Chapter 7 - Simium City
The Timberfall festival was fast approaching and Deathwalker was anxious to get back. Simium city was an interesting place from what Deathwalker observed. The place had a decent number of adventurers and the guards all seemed well dressed.
The city was well established and from what he learned from Sebastian, the Simium family was one of the oldest noble families in the kingdom. They had an abundance of food which was the city’s primary export. This led to growth and prosperity for not just the nobles but the people themselves. Prosperity for farmers breeds prosperity for others. The portal would help them reach farther locations faster, adding the possible revenue the farmers could receive.
Deathwalker was a big advocate for farmers and anyone working on the land. His family worked on a farm when they were able to scrape enough money together from working in the coal mines. If Deathwalker could help these people, now his people, earn more revenue before food spoiled, he would make it happen.
Different beasts and monsters were known to pop up from time to time due to the abundance of life and animals. Hence the need for the high number of adventurers to help take on the quests in the area. The agreement Deathwalker established with Darius put an Adventurers quest board in the Timberfall hub and the other portal sites allowing for greater reach to Adventurers not from Simium coming to the farmers’ aid.
The idea of allowing Darius and Clara to coordinate with the other Adventurer guild masters, and then giving discounts to guild members had increased the revenue gained from the portal network usage. With Adventurers starting to actively use the new form of transportation, this led to more merchants and traders being comfortable taking a risk on something new. Current revenue gained from the first week already exceeded Malcom’s projections. Everyone wanted access and due to Deathwalker insisting on keeping the fees and taxes minor people were more inclined to use the service. This led to higher demand and those minor fees and taxes added up quickly.
The agreement with the crown was very clear. Deathwalker’s company kept the portal usage fee. The revenue from the taxes were split evenly three ways between the crown, the duchy the portal was in and Timberfall. It meant the other dukes and duchess were all seeing increased revenue for their duchies. With the way things were trending, the crown would not need to raise taxes any time soon.
If anything, Deathwalker could get behind not raising taxes. For the people in Timberfall they saw no benefit from the taxes they paid prior. Now that the people had a local ruler, they received a part of the taxes to put back into the running of the town. Some nobles used most of that revenue for themselves, keeping them accustomed to the lavish lifestyle they were used to. Deathwalker had zero interest in using any of the tax money for himself, that’s what his own business is for. That was going to be his first order of business when he returned, meeting with the council and determining the allocation of funds to help the people.
Deathwalker sat and admired the completed Simium portal. This had been the fastest one completed. The construction crews Lord Longshot sent over out did themselves in speed and craftsmanship.
Deathwalker was originally planning to send one of his guards to notify Lord Simium he was here, but then he recalled the way the lord responded to the building of the portal. The man did it not because he understood but rather because someone in higher authority told him to do it. Some people were like that, Deathwalker wasn’t one of them, but he understood the type. Both Sebastian and Anthony had warned him that Lord Simium was a stickler for protocols and proper decorum. That is Deathwalker decided to leave the city only to enter through the front gates. He was just sitting here enjoying the moment before he had to go deal with all the politicking.
Letting out a sigh, “Well, time to get this over with.”
It was little effort for Deathwalker to sneak out of the city. The sun was barely rising, and several farmhands were leaving to start their workday out in the fields. It was clear who was a morning person and who was not. Several joked and had smiles on their faces and others walked like zombies to their destination.
Deathwalker chuckled. “Ha! No matter the reality or the world, there are still morning people & night owls.”
Landing out of sight, Deathwalker made his way to the main road. It did not take him long to approach the main gate into Simium city. Several guards perked up seeing someone approach so early in the morning.
“Halt! What is your business in Simium?” The guard asked.
Deathwalker was still in his travel leathers. They were of high quality and looked to be expensive thanks to Betterman’s craftsmanship. ‘Man, I wonder how the old guy is doing. His granddaughter Alyce was such a sweet girl, totally reminds me of my daughter when she was that age.’
“Duke Dragonvein to see Lord Simium.”
The guards just stood there trying to process what they had just heard. Their lord required them to be professional, it was that training that prevented them from laughing outright. One of the other guards spoke up. “If you are the duke, where is your escort?”
“At my base of operations. I can travel faster and more inconspicuously without an escort.” Deathwalker replied.
The guards talked amongst themselves.
“His leather armor looks expensive.”
“I thought I heard a rumor the duke was a high-ranking adventurer.”
