The lead elements of the group had just cleared the boundary when I called for a halt and walked up to Arthur.
“I left some traps to guard the mine. We will need to go slow and no one can step off the path. I will disarm any that are directly in the way.” I told the large man.
“What kind of traps exactly are we talking about here?” He replied.
“Mostly trip wires connected to poppers. Poppers are,” I started to explain but he interrupted me.
“I know what they are, son, just take a head start and start disarming anything that we might accidentally set off. We don’t need any accidents here.” He gave me one of his intense looks.
Nodding and walking away I spent the afternoon disabling any traps in the way. Already thinking of coming back out to reset them later to maintain the defensive boundary. I was in sight of the mine when I heard a series of loud roars back towards the group. I sprinted back towards the main body of the Burch townsmen as fast as I could. Arriving just in time to see a tense standoff between a large pack of hyenas and the Burch residents.
The townspeople had formed a defensive perimeter around the more vulnerable people and were completely surrounded by the pack of hyenas. The first hyena to notice me let out a strangled cry that sounded like a half roar and half laugh. There was an answering cry from the rest of the pack as if they were talking to each other.
I triggered Identify on the one closest to me as it spun to face me while baring its teeth.
Forest Hyena - Beast - Level 10 - Health 50/50 - Non native to Eter. Aggressive beast that travels in packs, led by the pack alpha. These beasts carry diseases that live in their saliva and act as a poison.
“Stay back! Their saliva is poisonous!” I yelled out to the group. Hoping no one would try to be a hero and start the fight. Grabbing my bow and readying an arrow, I was completely taken off guard when a much louder cry sounded from behind me. Turning and seeing a massive hyena even larger than the event beast wave, I triggered Identify.
Forest Hyena - Intelligent Beast - Regional Beast Lord - Level 25 - Health 500/500
Confirming my suspicions that this was the new regional beast lord. It was a few levels higher than the last one had been when it was the cave bear. “Arthur!” I yelled to get the big man's attention.
“The big one is the regional beast lord, it’s the pack alpha. We have to focus on that one!” I shouted when he turned his head to look at me.
“Defend the rest of the group! We will take the beast lord!” Arthur shouted out to the remaining armed townspeople.
I saw Camile with a spear, her arms shaking as she stared down a hyena. Jerrel was beside her looking equally as terrified. Everyone looked shaken as I took stock of the situation. This was their third fight for survival in as many weeks, I knew how draining that was. I had to draw the beast lord away and hope the rest of the pack would follow.
Readying an arrow and taking a deep breath, I released and shot the beast lord in the shoulder. My arrow punched through its skin and it let out an enraged roar. It charged at me from across the distance and I used my favorite combat move. I ran.
Sprinting away from the beast lord in hopes to draw it away from the mine, I headed out south and then turned towards the deep forest. It was fast on my heels as we engaged in a game of cat and mouse. Slowing to let it get close and not lose interest it would lunge with its disgusting mouth dripping with poisonous saliva. This lasted for half an hour and the beast began to slow. It stopped chasing and let out a frustrated roar.
The beast lord stared at me for what felt like hours before turning and stalking away even deeper in the forest. I didn’t know the area that I had ended up in but I could use my map to find the mine. Worry blossomed in my chest as I desperately hoped the people of Burch had made it to the mine.
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It only took me a few minutes to make it to the clearing that lay in front of the mine. No hyenas showed themselves as I ran. Sighing in relief when I saw two of the townspeople standing guard in front of the wooden door as well as two up top on the outpost. Approaching the mine resulted in a wave of cheers and shouts. The residents of Burch surging out of the mine to greet me. Camile came forward in a dash and threw herself at me.
“We were so worried after you left! What happened? Did you kill the beast lord?” She asked from around my chest.
“I shook my head no and looked at the people gathered. The new regional beast lord is a level 25 forest hyena. It has 500 health and its saliva is poisonous. There may be a time we have to fight and kill it but not today.” There were a few of them spouting new wounds. “What happened after I left?” I asked her.
