Chapter 6
When I come to Alice is kneeling next to me.
Slap. “What were you thinking? You promised not to be reckless and not a day later you rush into battle nearly dying. Because of you, Aren was killed.”
“What? How?”
“With you on the brink of death, Ayla had to focus on healing you, giving the bandits a reprieve in the melee which they capitalised on.”
Shocked at the news I don’t know how to react, simply staring ahead until Alice stands up and throws my backpack at me. She walks to the others helping in stripping the bandits of valuables before they are placed on a pyre.
Looking around I notice everyone is in an even worse mood compared to before the attack. Additionally, Matthew openly glares at me while the rest are mostly sad though I dare not presume they’ll be so kind to me anymore. Further away Aren is laid to rest and it is obvious her body will be treated differently to the bandits.
I walk over to Ren and inquire about what will happen with the corpse.
“We’ll carry it to Arven where a member of the clergy will perform the burial rites to prevent her from turning undead and she’ll be laid to rest in their mausoleum.”
Nodding my head, I turn, put my backpack on and help them. Then when all bodies, save for Arens’, are cremated I walk ahead to pick up her body and begin the long trek to civilisation.
“Don’t you touch her. Wasn’t killing her enough? Or are you going to defile her as well?”
Ignoring Matthew, I continue walking. At some point, Lily and later Girard both try to carry her when it becomes apparent that my strength falters, but I resolutely continue without reprieve, forgoing dinner, simply walking along the road, and uttering only one sentence for the rest of the journey.
“Since she died because of me, it is my responsibility and I won’t shirk it.”
Throughout the travel, my arms feel heavy and my body only moves by pure force of will, aided by Stat increases and Skill Levels. But I don’t review my notifications as I feel that would defeat the purpose of my actions, instead, I soon focus on moving my body and solemn silence falls upon my mind performing this task.
We enter Arven in the late afternoon, almost evening, and immediately seek the Temple of Death where I finally lay Aren down on an altar, in a private area, waiting for someone to come.
A few minutes later an older man wearing black robes enters our room and introduces himself.
“Greetings I am Priest Roberts. How can I help you?”
“We request that a proper burial for our friend here. No, need for a ceremony. We won’t be in town for long and have yet to contact her relatives.”
“I understand. If you could give a small donation of 2 Silver, I will take care of the lovely lady.”
Ren pays the man, then we are on your way to find an inn.
Or more accurately I sit down at the fountain decorating the plaza in front of the church and recover from my self-imposed ordeal, while the others search for an inn, leaving Lily to guard me. After some time, she starts a conversation.
“Thank you.”
“Huh.”
“For trying to help me fight the bandits.”
“But Aren died because of that.”
“Yes.”
“How can you thank me for it? She was your friend, and it is all my fault she is dead.”
“I’m not and won’t thank you for her death. However, you did come to my aid even though it put you at risk and I want you to know I appreciate the sentiment. Just learn from this experience and don’t make the same mistakes again.”
Hearing this lifts some of the weight of my shoulders and I envelop her in a hug trying my hardest to convey my gratitude when Ren returns.
“Come, the inn is this way.”
Moving through the streets, we end up walking to the very edge of the town, arriving at an old one-story building. As soon as we enter, Lily walks over to Ayla and sits sidewise on her lap before passing her a comb. Much more subdued I join them and try to be as inconspicuous as possible hoping not to draw any more ire.
“We’ll continue tomorrow at sunset. Girard keep an eye on these two, I have to compose some letters for our arrival and Aren’ family. What do you intend to do for the rest of the day, Your Highness?”
“I’ll stroll through the market before taking Alice to the barracks to continue her training.”
“Ayla, please continue training me as well. I apologise for my rash actions earlier, please let me make amends.”
“Humph. Fine. Now, let’s eat.
Barkeep! Eight servings of today’s dinner, please!”
As we wait for our meal, I review my notifications.
Charm has reached Level 6
Charm has reached Level 7
Soul Perception has reached Level 2
Mana Manipulation has reached Level 2
Mana Manipulation has reached Level 3
Mana Sense has reached Level 2
Pain Resistance - Level 1
In the face of overwhelming pain, one can only endure.
Pain Resistance has reached Level 2
Pain Resistance has reached Level 3
Pain Resistance has reached Level 4
Pain Resistance has reached Level 5
Elian Language has reached Level 6
You have earned the Title ‘Bearer of Burdens’
You shirk not the consequences of your actions, instead choosing to take on the resulting responsibilities. [+1 STR, +2 END, +1 WIL, +2 WIS]
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Seeing the Title, I check my Status.
