by TJ Reynolds
The most tiring aspect of this was Honor’s sheer height. Lifting near two-hundred-pounds of unconscious man above her head was nigh impossible.
For the second time that night, Rhona had to activate her skill, and with ether-infused might, lifted the man’s body as gently as she could. Remembering the ease with which she annihilated the baliska, she didn’t want to kill the man she’d just saved by tossing him on the horse with too much force.
Letting the skill lapse, she winced.
The transition back into normal time wasn’t pleasant. It was an exhausting experience, even when used for such a short amount of time.
That thought reminded her of the cost of using the skill. As they trudged away from the carnage of the impromptu battlefield, Rhona blinked in surprise when she checked her Progression. Her current Progression was at 814.
The last she’d checked, after defeating the bandits on the way to Mindonne, she’d been over a thousand. Given all the enemies she’d just killed, the skill’s cost was prohibitive.
Ignoring a pang of remorse, Rhona reminded herself that it had also saved her life, among others, that night. If she hadn’t sacrificed the precious Progression, she wouldn’t be here to worry about it.
Honor’s hooves slogged through the swampy muck, leading them deeper into the swamp. Soon enough, they found a patch of swamp reeds wide and dense enough to support their weight.
Rhona did as any soldier might do. Tossing her oiled canvas over the thick reeds, she eased the young man off Honor’s back, letting gravity aid her. She hauled his unconscious form onto the oiled canvas and threw her blanket over the top of his still form.
Ban pushed up against his companion under the blanket on one side. On the other, Rhona pressed into the sick man, wrapping her legs over his cold body. No better way to make a first impression, Rhona. Take ‘em into your bed when they’re too ill to know better.
She only hoped she woke first. It would make for an awfully awkward introduction otherwise.
34
The Consequences of Honor and Attraction
Kai
Birds chirped nearby and the buzz of insects hummed in and out of Kai’s semi-lucid thoughts.
He smelled the swamp. It was in his hair, in his skin and overwhelmed his nose. Oddly, the smell of a horse was there too, and blood, so much blood.
But it was the faint smell of jasmine and something else, something harder to pin down, that woke him. He thought for some reason of his mother, that strange face in his visions. Then he thought of Sorcha, her solid frame rocking against a loaf of unformed dough in her father’s kitchen.
Sorcha, as steady as an oak and as lovely as a willow switch. If only she’d given me the time of day, Kai thought, and turned his head. His eyes shot open as he felt a rope clinging, wet and heavy, to his face. He threw it off with his free hand, then saw what it was attached to.
Just inches from his face, Kai saw a woman of profound beauty. Her face was turned up toward his, almost as if she were seeking a kiss, but she slept.
Her skin shone a creamy-white, yet radiated with the faint glow that passed for a sun-kissed tan among the Brintoshi.
Contrasting sharply to her fair complexion was the corona of blazing hair. Rubies would look dull in comparison. Her nose tipped upwards, her lips plush and pink as a dryad’s teat. The thought invited him to consider other aspects of the gorgeous creature so close to him. He flinched again as he noted how she was draped about him, her well-muscled thigh thrown intimately over his torso.
Kai examined her in the stillness of the morning, terrified to be discovered doing so and terrified she might leave.
Other details about her person began to register. Her hair was pulled back into the tight braid he’d mistaken for a rope. She appeared to be covered in dried blood. Remembering the night before, the force this little person exuded, a thumb short of five and a half feet, he could barely reconcile the contrast in size and power.
He didn’t have to wonder if she was stronger, more potent in battle than he was. He knew it to be so as plain as the rising sun.
He marveled in her beauty, only made more exotic and intriguing because of her disheveled state. Then she snored, an indelicate rasp of air sucked in through her nose.
Kai didn’t mean to, but his reaction was simple and honest. He laughed.
