Battleborne

by Dave Willmarth

  When he didn’t play along, she hmph’d slightly and pointed to the next scroll. “Drift. It lets you fall slowly and land gently. You know, if you have to jump off a cliff or something. Gotta be careful, though. The effect only lasts thirty seconds to begin with. So there’s a limit to how far you can drift down safely.”

  Next she put her hand on a book. “These books are higher order spells, and much more expensive. This first one I wrote myself. I call it Jump! And no, it doesn’t make you jump high. This is way better!” She actually stepped up onto the counter and moved across to whisper to him, her head still only chest-high to Max. “It’s teleportation magic. Lets you jump from one place to another in a single blink!”

  “Shuuuut up and take my money!” Max grinned at her, making her giggle.

  She placed a hand on his chest, and offered, “Well, you could work off some of the price…”

  Blushing now, Max shook his head. “I’m sorry, I’m in sort of a hurry. Brand new kingdom to organize, lots of meetings, you know?” He tried to smile as kindly as he could. “Not that I’m not tempted…”

  “Ha! Alright then, let’s get through this. The Jump spell will take you up to one half mile to begin with. You can only jump to a spot that you can see, or that you have seen, and can picture clearly in your mind. You can teleport through walls and such, but again, if you fail to picture your destination clearly enough, well… we’ll never get to see how tempted you really are.”

  She pointed to another book. “This is one of my personal favorites. It’s a spell created by my great, great grandfather. He was a mechanomage, always tinkering with mechanical gadgets, trying to add magic to make them better, more powerful. But they kept exploding on him. For years and years, everything he tried exploded in his face. Nearly killed him more often than not. Until finally he decided that was a skill in its own right, and created this spell!” She grinned at him, waggling her blue eyebrows. “Secret family recipe we like to call Boom!”

  Max actually laughed, liking the little gnome more and more. “Boom? That’s the actual spell name? As in, make stuff go boom?”

  She gave him a little pouty face. “You can’t just say boom, all boring like that. You gotta say Boom! with a little oomph behind it! When you hear how it works, you’ll understand. You see, you cast it on a target, let’s say a grey dwarf. You point at him and say Boom!, and watch as about a second later, his heart explodes! Or, you know, his head. Sometimes a knee, or some other joint… it’s not one hundred percent predictable with flesh and blood targets. But with mechanical things like door locks, or clocks...” She gave Max a dirty look as he laughed out loud. “Fine! Never mind this one, then!”

  Max stifled his laughter and held up his hands, causing her to flinch slightly. “No! No, no, I love it! It’s simply perfect. Boom!” he shouted while flinging his hands into the air, then laughed some more. Eventually, when she decided he wasn’t teasing her, she joined in.

  “Alright, this last one I bought from a shady-looking dark elf mage. He says it’s called Fade, and will make the target difficult to see. Not invisible, exactly, just much harder to spot. I have no idea if it works, and make no guarantees. I’ve had it for ten years and can’t get anyone to take a risk on it, so I’ll sell it to you at cost.”

  Max thought about it for a good bit. On the one hand, it sounded like a very useful spell, especially if he was going to be sneaking up on orcs. The name reminded him that he was supposed to have a natural fade ability from his stonetalon blood, and he wondered if the two would compliment each other. On the other hand, it could be some kind of trap made by an asshat mage in a bad mood. It might kill him, or turn him pink, or something.

  He decided to risk it.

  “Alright, how much for all of them?” He smiled at her, trying his best to be charming.

  “Look at you, big fancy king with all the moolah!” She batted her eyelashes. “Well, let’s see… a hundred each for the scrolls, five hundred for Jump, I paid three hundred for the Fade book, and for Boom!... I’ll give you a discount since you seem to appreciate it so much. Three hundred. In total, that’s thirteen hundred gold!” Her eyes widened a bit at the number, and she clearly expected him to change his mind. Max got the impression it was rare for that much gold to change hands at once. At least, in her shop.

