JUDICATOR JANE 6 - CHAPTER 16 (Patreon)

The Green Sea

After a restless night filled with tangled dreams and the looming threat of a thumbless future, Jane descended the creaking wooden stairs into the great room of the inn, her mind still spinning from the previous day’s absurd events. Though this inn was styled differently from those in Arcadia—less stone, more pine, and roofs slanted steeply with thatch—it still held the same familiar layout: a warm kitchen tucked behind a wooden counter, narrow staircases winding up to the rooms above, and a central space where a hearth crackled cheerfully inside a stone foundation. The scent of something cooking mixed with the fresh aroma of wood and the morning air.

The central room was quieter this morning than it had been at night. A few rough-looking men sat at a corner table, their fur-lined cloaks dusted with pine needles, quietly drinking something hot, both over level sixty. At least in this village, the average level was higher than what she was used to in Arcadia. At a long table near a slotted window, Jane spotted Boli and Yin already deep into breakfast, their silhouettes steady against the shifting light of dawn filtering through the wood slats. A moment later, a voice called from the kitchen.

“Can I get you some breakfast, miss?” came the cheerful offer. Jane turned to see a young woman peeking out from the kitchen doorway, black hair pulled into a neat bun beneath a red bandana.

“Oh—uh, yes, please,” Jane replied, managing a small smile. She made her way to the table where her traveling companions sat. Boli looked up as she approached.

“Ahh, there you are,” he said warmly, motioning for her to sit. “Hope you managed to get some good rest.”

Jane dropped onto the bench with a huff, resting her forehead on her folded arms. Sleep had been a losing battle—she’d spent the entire night tossing, her mind a churn of worry and disbelief. Quests, thumbs, demonic crusades, and the ever-present, ever-booming voice of Taltorius had invaded every moment of her dreams. Boli and Yin had paid for her night at the inn, at least. She sat back up slowly, forcing herself to smile despite the heavy weight behind her eyes. “Yeah… Morning,” she offered.

Before she could say more, the serving girl returned with a tray and set it gently before her. The plate was surprisingly elegant: three perfectly cooked eggs nestled beside a bed of fried rice mixed with finely chopped meat, a side dish of crisp cucumber sticks flecked with red pepper, and a small wooden bowl of clear, fragrant soup. The warmth of the food, the attention to detail, and the rich aromas did more to lift Jane’s spirits than any conversation had managed since the quest had been forced on her.

“Thank you,” she murmured, eyes still tracing the edges of the meal.

Boli was already halfway through his own. “Where’s your little friend?” he asked, gesturing absently with a bowl of soup held in one hand.

Jane shrugged. “Floated off sometime after I went to sleep. He’s around somewhere, I suppose.”

Boli nodded as if that was perfectly normal. “Well, Yin and I are heading out today. Got another quest from the Loremaster.”

Jane blinked, mid-bite. “Already? That seems… fast.”

“It is,” Boli agreed, trading a glance with Yin. “Old Koji usually takes his time between assignments, but he says there’s something strange stirring in the northwest. Asked us to look into it.”

Jane set her spoon down slowly. “Strange? What kind of quest did he give you?”

“Exploration,” Boli replied. “‘Pathfinding: Discover the source of the disturbance in the northwestern Arkhali Woods.’ We’ve done a few like that before. Usually turns out to be a den of beasts or someone in need of aid. Nothing too difficult.”

But Jane’s heart was already tightening. The northwest... Her demons had likely been expanding outward by the day. The quest Koji assigned was undoubtedly related to her horde—scouting and establishing the perimeter she’d tasked them with. And if Boli and Yin walked into it unaware…

“You’re welcome to come with us,” Boli offered, his tone casual. “If it’s tied to your village, maybe we can help.”

