Tunde sat in the private quarters of Draven, the room within his forge reserved for meetings between him and important guests. It was a somewhat small abode, with shelves lining the walls along with different objects ranging from pieces of broken metal to Ethereum and even broken weapons akin to trophies. Illuminated by a series of Ethra crystals, a large desk surrounded by chairs took up the majority of the room, the sweet-smelling oil that permeated the entire room a bit different from the heavy musk that filled the forge itself, something Tunde found oddly himself missing.
Lady Ryka, somehow summoned from the stronghold itself sat on one of the chairs, a cup of her tea in hand, quietly sipping it while Draven sat like a chastised child, a scene Tunde found most hilarious. He kept avoiding the gaze of the woman known as the steward of black rock herself, shooting Tunde accusing looks while under the glare of his wife, Isolde with her one eye, tapping one foot on the ground.
He refrained from laughing, even smiling, aware of the figure close to him, breathing down his neck. Miria had appeared as well, sitting quietly, her inky black eyes staring at him with not so much as a smile on her face. for the first time in a long while he found himself unnerved by her gaze, like the shadows in the corners of the room were waiting for her command to wrap him up in their essence.
Holding one of the blades, Tunde stared into its black almost glass-like metal, the crystals illuminating it in the silence.
“All in favor of petitioning the Highlord to place Tunde under strict movement?” Ryka said as almost all hands went up.
He glanced at Miria watching as she didn’t raise her hand, raising one eyebrow at her. She ignored him completely, facing Lady Ryka who dropped her cup with a sigh.
“All in favor except Miria,” she said.
“I instructed Draven to keep you away from any strenuous activities because I’ve realized that you are dead set on pushing yourself till you break” she continued.
Meeting Tunde’s eyes who kept flipping the short sword in one hand, the other piece on the table.
“Cultivators burn themselves out too, you should know that”
“What happened earlier was nothing more than a moment of inspiration,” Tunde said as Miria withheld a chuckle.
“Oh really,” Ryka asked.
“I was lost in the moment, my entire concentration on the metal I was attempting to forge”
“So, your explanation for somehow gathering the entire heat Ethra in the room, turning your surroundings into a sweltering mess while leaving the other forges cold is the fact that you were having some sort of inspiration?” Ryka asked.
“If you put it like that, then yes” Tunde responded.
Draven got to his feet, his meaty arms flexing even as he picked up the second blade.
“somehow” he started.
“On our first trial, you were able to forge a near-perfect adept tier blade, fuse enough of your Ethra into it to change its color to pitch black, and give it the feel of a truly powerful weapon.”
He glanced at Tunde.
“Where did you say you learned this from?” he asked.
Tunde gave a soft smile.
“You of course” he relied.
“Right, right, from the adept that spends an entire day forging an adept-tiered imbued weapon, and yet you completed it in less than an hour, see how that sounds?” Draven said.
Tunde shrugged.
“Your teaching stuck with me?” he replied.
Lady Ryka sighed.
“Look, we’re in no position to tell you what to do, you’re a lord- “
“Stop it” Tunde cut in; his voice low.
“You know I don’t like it when you talk like that” he added.
Their relationship would always change with his advancement, it was inevitable, but still, Tunde found himself irritated whenever it was brought up.
“It still doesn’t take away from that fact that it’s true” Ryka replied just as coldly.
“We understand what is at stake Tunde, we know that you’re keeping things from us as much as you’re revealing to us, let me finish,” she said, one hand raised as Tunde tried to speak.
“It is none of our business, and frankly, we’d like to keep it that way. It’s one thing to play the games of a small clan close to the borders of the empire and another thing entirely to get embroiled in whatever power plays go on within the true powers of the empire” she explained.
Sitting forward, she continued.
“Cultivators take their time advancing, not because of the absence of resources, but for two reasons I’m aware of,” Ryka said.
“One, to ensure they’re ready for the responsibilities of the next stage, to gather enough allies if need be. And two, to remove the eyes of those higher than them from them, do you understand?” she continued.
“Your rapid advancement has drawn not only the eyes of the Verdan clan previously, but as it stands, the empire itself. Now granted, it's just a Highlord, but what makes you think he hasn’t informed those superior to him about some cultivator close to the wastelands who seemed to be advancing at a speed rivaling a child of one of the noble clans of the empire itself?”
