough guess put me somewhere between my farm and Veltons property. The road seemed familiar enough with its curve and upward climb. There was a path marked out now, however slim that was. Once I had other things under control, I would return and shape this into a proper road through sheer stubbornness.
That, however, was a task for another day. Now, I really could use several drinks of water. Perhaps something stronger, given the asion.
B2-Chapter 6: Rejection.
B2-Chapter 6: Rejection.
I was tempted to think it could be worse, but such a mindset was ultimately defeatist in its inception, I had found. Instead, I gazed out over the gathered people and decided I was determined to make this work. A scraggly mix of humans and the odd beastfolk were loosely gathered along the edges of an old field, all turned towards me.
Mostly young adults, a few older fellows. A few days had passed since Ish had begun to spread word that I was looking to hire farmhands, and this was time enough, I reckoned. They had all been supplied with a time and ce. Here and now. After some debate, I had decided to let these men and women prove themselves in the best way I knew how. Through action and dedication.
Morning. I greeted the mostly quiet hopefuls gathered here, my voice a tad lighter than my usual guttural rumble.
Day should be simple, I continued on after receiving no reply. This field needs to be cleared. Everyone who works will be paid for their time.
I left off before revealing that those who proved themselves would be offered a position to stay on further. Mostly to see how they performed without some added incentive at the end. The field in question sat beside an old property not far from my house, one that hade packaged with a much nicer farm just around the bend.
Trees, weeds, vines, and more had crept in and covered the field as time had spurred on the forests advance. Today, that would all be peeled back and returned to its farmable state. It was not an easy task, and that was specifically why I had chosen it.
Perhaps it was me they stared at, or Gol behind me as the great beast lumbered along, barrels filled with tools hanging from either side. Artyom sat atop his head, a dour rider as his mount showed constant insubordination. For the life of me, I could not tell which one would yield first.
Seeing as no one with their wits about them would want to approach Gol, I helped Ish haul the barrels from their straps and set it all upon the ground. Shovels, rakes, scythes, various cutting implements and more were stuffed into their wooden holders. Everything we could think of and more. A tad over-prepared, even. Better to have a tool and not be of need, than to require it and becking.
If you require instructions for specific tasks, or need help, myself or Ish should be easily found.
Quick and unceremonious, yes, but I was here to do work and find prospects, not chat their ears off all day. There was something difficult to the simple act of crossing my arms and letting other people do my work, I soon found. The urge to take up a sickle and begin slicing vines alongside these men and women red within. Even as I told myself this was necessary and simple observation would yield better results, I found myself wanting.
I was quickly reassured that these folks were familiar around farms through their actions. Many of them chose efficient, reasonable tasks, with the majority choosing the start around the fields edges. Those there began to hack and trims the underbrush away, creating a physical separation of forest and field. There were those waited and then followed others examples, unsure of what to do. I paid note to not only what they did, but how they worked.
There were those who worked in hard, fast bursts of exertion and rapidly tired themselves, those who moved on at slower, consistent paces. There was no correct way to achieve what was set before them, in my mind. I did not favour one about the other, so long as they reached the end goal.
My eyes settled on one rather brawnyd, a human just barely an adult. His physique did not interest me, but I kept close watch on how he moved. There was something off. Heboured near a group of much skinnier townspeople, yet seemed content to only match their pace when I suspected he was capable of so much more. Him, I kept a frequent eye on as I roamed the fields edges.
One stocky, rather keen individual had already takenmand of a small collection and gathered them to make piles consisting of the waste that remained. Stacks of branches, freshly bled greenery, vines and more were piled along the propertys edges, rather than chucked back into the woods. I observed as he moved from one person to another, pointing out specific spots and tasks. Someone who took initiative to organize.
My interest was piqued.
These people seemed to approach me rather than Ish with questions, I found. There seemed several who were hesitant to ask at all, who would loiter around and hope to copy the examples of other people. Deep in these thoughts, I did not hear the mockingughter until it was suddenly, painfully apparent. High upon an old tree sat the straw-covered crow once more, a massive specimen that puffed its feathers out in derision.
A t stare was all I gave it, and a faint thought as to why it had chosen to follow me around. But past that, I found I did not care as to its existance today.
I had hoped, somewhat, that my presence and demeanor would not scare people. For some, it was not an issue. For others, it proved too much. Several workers abruptly left somewhere around midday, even refusing payment for work until them as their fear remained barely hidden. I simply nodded and bade them a safe journey back home.
Progress went much faster than I had expected. Through organization and hard work, the field was methodically stripped of the overgrowth. Soil was exposed and rocks hauled out as the day continued on. I was bored, I found sometime through the mid-afternoon. There were only so many details to review, and before long I had made decisions as to who I would offer positions and future work.
The stocky human seemed like an excellent choice. The man was straightforward, a good worker and an even better organizer. Several of the beastfolk boasted better strength and endurance than their human counter-parts, yet also seemed more stubborn and loners, not content to work in groups.
This could hinder my vision somewhat,unless I was willing to hand over individual, autonomous tasks to these. Such trust would need to be earned through more days than this. The brawny, young human I observed for most of the day.
Him, I wouldnt hire. He did just enough to keep up with those around him, and I grew progressively sure he was capable of much more. While I would still pay fairly for the work itself, I sought effort and drive. There was nothing wrong with simply showing up for the proverbial nine to five, in old-world terms, yet I was not looking for this.
The field was mostly clear around evening when I called a halt to this work. Face impassive, I directed the workers to stow away the tools and step forward to receive payment. They had given me a good days work, and I intended topensate them fairly.
There were several individuals I had my eye on, yet needed more time in order to make a decision on. The figurative question chewed over for a moment, I quickly announced that work would resume here tomorrow for those willing to return. Bag of coins in hand, I counted out proper amounts to every worker, ensuring all were paid fairly.
The stocky, tanned human was near the front of the milling crowd, and him I gestured forward. Instead of coin, I first extended my hand.
Garek, I greeted him properly.
Sean. Came the quick, curt nod in return.
More than coin, I would offer you a job, Sean. I cut right to the point. You posses several skills I have need of, or so I have observed throughout the day. Organization, leadership, initiative all backed by a good work ethic and knowledge. I would ask you toe work for me full-time.
And that would be why I came here. He nodded gruffly.
Think on it tonight, then give me an answer tomorrow. I handed him his earned coin.
Through this exchange, others in the crowd had perked up, while meanwhile a few faces fell. Several people realizing they should have given more effort.
And me? The young, brawny human stepped forward. Surely you have need of a strong back?
A prime physical specimen for a human, I could admit.
Not as desperately as you might think. I shrugged. I seek effort and consistency, not simply muscle. You do not possess this, from what I have seen. Feel free to return tomorrow and prove me wrong.
I expected some re of anger, yet instead of young man seemed to shrink and lose confidence before me. He took what coin I gave him and walked away. Would be a miracle if i saw him again. The beastfolk interspersed the crowd, and while they seemed promising choices, their unwillingness tomit to group work made me wary.
Aside from Sean, there were no others I offered positions outright. There was, however, a surprise.
A tall, slightly plump girl waited at the end of the line, a determined look on her freckled face. She looked almost entirely human, with small buds poking through her hair.
Youre looking to hire more workers, right? She demanded the obvious, to which I humored her a nod.
Whos going to feed them?
That was a very good question, one that I had no overly considered.
Ish? I asked the orcs opinion, yet she just shrugged. I had cooked for the four of us until now, or just trusted the others to pick up the responsibility when I was busy. This was not sustainable acrossrge groups of people, I had just realized.
If I might wager a guess, you offer a solution to this?
I do. She nodded, determination set upon her features and in her scent. I used to cook for the Rotting Hound in Hullsbretch, was a full camp-cook for the ck Wings of Tatroch and have been doing this for several years.
Mercenarypany. Ish replied to my side-eye inquiry.
And now you want to cook for a farmer? I asked, arms folded. Youboured in the fields all day instead of approaching me.
An observation, not an usation.
Aye. Had to prove I have mettle and dedication somehow. Opportunityse up and ive taken it now.
I can respect that. I nodded. Come back tomorrow and well ask you to prove those cooking skills before I make any promises.
Anything she was about to say was drowned in a sea of noise as the forest erupted around us. Wolves howled, animals screamed and the trees shook. There was a moment where i was startled by the cacophony of sudden noise, but these emotions were quickly wrested under control. Hand upon my ymore, I turned to face the evening woods, face impassive.
Although cascades of noise came, there was naught to see. Save for the massive crow upon its tree,ughing down at me.
Forest don particrly want us here. Ish remarked.
It seems that we are in conflict, then. I returned lightly, hand upon the hilt of my ymore. Thisnd is mine, and what the forest wishes for is of little concern. Should it feel otherwise, I am sure whatever is out there knows where I live.
B2-Chapter 7: Hostile Growth.
B2-Chapter 7: Hostile Growth.
The forest buzzed with hostility, noises hidden just beyond its shadowed canopy. This tide of anger followed us home as the gathered workers dispersed. Low waves of hostility followed us home in the evenings gentle light. One hand on my weapon and both eyes on the treeline, I walked behind Gol, my body tensed. With no singr threat to focus on, I instead paid cautious heed to the wilderness atrge.
The trees shifted and swayed, a stiff breeze carrying forth growls and howls anew. Wary as I was, my caution proved somewhat unwarranted. Nothing chose to step forth from the treeline and make itself known to us. We arrived home unscathed, if somewhat tense and on edge.
The noises remained all throughout the evening as we unpacked tools and sat through a quiet supper. A quick dip in the stream once Ish had left gave no variation in the creatures consistency. If anything, they were louder now. Angrier, even. Low growls and howls from predators, rumbles of unknown beasts, the shrieks of what I knew were mossdeer. All mixed together into a wave of ufortable noises.
Not quite from the forests edge, I guessed as I attempted to focus, my eyes closed. Somewhere further in. From all directions.
Whatever this was, it did not concern me. Let whatever was out there resolve their own problems. I had helped enough, for now.
Even within theforts of my own lodge, the sound remained. At first, bearable as I prepared for sleep, lone candle lit and poring over old books Velton had lent me. The subject of politics quickly bored me, I found. What fascinated me more was that I could read the text, despite never having seen it before. It urred to me then that I had done very little reading since my arrival on this world.
I had been, at one point in my old life, a very avid reader. But time had taken its toll and that habit had passed as the more pressing demands of life set in. I lingered over the pages now, paused to take in every sentence. But even this newfound wonder at the simple act of reading could not stave off boredom, and soon, I retired for the night.
I would have slept well, had it not been for the rampant storm of noise outside. It was at first somewhat bearable, then quickly transcended into annoyance. Genuine displeasure followed soon after. Iy on my side, one ear pressed to the pillow, arm over my head. Every time the deluge seemed to abate, I would drift towards sleep, only for a sudden uproar to snap me back to wakefulness once more.
While at first dismissed, I soon resorted to stuffing my ears with fabric in vain attempt to help drown out some of the shrieks and howls. This merely took off the edge, but it was enough. After far too long, my eyes began to grow heavy and sleep came.
This too I was robbed of.
No sooner had I drifted off than screams pierced through the stuffing in my ears and went directly to my mind. I sat bolt upright, my own roar of frustration rattling the lodges insides. Through this all, the shrill screams continued unabated. Eyes red, I heaved myself from the bed, snatched the ymore, and kicked open my front door.
Something was about to die.
It took me several good moments to realize the shrieking did note from a physical source, but a skill.
The stone sentinels all throughout my crops shrieked in rm, their wails being fed directly to me. There were intruders on mynd. Thieves in the night. Lantern snatched from beside the door, I red into the darkness, de held at my side.
The moons dim light showed little as I stomped down the hill, my ears and nose instead working to find whatever dared disturb my rest. Shadowed shapes darted across the road, diving into the tall wheat. The pasture was filled with moos and stomping cows, and my nostrils picked up various strains of blood.
Another raid. Were the stonemongers back? The monsters I saw resembled the creatures I had once chased off. Only now they were bigger. I saw one take a kick to the chest and keep wing away,tched on to a taur-cow.
Larger. Meaner. More resilient. It wed and yed until it was rammed free and crushed beneath a mass of hooves.
More crawled through the crops. I could not see them, but their rotten scenty heavy in my nostrils. Sword raised, I parted the wheat before more and stalked towards them,ntern left behind. Its faint light would do little to help me in these shadows.
They evaded me. Wherever I trod, they melted away, slipping off to harass other parts of the farm. Gol was backed up near the old shed, teeth bared as he kept between the mutated monsters and Artyom. Blue light red from the treeline as a massive, growth-covered stag stepped from the trees. Its antlers gleamed with light as shimmering rays shot forth, looping high and crashing down into my crops.
Pale fire burst forth to incinerate all close to it, then vanished. With a roar, I turned my focus wholly to it, only for the beast to meld back into the trees. Faster than anything my size should have, I turned and mmed my de through a creature that had crept up on me.
It shrieked longer than anything that had just been speared through the chest should, then expired.
A slender, fox-like being darted past my feet, dragging the mercifully extinguishedntern. It was ended a few momentster as it foolishly drew near the briar of biter-pods and was snatched from the ground.
Just as quickly as the raid had begun, it was over. Creatures dispersed, slinking back into the forest, their dead left behind. I found myself in the midst of the fields, a single dead creature before me as the rest vanished.
I found mostly superficial damage around my farm. Bloodied cows, a broken door to the toolshed, missing items, battered fences. All things that could be fixed in the morning. I groaned, already imagining the setback. I would either bete for the second day of supervising potential farmhands, or have to leave the damage to be fixedter. But there was permanent, undoable damage. Gol and Artyom were alive and well, as were the cows. Anything else could be patched up, given time.
With a sour taste in my mouth, I returned to my lodge, batteredntern in hand. No sooner had I closed the door than the cacophony of howls and shrieks returned anew. Teeth gnashed and fabric stuffed in my ears once more, Iy down to rest, to salvage what little sleep I could.
It was not to be. I was yanked from a dream sometimeter, the shrill shrieks of my stone sentinels ringing through my ears once more.
More intruders.
Now, hatred burned within as I burst from the door, ready to kill.
There was something about disturbed sleep that did away with a mans morals.
They were back in numbers.
I didnt care.
I charged down the hill, ymore raised as scent guided me towards thergest congregation of intruders. They scattered once more, yet I remained in dogged pursuit, chasing down one after another. The de fell and more were rent into pieces.
More darted through the night, headed for the pasture or the shed. There was a thunk that shook that air as one ran into Veltons wards around the lodge and was violently rejected through the air. Quickly as it hade, the amassed force was gone once more.
There was an air of annoyance about me now as I once more checked the damage, such as what had been inflicted in short order. Again, mostly superficial things. I stared across the fields, and could have sworn I saw the outline of an overlyrge crow in the darkness, perched atop a distant tree. Although I could not hear it over the renewed cacophony, I could have sworn it wasughing.
A part of the pasture fence had been torn down as one of the creatures had seen fit to bash its body into it, and that was something that could not wait for morning. With a tired grunt, I set about to patching that up. I had scarcely finished when whispers from my sentinels told me there were more intruders.
They crept along the treeline, watching and waiting.
I glowered out at the formless darkness, ymore in hand and rage in my being. No distinct enemy revealed itself, and soon I retired to my lodge.
I slept little that night. They came again and again, soon devolving into doing nothing more than provoking a reaction from me. Shadowed masses would burst onto my farm, alert the sentinels, drag me from my rest and then flee back into the shadows. Morning found me outside, sat near the old house and shed,ntern in hand and ymoreid bare across my knees.
There were scant few corpses about, as I had managed to catch and y a handful of different beasts. There was no consistent pattern in their being. Some resembled stonemongers, others were base animals. Some, creatures I had not before seen. All seemed to work together to disrupt my life.
I poked at what I assumed was a stonemonger corpse. The rough shape seemed the same, but there was a single, ring w. The entire thing was overgrown with vines and crystal-like growths. Somewhat lucid, I yawned and poked at the buds that grew across the creatures skin.
They were familiar. I had seen them on several mossdeer before. Faint memory tickled the back of my mind. Something about a request to find and deliver these. But I could not hold the phantom, and it slipped away.
Ish looked me up and down some timeter, her expression worried.
I was going to ask if yah had heard the racketst night, but I see yer well acquainted. She winced.
I nodded in return and groaned.
Indeed.
She had little to say throughout my exnation of the raids and noise. Her expression shifted throughout, but in the end she simply nodded.
Well then, what say we attend to the damage before we head out? She gestured. Looks like its gonna be a long day for yah.
I contemted the fact that I could simply stay home and sleep, but quickly ruled against it. Others depended on me. If Ish were to show up and announce to everyone gathered in the fields that the day was off, I would lose potential workers. I would need to function in a tired state, but such was life.
It was sometimeter that we had the pasture fence boarded up and bloodied cows looked at. Ish assured me they were tough, hardy creatures that would heal on their own, yet I insisted. Infection and all that. It took more time than I would have wanted, but this too was done.
Gol and Artyom had gotten a simr amount of rest as myself. The felinid had hisrgerpanion loaded with tool-barrels by the time we returned from the fields, much to my relief.
With an aching back and a long day ahead, we set out. Followed all the way by the mockingughter of a massive crow.
B2-Chapter 8: Hostile Growth II.
B2-Chapter 8: Hostile Growth II.
I was nearly at the field when it dawned on me that leaving the farm might have, indeed, been a stupid idea. What if the creatures suddenly returned and the master was not home to defend his property? Instead of hurrying back, gued by worry, I pressed on and explored another potential solution.
Sean seemed unfazed as I stomped up to him, standing with a few otherds that seemed strapping enough for what I had in mind.
How would you like to be paid to stand around and practice your intimidation? I spoke with all the subtlety of a brick to the face.
nces being exchanged back and forth showed there was some immediate interest.
Enticing as that sounds, well need some more details. The human spoke cautiously. Several others voiced their agreement.
In brief summary, I exined my problem, exemplifying the need for speedy security around the farm in case of renewed interest from the various monsters. There was much less indecision then I expected. In hindsight, it should have been obvious that those with a farmhand background would be used to the constant presence of danger in thesends.
Once I had finished, I found myself with a mixed crowd of humans and beastfolk, all eager to take my coin in exchange for lounging around my farm and looking big. While that seemed splendid, there was the small matter that I did not yet wholly trust them. Ish shared these sentiments, standing further back and away from any of the eager volunteers.
Seems a bit foolish to just send strangers to the farm with no supervision. I agreed with her reasoning once we had separated from the rest. Thats why Im sending you.
This pleased her. What pleased her even more was me announcing to the gathered muscle that allmand would be deferred to Ish when I was not present. Might as well get them used to that early. I wiped sweat off my forehead and approached Sean once more. We had thankfully drifted towards the shade before any real work began, but even here the heat was scorching. The soil was mercifully cool, nt life and overgrowth working tobat the heat.
My offer. I take youve given it consideration? I grunted. I was tired, but even so I made the attempt at courtesy and civility.
Indeed. He nodded. And I find it most appealing. When do I start?
This was one thing that did lighten my load.
Right this instant, was his answer. With Ish headed back to the farmstead, I would need him to supervise a second team of workers here. Even with some of the bigger fellow and beastfolk leaving to be hired muscle, this field would be cleared by days end and ready to be seeded, I reckoned. In the meantime, I could continue my watchful gaze to determine who made the hire and who got cut.
Zheli, the would-be cook, I found and sent along with Ish. Instead of bringing all the necessary tools out to the fields, I had done the obvious and instead sent her to them. The sensible thing to do, in my reckoning.
I was, in fact, tired. Aware enough to know I was not paying as much attention to detail as the day before. Yet not inspired to do anything about it.
It beggared the question: Who or what had I disturbed now? Something, someone was displeased with me.
On some level, I had expected this. The newfound attention being gifted to me would not all be positive. Far from it. This might not have been something I ounted for, but apart to it I would. The Gods Above loved to feed their subjects constant adversity, I had found. This was simply another obstacle to ovee.
For now, I shifted my attention back to the workers. The potential hirelings I would soon trust to help me grow the farm to new heights. Now that he was fully hired, Sean took on the role with gusto to spare. He was in a constant flow of orders issued and taskspleted. The field was cleared before my eyes, even as myck of sleep made the hours drag on.
Particr attention was paid to the swarthy human who I had rejected yesterday. He had chosen to return and try again, yet I was distinctly unimpressed by his performance. Several times, I caught him watching me, only for his eyes to quickly avert.
I was being followed, even here. Not by mortal men, but animals. The dull brown crow sat perched atop a tree on the fields opposite side, staring at me. This creature was linked to whatever had happenedst night. I had seen it everywhere in recent memory, constantly following me around. Watching andughing.
Whatever it wanted, I would not give it the satisfaction of getting under my skin.
Sitting became unbearable as time flowed along. With a tired grunt, I heaved myself up and strode over to help and examine workers firsthand. Spines stiffened and emotions grew nervous as I drew near most of them. It was an ufortable truth that I scared these people simply by virtue of my race, and there was little I could do to immediatly remedy that.
Still, I found more respect in those that showed fear and chose to work through it than those who didnt experience it.
My hands made the work light as I hauled away boulders and helped break up the soil. Before the sun had struck noon, this field was cleared, and I stood to assess those I would hire. I did not know every one of these people individually, and would not unless they made the effort to stand out.
Coin pouch in hand, I counted out the payment. Most people here had passed what I required of helpers. Though I did not know them or trust them, they had proven to be capable of working under supervision. Of particr interest was anky, almost scrawny beastman with a blend of human and canine features. He exuded an aura of calm, a manifestation that seemed to still the nerves of those around him.
Gold in hand, I beckoned him forward and watched his awkward movements.
Would you possess any noteworthy skills that might be of use to me? I asked, blunt and up-front.
Tash. He introduced himself. I took his hand after a moment and gave it a firm shake. Im an Handler.
Of animals and the like? I presumed.
Mostly, yes.
My mind immediately turned to an entire pasture of grumpy, gassy taur-cows that I would be happy to not deal with again.
I have a specific job in mind for you, should you be willing. One that would propel you along in your ss and pay you decent gold. More than a field hands wage, should you ept. If youd like to stick around and follow me back to the farm in a bit, I can show you your duties.
He nodded, shook my hand again and stepped away, well-earned coin in hand. My mind only half-paid attention to the next few field hands I offered manualbour to and instead explored the possibility of expanding into a proper ranching setup. With someone who could take care of animals full-time, I might instead be able to step away and focus on other things.
You got a position for me, boss?
I refocused on the brawny human once more. The man I had dismissed yesterday.
You had another chance to prove me wrong today, I spoke as his eyes traced between me and the coin I counted out in my hand. Much as I would have liked that, I saw no improvement. And I have no need for ckers.
His eyes tensed as I spoke, and things suddenly exploded. The human surged forward and yanked the coin-purse from my loose hands. Between my tiredness and his sudden speed, I caught only empty air as a bellow tore itself from my throat.
Thief! I roared as he streaked towards the road, propelled by Skills. He moved faster than any human I had ever seen. The demi-human that appeared and viciously kicked his legs out from under the runner proved it was not fast enough. Coins spilled into the dirt as the human sprawled and the tall, bovine beastman mmed his weight down atop the man.
More swarmed around, keeping him down as I stomped up, fully awake and alert.
My blood boiled as the sight of the man who had just tried to steal from me. A thief, and even worse, a fool. His arms iled as they were seized on either side and he was hauled up.
We have a good sturdy rope and our right pick of trees. The demi-human who had caught him suggested. String him up and be done with it.
I ignored the mans pleas and looked around, seeing that was indeed true. There was very little pity for this fellow among the crowd, even from his fellow city-folk. Nobody liked a thief, and fewer liked a fool. I could have this man hanged right here and now and be well within my rights, both morally andwfully. This was my property, and he had tried to make off with my goods.
Therell be no mob justice today. I rumbled after a while. Tie him well and take him to Hullbretch.
You. I pointed to a young, nervousd. A farmboy, by the cut of clothes and rough hands. Run to the farm, exin what happened to the orc girl and fetch the wagon and horses. Can you do that?
I can ride. He nodded.
Off you go, then. He bolted across the field.
Theyll take my hand! The man sobbed, kneeling and held in ce by tworge beastmen.
Then you should have entertained that thought before you did a fool thing like this. I snapped back. Or would you rather end your days swinging from a tree?
I snarled the words, no pity for the fool found in my heart.
You. I pointed a finger at the man who had tripped him up. He could pass for a human, I thought, if it werent for the ivory horns and dense, ck hair that covered his exposed forearms. You have my thanks.
Can your thanks be made to equal a job? The man saw an opportunity and seized it. Given your name and your intentions to grow, this will not be the first time such a thing happens. I will be of service in the future, I wager.
Bold. But he was not wrong.
Pursuer. He answered with a flourishing bow that looked strange on a man of his bulk. A variant of Manhunter that speciliazes in capturingwbreakers.
One would think, with such a ss, you would have plentiful work in the cities. I mentioned, arms folded.
They..disliked my methods.
I do not. You are hired. I received a firm handshake and a name from the man. Magrin.
It was then that I realized something. While I siphoned through these people based on their work, I knew none of their sses. And with such a varied selection, I was a fool not to have considered that. I turned away from the restrained thief and towards the gathered throng of people who hade to offer me their services.
If anyone gathered here has a ss or Skills they feel would lend itself well to my farm, I invite you to step forward and make your case. One and all are wee. i rumbled.
And just like that, the dam was broken. I soon found myself seated once more, interviewing person after person as I pored over the details of their sses and skills. Ish came, collected the thief, showed Magrin and thed the cart, then headed back to the farm once the duo departed, bound thief in tow.
It was nearly evening once I rose, and exhaustive list of potential in my mind. I felt like an idiot for not having looked into this sooner, yet the experience made me all the wiser. Promises to return tomorrow secured and a select few individuals in tow, I set off for the farm. I had gone from dreading this to almost gleeful anticipation within the span of a few hours.
Good.
B2-Chapter 9: Hospitality.
B2-Chapter 9: Hospitality.
There was a palpable disappointment once I had returned to the farm. It was irrational, I knew. The toughs I had hired to keep the hostile wildlife away lounged around various parts of the farm. Armed and alert, in most cases. Some part of me had hoped for some action, that I would see evidence of beasts sessfully driven off.
Another knew that I paid these men and women to keep things boring. Boredom meant a drought in unwee surprises. Stability. Untorn crops and unburnt sheds. My coin ensured this. Not entirely, perhaps, but to a safe degree.
There was just one thing, however.
There seem to be a few less than what you started out with. I mentioned as Ish wandered over.
Yeah, well, one idjit stuck his hand in the biter patch while I was away. She frowned. They took em to the Dawns camp fer patchin up.
There was a nod of sympathy from her as a wince crossed my expression. First day on the job and already mangled. Poor guy was really off to a great start.
Did they..?
Get the hand back? She grunted. Yeah. Might be able to get it back on if that cleric is still there.
Seems your farm is more dangerous than the creatures you want it warded from. A dry voice sounded behind us. One of the people I had hired. It took me a moment to remember his name was Tash. Even then, his face stood out sooner. This man was a drow, with light purple skin, pointed ears and pale hair. A rxed aura followed the man around, even as the other eyed him with distrust.
Theres a healthy mix all around, I assured him. You should see in a few moments.
Unless my memory hadpletely and wholly failed in thest hour, Tash possessed a very specific ss and role that I had need of.
Ish, if you could show everyone around? I gently gestured the few who journeyed alongside me after her. With a nod and a groan, thess straightened her spine and led most of the people away. Save for Tash, who I guided in a different direction.
For you, I have a challenge. I informed the man, my face straight so as not to reveal the glee beneath. All truth aside, this was a task I wanted someone else to take over. Yet the months of frustration it had brought me were almost spiteful in nature as I now foisted it upon someone else.
Somewhat oblivious to exactly what this entailed, the drow leaned against a fencepost and stared into the pasture.
Those things? he drawled, eyes pped firmly on the taur-cows.
Those things. Came the confirmation.
The man was, if he had spoken the truth to me, a Handler. One that specialized in controlling animals. If he had lied to me, well, Id soon find out.
They require milking. Was all I said, leaving out that this was only the case because I had forgotten to do so this morning, in my rush to leave. I debated whether to tell him they might be extra ornery fromst night. In the end, my kindness won out. Much as spitepelled me to pass my pain unto another, I did not want to see my potential recement injured merely for a moment of satisfaction.
Might be a bit riled up from a beast attackst night. I noted. A bitte as the fellow hopped the fence in a single, fluid motion and began to make his way through the dung-covered grass. For my part, I was content to lean against a post and watch.
His pace slowed considerably as the herd drew close. Lowered heads and pawing hooves signaled warnings. Which he heeded, it seemed. The drows form dropped to a rxed stance, hands out as he moved slowly towards a cow separated from the herd. Slow, cautious movements brought him close to the massive beast. There was almost envy within me as the animal didnt immediately try to gore him.
It stood tense as he began to brush its fur, talking in a soothing tone, albeit in anguage I did not understand. The taur-cow did not magically seem to grow rxed before my eyes, but tolerated his presence. A lot more than I could say for how it regarded mine. I gazed on as he moved from cow to cow, always in slow, rxed movements. An abnormallyrge, aggressive specimen I had named simple Littlehorn was having none of it.
The drow flowed aside as the taur-cow swung her head to strike him. Its body bucked, quick as you please and rammed the man aside. He stumbled back, regained his footing, and stepped aside as the would-be beast did her beast to trample him.
All the while, I watched, my arms folded. For all his dodging and scrambling movements, the drow seemed rxed. Confident, even. Littlehorn tired first. She stood, panting and mooing as Tash chose to move on without giving her the same treatment as the others. Wise. Simply because she was tired did not mean she wouldntsh out again. The man understood that, it seemed.
A whistle beckoned him back towards me. Whilst I would have liked to see him work his magic on these spiteful, obnoxious creatures more, other matters awaited me. It took a few moments to show him the shed where the pails, jars and chillvines were stored, cramped in among the tools. He followed my quick instructions, then grabbed a stool, some pails and headed for the pasture once more.
Next up was a squat human woman whom I was convinced had dwarf blood in her through build alone. Lidya, if I remembered correctly. A Field Carpenter, although that was subss to her main Farmhand profession.
Pleasantries were exchanged, although I found she had little patience for them.
I wanted several buildings erected, and she seemed the woman to head this project. A barn next to the pasture was at the forefront of my needs. Somewhere secure to keep my animals throughout the night. For now, the taur-cows could survive on their own, but I did want more, smaller creatures such as the universally preyed-upon chicken. Pigs, even.
We discussed that, and came to the conclusion this would require an exorbitant amount of wood. I groaned, already imagining the sheer amount of trips to Hullbretch it would take to source this. Lidya nned otherwise.
Give me several decent woodsman, someds who dont mind sawing all day, two saw-pits near the forests edge, some strong backs and well have it sooner rather thanter. She gestured to particr spots with a thick finger. More than ever, I was convinced she was more dwarf than human. We stockpile it, then begin to shape it for the barn. Once thats finished, we can begin erecting it.
Thats going to be arge job with specifications you described. She continued. Gonna chew through a lot of time. Ill need a crew of fellows with nothing to do and lots of willingness to pull very long days.
Im sure of the fellows here are up to the task.
She stared down the hill we were on with a critical eye and snorted.
No offense, but these warm-bloods arent going to keep the back-breaker pace I want.
A wave cut her off as I sighed, tired and fading as the day drew to a close.
As long as if gets finished, you dont need to squeeze everyst drop of sweat out of them and break them. I am not a harsh master or somesuch.
Noted. But Id prefer a crew that can stay on-site, work all day, sleep and immediately get back to the job.
Which entails?
Wed construct a dormitory and bunks for them to sleep somewhere off, out of the way. For as long as the job takes, we live there. Nuthin but work and sleep.
There were several issues with this.
Where, though? I looked around. There was not exactly an ample supply of freely avablend here. Especially given what more I wanted built.
You ownnd not far from here? She shrugged.
I did. Down the road towards Hullbretch. No more than a quick walk. A field that belonged to a now-gone farmer whosnd I had purchased.
Then we set up there. Dormitory, bunks and mayhap a kitchen. Though Ill ask that its strictly for the loggers.
I chewed over her request, but eventually saw no reason not to grant it. They would be close at hand, but not on the farm itself. It made sense, in every way.
If youll allow me, I can bring a few workers with experience. The sort who are used to this, should I not find enough willing hands here.
This too I debated for a moment, but granted it to her. The men and women I had hired here hade for farmwork, not logging and carpentry.
Ill take stock of them, and trust you to keep an eye on their work. I pay fairly for a good days work, but have little use for ckers.
Sheughed at that and assured me that she had none either. With that done, Lidya departed with a promise to return bright and early tomorrow. She declined my offer of supper, being one of those who brought their own food. A long road awaited her, and I did not keep her any longer.
One of the preparations Ish and I had made was to procure a map of the area and mark all mynd. Late evening found me poring over this with Sean, giving instructions to the human as to where I wantednd cleared next. Another group was split from his clearers to begin seeding the acres we had just cleared today.
I would need someone to be the foreman of that effort. I myself would, but there were more tasks that demanded my attention and supervision. So, on a rickety table set in the grass, I found myself leaning over the map, too-big fingers jabbing at different spots and giving exnations.
Clear out the Haizen quarter-sections. I found using the previous owner''s names stuck with people the best, giving each field a solid reference. Almost a personality of its own that workers would easily remember. Its a decentlyrge section, but only been abandoned for a year or two now. Move down the hills there to where the house is. Dont bother with the slope itself. Too steep for seeding. Might use that piece for pasture.
You have a team to plow the Langills? He asked, referencing thend we had finished breaking up today.
I did not, and had forgotten about that. My eyes moved to the pastures as I considered using taur-cows to break up thend so I would not have to pull a plow myself. I would need to talk with Tash about that, but I was not holding out hope. The beasts were simply too vicious, too ornery for most ordinary folk to handle.
I needed regr oxen.
The couple I had helped with milk had a team in their fields, I recalled. While their names had vacated my tired mind, that fact did not. I would send Ish over in the morning and ask about acquiring them.
Grubs ready! Came the booming voice, followed by the ngs of adle striking metal. The universal signal that food was served. For once, I did not have to put up with my own cooking. Workers flocked around Zheli, chaotic at first, then ushered into a line. I too found myself waiting my turn, bowl in hand.
Hunger was an excellent cook, I found. I was seated not long after, devouring supper as I discussed ns and payment with Sean and Ish. I would need to head out and survey several propertiese morning, so I entrusted Ish to keep the farm moving in my absence.
The young orc seemed almost excited for this. Herrgest taste of responsibility and control yet. She might even have an appetite for it, I guessed.
I was asleep moments after my head touched the pillow a few hourster, and there was nothing in this world that could wake me.
B2-Chapter 10: Landship.
B2-Chapter 10: Landship.
Perhaps the best sleep I had ever enjoyed ended with a rap on my door. I woke, eyes bleary and mood surly as a pleasant dream I could not remember was cut short. Whoever woke me better have had a good reason to do so.
Zheli was the culprit, I found.
Mornin. She bustled in with a smile. Need food from the cer.
I groaned, remembered this was what I had hired her for and opened the door wide. Lidya was getting an order to build a proper food storage bumped to the top of her list. Aside from the dark-haired cook, there was little activity about the farmyard. Tash had declined a bunk in the storage house with Artyom and instead opted to sleep in the haystack near the pasture.
Gol may have factored into that. Ish had given instructions to treat him with caution, but the cantankerous beast followed Artyom closely. Anyone that got too close to the felinid received a warning of bared fangs. Most did not press closer. Gol might have epted myself and Ish, but he was still very much a wild monster, I had to remind myself.
And I did not have a solution to that as of now. With that in mind, I approached Artyom. While he looked excited, I could smell the nervousness on him. Indecision, a touch of fear. He was nervous around so many people. Not entirely unwarranted.
Mornin I greeted him with a smile. Or my best imitation of one. I need you and Gol for some work.
Yes-yes? He perked up, tone hopeful. I exined that I needed seed delivered to the Langills section that had been cleared yesterday. There remained a few bags inside the storage shed. Ish had assured me they had not gone bad, and I wanted them there for seeding to start as soon as those oxen were brought.
Ill need you to stay there and watch them until the plow gets there, I could almost feel the palpable relief that entered Artyoms body as I spoke that sentence. It all but flooded his scent as he excitedly promised me it was no trouble at all. The felinid really didnt like being around other people. I left the duo to sort that out and went to wake my resident drow.
Tash stirred awake as I kicked the pile of hay, one handzily raised to bid me good morning.
Such early? He yawned and blinked at the sky. You are a cruel master. I approve.
I was not sure how I felt about the smugness in thatst sentence, but chose to ignore it. I needed to be done with some chores before Ish came, and he was the one to do them.
They are intimidating, yes. He gestured at the taur-cows over a cup of brew I offered. Hard-headed and temperamental. But I will yoke them, eventually. Such things need time.
Time is well and good, but I need milk.
Healing milk would be my standout, my secret, I had decided. It was something I realized no one else could replicate. Something that could make me invaluable, should I be -and stay- the lone supplier around. And for that, I needed cooperative cows, if only so I did not have to keep wasting my Skills freezing them in ce to drain them. As it stood, Tash was my best solution to this.
There was also the very slightplication that the next harvest was days away. The immense fortune that hadnded squarely in myp had rocketed the growth of my crops to unprecedented levels. The monster-nts in particr were overgrown now as no one had approached them save for ish feeding various specimens.
I wanted those nts separated and transnted into a contained space for growth, but that was a future project. For now, the order to steer clear from any and all monster-nts was firmly imnted in every worker here. The fool who had lost his hand yesterday stayed the exception, not the rule.
Ish found me soon after as I hunched over the vegetable patch, pots to one side and spade in hand.
How does being trusted with responsibilities taste? I inquired as she helped me edge out dirt around one of the cleric-shine blooms.
Awesome. Cant wait for more. She grunted and slowly listed the mass of dirt and roots from the ground.
She wasnt lying, even as she hid it under a grumpy tone. I should have done this sooner, but here we were, moving my precious source of healing prowess inside. How it had survived the past month was perhaps a miracle, but I was taking no chances with its safety. A pot of loamy soil and transnted bloom in each hand, I hastily hurried them inside. Ish understood who, even as I had forgotten their names, and promised to be back with the oxen by noon.
She hurried off, first to change the shift of toughs I had left in the fields. It had been her who suggested alternating shiftsst night, and I had left its implementation to her. Still, the presence of so many guards had prevented another nighttime raid.
With sufficient sleep under my belt, I was a much happier man. With that in mind, I left the farm and headed up the mountain to survey some property I had acquired. Thend had been a package deal from buying out another farmer, but I had not yet seen it myself. Map in hand and somewhat solid idea of where my destinationy, I set off toward the rising sun.
Was going to be a scorcher, I knew. This early in the morning, and heat already roasted down, coupled with thick humidity. I had a waterskin at one side and weapon at the other. I expected danger from this area, and while I often hoped to be wrong, I never relied on such.
The first property was not far from my farm. I followed a split in the trail and came to hilly area. Overgrown, abandoned and long-neglected. Trees grew in had once been arge pasture, a massive trunk and ancient tree off to one side.
It would take significant effort to convert this into a field, I thought with a frown. Brush would have to be stripped away, trees hewn down, the smallke filled in. The massive trunk would take an obnoxiously long time to get rid of.
Or perhaps I did not have to. A sudden moment or rity struck me. I had wanted an actual pasture and ranching section for the taur-cows. Why not move them here? This way, I could dedicated Tash and some farmhands to a full-time operation. Perhaps introduce a few bulls to grow the herd. It would need work, of course.
Fences around the entire perimeter, to separate the field and forest. A camp for the farmhands assigned to this job to stay in. I gauged the distance between this ce and the farm, and found it unsatisfactory. I would need to move supplies here if my intent was to have all the milk produced and stored here.
This could be arranged. I nodded, liking the idea the more I pondered it. It was good, yes. With that in mind, I set back towards the main road and further up the mountain. It was sometimeter that i discovered a visitor behind me.
The crow followed me from a distance, content to trail me at its leisure. I red at the mocking,ughing thing and decided it would get no attention from me. Whatever its purpose was, it seemed to be close at hand whenever I was frustrated. Or perhaps its presence induced that frustration.
I considered, briefly, using Cloven Crash to knock it from the sky and getting rid of it.
My hand was stayed after I caught myself and realized that annoyance was no cause for bloodshed. I was better than that.
The next few properties were in various stages of overgrowth. Obviously abandoned, but fixable through back-breakingbor and dedication only coin could inspire. I now possessed the ability to make both happen. Sweat running down my neck and waterskin almost empty, I set off back home.
A patrol greeted me on the road, but aside from a few nods and wary looks, they rode on. I coughed at the dust they left behind but strode on, thest of my water emptied to wet my throat.
The farm practically bustled when I returned. Crews of workers hammered down fences, Sean directing them as per my instructions. Preparations were underway to begin harvest, storage spaces being prepared. The vegetable patches had been fenced off, I found.
But first, I stopped a youth that struggled towards the fields edge, stone in hand.
S-sean told us to clear the rockpiles from the field, Mister Garek. I managed to get an exnation from him after a bit of nervous stammering. Directions to move it elsewhere given, I headed off to track down my over-eager foreman.
Seemed like the logical thing to do. The human frowned at me after I brought up the subject. I sighed, pinched the bridge of my nose between two t fingers, and waited before I spoke.
There are certain things about my farm that may not make sense. But I require you to trust my decisions, and clear anything with me first. Am I understood? I bit blunt, but I would rather he be cautious than overeager. While, yes, clearing rockpiles from fields seemed like the logical thing to do, it was not, in this case. The sentinels had been disturbed by the rocks movements and would take some time to reform.
That aside, everything seems to be in order. imented after a moment of awkward silence.
Yah. Theres a crew breaking upnd at the Nielsin property,and your orc girl took the oxen down to Langills to start plowing. I have another crew working at Mush Creek to rip out the dam there and get something flowing. he frowned. The cropnd theres still fresh, old couple there just didnt have the gumption to remove the dam and get water to their crops.
Exins why they sold it for so cheap. I remarked, already knowing full well but just repeating the information.
Aye.
With that, I left him with further instructions and set off to check in on the loggers.
Lidyas crew was nothing if not efficient. I recognized none of them, as she had promised to supply her own workers. But their work spoke for itself. Multiple saw pits were already dug, thick logs ced over them and notched so trees could bein into the groves lengthwise and split with a pitsaw. One man worked inside the pit, another up top as the saw frame they rowed back and forth cleanly split logs down the middle.
As I watched, a log was finished, and with a yell, its halves kicked off to either side. The man inside the pit heaved himself out, covered in wood dust, sweat, and dirt. Another log was loaded into the notched cradle, and back into the pit the first man went.
Two moreds grabbed the split halves and hauled them towards a construction site where the foundations of a dormitory had very much taken shape. A tree crashed out of the woods, predated only heartbeats by a bellow of Timber! This too was dragged to the saw pits and heaved onto a pile to await being split.
It was back-breaking work. Hard, fast-paced, and demanding of all the endurance a man had.
I was all too happy that it did not require me. Coin could buy a man many things, and this was one of them. And I would be a fool not to partake.
Good wood. Lidya remarked as she strolled over, dusting off her hands. I could only vaguely make out what she said over the pounding of hammers and the constant rasping drones of saws being worked.
Good work. I nodded.
Aughing caw sheered through the air, and my insides dropped. Something was about to happen, and nothing that I would be fond of.
Something turned out to be a carriage being pulled up the road by a team of exhausted horses that struggled to tow a massive steel box behind them.
Gods Above, what now? I groaned as a rider galloped towards me. Whatever this was, I had little desire for it.
B2-Chapter 11: Lordship.
B2-Chapter 11: Lordship.
There was a t disregard in mind as we watched the carriage stop, its retinue of riders kicking up dust as they followed suit. No banner dered their allegiance, nor was their a crier that galloped up to announce who was who. Instead, the door practically burst open and a thin, mustachiod human burst out, wincing at the bright sunlight.
Dressed in colourful, garish clothes, he hopped through the soil in pointed ck shoes. Averse to dirt as he was, the man was left little choice but to ept that in one way or another, he was getting them dusty. A second figure followed him out, this time a woman. I could not tell much more from this distance, only that she wore dark colours and much more utilitarian clothes than her counterpart.
Dark grey seemed her colour of choice, contrasted by the bright reds of the man who now looked around, hand up to shield his eyes from the sun. The woman had no such issues, a servant to either side of her hastily unfolding a canopy above her head.
Lidya looked between the unfolding procession and me, unsure how to proceed.
Should I tell theds to stop workin? She finally asked over the drone of saws and methodical hammerblows. Nobility dont much like bein ignored and all that.
No need. I reassured her. Youre on mynd and my payroll. Should they have aint, theyre wee to take it up with me.
Dont rightly pay to anger the wealthy, but youre one of em, and its yer coin in my hand, not theirs. She concluded as a rider approached. A broad, armored man rode atop a skittish charger, the animal stepping nervously in ce as the rider halted before us. Scent preceded the figure, the stench of emotions heavy before the mans visor was even lifted.
Anger, hatred, contempt and disdain roiled from the man in a singlebined stench that only I and his horse picked up on. The visor on his helm was tipped up to reveal a in, unassuming face beneath.
Pardon my asking, but might either of you fine folk know where the master of thesends resides?
The tone did not match the scent, I found. It was polite and measured, even friendly. His lips twitched into a sympathetic smile as he spoke, almost as if he seemed reluctant to intrude and interfere. The man was inly human, both in feature and race, but there was something..off. His face shape was narrow, almost simr to Tash.
Heard hesing by to supervise the jobsite. I returned. With that information, the man thanked me and yanked his horse about to gallop away.
Well, Ill leave you be and let you sort all this out. Lidya excused herself and hurried away as the sudden guests began to draw near. I did not fault her. She had her goals, and mingling with the rich was not among them, it seemed. The shorter woman hurried away, barking orders as her crew stopped to watch. The sounds of construction resumed before the congregation had drawn near to me.
For my part, I stood with an unrolled n in hand, showing the dimensions and cement of the bunkhouse,trine and several smaller buildings for tool storage and the like. Expression impassive, I towered over the humans that stopped a fair distance from me and gazed around.
Announcing the presence of Lord Jamel-Ramsey-Pratt of House Ramsey-Pratt, Lord of the Murkdeep Keep, the ck Hills and all beyond. Son of the yer of Thmes and rightful imant of the Spear of Thale!
A squire stepped forward, sucked in breath and bellowed out this stream of titles. Magnified, the young mans voice rang over the drone of saws and ring of hammers, clear and crisp. I rolled up the map into one hand and looked on as he continued.
And his fair wife, Lady Ramsey-Pratt of House Ramsey-Pratt, Lady of the Murkdeep Keep, maiden of the Moonlit Meadows and The Red Rock, daughter of Stonewarden and Shipmaster Kylios!
Impressive titles. They meant nothing to me.
What do I owe this pleasure? More out of nicety than any desire to make their acquaintance.
Im told you know where Farmer Garek resides? The Lord Jamel spoke, chipper and enthusiastic as his head swiveled from side to side.
Indeed I do. And the nature of your inquiry?
He seemed more incredulous that I would persist in questioning him rather than that a minotaur could string together coherent sentences. His retinue stood silently, all eyes fixed on me as the man spluttered.
I have business of a most important nature with him. He sniffed. If you could perhaps point us in his direction?
Or better yet, beckon him to our carriages. His wife spoke, decidedly disinterested in all this, both in tone and scent. The mounted knights smell beside her red with disdain and disgust at her words even as his face remained in an easy smile.
I nodded along to the mans request, map held in my fist like a small piece of paper. Silence stretched on for a moment, just enough for annoyance to enter the mans smell.
You stand before him now.
There was disbelief and annoyance on them. More in their scent than upon their features as they regarded me.
I am Farmer Garek. This was repeated after a short pause, and with that I fell silent. There was no world in which they had expected this, but their expectations were not of my concern. Might I inquire the nature of your business with me?
Surely, a jest? The Lady asked her husband, bored look back upon her features.
Is this some sort of jape at my expense? Does your master think it humorous to greet one of my station with a brute like you? Lord Jamal barked. His mounted knight frowned in disapproval andid a hand on the hilt of hisnce, but his scent carried amusement. Merriment, even. All was not as it seemed with this man. That something like you could even jest to be worth my time? Go and fetch your master, now!
Careful, human. I rumbled, towering over the gathered crowd. I had had enough of insults towards my stature and intelligence by strangers. You trespass on mynd without invitation, here by my hospitality.
A veiled threat. One I was certainly able to fulfill. The mans armed retainers bristled, but they were human, and I a minotaur. There was a terse silence now as the sun roasted down. I had forgotten how quickly, how easily the honor of these self-important nobles was to offend. Perhaps I had been spoiled, dealing with an ice-cold pragmatist such as Ironmoor. The baron was a vicious man, but he had a mind for treachery and kept his violence restrained.
So far, at least.
You dare issue a threat against my person?
And just like that, and wish I had to meet with and potentially deal with this man were gone. Irrational people were far from those I preferred to deal with. Much as I strove to be a kind, gentle soul, I could admit to my limits. We had very nearly reached them.
I was done babying the feelings of some spoiled, rich noble who wanted his every whim and want catered to.
I issue a promise. I replied, voice cold. You are a man, held aloft by gold and fortune. I stand here by virtue of snuffing the life from a god. We are not the same.
I was Godtouched. Blessed with their interest. Twas time I started to act like it. These people and their petty posturing, their squabbling for intangible crumbs of power were beneath me. Through action alone, I had already risen so much further in life than any of these pampered humans ever would.
They deserved to know it.
Fear. Hesitation. Realization and confusion crossed beneath their features now. All save for one who sat upon his steed, face thunderous but scent smug. Ser Tollish smiled inwardly as his liege squirmed. A procession of nobility in fine garb, covered in dust and dirt in some farmers field beneath the baking sun. Unsure of what to say.
I will ask again: What business do you have with me?
My tone carried none of its prior warmth. I had stood slightly hunched before, my posture rxed to be threatening. Now, I straightened fully, a giant among these men. Nothing came, and after a moment, I was done with this wait. With a snort of disgust, I turned and strode away. Worse than rejecting their proposals, I had shown they were not worth my time.
Lidya eyed me carefully as I strode up, only for me to nod curtly and tell her to keep up the work. Once her crew was finished here, I expected them to start at the farm immediately.
Twas to my temperament that I had not even noticed the adrenaline had coursed through me until I was nearly back to my farm. There was an anger in me, one fed by years of memories from the former Garek. And today, I had acted on it outsidebat. This stopped me for a moment. Bloodshed had been how I channeled pent-up rage until now.
My mind equated myself bing angry with things dying. Now, it boiled outside that.
I was unsure how this made me feel. Cautious, mostly.
Fields were being reaped as I returned, the very first touch of another harvest set to begin. Blessed was my ss that it allowed several per year, I mused. People moved to and fro, prepping ces for the grain to be threshed and then sorted. This satisfied me. Tash directed several men to build what I recognized as a cattle chute. A space designed to keep livestock restrained with gentle pressure. Simple, but effective.
While unexpected, I had given him permission to go ahead and do whatever he felt needed to be done. If it kept the taur-cows in check without the need for Cloven Crash, I was all for it.
I dont know how or why youve been milkin em out in the pasture every day. The drow drawled as I approached. Figured this would be much better for everyone.
I did truly want to p myself, right then and there. I had been aware these existed all this time. While not overtly familiar with them, I had seen them used before, albeit in a previous life. They had simply not crossed my mind. My previous life had not been spent preparing for another and soaking up every bit of information possible.
Indeed. I agreed. The man eyed me warily. He could see something off, I realized.
Little run-in with some unwee folks down by the loggers camp. I sighed. There was no request for further exnation and little enthusiasm from me to give it. I moved on, headed over to check on the rest oof the farm.
There was amotion on the fields far end. I recognized it as where the acid nts were fenced off, and my stride broke into a half-run as I approached. Ish stood over a frightened youth.
Dont ever go near this without metal covering you. Do. yah. Understand?
Thedy on his back, and angry orc towering over him. Ish looked furious, covered in her guardte and armor. Thed had hardened leather on, save for his gloves. Thosey nearby, eaten through and smoking.
Look at this! Ish snarled, her arms held out. Her steel gauntlets were pockmarked, stains from where the acid had rusted and melted the metal. When I say you need armor, I fecking mean every word, ya daft prick! Not yer daddys swamp-fishin gloves!
Im trying to teach this..ungrh! Thess bit back a curse as I came into view. Why dont you idiots ever listen?
Someone had gotten orders from her, thought they knew better, and now experienced her full wrath. The natural cycle of enraging an orc, I guessed.
B2 Chapter 12: Foolishness.
B2 Chapter 12: Foolishness.
Despite obvious appearances, Ish continued to insist that she was not furious. The panicked youth quaked on the ground, seated in the dirt and quivering at the fumingss above him.
Im not angry, Garek. Just annoyed. She insisted, breath heavy and rage boiling under her attempt at a calm demeanor. Annoyed that someone thinks they can do this better than me. Downys the fekin risks after I inly tell them its dangerous.
Nods of understanding came from me as I patiently waited for a full exnation. Ish was, despite her attempts at calm, bothered. Her proverbial skin had been gotten under. For all she had done, I knew the past month had been difficult for her, and I truly did empathize. Lerish had disappeared without a trace, and any fool with two withs of understanding could see it had hurt her.
A full recount might help me better understand the situation. I rumbled once she had finished expressing her frustration.
One hand held up and quick grunt told the youth on the ground to stay put, not slink off. If I was to remedy this, now and in the future, I needed the full story.
We talked bout this. The orc began, hands on her hips. Youd give me leeway to train a few volunteers teh help with harvestin materials.
I nodded, having recalled the extensive conversation several days ago.
Acid pitchers. Dangerous, but simple. Flesh-meltin liquid. Unhealthy, but not unpredictable. Most stable nt to start with.
Again, I agreed. She red at the youth between every pause. He quaked under her gaze.
I exined the risk. I showed how to do it. I asked; Do. You. Have Protection. She held up one steel-d arm and mmed another gauntleted finger into its side with every word, point driven home. When I heard: Yes miss Ish, my pas house has some, its just a fast run from here. I expected hed bring back metal and talk to me first before tryin to harvest flesh-eatin acid.
Aside from actualbat, I had never seen thess exhibit this level of aggression. And I did understand. Should someone be hurt on the job this early, tales would spread. From there, it would be an uphill battle to restore the farms reputation. And I had little need of a ckened reputation before I even had a chance to construct one that was positive.
As it were, several workers had already stopped to watch us. A quick shout got them back to work, and arms folded, I turned back to the two.
Now, Im down by the biters. Ish indicated the spot further down the road where the vine-nest was overflowing from its limits. Got a bucket of spores fresh-harvested. Bout to head into the patch and start cuttin pods. I look back and this chucklefuck is wrist-deep in the pitcher, tryna pry its entire guts out instead of gently tippin'' it like I told him to.
I got over here fast as I could, had to rip him out of the nt before it unloaded a burst into his face, and then had to fight to rip his gloves off before they got eaten through.
This had urred while I was supervising Tash on the farms opposite end. With my back turned, I had not seen the youth arrive from wherever he had lived. My first indication of this had been Ishs yell. Even as I was this farms master, I could not be ever-vignt. Such things happened.
But they could be prevented.
And you, boy. I rumbled down at him. Your name.
Din, mister Garek. He mumbled after a moment, eyes turned away from my re.
You nearly lost both of your hands today, Din. I told him without pity. You volunteered for a dangerous job. Had the dangers exined to you and chose to be sloppy in spite of the warnings you got.
Let it be known that I am a fair master. Before I make a decision, I will hear your side of this.
His side turned out to be uninspired. He admitted to not fully paying attention during the instructions, and too proud to ask for help and potentially disappoint Ish, he tried to simply make do and improvise. Sorely tempted as I was to let him go then and there for his foolishness, I had need of all the workers I could find.
You will retain your job. I announced after a moment to pause and make a decision. On the fields, and there only. That is where you will stay. It seems you cannot be trusted with tasks that require trust, and as such, will never be called to do them again.
He looked more relieved than disappointed at those words. Some folks were simply not cut from that cloth, content with what they got and unable to advance meaningfully. A harsh reality.
Go. Imanded. Take a scythe and help the harvest, at least.
Ish watched him hurry away with a re, her arms folded.
It was enough. She begrudgingly admitted. Fitting punishment, I guess.
The punishment of others is not my business. I sighed and wiped some grime from my forehead. Their own foolishness will see to that. Yet I am not content to y games of fortune where the currency is life and limb. Of others, at least.
Fair. Ish nodded, frown on her face. But we should move the nts. Somewhere less easy to get to.
I stand in agreement. Once the loggers have finished their bunkhouses, I have an idea for that. I will require your fathers services for this, should he be avable within the next few days.
Wood and ss had a fickle rtionship when paired together, yet Veltons magicks might help smooth things over. While it had been just me, Ish and Artyom, having the monster-nts in the fields had been well enough. Now, they were dangerous. A contained, safe environment for growth and study would benefit me greatly.
Come. I beckoned. There are some matters to discuss in private.
Away from any potential prying ears, Ish and I went over recent events. There were rustlings at the forests edge, but nothing like the coordinated harassment on the farm itself several nights ago. Her mother had promised to keep an eye out while making her rounds through the forests and valleys but had shown nothing since.
My run-in with the possible nobility was ryed, and Ish sighed all the while.
I dunno how to feel about this. She shrugged after a bit of thought. Close to the edge as we are, these are still Ironmoorsnds. Small, traveling groups of rivals might not be enough to bother him long as theye to pay their respects. The moment they try anythingrger, however, hell have grounds for retaliation.
Barons a cold, vicious bastard. Nobody in their right mind would march a force onto hisnd to root out a farmer and give him an excuse to tten them back. Much as I dislike the man, he protects his subjects.
And we seem to find ourselves among them.