Deathwalker spoke up, putting power behind his words. “Look gentlemen, I have been practically traveling nonstop to accomplish the task given to me by the crown. Either take me to Lord Simium or you can explain to him that you turned me away.”
That seemed to do the trick. All the guards bowed. “Yes, your grace!”
“Give us a moment to gather an honor guard to escort you to his lord.”
Deathwalker sighed. “I do not require an honor guard.”
That seemed to wrong thing to say to these men.
“We assure you Sire; our men will do our best to provide sufficient protection.” One of the guards said before he took off deeper into the city.
“Please, your grace, if you would step into the city so we can better protect you.”
Shaking his head, but doing as they asked, Deathwalker stepped across the portcullis threshold. He had to wait about thirty minutes before a large group of soldiers approached. During his wait the gate guards would not look directly at him and made it a point to be very focused on their duties even though no one was coming up the road.
The soldier at the front got down on one knee & bowed his head. The precession of no less than fifty men all followed suit.
“Your grace! It is an honor to have you in our city. If you would follow us, we will escort you to Lord Simium, his son Knight Darantious, and his daughter Lady Maggie.”
“Lead on.” Deathwalker replied. He thought this was overkill but figured Lord Simium and his men would err on the side of caution to not accidentally offend his new duke.
Lord Simium’s castle was a bit opulent to say the least. As they walked through the halls, Deathwalker could see statues, paintings, and other works of art. Some paintings appeared to be telling a story.
The head guard spoke when he noticed Deathwalker looking at the different murals. “These tell the story of Lord Simium’s family. How they founded the city. Then helped to sponsor the formation of the Adventurers’ guild. It is his family’s tradition to join the guild and learn what it means to be an adventurer.”
“Noble tradition and not what I was expecting from what I have heard of the man.” Deathwalker replied.
“Oh, I assure you, your grace, Lord Simium prides himself on being the utmost example of noble.” The guard stated.
‘How odd. I would think someone who is such a stickler for protocols would struggle with the rugged lifestyle and adaptability required to be an adventurer.’ Deathwalker thought as he continued to be guided through the various halls.
After going through so many doors and hallways Deathwalker stopped counting, just as he was about to say something in the form of ‘are we there yet?’, the guards finally lead him into an anteroom. The study was well furnished with plush chairs and multiple ornately crafted desks. The room screamed money.
A finely dressed older man sat in a comfy chair. Along with the older man, a younger man and woman in their twenties sat in their own chairs. In the corner was another older gentleman who was dressed in a butler’s garb standing and ready to serve. All three nobles rose to their feet when Deathwalker entered the room.
“Duke Dragonvein, it is my honor to introduce you to Lord Simium and his son, Knight Darantious, and his daughter, the lovely Lady Maggie.” The head guard announced.
The two noble men bowed, and Lady Maggie curtsied. All three of the nobles rose as Lord Simium spoke.
“It is an honor to have you in my home Duke Dragonvein. Please join us for breakfast.”
That was when Deathwalker picked up on the subtle details he originally ignored out of boredom. Lord Simium was leaning on his cane and his shoulders were slightly hunched. Their outfits were just a bit off, as if they rushed to get dressed. All of them looked tired, making it clear this was not their normal time to be awake, or at the very least too early to entertain guests.
Deathwalker waved to them to not worry. “My apologies for the early morning visit. Please, this is your home, relax, and enjoy your breakfast. I understand you make a point to ensure proper decorum, but it is early, and I have been traveling over the last week. So, with that said, I will say we allow less formality for this visit.”
Then realizing some traditions could not be overlooked continued. “I still recognize I am a guest in your home and appreciate all you have done to ensure I feel welcome.” Deathwalker replied.
Lord Simium smiled at Deathwalker’s words. “It is an honor to have you as a guest, Duke Dragonvein. As your host, please allow me and my family to see to your needs while here in our fair city.”
That part of the tradition of guest rights seen to, Lord Simium approached Duke Dragonvein and got on his knees and bowed his head. “I pledge my oath of fealty to you Duke Deathwalker Dragonvein. Your enemies are my enemies. Your allies, I shall treat as my own. Whatever you need of me I shall do everything in my power to provide. Every command you give I shall follow.”
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“I accept your oath of fealty with the same gravity in which it was given. I shall provide aid or sanctuary should you ever require it. The concerns you have for the well-being of your people are now my own.” Deathwalker answered.
