Riftside 2 - Chapter 30

My mind raced as Pa stood frozen with his hands deep inside Arclight’s carcass, his expression unreadable.

"What's happening? Did the old man finally realize how sub-standard this carcass of an overgrown cat truly is?" Roq asked. "I mean, I could have told him that. Nothing special about a lightning kitty compared to me!"

I shifted uncomfortably, uncertain how to read Pa's expression. Something was definitely off.

"I think Pa found something. And if it was a mind gem or even a class gem, he'd just tell us, which means..."

"WHAT? NO!" Roq's mental shout roared through my skull. "It is IMPOSSIBLE for that glorified alley cat to have a soul gem! IMPOSSIBLE! I would have sensed it! I would have known! There is only one soul gem here, and that's me! I am special.”

Lysander moved closer, trying to peer around Pa's broad shoulders. “What is the bear hiding? Have you uncovered treasure?”

Pa blocked him with a subtle shift of his body, his eyes never leaving mine. I watched his hands move carefully inside the carcass, manipulating something.

Then, with a move to make a street performer proud, Pa pulled out a glistening, purple-tinged organ the size of his fist.

“A perfectly intact gall bladder!" he said, his face splitting into a wide, if slightly forced grin. "And look at the size of it. Victor is going to lose his mind when he sees this beauty!"

“A gall bladder? A gall bladder!?" Roq sputtered. "All that drama for a sack of bile? I nearly had a hammer-attack for nothing!"

Everyone laughed at Pa's theatrics, but when our eyes met briefly, I couldn't shake the feeling that something else had happened.

By the time Pa finished, Arclight had been dissected more thoroughly than any carcass that had ever graced the smithy's tables. Every part catalogued, every potential use discussed and planned.

“As long as we get to mount the head on the wall above the fireplace, I don’t care,” Roq said, feigning a yawn. “Though I wouldn’t mind keeping one of those lightning globes on hand for when we figure out how to deal with my breakthrough, just in case, of course. And have Pa save me one of its thigh bones. I need to forge something from it, just to prove once and for all that I am superior to Arclight. Even in death, its materials must succumb to my awesomeness!"

Pa wiped his hands on a rag and turned to Lysander. “Let’s get started on that bow."

Lysander raised an eyebrow. "Such haste, Bear? The materials will not spoil."

"This town is under attack every day," Pa replied, his voice suddenly serious. "There is no time to rest when monsters are at our gates."

Understanding dawned on Lysander's face. “Sometimes I forget the need of the use behind the artistry of the creation,” he said and went to open his wooden case. Inside lay several bows of different designs, smaller wooden boxes likely containing his bowyer tools, and a handful of arrows.

"Young archer," he said, turning to Eryn. "Would you join me outside? I must observe your form before beginning this project."

"Of course," Eryn agreed, squeezing my hand once before heading out.

Knut, Nabeeh, and Ma followed them out back to watch, leaving Pa and me alone with the dissected carcass.

"Pa," I said quietly, "did you find something... else in there?"

He waved me away without meeting my eyes. "Nothing to discuss for now. Focus on your girlfriend, son. Make sure the bowyer makes her the best bow he possibly can.”

I hesitated, wanting to point out that there was no way Pa would let him do anything but, but Pa had already turned back to the carcass, and I decided to give him the space he clearly wanted.

*

The Timberline was bustling that evening, but our usual table in the corner waited for us with a note on top on which were written all our names in large letters.

Our behinds had barely graced the wood when Johan appeared with four tankards.

"On the house," he said with a wink, before his server arrived and handed him a steaming pie, which Johan took with great revery and placed directly in front of Roq, who was propped on the seat beside me.

"PIE! A glorious, beautiful pie!" Roq practically sang in my head. "Johan, you magnificent bastard! You've earned yourself a place in the hall of hammer heroes! I shall name a massacre in your honor!"

"Why the pie?" I asked, genuinely confused.

Johan looked at me like I'd asked why water was wet. "It's no secret you saved the gate, Ash. You and your signature hammer is starting to become a point of pride for us here."

“By the thundercat’s balls, they should be proud to be in the same town as me. Tell him I approve!” Roq preened.

"People say that if the gates had fallen, monsters would have made it through the rift to Noros," Johan continued. "And while First Steel is there waiting, we don't want to test that before we have to, do we?"

"What does that have to do with pie?" I pressed.

Johan just stared at me. "Everyone knows putting that hammer of yours into pie brings good luck. Don't ask me to explain why, but if it helps keep me alive, I'm happy to bake pies." He scratched his head. "Truth be told, more people are eating pies these days too. Wonder if there's a connection. Either way, I am alive, kicking, and making money hand over fist. So, your hammer gets a pie.” With that, he left us to our meal.

I looked at my three companions and their not at all concealed grins. “Just… alright?” I said, sighing as I picked up Roq, holding him before my face.

"Did you hear that?" Roq gloated. "Put me in pie and monsters die! It's practically science!"

