A Soldier's Life - 364 - Return To Yuetsen

Chapter 364: Return To Yuetsen

I turned the apex channeling essence over in my hand. I had consumed the three major channeling essences but held back on this one. The glossy black sphere reflected my distorted image back at me—judging me. It had been three days since I learned there were others from Earth. Viridia’s network had picked rumors that they had arrived just three months ago and split into four groups. There were two groups in Lingshan, the capital of Linshania. If the rumors were true, all the humans had arrived about 100 miles north of that city before splintering into smaller groups.

Otherworlders were treated differently in every kingdom and arrived infrequently. Sometimes, they were celebrated, others exiled, and others just disappeared. Otherworlders almost always had strong potential for magic, making them dangerous if they were not controlled. And valuable tools if they could be controlled.

The group of idiots that had exploded in the upper district of Yuetsen had created a strong animosity toward otherworlders that was sweeping this half of the continent. If the reports were true, over fifteen thousand people had died in Yuetsen, with a quarter of the city destroyed. The perpetrators were, of course, all dead. We had arrived in Yuetsen from Godok, so I was familiar with the city. Lesna, the halfling illusionist, might have died in the cataclysm. 

As best as Selene could relay to Viridia, the group of otherworlder women and children had been in a different part of the city during the explosion and fled north. The remaining government of Kityeunia took time to realize there were more otherworlders in their city, and the few remaining senators had called for their capture and execution. I would have to move fast to get to them before their pursuers found them. We only knew they had a seven-day head start and were headed toward the northern border. The Adventurers’ Guild in Yuetsen had complicated things when the senate posted a one thousand gold bounty on each otherworldly yesterday. There was going to be competition to get to them first.

I sent the apex channeling essence back to my dimensional space. If I ever burnt my aether channels again, it would be nice to have a quick way to heal myself available. I stood and walked through my room in Adrian’s Rest. My dimensional space was already packed with what I needed, but I was second-guessing running off to be a white knight to save these humans. Other than being from Earth, I had no connection to these people.

I had questions that I wanted answered and an innate desire to protect the innocent. I wanted to know if time was linear between Earth and Desia. Did the same amount of time pass on Earth that had passed for me here? Maybe they knew a way back to Earth, but I doubted I wanted to return. Maybe they could send a message to my parents and sisters for me. I was now, truly a child of Desia with my magic and near-endless lifespan. I had true friends here that I lacked on Earth.

I walked down the back steps to say farewell to Gilda in the kitchens and smiled as the changeling had stacks and stacks of steaming goat meat buns prepared for me. She didn’t offer me a smile and just waved me off to take them as if it was no big deal. She must have spent all night cooking. By a quick count, two hundred and fifty more buns more than doubled my stores of the bread-encased delight. She had developed a flaky, buttery crust for them, rather than the doughy one I had started with. I also had around forty plates of fish and chips. Gilda wanted to replace the plates anyway, so I did her a favor by utilizing them. Konstantin was a bit peeved at the expense of replacing four dozen earthenware plates, even if it was for me.

“Thank you,” I said to her. She raised a spoon in acknowledgment but didn’t turn around after the stockpile disappeared. I shook my head at the changeling’s mannerisms and headed into the common room.

I found Konstantin sitting with everyone in the common room, nodding to those assembled. “Are we ready?” I asked softly.

“Horses are saddled and ready,” Blaze confirmed. Konstantin rose first, and I shook wrists with him. He had been conflicted and wanted to come with me. We had a brief argument and I practically had to force him to stay. The old man was happy here and had a son to raise. If I had a child, I probably wouldn't be going off to rescue strangers, either.

Mateo was next and embraced me in a hug. I told him, “There are five modest crates in the basement filled with glowstones. Be cautious about how many you display; there have been more than a few inquiries about our supply.” I had also transferred five hundred gold from my dimensional space to the Duchy of Manch depository, and he had secondary access. There was no worry of him running out of gold, even if I never returned to manage the curiosity shop. Mateo had even started buying odd items and reselling them in the shop, keeping all the profits.

“I am the one who told you I was worried about everyone asking questions about their origins!” He said congenially with a laugh.

Anna, Mabel, and Oliver hugged my leg and wouldn’t let go until Mateo pried them away with a look of apology. They really liked their Uncle Eryk and his magic tricks. Viridia rose and embraced me, saying, “Selene, Sylph, and Helena will meet you in Yuetsen.” I nodded in thanks. The trio believed this was the perfect opportunity to repay me for my past kindness in not killing them. They must have reached Yuetsen recently and were gathering information for us.

At the table, Ignis had a crooked smile on her face, and I suspected she wanted to hold onto the dreamscape amulet. “Keep it, boy,” she rasped when I started to turn my hand over to produce it. “My Elvish is passable, and I had copied enough notes to last me a month.” She walked to me, gave me a strong hug, and whispered into my ear, “In your travels, see if you can get me some mithril to work with. Also, don’t be shy around Iggy.” She stepped back and winked. 

Iggy was what she called her dreamscape manifestation. The first time she had tried to impart her crafting knowledge to her young clone, she had been bedridden for a day, moaning with a painful headache. She hadn’t heeded my advice to take it slowly. Iggy was the youthful version of Ignis. I think she had made the manifestation flirtatious to spite the simulacrum of Raelia in the dreamscape.

“So, you are ready to make me a suit of chain?” I said mockingly as we separated.

Ignis blew a raspberry, “I will be lucky if I learn half the techniques required before I die. Most of the work is properly prepping the chain for an artificer.” She still had a bright smile, entranced with the challenge. 

Castile rose next, her travel clothes hugging her figure. She had put on some weight but still carried it well. I didn’t try to dissuade her from joining me; having a powerful mage like Castile with me was welcome. Benito, seeing it was time to go, stuffed the last breakfast muffin into his mouth, washed it down with chilled goat milk, and rose to join us.

