Chapter 26: Clivent’s Bane (Part II)

'A reclusive dwarf, the smelly smith, the man of minerals.' I had run across him when I first arrived in the city about fifty years ago give or take. Walking the streets taking in the smell of rot and rust. I wallowed around hoping to find any sign of life. When all life ever did was pass me by.

A cycle that I have no one else to blame for but myself. The dwarf was also stuck in a cycle of his own doing. Beaten and bruised in an alley not far from Wall Street. He'd been robbed without a penny to his name. A Dwarf of silver hair down on his luck.

We aren’t friends or at least he would never admit it, unlikely us the friendly compatriots. A nasty personality and a strong spirit. I still don’t know to this day how he turned his luck around. Thankfully, he didn’t talk or spread any rumors about my skill set. That same alley is where the entrance to his home was now located. Didn't take him as the sentimental type. No one would ever choose to walk into a smelly alley even if it is home to the Best craftsman I'd ever seen and that's saying something.

Free of flaw, and forged using the finest metals. Sold at insane unaffordable prices. I can't tell you how he earns his coin.

Mainly because I never asked. 'In this city, you do well to mind your business.' Better, to manage your problems than owe someone else, or worse- I haven't learned my lesson to this day. How else could I have caught a falling star? Would today be the day the consequences of my actions caught up with me? To lose what I fought so hard to find.

Who knew that the death of one girl could carry so much weight?

So, I ran, jumped, and watched as the bustling city of Fallohar had gone silent. Citizens were cowering, battening the hatches, some had no place to run. Homelessness was an epidemic until the church extended its hand. Merchants were scrambling to get home, we all had one thing in common. All having somewhere we needed to be in so little time.

Previous events were eluding my senses. Death was in the air, that's what I knew for sure. Bodies lay across the city streets.

Arriving at the alley a frown found my face. I didn’t want to step on anything that would be compromising my image, Adi would be here for Adena in an hour or so and she would leave. I still had no clue where he disappeared off to in the night, but I had knowingly decided to make myself presentable whenever he would come.

I hoped he would understand given the emergency. Approaching the stone door frame in the shape of a circle, probably sturdier than steel. I knocked, ignoring the closed sign on the windowless wall. Forgetting that the only way into his shop required the smith's permission.

One hand to the door, the other holding the girl. I banged on the door again hoping that he would hear me or at least consider answering. Last time I checked Glothmin hated unwanted guests and was a big fan of telling people off.

The seventeenth bang on the door had done it. A green-slitted eyeball appeared on the center of the door. [Death’s Call] had warned me as soon as I saw it. The skill would pose a problem if Death continued to call before I could pick up. 'What enchantment could produce such an effect? It wasn't just a fear skill. This door was alive. I’ve been here over ten times to check in on Glothmin even when my company wasn't necessarily wanted. I had never garnered this reaction before.' Unable to plead my case with Adena in my arms. Running was my go-to option.

“Oh, it’s just you.” A familiar voice from behind the door prompted the slitted eyeball to close causing the door to open with a creak.

“I didn’t think you cared so much for my well-being besides the occasional visit. The lone wolf comes to my doorstep once again if you came by more often, I would consider you a stalker. I am an old man with a mute admirer. Huh, my how the times do change.” The door had opened but all there was to see was pitch black. Glothmin’s voice was coming from the store, but I couldn't see anything past the door frame. From his voice he wasn't happy to see me nor was Glothmin ever.

“You were close to losing your life, the new appearance almost cost you mongrel. So, what brings you to my shop Oh, would you look at that you’ve brought a guest.” Glothmin seemed unamused. The voice of the old man expressed lethargy that was nothing but an act. No one could sleep through whatever was going on in the city.

Rolling Adena to my biceps I freed my hands to communicate.

“I need your help!” I signed, trying not to show any further signs of weakness. Glothmin was a Dwarf as far as I could tell and a merchant to boot. He’d probably already smelled my tears telling him a bargain was to be made.

“Come on in.” At those words, the pitch black of the shop had been allowed light on cue.

His voice was strong, for an old man, still holding a long-dead youth.

Five feet away from the door stood a Dwarf under five feet high with silver hair and beady blackened eyes. I hit Adena with another blast of [Hand of the hearth] as I walked through the door. I could feel my mana drain away, it was almost more than I used on myself before I had met him.

