LibNovel

Chapter 318: You’re Going to Need a Bigger Boat

Glasha was confused, but I didn’t care. I was tired and wanted this over with. “What happens now?” I asked impatiently. Glasha brought her attention back to me as Tarnasha joined us.

“The Elders will confirm the demons’ horns are fresh from the dungeon and that Mynasha completed the Trial honorably,” Tarnasha said. “Are the others coming?”

“I don’t think they will be exiting the dungeon,” Glasha answered for me. I just gave a short nod to confirm. Tarnasha’s jaw fell open but no words came out.

“Will I be questioned? Can I depart? When will Mynasha free the goliaths?” I asked a little impatiently.

Tarnasha found his voice, a tusky smile forming. “It is unlikely that you will be called before the Elders to answer questions. You can go wait in the longhouse. I suspect the Elders are trying to find some way not to confirm Mynasha as the next Supreme. We need to make sure that does not happen.”

I shook my head. I didn’t care for Caliphate politics. Would Mynasha be a good ruler or just a figurehead? She was better than the other candidates and probably better for the people, but probably not for the warlords, even though she was a war cleric. I didn’t care. I just needed her to hold up her end of our agreement and free Zorana and Myra.

Under the scrutinizing eyes of the warlords, I walked back to the longhouse. My armor was ruined, soaked in foul demon blood and other fluids. The demon blood had not only stained the leather, but also caused it to rot. It was destined for the fire.

The longhouse was quieter, but the slaves and orc attendants were still present. I was about to go to Ginger when Maveith stood, suddenly towering over the others in the chamber. His expectant face begged for the answer to his unspoken question. “Mynasha is the new Supreme,” I informed him.

Maveith crossed the room and slammed into me, embracing me. My vertebrae popped as he squeezed. I was expecting the hug, but not that it would be so long. “Maveith, I need a bath,” I said breathlessly.

“Can I go to Zorana?” he asked, finally releasing me. Eagerness lined the big man’s face.

I smiled reassuringly but tempered his enthusiasm. “Wait until the clerics come back. We delivered on our end, so the clerics will have to deliver.” The other goliath was standing behind Maveith, but we were speaking in Elvish. Maveith was deflated but nodded in understanding.

I scanned the room. The old woman’s mouth was agape in shock. “A hot bath for me,” I ordered. She narrowed her eyes at me. Since she had poisoned me before, I gloated a little hotly, “Mynasha completed the third Trial first. She is the new Supreme.” I didn’t know if that was true yet, but I sounded confident.

The old woman looked shocked, but eventually, the buckets started to flow. I took the opportunity to remove all my armor and clothes to inspect myself. I had an angry, red rash on my skin that was resistant to my healing spell form. It was also hot to the touch. I was certain it was from the hellhound blood, but it only bothered me when I fixated on it.

Another irritating thing was that the injuries from Rhuuk’s blade to my thigh and arm had healed, but there were fine white scars where the skin had closed. My healing spell form told me the area was completely healed, and that there was no scar to heal.

I wrapped myself in a blanket and went to greet an impatient Ginger while I waited for my bath. She shied away from me. “Come on, girl, I have smelled worse.” She didn’t seem to agree. Some animals just knew something was terrible when they smelled it. I recalled the myths of Earth, where demons were considered evil and unnatural. To me, they just seemed like any other monstrosity among the many I had encountered, with the exception of ogres—they could kill with their stench.

The young human with freckles approached me with a bucket. “Do you wish to be scrubbed down before you enter the bath?” she asked subserviently, her head lowered.

“Nolona?” I asked, recalling her name.

“How do you …” she trailed off, confused.

“The old woman told me. Do you want to be free?” I asked. She had straightened her auburn hair and was mostly clean now. Her pale skin now highlighted her freckles. Not pretty, but attractive.

She bowed her head. “You honor me for remembering my name. I … I … I …” She didn’t know how to answer my question, maybe thinking it was a trap.

