Soul Knight - Chapter 28 (Patreon)

Nick gave his wolflings, Jerome, and Jasper their orders to wait outside.

His party, along with Lothar and Agatha, then walked around the archway and toward the Chieftain’s home. The tower itself grew out of the top of it, the black obelisk with mysterious runes lighting up alongside it.

The orcs of Nagduros’s banner hung down with other symbols he didn’t understand, but the home looked like a tribal hut–circular in design, with various bones and tusks from large animals decorating it on the outside.

Inside, the home was like that of a large circular tent. There were no real rooms, but curtains seemed to section off different areas of the home.

The main area resembled a studio apartment, to Nick–having a large living area that also had a bed in the far corner on one end. The kitchen appeared to be adjacent to the fireplace, sharing its usage.

There did appear to be two sections blocked off with heavy curtains, Nick guessing another room. But everything did have what he imagined a tribal orc room to look like. There were animal hides and beast heads he couldn’t identify mounted on the walls, and a half dozen wooden chairs circling the fireplace.

Agatha smiled as the group looked over her home, and commented, “Lothar indulged me in making our home like the one I grew up in.”

Eirwen smiled. “I like it. It feels like it keeps the family members close, having privacy but never truly isolated from one another. And, a more intimate setting for guests.”

Agatha smiled, and gestured to the chairs. “That’s right. Please, sit. You must have traveled far. You’re climbing an Ordeal, and it issued this Trial? We can tell with how the Trial has limited many of our people to the fifth level. It’s bizarre. Much of our people had been bordering on the second stratum.”

The orc chieftain sat in a larger chair as she spoke, almost like a throne, and his wife sat next to him. Nick and the girls sat around in the circle, across from the chieftain and his wife.

Nick nodded. “That’s right–we sought to complete an unclaimed Ordeal. As we completed the fourth floor, this was set up for us. We weren’t really…prepared for this type of challenge.”

Lothar barked a laugh. “No, I don’t think many would be. You must be something special, young one, for the Ordeal to Test you in this way and so early. My birth Tribe had not seen one within the Ordeal for nearly a decade, and most seen in the past hundred years have been in the second or third stratum.”

Nick hesitated. He certainly didn’t want to give too many details about his heritage. It was the reason why he hadn’t introduced himself as Prince Noblefrost, among other things. But Eirwen did set aside a detail he could give out safely, that would be impressive enough to explain his circumstances, and perhaps build some confidence in his power as a potential ally.

“I think it’s because I have an epic class–it’s what gives me the unique power that connects to my allies. What can you tell us about the drakes and your Conflict?”

Lothar sucked in a breath, and his wife’s eyes widened in shock. Lothar nodded. “I can see that, someone with an epic class within the first stratum is often the pillar of a powerful Tribe or Kingdom. As for the drakes, they are all creatures early in the second stratum. We can beat them, but it would be extremely risky–meaning, most likely you will have many true deaths without my help and the Bishop’s–the human leader’s help. I would not like my people’s chances, but we would face them if we had to.”

He continued, “Regarding the Conflict, we saw you met with the humans first. Seeing your race, I can tell that likely didn’t go too well. We have met many humans and have no problem with them, but the most infuriating ones were certainly our racist neighbors: the people of Zura.”

Agatha asked, “What did you learn already? We will do our best to fill you in.”

Nick knew, from his ability to detect lies, they didn’t really have anything to lose by keeping what they knew about the conflict a secret. He went over what the humans of Zura stated, and how they were attacked.

Lothar shook his head, and looked more than a little angry, a frown on his face and his hand gripping his chair arms tightly. “Those cowards, and liars. They have twisted the teachings of Seraphara for their own purposes, controlling their populace for their greed. Their leader is a terrible person, even without the kidnapping of our children.”

Kaya hesitantly asked, “How did… how did that happen?”

Lothar sighed. “What they said about the Conflict was true. We were each provided a Test, to determine the Conflict Type. Our Test was to face an enemy on the field of battle, not all that far away from our village. When our warriors left, of course, we left our guards to protect our holdings. However, the people of Zura hired mercenaries who led a distraction, while their rogues snuck in and snatched our children, and a few of their caretakers and those that got in their way.”

Eirwen frowned. “How they can have so many rogues or assassins as adherents of Seraphara makes no sense at all. They should seek diplomatic resolution, a path of strength which involves nonviolence.”

Agatha gave a sad sigh. “Of course, these are a fanatical people. They have twisted the peace and understanding of Seraphara to instead justify covert actions and assassination that would result in less overall violence, and an illusion of peace for the residents. Those at the top are the only ones who know. For those that live there, their challenges mysteriously disappear or are resolved through diplomacy, their faith in their methods increasing. Most likely, the residents don’t even know they have our children and other people as hostages.”

