Chapter 27:
Introductions
After harvesting the potential from the two fallen gnolls, I drew in a deep breath, taking a moment to collect myself. My hands were covered in blood, just as they had been the night our camp had been attacked. I shook my head at the thought, refusing to let that past experience lay claim to my present.
I knelt beside the warrior and looked over the visible wounds on his body. Surprisingly, they appeared to be mostly superficial despite how haggard he looked. His armor had done it’s job well.
“Are you alright?” I asked, as I knelt down beside him. “I can treat your wounds if you’d like.”
“Truly, The Path has led my steps. To think that it would be gracious enough to send one of it’s very own priests to aid me.” He let out a boisterous laugh as as he nodded his permission.
“Well, maybe he did friend,” I said, as I reached out my hand to treat his wounds. I didn’t want to waste any of the precious potential I had gathered, so with great effort I only released a small amount while activating my skill mend wounds.
Notice: Skill: Mend Wounds: is now Rank 1: level 3.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not a priest,” I said as the wounds on his face began knitting themselves shut. “There. That should stop the bleeding.”
The man gingerly touched his cheek, eyes widening when he found smooth skin where the gash had been moments ago.
“Well, whoever you are, I’m grateful for the help,” he said, taking my offered hand and hauling himself to his feet. “Name’s Halius, Halius Fisher. Pleasure to meet you, friend.”
“Samuel Garner,” I replied, “and this here’s Blue. We just arrived from the Belt and were headed toward the valley when we came across your path.”
Halius’s eyes widened at the name, recognition flashing across his face. Before he could speak, I answered the question already forming on his lips.
“Yes. That Garner. Sir Lucian is my uncle. He left me his land as inheritance.”
The man’s easy smile vanished. Without hesitation, he dropped to one knee, bowing his head low in respect.
“Please, forgive my earlier impropriety. Had I known you were Sir Lucian’s heir, I would not have been so quick to judge your capabilities.”
Blue and I shared a look with one another, uncertain what to make of the man’s sudden change in formality
“Uh, Halius,” I said awkwardly, unsure how to handle the situation. “Could you please stop… whatever it is you’re doing?”
The man shook his head fervently, denying my request.
“It would be improper for a vassal of the Garner family to show less than my utmost respect.”
I sighed inwardly. What the hell is a vassal?
“Well, let’s worry about that later, would you mind helping me with Blue’s pack? I’d like to get off this road before those gnolls decide they might want to try again. .”
Halius nodded his agreement and immediately jumped into action. He single handedly hoisted the heavy laden pack, and proceeded to set it gently upon Blue’s his back as if it weighed nothing.
I couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment at the man’s sudden change in demeanor. Moments ago, he’d been open and easygoing. Now, whatever sense of camaraderie that had begun to take root felt stripped away by heirarchy that I didn’t even understand.
We covered the rest of the road at a brisk pace, the silence between us heavier than ever. Eventually, the path led us to a fortified wall, much like the one leading into the city of Salt Brine. This wall spanned a narrow gap between two towering cliffs, forming a natural choke point that led into the valley beyond.
Atop the battlements, a man in plate armor much like Halius’s spotted us and waved.
“Hello there, Halius! Surprised to see you alive, you reckless fool! No need to go chasing gnoll pups on your own!”
Halius smiled and lifted a hand in greeting. He looked ready to shout back something equally teasing, but when his eyes flicked toward me, the warmth drained from his voice.
“I may have run into trouble,” he said instead, tone suddenly formal, “but thanks to Master Garner here, I made it back in one piece.”
The words hung in the air for a heartbeat before the guard’s eyes widened in recognition. He sprang into action, calling out orders, as the gate slowly opened inwards allowing us to pass.
Once again, I was met with the awkwardness of my position as the new owner of these lands. The guard, along with the two youths serving under him, bowed politely in my direction.
I couldn’t help but hear one of the boys mutter something as we passed, ‘he doesn’t look that special’, along with the following smack as the older guard chastised him for his lack of decorum.
