Four Horsemen: Chapter 17

Chapter:

“Should be just up ahead,” Mya checked the stars between the treetops.

Petor led them through the trees, he seemed to slip away amongst the trees having to pause and wave them forward.

They pressed through a last ring of trees, tightly packed around a small opening, moonlight poured down on them.

“Mirradon,” Petor called out, Mya stepped out into the opening, four horses turned to their entrance.

She felt a connection looking at the pale white horse.

“Mesurial?” She approached as the horse dipped her head. “What are you doing all the way out here? On land too!” She chuckled and scratched her horses’ neck. She snorted and shook herself.

“Yeah, odd things do seem to follow us,” Mya said.

“Ignus,” Valter walked up to the largest horse, with patches of reds, blacks and greys. He pressed his head to the mount’s head.

“You tough bastard.” Then much quieter. “Thank you old friend.”

“Rezzie!” The girl like sound of excitement stunned Mya, especially coming from the stoic and serious Desari who ran to the chestnut brown horse with a white and black ringed eye.

She hugged its neck and held it close. Rezzie put his head over her shoulder, pulling her close.

A sound like a knife tapping on glass rang out. A line cut down the small trail that led out of the opening. Limos’ carriage pulled by his mounts passed through the red arch, filling up a quarter of the open area.

Limos was hanging out of the door as the carriage came to rest.

None of their mounts seemed worried, each calm around the sight.

“My dear horsemen! What tales I have been hearing! A god torn from the heavens by his champion. A champion turned to a death knight. A city’s dead turned into defenders! Truly turning the world upon their planar lines!” He twirled his staff and tapped it on his stairs, they unravelled down to the ground. “Ah such a sight, loyal mounts reunited with their owners.”

“Little different,” Mya raised an eyebrow.

“I thought something that would be a little more discreetwould be appropriate. You’ll see that there are bronze buttons on their reins, they’re special devices to store your mount within where they might rest and recover.”

Mya pulled the button from her reins and but it into a hole in her buckle. It stuck to the leather, holding fast.

“Please, come on up!” Limos turned with a flourish of his cape and stepped back into his carriage.

Petor patted Mirradon and walked after him.

“Looks like a store on the inside, how is that possible?”

Mya looked past him at the shop within. Three counters ringed the entrance.

The counter-door slammed closed, Limos waved at the different counters.

“To your left we have the mundane and material. Food, water, ingredients, simple metals and alchemy ingredients.” There were warehouse shelving with crates and burlap sacks. Others had blocks of ingots, wood and coal. Fruit, vegetables and shelves of drawers. It wouldn’t be strange to see in a small town’s local store.

“In the center.” Limos tapped the counter. Behind him were weapons and gear covered in inscriptions shining from their contained mana. Chests were organized carefully, each with their own various inscriptions.

The counter was glass, showing ingredients, metals, materials and potions upon shelves.

“We have the magical and the wonderful. Ready-made potions and weapons. Ingredients that are far from the mundane.” His grin spread to show his sharpened teeth.

He threw up his staff, catching it and pointing to the last counter, shelves of books lay on the first floor, two twin curling stairs reached up to the second floor filled with enchantments, the books made from rare materials, inscriptions on their covers that shone with mana, blood and riches of empires. “To your right, we have information. As common as the mundane, and more powerful than the greatest artifact.” His voice solemn.

He tapped the counter and a scroll unfurled on the information and magical counters.

“Listed are the prices for the information you seek as well as items that I offer to those that retain credit with me.”

“Items to purchase on credit?” Mya asked.

“You don’t think that you are the only band that I’m putting together now? Or that you’re the only ones that I trade with?” His mouth quirked up at the corner into something that wasn’t quite a smile.

The other three moved to the scroll on the information counter, Mya joined them.

Information on the lost city of Ilus-Cost: 1,000,000 GP

>Possible location.

>Rumors

>Teleportation to the location nearest the most valid rumors (purchaser may choose the location)

>Information on the Geraxi Empire

Information on God-King Xander-Cost: 1,000,000 GP

>Information on attempts to revive him

>Rumors

>Teleportation to Calderr

>Ways to kill a god.

>Information on creating, destroying and supporting a Celestial Realm

Information on Goddess Yaaseen-Cost: 1,000,000 GP

>Maps of regions that support her.

>Information on the resistances against her.

>Ways to kill a god.