“Were you taken from across the sea as well?” I questioned, taking the bucket from her. I didn’t need someone to scrub me down.

She did not make eye contact. “I believe so. I am not educated. Orc sailors boarded our ship and I was taken with my sister. She did not survive …” She trailed off sorrowfully.

“I will see what I can do for you with the new Supreme,” I offered. She looked up at my statement, trying to hide her hope.

“You can continue your duties. I can wash myself,” I dismissed her.

As she left, I realized I was probably being petty. Freeing the young woman was the right thing to do, but I only wanted to free her and not the old woman because she had attempted to poison Mynasha with the bathwater. As I cleaned myself, I noticed my hair had clumps of things I did not care to identify. I scrubbed my skin raw with the brush and wiped myself with a cloth, removing the worst of the filth before moving to the heated bath.

The water had a floral scent to it, and before stepping in, I wondered if the old woman had poisoned it again. It would be an audacious move by the old slave. The water was much hotter than last time. Maybe it was pettiness, but I enjoyed the heat. I focused on my body, looking for changes as it settled. The heat was the only thing penetrating my body; there were no signs of toxins or poison. I sighed and closed my eyes, fighting off sleep.

Humans and orcs alike interrupted me with offers of food and assistance in washing. I declined them all, just wanting to wallow in the hot water being circulated through the fire by pipes. I dried myself twice, making them scrub the tub and fill it again. Now, the water remained clear as I pruned. Maveith was pacing and talking to the other goliath in their native tongue.

It was hours before Glasha and Tarnasha entered the longhouse with triumphant energy. “Things went well, I take it,” I yelled as they looked for me in longhouse. Maveith was already moving to intercept them. They moved to stand over the tub with tusky smiles.

Glasha yelled like a child. “She was confirmed! The coronation will be with the rising sun tomorrow.”

“That is great,” I said, truly happy and slapping the water. “And the goliaths?”

Tarnasha spoke. “With Rhuuk dead, they will be freed and set into your care. Mynasha has promised that. There is just one thing …”

I cocked my eyebrow, expecting some sort of betrayal. “You are not allowed to attend the coronation,” Glasha finished for him.

This was not a big deal, but their expressions suggested that they thought I would be upset. I acted like I was, asking hotly, “Why?”

Glasha went from jubilant to angry, mirroring me. “The Elders are upset that a human boy succeeded in helping Mynasha. They are trying to needle the new Supreme with obscure laws.”

Slightly more cynically, I questioned their motives. “Do you think they are trying to keep me away from the coronation so they can move against Mynasha?”

“No,” Tarnasha said tersely. “That breach would cause a civil war. They will try to remove her in other, more subtle ways after she has had time to acclimate. But acting so quickly would tarnish their honor.”

“Mynasha has asked me to extend an offer to you.” I looked expectantly at Glasha. “She wishes to elevate you to a warlord of the Boutan Caliphate. She will bestow Warlord Rhuuk’s city upon you to rule.” The thought of power over so many others might be appealing to others, but I didn’t welcome it. I slowly shook my head no. “She was certain you would say no. Ask anything else of her, and she will see it fulfilled for all that you have done.”

I indicated the young human woman. “Free all the goliaths in the Caliphate. Free the woman,” I indicated Nolona. “Hell, free all the slaves! I will take any others that can get here before I sail.”

The two orcs looked a little stunned at my request. “Her time as Supreme would be short if she fulfilled such a request. There are more than a thousand goliaths, perhaps as many as two thousand in all of the Caliphate. Would you settle for all the goliaths in the city? She could pass this off as a reward for your assistance and homage owed by the warlords to her authority—freeing the goliaths and the woman,” Tarnasha said judiciously, indicating Nolona.

I thought on it for a moment before nodding, more so because of the logistics involved in getting thousands of goliaths halfway around the world. Just feeding them would be a nightmare. “How many, and when can I leave?” Maveith was closing in on me in the tub. “Maveith, now is not the time for another hug,” I warned him.

