Chapter 15
Blood Knowledge
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Kail’s eyelids flickered, he felt so very comfortable, his back was to the window from which streamed sunlight as he found himself hugging Lunis, her right hand pressed against his which was pressed against her. Her hand moved and he drew back as she rolled over to face him, her dark hair falling to either side of her face. His face inclined forward as he kissed her and she reciprocated the motion, her arms wrapping around him as their tongues passed above and below each other's. He massaged her back between her shoulder blades with his right hand and she moaned softly as he moved his mouth, their noses brushing against each other as he switched the angle of their kiss.
Knock! Knock! Knock! “It’s past midday and Kesler won’t leave me in peace until you two see him.” Davis’s voice cut through the air like an arrow and a pang of annoyance shot through Kail as he drew back from Lunis. “We’re coming.”
“Not on my sheets you're not!” bellowed Davis.
Lunis’s cheeks flushed and Kail repressed both a cutting retourt and the inexplicable urge to laugh. “We’ll be out in a moment.”
Retreating footsteps sounded audibly and Kail yawned. “Wonder what Kesler wants.”
“Probably to get a good look at you so he can construct an accurate statue,” said Lunis.
Kail chuckled. “It’s at least something to know that my family name hasn’t been completely tarnished.” As he spoke he reluctantly rose, leaving the warm bed behind and moving to dawn his mercifully dry and only slightly blood-stained clothes.
“Hopefully Kesler will buy us breakfast,” said Lunis.
“I’m sure we can persuade him to,” said Kail, turning to find Lunis waiting for him by the door.
“And perhaps some new clothes,” she added with a smirk.
“Definitely,” he said as they took their leave of the room.
Descending the steps they found Kesler waiting for them, he was fidgeting with his knife but quickly pocketed it as he noticed them. “My Lord, I have some rather urgent news.”
Kail’s gaze swept through the tavern, finding it deserted but for them and Davis. “What?”
Kessler leaned toward him conspiratorially. “There was an investigation into the remains of Granger’s cabin, but I convinced everyone it was the frog spawn’s work and now the militia is reforming to go eradicate them.”
“I would have preferred they know the truth about Granger and how he died,” said Kail.
Kestler’s smile faltered. “But my Lord, now you can lead the men in a glorious battle against the frog spawn.”
“And what have these frog spawn done to provoke such a battle?” asked Kail.
“They molested travelers on the road before Granger’s arrival, and they're disgusting.”
“Where is the militia forming up?” asked Kail. “I would have them know the truth of what happened.”
“By the town hall,” said Kesler, his tone mellow and depressed.
“Lead us there.”
Emerging from the tavern, they followed Kesler toward a building across the square, in front of which stood a cluster of men. Kail noticed in passing that the vegetation which had previously clung to the church was no more, the structure now standing prominent and untarnished.
Approaching the crowd of men, only half of whom wore leather armor, they found them to be gathered around three men who were only partially visible through the others.
“Those three are strangers,” muttered Kesler apprehensively.
“Rest assured we will uncover the truth of what happened before departing,” a man in a red and black plaid button-up shirt was saying.
“The truth of what?” asked Kail loudly as he approached.
“Make way for Lord Valien,” bellowed Kesler unnecessarily as the militia were already parting as they turned to look at Kail.
The three men’s gazes fixed upon Kail. The man in plaid had short brown hair, matching eyes, and a well trimmed short brown beard patterned with slight flecks of gray. He stood slightly taller than Kail and was far more muscular and robust, though he seemingly carried no weapons nor armorment. The man to his right was even taller, though far less muscular, his gray hair was also cut short, his lightly wrinkled face clean shaven but for a slight gray mustache. His eyes were a sharp blue and seemed to twinkle with perpetual amusement, he also carried no weapons and wore simple gray clothes.
The third man stood off a height with Kail, his irises were shockingly golden, as was his long hair which fell to either side of his slender face. He likewise carried no weapons but wore elegant and obviously fitted silver clothes with golden embroidery. Kail resisted the urge to activate blood gaze, figuring that his eyes turning blood red might appear somewhat off putting.
“You’re the self proclaimed Blood Emperor?” asked the man in plaid.
“No, that’s my Father,” said Kail. “I am Kail Valien, and you are?”
