Chapter 185 - Fallen Dignity

Bit of an update on Patreon plans going forward. I want to bring the Large Hedge tier up to 10 advanced chapters ahead. This is 9 (if I manage to write a chapter tomorrow too). After that, I intend to work on my backlog for a while before potentially introducing another tier in the future between Large and Chosen Hedges. Chosen will still have access to everything.

I have also decided to change the default currency on my Patreon from pounds to dollars because Patreon take roughly an extra 5% cut in processing and conversion fees. This will not affect current patrons, and I will try to ensure that prices remain the same no matter the currency. The change will be either in February or March, and I'll make a second update once it's done.

If you have any questions regarding this, please leave a comment or drop me a private message.

Hope you enjoy the chapter!

***

“Watch out!” Celaine shouted. They were in pursuit of Lord Vondel—a man suspected of warlock activity—and had followed him down into the secret tunnels beneath his manor with Marcela and Corvin’s parties.

They came to a stop, but too late.

Hump felt a burst of essence a moment before the trap activated. He readied his power to meet the attack, only for a magical barrier of some kind to envelop them. A second activation followed and Hump cast his gaze downward, a series of runes and channels shining bright red on the ground. Even at a glance, he recognised the familiar runes.

Fire.

The blaze erupted from the ground in a torrent of heat. Hump extended his staff. His spellbook whirled open in his left hand. Instinct took over. Essence flowed through him, surging to his staff, to his spellbook, to the fire now rising from the ground in wisps of flame, licking at his boots. He felt its intent. The energetic, destructive power of fire that he had grown so accustomed to. He threw his own will against it, felt it bounce around madly beneath his touch, searching for escape. In the confined space created by the barrier, escape would mean his own party, Marcela’s, and Corvin’s would all be caught in the blast. It was too close and too wide a space for a Shield to protect them. He had to make it his.

Exerting his will, Hump overwhelmed the fire with his own essence. He felt the pushback of the formation below, the intent carved into the runes, but they’d been rushed. Frantically scribbled on the ground by one of the warlocks they pursued. Hump wiped it clean easily, then gave the fire a command of his own, drawing it into his staff in a vortex of fire.

His focus shone bright, illuminated the underground tunnel of Lord Darian Vondel’s manor—a secret passage the suspected warlock had fled through. Stone walls glowed as fire bubbled in the crystal focus, red light blazing. Further down the tunnel, a couple of warlocks poked their heads out from doorways on either side of the tunnel, shouting to each other.

Hump ignored them. The air became hot. Hump’s breath quickened. He felt blood in his ears and his intent stretched thin. He was reaching the limit of power he could contain. In seconds, his focus felt ready to burst. He forced the fire to condense further, confining all he could into the crystal, draining it from the air around him. When the trap finally subsided beneath them, he took aim with his staff at the front side of the barrier, directly down the length of the tunnel.

“Fire Beam,” he said, voice rumbling with essence, echoing in the underground tunnel.

A ray of fire shot forward, piercing the barrier and shattering it like glass. It roared through the tunnel, filling it with light, bursting against the stone wall on the other end with a deafening boom.

When his spell faded, one of the figures poked their head out again, taking aim with their crossbow. A bolt flew toward them, striking the rock wall to the side. Another followed from the one further back and Marcela swept it aside with a slash of her sword.

Celaine, Teff, and Kesha loosed a return volley of their own, and both figures collapsed to the ground. Only one screamed, though echoed through the tunnel.

“Gods above, Hump, how did you do that?” Emery asked.

Hump glanced at sorcerer. He was one of Corvin’s party, and a fire and air specialist. From the expression on his face, Hump gathered that the kind of manipulation he just did was beyond him.

“Control Fire,” Hump said.

“I don’t know much about wizardry,” Len said, “but isn’t that just a low tier spell?”

“It’s Tier 1,” Hump said. “And the tier’s not so important. Elemental manipulation spells are simple but effective; what it comes down to is the strength of one’s intent.”

“Well you saved us from some burnt feet I’m sure.” Len clapped him on the shoulder. “Nicely done.”

“Keep moving,” Marcela said, leading the way forward. “We can’t let Vondel escape.”

Bud and Corvin followed close behind, and then the rest of them.

They passed the downed figures, reaching the end of the tunnel, throwing caution to the wind in case there were more traps.

