Chapter 118: 104. Crows and Aurochs

“Sir Frederick Leftwing, Eagleknight!” the slightly tanned man declared. He was quite a beautiful man, with shoulder length red hair swept back, a clean shaven face. He had bright green eyes, like a pair of circular jade. 

He wore a breastplate, made of bronze, with the intricate details of an eagle leaping upwards, and draped over his shoulders was a long, bright yellow cloak, eagerly displaying himself before the group. 

In one arm he held a helmet the same colour as his breastplate, and a spear in his other hand, gripped tight. The spear was long, with wood painted bright yellow, and a bronze tip, intricately carved.  

“It’s a bunch of bull shit that everyone is so pretty,” Adam whispered to Jurot.

Jurot nodded his head slowly, though kept his words to himself. ‘You keep forgetting you are a beautiful Half Elf.’

The Eagleknight, who was quite young, the youngest Knight in the group, took point eagerly. 

“He still has the light in his eyes,” Adam said. “He must be new.”

Jurot nodded his head. “An eager eagle.”

Adam chuckled softly.

They made their way towards West Wood, the next town. They followed the road up the hills, though as Adam looked ahead, he realised just how far the roads stretched over the hills. His thighs were burning, and he couldn’t help but feel envious of the Iyrmen, all save for Aizaban, who suffered like him.

Then he realised his puthral armour was lighter, and he felt as though he had betrayed the woman. ‘Sorry, but you have to suffer alone.’

“I have to admit, these roads are quite nice,” Adam said as they walked on the main road.  

“This is the Central Aldland King’s Road,” Paul said. “The safest road in all the land, patrolled quite frequently. It’s maintained mostly by the taxes we pay at the gate.”

“It’s only a copper or so,” Adam said, glancing at the Vice Master. 

“For you, perhaps. I have to pay a silver piece each time, and do not forget how many Iyrmen become Mithril and Gold Rank,” Paul said, careful not to give specifics. “There were a number of Mithril Rank Iyrmen who went south, so each town on the way received at least a hundred gold from them.”

Adam wasn’t sure if Paul should be saying this, but the others nodded their heads, and Adam realised that a hundred Iyrmen on the move probably was the talk of the land. 

“There is much movement between the towns, and Merchants are taxed differently depending on their wares, but easily a gold for each time they pass through the towns.”

“They aren’t taxed as much as the Kingdom would like, but the Merchant’s Guild has managed to provide many great services in the past,” Sir Harvey said. 

They managed to reach the top of a hill, where they made camp for the evening in an area made up of small half walls.

“How come there are so many of these camps?” Adam asked as the fire was lit. 

“That’s the Guild,” Paul said, smiling. “We make sure that the most used camps are well maintained. It’s part of an Adventurer’s responsibilities to mention if a camp isn’t clear, or something has overrun it. If you can deal with it, you should, but if it’s too much for you, you can retreat and we’ll set out a request to deal with it. Luckily, most of the camps nearby are well maintained.”

“I notice that most of them look the same,” Adam said. “Is that by design?”

Paul nodded. “They are to allow three full sized parties to sleep well enough, if a little cramped.”

As they finished making camp, and the Iyrmen brought back a boar to roast and stew. It was evening by the time they noticed another figure in the distance, who stepped towards them. It was a figure with something on their head, like a large hat, but as they approached, the group could see it wasn’t a hat, but a large bird. 

“Crowseer,” Aizaban growled to Lanban, who nodded his head.

Jurot and the other Iyrmen perked up, staring over at the stranger, which was slowly approaching them. It appeared as though they were moving slowly, and yet they arrived quicker than the group expected. 

The man, with the large, dark bird resting on his shoulders, over his head, stopped near the camp. He looked as though he was going to walk past the group, but he turned to face the large party.

He was tall, with pale skin, and was pencil thin. He was adorned in long cloths all about him, with a rapier at his side, and a cane in hand. His eyes were dark, and though his face was hard to see under the thin cloth across his face. 

