A Mage Rising: (The Chronicles of Herst 2: A LitRPG Saga)

by Thomas Whipple

  I have extended the cast by a whole extra minute and added maybe half again what it takes to cast the spell normally. Shaking off the number of horrific deaths that flit through my mind I decide not to risk it any more and release the spell. Like before, a square of light appears and widens out until there is a misty film in the air in front of me and the head of the line of nonhumans. What is different this time is how wide it is. Wider than before, and it easily accommodates our double line of former slaves. “Go!” I shout out. Whether they are anxious to get out of here, or just used to taking orders, they all start moving at the same time and charge through to the other side. Watching the freed slaves jump forward gives me an odd desire to raise a fist in the air and yell “I am Spartacus” out for all to hear. I restrain myself though, mainly because no one else will understand and I don’t want to disrupt the line.

  Seconds pass by and the last of the people leave the cellar and the Spatial door hangs open still. I’m just starting to wonder if maybe I messed it up by overcharging the spell and that it might start growing out of control like a bad science fiction movie. With that new horror in my mind I’m flooded with relief when the Spatial Door finally collapses in on itself and winks out of existence. Finished with my task and with the basement once again clear of people I turn toward the stairs that lead up to the kitchen. Marcus and his girls are standing there with their mouths open in shock. Maka, having seen it last night is the only one not surprised. “Well, what do you think?” I ask Marcus with a raised eyebrow.

  Rin seems to have caught on to what I’m offering and the young woman hugs her father. “Please father, can we go to Vol’s home too?”

  This triggers a raised eyebrow from Maka that is directed at me. I just shrug my shoulder’s to her, not sure what to say. Or if I should say anything at all. Meanwhile, Marcus is hugging his daughter and looks over her to me. “What would I even do there to make a living if we did? This inn is really all I have and part of the network for helping all the nonhumans we can?”

  “I was thinking about that. The group you mentioned us talking to should keep this inn as a contact place. It’s out of the way and it won’t draw attention to those that come in to get a meal and share information. How about I buy this place from you and you get some of those people that are part of your group to run the place. I would pay and expect them to bring those they can free here to the basement. I would even have them use any profits from the inn to purchase who they can from the slave market to be released as well. There are more details but I think we should also include those people you wanted me to talk to in the conversation.”

  I can tell that he is seriously considering it now though. “Why don’t you just have me work this place though?”

  “Simply put, because of Maka. Her, and now other slaves, have been brought here and I’m sure someone will notice. The guards at the two gates we passed getting here today surely remember us heading this way at least. It is bound to gain some attention. If the place all the sudden changes ownership and you disappear then interested parties would think that you were doing something, but have already made a run for it. They will stop looking into the goings on here much quicker. Plus, you have been away from your family long enough and you should get to spend time with them. Hell, I think I have someone that might want you to take care of a place much like this. You can meet her tomorrow.”

  Looking back to Maka, Marcus gets an encouraging smile while Rin gives him pleading eyes. “Okay fine. We can discuss the plans for this place tonight with my friends. They should be here soon. Then we will join you when you return.”

  “Great! Now how much is this place and how does ownership get transferred?” He looks at me a little odd when I ask about transfer of ownership but shakes it off.

  “The inn when I purchased it was only worth about 500 gold and I had to do much of the work to create walls and furniture for the rooms as well as setting up the common room. That and with all the current food and spirits it is somewhere between that and a platinum. All you have to do to take ownership of the place is sign the title next to my own signature of assent.”

  From the way he says that, almost apologetically, I can tell he isn’t lying. “What about the slaves that are here?”

  He shakes his head at that. “There are only a few and I would free them. I already pay them and let them keep their tips.”

  “We can talk to them later but I would like to offer them the opportunity to stay here and help keep the inn, paid and free. I have enough collars left to provide them ones like Maka and Rin’s and they would have rooms here of their own.”

  Marcus takes his time to respond. “I think they might like that.”

  Happy at this turn of events I look behind Marcus. “You think your friends are here yet so we can get on with this?”

  Marcus seems to just realize that we have been talking down here for a while now and quickly turns to lead us back into the inn proper. “Let’s go find out.”

  Maka and Rin break off from us and stay in the kitchen as we go into the common room. Looking around Marcus soon leads the rest of us to a table with a man at it. When we are closer I can see that he looks like he is in his early thirties and looks normal. Average. Nondescript. In other words nothing to look twice at. When I use Identify on him it doesn’t work! It’s like my skill just keeps sliding off him and identifying other things.

  Wooden wall: mostly oak with iron nails. Item class: Common. Durability: 242/250.

  Wooden mug: Skillfully carved mug made from hard wood to prevent seepage from the liquids it contains. Item class: Common. Durability: 9/10. Currently full of beer.

