Terran cleared his throat and took a deep breath. "I have called you all here today to discuss what Chanterelle and I encountered on our trip to gather the Bluestar flower." He took another breath. "Another army is amassing."
He let the information sit for a minute, watching their reactions and listening to the wind rustle the leaves before he continued with the details. The smiles had disappeared and many leaned in closer in anticipation. The heavy air crushed down on Terran as he formulated his words.
"North of Karst Hallow is the road leading to the Crag Troll fortress in the Jagged Peaks. We saw lights on the road and went to investigate. There were hundreds of creatures, bigger than Crag Trolls, marching along the road. I was too far away to be able to analyze what they were, but they met the trio of offworlders that were here during the Crag Troll attack, and together they headed toward the fortress.
"We cannot allow the Trio to gather a larger force to send against us. They must be stopped, and we need to find out who is backing their attempts to destroy us. We must protect the Mother Tree at all costs. We need to get in that fortress.
"You kill a snake by cutting off its head. I suggest a small group of us covertly enter the fortress and take out the Trio, cutting off the head of the army. We will never be safe as long as those three are allowed to remain in the fortress."
The silence in the room held for a brief moment before it erupted into a cacophony of dissenting voices. Terran had expected to have some convincing to do, but he hadn't thought the entire council would be opposed to the idea. Lhoris was on his feet yelling and pointing at Terran, Kumotake was shaking his head in disbelief, and Zoras sat perfectly still with a slight smirk on his face. Terran was sure he was enjoying the council's reaction.
"...but offworlders can't truly be killed. What good would it do to try to take them out?" Terran was able to make out Ara's question in the noise.
He stood and raised his voice above the others. "Alright. Alright. I get it that no one thinks this is a good plan, but I can't hear the objections if everyone is talking at once. Ara wants to know what good it would do to kill offworlders since they just reappear. We aren't going to kill them. We're going to kidnap them."
"And bring them back here?" Lhoris said incredulously. "What will we do with permanent prisoners?"
"We won't keep them here. I'm working on that part of the plan. For now, just know that there is a way to get rid of them."
"Our time and resources would be much better spent improving the defenses here. There is a lot that can be done, and plenty of time to work on it. We don't have the numbers to be able to defend here, Karst Hallow, and send a group on the attack," Lhoris continued.
"I think it can be done with just four of us. Surely we can spare four people to save the entire settlement and the tree."
Kumotake bristled. "You want to send four people into a fortress riddled with Crag Trolls and some even larger creatures to kidnap three offworlders. And let me guess, one of them will be my daughter. This is a death wish."
"I have not decided on the group," Terran lied. "But if Chanterelle were to be a part of it, it is because she is a capable warrior," he added, trying to placate the angry elf.
Zoras stood up, commanding the room's attention. "This is an excellent idea. I assume our fearless leader will be spearheading the group." He looked to Terran for acknowledgement, and when he gave a nod the elf continued. "There is little guarantee that our settlement would be ready for an attack of that magnitude even if we spent all our resources upgrading everything. Something must be done with this trio. The sooner the better I say. A crystal bard's power knows no limits. I'm certain with Terran leading the force, they will be successful," he added, sitting back down.
"We are peaceful creatures. I do not like the idea of going on the offensive," Petram said quietly.
"Ara, you haven't said anything. What do you think?" Terran asked.
With downcast eyes she shrugged. "I don't like it. Seems too dangerous."
Terran stood catching flies with his mouth. He was astonished, and frankly a bit concerned, that the only council member who seemed to agree with his idea was the pompous elf.
"They are only afraid and clinging to tradition. Do not let their opposition stop you from following through with your plan. All of us and the Mother Tree will die if we merely sit and wait for an attack. They are forgetting about the Battle of Falling Gorge, where a handful of elves and a crystal bard took out an entire unit of Barghests to retain control of the bridge. We are not always peaceful creatures. We fight when it is needed," Zoras said.
