Gentleman’s Guide to Fantastic Beasts 50, 51, and 52

Gentleman’s Guide to Fantastic Beasts 50

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Wordcount: 2500

Commissioned by Ichypa.

…

The infestation proved its intellect, as I made use of the staff, whenever we paused to resupply near a town or city.

“They are infiltrating as refugees, then signing up as guards, or becoming people who tend to livestock.” Guards would have easy access to criminals in jails or be allowed to mete out punishment. Those who treated livestock or farmed could feed pools of their spawn. One protected and actively hunted, while the other created creches. “They are working in tandem with one another.”

The creatures were wholly unprepared for information that I could acquire with Harold’s staff.

I could see the difference between them and normal people as plain as day. Theirs was a slick, oily substance that permeated the bodies that they have stolen, spread throughout, and replaced the flesh of. Even the most meagre of flames of normal people were distinguishable from them, and even from the skies in the princess’s ship, I was able to pluck the infestation from the populace and their creches aflame.

Even animals that disguised themselves as normal creatures, intending to infest more of the herds kept by the people of the kingdom, were  easily identified.

From the prow of the ship, I sat, and from there I sent my wires and flames to slay the creatures.

Though they were powerful when in combat, their speed, strength, and instinctive use of the power within, when caught unnoticed they could do little before I wrapped threads around their necks and tore through them. They chose jobs that kept them away from others and kept to themselves, so often, their dispatching was swift. After I slicked through their necks, I set them alight, and nothing more than ash remained thereafter.

The princess saw my efforts once and gave me carte blanche, and instructed the archmage in her retinue to learn from me.

He was a swift student, though he had to focus.

“I see. Yes. The circle is different in the creatures compared to us. It ripples and quakes and spreads across the body with many wriggling lines. The flames you describe move, but they hold a single shape.” He struggled to see as completely as I could, but he was growing better. I instructed him to sharpen his sensors, to slowly fill his eyes with the power within us each. He hadn’t understood, but the knight of the princess explained that it was a warrior’s technique to strengthen the body, and then he understood. It was strange that a diagnostic technique of such use was normally only used by soldiers. “This can be taught across the kingdom and we can find more of these parasites once mages are sent to patrol.”

On that matter, though, I had to intercede.

“Only if they are properly guarded and know what they are meant to find. I’ve met many mages of your people, and very few of them can fight against these creatures. Their bodies will be an asset to these creatures.” That gave Harold pause. During our journey, I shared with him my findings. The parasites sought out children, as they can co-opt them and gain greater intellect and control, but any humanoid body could become infiltrators and strong warriors. However, not all bodies are equal. “You will need powerful warriors who can protect themselves with strong barriers of flame against these creatures.”

“Such warriors are few in number, but a swift force can be assembled with assured chances of success. Sent all over the kingdom to establish a perimeter, then quell anything that they find. The capital has enough mages that we can establish a strong perimeter regardless of quality.” Harold stated after a few moments of contemplation. He took a sip of tea from a fine china cup. The Princess sat and listened to us whilst going over many other reports. She looked up when he looked her way. “Your highness—

“They are necessary. You will get the founds that you need, after properly giving me your proposal.” Harold bowed his head in thanks, while the princess turned my way. In the dim orange light of the vessel, behind her desk, her youthful features were not visible. I saw only the outline of a young individual who saw numbers instead of people. “Physician, I will be frank: can you be convinced to not share this knowledge with the rebels in the northern lands?”

As always, the princess sought only to further the interests of her nation above all else.

“No. This is vital and life-saving information. They will provided this information when I am able to send it their way.”

“You will find no couriers or messengers to send this information in our lands.” My words were accepted and without a hint of shame, a barrier was placed between those who I sought to help and those who I helped now. The logic of the move was simple. The rebellion was an opponent of her people, therefore she would not facilitate aid to be given to them. It was understandable. However, that just made it worse. Those who opposed her people and nation were callously not afforded a single ounce of care. “We will not oppose you if you fly there, after you have upheld your end of the bargain, but you will find no help from us in waylaying this threat amongst the rebels.”

Some would have called her actions magnanimous.

