I've flowed through my lands, felt the rhythms of life, as creatures roamed free,
Yet darkness lurked, shadows of destruction, a tragic destiny.
-Thoubose
THEO
“So where exactly is Dracus?” I leaned down to grab a map stored on the floor, adjusting the reigns of the two horses that pulled along our empty covered wagon. Breezy lazily drifting across the wagon’s canvas as it passed through, areal patrolling in a large distance. The trail in most areas was wide enough to accommodate our smaller sized cart, only causing us some tight squeezes here and there. At the least, the scant trail wasn’t supposed to have any obstructions that would block or delay our journey. Cliff had told us before leaving that we might have to clear some overgrowth along the way, where erosion isn’t doing the job naturally, if the trail has been barren of travelers. That was typically something Grandfather and I would come across during our travels, as we took the scenic route most often. We never had to worry about lugging a wagon behind though, so hopefully the road wasn’t too root filled in those less traveled stretches.
“Mr. Perfect didn’t read a map before we headed out?” Clyde playfully jested.
We had left an hour after dawn broke; I didn’t get back from my far-out training spot earlier to study the map before Clyde was ready to depart. He rarely was up early, but this morning I barely had a chance to sneak into my room before he was ready. Minutes after getting in, he was pounding on my door like a kid who had presents waiting to be opened.
Alfred was having me practicing reaction sparing with his teleportation, which was extremely tricky outside having the innate ability to follow the short blinks like a ball of yarn quickly unraveling through the air. Processing it all was slowly coming together until last night however, which is why we lost track of time.
“You seemed so gung-ho about going, I figured I didn’t need to put in the effort.” I said nonchalantly as I tied the reigns off and sat back posting my feet up for effect. “I’m just here for the ride, maybe pick some ore up and put it in the cart. No sweeping for like three days.” I mock reminisced.
“You are new and all, but I haven’t left Riverside in a few years now. It’s a much-needed break.” He sat back taking my que. “It’s a mining and trading settlement just on the boarder of the Jade Empire. One of the only ones that does business with that folk.”
“Jade Empire? Like Gnomes?” I questioned. The mention of the mysterious race of people that the Acolyte Coleus favored, piqued my interest.
“Yeah. Those are the only ones.” He chuckled.
“And they do business with this outpost?” I looked at him for confirmation.
“Yeah, I think it might be one of the few places they do business with outsiders. They are known to keep to themselves, but they probably need things they can’t make or get themselves like everyone else.” Clyde replied as if it was matter of fact, grabbing some playing cards from a crate under the seat.
“You ever seen one?” Curiosity taking hold of me while I chastised myself for not paying more attention to where we were going. Finding the bordering village on the map now, mere kilometers from the territory. I had never in our travels come across gnomes. They were known to be secretive and kept to themselves. King Vlad never had any dealings with the nation as a whole. The few trade envoys the nation sent coming back fruitless, with the diplomats not finding any sign of the nation inhabitants as they journeyed the land. Lush with natural life, just not gnomes. The last envoy was approached by Coleus himself near their journeys end, telling them not to return to the lands for settlement or without request again, and that was it.
“Nah, never in my life, but I was in Dracus like twice as a kid. What about you?” he asked, shuffling the cards.
“In all my travels, I have never seen one.” I said honestly. “Grandfather mentioned them from time to time, but more as tall tales than anything else.
“I am sure if they wanted to be known, they would have tried to aid the war by now.” Clyde suggested.
“Yeah, or we would see the little fella’s all over the place.” I chuckled.
“That might be offensive.” Clyde delt me a hand of blackjack.
“Very true.” I processed the moment and gave him a rye look. “Hey! look at you, thinking about offending others now!” I gave him a shoulder pat. “You’re growing.”
“My mom would be proud.” He said as an awkward tension crossed both of us. It wasn’t something we had gotten deep into before. The pause stretched on before he spoke. “Last week was the anniversary of her death, Dad didn’t seem as chipper if you could tell. She was his world.” He hesitated a long time before continuing. “She put up with his shenanigans, she even enjoyed it. She loved every moment, and he did too.” He paused, seemingly reminiscing before he continued. “She supposedly had this incredible way of loving everyone, flaws, and all. And she would sing apparently. He says she had the softest voice. Losing her made Dad lose his way a bit. At least when it came to keeping himself healthy and all as you can see.” He blushed slightly at the open honesty.
