Road to Freedom by Moskatero
Chapter 3
On his fifth day in Royal Road Kalthier found himself actually enjoying a part of his training. Wearing a smile that revealed the tips of his fangs he constantly moved his arms, bastard-swords twirling through the air as they hit a suspiciously fat scarecrow.
Still grateful for the somewhat unusual gift that awaited him in the back rooms off the training hall, not to mention terrified at the idea that of certain chef in whose likeness it was inspired, would find out about it, and the punishment it would entitle...
Nevertheless Kalthier ignored the terrible images that came to his mind and the look of nervous apprehension the instructor was giving him, as he continued to joyfully strike the object of their fears.
“Not that I'm regretting the gift, Odin’s balls but you deserve it, but could you at lest not show such an evil, eager, bloodlust-filled expression when you strike it. I’m finally seeing the drake within you and it's scary as hell.”
Kalthier's swords stopped midswing, his whole body going rigid at the offhand comment. Slowly he turned towards Bergroth and his smile grew when he saw old man flinch when their eyes met.
"Did you just say I look evil? Scary? As in mighty-evil-dragon scary?" The eagerness in his voice only made the older man swallow and take a step backwards before answering in a relaxed voice.
"Well, yes. As if I’m looking at a whole different person. Your very aura is leaking bloodlust and you actually look more like a true dragonling now. But please, calm down Kalthier, don’t make me regret this.”
“Ha. Hahaha, Muahahaha...HELLLL YEAAARGHH!”
Laughing like a madman, dropping his swords to hold his stomach as he rolled on the floor, Kalthier let out scream after scream of primal, unrivaled joy. Instantly the instructor closed the door leading to the front of the training hall where dozens of people stopped swinging their swords at the unusual sound.
"I knew this was a mistake, forget Eva's payback about the scarecrow, if she finds or I broke her apprentice I'm a dead man.” Kalthier heard Bergroth murmurs as the instructor approached the psychotic half-dragon laughing madly on the floor.
“Come on lad, why don't we go back to the training hall, this whole thing was a terrible idea and we'll both pay for it if we keep out up.”
“Don't you get it? this means that, when I'm fighting, for a moment, i can look something other than fucking cute.”
“It’s you who doesn't get it lad. It is precisely because you are cute that seeing you project bloodlust through your very aura like a gown dragon scares me.”
“What do you mean... Did you just say i’m cute!?”
“Lad, lad, lad, who are you kidding? Have you never looked into a mirror? You are what every little girl wants to cuddle with in her sleep… Actually, make that what every female want to cuddle with, if there's any truth to the rumors flying around the city”.
Silently debating whether to stab the instructor or himself with the wooden sword Kalthier slowly got up.
"Off bloody course I know how I
At this point it looked as if the instructor wanted to object but Kalthier kept on talking.
“Some of them just hug me when I’m out in the open only to scream 'YES! I hugged Draky!' to the top of their lungs which, off course attracts a crowd of people poking prodding and asking me questions. You hear that!? DRAKY! That is a piss-poor nickname to give a half-dragon no matter how 'cute and cuddly' they find it, the first time I heard it made me go to Eva for comfort, TO EVA for comfort for
Seeing the instructor trying to contain his laughter as Kalthier regained his breath made him pick up his swords and advance towards the giggling giant.
Dismissing a system message Kalthier continued his advance towards his target all notion of goodwill vanishing from his head.
“Don't even think about it. I know you started some of those rumors in order to get people here. 'Draky practices in the training hall' or something. So, if I indeed look a bit more respectable when I want to murder someone, Then, as my instructor you will teach me how to do this bloodlust thing at will, not to mention teaching me actual combat instead of hitting a stupid scarecrow, no matter how satisfying that can be. Are we clear?”
Almost as an afterthought Kaltheir added.
“Oh, and if you ever mention that I'm cute or cuddly again I'll shove these swords so far up your ass you'll be shitting wood for a year.”
*Gulp*
“…”
You have gained a new Skill. Bloodlust Aura. Beginner Lvl 1 (9%)
"Good. Now I’m gonna keep making use of your thoughtful gift until I get some control over this aura thing or at least calm down since I don't want people to know about it. Then will spar and you'll instruct. And if you even think of backing away I’ll let my dear teacher know how much effort and dedication you put into making this particular looking scarecrow.”
