Lumda, 10th day of Ichigatsu, year 2314
Bright and early in the morning Thon checked out of his room and headed to Madai's. By the time he got there it was still closed. So, he sat patiently on the porch and waited. When the red sun sat on the horizon, the young seamstress from yesterday walked up to the shop.
"You're the customer from yesterday," she said.
"Call me Thon miss," Thon replied.
She pulled a ring of keys out from her pocket and unlocked the front door.
"Miss? How polite of you, my name is Annette. Most rich customer that come by address me by my hairstyle," she noted. "Please, come in."
Annette turned the sign in the window around to read open as she headed in. Thon followed in and went straight to the counter. There was a wrapped parcel on top. He opened it while Annette drew the curtains to all the front windows. Excited to try it on, Thon ducked into the changing room.
He emerged in a masterful blend of dark, mystical elegance and functional practicality. The main attire consists of a sleek black jumpsuit, boots and gloves made from stretchy, durable wolf arachnid's webs. Which provide maximum flexibility and comfort when processed. Its key appeal was that when Thon used his magic it would respond by allowing any protruding bones to slip between the threading instead of tearing through. The jumpsuit also complimented his toned physic and included ash white trimmings.
An older man walked out from the back room.
"Morning, I am Asshur and you must be the customer my daughter mentioned. I hope everything is to your liking," he greeted.
Assuhr was taller than Thon. His gentle weathered appearance spoke of a life plying his trade. He sported a full head of dark hair with streaks of grey on the sides. Warm, honey-brown eyes twinkled with a deep kindness and a wealth of wisdom.
"Absolutely," Thon complimented.
"Are you perhaps an adventurer?" Asshur asked.
"I would guess you're an eccentric from a well of family," Annette suggested.
"Neither. I would call myself a privateer," Thon replied with a grin.
"Regardless, thank you for your patronage," Asshur said.
Thon packed his new clothes in his small bag and went off. Next, he stopped by the council hall, which stood as a testament to the city's rich history and architectural grandeur. This imposing structure, crafted from a warm, honey-coloured stone, rose majestically in the heart of the city, its intricate carvings and ornate spires seeming to dance in the flickering light of magic flames. A sweeping staircase, flanked by statues of long forgotten lords, led up to a grand entrance, where a pair of massive wooden doors, adorned with Aagard written in runic symbols, swung open to reveal a cavernous interior filled with the whispers of centuries past. Within its walls, the council of Aagard convened, their deliberations echoing through the halls like the whispers of judgement itself.
Inside he presented the papers from lady Lasha along with his identification card to a dragon kin clerk. The name tag on his chest had his name, it read Triton. His brick-red scales glistening in the interior lighting, subtle ridges on his cheeks, a sharp jawline, and delicate claws that tipped his fingers showcased his dragon heritage. Piercing eyes, a shade of emerald green, sparkled with a quiet intensity as he worked, his dark brown hair neatly tied back to reveal a pair of elegant, curved horns that swept back from his forehead. When he finished looking over the papers, he scanned the two magus crystals hanging around his neck with a special mana crystal.
After which, he presented him a new identification card and two pouches holding ten silver coins each. This procedure is standard practice across Paengion to verify one's identity. At birth every being receives something known as a frac crystal, a physical manifestation to represent a being's mana pool. The size, shape and colour are unique to their magic, and vary among the seven races.
"Congratulations Mr Soko. Your bondage has been dissolved, and you have been reinstated your title and privileges as a noble. One pouch of a month's wages awarded to you and the other for Mr Barett, who's bondage has also been dissolved," the clerk stated.
"Thank you. I would also like to register a company while I'm here," Thon replied.
"Not a problem sir. First, fill out this form, thereafter, proceed to the merchant's guild to have this approved," the clerk explained.
"Will do," he said.
With that done his business at the hall had concluded. He took the stamped form and left with a wave goodbye. Next, Thon decided to pass through the market street on his way to the merchant's guild. He grabbed a bit to eat from some food stalls, then bought a map of Ebion, water canister and potions. At the end of the street were stables with a wide selection of steeds.
Horses, donkeys and all manner of tamed beast one could ride or use to pull a wagon or carriage. However, not even the rock lizards, gruffalos, bi-horns or postriches caught Thon's eye.
"Looking for anything in particular young man?" a man asked.