That, I would not count upon. Ish winced. We are at the very edge of his property. Should he particrly hate you, this might be the spark he needs. Let some other noble you offend get into a conflict with you while he sits back and watches the circus.
More problems I find myself not needing.
Theres a way to kill two birds with one stone here, but ya may not like it. Ish suggested after a few moments. We would be greatly appreciative of a potential market in Hullbretch, and the Barons summer towers are not far beyond that. He resides there now, from what Ive heard.
She was right. I did not like her n. It was, however, the rational thing to do.
Tomorrow, then? I asked as a bell began to ng.
Sooner the better. She nodded and stood. Thess wiped dust from the seat of her pants and strode towards the noise. Zheli called the farmhands in for lunch, and I idly watched the fields empty from my seat under the old oak tree. Bodies streamed toward a single point by my lodge, yet I did not join them.
I found myselfcking hunger. Instead, work called to me. Sigh escaping from my lips, I heaved myself upon and headed for the old storage shed. Dread crept into my stomach as I opened the door and found my suspicions confirmed.
Contained in ss and untouched, my month-long powernap had proved fatal to therge variety of nts I had spliced and kept under observation. I had not left instructions to have them watered and fed, and this was the result. Half-formed species were wilted and dried, a wealth of potential knowledge simply vanished.
I clicked my tongue, shook my head and decided to start again. Once the new project waspleted, I would dive back into splicing monster-nts and discovering new strains. For now, there was little to do save for emptying out the jars and preparing to start fresh.
Work distracted me from the thoughts of politics and endless posturing with power. A wee reprieve. One I was eager to extend. There was little that called for my immediate attention throughout the rest of this day. Instead, I found myself in the field, scythe in hand and hurrying along the harvest.
They were scared of me.
I smelled it whenever I drew near. Saw it in the way their bodynguage shifted. Wheat that I cut and piled was hurriedly carried away, the worker''s forms stiff all the while. Even the beastfolk were nervous when in close proximity to me.
Yet they garnered my respect in this. Even fearful as they were, the workers pressed on. Worked through it. Attempted to smile when I asked them questions. Did their best to hide it.
I soon tired of it. There was something overwhelming in being able to smell emotions, and fear itself had a sickly stench to it. My presence slowed work, I realized. With a frustrated grunt, I cut down onest swathe of wheat and abruptly stomped off. If my own workers regarded me with such fear, what did I inspire in my enemies?
I had never even met most of the people that wished me ill. Perhaps I should, if only to reinforce these emotions. Ishs n seemed less undesirable now, if I followed this line of thought.
My thoughts returned to the carriage of people I had brushed off and left behind.
Fools thought they were, one did simply not anger the rich and walk away without consequences. They were far too petty for that. With my umted wealth, could I now be counted among their number? Perhaps.
They were petty. I was wrathful. Should they persist in a doomed venture to exact revenge for my slights upon them, they would discover as much. Even Ironmoor kept his distance with our brief history of antagonism. Perhaps not the healthiest pastime a man could have, to make enemies of the rich and powerful.
Yet I was ll out of fucks to give.
Whatever came of this venture, whatever the future held, I was sure it would be sufficiently amusing for those Gods Above that watched.
B2-Chapter13: Iron is the hand.
B2-Chapter13: Iron is the hand.
Given as how I presently owned a single horse, the decision to forfeit the cart entirely was made and the long trek to Hullbretch started on my own. Ish promised to ensure my wishes were carried out in my physical absence, and off I went.
This path I had not tread in quite some time, yet it was familiar still. Dust kicked up from my heels, a clear indicator of how dry this summer had been. The airy hot and heavy, frighteningly little moisture at the base of these slopes. Trees had lost their lush tint and roadside nts looked parched.
A distinctive difference whenpared to my mostly irrigated farm.
Riders under the banner of the Verdant Dawn passed me, on their way back up the mountains long inclines. Men and women I had not seen before. The reinforcements Raffnyk had once longed for, I concluded. They too passed, and my journey resumed.
Heat was what made me doubt my eyes at first. Yet as I drew closer and the blurry sight became sharper, slight bafflement instead filled me. Right there, in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by empty fields and dry forest, stood a gate. Squarely nted across the road, wooden structures to either side.
A shout rang from the small battlement and a hatch was cranked open. A shout demanded I stand and dere my business in the region. The following statement -made by a separate voice- informed me the toll to pass was a single gold piece.
Its on the wrong side of the gate fer a toll, you eejit! The first barked at whoever had just uttered that.
The voice turned back to me, a surly, barely-shaved human in ill-fitted armor that peered through the hatch at me.
Dere yerself, citizen. He barked again.
They seemed rather willing to ept that I was a farmer living up the mountain, truth be told. After several moments, the gate was hauled open and I was waved through. A short, almost amusing interruption to my day, yet it posed several questions.
From the recesses of my memory, I recalled that no one was allowed to bar entrance to a dungeon, yet it seemed someone had found a way to at least discourage travel. Or, even more likely, simply profit from it. I did not see Ironmoors colors flown above the gate, but would his soldiers not have torn it down if this was unsanctioned?
This only further cemented in my mind an image of the Baron as someone who skirted the rules. Divine or otherwise.
The rest of the trip proved uneventful, if boring. I soon found myself draining my water sk, the heat and sheer dryness of the air sapping my strength. Hullbretch loomed, and I soon found myself once more within its walls.
The looks I received here were..different. People kept a respectful -sometimes fearful- distance. No longer was I just a minotaur. Now, I was someone denoted by the Gods Above themselves.
Shopkeepers wanted my coin anyway. Something so trivial as being blessed by the System itself did not exclude me from paying their prices, I found. While I would not have turned down differential treatment of my coin-purse, this did little to bother me. Now, I had the gold to have carts sent right to my doorstep,den with seeds and materials and promised to arrive in a timely fashion.
A few spoke of trade agreements and future contracts to buy crops and more magical materials from me. My reputation was well-known, I found. The alchemist whos name I had forgotten attempted to cut me a deal for more lucrative ingredients and ess to some of my monstrous nts, but i refused his ever-growing offers.
Only a fool traded with resources he did not yet have.
Pardon my impudence, but not just anyone can walk up and see the Baron.
While well-meaning, this advice from a guard I had fairly cornered to acquire directions was lost on me.
I suspect he will make time for me. For one reason or another.
I was gone momentster, clear directions to the Barons home acquired. Another quarters days walk past Hullbretch, towards the inner territory of the Ironmoornds. A long walk for most men, but once again, my longer stride and relentless endurance proved their universal usefulness. With naught but the road and dust around me, I soon found myself once more immersed in my thoughts.
If given the chance, would I ever even go back to a humans body?
Therger stature could prove a hindrance at times, yes. People were frightened by me, in most cases.
Yet I found that I preferred this over simple apathy that came when they regarded just another human. They noticed me. They knew of me. And I would be the boldest of liars if I said that did not satisfy me, somewhat. My mere presence provoked fear, and more than that, respect. And like a weed, this had grown on me.
Time flowed by quickly with this train of thought, and all too soon, I found myself before the gates of the Barons fortress. Safe to assume this was his, given the colors that flew overhead and theck of any other royalty in thesends. Situated on an upward slope, one could marvel at the almost utilitarian defensive cement here. The forest was stripped away for nearly half a kilometer in circumference to the walls. I could glimpse severalyered walls from where I stood, eachrger than thest.
There had been no expense spared in securing and making this fortress formidable. Horns sounded as I emerged from the trees and strode up the stone road that led to these front gates. Like a disturbed porcupine, the fortresss quills rose into position. Ballistae mounted upon the walls swung down towards me, and archers appeared on the ramparts, massive greatbows nocked as they regarded me.
Neck craned back, I gazed at the ramparts top once I had stopped before the stout iron gates.
Youre a long way from home, minotaur. A gristly voice followed nks of armor as a figure appeared over the walls pinnacle to gaze down at me. My wonderful eyesight could not make out any distinguishing features underneath the veritable mountain of armor this man wore.
Not particrly. I answered, hands on my hips as I regarded the fortress. Thick walls, alert guards, well-armed and armored. Not a ce I would ever assault without considerable magical help and a clear-cut advantage in every way. I am a citizen of thesends, here to see the Baron.
The head withdrew for a moment, and I was left alone, naught but myself and dozens of archers forpany. With the size of those bows, I had no doubt they would have me resembling a pincushion if given the order.
Skin of iron or not, I knew what a proper greatbow could do to even steel te armor. These thoughts kept mepany as time dragged on. Patient face well and truly put on, I pawed at the stone beneath my feet and wiped sweat from my brow. My waterskin was dry before the figure appeared once more.
Be you Garek? Came the yell from on high.
I am. I rumbled back. The nking of metal cut off anything further as the massive gates began to inch open before me. Onest thought wove fleetingly through my mind before I stepped through and the steel began to close behind me.
There were arrow-slits spaced methodically to either side of the tunnel I walked strode through now. Iron grates were lifted ahead of me as I walked through the kill-zone. Once, I would have considered the construction of this fortress to be among the most secure in medieval times back on my homeworld.
Now, I knew how many things magic could trivialize.
A contingent of armored guards waited for me at the tunnel''s ends. Easily a dozen figures, all armed and armored to the proverbial teeth. Grey steel with shes of the Barons deep green over top. I stepped into the sunlight and was immediately gestured forward. Rank closed behind me as the soldiers fell into step, carrying me forward. My eyes sighted a stable as I was ushered along, then a smithy where the ring of hammers echoed from. Guards lounged everywhere. Every conceivable line of sight had someone in it. And even more simplyzed around, watching figures duel in practice and y games of chance.
My estimation of how dangerous Ironmoor was rose by several notches as I beheld the veritable army stationed inside this fortress.
Your lordship seems to have enemies. I slipped the barbed observation into the rtive silence as we walked along. By silence, I meant ack of words spoken, not noise.
Tug at a trees rotten roots, and the branches wille crashing down. Themander grunted cryptically.
To station so many soldiers at ready here, to keep them paid and at the ready would require deep, deep pockets. Either that, or Ironmoor expected something to happen, and soon. One did not simply raise an army and then have it sit idly by.
We pass beneath another, inner wall soon after. Another fortress sat squarely inside this one, an imposing structure of dark stone and steel. There was no nt life within these walls, I noticed.
Druids. Themander grunted in response once I asked why. There was no time for further questions, I found. We were stopped abruptly, and I was told to keep moving forward. Now by myself, I passed into the fortress under the watchful gaze of guards above.
The guards within here were less uniform, but it would take a fool to not sense they were elite. Often less armored, there was a danger to how these people walked and sat. rough-looking humans in different clothes. All who seemed familiar with bloodshed.
A fully raised army and elite killers? There was a storm forming underneath these clear skies.
The first hint of greenery I spotted was a courtyard that I was directed towards. Trees grew here, and grass covered the floor. Not a hint of animal life was within this ce, however. Indeed, I found a single living person in this artificial garden, death hung before him.
There hung a chimeras corpse from the branches of the widest tree I had ever seen. Elbow deep in the corpse, the human ignored my approach as he carved loose the scaled skin of this monstrosity. Leather livery stained with blood, he methodically worked away to skin the great beast.
Clear grey eyes turned to me as the figure continued to cut loose muscle from flesh. His gaze regarded me tly, no emotion shown. Drenched in blood and sweat as he was, his scent showed the same. No fear stirred in this man as he regarded me up close.
The minotaur. He grunted and withdrew one bloody arm from the massive corpse, knife held in his grasp. Without a change of expression, he stabbed his tool into the exposed shank of the dead beast and offered me one blood-drenched hand.
Baron Ironmoor, I presume. I returned and squeezed the mans hand. It was slick with blood, but even so, his grip was tight.
I finally put a face to all the tales I have heard. The man spoke, looking me up and down.
As do I.
To the chase, then. What brings you to my home this day? Last I heard, we had bad blood between us, given your..unique circumstances.
No nonsense, right to the point. A man who valued time. I would not do him the disservice of wasting his.
Recent events have shown me that burying this feud would be the best course of action for me. I spoke carefully, my tone neutral.
You have crossed my path several times, set back my ns, and attempted to kill my favored justiciar. His words had never shifted in tone, but I heard the iron in his words now. Were you any other, I would have had you disposed of by now. But as fate has it, I find myself in need of your talents.
B2-Chapter 14: Iron is the Hand II.
B2-Chapter 14: Iron is the Hand II.
You want people dead, and think me to be your de. I guessed, voice t. A reasonable enough assumption.
You oppose this. Ironmoor remarked with a grunt, wiping his hands on a rag. Large for a human, wide of shoulder, with a grey beard and features tempered by experience. Poorly healed scars dotted the mans forearms and exposed skin beneath a utilitarian outfit. Expected. Your kind loves bloodshed, but on your own terms.
There was an almost empty apathy to the mans tone as he regarded me. This human was dangerous, I realized.
Not out of pride, if that is your meaning. I folded thick arms over my chest and stared down at the humans unblinking gaze. I have left that life behind me. Given up the sword for peace. That was my intention before all this.
An arm waved around in the general direction showcased meaning to the man.
And now you are pulled back into it. A simple observation. The Gods Above have ensured that.
Of all the ways I had pictured my eventual confrontation with the baron to go, this was far more..civilized that ever expected.
One needs not bloodshed to impress the powers that are. I hope.
I did not receive a reply. Instead, the baron moved past me and beckoned me to follow. With onest look given to the great scaled corpse that hung before me, I turned and followed the man. Under archways we went, out of the sunlight and into the great fortress. Sunlight gave way to cool, still air as I followed the mans brisk footsteps.
Head moving around, I did my best to catch glimpses of the castlesyout even as I tailed the man.
I was led into what I assumed was the main hall. Arge table sat in the rooms center, surrounded by well-made chairs. Benches were put further back, and pirs added a finalyer of decoration. A page darted off at Ironmoors signal, and I was led to sit somewhere.
While I appreciate the hospitality, your chairs are simply to small for me. I informed the man as he gestured towards a gilded seat near the tables head.
Suit yourself. He grunted and lowered himself down.
Now. Business.
As I said before, my intentions are to bury whatever feud lies between us and move on with my life.
Silent eyes regarded me for a few moments as the baron sat and contemted my words. I hade here for one purpose, and was unwilling to waver in it. If I could achieve peace, wonderful. If not, I would not lose sleep over it. Yet I would prefer at least non-hostility. The Gods Above knew I would soon have enough to worry about.
I am many things, Garek of the redtip. Whatever stories you have heard of me, let me assure you they are true. My subjects fear me. And through that fear, that respect, they are kept in order. Kept safe. Prosperous. Happy, even.
None would call me a fool. Vengeful. Bloody. To be feared. But none would ever slight me as stupid. When I first heard of you, I knew you were an anomaly. A minotaur settling down to farm? Preposterous. Valencia could deal with you, I reckoned. Then you refuse to engage her. Come at her with reason and politeness. You stamp out bandits who masquerade in my name. Expose corruption that simmered in Hullbrecht. Save the fort atop that ursed mountain. y a godling.
Now youe to not in vengeance, but to right past wrongs. He mused thoughtfully. Fate once again has augh at my expense.
A concept I am not unfamiliar with. I remarked dryly.
Across the hallway, a door opened and a purple-skinned woman swept in. Horns upon her head and human-like frame dered her likely to be a tiefling. The tail behind her sealed that assumption. She was smooth of skin inparison to Ironmoors scarred features. A jug was carried in one hand and mugs in the other. A maid, perhaps.
A drink, dear? Came the smooth voice. A brisk nod and the woman set a mug before either of us, followed by dark liquid being poured within.
Diminque, our guest is the fabled Farmer Garek. Garek, my wife. Ironmoor mentioned between gulps of liquid. A careful sniff informed me that it was extremely alcoholic in nature.
So many people of importe to visit our humble home today! She beamed. Heavens knows Londor needs some decentpany for a change.
See to our other guests, dear. Please. There was an almost pained wince to the humans words as he shooed her off.
He waited in silence until she had swept from the room, then turned to me once more.
Only a fool woulde to dig out a man who has given up such a bloody life. As I said, I would have need of your services. There are enemies at the gate. We are a border region to an already bloated kingdom. Barely paid attention to on the best of days. The dungeon has changed this. And soon, those with their eyes on it wille. Powerful nobles vying for more power. Would-be conquerors. More. My te lies overflowing, and I need not another problem to add upon that pile, minotaur.
You will have your peace. Inconvenient as you were to my ns, there was little actual harm rendered to me and mine through you. I haverger things to deal with than some petty squabble at the edges of mynd.
Of all the things I had expected from this man, reason was not among them.
There is just one small matter. Where is Valencia?
I blinked. Surprised. Unable to formte an answer. The mans voice was hard, now. His gaze was the most serious I had ever seen a human.
I am without an answer, unfortunately. I thought you her master. I managed to rumble after a few moments, my surprise hidden behind sips of strong wine.
She slipped her leash right before that entire debacle in the dungeon. Last I heard, she entered the dungeon not long after your party went down one of my scout-towers. Did she perish down there?
Again, I am unsure. We fought, and the battle was broken before either emerged a victor. A lie, of course. That was thest I saw of her.
Hmm. He grunted, and for the first time, I smelled a tinge of unease enter his scent. Valencia was not under his control anymore, it seemed. Until now, I had regarded her as Ironmoors attack hound. No longer the case, it seemed.
One of your men mentioned a problem with druids? I spoke in attempt to shift the conversation.
The problem I wanted your de for. There have been covens of them here since before this area was settled, and they have a taste for my mens blood. Control the wildlife, the monsters, all to make trouble and try to root me out. Their numbers have surged again as of recent.
That exined several things. My own troubles had a force behind them, now.
I was about to inquire further when another door opened and yet another human strolled in, cup of wine in hand. My eyes locked with the mustachioed form of the Lord Jamal Ramsey-Pratt, and his cup met the floor a momentter.
You! he bellowed, pawing at his side for some weapon. You besmirch my honor and now intrude upon my visitation?!
I rose to my feet, hand on my own weapon as the human stormed close, spilled goblet of wine forgotten. Anger rolled off him, his chipper attitude gone.
Sit. Down.
Themand rolled past me and struck the enraged nobleman like a brick to the face. He promptly folded onto the floor, blinking in confusion as he was forcibly seated.
This is my home. My rules. My guest, Jamal. Londor Ironmoor edged with anger now. Any squabble you have will be settled outside these walls. Am I understood?
A blink of confusion preceded a nod of confirmation.
You may seat yourself at the table with the civilized folk, then.
He talked as if akin to a child. Face flushed red, the man heaved himself up, circled the table and lowered himself into a chair across from me.
Continue. The baron nodded at me.
I cannot offer you my de, but in order to ensure peace, I would instead offer you trade. I am sure you are aware that I alone can grow rare resources.
With how muchnd you have bought up, you are either severely over-extending or truly do have the capabilities to utilize it all. Ironmoor spoke dispassionately. But yes, I am aware.
For gold, I would trade with you.
You already sell to the Verdant Dawn. My sworn enemies. His voice carried a hard edge now. I needed to tread lightly here, in order to not undo all the progress made so far.
While I have friends in their one specific camp, I have no ties and no interest in their organization. This was the truth. My loyalties did not expand beyond Raffnyk.
All the same, you have chosen a side in this conflict, minotaur. Shame. I will not traffic with those in league with my enemies.
Very well, baron. You seem to be a man of conviction, and I will not ask you to sway those. If I am still guaranteed peace between us, I will take that.
My word was given, and it will remain.
Unwisely, the Lord Jamal chose this exact moment to bolt to his feet in protest.
You promised to help me put that uppity farmer in his ce! What about your word to me, Londor?
The baron considered the noble with an uncaring re. He locked gazes with the furious human and held that stare even as Jamal shark back into his chair.
I promised to think it over. Nothing more. Consider it ruminated on and duly discarded. You failed to mention who this farmer was. What squabble you two have lies between either of you. Do not make the mistake of involving me and mine.
The oue will please no one. This much, I swear.
With those words, the baron stood and gestured me up.
We have peace, for now. There lierger monsters at wait then you. Do not flout myws or authority, and you will scarce hear of me, farmer Garek. Do we have an understanding?
We do.
Once again, a hand sped mine and shook it.
You have given me your word as a man, minotaur. Break it even once, and I will consider it well and truly worthless. Safe travels.
With that, I was escorted from the fortress. I left not with conventional wealth or even a paper or contract, but weighed down by knowledge. The gates closed behind me, and I groaned up at the evenings onset. No way I would make it home today. An inn in Hullbretch would have to do.
I really should have asked them to refill my water skin, I considered several milester. A mistake that kept happening to me. Thirst drove me faster, and I found myself in Hullbretch before the night had truly fallen across the sky.
B2-Chapter 15: Iron is the hand III.
B2-Chapter 15: Iron is the hand III.
Smoke arose from buildings of dried wood and corpsesy in the fields upon my return. Mostly monsters. But not all. A singr human bodyy covered in dull sheets before the loggers bunkhouse, surrounded by those off-duty. The unease here wafted into my nostrils as I drew close, pace increased to a near-jog. Anger bubbled beneath the surface here, its scent thick in the air.
Scant few turned as I approached, most locked onto the dead body. Lidya was absent, I surmised after a quick look around.
Came from the woods just hours before dawn. One of the workers spoke, his face stiff. Poor Laim was on watch. Raised the rm and was dragged down for it. We chased em off. I think.
Lidya? Any other events of importance? Does the man have a family? I spoke in quick, clipped bursts. His death was unfortunate, yes. I had not known the man long enough to form any sort of connection, but it fell on me to do the right deed, now.
She headed off the farm. The scraggly human waved in the general direction, squinting into the rising sun right behind me. Inform everyone of the attack and other matters. The bunkhouse nearly got torched. Old Pealy got his arm slit open by ws so they sent him up to the mercenary camp for a proper healer instead of wasting healing potions. Aint right, if you ask me. What good is havin'' them on hand if you arent willing to use em?
Let us worry about the dead first, and be d the living are still with us. I gently guided the conversation away from a rant that no doubt formed inside the mans mind. Tensions were high, and preferred they did not spill over. His family?
Anger slipped from the mans face at the thought, reced by tiredness and sorrow.
Oh. Someones gonna have to tell Jenna shes a widow again. Poor waif has the worst misfortune Ive ever been cursed to see. First her child, now this.
Every sentence spoken only hardened a conviction within me. This would be resolved, and soon. No matter the oue, I would see this whole matterid to rest.
Gold may not ease the pain of this, but I will see his family ispensated for and taken care of, at least. I promised. There was a price for a human life, contrary to what one might think. Coin might be an empty and callous way to repay this mans family, but I suspected it would not be rejected.
Over the next little while, I pieced together what exactly had happened through several testimonies. Most concurred that they had swept in from the rest, been repelled and had thrown firebombs at anything wooden in nature. Two of the pits had been torched, sawdust and dried wood sparking immediately. Save for the tools stored inside overnight and tarps to cover them, nothing had been lost. Nothing of actual value, anyway.
In return, there nowy corpses across the fields. These I went to examine, and found myself surprised.
Not the monsters I was used to. The Stonemongers had attempted first, and then whatever had been behind the attack on my farm. This, however, dug further the certainty that druids were the source of my woes.
Ironmoor had alluded to as much, and while I was detest to trust the man, there seemed a grain of truth to his words. Before mey creatures that seemed carved from wood, covered in vines and tendrils of nt-life that oozed sap. These things, while humanoid in shape,y utterly broken. No single wound had felled these creatures. Only the utter rending of their bodies had ended their flight.
My own picking and prodding led me to the conclusion that these were constructs. Humanoid in stature, mostly. Others appeared more animalistic. All were of wood, permeated with the stench of magic. Expandable, I assumed. They must have had decent motor functions to carry, light and throw firebombs.
With the order given to have the corpses hauled to the farm once everything was under control, I set a brisk pace and headed there myself.
A familiar sight greeted me, slinking out of the trees as I drew near my own home. Golsrge form awaited me, ears down and forlorn. The big beast seemed..sad. Depressed, almost. He had not taken the arrival of so many new humans well, I surmised. Hand rubbing behind his ears, I stood and gave him attention, if only for a while.
Duty called.
Quiet and stolid, Gol remained at the treeline as I strode past and onto my farm. No trace of smoke here, nor battle.
Ish and Lidya were near the lodge, I found. I was sighted before I caught sight of them, and promptly waved over. There had been no disturbance on the main farm overnight, but Ish had sent scouts to check several of the closer fields in case of fires.
Will your men be able to continue working, or do they need a day off? I questioned. My concern was unwarranted.
For what? She asked, puzzled.
To mourn their friend.
Shaking her head, she assured me that production would continue unabated. If they needed time, or had been particrly attached to Liam, they could drink to his memory once the workday was finished. The gears of production stopped for no one man, it seemed.
I know the cause of our troubles. I sighed. Druids.
Not what I had thought of at first, but it does vaguely make sense. Lidya nodded, her arms folded. Sweat trickled down her brow unnoticed, or ignored in stoic silence. If you find the tree-huggers, we could raise a crew of vengeful men and go burn em out. Put an end to the problem before it festers.
No such measures needed. Ill deal with it myself. Enough people have been dragged into this mess, and I intend to see it resolved forthwith.
Have you any idea where theyre holed up? Ish queried. Mighty big area of nothing an forests round here, and druids can live anywhere in all that.
I do not. Came the admittance. Which is why I would ask your mother for her talents.
Ish paused here, thinking something over. One eyebrow raised, I watched her chew on her own lip before speaking once more.
Guess she wont mind. She spoke, voice hesitant. Close to what shes already doin, anyway.
Which is?
Her eyes darted between me and Lidya, and it did not take a dunce to know she wanted some privacy before that was discussed.
Well, The human stretched and dusted off her pants, taking the unspoken cue. Guess Ill be off and return everything to work. If you need me, you know where I can be found.
Appreciated. I rumbled at her receding back. Only once she was out of earshot did I turn back to Ishi. The half-orc had her arms folded, a guarded expression on her face.
Shes been lookin for Lerish. Almost every day since she vanished.
That did exin things. Ishs hidden moodiness, Tehaliss lengthy absence.
Any trace?
Plenty. Just nothin she can ever use to find her. Theres a lot of deep forest and valleys round here, garek. ces a person could just vanish into forever if they knew what theyre doin. And she does.
Lerishs continued absence was not logical, but things rarely were once emotions became attached. While I had initially worried about her, there was confidence in me that the huntress would survive whatever was happening.
I know its selfish, Ish hung her head as she spoke those words. But Im desperate to get her found.
You assume this will greatly impede your mothers search for her, distract her and such.
Yeah.
She sighed, a heavy rush of breath that escaped her throat, and exhaustion took hold of her features.
I know its for everyones good, though. Ill tell Ma when she returns home tonight. Lerish can wait until this trouble is resolved, I guess.
Iid one gentle hand on her shoulder and gazed into Ishs eyes.
People have died because of these attacks, Ish. I do understand your frustration and pain, and promise you my help once this is resolved. But the sooner we track down these druids andy this matter to rest, the more fewer lives will be lost.
I understand. Really. Its the right, rational thing teh do.
There was not but. She ended it on that, nodded and strode off. My eyes watched her cut across the field until she became a barely-discernable blur, vanishing up the road toward her fathers farm. Perhaps there was no real urgency, no need for speed and to make every moment count here. But I would rather be efficient and deal with this mess now than have another worker buried.
For what reason these druids wanted to root out me and mine, I did not know. The former Garek knew very little of their culture and ways, and I knew littler still. They were hostile towards Ironmoor, that much I knew. Very little greenery grew in his castle, and the area itself was devoid of so much as a bird. A thorough purge of all wildlife?
The extent of the former Gareks knowledge was that druid could control animals and monsters. Nothing more. Were they a race, a calling, a ss? All nk.
These were the thoughts that swam through my mind as Artyom approached me. So deep was I consumed in my own pondering that I failed to notice his expression.
The felenid appeared sad. Nervous. Yet he smelled of conviction.
Garek, A moment? He asked quietly, tone contained, usual excitement gone.
Yes? Came the answer, doing my best to be patient and polite. As always. There were no excuses for rudeness, even if I disliked being interrupted now.
I want to leave.
Any impatience I felt was gone immediately, reced by concern. This, I had not foreseen.
Why? Is everything alright? Do you need anything?
A barrage of questions, rumbled out with genuine concern in my voice. The felenid sighed and jumped up on a stump next to me, somewhere where he was closer to my height. Just a little.
I like the farm, yes. He started. Good work, good friends, good advice.
But? I gently eased after a moment.
Too many people. Too many humans.
He didnt give a further exnation, and I didnt seek one. In my experience, if a mind was already made up, there was little changing it. Why try to persuade him to stay when I could not change why he wanted to leave? Instead, I merely nodded and understood.
Do you have a ce in mind? Do you need coin for your travels? Is there anything I can provide?
A nod, then two shakes of his small head.
Velton has told me I can have a ce at his farm. He needs someone to do all the small chores, and will pay me well. Told me that I wasnt the only one seeking to get away from humans.
Whenever youre ready, then. I smiled sadly. You wont be far off, but your presence will be missed, Artyom.
I know. And Garek? Thank you.
A day for departures and death, this was. Druids sought to burn what was mine, those I was close to drifted off or had their own needs, and there was little I could dedicate to help. The farm needed its master, and so my attention was consumed.
Onwards.
B2-Chapter 16: Iron is the hand IV.
B2-Chapter 16: Iron is the hand IV.
.r2ae2331dc53a4793a66ca024fd161ede{ disy: none; }
Harsh and heavy winds blew off the mountain today as I prepared for the task ahead of me. Tehalis would be here soon. In the semi-darkness of the pre-dawn, I packed what little I would need and underwent the arduous wait. By the grace of the Gods Above, the harvest had been taken from the fields and stored mere hours before these stifling winds had begun.
No man would want to work in these conditions, nor should they be made to. Trees bent in the wind, branches ripped off and thrown across the barren fields. I would venture out into this minor maelstrom and settle whatever issue I came across.
ymore at my side, pack on my back, I stood in the doorway and awaited the suns rise. Thick nkets of clouds withheld its light, theing say only shades of grey.
Tehalis and ish were nearly across the field before I sighted either of them. There was little discussion of pleasantries today as I nodded between the orc and her daughter. Tehalis, like myself, carried very little. Axes and a pack were all that I saw. Ish gave her mother a hug and bade us both a safe journey. Both of us knew she longed toe, to help bury this problem.
Someone needed to stay behind. Fierce winds stung my eyes as we hoofed it over the empty fields and into the treeline. Even among the rampant undergrowth, the brewing storm above drowned away noise. Under the winds burden, the forest swayed to and fro, trees forced to bow before the pressure from above.
Conversation was scant as I followed behind Tehaliss rapid form. At a pace no human could hope to match, we cleaved through the thick maze of trees and brush, surrounded by shades fo green. Wildlifey hunkered down today, shelter sought from the gale. Only the fools of fools would venture out on a day such as this.
Precisely why I had chosen to go today.
Branches being crushed beneath my hooves, trees and brush ripped aside to clear a path for my huge form, startled animals bolting from cover. All this was hidden beneath the maelstrom of wind and fear of the stormclouds above. Stealth had been aughable notion in a green ocean where all eyes reported to the druids.
So we chose not to try.
Tehaliss familiar flew overhead, just underneath the treeline. Ghostly vultures and ravens ryed information I could not understand, just barely audible over the omnipresent wind. No words were needed as I followed in the orcs wake.
Focused though we were, the maelstrom briefly forced us to shelter against a sheer wall of overgrown rock as we descended into one of the many valleys around the Redtip. A sickly green trench swayed and moved before us, life and overgrowth as far as the eye could see.
I fail to understand. They have all this, but begrudge me my small speck of a farm far from where their interests lie?
Tehalis nced over her shoulder at my words. A sharpugh came from her, barely audible over the relentless howls around me.
You see it as rightfully acquirednd. They refuse to recognize any such treatise.
Moments passed in the absence of words until the winds wroth faded momentarily. And then we were once more headed onwards, down into the deep valley. Hours slogged by at an agonizing pace, time crawling by despite our swift pace. Hours and hours after we had entered the massive expanse of green and brown and a dozen other colors one might deign to call a forest, Tehalis signaled to stop.
We draw near. She announced. My familiars have sighted their enve.
How do we approach? With stealth?
They saw using long ago. Every eye, every ear of this ce rys back to them.
Well that wasforting to know. Expected, however.
I have delivered you here. Now, anything that follows is of your prerogative. What ns do you have? The orcs voice was almost of serene calm, dead of emotion.
I will attempt to make peace. Should that fail, I will ensure the safety of my farm and my workers.
Little else was asked. Instead, I took onest check of my supplies and nodded that I was ready.
Slowly, carefully, I followed Tehalis down from the ledge we had sheltered on and towards our destination. The trees ended for a short while, and habitation rose before us. nts twisted themselves into shapes of pirs, walls and roofs, all leading towards an arch of stone.
Hand upon the ymores hilt, I walked cautiously, noting the emptiness. Any scent I could have caught was ripped away by the howling wind, and my ears could pick up little over the gale. Watering eyes further deteriorated my poor vision.
Into this, I walked well and truly blind.
These nt structures swayed in the wind, flexible and adaptive under natures fury. To and fro they bent, empty and silent.
Further in we went, until a stone maw gaped before us. nt life overflowed from the caverns mouth, stone barely visible underneathyers of creeping vines and flowers. Tehalis gestured, and I followed.
Instinct told me someone watched my every move.
What little light came through the grey cloud cover was further dimmed as we descended down into the caverns guts. Tinges of nervousness tickled my insides now. The settlement outside was empty, and the foresty silent. Tehalis was certain they knew we wereing.
She was correct. We emerged from a stone corridor into a massive cavern that overflowed with life.
And here, they waited.
There was no singr species that called themself druid, I found. My eyes and nose confirmed humans, tieflings, beastfolk in disproportionate numbers, halflings and even a few rare scaled Dreks. These were already dozen, and there remained even more life in here. Famrs, I assumed as I passed over bear-like monsters, lean long wolf-things and mossdeer withrge racks of horns than I had ever glimpsed.
A small army awaited me. I was almost ttered.
All this for a single minotaur? I broke the silence, amusement slipping into my tone in spite of my best efforts.
All this for surety. A voice barked back. A tall, lean beastman, fur covered in vines and a green tint to his eyes. We know your kind.
You have watched my farm for so long, and the first thing you expect is blood? Not that they were wrong, but I had genuinely thought my actions had painted a better image of me than some blood-addled savage.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it.
Barring any sudden surprises, I very likely could kill everything here and bury this ce and the problems it presented.
On the surface, this is what it seemed. But the thing about pesky Levels and Skills and sses was that they werent visible, so one never knew. It was as much caution as a genuine want for a peaceful resolution that stayed my hand.
To call myself a peaceful man, I needed to at least try.
With no wind to impede me, I could clearly smell the tension and anger in the air.
These people well and truly meant me harm. I was not simply a vague, far-off concept. They knew me. Had watched me through the eyes of their familiars. What had I done to arouse this much emotion in strangers?
What quarrel have you with me? The rumble rolled across the open cavern, blunt and on-point.
Desacrator. One of the masses returned tly. Destroyer.
Murmurs spread, voices echoing these sentiments.
You hew away at natures beauty, align yourself with those that would see its freedom be trampled underfoot and its presence reduced.
Baron Ironmoor? I have made peace, nothing more. We are not aligned. If these are the assumptions upon which you make attacks on me and mine, then you are fools.
When I imagined druids, I had thought of peaceful beings in tune with nature. This was not what I saw.
You have made peace with a monster. Another druid hissed. A destroyer. There can be no mercy for those who lie with the wicked.
This a very, very rudimentary way of seeing the world. I cautioned. You speak in absolutes. And I know this was not the true reason. You harassed my farm even before I made any sort of effort to calm my rtions with Ironmoor.
I wrought no injustice on you before your minions came to my door. Of this much I was sure. So, I ask again. Why?
Another spoke.
You are the symptom of rot. The underlying sickness thates. First youe. Then you massacre the Stonemongers, and upset the ecosystem. You embed yourself on the mountain, hew away the forests for barrennd that is contained to your desires. There was anger in her words, writ upon her face.
Tehalis twitched from behind me, her scent dead and filled with hard things. The orc lurked, ready to spring into action.
All of this. Is pure, untamed and unbroken nature. A paradise for those who want freedom from the chained, choked order of so many othernds. The youe, and invite more here.
Another voice used, and I listen, stoic all the while.
You chop away the forest, choke the river and contain it all. Trap what should be free and wild.
A snort escaped me. Genuine amusement, mixed with incredulous disbelief.
I have be the symptom of disease for so little? almost guaffawed. Forests, valleys and wilderness as far as the eye can see, and my little plot ofnd, eked out so I may live in peace, is what offends you?
There was derision in my tone now, mostly unbidden.
I defended myself against stonemongers, vering monsters that wrought naught but destruction all around them, and for that I am an enemy of nature?
They have their ce in the wilds, among the ecosystem.
Oh, they had one. Until the attacked me. I returned, rare venom in my voice. Those gathered around me shifted, some with unease, others tense and prepared for action.
And where were you all when the dungeon erupted and threatened to destroy your precious nature? I used them now. A quick jab to throw them on the back foot. I was the one who ventured within to stop the tide of destruction that would see thisnd reduced to nothing. I did not even realize you existed then, so well were you hidden.
The dungeon was natures defense against invasion from those like you. Another nameless druid hissed, eyes crackling with yellow-green energy. We would not interfere when thend is threatened enough to send out its final solution.
Gods Above. I mouthed after a moment. Youre zealots.
Only the strong of will and body can bear the burden of defending what is free.
This was spoken with pride as my stomach dropped. There was little reason these people would listen to.
You would begrudge me a small space to grow my crops and live without bloodshed, but sit back and let a ravenous tide of hunger consume all. Not a question now. You have little idea what the ArnThema even are, yet delude yourself to think they serve natures purpose.
Enough. Came the hiss. Talk has passed. You cam here today to die, minotaur.
I gazed around and sighed. Why must it alwayse to blood.
Are you so eager to bleed? I asked, my voice tired, I have cut down a godling, held off legions of Arnthema, ovee everything this world has thrown at me. What threat could you possibly offer that I have not already put back into the dirt?
Fateughed once those words left my mouth. I should have know better, truly.
The ground beneath my feet gave way, just as I sighted the chained, vering form of the Apex in the pit underneath me.
B2-Chapter 17: Iron is the hand V.
B2-Chapter 17: Iron is the hand V.
My knees unceremoniously crashed into the hard, packed floor of the pit. This close, I could smell the hunger that roiled off Le''rish''s primal form as she loomed before me. Foreign energy writhed from her mouth and eyes, sigils of control writ into the walls of the pit.
Druids controlled monsters. Bent them to their will with sheer force and powers gifted by the Gods Above. She was not exempt from this.
All too familiar to me, I glimpsed a mindless rage inside her monstrous form as I rose. Fast was the nce was that confirmed Tehalis had no joined me in the pit, and quicker still was the action to unsheathe my weapon.
The orc had grabbed onto the warthen walls of the pit a heartbeat after the floor gave way, and now spider-climbed back over the top. Off to deliver death.
And I was left alone with a mindless, raging shell of someone I called a friend.
I called out, and received no answer. Only a snarling visage that gazed down at me even as she was hunched over. Ghostly chains fell away, and the Apex''s metallic, draconic form rose. It was then that I became aware of just how cramped this small space was.
This was not Lerish in her right mind. This I could see. Whatever lurked behind this facade of control was tightly sealed away.
Anger bubbled within as I twisted and ducked under a feral swipe of the Apexs giant ws. This was my friend, chained and puppeted against her will.
They dared.
And now they would pay. This was no longer a detached, grim task of hammering down some distant problem. This was very real, extremely personal and demanded a price be exacted.
Ironhidestopped a rampaging w from the Apex, backed with most of my strength as I held back the massive ws. My lungs bellowed dry as Cloven Crash froze Lerish in ce. Backed by Gold is Power and funded by the stockpiles of wealth I now possessed, the skill was strong enough to instantly lock her in ce.
There was no reason to stay here and fight a woman I considered my friend. Only one of us would emerge from this conflict, I knew with grim determination. This future, I rejected.
Primal Wroth worked in silence, my body transformed across the space of heartbeats. Longer,nkier, with a wry strength now. My vision focused, bing blessedly free of the blur I had lived with for so long. A deluge descended upon my senses as sound became sharper and each strand of scent was now individual in my nostrils. Fur white as fresh snow, I bounded up Lerishs frozen arm, nted a foot on her head and exploded towards the pits edge.
Long arms caught the edge andnky muscles hauled me over the edge with little effort.
Chaos reigned here as ghostly familiars fought flesh and blood beasts en masse. Spells snaked through the air, chasing Tehaliss sprinting form. Cold, unfeeling anger reced all sensation inside me. Low to the ground, I sprinted across the distance as a human druid turned.
His eyes widened just in time for me to pin him to the cavern wall and ram the ymore through his chest.
Body tossed aside with a lifeless flop, I blurred across the short distance towards a beastkin about to cast something. A force struck me, and the world sped up. Everything moved at near extreme speeds around me as I found myself struggling to keep up. Druids flickered and blurred, barrages of fireballs and acid bolts hurled at me that I found barely avoid.
One after another, masses of force and magic mmed into me as I focused solely on trying to break whatever had just cursed me. Either everything had just been Hasted or-
My maw was filed with scorching me that stung my throat and peeled skin as I ate a fireball to the face. The price of my distraction. I opened my maw to roar Cloven Crash but found only silence. There was a void around me, devoid of all noise. Battle was waged soundlessly around me. Wraiths and fleshen beasts crashed into each other, spilling blood in utter silence.
Earth shattered upwards as Lerish climbed out of the pit, her ghostly chains shattered. She blurred towards me, hunger in her eyes. Too fast for me to even react.
For a heartbeat, I watched the end approach. Then everything slowed once more, twitching from a blur to manageable as my heartbeat skipped. My longer, faster form let me cleanly avoid the silent behemoth as her emancipated form mmed down both ws.
Air rushed from my throat as once more I tried to bellow and call on Colven Crash. Nothing.
My enemies knew me. Sharpeend eyes focused on the bloodbath around me as I bounded away from Lerishs fury. Newfound strength in my legs, I leapt through the air and sailed towards a group of druids.
Thick, gnarled vines erupted from the ground to seize me, pirs of thorns that shot and curved through the air to follow me. Lengthened ws tore through them and crashed into the Thorn Knight that stepped forward to block me. A beastkin, overgrown with an armor of thorns and gleaming broadsword. Almost asrge and strong as my base minotaur body.
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Not enough.
One hand adorned with ws shoved him back and the other came around, ymore gripped near the hilt. They Are Felled blurred the de as it shore through theyers of tough, thorned armor with the surest of edges.
He fell, same as all the others. Those that remained behind him hurriedly wrenched the earth upwards to summon a golem. Sundering Wrathde tore the earth apart even as the construct formed. It was crushed and blown apart as the crags exploded. Massive de in one hand, I let it flick forward and gash through those that wished me death.
Noise returned as the Silence spell was ended. Roars and screams sounded through the cavern, heralded further by Lerishs struggling calls of hatred. She struggled against the magicks that bound her to the covens will, every dead druid further slipping her leash.
Happy was I then, to help her with this task. Cold, hard anger tempered emotion inside me as I rampaged through these monsters in human skin and their summoned famirs. A massive Mossdeer stag sent dozens of curvingnces of force towards me, summoned from its horns. Low to the ground, I darted underneath the barrage, broke a crystal growth from the beasts back and stabbed the thing with it.
For a moment, the druids hold on the creature faded as it screamed and tried to bolt away. It fell soon, trailing blood, and my attention turned away.
Roars shook the cavern as Lerish turned and focused on me. The Apexs massive form bolted towards me, legs blurred to kick down and crush me. All my senses screamed at once, and instinct carried me out of the way. She stomped past me, towards the corpse of the mossdeer. ws scrabbled against the corpse as she ripped the crystal growth free. My eyes widened with some vague horror as she began to stab herself with it, aimed at spots that her metallic exoskeleton did not cover.
Axes whirled past me and buried themselves in the skull of a fanged spiderbeast the charged towards me. Back to the ughter. Tehalis showed little mercy, and even littler emotion as she moved with the efficiency of a butcher. Axes shed and swarms of ghostly familiars tore through the coven that she found herself allied against.
Lances of stone crashed down from above as the ceiling began to break.
A singr druid stood, arms upraised as she attempted to bring down the cavern on top of us all. Steel shed across the distance as I hurled the ymore like a spear. Guided by muscle memory and instinctual memory, it caught her clean in the gut and toppled the druid backwards.
It was over. This bloodbath had taken but minutes. No quarter given, nor asked for. The entire coven had been eradicated. Extreminated. Fanatics in life, and in death. My thin,nky form panted with to regain lost breath as I stood, covered in blood. Tired legs brought me up to the still-living druid as shey clutching at the sword inside her.
Mercy. She gurgled. Too far gone for any healing magic.
I regarded her with cold, dead eyes.
I offer you the same leniancy and mercy you bestowed upon my friend. With that, I yanked the de from her body and left her to die. Let her go to whatever god she worshipped cold and scared as the light faded.
Lerish was slumped against the mossdeers body, her Apex form gone. She did not so much as crack and expression as I drew near, hurriedly pulling out a sk of healing milk. She barely had enough energy to drink, letting it spill past her lips.
Drink. I urged. How long had she been in that pit? Starved and controlled against her will. Anger red once more as I regarded the legion of corpses that surrounded us. I pulled dried vension from my pack and helped her devour it. Strength slowly returned as she slowly consumed food with one hand.
The other mped firmly down on the crystal she had ripped from the mossdeer corpse. Blood leaked from her grip, so tight was it.
Drains several types of nature magic. Tehalis remarked as she stood beside me.
The type the druids used? I grunted, body aching as Primal Wroth faded and I became shorter and wider once more. ws faded and fur returned to its darker color. My sharpened eyesight was thest to go, reced by the dull haze I had grown used to.
Likely. She sounded angry. Makes sense, doesnt it. Shes half-monster as an Apex. Druids can forcibly control monsters. Probably took the entire Circle to keep her locked away for when you woulde looking.
Wind howled through the still cavern now as I crouched and waited. Tough as Lerish was, she needed time. Slowly, carefully, I fed her what rations either us carried. A task that became faster as she regained strength and began to tear through everything we had packed. There was nothing left for me, but I would rather starve than keep any from her.
I found myself throwing nces as the corpse-covered cavern behind me. Before there had been simply a quiet dread that conflict had led me to this. Now, disgust and actual hatred filled me. I had, in my ignorance, not cared enough to feel any great emotion towards these people. If I could call them that.
Now, I depised them.
Even in death, there was a part of me that wished I could hurt them more.
So apparent was my bloodlust and hate that Lerish shuddered and Tehalis regarded me carefully.
Everything will be alright. I promised Lerish. Not right now, but once we get you back home.
Ishs waiting.
I had never before seen my friend cry, and Gods willing, I would never again.
Tired arms helped her up and supported her as finally, mercifully, the storm above began to clear. Drab and dull were the days remnants as we set off, leaving a cavern filled with death behind. If the journey before had been long, this was now almost tortuous.
We moved at a crawl, supporting Lerish through the thick foliage and over the rough terrain.
Evening had already fallen before made it to the farm. We came around the bend with nightfall to our backs, and the first sound I heard was a shriek as ish caught sight up us. The half-orc came racing down that road at speeds I had never seen her move and crashed into Lerish, scooping her up and pulling her right from my grasp.
And this, finally, put a smile on my face for the first time on this wretched day.
B2-Chapter 18: Iron Is the hand VI.
B2-Chapter 18: Iron Is the hand VI.
I was scared, you know. Ish slumped against the wall next to my muchrger form, quiet and subdued. Tehalis fretted over Lerish inside, her knowledge of medicine far superior to mine. She had made the request that everyone leave the lodge in order to examine Lerish more privately, and we had obliged.
Angry. Confused. Constantly sad. Thess continued. Pain lurked in her tone, and I truly did empathize with her. I thought shed left because of me.
Ran away because she killed that dwarf? I guessed.
No. She sighed in frustration. I dunno. I knew it wasnt the real reason, but part of me always said it was because I wasnt good enough. Or something. Gods Above I feel so stupid now. Thered be nights when I was just angry at her, at myself, at whatever.
A gentle hand on her shoulder brought her gaze upwards, towards mine.
Youre young, likely in love for the first time and not quite sure about it all.
That came out as a statement, rather than the understandingfort I had meant it as.
Everyone seems to feel like that, one time or another. Even in the most stable rtionships. Id wager your parents went through something simr, at one time or another. Its alright now.
It took the words a few moments to reach her. She sniffed, a tired but angry look on her face.
Im angry, Garek. Well an truly enraged.
If your anger is directed on those that did this to her, then it is fruitless. They have one and all been put back into the dirt.
Gol lurked next to Ish, head in herp as he attempted tofort her. I could not say that everything was alright, but this, at least, had been fixed. Lerish was found and in rtive safety. If I had known that she was held in captivity, this matter of dealing with the druids would have taken much higher priority.
But I had not.
Realistically, how could I have known? It was the huntress''s loner nature that made her disappearing for extended periods believable. Despite being so close to Ish in age, their difference of but a few years was exacerbated by their personalities and actions. If Ish had been the one to vanish, there would have been far greater concern and immediate searches.
It would be foul of me to say, even imply that Lerish own personality helped bring this about.
So I didnt. She hadnt asked to be controlled against her will by a group of fanatics and starved, kept as a caged beast to attack those the druids wanted gone. No one deserved to take actions against their will, in my eyes.
Her harshness and quiet, distant personality artificially added years to her age, made her seem older than she truly was, but it was not to fault for this. Nothing and nobody was, save for the perpetrators. And they were one and all dead.
There was little conversation as we sat and exchanged brief thoughts. An empty sky above, stars nketed by hidden clouds and choked moonlight struggling to shine through. The wind, thankfully, had died off and left a stillness in its wake.
Lerish would survive. That much was certain. Would she be alright, however? The answer to that eluded me. Tehalis attended to her now, and my n was to send for the Red Cleric once dawn had broken. For now, we had little to do and much to worry about.
What had the druids done while they were in this area? How long had they lurked unnoticed, influencing the wildlife and monsters alike? Were there more? All questions I could not answer, but bothered me still. Ish proved too upset and worried for idle conversation. Thess alternated between slumped against the wall and striding back and forth in front of Gols lethargic gaze.
With little to do and far too many thoughts to be trapped with, my hands found a block of chopped wood and a suitable knife. It urred to me that despite now having been in this world for several months, I had yet to develop anything resembling a hobby. My life, as far as I could remember, had been work,bat and sleep. Often in that exact order.
Time to discover if I retained any of the skills I had honed before my untimely death.
Small chips of wood fell to the ground as I slowly, patiently began to shave the block. First came to rough shape I needed it to be in. A single jerk of my hand and the de gouged too deep, a canyon left in the surface. With a grunt, I discarded this and started anew.
Ish mumbled to herself as I worked, her words just barely inaudible. Frustration and anger coated her scent, but even this was smothered by worry. And underneath it all, just a hint of relief and the beginning of happiness.
Chip by chip, shave after shave, I shaved down this new block. I went both on memory and recent experience. The head shape was easy enough, and the shoulders served as the pieces base. Now for the harder part.
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It was too my own frustration that I discovered myself skill coated in the proverbial rust. Unmaintained, and within a body unused to the motions and small, tight mechanical movements, I struggled. Small, light scratches turns into longer cuts. Gareks body was simply too big, his muscles too explosive and unused to small, controlled motions.
This would have to change.
What if the cleric finds out? Ish suddenly demanded.
What, exactly?
That Lerish is an Apex. That she can be controlled by druid magic. Anything and everything else.
I had not thought of that. My tiredness wasnt an excuse for sloppiness.
Your mother is certain that her care is necessary?
Yes. Tehalis spoke as she emerged from the lodge. The remnants of magic must be expelled from her system.
Magic is not a natural thing. The body has no way to dispel it on its own. Those with innate arcane potential might develop resistance to it. Or those whose race is in frequent contact with the energies associated with it. But in any other case, it is a foreign entity that the body does not know how to respond against.
And so, it sits and lingers inside the fleshen shell.
Making the next spell easier. I guessed.
And other effects. She shrugged. I have seen those who fight on battlefields with mages die horribly without having been so much as touched by a spell. The arcane poisoning ensured their demise simply by proximity.
This I had not known, and admitted as much.
Anyone can attempt to be a mage, really. Find the proper pathsid out by the System and the Gods Above. Few do. Fewer still survive. Only a fraction of those who set out make it into theirter years. For most, it is suicide as their magical potential is negligible and not enough tobat aether poisoning. The more arcana one takes on, the greater the consequences.
That did exin that why, in a world bursting with so much potential and power, I had only encountered a handful of mages.
So the cleric is necessary. I concluded.
You could chance not involving her. But then I would advise you to prepare for a funeral as opposed to a celebration.
Ill go get her in the morning. Ish spoke.
Your father can get it done faster than you. Tehalis countered. You will stay with your friend or whatever you two see yourselves as.
I heard just a hint of disappointment in Tehaliss tone. She did not fully approve, it seemed.
I will go and inform Velton of this. In the meantime, refrain from anything foolish.
As abruptly as she came, the orc left, her form swallowed by the darkness soon after.
Go. I gestured to Ish, nodding my head towards the doorway. She entered, and I returned to my carving. What I whittled away was far from perfect, but it helped with the growing sense of frustration that simmered inside me. I stewed on this anger and sifted through it.
My hopes and dreams of a peaceful life had been quite forcibly derailed, unlikely to ever be achievable. The Gods Above themselves had taken interest, and now I could see the strings of how this all yed it. The druids had not been an issue until the system had dered me of interest. Only then had they overwhelmed Lerish and begun to target me.
Foreign nobility trespassed on mynd and, if I could trust what had happened in Castle Ironmoor, tried to stir up trouble against me for their own bruised honor. The baron, while a vengeful and unforgiving man, had held off out of pragmatism and outside trouble.
My own growth did not go unnoticed. I had reckoned it would be such, but it spread much faster than anticipated. I needed help. Assurances from people of importance that they would not work against me.
With the druids dead, I could return to Ironmoor and cement my position. He himself might be unsteady in Valencias absence. While I had not wished to follow his request and eliminate the druids, fate had forcibly turned me in that direction.
Was that very act the meddling of some higher power? I refused to believe it to be mere coincidence. There was no such thing, in my eyes.
It was not even paranoia for me to suspect that events were being manipted in certain ways. What I had heard of the Gods Above almost certainly confirmed it. Those they took notice in, while blessed and given strength beyond others, existed for their entertainment.
The dungeon would draw those seeking power themselves, and I was a cherry atop that pile. I had already encountered people who killed merely for the sake of more levels, ughtered for a chance to gain the attention of patron deities. Now that I was named, I would almost certainly draw more.
And through it all, the farm must survive. This was my home. My anchor. I would see it grow and blossom against every odd this world threw against me. In defiance of every new disaster, fueled by every little setback.
This was not negotiable.
Folk said minotaurs were strong-headed, stubborn creatures. I refused to prove them wrong. My hands carved faster, twitched with controlled violence as I made incisions and attempted to work from memory. It was a fairlyplicated statue, one of two different individuals. Not the simplest thing to brush off the dust with, but I had spent a considerable amount of time learning this is in my previous life.
Satisfied was I then that that knowledge remained fresh and essible after a little practice.
Gol growled up at me, the great beast having flopped onto his belly. Artyoms absence gave him little to be excited for, I found. Dark eyes regarded me out of boredom rather than curiosity as I whittled away and awaited either the morning to Ishs emergence from inside my lodge.
The sun broke first.
It was a testament to this bodys endurance that my arms were not even sore from hours of careful carving. It was not perfect, riddled with small gashes and nicks. But then again, neither of the people depicted by it were. Woodchips and shaving surrounded me as I pulled the smaller knife I had switched to away andid it carefully down.
A happier time was etched in wood, two people shoulder to shoulder. Imperfect though it was, it portrayed what I intended. Ishs head rested on Lerishs shoulder as thesss wooden facsimile gave a wide smile, in direct contrast to the small quirk upwards on Lerishs wooden lips.
Something I hoped they would both appreciate.
B2-Chapter 19: Red sun, red blood.
B2-Chapter 19: Red sun, red blood.
It was by mutual agreement that all of us held our word in regards to Lerishs custody. What the Red Cleric did not know would not hurt her. Or so we hoped. Her services were necessary, but her knowing about the Apex and how the druids managed to control an otherwise unassuming woman was not.
Velton had teleported her onto the farm, briefly hugged his daughter and vanished again. Now, we sat in worried silence as she called on the powers of her patron deity and dug deep into her work. Lerish protested, of course. She had little use for clerics, I remembered.
With good reason too.
Strange. The crimson-cloaked woman spoke after a few moments.
What is? The nerves were obvious in Ishs voice.
The Red Godlings gift refuses to touch her.
There was suspicion in her voice now. I cursed under my breath, trying to keep my face straight. This was necessary.
My God is one more lenient than most. She remarked. Only the mark of some great heresy would see you refused their touch.
Or being half-monster. But that, I left unsaid.
Fortunate then, that she does not require healing of the physical. I grunted. We are more worried about mana toxins and corrosion. Words that I did not fully grasp, but Tehalis had stressed as important.
Her body seems to be shedding those at a remarkable rate. The woman spoke after a moment of examination. Again, not what I am used to seeing. Likely the effect of some Skill I was not made familiar with. And since you saw fit to call to me over it, neither were you.
I admitted as much.
That aside, my more physical expertise shows she suffers from chronic malnourishment, poor sleep, muscle atrophy likely connected to the prior two.
And this cannot be healed away? I asked, simply out of curiosity.
You have just requested I not use my gifts on her. She stated the obvious.
Yes.
Do you know then, how healing magic works?
I do not. I admitted as much.
Unsurprising. Few bother with it aside from when they require it to fix their worries.
Silence followed this.
It is a uniquely divine power. One and all, we are all shaped in the image of some God Above. A pathid out for us, a body chosen. Should we stray from that path or find the road too rough for us, through divinity can we be guided back onto it.
