Runeblade

B2 Chapter 132: The Return pt. 2

**Ding! level 3 Red Deer slain - Experience Gained!**

**Ding! Runeblade Initiate has reached class level 3!**

**+3 End, Str, & Int, +2 Dex, Wil, +1 Vit, Free - from Class & Racial Traits!**

**Ding! Latent Glyph of Drakthar has reached level 4!**

Satisfaction thrummed through Kaius’s blood at the quenching of his Bloodsong, the deer flopping as Porkchop snapped its neck between his jaws, crushing the base of its skull.

A bit overkill, considering the deer had dropped dead with a single Stormlash, but he understood the need to burn off the thrilling heat of the hunt.

Thanks to the bond between them, he was treated to the visceral sensation of his bond-brother’s teeth plunging through its bones. It was a quick end, and a valiant one, for the prey that had given them such a good pursuit. Without substantial reserves of health, it expired instantly as its body had been overloaded by reverberating storm mana.

The fact that he had garnered a level in both his class and his glyph only sweetened his pleasure.

It had been a fun few days, showing Porkchop a different side of the Sea than he was used to. Apparently the forest on this side of the mountains was almost serene compared to what he considered the norm, and they had made good time following game trails as they zigzagged their way to the edge of its reaches.

He’d managed to eke out a level or two in most of his skills over their journey, relishing that he was no longer strained under the enforced caps of an unclassed. Explorer’s Toolkit and Brotherhood of Ichor and Animus had seen the most growth by far. Only those that needed him to truly test himself in battle still languished at twenty.

Still, it was nice to take down the stag. He missed venison, and going a year without his favoured meat had driven him into a slight frenzy at seeing a lone deer traipsing at the edge of the forest.

It had been a bloody wily thing. Even with all of Porkchop’s might and speed, he was severely hampered in the forest. Unable to turn on a hair, the deer had kept a constant lead on them as it danced between the trees. Making a break for the plains had been its final mistake.

A nice way to cap off their journey, now that they should only be a league or two from Three Fields.

“Great takedown, we’re gonna eat good tonight.” he said, grinning at his bond-brother.

Porkchop dropped the carcass of the deer, looking up and over Kaius’s shoulder.

“Kaius, I think you might have gotten a little lost.”

His face twisted in confusion. “What do you mean?” he asked, turning around. Then, he froze.

Before him, barely over a few hundred strides away, were the familiar walls of Three Fields. Carved from stout logs felled from the nearby forest, they were spiked and stretched thrice his height into the air. A massive reinforced gate was nestled into their face, though it was the first time he could ever remember it being closed.

Even if the shut barrier blocked his view further into the town, he would recognise it anywhere. The way it was nestled between a crook of hills, a subtle slope leading up to the fortifications, earthworks protecting the town further.

How the hells did he miss that. They’d been a little focused on the deer but that was some truly spectacular unobservance on his part.

Then, with skill enhanced acuity, he saw two figures on the battlements watching him closely, one with a bow held at the ready. Cham and Rekkar, he realised, picking out their distinctive features. Like most in this region, they were amber skinned, with pale blonde and sandy brown hair respectively.

Jekkar tensed. Kaius realised with a start that he was still wearing his helm. Even with both of them being hunters, and having sensory skills, neither would be able to recognise him.

“No sudden moves, Porkchop. I know them, but I need to take off my helm.” He murmured, keeping his voice low, so as not to startle Jekkar. The man was the head hunter of Three Fields, and a known deadeye. He wanted to avoid an arrow to the eye if he could.

Porkchop let out a low rumble, but stayed dutifully still.

Keeping his hands visible, Kaius raised them to his head and slowly took off his helm.

Things happened very quickly after that.

He saw the bow slip from Jekkar’s hand, the older hunter vaulting over the side of the palisade to hit the ground running, while Cham tore off towards the village. Behind him, Porkchop let out a warning growl at Jekkar’s rapid approach. The man slowed, if only just. He was still a hunter well into the first tier, and had the speed to match.

Kaius dropped his helm, taking off towards the known face, sending assurance and safety along his bond. He laughed, throwing his arms wide as Jekkar tore across the open field and slammed into him at full pace, wrapping his ribs in a crushing embrace.

