I woke early the following day and performed my sword dances slowly, maintaining my routine. After I went to the forge and shaped some more tools, but waited until the third day to finish them. In the evening I sparred again with Adrien and Elric, then promptly went to sleep, tired from the combination of training and smithing.
The third day I woke early and after a quick, hearty breakfast made my way behind the tavern to begin integrating some of the techniques Adrien and Elric showed me into my sword dances. At this point, the dances calmed me. They were better for my head than [Meditation] seemed to be, aside from when Amelia’s charm was influencing me. I walked through each of my single circle dances, considering making one for a water wave spell as that would only require the changing of one rune.
I had the circle written out already, but hadn't actually attempted to do the dance yet. I started working through it, repeating it until I felt comfortable with it. I wouldn’t activate the spell in town, of course, so I simply let the mana I exerted dissipate to rejoin its brethren in the world. I was interested in the ambient mana. It felt significantly clearer whenever I toggled my new passive, and even felt like it greeted me as I walked past it. The mana was formless, and everywhere. The very air we were breathing was dense with mana.
After practicing, I made my way back to the forge and worked on the last ingot. I wanted to complete all the tools at a similar time so I could more easily observe the impact of [Maelstrom Modification], granted the last ingot would just be a base durability enchantment so it took much less time that the ingot I used for the hammer. I was pumping the bellows to regulate the heat when Sky, who I had taken with me, yipped at me. I stopped what I was doing after the third yip, she wasn't usually so noisy.
“What is it, girl?” I knelt and patted her head. I wondered if she was hungry but before I could ask she sent me the feeling of wind. I cocked my head, but before I could ask about it she leapt onto the edge of the forge and layed down on her belly. Her mouth was parted slightly as she blew on the forge.
I observed for a moment as the coals flared up, heating quickly. Much quicker than when I pumped the bellows. Wind seemed to assail the coals. I felt the air mana in the air responding to her call, gently blowing on the coals and maintaining a consistent temperature.
“Wow! Is that you? Thats amazing Sky!” As I spoke I sent the same affirmations to her. I was genuinely impressed. I glanced at Luka who was feigning disinterest but I felt a pang of envy from him. And a smugness from Sky. I scratched Skys head and observed for a moment longer. “Can you blow the air a little bit harder? How long does it last?”
Without saying anything, or pushing feelings at me, she increased the rate of the wind until I told her that was fine. Prisma, at a grindstone near the forge, looked up from the sword she was repairing for one of the guards. “Is your fox blowing air now? How? Ain’t never heard o’ a fox that could use magic.”
“We’re just special!” I shrugged elation filling me as I pulled the ingot from where I was heating it and began to shape it into a set of chisels.
I was able to finish all of the tools just before Prisma closed up shop. I was nervous, I hadn’t checked either my notifications or my tools descriptions just yet and was hesitant to do so. What if [Maelstrom Modification] totally ruined all of the work I had just put in? I waited a few moments before laying all of the different tools and chisels on a table. I would save the hammer for last, the others I could largely do without but the hammer and tongs were necessary. After checking the tools with my [Arcane Analysis] I found that most of them, including the tongs, held the durability enchantment that I forced onto the ingots of svertim. The bronzelike tools also each contained another elemental affinity, two of the chisels would heat up as mana was pushed through them, allowing them to carve other metals that much easier. A few of them would grow colder, randomly gaining an affinity for ice mana. The last couple were able to channel mana to create a tiny wind blade, it wasn’t very powerful but it could carve a little bit of wood.
Licking my lips with nerves, my hand shaking, I finally held the hammer before me and expended some mana to analyze it. I felt the mana rush from what felt like my belly and rise towards my eyes. It was a strange feeling, like a soft warmth filling the space behind my eyes as they strained to read the mana surrounding the tool.
Flame Forger
A hammer forged within the edges of the Maelstrom, crafted by Alexilios
Imbue Flame: Each strike imbues a modicum of heat, keeping the metal its working hot and malleable.
Durable: This hammer is sturdier than others of its ilk. It is able to shape metals stronger than it to a certain extent and will not shatter under the duress of a forgemasters passion.
