by Tim Moon
Then the figure straightened, smiled and bowed low. The other figures bowed in unison behind him.
Jaron had no idea what he was talking about. He was getting tired of all this “graced” and “being of destiny” nonsense. And he certainly didn’t want people bowing to him. He was barely used to people saluting him in real life, and he didn’t want to deal with that kind of formality here in Drezkarn.
“Please, that’s really not necessary,” Jaron said to the little people in more of a pleading tone than he intended. “You don’t need to bow to me.”
Vayvnu growled behind him. He glanced back and realized she was chuckling. How she could laugh given her circumstances was beyond him.
“They were bowing to me,” she said.
Jaron looked at the others and realized they were, in fact, bowing in her direction. He looked away as a rush of heat burned his cheeks.
“You may rise,” Vayvnu said.
The small figures stood and chuckled, patting each other on the back cheerfully.
32
Jaron wiped blood from his blade and slid the cutlass back into its scabbard. All while eyeing the four beings with curiosity and concern.
“Who are you? And how long have you been following me?” Jaron asked, completely forgetting his analyze skill.
The lead figure, a male barely more than 2-feet tall wearing brown and green armor and a leaf-covered cloak, stepped forward and cleared his throat.
“Forgive me. I am Thendo McTorqin of Wildhall, 1st Outrider of Tactical Gnome Squad Alpha,” he said proudly. He patted the badger and continued. “This here beast is my mount Blacah, and these are my brave warriors; Burlibink Thistelton, Gnoly Berifuzz, Zahlin Forelik, and their respective mounts.”
Each one gave a nod or a two-finger salute as they were introduced and all of them smiled at him with childish glee. Jaron felt a little bad for Zahlin. His last name was not flattering.
All the gnomes wore camouflaged clothing and were armed to the teeth. They appeared to be the kind of warriors Jaron could fit in with, yet decidedly not what he expected when it came to gnomes. They resembled garden gnomes more than the short, bobble-head beings most fantasy films and books described. The four of them looked at him expectantly.
“Right. Well, I am… Wait, are you talking to me or her?” Jaron jerked his thumb over his shoulder at the dragon.
The gnomes chuckled. One shook his head.
“I am talking to you,” Thendo said in a polite tone. “We would like to know your name. Then we can move beyond formal introductions.”
“I’m Jaron Lionhart.”
“Master Lionhart-”
“Just call me Jaron, please.”
“Jaron,” Thendo said uneasily and cleared his throat again. “To answer your earlier question, we have been following you since Ahja’s temple in the meadow. You helped defend the sanctity of our land. The meadow is a special place for my people. It also helped that you received a blessing from the goddess herself.”
Vayvnu grunted her approval. “It is as I suspected.”
Thendo turned to her and bowed low once again. “Forgive us, Vayvnu the Guardian. We did not mean to intrude on your territory unannounced, but we were tasked with aiding this one.” He nodded at Jaron. Then his tone grew somber. “Sadly, the aid we may have been able to lend you ran out when we saved Master Lionhart after a fierce battle with a pack of dread wolves. Gnoly has already dispatched her raven to alert Wildhall of the news and summon aid.”
“Really, just call me Jaron,” he interjected. He was about to ask when they healed him, but the question faded before it reached his lips. The odd, blurred being he spotted before passing out must have been one of the gnomes, and he had awoken from fighting the alpha, feeling refreshed.
Thendo saw realization dawn on Jaron’s face.
“You remember now,” he said cheerfully with a grin.
“I do. Thank you, friends. Truly,” Jaron said. He meant it too, that fight had been brutal. He put his hand out to shake but realized the dramatic size difference made it awkward.
Thendo appeared unfazed and placed his child-like hand in Jaron’s.
“It was a small token of our gratitude for defending our land,” Thendo said. “I only wish we were better prepared so we could do more for the Guardian.”
Jaron’s knees went weak as he realized he had been saved at the expense of Vayvnu. None of them could have foreseen this scenario but it was still a gut punch. The world lost far more than it gained in that transaction. He looked at Vayvnu with tears in his eyes.