I lowered him into the pie, letting go to let him crush through the crush under his own weight.

“Oh, yeah!”

I shuddered.

“Too close,” Knut said, nodding.

“What?” Eryn asked.

“Ash shudders. Thinking of fight, no?” Knut said, wiping foam from his mouth. “Hive Mind growing smarter. Looked at siege monster carcass. No accident to create such being. Was strategy."

"Exactly," Nabeeh agreed. "First the ambush at the caverns, then the coordinated attack on Sentinel Station."

“So, you think it’s adapting?” Eryn said.

“Ambush monsters dug deep,” Knut said. “Planned for base but died to us instead?”

Roq hummed to himself in satisfaction.

“If it keeps evolving, how do we counter it?” I asked.

"We evolve faster," Knut said simply. "Get stronger. Better gear. More levels."

"And we need to be unpredictable," Nabeeh suggested. "If it's studying us, we need to change our patterns too. Different routes, different tactics."

“Isn’t that just the short game?” I asked, rubbing my chin. “What about the long game? If it keeps throwing bigger, smarter monsters at us, how do we stop it, not just survive it?"

“Kill the Hive Mind?” Nabeeh said and shrugged.

“But if it's truly a hive, then cutting off the head might not be enough,” Eryn said. “We might need to dismantle the whole system. What if there are multiple nests? Could we destroy its communication? Starve it of resources?”

A heavy silence settled over the table. The scope of it all felt too big, like staring up at a mountain with no peak. And I hadn’t even gotten to tell them about how it had blocked Roq’s skills during the attack on Sentinel Station.

But then, Knut broke the quiet with a shrug. "Not our problem."

Eryn blinked. "What?"

“Now? We have simple job," he said, raising his tankard. “Get so strong we can matter. Until then, let guild worry of war. The kings of new rifts and invasions. Us? Focus on next hunt, next level, next breakthrough."

Nabeeh exhaled, then smirked. "Spoken like a true mercenary."

“Good brain mercenary," Knut corrected and winked.

I grinned and clinked my mug against his. "Then here's to getting stronger."

"And to more pie," Roq added, because of course he did.

"Speaking of threats," Eryn said, lowering her voice, "what about House Domitius? Do you think they'll try burning the forge again?"

“Doubtful. If so, why send the Earl's fiancée? A level thirty adventurer?" I replied. “No. That tells me they want to appear legitimate. Don’t mean they won’t try something else though.”

“May fight with paper,” Knut said, frowning. "Claim debt. Force sale." He spit on the floor. “Rusted nobles.”

“Offense taken,” Nabeeh said with a smile. “But, they might try to isolate us," Nabeeh said. "Turn the town against us somehow."

Eryn and I exchanged a glance, both having noticed her word choice. ‘Us’.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small pouch, emptying its contents, twelve mind gems, onto the table.

“Five as quest reward from the Glowroot Cavern quest," I explained. "We also have two large root samples, but I decided not to hand them in. Instead I say we give the largest to Pa for crafting, because I think there’s some potential use.”

Or, rather, Roq had thought so

"And the other sample?" Eryn asked.

“Was thinking we give it to Victor in exchange for a profit share on anything he creates from it," I suggested.

“Plan is good," Knut nodded.

“Of course it is. I came up with it.”

“Then we have the six mind gems Pa extracted today," I continued, "plus one extra Harold gave me as thanks for the siege monster. That's twelve total, or three each."

“A sand dune’s worth of wealth!” Nabeeh said. “We bled for these, but now I’ll be well on my way to level seventeen!"

Knut ran his fingers back and forth on the table.

“What’s wrong?” I asked him.

“No wrong,” he answered. “Thinking of what next.” He looked to Eryn. "You get class gem from doctor, no? We still pool gems to pay back fast? Or..."

Eryn and I exchanged smiles.

"No," Eryn said warmly. "It's time to start working on getting your next class gem, Knut."

Knut straightened, and closed his eyes for a moment. Then he sighed in contentment. “Thank you. Means much. Long time stuck at breakthrough. But soon I protect even better."

“But,” I said, "I was thinking of using my three gems to hire security for the smithy until we know more about Serona's plans."

"Do you think they know what happened to Ivan and the others?" Eryn asked, her brow furrowing.

"Hard to say," I replied. "But I was thinking of hiring Richard's party to keep watch."

"Good choice," Nabeeh said. “I'll contribute a gem too. From everything I’ve seen, Ma and Pa deserves it.”

"Same," Knut nodded firmly.

"Count me in," Eryn added.

"Thank you," I said, genuinely moved. "This means a lot."

"Aww, look at your little family coming together," Roq cooed mockingly. "Almost brings a tear to my non-existent eye. You know, if we did things my way and just SMASH those Domitius snobs, we could spend those gems to level you up instead, and be that much closer to…whatever!”

"If it comes to a fight," Nabeeh said, as if reading my thoughts, "we need to be prepared. Benedict's ice magic is formidable, but I should be able to counter him, up to a point. But Serona's wind magic? Fire is not good against wind, so unless I get a jump on her, she’d crush me. And no, I’m not ashamed of saying so.”

