When Victor returned to his room, he found Valla lying on the carpet beside the bed, dressed in loose, silken pajamas. She was clearly unconscious, her body slowly emitting wispy vapors of golden Energy. She’d consumed her “racial elixir,” and Victor had a feeling she’d be out for a while. It wasn’t a particularly potent treasure, according to Lesh, but even a single racial rank could take time, and no one knew that better than Victor. Even so, he sat on the edge of the bed and watched her for a while, taking the moment of quiet to unpack everything Dar had told him.
Victor was torn. On the one hand, he was drawn to the idea of aiding a struggling nation, especially one led by the descendants of Ranish Dar. On the other, the thought of facing off against the champions of numerous enemy nations, particularly the more formidable ones who had honed their skills for centuries, was daunting. He pondered Dar’s words and how he’d described these champions as “steel seekers,” indicating they were beyond level one hundred and had crafted custom Classes with the System’s aid.
From what Victor had gathered, a person’s test of steel could span years or even centuries. Some individuals were “steel-bound” and never transitioned into their lustrous veil, whatever that entailed—Victor was growing increasingly frustrated by the enigmatic secrecy surrounding that particular stage of advancement. The crux of the matter was that Victor knew he’d be pitted against champions who’d honed their skills for far longer than he’d even been alive. It was one thing to face off against some iron-rankers outside his level range, but did Dar genuinely believe it was prudent to match him against adversaries so much more powerful?
If Dar’s reasoning was simple confidence in his strength, Victor supposed he found it encouraging, but after listening to Dar talk about his granddaughter and the kingdom he’d left behind, almost like they were a footnote in the long history of his life, Victor wasn’t so sure Dar cared if he won the duels. As far as he knew, Dar was just throwing him out there as a longshot; if he survived, great, but if he didn’t, some other distraction would surely already be in place by the time Victor died.
Regardless, Victor knew he was going. Dar had baited the trap well, speaking of glory and spinning the tale in a way that had Victor envisioning himself standing up for a smaller nation and turning the tables, helping the underdog to rise against its oppressors. It didn’t hurt that he’d be fighting out of his weight class, something Victor found he truly enjoyed. The prizes of potent hearts, growth items, and tribute from the conquered nations were certainly enticing, too. Victor liked the idea of leaning into his rare ability to gain power from his vanquished foes and was glad Dar was encouraging it. He liked fighting and eating hearts a lot more than he enjoyed cultivating for long, slow hours.
Looking at Valla, he was reminded of his other reservations; he’d be leaving her behind. Even if she wanted to spend the exorbitant price to purchase four different System teleports, he wouldn’t want her to come. Dar had said it perfectly: she’d languish while he gained more strength. Wouldn’t it be better if she stayed in Sojourn with Lesh and continued to utilize the more accessible leveling opportunities? Maybe she’d get lucky, find more racial advancements and other rare boosts, and surprise him by gaining ground.
“How long?” he whispered. How long would he be gone? He didn’t know, but he couldn’t imagine a succession war was easily or quickly wrapped up. Sighing, Victor reached down and took Valla’s hand, speaking softly as though she might hear him, “If it takes a long time, though, and I’m winning enough duels, I could pay for you to visit.” He could imagine winning “wars” for a kingdom would bring a fair amount of riches.
Besides, wasn’t he going to learn how to walk through the Spirit Plane, not just as a spirit, but bringing his body along for the ride? It sounded like Dar felt he’d have to help him, but maybe while Victor was on Ruhn, training and gaining more power, he’d master the skill himself. Perhaps he’d be able to visit Valla! He sighed and stood. A lot remained to be seen, but he needed to keep hopeful, or he’d let himself spiral into a foul, despondent mood again. He left his room and went looking for Lam; he wanted to give her the good news.
He wasn’t surprised to find her and Edeya on the deck, lying in the afternoon sun. “Hey, ladies.”