The woman’s eyes shot open, and suddenly, she was staring at him. For one tense moment, Kai wasn’t sure what was going to happen. His thoughts lingered on the crystalline jade of her eyes, and the soft warmth of her thighs. Sure, it would be nice to learn her name, but for some reason, Kai felt like he’d known this woman for years. A kiss wouldn’t be entirely uncalled for, at least he thought so.
Instead, she sat up, her cheeks warmed with a blush. “Alright, Mr. Spearman. You look to be feeling much better. No further need for shared body warmth, I think,” she said, and Kai’s heart broke just a little as she pulled away from him.
He sat up and his head throbbed, his dry mouth the only other indicator he needed to know he was dehydrated. “Water?” he rasped, trying to sound less pathetic than he felt. “Do you have any more water?”
Ban scrambled up, his face excited. “Here you are, Kai. I’m so pleased to see you’ve improved. You looked as waxen as a candle, last night. But our new friend here, Rhona, saved you. It seems you’re both well acquainted,” the Core’s champion rambled on. “Strange, having a body. I always scoffed at the idea of a blanket, but being subject to the elements makes me well understand the value of such a trivial thing.”
Kai caught Rhona giving the gargat sidelong glances, suspicion in her eyes, but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she fussed with something in her saddle bags. When she returned, she was carrying an odd steel cup.
She lit a smashed lump of amber-looking goo on the butt of his glaive, and when he made to say something, Ban put a hand on his arm and shook his head.
Just watch her, Kai. The woman is more experienced than either one of us—she won’t harm your weapon.
He nodded at the gargat and they both watched her light the goo with two strikes of flint, and then place the cup over the flame.
“Making a cup of tea?” Kai asked, hoping to relieve the wary mood somewhat.
She didn’t look at him, but answered, “Yes, your fever is still a problem. It’s almost gone, though, so hopefully one more dose will do the trick.”
Despite knowing it would do little to heal his fever, Kai channeled his healing spell and relished in the sensation of at least a few of his aches and pains diminishing. His AE had replenished over the night, so he didn’t feel it was an indulgence. In the condition he was in, any relief from his injuries, and the trouble they caused, was worthwhile.
Kai drank water until his belly felt tight, then he lay back down. He needed to get moving, but though his body felt much improved from the night before, he still ached. Finally, the woman, Rhona, brought over the tea and handed him the cup. “Drink it all, but take your time. Little sips. We’ll get some food down you, as well, and be on our way. Honor and I will escort you both to the entrance of this dungeon you were speaking of. We may even rest there a bit. Then I’m afraid we’ll need to leave you with your overgrown bat friend, cute though he is. We’ve much to do ourselves.”
He had to choke down a laugh when Ban was offended and then made to blush in the matter of moments. When the woman, Rhona, winked at the creature, he simply closed his mouth, too confused to do otherwise.
Kai did as instructed, and as the bitter tea hit his belly, he felt his body begin to mend itself. They ate a modest breakfast and shared the silence of early morning with his new companions.
As they snacked, he saw with delight that he’d leveled up to Amber 3. He was even well on his way toward his next ascension. He told Ban the good news through their mind space, not wanting to sound rude, and assigned the two attribute points. This time, he placed one in Dexterity and one more in Intelligence. His ether pool now extended to 200!
I can cast 20 Flame Darts now! That alone might be enough to bring down a beast like the Miremog, he told Ban, too excited to hold back the good news. But imagine how strong I’ll become when I ascend to Golden! I’ll get more attribute points, and of course, my Elemental Affinity!
It’s one of the most profound ascensions, Ban agreed, as he crunched on a small crab he’d dug out of a nearby pool. Or so I’ve been told.
What will I be capable of when I choose an Elemental Affinity? Other than boosting that particular element, are there other benefits?
As Ban explained, Kai was grateful he didn’t have to use his mouth to speak. The crunching as he consumed the crab was disturbing enough. Kai could only imagine what it might look like if the little champion were to speak with his mouth full.
