God damn, I don’t know why, but I was getting tired of it all.
Looking up, I stared at the five gargoyles crouching above the castle. That was my strength, that was my salvation. I couldn’t wait for the day I’d force my way through all this bureaucracy and decorum. The day when I’d be strong enough to, at the very least, let my voice be heard without it being immediately shut down.
When I used to live in the dead-ends I thought that with it I could at least be heard by the common person. But now that I had a class, my hair was always standing high. Always warry that what I did might get me put on another, stronger, class holder’s radar.
I now had to abide by the rules of the duke, the rules of war, rules were ever-present. At least if I leveled up my class, those rules might lessen.
But to level up, first I needed to figure out which gargoyle had which name. And the only other way to do so other than asking the nobles was here at the Red Rock inn.
Inns often had bars and the vast number of people passing through meant the owners often knew a thing or two.
Entering, I couldn’t help but notice the dust-filled air of the building and the not so hidden dust bunnies hopping around from corner to corner.
“Hi, welcome to the Red Rock inn.” Running out of a back room, a young kid greeted me. I couldn’t tell if they were a boy or a girl. They had long blonde hair which covered their eyes and their frame was so emaciated their silhouette matched that of a skeleton. Androgenous must have been their name.
“How much is it for a room?” I asked knowing I would probably have to stay a night or two. Well, the count’s men weren’t expected to reach Le Mans before next week. Even if I had to stay three nights, it wouldn’t be the end of the world.
“Two silvers Sir—”
That was rather expensive for this place. Was this all a scam run by the city guards. Ah I forgot to mention he referred me here, it might help. Still, I should have said that first. “Two silvers, that’s a bit much, I was told to come here by Daniel.”
“…” The kid’s mind blanked a few seconds before speaking up. “Yes, it’s two silvers for the night, plus food, and drinks.”
Did I really look that rich? “I’ll do two silvers for two nights, food, and drinks.”
“Ok, but no more than two cups a night.”
I nodded. Really, who did they take me for? “Show me to my room.” This was really bad service, I had to ask. “Who owns this inn, it can’t be you, can it?”
“It’s my mothers, she just went out to get food for tonight’s dinner.”
Following them down the inn’s hallway, I asked, “and what’s your name?”
“It’s Céline.” She unlocked a door before passing me a key. “This is yours, please give it back anytime on the day of your departure.”
The key was rusted—it could snap if dropped. “I was wondering about the city; do you know anyone that knows a lot about it?” I asked.
“The city? What do you mean? Like the buildings and stuff?”
“I suppose, how about the castle and church.” I didn’t want to make my intentions too clear. It would be weird when two gargoyles went missing in the next few days.
“Well, I know quite a bit if you would want to ask me.”
“Sure, tell me about the churches here. I’d also like to go pray so I was wondering which one I should visit first.”
“Of course, well since it’s your first time I would go to Justin’s cathedral, it’s built in honour of the founding saint of Le Mans, St Julian. It’s currently being remodeled but Bishop Vulgrin still does mass there every day. But if you want to pray in a quieter place, I would suggest Notre Dame de Sainte Croix. Personally, I think it’s just as beautiful as the cathedral so that’s where I go.”
“Is history your thing?” I asked. She seemed to know a lot more than she let on.
“I… I suppose, I always liked to listen to the passing adventurers and the library used to do story times for kids and anyone else who wants to go.”
“Is it because of the war?”
“No, they stopped doing it when the old count passed. Apparently, the staff was too busy with the inheritance and now the war.”
“That’s a shame. Hopefully, the war will end soon.” It should, shouldn’t it? Not only were our troops more determined, but we outnumbered the count’s men.
Stolen story; please report.
“Hopefully, it will…”
“Don’t worry too much, there’s no reason for the duke to destroy Le Mans. You should be safe.”
She didn’t say anything, perhaps I shouldn’t have said that, but I still needed to know about the gargoyles. “I also went to see the castle. It was nice, but what surprised me were those monster-like figures. Are those gargoyles?”
“Oh…yes, they’re gargoyles, what about them.”
“It’s just that we don’t see them in the countryside. Do they have names by chance?”
“They do.” She smiled. “But more than names they also have stories, they’re one of my favourites.”
I don’t know what it was, but there seemed to be more than just amusement in her smile. “What’s the story?”
“Um… it’s long and I don’t really remember them perfectly. I’d hate to get things wrong, especially since it has to do with the history of the Maine family.” She seemed flustered.
Well, it didn’t matter, I just needed to know one thing, and that was the gargoyles’ names. “But you can at least tell me their names, at least the biggest gargoyle?” I asked.
