Chapter 072:
Anton didn't even think of stopping until they found the village of Soulthor. Neither Verona or Kal wanted to stop either, with the strange cultists potentially snapping at their heels. While running it did leave Anton a little time to think about what the elderly woman had said. She was definitely a witch, if the name meant the same thing it did back on Earth, and knew far more than she was supposed to. It seemed that this witch could commune with an Old God on a regular basis, enough for her to start to doubt the visions she was receiving. He would think about it more when they stopped and were. Everything that was happening in Graterious seemed to be a thousand times stranger than anything in Qaiviel, and they were barely a few miles into the land.
The village of Soulthor, if this was that place and not another cultist village, was about half the size of Atros when he first arrived. However, this village had a very large wooden wall at least four meters tall and very thick. The forest had been cleared for nearly a hundred meters around. Nobody could approach without being spotted and attacked. The space was filled with withered crops that looked rather sad. Thankfully the Earth Mana allowed plants to grow very quickly, but seeing the plants so sick made him feel a little sad for their predicament.
Standing on top of the wall were soldiers. Only their chests and above were visible. Each had a iron helm and a leather chest armour, though they were battered and very weathered. Even their weapons, simple looking spears, looked old and worn. If anything they looked worse equipped than Maxill when he first arrived. At least these didn't look like the cultists.
Well, they are quite a distance away from the bigger cities, according to this map. So they might not be on the highest priority for new gear. I don't know if there's something they could do to keep their weapons and armour in relatively good condition. Something to ask Jonathan.
Anton glanced either side, seeing some of his thoughts mirrored in Verona's face and he was sure that Kal was thinking the same.
They slowed as they approached, a few soldiers on top of the wall shouting to their fellows as they kept an eye towards them. There were at least twenty soldiers in the middle when they threw up their hands for them to stop.
“Stop. Who are you?” a soldier yelled over the wall.
“A trio of weary travellers looking for rest.” Verona yelled back.
Verona smirked and looked back at the soldiers of Soulthor.
“And why is one of you wearing a mask?” Another soldier asked.
Verona glanced back at Kal. Kal turned slightly to Verona but said nothing.
“Our friend has been deeply wounded.” Verona replied. “And she doesn't need you judging her for what she's been through.”
It was sort of true. Just so long as they didn't think that she was a cultist.
“Why do you come from the south?” the first soldier asked. “You know that your kind aren't welcome inside. It's also not time for trading either.”
“If you're talking about those...people.” Verona glanced back. “Then we aren't them. So, can you let us in? We're looking for somewhere to sleep and get some hot food. Do you have that here?”
The soldiers glanced at each other. They whispered to each other rapidly before parting.
“Alright. Come on in. We don't have any reason to keep out honest travellers. But, you're going to be kept underneath a close watch. One fuck up and you're out. Or dead.”
One side of the large wooden gate rumbled open. Verona gave the soldiers a wave as they entered the village, Anton and Kal doing the same. Their horse’s hooves clicked onto the stone road as they entered the village. It was a bit like Atros, before he arrived. The village consisted of dozens of wooden houses, a few larger buildings that seemed to be for storage, nothing grand but they didn't seem to be as poor as the raided hamlets in Qaiviel. A simple looking life.
The soldiers began to step down from the wall and walked towards them. It gave Anton time to study them a bit more. Their dark and faded red clothes, underneath the worn leather armour, were tattered and sewn together from different scraps of cloth. Some didn't even have boots, or even wraps like Kal had. A very poor frontier village.
We'll have to get some boots for Kal. Good ones that fit her. That might be a bit tricky to get. Someone sympathetic.
“You'll find the tavern over there.” The soldier pointed to the center of the village. Anton saw that he was missing two of his fingers, the others were filthy and one looked like it was infected. He could heal him now but he didn't know how these people would react. Especially being so close to those strange cultists.
Anton followed the man's fingers. He pointed to the largest building in the village. There were dozens of drunken and shambling people staggering out and in of the building. Quite a few horses were tied up at the front, drinking from a water trough. If anything it looked like some sort of rough saloon. Full of gangsters and cowboys. Hopefully they could get a room to sleep in. And sources of information for the goings on of the Graterious Empire.
“Thank you.” Anton said as they trotted to the tavern, the wooden gate closing loudly behind them.
The villagers, of all ages, glanced up as they passed, most of their attention on Kal's mask. When they passed they returned to their work or play. It was odd that they didn't regard them any further. Perhaps they saw more odd travellers coming through their city than somewhere like Maxill.
They stopped at the tavern and a young boy resting on a chair next to the door came up to them, his face beaming.
“Afternoon.” He said in a high pitched but happy voice. “If you're looking for somewhere to stay for the night then this is the best, and only, place in Soulthor.”
“That's good to know.” Anton said as he dismounted from his horse. “We've had a rough day and would like some rest and good food.”
The boy smiled even more. “Then you should head on in. My granddad will be glad to take care of you. You can tie your horses up here. Nobody's going to steal it, not with the nobles' soldiers inside.”
Anton hummed and nodded. “Thanks kid.” he turned to Verona and Kal. “We'd better bring the packs in. Just in case.”
