by Eden Redd
Kavan’s scaled hand gripped the axe tighter. “Here come the neighbors.”
“Should we retreat to the house?”
“I’m not going to get stronger and more skilled by retreating. Every undead I take down means one less that bothers the town,” Kavan said with steely eyes.
“I can tap into your senses and expand your awareness. We will be working together through the fight, with your permission.”
“Please do. I don’t know how many are coming and will need every edge we have.”
“Connection achieved. I can sense what you sense.”
Kavan nodded when some forest brush was pushed away by a shambling corpse.
A zombified orc stepped out beyond the forest edge. One of its arms didn’t have any flesh, white bone nearly glowing in the light. The rest of the corpse was covered in dry, mummified skin and missing in many places. White eyes stared at Kavan as it lurched toward him, devoid of any intelligence and functioning on pure instinct. It let out a guttural moan as it stared at the dragonkin.
Kavan called up his stats.
Kavan Cynder
Species: Dragonkin
Health: Normal
Mana: 3
Gold: 4
Attributes
Strength: 3
Intelligence: 2
Dexterity: 3
Constitution: 3
Willpower: 2
Natural Abilities
Claws
Regeneration
Spheres
Fire: 1
Skills
Combat: 2
The corpse let out a low growl. Instantly, it went from a slow undead, into a rushing charge. Decayed hands reached up as fingers readied to rend flesh and bone.
Kavan remained calm as he stepped into the charging corpse and whipped his axe hard across. The blade sliced through the weak flesh and bone. The corpse’s head spun upwards from the body. It landed a few feet away as the headless body flailed for a moment. Kavan lifted his boot and slammed it into the corpse’s stomach. It fell backwards onto the ground. It convulsed for a few seconds before becoming still.
Kavan smirked to himself on how easy that was until six more corpses shambled out of the forest edge.
The dragonkin took a step back as troll, orc, and goblin corpses stared at him with dead white eyes. The smell of his living flesh caused them to growl in hunger and jealousy of his life. As one, they charged with outstretched hands.
“Stay cool,” Kavan said to himself before charging into the group of undead.
The dragonkin struck hard and fast, burying his axe in an orc’s head. The corpse's white eyes moved independently as Kavan pulled it out and sliced hard across. The head came off and bounced into another corpse’s face, causing it to stumble back.
“On your right!”
Kavan swung his axe as he turned his head. He caught sight of the corpse before his axe sliced off an outstretched arm. The corpse ignored the damage, its other hand dangerously close to grabbing Kavan’s shirt. Kavan’s boot flashed and slammed into the undead, forcing it off its feet and crashing on its back.
Several hands reached for the lone dragonkin. Kavan ducked down, sliced through a skeletal leg and pushed his way up. Kavan grabbed the falling corpse, he and it breaking away from the small crowd and crashing onto the ground.
Decayed teeth snapped at Kavan as he was over the undead. A copper axe rose up and split the boney head in half.
Kavan rose up and stumbled forward, a goblin corpse on his back. Kavan ground his jaw as the undead thing snapped its teeth, trying to reach his neck. The dragonkin spun and slammed his elbow into the goblin. Its body folded in half and flew off. It slammed into a tree and fell back onto its feet. It let out a moan as it charged.
“A few more undead are coming. I think they hear the ones you’re fighting.”
Kavan nodded as he sliced across the goblin’s neck and sent its head spiraling through the air.
The forest brush parted with five more corpses joining the fight.
The decayed stench overwhelmed Kavan’s sense of smell as he braced himself. The remaining corpses with the new ones charged.
Kavan roared as he lowered his center of gravity and charged. Powerful legs pumped as he held his axe at his side. The axe blurred and took off another head before he slammed his entire body into the group of undead.
The impact sent undead bodies to the ground. Kavan kept moving, his axe rising and falling with deadly accuracy. Foul ichor splashed up as Kavan chopped at flailing corpses. The dragonkin moved from one to the next, each blow perfectly slicing off heads or splitting skulls. The moans began to die, as did the undead.