I simply thought that she was callous beyond belief.

“I will go to them as soon as my duty is fulfilled.” That was the end of the matter. Harold frowned but said nothing at my words. The knightess that personally guarded the princess levelled a glare at me but said nothing. It was obvious to all that I was washing my hands of these people and their cause. I no longer wished to bargain or compromise with these people. The princess probably wished for me to offer something in return for the use of their envoys, so that the rebels can be spared. However, the deaths of those who were not provided this knowledge was not on my hands. It was on theirs for refusing to help others and placing challenges before me that I must bargain with them to remove. “How long until we reach your capital?”

“In an hour.” The answer was curt. The whole day journey extended a bit. The princess and I agreed that testing the new findings was of great importance. That led to the ship staying adrift in the air, under numerous protections laid by Harold, during the evening. Nothing troubled us and the ship serely floated below the clouds and the full moon. The princess’s room had been alive with light the entire evening, while I rested by setting up my tent on the deck. The lady knight, of course, had chosen to watch me and guard the path to her liege the whole evening. “I will have you take the place of my cousins, while they rest and refill their newly-expanded reserves of power. After the duration we have specified, we will fulfill our own end of the bargain, and take the people you have under your protection away from our lands.”

I almost suspected that she would threaten them, perhaps tell me that my intentions to supply the new findings with the rebels opposing them would mark those under my protection as enemies.

However, they have all treated me with greater care and respect after witnessing how easily I dispatched the infested.  Power is all that these people truly respect. Harold understood it first, because he practiced what he called the arcane arts, and as a scholar understood what I was capable of. The servants, the knight, and the princess only truly understood when I plucked infested from passing towns and turned them into ash.

The sooner I never had to work with these individuals or their people again, the better.

…

The capital of the forest kingdom was at the foot of the immense tree of light, thus it was in perpetual day. It was pure-white city, bathed in the glow of the great tree that warded away the eternal darkness, and it was made with defensibility in mind.

Surrounding the city was an immense wall built with magic and floating castles.

The wall was truly immense and composed of solid stone. Less like a man-made construct and more like mountains moved and shaped into walls, it surrounded the whole region of the capital, and whole fortress-cities served the massive gates that led into capital region. Harold told me in ancient times, with great mages and the power of the royal family, decades were spent shaping the boundary walls from simple mountain ranges into fortifications, and since then the capital region was freed of invasion from the land.

The floating castles defended against invasion from the air. They were like normal fortresses, but they floated lazily across the width of the boundary wall. Squat and rugged, they were obviously meant to interdict and stop oncoming flying vessel. They used both magic and the war machines that were used by regular castles, and Harold informed me that each one was a timely and costly construction of at least half-a-decade, but they could stop invasions from the air and lasted for centuries before they would need to be grounded again. 

Flying ships were not allowed to go over the boundary wall, the flying castles numbering forty in number, would interdict them and destroy them. Only supply ships that would bring them munitions and supplies were allowed to fly in the capital region. All ships simply had to make use of the dockyards at the gate cities. Supplies and trade in and out of the capital region were carefully inspected before they could reach the capital… and such practice has been common for centuries.

It was obvious that these people were paranoid warmongers who feared their own people.

Or, that they did not consider the people outside the capital region as their people at all.

Past the walls, there were vast orchards, fields with herds of cattle, and prim towns nestled near lakes and rivers. Forests and wild places were nowhere to be found. Everything was orderly and neat, and meant to supply the capital region with food. In the distance, I saw a great mine from which entire barges lifted out of, their decks filled with ore. This place was self-sufficient, the immense city at the foot of great tree of light contained the last resource the rulers needed to withstand any attack: people.

The immense walls would keep them in, the lives they’ve been given would make them fervent fighters for the crown, and they would not want for food and weapons, either. The rest of the nation may as well just territories for them to extract wealth from. This was the true heart of the forest kingdom, and it is where the rulers expected to be able to fight against the rest of their nation and win, if it were deemed necessary.