Jane hesitated, chewing slowly, her mind working through a dozen possibilities. Part of her wanted to tell them everything—about the valley, the demon army, the Netherrealm—but the words sounded ridiculous even in her head. She barely believed it herself. Besides, keeping a low profile is still important. Using the Gray Inquisition on one of them might convince them to believe her story, but it felt wasteful. And unnecessary. Boli had already answered most of her questions, and if they headed up that way, seeing it for themselves would accomplish the same thing. Her demons already had orders to capture anyone they encountered—not kill them.

“I think I’ll keep heading east,” Jane said at last. “Try to reach that coastal village you mentioned. But—if you do run into demons, don’t fight them. Tell them Jane King sent you. And ask to speak to someone named Melindra.”

Boli paused, one brow rising. “More demons? Your village is full of Demonologists, then?”

Jane sighed. Lying wasn't an option, but it didn't mean she had to provide unnecessary information. “Not exactly. I just… have a relationship with demons that’s complicated to explain.”

“Right,” Boli said, his tone neither skeptical nor mocking—just thoughtful. “Complicated.” He nodded, standing up and hefting his giant wooden mallet. “Well, we’ll keep that in mind. It was good traveling with you, Jane King. Apologies about the Loremaster… feel like that was my fault, dragging you there.”

Jane flexed her thumbs unconsciously and forced smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll figure something out.”

He returned a sympathetic look. “Come on, Yin. Let’s check if the general store’s open. Safe travels, Jane. Maybe we’ll cross paths again.”

Yin gave a quiet, respectful bow before following his companion out the door, leaving Jane alone with her breakfast and a new set of worries.

As she sipped the warm soup and listened to the rustle of bamboo in the breeze, she found herself hoping the quest wasn't actually related to the demons.

But if it is… maybe Melindra can handle it better than I ever could.

***

Jane soared above the rolling, forested hills with the wind slicing past her ears, her Drawn Veil skill propelling her fluidly forward. To her left, as ever, hovered the menace that was Taltorius, drifting effortlessly beside her as though gravity had long since ceased to apply. Not long after leaving the inn, she’d spotted him hurtling out of a second-story window, trailed by an elderly woman shaking a wooden spoon with wild abandon. After a few rushed apologies and some awkward laughter—mostly hers—they had set out again.

Boli said the coast was a couple weeks away, she thought, squinting toward the hazy horizon. But that’s on foot, through rugged terrain. I must be covering... what? Fifty miles an hour? It was hard to be exact. The landscape below blurred past, a wash of pine-covered ridges, winding rivers, and scattered patches of rocky cliffs. Still, the distance was vast, and time—now more than ever—was working against her.

Regardless of the Loremaster’s insane quest, her thoughts darkened, Pogg still comes first. She couldn’t risk arriving too late. One delay, one moment lost, could mean another demon cut down—or worse, the collapse of the entire horde. If I can save even one more demon… then my thumbs are a small price to pay.

After nearly two hours of nonstop flight, a sharp ache behind her eyes and her dwindling Mana forced her back to the ground. She descended into a narrow clearing framed by tall trees and broken branches, landing with a thud as her feet hit the mossy earth. Her chest rose and fell, and she wiped sweat from her brow, breathing deep.

As her Mana began to regenerate, Jane pulled a few pine needles out of her cloak and turned to face her troublesome companion.

“Listen to me, Taltorius,” she said, jaw tight, trying not to yell. “I’m going to make one thing crystal clear. No accepting quests, no offering Soul Bindings, no agreeing to any System messages—unless you ask me first. Got it?”

He hovered slightly higher, giving off the distinct impression of rolling his lone eye. “HMPH. HOW SHOULD I KNOW THE QUEST WOULD APPLY TO YOU? IT IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN A CLASS SUCH AS LOREMASTER.”

Jane crossed her arms, eyes narrowing. “Be that as it may, if you try to weasel out of these orders, I will encase you in Arcanite and drop you into the middle of the ocean. You can explain that to the fish.”