[Hands of the Hearth] is maxed!

“You can stop trying to heal her, it won't work.” Glothmin was talking to me, but I wasn't going to stop trying even if it was futile. I’d try every skill that could help remedy this situation.”

“From the looks of it, the young girl you’ve kidnapped is quite unlucky. Where are the parents? You can’t expect someone of her breed to allow her to slip away. What’s going on with your body? You haven’t classed up since I last saw you, but you seem almost two hundred years younger spill!” The usual pleasantries of him hitting me on the back took a backseat to his curiosity.

“I don't know exactly how that came about” I signed, trying to reveal as little information as possible.

“Ha ha ha you smell like a man in love. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you found a mate. The lone wolf is not so alone anymore, follow me, boy.”

“How do you?... Please help her.” I signed, trying my best to speed up his slow pace. It was odd, a dwarf who could smell so much, I didn't think dwarves were good for smelling anything other than rare metals and fortune.

“Her Mother maybe? A [Human girl] with an unusual smell, from the looks of it she’s amid possession, what's even odder there are no signs of the act. Not a Spiritual remnant in sight, and no high levels of ambient mana. Only the bodily signs of possession. Puzzling.” I never took Glothmin as an expert on spiritual possession.

“So, who’s captured the heart of the lone wolf, you've changed? I see, I don’t expect someone of your level to have an immortality skill. And you acquire my help? I'm sorry, boy I thought you knew me better by now. Clivent what are you hiding?" Following behind Glothmin like he had asked, I was anxious feeling the activation of a skill when he asked the question.

[Life’s line] is Maxed!

[Facade] is Maxed!

“Glothmin I can feel whatever skill you just used. I'm disappointed a deal is to be made after you tell me how you plan to help her. I’ll bargain only if and when you save her or help to the best of your ability.” I hated this situation. It was the first time Glothmin had shown his greed. What caused this change?

“Fine, since I like you. Oops, I’ll help but first, what can I do for you and what can be done in return? This city is making my skin quiver with delight. So much happening at once a delicious deal walks to my doorstep and out of all the people it's you.” Should I ask him about the city or would that cut in on the deal?

“The city” I simply stated.

“Sit the Human on the table, take a seat, let's discuss" Trying to hide his smile. Glothmin only talked and I listened before today, I’d never asked him for anything. Never did he use his skills on me, but I could see and hear him trying to use his skills. The first was to sway me by ear, and the second was to make himself seem more charismatic. Probably the same skill there was no way to know for sure. His change of character rubbed me the wrong way.

“Can you stop?” I asked sitting Adena’s cold body down gently enabling the use of both of my arms. I made sure she was in grabbing distance and closest to me. After today I would see Glothmin differently. Maybe that was a good thing in the long term.

“Fine, excuse my personality change, the scent of death on the air changes a man don’t you think? "At least he was aware.

“Okay, I believe... You want to know about the current state of the city. I’ll give you that information on the house. You know how much I love gossip.”

It’s true, it's why I stopped by now and then to catch up on rumors. No one ever came to the 'Alley Cat' behind Wall Street, but Glothmin always seemed to know what was going on in the city.

Smelling the air, "I wanted to know if you could smell death from outside." I said. Death wasn’t coming from the front door but from the one behind the counter. A shining sword resting on the display wall had been used to kill. Blood couldn’t just be wiped away without me noticing. A scratch on the counter that could barely be seen piqued my interest. Something went down here not too long ago. [Time’s tail] had its way of grabbing my undivided attention.

Glothmin had noticed my curiosity staring at the sword and moving to the right to observe the counter.

“I can explain!” he said. Putting his hands in the air and laughing. I still had no clue what was so funny.

“You know I'm the weak old smith often found beaten and bruised, in dirty dank alleys. Well, someone, or should I say something decided to prey on my fragile, unsuspecting, and drunken play. I'm a dwarf after all. What was supposed to be a hot, and steamy night took a turn for the worse. My savior this time around wanted more than what I was able to offer.”

“What do you mean? I signed.” Noting the lie when he said, “fragile, unsuspecting, and drunken.“ A play?

