Shelt was Khorim’s friend, the brewer. Having his unique product on tap would be a key to the inn’s success, so it was no surprise that his services were the first they had secured. And despite Broda’s more weighty disclosure, Venna’s news was greeted with a great deal of enthusiasm. The valley had been without any real place for people to go to relax or have a meal that they didn’t have to prepare for themselves. The respite that the inn offered would be a much-needed addition to our community.
Fortunately, there were no additional revelations that morning, and the meeting broke up shortly thereafter. I decided to forgo my rounds again in order to take a serious tour of the Palace, especially its depository facilities. Evans promised to let Ella know that I would be skipping our sparring for the day, so with that taken care of, I headed off to seek out Ridge and to inspect the Palace grounds.
Ridge and his assistant had long ago completed the wall across the canyon that provided the first line of defense for the fortress around the Palace. It was a near twin of the Garrison’s wall, save that it was even larger and more heavily fortified. Behind it stood a second wall and three gates. The most heavily protected of these led inside the fortress, and ultimately on towards the Palace itself, while the others skirted the fortress’s interior and only allowed passage into the valley beyond. Ridge had completed most of the outer walls first before moving on to the Palace, providing at least basic security for what would eventually be a very critical facility.
The Palace itself had been the main focus of his efforts for many weeks, and his steadfast efforts had yielded remarkable results. Although his work was rough and the stonemasons lagged far behind, the sheer scale and majesty of what would eventually be built was becoming more evident with each passing day.
Tall outer walls towered over even the impressive heights of the defensive fortifications. While the Palace was nowhere near complete, it already rose many stories above the perimeter walls. Its high vantage provided an excellent overview of the canyon approach, and the obvious defensive advantage that provided had not been overlooked. So, even though the Palace’s primary function was to house the necessary machinery of state, multiple firing positions had been carved out along its outer walls, but none of those were the reason for my visit that day, so as soon as I located Ridge, I had him take me on a quick tour of the Palace’s depository.
In addition to armory vaults for the Palace guard that were located elsewhere, the Palace had a treasury that encompassed several massive rooms with heavy stone doors. Ridge had imparted the stone portals with earth magic, and they could only be opened with small keystones that he gave to me then, each one attuned to a separate vault. But there was also one additional vault that he had yet to attune to any stone.
“This one is for you alone, Sintári,” Ridge’s grating voice informed me.
“How do I open it?” I asked him as I looked at the smooth sphere of stone in the center of the door where the keystones would fit on the other portals.
“Press the Amulet to its surface. That will be your key.”
That would certainly make for a very secure key—as a soul-bound item, no one could take it away from me, let alone use it, making it foolproof—at least as far as I could tell.
I did as Ridge instructed, and the flat stone surface yielded slightly, forming itself around the contours of the Amulet before solidifying into a perfect impression of the Artifact. As the rock finished its transformation, the portal slid open, revealing the empty room beyond. Save for its unique key, the room was identical to the other vaults; cavernous and as yet, empty. I thanked Ridge for his hard work as I always did, and in return, he simply offered me a nod as he left to resume his efforts once more.
With the storage for our new-found wealth secured, I decided to take yet another tour, and left the Palace compound by one of the gates that led into the valley, making my way to the soon-to-be opened inn.
Travis and Annia were busy arranging things inside as I walked through the door. Jessah was polishing some of the mugs and plates, making them ready for use, but Irisse didn’t seem to be around.
“How are things going, Travis?” I asked him as I stepped up to the bar.
“Very well, thank you!” He replied enthusiastically. “We’ve got a few of our potential suppliers stopping by later, and as soon as we can work out the details and get the goods we need, we’ll be opening right up.”
“Excellent,” I smiled back at his genuine cheerfulness. “I’m looking forward to having some of the fine food you serve.”
We exchanged a few more pleasantries before I left them to their work. I would have liked to have also spoken with Irisse, but Jessah told me that she wasn’t feeling well and had stayed home for the day.