“I haven’t gotten to hear many things about my mom. Grandfather witnessed her murder, so he doesn’t like to mention her much at all.” I didn’t want to lie to Clyde, just trying not to get into details as best I could. “I do know she was stunningly beautiful and had a big heart. Big enough that I was clutched in her arms as she defended me to her last breath.”
“Ah man.” Clyde gasped. “I had no idea man! I am so sorry! I’d ask what happened, but.”
“Yeah.” I gently cut him off. “He hasn’t gotten into it more than that. It’s a similar situation to you. More just sad we both didn’t get to grow up with such amazing people.” I added thoughtfully, us both playing a few hands in relative silence before the conversation flowed on again, picking up on a different subject.
“You ever think of being anything other than a blacksmith?” I asked Clyde as he began shuffling another round. Us keeping track of the overall score by a steady pile of stones accumulating in Clyde’s lap.
“It’s not like I have much choice in the matter. It’s all we know, and a generational kind of thing. I expect the same with you. Outside the essence-less thing.” He looked out from the rolling wagon, into the distance. “If it was my choice, I’d want to do something that made me feel good once the jobs done.”
“Don’t you get that at the end of a build?” I asked curiously.
“Yeah, but it’s not the same. I never have much input in the design or outcome. People always want something specific, and that’s it. I don’t feel a lot of accomplishment when it comes to handing over the order.”
“You could generalize more.” I suggested. “Open a shop where people buy your designs instead of just filling orders all day.”
“But I couldn’t do that in Riverside, there isn’t enough business. And that would need me to be a master craftsman in order to secure the location for that type of business.” He reasoned.
“You have a good point.” The artesian tests needed to sell wares in bigger cities were costly, the first obstacle in place to prohibit the meek from attempting or attempting too numerously in order to eventually pass at the very least. “Maybe Riverside will grow to be huge someday.”
“What do you want to do with the rest of your life if it’s not blacksmithing?” He asked in reply.
Well, I want to restore balance to Thoubose. I thought before responding. “I think it would be nice to settle down finally, without any worries. You know before Tuttle; we moved around a lot. We have always been looking for steady work. It would be nice to help grow something that starts thriving and doesn’t need us to leave because something or another comes along to cause hard times.”
“I really don’t understand that with how talented your grandfather is.” He chuffed.
“It’s like you said, there isn’t as big of a need for artesian blacksmiths. Costly to open, harder to maintain when the customers face hard times. We learned that enough to know the value of a place with good people.” I smiled at Clyde. “Plus, we didn’t want to get sucked into the war. Blacksmiths have the worst of the knightly maintenance duties, outside dung shoveling squires.”
“Yeah, I can see that being reason enough.” Clyde agreed. “Fixing armor, grinding weapons, strictly maintenance with no actual craftsmanship.”
“You didn’t answer my question?” I prodded, pushing the conversation back onto Clyde.
“I haven’t thought that far ahead or even known what to dream of doing. I don’t know what all is out there.” An honest expression crossing his face.
“I respect that.” I nodded in agreement. “Maybe you will have a broader view after getting out these next few days.”
“Can’t imagine that would change much, but I’ll try to keep an open mind.” He gave me an earnest look.
“That’s a good start.” I replied.
We heard a faint hoot in the distance, echoing in an oddly amplified way. Clyde startling in his seat before relaxing.
“The Krom is an owl doing up at mid-day?” He asked in surprise. “Absolutely dying owl, if that is what is was.”
“No idea.” I said chuckling at his startle he tried to play off.
I absolutely had an idea. Gerald, I thought. I expected Grandfather to pull this card. He wasn’t comfortable letting Clyde and myself adventure to Dracus alone but didn’t want to make a deal of it in front of Cliff. We had a few conversations about how I was to maintain strict instruction and not blow our cover over a few hushed exchanges throughout the day, leading up to our departure. A lot unsaid that didn’t need to be said as well. I understand his worry, with finally having a good thing established. I vehemently promised I wouldn’t do anything to expose us.
