by Han Yang
“Thanks. I… thanks,” I said happily.
“I lived with the centaurs for long enough to know that in a few days they’ll notice no one has returned. They’ll be thoroughly confident in their young. Eventually, a scout will follow our tracks, but they will vanish among the rocky terrain.
“Once they lose our trail, the scout will report the loss of the war party. You’ll be considered a mortal enemy of the herd, but you’ll also be feared. Maybe, and I say maybe for a reason.
“My guess is Perqueta will blame the yabbi for his son's death to save face. He’ll say you died too and then start a new scheme to get more breeding females. The yabbi will not want to openly fight against whomever killed the centaurs. They’ll likely chop up the bodies and use the meat for their slaves.”
Bell cleared her throat, pausing to see if he continued. When he didn’t, she asked, “You think they’ll avoid following us?”
“It’s safe to keep moving at a good pace, but yes, I think as long as we stay up here with the problems of the mountains, they’ll stay down there. Which, I’ll get to the issues up here in a moment, but I have to know, what did you do to me, exactly?” he asked, staring at me.
I scratched the back of my neck and said, “I was kind of hoping you would know the answer to that.”
“Ah, no. I obviously am unaware of what has befallen me. I’ve studied magic over my lifetime, all that I could. When I became an undead minion, that I understood. I also lost control fairly quickly.
“My memories and resentment of my fate faded until I became happy to please you. That persisted, and my need to please is still tied to my existence. However, I regained my memories, my flesh, and in almost all ways my soul,” he said, with a sigh. “You know, besides the whole being bound to perform your every whim. If you were to guess, what would you say your magic did?”
I puffed my cheeks and let out a long exhale. “Well, I’m a champion with two magics. I revived you without releasing your binding to me. Let me start with this. I’m not directly ordering this, but hypothetically, if I asked you to jump off this ledge, would you?” I asked, pointing to the ledge we perched by.
The fall had to be a few hundred feet with a sudden stop.
“Yes. Do not mistake my visual appearance of an aged elva to be anything other than a false truth. I’m dead and live at your beckon and command. Your second magic is healing. A magus of life and death, the first of its kind I’ve ever heard about. How extraordinary,” he said and clearly meant it.
“Yes, learning as I go and trying to save my humanity at the same time,” I admitted.
“Ah, you feel bad for killing the centaurs?” he asked.
Asha clearly was a man of learning. The elva still had flaws, not too far from mine, and he did seem like he cared even if he was my subordinate.
“I feel bad for walking into their trap. I shouldn’t, but yes, I feel bad for deceiving them,” I said.
Tarla spoke up this time and said, “Hey Damien, I get it. I think I do, anyway. Your ascended life was significantly different. However, we both know the centaurs were not there to trade fairly. You never saw the way the centaurs leered at us.
“We also never told you how they followed us to go pee so they could watch. I think they knew better than to brag about how we would become their pets, but they certainly showed their intent with their eyes.
“I guess what I’m trying to say is that I killed two centaurs in the second fight, and I have zero regrets. I’m proud of you for wanting to protect us. Your actions likely saved our lives.”
Bell nodded and added, “You picked the right moment to act, and to be fair about our capture, we weren’t ready for the ambush, and that is on all of us to learn. I should have been walking with a bow out. Same with you, Damien.
“The positive is, we learned, and assuming we get new weapons, we will adjust. Also, your army is growing more powerful. Asha is extremely lethal with weapons when a foe is distracted. Finally, have you noticed any changes in me?”
I had, but not on purpose. Privacy was not exactly easy in a small tent with three people. The girls changed with me holding the tent flap closed, and I didn’t peek. However, we kinda snuggled in a ball of warmth, and I knew which lady was which in the dark. We didn’t have sex or even share intimate touches, but we did touch.
“Yeah, your boobs are smaller, and your waist narrowed while Tarla’s grew. I noticed last night but didn’t want to ask,” I said with a slight heat in my cheeks.
Tarla blushed and Bell patted her shoulder with a giggle. “Caitlyn is blessing us. I struggled to shoot a bow with my large breasts, and my birthing hips made it hard to run. She has reduced my gifts while giving a slight boon to her new disciple.”
Asha gasped. “You really are that close to the gods that they directly alter you. The elva have abandoned them completely, decrying their ways as blasphemy. We… My people are quick to scorn that which we cannot rationalize.
“The gods turning Nordan into a battleground was terrible. And yet, I persist through one of their divine creations, a champion of a god. Tell me, which god did you volunteer for?”
I huffed out a scoff. “I didn’t volunteer. I want to protest and say I was tricked. However, the goddess was actually very clear in her deal. I was offered life after death for my parents. They died too young, and I’m here risking everything to bring them back from the dead.”
“Really sweet when you think about it,” Tarla said, eyeing Jark.
“So, you’re not a chosen hero of your realm sent to help end the tide of strivians and restore Nordan back to the way it was?” he rapidly asked .
He clearly was disappointed, already knowing the answer.
“Nope, I merely exploit the world until I reach a goal for my goddess, and then I ascend,” I said, not bothering to mention Earth.
“And me?” he asked. “What happens to me when you achieve your goal?”
“Wait a second, Asha. Damien, you said, ‘Your goddess?’” Bell asked.
I sighed, leaving my folded seat to stir the soup. It had boiled enough that I pointed to the fire and said, “Probably best to put this out. Not deflecting, but I don’t know what happens to those I bring back to life when I leave. I don’t know if I can bring others or what. Something tells me there’s always a price. If I take you to… ascend, it will likely be another ten thousand Zorta.”
“And Caitlyn?” Bell asked inquisitively.
I shrugged. “I made a deal and will honor her extra one hundred Zorta or a temple. I may not like my situation, and this will likely make a few of you wince, but I prefer ravaging this world over being dead. Caitlyn is my goddess and my way home. I’ve been through enough to realize this is deadly real, and the gods are not to be trifled with.”
“I’m shocked,” Bell said, eyeing me down her nose in a new light. She certainly was a devout believer herself.
I shrugged, shifting my focus to Asha. “I’m going to try something, Asha. Is that okay?”
“I’m here to serve. Asking is unnecessary,” he said, using a different voice.
“Asha, suppress your memories,” I said.
He jolted, eyes glazing over. “Command me,” Asha said in the perfect minion monotone voice.
I reached out, connecting to his aura.
Elva Minion: Asha (Minion Name Reassignment Incomplete).
Health 27/27. Level 2.
Sapient Elva.
Fighting Abilities: Highly proficient.
Memories intact (Suppressed).
Upgrade Available. Consume 241 mana and 192 Zorta (YES) or (NO)
“Asha, resume your memories,” I ordered.
“Okay, yeah, I know I have to obey you, but please, don’t lock me inside my mind,” he said, and I deflated. “What?”
“I’m never going to be the good guy here, at least not one with the impeccable moral high ground,” I said with a huff. “Jark, I saved. If he had died earlier, I revived him, and then his sister died. We could have w
aited to resurrect her. Instead, they died within minutes of each other, and I had to pick. He seems grateful, and I don’t feel terrible, but I selected him to die. That’s not okay. I will feel less awful when he is Human Minion status though, hopefully.”
“Umm, what’s bugging you then?” Tarla asked, her freckled face scrunched in concern. She fidgeted with the bark on her staff, worried about my answer.
I pointed to Sven. “I’m good, and I’m evil. A ying-yang, amoral hero, I guess. I can do good but not avoid being bad. Sven was a centaur, not necessarily a bad centaur. Maybe he raped captives or young mares, but I don’t know that, and pretending he was bad to justify my actions does not make my actions right.
“My point is, I’m going to lock his mind away. He will be minion Sven, our pack hauler, and do exactly what I say, when I say it. I have to get over the fact that he will be trapped in his own mind and powerless. The alternative is I release him and lower our combat and travel effectiveness. I simply am not going to die to be the flawless hero.”
