The map continuously updated Xavier of his location, he was in awe of the speed they were traveling. While, on foot, he could cover most of the radius of his domain in a single day, fifteen miles from the center of the confluence of ley lines that made up the Syr’Vailen, they were traveling nearly three times that speed. He wanted to know what skills the duo had that allowed them such speed in the unbroken terrain.
Blindfolded and bound, he resigned himself to watching his map and reviewing his skills. The first thing he did, however, was to allocate his new points from attaining level seven. Two points went into his constitution raising it to 14 and subsequently increasing his health, just in case his upcoming meeting with the elders went seriously sideways. That upcoming meeting was the reason his remaining 4 points were split between charisma and luck. Some small voice usually prompted him to place points in luck, this time it encouraged charisma as well. After applying the changes, he pondered that for a short while. Was it fate, divine guidance from Danu, or just his own subconscious that he heard at those moments he wondered. After a while, he chalked it up to another thing he would probably never figure out.
Hours passed as he was drug along. He was very familiar now with his current skills. As he read the weapon skills, he was able to focus on keywords and learned that some of them could actually evolve over time. Though he had skill with knives he was starting to fight with short swords more recently and he noticed that he had not gotten a new skill for that but the experience for the daggers skill had been slowly increasing. When he had inspected it, a prompt had told him that at level 10, when he became an apprentice in the skill it would become small blades and evolve to encompass a larger number of bladed weapons.
That change had him looking at other of his skills and curious about their possible evolution. One of the things he focused on was the change that happened to a skill at level 5 as opposed to level 10. Both levels marked a change in rank, level 5 meant he was now an initiate instead of just a novice, and level 10 marked him as an apprentice. However, level 10 also came with bonus experience, which made him wonder if it was every other rank change that came with that bonus or if it was every 10 levels. Gods, what he wouldn’t give for someone to discuss these questions with. He had a feeling that the taciturn Iskari woman would not be interested in discussing his questions with him. He was pretty sure she would as soon kill him as speak to him.
Rather than fixate on that irritation he decided to review his city interface. Mentally he selected the icon he had come to associate with that section and was promptly met with a new message.
You have tried to access your city interface outside of your area of influence. All management and information of the settlement of Rynthavael are unavailable until you return to your domain.
Well, that was certainly something he hadn’t expected it did confirm that he had been taken outside of his lands, however. Scowling slightly, he pulled up his skills tab again more to pass the time than for any real review of the status. He was again nearly overwhelmed at the number of skills he had acquired in the few short weeks he had been in the world. That made him start to wonder about days, weeks, months, and years. He had never really had a chance to ask anyone about those and had simply been assuming that they were the same as back on Earth but now he realized that wasn’t something he could take for granted. He had read many stories where they were identical but nearly just as many where they had their own timespans. As he focused on that concept he received a new prompt.
It appears that you wish to display the time and date on your interface. Is this correct?
Xavier would have facepalmed if his hands hadn’t been bound. Mentally he selected yes, and a new icon appeared in the bottom right of his interface listing the time as 18:58 – 22 Bloomrest 13097 (200 Age of Order’s Dominion). More playing around with that icon revealed that Bloomrest had 40 days and was the third month of a sixteen-month calendar. That threw his mind for a loop, this world had an active calendar that had lasted for over thirteen millennia? Earth was a baby in comparison, Danu’s words about Arath having influenced Earth’s history might have been true. It was while he was considering this new revelation that the dragging sensation came to a stop. Xavier tensed, straining his ears for whatever was going on around him.
After a short period, his blindfold was removed and he could see again, somewhat. The torchlight blinded him with its sudden illumination, and he could not see any details beyond its damnable glow. From off to his left, he heard Lianna’s voice, the cold rage in her tones clear despite his lack of ability to see her features.
