“You mentioned joining your group as a healer. I think I would really like that. I want to be stronger too, so that I don’t have to feel as helpless as I did when I was enslaved.” By the end of her statement there is a determination and desire in her words that I clearly hear. If that is what she wants then we can help her.
“We have a dungeon here that can help you raise your level a little. Should work well for you since it’s an undead one and you have Life magic. I would suggest we go with you but our levels would probably make it harder for you to progress. I will talk to Grondar about a suitable party for you when he arrives.” At the mention of her being able to enter a dungeon she got excited.
A second later her smile faded a little. “You won’t be coming with me?”
I almost changed my mind to go with her when I see the pout she gives me but then I felt like she might not be as disheartened as she seems. Sticking to my guns I confirm it. “No. We would only hold you back, but I promise to make sure your group is good. Then we can go in together another time. For now, will one of you take her to the armory and get her outfitted as best you can?” Azzaria and Thia walk off with her once again, this time to the armory. I use a mental command to IMA to let them in. While they are gone and I’m just finishing up breakfast the council starts to show up.
It’s Bolden that is the first to speak when he arrives. “The lord has returned. Welcome back Vol.” I shake hands with him and the other council members as they arrive, until Hildre and Dolan show up to both give me crushing hugs. I’m saved from Dolan when Azzaria and Thia return with Gem trailing behind. The dwarf couple leaves me to regain my breath and greet their returned adoptive daughter. When they are done with her they also greet Thia and Timbre. With another round of welcomes as Enora is the last to arrive we all sit down once again.
All of us take our seats “Well Vol, who is this lovely lady?” Enora says while waving in Gem’s direction. Looking over, the new gear that she is wearing looks good on her. When she came back from the armory I saw her wearing a robe that is a dark greenish blue color and covers her whole upper half, with only the scaled tail showing below. She also wears a set of tan gloves and arm guards. In her right hand she carries a flanged style mace with a spike at the head that is made of a dark black colored metal. I think it’s made of shadesilver and the handle is wrapped in a deep green leather. In her left hand was a swirling glass globe of navy blue. As I watch she puts the ball in a pouch on her waist next to where she hooks her mace.
“That is Gem. She’s one of the people we freed last night and wishes to join my party. Speaking of which” I then turn to Grondar who hasn’t said anything since he arrived. “She needs to run the dungeon if she is to join my party and not be held back. Can you get the best group possible for her level and send them in later?”
As Grondar is assuring me that he has a group that can keep her safe I hear Dolan grumbling to the side. “Damn boy has another pretty lass followin’ him. Needs to save a few for th…” The rest is cut off when his wife elbows him. After that his words are so quiet that they are unintelligible.
“Moving on. I need to know if there is anything happening with the town and then what information you got from the scout we picked up when we first left.” I then look around and see the council all look to Laurissa.
After clearing her throat she gives me a rundown of the efforts that have been made in getting the arts district functional and in settling the new residents. I was surprised a little at the passion she detailed in the art district project. She is really into it and I’m glad she has found something she feels is a worthwhile project to put effort into. Maybe now she will stop being so difficult all the time. I think that I should give her a job that keeps her busy with planning parties, concerts, and holidays for the town. Isn’t there a term for that? Ah that’s right. “Great to hear things are going so well. From now on I’m making you the town event coordinator, Laurissa.” I see a subtle nod from Enora out of the corner of my eye. On the part of Laurissa, the snow elf woman seems pleased but I can tell she is trying not to show her excitement.
I look over at Grondar making it obvious that it’s his turn. He clears his throat and starts to go over the readiness of the guards and how they have all picked up a level or two training in the dungeon. A good number of the new residents have also expressed interest in joining the guard. He eventually gets to the scout that we captured and that they were able to convince him to share some information. “He says the soldiers that were staging in Efftin are part of a larger force that is on the plains near the forest. Though they are in service to the kingdom, they are the personal troops of a noble house named Enlit. Apparently they are ordered to collect slaves for sale.” He must have noticed something in my expression because he asks “Do you know of the Enlits?”
I shake my head negative but elaborate for his benefit. “I don’t know them personally or anything. It seems that we may have caused a little trouble for the house while we were in Riverock. A pair of assassins were sent to eliminate me. They attacked us on our way to free the slaves we brought back last night. They bit off more than they could chew, especially since Grace was with us. They won’t be an issue any more but they did say that house Enlit was responsible. Speaking of Grace, how is she? She is here to set up an official Adventurers Guild branch.”
Grondar rolls his eyes at this making it evident he has met her. “Yes, so she said last night when she demanded to be taken to her guild building. We told her that it wasn’t furnished yet but she insisted we take her anyways. She was quite forceful in her desire, so I ultimately had one of the guards show her the way.”
I got a little laugh out of the irritation Grondar is showing but I speak up so the meeting can end soon. “Is there anything else you have learned about the force inside Efftin or just outside the forest?”
