Chapter 8 (Patreon)

I'm off to LitRPG con tomorrow and will be in Denver for 10 days, so I'm not sure how much I'll get done. If anyone has any suggestions for things I should see while I'm there feel free to share them.

Chapter 8

You grow numb to killing. You grow numb to the sight of bearded faces going slack when all that made them who they were disappears before your eyes. The first time isn't the hardest. It's the second. That second time, you know what you're in for. You know what's going to happen. There is no morbid curiosity, and the anger you feel is softened by the life you've already claimed. You've done it before, and you're doing it again. You're going to take a life in a cold, calculated manner when there is nothing that they can do to stop you. The fight is already over. The heat of battle is gone. And they can't be allowed to leave. You must kill them. And you know what that means, which makes it harder. After the second time, you begin to grow numb. You begin to go through the motions. Does that numbness make you a bad person?

I don't think so.

Growing comfortable with trauma is how you survive. The mind builds coping mechanisms even if you don't try. If it didn't, you would fall apart. You'd break down. You'd lay in bed every night, seeing all those lifeless eyes glaring back at you from twisted faces.

In some ways, it's no different than farming. You raise animals. You give them a good life. You care for them and want them to be healthy and happy. And then, in a single moment, you take that life from them. You take all that they were from them, leaving meat behind. The first animal you kill is brutal. The first time, you feel terrible. But the second is worse. Then, it gets easier.

The Wild Woods lay quiet as Torvac stripped Aurorion's corpse of his weapons and armour, storing them in a sack so we could burn the body. You couldn't resurrect someone without a body, and this dwarf couldn't be allowed to come back. He couldn't be allowed any more second chances.

Misk stood over me, watching the forest for threats, while I lay propped up against a tree that smelled of moss. Aurorion's spear had gone through my stomach, shredding organs and splitting my spine in half. I couldn't feel anything below the break, but the pain I did feel left me breathless, unable to move.

Despite the pain, I was perfectly calm.

There was no fear. No worries. No sense of danger. Just a pair of empty eyes where a person had once been.

Those eyes made me tired.

So very tired.

But there were shelves back in Blackwood which held thirty-seven other hunter's orbs. Thirty-seven other vicious bastards that would murder my people if I didn't walk into the night and kill them first.

With cold efficiency, Torvac put the last of Aurorion's things inside the sack and stepped away. Misk glanced in the dwarf's direction, and the corpse levitated, rising from the ground as a protective barrier formed around it. A heartbeat later, a deep blue-white glow filled the bubble, beginning the cremation process.

The intense heat of Misk's fire would cause the surrounding trees to burst into flames without the barrier in place. Our skin would bubble, and our clothes ignite. Such intense fire was rarely used in battle because of how easily it could harm your allies, but a corpse was another matter.

Misk shifted the breeze, carrying away the foul odour of burning flesh, replacing it with the scent of leaves, blood, and unpleasant smells seeping from my wound.

I inhaled a small, shaky breath as the tide of pain began to recede, watching the health bar in the corner of my vision slowly tick up.

Torvac walked over and dropped the sack beside me, creating a clanging thump as he scanned the forest. His metallic purple armour glowed in the blue-white light, making him look like a knight from a fantasy tale. He showed no hint of concern for my injuries. He'd seen me in worse shape and knew that I would be back on my feet in less than fifteen minutes.

The night passed in silence as the body burned and I healed. As the last piece turned to ash, my body glowed, and a notification appeared before me.

Champion Quest Received

The threat to Blackwood lays in ash, but from these secret ashes will rise the end of a kingdom. The path lies before you. The ashes of destruction must be planted in the garden of order to prevent destruction.

"Shit," I mumbled through the pain as I read the first line.

The dwarven Chief Durg'un was the only person I'd ever seen receive a quest from the system. His quest had told him to find someone who could use my knowledge about mech to help his people grow. The only ramifications of not achieving that outcome were his people progressing more slowly.

