Mors POV

Meanwhile…

“So you are the two aids Master Evan sent?” I asked the two golems. My master had said they were “Predator Model Law Enforcement Robots”, but I was still uncertain as to their exact nature. These golems were unlike any I had seen before, with thick blue plates of metal on every surface of their body. Although their body was relatively humanoid, their heads were not. With only one red glowing eye, no mouth, and a jaw that ended in a sharp point, they were the epitome of the word ‘intimidating’.

“Affirmative. Our designated task is to ensure your safety. You have been granted level 3 clearance, and authority to authorize lethal force,” both golems said with completely flat voices.

“Well, hopefully we won’t have to resort to such methods,” I joked, but the golems showed no reaction. They simply stood and stared at me without emotion.

“What odd golems,” I thought to myself. “Well then, let us be on our way.”

At my words, the two golems flanked me, and we began traversing the forest. The air was freezing in the early morning, and I could see my breath each time I exhaled. Only the barest hint of sunlight had begun to breach the horizon, with the rays not being able to penetrate the canopy. As we walked, I tried to make light conversation with the golems, but they had very little to say. When I asked how they were doing, they simply responded, “All systems operating within normal parameters.”

“Maybe they just aren’t much for small talk,” I sighed resignedly.

The trip was relatively quiet, with only the chirping of the birds and buzzing insects to break the silence. The trek took a toll on my body, and I started panting an hour or so into the journey. Out of the blue, one of the golems looked at me and said “Detecting increased heart rate and increased respiratory rate. Please take a short respite.”

I groaned as I sat down on a nearby log. “I suppose a small break wouldn’t be amiss.”

“Initiating lookout protocols,” both golems said simultaneously. Their heads began to swivel, keeping a constant eye on our surroundings.

While I rested, I rubbed my knees. The doctors said there was no cure for the disease known as ‘joint rot’ that afflicted me. I often felt a dull pain in my knees, and they would occasionally swell up. Only a long, hot bath would help alleviate the symptoms, and even then only for a short while.

“Oh, what I would do for a nice steaming bath,” I bemoaned. Once I was sufficiently rested, I stood up and we continued our journey. Within half an hour, the golems alerted me to the presence of several living entities up ahead.

“I guess those would be the Wild Hunters.”

I took a deep breath to steady my nerves, and forged ahead. Ahead, I saw a small clearing in the trees. I heard the clanking of armor and the laughter of the soldiers.

“Halt! Identify yourselves!” one of the soldiers on sentry duty shouted when he spotted us. His words alerted the rest of the encampment, and a group of soldiers quickly encircled us.

“I am Deathwalker Mors Sicco! I have come to speak to vice-captain Stratis!” I announced, tossing the metal plate that proved my identity at the feet of the sentry.

The soldiers visibly shuddered when they heard who I was, with some even crying out in shock. They unconsciously took a few steps backwards, as if they feared I would kill them for standing too close.

“I shall notify her immediately!” the sentry said fearfully, running as fast as he could towards the largest tent in the center of the camp. The other soldiers just stared at us, gripping their weapons tightly. We only had to wait a minute before I saw two figures storm out of the tent. One was a large man with salt-and-pepper hair, a large nose, and wearing a leather cuirass. His most distinguishing feature, however, was his missing ear. The other individual was a woman wearing plate armor that covered almost her entire body. Her chocolate-brown hair was tied up in a tight bun, and I could see the intelligence behind her blue-gray eyes. Even from such a far distance, I could feel her understanding of the Law of Water. It felt like a raging flood was rushing towards me, and it took some concentration to force the sensation out of my mind. Even though I could sense other mages among the soldiers, none had the overwhelming presence that she did.

“Deathwalker Sicco! What is the meaning of this? Why are you not with my father? And who are these two beside you?” The armored woman demanded to know angrily.

“Lady Venari, it is an honor to see you again,” I said with a small bow.

“Enough with you pleasantries, answer my damn questions! You and you,” she said, pointing out the two golems beside me, “Tell me who the hell you guys are.”

“Clearance level: 0. Request denied,” Both of them replied.

“Insolence!” the older man next to Venari yelled. “You will show the proper respect to the vice-captain of the Wild hunters!”. The man was further enraged when he saw that the two individuals had chosen to not respond. “Fine then,” he spat, “I’ll make you do it myself,” stomping furiously towards us.

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“Hostile individual detected. Neutralizing threat,” both of them said while raising their hands.

I watched as a plate of metal in the center of their palms slid aside. With a small pop, two small prongs shot out, easily piercing through the leather cuirass and imbedding themselves in the man's skin. The prongs, still attached by a metal string to the golems, emitted a loud crackle.

“AGHHH!” the man screamed as he seized uncontrollably, writhing on the ground in pain. Seeing this scene, the soldiers all unsheathed their weapons and looked ready to attack. The golems kept the attack going for over 5 seconds, before detaching the prongs and reeling them back.

