They had had a few altercations with Frogs, Lizardmen, and even some of the creepy tentacular Herons, but NONE even came close to the Sheep on whatever scale that existed. These things were killers, plain and simple. They ravaged everything, plants, and rocks included. Thankfully, all that made them easy to spot, and avoid, if one knew what to look for. They had almost crossed paths with two herds of them. The first time they heard the bleating, they remembered the crazy old woman's warning, and hid themselves a few steps back behind a monticule of rocks, giving them a vantage on the situation. But that had almost driven them to their doom. They had been very lucky, as the herd had been distracted by a group of roaming Lizardmen. Those from the fields weren't like the ones they had met in the Jungle, they were leaner, but also more aggressive, and they packed a punch none would have expected. But the most problematic was that they roamed in groups of eight or more. But even though, they weren't enough to stop the herd. Spitting acid? a joke to their wooly armor. Claws? they never even touched them. The only thing that seemed to work was fire, and even then, it was only a deterrent. It probably only hid them with the smoke that ensued from the burning field. Yet the Sheep had been relentless. Only three of them got interested in fighting the lizards. And it had been more than enough. Limbs flew, gore got misted, and the bleating got frenzied. The lizards had been slaughtered, and the Sheep had feasted on their remains.
Shocked by the display, Xander had them retreat in haste. Luckily, the Sheep were fond of lizard meat, and the whole herd zeroed in on the remains. They had been able to sneak away and had been very careful since. And yet, they had almost been caught again. They had been following the river, as it was the only way to have a clear view forward. On either side, the yellow grass was too high to see anything, and probably higher than Takeo if he had been standing. As they reached the cliff of their current plateau, and probably one of the last before the valley's bottom they had only glimpsed once so far, they had stopped to rest and plot their itinerary. That was when Takeo, from his stretcher, thought he'd heard something. And he had been right.
A few steps away, through the grass, a dozen of the little devils were snoring in a big circle. They had stopped their rampage for a nap. Once again, luck had been on their side, and they quickly got their asses down a level. The little they had seen from above told them that this plateau was heavily warded by humans. Large fields were cultivated, and a few cottages had been sprung here and there. Even a few people were working in the fields. A nice dirt road traversed the whole plateau, leading to a little house by the probably last cliff before the lake they had spotted. That house seemed to be the only one on the plateau, and it was probably the one they had to reach, as it was a hub of activity.
True it wasn't the marketplace on a market day, but four people were standing at attention there, guarding some wooden contraption. And a few came up and down from the cliff every now and then. Sadly, Takeo hadn't had time to take a good look at them, as they had been too busy running from the Sheep. So they made their way. Xander was tired and knowing that the goal was within reach just sapped all his energy. He was so close to a bed, a good meal, and a bath, that his mission was accomplished.
They had crossed paths with a few people, mostly polite and inquisitive about Takeo's health. Happy people. But like most Pathers, they showed some scars or missing limbs. Remnants from their past on the Path. Takeo had been very curious about them, oohing and aahing at everything. He had such a weird fixation on people's hair and eye color, stating that he never had seen so many different colors. He had been very surprised to hear that Connor's hair was usually pink, and it even began to show a bit as his dye was also receding.
Soon enough, they reached the building by the cliff. As it turned out, it was a guardhouse. The wooden platform beside them was equipped with multiple cords and pulleys, allowing easier transport of merchandise up and down. It also gave access to a walkway they hadn't seen yet. The four Guards were standing by the access and quickly, and politely redirected them to the Guardhouse.
They hadn't had the time to reach the door and a tall and blockish person stepped out. Just like the Guards outside, he wore a shiny black armor of a very peculiar style that gave off an insectile vibe. Strange lines, asymmetrical in some ways, full of little bladed spines, along with a masked helmed, all told, an armor Xander would have been proud to own. This peculiar Guard however had a few more details. Blood red flourishes, and a few golden lines here and there. He was also carrying a truly massive sword. It was longer than Xander was tall, so probably two meters long, with a very wide blade, just not as wide as Xander this time, but almost. It was a one-edged sword, with a very sharp-looking tip, a practically non-existent guard, and a long handle that could easily be held with two gauntleted hands. For all that, the blade looked almost plain, at least from what was visible at the moment. The thing was so massive that it couldn't be entirely hidden by the Guard's back.
"So, you are the three whelps I have been asked to introduce to the village?" The voice caught the three young men off guard. Behind all the armor was a woman, albeit one with a hard voice.
Xander was the first to recover. "Err, yes? We are, probably?" He was a bit intimidated and hadn't expected this venue of discussion. "I'm Xander, this is Connor, and Takeo is on the stretcher."