"That was centuries ago, Zoras. And that bard was well trained," Lhoris refuted.
"Terran is being well trained," Zoras responded through clenched teeth.
"I believe that your motives are pure, Terran. I'm just not sure this is a task you will be able to successfully undertake. Ultimately it is your decision as chieftain, of course," Petram said, clearly trying to wrap up the argument.
The room fell to silence once again. Most of the elves would not meet his gaze, but Terran knew this was their best hope.
"I recognize that most of you think this is a bad idea, but I am growing stronger every day. Perhaps we wouldn't win today, but after the settlement levels up and I have more training as a crystal bard, I know we can do it. I can prove to you I'm right by defeating the peryton that has plagued us. That will give us another essence so we can improve the settlement.
"Until then I have some resources to spend on upgrades and an azure crystal to grow. I am planning to improve the weaponmaker tree, giving the settlement increased attack abilities," he said, hoping this would sway Lhoris to his side.
When no one responded, Terran sighed. "That is all for now I suppose," he said, deflated.
As the elves stood up to leave, Terran opened the settlement tab and spent the resources to upgrade the weaponmaker tree in order to avoid making eye contact with any of them. He remembered there were a few newcomers who needed occupations assigned, so he did that as well.
Settlement: Gneiss Glen (Tap to rename)
+20% defense
+25% attack
+20% damage
+20% food production
+10% morale
-5 days seed production
+5% HP
+5% AC
Level: 2
Vassal State: Wunderlust Keep [UO]
Essence: 1/2
Crystals:
Azure (Sonic Attacks)
Fortifications:
Bramble wall 1/1
Watchtower 0/5
Gate 0/2
Population: 48/75
Housing: 9/10
Seeds grown: 9/10
Days until next seed harvesting: 8
Total Buildings: 9/10
Barracks (Level 2) 1/1
Fungi Garden 1/3
Shaman Hut 1/1
Chieftain Hut 1/1
Orchard 1/3
Leaf Armory (Level 1) 1/1
Weaponmaker (Level 1) 1/1
Crystalline Conservatory 1/1
Aviary 0/1
Archery Range 1/1
Occupations:
Unassigned: 0
Orchard Tender: 3
Mother Tender: 1
Armorer: 1
Captain: 1
Shaman: 1
Tenders: 2
Warriors: 12
Loamers: 10
Weaponmaster: 1
Gatherers: 8
Builders: 6
Resources:
Food Stores: 1,509
Loam: 692
Healing herbs: 198
Leaves: 311
Sap: 18
Hibernating Shrooms: 18
Chapter Twenty
The crystalline conservatory always had a distant feeling to Terran, as if it were unwelcoming on purpose like a decorative chair not meant to be used for sitting. He arrived, having already given Zoras the items of his quest, buzzing with energy at the idea that by the end of t
he day he would improve his effectiveness in battle.
Zoras and Jondar awaited him in the main room, wearing light blue robes with gold edging. Their expressions were strangely neutral, serene almost, as if they'd taken their normal outward appearances—stern and jovial—and mixed them together.
"Terran the Tenacious, are you ready to grow the azure crystal?" asked Zoras.
"I am ready," said Terran.
With no further instructions, Zoras strode from the room with Terran and Jondar on his heels. As they hurried to keep up with the head of the conservatory, Jondar waggled his eyebrows at Terran in excitement. They were led to the platform that encircled the Mother Tree, beneath the upper canopy, but high above the forest floor.
"Two days ago, we fed the reagents you recovered to the Mother Tree, along with extra loam and sap. It is now time for you to sing forth the azure crystal. Know that the quality of your song will dictate the effectiveness of your crystal," said Zoras with his hands behind his back.
Terran had been practicing the song for two days. In the quiet of the valley, the song flowed easily from his lips, but now with a small audience, his stomach churned with worry. Zoras gestured towards a knot of pulpy tree flesh that had grown through the night in preparation for his attempt.