“It was a Lizard woman. Well, that’s what I thought until she tried to slip something down my throat along with her tongue. We were having so much fun until she showed her nature. After catching Her, It in the act, whatever she intended had failed. A skill of mine helped me incapacitate her.” He winked and laughed.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“A little interrogation, well a lot of interrogation and I got an idea of what was taking place in the city." I remained silent. Adena's condition couldn’t handle idle chat.

“The outer city more or less is under siege by monsters, some sentient monsters at that. First time for everything, I guess. It all started ten minutes after a powerful grand skill was activated. It was quite persuasive. Ha! Very persuasive!” He was laughing harder at the mention of a grand skill. This wasn’t a laughing matter; it wasn't funny in the least.

“Ah, cheer up Clivent. I don't know for sure if it was a grand skill definitely above Rank S. The words of a high tier being dealing divine punishment. Ethereal and full of hatred, those words were like a song that wanted to play forever trying to push me to do what I once decided not to. Tempting those words.” Glothmin talked like he witnessed history in the making, and I had slept through the whole ordeal.

“What did the skill do? What were the words!?” I was anxious probably for the second time today. My hands were about to move too fast to comprehend. I took a breath.

“Like the sirens of the myth told in tall tales by Mothers, bards, and Men only more deadly. A strong pulse of sound blew through the city even managing to make it in here such a feat. It was like a symphony wrapped into two words, a demand of death.” Glothmin knew how to tell a story. I couldn't wait to hear the words of a potential legend.

“What were the words?” I signed, finding my patience. Glothmin wasn’t worried about the girl. I could only assume that she was safe in his hands. If Glothmin wanted to make a deal. His leverage would have to be Adena’s life.

“You don’t seem worried about Adena so what were the words?” I asked, looking at the girl's black-haired head and closed eyes. 'What type of parent leaves their kids like this, aloe, defenseless-'

“You care about this child but it's not the care of a Mate. I assume it's a human woman, a shoe to match the lace. Seeing you practically in heat from what was once a sexless life is evidence enough. I wonder who’s the lucky lady or man I’ll know when I meet them, until then.” He stopped momentarily scratching his chin. Rare for a Dwarfman to shave the Beard. As for the Stones not so much-

“Kill Yourself,” Glothmin spoke. My guard was up, unsure if he was joking the way he looked at me.

“Whar?” I voiced by mistake, I was taken aback but I could not flinch.

“Wow, one surprise after another, you can even talk now! Or were you just hiding that truth? No, you would have talked before now if you could. Those were the words of death that killed countless citizens.” This was ridiculous, there's just no way this could happen. “If you paid attention, all the garbage in the alley was on the left side opposing my store. The voice came from the direction of the Adventurer's Guild. Even from here, I heard the words of power “kill yourself” and I relived- a moment I was least proud of I admit that. The voice was indescribable, had to be, to lull someone as high level as me.” His tone had grown solemn; his face was stiff.

“It was a command to kill myself. So I was spared. Hearing the song of death. I knew I was safe; the words weren’t for me. As for the city. People don't live in the best conditions, no one, not even children can resist such an effective method of killing.” Glothmin was rubbing his hands together trying to stop himself from shaking I don’t think he noticed as he spoke.

“The song starts with what you once desired and ends with what is left to be desired. Weighing the two against each other would be a real challenge, especially for the weak of heart and mind. I could feel the words tugging on my "old" bitter heartstrings, shaking me to my core I'll never forget.” He hadn’t lied. If it was four days ago, I would have met my demise and suffered the same fate as the rest of the city. Had I changed so much in four days?

“Oh, you would’ve been a goner! I see how you come and go holding your head down, unable to look me in the eye on some days well, until today. Whoever restored you did a spectacular job. A bitter dark and brooding soul full of self-loathing. No will to live. Now you shine. I mean look at that fur, your eyes, a new voice, a healthy physique with heavy bells to match. Little Wolf, besides the bad posture still in development. Clivent Bane I could just eat you up!”

[Deaths Call] had warned me about what was supposed to be a joke. I couldn’t show fear. These two were depending on me. Adi wherever he is-

I looked Glothmin dead into his black eyes. As I looked at him. His right eye started glowing faintly, the eyes of a predator.