Nick shook his head. “I’m not liking this one bit. That means if I go in with my sword blazing, nearly everyone might be innocent, but also try to stop me from rescuing the children. There’s another issue that you should know about then.”

They then had to explain to them the situation with the bandits from Havendale. At any moment, the people of Zura could get more reinforcements for their assassins and rogues. Thankfully, they had already eliminated four such people, but up to seven could soon enter.

Lothar clinched his teeth. “This is not good, that means it is certainly best if we act sooner rather than later–whatever plan we come up with. The bandits will surely side with Zura, they will be all too happy to take payment from them–then who knows what they might do.”

Eirwen stated, “So despite your winning the Test and selecting the duel between leaders, you were forced to stay back.”

Nick added, “What assurance do you have that the children are okay? That your staying out of the Conflict means they will be kept safe?”

Lothar sighed. “As nobility under the Orion System, we have much more leeway to create Quests, Oaths, and Pacts. The Bishop of Zura swore an Oath that the children would not be Tortured, Maimed, or Killed by themselves or any outside sources should we follow two rules. If they broke their pact, their leader would die.”

Agatha continued for Lothar, “One, Lothar must remain in Nagduros. If he steps foot outside of its bounds, then the children can be slain–and torture was promised,” she spat.

Lothar added, “And the second, was that the orcs of Nagduros cannot enter Zura. If the Oath isn’t upheld by their side, then the Bishop will die, and they will lose the Conflict from his action. That, and we will make all of their deaths very painful.”

Nick thought about this, and now understood why the humans were so passive. He hummed. “That’s it in its entirety? If we save the kids, you can act?”

Lothar gave a vicious smile. “Only one other promise–that if they won the Conflict from my suicide, they would let our people go. If the hostages are saved, our warriors can attack their city, and they will be unable to stop them. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to kill the Bishop, as Orion would see that as interfering with the duel. You would have to, or we could just bring him here: where I can duel him honorably.”

Nick now thought he saw it–a path to victory, and, more than just one. Still, he certainly didn’t like all the options.

“I may have a way that I can bring your people for an assault, and keep to your Oath. But it might go against your people’s ways, I’d imagine.”

Eirwen shook her head, and interjected, “It will work, but I already know their answer, husband. The orcs of Nagduros will only become your Followers under one condition.”

Lothar and Agatha looked at a loss, but Lothar did pick up on something. “Followers? My people under you, somehow? Ah, like the wolflings and your guard here. Yes–she is right. My people and I don’t care what method, magic, or wording you use for it–if you want my people to become yours as seen by Orion, even if only for a period of any time, you must defeat me in an honorable duel.”

The man smirked at this, and Nick knew that this was going to be a bit of a problem. Lothar and his wife both seemed like good people, completely flipping Nick’s expectations about what orcs would be like.

Really, aside from their focus on melee combat as a part of their life and a focus on these honorable battles and having green skin, they were not all that different from a human. An educated one, at that.

Then, Nick was confident in himself, but he was not going to look down on the second stratum.

After all, Lothar’s soul was nearly thirty percent larger or more than Nick’s. If this were the case, wouldn’t that mean his Body Core, which he couldn’t see, was the same, or even more than that? The other orcs’ souls did not really compare to Nick and Eirwen’s because their mind and soul orbs had combined.

Kaya frowned and looked more than a little worried, looking back between Nick and Lothar, her ears flat on her head. Eirwen looked thoughtful, but she clearly expected this.

Agatha chuckled over from the side, almost taking a teasing look. “Good. You understand the challenge. You are strong for your age, and I can tell that you have much talent. But my husband has reached the thirteenth floor within our Warrior’s Ordeal. Because of the level limit, you must be fifth or sixth level? No matter what, your duel must be honorable. Even if he takes an Honorable Restraint to face you, I don’t see him losing to allow him or his people to become your follower–no offense, but I’m just speaking objectively here.”

Lothar spread his arms wide, looking from left to right and motioning to his home and the city outside.

“I left my birth tribe with my wife and children a few years ago, and went on my own to claim this unclaimed Ordeal, to start my own tribe with a dream. I wanted to build a tribe of honorable warriors, just like my forbears. After claiming the Ordeal, I have done it. My children and my brethren’s children, are now starting to come of age, and become warriors themselves. I have focused on my ally’s strength rather than my own, and perhaps this has been foolish. Had I been strong enough, maybe I could have prevented this all from happening, defeating our Test even faster, and making it back in time.”

