Chapter 13
We got underway early in the morning. With us being away for a week and a half now because of the delays I was thinking we check on Timberdale and then head back early to report on the fire.
The grasslands between us and the forest were still smouldering in places. The air was thick with ash and we found a lot of dead animals burnt to a crisp. The ash that had fallen onto the ground looked more like a blanket of snow. With it pooling in lower-lying areas and formings 'snowdrifts'.
It stuck to everything and it was slow going. When we go to the forest we ran into another issue. A lot of trees had fallen onto the road, and after trying to go around the first two we had to give up. 100-meter tall redwoods aren't easy to go around when they fall into your path.
“This isn't working. Grim, I need you and Aura to head back with the carts, they won't make it through this. I'll take a backpack with some supplies and the skeletons carrying a bit more and see if I can get to Timberdale and if they need any help.”
Grim knew better than to try and talk me out of going and helped get the wagon turned around.
“You two head to the other village we were supposed to check out. it shouldn't have been hit by the fire as it's technically on the safe side of the river. It's just a couple of days further north. After that head back to the city. You guys take the cubs as well. I will have Luna and the skeletons to keep me safe.”
With a fistbump from Grim and a surprising hug from Aura, I made my way down the road. I knew that Luna wasn't up for acting like a mount yet so I had to do some hiking. As I didn't have to follow the road exactly and most of the ground vegetation was burnt away I was able to take a shortcut here and there. It helped to make up for some of the time lost climbing over the fallen trees that were everywhere.
After the first time I tried summoning Luna during one of my rest breaks, and nearly getting my head bit off for summoning her where all the ash would stick to her fur, we both decided that she would only come out of the amulet if necessary.
After two days of hiking as fast as I could, I finally came upon the village. It seems that they got lucky. It was built on a small hill and over the years they had cleared most of the trees near the village first. So they had a natural firebreak. Between that wall and a couple of mages that had retired here, they were able to keep the flames away from the village. One was a shopkeeper the other the town alchemist.
The only casualties were a few hunters who were caught by the fire. The major asked me if in return for a bunch of handaxes I would help with some of the road clearings. 10 skeletons who didn't need any sleep would help make some good headway in getting the road cleared so supplies could be brought in.
I got a milestone for it.
Milestone found:
Clear 25 KM of the road from fallen trees.
So the next 3 days I helped clear about two-thirds of the way back to the edge of the forest before it was time for me to head back towards the city. I easily finished the milestone by that point.
Milestone completed:
Clear 25 KM of the road from fallen trees.
Reward:
+1 axe skillcap
+5 lumberjack skillcap
Heading back out in the grasslands I could see that between the wind and what looked like a local rainstorm a lot of the ash was already washed away and small bits of green were already poking through here and there.
I much more easily made it back to the bridge where I found a woman blocking my way from crossing. She was almost as tall as Grim, but of course much more slender. Fiery red curly hair, and dressed in what looked at first glance as full plate armour with a green tabard over it. She was armed with a vicious looking halberd.
When I got closer I realised that apart from the human-looking head and face the armour was a part of her skin.
I was about to ask who she was when I got a huge surprise. The skeletons behind me all lined up and snapped to attention. The lady then kneeled in front of me holding up the halberd sideways as if to present it to me.
“Lord Drakon, I am Moira the valkyrie. I am here to pledge you my allegiance and my weapon.”
It was at this point that it dawned on me that this must be the sergeant at arms that was supposed to show up.
“Rise, Moira. And I am no lord, yet. Just Call me Drakon” And I put out my hand to help her get up. And that's when the next surprise came.
“Good as I wasn't about to call my brother 'lord' every single time I talked to him.” And as she got up she used my outstretched hand to pull me onto the ground.
After me sitting there with my mouth open for what seemed like a few minutes trying to digest the whole brother thing. “Brother? As far as I know, I am an only child.”
“Let me explain. Time in the afterlife, or Valhalla as we call it, goes differently. After your adoptive parents died your mother was made a valkyrie general in recognition of her service. Your father made it to the halls where he became one of the skalds there. They were soon reunited and within a few years, I was born. When the call came out across the afterlife for volunteers for your army I leapt at the chance to meet the brother I heard so much about. That is one thing you should know, all of your undead units are volunteers, your skeletons here are a penal legion. Cowards who in return for service will have a second chance of getting into the halls of Valhalla.”
In the corner of my eye, I saw a notification for a finished milestone. I would check that out when I went to bed.
“I've always wanted siblings. So how are mom and dad doing up there? Down there? wherever Valhalla is.” I stayed sitting, not knowing what to feel yet. this was all very sudden and very strange.
“Let's make camp for the evening. I knew you were coming back this way so I already have dinner ready to go.” And she held out her hand to help me back up this time around.
“How did you know I was coming?” and taking her hand I was yanked off my feet. She was a lot stronger than what she looked like.
“Well not you exactly, but I have a connection to the unit so I knew the skeletons were on their way. I figured you would be with them.” And she led me off to almost the exact spot we had camped in a few days ago.
“Mom and dad are doing great. Like I said one is a valkyrie general the other a skald. Dad keeps everyone laughing with all of his stories. His best and proudest one is of his son going up against a bunch of older boys to save a half-orc kid who didn't need saving.”
“I didn't know that he knew that story. I thought I had kept that one a secret.”
“Oh one of the boys came complaining about some devil kid that kicked him in the nuts without provocation and wanted you arrested, even came with some guards. Your mom and Grim's mother both sent them packing so fast I'm told their feet didn't touch the gangplank before they were back on the docks.”
I remembered Grim's mom as a big orcish woman. I could see her and mom doing that.
“So tell me a bit about yourself. That armour is that actual armour or your skin or something else?” I asked while eating dinner.
“This is both. I can choose to show normal human skin or get armoured up. I wanted to look the most imposing to you.” And she flipped between the full helmeted full plate version of her armour. And one where you couldn't see anything and the tabard changed into a normal green dress.
“As your dad was a werewolf I will also get some werewolf skills when I level. Right now I can only make myself some claws. But later on, I can do the same things dad could do. Go hybrid-form or full wolf. I don't get the wings a full valkyrie has though.”
“It's a lot to take in. I know for one thing that Grim would be happy to know he has a little sister. After our ordeals, we decided to become blood brothers. So you are now a part of that as well.” and I hugged Moira. “For now, let's get some sleep. I'm dead tired and we have a long way to walk to get back into town.”
Moira laughed “Well you do, that wolf upgrade of yours gave me a mount.”
“Well you can have first watch then.” with that I crawled into my sleeping bag near the fire and went to sleep.