“I’m James Hunter, this is Aaron Crash,” he said gesturing at the older man, “and this is Adam Lintrus,” he said as he inclined his head toward the younger man with the golden eyes. “We arrived in your quaint village due to the remnants of a demonic fire we spotted nearby.”
“We dealt with a farmer named Granger who had been possessed by a demon,” said Kail. “Upon his death, he burst into flames which consumed his cabin.”
James nodded slowly. “That makes sense, but why then do your people place the blame upon frogspawn?”
Kail glanced at Kesler. “That was a false presumption which I came here to clarify.”
Adam frowned at James. “I told you this was an unnecessary diversion from our path.”
“A threat of demons anywhere is a threat to people everywhere,” said James before turning his attention back to Kail. “I’ve heard some nasty rumors about your family, but at least you had the wherewithal to deal with that demon.”
“Believe me when I say I’m nothing like the rest of my family and am doing what I can to correct their mistakes,” said Kail, making firm eye contact with James.
A moment passed, and then James nodded slightly. “I believe you.”
“Where are you from?” asked Lunis.
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“Linton,” said James. “The King sent us on a quest to delve through the haunted forest and put an end to the monsters seeping forth from it.”
“A quest which we’ve heavily diverged from by coming here,” said Adam.
“Relax Adam,” said Aaron, his tone light and endearing. “The real quest is the adventures we have along the way.”
Adam rolled his eyes and James chuckled. “Where is this haunted forest?” asked Kail.
“Three days ride northwest of here,” answered James.
“And the city you're from? I’ve never heard of it.”
Adam rubbed his forehead in clear annoyance. Jame’s eyebrows rose but he answered evenly. “Linton is the capital of The Highlends and lies to the northeast. The Highlends are the greatest nation on this continent and stretch from the borders of your father’s land all the way up to Corea.”
“Are you some fifth or sixth child cast out without tutelage?” asked Adam.
Kail turned his gaze upon Adam whose demeanor was quickly becoming irritating. “No. I’m his first born son and heir, though due to a failed ritual, I was banished to another world as an infant and only recently found a way back.”
Aaron laughed, slapping his hands against his sides. “Oh, that’s a good one. Your clever Kail.”
“He’s telling the truth,” said James, whose eyes were still fixed on Kail’s.
“How?” asked Adam, his tone curious rather than irritated.
“It’s a long story,” said Kail, “and one I’d be happy to tell if you’d allow my friend and I to accompany you on your quest.”
This interaction had only accentuated what he’d already suspected. His knowledge of this world was marginal, and flawed, imparingly so. He needed to learn more and this seemed like the ideal opportunity.
“Deal,” said Adam.
“Hold on,” said James, turning to Adam. “Our combat effectiveness relies on our pre-planned strategies.”
“We can adapt,” said Adam. “You said he’s telling the truth. Do you understand what that means? The implications of travel between this world and another…”
“Adam's right,” said Aaron. “I say we let them tag along.”
James looked between the two, then turned back to Kail. “Alright, you may accompany us.”
“Thank you,” said Kail. “Give us just a moment.”
He turned to Lunis and they moved away from the crowd. “We don’t have to go with them if you don’t want us to. I just think it would be a great learning experience.”
She glanced away, and he followed her gaze to the church, then she looked back at him. “No I agree, we should go with them.”
“Great,” he said, doing his best not to relive the previous night’s horrors.
Kail and Lunis rejoined the crowd, the militia were dispersing, but for a few who Kesler was frantically attempting to convince to join him in a crusade against the frogspawn. “Sure they didn’t burn down Granger’s cabin, but with him gone who knows how long before they’ll begin creeping back into our village.”
“You have horses?” James asked Kail.
“A horse,” replied Kail.
James eyed him and Lunis then nodded. “That’ll do. Mount up and meet us on the northern road.”
James turned away, followed by the other two. Kessler turned toward Kail pleadingly. “Perhaps upon your return you’ll lead us against the frogspawn?”
“If they ever become an actual threat you’ll have my aid in ending them,” said Kail before he and Lunis turned toward the stables.
***
Dark clouds obscured the sun as Kail and Lunis set out down the dirt road, Aaron road beside them and James and Adam road ahead of them. Farmland stretched to either side of the road and the air smelled wonderfully fresh, though indicative of an upcoming storm.