As I’ve told you, each deity has their own Elemental Affinity. By choosing one of the deities to worship and follow, you’ll be blessed by their element. On top of that, you’ll also benefit from that godhead’s personality. If you choose Briga, for instance, your ability to heal wounds—your own or those of others—will be increased. Much of how you make your decision should be based upon the type of dragon you wish to become. Yorick, for instance, used his Elemental Affinity and spell acquisition to become something quite unique.
Kai couldn’t help himself. Unique? How so?
Well, Ban responded, Yorick was a High Scholar. His spells were all tailored to allow him to absorb and recall knowledge more readily. He was in high demand before the war started.
The concept of using one’s abilities simply to enhance academic studies seemed absurd to Kai, at least when considering how dangerous the world could be. He knew the value of intelligence, but couldn’t imagine giving up a shred of combat prowess in order to pursue knowledge, exclusively.
Kai suppressed these thoughts as well as he could, though. His friend’s previous master had been dear to him, and therefore, his memory was dear to Kai. In many ways, Yorick felt like his own father, a mysterious figure tied to his past, shaping his future, and of course, he’d been a dragon.
The group packed up easily enough, and Kai remembered his own pack, lost somewhere in the swamp up ahead. He hoped they’d be able to find it, especially since their two new companions showed no signs of wanting to remain with their party.
As they continued on, it was by the guidance of the horse’s nose that they went. It clopped through the swamp, intent on a scent trail that even Ban couldn’t detect. Though, in all fairness, Ban’s champion was designed primarily for hearing to dominate all its other senses. Ban also had night vision, his blinking yellow eyes an indication of that alone.
Occasionally, Kai saw evidence of the baliskas’ passage, wondering how many had attacked them last night. Fifty? Sixty? He wasn’t sure, but the numbers were disturbing. Hopefully, it was a good thing, a sign they’d cleared out most of the creatures who inhabited the dungeon.
Another bit of good fortune came when they spotted Kai’s pack. It was torn, all of the meat inside pulled out by scavengers during the night. His things were tossed about, as well. Thankfully, they found his water skins were still in working order and the apples hadn’t been touched.
He felt good about offering his water to Rhona, who had, despite knowing nothing about Kai and Ban, freely contributed so much of herself and resources.
After a quick break, they finished the trek to the dungeon’s entrance. Kai knew they’d found their destination by the tall trees standing sentry above a cluster of rocks. Surprisingly, green leaves clung tenaciously to their upper limbs.
Rhona took the lead, striding carefully and quietly through the small grove. No threats presented themselves, however, and she waved Kai and Ban forward.
From a distance, the jagged rocks had looked almost like a crown. When he looked down the gentle slope that led into the yawning dungeon entrance, however, they reminded him of teeth ringing an immense and hungry mouth.
As they all took in the scene before them, another feature caught their attention. In the center of the circle, a few dozen paces out from the cave opening, a shrine of sorts had been erected with sticks and large blocks of white crystal which protruded from the earth. Atop the crystals, held in a mud and daube bowl, lay a gleaming sliver of Earth Core.
There was no mistaking it. Glowing ether-blue, the fragment of Earth Core faintly emanated light, visible even in the mid-morning sun. Perhaps only the length of his finger, it shone with power nonetheless.
“What’s that?” Rhona asked, glancing to Kai.
He looked to Ban and the gargat nodded. “It’s an Earth Core, or at least a part of one. It’s why we’ve come.”
She stared for a long moment at the young man, as if testing her words before speaking. “I’m on my way to Hintar,” she finally said. “A war is coming, and I wish to warn those who might do something to stop or slow its tide. Yet, here I find myself in the middle of this swamp. I was told many strange things on my journey here. The town’s herbalist as well as an old man in Mindonne, both knew I was to ride to Hintar, among… other things.”
Kai raised an eyebrow, but Ban rested a hand on the dragonling’s hand to stop him from interrupting.
“Normally,” she continued, “I ignore the rantings of those who’ve lost their wits, but they spoke in accordance with one another… and in accordance with a dream I’d had the night before.”
Silence hung heavy over them. As the tension between the beautiful woman and Kai grew, he was not sure how to respond.