“A fine hammer, Lios!” Prisma had stepped next to me as I stared at my newest tool. She clicked her tongue as her own eyes flashed and she read the system notification. “I could tell she were enchanted just from her aura but thats pretty impressive for yer level.”
I smiled at the praise, stowing the majority of the tools in my [Ephemeral Forge]. I felt the mana escape me, turning a translucent orange as it wrapped around the tools and pulled them to another realm. “Thank you miss Prisma, and thank you for allowing me the use of your forge.”
“I take it you haveta move on then?” She cocked her head at me, she had moved from behind me to start picking up all of the tools she had used throughout the day, stowing them in their spots. I moved to help, storing all of the tools I had borrowed.
“Aye, I have to turn my focus to some other tasks while I’m in town.”
“I wish you luck on yer future endeavors then! Should ye have need of metals or tools ‘fore you go ye know where to find me!” She held out a hand, presenting her wrist. I gripped her forearm and she grabbed mine.
“Thank you Miss Prisma, once again! I’m sure I’ll pass through Kinnesville again, if only to show off some wonders I crafted. A long way from that day though.” I laughed at my forced cockiness.
“That ye are, that ye are. I will look forward to hearing news of the great adventurer, Lios!” She laughed with me. Over the last few days, while we mostly worked in silence we had chatted a bit and I told her of my dreams of becoming a great adventurer and smith. Such grandiose dreams were common in Ravos it seemed, the inclusion of mana and spells and the System providing such opportunities for those plucky enough to chase their dreams.
I left soon after, helping her sweep one last time as a final thanks. I made my way back to the inn and secured a table in the corner, our usual spot. I withdrew my journal and the book on runes my mother had given me before leaving but decided to check my notifications prior to studying.
[Name]
Alexilios
[Race]
Human
[Class]
[Bladedancer] lvl 51
[Class Skills]
[Bladed Weapon Mastery] LVL:51
[Runedancing] LVL: 51
[Dodging] LVL:51
[Intuition] LVL:38
[Mana Sense] LVL:51
[Mana Manipulation] LVL:47
[Rune Compendium] LVL:49
[He Who Wanders] LVL:3
[Runesight] LVL:39
[Compendium Actualization] LVL:4
[Secondary Class]
[Wayfaring Craftsman of the Tumultuous Maelstrom] LVL: 9
[Secondary Class Skills]
[Runesmithing] LVL:9
[Runeweaving] LVL:9
[Ephemeral Forge] LVL:9
[Runic Inscribing] LVL:9
[Maelstrom Modification] LVL:2
[Arcane Analysis] LVL:4
X4 Unavailable
[General Skills]
[Running] LVL:45
[Meditation] LVL:26
[Twin Pact] LVL:51
[Distant Recollections] LVl:18
[Cooking] LVL:22
[Pain Resistance] LVL:23
[Training] LVL:46
[Portent of the Thaumaturge]: LVL:1
X2 Unavailable
The most notable change was in my class level. Because of a few skills being added to the class, they had been reset to level one. Now that the class leveled I regained some of their levels. I was relieved to know that even though I lost some levels in those skills, at least temporarily, I was still able to work metal with precision due to my actual experience. I was a touch surprised that [Ephemeral Forge] had made it to level nine, and that Arcane Analysis] had leveled a couple of times while observing my companions gear, and my new hammer. I had hoped that I’d gain more levels in the class for creating some enchanted tools, but it seemed my luck wasn’t quite that high. I was still satisfied overall.
I pulled Luka into my lap and started scritching his stomach as a waitress approached. I fished out a few copper to buy a meal and a mug of ale, woeing at my diminishing supply of coin. I was hopeful that the two jobs Adrien and crew were reserving for me would bring in a fair amount of coin. I had gained a bit from the bandits coin purses, but they hadn’t had much. Soon the food came and I ate, wondering where my friends had gone off to. I buried myself in some studying, practicing each rune on loose sheets of paper until I felt comfortable with them. Making pages similar to flashcards to help me memorize what each rune did. I figured, especially without a proper mentor, it was wise to exercise caution when magic was involved. I didn’t want to strike myself with another bolt of lightning, after all.
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
The sun had set by the time Amelia, Adrien, Liana and Elric waddled into the tavern. Liana was leaning against Elric, limping. Adrien was covered in blood and crapes, and Amelia was the only one who was completely free of injury.
