Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Wed been traveling for several days, Ciltus well-behind us now. Over the last day, we stopped in a small hamlet where Friar Brown ministered to the people. Mainly by gifting supplies they desperately needed, handing out everything from tools to food. I hadnt realized at the time, but his wagon was equipped with several large, expensive spatial storage crates. A fairly uncommon thing, NPCs owning storage items, so I found it rather interesting that this wandering friar did.

We turned off the main road to avoid another small city and began traveling out into the country, when we came across a tree lying across the road. Immediately, suspicion gripped me, and was justified moments later when I noticed where the stump of the tree had been cut. Several men stepped out from behind its full branches, brandishing spears and clubs.

These were clearly bandits. Mercy lay in the cart behind me, and I braced myself to lunge back and grab it. Friar Browns hand squeezed my leg, the illusion spell giving him substance to feel.

Easy now. Dont spring to action too quickly.

Give us all your goods, the leader of this group of bandits demanded. We got archers trained on you, and at my signal, will shoot you dead.

I am but a humble traveling friar, Brown said gently. All I have is simple trade goods that Im using to support the villages in these hard times.

Hesitation entered the lead bandits eyes, but that hesitation quickly fled, replaced by a steely gaze. Im sorry, Friar, but that dont change my demand.

Try not to kill them, Friar Brown whispered to me, barely moving his lips.

Getting up, I made like I was heading to the back of the cart.

See, your friend here understands the situation, the lead bandit said.

Bending down, I noted another pair of bandits standing not far off. My hand closed around Mercy. Best to deal with them first. I leapt off the cart, making sure to keep my blade-staff as a simple staff, since none of these bandits appeared to be high level. My quick attack surprised the poorly hidden bandits, and I was able to knock one of them hard across the head with my staff. A resounding crack sounded out and the man crumpled to a heap, unconscious.The inaugural upload of this chapter took place via N0v3l-B1n.

Spinning Mercy, I intercepted the second bandits club, deflecting it to the side. Before the man could react, I slammed the other end of my staff into the side of his right knee. With a sickening crunch, the knee bent in a direction it wasnt meant to bend. The man collapsed with a cry of pain.

Shouting filled the forest path as more bandits rushed out of the woods, some headed straight for the friar. To my surprise, there was a flash of light, and a pulse of kinetic force sent several bandits tumbling back from him. None got up from where they fell.

I rushed around to the front of the cart in pursuit of the lead bandit. He was surrounded by a group of four other bandits, all armed with axes. They looked stronger than the rest of their party.

I winced, bracing myself, but when the magic reached me, instead of the burn of holy magic, there was only soothing healing. That was surprising. I was undead, and life magic should hurt me. It took me a little bit to realize he hadnt used life magic, but something more akin to a mending spell. My body restored itself, and though it wasnt the same as healing myself with death magic, it eased the pain and restored my cloak.

As the magic faded, I couldnt disguise my surprise.

See, I told you it would be fine. He gave me a knowing smile.

This didnt make any sense. There is no way he knew. Because if he did, he would try to kill me. I remained rooted to the spot as Friar Brown got off his wagon and began to cast healing spells on the unconscious bandits. The magic didnt wake them, so he was likely adding something to the spell to keep them asleep. But the fact he was using regular healing magic on the bandits further confused me.

When he was done, he went to the back of his wagon and pulled out a big bag that he began to load food and other supplies into, then he set it beside the wagon. Well, are you coming? Friar Brown asked, getting back in his seat and gesturing for me to join him.

The fight played out in my head over and over again. Did he know I was undead? Had he seen my idiotic stunt with the leader? I didnt know what to do.

The bag next to the wagon drew my eye.

Why are you leaving them supplies?

These men are just villagers, no doubt from somewhere nearby, Friar Brown said. In hard times like this, the cities are dangerous, but its the villages that suffer the most. They rely on trade goods coming from the cities and other villages to support them. And with the cities in such a state of chaos, theyre not receiving the supplies they so desperately need. These men are likely trying to get what they need to support their families and keep them alive for just a little bit longer.

What he said made sense. Moving to the wagon, I climbed up, still wary but also wanting to help this good Samaritan in his task. Maybe the spell he cast on me had simply been a more effective healing spell. At least, that was the rationale I told myself.

How bad is it out here in the country?

It varies, Friar Brown said sadly. Villages whose primary industry was mining or logging are in desperate straits, while villages who produce food are generally better off, as at least they can still eat.

I remember reading about things like this in the Middle Ages when Europe was torn apart by war. I just hadnt made the connection that something similar would happen in a world so full of magic. It showed that there were still a lot of similarities between Earth and this place.

People were still people after all, and the world was still full of suffering no matter where you were.