IN TOO FAR
The journey to the southern hills was long and exhausting. If not for the decent pay for this quest, I would've asked Panuka and Mantis if they wanted to call it quits and abandon it.
We were meters from the hill steps when Biggs called for the fifth break. I moaned softly to myself, I am so tired of these types of quests. The pacing was slow, we took too many breaks, and these damned rabbids will not leave us be! I swung my feet into one and sent it hurling through the air.
MANTIS
Nice one, Hilly!
He praised as he held one in his hand, slowly choking the life out of it.
HILROY
Kill the damned thing already,
I said in disgust, but he scoffed and jabbed his finger at the left corner tail of his coat.
MANTIS
Look what this bastard did to my coat!
He complained as I brandished my sword to scare off another rabbid. I eyed the nearly invisible bite mark on his coat.
HILROY
The blindinus did more than that.
I pointed out flatly.
MANTIS
Hmm...
Mantis put his hand to his forehead to block out the weak sunlight of the phasing moonsun.
HILROY
What are you about to do?
I asked, already knowing what he was about to do.
MANTIS
See if I can beat you.
And he reeled back and hurled the rabbid through the air. Curious, I followed its trajectory and watched it smack the ground with a bounce meters short of the one I had kicked.
HILROY
Ha!
I blurted.
HILROY
I win!
MANTIS
No! Mine bounced and went further—it bounced and went further.
HILROY
Because you didn't kill it before hurling it!
MANTIS
How would that—
PANUKA
Would you two spread out!?
She shouted from the southern tip of the camp. Mantis and I snorted, returning to our position and resuming our triangular formation around the campsite.
After our quick rest, we continued on toward the hill. A flickering light caught my eyes, and as we continued, our weapons ready, we were relieved to be greeted by Mokoto and his party.
MOKOTO
Oh, just you lot.
PANUKA
Expecting someone else?
Mokoto sighed and turned back to his group.
MANTIS
Were you expecting someone else?
He echoed Panuka with annoyance, and Mokoto whipped back around,
MOKOTO
Oh, yea, the damn guards. We're on a quest to scout and must camp out for a few days. The quest didn't mention it, but I'm sure this is a stake-and-claim quest.
A stake-and-claim quest was precisely that; the quest giver requests an adventurer to be a vanguard and stake out at a location. Once the adventurers are in position, they would have a Black Hawk or Scryer to inform the claimer to come through, or if the quest giver had absolute knowledge of the adventurer's locations, they would send over whoever meant to claim the site.
BIGGS
Well, the guards will most likely be lollygagging. We've recently bought this land.
MOKOTO
Talk about wealth,
Mokoto scoffed at him in disgust. He turned and rejoined his party around the campfire.
MOKOTO
Tell me, ya not the one claiming our quest.
BIGGS
Not at all. We're simply taking advantage of your stake if you don't mind. And be assured you will be paid if trouble arrives, no matter what it is.
MOKOTO
Sounds fair.
I caught Biggs eyeing the hill.
HILROY
I suggest leaving the wagon down here for now.
Biggs nodded and climbed down from the wagon.
BIGGS
Yes, that will be best, Palatine!
He called out, and a young boy, probably the youngest, hopped out of the wagon.
PALATINE
Yes, master.
BIGGS
Start scanning, please.
Wedge limbered off the wagon as their students began preparing for excavation.
BIGGS
I take it that Lady Panuka and my Gent Mantis will be following me?
I nodded,
HILROY
Go ahead for now.
And then I looked over at Mokoto's party.
HILROY
How about it, Mokoto?
He turned and scowled at me.
MOKOTO
What? Ya want me to look after a stupid wagon?
HILROY
Not you, particularly. Maybe you'd want to join us up on the hill.
He cocked his head and relaxed a bit before nodding at Farengar, the hooded gent armed with a beat-up staff.
MOKOTO
Hey Farengar, want to keep watch?
Farengar shrugged in response, and Mokoto and three others hopped to their feet. We approached Wedged, tending the horses.
MOKOTO
Ya got my pay, right?
He asked Wedge.
WEDGE
Pay?
He asked, his body stiffening,
WEDGE
Right now?
Wedge asked, vainly watching the shadow of Biggs trudging up the hill.
MOKOTO
Something? Anything for abusing my stake.
WEDGE
Um, well, Biggs is not going to be happy about this.
Wedge materialized tiny black coin purse of silver puri coins.
MOKOTO
Ya carrying shit in ya inventory? On an escort quest? Bit risky, ain't it?
Wedge nodded nervously,
WEDGE
And that is why Biggs won't be too happy about this. Don't tell him, would you?
Mokoto shrugged, took the entire coin purse, and Stashed it. I studied Wedge and could tell the entire coin purse wasn't meant for Mokoto. Unfortunately, he didn't have enough courage to speak up.