“Lords, what happened to ya’s!” I called out, standing worriedly to help Liana sit down. They quickly sat down and waved the barmaid over to order some stew and brews. This tavern had no menu, just a few options.
“A damned rottfang pack.” Elric growled and glanced worriedly at Liana who had a thin sheen of sweat on her face. “Bit Liana’s calf.”
“Still got em all tho, aye?” Adrien wearily attempted to be positive. “Gods knoo Ah coul’ use a nap though. Won’ be abo ta train ya’s tonight Lios.”
“I don’t blame you one bit. Don’t worry about it. But, could you tell me about the quests you said I could handle?” I took a gulp of my ale, feeling guilty even as I saw the young barmaid approach with a tray full of mugs. Part of me wished I had been able to be there with them, the other recognized I’d have been in the way. More reasons to get stronger, to avoid fomo? I chuckled underbreath.
“Foods a few minahs back,” she announced after setting them down at the table.
“Aye, we c’n do that.” Adrien took a huge chug of the ale after saying that.
“We’ll tell you about the first. There’s a small pack of wolves in the woods, been terrorizing some of the farms. May want to get some meat to lay out as bait.” Elric pulled out a local map, one that showed a mile or so into the woods. He pointed at what looked like a clearing near a spring. “This seems ta be one of their hunting grounds. The guards say they tried to deal with em but wound up losing a man and decided to call for outside help. That’s you, kid.”
“Aye, an also. Ye ain’t allowed ta use yer spells. Only yer sword. If there’s an ‘mergency ye can call for an exception. Otterwise? Sword only.” Adrien was already waving the poor woman back for another round.
“Understood.” I nodded succinctly and looked over the map attempting to commit it to memory. Elric passed it over to me.
“Keep it, we grabbed two. Figured you might need one. Don’t worry, we’ll take the expense out of your earnings.” The last bit was said with a toothy grin. I took the map and rolled it up, since I had it now I could study it in the morning. “So go to this clearing, try to track a pack of wolves, kill them, and collect the reward? Are these normal wolves?”
“Aye ‘n aye!” Adrien lifted his mug again and drank, finishing his ale. When his mug hit the table, there was a frothy mustache on the burly mans face. Almost as though she read his mind, in swooped the plucky barmaid with five new mugs of ale. The rest of the group cheered, although somewhat lazily, and finished their current drinks. I should ask her name, can’t keep referring to the lass as ‘barmaid’.
“Ta fin’shin them damn beasts an’ makin’ a safe return!” Adrien raises his fresh drink.
“To fighting and surviving with friends!” Elric grinned and raised his own. I smiled, eager to join the toasting but needing to figure out mine as I didn’t fight with them.
“To our lusty and terrifying healer!” Liana spared Amelia a glance and it took me a moment to process. At this point I had not seen any of their skills. I knew that both the boys were warriors of a sort, that Liana was a mage. I never really knew what Amelia's role was, thinking she was more of a mage or a rogue type. I never expected she was their healer.
“To ridding this world of those vile beasts!” Amelia laughed, lifted her mug and simply passed it over to Adrien. She pulled out a flask and popped its top, grinning. The group turned towards me, making sure I knew I wouldn’t be left out.
“To good drink, healthy friends and hearty laughter!” We clanked our drinks together and took long, healthy gulps of them. As I set my own mug down, half full, four plates of food had seemingly materialized in front of my companions. The perpetrator was already on her way to helping more guests as the tavern filled up evermore. It was early evening, and many townsfolk seemed to be filtering into the tavern for drinks and meals.
I looked around briefly before seeing a small stage in a corner of the tavern, on the side of the building opposite our booth. A woman was preparing a stringed instrument that looked a bit too large to be a guitar. Possibly a lute? I had never seen one before. I watched her for a few moments as she was preparing. She was pretty. She was dressed such that I would expect to see her at the renaissance faire back on earth. A green skirt and brown leather corset over a poofy white shirt. Her cheeks were tinted with rose and red hair, brighter than my own, cascaded down her shoulders.