Name: Freia Rosenstein
Titles: Bearer of Burdens
Race: Succubus
Married to Alice Rosenstein
Health: 122/122 Health Recovery: 138
Stamina: 156/156 Stamina Recovery: 124
Mana: 139/139 Mana Recovery: 131
Class: None
Level: 0
Unused increases: 0
Strength: 12
Agility: 13
Dexterity: 13
Perception: 12
Reaction: 12
Intelligence: 13
Constitution: 12
Vitality: 14
Endurance: 16
Vigour: 12
Willpower: 14
Wisdom: 13
Skills:
Shapeshift - Level 1
Inspect - Level 1
Crude Weapon Crafting - Level 1
Charm - Level 7
Unarmed Fighting - Level 7
Stealth - Level 3
Small Blade Fighting - Level 1
Butchering - Level 2
Elian Language - Level 6
Masturbation - Level 1
Soul Perception - Level 2
Meditation - Level 10
Kissing - Level 4
Cunnilingus - Level 1
Exhibitionist - Level 1
Tail Play - Level 1
Mana Manipulation - Level 3
Mana Sense - Level 2
Pain Resistance - Level 5
When trying to inspect the Title the same message appears as in its initial notification, so I close the Status again, in time for our food to arrive. During the meal, I notice that Ayla seems to have calmed down after grooming Lily’s tails, which gives me some hope that our relationship will mend.
Afterwards, we travel through town looking at the various shops and listening to Ayla and Alice’s conversation.
“Hey Ayla, do you think these earrings suit me?”
“No, I don’t think they do. Try these instead, I feel the rubies and your hair should complement each other nicely.”
“Ohh, they do look nice. How is it?”
“Mmhh. Let’s try somewhere else.”
“Ok.”
“My Lady, if you intend to buy accessories, perhaps we should acquire some enchanted anklets for Freia.”
Standing behind her I couldn’t see her scowl, but it was evident in her tone.
“Yes, I suppose we should.”
And with that, she abruptly changed directions leading us to a decrepit old building.
“Knock. Knock. Knock. Open up I know you are home!
…
If you don’t open up soon, I’ll break open the door!”
“Fine, fine. I’m coming.”
As the door open, I see a haggard man past his prime and reeking of alcohol.
“Freia, Alice meet Ben Gloomwood, my former Magic instructor. Teacher these are my friends Freia and Alice.
Aren’t you going to invite us inside?”
“What do you want?”
“I guess not. Can’t a young girl check up on their teacher, from time to time?”
“Of course, a girl could, but you’re not any girl and are here for something so spit it out.”
“Hah. But I am. I’ll be travelling back home tomorrow, and Lily reminded me to check up on you.”
“Well, I’m still alive. So, go away.”
Mister Gloomwoods attempt at shutting the door is thwarted, by Ayla and Lily stepping into the building and beckoning us inside.
“Why are you still here?”
“You haven’t even acknowledged Lily let alone the others. It’d be rude to just leave like that.”
“Hello, Lily, Alice, and Freia nice to meet you. Now would you be so kind as to leave my home?”
I briefly consider leaving this man alone but seeing as no one else made a move for the door, I just stand there not wanting to cause more friction between us. Meanwhile, Ayla is glaring our unwilling host into submission.
“Alright, have it your way. I’d offer you all some tea, but I only have wine and brandy and I’ll need both for myself later. As Ayla said I used to be her Magic instructor, teaching her all I know about Enchanting and the Healing and Purity Schools of Magic. And you are?”
“It is nice meeting you again Magus Gloomwood. I am saddened you wouldn’t even consider greeting me. Alice and Freia here, have only just arrived in our world and we wanted to introduce them to the esteemed Master Magus Gloomwood, but it appears we are unwelcome here. I hope we haven’t been too much of a nuisance. Farewell.”
I catch a quick glimpse of his eyes going wide before Lily turns me around and starts to drag us towards the door. Halfway there I’m yanked back almost falling, if not for the two sturdy grips holding me tight.
“Wait a moment, Lily. Now, is a perfect time to catch up with each other, don’t you think? Sit back down and I’ll go see if I have any snacks to offer you. I assume you approve, Your Highness?”
“I wouldn’t mind, if not for the late hour and still missing supplies.”
“Why have you come here instead of preparing for your journey then?”
“And let my honoured teacher wait on me? Never.”
“What about all the times you showed up late for your lessons.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“It is like that, is it? And what perhaps are you missing?”
“As you can see Freia is travelling barefoot, so I was hoping to buy some anklets enchanted to protect or heal her feet.”
“Sigh. Of course. Follow me. I’ll need to take your measurements before I can start crafting.”
He leaves the room and starts descending. I stay behind and turn to Ayla.
“What just happened?”
“Don’t worry he’s the best enchanter in the Kingdom, even drunk, though you’ll need to tell him your story later on as payment. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Thank you, Ayla. But why? I thought you were cross with me.”