>Rumors

Information on the Mardun Traders- Cost: 1,000,000 GP

>Known locations

>Rumors

>Ships confirmed dead

>How gods are created

>Secrets of Interplanar shipping

>Teleportation to Irdun

Even with a damn cannon and three shots from my rifle I had a hard time putting down that Green cored bastard.

She needed to regain her strength and power else she just be more dead weight. Having a few similarly powerful helpers along would help.

A million gold made even her take pause, but she could be up against the gods themselves. It looked like the others were as well.

She pushed the overwhelming feeling that rose in her gut and clawed up her throat. Had she not been part of removing the pirates of Irdun? Of plying the routes that were thought impassable. Taming beasts of the deep and spitting in the eyes of the dark gods with each day?

Step by step, one after another she’d progress, she’d overcome the challenges ahead of her. Simmering anger clamped down on that anxiety and sneered at it. She wouldn’t be stopped by such things as it being hard.

“Do you take gold for information?” Desari asked.

“I will,” Limos said.

“What about armors of three gods, one of which is deceased?” Mya asked.

“There will always be someone interested in the armor of a dead god,” Limos grinned.

“You said that you have jobs that you would like us to do?” Petor asked.

The large numbers hadn’t broken his desire to carry on at least.

Limos tapped the floor twice.

A book jumped from a shelf and landed on the counter. Its pages, covered in maps flipped over till the pages stilled.

Limos walked up to the book. Just how did he get over here so quickly and quietly?

“This is the area you are in, you’re right,” He waved his finger and pointed at a point with his overly sharp fingers. “Here. It looks like there are a few possible quests I have open in the area.”

He waved at the points around them and tapped on one.

A square appeared on the page, words appearing as if someone was writing them on the other side of the page.

Happenings in Thornblood Forest

Description: Goods have gone missing in the area and the forest is starting to block trade routes. Find my cargo and deal with the bastards that think they can steal from Limos.

Reward: 8,000 GP

“Though you might need something a bit easier to know of the quests in your area, and a way to contact me.” Limos pulled out a card of black stock with purple lettering and gold edging, he spread his fingers, revealing four of them that he held out.

“What are these?” Desari asked.

‘Limos – Interplanar Trader’, Mya read on the cards.

“On the back of the card it will list four quests in your area, your credit and you can send a summon request for myself. Then we might find a location where we can meet so we might conclude that quest’s business. And deal in any trades that might occur.” His too-sharp teeth flashed as he waggled the cards at them.[mc1]

Valter took one first and turned it over.

Mya and Petor grabbed theirs, Desari took hers but her eyes never left Limos’ till she had it right infront of her.

Mya turned the card over, a crest of gold, purple and red [mc2] flashed, the card shimmered as writing appeared on the card.

Happenings in Thornblood Forest

Description: Goods have gone missing in the area and the forest is starting to block trade routes. Find my cargo and deal with the bastards that think they can steal from Limos.

Reward: 8,000 GP

[Accept?]

She ran her finger over the side of the card and the image in the middle ‘flipped’ as if it was a book.

Disruption at the Windmolen farms

Description: Some of the ingredient farmers I trade have been having odd happenings. Ecplispes spreading from the forest near them. The rivers run fry for hours at a time. Creatures stealing away animals, disappearances and more.

Reward: 5,000 GP

[Accept?]

Veilhaven’s Eldritch horrors

Description: Veilhaven has been having odd things happen, Eldritch horrors appearing within their city. The council is looking for aid. And they are sitting on a lovely pit of Mithril

Reward: 10,000 GP

[Accept?]

Isle of Aetheria is at it again

Description: No one really knows the history of Aetheria. Historians have no record of the island beyond six hundred years ago. Even then the information is hazy at best. What we do know is that the island is a locus point for elemental power and there are hidden underground sections filled with all kinds of ancient ruins and various magical inscriptions and treasures.

Ruled over by Duke Wilholm, there are many that seek to take his tenuous position from him. He needs a group to quietly and quickly delve into the dangerous depths of the island to find out just what is increasing the elemental mana around his island and thinning out the barriers between planes.

Reward: 40,000 GP

[Accept?]

“Run your finger right or left and you get the different quests in the area.” Mya put the card away and took out a piece of paper, placing it over the map in the book, she sketched over the map adding in their position, north, and the quest locations.

Limos walked over to the magical counter in the center.

“So, would you like to trade?” There was a hungerto his voice.

“Valter, could you show him Berox’s core, his armor and gear? Keep an eye out for items you can use to craft us better gear or are worth buying now. Desari could you look for items that will help us increase our overall cultivation?” Mya’s pencil added in all the small details like rivers, lakes, terrain features, region and village names. It was a fine map.