…
We had to stop a few times to clear where the path was being overtaken. Clyde grumbling each time like his vacation was being ruined. I chuckled to myself each time at how often this happened with Grandfather and myself and counted this lucky.
…
About three quarters of the way to Dracus, I noticed a faint essence feeling. A mountain along the range in the distance, maybe two kilometers off, seemed to irradiate subtle power. As our journey led us closer to the mountain, the feeling became stronger. The sensation of a dull, un-scratchable itch. A call of sorts. I could make out the exact mountain in the distance. This part of the journey, our path had us trekking through a higher elevation pass. There was less tree canopy at this level which made it easier to see for kilometers upon kilometers, but I could also tell Clyde was getting winded from the air difference. This seemed like the highest point for the trail and total trip to Dracus, leading to mostly downhill from here, till we made it there.
“Hey man, you think we can pull over for a bit, I need to deal with some business.” I blurted as the feeling became too potent to ignore, while hoping a respite for Clyde would be good timing.
“Yeah. I think we are making good time.” He stretched in his seat as he pulled the cart over. “Good call, I can use a stretch. Plus, my back is itching up a storm, let me tell you.” As for effect, he stepped off the pulled over wagon, hopped out, and began rubbing his back against the bark of the nearest mammoth sized tree. “Feels kind of like the Percy thing, but more of a pulse. You feel it? Nah, I guess you wouldn’t. Do you think we should be worried?”
“I am not sure; I can give a look around quickly while I’m looking for a spot.” I suggested, trying not to seem bothered at all by the immense feeling he probably couldn’t quite pinpoint yet.
“If you are going to be away, I might make a quick trail fire for a proper lunch.” His eyes lit up with anticipation as he began rummaging through his supplies.
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“Sure, but don’t wait up for me. I’m not too hungry and I’m going to find a nice, serene overlook.” I said, trying to buy some time to explore the feeling, or to find Gerald to see if he could investigate.
“It’s like that is it Theo?” He paused, making a slight chill run down my spine before he continued. “You need to add more fiber to your diet?” He bellowed the accustom laugh before I shot him a glare.
“Uh.” I stammered a response before just succumbing to his line of thought. “Yeah…”
…
I pushed into the brush, taking a direct line to the source as fast as I could, once I was out of sight from Clyde. A couple hundred meters into my sprint I heard the hoot call, turning left I could just make out Gerald a few hundred meters away waving like a lunatic. Good ol Gerald! I thought, the site of his enthusiasm was palpable. I made my way to where he was positioned.
“Hey Ger!” I goofily grabbed him in a hug.
“Master Theo! Glad yous not mad to see me on account of me following yous and all.” A look of guilt crossed his face.
“Ger, I know Grandfather enough to not let it bother me anymore.” I said sincerely. “I should have expected to begin with.”
“He worries, you know.” Gerald gave me an honest smile, the kind you feel in your heart.
“I know bud.” I returned his gesture as best I could.
“I’m guessing you be feeling this thingy too?” He questioned. “Noticed yous peeling off, I figured we could chat.”
“How could you do that?” I gave him a suspicious look.
“I placed a proximity ward on the wagon. It lets me see the area around the ward as long as I’m close enough.” He gave me a mischievous grin.
“Very cheeky Gerald, I should have known.” I chuckled, shaking my head before addressing the bigger issue. “What is this feeling?”
“It’s an unbound gem.” He paused as I visibly stiffened at hearing that before continuing. “We experienced this feeling a few times when we were getting you out of Valaria. Not sure many would know that little secret. Most details on the nature of gems are closely guarded and the rest never know bout it, outside ancient lore. Most accessible books have nothing of the sort of story either.” He looked to the direction of the feeling, squinting as if it would make the image appear closer.
“Interesting, that’s supposed to be super rare, isn’t it?” I said, knowing there were less than maybe fifty known gems of power. Finding one unbound would be an unbelievable find for anyone. Historically, most of the free nations were forged with just a single one. It’s a boon that could add a huge additional piece to our team’s arsenal.