The very first sentence of my quest told me that I was not so fortunate. The end of a kingdom was not a turn of phrase that could mean anything less than a kingdom-ending war. I was in trouble. Radian was in trouble.

Torvac and Misk stared at me, understanding the glow without needing to be told. Then, they returned to their tasks, giving me time to heal.

The blue-white glow eventually vanished, leaving only a small pile of ashes inside the barrier. Torvac silently lifted the lid from an urn, and the ashes flowed inside. We'd done this for every dwarf we'd killed, hoping that eventually returning their ashes and equipment to their families would show the dwarven people that we acted righteously and lawfully. It seems like a foolish act to put our faith in, but there was little we could do to reduce the eventual fallout. Many dwarves hated humanity with a passion.

Torvac closed the lid and began securing it in place with twine before adding it to the sack. Aurorion's name would be added when we returned to the village, so there were no mistakes.

Torvac picked up the sack and turned to me. "Friend Arnold has received a quest from the system."

I took a deep breath and realised I could speak. I hadn't even realised, but Torvac had.

"The threat to Blackwood lays in ash, but from these secret ashes will rise the end of a kingdom," I whispered. "The path lies before you. The ashes of destruction must be planted in the garden of order to prevent destruction."

Torvac nodded. "Friend Misk, translate for Friend Arnold."

Misk stroked his goatee. "You don't want to do so yourself?"

"Torvac would not deprive friend Misk of chance to prove his genius."

Misk smiled. "You can translate this as well as I can."

"Torvac is not as clear with words as friend Misk. Torvac does not wish to lead friend Arnold astray."

Misk sighed but turned his glowing gaze upon me. "'The threat to Blackwood lays in ash' means the threat to Blackwood is gone. This was the last dwarf who planned to come here."

"But the other hunter's orbs," I whispered.

"Their owners appear to have had a permanent change of heart."

"Can we trust the quest?"

Misk nodded. "'But from these secret ashes will rise the end of a kingdom' means that their deaths will spark a war with the dwarves if we do nothing. The specific cause of the war will be the fact that we've been keeping our actions a secret."

I'd realised our actions were going to cause a war, but I hadn't understood that it was because we were keeping our actions secret. "I assume I have to inform Isabelle of my actions the moment we get back to the village."

Misk shook his head. "The garden of order refers to the king, not Isabelle. The fact that you must plant the ashes of destruction there also means you must do so in person. However, this is ambiguous. You may need to reveal your actions, or everyone involved may need to reveal their actions for the secret to truly be revealed. The quest also may be speaking literally, so the ashes might have to be present. I would take the more cautious approach and have all five of us reveal our involvement and actions together with the ashes and equipment present, considering the kingdom is at stake."

"When?"

"As soon as possible. 'Will rise the end of a kingdom' means these events that start the war are already in motion."

Torvac handed the sack to Misk. "Torvac must return to Blackwood and inform Jeric and Redcliff of quest, or Jeric and Redcliff will slow journey."

***

Upon our return, Torvac met us on a road near the edge of Blackwood with bad news. Redcliff refused to leave. He was oathbound to remain in Blackwood and protect the crystalise mana deposits. He physically couldn't make himself leave without the wizard academy's permission. Getting that permission was not easy. When the giant had been sighted near my farm, it had taken months. That wasn't the bad news, though. The bad news was we needed to convince Salem to expose his presence to Redcliff and order him to leave. That was going to be difficult because Salem considered the man a waste of space.

Just after midnight, I knocked on Redcliff's door as Yaceb came hurrying down the far end of the street carrying a lantern. With the lantern held in front of his face, it was hard for him to see anything outside the ring of light.

"What has you up at this time of night, Yaceb?" I asked when he was close enough not to have to yell.

The old man squinted in the dark and slowed his pace. "Is that you, Arnold."

"It's me."

He stopped beside me and smiled down at Salem. "Hello, Salem. Are you keeping him out of trouble?"

Salem meowed back.

