by Rhys Thomas
A moment passed before finally, she said, “I’ll show you mine, if you show me yours first.”
“Show you my- what?” She held one of her hand flat palm up and with the index finger of her left hand drew a circle in her palm and then traced a line down her wrist.
Ah, the runes.
I cursed internally as I began untying my vambraces, everything seemed to be straps and ties in Viria. I warped them to my inventory and pulled the sleeves of my undershirt back, revealing the chrome like jade green runes etched along my arms.
Aria scooted over, discarding her pack to one side and came to a crouch beside me. She took my wrists in her hands causing me to grunt’s as she twisted them. Most definitely stronger than she’s look’s. She inspected the runes, tracing her fingers around and over them.
It was an odd sensation. As I knew the runes looked metallic, but I felt every touch the scout made on them as if they were really a part of me, with nerves endings and all. The skin around my runes were a line of red like they were new and raw, seeming as if sewn onto me as much as they were burned into my flesh and bones.
“Remarkable,” she passed her thumb around in a circle at the swirling pattern of the rune on my palm. Like a jade vortex burying deeper into my hand. “What do they mean?”
I shrug, unsure how much I really knew myself. “I’m not completely sure to honest with you. I just know that they’re meant to help harness the power I have and will obtain. Beyond that though,” I shrug again, “no idea. I’ve got them behind my ears as well,” I said gesturing; leaning my head forward and pulled at my left ear.
I hadn’t been able to observed the runes there yet, but I knew of them. The runes scribed into me held a uniformity and purpose, though the jade green and metal-like sheen made them look cryptic, ancient and beautiful. Ariana pulled away and sat crossed legged by me, the tight leathers straining against her firm yet curvaceous form. She showed me what at first, I thought to be black varicose veins on her arms. That was until they moved sinuously, dividing and forming different images and shapes.
My eyes wide and mouth agape I looked at Ariana as she giggles rather girlishly at my shocked expression.
The tattoos were frighteningly physical and moved around her flesh either like webbing or slippery like an eel. The tattoo then morphed to a spiders web, spanning across and up her arm, under her leathers. At the nape of her neck I saw the edges of tendrils peak out and extend as the webbing grew.
Then the strand’s withdrew; and she twisted her forearms. The strands melded together and formed into a thick long black rectangle, that cover her arms. “Good for parry’s and block, though the residue of an impact against them still carries through,” she explained idly.
Lastly the black strands broadened and spread wider encompassing her entire hands and arms to mid-upper. “Good for punching holes in things,” she grinned crookedly.
“You can use this constantly?” I inquired and saw her hesitate to reply truthfully, before shaking her head.
“No, I cannot. I cannot wield my gaara in the rain or water. Something about it tear’s the strand’s apart quite painfully.” Then she winced, “It was a bitch crossing the Amberic Sea stowed away on a supply ship.” At my look she divulged. “Hid in a barrel; damn thing was riddled with holes and water kept leaking through,” she explained shivering. “I kept using my gaara to stay warm,” she shook her head at the memory.
“So, it’s a gaara tattoo?”
She nodded, “yes only those that’ve passed the third circle of Valakhari may receive their marks. Each is unique and placed differently. I wield Thion,” she points to her axe where it rested against a tree trunk. “So; my gaara is strength and momentum. There are is end, as of yet to creatives ways of which gaara can be wielded.”
I scratched at my cheek fascinated by her. Her axe Thion seemed unique in itself. A sunless black glassy metal formed the half-moon blade, fine channels and etching like star formation’s covered the axe blade but held no discernible purpose from what I could tell.
We sat in silence as the wind exhaled a breeze, affecting me lightly. I still felt the warmth inside from this morning though greatly diminished. I warped my vambraces back into my hand’s as Aria shook her head and proceeded back to her pack.
Yeah, that one would be a hard to explain. Mainly because I don’t fully understand it myself.
Having only a sparse few potatoes within a sack as any sort of real sustenance, Ariana was kind enough to split some dried jerky and an apple with me.
