Arcane Knight: An Epic LITRPG Fantasy, page 20
My knowledge about settlements and keeps was much lacking, but Creed had filled me in on a fair bit. I was almost certain that since I was the proper assigned Lord of the keep and the borders hadn’t shifted that they’d not been able to claim it.
“Why should we trust you?” Cron asked, his hammer lowering.
“Because I’m not like other nobles. If you keep your trust in me, I will do the same,” I said, I had minutes left.
“Is that true? Well then you should prove it. How far would you go to show you’re different?” Cron asked, his hand stroking his beard.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to prevent unnecessary bloodshed,” I said, and I meant it. There would be nothing gained by taking lives meaninglessly.
“The orcs won’t follow just anyone,” Cron said, a smile creeping onto his lips. “You agree to fight me in single combat for the rights of this keep and that could be enough to persuade them. I won’t make it easy on you and if you truly can be trusted then I will be made Lord of this keep if you fall in battle. Do you agree to these terms?”
My mind raced going over what exactly I was doing. I could always return with a greater force and root them out, but a part of me felt for them. If they truly had women and children preparing to live out the harsh winter, then bring a deadly force against them wasn’t something I think I could even stomach. This had to be the way. I just needed to somehow beat this dwarf in single combat.
With less than a minute left I agreed to his terms, and we agreed to meet at the foot of the ridge. He would bring a single orc to witness, and I would be allowed to bring only one of my ‘warriors’. It became plainly aware to me that he truly thought I’d brought a force to bear against him, and with a promise to recall the goblin’s he’d sent out, I cancelled the channeling spell.
“I’ve got good news and bad news,” I said, smiling innocently at my party. “I need to beat a dwarf in single combat, but then he promises that his people will agree to be subjects under me in return for rights to stay in the keep.”
“What level is he?” Fran asked, her face screwed up in confusion.
“No idea,” I said simply.
“What class did he have?” Ismene asked.
“Couldn’t tell,” I said, my nervous smile widening.
“You’re screwed,” Emory said, laughing.
“Yeah,” I said. “Maybe.”
CHAPTER 23
LORD OF BLACKRIDGE KEEP
Cron held up his end of the bargain, the goblins withdrew and when the time came, he could be seen traveling down the road with a single orc at his side. I reviewed my options, and it was easy to see how dangerous my decision had been, but I had a secret weapon of sorts. The knot in my stomach didn’t ease until Cron was close enough for my Inspect skill to work.
He was level 23, eight levels higher than me. My knot was replaced by excitement. The increased attributes from being a Paragon, the extra I’d purchased, and the titles giving me better use of my attributes would easily make me a match for someone his level. Sure, he could have access to more powerful abilities, and I had no clue as to what class he had, but this was doable now.
I felt a familiar presence above and couldn’t help but smile. Between Fred and Ismene, we’d gone over what was known about a ‘single combat’ challenge. There was a loophole I hoped to take advantage of; one meant to accommodate pet taming types of classes. It said that bonded beasts could be called upon to aid their masters during single combat, and I knew just the griffin that would love to help.
Feeling a strong measure of peace as I moved to the edge of the brush, I almost felt bad about what I planned. Things would go my way, they had to. I found an open space and waited for them to join me. Everyone else stayed hidden, but close enough that if I called for them they would come to my aid. I had assured them it wouldn’t be necessary and when telling them my plan they agreed that I’d likely be fine. That went double now that I’d inspected Cron.
Cron looked as confident as he had when he’d offered the challenge, but the orc he’d brought kept looking all around, as if expecting an ambush. It was the more fur covered orc from above accompanying him, and when he came within speaking range he yelled several words in my direction.
Laughing, Cron translated. “He claimed rights of your cloak after you fall in battle. I’ll be sure to leave it in one piece for him.”
“Your friend will honor our agreement if you should fall?” I asked, sizing up the orc by using Inspect. It was only level 16, so while it would be a threat if I was taken off guard, I didn’t need to worry about matching it in power. That was assuming it didn’t have some unique class that made it incredibly overpowered.