“Had I known, I would have passed on the healing so they could aid you,” Jaron said, a tear slipping down his cheek.
“Fear not, Jaron Lionhart, nor you Outrider McTorqin,” Vayvnu said. “I have made peace with my fate. My heart is light knowing that Master Lionhart can stand in my stead and fulfill my responsibilities.”
“Hold on,” Jaron said, holding his hands up. “I just got here. We barely know each other, and I want to explore this world and see what it has to offer. Being tied down by responsibilities isn’t on my agenda. I don’t have any real training. I’m not master of anything. And what responsibilities are you talking about? No, it doesn’t matter. I haven’t agreed to anything. I don’t even know what it is you want.”
“Be calm, Master Lionhart,” Vayvnu said in a soothing voice.
“Jaron,” he reminded all of them. “My name is Jaron.”
One of the gnomes rolled his eyes.
“The orkkan targeted me for a reason,” Vayvnu said. “There is a darkness growing in this land-”
“That’s what everyone keeps saying,” Jaron muttered with a frown.
“It is true,” Vayvnu said in a heated tone, tinged with pain and sadness. Her voice struck Jaron like a whip. He shut his mouth to listen. She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. When she opened them, Vayvnu continued. “They wish to claim my powers and my territory to aid their campaign of chaos. This cannot be allowed to happen.”
Jaron cleared his throat and raised his hand to ask for clarification on something that didn’t make sense. Vayvnu nodded at him.
“Umm, how could they ‘claim’ your powers?” he asked.
Vayvnu side-eyed him for a moment.
“Like I said, I just got here. I don’t know much.”
“Hmm.” Vayvnu grunted. “Well, a dragon’s power can be claimed upon the dragon’s death. It does not matter if the person slew the dragon or the death was natural. Their powers become available for a short period of time after death. The only other way for the power to be transferred is for it to be gifted willingly.”
“So, these guys were trying to kill you for your powers,” Jaron said, nodding. “That would make them or their master quite difficult to defeat, I’m sure.”
“Yes, they would also be able to claim my territory which would give them a foothold to attack the gnomes,” Vayvnu said with a nod at Thendo and the others. “Or the nearby human settlements. Once established here, it would be that much more difficult to root them out. The darkness cannot go unchecked and with you here, it will not.”
“Uhhhh…” Jaron groaned in confusion, giving her a dubious look. He was barely over level 3. A few goblins were no problem, but this “darkness” wasn’t going to be checked by him anytime soon. He only defeated Magdud because her acid attack had melted him.
Gesturing at Vayvnu and then the bodies of the goblins and orkkan, Jaron said, “If it weren’t for you and the gnomes, I never could have defeated these guys. If we can’t find a healer to help you, there’s nothing I can do to stop whatever it is you’re talking about, even if these four decide to stick around.” He gestured at the gnomes.
“Ahh, we shall see about that. You are goddess blessed, Jaron. That has great meaning and confirms what I already sensed within you. I have made up my mind and my heart is at ease,” Vayvnu said. “Now be silent.”
Her voice took on the strength of a general conferrin
g a great honor. “For aiding me in my darkest hour. For fighting against the forces of chaos though you believed you were woefully outnumbered and outmatched. I wish to bestow upon you my powers, my territory, and my most treasured quest, one I promised to complete for my oldest and dearest friend. Jaron Lionhart, will you answer the call of the Light?”
You have been offered a unique epic quest by Vayvnu the Guardian: Eye of the Dragon I. She has seen in you the fortitude and will necessary to receive great power and wield it responsibly. Will you rise to challenge? Rewards: Unknown Powers, Unknown Territory, Unknown XP and other unknown effects.
Do you accept?
Yes or No
The weight of Vayvnu’s offer made Jaron quail for a moment. The chance for land and power tempted his inner capitalist and gamer greed like nothing he’d ever felt. He worried about what the consequences would be for accepting this amazing opportunity.
