by Sean Oswald
Jackson found himself deposited by Gunidar at the front gate of the royal academy. This time he was not coming in as a stranger. This time he knew his way around the academy grounds. Learning to hide and the safest paths to travel had definitely taught him the lay of the land.
This time there were bigger differences. Tabor was by his side, as steadfast a friend as he could have ever hoped for. Before the Erntedankfest, Tabor had helped reduce the number of attacks on him but couldn’t be expected to be by his side around the clock. Jackson would not have expected it. That meant that the attacks which did happen to him were worse.
Now though, the biggest difference was in him. He was no longer the insecure level zero that he had been before. He knew his worth now. It had been proven in actual combat against the monsters of a dungeon. He wondered how many of the other kids here could claim as much. More than that, he knew that he had the power to back up his new confidence. At level 15, he would be one of the strongest boys here in the academy, and more than that, he was better trained and better equipped.
He watched as other students walked to and fro across the courtyard, already settling in for the rest of the semester. They would be here at the academy for the next six months without any breaks or trips home. School went until the Spring festival was celebrated. Jackson saw Michael, one of his chief tormentors, walking along trying to talk to the Mimoran princess but apparently not getting anywhere as she seemed to simply ignore him. That made Jackson smile and gave him an idea of how he could truly best Michael. He just had to work up the nerve for it.
As if sensing some of his thoughts, Tabor asked, “So are you ready for this?”
“Oh, this time is going to be very different.”
Tabor cracked his knuckles. He too had gained Tier 2 and a large increase in power during their nine days in Eris’ Rise. “Oh I think this has a great deal of potential.”
Jackson smiled and looked at his friend. “This is going to be fun.” He saw his friend nod and smile in confirmation, but quietly, almost too softly, he heard a voice. It was not his own, yet it was inside his head, and it echoed his words. Oh this is going to be fun, indeed.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Dilution is inevitable. Exile is only a stalling tactic. I call again for a purging. One does not treat an infection with half measures. If it cannot be cured, it must be cut out. — Archmage Alucien to the Imperium
Eris’ Rise - Dave Nelson
After Dave gated back to Eris’ Rise, everyone shared their stories about what had happened while they were apart. Dave held back many things and could tell that Emily realized it but was thankful that she was patient enough to wait for them to talk in private.
Most of the people went back to either cleaning up the damage, removing the frozen goblin corpses, or other tasks they were needed for. In the end, Dave, Emily, Mira, and a handful of paladins, priests, druids, and forest wardens were all that were left besides Daichi and Rak’kar who both were standing vigilant.
“Baron Murkwood, I don’t mean to push this issue, but it must be discussed. This attack showed two things. It showed us just how powerful you are, m’lord. It was impressive beyond anything I had ever seen before today. I can see why the Gods chose your wife and why you were sent to us,” Sir Mun Hagen said.
Dave grinned at the praise. He had very much wanted to instill confidence in the people of Eris’ Rise. He wanted them to know the great power that he possessed and to encourage them in their pursuit of strength. If he was honest with himself, he wanted them to respect him and know why they should obey him. “Thank you …”
“Baron Murkwood, I don’t mean to cut you off, but this matter is urgent. As I said, there were two lessons learned from today. While the first is encouraging, the second is that there remain monsters out there too terrifying for any of us to deal with, not even yourself or the Chosen,” Mun Hagen continued even though it went against his training to interrupt a noble.
Emily spoke next. Dave realized that she probably did so because she didn’t want him to blow up at Derrick again, but he felt like his recent experience with Seimion had taught him that perhaps his pride was growing too quickly, maybe just a smidge. “So what is your point, Sir Mun Hagen?”
“My point is that we must make the decision about a patron for Eris’ Rise immediately and that the decision has just been made painfully obvious to us by this attack.”
Dave didn’t want to let the conversation get away from him, so he asked, “And I suppose you are advocating for the military option? You believe that we should choose justice.”
“How could there be any other choice, m’lord? I grant you that the ability to reach Tier 3 is a tempting motivation for me, but it is selfish. The military upgrades from choosing justice will make us strong enough to ward off the goblin army even if the creature lied to you and we don’t have till spring to prepare,” the paladin of justice argued before adding, “and that is to say nothing of the power of a Tier 5 golem as a protector.”
Aoi said, “It may be that you don’t want to hear from an elf on this subject, but if you are willing, Baron Murkwood and Lady Emiri, I have some thoughts on the subject.”
Dave nodded for her to continue while Emily said, “Remember we are a united people. We all have an equal right to speak up on this matter.”
Bowing quickly, Aoi continued, “It is a hard thing for any of the Circle to consider one of the forgotten Gods as a patron, but we have come to respect your integrity and the hard work you put in for all your people. This is not something that we have seen in every noble, and even in the good ones, you take it to a new level. I hope you will forgive me for speaking so freely.”
