A Soldier's Life - 461 -

Chapter 461:

I summoned Raelia’s manifestation in the dreamscape to me. She had a playful smirk, “Are you here to play?”

“Did you know we had a son?” I asked directly. Raelia had invested her personality in this manifestation, and it had her memories. Her smirk vanished.

“The child lived?” She asked seriously and turned away from me. “The chances were so small…” There appeared to be genuine emotion in her tone.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I pressed.

“I can only tell you what was left with me. I had two responses prepared for you for either outcome,” Raelia said, looking up at me with her green eyes.

“Tell them both to me,” I said.

“I can’t…” she started to say, but she didn’t have a choice since I controlled the dreamscape.

“If the child were stillborn, I knew you would be devastated. I didn’t want to put you through that, so I chose to bear the burden alone. I didn’t know if you would still want me…” she trailed off, not saying more.

I ground my teeth, which was not as satisfying in the dreamscape. I thought we had built a trust in our relationship. “And the other message?”

Raelia’s face looked conflicted. “Did I…did I give up the child? Did my father make me?”

“No. You are with our son, but I just learned of him yesterday,” I said, trying not to be angry. “I don’t even know his name,” I muttered to myself, but I was not going to ask Alhur. I needed to remember this was not Raelia, even though it had many of her memories and mannerisms. “What is the other message?”

The illusion turned away from me. “You need to understand there is a lot of stigma attached to half-elven children. A burden the child must carry, growing up faster among elven children. The elven parent watching them age… Most are sent to human families in Bartiradia. When I left you in Godok, I was still unsure of what I was going to do. I am relieved I did not.”

“Is that the message?” I asked, still angry that she hadn’t told me, and furious that she had gone through this without me. I could only imagine her internal turmoil, but she had broken our trust.

“No, the message was different.” She straightened up a little and made the face that Raelia usually had when she was about to give me bad news. “You probably just found out I gave birth to our child, and you're unhappy with me. I’m sure my family isn't pleased either, but I chose to take refuge with them, hoping the child will be born healthy. I know you'll rush to my side and be part of the child’s life, but be cautious of my father when you arrive. Ever since my people left Esenhem, he's never supported the mixing of our races, even though he commanded elf, human, and dwarf soldiers for decades. I fear my brother might hold the same views as our father, but we've never discussed it openly. My mother... she will support me and the child. I worry that when you come, you'll encounter some hostility, but I believe you can win them over. Actually, that's a lie. I think you can prevent them from killing you immediately and eventually accepting you.”

“Fantastic,” my sarcasm was lost on the dreamscape Raelia. I dismissed her, and she reluctantly joined the others, allowing me to think. I didn’t know how to feel beyond the anger for not being told. If Realia’s family were anything like Alhur’s, then I might just take my son and leave. But would Raelia come with me?

I spent the rest of my time grounding myself. That involved upgrading Konstantine’s avatar to have more speed and strength, and getting the crap beaten out of me both physically and verbally. I admit I was a little surprised when he killed me. I stormed back into the chamber, and he simply said, “If you don’t want to be dead, don’t fight stupid like a goblin. I will be disappointed if our sons never meet,” giving me an uncharacteristic smile. Like Raelia, this manifestation was infused by Konstantin's own memories. I nodded in thanks, got control over my emotions, and focused, killing Konstantin as many times as he killed me.

When I left the dreamscape, I was in a better place. I could accept Raelia’s decision, but I was adamant her family wouldn’t keep me away from my son. I was dressed and left before anyone else woke up. I went to the local Adventurers' Hall to get a revelation scroll for my recent dungeon acquisitions. I had been hesitant to do so on Sanctuary because I worried they might have been taken from me and given to another Sentinel who could use them better.

It was hours before sunrise, and the overnight clerk was reluctant to wake the appraiser, but a large silver convinced him. The young man came down with bed head and bloodshot eyes, but little complaint. I guessed that with more monsters roaming the lands and fewer adventurers delving, he was receiving fewer requests.

We entered his private room, and the air smelled of burnt wood. A plain table with two chairs dominated the center, with a shelf stacked with revelation scrolls on one wall. The door was made of tace wood, and runes on the other walls were anti-scrying in nature. It was meant to reassure that the reading was private, but the only way to keep a secret was for the other man to be dead.

Unlike the halfling Tarvon in Telha, who also managed the potion stocks for the Hall there, this young man’s only job was doing readings. “A gold per reading, and you guild token?” he asked, yawning, holding out a hand.

I placed my token in his hand, and he studied it, trying to focus his bloodshot eyes. “Long night?” I asked.