I must have been staring for a few moments because Amelia was grinning at me when I finally tuned back in to the conversation. “Ooh? Does our Lios have a crush?” She poked my side and giggled, drawing the other three from their conversation to spare a glance at the bard.
I rolled my eyes but shot another glance at the woman as she started tuning her instrument, the twang of the steel strings reaching us even through the noisy tavern. Deciding that anything I said would only egg on the vampire I opted to take another heavy drink. My head buzzed softly from the two ales so far, my mug empty as I set it down.
“Oh he’s totally into her too.” Liana joined in on the teasing, her pinkish lips upturned into a mischievous smirk. “What’d’ya think Adrien, the lad’s got decent taste?”
“Aye, he do. Though she’s a tad young fer me and Elric, she looks ta be aroun’ Lios’s age aye? Mayhap we shoul’ go talk to ‘er for ‘im?” The man made to stand up, grinning and glancing at me.
I groaned and shook my head. “Yeah she’s cute but I’m not looking for anything like that yet.”
That set off another round of teasing from everyone. Soon more ale found its way to our table, though Liana switched to a bottle of wine. Amelia took tiny sips from her flask but seemingly ran out of whatever it was before the bard started singing. Her voice was magic. I was nearly enthralled, having to force my drunken mind to focus on our conversations to avoid additional teasing but I didn’t escape from my fate so easily. Every so often I’d pay attention to the words she sang, listening to songs of heroes and adventure, a song of a fallen king, a tale of two lovers stuck behind thick city walls. An ode to a prisoner who became a justicar, a symbol of peace and kindness and strength. I listened for hours, swallowing an unknown amount of ale and acquiring a second meal that I shared with my pets. The foxes seemed similarly entranced by the music, listening raptly while in my friends laps. Luka, the little shit, barely even bit at Elrics giant hands.
After a while I decided to head up to bed. I glanced at Amelia's flask and tilted my head at her. “Cur fer a dreenk?” I slurred at her and she grinned. She followed me to my spot on the floor where I clumsily raised my wrist for her to bite. There wasn’t any teasing from her this time, no ceremony. She did make me chug a bit of citrus-y juice and then bit my wrist sucking my alcohol infused blood. After a few moments she left and my haziness grew worse. I didn’t fight it when sleep came, and didn’t mind the lack of nightmares.
When I woke in the morning my stomach turned against me. My head was fine, but the hoppy ale made my stomach rumble. The snoring of the other two seemed to vibrate the room, so powerfully loud they were. Chancing a glance through the open window I noted that it was still dark. Eager to get started on my mission I hastily made my way to the tavern proper, after quietly donning my armor and strapping my sword to my hip. I scooped the protesting foxes up in my arms and made my way to a table, ordering a greasy breakfast to hopefully help cure my mild hangover. I hadn’t drank like that in this world before, and was never a heavy drinker before.
By the time we finished our breakfast the sun poked over the horizon, bathing the town with a soft light. Stepping into the dawns light I took the foxes on a wending path through the ramshackle buildings and into the woods beyond. I used the little bit of light to check the map prior to entering the shade of the trees.
“Okay Luka, Sky, we need some fresh meat can you find something for me?” I knelt down to talk to them, sending images of a pile of raw fresh meat. The two, after sending their own impressions fo affirmation, bolted into the forest before me. I swallowed deeply, knowing that wolves prowled I worried about my companions but decided to trust them. They sent back thoughts of jubilation and excitement at the chance to hunt after several days surrounded by strange people.
I took up a jog as I wound my way through the forest in the general direction of the clearing. I wanted to get there early to set up a watch outside of it. I wasn’t overly worried about the wolves smelling me - hopefully the smell of the meat would encourage them regardless of my presence. After all, why would apex predators worry over a single man?
Within the hour I found the clearing and waited for Luka and Sky, paying half attention as I stayed at the edge of it. I walked through some of my dances while waiting, making sure to keep my [Portent of the Thaumaturge] active and ears open. My mana drained slowly with [Portent] active, but as I meditated and danced I felt myself reach an equilibrium. I wasn’t gaining any lost mana but I was breaking even on the cost. It was difficult to meditate at the same time as dance, I had to move significantly slower in order to maintain my focus. It wasn’t something I’d be willing to try in actual combat but I didn’t mind it in practice, slowing down let me perfect my form so that when I did fight I’d be ever more efficient. With my pool nearly a third full I kept it up as I danced. Soon, sweat was dripping down my face and I had worked through each dance twice. Part of me wanted to fire off my two larger spells but I knew I should wait until someone was with me in case they went wrong again. Besides, Adrien and Elric had told me to only use my sword skills and I didn’t intend to betray that, even in training.
