Chapter 67

Aroth's Oath

Aroth’s voice, deep and resonant, broke the quiet with a weight that could bend steel. “Human, be careful about the next words you will utter,” he said, his eyes, two orbs of piercing light, fixed intently on Adom. “You are a stranger, coming into our territory, causing a ruckus, and now, you tell me my daughter will die?”

Adom stood his ground, his eyes locked with Aroth’s. “I do not remember ever telling you my name, nor telling you I have a daughter,” Aroth continued, his voice rising like a storm, “and from Seka’s words, you did travel in time. So, I will listen. But be careful with your intentions, for even if I cannot kill you, I can make sure you never see the light of the sun again.”

Adom inhaled deeply. This was the moment of truth, where revelations would either forge alliances or deepen rifts. As he exhaled, the words that flowed were laced with the gravity of foresight and the delicacy of diplomacy.

"In my timeline, a year from now," Adom began, his voice steady, "you went to Mandrake, seeking the Elixir of Life to give a living chance to your daughter." He paused, ensuring each word was measured, aware of the tumultuous waves they could stir in Aroth’s heart.

Aroth's response was a low grumble, a sound like the rumbling of distant thunder, reflecting the storm of emotions brewing within. His expression, usually an unreadable mask of strength and command, flickered with a trace of vulnerability, a father's fear for his child piercing through the warrior's facade.

Then, with a heavy sigh, Aroth made a subtle gesture to Adom, a silent beckoning to continue. The gesture, simple yet profound, marked a pivotal shift in their interaction, a silent acknowledgment of the weight of Adom’s words and the possible truth they carried. The night, witness to their exchange, seemed to lean in, as if holding its breath for the secrets yet to unfold.

Adom, sensing the charged atmosphere, proceeded with caution, choosing his words with care. "The Order of the Alchemists... they refused to give you the elixir and mocked you," he revealed, watching as Aroth's soldiers, overhearing the conversation, reacted with grunts of shock and anger. Aroth, with a commanding hand sign, silenced them instantly. His demeanor darkened, a storm brewing in his eyes as he urged Adom, "Proceed, tell me more."

Adom sighed, feeling the weight of the unfolding narrative. "Because of this incident," he started, pausing as if to measure the impact of his next words, "you became... sour to Atlas."

At this, Seka, who had been silently observing the exchange, chuckled and remarked, "What a surprise."

Ignoring the interruption, Adom continued, "After that, a war happened between Atlas and Tygris, and because you aided the Tygrisian army to advance through the forest, they easily took over Atlas."

Adom delved deeper into the narrative, painting a vivid picture of Atlas's downfall, suggesting that this dire fate might have been averted if Aroth had not become their adversary. As the story unfolded, Aroth's demeanor shifted from hostility to contemplation, his gaze fixed on Adom as he absorbed the gravity of the tale.

"I see, so that is what will happen..." Aroth mused, his voice trailing off as he pondered the revelations. After a thoughtful pause, he looked directly at Adom, seeking clarity. "But I have yet to understand the reason for your presence here, immortal. As an Atlasian, I assume you came here to avoid the kingdom's fall?"

Adom, recognizing the critical juncture of their conversation, chose honesty over subterfuge. "No, not at all," he replied, his voice carrying the weight of his true purpose. "I came here to save your daughter and obtain your help to go to the dungeon."

The revelation from Adom struck the assembly like a bolt of lightning, rendering the air thick with astonishment. Even Valiant, who had maintained a certain composure until then, found himself cycling through a myriad of expressions, his usual eloquence replaced by a silent, expressive turmoil. Aroth appeared visibly shaken, his usual articulate demeanor giving way to a rare speechlessness.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

It was Seka who, amidst the whirlwind of shock and disbelief, found his voice first. "You say you can cure Ajna? From the Frostwither?" he inquired, his hand on adom, casting the truth spell, his tone a blend of skepticism and burgeoning hope. "How? Was there a cure discovered in the future?"

Adom nodded. "I brought the necessary equipment to do so," he explained, his words measured, conveying a deep understanding of the gravity of his claim. "And although she won't be cured on the spot, her health should get better and better for a year until the illness is completely cured."

Seka turned to Aroth, then after verifying Adom's words through the spell, said, "He's telling the truth."

