Jack didn’t hesitate. At this point his mind was so closely bound up with Goldeyes that he couldn’t even tell which of them made the decision to accept the Quest. Accept.
As the memories faded Jack felt his head clearing. For a moment he felt like a fool. What had possessed him to accept that quest? He had just committed himself to wiping out an entire tribe. For a moment he felt pangs of regret, but a soft whine made him look over at Goldeyes who was staring at him with a steady gaze.
His regrets faded as he looked into his Companions eyes. There was no fear and no doubt in those huge golden orbs, just absolute love and trust.
“Jack help Goldeyes get vengeance?”
Jack knelt down and stared directly into the wolfs eyes.
“Not vengeance. Justice.”
Goldeyes nodded his head in understanding and bared his teeth in agreement. “Batman would be proud” Jack thought privately.
Of course, now there was the question of exactly how to accomplish his new quest. He considered going back to the clearing where he had killed the Ramkin, but quickly dismissed the idea. Who knew how far away those Ramkin had been from the rest of their tribe and anyway by now the trail had probably gone cold. However, he did know someone who might be able to help.
“You want me to help you wipe out the Ironhorn Tribe?” Elyra's voice rang with disbelief as she stared at Jack. Her sharp green eyes narrowed, scanning his face as if trying to read his true intent. The flicker of surprise and wariness in her gaze was unmistakable.
Jack didn’t flinch. He met her stare with calm, steady resolve. He could tell she was on the verge of laughing at his suggestion, but this wasn’t a joke. Not to him. “It’s not about wiping them out,” Jack explained, his voice low and serious. “It’s about justice. Goldeyes' pack was slaughtered. The Ironhorn didn’t even leave their bones. Someone has to hold them accountable.”
Elyra’s features softened slightly, but her frown deepened. She stepped forward, crossing her arms over her chest, her leather armor creaking softly in the quiet forest clearing. The shadows of the towering trees danced across her face, her expression difficult to read.
Jack stood his ground, though he felt his heart hammering in his chest. Elyra was far more experienced than he was. Her support could be the difference between victory and failure. But she had no reason to help him—she barely knew him, and this was a dangerous request.
“Jack, do you even understand what you’re asking?” she finally said, her voice soft but tense. “The Ironhorn aren’t just some gang of bandits. They’re a tribe of marauders. Ruthless, organized, and merciless. They've preyed on travelers moving to and from Stonetree for years. Entire caravans have been wiped out. They know the roads like the backs of their hands, and they don’t just attack for supplies. They enjoy it. They make examples of people.”
Jack’s fists clenched at his sides. He could feel the heat rising within him, a slow, burning anger at the thought of the Ironhorn’s cruelty. “I’ve heard the stories. But what they did to Goldeyes and his pack was senseless. They weren’t even a threat, just minding their own business. I can’t let that stand.”
Elyra sighed deeply, rubbing her temples as if Jack’s words had triggered a painful memory. “Goldeyes wasn’t the first,” she said quietly. “And he won’t be the last. The Ironhorn thrive on fear and chaos. When they’re not preying on travellers they often hunt whatever they can find for sport. It’s not even about food with them. They kill for the thrill of killing. No one has been able to stop them.”
“Then we will,” Jack said, his voice resolute. “I’m not asking to take them all down at once. I just need to strike back, to make them understand that they can’t keep getting away with this.”
Elyra raised an eyebrow, an almost amused smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Do you really think you can take on their fighters in your current state? You’ve barely scraped through a handful of battles since you arrived here, and none of them were against enemies like the Ironhorn. Their higher-level fighters could crush you before you even knew what hit you.”
“I know I need to get stronger,” Jack admitted, swallowing hard as he recalled his near defeats. “But that’s why I’m here. I’m not asking for a suicide mission. I’m asking for time. Help me train, help me grow stronger, and then we’ll find a way to take them down.”
Elyra didn’t respond immediately. She studied him, her eyes flicking over his worn armor, his determined stance. Jack could see the gears turning in her mind. She wasn’t dismissing him outright, which was a small victory in itself. Finally, she shook her head, a faint sigh escaping her lips.
“You’re stubborn, I’ll give you that,” she muttered. “But this won’t be as simple as you think. You don’t just walk up to the Ironhorn and declare war. They’re clever, Jack. They’ve been raiding travelers between here and Stonetree for decades. The richer traders can afford to hire mercenary protection but the Ironhorn never attack the guarded caravans. They prey on the weak and the isolated, striking fast and leaving no witnesses.. That’s how they maintain their hold on the roads. Fear. People are too terrified to even talk about them in the city. They’ve grown so bold they’re nearly unstoppable.”
