Gerald lay awake in an unfamiliar bed. Moonglow slipped through cracks in the boarded window. It was his second night in Feverton.
After his encounter with the Ingestion Hound, he’d rented a room and promptly passed out. The next day, he’d asked around town thoroughly before setting off. When he again entered the Gnarl, he’d found...
Nothing.
It wasn’t nearly as hostile a biome after his first fight. By traveling in safe numbers he’d unknowingly offended the Gnarl of Blood. Now that he’d proven himself, he got the sense that their relationship was neutral, if not exactly amicable.
It’s a fucking forest.
Gerald clutched the covers angrily. What right did this place have to decide life and death? It wasn’t even human! Just an arbitrary collection of plants, insects, and rules. But now that he knew those rules, he was certain there was some way to turn the Gnarl on whatever Blessed he decided to kill.
Cold moonlight was shining in his eyes. Gerald turned over in bed.
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Gerald stared at the red stalk growing from the ground. He placed his palm against it. Sighed.
Although his Aura of Thorns had previously shattered chairs and faces, he was struggling to make it strike objects at will. It made sense on paper; this plant hadn’t done anything to harm him. It wasn’t an enemy.
But it’s part of the Gnarl. Surely that counts for something?
After a few more moments of uselessly pressing his hand to the stem, Gerald grumbled.
“What are you doing, uncle?”
It was the Hopskip kid again. Gerald had rented the bedroom from his parents. Contrary to Gerald’s fears, his reputation was stellar after he’d chased away the Serpents Three. No one living out here seemed to mind his status as a Blessed; if anything, it was a boon in the hardy settlement.
“Oh, just trying to figure out if I can help chop the plants with my Aura. I would feel bad if I wasn’t contributing to Feverton.”
The boy tilted his head, then eyed Gerald’s paunch. “The men are supposed to hunt. Usually only the mothers and Olson take care of the sprouts. Are you pregnant? You don’t look too pregnant.”
Gerald sputtered.
“Nevermind. Mom says that I shouldn’t ask stupid questions any more.”
He was already wandering away.
“Little devil,” Gerald muttered fondly.
I wonder how Desmond is faring?
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Four days later, the Gnarl sent him a peace offering as he walked its depths. A pack of three snarling rabbits—each a quarter the size of an Ingestion Hound—charged him. Gerald’s eyes lit up.
Perfect! I can more easily experiment with Aura of Thorns on live targets!
One leapt! Gerald yanked it out of the air by one hand, slapped it twice with the other. Blood spilled.
Aura of Thorns dealt 3 piercing damage to Foaming Jackrabbit.
Attack dealt 1 crushing damage to Foaming Jackrabbit.
Aura of Thorns dealt 3 piercing damage to Foaming Jackrabbit.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Interesting. Grapples activate Aura of Thorns even if they aren’t technically Attacks. The two blows in rapid succession were consolidated, of course, but I still don’t know why it only lets me strike two times with the Aura!
He dropped the dead rabbit. The other two split from each other, then pounced at his face from different sides. Gerald’s eyes widened.
Of course! I was missing the most obvious of connections!
Speed: 2
My Speed Ace is 2! That must be why I can only trigger two punctures at a time! Let’s put that to the test...
He slapped both rabbits up into the air, then juggled them from freefall.
Attack dealt 1 crushing damage to Foaming Jackrabbit 1.
Aura of Thorns dealt 3 piercing damage to Foaming Jackrabbit 1.
Attack dealt 1 crushing damage to Foaming Jackrabbit 2.
Aura of Thorns dealt 3 piercing damage to Foaming Jackrabbit 2.
“As I thought,” he said aloud.
Aura of Thorns dealt 3 piercing damage to Foaming Jackrabbit 1.
Aura of Thorns dealt 3 piercing damage to Foaming Jackrabbit 2.
“I’m limited to two Attacks and two Thorns each period. It’s not perfectly two per second, but it’s close enough.”
He caught the dead rabbits before they could drop to the ground, then began to limp towards Feverton. The journey in was always shorter than the journey out; something about the Gnarl resisted escape, but it was perfectly content with allowing Gerald back in.
“Uncle Gerald! You caught something!”
A familiar face waved at him. It was the boy Din, who had become accustomed to pestering Gerald whenever he saw the man.
“Little devil, of course I did! The Emissaries wouldn’t send someone incompetent to a place like this.”
Din stuck out his tongue. Gerald reciprocated with a rude gesture. Bright laughter startled both.
“Definitely a frontier town! Good evening, you two. I don’t suppose you could point me to a local guide?”
Gerald turned. The man that stood before him was, down to the jovial grin and glistening armor, a classic storybook knight. Of course, Knight Orders were often more vicious and warlike than tales of them would lead you to believe... and yet, the man was perfect. Something about his face glowed with trustworthiness and charisma.
You scrutinize the R1 [Hero].
Gerald’s eyes widened. The [Hero’s] followed suit.
Earlier than I expected!
“A fellow Blessed, eh? Hail, and well met! I’m Duncan. Traveling to Marshweld in search of a cult. Would you happen to have heard any rumors?”
Gerald blinked. Finally, the man to gamble on! And he seems so gullible!
“Indeed I have. I’m Gerald. I grew up in Rivervall, but the Peeking Woods swallowed it up. I passed through Marshweld, but there were a few too many... disappearances. I cleared out pretty quick and learned the lay of the Gnarl instead. Say, I’m a little familiar with the route to Marshweld. May I assist you on your way there?”
Duncan paused. His eyes seemed to weigh Gerald uncomfortably. Then, they flickered to Din and he smiled.
“Well, of course! I see your virtuous nature reflected in the company you keep. But may I ask... what deity offers [Penitent]?”
He’s nowhere near as gullible as he looks. But I only know of the Jointed Goddess, and that’ll certainly raise his guard... no, wait!
“The Traveler offers my class, though only in certain niche scenarios.”
Duncan seemed to relax. “Of course. The Traveler’s Guild is a good ally of our Orthodoxy. But then, they are to everyone. I’ll have to look into those scenarios once I’m home; not that I doubt you, but rare classes always fascinate me!”
Gerald smiled. “Of course, sir Duncan.”
My best shot at a target belongs to the Orthodoxy?! I’ve really stepped in it now! But if they’re already investigating the Emissaries of Bone, he’ll find out I’m a liar the moment he learns of other [Penitents]. Shoot, I hope Duncan doesn’t pay much attention to the line about the Emissaries sending me!
For my self-preservation, there’s only one option! I’ll pretend to guide Duncan while he still trusts me at all, then leave him slaughtered in the woods!