Yaceb chuckled and turned to me. "Did you and Jeric do something?"

I was momentarily speechless. "Why do you ask?"

"Hamlin showed up at my door not too long ago. He informed me that Jeric had something distressing to tell Isabelle that couldn't wait for the morning, and he was concerned he'd send her into labour. Seeing you here makes me think the two are related."

"They are."

"Is he overreacting?"

I winced. "No."

"You haven't lured another giant here, have you?"

"Nothing like that, but what he has to tell her might upset her more."

Yaceb winced. "I'll leave you to your business then, but try to stop by the manor and share a drink with Jeric before you leave. I'm sure he could use some company."

Jeric was a very calm man, except when his family was concerned. Isabelle had already said several times in my presence that if he made this labour as stressful as Emily's, she would be kicking him out of the room. Yaceb's comment suggested that he had so little faith in my friend that it was a foregone conclusion.

Yaceb hurried off. As he reached the main road, the door beside me opened a crack.

Redcliff stared through the gap. "Is he gone?"

I waited a few seconds. "He's gone."

Redcliff opened the door wide, dressed for war. He wore his wizard robes and carried a staff, which wasn't that imposing when you were only five foot two. His red goatee had been tied in a braid I'd never seen before, shortening its length from ankle height to something that stopped at his waist.

"I can't leave," Redcliff said. "I already told Torvac."

"You can't leave without the permission of someone in authority from the wizard's academy," I corrected. "We have that."

"Good evening, Redcliff," Salem snapped, clearly annoyed that he had to do something so undignified as meowing at Yaceb.

Redcliff leapt back, moving so violently you'd think he had been electrocuted. His eyes immediately dropped to Salem, and his face went pale. "Dep, Dep, Dep, Dep, Deputy Headmaster Alistrin. What are you doing here?"

"I'm in hiding," Salem replied.

"Here."

"Yes, here."

"For how long?"

"You would know if you had bothered to ward this village properly, but you are still as lazy and incompetent as you were when you were my student. As such, I feel no need to inform you of my movements."

Redcliff gulped. "How can I be of assistance?"

"As of this moment, you are relieved from your duties here in Blackwood. Provide me with your orders and information, and I will take over your responsibilities. I expect you to be ready to leave for the Capitol at dawn. Should you fail to arrive at your destination in a timely manner, I will make sure you receive the worst assignment the academy can give you instead of the relaxed one you weaselled your way into here."

Redcliff gave a swift, shaky nod. "I will not fail you, sir."

"See that you don't."

I pointedly cleared my throat, reminding Salem of our agreement. Turning the second living room into a library for him had seemed like a small request until he'd pointed out that he couldn't have his old library shipped here, so I'd have to buy him a new one. Since that was a ridiculous amount of money, I'd asked for something in addition to his help.

I'd asked him to be nice.

Redcliff had done a lot for Blackwood, and he deserved better treatment than Salem would freely give.

Salem sighed. "Redcliff, your involvement in Arnold's plan has redeemed your personal character in my eyes. Even if you have endangered the entire kingdom, you have shown the courage that one in your position should."

Redcliff bit his bottom lip and puffed out his chest, trembling with both fear and pride. "You don't know how much that means to me, sir."

"Make no mistake, I still think you're a failure as a wizard, but you're a good man."

Redcliff smiled. "The latter is more important to me, sir."

"At least in this, you are not a fool. Now, get me your orders. It's the middle of the night, and I have other matters to attend to."

***

As the acting mayor of Blackwood, Isabelle was obligated to inform the local governor of any developments in her village that might have wide-reaching implications for the Northern region. Like the sort of wide-reaching implications that could come from her husband and I killing dwarves that were coming to murder her citizens, which is why we'd never felt the need to tell her what we were doing. After all, everything we were doing was perfectly legal, but only if we adhered to the literal wording of the laws and not the spirit in which they were written.

