Chapter 24: 23 – First Contact

We had been grinding on the forty-sixth floor for almost a month. Ailine would switch out with Lala so that we could continue power leveling her, while still keeping a guard at the garden. By now, Lala's level is impressive, but her battle skills are lacking. That's the major downfall of increasing levels like this. However, having the higher stats is making her magic practice easier.

Currently, our levels are:
Me - 61
Navi - 60
Ailine - 59
Lala - 53

The substantial drop in EXP from being over the level of the monsters really hurts. We're getting awfully close to needing to move on to stay efficient and clear the last four floors, but with how easy this EXP comes, there's no denying how useful spending time here is. Probably another couple weeks and we'll move on.

Navi also gave us some great news! Last week she told us her flower is going to have another rhizome! She said it should sprout in about three months, so in roughly four months there will be another little fairy flying around.

Lala is excited to be a big sister, too. Talon also seems like she has reached her adult size, or close to it. I was a bit surprised, but Navi explained that monsters grow faster than animals. She's now a bit bigger than a Clydesdale, and looks pretty intimidating. When she isn't jumping or flying around chasing a giggling green fairy, that is.

Now that she's essentially full size, I made a saddle and reins for her, and surprisingly, she enjoyed running and even flying a bit with someone on her back. The weight barely seems to even register for her.

These peaceful and predictable times were shaken when Navi woke us up during the day when she was patrolling/exploring.

(Lia! Ailine! Wake up! We got news.)

(Navi? What's wrong? What's going on?) I asked groggily, but her tone made me know it wasn't a prank.

(Humans. There's a group traveling into the vampire lands.)

Humans? Did the Empire find us? (Are they on their way here?)

(No, they're farther south and heading southwest. Unless they really change directions they won't come anywhere within sight.)

Well that's good. (Do they look like bandits or slavers?)

(No, that's the weird part. They have women, children, and injured people on carts. They look like they're running away and are keeping a scout unit focused more on their rear than front.)

That's weird. (What's a rough count?)

(Looks like roughly two hundred non-combatants, thirty armed and armored, and about another fifty men who look like they just picked up a weapon for the first time.

(There looks like one guy is giving most of the orders. I've been watching them for a while and everyone seems to either bow or salute. From context, I would either say he's a military commander or a noble.)

What the fuck is a noble doing leading civilians out here? (You were created with appraisal, too. Can you get close enough to see any of the stronger looking people's levels without being seen?)

Before she could answer, Ailine jumps in. (Navi, could you please check if their armor has a sun on the front? That's what the church soldiers always wore.)

(Lemme check. BRB.)—A few minutes later she replied back—(So, I'm totally guessing the guy's a noble. The max level is an older armored guy at level 41. Most armored are between 25 and 30. Mr. Noble is level 28. Way too low to be giving orders as a commander. Civilians and new guys are all under 9, and no suns in sight, Ailine.)

I think over the info she found. (Navi, you said it looked like they were running from something. Could you check it out and see if you can find out what?)

(Yeah, I'll head the way they came from and see what I find. Later homies!)

I turn towards the vampire sitting next to me. "Well, Ailine. What're your thoughts?"

She puts her hand on her chin. "From what Navi told us, they don't seem to be bandits. But why would a noble bring all of those people out here, Lia?"

"I'm thinking they're either running from the church or from another noble. If from the church, depending on how strong of a force they send, it could be a chance to wipe out some of them. If a noble, maybe a territory dispute? Or just a hostile takeover? If it's a noble, I'm not that interested in getting involved one way or another."

She looked a bit surprised. "Even though they have women and children?"

I shrug. "We don't know the circumstances. If we got involved and someone sent a larger force, that's just asking for trouble. Unless it deals with the church, I'd rather stay out. Plus, who's to say these are good people? Or that they don't have a spy amongst them for the church?"

"Hmm, that's a good point… Still, if at all possible, I would like to help them."

"... Let's wait and see what Navi says first. If they're running from humans and we want to reach out to them, we need a plan. They'll already be on edge, and meeting a random stranger on the road won't be welcomed with open arms."

"Then what should we do?"

"Well, I certainly can't fall back to sleep again, so there's something I want to make. You still have that fabric from the big bag?" I say as I get up and start getting dressed.

"I should." Ailine does the same.

"Then let's make a standard. If we reach out to them, showing up with a dark cloak, alone, in these lands, it would just lead them to think we're bandits. However, if we have a standard, showing up in their way shows that we're organized and knew they were coming. I'll take a spear and fuse a couple cross bars and we'll make a rectangular piece of fabric to fit.

"If we do reach out, we can't show any weakness with it. Especially dealing with a noble. If they're anything like I expect, I'd rather avoid their kind all together. So, I'll test him. If I have a standard and am waiting for them, it means we're strong enough to know they were there without their knowledge, and confident enough to send a single person to talk.

"I might even try to antagonize him. If it's a shit noble, just a little jab will set him off. If they can't recognize I'm in a stronger position, even being alone, then they aren't worth associating with."

"I'll follow your lead, Lia. What should we make?"

"Thanks, Ailine. I'm thinking—"

A few hours later Navi reached back out. (Hey girls! I got news!)

(What'd you find out?) I asked.

(There's a group of about a hundred churchies following the group, and gaining on them. At the current rate both are moving, I would say two afternoons from now they'll catch up.)

(And you're sure they are church?)

(Yup! Like Ailine said, their poopy sun logo is plastered on anything and everything.)

(Levels?)

(Couple in their mid 40's, most 25-35.)

Well then.

(Navi, where's your big bag with your rocks?)

(REALLY! Lia! You serious?! We get to finally attack some of those people?!)

Wow, she's serious. (Hold up. I want to talk to the first group before anything's decided. How fast do you think we could intercept them if we jogged?)

(Okay, okay.) She calms down a little. (Lala has my bag by the way. If you leave soon and wear your shadow cloaks, I'd probably say a couple hours after noon tomorrow.)

(Alright. We'll start traveling south. Could you fly towards us to guide us?)

(Sure, sure! Please let me drop rocks again. It's so fun!)

(We'll see. I have a rough plan already, so I'll let you know with telepathy what to do.)

=====

POV - ???

Why did things come to this?

"My Lord, rear scouts reporting in. At the current pace, the church forces will be upon us by tomorrow afternoon," said my guard captain.

"Understood, James. Are there any defensive positions that have been found?" I ask.

"None yet, My Lord."

I release a sigh. "We may have to make a stand in the forest then."

"We'll follow your lead, My Lord."

Those bastards. To corner us this far… Before they kill me here, I will take as many as I can with me. That's the least I can do for all of my people that bastard took or killed.

I didn't believe it at first. Reports of missing people. Rumors of bandits working with holy knights. But the more I stared, the more I found… And then his mansion… It makes me wonder how many bandit attacks were actually their doing.

At least we were able to make it back before my town fell entirely. To think that knight we interrogated really was working with bandits to take my people…And for me to be led by the nose so the bandits could attack while we were gone...

What scum. We've played all our cards as well. I have nothing left to return to after we were all branded heretics. My title, my home, my freedom. Perhaps if we can buy a bit of time, some of the others could scatter and survive…

Doubtful. The monster lands have no mercy for the weak and untrained. Just one defensible location and we may be able to force a retreat… Still doubtful.

Next to me, my wonderful wife grabs my hand tightly. "We'll find a way, El. Together we'll get through this."

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I can only smile wryly at her optimism that I know even she doesn't believe.

"My Lord! Emergency message from a scout at the front!" my captain shouts.

"What's the report?" Could the church have surrounded us without us knowing?

"Half a mile ahead, there's someone standing directly in our path. Description says they're staring in our direction wearing a completely black cloak and holding a standard we've never seen before."

"Description?"

"They said it appears to be a blood red moon with red stars on a black background… and also…" he hesitated. 

I urge him on. "What else?" 

"Jerry said that the person waved at him, My Lord…"

That doesn't bode well.