“Elders, we found this human emerging from a hole deep to the south within the Silverwood. Clearly, he wasn’t traveling to see the elves as he was too far to the east to be heading in that direction from any of the known human trading settlements. The only thing that makes sense is he is one of the raiders, separated from his hunting party. It is likely one of their newer members as he doesn’t wear their colors yet. His armament is better than what they usually carry, he could be a lordling from the kingdom dallying with them.” It was clear that she had been stewing over his background while they traveled and had cooked up quite a compelling argument against him. She had delivered that whole diatribe without taking a breath from his estimate.
He heard several voices murmuring in discussion before suddenly the light was blocked out by a hulking form looming over him. As his eyes adjusted, he could make out the ursine features of another Animari. He triggered insight.
Name: Thror Ironpaw
Race: Bearkin (Ursari)
Disposition: Wary
Level: Unknown
Class: Unknown
Active Effects: Unknown
Description
The bearkin animari, or ursari, is a race of humanoids embodying the traits of bears. Known for their immense strength, resilience, and protective instincts, they are the steadfast guardians of their people and lands. With broad, powerful frames, thick fur-like hair in shades of brown, black, or silver, and deep-set amber or dark brown eyes, they project an aura of unyielding determination. Ursari are natural warriors and defenders, deeply tied to earth’s strength and endurance, and their stoic demeanor hides a deep well of wisdom and patience.
Stats
Health: Unknown
Stamina: Unknown
Mana: Unknown
Thror grunted dismissively at him. “He does not seem like much does he? Any one of our Wardens could take him down before he knew they were there.”
“Calm Thror, I do not think he is one of the raiders. I propose we give him a chance to prove his intentions,” came a softspoken feminine voice once more from his left. Xavier was beginning to understand there was a larger group of individuals standing there, not just the couple he had assumed.
“She’s right,” he called out. “My name is Xavier, I come from Rynthavael, it’s a village deeper in the woods. It’s settled by survivors of raiders. I think we could have a common enemy.” He strained against his bonds for a moment trying to look to where the others were and proclaim his innocence.
The torchbearers shifted and suddenly Xavier could see six others standing near Lianna. Whereas Thror wore heavy plate and scale armor, the other six seemed to be wearing more flowing robes. They each wore distinct torcs and headpieces fashioned from natural elements taken from the forest or animals that dwelt within. The torchbearers were still obscured by the lights they held but the remaining illumination had given Xavier a better idea of who he was talking to. Triggering Insight for each of the elders he quickly got their names and races.
Name: Kaelith Moonstride
Race: Lynxkin (Lynari)
Disposition: Neutral
Level: Unknown
Class: Unknown
Active Effects: Unknown
Description
The lynxkin animari, or lynari, is a race of humanoids embodying the traits of lynxes. Known for their sharp vision, independence, and agility, they thrive in roles requiring clarity, adaptability, and precision. Lynari possess lithe and graceful frames, often with tawny, silvery, or gray fur-like hair streaked with black. Their piercing golden, amber, or green eyes reflect intelligence and an uncanny ability to detect hidden threats. Distinctive tufted ears and subtle whisker-like facial markings highlight their feline lineage, further enhancing their air of mystery. Deeply connected to air’s vigilance, the lynari are natural strategists, scouts, and mediators, blending sharp instincts with careful deliberation to guide their kin through the challenges of both wilderness and society.
Stats
Health: Unknown
Stamina: Unknown
Mana: Unknown
Name: Sylara Dawnshade
Race: Deerkin (Cervari)
Disposition: Curious
Level: Unknown
Class: Unknown
Active Effects: Unknown
Description
The deerkin animari, or cervari, is a race of humanoids embodying the traits of deer. Renowned for their wisdom, grace, and nurturing spirits, they are deeply connected to the natural flow of life and harmony. Their slender frames are complemented by soft, earthy-toned hair, often adorned with subtle antler-like growths or decorative markings. Their serene green or hazel eyes reflect a profound empathy and calm strength. Cervari are skilled healers, spiritual guides, and mediators, embodying life’s gentle yet persistent growth and fostering balance within their communities and the natural world.
