Chapter Six Hundred And Fourteen – 614
Bellar sat atop the cliff, crimson cloak held close, and considered their path.
The night was dark. No moons shone upon the mountain, but the thick layers of snow and ice reflected the paltry starlight well enough. It was the bitter cold, truly, that hampered their movements, as it had hampered the engines of their Manaship. Forced to land within the foothills of the western range, they had trudged with indefatigable steps over hill and dale, battling Trolls and beasts the likes of which he had never seen. The retreating storm even now buffeted them with its fury, but his men were hardy and their armor heavily enchanted for the bitter cold. They had trudged across half the world to reach this point. They wouldnt be put off by some snow.
When his scouts witnessed a bolt of lightning from the heavens, they had been astounded. The potency of it had even lifted the hairs on Bellars neck, and he had only viewed it from the pine forests below. Hed immediately ordered them to follow the bolt, and was rewarded when it hit a nearby mountain. The impact of it had shaken the ground beneath their feetcausing an avalanche in an adjacent valleybut what made his people eager was the conflagration of golden light that had spilled from the crater it left.
Holy Light.
Lord Inquisitor! Over here!
Bellar stood from his improvised throne of stone, and strode across the slanted ice. Golden Mana flared beneath his feet, enchantments worn into the armor that melted the ice just enough to secure his footing. Bellar walked across the mountain and down, into a crumbling slope at least seventy strides wide. The rock and snow at its center had been painstakingly removed, and now they revealed an armored giant, half-trapped beneath the mountain.
The Chosen, Bellar whispered. He gestured furiously. Get her out of there! Now!
His men got to work, their blood-red cloaks nearly black in the moonless night. Soon, however, the sun would rise.
Dawn came as Felix and company rushed to answer the Hinterlords summons. The contingent of Forge Knights and the fancy courier all waited as they did so, posted up in the courtyard of the Torrents Rest for all to see. The sun rose and smoke darkened the sky while a crowd of onlookers gathered.
Felix took his time to ensure his people were organized and secure, much to the chagrin of the courier. She grimaced at each delay, though she refrained from speaking against Felixs decisions. His role as the Hero of Birchstone apparently had some weight, and he planned to make it work for him.
When they finally emerged, it was with everyone as shined up as they could be. Armor, weapons, their bodies, all were washed and polished. Even Harns battered set was buffed to the best of their ability, though the man wasnt too happy about it. He was still grumbling as they descended the steps of the inn and into the courtyard.
The dirt adds character, he growled.Ñøv€lRapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on Ñôv€lß¡n.
Uh-huh. You had enough blood in the grooves of your gorget to make half a man, Evie pointed out.
Character, he grunted.
The Claw had already brought around their ice sleds and crates of goods, and Felix ran his Perception over the lot of them. They had cleaned up as well, but still wore their fur-lined cloaks that covered most of their Leviathan bone armor. Loquis and Mervin were at their head, and they each gave Felix a firm nod as he passed, heading toward the courier.
The courier brightened at their approach. You are ready, Mr. Veil? Isis that a Dire Hound?
We are. And yes, Felix gestured ahead with the hand not carrying Pit. Lead on.
Had his company tried to push their way through Birchstone alone, getting through the outer district would have taken them hours. The streets were crowded with people, locals and refugees alike, many of whom were covered in soot and carrying their belongings on their backs. All of them stepped aside for the Forge Knights carrying the Red Shield banner, and the courier was none too shy about summoning a shield of force Mana that she wielded like a plow. Those that were too slow were shoved aside.
Felix grimaced internally, but schooled his face to stillness. They only had one shot at their goal, and this invitation was a windfallhe wasnt going to screw it up now by protesting the Hinterlords men. Not yet, anyway. Still, people around them were injured, many burned, and that tugged at his heart. Half the district had caught fire during Imaras assault, and the Watch had been entirely too slow at putting it out. Birchstone watched them march through the district, fear and anxiety and anger roiling around their Spirits like a nest of snakes. Felix fought to keep his breathing steady as they moved through them all. Their stares felt like an accusation.