We snacked comfortably and I decided, warping the jar of honey from my inventory. I removed the lid of the jar and held it out to the scout, she looked dubiously at it and then me.
“Never had honey?” She shook her head and spooned some onto the small knife she’d used to divide the apple. I myself dipped in a finger within the sucking murky gold substance. It smelled fresh as small air bubble lined the surface as my finger broke them apart. I heard Aria moan and I smiled.
Marisa returned shortly after having gorge herself, face bloody and her stomach protruding fatly beneath her.
*How many did you eat?* I sent.
*Two,* she replied curtly, yawned in my head and assumed nestling her extra weight on my poor shoulders.
“God’s damned turkey,” I sighed prodding her extended belly.
*Oh, I saw what looked like the walls of a village further ahead,* she sent sleepily and snored hot air into my neck. Smoothing her feathers back with a hand, I relayed Marisa message to Ariana.
“What do you think?”
The scout rubbed at her neck looking on and eventually nodded. “We’re strange, but hopefully not too different to draw unwanted attention. It’ll be good if they have an Inn; but we’ll be tight on coin after. It’s hell of a lot colder to the north.” Her mention of coin reminded me of the one’s I’d picked up at the farmhouse.
They manifested within my palm.
There were four coins in total, each rimmed in a band of gold with silver middling’s, a hole drilled through three of the four. The last was a complete whole with a small gold sphere within the silver. “What about these, I’ve no eye for the currency here yet, so I’ve no clue.”
Her eyes widen and her expression told me I had more than enough. She whistled and pinched the coin with the gold sphere at it centre between her fingers, “It seems you’ve acquired a small wealth. And you’ve no idea how much you hold?” She asked me with an incredulous laugh, and I shook my head.
“These three here,” she said gesturing to the gold coin’s with the silver hollowed centre. “Are gold coins, which means they’re 50-silver piece’s each. As 10-coppers makes a silver, 50-silvers make a gold. This gold coin with the golden sphere at it centre,” she gestured holding the coin in her hand. “Is a crown, meaning it’s 100-gold piece’s.”
My eyes grew wide and my mouth dries up at the intended wealth I had acquired. “Are there any-uh… Money changer’s or banks we can go to and exchange a single gold?” I asked and she shakes her head.
“No, I’m afraid not. From what I know; there was a blue bank in Aegis before the Kasha fell. But Haroxi has become somewhat rural since, with the towns and villages too spread out and the caravan’s only run occasionally between. Most people horde their money, or bury it,” she shrugs.
“So; these coins are used as currency everywhere?” I asked. Thinking and considering if I’d looted the original farmhouse owner’s stash, forgotten in whatever hell they were running from. Or if it was a hidey hole for stolen goods.
“Yes. Except for the Goldranos Dominion, the southern continent. After the Kasha, the Blue Bank based out of one of the Amberic isles spread their influence and banking system throughout Viria. All four—well three now—Roak’shari chiefs owe debt’s to the bank. They’re a quite powerful force in their own right.”
I nodded and warped the coin’s back to my inventory, “You’re quite knowledgeable on the subject,” I noted, and she shrugs again.
&
nbsp; “We must perceive all manner of threats within the Valakhari. None may join who are indebted to the Blue Bank, and we must learn about the world so that we are prepared.”
“How much money do you have on you?”
“9-silver and 5-copper. Should be enough for a nightly stay and some food. I can’t imagine an inn this far out being expensive. And we could always share a room.” Swallowing dryly at her words, my mind drifting, we trudged on for another half-hour.
The wind beat coldly against my face as the sun raised higher, I felt the ebbing of the warmth inside me, flooding out as the day went on. The cooling temperature was a fresh welcome though, and my breath’s puffed out in front of me.
Ariana had removed her hood and tied her black hair into a pony’s tail with a thin strip of leather. The light and cold made her stark appearance all the more deadly as she practically gilded ahead of me.
The sparseness of the tree cover allowed for a clear line of sight, but I could picture her being near invisible at night in the woods. The occasionally crow flew above us as we serpentine up the sloping terrain.