This statement set off a cacophony of voices among the orcs, a mixture of disbelief, hope, and burgeoning excitement. Amidst this tumult, Aroth remained still, his gaze locked on Adom, the intensity of his stare betraying a maelstrom of emotions. For the first time, the stoic leader seemed genuinely at a loss for words,

With Seka’s implicit confirmation lending weight to Adom’s claim, the atmosphere grew heavy with anticipation. Aroth, moving with the deliberation of one whose decisions shape the destinies of many, closed the distance between himself and Adom. His towering presence seemed to embody the gravity of his next words.

“I swear on my honor,” Aroth intoned, each word resonating with the solemnity of an ancient vow, his eyes locking onto Adom’s with an intensity that bridged their worlds of experience and innocence, warrior and sorcerer. “If you cure her, I will repay you this debt.”

The air around them seemed to thrum with the unspoken magnitude of his pledge. Aroth, embodying the fierce dignity of his lineage, continued, “If it’s the dungeon you want, I will take you there and I will help you to the best of my abilities.”

Extending his hand, a gesture transcending mere formality and reaching into the realms of profound commitment, Aroth offered a silent pact sealed by honor. Adom, recognizing the weight of the moment, took the orc's hand and shook it firmly, an act solidifying their newfound alliance.

Seka, the old sorcerer, broke into the charged atmosphere with a practical tone, "Aroth, in that case, maybe we should make haste. The lord asked us to bring them in anyway." Aroth, snapping out of the momentous exchange, nodded in agreement, then gestured to Adom, signaling it was time to move towards the village.

Valiant seized the moment to bid farewell. "Well, this has been a rich and emotional meeting," he said, with a dramatic flair, bowing slightly to the orcs. "I'm enchanted to have made your acquaintance, but I guess it's time for me and Zara here to head back to the village, right after she wakes up."

Aroth, cutting in with a firm yet inclusive tone, stated, "You're coming with us. All of you."

Valiant, caught off guard, laughed nervously, "Hahaha, so sorry, for a moment there, I thought you were saying you'd bring us along too, haha...ha." His laughter trailed off as he noticed the serious gazes of the orcs, and even Adom, whose face seemed to say, ' Yes, that's exactly what he means.'

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Valiant paused, then stammered, "Oh... you really did say that, huh?"

Aroth confirmed, "Our lord wants to see all of you, but do not be afraid. I will explain what happened, and you will have no trouble."

Valiant, now visibly flustered, tried to lighten the mood, glancing at the formidable orcs, "I-I mean, I'm sure you guys are lovely... solid people, but don’t you think Adom would be enough here? Right?" He looked desperately at Adom, seeking an ally in his plea for exclusion.

Adom, with a shrug that screamed 'not my problem,' left Valiant hanging. The mouse beastkin's frustration boiled over, "Oh, fuck you, that’s how it is then, huh?"

Adom, unfazed, retorted, "You’re the ones who followed me here, plus, they won’t hurt you, they just said so."

Valiant, his frustration mounting, exclaimed, "I thought we were allies?!"

Adom, with a hint of amusement, replied, "Well, Zara tried to kill me a few minutes ago."

"Dude, you're immortal! How would she have killed you?!" Valiant retorted, his voice one of exasperation and incredulity.

"The intention is what matters," Adom responded nonchalantly, further irking Valiant.

"Ooh, you're a smart one, aren't you?" Valiant scoffed, his annoyance palpable. "You didn't seem so talkative before, little shit."

Adom, unfazed and slightly amused, simply smiled back. "You know I come from the future, right? I'm older than you," he pointed out, playing the age card with a twinkle in his eye.

Valiant, unable to let that go, argued, "You're 18! I'm 21! I'm older!" Adom internally recalled his previous claim of being from five years in the future and thought, Oh well, the initial plan is going even better than anticipated. Valiant and Zara's involvement was turning out to be an unexpected boon, offering him time to ensure they kept his secrets.

Deciding to prod Valiant further, for the sheer enjoyment of it, Adom, with a sly grin, said, "Well, 18 years plus my current 13 years is 31. So, I'm still older than you."

Valiant's pink nose turned a shade of red as he sputtered with indignation, his attempt to form coherent arguments dissolving into a barrage of colorful, albeit not very nice, words, while he and Zara were ushered to the village.