Chapter 17: Victory, and Punishment

Chapter 17: Victory, and Punishment

Landar

I woke shortly after sunrise to find Gragon had finished bundling the hides and preparing a temporary carrier for them. It was clear it was meant for me, as it was my size. The carrier itself was made from the bones of the alpha male wolf, which I found were all covered in the strange metal and reinforced with other elements that glowed slightly in random places.

We agreed. The cores are yours. Everything else is mine. He grinned from ear to ear, and I nodded. I had, in fact, agreed to that.

But one thing, Gragon. We agreed on who gets what, but we never agreed on the price of my labor. Gragons grin fell.

Come on kid, youre really going to leave a cripples only chance at a decent life out here in the woods for vultures and thieves to find it? Have a heart!

The dwarf was clearly haggling, and it nearly made me laugh. It reminded me of my time among the Japanese fish markets in some of the small villages I had visited. Those old men and salty women haggled even with foreign dignitaries over just a few Yen. If you offered to pay double, theyd have been insulted. The haggling was part of the fun. It was almost a national sport to some.

This felt very much like that.

Me and my labor were a new commodity, the value was unknown. So, we had no choice but to haggle.

I had a heart when I saved your life. Do you know how much blood and other awful I had to endure just to save you a little pain? When I could have just grabbed you and pulled you out from under that wolf the entire time! That would have been a nightmare, Im sure.

Yes, yes, its true. But you ended up pulling one of my legs anyway, you brat! Why, I should bend you over my knee for that. He smirked, thinking he had me. He was an elder, and I should have respected his wishes.

True. But, it relocated your dislocated leg, honored elder. I bowed slightly, and I could feel the annoyed glare of the warrior-rune smith. Which was another service I provided free of charge. So exhausting was it to me, that I collapsed from the effort. I would appreciate some consideration.

Aye, the fact Im thinking of paying you at all is consideration enough. Youre a skinny, scrawny, half starved scarecrow, not the fault of your saint of a mother of course. But still, you wont work very fast, despite working hard. Give it a few months more and Im sure youll be worth real gold! But today? Ill be lucky if I get a coppers worth of work out of you. He looked at me piteously. Nothing against you, boy.

Youre no cripple, and Im not a scarecrow. At least, not anymore. I patted my stomach where I felt the core resting in my mana pool. How about my pick of two bones from the stack, and Ill drag it all back for you. One for my labor, and another for the agony my mother will endure and not having her child in her arms sooner because Ill be working hard for my dwarf friends fortune.

Gragon blanched nearly pale, and I knew I had him. Right, your mothers an honorable woman. Yes, that is more than a fair price. Come now, boy, we have to get going. I walked over to the pile of water skins to use one as an impromptu bird bath before we left. While I was washing, I heard him mutter with a temper like a volcano to boot.

Id never seen my mother truly mad. Sad, distraught, stern, yes. Angry? Never. I tried to imagine what it would be like, and a trickle of cold sweat trickled down my back. It was a truly terrifying image. I suppose Ill have to face it soon enough.

***

When we came into view of the main gate, it was nearly noon. A horn as loud as thunder sounded as someone on the wall spotted us. I was dragging a makeshift litter behind me, with Gragon on it. Half way here, he had fallen down a hill and I think dislocated his leg again.

I didnt want to risk injuring him further, so I had reinforced the litter, and placed him and all the goods on it. Then dragged them and him the rest of the way. The dwarf promised all kinds of additional payment, but I ignored him.

Never take advantage of someone when theyre down. It only leads to burned bridges, and lost favors in the future.

That was something I had learned the hard way during my years as a member of the diplomatic corps. Asking for reasonable accommodation, perhaps even future payment at a fair price later, was acceptable. And sometimes even necessary depending on the culture of the people who needed the help.

But kicking someone when they are down is how you gain enemies. Real enemies. Resentment builds, bridges are burned, and it might take a decade, but eventually when youre looking for allies and the wolves show up at your door, what will your once slighted ally do?

Walk away smiling.

They were skills so different from those I had learned in the army. But no less true, or important.

Three men on horseback rode out at full gallop to meet us. They took Gragon off the litter, picked me up and had me ride on another horse, and the third man stayed with the litter until a cart could be brought for the goods.

A cleric was the first person waiting for us. Half a heartbeat later, my father appeared with weapons cast aside as he pulled me off the horse and into a crushing hug.

Tomas squeezed the air out of my lounges. I watched over his shoulder as a cleric set Gragons leg, then healed him with a simple spell that let out golden light. It was gone as soon as it appeared, and Gragon was walking again a few seconds later.

Your gods are good for something, I suppose. The grouchy dwarf said as he shook the clerics hand in thanks.

My father was blubbering incomprehensible words the entire time he crushed me. When he let go, he literally held me by the shoulders off the ground as if I weighed nothing and glared. Meeting my eyes with a steely gaze. That his eyes were puffy with emotion and tears ruined the effect.

Where in the nine hells did you run off to, boy!? His question boomed over the entire gate house, the courtyard, all the loading docks and a good portion of the small craftsmens market just inside the gate. Everyone went silent for a heartbeat before beginning their work again. I asked where you were?! He demanded slightly less loudly.This chapter made its debut appearance via N0v3lB1n.

II I stammered, only to be rescued as the dwarf who had been trying to talk me down to one bone of my choosing rather than two for my labor cleared his throat and spoke on my behalf.

Im sorry his absence troubled you so, Captain Tomas, Friend of the Woodburner clan. My names Gragon. I was taken by the wolves, and from what I gather was unconscious when you and your knights led the attack on their lair. A big beastie fell on me during the fighting, and when I woke up I was pinned, unable to escape. Your son saved me.