“Left side. Be ready with your shield, Len,” Marcela said.

“Got it.”

They rounded the corner, Bud going first. A set of steps awaited them, leading up to an iron door above. Bud hurried up, shoving against the door with a bang, steel armour on iron.

“Stand back,” Marcela said.

She squeezed past him. Water formed along the edge of her blade and Hump felt essence surge in the small tunnel. She slashed her blade twice, cutting an X shape in the door and then kicking it outward. It crashed to the street beyond, and a cold wind rushed inside. An alley.

Marcela was first out.

“Stop them!” A man cried out on the other side, his voice panicked.

Outside, Hump saw a Lord Vondel and three of his bodyguards at his side. They’d half broken down a wall that blocked off the next section of the alley.

“Enough of this, Vondel,” Marcela said. “It’s over. For the sake of what dignity you have left, don’t make this any harder.”

“Lady Marcela, please, you must see that this is a mistake,” the man said, a sickly smile on his face as he mopped sweat from his brow. He was a fat man, well dressed, and red faced.

“Then why did you run?” Bud asked.

“I-I thought you were robbers,” the man stuttered. “Or, gods save me, warlocks. I panicked.”

“Then you will have no problem returning with us,” Marcela said, stepping close, Bud and Corvin flanked on either side of her. “Lady down your weapons and this can end here.”

“Of course, of course,” Vondel said with a nervous laugh. “Sheath your weapons men.”

The three bodyguards glanced at each other then moved to sheath them.

“On the ground,” Marcela snapped.

They looked at her, then slowly placed them down. Bud approached the one on the right quickly, reaching to grab him. The moment he touched the man, the man headbutted him on the nose.

Bud grunted, stumbling back. The man came at him, fist flying for his head. Bud leant back, dodging the blow and pushing the arm off to the side. He stepped in closer, hammering the man in the stomach with an iron fist. The man heaved a breath, then Bud’s iron fist found his face, sending him to the ground.

Bud stepped back, hissing in a breath as he clutched at his nose, blood running down his face.

“Dammit,” he snapped, pinching his nose.

“This is why you should wear a helmet,” Emilia chided.

Bud glared at her then grabbed the arm of the man now groaning on the floor, dragging him to his feet. Beside him, Dylan, Corvin, and Marcela had apprehended the three others.

“Don’t move,” Dylan said to Vondel, then released Nature’s Spring, enveloping the knight in the healing aura.

“It seems there’s no ending to the misunderstandings,” Marcela said, dragging Vondel with her back toward the tunnel. “How should I interpret that attack?”

“A vagrant. A poor hire. Believe me, my lady, I am a loyal servant of Sheercliff. Whatever this is about, I’m uninvolved.”

“We will hear your plea back in the manor,” Marcela said. She pushed him towards the steps. “Move.”

They followed the tunnel back into the man’s own manor, where Ricard and the rest of the task force were waiting. Two dozen people sat on the ground under guard. Many appeared to be servants, but a few men and women seemed more than that.

This was the second manor Hump had raided that week, and bigger than the last. More and more warlock bases had been located, and Hump and his party were now involved in clearing three of them. This was the first to have made them work for it however.

“Lord Ricard.” The fear was clear in Vondel’s voice. “What is the meaning of this?”

“I believe you well know why we’re here,” Ricard said. “We’ve detected warlock activity in your home. You and everyone in your household will be detained while a full investigation is carried out.”

“Warlocks?” Vondel gasped. “Detained? This is preposterous, sir. Preposterous. My family has served this city for generations. You insult us!”

“In which case, we will apologise in full.” Ricard took out a warlock detection device and stepped toward the man. “You won’t mind me testing to be sure, will you?”

Vondel’s eyes flicked to the artifact. He was really sweating now. “Surely there is no need for that.”

“It only takes a minute,” Ricard said.

“No! Stay back!”

“Hold him,” Ricard barked.

Bud and Corvin were suddenly on either side of him, holding his arms. Somehow, the man found the strength to throw them both off. His face contorted, bones shifting beneath his skin, changing into something almost snout life. His teeth elongated. His large body swelled, muscles bulging.

“You won’t take me,” he snarled in a deep voice unlike his own.

He lunged at Ricard, swiping at him with his right hand, his nails turned into claws. Ricard easily stepped aside. Light radiated from Ricard, pooling into his spear. He slammed the shaft of the spear into Vondel’s belly and sent him to the ground.