Tunde simply stared at the table, its worn-out features, swallowing lightly.
“You don’t have some powerful clan to call on, we’re basically starting up from scratch, and as much as it pains me to admit, we’re nowhere as strong as you need if you need to rely on us” she finished.
“I’ll always protect you,” Tunde said softly.
He turned his gaze to Ryka who had a soft smile on her face, glancing around the room.
“Would any of you doubt that?” he asked.
“no one doubts you Tunde” Isolde replied, speaking up for the first time, arms folded.
“So why would you assume I’d willingly throw you into battle?” he asked.
“Because someday, you’ll leave” Miria replied.
He turned to her, watching her impassive features shift to one of cold acceptance.
“It is the path every cultivator must take, someday, you’ll need to leave black rock behind if you want to advance, we’ll both need to” she continued.
“Lady Ryka, Draven, even Isolde, they don’t want power to stand at the peak, they just want the live a very long average life, no offense” she added.
“None taken” the trio replied.
“This is not some grand adventure to them, this is a matter of life and death, and to be frank, no one survives in Adamath by getting drawn into the tussles of the powerful, something you seem inherently drawn to” she explained.
Tunde grabbed the other blade, stabbing the both of them into the table as they passed through like a hot knife on fat, falling right under.
“That was a new table!” Draven moaned in obvious sadness as Isolde patted him.
“You think you owe us by protecting us, but the truth is, you don’t,” Isolde said.
“We are grateful, and may I remind you that had it not been for elder Joran’s foresight, we could be dead right now, within the rubbles of jade peak” Ryka added as the doors opened, Harun and Giselle entering.
“What did we miss?, sorry we’re late,” Harun said.
“Nothing much, just Tunde being Tunde” Draven replied.
“Ah, told you we should have come earlier,” Giselle said, bumping the water and blade affinity user.
Tunde picked up the blades from the ground, turning to Draven.
“I’ll need a sheath and hilt for these,” he said as Draven sighed.
Turning to Ryka, he spoke.
“I appreciate you all looking out for me, but the truth is, I don’t have the luxury of time,” Tunde said.
“Varis says we could be facing the invasion anytime from now”
“he’s been saying that for the past three months” Draven cut in.
“doesn’t make it any less true” Tunde replied.
“I advanced to lord rank simply by circumstance, and if I can’t try as much as possible take advantage of it to become as strong as I could ever be, all these?” he said, waving his hand around him.
“It could all come down on our heads, assuming we survive” he finished.
“Something keeps rubbing off me wrongly though,” Giselle said, cutting in as all focus turned to her.
“If whatever we are to face requires the aid of not just a Highlord, but an entire vassal clan of the empire, what hope do we stand?” she asked.
“Branch family” Ryka cut in.
“What?” Harun asked.
“As of this moment, word reaching me has said that the emperor himself has dispatched an entire branch family of the Talahan clan to come deal with the problem,” she said.
The room went mute quiet, Tunde turning his gaze to the window, staring at the full moon that shone down on the settlement.
“Were you able to confirm from the Highlord?” Ryka asked.
“Was too busy getting beaten to a pulp to a pulp, will ask the next time I see him” Tunde replied.
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Harun gave a weak laugh, Miria moving closer to him even as he smiled at her to show he was fine.
“What type of monster could the wasteland king be to require the might of an entire branch of the Talahan clan to come deal with?” Giselle said, drawing them back on topic.
“One that we’ll need every ounce of our strengths to deal with, all of us” Tunde replied.
Lady Ryka got to her feet.
“I won’t stop you, neither will I try to reduce the amount of responsibilities you’ve placed on your shoulders” she started.
“Just realize that advancement is a gradual process, walk, not run” she completed, coming over to him and squeezing his shoulder gently.
“Oh, and we’re running low on some much-needed provisions,” she said.
“Anything we can manage without for now?” Tunde asked.
“No, however, with the authority of the Highlord, I’ve been able to broker some sort of deal with a merchant of one of the heartland cities closest to the ruins of Jade Peak” she replied.