  “How about I give you twelve hundred, and once things are all set up in Stormhaven, I’ll invite you to a fancy dinner? I happen to know the King…”

  “Ha! You’ve got a deal, you big hunk of yummy!” She accepted the coins from him, then bent to reach under the counter, shaking her butt slightly in his direction as she did so. Straightening back up, she handed him another scroll. “This is a portal scroll that will bring you back here to my shop. You know, in case you need more items, or just want to whisk a girl away for a night at the castle.”

  You have learned the skill: Barter!

  Through shameless flirting, a little negotiation, and simple luck, you managed to get a significant reduction in the price of your purchase, as well as some free stuff, and a date. Not bad.

  “Thank you, Josie.” Max took the scroll and bent to give her a gentle hug. “I’ll definitely use this, and soon.” He tucked that scroll and the other items into his inventory. “I really do have to go, but it has been a pleasure.”

  She waved at him as he exited the shop, then hopped down, flipped the sign hanging on the door from Open to Closed, and locked the door behind her as she stepped out into the street. “I’m gonna need a new dress…” She mumbled, depositing the heavy bag of gold coins she’d just received into her inventory.

  *****

  Max was grinning to himself as he walked. The little gnome reminded him of a bartender he’d dated when he was very young. She was all fire and energy, and wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted. After several days of death and dismemberment, she was a welcome breath of fresh air.

  He stopped at the kabob vendor he’d purchased from before, loading up several dozen sticks of meat for his trip to the orc lands. On a whim, he asked the vendor about the spices he used to make the meat taste so good. The man happily rattled off a short list of spices, and Max asked if he’d be willing to sell small quantities of each. “I’m going on a long trip, and if I run out of your delicious kabobs, I’m hoping I can learn to cook some meat on my own.”

  “I can sell you the spices, your highness.” The vendor grinned at him. “I can also teach you the recipe for ten gold. Twenty if you do not yet have the Cooking skill.”

  Max quickly checked his status as he said, “I did learn the skill, and it is now level…2.”

  The vendor pretended to be impressed, humoring his royal visitor. Max didn’t care, as long as the guy was willing to help. “In that case, I can teach you three recipes for twenty gold total.”

  Max agreed, handing over the coin and scooping the kabobs he’d purchased into his bag, along with three small quantities of spices in packets of twisted wax paper. The vendor put a hand on Max’s forehead, and there was a pain-free influx of knowledge, much to Max’s surprise. When it was done, he thanked the vendor. “I’ll be back next time I’m nearby. Best meat on a stick I’ve ever had!”

  “Good luck on your trip!”

  Red appeared on Max’s shoulder, immediately starting in with a decent impersonation of Josie the gnome. “I can help you with whatever you need, big boy.” She purred into his ear, then stuck her tongue out at him.

  “Heh. Did you have a good rest?” He tried to whisper without moving his lips much, not wanting the citizens in the market to see the new king talking to himself.

  “I did. And I’m excited about the spells you bought. That teleportation spell could save both of our lives if you get yourself into a bad situation. So I’m going to need you to promise me something.”

  He looked sideways at her where she was perched. “Promise?”

  “Yes. From now on, before you walk into a dark cave or secret monster lair, pretty much any place where you mi
ght die, take a minute in a safe spot to look around and memorize the place, so that you can teleport back to it.”

  “That’s actually a very good idea, Red.” He covered his mouth with his hand and faked a cough. “I may need a reminder or two until I get in the habit.”

  “I’ll remind you.” She nodded, then disappeared again.

  Max continued his walk, buying a few more items before returning to his guest suite. Upon entering, he found his freshly washed clothes and repaired armor set neatly upon his bed. A moment later there was a knock on his door, and the same valet entered after Max gave him permission.

  “Me king would like to see ye, highness.”

  “Of course!” Max deposited his gear into storage and followed the valet to a meeting room with a long table. Ironhand was there with Steelbender and some elder dwarves Max didn’t think he’d met before.

  “Ah, Max. Glad ye could make it.” The king motioned for Max to take the empty chair at his right hand. “How goes the organizin’ of Stormhaven?”