“Kaius, ye fuckin’ idiot, we thought ye dead!” he bellowed into his chest. Kaius laughed, returning the hug. It was fucking good to see him.

Jekkar had been one of the handful of village folks he’d seen the most of, Father foisting him onto the man for basic wilderness survival and hunting training when he was going to be busy doing gods knows what for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

“It’s bloody good to see you, Jekkar. You have no idea how much.” he replied, doing his best attempt to crush the man with his hug. It was like trying to find the give in an iron pole.

The hunter pulled back, still gripping him like he was afraid he would vanish, and looked up with shock and wonder plain on his face. Then Jekkar squeezed a little, prodding at his chest. “Not a fuckin’ bean pole are ya now, lad? What the fuck you been eatin’? Entire herds? No wonder you were so focused on that deer!”

Kaius laughed, slapping the hunter’s hand away. “It’s a long story, a really long one, and hopefully one that you and the other elders can fill some gaps in for me. I’d love to share it over an ale, if you think Hurin would have us?”

Jekkar froze, just barely for a moment, but after so long in the Depths Kaius didn’t miss it. They knew something. A tiny seed of dread sprouted in his belly.

“I..yeah, of course lad. Yer always welcome, though as you might expect things are a little tense, what with the sudden shift with the system.” the hunter replied, stammering slightly.

Kaius nodded and smiled. “I might have a little more information on that than most, if you’re willing to wait.”

Jekkar looked at him sharply, searching his features for a sign of…something. Whatever he found, it didn’t leave him wanting. “Aye, you’re clearly a man now. Can see it right in yer status. Though how you managed that a year early, I do not know. Don’t think I don’t remember yer birthday, my boy. Must have been some year.”

Kaius grinned. “You have no idea. Though how much I can share depends on if you and the others are still as generous with secrets as a dragon is with gold.”

Jekkar spluttered, taking mock-offence at the simple thought of being loose of lip.

Before the old hunter could formulate a response, Kaius felt Porkchop approach from behind him, simple friendly curiosity emanating across their bond.

Freezing suddenly, Jekkar looked past Kaius to stare at Porkchop, an expression halfway between fear and reverence on his face.

“Ah. I assume this be yer friend, Kaius?” the hunter asked cautiously.

“Hello! My name is Porkchop!” Porkchop said warmly, shoving his head over Kaius’s shoulder to give Jekkar a sniff.

Jekkar froze, staring at Porkchop in disbelief, before he looked back at Kaius.

“Now, Kaius. Lad. Please do not tell me you named a King of the Forest Porkchop of all things.” the old hunter said slowly.

Kaius grinned. He’d expected something like this. For all who lived near the Sea, greater meles were nigh on mythical creatures, and the subject of story and legend.

“I might have.” Kaius responded.

“That’s a little bit of a reach.” Porkchop snorted. “What greater beasts use instead of names doesn’t exactly…translate, so Kaius suggested it as a joke. I decided to keep it, as it will make my enemies underestimate me!”

Jekkar craned his neck up at the mountain of muscle that towered over him. “Ah. Yes. A valid battle tactic.” he said haltingly, clearly doing his best to give deference.

Shaking his head, Kaius turned around and gave Porkchop a scratch behind the ears. “Don’t bully them too much, you big oaf.” he said softly, before turning back to Jekkar, who was still staring at the two of them, more than a little bug eyed.

“How about that ale, old man? Think it's been enough time for Cham to send word of my coming?” he asked.

The hunter shook himself. “Aye! Aye, sorry Kaius. Just didn’t expect to see you again, not so changed, and not after…everything.”

Kaius looked at the hunter sharply. That was…telling. “Didn’t expect me? So you know of the bandits then.”

Jekkar paused, before he started to slump. “Aye, we do. It might be best if we wait for that ale, eh boy? You know I've never been the best with…” he waved his hands around, gesturing at the general air of it all. “This.”

The little sprout of dread in Kaius’s stomach grew just a little more. Jekkar had always been a blunt and to the point man, for him to avoid the topic meant that it was something that even he knew would need a little tact. That meant nothing good.

“Perhaps we best get on to that beer then.” Kaius said softly as Porkchop rested the comforting weight of his head on his shoulder.

Jekkar nodded. “Need any help with the deer?” he replied, changing the subject to more immediate matters.

