At first, the laden cart rumbling through the northern city gates attracted little attention. This late in the day, the traffic going in and out had thinned, but there was nothing odd about two passengers sitting on the back of the cart while a Drake [Farmer] brought his merchandise into market.<\/p>\n
The expression on the cart driver\u2019s face and the way the guardsmen at the gate reacted when they inspected the bulky objects strapped under the tarp attracted some attention, however. So perhaps one or two [Merchants] made a note to inquire about any unusual shipments, and the extremely bored people-watchers might have drifted that way. But many things passed through Liscor, sometimes objects considered illegal in Human lands or very<\/em> illegal in every land. Those were usually confiscated.<\/p>\n A wise [Merchant] with illicit cargo skipped Liscor\u2019s annoying gate checks altogether and just sent someone to buy enough food and supplies to continue south or north. This was an odd route, this bridge between Drake and Human lands.<\/p>\n For one thing, you could only run it during two seasons out of the year: fall and winter. Spring and Summer were far too dangerous because of the Bloodfields.<\/p>\n Liscor was definitely no trading city like Pallass, the closest Walled City, but it occasionally got high-profile [Merchants] making a journey that essentially locked them into one part of the continent for a year. Unless they took a sea route to mitigate the High Passes issues.<\/p>\n \u201cNot a lot of business in Liscor these days, huh? Is this route even worth it?\u201d<\/p>\n A local Drake [Trader] was commenting idly to a Human busily buying up more hay and bundles of food for his pack animals. They\u2019d have to go just past the Bloodfields\u2026which were probably safe\u2026and it would be a while before they\u2019d reach a settlement again.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe Bloodfields run? It\u2019s not something I\u2019d do often, but I have a bunch of ore from Esthelm and Invrisil\u2019s latest fads. It\u2019ll be gold for copper\u2014if the Bloodfields are quiet. I\u2019m bound straight for either Hectval to unload the ore or, if they don\u2019t want what I\u2019m selling, Pallass\u2019 steelworks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnyone coming up north?\u201d<\/p>\n Any important [Merchants], the question meant. The Human resisted saying \u2018for what?\u2019 He was one of a few Humans who came to Liscor, and they were all traders, travellers, or adventurers.<\/p>\n The city wasn\u2019t exactly fun to be in, and he wanted to be at least cordial with the locals, so he shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cNot much call for trade overland. The only one I could think who\u2019d even make the journey is\u2026the Silver Trader. I heard she might be heading north, because of her family.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh? Isn\u2019t she from one of your [Lord]-type families?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMhm. Well, that\u2019s all I need. Can you load them in my wagons?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, I\u2019ll call some [Laborers] over. Hey! I need eight\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The trading area just past the northern gates was fairly busy due to the [Merchant], so the farmer\u2019s odd wagon was unnoticed as yawning Drakes and Gnolls walked over.<\/p>\n The two passengers didn\u2019t attract much attention either, at least to begin with. One of the two was a humanoid figure concealing her face with a casual woolen hood. That was normal, although anyone who actually saw the face hiding underneath the hood had a very definite<\/em> reaction. But because they had to go through shock, denial, and optionally fear\/awe, the wake of her passing attracted little notice. Again, at first.<\/p>\n The Human was another matter. For many of the Drakes who saw her, she was just another annoying Human arriving as part of the massive influx of adventurers, merchants, and all those seeking to profit from the ruins. At best, she was exploitable and had lots of coin; at worst, the Watch would throw her out if she caused trouble as Humans so often did.<\/p>\n Still, some of the Drakes recognized the Human girl and remembered that this was the girl who had beaten Olesm in a game of chess and was rumored to have met the Antinium Queen. Not least, the Antinium bowed<\/em> to her, which was disturbing. So she attracted the most attention, but only in the form of vague interest at most from Drake observers.<\/p>\n Among the few Gnolls in the crowd, however, Erin\u2019s appearance was entirely noticed and significant. Several immediately began walking away through the crowd to find a certain Gnoll shopkeeper, and the rest followed Erin and the mysterious cart.<\/p>\n The Human [Merchant] brightened at the sight of another Human face\u2014most of his workers and caravaners for this haul were Drakes and Gnolls, going home. He was about to see what this young woman was doing here when he spotted her companion\u2014and froze. Then he noticed the mysterious cart too.<\/p>\n Well, mysterious was the wrong word. For the Gnolls, who could smell better than they saw, the contents of the wagon were deeply<\/em> disturbing. It was only because the contents were also definitely dead<\/em> that they were willing to get near to the wagon at all. Even then, several wrinkled their noses at the burned smell.