“The pack just circled us and followed us to the mine. It took us a little while to find our way and some of the hyenas started getting brave and trying to attack. Then there was a loud roar and they all turned and ran,” she replied.
Arthur was walking out towards me just as Camile finished explaining the events of the day. “Good job son, you really saved us back there. You're a good kid, Syl.” He said and gave me a solid thump on the shoulder.
“Thanks. Welcome to the Old Mining Camp, my home.” I replied with happiness, no one had died on the journey back. “I don’t know how this all works but you are all welcome to camp out in the common room. There are dormitories on the second floor. There isn’t much light but it is an old mine after all.” I explained.
“For us to use any of the functions of the town you have to offer to let us join it.” Arthur answered. “Do you know how to do that?” I shook my head no. “Ok, let's go to the town interface and I will explain everything.”
We walked back inside and through the common room to the tunnel that housed the interface. There were belongings and goods piled up in hazardous looking stacks all over the place. It would take a few days to get everyone settled.
“Ok. Now open the interface and select the town view. You will have the option to offer residency to everyone that's currently within its borders. In the future you can do it one person at a time if that will be easier. You can also assign roles and permissions to members of the town. I am a blacksmith as you know, so if you think of me and think of the role of blacksmith you will be able to assign it. It works like that for any roles that the town has available.”
The town interface showed me an option to invite everyone currently in my borders, which consisted purely of the mine, to become a resident. There was even an option to rename the mine. The roles tab was interesting, there were several roles available. Some were simple like guards and the trades, such as alchemist, and then there was the mayor. Making a snap decision I invited everyone in and named Arthur the mayor, gauging his reaction out of the corner of my eye.
“Syl, stop. This is your town, I’m not here to take it from you.” He said, giving me a reassuring smile. “This isn’t a power play, no one here expects you to give up control.”
“Arthur,” I started. “I’m an 18 year old kid who barely graduated from the academy before spending a month alone and acquiring titles that scare everyone. I don’t know how to run a town and I honestly don’t want to right now.” I bluntly stated before taking a breath and starting again. “ Everyone already knows you and it's clear that they respect and trust you. Maybe one day in the future I will be ready for the role but not right now. Please take it and help me, help us survive.”
“I don’t know Syl, doesn’t feel right to me. I’ll accept it for now but when you want it back all you have to do is ask.” He said after a few seconds pause.
“My only request is that no one disturb the grave by the tree outside. Place me as the town alchemist as well please,” another thought hit me “I’d also like to keep the foreman quarters for my own bedroom,” I sheepishly added.
“Agreed, Syl, agreed,” the big man said and then accepted the role.
It felt like a massive pressure was lifted off my shoulders after Arthur accepted the role of mayor and started planning out the sleeping situation. We talked about a few things, mostly the upgrades I had purchased and the dungeon level waiting to be explored. The mess hall was a welcome sight to everyone as Arthur quickly selected a cook who was able to begin preparing meals and skip the cost. 5 silver was a decent amount of money to the average citizen so it was nice that she could cook for free.
Wandering around and offering help where it was needed, I found myself standing in front of the falcons grave. I took off my pack and sat down with my back against the tree and took out the egg. Cradling it in my hands I triggered beast companion again with little hope for success. Maybe someone in the town would choose the beastmaster class when they leveled. There were so many questions I still needed to ask from the tutorial that I skipped, looking up for Camile I saw her helping get people settled and decided to leave her alone for now.
My eyes were getting heavy and I was about to drift off for a nap when I felt that strange sensation again. Like the soft touch against my mind I had felt when the falcon was dying. Hope tangled with grief as I looked down and realized the egg was shaking. I held it close as it began to crack and the smallest baby bird I had ever seen hatched out of it and gave a soft cry. I triggered Identify as tears tumbled down my cheeks.
Dusk Falcon - Intelligent Beast - Level 1 - Health 1/1