Chapter 123 A Curse.
I’m a curse, a malady!
I haunt your waking hours with dread,
Yes, you're correct, I'm only in your head!
I’m here to stay, I won’t go away.
For my ire you shall pay!
You are cursed you foul sod.
Mayan, the Ocean Fairy.
The world is red and hazy, it keeps spinning and shaking. I hear men shouting nearby. I attempt to sit up, and cough instead. This starts a coughing chain that ends with a metallic taste in my mouth. I turn on my side and vomit blood. I did receive the same curse as the orcs, it only works slower on me.
Where am I? I look around at what seems to be wooden walls. Feverish, I get up to my feet and stumble toward the only door in the small room. The floor beneath me shakes with every step. The door opens and Sharla enters. “You need to rest!” She guides me back to the bed.
"Taking care of me in my sickbed again, Sharla?"
She chuckles and tucks the cover over my feverish body. "Of course, Mistress."
“Where are we?”
“On a ship, headed for Red Cedar City. Salik told me to assure you that he’ll bring order to Apricot City. You need to focus on getting better, you need to rest. We think it’s physical exertion that triggers the curse. Every time one of the orcs gets out of bed and does too much physical activity they find themselves with blood pouring out of their eyes.” She grins madly, the edges of her lips almost crossing the border of what a human mouth would be capable of reaching in a smile. “They’re quite frustrated about it.”
“What about my belt and books?” My ectoplasm bottles! And the head of that monster in my belt! I hope they didn’t clean my belt…
“I’ve brought everything with us. Your books are in the drawer.” She points at a nearby night table which is nailed to the wall. “And your belt is intact, no one touched it.” Phew... “This is the captain’s quarters, he had to part with them,” she continues. “You can read, but try not to move too much. And avoid using magic or meditating for now, we don’t know whether it’ll trigger the curse or not.”
“It won’t,” I reply. “If it did, I’d be dead by now, thanks.”
I get Sharla to cook the brain of the monster and mix it into a normal meal. I eat the salted fish, trying not to think too much about the odd bitter taste that's mixed in it. I then gulp down all of my soul bottles. Considering the soul of the Marili serpent still hasn’t left my system, I’m brimming with mana. I'm not sure whether or not I'm imagining it, but if I add just a little bit more mana into my bloodstream I’d explode with wild violent magic.
It also feels as if something is stuck in my neck-bridge mana pool, like the way for more foreign mana into my body is blocked. I have to absorb it all somehow before I drink any more souls. I also have to unlock my grimoire if I am to have any chance at finding a curse breaking spell.
Meditation first.
I enter a deep trance and absorb the mana from my veins.
*
I wake up from my trance covered in cold sweat. I can't sink into a middle meditation with the odd effects in my body and the blockage in my neck-bridge pool. I keep waking up due to this dumb fever.
I float my grimoire to me, and eye the single glowing gem in a series of seven and the large egret that eyes me with familiar golden eyes. I only have to master five spells... why are there seven gems? She probably has some questionable plans for later when I research more spells... I'll have to be careful what spells I pick... I can't just use this book as a shortcut to all of my problems anymore... I'll have to focus on spells with good usage to them...
Let's focus on mastering gravity cantrips... It is my strongest affinity, and I don't want to drench this cabin in water...
How do I even start? Repulse? Pull? Light and heavy weight? Orbiter? The shield has layers of strength... But how can it be mastered? How do I break the limits to spells with clear described limits, how do I know which limits I can break and which are impossible to even try? Not to mention how alternation patterns just take care of most limits. I need to pick one... And I should pick it by what's useful to me... The shield is the one I use the most, I think... Even if the orbiter is more effective as protection because it does not restrict my movements... I want to master both.
The shield has higher layers that blocks energy... But I doubt mastering the lower cantrip ranks of the shield will block energy... Maybe it'd allow me to stay mobile while shielding myself? Maybe another feature I didn't think of... I could try casting the shield and moving it... what if I could move the shield with my mind? What if I could make this shield into a wall shaped barrier instead of the bubble shaped around me?
"Myrsha samir."
