Fell Deeds

Chapter 3 Mutt

So that brings us to the present. Its taken some work but after 8 months Ive managed to get a workable grasp of the local language. I should be around 2 years old but my growth has been unusually rapid. I'm already nearly four feet tall with a sturdy frame. I look closer to being eight or nine. Strange indeed. Neela has given up attempting to keep me in normal clothing. I spend my time bare chested in a loincloth and kilt type of garment. Ive said little to anyone only letting out a random word here and there as a child would to encourage my parents to speak more often. Ive had varying degrees of success with that. Neela jabbered endlessly but at such a speed that it was difficult to keep up while Bols spoke in grunts, gestures, and half sentences. It was...annoying but I eventually sorted it all out in my head. It was during dinner one evening that I finally spoke a full sentence. I turned to Bols after finishing off a chunk of black bread and asked...

"Why do you have pointed ears and big teeth?"

Bols and Neela were stunned. Both went completely silent.

"................"

"..................."

They looked at each other as though attempting to decide something. I turned to Neela and asked...

"Why do your eyes glow in the dark?"

More silence. Finally they seemed to reach a conclusion. Bols nodded with a grunt and Neela cleared her throat.

"Crom... I am of ....mixed ancestry. So is your father. So are most of the people of Murk."

"Murk?" I asked.

"Murk is a village in the Forshand mountains. It is a free village with no allegiances. We look after ourselves and live in secrecy."

"Why?"

We....are not liked in most places..."

"Because we are mixed?"

"Yes and no... It is less about being mixed and more about what we are mixed with. These mountains serve as a barrier between the Varilund Empire to the southeast and the nomadic tribes of the northern steppes known as the Konfal. The Empire is home the the peoples of the plains, forests, and coastal lands. Burmal, Seelate, the Mifari tribes, the Wylken, and Telfin. The Steppes are the home of the Vargus, Naltus, and Darmun. There is another mountain range north of the steppes where the Karshal have settled after breaking with the other Konfal tribes."

[Well that tells me a lot about nothing]

"What are....all of those?" I asked.

"Ah... Well yes. I suppose just naming them doesn't help much. The Burmal make up the majority of the Empire. They look much like you or I but...softer. They breed quickly. Take  your father, shrink him down by half, and bob his ears...thats...close.

[I see. Humans]

"The others?"

"The Seelate are a forest dwelling people. They share lands with the Telfin but where the Seelate are tall and fragile looking things with ridiculously huge ears the Telfin are short and...fragile looking things with ridiculously huge ears...? I confess I have never actually seen a Telfin before."

"Seelate are... haughty. Telfin.....lazy." Bols growled

[Elves and halflings? Am I in f@cking  Fa#rûn!?]

"When did you begin speaking so well, Crom?" Neela asked.

"...........um......yeah. I just tried not to speak until I was sure about what it was I was saying. Y'know....proper like....."

They both stared at me for a bit then Neela smiled and proclaimed in a proud voice "Its me he gets his smarts from it is."

Bols just harrumphed and crossed his arms.

".....right...... So what are the uh.... Walken?"

"Wylken. They stay near coastal areas primarily living in sea caves and the like from what I have heard. Strange creatures. They can breath under the sea. Not sure what they look like. I have not met anyone who has seen one and the stories are conflicting. I only know that they are a dying people.''

[Seriously.... Now Ive got mermaids!?]

I started mentally translating all of these new terms into ones I was more familiar with.

"OK. What about those Mifari guys?"

''The Mifari tribes are varied in appearance. Their only common trait is that they all characteristics such as the ears, tails, and sometimes claws of animals such as wolves, bears, bulls, and wild cats. We have a few of them here in Murk. It seems like the animal characteristics are not something passed from parent to child but something that develops at the onset of puberty. They are rather tight lipped about it all.''

"Beast People!?" I shouted.

Both of their eyes widened and Neela paled a bit.

"Mifari!"

They both corrected me at the same time. Strong reaction there.