Oath delivered and accepted, Deathwalker helped Lord Simium rise to his feet. While he held onto the man, Deathwalker performed a quick diagnostic on the lord’s health. Lord Simium suffered from arthritis, wounds and breaks that did not heal right, and most alarming of all was the trace amounts of poison in the man’s system.
When Lord Simium went to stand on his own, he found Deathwalker still holding on to him tightly. “Your grace?”
‘No wonder he is so frail. I must address this right away.’ Deathwalker thought before speaking up. “I’m sure you are aware of your numerous health issues. What you may not realize is the fact you have poison in your system.”
Everyone turned their heads at such a decree.
“What?! That cannot be!” Knight Darantious exclaimed.
“Father has taste testers.” Lady Maggie replied.
Deathwalker turned to the siblings. “Well then the testers are failing at their job, or someone has figured another way to get the poison into his system.”
“How bad is it, your grace? How much longer do I have?” Lord Simium asked.
Deathwalker’s hands began to glow, the soft light spread throughout Lord Simium’s body. Not only did Deathwalker cleanse the life-threatening poison, but he also removed the arthritis and healed the old injuries that were giving the noble so many mobility problems. When the light faded so did Lord Simium’s aches and pains.
“There, all better. I removed the poison and repaired the damage from your old wounds. It’s the least I can do for my new vassal.” Deathwalker stated.
Lord Simium made some test movements and stretches. As he did so his eyes widened, and a smile spread over his face. “I had been told you were a healer of great renown, but this is beyond expectation. I feel twenty or thirty years younger! Thank you, your grace!”
Lord Simium bowed again, this time much deeper, and Deathwalker received a relationship notification from both Lord Simium and his daughter Maggie.
Congratulations! Your noble selfless actions to heal her father of his injuries has endeared Lady Maggie to you. +100,000 relationship points with Lady Maggie. Your relationship with Lady Maggie has reached the rank of Ally!
Congratulations! For healing Lord Simium’s wounds and cleansing a poison he felt was life threatening you have proven your word true! +150,000 relationship points with Lord Simium. Your relationship with Lord Simium has reached the rank of Steadfast Ally!
What Deathwalker thought most interesting about those notifications was the lack of a notification from Knight Darantious. He filed that tidbit of information away for later. Deciding to keep the conversation moving forward he spoke up. “Now that is taken care of let us sit and discuss a few things.”
“Of course, of course!” Lord Simium said joy still in his voice from his recent healing session.
After everyone took their seats, Deathwalker began. “The building construction project I commissioned is a portal station. It will act as a waypoint and connect the portal inside to a larger portal network. This will allow instantaneous travel between the city of Simium and Timberfall.”
They looked confused so Deathwalker continued. “I have an affinity to Space magic. This allowed me to create a portal network hub at Timberfall that will take anyone to the other portals I had built.”
Their eyebrows shot up again. “We could instantly transport our grain and other food shipments without need for caravans!” Knight Darantious exclaimed in realization.
“We could feed so many more people!” Lady Maggie stated.
“Which other locations connect to Timberfall?” Lord Simium asked.
“Good question. The city of Simium was the last for me to complete. The other locations are the Capital, Hargrave, Midway, Dalton, Malvanis, and Lorinda. I wanted to ensure the lords under me had access to this network to help facilitate greater prosperity.” Deathwalker answered.
“Most impressive! We have been limited in the past due to food spoiling or being so expensive to transport the farther you get from our city. This invention of yours changes that greatly. You have given us a great boon Duke Dragonvein!” Lord Simium bowed his head in acknowledgement.
“I expect you to take the portal on a regular basis to come to Timberfall. You, Lord Dormeir, and Lord Longshot will be joining my Timberfall Council.” Deathwalker ordered.
“Timberfall Council?” Knight Dartantious inquired.
Lord Simium gave his son a dirty look. “It is not for us to question why.”
“It is fine Lord Simium. I do not mind questions. I also understand you are raising both your children in how to rule the city in your absence. The Timberfall Council is where we discuss important matters for the duchy. That is where decisions will be made for our people. Things like taxes, defense, etc. However, I will not permit anyone who has not sworn an oath to sit at the Timberfall Council.” Deathwalker explained.
“Do not worry, my liege. I will see they make their oaths when the time is right, your grace. My children are loyal.” Lord Simium chimed in.