“Thank you for keeping my mind free. Sven is listening, even if he is guarding the trail as ordered. He cannot betray you or your wishes. Maybe when you smite him with a heavenly healing you give him a choice. He may surprise you,” Asha said, and I nodded.
“Jark is super, Team Damien. He wants to know if you will let him cast magic,” Tarla asked.
“Umm… wait, what?” I blurted.
Asha frowned and put a finger into the air. “We elva shunned our gifts during the great cataclysm of two worlds merging. My species and I have no magic. Even our rare children are born without the gift. However, we became enhanced in our dexterity, endurance, aim, and other combat stats. So that might have been their plan all along. My point is Jark will probably have his magic as I have my enhanced speed, even if it is degraded.”
“I can’t change Jark for another half day or so. We need to eat and then get on the move again. I don’t want to sleep again until a few hours after dark,” I said, accepting a bowl from Tarla. She kissed my cheek when my hands were full, and I blushed. “Thank you.”
“You’re a good man, Damien. Don’t be so hard on yourself,” she said, blushing as well.
Bell eyed the exchange, her hazels squinting with displeasure. “Do you require sustenance?” Bell asked Asha.
“I do. I’m not undead anymore, merely reborn with a new purpose. To serve Master Damien,” he said, and I cringed. “I’m with her. You’re not the bad guy until you let it consume you. You must keep caring about doing good. I have faith your goddess chose well.”
“That makes one of us,” I said with a grunt. “Where to next?”
Asha pointed to his chest to see if I was asking him.
He walked over to accept a bowl from Tarla and said, “After the cataclysm, the dwarves consolidated. All the dwarven holds in this area, which were many, are now empty with their inhabitants living to the north. They used to war with everyone, including each other, and spread themselves out. Now, they tuck into their halls, expanding their numbers and biding their time.
“Trust me when I say the dwarves are to be taken extremely seriously. At the same time, they are much like my elva den. Their desire for safety has resulted in them not earning enough Zorta. They’ll trade Zorta for anything, and I mean anything,” Asha said.
“Well, that has me intrigued. Except we’re light on Z at the moment. Which, placing a pin in this dwarf thing. Tarla, Bell, I’m at the point where I need…” I paused, checking my upgrades.
Necromancer Level 2 -} Necromancer Level 3 = 100 Zorta. (YES) or (NO)
Name: Damien Moonguard
Race: Human
Affiliation: Nordan
Zorta: 1.922
Nordan Score: 1600
Ostriva Score: 7500
“We got a nice little team going, and I hope Horse 1 and Horse 2 die due to Perqueta’s fury at his loss. If not, they’ll be tied to me as slot sinks. Basically, I need ninety-eight more Z to get to necromancer 3,” I said.
Tarla looked at Bell who nodded to her. “May we speak on this later?” Tarla asked in a professional tone.
“Ladies, by all means. I’ll honor my dealings. My goal is not to earn ten thousand Z while your hard work goes unrewarded. I… I couldn’t revive Zeedodan, who had better stats, because I’ve been feeding you all the Z, which is fair,” I said and left it at that.
I slurped down the last of my bowl. When no one continued, we started putting our boots back on.
Asha said, “About the dwarven holds. We’re on the outskirts of their former lands. A few leagues to the north is Treedun Valley. North of that is Ikara Holds. They will have the dwarven armies deep under their mountains.
“Naturally, their old, abandoned homes were always a favorite hunting ground of mine when I would need some quick Zorta. Never went deep because I just needed a bit of Zorta to meet my goals.”
He paused and waited to see if I would ask if his home was in the mountains. Clearly, it was nearby.
“These dwarves, they won’t care if we go looting their old, hallowed halls?” I asked.
“Ah, yeah. For a few decades, we figured they hadn’t completely consolidated, just moved vulnerable citizens. However, our den traded with a small clan of berserker dwarves who sold us Zorta for gold we mined,” Asha said, likely giving away more information than he wanted to.
“Oh, then it's probably all been cleared then,” I said.
