Book 2: Chapter 18: Value

Book 2: Chapter 18: Value

The Wood Elves, or the Musenvane in their own tongue, are known by many different names. The Warders of the Woods, the First Children, and the beloved of the gods, to name but a few. Theirs is an existence shrouded in mystery and what little is known of them is found only in the most ancient and archaic of texts. Once upon a time in ages past, or so it is written, they were guardians of an ancient prophecy and the instruments of a divine will.

- The Fanciful Travels by Beron de Laney 376 AC.

Kidu's belch echoed loudly, turning heads from the surrounding groups. The unexpected display prompted our charge to release a few gentle peals of laughter. However, she hastily stifled the sound when met with his glare. Once the momentary disruption has passed, I thought it was a good time to find out more about the Half-Elf.

“So, Larynda,” I opened, taking great care not to call her child or any other diminutive, “I am a man of honor, and rest assured, no matter your answer, I ensure that you will safely reach your destination. Still, I believe Kidu and I have the right to understand exactly why Hamsa sent you off with us on a journey to the city of Al-Lazar, wouldn't you agree?"

She blinked a few times, stunned for a few moments at her current reality before she finally replied, “Old Ham said it was better I am not in a city where they catch children and foundlings to sell off as slaves. One of the free cities is a better place ‘e said. Al-Lazar is famous around here parts for being the birth spot of Alchemy, they says. Said I could learn some fancy new stuff there. That or he just wanted to get rid of me...”

“But what are you supposed to do once you get there?” I asked, a little perplexed and confused about her situation. Out of the corner of one eye, I saw a few lines of concern appear on Kidu’s otherwise impassive granite face.

“Ol’ Ham, he was right different ever since you plodded into the shop...” her voice began to break, but she gathered herself, and continued, “I should probably join the Alchemy guild down there, he said. Find me a new master to pester and that sort o’ thing. But me, I’s thinking instead I’m gonna be an Adventurer! You get to do all sort of wonderful things! You get a nice badge too!” she piped.

I shared a look with the large man who, with a small shrug of his shoulders, was able to convey what a hundred words could not. Choosing a career based on an accessory was impulsive and foolish, but truth be told there was a little weight behind the badge. The impression I had gotten from Darcen Tsend, the Guild Master from Ansan, was that the Guild looked after its own. There was also the fact that there had been an elf in the Guild, which led some credence to the organization being able to provide a measure of protection. On the surface at least. According to the eccentric alchemist, she had other mysterious backers. Still, her joining the guild certainly would not be detrimental.

In this world, wielders of magic were relatively rare, and having someone on hand to cast a few spells for me would be rather convenient. With this in my mind, I decided it would be best to support her dream.

“That is a wonderful aspiration. To that end, I think it best that you focus on your training with Kidu. Being an adventurer is filled with great danger, and the ability to protect oneself is paramount,” I pronounced, as solemnly as possible, trying to sound wise.

“Gilgamesh speaks truth, little one. But have no fear, for I see that you have a little of the Way about you. And, you learn quickly for one so young,” the large man added, giving credence to what I had just said.

I gave her some time to let my suggestion seep in, and looked over the child as she absorbed the words that helped validate her childish dream. Hamsa had the right of it, steering her away from the dangerous profession. It was, of course, doubly dangerous for one so young, but I would use what I could to wring any advantage I could. After a moment, I could see that the idea had wormed its way successfully into her easily influenced mind.

“Yes, it's a great idea isn’t it!? I’ll just have to be a lil’ bit stronger. Oh, and don’t you worry, I’ll show you what I can do with my magic, just wait you see!” she beamed, enthusiasm radiating from almost every pore. She stopped, lost in thought, then looked askance at me, “But I’ll probably need to find a group and no one will...” she left the last hanging like laundry waiting to be picked off the line.

“You could of course always join up with us,” I coughed, feeling for a microsecond that things were slotting into place a little too easily. Shrugging away this foreboding, I saw that, upon hearing my offer, her face broke out into a wide sunny smile.

Kidu simply snorted before adding, in his usual manner, “You would be a vast improvement over our last member.”

Larynda looked down at the remains of her food at this, as if lost in thought. My own thoughts had grown dark over the mention of Elwin, the suddenness of his departure still casting a long shadow over my mind.

Out of the corner of one eye, I saw a small shape work its way toward us. It was a small girl clad in the way of the caravan. She wore flowing clothes, cinched with a purple sash and a white headscarf that framed an Asiatic face, complete with a button nose. She was of an age with Larynda and I could not help but compare the two of them. She was the picture of seriousness as she formally bowed to us before asking if she could gather our used dishes. The origin of this chapter's debut can be traced to N0v3l--B1n.

She was quiet and reserved, seemingly a direct reflection of her upbringing. In contrast, Larynda's silence felt different - it was born out of some form of reticence. I got the sense she was hiding something significant from us.

With the meal over, I decided to ask the half-elven child another question, “So tell us a little of your life back in Ansan.”