Jack could feel his heart sinking as she described the Ironhorn’s reign of terror. But the more he heard, the more determined he became. He couldn’t turn back now, not after what he had seen. The deaths of Goldeyes’ pack had been brutal, senseless, and it had left a deep wound in him. He had to act.
“If they’re as strong as you say, then someone has to stand up to them. Otherwise, more innocent people will die. More packs like Goldeyes’ will be slaughtered,” Jack said, his voice firm but edged with desperation. “We can’t just let them keep doing this.”
Elyra’s gaze softened, and for a moment, Jack saw a flicker of something in her eyes—perhaps a memory of her own. She turned away slightly, looking out over the forest as if lost in thought. When she spoke again, her voice was quieter, more reflective.
“Stonetree is supposed to be a beacon of safety, a city where travelers can find refuge. But with the Ironhorn Tribe lurking along the roads, it’s become a trap. People leave the city, thinking they’re safe, and then they disappear. The Ironhorn are cunning—if they can’t overpower a group, they’ll track them, wait until they’re vulnerable, then strike when it’s least expected.”
Jack listened carefully, noting the bitterness in Elyra’s tone. This wasn’t just a problem for him. The Ironhorn were a threat to anyone traveling in or out of the city. “Why hasn’t anyone done anything about them?” Jack asked, frustrated. “With everything they’ve done, why hasn’t anyone tried to take them down?”
“People have tried,” Elyra said with a grim smile. “But the Ironhorn have been around for a long time. Their leader, Gorruk, is a seasoned warrior—completely ruthless and smart too. He uses other monsters like ettins and trolls to bolster his forces. He’s the reason they’ve survived so long. Any attempt to challenge their dominance ends in blood. And the people who are brave enough to stand against them… they don’t last long. If the Mercenaries Guild truly wanted to they could probably wipe them out but they make too much money from escorting the wealthier caravans. As long as the Ironhorn stick to picking off the weaker, smaller groups, the Guilds turn a blind eye. They say it’s not worth the risk.”
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Jack’s frustration deepened as he absorbed Elyra's words. It made sense in a twisted way, but it only fueled his desire to act. If the mercenaries and the city of Stonetree wouldn't intervene, then someone had to take a stand.
“That’s disgusting,” Jack spat. “They’re letting innocent people die just so they can keep making a profit?”
Elyra gave him a rueful smile. “That’s the way of the world, Jack. It’s not fair, and it’s not just. But it's the reality we live in.”
Jack's fists clenched at his sides. He refused to accept that reality. There had to be a way to stop the Ironhorn. He looked down at Goldeyes, whose golden gaze never wavered. They both wanted the same thing—justice.
“If I don’t try, then no one will,” Jack said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I can’t just let them keep doing this.”
Elyra glanced back at him, her expression softening as she saw the determination in his eyes. She took a deep breath before speaking again. “You’re right,” she admitted. “Someone has to stop them. And maybe, just maybe, you have a chance. But not as you are now.”
“I’m willing to do whatever it takes,” Jack said firmly. “I just need help.”
Elyra nodded slowly, her mind seemingly made up. “Alright,” she said, her tone firm. “I’ll help you. But we’re going to do this my way. You need training, strength, and strategy if you’re going to survive against the Ironhorn. We’ll start there. And when the time comes, we’ll strike.”
Jack felt a surge of relief wash over him. He had her on his side, and that was the first step. “Thank you, Elyra,” he said, his voice filled with gratitude.
“Don’t thank me yet,” she replied, a faint smile playing on her lips. “This won’t be easy. And if you think the Ironhorn will go down without a fight, you’re in for a rude awakening.
Jack looked askance at the beautiful Scraeling. “I did pretty well against the Ramkin who were planning to eat Cael.”
Elyra shook her head, her green hair swaying gently in the breeze. "Those were low level opponents. The higher ranked Ironhorn are much more formidable opponent, with seasoned warriors and powerful leaders. And their chief is on another level entirely. Trust me, Jack, you'll need all the strength and skill you can muster if you hope to take them on."
Jack sighed, realizing the truth in Elyra's words. He had faced challenges before, but this was an entirely different level of danger. The thought of facing an entire tribe filled him with a mix of apprehension and determination. "What do you suggest, then?" Jack asked, his tone resigned but determined. He was ready to do whatever it took to prepare himself for the task ahead. The Scraeling studied him thoughtfully, her emerald eyes thoughtful.
“My niece has told me about a group of undead that have been infesting the forest not far away from where we are now. If you could help her clear them out, I would be very grateful. It would also help you gain some of the levels you need”.
