Rocktopus. [https://i.imgur.com/EHZlNiS.jpeg]
The rock was more brittle and wetter because of the mine’s proximity to the creek. Even though it was a hundred or more steps from the mine to the creek bed, the roctopuses were worried about their safety.
- Touche, ask him, — I turned to Fluffy. - How did they know the development was approaching the water?
- When the fire burst out of the wall, living in the old place became dangerous. We looked for ways out. Our scouts prowled in all directions, bringing disappointing news. In one place, solid, insurmountable rocks. In another - black, loose rock. It emits toxic gases that poison my subjects. It contains harmful substances that hurt our skin. The area surrounding your city is abundant in it and anyone can mine it anywhere. That's why we didn't want your people working in this place.
- But why kill people?
- We didn’t convey our concerns and suggestions to you. We don’t know how we have conversations. It never happened before. At first, when the mine was just beginning to go deep, we saw nothing prejudicial in its operation. But when the direction of coal development changed, mining began in a dangerous area. Our scouts sounded the alarm. We tried everything we could to stop people from working. We broke tools, stole stanchions, and scared them. We stole pets walking in the woods. Although sunlight is no less harmful to us than burning stone. Such actions did not stop people or frighten them. Then we toughened our actions. We noticed you care for your kin and try to protect them from danger in every way. We kidnapped one of your workers, then several more. We showed you our strength and determination and attacked the city. One of your brave men brought all the people we kidnapped to the surface. We thought the people had figured out what was going on. But after a while, the mine resumed operations. How else could we explain that your foolish actions could ruin both races?
I nodded my head, agreeing with the king’s reasoning. In my conversation with Elfric, I had hinted to him about the workings of the mine. However, the leader dismissed my version.
- Your subordinates have killed many people. Good men.
- Our losses are incomparable. You don’t know how many of my cronies have died in the meantime. How many of your brothers and sisters have died?
I have not spoken. My only younger brother remained in my world, and he was in no danger. The Supreme interpreted the silence in his way:
- All the dead were brothers and sisters to me. We are a united family, and losing each member of the family causes irreparable losses. We experience the loss of loved ones, our ties sever, and our memories break. If you think only the king is talking to you, you are mistaken. Extended family is speaking to you now. We are prepared to compensate you for your losses without asking for anything in return. Our scouts have found a more valuable rock than your black poison stone. We can supply it to the surface in exchange for a promise to close the notorious mine and never return to it.
- I promise the mine will cease to exist.
That concludes our formal part of the negotiations, we have nothing more to agree on. According to the treaty, the humans will stop working at the old mine but have the right to open a new one. If the new mine meets their requirements, the Rocktopus will not attack the humans.
- You may approach us to take what we offer. We have no defining name for it, nor do we need it, but creatures living on the surface will find this stone useful.
The king asked me to approach while hovering over his head. What if this is a trap? Does he just want to lure me out to straighten me out?
These disturbing thoughts visited me and immediately faded away. Fluffy wasn’t worried, which meant I shouldn’t be either.
I found a crack in the vault of the cave and launched my long eye into it and began to descend like a spider on a web. The amusement lasted only a few seconds.
I descended right in front of the king of the roctopuses. Sensing the alien’s presence he set his tentacles in motion. They touched me, wrapped around me. The thought of death flashed through my mind, how it could come in the blink of an eye. However, instead of crashing down on me, the king of the roctopuses decided to address me.
- You are not human! Why are you here? - Rang out his voice in my head like a distant echo in the void. I felt the weight of his presence, his power over his people. But I could not allow myself to sink into fear. After all, I’m not a roctopus and this is not my king.
- Because a human would not be able to speak to you. You would perceive the appearance of humans as a threat and then negotiation was out of the question.
- You are wise despite your youth. Your dedication should be rewarded accordingly. In compensation, I would like to offer your people these stones.
There was a soft thud above my head, and two sparks flashed in the darkness, growing in size with each passing second. The platform soon lit up, revealing the king and his subordinates. The king held in his tentacles pieces of the minerals used in orbylights, the orkwalia lights. But they became lamps much later, and then I looked at the glowing stones with my mouth open in amazement.