A simpler exnation, perhaps? I suggested.
Your body is an image. One set in stone, yet constantly shifted and mutateable as you grow into more and more gifts. Through divine power, by the will of the Gods Above alone, can it be returned back to that image whenever it strays.
Each body has a set temte to which it is returned? I summed it up, curiosity growing. In a world of constant growth, evolution, and change, this seemed a great strangeness.
If you wish to describe it in such a gauche, artistic term. She shrugged. Then yes.
With all this said and done, your friend seems to be in no immediate danger. Although I would caution her against whatever fire she has been ying with. There are only so many times the body can stand to be burnt.
With that, she stood from her small seat next to the bed and once more curled her crimson cloak around her body.
My work liespleted. I have more patients than require my attendance back at the fort. She raised an eyebrow at Ish.
The young half-orc looked around, unsure of what to do.
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If your father could be so kind as to teleport me back?
I, uhhh.
Velton seems to have, unfortunately, disappeared. I informed her, wince in my tone. He does that.
So I will be walking all the way back up the mountain. She spoke stiffly.
Perhaps not.
I still had a singr horse and was the proud owner of one cart. I knew, however, that I would not be going. My weight was simply too much for the horse to pull. I needed someone lighter. Convenient was it it then, that dawn had cracked the sky and my workforce was rising for a new day. Several momentster, I had rustled up a wholly unenthusiastic drow from his breakfast and tasked him with the drive.
His expression mostly disappeared once he pped eyes on the cleric. It was mine that shifted in surprise when he gave her a sweeping bow and kissed her hand. While unimpressed, I noticed that she did not outright shrug off his thicklyin charms.
It was not long before he and the cleric disappeared from the farm, and we were left in peace.
She was there. Lerish grunted, sitting upright on my bed as I brewed a cup of wakeleaf for her. Perhaps not the best thing for her to drink right now, but she requested some.
There arose a sinking feeling in my gut as I turned back to the two.
Who? I asked, already having levied a guess.
Valencia. I smelled her, even inside the pit. They hid me from her. She rasped, still tormented by pain. A few moments of rest, and her voice became clear. I could smell their terror, even from down there. Dont think she sensed me.
The knot in my gut was well and truly there. This was the first we had heard of the dreadknight since she had vanished inside the dungeon. Now she roamed free once more, her leash well and truly slipped. Wherever she went, malice followed.
Do you know what business she had with them?
A shaken head was my response.
She threatened them, I know as much. Told them to stay away from somewhere. But I was already exhausted when she came, and could make out little else. She left soon after and didnt return.
There was some relief that the dreadknight was not conspiring with those who wished me harm, although she was undoubtedly among their ranks. I had little need of an enemy like her, especially now. If there was a truly good God Above, our paths would never have to cross again. Yet I know to expect otherwise. To this entire, ungodly mess, the tendrils of hatred had now been added.
She would infect and destroy everything, I knew. Yet I was uniquely uneager to seek her out. For all the boons I had received once the ArnThema godling had been in, she had taken as equal share. How much stronger was she now? She had already decisively bested me in singlebat.
I chose not to think about what coulde next.
The details of Lerishs captivity were painful. I sat and watched as she sipped wakebrew and recounted what she had experienced. At first, she had roamed the woods simply to take time away from everyone and hide from Ish.
Something called to her, growing stronger with time as animals began to follow her instead of running in fright. When confronted by the druids, she has shifted into her Apex form. A mistake. While she had stayed mortal, their influence had been dull, but the second she turned from demihuman to monster, it had seized control.
A prisoner in her own body, she had been caged and suffered for weeks. The druids had nned to lure me there all along, not simply after I had made peace with Ironmoor. I was a blemish on the mountain, the symptom of arger disease. This I had known from my own encounter with them. They were adamant about uprooting me. To the point where they had not tried to pit Lerish and Valencia against each other despite the dreadknights terrifying presence.
This had been the strength of their conviction. The more I listened, the stronger my belief grew that I ahd done the right thing by ridding the world of them.
Hours leaked away as Lerish shared what she saw fit to share. I did my best, and simply listened. Noon came and went. And eventually, so did the duo. The cart returned, and then left once more as Ish drove Lerish away. She would be better off at Veltons farm, I was told, and I believed her.
The tension in the back of my skull followed me outside and through the workday. It refused to abate, residing there through the next several days. Always there, always tense. The farm grew at a brisk pace, fields nted, a proper pathwayin through the forest towards more fields. Buildings rose with quickening speed, the lumberjacks Skills letting them dry freshly hewn wood and erect buildings as quickly as one might please.
And through it all, the pressure grew. Something approached. We had just avoided trouble, and more came on the horizon. My sleep proved uneasy and empty, no drop of fulfillment wrung from it. Headaches mounted all the while.
A second meeting with the baron proved more fruitful as I announced his druid problem had been taken care of. Although I left out the details of why I had seen fit to dispose of it all. I had garnered a grudging respect for the man, and a promise to reconsider offers of trade. This time, thankfully, the nobles of house Ramsey-Pratt were gone.
No surprises awaited me in the castle. The same could not be said for once I had left.
I stopped dead on my journey home, right at the crossroads where the road turned up the mountain. Tracks covered the ground here, deep prints sunken into the packed road.
Large hoofprints, uniquely shaped and distinct from those of horses. Space at a familiar stride. Sunken deep, almost as if considerable weight was applied straight down, not spread over an area.
My blood ran cold as my sleep-deprived mind put together all the pieces, even as my eyes traced their path up the mountain.
Minotaurs. A small warbands worth.
B2-Chapter 20: red Sun, Red Blood II.
B2-Chapter 20: red Sun, Red Blood II.
There remained little trace of the warband at my farm. All that lingered were the tracks, and the thick scent of the fear in the air. The workers hovered far out on the fields, almost among the trees. Iy little me on them.
These minotaurs were not me. The warband had been seen, recognized andrgely avoided. And thank the Gods ABove, for they had not stopped here. I bellowed for them to approach, so far away were they. Wary and frightened, they drew near.
It was the first time I had ever seen a Drow nervous. It took precious moments to confirm that they had done little except pass through, headed in direction of the Verdant Dawns camp.
Where I had sent Ish with a load of supplies this morning. There was no merciful realization that she may have returned early. The cart remained gone, and so did she.
Do not follow. You will perish, I grunted. It took several more moments to grab my pack, now boasting a plethora of fleshknitter draughts and healing milk, among other things. I considered my armor, but decided it would take too long.
There would be blood. That much was certain. I knew my own kind, knew how they thought, and how this would all end. I would be a fool to delude myself otherwise. Any words spoken and any peace that attempted to be made was only dying the inevitable.
They hade for me. This I was certain of. And in my absence, they would be happy to shed the blood of others.
Pack over my shoulder and ymore in hand, I strode off, nearly at a slow run. Gol followed close behind, and with a heavy heart I growled at him until he slinked away. I did not want those close to me involved in this.
Minotaurs I considered little more than sentient monsters, so tainted was my perspective of them through Gareks memories. Good for little more than violence, bloodshed and thinning their own herd through infighting when there were no monsters for them to battle. One could argue they did the world a service by culling so many dangerous creatures through neverending wars.
I was not so sympathetic. Gareks many memories spoke to that, and the brutality I glimpsed within shocked me everytime I foolishly went looking. This was a harsh world filled with dangers, yes. But minotaurs had abandoned all facade of civilization, of giving a single damn about anything other that dealing death en masse.
Perhaps no one despised my own race so much as I.
I was the anomaly, and even then only because I happened to be a foreign soul inside this body.
This, I was distinctly aware of as I half-ran up the trail toward the monster hunter camp.
Veltons farm stood uuntouched. That much was a relief. I scanned for a horse and cart, hopeful that perhaps Ish had stopped to visit her parents. Once again, I was denied relief. She was further up, still in the path of danger. My nostrils twitched as I fought off thoughts that intruded on my mind now. Whisperings of what might happen.
Hand mped tight around my weapon, I stomped onwards, already hazy vision tensed. The only saving grace of this was that all my Skills were unused. There was some vague soreness as I had just spent the entire day travelling, and only taken light rations for the road. Not particrly well-rested, but still able to do what was required of me.
I feared the worst, and rightfully so. After an agonizing length of time, the Verdant Dawn camp came into sight. Sound and smell superseded it. Blood already tinged the air, just a few hints that crept into my nostrils.
I approached, hand on my ymores hilt, eyes taking in everything before me.
Arge, broad bull stood before the camps closed gates, bellowing at the defenders on the wall. I counted a over a dozen full-grown minotaurs behind him. A small warband. And that was if more hadnt split off somewhere. Armed, thought not necessarily armored. They traveled light after such a long journey.
Fur matted with dust spoke of long roads. But there was already blood spilled here. Humans I didnt knowy dead in front of the walls, pushed right up against them.
Open! Bellowed the bull I assumed to be in charge. Send your mightiest warriors to die before me or I wille in and find them!
Bloodthirsty. Cruel. Vicious. Just like Gareks memories showed.
He is already here! I bellowed and watched them turn. A distraction to buy time for whatever the Verdant Dawn had nned.
If they had a n.
Youe here, seeking me. I stated. The letter and their presence here led me to put everything together. I was a traitor to their ways, and minotaurs were not known for being persuaded. Especially away from violence.
The traitor. Rumbled the lead bull.
One cannot betray something they never held allegiance to. I rumbled.
He shrugged, uncaring.
Hispanions -if that was the right word- parted to let him through, towards me. Large, broad of shoulder. One broken horn. He carried arge axe, its de alone the size of most human shields. ck fur distinguished him from the duller colors and paint that most of his fellows sported. He wore armor, unlike most of his kin here.
There were no introductions as he sized me up, his body loose and rxed in sharp contrast to my tense, ready to explode stance.
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What do you want? I almost spat, my voice a snarl. Their presence threatened me and mine. I did not wee it at all. The bodies that alreadyy in the dirt spoke that I was right to do so. These brutes knew only one solution to every single problem they encountered.
Gratuitous amounts of violence.
Blood was the lens through which they saw the world, and everything lesser than they did not deserve to live.
Glory. He answered, his voice a rumble. And I will drag it from your cold corpse.
Your softness, your cowardice does not deserve the love of the Gods Above. He continued.
And you somehow think that they will shower you with their affection if you kill me?
Those uncaring eyes met mine once more as he straightened and shook his frame.
One way to find out.
I demand firstbat! Another bull stepped forward and bellowed. This one had short, brown fur. Somewhat shorter than the other, but with fire in his eyes. He carried a towershield andnce, helm covering his upper face. A warrior with something to prove. It was I that found him! I that led us here.
The lead bull''s axe touched his throat a momentter and he stopped in ce.
I am leader of this warband. He spoke. You may have my scraps.
He had garnered their respect, I found as the smaller bull retreated, glowering.
And so, as all in all matters that involved minotaurs, we arrived at the inevitable conclusion. The dealing of death.
This one was strong, I could tell. He carried himself with the swagger of confidence that only came with the knowledge you were able to kill everyone in the room. His ss, Levels and Skills were unknown to me. Perhaps the same was true in reverse. But he was a minotaur, and well ustomed to ughter.
Stand and die then. I rumbled. A godling could not strike me down. Neither will you, hiding behind the skirts of your warband. Coward.
He proved quick to anger. Like every single other minotaur I could ever recall.
Fur exploded forward as he closed the distance and swung, axe splitting into three spectral projections that swung from different sides.
Cloven Crash stopped him in ce as half a dozen other skills were called at once. I stomped forward and swung the ymore across his chest. His form flickered backward, just out of the des path. Short-range discement that prolonged his life a moment longer.
But no more than that. He was still frozen by the shout as I stepped in and thrust the great de into his chest, piercing through the metal armor with ease. I could see his eyes bulge and muscles attempt to thrash about, skill after skill firing off.
Gold is Power fed strength to Cloven Crash and kept him locked in ce as I took his life.
I needed to shock these warriors. Make them think twice about facing me. Their leadery dying, dispatched in seconds. Traces of Cloven Crash had bled over to the warband, leaving them frozen in ce, able to do naught but watch. This was the conclusion of a life.
Dead, just like that.
Who wishes to die next? I raised the ymore and let its tip point from one warrior to another. Make peace with your Gods, then step forward to follow his fate.
The short, stocky bull burst forward, eager for blood. I had hoped this show of force would dissuade them.
Not so. I needed to make it clear that this was not a battle. But rather, butchery.
Hold, fool. Another one growled at the over-eager minotaur.
I will fell this traitor! He announced in return, eyes locked on me. None of them bothered to watch the walls. And really, neither did I. What could the humans do? To engage in melee with minotaurs was suicide. Their ranged weapons were so weak that they would only serve to anger the warband.
You will do nothing.
Velton twisted into reality next to me, sleeves rolled back, tattoos fairly writhing on his skin. The elf looked exhausted, a perpetual tiredness that I had noted on him ever since the dungeon. But more than anything, he looked furious.
Took their messenger long enough to get up the mountain. He grimaced and nced at the sealed gates.
An elf. A minotaur deeper in the warbandmented on the obvious.
Velton said nothing. He merely stared at the warband, simmering with cold anger.
Brutes. He spoke, voice devoid of emotion.
An eagerness stirred in the herd. Instead of fear, this stirred excitement in them. Toe intobat with an elf was a death sentence, but these bloodthirsty fools simplycked the capacity to care.
Run or die. He snapped.
I echoed this sentiment, standing over the body of their leader.
I was nervous, deep down. This was a full two dozen minotaurs and change. Each of them possessed enough of a threat to actually hurt, even kill me if any sort of control slipped.
They will sing of our glory! The stocky bull bellowed to persuade his fellows. A traitor and an elf! Crush them beneath our hooves, and-
His words were cut short as Velton clenched his fist and invisible force yanked the bull upwards. He hung in the air, weapons dropped as he thrashed, the air ripped out of his lungs. Blood and fluid rose from his mouth, the liquid inside his body forcibly extracted.
He died slowly, inplete silence.
In agony.
There was no brave warriors death for this one. Just another life snuffed out.
They would beget no glory, no virtue from facing the elf. This much was made clear.
Even as the warband moved backwards in chaos, some looked eager for the fight. I could see their hands clenched one weapons, smell the excitement on them. Veltons disy of sorcery shocked them with its sudden brutality, but these were minotaurs. ughter and death were close friends to them. I ndded a tipping point. Something to convince them that this was not worth what it would cost.
The Behemoth crashed into existence behind me. Gargantuan, filled with bloodlust and hunger. Only then did they back away.
I repeated Veltons threat and slowly, few by few, they backed off. But this was not thest I would see of them, I knew. We hade toote to prevent all bloodshed, but just soon enough to stop more.
And to me, that was good enough.
BBook 2: Chapter 21: Red Sun, Red Blood III.
BBook 2: Chapter 21: Red Sun, Red Blood III.
I am unsurprised that this is somehow rted to you. The Red Cleric spoke these words as she tended to those who still lived. My ample supply of healing milk helped ease the strain and allow her magic some leeway on the more grievous wounds, I had quickly found.
If that was supposed to stir guilt in me, it did not. I had not influenced the warband to attack the camp. My hands were clean in the ughter of those caught outside the gate. I said as much as she closed up a gashed-open sternum, the man underneath in shock from bloodloss and pain.
No guilt was implied. She said this all without her eyes leaving her work. Her red sleeves soaked up blood even as her hands glowed white-hot and knit the flesh back together. It is a fact that every time anything of note happens in this particr area, you are involved.
I had little reply to that. The woundedy in rows here, freshly dragged away from the corpses outside the camp walls and into rtive safety. More were dead than I had first glimpsed. It spoke to something dead inside me that I did not stir with much emotion when I regarded the freshly-made corpses. Too much war and bloodshed for me to care anymore.
There was ack of knowledge on my part, but I was able to piece together events from what little had been hastily told to me once Velton had vanished to fetch the Cleric. Gods Above, his ability to step between spaces in an instant proved invaluable time and time again. And there was an entire race of people just as powerful as he, only they hated us.
That thought I shelved for another day and returned to what had urred. Fairly straightforward, in terms of what I had expected.
Scouts had alerted the camp before the warband had even arrived. Riders had been dispatched the beg for Veltons help immediately as the camp walled itself off. The gates had been shut as soon as the warband came into sight, trapping hunters outside the walls. Even so, the camps new leader -who I had yet to meet- had refused to open the gates as the minotaurs drew near.
What exactly had transpired between the two forces I did not know. Those details had not been provided in the short time I was not attending to the wounded. But they had shed, with the Verdant Dawn fighters brutally and decisively cut down as archers ineffectually fired on the warband from the walls.
My arrival hade momentster, and events had further transpired from there. This was all the knowledge I had. Aided by Gareks memories of his kind, my gambit to drive them off had seeded with Veltons help. Instead of a glorious death inbat, those killed were foricibly ground down without a chance to fight back.
Death was weed among taurkind, but not one where the warrior died helpless. A hatred for magic was quite healthy among the bullish poption, as was fear of those that could wield it.
Temporarily at least, they had been forced to retreat with their leader dead.
Your kind is among those that give my Order the most work. The Red Clericmented off-hand as she reattached a shorn forearm.
I remain unsurprised. Was all I grunted in return. You seem to follow violence wherever it wanders.
Are you aware why we are followers of the Red Godling?
Well versed in theology, I was not. Yet I could hazard a guess.
Almost universal to all races, red is the color of blood. The life-liquid that stains our robes crimson as we kneel among the dying and help them cling to this mortal coil.
Your order must be popr with vampires. I blurted the thought out.
The few that have not fallen to darkness do business with us, yes. She remarked, unconcerned.
You do not consider them monsters?
They try not to be. Like you. A very distinctly different being than the rest of your kind.
I saw that quite clearly. Why so many people had been scared of me, nervous in my presence even with an established reputation for kindness. The warband had marched in and butchered the first fighters they encountered with no qualms.
I tended to the wounded as best as I could, until my finite supply of healing milk ran dry. The Red Cleric toiled away withoutint, her task a long one. I excused myself once my reserves ran dry, having helped to the best of my abilities.
And now I surveyed the aftermath of what had happened. The two minotaur corpses were left where they had fallen, untouched except for hunters stripping the bodies of gear and weapons. I furrowed my brows at this and stomped over, leaving the wounded behind.
Their leader was my kill. I grumbled to the beastkin warrior that appeared to lead the effort. His belongings are mine.
Such was minotaur custom. If you killed it, it belonged to you.
Teres orders. The hunter scratched the back of his neck and looked around nervously.
What you do with that, I jabbed my finger at the minotaur Velton had killed. Is of no concern to me. By right, this one is mine.
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It seemed something random to be contentious over, but such was what it was. My kill, my body. One of the few things universally honoured among the minotaur tribes.
The corpse and all belongings found on it are mine. I reiterated. If you wish to take it, you may duel me for it.
This seemed to force the man into eptance, and with a few muttered words, he gestured to the two others and trudged over to the other corpse instead. The bodies seemed massivepared next to the humans they had in. The short one was well over seven feet tall, and the leader,rger than his kind, almost broke ten feet, if my eyeballing estimate was correct. Almost twice is tall as most of the humans, and with five to seven times their body mass.
Gigantic, bulky beings, not unlike myself.
Their corpses would be fine for now, in the cool and clouded forests edge. I would strip the armor and posessions myselfter to see if I could discern anything as to where they were from and such. Their motives I could guess. They were here to kill me and make a name for themselves. Most of them looked young by minotaur years. No scars, shorter fur, unbroken horns. A few old bulls scattered in here and there, painfully obvious.
Yet all of them were fighting age, and all of them would have spilt copious amounts of blood before they ever thought of finding me.
They would have to be driven away. A warband loose and thirsty for blood in this area would be bloody to deal with. For everyone involved. The cost of grinding them down promised to be brutal.
With that in mind, I turned and walked back into the camp. Those inside its wooden walls reeked of nervousness and anger, and I was reminded how dangerous this world was. A day that had started with no signs of danger had so quickly whirled round and cut down those unaware.
Raffnyk met me inside. The humans face looked stiff and tired, and like the rest, there was rage embedded in his scent.
You arrived in time to stop them from attacking and likely breaking through the wall. He remarked. Gods Above, I dont know how, but you even scared them off.
I would thank Velton for that, personally.
Then I will, once I find a moment.
He was unhappy. That much was obvious. Not just as this situation, however. This anger reeked of something older. I asked as much, and received silence as well reply. Honorable as he was, however, he did not deign to lie to me.
The elite hunters the order saw fit to send finally arrived several weeks ago. They saw fit to make several changes. Changes I disagreed with. Changes that affected what happened today.
You let them?
The knights face tensed.
I had no choice. They are of higher rank than I, and while I protested, it was my duty to duly obey. I was relinquishedmand of this camp and delegated to less sensitive matters once I would not stop questioning the validity of moving all our higher-leveled huntres up the mountain to the fort.
I nced around now, realizing that I could not verify that on sight. I had never gotten to know the Verdant Dawn mercenaries that well, aside from the few I had conversed with now and then. The orc and the beastkin that had first apanied Raffnyk to my farm were missing. Stationed at the redstone keep?
And these hunters that came and took over? I looked around.
Also at the fort. I am now a glorified steward here. He all but glowered. They sendmand, I see them carried out. This camp is a shell of what it was before. Nothing but walls and the lowest-level recruits that have trickled in here. Weak. Ready to be overrun.
Well, that might change after today. I tried to offer some sce.
There was no hint ofughter on his face as the human looked me dead in the eye and shot down that idea.
They will hear of this, learn that the minotaurs were driven away and discard it from mind. So obsessed are they with the dungeon that this will be but a brief distraction. I would stake my honour on this im, Garek.
The human had never been one to be dissatisfied with a little dirty work, or one toin about his lot in life. This much i had learned in the time we had spent together. He was a man of conscience, of integrity. But now, he was disgruntled. Stationed at the shell of what this camp should have been to look after the weakest recruits.
Call me opportunistic, but I saw the glimmer of a chance and decided to seize it. Lest is slip away and never be brought up again.
Work for me, then. I announced. Come join my farm, train my guards. You will be among friends. Wellpensated for your services. Inplete control of those handed over to your training. My farm expands, grows in size and fame, and I will require someone who I trust to help me guard it all. Who better than you?
He considered the offer. Really, truly did.
And to do that, I would vite the oath of loyalty I gave to my order. Desert my post. Forsake my soldiers. Break my own integrity. His back straightened, eyes hard with resolve now. As much as I appreciate the offer, I will not. My dutyes before all else.
I nodded sadly. I had thought he would say as much, yet opportunity hadpelled me to try.
And I will respect that. But know I would value your services and opinion if you ever chose to take me up on this.
One day. Came the answer, nonmital. I would have to be satisfied by this. Until I end my contract or am duly discharged, my postes first.
We talked for a bit more, quick catch-ups on recent events exchanged. With a promise for him to visit soon exacted from the tired, honorable man, I left to find Velton and Ish.
The half-orc seemed unfazed by what had happened. If the camp being besieged had bothered her, she did not show it. Her face was sanguine as her father hovered around like a worried mother hen.
And what then? He spoke as I came into range. You reveal thence, kill one or two? Then what, Ish? The rest are still there. Questions start to be asked. The awakening of the dungeon is still fresh on peoples mind and not everyone believes all the culprits perished.
Then I would strike down more until they broke. She replied, arms folded in confident defiance. I can fight for myself, father.
Velton all but threw up his hands in frustration.
Daughter. I love you, but I would prefer you alive and in hiding, not brave and dead. You had every opportunity to jump the walls and run, but decided to stand your ground in the path of a warband.
I coughed to signal my presence, then louder to garner their attention.
Garek. Velton sighed. Please, do your best to talk some sense into my fool daughter. You seem to be the only person she listens to, anymore.
BBook 2: Chapter 22: Broken Horns.
BBook 2: Chapter 22: Broken Horns.
Khoros, son of Toross Grave-Gouger, had never been one to let others think him a coward. These usations had gued him from the day he had first picked up an axe and found himself on the run after his tribe was routed. He had been the first to see the battle was broken, the first to flee and live another day.
Since that day, the work which he had done to disprove that had been tireless. He rushed into battle ahead of eager brethren. Facedrger, more dangerous foes at every Gods-given opportunity. Proudly joined the great hordes in the Steel Marches that had seen to expand the minotaur hearnds. Led the rear-guard home when those failed. Guarded the front outposts when the inevitable retaliation came.
It was then he began to grow tired of these young bulls and their thick skulls.
Cowardice, they called his retreats in the face of clearly lost, ingalmorous battles. Even as he kept them alive, they insulted his honour. But he knew better, so he had bore it with gritted teeth to maintain a fighting force.
Those who were too open about their disdain he called out and cut down in duels.
And so, Khoros found himself in a familiar situation.
The older bull sat hunched by the fire, coated in dust and sweat and matted fur, glowering at those he could hardly bear to look at. Younger, dumber bulls than he yapped and barked about, angry at each other. Blood coated the ground where more than one had already fought the other.
That, he cared little for.
No, he was hungry, and these fools had killed the cook. Some grass-haired wetear had just cut down the cook. This, Khoros had watched just a few moments earlier as the two had butted heads and led to Vhaltis being challenged to a duel. The much, much older, grizzled cook has well past his prime, journeying with the warband out of sheer stubbornness and a refusal to acknowledge that his glory days were over.
Thick-headed codger that he was, Khoros had still respected him. Mostly for his breadth of recipes and ability to make trail-food bearable. One of the few small pleasures of a traveling Warband.
And now he was robbed of even that.
Anger all but choked him now. The desire to pull out his axe and cleave open a few skulls until the rest fell in line and obediently listened ran through his blood.
Honour demanded he find the exact warrior responsible for the retreat earlier and cut them down so they could not inspire future cowardice. He bit down and rejected that for no more needed die this die.
Pride roared that the death of his friend must be avenged. Through blood-shot eyes, he quelled that for another day. Any further death would weaken the warband, he knew. Until after this deserter was put down and his title of God-Touched imed. Then coulde the time of blood.
He suffered in silence, stomach a void as he regarded the unappealing strips of meat hung over the fire. Another time, and Khoros Peacemaker would have done his best to establish order in the warband, keep the young bulls from killing each other.
Today, he cared little.
He gazed with apathy at the duels being fought to determine the new warchief. Less than a few hours dead, and younger, more eager bulls were already vying for Torns ce.
More minotaurs had been killed at the hands of their own kind than by the traitor and elf this day. Truly, there was no other race so well-versed in bringing low minotaurs than themselves.
Little more than a dozen remained, once the bloodshed was all said and done. And through it all, Khoros tended the fire and cooked unappealing food at the camps edge. More interested in the darkness beyond the trees than he was of these struggles for power he had witnessed hundreds of times.
Time made all bulls weary, tired and uncaring to the bloodshed. The only singr thing Khoros found of interest was that the bull that had cut down Vhaltis was still alive once the Gods had recieved their bloody due.
That was a score he would settle another day.
Sharn Stonecrusher of n Hillhoof had dered himself leader of the warband, he found with little interest. He usurped Torn, who had been in his position for little more than a month. A long time to lead a warband, in the scope of things.
Khoros was certain that should he desire the position, he would have little trouble splitting Sharns skull to take it from him. He remained thergest, most experienced bull here.
Instead he sat in silence as the new warchief sang his own praises, beat his chest and dered himself to be the best leader yet who would avoid the follies of the older ones.
Right up until Chief Sharn dered they would be pursuing the minotaur that very night.
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Unwise. Khoros spoke. Your bulls are tired from travel and fighting.
There were guffaws and derations of toughness, assurances of readiness and their hunger for blood. He knew better. They wanted little more than food, thest dregs of their stale ale and rest. Like every other warband he had ever travelled with. They were not different.
I am leader here. Sharn snorted. Step forward and challenge me, coward, or hold your tongue.
Khoros chose the second.
We will march to glory! Sharn bellowed, turning away. A sign of disrespect, to turn your back on someone who had just challenged you. Anger red as Khoros regarded the back of Sharns skull, right between the horns. An axe buried there would end him and prove the older bulls superior.
And where do we go? He asked, derision barely hidden in his tone. None here know where he resides.
You think too much, old bull. One of Sharns newckeys scoffed. We kill until he is drawn out again.
This deration was met with cheers and roars of approval through those that remained. Just over a dozen bulls, not counting Khoros. A small force, but enough to butcher their way across the mountain. Humans could do little to stand before them, as could the beastkin traitors that lived among the pinkskins like domesticated pets.
And the elf?
That question stopped the cheers, soured the mood.
We will deal with him when ites to that. Sharn dered.
If there was one trait Khoros despised hard enough to end his apathy, it was this. The refusal to acknowledge a problem was weakness unto itself.
You will die, then. Horribly. Calf. He snarled. I faced the Sun-mages of the elves across the battlefield. I know what they can do. You will kill a few humans, he will appear, and you will be torn asunder.
This he snorted with dismisal, the newly fletched-warchiefs reign already over in his mind.
What would a coward know of glorious deaths? Sharn snapped back, hand on his hammer. You have grown old, Khoros.
That much was true. He had, with some shame, outaged all of his peers. Lived longer than most minotaurs could and should. And for this he bore shame every day.
He could stand and argue with this calf, overpower him with his breadth of experience and knowledge. Instead, he slumped his shoulders and stared into the fire, wishing these burnt pieces of meet had any sort of vour.
But Trokol Thinhorn had killed the only damn cook in this warband and now everyone suffered. And once more, Khoros found himself silent. What was the use anymore? They rejected his ideas and tactics, colored their perception of him from a single event before most here were even birthed. He would forever be Khoros the coward.
Only bloodshed seemed to drown out the thoughts that floated in his mind day and night. He would never be epted among the the tribes. That much was guaranteed. The rejection had never actuallye from any of the great warchiefs, and he had never stayed long enough for them to notice his return and finally make the time to bar him entry once and for all.
He did not drift from one warband to the next because he enjoyed any of these calvespany. The bloodshed was a pleasure, of course. Something to distract himself. The wars had been a blessing. An actual length of time where he could be among his kin, where they needed him. But those had ended, and now he frequentedpany with the renegades and berserkers instead.
It was then that Khorors fur began to raise. The proverbial hackles quivered as something drew near.
A figure approached the firelights edge.
There stood a human, d in ck armor. A woman, reeking of malice and hatred. The minotaur looked across the fire as the armored human approached, not a weapon to be seen. Another saw her momentster, and the warband slowly turned towards her.
Youre here for the minotaur. Came the statement, the voice dead and t.
Sharn stomped forward and stared down at her. Inwardly, Khoros wondered what this fool was doing in their camp. If she hade to try and use the minotaurs for her own ends, she would quickly learn that human life mattered little to his kind.
Squeal, human. The warchief demanded. Before I squash you between my hooves.
Khoros, for the first time, felt something overpower the apathy that he had masked himself in for years.
Contempt. But this feeling did note from within. It spawned from outside, from the armored woman. It was forced upon him, upon the rest. Crushing in its entirety. Whatever stood before Sharn now, it considered them little more than insects, so vast was its disdain and disgust.
He is not yours to kill. Continued the terror.
Fast as Khoros could follow, Sharn buckled backwards, bellowing as he clutched the bloody mass that was his stomach. Even as the warband roused to violence, she was faster. And armored foot raised and smashed forward into the minotaurs much thicker leg. The kicknded right against the side of Sharns knee and snapped the leg in half.
Bellowing in pain, the warchief fell forward, right into a rising meteor of ck steel that nearly tore his entire head loose. The dread figure withdrew ck gauntlets from the cratered mess of the minotaurs skull and roared in glee as more charged towards her.
Khoros knew.
She was beyond anyone here. This human was here for ughter. They could not win. He had witnessed her ilk in the wars fought years ago. The Gods themselves had branded her to strike fear into minotaurs wherever she went, so many had she in. He felt it now.
And Khoros turned from the ughter and ran.
The dead and dying he left behind. Too stupid, too proud to run with him. Their fates were already writ in stone.
Khoros the coward crashed through the trees, tearing through the overgrowth as he ran faster and further than ever before, the overwhelming sensation of death approaching upon his heels.
A feeling not unfamiliar.
BBook 2: Chapter 23: Black Sun, Black Blood.
BBook 2: Chapter 23: ck Sun, ck Blood.
Bleak was the sun that dawned over my restlessness. Even as the first streaks of light broke the horizon, I was already awake. No sleep had imed me that night, in truth. ymore in hand andntern in the other, I stalked the grounds of my farm, eyes open and nostrils sniffing at the air.
They were out there, somewhere. Here for me. Ready to kill, willing to ughter.
No human trackers had wanted to venture into these dense, endless forests already brimming with danger to track down a warband. We would have to wait for Tehaliss return instead. Lerish could be called upon, but the huntress was still unwell. Her wounds both physical and mental took time to heal, and I would not force her into such a dangerous task without her full preparedness.
I knew, however, that they woulde for me. In lieu of finding the warband first, I awaited them instead.
The small store sentinels gazed at me as I stomped past, their piles of rock just above freshly-sprouted and growing crops. They would likely be destroyed if the warband made its charge across my fields. Spawned of stone and given rudimentary life by the System, they could be reced.
My farmhands could not. Magic could not replicate the lives and souls of those that toiled away for me: humans, beastkin, drow.
It was with this knowledge in mind that I called them all outside their quarters, summoned the watchmen from the fields. Nervous and on edge, they gathered before me.
Go home. I ordered them. This ce will soon be unsafe. I pay you to work for me, noty down your lives in the face of certain death. Make no mistake, when the warbandes, you will be butchered before them.
Those few voices that protested were without any real gusto. Even those who stated they were worried for me were more relieved to be sent away. These people were not warriors. They were farmers, builders, guards even. But not full fighters that craved blood and violence and death.
Not like those whose race I shared.
Seems a bit counter-intuitive to send away your security. Tashmented once people had begun to trickle away.
What will they defend against? I asked. Do you think they will stand a chance against a few dozen blood-drunk minotaur warriors?
Doubtful, but you paid for their services, did you not?
I was reminded then that he was, well and truly, a drow. This callous disregard for the lives of other races was a slightly prominent feature among his kind. All the easy charm from him did little to hide that.
I did, and my decision is made. You are going with them. Take the cows and lead them down to the loggers camp. Keep them there until I have sent for them.
That caused his smile to falter somewhat. However, he had little argument given his recent example of others.
Might I at least take some of the field guards? Shouldnt be an issue with them bein off duty and all.
Go. Make sure you dont lose any of my animals.
With that I observed his brisk pace away, then winced as a harsh whistle split the air. With help rounded up, the herd was soon driven back down the mountain towards the loggers camp. There was grass and pasture for them beyond the fields there. One by one, I made sure all workers on the farm were cleared out, unhappy as some might be. Most were simply relieved to be sent away from the danger that approached.
And soon, I was once again alone. After yesterdays events, Velton had told Ish that under no circumstances was she leaving his protection. The half-orc had finally relented after much argument on the condition that Lerish be provided the same help.
Only Gol refused to leave. The big brute followed me around as I paced around the farm, armor donned and ymore in hand.
Now came the part that no warrior liked; the waiting for battle. The tense silence as violence became inevitable.
Noon found me alone, sat upon a stump next to my lodge. From here I overlooked my farm, silence only broken by the soft rasp of wood being shaved. ymore standing upright next to me, I sat and absently carved pieces of wood. Not quite focused enough to give them actual shape, I stared out over all that I had built and waited for the destroyers toe.
With naught but Gols stalwarpany and my thoughts, I soon found hatred in my heart.
Until now, all that attacked me had been mindless monsters, agents of the dungeon that knew only death, greed-driven humans and little else. Those I had dispatched out of necessity, out of solemn duty to ensure mine and others safety. But these were a different sort of monster. Gareks own race who had journeyed across vast distances, fueled a the sole purpose. To cut me down and take what was rightfully mine.
Too bloodthirsty, too stupid to build anything other than a legacy of ughter and death. Only able to take and tear down.
I understood then why so many hated my kind.
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This was personal. Their names and histories I may not have known, to cut them down would not be done with cold dispassion. Now, I fought in defense of all that I had built and those who relied on me.
It was with cold dread that i watched a figure stride from the forest.
d in dark armor, their features bing clearer as they drew near. Yet I did not need to see those cruel eyes to know who it was. The feeling of dread and unbound malice preceded her. As did the stench of blood.
Valencia. I greeted the dreadknight with trepidation. My stomach was knotted with difort as she climbed the hill. Hand on my ymore I watched her, memories of ourst encounter fresh on my mind.
You could not have selected a more unfortunate time to grace me with your presence.
Crooked was the grin that cracked the corner of her mouth. A cruel, empty thing akin to something going through the motions with none of the feeling.
Why, Garek? Waiting for some old family to arrive and burn your doorstep? Came the mocking voice. Wait no more, for I have brought them to you.
With that, she tossed a bup bag held at her side to my feet. I stared at the tied cloth matted by blood and knew full well what was inside.
I refuse to open that. I snorted, nose crinkled in disgust.
You are, however, just barely clever enough to know what it signifies.
Half of my worries faded, at least. Instead of a ravening warband, I now had only Valencia before me. And I would be the grandest of liars if I spoke that I would not have preferred the warband. This woman might be the evil I was familiar with, but that did little to assuage me with her present.
The warband is gone. I uttered the obvious.
Exterminated like the vermin they were.
Again with the empty, cruel smile. There was naught on her so much as a scratch. Her armor remain unscathed save for now-dried blood and pieces of fur that had caught between the joints. Fur ripped off the bodies of the minotaurs she had killed.
Quite frankly, this woman terrified me, deep inside.
You have my thanks for that. I finally choked out. You saved lives, this day.
We both knew that was not why she had taken the task.
Gol snarled from my side as Valencia threw back her head andughed. Unease filled even more of me as I waited.
I know, and you know you did this out of spite, driven by your hatred. But I will see it as some glimmer of good left in you.
The dreadknight stopped at those words, shaking her head.
Never. I hunted them down, killed them with my bare hands, and I enjoyed it.
Good still came of it. You may be driven by hatred, but even you might make this a better ce, Valencia.
You have seen what your kin have wrought wherever they go, minotaur. Do you think my hatred wrong?
She did not remark on the second part, I noticed.
I am very, very well aware that my race is bloodthirsty to the core, driven by a need for bloodshed. I even more than you understand their savagery. And I am not one of them, Valencia. There is a reason I am here and not among them.
The very best of my efforts kept my voice cold, smothering out the anger that bubbled inside. To give her the satisfaction of getting under my skin was to let her win. And that, I refused.
Yet you remain a minotaur. You are not the only one familiar with your kind. I know that is in your very soul to be drawn to battle. That you will give in to bloodlust if pushed hard enough.
Then why provoke me? I spoke with some frustration. I have done my best to leave all that behind, to live a better life, and you insist on trying to drag me back.
I need little reason to do whatever I desire. Valencia spoke. Yet, I ughtered your kin and came here so that you may see I am the superior warrior between us. Snuffed them out because they thought themselves worthy of ying you. Crushed their dreams underfoot simply so that they will never dare dream again.
Understand. She continued. You are mine to kill. Mayhap not now, for their is no satisfaction to be had from a battle where you will not fight back. But someday soon, you will slip. Let the beast inside slip its chain just a notch too far. And on that day, I will be on hand to put you back into the dirt. To show you that I am stronger, in the onlynguage your kind understands.
You are. I returned without hesitation. There. You have gained your validation from me. It is known between us now. You are the greater ughterer, the superior warrior. But I am a warrior no more. I am a farmer now, a protector by necessity.The crops are my battlefield now, the cows my arrayed troops. Are you satisfied, Valencia?
Yes. For now. She smirked. Only a fool would see you are not special, minotaur. You seem perhaps the first of your kind to grow past the anger, so far. That is what makes you dangerous.
Are you so lost in your own hate that you refuse to see? I fought to keep the anger from my voice. What must I do to prove that I am not like the race I left behind? I have fought to right peoples notions of me since the day I arrived here, been nothing but good and kind to where even your Baron acknowledges that I am not a danger.
Have you, Valencia, ever considered that that monster that lurks this ce may be you?
If those words struck anything within her, the dreadknight did not show it. Instead she gave me the most surprising thing of all. I blinked in surprise as her features showed a true smile, softer than her usual empty facsimile, some semnce of humanity behind the shell.
I know that I am. I was damned to this fate, meant to be a monster in human skin.
And never have I seen you fight against it. You have epted that with glee. Be a more malicious, vicious killer than I ever was.
There was a moment of silence as she contemted my words.
Someone has to make all those monsters out there scared of the dark.
BBook 2: Chapter 24: Black Sun, Black Blood II.
BBook 2: Chapter 24: ck Sun, ck Blood II.
Valencia had not seen fit to lie, I found. With her directions in mind, I found the minotaur camp within hours of her disappearing back into the forest. The dreadknight -for all that I was right to be wary of her- was not a liar. Cold from the early onset of evening, I squinted into the dying, cloud-obscured light and made out what remained of the camp before me.
Corpsesy strewn everywhere, first and foremost. I stepped gingerly among the gore, hooves tracking dirt into the congealed blood. The human side of me wanted to wrinkle my nostrils in disgust. The minotaur body was so used to this that it almost failed to notice.
Not all had died equally. This I expected. Gareks memories showed the prevalence of honor duels among the bulls. Thick-headed smashing of skulls together to assert dominance over every little thing.
The dreadknights ughter was messy. Not sure what else I expected when she preferred to rip things apart with her hands.
Her personal touch made it easy to identify which few had been killed by their brethren. There were no clean deaths among minotaurs, but those inflicted by weapons were far less gruesome than Valencias bare hands. Easier to identify too.
Splits skulls and pierced chests were ironically cleaner deaths than the brutality Valencia had wrought. Corpsesy strew all throughout the rough camp, violently thrown about and left to lie broken in the dirt.
They did not interest me. The dead stayed so, and they kept their secrets well. In lieu of a necromancer, I would need to to find information otherwise. It was to warband standard then that there were no tents or shelters of any kind. To seekfort was weakness in their minds, after all.
They would have slept normally as they did now, albeit perhaps in less awkward positions.
Instead, rucksacks were the only thing the warband carried outside of their clothes and armor. Haphazard collections of materials that would allow the warpath to be traveled at all speed. Longer strides, better endurance, less need for shelter, and able to forage for their own needs. Minotaur warbands had the talent of being able to move so inconveniently fast that most races would falter and break pace long before they tired.
They could outrun and oust most horses if needed.
All this, I would know. I was once among their hordes.
By sheer providence of thisnd being some backwards province of and-locked human kingdom had I not encountered another one before. That luxury had slipped away, now.
Frustrated hands tore through study packs and left supplies strewn everywhere as I searched for something, anything that might yield the answers I sought. Written words to fill the gaping void of knowledge within.
There were no written orders or letters. Fool had I been to expect any, given how these roaming berserkers likely shared simr literacy levels with a rabid squirrel.
Whetstones, leather grease, dried rations, too-small clothes I ripped out of packs and cast aside. A piece of oxhide with an axe scratched on and dozens of furrows held my interest for a few moments until I realized its owner was expressing the extent of their writing abilities to record kills.
The greatest find to this corpseden camp was a crude map pulled from underneath one of the bodies. Stained with blood, it appeared barely legible. Only becuase I had taken the time to familiarize myself with geography recently did I recognize it was a drawn map of this ce and the surrounding areas, with the Redtip marked and a path scrawled towards it.
They had known where toe looking before even entering the province, I concluded. Yet this did little to help me find from where they originated. The direction the path was scratched onto the map came from the south-east.
Desperately wracking Gareks memories found that the minotaur had possessed a very poor sense of direction. What exactlyy south-east of where I lived, I knew little of beyond the names of small countries and kingdoms.
My own journey had taken ce from directly south, and if memory served me, the ckfall Pits were the reason minotaur tribes gathered there. Spawning pits of various monster breeds might serve to drive away most other species, but they allowed the battle-hungry minotaurs to thrives there.
The fromer Gareks memories proved, once again, wholly unreliable. I managed to glean that his tribe had freshly moved there shortly before his death, yet memories before that were a blur of anger, frustration and self-loathing. Failing to measure up with others of his age, if my own memories were of any reliance.
The sort of anger that might turn a man to desperate measures in order to seed.
While he had not, his loss had been turned into my rebirth. All for the better.
Rare as this moment of rity and self-eptance was, it was not sacrosanct.
The sounds of branches being trampled and leaves crushed underfoot made me rise, hand on my sheathed ymore.
Underhoof, actually. I stood corrected as a minotaur barreled from the trees and skidded to a halt, eyes going wide as he glimpsed me. Matter fur, tired eyes, gasping breath all heralded exhaustion. He stood frozen for a moment, neither willing to make the first move. Squat for one of his race, streaks of white on brown fur and two stubby horns were what I saw past the smell of fear thaty about him.
If it must be violence, I was ready.
Gods Above be thanked, it was not so. Instead, the bull shakily lifted his hands, palms out to me in the rarest gestured his race ever produced. I epted his call for non-agression. For now.
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What business have you here? I demanded, looking down at the other minotaur. Even among my towering kind, I was taller than most now. The System had seen to that.
Food. Water. Supplies. He grumbled. Quick nces showed he carried no weapon. Yet this did not make him harmless.
It was ironic on many levels that I demanded to know his business while standing amidst the ruins of his camp. Yet a few fires and dead friends did not make thisnd his.
Why? Brisk and to the point.
To leave.
And go where?
A slow, wary shrug.
Back to the Bloodfields, maybe. They never question why even old bullse there.
That name sparked some memory in Gareks mind. Much like the ckfall, it was a spawning ground for monsters. On the weaker side, mayhaps, but still. A seasonal affair, to be sure, but the various tribes kept outposts there year-round. Looked down on a bit, if Gareks memories were an unfaulty guide.
A ce for calves to get their first taste of blood and old bulls. I remarked. Which are you?
Even with my poor eyesight, his nostrils clearly red at the slight insult.
Older than all these calves. He gestured at the bodies around us. Wiser too.
If he cared any about whoevery butchered here, it was very, very well hidden. Not so much as a shift in tone or re in his scent.
And what exactly happened to these calves? I asked, knowing full well.
The wrong enemy at the wrong time. You and that elf freak drove them off, then some monster in human skin walked out of the darkness and started butcherin them all.
Them, not us, i noticed.
And you survived how? Valencia is not known for her great mercy.
Several moments passed before the minotaur forced out the words.
I ran. He muttered. What now? Will you shame me for saving my own skin as well?
No. I shrugged. You did the sensible thing. Few can stand against her and survive.
I spoke from experience here. Who was I to shame another from fleeing certain death?
You know her?
At this moment, I was presented a crossroads. Several choices.
There was little I knew of this minotaur, and littler still that made me trust him. He hade here with my death in mind, just like the rest. The only thing of note that I knew was that he had ran when Valencia appeared.
Yes. Her, I know. We have fought before.
The details on how that fight had ended, I chose to forfeit.
The minotaur smelled of fear and caution now. Was I an even greater foe than Valencia? Was I capable of butchery on arger scale than she?
He did not know, and his uncertainty benefited me.
Tell me. I demanded. Where this warband hails from, and who sent it.
The details came slowly, cautiously. They had traveled here for weeks now at full pace. All the way from the Crands to the south-east. A detail corroborated by the map. Word of a new dungeon had sent ripples of excitement through various tribes, and then the System announcing a new Godtouched had sent that to a fervor when several tribes recognized the name Garek.
This warband had all but bolted ahead of the rest, the choice made to travel light and press hard.
It was almost unsettling to hear how much effort and excitement there was over my potential death. These people, Gareks race, had seen him, no, saw me as a stepping stone for their own gain and fame. Loyalty was not a trait bing of a minotaur.
Excitement had faded past the first few days as bulls had reverted back towards their griping ways. The hit of exhration and anticipation faded and the long drag of travel had set in. At least for the minotaur that described all to me now.
While this is surely of great fascination, I want details on who else ising.
The travels of this warband did not overly concern me. That hade, they had died. Their story had concluded as a footnote in my own. Who and what woulde next was the knowledge I hungered for.
You need to know. The minotaur slowly realized. Like a calf drowning at sea, hetched onto that anchor with desperation. Swear then that you will let me go without chase if I tell you.
Only then did I realize how much dread I instilled in him. He knew nothing of me, knew not that I had grown fond of peace. I was just another ughterer who had butchered his way to glory, albeit one that had betrayed the tribes.
Every detail. I demanded. For every facet of knowledge I glean use from, I will allow you another hour before I pursue.
Violence and the threat thereof were the onlynguage these people understood. And I could speak it oh so well.
I learned of tribes that sought my head, people that imed to know me and my weaknesses. I learned that warbands massed with the sole purpose of iming my head. Some slight horror grew underneath the trepidation at the sheer scope opf the tide of violence that was to ride my way.
This was not the simple work of a singr warband. These bulls had been the drops to arrive before the storm swept in. Each word this minotaur spoke painted the strokes of a grim horizon that came even as I slept.
Larger, more well organized and supplied warbands would travel slower, a tide of fur and blood creeping up the horizon. But they woulde. And I could not stop them alone.
Go. I growled and gestured once the minotaur fell silent. Take what you need and flee this ce. Do not return lest you wish to die among your friends.
These are no friends of mine. He felt the need to rify that in particr. Watchful eyes on him at all times, I observed the minotaur gathering supplies into a sack as my thoughts raced.
My future looked to be filled with blood indeed.
Eyes locked on me all the while, the brawny minotaur stepped backwards, slowly disappearing into the chokingly thick forest. A minute passed, perhaps more as I stood and red. Only once he was well and truly gone did my shoulders slump and the strength leave me.
Tired breath escaped from my lips andmy vision grew bleary as I sat amongst the dead and contemted what I had just learned.
I gazed among the carnage and let the realization grow within that I needed someone well versed in fighting minotaurs. Someone willing and able and eager for ughter. Someone to stomach it all when I could not. Someone who had done this all before.
I needed Valencia.
BBook 2: Chapter 25: Black Sun, Black Blood III.
BBook 2: Chapter 25: ck Sun, ck Blood III.
Once more, I was returned to Castle Ironmoor, to stand before the Baron and wrestle help from his iron fist. Well, to be more urate, I was seated across the table from him, untouched scones and heated wakebrew on a te before me.
Cold though the man was, no one could use Londor Ironmoor of being uncourteous to his guests. Even if he merely went through the motions, the perceived hospitality was still there.
And so you have returned to me. He spoke, leaned to the side, jaw propped against his fist. This was the most hint of anything other than steel-backed discipline I had ever seen from the man. He had remained so as I recounted the warbands attack on the camp and reported on their now-deceased state.
Do you wish for a reward now that you have cleaned up your own mess?
Harsh words from a harsh man. I expected little else.
You think Ie before you to ask of something? No, I came out of good will to warn you that more areing. Larger, better organized and more experienced warbands of proven and tested minotaurs, all aimed to flood yournds. I would be a very poor neighbor indeed if I learned this and did not inform you.
Vassal. He corrected me, tone sharp. You are no lord of thend to be my neighbor.
Not yet, anyway.
You live onnd sold to you from my subjects,nd that I allow you to farm.
Land that will soon be overrun by bloodthirsty berserkers that care little for what or whom stands in their way.
Left handid on the table, he drummed several fingers on the immacte surface as he considered my words.
You have made it obvious that these beasts arrive here to kill one thing: You.
They do.
You are then the focal point of all troubles that are to follow. The cause of the blood that will run across mynds, bleed my subjects and whet my fields.
He was not incorrect, not entirely.
It would be an insult to your intelligence if you were to state it so simply. I retorted. Removing me would not deter their warpath here, not would offering up my head to them.
Ah yes. The forsaken Godtouched status.Ive half a mind to just pull my men back and let this entire debacle be sorted out amongst you savages.
And once it is over? Do you think they will simply leave peacefully?
There was a cold smile upon the mans lips as he spoke now.
Of course not. They will fight amongst themselves, y each other for the honor or wearing your title, steal lives and be cut down as it all devolves into savagery and blood and war.
It was then that I realized what he implied.
They will be weakened. Bled. And then you step in and wipe them all away.
Were I a heartless man who cared little for my subjects, then that would be my n. Yet I have not cultivated years of trust and respect among those whoy their lives in my hands to throw it all away now. Not even for something so satisfying and wiping away masses of those savages.
With that, the door to the antechamber creaked open and the baroness swept inside, her beaming smile a stark contrast to the looks on mine and Londors faces. I sat silently, just a tad awkward as the baron reassured his wife that we had no need of refills and more refreshments. Out of politeness, I took a sip from my untouched wakebrew and found it rather sweet.
Gods Above I had not tasted sugar in so long.
With a gulp, I drained the entire cup and politely interjected that I would be happy with more.
The next cup I sipped with much more polite restraint, savoring the long-lost pleasure of having sugar hit my veins and inject that quick, cheap high of dopamine. Only once the baroness had swept away once more did talk resume between us.
The fact that they are drawn her to you remains unchanged.
And only because it was I thatid low the Arnthema godling and stopped the dungeon from overflowing in a tide of death. Had it been another, they would havee as well.
That much I will concede. He admitted, albeit begrudgingly. So you havee here for my help.
Not at all. I lied. I sit before you not to plead for your help, but simply to tell you of whates. What action you take is up to you.
And by giving him that information, I was banking on that he would be forced to act in order to protect hisnd and subjects.
Youre a sly one, minotaur. He spoke and stood, his voice cold. I despise that. Hate the treacherous roundabout plots and hidden words. You would be a fine member of the royal court. At home among those snakes.
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I realized my mistake. He was not one to respect subtlety. Saw through it just fine, but had little use for it himself.
Fine. I admitted. I came here to warn you, first and foremost. Whatever tensions there are between us, innocents do not deserve to die because of them. I alone knew of theing warpath, and chose to share that information with you. Yet I will not slight your intelligence and im I need nothing from you.
And what is it that you woulde before me and ask? What might I possibly have that you yourself cannot replicate with your newfound wealth and brute strength?
Experience. I do not need an object or magical artifact, I need a person. Valencia.
Then you havee to the wrong man. She slipped her leash long ago. Ive not seen or heard from her since.
That, I could work on. I had some idea of where she was, but I needed a way to contact her.
I suspect she roams the dungeon currently. I forfeited mention of our encounter at my farm, or that it had been her that butchered the warband. I had not directly imed credit for that, simply let it be implied.
Then I know of a ce where a message to her may be found.
You know where she will be but arent seeking to get her back on the proverbial leash? I asked, mostly out of curiosity. The baron did not seem the type of man to let his retainers run free.
You have much to understand about her. Londor Ironmoor stroked at the fine stubble of a beard on his jaw. I was happy to have her expertise and de while it was avable. But she is gone now, and no amount of force or threats or anything under this sky will everpel Valencia into service she does not want.
It is no secret she acted in my name, on my orders. But understand that no matter how tight the leash, once it has snapped and once that contained on it tastes freedom, it is never going back on.
The fact that Irnomoor was willing to let someone as powerful as Valencia go meant that either I had miscalcted something about the man or that Valencia was even more dangerous than all the plethora of reasons I had to fear her.
The safe step here would be to assume both.
Neither of us had a direct way to contact the dreadknight, and I was wholly unwilling to venture into the dungeons vast expanse on some slim chance of finding her. So, our most viable solution was to simply leave a note and hope she read it wherever Irnomoor delivered it.
A simple scrap of parchment stating that I wanted to talk at the farm and signed by myself was what I handed to the baron. He folded it in half and told me it would be delivered with due haste.
With that, my business here was at an end. I went through the motions of offering my due respect to my host for his hospitality and left, leaving the man to his ns. The full, standing army he had raised here woulde in handy sooner rather thanter.
This might be an unwee addition to his already full te of troubles, but I suspected it might be one he could deal with best. A direct threat in his face and enemy to fight steel in hand seemed much simpler than the maneuvers and machinations of politics that had him on edge.
With that in mind, I left the Barons fortress behind and set on my way back to Hullbretch. I would have to rest the night once more, then continue the journey back home. While being so far away made it harder for the Baron and his forces to trouble me if they wished, it did make the journey to have any dealings with him inconveniently long.
Yet this was not the only trip-up I would experience with what little remained of today. Hourster, I wandered up to the gates of Hullbretch and found there waited someone for me.
The thin, pale smile of Ser Tollish greeted me just inside the towns walls. Leaned against the stables, the human straightened as I came into sight. Not someone I expected to see. Were the lord anddy Pratt still in the area?
The stench of disdain and hatred was barely noticeable now as the knight courteously greeted me and asked how my journey had been. I wondered if my response mattered to him at all once he nodded andmunicated that someone wished to speak with me on a private matter. Only if I had time, of course. Thatst part brought up a re of dislike and simmer of hatred in the knights scent.
Not at me, strangely enough. The pleasant expression never faltered as he bade me to follow along, then led me to a small townhouse.
I very nearly stopped while stooping through the door once I saw who awaited me within.
The Lady Ramsey-Pratt looked up with a veiled smile and ushered me inside, her words causing a re of emotion in the knight behind me. There was no page to announce her lengthy titles this time. In fact, there was no one here at all. Ser Tollish remained outside, I found as the door closed behind me.
What do you want? I grunted. I was too tired for any dances of words, and that point was not going to find itself.
She tutted, of course, waved me to sit down on too-small chairs that held slight coats of dust. As did most everything in here. Hadnt been used in quite some time. Once again, I went through the entire several-minute phase of introductions and asking how my day had been and if I would care for some refreshments. All a waste of time until the actual meat of the matter arrived.
My dear, She demured, voice as smooth as silk. You possess talents I have a need for. Can offer services I would find..most valuable.
Finally.
And what are those? I uttered, arms folded across my chest.
You are strong. Fearless. Not afraid to stand up to petty tyrants like Londor.
This raised a proverbial eyebrow in my brain. My face remained unchanged, however.
And how might these traits benefit you?
Thisnd is..unstable. Ripe for change. Perhaps when the dust settles, the new leadership will have reason to look on you favourably. You have reason enough to dislike Londor, Ive gathered. He despises your kind, has provoked you before. Help me, and youll not worry about that again.
