Chapter 226: New fields of work

Chapter 226: New fields of work

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.

E.E. Cummings

Dinner was a pleasant affair. We could eat a selection of foods rather than sticking to the simple fare we had subsisted on as we trekked across the endless ice. There still was not as much variety as I had become accustomed to on Wester Ponente, but I was passing as a half-blood bastard. I could hardly complain if it were not up to my Lordly standards.

Enjoying the food? Erik asked, interrupting my contemplation.

Yes, its fantastic. Especially the fact that with the cooking and spices, I could no longer tell which type of ice insect beast I was devouring. It all tasted delicious. Wheres Bjorn?

Probably still reporting. The spoils had to be handed over to the process workers before he could go and report to the Thorpes Leader.

Who exactly is the leader? I asked.

The Chief Vievisier. He repeated what Namir had told me but failed to add any more detail.

A stone wizard? I asked.

In the common tongue, yes. Though I wouldnt call that to his face. He cautioned. Here they come now.

Bjorn? I asked, turning to see him approaching with another giant who dwarfed him. Is that the Chief Vievisier? Seeing him walking with a stone staff the height of a giraffe made it not too difficult to guess. It was a miracle the staff did not collapse in on itself. Maybe it had a metal core. It was a mini monolith covered in glyphs, yet he easily hefted it around. Planting it on the ground with every other step. It was difficult to tell if it produced any vibrations of its own compared to the giant it accompanied. They approached the restaurant we were eating at, looking for us and heading straight toward our table.

We rose to meet them. But I should have stood on the table to get closer, considering how they towered over us. Even if I had, he would still have looked down at Namir and me. I wondered if they noticed half of what happened down around their feet. It was like we were children running around their legs, and I couldn't say I liked it. It felt like I had only just stopped running around people's ankles, and here I was doing it again, even if it was a different species this time.

Welcome to Kaldr Travellers. I am Volur, the Chieftan of this Thorpe. Bjorn talks highly of your contributions to the hunt. Productive passersby are always welcome to stay as long as they want. His voice boomed as he gave a sweeping gesture covering the entirety of the Thorpe. His pitch was even deeper and rumbling than Bjorn's.

Thank you, Chief, for the warm welcome, Namir replied carefully. However, we only hope to reprovision before heading south for warmer climates where we are welcome.

You are welcome here. There is no bad history with half-bloods here. Bjorn, Varvara (Eriks mother), and Erik are testaments to that. Besides, Bjorn speaks well of your sensory skills. I am sure we could help provision you for a couple of patrols clearing out the pests from the local area. He appeared to agree with our plans.

We would be happy to help. Namir politely agreed. Possibly the only way to talk to a being that towered so high above you that he could literally step on you if he so desired.

Perhaps a patrol in each cardinal direction to ensure we have not missed anything. He raised a hand, stopping Namir before he could begin. You would not need to go anywhere near as far as the last patrol. Merely ensure the local areas are safe and secure.

He then turned to focus on me. I felt his attention weigh heavily on me. It was difficult not to when I had to crane my neck to look up at him. He seemed to be confused at first as he stared down at me as if puzzled by how small my stature was for what were surely some tall tales told by Bjorn. Although Ding! Enigma (Lv2) highlighted a different issue he might be having with me. I frowned in return, keeping the smirk inside for once; I did not want to be stepped upon. Angering him would gain me nothing and I had apparently already managed to keep my status hidden or so I hoped.Updated from n0velb(i)n.c(o)/m

He moved on from his confusion; even if he lacked confirmation from his inspection, he still had the report about our arrival and travels with Bjorn. I hear you can also hunt using magic, but beyond that, you can also heal to some extent. Im sure a few of us giants would appreciate a touch from someone so blessed by the Lodestar if you would be so kind. We do not often leave the Thorpe for healing; we tend to stand out among the cities of man. Furthermore, we are a little too far north for the human Church of the Lodestar, but still, we recognise the Lodestars importance to all of the Noble races and defend ours responsibly as the Churches tenets teach. He seemed convinced that I was perhaps more religious than I was or that I had been taught by the church my healing skills.

Not that he was wrong. Healing had not existed on our isle until Bishop Bailie arrived. Are many injured? I asked, not noticing any significant wounds on our walk to the restaurant.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Well, I am half dwarf, after all. Its part of my heritage. She answered unabashedly.

Im surprised. I thought Giants stuck to their Stone Glyphs rather than worked with metal runes. Each race seemed inordinately proud and possessive of their own magics.

There is no reason they cant coexist. Find the best magic for the job. She argued.

I agree completely. I opened my outer fur pelts to reveal the elvish robes beneath them to demonstrate what I carried with me and how I agreed with her completely.

Elvish enchantments? She quizzed.

Yes, my tutor . . . I started before I was stopped.

Kai. Namir interrupted, cautioning quietly. The rest of our company might not have noticed his quiet comments without superior senses, but my sudden silence was noted.

What do they do? Varvara asked, leaning in closer, ignoring Namirs sudden warning and encouraging me to continue.

I think . . . They are the only reason Im alive, I reflected on our arrival and the time before I could cover them up with furs. They keep me cool in hot weather . . .

She laughed at the absurdity of that being required on the endless ice.

And welcomingly warm in cold weather, and whether the weather is hot or cold, I stay dry within them. Which was equally important

She stopped laughing, Now those are some useful Elvish Enchantments. Find the best fit for the job. You couldnt do that with stone glyphs or metal runes unless you were planning on general climate control or were wearing metal armour. She continued.

Stone glyphs are fantastic for longer term permanent barriers, changes to the climate, defences, offences, etc. But if you wish to work on a closer, more intimate form of magic, Runes are the way forward. They are so much smaller, and you can fit many more on smaller items you can hold or larger items you can actually move.

I nodded, remembering my work with the simplest runes on my second ship. That had been a beauty. I know a few runes. Our boat had runes for invisibility, speed, wind, buoyancy, and a shield should we be forced to fight.

Im surprised it sunk with such magical protections.

Object meets immovable coastline. I dont remember, but without my mana to hold the ship together, it sounded like the ship. Concertinered when it crushed against the cliffs of endless ice.

We will have to swap runes and exchange ideas.

What do you have to offer? I asked, intrigued.

Plenty, more than you by the sound of it. I did not always live here. I was too tall to fit in the Dwarven domains; I could just about pass for humans but could not stomach some of the human-central approaches of the humanist policy in Tramontana. I moved on to the next kingdom over and ended up here. What are you looking for? She asked.

What do you have? I asked once more.

. . .