He grinned and held back a belch. “The Fearsome Foursome just came back from a delve and did quite well. They were buying drinks for everyone last night.”

“Oh, are they well known?” I asked, placing the ivory-handled dagger in its black sheath on the table. “Those two are linked,” I said.

Well known around here. Four sibling mages—two brothers, two sisters. Very generous and amiable,” he said, drawing the dagger. The silvery metal was a clear indication it was dungeon-forged. He studied it appreciatively for a moment. “If I use a scroll and the sheath and dagger are not bound, the reading will be flawed, but you still need to pay.” I placed the gold coin on the desk.

He took the coin and soon had a revelation scroll unrolled and the weapon laid out. He wasn’t as quick as Tarvon as he worked and activated the scroll. He squinted hard as he studied the feedback, and I thought I might be wasting my time. He finally relaxed, some sweat on his brow.

“They are linked, as you guessed.” I didn’t guess, but I let him continue. “The blade can sense shapeshifters not in their natural form. It has a durability enhancement on it as well—it should never dull. The sheath can be used to recall the blade; the farther the blade is, the more aether it takes to recall. I am not certain, but I think if the two are separated for too long, the detection ability will not function. I have not heard of such a dungeon artifact before. Where did you discover it?”

I didn’t answer, and instead, I made the blade vanish, causing the young appraiser to frown. The oversized axe then appeared on the table, followed by a gold coin for payment. This was the reward from the minotaur's room, and I later learned that some Sentinels choose to leave behind the heavy weapon only to discover that the minotaur would use it against them when it hunted them in the maze.

“It looks impractical for anything other than an ogre,” the young man said. I had to agree, as the head was easily twenty pounds and the shaft almost the same. “Another dungeon artifact I am unfamiliar with,” he said, testing the axe’s sharpness with his thumb. I shrugged when he looked up at me. He didn’t need to know where they came from to use the revelation scroll on them.

As he prepared for the reading, he asked, “Would you consider selling the dagger and sheath? I know several hunters of shape shifters who would be very interested.” I took the time to pull out my Sentinel medallion under my shirt. He made an “o” with his mouth and nodded.

The reading on the axe was much more straightforward as he didn’t need to decipher any interactions among the runic writing that was revealed. “A durability enhancement and a stamina enhancement. The axe will drain your aether, but in return, it will prevent the wielder’s muscles from fatiguing—at least until they run out of aether. An apt ability for this weapon but few warriors have large aether reserves. I suppose you are not open to selling it either?”

“No,” I said as it disappeared. It was useless in combat, but it could be a totem for a unit with men rotating back to grasp the handle and restore their energy in a prolonged fight—at least that was the only application I could think of, unless I recruited a titan to fight by my side.

“What about this?” I asked, placing the onyx stone, with its glowing blue veins, on the table.

He picked it up and turned it in his hand. “It has no resonating runes. A golem heart?” he asked questioningly.

“Gargoyle. I can sense earth essence inside, and can the essence be harvested?” I asked. I had tried my collector on it, but it had done nothing. The books on golem creation in the Repository had been victims of the Nashasari.

“Possibly,” he said, putting down the stone. “Maybe a collector…” I shook my head negatively. “Then you should consult one of the Mage Lords who specializes in such things. I am certain they would pay you well for them.”

I took the rock and could still feel the earth's essence reverberating inside with an earthly pulse. There had to be a way to turn it into a valuable essence I could use to enhance my affinity. I sighed as I thanked the young man and left him a gold tip for waking up and reading my artifacts.

While I walked back to the inn, I gathered breakfast for everyone from the cart vendors. I selected a diverse range and hoped to satisfy everyone, as it was likely our last meal together. I sat in the standard and set out the spread, confident the smells would wake Benito first. While I waited, I wrapped the black sheath and ivory handle before placing it on my belt. It should conceal enough of its origin so I don’t attract greedy men trying to steal it.

Evie was the first out of her room and grabbed some sticky berry buns. I noticed she was dressed and ready to leave. Sleeping in our traveling clothes had become commonplace. “I want to learn the slow aging spell form,” she said between bites.

“That is impossible, Evie. Your time affinity is only 15; you need at least a 40,” I said cautiously. This is what had been on her mind when I revealed how long I would live.

“Then all I need to do is find time essences,” she said, going for another bun. I grabbed her hand and pointed to the hard-boiled eggs, spinach bread, and variety of meats. She sighed but chose a slightly more balanced breakfast.

