"I've never seen a card-ability like that," Irwin muttered.
He gazed at the tall, heavily armored man with spiky golden hair who was charging the portals at the head of a group of other warriors. The pale Galubs were focus-firing on him, but each time one of the blue crackling balls hit the warrior, a shell of light appeared, absorbing the ball. Perhaps more importantly, the warrior's massive two-handed sword began glowing brighter each time this happened.
"It's a-" Daubutim began just as the warrior swiped his sword in a long arc at the demons.
Whatever Daubutim wanted to say was lost in the thunderous crackling of the wave of lightning that swept away from the edge of the blade. It rippled and crackled through what remained of the pale-skinned Galubs, or whatever they were.
Irwin wiped the spots from his eyes and saw that the other guards had slowed down. He wondered if they were as much in awe of what had happened or were staring like him at the many dozens of blackened, twitching bodies before the portals.
Whatever the guards must think, a few moments later, two groups of six rangers in leather armor, two with large cat-like pets, ran up from behind the guards. They had bags on their backs and weapons in hand, but thats where the similarities ended. One group was made up of heavily armored, large weapon-wielding warriors, with the lead person having a giant gleaming bird on his shoulder. Those with the cats were also in this group, but both stopped before the golden-haired man. After a few moments, they took something from him, then jumped through the two portals, disappearing in a flash.
"It's a lightning absorption retaliation skill," Daubutim said softly. "It's a rare card. My father has a similar one, though he projects balls of lightning from his shield when he uses it."
A rare battle card, Irwin thought, staring wide-eyed at the warrior.
He'd seen rare-cards, or at least their outlining or after-effects before, but never a true battle card. All he knew of those were stories and rumors about the rangers and guards around the capital or near the peninsula wall that Bronwyn told him.
The yellow-haired leader had stabbed his sword into the ground, lightning still crackling along its edge occasionally.
It's a bit like my fire body. I wonder if there's a fire version? It would be great if I could absorb heat to keep myself warm, Irwin thought as he imagined absorbing heat. Wait, didn't his flame allow him to absorb heat and grow? It was only temporary, but perhaps he could somehow use that? He had to combine his cards into one, afterall! What if he combined the heat absorption with his Coperion Body? He'd have to ask Ambraz.
"They've spotted us. Stay calm, and don't forget who you are, Orwin," Daubutim said, laying heavy emphasis on his new semi-fake name. "Ambraz, stay hidden away."
"Right, right," a bored voice rumbled from Irwin's pocket.
Irwin blinked as he watched the group of riders heading their way. They were riding Cindermares, tall, beautiful, four-legged, and fast. He'd seen images of those but never one in person. All he really knew was that they were the counterpart of the Charbulls but used by the nobles to ride.
Rare battle cards, Cindermares... what else am I going to see? He wondered.
The loud thudding of the hooves stopped as they slowed a few dozen feet from them. The lead rider was a black-bearded man with sharp blue eyes and heavily muscled, bare arms. A full-hand of combined cards sparkled on his left hand, and a single darker one sat on his right. He pointed one of his fingers at them.
"State your name and business!"
Daubutim stepped forward, his eyes suddenly sharp, and his demeanor changed.
“I am Daubutim Coulwater, youngest son of Lord Doldingen Coulwater of Caldangen. I am escorting my cousin, Orwin, soon-to-be Coulwater, to our Esterdon tower guard outpost. We got into trouble on our way and had to fight off monsters from a surge."
The man's eyes sharpened, and Irwin thought he saw something pass in them. Then it was gone, and he gracefully dismounted and stepped closer to Daubutim.
"And what, Daubutim Coulwater, is your business here? Esterdon is a good way from here," he said softly. Irwin saw his gaze dart to Daubutim's hand, and his eyes widened slightly.
"We lost most of our supplies, and my friend got seriously injured. We are here to rest, recover and resupply," Daubutim said coolly.
It keeps surprising me when he does that, Irwin thought as he gazed at his noble friend from the side.
"I see. Well, you are lucky to have reached us, but I fear your journey is going to have to wait for a while," the man said as he motioned his hand. "If you would kindly follow us to the keep, Lord Bron will explain."
The riders moved forward, flanking them, and Irwin swallowed.
"What is the meaning of this," Daubutim said coolly.
"It's not up to me to explain, young lordling," the man said. "Just kindly follow us."
Daubutim fell quiet, and Irwin could see he was struggling. Before Daubutim could do or say something that could make their lives more difficult, Irwin quickly stepped forward. "Let's just go with them, Cousin Daubutim. I am sure the Lord can explain."