“I’ll be sure not to translate that,” Cron said, shaking his head. “Orcs take questions of honor very seriously. You could turn your back on him now and he’d not take the open opportunity.”
“You called yourself a second, your master will agree to the terms you’ve set?” I asked, trying to plug any potential loophole he might employ.
A crestfallen look passed over Cron and he bowed his head for just a moment before his eyes, blazing with ferocity, leveled on me.
“He’s gone the way of all things, but I’ll be his second until my days come to an end. Enough of this prattling on, let’s get to it,” Cron said.
“Let’s do it,” I said, sending a command up into the sky where my secret weapon awaited.
I felt Ares’ presence approach before I saw her. She slammed down beside me, wings wide and let out a loud screech. The very ground seemed to shake at her arrival and the orc immediately took a knee, bowing to Ares as if she were a god. Cron’s reaction, while not as fervent, was still extreme.
“By me mother’s beard!” Cron shouted, doing several signs across his chest and turning in a circle three times.
“What in the Wyrd is going on,” I muttered under my breath. Cron looked torn suddenly, the fire in his eyes replaced with something else.
“She has chosen you?” Cron asked, his breath coming fast and his eyes going a bit wild.
“She has,” I said slowly, unsure where the conversation was going.
Cron kneeled and bowed his head. “I submit to your strength, you are victorious.”
“I’m what?” I asked, looking to the hardy dwarf and then the orc, who still had his eyes averted and his head bowed.
“Orcs worship griffin as gods,” Cron said, standing and putting his hammer back on his belt. “We dwarves aren’t so superstitious, but we know well the wisdom of a griffin. Our oldest kings ruled beside griffins and prophecies of late speak of a griffin guiding us home. I won’t cross the words of the mountain. We secede this keep into your hands, Lord Caldor Miles, friend of griffin-kind.”
Before I could speak, several messages pressed against my mind and I focused to take them all in.
Quest Complete, Retake Blackridge Keep!
New Quest received.
Restore Blackridge Keep
You have retaken Blackridge Keep, congratulations. The work doesn’t stop here. Restore the keep to its prior glory and seek out those who would defend it.
Objective: Restore Keep status to Fair, appoint ten guards.
Rewards: 1,000 Gold, 50,000 Essence.
Accept or Decline?
You have been made Lord of a settlement. Settlement menu unlocked.
You do not have the required level to act as Lord of a Keep (Level 20). Would you like to appoint a regent? Yes/No
You have gained a title, Conqueror.
Conqueror: You have taken a keep from a hostile enemy with a smaller force. You can command an extra 100 men while acting as a Captain or Higher in a military force. You can add an additional 5 guards and 2 elite guards per Settlement Rank.
You have gained a title, Peacemaker.
Peacemaker: Without the loss of a single life on either side you have ended hostilities and united forces. You gain an additional 10% Charisma when parlaying with an enemy, participating in treaty discussions, and when speaking to those in service to your keep.
Welcome Lord Caldor Miles to Blackridge Keep.
Blackridge Keep
Lord: Caldor Miles (Regent required)
Regent: Unassigned
Condition: Worn
Rank 4 (Rank benefits are hidden until Condition Well Kept is restored.)
Current Population: 39
Appointed Guards: 0
Food Score: 33/100
Treasury: 0 Platinum, 14 Gold, 1 Silver, 109 Copper
All the information hit me at once and it took me several moments to clear my head enough to digest it. I started with the quest, accepting it. Then the next pressing item was the regent section. It appeared you needed to be level 20 before you could lay claim to a keep or settlement. What little I knew on the subject didn’t track though.
Instead, I was fairly sure that it had to do with the rank of the settlement. At Rank 4 it would be considered a fairly established settlement. I don’t think even Creeshaw was considered a Rank 4 settlement, maybe Rank 3 but I’d have to ask Mayor Ghoft next time I saw him.