Kaius took the distraction from the heavy weight of unspoked tales with gratitude. “Nah, Porkchop can carry it. Right?”

Porkchop nodded. “Just throw it on my back.” he said, settling down to make it less of an acrobatic task.

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Jekkar jumped to assistance, helping Kaius toss it over Porkchop’s shoulders, before they set off at an easy pace to the village gates.

“I’ll get it butchered after we reach the inn?” Jekkar asked. “I assume you’ll be staying there, just ‘bout the only place with doors big enough for yer companion to get inside. I can bring it back later, let Hurin and Illendra cook it up nice.”

“What, not gonna take your cut this time?” Kaius teased.

Jekkar barked out a laugh. “Ye get this one freebie, lad. Just this once. Don’t tell anyone though.”

Kaius smiled. “On the gods.”

As they walked, Kaius snapped his head towards the gate as it started to creak open. It seemed Cham had managed to rouse some sort of response.

The thick oaken gate swung open slowly, revealing a small crowd. Jekkar waved, giving assurance that everything was fine. There weren’t too many people, barely a handful, and he recognised every single one. One and all stood stock still, frozen at the sight of him, or perhaps the sight of Porkchop.

Hurin, the innkeeper. Yanmi, the mayor. Eilish, the head of the artisans. Saldar, the elder of the farmers. Illendra.

Kaius froze as he saw her face, memories washing over him. Of the times spent in warm conversation, of her yammering about her latest culinary creation. Of his yearning. It was … gone now, a realisation that settled on his heart with melancholy. She was still absolutely gorgeous, with her piercing turquoise eyes, flaxen hair, and soft features, but it was simple beauty now.

Too much had changed.

Still, he ached to run to her. Few had given him such comfort, and fewer still had treated him with the warmth that she had. Even non reciprocating of his affections, she had still treated him with friendship and kindness.

At some point he’d stopped moving, he realised. Staring at her. With all of his enhanced acuity, he watched the very moment when she realised it was truly him, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Kaius!” Illendra screamed, nearly tripping over her pale yellow dress and apron as she sprinted away from the group that still stood at the threshold to the village.

Jekkar looked back, and saw him frozen a dozen paces behind him. He gave Kaius a grin, and stepped off to the side.

He barely noticed, still frozen as he watched the rapidly approaching streak of yellow cloth and blonde hair.

Porkchop shoved him forwards. “Don’t be rude.”

Stumbling was enough to shake him from his fugue.

He ran, sweeping his oldest friend off her feet and wrapping her in a desperate hug as he spun her through the air.

“Illendra...”

B2 Chapter 133: The Return pt. 3

Kaius spun his old friend through the air, smiling in joy as he set her down on her feet. She didn’t let go.

Illendra clutched him like her grip was the only thing keeping him present. She buried her face into his armoured chest, uncaring about the jagged edges that must have dug their way into her skin.

“Where have you been, Kaius? I thought I lost you.” Illendra asked, her voice small and quivering.

A sad smile crossed his face, and he leaned down to embrace her fully, burying his face in her hair. She smelled of warm bread and spices. “It’s a long story, and a fraught one. I lived though, and I am here, my friend.”

After taking a few more moments to enjoy their reunion, he pulled back. He knew no one in the village would judge them guilty of impropriety, they had been friends as long as he could remember, and no one would hold a since-past childhood crush against him. Not with how tight knit the communities were on the frontier. Still, they would have time for a proper catch up in the coming days. He had introductions to make.

“I’ve got someone I would like you to meet.” Kaius said, giving her a last squeeze before he turned to the side to give Illendra a full view of Porkchop, who was looking on with naked curiosity. He kept his arm around her shoulder.

Porkchop leaned in, crouching down to avoid looming over Illendra. Considering that she was just over a full stride shorter than he was, his bond-brother ended up nearly lying on his belly to see her eye to eye.

“Hello,” Porkchop greeted her warmly. “Kaius told me a lot about you. He said you make really good stew.”

Illendra froze, staring at Porkchop in shock. “Kaius...” she stammered. “I dinnae know if I’m losing my marbles, but did a Forest King just ask me about my stew?”

He chuckled. “He did, he’s grown very fond of my own and I wasn’t about to hide where I learnt it from. His name’s Porkchop.”

Illendra whipped her head back towards him, her eyes narrowing. Kaius paled.

