674. Common Problems I

674. Common Problems I

Omen: 4, 17

Adam gasped for air as he submerged through the water, before he swam towards land, quickly scrambling up. He rolled onto the land, panting for air as he stared up towards the sky. The sun’s rays began to peek over the land, nature’s melody of the gentle swaying of branches accompanied the sight.

‘The water is so scary,’ Adam thought, panting as he shook his body, trying to dry himself. He sat up, seeing they were beside a small lake, with rock all around them, keeping them closed in from the four sides. Vines fell down like a skirt, keeping the most of the walls covered.

“Where are we?”

“We are in another realm,” Jurot explained. “We must be careful, for it is dangerous.”

“So I won’t have access to my spells?” Adam asked, before glancing to the side, expecting to see a baby. ‘Bell?’

[Yes?]

‘Oh, thank Baktu you’re here at least.’Th.ê most uptodate novels are published on n(0)velbj)n(.)co/m

“Your magic will be sure to work, for it is still within the grasp of the Divine,” Jurot began, shaking himself to dry himself. “You should be careful, for magic is not welcome here.”

“Not welcome?”

“The people do not like it.”

“Can I use some now, though?”

“Yes.”

Trick: Tricks

Adam used his trick to dry them all, before he stretched out his body. The water had woken him up, and seeing that the sun was still rising, he was thankful for it. “No magic in front of people. Got it. How about my smites?”

“You must be careful with your smites.”

“Alright, alright,” Adam said, sighing. “Would this world be considered dangerous even if I had my magic?”

“Yes.”

“Damn.” Adam let out a groan, before stretching out his body. “So you guys know about this world?”

“We were briefed.”

“How come I wasn’t?”

“You are no Iyrman.”

“It will be fine,” Jurot said.

As they continued to walk through the path, heading towards the village centre, which was fenced with logs, they saw figures beginning to gather along the entrance. They carried spears, many of them wearing thick clothing, while a couple wore shirts made of scale over their thick clothing, while the last, an older man, wore leather with palm sized metal discs set within.

“Travellers,” the older man called, stepping forward. He was bald, with a large burn mark against the top of his head, and he had a thick, grey beard, sprinkled with strands of black and white. “What brings you to our humble village, Farm by the Lake’s Way.”

‘The Lake,’ Adam thought, wondering if the group was familiar with the lake they had emerged from.

“We have come to assist the village if it requires help,” Jurot said. “We wish to make a name for ourselves within this land.”

“Warriors trying to make a name for yourselves?” the older man asked, glancing at the group, noticing two of them wore plate armour, and the other two wore clothing which allowed them freedom of movement. They were all heavily armed too.

“There’s been a few wolves who have been attacking some of us when we go to cut down trees, so if you can deal with them, we’d be happy to welcome you inside,” the older man said.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Where are the wolves?” Jurot asked, simply.

The old man narrowed his eyes at the four ahead of him. Of course, if they wanted to cause a bother, the villagers would have a hard time dealing with it. Most of the villagers weren’t trained warriors, and they wouldn’t be able to even nick their armour, never mind wound them.

“What my brother is trying to say is that we’re happy to take the task,” Adam said. “We just need someone to guide us, or point us in the right direction, and we’ll do our best to deal with the wolves. Speaking of, I assume you want us to bring the bodies back? I’m sure the pelts would be useful.”

“Yes,” the old man replied, narrowing his eyes at the man in the dark purple plate mail. “It would be best not to waste the creature’s pelts, meat, and bones.”

“Alright.” Adam nodded, before a horn was blown nearby, towards the east of the village.

“Gah! Shadows take you!” The old man’s entire body jolted from the sound of the horn, before he gripped his spear tighter. He remained tense as he stared at the strangers, unsure of whether to leave.

Jurot moved first, running towards the sounds of the horn, while his companions followed after him. The older man was suspicious of the four who were rushing forward up ahead of him, and he wondered if he should start shooting at them now. Jane, Emily, and Maisie each had light crossbows that could probably hurt them quite hard.

“I guess wolf meat’s on the menu tonight,” Adam said, still unsure of how this land was going to help him grow stronger. ‘I could have slain wolves near the Iyr...’

The howling up ahead spurred the group as they watched as villagers scrambled away from the unseen wolves, until one burst from the heavy bushes, before snapping its jaws around one of the lumberjack’s side.

‘They’re not even that strong looking,’ Adam thought, until a wolf, easily the size of a brown bear, leapt over the villages towards the four, before its attention snapped towards them.

‘Alright, fair.’

Battle Order

D20 + 1 = 16 (15)

I'm sure Jirot is bullying her greatfather well.