With that Kalthier turned and charged at the scarecrow, pretending not to notice the war veteran loud whimper as the man left the room.
Heh, no wonder super-villains everywhere are always cackling madly, that felt great!
After hitting the fat scarecrow some more Kalthier finally decided to check his new skill
“Skill Info: Bloodlust Aura”
Bloodlust Aura. Beginner Lvl 1 (10%) (Passive)Your thirst for blood violence and death allows for your draconic aura to flow around you changing the perceptions of those around you and striking the with fear.
This skill does not change your appearance but rather how other people perceive you. This effect cannot be countered while active.
The effects of this skill vary according to you Fighting spirit, intentions and emotions.
Higher level allows for a wider area of effect and new effects to be unlocked.
Unlocks your draconic aura. Learning aura related skills is now possible.
(Upon reaching intermediate level you can willingly activate Bloodlust Aura)
“Hahaha, emotions are great, even the unexpected ones”
Happy that the game seemed to also recognized his emotions, Kalthier went to find the wayward instructor.
Seeing the tense barbarian by his usual place at the door Kalthier, once again his cute and cuddly self approached him. Taking the sulking giant’s arm he slowly dragged him towards the back room.
“Come, we have to do it in the back room, otherwise all these bothersome people will be filled with intrigue and curiosity when they see you actually working”
“Fine, fine, I’ll teach how to fight in real combat but don’t go crying back to Evangeline when the pain becomes too much. Oh, and since you foreigners seem to come back to like whenever you die we’ll be using this”
Bergroth then opened a chest at the corner of the back room and started taking out weapons, real weapons, and lining them on the floor.
“Oooo, hell yeah, now were talking."Kalthier celebrated as he would not have to swing a lame wooden sword anymore.
"And by the way, if Eva can't make me cry and nothing you do can come even close to what she puts me through.”
“Better hope all that fancy stuff she feds you with works miracles kid, you are in my kind of hell now”
Completely ignoring the violent change in the instructors attitude Kalthier watched as Bergroth took a simple dagger from the weapons cabinet laid out on the floor and went to stand in the opposite corner.
“Pick your weapons ‘Draky’ I’ll teach you in blood what you refused to learn with peace and patience.”
Ok, Mayyyybe I made a mistake in pissing off and blackmailing one of the two NPC that seemed to like me despite my relationship with Eva and not because of it. *Sigh* I should really get Pleandra some flowers the next time visit the library.
“Don’t call me that!”
“When you beat me with a sword I’ll call you however you want me to and you can call me Fluffy for all I care, until then pick up your weapons and face me!”
Picking up a bastard-sword and a long, curved dagger Kalthier checked their stats.
Hard Iron Bastard Sword
Durability: 20/54
Damage: 12-18
Awarded to those who completed the Basic Training Program. This rarely-used bastard sword is better than the basic type weapons that are available in a blacksmith’s workshop.
Equip:
+13 STR
Limits:
STR 50+
VIT 40+
Hard Iron Curved Knife
Durability: 42/42
Damage: 6-9
Awarded to those who completed the Basic Training Program. This strangely shaped knife is better than the basic type weapons that are available in a blacksmith’s workshop.
Equip:
+5 STR
+5 AGI
Requirements:
STR 20+
AGI 30+
VIT 20+
“...” looking at the amazing weapons Kalthier muttered a silent curse, his stats where nowhere near the requirements.
“Stats Window”
Status WindowCharacter NameKalthierAlignmentChaoticLevel1ProfessionNoneTitlesNoneFame320Infamy0Health210 (+1300)Mana180(+300)Strength23 (+30)Agility30 (+30)Stamina28(+30)Honour10(+30)Fighting Spirit19(+30)Luck8(+30)Wisdom17(+30)Intellect19(+30)Endurance26(+30)Vitality21(+30)Attack19Defense0Magic ResistancesFire25%Water5%Earth5%Air5%Holy5%Black5%Unused stat points: 5Miscellaneous Bonuses and Penalties:+5.5% Combat Skills Growth (Up to Intermediate Level)
+5.5% Combat Skills Growth (Up to Intermediate Level)
+11 Intimacy with draconic creatures
Gain stats Honour, Fighting Spirit
Half fame gain, double infamy gain
Monster status. Skills and events that only target Monsters can affect you.