"Then there's the two warriors and the archer," Eryn added. "It's not a good situation."

"First priority, avoid fight," Knut said firmly. "Second, change situation."

“No! First priority, Smash! Second, Armor Break!”

“I thought you had gotten more of a hold on your bloodthirstiness. What’s going on?”

“What if you need to break through to level twenty before I can break through to ten? You ever thought of that?”

“So? Keeping a good reputation in Dawnwatch, keep hunting, and staying alive would be the best way to get there.”

“I still say we slay Benedict and leech his power. And the woman too. Get you to twenty, guaranteed. Probably. Maybe higher, even!”

"Speaking of changing the situation," I said, “your new bow might help tip the scales. What do you think it'll be like?" I asked Eryn.

Eryn grinned. "I can't even imagine. But Lysander seems like the real deal. Talks funny, smells of wood, and he seemed as intense as Pa. If he’s not an artisan, then I don’t know if I’ve ever met one.”

"I bet he'll use one of those lightning globules," Nabeeh said excitedly. "Imagine shooting arrows that shock your enemies!"

“Maybe epic bow," Knut said, stroking his beer.

"With Arclight materials and Pa working with Lysander?" I shook my head. "I wouldn't be surprised if it's legendary."

“If it gives me the ability to shoot lightning like Arclight did, then I’ll be the happiest healer in Dawnwatch!”

“Actually, now that you're getting your class gem," Nabeeh said to Eryn, "what are your thoughts on bow versus staff? Most healers I've known prefer staves for the mana amplification."

"I still want to be a damage dear,” Eryn said. “You know what the best way to heal a wound is?"

“Mud,” Knut said. “Big wound? Magic mud.”

“Tell us,” I said, ignoring our tank.

“Prevent the wound from happening in the first place," Eryn said with a grin. “And the best way to prevent you being wounded is for me to kill the monsters first.”

"Tell them about your level up!" Roq urged. "Tell them about Ironburst! It was GLORIOUS!"

"I can’t. Not with Nabeeh here.”

“Why not? Do we need to keep it hidden in reserve in case of betrayal?”

“Of course not. But how am I supposed to explain reaching level twelve? That's twenty-three gems supposedly consumed, but Nabeeh knows I give all my mind gems to Eryn. The only time she heard me ask for gems was those four during the attack."

“This sounds like a YOU problem. So, you need to figure it out!" Roq demanded theatrically. “Because I am getting BORED of being left out of the conversation! The great and powerful Roq deserves recognition!"

“Sure.”

The tavern door swung open, and Harold entered with three people wearing the red and green colors of the Adventurer's Guild. The first was a tall, lean man with a monocle and a precisely trimmed silver goatee, carrying a leather-bound journal. Second came a muscular woman, large enough to rival Madeleine, with half her head shaved, except for a single long braid adorned with small metal rings. The third was a shorter man who waddled in looking as if he inspired to play the part of a rolling ball, with an unnaturally wide smile.

“That’s got to be the guild officials," Eryn said.

“I can’t wait to find out what they want,” I said, sarcastically.

“Look at monster attacks. Count weapons, touch gems, and demand knee bending” Knut said. "Or Edwin's hive mind theory."

"Or that,” Nabeeh said darkly. “Which leads to us.”

“Let’s not give them any reason to look at us then,” Eryn said.

Nabeeh stood up. “You get started on that. I’m answering nature’s call.”

As soon as she was out of earshot, I leaned in close to Eryn and Knut.

"I think we should tell Nabeeh about…you know how," I said quietly.

“Rhymes with stone and hits twice as hard?” Eryn asked.

“Breaker of hand,” Knut added.

“Yes. Him,” I said.

"FINALLY!" Roq exclaimed.

"I think by now we either decide to trust her, or kick her from the party," I continued. “It's getting hard to keep the secret, especially…” I paused, raising my beer and nodding to Knut. He didn’t need much push, and took a big gulp. “especially considering I'm level twelve now,” I said, finishing.

Knut choked on his beer, spraying it across the table. "Level twelve?!" he sputtered, wiping his beard. "When? How? Tell of new ability?"

I grinned. “You know, this is exactly why we need to tell Nabeeh. Too many people on the wall saw me use it. It's an area-of-effect attack called Ironburst. Summons steelhusk spears to impale enemies in a circle around me. Short range and medium damage, but can hit up to fifteen targets at once.”

"By northern winds," Knut breathed. "Area attack? Good. Better control of battlefield. Powerful."

Eryn squeezed my hand. "That's amazing, Ash. And you're right – we should tell Nabeeh. She's part of our family now."

"It's almost strange she hasn't figured it out yet," I admitted.

"She will be back soon," Knut noted. "We tell her tonight?"

“Tomorrow,” I said. “At Pa’s, once Lysander has left. It’s only fitting, considering that’s where Roq was made.”