“Oh, yea, it’s Isa, the Queen of Protuberance.”
“Protuberance?” What an odd title. I needed to know the names of at least one of the two larger ones, but I couldn’t help but ask about the gargoyle’s title.
“Protuberance means to bulge in a way. It’s in reference to birth. She is the one who gave birth to Bale and Triss, the loving twins, and Hrenold and Ristole, the cunning rats, also twins.”
I’d never heard of titled gargoyles. I suppose this city had created a lore for them, “but why?”
“Why what?” She tilted her head.
“Why do they have stories aren’t gargoyles just decoration?”
“They are not.” She answered for the first time with vigour in her voice. “They’re our guardian angels. When the time comes, they will awaken and following the cry of the Queen, a thousand gargoyles will take to the sky and block the path of cinder!” Green flickered behind her blonde hair. Something wasn’t right. Was she a class holder?
“My fault, it’s just what I heard.” I didn’t know what powers she had.
“No, sorry, it’s my fault. I don’t know why but sometimes I get a bit emotional…” She bowed. “I’ll leave you be; food should be ready in three hours.”
#
I didn’t feel comfortable enough to leave my room right away. I couldn’t help but think of the green shine of the girl’s eyes and the words she had so vehemently yelled out. A thousand gargoyles will take to the sky and block the path of cinder.
I couldn’t help but associate this to myself, after all, who else could control gargoyles. Yet, a thousand was a ludicrous amount. No to mention this path of cinder. I couldn’t anything of it.
Opening my windows, I stared out to the castle. I could barely see the gargoyles from here, let alone interact with them.
I needed to head out but—
My stomach rumbled… I was hungry. That’s when the smell of beef stew floated up to my room. Had it already been three hours?
Heading down, I found the inn filled with various people. Some looked like your typical adventurer—young and poor, but filled with hope. Then there were the old run-down merchants, and unassuming tourists and pilgrims.
We were soon served our meals and while eating, I talked to some of the people at my table. They were also worried about the war, worried that the duke, having been given too many privileges now believed himself above the king’s authority. They feared he would try to expand his domain until the king stepped in, however, with the king being recently crowned and still getting his bearings, they weren’t too hopeful.
I didn’t say much, they weren’t wrong. The duke had grand ambitions and evidently, they weren’t being hidden. I wondered why. Not to mention he was spending so much on urban renovations and the like. If an empire was his will, then shouldn’t every penny go into the military.
Wasn’t it concerning that the duke who wanted to form an empire only had about five hundred men more than the count? Perhaps he was a genius when it came to engineering, but when it came to a matter of war and politics, he might still be a naïve young noble.
Regardless, there was no reason for me not to follow him for now. We would at least win this war.
#
Having finished my meal, I headed out.
The city was alive, but not joyous. There was no theatre, no street vendors, just people moving things around, getting ready for the siege. They didn’t seem too hurried, perhaps somewhere within their hearts they believed the duke would be stopped before reaching Le Mans, after all this was the counties’ capital. Its safety wasn't merely a tactical issue, but one of prestige and honour.
I got to the castle entrance just as the sun fell below it’s tallest tower. There, I looked at Isa, the so-called Queen of Protuberance.
Inspecting her closely, I could tell that her maker was something else. All her traits, whether human or not, meshed perfectly into her image. This elevated her from a devilish creation to that of a Godly beast; entirely whole with her image alone. Her creator was certainly a master amongst masters.
Isa, I wish to control you.
You have gained control of Isa, one of the ten original gargoyles crafted by the Patriarch of the Gargoyle Class.
You have gained a level.
Status
Gargoyle Craftsmen Apprentice (Level 1 class)
Level 13/15 --> Level 14/15
Vitality: 16/18
Strength: 10/16
Endurance: 12/18
Dexterity: 12/12
Mana: 17/18 --> 18/20
Abilities:
Absolute order (B rank):
Extensive gargoyle detection (B rank)
Control delegation (C Rank)
Dextrous hands (F Rank)
Additional information:
Gargoyles: Isa
Titles: Leader of Gargoyles
I couldn’t believe it. Not only did I gain one of the first gargoyles to have been created, but I also gained a level. I was so close to a class upgrade I could taste it, and it tasted sweet, yet also slightly metallic—cold, and dangerous.
“Isa, stay there, don’t move!” I didn’t yell, but I wasn’t quiet either. I didn’t want the people to report me to the authorities, but more than that I couldn’t have her move and alert the knights. I would surely die then.
Thankfully, Isa didn’t move, however, Hrenold, Ristole, Triss, Bale’s wings did, and their eyes burned a fiery red.
This wouldn’t be as easy as I hoped—I should have waited till night-time.