It was a slightly interesting thought, and with her convergence spell form, it was likely achievable. The issue was if I found a dungeon that sourced time essences, I would be inclined to give them to Raelia or my son instead… Damn it. I was already placing my son’s importance over Evie. “Maybe,” I replied cautiously. “If we can find a dungeon after all this where they can be harvested without danger.” She beamed happily as she inexpertly snuck another honeyed bun.

Baelira stumbled out of her room next, her legs not quite obeying her from the riding lessons. I hid my grin as she dove into the food. Benito and Lesna came out of the same room shortly after, and soon Blaze joined us as well. I learned Maveith had left for the castle last night to ensure his people would be well received when they arrived.

Around mid-morning, it was the High Sentinel and not Maveith who came to our suite. I was worried that he was alone and carried a large bundle. “Is Maveith not coming with us?”

“The Lord Protector will be here before you sail. He is still in negotiations with King Torvane for training his people when they arrive. He was concerned they would be used as front-line fodder for engagements. A good leader, always concerned about his people,” Fenlorian said, and I noticed Baelira frown.

“Why have you come?” Baelira asked, holding back her dislike for the High Sentinel in her words.

He offered a weak smile, not fooled. “I have come bearing gifts.” He squatted and started to unwrap the bundle. “Lepidus repaired the runes but couldn’t attach the scales. I knew there was a nature mage in the Nausis capable. I didn’t want to get your hopes up until I knew he was here.”

Fenlorian pulled out the first shield, its front made of faceted scales all melded together in a spiraling pattern. It reflected the dim room light in a hypnotic way as it moved. I’d have to dull that shine if I took it into battle so I wouldn’t be a target. The outermost scales were the largest and folded over the rim, making the small shield slightly bigger. It was only slightly smaller than a medium shield I was used to. The second shield had a starburst pattern and was less distracting. They were being passed around as the third and final shield was revealed.

The mage had tried to flatten the scales on this shield to match the contours of the button. He has been mostly successful, and the red tones blended well across the surface. “Incredible,” someone said, “and not too heavy either.”

“Which one is which?” I said, equally impressed.

“The last one is the voice amplification, the spell form is called shout. The burst pattern is the cleanse spell form, but it only works outside your body. The spiraling pattern confers poison immunity,” the High Sentinel explained.

“Thank you, they are all impressive, but need to be painted over so as not to draw attention in battle,” I said, as they passed through my companion’s hands. “Benito, do you want the poison shield? You don’t have the aether to use its ability, but as long as you are holding it, any mage can supply it with aether.”

Benito quickly found the shield and nodded. “Thank you, Eryk,” he said, sliding it on and adjusting the straps.

“Fenlorian, you can keep the voice amplification. You will need it for the battles to come,” I said seriously.

“You are too generous, Seeker Eryk. I appreciate the sentiment, and I agree that many battles lie ahead.” The shield circled back to him, and he repacked it. “The Salty Maiden sails at dawn tomorrow, he announced.” Benito, Blaze, and Lesna nodded in understanding. “Alhur has been a captive audience of the king. I think he comprehends the times are desperate, but we will still keep him shackled until we leave port.” Fenlorian rose shook wrists with Blaze, Benito and me before leaving. Baelira didn’t look inclined to do so, and Lesna was in her room with Evie when he finally departed.

We spent the afternoon waiting on Maveith and made sure the Tipsy Mermaid did not sail without us. When Maveith did return, worry lines creased his face. “Is there a problem?” I asked as we all walked the docks.

“I think many of my people will die in this endeavor, Eryk. I know it is unnecessary, but still it weighs on me,” he said heavily.

“The more successful we are in convincing the other kingdoms to send men, the better the chances,” I said reassuringly to my friend.

The Tipsy Mermaid was an old trading ship, but it was well cared for, with regular repairs and a clean-looking hull. The captain was a middle-aged man with a red-brown beard that reached down to his waist, and he wore a perpetual grin. He greeted us, and his eyes only briefly traveled over Baelira and Evie. I watched the crew and picked out two men whom I would have to keep an eye on during the voyage.

It felt weird not having Blaze and Benito at my back, but it felt good to have Maveith watching my back again, even if his thoughts were preoccupied. As we settled into our cabins, I took out my new shield to see how effective it actually was…

© Copyrighted 2024, 2025 by AlwaysRollsAOne

No permission is granted to translate, copy, or repost this original work of fiction. If you are reading this on a site other than my Patreon, it has been stolen without my permission and violates the DMCA. Remember, this work is the result of my creative effort and is protected by copyright law. Removing or altering this notification acknowledges that you are aware that you are violating the DMCA. No permission is granted for my original work to be used to train AI.