Kavan split the last skull and stood over the now limp corpse. He heaved as he looked around at the many corpses scattered about.
Gained 1 degree in Combat Skill! Combat Skill is now 3rd degree, Above Average.
Kavan nodded to himself as the alert crossed his gaze. He then looked down at his clothes and saw they were covered in a little decayed grime and dried gore.
I’ll need to buy a huge wardrobe if this keeps happening.
The dragonkin chuckled to himself.
“Your skills are improving. You did much better against these simple undead than the feral kobolds.”
If undead keep coming through the forest, my skills may grow quicker than I thought.
Kavan felt a drop of rainwater touch the top of his snout.
“Break time is over. Back to chopping wood. I’ll bury the corpses afterwards,” Kavan said to himself before stepping to a downed tree and raising his axe.
***
A small rumble of thunder touched the dark sky before rain fell from the heavens. Legions of drops fell on Moonvale and the surrounding territories, quenching thirsty plants and darkening the town’s tall, stone walls. White noise filled the area with some of the townsfolk looking out windows and enjoying the spring rain.
Kavan walked through the rain, the hood to his cloak up and his body haggard. Muscles cried out from chopping wood and slaying undead. The torment was not completely unwelcomed, Kavan remembering his life before he arrived on this world. Every day was a battle with pain. There were good days and bad days. When the torment was too much, he’d push himself a little further. At the end of the bad days, when the pain was like a mountain on his entire being, he would take his medication and pass out the moment his head touched the pillow.
Now, there was no pain unless he pushed himself. It gave him a sense of clarity he hadn’t felt since he was younger. The broken body he left behind was becoming a distant memory and his new body was everything he wanted it to be, and more.
Kavan approached Sturdy Planks and took hold of the handle. He stepped in, water dripping down from his cloak and clothes, a relief filling him that he was out of the rain.
Oaks looked up from a workbench and nodded toward the dragonkin. Jumping off the stool, he crossed the workshop to the desk counter. He climbed onto another stool and stood, giving Kavan a simple smile.
“How much today?”
Kavan smiled. “Forty pieces, to your specifications.”
Oaks nodded. “Please drop them off in the bin and I’ll have your payment ready, also a gift.”
Kavan nodded and made his way over to the bin. He opened his tattered satchel and reached in. Scaled hands took hold of a wood log and pulled it out. A few long minutes passed as Kavan unloaded the logs he collected. When he was finished, he let out a tired sigh before turning to the counter.
Oaks was still behind the counter. On it were four gold coins in a neat little stack and a book. Kavan approached and looked down on the book.
Oaks nodded. “There is too much work for our town. Besides repairing the western gate, I have dozens of orders to complete and not enough time.”
The goblin pushed the book toward Kavan. “This book has the basics to wood working. When you’re ready, I may be able to spare some equipment. When you become proficient, I will have work for you. You
can earn extra gold.”
Kavan took hold of the book and lifted it up. He opened it to the first few pages and looked it over. Slitted eyes turned to the goblin and he nodded.
“I will study this and try my hand at it,” Kavan said.
Oaks gave a simple smile. “Take your time, but if you want to earn a little extra coin, I’ll need help moving the new western gate doors tomorrow.”
“I’ll be there,” Kavan said.
“Good,” Oaks said before leaping off the stool and walking back to his workbench.
Kavan swiped the gold coins off the counter and stuffed them in a pocket. He looked over the book in his hands for a moment before closing it shut and putting it in his satchel.
The dragonkin turned to the front door and saw the rain coming down in sheets through the shop window.
The dragonkin fixed his hood and took in a quick inhale. He stepped to the door, opened it and walked out into the thunderous rain.
***
The rainy day continued with the occasional lightning and distant thunder. The walled town of Moonvale was silent, save for the calming white noise of rainwater on stone. As the muted brightness of the cloudy day slid toward evening, the sky grew darker. The rain slowed. By evening time, the rain stopped and the clouds began to break apart. The last light of the day vanished behind the horizon and a dozen twinkling stars flickered across the dark sky, with many more appearing after every small moment.