It was beautiful, there was no denying that, but I only saw a great and terrible parasite wrapping around the rest of the land. A creature that sent out its tendrils in the form of noble houses, and established cities to extract power and resources to bring back to their lands. There was no responsibility or care to be found from these people. The outermost lands were left behind the moment they were judged too costly to defend. The cities we passed by before reaching here were all just fortresses and strongpoints to prevent the enemy from reaching the capital region so fast.

I was fighting natural parasites, but these people were parasites themselves. Tyrants that saw opponents in all their surrounding lands, who feared rebellion as much as they feared foreign foes, and made use of those outside their capital realm rather than rule over them as leaders. If they mustered out, if they went to risk their lives and safeguard their people, I would call them monarchs or royalty. However, they have only mustered their strength against rebellions and possible future uprisings, and have barely raised a hand against the true threat.

I shook my head and willed the thoughts away, as we flew towards the immense city.

The closer we approached it, the starker the wealth and of power the crown become , as every minute made me recall cities such as New York, Paris, and London. The buildings were tall and streets clear. People walked in fine clothes in every direction. There was no hint of detritus or squalor in the realm. Glass windows were abundant, the buildings were clean and bereft of soot, and there wasn’t a single chimney or place of industry in sight. There were places manufacturing, they were on the outskirts of the city, and they were sprawling, industrial warehouses with large roads, cranes, and floating wagons.

Small versions of the flying boats were in abundance and they flew on wide streets. A dome-like darkness covered the city and sheltered it from the brightness of the great tree of light. They had lampposts still on the streets, and I was sure that the flow of time from night to day was facilitated by some sorcery or another. This was a metropolis with hundreds of thousands of people living with all their necessities accounted for, akin to the grand cities of my past life, and it existed entirely at the expense of others.

How many lives could be saved, if all this luxury and all the defenses I just saw were sent to protect the whole of the nation instead of just this seat of power?

“Many call the capital paradise.” Harold’s pride at the city was apparent. His joy at seeing his home was apparent to me. I held no illusions that if shared my thoughts with him, his genial nature towards me would fade. He looked upon the city with all its beauty, grace, and arcane power and saw something worth dying fore. The knight stood beside him and her gaze upon the city was loving. The princess, normally taciturn, had a smile on her face as she looked upon it. I was glad for my mask. I could only feel disgust, as they saw only wonder, and not the blood and bones of all that died over centuries to create this singular place safe. “You’re the first As’Kari to ever enter this place as a guest, I believe. This is a truly momentous occasion.”

Meaning that the people of this realm, or rather its rulers, refused to let those beyond their lands to step into their lands.

All other places can be sacrificed or shown, but not this.

Never this place.

I bit my tongue and stalled the words that wished to come forth to settle deep in my stomach and toil there along with my anger.

These people will receive no more aid from me ever again after this.

Gentleman’s Guide to Fantastic Beasts 51

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Wordcount: 2500

Commissioned by Sivantic.

…

I was ushered into the palace through a maze of halls from a landing area hidden within a wing of vast structure. Through the halls, I spied servants quietly doing their duties. Their clothes were fresh and clean, as were they. Unlike in the cities, where only rulers had access for water for bathing, here the servants were clean as well.

They bowed at the princess, but did not acknowledge myself or anyone else in their retinue, as we stalked the halls and reached a door.

No.

A gate.

A gate befitting that of a final fortress of some grand empire. It was a gate befitting the arc of triumph in Paris. Many stern faces were imprinted upon it, stern and imposing, as if staring down any who dared enter. Lesser doors lined the sides of the hall that led to the gate, and there were arrow slits in the walls, and spying inside them I saw glimpses of armor and movement. However, no one came to great us, and there were no keepers at the gate.

I understood why, as the princess reached its foot.

The many mouths of the dozens of faces on the immense gate opened and spoke as one.

In a language that I did not know.

It was a cacophony of noise, and I was sure that it could grow louder. Any who approached the gate would be beset by horrendous noise and tremendous wind, while assaulted from the flanks by arrows and heavily armored men suited to withstand and fight in the noise. I would not be surprised if they deafened the guards who would fight in this long hall, or somehow removed the harm this noise would be upon them.

The voices stopped for a moment, and the princess replied to them in the same language.