“Now Kaius, I know you dinnae name a Forest King something that daft.” she said, stepping towards him with her hands on her hips.

Kaius chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. “Well… I mostly suggested it as a joke, Porkchop was the one who decided to keep it.”

Uncanny Dodge flickered as her hand raced out with deceptive swiftness, he ignored the warning as she slapped him upside the head. “Idjit! Swear on the gods, you learnt no respect in that forest. Don’t go trying to foist off the blame onto the bloody greater meles!”

Kaius simply smiled awkwardly as Illendra turned back to Porkchop and bowed in a single fluid motion. “It’s nice to meet ye, Porkchop. I hope this idjit hasn’t been giving you much trouble.”

Chuckling throatily, Porkchop bobbed his head at her in turn. “I can see why you like this one, she’s feisty.” he said to Kaius privately, before he addressed them both. “It’s nice to meet you, too. Kaius is my bond-brother, so don’t be too harsh on him.”

Illendra turned back to him with a cocked brow. “I know not even you would do something like subjugate a Forest King, so I am going to hold my tongue for now.”

“He didn’t.” Porkchop confirmed.

“It’s a part of that long story I mentioned.” Kaius said with a sad smile.

Illendra’s face softened. “I think we’re both going to have hard stories to tell, the kind that are best left for a round table and a few beers. Do you want the elders to hear? They’ll throw a tissy, but I think I can get them to leave off.”

Kaius shook his head. “No, they should be here for it. I have questions that I hope they can answer, and I trust them to not pry too deeply into my secrets.”

“Then we best go meet them, shouldn’t we?” Porkchop interjected.

Illendra jumped a little, clearly still unused to having a greater beast talk. Kaius clapped her on the shoulder reassuringly. “Come on, it's been too long.”

Starting their approach, Kaius got a good look at the inside of Three Fields for the first time in over a year. Home to nearly five-hundred souls, it was perhaps better described as a small town. A rough cobble boulevard led deep into the village, though roughly constructed barricades were arrayed behind the gate in varying stages of completion.

A defence against inevitable breaches, he assumed. At least they were taking it seriously.

Beyond those, a motley collection of buildings. Almost universally they were sturdy things constructed of old-growth wood, a staple building material so close to the Sea. There was some stone, accessible thanks to the quarries set into some nearby hills, but it was mostly reserved for common buildings and where it was needed most. The hall, inn, and smithy, as well as for foundations.

As they crossed the distance to the village gate, Kaius flicked between the elders of the village, taking in their mixed reactions to his return.

Holt was missing, the head of the constabulary. That jumped out to him immediately, though with the increased threat to the village with the beast awakening, it was highly likely that the gruff man had gone to coordinate with the other settlements along the Sea’s rim.

Increased mana density and an overabundance of beasts were no laughing matters. They were low level for now, but in the coming months and years it would take hard men and strong classers to keep the people safe. That was exactly the sort of man Holt was.

Jekkar had joined the elders. During his reunion with Illendra, and was looking as unreadable as normal, save for a strange mix of barely noticeable apprehension and relief at his return.

Hurrin, Illendra’s father, watched him closely. His sheer unbridled joy at his return was palpable in the small half-smile that was mostly hidden by his sandy beard, and the slight creasing at the corners of his eyes. He could see respect there too, as his eyes roved over his artefacts.

Yanmi. First among equals. The mayor’s flinty gaze bore into his own, evaluating him. She was wily, hard, and fair. More than once as a child she’d nearly had his hide, but he knew she was something of Father’s confidant. He’d seen them talking more than enough for that to be the case. Still, he could see her mind running. Calculating. If Cham had seen him use his glyph, then Yanmi knew too, and would already be working through a dozen assumptions and deductions from that scrap of information.

Eillish, still wearing her thick leather apron that had been scorched by a thousand forged nails, axe-heads, and occasionally swords. She stared in his direction like a hawk, but not at him. Even more than Hurrin, she drank in his gear with appreciation. Kaius grinned at that. Of all the village elders, Eilish cared the least for the daily going-ons of the village. Thankfully, she had a brilliant mind for logistics, for without them there would be no materials for her workshop, or her fellow artisans.