“That was twenty-five years ago. I have no idea what happened to the clan. They told us only the great kings were restricting folks from leaving. All were welcomed in, but none could venture out. Dwarves are stalwart in their ways. The berserkers, there were only a dozen of them, and based on the wealth we traded, they could easily have retired back in the dwarven holds as nobles,” Asha said.
“Hmm, you’re recommending we hop around to these southern dungeons and see what foul beasts rest inside?” I asked.
“Maybe. It depends. I do think you should at least make Jark into a living minion first. Unless you have some better plan?” he asked.
I inhaled deeply, glancing at Bell.
She smiled and said, “The goal is to find a place we can grow and trade openly. Maybe somewhere between human and dwarf lands.” She paused with a ‘hold a second’ finger. “On the north side and months away from Tarb. While one of these old holds fits that bill, we’re too close to Karn’s Kingdom. However, earning some Z, if easy, well, that is exactly what we need. We can maybe convert an old temple in one of the abandoned halls to Caitlyn with a Z sacrifice.”
I smiled, seeing a plan form. The mad dash from last night had been about escaping. I would still act as if we were being pursued, but this was something more than simply endlessly running.
“Ah, I take it this goes full circle as to why the centaurs and yabbi will avoid this region?” I asked.
“Yes, whenever there are big homes with no defenders ripe to squat in, residents will move in. The cataclysm brought panic to the region, and those below wanted to expand, including the centaurs. Which Perqueta’s herd is, but a tiny fraction of the centaurs that roam the cataclysm lands. The strivians brought untold numbers with them, and clearly a lot of them were not afraid to venture into new homes.”
I clapped my hands together lightly and said, “We march until nightfall and then camp to recover. In the morning, we start a new day trying to earn more Z to improve our situation.
“Jark, clean up the firepit. Sven, pack the cooking pot after Bell washes it. We got a long march ahead, and hopefully, the journey will be worth the blisters.”
“Speaking of which, heal my feet tonight, please,” Tarla said, batting her eyelashes.
The cheek kisses, the trust you’s, and her not so subtle hints let me know. To be fair, I had spent two weeks being with Tarla every night and day. We hadn't wanted to scream at each other, and she had grown on me. Same with Bell. With the way Tarla eyed me, I thought she was starting to push an issue - the girlfriend issue. The
re was no ‘the sex was great, see you tomorrow’ situation here.
“Of course, I’ll not be remiss in my duties,” I told her, standing to perform an awkward bow.
Even though the mood lightened somewhat, the moment we started climbing up the mountain trail, we shifted to a focused determination. I was going to dwarven holds of old, and I sure hoped cheerful gnomes giving out free Zorta would greet us.
CHAPTER 18
Ikara Holds
“Alright, just to be clear, you think the big, scary looking cavernous mouth is empty?” I asked with a huff.
“We won’t know for sure until I go in,” Asha said, making a good point.
“Alright, give me a minute,” I said, heading away from the spooky opening we had found.
I had continued to push us hard that day and even into the night. At this point, we all had been awake for over a full day and were exhausted. I figured hours ago we would come across a nice camping spot but had ended up wrong.
About five minutes earlier, I had hit my refresh point to revive Jark, adding to our issues. The problem was that we were on a narrow road, high on the mountain, and the spell tended to explode energy.
I glanced back, seeing my weary party ready for rest. We all were in a bit of a zombie mode. Feeling bad for pushing us so hard, I peered backed around the mountainside to see the opening. The role of decision maker rested heavy on my shoulders.
This isn’t a dwarven hold entrance. It does rest on the road, and we passed the time for a break a few hours ago. Some risks have to be taken.
Since we were closer to the Ostriva line, Asha figured it would be occupied, which left me hesitant.
“Fine, but if you encounter something huge, run it the other way,” I said. “You want Jark?”
“Yes,” Asha said.
I bobbed my head in understanding. “Asha is in charge while you two clear the cave.”
Jark’s skeleton smiled with a thumbs up. He was always so eager to help. I wondered if he’d change when I restored him.