As odd as it felt to call Daubutim cousin, the noble seemed to take it in stride, simply nodding.
"Fine."
The man's demeanor relaxed as he took a step back.
"Right, let's head back before another surge happens," he said before getting back on his Cindermare.
As calm as he sounded, Irwin noticed that two of the riders remained behind them at all times as they slowly made their way to the walled town.
He'd expected Degonda to be a small, quiet enclave, but as they closed in, he got a few looks through the open gate and saw the narrow streets bustling with people.
As they reached the open gate, a hubbub of wounded guards, rangers and dozens of others moved around hectically, busy taking care of the wounded. A hard-faced ranger with a long ponytail moved along with them, staring at the bare-armed guard leading them.
"Hutch, where did you find these youngsters?" she asked with a smirk. "Don't tell me you were out searching for replacements while we were getting knocked around?"
The rider huffed but ignored her, which didn't seem to bother the ranger.
Irwin noticed the woman stare at Daubutim and him intently, her gaze on their hands. He had to force himself to resist putting it behind his back, instead staring back at her when she examined his face.
"You look like you were used to start a campfire, boy!" the woman said. "No matter, I'm sure with three cards, you'll be either sent to me or the guards!" She laughed, and her eyes twinkled while Irwin stared at her, dumbstruck.
Sent to her groups? What?
"Myda, be quiet! They have not yet spoken with the Lord."
"The Lord? Since when do new-"
"Since one of them is a Lordling himself," Hutch said as he stared at her. "Now. I think you need to get your rangers ready. There are a half dozen more portals that need closing!"
"Right, right. Man, such a tight-ass," the woman muttered. She winked at Irwin before turning away and heading to a group of rangers standing nearby.
"Don't mind her," Hutch said, looking at Daubutim. "She still hasn't gotten used to her new responsibilities."
When Daubutim didn't respond, he shrugged and rode to the side of the wall beside the gate. He dismounted in a smooth movement and handed the reins to a young guard.
"Take her to the stables and rub her down. She's had a tough day and likely more to come," he said before turning around and beckoning them to follow.
Trudging across the muddy ground below the gate, Irwin was surprised to see people sitting there, staring dully at their knees. Most wore barely more than rags, and all of them had wounds of some sort. The almost silence that hung was filled with sighs and moans.
When they moved back into the open, it wasn't much better. Rickety wooden buildings and tents filled a cobblestone square, and more bedraggled people wandered or sat everywhere. The soft muttering and occasional shouts of pain made for a horrible view.
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Around the square, he saw that dozens of buildings were under construction. Second stories were being built on older buildings.
"We are trying to fit all the refugees from the surrounding towns inside," Hutch grunted at him. "We normally only have around two hundred people here, and right now, there are over two thousand."
Irwin swallowed as he looked around, wondering how many surges had even happened.
There are usually a few per year, but this... It is horrible!
"Don't worry. We will be fine here. When all of this happened, a small group of hand-and-a-halves were here. I think you saw them enter the portals before."
"The ones with the companion cards," Irwin said softly.
"Aye. Strong ones those, though nothing compared to Basil! Such a shame that higher carded can't clear lower portals. We'd just send that monster in and he'd rip them all closed within a few days," Hutch said before barking a weary laugh.
Irwin didn't respond, and they continued on quietly.
Two long streets later, they followed Hutch toward the central tower. Up close, it became truly evident how massive it was, with two lower buildings attached to it that were wide enough to be comparable to the Malorin school building.
Or are as big as the housing block we lived in, Irwin thought as he looked up at what had to be a ten-story tower. Definitely higher too. Malorin had some high buildings in the castle, but nothing compared to this. He looked at Daubutim to see what he thought, but the noble was staring straight ahead with a slightly worried frown. Either he'd seen similar or was too preoccupied.
Another guard came stomping towards them, splattering mud everywhere. He had a wide grin on his unshaven face, and his hair stood out on all ends. Like Hutch, he had no sleeves on his otherwise armored body.
"More new'uns, I see? Want me to bring them to the barracks then?"
"No, maybe later. They need to speak with the Lord first," Hutch said, bumping fists with the other guard.
"Oohhhh, like that, huh? Tell me about it later. I've got some new recruits to show what's the pointy end and why sometimes daggers beat bastardswords or fists beat both!"
Hutch barked a laugh, then shook his head. "Ah, fun times. We can drink on it tonight, perhaps forget our woes."
"I'll keep you to that," the other guard shouted joyfully as he moved away.
The tower entrance was guarded by two sword and shield-wielding guards that nodded at Hutch while inspecting him and Daubutim closely. They didn't ask them for their weapons, which Irwin thought made sense. People with weapon cards could hardly be required to unslot them, and compared to those, regular weapons were probably uninteresting.
