Eli turned his head to follow the vendor's raised hand, which was missing several fingers. The savaged appendage was pointing to a weather-beaten tent on the opposite side of the ring of makeshift shelters before it grabbed him by the shoulder.
The ancient shopkeeper turned Eli to look him directly in the eye, “And pup, next time, don’t piss off the city guard. And, try to get on their good side. There’s enough of us suffering already. Now get, I have a feeling that Alyssa will need you sooner, rather than later.”
Not a moment after the man stopped speaking, a black box with a silver border appeared in Eli’s view. It was like a notification window but held different information.
New Quest: Helping the Helpful
Merchant Tyvis the Grey has sent you to find and assist the quartermaster of the Shadowstalker pack, Alyssa.
Quest Information: Timed - 5 minutes | Reward - 50 Exp, 10 Bandages, 10 Rations, Reputation with Alyssa, Slums of Dawnport, and Shadowstalker Pack | Difficulty - Easy
At the sight of the timer, Eli looked at Don, and both started running.
Chapter 7
After a short sprint, Eli and Don stood before a large grey, sun-beaten tent. Frayed ropes connected the rear opening to a hut made from leftover lumber and thatch. Its entry flaps were closed, and a line of Wolffen, Half-Wolffen, and a few humans waited out front. Each one had an injury, sweat from illness, or was stick thin. Distended bellies, a telling sign of a malnutrition, marked nearly every citizen of the slums. The somber setting left Eli with a sick feeling in his stomach, realizing that many of these unfortunate people would die before the end of the month. Once someone reaches a certain point of starvation, there’s little that helps.
He never saw the Wolffen as little more than demi-humans before. To him, they were always simple raging beast-like creatures that attacked any who were not their own. Yet, here they were waiting in line with those humans not welcome in Dawnport, or unable to find help within the supposed safety of their own walls. Unease and sadness filled his heart as he averted his eyes from the growing line of the impoverished. Moisture gathered in his eyes as he saw a young child, the sight bringing up painful images. The youngling had similar features to that of his son Eric but more beast-like. A limp arm dangled at his side, broken bone showing through thin, sun-baked skin. As he clenched at it with his other hand, he winced. The limb looked like it would detach at any moment. Eli shook his head, trying to wipe the image from his reality.
A soft but scratchy voice called out from inside the tent, sounding like a songbird with a bug stuck in its throat. “One moment, please.”
The flap opened slowly as an older Wolffen woman, in her late fifties walked out. Her long, coarse brown hair bunched under a bloody head wrap, and her jaw hung slack, slightly off-center. Dark bruising surrounded her left eye, its swollen lid making it impossible to see out of. Several teeth were missing from her slightly muzzle-like mouth.
“Don’t forget to take these,” the sing-song voice called out after the elder, as a younger Half-Wolffen woman with striking features stepped into the afternoon daylight.
She tapped the injured woman on her arm before handing her a sack and a bushel of odd-looking pink berries. Her slender arms led to gentle-looking hands and thin clawed fingers. Soft eyes, with large canine pupils, sat amid sharp facial features looking over her patient one last time.
“Thank you, Alyssa.” The old woman fumbled, broken words barely escaped her mouth.
Her broken jaw struggled to move as she spoke, nearly breaking down as she hugged the young healer.
“Don’t cry, Elder Grace. It really is no problem. Without you, we wouldn’t have what we do now. We would have all died after fleeing Daggerfang, and these damn guards take anything more valuable than a stick. Just be more careful. I don’t want to see you hanged for a loaf of bread.”
Eli’s eyes met the young doctors as they scanned each other from head to toe. Eli winced as her smile turned to a grimace when they locked eyes before she turned to the child with the broken arm. As Eli followed her gaze, the young Wolffen boy collapsed and convulsed.
“Get back. Give him some room!” The healer shouted, “He’s having a seizure,” as she ran to the boy’s side.