“Aye, maybe this be the source of them worgs you all saw months back? It would only add up.” He scratched at his chin, more talking to himself.
“Ger, I have no idea.” I gave him a dumbfound expression. “How could no one have stumbled across this by now?”
“Something probably shifted the gem more recently, causing it exposure to an element aligned to it’s natural essence. That’s why we don’t feel all the unbound ones and can still find them here and there, they are usually bound up in silica or the likes. This one went through ‘nough of a tremor or shift to start it calling for a master. These paths are pretty barren, probably only a few souls a week coming and going. I wouldn’t imagine anyone who has been bye knows what the feeling is, if they are attuned.” He replied, brow furrowed as he thought. “I don’t think we can pass this opportunity up. I want you to promise me you will stay out of trouble in Dracus boy! Don’t play no games when I get this way!” He shot a stern look at me, staggering out of his thoughts and into the direction of the call. “I need to check this out. It might change some things.”
“I promise Ger. We will try to camp around here when we finish business. We can talk then about what you find and if you need any help.” I agreed.
“Sounds good Theo.” He gave me a stern look. “Stay safe me baby Acolyte. Life wouldn’t be worth living without you.” He pulled me in for a hug before shewing me towards Clyde’s direction.
“Ger!” I reddened in embarrassment before heading to the trail. “We’re buying ore from a town, I will be fine without a hidden bodyguard. Plus, I have Breezy.” As if on que my hair blew in the wake of the passing breeze.
…
I made it back to Clyde as he was finishing plating his concoction. “How’d you make out?” He asked with a goofy grin before taking a deep satisfied bite.
“Flowed like a broken dam.” I curtly replied with a chortle.
His food quickly splattered out of his mouth as he struggled to contain the ensuing laughter.
“Anything to worry about?” He looked at me with concern once he was able to compose himself.
“I didn’t see anything or anyone. I think we are ok; it might just be your nerves or something. Let’s just move on.” I suggested, hopeful Gerald was able to make some good findings while we handled our business.
“My nerves?” he shouted at me in protest, trying to think of a comeback.
…
We arrived in Dracus a few hours before shops closed, which gave us plenty of time for our errands. The place was exactly as they put it, a mining town. It seemed to be a place of labor more than anything else. Much of the population being men. All seemingly with an un-washable layer of dust accumulated from years of heavy toiling. An acrid depression weighed down the overall atmosphere of the place. The village, because that’s about all you could call it with its simple amenities, had a jack of all trades general store, a controller office, a large number of housings, and a bar and brothel/inn combination. A working place wouldn’t be complete without places to separate the newly acquired coin from workers hands. That’s at least something Alfred told me to look out for. The perfect kind of entrapment. As much as he will tell you to take caution, apparently, he falls for it quite often, from what Thomas eludes to.
Dracus sat equidistant to a number of ore veins that littered the mountain range, separating this independent dutchy with the bordering Jade Empire. Cliff said it was a prime spot for workers with massive finders’ tax benefits, but it hadn’t become a full settlement due to its lack of farming land. Without a means to grow crop, they had to rely on trade and hunting. Which meant, they couldn’t sustain an overabundant population during winters or harsh times without help from neighboring towns.
“Man, it seems pretty dull here.” Clyde whispered under his breath.
“Guess your crossing off mining from the list of potentials.” I whispered back with a grin as I eased the horses to a slow canter, strolling towards the General Store along one of the two throughfares the town had.
“The end product of this is a much better profession.” He continued to look around, in dull amusement. “Dude, it was so much livelier when I was younger.”
“I agree on the mining. I get Closter phobic really quick.” I replied honestly, having had my fair share of mining in our last stint. “And that was probably young ignorance not cutting through the reality of this place. You know how everything seems larger when you are a little?”
As we strolled by the building marked with a sign, ‘Bonnie’s Burlesque Beauties’, an older woman caught Clyde’s eye, returning a seductive grin that seemed to undress him before her eyes. “Fancy a nice time.” She called over, her voice raised in a playful octave, not giving him a chance to look away from the locked gaze, as she pulled a large drag from her rolled cigarette.
“Uh.” Clyde looked around; blush stricken as he confirmed she was talking to him.