“A little. The scout wasn’t very important so he didn’t know much. He did say the officers for both were not happy to be made into slavers, but they would follow orders. He didn’t know how long they would stay or anything else relevant. We have been keeping him in one of the rooms downstairs under guard for now.”
When Grondar stops and is obviously done talking I look around the room to see if anyone else has anything to add. No one does, so I call an end to the meeting. “Thanks for the update everyone. I will go talk to the prisoner now myself. Gem, if you are ready to go now then you can follow Grondar to meet the party you will go to the dungeon with.” She nods and follows the captain of the guard out while everyone disperses. I head downstairs and find the room that is under guard. The guards nod to me and I enter the room to check on our involuntary guest.
The young human is sitting on the bed when I enter and leaning over with his head down. When I walk in he lifts his head. At seeing me his eyes go wide and I’m reminded of the first time I saw him in the forest where we surprised and captured him. He straightens up where he is sitting but I raise a hand before he can stand. “No need.” Then I take a seat next to him on the bed. “I’m Vol Adare. What’s your name.”
His mouth opens and closes a few times before he gets out any words. “You’re him. The one that captured me.” It wasn’t a question but a statement. He hasn’t answered my question but I let it slide this time because he doesn’t seem to be hostile to me. I nod at his statement to confirm it then just look at him waiting. After a few seconds of my expectant look his eyes get wide again and he quickly answers my question. “Steve sir. My name is Steve” he says, his voice surprisingly meek.
With his manner of response I’m a little worried that my people might have been torturing him for information. “Well, Steve, how has your stay here been?”
As I watch his reaction I discount abuse immediately since his cheeks start flushing crimson. “Good sir. I have been treated very well. I have no complaints.” Then it hits me. Neither of the guards outside the door felt the need to follow me inside with Steve here. Also, one was a rather attractive looking wood el
f woman.
I take a moment to think before saying more. “Tell me Steve, what would you like me to do with you. From what my captain has told me you have completely cooperated with us. And from the attitude of your guards, I don’t think you have been causing any trouble with them. I could send you back to the capital right now if you would swear not to reveal anything about us here. Do you have family, friends, maybe a girlfriend that will miss you?”
He looks a little disappointed and crestfallen at my words. “Sir I don’t really have anyone back in the capital or anywhere. I joined the army because I didn’t have anything else I could do.”
He seems reluctant to say more so I give him a little push. “Is there someone here that you would like to get to know then?” His cheeks blush even darker than before, but there is a little hope in his eyes. He opens his mouth to talk but it looks like he is too embarrassed to say anything and closes it shortly after. “Would you like it if you could stay here?” At his nod I get up and step out of the room, closing the door behind me. Turning to the guards I ask “Has the prisoner been behaving himself?”
The wood elf woman on the right is quick to answer for them both. “Yes sir. He has been exceptionally well behaved.” She responded so quickly that I suspect Steve’s crush might not be so hopeless.
Turning to face her directly I say “Good to hear. Sounds like I can trust him to swear to secrecy of what he has seen here and send him on his way to the capital.” I’m watching the female guard very carefully when I say this and it’s because of this I notice the slight downturn of her lips before she can school her features. Still looking at her I ask another question. “You disagree?” She looks a little panicked at my continued questioning and stammers out a no. I look to the older Tigerkin man who is on guard as well. “Are they both this obvious all the time?”
He bursts out into laughter the moment I finish the question. When he gets some control of himself he finally gets out “Not all the time but you nailed it for sure. They have been talking during her guard shifts. I have been letting it happen since they never discuss anything that is a problem for security or anything.”
“Good enough for me. You can leave now” I say to the man. I point to the young woman “But you come with me.” Back in the room I look to Steve. “So, you want to stay here if you can?” He nods his head, a little wide eyed at the woman I brought in with me. “What is your patron?”
A little confused he answers slowly. “Sofia is my patron. The goddess of life.”
“Good. If you wish to stay then I need you to swear to your patron that you renounce any loyalty to other countries, kingdoms, or governments. You will also swear loyalty to me on your patron. To protect my interests and those under my protection.”
He looks surprised at first but a moment later he looks to the woman guard next to me. A moment looking at her seems to firm up his resolve and determination fills his eyes. “I do so swear on my patron goddess Sofia.”
Steve has sworn fealty to you on his patron goddess Sofia. You are now his lord and any betrayal to you or his oath will have grave consequences for him. As his sworn lord you are the only one that can release him from this oath.
I clap my hands together before putting a hand on Steve’s shoulder. “Looks like that did it. I will inform the council of this later, but for now you will need an escort wherever you go.” I turn to look at the woman guard. “What was your name again?”
She bows her head to me and answers. “Elisia my lord.”