Taltorius paused, bobbing in place as though considering the threat. “I FAIL TO SEE WHY YOU ARE CONCERNED. FREEING A FEW HUMANS IS NOTHING COMPARED TO THE CHALLENGES OF THE NETHERREALM.”

Jane sighed and pushed through a thicket, summoning her Gavel of Repentance to batter away a wall of brambles. “I don’t think it’s just ‘a few.’ You saw the wording—it said all the slaves on the continent. That’s not a side-quest. That’s an epic campaign. And I don’t have time for this place's entire liberation movement. I’ve got a Legendary-class holder to deal with on the other side of Alur.”

Taltorius hovered in thoughtful silence. Then, finally, he intoned, “HMM. I SEE… ANOTHER LEGENDARY CLASS HOLDER IS INDEED A TROUBLING CONCERN. VERY WELL, I WILL ASSIST YOU IN THIS MATTER. WE SHALL DESCEND UPON HIM IN SILENCE AND RAIN OBLITERATION FROM ABOVE.”

Jane smiled faintly—relieved and just a bit unnerved. “Sounds like we’re finally on the same page.” She struck another path clear with a swing of her mallet, splinters flying. “But first, we’ve got to find a way back.”

Even if the Traders can only carry a few at a time, she thought, eyes scanning the forest path ahead, that might be enough. Once I get Pogg into the Gray Inquisition… it’s game over. Then… I can just come back immediately and do my best to finish the quest in time.

***

After several more alternating stretches of flight and travel on foot, Jane finally caught a glimpse of the ocean shimmering in the distance. The sun was beginning its slow descent behind her, casting long bright rays over the hills and treetops. She hovered for a moment in the sky, her Drawn Veil keeping her perfectly still, breath catching as she took in the endless sweep of gray-hued water ahead. The journey, surprisingly, had taken less than a day. Guess that’s the benefit of flying, she thought, watching the coastline snake north and south like a jagged spine dividing land from sea. To her right, nestled on a shallow rise above the beach, she spotted the village Boli had mentioned—a scattered cluster of buildings, a dock stretching into the waves, and what looked like smoke curling from a roof or two. It was still too far to make out clearly, but it was the only settlement in sight. Without wasting another moment, she angled herself toward it and zipped forward.

Roughly ten minutes later, Jane touched down just outside the village perimeter, her feet hitting the ground with a satisfying crunch. Slinging her pack around, she reached in and checked her funds. A couple of silver and copper coins, courtesy of Boli and Yin. Enough for a few nights at an inn, she thought, assuming this place even has one.

The salty scent of brine and seaweed clung to the air, blending with the distant calls of seagulls and the rhythmic crash of waves. The village itself was built atop the gentle slope overlooking the shoreline, its weathered wooden homes clustered close together as if bracing against the ocean winds. Far off, she saw the dock jutted out on tall, rickety pillars, with a handful of modest fishing boats bobbing gently in the tide. None of them looked anything like the massive, merchant vessels Melindra had described—no ornate sails, no tall three-story hulls or markings of the Traders. Still, seeing the sea again stirred something in her chest. How long has it been since I've seen the ocean? Even on Earth, the last time she’d visited the Gulf of Mexico must have been back in high school. The memory felt impossibly distant now.

“SO, THIS IS THE 'OCEAN' YOU SOUGHT. THIS TRULY IS AN ALIEN WORLD. IS THAT SUBSTANCE SIMILAR TO MAK’SULT?”

Jane turned as Taltorius drifted up beside her. “The ocean?” She shook her head. “No, you can’t eat or drink it. It’s saltwater—probably.” She paused. “Actually, I don’t know. Maybe you can drink it. Go check it out if you're curious.”

“VERY WELL.” And without another word, he floated off toward the coastline like a curious jellyfish.

Jane resumed walking, joining a dirt road that led deeper into the village. As she passed one house, she saw a rough middle-aged woman hanging damp clothing on a rack. Directly next to it was a separate line strung with strange, silvery sea creatures drying in the sun. The woman jumped when Jane approached.