The town of Moonvale came to life. Townsfolk emerged from their homes. Many of them stepped out onto the wet cobblestone streets. A few townsfolk greeted others and walked side by side. An excited chatter filled the streets as many townsfolk made their way toward the Shouting Troll.
Mayor Sunaxe was already in front of the tavern, welcoming everyone with a big smile and the occasional friendly embrace. The older orc looked down the street, seeing that most of the town was indeed making their way to the weekly gathering. It had been so long since most of the town turned up. Even with the promise of free spirits, he was lucky if half of the population would come.
The mayor’s thoughts glowed with the image of the dragonkin and his smile grew brighter as he welcomed residents into the tavern.
Inside the Shouting Troll, the air held a small electricity. Townsfolk continued to greet each other like long lost friends after not seeing each other for a few years. Smiles bloomed and bodies relaxed. A troll behind the bar grinned as he served drinks. A hearth roared with a welcoming heat. Eyes shined as townsfolk talked to each other and glanced toward the door for the guest of honor.
Outside, Mayor Sunaxe eyed the street in both directions, looking for the dragonkin. When a dark figure stepped from a side street, the old orc smiled from ear to ear.
Kavan walked along the street and lifted a hand to wave to the orc. When he reached him, the mayor grabbed Kavan's forearm and gave it a hearty shake.
“Lord Cynder, so glad you can make it! I see Zellee provided you with some fine clothes for the evening,” Mayor Sunaxe grinned.
Kavan nodded and looked down at himself again. A flowy, dark red shirt covered his upper body. A small V toward the collar showed some of his strong chest. The sleeves billowed out and cinched at the wrists. Dark red leather leggings covered his legs and the hem was tucked into his black boots.
Kavan shook his head as he stood straight up again. He never ever thought to wear something like this, but Zellee was adamant that it looked good on him. She even gave him a discount, but he had to wear it at any town gatherings in the near future. Staying true to his word, he put it on for the town gathering.
Mayor Sunaxe continued, “Tonight will be more of a meet and greet, with some town news sprinkled in for good measure. The important thing is to be yourself. Everyone will want to know more about you and I’m sure many will want to be friends.”
Kavan nodded, not sure what to say.
Kogan smiled. “During the evening, you and I should speak a little. I have a position in town that I think you would be perfect for. It can mean steady coin and it will help everyone feel a little more secure and welcoming of you.”
The older orc put his arm around Kavan’s shoulders. “Let’s get inside and make many introductions!”
Kavan and the mayor stepped toward the door and the older orc opened it.
A welcoming heat washed over Kavan as he stepped inside. Dim lanterns glowed and a blazing hearth added to the light. The tavern was immense. A bar took up most of the length along the right side of the tavern. Dark, polished wood gave it an elegant appearance until Kavan spotted a few places along the bar where the wood had large knicks in them. Stools ran the length of the bar. Several tables and chairs filled the left side, next to the large hearth. Toward the back, many more tables and chairs filled it. The space between tables was big enough for two or three people to walk side by side and not touch the edges of any of the furniture. Kavan found it a little odd at first glance, that was until he looked at the many townsfolk inside.
Eyes and smiles brightened as everyone stopped talking and looked to the front door.
Kavan returned their smiles with a small one of his own, his eyes drinking in the many different creatures within the tavern. Zellee rose up on her spider legs, giving Kavan a small wave. Durzol the blacksmith was sitting at a table, a female orc sitting in a chair across from him. He nodded as they made eye contact. Kavan glanced at the orc besides Durzol, she was giving him an unimpressed look. She wore a white and gray dress, which caused her green skin to stand out. Her dark hair was in a bun, showing her slightly pointed ears. Kavan drank in her beauty and quickly looked away as to not stare.
