Monarch- the Elementalist
Page 6
As I dug, I spotted the first crack of daylight and excitement overwhelmed me. I dug and scratched at the dirt and forced my way out. A sudden screech filled my ears; Spotty was weak to sunlight and so I sent her back down.
PAIN
Thanks, Spotty.
I took a deep breath of the clean air and surveyed my area with a wide grin. The wind was gentle, the sun was dimming, the air was chilly, and before me was a small slope downwards into the woods. Behind me, the ground elevated slightly and peeking out from behind the small hill was the other half of the collapsed tower.
I made my way to it and found old scorched markings all over the tower. My best guess was that the tower was twenty feet high, so I assumed it was about thirty feet tall before it collapsed.
PAIN
Good thing I quit training under this. I could've been really screwed.
Daylight was fleeting and so I went down the slope to gather sticks and branches and went back down into the ruins with as much as I could carry.
With the use of some silk, I crafted a makeshift patch to cover up the entrance. I dug in and placed a few slabs of debris just behind the patch. I then rushed back to my room in order to rest early so I would be up early next morning.
I awoke the next morning and saw that the moon had started its transition. Outside, I kept an eye on my surroundings as I gathered some thick branches and sticks. Back in my room, I grinded them straight and thin with a flint, wrapped them partially in silk, set them on fire, and peeled off the flaky silk. I repeated it several times until they became charcoal. As I let them cool, I sat out on the platform to watch the moon finish its transition into the sun.
I skillfully wrapped the charcoal in a thin layer of silk leaving a tip out on each one. I sharpened the tips on each finishing the process and successfully made 5 Charcoal Pencils.
Along with 1 Charcoal Pencils, I also took along 3 Parchments, (Ice Infinity) Oak Staff, +3% Ice Output, 2 Tiny Phials of Mana, 1 (???) Ring and five gold coins or 50,000 puries. I only took one of the unknown rings to be safe because I had never had anything prospected before. The mana emitting from these rings were immense from my perspective but it may not have been from someone else's perspective. But, if this ring was something to be reckoned with, having four with me would draw too much attention.
At the Spider Tomb, I took my last look at Spotty and Skelly. They could not survive the sun and I was sure I would be traveling too far to keep them summoned. I could always call back Skelly but Spotty required a ritual.
PAIN
To hell with the sentimental feelings.
I released them allowing a flow of mana to return to me.
Active:
Summon Kinan Skeleton Warrior
Summon Kinan Skeleton Knight Ritual
Summon Undead Arachnid
Summon Undead Cave Arachnid Ritual
PAIN
Oh? You're going to stay with me Spotty?
I smiled at their magical remains fading into the air, Spotty's physical body crumbled into a rotting corpse.
PAIN
I'll be back.
I turned to make my way up the tunnel, moved the slabs and the makeshift hatch, and crawled out. I hide the entrance once again before making my way north, towards the sun.
I glanced at the collapsed tower to my left and wondered how it'd be possible to fix such a thing. I would have to do it soon before whoever was chasing those vampires came back. It's been about three months since I had killed those vampires but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
I trudged along, barefooted and partially naked. I left my robe undone to enjoy the breeze but tied it if I noticed any travelers.
After roughly thirteen minutes I reached a steep hill and jotted down on my parchment which became my new map. I had the tower to the east of my makeshift entrance and woods to the west of both. As I came to the peak of the hill, I was able to see a small town in the distance.
PAIN
Already? Closer than I expected.
The town was surrounded by plains and recently chopped down tree stumps.
PAIN
Oh crap... is this town deforesting?
The town was small and surrounded by rangy wooden spiked walls. Guards strolled upon wooden scaffolds behind the wooden barrier. In front of the pitiful enclosure, there were wooden barricades seemingly built not to long ago. To the west and east of the town, I saw roads leading into it. The west road turned north alongside the massive ravine in which I fell into long ago.
PAIN
Stupid…
The thought of it was embarrassing now. I couldn't imagine telling someone such a story as I made my way toward the town.
PAIN
So there I was, flying through the sky at the speed of a hawk before I smashed into the jagged walls of a damn ravine.
I stomped through some high grass, noticing a few rabbit holes, and turn towards the east entrance.
PAIN
I can imagine the looks on their faces.
I made eye contact with the guard and he gave me a weird look. I mumbled,
PAIN
Yes, that look exactly.
I called out to him,
PAIN
Pardon me sir, may I ask the name of this town?
He was reluctant to answer,
GUARD
This town, it's called Dagon Village. May I ask where the devil you are coming from dressed like that and smelling like the undergarments of a troll?
PAIN
A fray, from months ago. I made it out alive thanks to my survival abilities.
He raises an eyebrow—don't you dare judge me,
GUARD
Impressive.
He looked like he meant what he said but then his demeanor shifted to become a bit hostile,
GUARD
So what kingdom are you from?
I stopped where I stood and shifted my weight to my heels. Was this kingdom at war? Of course I'd say I came from a skirmish.
