Looking down on Grenwall, I finally understood why my Dad called Verdant a backwater nation.

“This is it?” I turned to my side to look at Kohr. “You’re sure this is Grenwall?”

“Last time I checked? Yeah, this is Grenwall.” The [Knightguard] sounded annoyed. “You don’t seem impressed by the biggest city in Verdant.”

“It’s…” I waved my hand exasperatedly. “Underwhelming.”

“Compared to what?”

“I’ve been to Sunhome a few times and it’s always taken my breath away. This,” I waved at the city once more, “isn’t even close.”

“Sunhome is the largest city in the world. Tens of millions of people live there, including almost the entirety of the Golden Elven population.” Kohr groaned. “Of course this is going to be disappointing compared to that. There aren’t even ten million people in Verdant as a whole. Probably less than two million live in Grenwall.”

I started walking down the hill with Raiju in her smallest form padding behind me. “I stand by my statement. Grenwall is underwhelming.” Kohr started behind me with a snort.

The city before us was far larger than Cliffhaven, easily ten times the size if my math was right. However, the wall wasn’t even green! Instead it was an ugly reddish brown that reminded me a bit of terracotta. In the center of the city stood the palace, its gleaming white walls stood out against the dark stone used for most of the other buildings in town. The gate nearest to us had a line of people and carts snaking out from it at least half a mile. Up ahead, I could see a smaller man-door guarded by someone wearing dark leathers rather than the chainmail typical of most Verdant guards I’d met so far.

Kohr directed us to the leather clad guard and snapped a salute. “Kohr Varkoni of Cliffhaven.” The guard waved for him to continue. “I’m here to escort a VIP prisoner to the king for sentencing.”

“Papers?” The guard seemed unimpressed by Kohr’s assertion I was a VIP as he looked down his aquiline nose at me.

Kohr produced a small scroll from his spatial pouch and handed it to the guard. He looked at it for a few moments before his eyebrows rose. He looked at me for almost a minute before looking back at Kohr.

“Really?” He sounded incredulous. “Him?”

“You don’t know the half of it.” Kohr shook his head. “Are we good to go in?”

The guard took one last glance at me before handing the scroll back to Kohr. “You are. Until you pass him off to the Kingsguard, he’s your responsibility, him and his bonded beast. Don’t–”

“Bonded companion.” I leaned into the last word with some venom in my voice. “Raiju is no mere beast.” Catching on to my irritation, Raiju started growling.

“Listen kid–” The guard began before Kohr cut him off.

“Trust me, you really don’t want to mess with Arthur or Raiju.” He shuddered as he remembered our sparring matches from the morning. “They’re literally on another level from guys like us.”

“Whatever,” the guard waved the comment aside, “just don’t let them trash anything before they’re someone else’s problem. Dig?”

“You–” I almost demanded he apologize to Raiju before I noticed Kohr shaking his head. I sighed. “It was a pleasure meeting you,” I let my eyes focus on his [Status], “Guard Longshadow.” I finished with a flourish in Dark Elven. “May the light not blind you to the truth.”

[Name: Delvin Longshadow

Race: Human - 75%, Dark Elf - 25%

Class: Darkstalker - Rare - Rank C

Level: 14

Emotional Status: Irritated/Guarded]

He started at hearing Dark Elven, obviously not expecting it from a Golden Elf, as the races weren’t known for getting along. He shook his head and replied in kind, with far more respect than he’d shown before. “May the shadows guide you on the path. You and your magnificent companion, Raiju.” He tilted his head and opened the door to let us through.

As we walked down the narrow street away from the door Kohr couldn’t contain his curiosity. “What was that at the end there?”

“Just a traditional Dark Elven saying.” I smiled as we turned down the main road toward the castle. “Once he realized I wasn’t one of the stuck up Golden Elves from Sunhome he was much more respectful.”

“Huh, I wondered why he was so dismissive of you, given your level and adventurer rank.” He shook his head. “Racial profiling, I’ll have to report it when we get to the palace.”

