The old fisherman, Calix Silverwood glided down the river in a small boat. He had been paddeling across the kingdom for two weeks.
It’s been years since we arrived at Rotterdale. But Ethan’s resurection is a fine reason to go looking for trouble. That gentle boy deserves this second chance. And I’ll make sure he is safe this time around.
A small boy with a flexible basket was gathering herbs near the shore and stared at him with his mouth open like a logfish.
Nobody will know me here.
He sped towards the shore and beached the boat.
“There’s a copper coin for you if this boat is here when I get back.” Calix said to the boy as he grabbed his pack.
-
Calix jogged up Mobhain’s mainstreet. People watched him pass with mild interest. It wasn’t often that they saw visitors entering the city alone. People gave him plents of space as he passed them.
He made the trip to Mobhain in record time, paddling the whole way without stopping. He barely slept an hour a day. The brisk jog was good for stretching his legs.
Mobhain was the closest holy city to Rotterdale and even at his extreme pace. The same trip would have taken 5 weeks by wagon.
He had rushed there by the fastest route, not trusting the fates to get him there quickly. The 35 day time limit loomed over him like a shadow in the water.
But I'm nearly done. The lad and I will be together again.
He spotted the holy symbol of the church on the high steeple a few blocks away and stepped up his pace.
It was a gaudy building, fronted by pillars of bleach white stone and vaulted arches. He cleared the 19 steps of the church three at a time and burst through the two-story tall oak doors without stopping.
“Sir, this is a holy building. Watch your pace.” A nun chided him from where she crouched scrubbing the marble floor.
“I seek the head priest. I’m here to purchase a resurrection.” Calix said.
“I’m sorry, you will have to-” She started to say before a middle aged priest came out from the back offices.
“What’s the commotion, here?” He demanded. He stood dramatically and pushed his silver glasses up his nose.
The priest wore the white robes of all his believers and the yellow sash of his adept rank. His blond curls cascaded down about his ears and an echo of a memory swam up within Calix’s mind.
A Bacharis. Or a close cousin. I need to be careful here.
“You cannot storm into a church like this, have you no decency?” He said, looking at the river mud Calix had tracked across the marble floor. “And the sister here has nearly finished cleaning for the morning. An apology would be appropriate.”
“My apologies sister.” Calix said with a nod. “I seek the head priest for a resurrection.”
“The Head Priest cannot help you.” The priest said. “For he is not here.”
Drown him.
“When will he return? I have time to wait.” Calix asked anxiously. The weight of his grandson’s urn hanging heavily in his pack.
“It will be several weeks. He has traveled to Ostaria for the holiday and is not expected to return until mid summer.” The Priest replied.
“Is there any one capable of casting Resurrection? Perhaps you have specialized in it?” Calix asked hopefully.
“Unfortunately I have not. I do not know the prayers nor do I have enough light within me.” The priest said sourly. “I am a healer and can help you recover lost stamina from your trip if need be.”
Coming here was enough of a risk. This Bacharis has been a waste of time. I need to get to Ostaria.
“Thank you, but my stamina is fine.” He said. “I will go find him in Ostaria then.”
“But it is a month away! You certainly don’t have enough time left for the trip.” The nun exclaimed.
“Sister.” Calix said and silenced the nun at his feet with a sad knowing look. “Good day to you, I must be on my way.”
He turned and rushed out of the church, down the steps and was nearly out of sight by the time the priest and nun hurried down the steps to look after him.
Seventeen days left.
“Can he really make it to Ostaria in time?” She asked the priest.
“Not with the luck of the divine.” He said absently. “Did he seem familiar to you?”
“No sir.” She replied and looked down the street again. “He’s gone the wrong way, the road is east out of town. He’s headed west towards the river.”
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
She went back inside to finish cleaning up the mess, leaving the priest on the steps to piece together the clues.
”No, he couldn’t be…”
-
Calix paddled quietly down the river, navigating the steep falls and wide swaths of river with practiced ease. He kept his presence masked, and let his water affinity guide him.
His control over the water made rough patches manageable, and he easily swooped around hidden boulders and logs that would capsize other boats.
He was unmolested by beasts or monsters for eleven days.
His oilskin boat, just large enough for two, slipped quickly through the water. His powerful arms and back pumped soundlessly as he rowed through the nights and days without stopping. He trolled for fish while he traveled and ate the fish raw to save time.
-
Six days left.
Osteria was a major trading city for Ressalia. It was the launching point for trade with the only two major cities across the river in Solakim.
He navigated his small boat through their port, around the larger flat trading barges until he found a ladder leading up to the docks.
He hurled his backpack onto the dock, then dragged himself and his boat up after them.
He threw his pack over one shoulder and the boat over the other and ran down the docks.
“Sir! There is a docking fee of 5 silver per meter!” The dockmaster yelled. He stepped into Calix’s way and held up an official looking clipboard.
“I’m not docking.” Calix replied gruffly, stepping around the man. “Now step aside.”
“Are you or are you not on the dock?” The Dockmaster scoffed.
Calix turned to look down at the man coldly, he produced five silver coins from his pouch and dropped them onto the dock without a word.
“Some people can be so rude.” The dock master said as he watched the large man rush away. “The holidays bring out the worst in people.”
