The Land: Raiders: A LitRPG Saga (Chaos Seeds Book 6)
Page 3
“You did what you had to do,” Richter said in an understanding tone. “Though we will not be rushing off right this second, I promise you that we will save as many people as we can, your family included. Now, there are things I need to know. That was not a small strike group that was chasing you. Two Warriors, a Specialist Mage and dozens of goblin fighters is a small army. Even though I get why they would want to reclaim an escaped prisoner, it seems like overkill. Is there anything else I need to know?”
Liddle shook his head slowly, “I was surprised as well, Lord Richter. You already know of the Bloodstone.” He thought for a moment before speaking again. “The only other thing I can think of is an idle comment said by one of the guards. They spoke freely around the captives in goblin-speak. The fools were so smug! They did not know that I also knew some words in their foul language. There was much I did not understand, but I clearly heard them say they could not wait to get the ‘egg.’”
The hill sprite stopped talking. Richter stared at him, but nothing else was forthcoming. “Egg? Have they found some dangerous animal they can tame?”
“I cannot say, Lord Richter. I am sorry. The only other thing that I can tell you is that all of the prisoners were kept to the western side of the camp. When they led one of the captives away, it was to the south side, behind a second inner wall. I never got sight of what was behind that second wall.” Liddle paused for a moment. When he spoke again, it was with sadness, “No prisoners that saw what is past that wall ever came out alive again.”
Richter’s heart ached for the former POW, but he knew that there was still much to be done. He looked at his Companion, “Do you have any idea what ‘egg’ the goblins could have been speaking about? Are they raising monsters?”
Sion shook his head to show that he had no idea either. “It is not unheard of for goblins to use monsters to fight on their behalf, but it would not be a big secret. That would not explain such a large force coming after Liddle, and it certainly would not explain the presence of a Bloodstone.”
“I still don’t understand what the big deal is about this stone,” Richter said. “What does it do? Is it concentrated evil or something?”
Sion just shrugged again, this time with a bit of frustration. “I cannot tell you. All I know was that when I was a child, some of the scariest stories involved goblins using Bloodstones to power awful magics. In the stories, even weak Bloodstones give fighting bonuses to armies that possessed them. I do not think that the stones are inherently evil, but they are talismans of great power. The fact that the goblins have one at this settlement means that they greatly value whatever it is they have found.”
“So, it’s like a Magic Core?” Richter asked.
“I, DO, NOT, KNOW!” Sion bellowed. “We need to get back to the village and tell my mother about this!”
“Fine!” Richter responded irritated. Like any real brothers, he and Sion could really get on each other’s nerves. After a moment, though, he realized that he would have hated being asked the same question over and over as well. “You’re right, man. We need to get back. We still need to get eyes on the encampment, though. Liddle, how many goblins are in the encampment?”
The sprite let out a long sigh, “At least a hundred, Lord Richter.”
The chaos seed coughed, “Are you sure? A HUNDRED?”
Liddle nodded, “I am sure. I wish I was not. More are coming each day as they build up the fortifications.”
“Is that estimate including the thirty or so that we just killed?” Richter asked hopefully.
The hill sprite slowly shook his head. The chaos seed felt his already present headache worsen. At least a hundred was what the sprite had said. That meant there could be more goblins. It actually opened the door to there being any number of goblins greater than a hundred. That was like half of all numbers! Richter knew that that didn’t actually make sense in light of an infinite amount of numbers, but he wasn’t about to let logic get in his way! Sion was right. They needed to talk to Hisako.
Something else needed to happen, though. They needed information. Richter was about to tell Sion to lead his warband back to the village while he did some recon when a feminine and obstinate voice invaded his mind.
*No.*
Alma flew down and hovered only a foot in front of his face with strong beats of her dusky black wings.
*What do you mean ‘No’? No what?* Richter thought back.
*‘No,’ you are not running off through the wilds alone to face hundreds of goblins.*
*He only said a hundred goblins. Not hundreds, Alma. And I am the master here!*
*The sad sprite said at least a hundred goblins. That means it could be hundreds,* she retorted mentally.
Can’t really argue with that, Richter thought to himself. He decided to stick with the argument that he was the master. She beat him to the punch.
*I love you, master, but you are being foolish. I can fly undetected through the trees. Even though it will take me beyond the range that we can communicate, I will come back to you as soon as I have seen everything that I can and give you the images. Your map will be updated in color as if you saw it yourself. You need to get your warband home, master. I am the right choice for this mission.* Alma’s tone had started off feisty during this last mission, but it ended with the feel of calm acceptance as if she was telling him something that he already knew and could not possibly argue against. She was right.
Liddle was looking at Richter in confusion, but Sion was used to seeing that particular expression on his friend’s face. He knew that his Companion was speaking to the dragonling. Richter looked at both of them and said, “Alma is going to do some scouting for us. We will get back to the village, and once she returns, we will formulate a plan of attack.” Liddle looked even more confused until Sion explained who Alma was.
