Kaden startled awake as the door to the groundhouse opened. He still ached, but that was the way of battle. The cure was to fight and get wounds so much worse the aching muscles didn’t matter.
“Will you sleep away the winter?” The voice wasn’t Drokor, but one of the older Resyr women. She was gnarled and bent with age, but her voice was strong. “Wake up! When I was young, I, too, fought against the paws. In my day, they’d patrol ruthlessly, testing for any sort of weakness.”
“You. Fought those ulf?” Sara asked through a yawn.
“I was a beserker! So strong, so fierce they called me ‘Veiour’ - it means ’ball smasher.’ But like all of us, I had to surrender my class or be devoured by it. The rage, it’s always waiting. It never really goes away.” Reiour tapped her cane. “Get up! The Crafters have been working all day on a token of our thanks.”
Kaden pulled Vip back into his soul, where she found herself on an endless road filled with pigeons. The orphaned Makur felt completely normal. It was hoping for its next meal, staying close to mother, and plotting how to push its brother out of the herd when no one was looking. All in all, a success.
The sun was in fact, setting, but the Resyr village hummed with activity. An actual fire burned against the night, and the [Makur] in their pen seemed calm, if wary. Everywhere, people moved, digging snow away from doorways or working in groups.
“Veiour! I said to let them sleep!” Drokor’s call came louder than the rising wind.
“And I might be dead before they wake. In my day, we did not sleep after a battle. We said ‘I may have died in the battle and not known it, and death will come looking for me.’” Reiour led them through the village at a creeping pace.
“How’s your health?” Eve asked. “I wish I had a skill for bruises and aches, but I suspect my class will never have one. Nurav is not a goddess who eschews pain.”
“I’ll live,” Kaden said.
Trella had disappeared from the group, but her Deception walked with them, studying the villagers. Its hand on Kaden’s arm was cool and firm. The Deception had been illusory once, but now it had substance and a growing intelligence. *What are you?* Kaden tapped on on its hand.
*What I am. You should ask her. She’s afraid of the answers.* The Deception looked away.
Rejour slowed as she approached a ring of crafters. “We’ve been working all day. Those ulf had turned us into their private feast ever since the discord broke out. The other clans feel we are weak, but we have skills. We work the [Makur] hide to make armor for our land. But you brought us more.”
One of the crafters stepped aside to reveal a stone table. Laid out on it were items crafted from thick, heavy leather and gray-white fur streaked with colors from the fallen stars.
[Ulfen Armor]
This armor was crafted from an empowered Ulfen. The ancestors no longer watch over it, but traces of their power remain. It will drink essences to permanently gain aspects of the ancestors. When combined in a set, the aspects of the ancients are increased.
[Ulfen Boots]
These boots were crafted from the feet of an Ulfen. They offer sure grip on ice and snow and protection from the most bitter cold. They can be empowered with essences of the ancestors to grant traits.
[Ulfen Gauntlets]
These guantlets were crafted from the jaws an empowered Ulfen. Powerful against the cold, they will only grow more powerful as you slay enemies with them. They cannot be empowered with essence, only the lifeblood of your foes.
[Ulfen Cloak]
This cloak is made from the head of an empowered Ulfen. Alone, it doesn’t confer any special attributes, but it is warm and tough and sends a definite message to your enemies. As part of a Set, it will heal over time from damage and conform to your body.
Trella pushed him forward. “What are you waiting for? Those are incredible. Except the cloak, no one can pull off a beast head cloak.”
Sara and Ashi and Eve and Trella had all fought the boss, but Kaden moved quickly stripping off his old armor he’d had made in Trunistan. The ulfen armor wouldn’t be good except in cold environments, but as he pulled on each piece, his confidence grew. It was flexible and thick and heavy. The boots looked awkward with their glittering claw-tips, but sure enough his feet stood just as solid as dry ground. Hardened leather plates covered the front and sides of his thighs, and the gauntlets fit so well he couldn’t help smiling. His right hand would be weaker because these didn’t have the grip enhancements.
It was worth it.
Resyr began to cheer as Kaden clipped the cloak in place.
You have obtained a Set Bonus. All Ancester effects increased.
Which reminded him. Kaden drew from Inventory the two Ancestor Essences, both bright red. “The armor says it will accept Essences. How do I use them?”
Drokor pointed to an essence. “Select it, and the System will prompt you. An essence will only give a bonus like the ancestor it came from, and there were once ones for every type. These are Damage essences. How they affect each warrior is different.”
Once, Kaden had believed he had all the equipment he needed. Last night had taught him better, as the Ancestral Watcher shredded his best armor—and his arm. Now he focused on the essences.
Each Essence may only be bound to one piece of armor.
Analyzing….
Options:
Bind to Chest Armor - Your chance of Brutal Blows or Crippling Strikes increases the longer battle goes on.
Bind to Boots - Any blow that includes movement will inflict increased damage.