I keep trying until I run out of mana, then I turn to meditation, still unable to sink deep into my trance. I alternate between long boring meditations and my attempts at mastering the 'Lesser Shield' cantrip.
*
{28} Brigit (August) the 6th
I fully connect the water mana pool. The abundance of mana in my blood is pure ecstasy barely contained by my meditation. The moment I connect the water mana pool however, the odd feeling in my neck-bridge mana pool intensifies. I gasp for air, but air enters my lungs in a very limited fashion, as if something partially blocks my windpipe. My heartbeat quickens, the panic doesn't help my strained breath. I stumble to my feet and run toward the cabin's door. I need air, desperately!
"Mistress, you need to rest!" Sharla calls out behind me, but I ignore her.
I open the door and stagger out into the fresh air. I take a deep breath, filling my lung with much needed air. Hot acid lurches in my throat, threatening to spill out the content of my stomach.
"Your Majesty? Are you alright?" an elderly sailor asks with concern on his uneven face. His long white hair is held in a blue bandana and falls down on his blue overcoat in unkempt clumps. A pair of brown eyes observe me with a mixture of worship and worry.
"I'm fi..." *Cough cough*
*COUGH!!!*
I cover my mouth, but the acid doesn't care much about my hand as it leaves my lips. While it surely felt acidic in my throat, it doesn't hurt the skin of my palm. It's not even liquid like it felt.
A cloud of scarlet particles finds its way between my fingers, hitting the wide eyed elderly sailor directly in the face. I watch in horror as blood sprouts out of all of his orifices, all at once, and after time that feels like a long hour but can't have been more than five seconds, he leaves a skinny husk on the ship's deck. Just the left over of his skin, resting like a wet bloodied rag. No bones. No skull. No flesh. Just a skin. Snakes! I'm contagious. I didn't get it as bad as the others, but I can pass it to others! Snakes! Snakes!
"Sharlafynwynyeslun. I told you that the Queen is not allowed to leave the cabin." Jerro's cold voice jolts me.
I take a few steps back from him, too afraid to breathe, and it's hard to breathe, really hard to breathe, the large lump in my throat blocks half of my airway. I lean on the railing and turn my head toward the river at my side. I can't risk anyone with my lethal breath, especially not Jerro or Sharla. I cough freely toward the river, letting out all the crimson particles out of my throat.
"She just ran out, I couldn't stop her!" Sharla protests.
"This man. Alimor, son of Sihar. His death is on your hands Sharlafynwynyeslun," Jerro states without a hint of emotion in his voice. "He is innocent."
"Is that supposed to mean anything, weird human? I do not care for your god's ledger and mortals' lives are pea a dozen to me." I hear her mocking voice closing in behind me.
I cough another cloud of red blood particles toward the river water. "Sharla, don't get any closer! I'm contagious!"
"Shush you, you can't harm me." She places her hand on my shoulder. "Cough in my face, I'll prove it!"
"Are you snowy mad?! No!"
She turns my head to face hers with her right hand on my chin, her left presses on the odd lump in my throat, stimulating it into an unbearable itch. The cough follows before I manage to shake my head out of her hold, her fae fragile face and the upper section of her autumn dress are covered by these dark red particles, but as she promised, it doesn't harm her.
"I knew it!" she exclaims excitedly.
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
"You weren't sure?!" Is she insane?!
"I was quite sure, but not sure sure? Like there's always a chance to be wrong, hm? But I'm right."
I sigh and shake my head. "But the others, they aren't safe around me."
"The humans? No, they're not. At least not until you get your breath under control..."
I glance at the rest of the sailors who are all standing around with a mix of fear and awe on their faces. At least someone had the sense to fold the sails and anchor the ship. Great! This is just great! "Did this also happen to Balgrum and Agilla? They need to be isolated."
"This did not happen to the orcs and it will not happen to the orcs," Jerro states, keeping a respectable distance from me.
"Why? We got hit by the same bloody thing!"
"I do not know," the prophet answers. "All I know is that I saw it happening to you, but not to them. They'll remain weakened for a while, and all three will die within a week."