She was a consummate crafter, and between her and her leather-working husband they produced some of the finest artisan-wrought artefacts in the region. Kaius knew he needed to have a chat with her; replacing Porkchop’s barding with an under-armour set designed to work with his bloodline skill was directly in their wheelhouse. He could always get it enchanted in Deadacre when they had the time and funds.

Saldar was the last, his spindly form - though still shorter than him - loomed behind his contemporaries as he watched Kaius with a slight, but sharp, frown. Saldar was no fan of his. Ever since he’d ruined half a field of new growth by wacking at the sprouts with sticks, dreaming of swords and beasts, the crotchety old farmer had branded him as a troublemaker to be treated with suspicion. In his defence, he had been a boy raised at the edge of town, and later in the woods. He’d been a bit of an inconsiderate moron until Saldar had sorted him out.

Even with Saldar’s low opinion of him, Kaius knew he could trust the old man when push came to shove. Out on the frontier, you were either community members, distant neighbours, or distrusted outsiders. The other villages treated him neighbourly, like any other resident of a different community that lived on the Sea’s fringe. Three Fields though, they’d claimed him, even if he’d never got to visit quite as much as he would have liked. After all, he’d lived here as a young boy, before he was old enough to live on the move.

Above all else, Saldar was a stickler for propriety, and he would be caught dead before he shared secrets with a neighbour, let alone an outsider.

Kaius halted at the threshold to the village, Porkchop slowing with him. Illendra gave him a last squeeze on the arm before she ran over to her father, stepping behind him to give him the deference he was due in the current moment.

The elders stepped forwards, Yanmi taking the lead.

She met his eyes, giving him a nod and a small smile before she turned to Porkchop and bowed. “It is an honour, Forest King, to have you at our village. We are at your disposal.” she said, keeping her head low while she waited for his response.

Porkchop paused for a moment. “Kaius, this is getting weird. Why do they keep bowing. They’re acting like elves.”

Kaius suppressed a laugh, before he subvocalised his response. It wasn’t needed for Porkchop to understand him, but even with all the time he had to get used to their bond, he was still just getting used to beast-speak.

“Just say thank you and be polite, maybe make it known we have some sort of connection. Everyone near the Sea basically thinks of the meles as local spirits. Once we get further away people will just think you another beast, though I'm not sure if that will be better.” Kaius suggested.

Yanmi stayed prostrated, waiting patiently.

Porkchop bobbed his head, slipping into as close to an officious tone that Kaius had ever heard from him. “Please, I am unused to ceremony. I am here because my sworn brother had need to return after our long…journey. For both answers and familiar faces.”

Ever the diplomat, Yanmi took the answer in stride, even if half of her colleagues snapped their gaze between him and Porkchop at his brother’s mention of fraternal bonds.

“As you say, Forest King.” Yanmi responded, before she straightened and focused on Kaius. “We have much to discuss, it seems. We have grim tidings, and by the sounds of your miraculous seizing of a class, your garb, and your companion, you have much the tale to tell as well.”

“I do, though there would be many holes to preserve that which I would keep to myself.” Kaius said, confirming Yanmi’s assumption.

“Then we best get to the Stout Oak. It’ll be empty by the time we arrive. Only one question remains, Kaius. You have been missing long, and the nature of our tale begs us to request one decision from you.” Yanimi was serious. Official in her bearing and words. Kaius had seen it before. In quick glimpses and overheard tales. Grim tidings indeed.

The sprout of dread set root, worming its way around his bones.

“I would hear it.” he ground out, even as Porkchop pressed into his back with one leg, providing his support.

Yanmi nodded. “Would you have us speak first, or is your tale so burning you must share it above all else?”

The weight of the moment hung heavy, time seeming to pause with the looming weight and finality of a swaying hangman's noose.

Kaius swallowed, his throat tacky and dry. “I would speak first.” he whispered. Anything to keep the doom at bay for a moment longer. That, and what he had to share could be time sensitive for the village to survive the coming calamityn/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

The short and imperious woman stepped forwards, laying a gentle hand on his arm and smiling at him like he was one of her own. “Then let us be off, Kaius. I’m sure you’ve had a long journey, and ale is what is needed for this kind of talk. Come.”

Yanmi turned, and as a group they entered Three Fields - picturesque and blanketed in the shining midsummer sun.. His first visit in nigh on a year and a half.

He only wished it didn’t feel like a funeral procession.