“The only issue is the fact that the merchant has declined our request to bring his skyship to black rock, even with the threat of the order coming from the imperial clan itself. Meaning we’d have to go meet with him at the borders of Jade Peak’s ruins, get the provisions, and then come back”
Tunde adjusted on the chair.
“I could go, probably take Isolde with me to ensure we’re not being cheated,” he said.
“What about the other adepts?” Miria asked.
“We can’t afford to leave black rock undefended, we’re still in the middle of the third cycle, remember?” Tunde said.
“Giselle then, non-negotiable, along with whatever contingent of disciples and initiates you’ll need, I imagine more than enough of them would jump at the opportunity to accompany the black wolf of black rock,” Ryka said.
Tunde sighed.
“He could have told me all these before I left his quarters” he murmured.
“When?, in between beating you or crushing you with his aura?” Draven asked as the rest shuddered.
“How you stand such killing intent is beyond us, we could feel it throughout the stronghold,” Miria said.
“You get used to it over time” Tunde replied.
Patting his shoulder, lady Ryka left the room, Harun and Giselle taking their leaves as well. Isolde sighed as she stretched, turning to him.
“I guess I’ll see you in the morning?” she asked.
He nodded, a soft smile on his face as she turned to Draven, the two bickering slightly. He took it as his cue to leave, getting to his feet quietly before joining Miria as they left the room. He left void edge on the table, trusting Draven to make a suitable sheath for them, the both of them leaving the forge as they returned to the bustling nightlife.
One hop and he was on the rooftops, seated on one of them, Miria at his side. Eyes closed, she seemed to enjoy the air, the breeze blowing through her hair softly as she smiled.
“I understand,” she said.
Tunde said nothing in reply.
“We’re both different to the rest of them. Our ancestry, origins” she continued.
“Father always said we were on borrowed time, and that until we return to our true home, we would never be respected”
“Those words never really sank in till he was killed when two lords fought close to our old home, it happened so quickly I doubt he even had the time to realize he was dead before it happened.”
Tunde glanced at her; eyes soft.
“You never told me “He replied.
“Because it didn’t matter then,” she said.
“Look, I agree with them, but I also see what you’re doing, strength has been the one thing that has kept you going so far, but you need to ensure you don’t lose yourself along the way”
Her blade appeared from her void ring as her tone changed.
“Soon Tunde, we’ll have the strength to make it back to Crystalreach, to our homeland, but until then, we get stronger” she finished.
Tunde shook his head, smiling as he turned his gaze to the skies above, Miria at his side.
*****************************************
The offer had gone out across the empire, passed through anonymous sources both big and small, powerful yet subtle people who made up the shadow market of the empire itself. Used mostly for assassinations and the sale of restricted items and goods, most would-be killers, bandits, and assassins got their requests and orders through whatever means they saw fit, their rewards given through those means as well at the end of their jobs when they produced evidence.
The Ark had changed that, allowing them to claim their rewards the moment they sent a picture of the completion of their missions to their respective clients. While the empire had previously managed to keep control of it, the spire had allowed the underground market to become even more clandestine. One organization managed to hold supreme control over the running of the entire system, giving out bounties while beneath the notice of the empire itself.
It was this same organization that sent out the bounty, drawing all bounty hunters and assassins interested across the empire, a general request.
Bounty Request
Target Name: Tunde
Rank: lord
Concept: unknown
Affinities: unknown
Orders:
- Only Lord rank cultivators, no higher, are eligible to undertake this assignment.
- Confirm the identity of the target as well as any ties to an adept known as Joran.
- If ties to Joran are confirmed to be strong, the orders are to terminate the target and report back with his head for payment.
Reward:
- 500,000 lumens upon successful completion of the mission.
Additional Information:
- Tunde is suspected to be operating within the borders of the empire, close to the wastelands.
- Exercise caution, as Tunde is rumored to possess formidable combat skills.
- This bounty has been authorized by the Brotherhood. Payment will be made upon presentation of proof of completion.
- Contact with the Brotherhood is strictly prohibited until the mission is completed.