Shegga lifted a frothy mug of ale to Kavan before putting it to her small snout and drinking heavily. Sitting beside the small kobold was a tall, blue-skinned troll woman. She wore overalls and her black hair was in long, braided pigtails. She gave the dragonkin a small smile, while her eyes were half-closed like little to nothing surprised her.
Kavan continued to take in the room, seeing the naga, Soki, by a table with her tail coiled under her like a seat. At the table, a woman with brown, dark skin sat. Her hair was made of leaves, cascading down her shoulders. She wore a simple dress and smiled at Kavan as she stared.
Two blonde, elvish people stood by the hearth with a giant ogre. They held their glasses with regal flair and turned their golden eyes to the dragonkin. The pair of them nodded in Kavan’s direction, each one wearing a black robe with white, arcane symbols stitched into them. The female turned and whispered into the male’s ear. It was then when Kavan noticed the transparent wings folded against her back.
They’re not elves. They’re fae.
Kavan tried to organize his thoughts as he continued to look around. The ogre by the fae couple had a sad expression along his features, a single horn in the middle of his head gleaming in the dim light.
Not too far from the fae and ogre, a small, blue skinned woman with webbed hands waved. At her table, another troll woman sat. She wore what looked like adventurer clothes and a wide-brimmed hat. An eyepatch covered her left eye. She touched the edge of her hat and gave a simple, acknowledging nod.
To the back of the main room, Kavan noted several townsfolk sitting by themselves. Another spider folk, or as Kavan was told, an arachnix, stood by a table and barely looked in Kavan’s direction. Rujin sat at another table, sulking and clearly annoyed at being there. Off to the corner, the old lich he saw before sat at a table, but his chair was turned and he faced the wall.
Mayor Sunaxe cleared his throat before addressing the tavern. “Townsfolk of Moonvale! It pleases me to introduce our newest citizen to our town. Everyone, please welcome Lord Kavan Cynder. He has taken over the Woodhaven farm and will need all of us to help him acclimate to our town. Be sure to give him a warm welcome!”
Hands rose up and clapped. A large troll behind the bar hooted and whistled while clapping his large hands with vigor. For the most part, most of the people within the tavern clapped, except for the ara
chnix, Rujin and the old man in the back.
Mayor Sunaxe continued, “This will be more a meet and greet. I’ll bring town news as the evening wears on. Enjoy your drinks and get to know our newest resident.”
Kavan was about to take a step forward when Kogan’s large hand touched Kavan’s back and gave him a little push. Kavan stepped in, not quite stumbling, but with a little urgency as he made his way to the bar.
A troll with wild, long hair and a leather vest stood with a wide grin. “What can I get for you?”
“I’m open to anything you have,” Kavan said as he looked around.
The troll nodded and lifted up a small mug. He turned and swiped a bottle with red liquid from behind the bar. He turned and began pouring like an experienced bartender.
“My name is Kazko, owner of the Shouting Troll. You met my stick in the mud brother, Rujin,” Kazko said and pushed the drink in front of Kavan.
Kavan took hold of the drink and lifted it up, but did not take a sip, “The Shouting Troll, interesting name choice for a tavern.”
Kazko let out a deafening cackle and slammed a large fist on the bar top. Then, his face grew serious as if nothing happened.
“What do you mean?” Kazko said with a wink.
Kavan smirked before taking a sip of his drink. Warmth touched his tongue and spread down his throat. It warmed his belly and he took another taste, enjoying the warm sensations.
Kazko blinked. “You are truly a dragonkin! No one can stomach Firebrand whiskey. You are pretty tough.”
“It tastes very good,” Kavan said as he took another sip.
Shegga cleared her scaly throat a few seats away.
Kazko looked over to the kobold and shook his head. “If you were bigger, you would drink more!”
Shegga gave the bartender a droll gaze before turning her attention to Kavan. “He praises me as the only person in town who drinks that stuff. How quickly he forgets when someone else comes in to steal my thunder.”