It sounded nothing like the language used by the people of the forest. The words were more… musical and long. The only word that I recognized was her name.

Only after her statement did the doors open of their own volition, and a guard came forth from a side door to address her.

The mountain of a man, covered in armored, bowed his head and knelt when he addressed her in the same tongue.

Another castle within the castle.

This whole palace likely operated on its own language, separate from even the paradise they crafted around themselves, to ensure that they would have an eternal source of bodies to use for war.

I had to force myself to follow her, as every step towards helping these people felt wrong.

Past those gates, I was briefly blinding by light, and when my eyes managed to acclimate, I found the reason why.

We were at the foot of a great root within the palace.

Around that great root there were dozens of individuals seated on aglow circles of symbols.  Everyone was surrounded by five others, servants with water and towels and food at the ready, as well as bed pans. The need to provide the tree with power found in the people of this world, regardless of personal need, comfort, and even privacy. Each and every single individual that we passed was deep in meditation, their eyes closed and their brows awash with sweat, and they were given water and some sort of thick soup to drink.

For the first time, I saw an inkling of care and compassion from these people towards others.

This was undoubtably a form of sacrifice.

I followed the princess past row after row of people, and reached the closest row to the great tree. The farther we walked, the older the subjects were, and the amount of power that they fed to the tree greater and greater.

The Princess stopped and addressed me, as we reached the largest circle, where an older gentleman sat on the ground in white robes with ten servants watching him for any sign of discomfort. He was elderly in truth, with fine white hairs, wrinkled skin, and deteriorated muscles. Once, I could see that he was a titan of a man, with his height and the width of his shoulders denoting a lifetime spent a powerful being, but time took that away.

Still, he manned one of the circles and kept bringing light upon the world.

“This is my grandfather. The former king. He provides the most power for the realm through the tree of light.” The princess, perhaps for the first time, had emotion in her voice. She looked upon the elderly man with no shortage of awe, but it was also apparent that she did not wish to see him in his current state. “To take his place and that of many of my cousins, please step into the circle. I swear on my life, on my own arcane strength, that you will be here no longer than you have promised. Shoulder this burden, and your part of the bargain shall be considered met and we will raise no hand against you.”

By all means, I did not trust her in the slightest, but her plea did seem heartfelt.

I was confident, though, that I could escape this place if needed if they were not truthful.

“Very well.” I answered simply, with Harold’s staff in hand, and walked into the circle. The pull from it was instant… but far, far below what I expected. For a moment, there root brightened intensely, until suddenly numerous glowing circles in the room ceased to do so. The white-robed individuals manning them became cognizant, spoke to one another, and the chatter of a foreign tongue filled the hall. I simply took a seat and tucked Harold’s staff by my side. I glanced at them, and found very few matched archmage’s strength. Some had levels of strength to elites warriors of the As’Kari when I left them. A scant few could compare to the Chieftains. The Princess’s grandfather… was like Kan’Is when I first laid eyes upon him. “If you have means to store power, bring them. I will fill them with excess.”

The princess didn’t appear to hear my words, her gaze looking around the whole room, and she began to address the others speaking to her. They all went to her, asking questions, and she became engrossed in speaking to them… obviously happy that she could be with her family.

Only one of them addressed me.

The man whose spot I took.

“As’Kari… no. Those tribal markings have been gouged out.” His voice was like a low rumble, and the attendants seeking to aid him were brushed aside, as he took a seat just outside the periphery of the great circle upon which I sat. I turned to him. Even with just a few moments rest, he already looked more hale and energized than before. Perhaps, the valued the regeneration of the power within more than capacity? “What is your name, Child of the Great Desert?”

“I am Will, and I have brokered an accord with your granddaughter to power this great tree of light for ten days and ten nights.” I reached into my coat and fetched a stone. This one had the exact capacity to stay afloat for a day. I filled it with power and cast it to the ground. It came afloat before me. “Once this stone rises and falls ten times in total, my task here will be done.”

The older gentleman bowed his head at my words.