“If you continue acting in a hostile manner, more drastic measures will be taken,” the golems said calmly. Realizing that the situation was quickly deteriorating, their palms slid open again, this time with a canister poking out. I was able to make out words on the canisters which read: TEAR GAS: HANDLE WITH CAUTION.

“Enough!” Venari interjected. “Deathwalker Mors, you will explain yourself now. Pray to the Mother that your explanation is satisfactory, otherwise you can’t blame me for what happens next.”

“Yes, of course. I am here on behalf of my master in order to negotiate a deal.”

Venari looked at me with a puzzled expression. “Why would my father send you to make a deal with me?”

I looked around at the soldiers who were listening in. “If I may be so bold, I would suggest that we get a measure of privacy. I believe this information shouldn’t be shared freely.”

The vice-captain stared at me for several seconds as she considered my proposal. “Men, start packing up the tents and equipment. I want to leave within the hour.”

There was an outburst of protest as soon as she spoke. Getting up from the ground, the man with the missing ear tried to convince her otherwise. “Ma’am, with all due respect, we cannot simply leave you alone with these intruders.”

“Deathwalker Sicco is under the direct command of my father. I can trust him. And in regards to the two,” she paused with an analyzing look in her eye, “I can handle them.”

The man still hesitated for several seconds. “Go,” Venari ordered, her tone leaving no room for discussion.

“Very well then, ma’am. We will carry out your orders,” the soldier said resignedly. The Wild Hunter soldiers vacated the area in an orderly manner before starting to disassemble their tents and loading them onto their horses.

“Now,” Venari said, turning back towards me, “what is this important information you wish to share?”

“As I said before, my master sent me here to negotiate. To be specific, he is interested in the fireblood wolf you have been sent here to kill.”

“My father has never been interested in my business in the Wild Hunters. So what’s changed?”

“I’m surprised that you don’t already know. Your father is dead.”

Venari stared at me with wide eyes. “He’s dead?”

“Yes. He was killed by my new master when he trespassed into his territory.”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as if to calm herself, but I could see the wisp of a smile at the edge of her mouth. “And who is this new master of yours?”

“It’s…complicated. He goes by the name of..." I paused for a moment. "Perhaps I shouldn't reveal that yet. However, he is able to create and control golems at will.”

“So he’s a life mage then.”

“No, not exactly. I have never felt the presence of vitae or any understanding of the Laws, even when I’m right next to him. But his abilities cannot be denied. Take a look at these two golems, for example,” I said, gesturing towards the silent pair. “Have you ever seen any golems like them before?”

“No, I can’t say that I have,” Venari remarked contemplatively. “Their weapons and appearance are unusual to say the least.”

“My point exactly.”

“Is this master of yours a gremlin? These golems bear some similarities to their mechanical constructs,” She asked, narrowing her eyes in suspicion.

“No. To be honest, I have no idea what he is. He has no real ‘body’, and instead appears to move his consciousness into his golems.”

“That’s impossible,” Venrari refuted.

I shrugged helplessly. “I speak the truth.”

“I’m surprised you decided to take him as your master,” she commented. “You usually have quite the disdain for authority.”

“I needed to increase my understanding, and I saw him as the fastest way to do so,” I said, remembering the lessons my master had imparted to me. “The knowledge he has, it’s incredible. I have never in my life seen such a unique way of thinking. It’s completely contrary to what I had been taught.”

“Really?” she muttered under her breath.

“Ah, I digress. My master wants the fireblood wolf, and is willing to give you whatever you want in exchange.”

“Does he even realize how valuable the body of a monster like that is? I won’t part with it easily.”

“Of course he does. Is there anything you desire? Knowledge? Some of his golems? Money?”

Venari stayed silent for several minutes as she considered my master’s proposal. “You said that your master possesses esoteric knowledge, correct?” she asked, which I confirmed. “Does that include knowledge of medicine?”

“Yes, and he has a very deep understanding at that,” I replied.

“Then tell him this: I will trade the body of the monster in exchange for the full treatment of one individual. If he needs any materials or herbs, I can provide them myself.”

“I believe he will agree to those terms.”

Venari threw a medallion at me, which I deftly caught. Examining it closely, I saw that the medallion had the insignia of the Wild Hunters on it, an arrow and sword crossed behind a snake with its mouth wide open. “Come to Ocaephis within one week's time. That medallion will grant you entrance to the noble ring. You’ll find my residence on the west side. Show it to the guards, and they’ll let you in.”

“Very well,” I said, tucking the medallion into my pocket.

“Oh, one more thing. If your master doesn’t come to Ocaephis in one week,” she said with a wolfish grin, “I will personally hunt him down and end him. Is that clear?”

“As crystal, Lady Venari.”