At the very least, it would set him up for inevitable conflict with goblins and the orkkan. On the other hand, he would grow in levels, skills and power. So, fighting them would become less of a challenge. Not to mention, Vayvnu was a dragon and that meant there was a hoard of treasure somewhere waiting to be claimed, inventoried, and utilized. Jaron stroked his chin. Taking over her territory might tie him to the area and that was a problem. Jaron still had to meet up with Cyprus and the others to finish that quest line. Plus, he wanted to adventure not settle down.
Wait a second, he thought. He didn’t intend to let the orphanage in Oakenport get away with trafficking children. Would he stand idly by while this mysterious “darkness” swept the land? If so, what was the point of helping the children? All the best things in his life had happened when he took risks. He couldn’t live his life ruled by fear and what ifs.
Accepting the land and embracing the opportunity was an adventure in and of itself. There was no telling what was possible. Maybe he could found a city or build a castle? At the very least, it would give him a home base to launch expeditions from and a safe place to store his treasures. If he passed on this opportunity, he would regret it for the rest of his life.
“I humbly accept your offer,” Jaron said solemnly.
“Ooooh,” the four captivated gnomes said in unison. Blacah and the other badgers made a pleased growling sound.
“Good. My time is running short,” Vayvnu said. “Step forward to take the mage oath that will bestow my essence and powers upon you.”
Her essence? Jaron wasn’t sure what that entailed, but he stepped forward to the point Vayvnu indicated.
“Take a knee,” she said.
The buzz of magical energy filled the small clearing. Light shone down on them, like a spotlight from heaven, glistening off Vayvnu’s scales. Tiny motes of golden light shimmered in the air. Jaron watched as streams of colorful light swirled around Vayvnu and the meadow. It was a magical light show that made Jaron’s breath catch. He took a deep breath and bent the knee.
When Vayvnu spoke again, her voice resonated with magical power and authority.
“Will you solemnly promise and swear to wield the power freely given by Vayvnu the Guardian to Jaron Lionhart, and to govern the territory secured and defined by Vayvnu the Guardian according to the Light and principles of decency and justice?”
The words came to Jaron without much thought and flowed from his lips.
“I, Jaron Lionhart, solemnly promise and affirm by my honor and by my conscientious that I will do so to the full extent of my ability.”
“By my will, under the watchful eye of Sir Ratcha, Lord of Light, and the qiankun that binds us all, I accept your oath and hereby name you my sole heir and grant you my essence.” Vayvnu carefully shifted her body to lift one massive paw. She bit the edge of her open palm and met Jaron’s gaze, which had grown wide in surprise.
Vayvnu clenched her paw and held it overhead. “Drink one drop of my blood to complete the transfer.”
Jaron visibly gulped before tilting his head back. His mouth opened to accept the blood. Meanwhile, his mind raced with conflicting emotions, but one thread held true, the knowledge that what he was doing was for the greater good. It was the guiding principle he lived his whole life by.
The crimson drop dangled from Vayvnu’s paw for a long second, glistening and reflecting a rainbow of colors before it fell. Jaron watched it fall towards his open mouth in slow motion. The drop took on a copper glow that trailed behind it like the tail of a comet, giving off sparkles that shimmered in the sunlight.
When it landed on his tongue there was a quick zap of electricity as if he stuck his tongue on a battery, then a warmth spread through his body down to his toes, out to his fingers, and to the top of his head. A euphoric sensation wrapped around Jaron and made him smile. Emotions rushed through him, a sudden affection for Vayvnu blossomed in his heart with a strength that rivaled the love he had for his mother. Colors became more vibrant, sharper, and he could hear things that he missed before. It all felt amazing.
The gnomes gasped in awe at getting to witness the event.
“He’s glowing,” one of them said excitedly.
Jaron’s whole body tingled for a few seconds and then it faded.