“You may leave now to return to your companions. Your request will be fulfilled as soon as she is ordained. New Supremes often present numerous edicts when first coronated,” Glasha said, her voice tinged with a hint of relief that I didn’t press my request to end slavery in the Caliphate. A quick exchange between the two orcs resulted in an estimation that perhaps fifty goliaths resided in the city. My head throbbed at the thought—fifty Maveiths?

“When can I see Zorana?” Maveith’s voice rumbled earnestly.

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The two orcs looked at each other before Glasha spoke with a slight smile. “With Rhuuk dead, I can arrange it now.” She nodded to me and left the longhouse.

I dressed in simple clothes, amused that the slaves had tried to clean my armor and clothes. Demon blood just never comes out. I told them to burn the soiled items while we waited for Glasha to return. Maveith couldn’t sit still or be calmed. He paced and left the longhouse multiple times to check the path.

It was early morning, the sun not far from rising, when the door opened. Maveith stood abruptly. Four goliaths scuffed their feet on the floor as they ducked to enter. There was a lot of confusion on their faces as they looked around the longhouse, all eyes turning to them. Glasha was right behind them, a stern expression on her face as she winked at me.

“Zorana!” Maveith finally bellowed, causing all the attention to focus on him. I recognized Zorana, and recognition slowly formed on the goliath’s face. Tears were pouring down Maveith’s cheeks. No one had moved. Did he think his sister was angry with him? Rejecting him?

Maveith took a tentative step toward the group. “Maveith?” Zorana said in a hoarse whisper. She separated from the others but did not rush toward her brother. If this was not a happy reunion, I was going to turn in my Fortuna-favored card.

Maveith approached, standing in front of Zorana, just a few feet apart. I held my breath. Then Zorana lunged at him, wrapping him in a hug, and started bawling. Her voice was hard to understand as she spoke Orcish, but it sounded like: “I didn’t believe them. You came for me.” Watching, I may have shed a tear or two myself.

As the goliath reunion proceeded, Glasha approached. “The new Supreme is busy and will not be returning here—perhaps if you can wait a few days, she could find the time to meet with you.” I shrugged, guessing that she no longer needed her lowly human.

“We are all going to head back to the Adventurers Hall in the city then,” I said. “Can I take the woman?” I indicated Nolona.

Tarnasha tried to dissuade me. “There will be parties celebrating the new Supreme’s honor. You cannot show yourself at the coronation, but you would be honored by many of the warlords at those gatherings who wish to curry favor with Mynasha.”

“I have all the friends and allies I need,” I said dismissively. I hoped I would never have to return to the Caliphate.

I saddled Ginger and headed back to the city with my goliath entourage and Nolona. We arrived at the Adventurers Hall in the afternoon. I found my companions playing cards around one of the tables. A young Gilda was sitting in the corner of the room on watch. Benito jumped up on his chair, pointing at me. “Told you! He even looks like he just bathed!” Well, he had me there. He turned on Konstantin. “You owe me a gold!”

Then Benito’s jaw fell as the stream of goliaths entered after me. The common room went silent at the unusual sight. It was Mateo who broke the awkwardness. “Maveith! Are you going to introduce me to your sister?”

Maveith’s bright smile was showing. “I already warned her about you, Mateo! She is not your type,” he added a little more strongly in warning.

Mateo briefly looked hurt before he beamed with Benito, while Raelia looked relieved to see me. We had been gone a few days—it was no big deal and Baldo was safe and mostly uninjured. I moved to sit with them, Blaze clapping me on the back. Maveith led his shell-shocked group of goliaths to the desk, getting them rooms.

“What does he owe you a gold for?” I asked Benito. Konstantin handed his mug to me.

“I bet you would fail and come crawling back to us,” Konstantin said half-seriously.

