A particularly fascinating biographical and fantastical tale of Nespolan’s great, great, great-grandmother filled many of my nights recently. It was that story which I was lost in when my door swung open. I jumped at the abrupt noise interrupting my quiet adventure through the pages. I was nearing the end of that book when the man himself walked into my room, unannounced and uninvited.
He looked different out of the ornate armor I always saw him in. Smaller somehow. More like a common nobleman, but no less imposing. His face and demeanor were those of a man hardened in battle, with a stout muscular build to confirm such experience.
“Sully,” Nespolan said with a stoic expression, “I am told you can speak now.”
“Well, I could always speak,” I thought. “Yes, High Commander Nespolan.”
“Nespolan will suffice outside formal settings, please.” He reached out to me and we clasped wrists, “You are as a sibling to me.”
He released his grip and sat in a plush chair across from the couch I had been laying on, nodding for me to sit as well. I was at a loss for words from the abrupt entrance and his unexpected statement.
“Now, I must learn who it is that saved my life and I am now indebted to.” His entire demeanor changed and he relaxed, “Please, tell me of yourself.”
Dorstark and I had spoken about who I was numerous times. I would answer any questions he asked honestly because I saw no point in hiding the truth. They saw me enter their world through a portal and, with a single strike, slayed that great beast.
“What would you like to know?”
“You may tell me of whatever you choose and I will listen.”
There was no telling what Dorstark had told him, but I felt it prudent to speak as if he had told Nespolan nothing. Though my mentors had all been interested in the grimoire, none pried and I never offered up more than vague information. They hadn't asked much about my world, which often struck me as odd.
“Alright,” I cleared my throat and sat, “my name is Sully Indigo Romano and I am from another world.”
“That… was stupid and obvious.” Despite having thought through what I’d say when Nespolan and I finally spoke, I was at a loss in the moment. “Before coming here, I was a scholar and explorer of sorts. Ever inquisitive and desiring to learn. When a portal opened I knew I had to see what was on the other side.”
I talked at greater length about myself than I ever had with Dorstark. I spoke about my many studies and travels. Broad accounts of the mundane minutiae from my time as a museum curator, a retail book chain clerk, and a small eccentric book store clerk. I spoke of my family and the great quest of my father’s father, and his father before him. Finally, I spoke of my friends, my home, and my life’s calling.
That last topic was the lengthiest. Not once did Nespolan interrupt. He sat and listened with a contented smile throughout hours of me talking.
With a sigh, I finished my not-so-epic tale. “That is me and my life, in a nutshell.” It felt remarkable finally getting it all out in a single sitting. Until now I hadn’t realized how tense I was about speaking with Nespolan. If he were displeased he could order my execution or some such.
“In a nutshell?”
“Oh… ah, right. It is a saying in my culture. Meaning in short, in brief, or in as few words possible.”
“That does not sound at all accurate my friend,” he said with a guffaw. “I understand, however.”
“Right. I was being... facetious.” I winced, having said ‘facetious’ in my native tongue. “Ugh, I mean, flippant?” There wasn’t a word that I knew of that meant the same thing as facetious. And the word used for ‘flippant’ was a derogatory I picked up to describe someone that is hesitant to the point of starving to death or dying on a battlefield of indecision. “Hmmm. I mean to say that it was a jest.”
Nespolan leaned forward and shook his head. “Calm yourself Sully. There is no need to become flustered when speaking with me.” The genuine mirth on his face reached his eyes, comforting me significantly. “Another topic then for now. I still need to decide what boon shall be granted to you for saving my life and those of my argenti.”
I was told weeks ago that only Nespolan and two of the others had survived. They saw it as both divine intervention and my actions which saved those three from being mortally wounded. Beyond that, each of my mentors had only ever replied that it was for their liege to speak of in greater detail.
“Sluznay!” Nespolan bellowed. The word translated roughly to servant, but was used only for the ‘non-civilized’. Within seconds four of the green scaled servants entered the room carrying three chests. Two of them carried the smallest and most impressive looking chest, which they placed on the floor. The remaining two were set on the table between us.
“These are gifts to show my appreciation for your patience in learning to speak our language and remaining here with us,” he said in a proud manner before gesturing for me to open them. “And for waiting while I decide on a suitable boon.”
The simple wooden chest closest to me was about a half meter on each side and reddish in color. Opening the box revealed a pile of dark fur partially obscuring layers of deep crimson leather. I stood to extract the contents, pulling out a heavy yet supple leather cloak with a fur collar. The trim was lavishly embroidered with silver threaded designs. A chain clasped to each side of the collar by a stylized bull’s head with eyes of inset red gems.
To say I was stunned would have done this piece of wearable artwork a disservice. This cloak wasn’t the most glamorous or gilded article of clothing I have ever seen, but it was expertly crafted. Knowing that it was mine added to the overall sense of awe. Vanity bias.
“This is remarkable Nespolan, thank you!” I said, flourishing it over my shoulders, thankful I didn’t bugger the maneuver. It hugged my thin form like a glove and was unnaturally warm.