Eli moved out of instinct, crossing the nearly twenty feet of space with ease. Laying his arms under the boy’s head, he turned him on his side. A breath later, the boy’s body heaved, and his mouth frothed as spittle dribbled down his chin. The boy’s eyes rolled back into his head as the seizure became more violent. His arms flailed, and his body grew rigid, his fingers turning to curved, dangerous claws. A moment later, Alyssa came to a stop next to the two with determination in her eyes.
One hand shot into a bag at her waist, returning with more of the pink berries, the other reached a finger into the child’s mouth, keeping it open. The child’s tongue was grey and nearly colorless, his breath reeked of fungus.
“Starvation has set in; he’s in shock. We need to get something sweet in him now. Hold his mouth open!” Not stopping to turn, or acknowledge that Eli heard, she barked orders.
Eli wrapped his free hand around the boy’s lower jaw, keeping it from snapping shut on the healer’s fingers while the canine teeth gouged his palms, causing blood to spill from his hand, into the child’s mouth. With a quick but deliberate motion, she smashed a few of the round juice-filled fruits and removed her hands.
“Close it!” Another order.
The boy began another round of violent thrashing, causing his broken arm to flail randomly, the bone separating further. Hushed voices mixed with gasps sounded off in the background as something sharp and grey punctured the boy’s skin, its tip covered in red. The pain caused the boy to go limp as he fell unconscious. Unphased by the situation, Alyssa reached into her pouch yet again, as Eli watched in shock. When her hand returned, holding clean bandages, a sewing kit, and a pin Eli grew confused.
Where is all of this stuff coming from? That bag is tiny, Eli thought, staring at the woman.
Without looking up, she set the boy’s arm. A crunching noise gave way to a loud snap as she aligned the bone. The pain woke the child, and he lurched forward, screaming in agony.
“Hold him down,” she screamed, forcing Eli back into action, but he was too late.
His voice cracking, the boy called out in pain as before writhing, on the ground unable to control his body. While holding the child down, Eli felt strong hands ease him out of the way as Don came into view.
“I can help,” the Turta said, lowering himself to his knees. Looking up at the Turta with hesitant eyes, Alyssa nodded and allowed him to look the boy over. “The arm’s not fully set. It’s jabbing into muscle tissue, and might cause a tear.” Don said, never acknowledging the glares from the healer or the crowd.
“Don’t touch him,” a woman cried, before dim sky blue flashes of light shot from Don’s center, settling around his hands.
For the first time, Eli watched as his new companion used his ability. With calm fluid motions, Don touched his hands to the boy’s arm, grabbing him at the wrist and shoulder. With a slight twist and pull the arm straightened, releasing a smooth popping sound. After one final scream, the boy’s body went slack, his breathing stabilized, and his eyes opened.
“What did you do?” Alyssa asked, confusion in her voice.
“I used an ability called Martial Healing. It allows me to remove physical debuffs and restore a little life back to whoever I use it on.” Don shrugged. “Apparently broken bones count as a debuff. But he’s still starving and may go into shock again if we don’t get him some food and water soon.” His eyes flicked quickly, a grin appearing on his face.
Subtle dings sounded in Eli’s mind, as the exclamation mark icon in the lower-left portion of his vision flashed, and several new notifications appeared in his logs.
* Congratulations! Quest Completed: Helping the Helpful. *
Rewards: 50 exp, +100 reputation Slums of Dawnport, +100 reputation Shadowstalke
r Pack, +50 reputation with Alyssa, the healer. For item rewards, speak to Alyssa Pridewalker.
*Congratulations!*
Your reputation is now Somewhat Friendly with the Slums of Dawnport. Residents of this area are more likely to help you complete simple tasks, and merchants will give you better prices.
*Congratulations!*
Your reputation is now Somewhat Friendly with the Shadowstalker Pack. Residents of this area are more likely to help you complete simple tasks, and merchants will give you better prices.
