The Axe Falls 2 -ch 2-

Nick looked to the landscape and couldn’t help but wonder what would happen to these lands. They were likely fertile yet unfarmed.

The battlefield had slowly drifted north and was now more in the north-east of the territory at the moment.

It was quite likely that the fighting could end up moving this way and that meant that attacks like tornadoes and lightning would be dropping in these areas.

I mean, the last time I saw the battlefield, the king dropped mother nature atop everyone like it was as casual as watering a garden.

Sighing, Nick shook his head.

It was a concern for another day.

At the moment, Sara and Nick were east of Ashcroft and north of the capital, wandering along a packed dirt road as they journeyed.

They’d only been on the road for six or seven hours and still had a good bit of the day left to work with. So long as they rested the horses they’d be able to go for quite a while.

With a long road ahead of them, they would need to be careful with the horses.

Sara turned in the saddle, looked to him, and looked to be chewing whatever she wanted to say over once more.

“Jessie, huh?” she asked finally after they’d stared at each other for a few seconds.

Snorting, Nick couldn’t help himself.

That was probably the last thing he had expected her to start with after their last lull in conversation. Which had been mostly about her daily life working for the guild.

In fact, most of the back and forth they’d had was very mundane things that weren’t much worth commenting on. Everyday “getting to know you better” small talk.

“I mean, we were at the bottom of a pit, I wasn’t seeing anyone, and we just… fell into each other,” Nick explained.

“You weren’t… what about Claudia?” Sara asked.

“A friend. Nothing more. She’s the daughter of the count, remember?

“Before you ask, Iris and I just didn’t work out like that. Claudia didn’t know,” Nick explained. He figured it’d come up. “After I fought for the count and what happened there, it was just easier to go level up so I could be of more use to the count.”

“Mm, that makes sense. I just find it surprising,” Sara countered, looking ahead as they slowly rode along.

“Why? I mean, it’s not like I have an aversion to Elves. I asked you out yourself, remember?” Nick said with a laugh.

He still felt bad that he’d asked her out while she was working, but it wasn’t likely that he would run across her in Ashcroft normally.

“I… yes. I do remember. It isn’t that I’m surprised about you having a fascination for my kind, it’s that it’s… well… a Dark Elf?” Sara tried, the whole thing coming out more like a question than a statement.

“She’s not so bad. Just vulgar and… and… actually scratch that, she’s extremely vulgar. Vulgar to the point that she fits a new definition of it,” admitted Nick with a laugh. Then he sighed and shook his head. “She’s extremely vulgar a lot less morally inclined.

“ She’s quick to decide someone needs to die and that shitty things happen. Which suits me just fine. I’ve got a fair share of blood on my hands at this point.”

“I could be vulgar,” Sara stated.

“I’m sure you could,” he agreed politely.

“I’ve killed people, too,” she put in after a beat.

“I imagine so. As pretty as you are I have no doubt that you’ve had to defend yourself in the dungeons,” Nick confessed.

He felt like Sara was trying to argue with him about him picking a Dark Elf.

Rather than her.

Which was odd since he had asked her out and she had declined. Declined without ever having said no, no less.

As if she hadn’t even heard him.

“High-Elves are just like Dark Elves. We just prefer cities instead of underground.”

“Uh… I’m pretty sure Jessie would try to stab you if you said you and her were just alike.”

Nick laughed loudly at the very thought of that, wondering what in the world Sara was going for here.

“That’s not-I didn’t… Elves are Elves. It’s like saying birds are birds,” she tried instead. “I’m no different just because I’m a High Elf. Compared to a Dark Elf. Or a Wood Elf for that matter.”

“I really have no idea where this conversation is going, Sara,” declared Nick. “I’m going to just say that my wisdom and intelligence scores aren’t that high. Yours are probably higher.

“You’ll need to spell it out for me if you want me to be able to offer more in this conversation. Sorry. It’s not your fault, I’m just… a dumb human that hits things with an axe on a stick.”

Sara grunted at that.

“What level are you?” she asked instead of continuing the conversation.

I… don’t know, actually.

I don’t think I’ve checked it since we left the dungeon.

Nick mentally drug up his character screen.