<\/p>\n Crowds had a flow and instinct of their own. Despite themselves, passersby felt drawn into the wake of the crowd as they sensed the flow of pedestrians shifting one way. And as a few people in the crowd shouted out the identity of Erin\u2019s companion, and some children peeked underneath the covered wagon and ran away screaming\u2014<\/p>\n Well, at that point, Erin really wished they would all stop looking at her and Gazi. It wasn\u2019t that she minded the attention\u2026<\/p>\n Actually, she did<\/em> mind the attention. But more than that, she really needed to pee. But she didn\u2019t want to start squirming in front of the nice people, so she suffered in silence. It really was a long way to the Adventurer\u2019s Guild. And it got longer each time more people joined the crowd. She had a feeling that around 10% of the excitement was due to the dead spider corpses packed in the cart, but the other 90% was definitely Gazi.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n When Selys saw Erin walk through the doors of the Adventurer\u2019s Guild she couldn\u2019t help calling out.<\/p>\n \u201cErin! Thank goodness you\u2019re okay!\u201d<\/p>\n Selys went from behind the counter to go up to Erin, but she quickly retreated as a flood of people poured into the room behind Erin. She stared at the crowd of pedestrians and then at Erin. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Erin? What\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled awkwardly.<\/p>\n \u201cHi, Selys. Um, I\u2019m here to collect a bounty? That\u2019s how it works, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBounty\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake stared blankly at Erin until she realized everyone was now looking at her. Then she blushed, or rather, the scales on her face changed color.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, of course! You can turn in\u2014you have a bounty?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYep.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys looked Erin up and down. The Human didn\u2019t appear to be carrying anything in her hands or at her side.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it\u2026Goblin ears?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026I think they\u2019re called Shield Spiders. Is that right?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked at a hooded person standing next to her. Selys\u2019 eye was caught by distinctive features of the half-Gazer as she pushed back her hood. In her mind, an alarm bell went off, but it was temporarily silenced by something Erin had said.<\/p>\n \u201cShield Spiders? Erin, that\u2019s not a good\u2014you\u2019re mistaken. Or is this some kind of joke? You can\u2019t be serious.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, really. There\u2019s a cart of them outside. I didn\u2019t count how many but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin broke off. Selys was giving her the flat, incredulous look she\u2019d only seen in TV shows before.<\/p>\n \u201cShield Spiders?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh, yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou. Killed them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou. Erin Solstice. Killed Shield Spiders.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin felt like she was in a comedy routine, only it was more awkward than funny. She pointed towards the door.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, they\u2019re right outside. I can go get one if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys\u2019 gaze shifted over Erin\u2019s shoulder. She appealed to the Drakes in the crowd, many of whom were watching the interchange.<\/p>\n \u201cShield Spiders?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin sensed multiple heads nodding behind her. One of the Drakes\u2014this one an adventurer by the sword on his waist and chainmail armor\u2014jerked a thumb at the door.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re piled up in a cart. I saw them\u2014over sixteen adults, dead and covered in soot. The Watch is trying to get some Workers to unload them, but there\u2019s a huge crowd in the way, and the Workers don\u2019t want to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Now that she was listening, Selys could hear the shouting outside. She was still focused on the Erin-factor however, so she kept staring at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cHow?<\/em> Did an adventurer do it? It can\u2019t have been just you.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin frowned, dignity hurt. Since she agreed with Selys’ incredulousness though, she was only partially indignant.<\/p>\n \u201cI totally did it by myself. I burned their entire nest. With wood. And fire.\u201d<\/p>\n She didn\u2019t know why she felt the need to add that qualifier, but at least it shut Selys up. One of the Drakes\u2014the one with the chainmail\u2014nodded at Erin and flashed her a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cFine work. I\u2019ve never seen you around the Guild before. Are you one of the Humans from up north?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? No. I\u2019m not an adventurer. I\u2019m an [Innkeeper].\u201d<\/p>\n He stared. Erin was sort of getting used to that. Selys pulled at the frills at the top of her head.<\/p>\n \u201cHow did you\u2014you know they swarm over anyone that falls into their nest and tear them apart, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThey did that swarming thing\u2014you know, where all of them climb up at once? Wasn\u2019t fun.\u201d<\/p>\n She stared at Selys. Selys stared back. After a few moments, Selys threw her hands up.