The orc had finally risen from his bowing, but he refused to look directly at Ares, instead focusing on me. His gaze didn’t hold the hatred it had just minutes before, instead he looked at me like he couldn’t quite believe his eyes. I smiled at him, but that didn’t seem to help him recover.
I didn’t trust either Cron or the orc well enough yet to truly take claim of Blackridge Keep. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust their genuine reaction to Ares or giving back Blackridge Keep, but how easy would it be for one of them to stick a dagger in my back when they found out I had only a small party with me and not an army.
It would be best to return with my guards and perhaps a few hired adventurers once I hit level 20. That left the matter of appointing a regent.
“I have matters that require my attention,” I said, choosing each word carefully. “I will need to appoint a regent. You, Cron, second voice of Gunter Grantane, will be that regent.”
Cron’s eyes widened in surprise, and he opened his mouth to speak, but it closed again, no words being spoken. I felt my words enacting something and sure enough I got a message to reflect it.
You have appointed Cron Grantane as Regent of Blackridge Keep. He has accepted and access to Keep menus will be transferred to him.
I felt a jolt of something and my new menu for the keep disappeared before I had a proper chance to look it over. Regardless of it being gone, I felt a certain pull that would enable me to strip away Cron’s title at any time. This was the best path forward, I had to follow my gut instinct on this. In the back of my mind, I wondered if my father ever found himself in situations like this or if my adventures were unique. I was prone to think the latter, as what I’d heard about his own adventures had a distinct lack of ruling things and accepting titles.
He had been a protector of the realm, I reminded myself, so it wasn’t like he turned all appointments down. Besides, I’d be able to do more good with this position than I’d be able to do as just an adventurer.
“I will serve in your stead for as long as you require me, Lord Miles,” Cron said, finally finding his words. He bent his head in a slight bow and spoke words in the orcish guttural tongue. The orc nodded as if approving and bowed deeply at me and then laid himself flat before Ares.
Ares sent me emotions through our link, and I could tell she was curious. I tried my best to mentally explain what was going on and I felt a sense of pride growing in her chest. She stepped forward and pressed her beak against the lowered orc’s head. He shuddered but didn’t move. She rose up and moved to Cron, giving him a gentle press with her beak as well.
“Ares gives you her blessing, do not betray her trust,” I said, taking the feelings she was feeling and giving words to them.
“It is our honor,” Cron said. “Do you have any commands for me to follow in your absence?”
I thought about that, what did I want them to do while I was gone? After a few moments of consideration, I decided to keep it as vague as possible.
“Restore the keep as best as you are able. I have ten platinum if you can find traders willing to sell you goods and supplies. I’ll also have supplies and tools sent out at the soonest available time. Do whatever else is necessary to maintain the peace and safety of my keep. Oh, and don’t kill any locals or anything,” I said, adding the last bit after a moment’s pause. It probably didn’t need to be said, but with southlanders you could never be sure.
All my life I’d been taught that southerners were a step above monsters, willing to kill you as fast as one too. But my views of them had shifted in recent weeks, mostly thanks to the trolls, aggressive as they might have been, they didn’t act like monsters at all. Now to see goblins and orcs working with dwarves, it gave me things to think about.
Before the fall of Lynsteen Pass, dwarves used to be a powerful ally of Newaliyn, though mostly in trade than any other way, but still they were respected and revered as master craftsmen. Though their ingenuity wasn’t a match for a gnome’s, they could construct items of such durability as to make you think steel were Mythril.
“If that is all, I will break the news to my kin,” Cron said, but I stopped him as I hadn’t given him the platinum yet.
“Take this and use it wisely,” I said, handing over the coins.
Cron took the coin and it disappeared into a pouch at his side, clinking along with other coins. He held out an arm and I clasped it. The power behind his grip was immense, but I matched it and I saw a look of surprise on his face.