“I am. I’ve known Aren for almost my entire life and your folly saw her killed. Even so, you need foot protection and I hope this will help him, too. I would hurry up if I were you otherwise this will go to waste.”
I nod before walking downstairs, feeling a little queasy about the whole affair. Looking around the basement I see a table with chairs around it, a few vials, carrying different coloured liquids, on shelves, and a forge, complete with an anvil, chimney, and quenching troughs. Ben points at the table, before speaking.
“Good, you’re here. Sit over there while I work. Do you have a specific design in mind already? If not, no problem, I’ll come up with one myself.
Ahh. Before I forget, how old are you?”
“Why do you need to know?”
“Well, if you’re still growing, I’ll be required to widen the anklets, or you might not be able to remove them after a few growth spurts.”
“I am fully grown. Is it truly so easy to confuse me with a child?”
“No, no, miss, you are a mature young lady. I only asked, because with everyone’s body being augmented by Skills and what-not, it pays to make sure. Anyway, the design?”
“I’m not sure. What would you be able to craft? And why is there a forge down here? Weren’t you an Enchanter?”
“Not just any Enchanter. I’m an enchanting Master. I enchant items as they are made, which strengthens the Magic. Because of that, I have some smithing Skills and the forge. Just tell me what you want, and I’ll say whether it’ll be possible.”
“Could you make the anklets braided out of three differently coloured pieces of metal?”
“Sure, that’s easy. Any colour preferences?”
“Red, silver and matte grey.”
“Ok. Stay there while I forge.”
He approaches the fire and places three ingots inside, which bit by bit he cut small pieces off using a chisel. With the appropriate amount set aside the remainder of the ingots vanish. After that, he slowly heats the different metals and braids them. During this time, my attention is arrested as I feel something shift in the atmosphere that I can’t pinpoint. While I grow frustrated over this inability Ben calls out to me.
“Come over here for a moment so I can prime the enchantment to your Mana signature.”
I nod and rush over, which seems to have been all he needed as he shoos me back to the table as soon as I arrive. Seating myself again I see him quenching the anklets, before polishing them and coming over.
“Go ahead and try them on. If I have to resize them better do it now when the forge is still warm.”
I have not worn anklets before, so it feels a little weird, but not uncomfortable, instead, they start pulling on my mana and infuse my feet with a tingling sensation. Slowly, everything returns to normal and stepping onto the coarse ground I am amazed. I still notice every pebble I stand on, but of the usually accompanying pain, there is no trace.
“Thank you, there are wonderful. May I ask what enchantments you put on them?”
“Of course. I’ve made them with red gold, steel, and mithril, and they are enchanted with Regeneration, Harden, Cleanse, and Swift. Enough of that, I fulfilled my end, so let’s return upstairs and hear how you two come to our world.”
Going back upstairs, we are greeted by Girard and an otherwise empty room.
“I should have known she’d vanish. That ungrateful brat. You there, what was your name, again?”
“Girard, sir.”
“Girard, will you please retrieve that princess and her friend? They seem to have gone missing.”
“I’m sorry, sir. I have orders to watch your guest, besides Her Highness said, ‘This is taking too long, so I’ll go and start Alice’s training, while they are down there. You stay here until we return.’ so I’m sure she’ll be back soon.”
“And when did they leave?”
“I am not at liberty to say.”
“Well then, I guess I’ll have to be content with you for the moment. I expect to hear everything about your world and how you managed inter-world travel.”
“No.”
“What? Girl, I don’t think you understand the situation you’re in.”
“No, I won’t tell you everything about my home. I’m sure you understand that some things are better not known and that some secrets have to be kept.”
Magus Gloomwood started looming over me as the room became darker and more sinister.
“I will have my answers one way or another. Better prepare yourself if you aren’t going to cooperate willingly.”
I shake my head.
“I’ll tell you everything I can, but no matter what you threaten there are things I will not say. If you’re dissatisfied with that then I’ll just leave right now.”
At my words I could see how Girard was poised to strike should things escalate further. Luckily, the tension was broken as Ayla, Lily, and Alice entered the room.
“You’re finished. Good. I brought some biscuits and tea. Teacher, could you please prepare some cups and plates before we hear Alice and Freia’s story.”
He leaves without another word and when he returns Alice and I take turns explaining much of our world. We leave out most details, thereby forcing us to refute Ben so many times when he asks the how of something that by the time the discussion ceases it is already late into the night.
Back at the inn, I crawl into bed alone as Alice chooses to sleep apart from me, still mad at me for my recklessness earlier. My lonesomeness, as well as the memories, keep me up at night until I notice the night sky brightening with the approaching dawn.