“Victor!” Edeya sat up, grinning, and Lam opened her eyes, peeking through her fingers to avoid the direct sun.
“I have good news, Lam. Master Dar,” Victor grinned, using the honorific—he only did it because he knew Dar was home and he was trying to earn some points with the man, “says you can host your party. Any idea when?”
Lam nodded, also sitting up to look up at him more easily. He stood a few paces from their lounge chairs and shifted to the side to put himself in front of the sun. Lam smiled as she lowered her hand, safe in his large shadow. “At the end of the week—four days. I want to make sure everyone has time to respond.”
“That means I have your party this weekend, and then I have to go to some other damn party for Lo’ro next week.”
“Don’t forget about the Ridonne’s party!” Edeya added cheerfully.
“What?” Victor’s scowl at the mention of the word “Ridonne” was automatic.
“You didn’t tell him?” Edeya eyed Lam.
“It never came up. Besides, we never agreed to go.” Lam held out her hand, and a small piece of stiff, creamy paper appeared on her palm. It looked almost like a business card. “This is Chal-dak’s calling card. We ran into him while watching you in the challenge dungeon. He invited us to attend a ‘victory’ party for his brother, Warrin-dak. He was sure he’d win.” Lam shrugged and flicked the card his way. Victor snatched it out of the air and frowned.
“Not really looking to make nice with the Ridonne.”
Lam shrugged. “Tear it up if you want. If you change your mind and decide to go, we’ll come along.” She smiled and lay back, flopping her arm over her eyes. Lazily, she said, “He might have changed his plans when his brother got beaten by that death caster. He hasn’t exactly reached out to us.”
Victor lifted an eyebrow. “Arona beat him?”
“Yes, according to Lesh.” Lam yawned, and Victor could see she was trying to check out of the conversation.
“Thanks for the spell, Victor,” Edeya said. “The Frozen Aura. It’s perfect for me when I’m engaging with my spear or when enemies are flanking me.”
“You like it?” Victor gave her a good look. She was wearing a new swimsuit Lam had purchased when they were in town, and he had a hard time reconciling her appearance with the skinny, dirty, tough-looking girl he’d met in the mines. She looked so clean, happy, and healthy that it brought a big, stupid grin to his face.
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“Of course I do. Don’t worry, though; as soon as I find something worthwhile, I’ll pay you back.”
“Hey! Friends don’t expect to be paid back. Remember that.” He shaded his eyes and looked around, gazing at the lake over the deck railing. “Where are the boys?”
“Lesh is sunning down by the water. I’m sure his ‘fosterling’ is with him,” Edeya giggled. Victor nodded, his grin only growing wider as he started down the steps. Sure enough, he saw Lesh’s big, dark form lying on the pier. Darren was out in the water. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, and his boots echoed hollowly on the planks, Darren looked up from where he floated and waved.
“Hey, Darren.” His voice brought a stir to Lesh’s slumbering bulk, and the big dragonkin, naked other than a pair of knee-length leather trousers, pushed himself into a sitting position to regard him.
“Lord Victor,” he rumbled. “How goes it?”
“Good, Lesh, but I need to talk to you.”
“I’m at your disposal. Shall we go inside?”
Victor stretched, pressing his hands into his lower back as he looked out over the water. “Nah, this is good. Let’s talk here.” With that, he sat on the pier and began pulling his boots off.
#
Darren floated, watching Victor sit beside Lesh, both men dropping their feet into the water. They were giants, and Darren felt tiny in their shadows, treading water beneath them. While he contemplated getting out, Victor said, “I have to speak to you about what Dar has planned for me.”
Lesh rumbled his acknowledgment, then looked at Darren. “Should I send my fosterling to train?”
Victor looked at Darren and locked eyes with him for a moment. It was intimidating, and Darren shuddered to think what it would be like to stare into those bright, golden, hawkish eyes if Victor let his aura loose. “No,” he said, scratching the rough stubble on his jaw. “You can hang out here, Darren, but don’t repeat any of this until I’ve had a chance to speak with Valla. It may be a day or two.”