"Call them Mifari, Crom. Referring to them as beasts is an excellent way to get your throat ripped out. They were once an enslaved race within the Empire. In those days they were considered beasts on the same level as livestock. Never call them that."

"Throat ripped out? For saying beast?"

[Seems damned extreme to me]

"Their revolt was only 12 years ago Crom. Its still a fresh wound for many of them.''

"I understand. So what about the people up north?"

"Those people will be of slightly more interest to you as we are descended from them."

"Which ones" I asked

''Your father has blood from both the Darmun and Vargus from his Father and pure Naltus on his mothers side while I am of Vargus and Karshal stock."

"OK......"

"Sorry dear. I forgot. The Vargus are a tough race of people with gray toned thick skin and large teeth. Many of the males grow large tusks. They mature quickly. Usually reaching full growth at around 13 years of age. They are also rather.....violent. They primarily work as mercenaries or hired muscle for the criminal syndicates based in Shatterforge.''

[Orks maybe?] I thought. I was about to ask what Shatterforge was but was beaten to it by Bols.

"It is a city. One of only two north of Murk. The other is Blackhammer. Karshal City." he said.

He looked pleased with himself. For Bols that was quite a speach and more than Id ever heard him say all at once. He had a slight grin on his face as he leaned back in his protesting chair and idly scratched at the scar across his nose.

"Exactly!" Neela beamed at him. The Vargus, Darmun, and to a lesser bit the Naltus share the city. You can find others like us there as well but....Life is hard without a clan in Shatterforge.''

"OK So what about the Naltus then?''

"Yes. The Naltus are very large people who still keep to the wilds and badlands for the most part. Strong as any ten of any other people. Odd though. Quiet and kind most of the time but once they get riled... Just try not to be around. There were a number of clans within the Naltus. Each had certain peculiarities.''

"How big are we talking here?''

"Half again my size." Bols replied

[Holy shit. I'm part giant. Explains why I'm nearly four feet tall at less than two years I guess.]

I looked at Bols and sized him up. He had to be at least seven feet tall and well over 400 pounds.

[I'm gonna have hell finding a jacket that fits]

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"What did you mean peculiarities?"

"Mother was of Rockbiter clan. Very strong. Leader of warriors.'' Bols answered.

"Rockbiter? Why did they call themselves that?"

Bols smiled while reaching into a large dented pail near the hearth at his back. He pulled out a chunk of black granite, popped it into his mouth, and then...he started chewing. It made a sound that reminded me of tank treads on gravel during an earthquake. Bols seemed to relish the sensation and before long swallowed.

"You ate it!? Why?"

"Makes bones strong" He replied.

"Indeed it does" Neela agreed.

"And tastes good" Bols continued.

"......"

Apparently Neela didn't agree there.

"Can I eat rocks too?"

"You already do dear. Your father bakes the dust of the stones he crushes into the bread you eat."

She grimaced a bit and absently rubbed at her chest.

"I am very glad you moved on to solid food."

"So that's why mine is always black. What about you Mother? Can you eat it as well?"

"....Um...sort of.. Just the bread. I cant chew the very stone like your father can or you will one day be able to. Its not....bad....but....Its very hard on my teeth...and harder on my rear end." She replied with a chagrined expression on her round face.

"I think I get it. So the Darmun and Karshal? What about them?"

"The Karshal are a wonderful people. The finest smiths, artisans, and brewers you are likely to find. Stout they are but never underestimate them. They have great strength of arm and character." Neela proudly stated with her chest out.

{Dwarves! I'm not even surprised anymore. It would have been weirder if there weren't any at this point. Id have felt cheated]

"The Darmun have looks and abilities that vary as much if not more than the Mifari. Some have horns, some tails, some wings, some four arms, some even have the lower halves of snakes. Some can control fire or blend in with the land around them. Some can climb  bare walls as easily as you can walk across the street. Some can absorb the energy of others. Some can survive any poison while others can paralyze with a touch."

[Of course there are beings like that. Why wouldn't there be? Succubus? Lamia maybe... I hope there are no spider people. I will freak right out......]

".....Are there.....People with spider legs?...."