No! I can't let Balgrum die, not after Lezere. He's the only link I've got left to her... "And if we can find something to remove this curse?"
He leans on his cane like an old man despite his young features. "Then all three will die within a year? But, that is unclear, a lot changes. Seek Jolla Silverquill in Red Cedar, she can help."
"I was heading for Jolla anyway... Thank you, Jerro."
He nods curtly. "Now please return to the cabin or this ship won't sail."
I take a gulp of fresh air. I feel so much better, the feverish feeling in my body is gone entirely, as if the odd lump in my throat took away my curse and transformed it into the ability to infect people instead. I don't feel weak anymore, and if my guess is correct, I wouldn't bleed with physical exertion, but it's not something I wish to test. I also no longer feel like I'm going to choke to death after I emptied my throat of whatever those red particles were, but the odd lump is still there, blocking a small part of my windpipe.
With a sigh, I return to the cabin. Why didn't the captain of this ship fix a snaking window in his rotten cabin?!
*
Since I'm too worried to meditate, I spend the rest of my time trying to master the 'Lesser Shield' cantrip. Instead of simply trying to shape the barrier, I cast the spell and have sharla push an object against it. I attempt to use the object's weight to shape the barrier around it. To create a hole, to let the object in. After a long day of trying, I finally manage to create a hole in the barrier.
Excited, I cast the spell near the grimoire and create holes in my barrier, but the second gem doesn't light up. Annoyed I turn back to try and shape my barrier. I create a vertical hole large enough to split the barrier into two halves. Once that's done I focus on a single half and attempt to shape it into a barrier wall. That takes me another day of practice and pushing myself.
I manage a curved wall instead of the usual bubble, but the gem in the book doesn't light up yet.
On the last day of the dubious voyage, my frustration gets to me, and I do not manage to achieve a single thing.
My breathing has improved during the last three days. I can control my coughing, however, if I do not let these odd particles out of my throat at least once a day, they'll wreak havoc on my throat. Every night I leave the cabin and cough at the river, waking up the terrified sailors.
After three days of torment, we arrive at Red Cedar City.
*
{28} Brigit (August) the 9th
I stand on the deck, leaning on the railing with my back to the worried sailors and my friends. I can't risk anyone with an accidental cough.
"Call Jolla to see me on the ship. I don't want Balgrum and his orcs to leave either." I order Jerro.
"Your Grace?" I hear one of the sailors behind me. "We... we would prefer if you left the ship, Your Grace. We want to sail away."
"No. There's a city full of people and I'm not going to risk anyone."
"There aren't any people, Your Grace," the sailor replies.
I turn sharply. "What do you mean there aren't any people?!"
The sailors take a few terrified steps back, many of them have their faces covered in rough cloth. "The s-streets are empty, Your G-Grace," the lead sailor says in a shaky voice.
"He is correct," Jerro notes coldly. "The streets seem to be abandoned."
"Grah! Let's go Shaman! One more day on this fish pot and I vomit too!" Balgrum exclaims from the gangplank.
I turn, and the sailors part away, afraid of me. The docks are indeed empty. Not a single living soul. Ok... I emptied my throat earlier... I should be able to control my cough... something here is horribly wrong, and I need to check what happened to the people... I also need Jolla's help... I should let these poor sailors go their way...
"Thank you, captain. I apologize for your sailor, I did not know I carried this curse with me." I apologize to the man who seems to be the leader of the sailors.
"Your Grace, the man you killed was the captain. I'm Jaril, the first mate. I don't own this ship, it belongs to Captain Laros' family up in Tolste's bay now, I have to sail it north."
"I... I see. Apologies."
He nods slowly. "Nothing can be done when your dice fall on Rakisha's eyes." The sailors around him nod, snort, and one of them even snarls toward me, an orc.
Helplessly, I step off the boat with my small entourage of Balgrum, Agilla, Shufa, Jerro, and Sharla. I do my very best not to breathe too hard. I head toward the palace. The city is oddly quiet; I can’t see a single soul on the earthy streets. The door to every house is broken or open, a lot of odd household objects clatter the road as if they were thrown there in a hurry. There are a few blood stains, and it takes a minute before I spot the first corpse of a young man.