-
Ostaria’s streets were crowded. Buskers performed in the streets, dancing or juggling, or playing games of chance with passers by. Inns and establishments shouted out the day’s specials and night rates, merchants hawked their wares from stalls set up in every spare space. Calix had no time to take any of it in.
“Coming through!” Calix shouted.
He crossed an intersection at a jog, weaving around a carriage and hand drawn cart full of spider melons. He could see the stadium rising up to the north, and the bell tower of the grand church to the south.
The carriage swerved to avoid him and hopped the curb, jostling the passengers inside. The cart nearly toppled and one of the caged spidermelons broke out.
“Watch a’where ya going!” The cart bearer shouted. “My Melons!”
The man swung a stout club and beat the spidermelon a few times, struggling to get it back into the cage.
Two guardsmen marched up and helped him cage the beast.
“Which way did he go?” One of the guardsmen asked.
-
Calix tried to slow down as he climbed the Great Church’s steps.
Six days.
He sped up instead, climbing the three flights of stairs and burst through the opulent front doors in record time.
At least my boots are clean this time.
The vestibule was empty.
He oriented himself to the front desk and hurried over. A small bell sat patiently waiting to be rung.
Calix pounded one fist on the desk causing the bell to jump and fall back out of sight. It made a terrible racket as it fell.
“I need a Priest!” He called, his voice echoed down the vaulted hall.
“Bella’s Holy Light!” A man shouted from down a side hall. “Be patient man, have some grace.”
The man was shrewd with rosy cheeks. He wore the white robes of the priesthood and a teal journeyman’s sash. Calix watched the priest walk quickly across the room and stoop behind the desk to pick up the fallen bell.
“I need-”
The priest silenced Calix with a look as he straitened the desk for a few seconds.
Drown him.
“Now,” the priest said. “How may I be of service?”
“I am in need of a resurrection. It’s for my grandson.” Calix said.
“Of course sir. I’m sorry that you are going through an unfortunate time.” He said automatically.
“I require your name and the deceased’s remains.” He said pulling up a form. “And payment of course.”
Calix hesitated. “I can fill out the form myself. Can you fetch the Archpriest immediately? We are running low on time.”
“Do you have less than a day? Or can we show some decorum and follow the procedure?” He asked with a strained professional smile. “One does not simply fetch an archpriest.”
This could take all day. And any minute the wrong person will find out I’m here and then it’s all over with.
“I have enough time.” Calix grit his teeth looking at the form. “It’s not my first time resurrecting someone. I’d like to get it done then get back home.”
Calix placed a stack of 5 platinum slates down on the counter. 5000 gold was not going to break his bank but the cost was prohibitive. He placed a gold coin down beside the slates.
“And a tip for your help expediting things.” He said.
The priest seemed confused for a moment. A door opened and closed somewhere behind them as his mouth hung open.
“You there!” Called the city guard that had just entered. “You with the boat!”
Two city guards flanked Calix as he turned to look at them.
“You’ve been causing quite the stir in town. You need to come down to the yard with us.” The other guard said.
“That’s right, disturbing the peace!” The first guard chimed in.
The two guards were large, and in heavy armor traditional of Ressalia’s guardsmen. Calix put on a smile and tried to diffuse the situtation.
Drown them both.
“There’s no issue here sir, just starting some paperwork to resurrect my grandson.” Calix said.
“Is that correct priest?” The guard asked.
“Who do you think you are? That you think you can bribe me?” The priest snarled. “Guards, take this man into custody the Archpriest will consider his fate.”
I don’t have time for this.
The guards grabbed Calix by the biceps and the Priest swiped the five platinum plates and gold coin into his pocket.
Alright then, we do this the hard way.
Nearly Invisible wires infused mana unraveled from Calix. They floated as if carried in a current of water and drifted around the guards and the priest.
“Last chance to help me. You sure as shit can’t stop me.” Calix said.
“Identify” One of the guards activated an ability. He read a screen that Calix could not see. The guard’s eyes widened and he yelled to the other officer.
“Get backup it’s Calix the Fisher-“ He said before the wires looped around their necks.
Fear spread across the priest’s face and he reached up to his throat and broke the symbol hanging from his necklace.
Drown them all.
“You shouldn’t have done that.” Calix said as all three men were lifted off the ground by wires of mana stronger than steel.
The wires wrapped the men’s hands and feet and Calix hid them behind the desk. The sound of heavy footfalls filled the room as the Church’s guards stormed into the room.
Paladins. If I never saw one again it would be too soon. Did I look that foolish in the holy regalia too?
Their pearl white and gold armor glinting in the light through the stained glass windows. They were fully decked out, some carying spears, some carying shields and maces, all of them wearing stark white capes that cost more than a month’s wages. There were several higher rank Palidins, Enforcers, wearing their winged helms.
“Halt!” One of the enforcers shouted. “You are accused of assaulting a priest. We are authorized to use lethal force to defend the church.”
“I don’t want trouble. I only want someone to resurrect my grandson.”
Calix loosened his hold on the three men behind the desk.
I may need all my lines to defend myself if this situation slips off the hook.
The Priest croaked out three words that sealed the fate of everyone in the room.
“Calix the Fisherman.” He wheezed.
“Impossible!” The nearest guard said. “He’s that legendary heretic? He would never be fool enough to come to our stronghold!”
I would to save my grandson.
One of the Paladins in the back threw a spear and Calix had to step quickly to the side to avoid it. The rest charged forward after that.