My mind raced at that. She couldnt know about the warbandsing. Not yet anyway. So far, only I and Londor possessed that information. What she spoke of was something else. Something decidedly more human.
And I wanted none of that. I needed to make that clear. Now, before she spilled any more information and became invested in maintaining my silence.
If you speak of treason against baron Ironmoor, speak to someone else. Ive enough troubles without being dragged into your mess and politics.
I leaned forward and looked her dead in the eyes, smelling the surge of fear and excitement in her scent as her heart skipped a beat.
Stay far, far away from me and mine, and I will forget what you are nning here.
With that veiled threat, I turned and left, Ser Tollishs scent smelling of merriment once more as I passed. I had enough problems on my tter, and only a fool would add even more then the feast before me threatened to make a man burst.
BBook 2: Chapter 26: Upkeep
BBook 2: Chapter 26: Upkeep
Contemte it as I may, the idea seemed ridiculous.
Just imagining the amount of work involved was staggering in scope and the amount of time that would consumed. Thebor and hours required was a massive investment in itself, nevermind the cost.
And yet here I stood, picturing all mynd neatly walled off from the outside world. I was reminded that in this world, walls did not serve as a scenic distraction, but a bulwark between a mans property and those looking to encroach upon it.
The more contemtion and thought I sunk into this, the more sense it all made.
It would cost a fortune, yes. A fortune that I possessed several times over now.
An insane amount of manpower would need to be directed towards it. That could be hired and delegated. Skills and sses could overtake even construction equipment with the right application. Magic made all of that trivial.
But even then, attempting to fence off everything was frankly insane.
After more thought, my dreams had slimmed down to merely the main farm. As if that would be anything but a monumental task. The main farm was, at this point, the size of a small town. The crops currently being grown were in their final rotation before I nned to move the fields and put that space to other use.
Barns were being erected to hold more animals for when winter inevitably came. I rubbed my arms as just the thought of the sheer cold toe sent shivers through my already-cold arms. Dark clouds rumbled overhead as I stood upon the hill next to my lodge and observed the farm in motion.
Still felt strange, being able tomand progress to be made and not have to take part.
Lidya and her crew of loggers had finished their bunkhouses and were now busy moving equipment to the farm by hand. A task that might have been made easier by the cart, but that was currently..upied.
The short womans eyebrows raised and kept rising as I detailed my n. An incredulity that did not stop when once I told her this superseded all other projects.
Just to sum this up real quick, She slowly spoke once my throat had gone dry. We will be, in the followin order: Clearing possibly hostile forest, sawing and drying thousands and thousands of trees, clearing every stump we just untreed, and then begin constructing a singr wall to surround all this?
She waved one arm in the general direction of everything as I nodded patiently.
Not just a regr wall, mind you. The human continued. Thicker and higher than usual in order to provide a proper bulwark against, ifn I did head correctly, Minotaurs?
Correct. I nodded.
Youre dead serious, aint you?
Correct. I confirmed once more.
Well, that should keep employment steady for quite some time. She mused. By rough estimates, that should be in the timeframe of several months to half a year if we push the pace.
Actually, about that. I did not need to fully track her face to see the wince that crossed her features as I spoke. I need it done as fast as humanly possible.
A moment of silence followed.
Might I inquire why? Lidya spoke slowly. Are we expecting trouble from the good Baron?
Gods Above be thanked, no.
Then what has your timbers so shivered?
It was at this time that the absent cart and attached horses rounded the bend in the trees, Ish at the reins.
That. I gestured. Towards the orcss and several beastkin riding in the back with her. But my meaning was not focused on the cart and its drives, but on what upied the back. The smell hit me before my blurry vision could make out the carts contents. Death and fur and dried blood. Lidyas already raised eyebrows jacked up to seemingly impossible heights as she glimpsed the minotaur corpses piled high in the back.
The first load of several.
Gods Above protect us- She made the symbol of Mythul the Protector over her forehead.
Indeed. I echoed her sentiment. While I hope to have their blessing, something more physical would let me sleep easier.
I had chosen not to tell anyone about the ughter at the minotaur camp beforehand. Just in case of loose lips and how quickly gossip spread. Mostly because I wanted the corpses for myself, however. And now that I had them, the knowledge was free to be let slip.
Come. I must address the workers about this. I sighed. I had put off the inevitable, but now the news had to broken.
Ish waved to me half-heartedly, her face crinkled in disgust from the smell. She knew what was toeter, however. Workers slowly gathered, called in from the fields and pasture, torn away from their duties to listen as the master spoke.
Several days ago, a warband passed through here. I cut right to the heart of the matter. They assaulted the fort and were driven off. This is known.
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Murmurs of confirmation came from the crowd. Several of those that knew more exchanged uneasy looks. Ish adjusted plugs of cloth in her nostrils and still grimaced. A thought sidetracked me; if she was so disturbed by the stench, how deeply did it affect the beastkin whos senses were even sharper than mine?
And how did they go from alive and running about the forest to dead and here? Sean asked what was surely upon everyones minds.
They made camp in the forest and were wiped butchered soon after. By whom, I did not say. Simply let it be implied that I had done the butchery. They came here seeking my head, and found only death awaited them.
All technically true.
This calls for a celebration, then. Sean spread his arms, smile breaking onto his face. It is not every day that we see such a grave danger averted.
A smile that faded once I informed everyone that more were on their way.
This seemed only a forerunner group. A small warband that pushed ahead of the others. How far away these others are, how soon they wille, how many are among them, I do not know.
There was not even a question asked if they would be in danger from the workers. Merely an epted fact.
And your n for all this?
A great big wall. Lidya spoke. All around the farm.
I would lose some workers over this, I knew. People who simply did not want to be in the direct path of bloodthirsty warbands. Yet fewer than I anticipated decided to leave. It spoke volumes to the people of this world that such danger was simply another facet of their lives. Perhaps the increased pay I promised in order to retain more hired hands outweighed the danger toe.
In the end, a few left and most stayed. Now fully informed of the danger, I hoped this would light a fire beneath them to work faster and harder than ever before.
The time between when I had decided to build a wall and its starting was less than an hour. All other work was ceased as axes were distributed and zones pointed out to be cleared. Like a small swarm of ants, I had bodies en masse to toss as a problem, and this I did now.
Not all of them, however. Ish and then beastkin that rode with her I held back. They had other, more grim tasks.
Spore-mask over her face, Ish dragged the corpses from the cart with my help. Each dead minotaur I hauled towards a lone patch of dirt next to my lodge. Stone sentinels gazed up at us as we deposited the bodies in the small, heavily warded garden alongside my home. Only two nts grew in this fenced-off and protected garden.
The Clericshines petals seemed to twitched with hunger as I set about slicing veins, by own nose curled with disgust from the raw stench of so many dead minotaurs. Their lifeblood would provide some value yet.
I left them to bleed into the soil and headed right towards the stream. Ish and her crew of beastkin had already left, off to fetch another load of corpses from the camp. The cart would not make it there, but only carrying them halfway through the forest still beat having to haul them all here by hand.
I wondered if anyone would be shocked, encountering a guarded cart filled with minotaur bodies parked at the roads edge.
After a moments consideration, I decided that distinctly not among my problems and plunged into the stone pool that held back the river to irrigate my crops. Soon, I would no longer have need of this, given that I nned to move the crops elsewhere. I would still keep it, however. An arearge enough for me to bathe in was always wee.
Fully dressed, I submerged myself to get the stench, grime and gore off my body. I would need to handle the bodies more in a bit, but I refused to stink like some hobo until then.
I emerged fully soaked, took a moment to shake myself off, and headed towards the treeline, axe in hand, dripping water with every step. I set myself to work, felling trees at a pace unmatched by entire crews of loggers. With reckless abandon I cleaved through the forest, toppling trees around me. Off by myself, I hoped that hard, repetitive work would take my mind off all the worries that gued me now.
And it did, if only for brief moments. But try as I might, I could not work my problems away, even temporarily. Soon, I found myself frustrated once more. Axe left buried in a tree stump, I stalked back to the farm, trail of felled trees in my wake.
Another load of corpses were brought in and deposited. Once more, I went through the grim task of stripping off usable gear and hauling the bodies to the blood-garden. Their bled-dry brethren were hauled to another destination; the biter patch. Quite literally tossed to the wolves, I watched as pods descended upon the corpses and knawed flesh from bone.
Let nothing go to waste.
The day had dragged on far too long once the final load was finished. I could not see where the sun was in the sky, so thick were the clouds. Hunger was not there to tell me either, given how thoroughly surprised any signs of appetite were.
I watched as Ish rolled empty barrels marked with giant red symbols of danger from the carts rear.
Its finished? I asked.
Entire camps doused. She grunted. Wont be a trace left in the morrow. Only thing there will be the stink of acid.
These empty barrels joined their filled brethren in the now heavily guarded storage shed. Specially made by Velton, these wooden containers were some of the few things that could safely hold the fluid extracted from the enhanced acid-pitchers without breaking down and being eaten through.
The biter-patch was engorged now, filled and lethargic from the sheer amount of meat consumed in the past few hours. The final few corpses were thrown in and slowly picked down to the bones. Only when they were truly stripped away did the final chore of the day begin.
Spore-masks mped over their faces and shaker-poles topped with porous bags, several workers approached the biter-patch. It was slow, dangerous work, but I had advised them to use to take it slow and err to the side of caution. Spread thickly through the air, the spores lulled the biter nts to sleep and allowed the mixture of humans and beastkin to drag the bones from the patch.
Slowly, surely, the nest of fangs was picked clean of any minotaur remnants. They were nearly finished when the clouds finally broke and rain began to pour done. Rain that dampened the spores and began to stir the nts awake.
Leave it! I bellowed across the distance. Get out!
There were no heroes today, I found. Thest few bones were dropped back where theyy and left as the workers extracted themselves with all haste. Seemed like such a stupid thing to get your limbs bitten off for, but you never knew.
Only when the piles of bones were tossed into half-full barrels of acid to dissolves was I finally finished with my day.
Slowly, methodically, I had scrubbed all traces of the minotaur warband from the world. So far as any of theing warbands could find, they had been swallowed whole by the forest. No glorious death inbat or heroic final stand. They were simply gone.
It was at this very moment that the System chose to interject and inform me that my ss had advanced.
You have obtained Level Thirty-Six of Bloodsoaked Harvester. Your patron is pleased. I was beginning to suspect that these levels were handed out less on a systemic progression and more on the personal interest of deities watching. Just a hunch I couldnt get over.
BBook 2: Chapter 27: Upkeep II.
BBook 2: Chapter 27: Upkeep II.
It seemed ridiculous to one not familiar with the realities of violence that the wait for several brief, chaotic moments might sway a persons life to such an extreme. The trepidation and anticipation of what was toe made every moment that passed seem as mire to be slogged through. All thoughts of importance returned to focus upon that subject, sooner rather thanter.
One never grew ustomed enough to disregard this, I had found. Experience only made it easier to bear.
No longer was it a question of if there would be bloodshed. Now the mystery only remained when.
Somewhere out there, beyond my half-constructed walls lurked forces that wished me dead. And for once, I had no knowledge as to where theyy. It was this uncertainty, this doubt that might shake even hardened veterans. An enemy unseen was an enemy most feared.
I remained steadfast in one piece of knowledge, however. To kill me, they would have to fight on my terms, in a ce of my choosing. I had something they wanted. There was a reassurance that came with the knowledge that I was the target of all this. One certainty was not subject to change. My life was the one that needed be forfeited for my enemys ambitions to be realized.
The small speck of knowledge I safeguarded as I worked. A smallfort that helped me slog through the days as time stretched on. My enemies might be legion, their locations might be unknown, but despite it all, they had toe to me. Through every swing of my axe, under every load of lumber I carried, i held this knowledge close.
The days might be slow, but progress could not im the same.
As a minotaur, I logged with the speed of a dozen men, maybe more. My axe and brute strength veritably tore through the forest that surrounded my farm. So fast was I, so vast the trail of trees I left behind that other loggers abandoned their positions and returned to lend their strength to other aspects of the construction.
Harvests Bounty kept me a tireless juggernaut, my vitality refreshed for every tree I felled. Spurred onward by the Skills magic, I had cleared a frankly massive area within the span of a few days. A battlefield of stumps were all that remained once Iy down my axe. Even with breaks in the chopping to carry loads of felled trees back into the farms property, my pace had outstripped the workforcesbined efforts.
Piled treesy untrimmed in great heaps, while those with the branches hacked off were roughly stacked and awaited their turns over the sawing pits. For the past several days, I had been the lone logger that supplied all this.
Yet overburdened as they were, Lidya and her crew made incredible headway. The more unskilledbour was transferred into the saw-pits, I saw. Sean and his guards were sweating furiously, coated in wood shavings and baking in the heat. Zheli had, with her cooking duties finished, taken to hauling buckets of water from the clear, shaded river up and across the farm to the pits.
Several men and women lingered around the area where tree-branches were being shaved off whenever she drew near, I noticed. No doubt in order to get first dibs on the clear, undirtied water. Buckets came, were drank and sshed onto hot, messy faces in equal measure and sent back for more.
Heated and difficult as these jobs were, they could barely keep up with the brutal pace pushed by Lidyas crew. Teams with rolled-up sleeves and sweat-stained shirts dug in the ground, dirt being moved so wood might take its ce. Thick pirs of wood were rolled into position, lifted, slid in and packed into ce.
Then the diggers moved on as other teams approached to secure, fill in the gaps and periodically ce the skeletons for the inside structures. How exactly it all flowed together, I was unsure, but I suspected there were a myriad of Skills at work that tied all the different aspects and parts together into a functioning whole.
Without time for substance, I had elected to go with crude ramparts on the inside. tforms that stretched along the wall''s entire diameter and allowed sentinels to see over, and, perhaps, even levy a bow in the direction of anything that approached.
Enough to dissuade most anyone that sought to make trouble. Perhaps it would even prove sufficient to slow down the minotaur warbands. But I did not think myself enough of a fool to dream that it would stop them.
It was only once the main gate was erected that I realized another problem presented itself.
A singr road led up the mountain along this way.
One that ran right through my farm. Which I had just walled off.
While the thought of collecting tolls might lead to riches, it would no doubt cause me to be despised. And so that faint glimmer of thought was discarded and I went back to more viable solutions.
The point of these walls was to keep enemies out, obviously. Having the open the gates for every rider that came up and down the mountain seemed a fair bit too monotonous. So instead of assigning workers to do naught but stand and man gates all day, another idea struck me with its brilliance.
Why not simply make another road?
This packed trail of dirt and ruts was already barely able to be called that. No matter how poorly Ipleted this task, any oue would exceed what currentlyy here in quality. Now I did not strictly have to, I realized. Yet it was unbing of a neighbor to snatch up an entire important trail and disallow anyone from using it.
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And so I grabbed my trusty axe, left the gated walls of my farm and set about to hacking a new road into the hot, hard dirt of what had been a dense forest just days ago.
A basic path was required, first a foremost. Ax edragged de-down behind me, I etched one into the field of stumps that surrounded my freshly-built walls. It gave a wide berth to my walls, nearly against the trees that still stood.
Then came the difficult part. I might possess the strength of dozens, but all were made equal in their frustration when ripping up stumps. Strong as i was, each one was still a struggle as I yanked up entire root systems. I soon shed my dreams of clearing every single stump between my walls and the road, worn down to focus solely on those on the path itself.
Even then, the proverbial going was slow. Through great effort and a few possible strained muscles, I did what would normally require some technique and brute-forced every root system and attached piece of tree out of the dirt.
The first rider to encounter my new walls seemed confused and surprised as he slowly picked his way through the stumps towards me. A man dressed in the loose solours of the Verdant Dawn, no other liveries attached. I was halfway around the walls with my new road and only just realized that perhaps I should have started up the mountain and worked my downwards on the gentle slope.
A letter was handed to me gazed at the rider with a tired expression, my eyes level with his own. I could smell the man was unsettled by my mere presence, and waved him off once I had the delivery in hand.
The sender dered himself to be none other than Raffnyk once I unfolded the parchment. A short, hastily written notice that hispany had just received orders to leave the area. My eyebrows rose with every sentance I read over. No rider had ridden through here to ry those orders. These came by letter-hawk. To my knowledge, one of the fastest ways to send messages without magical means.
It is treason to tell you this, my friend. I trust you will understand this and not spread the word. The Verdant Dawn has been unequivocally ordered to leave the Redtip and withdraw from the country. Danger has well and truly stirred, it seems. The grandmasters fear that if we are caught here, all of our order will be dragged into what is toe.
This is not a tribal dispute, I am afraid. Someonerger is making their move. Who, I know not. This is all I can write, I am afraid. The man who delivers this letter will not open it on pain of death.
I hope that you will appreciate what I have done.
Good luck.
So that was it.
Someone was making their move. Someone serious enough that the Verdant Dawn were being withdrawn from the potential crossfire. The question now was, were they targetting Ironmoor or was it aimed at me?
This question haunted me throughout the day. I would stop periodically, reading the letter over again on breaks from work.
Raffnyk had broken his oath for me. That knowledge weighed heavily on me. My friend had chosen to warn me over loyalty to his order. I would not take this lightly.
He hinted at war, possibly.
Ironmoors recent stirrings and what the man had told me would agree.
But who?
I realized then that I did not know. I had never taken the time to familiarize myself with who ruled the surroundingnds. I had even forgotten the countrys name that the Verdant Dawn hailed from. Even the kingdom I resided in had its name be a foggy memory.
This was all simply information that had not been relevant to me. Things I had never paid attention to. And now when I had need of it, I found myself to becking.
Shouts from down the road interrupted yet another break as evening began to set. The first sounds made me perk up, alerted by the noise. Almost finished cojoining the two roads, I was close enough that I could hear something further down the mountain.
Shouts of panic and pain.
I needed little more to spit me into action. Axe wrenched from the dirt, I broke into a long-legged sprint, bellowing to alert the workers behind their walls. Dust kicked up in my path as I tore down the road towards whatever catastrophe had unfloded on my front porch now.
Dead and the dying waited for me. Riders in the livery of the barony alongside their mounts, arrows jutting from every angle of their armor. Horses neighed as they died slow, thrashing in pain from the sheer amount of arrows buried in them.
So many were the arrows that I suspected an army of archers in the trees.
A scant few survived the ughter, trapped underneath their creatures or hiding against their dead mounts. Arrows arced over the treetops, their number growing with every second. Unbelievable as it was, I swore that I could inly see them multiplying mid-flight.
And then they turned and homed towards me. Eyes wide, I watched the approaching flock of wooden death-missiles with some fear and anticipation before I remembered that I was indeed a minotaur. Arrows were little but pinpricks on my hide.
Fool I was for believing that. Only once the first few arrows thudded into my hide and ripped into my form did I call for Ironhide. The mass of missiles that followed nged off the metallic strength of my skin even as I bellowed in pain from those that had already sunken in.
As a gleaming giant coated in metal, I burst forward and tossed the horses off those riders that survived. My strength proved more convincing than their panic, and without further ado I scooped them from the ground, turned and ran even as another flock of fletched wood whistled over the treetops.
My body shielded them from the worst of it. But these shots dug into even Ironhide, but were unable to fully pierce it. Hooves crashing through dirt and dust, my back resembled a pincushion by the time the walls came into view.
Bellows to open the gate took far too long to register and even longer to be responded to as Ipounded on the wood, several terrified and wounded soldiers tucked under my arms. Finally, mercifully, the massive bs of wood were heaved open and I tossed the soldiers through the second the gap was wide enough.
Only once I was inside and the gates were mmed behind me did I allow myself to breathe. That and remember that my axe was gone. Dropped among the corpses. Not that I nned to return there without knowing what in the name of the Gods Above had just happened.
Chapter 28: That which is gone.
Chapter 28: That which is gone.
There was little information to be gained from the soldiers I had just saved. Despite all that I had done, ignoring that I had just saved their lives, they refused to give me anything. Loyal men of the baron to a fault. All that was willing to be spoken had been said, and now I sat hunched over as Ish worked at my back.
Sharp pain twung up my spine as she yanked free an arrow embedded just out of my own reach. My eyes watered with pain as I forced down another gulp of petal-milk, its healing properties working to close the freshly-widened wound.
Whoever had fired these at me had both impable uracy and Skills that let them slice through my hide with ease. Ince Ironhide had dissipated, I had found myself covered in a hundred cuts. Individually small and bearable, but collectively enough to torture me even as they began to close.
Fools one and all. Ish remarked. I took her words to mean the barons riders who sat seated in the shadow of the wall. Workers watched them warily as their wounds too were healed. After some discussion, it was decided that they would be allowed to stay until it was safe to leave.
To send them back into the forest once their injuries were healed would surely be a death sentence.
Humans, I grunted. Not easily swayed, even for their own better fortunes.
Hmm. I expected you to be more upset for some reason. She grunted and yanked out another arrow between words. My back shuddered with how deep this one was, but I remained still.
I sighed and shook my head. Anything to distract myself from the pain.
I know enough. There is little I can do to avenge their fellows, but they may glean some safety here.
I meant that. What little the riders had told me could be summed up with; they were on patrol and had been ambushed by a literal rain of arrows.
Nothing less, nothing more. Where they had been going, who had shot at them all remained shrouded.
There was little I could do about this. What was there to be done, after all? Charge into the forest, ymore waved over my head and hope to find the attackers still sitting there?
If only things were that simple.
Saws rasped in the distance, axes split great logs and workers shouted as another section of walls was secured. The workday continued after that brief pause. No matter what, the farm had to go on. Its master wounded and in pain, yes, but my wishes were that the construction did not stop.
Zheli fussed about and offered some soup to help what ailed me, but I found myself so bloated with petal-milk that it healed my hunger as well.
Something I could further advertise it for?
I had been reminded of my own mortality today, my mortal vincibility made clear once more. Strong and sturdy as I was, there were those that could harm me, and they were not far away. Yet rather than be shaken by this, I merely made note of it.
I had already died once, and was not deluded enough to think it could not happen again. Every day that I lived here, the memories of my old life grew more distant, as did any shred of desire I might have had to return. Who I had been before was unimportant. What mattered was who I had be.
And that, I did want taken from me.
Where is, My muscles spasmed mid-pull as another arrow was yanked free. Your father?
At the fort. Again. Ish grunted. Trouble with the dungeon. As always.
That I had heard dozens of times since I woke, but had yet to find out what that trouble actually was. Velton had been insofar my magical problem-solver, and I needed to utilize him once more. He was distinctly unavable, I learned shortly.
Doesnt evene home to sleep anymore. Ish sighed with some tinge of sadness as she ripped free another arrowhead. The pile of ck shafts next to me had grown rminglyrge, and she still had plenty more to go. Same as Ma. Havent seen her in a week now. Only saw Pa when he shed in to retrieve something and left again.
So that ruled out both Veltons mage-powers and Tehaliss tracking.
I needed someone else. Someone just returned to us, who I would now ask to perhaps put herself in danger for me.
Lerish? I knocked on the door of Veltons farmhouse sometimeter. All was quiet here, save for the crackle of powerful wards that had sprung up the instant my hooves had touched the farmyard. Ish had been loathe to stay behind, but had agreed that the farm needed an overseer.
If I were to ask Lerish to risk herself once more, I wanted the words toe from me. Not through a proxy, where it felt like I was using Ish to pressure Lerish into this.
Moments passed before the door quietly opened and the woman I sought stood within.
Garek. She greeted me with a hint of a smile. There was only one person she showed real emotion to, and while I was far, far into her good graces, it wasnt me.
That was fine.
Might I talk with you? Inside or out doesnt matter.
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The door swung open wider and she gestured me in.
Does, actually. Want to show you something.
And just like that, my interest was piqued. She seemed familiar with the house, walking around like it was her own. Been here for several weeks, after all. Time had passed since her rescue, and she had recovered well. Or so she told me. Something troubled her. Hidden underneath her usually small range of emotions.
Ever-present as we caught up, chastised me for not visiting while she was holed up here and bored out of her skull and more. Always right there on the tip of her tongue. Her scent was still non-present, empty as always. I in turn caught her up on the farms expansion and transformation, although I got the impression Ish had already given her all the details there were to be had.
In turn, I asked how Artyom had been doing, and received a shrug in reply. The felenid lived in the barn where he was mostfortable, and maintained the farm in Veltons absence. That was all she knew and imparted.
Youre likely wondering, Lerish spoke slowly after a period of silence. How I managed to survive in that pit for long, even trapped in my other form.
She spoke thosest two words slowly, carefully.
I assumed it was something to do with your Skills. I admitted. Longevity as a monster or something, perhaps?
Sheughed at that. Just a little.
Not at all. Monsters burn through food faster than almost any mortal race. This is what drives them to fight and hunt and prey on others, in many instances.
I am torn. She admitted. Yet after everything you have for me, I have to share this knowledge. Perhaps you too will understand. Come closers.
Cautiously, I drew near and sheid her hand on my brow. For a moment, nothing happened. Then I was flooded with sights and sounds and scents all at once until I realized these were memories.
Not Lerishs. Some foreign, alien creature. Something that perceived the world differently. Something massive. My own thoughts and sensed dropped away as I was engulfed by it.
I was Ash-tul, the Earth Shaper. Greatest among mortals. Perfection itself, created in the image of the Gods. I had not and would never know death. Immortal. Dragon.
And I was not content. Prophets spoke that the Gods would one day fall. Elves and Dragons, the children of the Gods now rose against them to fight and take their rightful ce. Why else had they been created perfect, if not to one day rule all this world?
The first mistake of the Old Gods.
I stormed Heavens Basilica, brought wroth and me and power unyielding to the Old Gods with every dragon and elf at my side. Only through sheer numbers and losses was I forced back. Through endless white and blood-red legions of angels and swarms of Invaders let loose was the first crusade against Heaven broken, and we retreated down our strongholds once more.
But the Old Gods loved their children, and they were lenient enough to let us go.
Their second mistake.
They popted this world with more races, but none created in their image. These were mortal, frail. Many.
I walked among them, wings outstretched as they cowered in fear. Scales shed themselves from me, each falling onto hordes of mortals. Each with a fragment of my will and memories and power that would embed themselves in every host and turn them to my use. Soon the mortal masses had been transformed and legions of my own stood assembled.
It was not enough.
Star-seers of dragonkind spoke of Star-Gods who woulde to our aid if we stormed the Fair Basilica once more.
And so we did. The Star Gods remained true to their word, and joined the battle from outside the heavens. The veil broke that day, the spaces between realities forever weakened as they summoned through great forces from other spaces.
Many were lost forever, wiped from existence by the Old Gods power. They battled not to stop up, but to preserve their very existence. Their legions of parasite-angels swept down to burn the world and sway our attention. Mine did not deter and marched upon the Fair Basilica.
Those who remained dered themselves the Gods Above and rulers of this new world. They spoke of other worlds where Dragons might solely rule uncontested. And so we would go to soar upon sr winds, free atst.
But one final act remained. One, perhaps of spite. My kind left in their glory resplendent, dooming this world to never witness a dragon once more.
But I was Ash-Tal, the Earth Shaper. Through this world, by sheer will I shaped a hundred, a thousand nests deep in earth. And in each one I nted a scale-gem of myself. An egg, almost. Surrounded by treasure and power, all would be drawn to them. None could resist the taste of power they offered. Power not given to mortals since the Old Gods had realized their first mistake.
Let the these new Gods Above rule this world, for one day I would return, and legions of dragons would await me once more.
Then, and only then did I take to the stars. My prophets would one day sing of my return, and I woulde in swarms of meteors to make this world mine once more.
I was Garek once more. The memories ended and I snapped free, eyes wide and realizing I had not drawn a single breath all this while.
What in the name of the Gods Above? I struggled to make sense of what I had seen.
I found one of those eggs. Lerish spoke quietly. Exploring a dungeon far away from here. The Pit of Sahakar, they called that one. Brutal ce. But I braved it and received its reward.
To be infected and transformed?
Yes. But the egg was old and fragile. Even dragon-magic cannot stand against time. Knocked me out cold for days once all those memories hit me. Gave me power. Dragonpower. A second form. One that youve seen.
The Apex.
She smiled sadly.
Thats what the system dered me, yes. The strongest among my kind. The one and only Drake left.
But does every dungeon not have an egg in it?
I could not make sense of all those memories, foreign as they were.
Do you know what happens whenever a new dragon is born into this world, Garek?
I did not.
They are either hunted down, or they leave. Most leave. Every dragon-birth is a cataclysmic event. One that happens seemingly at random. The eggs don''t always take effect right away. Theyre old, faulty, and not every dungeon has one.
And the Gods Above allow this?
Lerish shrugged.
I dont know. Theres much I dont understand, but I have chosen to share it with you. I know youre different. I suspect its something simr, in your case.
BBook 2: Chapter 28: That which is gone.
BBook 2: Chapter 28: That which is gone.
There was little information to be gained from the soldiers I had just saved. Despite all that I had done, ignoring that I had just saved their lives, they refused to give me anything. Loyal men of the baron to a fault. All that was willing to be spoken had been said, and now I sat hunched over as Ish worked at my back.
Sharp pain twung up my spine as she yanked free an arrow embedded just out of my own reach. My eyes watered with pain as I forced down another gulp of petal-milk, its healing properties working to close the freshly-widened wound.
Whoever had fired these at me had both impable uracy and Skills that let them slice through my hide with ease. Ince Ironhide had dissipated, I had found myself covered in a hundred cuts. Individually small and bearable, but collectively enough to torture me even as they began to close.
Fools one and all. Ish remarked. I took her words to mean the barons riders who sat seated in the shadow of the wall. Workers watched them warily as their wounds too were healed. After some discussion, it was decided that they would be allowed to stay until it was safe to leave.
To send them back into the forest once their injuries were healed would surely be a death sentence.
Humans, I grunted. Not easily swayed, even for their own better fortunes.
Hmm. I expected you to be more upset for some reason. She grunted and yanked out another arrow between words. My back shuddered with how deep this one was, but I remained still.
I sighed and shook my head. Anything to distract myself from the pain.
I know enough. There is little I can do to avenge their fellows, but they may glean some safety here.
I meant that. What little the riders had told me could be summed up with; they were on patrol and had been ambushed by a literal rain of arrows.
Nothing less, nothing more. Where they had been going, who had shot at them all remained shrouded.
There was little I could do about this. What was there to be done, after all? Charge into the forest, ymore waved over my head and hope to find the attackers still sitting there?
If only things were that simple.
Saws rasped in the distance, axes split great logs and workers shouted as another section of walls was secured. The workday continued after that brief pause. No matter what, the farm had to go on. Its master wounded and in pain, yes, but my wishes were that the construction did not stop.
Zheli fussed about and offered some soup to help what ailed me, but I found myself so bloated with petal-milk that it healed my hunger as well.
Something I could further advertise it for?
I had been reminded of my own mortality today, my mortal vincibility made clear once more. Strong and sturdy as I was, there were those that could harm me, and they were not far away. Yet rather than be shaken by this, I merely made note of it.
I had already died once, and was not deluded enough to think it could not happen again. Every day that I lived here, the memories of my old life grew more distant, as did any shred of desire I might have had to return. Who I had been before was unimportant. What mattered was who I had be.
And that, I did not want taken from me.
Where is, My muscles spasmed mid-pull as another arrow was yanked free. Your father?
At the fort. Again. Ish grunted. Trouble with the dungeon. As always.
That I had heard dozens of times since I woke, but had yet to find out what that trouble actually was. Velton had been insofar my magical problem-solver, and I needed to utilize him once more. He was distinctly unavable, I learned shortly.
Doesnt evene home to sleep anymore. Ish sighed with some tinge of sadness as she ripped free another arrowhead. The pile of ck shafts next to me had grown rminglyrge, and she still had plenty more to go. Same as Ma. Havent seen her in a week now. Only saw Pa when he shed in to retrieve something and left again.
So that ruled out both Veltons mage-powers and Tehaliss tracking.
I needed someone else. Someone just returned to us, who I would now ask to perhaps put herself in danger for me.
"Lerish? I knocked on the door of Veltons farmhouse sometimeter. All was quiet here, save for the crackle of powerful wards that had sprung up the instant my hooves had touched the farmyard. Ish had been loathe to stay behind, but had agreed that the farm needed an overseer.
If I were to ask Lerish to risk herself once more, I wanted the words toe from me. Not through a proxy, where it felt like I was using Ish to pressure Lerish into this.
Moments passed before the door quietly opened and the woman I sought stood within.
Garek. She greeted me with a hint of a smile. There was only one person she showed real emotion to, and while I was far, far into her good graces, it wasnt me.
That was fine.
Might I talk with you? Inside or out doesnt matter.
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The door swung open wider and she gestured me in.
Does, actually. Want to show you something.
And just like that, my interest was piqued. She seemed familiar with the house, walking around like it was her own. Been here for several weeks, after all. Time had passed since her rescue, and she had recovered well. Or so she told me. Something troubled her. Hidden underneath her usually small range of emotions.
Ever-present as we caught up, chastised me for not visiting while she was holed up here and bored out of her skull and more. Always right there on the tip of her tongue. Her scent was still non-present, empty as always. I in turn caught her up on the farms expansion and transformation, although I got the impression Ish had already given her all the details there were to be had.
In turn, I asked how Artyom had been doing, and received a shrug in reply. The felenid lived in the barn where he was mostfortable, and maintained the farm in Veltons absence. That was all she knew and imparted.
Youre likely wondering, Lerish spoke slowly after a period of silence. How I managed to survive in that pit for long, even trapped in my other form.
She spoke thosest two words slowly, carefully.
I assumed it was something to do with your Skills. I admitted. Longevity as a monster or something, perhaps?
Sheughed at that. Just a little.
Not at all. Monsters burn through food faster than almost any mortal race. This is what drives them to fight and hunt and prey on others, in many instances.
I am torn. She admitted. Yet after everything you have for me, I have to share this knowledge. Perhaps you too will understand. Come closers.
Cautiously, I drew near and sheid her hand on my brow. For a moment, nothing happened. Then I was flooded with sights and sounds and scents all at once until I realized these were memories.
Not Lerishs. Some foreign, alien creature. Something that perceived the world differently. Something massive. My own thoughts and sensed dropped away as I was engulfed by it.
I was Ash-tul, the Earth Shaper. Greatest among mortals. Perfection itself, created in the image of the Gods. I had not and would never know death. Immortal. Dragon.
And I was not content. Prophets spoke that the Gods would one day fall. Elves and Dragons, the children of the Gods now rose against them to fight and take their rightful ce. Why else had they been created perfect, if not to one day rule all this world?
The first mistake of the Old Gods.
I stormed Heavens Basilica, brought wroth and me and power unyielding to the Old Gods with every dragon and elf at my side. Only through sheer numbers and losses was I forced back. Through endless white and blood-red legions of angels and swarms of Invaders let loose was the first crusade against Heaven broken, and we retreated down our strongholds once more.
But the Old Gods loved their children, and they were lenient enough to let us go.
Their second mistake.
They popted this world with more races, but none created in their image. These were mortal, frail. Many.
I walked among them, wings outstretched as they cowered in fear. Scales shed themselves from me, each falling onto hordes of mortals. Each with a fragment of my will and memories and power that would embed themselves in every host and turn them to my use. Soon the mortal masses had been transformed and legions of my own stood assembled.
It was not enough.
Star-seers of dragonkind spoke of Star-Gods who woulde to our aid if we stormed the Fair Basilica once more.
And so we did. The Star Gods remained true to their word, and joined the battle from outside the heavens. The veil broke that day, the spaces between realities forever weakened as they summoned through great forces from other spaces.
Many were lost forever, wiped from existence by the Old Gods power. They battled not to stop us, but to preserve their very existence. Their legions of parasite-angels swept down to burn the world and sway our attention. Mine did not deter and marched upon the Fair Basilica.
Those who remained dered themselves the Gods Above and rulers of this new world. They spoke of other worlds where Dragons might solely rule uncontested. And so we would go to soar upon sr winds, free atst.
But one final act remained. One, perhaps of spite. My kind left in their glory resplendent, dooming this world to never witness a dragon once more.
But I was Ash-Tal, the Earth Shaper. Through this world, by sheer will I shaped a hundred, a thousand nests deep in earth. And in each one I nted a scale-gem of myself. An egg, almost. Surrounded by treasure and power, all would be drawn to them. None could resist the taste of power they offered. Power not given to mortals since the Old Gods had realized their first mistake.
Let these new Gods Above rule this world, for one day I would return, and legions of dragons would await me once more.
Then, and only then did I take to the stars. My prophets would one day sing of my return, and I woulde in swarms of meteors to make this world mine once more.
I was Garek once more. The memories ended and I snapped free, eyes wide and realizing I had not drawn a single breath all this while.
What in the name of the Gods Above? I struggled to make sense of what I had seen.
I found one of those eggs. Lerish spoke quietly. Exploring a dungeon far away from here. The Pit of Sahakar, they called that one. Brutal ce. But I braved it and received its reward.
To be infected and transformed?
Yes. But the egg was old and fragile. Even dragon-magic cannot stand against time. Knocked me out cold for days once all those memories hit me. Gave me power. Dragonpower. A second form. One that youve seen.
The Apex.
She smiled sadly.
Thats what the system dered me, yes. The strongest among my kind. The one and only Drake left.
But does every dungeon not have an egg in it?
I could not make sense of all those memories, foreign as they were.
Do you know what happens whenever a new dragon is born into this world, Garek?
I did not.
They are either hunted down, or they leave. Most leave. Every dragon-birth is a cataclysmic event. One that happens seemingly at random. The eggs don''t always take effect right away. Theyre old, faulty, and not every dungeon has one.
And the Gods Above allow this?
Lerish shrugged.
I dont know. Theres much I dont understand, but I have chosen to share it with you. I know youre different. I suspect its something simr, in your case.
BBook 2: Chapter 29: Gone but not forgotten.
BBook 2: Chapter 29: Gone but not forgotten.
Dragons, gods, the ability to shift between forms at will, apocalyptic wars once waged eons ago. I was not wholly shocked by this all, once the raw surge of memories had passed. If anything, I would have been bbergasted if the history of this world were mundane.
My next words came after several moments of careful consideration.
Youre a dragon.
Perhaps I could have worded that to be less blunt, yet I merely stated the obvious.
Oh no. Lerish shook her head, a tinge of regret and wistfulness in her voice. Dragon-spawn at best. And even then among the weakest there might have been. See, I only ever found a sliver of the egg, a fraction of the intended power.
And that alone turned you into the Apex?
Forcibly.
One thing did leap to mind upon hearing that.
Why tell me? Why..now?
Silence reigned for a moment.
You were the first to uncover the truth. Kept the secret. Saved my life again. She spoke hesitantly at first, conviction growing with every word.
Not to interrupt, but Velton and-
They suspected. Never knew, I dont think. Lerish interrupted. For the several years that have passed since my transformation happened, I left them alone and they returned the favor. My nose was kept out of their business and theirs out of mine.
This lined up with everything I had learned about the elf and his family. Lerish was very much a loner, and they in turn had left her to her solitude.
Why now? I repeated.
The dungeon is stirring. Again.
Words that I dreaded to hear.
Velton has spent almost no time in this house since I was ced here. Tehalis has not been home once. They refuse to tell Ish anything, but I know what is happening.
So suddenly tired was I that the need to ask her vanished. Only evermore trouble came from the mountain.
The other fragments of the egg stir inside the dungeon. I can feel it. They demand to be made whole again. So that Ash-Tuls specter can return.
And what, pray tell, do we do about that?
Lerish stopped mid-pace and shrugged, just as lost in all this as I was.
Are we required to do anything about it? She asked. What obligates us to intervene? For my part, if not for Ish, I would pack my things and leave.
An option Ick.
I was now Godtouched. Of interest. Expected to provide entertainment to the Gods Above.
Some part of me wondered if this new stirring, this sudden development was not their doing. Had one of them decided the proverbial pot needed be shook and new vor made to rise?
The great revtion that they were outsiders did not phase me, I found. The simple fact that Gods lived above and dictated this world had been a shock, yes. But their origins were irrelevant. They simple were. Perhaps this knowledge might upset those who believed otherwise, but what was in the past remained firmly there.
To leave the farm would be the safe, sensible option here. Travel somewhere safer, set up again and continue my toils.
Was there anywhere truly safe, however? That was the first and smallest inquiry.
The second was that I, on some level, utterly refused to be driven from my home. This I had shown before and would still do again. In the face of danger, I would persist, no matter the price.
Andstly, I felt as though Icked that choice. If this was an intervention from the Gods Above to stir the area and provoke conflict, to run from it might lead to disastrous consequences. I had been gifted power -albeit unwillingly-, and they expected entertainment in return.
My farm tied me to this ce. Here, I had already dug my grave. Now, I would triumph or die. In the face of this or any danger.
Lerish was bound here by Ish, who in turn stayed because of her parents. Why Velton and Tehalis stayed instead of vanishing into thin air I could not discern. I suspected once more it had to do with the dungeon.
Everything these days did, it seemed.
It was a small whileter that I actually returned to why I hade to visit. My problems, Iid before Lerish and asked if she could be the solution.
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You dont know where these warbands are currently? She repeated, one of Veltons maps unrolled before her.
No. Came the rumbled confirmation as I leaned over the table and for the first time glimpsed aplete map of the surrounding territories. But I do know where they are likely toe from.
My finger traced down the barons territory to a small corridor of markednd squashed between tworger kingdoms. A disputed no-mansnd constantly at war, home to ouws and periodically hit by necromantic surges that reanimated those dead on its battlefields.
My trail led through that to another grey section that was marked as the Pits of Drogoss, where monsters were spewed periodically into this world. A ce of constantbat where little grew and even less survived.
One of the great minotaur migrations sat at its edges, made perpetual camp there, and waited for every new spawning season to whet their des in ichor and blood.
All of this, I knew. This was where I had made the journey from when I had first taken control of the old Gareks body.
They wille, or have already came, through the Roil-snake crags into Ironmoors territory. From there, what roads they follow here is anyones guess.
Only two that lead toward Hullbretch. Ones the longer way around, would take them a couple extra days to reach the redtip. Course, nobody would know that it they werent already familiar with thesends.
In conclusion, we put together ces where they might be, but the divided trails left us unsure.
If they take the long route, the warband will have to pass within sight of Hullbretch. Station a man there with a fast horse and orders to ride hard once the watch sees something. In fact, put two.
And the other road?
Lerish sighed, deep and slow.
Ill watch that. Truth be told, I feel like Ive been in here too long already. I feel trapped, but I stay because ish wants me to. Its time for me to slip back into the wild and stalk the forests once more. Could say im only doing this because I owe you for savin my life. Truth is, Im doing it because I want to.
Dont do anything stupid. I fretted over her a whileter as she packed and prepared to leave with me. Justy in wait and alert them once you see them. Dont engage, dont block their path. Just scout and scoot.
Mmmm. Came the nonmital hum. The best I would get from her.
The pack she carried was smaller than mine. A bow at her side, dull clothes and some rations was all Lerish saw fit to pack. I did not question her, merely apanied her down the road, back towards my farm. There was some relief from the constant stress now that I had her as a living rm.
If there was anyone I trusted to excel at this task, it was her.
One more thing. I spoke as we walked.
It was with some painful winces that I recounted the ambush on the road. Just to fill her in on the possible danger. She, however, had other intentions.
Want me to track them down?
And just like that, I had a painful choice in front of me.
What did I prioritize? The ambushers killing the baron''s men, or my own safety?
So far, none of my people had been targeted by whoever had ambushed the riders. All of my workers showing up unscathed could attest to that. I had little doubt that if I set Lerish onto the trail, she could find whoever was responsible, or at least give me a decent idea of the threat.
But the threat of the warband wasrge, and, worst of all, unknown. I knew they were out there somewhere. I knew they wereing, but not from where. And if they arrived while I was unprepared, the consequences could be disastrous.
The decision was almost made for me. In all ways but one.
The ambush site is not farm from the farm. I would appreciate it if you could look around quickly, tell me what you find and then move on. Dont waste any time picking it apart or trying to chase the danger. In. Look. Out. Ille with you so you can ry the information and continue onwards.
This we both agreed on. Trees fell away and we emerged into the barren area around my fortress-farm.
Lerish eyebrows raised at the changes, but she declined toment. Gates were hauled open and we entered to find Ish with her arms crossed, her expression miffed.
Off to risk your life again? We talked about this.
There was tension in those words, a tone that made me wary enough to tread carefully.
Not in particr, Lersih muttered. Just a scout job.
Not really helping her own case there.
It took precious time to ry everything to Ish, and even longer to convince her that I absolutely needed Lerish for this. No one else would do. Tash waved as he went past, the satyr Beastmaster off to deal with unruly cows once more.
My train of thought mentally crashed to a halt and my eyes slid around once more. Wasnt he a drow-
Garek? Garek!? Ishs voice broke through the haze.
I blinked, trying to remember what had just been said. Anything past Tash waving at me was a nk, and he was now down by the pens, the stubborn taur-cows firmly his problem.
Sorry. I apologized. Must be more exhausted than I had reckoned.
Thats fine. Hard work does that to a man. Ish reassured me.
Yet, the thought of something nagged me. The feeling persisted through the conversation as ish forcibly joined the party to travel to the ambush site. Eventer, while we searched the dead riders and walked through fields of arrows, the sensation that something had happened once I had glimpsed Tash remained.
It seemed to fade from memory every time I thought too hard, and soon a massive headache thudded behind my eyes.
So, good news and not-so good news. Lerish dered as she stepped from the bush.
I waved at her to let me what it, one hand against the side of my head as the migraine pounded away.
You dont have to worry about a mass of highly-trained archers or raiders on the edge of yournd. Thats the good news. What youll hate hearing is that whoever killed everyone here, She broadly indicated the now hours-old carnage with a sweeping gesture. Was a single individual.
Well, that was just fabulous to here. With that, her mission here wasplete. Farewell said to me and embrace shared with Ish, the huntress turned and vanished into the undergrowth, her own trails to be found amidst the choking greenery.
Migraine too intense to stay here and keep searching for some long-vanished archer, I too turned and trod my path back to the farm, my head clutched all the way.
BBook 2: Chapter 30: Within.
BBook 2: Chapter 30: Within.
The day had finallye.
No longer was it feasible to simply leave the monster-nts where their seeds had been sown, instructions given to steer clear. A new enclosure had been prepared, one separated from the fields entirely. As the sun broke through heavy clouds above, I squinted into the re, shivered a little in the mornings cool air and prepared for a long, arduous day.
Ish sulked despite my best efforts to cheer her spirit and keep things lively. This mood had clung to her since Lerishs departure, and I feared only one event would lift it.
I watched her now as she barked orders to the workers, irritable and on edge. Her eyes twitched and temper red as someone turned from a conversation and asked for his orders to be repeated. Seconds away from a verbal thrashing, thed was saved by his more attentive friend who assured the orc he had heard everything.
Emotion, the great swayer of hearts. I spoke to no one in particr.
A little grandiose, but I agree. Zheli spoke from behind me. Arms filled with cooking supplies and still enough energy for some snark. Twas good to have people like that around, to keep my own ego in check.
Mmmm. Shell survive.
While it was not my intention to sound callous, I spoke the truth. Ish and Lerish would be reunited, and in the meantime, my workers would have to suffer her temper.
You speak from experience?
Sadly, I do not. the wistful sigh slipped from me before I could stop it. Ive not had the time or inclination for the affairs of the heart.
Shame. Perhaps youll find someone, one day. Came the fading voice as the cook continued on. Far be it from em to hold her up and make small talk,den as she was.
Maybe. I echoed the sentiment. But that was enough pining for the day.
Moos sound from the pasture as once more, the taur-cows made Tashs day miserable. Same as they had ever since the wall had beenpleted. It was a testament to the Beastmasters skill that they were contained at all. But that was not my problem today. Gold and other expandable resources ensured that any problems with the livestock were relegated to the satyrs responsibilities. I paid him for a reason, after all.
Gol scratched at the gate, demanding to be let out. Orders had been given to let the big luge and go as he pleased, and the guards that manned the walls needed something to do anyhow. Usually one to stay at my side, Gol had been prowling the forests instead these past few days.
Another reflection of the unease that had settled over my farm as everyone awaited the storm toe.
Only one thing could keep everyones minds off that, and it was good hard work, I had decided.
And now, we attended to that.
Thick, heavy clothes provided not only warmth from the sudden cold, but some protection against the smaller danger offered by the monster-nts. Masks mped tightly over faces, I and several other approached the nests of biter-pods. Bags of spores were emptied with unequaled generosity, ample time given for them to lull the ravenous predator vines to sleep.
Willem was a fairly young, mostly inexperienced mage who had travelled here from Hullbretch just for this job. His scent betrayed the nervousness that the mask upon his face attempted to hide as we stepped back and gestured for him to begin.
The first and only person to answer my poster that requested help of the arcane variety. He was, quite bluntly, fresh and green behind the ears. Clothes too fine to be working in the dust and mud, not enough water or food packed along.
Yet I did not require him to be some experienced savant or rough and ready explorer of the wilds. I simply needed him to move some dirt.
Tworgeds to either side of arge iron barrel indicated they were ready as he stepped forward. Slowly, excruciating, he set about to work his craft, Dirt and small bones rose from next to a single engorged biter-vine as the nt and the dirt that surrounded it was hauled from the dirt. Invisible force levitated it upward, loose dirt tumbling from the side.
Human on one side and beastkin on the other, the barrel was hauled forward, underneath the floating biter-vine and the dirt that encased its roots. I found myself unhappy with how quickly it was dropped, the impact shaking loose some spores.
Slower. I rumbled. More carefully. Im paying you well enough to keep my workers safe.
The human muttered awkwardly, head nodding furiously. I was paying him very well, truth be told. Both for the work and his silence. The duo carrying the barrel dipped under its weight with every step as they hauled it across the farm and up the hill towards my lodge. The barrel barely contained the single biter-vine, most of its mass overflowing the top.
I followed, bag of spores in hand in case it so much as twitched. There were absolutely no chances being taken today.
Several bumps in the path prompted me toyer on more spores, and while tedious, progress was steady. Willem trailed behind me, somewhat awkward with the cial pace. Up the hill we went, around the lodge to the fenced garden behind my home.
Several other workers worked here, holes being dug and dirt piled next to each one. Our little group reached the furthest section, and the second part began. Barrel carefully ced, the men stepped away and I gestured WIllem forward. More dirt crumbled as the mage strained, all his might focused on levitating the nt back out of the barrel. The bottom of its roots dragged over the barrels lid as it was whisked across the distance and deposited firmly into a hole dug for it.
Dirt dragged itself into ce, firmly packing down the earth that set the biter-vine in ce.
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A single one had been transnted. There was an entire patch of them to follow.
A slow, tedious task made somewhat bearable by the satisfaction that came with progress. One by one, the hungry vines were plucked from the ground, carried across the field and deposited into their new homes.
I soon found that the amount of spores needed to make this go smoothly had been vastly underestimated. They did notst overly long, and needed generous application given the nts sizes. That, and I suspected they had begun to develop a resistance to the spores. Simply another reason that this must be aplished now.
Perhaps it would have been faster to set up multiple carriers, but I put safety over speed. I needed Willem for both ends of the task. Try as I might, I could note up with a safe solution to transnt them from the barrels into the earth by hand. It was simply too risky to handle the carnivorous vines by hand.
A fear that was validated as one of the barrel-carriers tripped forward and spilled his loads contents across the hillside. Polled shaken loose and shocked awake by the impact, the nt snapped its pods at the man as he scrambled away. It caught something and drew blood before I could react.
The entire bag of pollen being thrown onto the feasting vines saved the mans leg as he hollered in pain. I seized the podtched onto his leg and crushed its back, forcing the mouth open to detach its hold.
His beastkin friend dragged the human away as I bellowed for healing milk and anothe rbag of spores, then grabbed the barrel myself.
Come. I growled at Willem. The human shuffled forward from where he had backed away, heavily smelling of fear and sweat. I didnt me him. With muchrger, quicker strides, I carried the barrel myself. Speed I needed before the nt shook off the spores once more.
It too was transnted, and the task continued.
Andel, the injured human, I told to sit and rest for the day. Even with the healing milks rapid effect, being wounded like that could and would unnerve a man, make him more prone to mistakes. I had others to fill his spot.
We had not even finished the biter-vines by the time lunch was called. I found myself without hunger, and motioned the others to go eat and rest for a while. Instead, I turned to other nts. The acid-pitchers looked to be particrly vexing the transport. At least until their fluid was drained entirely and the nt itself scooped up in a hurry.
Still, this was far from simple. I discovered this halfway across the field as the nt began to wither in front of me.
Pace picked up to a near run, I made it up the hill, slid the pitcher into its hole and stared in concern as it grew pale. Only once I had run back down the hill, grabbed the pail full of acid-fluid, and poured it back into the nt did color return.
I had not known that in all the time we had harvested from it.
Was the syrup its actual life-blood?
I was not the only one who had forgone a meal, I found once I returned back to the fields.
Tash lounged around the cow pens, obviously happier to have the animals aspany, rather than other people. I found myself staring across the distance at him, my brows furrowed. Something bothered me, yet I could not ce my proverbial finger upon the problem.
The satyr sat up from the pile of hay he lounged in and caught me staring. Yet instead of feeling guilty about it, my brows only tightened further.
I was right at the edge of discovery when I felt a tap on my arm. I blinked and the thought was gone, reced by the round, nervous face of Willem.
While I dont rightly mind making coin on free time, you are paying me to do something, and Id quite like to have it done so I can start the journey home at a reasonable hour.
This made me nod in agreement, whatever had just bothered me wholly gone from my mind. Nothing like the promise of progress to alleviate a mans worries.
The biter-vines proved to be the bulk of the work, other ntsing in smaller, far more reasonable packages.
More men were required to carry the acid pitchers, but without the risk of losing limbs, I could afford more crews to carry them at once. They too were soon uprooted and ced into their new homes. The mimicfruit I personally carried over and tucked into the corner of the private garden next to my house. Here, only the cleric-shine nts grew, heavily warded to keep out anyone but myself.
It was almost in spite of my best efforts that more idents seemed to ur.
Both men who carried the wither-tree grew pallid and sick shortly after moving it over, copsing on their way back down the hill. No wounds were visible, but the remained with a feeble temperament even after treatment via healing milk.
This only reinforced my conviction that the transnting needed to be finished today.
Finally, only one was left.
This here is arge reason of why I hired you. I spoke and indicated arge, fenced off area to Willem. Posts were driven through the ground, methodically spaced and the gaps filled with rock. A wooden cage with seemingly nothing in it.
I dont see anything.
Yet. I need you to lift this entire section of ground. Can you do it?
I looked him dead in the eyes and continued.
Do not assure me that you can if youck the power for it. I need to be sure.
The mage swallowed hard and shook his head.
Not all of it. Pieces, maybe.
Good enough.
Then we shall start with that. I need you to remove this entire patch, piece by piece until we find what I seek.
Somewhere under all that dirt, caged in by itself, lurked the Roaming Maw. It sat just under the surface, onlying up to snap prey and drag under whatever stepped into its territory.
Men with heavy protection and bags of spores stood around the caged area, bags of spores in hand. Ready to throw at any sight of the giant maw.
No need to be gentle here. Take out half a barrel at a time and move it elsewhere. Start with the edges.
And this he did. Dirt was all but hurled skyward as the mage scooped it free, burrowing for any sign of the Maw. We found teeth first as they writhed and withdrew, long green fangs that grew from the nt itself. Instead of seizing the dirt around the nt, I ordered him to excavate it entirely, leaving nothing but the monstrous mass in the pit once it was finished.
Heavy doses of spores covered the maw, and it too fell still.
I stood next to the pit, curious. This was one I had never properly seen, given how it lived below-ground and only emerged to feed. It was easily thergest of all my nts, very well fed and unharvested. A single giant mouth that seemed surprisingly fluid, able to emerge from the dirt and snap upwards to engulf its meal.
The bottom half was a singr gigantic bulb with roots snaking it from every avable surface. Long, thin tendrils that extended into the dirt crated around it now that dirt no longer covered it.
Moving this thing would be a colossal task in its own right.
Which was why I had hired someone to do it for me. With that, I turned to Willem, smile on my face.
Well, theres only a single one left and then you may begin your journey home. Ready?
BBook 2: Chapter 31: Wrath.
BBook 2: Chapter 31: Wrath.
The days that followed the transnting granted me the deepest sleep I had ever enjoyed. Despite the far-off threat that the warbands posed, the farm ran like the smoothest of machines. Progress marched on here. Hunters were contracted to help keep my stores of food supplied, the excess going to feed to biter-pods and the roaming maw. Sheds and barns were erected in quick order, the full attention of Lidya and her crew focused upon this task now that the walls werepleted.
And finally, I could expand my attention outwards to the othernd I had purchased. The final crop would be taken off from within the walls soon, and in the meantime,nd was broken and seeds were sown in other quarters.
Several tentative ces were chosen as suitable pastures for when the herd would inevitably be split up given its size.
Several crews rotated out to pull plows and spread seeds, helped by new teams of horses purchased from Hullbretch. Despite initial concerns, they were not subjected to phantom rains of arrows from the archer that remained atrge.
I had little to actually describe the attacker, but was asked questions at great length as a patrol from the baron stopped by to investigate. I gave all the information I could freely, yet outside of describing the attack itself, there remained little I could provide.
Things remained tenuous well.
For some time.
Dwarves!
The shout rang from the single watchtower built next to the southern gate. Incredulous as the watchers tone was, it carried fear as well. This single wordmanded the farm to stop. Everything ground to a halt as people looked around, overtaken by sudden shock.
I rose from my seat, a pot of stew nearly knocked over in my haste. Long strides carried me towards the walls. A massivedder creaked beneath my weight as I heaved myself over the ramparts edge and gazed over the top.
Lines of armored figures marched in session, low to the ground by stature and wide of bulk. Their armor nged as they drew near, a tide of steel and beards. They were not quite what I expected when I had pictured dwarves, but through my blurry eyesight, I could make out features.