“Uh, excuse me?” Jane asked. “Is there an inn around here?”

The woman, clutching a pair of pants to her chest, blinked in surprise, then looked around before answering. “Go on, near the docks. Just follow the road in.”

“Thanks,” Jane said, waving as she continued.

The village had the look of a place that had weathered far too many storms—homes crusted in salt and streaked with green mold, the wood worn to a bleached gray. Hundreds of tiny black insects scattered from the rocks as she walked, and a few curious hermit crabs scuttled off the road at her approach. The place felt lived in, hardened, and bleak. It reminded her more of a stubborn scar than a thriving town.

Eventually the path opened onto a windswept plaza facing the ocean. There, nestled close to the edge of the bluff, stood a wide, single-story building, its siding battered by sea air, the painted sign above the door faded almost beyond recognition. No letters—just three weather-worn fish swinging in the breeze. She spotted a few villagers working the dock, hauling nets or repairing lines, but otherwise, the place seemed deserted. The sun had nearly vanished, and the pale violet moon had begun to rise in the deepening sky, its glow soft but uncanny. Now Jane knew it for what it was—the Netherrealm.

She stepped up to the building and pushed open the door. A wave of musty air met her—salt, sweat, and old smoke all mingling together in a cloying welcome. Inside, the light was dim. The hearth sat cold and unlit. A few scattered patrons occupied the tables, all of them quiet, eyes low. Nothing like the warm, polished inn from the forest village before.

Behind the counter stood a wide-bellied man with a grizzled chin and thin gray hair plastered back. Jane checked his details, but there was nothing remarkable. The man was just a level seventeen Merchant. He turned as she entered, one eye narrowing.

“Who’re you?” he asked flatly.

Jane hesitated. The ramshackled building had the energy of a place that didn’t like surprises. Still, she kept her tone casual. “Just a traveler. Looking for a place to stay the night.”

The man eyed her carefully. “Ain’t no travelers out this way. Haven’t seen a boat from the south in weeks.”

Jane stepped closer, placing both hands on the bar. “I’m not from the south. I came through the western woods.”

He snorted. “The forest? Volry, then? Long walk for a girl like you.” He paused, raising a brow. "Even with a level like that."

Jane nodded slowly, uncertain. Was that the name of the last village? She hadn’t actually asked. “Right. Well, I need a room. Anything available?”

“One silver,” he said without pause. “Take it or leave it.”

"A little pricey, isn't it?" Jane shot back.

"It is what it is," the man replied, taking a swig of ale from behind the counter.

Grumbling, she dug into her bag, pulled out a coin, and slid it across. He took it, held it up to the light, then jerked his chin toward a hallway behind him. “Second door on the right.”

Jane started to turn away, then paused. “Actually—one more thing. Have you seen any of the Traders lately? I’m looking for one of their ships.”

The man froze, eye narrowing again. “Traders?” he repeated, his voice colder. “What would you know about them?”

“My business is my own,” she said bluntly.

He sniffed. “Doesn’t matter. They don’t come up here often. Last time one passed through, it was months back. Didn't stay long either.”

Jane’s heart sank. “What about farther south?”

The innkeep turned his head and called out across the room. “Oi, Roche! You seen any Traders lately? Down south, maybe?”

A man nursing a tankard of ale didn’t even look up. He just shook his head slowly.

“There you go,” the innkeeper said with a shrug.

Jane stood there a moment longer, the weight of the distance ahead pressing down on her like the tide itself. Then, with a sigh, she turned toward the hallway. One silver for a room, she thought bitterly. More than triple the price Dolly had charged her. And still no closer to a way back to Arcadia…

Behind her, the old inn creaked with the wind. The ocean crashed against the dock outside. And somewhere out there, beyond that endless stretch of water, was everything she was fighting both for—and against.