  “I met with your recommended councilors this morning, and wanted to thank you. They seem perfect for the positions, and we got along very well.” Max bowed his head slightly. “I’ve arranged to meet with them again to go over some details. In the meantime, I’ve just been shopping for some items in preparation for my trip to the orc lands.”

  “Good! That be just what we wanted to speak with ye about.” Ironhand produced the sword that Max had given him upon first arriving in Darkholm. “Would ye be willing to serve as me envoy to the war leader o’ the orcs? Deliver this sword along with an offer o’ peace? I know ye be headed that direction anyway…” he winked at Max.

  Quest Received: Peacemaker

  King Ironhand has asked you to finish the mission that a dwarven courier failed so long ago. Take the legendary sword to the leader of the orcs and convey an offer of peace from the king. Reward: 50,000xp; A favor from the king.

  Bonus Quest: Convince the war leader to accept peace. Reward: ??

  Max leaned back in his chair. “You know that I’m going to the orc lands to kill a hundred orcs and take their ears for Regin, right? Seems to me that killing a hundred of his people might annoy the war leader. You think I’m really the best person to send?”

  “Ha! Yes, I be aware o’ yer quest. And I’d not ask ye to turn down a quest from a god under any circumstance. I’m hoping ye can find a way to accomplish both. It be a worthy challenge for a future king…”

  Ah, there it was. Max spent a minute trying to decide if Ironhand was just messing with him, blackmailing him, or just sincerely offering him a challenge the dwarves would consider worthy. In the end, he decided it was probably all three, and accepted the quest.

  “Wonderful!” Ironhand clapped his hands together, and the elder dwarves around the table nodded their heads. “When will ye be leaving?” He handed Max the sword.

  “I’m meeting with the councilors in the morning. I figure that will take half of the day, at least. But I’ll head out as soon as we’re done.”

  “Fine, fine. Ye have all ye need? Supplies? Will ye be takin’ anyone along?”

  Max had just been opening his mouth to say he was all set, but froze when Ironhand mentioned taking companions. He hadn’t considered it, and admitted as much. “It… had not occurred to me to take anyone along. I’d be putting them in significant danger.”

  “Aye, ye would. But there be no shortage o’ me people who’d happily face that danger with ye. Killin’ orcs be a favorite pastime.” He grinned widely at Max, who shook his head in disbelief.

  “I keep forgetting how much dwarves enjoy a good fight. I suppose having a companion or two would help me complete my quest and keep my head.”

  Steelbender spoke up from across the table. “There be two volunteers ye already met. Dalia the druid healer ye been fightin alongside, and sergeant Battleaxe, the scout who first bring’d ye to Darkholm.” The old dwarf paused and chuckled. “Rockbreaker and his entire company volunteered as well, but they be needed in Stormhaven.”

  Max was touched that the captain and the dwarves he’d fought with were willing to follow him into yet another fight. “Please thank them for me. And I’d be happy to have Dalia and the sergeant with me, as long as they’re willing.”

  “That’s settled then!” Ironhand got to his feet, causing all of the others to rise as well. “The celebration feast starts in four hours. I’ll see ye then.” The king nodded to Max and left the room, all but Steelbender trailing behind him.

  The old dwarf stared at Max for a moment, then said, “Ye didn’t do much to raise yer sword skill in the battles.” He sounded slightly disappointed.

  Max nodded. “Mostly I used my bow, and magic. I’ll try to use a sword more against the orcs.”

  “Good enough. Hold on to the one I loaned ye, and do what ye can to raise yer skill. Battleaxe can help ye, if ye ask. Give ye some pointers and train with ye.” The master smith patted Max’s arm. “I’d go with ye meself, have a bit o’ fun. But me duties keep me here.”

  “It would be my honor to adventure with you whenever you like.” Max bowed his head just a bit. “Maybe when Stormhaven is established, and you have less on your plate, we can go hunt monsters in the caves.”

  “I’d like that, lad. I’ll see ye tonight at the feast!” the dwarf flashed a grin and departed.