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. Okay, I guess\u2014I\u2019ll have to inspect them. And then we\u2019ll need to weigh the bodies. It\u2019ll take all day probably, but if you sign for them, I\u2019ll have your bounty waiting later.\u201d<\/p>\n She reached under the counter and pulled out a logbook and handed Erin a quill and inkpot. Erin frowned down at the paper and began scribbling.<\/p>\n \u201cDo I have to find a place to get rid of them after you\u2019re done? Because I really<\/em> don\u2019t want to have to dig a hole, and the nest is far away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014we\u2019ll definitely take them. Do you even know<\/em> how valuable Shield Spider bodies are? With the right skills, a [Blacksmith] could create shields, armor\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? So the bounty\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFour pieces of silver on average per Shield Spider slain, but we\u2019ll pay you more for their bodies. Especially for the bodies.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI<\/em> don\u2019t want them. But you might have a tough time getting them down. None of the Workers want to go near them.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys glanced towards the door.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Antinium hate<\/em> spiders. No wonder the Workers are freaking out. I\u2019ll have a few [Porters] do the work instead.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys put her face in her clawed hand for a second before she looked up at her Human friend again.<\/p>\n \u201cErin, how did you<\/em> kill a nest of Shield Spiders? Even if you burned them, most adventurers would rather run than pick a fight with a Shield Spider if they\u2019re not Silver-rank or higher.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? They\u2019re that tough?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys nodded seriously.<\/p>\n \u201cIncredibly. Steel blades can\u2019t even crack their shells.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked. But then she pointed to the adventurer standing next to her.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, she<\/em> cut one in half.\u201d<\/p>\n Every eye turned towards the Gazer standing next to Erin. Or\u2014as some including Selys recognized\u2014the half-Gazer. A rare species made even rarer by her mixed blood. So rare, in fact, that the odds were if you met one\u2014<\/p>\n Selys’ scales were usually a good indicator of her mood, along with her tail. Erin watched now as Selys’ tail stiffened like a cat\u2019s, and her light green scales paled until they were nearly gray.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Excuse me.\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Gazer looked at Selys and gave her a polite smile. Selys was reduced to nervous stammering.<\/p>\n \u201cU-um. You wouldn\u2019t happen to be\u2014I mean, are you\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am Gazi of Reim.\u201d<\/p>\n Dead silence. If Erin\u2019s comment about taking down a nest of Shield Spiders had inspired quiet hubbub, Gazi\u2019s name brought awestruck silence. Silence\u2014and a kind of fear or intimidation that swept through everyone.<\/p>\n In fact, Erin realized she\u2019d been talking to Selys mostly unmolested because the people who had noticed Gazi had turned into virtual statues. Now\u2014at her voice, someone whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cThe King of Destruction’s vassal.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n A shiver ran through the audience. Erin glanced around at the staring crowd. She didn\u2019t get it, but she saw even the biggest, toughest adventurers blanch\u2014and then Gazi smiled,<\/em> and her face was full of teeth.<\/p>\n Erin really wanted to know what all this meant, but she had a pressing concern\u2026and this seemed like a really good time to take care of it. As Selys began stammering something and the adventurers and civilians around Gazi backed up to give her room, Erin pushed her way through the crowd and into the bathroom.<\/p>\n Curiously, Liscor\u2019s architects didn\u2019t use the stick-man symbols to mark the men\u2019s rooms and the ladies\u2019 rooms apart. Rather, they used tails. A long, straight tail marked the male bathrooms, and a curly tail marked the female bathrooms. It was quite simple when you got used to it. Curly tail, straight tail.<\/p>\n Even so, Erin peeked inside before she entered. She\u2019d had enough of seeing unwanted genitalia, especially since the equipment the Drakes and Gnolls carried around were definitely<\/em> different than the ones guys in her world had. Not that she was an expert or anything, but\u2014<\/p>\n After a few minutes of relief and ruminating on biological differences, Erin emerged from the restroom. Thank god for plumbing and soap. She saw Gazi was still at the heart of the crowd of people, fending off questions politely. Her large eye didn\u2019t move from the Gnoll speaking earnestly to her, but one of her smaller eyes swiveled Erin\u2019s way the instant the young woman exited the bathroom.<\/p>\n \u201cNow that\u2019s<\/em> creepy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Erin muttered.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be rude!\u201d<\/p>\n Selys hissed at Erin and nearly made the young woman scream. The Drake was heading to the bathroom, probably to relieve tension-induced pressure. She pulled Erin aside, and the two began to whisper furiously in one corner, although only one person in the room was watching them.<\/p>\n \u201cErin, how<\/em> do you know her?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGazi?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re calling her by her first name?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe has a last name?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPathseeker! And it\u2019s Adventurer Pathseeker! That\u2019s how you should be addressing her. Or Gazi of Reim. Or\u2026Gazi the Omniscient!<\/em> That\u2019s her nickname!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s confusing. She\u2019s got three different titles? That last one\u2019s sorta cool, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin was making light of this, but Selys was staring at Gazi in horror, as if afraid the woman would hear them and take offense.<\/p>\n \u201cErin! She\u2019s a really, really<\/em> important person! I could lose my job if I make her mad!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys nodded rapidly.<\/p>\n \u201cGazi the Omniscient. That\u2019s what they call her in other continents. She\u2019s rumored to be over Level 40.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm. Wow\u2026?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin!<\/em> How are you not impressed?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, isn\u2019t Relc level thirty-something? That\u2019s only a difference of ten levels, right?\u201d<\/p>\n The look Selys gave Erin was a mix of incredulity and pure indignation. Not for the first time, Selys wondered if Erin Solstice wasn\u2019t a bit slow or at least strange<\/em>. But she\u2019d said she was from\u2026a different country? Either way, she tried to explain the obvious.<\/p>\n \u201cErin, she\u2019s a famous adventurer! You know; the kind people write down if they make a list of the top one hundred adventurers in the world!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you get it? There might be more powerful adventurers, but few of them have ever visited Liscor. And she knows you.<\/em> Did she save you from the Shield Spiders?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, she only cut one of them apart. But she lent me money to hire the wagon to bring them into the city.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe lent you money!?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, and I\u2019ll pay her back, so stop grabbing<\/em> my shirt, Selys<\/em>. Look, she just seemed interested in me, but I don\u2019t know her that well. But why do you think\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin got no further because Selys’ claws dug into her arm. She yelped and tried to pry the Drake\u2019s fingers out of her skin.<\/p>\n \u201cOh Ancestors! She\u2019s coming this way!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Like a shark moving through a shoal of fish, Gazi\u2019s presence seemed to literally part the wall of bodies. She approached, smiling at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cI fear we must part ways for a time, Erin Solstice. I must greet the master of this guild and the local ruling body. But I hope I may visit you at your inn for your promised meal.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys’ goggling expression was slightly hard to ignore, but Erin smiled up at Gazi anyways.<\/p>\n \u201cSure thing. I\u2019m going back to my inn right away, so you can come over whenever works best.\u201d<\/p>\n Gazi gave her an amused smile that included the petrified Drake at Erin\u2019s side. One of her smaller eyes flipped over, so Erin could only see the light orange-pink of her eyeball.<\/p>\n \u201cThat may be slightly difficult at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Someone was shouting outside. Or rather, someone was outshouting the shouting already going on outside. It was a familiar voice, too.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! Clear the way!\u201d<\/p>\n Relc\u2019s voice was irate, and he seemed to be yelling at the adventurers and other people trying to crowd into the Adventurer\u2019s Guild. He was also on the verge of losing his temper, which wasn\u2019t usual, but definitely wasn\u2019t helpful at the moment.<\/p>\n \u201cYou lot are causing a disturbance! Clear the street I said! Move it!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone inside the guild heard a thump<\/em> and then a shout and a crash<\/em>. For all Gazi was their main focus, their attention quickly turned to the outside.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s going on? What\u2019s happening?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys beat Erin to the window and nearly tore her hair-spikes out. Erin still wasn\u2019t sure what to call the crest of hardened\u2026scales or hair each Drake had at the top of their heads.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no. He\u2019s picking a fight with the adventurers! That idiot!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin peered out the window just in time to see an adventurer being lifted off the ground as Relc propped up a guardsman and shoved him into the arms of one of his fellows. It looked like tempers had flared and a guardsman had been knocked down by an adventurer. Possibly it was the other way around, but Erin saw both parties were all-male, so she had a pretty good idea what was going to happen next.<\/p>\n Gazi joined Erin at the window as six of the adventurers squared up and surrounded Relc and the other two guardsmen. Relc glared at them and tightened his fists, but didn\u2019t draw his spear. Gazi stared at him and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cAh. A warrior among civilians. A rare sight in peaceful Izril.