After reading the notification, a grin that mirrored the Turta’s appeared on Eli’s face. Well, this is handy. Now, I know exactly how much people like me, Eli thought with a laugh. If only I had this when I was younger, I could have avoided a lot of painful encounters with the ladies.
Alyssa’s voice snapped Eli and Don to attention. “Thank you both. That would have been much more difficult without your help.” She said in a measured tone as if what they did was normal, before reaching down to bandage the small puncture wound on the boy’s arm. “Now, help me get this child into a bed.”Nodding at the child, who was now groaning on the floor, she motioned towards the back of the tent.
A moment later, Alyssa placed the boy on a cot made of branches and stretched hides. His bed sat in the corner of the makeshift medical center, as far away from those with communicable illnesses as possible. Wolffen, Humans, and a blue-skinned Mist elf woman laid on similar cots, clogging up every inch of space. The less injured took up residence on the floor or in chairs. A large portion of them were starving or sick from fairly preventable illnesses related to hygiene. Many others had broken hands, arms, or shattered cheekbones. “What’s going on here?” Eli asked in a hushed voice.
“Well, they are doing to them what they did to you.” Alyssa replied, “They beat you, string you up, and take any gear of value. Some of which, they sell to the only merchant allowed to operate in the slums, who then turn around and sell it back. Then they repeat the cycle. Having a scrap of food will earn you a broken hand or arm. They assume you stole it from their vendors or a merchant’s cart.” She sighed while giving the boy a few more berries, a small piece of jerky, and some water.
She looked up at Eli, her serious demeanor relaxing slightly. “You’re obviously new here, so I’ll give you a warning. Consider it my way of thanking you for your help back there.” Her eyes met Eli’s, with hesitation, “Just avoid the city. The slums are bad enough, but if you don’t have papers to get in, the city is far worse. And you’re not likely to get papers.” Her tone grew hard yet again as if the conversation had pulled harsh memories from her past. “You’re the wrong kind of half-breed.” She said in a mocking impression of a human guard. Her head shook and turned back to tending to the injured boy. “I’m serious; you might end up strung by the neck next time. If you need anything, come to me. I might have what you need or know someone who can.”
Watching Alyssa as she worked, Eli tried to pick up hints of what she was doing. While he stared, Don nudged him, breaking his concentration.
When Eli failed to speak, Don asked for their quest reward. “Actually, ma’am, we could use some fresh bandages and some rations. A few days worth, maybe two, at most. And, if you have some work that needs doing, we’re willing to help.”
With a quick wave of her arm, Alyssa gestured towards a shoddy wooden crate in the corner, the nearest wall of the tent. “Take a roll of bandages and ten rations. That’s all I can manage. There are people here who need that equipment a lot more than you do.” As expected, the quantity matched the quest rewards exactly, causing Eli to smile. “Head to the general goods shop for anything else.”
Don ran towards the crate like a child looking for gifts. “Sweet, thanks, this should be enough to get us through.”
Eli brushed some hair back from the boy’s face, taking a moment to get the image of Eric out of his mind. He couldn’t help but notice the similarities. Their eyes, skin tone, and face shape were different, but also similar. The child’s large eyes were kind and full of wonder, even while in excruciating pain. His thin limbs looked like they were used to running and climbing. Eli had never seen a Wolffen child before, he had no reason to visit the slums, and the two races usually kept their distance, both equally afraid of the other. Looking at the one before him, Eli realized that if the situation were different, the boy could be friends with his own children. He was acting as if the company of others and a little food were a treat, regardless of his injury. Even in his terrible condition, Jarl still found happiness. Amazed at the resilience of the miniature Wolffen, Eli smiled.
“Is there anything else we can do to help? You guys look severely understocked. Supplies, food, anything? I’m not half bad with a bandage and some salve myself.” Eli said, a slight tremble in his voice.