11% Increased pain factor.
Your body possesses elf like angular features
A red tinge colours your skin
You possess the red slitted eyes of a dragon.
-5 Charisma and Appearance when obtained.
Guards in general regard you with suspicion.
Thank the gods for Eva’s food otherwise I wouldn't even be able to lift these.
Taking the weapons in his hands he immediately noticed a huge difference. The weight. Not only where the Iron weapons heavier than the wooden ones he’d used so far, but the weight was balanced differently, better actually, but it would take time getting used to them.
Looking towards the giant man holding a tiny dagger Kalthier felt a bit of courage start to rise within him, but it was soon crushed when he looked at the menacing the blank look on the instructor’s face.
“Attack me with everything you got. If you manage to draw my blood we’ll move things along to the next stage.”
With a shout, Kalthier rushed the man, knife and sword held low at his waist as he began his attack. Using everything he'd learned so far. And failing miserably.
It took him three days to nick the gigantic instructor. Bergroth moved like lightning, defying his size and baffling Kalthier as he parried and blocked his every move with the small dagger. On the bright side his bloodlust aura leveled twice, along with sword mastery and knife/dagger mastery, not to mention the stats he gained at a much faster rate than when he was striking scarecrows.
When he finally did manage to hit Bergroth it was a combination of his bloodlust aura, sheer desperation and determination, creativity in the endless pursuit of different techniques for attacking and plain old luck. At least according to the bonus point in luck he got as blood welled from a shallow cut on the instructor’s arm.
“Hump, Took you long enough”
Not bothering to clean the blood Bergroth took a new stance.
“Now we can get started. Once again you will attack me, only this time we only stop when one of us is down for the count… or I admit defeat”
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
“Hey!”
“Oh, and from now on you might want to pay attention to how I block and parry your strikes as I’ll be doing my best to skewer your scaly hide”
It’s not really scaly…
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Dripping blood from countless slashes and with his hitpoints slowly fading towards away, Kalthier made his way towards the bakery, his bloodlust aura and blood covered clothes clearing the way as his pain addled body struggled for every step.
As he entered the bakery a familiar voice called out to him but the words were somehow slurred. The world tilted to the side and he saw his health reach critical level as his head crashed on the flood. Darkness took him.
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Ahhhhh
The sweetest of mead's went down his throat, what could only be considered nectar of the gods coated his mouth and made him reflexively swallow. If it wasn't for the pain that still assailed his body and the now familiar sound of a system message ringing in his ears, Kalthier would have thought he’d died and the mead was his well deserved reception in the halls of Valhalla.
Let me die! Why wont you let me die.
Slowly, as he swallowed all the mead that was poured down his throat he felt his pain lessen. A couple of minutes later he could hear once again.
“...die, I’ll personally ask Hel to let Gramr chew on you for a couple of days before returning you to me. No student of mine is dying from a bunch of paper cuts, especially when he should have been hitting scarecrows like I ordered him”
Now Kalthier debated whether to open his eyes or not. As far as he knew Hel was the Norse goddess of the underworld, in fact, the naming of different places of eternal punishment as ‘hell’ was probably a reference to her.
“Are you ignoring me? I made the mead you just drank, I know it’s effects, you should be up and running in a minute or so but conscious since a few.”
Kalthier opened his eyes to see a very annoyed Eva holding an expensive looking bottle. An empty, expensive looking bottle.
“Umm… Hi?...Thanks?”
“Explain!”
“Err… Well you see, humm, after four days training I was starting to see that hitting a scarecrow was bad, as in bad training for actual combat since the scarecrows don't move or have arms. So, in order to train my skills faster I asked Bergroth to teach me actual combat and he graciously agreed. Today I passed the first stage. The second one was… Unexpectedly hard”
Eva looked as if she believed him, right until the point when he called Bergroth gracious.
“Gracious? that man would not know graciousness if you hit him in the head with it. What. Did. You. Do”
“...I ... I kinda blackmailed him into it”
“...”
“...”
“Buahahahahaha no wonder he decided to turn you into beef jerky”
“You are not angry?”