Both girls nodded and slung the packs over the shoulder. The kid regarded their actions with indifference as they tied their horses to the long wooden post, next to the other horses. Those were different to their own, covered in a thick leather and iron studded armour. They were built and bred for combat.
Anton took a deep breath and entered the tavern. A mix of drink, hot food and raucous shouting filled his senses the moment the door was opened. Dozens of Graterious soldiers and guards were drinking and eating, a few desperate waiters moving between them handing out drink and food. Anton spied a group to the side of the tavern, better armoured and equipped than the drunken guards, sitting and eating in relative silence. They barely seemed to be drinking, and judging from what he could see it was only water. They must be the owners of the horses outside.
“So, do we talk to the person behind the counter?” Verona asked. Kal nodded in agreement as the taverns patrons started to regard them with curiosity and suspicion. She shrunk behind Anton, a clawed hand gripping tight onto his own, as the men began to stare at the women.
“Better had before they do something dumb.” Anton said.
They walked towards the counter, an elderly man pouring drinks standing behind. He looked up and smiled as Anton rested both arms on the counter. Kal remained very close to the both of them while Verona grumbled that her head barely made it over the top.
“I thought that all of you Bandit Hunters came together.” The elderly man said. “Did you drop back or did you find another bandit hide-out?”
Anton looked at the silent group.
Kal said something about the bandits in Graterious were meant to be really bad, and that when she left they were starting to organise something to stop them. Guess this is them.
Anton shook his head. “I'm afraid not. We're not a part of them. But we are looking for somewhere to rest for the night, some good food and somewhere to rest ourselves and horses.”
“Well...” The man glanced between the three of them, taking a quick moment when he focused on Kal's mask and Verona's silver hair. “Well, if you three are fine with sharing the same room. We're kind of full tonight.”
“That'll be fine.” Verona smiled and nodded. “Can you look after our horses as well?”
The elderly man nodded. “Sure.”
“Alright. We'll pay for the night. How much?”
The elderly man smiled. “For the three of you, that'll be one silver coin. Or ten copper rings.”
Copper rings? Well, it's a thousand copper coins for one silver. I wouldn't want to carry around that much. So there must be another denomination in there. So that makes a ring a hundred coins...Not a bad thing to carry around, but forgery must be a problem. Anyway, I don't know if that's a good or bad rate. But, considering what we've got back at Atros, and what I've been told that all of us could earn, it's nothing. Perhaps these people use the barter system more often than coins.
Anton reached into a small coin purse inside his armour, something that Alfred had been insistent for him to use, and pulled out a silver coin. The elderly man smiled and took the coin.
“Thank you. Where are your horses?”
“The three on the end.” Anton pointed outside. “The one's that aren't owned by those Bandit Hunters.”
“I'll get my sons on it.” The man waved to a few men at the side. “I'll show you to your room.”
He hobbled out from behind the bar, one of his legs was missing and replaced with a wooden peg, and led them towards a door at the back. They followed in silence until the man stopped at a door.
“Alright. This is your room for the night. There will be a meal later, I'll send someone to let you know when it's ready. There's a bucket of water for cleaning yourselves. If you need more you'll have to buy it.”
“Thanks.” Verona said with a wicked smile smile. “What's for dinner?”
“Nothing too fancy. Some cooked wolf meat, baked potato, some bread and beans.”
“Sounds good.” Verona nodded furiously.
The elderly man nodded and left them. Verona kept her eye on him until he disappeared from sight.
“Great. Now we can have some private time.” Verona giggled as her grin became even wider.
“Is that's all that's on your mind?” Kal asked.
Verona shrugged. “I still owe you that hug...” She moved and grabbed Kal on the butt. Kal squeaked and brushed her hand away, moving behind Anton and wrapping his arm around her waist. Verona chuckled. “Yeah. This is going to be a really fun night. At least we'll be doing it on a proper bed for once. Tumbling onto the wet grass really ruins the fun.”
Verona was grinning wildly and chuckling when she opened the door. The inside was sparsely furnished: a large bed, a table and a few chairs. It wasn't much but it was enough for them. Verona placed the packs onto the floor and flopped onto the bed. She waved for Anton to join her as Kal took off her mask and unruffled her hair.
Anton took Verona's hand and pulled her back up. She giggled in delight as he kissed her deeply. He didn't let her part until she became limp in his hands. Kal, out the corner of his eye, was looking very jealous. He gently let her go and onto the bed, Verona giggling like an idiot as he kissed Kal just as deeply.
Verona's head rocked from side to side as she laughed. “Seems like you are even more excited about this than you are. Does doing it on a bed excite you that much?”
She pointed at his crotch as Anton's hand found its' way to Kal's behind. Kal moaned into Anton's mouth in response. She pushed him away gently but didn't remove his hand from groping her butt.
“I...I don't really mind where.” Kal chuckled and began to kiss his cheek. “Does it really matter?”
Anton gave Kal another deep kiss. “While I would love nothing more than to do that, there are a few things that we need to do first.”
“Like clean ourselves?” Verona sniffed at her armpit. “I really need a bath or something.”
“Even before that fun...” Anton chuckled as Verona hopped off the bed and pulled Anton down for a quick kiss. “We need to gather a bit more information. I know that this is going to be a little hard to say, but what Kal knew of Graterious may have changed since she passed through.”
Kal had the tiniest hint of wry smile. He knew that she wasn't the type of person to get offended by something like that, but she appeared to appreciate it.
“So...we've got three groups we can talk to.” Verona sat down on one of the chairs, Anton taking another chair while Kal sat on the edge of the bed. “The regular soldiers, those Bandit hunters, and the tavern owner. Who goes to who?”
“I...” Kal took a deep breath. “I don't know if I should go. I'm not afraid but being on my own, with that mask, they're going to want to know.”
Anton squeezed Kal's hand. “It's okay. We'll try our best while you look after our gear.”
Kal looked a little awkward but still nodded. After all this they didn't want to get ousted by a drunk and leery Graterious guard who got too close.
Verona hummed. “I'll take the drunk and leery guards, see what they have to say. I saw them checking out my butt. I'm the one without a cloak. Anyway, I could get them to think that I might be interested in them if they give me some information.”
Anton nodded. “Okay then. I'll try and have a chat with the Bandit Hunters. See what they have to say. If they'll say anything.
“Right...” Kal frowned lightly.
Anton and Verona glanced at each other. They both knew that Kal wanted to help but circumstances prevented her, and she didn't like that. One day, Anton hoped, there wouldn't be this discrimination.
“Right.” Verona clapped her hands. “Everyone got some money? Oh, I'll just get some blood from you Anton. Just in case they try something. I don't think they'll have that special magic stopping metal on them, especially with what they're wearing.”
Anton offered up some blood and then healed his hand. He chanted a healing prayer as Verona moved the blood into one of the pots. With that ready they got ready to leave, both giving Kal a quick kiss and squeeze, and entered the tavern. He heard something heavy dragged along the wooden floor. Kal wasn't going to take any chances.
The tavern main room was even louder than it was before. More people had joined and there were very few places free at the tables. Verona smiled at the sight.
“Okay...Let's see what we can find.” Verona nodded to the elderly man, serving a few rowdy men at the bar. “We should meet up here if we got anything.”
“Right.” Anton looked at the guards. They appeared even more drunk than before, even a few had passed out on the table.
“We'd better get moving before they're too drunk to talk.” She nodded to a laughing group of guards. “I'll see what I can find out. See you in a bit.”
She gave him a quick kiss, straightened out her hair and walked over to the group of guards. They regarded her with suspicion for a moment before making room for her. She laughed and took a spare drink and sculled it.
Right. Time for me to speak to the Bandit Hunters. See what they've got to say for themselves.
It struck Anton that he didn't really know how to approach the quiet men in the corner. Nevertheless he knew that nothing would happen if he just stood there. He took a deep breath and approached the men in the corner. When he was a few meters away they started to look in his direction. Nobody else was anywhere near them, a ring of tables acting as a buffer.
“Evening.” Anton said. “I presume this seat isn't taken?”
Anton smiled as he took a spare seat. Whatever he would say he would just have to improvise.
The Bandit Hunters looked to one of their own, the man almost opposite Anton. He was a plain looking man; short brown hair and a short beard, brown eyes and few small scars on his face. His fingers too were scarred. The Bandit Hunter smiled back.
“No.” His voice was gruff but not angry. “You're the first person that's even tried to approach us tonight.”
“From what I've heard you're meant to be some sort of Bandit Hunters.”
“That's right. Name's Virgil.” He offered his hand over the table, which Anton shook. “So what are you, and your two women, doing out this far?”
“We're travellers.” Anton replied. “Of a sorts. We haven't exactly been around...real civilisation for some time.”
Virgil smiled, one that Anton knew was put on, and looked to Verona. She was laughing alongside the other guards. About what he had no idea.
“Sounds like you must have come down from the mountains. Especially since you've got a Clansmen woman with you.”
Anton smiled. “Basically. Think of us as trying to make it back to civilisation.”
“So what changed?” Virgil looked him over. “You seem like you were doing well before you came here, judging by how many teeth you've still got. And their colour. And that you aren't just a raving lunatic.”
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“A change of scenery was in order.” Anton smiled.
Virgil chuckled. “From what I heard you came from the south. And that there are only bad people that live there.”
Anton nodded. “We ran into them.” He leaned closer to the soldiers. “Who are those people? They seem-”
“Mad?”
“Yeah. It's almost like they're...I don't know how to describe it.”
“I'm surprised you didn't hear about them before...” Virgil glanced around to see who was looking in. “But if you've really come down from the mountains that I guess you wouldn't know. You've wound up in Soulthor, the most south eastern city of the Graterious Empire. Only the truly desperate or insane would come this far. Not us though. But it sounds like you've come across someone that's even more desperate and crazy than the people here. They call themselves The Ancient Listeners. No idea what that means, or what they're doing, but they're fine as long as you don't go into their lands. They also help keep the monsters and beasts beyond in control and out of here.”