****************************
The early morning sun found Tunde waiting at the black swan, the repaired vessel that had once belonged to Joran now acting as the house’s main means of transportation. Its insides used to hold cargos and items gotten, of late it had barely seen travel, but today, Tunde was hoping to come back with its holdings filled and nearly bursting.
Funds were never the issue of the house, its savings from its businesses with the golden pavilion left them with enough to fund whatever needs they had. Lady Ryka had also considered opening the mines again, but that was still an endeavor that was being considered for now. Standing with his hands folded behind him, robes billowing in the wind, Tunde felt the presence of Isolde at his side.
A disciple walked next to her, bowing as she sighted him before standing a few feet behind them, Isolde sighing.
“You know, most of them actually keep whispering about you,” she said.
“Hmm,” Tunde replied, eyes shut as he drank in the Ethra in the air, his heart cycling it.
Most of it now wasted, his body already modifying itself to hold a core and with its absence, it dispelled it. Tunde found himself longing for another affinity, but he was taking his time, patient enough to find the right affinity to complement the one he had.
Cosmic affinity.
He had feared asking elder Wren, while the elder was indeed knowledgeable, Tunde had the feeling that his affinity was not common. Still, another affinity to complement it would create a concept he was all too eager to explore.
“They say you killed a tier 4 sand shard with a single technique” Isolde continued as the disciple behind her gave a strangled sound of embarrassment, no doubt Isolde had heard it from her.
“Close enough” Tunde replied.
Isolde shook her head chuckling.
“And you wonder why they hold you in high esteem,” she said before moving towards the ship, leaving Tunde staring at the bustling disciples and initiates picked to come along.
Rubbing his smooth head, he released another sigh, somehow feeling irritated, unsettled even, but as he was about to move, a whistle call drew his attention, Tunde watching as Draven came over, something wrapped in his hands. The Forgesmith reached him with a disgruntled look on his face.
“Now before you say anything, I want you to realize that I only made this on such short notice thanks to Isolde’s persuasion and not because of some close bond I share with you,” he said as Tunde found himself fighting a smile.
“you’re about to laugh, aren’t you?” Draven asked, eyes narrowed.
“I wouldn’t dare” Tunde replied with a straight expression.
“Do it, I dare you” Draven pushed.
“I value you too much to laugh in such a serious moment” Tunde responded, cycling faster to distract himself.
Draven gave him a dubious look, as if to let him know that he didn’t believe it, but he nodded with satisfaction, revealing the items bundled up. The first thing that grabbed his attention was the black hilts that glittered as if made of the scales of some reptilian creature yet comfortable to the touch. Its sheath was a sleek black cured leather, thick to the touch.
“The hilts were fashioned from some tier 3 reptile skin I was able to find, good grip. The sheaths though were made from the cured body of the tier 4 Sandshard you killed a few weeks back” Draven explained with a sigh.
Tunde's gaze fixated on the blades, a rush of anticipation coursing through him. With a careful motion, he accepted the hilts, feeling the weight and balance of each weapon. They were exquisite, their craftsmanship unparalleled.
Tunde's fingers traced the intricate scales and etchings on the hilts, marveling at the craftsmanship. The blades seemed to hum with latent energy, eager to be unleashed.
"The sheaths, too, are a testament to my growth as a Forgesmith," Draven continued, gesturing to the finely crafted leather casings. "They will keep the Void Edge blades safe until the moment they are needed most."
Tunde nodded, his heart swelling with gratitude. These weapons would be his companions in the battles to come, and he was all too eager to test them. Handing them over completely to Tunde, he glanced at the Forgesmith staring at the ship with worry in his eyes.
“You worry for her,” Tunde said as a matter of fact.
Draven nodded slowly.
“She hates it when I bother, but after the battle of black rock, she’s somehow felt the need to prove herself still capable of fighting” he replied.
Tunde nodded, turning to stare at the vessel where Isolde directed the necessary items into the ship.
“I’ll watch over her,” he said calmly.
“You have my oath” he added, feeling the promise wrap around his heart.
Draven turned to him, eyes widening a bit as he nodded. He was about to speak when they both felt the subtle pressure on them, Tunde keeping his facial expression neutral as he shielded Draven from the worst of it, the adapt already on his knees, head bowed. Glancing at the vessel, the same could be seen, the disciples and initiates bowing, head pressed to the ground in submission.