Benito corrected him, thinking about the exact wording Konstantin had used. “No, you said he was going to get himself killed messing in orc politics.” Benito was too loud, and the orc adventurers in the hall turned to him. He shut up and sat down.

Konstantin winked at me, and I liked to think the bet was more to distract Benito and less about my prospects. A gold coin flipped through the air and clattered on the table before Benito. He took it and pocketed it in a flash with a satisfied grin. Konstantin said gruffly, “There were rumors aplenty of what was going on. None of them good.” Okay, maybe Konstantin did have his doubts about my prospects. After seeing the lengths the Elders had gone to rig the trials, I couldn’t blame him.

There was no time to harp on it, as Maveith’s large frame was standing over me. “Eryk, they need to be registered as adventurers to get rooms.”

Maveith had the coin and badges for the rooms, but I had to argue with the clerk for twenty minutes to convince him the goliaths had been freed. It was a frustrating affair, and I had to leave my guild token with him in case I was proven wrong. The goliaths took food and drink up to their rooms to rest, as most of them were still stunned at the whirlwind of events. I told Nolona to go with them to keep her away from Mateo.

I sighed, taking a long sip of ale, and sat back with the others. It was slightly bitter but not bad. I nodded conspiratorially. “Did you get a ship, Konstantin?” He nodded. “Can it hold fifty goliaths?” I said seriously. Blaze’s eyes widened in worry.

Konstantin’s face soured, his whisper harsh as he guessed my intentions. “We cannot free and escape with fifty! Be happy with those you have.”

I waved my hand, unconcerned. “No need,” I said, finally breaking into a grin. “I freed them all. As long as I am not betrayed, they will be released to me soon.” The table was awash with disbelief.

Konstantin seemed to be the only one thinking ahead as he wrestled with the news. He hadn’t shown any shock, which irritated me. “Fifty? I think we can manage that. We would need to charter a ship instead, but it is going to cost a fair amount of gold.” It looked like I was footing the bill; maybe I would have to part with an artifact.

I looked over my companions. “I want Benito, Blaze, and Mateo to return to Gramney.” They looked ready to object, but Konstantin supported my decision.

“Castile needs to be informed and needs protection herself. There are traders headed south all the time. Since I am going with Maveith and Eryk, it makes sense for you three to return,” Konstantin said conversationally.

“You’re what?” I said, stunned. I locked eyes with Konstantin.

His eyes danced in pleasure at my surprise. “I always wanted to see the other continent.” He let a half-smile slip and winked. “Besides, Emperor Octavius is hunting me. Best to get some distance.”

My stunned look made him indicate Gilda. “She killed a pair of Hounds in the city two days ago. I am pretty sure they were here to get some revenge for Centurion Sergius. They were not the first sent after me in the last month, either. We should take this to a more private setting.” I scanned the crowd. The other adventurers were taking some interest in our table conversation.

We moved to a large, private suite in the Adventurers Hall that I paid for at the counter. It came with a clean, plush bed that I was looking forward to utilizing. My companions pressed me for details of the Choosing and my role in it.

I told a very bland tale of how I helped Mynasha become the next Supreme of the Caliphate. They scoffed in disbelief at the pixie hunt. They laughed with me when I said we confronted three storm giants, thinking I was exaggerating. They outright called me a liar when I described the demon dungeon, so I gave each of them one quickness essence to consume as proof. A lesser man might have released one of the quasits to prove his truth. Even though I was well lubed with alcohol, I was smart enough not to.

I felt that telling my companions my final revelation was necessary as well. Maybe it was because I had been drinking too much with them. They had shown me loyalty and risked their lives. “Also, I should tell you: I am an otherworlder.”

Konstantin, Raelia, and Gilda did not look surprised. Benito’s face twisted into confusion. Blaze seemed contemplative. Mateo was the one who spoke first. “Are you one of the First Legion. From the other world? A spy?” His words were slurred and his mind was not functioning. It was probably not a great idea to tell Benito and Mateo this secret. But I wanted them to know in case I never saw them again.

