“I’ll be direct,” Bruni answered. “You’ll be a burden to us.”
“Alas, Eric,” Randy shrugged. “Your levels...”
“Yes, I’ve heard. But what if we have something to offer you?”
Bruni slapped his knee and laughed:
“Bug take me! You know, I like this kid!”
“Okay then,” Randelph shrugged. “Surprise us.”
“Very well,” I nodded calmly. “Just no sudden moves.”
As I said that, I activated Lair and summoned Gorgie.
Chapter 10
“YOU’RE A MAGE!” Bruni exclaimed, dumbfounded.
“You know, I could tell something was off about you!” Randy said, smiling nervously. And all the while, he was staring at the harn, who was nestled up at my feet.
I must note that the men displayed admirable restraint. They reached for their weapons, but didn’t attack.
“That’s Gorgie,” I said, ignoring Randy. “He’s the reason I’m still alive.”
“Is he the thing that left tracks everywhere?” Randy inquired, showily stashing his sword back in its sheath. I could tell he was shaken up but trying not to show it.
“Yeah,” I nodded.
“I’m sure you knew we were coming for a few hours then,” the redheaded ranger laughed.
I smiled and nodded.
“So why didn’t you order it to attack me?” Randy asked, still watching the harn out of the corner of his eye. “After all, if I understand correctly, the beast whose corpse is currently rotting at the foot of the cliff is your doing?”
“What beast now?!” Bruni exclaimed. His kind-hearted simpleton’s face stretched out in surprise.
“The ice golem,” I calmly answered in Randelph’s place. “The level-thirty magical monster. And the reason I didn’t order you attacked was because you were behaving yourselves.”
In a different situation, I’d have kept quiet, but this was not the time. We needed allies.
After I said that, I could read several emotions on the men’s faces. Surprise, disquiet and seemingly glee.
“Just to be fair, there is another thing,” I decided to add. “We got lucky with the golem — we provoked the thing. It fell for our trick and basically dug its own grave. If we faced off on an even playing field, it is not likely we’d be speaking right now.”
The men, smiling, exchanged glances.
“Okay, now we have a chance!” Bruni said cheerily.
“I must admit, Eric,” Randy chuckled. “You managed to surprise us!”
“So, am I correct in my understanding that you would not be opposed to us keeping you company?” I asked.
“You are correct,” Randy nodded, smiling. “But I have a few questions.”
“I’m listening.”
“A mage boy, and nulled on top of it, journeying through the Wastes accompanied by a gremlin and domesticated harn — that is more than strange.” said the redhead, squinting. “Don’t you think?”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself!” Bruni nodded.
“Well, you see all kinds of stuff in the Wastes...” I answered with a snort. “An odd mage boy. Odd soldiers from the retinue of the Steel King.”
When I mentioned the fearsome northern ruler, the warriors shuddered and frowned. Gorgie could sense their tension and yawned wide, revealing his long sharp fangs.
“Honorable rangers,” I calmly turned to the men and immediately mentally noted that the clumsy Bruni was, to put it lightly, not exactly cut out for the title. “I don’t want any trouble, and I would like to tell you what we’re doing here. But first I suggest we come to a mutually beneficial agreement and seal it with an oath. At this time, neither of our causes will be helped by you knowing how we got here. But for your peace of mind, let me assure you that we did not come to the Wastes of our own accord and bear no ill intent toward your lord. I swear that to you right now!”
After receiving confirmation from the Great System, the warriors noticeably calmed down. Seeing the state of my potential allies, I decided to keep going:
“I understand you have just lost your commander but, if we are to continue together, I’d like to know which of you will take over his position.”
“Randy,” Bruni immediately answered, patting his comrade on the shoulder. “I’d be hopeless as a commander.”
“What do you say?” Randy asked, staring me in the eyes searchingly. “Are you willing to obey my orders?”
“I am,” I answered calmly. “But on one condition.”
“What is it then?”
“If you act like your old captain,” I nodded toward where they’d dragged the gray-hair. “You can forget about obedience.”
“Fair,” Randy nodded and added sternly:
“But if any of you do not carry out an order of mine, we are no longer together. Agreed?”
After that, he extended his hand for a handshake.
I considered it for a moment. The redhead had basically agreed, but at the same time he gave me a clear indication he would not tolerate disobedience. Oh well though. He’s right. I’d leave a stupid commander all on my own, but the orders of a smart one must be obeyed.
“Agreed,” I answered and extended my hand.
“Me too,” Mee squeaked.
“Hrn!” Gorgie came as well, which shocked the men.
“He’s intelligent?!” Bruni asked, dumbfounded.
