Chapter 119: 105. Thunder, Birds, Fees

Omen: 10, 13

They were still on the road when they saw creatures above them, a large group of birds, each circling high above the party.

“What are those?” Adam asked, staring up at the creatures.

Perception Check
D20 + 3 = 12 (9)

He couldn’t make out too many details, other than they were a dusky tan colour, and were larger than typical birds.

“Dusk Hawks,” Aizaban said. “Typically prized possessions of those from Eagle Wing, but these are wild born.” 

“They’re not stupid enough to come and fight us, are they?” Adam asked.

The Dusk Hawks dove down towards Kitool, the smallest of them all, and the one with the least amount of metal bits about her. 

“Me and my big mouth,” Adam said.

Battle Order
D20 + 1 = 7 (6)

There were easily a dozen of the creatures, each diving down, possessed by a lust for blood. 

Mana: 8 -> 7
Chaos Bolt
D20 + 5 = 14 (9)
Hit!
3D6 = 8 (2, 3, 3)
8 damage!

Chaos Bolt
D20 + 5 = 15 (10)
Hit!
3D6 = 14 (3, 5, 6)
14 damage!

Adam channelled his magic as Aizaban called out her Divine Magic, casting one of the Dusk Hawks in radiant force, half burning it as it dove downwards. 

“Well, I don’t mind gaining more Experience!” Adam shouted, shooting out the chaotic magic from his finger tips, which struck the injured Dusk Hawk, blasting it with frost, before the magic bounced off of, spiralling towards another Dusk Hawk, which turned slightly purple as the poison filled it.

There were almost a dozen of the creatures, but as they dove down to the awaiting warriors, they were cut down by spear, blade, and mace, a third of the dozen littering the floor around with their lifeless bodies. 

Mana: 7 -> 6
Chaos Bolt (Disadvantage)
D20 + 5 = 7 (2)
D20 + 5 = 9 (4)
Omen: 10, 13 -> 13
10 + 5 = 15
Hit!
3D6 = 8 (5, 6, 6)
17 damage!

Chaos Bolt (Disadvantage)
D20 + 5 = 15 (10)
D20 + 5 = 22 (17)
Hit!
3D6 = 14 (4, 5, 5)
14 damage!

Chaos Bolt (Disadvantage)
D20 + 5 = 15 (10)
D20 + 5 = 17 (12)
Hit!
3D6 = 14 (1, 4, 5)
10 damage!

Adam, drunk on his Mana, brought up his hand once again, risking the use of his spell in close quarters. Though the wings and talons were in his way, he plucked on the Thread of Fate, allowing Kitool a moment of respite as the various Dusk Hawks battered her with beaks and talons, threatening to shred her. 

His magic shot out from his finger tips, a thunderous roar shredding through three of the Dusk Hawks, causing feathers to fly around them, and the Dusk Hawks to cry in pain as thunderous force rocked them.

‘How lucky for it to all be thunder,’ Adam thought, before realising the mistake he had made.

Onward Soar: 1 -> 0

Mana: 6 -> 5
Thunderwave
2D6 = 12 (6, 6)
12 damage!

Adam inhaled, feeling like an idiot. He had a spell which was much better for the situation. 

“Thunder!” the Half Elf shouted, as his magic formed through him once against, the thunderous might of his spell shaking through the creatures. Three of them fell, the very same three which his magic had sundered moments ago, whilst the others screeched in pain. 

Kitool spun about the battlefield, spinning her staff around her as the Dusk Hawks tried to slash and tear at her, only to find their bodies battered and bruised by the various weapons and magics. 

Jurot had managed to strike a Dusk Hawk harshly, before Jaygak finished it off, inhaling deeply as she surged forward with another swing, which downed another Dusk Hawk with her blade so eager for blood. 

Dunes kept himself at the ready to heal Kitool, in case any Dusk Hawk was going to hit her, and potentially kill her before they dragged her away.

It had taken only a few seconds, but soon the entire group of Dusk Hawks had fallen, having been unable to land a single blow onto Kitool, with the Knights slaying the last few which had remained. 