“Nice, tame boy like yourself will run two silvers for the evening special.” She stepped closer, looking to seal the deal, chest propositioned so her low cut blouse gave us a view to disregard any need for imagination. She blew her smoke directly in Clyde’s face seductively. “I would feel dishonest otherwise if you needed some instruction.”
“Sorry maim, we are just passing through quickly.” Clyde stammered, adjusting his position nervously as I covered my giggle at his reaction.
“Well, you know where I’ll be if either of you fine strapping lads change your mind.” She said with a wink before returning to her post, adjusting her bodice in the process.
After we were out of earshot, Clyde looked over to me. “Man, two silver! That’s almost a week’s wages.”
“Yeah, they know how to separate people from their coin.”
As our wagon made it past the open area bar adjourning the brothel, I couldn’t help but notice the look of utter despair plastered along most of the patrons faces. There wasn’t a rowdy atmosphere that surrounded most watering holes, just the look of sorrow and hard work regrets.
“Who knows, it might be worth it.” I smirked, egging on his embarrassment, the red still lingering on his cheeks.
“I’m already out a bit from the freaking lantern housings. She’s ok and all, I just, I don’t know man, that doesn’t do it for me.” He looked ashamed of his statement.
“I’m just teasing man, it’s good to have that bit of valiancy.” I said sincerely.
“Or maybe I want to earn it, not pay for it. At least the first go around.” He let out the famous chuckle as we came to a stop in front of the general store.
“I feel that way too.” I tied up the reigns as we made our way into the general store to make our essence silver order.
…
We opened the door to be greeted by a small chamber, a booth opening set in the back wall peering through to an immense warehouse. From our vantage, two thirds of the space was occupied by ore, the rest being general bulk supplies. A Montu man with deep wrinkles and an antient look about him looked down from his elevated position on the warehouse side of the opening, seemingly annoyed at having customers. “Whatcha need?” The quick question disregarding any pleasantries.
“Looking for one ton of essence silver.” I replied as I shifted my posture to appear more confident, not wanting to get cheated because he suspects we were more inexperienced than we appeared. I am sure that helps with how young we both look, I laughed to myself. I did have enough experience from our life of different places at least to appreciate the man getting right to business.
“Yeah, and we were hoping to find out why you guys aren’t traveling west anymore?” Clyde chimed in from beside me. It surprised me, having forgotten the need to ask in the moment. The topic might also help with the purchase.
“Where you boys coming in from?” He asked, lightening his scowl slightly, already a good sign.
“Riverside, we got a note after failing to receive our last order. Said you weren’t traveling west anymore.” I replied as the man’s posture totally softened. Was that guilt?
“Aye, we lost a few transport men in quick succession. Whatever was getting the men, left all the supplies. We thought it was over with for some time, but recently had our men picked off again.” The man confessed.
“Any idea of what is causing it?” Concern showing on Clyde’s face.
“There was never any remanence except gear left behind.” The man matched Clyde’s expression. “It was becoming too much of a burden on our bottom line, cause we get paid upon delivery. We figured those that need their ore can figure out the way for a bit till it clears up.”
“And you thought letting us figure it out along the way was beneficial to your customers?” I scolded. Anger rising in my tone.
The man looked uncomfortable. “We didn’t want to deter folk from our business, just wanted to keep my men safe.”
“I am sure people wouldn’t have been deterred. But now they are going to risk their lives without adequate preparation or warning!” Clyde grumbled, matching my outrage. “We could have hired an escort if we knew we were in danger!”
“I didn’t look at it that way, I am sorry lads.” The man looked sincere in his apology. He was still deeply in the wrong for figuring people could fend for themselves without any bit of warning for his profit, because that was purely dishonest. It might have kept the gem from being discovered longer, the valuable commodity being locked up in the region.
“We were fortunate enough to make it here without any issues, now we have no idea what to expect on our way back!” Clyde saying the worry that was gripping the back of my mind, for Gerald’s sake.
“Can you make it right moving forward?” I gave him an expectant look. “Send word that people should bring escorts at the least?” For our trip, we were fortunate enough the man thought purely for his own bottom line, or Grandfather would not have let us come at all. He didn’t need to know that.