I crouch near the corpse to examine it. His chest had been hacked by what must've been a large axe.
*Splash* A streak of crimson makes me jump in alarm and cover my mouth. I let my guard down when I recognize the reddish patch on the ground as a rotten tomato instead of blood, another one gets repelled by the invisible barrier around my armor. A pair of teenagers on the nearest rooftop run away. Balgrum growls, his hand glides over his axe and he sniffs the air like an odd dog.
What’s going on here?! Where's Kolag?! "Jerro? What happened here?" I ask my prophet.
"I do not know," he answers, smoothing his stained gray shirt. "I can see the future, not the past."
"We need answers, let's see if we can find them in the palace." I step onward. A few streets ahead, I find an orc sitting on a crate, biting into a raw chicken leg.
“What’s going on here?” I ask the orc, my voice rises in pitch. “Where are all the people?!”
“They sheep now,” he says, lifting up his chin with pride. The blood from the chicken trails down his chin and neck.
“What?!”
He snarls. “The sick dogs thought we wolfes weak!”
“Balgrum?” I ask the chief behind me.
“Grrrr… I left strict orders. Where is Gorlor?”
“Tribe stronghold, Chief.”
“And where is Kolag?!” I ask.
“With elder Gorlor, Shaman,” comes the indifferent reply.
“Not very happy I assume. I’m headed to the palace, make sure both Gorlor and Kolag know we’re here!”
“Slu a’ark!” <___ wolf!> Balgrum barks. The orc lifts his chin again and leaves. “Grrr… I don’t like this, smells wrong and I’m cursed,” Balgrum mutters under his breath.
“You and me both… can you order the tribe to release my people?” I ask worriedly.
“Yes, but I won’t.”
“Why not?”
Balgrum lowers his head. He covers his forehead and eyes with his thick ebony hand. “I won’t!”
“Balgrum is weak, cursed, another wolf kill him, become chief.” The explanation comes from Agilla behind me.
That makes sense, someone would challenge his authority, and that would result in a duel. “I see… let’s figure a way to solve this curse first then. Will you order the orcs to release my people if you’re in a better condition?”
“Grrrr… yes.”
*~*~*
Interlude 123.1
Marasi
Marasi boards the human skiff. The massive boat is too large for him and the river waves splash into the boat on occasion. This is bad for his heart. Very bad for his heart! The orcs are rioting in the city behind him, the humans are screaming for help. Marasi can’t stay here, oh no he can’t! He’ll take the risk of drowning, the luck of his goddess will protect him.
Time to find employment in another city. Surely a nice king or queen is willing to employ a humble elfling cook. He’ll search for his luck down the river. His luck won’t fail him, it never did!
The skiff gets dragged by the slow current, the wind blows up his hair, and the sun is setting at the distance. What a day to be alive! His new adventure awaits!
Marasi spends a day on the river. After taking his time to rest and eat, he treats his boredom by composing a song or two.
There is a foolish spider queen
Angry, loud, and mean.
Her brain is big as a bean.
I only wish she had a smart twin.
Oh Koshavi you’re so fickle
Smiling at us in a pickle
Lady of skies, lady love
Always watching from above
Oh my mistress lady luck
To you I offer a duck and a buck
After a day or two, when the songs can no longer treat his boredom, Marasi spots a ship sailing up the river. Marasi squints in an attempt to read the flag. A black horse over a red field, the queen’s personal banner. Hopefully, they won’t notice him.
He jumps back and forth with the oar in hand, he rows the boat, counting on his luck. The ship passes through. He got out just in time! He’s lucky today, he won’t have to face that mad queen. He giggles maniacally and keeps singing bad songs while rowing the boat up the river.
*~*~*
Power level: 3rd stage apprentice.
Mana pools status:
Crown-knot: Affinity 10: connected: 1 gem replenished per minute.