Name: Dominic Randolph

Race: Human

Class: Swordsman

Strength: 17

Dexterity: 13

Stamina: 15

Intelligence: 13

Wisdom: 10

Charisma: 09

Equipment-

Head: None

Shoulders: Plated Leather-Pads

Hands: Plated Leather Gauntlets

Chest: Plated Leather Chestguard

Forearms: Plated Leather Bracers

Waist: Leather Belt

Legs: Plated Leather Tassets/Greaves

Feet: Leather Boots

Back: Dimensional Backpack

Left Hand: None

Right Hand: None

Level: 15(146)/15(189)/15(200)/15(154)

Experience: 32/32/32/32

Hitpoints: 434

Mana: 384

“Right now I’m level fifteen as a Swordsman,” Nick answered.

“I don’t believe that for a moment,” Sara replied. “You’re far higher level than that. You have to be.”

“I’m only level fifteen. Jessie is like level nineteen though,” Nick replied. “I think?”

“I’m level nineteen as well,” Sara murmured sounding surprised at her own words.

And said nothing more.

Nick wasn’t sure where any of the conversation had been going or what she had intended with it, but she didn’t seem as if she wanted to elaborate at the moment.

Ker, the large weasel like Fisher, came trotting up to Table from the side. It’d been rustling around in what little foliage had been around.

There was blood smeared across it’s face as if it’d just caught and devoured something.

It jumped toward Table and easily landed on it’s rear haunches.

Ker did a small spin and then sat himself down right there. His head resting on his own paws.

Nodding his head, Nick looked away from the fisher.

“Did you want to elaborate on the Elves thing anymore?” Nick pushed, deciding he wanted to make sure she had everything said she wanted to. “Cause honest, all I’m getting out of it so far is you and Jessie are the same. Which honestly isn’t that hard for me to put faith in so… not sure where it was going.”

“Just… that… ah… why didn’t you ask me out again?” Sara suddenly asked, turning and looking at him again. Then her horse slowed down marginally till it was riding directly beside him.

“You didn’t respond. I took it as a no. Why would I ask again?” countered Nick, suddenly feeling confused. “Are you… are you upset because of that? You didn’t say anything when I asked you out.”

“I thought me not saying anything would-would have you ask me again when I wasn’t working,” Sara hissed. “I’m not supposed to date adventurerers. Well, I wasn’t supposed to. Now it doesn’t matter I guess.”

“Sara, I couldn’t even tell you where you were living in Ashcroft, let alone where I would have found you, to ask you out,” Nick shot back. “If you wanted something like that to happen, you would’ve had to say something.”

Sara sniffed at that, her face turning forward, saying nothing in response.

Whatever.

Prideful thing.

“To be fair, Sire, she has a right to be prideful. She’s attractive, decently leveled, has a high max level, and seems to be rather talented,” chided Lucian. “She made a mistake with the handling of you, that doesn’t make her any less of what she is.”

Nick mentally waved a hand at that.

The ride to the front would be a while yet and he’d have to figure out a way to carry a conversation with an Elf who had a wounded ego.

Then an odd thought struck him.

She’s like, Jessie, huh?

“Well, my loss. You’re a beautiful woman, Sara. I clearly missed out,” offered up Nick. “A regret I’ll have to carry around with me.

“Now… was there anything you wanted to know about the count or my situation before we get there? I genuinely am not sure what’ll happen.

“The loss of the dungeon of Ashcroft will seriously impact the duchy as a whole.”

“Yes, yes it will. Though Dayton seemed to have quite a few people looking to make it their new home,” Sara murmured. “I put in a request to purchase a home myself there. Seems like a good place to call home.

“I did also request to be allowed land up near yourself. I requested to be considered a man-at-arms to your knighthood.”

I should ask the count what sets Dayton apart from Ashcroft and how we might try to bolster it’s ability to benefit from Ashcroft’s loss.

Because if we can steal craftsmen, or even just farmers, we’d be better off than we were previously.

“Oh? You’ll be my neighbor, huh?” he asked.

“Yes. Jessie will hate it,” Sara said, a grin curling the corners of her mouth.

I wonder if part of it is just a competition between elves.

Cats vs Dogs.

Boys vs girls.

Dark Elves vs High-Elves.

If that’s the case, would Sara push at me if only just to piss off Jessie?

Or was there more there to start.

Oh well.

Not an issue.

***

“My… ass hurts,” Sara said, turning to face Nick head-on as they approached the encampment. “My ass hurts. My hips hurt. I… hurt. It all hurts. Somehow, even my vagina hurts. I didn’t know that was possible!