“Once, I had a greater name and title, but now I am known as Elric. I am the former king of these lands. My son now rules over it all.” I wondered what I could say to such words. Could I ask him how this land was built to safeguard this one place, while all other places were nothing more than colonies ruled by those they entrusted with power? No. Silence was the better answer. I simply nodded at his words, and offered no more information. “Why have you come to our lands? What do you seek here?”

Before I could debate on what to say, the princess answered.

“Grandfather, he saved a prison ship waylaid in the desert by monsters. Thereafter, he was lulled by one of the former prisoners to go an heal their sleeping king. He stayed in these lands, after seeing what became of the people on the outskirts of our empire.” The princess spoke whilst on one knee, utterly deferring to her grandfather, whose gaze was on me. I gave a nod at her words. She was telling the whole truth of the matter so far. “He established several settlements of those we abandoned, and journeyed here after an encounter with one of our knightly households and after defeating them. In exchange for his aid, I promised ships to transport those under his protection to lands far from our own.”

She acknowledged all that her people did without a hint of regret.

“I see. The As’Kari have always had a strong sense of justice. Far more than any of the clans of the Great Desert. But I do not recall their youths being this strong.” Elric gazed upon me for a long time, before speaking again. He rubbed his chin in thought and gazed upon me with measuring eyes. I wondered what plots he was contriving in his head, before he spoke. “Will, of no tribe, you can bring more justice to this land if you swear to my family and add your blood to it. That power of yours is worth what you would demand of us.”

I did not hesitate.

“I refuse.” Of course, this former king only had his legacy in mind. He looked upon a person with immense power and sought to give them all he could to secure their loyalty and lineage. He did not see me, only what I could give, and since that was immense, he offered me inclusion into his family’s ranks. The thought of being a part of this lineage made me sick. After I pass, after my child passes, I am sure that my grandchildren will be little different from these people and they will not bat an eye as what I demanded would be undone. “After these ten days, I will collect all those who I have trained and take them beyond this place. I will never enter these lands again.”

I expected many responses. Drawn weapons, hisses of discontent, and perhaps even a denouncement and threats towards the people I sought to save. None of those things were below these people. Yet, still, I stood my ground and answered the former king without hesitation.

The response to my words was… a hearty laugh.

“Ha! Haha! I see. Of course!” Elric’s face was wide and his smile seemed genuine. I wondered if he was acting, if he aimed to lower my guard, but he shook his head and rose to his full height. “Very well, then, Will of no Tribe, consider the matter done. You are my guest, and I am the acting steward of this kingdom.”

He turned his gaze towards the princess, who had her head bowed, as she knelt before him in fealty.

“Well done. You’ve secured great power for us, while getting rid of possible belligerents through use of resources we have in abundance.” Elric spoke frankly, and waved his hand in an upward fashion. The princess stood up, and I became aware that many eyes were upon her. More than a few looked at her in envy. Few looked at her with awe and respect. I had a sinking feeling that this place was not united and that I was in a den of snakes. “I will see you entitled for your actions, Lassandra. Your actions today have all but ensured our future.”

“Thank you, honored grandfather.” Lassandra bowed her head whilst standing. A fate smile played on her lips. However, a frown followed shortly after. “Grandfather, should you not attend to court?”

“Call upon the court, and I shall there. For now, you are all dismissed. I would speak to this child of the Great Desert alone.” Elric’s words brokered no argument, and all present congregated. Some servants stayed, but he made no notice of them, even as they began to wordlessly set a table and chair for him. Their faces were covered with veils and their figures obscured completely in white robes. I had to wonder how they could see, while they moved to serve the elderly titan of a man. He only addressed me once the immense room was emptied. “You are fortunate, child, that I raised my son well. If I were in his place, I would force you to remain, as I am my father’s son.”

He moved to the table and a meal was brought from a cart. I wondered from where the servants came, until I noticed that there were imprints on the floor. Service tunnels led into the chamber. They couldn’t all enter through the immense gates that I had.

The older man seemed to wish to speak to me… and my curiosity was getting the better of me, so I spoke.

“You mean to imply that your nation has grown kinder and more compassionate with time? That all the works I witnessed from the periphery to here were the work of your forebears?”