“You might say that,” I smiled, stroking the harn’s armored head. “Smarter than many humans.”
The warriors liked that. They looked at my pet again with new eyes, this time containing much more admiration.
For around an hour, we discussed our temporary agreement and oath. When all the formalities were smoothed over, and the Great system had confirmed the purity of our intentions, I asked a question that had been troubling me:
“So, the Stone Forest — what kind of place is that?”
Mee shuddered and pushed hard up against my arm.
“I see your little companion has some idea,” Bruni nodded gloomily in the gremlin’s direction.
“I’m curious what he has to say,” said Randy.
“Will you tell us?” I turned to Mee.
First of all he glanced at me, then took a heavy sigh and answered;
“The orcs believe that, at the dawn of time, before the epoch of the Departed, two titans faced off in a grand battle — Taikho the Light and Rho the Dark. They grappled with one another for five days and five nights until, finally, Rho was defeated. Darkness had been vanquished, but it managed to do some damage on its way out. The lands where the ancient monster’s black blood was spilled grew up into the Stone Forest.” The kid fell silent for a moment, then continued: “They also say the descendants of Rho the Dark live there to this day — the forest trolls.”
“Vile and stupid brutes,” Bruni barked maliciously.
“You’ve come up against them before?” I asked.
The men nodded at once.
“Bloodthirsty monsters,” said Randy. “Once a troll has your scent, they’ll track you to the very end.”
“So how do you fight them?” I asked.
“Ideally, you don’t,” Randy said. “Strong. Good defenses. But very slow moving. And that, by the way, is our main advantage.”
“If you ask me, the surest way to survive an encounter with a troll is to hoof it,” Bruni told me. “Thankfully, the thick-skinned dunderheads can’t run too fast.”
“Yes,” Randy agreed. “Speed will save us.”
“I’m not gonna lie,” I chuckled. “That method is right up my alley.”
“Our man!” Bruni chuckled.
“But that’s not all,” Mee said quietly. “Trolls are not the scariest thing we might run into.”
“Are you talking about the Dark Ones?” Randy asked morosely.
“Yes,” the gremlin nodded.
“The orcs believe there are dark beasts there?” Bruni asked. “I always thought it was just fairy tales.”
>
“No sir-ee!” Mee answered seriously. “Where do you think the shamans get their power from?”
The warriors exchanged sullen glances.
“Do you mean to say the shamans have sold themselves out to Darkness?” Randy asked with strain. “Look, I’m not asking just because. It’s very important information. Especially in light of what’s about to happen.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“Oh, come on!” Randy exclaimed. “Do you really not understand? You’re a mage!”
“Well...” I hesitated. “The thing is, I’m not exactly the most learned member of magical, hm, society.”
I was actually just pretending — it was clear to me what the ranger was driving at. Honestly, if I hadn’t been to Master Chi’s manor, it would have been hard for me to speculate.
“Randy, to be honest, I don’t totally understand what you’re referring to either,” Bruni admitted.
“If it becomes known that the orcs are flirting with Darkness, the shamans will have hell to pay,” Randy answered shortly and added: “The Order will send the Executioners.”
“So that’s what you’re talking about,” the big guy snorted and said respectfully:
“The Executioners are no laughing matter.”
“If they thin the shamans’ ranks, the horde is not likely to go west,” Randy said.
With a heavy sigh, he glanced at me.
“Eric, no offense, but mages are scum of the highest order. Think how much good they could do for the common people, how many wars they could prevent. But no! They only intervene when they stand to benefit or when they perceive a threat to their interests!”
After saying that, the ranger sighed heavily and fell silent.
I just chuckled back. You’re telling me! You’re talking about the Order’s Executioners here. I have seen them using dark magic with my own two eyes. They have zero compunction about that, and yet they’re supposed to come punish the shamans for using dark magic?
“I don’t think they’ve sold themselves out to Darkness,” Mee interrupted.
“What do you mean?” Randy asked in surprise. “Well, you just said...”
“That isn’t what I meant,” the gremlin hurried to explain. “Every year, the great kurultai of the shamans selects an apprentice to be sent into the Stone Forest to try and tame one of the dark spirits.”
After he said that, the gremlin took a fleeting glance at me. Surprisingly, that gaze made a chill run down my spine. A hunch fell into place like a tiny little puzzle piece. Mee had seen me summon the Snow Ghoul Spirit, which was why he sometimes referred to me as a shaman.
Darkness. Taming spirits. What does it all mean? Is there a portal to the other world in the Stone Forest?! That little sneak! Why didn’t he tell me? Although, Mee isn’t at fault here. I wasn’t asking the right questions.