Thankfully, everyone involved with my plan was perfectly comfortable with that because the legal wording let us keep everyone safe, while the spirit of the law would get people killed. It also gave us protection against the fallout from our actions, which would not matter if we started a war.

Now, if Yaceb hadn't told me that Jeric might need my support if Isabelle went into labour, I would have left Blackwood without saying goodbye to her. How do you say goodbye to a pregnant friend when you've involved their husband in something that may get them executed? It's far easier to walk away, hope everything goes smoothly, and then pray they forgive you when you return. That was certainly what I was hoping for, but that wasn't the outcome I'd been given.

I stood at the front door to Emily's manor, hesitating for nearly a minute before I could bring myself to knock. The dull echo sounded far too loud in the silent streets. It was like striking the gates of Hell. Whatever was waiting for me on the other side wasn't going to be pleasant.

Hamlin, Jeric and Isabelle's butler opened the door a few moments later. The warm light from the foyer spilled out as he recognised me and raised an eyebrow. "Landlord Arnold, I'm honestly impressed that any man could manage to create a kingdom-ending conspiracy while spending so much of their free time chasing after the unmarried women of this village. It's a little inspiring."

I couldn't help but smirk back. "Careful, Hamlin, that almost sounded like a compliment."

Hamlin returned the smirk. "Perhaps it's because you've earned my respect for the night. I mistakenly thought you a man of impulse and chaos, but really, you are quite devious. Perhaps devious is the wrong word. After all, you did lay out a plan to keep us all safe at great personal cost, but it also might be the right one considering how well you played your cards."

That actually sounded like a compliment. "And all this earns me is one night of respect."

"Well, it certainly doesn't earn you a night in my bed."

I chuckled. "You have a strange way of flirting."

"Only the delusional hears hope when they're being rejected, Landlord Arnold."

"Is Isabelle in labour?"

Hamlin shook his head and opened the door wider. "Mistress Isabelle has managed to remain calm despite the shocking news. I cannot say the same for Master Jeric."

"Why not?"

"She informed him of what the two of you have been up to this past month."

I winced. "In that case, tell him I'll see him at dawn."

If Isabelle wasn't in labour, I didn't need to be here to help Jeric relax.

"I'm afraid Mistress Isabelle wishes to speak to you in her capacity as mayor. I might have to send the guards after you if you run off now."

I raised an eyebrow. "I thought I had your respect for the night."

Hamlin smiled. "I'd send them respectfully, sir."

I sighed and walked inside the foyer, nodded to Yaceb, who was lying on the couch in the nearby sitting room. He was obviously how Isabelle had learned I was coming. "Please inform her I'm here."

Hamlin clutched his chest. "Are you well, Landlord Arnold?"

"What?"

"One must assume you are in poor health when you don't have the energy to barge through the manor like you own it. Let me get you a drink of cold water and a compress for your head. I can't bear to see you suffering like this."

I could actually use a drink. I'd lost a fair bit of blood and was rather thirsty. "If it wouldn't be too much of a bother."

"I'll have it ready momentarily."

Hamlin bowed and exited the foyer, heading for the parlour to inform Isabelle I was here.

As he walked off, Yaceb came over and placed a hand on my shoulder. He then pulled me in his arms and gave me a hug, patting my back. "I now understand why you came to me for help. I'm sorry you had to go through this alone."

Something inside me broke. It wasn't a tidal wave of emotion, more like a cracking of ice. A lump formed in my throat. I suppressed everything I was my charisma. This wasn't the time to break down. "I wasn't alone."

Yaceb didn't let me go. "No. You were with two men who have been doing that sort of thing for at least twice as long as you have been alive. You saw that they were unbothered by their actions, and you tried to be the same, not understanding why you couldn't. You couldn't because you are not a warrior. The warrior classes are conditioned for battle. They can switch between their warrior mentality and their true selves at a moment's notice. Your class does not offer you that luxury, so you had to face your actions as a good man. And don't think for a second that you're not a good man because you are. And if you doubt that, we can talk about it when you get back."