Richter looked at his familiar, *Be careful! I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to you.*
*You would most likely die immediately. If not because of your own stupidity, then because you would realize life would just not be worth living without me,* she thought back with a saucy attitude.
*You really are turning into a cocky little thing. Do you know that?* Richter thought to her fondly.
*They say monsters can always smell their own,* she retorted quirkily. *Master, you do not need to worry. I am not the creature you summoned those months ago. I am a level 34 dragonling. I am fast and cunning and beautiful. I will do you proud, master.*
Richter looked at his familiar with a tight feeling in his chest. He didn’t recognize it at first, then with surprise, he realized it was a particular mix of love and pride. *Then go, my love, and come back to me safely.*
Without further communication, Alma beat her wings hard and shot up into the air. In a moment, she was lost in the canopy above, but Richter heard her trumpeting cry as she quickly flew away to the east. Richter told Liddle to rest while they prepared to leave, and he and Sion set to helping their comrades. There was still healing to be done.
CHAPTER 3 – Day 140 – Kuborn 30, 15,386 EBG
Thirty minutes later, he had done everything that he could. Richter had even stopped a bleeding wound on one of the goblin prisoners by casting Weak Stabilize. Other, non-life-threatening injuries were left unhealed on the captives. Richter didn’t see any reason to make his prisoners stronger. It wasn’t like they needed to walk after all. Caulder made sure each goblin was gagged and bound tight upon his liege’s orders. After that, the chaos seed summoned a host of mist workers to carry both the living and the dead. Sadly, three of his guards would never rise again, Gregane, Amara and Nitol. His forces had won the day, but the mood of the war party was still somber.
His forces weren’t quite ready to leave, so Richter took the time to go through the equipment the goblins had been holding. The scouts and fighters had little more than crappy armor and rusted weapons. He still put it all in his bag, just in case his smiths could salvage anything. The three Professional goblins w
ere another story. Each of them had been stripped of gear by his people, and their weapons and armor were laid in a pile before each of the bodies. Richter walked up to the body of one of the Warriors.
You have found: Grooved High Steel Cutlass.
Damage: 14-17.
Durability: 158/158.
Item Class: Common.
Quality: Well Crafted.
Weight: 2.4 kg.
Traits: +3% increased chance to cause Bleeding status.
You have found: Steel Cuirass.
Defense: +11.
Type: Medium Armor.
Durability: 74/77.
Item Class: Common.
Quality: Above Average.
Weight: 9.8 kg.
You have found: High Steel Chain Gauntlets.
Defense: +9.
Type: Medium Armor.
Durability: 64/69.
Item class: Common.
Quality: Above Average.
Weight: 3.5 kg.
You have found: Leather Greaves.
Defense: +4.
Type: Light Armor.
Durability: 25/41.
Item Class: Common.
Quality: Average.
Weight: 3.5 kg.
You have found: Ring of Health.
Durability: 12/12.
Item Class: Uncommon.
Quality: Above Average.
Weight: 0.1 kg.
Traits: +18 to Health.
You have found: Ring of Stamina.
Durability: 13/15.
Item Class: Uncommon.
Quality: Above Average.
Weight: 0.1 kg.
Traits: +23 to Stamina.
The gear was nothing to write home about, but the magic rings would be useful. It was gratifying to be able to identify magical gear without asking Futen for help. The fifteen Talent Points he had spent to unlock his identification Talents were well spent so far as he was concerned. He thought about what to do with the rings for a moment, but then a loud voice drew his attention. Looking over, he saw his sergeant, the war party Tank, giving commands to everyone that was still able to stand on their feet.
Without another thought, Richter called Caulder over. The sergeant jogged up and asked, “Sir?”
Richter handed him the rings. A look of shock came over the sergeant’s face at receiving such a gift. The chaos seed was confused at first by the man’s reaction. He had expected a thanks, maybe a grateful laugh, but not the intense look of gratitude that Caulder was giving him. Then he remembered how expensive even weak magic items were. These rings might cost three to five gold pieces each. When most guards and craftsmen earned less than one gold per month, it was easy to understand why his guard was impressed. It made the chaos seed feel good to help the sergeant, but it was also a reminder that he was becoming jaded with his access to magic. Still, it felt great when he received the following prompts.
Your generous gift has moved Caulder. You have gained 242 Relationship Points. Total Relationship Points: +26,517
Congratulations! Your relationship with Caulder has improved from Admiring to Trusting.
The sergeant smiled profusely, promising that he would put the rings to good use. Then he moved off and proceeded to shout at his men again, the personification of a perfect drill sergeant. At least now he was berating his men with a smile. Richter walked over to the next Warrior’s gear.
You have found:
Orichalum Longsword.
Damage: 15-19.
Durability: 67/101.
Item Class: Common.
Quality: Well Crafted.
Weight: 3.3 kg.
You have found:
Steel Helm.