I needed to test another spell from my dark repertoire. No, I needed to stop thinking of my gifts in such a way. There were tools to be used, not good nor evil. Not light and not dark. They were simply a source of my power.

However, my Mana had dropped considerably between the two spells and I felt that it was time to replenish my reserves. With this mind, I returned to our wagon, opened the door and stepped in as quietly as I could. Metal armor is not conducive to stealth, but thankfully the pair within did not notice me.

Scanning the darkness, I heard, more than saw, the presence of Kidu, who had fallen into a deep sleep. The sounds of his slumber were like a blunt saw cutting at a stubborn tree. Once my eyes had adjusted to the gloom, I could see that the half-elf’s small chest was gently rising and falling, and she was sniffling miserably, even in her sleep. I cast Identify on the girl to determine if she had recovered from the rigors of the day.

Larynda - Chaos Mage (Human/Elf lvl.5) Health 31/32 Stamina 14/22

Mana 7/19

I theorized that the girl must have some sort of Mana Regeneration skill and Rest skill similar to my own, which would explain the fast recovery of her Mana. I would wait a little longer before my next experiment, as a way to gauge just how fast her Mana recuperated.

I waited for perhaps two hours or so, relieving myself in a bucket, halfway through my watch. Feeling that the time was ripe, I cast Identify again on the girl. Thankfully, the spell did not stir her from her slumber. Looking over her Status again, I saw that she had recovered another two points of mana and three points of Stamina. She had stopped sniffling, and her breathing sounded shallow and even. Sure that she was in the tightest embrace of sleep, I cast Drain on the unsuspecting girl. The threads of the spell, like Decay, intertwined with my Entropic Aura in a concert of sinister energy.

The magic of the spell enthralled me for a few long moments. Too alluring and seductive it was, its call a siren’s song demanding more than I was willing to give. A fragment of my mind rang alarm bells, crying out a reminder that I needed the girl child alive to fulfill the quest. Shocked at myself, I began to reel in my powers, cutting off Drain and the sweet energy it brought to me. Next, I brought Entropic Aura to heel, the spell whining in my head with its displeasure

Panting, with almost feral lust, I could feel the life energies flowing within me. Remembering my purpose, I quickly scanned Larynda with an Identify.

Larynda - Chaos Mage (Human/Elf lvl.5) Health 26/32 Stamina 11/22

Mana 5/19

My mana was now just one point shy of full, and I could see that, as expected, hers had dropped by a few points. My spell, however, did perfectly transfer the stolen energy to me. Despite me being at full Health, the girl had lost some of hers. I guessed that the energy was just wasted, lost to the ether. To Entropy.

A scared part of me wondered at how long I had been seduced by my own spell’s influence? It could have been minutes or seconds. The use of the magic had warped my sense of time. More importantly, I had missed the opportunity to measure the rate at which I could drain Mana and Health.

What happened if I continued to use Drain when my Mana was at full? I could only assume that the energy would be lost. There was only one way to find out. As I was thinking these very thoughts, I could have sworn I heard the sibilant voices chittering with glee.

I was playing with these thoughts until guilt gnawed at me, for I realized that I had probably crossed a line. Fearful that someone might have witnessed my act, I looked around and noticed that one of the shutters was open. I edged closer to it, taking care to not wake my companions. Looking outside, I saw nothing, and convinced myself that no one had seen what I had done. Gratefully, Kidu was still asleep, and Larynda's chest was continuing to rise and fall in a regular pattern.

Softly, I closed the heavy shutters of the wagon, thankful that the hinges were well oiled and did not produce a screech. Wishing to repair the possible harm I caused and to assuage my guilty feelings, I readied myself to use one of my most expensive spells, in an apology.

An angelic choir started to sing, wanting to trumpet out their voices. I denied them, merely allowing their refrain to echo in the halls of my mind as I forced the divine energies to take shape with my Silent Casting skill. Though the musical symphony of Greater Heal could be denied, its holy light could not, and a golden light filled the wagon. It was this bright light that finally woke our bleary-eyed Hunter, who clutched his spear in surprise. The lights played around us, filling the wagon with a surge of healing.

Finally, when the spell was over, I felt mentally exhausted. Drained of Mana, but washed clean of my sins. I looked at Kidu, who looked positively alert in the dimming golden light, the shadow of tiredness and constant stress having fled from his body, thanks to the power of the spell.

“It is a good thing that you have done. This journey will be tough for us who have seen more winters, but tougher for the girl. This will keep us in the best of conditions, of this I am sure. Do not strain yourself too much... I will take up the watch now,” he insisted, gruff voice commanding.

“I will have to take you up on your offer,” I returned gratefully. I took off my helm and crumpled into a soft corner of carpet. At least someone appreciates me, I thought to myself.

You have gained 1 Wisdom

Smiling weakly at the Hunter, I saw him nodding to me as I began to close my eyes, trusting in his vigilance and thankful that he had completely misunderstood my motives. Sleep came easily to me that night as, finally, I had made some progress.