He exuded an air of refined opulence; his portly figure draped in the finest silks and velvets. His round face was flushed with good living, his cheeks rosy and his slightly bulbous. A carefully trimmed beard, flecked with threads of silver, framed his full lips, which curled into a fixed smile, as if savouring some private joke. A glittering diamond pin secured his cloak, and a heavy gold chain hung around his neck, proclaiming his wealth and status to all who laid eyes on him.
"Is this all you have? I want something nimble yet fierce enough to take into a battle," Thon inquired of the merchant.
"Mizrarim knows just the thing. Follow me," he replied.
They went to another section of stables with a more exotic catalogue. A handful of slaves were busy tending to all the animals. In the corner one slave was struggling with an aggressive raptor. Standing tall and lean, her scaly skin was a mottled mix of earthy browns and tans. Sharp, curved claws clicked softly on the ground as she moved, and her powerful legs seemed coiled and ready to strike.
A long, narrow tail swished back and forth behind her, balancing her movements with sinuous grace. Piercing yellow eyes, seemed to burn with an inner intensity, and her serrated jaws were lined with razor-sharp teeth, giving her a fierce and deadly appearance.
"How much for that raptor?" Thon asked with great interest.
"This is Vyz, females cost more than the males fetching five whole silver coins. Unfortunately, I haven't finished breaking her in, you can wait a few days," Mizrarim introduced.
"Not a problem," Thon insisted.
He approached Vyz one slow step at a time maintaining constant eye contact.
"Bone magus. Shape change."
He cut open his left palm with a claw made from his right index finger once he got close enough and stretched it out towards her. The scent of blood lured her in slowly until there was no distance between them. Vyz stooped her head to lapped up the blood dripping from his palm. She instantly became docile and friendly with Thon.
"Amazing! How did you know that would calm her down?" Mizrarim asked with intrigue.
"If you spend the amount of time I have in nature, you pick up a thing or two," Thon shared.
"You have yourself a deal young man and thanks for the tip, I was about to hire a beast tamer for her," Mizrarim celebrated.
Thon paid Mizrarim and saddled up. He whipped the reigns and Vyz took off. They made it to the inner ring from the centre in well under half an hour. The merchant's guild was the largest public building, mainly because it also doubled as the cities commercial bank, which was the same in all of Ebion's cities.
"Wow there!" Thon called out.
Vyz stopped and Thon dismounted, he did feel the need to secure her before heading in. In contrast to the council hall, this building had artistic décor filling its cathedral styled interior. Every part of it from the walls to the furnishings were stunning. Thon picked up his jaw from the floor and proceeded to the long reception desk.
"Greetings sir, I am Prim. How can the merchant's guild be of service," an owl beast kin greeted.
"I'm here to finalise my company registration," Thon answered handed her the form.
Prim's slim figure was covered in soft, muted feathers that ranged in colour from creamy white to mottled brown. Her owl-like features were striking, with large, round eyes that shone like moonlit opals, and a tiny, button nose. Ears slightly pointed and tufted with feathers, gave her an endearing whimsical appearance. A pair of delicate, almost translucent wings sprouted from her shoulders, folded elegantly behind her back as she worked. A warm, gentle smile spread across her face as she interacted with Thon, putting him at ease.
"Now, what would you like to call your company?" Prim asked.
"Trek Draught," replied confidently.
"Alright, all that's left is a registration deposit of three gold coins. It can be paid up front of from an account with the guild," Prim finalised.
"I do have an account I deposited money into even as a slave, please use that," Thon responded.
"Right away sir," Prim replied.
The whole process took a few minutes, and the paperwork was completed. Thon gave Prim his identification card to update and with the wave of an inscribing magic tool she was done. He thanked her then exited the guild. Vyz was eagerly waiting for her new master by the curb. One final stop at the Hamsten mine remained before Thon could begin his first job.
He rode out on the wide main road where Vyz could run wild. The farmlands and meadows blurred past as she picked up speed. Lillia, rosen, jacara, chysen and difadal wildflowers painted the landscape on either side as far as the eye could see. Soon they were passing sparce forest which eventually opened up as they ascended the mountain road. Well after noon, they arrived at the mine's base.
Debris had been cleared, and repairs were in full swing.
"Look, it's Thon!" Sheba exclaimed with a smile.
A crowd of people slowly gathered around Thon until he could no longer proceed. He hopped of and led Vyz by the reigns to the office. Slaves and staff members were thanking him and clambering to get his attention. Flint walked out to investigate what was all the fuss.
"Alright you lot, get back to work!" Flint yelled at the crowd, "Welcome back hero."
"Not you to old man," Thon groaned.
