After a couple of hours of travel, they reached the lake and cottages in the valley, the track becoming more difficult to traverse as they approached.
“I think we should leave the cart here,” Lythonian suggested as they approached Gladys and Hubert’s cottage. SJ had brought the deed for Farleck Cottage with her and wanted to claim it, but she was still determining whether she should do so with Zej and Lythonian present. Mulling it over, she decided that she would.
“I own a cottage just further down the lake,” SJ said.
“You do?” Zej replied, a little surprised.
“Yes. It was given to me.”
Zej did not press the matter, and Lythonian did not comment further. SJ now felt uncertain whether she had done the right thing.
Lythonian drove Humberto along the track before turning towards the cottage. It looked as beautiful and idyllic as the first time she had visited it, and hopping down from the cart, she walked over to the door, removed her key and opened it. Lythonian and Zej were busily untacking Humberto from the cart, and she removed the deed to check that her name was now active on it, which it was. Smiling to herself, Dave suddenly chimed in her head.
“Did you want to let them know you have a cottage?”
“I trust them,” she replied, whispering.
“Trust is earned. Lythonian, you have a reputation with him. Zej, you don’t. You need to consider your standings before divulging information in the future.”
“Ok. Point taken.”
Walking outside, Humberto began to nibble on some tall flowers by the side of the cottage. Zej was looking at the roof of the cottage.
“This is a lovely little place,” Zej said, “The chimney needs realigning, though.”
SJ followed Zej’s gaze, where the chimney stood proudly over the rear of the roof, not seeing anything wrong from her position.
“Does it?”
“Yes. My father was a stonemason, and although I broke the family tradition by becoming a blacksmith, I know a fair bit about the trade.”
“Is it safe?”
“Oh, it’s safe enough for now. This place has stood empty for a while.
“I have never stayed here. I only just acquired it.”
“You can tell by the moss on the chimney. The heat from the chimney would normally keep it clear, as it would dry and fall away. It wouldn’t take much to sort it out, but it needs doing at some point.”
“Thanks. I will keep that in mind.”
“A few masons in town could fix it for you. It shouldn’t be too expensive unless they need to acquire new stone.”
“Is stone expensive?”
“Not very, but it must be shaped properly, which takes time.”
“Oh, I see.” SJ was still getting used to the time factor, which became more apparent with everything in Amathera. It was not as though she could just call into a local builders’ yard and pick up a hob of bricks.
“Do you mind if I ask how you acquired it?” Zej asked.
SJ felt a rush of panic flood her. How could she explain that she got the deed from Darjey or provide another suitable explanation?
“Tell the truth,” Dave said.
How can I tell the truth? She thought.
“Just say what happened. You are a Legionnaire and do not fall under the same remit as townsfolk remember.” Dave continued.
SJ bit her lip and cautiously looked at Zej. Lythonian stood now, listening while brushing the side of Humberto’s mane.
“I acquired it through a quest.”
“A quest. It’s a decent reward for a quest. It must have been challenging.”
“It was. It was one of my first.”
“What did you have to do?” Zej asked.
“That’s the harder part to explain,” SJ replied shyly.
“Hard to explain why?”
“It was related to the GoblinPox scare and was my first job for my class.”
“Oh. What did it relate to?”
“It’s a little hard to say for me.”
“Why?” Zej said, frowning.
“It was my first kill.”
Zej’s eyes shot open at her comment. “You had a kill quest at such a low level. That is a rarity. I didn’t get my first one until I was level 12.”
“You have had them also?”
“They are quite standard at times.”
“I had no idea. I am still trying to learn about my new life.”
“You will in time. You are already doing well for the short time you have been here.”
SJ looked surprised at the comment. “What do you mean?”
“I haven’t always lived in Killic. I was brought up in the capital, and I have met many Legionnaires over my time. You are a refreshing change compared to many.”
“Oh. I didn’t realise.”
“Who was your target?”
“Another Legionnaire.”
“Ahhhh. It is starting to make sense now.”
SJ could feel a bead of sweat run down her back, feeling so nervous talking to Zej about this.
“Sorry?”
“The Legionnaire found by the mill. Was that your handy work?”
“Not in full, no. I didn’t move the body,” she stammered.
Lythonian stood by SJ, reaching out and touching her shoulder. “Do not be afraid to speak the truth. I know your true class, and you assisted the church in driving out those who were taking advantage.”
SJ looked up at the tall draconian face before she replied.
“You know my class?”
“Of course. Only one of your kind would use those blades.”
The thought had never crossed her mind, and she felt lightheaded.
“I thought you were a monk?” Zej asked, questioning her.