Guess they don't know about the giant crystal chasm. Still doesn't explain why they didn't try and colonise the dead Kar Kingdom.
Virgil glanced at his men. “I'm sure that's why Cassius let's them live.”
“Who's Cassius?”
Virgil seemed genuinely shocked, so too did the men around him. “My, you have been in the hills for some time.” He glanced at Verona. “I can see why you took your time. You've got with you some sources of fun, it seems. Even that one with the mask looked like she had a good body underneath those clothes.”
The other Bandit Hunters laughed and returned to their food.
“But.” Virgil smiled. “Cassius is a Lord of the Triumvirate of Graterious. He rules the southern lands of Graterious. Lord Septimus rules the north and Lord Atticus rules the east. Those three are the most powerful people that rule in the empire.”
“So there's no king or emperor? For an Empire?”
“Oh there is an emperor, Emperor Decima. But...” Virgil waved his hand. “But the power of the Emperor is very vague, especially if any of the Lords of the Triumvirate don't back them. Which they don't. Only one does and it's not Lord Cassius.” Virgil smiled. “You've come at a very interesting time. If you're here to fight for them you could make a bit of money as a mercenary. If you're a fighter that is.”
“But you're not doing that. Fighting a war?” Anton said, looking at the armour still on their bodies. It was leather mixed with metal panels and studs. Good for strength without a real cost of movement. Not for fighting in a big brawl of soldiers, all of which were probably armed to the teeth in full metal armour.
Virgil shook his head. “No. My men and I serve Lord Cassius to deal with the bandits that have infested the lands under the reign of Emperor Decima. Loads of them have sprung up in the past few winters. Some very bad...Anyway, we're hired to deal with them.”
“Well.” Anton slapped his thighs. “I guess that's why we really didn't run into any problems. Other than those crazy people to the south. I should buy you all a...What do you drink here?”
Virgil smiled and waved him down. “I appreciate your generosity, but we won't be drinking until we return to Porswea. We've just dealt with the last of the holdouts to the north and there's no way they would be any further south than this. So, without any more orders, we're heading back home.”
“Porswea...I take it that's a big city?”
“The capital of the Southern Triumvirate.” Virgil smirked. “So, yes. It's a big city.”
Anton clapped his hands. “That's great. Can my friends and I tag along?”
Virgil shrugged. “I don't see why not. So long as your friends are up for some fun.”
“That's not happening.” Anton replied coldly. “Ever.”
Virgil smiled and nodded. “Good. I'm guessing that you have the strength to keep them safe. My men, even though they are starved for good women, aren't the types to take it by force. They’ve seen the faces of women that some of the bandits take. Not everyone else you'll meet here is that well behaved.”
“I'll keep that in mind.”
A warm hand wrapped itself around Anton's shoulders. He recognised the sensation, he saw Verona grinning as she rested her head on his.
“Hey Anton.” Verona's face was a little flushed from drink. “What're you doing?”
She started to kiss his head as she grinned at Virgil and his Bandit Hunters. “Hey, who's this?”
“This is Virgil, and his Bandit Hunters.” Anton explained. Verona smiled even more wildly as she gave him a rough salute. Virgil just shook his head. “How much have you drunk?”
Verona laughed. “Only a little bit.” She giggled and began to nibble on his ear. “Just a few sips. Acting the part.” She whispered to him.
Anton patted her on the shoulder, she relinquished her grip and staggered back for one of the empty chairs. She rested it near Anton, one of the hunters shuffled to the side to make some room. Verona waved him down.
“I'm not that big.” She chuckled. “Name's Verona.”
The Hunters gave her a polite nod. Many were checking her out, but Verona paid them no mind. She simply rested her head on Anton's shoulder. “So. You're Bandit Hunters? Are there many left? Bandits, I mean?”
Virgil nodded with a hint of regret. “Unfortunately, yes. We go through an area, clean them up, and then they're back again a season or so later. It's good money but you do start to get the feeling that it's all pointless at times. There's an absolute brute leading them in the southern lands. A demented brute called Tullas Mad Eye. Don't know why he's called that, haven't met him yet otherwise I would have killed him. I think that he wants to take over the southern Triumvirate as a new king. Not fucking happening.”
“Any idea where he is?” Verona asked.
“No.” Virgil shook his head. “For all we know he could be hiding in one of the bigger cities. Or even a lord himself. Even Lord Cassius himself. The bandits we've come across don't know a lot. And we've asked very nicely.”
“Shame.” Verona stretched her arms out. “Bandits are never fun to deal with.”
Virgil chuckled and downed his drink.
“Well, we would like to chat further but we've been riding all day.” Anton said. “What time would you guys be leaving?”
“First light.” Virgil replied. “I want to get back to Porswea as soon as possible.”
“We'll see you then.”
---[]---
Anton knocked on the door to their room. He heard the bed groan and someone walk towards them, an unmistakable hint of claws tapping on wood.
“Who is it?” Kal asked flatly.
“It's us.” Anton replied.
“Hang on.” Something groaned behind the door and it opened. Kal had dressed down, relatively, but most importantly her digitigrade feet were visible in all their glory. Anton and Verona entered and moved the table and packs of gear back in the way. Verona removed her chain and barrette and gently laid them on the table.