***

“Do you have a list of your products?” Desari asked.

Limos held out his hand and snapped his fingers, a grey book with a red inscription upon its cover with the words Limos’ Fine Goods, underneath[mc3] .

“The book goes from simple goods, to poor, common and even to the highest reaches of Primordial. Though those pages are locked to you for now. To gather those items. One would need to complete a quest most challenging.”

Desari took the book.

“Thank you.”

She moved to the side and flipped it open, her eyes caught on the scroll he’d opened at the main counter.

[VIP Menu]

Infernal Pact Blade - Cost: 2,000 GP

Description: A wickedly sharp sword infused with hellfire. Grants increased strength and proficiency in combat, but demands a blood sacrifice with every strike.

Amulet of Fiendish Influence - Cost: 1,500 GP

Description: A gilded amulet that allows the wearer to charm and manipulate others with devilish charisma. Invites the attention of fiends and demonic entities.

Abyssal Veil Cloak - Cost: 2,500 GP

Description: A dark, shadowy cloak that grants invisibility and the ability to traverse the ethereal plane. Comes with the normal risks of wandering that plane. Such as: tainting the user's soul or encountering malevolent spirits.

Hellfire Bracers - Cost: 1,800 GP

Description: Gleaming bracers that allow the wearer to wield the power of hellfire, casting devastating fire-based spells and summoning infernal creatures. Inflicts burning damage to the user's skin with each use.

Soulbound Grimoire - Cost: 3,500 GP

Description: A sinister tome containing forbidden spells and dark rituals. Allows the user to tap into necromantic magic-for a cost.

Brimstone Locket – Cost: 1,500 GP

Description: A small, ornate locket filled with brimstone and infernal symbols. Grants resistance to fire and allows the conjuring of hellish flames. Corrupts the user's thoughts and emotions over time.

Stormcaller's Staff - Cost: 3,500 GP

Description: This ornate staff crackles with electric energy. The Stormcaller's Staff allows the wielder to cast the Call Lightning spell once per day. Additionally, the wielder can use the staff to imbue their spells with electric energy, dealing additional lightning damage.

Mask of Shadows - Cost: 4,000 GP

Description: This sleek, obsidian mask grants its wearer the power of shadow manipulation. The Mask of Shadows allows the wearer to cast the Darkness spell once per day and grants advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks in dim light or darkness.

Phoenix Feathered Quiver - Cost: 3,200 GP

Description: This quiver is adorned with vibrant phoenix feathers. The Phoenix Feathered Quiver magically replenishes any spent arrows or bolts within it at dawn each day. Additionally, the arrows or bolts fired from this quiver deal additional fire damage.

Gauntlets of Stonestrike - Cost: 3,800 GP

Description: These sturdy gauntlets are crafted from petrified stone. The Gauntlets of Stonestrike allow the wearer to strike the ground with their fists, creating a shockwave that knocks back enemies and creates difficult terrain. Once per day, the wearer can use the gauntlets to cast the Earth Tremor spell.

Amulet of Astral Bending - Cost: 30,000 GP

Description: This intricately crafted amulet is adorned with a gemstone that seems to shimmer with ethereal light. The Amulet of Astral Bending allows the wearer to attune to the Astral Plane, granting the ability to project their consciousness into the Astral Plane and traverse great distances. Additionally, the wearer can use the amulet to open temporary portals to other planes for short periods, allowing for quick travel or escape from danger.

Cloak of the Ephemeral Wraith - Cost: 25,000 GP

Description: This flowing cloak appears to be made from semi-translucent shadowy material. The Cloak of the Ephemeral Wraith grants its wearer the ability to become incorporeal like a wraith, allowing them to pass through solid objects and become resistant to non-magical damage. Once per day, the wearer can also assume the form of an insubstantial wraith for a limited time, gaining additional abilities such as fear-inducing touch and the ability to move through the ethereal plane.

Gauntlets of Elemental Embers - Cost: 35,000 GP

Description: These beautifully crafted gauntlets are adorned with glowing runes that flicker like flames. The Gauntlets of Elemental Embers allow the wearer to manipulate and control fire and heat. The wearer gains resistance to fire damage and can summon and shape fire with their hands. They can cast powerful fire-based spells and unleash devastating fiery attacks. Additionally, the gauntlets can absorb fire-based attacks and store the energy for later use, allowing the wearer to unleash a tremendous burst of fiery power.