Tunde bowed at the waist in the presence of the Highlord who calmly landed where he stood, hands folded behind him, eyes on void edge.
“Cute,” he said with a snort.
“Highlord Varis, you grace us with your presence” Tunde replied as a form of greeting.
“I heard you were leading the delegation to meet up with the merchant willing to deal with you, wanted to see what the fuss was all about” Varis replied.
Tunde said nothing, head bowed.
“I don’t need to tell you that you’re to return in one piece, right?” he said.
“No, Highlord” Tunde replied.
“Good, good” Varis said, patting his head.
Tunde shut his eyes, calming his breath, cycling to maintain composure.
“Let me know if you see anything suspicious,” he said.
“Suspicious, Highlord?”
Varis sighed.
“Yes, I hate repeating myself” he added.
“I will do my best” Tunde responded.
“Good, and if you do encounter trouble, I expect total domination from your side,” Varis said.
“Am I to expect trouble then?” Tunde asked, curious.
“you’re in Bloodfire, there’s trouble everywhere if you know where to look”
“But then again” Varis continued.
“You somehow draw them to you, don’t you?” he added before flying away on his aura.
Draven shuddered as the Highlord vanished from sight, getting to his feet with a wobble as Tunde helped him up.
“That was my first time being so close to him” he whispered.
“And I don’t like it one bit, made me feel….”
“Like an insect” Tunde completed for him, watching as Draven nodded.
“You get used to it, with time” Tunde added, not sure he was saying the truth though.
The aura of the Highlord felt like that of a true predator, it had always rubbed off Tunde wrongly, like he was standing in the middle of a storm, aware that he could be struck at any moment. Over time he found himself becoming accustomed to it, not entirely immune but just enough for him to stand in his presence without any side effect.
Watching Draven suck in a lungful of air before exhaling, he rubbed his beard.
“I’m heading back to the forge, lots of orders for weapons, try getting your hands on some large quantities, we’re sorely lacking” he added.
Tunde nodded at him; void edge strapped to his waist with a sword belt he had commissioned a while ago while he marched towards the ship. A few minutes later the construct was airborne, its heavy frame rising to the skis above, moving in the direction of the ruins of Jade Peak City.
**************************
Miria opened the potions shop early that day, sighing to herself as she dusted the wooden racks and cleaned the tables. Ani had gone ingredient hunting, rumors about some stall owner having much needed herbs she couldn’t wait to get her hands on. Still, it gave her a few hours of calm and quiet to herself, something she had found herself enjoying more and more.
All around the shop, inky limbs all attached to her did multiple things at once, Miria herself seated in a lotus position, eyes closed as she meditated. Advancing to adept rank had allowed her to utilize her ink affinity in ways she marveled, her reach as well as strength had grown ten times over. Thinking of how far she had to go before catching up to Tunde excited her and the thought of herself as a lord with another affinity, one she had already found and was preparing to assimilate excited her all the more.
Yet, the knocking on the door broke her moment of peace, frowning as she retracted all her limbs away, her dozen-limbed technique vanishing even as she got to her feet. Sighing, she walked to the door as her instincts screamed danger to her, unsure, she opened it a bit, staring into a face that froze her on her feet.
“Lady Miria, how nice to see you!” Varis Talahan said.
She opened the door completely, bowing to him as he stepped in dismissively, the door closing behind him.
“Excuse my manners,” he said, hands tucked into the folds of his robes, the same false smile on his face.
“It is an honor to have you hear,” she said, her mind racing.
What was the Highlord doing here? was he aware of Ani?, Miria had her mind running through different ways she could get across to the girl, telling her to stay far away. Varis on the other hand made himself at home, sitting on the chair with a sigh.
“Again, pardon me, but I had a matter of urgency to discuss with you,” he said.
“Whatever way I might be of help to the Highlord would be of joy to me” she replied, still bowed.
“Oh good!” Varis said with cheerfulness.
“Perhaps you can tell me why Tunde’s somehow a lord with just one affinity?” he asked.
Miria found herself growing cold as her eyes snapped up to the lord in surprise, eyes wide and staring at his still smiling face.