“Perhaps we should seek shelter in a farmhouse?” suggested Aaron.
“We’ve delayed long enough already,” replied Adam.
Gradually the farmland turned to a sparse forest, filled with more bushes and vegetation than trees. As day faded to evening, James called a halt and they began setting up camp within an area off the side of the road where the vegetation was sparse and several large tree trunks formed a perimeter of sorts. It was obvious that travelers often used this area to camp as the grass was worn and the charred remnants of a fire pit lay in the center.
To Kail’s shock, the three began conjuring literal tents out of thin air and onto the ground. The tents just appeared out of nowhere.
“How?” asked Kail.
Adam smirked his way. “Once you reach level ten you unlock your own pocket dimension where you can store whatever you like.”
“You two can use my extra tent,” said Aaron as he conjured a fourth tent.
“What levels are you all?” asked Lunis.
“That’s confidential,” said Adam.
Kail considered activating blood gaze but decided against it once again. “Do any of you have a map?” he asked instead.
“I have a physical map,” said Adam, his words evoking a sense of curiosity within Kail. Was there a skill he could unlock that would give him access to a map within his status?
Adam conjured a small wooden table, and then a map which he spread across it. Kail and Lunis approached, staring down at the map. It depicted four continents, the largest of which was by far the most detailed. His eyes were drawn to a small region near the center of it, which was labeled: The Valien Empire
A far larger rejoin lay directly above which was broadly labeled as: Highlends
The continent continued up, splitting off in two. One section veered northwest while the other turned east before wrapping down south in a shape reminiscent of an elephant’s trunk.
“Now I would be interested to learn how exactly you left this world behind and traveled to another and then returned,” said Adam.
“As would I,” said Kail. “Unfortunately all I know is what my Father told me which was little. A failed ritual meant to empower me sent me to Earth and he apparently spent the next nineteen years creating a ritual which summoned me back.”
“It seems I'll need to pay him a visit,” mused Adam. “But this other world, Earth, what was it like?”
Kail had no idea how to answer that question. He hesitated, then spoke slowly. “I don’t know how to describe it. Imagine if you were suddenly teleported to a new world and someone asked you to describe your old one. How would you do it?”
Adam frowned, nodding slowly. “There are memory crystals back in Linton, if you were to accompany us there once we’ve completed our quest I’d be able to safely relive your memories.”
Kail sucked in a breath through his teeth. “I don’t know about that. I have family issues to deal with here and traveling that far would be one thing, but giving you access to my memories. I don’t know that there’s anyone I’d trust with those.”
“I guarantee I can make it worth it for you,” said Adam. I am nephew to The King after all and share his name. I can provide you with equipment, weapons, knowledge, and training, all things you desperately need and all in exchange for something that will cost you so little.”
“I’ll have to think about it. How far is Linton from where we’re going?”
“Only four days' ride,” said Adam. “Take your time, I’m sure you’ll make the right choice.”
Aaron clapped his hands together, drawing everyone’s attention to where he sat beside a fire he’d started. He held a slim version of something that was perhaps part ukulele and part guitar in his hands. “Tonight I will be serenading you with a selection of my greatest hits.”
***
Dat dog’s a gonna live; dat dog’s a gonna live oo; dat dog’s a gonna live to see the sunrise.
Several lines of Aaron’s charming yet utterly bizarre songs remained stuck in Kail’s head as he and Lunis lay within their tent, listening to the sounds of rain pitter patter against its waterproof covering. He was glad they’d met these adventurers. The amount he’d learned in but a few hours of their company was already eye opening. Plus upon getting to know them better they came off as far more likable than he’d expected them to. Aaron reminded him of the good natured uncle slash grandfather he’d never had, he seemed locked in a perpetual state of good natured amusement and just being around him felt oddly therapeutic.
James was stoic yet always quick to answer any question and possessed all the positive qualities a leader should, qualities which his own Father sorely lacked. Adam who had at first come off as abrasive and overly arrogant, was actually quite quick witted and even charming. While he was certainly forward and perhaps overly self confident, he didn’t seem so in an intentionally malicious way.
Kail’s pondering and assessments of those he was traveling with blurred together and he found himself drifting off. He smiled to himself as he fell asleep, this new world was alright.