I could smell wood ash and smoke on the wind, the ground became dewy and we—meaning I—were prone to slipping.
*Marisa, any idea how close this Coven is?* I sent to my fiery dragonling.
*Not a clue. I wasn’t exactly able to explore the domain’s, you know. Looking for you and all,* she explained and nibbled at my neck slightly. I wasn’t really bothered by her antic’s at all. They were comforting, as she exuded a constant amount of care for me, though I was unsure why and if I deserved such.
Knowing she was here with me to guide and nurture, was enough. At the back of mind, I couldn’t help but feel that I was still out of the loop on what I was really meant to be doing.
*Even fragmented as I was then, much of the world has change since the Kashirans fell. Ra’als touch on this world grow’s ever strained, though he will not admit it.*
*Any thoughts on what I should be doing; oh, great goddess of navigation.*
She snorts in down my tunic. *See the witches, but we wary if they offer a price for their help. Follow Ariana to Pyhronia and convince the Valakharian order to follow us against the Shi’en.*
“Alright, but how? How do I convince an order of warrior’s and assassin’s to follow me, a bumbling clueless outworlder,” I said aloud and then yelped as Marisa actually snaked around me to really bite into my neck. Her teeth sharp and needle like.
*You start by convincing yourself, you idiot. You’re not weak anymore, you can fight back now Alaric. I love you, dearly so, but you have to understand that we’re more than these false god’s. Ra’als power will help you grow and eventually you’ll come back into your own, but until then you have to convince yourself that more than what you were and always have been.*
I got the impression that when she mentioned false god’s, she was actually speaking of Ra’al and the other domain leader’s. *Your hiding something from me, aren’t you?*
*Yes,* she replied immediately. *But I promise you, I’ll reveal everything when you’re ready for the true, for now we need allies. You’ve got me and Ariana; but we need more trustworthy people beside us.* She pauses, and I sense more coming. *And you might want to bed that one and bind her to us as well,* she thought at me, humour and decisiveness heavy in her voice.
I spat and began a choking cough.
“W-what?” I asked aloud and then in my head I thought in a hiss. *What are you talking about? How did we even come to that?* Marisa for her part seemed amused by my babbling, she swung round my neck and got cosy beneath the cloak.
I scowled at my hiding draconic phoenix.
*Oh please, I’ve seen how you look at her, she’s beautiful and fierce. Why not? You aren’t feeling ashamed and guilty, for looking at another beside my magnificent fiery self?*
Yeah, a magnificent pain in my ass, I thought to myself.
*Don’t worry my dearest. We’ll have a harem of beautiful women.*
I inhaled, counted to four and exhaled, letting my irritation out with a breath. *Marisa I...* I what? Loved her? I didn’t even know her. I mean we barely knew each other, or I barely knew her. What could I say? If she was to push this, could I deny it, or her wants.
*I-uh… Whatever you want. I’ll-uh, sure.* I thought to her at last and released a deep sonorous breath; leaving me feeling deflated emotionally. I felt her mouth moved against my neck, her hot rumbling breath funnelling through my gambeson, tunic and under-shirt to warm my chest.
*You’re the only man I’ve ever known and loved. Other’s may partake you and one another, but you’ve always been mine and I’m yours alone,* she thought at me sleepily. My chest and throat clenched with emotion; Marisa’s soft purrs accompanied me as we came the upon the village wall.
Chapter Six
It was much quieter than I expected it to be, as we arrived so close to the village walls. They were stoutly built, the tall hewed lumber logs were tied together by cordage and filed to a thick spike at their peaks.
Torch sconces peaked over the tips of the wall from the inside. A small sloping ditch like a trench was dug outside along the wall, 4-ft deep and about 5 across.
Muddy spills and puddles dotted along its channel.
We followed the outline of the wall, keeping to the surrounding thick brushes till we came around to the entrance.
The high wooden gates that opened to the village were guarded by four men, they were uniformed in a patchwork of yellow and green. A variable traffic of people silently carrying baskets, as hand’s cart came too and throw from the village.