“Aye, I do. Any scholar of the Great Desert would see it plainly, how my lineage treated the rest of the nation. We stand at the center, reaping all the harvests, while all others comply and do as we bid.” He was served and immense meal of some whole roasted bird, full barrels of water, and bushels of cleaned vegetables. He set upon the meal with his bare hands, while a servant stood by with a bowl and towels ready for him to cleanse himself of detritus. “This place was built on strength and its retention. All others outside these lands are conquests to not be trusted, so was the will of our ancestors who ventured forth and subjugated them.”

They didn’t treat the lives of those beyond these walls as citizenry.

They considered them as people to exploit and only that.

It was the final, sickening piece of the puzzle that made this nation made sense.

“I see… do you believe that telling me this will convince me that your people can change?”

He shook his head.

“No, I’m telling you this because I am to explain how the current threat came to be. The creatures we now fight… they were born of our own efforts to rule over monsters.”

My heart skipped a beat at the admission, and I stared at him for any sign of duplicity, and found not a single mote.

Innumerable questions came to mind, but I settled on one for now.

“How?”

Perhaps, if I knew how they did it, there was a method to unmake these creatures that I have not yet found.

Gentleman’s Guide to Fantastic Beasts 52

…

Wordcount: 2500

Commissioned by Sivantic.

…

Interlude: Gale

…

I returned to the city ruled by Lucien only to be surprised.

Erucic was present, as was Hash’Im and Averi, and our whole town was present in a settlement of tents surrounded by flying ships.

Lord Lucien was speaking to Hash’Im and noticed my arrived.

“Gale. I see that you’ve arrived ahead of Lady Djet’Is.” After working with the rebels in the north, I couldn’t muster the same dislike for the man I once did. Just glancing around his lands showcased his dedication to the protection of his people here. Meanwhile, the rebels had resisted every measure I offered them for their protection. Thinking about them easily made me tired. “Sir Erucic, I’ll return tomorrow with more supplies. I believe that you have much to tell her.”

“Aye, City Lord, I do. You have my thanks for your generosity.” Erucic gave the man a bow and looked my way. He seemed taller and larger than I last saw him, and much of his armor was new, along with his blade. I nearly thought that he betrayed us and surrendered our people to the kingdom, but if such were the case, Hash’Im would not be present. Such a betrayal would’ve had the As’Kari refuse to trade with us. “Gale… that bad?”

I nodded and sighed.

Of course, he’d know that I went north to see the rebellion there.

“They only have vengeance and violence in mind. They barely paid heed when I tried to tell them how to find and kill the monsters. Their people live from day to day in hunger, yet they march off their soldiers to war.” The people who I thought would fight against the kingdom for their wrongdoings were simply people who wanted to rule their own nation. There was no justice sought. Only old claims brought to the forefront and renewed. Clans and bloodlines quibbling over who had the right over to which region and bereft of unity. “There’s nothing there. All they’ve done is erupt after the kingdom showed their hand.”

My hoped were dashed for some grand rebellion to take across all the land and make the crown pay for what they did.

But I felt something in my chest, as I looked upon the ships and our people.

I recognized many of them from the outlying settlements that we brought to work with us.

“Is everyone here? Why?”

“Will has contacted the crown. He would work with them and offer them his power for ten days and night, and in exchange they would give your people the means to move to lands beyond their reach.” Erucic explained and gestured at the grand assembly. The large ships with their crews were bringing aboard supplies from wagons near incessantly. “We make our way southeast to the great frontier that borders that Great Desert.”

“It is a land with many monsters good for hunting. Great flying lizards with two legs, whose hides make for fine armor and flesh that empowers warriors. The As’Kari will trade handsomely for such prizes, and if you all manage to find and make steel, all the better.” Hash’Im spoke fondly of the decision, while Averi and Erucic winced. The older warrior of the As’Kari took note but shook his head. “I have heard that many of your peoples tried to settle those lands before and failed, but fret not. The people here have all feasted upon strong flesh and have trained. With strong spears and good training, you will be able to stand tall where others fell.”

Erucic grunted at those words.

