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Branded
Chapter 5d - Secrets in the Mist

Chapter 5d - Secrets in the Mist

Bragden put his hand in the water and shivered.

“The water be icier than me mother-in-law’s cold, dead heart and just as likely to kill ye,” the dwarf said, wiping his wet hands on his shirt. “The lad would freeze afore he swam 30 feet.”

“Bah, the royal’s a pyro,” Gent scoffed as he slapped Kedryn on the back hard enough to make him stumble. “I’d bet he could get at least 50 feet afore he goes all stiff like and turns as blue as an Ice Giant’s toe!”

Glade couldn't help but notice the argument wasn’t if Kedryn could make it, but how far he could swim before freezing to death. Dwarves had a very peculiar sense of humor - dark overtones mixed with sarcastic ridicule. He was growing rather fond of it.

“Not a chance,” Kedryn said, shaking water from his hand as he stepped back from the lake’s shore. “I’m not going to be the one swimming today. How about Bragden? I hear cold water puts hair on your chest.”

“That it does, my young friend,” Gent laughed. “Truth is, Bragden here is half yeti. The hair he already has on his chest and back would be just as good as any bear rug and twice as thick! What he really needs is some help up top! Gets the shiny noggin from his mum’s side.”

“I’m not the one with a face as soft as a wee gnome,” Bragden grumbled before spitting to the side. “If’n anyone needs a cold dip it would be the royal. But seein as yer not dwarf enough to brave the waters, I’d suggest we start walkin. We’re not going to find the blasted slime by standin around pointin out the shortcomings o’ elves.”

Not one to beleaguer the point, Bragden turned to Glade.

“Where be the slime now?” he asked with his typical dour expression, though Glade could just make out a twinkle of mirth in the bald dwarf’s eyes.

“Its just on the edge of my senses,” Glade said, pointing toward the center of the lake. “I think it’s finally stopped moving, which means the slime has either learned to tread water, which is highly unlikely, or it has washed ashore on an island or peninsula. I’m thinking the latter.”

“Might as well get moving then,” Bragden grumbled before stomping off. “It’s not like it will come to us.”

Not seeing a better option, the others followed. Glade stayed focused on their surroundings. Just because he couldn’t sense any minds nearby didn’t mean they were out of danger. Forests hid all sorts of dangers beyond basic predators.

The dying plant life was more evident along the lake’s shore, the trees gnarled and bare, or, more often than not, lay rotting across their path.

“I wonder how long the slime had been feeding on the mana well before causing… this,” Glade mused aloud, gesturing to the obvious destruction around them. “I can’t even sense any bugs with my telepathy. That kind of destruction must have taken years, if not decades.”

“I’m not so certain,” Riya said, though the sadness in her voice was clear for anyone with ears. “We’ve seen how powerful a slime’s acid can be. I can only imagine the greater slime’s magical properties were even more potent. We can only hope the forest is strong enough to return life to this part of the vale.”

They continued in silence for a time until Riya muttered, “If only there was a Keeper nearby.”

Both the dwarves grunted an acknowledgement at the elf’s comment.

The term Keeper tickled the back of Glade’s mind, like a half-formed memory just beyond his reach.

“What was that about Keepers?” Kedryn asked, having just tuned in.

“It was nothing,” Riya sighed. “I was lamenting that there isn’t a Keeper in the area. If there were, the lake and forest would likely recover in a matter of days, if not weeks. As it stands, this kind of devastation could easily take years or even decades to recover.”

“If it recovers at all,” Gent grumbled.

Kedryn nodded, adopting the far off look Glade had come to associate with someone reviewing their status screen.

“You don’t suppose that the lake being poisoned had anything to do with driving the Fen Turtle Matriarch to go underground, do you?” Kedryn finally asked.

The mention of the turtle immediately brought to Glade’s mind their run in with the massive turtle in the catacombs.

“That does make sense,” Riya said, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. “This is the kind of habitat perfect for a Fen Turtle. The Greater Slime’s acid could have easily caused the damage we saw when we first found her, and the matriarch would never lay her eggs in an area this toxic. It would kill them.”

Knowing he wasn’t remembering the entire story, Glade pulled up their latest quest regarding the Fen Turtles.