“I am glad that it pleases you my friend. But, you still have the other items to open,” he said with a smile and gesturing toward the long, flat box.
The feeling of receiving gifts as an adult, right now, is somehow better than childhood elation from the same. Whether it is the dulling from time on memories or nostalgia, I couldn’t care less in this moment.
Unlike the first, this was a plain wooden box with a lid that lifted off to reveal a sword, scabbard, and belt. If my new epic cloak is the work of some master, this legendary sword is the product of a grandmaster.
Silver scrollwork ornamented the dark metal scabbard, attached to an almost black leather baldric stamped to match. Drawing the sword revealed a pristine, unadorned blade about a hundred centimeters long with a broad fuller. A golf ball sized blood red gem set in the pommel was unlike any stone I had ever seen before. An impossibly red pearlescent sphere with dark blues, violets, and blacks swirling across its body and a bright yellow tiger’s eye core. The grip matched the cloak’s red leather and the belt’s dusky leather in checkered pattern.
What everyone will notice first, and I would always deign describe last, is the ornate crossguard. A large bull’s head sat at the center of the five centimeter thick quillon block, rubies inset for eyes to match the clasps on my cloak. The pair of horns stretching from the bull head were oversized for the centerpiece embellishment only because they were real fucking horns. They were the obvious reason for the thickness of the crossguard’s oversized design.
Remarkably, it was lighter than I had expected, even for my otherwise weak ass in this higher gravity. That isn’t to say it was actually light, at what felt like a solid five-ish kilos. Just lighter than it looked. The balance felt perfectly natural. Stepping away from Nespolan I amateurly swung it through the air.
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Absently I asked, “Are these horns from the creature?”
“Not the full length that was on that monster, but indeed they are. The cloak is made from the beast’s skin as well.”
“This is all amazing Nespolan,” I turned to look at him and bowed, “Thank you.” The minotaur had cloven feet and the head of a bull, but was a humanoid all the same. I’m not sure how I felt about wearing tanned leather from such a being, but I was not one to balk at the gifts.
“Looks like we need to train you in swordsmanship too so you do not kill yourself with it.”
Returning it to the scabbard I chuckled with him, “Is it that obvious?”
“Do skane rut about in the spring?”
“I don’t know, actually,” I thought. Skane were their scaly servants and it sounded a lot like ‘do pigs fuck in the mud’, so the answer was likely a rhetorical yes. I just snorted harder at his retort and shrugged.
Sitting after our laughter died, I couldn’t help but be grateful for everything. “I appreciate all you have done for me Nespolan. Providing the rooms, mentors, and these gifts.” He nodded an acceptance of my gratitude as I continued, “But I am compelled to ask if I may impose upon your generosity further.”
He looked thoughtful for a moment. “I can not say yes without hearing what you would ask of me first. Though you may always speak freely with me and ask what you will.”
“Answers.” I paused, thinking about proper phrasing. “My mentors would not tell me about what was happening before I arrived and what followed. They said it was for you to tell, or not.”
“Ahhh that,” he said, rubbing his chin. “I will tell you what I can, for now anyway.” The sigh he let out gave me the impression that it was a subject that weighed a great deal on him, “My brother, King Neskorin, ordered me to the far reaches of our recently expanded kingdom to deal with an incursion into our lands. After those battles we travelled back here to Orya. Waiting to ensure there were no additional threats on our newest borders. Only a few days after arriving here a message from the capital came, delivering word that my brother is unwell.”
Nespolan ordered servants to bring refreshments and waited until they arrived before continuing. He had listened to my life’s story for hours and I was content to sit in silence as long as he wished. “The message was absent specifics regarding his condition. However, he commanded me to return before winter as originally planned. We were to abandon any ventures afield that would delay our return. I wanted to return sooner but could not, and would not, move against orders.”
“My own argenti guiding the rituals, I prayed to every one of our gods at each of their shrines. I sought aid for my brother, protection for our kingdom, and personal guidance. It was Kuriy, god of travel and pathfinders, that opened the portal. Outside legend I had never heard of such a thing.”
He paused to eat and drink between statements, painfully reminiscing as if refreshing those wounds. “The beast stepped out and set upon us. I have fought men and monsters… but never one such as that. I was certain the gods had spurned me and wished death upon us all.”
“You arrived the instant after I had fallen. I met your eyes as I was certain my last breaths were being drawn. I saw you, in that frozen point of my memory, as our true harbinger of doom. Then you stood and felled the creature in a single stroke. Sully, you shifted from a dark omen to our savior right then. After that you were healed.”
I knew he wasn’t done speaking. The internal strife warring on his face told me as much.
“For our people I remained cautious, and still do to some degree, though I am hopeful. You have shown that you have no immediately harmful intentions, but I must protect our people. My argenti have given me what counsel they can. None are certain of Kuriy’s intentions from that day.”
Nespolan had been watching me while he spoke, gauging my expressions just as I was watching his.