\u201d<\/p>\n One of the adventurers took a swing at Relc, and he dodged. The Human attacking was nearly as big as the Drake, a muscle-bound giant who looked like the guy who bench-pressed three hundred pounds for fun at the gym.<\/p>\n Erin nudged Gazi in the side. Selys stopped agonizing over the fight long enough to stare at her, but Gazi only looked down. She was wearing armor anyways, so Erin was sure she wasn\u2019t bothering her.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, you\u2019re supposed to be strong, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n Gazi nodded. She kept her larger eye trained on Relc while two of the smaller ones flicked towards Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cSome have called me so, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you help him? It\u2019s six against one.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin pointed to the adventurer. He was still missing Relc, but now, another one looked like he was about to sucker-punch the Drake. Relc\u2019s eyes were narrowed, but he seemed to be focused on dodging for the moment.<\/p>\n Gazi smiled down at Erin. She shrugged and indicated the sword at her side. The listeners peered at her, and the half-Gazer\u2019s eye swung around.<\/p>\n \u201cI do not fight with my fists. If I draw my sword\u2014people die. I would prefer not to.\u201d<\/p>\n Again, that shiver, and Erin thought her boast wasn\u2019t much of a boast\u2014but a promise. Gazi nodded at Relc as the big Drake swayed back.<\/p>\n \u201cBesides\u2014he<\/em> is not the one who needs help.\u201d<\/p>\n Relc had just jumped nimbly back when the big adventurer\u2019s friend moved forwards. He was another Human not nearly as big, but when he swung at Relc\u2019s back he cut the air with his fist.<\/p>\n Still, he was far too slow. Even as his fist flew at Relc\u2019s face, the Drake\u2019s bent sideways and hit the adventurer back with an uppercut. Erin thought she actually saw the man\u2019s feet leave the ground before he crumpled in a heap.<\/p>\n Relc spun around and backhanded the first adventurer, who was still swinging at him. The big guy flipped over and crashed to the ground. Two of his friends came to his aid, but Relc picked one of them up\u2014armor and all\u2014and threw<\/em> him into the crowd.<\/p>\n Open-mouthed, Erin watched as Relc began thrashing the other adventurers. She looked at Selys. The female Drake was covering her eyes and groaning.<\/p>\n \u201cHe always<\/em> does this. There\u2019s going to be a huge<\/em> mess because of this, and he\u2019s probably hurt a lot of them badly enough for healing potions!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked and pointed at Relc.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought\u2014he\u2019s just a guardsman, right? How is Relc<\/em> tossing those adventurer guys like flies?\u201d<\/p>\n Gazi studied Relc thoughtfully.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is over Level 30 in the [Spearmaster] class. That would be enough. The highest level among the adventurers is Level 21\u2014the one he has just knocked unconscious. A [Spearmaster] is not an equal to a mere [Warrior], regardless of levels.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys nodded glumly. She tried to explain to Erin in a way the Human would understand.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we\u2019re just talking about active members of the city guards\u2014then he\u2019s the strongest on the continent, by far. Perhaps the world.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked at her. Twice.<\/p>\n \u201cThe world. As in\u2026all of it?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cMost people of his level, well, they either become adventurers, personal bodyguards, or soldiers. Being a city guard doesn\u2019t pay much, but Relc likes it. Probably because it\u2019s so easy.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin paused. She didn\u2019t notice Gazi watching her with one of her eyes. The large one. It studied her with its yellow contents, yellow not white\u2014a shadow-black pupil. But the iris shimmered, blue and green, violet and turquoise, a shifting pattern around the black center. It held Selys\u2019 gaze and hypnotized her a moment, before flicking away.<\/p>\n \u201cBut Klbkch\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin paused and forced herself to go on.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was a Senior Guardsman too, wasn\u2019t he? So weren\u2019t Relc and Klb the same level?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys shook her head. She watched glumly as Relc threw an adventurer wearing plate mail into the side of the building and winced<\/em> as the outside plaster cracked. Gazi\u2019s head turned, and her eyes focused on Erin. All five of them.<\/p>\n \u201cKlbkch was the fourth highest-level guardsman in the city. In terms of strength, though, he was probably second to Relc. He was the Slayer<\/em>, but during the war\u2014look, Erin, both had more levels in other classes, which is why they\u2019re so tough, understand? But even Klbkch was ten levels behind Relc.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhich is a lot, I get it. But how\u2019d Relc get so strong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe was<\/em> in the army. But he quit to become a guardsman. Thanks to him, we haven\u2019t had to worry about monster attacks for a long while. I\u2019m not sure why Relc quit, though. He was famous as a soldier too.\u201d<\/p>\n Gazi shrugged. Her hand covered the pommel of her sword, and her eyes unfocused for an instant.