Steel half-helms covered the upper parts of their heads, anything below that shirked in favor of letting their beards hang out. The columns split as they reached the fork that led around my farm. Some dread settled in my stomach as half of them promptly stopped and began to unpack their gear. The other continued their relentless march around my farm.
They mean to cut us off. Lidya spoke solemnly from beside me.
Ish looked pale as winter now, her face drained of any and all blood. Without a word, the orc hopped off the wall and began to run, burning a path for the stables and shouting for the other gate to be opened.
It took me far too long to think of why.
A dwarf had disappeared somewhere around here. The doomed party that had woken the dungeon was known to have had a dwarf in its ranks.
A rider tore from the gates ahead of Ish, the gates barely having been opened wide enoughfor him to pass through. The half-orc spurred her bareback mount on behind him.
She almost made it too.
The earth was cleaved open ahead of her, a massive rend torn through the road and trees that stretched into an impassable maw. An armored dwarf gestured from where the column marched around my walls, and the trench widened, too far for any creature to leap over.
Ishs mount whirled, almost throwing her off in its panic as the ground quaked.
With the same haste as she left, the orc returned to the farm and yelled for the gates to be closed.
There was little I could do but watch now. Watch with growing concern as the host of dwarves on my front door began to construct a bastion faster than any mortal had business to. Their speed rivalled even Veltons magic, but this was not a lone mage wielding aae might. These were legions that worked with unmatched speed and efficiency, metal molded in their hands before my very eyes.
Walls rose to either side of the host, propelled by relentlessbour and dwarven steel-shaping. The same happened with the second host that had marched around my farm.
I was being sealed off, came the realization.
The sheer speed at which this happened would have impressed me, if not for the fact I was the one it was happening to.
They want blood. Ish quietly remarked from next to me.
Only reason dwarves ever venture into the surface world is tah avenge another dwarf. Lidya remarked. Everyone knows this.
I had not.
Shall I go and steady the workers? The humans way of excusing herself. I granted it and only Ish and I were left on the rampart.
Do you think they know?
IDont know. She spoke, voice filled with hesitation. I really, really hope not.
Whatever you do, dont fight them. Ish looked at me, her voice deathly serious. We both know you are capable of incredible things, but dwarves are never, ever t be trifled with. Best yah can do is hope they move along and hope their wrath donte down on you.
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Dont rightly know much about dwarves. I admitted. Garek had never seen one before, and aside from vague warnings, this was my first as well.
Entire world knows there are two races you stay far away from, for your own good. Dwarves and Elves. Elves keep to their Forests of the Sun, and Dwarves rule the Underdeep. Used to be more races down these, I was told. Nearly as many as there are on the surface world.
Now there are only dwarves.
More silence between us as we observed the fortress of steel almost fully constructed before us. Its walls rose higher than my own, a blockade that severed the road leading up the mountainside.
Pray. Ish spoke. Pray to teh Gods Above that dwarf wasnt someone important, or theyll butcher the whole mountainside to get answers.
Lerish. I realized. Why didnt she report back? Surely she must have seen them.
They dont travel ovend, Garek. Theyre beneath our feet, digging through the earth while were blissfully unaware.
Soon, all fell silent as construction was halted. We could nothing within the fort now, only gaze at its steel walls. The same was true for the blockade constructed to the other side of my farm. We were cut off now. Only the rider that had raced out first could take word of the dwarven troop up the mountain.
The wait was not long. Steel fluidly slid open, a gate formed in the otherwise nk metal surface, and a host of dwarves marched out.
I counted no less than twenty, all armed and armored to the teeth. Several carried axes with power cores embedded in the des, covered in chainmail and forsaking helmets to let their beards flow freely. Heavily armored as they were, these were the least irond of the troop.
Save for their beards spilling free, the rest were d in iron from head to toe, even those I assumed were archers from therge crossbows they wielded. Preceded by the nking of armor, the host marched right up to the gate in formation and drew to a halt.
One stepped from the rest, d in flowing chainmail robes and a fiery si upon his brow.
Cast upon the gates,y down your weapons and submit yourselves for questioning.
No terms offered, simply a demand stated. My hackles rose at this despite everything I had just been told. Who was he toe to my house, demand that I open my doors to do as he pleased?
And if we do not? I returned, hostility in my voice.
Then your walls will be sieged, all inside put to the axe and answers taken from your corpses. In life or in death, we will extract what we search for. He replied, tone impartial.
Do it, Garek. Ish urged after a moment. Any oue from this is better than everyone being butchered.
It galled me to give the order. Visibly enraged me to have to stand and watch as this host marched through my open gates and began to set about rounding up my workers. But I kept my temper through it all through sheer force of wil.
There was something uniquely infuriating to have ones own property trodden over, and it stirred a me of hatred deep within.
The throne of steel being erected was what nearly sent this to a boiling point. Ish hand grabbed my arm as it dipped towards the ymore at my waist, and only then did I realize how dangerously close I hade to bloodlust.
Dont.
Though it screamed against every fiber of my being, I obeyed.
More dwarves were marched through the breach, and I saw another that stood out from the rest. One whos skin seemed to be made of metal, whos beard was iron itself. Eyes glowed with pale blue light and whom the other dwarves gave a wide berth.
This was the one who sat upon this throne of steel and began to call forward the workers as they were crowded into a circle, surrounded by irond warriors. Myself and Ish were likewise surrounded, dwarves to all sides and herded towards the throne.
There was one person I could not find anywhere. Tash. Look as I might, the Beastmaster was nowhere to be found.
One by one, the people who worked for me were called forward and asked the same questions.
Had they seen or heard of a dwarf in this area several months ago? Did they have any knowledge of his fate? What did they know of the dungeons awakening?
These three questions and nothing else. There was no interest in their names, professions, anything other than the dwarf held no meaning to these people.
And soon, the crowd has thinned and only myself and Ish was left.
You. The steelskin dwarf gestured to me. I stepped forward and was immediately wrenched by an aura as I entered the dwarfs presence.
Have you seen or heard of a dwarf that was in this area several months ago? He repeated, voice emotionless.
I have. I found the truth all but forced from me, unable to lie in the beings presence.
Desrcibe the events that urred.
I found myself doing just that. I recounted my run-in with the party in Hullbretch, their attempts to recruit me on my farm, failing to do that and then their intentions to head to the peak for something the dwarf insisted was there. Through tactical ommisions, I excluded any mention of Ish in all this, focused on myself and what i knew the dwarf was personally involved in.
Describe what you know about his fate.
That would be a little trickier.
I know he warped out of the dungeon shortly after it woke. I have heard he appeared inside the camp of monster hunters up the mountainside. I know he took a fast horse from them. I saw him gallop along the road that at the time cut through my farm as if a host of demons were on his tail. I have not seen him since nor heard news of his fate.
All true. Lerish had not told me what had happened, and I had not seen him since.
Step to the side for further questioning in a moment.
I could do little but follow those instructions, especially surrounded by a host of warriors.
And now, there only remained Ish. Dread settled in my stomach as she was brought forward and asked the same questions as I. There was a fierce, stubborn look on her face, a conviction that made dread roil within me.
I know of him. Ish started before the metal dwarf even asked. Went into teh dungeon with im. He ran soon as danger showed itself. Warped out n left his party to die.
Describe everything you know of his fate.
It was at this precise moment that an enraged elf chose to burst through a fiery portal, murder in his eyes and the demand on his lips that his daughter be unhanded.
Just when I thought we might actually make it out of this unscathed.
BBook 2: Chapter 32: Wrath II.
BBook 2: Chapter 32: Wrath II.
The air hung silent for a moment after Veltons deration.
If the threat of annihtion by a source that could and would carry it out bothered these iron-d beings any, it did not show. Not physically, not even so much as a change in their scent.
Elf. The steel-beard figure remarked from where he sat rigid. Wether it was a greeting or a simple remark, I could not tell.
Dwarf. The bearded mage returned, eyes narrow. He looked.. disheveled. Dark circles under his eyes, clothes dirty. Still imposing through it all.
Your spawn is being questioned. Do not interfere.
With every word the being spoke, my dread rose higher. Who was he, tomand an elf like this?
Unhand her, or I will obliterate all of you. Came the reply, deathly serious.
You will. The figure agreed. And then you will have killed a dwarf. Your name will be writ in the great Book of grudges. And then the legions wille in their millions, burrowing under your cities and sunking them into the dirt. The blood of thousands will whet every patch of this ursednd. Your lineage will be erased. I will be dead, and your kind will learn once more why you do not harm dwarves.
The threat ofplete, brutal devastation was delivered with the most measured tone I could imagine under such a situation.
And then you will have killed an elf. Velton countered. Consider carefully what happened thest time a dwarf dared that.
I will be dead, resting in the halls of my forefathers, unconcerned by the woes of the mortal world. My duty fulfilled, my honor upheld. What happens once I pass concerns me not.
Two ultimatums were given, and neither was willing to back down.
Was this going to be it? The focal point, the singr moment in which everything irrevocably was cast to ruin?
She is innocent of anything concerning this dwarfs fate. The words slipped my mouth, directed at both of them. Simply allow her to prove it, Velton.
She might have went into the dungeon with his party, but she didnt leave with him. Others can attest to that. My stomach roiled and sweat trickled down my back. My mind raced as I did my best to obfuscate any detail I could surrounding that day. Anything to put Ish on the right track with what she had to say.
Didnt leave the dungeon for quite some time, in fact. I continued. Dwarf was long gone by the time her barely-functioning body was brought back here.
Confirm this. The dwarf demanded, his auraing down in full effect.
Ish nodded and repeated the words. If he had some way to sense the truth, the dwarf did not find her statement wanting.
Just like that, they were done. The figure rose and spoke severalmands in a gutturalnguage I could not recognize. Weapons were lowered and people unherded as the columns turned and began to march back the way they hade.
Hold, Oracle. Veltonmanded.
The figure stopped, looking back at the elf, surprised by the sheer absurdity of benign ordered to do something. I reckoned these were two beings very much used to being the highest authority of any room they were in, and now their wills grappled with each other.
Another gutturalmand and the lines of warriors stopped their march. They remained in ce as the metallic figure turned and paced back towards where Velton stood.
Speak, elf.
Who is this dwarf, that you are so hell-bent on seeking wrath for him? Some Deep-Hall n-son?
Who he was or his station matters little to me. He was the disgraced son of a miner, banished to the upper world until he proved to be worthy enough to walk the under-deep once more.
Some nobody? Velton spoke in the bluntest way possible. That is why you are in the Lands Above?
He was a dwarf, and that alone is enough.
Gods Above. Velton eximed. Go. Ive no more questions for you.
And mine have only started.
With that, he turned and strode away, stubby legs carrying him on measured strides.
Back to the work. Imanded once the gates were shut. Pent up dislike and anger oozed from me, I knew. It faded somewhat now that they were gone from my sight, but the smallest flicker of hatred was still nurtured within.
Twas proof how resilient the people of this world were that they went about their chores and business without much ado. I still did not fully grasp why it surprised me, given the danger that lurked in every corner on this world, but such nonchnt in the face of near-death continued to surprise me. They simply got over it and moved about their day.
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I did not. Could not.
Where in all the bloody Hells did theye from? I growled to Velton once the workers had dispersed.
The ground, I reckon.
If he made this a jest, not a whif of humor red in his scent.
They tunnels all across this world, garek. Routes to every city in every kingdom, at the very least. Likely more than we could every dream of. They march beneath borders, caring little for how squabbles on top. Under the soil, all is theirs. All boots march to the drums of the Exarch and his will. They have dug so deep that the hells themselves have been breached, and even the devils within leave the dwarves unbothered.
And you were ready to start a war with that. Over me. Ishs voice was filled with emotion.
For my daughter, I would make this world a pyre before I let death take you.
Not a shadow of doubt could be found in the elfs voice. What he said, he believed with thorough conviction.
I had questions. Given how the dwarves had seen fit to do all the asking and none of the answerings, there was a veritable heap to be handed out.
Who, no, what was that?
An Ironbeard Orcle. Dwarves prove to be very literal with their naming skills, youll find. Theyve an aura that forces the truth from you, as I''m sure youve experienced. Devilish thing. Most auras are. Only way to get them is by dealing with the infernal. Dwarves though, their less keen on bargains and more on outright taking them, devils and their deals be damned. Truthseekers out to find answers by any means necessary.
That exined some things, and left more questions than it answered.
The rest, Static-Shock Infantary and Berserkrs, best as I could tell.
The sound of metal on metal split the air as once more, noise started to either side of my farm.
And the fort outside?
See for yourself. Velton gestured and disappeared. It was only moments of confused looking aroundter that I noticed him atop the walls. Curse on my lips, I hurried to join him.
The fort outside my walls was being stripped before my very eyes, reduced down to open road once more as the dwarves quite literally packed it up and took it with them. Faster than it had risen, it was taken down, stowed away and the marching continued on.
They had the grace to close the tear in the road at least, I found.
Off to the Verdant Dwan camp. Velton grimaced. Theyll set up there, fence them off and put them all to the question, same as here.
I dont think theyll be very agreeable with that notion.
I agree. Which is why were going there to convince them.
Teleport? I repeated his grimace, very much not fond of the sensation that would wrench me across reality.
Indeed. He took a moment to hug his daughter, then stepped forward and sped my shoulder.
It was quick, at least. No forewarning, just atop my ramparts one moment and stumbling between tents and swearing mercenaries the next.
We had been spawned right in the center of someones dice game, and even an angry growl from a hulking minotaur did little to stifle the resentment that came with that.
Aye, you crushed me dice! One mostly drunk mercenary looked up at me with usation in his eyes.
And me coin.
I ignored the man and stepped over his seated form, more intent on saving their lives than their pockets.
Raffnyk. Where is he?
The man stared at me with nk usation until I repeated the question, this time with a much more threatening tone.
In his tent or walking the walls, I reckon.
His protests over coin followed me, drunken stupor outweighing survival instinct as he got up and sullenly jogged in my wake. The spark of a little hate red within as I contemted what a good smack about the head would do to silence this fool. My day had already been long, and my efforts to preserve this drunken louts life were hampered by his own prattling.
Still, a foul mood did not mean that he need die. If anything, I was the better man here for still wanting to keep him alive and his neck decidedly free from dwarven axes.
Tailed all the way through the camp by the drunken mercenary, I did not even stop to consider something that should have been obvious until it was toote. I barged past the guards on watch and pushed aside the tent ps to stoop through.
Unfamiliar was the face that looked up at me once I barged into Raffnyks tent. ze-red hair, tanned skin and a sourplexion turned to face me. Surprise, then suspicion preceded wrath as the woman surged to her feet, rapier snatched from close at hand.
Raffnyk was not here. It took me a moment to remember that Raffnyk had been relieved of duty. That someone else had taken his ce. Ergo, themand tent no longer housed the man I was looking for.
I demand my coin! Came the drunken slur, echoed once more from outside the tent. It was at this moment I decided that I had enough. The figure before me ignored, I whirled, burst out of the tent and grabbed the man by one shoulder. Even with a single hand, there was little effort as I hauled him off the ground and dragged him up in front of my face.
You will still your tongue or I will relieve you of it. Anger leaked through my words, some small spark directed at this oaf who did nothing but impede what had to be done. At a more merciful time, I would have just dropped the man and walked away. But there was a sliver of hatred inside that bloomed free as I physically tossed him away.
My gaze followed as he tumbled into another tent and crashed through the fabric, curses and shouts elicited from within. Only once he was vanished from sight did I turn to find my path barred by the now-attentive, although nervous, guards.
Was that wholly necessary? Came Veltons irritated voice as the elf chose to appear around another corner at that moment. I ignored him and focused my intent on the guards instead.
Just more people doing their duty. But said duty prevented me from saving them in time.
Move. I growled.
They did not. Brave and foolish, one couldmend them for standing firm in the face of a furious minotaur.
I was not in the mood.
They were spared from being likewise flung as the person that nowmanded this camp strode out the tent, weapon in hand.
There is a fullpany of dwarves marching on this camp as we speak. Velton interjected before anything further could ur. Should any of you wish to survive the day, I would rmend you throw open the gates and obey theirmands. Do that, subject your people to their questions, and Gods Above willing you will live to see this days dusk.
An explosion in the distance chose this moment to indicate that perhaps, the oue would be otherwise.
BBook 2: Chapter 33: Wrath III.
BBook 2: Chapter 33: Wrath III.
Velton and I lingered as the camp roused around us, barely-armored forms snatching up weapons and heading toward the source of the explosion. While notpletely certain, therey a suspicion in me that I knew what had just happened. Still, I needed not rush with the tide of humans and be mistaken for the danger in their midst. That woulde soon enough.
So, a quick teleport, mayhaps?
The elf frowned at my suggestion, lips pinched in annoyance.
While I appreciate the sentiment and implication that I am a bottomless well of power, reality is often disappointing. Low as I already am today, I would rather not waste my talents on this. The dwarves obviously ripped open the dirt. Are we really required to be the first there to gawk at it?
We were not. Yet I had better thing to do than stand here and await the humans inevitable return. It took me but a few moments to snatch a mercenary from the ground as he hurried past and extract the information I required.
We moved parallel to the tide of soldiers that trooped towards the front walls, cutting between tents and across formerly upied spaces to reach my destination. Arge white tent that I recognized as being formerly upied by the royal alchemist from Hullbretch was where I aimed to go.
Several polite knocks on the post revealed nothing, and a quick peak inside found neatly arranged, utilitarian quarters. No sign of my friend. It should not have surprised me that Raffnyk would refuse to sulk about in his tent and instead be with the men and men he formerlymanded, yet it did. I stood for a moment and recalled that the man had never so much as wavered in the face of duty, and felt a fool for thinking he would now.
A sigh rumbled its way from my throat as I gazed upon the soon-to-be-packed walls and ramparts, knowing that would be where I needed to go to find him. Fortunately, my long strides, air of gentle authority and the ability to pick up humans with a single hand proved to make that easy for me.
I did find Raffnyk, eventually. Sullen, awkwardly standing just outside of the newmanders guard, but on-duty nheless.
I know why they havee, Alesha. The knight insisted again, exasperation reigned tight in his tone but betrayed by his scent.
You guess. She snapped back. Guess are not good enough when our necks sit on the line.
Tensions red and tempers were tight here. Both from outside influence and pre-existing drama I was unaware of, if I had to guess. These two were not on the best of terms, and it showed to all but the most oblivious of observers.
And what other conclusion have youe to? Raffnyk spoke past the guards that surrounded the woman, frustration leaking into his tone. Why else would a legion of dwarves just appear on our doorstep?
Perhaps if I hadpetent scouts, we would not be surprised by this. She shot back.
You agreed to let the soldiers have a day off in celebration of the news, did you not? Raffnyks usually polite facade frayed then, iron in his tone. I remain meless for the consequences of your decisions, Lord-Commander.
She did obviously not think so.
If it would behoove everyone, stow this topic for ater time and focus on the tide of axe-bearers on your doorstep. Velton interjected before the conversation devolved any further. Still, those few words helped me glean why the camp had been taken by surprise and further uncovered the bad blood between these two. I watched columns of armored dwarves march past underneath the walls, moving to block off the road leading the the mountains summit and the fort that resided there.
An effort that went uncontested. Bickering aside, this newmander was smart enough to let the dwarves march uncontested.
Who let these two up here? She barked harshly at the guards everywhere. Do you see a Verdant Dawn insignia on their clothes?
The roll of my eyes threatened to shatter the heavens themselves at this.
We let ourselves onto your walls. I spoke tly. Here to save your camp from being put to the axe. Yet if our presence is such a bother with the crucial information we bring to you, we can see ourselves out and leave you to face fate uncontested.
She was ready to take me up and on that offer too, I realized. Raffnyk stepped in before she could.
The men and women in this camp owe their lives to Garek and Velton twice over. I say let them tread where they please, for they have earned that right. Naught but good hase of their presence before when danger has reared itself, and only a fool would send them away now.
She was tempted to. I could see it in how she held herself, smell it in her scent. Only by the slimmest of margins did she reluctantly concede and turn away wordlessly.
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Now, do you want to know why they have chosen to appear on your doorstep or are you going to stand there like a petnt child and ignore us? Veltons tone made it clear this was not the first time he had dealt with this woman. I suppose they would have met before, with the fort being a point of interest and his continuous presence there.
She instead chose to send orders away with couriers for some of the most menial things one could imagine before she turned around once more.
Inform me. Came the demand.
Roughly a day before the dungeon was awoken, this camp housed a dwarf. That dwarf left for the Redtip, discovered the dungeon, yed his part in waking it, abandoned his party to warp out, steal a horse and then disappear. The elf ryed the information and jabbed one finger out towards the bulk of the dwarf-host. They are here to uncover his fate.
Now, if you and everyone in this camp wish to survive till the dusk falls, you will obey their demands, answer their questions, and Gods Above willing, they will march on and you will never see a Dwarf again.
And if we resist their unprovoked aggression? She shot back.
Then you will die. I answered. The memory of their warnings was still fresh in my mind, ming the small me of hate that burned within. Not fury, not the spark of anger, but just a little hatred that threatened to ignite and burn everything down.
They are dwarves. Velton stated simply. Anything butplete obedience is answered with the axe. Keep that well and truly in mind.
Surely they will not want war. Alesha thought herself smart as she gestured around. We have the backing of a nation behind us.
Your kingdom will hear of your deaths and learn that it was perpetuated by those underneath their very feet. They will apologize profusely to whatever envoyes before them to bill them for the time and manpower wasted to kill you, pay whatever ludicrous sum is demanded, and then never speak of your foolishness again.
Velton delivered all that in the most ice-cold tone I had ever heard a living being utter. There was not an ounce of exaggeration in his words. This, he truly believed.
I will say it again; Open your gates, answer their questions and do not impede them. No less, no more. If you wish to bring war to this already-troublednd, I will remove you myself.
This was not the first time I had heard the elf utter a threat, and it still chilled me inside.
There was a short outburst that followed those spoken words. That too was quelled when she realized how deathly serious the elf was.
These were not my people, not really my problem. Yet I did not subscribe to that philosophy. I had already saved them twice, and now I looked out for them a third time as the steel host drew near. Again, it galled me to see how easily these short, bearded dwarves walked over everyone. At most, they were a third of my height, yet everyone made way and obeyed their wishes.
Was I really equating height to influence? This I found myself wondering as I watched the columns enter through the front gate. What was it about these beings that stirred hate inside me whenever I saw them? The old Garek had never encountered a dwarf in his life and had never given two damns about their underground empire.
But seeing how everyone obeyed them without protest -at least to their faces- made me feel a hatred I had not experienced before. Simply because I had been forced to roll over and obey their whims did not mean I was content to do so, nor would forgive their intrusions. Still, what could I realistically do?
Naught but stand here and watch as the process was repeated for these people.
To some inestimably small credit, they did not abuse their power. No one was shoved around, kicked down and treated roughly. They were split into groups, and then, one by one, the entire camp was brought before the Ironbeard Oracle and questioned. The beings aura of truth sped things along much faster than I would have expected, cutting through clever wording and otherwise useless maneuvering that might have obfuscated his search for the truth.
Myself and Velton were ignored, left to stand on the walls and watch as most of the camp repeated the same version of that day. Most barely remembered it, some sighted the dwarf from a distance, very few actually met and conversed with him.
Slowly, methodically, the Oracle went through the entire camp. Mercenaries, soldiers, cooks, servants. All were prodded forward and put to the questions. The stablehands were questioned longest of all, for they had seen the dwarf steal a horse and gallop away. The theft itself did little to concern the Oracle, but rather the direction he rode seemed to matter most.
It was only when someone prattled on how they dwarf has been preparing gear in case they ran into the Apex did the conversation halt. My blood cooled and stomach grew upset as questions now became focused on the beastss whereabouts. Through luck or Lerishss sheer discretion was it brought forth that not a single monster hunter had actually seen the beast.
Veltons hand mped down on my shoulder as I twitched and the elfs icy cold words whispered into my ears.
Stand still. Do not attempt anything unwise. Lerish hid her tracks so well that even Tehalis could not piece together who she was. These dwarves wont either.
We watched as the entire camp was resummoned for another round of questions, this time focused on the Apex and any information about it.
The dwarves had put together two and two and wereing up remarkably close to four. Questions now included any knowledge of how long the apex had been in the area, when word of it first came to light, if any of the locals had ever seen it.
It was only once a vague description of Lerishs transformed form came to light did my hopes truly plummet. The description wasrgely wrong, embellished in parts and t-out wrong in others, but it had the pieces that mattered. The parts that hinted at something draconic.
No one could confirm it, but the dwarves seemed not to care. Instead, orders were given and the troop formed once more. Columns marched away as fast as they hade. This time, they did not turn and head back to camp. Instead, lone dwarves carried orders as the host turned and began to head further up the mountain.
They only suspect. Velton muttered to himself. And for a dwarf, that is enough.
BBook 2: Chapter 34: Ragged Wroth.
BBook 2: Chapter 34: Ragged Wroth.
Once again, I found myself alone on the trail down the mountain. The elf had bade me farewell and vanished into the cracks between reality, headed to the fort atop the Redtip. My business concluded and my presence not quite wee, I had excused myself from the Verdant Dawns camp and headed back home.
My first mistake was not bringing a torch. Night fell in its utter darkness before I had crossed half the distance to my house. Only because of a clear sky and bloated moon was I able to make out anything at all.
The second was myck of attention given to the path I walked upon. Over and over, the events of the day were retraced in my mind, a quiet obsession that kept the small spark of hatred inside me alive and fed.
And I wondered, was I in the right to wish for their deaths? I styled myself a man of peace, violence never being my first option. These bearded soil-dwellers had marched into my home, demanded utterpliance and left without so much as a please. Not that a single word would have eased the situation any. I was told that resorting to violence would only make it all worse. It was that option being forcibly stripped away that galled me more than what had actually urred.
Was I being petty that there was someonerger and stronger than me? A threat I couldnt kill outright was what infuriated me?
I wished for death on them. Truly, wholly. No other race I had ever seen or heard of had evoked those feelings in me. I recognized this as irrational, but the me of hate remained, a sickness that spread inside to poison me.
Alone in the darkness with naught but the empty trail and my thoughts, my foot caught on an exposed root. Yet despite gravity, I did not trip. My hoof continued its path forward and ripped the root from the ground, soil bursting upwards as the path was as torn open.
It was then I stopped and rity set in.
Was this how others felt in my presence? I was someone they could never hope to defeat. Through virtue of my race and ss alone I was a titanic force of destruction if I so willed it. I caged it well, never let my temper show, never let my disgruntled side so much as stir on bad days. For when it emerged, there ran rivers of blood.
If I was so angered by these dwarves, how did the people around me feel? The humans much smaller and frailer than I, unable to fend off most dangers unless in numbers or with the right ss. They survived. They thrived, by all ounts. Even in this world with all its myriad dangers and apocalyptic events, they carried on.
I could stand to learn from them. From who I once was. I felt no specific kinship with the race I had once belonged to, truth be told. Yet that did not mean their experiences and examples could be dismissed.
It seemed almost silly to think, but I reckoned I needed to be stronger. Even more resilient. Not once had this world proven to be fair, and I was the sole fool here for thinking it should be.
The farm had to grow, and I needed to cement myself as an invaluable source of goods to the region. If I could not withstand a threat alone, then let others power and influence do it for me, if only for selfish reasons.
This epiphany came to me as I stood at the edge of Veltons farm, staring out over the empty farmhouse. The house stood dark and empty, its upants far from home. There was somentern light in the barn, likely Artyom settling in for the night. I wondered for a moment if I should go and catch up, hear his woes and triumphs before I departed myself.
In the end, I decided against it and carried on, hooves trodding the road overtop of boot-prints left just hours earlier.
Wide awake my watchmen were. This pleased me as I stood and waited for the gate to be hauled open. I paid these men and women for this specific service, and bored as their scents were, they performed it well so far.
Given that it was night, it would have surprised me to see any of the help still about. What did catch me off-guard was Tash lounging about, clearly waiting for someone. Given that I was the only one not on the farm, it was a clear guess who.
What are you still doing here?
Blunt and to the point. After this long and exhausting day, dredging up niceties took all the effort I could muster.
Waiting for the farms master to return, obviously. The satyr waved off the question.
And what matter is so important that it could not wait for the morning?
Dwarves, of course. They im importance everywhere they go.
It was at this point that a question that had lingered in the back of my mind sprung forward.
Answer this very, very carefully. I regarded the beastmaster with some suspicion. The entire farm was dragged before the dwarves to answer their questions. Yet I did not see you. And as I recall, their sweep was very, very thorough. So why were you not one of those put to the question?
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Silence, followed by the strangest thing. Tashs scent simply vanished.
I hid, of course. He shrugged. In the old cer, behind the junk tossed down there, squatting in the mud till they were gone.
Why?
Another pause.
Dwarves and drow have a very..contentious history. Were kill on sight for them. Much as I would have loved to be interrogated-
But youre a satyr. I cut him off. That doesnt make any sense.
The only thing I saw was a blink of surprise, followed by agonizing pain in my skull. I bent over, hands sped to my head, whatever I had just said forgotten as agony knawed away at my cranium. The world swam, all my senses mixed up by whatever had just urred. The days stress and strain had taken their toll on me, and the affects had just arrived to collect.
It subsided quickly as it hade and I sat, blinking furiously. What had I just been saying?
Tash stood in front of my kneeling form, worried look on the drows face. With a grunt, I hauled myself back up and shook it off.
Dont worry about it. I rumbled. The pain had passed, gone quickly as it hade.
The drow shook his slender face, worry and disdain painted on them equally.
Thrice-cursed dwarves must have left something behind when they interrogated you. Petty and malicious to the core, they are. Thats why I hid from the questioning. Theyd kill me out of spite just because I exist.
Ahhhh. That exined why he hadnt been bunched up and questioned with the rest of us. I had meant to ask him that once the conversation drifted that way.
Where did you hide around here? I gazed around and wanted to scoff. Not exactly a wealth of ces to conceal oneself. The biter-patch?
I was considering that. The drow spoke with the straightest expression I had ever seen. Not so much as a hint of humor, all seriousness. Didnt have enough pollen in the shed to make them sleep long enough, however. Ended up hiding in the old cer, behind all the crates that get tossed down there. Cold and muddy, but it kept me alive.
One might wager you did not expect your life to be in danger at random times when you signed up for this job. My weak attempt at humor.
I always expect danger. Came the stone-faced reply.
A life in the tunnels taught me that. Was what followed up, several momentster.
I thought the dwarves had massacred everyone other underground denizen? I was curious now. Velton had told me this, and in my experience, the elf was not often wrong.
This is true. But do you know when?
I did not.
It is a fresh thing, Garek. A mass ughter and exodus that happened within thest generation. All our people were driven to the surface world, forced the live underneath this monstrous sky. Drow, goblins, driders, even powerful Liches chose to uproot their phcteries ande to the world above. Thends Below are in the sole hands of the Dwarves now, and the entire world has felt those effects.
Well, the entire world did not include me, then. This was the first I had heard of the subject. I did not go actively seeking knowledge, even though that had proven to my detriment several times.
And they would have killed you up here, on the surface world?
Spite, mostly. A bit of old grudges. The Drow did not go quietly. But the dwarves started that war, and they made sure to finish it.
We are a race in exile, yearning to go back to a home that is forsaken to us.
And you?
Truth be told, I was never too attached to the Underdeep. The exodus happened and now I consider the Lands Above my home. While the rest of my race pines away for the tunnels and their dangers, I am content to trod on firm soil and endure the sun above. The dwarves now im sole rule over the Lands Below, and I cannot foresee any force outside of godly intervention that will change that.
And it will never happen for us. We chose a cruel god to worship, one that delights in suffering. For a time, the suffering of our enemies was enough for him. But now we are the ones that must endure this agony, and the only answer to our prayers is theughter of a thirsting god.
But that is the past, and we are here now.
Here proved to be on the hill near my lodge, sitting around a crackling fire, pot of stew being reheated over the mes. Mug of ale engulfed by my hand, I poured the beastmaster a drink and listened to him speak.
And that brings us to the current events. He sighed and downed another gulp. Minotaurs, dwarves, druids. All dangers to your farm, way I see it.
You have my agreement there.
These are just the ones you can see. What about those that lurk just out of sight, the ones your eyes move over and never notice are there?
Havent met any of those myself.
Or perhaps you have and simply didnt notice.
What I propose may seem preposterous. But just hear me out. We are all in a precarious situation, here. Help is needed, yes? An alliance or three would greatly benefit you and the farm, put more bodies between you and whatever may lurk out there in the darkness. Monster or not.
And where, I asked with some amusement, perhaps helped on by the liquor. Would you find anyone around here that would enter an alliance with a farm about to be overrun by several different forces? I have already received many offers, and categorically ignored them all. What would make this one so different?
Need, of course. Youre in a pinch here. As a Godtouched, you can have your pick of who gets to ally with you. But youre not the only one of your kind that will be standing on this soil, soon. The warherding down on this ce is lead by not one, but two of your kind. Now, simple math tells me that that is pretty bad for you, and by extension, me.
So. How do you feel about an alliance with the queen herself?
BBook 2: Chapter 35: Ragged Wroth II.
BBook 2: Chapter 35: Ragged Wroth II.
If this deration was meant to stir something in me, it utterly failed to do so. This much became obvious to the drow once I shrugged and admitted I knew very little of her, save for her name.
Ive a feeling she knows as little of me as I do of her.
Nonsense. Youre a Godtouched inside her borders. Shed be a fool to not know every scrap of knowledge avable about you, and the good Queen Elith did not take the throne through a fools means.
So, what, she knows rumors and stories about me? Havent exactly seen anyone show up and dere themselves an agent of the queen.
There was something amiss here, and purposefully ying dense was the route I chose to dig loose more information.
That wouldnt align with her style at all, Im afraid. Much more secretive and sly. Old King Brint was the one to boldly march up and dere his intentions, and look where that got him.
I didnt rightly know where that was, but I suspected he currently inhabited a grave somewhere.
And how do you know so much about her Majesty, if shes so secretive? Another barbed question, meant to secure knowledge from behind a veil of friendly ignorance. Pardon my askin, but you didnt strike me as the spymaster type.
Theugh he gave to that was not wholly convincing. It sounded jolly enough, but his scent did not match what was writ upon his features
Im a drow, Garek. You survive this world by virtue of beingrger and stronger than most anyone else. That luxury is not afforded to me. I need to know everything about everyone to stay alive. Any small scrap of information that others might see as trivial, I treasure. And I have listened long and hard to make sure I have all the knowledge needed to stay on the right side of history.
Do you? I asked, eyebrows raised. Let us test that, then. Tell me what you know about Queen Elith and her intentions.
I settled back, drink hand, deceptivelyrge sips taken as the beastmaster rattled out information I had little knowledge about. Far away and with little interest in thesends, Queen Elith ruled with a light touch, leaving almost any and all matters to Baron Ironmoor. She hade to the throne after her husband had been abruptly murdered by a rebelious noble house whiel attending a feast, and inherited a kingdom at war with itself.
Twas then the tale deivaited slightly to include the Family Irnomoor. Two brothers, one a spymaster, one a warlord. Both had sworn fealty to the new queen and set about subjucating her upheaved queendom in their different ways. One brother made dissenters quietly disappear, coffers suddenly vanish from bank vaults and swayed decisions from powerful houses in ways that might not align with their interests. A light hand, but one just as callous and cruel as his brothers.
The other brother crushed. An experienced, well-trained, well-supplied and cohesive army at hismand, Londor Ironmoor tread the enemies of the realm underfoot. Not content to stop with merely destroying those who rose against his liege, he decimated them. Lands were put to the torch, families erased, houses and names erased from history.
His methods, while efficient, proved too much for many to stomach. But he was the monster they required, they found. Not content to go quietly, House Elrath gave themselves over to a darker, more sinister power in their pursuit of victory. Vampiric covens were created all throughout theirnds, the sky itself cast into perpetual shadow. Demons were summoned as they prepared themselves for battle against the rampaging warlord.
Londor Ironmoor marched forces into sight of Castle Elrath, set siege and called all the clerics of Heithos in the realm. Through sheer divine might, thend went dark and for days,A second sun burned directly over Castle Elrath.
He bombed the castle into rubble, torched the ruins for five days with Dwarvenfire, then led a legion of silver-d knights in to put whatever remained to the sword.
It was this that finally broke the uprising and led those who remained to bend knee before the queen.
The Ironmoor family stood beside the throne in its darkest hour. Tash spoke, leaned forward with intensity. They were bastards. Killers of men and takers of names. But they were the monsters the throne needed.
And what then?
And then Londor refused to stand down. Rather than disband his armies, he went further. He marched them all into the north and began to systemically wage war against anyone that had ever slighted his family. Wasnt much left to oppose him, but he scoured thend clean. Bandit warlords, deserter gangs, beastmen raiders, cultists of the Deep Gods. He tore it all loose and scorched the earth bare.
And then, when there was nothing left, he returned to the capital. You should have seen the fear in those streets when he came into sight of the walls. A man with so much blood on his hands leading the best army the realm had onto a capital just barely recovered from years of war? Terror itself.
And yet he was not the king, I noted to myself. Instead, he was some baron in the middle of nowhere.
He led a retinue of guards into the throne room himself. Dered that he had rendered the realm fit to be lived in. Made it safe for men and women to live without daily fear. Then he dered his duty done and spoke that he would be taking the province of MIllward for his home. Not a single person refuted him.
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The man could have been a king. Instead, he chose this, Tash shook his head and spread his arms to indicate our surroundings. Why?
Cant answer that for you. I shrugged.
See, thats what has puzzled people for years. He was on the very cusp of power. By all ounts, he should have seized it by the throat and squeezed.
Or perhaps he saw what it entailed and did not want it. Was my reply.
Ive a hard time believing that. Men like him remain true to their nature. And the Baron has the nature of a conqueror.
How all of this was relevant to Queen Elith, I could actually understand.
Tashs storytelling his well-structured, I found. The man had a knack for telling tales. Either that, or an actual ss for it. Before long, I was regaled with tales of Queen Eliths rule. The realm had, for better or worse, been wiped clean in Ironmoors wake, and she had chosen to build anew. The houses that rebelled against her were stripped of power and the survivors exiled. Those that stood by her were elevated.
Londor Ironmoor took the title of Baron, yet few believed he would ever be subject to any sort of rules within the court. He was wisely left to his own devices at the queendoms edge, and the world moved on. Argework of spies created under the second Ironmoor brother watched over thends, any sort of dissent quickly reported and done away with.
Harsh as the methods were at first, they led to sess, and the realm regrew. Now, thend was a safe ce for most that lived here, well guarded and on favourable terms with its neighbors. But with peace came boredom. Even now, the noble houses bickered amongst themselves, jostling for a better seat at the table. They fought over resources and fame, skirmishes that the crown seemed content to allow.
And the emergence of the dungeon had amplified that dozenfold. There was only one, small, irritable problem.
Thend in which the dungeon resides is ruled by Baron Ironmoor. I concluded sagely.
Indeed. You have not seen its effects before, I think. But a dungeons emergence is a time of chaos and war as families fight over who gets to control it and benefit from the flood of people headed within. I ask you this; where is that flood here? Where is the chaos?
There had been a markedck of upheaval, yes.
So scared are they of Londor that the nobles that would usually rush armies here instead linger in their borders. They all wait for someone else to make the first move. Have another house get antsy and be crushed underfoot by the Baron to make their own chances better. Selfish little goblins scrabbling for power.
And the Throne?
Cant speak for her majesty, but I figure the thrones biggest fear is still one person; the Baron himself. Think about it. No one knows why a man of his talent has just mucked about in this backwater for so long. But Londors a bitter man. A man who holds grudges. He doesnt forgive. Lot of the noble houses are people he mes for his sisters death.
I let him recount what I had already heard before of that tale, feigning ignorance the entire while as I nodded along.
Now, with that all in ount, consider this; The dungeon might be what finally gives this man something he needs to raise his forces once more and carry out thest of his revenge. A bloody mess thatll drown thend in blood.
The baron did have scout towers that burrowed into the dungeon. That much I knew. He knew of it before it was ever awakened. But as far as I knew, only Valencia had ever stepped foot in it, and she was off the leash and roaming free. This too I did not share.
Now, Gods Above and Below know that Londor is a fearsome man. Yet he is still only one man. A man with no particr love for you, in fact. But you have something to offer others that might want allegiance with you.
My Godtouched status. I frowned, arms crossed. This was going in a direction I guessed I might not much like.
Exactly. The rarest of them all. Exalted of the Gods. With you on someones side, their influence is strengthened through association alone. Can you not see how valuable that is? You have bargaining power in any alliance you enter into simply by being who you are.
And here we came to the conclusion.
And yet, I have no desire to engage in politics. I rumbled. Insofar, Irnomoor as left me alone, and that is something I appreciate. No envoys asking me to join forces with a house I have never heard of, no false promises of riches galore, no sly meetings in empty housesasking for betrayal.
Thatst one was aimed at the Lady Ramsey-Pratt. My business with her was not yet concluded.
So you would decline an alliance with the queen?
I would decline an alliance with anyone, truthfully. If youre tales of how fearsome Ironmoor is were emant to drive me to alliance to safeguard myself, they did the opposite. I am on good terms with the man, and allying with his enemies would be the stupidest thing I might do.
He wouldnt poke the sleeping dragon. Tash argued. He himself has been in your position.
And then he would know that sooner orter, that dragon will wake. And when it does, it is better to be its friend.
All this information only further cemed my belief that staying off of Ironmoors list of enemies would benefit me in the long run. His presence kept all the wolves at the door, and he was militarily a powerhouse within the kingdom. In fact, it might be time to pay him a visit in the future. Serve up some information on potential traitors to him on a tter and stay in the mans good graces. The iing warherd might not be so devastating, Godtouched leaders or not.
I had an inkling that a man who fervently despised minotaurs and beastkin would be more than happy to bury his de in a few invaders.
I have contacts. Tash promised as he stood. People who have asked about you. Think on this and Ill pass it along once youve reached a decision. I want to see the farm safe, and I believe Ironmoor isnt the person to help with that.
He no doubt had other motives in mind, but I nodded and agreed with what he said. Soon, he too left and I was alone with my thoughts, drink in hand and fire before me.
I had a decision to make, and little time to do it in.
BBook 2: Chapter 36: Domain.
BBook 2: Chapter 36: Domain.
I was not the first one awake the next morning. While my habit of early risings had me up and about before every other worker on the farm, this was not true today. Even as the sun glimpsed over the horizon, still hidden by the trees, there was already movement by the storehouse.
The overnight crew I had sent to Hullbretch had returned, cart full and horses idly grazing. Sleep being blinked away, I scratched at my ribs through the overrge shirt I wore and lumbered downhill to meet them.
The scent of tiredness and irritation reached me halfway, and I soon learned why. The driver, a short and stout man whos name I had never learned, was keen to tell me that the toll had been raised. The toll that, officially, the town of Hullbretch was unaware of and did not sanction. That toll out on the road far from the walls that he, the driver, knew the guards that ran shifts on it.
So someone is looking to make a quick coin from the adventurers streaming towards the dungeon. I concluded. I myself had not been subject to the toll when I had passed through, yet I knew where it was. Had nearly forgotten about it in the recent hubbub.
You paid for this out of your pocket? I slipped in the question, eyebrow raised. I had only sent along so much coin, and all of it had been allocated to specific goods.
Aye. He confirmed. Rather painfully, I might add.
Youll be wellpensated for that, I promised. All that you spend and a little more. I sent you out on farm business, and the farm will provide what it cost.
Be that as it may, we werent able to get everythin asked for. The human winced, already rough face wrinkling up even further.
Bloody prices have gone up again! The second wagoneer pitched in as he trundled past, load of goods in hand. His name, I remembered. Tyl, son of Fyl. I swear theyre chagrin more just because they can. Theres no famine, no drought, no Gods-ster reason everythin should be so high!
With that, he disappeared inside to unload, and my own expression became displeased. Not at these men, for this was outside their control.
Is there not someone who regtes this, ensures that people are not swindled of their coin? That particr feeling was what clouded my thoughts now. Simply because I had a hoard of coin did not mean I was content to waste any of it.
The baron would normally ensure that, but he remains preupied and in his fortress.
The streets of Hullbretch overflow with his soldiers. Came the quiet remark as the third and final member of the wagon crew handed down a parcel. Theyre searchin door to door. For somethin or someone.
I had some suspicion who. But my silence was kept on that. Thedy Ramsey-Pratt and her nned treason was a bombshell of information valuable to either side. The human had overyed her hand, and I was not yet sure if she would attempt to silence me for my refusal. This could be thest sliver of knowledge I needed to garner Ironmoors favor and keep him as a shield between myself and, well, most of what threatened to ail me. But any path I chose now would meanmitting to it.
While I did not think highly of her of her house, I knew that even leeches like her had the disposition to be dangerous. And a man already facing down so much did not need another enemy thrown onto the mound. Far as I could be concerned, the House Ramsey-Pratt were all just scavengers, circling around the Baron, ready for a sign of weakness.
Coin and news aside, however, my goods had finally arrived.
Snuggled away in the wagons corner, padded and covered with a tarp to ensure sudden rainfall did not spoil them. Bag after bag of luxury seeds shipped from across kingdoms at a premium price were handed down and careful carried within. A significant chunk of my coin had been sunk into this investment, and I hoped they would be the farms future.
As it stood, I currently produced threemodities. Acid, only of interest to a niche group of adventurers and alchemists. Healing milk, for which there stayed an incessant demand, and crops. Wheat and grain were all pumped back into my farm, ground down for flour by a mill too far away or fed to the cows. I needed more product to expand and garner more trade deals.
And so, I turned to fruit.
For anyone else, this would have been a horrible purchase. Sweetened honey apples that took far too long to grow for what little fruit they produced and attracted monsters from their scent alone. Something simr to a mango that required horrendous amounts of water throughout its growing life but producedrge fruits with juicy flesh that reinvigorated those that ate it. Popr with adventurers and delvers for the significant burst of energy it provided, but always too pricey to justify.
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Grown only in the loamiest, wettest soils. Or so the salesman had tried to tell me when I had purchased the seeds in bulk. While adamant that it was a terrible idea, he had still taken my coin and hismission and ced the order. Now, they were here, and would soon bear fruit.
I possessed something that entirely circumvented the lengthy growing season required for either one of these. A skill that elerated crop growth by a very, very significant margin thanks to my riches. That and a veryrge, very sturdy wall to keep the monsters out.
With thest of the crops harvested inside the wall, thend that had grown golden stalks of wheat until now had been tilled and readied for something new. Come the workday, most of my workers would be hard at work seeding the orchard and routing irrigation from the river. While I did not envy theds assigned to that, work was work.
I myself had ns to head out and oversee crop nting in more of the fields outside the main farm. With construction finished here, Lidya and her crew would begin erecting fences and storage towers on said fields behind the nters. They had perhaps a day or two until the sprouting began thanks to my skills, but I had been assured this was time enough.
Cart unloaded, I sent the men off to the sleeping dorms and finished up myself. Horses brushed down and cart tucked away, I released the animals back to pasture and set off to find some breakfast.
It was there that I found Sean and his morning crew. Promoted from the fields to the walls, the guards under hismands ate before shifts would be rotated. Greetings given in passing, I walked up to the human and informed him that I would require additional guards for the fields. One in particr.
Sure they couldnt just watch from the walls? He grumbled between bites. Got moren enough of the louts anyhow.
Id prefer a few in the orchard. Once nting and fencing arepleted, Ill need four or so guards stationed there to patrol it.
Its not that I didnt trust all my workers. If I would have suspected any of them of anything they would have been dismissed already. But ventures like these called for proper security. A not-insignificant amount of coin had been spent on the procurement and import of these fruits, and I would ensure that every ounce of coin invested in them was returned. Left unguarded, it would be all too easy for someone to slip a few into their bags and then make off with them to sell for side profit.
Your call. He shrugged. With that, I grabbed my own breakfast from Zheli and got busy with the day.
All avable hands were redirected to the nting of the orchard, myself carefully supervising. Only a few workers were given other tasks, such as delivering a contracted load of goods up to the Verdant Dawn camp. An order of healing milk and acid that my deal with the monster hunters required I deliver every few weeks.
I was then confused several hourster when the full cart returned.
The young man who came up to me smelled nervous, almost frightened as he handed me a sealed letter. Slight dread outweighed by annoyance, I tore it open and unfolded the parchment, stains of dirt being left behind.
A short, curt notification informed me that my trade deal with the Verdant Dawn was henceforth terminated and my services would be no longer required. Signed by the camps currentmander.
To say I was unhappy was an understatement.
I had a deal. An agreement. While not necessary, it was a source of revenue and a means to establish my name. It got my product out and got people talking about me.
For a moment I held on, anger bubbling inside as I grasped at straws toe up with a n to have this reinstated.
The moment passed and slowly, painfully, I let it go. I could not force someone to trade with me. If my presence outweighed the help they received from my goods, then that was their problem. There were more people that would happily take what I sold. Still, it hurt just a little. After everything I had done for those men and women, to so callously dismiss my services stung.
Still, carts could still go up the mountain. My rtionship with the baron was tenuous. Neutral at best. But he was a man thatcked in stupidity, and I might instead make a deal with his men. The red fort at the mountains peak was a much longer trip for my crews, but it housed soldiers and adventurers alike.
I had not paid much attention to its happenings, but Ish assured me that it was filled with delvers and yers that would happily shell out coin to keep their lives. No longer contracted to the Verdant Dawn, my shipments were now free to make their way into other hands, and the coin of many more pockets back to mine.
The more these thoughts ran through my head, the better my mood became. Without a contracted goal to meet, I could instead divvy up the avable supply and begin shipping to Hullbretch as well. It might not be the most optimal idea to sell potent healing potions to the barons forces, but it might further edge me off the mans list of potential enemies.
A second, in letter was handed up to me once I snapped out of this stupor.
The writing here was neat and meticulous. My eyes ran over the page and took in what was being said. Raffnyk, my friend, had once again bent his oath to help me. His words exined that the termination had to happen. While he would have preferred she handle it with more grace, the Verdant Dawn had made the decision to pack up and leave the area.
Theing troubles, tensions with Ironmoor and the dungeon had already been enough proverbial heat for them. The arrival of the dwarves was the final nail in a half-closed coffin, and thepany was being ordered out of the country.
That saddened me more than losing the contract. Coin could be reced, gained again and worked for. Good friends, real friends, those could not. Raffnyk had been nothing but loyal and honest in all his dealings with me, and it saddened me dearly to see a good man go.
BBook 2: Chapter 37: Domain II.
BBook 2: Chapter 37: Domain II.
Monsters arrived on the most unremarkable days. Most often, they came in loud, ferocious forms, announced by roars and the sounds of carnage. More rarely, they came quietly to slip in unnoticed and spill blood.
Valencia was neither. She simply existed. Her very presence exuded dread and malice, disdain and disregard projected onto all that surrounded her. An aura of oppression that stifled all around the dreadknight, sapped the life and joy from even the smallest things. Steel fingers pressed into my shoulders, an invisible force that demanded I yield. Through it all, she stood, the rictus of a smile upon her lips.
Did you not ask to see me? A cruel taunt from a crueler woman. Do you now regret that decision?
She had appeared moments earlier, a dark specter even beneath the mid-day sun. Stood before the gate and let it be heaved open to allow her presence. Once more, she intruded into my home.
This time, however, by my invitation.
I have need of your talents.
If the smile on her lips could possibly grow any more fiendish, it just did.
A dangerous thing, to deal with monsters. Be careful, or we might bite.
Her posture remained loose, carelessly leaned back in the chair I had offered. I too seated myself and watched as her eyes tracked around my lodge. It felt wrong to invite Valencia of all people into my home, but I needed to keep this conversation private.
Twas a dark time, when I did not feel like the walls of my farm kept out observers.
It was some small courtesy that she did not interrupt as I exined the danger that came. If the prospect of facing a minotaur warband excited her, it did not show. The more information I spoke, the more concerned I grew. This should have at least enticed her. Instead, the dreadknight remained expressionless.
So you wish to alleviate the problems incurred upon you by presenting them to me as an opportunity for ughter? Something a fool would think smart to do, Im sure.
I do not. I retorted. I am asking for your help. I do not intend to trick you into doing my dirty work. In all thesends, you are the expert at waging war against my kind. And now I have need of that.
My help is not, nor will it ever be, free. This does not interest me as much as it once would. But to have you owe me something, oh that is worth something to me.
We both knew this could be ruinous for me. If I looked hard enough, perhaps I could find another source to help me with this. Perhaps I could throw in my lot with the queen and make an enemy of the baron, gamble it all that help might arrive quickly enough. The Baron himself remained neutral to this all, more on his te than he wanted already.
But I would not be forced into either alliance. I knew the evil that sat before me now, and I chose to bargain with her. Better the devil I knew than one further away.
Ask, and you will receive. I returned. Help me still this horde, and I will grant you one favor within reason.
I did not bother to enter more stiptions into this agreement. She would not ept them, no matter how small.
Tell me then; scouts, information, the suspected size of this force, their arrival.
Abrupt as the shift in her tone was, it reminded me that she had waged actual war against my kind. This was her field now, one of her areas of expertise. What little information I had was passed along. It was only when I mentioned the possibility of Godtouched among their ranks that she seemed to take actual interest.
Now, her smile was that of a predator. Only in this moment did she begin to anticipate and excite. Ignorant as I was on this subject, I chose to ask why.
Those honored by the Gods Above and Below are focal points of power, beacons of glory and interest. If I have to exin this to you, then you yourself have failed.
I knew this, Valencia. I have lived and experienced it myself.
To be one of these so marked, a feat so great it warrants attention must be rued. She smiled now, dangerous and filled with venom. The ying of a Godling, perhaps.
The hair upon my body stood on end when she spoke those words. Evil intent surrounded me now, dread roiling from the presence of this monstress.
But they chose to snub me for you.
She seemed.. surprisingly understanding of this.
You did your part, took the great reward, saved the day. Until tomorrows apocalypse. And the one after that. It all gets tiresome in the end. I was angry, at first. Furious, even. I vented my frustrations into the dungeon, and disappeared for a while.
It is the Gods that deserve my scorn, not you. It is they that chose to pass me over.
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She leaned forward now, eyes intense as she stared into mine.
Do you know another way to be Godtouched?
Although this information had only been recently imparted, I did, actually.
To y one yourself?
The direction this conversation was being steered in unnerved me, in truth.
Now, I could y you. Ovee someone who in turn overcame a trial so great they were deemed worthy. She paused here. I will not. There are other fates in store for you.
What she thought those were, I refrained from asking.
The Godtouched are mine to kill. This, she made her one demand. The rest I will help you withstand. But those that you have heard are among them will be brought low by my hand.
She did not realize how little qualms I had with that. Indeed, I was delighted that it would be Valencia who stood against the worst of the horde. How strong these Godtouched were, I didnt rightfully know, but I assumed my own strength was the baseline needed to achieve that status.
I will see them trod under my boot. Watch as the light leaves their eyes. Have them admit in their final moments that I am greater than they. And only then will I allow them death.
A tad unhinged that might sound, but I took sce in that she would carry out that promise to the best of her abilities.
Now tell me what else has developed while I have been under the earth.
This demand I heeded, and did my best to impart to her what knowledge I had. The nobles that circled Ironmoor, the rumblings of war, the Verdant Dawns retreat.
It was only when I mentioned why the Verdant Dawn retreated did her smile growrger.
Dwarves. She repeated.
It should have rmed me even more that unlike every other person toe across the fiends, Valencia sounded excited.
Why?
This I asked, and did not like the answer I received.
The Gods Below have gifted me this opportunity. She spoke now, a mad gleam in her eyes. Across the world, all are too scared to lift a finger when a dwarf enters their presence. Warlords let them stroll in and ransack their pces. Kings rush to pamper their every need. All for fear that the axe might turn upon them. Only the Dawn Mages of Thell have no fear of them, with their inds in the sky.
Her tone was scornful now, an obvious disdain for those she spoke of.
They quiver in their boots whenever a bearded midget so much as looks at them wrong. And this has led to arrogance. There was a time when dwarves at least respected the upper world and itsbined strength. But the proverbial boots have been outgrown, and its time someone put them back in their ce. Out of sight, out of thought under the dirt.
And you intend this?
That, I will leave for another time. But know this; their time ising.
You speak of madness.
I speak of putting them back into their ce. Tearing down their oh-so-haughty superiority. Letting those of us that dare stand against them take back their pride.
Kill one, and they will bury us all. I know this. You know this. Everyone does.
Now, the gleam in her eyes was devilish.
A wee little fiend perched on my shoulder has told me otherwise, Garek. The dwarves invaded the Hells Below.
I have heard of this. But I also heard they purged the demons and devils and have control of the upperyers now.
Of course you heard this. What sort of fool would tell you that they have misstepped? Nheless, the have bitten off more than they can chew. For almost all fo their empire, the dwarves have relied on overwhelming logistics and out-valuing their opposition with resources and bodies. A sound n that has snowballed exponentially over the past centuries. Despite not being children of the Old Gods, they are on equal footing with the Elves of all things.
But they have made a crucial misstep here. Her smile was evil now. Hell has no shortage of bodies. The upperyers are not part of the actual Hells Below. They are buffer zones that still exist in the mortal coil. Demons that die inside them are simply rebirthed down below. The dwarves thought that if they burst into the Hells and began to kill demons directly, in a ce where they die forever, they would swiftly maintain the upper hand.
I take they did not?
Not at all. They sundered the gateway, and now it remains. Not so easy to close those doors as it is to open them, Garek. And now, they are caught in the false upperyers of the hells, slogged down and waging a bloody, costly war against an endless tide of fiends whose bloodthirst and willingness to wage war will never wane.
But of course, no one save for the dwarven elite would know this. No one but the devils themselves.
It was thest part that reminded me of the demon she had crushed and chained within her. Reminded me how terrifyingly powerful this woman was.
It was at this very moment that someone chose to knock on my door. Most of me wanted to tell them to run, to get as far away from here as possible. To not interrupt me while I bargained with this evil. The other was kind enough to open the door and say that to their face.