She looked over all three of them, grunted, and invited them in. "The kid can lay on the couch," she said nonchalantly, pointing at a very large piece of furniture, and sat herself at the table, leaving her massive sword lying against the table, facing them. The chair didn't even groan. This was a rest room most probably. The whole room wasn't very clean, and mostly practical in its layout and furnishing. There were chairs, two tables, a couch, a fireplace, and a little kitchen on the side. The couch was a massive piece of furniture, with a very large and thick mattress. It was probably a bed with some more pillows, but it was so big that it could easily fit three people. There were other rooms accessible from this one, and a stair going up, but they had been invited to sit in there. Connor had been carrying Takeo and helped him on the couch.
Once seated, the Guardswoman began, "I'm called Jasper, and I'm a Senior Guardsman of the Village. Welcome to the 108 Waterfalls Valley." She looked at them, and continued, "I'm also the unfortunate soul who has been tasked with your introduction to the village. So, let's get this over with." With a hand gesture, three little pamphlets appeared. "You'll read these later, those are the rules you're expected to respect during your sojourn here." She heavily put her finger on the papers. "Although, don't be smartasses. Some have already tried to finagle on the wording. It didn't end well for them." A heavy silence followed her words.
"I'll give you the short version, for now. You are expected to behave and to not cause any trouble. There are only two penalties here, and one warning," she enumerated slowly, as if they were children. "Do something stupid, and you'll get your wrist slapped, maybe even a fine, and some communal work. That's the warning."
"Do something stupid again, and you'll get thrown into the first Door. That's the first penalty," she said in a very serious voice.
"Do something truly idiotic," and this time she growled darkly, "And you get the sword." She pointed at her massive weapon. "That's the second penalty. And I'm the one who will do it. So, don't, be, stupid." She insisted on each word with a finger on the table. Xander had been thankful there was a table because he believed that otherwise, the finger would have been in his guts. And he already knew he wouldn't like that.
"Is there any question so far?" she asked positively radiating menace. None of them dared to speak.
"Good. Now, let's get to the boring part. You are here to help the village, and in exchange, you get to stay here for a while. The standard fare allows you to stay for a year and a day but with twice the taxes on everything." She shrugged, "You can get yourself some lodging at the Inn, it's mostly secure and well-kept. Or you can sleep outside for all I care."
They couldn't see her eyes through the mask, but she definitely sounded bored with all this. "If you want to extend your stay here, there are multiple options. Residency is the first one, but it's expensive and limited. You'll have to wait for a place to free itself first. Other options are available, but mostly based on merit, and you'll have to ask the Elder for those. She's the one who decides who gets what."
"Any questions?" she asked again. This time, Connor raised his hand. "Yes?"
"Err, what are the taxes on?" he asked, a bit timidly.
"Everything. Food, lodging, clothes, weapons, armor, and so on. You'll have to pay for everything you buy, and you'll have to pay for everything you sell. The only exception is if you are a resident. The only thing you don't have to pay for is the water. It's free, and you can drink as much as you want. But don't try to sell some, or you'll get the sword." She pointed at her weapon again. "And I'll be the one doing it," her whole posture dared him to try.
"Err, okay," he said, still intimidated. "And what about the work we have to do?"
"Ah, yes. Well, that's the easy part honestly. Just check the board in the Inn, and you'll find plenty of paid work to do. Of course, you could probably farm your way out there, but it's not the most efficient way to live here." She shrugged, "To each his own."
"Any other questions?" she asked again. Xander had expected something like this to occur, but he hadn't expected the sheer presence of the delivery. He had been expecting a clerk or something like that. Besides that, everything else was somewhat expected. The time limit was a bit short, but it was probably to avoid people staying here for too long. Their Master had told them about this so he wasn't surprised.
"I have one question, if you don't mind, it is a bit off-topic," Xander asked politely. Luckily for him, she didn't seem to mind. "We have been accosted by an elderly woman on the way here, and she told us to find her in the village. She had a tall square hat and a very... colorful poncho. Do you know her?"
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Jasper looked at him, and he could feel her eyes boring into him. "Of course, that's Elder Karima, the village's leader. Ask any Guards on the way, they'll point you to her shop." She looked at them, "Any LAST questions?" she growled.
They shook their head. "Good. Now, get out of my sight, and don't cause any trouble." She stood up, and they followed suit. "And don't forget your comrade," she said, pointing at Takeo. "He's not dead yet, so don't leave him behind." She turned around and disappeared into another room.
They quickly left the Guardhouse, and Xander was the last one out. He looked back and saw Jasper looking at them from the window. Neither Connor, nor Takeo had made any comment so far, and hopefully that will last until they get out of sight of that demonic woman. All of them were tense though.
As they moved toward the walkway, the four Guards laughed softly at them. "Don't worry, she's not that bad," one of them said. "She's just a bit grumpy, and she hates kids."