“You are going to find me an apothecary to fix my broken self, or I’m going to tell Jessie you were in my bedroll every single night and bought me a wedding ring.

“Every single night. All night. That you told me repeatedly how much better I was than her and I’m probably pregnant. And-and if it’s a girl, we’ll name her Jessie!”

Sara’s words had a hint of what sounded like absolute misery in them. Her nostrils had flared as she spoke and her eyes were wide as well.

“I… think we need to find her an apothecary, Sire,” Lucian put in very quickly.

“Sara, you don’t have to threaten me,” Nick said as positively as he could. Right now he felt like there was a cold sweat dripping down his back at her words. “I promise it’ll be fine. We’ll rest here for a few days and then get going again.

“I’ll also make sure to go to the camp apothecary and pick some things up for muscle tenderness. Alright?”

Sara’s jaw was flexing as she ground her teeth around.

Only to nod her head once at him.

“Thank you, Nick. This… I’ve never experienced such pain,” she growled. “Riding a horse is ridiculous. I would prefer never to do it again.”

“Saddlesore is a real thing. It gets easier. It was very unpleasant the first time I went through it,” soothed Nick, still offering her a wide smile. “We’ll take care of it. I promise.”

I mean, she’s a commoner just like me.

It’s not like we ever had a need to ride a horse.

“You’re not a—”

Errr, yes, sorry, Gramps.

I’m not a commoner.

But I was raised as one.

Lucian sniffed at that but said nothing more.

He was quite prickly when it came to Nick’s lineage and status.

“Hate this. Fuck this,” cursed Sara.

Nick had been surprised to find that Sara did indeed know how to curse and would display her displeasure quickly.

She was certainly all smiles and optimism more often than not, but a saddle and the days riding it, had taken it’s toll on her normally sunny disposition.

“Halt. Declare yourself,” said a handful of guards that were out at the perimeter of the tents.

Nick had already done this with the original picket line. Then again at the camp entrance.

“Nickolas Dol, knight in service to Count Distis. I’m here to report in as to news of the destruction of the dungeon of Ashcroft,” Nickolas reported and dismounted smoothly.

He left his poleaxe fastened to the saddle and had only The Fall on his hip.

Reaching to it, he eased it out of the metal ring it sat in on his belt and held it out handle first to the nearest guard.

“I’m more than willing to surrender my weapons if that’s the current security need,” he stated.

The guard took the axe then looked to the poleaxe on the horse, then to Sara.

“She’s my man-at-arms, or I suppose lady-at-arms, anyways, she’ll remain with the horses and gear,” Nick said, interpreting the guard’s look. “I do believe Claudia, the heir to the county, beat me here, but I was told to report in none-the-less.”

Peering at Nick the guard was most certainly weighing out his options.

Then nodded his head once then gestured to the tents.

“Lunch is currently being served. I don’t think the king called for anyone so they will likely be eating alone,” advised the guard. “Mick, escort our knight to his liege.”

One of the guards snapped to attention then began walking away without even looking at Nick.

I mean, these guards are probably way over my level and I’m supposedly a knight.

I’m sure I’m not exactly a great sign to them that all is well with the world.

“This is just how the world is,” Lucian argued. “There are those who are better intrinsically at birth. To try and disbelieve people of that notion is to lie to them.

“Either through beauty, intelligence, family, or lineage, there are those who are better. Only fools blind themselves to that.”

Yeah, yeah.

Nick nodded his head as he was led off to one side. He was sure there was some rhyme or reason to how it was all laid out but it didn’t make any sense to him.

In only a minute or so, Nick found himself in front of a tent he recognized.

It was indeed Distis’ tent.

The guard left him standing there in front of two Distis footmen. Both of them were peering at Nick as if they weren’t sure what to make of him.

“Knight Dol?” asked the one on the left, sounding unsure of himself.

“Yes, footman,” Nick agreed with a smile. He wondered if perhaps he’d grown again, though last he remembered Lucian had told him he wouldn’t be doing so.

“You’re bigger over-all, though not-taller, Sire. You are now your full size that you would ever be,” Lucian put in kindly. “To be sure, you’re a very large man. There is a reason Jessie looks at you the way she does.”

On his response, the second guard had gone into the tent.

In less than a few seconds he came right back out.

“Master Dol?” called the count from inside. “Come in, come in!”

Looking to the footmen, they nodded their heads, and Nick went inside.