"Scrape the mud from your boots," Hutch said as he moved to an odd wall with wooden outcrops. He began wiping the bottom of his boots and the sides. "The lord doesn't like the mud."
Mum would agree, Irwin thought as he copied Huch's movements as best he could. He'd never done it before, and with his boots caked by days on the road, it was a messy affair. To his surprise, Daubutim managed it easily, as if he'd done the act a thousand times.
"Right, that'll have to do," Hutch finally said when he had been at it for a while.
Five minutes and a dozen rooms and hallways later, the rugged guard shoved open a towering wooden door, and they stepped into a large room. Maps hung from most of the walls and a massive table dominated the center. A small rendition of a hilly landscape stood on it, and as Irwin stared at it, he saw a small version of what had to be Degonda in the center.
It's more like a small city than a merchant outpost, Irwin thought as he unconsciously stepped closer to the table, inspecting the beautifully crafted tiny version of the outpost.
"Hutch. Good, I need you to take your riders to the Grinning Man's hilltop. There's a rumor that another uncommon portal popped up there, apparently, without being common first. I'd say its Cindermare shit, but with all that's going on? Take one of the ranger groups and close it if you find it!" a soft voice said, seeming to emanate from the table.
Irwin jumped in surprise. Then he saw someone almost draped over it, his nose almost glued to a paper.
"Of course. But one moment, my Lord," Hutch said. "You have guests."
The man looked up with a surprised gaze in his steel-gray eyes, then rose, and Irwin was surprised when he seemed to keep rising. When the man finally stood fully erect, Irwin gaped at what had to be the tallest man he'd ever seen. Gaunt, pale, and with baggy eyes, the man radiated sleeplessness.
"What? Hutch, I'm busy. Can't you have Basil take care of this?" he said as he glimpsed at Irwin and Daubutim, his gaze lingering on the latter. Suddenly they widened, and without another word, he moved around the table, staring closely at Daubutim.
"You look familiar. That jawline, the hair color... yes.. yes. Some young lordling, but not exactly the one I've seen, a sibling perhaps. Ah! That's it! Are you one of Coulwater's brood?" he asked, stopping a step away from Daubutim, leaning forward slightly as if he couldn't see properly.
Daubutim took a tiny step back, dipped one knee slightly, and leaned forward with an arm crossed before his chest in a single, smooth motion. "Lord Larzen. It is an honor to meet you. My name is Daubutim Coulwater, youngest son of Lord Doldingen Coulwater of Caldangen."
"Ah, you're the one whose blood got mixed with a Diflor! The odd one," Bron said.
He sounded curious as he moved even closer, seeming not to notice Daubutim's stiffened face or the drop of his shoulders.
"Yes, I've read about you! Always wanted to have a look at you and your condition! Is that why your father sent you here? Bad timing on his part, I'm afraid." Bron shook his head before sighing wearily. "Got no time for research these days. Or for anything at all, really."
"No, Lord Larz-"
"Call me Bron. Or Lord," Bron said as he raised a finger, his eyes narrowing.
Irwin didn't think he looked angry, more… annoyed, maybe.
"Yes, Lord," Daubutim said. "As I was saying, I am just traveling through. I am en-route to bring my new nephew, Orwin, to the family estate for training."
Bron looked at Irwin, who could feel the others' gaze run over him, seeming to scan each part of his burned-down leather jacket and pants. He suddenly felt far more conscious of his ragged apparel compared to the other three in the room. Even Hutch, as ready for battle as he seemed, was wearing far higher quality clothes than he had, even if they hadn't been burned.
"Right. And you got caught in a forest fire on the way here?" Bron said with a raised eyebrow. "Either way, it matters not. I'm afraid your family and good Orwin here will have to wait. I see you both have three cards? And do I spot an uncommon one there? Good, good. I can't have you leave, Daubutim," Bron said as he looked at Daubutim closely.
He raised a hand when the other began to speak. "No interruptions, please. We have some serious issues here… well everywhere. Besides that, it wouldn't be safe to send you anywhere with the dozens of portals, and Yilda knows how many surges in between here and… well, anywhere else, really. No, I'm afraid I'll have to ask that you assist my guards in securing Degonda first."
Irwin knew instantly it wasn't a question, no matter how it was framed, and he felt his heart sink in his stomach. It also made little sense. How was it safer for them to help close uncommon portals compared to heading to Daubutim's family? From what he'd seen from common portals, uncommon portals had to be nearly impossible! Was he going to get stuck here, sent out to close rifts after he'd barely escaped from the sorcerers?