They let them pass, and they quickly found themselves struck on the wooden platform by the sight of the village below. It was a sight to behold. The village was built on the side of the cliff, and it was a marvel of engineering. The whole village was built on multiple levels, with the lowest one being at the bottom of the cliff just over the lake, and the highest one reaching the middle of it, but on it was the most impressive building of the whole village. It looked like a massive triangle wedged out of the cliff and it reached almost as high as the cliff itself. It was a massive building, with hundreds of little windows. On top of it, a set of wooden wheels were turning slowly under the power of a massive waterwheel, whose outflow disappeared into the building only to be spewed out from below.
Besides that strange building, the whole village looked very organic from the surface, with branches and a little abode built on top of them. It was probably something around mid-afternoon and they could see people meandering on wooden walkways, chatting in groups, eating, and so on. The whole village was a hive of activity. Their own walkway would quickly take them to the cliff, where they had dug a tunnel to reach the village. Having taken a good look at the village, they turned the wheelbarrow into a stretcher and carried Takeo down.
When they reached the first layer of the village, they were greeted by the sound of village life, people talking, shouting, laughing. Smells of foods and spices, and the sight of people going about their business. This level also hosted a large plaza that opened itself to the entrance of the large building, which according to the large golden and lavish inscription, was the village's Inn. The plaza itself seemed to double as a marketplace, as a few stalls were set up by dirty-looking Pathers. They took in the sight some more and then made their way to one of the Guards. They were easily recognizable with their black armor and masked faces.
"That's two levels down," was all they'd got. They thanked the Guard and continued on the trench that was dug into the cliff. It was probably the most major artery of the village. It was large enough to have two carts running through at the same time. It was also very busy, with people going up and down, and a few carts being pulled by their proud owner. The whole thing was lit both by little coppery magical lamps hanging from the stone ceiling and vines that were growing everywhere. The vines' fruits and flowers were glowing with a soft light, and it was a very pleasant sight. In fact, most of that first level had been covered with greeneries, be it vines, trees, or flowers.
As they went down, the look and feel changed a bit, where the first level was a bit anarchic in its disposition following large branches that had somehow grown there, but the second one was more organized, a true floor had been raised, with heavy wooden beams supporting it. Hundreds of little houses populated that floor, it was just as crowded as the first one, but they reigned a sense of work and purpose. People were going about their business. Smithing shops were displaying their wares, tailors were sewing, and so on. There were many items of interest in there, but they would have time to explore all this later, and so down they went, once more.
The third level was calmer. Just like the second it was hosted on a true platform, and it seemed a bit bigger than the previous one. There, the buildings were also bigger, and their design even more utilitarian, except for a very strange one that looked like a little bastion of style and color against the monotony of the rest of this floor. They were probably workshops for larger industries or simply storage.
They were quickly redirected toward a simple two-level building, with a sign above the door that read "Apothecary". It was nothing fancy, and from the window, they could only see a room full of drawers, and herbs in glass jars, and even from outside, Xander could see heaps of dust. Once again, Takeo had to be carried, and they entered the shop.
A little doorbell announced tiredly their arrival. But no one answered. They still entered and closed the door behind them. The shop was a mess. There were herbs everywhere, the drawers were open, and some were even on the floor. The odor was a mix of herbs, dust, and something else. It wasn't that unpleasant, but it was heady. Xander hoped they wouldn't stay in there too long.
"Hello?" he called out. "Is Elder Karima here?"
Again, silence met his call. He wondered if they hadn't been misled by the Senior Guardsman. But someone moved above them. Heavy footsteps rattled against the wooden floor and then went down from some hidden stairs, only to appear through a door behind the counter. All recognized the wrinkled old woman. There is that, at least...
"I see that you've made in one piece," she said, looking at them. "Well mostly," she cackled. "Come, come. Let's find somewhere to sit," she said and disappeared behind the counter. They followed her, and she led them to a small room behind the counter. It was a small room, with a table, a few chairs, and a few other furniture. It was all very elegant, made of fine gold wood with carved flourishes. It was also very clean, and the air was fresh, quite a contrast with the rest of the shop.
She made a steaming teapot appear, along with a set of cups, and a few pastries. "Sit, sit," she said, and they did. She looked at them, but that went beyond looking, it felt like a soul scouring, honestly. And according to Takeo, it probably was. He shivered.
She cackled, "No need to be afraid, I'm not going to eat you." She laughed again, as only an old woman could, it was a bit unsettling. "I'm just looking at you, and I'm not seeing anything wrong with you. So, you can relax. For now." She served the tea and offered them all a cup. "Now, tell me, what happened to you?"