PAIN
Oh no, I am a traveler caught within the crossfire.
He became relaxed,
GUARD
Ah, we get a lot of those. Did you at least keep your Citizenship or Trader's Pass?
I shook my head and he sighed,
GUARD
You will have to undergo mind scanning—that is if you can pay for it. We do not have any barriers so you must go through a scanning. You are not considered a citizen of Gayrock Kingdom...
I nearly gagged at the name,
GUARD
...until you have met with a high court and be granted stay. We have many people like you here actually. The bulk of them came a few months ago as refugees and victims of raids. Many joined the Adventurer's Guild to have a cheap place to stay.
PAIN
May I ask which kingdom it may be? I have not read the news nor heard of it before I was caught in it.
GUARD
You're not the only one. We are at war with a group of Vampires called Neorine. Apparently they turned tail on their own kind and started converting people and creatures alike into their cult. If you want to know more, speak to the Innkeeper; he was the one to fill me in. Anyway, back to the important matter, can you pay the Psi fee to enter?
PAIN
Sure can.
GUARD
If you say so.
He yelled out toward the gate,
GUARD
Get me a Psi! We have another.
He waited a few seconds before informing me,
GUARD
He'll be out in a minute.
I took a few quick glances at him, dark green and white skin. His armor was made of pure iron, the common type of mana infused metal used by guards. The sentries that guarded my kingdom wore pure silver armor. They could afford it certainly, but on the other hand, they wouldn't be caught patrolling one of the kingdom's smaller villages alone. The guard would certainly survive, but the greed of wealth would drive the villagers mad to their deaths.
>
GUARD
Any minute now…
If I was born in a hovel of a village and wasn't forced to become a scribe, I too would think it'd be easy to snatch a guard's armor. This guard before me had a basic iron shield and sword, each piece of his armor read at +1 save the shield at +2, reflecting that he valued his defense rather than offense. It made sense for a guard, but as he stood there, he could've easily cut me down and robbed me before I was able to cast a spell or summon.
GUARD
Ah, there he is.
The gate cracked open and an old long grey haired Psi peeked out. He had a faint red skin color with grey curving lines.
GEO
Hello, my name's Geo. Follow me.
I entered and noticed that there was another gate several meters after the first. Several guards protected the second door and a few patrolled the walls. We turned right, and into the city wall through a thin door.
He sat me down at a stone table and my nerves hit me like an exploding hammer. What if he saw everything? He began to talk but I paid no attention as I did my best to turn off Recall Memory but the more I tried, the more it activated random memories.
GEO
Are you ready, sir? ...Sir?
PAIN
Oh yes.
GEO
Then please read the rules, sir.
There was a parchment in front of me which, in shorter terms, listed off a list of crimes one shouldn't take part in. They could've switched out the entire list with "Use common sense" but to be fair, not many creatures have such sense.
PAIN
Sign?
He nodded and so I signed. When I was younger, I heard of blood contracts where one or both parties were bonded to the contract. The downside was the ability to remember the contract because it was common for creatures to forget the contract, make a mistake, and have their life and soul forfeited to the other. Contracts like the one before me simply prevented me from gaining an advantage in court. It bonded me to nothing because I could ignore the contract altogether.
Furthermore, blood contracts couldn't restrict freewill because freewill was an actual entity living within the majority of creatures. However it worked regarding imprisonment and bewitchment bewildered me.
GEO
Okay, now relax and I will begin.
I wasn't able to turn off Recall Memory and so I decided to relived the life of an Orc Slave. Geo closed his eyes and started scanning my memories. It wasn't long until he suddenly pulled out flabbergasted.
GEO
By the gods sir, you have been dealt with badly. Was that a Vampire Hold? Where were you sir?
I shrugged. He was certainly spooked and his eyes looked at me with absolute pity. It worked.
GEO
But, sir, you came from a tunnel not too long ago? I see some massive gaps in memory, possibly nightmares but you certainly were able to summon the undead.
Oh crap,
PAIN
Yes, I can.
Geo shook his head and looked at me with concern.
GEO
The practice of necromancy is forbidden within Gayrock Kingdom but many nobles living at the capital depend on necromancers to tend with daunting labor.
He shook his head again and rubbed his brow,
GEO
I don't know. None here practice necromancy and honestly, I shouldn't let you in due to the amount of vampires who delve specifically in necromancy.
PAIN
I just want to start over.
I reached into my pocket,
PAIN
Please.
I was truly being sincere and thus, unknowingly and on its own, my Recall Memory turned off moments before I felt him delve into my mind and he saw that I was telling the truth. He then looked down upon the table to see the shiny gold coin I placed upon it. His eyes widened and his mouth trembled as he tried to speak,
GEO
T-The gods! How? Where? Where did you receive such wealth?
He delved into my mind again and saw nothing. I shrugged,
PAIN
I had one in my pocket. A price to pay for a new life.
Tears crawled down his cheeks and I recalled how I wept at the sight of a bag full of coins. I wondered about the wealth status of this kingdom. Not because of how Geo wept at the sight of ten thousand puries but his curiosity about where I had received such wealth.