Somehow the old Dwarf had grown a foot, was this his real form? He now looked like a human his tanned skin from the fires of the forge didn't change, and neither did his muscle mass. His tan skin of orange seemed paler and Glothmins' right eye had taken on a shade of red his pupil had developed a slit.

He may be a Dwarf but now I wasn't sure if that was all that meets the eye.

“Let's get down to business, Clivent Bane. Fallohar is indeed a kingdom, and all kingdoms eventually fall. I could enthrall you? eat you? But no, you see, I like you. I won't do that, you're a good wolf. The only one to come for my company. Never falling into my trance some skill, you have. Castration. You don’t seem to be scared, Clivent Bane.” Glothmin had changed his appearance and demeanor seamlessly.

I have been an Adventurer for over a hundred years with a second tier [Fear resistance] in my resume. One of the abilities that trumped the fact that I was mute.

“Well, I’ve been here countless times, you haven’t tried to kill me before now. What's changed?" I signed. [Fear resistance] was in full effect, hopefully, I could call his bluff.

“You got me. Ha ha ha! Old lad I did say I liked you!” he wiped a tear of blood from his right eye.

“I may have to kill you though I'm not going to monologue. I’ve learned my lesson over the years." And this is why I mind my business.

"What do you have to offer me? The girl is in the process of being possessed by something powerful, stronger than me. You haven’t noticed but time works differently here in this shop. It’s even freezing the garbage outside. Takes a strong soul to not have been consumed. That’s all I can say. My solution could kill her. It depends. What’s this human’s level of vitality? She can't have chosen a class to still be Identified as a [Human girl], and she's too young to be offered her Title as a Citizen.” She was in grave danger this whole time. I'm such an idiot I should've known better. A little over fifty years I’ve known him.

“I don’t know her level or vitality. If I were to guess, most likely be a little over ten stat points. I'll know if she’s in danger whatever your solution is.” I hadn't known her long enough to exchange such information.

“Don’t know why I asked, it's obvious she hasn’t chosen a class. I simply can't see her soul, so I wondered because that's usually a sign that you’ve lost the battle of body and mind, but the soul whatever it is, still wants to inhabit her. Luckily you made it here, can’t gather any more energy. Quite lucky but you're running out of time. My love is starting to feel the cold.”

"If we’re running out of time, why wait?" I asked trying to appear unbothered by his sudden transformation.

“What do you have to offer Bane?” A breeze of air came blowing from his direction trying to loosen my mind. What did I have to offer? I couldn't lie.

Think Clivent. Staring into Glothmin’s eyes I turned off my fear skill. I've seen darker eyes than his. Looking into the glowing red eye and the dwarven dark brown on the left I breathed out and signed for my life.

“I assume that you're higher than tier five more or less. Number one I offer you your life.”

He looked at me in wait. I could feel his killing intent pressing down on me, but I wanted to die before now. I was sure my life wouldn’t end here. It would be another cause for laughter if the situation wasn't so dire.

“Touching the girl in any non-beneficial way to her health and wellbeing would automatically spell death for the both of us. I don't know how we would die but it would be soon probably before the day is over. Our deaths won’t be merciful.” I shivered at the thought. “Number two, I still consider you a friend. I don’t have many alive in this world. I'm very unfortunate that you should know. I’ll leave this city with you if you would allow it. Nothing here in Fallohar City I’ve grown attached to, not even her. Saying that my life would be forfeit if she was harmed under my watch.” It was a certainty, however uncertain my words may have sounded. However uncertain I may have felt.

[You have found your Life’s line Nothing acknowledges your lines Inexistence and {Oath}]

The notification was there to prove my words true at least for me. I didn’t know much about the boy whether he was Human or not. Even my system and skills acknowledged him as a [Being] of most importance.

Replying to his simple question “Will you live for me?” Had created an {Oath} something not easily accomplished by just anyone. From what I remember '{Oaths}' in this world were forged in blood, and contract, by kings, leaders, and dedicated Classers. How could a six-year-old boy establish an {Oath} with me no less?

Maybe my [Life’s Line] had come. Though it may take longer to develop a friendship with his sister. I wish to see the girl as my line does.

To Adi, Adena was of the highest importance. He may conceal the truth now and then, but he did not lie about where he put his sister in his book of priorities. She is a “secret” that I had to keep. That's all I would know and that's all I needed to know our lives were already linked.