"If I get back."

"Our king is a kind and just. I have faith in him just like I have faith in you. You'll be back. And I'll be there to help."

Yaceb finally broke the hug and gave my shoulder a squeeze before nodding at Hamlin. I hadn't noticed him return, but he was holding a glass of water and a cold compress in his hand.

There weren't tears in my eyes or a pain in my chest, but I was tired. So very tired. It was all just a little too much for far too long.

I took the water and drank, immediately feeling slightly better. As I handed back the glass, Hamlin placed the compress in my hand. Not because I needed it but because he knew it would force me to carry it around, which would annoy me. "Mistress Isabelle will see you now."

I nodded, carrying the damp cloth through the manor to the parlour. Jeric was sitting in the armchair beside their bed, scowling. The moment he saw me, the scowl grew, but he didn't say a word. It was obvious that he'd already upset his wife enough for one night, and he clearly didn't want to do it again by arguing with either of us about the southern farmers and nobles.

Isabelle smiled as I approached. "I believe Blackwood owes you another debt, Landlord Arnold."

"Jeric-"

"Did his duty as a noble, and as his wife, I could not be prouder of him. Whatever happens next, do not forget that."

I nodded, realising her smile wasn't bitter but one filled with pride. Maybe this wouldn't be as bad as I feared.

"Now, please recount from the beginning everything you have done to keep Blackwood safe. I'm asking as the acting mayor, not as your friend."

"In that case, as a champion of Radian, I must ask you to keep our conversation private until I speak with the king."

Isabelle nodded. "I have already been informed of this by my husband, and you have my word as mayor that what you share with me will not go beyond these walls."

That wasn't enough.

"I need to make it clear that I'm invoking article five."

"I need to see the quest log to confirm your request."

Article five gave a champion the same authority as the local regent when it came to matters related to their system quest. We could requisition anything or order anyone that the regent could, giving us complete control over the region if it was necessary. My quest didn't require that, but it did require discretion until we spoke with the king. A few people knowing wasn't a problem, but the dwarves knowing before the king was. And her promise meant nothing if the governor or regent ordered her to tell them what she knew.

I sent Isabelle my logs.

She read the quest and nodded. "Article five has been invoked. How may I assist you, Champion Arnold?"

The moment she said Champion Arnold, something came over me. It was like my brain could hyperfocus on the problem and see the solution. "I need the nearest teleportation circle made ready to teleport us to the Capitol when we arrive. We will be moving as a group with the dwarves' ashes and equipment, so we will require two fast carriages to transport everything to the palace upon our arrival in the Capitol. I need the king informed that I require a private audience upon my arrival at the palace for a matter relating to my quest. You may list the names and credentials of those who will be joining me but do not share anything about the nature of why we need to speak with him, including if the king asks you directly. It is for his and Radian's safety. After that, organise horses at each village along the way for Jeric and Redcliff to trade out with. If we push the animals, we should be able to arrive at our destination before sunset."

Isabelle inclined her head. "It will be done, Champion Arnold."

The hyperfocus vanished. "What the hell was that?"

"It's something Jeric's father taught me. A champion is a protector of humanity. A crown's champion is the protector of a kingdom. As such, when those who represent the kingdom offer them aid in a task that represents the good of the kingdom, their crown's mark offers them additional clarity of thought to convey their needs."

"Why is this the first time I'm hearing about it?"

"The king hasn't recognised you as a champion or as a crown's champion, so you haven't been given access to anything more than the most basic champion information. Technically, Eric shouldn't have told me how to do what I just did, so it would be best not to mention this happened to the king or anyone else."

"I'll keep it quiet."

"Good. Now, please inform me of everything you've been doing to keep Blackwood safe. Start from the beginning. If the worst should happen, I would like our child to know why they should be proud to have grown up without a father."

A sinking feeling settled into my gut as Isabelle placed her hand on her swollen belly. I let out a weary sigh and started recounting the events from when the idea had first entered my head.