I noticed she called me her lord this time instead of sir like before. “My apologies, I should have asked earlier. I want you to stay with him for the next few days. Word travels fast around here but I want to make sure there are no incidents. Say three days?” I will leave the sleeping arrangements to you. Other than that, why don’t you show him around town?”
At this point Steve is looking at me with glistening eyes. “You’re letting me out of here?” At my smile and nod he drops to a knee. “Thank you my lord. You will not regret this. I will serve you faithfully for the rest of my days.”
I didn’t expect this and it throws me for a loop. I take a second to think, I have never been comfortable with being called lord and this level of devotion makes me a little anxious. I control my urge to tell him to get up. He is very grateful to be here and I won’t cheapen his gesture. Placing my hand on his shoulder I say in a solemn voice “If you wish to serve here in a manner like the guards, or as a scout, whatever you wish, this is the place. You need not be a soldier to bring value to this place, but it is an option. I’m sure that Elisia can help you decide which is the best path for you. First thing though, I think Elisia should take you to the tailor to get you some clothes. Can’t have you walking around in that armor. Tell them that I will cover the cost and get him a few sets.” I say the last part to Elisia.
I then lift the man up and give him a warm smile that is completely genuine. His attitude after being raised in a place like Plora is truly inspiring to me. I can tell he doesn’t see nonhumans as animals or beneath him. From the look he gives to Elisia you would think he reveres nonhumans. But that is young love for you. “Thank you my lord” he says. Then I say goodbye and leave the two.
When I step out into the hall again I see that Azzaria and Timbre have caught up to me and are waiting there. They both have big grins on their faces. “What?” I ask them.
Azzaria answers me. “Looks like there is another human citizen for TR.” At my look she answers the unasked question. “People have started shortening Thunderbird’s Roost to just TR.”
I get a chuckle out of that. The town’s name is a little long. “Okay then. So where is Thia?”
“She decided to spread her wings. She didn’t get much of a chance to change while she was in the city” Azzaria tells me.
I look over to Timbre. “You can change if you would like, it has been even longer for you.” She gives me a lick on the cheek as an answer and shifts to her wolf form. I walk away down the hall to my next destination and speak to Timbre as we move. “You don’t need me to give you permission. If you want to change feel free to.” To that she answers with a short yip. I take it as acceptance. Soon we’re in the entry hall and I turn to Azzaria. “I assume you are going to check in with Enora and the orchard that you were working on?”
“Yeah I was planning on that. Is there something you need me to do?” She looks back as she says this to where Steve and Elisia are coming down the hall.
I smile at her and ask “Can you tell the council I have secured an oath from Steve there and that he will be joining us here in TR? I will tell Jerick since I’m headed there now.”
“Sure. No problem. I will see you later.” Then Azzaria gives me a kiss on the cheek and bounces off up the stairs to the main hall.
Leaving the keep I head toward Jerick’s leatherwork shop. I wave to him as usual when we enter and he sets down something that he is working on. “How’s business going Jerick?”
“Hi Vol and Timbre. Its back to normal now after we moved. What have you got for me?” He says.
“A couple things actually. First, I met with Steve, the guy we captured when we left. He’s a good kid and he has asked to join us here. He even made a oath to his patron so I don’t think there will be an issue. Azzaria is going to tell the other council members and I wanted to inform you of this since he will be around town. He will have a guard with him the next three days to make sure there are no misunderstandings with the townsfolk.”
Jerick smiles at me. “The guard that is escorting him around wouldn’t happen to be a certain wood elf woman would it?”
I chuckle at that. “They seem to get along so I thought it was a good idea.”
“I’ll make sure to spread the word. It shouldn’t be hard to adjust. People are already used to you being around and even respect you so I think he should be alright. Now what else did you come to me for?”
“Well, I think you will like this one. I want you to make me a new set o
f armor. I know you just made me one but I have something special in mind.” Then I take out the Golden Drake Leather that I picked up in Riverock.
A number of emotions flit across his face as he examines it settling on disappointment. “I’m sorry Vol. This material is exceptional but I’m unable to work with it. I can stitch it but the natural problem with working on this kind of drake is that making good cuts through the material is nearly impossible and makes the item a low class, reducing the effectiveness. If I were to work this it would be nearly the same as your current armor.”
He goes to hand the material back to me but I don’t take it. Instead I take out an item I received in the dungeon when we first ran it. I’m hoping that the special feature of the Stone Cutter knife will allow Jerick to create a unique set of armor for me. “Try using this. If you can create a special set of armor with this material, designed for me, then you can keep it.”
He reaches out and takes the knife from me. After staring at it for a minute a slow smile spreads across his face. “This just may do the trick. If this works well then there may even be enough to make some other things. Is there anything that you would like me to do with the left over leather?”
A Mage Rising: (The Chronicles of Herst 2: A LitRPG Saga) Page 39