I slowed down to check out a street vendor selling candy before shaking my head and continuing on. “He seemed to be a good sort, he’s just used to being judged for his heritage.” I ran a hand up and down my petite form. “I’m not one to throw stones about that kind of stuff.”

“If you’re sure, I won’t say anything.”

I flipped my platinum hair back before smoothing it out again. “I am.”

“Good enough for me.”

***

Kohr and I clasped forearms as the Kingsguard assigned to watch me stood nearby. “Thanks for getting me here safely.”

The [Knightguard] shook his head. “I should thank you, my [Might] went up two points after what we went through.” He alluded to dinner the night before. “Stop by in Cliffhaven if you ever find yourself out our way again.” His shoulders slumped almost imperceptibly, but I caught it.

“I definitely will.” My eyes glinted. “I’ll be on the lookout for anything that might be able to help with your… other issue.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

He took a step back and bowed respectfully. “That’d be mighty fine. Thanks, Arthur. You’re a good sort. I wish you the best of luck with the king.”

“We’ll meet again, Kohr.” I flashed him a huge grin.

“I sure hope so.” He shook his head before reaching up and touching over his heart. “[Guardian’s Bond].” With a flash of light the dark armored [Knightguard] disappeared. It was sad to see him go back to his dreary life in Cliffhaven, but I was excited to see the window his leaving had produced for me.

[Guardian’s Bond Acquired with Skill Dominance]

[Active Skills - Mastery

Skill Dominance - 24%]

[Skill Advancement Task Available]

I was wondering if there was something I was missing. Let’s take a look at that.

Before I could open up the waiting prompt, my new minder stepped up and grabbed for my wrist. I dodged him without thinking and glared at him. With my other hand I patted Raiju to get her to lower her hackles.

“I may technically be here as a prisoner, but let’s please be civilized.”

My minder practically growled. “If you so much as sniff the wrong thing, I’ll take your head. I don’t care how much health you have, you’ll die without it, you sunbaked bastard.”

“Lead the way my ill mannered sir.”

I shrugged off his Golden Elf hate speech like a duck shrugs off rain. Mom and Dad told me all the things people might call me on my journey, so it wasn’t really a surprise. As a mixed race adventurer, they knew I’d run into racist assholes all over, so they prepared me for the worst they might go for. This bigot’s choice wasn’t in the top twenty my parents had come up with to try and upset me.

He sneered before spinning on his heel and marching to the door. “Keep up, or I’ll kill you.” He took off at a good clip and I had to jog to keep up, despite my [Agility]. My stubby legs just didn’t lend me a fast walking pace, though they didn’t hurt my running speed or mobility on the battlefield too badly. As I jogged, I mentally tapped on the waiting window in the corner of my vision.

[Skill Advancement Task - Skill Dominance

Acquire five new Skills in the next hour.

0/5 Acquired]

How the hell am I going to do that?!

Raiju nudged my leg to the left to shake me out of the pissed off haze I was in just before I was about to crash into a table at the end of the hallway where it broke into a T-intersection. I continued that way and found the bigoted guard a few paces in front of me.

Yeah, I’m done thinking of him like that. What’s his real name?

[Name: Chad Whiteplume (Matthias Redmourn)

Race: Human

Class: Guard(Spy) - Common(Rare) - Rank C(B)

Level: 16(21)

Emotional Status: Furious/Zealous]

Ho ho ho, what do we have here? A [Spy] in the palace? I guess that’s kind of to be expected, now that I think about it. He must be using [Status Shield], but my [Essence Reading] is an evolved [Skill], so it broke through and showed me both bits of information. For him to be acting as a [Guard], whoever sent him invested a lot if Kohr is to be believed on how expensive [Skill Scrolls] are. I wonder who it might be? His last name isn’t really helping me figure it out.

Chad/Matthias sped up, trying to leave me behind and I grinned when a window appeared from [Skill Dominance].

[Cat’s Prowl Skill Acquired with Skill Dominance]

One down, four to go.