Sat at a small table was count Distis as well as his daughter Claudia they were clearly in the middle of eating, though both had already stood up before he entered.

The count looked to be in his middle fifties, was completely bald, and had hard, dark-brown eyes. His body had once had extra poundage to it, though it was clear a number of those pounds had been spent in war

Claudia was standing next to him.

Her pale brown eyes were wide and quite bright, staring at him in a way he couldn’t understand. Her hair had grown out a bit and now hung to her shoulders. The hair’s soft waves gave it a volume to it that was surprising.

Originally, he’d thought she was immature, though somewhat attractive.

He had to re-evaluate that position.

In the time since he’d seen her last, she’d somehow grown into a woman.

Her age matched her body and face now and she was actually quite lovely to behold.

“Count, lady Distis,” Nick said gravely and then performed a bow to the man. “I extricated myself from the fallen dungeon, checked in with Dayton, and then made my way here after receiving the ladies’ letter. I of—”

Claudia slammed into him and held tight to him.

Given he was bent over, she’d managed to lodge his head on her shoulder and was grasping at him as if he might throw her off.

“Nick,” she whimpered, her hands pressed tight to his back. “You saved me again. Again. I’m so glad you’re okay. So glad.”

Wincing, Nick wasn’t really sure what to do.

He couldn’t really just push her off, nor did he really think remaining in her arms was a great position either.

Tilting his head fractionally, he looked to the count.

Who was only smiling and watching the situation.

Realizing Nick was looking at him as if for direction, the count waved a hand at him dismissively.

“I’m glad to see that you escaped. From everything Claudia told me, and then the messages I received, it’s… it’s quite bad,” the count said.

“It is indeed quite bad, Count,” Nick confirmed, Claudia still hanging off him like some sort of necklace. “The city of Ashcroft was rapidly being depleted of citizens. The guild headquarters itself has shed at least seventy-percent of it’s workforce.

“I’ve brought an ex-employee with me just in case you wanted to ask them some questions about their own side of things. Perhaps you have something you wish to know that I haven’t investigated yet.”

“Oh, that’s a rather good thought. I’ll definitely invite them later to an interview and see if they can provide anything extra to what I’ve heard,” the count agreed.

“Dayton appears to be receiving an increase in population as well as travelers,” Nick continued. “I heard that there were several requests to purchase land as well as homes.

“It seems likely that this is an opportunity for Dayton to grow somewhat, though I’m not sure if that’s possible. I admit I do not know what types of goods or unique things Dayton could offer, but it’s in a better position than Ashcroft.”

“Yes, Dayton is… most certainly in a better position,” agreed the Count. “The Duke is already under pressure from neighboring Dukes who want to take his counties out from under him. I’ve been approached no less than four times already to see if I would be amenable to a change in vassalage.

“Tell me honestly, Nick… is Ashcroft done? Can it recover?”

“I don’t believe so, Count,” answered Nick truthfully. “There was nothing unique about Ashcroft other than it’s dungeon. It’s unfortunate, but the truth.

“I did advise several individuals to relocate to Daytin by letter as well.”

“Did you now. And who merited your recommendation?” asked the Count. He had sat himself down at this point.

All as they talked, Claudia had been sniffling. Crying quietly against Nick while holding onto him.

“The guild representative, for one. I feel she would be a good addition to your lands,” Nick began. He didn’t want to say her name as he realized he didn’t know her surname. “Additionally, I paid for postage to Dr. Dennis Palt. I would personally vouch for him.

“Additionally, the innkeeper Sandy of… of—”

Nick’s words had trailed off because the count had begun laughing softly.

“I have no doubt those two will actually move,” the count allowed with a shake of his head after his laughter died away. “I journeyed with them in my youth. It amuses me that you managed to find more than half of my adventuring party in such a short time.”

“Wait… they… Sandy? That… I know them,” Claudia blurted out, releasing Nick finally. She turned and looked to her father. “I recognized both of them but… I couldn’t place it. They didn't’ say anything but it was obvious they knew me.”

“I would hope so. Dennis delivered you,” the count said, laughing again. “Sandy was the one who helped me figure out how to change your diapers and get you fed right.

“As to not revealing their knowledge… you were operating under an alias. Just as our dear friend Nickolas is. Aren’t you… Dominic Randolph.”

Blinking slowly Nick had no idea how to respond to that.