I sent a pulse of thought to the foxes, wondering where they are. Within seconds Luka sent back a thought of rabbits and squirrels. There was a weight to his thoughts and it took a few moments to realize he was trying to say he caught too much and was struggling to drag it all through the forest. I grimaced at the thought of a trail of animal innards leading to this clearing.
Sky sent back images of birds, the sensation of her butt wiggling and a thought of flying. I kew she was fine, leaping after birds. Where Luka’s thoughts were filled with frustration, Sky’s were to the brim with pride and excitement at jumping after birds. I got the impression that both were on their way back and settled in to train the sword forms Adrien and Elric had taught me.
Another hour and they were there, Luka had two bunnies and a squirrel, and Sky a rather large bird. I was unfamiliar with its species, but it was around twice the size of a seagull. I set a fire, still at the edge of the clearing, and skinned a bunny for me. I left the other for the foxes before gutting the others and laying the innards and draining the blood in the center of the clearing. Under the sun I feared it would spoil, but figured this way it could catch the wind and be carried to the wolves. The bird and the squirrel I started to smoke, and the rabbit I skewered and roasted over the fire.
With my skill still active, I started to study my rune book once again. It was a bit tougher to do while focusing on the [Portent], the mana around me shifting with the wind and at its own discretion. I was only able to keep the skill active for a while, after which I asked Luka and Sky to watch the clearing and warn me if our quarries neared. After what felt like no time at all, night fell and we were digging into the cooked bird and squirrel. After which I climbed into a tree with a branch large enough for me to sleep on, and spent a few hours thinking on my new life. Briefly, very briefly, I considered telling my friends where I originally came from. It was lonely to be unable to openly reminisce about my past. I missed the occasional question and answer games with my parents, and telling them stories when we weren't too tired from work or training. But I knew, even without my parents warning me against it, that this was a secret I should keep close to my chest. It was only for a select few, and I wasn’t sure if Adrien, Liana, Elric, or Amelia, close as we had gotten, were part of that few.
Finally, tired from the physical and mental training for the day, I let my eyes slip closed and sank into dreams. For a brief moment I dreamt I was at a concert back on earth. I was listening to a band called ‘The Oh Hellos’ as they sang ‘Soldier, Poet, King’. It reminded me of the songs sang the night before, though I could hardly remember the words to them. Glancing to my side I noticed my girlfriend and smiled - how I had missed that face. The way she smirked at me, seemingly knowing exactly what I was thinking as she danced in her low cut shirt. Blushing, I turned and the stage was gone. The music faded and I was in a white plane, nothing corporeal around me.
I turned my head and spun in a circle, seeing nothing until I completely turned around and saw three bodies. The men I had ended, blood pooling around them. I glanced down, my hands were soaked in their blood and I trembled, not for the first time. I wondered at their names, and at my honor. At my bravery. Was it bravery or honor that lead to their deaths? Was it justice? What right did I have to slay them? I was but a peon, a simple node in this spinning world. I was no hero, no savior. I was a killer.
In the next moment I turned and saw an emancipated wolf trying to survive. It looked smaller now, much smaller than when last I saw it. I cried then, seeing the blood around its mouth. Seeing the hurt in its eyes. The clumps of matted fur that I had struggled to smooth out. I fell to my knees and the small , starving animal approached me. It sniffed at me and I pet its mangy fur. I cried as I remembered Brioche who I was too slow to save. Her two babies too. I pictured their mangled forms and then... and then I was awake and the sun was poking over the trees. A gentle red sunrise reflected off the tears on my cheeks.
Sighing I got up, rekindled a small fire, and buried the now rotting entrails deep in the woods. After that, the day was a repeat of the one prior. I pushed away my regrets and nightmares and got to work with training. I definitely wasn’t burying the thoughts with a workout, and I was totally healthy.