Both of those felt like key elements of how Kaden fought. Sara had told him once when choosing talents that he’d be more powerful with either, if he just made a choice. Both essences went to the chest. His chest grew warmer, and the essences dissolved, sinking into the armor. “I feel stronger. I am stronger, thanks to you. Thanks to all of you. I want to go hunting. I want to find more Ulf. And I want to claim their essences.
“Come, while the clan celebrates, I have sword-questions,” Drokor said. “Our gratitude flows, but I must cut to the truth. And not all are pleased that you received the spoils of your battle and not one of the clan.”
This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.
“Then let the clan fight and bleed.” Eve spoke loudly, her voice cutting through the merriment. “If they want the spoils of battle then let them battle. We chose the darkness and the danger. Let them choose, and we won’t say a word when they claim their prizes.”
The party had died, and only the sharp whistle of the wind and the roar of the fire carried in the night.
Drokor laughed. “We are merchants and traders and crafters. Come, we will eat and speak such truths.”
Drokor’s groundhouse was short and wide, and filled with broken weapons and bent armor. She kicked it out of the way and pushed a bedroll off what was clearly a table. “Sit, we have fish stew we bought from the Skanak before the discord. You can smell it ten miles away, but it is a rite of passage.”
Trella hadn’t stopped petting his armor. “It’s amazing. Just amazing. But I can’t help asking one of those sword-questions. There were three Ulf hides and a ton of claws. What happened to the other two?”
“That was me,” Sara said. “The claws make decent daggers, assuming you don’t have equipment like ours, I traded them to the Crafters to make Kaden’s equipment. The hides are different. We could be here for months, it’s in our best interests that our hosts are equipped to protect themselves.”
“You will be repaid,” Drokor said. “I swear it before the system.”
Oath heard and acknowledged: Drokor Sigur will ensure you are repaid for 2x Ulf Hide
“Good enough for me,” Kaden said. “How do I heal my [Letydir]? It’s cold and wounded.”
“They grow, they die, it is their life.” Drokor responsed. “Now, let us speak of the truths I will not say before a clan that is celebrating. You have won us reprieve from the ulf, that much is true. You have among you an [Alchemist] who can make [Fire Heart] potions. But should the Tun turn on us, you will not be able to withstand them. They are to the east, and unlike the north clans, held back from conflict.”
Eve perked up at this news. “Excellent. I was hoping at least one of your neighbors had combat strength. I have faith in Trella’s capabilities as an Alchemist. And I have faith in our ability to seek out domain creatures and get her the components needed. While you work to gather power and respect, I need to know who already has power and who has respect.”
“Can you make contact?” Sara asked. “Kaden could go with you. I want to go back to the Skan and understand the trade situation better, Trella needs to get her lab setup for [Fire Heart] potions and I don’t feel comfortable leaving the village unguarded, but no one will challenge Ashi. Or if they do, it’ll only be for a moment.”
Drokor considered the conversation. “You are so confident I want to believe you will succeed. What do you need of us that we can provide?”
“Information.” Ashi spoke with confidence. “Every great bridge toward peace must be built on a foundation of the skulls. The skulls of those who would tear it down. Beserkers are fearsome warriors, but how does their class and skill function?”
“Ah. A sword-question for sure.” Drokor sighed. “We are like you. We choose a weapon and train with it. We choose armor and gear and work to let skill be the edge. But every Beserker has another attribute: Rage. As we level, the limits of our rage grow and we may fight longer and harder without losing control. When our rage level exceeds our rage attribute, we become mindless.”
This matched Kaden’s general expectations. “And your damage and speed goes up with rage.”
“Yes,” Drokor said. “Any attack, even a constant threat, could build Rage. And therein lies our downfall. In the first tier we are dangerous fighters. During our second tier, the base level of our rage rises. We are more dangerous to start. At the third tier we are deadly, because there is always a boiling lake of power just beneath the skin. But that rage never dissapates. Our class is flawed ever since the last Cataclysm and the system update.”
Kaden wondered why [Identify] had claimed Drokor sacrificed her skills, but if avoiding irreversable rage was only possible by giving up her skills, it made more sense. “Are we going to have to fight beserkers? Or just other adventureres?”
“I hope neither. But my hopes don’t change the decisions others make. Beserker battles are bloody and fast. They cannot afford to let their enemy gain power, nor can they risk their own control slipping. Your role is not as our front line but to protect our people.” Drokor emphasized the last, but Kaden couldn’t help thinking that without a line of warriors, battle was sure to be coming their way.
It was his time to ask a sword-question. “How many warriors do you have? Eve resurrected at least two.”
“[Frost] has claimed eight of ours,” Drokor said. “We have them buried underground to keep them safe until they can be cured.”
“How, exactly, were you surviving before?” Trella asked. “I’ll learn to make this [Fire Soul] once Kaden gets me essence from the domain beasts. Where are we going to find these beasts? I’ve never brewed this, there will be failures. There will be mistakes.”