With my visit to the inn complete, my duties for the day were done, and I decided to wander over to my little spot by the lake for a while before I went back home. I hadn’t been able to visit my secret sanctuary in some time, and when I got there, I stripped off my boots, soaked my feet in the cool water, and laid back on the soft moss-covered rock in utter contentment. As the clouds passed by over my head, I simply watched them as I let every single care that I had drift away for a while. It had been some time since I let my mind empty itself of its worries, and the freedom I felt when I released their shackles was a great relief. I knew I would only have to take up their burden once again when I left my little hideaway, but even the short reprieve helped me refocus myself, so when it grew late and came time for me to leave, I found that it was easier to take up my responsibilities. Even though my burdens were exactly the same as before, I had a better grasp of them, and their weight didn’t feel quite as oppressive as before. Unfortunately, my lighter mood was disrupted when I came home to find my companions kneeling on the floor in front of Nentai and Set.
“It’s about time that you arrived,” Set commented absently as I stepped inside.
“I told you she would be here soon enough, dear sister,” Nentai replied with the slightest hint of annoyance as she gestured towards the chest that sat on top of the table yet again.
I didn’t need any more prompting, and immediately strode over to open the mystical container. Inside was a suit of chain similar to Venna’s, but also quite different. The links were not of silver Khelduin but were forged from Dwarven Steel that had somehow been treated to shine with a deep, dark luster. Broda was the only one of my companions who had yet to receive a gift from the Gods, so I knew it was intended for her as I lifted the links from the chest.
Dark Heart – God-Forged Artifact – This set of chain was crafted for Dreya Sintári by Kelto, God of Love. While this Armor is irrevocably bound to the Sintári, it is intended to be worn by one of her companions. The mail will temporarily bind itself to whomever she bestows it upon for life, unless the Sintári revokes its use. Upon the death of the wearer, or if the Sintári chooses to reclaim the Armor, it will return to Dreya Sintári’s possession.
This Armor provides enhanced protection against physical attack and shields the wearer from almost any movement-restricting effects. This Artifact is self-repairing and has a reduced effect on Encumbrance.
“It’s not widely known, but my brother has quite the talent for crafting things,” Nentai remarked as I read the description. “He insisted on making this himself and refused to let anyone else take part in the process.”
“Please thank him for me,” I said before I turned to walk towards where Broda still knelt on the floor. Unlike the others who had been hesitant, Broda rose immediately once I was in front of her.
“Beyond any doubt, this was made for you, Broda,” I whispered to her before I handed the Artifact over. “Take note of who crafted it. I think you’ll find it significant.”
Broda took the links from me when I passed them to her, and her eyes lit up immediately as the item’s description, and more importantly, its maker, became known to her. Broda’s eyes welled up with tears, and I pulled her into a hug as the significance of the revelation threat
ened to overwhelm her. It only took her a minute to recover however, and when she pulled away from me, Broda simply acknowledged the weighty implications with a quick nod as she blinked away her tears, and I returned the gesture as I went back to Nentai and her chest of Artifacts.
“There’s more, as usual,” Nentai said as I approached, and when I peered inside the box, a silver ring with a red crystal stone set in its center sat at the bottom of the container. The band looked oddly plain, and the red stone appeared almost identical to the common healing crystals, save that it was a deeper shade of red than any I had ever seen, a fact that suddenly made sense to me once I picked it up.
Mender’s Band – God-Forged Artifact – This ring was crafted for Dreya Sintári by Myrra, Goddess of Healing and Albrek, God of Learning. While the Ring is irrevocably bound to the Sintári, it is intended to be used by one of her companions. The Ring will temporarily bind itself to whomever she bestows it upon for life, unless the Sintári revokes its use. Upon the death of the wearer, or if the Sintári chooses to reclaim the Ring, it will return to Dreya Sintári’s possession.
The Mender’s Band increases the effect of its wearer’s healing Abilities and decreases the cost of any healing Abilities used.
