Monstar Saga: Exiled

by Eden Redd

  “I wish I could say it was funny that a group of feral kobolds snuck in and trashed the place, but it’s not. Most of the townsfolk don’t know how or don’t want to fight. Until you arrived, I think many people from town were ready to pack up and head to the Loduss Kingdom to the north.”

  “What were you going to do?”

  Onka looked down at the rippling fountain water. “I don’t like large kingdoms and towns. I would have stayed here until every last person left. After that, I would decide where I would go next.”

  The goblin turned her attention up to Kavan and grinned. “But now you’re here, Slayer of Kobolds!”

  Kavan closed his eyes and rubbed his hand behind his horned head. “I wouldn’t say that too loud. I don’t want to start on the wrong foot with Shegga.”

  “Shegga may be greedy, but she also has a sense of humor. Now, let’s get you to the mayor.”

  Onka led Kavan around the fountain and across the street. Kavan looked ahead to see a two-story building with a blue tiled roof. Two windows graced the sides of a thick wooden door. Above the door was a sign nailed into the wall that read “Mayor’s Office.” Other than that, the front of the building didn’t have too many distinguishing features other than a few cracks along the stone and wood trim.

  Onka led the way, taking hold of the copper handle and pulling the door open. She stepped inside and Kavan followed.

  The scent of old wood filled Kavan’s nose. He looked around and immediately noticed it looked like an old courthouse from the wild west. Polished wood filled the large chamber. A desk was to the side of a waist high railing and gate. No one sat at the desk. Past the polished wood gate and railing, the chamber slanted out and became bigger. A large, wide desk was near the rear wall. To the right and left of it were bookshelves with some books, but most of the shelves were empty.

  Mayor Sunaxe sat behind the large desk, hunched over the scrolls and parchments covering it. He looked up and a warm smile filled his green features.

  “Lord Cynder and Lady Treeclimber, please, come in, come in!” the older orc grinned as he sat up fully.

  Kavan opened the gate and stepped in with Onka. The pair approached the desk, two chairs before it. The mayor pointed to the chairs. Kavan sat down, but Onka didn’t.

  “Mayor, should I be here for this?” the goblin asked.

  Mayor Sunaxe nodded, “Yes. Since you volunteered to help our new resident, he may need your help with the acclimating to our town and ways. If Lord Cynder approves?”

  Kavan glanced at the goblin and gave her an impish smirk. “As long as she keeps the details between us.”

  Onka grinned. “Secrets are delicious as long as they are secret.”

  The mayor let out an amused gruff. “It’s agreed. Now, onto the business at hand. I won’t keep you too long since I’m sure there is a lot to do.”

  Mayor Sunaxe opened a drawer on his side of the desk and reached in. He pulled out his green fist and opened his fingers slightly. Kavan watched as the orc placed one gold coin on top of the other. When he was finished, a stack of ten gold coins stood. He then gently pushed the stack to the middle of the parchment covered desk.

  “This is your reward for dispatching those kobolds and returning the town’s gold.”

  Kavan lifted a hand to take hold when the mayor put his own hand before it and stopped the dragonkin.

  “Next, we must move on to our next piece of business,” the mayor said before picking up a parchment from the desk and sliding it to Kavan.

  Kavan looked down on it and began to read.

  “It’s the deed to the Woodhaven farm and land. It’s located south of the town. It has a magnificent view of the Azure Sea, if you can cut down some of the overgrown land. As for the house itself, it needs some love and attention. It has been empty a long time and could use some new life. I’m sure you will be a great fit for it.

  “Pay one gold coin and the deed and land are yours.”

  Onka’s eyes narrowed at the mayor, “You’re not going to tell him about Misty Forest, east of the farm?”

  The mayor chuckled, “That’s why you’re here. You can explain everything, after the deed is signed.”

  Kavan looked up to the mayor. “I'd rather know now.”

  Mayor Sunaxe shot Onka a tired look before turning his bright eyes and wide smile to Kavan.