“You’ve got the strength of the mountains,” Cron said, smirking. “Perhaps it was good your griffin interceded. I might not have found victory so easily after all.”
“I’m full of surprises,” I assured him. Then a question occurred to me. “What class are you Cron?”
“I’m a Stone Herald, its similar to a cleric or paladin, but I don’t need to pray to infuse me mana, instead I sing to me stone and they give me benefits while healing,” Cron said, turning his head he gave me a once over. “What might your class be, Lord.”
“I’m an Arcane Knight, as my father before me. A defender of the balance and slayer of Chaos,” I said, pride swelling in my chest.
“That’s a mouthful, you have to say that each time or you trying to impress me?” Cron asked and I couldn’t help but break out into nervous laughter.
“How is it that you came to have orcs and goblins in your company?” I asked, Cron translated my words to the orc who spoke in his guttural tongue.
“I struck an accord with the orc tribe,” Cron said, “and they’d enslaved the goblins a time before our arrival. Believe it or not, they made it to your little keep here before us. Best I can understand they say they are fleeing a ‘great evil’ and they took the old paths or old roads, not all their words translate well to common.”
“Old roads and great evils, could they mean Chaos monsters?” I asked, shifting from foot to foot as I considered his words.
More translation followed before Cron spoke. “He says yes to the Chaos but no to the monsters, they were humans, elves, and horned men, probably means delvish. A massive army as vast as the great waters.”
Strange that an army of Chaos would be making its way through the Southlands. It did help to explain why so many goblins, orcs, and trolls had made their way into the Human nations. Though his explanation of taking the old roads itched my brain, as if some small bit of information eluded me.
“Send word to Keep Variyn if you need to get a hold of me, otherwise I’ll get supplies to you before winter comes and I hope to take the burden of Regent off your shoulders within the next coming months,” I said. Deciding to test his promise of peace I turned my back on them both and slowly walked to the edge of the forest.
“You won’t join us for a drink to celebrate?” Cron asked, just as I was about to cross back into the woods.
“When I return, we will celebrate, but right now there are matters that need my attention,” I said, nodding to each of them and disappearing into the forest with Ares at my side.
CHAPTER 24
DREAMS
I quickly informed my surprised group of friends about what had happened, and all but Emory believed me. He insisted I had some mind control spell that I was using to get my way, but I told him I did not. Fate or destiny had plans set forth for me and so far I’d just done my best to take opportunities when I saw them.
On the way back, Fred and Fran decided to split and see if they could get into a dungeon run for one of the local dungeons. They hadn’t had a chance to do any runs outside of what their parents had taken them on and after all this adventure I told them I had a few things to attend to before I’d be able to go on one. This made Ismene and Emory a bit sad too, but they stayed with me after I insisted that within the week I would get into a dungeon with them.
Part of my hesitation to jump right in was not having a proper healer. If I could get a spell or two more, something useful like Zander’s quick shield or Alayna’s fast healing spells, then I could cover the healer role while still putting out a decent amount of damage. But I knew I’d never be as good a healer as a true healing focused class. They blessed their mana or in Cron’s case his stones, for a reason. It allowed them to do those fast and snappy casts to heal or shield people. Without it I was sure I’d only find slow and tedious healing spells.
Ares grew irritated at our slow pace, and she flew ahead to hunt after only an hour. Ismene and Emory didn’t have Stamina to match my own, but I got them going at a decent pace. By the end of the day, we’d made it to the outer gates of Variyn and rest was only mere minutes away.
We all felt the need to rest by this point, our Stamina only able to take us so far without sleep. A part of me yearned for the softer beds of the keep, but I’d had just about enough of the kidnappings and general hostile nature of the place. Alayna was truly the only good part about that place, and I didn’t know if she’d returned yet. We decided to find an Inn, but Ismene refused to let Emory pick, saying that she appreciated the female form as much as anyone but the beds were hardly better than the ground at the Busty Maiden.