“You are safe here. You can say.” Lythonian replied.
“I am an assassin.”
It was Zej’s time to be shocked at her revelation. “An assassin?”
“Yes.” SJ dropped her head in shame.
“What an amazing choice! I have never, in my lifetime, met a fae assassin. I would not be surprised if you are not unique.”
“You think so?” SJ asked.
“If not unique, exceedingly rare,” Zej replied.
Lythonian smiled at her. “Show Zej your blades.”
SJ stood momentarily, looking between them before she called her blades to her hands. Zej whistled in appreciation.
“They are a fine-looking set of claws. Do you mind if I inspect them?” Zej asked.
SJ gently removed one of her gloves and handed it to Zej. Carefully taking the weapon and turning it in his hand, he let out another whistle. “These are very impressive. It’s a rare weapon at such a low level. How did you acquire them?”
“From a Berserker Badger drop.”
“You have something special here. When you level, and they no longer become as useful to you, these will sell for a hefty sum at the auction house.”
“Really?”
“Yes. A weapon like this, which can be used at such a low level, is rare, never mind the bleed effect they possess. You have something to treasure here. Have you been training with them?”
“I have been training in martial arts but not with my claws out. I have not wanted to advertise my class.”
“You should do. There will be adjustments you can make to your style to improve your combat ability.”
“I thought assassins were frowned upon?”
“No.” Lythonian replied, “An assassin is a class, after all. It’s how you use your class that matters. Even rogues can be good.”
“It feels nice to talk to you both about it. I have been so nervous about anyone finding out.”
“Some frown upon different classes. It’s no different from myself and necromancers,” Lythonian said, turning and spitting.
Seeing the draconian spit in anger was more alarming than anything she had witnessed.
“So I am ok telling people I am an assassin?”
“I wouldn’t openly advertise it, but if you trust the people you are speaking to, then there is no harm,” Lythonian replied. “When you assisted me at the church hall, it was obvious what your class was. A monk never uses a weapon, as they have specific abilities that strengthen their martial arts skills.”
“I am sorry I lied to you, Zej,” SJ said.
“There is no need to apologise. I would have been as cautious as you have been,” he replied, smiling and returning her glove.
SJ was relieved at her revelation and felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She now had people she could talk to.
“Thank you for your honesty and trust shown,” Zej stated.
Congratulations! Reputation with Zej has increased to Friendly.
“Now we have started to be more truthful. What happened with this Legionnaire?” Zej asked with a broad grin.
It took another twenty minutes or so for SJ to fully explain what had happened during her quest to help the town and free Setu. Zej asked her questions about specific aspects while Lythonian stood listening quietly.
“You have had an unusual start to a new life here,” Lythonian said.
“Why is that?” SJ asked.
“Your quests are already aligned to a higher path than I have seen in a long time.”
“Higher path?”
“If I didn’t know better, I would think the gods look down on you fondly.”
SJ felt her cheeks redden at the comment. There was no way she would mention Fizzlewick or Bob to them. At least not yet.
Lythonian walked over to Humberto, grabbed his reins, moved him to a small tree to the side of the cottage, and tied him up. Now, he had had his fill of flower heads.
“Shall we continue to this necromancer then?” Zej asked.
“Let’s,” SJ replied, smiling with newfound confidence.
Dave was talking in her head as they began to walk towards the location.
“The interactions you have just had are, again, another anomaly. I have witnessed similar before in much larger towns or cities, but never in a starter town. I am starting to believe that everything about you is different. It is as though you are at a higher level at all interactions, yet you aren’t. Not signing the T’s and C’s has completely changed the dynamics so that you have Amatheran freedom with Legionnaire potential.”
SJ could not respond and listened to his musings.
“The fact that you can discuss your class as an assassin without repercussions openly and directly understand the influences of the class systems that people choose is very strange, yet not when considering how everyday Amathereans interact. Only the emphasis of a Legionnaire would generally equate to the levels of concern. This whole new approach is nothing I have ever handled before.
I am as new to this as you are. I have only ever had to contend with standard approaches, and we know, as your waiver status suggests, that you do not fall under anything that has existed before in the world.
We will be able to achieve great things in time, which again is something you have plenty of. You may one day reach level 100.” Dave finished.
Reaching the crossroads on the track on the far side of the lake, SJ informed Zej and Lythonian that the area was pretty close now.
“How do we want to handle this?” SJ asked, nervous tension building in her. She felt her hands shake slightly with the trepidation of what was to come.
“First, you need to form a party,” Zej replied.
“How?”
“I’m not sure what you have as a Legionnaire. I can try to explain and see if it helps. On your display, there should be a small set of three dots. Do you see them?”