"Was Jerry distracted, or was moving more loudly than normal?"

"No, My Lord. He has been even more cautious since we left, and you know he's the first-rate when it comes to stealth… For this person to know he is there and to be seemingly waiting for us..."

I jump in to continue his thought. "How long have we been observed without our knowledge? At the very least they don't seem to be hostile at the moment. If they had been observing us, then they could have attacked at any time. To be standing like this…"

He continues for me, now. "If I may, My Lord, I believe they want to talk. Or it's a trap to lure us. Either way, our choices are limited in how to respond."

"Yes… James, halt the march. Have all units be prepared for combat and set a perimeter around the civilians. Keep our strongest forces to protect the perimeter here. You are my knight commander, so I would ask of you and one other to join me. We will go ahead and see what this stranger has to say."

"As you wish, My Lord."

Turning to my wife, I say, "Take care of those here, Realyn." 

"Be safe, El." She sees me off with a short kiss.

Walking forward with Commander James and one of his young but promising men, I can't help but wonder what we are getting ourselves into. Should these be bandits, then between them and the church, our last hopes are dashed.

Stopping twenty-five feet away, Jerry's report was accurate but very understated. The person in front of me had no visible features. It's as if the cloak and everything within it are made of pure darkness, draining all light from it. I feel that if I take my eyes off the figure, they will dissolve into any shadow near them. With the red moon standard, just who are we dealing with?

Before I am able to ask any of my many questions, the figure speaks.

"Greetings. May I ask what you and your group are doing wandering into my lands?"

A beautiful sounding voice was not what I was expecting. Thrown off slightly, it took me a moment longer than I wanted to respond.

"Greetings. I apologize if we are trespassing. I was not aware there were any settlements here in the monster lands. I am Baron Elden Whitewater."

"Baron?" The figure tilts her head. "You are a long way from your territory then. Looking at your group, do you still have a territory? Yet you still call yourself a Baron?"

"You!" Before I could even respond, the young man James brought began to unsheathe his sword. 

He is hot blooded and on edge. I can understand his anger, as he also lost friends in the attack. As I quickly try to stop him from doing something that could end in a fight, a thin line of pure darkness flies out of the side of the forest and sticks in his hand, keeping him from drawing his blade and making him yelp in pain.

A black arrow? It disappears just as quickly as it came. One thing is for sure, we aren't alone here. Glancing at James, not even he noticed another person, nor can we find them even now.

Whoever we are against holds all of the cards in this discussion, but they didn't kill the young man, or even severely injure him. I may be able to salvage this situation if I act quickly.

Jumping forward with arms outstretched I plead out. "Enough! James!"

"Yes, My Lord!"

James, reading the situation as well or maybe even better than myself, punches the young man in the face and grabs the back of his head like an eagle claw, lowering both him and James into a bow.

We cannot afford a fight here.

James shouts to the figure, "I apologize for our rudeness! Please excuse my man. He is young and foolish and his temper is high with our current situation. Thank you for not killing him for attempting to draw his sword."

I enter the conversation again. "You are correct. I no longer have lands, nor are any of us welcome in the Empire again. Let me reintroduce myself. I am Elden Whitewater, leader of these refugees."

"Well met, and rise, Elden Whitewater and company. I am Dalia Midnight. Now, what brings you into my lands?"

"We…"

I wonder just how much this person who is so calm and collected knows? That last jab about our territory was an obvious prod at us to see our reactions. Depending how long they have been watching, they could know the entire situation. Which if they do and they still reach out… Do they intend to help or exploit? Regardless, lying will get me nowhere with this person.

"We are branded as heretics of the Empire, Lady Midnight. The territory I once oversaw was attacked by bandits after my men and I were led away from the area by the church. After suspecting foul play and interrogating the holy knight, we discovered they were working with the bandits to capture my citizens and raid my territory. 

"We returned immediately, and were able to repel the bandits, but the only survivors are those behind me. Two days later, a messenger and multiple knights from the church came to collect me to be judged, charging me as a heretic and renouncing my title. 

"They told the villagers to comply or they will also be charged. There was a battle, and some knights were killed and the messenger escaped. All the villagers chose to follow me. We are currently running away from a contingent of church forces, looking for a possible defensive location to fight them."

With everything laid out, I can't help but to feel that all our lives and how this battle with the church will go, rest on any decision this woman makes. 

After being silent for a few seconds, she speaks. "I understand your position, Elden Whitewater. Then let me ask you this. Should you repel the church, what are your intentions? Will you try to return to the Empire? Find other noble allies and regain your title? Hide deeper in these lands?"

"I...I haven't envisioned our future outside of surviving this battle. We are outnumbered and out-leveled. But I do know there is no returning for us to the Empire," I say with all of the conviction I can muster. "Being branded a heretic is akin to a death sentence. No, there will be no returning. Should you know of land outside your territory that we may try to claim to build a life here in the monster lands, I would be forever grateful."

"I see. Then you seem to be in a precarious situation. Refugees with nowhere to go and with nothing to your name. Should you receive assistance from me and mine, what are you willing to give for the safety of you and your people?"

I think for a moment. "I will not and cannot offer my people to servitude, but if it would mean their salvation and safety, then I would offer you my life without question."

"If I may, My Lady. I am James Remmington, captain of the Whitewater knights. I also offer my life for the salvation, safety, and freedom of those behind us."

Lady Midnight just stared at us for a few seconds. Or I assume she stared. I was still unable to see anything but darkness inside her hood.

Finally, she nods. "I recognize your determination and honesty, Elden Whitewater, and James Remmington. Boy, hold out your injured hand."

"Ye-yes, Ma'am," the young soldier stammers.

Holding out his hand, Lady Midnight walks up, grabs it with a hand as pitch black as the cloak and her face, and faster than any healer I have ever seen, the wound disappears. 

She raises her head and seems to stare him in the eyes. "Keep your temper in check, boy. I'll leave your black eye as a reminder of that."

"Yes, Ma'am! Thank you Ma'am!"

Turning back towards me, she continues. "Now then, Elden Whitewater. Remember your words this day. I know you have injured. I'm happy to tend to them. How are your provisions?"

"I would gladly accept your kind offer," I said, lowering my head again. "Let us return to my group. Rationed, we have food and water for two days. We were hoping to find a stream or game to hunt."

"I see… take me to your rations as well. I will restock you."

I freeze for just a moment. Restocking rations for three hundred? On the drop of a copper? Although, who am I to question a person in this situation?

Walking back to my group, I can see tensions on my men ease as we all return, and so I address them. "Everybody, this is Lady Dalia Midnight! She is offering us assistance! Please treat her as you would myself!" I turn back to her. "Now then, this way, please, Lady Midnight."

Walking to our provisions, she sees our near empty water barrels and asks them to be opened. After doing so, they fill in seconds. Slightly shocked, I watch as she moves on to our food wagon. From nowhere she produces six fully grown deer, cleanly killed and ready to be butchered.

Being a powerful water mage was one thing, but also a space-time mage? And I suspect darkness, seeing her cloak. The more I am around this woman the more questions I have.

Walking to the wagons with the injured from the last fight, she heals all their wounds just as quickly. Even the lieutenant commander who lost his sword arm against those holy knights, had it regrown. To be able to do all of this is on the level of court mages of the empire. Really, who is this person? What did we actually get involved in?

But we still must prepare. The church will be here before midday.

"Lady Midnight, first, thank you again for your assistance. My scouts inform me that the church forces will be upon us before midday. Would you have a location so we may make a stand and a place to evacuate the civilians?"

"Ah, don't worry about those scum." She waves my concern away. "Recall your scouts from the rear. Send them out to confirm the church's defeat in the morning. When they return to confirm it, I'll arrive and point you to my home. For now, I will take my leave. Make sure everyone eats and rests well, and I will see you tomorrow."

"Ye-yes, Lady Midnight."

What else can I say to a person who seems so capable, but also a bit frightening?

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