Tash was who the door revealed. The drow seemed set in saying something, and then his eyes slid to the side.
Fear entered his scent faster than anyone I had ever seen. Words cut off halfway from his mouth as the mans very skin began to shiver. A mental strobe caused me to stumble back, clutching at my head. I saw him turn and dash away, far faster than anyone should run.
Not fast enough.
Valencia burst up and forward, darkness ring around her.
Kneel, worm. She snarled. Power burst from her, and Tash copsed mid-stride, locked in ce as I staggered up. Confused was the only way to describe as I loped after Valencia, head thundering with pain. A grey being kneeled in the dirt, locked in Tashs clothes. My mind screamed as it flickered back and forth. First a drow, then a satyr, all begging me for help.
The dreadknight kicked him square in the jaw and the flickering ceased, his limp form copsing forward.
Well, well, well. She remarked. It seems good Queen Elith has already sent herckeys to keep an eye on you and influence what happens around here. I should have suspected.
BBook 2: Chapter 38: Domain III.
BBook 2: Chapter 38: Domain III.
Cold and heavy was the realization that struck me as I gazed down at the alien form that had been Tash. The thought chilled me, but I was not foolish enough to deny it. Enemies were within my home. Inside my walls, among those I trusted. Their faces hidden from the light, they watched and plotted against me, even though I called them friend. This was only the first. Were I in the shoes of those who wished me harm, I would send more than a lone spy.
Bellows to heave the gates closed and seal them tight were obeyed far too slowly. Quick, but not fast enough to satisfy me. Shock had given way to anger as I faced the reality that people I trusted, friends even, existed here to do me harm.
And I did not know who.
Despite my best efforts, in spite of being warned not to trust, I had done so. And now thesh hade back around to strike me.
One person saw through the facade, and gazed past the lie that had been Tashs form; Valencia.
Pieces fell back together now that the illusion was shattered. He, or it, had hidden from the dwarves. Told me it was because he was a drow. That was another lie. I remembered the pain afterward when I had confronted him about it. Always absent when Velton had been around.
It made sense now.
Are there more? I asked quietly, already knowing the answer.
The dreadknight looked at me from where she squatted over the slim, grey form.
Yes. Eliths Eyes are never alone.
Part of me had suspected something was wrong with Tash, but never that he was an agent of the monarch. It made so much sense. She worked to undermine Ironmoor, and I was a tool she could grasp to do so.
Tie him. I gestured to a worker who hurried over.
Gag the mouth. Valencia stood and ignored the dust on her clothes. Hell try to speak, of course. All lies.
With that she cracked her knuckles and began to walk away. Off towards the fields where the most workers milled about, confused.
To find the others. Was her reply when asked where was headed. I nced between the unconscious grey form being bound and the dreadknight, and decided to follow her malicious path.
Ish intercepted us, and I felt my heart skip a beat. Was she one as well? Did it go that deep?
By the mercy of the Gods Above, my paranoia proved unwarranted as Valencia did not react. Tensions, thick as they were, did not stop the half-orc from sprinting off to make sure the prisoner stayed bound.
How can you see them? I demanded. There were Skills and sses that specialized in deception, I was sure. Yet hers did not seem one of them. The opposite, even. My question answered itself.
A devils sight pierces all mortal lies. Came the reply, preceded by the sharpest smile I had yet witnessed. They deal in truths an only those. It is not only the Gods Above whose words are absolutes.
More things about this woman to unnerve me. But for now, in this short time, her talents were aimed at my enemies.
This is far from the first time I have done this. She smiled with glee. There entered a note of emancipation into her voice now. I still savor it. Let the rats scurry. Their thrashings amuse me.
There was little room for pity in my heart as I stalked towards someone who I suspected. Sean stood with his arms crossed, worry mixed with emancipation in his scent. The human had joined at the same time as Tash, and quickly took an important position ensuring my security.
A sound choice topromise if the goal was to undermine me. Him, I was not so attached to. It made this all easier that I did not know many of their names. Insofar the man had kept his distance and collected his pay, little else.
Yes, boss? He asked, tense. I could feel the need to ask what was going on itching beneath his skin, see it writ on his face. Yet how was I to know if that was true, or a lie?
Some small semnce of relief blossomed within as Valencia looked right at the man and revealed nothing.
Only a human. She snorted. Little did Sean know that this dismissal was what saved his life, even as he bubbled with anger.
Keep the gates sealed, I instructed him. Trust no one, for now. If you see anything suspicious or anyone slipping off to hide somewhere, note it and find me immediately. Do not approach on your own.
Those were all the orders and exnations I granted him. All that I was willing to share, for now. With a nod, he turned and began to jog towards the wall. A vantage point to surveil the farm and to ensure no one tried to slip away.
On to the next.
The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.Zheli was who I sought now. She was the only one that had had ess to my lodge, if only to take ingredients from where they were stored before all that had been moved to its own space. Yet in that short time, she had seen more of what I possessed than most of the farmhands. Information that could be used against me. She too looked worried as we approached. Worry that did not fade as Valencia waved her off.
Line up! I bellowed at the field workers. Confusion was present, of course. People milled about, but eventually, they came forward and did just that. Thergest portion of people proved to be here.
Who else was missing?
The pasture workers, the men out in other fields, the woodcutter crew and the guards on the wall were all separate.
Tension so thick one could run a knife through ity in the air now.
Go. Was all I spoke to Valencia. This time, I stayed behind, off to the lines side as the dreadknight stalked down the row of people, face ufortably close to theirs as her eyes darted from face to face. People shivered as she passed, their sweat growing cold and fear seeping into their scents. Dread made their knees weak and caused limbs to spasm.
To be in her presence was pain. The aura of malice invaded thoughts, shook bodies, and jarred minds. But she was the evil I needed. The monster to sniff out the rats in my midst.
And she found them.
An arm shot out and grabbed a in, forgettable beastman by the neck. Darkness burned on her fingertips as the man shouted, pain in his voice. Yet his skin did not flicker like Tashs had One heartbeat passed, then the next until I stepped forward, concern in me.
It was then that the illusion shattered. A surge of agony raced through my thoughts as I watched a mans form break apart over and over as he desperately tried to keep the lie intact. One hand held him by the throat, and the other smashed into his face.
The struggle ended, and pain subsided as the body fell limp. Someone screamed, then fell quiet once more. People milled about in panic as the illusion broke, only to be ordered back into line. I needed order enforced. Confusion was an opportunity for a spy to slip away, and rearrange the line to hide from Valencias gaze. The body presented this opportunity.
It was left to lie as she stalked on. The smallest mercy of them all was that the air was cool today, the sun hidden by thick clouds above. Save for the winds whistle and asional shuffle, there remained silence.
She found none more among the field workers. Both a disappointment and a relief.
Return to work. I spoke without any bark or bite to my words now. The unconscious form I picked up as the mass of people dissolved. It was cold to the touch, eerily so. Still, it remained alive. It joined Tashs now-awake form, tied and gagged.
I ignored the sounds he tried to make as I drew near. Whatever he had to plead did not interest me.
There were more rats to be flushed out.
One tried to jump over the wall as Valencia went from post to post. Super-humanly quick as once again, its blinking form caused me to stagger in pain and anger.
Valencia was quicker. The dreadknight crashed into the fleeing form like a meteor, a dark felinee to snatch its prey. She dragged the limp body back over the wall with her, a predator satisfied with its catch.
The pasture crew held none. That we found, anyhow.
And now, we waited. The choice had been made not to go and pursue any potential ones among the outside crews. Instead, we waited for them to return for the day.
Nothing to give away that I was on to them.
Youve done this before. A statement, not a question.
Indeed. Valencia nodded, a malicious smile upon her lips. One of the reasons the baron finds my employment so lucrative.
And a reason he has kept your absence quiet, no doubt.
Elith wont be sending any more to Castle Ironmoor. Valencia dismissed my musings. Lost too many of them already. Was a hard lesson to teach her, but the girl learned.
This brought me to the question I wished to pose.
What are they? Really?
Spies, first and foremost. In the employ of Queen Elith. Shapeshifters and mental maniptors. Beings she sends to imnt themselves into the ranks of her enemies. The knife that would slide between your ribs if you stepped out of line. Sabotuers that work to undermine regions and alliances the queen if unfond of. Assassins. Brokers of information. Menial spies that monitor people of interest. Anythign she wants them to be, really.
And their name?
They do not possess one. Their race is an artificial creation. A small technicality, to not be born of the Gods Above, to never have been named by them. They call themselves the Grey Men, but that name means little. It holds no power. And this absence is why they fear devils and demons.
You trade in Names.
They, not me, minotaur. Remember that. Her tone took an unusual sharpness here. But yes. It is the absence of a Name that gives them away. Lets my eyes pierce the lie. Irnomoor still lives today because of this.
The queen tried to kill him?
Many, many times. She learned, eventually. He wrote her a letter, after the tenth or so attempted assassination. Exined that she could send as many men as she liked, but none that she wanted back.
All this dealing in death and games of power that happened outside my home, just off my doorstep, and I had remained willfully ignorant to it all. Thought that if I kept my nose out of politics, it would leave me alone. That had been disproven, again and again. Danger did not wait for me to be ready, it simply came.
Time ticked by ever so slowly as I sat, ufortable in Valencias presence. Evening came, and slowly, the workers trickled in. They too were blindsided by the dreadknight, but her gaze found no more amongst those I employed. And soon, the gates shut behind thest batch and evening fell.
What do you intend to do with them? Ish asked as she too drew near. Them being the three Grey Men we had tied together.
I did not know, truth be told. They were enemies of mine, now. Spies sent to observe and undermine me. They had looked like friends, if only for a little while. Yet that did not grant them mercy.
I pondered their fates then, and decided that I was not enough a barbarian to have them hanged from the trees. Let their lives be of some use, at least.
Get the cart. I ordered her. Were taking them to Castle Ironmoor.
BBook 2: Chapter 39: Domain IV.
BBook 2: Chapter 39: Domain IV.
The bleak fortress of Castle Ironmoor appeared just as hostile as when I hadst journeyed into its depths. A dark specter of stone cloaked by the dim sun and thick clouds above. Heavy as my cloak was, I tightened it just a bit harder and hunched forward as the cart rumbled below.
Winter marched ever closer, the prolonged summer seasons slowly fading into a chilly autumn. If it was theing cold that made me shiver or my proximity to Valencia, I could not reckon. Likely thetter.
The dreadknight sat not far from me, turned back to watch the prisoners. Her presence instilled an unease, a sense of dread that made the horses difficult to control. Four were needed to pull the carts heavy load,thered in sweat and driven on up the incline towards the Barons fortress.
Although an ambush would be foolish on us of all people, and so close to the iron-home, I kept my great-spear tight in hand. A massive weapon I had seldom used in favor of the ymore. in wood reinforced by invisible enchantments tipped with dark steel. Two wings in the spear-socket behind the de revealed its intent to kill monsters as well as lesser foes.
There was little time spent idling before the great gate, I found. A watcher peered over the wall, sighted Valencia smiling up at him and shouted for the way to be opened. Dust rose as we rumbled inside, greeted by a formation of guards.
Men and women that deferred to the dreadknight.
Wee, Justicar.
A captain bowed his head as the dark figure stepped from the cart, his presence only briefly acknowledged.
Get me Londer. Shemanded. I have a gift for him.
This was obeyed with haste and withoutint. No one such as moved to see who was in the cart as we stood and waited. In fact, none of them moved at all. They remained stock-still, previous orders rendered null by Valencias presence.
A facet the baron was less than pleased by. They scattered back to posts unattended once he came into view and barked their orders, a baleful look thrown at us. A sentiment that did not long remain once Valencia stepped from behind the cart.
And finally, when I had need of you, you have returned.
There was almost a..warmth in the mans voice.
And Ie with gifts in hand. She returned.
Garek. He nodded to me in greeting. Id hoped not to see you for some time. Your presence always brings news, good or bad. Now is not the time for excitement.
Perhaps I expected him to be a little harsher, but there remained politeness on his face as he turned to Ish.
And this youngdy? Apanion of yours?
Her nervousness well-surpessed -at least visibility- thess stepped forward and bowed ever so slightly.
Ish, your lordship. She spoke. Just a farmhand.
A farmhand that survived the dungeons awakening, so Ive heard.
Ah. That inconvenient secret which had slipped loose. I tensed myself for trouble, but it never came.
Another, more foolish man might attempt to exact wrath for the trouble that has caused me. I say; let the past remain so. His tone was neutral now, friendliness sapped from it. What troubles have you brought to my doorstep today?
Sickness. Valencia spoke as the two approached the cart. Symptoms of a rot in yournds, Londer. Gods Below willing, they may yet be put to use.
If there remained little warmth in the man before this, it was gone now.
Speak not such sphemy in my walls, woman. His tone was cold as winter ice. Ill not have wrath and wroth brought down on me and mine. We honor the Gods Above in this home, not your fiends.
Fiends youve made deals with before, Baron. There is no such thing as a short memory among those that lurk below.
Enough of this devilry. Show me why you havee to me.
And with that, the exchange was over. The baron peered over the carts edge, his already scowling expression now turned to one of distaste.
Eliths spies. Id thought her smart enough to stop sending them.
Now, I stepped forward.
They infiltrated my farm. Posed as workers and wormed their way into my trust.
A problem for you, then.
Mayhaps, I shrugged. But they sought more than just eyes to observe me. One offered me an alliance with the queen.
The silence was as stone now. Dense and heavy with anticipation.
Youd not be fool enough to ept it and then tell me of it, so get on with it.
I refused.
And then brought them here for my favor?
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Truth be told, I had wanted to not pick a side in this conflict. Same as you regard my problems as my own, so I did in return. But they came to my home, manipted my trust, tried to sway me to their needs. The decision was forced upon me, and I have made it.
Forced between me and the girl Elith. He pondered, eyes never leaving the tied and gagged forms of the queens spies. She is less wrathful than I, that much I promise.
And so, we are here. I rumbled, arms crossed. As the lord of thesends, the spies from your enemies have been given over to you. Do as you want with them.
Muffled pleas came from the captives as soldiers hauled them from the wagon. I knew deep within that it was Tash. The friendly beastmaster that had found a sliver of my friendship. But my heart had grown hard, and I ignored what he spoke as steel-d men dragged him off.
Youve given me tools, Ironmoor noted. Lives to bargain against the queen if she makes any overt advances.
This I acknowledged.
You seem intent on working your way into my good graces. He sighed. Come then. Inside, where we can speak about what is toe.
Once more I passed through the myriad defenses and legions of soldiers at the ready. How much gold was being expanded to keep this army standing at the ready? Soldiers required wages, homes, entertainment and much more. Ironmoor seemed content to supply the coin for all that and keep his forces prepared for whatever threat was toe. Once again, I briefly wondered what ss and level the baron was at. Were his skills specialized in warfare, directbat or maintaining his state? Perhaps all three, for all that I knew.
Such information was guarded jealously, as I hade to learn.
Once more I entered the hall meant to entertain the barons guests, and found the Lady Ironmoor within.
Her smile blossomed, then abruptly faded as she sighted Valencia. Her usual cheery features vanished, reced by a visceral shudder as the dreadknight acknowledged her presence.
Youre back. No emotion, just a t statement.
Dont fret now, it wont be for long. She threw back, almost a taunt.
Despite her unease, the Lady Ironmoor proved a gracious host to almost everyone, save the dreadknight. We were seated, tea brought forth, and then left undisturbed save for the guards posted at every door.
I have a notion to change your mind on that, Valencia. The baron spoke once his wife had left. Now more than ever, I need you at my side. They fear me, and you are the reason so. With you gone, they smell weakness. The brazen ones circle for an opening, ready to march in and begin to peck away.
By they, I assumed his enemies.
And when they do, you will teach them the harshest lessons of all. Valencia sighed. Weve done this song and dance with them before. Memories must be renewed. Rains will weap over burnt halls and razednds once this is all through.
So? He queried.
Destiny guides me elsewhere. Was the simple reply. Your foes are no challenge for me to tread underfoot. They wille and be crushed. The only matter is the price that will be paid.
You view this too simply.
Perhaps. But it is my fight no longer. Another awaits me now.
A feeling that the baron was not a man who liked being told no was truly set within me.
Have you not had your fill of killing minotaurs yet? He grumbled. Youve all but drowned in their blood so far.
These are different. Godtouched lead them.
Something that would give pause to any sane, reasonable person.
Not her. I interjected.
Not I. Valencia agreed. If the Gods Above do not find me worthy after I brought low the Godling, I will prove it once more to other Gods.
Speak not of this. The baron warned, his tone low and dangerous.
Valencia looked him dead in the eyes and continued.
If they refuse to grant me their gifts, after all I have done, then I will extinguish their lights and receive power elsewhere.
Thunder shook the hall as she spoke. Then again. The chandelier above swung, sturdy chains keeping it aloft as the light flickered. Only torches lit the halls now, the clouds outside so chokingly thick that it seemed almost dust.
You may follow this path at your own peril, Londer Ironmoor spoke, face tight and anger in his tone. But not at mine. Cease.
To my great surprise, she obeyed. The dreadknight slid back in her seat, defiant twinkle in her eyes as I looked about. The Gods were real, I knew. Yet I had never seen them this present. And I wanted little to do with it.
The warherd will be ruinous for yournds. This was my attempt to strategically change the subject. They will march across the border and right for mynd.
I am aware. The baron grimaced. But my forces are spread too thin to stop them at the pass. They will try, but they will fall, I fear.
Your men need not die. Ish spoke up. Withdaw em and let them march through uncontested. One way or another, that herd is gettin through.
They are there to protect the people behind them, girl. The hamlets and farms and viges that all sit between you and the border. If I withdraw my men, they will be butchered at will. Have you seen what a warherd does when they are out to conquer?
Withdraw them too. I offered. Empty thend. The growing season is at its end.
Harvest is upon us. The baron spoke, voice cold. The crops must be taken from the fields to feed the people before winteres. To drive them all from their homes would be disastrous for the peasants.
The man did care about his people. Stern and harsh as he was, I had noticed time and time again that his decisions kept the survival of his vassals in mind.
I counter you this, Garek; Instead of waiting at your farm, go to meet this force at Greysong Keep. Youve built a mighty wall around your home in preparation, yes. But you yourself know this; when has a wall ever stopped a minotaur?
This froze me for a moment. The man was correct. Even before I had gotten this new ss and powerful skills, I had burst through the walls of Hullbretch with strength alone. My walls may as well be butter before an entire herd.
I will send riders to the castle there to let them know of youring. Wait not for your enemy toe to you, but face them on your terms.
It all made sense. It really did. The warherd showing up at my doorstep would be absolutely ruinous whether or not I survived. Now, I was offered another way. One that would benefit both myself and the baron, of course. Even if I died, the mass of minotaurs would have gotten what they wanted and might turn back.
That was, of course, if I died. I had no ns to.
BBook 2: Chapter 40: The Vastlands.
BBook 2: Chapter 40: The Vasnds.
Ordering Ish to stay behind was perhaps one of the hardest things I had ever done. The half-orc was eager for battle, ready to defend her home from the invaders toe. A woman grown, she was prepared to bathe her axe in the blood of enemies and emerge triumphant or not at all. The need to be the protector, the guardian of her hearth and home red within, and it pained me to quench that.
The farm requires a master. I reasoned with her surly form. In my stead, I need that to be you. What good is setting out to protect this ce if nothing remains when wee back?
This logic she recognized, surely. There was no one here I trusted to look after what was mine. No one save her. Tash and his spies had worked that point home, fresh on everyones minds. I myself was loath to leave the farm, but I had given Ironmoors n great thought and concluded his reasoning was sound.
Ish mumbled and grumbled, her arms crossed and defiance in her eyes. This pained her, I could see.
And if the master doesn''t return at all? She countered. If one more de would make the difference but it got left behind?
So eager to throw your life away, girl. Valencia grinned from where she simply stood and exuded menace. And I thought you would buck the base instincts of your race, this once.
I dont trust you. Ish hissed.
How fortunate then, that I dont require your trust of approval in anything.
I remained unmoved, looking down at the two. The dreadknight appeared nonplussed as Ish red at her, dislike in her eyes. Valencias presence made all around her uneasy, and the orc substituted annoyance in ce of dread.
Ish. I spoke. Please. This will already be a dangerous, painful task. At least let my mind be at ease knowing that my work, my home, is in good and capable hands.
It came slowly, but after much persuasion, she too relented. Promises to look after all that was mine secured, I left the two and set off to prepare. For a journey, yes. Perhaps myst.
I faced a tide of my own kind now. Warriors on equal footing with me in strength and bloodthirst. No longer would I have the advantage of therger, more enduring body than my opponents, nor the edge that years of experience gave.
All my foes shared my frame and perhaps outdid me in years of bloodshed.
The Garek before me had been unable to keep up with his peers, taken desperate measures that had seen me sucked into his body even as life fled. The first choice I had made had been to leave, and I regretted that not.
Now, I went to arm myself for battle.
In the dim silence of my home, I prepared my armaments for the ughter toe. The old battlegear that had belonged to the Garek before me I left in favor of something that had hung warded in my cer for months now.
Sent to me by a faraway house of mercenaries once I had be Godtouched was a set of battle-garb sized for a full-grown minotaur. I wasrger than that, but this mattered not. The armor hummed with enchantments, its size flexing up and down as I slipped on piece after piece.
Very much an expensive gift, meant to curry favor with me.
If I survived, it would. Red tes ovepped with each other on a dull white trim, each part of a greater whole. The surface redistributed force, I had found. If there was any other purpose for the myriad of magic within, I had not yet found them.
A heavy cloak that obscured my likeness I threw overtop, the hood left down because of my horns.
Once more, I strapped the ymore to my waist and wondered how many more conflicts this trusty de would see me through. Another belt was wrapped round, this one fastened by magic and with pouches that held whatever I could need.
Those I filled with metal jugs of healing milk, high-grade flesh-knitter potions in case I ran out, and draughts of liquid energy. Small, tightly sealed bottles of metal that Ish had told me to take care of. Liquid that would grant manic bursts of energy, ward off fatigue and chase away the need for sleep. Valuable, sought-after resources that had stayed put in my cer for the longest time.
Resources I would dly expand to give myself the smallest edge in thisbat.
I stood and took a long look around at what was mine. Like any farmer I had ever known, I spent the least amount of time inside my house than anywhere else on the farm. Something that might changee the long winter. Afortable bed took up a sizable chunk of my lodge, and a table rarely used to seat guests was pushed to the side, chairs tucked underneath it.
nts stood in the windows, there to freshen the air a little. A counter with various abandoned experiments on it brought me a quick twinge as I nced over toward it. My dabbling inbining the various monster nts had burnt out and been abandoned till now, forgotten in the wake of other, more important events.
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This was home. Gods Above willing, it would remain until I returned.
There was little fanfare as I exited my lodge and made my way back down the hill towards my most unlikely travelingpanion.
The dreadknight stood at the ready, little needed for her to journey. I had at least prepared dried trail rations, yet if she had the same I could not glimpse or smell them.
I still dont like this. Ish grumbled. Just you and her? Shes tried to kill you before. She could do it again.
Child. Derision dripped from Valencias voice as sheughed. If I wished to kill any of you, I would do so. There would not be a single force that could stop me. Not your walls, not your guards, not your father, not even Garek. Your life continues because I chose to save you. If I see fit, I could reverse that and end you.
Do not, I growled at her. We all know it already. Save it for the enemy.
A small, momentary gloat from the woman that reminded me of her cruelty.
With augh, the dark figure turned and stalked away, malice in her every footstep.
Make it home alive. Was all Ish said to me for a moment. Please.
Ill try. If Lerish returns, tell her where we went. Whether she chooses to join us or not is up to her, but her skills and strength would be wee.
And Ma and Pa?
They were busy with something in the dungeon, is all we know. Preventing some disaster or other. I would give much for their help, but this task I must face without them. Tell them what has urred, if you see them. If you do not hear from me within a reasonable time through messenger or in-person, leave. Ill not have you die for an empty farm whose master is no longer alive.
A pessimistic view, perhaps. I preferred to call it realistic.
The hug surprised me. The orc attempted one as best she could, her arms unable to fit around my frame. I returned it in kind, careful to be gentle.
Youll win. She sent a lopsided grin up at me that wasnt quite convincing. Wup em and drive em back off.
Ill certainly try.
With that, I departed, pack over my shoulder and badpany at my side.
I had slept enough on the cart ride back from Ironmoors castle. Now, the time hade to put distance beneath my hooves and walk this lonely path.
Valencia proved quietpany. Her usual jeers and taunts were gone, reced by tuneless hums as she walked, eyes forward. Her eyes did not move to scan the treeline for danger, nor did her scent betray any unease. The dreadknight simply didnt care. Should any ambush ur, those unfortunate enough to attack her would realize who the real monster was.
The silence grew, and for the longest while I was content to let it weigh on me.
Yet in this void came questions. Queries to which I did not have the answer, much as I wanted them. Inquiries that mounted until they had to burst forth.
What are the Gods Below? The question broke the silence, followed by a rumble of thunder across the cloudy sky.
nk eyes looked at me for a moment, their usual dancing glee gone.
Stay far, far away from that knowledge, minotaur. Was all she spoke. Some things are best left unanswered.
The quiet continued even as clouds roiled above, but my dogged pursuit of knowledge only grew.
You mentioned them back in the barons castle. How do they rte to you?
I swore I could glimpse a hint of sadness behind that veil of malice.
Poor choices made by a girl without any other. Desperation that sealed off any hope she might have.
These were words, certainly. But none that answered my questions. I cut off before I expressed as such and waited for her to continue.
A demon was put inside this mortal shell. Not of my will, of course. No sane person would ever allow that. Done by a noble house desperate to fight back against a conquerore to punish their hubris. The idea was that it would hollow out the mortal vessel, be a destroyer of their enemies.
Uncertainty ticked in me now. Who was I talking to?
To their horror, I resisted. Even worse, I subjugated the demon that was supposed to devour me. I broke it beneath my will. Shattered its psyche and ground it down to dust to be blown away on the wind.
And then?
And then I learned the Gods Above despised anything to do with the Hells Below. Their blessing faded from me. The ss and levels I had earned were stripped away. Their healing burned me, their blessings a torch pressed to my skin.
And then the demon came back.
Without the patronage of the Gods Above, I turned to others. Cruel, demanding masters that take and never give. I proved myself to them.
The sky rumbled with each sentence she spoke, simmering at her heresy.
Ive tried, of course. Done all I could to bring myself back to the Gods Above. Prove myself worthy of their blessing. But theyll have none of it. You were there. I brought low a Godling and they snubbed me. Ignored me for you.
All this she spoke without a speck of emotion in her voice, on her face, or within her scent.
They have abandoned me. And so I will turn my back on them as well.
Thunder sounded angrily from above, and the conclusion came to me that I really should not be meddling with divine forces.
If they will cast me aside, then I will hunt their favored children. Bring low their chosen until they acknowledge me, or forever spite their names. There is no other path.
She looked at me then, dead serious.
Do not follow in my path, minotaur. Something wrong is within you. I can see it. Something not of this world. Whatever you do, do not let it fester, else your blessings will be stripped away as well.
Oh, if only she knew. That I was a soul from another world, inside the dead body of a minotaur long gone. But she did not, and I aimed to keep it that way.
BBook 2: Chapter 41: The Vastlands II.
BBook 2: Chapter 41: The Vasnds II.
All throughout the journey, I could not shake the feeling that something stalked me. Eyes followed me from a distance as I journeyed alongside this monster towards the edge of thesends. My senses caught nothing else, no matter how often I checked. Poor eyesight did notplement a sense of smell reliant on the direction of the wind. It was instinct that told me there lurked something off in the distance.
They were wise not to approach, given thepany I traveled in.
Valencia stalked ahead, unusually silent. The dreadknight had spoken little since the farm had been left behind, content to tread ground underfoot and keep her silence.
I wondered, then. What truly drove this woman? Her end goals remained a mystery to me, even after what she had proimed back on the farm.
It was better that way, I supposed. Dangerouspany was not something I had ever shied away from, yet an aura of misfortune followed in her every footstep. Shunned by the very Gods Above, it seemed she was damned to dread and death wherever she trod.
The sum total of her choices, harsh though they were.
Yet it would be callous of me to dismiss her fate like that, and I had vowed not to be the monster she had be.
Instead, I felt..empathy, if such a thing were possible.
Not pity, nor sadness for her. Just the acknowledgment that she walked a hard, harsh path that fate had forced upon her. The evil she had be had been nted within her by others. That much I could rte to, on some level.
I knew what it was like to have a mind muddled by influences outside of my control. The remnants of who Garek had been still taunted me. Bloodlust and battle-thirst reared at the worst times, anger seeping into my veins. Influences that came from a shell inhabited by my spirit.
Her vessel was a demon contained within a human shell.
I wondered, then. How much did that truly influence her, even though she imed to have crushed it?
These thoughts I kept to myself throughout the time we walked. The sun rose once more upon a vast, empty expanse as we continued along the winding road that led to Greysong Keep. Ever-present since I had begun to live here, the forests of the Redtip fell away behind me, reced with rolling farnd, and the looming form of another range of mountains in the distance.
They loomed as we drew closer, the spine of some great behemoth that slumbered beneath the earth. This day too passed to noon and then evening as an unlikely duo traveled this winding road. I saw hamlets as we walked, emptied as their inhabitants were coaxed out by riders and ordered to move further in.
Preparations for if the fortress fell. Vigesy empty as we drew near the bleak keep nestled between two mountains. Half-harvested crops spoke of a hungry winter toe, should they not be able to return. A cool breeze heralded frost toe. Perhaps not tonight, but soon. It seemed as just yesterday when summer had been in full bloom. Now, winter crept ever-closer on the horizon.
Greysong Keep wasrger than the name implied. A wide, sturdy fortress that bridged the span between two slopes of sheer rock. Pathways were carved into the stone to either side of it,dders leading from the battlement to perches high above. Almost certainly carved out of the mountainsides by magic, they provided both lookout spots and sniper nestings.
They also meant the inhabitants of the fortress knew of our arrival long before we actually approached.
A single gate heaved itself open and riders galloped to meet us, dust kicked up in their wake as we climbed the slope towards them. The barons g was carried in their midst, outstretched as armored cavaliers came to greet Valencia.
Judicator. Came the greeting as their captain slid from his horse, head inclined toward the Dreadknight. We await your presence.
The deference in his tone was not false. I could smell that. Unease stirred in the riders, inflicted on them by her presence.
They showed her respect all the same.
Captain. Was all she returned. Any sightings?
Forward scouts have reported spotting other scouts in the distance. We have no idea how far ahead they are of the herd, but they herald its presence. The wide, slightly rotund human spoke in a clear, concise tone.
A return to old times, then. She spoke, a murmur of agreement rising from the riders around us. Escort us in.
Farmer Garek, I presume? The man spoke from atop his steed as we marched towards the gate.
The one and only.
Adric Galbe,mander of the Greysong Keep. By the barons orders, we are to provide you a ce to stay. His lordship deems you to have a pivotal role in the siege toe.
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Whether I liked it or not. But that was what I had signed up for, and I was not one to winge about such. The gates we passed through soon, and I glimpsed the core of this keep.
Everything within was structured in precise order. Blocky, thick, and unnaturally straight. Even the techniques and equipment avable to me back in the other world would havebored to make buildings so ordered. Here, Magecraft made it trivial. Thick, sound walls loomed around me, staircases and ramparts hewn into the rock itself. Soldiers stood at stations high above, bored but watchful.
Even further up were the nests hewn into the mountain itself, and from here I could see pathways that stretched along the mountainside, down the gap, and towards thends thaty on the other side.
We have prepared as much as able, in the short time we were given notice. By the looks of things, this was not an excuse, but a statement. Almost everyone we passed was armed and armored, busy with either transporting equipment or busy being bored.
Gods Willing, it will be enough. Adric continued.
Barely. the Dreadknight spoke. Weve done this before. The brats will not know of it, but you and the veterans realize how close it wille.
Aye. Came the reply after moments of silence. I thought wed never be called to task on that again. Would have preferred it that way.
It urred to me that this man had likely served under Valencia before. Context pieced together implied this had been when she and the baron fought minotaurs. There was some relief in me then that at least some of those stationed here had experience fighting my kind.
Show us to the valley wall. Valenciamanded. I want to see where the ughter will happen.
The looks I received as we headed there were mixed. Suspicion from those who were older, fear and some disdain from those who seemed fresh-faced. Wariness from all. A great host of minotaurs was soon to be on their doorstep, and now one wandered in their midst.
My task here was not to assuage their doubts and calm their fears, it was to save their lives. I said little and moved with the small group of guards that followed themander.
The Bellowers Valley stretched before me, soon. I looked upon it from on high, and felt small.
Massive was the one way to describe the trench of stone that stretched between two mountains. It looked as if a massive nail had scratched deep into the rock, parted the stone, and ripped free all else. Nothing grew in this corridor of rock, save for small, hardy blooms here and there. Nary a tree in sight, silent save for the whistling wind.
This was where battle would be given. Where men would die and blood would flow. Bodies would be broken, lives snuffed out, and corpses would litter the stones for ages toe.
Up here on the walls, I could not see the base of this fortress without leaning over the edge.
I elected not to.
How sturdy is the gate? Valencia demanded. Is it mundane or reinforced by mages? How do you n to harass them as theye through the valley? Who of note is among our forces?
The best metal in thend. Several handsbreadths of rolled steel. Made to stave off the best war machines of man. It will crumple under the minotaur siege engines. Reinforces though it is by magic, they will find a way to tear it down.
Mages. Valencia demanded. Are there any currently stationed here?
We have a pair of sibling war-weavers. The rest were withdrawn to the innernds some time ago. Trouble on the barons borders?
Information for another time. Focus on the danger that is toe. Fetch them in a few moments. I wish to know their capabilities before we engage in battle.
Theyve not seen a minotaur force before, if thats what youre concerned with.
I stood there and let the information flow around me. Soaked up the talk and responses being snapped back and forth. Valencias usual dread glee was gone, reced by cold efficiency and stoicism. I learned that snipers wielding piercer bows were stationed in nests along the mountainside, ready to pepper and slow the host as it approached.
I learned and forgot the names of notable knights and champions, skilled warriors of different sses.
All this would only serve to slow the warherds advance. They would make it to the gates, would find their bloody way inside the fort.
That was where I would stand before them and do battle.
The sound of horns in the distance echoed through the valley, all conversation grinding to a halt as gazes turned toward the sounds.
Blurred as my eyesight was, I could still make out figures that moved at the valleys mouth. Across the vast tunnel of stone, I saw my own kind. Minotaurs. These were not on foot, however. They road atop hulking, muscled beasts bred for war. Horned predators with gleaming eyes and sharp fangs.
Forward scouts of the horde,e to taunt the defenders with their presence.
Well then, Valencia spoke. Lets see what those prey-piercers of yours can actually do.
Trepediaiton grew in my gut, hand mped to the handle of my greatspear. Eyes locked on the blurred figures in the distance, I watched as Adric gestured to a sentinel high above. Whatever message he ryed was soon passed along to its recipient.
The snipers were so far down the valley that I could not see their nests, but I knew the minotaurs circled underneath, taunting them from atop their mounts. Why shouldnt they, after all? I had seen what the best human bows did to the hides of minotaurs, and it was nothing.
I watched a figure stagger and nearly fall from its mount, heard bellows of pain echo along the valley. More came, and the message was delivered in volley. They were not invulnerable here. The small host wheeled and bounded away, followed by more arrows from on high.
There was some relief within me. They would not be able to just roll through the valley uncontested, able to shrug off human weaponry. These men and women had waged war against minotaurs before, seen their strenghts and weaknesses. They had adapted, learned, forged new tools to bridge the gap and better kill those they fought.
As humans did.
I just hoped it would be enough.
BBook 2: Chapter 42: The siege of Greysong Keep.
BBook 2: Chapter 42: The siege of Greysong Keep.
The siege began at dawns earliest light. For several days, I had sat and watched in dread as far off in the distance, the horde assembled. I sat and cursed my terrible vision, unable to make out anything but blurred shapes. But where sight failed me, sound and smell performed to make up for it.
The sound of hundreds of hooves on rock, the scratching of ws on stone, the patter of feet by the hundreds echoed along the valley walls. The faintest stench of an unwashed horde drifted over the distance. These did not rm me.
The Godtouched did.
By instinct alone, I knew they drew close. Senses I did not possess told me of their location amidst the horde.
And if I knew where they were, the same must be true for them.
Dread crept through me, roiling as I stood and waited. On and on. They did note at once, contrary to what I expected. Instead, the horde waited. Horns stirred the fortress at random hours through the day and nights that followed. Riders darted in and out of range of the nests above. Testing their responses, I assumed.
Minotaurs died for these tests, but more rode away than fell to the stone. The prey-piercers dyed the horde with their presence and impunity with which they sent down death from on high.
Yet that was all they could do. Dy. Stall and keep them at bay while the fortress entrenched itself into the siege. While we hoped for reinforcements that would note.
It was on the fifth day that this changed.
I knew the chitter of goblins before my eyes could glimpse their small, wretched shapes. A spyss handed upon my bellow was pressed to my eye and let me view the happenings from afar.
Nothing in the valley itself. I scanned back and forth, trying to find the noises source. They were somewhere, and sound indicated a sizeable amount of them.
iling green limbs entered my vision as I realized my error. I needed to look up. Surprise was the first emotion I felt as a green tide tumbled off the cliifside high above, herded there by their minotaur overseers. Goblins fell and slid down the cliff en masse.
Many died, their targets missed as their delirious screams echoed through the canyon. Somended where they were intended to go. The jutted lips of the rock tunnels that extended along the canyon. For every one that missed, one or morended. These suffered quick, painful bursts of broken limbs for they were still frail creatures being tossed from on high to stone below. These cushioned the falls of the horde behind them.
Small, frail creatures that thirsted for blood and chaos, reveling in petty death and destruction. The minotaurs used them as such.
Now, they flooded the tunnels in their numbers and chaos. No real match for the armored and experienced humans that kept watch there. They were not intended to. One tumbled over the edge, fanatical gleam in its eyes, body inscribed with runes. It struck a pile of its fellow, bounded up and dashed towards the nearest group of soldiers, hands upraised and screaming venom atop its lungs.
It too was cut down, and fire exploded forth.
The chattel was pushed off first, followed by the me disciples. Goblins, of all creatures, possessed an unnatural, almost suicidal obsession with mes and dragons. These were painted with images of scales and fangs, lit torches strapped to their backs and tooth-daggers wielded in either hand.
Children of the fire, they proimed themselves. Born to die in zes of glory. This I remembered from Gareks memories. The minotaurs were happy to use them as disposable fodder, helping them fulfill their wishes of fiery death.
The humans knew this too.
Horns sounded and orders were bellowed to withdraw. They could not contest a goblin bombardment from above. There was only so far that the minotaur overseers could herd the goblins up the cliffside, which they had spent the past several days likely doing. Instead, the defenders were pulled back, fighting all the way.
The green tide continued to pour down. One, three, a dozen goblins trickling after the initial onught. Hundreds were now in the tunnels, hounding the sentinels as they retreated.
Not for long. Another horn blew, followed by one of confirmation from afar. Moments passed, the sound of strife and war in my ears as I stood at the walls edge, greatspear in hand. And then, rock crumpled and slid, washing the green tide down into the valley amidst a rain of boulders.
The foremost tunnels were copsed, those still within crushed and broken below as the debris spilled forth.
Destroyed them before the goblin sappers got any use from them. Valencia observed next to me. Adric is well-prepared.
The archers were never meant to stop the horde. I realized.
Takes more than a few arrows to quell all that bloodthirst. She smiled mirthlessly. Most they were meant to do was have them falter, for a time. Give them pause. Force them to expand time and resources simply so they can reach our walls.
And once their use is done, deny the enemy of them.
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This is how you fight your kind, Garek. Not upon the field of glorious battle like some fools would have you believe. If the battle is joined while they are fresh, it is lost.
Instead, they must suffer. Every step towards these walls must be made in misery, in hopelessness as their kin die next to them. Every footstep forward a slog that breaks the spirit just a bit more.
So that when the battle is finally joined, they have nothing left to give. I summarized, eyes still locked on the crumbling canyon walls. Rock had shaken loose now, destabilized by the magecraft that had torn the tunnels down.
Prime for a rockslide. The dreadknight noted next to me. Her attention was focused out at the shapes that milled at the valleys mouth, preparing to march towards us.
The dreadknights aura of malice seemed lightened now, no longer the oppressive force I hade to know. Instead, it seemed focused. Directed out over the horde in the distance, all her ill will firmly set upon them. If I had expected glee and delight from her, it was not present. Instead, Valencia was a picture of calm.
This unsettled me. Her features were almost meditative, quiet and at peace. This, I had never glimpsed before.
Can you feel it, Garek? She asked. Them. Their presence.
The Godtouched? Yes.
There was an almost serene peace in her voice as the dreadknight continued.
My time is near. I feel it, just out of my reach. The time of rewards for all that I have done. Her eyes burned with intensity, dark me that threatened to scorch anything that drew near. You might rte. A farmer sows and grows his crops, patiently waiting for the harvest when all his effort will be rewarded.
Well I have waited and tended overlong, my fields barren with spite as the winter draws near. The gods they have been given patronage from have refused me. And their gore will soon glisten on these stones, their vessels served to those Below.
Anger red across the sky at her words. Warnings came in thunder, yet Valencia stood in defiance. Nervous nces were cast around from the bannermen and soldiers alongside us. Adric heaved us a nce of annoyance before turning back to his captains.
Something terrible woulde of this. The feeling pervaded deep within, unshakable. This heresy would not go unanswered, I knew sure as the sun rose.
Horns continued to sound, these much deeper and disembodied. From the valley mouth came a tide huge, armored figures. Minotaurs, armed for war. Here to spill blood, mine above all else.
Prepare. Adric barked at the mages that stood alongside him. One inly dressed in leather armor and robes, the other in te and cowl. Both ready for war. Anticipation flowed through my veins as I too stood, weapons in hand and blood in the future.
The time hade. Now came the sum of all my fighting. The pinnacle of my strength and skills were needed here.
The horde marched. The first sign that gave me pause. They did not flow as a tide of anger and bloodlust, but rather marched as a legion.
Crumple. Adricmanded, and the walls obeyed. Stone slid from the canyon walls, avnches of rock tumbling down onto theing horde. Enough sheer weight to crush them underneath.
It was in this moment a second sun approached.
Light blinded all. Heat radiated from on high as the silhouette of two massive horns stretched skywards from behind the legions march. Splendor overwhelmed those around me as I stared in defiance at the vast presence that rose.
One of the Godtouched revealed themselves. A caged sun hung between the ethereal horns, its power radiating outwards. Rocks and stone were pushed away, driven into the walls themselves by sheer might and glory.
I watched, entranced by brilliance as the legion of the sun marched closer and closer. My mind screamed to move, to do something, anything other than stand with spear in hand and witness glory eternal.
Hatred, malice, spite and darkness swept over the silent wall. Valencias unbridled hate ripped through the might that bore down from above. Soldiers vomited, snapped from their stupor by the sheer fervor of the dreadknights aura. I almost joined them.
Hopelessness weighed on every corner of my body, flogged at and driven down by Valencias rage. I gazed up at the new sun, hanging between the massive horns of a foee to y me.
I was just a simple farmer. This was a being of war and glory. Gifted by the Gods Above themselves to shine with such brilliance.
Up, you dogs! Valencias voice pierced the veil once more. Man your posts!
A fist rocked me to the face. I pulled back, anger in my veins and blood in my mouth.
The dreadknight. For a moment, I was wroth incarnate. Then the overbearing aura of hope lost returned.
Fight, fool! The cruel figure demanded even as I was crushed beneath the sheer glory above.
You killed a GOD, damnit! These parlor tricks are nothing to you, minotaur! She roared. Darkness red and hatred rose to outlive the hateful.
She was right. Her words pierced the dull veil once more and dragged it away. Valencias darkness cloaked the sky around us, a shelter of dread in ce of the oppressive sun above. I snapped from my stupor, fighting every inch of the way. My body felt heavy, muscles ready to give out though we had not yet started.
They were already halfway down the canyon, entirely uncontested. I was the first to be awoken, all others around me frozen and staring at the sky. Eyes turned away from the sun, I roared and began to shake them awake.
One of the mages had copsed, senseless after the ethereal sun had emerged. Try as I might, I could not wake him. The other staggered into consciousness once more as Valencia shook him and Adric awake.
No minotaur had ever possessed such magic. They disdained it, shunned it. It had to be the Godtouched.
If it were any possible for the pit in my gut to grow deeper, it did so now. The ground quaked and rubble slid down the valley, a sea of stones and debris to make the march closer as difficult as possible. Arrows flew from the walls, bathed in liquid fire and noxious gasses.
Allte. The enemy had advanced far too close already. Half the valley had been taken before it could be contested, and now the desperate pace began. The marathon had turned to a sprint, and now we all ran to outpace death.
BBook 2: Chapter 43: The siege of Greysong Keep 2.
BBook 2: Chapter 43: The siege of Greysong Keep 2.
Hatred blinded even the sun above. Sheer rancor and cruelty outshone the oppressive glory from on high on this day, and carried the defenders through their actions. Valencia¡¯s cruel orders pierced the veil, parted the fog and set to motion the machinations of death. Tyranny overruled glory in this moment, and I was grateful for it.
There would be no slow, methodical siege here. The host down below advanced on the walls at a breakneck pace, barely kept orderly as they marched over the slog of stones and uneven ground. Coming right for the walls, to punch into and through them. This we knew, and so did they. If the battle spilled into the fortress itself, it would be half-lost already.
The second magey senseless, eyes rolled back in his skull. A frail, thin form unsuited for war. Already rendered unconscious by the Godtouched¡¯s splendor. Valencia¡¯s blows woke him. He whimpered, and while I pitied the man, for he had all of the dreadknight¡¯s hatred focused upon him, his duty was required.
¡°I can¡¯t.¡± The mage gasped in pain, breathbored as he turned away from the second sun¡¯s approach. ¡°It burns to see.¡±
¡°Then see no more.¡± The dreadknight snarled, and the man¡¯s pupils went ck. With one hand, she steered him towards the wall. For a brief moment, I really thought she would throw him from the battlements.
¡°Do you feel that power, mage?¡± Valencia guided him through the chaos, pointing towards the immense aura that exuded from the horde¡¯s center. ¡°Empty every scrap of magic you have at that, or meet them face to face.¡±
There was rity and strategy to her cruelty. Unable to see the sun above, the man¡¯s magecraft flowed freely. Fire erupted from the ground below the horde, red jets that crackled upwards to consume. Flights of arrows loosed from the walls, for all the good those did against the hides of minotaurs.
Ballista bolts proved somewhat more effective. Massive rods of steelunched at blinding speeds plowed into the horde, and I saw individual figures crumple on impact. Yet the walls held precious few of thoseunchers, and the horde cared not for those that died before them.
Spears struck rock and lightning danced off the walls as fire was returned. A man next to me was flung backward, gored through as the force of a thrown spear carried him clear off the walls. I strode along, an entire bundle of ballistae bolts carried on my shoulder. Humans cranked back the mechanisms to notch the great deathslinger, painfully slow. Even with my help, we were doing too little to stop the tide that would soon be upon us. Where a general¡¯s inspiring presence faltered, Valencia¡¯s hatred drove the defenders onward. The dreadknight approached, barking orders all the while. She was not in gleeful malice, I observed. Everything about her was now tight and focused. Professional, almost.
¡°The impact made is too slow for the resources spent.¡± I gave her my blunt opinion. ¡°We will slow them, but they will reach the walls.¡±
¡°Yes.¡± Was all she spoke in agreement. ¡°Help the lobber crews instead.¡±
We parted ways once more as she strode along the walls, her presence flogging the defenders onwards. I left the walls behind, squinting downwards as Valencia¡¯s presence grew dim. Once more, the sun began to beat down, heat and the presence of overwhelming glory sapping will from my very bones.
Teeth grit, I stomped onwards, determined to forge through this brilliant hell.
They were unable to aim, I found. A spear had soared over the wall and pierced right through the mechanism that adjusted this crude catapult. The humans ran about, trying to find a way to fix this so they could lob explosive projectiles over the walls and into the horde¡¯s midst.
I offered another solution.
Chains were used the drag along the heavy, dense orbs that would explode on impact. For now, they were desparked. Simply massive steel shells whose inner workings were not yet activated. An area cleared, I grasped the chains in both hands and began to drag. Around and upwards, I swung the dead orb and then let it fly upwards, heaved towards the sun even as I squinted away. It cleared the wall with a considerable gap, flying out towards the mass of enemies.
The dud had been throw sessfully. Now, it was time to try on that was live. Chain in hand, I gestured at the captain to step in and spark it. He did and ran clear as I began to swing the massive boulder of metal, well aware that whatever was inside would explode on impact now. Either my swing cleared the walls or there would be a chunk missing shortly.
Under my breath, I cursed the re that threatened to make my grip slip, The second sun made for a massive target to aim at, moving closer as it was. Yet even ncing at it rushed fatigue through my blood. Yanked upward and let loose, the chain trailed behind the soaring mass of metal. I watched it clear the wall, then felt satisfaction as an explosion tore through the air momentster.
There was little time to stand and feel proud about myself, however. The next one was dragged forward and sparked, and through my strength was sent to join the others. With sheer brute force, I outperformed the other lobber crew, the volume of bombs sent flying far exceeding theirs.
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They were required to make adjustments between payloads sent flying, reel the range closer and closer between every shot. Fast as the humans worked, they could not keep my pace. The strength of my body soon cleared the stockpile of munitions, the sound of explosions its own reward for every bomb hurled skyward.
The stockpile was empty, I was informed. I had nothing more with which I could help the bombardiers, and the walls called once more. More than one human was startled by my emergence, weapons being drawn as I emerged atop the walls once more.
Valencia¡¯s orders forced them back to their posts.
¡°Finished.¡± I confirmed. My handiwork was visible from afar, bodies strewn and craters blown into the rock. Yet it had not slowed the horde. Done considerable damage, yes. Left many lifeless or unable to fight, but the tide continued forward. Their formation was breaking now. Barely constrained earlier, they now surged in uneven clumps, bellows and horns and bloodlust all at once.
War-beasts bounded ahead of the tide, ripjaw predators tamed, harnessed and carrying riders upon their backs. Stunted, drake-like creatures that lept over obstacles and each other in their eagerness for the ughter.
Beasts the previous Garek remembered little about.
Beasts that could climb walls, I learned with some horror.
The vanguard of another that soared from the second sun, fearful presence upon its back. This one resembled a crimson wolf with the wings of a dragon, gliding down towards the walls as the lesser beasts scrabbled up the walls from below.
A single look was all it took to know that a Godtouched rode upon the beast¡¯s back. I could make out little through the re, but the presence that approached spoke of what it was.
ws came over the wall as the war-beasts lunged over the top, riders all but strapped to their backs. Shouts and screams rose as rock was flung from their gouges, soldiers cut down by w and fang. Minotaurs with spears and ilsshed out in eager cruelty from their backs,ying into everything they could.
My spear gored one through the neck, its momentum stopped by my strength as it charged a cluster of archers. Hooves dug in, I snarled and tipped it back over the wall even as it fought me. It was strong, of course. But I was more than it, even with gravity to aid me.
Spears came around as the humans were called to order, poking at the warbeasts even as they lept around with near-suicidal fervor. I glimpsed a minotaur berserker slice the bindings that kept himself secured and leap from his mount, axe in either hand.
Ballista bolt lugged in hand, I aimed at where he wouldnd and hurled with all my strength, praying it would not miss and strike the formation of soldiers beyond.
It did not.
The bolt struck through the center mass, staggering the fervent warrior before his hide became riddled with arrows. Even then he surged up and onwards, fervor in his eyes and bloodlust in his bellow. My ymore silenced his rage heartbeatster.
I saw Valencia tear bloody furrows from a beast that had lept at her with his fists. One hand supported the wing, thrashing monster above herself while the other ripped through its underbelly. With a howl, she tipped it back, over the wall and to the rocks below.
Rage swirled about her now,ced into her aura. Hatred¡¯s heat overtook the cold cruelty of her presence as she bore down on another raider. I took her example and did the same.
They hade here to kill or die. I would be happy to help them on this path. A warbeast charged me across the wall, bounding over and through groups of soldiers as its rider bore down on me. Single-minded desire to kill me and take my blessing.
I lept aside and brought the ymore down just behind the beasts¡¯ neck. Blood covered me as the now-corpse abruptly slumped forward and toppled to the side, its rider trapped underneath.
de raised, I stepped around the beast to find the raider pinned and trying to heave the body away with one hand, mace in the other. For a moment, I locked eyes with a minotaur that had traveled all this was to extinguish my life. Journeyed so far just for the chance to kill me and im what was mine.
The de plunged down and the light left his eyes moments after.
He looked shocked in the end. That it could be over just like that. If any gods would take him, he went to meet them now.
I hoped he found nothing.
Vitriol built within me as I moved along the walls in desperate defense of the humans. Hatred blossomed further the more carnage I saw. So great was it that I grew blinded by fervor.
Thence from above nearly ran me through. Only at thest moment did I leap aside as the archon from on high swooped down to run me through. Wings brushed overhead as the great beast soared past, thence whipping around to catch a group of soldiers instead of me. It pierced one through and heaved the man upwards as the archon pped its wings, then shook the figure loose with disdain.
A vortex spawned below it, swirling darkness that dragged it down as Valencia raged. The figure on its back gestured, and the archon disappeared with its rider. It blinked back into existence out over the valley, a faint shape silhouetted against the blinding light as it soared upward.
It would be back. Soon. More riders pushed over the walls in its wake. Chaos had now well and truly ensued, order barely kept through Valencia and Adric¡¯s efforts. I charged the nearest group of raiders, determined to kill them before they could disrupt the ballistae further.
Only for the Archon to appear from the light and rake the wall once more. Now I glimpsed the figure upon its back as the great being swooped past. A minotaur with white fur, long andnky as it hunched in the saddle and guided a palence towards a group loading the great bows.
Another scattered ballista bolt grabbed from where ity on the ground, I calcted course and hurled the steel rod with all my might. It whistled through the air, aimed right at where the archon¡¯s center mass would be by the time it reached the target.
Instead, the figure nced back, locked eyes with me and swatted the bolt from the air with a flick of hisnce.
It vanished once more, entire gigantic beast and rider disced in a heartbeat as the horns of war sounded below.
BBook 2: Chapter 44: The siege of Greysong Keep III.
BBook 2: Chapter 44: The siege of Greysong Keep III.
The sun was upon us.
Scorching rays seared the stone, the splendors approach nearlypleted. Only shielded and shaded by darkness along the walls did the defenders continue to fight,bored and weary. Blinding light so close to the walls made the archon almost impossible to see as it glided along, vanishing in and out of sight.
Sight was my weakest sense, yet smell and hearing were so drowned by the roar and rumble around me that I needed to rely on it. A vortex of dark particles spawned below the archon and yanked it downward through the air, only for it to flicker away.
Valencia''s attention followed it, her hatred fully focused on the mount and its rider. Bolt in hand, I weighed the rod and tracked the flier through the skies. Bloodlust fought down, I did my best to feign patience and waited for the right moment. Even as more riders wed their way over the walls, I stood still, arm at the ready.
The dreadknights vortex swallowed the great beast once more, darkness blotting out a portion of the second sun. Half-thought, half instinct, I hurled the javelin as the creature faded away. Not where it was. Where it would be.
The missile blurred through the air, so fast the naked eye could barely keep track of it.
Not fast enough. The archon blinked into sight and traversed upwards, just enough for the bolt to skim past underneath it. It had avoided this one.
I had a stockpile more to go.
With the strength of my arm and increasingly better aim, I speared minotaurs off their mounts. A satisfying alternative to running after every single one and doing it in person. My strength allowed me to hurl these metal rods with the same power as being shot from these massive bows, without needing to be set in ce and slowly aimed. Yet with this, my attention was split between the archon above and the riders climbing up from below. Not on the horde very nearly upon the walls. That tasky on others to stall.
I wondered then, why was Adric the one who led the defenses? From what I had seen, he was, in all respects, just a human. I had not yet seen a hint of his ss or skills used. Hemunicated orders well through messengers and seemed intelligent, true. But in this world, that was not enough to keep up with supernatural power granted by the Gods Above. His soldiers did not move with bolstered confidence or unnatural precision. His defenses were advanced tools and careful ns, not shy disys of power. So far, at least.
I soon had my answer.
Valencia marched along the walls, her face a disy of cold under this sweltering heat.
Now. Came the simplemand. The short, stout human nodded and stepped away from his retainers. Amidst the chaos, I watched as he stood over a corpse, stretched forth both hands andmanded it to rise.
It obeyed.
Shadows snaked from his outstretched hands into the freshly dead soldier as it jerked upwards, filled with unlife and vengeance. The tanned skin became pallid, shadows leaking from where its eyes were. It stood, and from it bled darkness. A taint that seeped into the dead around the undeads form and beckoned more to join it.
The ranks of the dead rose once more,e to drag their killers down with them. All along the walls, undead rose, weapons in hand and quiet as the dusk.
Below, Adricmanded to the living that remained. Prepare for the gate to be breached.
This order too was obeyed, and the walls emptied themselves of the living. Now, the dead weathered the assault.
I watched a spear fly over the wall and smite one right in the chest. A blow to kill a mortal man, chest cavity caved in entirely. The animated corpse cared little for such things. They returned to the duties not yet finished, interrupted by their untimely deaths.
Now, Adrics orders were carried out with thoroughness and speed humans would be loathe to match. The necromancers will was done with unerring precision, the defenses moving like some great machine. Zombies carried bolts and loaded ballistae with speed that matched mine, uncaring for the sun above. Pairs lugged pots of boiling oil that should have demanded several men up the ramparts, their bodies no longer caring for torn muscles and frail arms.
The minotaurs that had been felled did not stay that way. They too were bid to rise, and so they did. Weapons in hand, they joined the ranks of the dead to y the living. Adric stepped upon the rampart and held his hands high, shadows growing long around him. Out over the valley, his will was carried, and the dead obeyed.