"Why not? Without you, everyone who is here today from that incident would be dead and buried," he pointed out.
"None of the lord's soldier would have cared enough to rescue every person; noble, commoner and slave," Sheba said giving Thon a courteous bow.
She was not her usual indifferent and soft-spoken self today. The three of them moved to the veranda before continuing their conversation. Another staffer came to serve them tea. He offered Thon a silver coin as a token of his appreciation but failed to muster up any words.
"You seem like you have something to say friend," Thon said.
"Uh, my name is Shem Aram. On behalf of my fiancé and I, thank you. My unborn child would have grown up fatherless if it weren't for you," he expressed with teary eyes.
Thon accepted the coin and shook Shem's hand. His sincerity deeply moved Thon. He knew how expendable a slave was to nobles like the Hamsten, just yesterday a new batch of slave came in the replace those who had perished. A tear even escaped Sheba's eye.
"Enough of that fluffy stuff, such emotions are unbecoming of a dwarf. What brings you here? I assumed you'd be on your way home to Vardt after having your bondage dissolved," Flint said changing the topic.
"I need whatever information on Barett you have. He has unfinished business I'm taking care of," Thon divulged.
"His final rites I presume?" Sheba guessed.
"Correct," Thon responded.
Life on Paengion revolves around the existence of mana and the use of magic. When an being dies, their essence must be consecrated back to nature. This is known as their final rites. Dragons and beast kin have their heart and liver consumed by their living offspring, meant to ceremonially pass down mana to the next generation. Elves, dwarves and sea folk bury the heart and liver of the deceased separately in sacred groves, hollows and reefs respectively.
Humans simply bury their dead in graveyards looked after by priests and priestesses of a temple. While, demons are not known to perform this ritual. Flint gulped down his tea then stepped into his office for a bit. They could hear him rummaging through draws for something. He returned holding a ridiculously thick ledger.
Flint cracked it open and flipped through its dusty pages. It was a record of everyone to be in the employ of the Hamsten's at the mine.
"Barett, that would be high up among the b's. Ah, there we are," Flint muttered under his breath.
He set the book down on the table and slid it over to Thon who picked it up. Thon read the open pages with laser focus. Once he was done, he rolled his eyes and gave the ledger back to Flint.
"Damn him. Barett already paid off his gambling debt but chose to stick around here," Thon huffed in frustration.
"If you ask me, he found a friend worth waiting for here. It's not common for humans to bond with someone of the other race the way you and Barett did," Sheba speculated.
"I wish he hadn't, he would've been alive to go after his daughter himself," Thon sighed.
Flint copied Barett's information on to a separate paper and handed it to Thon.
"Here, this will help you out," he said.
At the bottom was a post address for a Krilla in Bobin. This was a lead to finding Darreta, but first Thon would head north to the mini dungeon near Zign village where four members of Storm Shadow fell. They were to be brought home to their loved ones and be given their final rites. The reward for this job would be enough for Thon to journey from Aagard to Bobin.
"Thank you both. I'll be heading out now," Thon announced.
"Now? It's getting dark, at least wait till first moon," Flint suggested.
"I can't waste a single moment," Thon replied.
He got up from his seat, stashed the paper in his bag and saddled up. Vyz circled past the veranda before galloping out the base. They went down the path Sayali and Gladys used to get up the mountain. Visibility was low because the mother moon, Mai, was still rising. However, this was no problem for a raptor with night vision. After travelling a stretch Vyz stopped by some shrubs.
Thon made out a piece of torn fabric caught on its thorny twigs. It was similar to that of the head wrap from Sayali's priestess attire. With a bit of novice map reading, Thon guessed where they were on the map he bought. He had to continue on foot because of the terrain while Vyz followed behind him. By midnight they made their way to a tree line before a clearing in front of a cave. Two goblins were guarding the entrance of the cave, one holding a spear the other a short sword.
He took a step back to assess the situation from the shadows.
"Bone magus. Creation."
After a moment his left ulna grew protruding from his wrist, the tip morphing into a blade with a razor-sharp edge. He took a deep breath and broke it off to form a dagger, almost letting a shriek from the pain slip. Once the remaining bone reverted, his wrist started healing. Thon whistled to grab the closer goblin's attention.
When it turned to face his direction, he jumped out and threw the dagger. It cut through the air with ease and struck the goblin between the eyes resulting in an instant kill. The thud from its body collapsing awoke the other goblin who was dozing off.
"Bone magus. Enhancement and shape change."