Stats
Health: Unknown
Health: Unknown
Health: Unknown
Name: Veyara Frostwhisper
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Race: Snow Leopard Kin (Iskari)
Disposition: Untrusting
Level: Unknown
Class: Unknown
Active Effects: Unknown
Description
The snow leopardkin animari, or iskari, is a race of humanoids embodying the traits of snow leopards. Known for their stealth, agility, and resilience, they thrive in harsh, cold environments, such as mountainous regions. With pale skin marked by faint rosette patterns and thick, snow-like hair often streaked with silver or black, they exude an air of quiet strength. Their piercing blue or gray eyes and fluid movements reflect their feline grace and predatory instincts. Fiercely loyal to their kin, Snow Panthers are natural hunters, trackers, and warriors, blending primal intuition with sharp intelligence to navigate both wilderness and social challenges.
Stats
Health: Unknown
Health: Unknown
Health: Unknown
Name: Arvyn Flamefeather
Race: Hawkkin (Falconi)
Disposition: Wary
Level: Unknown
Class: Unknown
Active Effects: Unknown
Description
The hawkkin animari, or falconi, is a race of humanoids embodying the traits of hawks. Renowned for their sharp eyes, precision, and discipline, they are the vigilant protectors of the skies and masters of aerial tactics. Their lithe frames are accented by feathers that blend seamlessly with their hair, often in shades of gold, brown, or gray. Their sharp, piercing eyes, usually golden or bright brown, miss no detail. Falconi are natural scouts, hunters, and tacticians, embodying air’s freedom and vigilance while protecting their kin from above with unmatched dedication.
Stats
Health: Unknown
Health: Unknown
Health: Unknown
Name: Lyselle Silvermist
Race: Foxkin (Vulpiri)
Disposition: Intrigued
Level: Unknown
Class: Unknown
Active Effects: Unknown
Description
The foxkin animari, or vulpiri, is a race of humanoids embodying the traits of foxes. Known for their cunning, charisma, and agility, they excel in diplomacy, negotiation, and intrigue. With sleek, fiery red or coppery hair, sometimes streaked with black or white, and sharp, playful eyes in hues of amber, green, or gold, they radiate a sly charm. Their slender frames and quick movements reflect their natural adaptability. Vulpiri are master negotiators, spies, and strategists, embodying life’s clever resourcefulness and thriving in both social and wilderness challenges.
Stats
Health: Unknown
Health: Unknown
Health: Unknown
Name: Khoran Dusksworn
Race: Pantherkin (Duskhari)
Disposition: Wary
Level: Unknown
Class: Unknown
Active Effects: Unknown
Description
The pantherkin animari, or duskhari, is a race of humanoids embodying the traits of panthers. Enigmatic and precise, they are masters of stealth and shadow, thriving in dark forests and shadowed terrains. Their smooth, dark-toned skin is complemented by sleek black or deep midnight blue hair, and their golden or green eyes shine with piercing intensity. Duskhari move with silent precision, blending seamlessly into their surroundings. Known for their patience and strength, they are natural shadow warriors and tacticians, channeling earth’s unseen power and embodying the stillness before the strike.
Stats
Health: Unknown
Health: Unknown
Health: Unknown
Xavier’s mouth went dry. At least with the twins, he could see their basic stats. The fact that he could not see anything, but the race and name of the elders had to mean they were at a much higher level. This spoke volumes about them as from what he could understand about most people that were not combat-oriented is they rarely attained too high of a level. It was just too dangerous. He had found out that leveling skills could give experience and had to assume there were quests and such that could be completed for crafters, gatherers, and other trade skills but it was drops in the bucket compared to actual combat and exploration. The fact that these individuals potentially had such high levels inspired a new level of awe and respect in the young lord. He bowed his head slightly in turn to each of them. After a few minutes the lynari finally spoke. Her voice was a soft whisper but carried a distinct air of authority.
“Untie him, Lianna, we would speak to him as an individual not a captive.” She turned to the young Iskari who looked like she was about to swallow her tongue trying to hold back her response. “You were wise in bringing him bound and blindfolded, the raiders have not found our enclave yet due to you and the Rangers. Do not take my words as a rebuke.”