- These stones are of no value to us, — the king repeated, handing me the minerals. - But for your people, I am sure they will be useful. It only takes one simple movement to make them stop glowing.
The king brought his tentacles together and tapped one mineral against the other. The glow faded and soon we were back in total darkness.
- This is what I offer your people. And this, the king shook a tentacle in the air. - we give you.
Something came down around my neck. I tapped one mineral against another, and the stones glowed. The Roktopus King still stood before me, his subordinates surrounding us.
- This is a very ancient amulet, we got it by accident. As in the previous case, we have nowhere to use it.
- I’m sorry, I can’t give you anything in return.
- You give us confidence in tomorrow. That we won’t die because of someone else’s stupidity? You can go back to your home, no one will hurt you.
Fluffy jumped on my back. We walked past writhing bodies and many tentacles wriggling into the air.
- They’re praising you! - whispered the pet to me. From outside, the shouts of praise sounded like the creaking of wood, the squeak of mice, the rustle of crumbling rocks. I felt relieved that I couldn’t comprehend any of it. I was preoccupied with the forthcoming conversation with the “stupid” chief Elfric. He’s smart, he’s understanding. His virtues are undeniable. What happens if the chief gets stubborn and demands the blood of worms?
On the way to the village, I transformed back to my old self. The village was not expecting my imminent return. If they even expected me to come back. My appearance caused people to cry out in surprise and joy. Ulia embraced me without shame in front of her strict father. Even Jurion laughed with joy.
I recounted our conversation with the king of the roctopuses and told him what we had agreed on.
- You shouldn’t have made any agreement without my consent, — Elfric expressed his displeasure. His tone spoke of something else. We have partially repaid the losses since the war is over. People considered the luminous stone rare, and they knew that mining it was dangerous. And here you have it handed to you on a platter. - Soon a caravan will come for fuel stone, and we are short of it. Building a new mine will take time we don’t have. What are we supposed to do? Should we be allowed to work a little longer?
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
- No, — I shook my head in the negative. - Don’t even think about it. The first one who comes near the old mine will have to deal with me.
- But then how can we be?! - Elfric's voice was desperate.
I knew the answer to that question a long time ago. I just didn’t understand why people couldn’t see the obvious.
- Grab your tools and follow me, — I shouted an order instead of Elfric. The men moved reluctantly, some went for baskets, some for tools.
I didn’t have to go far. Passing the outermost house, counting fifty paces from it, I said:
- Remove the top layer of the earth!
Elfric confirmed my order with a wave of an imperious hand. The sharp shovels dug into the soft earth. At first lightly, but then they hit something. After clearing a small area, the villagers saw a flammable rock, right on the surface. Take it and fill your baskets to the top!
As with the return of the imprisoned men in the village, celebrations began. A bonfire, roasted reindeer, honey drink. And for me and Ulia, a bath in the Stone Bowl.
The buyers of the burning stone showed up on the appointed day. At first, we heard the squeak of wheels, the cries of the drovers, the muttering of tufton. Tufton is a mighty and imposing creature that serves as a draught force. It has a massive body covered with a thick layer of wool that protects it from the weather. The tufton’s high and broad shoulders make it an ideal creature for carrying heavy loads and pulling carts.
Tuftons, arriving in the village had different coat colors, from earthy and brown to silver or even mottled. Their eyes are large and alert, allowing them to detect danger and guide their companions through dangerous terrain.
Tufton’s strength is astounding - they are capable of hauling heavy loads for long distances without fatigue. Their incredible endurance makes them indispensable in travel and transportation.
The wagons they pulled behind them had two axles and four large wooden wheels. Two men sat on each wagon. The faces of the people were exhausted from the long journey, and the clothes of the travelers and the wool of the animals were dusty. The poor animals must have been thirsty.
The older merchant, who had come to the village many times, walked towards Elfric’s house. When he saw the new house he was surprised. The door opened, and the chief came out to meet the trader. While the bargaining was going on, the animals were harnessed and led to the stream.