MOKOTO
I ain't the thieving type. Maybe Hilly here is.
He laughed and led the way toward the hill. I let my gaze linger on Wedge's fallen countenance before following after Mokoto.
MOKOTO
Have fun, Farengar.
He called out as I followed him up the hill.
After a few minutes in silence, Mokoto looked over at me,
MOKOTO
Ya a sly one, aren't ya?
He asked inquisitively.
HILROY
By getting you to come up the hill?
MOKOTO
And getting me paid.
I shrugged,
HILROY
Mantis took a liking to ya.
I lied.
HILROY
After exchanging blows with you, he figured you to be a fierce gent.
Mokoto cracked a smile,
MOKOTO
He's right. Think any of ya could've survived as long as I have against Cain, The Executioner?
PARTY MEMBER II
Please don't feed his ego...
He mumbled, but that was precisely what I was trying to do.
MOKOTO
Hey, don't be jealous.
PARTY MEMBER II
Don't get complacent.
He countered.
We arrived at the hilltop where Palatine led the charge in scanning the ground, his hand extended and his face in deep concentration.
I approached Mantis, who seemed fascinated by something in the distance.
MANTIS
Is that a watch tower?
I squinted into the distance with Night Vision and noticed the tower.
HILROY
It is.
MOKOTO
We should check it out.
He joined in out of nowhere. I eyed him suspiciously as he stood close to Mantis.
MANTIS
Not a good idea in the middle of an escort quest.
Thank the gods he said that—
MANTIS
But there is a collapsed tower right over here.
He led us over to an open ground filled with debris and the remains of a tower.
PANUKA
Yes, let us all crowd around some unstable ruins.
Panuka uttered from behind us.
MANTIS
Sorry, this was my fault.
We all spread out, save for Mokoto, who continued to ogle the debris. I took a post near the hill's northern slope, keeping an eye on the wagon below. Behind me, I could hear Biggs testing his students' abilities to Prospect. It was a profession skill Miners had that allowed them to detect minerals and ores precisely.
After the three students, including Palatine, tested their Petty Prospect, Mokoto interrupted,
MOKOTO
Hey Biggsy,
He called out for Biggs, and I curiously listened in.
MOKOTO
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
I gotta feeling something neat is below that collapsed thing over there.
Mokoto pulled off his most charming smile.
MOKOTO
What do ya say I get a cut of the goods instead of direct payment?
Biggs frowned at him and explained,
BIGGS
I may be a mason, but we collect all forms of stone, be it metal, sand, or soil.
Mokoto shook his head,
MOKOTO
No, not that, anything valuable that is not rocks.
Biggs deepened his frown before suddenly realizing what he was asking for.
BIGGS
Oh, a gamble? If we were to find any treasure?
Mokoto nodded with a grin,
MOKOTO
A good bargain, ya?
He inquired.
BIGGS
If we find anything. Though you might be in luck,
Biggs turned to his students,
BIGGS
With my Lesser Prospect, I detect a massive hiatus beneath the layer of iron just as Palatine detected.
STUDENT
Oh, so it wasn't copper?
Another student pouted, and Biggs patted him on the head,
BIGGS
You'll get better. Keep at it.
He then addressed the rest,
BIGGS
Time for a break. Set up your tools, and we'll set camp at the foot of the hill.
They rested for the rest of the night while we took shifts, keeping watch in pairs. All except Panuka because I didn't trust gents from the Earth Kingdom to be cordial with her—not that any of them wanted to.
When morning was on the horizon, I was currently awake with Farengar. Compared to Mokoto, Farengar was a soft-spoken and relaxed gent.
He sat, hugging his legs, across from me on the other side of the campfire. Piercing from underneath the shadows of his hood were his white eyes that stared unblinkingly into the fire.
His thick black hair bled out the sides of his hood, and the flickering light revealed his black skin patterned with thin silver lines that ran down his body.
He was in the midst of informing me about him and how their party formed. They were initially part of a secret group called the Iron Knights that formed months before their new Queen took the throne.
FARENGAR
I was like the many other gents of the kingdom.
He explained, his voice soft and smooth yet sending chills down my spine.
FARENGAR
Fuck the Queen, is what we'd say. Why have a cow lead a nation of strong gents?
His eyes shifted, and as if he could see through the barriers of his hood, he looked over at the sleeping Mokoto.
FARENGAR
I met Mokoto during one of our secret meet-ups in a bar. We were all ecstatic... at first. But reality crept in. The Iron Knights were rebels. Outlaws. Dreamers. And most of all... weak.
His eyes fell on me,
FARENGAR
Why did you become an adventurer?
I thought about it for a moment, attempting to come up with something impressive but settled with,
HILROY
To prove something.
Farengar's eyes fell back onto the flames.