Dave watched Emily smile, knowing that it was all that she could have wanted to hear. As she nodded, the druid continued, “This does not mean that we are willing to forgive the forgotten Gods or accept them, but we can agree with the principles that they represent. We know that you and most of the humans view them differently, but for the elves, we can only view them as a set of moral principles. We would accept either justice or redemption. Both are compatible with the moon elf way of life.”
Emily frowned a bit as she answered, “I can accept that even if I think there is more to it than that. Our disagreements do not define us though. It is our shared commitment to one another and to respecting all people.”
In Dave’s mind, the acquiescence of the moon elves cleared the biggest obstacle, and now it was only a decision of which patron to select. As he listened to the conversations around him, everyone seemed to agree that while the benefits of Sacrifice would ultimately lead to the health of the community, it didn’t serve their current needs. He couldn’t help but imagine that much of the resistance to having that ideal as a patron was that it was a foreign concept reserved for the weak in Eloria.
As the choice was whittled down to two options, Dave realized he had already made his decision. It was rather obvious the longer he looked at it. The immediate military benefits of justice were impressive but simply could not compare with the long-term benefit of having a community full of higher tiered individuals. Each Tier increase represented an exponential increase in power. Still, Sir Mun Hagen made one final appeal. “Also, I think that if we select Redemption as our patron, we are only enforcing the favor that Shanelle has already shown in sending her Chosen to this town. If on the other hand, we select Justice as our patron, then we find balance and the favor of two of the true Gods on our lands.”
Dave and Emily looked at each other. She clearly wanted to speak, but he waved her off. “Your point is well taken, but since I am not associated with any of the churches, then let me be the one to address this point. Redemption without justice is an empty word. If there is no justice, then there is no need for redemption. Equally though, justice is cruelty if there is no chance of redemption. The two give meaning to one another. More than that, Eris’ Rise is going to be built upon all three of these values. It doesn’t matter who is chosen as a patron. I know t
hat you religious types may think otherwise, but I will insist that the people of Eris’ Rise follow all three of these principles, and so, for me, the decision is simply one of which boon will benefit the Murkwood and its people the most.”
Dave paused to make sure that everyone was listening as if they didn’t realize it; he was laying out the roadmap for the future of Eris’ Rise. “We will serve justice and seek it at all times while given room for redemption. And … we will also honor sacrifice. You who stand here are among the strong within our community. Your strength will not serve you alone. That may be what you are accustomed to, but no more. You have your strength so that you may serve those weaker than you. You will be a shield to them, and they will lift you with their support. This shall be the order of things here in Eris’ Rise, starting with my wife and me down to the lowest.”
Mun Hagen’s stony face didn’t have even a hint of a smile upon it. “Then I assume you have made your decision already.”
“I have, and I know that my wife supports me in this. But before I announce this, I want it to be clear that we will support all of the churches in Eris’ Rise just as much as we shall support the freedom of those who do not wish to follow any. Human or elf, you shall be free to try to win people over to your way of thinking, but never shall anyone be forced to follow any view of the world. That said, we shall choose Redemption as our patron. While the blessing offered is simple, the opportunity to turn the weakest of our farmers into a level 19 with strength, health, and wisdom to match are too great of a perk to turn down. Those of you who have reached the peak of your Tier will see an almost immediate benefit.”
With that, he turned towards Emily. “If you would do the honors please.”
Emily closed her eyes, and he assumed she was focusing on the prompt that had been ever-present in his mind since it had first been offered. A new notification flashed out for each of those who were sworn to Eris’ Rise, whether that be Jackson in Konig, lumberjacks and farmers at work, children at play, or those standing around Dave.
Patron Choice: updated- You have chosen the ideal of redemption. Walk forth in this without neglecting sacrifice, justice, freedom, unity, or any of the ideals which make up a well-lived life.
As is often the case- you get more than you bargained for. Too many times this is something bad, but now you shall receive more blessing than you expected.
Every adult oath-sworn citizen of Eris’ Rise who is at the peak of their current Tier shall be immediately moved to the lowest amount of XP necessary to achieve the first level of the next Tier. This means that all level zero people shall be moved to the beginning of level 1 just as all those at 9, 19, or 29 shall be moved to the next Tier.
Most of the grumbling ended as the paladins who had been previously maxed out at either level 9 or 19 suddenly got a boost into the next Tier. Dave was grateful for the extra boon as it made it easier for people to accept the decision that he and Emily had reached, but either way, it was still the correct decision. It encouraged him to know that at a minimum he would now be able to reach Tier 5. Of course, getting XP for that was going to pretty require that he lives in the dungeon.
After this, Dave and Emily went around town and calmed or encouraged everyone, spreading the news that they would not have to face the goblin army until spring at the earliest. They dined in the mess hall with everyone else, and Dave realized that for the first time, the attitude was festive. Everyone was working and eating together. Tables were far less segregated than they had been before, and it wasn’t just the military units which he had forcibly integrated. As far as he was concerned, this could only be a good thing.