  “The Misty Forest east of the farm has a small undead problem. It’s nothing to worry about for a warrior like yourself. Your presence may keep the undead at bay so they’re not sniffing around the south gate at night.”

  Onka jumped onto her chair, leaned forward and slammed her small green hands on the table.

  “Shouldn’t Kavan stay in town until the farm is up and running, for his safety?”

  Mayor Sunaxe leaned back in his chair, his fingers interlocking with each other across his robust belly. “Lord Cynder is free to do as he wishes. Considering he has little coin, I doubt he wants to spend it on the inn while he fixes and repairs the farm. He will need supplies and tools. Unless you will have him stay with you?”

  Onka looked down. She stood up on the chair and sank down onto her seat.

  Kavan looked at the mayor, “Is it a little problem, or a big one?”

  The mayor gave a disarming smile. “It’s a little problem. I honestly would not be selling it to you if I didn’t have full confidence that you couldn’t handle it.

  “To Onka’s concern, I know it is enough to give you pause. I wish no harm on you and anyone else in Moonvale. We need to prosper and thrive if the town is going to recover. The Woodhaven farm is the best property outside of town. The others are much too far away and I know everyone will rest better knowing you are close, Lord Cynder.”

  Kavan looked down at the deed once again. It was a simple letter, detailing the property lines and some jargon about title and estate. Kavan glanced at a quill and inkwell on the desk. He reached over, picked up the quill and dipped it into the well.

  Humble and odd beginnings.

  Kavan scrawled his name along the signature line.

  Mayor Sunaxe smiled. He reached over and plucked a gold coin from the top of the stack. He placed it in the drawer to his desk and closed it. He then picked up another parchment and the quill from Kavan’s hand. He scrawled in a name and signed it at the bottom. He then handed it to Kavan.

  “You are truly a lord now, Lord Cynder. Woodhaven Farm and its surrounding lands are yours, congratulations.”

  The mayor placed his signed copy into the drawer before leaning forward on his elbows, his belly pressing against his side of the desk.

  “There is a lot to do, Lord Cynder. The entire town will be ready to help you with anything you need, I’ll make sure of it. I don’t know the extent of your skills, but if you need to learn any basics, please visit the Library on North Street. My daughter, Dura, is the Librarian and very helpful. She will be an asset with helping you get the farm up and running.

  “For tools and equipment, visit my son, Durzol, the town’s blacksmith. I’m sure he will give you great deals on anything you need. He is on South Street, not far from Shegga’s Grocery.”

  Mayor Sunaxe turned his attention to the goblin, “Onka, be sure to show Lord Cynder his property before buying any equipment he may need. He should look it over and decide what he will need first.”

  Onka nodded with annoyed eyes.

  Kogan turned his attention back to Kavan, “Most of the shops close at sundown. Only the inn and tavern are usually open after that. Look over the property and come back for anything you need.

  “Lord Cynder, if you want to earn some coin while you’re repairing the farm, we can always use fresh wood. Invest in a Satchel of Holding to transport anything you collect. Shegga may have a few to sell.

  “Now, off with you and congratulations on your new property! I’m sure we will speak again very soon.”

  Kavan rolled up the deed parchment and stuffed it in his belt pouch. He also picked up the stack of nine coins and
placed them in his pocket. The dragonkin and goblin stood up from their seats, turned and made their way out. Onka glanced back with a hard gaze to the mayor before following Kavan out the front door.

  Once outside, Kavan looked to South Street. He took one step forward when Onka began talking with a hard edge.

  “He should have allowed you to stay at the inn a few more days,” the goblin muttered.

  “It should be fine. He doesn’t want me to get comfortable in town. He also wants to protect it. Despite being cordial and nice, I can see that I have to earn his trust and the trust of everyone in town. He couldn’t protect the town from me if I was within the walls.”

  Onka looked up to Kavan with wide eyes. A moment later, her eyes half-closed and she looked down at the street as they walked.

  “I didn’t think about it that way. You’ve dealt with politicians before?”