  Not seeing any immediate need to go anywhere, Max returned to his suite and sat on the bed. One at a time he opened the scrolls, then the books, he’d purchased from Josie. The pain from absorbing the Jump spell made him lay back on the bed to recover for a while. When he felt better, he picked up Fade, which he’d saved for last.

  Taking a deep breath, he mumbled, “Please let this be what it claims to be, and not some trap or booby prize.” Opening the book, he absorbed the spell the same as the others. The words in the book began to grow fuzzy, then to move about on the page. Finally they seemed to float toward him, passing through his forehead one after another as the book’s pages flipped, each one emptying itself in turn.

  This time the pain was mild, likely because of his natural fade ability, and when the book faded into nothingness, Max was still in one piece. Glad that his gamble hadn’t backfired on him, he wanted to experiment. Sticking his head out the door, he spotted one of the palace staff walking down the corridor toward him. He cast Fade on himself, then stepped out into the servant’s path. He coughed once to let them know he was there, then moved to one side.

  The servant looked around curiously upon hearing the cough, but didn’t focus on Max. After a moment, they began to walk again, and Max walked alongside him for a minute or so. Satisfied that they couldn’t see him, he stopped and let them walk away. Returning to his room with the spell still active, he amused himself by alternately crouching down and creeping along, tippy-toeing, or moonwalking his way back down the corridor while stealthed.

  Just as he was reaching his door, a surly-looking Stonebinder rounded the nearby corner, stalking down the hall, grumbling to himself.

  Max couldn’t resist. He stood in his doorway, turned his back to the approaching dwarf, and forced a long, loud fart. Then he quickly darted inside his room and around a corner. Stonebinder froze at the sound, turning left and right. A moment later the smell hit him, and he growled, waving a hand in front of his scowling face.

  Inside his suite, Max pressed both hands to his face trying to muffle the snickering that he couldn’t hold back. He waited, unable to see the dwarf, until he heard him continue to stomp down the corridor, cursing under his breath.

  Max decided a nap before the feast wouldn’t hurt him, so he laid down on the bed and spoke aloud, “Red, please wake me in three hours.”

  There was no answer, but he was confident she had heard him. And if she failed to wake him in time, he was sure his trusty valet would show up to bring him to the feast, eventually.

  His dreams were troubled, partly replays of his last battle on earth, reliving the deaths of his squad. Except
this time they were in leather and steel armor, and were being hit with arrows and magic spells. Try as he might, he couldn’t seem to get to them in time to save them, and he was forced to watch each of them fall.

  Waking in a sweat, Max stripped down and used the private shower in his suite. Then he pulled the nicest of the clothes that Thelonia had made for him out of his inventory, and hoped they would be fancy enough for the king’s feast. If not, he could always throw on his newly repaired and gleaming armor, which seemed to always be fashionable among dwarves.

  Since he was awake, Red didn’t appear to wake him, but as he suspected, the valet came to retrieve him at the appropriate time. He followed the dwarf back to the great hall, where a large number of dwarves were already in attendance. There were three rows of long tables placed down the left, right, and middle of the hall, all of them laden with food and drink. Another table was set in front of the throne, perpendicular to the others. There sat Ironhand, along with a female dwarf that Max assumed was the queen, a younger female, and two very young males who likely weren’t even in their teens. Also at the head table sat the representatives from the other dwarven clans.

  Max was led to an empty seat between the queen and one of the clan leaders, and the valet pulled the chair out for him. Before he could sit, Ironhand turned and shouted, “Max! Meet my wife, queen Drima, my daughter Elona, and my two youngest, Dralin and Bralin!”

  Max bowed to the queen, and smiled at the children, being careful not to expose his fangs. “I’m honored to meet all of you, and thank you for inviting me to this wonderful celebration.” They were the best words he could think of on short notice.

  The queen smiled kindly and motioned for him to sit, at which point the valet slid the chair up under his backside. After a moment’s awkwardness, he settled himself in, and wait staff appeared to fill a huge mug in front of him with ale, and a large goblet with wine. A plate full of meat and vegetables was set before him with swift efficiency, and then he was left alone. The king winked at him, seeing Max’s discomfort.