You have been offered a quest: Protect the Keepers III - Sanctuary. Something has driven the Fen Turtles from their natural habitat, forcing the Matriarch to forage and nest in environments that are not conducive to long term survivability for her kind. This is a two-part quest. Part one, protect the Fen Turtle’s nesting ground from outside threats until the hatchlings are old enough to fend for themselves. Part two, find whatever caused the Fen Turtles to abandon their previous habitat.

Success Conditions:

1. Create a sanctuary for the Fen Turtle hatchlings within the next 120 days.

2. Find out why the Fen Turtles abandoned their old habitat.

Reward: 1,500 XP

Do you accept?

Yes/No

“It makes sense to me as well,” Glade said, reviewing the quest. “But if that’s the case, why haven’t we received a…”

A new prompt appeared, showing an update to their quest.

“Never mind,” Glade sighed, pulling up the notification.

Congratulations! You have completed both parts of the quest Protect the Keepers III - Sanctuary.

Part 1: You not only walled off the grotto where the Fen Turtle Matriarch laid her eggs, but you did so with stone containing traces of star silver, creating a sanctuary that will withstand the threats of the catacombs.

Part 2: You learned that the acid from the Greater Slime not only poisoned the immediate area, but it either killed or drove away all life around the Lake of Silver Tears. Not only did you identify the cause of destruction, you and your party went above and beyond the parameters of this quest by destroying the Greater Slime!

Reward: By doing more than was required for both parts of this quest, all rewards are tripled. You are awarded 1,500 XP (1,500 x 3 / 3). Due to your evolved brand, you gain an additional 10% increase for any completed quests. Total XP gained, 1,650 XP. Next quest in the chain.

Note: By completing three quests related to the Keepers, you are granted the title – Keeper’s Ally. +10% regard from all Keepers. Increased chance of receiving Keeper related quests.

Glade read through the prompt and smiled. Their interaction with the matriarch had felt like it had happened ages ago instead of the handful of days it had really been. While the XP was always a welcomed sight, the fact they had done some good was its own reward.

A feeling of warmth settled over him as Ember celebrated.

Another prompt appeared, which Glade was glad to see was the next quest in the chain.

You have been offered a quest: Protect the Keepers IV – Homecoming. Generally, Fen Turtles are born with powerful migratory instincts, leading them to the place they call home. However, the catacombs beneath Storm’s Rest are not the Fen Turtles natural birthplace, which will result in a larger than normal rate of death for the hatchlings as they journey to find where they belong. Will you help these precious creatures of nature by assisting in their return to the lake of Silver Tears?

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Success Conditions: Return as many hatchlings to the lake of Silver Tears. Days until hatching - 111

Reward: 150 XP for every hatchling that is returned alive.

Do you accept?

Yes/No

Glade sighed as he and the others continued to make their way around the lake. He really didn’t want to accept this quest. Who knew how long they would be away from Storms’ Rest? They were already running against one time limit in getting Riya to her people. How were they going to finish that quest and then turn around and make it back in time to take care of the fen turtle hatchlings?

Two deep sighs drew Glade’s attention. From their looks of disappointment, both Kedryn and Riya were having the same thoughts.

“Ye’ve all been quieter than a sleeping gnome after an all-night bender,” Gent called over his shoulder with a grin. He was in front of the party as they worked their way around the lake, the silvery threads of mist now within several feet of the shore. “Care to share the details on whatever quest ye’ve got about them Keepers?”

Seeing that neither Riya nor Kedryn had any reservations, Glade explained their encounter with the Fen Turtle Matriarch. Rather, he began to explain.

“Stop!” Gent cried, waiving his hands back and forth as Glade blew through their encounter in as concise a manner as possible. “No offense, oh high and mighty Master o’ Storms, but I’d rather hear a Sleeter talk about the weather than hear ye kill another story!”

Bragden snorted an agreement.

“Hey…” Glade began but was interrupted.

“What’s a Sleeter?” Kedryn asked.

“Sleeter is a derogatory term for the Slithin race,” Riya explained. “They are sentient reptile humanoids that live on the outskirts of the Glass Steppes and are known for their lack of emotion. They can be rather… direct.”

“Ha! That’s putting it mildly!” Gent laughed. “But at least they can tell a story better than Glade!”

Glade rolled his eyes and turned the reins over to Kedryn, who light up with excitement. What followed was a wildly exaggerated tale of discovery, magic, and mayhem. Everyone, especially Ember, loved every minute.

“Now that’s how to tell a proper story,” Gent said, his voice thick with emotion. If Glade didn’t know any better he would have thought the tough as nails hunter was struggling not to cry.