Victory!
Dusk Hawks
+200XP
XP: 720 -> 920

Quest Complete: Empower the Chaos
XP: 920 -> 1020

Adam stared at the Dusk Hawks, but the others were staring at him, who had managed to deal the most damage to the entire lot.

‘Hey, what’s this about Empowering the Chaos?’

[It is a Quest.]

‘Yes, I can see that, but what is it?’

[A Quest.]

‘Seriously, Bell...’

“I was going to use Spectral Sentinels, but your spells were more powerful than I expected,” Aizaban said. 

“Oh,” Adam said. “That would have been more useful than my spells. I was just lucky, but that works out well enough. Alright, should we get to butchering the birds?”

“You’re going to have quite the pay day once you get to the Guild,” Paul said.

“Pay day?” Adam asked. He stared at Paul. “Oh, for hunting? I completely forgot.”

Paul stared at the Half Elf. He had some sense, but lacked sense in other ways. ‘I shouldn’t think too hard about it.’

Kitool sighed, wondering why she was suffering from such bad luck. It felt like every fight she was the one to go down first, and this time she had been targeted by the Dusk Hawks, unable to provide anything in combat. She shook her head and fell down to meditate. ‘Becoming the target is useful…’

Omen: 15, 20

“Halt!” came a shout from up ahead. 

On the road were five heavily armoured humanoids on horses, trotting their way towards the group. Each wore in chain mail, with dark cloaks across their shoulders, a small shield at their elbows. They held a long spear in hand, but they had a blade at their side. Strapped to their horses were small bundles, filled with the rest of their gear. 

The Soldiers noted the three Knights, the Iyrmen’s tattoos, and then the Adventurer Tags of the Adventures. 

“Sirs,” the Soldier said, taking off his helmet to reveal his hardened face. He bowed his head towards the Knights. “What business do you have at West Wood?”

“Sir Harvey, High Alchemist of Red Oak. I’m making my way north to find some herbs, and to conduct a few studies.” Sir Harvey motioned a hand to Sir Merrick, who stepped forward, revealing the papers and identity plate to the Soldier.

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The Soldier glanced at it quickly, before nodding his head. “I wish you the best of luck, High Alchemist. Even with all the warriors at your side,” he said, glancing across from the Knights and the Silver Rank Adventurers, “you should be careful on the road. The beasts are acting up, full of blood lust.”

“Yeah, no kidding,” Adam said, taking a swig from his water skin. “First it was a half dozen Aurochs, then a dozen Dusk Hawks.”

The Soldier stared at the Copper Rank Adventurer in puthral, wondering if it was some spoilt Noble brat on his first adventure. “Aurochs and Dusk Hawks?” The Soldier threw a glance back towards another, who tapped their helmet and nodded. “We should return to patrolling.” The Soldier gave them the right of way before they trotted along the King’s Road, keeping an eye out on the plains and the sky. 

“They never ask for the fee from the Nobles,” Aizaban grumbled, shaking her head. 

Paul cleared his throat. “It is up to the Soldier’s discretion on whether they will ask for the fees from the travellers on the road.”

Aizaban threw him a glare which shut him up. It was technically true, but that just hid the cowardly lie. “It just so happens that they target Adventurer’s and Merchants the most, especially those below Silver Rank. They wouldn’t dare to bother us with high fees, but the little group behind us would have been down at least four gold.”

Lanban recalled the times when he was Bronze Rank, and how the Soldiers would ask for a gold coin each time they met, and sometimes they’d even appear the day after, having followed he and his group. Nowadays they would ask for a handful of silver from him, a gold if they were brazen, but they wouldn’t dare to follow him on the road.

“They ask for fees?” Adam asked, raising his brow.

“They can,” Paul said. “It’s best to hand over whatever they ask for. The coin usually goes to maintaining the roads, but also goes towards repairing their equipment.”

“Some say that the coin finds its way into the Soldier’s pockets,” Aizaban said.

“We shouldn’t speak ill of the Soldiers,” Sir Harvey said. “They fight for our freedom.”

“The Iyrmen fight for your freedom too,” Aizaban said. 

“And we are grateful for it,” Sir Harvey replied.

“I’m sure you are.”

The Eagleknight, Frederick, squinted his eyes at Aizaban, but did not speak up.

Omen: 12, 13

The sun was about to fall as they approached the camp, where the road met the forest. The camp was unlike any of the others, as though it was laid out in the same manner, this camp held another Adventurer.

The fellow was lean, and well built, wearing a Grey Tiger skin over his back, the skull of the Grey Tiger adorned on his head like a helmet, hiding his face, though his golden locks fell down across his chest. He wore fairly light clothing under the tiger skin. 

He carried a large, rectangular shield, and wore arm guards and shin guards made of metal, leather sandal boots protecting his feet. Against his shoulder leaned a long spear,  but he also wore the Iron Tag of the Adventurer’s Guild, and a wooden amulet with a symbol etched into it. A belt of javelins lay atop his bulging pack, which sat beside him. 

The stranger’s eyes were glued to the small fire, which was currently cooking a bird at the end of a stick dug into the ground. 

Perception Check
D20 + 3 = 19 (16)

The symbol was cracked, though Adam recognised the symbol, realising Holy Symbol to channel Divine Magic through. 

“What a ragtag set of equipment,” Adam joked, noting the fine make of the metal arm guards and shin guards, though he wondered why he didn’t wear heavier armour. Then he recalled how he was sweating like a pig in his own puthral, even though he used Tricks to cool himself throughout the day.

The Iyrmen and Paul stared at the stranger for a short while, before Sir Harvey approached, with Sir Merrick at his side. 

“Might we join the camp?” Sir Harvey asked. 

Though they were going to, it was always polite to ask. 

The figure remained focused on the fire, but nodded his head. 

"Wearing armour sucks!" Adam said, dropping down as he took off his helmet, shaking his head as the cool evening air blew across him. "Walking around in full plate mail in Noonval…” He turned to Jaygak. “It’s a killer, isn’t it?”

"That is the price we pay," she said, taking off her own helmet, though she was smirking at Adam.

“Oh, right,” Adam said, staring at the devilkin, who found relief in the heat. "I should be unarmoured like Jurot and Kitool, walking around in your cloaks, allowing the breeze to pass along your skin.”

"Would you be able to survive without your armour?” Jaygak asked, stretching her body.

Adam thought about it for a moment. “Probably not.”

Harvey had placed down his gear to one side, which Sir Frederick was keeping an eye on, whereas he went to cut some herbs and plants from the nearby area, with Sir Merrick and Sir Enna nearby.

"You're awfully open for a Half Elf," came a voice, soft and low, almost a growl. 

It was the stranger who spoke, though his eyes remained on the fire. 

“Is that so weird?” Adam replied.

"Don't you know how much Half Elves are hated in this land?"

"Yeah, I hear they're hated quite a bit." Adam sighed. "The amount of times it's gotten me into trouble. It hasn't been too bad though, since Jurot has been there for me. Iyrmen are like a free pass to not getting my ass beat, though they can't stop everything."

"It must be nice to be protected by others."

"Yeah, it does feel good." Adam reached over and grabbed Jurot's arm, picking it up as he squeezed against the Iyrman’s muscles. "You see these bad boys? They're pretty damn good at protecting me!" Adam laughed, letting go of the arm. 

Everyone had heard Adam’s statement, and soon the thought of Adam’s true goal was filling their minds. Was Adam buddying up with the Iyrmen to be protected by them?

"Adam is also very strong," Jurot said, his eyes glancing towards the stranger. The eyes of all the Iyrmen were glued to the stranger, due to his amulet.

"What's the design on your amulet?" Adam asked. "It looks almost like Sozain's symbol, but it’s all cracked."

The stranger’s eyes snapped back to Adam, filled with a shocked glare. “You dare not show respect to the gods?”

The eyes of the others fell onto Adam, piercing his back.

 

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