Lianna nodded stiffly and turned, moving quickly over to Xavier’s side. Her knife flashed several times and soon he was able to push himself away from the upright sledge. His legs gave out on him as the extended time of being bound in one position had left him weak and stiff. Sitting roughly on the ground he was able to catch himself before he face-planted into the dirt. Lianna remained just behind him, her dagger still in her hand, just in case he tried to attack the elders, she told herself.
Soon, Xavier was able to look up to the surrounding individuals. Other than Lianna there was no outright hostility from any of them. Instead, their features displayed emotions ranging from mistrust to disinterest to curiosity. He was an unknown element. His words had the semblance of truth if lacking details.
At a nod from the lynari, who seemed to be the head of the group, the Cervari wove her fingers through a series of gestures and golden light surrounded Xavier’s body. All of the aches, pains, and stiffness from his captivity faded within seconds and he was able to stand. He glanced at his status log to see if he could identify the spell, but it was maddeningly vague, only telling him that he was healed by an unknown spell. He slowly rose to his feet still watching the elders.
“What can I do to prove I mean none of you harm?” He asked the group, though his eyes remained on Kaelith.
The differences between the different elders had become more noticeable the longer Xavier had to study them. Thror, besides being the only one in armor, was a hulking… well bear… of an individual. The cervari, Sylara, was tall and regal, her headpiece woven around her long deerlike ears. The iskari, Veyara, had a striking similarity to Lianna and Liosan. Xavier had a sneaking suspicion there was familial blood shared there. Whereas the falconi reminded him of Lorien, the scout back in Rynthavael who had helped him train in archery. The others also each shared distinct racial traits of the various animals they were kin to.
It was the vulpiri that spoke next. Her voice was high and almost yipping as she spoke. “Send him with the rangers. They are going after the raiding party that struck Tilsen. If he helps rescue the captives and return them safely back to us, I think he will have earned a measure of trust.”
Kaelith didn’t respond, her eyes simply examining the human as he stood before the gathering of powerful individuals. “Do you swear you mean my people no harm?”
“I swear on everything I have that I didn’t even know you were here, let alone mean you harm,” Xavier replied quickly.
“What was that?” The Lynari queried, her tufted ears twitching slightly as if she couldn’t hear him.
“I swear on everything I have that I didn’t even know you were here, let alone mean you harm,” Xavier repeated warily.
“I still didn’t quite hear you human. Please repeat that one more time.” This time the small woman leaned closer to him.
Slowly, not daring to move closer, Xavier spoke louder and more precisely, “I swear on everything I have that I didn’t even know you were here, let alone mean you harm,”
A weight settled on him; unlike anything he had felt before. The crafty woman smiled widely as she spoke. “Bound by three and witnessed by seven. If your words were untrue then the gods themselves would have struck you down. That does not mean you engender trust yet human. Will you go with our rangers to restore freedom to our people who were taken?”
You have been offered a quest: Break the Bonds 1.
You have been granted an audience with the elders of Verdantspire Haven, you have proven you mean them no harm though this was obtained through subtly influencing you to swear on it three times thus invoking the ritual of three. Remember that words have power in Arath and should not be used idly. Kaelith has given you an opportunity to prove yourself trustworthy, however, through aiding the Verdantspire Wardens in destroying a raiding party and rescuing captives. This has enflamed your ire at the situation due to your trait Unyielding Liberator. You are unable to refuse this quest.
Quest Objectives: Assistance to Verdantspire Wardens in tracking and aiding in the destruction of the raiding party along with the rescue of captured Animari individuals.
Penalties for Failure or Refusal: Due to your trait you cannot refuse this quest. Failure means the death or enslavement of animari captives and loss of trust in Verdantspire Haven.