Before he or Daubutim could say anything, Lord Bron swirled back around and seemed to focus on the table.
"Now. Bring them to Basil and tell him to add them to one of the guard squads," he said. Then he stopped and cocked his head at the table as if spotting something odd. "Right. Seeing as at least one of them is a lord, free up a room in the tower for them. Yes. And get someone to train them too."
Seeming content, Bron nodded as he moved to the table. "Now leave! I need to figure out how to close two uncommon portals on opposite sides of Burdid valley with a surge in between."
Irwin was dumbly staring at the man as he went back to leaning over the table, an uncomfortable silence now hanging in the room.
"You better follow me," Hutch whispered, and Irwin looked up to see him beckon them.
Daubutim was staring in the distance with a dull gaze, and Irwin shook himself out of his own worry. Daubutim was the only thing keeping them from being treated like everyone else. If they found out he had issues... He quickly grabbed the noble's arm, gently pulling him along. He was happy when Daubutim merely looked down, nodded, and followed him.
After Hutch closed the door behind them, he stopped and watched them long enough for Irwin to become uncomfortable. When he fidgeted, Hutch looked at him and grinned weakly.
"Well, we are going to get two fairly upset nobles in a few moments, I guess, but what's there to do? Follow me, and let's see who will cause the least fuzz when we tell them they need to shack up for the foreseeable future."
Irwin wasn't sure if he was supposed to say anything, so he quietly followed the guard through the tower. They went further up, passing a long open corridor with dozens of rooms. Grunts and angry curses came from inside, together with the clashing of metal and wood. Irwin took a quick look inside and saw dozens of men, young and old, swinging swords, maces, axes, and staves, either at each other or at odd wooden contraptions that vaguely resembled monsters.
"Eager? I like that. But you need to get some better clothing and rest before you go practice," Hutch grunted.
Irwin saw the guard, and Daubutim where watching him from near another corridor. Turning slightly red, he quickly followed them.
Eventually, they reached a quiet area of the tower, and by now, Irwin was completely lost. Worse, even though the well-dusted, light gray floors and brazier-lit walls were nothing like the darkness of the Galub portal, it still reminded him of it. Not a happy memory.
"Alright, whatever happens in a moment, don't interfere or make as much as a peep," Hutch said as he stopped before a simple but sturdy pale wooden door. "Got that?"
Irwin nodded, and Daubutim gave a curt nod.
Hutch stared at the door, and for a moment, Irwin thought he saw a nasty grin pass over his face. Then he thudded his fist on the door louder than was necessary. A startled shout came from inside, followed by curses as something clattered on the ground.
"What is it?"
Irwin blinked at the high-pitched, unkind nasal quality of the voice.
"Lordling Joustihr Rindaw, please open the door. It's Headguard Hutch on orders of Lord Bron," Hutch snapped, and Irwin saw him frown at the door in annoyance.
"Wha- why, no, wait, darn. Right! One moment!"
A rustle, clattering and other sounds came and lasted for at least a few minutes, during which Hutch's face turned from annoyed to a carefully schooled, steely calm that Irwin found far more intimidating.
He reminds me of Randal just before he was about to flip, Irwin thought as he recalled the smith.
The door creaked open and a disheveled brown-haired youth, seeming a little older than Daubutim peaked out. His wrinkled white tunic seemed hastily put on, and he had dark stains on his face.
"Yes?" he asked carefully.
"Please open the door," Hutch said, not waiting and shoving the door forward.
There was a startled shout as Joustihr was shoved back. The door opened to reveal a single room with a bed pushed into the left back corner and three tables filled with vials, books, stacks of crumpled paper, and other items dominating the rest.
"What, by Gelwin's beard, have you done to these quarters!" Hutch shouted as he looked around in dismay.
"Well, I- you see," the young man began as he looked around and rubbed a stained hand through his hair. "Who told you? Was it Sebastian? That big oaf, I told him-" he muttered.
"Nobody told me anything, but this…" Hutch growled as he looked around, then he stepped towards the Lordling and stared him straight in the face. "You. Stay. Put." Then he turned to Daubutim and Irwin. "You two, wait here for a moment."
He turned and stomped out of the door, slamming it shut behind him.
As the loud footsteps faded, Irwin looked up to see Joustihr frown at them, turning to him and inspecting his clothing with interest.
"Err… so, I guess there's a reason for you two to be here?" he asked. "Mind telling me what's going on?"
"Lord Bron is looking to free up a room for us," Daubutim stated calmly.
That's one way of putting it, Irwin thought as he saw Joustihr's eyes pop open and face go slack.