As we crossed the threshold of the gate, we pressed on, leaving the shade of the forest behind. My breath caught in my chest as my destination opened itself up before me.
It was a massive valley, encircled by mountains that rose like sentinels on every side. At its heart lay a great lake, fed by a waterfall that cascaded down from the cliffs above. The lake’s tranquil blue waters reflected the midday sun, its surface shimmering like a jewel from legend.
The path split once more, winding east and west around the lake, each trail threading through waves of tall grass that swayed gently in the breeze. For a moment, I simply stood, my mouth open in wonder as I took in the picturesque scenery before me.
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“Master Garner, I am sorry to impose a suggestion, but would you mind accompanying me to speak with the elders of the village? They would be furious if I failed to introduce you as soon as possible.”
I considered his request and nodded. I wanted to go straight to our new home, yet the Duke had advised that I meet the tenants of this land first, in order to establish a working relationship.
With my consent, Halius led us along the eastern path toward the small settlement in the distance. We traveled for the better part of an hour, meandering around the lake as Blue chewed on the tall grass lining the trail. At one point, Halius and I knelt beside the water to wash the blood from our hands in the clear, blue water beside us.
As we drew closer, more of the village revealed itself. Dozens of homes dotted the landscape, their black slate roofs catching the afternoon sun. The rear portions of many dwellings were built into man made hillsides, giving the settlement a harmonious, flowing look that blended naturally with the lush green valley.
At the water’s edge, a wooden dock stretched out onto the lake, where several small fishing vessels bobbed gently with the movement of the water. I couldn’t help but smile as a group of youths sprinted down the planks and leapt into the lake, their laughter echoing across the surface as they vanished beneath the deep blue water.
The farmer in me couldn’t help but admire the agricultural ingenuity of the valley’s people. Using one of the lake’s natural outlets, they had created several rice paddies fed directly by the great body of water nearby. On the opposite side of the village, crops more familiar to me such as wheat, barley, and other vegetables, grew neatly along terraced hills that overlooked the settlement.
It was a simple yet elegant system, one my father would have praised for its balance and efficiency.
“How many people live here?” I asked, raising my brows at the unexpected bustle in what I had assumed was a small community.
“The last count was just under three hundred,” Halius replied. “The number varies year to year. After their Choosing Days, some leave to see the world, others stay, but most eventually find their way back.”
As we followed the modest road between homes, I was pleased to find that despite the valley’s closeness to the city, many skilled trades still thrived here. A blacksmith worked the forge beneath an open awning, a tanner stretched hides along a shaded rack, and the rhythmic clatter of a small mill echoed faintly over the sound of running water. Near the edge of the path, an herbalist tended rows of neatly labeled jars and drying herbs that filled the air with an earthy sweetness.
Halius greeted nearly everyone we passed by name, guiding us toward the large building that dominated the heart of the settlement. The great earthen structure shared the same design as the surrounding homes, yet it stood out for its sheer size. Its rounded form rising from the ground like the shell of a great turtle, proud and immovable.
“Master Garner,” Halius said, still clinging to that gratingly formal tone, “please allow the attendants to care for Blue while you and I meet with the elders.”
I glanced at Blue, who looked back at me as if to say, as long as there are snacks involved. I couldn’t help but smile, patting his flank goodbye.
Once we stepped inside, several youths dressed in white cloth hurried forward to help Halius remove his armor. At his request, two of them stepped outside, and moments later Blue’s indignant protest echoed from beyond the doorway as they tried to lead him away.
Freed at last from the weight of his armor, Halius stretched and let out a contented sigh. Another youth approached, bowing slightly before delivering a brief message to my host.
“The circle awaits your presence.”
We followed him through a wide set of double doors that opened into a circular chamber. At its center stood an equally round table, surrounded by a handful of elderly men seated on cushions along the perimeter. Their attention shifted first to Halius, then to me, as we entered their domain.
Though the men sat in a circle meant to symbolize equality, one in particular could not help but command the room by sheer presence. With a jovial laugh, he rose from his cushion and pulled Halius into a warm embrace.