It was Ban, however, who spoke up next. “I wasn’t sure if we could trust you, but after last night, well, holding back doesn’t seem sporting, does it?” The gargat chuckled. “Kai and I are here to heal this dungeon, to repair it, if we can. We believe it’s our mission.”
“Heal the dungeon?” She snorted. “That isn’t possible. Shivvered dungeons remain places of great danger, though some still seek them out to steal what treasure might remain.”
“I may be able to,” Kai said. “But tell me, the way you fight, your horse, are you not a Brintoshi soldier?”
“I was. I am no longer,” Rhona said, a bit of emotion Kai couldn’t identify flitting across her face.
“Then why do you…” he began but stopped short. Trying from a different angle, Kai resumed his question. “This journey to warn Hintar of war, with Brintosh I am assuming, how is that not an act of treason?” The rage that burned suddenly in Rhona’s eyes made Kai swallow nervously.
He held a hand up between them. “Please,” he reasoned. “I mean no offense. You saved my life and I won’t forget it. But, is it not as I say? Why risk everything for Hintar?”
The woman struggled with herself visibly for a few long moments. Her horse walked up, sensing her distress, and brushed against her with its nose.
The contact seemed to ease her qualms, and she answered confidently. “Many would call it treason. My own father would, at least. But my actions serve the people of Brintosh as much as they serve those of Hintar or Kaltan. There’s no need for war,” she said with conviction. “This campaign is founded on greed and boredom. That’s not reason enough to spend the thousands of lives it’ll cost. If I don’t do this, I won’t be able to live with myself. And when I return, should I be taken for a traitor, I’ll accept the consequences.”
Rhona’s frankness pulled at Kai’s sentiments. He called to Ban in his mind, I wish to tell her our secret as well. I feel we owe it to her… and we need her help. How many more dangers might lurk within the dungeon itself?
Ban smiled openly, betraying their private conversation without worry. I’m of the same mind, Kai. Tell her of your ability to heal, but as of yet, don’t admit you’re a dragon. Like our own meeting, I don’t feel it was accidental that our paths crossed with Rhona. Caution, however, is ever prudent, Kai. I’m sure she’s yet to reveal the full extent of her plans or abilities.
Rhona glanced between the two of them, biting her lip. Though she appeared to have guessed at their communicatio
n, she didn’t interrupt.
Kai cleared his throat and walked closer. He swallowed down the fear of exposure, the shame of being considered a liar or a fool. As he looked deeply into her green eyes, he also fought the distraction her beauty and proximity presented.
In a soft but confident voice, he said, “I’m here with my friend to heal this dungeon.” Kai looked over his shoulder at the gargat and smiled. “As I healed him. He was a shivvered dungeon not long ago, and when I touched his core, it cut my hand, and… well, somehow I healed him.”
Though her tone was iron, no irony or sarcasm crept into her voice. “A simple man,” she wondered, “not even Golden ascended, managed to heal a dungeon? What special kind of powers or skills do you possess, Kai?”
“In all honesty,” he admitted with a shrug, “I don’t know the full extent myself. And I’m sorry, but I wish to keep what I do know to myself, if you don’t mind.”
Rhona nodded, studying his face with an odd intensity. He felt no judgement in her gaze, however. “That’s fine. I can respect a degree of caution. I’ve held a few cards to my chest as well, as I’m sure you suspect. I feel your omission isn’t done out of malice or deceit. I trust you’ll accept mine is similarly sincere.”
Kai smiled, relieved.
“May I ask another question though?” she asked, pointing to Ban. “What exactly are you? You are a Dungeon Champion, but what kind of creature is that?”
Blinking in surprise, Kai blurted out, “How do you know that? How can you tell he’s a Dungeon Champion?”
The woman rolled her eyes. “I inspected him using my Interface. You can do so and find out basic information about all creatures. Only sentient races must give permission to observe their Interface.”
“I am most definitely sentient!” Ban blurted out a second before Kai asked her how the trick was done.