Shit, that was a tough one—both Tási and Venna were powerful healers, and no matter which of them I decided to give the ring to, the other might be resentful in some way. But ultimately, I felt that I had to do the more practical thing. Tási’s healing was quite strong, but her primary function in battle was to deal out damage, where Venna was our main healer. So, with a sense of both conviction and dread, I strode over to Venna and beckoned for her to rise.
She stood before me slightly confused, obviously not expecting to receive a second God-forged item. I almost slipped the ring on her finger but stopped in time to save myself from Tási’s certain wrath at the unintentional, but overly symbolic gesture. Instead, I placed the band in the palm of Venna’s hand and let her take in its power.
“There’s one more this time,” Nentai called out as Venna stared blankly at the ring in her hand. “We had planned on bringing you two at a time, but there’s been a… complication.”
I was a little surprised at Nentai’s confession of some difficulty, but I returned to the chest beside her once again. The container had changed shape while I hadn’t been looking, and was now a long, shallow rectangle. Nentai had stared at me with a mischievous look in her eyes as I walked back towards her and closed the lid before I could peek inside again.
“I just want you to be surprised,” she explained when I looked at her in confusion.
She pulled her hand away from the lid, and I hesitantly pried it open again. Despite her otherwise pleasant demeanor, Nentai’s sly grin gave me pause, and I peered inside cautiously.
What the open chest revealed was the most exquisitely crafted bow I had ever seen. It’s powerful, recurved upper and lower limbs were adorned with delicate carvings and a deep green emerald was mounted within its grip. I thought it had been sculpted from some rare, black wood, but when I lifted it out of the chest, I learned differently.
Retribution – God-Forged Artifact – This finely made bow was crafted for Dreya Sintári by Raithe, Goddess of War. Forged from Dark Khelduin, Retribution increases both accuracy and damage inflicted by the Sintári. This Artifact is self-repairing and has no effect on Encumbrance. The Bow is irrevocably bound to Dreya Sintári and cannot be wielded by another.
If my count was right, and in the state I was in, it could have been very wrong, I had just been gifted with my fourth God-forged Artifact. I was somewhat dumbstruck with the sudden realization, and Nentai seemed only too delighted to add to my consternation.
“Raithe and Melía worked fairly closely together on your gifts, as did I,” she smiled in amusement. “Place the grip against your forearm, and you’ll find a little surprise they cooked up for you.”
I followed her instructions almost absently, as I was still somewhat bewildered, and as the two Artifacts made contact, the limbs of the bow simply vanished, and the grip shrunk down in size and nestled into a groove in the bracer that I had never noticed before. I stared in utter amazement at the miniature grip that was held fast in place against my forearm before I grabbed hold of it again and pulled it away. As soon as it was clear of my arm, Retribution sprung back into existence, in all its original magnificence.
“Very convenient, isn’t it?” Nentai remarked offhandedly.
“It’s incredible,” I muttered as I stared at the bow in fascination.
“I’m glad you like it,” Nentai replied, in an oddly satisfied tone.
I was still perplexed by her attitude towards me, but since she had already made it clear that no explanation for that would be forthcoming, I left the matter alone. Whatever the reason was, I would have to wait to find out until the Goddess was ready to let me in on it.
“There is just one gift left for you to receive, and I shall return tomorrow night to give it to you,” Nentai announced. “I would have preferred to give it to you tonight, but there has been a bit of an issue, and its maker has insisted that she be the one to bestow it upon you.”
“So, Lady Death and I will see you then,” Nentai concluded as the two Goddesses vanished from our sight.
“Oh, fuck,” Khorim swore almost immediately.
“Is that bad?” I asked as I turned to Venna for guidance.
“I don’t know,” she said in a voice that was barely above a whisper. “Ever since they withdrew from the world, the Gods have rarely appeared among us. Although what has happened over the last few weeks has been nothing short of extraordinary, Nentai and Set have seen fit to visit our world from time to time, as have nearly all the other Gods. All of them save Lady Death—she alone has never been among us; even in the scattered records from before the Forgotten Times, we have found no reference to her appearing in the living world.”