“It’s a dangerous place, but no one claims it. We’re keeping most of the ships, save for one that’ll return all the crews back. At least, those who want to return. It’s a place where we’ll be free to make our own lives.” I walked towards the camp and the trio followed. Somehow, I felt as though I were a leader. It felt strange, like I should be following my teacher with them instead. “The kingdom won’t have any designs on the place for centuries, either.”

Averi spoke with a soft voice.

I didn’t even recall the last time I saw the knight, but she was fully clad in armor and her helm was by her side. The Knight of the Crown walked amongst people she was sent to conquer and seemed to shrink under their suspicious gazes. Her blood red eyes were hesitant and I could tell that she was afraid.

Why wouldn’t she?

So many of the villages were now strong, and just a handful of them would be able to bring her low.

“The Crown is paying restitution in full. All these supplies and ships, save one, are yours. We have gathered craftsmen and other skilled laborers who wish to leave and sent them here.” There were a few unfamiliar faces amongst the people, as we passed by. Young men and young women who seemed afraid. I wondered idly if any of them were spies of the Crown. “There will be enough dry goods and supplies for your people for eight seasons.”

Some part of me cried out at those words.

My father and the death of my village for eight seasons of food and supplies and some ships?

The life that I once had was gone forever and destroyed by the actions of these people.

I wanted to refuse them.

If I were alone, I would.

But I was not.

More than a thousand people were here, and they were going to be saved.

“Have you asked the people here how they feel on the matter?” I asked Erucic simply, and the veteran knight nodded at my words.

“We placed it carefully and took marks from all. About a fifth wished to refuse. The rest accepted. Some slinked away in the night and left with their families.” Erucic recounted the matter truthfully, as we reached the most central tent of the place. It was a large, circular design and there were lean-tos erected around it. People were cooking, repairing items, and being productive around it. I caught the sight of smoked fish and couldn’t help but smile. The fishing village we fortified seemed so far away now. Almost unreal. “There were complaints, but when the ships came and the promise began to be fulfilled, there were less qualms… especially when we passed over other lands.”

“They’re gone, aren’t they?” We survived thanks to my teacher and his strength. He carved a path for us when we were left behind. He taught us how to hunt, eat, and train from the spoils of battle. The rebels in the north had the traditions and kept them, allowing them to survive, but the other lands like our own did not. “Were there any there that we could’ve saved?”

“We took on as many as we could, but they were few. Mostly hunters or warriors. Some had… ulterior motives, but my knights are strong now. We can keep things in line.” Erucic shifted the cloth into the tent. Inside were familiar faces. The other knights that came with him, along with a few others. They were all clad in new armor and weapons, and looked stronger than we first met. They reminded me of the As’Kari warriors now. “I’m confident that we can protect the people in our new lands.”

Again, that nagging voice crept up within me.

Were we truly to just leave and abandon our homes, while accepting this as an apology?

Taking money and assets in exchange for the people and homes that we lost?

A bitter taste crept up my throat, but there was something in the air that I couldn’t deny.

Hope was apparent in every person’s eyes when I passed them by.

When I last saw them, they looked upon us and worried for their safety. They thought only of the next day or the next week, if there was going to be protectors and if there was going to be food and shelter. The children were quiet and helped their parents work, always wary of strangers, and almost always fearful of anyone in armor. The knights were all haggard, tired, and held together by their belief in their own righteousness and their code of honor. Erucic had stood tall, but his brow was always furrowed, thinking of more battles to come and the needs of all.

The children had been playing in the camp, watched over by the older generation, while the adults worked and helped prepare the ships. Some children were in tents and being taught how to read, or how to make simple crafts. The older children were putting rope together and listening with intent on their tasks on new ships. The various guards and knights were calmer and less pain filled their faces.

A future lay ahead of them.

Ahead of me.

Father? What would want me to do here?

I asked that question to myself, but I already knew the answer.

He would wish for me to move forward and not risk my life.

To use my head, instead of falling to the anger within my heart.

I swallowed the bitter bile threatening to rise up my throat, and simply addressed Erucic.