<\/p>\n \u201cMany have reasons to leave war. I, too, was a soldier once. As I am sure many know. But I left my position to become an adventurer. It is only worth being a soldier if one has a cause to fight for, a leader to follow, and a reason not to die.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Erin and Selys looked up at her. Gazi smiled at them.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is hard to understand, I suppose. But I believe your friend Relc enjoys the quieter moments. Anyone can tire of war. Believe me.\u201d<\/p>\n Then, suddenly, she looked sad, and Selys gave Gazi another look of awed \u2018I know what this is about, and it\u2019s so amazing\u2019. Erin just glanced out the window.<\/p>\n \u201cEven a street-fight against a dozen guys? Have you done that before?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMany times. That is quite restful compared to war.\u201d<\/p>\n The fight was over. Relc planted his foot over a pile of adventurers and raised his fists into the air like a boxer. The cheer he got from the crowd only served to make him preen even more in the spotlight.<\/p>\n Gazi turned away from the window and nodded at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I have not lacked for entertainment since travelling to these lands. I will seek lodgings within the city, then. Good day to you, Erin Solstice. We shall meet again.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin raised a skeptical eyebrow.<\/p>\n \u201cOh? You\u2019re so sure?\u201d<\/p>\n Gazi smiled at her without baring her teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cI foresee it.\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Gazer opened the door and strode out. It was so quick that all the tension she\u2019d brought into the room left it in an instant. Selys breathed out hard as she returned to the counter, leaning on it and panting as if winded.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t believe that just happened.\u201d<\/p>\n One of the adventurers flexed his hand and looked down at it.<\/p>\n \u201cI shook her hand. And when she looked at me\u2014it was like she knew my thoughts. <\/em>The King of Destruction\u2019s vassal. Here.<\/em> No one\u2019s going to believe I met her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAmazing.\u201d<\/p>\n One of the adventurers agreed. Others nodded their heads as they talked, all in a flurry.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat an incredible experience.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not dead. I mean\u2014the King of Destruction\u2019s asleep. But that was\u2014do you think any of the other Seven are here? The Architect? The Lord of the Skies?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, we\u2019d have heard of it. One<\/em> is bad enough. Two? I bet the Walled Cities would be escorting them everywhere with an army.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEh.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEh?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t too blown away by her. She\u2019s got that \u2018mysterious aura\u2019 vibe going on, but it\u2019s all because of her eye, right? I remember seeing this street magician\u2014David Blaine. You ever see\u2014?\u201d<\/p>\n Too late, she remembered her audience. Selys was giving her an incredulous look along with the other adventurers.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys shook her head slowly. At this point, she wasn\u2019t even that annoyed, just impressed more than anything.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are an amazing Human, Erin. Or an oblivious one. Does nothing faze you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLots of things.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin propped her hands on her hips.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy are you all so impressed to see her anyways? She said she was a wanderer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but to see her so far from her home continent\u2014I suppose she really is<\/em> done with war.\u201d<\/p>\n The other adventurers agreed. They began talking all at once, arguing, debating in a noisy, confused mess.<\/p>\n \u201cI wonder what she\u2019s doing away from\u2026? I mean, Chandrar\u2019s still her continent.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hear she goes through continents looking for challenges. But to come this far\u2014is it because of the new ruins?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps, but how\u2019d she get word of them so soon? Unless\u2014do you think she was heading to the north already? Terandria, overland? Maybe join in a war as a [Mercenary]?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoubtful. Adventurers don\u2019t like wars, even the former soldiers. It\u2019d take something truly great to get her to go back to being a soldier. And hey\u2014where\u2019d the Human go?\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone looked around. The Human, conspicuous because she was a Human, was missing. Selys stared towards the door. It swung closed.<\/p>\n \u201cErin!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Erin heard Selys call her name, but at that point, she was out the door and had no intention of going back in. She appreciated gossip and learning new things as much as anyone, but this wasn\u2019t the time. She was hungry, tired, and sore<\/em>. And the last thing she wanted to do was have people ask her more questions and stare at her like\u2026like\u2026<\/p>\n Like a Human.