“No one knows what she looks like, not even the highest priests of her Order. Even her name is unknown to them, as she only allows herself to be identified by her domain. All the depictions of her are based on guesswork and suppositions, although everyone seems convinced that she is a terror to behold in the flesh. Many believe that is the reason she has never visited us, even going so far as to suggest her mere image is enough to slay any who look upon her. We would do well to prepare for the worst when she comes.”
Oh, fuck indeed.
Despite the excitement over our newest Artifacts, Lady Death’s impending visit cast a pall over the entire evening. Even Bane was unnerved by the prospect of coming face-to-face with the Goddess of Death, and I had to stay with him for over an hour to lull his nervous heart to sleep.
Everyone tried to act normally the next morning, but it was clear that their attempts were merely feigned. Even Broda’s excitement about wearing her new God-forged armor for the first time was tempered by the foreboding of what was to come that evening.
I started out my day with a few quick stops in the valley, checking on some of the projects Ilvain was working on and looking over a few of the farms and ranches before I stopped at Ella’s. It had been two days since I had last seen her, which wasn’t all that unusual, but the last time we had been together was when she had finally dropped her guard and let me inside. The healing I had done that day should last her far longer than just two days, but I’d been unable to seal off her wound completely, and I wanted to finish that task before I would let her go without my attention for any longer than that.
As usual when I visited her, I walked inside without knocking, and when I didn’t find her in the common area, I called out for her. She replied from her room, and bid me to enter, so I followed her voice and found her waiting for me. Stark naked.
Ella pounced on me the second I entered the room and kissed me with a sense of hunger and desperation that I had never felt from her before. Her body pressed against mine as she pinned me against the wall, and despite the protection of my Armor, I could feel every curve o
f her as if it wasn’t even there.
Her yearning was a powerful thing, and I felt it urging me on in the passion that radiated from her lips into mine. Over the many mornings we had spent together Ella and I shared many intimate moments, but the insatiable craving I felt from her then was far beyond anything I had experienced with her before.
Her kiss was like a force of nature, powerful and almost destructive in its wild desire, and the sheer passion that I felt from her body as she leaned into me nearly compelled me to give in to whatever raging emotion had come over her that morning. But somewhere within Ella’s thirst, I sensed that something was off, and with a level of willpower that was barely sufficient for the task, I managed to peel her away from me for just a moment.
“Stop, Ella,” I almost begged her as I caught my breath.
“I need you,” she replied in a voice laden with desire. “Now.”
“Something’s not right, Ella,” I said as I stared back at her hungry eyes. “Let me tend to you first, then we’ll see if you still feel the same.”
“No!” she objected as she tried to force her way back to me. “I want you now.”
I was far stronger than her and held her at bay easily. As I did so, I saw the desperation in her eyes, the need that almost bordered on compulsion that pled for me to give in to her desires. It was that look, and her lack of control that accompanied it that made me certain that something had gone very, very wrong.
So, as I held her firmly, I sent tendrils deep inside her and wrapped every fiber of her up in reassuring warmth. The sensations that I flooded into Ella overwhelmed her for a moment, and I quickly laid her down on the bed and delved deep inside her before she could recover. It was a risky move, but whatever was going on inside her gave me no choice other than to act.
Ella’s defenses were completely down, and I reached her core instantly. The sight of it was familiar, the bright shining sphere with the deep fissure running through it, but the angry, red light that had pulsed from within that chasm before had been replaced by something else. A different presence now occupied that gaping chasm in her core, and the light that shone from within it was tinged not in angry red, but with a deep purple hue instead. I had no idea what the change in color meant, or what the purple tint represented, but I knew that it was the source of Ella’s sudden urges and needed to be dealt with. Immediately.
Second Skin: Unified: A litRPG Adventure (Second Skin Book 3) Page 41