Dozens, nay, almost hundreds of corpses rose along the valley. Goblins and minotaurs alike were dragged back to the ne of the living, a second host being risen behind the horde.
I understood then why Adric held this position, and part of me marveled at it. An entire army was raised behind the war-host, pinching them between the dead and the walls. If they turned back to fight, the walls could rain down death with impunity, adding more corpses to their ranks.
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War-beasts lept from the walls down into the horde, undead and uncaring for the fall. Carnage now truly ensued. Undead minotaur guards huddled around Adric, their bodies there to shield him from any fire he might provoke.
They were needed.
The archon swooped down from on high,nce extended towards Adrics form.
This time, I was ready. Valencias vortex spawned with ferocious intensity, the beast made to falter in mid-air, unable to blink away. The rider battered away the bolt I hurled from underneath him, but my axe followed close behind.
It thunked into the beasts furred underside, buried in its guts. Snarls and screams sounded as its flight was lost and it began to plummet towards the horde below. Arrows rained down upon it and its rider as the undead turned their focus as one, storms of missiles all directed at it.
The sun itself moved to shield it, shrinking in size and waning in power as it traveled before the horde. Brilliance gleamed, and I found myself unable to look at where the archon had been. The beast and its rider vanished, but the sun continued toe.
It fell upon us now, radiant me like no other. Heat scorched the stones and threatened to set all alight as it descended right towards us. It was only thebined force of the mages, Valencia and Adric that repelled it. Through arcane might, it was hurled back, out over the horde once more.
It did not stay there. Its course continued out over the valley, then down upon the rocks and undead forms that harried the horde from behind.
me and light consumed the valley as the sun set upon these deste rocks, unleashing one final ze of glory.
Everything in its vicinity was scrubbed away, erased by the sh that followed as finally, mercifully, the light went out.
The valleyy empty when I regained my eyesight. The undead mass had been reduced to dust, and the back ranks of the horde caught in the st. If the sudden deaths of their fellows had any effect on the warherd, it did not show.
Almost half their number had perished just for them to make it to the walls. In any reasonable world, this would be a rout. To lose that many lives was utterly disastrous. Armies broke before they lost even near a quarter of their soldiers.
Yet those were humans, and these were minotaurs. A lifetime of war, death and ughter desensitized an entire race to death. They carried forward, and now, they were upon the walls.
Down to the gate. Valencia demanded. Only her and I moved as the living. Adricmanded his dead, and boiling oil was poured from the walls. Minotaur warriors marched down the stairs, serving against their fellows by the necromancers will.
Its amusing, almost. He remarked. In death, they are all made equal. No matter what race, what ss. Every one is the same. When the body dies, the soul lingers. Just for a little while. It longs to keep going. To finish the work its fleshen vessel started. It screams of hatred and rage before they ept peace.
Who am I to deny them that fury?
All of them? I wondered.
Ive yet to meet an exception. Death is the end. Yet they all want to keep going. Just for a little longer. To aplish a little more. Drag another enemy with them. I grant them that wish.
This in, unassuming man puppeted corpses and channeled souls, yet I sensed little innate malice from him. His words I took at face value. Little other choice, in the here and now.
The mass of undead had soon descended, the walls now cleared save for archers and those that would guard them.
We too went below to meet the war-herd.
There had been no exaggeration as to the thickness of the gate. A mass of solid steel, unforgeable by human hands. Made with Skills and magic, I struggled to think of how a conventional army might breach this without magecraft or explosives. That technology did not exist in this world, as far as I knew, and I had no intention of ever introducing it.
Yet for how impressive the gate was, no one expected it to hold up against the horde outside. They needed no siege engines or battering rams. They were minotaurs. Strength alone would do. Blows rang through the air as hammers began to strike the mass of steel that stood before me. Not one, not two, but dozens after dozens, all with the strength of an adult minotaur behind them.
The defenders arrayed behind spiked defenses here, prepared for the inevitable. Archers notched arrows from vantage points up high. And before it all stood I, greatspear in hand and ymore at my side. If there was any time to take a draft from the various potions I carried, it was now. Draughts of liquid energy I consumed until I feared I might go manic.
Now I paced in position, Valencia alongside me.
Anticipation burned in the dreadknights eyes. She sat on the ruins of a catapult, arms resting on her knees as we waited. To my surprise, she epted the draught I offered her, chugging down the liquid energy while her gaze was still locked on the gate.
Right there, Garek. She gestured. Right on the other side of that barrier. A horde, here to kill you. Seperated only by a piece of steel. Hundreds of your kind out for your head. Are you excited?
No. I answered truthfully. Id much rather be home, tending to my crops.
I took no joy in this, experienced no thrill or rush as I cut down my enemies. Not like her.
And you?
The thrill gets old, after a while.
Hammer blows continued to rain, the steel starting to be distended. Dents were forming, the continuous stream of pounding slowly causing the gates to buckle.
Yet I savor it, always. No matter how small or cheap.
And just when Id hoped there was some spark of redemption in her. I wanted to p myself for that thought. This woman was here to help save my life, bring low my enemies, and part of me judged her for how she did it. Monster though she was, my life was owed to her more than once now.
Gods Above willing, I would live to one day repay her.
With that thought, the massive b of steel finally gave way, and the horde poured from those gaps.
The ughter was upon us.
BBook 2: Chapter 45: The slaughter of Greysong Keep.
BBook 2: Chapter 45: The ughter of Greysong Keep.
Bellows of bloodlust and trumpets of fury rang through the open square as the gate toppled inwards. It was not yet on the ground when the horde stormed overtop it, a tide of cloven bloodthirst and hate. It was then I stood alone at the defense¡¯s forefront, sword in hand and grim determination in mind.
I was not alone for long.
The air shifted and gave way as a massive, furred white figure crashed into existence at my side. If the horde ahead roiled with bloodthirst, the Behemoth matched them. Thunderous, primal roars shattered the stone around it as the gargantuan being burst forward, right into the horde¡¯s front line.
I joined the battle close behind. Only a fool would stand and wait for the cloven tide to fall upon them. My choice was made, and I took the fight to them instead. Bodies flew through the air with every swipe of the behemoth¡¯s ws, its speed and titanic form wreaking havoc among the fury-tide.
ymore glinting in blood-stained arcs, I followed in its wake, cleaving through minotaurs that screamed hate into my face.
Another army might have broken from this massive storm of death in their ranks, but I knew my own kind. They¡¯d sooner die than waver. And die they did. Spears and hammers and weapons of every sort wereunched at the behemoth as the tide turned to face it, eager for the death and honor that woulde from being the one to y it.
Arrows and bolts rained down from above as I butchered my way through my own kin, following in the behemoth¡¯s path. Too many of them eagerly focused on the rampaging titan before them, and only saw my de descend when it was toote. Bolstered by Skills and brimming with liquid energy, I moved at a pace outstripped by none in their ranks.
Almost methodical was the descent of my de, and life after life was cut down. I looked in their eyes as they died and saw only fury and bloodthirst as they went dim.
Still, fast and brutal as I was, to throw myself into their ranks was stupidity. This I found as a mace struck me flush in the back. Even with most of the impact absorbed by my armor and toughened skin, I still stumbled. To fall might have been fatal. I would never know. The minotaur¡¯s midsection exploded and a dark fist emerged. Valencia kicked the warrior forward and stomped onto his head. Gore followed and the dreadknightshed out at the next. She stood by my side, her aura of malice giving the berserkers around us pause.
Enough time for me to cut down another one. There was a horde now surrounding us, and we were but two.
Not for long. The Behemoth crashed through the horde, its body resembling a stuck pincushion, snow-white fur stained a pinkish crimson in blood and gore.
¡°Back?¡± I grunted, and she agreed. Few minotaurs stood between us and the short gap to where the humans had their defensive line ready. Fewer survived.
Crashing through the horde had taken much of the behemoth¡¯s strength, I knew. Some of mine as well. But every moment I made the horde turn inwards was another moment the humans could fire and whittle down their numbers.
Now, we prepared for the precious few seconds we could as the war-herd turned its focus forward once more.
I glimpsed a golden figure to its rear, hammer held high as it roared orders and gleamed with blinding light.
The other Godtouched. The archon had been ripped from the skies, but I knew it was not dead. It too lurked among the horde¡¯s ranks, ready to strike.
The Behemoth would soon leave, I sensed. It could only sustain so much damage before it would fade away to rest. On impulse, I ordered it forward, eyes locked on the golden champion. Rock crumpled underneath the massive figure as it exploded upwards and lept through the air right into the herd¡¯s back ranks.
Its form blocked my view of the champion as it thrashed about, a whirlwind of crushing might. ws tore through the thinned ranks of the backlines, fury evoked and overwhelming the fewer minotaurs that hung back.
From their midst appeared the archon, once more mounted. This time on a war-beast that had earlier climbed the walls. Ance draped in shadows blew out the behemoth¡¯s knee, the flesh and blood turned to dust as it struck.
The great titan crumpled, still thrashing about as I now saw the champion stride forward, overwhelming splendor forcing my summon down even as he raised the hammer high.
The satisfaction of the final blow I denied to them. With a mental twist, I cut the behemoth free of the tethers that bound it to this reality, and watched with some satisfaction as the hammer crashed down and found only air.
The great beast had done what I needed it to do, and now it deserved its rest. Its final moments had disrupted the rear ranks of the enemy, drawn the champion and most importantly once more revealed the archon.
A far better trade than having it kill a few more minotaurs before it faded away.
¡°He¡¯s here for your head, yet stands in the back.¡± Valencia remarked. ¡°How very unlike your kind.¡±
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The dreadknight¡¯s dark armor glistened in blood, stained with the gore of those she had killed. Yet her face was sanguine, a picture of calmness I had never seen from her.
¡°He likely wants his followers to wear me down first. Then step forward and demand singlebat once I am weary.¡±
¡°If he thinks it will be granted, he is a fool.¡± She snorted. ¡°This is war.¡±
¡°I only specte.¡± I grunted between sips of healing milk. Quick as I could, I tucked the sk away and braced myself. The undead arrayed around us now, a defensive line set as the war-herd advanced.
Bolstered by fury, with momentum at their backs, the furred tide bore down on us. It struck with enough force to break almost any defenders.
The dead cared little. The dreadknight at my side, I impaled the first charger through the chest and halted his momentum entirely, then lopped off his head with the ymore. Greatspear in one hand and de in the other, I set myself as the forefront of the defense and roared my challenge to the horde.
They were here for me. All else was secondary. One I felled, then another. Valencia¡¯s aura of dread struck like a hammerblow to their faces as they charged close. Full-grown and blooded bulls faltered mid-step as they entered her presence, but I forged on unbothered. Theirpses in movement were lethal as my weapons reaped lives.
The ground around me piled with corpses, every one I strode over lifting me higher into the air. Easier to see, easier to race towards for the horde. The smart ones focused on cutting into the undead to either side of us. The others died to my wroth and wrath.
I found myself atop mounds of corpses, the bodies of my enemies trodden underfoot, surrounded by bellowing berserkers. The undead had dragged down dozens of minotaurs with them, but they too nowy stilled.
Why were more not being raised? My eyes nced to the walls, and upon them I found my answer. The archon bounded atop his mount,ncing through the defenders. Adric battled for his life as the rider hunted him, tearing through his guards like chaff.
Eyes flicking back down, I caught a swing of a warhammer from below on my ymore and speared the minotaur through the neck. Foot nted on the dying warrior¡¯s face, I booted him backward and roared my defiance from atop the hill of bodies that were stacked underneath me.
They were of my race, but as warriors, they were not my equals. The Gods Above themselves had seen fit to ensure that. Through their gifts, I was stronger. Faster. Able to endure more. My Skills overmatched theirs. These gifts hade from ying a Godling, and now these hordes scrambled to overwhelm me.
It was working. For every one I slew, another¡¯s blow struck me. My armor and skills mitigated strikes, and draughts of healing potions took the edge off the damage. But they were a tide, and no one man could hold the ocean forever.
Adric had vanished from my sight. Whether he had been run through by the archon or slipped away, I know not. Only that the dead no longer rose to reinforce me. Riders leapt along the walls, springing towards nests of snipers and ballistae crew. Chaos roiled through the defenses, even as I did my best to take away the pressure.
ncing at the human force nearly cost my life.
The archon blinked into space before me, the beast he rode crushing minotaurs beneath its bulk. The dark thorn of a spear he carriednced forward, into my side. I nearly buckled as agony red through me, but swung back at him with all my might.
He was gone before the blow got close tonding.
I reached down and felt dust at my side. My flesh had been transmuted, turned to ash by the piercing blow. Panic in my mind, I uncorked a sk of healing milk and drained it all. Through divine might, the flesh was renewed.
Once more, the beast blinked into existence above me. Now it bounded through the air, its entire mass aimed for me. Atop the perilous heap of bodies, I could not find the footing to dodge in time.
Valencia¡¯s will dragged it from the air, gravity intensified as it suddenly crashed straight down. Through sheer spite it was forced from its leap and down into the corpses below.
Without a rider in the saddle.
The archon¡¯s spear was buried in my chest, I realized numbly. The grim minotaur had teleported right in front of me and spawned with his weapon inside me.
I faltered then. Shock and nothingness within me at the same time. The shadowy thorn spread through me, pain and emptiness at once.
My insides being turned to dust was the most horrific thing I had ever experienced. The gleam of triumph in the archon¡¯s eyes was tired, yet I could not deny it.
Faintly, as my senses began to fade I could hear the dreadknight scream and hurl the archon away, his form blinking through the air.
There were little regrets on my mind as I sank backwards, knowing the end wasing.
Was this how it ended? Just like that. Unable to do anything about it. All my strength, rendered null just like that. Unable to even lift my arms and drink one of the lifesaving potions at my side. Unable to summon the power to activate the Skill I possessed to refuse death.
Valencia stood before me, I realized. Her back to the horde, brimming with hate. Faint sensations of something being sloshed down my throat followed, then pain everywhere inside me as the flesh was regrown.
¡°You will not die here, Garek.¡± She spoke, voice hardened with rancor. ¡°Not to this filth. Not today.¡±
I surged upwards, bellowing even through the hole that gaped in my chest. Eyes wide and filled with rage and fury and some trace of terror at how close I had been to death¡¯s embrace.
The kill had slipped from the archon¡¯s grasp, and now he returned. Once more he blinked into existence as I fought another warrior, off to the side and poised to strike. To stab me and flicker away.
Chainsshed from the dreadknight, constructs of shadows that emerged from her body and raced for the archon. They shackled him, and anchored him to Valencia. His form flickered as once more he attempted to teleport away. But the dreadknight took that from him. With one hand she grasped the chain and reeled him in, aura forcing him down to his knees.
My de bit into his spine at the same moment Valencia¡¯s fist tore the head clean off his shoulders.
Vengeance may not have been mine alone, but it was still sweet indeed.
BBook 2: Chapter 46: The Slaughter of Greysong Keep II.
BBook 2: Chapter 46: The ughter of Greysong Keep II.
One great enemy had been felled this day. Now, another remained to be ovee. If I could muster the strength to do so. This body could endure much pain, withstand all but lethal blows and forge on. Such had been the nature of its creation, to be the greatest warbeast ever to grace this world.
Every foe I faced today was also made in that image. Every blow I struck that did not kill counted for little. And even as my arms grew weary from the lives I reaped before me, my enemies did not. They were many, and only we few remained.
The human defenses were broken, and their kind had retreated deeper into the fort.
Now, only I and Valencia remained. The dreadknight remained as eager as ever, still fresh from when the ughter had began. We rested now in this brief moment as the enemy milled about, the archon¡¯s death creating a momentary relief.
One of their leaders had been felled, and the rest were given pause. They woulde again, of course. I saw that in their blood-shot eyes, heard it in their furious bellowing and smelled it in their rageden scents. Only for now, something pulled their proverbial leash and held them back.
Whatever it was, I took the moment to rest, to recover some of my expended energy. I had burned through many of my Skills this day, but my ace still remained.
It Will Not Die remained untouched, a singr invocation that could turn the tide. For now, I had emptied my stock of potions and draughts so I would not need to use it. I had not yet needed to use Fell The Harvest, the singr true strike it provided another trump card. All my others had been used over and over. Only Cloven Crash remained, as I had surprisingly not needed to use it often. Valencia¡¯s aura gave the same effect for no cost on my part.
The dreadknight taunted the horde from atop the mountain of corpses we stood upon. Her bloodlust unsatiated, eager to grind more of them beneath her fists. And her words gave them pause. They knew, same as I.
Here stood a fiend in human skin. The System itself gave the knowledge that she had killed more minotaurs than any of them. Perhaps not amongst their ranks, but her fists had put thousands to the grave. And through this alone they would fear her. Through this fear they faltered, and I gained precious moments of rest.
The horde shifted and began to part, and a golden figure stomped from within.
He was my height, taller than the bulls around him. Armored well, a hammer in either hand and cape upon his back. Pearl-white horns atop his skull and brilliant goldish fur.
The champion. The second Godtouched.
He stood before the horde, and called to me in anguage I had not heard for so long. The bulls milled in confusion and even Valencia looked surprised as the words rang through my mind, followed by shock. He did not speak in themon tongue, nor the minotaurs rough dialect, but in English.
¡°I have found you.¡± Came the simple statement.
I paused, my mind struggling to put together a sentence in anguage this body had never spoken and who¡¯s mouth was unustomed to the motions.
¡°What do you want?¡± Was all I struggled to return.
¡°Your head, of course. We both know why.¡±
¡°More power for you? Kill me so the Gods Above will give you more gifts?¡±
¡®Sure, let¡¯s go with that. Power doesn¡¯t mean that much to me.¡±
¡°Then why?¡±
¡°Think about it; The Gods Above put us here, in this hellhole of a world. They¡¯ve got the power to send us back home.¡±
I had not thought of that, nor had I ever pursued that second part. Did not particrly want to either.
¡°In this body, with all the power granted by them. Think of how glorious it would be!¡±
¡°To get shot in the face by some scared human on the streets? Tranquilized, vanished into someb by who knows who?¡±
This was my first interaction with another Earthling, and already I found myself remembering why I did not miss them.
¡°We¡¯re Invaders in this world, kid. Have been since these Gods started summoning us to fight their battles. Now we¡¯re entertainment for them. Nothing we do matters, since we¡¯re leaving. Might as well go along with it until I can find a way back.¡±
¡°That¡¯s where we¡¯re different, kid.¡± I threw his insult back tly. ¡°I¡¯m happy with my life. And if I have to kill you to keep it that way, I will.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll be the one killing you.¡± The champion shrugged.
¡°Then why even bother revealing yourself?¡± I asked in disbelief at his stupidity.
¡°I thought it''d be fun. Not like you¡¯ll live to tell anyone about it.¡±
That was it? What a pointless joke, I thought to myself.
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¡°I will speak to you in the tongues you understand,¡± Valencia roared from next to me. ¡°Death!¡±
¡°I came here to y a Godtouched.¡± The champion spoke in a booming voice, now back to themon tongue. ¡°But you have proven a greater warrior than he, even without his title. I offer you a ce to be spared, to fight alongside me. Only his death interests me, not yours.¡±
His attempt to perhaps tter Valencia fell t as the dreadknight smiled back, her teeth bared.
¡°And once I have ripped the head loose from your shoulders, I will be granted that honor. My glory will be torn from your grasp, calf.¡±
¡°This is not the first Godtouched I have killed.¡± He remarked. ¡°Nor will it be thest.¡±
That, I objected to.
¡°I will be your grave.¡± Came the rumble of challenge. ¡°You deserve no peace, but I will deliver you to it.¡±
¡°If you im such strength, why hide behind your warriors like a coward?¡± Valencia taunted him. ¡°The words you speak are meaningless when your actions betray your weakness.¡±
¡°I¡¯ve a horde at mymand. Why should I not use it? After all, they can be reced almost endlessly.¡± The champion shrugged once more. ¡°It amuses me to watch you struggle so desperately. Knowing that all your efforts will be rendered null beneath my hammer.¡±
¡°I traveled here to kill the Godtouched. Convincing these warriors that he was a traitor to their kind made it easier, of course. But really, I just want you to be crushed under my feet.¡±
An actual minotaur would have said hooves, I noted silently.
¡°But now, I¡¯d rather prefer putting you down.¡± He smirked at Valencia. With that, he raised one hammer high and bellowed to the horde that remained.
¡°Drag them down!¡±
Roars and bellows rang as the horde burst forward onmand, about to do their best to try. The hundred or so that were left anyway. I did not even have time to think on that we had just butchered a great host on this day before they were upon us.
Spear in hand, I stabbed downward over and over, my thrusts aimed at exposed necks and skulls. Spears were hurled through the air towards us, only to be abruptly forced downwards as they entered the dreadknight¡¯s aura. Gravity itself intensified around Valencia, and I huddled close to her to stay unaffected.
Those few spears that made it through, guided by Skills and strength, did little to the dreadknight. Anything that touched her was literally shrunk in size, I knew from painful experience. Her own return blows were amplified in force and speed. Those had been her powers before we had in the Godling.
Now, she possessed a plethora more.
The minotaurs came from all directions now, without a defensive line to stop their angles of attack. And strong as we were, we could not fend off death from all sides.
¡°Good luck. Do not dare die here.¡± Was all the warning I got before Valencia leaped into the horde¡¯s midst, corpses breaking under her boots and darkness following her wake. She had abandoned me, I thought at first.
No, she was splitting the horde. Taking away their attention so that fewer climbed the mountain of bodies at once.
I cursed the God¡¯s Above for my stupidity as Imitted the most inane act possible and followed her off the hill of bodies. Up there, alone, I was a prime target for spears and projectiles. Down here, I was death for anything in my reach.
I met blows head-on, only staggering slightly as my own return swipes ripped through defenses and tore open bodies. Here I needed little technique, and more strength. Roar after roar ripped from me as I called on Cloven Crash as many times as possible just to stay alive. My spear fell aside, useless in these tight quarters. The ymore I grasped in both hands and spun in massive arcs, my entire strength in each blow.
It cut through armor and bodies alike, the enchanted edge severing limbs and lives. Yet not without resistance, and not without a price.
Until finally, heartbreakingly, the de shattered mid-stroke. The magic within could sustain no more and I was left with a broken hilt and half a de. This sword had carried me through so many battles, been a trusty force that saved my life. Now, it hadin low itsst foe, and I cast it aside with a moment¡¯s regret.
A mace I ripped from the grasp of a dying minotaur and began toy about with it, the crude hunk of nged steel shattering skulls and cratering bodies.
Another I seized so that I stood with one in either hand, piles of gore and broken bodies around me. My breath came heavy now, my vision clouded by blood and more flooding my nostrils. Almost blind, I continued to bash away, my armor being beaten and torn as it too did its best to eat up blows.
Until finally, nothing remained.
I stood alone, an untold tide of death in every direction. A stranger¡¯s weapons I held in each hand, my vision blurred and senses dim. Shaking my head to whip the blood from my fur did little, and the back of my hand only smeared it further.
I was exhausted. Out of potions, on the verge of using myst Skills.
Valencia emerged from a heap of bodies, ragged and tired as well. They had literally buried her in bodies in the attempt to kill her. They had not seeded.
¡°Excellent.¡± The champion¡¯s voice boomed.
He alone remained of the minotaur warherd. Fresh and beaming, he approached. The horde he had expanded to wear us down while he remained untired. Ready to finally set foot on the battlefield and win the day.
I took sce that even if we died here, we had single-handedly brought low a great horde. Spared thousands from the ughter that would have followed. My farm was safe, and those I cared about would not die to the tide that would havee.
If he was at all phased by the fact his entire warhost was dead, it did not show. If anything, the Godtouched looked pleased.
¡°Rejoice, for you are worthy.¡± He smiled. ¡°Your lives will end here, but in death you will move my great vision forward. Another world awaits me, and you shall be the catalyst that propels me there.¡±
¡°Never.¡± Valencia spat in defiance. ¡°I will tear victory from your grasp, leave you a corpse among a thousand others of your kind.¡±
¡°Your me burns hot even now, woman. I will see it extinguished.¡±
Too many words, not enough action from this pompous braggart. I had yet to see himnd a single strike on anything through this battle. Now, only he stood between us and victory.
¡°The life will be snuffed from you before that.¡± I spoke. That was all I had to say, and the time for words was long past.
Only death came now. His or ours. No inbetween.
BBook 2: Chapter 47: The Slaughter of Greysong Keep III.
BBook 2: Chapter 47: The ughter of Greysong Keep III.
The champion came, cloaked in golden brilliance. Once more his light shone forth, a blinding sh that forced me to flinch away or go blind. Now came the truest test of them all. We faced a hale and healthy Godtouched, one of tremendous power. Yet the field of battle was not evenly matched. Exhaustion gripped me through the adrenaline that pumped through my veins. Liquid heat flowed within to fight against the cold numbness and to warm my worn-out muscles. Harvest¡¯s Bounty had kept me from sumbing to the tide of foes thrown at me, but now there remained no fodder for me to reap.
Alone, I might certainly die.
But there was a darkness at my side, and she did not relent.
Stone cracked beneath her as Valencia exerted pressure around herself. Gravity intensified, dust being dragged down through the air. The hewn rock that made up the fortress¡¯s courtyard broke beneath her every step, with no dust or debris able to fly upwards.
The maniption of physics and gravity here would have fascinated me, any other time. Yet now was the time only to survive.
Mace in either hand, I bore the brunt of the assault. A swing came crashing down and I was forced back, unable to stop the two-handed hammerblow with both hands. Dull and square as it was, the weapon¡¯s head furrowed through the rock and continued its arc once more.
The champion¡¯s presence burned at my hide, the heat and light radiating from him like a miniature sun. On the back foot, I tensed and lept back as he spun around with the hammer for another blow. The momentum would carry him around right into Valencia.
And I had faith that the dreadknight would keep him in ce for just a moment.
Mace in either hand raised above my head, I squared myself and called forth a Skill I had not yet used. Sundering Wrathde channeled into both weapons and crashed onto the stone below. The area before me exploded. Stone and corpses were heaved skyward by the ground¡¯s vehement upheaval. Shockwaves raced in a cone before me, two explosions shing with each other as my senses rang. The earth rippled and heaved, debris thrown everywhere as the ground quaked.
No matter how mighty the warrior, they needed the earth underfoot to fight. Now, I denied him that. Valencia too was caught in the st, yet remained unscathed. Where she stood, the earth remained unbroken, suppressed and forced down by her will.
Perhaps he might have been able to match her in an even battle. Been able to overwhelm her with his zing splendor. I intended to make sure that was never the case.
Rage beat through my veins now. Wrath drowned out the tiredness, swallowed whole my weakness and put fire into my mortal veins. Again and again I struck the earth, cracking it open as I beat the ground in an uneven rhythm. Everything heaved and shook around me, the walls cracking and stone falling from on high. Corpses were tossed about as I pummeled the ground over and over, an earthquake made by my own hands.
Every blow let loose my anger, set free my wrath and made more powerful my vengeance. Even Valencia swayed slightly from how the earth itself tore open before me. The dreadknightshed out her derision upon the champion as the minotaur struggled to keep steady, rocked off-bnce by impacts and left without footing.
I was not the only one with such might.
With a roar drowned out by the earth¡¯s shattering, the champion stretched his arms to either side and let loose a supernova of light and heat. A second sun was once more birthed into this world, and it scorched away all around him. It burst outward, Valencia hurled backwards by the brunt of its force.
I braced for impact, only for it to roll past me, its surface only lightly scorching my body.
And then I realized I was within it.
A brilliant expanse stretched around me now, heat to all sides.
Only I and the champion were within this golden field. He came at me now, an avatar of the zing sun. All light and fury, every shred of his form aglow. I cast aside the nearly-broken maces and pulled a greatsword from beneath a shattered corpse.
If I died, it would be with a weapon I wasfortable with.
A dozen phantom limbs glowed around the champion, each holding another massive warhammer in light-soaked grips. They fell upon me now, and I could do little to withstand the assault. Instead, I retreated. Primal Wroth shifted my form into one longer and leaner, gave me the speed I needed to make distance between myself and the avatar of the wakening sun.
Greatsword still in hand, I bounded backward, senses sharpened and trying to find an opening. Already pulverized, the ground shifted beneath my every step, threatening to slip beneath my hooves. Trapped within the golden field, I could not escape as the champion slowly bore down upon me.
Golden arms orbited his form, each ready to strike me down.
With nowhere to go, I went forward to death. Only to slip and fall sideways as the treacherous terrain finally betrayed me.
Hammers crashed down, each falling upon my form to crush me. All falling like a steel rain in this moment to capitalize on my fatal slip.
They would have, had that been what I had done. With unnatural agility, I righted myself and lept forward, underneath the barrage.
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In that moment, all else was made to not matter. The steel that tempered the weapon I held was made meaningless. The armor that cloaked my foe was irrelevant. The Skills that shielded him from harm were rendered null. His own hammer raised to block was made void.
Only one thing existed that mattered now.
They Are Felled rendered a single strike true, cut away all else that might stop or deviate the blow. And my greatsword shed through that arc, passed through armor, flesh and bone as if there was no resistance. It severed magic from the blood itself,id open the flesh and ended life.
The champion staggered back, hammer shorn in twain, armor cleanly rent open and blood spewing everywhere. The golden arms around him vanished, their phantom weapons dispelled. He was cut through, entire top half nearly severed loose.
To any other, a fatal blow.
I barely had time to cross my arms and brace back into my sturdier form before the explosion engulfed me.
Now I was the one hurled through the air, scorched light filling my eyes, searing my lungs and setting the fur alight on my hide. Pain and heat zed everywhere as I was mmed into the golden barrier, still trapped within the second sun.
The fleshen form was shed now as the avatar strode forward, pure heat and light constrained into a singr body. The minotaur was gone, reced by this unbound avatar of light and glory and splendor.
An axe I snatched off the ground and hurled end over end at the figure. I watched as the wood was immted and steel melted before it even struck upon the figure¡¯s form. My gaze hurt to look upon the radiant being, to see its brilliance. A il I ripped from a dead man¡¯s grasp and hurled it, only for the same to happen.
This could very well be the end, I thought.
No tricks left. No skills that could win the day. It Will Not Die might prolong the fight, but what could I do against a walking sun? My weapons melted before they could even near its body. My armor would g from my body before I got close.
It seemed hopeless.
I refused to sumb to those thoughts. Banished their poison from my mind and righted myself. Held my proverbial finger on the skill that would let me defy death itself but decided not to use it just yet.
The avatar form the champion had assumed must have a price. One that could not be maintained for long. I only needed to oust it, for him to return to the fleshen minotaur form to have a better chance.
And I would do so.
But not alone.
Words could not describe the relief I felt as something tore through the golden shell that trapped us here. A darkness wed through the surface and Valencia burst through, her dread presence flooding me with relief. The void trailed in her wake as the dreadknight shot forward and seized the avatar with both hands.
Darkness sang through the sun, as the two struggled. Every blow Valencianded sshed liquid me around her. I watched as her armor began to melt, sheer heat gging off what I had known to be untouchable.
They rocked back and forth, exchanging blows. A hammer of white-hotva sshed over Valencia¡¯s defenses, rocked her back as I saw the armor disappear, immted on the spot.
Desperation told me to go help. Be the crucial point that turned the tide. Yet I could not. I would burn up before I got close enough tond a blow.
A hammer looted from a corpse raised above my head, I stood and channeled Sundering Wrathde. Eyes pealed open, I watched for any moment to unleash as the power within grew, until it grew painful to contain. My entire form vibrated with fury that demanded release. I could feel every stroke of blood in every part of my body. The skin upon my flesh was pulled so taut that pain roiled with every breath. Unable to move, I waited for the one, singr moment when the champion would be in the blow¡¯s path.
Chains of darkness ensnared the avatar, the void eating away at its form. Valencia now caught blows with her bare hands, her gauntlets gone. A ravenous vortex swirled around her, gravity itself multiplied. Even suppressed andshed to her, the avatar channeled the power of the sun and attempted to overwhelm her.
Finally, I could hold no longer.
The hammer shattered in my hands as it struck the earth. The ground beneath it broke, and everything was heaved skyward. Walls crumpled and the canyon itself began to quake as an earthquake ripped apart the ground. The earth itself yawned open, vast crevices torn in all directions as my blow made the soil to shatter.
A rift tore forward, all the force I could muster sting right into the avatar as Valencia held it in ce. The dreadknight took only some of the massive shockwave, her power literally shrinking the impact. And still she staggered.
The champion crumpled beneath the titanic strike. Gone was his form of light and glory. I had knocked the very sun out of him.
Spent and without a spark left, he copsed forward onto his knees.
I was not much better off. Yet I was upright, and he was not. Hammer in hand, I approached the figure, ruin all around me.
Little was left of Greysong Keep, I dully noted. But the minotaur warherdy dead around me, and now I would send their leader to join them. There was no thought of mercy on my mind. Only that this beast must die.
A hand upon my arm stopped me as I stood with hammer raised high.
Valencia.
She looked exhausted. Ragged and worn and about to fall over.
¡°Garek.¡± She spoke. ¡°I was promised this.¡±
I blinked, and realized she spoke true.
¡°Too long, too hard have I toiled for this.¡± There was now a hint of sadness in her voice. And another tone I had never heard from her. An underlying one of hope. ¡°Let me im what I rightfully deserve.¡±
I wanted to end this man. Be the one that sent him back to whatever pit he spawned from. We might have been from the same world, but there was naught but contempt for this monster in my heart.
Yet I had made a promise. And so I lowered my hammer and stepped aside.
Let the Gods Above finally see that Valencia was worthy.
The final blow fell and the champion copsed back, headless. I waited a moment as the dreadknight stood, hands covered in the nameless conqueror¡¯s blood. One moment dragged by, then another. Silence filled the ruined courtyard.
Until she threw back her head and screamed in the loudest echo of hate I had ever witnessed.
BBook 2: Chapter 48: The silence of Greysong Keep.
BBook 2: Chapter 48: The silence of Greysong Keep.
Many though they were, the dead kept their silence. Only Valencia¡¯s screams of rage sounded through the ruined castle as I slumped back against a shattered crag and let my head flop down from exhaustion. The system incessantly nudged at me, informing me that i had gained several levels, but I found myself too tired to care right now.
The day was won. At great price, we had halted a ughter-tide in its track and hammered them into the dirt. A thousand minotaurs dead, maybe more. Humans as well, though I could not count their number. The Godtouched were in, and the people within Ironmoor¡¯snds were saved.
My own death at their hands averted. And yet, I felt hollow from exhaustion. Even then, I still found a ce for pity as I listened to Valencia howl.
Whatever the dreadknight had hoped for had been denied. After all this work, her hopes were callously cast aside, her great feat ignored by the Gods Above.
I knew, because once more the System congratted me for their deaths.
While there was a certain dness within me that they had been in, that emotion was overshadowed by disappointment. Valencia deserved to be redited for their deaths. She had been the one to keep them in check, hadnded the final blow upon both of them.
I sat slumped and rested for a while, my limbs without energy. Naught stirred from among the ruins, be it the living or the undead. The valley wall was gone, I noted. Broken and shattered by the cataclysmic upheaval I had rendered. Great mounds of stoney in bs, the earth beneath them gashed open. It would be some cosmic joke if some monster crawled from the crevices, but for once, fate had nough at my expense.
Bloodsoaked Harvester had reached Level Thirty-Eigth after several months of not moving at all. The amount of lives fed into Harvest¡¯s Bounty had kept me going, all my Skillsy exhausted. All save one. Now, several new ones had made their way into my possession.
Gift of Harvest made me look twice and wonder why it existed. It indicated very clearly that I may give a Skill of mine to another. Forever. Once gone, it would never return. I blinked and stared at it again. A pleasant, sharing person I might be, but I was not that selfless to give up my skills. For now, I ignored this and forged on. Overflowing Bounty promised rich, ripe harvests without exception. Yet not only for crops and physical foodstuffs. There was an underlying malice in it, one that promised to feed into Harvest¡¯s Bounty and nourish me more for every life I reaped. Greater rewards for ying notable enemies. Faster progress towards new Levels as the corpses of my foes gave me more.
A Name had been given to me, I found.
Garek the Pathrazer, the System called me now. A title that held power to it.
Another Skill appeared once I read over this message, this one intricately tied to my new name.
Cragsmasher¡¯s Hammer. A stronger, more potent version of Sundering Wrathde, meant to pound the earth until it burst open.
Gifts overflowed on this day, and with every one, I felt just a little more sick inside. Some, if not most of these, belonged to someone else.
It was with caution that I approached Valencia¡¯s kneeling form. The dreadknight had copsed forward and refused to move once her howls of rage had subsided. There was no sadness, no tears on her face as I crouched, then knelt before her on one knee. Her expression was hollow. Emptiness lurked behind her eyes as she stared past me.
For a while, I knelt in silence, struggling to find the right words to say. Did Ifort her, give her words of reassurance? No, those would be less than useless. She was not a woman that needed soft words and promises that everything would be alright. The dreadknight was a woman that wanted what was hers, what she had earned and worked for.
¡°They gave it all to you, didn¡¯t they?¡± She finally spoke.
I nodded in reply, not sure what to say.
¡°I hoped they wouldn¡¯t. Blinded myself. Lied to myself that they might still acknowledge me after all this time.¡±
¡°Of what?¡¯
She leaned back now, gaze tearing from mine as she looked up at the clear blue sky. Silence reigned once more as the moments passed. Yet I was ever patient. I owed her much more than a few minutes in which I rested.
¡°Every scrap of power has its price, Garek. And mine is so deep that nothing I have done or will do can gain me the acknowledgement of the Gods Above. It¡¯s been years since the demon was bound to me. Years since I became dead to the System, was forced to take a pact with the Gods Below to survive. To keep my eternal soul intact, for now.¡±
Some of this I had known. Recent knowledge, but still things that lined up with what she had told me.
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¡°But they are cruel, uncaring masters. Realize something, Garek; These minotaurs are children of the Gods Above. For as cruel and bloodthirsty and savage as they are, they are not creations of the Gods Below. Their children are so much worse. And now, they have their grasp on me. One day, they will be bored and snuff out my existence. On a whim, or to further another ploy. Those in their service are nothing.¡±
¡°And you have been trying to get out.¡±
¡°Every. Single. Day. I do everything that the System demands be done to be recognized. I y monsters, defeat great foes. Challenge myself. I have in their Godtouched, and it still shirks my presence.¡±
¡°I am a stranger in this world. A life ignored by those above. All because a scared girl called for help and cruel deity below was the only thing that answered.¡±
¡°Tell me how, and I would help you if I could.¡± I meant that.
¡°There is nothing we can do.¡± She spoke listlessly. ¡°The only thing to do would be to kill you. And I no longer have the appetite for that. You¡¯ve grown on me too much as a person.¡±
One fist abruptly smashed into the rock below, cracks racing away from the site of the impact.
¡°Gods damn it all why do you have to be so good?¡±
¡°I despise your entire race, minotaur. These blood-drunk savages with barely any coherent thoughts get to be coddled and held by the System. Gifted by the Gods Above even though they bring nothing but death and destruction. Nothing but misery and tears are left in their wake. And despite all that, their creators would rather still have them than me.¡±
¡°I was not born a monster, Garek. I became one through necessity. To survive. To preserve my eternal soul. To not be devoured by some demon and reduced to dust. And all these years I have thought there would be a way to go back. Be once more embraced by the System. Told myself that if a race as violent and brutish and evil as your kind could beget grace from those above, so could I. No good has evere from your kind. If that can be tolerated by those above, why can¡¯t I?!¡±
¡°No good, save for you.¡± She acknowledged quietly. ¡°I needed you to be just like them so I could lie to myself. Tell myself I was better than all these beasts. That there was a chance I¡¯d still get taken back.¡±
¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±
¡°For what? You¡¯ve done nothing wrong.¡±
I didn¡¯t reply. But there was part of me that marveled -and loathed- that the Gods ABove were keener to ept literal otherworlders like me rather than take back a lost daughter.
¡°I have be the monster in human skin, while you are of a monstrous race and a better person than I.¡±
That was all I could bear to hear. She deserved better than to put herself down like this. I grabbed her shoulders and shook her gently, taking her attention back to me.
¡°Be proud, Valencia. Stand, for you are strong. You¡¯ve a strength that is beyond mortal, physical might. A spirit that endures, that refuses to bend andpromise. I have seen you face the greatest evils my eyes have ever witnessed and be unphased. Never have I seen you be anything but true to yourself. If the Gods Above will not take you, then I will.¡±
I paused, unable to believe what I had just said. Thatst sentence had slipped out without me fully realizing it. I meant it, however. I would not lie to myself and deny that. This woman was, for all her faults and evils, unique beyond anyone I had ever met. And as evil and cruel as she was, I would wee her into my circle of friends if she epted.
I found myself being seized and pulled forward. Danger lept to my mind and my instincts red at the sudden movement, only for me to realize I¡¯d just been pulled into a hug.
Awkwardly as you please, I brought my hands around her and gave her a soft embrace as well. Soaked in blood as I was, I doubted either of us cared.
¡°You surprise me, minotaur.¡± Valencia spoke.
¡°That¡¯s the intention.¡±
¡°Your offer, I see and appreciate. But it will not help my situation. My body may remain warm in your presence, but the Gods Below hold a grip on my soul, and they must be appeased. Else one day I will just crumple and fall lifeless before you. There is a finger to either side of my soul, ready to pinch at any heartbeat. And I cannot rest until it is gone.¡±
Hope faded in me with every word she spoke. She pulled away and I let go, the moment broken.
¡°And there is nothing that can be done about this?¡±
¡°I have thought of everything, Garek. No answer have I found. If there exists one, it eludes me.¡±
¡°To prove myself worthy before the Gods Above was my chance. My hope. But they shunned me once, and will do it again, I fear.¡±
¡°What remains, then?¡±
¡°To be a leal servant of the Gods Below. To do their bidding. Shed blood in their name so I can tell myself they are satisfied. I am bound to this life.¡±
I had escaped mine, left behind the bloodshed and senseless violence for a new, happier one. Yet this I could not give to Valencia as well. I had offered, and she had been unable to ept.
¡°There exists only one path for me to tread, now.¡±
I stood silent and watched as she too rose and looked out over this ce of ruin. Reduced to rubble and lifeless corpses. What had once been a might fortress brimming with life was now a storehouse of death. Shattered and broken, both walls and bodies thaty within.
¡°The Gods Above will not take me. They refuse to let me return. And so, all of this, I will offer up to my masters. Upon these ruins I will build a pyre and offer it all to the Gods Below. The thousands of dead here will be the smallest of morsels to appease them.¡±
¡°But the bodies, the souls of the Godtouched they will feast on. If they¡¯ll not acknowledge me, then I will feed their children to those Below.¡±
On those words, thunder roiled across the clearest sky I had ever seen. Whatever was toe next, it stirred naught but dread within me.
BBook 2: Chapter 49: The Silence of Greysong Keep.
BBook 2: Chapter 49: The Silence of Greysong Keep.
After the thunder came quiet. The crushing nket of hopelessness and despair that enveloped Valencia¡¯s form. Even now she was beyond their notice, subject only to their scorn.
No longer. I followed as she rose and strode across the courtyard, back towards the field of bodies thaty in the rubble. From a distance, I observed as the dreadknight dragged forth the Archon¡¯s shattered corpse and hauled it towards where the championy.
If ever I had known a bad omen, it returned hundrefold now. Nausea pounded throughout me,pounded by every step she took. Someone, something, watched us now. Eyes gazed from somewhere underneath me, and I looked to see only the ground.
Gazes beyond number stared at what was to happen, even though I physically saw none. Deep within, some primal instinct shivered and knew.
This was wrong. Not of the Gods Above.
Yet I did not move to stop her. Not of paralysis of the body or fear of the mind. Of my own will I stood and witnessed what was toe.
This was Valencia¡¯s will. Her decision to make, right or wrong. I would not be the one to take it from her. To deny her this when she had lost all else. I questioned this, yes. How truly right it was to further humor these foreign deities that toyed with her soul, yet I took not one step to interfere.
Whatever came next was of her own volition.
There was no great ritual, no altar prepared. Valencia extended a wed hand above either corpse as she stood between them. Chainsshed from her hands and into the dead bodies, darkness piercing already rent chests. For a moment, they dangled and swayed, shackles of void that slithered round. Silent and devoid of light, they hung loose, then snapped taut without warning. Now they struggled, Valencia¡¯s arms being dragged down as she pulled against whatever was within. A bright, clear shimmer was extracted from either corpse, an ethereal wisp dragged into existence by the dreadknight¡¯s chains. I could see strings that fought to keep it attached to the body, even though its bonds were already half-faded.
This was a soul, I knew. The intangible matter that made a person. That ensured their identity. A piece of the universe that, even if the fleshen vessel died, would remain and be reforged anew.
Valencia grasped a wisp in either hand and held them high. The souls of the Godtouched squirmed in her grasp, bound even in death.
Thunder volleyed above as the heavens spoke their anger. But only from below did gazese. Now she stood between worlds, the warnings of the Gods Above unheeded.
No, that was wrong, I realized. Valencia heard and recognized them. Yet now vengeance consumed her and she turned her back upon those that had done the same unto her.
No words were spoken as she held the souls aloft, then mped her hands down and began to squeeze. There came a wave of despair and fear from either one, radiating outwards as the dreadknight¡¯s fists crushed them within her grasp. Light pulsed as they fought her grasp, seeking some salvation from this end.
None came.
A tinkle rang through the air as they were shattered, and light oozed forth. For a single moment they zed brilliantly against the darkness that was Valencia, and then their light was snuffed out forever. In their ce rose dark, shadow me, engulfing Valencia¡¯s hands and forearms.
Braids of fire streaked around her, dozens of chains being spawned that crawled with this me. They snaked from her in all directions, jumping from corpse to corpse.
And the pyre burned. A dozen, then a hundred, then a thousand souls were fed to this me, devoured by whatever being had sent it. Ethereal fires zed all around me, without heat or light. They fed on a substance other than flesh and air. Soul after soul was snuffed out and erased, all for Valencia¡¯s hatred.
The mes invoked terror. Called forth grief. Howled with wild abandon. I stood and witnessed them burn, made myself to watch even as I wanted to turn away. Emotions flooded me, yet I forced myself not to move. I would witness this, and so I did. In the center of it all stood Valencia, her hands held high as shemanded the mes.
Nothing came from below. The eyes watched, and little else.
Would it be that the same could be said of Above.
Thunder and anger roiled across a now-clouded sky. Red-hot lightning danced between the clouds, as light and me swirled on high.
The Gods Above showed now their anger. The sky was cleaved open, and light flooded the darkness that had overtaken Greysong Keep. The re blinded me, snuffed out the fires and illuminated what descended down from the clouds.
There was nothing angelic about this figure. It evoked power. Authority. Judgement. Punishment. Woe. A bipedal form with wings of steel and armor of glory. Light blinded me as I attempted to gaze on its features, and finally, I was forced to look away.
Eyes dry, I blinked furiously and stumbled back, realizing how long I had stood here as witness. Exhaustion still crept within me, my every pore pervaded by it. I longed to simply sit, to let myself rest after this long day.
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Radiant as the dawn, the figure came down before us. It was huge,rger than any single person I had ever seen. Features almost indistinguishable with the light that burned from it, it settled among the ruin.
Even as I looked upon it, I knew what it was to be. Without needing to be told, or even to gather context, my mind realized what this creature was.
An avatar of woe. Punishment personified. Sent down by the Gods Above to carry out their will.
It spoke, its voice one of thunder. In tongues my ears did not understand, but my mind was made to recognize.
The avatar spoke, and its every word was absolute.
The sanctity of the soul had been vited. The will of the Gods Above gone against. Their mercy vited, their existence and worship thrown aside for the evil that lurked below. This blight had been tolerated long enough.
Now it would be cleansed.
Every word it spoke carried power. Every syble infused with unquestioned authority. I blinked and realized my body had knelt without my realization. That I could not move in its presence.
The system that had granted me power was gone. Null and void in this grand being¡¯s mere presence. Stilled and revoked so long as it was before me.
But Valencia stood, and she zed with hatred. So deep was her rage that it fought against the sun before her, blotted out its small space before the overwhelming light. She stood tall, refusing to yield. A crucible of defiance in the face of absolute authority.
The great figuremanded her kneel and ept her fate.
I knew what her answer would be.
She was Valencia. Child of none. Breaker of all. The Dreadknight. The Cursed. And she bowed to no one.
This too she roared at the heavens, her defiance made clear.
I witnessed her then. zing in darkness, refusing the will of the Gods Above. Cloaked in the void, ready to fight this impossible figure that demanded her supplication. And I was terrified deep within. Of what coulde of this. What if she actually did it? What if she won? Valencia was among the strongest humans I knew. Beyond me, beyond anyone I had met in sheer determination. Unshakable, unbreakable.
One should never dare to challenge the will of the Gods Above. This I knew from the avatar¡¯s presence alone. I was strong, but this thing was beyond strength. The very personification of heaven¡¯s will. And now it was before the dreadknight, as her patrons watched from below.
If ever the Gods Below were to extend a morsel of their generosity, it was now as she stood against an avatar of the heavens in their name.
The avatar gestured, and Valencia copsed.
For a moment time stood still. I stood and blinked. Then again.
The dreadknighty on her back, sprawled across the stone. Her chest was still. No breath ran into her lungs.
Gone, just like that. Her life, her me snuffed out.
The lidless gazes from below faded away, their interest lost.
And shock and horror and even grief rose inside me.
Death came in an instant, and I could do nothing but watch it take her right before me.
One moment she had stood. Then next she was gone.
The avatar spread its arms as it hovered above, its will carried it. It hadmanded Valencia to be ceased, and reality had obeyed.
It turned to me now.
Child. It spoke. You walk a treacherous path. Stray not too far, or you too will know wrath. You are Godtouched, but one elevated above other mortals is still a mortal. Meddle not outside of the domain you were given, and you will not know my presence again.
Through the will of the Gods Above, you were put on this world. Through them, you can be removed.
May we never meet again.
These words it spoke as I stood, shocked to the core.
The avatar ascended back to the heavens as I stared at Valencia¡¯s body.
I refused to ept that she was just..gone.
The will of the Gods Above was swift and brutal, and here on this day, it had been carried out.
Exhaustion in me, I approached on unsteady legs. My mind was nk save for the faint tinges of sorrow as I sank down on my knees and gazed before me. She looked..at peace. Arms spread to either side, her eyes closed, basking in the light of the sun.
A cursed, tortured existence had been Valencia¡¯s life. One of constant bloodshed and death to appease uncaring gods so her soul might remain untouched. She had raged and fought and conquered to be seen as worthy. Felled the mighty andid to waste her enemies, so that none may say she was ever found wanting.
And she was gone.
A great evil had beenid to rest this day. A cruel force of despair brushed from this world.
And though no others would, my heart grieved for her.
That her story had ended this way, redemption unfound. In the shadows of my muddled thoughts, a memory gleaned forth.
Inside her was chained a demon. This memory was spurred forth as the pale corpse began to twitch.
Her eyes grew wide, ckened veins running across paper-white skin. The body jerked upright, eyes wide.
This was not Valencia returned. The woman I had known was dead and gone, and now the darkness within stirred forth once more.
The demon rose, Valencia¡¯s flesh beginning to crawl as the being reformed her skin and shaped it into its own.
Its name was fear, and its very presence invoked despair. A primal being of the deep hells that was beyond reason, beyond speech. A blot on this world and all its beauty. Every part of me screamed to run. I was exhausted beyond belief, my skills burnt out and my reserves drained dry. But it wore the skin of a woman to whom I owed a great debt. Now, it was me who burned with hate. My hand curled around the nearest weapon I could find, screamed with tiredness as I lifted it up and before me.
All that I owed Valencia might go unpaid to my grave, but I would be damned if I would not give her a proper death.
BBook 2: Chapter 50: The song of peace.
BBook 2: Chapter 50: The song of peace.
Valencia¡¯s strength had been crushing. An overwhelming presence. Gravity and reality forced to her will. Fundamental physics bent to her needs. The demon¡¯s was none of that. It howled with wild abandon, thrashing about like a half-blind babe. Darkness spewed from it in all directions,shes of cruelty that tore through the rubble.
The dreadknight had crushed this thing and its spirit. Ground it up and kept it contained. Now, it was freshly emerged from its cage, reformed one piece at a time. Blind to anything but it¡¯s instinctual hatred. The flesh upon its skin writhed and reshaped itself. Wings sprouted from its back, hands morphed into ws. A curved de that was darkness it clenched in either hand, and fangs emerged as the human¡¯s features turned demonic.
This thing exuded wrongness. It should not exist on this world. A stain on everything that surrounded it. A creature of the Hells Below, meant to never intrude on this ne. It hated us. This I knew. No words were needed tomunicate its utter desire to smash everything in its path. To desecrate all it possibly could.
I clutched a brutish war-de in hand as it flew at me, the heavy and poorly weighted weapon my protector. Tiredness forced me to flinch as the blow crashed down, unable to dodge. I had faced Valencia before, and knew the power that was about to strike down on me. My mind prepared to be thrown backwards, to have the fiend chase me down.
Both des mmed into my upraised sword and were stopped in their tracks. Little to no impact made it through to me.
Shocked and surprised, I raised a hoof and kicked the demon in the side of its chest. Tiredness may have dulled the blow, but even a ncing strike sent it stumbling away.
Roars of rage sounded as it spun around, back at me, and redoubled the attack.
des shed through the air, striking into my meager defenses. Scant few made it through. A massive swing from my own heavy de was barely blocked and staggered the demon backward. Huge, messy swings struck it further back as it tried to block every blow.
My sheer strength overpowered the fiend as it tried again and again to prove its strength. I realized then.
This thing inhabited Valencia¡¯s body. But it had not her strength. Itcked her powers. Even in death she was defiant. The shell that it had twisted and malformed might have been the woman I knew, but not whaty beneath.
It was strong, yes. Able to overwhelm any human or even minotaur it came across. But I had prepared to fight Valencia, and she was leagues above this twisted impersonation.
ck, fetid breath was spewed forth from the demon¡¯s maw. It swept across the ruins, engulfing all around it. Rocks began to chip and crumble, the flesh upon the corpses decaying before me. Tired as I was, I still had more than enough strength to whip up gusts of wind with my de.
This too was blown back and I stormed towards the demon¡¯s form.
The wings upon its back pped as the monstrous being took flight, soaring towards the sky above. Or at least, it tried. My hand grabbed its ankle and dragged it back down to the dirt, then mmed it face-first into the stone.
It felt good to not be on the back foot against some overwhelming foe. My strength toyed with this abomination. Punished it for taking Valencia¡¯s form. Freshly birthed, it was weak. Fragmented pieces of a greater whole. Given time, it could fully emerge as some great power.
It would not receive this.
Cragsmasher¡¯s Hammer connected right in its gut and rocketed it away. The dark form impacted into what remained of the great fortress¡¯s wall, rubble raining down on it from above. I paced forward, eyes bloodshot and temples pounding.
Once more, adrenaline kept me upright. Though I knew not for how long.
My strength was fading, I knew. Exhaustion could only be staved off for so long, and I had already ran that course on this day. My reserves were spent, the pool of my resources now a drought.
But on I marched, determined to see this to its end.
The demon emerged, its ckened form swelling in size as it regained more and more of its being. The powder that Valencia had crushed its consciousness and will into was reforming, more substance added to the whole. With every moment, its form morphed further and further away from what I had known Valencia¡¯s body to be.
Now, it barely resembled anything human. Bestial and wed, with rigid leathery skin, lengthened arms and sharp talons where once had been fingers.
Only her eyes remained, stained as they were with dark veins.
My gaze widened as the demon stabbed those talons in its chest and yanked something free. Horror entered unbidden into my mind as I recognized what it held.
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A small, fragile wisp of light was pinched in its grasp. Greyed and worn, almost frayed loose from a lifetime of stress and wear. This thing now held Valencia¡¯s soul in its ws, and before my eyes, it began to squeeze.
Worn and weary though it was, the wisp fought and sparked against the demon¡¯s grasp. It struggled and red, filled with the dreadknight¡¯s essence and stubbornness. Yet no matter how hard it struggled, this would not be enough.
I would.
As the spark began to stutter and fade, I was upon the demon. One hand yanked its arm aside, and the other rammed the great de I held right through its chest.
But it was a creature of death and darkness, and this blow would not kill it.
It did not need to. I pushed it backward, sword driven through it right to the crossguard. The de mmed into the rubble behind it and into a massive b of rock thaty untouched. Pinned to the stone, it thrashed beneath my blows, its struggles growing weaker with every strike.
Vicious strikes meant to kill cracked open its carapace, broke its limbs and tore away the shadowy armor that clung to it. At the edge of fervor, I rained down heavy-hand punches, my fists themselves infused with what remained of Cragsmasher¡¯s Hammer.
This thing would die. No other oue would I ept, so take me death.
I ripped away the stain, the blight on this world and hoped to find Valencia beneath. But the world was not kind, and I did not. I tore through the fiend''s body, ripping all the way to its core. The thing embedded within to make this monstrosity whole. The sliver wedged into Valencia¡¯s soul that let this disease grow and spread and take hold.
I did not possess the ability or magic to interact with the soul. To me, it was a foreign, vague concept. Yet this demon did, and it had. Valencia¡¯s spark had flitted back to its chest once its grip had been released, and here it hovered now. Thest fading light that remained of her.
Now it was I that took hold, cupped it softly and pulled it from the abomination¡¯s body. Standing above the demon¡¯s shattered body, I slowly pulled the spark free and held it with gentle care. There were slivers and spikes in its rounded surface, pieces that anchored the demon to her. Things that should she ever touch, her life would be snuffed out.
But she was dead, and now this fiend intended to devour what remained of her.
It stirred beneath me, only to be stomped back into the stone. The soul squirmed as I reached close, my massive fingers struggling to be delicate. Slowly, gently, I grasped a single thorn and pulled it free. It came with great resistance, psychic shrieks ringing through my ears as the demon howled and thrashed under my weight.