“Yes.”
“Select them, and there should be an invite feature.”
SJ checked, and there, indeed, was an invite feature. Selecting the option, she then chose Lythonian and Zej and added them. Within moments, her display triggered, with them both accepting her invitation. On her display, there were three bars. Each showed the health of other party members. The numerical values were showing.
“Wow,” SJ said, looking at their health compared to herself. “You have a lot of health.”
“Tank build,” Zej replied, smiling.
“Defensive build for myself,” Lythonian replied.
Compared to SJ’s paltry health, Zej’s at level 19 had nearly 300. His Constitution must be high alongside his Strength to boost his stats so high. Lythonian’s at level 13 was still impressive, although not as high as Zej’s, standing at a mere 140 in comparison.
“Are you able to scout ahead?” Lythonian asked, looking at SJ.
“Sure,” she replied, smiling. She began to shrink to her miniature form.
“It always amazes me every time I witness that,” Zej said, smiling now and looking down at SJ, standing only six inches tall. Beating her wings, SJ silently took off and continued down the track ahead of her friends. It didn’t take her long to reach the brow of the depression, and on looking down, she could only see two of the skeletons visible. She watched for a few minutes before returning to where Lythonian and Zej had stopped at a distance from the brow.
“Only two outside,” she said on arriving back at them.
“You said five and a phantom plus the necromancer?”
“That is all I saw. Yes.”
“Ok. We want to avoid fighting them indoors if we can help it. I prefer to be in the open. Betty is not the easiest weapon to use in a confined space.”
“I agree. I would prefer to draw them out.” Lythonian added.
“There is a wall around the compound. It is not very tall, but it would still slow you down approaching them.”
“Based on the information you provided about their levels, I have no concerns about attacking directly,” Zej replied.
“I am much weaker than you are, though.”
“I will taunt, don’t worry. It is a tank trait that should draw their attention.”
“Stay small and wait for an opportunity,” Lythonian added.
“Ok,” SJ replied.
“Also, if possible, do not destroy the skeletons. They are in servitude, after all. The necromancer’s death can free them, and then we can see what alignment they hold and decide how to handle them,” Lythonian said.
“Understood,” Zej replied.
“Give me a minute to get closer if that’s ok?” SJ asked.
“We will approach in three minutes,” Zej said.
SJ flitted back towards the brow and began to move around the edge of the depression, staying out of sight of the buildings until she was aligned towards the back of the building the necromancer had been inside. Thick black smoke was pouring from the main building’s chimney, and as SJ edged towards the building’s rear, she began to hear a deep moaning sound. It didn’t sound like the phantom.
She reached the corner just as the first sign of Lythonian and Zej appeared on the track. She watched as a bright light enveloped Zej, and he began to walk towards the compound. Betty still casually slung over his shoulder. The skeletons noticed them almost immediately and began to shout. The door opened to one of the other buildings where SJ had seen the prisoners being kept, and two more skeletons appeared. She then heard the voice of the necromancer. She could not see him from where she was behind the building.
“Who dares disturb my work?” he cried in anger.
“Those who scourge Amathera of your dark kind,” Lythonian replied in a thundering draconian voice. It shocked SJ seeing the look of pure hatred that now covered his face as he looked into the compound. SJ edged further around, flying over the wall and landing on the ground, moving to the corner of the building.
Zej walked calmly and deliberately towards the compound entrance with Lythonian close behind him. Neither showed any sign of concern or hesitation as they approached.
“Destroy them,” the necromancer shouted. The fifth skeleton had appeared from inside the main building behind the necromancer and the phantom. The skeletons and phantom formed up and began to approach Zej.
The archer fired an arrow at him. At the short range they were away, it struck his armour with a resounding ping, bouncing off harmlessly. Zej, walking with his full-plate armour and plumed helm, looked stunning, the sun’s rays reflecting off its highly glossed surface. One of the skeletons suddenly disappeared from view, and SJ couldn’t see where it had gone. The archer kept firing at Zej, him not paying any attention to its feeble arrows that could not penetrate his thick armour. The phantom wailed as it approached, and reaching out in front of itself, a black strand left its hand and flew at Zej. He raised his hand in defence, catching the black stream as it hit him. He pulled his arm back slightly, and Lythonian suddenly cast a bright ray of light at the phantom. It wailed in response, dropping its attack and quickly moving away from Lythonian’s attack.
The first of the skeletons reached Zej as the phantom’s attack was withdrawn, swinging its sword towards the armour-clad fighter. Zej swung Betty in defence, bringing her around in a sweeping arc and battering its strike away as the others moved into attack. Zej, after parrying the blow of the first skeleton, then swung Betty in a low and swift strike, catching the lower leg of one of the skeletons. The strike sent its lower limb flying, and the skeleton fell sideways to the ground, incapacitated.