Capricious gods, if deities do exist, was something new to me. Portals, monsters, and magic exist here. Why not gods? I know my cynicism is due in part to old-world beliefs and cynicism, but I have also seen proof of those other things with my own eyes. For me the portal wasn’t enough to prove the existence of higher powers.
“I am not sure what I can do to assuage your hesitance. Know that I will do what I can to aid you in that endeavor and assure you that I would never intentionally cause you harm.”
He nodded in understanding, “Time and companionship may well alleviate it. Which brings me to the last thing I needed to discuss with you. We will be leaving for Videm within a few days.”
I knew little of the capital city, aside from stories of how impressive it was and that it was to the southeast of Orya. I had no gauge of distance or travel speed here, but most books described it as a well travelled route. Those same books varied in the duration of journeys, between twenty-five and forty days, depending on a myriad of conditions.
We would be embarking on the longest primitive road trip I’ve ever been on soon. A few days was the most I had spent travelling on foot previously when heading to a remote location. It should be interesting and hopefully not entirely dreadful.
“You still have one remaining gift to open.”
I slipped off the couch and hovered over the smallest and most opulent of the chests. The box had silver, gold, and gemstone decorations with the likeness of a bear in the center. Thirty centimeters at each side and about half that in height to the lid. Slowly, reverently, I opened it.
There was no preparing me for the swell of emotions I felt when I laid eyes on the contents. My heart fluttered upon seeing my first horde of gold coins. Despite the relatively small size, there had to be a veritable fortune inside the chest. I picked up a handful and listened to the rain of pleasant sounds. Up until this point I never understood true greed or dragons, but now I do. Without knowing how much was here, I felt the need for more.
Nespolan chuckled again, “With that you can do as you please and go where you wish.”
I looked up at him, searching his eyes for meaning. Was he trying to get rid of me? Could I really just hop on a ship and venture off to explore this world? “I can leave?”
“You are no prisoner of mine Sully. I apologize for having to keep you here this long, but you now know most of my reasoning.”
“What if I chose to travel with you to the capital?”
“Then I would welcome your company and we would travel together, learning more of one another my friend. Though I would not be a person of honor if you were forced to remain with us. As of now, you may also leave the castle grounds with your typical accompaniment until you leave the city.” He stood and began walking toward the door, “It is your choice to make Sully.”
With those parting words Nespolan left me to my thoughts. And my gold. Quest loot, really.
*****
Thirteen thousand, five hundred, and seventy nine gold coins. I counted them. Twice. I spent most of the day counting and pondering life, this world, and everything.
What was it exactly that I wanted to do? Easy answer there, “I have no clue,” I thought. Which was not helpful. I knew little of Norvos, less of the surrounding regions, and nothing beyond that thus far. Ever so briefly I wondered if they had intentionally left that out of my classes. The thought was cast aside as quickly as it arrived.
When Nespolan mentioned the capital city my first thoughts were of its libraries. Dorstark had told me about them and the Resolute Colleges. Together they represented much of the accumulated mundane, magical, and ministerial knowledge of Norvos.
It wasn’t much of a choice, not really. If I was finishing a tutorial I couldn’t justify venturing into lands unknown, again. The chances of happening upon generous hosts such as these would be remarkably slim. Caution dictated I had to assume that anyway. As much as I enjoyed learning languages, I didn’t want to immediately start down that path so soon if I didn’t have to.
“I am going to Videm.”
With that decision out of the way, I wanted to explore Oyra before departing. Before that, dinner here at the castle. And picking my mentor’s brain - a phrase he hated. In Norvosian it translated accurately enough in my opinion, ‘picking at the contents of your head’. He informed me that it was a revolting concept which some creatures actually did here for sustenance.
Something out there quite literally ate brains. All the more reason not to venture forth into the wilds without first gathering a party.
Dorstark was already seated in the dining hall when I arrived. Thinking back on it, this was the first full day to myself since beginning my studies with them. There had not been any weekends observed or days off. That realization told me he knew Nespolan and I had spoken already.
“Pleasant evening Dorstark.”
“And a pleasant evening to you, Sir Sully.”
“Sir Sully?”
“You are neither a lord nor a member of the Resolute, but you now have status which dictates a modicum of honorific.”
Interesting. I shrugged, “I had not thought of that.”
“Which is why I am telling you, of course. What sort of mentor would I be if I did not? What sort of student would you be if you knew everything already?”
He had me there I guess. “So, you know then?”
“I know a great many things. Do I know what, exactly?”
“Nespolan spoke with me, presented gifts, and said he is leaving for the capital. He gave me the choice to travel with him or do as I please, starting today.”
Dorstark nodded thoughtfully, “Yes, I knew all of these things. What I do not yet know is what you have decided.”
“How do you know I have already decided?”
“It is one of those things that I do know and choose not to share with my pupil,” he said with a wry smile.
“Well, you are right. I will be going to the capital.”
“Excellent choice.”
“Thanks. I think it is the right move. Would you mind helping me prepare? Starting with a trip into the city tomorrow.”
“I would be happy to. It will be a superb opportunity to see the practical application of what you have learned thus far.”