“Something like that. But I think you know I am not a spy. I was just a normal man with a shitty job and little purpose in life,” I replied as I used my purify self to eliminate all the alcohol in my system and sober up.

We explained to Benito what an otherworlder was, but I was not sure he understood in his drunken state. It was very late when everyone headed to their rooms. Raelia lingered behind, and I thought I knew why. “You want me to release Baldo? The Titans slightly injured him, but we can heal him.”

Worry was suddenly etched on her face. “What?!”

“He is fine!” I reassured her. “He was just slapped into the floor by powerful magic. If he needs healing, we can get it for him.” I had to go into more detail about the encounter before she calmed down about her griffin. She was obviously more concerned about Baldo than me.

I started to escort her out because I wanted to get a few hours of sleep before the action started tomorrow, but she resisted, slapping away my hand guiding her. “No! Wait.” She suddenly looked uncertain, but gained her courage back. “I wanted to let you know I changed my mind.”

“You don’t want to be a Griffin Rider again?” I asked, confused about what she was talking about.

“No,” she said angrily, stepping into me and looking up at me like I was an idiot. I couldn’t figure out what I was doing to make her mad. “I changed my mind about coming with you,” she said heatedly.

I relaxed. She just wanted permission to come with us. “Oh, I am sure Maveith won’t mind you joining us,” I said, addressing her fear.

“No.” She pushed me backward, forcing me to sit on the bed. Standing over me, she seemed angry. “I am going for you! Not Maveith.” I didn’t understand until she pushed me onto my back and climbed on top of me locking her lips to mine…

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A loud knock on the door woke us. I stretched away from the sleepy elf, seeing that the sun was barely rising through the window. Konstantin’s voice barked over the knocking, “Your goliaths are here, Eryk. You and Raelia should dress.” I wasn’t surprised that he was aware Raelia was in bed with me. “The clerics dropped off a chest for you too.” A thud could be heard in the hallway as Konstantin dropped and I heard his boots walking away.

Raelia’s naked body untangled from mine when she cracked her eyes open to stare at me. I didn’t know who had a bigger morning-after grin, me or her. It was probably the wrong time to offer her some mouthwash. As she dressed, I dragged the chest inside the room and opened it.

I was a bit shocked by what it contained. Raelia gasped as inside were finger-sized gold trader bars and three shields. There was a note from Glasha on top.

You found these Titan artifacts, so I thought it fitting they remained with you. The runes are damaged and warped but perhaps you can find a master artificer to repair them. There should be enough gold here to get all the goliaths home. -Glasha

Raelia looked into the chest, not surprised by what she saw. “Should have been more gold,” she scoffed. I moved the entire chest into my space.

“Are you sure you still want to come with us?” I asked after we finished dressing. She looked different to me this morning, more feminine, more beautiful, and happier. She had always struck me as focused, secretive, and defensive before. Now she couldn’t stop grinning.

She gave me a cross look, and I guessed I had said the wrong thing. “Because if you decided not to come, I might decide to stay instead,” I said, course-correcting. She reached up and patted my cheek, gave me a quick kiss, and left the room. She had some sway to her hips as she left, successfully drawing my attention to them. I sighed, not regretting last night, but worrying about where this might lead us. I followed her out of the room to the street.

The street was crowded with dozens of uncertain goliaths of various skin tones and sizes. Blaze was walking among them, trying to find someone who spoke Telhian. Mateo and Benito were discussing something privately and kept glancing at me, then at Raelia. It was challenging to keep secrets in a small group. But where was Maveith?

“That is a lot of goliaths,” Gilda said in a detached observation. I hadn’t even noticed the shape changer move to stand next to me.

Konstantin walked out of the confusion of bodies, holding two large, covered cages. “Seventy-seven goliaths, one human, and four pixies,” he reported, handing me the cages with an unreadable expression. “You’re going to need a bigger boat.”

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