Either the kingdom as a whole was scraping by or Dagon Village was simply suffering on its own.
PAIN
May I ask a question?
GEO
Anything sir!
PAIN
The plains and the stumps. Is this a tree felling town?
Sadness took over his face,
GEO
Ah, no. We were a town of Alchemy and craftsmanship but... the... those darn vampires.
His eyes wandered off in deep thought. He began to tear up, his breathing became shallow and and a bit of snot slid out of his nose,
GEO
After the vampires attacked here once, many lost their lives and loved one. Others fled to move closer to the capital. A few sought tree-felling as a work but that was short lived and now only one individual continues on with it. The Neorine had ravaged other towns eastward; towns with less guards than we have. It was a bloody massacre.
I quickly understood,
PAIN
The survivors are here?
He nodded and buried his hand into his hand.
GEO
It is shameful, but I will take this...
He took the gold coin,
GEO
...and flee. For my family's safety, I must. You're starting a new life? Join the Adventurer's Guild. It will aid your travels for some time before you can request audience with a High Court. Avoid the Trader's Guild here in this town. They are nothing but starving crows drowning in their own manure waiting for a grand feast such as yourself to feed their bellies.
Everyone without proof of residence must have their minds read which lead to Geo having seen some ruthless and bloody shit. I pitied the old fellow and was content that I handed him a gold coin. He deserved it. I was soon on my way and decided it was time for a hot shower. Geo gave me directions towards the Inn so I made my way there.
Along the way, I received a few glances but none stared at me for too long. I assumed it was because I fit in well as I saw at least seven other commoners lollygagging along the road barefoot and robed. Well-dressed commoners wore below average enchanted robes and gave me questionable looks because of my enchanted robe, staff, and tiara.
The houses were wooden huts with its tenants lounging outside their front doors. The soil was dry and the grass was receding. For a second, I thought of winter but the air was too warm. Still, what would I do if winter came? Out of the seven seasons we had, kaze, winter, levinter, spring, summer, fall, and lunar; winter was the worst. It would snow, hail, rain, the wind would raged, the temperature would drop, and creatures without shelter would die.
There were some guards patrolling the roads and a few upper class ambling along the roads with smiles on their faces and personal guards at their sides. It was sickening as I saw their guards wore pure obdurite armor which were on par with the holy guards back at my kingdom.
That sight alone informed me how this kingdom was ruled. Many kingdoms are ruled by the rich but others were ruled by nobles and princes like my own because kings tended to lose power when they had sons. Hence, why my old king sought immortality. Nations or kingdoms ruled by the rich were never all too great to live in.
Delve's family migrated from the Kingdom of Earth and he'd constantly remind me about the fruits of labor and the hardship of a kingdom ruled by greed. The fool didn't know I didn't care…
But maybe I should have because I was now stuck in such a kingdom. Either way, I avoided walking anywhere near the rich as I made my way to the Inn.
INNKEEPER
Sup, boss? Getting a room for the night or the hour... or ni
ght?
What was up with this Innkeeper? He was about twenty years old, good looking, and pale as snow with faint yellow lines down his cheek and neck. His eyes were silver like his hair and stubby goatee. When he spoke, it was as if he was speaking to an invisible person behind me. His gaze was off and unblinking but it wasn't due to any noticeable eye issues.
INNKEEPER
And no, I ain't from around here. I come from west of west, supa far away from here... Now I want to go back.
He turned gloomy in seconds,
INNKEEPER
Got vampires running around here as well murdering everything they can.
PAIN
Yes, about those vampires—
He stiffened up excited,
INNKEEPER
You wanna know too? We had many many vampires west of west...
What the hell is west of west? He continued on with detailed body gestures,
INNKEEPER
...from here. They were peaceful with us. But, we caught rumor of a mutiny going on and a war between 'em happened. One of their clans broke loose and started hunt'n kinans. I fled hella quickly east...
Okay, he could shut up now,
INNKEEPER
...and made it here. I was supa lucky because the Inn Keeper here was already hella old and I am here helping em out. He a really good fella—
PAIN
How much is it for your finest room?
I had to interrupt him and despite his eagerness to explain, I'd eventually slap him in hopes of fixing the loose gears in his head.
INNKEEPER
Oh, yea. It's a hundred fifty a day.
Pretty cheap,
PAIN
Do you have trade for a golden coin?
He frowned,
INNKEEPER
Gold? You got gold?
I pulled out a gold coin.
INNKEEPER
Holy mother of god! Were you a noble that was banished or something?
I squinted at him. Was this Innkeeper a goddamn simpleton?
PAIN
If I was banished, I would not be here now.
INNKEEPER
Oh yea, you're right. Also, no, I don't have trade for that.
PAIN
Fine, allow me to stay for a month.
INNKEEPER
A whole month! Absolutely. The old geezer would be glad to hear it.
PAIN
Do you have a bathhouse?
INN KEEPER
Sure do!