Jack thought about it for a moment. The offer was a good one. Not only would it give him the opportunity to level up, but it would also give him valuable fighting experience. He had been in fights before, but he was still relatively inexperienced when it came to battle.
Hopefully, this quest would give him the experience he needed to face down the Ironhorn. Jack enveloped Elyras dainty hand in his own firm grip. “I accept”.
The Scraeling smiled and Jacks head jerked up from where it had been resting against the tree. A new notification popped up in front of him.
[You have accepted a Quest:
Clear out the Undead
Objective: Help Lyla destroy the undead that have been infesting the forest
Penalty for failure: None
Rewards: Experience
]
Across from him he saw Lyla approaching. The Scraeling was looking a lot better than the last time he had seen her. She was wearing a simple yet sturdy leather armor, adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to shimmer in the dappled light filtering through the forest canopy. At her side, she carried a staff, its smooth surface polished to a gleam, with intricate runes carved along its length. The staff seemed to hum with arcane energy, a potent weapon in the hands of its wielder.
"Jack," Lyla greeted him, her voice firm. "I'm glad you've decided to help. Jack was surprised at the change in the woman. When he had last seen her she had been worn down by the weight of her ordeal at the necromancers hands, her demeanor dimmed by fatigue and worry. But now, as she stood before him, there was a renewed sense of vigor in her bearing, a steely determination that spoke of her resolve to see their quest through to the end.
"I'm ready," Jack said, his voice steady. "Lead the way."
Lyla led Jack and Goldeyes eastwards with Cael and Monsoon bringing up the rear. The goblin had been eager to accompany Jack when he told them where he was going. Apparently, the chance to study an actual Scraeling Bondtree was a rare opportunity for any aspiring alchemist. He had spent the entire time Jack was communicating with Elyra taking copious notes in a small journal that came with his alchemy kit. Jack had only managed to drag the goblin away from his studies by promising he would take him back with him the next time he visited the Bondtree.
The young Wavewolf trotted eagerly beside Cael, having taken a liking to the gray humanoid for some reason. Jack wondered if the Goblin would eventually get a Companion Quest the same way he did.
As they walked Jack asked Lyla about her Status. “It’s not that I doubt your capabilities” He added hurriedly, hoping that he wasn’t being offensive’ it’s just that we are heading into battle, and I would like to know what my comrade is capable of”.
Giggling slightly at his awkwardness, Lyla assured him that the request was perfectly reasonable. “My aunt has been teaching me Nature Magic” she explained. “I was born with the affinity and have been training since I gained System access.”
Apparently, people didn’t gain access to the System until they reached young adulthood which for a Scraeling was 16 years of age. That had been three years ago for Lyla and since then Elyra had managed to teach her niece four useful spells. She shared the descriptions with Jack.
[Thorn Spray:
Rank: Basic
Type: Offensive
Requirements: At least level 1 in Nature Magic
Description: Channeling the power of nature, the host conjures forth multiple spiked thorns that impale anyone in their vicinity, be it friend or foe.
Damage: 6-7 Piercing and 3-4 Nature per thorn
Casting Time: 1 second
Cost: 4 Mana per use
Cooldown: 1 Second
Note: Mastery of this spell grows with the hosts experience, enhancing its potency and precision. In addition, experience allows for the conjuration of more thorns. Current thorns conjured:3]
[Health Shield:
Rank: Basic
Type: Buff
Requirements: At least level 5 in Nature Magic
Description: Through the mastery of life itself, the host empowers allies in the area, granting them temporary extra vitality. This vitality acts as a sort of health shield with damage that would otherwise be taken by the targets normal health pool instead taken by the temporary extra health.
Enhancement: Temporary +10 to Health for 5 minutes
Casting Time: 5 seconds
Cost: 15 Mana per use
Cooldown: 10 Seconds
Note: Mastery of this spell grows with the hosts experience, enhancing its potency and precision.]
[ Thorny vines:
Rank: Basic
Type: Offensive/Crowd Control
Requirements: At least level 6 in Nature Magic
Description: The spell causes targets to become entangled by thorn covered vines keeping them in place until the roots are torn or 30 seconds pass. Deals Piercing damage as long as the spell is active.
Casting Time: 4 seconds
Cost: 50 Mana per use
Cooldown: 30 Seconds
Note: Mastery of this spell grows with the hosts experience, enhancing its potency and precision.]
[Health Surge:
Rank: Basic
Type: Healing
Requirements: At least level 5 in Nature Magic
Description: Through the mastery of life itself, the host heals allies in the area, refreshing their lost vitality.
Casting Time: 5 seconds
Cost: 15 Mana per use
Cooldown: 10 Seconds
Note: Mastery of this spell grows with the hosts experience, enhancing its potency and precision.]