  Kavan smiled. “I wanted to be one before…” Kavan’s words hung in the air as his smile faded away.

  Onka looked at him, “Before what?”

  “Life never works out the way you want. When I was younger, I wanted to change the world. I considered many things like politics, architecture, and finance. When life didn’t work out and those closest to me abandoned me, I just tried to survive.”

  “That still sounds very vague,” Onka said.

  “Maybe as we get to know each other, I’ll tell you more,” Kavan smiled.

  Onka grinned. “And I’ll do the same,” the goblin lifted her hand and smacked Kavan’s ass.

  Kavan’s serpent grin remained as they walked along South Street with the south gate in the distance.

  Kavan noted the Blacksmith shop as they walked past. The door was closed and the curtains drawn, but black smoke rose up from the chimney. They continued on and to the left was a wide shop with a sign that read “Shegga’s Grocery.” Kavan noted the location before he and Onka reached the south gate.

  The South Gate doors were a little weathered, but looked sturdy. They were in better shape than the Western Gate doors to the town. Onka slid back the metal bolt and opened the door slightly. The pair of them stepped out and onto a dirt road.

  The scent of the ocean touched Kavan’s sensitive nose. His gaze turned to the southern horizon in the distance. The land continued with lush, green grass, a dirt road and the hint of a blue sea. They were much too far away to hear the waves, but Kavan pictured them as they walked along the road.

  The dragonkin brought himself back to reality as he looked to his left and saw a decrepit two-story home. It looked like a shell of a building, ready to topple over by the slightest breeze. Windows were smashed. The wood fence around it was in disrepair. Past it, a building that looked like a barn stood, the front doors wide open and moving slightly to the breeze.

  The pair reached the front gate. Kavan took hold and rotted wood broke off in his hand. He snarled before taking a better hold and opening the gate. They stepped in and Kavan looked out past the home and barn to a lush, green forest stretching out to the east.

  Misty Forest, home to the occasional undead. This should be fascinating.

  Onka darted forward and leapt into the air. The short goblin spun and landed on the creaky deck of the home, her arms out to her side and a wicked smile across her face.

  “Welcome home! Let’s hope it doesn’t kill you!” Onka laughed.

  Five

  The front door opened and dust billowed into the air. Kavan rested his hand on his sheathed dagger as he stepped in. His slitted eyes drank in the dusty, dirty floor before looking around. Onka stepped in behind him, her oval eyes glancing from dark corner to dark corner.

  Shafts of morning light stabbed in through broken and cracked windows. The main room was empty. Strange stains were along the walls and dust bunnies rolled around from the sudden breeze of the open door. A staircase was to the left, leading up into darkness. On the other side of the main room, dirty white tiles glowed among the gloom. Many floorboards were cracked and some had a few, large holes.

  Onka let out a long whistle. “This is worse than I imagined.”

  “Nothing like getting your hands dirty to make this place better,” Kavan said with a small, upbeat tone.

  The goblin looked up to the dragonkin and saw a slight look of excitement in his eyes.

  “You’re excited about this place?”

  Kavan gave a small nod as he looked around. “It needs a lot of work, but I’m fine with that. When you’ve had almost nothing for a long time, anything you can help build and improve is always welcomed.”

  Onka looked away. “You’ve had some hardships.”

  Kavan turned his attention to the goblin. “I’m sure we’ve all had some kind of hardships, but yes, I’ve had some.”

  The dragonkin turned and looked around as he spoke, “Most would look at this place as a dismal pit. I see it as a challenge. I can make something great. Sure, it’s in a bad neighborhood, but that shouldn’t stop me from changing it for the better.”

  “I wish there was more of that around here. The whole town feels like it’s hanging on by its fingernails. One more bad thing could lead to a mass exodus. I’ve grown fond of Moonvale, but even if I stay and everyone leaves, it’s only a matter of time before something breaks into the town, hunting for meat.”