The chief trader, Hagar, seeing the centaur galloping, clapped his hands.
- I'm gonna buy that horse! How much do you want for him? - He turned to Elfric.
- It belongs to this young man here, — the leader nodded at me. - Bargain with him.
- No, no, and no,- I rejected all non-existent suggestions in advance.
- But you haven’t even heard what I’m offering you, — the merchant took offense. - I have quality goods. Swords, spears, daggers, armor. All are made of quality material. Swords and daggers of bronze, armor of rinothorn leather. They are impenetrable.
- No offense, Hagar. There are some things that money cannot buy or sell. The light of the sun, the scents of the forest, the murmur of water.
- But this horse with the body of a man is not the light of the sun.
- They are equal. The conversation is over.
Hagar waved his hand. The merchant is not accustomed to rejection. To avoid annoying him, I made a sign to Jurion to get out of sight.
- I have many things that would attract your attention. But I do not trade in things that are linked to me. Selling a centaur to me means selling a part of my soul. I hope you understand me.
- You can’t argue with that. At first, I thought you were just a capricious boy. Turns out I was wrong in my assessment.
- Tell me about your travels. You don’t buy coal for yourself, but for sale, do you? Who do you take it to?
We went to the stream, where the charioteers drank and bathed the tuftons. Hagar turned out to be a sociable and good-natured man. He told us how long his journey had been:
- We sell most of our fuel stone at the fair in the town of Forbant. There are many forges and workshops there. We keep some for our own use.
- Is there a blacksmith named Maleus among your customers? - I asked, not even hoping for a positive answer.
- He’s our best customer. He always takes a lot and the goods that we sell or change are the best. Why do you ask about him?
- Maleus is my friend and mentor. I worked for him as an apprentice. Fate has brought me to these parts, and I want to return to him. May I join your caravan? - I began, gathering my wits. - I see that your caravan is the best way to get to Maleus' forge.
Hagar, listening, caught my words, and his beard quivered as he regarded me.
- Young man, there is no room for idlers in my caravan. If you have skills that could be useful on the road, we can discuss your joining.
Squeezing his hand, I replied:
- I can be useful. I have a centaur and a sword that I am confident in wielding. In addition, I have some abilities that may be of use to you. Help me, and I will be willing to give you my services in exchange for your cooperation.
The elder merchant smiled as he sensed my determination.
- Alright, hero. If you prove to be as determined in business as you seem to be now, there will always be a place for you in our caravan. As soon as we finish our trading business here, we’ll be on the road in no time. It will show you what you can do.
I could barely contain my inner jubilation:
- The caravan will lead me to Maleus, and I’ll meet Nyx. And what of Ulia? I don’t want to part with the girl. She’s lived in the forest all her life, and I don’t know how she’ll behave without her mother and father. I’ll be safe in the knowledge that Ulia will be waiting for me in the village. After all, we’ve talked to her about it.
Ulia cried when she heard that I was going to leave, but her tears quickly dried when she heard that my journey would not take long. And upon my return, she would be rewarded with beautiful dresses and jewelry that I would bring her. As a parting gift, I wore around her neck the gold jewelry I had bought from Hagar. It remained for me to prepare the cart and Jurion for the long journey.
For a more comfortable journey, I made a padded bench by tying a leather cushion to a board. I replaced the bedding in the cart so that the rough boards would not disturb my sleep at night. There was still the unresolved matter of Fluffy. And Elfric. Neither knew of my intentions to travel.
With Tush, the little beast we met in these parts, I did not know if he would want to leave his homeland. And Elfric would be without my magical support for a while.
I met him by the wagons. He was looking at the goods Hagar had brought, estimating the amount of fuel stone.
- Elfric, I’m leaving with the caravan.
- Good, — the leader replied simply, absorbed in the beauty of the bronze sword made in Maleus’ forge. It took him a moment to realize what I was saying. Then he turned sharply to me and asked again:
- Are you leaving us?
- Yes. For the time being, — I tried to keep my voice from shaking with excitement. - I’ve already talked to Ulia.
- Ulia has nothing to do with this. The village remains undefended.
- No one is going to attack you!