He led the way down a few hallways that I somehow knew were generally leading us north toward the center of the palace. He tried to lose me, all but breaking into a run, but I kept up with ease now that I knew his game. He would use [Cat’s Prowl] to disguise his footsteps, sending phantom echoes down the wrong direction when he’d go through a nexus of hallways. A couple of times, I almost went the wrong way, but Raiju kept me going the right way.

I owe her a nice dinner after all of this stuff is done. This asshole is getting on my nerves though, so it might be a while.

After almost twenty minutes of wandering the halls of the palace, Chad/Matthias stopped before an enormous set of crimson wooden doors. He reached up and lifted the oak leaf shaped knocker while I appreciated the doors.

Bloodwood doors? Good choice, that’s what our front door back home is made from. It’ll heal if you splash some blood on it. Very practical for a door that might be besieged at some point.

The doors opened and a mousy haired young man poked his head out. “Can I help you Guard Whiteplume? The king is very busy today.”

“I have a prisoner for sentencing from Cliffhaven.” He reached back to snatch my wrist, but I easily flowed around his rough grasp. He snarled as he hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “The waste of space is here along with his mutt. If the king is busy, I’d be more than happy–”

The mousy headed courtier pushed the door open and ushered the pair of us in before holding up a hand to stop the spy from entering. “Return to your post. I’ll take responsibility for him until the king can see to his sentencing.”

“I need to–”

“You need to get back to work.” The courtier stood up to his full six foot height and stared Chad/Matthias down. “Now.”

Chad/Matthias fought back a growl before saluting. “Understood, Lord Marconi.” He spun on his heel and did his best not to look back at me, but I caught him and waved happily.

“Have a great day Chad!”

As Lord Marconi shut the massive doors, I heard Chad/Matthias muttering under his breath. “How’d he know that name? I didn’t–” The slam of the doors cut off the rest of what he was saying.

Lord Marconi gave me a shallow bow. “The archivists delivered your paperwork a few hours ago.” He smiled. “The king will see you in a few minutes now that you’ve arrived.” He led me over to a plush couch in the corner of the palatial space and took a seat before patting the cushion next to him. “Please, sit. You’re almost a free man, but I’d love to pick your brain until you are!” His eyes glowed for a moment and I almost sat next to him without a thought, but then I saw the new window from [Skill Dominance] and shook it off.

[Charming Gaze Skill Acquired with Skill Dominance]

What a dirty move. Unless he’s much higher level than he looks? He’s in for a rude awakening if he tries that on anyone who matters out in the world. My [Wits] and [Perception] are way too high for something like that to work on me. I mean, I guess that’s three to go, right? Gotta look on the bright side.

Despite not being charmed, I hopped up next to him on the plush couch. Before he could stop me, I patted the space between the two of us and Raiju immediately picked up on what I wanted as she hopped up between us. She curled up and laid her head on my lap so she could look out into the room.

Lord Marconi’s smile grew thin. “Ah, your bonded companion, Raiju if memory serves?”

“It does.”

“She’s gorgeous. Her fur looks so luscious.” He recovered well. “So, I read the report, but they rarely tell the whole story.” He leaned in conspiratorially. “What actually happened with Baron Darkspear?”

Before I could speak, another window appeared in my vision and I groaned audibly. Two to go, maybe this won’t be so hard…

[Eavesdrop Skill Acquired with Skill Dominance]

I scratched my ear nervously. “Are you sure no one can hear us? I’d hate to say anything negative about a noble when,” I whispered in his ear, “someone is listening in.” My gaze flicked over to the assembled wall of courtiers on the other side of the room. Of the ten of them waiting there, three were staring hard at the pair of us and Raiju.

He leaned back and tapped his nose. “Good thinking.” He pulled out a small golden broach formed into the holy symbol of The Architect and clipped it to his robe before tapping the middle of the crossed pencil and protractor. “We should be able to speak candidly now.”

One of the men who’d been watching the three of us snarled before turning around and joining the other seven assembled young lords.

I leaned back and kicked my foot up onto my other leg. “You see, here’s what happened. I’d just woken up in Cliffhaven…”