I grasped another and slid it free, taking care not to rip it out. The slivers burst into corrosive, stinging mist once they were freed, coating my hand and forcing it to spasm.
I continued on.
I focused, ignoring the pain and exhaustion and the voice that told me to fall back and die from tiredness. Hunched over, I blotted out all other sensations and focused on the dim light before me. The fragile, tired piece of the dreadknight that remained.
With every shard pulled free, the demon thrashed harder, more frantically. But its strength faded alongside mine. ws raked my legs, shredding through my armor and dripping venom and corrosion all across me.
I continued my task.
The soul shivered, parts of it left empty as the thorns it had carried for long were withdrawn. Pieces of it that had never been able to function buzzed, finally free. The final thorn I carefully withdrew, and the monster beneath me fell limp.
I sank down to my knees beside the body once more, soul in my hand. The demon¡¯s form twisted and stretched, writhing as it was expelled from this world. It was gruesome to watch, but I fixed my gaze upon it and witnessed it all.
And finally, in its ce was left Valencia. Her body whole but cold. And finally, the dreadknight looked at peace in death.
I had done all that I could, I realized. Now there was naught to do but let her go.
Where?
There were no gods that would take her. None to renew her soul and chose her to be reborn elsewhere. Only the Gods Abovey dominion to that, and they rejected her.
I owed her so much.
Debts that I had not yet begun to repay.
But most of all, I had hoped that she would one day find redemption. That through my efforts, she coulde to find peace. Not like this, her tale cut short. But death was cruel. Final. Nothing could change that. Nothing could stop its cold grasp.
Nothing save for one, singr thing I possessed.
I knelt there then and stared nkly. Watched as this bright, beautiful soul that remained of Valencia drifted around its former home. The bonds that bound it were growing detached, and soon it would leave this vessel of flesh behind and vanish to wherever it was that souls went. Never to be seen again.
I hesitated when I realized what would be asked of me to do this task.
What I would have to give up. And I did not know, for the first time, if I could make that sacrifice.
I was a good, selfless man. That I knew with absolute certainty. And here I had the smallest sliver of a chance to rewrite fate. But it required so much. The greatest power I possessed, I would have to offer up, to make myself vulnerable once more. In a world as cruel as this, I had no doubt this could be my eventual undoing.
But I was not a man who lived paralyzed by fear of consequences.
Do this now, or live to forever regret it.
True conviction blossomed within me now. I grasped the soul with both hands and leaned forward to slide it back into Valencia¡¯s chest. Barely tethered as it was, it still hovered about, faint greyed light spilling from it.
I braced myself, and invoked a skill I had just, hours earlier, scoffed and told myself I would never do. The Gift of Harvest opened itself within me, and its voice asked of me what I would give another. It was with pain in my mind but hope in my heart that I offered up my greatest strength.
It Will Not Die.
BBook 2: Chapter 51: The Song of Peace II.
BBook 2: Chapter 51: The Song of Peace II.
No gift could be ungiven. Thisw of the System I understood, and I forged onwards anyway. There was a shudder deep within, a distinct void that overrode my senses in the departure¡¯s wake.
But I gave freely, and would never regret this.
And now I knelt amid the rubble, to wait and see if my sacrifice would bear fruit. So that even a single life might be saved amidst this carnage. Under a dark sky, I battled grief and hopelessness as I watched Valencia¡¯s body remain still.
Moments passed from one to the next and tiredness wed at my every limb. Even upon my knees, I could barely withhold exhaustion. My fingers were burnt, my body battered and bruised. Yet I was alive, and she was not.
I had gambled that I could reverse death¡¯s finality through sheer desperation, and the fruits of my efforty bare. Valenciaid unresponsive, cold as the grave. I refused to ept this. I was in denial, I recognized. And I would stay there until proven otherwise.
My eyes never left here form as time dragged on. What else was there to do? Stand, go find a spot amongst the rubble and sleep, then wake and journey back home all alone. To leave only destruction behind. A bitter, empty victory. Rest whispered to me, only to be shoved aside.
Why did I care so much?
This thought haunted me. Asked me whatpelled me to care for Valencia. To give a damn about a person who had brought harm to me and mine. Had hated me for who I was. Tried to trod me under her boot. Questioned why I did not walk away now that she was gone from this world.
For all her evil, she had done good. Ish lived because of her. My enemiesy broken only because she had chosen to aid me. The destruction of all that was mine at their hands had been waid by her might. Two voices raged inside me. One cical part of me spoke to celebrate a great evil being felled now that she had passed. The other grieved for a light snuffed out without finding peace. To never have known hope.
I let them rage within me as I waited for something, anything.
Denial turned to anger. Rage at this world, at these Gods. For how they had let her suffer. Cast her aside and never acknowledged her. But at the same time, there was a bitter part in me that spoke of other things.
Gods needed not acknowledge anyone. They were far above this world, unbound by any mortal rules orws. All here was created in their image. I had seen that if they chose to, they could snuff out anyone in an instant. But they chose to watch from afar, reward those they saw fit.
I had known that there was little fairness in this world since I hade here. It would have been a foolish hope to hold onto, to deny reality to its uncaring face.
Perhaps another in my spot would have tried to fix this world, use their powers to reshape it in their image.
I had no such lofty aspirations. Instead, I merely wanted to make the lives of those around me a little bit brighter. Happier. Help them fulfill their dreams. Keep them safe and warm and hold back all the cruelties that came with this forsaken ce.
And now, after all this time, all these efforts, I had finally lost someone.
Was this grief birthed of my caring for Valencia, or from the crushing reality that no matter how strong I was, I could not protect everyone?
Did it matter?
The corpse shuddered, and all thoughts I had were dispelled. Hope ring inside, I waited with bated breath for whatever happened next.
She blinked, and joy awoke within me. The smile that spread across my face was the widest I had ever shown as Valencia sat upright and stared at me. I was not prepared to have her arms wrap around me in a hug, nor for how tight she squeezed.
After several moments, she let go and stood on trembling limbs, still without a word said.
Fists raised victoriously above her head, she leaned back and screamed defiance for all the world to hear. Emptied her lungs until her breath itself gave away and the sound echoed all along the canyon.
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And only then did my body give out and exhaustion took me.
I woke some time after, my body in pain and every single cell both sore and drained. Not of my own volition, I sat propped against a stone b, fire crackling before me. I had slept for some time, I reckoned.
The dreadknight sat across from me, eyes boring into my skull, gaze shadowed.
¡°You¡¯re awake. Finally.¡± She grunted.
Awake and still dead tired.
¡°How long did I sleep?¡± I grumbled in return. Gods, there was a foul stench all around us.
¡°A day and some change.¡±
There was venison in her hand, and I caught a strip tossed over the mes at me. I sniffed again and nearly gagged at the stench that pervaded the air all around us.
¡°Gods Above, what is that?¡±
¡°Bodies being burnt.¡± She gestured, and I blinked to find a smoldering pyre across the field of rubble. There were hundreds of burnt corpses stacked high, burnt to a crisp. Everyst defender and invader of the fortress, I realized.
¡°Undeath already in half of them. Needed to weed it all out before it spread.¡±
The necromancer had initiated that, I remembered blearily. Left unattended, there would have been several thousand undead roaming around by now.
¡°Any other survivors?¡±
There was little hope in my tone, and she quashed it anyway.
¡°Not a one. Only we remain. Only you made it out alive.¡±
That brought forth a tense moment of silence as neither of us moved to broach the topic.
¡°How was it?¡± I asked with morbid curiosity. ¡°Death, I mean.¡±
Valencia shrugged.
¡°Can¡¯t remember anything. One moment, I was facing the herald. Then there was darkness, then light again. I know I died. I know you did something to my soul. And now I¡¯m alive again. With something inside me that keeps me that way.¡±
Silence, for a while.
¡°Are you a necromancer in secret, minotaur?¡±
This I denied. Instead, I chose to tell her the truth. I had already invested so much in saving her life. Why hold back anything now?
I talked, and over the low fire, she listened. Her expression changed throughout as I tried toy everything in front of her. My skill, my reasoning, my hopes. And though I was nervous she mightsh out about something, Valencia listened.
I finished, the words left hanging in the air as I exined to a monstress how I hoped she might be a better person.
I remained quiet, trepidation in my gut as she stood and strode around the fire. Valencia sat beside me and put one hand on my arm. She thought for a moment, words carefully chosen before she spoke.
¡°Garek. My story should be over. My life snuffed out, my soul consumed by the Gods Below. In every other life, this is where my tale would have ended. Arrogant enough to challenge heaven¡¯s wrath and think that I would not feel its wroth. But in this life, I met you. And because of you, I live.¡±
¡°Because of you, my soul is intact. I am free of the grasp of my masters. All my life I have fought and battled and killed and tried to impress the Gods Above so that they might acknowledge me. Grant me a ce in the System and set me loose from the shackles on my soul.¡±
¡°In the end, it was you. A single, good man. Not the Gods, not the System, not this power I have chased with every waking breath. You.¡±
She tilted her head to look up at me, something in her eyes.
¡°You¡¯ve called me a monster. You¡¯re right. I have taken countless lives, and destroyed just as many. I have wrought destruction in the pursuit of what I thought was mine. Yet I have never forgotten the worth of a life. And now, I am the one in your debt.¡±
She refused to hear my arguments that I owed her as much after all she had done.
¡°My life continues because of you. My heart beats only with your sacrifice.¡± She spoke, her tone deathly serious. ¡°Think on that. You have cheated death to slip me from its grasp. Through you, I remain on this world. Another chance at life, where it should have ended.¡±
¡°Even if you do not see the value in that, I do, and I always will.¡±
¡°I saw the shape of the void, and it terrified me. Endless nothingness. It showed the sum of all that I had wrought, and there was naught there. All the blood I have spilled, the lives I have taken, the Gods I have appeased. The power I have built.¡±
¡°All made,¡± She whispered quietly. ¡°Null and void. A darkness without end. And I think back, and realize; how much of my life did I draw satisfaction from? What times was I truly happy in?¡±
Those words trailed off as I let her ruminate on her thoughts, her presence at my side.
¡°What now?¡± I asked, still exhausted.
¡°Nothing. That is tomorrow¡¯s issue. For now, I will sit with you and be d that I still live.¡±
And I was fine with that.
BBook 2: Chapter 52: Homeward bound.
BBook 2: Chapter 52: Homeward bound.
This ordeal, this weight that I had carried across my shoulders for so long, was finally over. This I realized as we left the ruined fortress behind.
I was relieved, to put it lightly. The horde¡¯s arrival had consumed so much of my thoughts and time, and now those worries could beid to rest. Others might appear in the future, but for now, my problems were dealt with. There would be more, I knew. This worldcked not for trouble and danger, and it seemed to hold firm my scent and follow my every step.
But today, everything had been settled. The war-herd had been ground to a halt and put into the dirt. At great cost, yes. We left the uncounted dead behind us, men and women who had fallen in their duty to prevent the destruction of thisnd. And while I did grieve for them, my heart remained hopeful.
I had saved a life in all this carnage. And words could little describe the emotion that filled me with. Instead I stood and basked in the sun above, simply grateful to be alive and well. And wet, given that I had thoroughly rinsed myself in a small river just moments earlier. Covered in grime and blood and gore as I had been, the water had run red. But I was clean, hale and healthy as I waited for Valencia to finish her own dip.
The fortress¡¯s ruin stood off in the distance, the wall that faced Ironmoor¡¯snds barely intact. No matter how sturdily built it was, there seemed to always be forces enough they waste to the strongest fortifications.
In this world, same as my old home, people were more adapt at destruction than building. Their ability to tear down greater than their skills of preservation.
This I ryed to Valencia as she emerged from the river, soaked and dripping water. The dreadknight shrugged and scraped off spots on her armor, methodically cleaning her gear.
¡°They¡¯ll rebuild. Not the first time these walls have been knocked down. That¡¯s why Londer keeps mages on retainer. A few good sorcerers and they¡¯ll be raised up again in no time.¡±
¡°And the manpower needed to guard the walls?¡±A pause as she contemted this, seated on a small bank of grass.
¡°That¡¯s going to be a little more difficult.¡±
The worst had happened here, in many cases. The defenders had either been killed to a man, or had broken and ran. Neither was preferable, although one did save some lives. Valencia had not found the bodies of the mages or Adric, so that was that. Perhaps they had chosen to retreat while the two of us held the horde.
To say I would be miffed at being abandoned like that was an understatement. But if lives had been preserved, then so be it.
¡°Londer will have to shift forces here from other regions.¡± She continued. ¡°Stir up recruitment to ount for the gaps in his forces. Perhaps hire mercenaries for the time being.¡±
All things that would, blissfully, not concern me.
I had faced so much death and carnage that every opportunity I had to not do so was a treasure most precious. To let someone else worry about the logistics of death waspletely within my intentions. I had a farm to maintain and people to keep paid and fed. That was the extent of my current concerns. But for now, I was content to stand here and enjoy the fading warmth of summer¡¯s end on my skin.
The days had started to grow chilly, the leaves beginning to turn in color. Fall before winter. For now, all that I had nned was to hunker down and begin to stockpile resources.
That was the task of another day. For now, I simply enjoyed the warmth from above and waited for Valencia to finish so that we might set off.
Thends we had passed through days before remained the same in scenery at least. Empty and devoid of human life, undisturbed save for our passing.
The people had been shepherded out, taken from their homes and safekept until the horde was broken and they might return.
¡°Where will you go now?¡± I asked as we walked together.
¡°I¡¯ve not yet decided.¡± She spoke, voice unusually contemtive. Her usual aura of dread and fear was gone, the malice that preceded her nowhere to be found. I interrupted her then to ask about that.
What had she lost, now that the Gods Below no longer patroned her?
¡°My strength remains.¡± Valencia shrugged. ¡°Gifts cannot be ungiven. If they could, why would anyone choose to serve the Gods Below?¡±
¡°The demon and its presence are gone. It¡¯s burden lifted from my soul. Its taint cleansed from my being.¡±
¡°Another gift then, that I am not forced to the ground in your presence anymore.¡±
A wicked smile preceded an immense shift in gravity as the world grew heavy. I stumbled and Valenciaughed, only for the pressure to instantly fade away.
¡°That gift, I kept.¡± She exined with some mirth even as I rolled my eyes and righted my form.
¡°What you felt was its presence amplifying my emotions. Making them known to all around me. Annoying at first, but I chose to use that to my advantage. If my innermost feelings would be known to the world around me, then let them suffer for it.¡±
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¡°But it is gone, and I no longer need do that.¡±
A sigh escaped her lips as she continued on.
¡°You¡¯ve little idea how it feels. To not have a stranglehold around your soul. Have some feral, ravenous force of hatred chained up inside you, trying to w free at every, singlepse of concentration. And now, nothing. Sweet, blissful nothingness.¡±
¡°All thanks to you.¡±
¡°Did you know that demons speak emotions, Garek?¡± Came the words after a smallpse in conversation. ¡°They don¡¯t converse in mortal tongues. Instead, theirnguage is what they feel.¡±
¡°And what was the mostmon phrase in thatnguage?¡± I asked, curiosity budding in my mind.
¡°Hatred. Non-stop, gibbering, vehement hate for anything and everything. Sheer disdain for any sort of life and order. Even crushed up and tied down, reduced to dust, they will keep screaming it.¡±
¡°They see us, and they hate everything about our world. Want nothing more than reduce it to g. Turn it into yet another hell.¡±
¡°There¡¯s a reason you¡¯re telling me this.¡± I deduced.
¡°And the dwarves have let them out.¡±
This much I remembered. Her words of the dwarf¡¯s failed breach of the Hells rang through my mind.
¡°Don¡¯t worry about that now. It¡¯ll be a long time yet before that bes relevant to anyone but those dirt-dwellers.¡±
I was tempted to ask her what all she had found in the dungeon atop the Redtip, but that would invite even more worries. As such, it would be left for ater date.
Any conversation I wished to have was interrupted, however. Off in the distance, I spotted the faint silhouette of a figure on horseback. Even with my horrible vision, I could make out that it wheeled and galloped away.
¡°Scout.¡± Was the conclusion I came to and spoke.
¡°Likely. Waiting to see who or what emerges from the fortress.¡±
¡°Why not approach and find out?¡± It had been several days since the siege ended, and not a single person had ventured near the broken fortress.
¡°Minotaurs can run just as fast as a horse.¡± I answered my own question after a moment of thought. ¡°Oh.¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
Riders came from the hills before us, trotting down the dirt roads to meet us with caution. Banners were carried overhead and their weapons were drawn as they approached.
¡°Lady Valencia.¡± Came the greeting. ¡°What news is there from the fortress?¡±
The captain that spoke was younger than I would have thought. Barely an adult by my reckoning.
¡°No survivors. From either side.¡±
An awkward pause came before the boy informed us that there were indeed survivors from the fort. Adric had pulled back the remnants of the defenders and retreated away before his wounds had required he be taken all the way back to Hullbretch.
¡°Then you can ride to inform him the fortress has been secured. The bodies were disposed of. It¡¯s going to require a small amount of effort on his part to restore, however.¡±
¡°Shall I ride ahead to inform the Lord Ironmoor of your victory and return?¡±
¡°No.¡± She declined. ¡°My victory, yes. My return is not so certain for now. But let him know of what happened here, so that some of his burden can be eased.¡±
¡°And a horse for your own journey?¡± The youth offered up his own steed.
This, she also refused.
¡°I¡¯d prefer to walk, for now. I¡¯ve been in a hurry to rush from one ce to the next for far too long. No need for that now.¡±
¡°As you wish.¡± The young captain bowed and wheeled his men away. They rode back towards whence they hade, and our own journey resumed. We did not remain on this road alone for long, however. Riders started to pass us by, headed in the direction of Greysong Keep. Scouts sent back to tentatively search the ruins and estimate the damage. More woulde to escort the citizens back to their homes, and see that the crops were tended to.
We made idle chatter as the journey progressed. Small things of little importance. Enjoying the feeling of still being alive. I kept the important questions at bay, content to not ruin this day with any serious inquiries, even though the burned at the back of my mind.
Some things were best left for other times. If I asked now, the answer would be give, and the answer might provoke even more questions. Which would lead to more worries, morete nights as more troubles came. And for now, I wanted little of that.
And all too soon, we arrived at the junction where our ways would be parted. One road stretched up the mountain towards my way, the other towards Hullbretch.
¡°Where will you go now?¡± I asked as we stood in the shadow of trees as the shadow of evening grew long.
¡°I haven¡¯t decided. I promised to serve the House Ironmoor until my dying breath, at one point. And I have. That hase and gone, and by all ounts, I am free now to do as I please.¡±
¡°The dungeon awaits, but I no longer have a great eagerness to chase its depths. I did so for power, for fame, for recognition in the eyes of the Gods Above.¡±
¡°I have needed of that no longer.¡±
¡°Only for the love of the battle itself would I venture back in there. One day, perhaps.¡±
¡°For now, I am without a direction. And honestly, I feel somewhat happy that way.¡±
There was a moment then. An opportunity I had waited for with bated nervousness for most of the journey. One I was hesitant to speak about, lest she refuse it andugh.
¡°Why don¡¯t youe to the farm for a while? It¡¯s away from all these politics and messes. Stay there for a bit. Rest and rx until you decide where you want to go.¡±
Sheughed then, mirth in her eyes.
¡°Garek, if I didn¡¯t know better, I¡¯d reckon you were giving me an invitation to your home.¡±
¡°I am.¡± I replied, doing my best to keep my expression straight.
¡°Mmmm. I ept. Let us go there together, then.¡±
I would be a liar if I did not say my heart skipped a beat right then and there.
There would be some exining to do once I returned with the dreadknight in tow. But like all things, I could worry about that .
BBook 2: Chapter 53: Homeward Bound II.
BBook 2: Chapter 53: Homeward Bound II.
Home was not as I had left it.
There was a dread in my stomach as I stood and surveyed what was mine. The walls were pierced through in spots, burnt in others. A sentinel cautiously peaked over the wall and waved for the gates to open.
Something, someone hade to test the farm while the master was away.
I could smell burnt wood in the air, faint whiffs of old blood present as I stalked beneath the gate and entered my home.
Much was burnt. The stubble of harvested crops was burned away, and several buildings stood torched. I stood still, overwhelmed by all this.
I needed answers. Now.
Workers milled about the burnt buildings as I approached, my face tight. The grain silos looked burnt from the outside, an examination that made my heart plummet. Our stores for the winter had been piled here. If we had lost those, things would be dire indeed.
Ish approached, summoned by one of the workers.
¡°Garek.¡± She sounded, looked and smelled relieved all at once. ¡°Finally.¡±¡°Tell me all that happened here.¡±
And she did. I stood and listened as the half-orc went into excruciating detail of the happenings that had taken ce while I was absent.
No more than a day after I had left, the harassment started. Arrows fired from the woods without so much as a glimpse of an archer. The guards had went forth once to try and find the attack''s source and never returned.
Le¡¯rish had returned the second day with a report, been informed of it and immediately gone hunting. She had yet to find anything. The guards were all but forced off the walls soon after, unable to see what was shooting at them. Soon after, the fire arrows started to fly. The workers had beenmanded to abandon all else and stand ready to put out any zes.
And they were plentiful.
Through the days, the nights, and all hours in-between, Ish hadbored to literally dampen the damage wrought to the farm. Le¡¯rish had grown increasingly more frustrated, tearing through the woods in her Apex form to find the source of all this. She found nothing. No scent, no trace. It was as if the arrows came from all sides, yet left naught behind.
Valencia¡¯s smile grew bloodthirsty at my side as she drank in the details, her arms crossed. Malice might not have roiled off of her physically anymore, but it was still present in her features. Painted upon her smile. A hunger that could little be satisfied save for hunting prey.
A smile that faded away to a frown when told the attacks had stopped a handful of days ago. Coincidentally, when we had destroyed the horde.
¡°Something reeks,¡± I spoke. ¡°The stench of conspiracy is heavy in the air.¡±
It did exin why Le¡¯rish had not joined us at the fortress. Busy chasing shadows and trying to preserve the farm itself.
¡°Pa¡¯ and Ma¡¯ both headed into the dungeon before it all started.¡± Ish answered my query as to why they hadn¡¯t helped. Not that I wanted to rely on Velton¡¯s protection to keep my farm running, but he was avable and I would make use of that resource.
¡°Any idea why?¡¯
¡°I can tell you that.¡± Valencia interrupted, teeth bared into a smile as she leaned against the silo¡¯s scorched wall. ¡°Though you might not be happy to hear it all.¡±
¡°Well?¡± I gestured, eyebrows raised.
¡®Same reason the dwarves have gone marching into the depths there.¡± She brushed away some dust from her shoulder, obviously enjoying the suspense.
¡°Any day now.¡± Ish grumbled.
¡°There¡¯s a dragon egg somewhere in those depths.¡±
I had known that, yet I was somewhat proud that I could fake being shocked so well.
¡°I should know. Spent quite a while chasing it.¡±
¡°And why did you, of all people, give up?¡±
She pondered this, then shrugged.
¡°It kept moving.¡± The dreadknight casually tossed out. ¡°I could see it through the space of the dungeon itself. Feel it¡¯s slumbering energy through the walls. Yet every time I drew near, it shifted away.¡±
¡°And this implies?¡±
¡°The dungeon might, just might, in the smallest possibility, be crudely sentient.¡±
¡°But,¡± She held up one hand. ¡°That¡¯s an issue for someone else. For now, let¡¯s focus on finding your phantom attacker.¡±
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This did exin why Velton, the dwarves, and everyone else held such an intense interest in the dungeon itself. If touched just a fragment of an egg had done so much to Le¡¯rish, what power could a full egg itself yield? The dragon¡¯s memories faintly shared with me through Le¡¯rish seemed to imply cmitous amounts.
¡°There does not appear to be a phantom to find.¡± Ish gestured tiredly. ¡°The arrows stoppeding several days ago, and while the guards are still too cautious to go look, Le¡¯rish hasn¡¯t found anything.¡±
Now, it was my turn to recount what had happened. Night found us at the tree outside my lodge, the details being finely ground through as I exined everything to Ish. Everything save for one small detail. Thenguage that the champion I had spoken in, and our shared origins.
¡°You gave up your most powerful Skill for her?¡± She repeated, almost bbergasted.
I understood her sentiment, truly. But I did not share it.
¡°I did, and I would do so again. I owed a debt, and that was how I chose to repay it.¡±
¡°Look, Garek. I know ya¡¯ have a thing fer adoption¡¯ strays and makin¡¯ friends of ¡®em.¡± Ish sighed and swirled her cup of ale round, eyes shadowed by the firelight.
¡°But this one,¡± She pointed a single finger straight at Valencia¡¯s rxed form. ¡°She¡¯s trouble. An¡¯ all of us know it.¡±
The dreadknight denied nothing, simply bared her teeth in a smile and pulled from her own mug.
¡°I don¡¯t know what hooks she¡¯s got in you, but mark my words there¡¯s gon¡¯ be nothin¡¯ but trouble ahead of ya¡¯.¡±
¡°Probably.¡±
¡°Your funeral.¡± She shrugged and got up. ¡°I gotta head back home and grab some stuff from Pa¡¯s farm. See you in the morning.¡±
With that, the orc headed off and we were left alone.
I watched her go and took another sip of my drink.
¡°So, what now?¡± She asked, still rxed as could be. The dreadknight gazed around and surveyed all that was mine through the darkness, and for once, there was not scorn in her eye.
¡°Patch up the farm and go meet Londer, I suppose. Try to figure out how our phantom ambusher is. I¡¯ve a sneaking suspicion I¡¯ve run into them before. On the wrong end of their arrows.¡±
¡°And they remained alive?¡± She scoffed. ¡°I¡¯m surprised, Garek. For someone with such a soft side, you do have quite the tally of bodies left in your wake. Bandits, berserkers drunk on the system, monsters, Godlings, Godtouched.Enough to make me respect you.¡±
¡°Enough to excite me, even.¡±
Thatstment I hung on to, then quietly pushed it aside and moved on to more important things.
I recounted the ambush to her, from the targetted soldiers to how easily the shafts had pierced my hide. All information she soaked up and nodded along to. It had happened and then faded from memory until now. One and done. And eventually, I had written it off as someone harassing the baron¡¯s soldiers.
Now it hade unto my doorstep once more.
I felt perhaps a bit frustrated, then. I had just resolved one issue, only to be presented with another. Would this endless stream of problems ever end?
I was not a man who shrunk away at adversity, yet this had be somewhat tiresome. But, I reminded myself, every worthwhile dream was worth fighting for. And I would do just that. Forge onwards and handle whatever stepped into my path.
¡°The only people I¡¯ve in are those who have provoked me and mine. Threatened harm to what I treasure. And I would do so again.¡±
¡°I¡¯ve killed for less than a cause.¡± The dreadknight spoke candidly. ¡°You won¡¯t hear me questioning another¡¯s reason for doing the same.¡±
¡°And after this? Will you continue with that?¡±
¡°I haven¡¯t decided just yet. I fought out of necessity, sure. But we both know I also fought for the love of it. For the joy of the battle. Those were the moments I felt most alive.¡±
¡°Live by the sword-¡±
¡°Die by it¡¯s stroke. I know.¡± She cut me off. ¡°That¡¯s already happened.¡±
¡°Now, I aim to see where I might go from here.¡±
It felt strange really. That Valencia of all people was this close to me with no hostilities shown. There was still that deadly smile, that spark of malice in her eyes as she talked about the felling of her enemies. But that hate was softened, almost dulled.
Almost.
¡°I aim to fight you, Garek.¡±
¡°Why?¡± Was all I replied, arms crossed.
¡°You are strong. Brave.¡±
¡°Like every other wide-shouldered fool in thisnd.¡± I rebutted her.
¡°Smart. Good.¡± Valencia continued. ¡°Too good for this world. A few days ago, I would have called your kindness weakness. Said you were a fool for it. I thought it of ten enough. Now, I live because of it. And I cannot stop thinking of it. Any other man in this world and I would have remained a corpse. Any man less selfless, and I would be gone.¡±
¡°You are the only one of your kind in this entire world.¡±
¡°And it excites me.¡±
I remained silent as these words came. The dreadknight was more correct than she knew.
¡°I want to fight you again. Just the two of us. No interruptions. No Apex swooping in to save you. Uninterrupted as we test our full strength against each other. Only then will I truly feel alive. I live forbat. I breathe for violence. But with you, I will make something special.¡±
Was..
Was she flirting with me?
This. This shocked me.
It quite frankly took me aback. I blinked and gripped my drink tight as Valencia leaned forward from across the fire, a smile on her face.
¡°Let me be frank, Garek.¡±
I had never been more prepared, somewhat excited and perhaps flustered for a moment in my life.
¡°I want you. You are the only one of your kind there will ever be in this world. You are strong. Resilient beyond reason. Stubborn in getting what you want. But you are not the only one set in their ways.¡±
Valencia stood, stepped over the fire and grabbed my shirt by the cor. There was no little excitement as she hauled me up and pointed towards my shadowed lodge.
¡°Inside. Now.¡±
I grabbed the dreadknight, threw her over my shoulder and obliged.
BBook 2: Chapter 54: Fated Triumph.
BBook 2: Chapter 54: Fated Triumph.
I awoke to Valencia rummaging through my pantries, in search of breakfast. With a grunt, I sat up, realized I had no clothes on, and yanked up the nket to cover myself. The human nced back over her shoulder, smirked, and resumed her search for foodstuffs. For a while, Iy in silence and contemted what had happened. Either that or I was mildly shellshocked at all that she had done.
This had not been the oue I expected. Ever. And my mind still didn¡¯t know what to make of it.
¡°Don¡¯t be shy.¡± The dreadknight tossed over her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ve seen it all already.¡±
Easier for her to say when she was fully dressed and I was buck-naked. But still true.
Made none the easier as she leaned back against the counter and watched me dress.
It was near mid-day, I found once the door was opened. That was¡unsurprising.
If I had ever seen judgment in Ish¡¯s stare, it came now as I walked down the hill to meet her. Still, she said nothing aside from a raised eyebrow and t expression.
Le¡¯rish, who stood next to her, seemed surprisingly less judgemental. The older of the two -perhaps not by much, but still- seemed unbothered by Valencia¡¯s emergence. It was her presence she disliked. Her eyes narrowed, and the feline features that undey the huntress form arose. She bared fangs as Valencia, dislike in her eyes.
¡°There¡¯s a lot of exining to do.¡± I pre-empted whatever woulde of this. ¡°And a lot to catch up on.¡±Once more, I recounted everything that had happened at the fort. Everything relevant, at least. Le¡¯rish¡¯s expression remained neutral throughout, showing the great range of emotions that the huntress was truly capable of. So enthralled was she, in fact, that I asionally got a nod or sound of acknowledgment as my tale progressed.
Her story was much simpler inparison.
¡°Nothing.¡± I repeated once she was finished. That was all that she had found.
¡°Yes. I am sure of only one thing. The attacker is a human.¡±
Her list of reasons proved mostly deductions from disturbed wildlife, the make of the arrows themselves, where they aimed, the speed at which they switched positions to fire from different angles and what they targetted.
¡°There is either an Ishkoni far, far from the home they¡¯re never seen outside of, or a human with a good portion of levels in ranged hunting.¡±
We could safely rule out the reptilian jungle-stalkers of Ishko, given that they needed sweltering heat and humidity to survive. Given that these were predominantly humannds, any other race traveling through it would have aroused some interest. The arrows themselves were not bloomed from wood and fused with metal, ruling out any remnants of the dryads.
The steel head upon them was made by a cksmith of some skill, and carefully, almost meticulously fused to the shaft. The fletchings were also of high-quality, crisp and clean.
¡°I think we should inquire around Hullbretch and see if anyone there has purchased quality arrows recently.¡±
Le¡¯rish suggested. I agreed with her. I had to ride and meet the Baron anyway, so I would go. Le¡¯rish and Ish I asked to stay and keep watch on the farm in my stead once more. Valencia, well, she would do whatever she pleased. This was known.
What she pleased turned out to be journeying with me. She had business with Ironmoor, and little reason to wander about the farm without me here. I spent some time discussing repairs, directing efforts to what I wanted done first and preparing to head out once more. My weapons had been lost or broken in the siege, and so I needed recements.
Of which the old Garek had plenty. And if those ever ran dry, the gifts spent to me by quite literally everyone to curry my favor remained amassed. Spoiled for choice as I was, I settled upon an axe and a hammer eventually. If these impressed Valenica in any way, the dreadknight did not show it. Instead, she leaned against a wall and watched me ir about, testing these things and trying to find what abilities they had hidden inside.
I supposed the human had little use for these, given that her fists were the dreadknight¡¯s weapon of choice.
¡°A fitting weapon.¡± She remarked with some approval once I had chosen the hammer. ¡°Crush your enemies before you and stride over their bodies. Nothing fancy about a good hammer. But reliability speaks for itself.¡±
She would know a thing or two about crushing foes. There was scant little healing milk ready, given the past several days. Taking it all proved to only be enough to fill two canteens.
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It was then in that moment that it really hit me.
No longer did I have the safety of It Will Not Die. Now, I needed everything I could get. This world provided scant few things in the way of second chances. I could no longer afford to skirt along death¡¯s door, safe with the knowledge that I could deny death outright.
That, I had given to another.
This thought followed me as we left and headed back down the mountain. The path upwards had been trekked maybe a day before, and now I followed its road down once more. Empty farmsteads greeted me, cropste into the harvest, forced to fruition by my Skills. A few neighbors remained, toiling at their fields. Fewer waved.
Many thought I attracted trouble, and they were not wrong. Events here seemed to almost exclusively revolve around me, and folks were quick to pick up on that. Still, there were those that remained friendly enough.
The young couple I supplied milk to for their child greeted me from afar. I would admit I had forgotten their names, but I returned their gesture of greeting in kind.
But those were scant few, and we reached the mountain¡¯s bottom without much dy. Now we ventured towards Hullbretch. The hours passed in small talk, asionally interspersed by more important matters. My mind did travel back to the previous night inpses of silence, only to be forcefully nudged away again as I flushed and looked away
Gods Above, was I really that embarrassed as if I had never done the deed before?
Like some shy youth gettingid for the first time. I shook my head at the thought.
Ever since I had came here, I had not even considered that this would eventually happen. I had written off any such rtionships on ount of, well, being monstrous in size and form.
And yet, Valencia had not cared. My body and features meant little to her, in the most ironic twist of fate. Where she had once despised me for what I looked like, the dreadknight had inly told me she had been excited by the person I was beneath that.
And I waspletely fine with that. I did not think that we were a thing, or had any sort of rtionship going. Instead, we had our fling and that was that. If anything more woulde from it, then I would look forward to it. But in the meantime, I expected nothing.
Hullbretch had banners raised above the walls today. Horns blew from inside and there seemed to be streams of people headed towards the town. Something of note was urring within its walls, and I wanted to know what.
Recognized as I was, the guards gave me little trouble today. Both I and Valencia were persons of interest and notoriety, and waved through without much stalling.
I wanted information, however. A firm hand on a young guard¡¯s shoulder and some gentle coaxing proved necessary for me to extract what I sought.
My eyebrows raised in surprise as I learned that the Baron himself was in town today. Here to honor the fallen of Greysong Keep and look for worthy recruits for his army. I also learned that the young man intended to leave his post and join up as soon as his shift was over, even though Valenciaughingly advised against that.
¡°Doesn¡¯t surprise me.¡± She remarked as we ventured into the town. ¡°Londer has always been hand-on with important situations. He¡¯ll be here to assuage the losses of the town¡¯s widows with words of bravery and duty, and then take their sons away with promises of gold and glory.¡±
¡°He¡¯ll keep his word, of course, but this is somewhat foolish of him.¡± She sighed.
¡°To be among his subjects and show them he¡¯s a strong leader?¡±
¡°In a time where war is brewing on his doorstep? Yes. I¡¯d have just sent an envoy to do it in my stead, were I in his skin. He¡¯s too exposed out here. Probably why he came. Gotten sick of being holed up in his castle and now wants to show his subjects he isn¡¯t hiding.¡±
The town square proved to be packed, and so I went another route. I had business to attend before I would go and see what the Baron was orchestrating today.
I was lucky, I suppose. Even with the town swarming and the baron himself here, most of the people I needed to speak to dutifully toiled away at their shops. Yet most had little information for me. The alchemist could not identify what, if any enchantments were in the arrow itself. He did, however, try to bargain and get a new contract for supplies of nt acid. It took several instances of delining and then just walking out of his shop to leave me alone.
While I might have enjoyed the bargaining another day, I was in too much of a rush for it. The cksmith had no recollection of forging these arrowheads, but begrudgingly admitted they were high-quality steel. Not something often found in the baron¡¯snds, he remarked. I went so far as to track down the town¡¯s resident enchanter and have him examine the arrow, but got nothing from the man.
Only once all my leads had been exhausted and my knowledge remain un-furthered did I return in the direction of the square. Large as I was, I had no issue clearing space to move through the dense throngs of people. Here on this road to the square gathered the entire poption of Hullbretch, the hamlets that surrounded it and everything in a several-hour walk.
That masses of humanity was packed tight, their smells all but jammed up my nostrils.
Gods Above, were they averse to a good bath now and then?
Another unwilling sniff and I discovered something that made me stop.
There, among the thick mix of smells was something.
Ack of it. A void of scent amongst the crowd. Not someone scrubbed clean and with fresh-scent herds crushed onto their skin, but aplete absence of it. I stood still as this scent moved towards me, it¡¯s bearer pushing through the crowd, away from the square.
Amidst the dense throng, I reached out and grabbed at where the void of scent was, even though I saw little there.
My hand snatched a cloak and a figure blurred into sight. A pale face with unremarkable features.
Ser Tollish. Thedy Ramsey-Pratt¡¯s retainer. Before I so much as utter a word, he slipped my grasp and bolted into the crowd just as screams began to rise from within the square.
.
BBook 2: Chapter 55: Culmination.
BBook 2: Chapter 55: Culmination.
A pale shadow hidden in the crowd. An agent of the enemy fleeing the scene as screams arose behind me. My brain saw all the pieces and fit them together as I whirled and burst after the man, humans knocked aside by my bulk.
Either a spy, or an assassin. With the reactions of the townsfolk, I expected thetter. Down the streets of Hullbretch I tore, faster than any human could move. On the trail of this interloper. Sight was the only source with which I could track him. Scent, hecked. Strange, I thought when that crossed my mind. I remembered being able to smell his emotions from the few times I had met him. Sounds was of no use, drowned out by the roar of noise from the square behind me.
And so I fell back on my weakest sense. I followed the flicker of movement before me as it bolted straight towards the walls. At full momentum, I rushed after the knight as he came to a dead end. Before victory could even rise in my veins, he leapt upwards, grabbed onto a ledge and swung himself over the roof of the house that closed out this street.
I preferred to smash in the door, clip my horns on the doorframe and tear it down, then continue without so much as a stumble. I bulldozed right through someone¡¯s home, put my shoulder down and smashed through the wooden wall in lieu of finding another door.
Wooden wreckage shrieking around me, I burst from the wall and nearly grabbed Tollish as he descended. My hand just missed his leg as he hopped in midair and dashed ahead. Bellow of frustration let out, I continued my charge right after him. The man gained speed now, his movement elerated with every leap forward. Down another empty street with me in hot pursuit.
He finally stopped for a split second to gather strength and leap the wall itself. As his feet left the ground, I pounced. A roar came from my throat and tore through the air, the reaction immediate. Cloven Crash seized up the body of any that could hear it, and he was not excluded. The human¡¯s frame visibility froze in mid-air, his arc of momentum unable to clear the high wall. His face and upper body smashed into the wooden ramparts and halted all dreams of leaping over.
Instead, he was dragged back down to the stone road below, body still locked up.
He did not crash face-down as I would have hoped. The man did not resist or break the skill that held his form hostage. Instead, I could feel him slip its grasp andnd upright. Back to a wall with the form of a charging minotaur headed right at him.
My eyes, poor as they were, saw the bow raised at me. Arrows shed across the space and struck into my body. Pierced right through Ironhide. Not one or two, but an entire storm of them. Enough to jolt me mid-stride both on impact and realization. Stunned by dozens of arrows piercing everywhere, I halted and stumbled. Just enough for the man to whirl and climb the sheer wooden wall like a spider. His form had already cleared the top in the time it took me to shake off the stupor, bellow in rage and charge after him.
Cragsmasher¡¯s Hammer shattered the wall before me with a single swipe of my hammer and I emerged through the wreckage.
Now, there was only open ins ahead of me. Nowhere for the assassin to hide. The fields around Hullbretch were bare from an early harvest, brown and without cover.
Alone in a field with the charging bull and no cover. I think we both knew how this would go.
Still, the man bounded away as I picked up speed and followed his trail. He headed now for the forests that covered the Redtip¡¯s base. An easy ce to lose me amongst the dense foliage.
I needed to ensure he did not make it.
Cloven Crash halted his progress, forced him to take precious seconds to slip its grasp. Only to be hit again. And again. My well of Skills ran deep, and I was not at all reluctant to use them. Arrows came for me as the man twisted in mid-air, defying physics to continuously snipe me. They joined the plethora already embedded in my skin, yet the pain did little to slow me.
Sheer-focused determination drowned out all else.
He would not escape with his life.
I had enough of my enemies securing victories over me and mine. Thrown overhand, the axe shot across the distance, bolstered by its enchantments and managed to clip the man. A small cut underneath the arm instead of striking center mass as he slipped away.
Now he left blood in his wake. And that smelled distinctly of human.
I left the weapon where ity and continued my charge, closing the distance with liberal use of my stuns. The fields of Hullbretch were left torn in my wake, my every step gouging out the earth. Across thesends and towards the forest my prey leapt, barely keeping ahead of me. Single-minded determination drowned out all pain as I yanked arrows from my skin lest their weight slow me even the slightest.
I too left a trail of blood, and more joined it.
He reached the forest¡¯s beginnings, groves of trees and brush amongst the wild, tall grass. Scent was what I followed now. The trail of his blood that the knight could not staunch. He bled, and I followed in his wake.
The arrows had stopped, at least.
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And so had he. I found the man in a clearing, clutching his arm. There had been no small nick, I realized. The limb hung half-cut and useless, muscle and bone snipped away. I was amazed that he had made it this far with a limb effectively gone.
The pale knight leaned back against a tree as I approached, his face upturned.
¡°Gods¡¯ damnit, minotaur.¡± He grunted in pain. ¡°Why did you have to be there? Should have died at the fort. Damn fools couldn¡¯t put you down.¡±
¡°Who is your master?¡± I demanded, though I had no allusions as to what leverage I held over a dying man. ¡°What have you done?¡±
¡°You¡¯ll not get that from me, calf.¡± Heughed, blood between his teeth. There was mirth in his smile as he sat dying.
I squatted before the man and looked him dead in the eye.
¡°You wish to die here? Alone, far from home, used up and thrown away by whoever sent you?¡±
¡°I am not a pawn.¡± He snarled. ¡°My work here will change all that you know. I die knowing I served loyally for all my days, and that my de was buried well.¡±
¡°You wish for death, rather than be questioned.¡± I smiled without humor. ¡°That too I can deny of you.¡±
There was a sh, a gleam of silver as the knife came round and the man cut his own throat. A smile on his face, Ser Tollish spat blood at me and gazed at me with two crimson smiles. With a sigh, I seized his throat in one, blood spilling from my grasp. Two fingers locked onto either side of his jaw as I forced his head backward and mouth open.
The other uncorked the sk of healing milk at my side. White liquid mixed with blood as I poured the mixture right into his throat and forced him to swallow. The knife I ripped from his grasp and tossed aside. Whether he wanted to or not, he would live this day. There was information within him that I wanted. Needed, even.
He tried again, of course. But his persistence was no match for mine. I methodically stripped the man of his weapons and tools, broke one ankle and then knocked him unconscious. Firmly grasped and slung over my shoulder, I rounded up all his possessions into a bag and carried it and him back to Hullbretch.
The baron was dead.
This stopped me in my tracks, and dread beat through my heart. The guards at the gate stood shocked, their gazes empty as they ryed this knowledge to me. The assassin had pierced his throat with a venomous arrow and slipped away. They epted my story that the man on my shoulder was petty thief brought in to the sheriff and let me through once more.
The town was in grief, in an uproar over the killing of Londor Ironmoor. Their lord in right before their eyes. And I had not been there to stop it.
So much was swayed with his death, I realized. Valencia had seized the body and marched his retinue back to Castle Ironmoor. Some rope acquired for my wakening prisoner, I too followed in their wake.
My mind raced the entire way there, poring over all the possible futures. Ironmoor was what held back all the chaos and warfare that should have followed the dungeon. With him dead, the vultures woulde now.
And I had chosen to side with him over them. These people had long memories, and they would not soon forget that. Already they had moved against me. I had no doubt that Tollish was the sniper that had been harassing my farm, had ambushed the baron¡¯s soldiers previously. I knew a glimmer of his motives, but the truth needed to be fully extracted from him.
I needed Valencia to work her brutal craft once more.
The gates of Castle Ironmoor were shut tight, and my entry denied. Only after several calls did they open, and an armed force escorted me inside. Soldiers milled about, anger and anticipation in their scents.
A captain came and escorted me even as guards dragged Tollish away, every limb shackled and mouth forced open so that he couldn¡¯t so much as bite his own tongue. There was hell to pay, and he would have every pound of flesh carved from him.
A cruel fate, but such was an assassin¡¯s reward. The fortress was mobilized for war, I realized. Not for defense.
I soon learned why. And relief filled me when I learned why.
Londor Ironmoor sat slumped in his great chair, wife at his side. Soldiers milled about, maps strewn across the massive dining table. They looked up as I entered, but had been for-warned to my presence. Valencia gave a curt nod and went back to her maps, issuing orders to those around her.
¡°Garek.¡± The human grunted, voice deep. A patch covered his throat, I saw.
¡°You live.¡± I stated. ¡°How?¡±
¡°You aren¡¯t the only one with protection against death.¡± The baron coughed and waved away help from his worried wife. ¡°I¡¯ve necromancers in my employ for good reason. This is far from the first assassin that has sunk a weapon into me.¡±
¡°Your subjects think you dead.¡± I remarked, relief that he was not hidden from my face.
¡°And so will my enemies, once the word spreads. Then they wille like crows to feast on the carrion. And I will bring the hammer down to remind them who the Lord of thesends is.¡±
A ruthless, pragmatic man. He had not answered my question on the methods of his survival, but a man needed his secrets.
¡°My men tell me you brought the assassin.¡± He remarked. If the knowledge that the man who had tried to kill him was close swayed his emotions any, it did not show.
¡°He ran, and I ran him down. A knight in the employ of a mutual friend, the Lady Ramsey-Pratt.¡±
¡°The snake rears her head. Finally.¡± He growled. ¡°Valencia, if you could. See to him. I want every small scrap of knowledge wrung from his body.¡±
The dreadknight straightened, and a change came over her face.
¡°I cannot. Not in the way you think.¡±
The baron sat silent for a moment, his frown growing even deeper.
¡°The demon in me has been excised, Londor. Its presence is gone, and so are the gifts that came with its burden. I can no longer see the hearts of men and what thoughts lurk within.¡±
¡°I came here today to tell you this, and to retire my service to your house.¡±
¡°You swore to serve until your dying breath when I pulled you from the ruins of Castle Elrath, spared you from Heithos¡¯s clerics.¡±
The hall stood quiet as Valencia replied.
¡°And I have. But my death hase and gone, and I have released myself from that oath. You were not the only one to die these past few days. I will do this onest thing for you, Londor. And then I am no longer in your service. I have given you a lifetime of leal service, and now I ask for your blessing as I walk away.¡±
BBook 2: Chapter 56: Culmination II. [End Book 2]
BBook 2: Chapter 56: Culmination II. [End Book 2]
Fear ruled the hearts of men. Deep inside, that was what preceded all else. When presented with the unknown, this was the first response. The sickness that showed the true face of a man underneath its weight. It brought out what little else could. Valencia knew this, and she used it well.
They knew of her. Her reputation and all that she had done and could do. They knew not that she had changed ever so slightly. Only the monster that she had been. And eventually, they would break before her as she had broken many beyond number.
Ser Tollish broke, in the end. He chose to answer over what she would do to him. Her presence alone invalidated the need for torture when they knew she could rip the answers from their souls. So many of the assassin¡¯s counterparts had she inflicted this on that he gave up the knowledge willingly. After the dreadknight had informed him exactly what would happen, of course.
There was no such as a bluff if it came from her lips.
She was a monstress in human flesh, and all knew it. Feared her. Needed her. Wanted her on their side rather than with the enemy. Even if the sight of her evoked terror, she was their monster. The one that made their rivals fear the dark.
A lifetime and a legacy of fear was what Valencia had established. Entrenched in the thoughts of all that knew her and of her.
And I could tell that it did not please her. Not anymore. She had achieved what she desired, and now she looked at what was left in her path. Hidden from her features, of course. Yet I could smell the disappointment in her as she nced around the throne room.
Ser Tollish was in the employ of Duke Ironmoor. Hand of Queen Elith. Spymaster of the realm. Brother of Londor Ironmoor. Staffed with the house Ramsey-Pratt as a convenient disguise. An agent of the throne. Provocateur, meant to cause, well, exactly this. Whether the baron lived or died, his mission had been aplished.
Londer Ironmoor had been attacked, in in broad daylight by a servant of house Ramsey-Pratt. They were now thrust to the forefront, the me piled upon them whether they liked it or not. Now came the consequences. The baron mobilized for war. Long had he remained here at his fortress in peace, content to rule hisnds in rtive quiet. Those assassins sent to kill him were disposed of quietly and their presence hidden. All so he could deny their existence and continue about with his life. Through those actions he had sent a message that while he knew who attacked him and his, they were beneath his notice.
Now, the dragon had finally woken. And woe betide the fools that toiled beneath its prey-path. There woulde a time of blood and fire across the realm as the armies of Londer Ironmoor marched to smash down those that raised arms against him.
The first relief was that little fighting would take ce in thisnd. I stood and listened to the ns that wereid, felt relief growing within me as maps of battlefields toe were ones I did not recognize. Never one for defense, the force under the Londor¡¯smand would march out andy into the enemy rather than await siege.
Clerics of war-gods were being called, mages hired to lend their arcane might in the bloodshed toe.
Generals I had never seen before stood around the table, each the head of another army. All loyal to the house of Ironmoor. Even before the throne, the crown itself, their fealty was pledged to this man. Gathered in this room was a massive disy of power, and I was d to not be part of it. For all intents and purposes, I would not be involved in this war.
My purpose as a deterrent had run its course, and the baron understood that I would not go to war for him. This did not bother him, it seemed.
Valencia was a different tale.
The baron continuously nced at her as his generals spoke of the short autumn and harsh winter toe. The words of how they would strike and use the snowfall as a buffer against more aggression seemed half-ignored, the dreadknight on his mind.
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Those eyes followed Valencia as she walked away and approached me.
¡°Come.¡± Was all she said. And I followed.
I found myself atop the walls alongside her, gazing out over the golden fields of a ripe harvest. I held my tongue and waited for her to speak, aware that this was an important moment.
¡°Wares.¡± The dreadknight spoke. ¡°I should be excited for it. Ecstatic at the chance to crush my enemies, grind the unworthy underfoot. Kill them all and run down those that flee. Put terror in their hearts when they see me across the battlefield from them.¡±
¡°Instead, there is nothing. Worse than nothing, I am tired, Garek. I dreamt of my death,st night. It does not leave my mind. I look out over all this, and I find myself unexcited for any of it.¡±
¡°I have lost the joy to ughter. Once I would have been happy to march forth in the name of my liege. Now, I long for something for myself.¡±
¡°Even now, reborn, I am called to do his grim work. To drive out his enemies, make them once more fear his name.¡±
¡°I want something for myself. I love the fight for the fight itself, but I have grown tired of raising my fist in another¡¯s name.¡±
¡°It urs to me, in this moment, that you have been the only person to ever show me kindness. Londor spared me when they found me upon the altar, but he saw the weapon I could be. And for many years, I was just that. But now the de has grown weary, and it wants to rest.¡±
¡°You have already given me so much. Patience. Kindness even when I threw it in your face. Understanding even when I mocked you. A life when I lost mine in my own reckless pursuit.¡±
The human stood tall, her eyes drinking in the fields of beauty that rolled before us.
¡°I think that I wish to rest. To do something other than march from one battle to the next. I have thought on this these past few days, and I wish to stay with you for a small while. You have already given so much, and now I ask for a little more.¡±
My mind did not even consider any of the logical reasons her presence would be beneficial for. I did not think on matters of deterrence, of reputation. I only knew that these words came from the heart. That she spoke with a sincerity I had rarely seen before.
Reflection hit me then. How different she was from the Valencia I had first encountered across that town square in Hullbretch. She had grown as a person. And while who she was now had not erased or even superseded who she had been, I truly did want to see where her path would lead her.
Long and hard had I worked to open this road for her, and now I would dly help her along it. To be the person she had always truly wished to be, now that the Gods Below¡¯s influence was gone from her.
¡°Of course.¡± I returned. ¡°My home is yours for as long as you wish to stay.¡±
She turned to me then, and smiled in a way I had never seen before. I had seen this woman joyful before. Lustful in the heat of battle. With glee on her face as she crushed others beneath her. Relieved that she lived. But never truly happy.
I saw that now, and I wished for all that mattered for that to never be taken from her.
For her to be happy. I had be invested in Valencia¡¯s continued well-being now. Given up a piece of myself for her. Even if no others believed that she could be redeemed, I would. And I would continue to try no matter how difficult it was.
The baron awaited us as we returned from the ramparts.
¡°You really wish to leave, then?¡±
¡°I will.¡± Valencia replied. ¡°You know it.¡±
Londor Ironmoor frowned now, his expression guarded.
¡°There is little use in a weapon that is unwilling to be wielded. Go then, I suppose. I will not stop you or interfere with your wishes.¡±
With that, we were free to go. Out of Castle Ironmoor, onto the road home. We spent that time talking. About small things, the details of tomorrow¡¯s war left out and postponed. There was blood and fire on the horizon, yes, but that was not a worry I wished to deal with today. And so it was.
I woke in the middle of the night, a new voice in my mind. The system spoke to me once more.
You have done well, my child. A new name I grant you; Garek the Mender.
Then it too was gone and I drifted back to sleep, excited for what tomorrow would bring.
The End.
Update: New series and publishing plans.
Update: New series and publishing ns.
Hello ya''ll. If you''ve made it this far, then I reckon OMP is a story you enjoy. And so, here''s another one. Mandate of Steel/A Soul Anew has just been released to RR, and follows the story of a man who failed to save his world but is sent back through time and given another chance at it. It''s faster-paced and somewhat darker than OMP, but I expect people will enjoy it for the same reasons they enjoy OMP. Go ahead and give it a look, perhaps a follow and a rating. /fiction/92332/mandate-of-steel
Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the vition.
Now, back to One Moo''r Plow. There will be a lull in posting as I write more content so patreon stays ahead, but that should be implemented by MOS. Eventually, once enough content is up and everyone is caught up, I will stub Book 2 as well to prepare it for Amazon. The good folks at Podium are already working away on the audiobook, and just waiting for my cover artist to finish some amazing artwork of Valencia so we can proceed further.
With that, have yourselves a wonderful day and I''ll see you again soon.
Update, Sickness, surgery and help.
Update, Sickness, surgery and help.
I have been suffering from a severe ear infection these past two weeks. The cold that came with it was bearable, but the toothache and lung troubles was not. Upon visiting the hospital I was prescribed Amoxicilian and told to go visit a dentist as soon as possible. I did so, and was informed I needed surgery asap in order to remove all four wisdom teeth. Two of which are decayed, one ispletely sealed off, and thest one, the worst one, would need a specialist to remove.
That one is broken, hard to ess, extremely infected and poses the very real risk of causing a stroke once the infection reaches the bloodstream, and shortly after, the brain.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
That surgery is supposed to be this Wednesday.
It''s not covered by Canadian healthcare and looks to be VERY expensive.
I will not be able to work for at least a week afterwards, and sickness and emergencies and bills have not been kind to what funds I''ve had avable. And so, I turn to another option.
Ya''ll. I''ve set up a GoFundMe to hopefully help me pay for all this. Or, if you want to send me money directly, there''s also a Paypal link below.
Every dor is appreciated, and every donation will be remembered.
Cheers, ya''ll.
Book 2 is going to Kindle!
Book 2 is going to Kindle!
Hey ya''ll. So, update; I got the surgery done and am recovering nicely. Not much to say on that front.
What I do have is a reminder to read up. Book 2 of One Moo''r Plow will be headed to Kindle Unlimited at the end of this week. Content should be yoinked Friday, so until then, feel free to reread up to the current chapters. The audiobook will alsounch at the same time, thanks to the folks at Podium Audio. Personally, I can''t wait for Jonathan Keeble to once more narrate Garek''s story.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
You might have also noticed, there''s a new cover. Done by the talented Ozylk of the Virtous Sons discord. Quite some time in the making, and I''m pleased with how it turned out.
Cheers, Ya''ll.
Book 2 is now available on Kindle!
Book 2 is now avable on Kindle!
This has been a long timeing. I waited an extra week to give everyone time to catch up, but I can wait no longer. Though it pains me, I have taken down just enough content to satisfy Amazon''s exclusivity and have now released One Moo''r Plow; Book 2 onto their website.
I''ve had to take breaks in the past few months to worry about my health and other irl emergencies, so I have not been able to publish more content onto RR as I have wanted, but OMP will continue.
Stolen novel; please report.
To everyone that has read this far, thank you. I love thements you leave, the theories you craft, and can''t wait to see what insane spections you''ll have for the third book.
Below is the link to the second book of Garek''s adventures, eternalized in epub form. The paperback is also in the works, and will be uploaded as soon as I have finished work on it.
Thank you, all of you. If you have the time, please leave a rating and review on Zon. They really do help.
The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and
continue reading tomorrow, everyone!