Tomas put me down, a little harder than he had too, as my knees almost buckled with the force of it. When he rounded on the dwarf, his face was red with pent up frustration, fear, and a new emotion I had never seen before on his face.

Rage.

Did you talk my son into going on an excursion, overnight, in the woods outside of patrol range? His voice was quiet, deadly sounding. And his hand was on the cudgel looped on his belt.

No sir. I did not. Did you not hear what I said? That was something your son did on his own.

My fathers rage subsided slightly, to a healthy, non-murder everyone and leave no witnesses, level of fatherly frustration as the dwarfs words finally registered with that part of him that wasnt insane with worry and parental concern. A moment later, he looked back at me. Explain. In detail.

She nodded, and I finished stoking the fire. By the time it was done, my father was back. Exhausted.

I have the next two days off. Oswald agreed to cover the weekend for me. Why is the oven going? Its blasted hot in here. My mother shushed him, pointed at the fire, and then her ears. My fathers eyes went wide, and he sat with my family opposite me.

At least theyve grown to listen to me, even if theyre mad.

I laid it out for them. All of it, even my desire for personal power, so I could protect Tabitha. I whispered it as they leaned in, as the fire roared in the background. I even told them about the core, and how I now had one and was on my way to gaining a level.

When all is said and done, power is the only actual way to secure your place in this world. And the places of those you love. I looked into my fathers and mothers eyes, and I could tell they were both concerned by my words, and that they saw the truth in them, too. Thats why I did what I did. Taking in that core, learning how to use mana, and why Ive been reading like mad. To grow stronger so that we, as a family, can be safe. Im sorry I scared you, mother, father. But thats the only way were ever going to be safe. You two have built something here. A family. You are amazing parents, no one could ask for better. And the only way to ensure no one can take that away from us is to grow strong enough that if they try, it will cost them. Cost them enough to stop them before they even try.

A silence fell over the room as my family took in my words.

But wiat son. You gave that dwarf the core, didnt you? For some special project? Tomass voice was as quiet as he could make it.

I did. But there was another one. I told them about the predator's core and how I had absorbed it. I told them about the process, but left out some of the more gruesome bits. There was no need to scare my mother worse than I had already.

Son, Tomas broke the silence that had fallen over everyone when I finished. Youre telling me you know Dodge, and several other abilities? And, that you have a He struggled for words. Core?

A Life mana core, yes. I wasnt about to explain a concept I had only just learned about, let alone properly studied. But I knew that there were other kinds of cores, and that eventually Id need them.

But, but how? Your physical foundation was only moderate last time we had you checked. Elsbeth said, confused. The only ones capable of developing Cores are those with perfect foundations and a noble education. How?

I looked at my father, and slowly he realized. Oswald. Oswald taught you, didnt he?

Maybe he hadnt realized. Though that was a pretty good explanation.

No, father. I didnt form a core, I absorbed one. The predator core I mentioned? Gragon taught me how to take it and make it my own. But I taught myself most of the rest. There are things I am still learning, though. While you all have been at the temple, learning or meeting people? Ive been in that small room reading and studying as much as I can. Most of the books in there arent very helpful. But a few of them are actual manuals on how to do things. I found one on abilities, and I learned the ones it taught me how to do. Though I still havent tried Empowered Strike yet.

My fathers eyes went wide. How do you even know the name of that ability?

He just told us, darling. From reading. My mother put a calming hand on my fathers shoulder.

Oh, right. Sorry. So wait. You learned all of this, did all of this, from reading and working at the forge? I nodded. Gods above preserve us. Weve been born a genius. He turned and hugged my mother, who sighed so familiarly, as if to say so youve finally caught onto that fact, have you, darling?

When they let go and looked back at me, they shared a glance that I couldnt quite read. Then my mother spoke.

Youre grounded.

What?

You heard me. Youre grounded for, they looked back at one another and an entire conversation in a language I didnt quite understand took place as they silently discussed my fate. Two days. The next two days while your father is home. Youre not to study, or do any magic of any kind. I want you to help with chores here, and leave the grown up responsibilities to us grownups. At least for those two days.

Thats right. Tomas said, backing her up. Youre grounded. Which means when I leave tomorrow afternoon for the forest, youre coming with me.

What? Elsbeth demanded. You said you had the day off.

He looked chagrined. Well, I do. But, after the stunt he pulled. He glared at me. Me and Oswald agreed. Someone needs to go out with the kids in our sector. Just one adult from the guard. Since its my kid who caused the extra duty, I assigned myself as the first volunteer.

Mother glared at him, but he didnt budge. What? What would you have had me do, ask someone else to cover it, after my kid caused the change?

Mother deflated. No. Still would have been nice for you to ask me first, though.

He grinned and pulled her into a hug. Next time, Ill run all the way back just to ask you if I can do extra work.

Good. You better. A grin snuck onto her face as she tried to ignore him.

I couldnt help it. It was a perfect opportunity.

Get a room.

Tabitha giggled.

Theres one right there.

My parents gave each other the look and got up from the table.

You two go fetch water. My mother handed me the water bucket. Dont come back for at least half an hour.

Together. Tomas said as he pushed us both towards the door. I pretended to gag as Tabitha giggled harder. Tabitha, tight him up if he tries to run away. Heres a rope. Tomas handed her a length of rope and glared down at me balefully as if to say, dont screw this up for me, kid.

I guess theyre going to take my advice; I thought as the door firmly shut behind us. Good for them.