Their eyes moved in tandem, looking across the same people at the same time. He stopped when he saw the Half Elf, who was settled beside an Iyrman.

“Son of Fate,” the stranger said. “You should be careful.”

Adam blinked, having not expected to hear his self proclaimed title. “You know me?”

“Maurice knows you,” the man said, motioning to his giant bird, which was roosting happily against the man. “You may be half an Elf, but your mouth is wholly too big for your own good.”

Adam glanced at the bird, which seemed almost like a giant, fat crow on his head, it’s talons gripping the man’s shoulders. 

He nodded to the bird. “Maurice,” Adam greeted, before his eyes fell back on the stranger. “I’ll take your warnings to heart, stranger, but who are you?”

The man reached up and brushed the bird gently, brushing the bird’s side with two fingers, before he returned his hand to his side. “The Iyrmen call me Crowseer,” he said. “The Aldmen, well, their name for me is known to those who read their histories.” He nodded his head to Sir Harvey and the rest. “Best of luck to you all.” He tapped his cane onto the floor, about to leave. “You should be careful continuing, the various beasts lust for blood.” 

As quickly as he had come, he left.

Sir Harvey and the Knights were on edge, unsure of the stranger, whereas the Iyrmen seemed more relaxed, though excited to meet them.

“Who the hell was that?” Adam asked. 

“They mentioned their name already,” Aizaban said.

“Crowseer,” Jurot added. 

“I know his name, but who is he?” Adam asked.

Jurot noted Aizaban’s look and fell silent. 

“He is only for the most unlucky to meet,” Aizaban said, but she did not give any more.

Adam narrowed his eyes. “So, I’ll be dying soon, huh?”

“You may not die yet, Adam,” Aizaban said. “You may be unlucky in another way.”

Adam rolled his eyes. “No, no. I’m fairly certain I’ll die soon.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“It’s me, that’s why.”

They continued along the next few days, over the hills, and then north east, following the well paved road. 

Omen: 1, 19

The Crowseer’s warning proved true, as they noticed a group of a half dozen Aurochs charged forward towards the large group.

“To battle!” Sir Merrick shouted, drawing his blade, and the Knights nearby took their position around Sir Harvey.

The pair of Iyrmen grabbed their weapons, eager for a fight, with Fate’s Golden arming themselves too. The plains had given them clear vision across each side, so they could see the Aurochs coming from many miles away.

“It had to be Aurochs,” Paul said, blade in hand. “This is going to hurt.”

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Battle Order
D20 + 1 = 7 (6)

Though they were still some ways away, Adam and Aizaban each possessed ranged attacks through their tricks.

Mana 8 -> 7
Chaos Bolt
D20 + 5 = 22 (17)
Hit!
3D6 = 12 (4, 4, 4)
12 damage!

Chaos Bolt
D20 + 5 = 22 (17)
Hit!
3D6 = 9 (2, 3, 4)
9 damage!

Adam felt his Mana course through him, the violent magic quickly throwing forward, spraying the magic out towards the same Auroch which Aizaban and Dunes struck with their own divine attacks, keeping their Mana for greater spells.

Lightning shot forth from Adam’s hand, striking an Auroch.

“Unlimited power,” Adam whispered, before feeling his face flush tomato red from the shame of it. 

The lightning bounced off the Aurock, no longer white hot, but white cool as it covered the next Auroch in frost. The chaotic nature of the magic changed its damage, from lightning to frost.

“Well done!” Aizaban shouted, a wide grin on her face. “That’s the kind of magic I like to see!”

Paul sighed, realising how excited she was. She and Lanban alone would be more than enough for these Aurochs, but there was no need to deny the youth their fun either.

The group pulled back after the ranged blows of the Priests and Battlemage, who continued to pepper the Aurochs with their magics.

Flame Bolt
D20 + 5 = 21 (16)
Hit!
1D6 = 2 (2)
2 damage!

Flame Bolt
D20 + 5 = 14 (9)
Hit!
1D6 = 1 (1)
1 damage!

With two more Flame Bolts shooting out, striking the same Auroch as before, which was still charging forward, the others loosed their javelins and spears. Jurot and Dunes downed the Auroch which Adam and Aizaban had been aiming for, as the others tossed their weapons towards the frosted Auroch, which fell under the weapons whistling in the air. 

Jurot clashed against an Auroch, full of rage as it struck his shield, causing him to slide back. He swung his axe wildly, managing a deep blow into the creature as it snorted and roared at him.

Another almost struck Kitool, but Jaygak intercepted it with her shield, though her arms throbbed wildly, and she almost tumbled backwards. 

Fighting Spirit: 3 -> 2

Attack (Flanking)
D20 + 8 = 12 (4)
D20 + 8 = 26 (18)
Hit!
1D6 + 2D6 + 5 = (2)(3, 6)
11 damage!

Onward Soar: 1 -> 0

Attack (Flanking)
D20 + 8 = 21 (13)
D20 + 8 = 24 (16)
Hit!
1D6 + 2D6 + 5 = (1)(2, 4)
9 damage!

Adam dashed around Jurot, swiping with two heavy blows against the large creature, almost a Bull, though its horns were wider and deadlier, and its fur was thicker, providing some protection against the blade, but not enough. 

Each blow struck true, threatening to slice the creature in half. It shook under his harsh blows, but did not give in. Its eyes were full of rage, and it was eager to skewer anyone in front of it. 

“You should settle down,” Adam said.

Dunes managed to heal Jaygak, who missed her first blow, before inhaling deeply and swingingly wildly, striking the Auroch with her powerful blade. The Auroch managed to strike Kitool with its hooves, though she managed to soften the blow, swinging her staff agaisnt it. 

Jurot managed to cut the Auroch in front of him in half, before he circled around the other, assisting Kitool and Jaygak. 

Fighting Spirit: 2 -> 1

Attack (Flanking)
D20 + 8 = 16 (8)
D20 + 8 = 25 (17)
Hit!
1D6 + 2D6 + 5 = (1)(1, 1)
8 damage!

Adam’s blade cut through its neck, causing blood to splatter, and yet it struggled against Fate’s Golden. Jaygak pierced into it with her blade, and Kitool struck it across its skull, though the creature skewered her on its horns. 

The woman gasped, letting out a soft breath, before falling.

Dunes, who was certain it was going to fall after his blow, had thrust with his blade, though watched as Kitool fell.

“Kitool!” Dunes shouted, trying to pull his blade out of the creature.

Victory!
Aurochs
+200XP
XP: 420 -> 620

Quest Complete: Embrace the Chaos
XP: 620 -> 720

Mana: 7 -> 6
Healing Word
1D3 + 3 = 6 (3)

“Get up, Kitool,” Adam called, healing the Iyrman. He had more than enough Mana to heal her several times.

“Thank you,” Kitool said, feeling the holes in her robes, and the soft flesh which had knitted over. She was half delirious, barely able to get onto her feet. 

“Any time.” Adam nodded. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, thank you,” she said, staring down at her stomach. “You’ve saved me many times now, Adam.”

“Like I said, any time.” Adam smiled, squatting down to pat her back. “What are friend for, eh? Don’t go dying on me before we fight the dragon.” He winked.

“Aurochs,” Jurot said. “We will feast tonight!”

“How’s the fur?” Adam asked.

Jurot nodded. “It will be good to send back.”

“So, how are we splitting the loot?” Adam asked, glancing at Sir Harvey.

“Half for myself, half for your party,” Sir Harvey said.

“See that? We dealt with what, four of them, and he wants one of ours.” Adam smirked. “Alright, you’re the boss here.” Adam shook his head slowly.

“If you wish to carry the furs and meat yourself, you are free to do so,” Sir Harvey said. “I thought, perhaps, you would have liked for me to use my various magical storage available to me.”

“You know what, Sir Harvey,” Adam said, glancing up at the Sir. “You ain’t half bad.”

Sir Harvey narrowed his eyes.

 

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Sir Harvey is slowly winning Adam over.

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