Deathwalker made his expectations clear. “I do not doubt that, Lord Simium. I merely stated a fact. Now last order of business. I expect you to announce the portal station to your people and let them know during the Timberfall festival, the fee is waived or reduced depending on the number of times they travel to Timberfall during the festivities. This is to promote trade and allow all our citizens a chance to join in the fun. I expect to see all three of you there for the events. I have enough rooms at my estate to host all of you.”
“We have heard, and we will obey Duke Dragonvein.” Lord Simium replied.
Deathwalker rose to his feet. “Good. Now if you’ll excuse me but I must return to the portal station and take my leave. I have been away too long.”
“I shall have my guards accompany you to the portal station.” Lord Simium stated.
Deathwalker waved his statement away. “No need. It is early. Let your men eat their breakfast. I know the way.”
Before Lord Simium could protest, Deathwalker had already made a hasty exit from the room. To the dismay of multiple servants who wanted to at least escort him, Deathwalker did not slow down to give them the chance. He did not reduce his pace until Deathwalker was outside Lord Simium’s estate.
‘Nice guy but I’m not sure about his kids. Lady Maggie kept giving me the eye every time her dad wasn’t looking. Ah well, now I can enjoy the stroll to the portal station.’ Deathwalker thought as he exited the city lord’s home.
Shortly after leaving the city lord’s manor, multiple figures approached Deathwalker. Some dropping down from nearby rooftops. All in hooded, black leather cloaks exactly like what the assassins he encountered in the capital wore. Using his Tremorsense, Deathwalker detected nine people approaching him from all sides.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” One of the larger cloaked figures said.
“Looks like one of those uppity nobles who thinks they are better than everyone else.” Another figure on Deathwalker’s side commented.
“I do not have noble blood.” Deathwalker replied.
“What was that?”
“You were coming out of the city lord’s castle. So, either you are a noble or ye work fer one.” An additional figure to Deathwalker’s opposite side stated.
The larger cloaked man, Deathwalker could tell by the musculature, spoke up. “See the thing is, the lord’s son owes a great deal of money to some powerful people. Those people sent us.”
“How much does he owe?” Deathwalker asked.
The man in front of him seemed surprised by the question. “Why? You gonna pay his debt?... Yea, I think you will pay or at least be an example.”
Deathwalker sighed. He was hoping to get some information from these people. Luckily his Insight skill yielded results.
Level 55 bandit leader
Level 35 bandit Henchmen...
‘Henchmen? What kind of idiot says ‘henchmen, yea that’s the class for me’, I mean come on. Here I thought these guys were related to the men from the capital. I wonder if I can keep this guy talking.’ Deathwalker thought.
“Let’s just gut him and be done with it.”
“No! We have our orders!” The large bandit leader snapped.
“And what are those orders?” Deathwalker asked.
“Ha! Why would I tell you?” The bandit leader laughed.
“Because you aren’t planning on letting me leave here alive.” Deathwalker answered.
“Ha! You got a point there. Alright, why not. You see the spoiled noble was supposed to do something for the guys that paid us, but he reneged. So, we are supposed to make a few examples to get him back in line. If that doesn’t work, we kill the little upstart.” The bandit leader explained.
“Uh, Boss? Should we be telling him all that?” One of the bandit Henchmen chimed in.
“Yea why not? Like he said, we plan to kill him anyway.” The bandit leader replied.
‘Man, finally high Charisma benefits. Just a bit more.’ Deathwalker thought as he smiled at the bandit leader.
“So, who are these guys?” Deathwalker inquired.
“Do not know. They gave us these cloaks and paid us good money.” The bandit leader patted a large coin pouch on his hip.
“Boss!”
“What?! Who cares? The guy is a dead man and I enjoy gloating.” The bandit leader barked back at one of his henchmen.
‘Ah, finally. Bout time.’ Deathwalker thought before speaking up. “Well, it sounds like you don’t know who hired you, so you are no more use to me.”
The bandit leader looked confused. Deathwalker turned to look past the guy and spoke. “You have my permission to kill them now.”
The next thing the bandit leader knew he was being lifted off the ground and flung into a nearby wall as Garry appeared from the shadows. “HERE’S GARRY!!!”
Another bandit was instantly frozen while a different one was stabbed repeatedly with his own blade as he lost control of his arm. “Quit stabbing yourself! Ha! Ha! Ha!”
The bandits went from shock to panicked in a few seconds. The road they were on echoed Garry’s maniacal laughter. “Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!”
A few tried to fight back only to get a icicle to the face or be flung high into the air. “Let’s see if you can fly?”
SPLAT
“Guess not, oh well. Who wants some? Oh, you want some?! Here you go!”