She wanted to have all of them. These kinds of goods would be hard to find in the auction houses of Ilus or be items of status in the Geraxi Empire.

She had a few thousand gold, but her eyes kept darting back to Amulet of Astral Bending If she could find out where they were and plot a series of jumps back to Etera.

Limos wasn’t wrong, information was as powerful as any artifact. If one did not know how to create such items, they would never exist. Her teacher’s words echoed in her ears.

The Phoenix Feathered Quiver however was much more reasonably priced. Then there was the Mask of Shadows. The shadows were an old friend. At least I can do something with this orange mixed core.

The greatest benefit would be to increase her power first. Right now she was too eager to get gear that would allow her to just get partof that strength she was missing.

She checked her storage rings, eyed each of her band and turned to the common and uncommon pages of the book, it always seemed to have more pages as she flipped.

She was an accomplished alchemist of Epic potions. Making batches she could quickly create several. Crafters were slower to increase their level than fighters, though their progression was steady and sure.

If she was to make potions at the same level she was she could make them in large batches and move up. I’m going to need more mana to make the stronger potions.

Mid-rare potions that would be easy would even be tricky.

“Well that’s one way to leave a mark,” Limos looked through the cannon ball sized hole in Berox’s armor.

“Didn’t kill him, just slowed him down,” Valter said and pulled out Berox’s core, still covered in blood and other parts.

“Oh,” Limos lowered the armor to the counter and held out his hands for the core.

“Now this is a prize.” He didn’t notice or care about the blood and viscera as he pulled out his monocole and studied the core.

“Green flecked core, but its nearly dominated by mana harvested from the celestial realm. Then there’s heavy influences of death mana. What a rich tonic.” He smelled the core deeply, his eyes closing before he let out a sigh.

Desari bowed her head to the book, keeping an ear to the conversation as she made her list. Eavesdropping was an ingrained habit at this point.

“Berox’s,” Valter said.

“A rare treat indeed.”

“Then we have the armors,” Valter took out gear and Mya finished up her map copying to help out with her stored items.

Desari pulled out pad and pencil, writing down items.

Petor looked over the counters at the various items, then returned to the information counter, reading through a book there.

“These fine weapons are lightly used, they’ve seen action in a holy war and come out the otherside,” Mya started her pitch.

Desari stopped focusing nearly as much, and had completed her list and checked it and the book twice before something called her attention from the bartering happening at the main counter.

Mya and Limos stood across from one another, the counter littered with items. Valter and Petor were looking through gear books of their own.

“The assorted weapons, poor and common in variety, I’ll give you lets say seven hundred and fifty gold.”

“Very good,” Mya nodded.

“Miscellaneous items will be thirteen hundred gold.”

“Passable.”

Limos’ eyes tightened as he waved at the armors.

“Armors of three different gods, due to rarity and the vampiric drain on the singular god. I will deem them worthy of eleven thousand, five hundred gold.”

Mya tilted her hand and sighed. “Fine deal, Berox’s armor I can’t let it go for less than Eight thousand, the champion that sought to consume his god and fellow followers.”

“Eight thousand, agreed.”

Limos picked up the core from a cushion. “Twenty-five thousand.”

Mya grimaced, her cheeks working, she took in a breath through her nose and breathed it out of her mouth, holding out her hand.

“Fine, very well, we have a deal.”

Limos took her hand, the pain on both their faces melted away into pleased smiles.

“You are a joy to haggle with Mya.”

“A fine artist to the art Limos.” She released his hand. “Could we get a hundred gold split into silvers and two gold in coppers.”

“Bars?”

“Just coins please.”

“Very well.” He tapped the underside of the counter with his stick.

The items disappeared from the counter and four boxes appeared.

“Shall we create a general fund, from that we can buy common things like food, water, ingredients for potions and the like?” Mya asked the others.

“That makes sense to me,” Valter stood up from one of the chairs that had appeared within the shop.

“I agree.”

“If I’m making the potions for everyone I don’t want to be repairing clothes or cooking the food,” Desari said. She stood and closed her book.

“I can cook,” Petor said.

“Not bad with a needle if needed and getting supplies,” Mya said.

“Ten percent should be good no?” Desari asked.

“Should be fine.” Mya agreed.

“Very well, here is my list of items I think that would be useful.” She passed the list to Mya to a Limos clicking his tongue.

She looked over to him, his face a picture of relaxed confidence.

“Though I would like to ask you one question. These bodies that we inhabit, what are they, or whose were they?”