Gentleman’s Guide to Fantastic Beasts 53

Gentleman’s Guide to Fantastic Beasts 53

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Wordcount: 2500

Commissioned by Sivantic.

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I told the others of my findings amongst the rebels, and they shared my belief that it was best to not affiliate with them.

“If they were fighting for the sake of their people against the crown, I would be tempted to march there and offer my aid. But it seems that they want vengeance and retribution over their own people’s protection.” Erucic stated simply, while Djet’Is nodded. I had waited to tell him the brunt of the truth I found until she arrived days after my own return, though I shared a fair amount with him before. “I believe the correct course of action now is to safeguard our people, establish ourselves in a new region, and become prosperous despite our current circumstance.”

Over the course of a few days, I realized that idea was central to this whole ordeal. People were still angered over what happened. Some wished to act on their newfound power. However, the vast majority wanted to leave and find success elsewhere. The lands we planned to go to were dangerous, but it was suitable for people as strong as us, and we were all but guaranteed trading partners with the As’Kari’s interest in the materials produced by the monsters in those lands.

Very few wanted to stay in these lands.

We were all from the outskirts and borders of the kingdom. We had no nobility looking over us. Only officials appointed by the crown itself. Perhaps in the far future, where this tragedy never took place, we would’ve lived in cities and been ruled by nobility. Then, maybe, we would’ve wished to stay and fight for our homes and people. Instead, the oldest of our number could barely be considered elders, and they could still recall the first establishment of their towns.

Those places were not home.

Our homes were our families, our neighbors, and fellow townsfolk.

Those are the people we wanted vengeance for… but not so much as to risk the people who remained and who we could leave with.

Father… I know that you’d want me to leave this place.

Still, a part of me wishes that the crown would face some sort of punishment for letting you and so many others die.

“Let’s place that matter aside. I’ve taken a look at the supplies that they’re providing. There’s a severe lack in weapons.” Erucic nodded at my words. “They have provided us with repairs, equipment, and some stock for you and your knights, but we will have need of more to protect and hunt in our new lands.”

I read on the lands we were to go now.

Thundering Peaks was the name of the entire region and it was a land of peaceful valleys surrounded by treacherous peaks. Expeditions into the land have been sent before and the records have been provided. Rivers ran through the valleys, the soil was fertile, but the surrounding mountains were the roosts of Wyverns. Strong beasts with tough scales, two legs, wings, and long necks with the ability to call upon magic. Such strong beasts fight against one another for food, which took the form of a massive, shaggy goats that sought out caves for shelter in the mountains, and who descended to the valleys for food.

The immense goats were dangerous, their matted coats strong enough to resist steel, as they’ve changed over generations to resist the maws of their predators. Not only that, but they stampeded together to overcome their foes, and the strongest amongst them can call upon strikes of lighting from the ever-present thunderclouds in the region. The only saving grace of the creature was a few would be enough to feed our people with ease, and that they would make for fine materials for clothing, armor, and weapons.

The Wyverns were going to be the bigger problem. They congregate in flocks and communicate with one another. The records of expeditions showed that they acted like packs when hunting, separating the goats from one another, and lessening the strength of stampedes. Some would use magic, others would pick up their prey with the help of others, and fly them high to drop them to kill them. When trying to engage one Wyvern, it called for help with a roar, and was assisted by three others. Nearly two dozen men and a knight died to slay the creatures and bring their bodies back for study.

“Weapons are something that the As’Kari can provide as gifts. We gained many in our recent conflicts. If you do not wish to consider them gifts, allowing our warriors to hunt for a season in your new lands will suffice as payment.” Djet’Is proved her ability to negotiate once more. Father would say that she’s being too aggressive, but she knew what we needed. We needed to secure our borders and ensure the safety of our people. What better way than weapons and warriors eager to harvest the predators of our new lands? “The armors of these lands are more powerful than the common armor of our people, but I believe our weapons are stronger.”

I wracked my mind for some sort of counter when I recalled something the physician told me.

“Your weapons are also deadly to those who do not know how to use them… save for spears.” Djet’Is looked my way, and a faint smile played across her visage. A nod followed a moment later to acknowledge my words. Her honor demanded that she would not lie. However, she was not beholden to offer me all the information that she could to make the deal fair. A fair deal, when her people can benefit more, was not something that she actively sought out. “And, spears are not typically used in combat in the Great Dessert, correct?”

“That is true. Thankfully, we have enough more dangerous weapons to whittle and make spears from.” The typical weapons in the Great Desert were truly massive and composed of the bones of large monsters. They are meant to crush the strong armor hewn from the giant insects of the land, through living fibers that strengthened and empowered the wearer, and finally kill the warrior within. In these lands, they did not carry such weapons, as they were not needed. They carried spears and swords, but they were from the same materials. Materials that could be otherwise used for stronger weapons. Not only that, but they were weapons that were valued for use against monsters and by militia. There is no excess in the Great Desert. Everything had its place and purpose. “We offer to them to you as gifts to newfound allies.”

“I’m afraid such decisions should be left to mayor-to-be. Not me. I claim no rulership over these people, so I cannot accept an alliance.” An alliance with the As’Kari seemed promising, but they were in a war for control over the whole Great Desert. They were here seeking out more advantages and power. Their foes, upon learning of us and our alliance with them, will become our foes as well. We can scarcely afford to be the opponents of those who can fight against the As’Kari. “But you are free to propose it to whoever the people choose to lead them.”

