Chapter Five Hundred And Seventy Four – 574
When Felix came back to the ship, he found a crowd of onlookers. Arclights with spells dancing on their fingers, Blades and Bones with weapons drawn, and numerous Yttin and Henaari bearing spears and tridentsready and willing to mete out death, but finding only Felix and the empty dark.
They burst into applause.
Felix stifled his embarrassment as he flexed his Willpower and Alacrity, the two stats that allowed one to fly in the Void. They were a little less useful in the Dark Passage, perhaps due to the sheath between them and the true Void, but Felix had more than enough to make up for the difference. He landed on the stern, the Claw members making space for him, and gestured for them to quiet down. Anyone hurt? No? Good. You did well. The beasts were fought off, but were not through yet. Keep your eyes open.
The Claw all saluted, fist to chest. Felix had never wondered what pride might sound like, but it was fun to learn. A series of swelling violins and cellos, picked and enhanced by breathy, staccato notes swirled around his soldiers. It was strong, and barely dented when Vess started shouting. Everyone return to their posts!
They did, hustling back down the steps from the helm, quite a few returning below decks. Felix spotted mages using their Mana Gauge Skill to test the air, while others hauled the corpses of the Void beasts for study.
That Void beast was massive. Is it gone? Vess looked over the railing, more than a little disappointed.
It is. Hey you, Felix snagged a Goblin Legionnaire before she could move too far away. Haiza. Go to Commander Harn. Remind him about using Willpower to maintain your footing here. Tell him I cant catch everyone when they fall overboard.
Sir?
Hell know what I mean. If he has any questions, send him to me.
Yes sir!
She ran off, right past Chanter Tzfell and Chanter Laur. The Dwarven woman watched her with pursed lips. You know all their names?
Felix smiled. I have a good memory. How can I help you two?
We had thought to aid you, but it seems well in hand, Laur said. He was dressed in a bottle green jacket that only reached his waist, with a flowing tunic of cream colored silk and matching trousers. His long auburn hair was loose, only collected around his temples by a band of woven leather. A shame, as I was eager to see how my wards would deal with such creatures. They were Void born, yes?
They are.
I thought these Passages were safer than the standard?
Theyre different, Felix said. I dont know how much safer they are. Who said that?Ñøv€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.
It is remarkable what can be gleaned by an understanding ear, Tzfell said. We sought to help, but to do so we need understanding. None told us what these Dark Passages are, how you are able to access them, or where we are going.
Laur nodded along. What is to prevent greater threats from intruding through the dimensional sheath?
Felix opened his mouth to argue, but closed with a grimace. Youre right. But that is for a reason. Trust that we are safe for now, and Ill explain the rest shortly.
The Elf looked ready to say more, but Tzfell placed a restraining hand on his forearm. Of course, Lord Autarch. We shall be in our rooms until then.
Felix and Vess watched them leave, lithe Elf beside stout Dwarf, neither of them lacking in a certain grace. It pricked at his senses, the way they moved, something hed noticed before but still couldnt pin down.
Vess thumbed a small monster core at her waist, carved with a series of relatively simple sigils. A sound-ward popped up, humming inaudibly around them. Why do you distrust them so?
He looked amusedly at the sound-ward, but Vess gave him a flat stare. I am simply following your lead.
Fair. Less distrust, moreIve yet to see what theyre bringing to the table. Felixs easy smile flattened into a grim line. Ive escaped being a pawn for Primordials and gods. Im not interested in being one for the Chanters.
Well said.
Bit more to it than that, Harn grunted. Gotta get to the Rimefangs in the first place.
Felix pointed at the grizzled warrior. Right. Were heading north to the Boreal Pass and from there into the Hoarfrost proper. Once I claim the Hoarfrost, Ill be able to use Labyrinthine Wing to traverse the stupidly large distance to the Rimefangs. Without it, well be traveling for monthsby then, well very likely have lost the Unbound Gnome completely.
His friends nodded along with his words, their Spirits at ease. The exception were the two newcomers; both Chanters were small storms of turbulence.
Youre simplytaking control? Laur asked, clearly skeptical.
Thats the plan, yeah, Felix said. Why?
The Hoarfrost is massive, taking up a large portion of the Continents northernmost edge. No one in living memory has been able to take it from the giants or the monstrosities that live among them.
My people have tried to take it by force many, many times. Tzfell added. They have never once succeeded, not for longer than a season, across the breadth of an entire Age.
Listen, we brought back an ocean to a desert. I think we can take some ice from a few giants, Beef said. When Felix gave him a surprised look, the kid smiled and gave him a thumbs up.
Heh. I have a plan.
And what is it? Laur asked.
We enter the Hoarfrost and take it.
Thatsnot a plan, Tzfell said.
Sure it is, Harn said. Two steps. Easy as droppin an axe.
We already beat up the ice king, Pit added.
Grimmar, was it? Tzfell asked, fingers drumming on the table. Would the Frost Giants not want revenge?
Thats not what I
Felix stopped Pit with a gesture, instead shrugging at the Chanters. Maybe. Maybe not. Well handle that when we get there.
Laur fiddled nervously with his lace cuffs. With so few? Why wouldnt you bring an army?
Too many people. Gets real noisy, Evie said. Plus, who would watch over our home?
That was the first time Felix remembered hearing Evie refer to Elderthrone like that. It was heartwarming. The Witches of Cold Rock Coven will support us when we get there. Weve hashed out a deal. The other Covens will likely be opposed, unless theyve won them to their side, but we only need one Coven to vouch for us to approach Kingsrock.
Whys everything called rock this or rock that? Beef asked.
Aint much else up there, Harn said.
Cheery.
And this Kingsrock is what, exactly? Another settlement? Laur asked.
It is their holiest of places, Tzfell answered eagerly. The geometric tattoos around her left eye twitched. This time, Felix was positive that they moved across her skin. Finding it is an achievement my people only managed once in all our years, and it did not end well for them. None can approach it without dire consequences. Do you plan to fight a war by yourself, Lord Autarch?
Felix smiled. If things go to plan, I wont have to.