“Move again and I’ll pin you to the ground with the point,” Ricard growled.

The man whimpered. Ricard held out the artifact, the lights filling in the essence stones, confirming what they already knew.

“Well would you look at that,” Ricard said. “He’s a warlock.”

Marcela sighed. “Your ancestors would be deeply disappointed, Lord Vondel.”

***

Hump hefted the coin pouch he’d collected from the Adventurers’ Guild in his hand, relishing in the metallic crunch inside—a reward for last night’s rendezvous at the Vondel Manor. The rest of his party talked nearby, discussing where they’d go next.

Hump was a rich man. Richer than he’d ever imagined. Sixty-eight gold coins, a handful of silver, and gods knew how many coppers. It was a strange feeling. This was enough money to live comfortably for many years if he wanted to. Well, at least until Celaine’s people and their Dragon Keepers decided to come find him. He was sure things would become far less comfortable after that.

Strangely, Hump didn’t care. His priorities had changed, and so had he. Now all he saw was a means to better equip himself, both with gear and knowledge. A year ago, sixty-eight gold would have seemed like the king’s prize, but now, it was a couple of good enchanted pieces of equipment. The question was, what should he buy? Jewellery came to mind first. A protective ring or amulet, though they were likely expensive. Perhaps an upgrade to his boots? The old man had always told him to spend his money on his feet, though with all the lava magic he’d been practicing of late, fireproof gloves may be a better fit.

He wondered if it was perhaps time to attempt some enchantments of his own. He’d hated it in his training. For one thing, he’d been awful. It was fine, detailed work, and he’d either botch the enchantment or destroy the material he was working with. To top it off, it required a lot of studying. With the Book of Infinite Pages, however, much of that would be simpler. He could learn almost any enchantment he could find, and the book could read the formations and replicate the way essence flowed through them.

It would come down to the detail work, and Hump was far stronger than he used to be. His skills were much improved. It seemed worth a try. If he could learn to craft his own equipment, money would no longer be an object. He wouldn’t need to fight to survive, and that had a certain appeal to it. Melt Stone was only a step away from forging magic, and metal magic also seemed like a good fit for him.

“What are you thinking about?” Celaine asked.

“Food,” Hump said.

She rolled her eyes. “How I envy your simple mind.”

Hump snorted. “I also decided I want to give enchanting a go. I’ve got the money to spare. I’m going to stop by the Wizard’s Society before we head back and try to pick up a couple of spells.”

“Lunch first,” Bud said. “I’m starving.”

“Now who’s simple,” Hump said, laughing.

They’d spotted a restaurant on the way to the guild district, and headed back down Ridgeway Street. Hump had already decided on the spells. Melt Metal and Manipulate Metal were both Tier 2 spells, so they’d set him back a few gold. Etch was only Tier 1 and shouldn’t be too expensive. With them, he’d be able to create some basic metal rings and other jewellery pieces. In the meantime, while the others were shopping on the Adventurers’ Guild campus he’d stop by a smithy for some materials and try to find a decent amulet of protection at the enchantery. Something that would prevent him going splat if another wizard ambushed him.

Hump suddenly stopped. He felt something in his head. At first he thought he was under attack, and then he heard a familiar voice.

“Wizard Humphrey, this is Natalie. All of Ricard’s squad are to gather outside the Opera House on Brickston Street as a matter of urgency.”

“What’s going on?” Hump said in his head.

“A silver threat warlock base has been found. Lady Astida’s squad has been killed. All bronze rankers are to attend the scene.”

Hump bit his lip and took a breath, a nervous tension filling him. “We’ll be there.”

He felt her presence go from his mind.

The others had already stopped walking, seemingly noticing something off about him. “Is everything okay?” Emilia asked. “You look spooked.”

“There’s been a development,” Hump said, bringing the others to a stop. “Natalie just contacted me about a silver threat level warlock base nearby. We’re to meet her and Ricard.”

“Have they found one of the leaders?” Bud asked.

“No idea. But Lady Astida’s squad has been wiped out. They’re dead. The city’s calling on every available bronze ranker to fight.”

Around them in the campus, people were already shouting the news. People were running, collecting their weapons, and preparing for what might be the first true battle against the warlocks.