Picturing the notes in his head, Terran opened his mouth and let the music flow from his lips. The intro to the song felt like it was meant to wake the part of the tree that would grow the crystal, like a call to the morning. It had an ethereal quality that sounded foreign to his ears even though he was the one singing.
He pushed his distracting thoughts out of his head and focused on the song, which drifted lower in the scale, as if it were acknowledging the work required of the growth. When the knot of tree flesh quivered, Terran nearly faltered, but Jondar had warned him that this would happen, and he kept at the song.
The next part was partially improvisational, as the singer wouldn't know how long it would take the Mother Tree to grow the crystal, and the size of it would depend on the length of the song. Terran let his voice drift through the notes like a swift breeze through stone canyons. The pulpy knot grew engorged, slowly extending from a piece as big as an acorn to an oblong shoot longer and wider than his finger.
As the notes drew out, he was thankful for the training at the pond because his lung capacity had grown, so he was capable of performing the song. Zoras had suggested the piece of tree should be as long as his hand. When it was large enough, the notes changed again, but this time, he had to hold a single note for an extended period, renewing his breath over and over. This would be his battle note, the part of the scale he felt most comfortable with, which was a D-sharp.
He kept singing until he heard the note reflect back to him from the pulpy node. Using a razor-thin knife, Terran cut away the flesh—while keeping up the note—revealing an unformed azure crystal. Once the hard mineral had been cleaned of plant material, he snapped it off the tree, keeping up the note even when it was in his hands. In a solemn procession, Terran led them back to the conservatory and placed the unformed crystal between two clamps before he finally let the note drop.
"Very good, Terran," said Zoras, eyeing the unformed azure crystal with reverence. "Now the final part will reveal the quality of your crystal, which will in turn affect the quality of your weapon. It will take some time to grow a second crystal node, so please do take care to do your best."
With a brass hammer and chisel in his hands, Terran approached the crystal. There was no way for him to practice this last part, because they had no raw crystals available, and neither Zoras nor Jondar had ever cut a crystal either. Terran's technique was solely based on the tomes that Zoras had from the ancient times of the Rock Leaf Elves.
Terran brought forth his signature note, which the crystal embraced, reflecting back to him. He set the chisel against the crown of the blue lump and struck it with the hammer, shearing away a slice of material, which fell into a bucket, where it would be used for smaller constructs. Terran worked the crystal in a clockwise manner, sidestepping around the table as he cleaned away the outer crystal into eight facets. Then he struck the end of the crystal at an angle, forming a four-sided point, before angling the chisel upward and performing the same trick on the upper portion.
As soon as the last chip fell away, the azure crystal woke, responding to him in a note that filled his mind. Terran was transfixed by the reverberation, extending his note in a single breath that went on forever. He was the crystal and the crystal was him.
[You have gained the skill Crystal Harvesting]
Skill: Crystal Harvesting 1 (CHA)
[You have increased the skill Crystal Harvesting]
Skill: Crystal Harvesting 2 (CHA)
When at last he could not hold it any longer, he let the note fall, leaving him trembling with exhaustion. Both Zoras and Jondar stared at him with gaping jaws.
The head of the conservatory reached towards the crystal reverently as if it were a sleeping baby. There was wetness at the corners of his eyes.
"It's so beautiful," said Zoras.
After wiping the sweat from his brow, Terran examined his creation. With a shaking hand, he touched the crystal. A weird shock, not unpleasant, went through him as if he'd been filled with the crystal's energy.
You have gained an exquisite azure crystal
"I am truly speechless," said Zoras, his face rippling with thought. "I guess you are meant to be a Crystal Bard. An exquisite crystal on your first try is unheard of. No one has ever done such a thing, not even Fermanta, the Lady Bard of Belavar."
Terran leaned against the table. "I feel so drained."
Zoras patted him excitedly on the shoulder. "The act of growing and cutting a crystal takes much endurance. You'll need to eat and drink as much as possible to regain your strength. My assistant and I will shape the petrified wood to make your weapon. Return when you feel up to it."