“Aye, that it was. You’ll need to tell that story to the hall later tonight,” Bragden said, the tenor of his voice the same as Gent’s. The normally stoic dwarf turned to Riya with tears in his eyes. “Did ye really get a Keeper’s Tear?”

Instead of answering, Riya pulled out the teardrop teal stone.

Both dwarves stared at the stone for a time before Bragden gently closed Riya’s shadow covered hand with his own.

“Thank ye lass, for trusting this old soul enough to show such a treasure. Keep it safe now. Me and mine will make sure ye can honor the Keeper when the time is right.”

Glade didn’t know what he was expecting the dwarf to say, but it wasn’t that.

“What does it do?” Kedryn asked. “My naturist skill is too low to identify it.”

Glade nodded along. His aura sense hadn’t worked on the stone either.

“Ye’d have to get it appraised by an enchanter or alchemist at the expert level or higher to know for certain,” Bragden said. “But if all the tales be true, a Keeper’s Tear be a right powerful gift.”

“Oh aye,” Gent said, his eyes lighting up. “I loved the story o’ Gorm Strongarm when I was a lad! The story goes that he saved a stone nymph from an ogre and was given a Keeper’s Tear for his actions. Not only did he marry the lass, but the tear made him the strongest dwarf in all o’ the land!”

“Ye ever see a stone nymph?” Bragden scowled. “Uglier than a half troll in heat and twice as heavy. Gorm likely got his strength from tryin to run away all the slagging time.”

“Stone nymphs are known to be a tad possessive,” Riya whispered to Glade when she saw his confused look.

“I’d like to hear that story!” Kedryn said with a grin.

“As much as I’d like to hear it as well,” Riya interjected, looking past the group. “I think it should wait until we head back. Does anyone else see what I’m seeing?”

Glade followed Riya’s gaze and was surprised to see a land bridge leading from the shore toward the middle of the lake. His telepathy indicated the slime was somewhere in the same direction.

“Right then,” Bragden said, looking carefully at the mist. “I can’t sense no magic, which means its either a natural occurrence or a trap.”

“Or it’s trying to protect something,” Kedryn offered.

“Well, I’m not goin into the bloody thing,” Gent replied, eyeing the mist as if it was about to leap out and bite him.

“Is the star silver worth risking it?” Glade asked Bragden.

“Oh, aye, it is,” Bragden replied, looking up and down the wall of mist. “But I be thinkin it be a trap as well…”

“Light preserve us,” Riya groused, striding up to the wall of haze. “You’re all such children.”

Riya walked deliberately forward and smacked into the mist as if she had walked into a wall.

“Gah!” She cried, falling back with her shadow covered hands cupping her nose.

The group openly stared, astonished. One by one, they turned to look at Kedryn.

“How’d ye know it was a barrier?” Bragden asked.

“In my dreams, this is supposed to be a special place,” Kedryn said with a shrug. “Makes sense that it would be protected.”

“Can you try to make it through?” Bragden asked, casting nervous glances between Kedryn and mist wall.

Kedryn nodded and stepped forward. As he approached, he held out a hand. Instead of hitting a hard surface, it went straight through. After pulling his arm out, the Kid then put it back in without an issue. Then he tried his legs. It was at this point that Glade heard the Kid whistling a familiar tune before jumping into, and out of, the mist.

Kedryn was doing the hokey pokey.

“Corporal,” Glade growled in exasperation. “Stop clowning around.”

“Yes, sir,” He replied jovially, shooting Glade a massive grin. “I thought it was best to see if the mist would let me enter and exit.”

“Uh huh,” Glade said, striding up to where Kedryn stood. He felt around and found that he could enter and exit the mist freely as well.

“Probably the shared bond,” both he and Kedryn said together.

“Don’t even think about it,” Glade growled out of the side of his mouth.

“Why, I wouldn’t think of it sir,” Kedryn gave his most sincere smile. “I’d never… jinx us… like that.”

Glade shook his head, wondering where he had gone wrong.

After that, they tried to escort the others into he mist. They could bring Riya, but the barrier refused to admit the dwarves.

After a brief discussion of how to move forward, Glade promised to contact Bragden using his telepathy skill once they found the slime or figured out what was hiding in the mist.

The trees and plant life were just as dead as along the lake’s borders, which made for traversing the terrain easier even though the mist obscured anything beyond 15 feet or so. Because of Glade’s telepathy, they found the slime along the shore in minutes.