"Oh no dear. They died out ages ago. Poor things"

"Wha.."

"The  Naltus hunted them to extinction. Something of a delicacy for some of them."

I looked toward Bols feeling sick.

"Make a fine soup" He said while looking wistful.

"Thats just...Wait. Horns? Tail? So the girl that brings the flour?"

"Dina you mean? Poor girl. Her mother ran off after she was born. That particular tribe tends to be solitary by nature and sticking in one place for too long causes....problems for them. Lucky for her she didn't inherit all of her mothers abilities. Lucky for us too. "

"So she is a Darmun?"

"Oh my yes. Her mother was of the Farune clan who have enviable abilities but are few in number. Low birth rates. They are bewitchers and absorbers. Her father Pakel is of the Danar who can change their very skin to blend into their surroundings. Not sure what Dina can do but at least we know she doesn't share her mothers ...hunger...."

"Hunger? What do you mean?"

"The Ferune absorb ....essence... from males. Some get addicted. Most men in town have a wife and Pakel alone could not satisfy her appetites. After a few incidents she was ...encouraged to seek richer hunting grounds by the women of Murk."

[Succubus.... I am officially interested in this world]

Neela watched me nod my head and grin to myself for a bit before clearing her throat and continuing.

"Ahem.... Crom. Ive been meaning to ask you about Dina. You looked into her eyes right?"

"....Yes.."

"Did you feel strange at all?"

"Calmer I guess. She has very pretty eyes."

Neela glanced at Bols and drew her brows together in thought. She leaned back in her chain while rubbing her chin and muttering to herself.

"....mutter......couldn't move for days........mutter.."

"What was that?"

"Crom dear... What color were her eyes?"

"Just now you said.."

"Her eyes Crom"

I wanted to say purple but I didn't know the word for it here. I thought for a bit and replied.

"Like the color of the clouds near the western peaks at sunset. There were lights moving about inside."

"So you remember..."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Because nobody else does."

Neela stared at me for a few seconds and then nodded to herself.

"Crom. Close your eyes and hold out your hand. Keep them closed until I tell you to open them."

I hesitated a moment but they didn't appear to have any ill intent toward me. I stuck my hand out across the table and closed my eyes. After a few seconds I felt something warm and smooth drop into my hands. It felt quite nice. It was maybe two pounds. Heavy for its size. I tried squeezing it. No give at all. Must be a stone or something. I could hear Neela sigh.

"Open your eyes dear."

I did so and was shocked to find myself gripping a glowing ball of fire. I screamed and dropped it. The ball rolled across the table leaving a black scorch mark and small flames on the wood. Bols released a growling chuckle as he scooped up the flaming little ball and tossed it back into the hearth. I stared at my hand expecting to see a charred ruin. I was unharmed.

"What was that!?"

"Wraithstone. Burns hot enough to melt steel. Cant be doused once aflame. Karshal use it for smelting." Bols explained.

"So why isn't my hand burned?"

"Because mine is not burned" said Bols.

"Your father means that the Naltus can not be harmed by flames or cold....within reason. Once your bones harden up like your fathers I wont have to worry about much in the way of injuries at least."

Bols suddenly clutched my hand and rubbed at the skin a bit. Releasing my hand he grunted his approval and pulled out his belt knife. He pulled a piece of hair from his head and touched it to the blade. The hair split instantly. The knife must have been razor sharp. He then casually reached back and slashed the blade across my chest.

"Wha!!?"

I fell back as the force of the hit tipped me and my chair on the rear legs. I lay there on the ground stunned. My chest was burning and I couldn't breath well. I gasped in a breath and groaned. The great shaggy head of Bols appeared above me wearing a huge smile.

[The mad f%cker killed me!]

"Not just bones" he said while pointing at my chest.

I felt for an injury and found none. With Bols helping I sat up and looked down at my chest. A faint white line stretched from my right shoulder to just under my left nipple. Bols held up the knife for my inspection. Its blade looked rounded and dull. I smiled to myself.

[I think I'm going to like this body]