His helpful manner made Terran suspicious, but maybe he was just glad to have a Crystal Bard to teach. With heavily laden eyes, Terran stumbled back to the part of the settlement with the kitchens and plopped down at a table. Before he could look up, Sanisar, the cook, brought out a big bowl of mushroom and tater soup.
"Zoras said you'd be famished this afternoon and to prepare a feast," he said.
"Thanks, Sanisar," said Terran, struggling to lift his arm to grab the spoon, but as soon as the first chunks of mushroom hit his lips, he found himself shoveling the soup down. Before he was finished, a hunk of hard bread appeared, and Terran used it to soak up the remnants in his bowl. A tray of dried fruits, spicy nuts, and cheeses appeared next, which he stuffed in his mouth using both hands, washing it down with a honey ale that Ara brewed in the valley at her still.
The rumbling in his belly kept him motioning to Sanisar, who raised an eyebrow, but kept the food coming. Terran ate a skewer of roasted eggplant, half a crimson melon, two handfuls of cherries, a big hunk of baked apple bread, and salted cheese with olives on a hard bread.
By the time his stomach stopped calling for more, he could barely keep his eyes open. Miraculously he made his way back to his Chieftain's Hut, falling asleep before he even reached the hammock.
When he woke, the sun had shifted to the other side of the world and the dart sparrows were whistling softly in the hesitant light of morning. A blanket had been thrown over his sleeping body, while Chanterelle and Luna slept in the hammock.
A normal hunger had returned, and he sated it with dried fruits and mushrooms, making his way back to the conservatory afterwards.
Zoras jumped up from his desk the moment Terran came through the opening, hooking their arms together and leading him to the main chamber of the crystalline conservatory.
"Come, come," said Zoras, looking like a child walking to a pile of presents on his birthday.
Paper folded birds hung from strings around the outside of the wide, circular room. As soon as Terran arrived, Jondar opened a large chest, pulling the petrified wood from
its depths. The azure crystal was seated in the crook of the end, almost as if it were a crystalline axe. The weight of the weapon when it was handed to him felt perfectly balanced.
Exquisite Sonic Staff [rare item]
You'll blow them away with this weapon.
Terran held the staff up, marveling at the balance.
"It barely feels like I'm holding it," said Terran. "How did you do that?"
Zoras glowed with excitement. "The tomes aren't always so clear about the details, but I managed to theorize the parts that were missing."
"You did amazing work. Thank you, Zoras. I couldn't have a better head of the crystalline conservatory in Gneiss Glen," said Terran, bowing.
Zoras lifted his chin. "I was skeptical at first about your potential, but it appears that you were able to surpass your limitations. Bravo."
Behind him, Jondar rolled his eyes, but Terran made no mention of the backhanded compliment.
"How do I use it?"
Zoras disappeared into the other room, returning with a tattered tome, opening it to a specific page and jamming his finger into the text. Terran took the book and studied it for a few minutes. The details of the spell weren't difficult, since the Sonic Staff did most of the work. When he closed it, a sonorous chime sounded in his ears.
[You have learned the Vocal Slam spell]
Vocal Slam - Crystal Bard spell
Cost - 20 mana
Range - 100 feet
Requires a Sonic Staff.
The spell deals ranged damage based on quality of staff, Battle Song skill, and pitch.
Terran eyed the hanging birds, which brought nods from Zoras and Jondar. Holding the staff before him with the azure crystal near his mouth, Terran belted out a perfect D-sharp.
As the sound vibrated past his lips, he expected it to demolish the paper bird, and while it did, turning the paper into confetti, the impact on the outer wall shook the tree, creating a cascade of leaves.
Zoras cleared his throat. "Ahem, maybe we should continue this exercise outside. You're more potent than we considered."
The Crystal Bard: A LitRPG Adventure (Kingmaker Saga Book 2) Page 13