“That...That was interesting.” Verona said as she sat on the bed. “I take it that you got something out of those Bandit Hunters? 'cause I didn't get much out of those guards.”
“You sounded like you were having fun.” Anton said. He sat beside Verona as she rested on his side.
“They wanted me to start drinking with them.” Verona shrugged and lay back on the bed. “Probably so they could find me defenceless and push me down onto a bed. Not gunna' happen.” She huffed and folded her arms. “They would have just preferred to see my tits.”
Kal smiled awkwardly, offering a hand to Verona. Verona chuckled as she patted it. “I found that Porswea is run by someone called Lord Cassius. That it's the largest city in the area and we should be able to get just about anything we need there.”
Anton looked Kal's feet. “I think we'll get some boots to hide your feet, even though it's such a shame to hide these.” Anton picked up one foot and started to play with the claws and knuckles. She moaned as she laid down on the bed and let Verona continue.
“That's it. What about you?” Verona asked.
Anton told them both about what he found about Graterious and the four different rulers. They listened in silence.
“That sounds very confusing.” Verona said when he was done, still lying down on the bed. “I think Maxill and Qaiviel was easier. Just get on the good side of the Duchess and we can get just about everything as long as we've got gold. This sounds like there's four groups of people to deal with, all that might hate each other. Not to mention there's probably going to be people on each side that are going to be difficult to deal with. Sounds like a complete mess.”
Anton patted Verona on her taught stomach. “I think that we got off easy with Duchess Belinda.”
“Are we going to do the same thing as before?” Kal asked, lying down and offering her tail for Anton to play alongside her foot. “Where you make a deal with the leader...this Lord Cassius?”
Anton nodded. “Yep. Though it might be hard to get close to him. He's going to have quite a few layers of people to go through first before we could even say hello. And just having money won't get us through this time when they're meant to be a civil war bubbling away.”
“We'll just do what we did before.” Verona sat up and started to undress. “Just make a big scene of our magic and that'll be enough. At least it'll get us noticed and then we'll have to work from there. Anyway, I need to get this stink off me. That goes for the both of you too. I'm not having sex with either of you before getting a bit cleaner.”
She waved them over to the bucket of water and the few relatively clean rags.
“Sounds a good as plan as any.” Anton said. “Though I don't think that I can just blow up a field without just becoming an enemy of the Empire.”
Kal, taking off her shirt and pants, frowned deeply. “There might be something. But I really don't know much about it.”
Verona exclaimed in happy surprise. In the corner was a large wooden bucket filled with water and three clean rags resting on the side.
Verona, completely naked, took a wet rag and did her best to try and remove the accumulated dirt and grim. “What's that?”
Kal sighed as she took a wet cloth rag and passed it to Anton before getting one for herself. “The mercenary company that Seocurians got my bounty poster from, the Red Company, they have base, or guild hall, or something, in Porswea. We could try and sign up with them, or another group, to get some prestige so we're noticed. I'm sure that you'll be easily noticed.” Kal grimaced. “Though I really don't want that attention.”
Anton ruffled her hair, Kal eliciting a mewl. “Well, we don't want to get bogged down in Porswea if we can't get things moving in a day or so. We'll see about buying a ship and onto Seocuria. That's the most important thing to us right now.”
“I think we should spend a day in Porswea at least.” Verona said. “If Kal's right we can get better armour, weapons and clothes. Something to make us look a little more professional, even with those new clothes.”
They washed themselves in silence for some time.
“I wonder what the rest of Atros is going to think.” Anton broke the silence. Kal and Verona glanced up at him. “With the purple crystal chasm and the thousands of goblins. And the crazy cultists.”
Verona smiled as she threw the rag over the bucket. “You said you would be doing that at dusk. But, it's not that time yet.”
“So you want to cuddle?” Anton asked. Kal shook her head, Anton didn't miss the tiny hint of a smile on the corner of her mouth.
“We've got some time.” Verona smiled and grabbed Kal's waist. She squeaked and grabbed one of Verona's breasts in return. Both girls started laughing as they led Anton to the bed.
---[]---
Anton rolled out the piece of paper, and the communication pen, as dusk finally settled over the village of Soulthor. He wasn't particularly worried about getting it set up right away, not when that would end their fun. Anton dressed himself in a pair of pants as he thought about what to write back to Atros.
A murmur behind him made him smile. He looked back and saw Verona and Kal nestled together underneath the rough cloth of the bed. Considering they had been in the outdoors for most of the time they didn't have to worry if they were a little loud. Now they couldn't afford to, though that did give rise to quite a few fun things during their escapades.
Both were whispering to each other, a cute giggle escaping Verona's lips as she held Kal's tail against her face. Kal appeared very calm and relaxed as Verona whispered to her again, both now giggling. They nestled closer together as Verona caught his eye.
“You're coming back once you're done?” She asked quietly.
Anton nodded. “As soon as I'm done.”
Verona giggled and brought Kal in for a closer hug. Anton turned back to the paper.
Now, what do I say?