He could have easily ordered the Claw out to put out fires and help people, but instead Felix had focused on their task ahead, at the expense of everything else. It was a good excuse, but thats all it was. An excuse.
Hero of Birchstone, he mused sourly. Some hero I am.
A wave of green-gold life Mana waved outward in a rushing breeze. It passed his company without much effect, but it spread powerfully over the crowds. People looked around in shock, hefting their burdens easier, and even some of the worst burns visibly healed over.
Pits Breath of the Wild is level 30!
Others gasped as well, clearly overwhelmed. Before them, a city many times the size of Birchstone sat within a cavern that stretched for miles in every direction. The ceiling itself was so high that swirling clouds obscured it from view, intersected only by dark pipes that seem to hang unsupported in rigid formations. Below, colorful lights twinkled among palatial mansions, enormous gardens in full bloom, and streets that looked to be made of literal gold. Statues of Dwarven figures abounded, most between fifty and a hundred feet tall, and all worked from the midnight stone all around them.
The courier flung out her arms dramatically. Welcome, Mr. Veil, to Red Shield Hold!
Exploration is level 75!
Adept Tier!
You Gain:
+5 PER
+5 INT
+5 FEL
Felix shoved aside the notification and tiny surge of System energy, only missing a part of the couriers speech.
from here, and the golden roads of Red Shield will lead you to the vast Crimson Bazaar, where any number of curios and delicacies can be found. There, by the copper domes of the Grand Assembly, is the temple district, where the worship of our Revered Mother Nocits and her wayward siblings still holds strong.
Felix scratched his jaw, looking for a thread of conversation to latch onto. He definitely didnt want to talk about Noctis. This is all very impressive. Does this city take up the whole mountain?
Of course! Red Shield Hold itself is quite expansive, but there are also dozens of layers beneath our feet that spread through the Rimefang Mountains with unchallenged range. A connection between our cities is truly what separates our proud nation from the mewling sun-worshippers.
Interesting. Are the paths between cities traversed by foot? Felix asked.
They are, but the distances are vast, she said, leading them down from the wide entrance platform down one of several sloping streets. Even within the city itself, getting from one place to another is quite a chore. So we have developed a true marvel. Behold!
She stopped at the first curve in the path, where a rectangular building carved with intricate geometric knots jutted out of the cavern wall. Some of the dark pipes hed seen in the sky traced directly to the squat building, passing through the short end and into the interior. They were notched in such a way that tugged at Felixs memory, but it eluded him. The building was lit by a number of blue-green magelights, but was otherwise quiet and decidedly empty.
What am I beholdin? Evie asked.
Ahem. Grom, if you would.
One of the Forge Knights stepped forward and threw open the doors to the squat building. The wide entryway revealed a large space that looked remarkably like a bus station, with an open floor plan, some seating clustered along the walls, and a single desk manned by a very tired looking Dwarf.
The Dwarf, a man with a floppy hat and a thick black beard, jolted awake. He scrabbled in his seat, flapping his lips without effect for a second before he found his voice. Welcome! Honored guests! To the Cloud Chariot!
Light came alive, swirling along the ceiling to reveal a long steel box the size of a single train car. It was shaped like one too, long and rectangular, except it was suspended from the notched pipes that entered through the open end of the building. Several silver-green clamps and gears held the thing to the pipes, and they shimmered with sigaldry. More evidence of an advanced array was apparent across the metal chassis, but the bulk of it was hidden from view. Glass windows covered the front and back, with smaller portholes along the sides, except where a door was situated.
Uh, were supposed to get in that? Beef asked. Its not really made forpeople my size.
A Forge Knight pressed a triangular piece of crystal to the side of the Cloud Chariot and two wide doors opened up with a hiss of silver Mana vapor.
Built of high steel and reinforced by the very best metal mages this side of the Continent, the Cloud Chariots were designed with the intent to haul large amounts of cargo, sir. You will be quite safe. The courier stepped within and jumped up and down twice. The steel railcar didnt so much as quiver. As you can see, it is quite sturdy. Now.
She clapped her hands, and her smile widened even further. Who would like to soar the heavens?