“I see. Tell me how I can help.” I did not look at their faces. Whether they were astonished or shocked by my words, by my letting go of my hatred, I did not wish to know. It was hard enough to ignore. A voice within me clamored for me to refuse the new opportunity, to rail and scream at the unfairness of it all, but I clamped it shut. If I were to do anything against the kingdom, against the Crown, then I would have to do on my own and not involve these people. Perhaps, after I see them safe, I will make a journey back and find some semblance of vengeance… but I shall not bring others to suffer the same fate. If I desire vengeance, then I will do it alone, after I see what remains of my people to safety. “I’ll need to rest for a bit, but thereafter, I can take on some of my teacher’s duties until he returns to us.”

Maybe, the anger burning within me now will abate in a few years.

Perhaps, it shall not.

But until that time, I shall save who can first, before seeking out retribution.

I will not be like the rebels I tried to help in the north.

…

Days passed and Lucien returned to our camp with Djet’Is in tow.

When we last met, I recalled disliking her immensely for her decision to try and ally with the Crown for the sake of her tribe’s victory in the Great Desert.

Now, when we meet again, my teacher has struck a bargain with the Crown and granted us assets that will see us taken away.

“The chieftain of the city informed me of Will’s actions. It’s good. You leave the lands of those who harmed you for mountains that will forge your people into a stronger nation. In a few generations, this kingdom will fall to you.” Lucien turned to Djet’Is in alarm, while her gaze was set upon me. I shook my head at her words. “Oh? You have no intentions of leading your people to right wrongs?”

“The people here want nothing to do with the Crown. Now and in the future. That is what will happen. As for myself… maybe in the far future when everyone is safe, I’ll return here with grievances.” For a moment, Djet’Is stared at me, before a snort left her nose and she smiled and extended her arm my way. As Will taught me, I took hold of her forearm, just before her elbow, and gripped tight. This was an acknowledgement between two warriors, according to my teacher. “I thought that you’d think I were craven.”

“No. You’ve placed your tribe above yourself. It is the true test of a warrior. One that Will has failed many times.” Djet’Is sighed and looked upon the mass of tents. She spotted where the As’Kari set up their trading post. I wondered why she simply didn’t follow the constant stream of people coming and going from the there and went to the city. Did she have something to do in there? No. I cut those thoughts away. If the As’Kari wished to trade with the Crown, after all that they’ve done and their displays of caring only for the safety and security of a select few, that is there decision. “Then again, he has never been a warrior. Never been one who puts the tribe above all else. His duty has always been towards the people.”

I wouldn’t have understood her words before our paths separated, but now I did.

“I don’t think I can ever hope to stand on his path.” He stood alone, solitary, and indomitable. He is amenable and he changes, always seeking the best course for those he is caring for. A physician’s duty, he told me, is to see to the health and wellbeing of others. He stood by that ideal, even when he had to leave his tribe for its decision to go to war. “I don’t think anyone can, besides him.”

The thought of doing such a thing frightened me. He was alone out there. Even if I were as strong as him, I could no imagine never having a home, never having others to rely upon, and to adhere to such ideals. However, I could emulate him. I could try and reach lesser heights by training to reach him. Here and now, as someone who can help other people, but still believe that I deserved vengeance in the future… I can be myself.

I thought that Djet’Is would disparage him, but her teeth grit and she took a steadying breath, before speaking.

Something that my teacher did many times to calm himself and control his emotions.

I didn’t know if either of them noticed that they emulated one another.

“The As’Kari have been long interested in the mountain lands adjacent to the Great Desert. I believe you already know that we have keen interest in the monsters there for all that they offer. We will trade with you and offer you assistance, as you grow strong enough to stand there without our aid.” Djet’Is did as he did and changed the topic by moving onto something else of greater import. Like him, she fled to regather herself if she needed time to think and plan. “I’m sure that he’ll spend a few years with your people, until moving ahead again. You will need to be ready to replace him when that time comes, either with yourself or someone who can be trusted, if you choose the path to assuage your grievances.”

I nodded at her words, as a helpless thought flickered through my mind.

Will she continue to trail after him then?

Planting As’Kari outposts in her path all the while?