“Yeah, and we want the ton for six gold!” Clyde added.
You sly dog you. I thought as I held back a smug look.
…
“Steal! three gold cheaper than market value.” Clyde fist bumped me in victory after we exited the shop. “Pops doesn’t need to know right?”
“We can split the winnings” I said mischievously.
“Nice!” Clyde fist bumped the second victory.
“You think he’s going to make good on his promise?” I asked as we maneuvered our wagon, bringing it around the back to load with essence silver at the loading dock situated behind the shop. I was referring to the man’s promise of rush delivering letters to all seven of his westward customers across that side of the veil.
“I hope for the sake of any other westward towns that use their ore.” Clyde agreed, sharing a similar worry as myself. “You think we are going to be ok on the way back?”
“Don’t worry.” I gave him a confident smile. “Plus, I have a grandfather forged spear.” I pointed to the spear attached to the bench’s seat.
“I’m serious man.” He replied. “I work in a forge all day.” Worry thick on his tone.
“We at least will have our guard up. He said the disappearances happened during mid-day based on where they were found and when they left, so as long as we are clear most the way home by then tomorrow, we should be fine.” I tried to reassure.
“Yeah, I don’t really want to stay at the only place there is to stay here.” He said as we looked down the main street where we could see the gathering of women on the porch, cigarette smoke looming in a thick curtain.
“Super depressing or super expensive so it isn’t depressing. I think I’ll take the road too.” I agreed.
“So much for an awesome road trip.” Clyde disheartenedly slung his head down.
“It’s not over yet and who knows, maybe it’s more a trust thing so we can do more things like this in the near future.” I said hopefully.
“I don’t think it’s a trust thing for my dad.” Clyde laughed accusatorily.
“Yeah… You got me.” I reluctantly agreed.
We entered the loading dock to see another wagon, this one uncovered, being loaded. We parked ours next to it as we waited for our shipment to be pulled from the warehouse. The other wagon was loaded down with ten times more essence silver than we were purchasing, along with a number of miscellaneous crates stacked to the front, seemingly higher than physics would allow.
“Good Thoubose, look at how much essence silver they are getting Theo.” Clyde nudged me as I took in the amount overfilling the similarly sized wagon.
“Dang, they must have quite the rune operation wherever this is going.” I said in astonishment at the amount, never seeing that quantity of the stuff in one place. The warehouse probably was something to behold.
A gnome poked his head out from the side of the cart, tablet in hand as he scanned over the wagon contents, making check marks as he examined the load while making no notice of us. I waved at the man excitedly. He was no more than a meter and a half in height, and this was the first gnome I had ever seen; it brought a sense of boyish wonder that needed to jump out.
Goggles fixed to the top of his bald head, with a set of reading glasses barely hanging on to the tip of his thick oversized nose as he wrote. His stark white bushy eyebrows would more than likely lock around the googles by how out of place they were on the man. As I waved, the man slowly stopped working to stare in shock, looking behind him quickly before we locked eyes. We both stared at each other for countless breaths until I noticed a panic sheen of sweat form on his forehead, making it slightly glisten in the dim lighting. Without notice, he ran into the warehouse disregarding his inspection.
“The Krom was that all about?” I looked to Clyde who appeared amiss to the whole situation, obviously deep in thought.
“What was what all about?” Clyde asked hesitantly.
“Did you see a gnome?” I cautiously asked.
“Theo, what the Krom are you getting on about?” He looked at me perplexed.
“Just messin’ with you.” I hesitated, trying to play off the moment. “How long did they say they were going to take?” I added, desperate to change the subject.
As if a stroke of luck, two men slammed open a separate door and began loading up our ore with oversized shovels. Not taking long at all in their process, but long enough for me to see the gnome come back with two friends. He pointed at me while having a muted conversation that seemed like they were speaking without words. I tried not to pay them any attention, only briefly glancing at one of the newcomers when he began making clapping and dancing gestures directly next to me. I guess I gave them the acknowledgement they needed to go off, because they went into their door of the warehouse after that; not returning again.
Weird and unsettling.