  Kavan turned and looked at the goblin. Onka stood in the middle of the room, one hand holding her other arm. Her yellow eyes looked to the side, some memory swirling along her mind.

  In an instant, she seemed to push it all away and looked at Kavan with a bright smile.

  “Let’s check the upstairs and the basement. You never know what could be living here since it’s been abandoned for so long.”

  Kavan nodded.

  The pair moved to the stairs and took them up. On the second floor, a corridor stabbed through the upper portion of the home. Kavan looked at each doorway and the room within. Some of the doors were rotted and barely on their hinges. Inside the empty rooms, some windows were cracked and others were whole, but covered in grit and grime. Hole filled rugs covered the floors of some rooms. Large spiderwebs filled some corners. The place had a haunted feel as Kavan took it in.

  At the end of the hall was a large, master bedroom. Kavan and Onka stepped in. The windows were whole and the dust minimal. Kavan noted that this room seemed to have stood the test of time, to a degree.

  “Are you going to stay here tonight?” Onka asked.

  Kavan nodded. “I’ll have to get a bedroll, until I can build or buy a bed.”

  The goblin nodded. “I can understand. My place took weeks to be comfortable enough to sleep through the night. I still keep an ear open, just in case something is crawling around.”

  “The dust up here isn’t disturbed. I don’t think anything has been up here for a long time.”

  Onka smiled. “I hope the basement is the same.”

  Kavan eyed the goblin. “You don’t have to inspect it with me.”

  The goblin grinned. “I’m here as your guide to Moonvale. I wouldn’t be following my duties if I waited outside.”

  Kavan smiled. “Let’s investigate the basement. After that, we can go back into town and get some supplies.”

  The goblin nodded and the pair stepped out of the master bedroom and made their way to the stairs.

  On the main floor, the dragonkin and goblin reached the bottom of the stairs. Kavan peered around the stairs to see a door under the staircase. He stepped closer to it with Onka close behind. He was about to reach for the handle when he glanced at Onka. She didn’t have anything to defend herself. He laid his hand on his dagger pommel and parted his lips.

  “Do you know how to use a dagger?”

  Onka looked up to the dragonkin with a knowing smile. “I sure do. I would have brought mine, if I knew I was going into a dark basement.”

  Kavan pulled out his dagger, flipped it in his hand and caught the flat side of the blade, the pommel pointed toward the goblin. Onka took hold of the dagger and held it at th
e ready.

  “What about you?”

  Kavan lifted a spindly-fingered hand. With a thought, three-inch-long claws stabbed out from his fingertips.

  “Natural weapons. I hope I don’t have to use them,” Kavan said and retracted his claws.

  Onka looked to the basement door. “Crawlers like dark, damp places. I’m willing to bet there are a few or more down there.”

  “Better to check and make sure than spend our time wondering. Anything I should know about them before we enter?”

  Onka’s small smile faded away. “They can be nasty, persistent little assholes. Once they smell meat, they sometimes attack at once. Some of them can be very big. They don’t care about anything other than eating.”

  “Kavan, I don’t recommend using your fire sphere down there. The whole house could go up in flames,” Viz chimed in.

  “Good to know,” Kavan answered both of them.

  Kavan turned the handle and gently opened the door. A small creak filled the small corridor as a musty smell billowed up from the ancient basement.

  Kavan checked his stats, words and number filling the corner of his gaze.

  Kavan Cynder

  Species: Dragonkin

  Health: Normal

  Mana: 3

  Gold: 9

  Attributes

  Strength: 2

  Intelligence: 2

  Dexterity: 3

  Constitution: 3

  Willpower: 2

  Natural Abilities

  Claws

  Regeneration

  Spheres

  Fire: 1

  Skills

  Combat: 1

  Kavan stepped into the shadow doorway and took the stairs down. Onka followed, dagger at her side.

  The musty, wet smell grew with each step down. The stairs groaned at the pair’s weight as they made their way. Kavan’s eyes quickly adjusted to the small light. He glanced over his shoulder to Onka, her yellow eyes nearly glowing in the shadows.