FARENGAR
Aren't we all... The many who joined the Iron Knights had no classes.
He mentioned solemnly as a hint of disgust painted his following words,
FARENGAR
Vain little boys and gents. All talk and no power to back their petty barking at the Queen. The leader of the Iron Knights was a Demolisher.
I arched an eyebrow at the title.
HILROY
Demolisher? Isn't that a second-tier class?
I asked, and he nodded solemnly.
FARENGAR
Not quite strong enough to rebel against a kingdom. Fucking aye, I'm a Mage, and Mokoto acquired the Knight class moments after we left the Iron Knights. Rumors have it Earth Queen Cyn is a Black Cat.
I strained my face blankly, and he continued,
FARENGAR
A third-tier class of the Cutthroat rumors have it. I find myself believing those rumors. Numerous gents who really had power and opposed her...
He shook his head with a shaky sigh.
FARENGAR
They just disappear.
He continued on explaining why that was the reason they decided to leave the kingdom for a while. He was indebted to Mokoto for persuading him to leave the Iron Knights by pointing out how Farengar was the only Mage part of the Iron Knights. That and the endless support the Queen received from the Fire Kingdom.
Afterward, I told him about my party and what it was like living in Reh Bekah of Sante June. I told him how safe it was, doing my best to get him to crack a smile, but his face was solid as ever, and his eyes were unwavering.
Amidst my story of how my party and I ventured through North Star, we were interrupted by movement approaching us from the north. The sun's rays were bright and relentless, giving us a clear picture of a wagon and a group of adventurers on horses heading toward us.
FARENGAR
Another group taking advantage of our stake-and-claim?
He mumbled.
I kicked Mantis awake, and Farengar woke Mokoto up. Together, we stood ahead of the camp and waited for their approach.
MANTIS
Any idea who these people are?
Mantis questioned Farengar.
FARENGAR
No.
And so we waited in silence for them to arrive. I squinted at the one leading the group on a black and white horse and saw a familiar face.
HILROY
That gent looks familiar.
MOKOTO
Ya, he does.
The gent waved from afar, and my memory came back to me.
HILROY
I remember he was the gent you were talking to at the eatery. And the ones we saw at the bounty board.
MOKOTO
He's called Drago, and they're also from the Earth Kingdom.
DRAGO
Farengar? Mokoto is that you?
He asked from afar. He approached with a fat grin on his brown face with black claw-like patterns running diagonally. His hazel eyes fell on me, and he snapped his fingers and pointed at me.
DRAGO
Yer that bloke from Sante June.
HILROY
My name is Hilroy, and this is Mantis.
I nodded.
DRAGO
Call me Drago, my party here; Lionel, Grey, Bolin, and Tempest.
They each nodded, and I was pretty surprised at how well-mannered he was compared to Mokoto. But then, he dismounted, and his eyes shot past me and onto the sleeping Panuka.
He let a howl and a burst of laughter,
DRAGO
My—my, those rumors weren't lying about your wench! What a beauty!
I scowled at him, regretting my initial thoughts of him.
HILROY
She's not a wench.
DRAGO
Aye,
He lifted his hands in defense,
DRAGO
It's a compliment from down under.
I looked past his party at the mop-looking gent, Link, and his wide-eyed pupil sitting in a slight wagon.
MOKOTO
What's the blacksmith doing here?
He asked, beating me to the punch.
DRAGO
We're on an escort quest. I have no clue what he wants down here.
The stoned face blacksmith stepped down off his wagon, the young pupil at his tail as they approached us.
By now, Biggs and Wedge had awoken and carefully approached us.
BIGGS
What's going on?
Link materialized a girthy (Strength Aptitude) Obdurite Pickaxe, Petty En Strength.
LINK
I've come to collect ore.
Biggs stepped up to him, his dome barely reaching Link's chest.
BIGGS
Pardon me. On my land?
LINK
Your land? The Chief had granted me permission to these lands.
WEDGE
Impossible!
He chimed in from the back,
WEDGE
We've purchased these lands.
They continued on, bickering and arguing back and forth. Drago stood idly by, his arms crossed and clearly enjoying the drama.
As Link, Biggs, and Wedge began to shout, Panuka and the rest of Bigg's pupils awoke.
PANUKA
What's going on?
She yawned at me, and I shrugged.
HILROY
Seems like there is a misunderstanding about who owns these lands.
BIGGS
We own these lands!
LINK
Where are your tax papers and deeds?
He bellowed back at him, and they continued to bicker back and forth. The argument was becoming heated, and I figured it was time to step in, but Mokoto beat me to it again.
MOKOTO
Okay! None of ya shit matters because this area is our stake-and-claim quest!
BIGGS
But these are my lands!
MOKOTO
And I will be making the rules! Isn't that right, Wedge?
Wedge stiffened for a moment, and we both realized that Mokoto was blackmailing him at this very moment.