“You have changed. Even turning off your fear resistance skill. Shaking like a log, I guess I'll give you a break.” The constant chill down my spine had subsided. Now if the girl could be tended to before the cold she was emitting seeped into the bone.

The room was getting hotter. “I wonder who you work for to be this dedicated to saving a Human girl. Most survivors are usually cowards, the scum of Candralt, or tasty snacks. I don’t know about the both of us dying but you seem sincere. I have never been lied to by you. The only problem is you haven’t offered anything. I can release her back into the city and keep my life. Following your advice, I can throw her on the street and still keep you.” He had found nothing but truths in my words.

“What will you bargain with, Clivent Bane times ticking?”

“Is there anything I can help you with in turn? You can’t have snuck into this city under human disguise only to pick off the Kin and dwarves.” A favor goes a long way/

“I see old age has served you in some areas, you are right Clivent I'm an Oldman myself even though appearance says otherwise at the moment. I trust you as far as I can throw you. So, I’ll tell you that I've come to the city of Fallohar for fortune. Of course, I'm probably not the only one. Not the only one. Ha, an impossible task stealing from the Dwarves.”

“Why? Aren't you powerful as is?” I signed.

“Wrong, I have goals, power is key to everything. The kingdom is weakest this winter. A smith requires knowledge to advance. Connect the dots.”

“If you needed my help, you could’ve just asked without doing all this.” I was tapping my pawed foot and it was getting hotter in here. It wouldn't be long before [Pain Resistance] took effect.

“Yes, yes, let's get to the meat and bones. I’ve been expecting you Cliven’t you see you're in league with another monster of a man besides myself who hides exceptionally well. Do you want to guess?” I was actively listening refusing to communicate any further.

“Fine, that Gatarn fellow of yours is a conqueror of old. A gray parasite plays a role as a cog in the wheel. Soon he’ll reveal his true identity. It's hard for high-tier beings to hide their disdain for mortals. His killing intent itself is a swift death, If you can help me deal with him.”

“I can't see it. I can't see a reason he would harm the very guild he's spent over fifty years-” I stopped signing mid-sentence.

“Correct, He wants both your experience and the treasures of old along with everything else in between. I'm not a good person, I admit that. For example, a child should never be left all alone, even though I am tempted. I’ve never eaten a child. I like my meals with some experience on their bones. Infidelity tastes sweet, murderer’s meat, I can go on. At least I'm not completely evil. I eat to survive.” He was trying to persuade me, and it wouldn't work. Gatarn, thee Admissible is accepted by all, even the Dwarves allow him on the Council. He would never. I’ve known him for more than fifty years. That’s impossible. I’ve made runs for him a handful of times his smile was genuine!"

“You don't believe me, right? Tell me what name does he go by these days?” I raised my hands to respond.

“Gatarn the Admissible” I signed.

“Gatarn thee Admissible,” Glothmin said aloud copying me.

“Admissible"? Have I told you how he plays his role and becomes a cog in the wheel of kingdoms? This is the start, the cause of the downfall. To do that he has to be accepted by all, even convincing himself along the way. No matter how hard he tries he can't shake his hatred for mortals, though mortal. He tirelessly seeks to show mortals such as the Kin, Humans, Dwarves, and everything in between that he is superior in every aspect. A man is still a man. Prideful, arrogant, greedy, I can smell his lust for whoever spoke those two words. He thinks so highly of himself that he doesn’t even try to hide his identity.”

Maybe Gatarn has the skill to help further deceit, but it's possible that he could have lied. No, I would have noticed this can't be true. Glothmin was lying.

“Even now you’re jumping through hoops to believe his lies. His real name is Geatran the Conqueror from what I can tell he’s the most powerful man currently residing in Fallohar City. The most powerful man that I know of. I told you how arrogant and prideful he is. Tell me, how many times has he slipped up for you to brush off his words like they're nothing? The man is pictured in history books with four arms standing on countless bodies. Tell me, what stands out on the gray-skinned giant of a man?”

I believe him, I was hesitant at first but I believe him.

“Tell me Clivent how he slipped up.” A smile appeared on the face of the Dwarf-Man who was twisting my belief in another long-term friend. But if Glothmin could get one over on me why couldn't Gatarn?