  Magic Lamp: Glass orb enchanted by an unskilled enchanter to provide light. Item class: Poor. Durability: 5/5.

  My skill provides much more information than it used to and I can get even more if I focus and use the skill again. Too bad every time I try it just seems to skip over the man we are walking toward and hit a different target. I bet this is very convenient in a crowd where my attempts would hit other people and likely make me think they are someone else. After a number of attempts I just give up on trying.

  “Hello Curt” says Marcus when we get to the table. “These are the ones I called everyone here to meet.”

  The brown haired, brown eyed, average looking man turns to us when Marcus speaks without any emotion playing across his features. This has to be some kind of rogue or undercover agent or something. Can completely blend in and throw off scrutiny with some kind of skill or ability; check. Someone no one else would take a second look at, always just a background character; check. Expert control over his emotions; check. Whatever this man’s class is he screams spy to me. “Hi Curt. I’m Vol, and with me are Azzaria, Thia, and Timbre.” I introduce everyone and reach a hand out for him to shake. He does it with just enough pressure to not be limp but neither is it strong. Jeez, this guy is forgettable even with his handshake. I hope he is on our side and he is not some kind of plant.

  With the introductions out of the way we all sit and Marcus starts to talk again. I think he feels a little odd since I have been staring at Curt like a maniac since we got here. I’m trying to figure out how to discover what side he is on. “Curt here owns a couple of warehouses that he rents out to people for storage.”

  The lack of anything else coupled with Marcus’ statement makes me nervous and I start overcharging a Lightning spell in my right hand. This time I keep tight control on it so there aren’t any visible effects before the release. Still, Curt’s eyes flick to the hand the spell in charging in. Definitely more to this guy than a rental manager. “And what else do you do Curt? As in, what do you really do?” Finally there is a change to his face. A smile slowly forms on his lips. It is a completely controlled action, intentional, and it makes me a little itchy. I hold my spell still, I won’t start a scene unless I get more of a reason to.

  Marcus’ eyes get big in a little bit of panic, but it’s Curt that speaks up. “It’s okay Marcus. He is percep
tive and something tipped him off to me. you obviously trust him so I will too. My subclass makes me uniquely suited to gathering information. I make sure that we have warning if certain parties get wind of one of our operations. Then I take steps to cover our tracks and deal with the problems.” He chuckles for a second before asking “What gave it away? Was it the lack of expression?”

  Marcus calms down and I take it as a good sign before canceling the spell I’m holding. The girls, having all picked up on my unease before anyone else, relax as well. “That and the fact you are almost too ordinary were clues, but what really set off the alarm bells was that I couldn’t get any information off you. I have an appraisal-like ability and you are the first I have met that it doesn’t work on. Not only does it not work but it slides off you, redirecting the target. Could only be an ability or skill for that kind of reaction.” At my explanation he nods and raises his cup as a sort of acknowledgment to me.

  After that little discussion Marcus and Curt share small talk about mundane things like the inn’s business for a few minutes before the other two people we are waiting for arrive. They are a man and a woman in their forties and they enter together. When they take a seat at our table by invite from Marcus he introduces them as Martha and Paul Floren. They are married and the heads of a small noble house that never supported slavery. A round of handshakes is exchanged and we get down to business. Thankfully, there is no one nearby so we don’t have to worry much about eavesdroppers. “So this is the man you told us about Marcus? You said he can help us but you didn’t say how.” This is from Paul Floren as he regards me with gray eyes under his salt and pepper hair. His wife also regards me intensely and has green eyes, red hair and sharp features. Her slender face makes me think she could have some elf genes in her.

  Before Marcus can respond, I do so myself. “That’s right. I have a number of ways that I can help out. One thing is a way to get people you rescue out of the city with no one the wiser. Another is a destination for those people. One that doesn’t risk them getting recaptured or killed. But I can’t be here all the time so I need others to help and have people ready for me to drop by and take them out of the city.”

  “And that is where you need our help?” This comes from Curt.

  “That, and I will need a place to crash when I come in. Marcus here may want to come back with me when I leave. I have discussed buying this place for a cover for our operations and a place to stay. What we need is a like-minded individual to run this place in our absence.”

  It’s Marcus that responds to this. “John can take over. I was thinking about it since we talked and I’m sure he would be a good fit.”

  “Sounds good” I tell him. “Have him swing by tomorrow and we will settle the details.” Turning to the others I change the subject. “I plan to leave tomorrow night, but I also plan to take all those slaves that are set to be sold the next day with me.”

  There are some murmurs as they talk among themselves. Ultimately it’s Paul that speaks the reason why their little group hasn’t done this kind of thing before. “Even if you did get them all out, they would still have the collars on. As soon as the slavers find their property missing, they will use the collars to paralyze the escapees. After that they will have the collars kill the slaves when they can’t find them.”

