Chapter 403: Ryun

Chapter 403: Ryun

A Request II

The inside of the castle continued with the same atmosphere as the outside. Little light penetrated through the curtains that covered the windows. There were no living servants, and even only a few undead ones. Ryun hadnt seen another that held a soul, so he figured that these ones were just cheap labor.

Antaro led them through the castle, never speaking. They walked for a while, and Ryuns sense spread. Not because he wanted to snoop, of course, his sense was always active. Though, there were a lot of areas in the castle that his sense couldnt touch. The wards in place were obviously powerful.

At last, they reached their destination, another area that Ryun couldnt sense anything from the inside. His eyes could see the weaving of Essences into formations that protected it. Nothing in this place was less than the highest tier of Essence. It was oppressive to even walk through. Once inside, Ryun still couldnt sense anything with his skill, but his eyes showed him a lot. It was a workshop, filled with tables, most of which had a different project in the varying degrees of being finished. Only one of the tables was occupied, and that by a krecean, all four limbs held tools and worked on a small plate. Ryun could see the Soul Essence attached to the body.

Eratemus, Ryun greeted. The krecean raised his head, and nodded his head. He finished up one last engraving and then rose, putting the tools down and walking around to meet with them.

Ryun, Tali, he greeted. Welcome to my home. I was not expecting this, to what do I owe your visit?

Behind them, Antaro left the room, Lesamitrius staying outside as well, and closed the doors. Leaving the three of them alone.

Tali glanced at Ryun in a way that he knew very well, it translated to roughly this is all you buddy. Ryun nodded to himself, then stepped forward.

I have come to trade, he said.

Eratemus tilted his head, blue glowing eyes staring straight at him. You didnt need to come all this way for just that.

Ryun nodded. No, I didnt. I dont want just a simple trade, I am looking to create something, multiple things. You know about my spiritual tools?

Eratemus nodded. I do.

I have issues in combat. My Aspect destroys everything, even items I wear. Bright Star helps with that a lot, but there comes a moment when I let everything go where not even the strengthened copies can survive for more than a moment, Ryun said. I want to create something that will be able to survive through it. A weapon that will define me. For that I need a few things. Materials, the highest grade I can find. Ive secured what was harvested from three Domes. And I am hoping that you have access to other rare reagents that I can use.

What do you want to craft? Eratemus asked.

I dont know yet, Ryun said slowly. Crafting a spiritual tool is hard to explain. Ive come to realize that the best pieces Ive created come when I am not setting out to create something precisely, but when I am trying to bring an idea to life.

Whatre you looking at me for, Im not giving him mine, she said.

Ryun chuckled. Never crossed my mind.

Riiight, she drawled.

He turned and walked back to the empty table, then looked up at Eratemus. I will give you the two items, along with something else, and if you accept it, you will build me a forge, as soon as possible, ready for me to leave with. And you will let me into your vaults, with an oath that I will not reveal its contents. You will let me pick what I want from your trove.

Eratemus tilted his head. I dont think that there is anything in the world worth that much.

Ryun saw Tali looking at him with a strange expression. She probably knew, or at least suspected, after all she had given him the idea long ago. Ryun pulled himself into his territory. He did not keep this inside a storage that could be stolen or destroyed. When he returned it was with a body in his hands. Carefully he laid him down on the empty table and then stepped back.

Eratemus stared, then slowly approached. One hand rose hesitantly to touch the body.

Old friend, he whispered. Then raised his head to look at Ryun. I thought that it was lost. I saw you wearing his things, I thought that you found his storage.

I found him in the city, Ryun said. Hastur was doing something. I dont know what, it was never finished.

Eratemus glanced back down. His will remains, infused into the body. I can feel it. Even Ryun could feel the effects that the body had on the room. He could smell the ocean one moment, then a deep jungle, then feel the heat of a volcano. Switching rapidly, changing. And there was a sense of power in the body, like it was eternal.

He knew that the Necromancer would want it. A body at the peak of a focus. It was priceless to Eratemus.

I didnt know him for long, Ryun said. But I think that he would want you to use it.

Eratemus raised his head and met Ryuns eyes.

Ryun smiled. But he was also a greedy drake, so Im pretty sure that he wouldve laughed himself to death at seeing me rob you blind.

Eratemus stared at him for a moment, and then he burst into laughter.

Yes, he said after a while. Yes, he wouldve.