“Ah, Halius, my son. Tell us, who is this stranger you bring before us?”
Halius bowed to his father, then to the others seated around the circle.
“Honored elders, while performing my morning patrol, I caught sight of a wayward gnoll spawn near the valley’s gates. Foolishly, I pursued the creature deep into the forest without the support of my fellow guards. There, I found a cave where I suspect a pack has taken up residence. I was unable to verify this, as I was soon chased from the area by several of the beasts.”
At this, the elders murmured among themselves, brows furrowing with concern, while Halius continued his report.
“As I fled from the pursuing pack, I happened upon this traveler and his donkey. I thought my path had reached its end, but soon discovered this traveler was no mere farmer as he appeared to be. He is, in fact, none other than Sir Lucian Garner’s heir.”
At this proclamation, several of the elders raised their voices in protest. One man, distinguished by an unusually thick unibrow, rose and leveled an accusatory finger at me.
“Halius…” The man with a thick unibrow pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. “We cannot accept the word of every bumbling farmer who travels our roads. What proof has he offered to support this claim?”
Halius froze, his head turning slowly in my direction. For the first time, he seemed to realize he had, in fact, accepted my word at face value. His eyes met mine, searching, perhaps willing me to be the man he hoped I was.
I raised a hand in greeting toward the shouting men, who fell silent as the weight of Halius’s father’s presence filled the room.
“Hello,” I began, easing into the introduction. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I’ve little experience with formalities like this and, truthfully, would avoid them if I could. But as my father likes to say, ’responsibility doesn’t give a damn about how you feel.’”
The comment seemed to diffuse the tension in the room; I even caught a few of the elders cracking faint smiles.
“My name is Samuel Jacob Garner, nephew of Sir Lucian Garner,” I said. “At the request of the Duke of Salt Brine, I have brought his brooch, given to me to verify my claim to this inheritance. Should there be any doubt, the Duke’s personal guard will arrive in a few days to visit my residence, and you are welcome to take the matter up with them.”
I handed the brooch to Halius, who in turn presented it to his father, and then to the elders seated around the table. The thick browed man scowled, but upon inspecting the brooch, his expression shifted from disdain to nervous apprehension.
The elders rose as one and bowed politely in my direction.
From their midst, Halius’s father’s voice carried across the chamber.
“Master Garner, we are pleased to make your acquaintance. It is our honor to welcome you and we are willing to renew the pact once established with your uncle, Sir Lucian Garner.”
I bowed in return, though the discomfort of being called Master had finally run its course. Best to address it now, before things got out of hand.
“I would be pleased to renew these oaths in whatever formality is required,” I said. “However, I have one stipulation to add before we continue. It concerns the respect and preference shown to me in conversation.”
“Of course, Master Garner. Whatever you require, we will be happy to accommodate,” Halius’s father replied, his tone respectful, though I caught the hint of apprehension beneath it. He likely thought I was about to make some unreasonable demand and was bracing for the worst.
I couldn’t help but notice the thick browed man from earlier beginning to sweat nervously. He was probably replaying his rude introduction in his mind, worried I might seize the chance for some petty revenge.
“I grew up in a small town where people simply tried to be good neighbors,” I began. “We don’t use titles like Master or Lord, respect comes from how we treat one another. I’d prefer we have that kind of relationship. No Master needed. Just call me Sam, or Mr. Garner, if you must.”
A few of the elders exchanged glances, their stern expressions softening. The thick browed man looked bewildered, as if kindness hadn’t even occurred to him as a possible outcome in this situation.
Halius let out a quiet, relieved sigh, his shoulders loosening as he regarded me with newfound respect.
“Very well, Mr. Garner,” Halius’s father said, genuine warmth returning to his voice. “Then let us start over, with proper introductions.”
Mend Wounds (Rank 1: level 3) - Amplify the vital potential within a target in order to rapidly heal physical injuries. This skill scales with Spirit.
