5.19 - Sulvan Flametouched

5.19 - Sulvan Flametouched

Shafts of sunlight filtered through the boughs of the cypress trees overhead. Theo and his group landed on the walls of Broken Tusk, right behind the dutiful marshling. Tresk turned, eyes narrowing the moment her sight locked onto Sulvan Flametouched. The alchemist expected her daggers to appear in her hand, then the attack that would follow. But she remained where she was, looking more puzzled than angry.

Whats he doing here?

Sulvan stood, slightly less tall than he was before. His normally imposing demeanor had been drawn out of him by Glantheir. Now he seemed just as likely to provide comfort as an inquisition. With a slight bow of his head, he regarded Tresk. Through sacrifice, I have been given another chance.

Tresk crossed her arms and snorted. Didnt think you were gonna bring him back so quickly. Thought youd make him squirm.

Uharis can do squirming enough for the both of them, Theo said, dismissing the tension in the air with a wave of his hand. How many people remember how much of a dick Sulvan was?

Almost everyone who was here when you arrived remember him, Sarisa said, making herself known. Just another dickish bully from the outside.

Theo grunted a response, his mind drifting away from the problem. People would accept Sulvan because they needed to. He doubted that there were many holders of a Glantheir core outside of Tarantham. And once the cleric got some levels in his new core, he would be vital to fighting the undead. In the alchemists mind, all was forgiven. Things lined up perfectly to bring Sulvan here. Transporting someone from the moon to planet below was a massive feat. It required the approval of both UzXulven and Khahar.

Lets go, Theo said, turning on the spot. Sulvan fell in line behind him.

It was a quick walk to the Adventurers Guild. The place was bustling with people from Broken Tusk, Gronro, and Rivers and Daub. Theo pushed his way through those people, finding Aarok in his office on the floors above. The half-ogres mouth hung open as Sulvan took a seat, folding his hands in his lap as though he were an attentive student.

All right, Aarok said, mouth hanging open. This is a development.

Theo forestalled each coming question, explaining the situation. As always, Aarok listened to the newest string of weird circumstances the alchemist presented. He nodded along, eyes never leaving Sulvan.

So you can teleport to the moon? Aarok asked, scratching his head.

This was the complicated part. It wasnt really teleportation. Theo had borrowed the authority of UzXulven and Khahar to poke a hole through reality using the Bridge. He then invited Sulvan to step through. This was an act only accomplished because of their connection. Khahar or UzXulven could have denied the transport. The alchemist had a feeling that the other throne-holder in the world, Fenian, had a say. Whether he could say anything was still a mystery.

Yeah. Kinda.

Are you certain hes on our side?

Ive been reduced to Level 30, Sulvan said. Each personal level I gained while in the Eye's service has been stripped.

Oh. Okay. Aarok leaned back in his chair, smiling. I could take you, then. Half the towns adventurers could take you. That works.

I doubt he started with an ability to help with Balkors magic. Theo drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair, staring into the middle-distance. But this is a start.

Alise wont have a problem with it. Aarok gave a massive shrug. Shes from Veosta or whatever.

Alise is from an area north of Qavell, Theo corrected. She wasnt here when Sulvan was a problem. Sorry, Sulvan.

Sulvan shrugged.

Were going to sign a contract, then Ill introduce him to the administrators, Theo said, pulling up his [Contracts] ability. He began drafting his standard contract. After that, well get him a place to stay and a stipend for his healing abilities. You can heal, right?

I was gifted two spells by my lord. [Cure Wounds] and [Purge Disease].

Perfect, Theo said, typing away. Well work out the details, but youll have enough to live on. I suppose I should ask. Do you have any plans?

My plan is to follow the word of Glantheir. Once I have atoned, I have business to settle elsewhere.

Excellent. Very mysterious, Theo said in monotone as he copy-pasted most of his old contract. He made sure to change the names. Once he was done, he sent the contract over. Sulvan didnt read it. He signed it immediately.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.

Time for introductions, Theo said, rising to his feet. Dont glower at Alise too much. Shell take it personally.

Theo and Sulvan bid farewell to Aarok. They headed over to the Town Hall, finding it even busier than the guild. Seeing so many people coming here to solve their problems gave him pause. He didnt want to be the sole person these people came to. The alchemist had built his administrative team to sort those things out, leaving him to work on projects like this. He heard the cleric beside him muttering a prayer to Glantheir.

Better than worshiping demons, I guess, Theo breathed, ascending the stairs to the third floor.

Theo cracked the door to the meeting room open, spotting Alise, Gwyn, and Gael lounging. They all looked exhausted. The alchemist entered the room, putting on his best smile.

Guys, this is our new cleric, Theo said, gesturing to Sulvan.

Awful big for a cleric, Gael grumbled. A cleric of which god, archduke? Weve had just about enough of Spits magic.