Xander looked at his friends, and all nodded. They had prepared for this, and of course, they wouldn't outright lie to her. And besides Takeo's fortune, they didn't have much to hide anyway. So, Xander explained their part of the story, where they came from, their Door choice, and so on. He still omitted the color coding of several doors, because that could be sellable information. Takeo meanwhile was seated just like them. He didn't look pale, yet, but Xander had been worried during his whole speech. His wound could reopen itself at any time.
When he was done, the Elder looked at them, and then at Takeo. "And so that's how it went," she muttered. "Well, younth would be youth." While she was mostly wrinkled and few of her features showed, they could still feel her sadness. "I've seen what ails you, young man. And I'm sorry to say that I can't help you. We don't have the means to do so in this Village." That had the effect of a bomb. Takeo's face went pale, and he looked at her with a pleading look. "But," she continued, "I think you are hiding something, or maybe you honestly don't even know it. But it could help you resolve this predicament."
"What do you mean?" Takeo asked, his voice a bit shaky. "I don't understand."
"You, my dear boy, are what I call, a Natural," she replied in her gravelly voice. Seeing that none caught what she said, she continued. "You are a Natural, a Natural at Soul Manipulation... and probably the other two energies as well."
"You mean?" Connor asked, his eyes wide open. "He doesn't need a Jade?"
She nodded, "Aye. He doesn't need a Jade, although, unlike you boys, he doesn't have a Spirit Guide to assist him, so he'll have to learn the hard way."
"Okay, that's great but how does that help him?" Xander asked, a bit confused. "He still has a wound that is killing him."
She cackled. "True, true," she said, "But he can heal himself, and he can do it better than any Jade could. He just needs to learn how to do it." She looked at Takeo, "I can give you some time, but the pointers you'll have to find them elsewhere or earn them."
Once again, Takeo, and honestly Xander either, didn't understand completely. "Time? You can give me Time? What does that mean?"
She summoned a little glass jar that contained pills. "These little beanies here will fake your soul shape as it was before your injury. It will allow you to heal normally and go on with your life. But it won't truly heal you. In two months, they will cease to have any effect, and you'll have to find another way to heal yourself." She added, "I know some Healer that might be able to help you at the next Haven, and I can give you a letter of introduction, but that's all I can do for you."
Takeo looked at the pills, and then at her. "I don't understand. Why are you helping me? I'm a nobody, and I'm not even from here." After a short pause he added a very justified question, "And what will it cost me?"
She cackled, "I'm helping you because I can and because I want to." She snorted, "Doesn't it baffle you? Ah!" She laughed darkly, "As to what it will cost you..." She looked at him, "I don't know yet. I'll have to see what you are worth first. Come to me in a week, and I'll give you a job, or let's say... a test. If you pass, I'll give you ten more pills. If you fail, well, you'll still have the introduction letter. Deal?"
Takeo looked uneasy, he glanced toward his friends but looked away before they could show him any sign of support. "Deal," he said, serious, and the Elder cackled again.
She dragged ten pills from the jar. "There, your first installment." She had been about to hand him his temporary salvation only to hold back her hand, "Only if you've gathered the Stellates though," her face didn't show much of the smirk, but all heard it very clearly.
Connor promptly summoned the flowers, and she nodded, but barely. "Right, it is barely a passing effort, but it's enough for now." She handed him the pills. "You should learn some herb-gathering skill, it is always valuable to have," she advised them offhandedly.
Then she somehow brightened. "Alright, now we are done with the heavy stuff. Hurray!" she fake-cheered. "I'm sure you don't want to hang out with an old lady here all day. So, we'll get to the fun part quickly." She pointed at Takeo, "You, young man are a Newcomer, I can attest to that. So, in honor of the Tradition, I'll grant you the boon we usually offer to our younglings." She handed him a pouch, "Here, this is a gift from the Village. It's not much, but it should help you get started. Also, I've warned the Innkeeper, Bob's the name, you all will get a very nice meal tonight, on the house, and free lodging for the week." She cackled. "I'm sure you'll enjoy it."
Xander expected something more, but he wouldn't complain. They had been given a lot already. "Thank you, Elder Karima," he said, and the other two followed suit.
She waved her hand, "Don't thank me yet," she said. "Takeo, I've scheduled a Reading session for you tomorrow, and optionally your companions if you so wish, but you are the intended recipient. During this session, and only this one, the Reader will be under oath to never reveal anything that will be said or shown during the session." This was oddly specific to Xander's ears, and he wondered what that meant. Aren't Readers already under oath? And why telling him this?... Does she know? Or does this have to do with his Natural thingy?
Takeo thanked the Elder once again, but he probably didn't understand the full extent of what she had said. "Now, get out of my shop, I have work to do," she barked. "And don't forget to come back in a week, or I'll have to send Jasper after you." She cackled again, and they left the shop.