He didn’t know why he was speaking up. He owed these people nothing. Hell, they may have been the clan who prowled the Wildwood. Regardless of his distaste for their race, Eli knew he couldn’t leave without helping them. He could not bring himself to do it. Many would starve to death, possibly by the end of the week. Looking around the room, he saw the faces of humans, dwarves, elves, and even a goblin tucked away in the corner. They weren’t taking in just the Wolffen. There were people of several races in the large tent, all equally in need, and Alyssa was caring for them. With an aching heart, Eli looked over the room, as howling moans of discomfort and cries of pain poured into his ears. It wasn’t these people who had wronged him or his family. These people needed help, and not a turn back.
Two clawed hands curled into balls, as anger sparked at Eli’s core. The sigh of a young human girl lying motionless on a cot filled him with rage. It was his former friends who were putting them in this situation, who had put him in this situation. They did not recognize him anymore, but that was no excuse. Not for what they did.
No one deserved such depravity, especially while so close to the safety of a city. One with more than enough room to hold everyone. His altercations with the Wolffen were different, Eli told himself. He lived in the woods and had a family to protect. He knew he was justifying his own actions. Tears rolled down his face, as memories of his deeds rushed back to him. They were encroaching on his property. His thoughts spiraled into self-loathing. Before he could process what he had done, Alyssa’s warm yet bestial voice interrupted him.
“In fact, there is something you can do. We need food and medical supplies, what I just gave you was almost half of what I have left, and there are nearly one hundred people who need help. We also need proper hunting equipment. Bows, arrows, traps, lumber, and tools are the most important.” As she spoke, her voice became deadly serious. “Every time we build or find something useful, the guards come and take it. Those who refuse, end up in jail or beaten. They claim that it's taxes, that we need to pay our fair share for the protection they offer.” Eli shifted as the woman’s gaze grew cold, her words growing more feral with each word, “Protection from what?” She screamed, slamming her fists together. “The only people we need protection from is them. They are the ones who hunt us down for trying to feed ourselves. They are the ones who break our children’s limbs for hiding away food and toys. They are the ones who beat our people for stashing items that we have worked hard to gather or make.”
A sense of self-loathing crept into Eli’s heart as he remembered hunting and killing the Wolffen, who had entered his glade. He had tracked them down and stolen their lives for entering his lands. On one occasion, starving Wolffen attacked his family. After that, he never took chances. He never asked questions. He shot anyone who came near his land, aiming to kill or injure.
Spitting between sentences, the globules landing in a bedpan, Alyssa continued. “We keep the area around this city clear from beasts and monsters. We fight to protect ourselves and this city.” Rage filled her voice, hints of canine howling tainting the end of each word. “It’s because they are afraid of us. Competition scares them. They know that if they allowed us to grow stronger i
f we knew where our next meal came from, we would protect ourselves. Then their cheap labor would dry up, and we would prosper. They just don’t want to let us mangey beasts share their streets. They don’t want to accept that we are as strong and capable as they are.” Her last words came coated with such hatred and wrath that Eli’s heart sank. “Cowards!”
He had once said those exact words when describing these people, calling them mangy beasts and monsters. While he still didn’t trust or understand them, he could now see them for what they were. These were men, women, and children who just wanted to survive.
As the woman stopped talking, a new notification crept into view. The barely visible silver box had black borders and text, a silhouette of a shadowy wolf resting in the center of the top, just above the text.
*You have been offered a new quest: Protecting the pack*
Alyssa, from the Shadowstalker Pack, has asked for your help. Find enough supplies to keep her medical tent operational.
Items needed:
50 lbs of meat
5 lbs Wild Gojai Berries
10 feet of clean cloth
5 medium to large animal pelts
5 lbs of Midnight Lavender
5 lbs of Forrest Rosemary
Optional:
10 lengths of timber (worked)
25 feet of sinew or linen string.
10 bundles of arrow shafts (20x each)
Bonus: Craft timber and arrow shafts into usable hunting equipment, or find someone who can.
Bonus Reward: (+200 exp, increased reputation gains)
Ascension Page 10