Konstantin needed to get in the last word, “You all, don’t be going and getting yourselves killed. I have enough vendettas to fulfill with Firth.”

Castile snapped back at him blithely, “Firth will breathe his last very soon. Keep your patience until next spring.”

Goodbyes finished, Castile, Blaze, Benito, and I walked to the stables where Ginger and the other mounts awaited us. We were soon mounted and heading toward the portal stone. Viridia had contracted a powerful Elven displacement mage at great expense to teleport us all the way to Yuetsen. When we reached the courtyard for the portal, a familiar blonde elf was waiting for us flanked by her guards.

“Oh, it is you!” she said with a smirk. The elven displacement mage had taken me from Esenhem to Gramney and then back to Esenhem.

“I guess I made an impression if you remember me,” I snorted. The truth was I was being watched by the Esenhem elves as soon as I landed in their nation since I was a Telhian.

“Not a good one!” She laughed in jest. “Must be doing well for yourself to afford my services on such short notice.”

“I just have wealthy friends,” I deflected. The truth was I was making decent coin from the inn, forge and curiosity shop. Everyone insisted I receive my fair share, although Ignis frequently proclaimed that she would own the forge at some undetermined point once I had been sufficiently compensated.

The elf mage signaled that the banter was over and gestured for us to enter the runic stones. As she prepared, she talked. “Rumor has it that Yuetsen has been destroyed, but the old anchor stones are outside the city. I have already tested the connection, and I’m confident we won’t end up a mile underground.”

Castile complimented the displacement mage, “I hear the Elven Displacement mages are some of the best on the continent. I am sure we will be safe in your hands.” It never hurt to be nice to the person who held your life in their hands.

The teleport took a little longer than expected, and there was some consternation on the elven woman’s face as she attempted to lock onto the destination. I could feel and see with my aether sight, that the runes in the rocks before us were saturated with aether from the ley line deep in the earth. When we portaled it was slightly more unpleasant than normal, and my ears were ringing.

We were far outside the city's walls, but still on the plateau above the river. The mage’s four guards interposed themselves between the Linshanian soldiers in tabards of the Prince. The Principality of Linshania was ruled by a Prince, but it was the Senate that had the real power. The Prince was a figurehead for the government, and that was the primary reason why he was not given the title of king.

The elven mage spoke in the native language back and forth until the soldiers finally relaxed. She addressed us, “Good luck, there is a lot of tension in the air. If you would please move out of the circle.” I was a bit shocked she was not resting after such a long teleport, but she had completed her contract. A few minutes later she winked at me, “Until next time.” Then she vanished.

Castile was slightly amused, “You seem to have a way with elves.”

I groaned, “Not all elves like me.” I thought back to the Guildmaster in Esenhem and Raelia’s aunt. “Let’s go find Selene.” I turned and headed for the city’s gates.

As we approached the city, the smell of death was heavy in the air. Chunks of stone embedded in the soil lined the road to the gates. The horses didn’t want to approach the city; even Ginger was unhappy. Fortunately, Selene waited for us just inside the gate and got us past the guards.

Selene and Castile embraced further into the city, smiling at each other. Selene asked, “I am surprised you came, Castile.”

“I am healed, thanks to Eryk,” Castile replied with a grin, nodding at me.

It was clear Selene was familiar with Benito and Blaze. I think Blaze might have been drooling a little over the beautiful mage—at least he lacked his normal decorum and was having trouble making eye contact. “So this is the famed Eryk,” Selene said, drawing my attention back to her.

Even without makeup, the young mage was strikingly attractive, with clear green eyes and wavy auburn hair. It was the first time I had met her, as she had been abroad managing Viridia’s investments. Well, that wasn’t exactly true. I had captured her in the dark, but we never really talked civilly, and the second time I saw her was when I left her unconscious on the bed with Castile before leaving for the Caliphate. I bowed, somewhat formally, “A pleasure to make your acquaintance in better circumstances, First Citizen Selene Greko.”

The slight smile vanished from her face, “Just Selene if you please.” I had touched a nerve. I nodded as the Empire had killed her parents to take over her family's precious metal mine. “Follow me, Helena and Sylph are in the lower city digging up rumors.”

“Can you show us the destruction?” Castile asked, causing Selene to pause.

Selene nodded, “I think you’ll be amazed. The destruction is beyond the scope of anything since the time of the Titans.” As she led us, I noticed she was no longer the soft-bodied First Citizen I had captured over a year ago. Her steps were purposeful and athletic. Her glutes were firm, and her hips barely swayed—she had been training, probably with her legionnaires. I wasn’t the only one admiring our guide; I caught Benito and Blaze doing the same.

I raised my focus as we walked through the city. The debris had rained down and caused some modest damage, but as we got closer to the site, many buildings had collapsed as if a giant had swatted over them. The people were sparse, and those we did pass looked like they had been beaten down. We turned onto a wide thoroughfare and headed to what I knew as the upper city. Very few buildings stood now as we progressed. Only those made of large blocks of sandstone. Then the road stopped.

We were all in shock as we looked down on a massive crater in the middle of the city maybe four hundred yards across. I immediately guessed the explosion had originated in the undercity to create this much devastation. It really was a cataclysm. As we were silenced, Selene talked. “They have stopped trying to count the dead, but tens of thousands died. They stopped trying to burn the bodies and are now just throwing them in the river for the crocodiles. Most of those people down there and in the city cleaning up were caught looting and pressganged.”

“They must be desperate as those look like halflings,” Benito said, pointing.

I followed his finger and cursed, pulling my spyglass from my belt to confirm. A touch of aether and I focused. Yep, that was definitely Lesna.

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