------ Eyke Arc Chapter 1 ------

Opening notes

This is a short arc that came to mind a few weeks ago, it should help set things up for future Kordic arcs.

So, this chapter has a lot of foreshadowing, I just have no idea what I am foreshadowing!

However, Eyke's arcs fills a plot niche I had been thinking about how to fill.

Also, I wanted to try out a third person perspective.

The sight of a carriage pulled by a large four legged lizard brings out the guard on post. His spear resting against his right shoulder, the guard raises his left arm to signal the carriage to halt.

He walks closer, beside the large lizard that stands almost to the guard’s chest, its length is at least twice his own if he layed on the ground. Behind the rope reins sits the carriage driver who begins to pull out a roll of cloth.

Taking the cloth the guard unrolls it and inspects the sheet that is only about half an arm length long and wide. Written in dyes are letters identifying the access rights of the passenger.

“Alshin from the home islands.” the guard reads, “I have not seen this inspector position before.”

The carriage door latches open and a man steps out from the rickety vehicle.

He stretches his arms and back before rubbing his rear.

“Salutations inspector Alshin.”

“Right.” the inspector replies to the guard.

Alshin eyes up the guard equipped with simple armour made from small iron plates strapped together with leather bindings. The guard wears a headband with a wide iron plate covering the forehead.

A wool hood keeps his head warm.

Alshin takes a deep breath in of the cool air outside, he snorts after the chilly air reaches his sinuses.

“Ah- the weather here is much colder than the islands. Further up the mountains the rains freeze and fall as white snow.” The guard comments pointing south towards an immensely wide range of high rocky mountains covered in white.

Alshin stops for a moment to gaze along the mountian range.

“They are called the Vallen Rift Mountains, sir.” The driver comments.

Alshin adjusts his robe’s hood, tucking the fur lining around his neck. He walks to the side of the road to take a piss.

“I heard Faes’Ahn is green and prosperous outside of this ‘winter’ season. I only heard of this after I arrived.” he says with a chill, steam rises from where his urine stains.

“It’s true, during the spring and summer the grass and trees turn deep green as the weather becomes very pleasant. But the winds from the mountains breathe a cold chill across the land during the winter.” The guard answers.

“Spirits, the mirts claim.” Chuckles the driver, “Dwelling in the stone they sweep down the hills and suck the warmth from the land.”

“Some curse. Or primitive superstition?” Alshin retorts.

The guard shrugs.

Finishing up, Alshin stretches a little more.

In a low groan he adds, “Never rode one of these before, while it is warmer, the ride aches me.”

“Well, the Korodos do not like traveling long distances in the cold. The Rudora is much more tolerant to hauling men and baggage. Even if it is not so swift.” The driver comments.

While stepping back into the carriage Alshin asks, “We are cleared?”

“Yes, I just track traffic. I welcome you to Durron, the city on the labyrinth.”

The guard gestured behind him and his traffic post.

At the confluence where two rivers meet a small hill becomes the foundation for a large city. Numbering over a hundred, the buildings between the two rivers are almost entirely made of wood with many roofs of thatch or wood.

“We will cross the Dello river that merges with the Vall river becoming the Great Dello that we have been traveling beside since we left Dellon.” The driver states.

“After that, you need to get to the steward of Durron’s manour.”

“Right.” Alshin answers.

With the reins in hand the Driver spurs the Rudora lizard forward. Just ahead of the guard’s small post a wooden bridge is built over the wide Dello river.

“The Dello bridge is probably the largest ever built, at least in Faes’Ahn. Most cross the river by raft; however, Durron is such an important hub for the Faes’Ahn colonies that the bridge was commissioned.”

The driver begins to inform Alshin.

“Because the Dello river is so wide the bridge is built in an arching shape. They say when a level bridge was first built the floods tore the supports out.”

“Floods?” Alshin frowns.

“Oh, no floods back home. Right. Every spring as the frozen snow in the mountains begins to melt the rivers flow higher and stronger for a while.”

The carriage reaches the bridge and begins to climb the shallow incline of the long arching bridge.

“Some speak of more Mirt spirits dwelling in the mountains that swim down to claw at the land, tearing bridges, and such.”

“More spirits.” Alshin folds his arms.

“Certainly, if you swim in the river while the spirits are roused they will drag you under. The biggest problem the bridge builders faced here are fallen trees carried by the flood that are caught in the supports that build up and break through.”

Halfway over the bridge the arch reaches its highest point, the small rise is enough to see over the top of some buildings ahead. The current during the winter is calm and slow, along the shore the water has already frozen.

Only the middle of the river continues to flow between the ice. Rafts would not be a viable option to cross like this.

“So,” the driver continues to say, “They had to build strong supports far enough from each other that fallen timber would pass under. The arch apparently helps strengthen the middle of the bridge where there are no supports.”

The ride down the other half of the bridge is swift, the rudora easily reaches its top speed. Across the bank the road widens into a ring and all traffic is required to flow around to the right. Guards posted in the center keep watch from a small platform.

Close to the platform are small bands of people, some huddled under their winter clothes. Most are drawing attention to those passing by.

“Vacancy at the Twin River Lodge! Find it along Vall View road!” the advertiser holds a sign with the lodge’s symbol carved in.

“Fresh furs from Faer Hills, