Ulgrin set the broken pieces down with a sigh. “Yeah, it’s busted.”

“Saezz believes it’s a good thing we acquired so much from the pirates.” His lizard friend replied, aiding him in divesting of the plates digging into his chest. “Do you think it will take long to refit?”

“Shouldn’t be too difficult.” Ulgrin replied. He took a moment to stretch and groan, ribs no longer complaining. “I’ve already started work on it. We should be able to get it done on the barge ride. Speaking of, we’ll be leaving tonight. I’ve already arranged the passage with the Viscount.”

Alyss picked up a shard of metal, eyeing the bronze piece. “It’s seen a lot of punishment, hasn’t it?”

“Aye. It’s a damn shame to see it retired, but… I’ll re-make it one day. In the name of my ancestor who once wore it.” Sighing, he packed the remnants up into a linen sack. “He would’ve been proud to see it used.”

“You dwarves sure are respectful of your ancestors,” Raelza replied. “Ancestors be praised for this, ancestors damn it that.”

Ulgrin laughed. “Just being appreciative. While their spirits may have returned to the cycle, it’s the thought that counts, aye?” He rolled up the bag and slid it into his pack. “Besides, a little piece of them is always watching. Even if its just your memory.” The dwarf tapped his head. “Now let’s go eat. I’m starving from that potion fixing me up.”

“Let’s.” Raelza patted him on the shoulder. “Keep up the good work, boss.”

The party of four left their adjoined suitehouse and made for the dining hall. By this point they’d gotten used to the opulence and it barely fazed them. Waiting for them in the hall was a feast fit for a king.

Marking the main course was a whole hog. The beast had been glazed with sauces, roasted, and then glazed again. The sweet smells of spices filled the air and they could hardly hold themselves back from devouring the meal. He could get used to eating like this, but knew it’d be back to hardtack and jerky soon enough.

Viscount Meier smirked as he gestured for them to eat, knowing the party could barely restrain their appetite. It turned out to be the most tender meat, practically melting in one’s mouth. A tangy sweetness and sour taste filled the mouth. Definitely one of his favorites thus far on his adventure. At this point half of his desire for exploring the world was to taste new things. The meal proceeded until everyone had been sated before he spoke up.

“I understand you’ll be boarding the barge tonight? Well, I wish you all luck. The mission you’ve been asked to take upon yourselves is one of great importance to Andire. I thank you all.”

“No big deal,” Raelza said as she stuck a fork full of meat into her mouth. “We’re already saving the world. What difference does saving a country along the way matter?”

“Everything. At least to the citizens of this country. A civil war would not be a bloodless thing, especially with crazed fey causing chaos and despair.” Meier closed his eyes. “This country hasn’t experienced a proper war since before the Three Houses were established and the Rite of Ascension made. And given that we still have a year until the proposed youths come of age… Well, the country is too divided to properly face such a thing.”

“Saezz wonders how exactly this ‘Rite’ works? It chooses the most worthy?”

“It’s a trial, of sorts.” Baronetess Sarisa spoke. “One that takes months to reach its peak. The three chosen are judged by merit, their honor, and their wisdom. Only the one chosen by the Lady of the Lake will be granted the Mantle. Her spirit lives on inside of it, letting her pick the best. Technically, any citizen of Andire can be chosen, but practically only the Houses pick.”

[An intelligent item?] Lorekeeper spoke up within his mind. [I would be very much interested in meeting such an entity.]

[If we get the chance,] Ulgrin replied, taking a sip. [I’ll gladly do what I can to get you to meet. Not that I think we’ll have much of a chance.]

“So you dangle the hope of being King or Queen to the people? Smart, I suppose.” Raelza shrugged.

“It’s not as simple as that,” Alyss said with a frown. “The Mantle hasn’t always chosen the three picked by the Houses. If they all fail, then anyone is allowed to touch it and be judged. That’s every citizen’s right and the Houses would be fools to prevent it. Plenty of people in the past have been chosen.”

“Feels to me like strange magic items distributing royalty is not much of a basis for a system of government…” Ulgrin commented, earning him a frown from the locals.

“It’s tradition.” Alyss stated. “The Mantle has never been wrong. Every ruler has led the country wisely.”

“And a bunch of old geezers sitting in a mountain are much better?” Raelza asked playfully, pointing her fork at him. “The Argentum Accords have got it right, I think. They’re rich as hell and every official is voted in. Something called a ‘democracy’, last I heard. It works out well for them.”

“The Argentum Accords is in a unique position,” Meier stated plainly. “Their country is a new one, born of blood and silver. Not that they were wrong to rebel, per say. The mineral wealth of that nation caused their leaders to practically enslave everyone.”

“Saezz is unsure if any one type of rulership is right.” The lizardfolk said with a confused look. “There is still much strife in the world, no?”

“Aye. But at least war isn’t on the horizon. Well. For most of the world, at least. From what I’ve read, the Eventide Empire is having friction with its neighbors. And the Court of the Fallen Sun has always been at odds with the Skysworn Dynasty. Hopefully the peace holds.”

“Enough politics for now.” Meier said. “I believe that you’ve all got to get ready for a trip.”

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“Right.” Sarisa turned to her daughter. “Alyss. This is where we’ll be parting ways for now. I hope you’ll be able to visit home when this is all said and done.”

Alyss paused. “Maybe. I’ll think about it.”

“I’m sorry about what I said. You’ve chosen a good role in life for yourself. You’ve got good confidants and allies. And you’ve chosen a mission that makes me proud.”

The alchemist looked down, warring emotions on her face. Eventually, she said simply, “Thanks. I love you, Mother.”

“I love you too, Alyss. Best of luck.”

The rest of the party allowed them a few moments to hug it out whilst Saezz stole every last bread roll on the table. Half of them went into their insatiable stomachs while the others were stored away for later.

Meier laughed, eyes creasing in amusement. “I’m glad you’re leaving. You’d eat me out of house and home!”

Ulgrin quickly swallowed a chunk of bread. “It takes a King to keep up well fed for a significant amount of time. Perhaps we’ll ransack your hen house next. Have a good evening, Viscount.”

“Likewise, good travels.”

With everyone sorted out and their things gathered, the party made their way out of the castle. It was nice to be back on the metaphorical road again. The evening streets were fairly empty, allowing them swift access down to the riverside docks. The party would be riding The Naiad’s Blessing, a cargo barge that made routine trips up and down the channel.

Dougan’s River would give them a straight shot to Lake Andire. While they would make a few stops along the way, it wouldn’t take more than five days to get to the capital city. There, they would find their contacts and set out.

Ulgrin laid his head to rest on a hammock after they had boarded, eager to get going. Time was ticking.

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Their first stop along the way was Redriver Run.

True to the name, they could see a host of red maples and other crimson colored specimens dotting the banks. It was quite the beautiful sight, watching the sea of red and white sway in the wind. The route was peaceful, letting them rest and recuperate.

“How does it fit?” Saezz asked, tying down the last strap.

“A bit tight on the shoulders.” Ulgrin replied. “How about you, Alder? You’d best get used to wearing a breastplate, for now at least.”

The boy looked practically swamped in the armor, but his frame had filled out quite a bit thanks to the aid of good food, regenerative potions, and nutritional supplements. “I like it. I feel… Stronger.” While not quite at the level of being whole, he was no longer practically starving to death.

“You are. That one’s got a strength enchantment. Figured it’d be best for you while you’re still getting your muscles back.”

Ulgrin looked at him with a bit of pride. The boy had chosen to wield a mace and shield as his weapons of choice. He looked less like a scared slave and more like a young warrior. Alder nodded beneath his helmet. “Thanks, sir.”

“Don’t thank me! You’re about to get a beating, lad. Time for martial training. The both of us will be trying to best Saezz here. The tricky part is I’m not allowed to use magic. You’ve been working on your firebolts, aye?”

“Yessir.” The boy grit his teeth and turned to face the hulking lizardfolk.

The upper deck was open enough for them to spar. The captain of the Blessing, an elf by the name of Venn, had given them his, heh, blessing. Now that’s ironic. Ulgrin had finished up the repairs for his new armor and was itching to test it out.

Originally, the set of banded plates had a burnished black design, but he’d purchased a bit of enchanted paint. He’d gone with earthy and verdant greens. On his pauldrons were yellow streaks like lightning bolts. While the kabuki mask didn’t look quite as fearsome anymore, it fit his personality better.

He took in a deep breath, standing to his full height. It was going to take some getting used to the heavier set, but his stout figure had it handled. It felt solid. Protective. He took a moment to offer thanks to whoever had originally made this set before turning to face his foe.

Saezz stretched, muscular limbs twisting. “Are you two ready?” His friend asked, eyes narrowing to pinpricks.

“Aye.” Ulgrin hefted his hammer, wielding it in a two-handed grip. “Follow my lead, Alder.”

The gap between the two was swiftly bridged, and the first attack made. Ulgrin felt claws skip along his plate as he turned to the side, delivering a mean thrust with the butt of his hammer to Saezz’s chest. The lizard hissed, kneeing him in the face. Ulgrin stumbled back, not much worse for wear.

Alder charged in, swinging his weapon wildly. He didn’t have much skill with his swings, wielding the mace inefficiently. He’d taught the boy the basics, but any further would need to be drilled in via percussive maintenance. Saezz stopped the weapon with a hand and punched him in the stomach, sending the human back.

Ulgrin knew the breastplate would hold and kept up the tempo. He elongated his hammer, swinging it in a wide sweep to keep Saezz back. He’d come a long way since their spar back in the Mithral Halls. The dwarf had wisened up, learned his friend’s patterns.

Saezz moved to grapple, teeth coming down on his gorget. Ulgrin shrunk his hammer and then quickly sent the head of it right into the man’s jaw. He recoiled, clutching his jaw. Ulgrin’s weapon sweeped out and pulled Saezz off of his feet, slamming into the deck below.

A tail wrapped around Ulgrin’s head and brought him down with the lizard. Thankfully, Alder had recovered at that point to shield bash Saezz as he attempted to get on top.

“Good!” Saezz called, happily retreating and getting to his feet. “Always cover your allies, Alder.”

“Y-yeah!” Alder panted, already running out of steam by just thirty seconds of combat. “Gods he’s tough!”

“He’s our strongest fighter for a reason,” Ulgrin replied, lunging forwards in a sweeping bash. Saezz grabbed a hold of his hammer and pulled the dwarf in. Ulgrin grinned and shrunk the weapon, allowing it to bring him in at even greater velocity. An armored fist caught the lizard in the gut.

Saezz curled over, his scale armor not quite up to the task. Ulgrin’s fists pummeled him for a few moments, but a clawed hand reached out and grabbed his arm, wrenching it hard.

Ulgrin was thrown into Alder, sending the two bowling over. They were stunned just long enough for Ulgrin to feel his greaves being grabbed. Suddenly the world was awash in motion as the lizard spun him in a circle. Nausea brought up bile, but he held it down. He focused, activating the helmet’s third eye.

There. He kicked out his boot into Saezz’s hand and was promptly let go. He went flying and slammed into the ground hard.

By the time he managed to get back onto his feet, Saezz already had the poor Alder in a headlock. “Shall we call it a draw?” His friend asked, grinning. “In a real battle, I would have ample time to break his neck.”

“Please… Hahh… Don’t…” Alder panted, for a moment appearing to give up. Then he achieved a second wind, driving the edge of his shield into Saezz’s face. “Don’t give up!”

Ulgrin sprinted, grabbing his discarded hammer along the way and extended it out to its full length. He lifted it over his shoulders into a downwards swing. Saezz’s eyes widened, and he was forced to grab onto the weapon as it came down. The lizard’s arms buckled from the momentum. Alder reached up and suddenly a dagger was at the lizard’s neck. “How… about… now?” He gasped for air, but had a satisfied look on his face.

“Hmm.” Saezz grinned. “It seems you’re quite the natural at this. Saezz is impressed. But in a real fight you should aim…” He reached out and moved the blade a bit to the left. “There. On most humanoids you would find an artery there. While it would have hurt, such a blow would not have incapacitated him." He proceeded to point to different locations along his own neck in a macabre display.

Alder blinked, shocked. “Oh. Thanks.”

“No problem.” The dagger was then grabbed and a fist rocketed into the young man’s face. He went flying. “But another lesson would be not to give your opponents time. Always seize the initiative.”

“Arsehole.” Ulgrin said with a smile, raising his helmet. “But you’ve done good, Alder. You’ve got the spirit and fortitude to fight.” He had no doubt that slavery had given the boy an iron will. That would aid him greatly in the future. “Now how about we go for a second round? Drink your potion if need be.” He took a swig of his own, allowing the regenerative to sooth his bruises.

Alder groaned, rubbing his bleeding nose. It was twisted at an angle, crimson streaming down his face. Ouch. “I dink du bwoke it.”

“Ah. Saezz apologies. Hold still.”

Ulgrin knew that the pain that followed would only serve to teach the boy. He was going to need every last lesson.

And the journey continues. More insight into the global political situation. And a bit of fun. Alder is a strong young man, and he'll continue to grow over the course of the adventure. The party will likely remain at six for the time being, I don't plan to add any more permanent additions. See you all next chapter. It's been fun writing so far.