“And how are the candidates selected?” Randy inquired.
“They fight among themselves to the death for the right to enter the Stone Forest,” Mee answered.
“So am I understanding correctly that they don’t all succeed in capturing a spirit?” I clarified.
“Yes,” the gremlin responded.
“And sometimes they don’t all come back?” I asked again.
The kid nodded and said:
“When a shaman dies in the Stone Forest, a fearsome ghoul is unleashed on the steppe.”
Overall, I get the picture. The orcs know about a portal that triggers once a year. They send their strongest apprentice there for the chance to kill an otherworldly wraith. Why an apprentice though? I have only one answer — they’d have the highest chance of receiving the coveted spirit vial.
Beyond that, if they’re absorbing spirits there must be a shrine and altar somewhere nearby, probably next to the portal. And in its turn, it might be part of something bigger.
All those thoughts made my heart start to beat faster.
“What kind of ghoul?” Bruni asked, agitated.
Mee shrugged.
“Different kinds. The orcs say it’s the spirit the shaman failed to pacify obtaining a body and entering our world to get their revenge.”
There was one final aspect to figure out.
“Mee,” I asked. “When do they hold the kurultai?”
“Two months before the rainy season.” I heard his answer and breathed a sigh of relief. Most likely, the portal had already opened.
“But the top candidate comes for the spirit at the beginning of the first month of winter,” Mee added quietly. “In other words, right about now.”
* * *
One hour later, the conversation fizzled out. The time had come to rest.
Despite my warning about the Lair’s alarm and the harn’s animal senses, Randy was sleeping with one eye open.
But Bruni, probably in view of his simple nature, was less concerned. Still, it could all be for show. I’m not the only one who sees an advantage in being underestimated.
To tell the truth, the way our allies were acting didn’t concern me much. I didn’t want to think about the otherworldly portal either. All my thoughts were revolving around the news about my brother.
I was very stirred up by the news that he’d never been to the Wastes. That means the Bear’s clerks were lying to my father. Although it’s not likely they’d have gone and done that without their lord’s knowledge. Ahem, definitely something of a shady story.
That meant a whole unit had disappeared in an unknown location along with its captain. Hard to believe the old Bear didn’t know. Something must have happened. Something the retinue soldiers’ families weren’t supposed to find out about. It was simpler to send a death certificate.
I imagined the way my parents would have reacted if they discovered the truth! Thinking back on my father and mother, I took a heavy sigh. A lump rose up my throat all on its own.
They never told me much about Ivar. I never figured out why. All I could do was guess. But from the brief conversations they did let me hear, I had formed a definite picture of my older brother. Brave, daring and willful. Strong and agile beyond his years. The favorite of his whole school. But despite being pampered by tons of attention, my father said he was a good kid.
Father tried to make excuses for him, saying his son was always drawn to the warrior’s path. And that the Baron’s scouts only added fuel to the fire. After they found the up and coming kid, they blew smoke up his ass with bogus tales of grand campaigns, battles and glory in combat. In the end, all their tall tales made Ivar’s head spin. Of course, I also shouldn’t discount the fact that the Bear’s recruiters probably had high Charisma. And that was how the young boy ended up ensnared in their web. Heh, I of all people should know about that.
My thoughts about Ivar were contradictory. And it wasn’t like there was a sudden flood of brotherly love filling my soul. As a matter of fact, I had never considered him a good kid, since he abandoned my parents. I’d like to believe he was pressured by somebody but, even at my level, I was able to shake off Frodi’s charms eventually.
Yes, Ivar was my brother by blood, but I didn’t even know what he looked like, the tiny portrait in mother’s curio cabinet excepted. That was how he looked at age nine, very much like father. Now, if he even was alive, he would be thirty-two years of age, an adult man. I’d be curious to look him in the eyes. To see whether he felt any remorse about what happened. To tell him about mom and father’s tears. About their sorrow when they heard he was dead.
Already drifting off, I promised myself that I’d do everything in my power to uncover his fate. First and foremost, in memory of my parents.
But I wasn’t able to sleep for too long. In the middle of the night, I was awoken by something wet touching my cheek. A second later, I realized it was Gorgie’s nose. Cracking open my right eye, I saw the outlines of his lithe scaly body. My right hand mechanically landed on the cat’s wet nose.
“Hrn!” Gorgie said agitatedly.
“What?” I immediately heard
Randy’s tense voice from the darkness.
“There’s a band of orcs approaching the hills,” I told him, quickly getting up off the ground. “They’ll be here soon!”
Chapter 11
“RIDERS?” a frowning Bruni asked Randy, who’d just appeared at the cave’s threshold.
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