He continued, “However, I will not yield unless you can defeat me. I have not trained and fought for over a decade with honor, only to throw it away by twisting my ideals to win on a technicality like those foolish humans. I have principles, and I am not afraid of death if it means my people will be saved. We–”

Sounds of battle reached Nick’s ears from outside, causing them all to freeze.

Lothar laughed. “Excellent timing. I’m definitely one that would rather let my axe do the talking. I’d also like to see that blade and other skills of yours.” He looked at Nick with a piercing stare, his eyes narrowed for a moment. “Don’t hold back, and show me what you’re made of.”

As a group, they marched out the door, finding a battle outside.

There were dozens of creatures being faced, the many orc warriors forming battle lines as they faced ape and monkey people, which wielded weapons and armor of their own.

Lothar ran ahead, drawing his axe, and Nick hesitated.

Agatha came up along his side. “Listen, Nicholas. The truth is, they have our daughter–she was one of those that got in their way. For us orcs, if you prove yourself to be stronger while being honorable, we’re happy to submit to your leadership. Because of this situation, there’s nothing Lothar and I would want more than for you to be able to beat him in a duel.”

She continued, her expression serious, “In fact, if he believes you can do it–he just might help you get ready to. So you should show him what you’re capable of, or he just might put hope that the tribulation will provide him and our tribe with an honorable chance at victory instead.”

Agatha ran off to join Lothar at his side, her weapon and shield at the ready.

Nick could feel the truth in her words, and knowing Lothar had his own child as a hostage assured Nick that the man would be interested in doing what it took to save her.

The battle lines of orcs had formed between the opening in the staked fence. The women stood on the other side of the staked fence, using their bows and casting minor spells. To Nick’s surprise, several were casting soul magic.

They were shamanic magics that seemed to hex or debuff the targets. A shadow would fall on the enemy, making their movements lethargic. Another appeared to stun or lock the target in place briefly, but Nick was interested in another magic they were using.

Several of them were using elemental or what appeared to be body magics, including some that buffed the orc warriors. One spell made the orcs bulk up for a moment, while another gathered wind, ice, or fire around their weapons that increased the speed or deadliness of their attacks.

Nick smiled, seeing his wolflings joining in the battle lines. They were short, small and used their spears to help. They stayed low to the ground underfoot, darting in and out, stabbing into the gorilla’s legs and openings created by the orcs, or even just killed or hunted the smaller monkeys.

The monkeys were leaping over the gorillas, and doing similar to the wolflings by fighting underfoot. The larger orcs were well-armored, but the monkeys would use an essence ability and pierce into them. The wolflings provided a good counter for these, Nick seeing them showing their worth.

There were also several dozen women orc archers, attacking from behind the fortifications. The number of monkeys and apes was significant, several monkeys and apes spawning every few seconds.

Enemies were being funneled toward the battle lines, and they were taking them out with both tactics and strength.

Lothar had run around the ring and came from the side with his axe, and was cleaving enemies left and right. Some of the gorilla people had turned around to put up a token defense against him, but he quickly bested their guard and cleaved off body parts.

He quickly carved a path, and Nick motioned for Eirwen and Kaya to follow around the other side, to join the battle lines.

Nick and Kaya fought through several gorilla warriors, her axe cleaving and Nick’s short swords flashing. The two moved quickly, easily flanking the gorilla warriors and monkeys.

Kaya’s flanking bonus was seen–the enemies not paying attention to her onslaught, her cuts went even deeper and were more deadly than they should have been.

Having cut a path through, Nick was surprised to see Andross as Eirwen ran past him, to join the archers and casters behind the fortifications.

Andross had a sly smile, as he held his glaive at the ready. “Nice of you to join us, battle brother. Had enough time with your maidens, is it?”

Nick had to return the smile, as he sheathed his short blades. “It’ll never be enough. So let’s get this over with so that I can get back to it.”

Andross barked a laugh and Kaya growled, as she used her beast transformation. Andross showed a little bit of surprise, but gave her an appraising look as she joined in the attack against some oncoming monkeys, her axes swung with power and ferocity.

Nick activated his frost aura, the effect on the battlefield nearly instantaneous. The wave of frost covered nearly the entire battle lines, the monkeys and gorilla warriors slowing. The effect due to the sheer number of enemies in his field did decrease, the weight on his soul substantial.

His aura did not affect the orcs, seeing them as allies.

Nick drew his soul blade, the blue-green sword of light giving off a bright glow even during the day.

The wolflings all howled, their attacks emboldened by their alpha’s presence. It was time to show these orcs what Nick was capable of.