Tada! Hes a follower of Glantheir.

Gael sputtered. I think not. Hes hardly an elf.

[Reanimated Skeleton Fragment]

[Alchemy Ingredient]

Common

Skull fragment of a skeleton reanimated by necromantic powers.

Properties:

[Withering] [Hone Edge] [Assail] [Animate Dead]

Theo groaned. This was a common reagent. Why did it have the [Animate Dead] property? He returned the fragment to his inventory, scratching his chin. [Assail] was a new property to him, so that might have been useful. But a property that animated the dead? That was dangerous. The only positive use he could think of for the property was in suffuse potions, or through linked wards. Both approaches would produce a different effect entirely, and might provide another anti-undead weapon. It was a longshot, so the alchemist invested little thought into it.

A small cluster of frog-octopus-things swam in the water below. They suctioned half-way up the seawall before falling back into the water. Once again, Theo was left to think about anti-frog measures. And once again, he drew a blank. The only potions he could brew that targeted a type of monster were his anti-undead potions. He pushed himself to his feet, heading over to Town Hall. Alise and the gang were too busy with their duties, so he pulled a junior administrator aside.

The overly-excited half-elven man had a lot of information about frogs. Since Bilgrobs casting, Alise had invested a lot of junior admin time into frog research. The most interesting part of that research was that there was a race of frog-people in the world. The records they had didnt say where the frog-folk were from, but it was good to know. Through experimentation, the administrators had discovered that frogs didnt like being near spicy things.

Hardly helpful, Theo muttered, flipping through the notes. We cant spice-bomb the town.

Lady Plumm was certain you would find a solution.

Theo looked up over the notes. Alise had too much faith in him. There wasnt an anti-frog property he could cast. We may just need to wait for it to pass

Ah.

Of course, that got Theo thinking. He handed the notes back to the administrator, then walked off deep in thought. When he arrived back at the lab, Salire was dealing with a customer. He went upstairs, grabbed a few things, then headed back down toward Throks workshop. The grumpy marshling was banging a hammer on something, but the alchemist spotted what he was looking for.

Im taking this, Theo said, snatching the backpack sprayer the artificer had been working on.

I dont care, Throk grumbled, not looking up from his work.

Theo didnt use it often, but he had a mortar and pestle in his inventory. He withdrew it, sitting on the side of the road to grind a pile of red eggshells. After combining a unit of ground shells with normal drinking water, he snatched up a nearby frog-lizard hybrid. A single drop of the liquid sent the creature squirming in his hand. After setting the frog on the ground, the alchemist watched as it ran as though its life depended on it.

Excellent, Theo said, grinding more eggshells. He created more of his non-alchemical mixture, loading the sprayer until it was filled. Citizens were watching him with curious expressions as he loaded the sprayer on his back. He cleared his throat, approaching the field of frogs outside of his lab. Begone!

With a pull of the trigger, Theo released a misting stream of spicy water. The frogs squeaked in chorus, dashing in every direction to get away. Notably, it didnt seem to harm the frogs. Perhaps they absorbed the liquid through their skin, sending a burning sensation throughout their body. A Wisdom of the Soul message appeared, confirming with certainty that the frogs wouldnt be harmed.

I got a present, Theo said, entering the shop. Salire was still dealing with a customer, so he bottled his excitement and took a seat.

The transaction took longer than he expected. The alchemist sat awkwardly as Salire sold some potions. Once the customer was gone, she shot him a confused look and faked a smile.

Yay. A sprayer, Salire said, clapping half-heartedly.

This is a spicy sprayer, Theo said, unclasping the backpack and setting it down. One-to-five ratio of fire salamander eggshells to regular water. It makes the frogs run.

Salire grimaced. Uh-huh.

Oh, come on. Strap it on. A demonstration will ease your mind.

Salire pulled the sprayer on, tightening the straps while giving Theo a concerned look. You sound like a crazy person. You know that, right?

Just test the sprayer. Some functionary at Town Hall had done research. No idea how he found out that frogs hate spicy stuff, but he did. Look! Frogs! In the distance!

Theo and Salire exited the lab. Sure enough, there was a scattering of frogs in the distance. They hopped along the ground, their little eyes going wide when they spotted the poor half-ogre. She held the sprayer wand at the ready, doubt still lingering on her face. She pulled the trigger, releasing a stream of water that splashed against the creatures. They emitted the same squealing sound, and retreated the moment they were hit.

Woah. It worked?

I tested it! Theo shouted. Why is this the one thing you doubt me on?

Because I look like a nerd, Alise said, looking over her shoulder at the pack.

Yeah, but you wont be accosted by frogs.

Salire sighed. Yeah. Youre right. Thanks, boss.

Youre welcome. Lets go squirt some frogs.