The flush of pride that swelled his chest would have been embarrassing if he wasn’t so damned happy to be included in the men’s private talk. Darren nodded eagerly. “Of course! I won’t repeat a word.”
Victor nodded and turned to Lesh. “Well, Dar is going to send me to a world that’s four jumps away from here. He wants me to help his distant granddaughter conquer an empire and, along with it, her entire world.”
“That sounds a worthy cause!” Lesh nodded, smashing a heavy, scaled fist into his palm. “When shall we be ready?”
Victor sighed and kicked his foot through the water. “That’s the thing, Lesh. The fighting between kingdoms in that world is kind of strange. Wars are settled by dueling champions. If you came, you’d be bored watching me fight one duel after another.”
“Ah. It becomes clear. You are releasing me from your service.” Lesh sounded so despondent that Darren wanted to swim over to him and offer a comforting word, but Victor laughed and put his arm over the hulking warrior’s shoulders, jostling him.
“No, Lesh! Not unless you want to be free, and then I’ll let you go, though it would be painful. I have other plans for you if you’ll stick around. I want you to stay in Sojourn and continue running dungeons with Valla. I need you to keep an eye on the others, too. Listen, man, I’ve sparred with you a lot; you’re a match for most of those pendejos I fought in the dungeon. If you keep up the training and keep winning treasures from the dungeons, you’ll be one of the strongest iron rankers in Sojourn. You and Valla, both.”
“And your master?” Lesh looked around the lake pointedly. Darren knew what he was thinking; he obviously loved the water and the sun.
“He wants you all to stay here. He says it’s important I’m not distracted with worry, and he wants to extend his hospitality to each of you. Darren, Edeya, and Lam can continue adventuring together, too.”
Lesh nodded and grunted, “Yes.”
Victor held out a hand. “You’ll stay? You’ll watch Valla’s back?”
“I will.” Lesh took his hand with a meaty thwap, and the two squeezed each other’s palms. Darren watched, inwardly amused but also a little awed at the bulge of their muscles, the gravity of those grips. “How long until you leave?”
“Leaving in less than six months. I think Dar’s eager to get me out there. That’s the other thing I wanted to talk to you about. I’m going to bug Dar for information about breath Cores. If he doesn’t know anything, I’m sure he can come up with a book or point me at another master who might owe him a favor. He wants me to have something to study while I’m there, so I think he’ll be generous with his help. Anyway, whatever I learn, whatever knowledge I get ahold of, I’ll pass it on to you. I even have a means to copy books.”
“I would be in your debt!” Lesh started to bow his head, but Victor laughed and pushed his shoulder.
“Cut that shit out, hermano! I’m the one who owes you! So, Dar will go over my training schedule with me tomorrow. I’ll make sure there’s at least an hour set aside for sparring every day. You and me, brother. We’ll go at it hard until I leave, all right?”
“Yes!” Lesh’s voice was full of swelling pride and eagerness. Darren could see he’d been yearning for some attention from Victor, and he had to admit, he knew how that felt. It was nice when someone you admired took notice of you. It was nice when they included you in their plans. He’d felt the same from Lesh. He felt something similar from Edeya and Lam, too—he was thrilled to learn they’d have the older, more experienced woman with them the next time they went out. He was more thrilled to learn they still wanted him to come along now that the women had each other.
He floated there, listening to Victor and Lesh make plans, and then, as it seemed their conversation was coming to a close, Lesh turned to him. “We’ll surprise Lord Victor with our gains while he’s gone, won’t we, fosterling?”
Darren quickly straightened up and nodded. “Yes! We’ll bring pride to your house, Victor!”
Lesh rumbled his approval, and Darren could see the amusement in Victor’s eyes as he nodded and held up his thumb. “Good, Darren. Kick some ass out there. I want to see you gain some inches, so find a racial advancement, huh?”