“I wonder how it got through the mists?” Kedryn wondered as he lit the slime on fire. “I mean, Gent or Bragden couldn’t get through, so why could this?”

“I’ve been pondering that very thing,” Riya said as she looked around. “I can only come up with one theory. It’s a barrier that blocks sentients not of royal blood.”

“Elvish royal blood, or their bonded,” Kedryn amended, the slime burning away before their eyes. “And I guess I can bring in other elves?”

“We would need to test it further,” Riya replied, her eyes still darting everywhere. “But it’s a sound theory.”

“What are you doing?” Glade asked, distracted by Riya’s jerky head movements.”

“I’m… what do you call it Kedryn? Spamming?” The Kid looked up with a grin and nodded. “Yes, I’m spamming my naturist skill. The mist is hiding something, but so far I’ve only found dead and rotting plants.”

“I’ve got the spear head!” Kedryn called before standing up.

“And the shard?” Riya asked without looking.

A moment later, Kedryn stood up with a decent sized shard in his hand.

You have discovered a Pure (100%) mana shard. Increase the skill Aura Sight to learn more.

Size: Minor

Purity: Flawed

Charges: 31

Value: Unknown

Glade smiled at the updated information he was getting from his aura sense. Ever since Bragden had provided some basic coaching he was able to see more information than before.

After the deed was done, he connected his mind to both Bragden and Gent, giving them a quick update before proceeding further in.

Deciding to follow Riya’s example, Glade began spamming his Aura Sight.

All he found a wide variety of unknown dead plant life. After the thirtieth prompt that said the exact same thing, Glade decided to cast it one more time.

Selecting a plant just on the edge of his vision, Glade used his identify skill. The prompt was mostly that same except for one very important reason. It was alive.

You have discovered an unknown herb. Increase the skill Aura Sight to learn more.

Rank: Unknown

Effect: Unknown

Value: Unknown

Glade stopped, staring at the prompt, then dismissed it so he could take a closer look. A hint of green and purple was hidden among the brown.

“I’ve found something that’s alive,” Glade called to the others.

“It’s a pixie bell!” Riya gasped, rushing forward. “A rare plant with roots that are a key ingredient for a levitation potion!”

As the group approached, they found more plants that were alive, Riya rattling off their names as she went from one to the other.

“Tiger cress, blue caps, snap flies… These are all incredibly rare herbs! Used for anything from opening mana channels to restoring health. But they shouldn’t be here. None of them are mountain plants. The air is too thin. Too cold. Why would they be growing… here…”

Riya’s voice trailed off as they neared the patch of vibrant green plants, the mist parting enough for them to make out the charred remains of massive tree. The trunk was split in two, one half leaning at an odd angle with its bare branches brushing along the lakes surface while the other half stood straight, easily reaching 40 feet high if not more.

And it was old. The roots were large, penetrating the ground in a perfect, swirling circle.

Mist wove in and around the split trunks, swirling outward from the tree’s center in a silvery haze that highlighted the thriving patch of greenery.

“Its… beautiful,” Kedryn whispered, his silvery eyes glowing in the mist as he took a step forward.

Glade whipped his head around just in time to see Kedryn step onto the green patch of growth, his arm outstretched.

“Stop him!” Riya hissed, but Glade was already moving.

In three bounds, he caught Kedryn’s arm with his free hand, pulling him around to face him. Only, Kedryn’s head was still turned, his gaze locked onto the center of the split trunk.

“Corporal,” Glade growled, shaking the Kid. “Get a grip!”

“It feels like… home,” Kedryn said, gently tugging against Glade’s grasp.

Growling, Glade dropped his bow and grabbed the Corporal with both hands, forcing him to turn away from the trunk.

Only then, did Kedryn’s eyes begin to clear.

Before he could ask what in the hell was going on, he heard Riya fall to her knees behind him.

He turned to make sure she was ok, only to see her shadowy hand raise to her mouth in wonder.

“Its… a silverthread,” she whispered in wonder.

Glade followed her gaze. There, standing in the hallowed out remains of the dead tree grew a bright silver sapling that couldn’t have been bigger than two feet tall, its three branches holding a mere handful of leaves. Silver leaves.

“Home…” Kedryn whispered.

Glade heard Bragden inside his head after he relayed the situation to him.

“Slagging Branded.”