When they were finally alone, Dave saw Emily staring at him as she sat on their bed. It wasn’t necessarily the look a man wants to see in his wife’s eyes in bed. He could tell she was trying to figure out what was on his mind. Rather than wait for her to ask, Dave simply said, “So, there is more to what happened with the spiderkin mage.”
Emily simply said, “I assumed as much but figured there is a good reason that you didn’t want everyone else to hear.”
“Once I tell you what he really said to me, you can judge for yourself,” Dave said back. The story that he had told everyone else was that Seimion had come to threaten him and warn them to abandon Eris’ Rise or be wiped out at the first thaw of spring.
“So don’t keep me waiting,” Emily complained.
“What? Don’t you know that they say? Anticipation is the spice of life,” Dave said back laughing.
“Um, no one has ever said that,” Emily said in anger, although Dave was pretty sure she was just faking.
“Well, I just said it.”
“Okay, well I will make sure it’s inscribed on your tombstone. Which may come sooner than expected if you don’t start spilling it,” Emily said, but her grin gave her away.
“What he wanted was to offer me a job.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me right. He basically offered me a job finishing what he called the purge. I don’t know what he meant exactly, but I have some ideas. He didn’t specify, but I got the idea that he would give me control of the goblin army if I wanted it. I think what he wants is for me to wipe out as many people as possible, and I don’t think he really cares if they are elves, humans, or goblins. More to the point, I got the sense that what he wants is everyone killed,” Dave said grimly.
“Everyone killed? Like everyone in Eris’ Rise or everyone in Albia?”
“No, think bigger.”
“You mean the moon elves and Albia or what? Even all the humans?” Emily’s shock was starting to show through.
“No, bigger still.”
“What is there then? I mean I know there are other countries to the south, and there are dwarves, orcs, and minotaurs. Does he mean all of them?”
“Yes, and I think sun elves and centaurs as well. I think he means that he wants all the sapient life on the entire continent of Talos wiped out,” Dave said.
“How can you know that?” Emily demanded. Her fear made her tone sharper than she had intended.
“It has to do with what I read in the elven spell book I was given. Remember, I told you about it. He called it the exile, and it seemed to refer to a time when people were all sent here.”
“Sent here from where? You can’t be serious. That is a big stretch to make from a dedication written into a book hundreds of years or more ago,” Emily said.
“There is more to it than that. Think about how the moon elves are so hostile to the Gods. They steadfastly refuse to acknowledge their existence officially. If you get to the root of it, it is obvious that they are angry with the Gods. They call them the forgotten Gods, not because they don’t remember but because they refuse to acknowledge them. Aoi’s comments made it even more clear tonight. They are angry with the Gods for something, and I think that something is whatever caused all the races to be sent to Talos from whatever the old world is,” Dave spoke slowly and deliberately as if he was working it out in his mind.
Emily sat there cross-legged and deep in thought for a minute before she said, “Maybe, but that is thin.”
“Wafer-thin, I agree, but my gut tells me it’s right.”
“So if everyone here was exiled, does that mean that they all originally came from other worlds? You know, how we came from the earth?” Emily asked.
“I don’t know, but I am sure, not just from the way Seimion spoke the words but from the undertones of what he said, that he wants to see everyone here wiped out,” Dave paused before saying, “What I don’t get is why he thought that I would be receptive to an offer like this.”
Dave watched as Emily stood up from the bed and started to pace in their small bedroom. Whatever this was, it couldn’t be good. When she did speak, it was with sorrow on her face and compassion in her tone. “You haven’t exactly been yourself lately, honey.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I mean, I don’t know what to say. I don’t want t
o hurt you, but you have been acting rude and arrogant, not like the gentle man I have known all my life. You have always been able to do what needed to be done, but you have never taken joy in belittling or hurting people.”
Dave just looked on at her as she continued, “You have to have noticed. I mean are you angry at something? Or what has come over you?”
“I don’t know. I mean I guess there is something to what you are saying,” Dave said as he sat on the side of their bed while holding his head in his hands. “It just seems so right. Remember how on earth we would always get upset when politicians who didn’t do anything for the people would get elected again and again. It was crazy how all the good people around us never got to make a difference, but the same people kept getting into office.”
“Yes, but what does that have to do with how you have been acting?” Emily asked.
“When we first got here, I mean Eloria, not just Eris’ Rise, I doubted myself about everything. I tried to put on a brave face for the kids, but I expect that you saw through me. I was … I have been … terrified. Afraid that I couldn’t live up to what the family needed from me. Afraid that I would lose you or one of the children. Afraid, I wouldn’t be strong enough to protect you all from a world that is quite literally filled with monsters.” Dave trembled as he spoke, “No more. I have found power. I have found the strength to protect you, a way to create a home for us where the flaws of the earth don’t follow us. But, there is a price to pay for that. The people here only follow strength. They only respect power. We can try to create a system that changes that, but it won’t happen overnight. I need this power. I need it so that I can protect all of you. So that I can create a world that our grandchildren will be able to grow up in someday, safe from the fear that a roving horned frog is going to skewer them or that a boar is going to gut them or that a drake is going to kidnap them.”