Neck-Bridge: Affinity 6: formed: max amount of gems drained per day: 85
Abdomen-storage: Affinity 5: formed: 21 neutral gems. Conversion ratio: elemental : neutral 6:1, neutral : elemental 1:1
Air: Affinity 4: formed: 30 gems
Fire: Affinity 2: formed: 15 gems
Light: Affinity 3: formed: 22/23 gems
Water: Affinity 6: connected: 69 gems
Earth: Affinity 1: formed: 7 gems
Wood: Affinity 2: formed: 15 gems
Gravity: Affinity 9: connected: 93/104 gems
Cantrip known:
Air: Shavi’s Breeze, Shavi’s Sword. Shavi’s Hair Dryer, Aria’s Enhanced Hearing. Aria’s Sonic Scream. Aria's Increased Voice.
Fire: Nuriss’ Flame. Effrat’s Firefly, Effrat’s Fire Breath. Sorladika's Lesser Heating. Nuriss’ Ignite. Oniga's Soap Creation.
Light: Noxi’s Light. Lako’s Blinding Light. Rika’s energy hand.
Water: Water Evocation, Water to Ice, Ice to Water, Water to Vapor, Vapor to Water, Mayan’s Icy Spike, Ayla’s Water Jet. Ayla’s instant freeze. Ayla's Flowing Shield. Ayla’s Freezing Vapors. Hot Water Conjuration. Boiling Waterjet.
Earth: Alice’s Oil Summoning, Reiko’s Acid Spray. Alf's Copper Bolt
Wood: Arigor’s Lesser Vines. Kolosu’s Vegetable Summoning.
Gravity: Lumina’s Kinetic Burstm. Tukado’s Repulse. Tukado’s Lesser Shield IIa. Imari’s Minor Telekinesism. Imari’s Jump. Leo’s Pull. Leo’s Grounding. Alino’s Light Body. Alino’s Heavy Body. Alino's Orbiter.
Transmutation: Oniga's Laundry.
Spells known:
Light: Rika's Electric Channelb1
Gravity: Alino’s Weightless Bodyb1x2. Tukado's Pushb1x3. Tukado’s defense IIIb1x4. Imari’s Lesser Flightb2.
Life: Brigit’s Lesser Cure Poison. Brigit’s Skin Restoration.
Focus capability: 18 patterns.
Social status: The Queen of Red Cedar City. Shaman of the Twin Moon Tribe. Inara, Daughter of Mysteries. Apprentice to the Maven of Mysteries. Sorceress.
Personal Wealth: 1465 Magic Gems. 1420 Golden Peas, 45 Silver Scales, 32 Copper Bits.
Personal Items:
Magical necklace. Contains 100 gems of general mana, can be drained like a mana pool. It’ll recharge by itself at the rate of five gems an hour.
1 potion of lightning body.
1 potion of mana, medium grade.
2 potions of Lesser Healing.
3 potions of Pain Tolerance.
An enchanted belt with eight pouches, the enchantment keeps the pouches’ content fresh. Each pouch may contain 10g of petals or six potion flasks.
10 Empty soul bottles. Glass with a diamond stopper, put in scaled leather wrapping.
The Great White Egret grimoire. Dedicated by the Maven of mysteries to Inara. 30/100. Locked.
Present Companions:
Sharlafyn Nettledew
Jerro
Languages:
Toml’a
Sinteo
Myrsha
Felul
Nim
A'arkalu
Injuries and scars: ???
Curses: ???
-
Kingdom’s treasury: 3836 gold coins. 123 magical gems. ???
Kingdom’s citizen: Red Cedar City: 3,881 humans, 1,836 human children.???
Apricot City: approximate 800+ humans.
Twin Moon Tribe: 1,138 orcs. 293 orc children. 529 sheep-slaves.
Kingdom's army: 1,136 Orc Warriors. 40 foot man 284 Footmen ???. 49 Peacekeeper Knights ???. 500 Blood Spears.
Notables at Court:
Tasiya Keyholder. ?
Jolla SilverQuill. ?
Talbot Bookkeeper. ?
Marasi Chef extraordinaire (spymaster.) ?
Old Gardner Tiom. ?
Balgrum Orc Chieftain.