“Will that make me taller?” Darren couldn’t keep the excitement out of his tone.
Lesh laughed and nodded. “Almost everyone gains some height on their first few advancements; it’s your body reaching the potential you were born with. If you can unlock a bloodline, things could change even more; you might grow smaller, or you might become much larger.” He elbowed Victor, eliciting a laugh, then added, “Or you might stay the same.”
Darren nodded, grinning at the small joke, and then a thought came to his mind. “Victor, are you worried about the duels? For Dar’s granddaughter?”
“Worried? Not too much. I guess quite a few of the champions are well over level one hundred, though, so that’ll be interesting. Hopefully, I’ll make some gains before I fight them.” Darren wasn’t sure why he’d asked, but he thought Victor might appreciate it. He was always concerned about everyone else, but Darren rarely saw anyone worrying about Victor. Even Valla treated him like a rock, at least in public.
“Dar must be pleased,” Darren said. “I’m sure he’s worried about his family.”
Victor chuckled and shook his head. “Maybe, but I’m not too sure. I don’t think he’s returned to that world for hundreds of years—maybe thousands. I don’t know if he’s ever met this woman, and I’m not even sure how many generations removed she is from him. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. It’ll be a good experience for me, and I’m glad I have a purpose—I’m not just fighting to fight.” He laughed and elbowed Lesh. “Not that that would stop me.”
“Well, I think it’s commendable. Imagine it, Victor!” Darren stretched his arm up to the sky, the atmosphere so thin you could see the stars clearly, even in the afternoon sunlight. “One of those stars could be the one where you’re going. The world you will conquer could be floating out there before our eyes.”
Victor and Lesh both leaned their heads back, staring up, following Darren’s gaze, and, for perhaps the first time in his life, Darren felt like he was being respected. He’d had people show him respect before, but it wasn’t because they respected him. Usually, it was because they feared whatever office or position he held. If not that, they were simply respecting his station's status, whether at a political event, in court, or in the board room. None of them really respected him, however.
Victor and Lesh were different. There sat two men who were so beyond him that they could literally squash him like a bug. Yet, rather than dismiss him, they included him in their conversation. They listened to his words, and they demonstrated expectations of him. That was genuine respect, given, not earned, but still far better than the false respect, which was all he’d ever felt.
For the first time, as they spoke with him, Darren didn’t feel like an imposter. He felt like he belonged and felt confident that he’d continue to earn his place among these people. With a broad smile, he said, “Elder Lesh, would it be all right if I seek out my party members? I think we should do some training.”
Lesh nodded, grinning at Darren toothily. “Go, fosterling. I’m pleased by your ambition. Master Dar has a sparring court on the far side of the house. Go through the front door, turn right, and follow the cobbled path through the citrus grove.”
As Darren swam to the pier and pulled himself up, Victor raised an eyebrow. “Seriously? I didn’t even know that.”
Lesh nodded. “I scouted the grounds before swimming this morning.”
“Shit man,” Victor groaned, rubbing a hand through his hair. “I’m going to have to get my shit together. It’s going to suck not having you to rely on, hermano.”
Darren smiled, listening to Lesh rumble a reply, placating Victor. He hurried up the steps, still in the swimming trunks Lam had given him. When he burst onto the deck, he saw the two Ghelli lounging in the sun, both with their eyes closed. He suddenly wished the water was closer; they were perfect splashing targets. “Hey!” he shouted, clapping his hands. “Dey-dey and Lammy!” He laughed as he said Lam’s new nickname, already anticipating the beating she would give him.
Edeya’s eyes sprang open, and she leaped up, her wings buzzing, “What? Is something wrong?”
Lam lazily opened her eyes. “He’s laughing, Dey-dey. I doubt anything’s wrong.”
Darren growled and clapped his hands again. “Something is wrong, lazy bones! I’m not level ten yet. Come on, let’s go spar!”