Things took a turn for the worse when a burning sensation started in the back of his throat. His upper back began to itch like crazy and his eyes ached. It was worse than the worst hangover and illness he had ever experienced rolled into one event. Every fiber of his body felt like it was being stretched and strained to the limit. Sweat began to drip down Jaron’s face and back. A scream tore from his throat as he toppled over sideways, curling into a protective ball on the ground. His body shook and twitched uncontrollably. Words failed Jaron as he clenched his eyes against the agony. Thoughts and emotions failed in the inferno his existence had become.
Maybe it was seconds later, maybe minutes, but the pain suddenly abated. His senses felt alive again but in a more manageable way. Jaron could hear whispers from the gnomes.
“Do you think he’s dead?” one asked.
“Vayvnu wouldn’t kill him,” another snapped. There was a dull smack and another voice protested, “Ouch!”
Jaron rolled onto his back with a groan. One of the gnomes came closer and poked him on the shoulder. When he didn’t respond, the gnome nudged him again with more vigor.
Jaron’s eyes snapped open and he looked at the curious gnome.
“Sir Ratcha’s sweaty balls!” Burlibink squeaked as he jumped back.
Jaron sat up. He felt good. He felt alive!
33
Relief washed over Jaron as he sat on the ground, recovering from the experience. He made it through the storm and felt normal again. Better than normal, he felt—expanded. Yeah, expanded. There was no other word for it. Somehow, he was more.
The gnomes had a good laugh at Burlibink’s reaction. They pestered Jaron with questions, but he held up a hand to stall their questions.
“Hold on a second,” he said.
Blinking notifications that he couldn’t ignore filled his vision and he was excited to find out what the hell just happened.
Congratulations! You have been named heir and gifted with the essence of a juvenile copper dragon, Vayvnu the Guardian. This momentous event has caused significant changes to your character, and to your future in the land of Drezkarn.
Your race has changed to Drakkon (Outlander). On the spectrum of dragon blooded, absorbing the very essence of a dragon places you on equal footing with a true half-dragon. Your body has undergone dramatic changes, and you may undergo additional transformations as you gain levels and age.
Becoming a Drakkon has given you a one-time ability score boost with the following permanent increases: +8 Strength, +4 Constitution, +2 Intelligence, +2 Wisdom, +2 Charisma.
You also gain a one-time boost to the following skills, advancing each of them to level 5 - Athletics, Camouflage, and Persuasion.
In addition to those improvements, you gain the following abilities: Breath Attack - a 30-foot line of aci
d (once per day), Draconic Eyes - gives low-light vision plus darkvision to 30-feet (at will), and a 50% resistance to acid. These benefits can improve over time.
For better or worse, as a Drakkon, you will be recognized on an instinctual level by other dragon blooded, reptilian races and unknown others. This recognition will confer either a 10% bonus or penalty to reputation gains, along with other unknown consequences.
Finally, due to the adjustment of your race to Drakkon, your leveling benefits are increased by 50%. Henceforth, you will gain 12 health, stamina and mana points per level instead of the usual 8, and 9 ability points per level instead of the usual 6. You will gain 100% skill progression per level instead of the usual 50%. These benefits are not retroactive.
Jaron’s jaw dropped.
Oh shit, he thought. This is far beyond anything I could have hoped for.
That wasn’t all though. Jaron had also completed the epic quest.
Congratulations! You have completed Eye of the Dragon I. Sensing her demise, Vayvnu the Guardian has named you heir and recipient of her essence. This is a high honor, especially for one as unknown and untested as you. For accepting the essence of Vayvnu the Guardian you have become a Drakkon (see previous notification for details). You have also been awarded the keystone to claim ownership of Vayvnu’s territory and 8,500 XP for completing a unique epic quest.
You have unlocked an epic quest: Eye of the Dragon II. Use the keystone to claim ownership of your territory, found a village, and retain control for 60-days. Rewards: Unknown XP, 1 Random Earth Spell, 500 gold coins.
You may not refuse this quest.
This is AWESOME! Jaron grinned. Such a huge XP reward had to put him up a level or two. Plus, he unlocked the next quest in the chain! Five hundred gold coins? Yeah, buddy! He practically salivated at the potential kingdom he could build. Who knew aiding a dragon could be so rewarding?