Lythonian had moved forward and tried hitting the phantom again with another bolt of light. SJ was still standing dumbfounded, watching the fight unfold, when she heard the chanting of the necromancer. Dave’s voice exploded in her head.
“That necromancer is level 21,” he screamed in a warning tone.
“Damn. How come he is so high?” SJ replied quietly.
“No idea,” is all Dave responded with.
The necromancer’s hand formed A cloud of mist as it chanted.
“Stop that spell if you can,” Dave said.
SJ moved into action, spurred by Dave’s comment. Swiftly moving behind him, she landed and instantly began to grow. Equipping her claws, she struck at his back, plunging both sets into its robed body. The necromancer cried in pain as its health bar dropped slightly. She could not tell how much health it had due to not having identified it. As soon as she struck, she started to reduce her size again. The strike had disrupted its casting, but it spun to see who attacked it.
The face that looked on SJ as she shrunk was that of pure evil. A gnarled face and sunken eyes with black rings and pitted skin stared at her as she finished transforming. Taking off, she began to fly away as fast as she could. The fact she was now known about meant she could no longer hide, and she flew back to the corner of the building as fast as she could.
The necromancer cried out as a bolt of energy left its hand heading for her. She saw it at the last moment as she threw her flying form onto the ground, the bolt just missing her. Crashing into the ground, only six inches tall, with a level 21 necromancer, who was focusing his wrath on her, was not good. That was when Lythonian arrived.
Charging towards the necromancer, shield up and mace held high, he swung at its distracted form, his mace catching the necromancer on its side. The necromancer howled in pain, again its health only dropping by a small amount as it spun on Lythonian. Reaching and grabbing for his arm, Lythonian stepped backwards as it did.
“Don’t let him touch you,” Lythonian called with intensity in his voice.
SJ picked herself up from the ground and took off again, flying away from where she had been moving behind the necromancer, who was now focussing on Lythonian. The necromancer chanted again, and a new cloud formed in its hand as it did.
Zej had disabled three of the five skeletons, all of which were fighters. The phantom was again trying to drain or do something to him, and he walked towards it, grimacing as the dark light struck him. SJ noticed that Zej’s health was slowly being drained by whatever the phantom was hitting him with, but it was tiny compared to his health. Zej got in range and brought Betty around in a violent and decisive motion. The phantom, still attempting to drain Zej even so close, was caught by the hammer’s flat face, and it rippled when struck. Its body not being affected by the impact.
At this point, Lythonian noticed it happen and, while backing away from the necromancer, called out, “Switch. Watch its touch!”
Zej quickly moved towards the necromancer as Lythonian, and he swapped places. Zej’s powerful armour-clad powerhouse was now approaching the necromancer. SJ had moved to the archer, who was busy trying to hit either of them when she could. An arrow struck Lythonian in his shoulder, and he cried as it found a weakness in his chainmail, and the arrow now stood protruding from it. Lythonian finished the spell he had been casting, and as he did, the skies seemed to open, and a bright light suddenly enveloped the phantom.
As soon as the light struck the phantom, it wailed and moaned, its body bathed in what all SJ could assume was holy light. Its form began to shrink, and before SJ’s eyes, she saw a fine yellow strand begin to escape from its dark-robed form. In amazement, SJ watched as it suddenly grew into a ball of light and flew upwards into the sky, the phantom’s robes falling to the ground where it had stood.
The cloud the necromancer had been forming suddenly burst forth and struck Zej. Zej held Betty in front of himself, trying to shield himself from the blast, but to no avail. The cloud hit him, and he screamed as SJ saw his skin begin to turn a green colour from the spell. Lythonian, hearing the scream, immediately turned and started chanting towards Zej.
SJ had reached the archer now and grew behind her. On reaching her full height, she not only struck at her legs with a sweeping kick but also swung her claws at the bow. They sizzled through the air and cut through its string, making the partly pulled arrow ping off harmlessly as the skeleton’s legs were removed from under it. It fell on the ground with a clattering of its bones.
That was when SJ felt a sharp, searing pain in her shoulder. The fifth skeletal rogue that had disappeared from view must have been waiting for an opening and pierced her shoulder with its vicious strike. Taking nine damage, she winced in pain, grimacing and turned to face it. She could not focus on Zej and Lythonian, and now she had a fight to win. Stomping down on the skeletal archer’s shoulder, she made sure it could not react and snarled at the rogue standing before her.