WEDGE
Well...
BIGGS
Are you taking his side, Wedge?
Mokoto continued on, approaching Wedge and placing his arms around his shoulders.
MOKOTO
Ya see here, Biggs, Wedge believes it's rude to take advantage of someone's stake as such. So, here's what is going to happen. Ya both work and mine whatever ya want and keep whatever ya mined.
LINK
That gives them the advantage.
Mokoto shrugged,
MOKOTO
Not my fault ya a dingy old gent who only has one pupil. Dig whatever and keep it—then take it up with the courts when ya get back.
Mokoto turned his back and went for his sleeping roll.
MOKOTO
Think that's fair, Drago?
Drago laughed as he and his party approached the burnt-out campfire,
DRAGO
As if I'd care.
And with that, it was settled. Link, a gent with a cold demeanor, aired an even sinister aura of anger as he followed behind Bigg's group up the hill.
The day was long and filled with joyful banter of insulting remarks to one another and compliments that were poorly communicated. Drago's party was more cordial with Panuka compared to Mokoto's.
However, Drago and his party would never miss a chance to drool over Panuka's looks, causing Panuka to be glued to my side throughout the day. At times, she would lock her hands around my arm but giggle and beam at the amount of attention Drago's party would give her.
HILROY
Are you enjoying this?
I prodded her after a session of compliments.
PANUKA
No,
She sang, but her painfully wide grin told a different story. As the hours dragged by, I began to feel a sense of danger for Panuka. She was the only lady among two groups of adventurers from a lady-hating kingdom and a bunch of non-fighters who were mainly young gents.
If only Rosa's party was here with us, I'd feel more comfortable, for Panuka's sake. But, since she stayed glued to my side, I kept her away from Drago's party as much as possible, causing us to part from the group and stare at the old watchtower to the south.
Night finally came upon us, and the clouds blotted out the moon. Seemed as if Panuka attempted to become one with me, both hands grabbing onto me as we moved about in the dark night. My glowing eyes gave away our position as Mokoto stumbled through the darkness toward us.
MOKOTO
I don't blame ya for being this far from the group,
He said, noticing our distance. I turned back and grimaced—we were pretty far. But Mokoto looked up ahead into the darkness.
MOKOTO
Feel like checking out the tower?
I gave him a strained look despite the darkness,
HILROY
Through the woods below? It would take hours. What about watching the wagon?
MOKOTO
What ya did to me,
Mokoto shrugged.
MOKOTO
I did to Drago. Besides, ya buddy Mantis mentioned that glowing in ya eyes is an ability to see in the dark.
I squinted at him as a smirk sliced across his face.
MOKOTO
We can go if ya want. Or ya stay back here and let me slay Ire.
He waved the unlit torch in his hand.
MOKOTO
Got it from Drago.
HILROY
Is that why you came here?
I questioned him.
MOKOTO
Ain't that the reason you and Drago came here?
He countered.
MOKOTO
And I don't doubt for a second that more adventurers are on their way. It would be fucking fantastic for those damn guards to relieve me.
DRAGO
Ya really going out there?
He called out from the dark as he, Farengar, and the rest of Mokoto's party approached.
DRAGO
Fucking aye, it's crazy dark out.
I studied Farengar's bright white eyes, glancing around with a soft hue.
HILROY
You okay, Farengar?
He slowly shook his head,
FARENGAR
I am sensing a faint source of mana... growing.
Mokoto faced him,
MOKOTO
Fiends? We could use some action.
Farengar strode past us and stared distantly into the dark south.
FARENGAR
I don't know...
He whispered, but suddenly, fear painted his face.
FARENGAR
Shit! Run!
He bolted north as the ground shook with a roaring tremble, and our fight for balance engulfed us. The land north of us ripped upward and toward us in a series of deadly spikes. I grimaced in horror as two of Mokoto's gents were impaled and lifted into the sky.
I grabbed onto Panuka and Quickstepped into Mantis—dodging the spikes and tackling Mantis out of the way. I rolled over to see a maze of earthly spikes blocking my view of the camp. Mokoto's party members stumbled around in the dark as the ground continued to tremble.
As my party struggled to our feet, a flare of fiery light lit up behind us. I turned, and a wave of heat singed my skin. I shielded my face and peered at four enormous tendrils of fire streaming out the back of a young lady who stood upon a levitating sword. Her long red hair fluttered from the heat of her flames, and her glowing eyes, one black and white while the other a blood red shot fear into my core.
The four tendrils split into six, sending another wave of heat. Fear slammed against my chest, thumping at my sternum as I couldn't muster any will to move. I couldn't even turn away. I couldn't pull my gaze away from those alluring yet deadly eyes. The way she floated there gave an immense aura of power and authority. It was at this moment I knew we were in too far.