He shrugged and decided to start off with the basics.
Hello, this is Anton. Are you getting this?
At least the pen works on this end. Though, I wonder how far it can actually work. All the way in Seocuria, or even beyond? The other side of the world?
He laid the pen down and waited for it to move. Slowly the pen glowed and began to write.
Hello Anton. This is Dana writing. I have been asked to write this day. With me are Jeff and Sam. They are doing well.
Anton smiled. He didn't know how many people in Atros could read or write, but he didn't think Dana could. When he looked more closely the writing was quite rough and uneven. She may have been learning to write.
I'm glad to know that you are receiving this. How are things going in Atros? Are Shawn and Joclyn going okay?
The pen took a while before it moved again.
They are doing very well. No incidents have occurred since then. They have been trying to make something called a 'Magic Forge'. Jonathan says that they are already getting results.
That is good to hear. Anything else happening in Atros?
No. No Goblins, Kobolds or Rock-Rat activity nearby. Jeff wants to scout the Green Goblins mountain or hill you discovered. We managed to talk him out of it for the safety of Atros. Everything else is going well. I would like to see Raston soon.
That's right. Raston will be on his way to Maxill by now. He should be in the forest. He should have a decent force with him to deal with for protection. I still haven't heard anything from the Duchess.
I'm sure that he's fine. He's got quite a few soldiers with him for protection with some of the best armour we've got. On that subject, have you heard anything from Duchess Belinda?
Last night we received a message from someone named Alfred. He said that the repairs of Maxill and Nonbu'rn are complete and that they have acquired four more small cities. He made it sound like it's something that good for us too.
That's good to hear. It is good for us as it'll help the Duchess and us in the long run. Unfortunately, things are not going that well for us over here. Things have changed since Kal has travelled through Graterious, she didn't take the change well. A huge purple crystal chasm has appeared at the old border between the Kar Kingdom and the Graterious Empire. Thousands upon thousands of Goblins, of all the known varieties and previously unknown Red Goblins, infest the chasm. We managed to cross but destroyed the only way through. After that we found a strange cult that Kal says lives far too close to Goblins to exist. They were very strange; they were nearly silent, moved in perfect unison and we saw a child involved in a ritual involving eating the flesh off a Red Goblins head. We got out of there fast. Then we met, what we believe, to be the female mage that gave the Karak tree to Atros. Jeff says that he remembers her.
Jeff here. She's alive? It's been so long. How is she?
Strange and seemingly very powerful, if that's her. She knew who we were, who Kal was despite being covered, and could apparently commune with the Old Gods. She used magic that is beyond me. Take from that what you will.
At least she's alive. But apart from that, you're fine?
Yep. We're heading to Porswea in the morning and are now resting. We'll let you know what's happening the next time we can. We all wish you luck.
Okay. Good luck yourselves with your rescue mission!
The pen fell still and didn't rise. Anton took that as the end of the conversation. He wrapped up the paper and pen and put them back safely into one of their packs. Verona, gnawing on Kal's ear, glanced over and smiled.
“They're doing well?”
“Very well.” Anton slipped into bed behind Kal. “It seems that Shawn and Joclyn might have a magical forge going by the time we get back.”
“Does that mean magic...cannons?” Kal asked. “Blades and arrows?”
“Maybe. Maybe.” Anton hadn't given it much thought, but the possibilities were huge. Especially if they mixed the different magic's together. Even more so if they were to get a glyph user from a different god.
“That's good” Verona said, shuffling back from Kal to make a space between them. She patted the bed loudly. “Now ge where you're supposed to be. It's your harem.”
As Anton moved over Kal he heard something. Something that made Kal twitch and shoot up, nearly hitting him in the head. Verona looked around as well. They waited in silence, moving to get their weapons.
He heard the noise again, coming from the distance. It was a groan, a mixture between a roar and a moan. It wasn't someone enjoying themselves.
“Alright. What's that?” Verona asked.
Both she and Anton looked at Kal. She was straining to remember but nothing came to her. She looked to them and shook her head. “I'm sorry. I've never heard something like that-”
Someone slammed their hands against the door. Verona flared red and lowered her spear, Kal dived for both her daggers and held them in a reverse grip, lowering her body. They seemed to forget they were naked.
“Hey!” A high pitched voice, very similar to the child out the front of the tavern, shrieked at them. “You need to get up!”
Verona moved to the door and stopped. She glanced down at her heaving breasts, sighing loudly. She folded her arms, keeping her power active, and opened the door enough for them to talk through.
“What's happening?”
“You need to get out here if you want to live. Giant Mule Rats are attacking! And they don't care if you're hiding in here.”
Verona looked at Kal. Kal nodded. “Mole Rats. They're a beast that lives in Graterious and in southern Seocuria. I've never had a problem with them, even when I've been a few feet away from them.”
“Dad and Granddad says there's lots of them. They say if you want to live you need to fight.”
Verona sniggered as she turned off her power, looking at Anton. “I remember you saying the same thing with the Goblins.” Verona turned back to the door and shut it. “We'll get dressed and then we'll be there.”
“Thank you. Please hurry.”