Thon reinforced the bones in his legs with mana and charged it headlong. He grew curved, spikes a handbreadth long from his knuckles. In a panic the goblin swung its sword and parried a slash targeting its neck.
This forced Thon to jump back thwarting his surprise attack. Now, the two were sparring off waiting for an opening.
"This is fun," Thon chuckled.
He took the initiative and threw two more slashes at the goblin; it again parried them by dumb luck. This time it managed to cut off both sets of spikes. The goblin snickered something in gobbrish, its language, while Thon groaned flailing his arms. Now, the goblin was on the offensive giving Thon everything it had. All he could do now was dodge and weave while his knuckles healed.
Frustrated because of the goblin's relentless attacks, Thon dug deep inside him and tapped into his broadened mana pool. A swipe at his belly, thrust at his right shoulder and slash aimed at his head were fired off.
"Bone magus. Enhanced shape change," Thon whispered.
Thon dodge them all with a summersault and in mid-air the spikes grew back twice as long and as strong. After landing he first sliced off the goblin's hand that was holding its sword. It wailed in agony gripping the bleeding stump.
Thon took the opportunity to sneak behind the distracted goblin and sink his spikes into its neck like a pincer, silencing the goblin instantly. His spikes receded into his knuckles and the goblin's body dropped. Vyz then stepped out and came beside Thon who knelt down to wipe his hands with the cloth the second goblin had wrapped around its waist in place of pants. Then he went to grab the dagger lodge in the first goblins forehead and used it to cut out their livers. A curious Vyz watched this happen tilting her head from his to side.
"You can have the rest girl," Thon said.
Vyz gleefully accepted the invitation and feasted on the two goblins. Thon ate their livers with no enthusiasm; however, the growth of his mana pool did appease him. Once they were both done, Thon cleaned himself up, then they headed into the cave. At the end of the cave There were stair leading down that they took to a small space three corridors. One leading left, another down the middle and the last leading right.
Thon fished around in his bag and pulled out the piece torn off from Sayali's sash and had Vyz sniff it for a scent. It took a moment before she got it. Once she did, she led the way taking the corridor to the left. The descent was eerily quiet, each floor was larger than the last. Their layout was just as Gladys explained, though the smell was something she neglected to mention. It seemed the dungeon was left to the two goblins from before to guard while the others and the troll chased down the adventurers who escaped them.
Walking into the dingy third floor, its rank, gloomy interior held the untouched signs of the battle that had unfolded here. Thon and Vyz's footsteps echoed as they walked about scattered goblin carcasses. The brighter glow of Thon's frac crystal guided their path. Some carcasses were hacked, some bludgeoned and other showing evidence off magic attacks.
The first body they discovered was that of an assassin. Thon picked it up and carried it to a clear space in front of the stairs.
"Fortunately, maggots haven't set in yet. That would've exceeded my current tolerance for gore," he whispered to himself.
Next, was a skewered archer, followed by a mangled tank and finally a flattened mage. The last two bodies could not be moved by hand. So, Thon looked around the central hall for something he could wrap them up in. He moved on to the left wing, a noise there when he got close to the cages caught his attention.
"Hello? Anyone there?" Thon asked as he stepped towards one of the cages.
"Help us," a raspy voice replied.
It was a woman's voice. Thon peeked in to find several women held captive in the cage. The case was the same in the other two cages. Dozens of them naked and afraid huddled together for warmth. Each cage had an iron lock the size of his fist.
"Do you know where I can find the keys," he asked.
They all shook their heads. Thon locked over at the scattered goblin carcasses and sighed at the thought of searching everyone for the keys to the cages.
"Stand back," he urged them.
Then he closed his eye and bawled his fists.
"Bone magus. Enhanced shape change."
They slowly enlarge as the bones in them thickened. Once they were the size of forge hammers, the mana flowing in the bones concentrated, making them as hard and dense as stone. Thon opened his eyes, took a sharp breath, then grabbed the locks and snapped it off one by one. His inhuman strength frightened the women.
"Don't fear, you're safe now. I'm here to help," he assured them.
Their tense expressions loosened up slightly, only after Thon backed off did they come out of the cages.
"Who are you?" one woman asked.
She was the same person who asked for help before. Despite the dirt and bruises that marred her skin, it was clear that she was a stunning woman. Her tall, athletic build and long, lithe limbs spoke to a life of freedom and movement, now temporarily stifled by the cruel confines of the cage. Her hair, a wild tangle of scarlet locks, cascading down her back like a river of blood, and her piercing green eyes reflected the hue of Thon's frac crystal with a sparkle. He quickly shut his eyes remembering her and all the women were uncovered.