<\/p>\n They were all over the place. Well, not all over, and in fact, there were very few Humans in actuality\u2014perhaps one Human for every four hundred nonhumans, so the odds of seeing any were remote. But to Erin, seeing one<\/em> Human was enough to make her stop in her tracks.<\/p>\n Two men, a tough-looking adventurer guy in his mid-twenties and a paunchier, richer-dressed merchant, were sitting at an outdoor tavern of some kind, talking to each other. Erin wasn\u2019t sure whether to call it a restaurant. She hesitated and then wandered over, unable to keep away.<\/p>\n \u201cUh, hi there.\u201d<\/p>\n The adventurer and the [Merchant] looked up. They seemed annoyed to be interrupted, but their expressions cleared as they saw Erin. The man who\u2019d been loading up his wagon smiled genially.<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014hello! Can we help you, miss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry to interrupt. It\u2019s just\u2014I haven\u2019t seen any Humans in a while.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Merchant] raised his eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a surprise to see anyone but an adventurer or a fellow [Trader] in Liscor. You\u2019re a native here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSomething like that. I thought I was the only Human around here, but suddenly\u2026here you all are.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, well, I\u2019m headed past here, south. On business\u2014Merchant Goeln, a pleasure. Goeln\u2019s Caravans. But I had to see these new ruins before I went off.\u201d<\/p>\n The adventurer stood up and held out his hands.<\/p>\n \u201cCervial Dermondy, adventurer. Captain of the Flawless Flights, a Silver-rank team. I\u2019m a [Ranger] by trade, scouting out these new ruins that were just discovered. Pleased to meet you, Miss\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin Solstice, um, [Innkeeper]. Mind\u2026mind if I sit?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n The merchant moved his chair, and the adventurer pulled one close so Erin could sit down. Before she knew it, the merchant had ordered her a drink and they were talking. At first, Erin was surprised, but she fell into the conversation easily. It was just like talking to someone back from her world.<\/p>\n It was so normal<\/em> Erin could have wept.<\/p>\n Cervial and Goeln had been talking about their grievances with travelling so far to get to Liscor. It seemed everything from wagons breaking down to people getting lost had plagued their caravan, and they\u2019d also found almost all of the inns in the city crowded to the rafters, much to their displeasure.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nice to know that there are some Humans living around here. I\u2019ve been dealing with stubborn Gnolls and haughty Drakes all day.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Merchant] smiled at Erin while he made a face at the non-Humans passing by on the street. Erin sipped the lukewarm beverage from her mug and made a polite noise to agree with him. The adventurer nodded, chomping down on a baked potato filled with spices.<\/p>\n \u201cI swear, they\u2019ve raised prices just because they knew we were coming. No love towards us Humans, and the local Watch has been picking fights with the adventurers all week. To make matters worse, it seems there\u2019s a Human [Thief] that came in with one of the caravans.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin hadn\u2019t heard anything about that. But then she\u2019d been\u2014busy the last few days. The merchant shook his head and made a noise of disgust.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, it could be a local Drake or Gnoll, but of course, we Humans get the blame until the culprit is found. Lousy lizards and their damn suspicions.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked at the merchant, but the adventurer was nodding in agreement. She changed the subject quickly.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, do you know anything about that new adventurer? Gazi?\u201d<\/p>\n Two blank faces were her answer. Erin tried to elaborate.<\/p>\n \u201cShe was getting a lot of attention this morning. She\u2019s, um, she looks sort<\/em> of Human, but she\u2019s got one big eye in her head and four small ones\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA Gazer? Gazi? Do you mean\u2026Gazi the Omniscient?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The ball dropped, and then the [Merchant] and adventurer were giving Erin a look as if she had just sprouted wings.<\/p>\n Erin shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s a famous adventurer, but that\u2019s all I know\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGazi the Omniscient is in Liscor? <\/em>I thought I saw a Gazer, but I didn\u2019t dare believe it was her\u2014dead gods, and I missed her?\u201d<\/p>\n Goeln leapt out of his chair. Cervial\u2019s mouth was open so wide he could have inhaled an Acid Fly. Ten of them.<\/p>\n \u201cAdventurer Gazi? I almost missed\u2014did you call her \u2018Gazi\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, yeah\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPut some respect on her name<\/em>! Adventurer Gazi at least\u2014she\u2019s a Named-rank adventurer!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Cervial looked so horrified Erin began to get a sense that maybe she had been way too informal with the woman. She gulped.<\/p>\n \u201cI, uh\u2026yeah. She\u2019s here, and I met her on the road. Long story. Is it\u2014is it bad I invited her to my inn?\u201d<\/p>\n The two men were practically about to run off to find Gazi, but they turned back at Erin\u2019s words.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have an inn? Here? Really?\u201d<\/p>\n Goeln was incredulous. Erin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYep. Well, it\u2019s small, and I just started\u2014it\u2019s just a few miles outside the city.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n Both men leaned over the table. Goeln gave Erin a smile in return.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019ve got room in your inn, I\u2019d be glad to pay for lodging. It\u2019d be a nice change to see some Human faces rather than all the scales and fur around here. Not to mention the smell!<\/em> All these non-Humans really don\u2019t know how to wash properly, do they?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s smile froze on her face as she stared at the [Merchant]. He hadn\u2019t even tried to lower his voice. She sensed rather than saw the other Drakes sitting at nearby tables slowly glance over at her and the other two Humans. They didn\u2019t seem to notice, nor had Cervial done more than glance at his companion\u2014he hadn\u2019t said a word. Neither had Erin but\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n The adventurer coughed into one fist.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d love rooms too; my team\u2019s just here for reconnaissance, but if we come back, a good, friendly inn would be lovely.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Um, well\u2026I\u2019d love to have you over. But, ah\u2014the upper floors are still under repairs, I\u2019m afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n Both looked disappointed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was the problem? If it\u2019s simple repairs, I could introduce you to some skilled craftsmen\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Erin waved her hands quickly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014no need. I\u2019m working on it. It\u2019s just that we had a very bad incident with disappearing skeletons. And\u2014I should get back there to make sure more aren\u2019t missing.\u201d<\/p>\n Hastily, Erin got up and excused herself. The adventurer and merchant bade her farewell and stared after the young woman as she disappeared into the crowd. When she was gone, they exchanged a look. The [Merchant] took a long draft from the fresh mug the Drake had served him and grimaced. Like everything in the city, he could swear the ale they served him was the lowest gutter-scrapings.<\/p>\n \u201cDisappearing skeletons\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Far below the surface of Liscor, or at least as far as the Antinium were allowed to dig by their contract with the city, the Queen listened to a report. She was not happy.<\/p>\n \u201cHumans in Liscor? They come seeking the ruins, no doubt, to unearth treasures and seek their fortunes. Good. As for Gazi the Omniscient\u2026she is dangerous. But not a threat to the Hives. She may still be a forerunner of what we desire. Post Listeners on her, but do not gainsay her in any way.\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium addressing her bowed his head crisply. He was perfectly balanced upon one knee as he faced his ruler.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, my Queen.\u201d<\/p>\n She waved a feeler at him.<\/p>\n \u201cSuch matters are inconvenient, especially at a time like this. Deal with the Council until I have finished. I must not be disturbed at any cost. To complete the project so quickly necessitates all of my attention. Is that clear?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEntirely, my Queen. I will handle all of your affairs with those not of the Hive.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood. And investigate the Aberration while you are upon the surface. If he is truly Individual, I would speak to him afterwards. If he is not\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium touched the blades at his sides. The Soldier Antinium standing guard made no move despite his proximity to their Queen.<\/p>\n \u201cI will dispose of any Aberrations I find, my Queen. Worry not.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will place my trust in you. Go, then, my Prognugator.\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium bowed and stood. He whirled, and the twin swords at his waist moved smoothly with him as he walked upwards towards the surface. His Queen\u2019s voice rumbled through the cavernous tunnels after him.<\/p>\n \u201cGo. Ensure that Human <\/em>does not bring about further ruin. Protect the Hive and carry out my will. Go and do this in my name\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The Queen paused, and then her mandibles clicked softly.<\/p>\n \u201cKsmvr.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" At first, the laden cart rumbling through the northern city gates attracted little attention. This late in the day, the traffic going in and out had thinned, but there was nothing odd about two passengers sitting on the back of the cart while a Drake [Farmer] brought his merchandise into market. The expression on the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52856846,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"patreon-level":0,"patreon_level":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11693081,349],"tags":[],"twi_volume":[11693130],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-13600","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-1","category-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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