“Angry? Why would I be angry, you just went and made the only easy, relaxing part of your training into a nightmare. Bergroth will make you strong no doubt about that… I’m just glad that you foreigners seem to come back to life so easily, otherwise I`d have chain you to the kitchen until you mastered cooking. Least he kills you”
The last bit was said with a cold smile that scared Kalthier, but it was what came next that terrified him to the bone.
“Now, I can’t have the big brute claiming the biggest progress of my apprentice training, so I’ll have to step it up as well. Don’t look so sad, the bright side is that, with all the wounds you’ll receive by both our training you’ll certainly get stronger in no time. Plus i’ll have to give you a much larger supply of even better food if you are to have a chance of surviving both our training.”
You’re a cook! Why the hell does your training have to involve near death injuries, and what kind of a sick person measures strength in the amount of pain and suffering a person is put though.
“Oh, and Kalthier? Don’t piss Pleandra off, my food is great but it won't perform miracles.”
Screw flowers I’m getting that woman some jewelry!
Hearing about Eva’s food and Pleandra reminded Kalthier of something he’d forgotten in the pain of his training.
“Um, Eva?”
“Yes?”
“How much do you charge for the type of food you give me when i go to the library?”
“...”
“What now?”
“What makes you ask such a question? You are my apprentice so you’ll never have to pay for my food, period”
Suspicious! Why is her answer to a simple question so suspicious
“Pleandra asked me, she was very interested in the effects your food gave me and wanted to buy some of it for the library. Although she did say the price was of no concern”
“Well she would, being aunt of the king and all. Tell her the standard price is twenty-five gold per serving, no discounts or negotiations”
It took a minute for Kalthier to make the calculations in his mind, Seven days of training and Eva providing him with three meals a day, all of them with astonishing bonuses. In a week he’d eaten close to five-hundred gold pieces worth of elite food, not to mention the expensive looking bottle still in Eva’s hand. He felt dizzy.
“Wha...Why would...”
Once again Eva laughed and pulling Kalthier up to his feet she gave him an explanation that made his jaw hit the floor.
“That much is nothing, I sell hundreds of dishes across the continent every day, in fact I’m surprised you haven't run into one of my couriers so far”
“Couriers?”
“Mages well versed in the art of teleportation, they deliver my food, fresh, all over the continent”
Remembering the clause of cancellation of apprenticeship, and thinking of his newfound resolve to risk his life on the run, all in order to end his suffering at the hands of his teachers. Kalthier asked the question that would destroy such notion forever.
“H-how many?”
“Two-hundred-and-thirty-two as of last week” She answered with a warm, knowing smile.
She knows, damn her, she knows how close I came to quitting. And what is she, an evil overlord?, who has control of over two-hundred magicians, high level magicians no less, and uses them as delivery men.
“If you’re done with your questions pick up your lunch and get your ass to the library, I have some hardcore training to plan”
Having completely forgotten about his new bloodlust skill, even if he was hiding it from everyone, Kalthier meekly complied, taking the lunchbox and heading to the library, for the first time in days not worrying about other people seeing him and ignoring all who approached him.
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A warm honest smile received him at the library.
“Welcome child, you look like Loki danced on your grave”
“Yeah, and Eva hired him”
That made the old woman laugh and gave Kalthier a small smile. Maybe, despite the enormous mental strain the accelerated reading gave him, this could become his sanctuary.
“I brought you a present”
“Oh my, surely there was no need for such a thing”
“Well, you've been very nice to me this week and since I kinda ruined my relationship with Bergroth I thought I should do my best to preserve our friendship”
“Did the instructor ban you from the training hall?”
“Well, no. I kind off forced him into training me, personally. He didn't like it”
“Ha! No one forces that brute to do anything, not even your teacher.If he decided to teach you it is because he likes you and judging from your clothes he’s teaching as hard as he can, it just means he also worries and cares about you. Tsk, tsk, That man truly has trouble expressing his emotions, look at all that blood”
That didn't make and once of sense to Kalthier who'd seen how the man reacted to Eva.
“But he’s terrified of Eva, just making a scarecrow that resembled her scared him senseless”
“That old thing? Eva gave him that scarecrow years ago, ‘To help him relax and digest his food better’ if I remember correctly. The sly barbarian used your fear against you or, since he used it in order to make you stronger, to help you”
“But the way they talk to each other...”
“Show me any adventurers who've traveled together for as long as those two, who don’t enjoy poking and sending barbs at each other. A stronger bond you cannot imagine”
“Adventure? Together?”
Kalthier was numb with wonder, the conversation had somehow reached an unimaginable topic.
“There where others with them, but, for the better part of thirty years they traveled through Versailles. They destroyed terrible foes and saved kingdoms from the brink of destruction. They were the last group of heroes to roam the world and anywhere they went they left it a better place.
One of them recorded most of their adventures in a series of books. Unfortunately only a handful have been found and powerful magic prevents even the most skilled of scribes from copying it”
At this Pleandra made a disgusted sound sound and looked to the heaven with contempt.
“Foolishness, who writes a book anything other that being read. That stupid idiot never learned the value of books, to leave for twenty years and leave such a crappy legacy...”
Seeing the sorrowful expression on the old woman’s face made something click in Kalthier's brain and, with great trepidation he asked her the question he knew the answer off.
“He was your son, wasn't he, the scribe?”
At his question the tears in the old woman's eyes started to fall and she made no effort to clean them as she talked.
“He’s still alive, that much I know, but something happened ten years ago, eight left to slay a dragon in the west and only three returned. They refused to talk about what happened only going as far as to say that the hunt was successful and that the others were alive. Bergroth and Eva settled here, swearing to never go on another adventure or talk about the past. The third seemed to vanish into thin air, never to be seen again”
Tearful eyes full of determination regarded him silently for a few moments before Pleandra nodded to herself. Walking to the back of the counter she removed a black key from her robes and, chanting in an unknown language REPLACEed it into the wall. Silently a piece of the wall the size of a door seemed to fade away into nothingness, leaving behind a small bookcase that radiated power.
Picking up a small ledger from the bottom row Pleandra once again closed the magical bookcase, returning the key back to her robes.
“Kalthier...”
Hearing her voice filled with authority worthy of a member of the royal family Kalthier returned his attention to the old librarian who now placed the small book on the counter.
“You, who is being trained by two of the mightiest heroes this land has ever known, who has somehow managed to befriend those two and gained their trust when everyone else failed, I have a request to make of you”
The formality of the words seemed at odds with the woman he thought he knew, but, having heard her story, only a single word came to his mind and mouth.
“Anything”
A ghostly smile crossed the old, weathered lips as she heard his answer.
“This is one of the books written by that wayward son of mine, it details one of their adventures that happened around twenty years ago. Read it, learn from it, and, once your training ends, search for the others, once you have them all bring them to me. I must know the fate of my son and something tells me the answer lies on those books”
*Ting*
You have been given a new quest.
Search for the lost memoirs of the Wayward Company
Pleandra, the old head librarian from the city of Regus has tasked you with the search for the lost memoirs of the Wayward Company. Written by her son during the course of his adventures with his seven companions, this memoirs might hold a clue as to the whereabouts of the missing members who, after a successful hunt for a mighty dragon, disappeared.
Collect all the memories 1/16
Difficulty B
Requirements:
Must have read over twenty books in Pleandra’s library.
Must be in real training by both Evangeline Delacroft and Bergroth Dy’Net.
Must have listened to Pleandra’s story and showed strong emotions about it.
Rewards: Unknown.
Evangeline and Bergroth must not know of this quest for they will prevent you from completing it.
Upon reading the quest notice Kalthier realized two things, his cheeks were wet, tears having sprung unnoticed and a deep certainty that he would do anything to complete this impossible quest.
“I’ll find them”
“Oh, thank you my child, you have made an old woman's heart warm again”
With that Kalthier took the books he was supposed to read and went towards the private room, determined to complete his training no matter what they threw at him.
His determination lasted until the next morning, when Eva revealed her improved plans for his training. Hell was a paradise.
Chapter 3 END
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Author's notes.
I should be studying.
I REALLY should be studying.
O, well it's not like i'm gonna go responsible all of a sudden.
Let me know what you think of the chapter.
Punctuation still kicks my ass, anyone interested in PR me?
{[999aba}] "Nevermore"