The boy's footsteps left their door and did the same thing to the next room in the tavern.
Verona grumbled as she started picking up her clothes and armor. “Just when things were starting to get really interesting.”
In under a minute they were fully dressed, each checking each others armor. When they were done, and double checked that Kal was completely covered, they exited their room. One of the Bandit Hunters brushed past them, muttering an apology, as he ran to the exit still assembling his armor.
“This seems serious.” Kal mumbled. Anton smiled and gave both of their hands a squeeze.
The main area of the tavern was completely abandoned, they could hear shouting outside. As Anton was about to open the door Verona stopped him and got a fresh pots' worth of blood. When he opened the door it seemed that nearly everyone of Soulthor had gathered outside the tavern. For a terrifying moment he thought they were a lynch mob, all were armed with weapons of varying quality, ready to attack. Seeing their faces directed to the west brought him a little relief.
“What's happening?” Anton asked over the clamor of the guards and villagers.
They glanced at them before looking back out. Verona huffed when they didn't even acknowledge her question.
“Thanks everybody.” Verona grumbled, shaking her head.
Virgil, and his Bandit Hunters, moved through the crowd and next to them. “Hello Anton, Verona...Um, masked lady.”
“Kal.” Kal said quietly.
Virgil nodded. “Kal. You ready for a big fight?”
“They're not saying much.” Verona said, her annoyance still clear on her voice. “Apparently those noises were from something called...” Verona glanced at Kal, both hands resting on the hilts of her daggers while the white bow remained attached on her back. “Something called...Mole Rats?”
Virgil nodded. “Yeah. Damn things are a menace when they get riled up. It's not often but...”
“What did that?” Anton asked. A creeping sense of dread flooded his body. If that cult, The Ancient Listeners, had riled them up they would be in serious trouble from the villagers.
Virgil shook his head and pointed at the villagers of Soulthor. “Because these idiots decided to build their village right next to one of their nesting sites, an ancient nesting site, and pushed them out. They destroyed and burned down their nests for more room to grow crops and harvest rare wood. And for some reason they don't like that.” Virgil shrugged. “I can't imagine why.”
Anton glanced at Kal, who nodded. When he looked straight ahead Virgil was smirking. He leaned closely and whispered. “Though, I think disturbing The Ancient Listeners didn't help. I wouldn't go saying that too loudly if I were you. These frontier people can be pretty superstitious.”
“Right.”
Virgil's face turned angry as he looked back at the villagers. “Though, you could have told us that the Mole Rats were going to be coming back soon. That it was time for this clan to return.”
The elderly tavern owner shuffled through the group. “We didn't know.”
“Yes you did.” Virgil shook his head. “Your drunk soldiers spilled it when we punched one. That's why you wanted us to stay for the next two days. You knew it was going to happen.”
The villagers hung their heads low. Virgil grunted. “Whatever. We can't escape on horseback now anyway.” His eyes glanced back to Anton, he was sure that was directed at him. “So we're going to have to fight. What sort of weapons do you have?”
“I've got a spear.” Verona said. “Kal's got a very nice bow and daggers and Anton's got...magic.”
Virgil looked Anton up and down. He, and the other Bandit Hunters, looked incredulous at his body. Anton wore basic villager clothes with some gifted Qaiviel leather armor on top. None of that spoke that he was a magician.
“Well, if you're just some trickster, you'd better have some good tricks if we're going to survive.”
The howls, the haunting groans, became louder and louder. Anton looked towards the wall, to where the howls were the loudest. A few Graterious soldiers manning the wall began shaking and ran away. One tried to rally the soldiers back, his head was grabbed by a large gray claw and was dragged over the wall, kicking and screaming. Another scream cane from far away, one crying out for his mother, then the sound of bones snapping, then it stopped. The sound of ripping flesh and cloth filled the otherwise silent air. The villagers and the soldiers began even more panicked as the fleeing soldiers reached them.
Kal readied her bow and stared towards the wooden wall. “They're coming over the wall.”
Dozens upon dozens of large gray blobs moved through the streets, their forms only briefly illuminated by the few flickering torches. Anton managed to get a decent look at one. The Mole Rat was the size of a giant dog and roughly the same shape. It's body was not covered in fur but there were dozens of patches showing a dark gray and wrinkled dark grey flesh underneath. Long and gangly limbs, with long sharp claws, propelled them effortlessly across the ground. Everything in their path, carts, boxes and fences, were knocked over. They stopped and began to sniff at the air as more continued to climb over the wall. Two tiny eyes glinted at the side of its bulbous head as it sniffed at the air, its head twisting. These creatures could barely see but had a great sense of smell.
The growing hoard stopped at a house and battered down the door in a flurry of strikes. A scream pierced the air as the creatures dived in, bursts of blood splashed and stained the wooden walls.
“Shit.” Verona mumbled.
The creatures came out of the house, their faces now drenched in blood, flesh and shreds of clothing covered its bulbous head. A row of tiny razor-like teeth, dripping with blood, snarled towards them.
“Get into a fucking formation.” Virgil yelled at the terrified Soulthor guards. “Or you'll get killed. By them or me.”