"I am Thon, a privateer tasked with returning those fallen adventurers to their families. I can escort you all to Zign where you can be given proper assistance. Firstly, would you all kindly find something to cover your nakedness with before we go forward," he said.
The women gave sighs of relief, some even giggle because of his bashful reaction. They walked over to the right wing and rummaged through a number of crates there with varies item plundered from victims of the goblins, including clothes. After a while they everyone found something to wear. The woman who spoke with Thon came beside him and tapped him on the shoulder.
"We're all decent now," she said.
"Great. Give out these potions I have to those who need them and find out if the is a healer among you," Thon instructed.
"I can use a healing light magus," she pointed out.
"That is a fortunate coincidence, please tend to any wounded," he replied.
"I'm Katiya Von by the way," she added walking away.
A few hours were spent attending to the wounded and going through the stockpile of loot. After which, Thon prepare the group to leave the dungeon.
"Is everyone able to walk?" he asked.
"No, one lady has a broken hip, another a broken ankle and one still paralysed from the effects of a poison. I only had enough mana to treat minor injuries," Katiya reported.
"Alright, have the paralysed woman ride on my raptor. I can break down the crates and make stretchers for the other two," Thon responded.
Another hour later, they were ready to move. Twenty-five women in total were rescued, held captive for varying lengths of time. Each one either ambushed while travelling or snatched in the night. According to them they were taken to be used primarily as breeding vessels, since goblins cannot reproduce amongst themselves, and secondly food for them and the rock troll. Many other women died from the torture of rape, illness born in the filth of the dungeon or birthing complications.
Such horrors were a known occurrence in area home to a goblin nest. The adventurer's guild always had goblin extermination quests posted to try and prevent this from happening. They ascended with Thon as the vanguard, Vyz in the middle and Katiya as the rear-guard. On account of frequent breaks their pace was a slow march up. The second moon, Lai, had long risen to her peak by the time they made it to the surface.
Thon checked the area around the cave for any dangers before letting the group come out into the clearing.
"Katiya, can you find someone else to help you keep watch of things here while I go back down," Thone requested.
"I can help her. Those little green monsters may have taken my eyes, but no one can take my warrior spirit," another woman offered nominating herself.
"Oh, that is Neena she was an adventurer before being captured," Katiya informed him.
"Alright, then I leave everyone to you two," he responded.
"You can count on us," Neena added.
With that handled Thon and Vyz got busy. First, he had her carry up the bodies of Storm Shadows members one by one. Thon would remain behind eating the livers cut out from the goblin's carcasses. After the second trip, he was now done and followed behind Vyz carrying a stack of two crates. It did not take them long to finish moving the bodies and some crates up the where the women set up camp in the clearing.
The women already had a fire going and three of them were preparing a meal using ingredients from one of the crates. Several others set up tents with supplies from another crate. While a handful picked through another crate full of weapons. Thon figured there was no harm in waving more fighters since they handled those weapons well. Katiya's mana pool had replenished enough to heal the three women with serious injuries. Neena was standing watch by the tree line.
Thon walked about greeting and checking in with the women.
"May I ask?" one woman inquired.
She must have been in her teens by the look of her.
"Ask away," Thon replied.
"Are you a noble? You carry yourself as one. I served as a handmaid until goblins ambushed our carriage and took me captive," she went on.
"I'm a Baron actually; however, I choose to work with my own hands as a privateer. You have a good eye," Thon answered with a laugh.
The women nearby were surprised to hear this, exchanged whispers and paying him closer attention.
"Vyz and I will check the woods once more," he announced.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to join you," Katiya asked.
"I would've thought you'd want to rest," Thon replied.
"I'm fine, really," she insisted.
They circled a perimeter of the woods around the camp. On their return, they were welcomed by an enticing armour. It seems one of the women possessed an alchemy magus that gave the food she made restorative abilities. This helped brighten everyone's mood, dispelling the gloom from before. Katiya was delighted by taking a helping of food and offered it to Thon.
Red bean a mushroom soup on long grain rice was the meal they shared. The look of colour returned to these ladies faces warmed Thon's heart. After the meal things died down as everyone prepared for bed. In no time the camp was quiet, even Neena and Katiya were fast asleep. Thon kept watch throughout the night with Vyz. She was stuffed after picking the two goblin's Thon fought to the bone. Eventually, when both moons set, Thon dozed off as well.