The guards held a relaxed but attentive poise, never once actually letting their guard down.
The lead guard—at least who I thought to be—was a broad-shouldered man with a plain iron helm and a dented iron cuirass covering his chest. He held a nicked halberd resting against his shoulder as he talked to an older man carrying wooden planks. Two others wielded swords and shields though the latter was attached to their backs.
The fourth individual, a woman, had a bow lying across her lap as she sat slumped by the wall.
Ariana gently nudged my side, garnering my attention. “If we break through the treeline now; they might suspect us of spying. We need to double back, find and follow that path,” Ariana said and pointed to where we had seen the people with baskets walking off to.
I nodded, trusting in her guidance.
*Chick, you’re gonna have to lay low for a while as we move, alright?* I thought to Marisa as I gently stroked and smooth her feathers. She rumbled in acquiescence.
Ariana crept stealthily through the wooded area as we headed to the west side of the village. I tried to imitate her; but eventually settled for just stepping where she stepped.
Eventually, a few arduous minutes of path tracking, we came upon a wide shallow river where a number of men were fishing further down; as the women wash clothing collected from their basket’s up stream.
They were all in a harmonious and chatty mood, that I felt would die at the mere sight of the armed Aria and I.
We perched ourselves on a rise overlooking the river and the people there. “Well? Go talk to them,” Aria said nudging me with an elbow.
I blinked raised and cocked an eyebrow at her, “you want me to talk to them?” I asked her sceptically. “They’re going to instantly run at the sight of me you know, and that’s if don’t break my neck just trying to get down there.”
A series of images flashed through my mind of my body falling over the edge and splashing into the water, the villager’s watching as I float on by face down. Some shaking their heads at me while other’s just down right ignore it like some common occurrence.
“I certainly can’t do it,” said the scout, scoffing at me. “I can barely speak the language.”
“You seemed to be speaking it fine to me earlier when we met,” I noted.
“Yes, well they’ll notice my accent. And how exactly am I to converse with them. Oh hello, y
es I am a foreign warrior of an order that makes your people piss and shit their thongs,” she said conversationally. “Oh, and did I mentioned I’m travelling with a ‘Demi-god’ whom as it happens, comes from a different plane of existence. No of course I’m not crazy, why would you think that?”
I stared at the Valakhari scout in stunned silence, she even made air-quotation’s when referencing to me. My shock turned to a scowl, “they wouldn’t understand you anyway.”
“Duh…” She rolled her violet eyes.
“Your sarcasm is much appreciated,” I said; rolling my eyes and smiling at our exchange. “Great then, I’ll uh…” I said standing, cracking my back and leg joints. “I’ll go hop on down there and stun them with my most charming smile till they either lynch me or knock me over head and eat my corpse. Not sure which is worse honestly. I bet I taste incredible though.”
Aria snorted and patted my leg staying crouched and low, and safe. “You’ll be fine. Besides, if they start to get any weird ideas; just explain that the furball hugging around your neck is actually your wife. I’m sure that’ll stun whatever idea’s they’ll have of killing and eating you out of their tiny heads.”
I looked at her in mock irritation, “wait. Did you have thoughts of eating me?”
“Oh, most definitely,” she purred with a smirk, her eyes trailing down to my crotch.
Scoffing, I moved away to Ariana chirping, “juicy bit of meat.” I descended the rise of the bank at and immediately my feet slid as I clung to roots and half-buried rocks.
Then I slipped completely. The tumble down was a muddy one as the dew and fresh cold spray splashing up near the river’s edge left everything perpetually moist.
My breeches, clock and gambeson were caked in mud and leaves. Earthworms wiggled about from where I dug into the ground with my fingers as I braced my feet against an arching tree trunk hanging just out over the river.
The tree bend back towards me; forming an almost perfect ‘C’ and my feet hit the thin trunk as I desperately tried to split my weight evenly. After about 30-full-seconds of scrambling to find purchase I managed to cup a bowl-shaped rock sticking out of the bank above me with my hands.