“And, do you believe that it would be anyone but you?” Djet’Is questioned, and I frowned.

“I do not wish to be.”

“But you will, because you are beholden to these people. You see them as your own.” Djet’Is turned away, and her gaze went to a faraway place. I wondered if she was thinking of the physician, Will, and his actions. His leaving of the As’Kari. His choice of exile after they decided to wage war to conquer the Great Desert. I imagined myself in his place. If the people who I were with now decided to go forth and wage war, would I do the same as him? Abandon them, despite my power and ability to contribute, instead of following them on a path that I believe in? I couldn’t see myself leaving them, if they chose such a path. “They will choose you to lead them. There is no better choice. He will not accept leadership, and they will not take the knights, despite all that they’ve done.”

“It goes against our code to lead. Our purpose is to safeguard the realm and the people. That will not change outside these lands.” Erucic gave his opinion and I looked his way. His eyes were sharp as he looked at me with immense amounts of expectation. Expectation that I did not know if I would be able to meet. “You would fare the best in leading these people. They asked for you every day when you left, and when you returned their spirits brightened. The physician is someone that saved them, but you led them.”

I shook my head at his assertion and did my utmost to wipe away Djet’Is’ own words.

“Such matters are not set in stone. I will put forward my willingness to lead, and tell them my desires before they entrust me.” I will see us settled in the new lands, make the most of it, and build a memorial to those we lost. Protected and safe, I will work to ensure the people will not fear a repeat of what happened here. That is my goal. No wars against the crown. No supporting the rebellion. Only us and our future will be my focus. “Djet’Is, there is no need to give us weapons. I offer my services as a hunter to you and your people in exchange for weapons that our people can wield.”

Djet’Is chuckled at my words.

“You say that you do not lead them, and that you believe that you may not be chosen, but on their behalf you risk your life as a leader should.” The daughter of the As’Kari tribe’s chieftain smiled at me. “I will entertain your foolish beliefs that you will not lead these people. I accept your offer, mere hunter of the people of the Forest. Bring me two whole Wyverns and I shall supply your people with weapons.”

She reached out her hand, as if offering a concord as we did in our lands.

I glared at her, and she laughed before putting her hand away.

“The deal shall be writ and signed as is proper for your people.”

“Aye, so it shall be.”

I needed to be careful with the As’Kari.

They were not just strong, but cunning as well.

…

My teacher taught me a simple method to gauge my strength.

It was to take water, lift it with my power, and fill one of two vessels.

Then, transfer from one to the other until I grew tired.

The first time I attempted the feat, when I began training under him, I was barely able to life a cup of water out of the first bucket and move it to the next.

After my training, I could spend an hour transferring the water from one to the other without tiring, though the concentration it took was the same.  Now, after eating so many more monsters and training during our journey, I had two sets of buckets and transferring water for more than two hours without tiring.

“He would train with the whole reservoir of water he had at his home. A hundred buckets worth.” Djet’Is spoke, and I turned her way. She wore plain, white robes with a red trim. Winter was approaching. It will be a cold one bereft of any sunlight. “But he would also set it to boil, capture the vapors, and make the vapor cold to make rain. He said it also cleansed the water he kept.”

My mind raced at her statement. It made sense. He told me that causing any change to what I controlled would exact a cost. Making water boil, capturing steam, and then cooling steam were three more parts to this exercise that would allow me to test myself more quickly. The fact that my teacher could do it to a hundred times more water than I used did not matter.

I’ll never reach that point.

“Thank you, I’ll try that now.” I focused on the perfect sphere of water before me. I gathered the heat surrounding us. Within moments my breath left my lips as fog. The cooling weather and eternal night made gathering heat more difficult. If I had a fire close to me, then it would be easier. Still, I focused, and soon the water was boiling, turning into steam into another sphere above the next bucket. In that place, it was easy to extract heat with my earlier efforts, and the vapors cooled and water dripped into the bucket. The difficulty was much higher, and I felt a pull on my power. This one will be a better measure to use. “This will work.”

“Warriors of the As’Kari need to be able to do this for at least half a day before being judged worthy. Those who use curses and other such things a full day.” Djet’Is sat across from me. She was a monumental creature. Twice my height and with enough muscle to make most knights feel ashamed. Despite that, she was beautiful and well-proportioned. Noblewomen would seethe at the sight of her. “With only buckets of water, though. Only father can do the same as Will for now.”

Djet’Is looked at me through the different states of water between her and myself.

“I will reach my father’s level of strength in another year, but Will shall be forever ahead of me. It is a matter of birth and innate talent regarding how quickly one can grow strong, and what monsters they consume.” Djet’Is stated, and from the folds of her robes she produced a satchel. She opened it and placed it before me as I stayed seated. Inside was dried, white flesh of a monster that I did not know. “I have measured the time it has taken for you to learn and advance to your current stage. I believe that you can match him, unlike me and so many others, if you are provided powerful beasts to consume.”

I spoke before thinking.

“No. I refuse. That… that is not for me.” I’ve seen his power and strength, but most of all his control over himself. “If I have that strength, I will misuse it. The strength I have now, that I’m gaining, is tempting me enough… if I have more…”

I would make my dreams reality and cause untold suffering.

I moved to seal the satchel, but it was gone from my reach before I could take it.

Djet’Is said nothing and left with it.

As she left, a faint in the back of my mind faded.

Something that I felt many times before when hunting monsters with my father, before I gained so much strength.

Had I just escaped death?