Defense: +8 (Max +9)
Durability: 34/47
Item Class: Common.
Quality: Well Crafted.
Weight: 2.5 kg.
You have found:
Steel Chestplate.
Defense: +5 (Max +9)
Durability: 32/65
Item Class: Common.
Quality: Average.
Weight: 6.1 kg.
You have found:
High Steel Plate Bracer.
Defense: +4 (Max +8)
Durability: 38/77
Item Class: Common.
Quality: Average.
Weight: 1.8 kg.
You have found:
High Steel Chain Gauntlets.
Defense: +9
Durability: 62/71
Item Class: Common.
Quality: Above Average.
Weight: 3.6 kg.
You have found:
High Steel Chain Greaves.
Defense: +8
Durability: 72/84
Item Class: Common.
Quality: Above Average.
Weight: 2.9 kg.
You have found:
Iron Spiked Boots.
Defense: +5
Durability: 23/44
Item Class: Common.
Quality: Average.
Weight: 3.6 kg.
Traits: Kicks have +2 damage.
You have found:
Belt of Agility.
Durability: 19/23
Item Class: Uncommon.
Quality: Above Average.
Weight: 1.3 kg.
Traits: +1 to Agility.
You have found:
Ring of Pain.
Durability: 16/22
Item Class: Unusual.
Quality: Well Crafted.
Weight: 0.1 kg.
Traits: Injuries caused by the wearer of this ring are 16% more painful.
You have found:
Ring of Health.
Durability: 15/17
Item Class: Uncommon.
Quality: Above Average.
Weight: 0.1 kg.
Traits: +12 to Health.
You have found:
Ring of Health.
Durability: 12/12
Item Class: Uncommon.
Quality: Well Crafted.
Weight: 0.1 kg.
Traits: +25 to Health.
This second Warrior had been better equipped. There was no denying that the orichalum longsword was a solid weapon, despite its lacking enchantment. The steel and high steel armor also provided powerful defense. Each piece stank of goblin and had some rust on it, but it would still keep one of his guards safe in the future. Richter was happy to find the Belt of Agility and just wished that the enchantment had been on a piece of armor so he could feed it to the Forge.
The health rings would be helpful as well, but the Ring of Pain was fascinating and horrifying at the same time. He hadn’t even thought something like that was possible. He could see the utility in combat immediately. The seconds that an enemy reeled back in agony could be enough to finish them. What really disturbed Richter was that his mind was already leaning towards… other uses for the ring. He slipped all of them into his bag. The health rings would be gifts to the two families of the guards who had died. The Ring of Pain would stay with him. Richter turned his attention to the Witch Doctor’s gear. He had always been one to save the best for last.
You have found:
Bone Wand.
Damage: 2-6 (Max 5-8)
Durability: 13/26
Item Class: Scarce.
Quality: Exquisite.
Weight: 0.8 kg.
Traits: +18% spell strength to Dark magic spells that are focused through this wand.
You have found:
Journeyman Dark Mage Robes.
Defense: +7 (additional + 9 vs magical attack.)
Durability: 23/24
Item Class: Uncommon.
Quality: Well Crafted.
Weight: 2.6 kg.
You have found:
Darkleaf Cloth Shirt.
Defense: +2 (Max +5)
Durability: 20/32
Item Class: Common.
Quality: Well Crafted.
Weight: 0.8 kg.
You have found:
Darkleaf Cloth Pants.
Defense: +3
Durability: 33/35
Item Class: Common.
Quality: Well Crafted.
Weight: 1.1 kg.
You have found:
Bone Knuckles.
Defense: +1
Durability: 42/45
Item Class: Common.
Quality: Above Average.
Weight: 0.2 kg.
Traits: +3 to Unarmed Melee Damage.
You have found:
Hardened Leather Boots.
Defense: +5
Durability: 40/45
Item Class: Common.
Quality: Above Average.
Weight: 1.3 kg.
You have found:
Ring of Health.
Durability: 21/23
Item Class: Unusual.
Quality: Superb.
Weight: 0.1 kg.
Traits: +72 to Health.
You have found:
Ring of Mana.
Durability: 19/24
Item Class: Unusual.
Quality: Superb.
Weight: 0.1 kg.
Traits: +48 to Mana.
You have found:
Ring of Dominant Will.
Durability: 15/17
Item Class: Scarce.
Quality: Exquisite.
Weight: 0.2 kg.
Traits: +21% to Willpower checks applied to magically controlling other creatures.
There were also four other health rings that added less than seven points each. They were far inferior to the dead goblin’s +72 Ring of Health, but Richter supposed the logic was that every little bit helped. The chaos seed realized that these rings he was arrogantly dismissing might have given the Witch Doctor just enough life to enact a final attack. An attack that had almost killed him. It was another good reminder not to lose perspective. It brought a grim smile to Richter’s face as he thought about how his enemy was teaching him something. He looked at the dead body and thought, thanks, asshole.