“North. The Domain beasts spawn after moonrise. They’ll flood from gates that open in the wastes and disappear at dawn. Their presence can inflict [Frost], which will progress until you are locked in a block of ice.” Drokor looked to Kaden. “Your armor will give you a way to resist. Perhaps the snakes you summon as well, Sara.”
Ashi scoffed. “I can become Fire incarnate. I do not fear [Frost]. I will keep Evelyn and Trella safe.”
“Can you take a FarPortal back and hire an [Alchemist] to come?” Kaden asked Trella.
“Absolutely,” she answered. “I’ll head back—”
“Wait.” Drokor said. “You haven’t met the northern clans. To answer your question, we had an [Alchemist] on loan from their hall. He would travel to the clans, taking payment and the essences we gathered and turning them into [Fire Soul]. He was north with the Fen. He did not return, and I fear it was not by choice. Others of his kind came looking and returned with only a corpse.”
“That would change things.” Trella summoned her messenger bird and spoke to it at length before sending it off. “The Alchemist’s Hall will take that as a final offense. I won’t be able to hire one, but we can work on a different plan. I’ll take the essences to them.”
“Essences from the Ice Mana Domain dissolve if they travel too far from the domain,” Drokor said. “This is why he came. We have a [Tracker] who can show you where we once hunted the Domain Spawn. Tonight, though, you should celebrate. In your own way.” Drokor nodded to the door. “I do not think you want to celebrate our way. Though many of our women would treasure a child by a [Beast Master]. The child is always the mother’s to raise in the clan.”
“Not interested in raising children for a few centuries. The Sisters say no one under three hundred should have to be a parent.” Trella shrugged. “If Kaden wants to? Fine by me.”
Kaden shook his head. “Thank you for the armor, but how would I leave knowing I have children?”
“You do not trust the mothers to love them,” Drokor nodded. “I understand. It is our way, not yours. Enjoy your evening, I will send food and wine. And truly, we are grateful. There will always be threats. There will always be a need to watch. But tonight we celebrate, that those who stalked us are dead.”
Sara stood to go with Drokor. “I would enjoy your celebration. I won’t be having children, but company is always welcome.”
“And I,” Ashi said. “It is unlikely any of your men are my match, but perhaps it will be enjoyable. Let us drink and enjoy the skies above, and the company below.”
Kaden couldn’t help laughing.
Though now, Eve shifted uncomfortably. “I’m well aware of how you two will celebrate.”
Trella’s grip tightened on Kaden’s hand. “You can join us, Eve.”
“What?” Eve asked. “I—I don’t know where you misunderstood. You’re welcome to celebrate together, but I don’t—I don’t even want to.”
‘We’ll be out hunting,” Trella said pulling Kaden to his feet and kissing his cheek. “We can have sex anytime. Hell, we do have sex all the time. But right now, I want to know how Kaden’s armor works, and I want to find one of those domain beasts. That’s how we celebrate.”
“I thought…be careful.” Eve sat back. “I’d appreciate company, though.”
Kaden summoned Vip, who stopped dashing to growl at Kaden. Then sniffed every inch. *Stink.*
“It’s new,” Kaden said, scratching her head. “You want me to hold you?”
*Love.* Vip wriggled loose and headed to Eve, turning in circles to settle.
“You’re losing your dog,” Trella said, laughing as Eve wrapped her arms around Vip. “I think you already lost her.”
Vip was bound to Kaden’s soul. Her emotions flowed to him, and vice versa. He sometimes woke in the night to find she’d curled up on his chest, starting at him until he petted her. Then, re-assured, she would slink back to Eve and sleep in peace. All the little dog had ever wanted was for someone to love her. “No chance of that, but she’s excited to stay with Eve.”
Ten steps away, Kaden activated [Stealth Aura] and put his arm around Trella.
Outside, the night wind made bonfires rise.
Sara sat in a crowd, raising a mug high as she laughed and talked. Ash—she sat with two Beserkers, one on either side, making shapes appear in the flames as she cradled his [Match Lizard] in one hand.
*We could kick Eve out,* Trella said.
Kaden shook his head as they trotted away from the village, heading north. The moon shone as a sliver of silver-blue on the horizon. “Somewhere out here are beasts with essences for potions. We can have sex later. We can only harvest domain beasts now.”
Trella gave him a wide grin and sprinted into the night with Kaden close behind. After less than twenty minutes, the band of light from the Resyr village was a thin thread of light.
Ahead, a gaping gate of brilliant blue rose from the ground. In front of it, a trio of creatures so bright they hurt his eyes stood. Each was shaped like a crab, with wide claws and six legs, and spines that stuck out of its shell. “We should pull one and kill it far from the others,” Kaden said.
The night didn’t answer, and Kaden stood alone.
Trella was gone.