  I give them all a smile. “That’s the other thing I can do. I can remove the collars. It isn’t quick though so I need time to remove them from everyone tomorrow.”

  A few minutes pass as everyone recovers from the shock of that revelation. “Do you have a plan to rescue them? We have tried that a few times but there isn’t an entrance to that place that doesn’t require fighting through guards. That means that there is no way we would have enough time to get them all out and for you to remove the collars.” This comes from Curt.

  “I do have a plan but I need help from you. Do you have any place in lower city near the slave market and that wall? Also, are there sewers under the city?”

  I can see Curt has an idea of what I am planning, but not the how of it since he starts to shake his head. “I know what you are thinking but it won’t work. There is no entrance to the lower complex of the slave market from the sewers. They use small pipes for drainage and there has to be at least ten feet of earth and stone between the two.”

  “So you explored the possibility before? Good, then you can lead me to the best place.” They all give me a skeptical look after I say that. “Don’t worry about it. What I can do is quiet and I can cover it up well too, so we might be able to use it again in the future. Curt. Why don’t you come here a couple hours before sunset and you can show me and everyone that will be leaving with me to the place you have near the slave market?”

  Curt opens his mouth to say something but then seems to change is mind and just nods to me. We spend a little time talking and I tell everyone that I will try to return in a couple of weeks to check in and see if there is anyone I can help leave the city. “Well, we wish you luck then sir” says Paul and his wife offers the same. Everyone leaves after that and it’s just Marcus, the girls and me.

  “Marcus. How about you get Maka and Rin and bring them to my room so we can have a private discussion?” It’s starting to get a little more crowded now so I don’t want to discuss any more sensitive topics in the common room. He gets up to find his wife and daughter while I lead the girls upstairs.

  When we enter the room Timbre is the first to speak. “I don’t like that Curt guy.”

  I give her a hug as I respond. “Yeah, he makes me nervous too. You never know when a spy is a double agent or just working both sides at the same time. He can be useful though, and the others trust him so we will too. For now.”

  I take a seat on one of the chairs at the table and the ladies all take seats on the bed while we wait. At the knock on the door I answer it to let the little family in. They sit at the table with me and before I can even ask about it Maka blurts out “We want to go with you tomorrow.”

  “Good. Did you bring the title Marcus?”

  He pulls out a rolled up paper and places it on the desk. Unrolling it he points to a place where I am supposed to sign. I make a platinum coin appear and place it in front of Marcus. He looks surprised for a moment and then signs the contract with a metal pen and ink pot he brings out. I sign it as well where he indicates and look up to him in question. “It’s done. Just keep the title safe and that is all that is needed.”

  Congratulations! You now own The Pony, an inn within the city of Riverock in the Kingdom of Plora. You can view the status of the establishment and other information from the Land Development Menu.

  Noticing the new message I dismiss it, planning to check out the LDM later. I make the title disappear and look to the three across from me. “I’m glad you will all be joining us” I tell them. Rin’s smile is especially bright. “We are going to take it easy tomorrow since we might be up late tomorrow night. You will all need to come with us and wait at the safe house while we rescue the slaves. In the morning, not too early though, I want you to bring the staff up so we can offer them the opportunity to stay here and help run the place.”

  Marcus reaches over to shake my hand at this point and I return the shake. We all stand and Maka gives me a light hug before releasing me. Just as she steps away Rin streaks in to squeeze me in a tight hug of her own. It is short but fierce. We all say our good nights and we all go to bed.

  Chapter 18

  The morning started late as I requested. We all got up to receive a late breakfast delivered by a smiling Rin. When we finished eating Marcus joined us and Rin started bringing the staff up in groups for us to talk to. I was rather surprised that not a single one wanted to leave. They all seemed to be excited to not only be free and safe from slavery in the city but to help others get their freedom too. After all the inns staff had been freed they put on their new jewelry and went back to work.

  In the off time while we lay low before our operations later we relax in our room for a
while. Azzaria already told me about the reason she is willing to basically share me with two others, but I never asked Thia and Timbre if it bothered them. When I asked Timbre I got a typically blunt answer from her. “Pack leaders have multiple mates. Best to strengthen the pack if the strongest member has more offspring.” That explains it enough for me. Typical wolf pack sociology. The alpha has his pick of mates and generally has the most offspring.

  When I talk to Thia about it she takes a moment to think. “My people don’t really have a taboo about multiple partners. Some only have one mate, but it isn’t the norm. Really the biggest factor is that the members of a family get along and that everyone is provided for. There are males with multiple mates and females as well. There are even partnerships where a male and a female in a relationship will have multiple mates in addition.” That is a surprise to me. I wonder how that kind of relationship can be healthy. Someone in the mix must feel neglected and that can only breed problems, unless the partnership is purely political.