SLAM
“Garry is back bitches and I know how to make an entrance!”
Those few remaining who attempted to flee found their bellies sliced open as Frrsha, Mrrsha, and Prrsha appeared in humanoid form and finished them off in a few quick slashes.
The fight, or slaughter, only lasted for a short time. It was over so fast that Garry complained. “Awe! Man! I was just starting to have fun! He, He, He!”
Turning to his master, Garry smiled. “I sure know how to make an entrance, don’t I, boss?”
“Ha! Yes, my little murderhobo, you sure do.” Deathwalker replied.
“Thanks for thinking of me. I really needed this!” Garry cheered.
“I know buddy.” Deathwalker said before turning to the cat girls. “Good job, ladies.”
All three gave Deathwalker a hug. Frrsha spoke up first. “Thank you for finally letting us join you, Alpha!”
“Yes, it’s good to see you all too.” Deathwalker replied.
“Hey! I did most of the work. Shouldn’t I be getting some loving?” Garry complained.
“Yes, come here, you can be my scratching post! Rrrrrr.” Prrsha said as she waved her claws at Garry.
“Never mind, I’m good!” Garry quickly replied and rose higher in the air for good measure.
“People approach, Alpha!” Mrrsha cautioned.
Deathwalker put his hand on her shoulder to calm her down. “Those are the guards. Remember we talked about this. Two-legged have customs you must get used to.”
Mrrsha retracted her claws. “As you command, Alpha.”
“They smell weak.” Prrsha commented.
That made Deathwalker laugh. “Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Compared to you my little huntress they are cubs.”
The guards finally made it to them. The scene that greeted them left them stunned at first as they all just looked around. The guard recognized Deathwalker. “D-Duke Dragonvein! Your grace, what happened here?”
“These bandits attempted to do me harm. My personal honor guard made short work of them.” Deathwalker explained.
As he was the duke and these men technically served him, they merely accepted his statement as fact. “We apologize, your grace! A contingent of soldiers should always be by your side! This is our failing!”
“They at least pay you the proper respect, Alpha.” Prrsha commented.
Deathwalker waved off the guard’s concern. “Nonsense. I left Lord Simium’s estate in a hurry. He offered but I was quick to return home. My honor guard is here now.” Gesturing to the aftermath, “and as you can see, they are quite capable of defending me.”
“Your grace, I would still feel better if My men could escort you the rest of the way.” The guard insisted.
To the man’s dismay, Deathwalker shook his head. “No. My honor guard and I can move much quicker without an escort. Besides your men need to see to this matter.” Deathwalker pointed to the bloody scene.
‘Wait is that guy partially stuck in the other guy?! How did Garry get that guy’s head to fit in such a tiny space?’ Deathwalker thought as he paid more attention to some of the gory details.
Turning his attention back to the guard. “Inform Lord Simium of this incident. All nobles should have an honor guard present while in the city. Let him know I will want to speak to him and his children in Timberfall before the festival. At that point we will discuss some aspects of this incident I do not have time to go over currently. Make sure he knows I do not blame him for this situation, but it did happen in his city, and I will expect resolution when he comes to Timberfall.”
Once the guard nodded his head, Deathwalker turned and left.
“Is there a reason why you are so interested in leaving so quickly alpha?” Mrrsha asked.
“We were being watched. I felt it since I left the city lord’s castle. Someone was testing us with those bandits. It’s why I didn’t attack and ordered you ladies to only stop the bandits from fleeing.” Deathwalker explained.
“What? You wanted me to show off my awesomeness boss?” Garry asked.
“Yes, and I was letting you have some fun. They will think you are my trump card. If they are the same people behind the attack on the capital, they won’t know how I defeated their assassins. There is for sure more going on here than we know, and something tells me Knight Darantious is involved somehow.”
“Shouldn’t we be interrogating this Knight Doucher?” Garry asked.
“In time. It was why I was vague with the guard. I want. The city lord to know he is not directly accountable but as I was a guest in his city the matter must be settled according to old traditions.” Deathwalker stated.
“What traditions? Is alpha going to fight this man?” Prrsha asked.
“No, his son. It gives me a chance to demand answers in a way you cannot normally do to a noble without backlash.” Deathwalker explained.
“That’s our alpha, always thinking ahead.” Frrsha commented.
“Now let’s get back to Timberfall. There are several people I want you to meet.” Deathwalker said as they made it to the Simium Portal Station.