The terrified guards nodded and formed a rough line towards the approaching Mole Rats even as more of the creatures continued to climb over the wall, like water flowing over rocks. The cries of the Mole Rats were growing even louder as their numbers swelled.
The Mole Rats slowed as they approached the guards, their heads cocked from side to side as they sniffed at the air, their shoulders protruding above their back as they cautiously approached.
“Okay.” Anton said, moving so he could see the creatures. “This might be a little loud.”
“What?”
Anton raised his hand and fired lightning bolts at the Mole Rats. The surge of lightning ripped through the creatures as their bodies exploded. The splashes of blood and tiny whimpers of the dying terrified the Mole Rats. They snarled at each other, unable to determine what was happening. Anton fired again and again, killing dozens more before they moved.
Instead of running away the Mole Rats charged with all their might, slathering in a wild rage. Verona glowed red and drew up the blood shards from the small pot and stepped infront of the guards. They gasped at her glowing form as she threw the shards forward. The solidified blood tore through their thick hide and bodies began to pile up infront of her.
A small group of Mole Rats darted to the side and onto the buildings. Their claws dug into the wooden and thatched roves with ease as they attempted to flank them. As Anton turned to fire at them he heard a bow being drawn. An arrow flew forth and struck the lead Mole Rat in the head, its body tumbling onto the ground dead, bits of straw roof stuck in its claws and thrown into the air. Kal drew back again, as far as the bow could manage and seemingly without effort, and fired again. She struck the rest of them in quick succession, stunning everyone else present as they watched the Mole Rats slam into the ground.
“Don't just stand there.” Virgil said to his Bandit Hunters. “Fire your arrows!”
A volley of arrows flew forth and into the diminishing horde of Mole Rats. With their screams echoing into the night the creatures stopped and started to flee, their leathery short tails tucked between their legs. Anton continued to fire lightning bolts into their retreating forms. Verona began to give chase, her feet moving at a nearly inhuman speed. She reformed her blood into a horizontal large disk and threw it towards them. The disk ripped their bodies in half, those infront screamed even louder as they ran with all their might. She flicked her wrist and the disk kicked up into the air and landed on the screaming Mole Rats and continued to slide along the mixture of flesh, dirt and blood. It nearly reached the wooden gate before it shuddered and returned to liquid and drenched it in blood. He had no idea how many were Mole Rats were killed, but there were many bones and twitching corpses sticking out of the river of blood. A slow groan began to emanate from the path of blood.
Verona clenched her eyes shut and gripped down hard on her shoulder, sinking to one knee as she slammed her side. Anton ran towards her, her body was shaking when he touched her. Her glowing red eyes looked towards him full of excitement and fear. She scrunched them tight and took deep breaths.
“I'm...I'm okay.” She said as she used Anton to stand up, Kal moving close with her bow still drawn and scanning the surroundings. “Just. That was a bit...much. It wasn't this bad when I fought the Orcs and Clansmen at the Gravestone. This time I felt them being crushed. That was...” Verona grunted as she stood up. “Different. Something I know I shouldn't enjoy.”
“Are you okay?” Kal asked, gently resting a hand on Verona's arm. She smiled back and nodded, patting Kal's clothed hand lightly.
Anton gave Verona a quick hug before turning back to the stunned villagers and Bandit Hunters. They were completely still before a villager raised his trembling hand towards them.
“What...Who are you?” it was the elderly tavern owner.
“We...” Anton looked at Verona and Kal. “We are sent from the Gods to save this world.”
They villagers stared agape at them, the Bandit Hunters too were stunned but held it together better. There wasn't much he could say to get out of scrutiny and suspicion after killing the Mole Rats seemingly without effort. He decided he might as well go with it, go with what he was actually sent here for.
“Really?”
Anton nodded. “Indeed. That is why we are here.” Anton looked towards Virgil and his Bandit Hunters. “And we need still need to head to Porswea at first light. Will you be heading there as well after this?”
Virgil shook lightly and nodded. “Y-Yes.” He coughed to recover himself. “We will, at first light. I know that we won't have any bandits to worry about at least.”
He laughed nervously but kept an eye towards all three of them. Even though Kal didn't have any magic he regarded her with quite a lot of suspicion. Though she doesn't have magical abilities, perhaps she might in the immediate future, something he still needed to look into, Virgil and his Bandit Hunters seemed to think she might have something even more powerful in her. It was like she didn't even need to use magic to fight them off and was content to use a bow, the mask helped to reinforce that image.
I'll check when we get some time. Should have thought about that rather than enjoying their bodies...
Anton nodded. “Will those things be attacking again?”
Everyone looked at the piles of dead Mole Rats, many twitching and moaning pathetically as life left their ravaged and broken forms.
“After that, no. I don't think so.” Virgil chuckled. He looked down at the bow in his hand, a frown forming on his face. “I think they're done for tonight.”
“Excellent.” Anton clapped his hands. “We're going back to bed until the morning. If more of those things come back just come and get us.” He nodded back to the piles of dead. “We can handle them.”
They walked back into the tavern, leaving the stunned villagers to watch over the piles of dead bodies in complete silence.