Potential rewards: Trust and respect from the Animari of Verdantspire Haven. Increased settlement relationship between Rynthavael and Verdantspire Haven. +5000 Experience,
Xavier blinked as he read through the new prompt. It seemed the tricky little lynxkin was going to make up for her duplicity with the swearing by giving him not only a chance to earn the Animari settlement's trust himself but between his village and them as well. A slight smirk pulled up the corner of his lips. He was only mildly irritated that he didn’t have a choice to accept or not but that quickly passed as he weighed the potential boons of success.
“I will do everything in my power to assist in freeing your people Kaelith,” Xavier voiced his assent.
As he replied to her by name the Lynari twitched one tufted ear. She had never told this human her name nor had any of the others mentioned it. There was more to this human than met the eye. “Forgive my manners Xavier of Rynthavael. I am not sure how you came to know my name but let me introduce myself and my fellow elders. I am Kaelith Moonstride, High Speaker of Verdantspire Haven. Alongside me are my fellow elders…” She proceeded to name and indicated each in turn. Xavier bowed his head formally to each as they were identified. “Lianna will return your belongings to you and take you to get some food while she fills you in on what we know about the raiders. Good luck human, much is riding on your assistance.”
With that Kaelith and the other elders took their leave along with the torch-bearing animari. Xavier was left standing alone with Lianna who held out his possessions cradled in both of her arms. The look on her face clearly signaled she did not agree with the choices of the elders, but she was bound by their words. Xavier reclaimed his items hanging both swords from his hips once again, replacing his satchel and pouches to their original positions, and finally taking his pack and slinging it over his shoulders once more. As he took the last of his gear from her, Lianna turned and stalked away from him heading deeper into the large settlement. Xavier hurried after her, his eyes flashing from left to right taking in all of the new scenery and buildings of the hustling community. There were hundreds of various animari moving about, socializing, and working. Those were just the ones he could see; it was obvious that this settlement was easily in the thousands of individuals. How they had kept themselves isolated for as long as they had Xavier had no idea.
When Lianna came to a stop it was in front of a small shop, it looked like a blend of a food cart from back on Earth and a sit-down restaurant. It reminded him once again of Samantha, the cute barista who often worked the streetside window that he spoke to every morning. A momentary pang of sadness struck Xavier before he snapped to the moment as Lianna growled out his name a second time.
“I’m sorry, what did you ask? I was thinking.” He replied.
Rolling her eyes at the thought of a human thinking the iskari pointed to the booth and the young otter-looking woman standing within. “I asked if you wanted stew or the roast. Kianna is one of the best cooks in the outer ring of the Haven.”
“Um, I am not sure, what are you having?” Xavier stammered in return.
Once more rolling her eyes at the inept nature of humans Lianna turned to the woman. “Two of your bowls of selkhar stew Kianna.” She placed a silver coin on the counter as the young woman ladled up the steaming food into bowls, placed them on platters with still-warm dark bread, and then passed the two platters to the iskari.
Xavier gratefully took the plater from Lianna, his linguist ability had triggered informing him he had learned a new language, Avara. Selkhar in that language roughly translated to seafood. Given the woman behind the counter had a striking resemblance to an otter he felt it was safe to assume she knew well the cuisine. When he sat with Lianna and took his first bite he was overwhelmingly confirmed in his assumption. The woman was a cuisine master, and he savored every bite.
While they ate, Lianna explained how the raiders had been able to strike small outlying settlements between the patrols of the wardens. Tilden had been a fairly new village only established last cycle but now it had been completely destroyed. That reminded Xavier of Bramblegate, and he was fairly certain that the raiding parties came from the same location. When she finished, he filled her in on what he and Ella had found when they went to Bramblegate. The spoon in Lianna’s hand broke as she clenched her fists hearing of the similar devastation. She eyed him warily, uncertain if he was telling the truth about his actions or if he was spinning the story to make himself look better. Finally, the pair finished their meal and Lianna declared it was time to go, they would meet up with Liosan in the forest and he would guide them to where the raiders were last tracked.
Xavier rose and followed the dangerous woman, he still had a feeling she would rather shoot him than help him but fate, well the devious little lynari elder, had decreed they work together, and he was in no way going to try and cross her will.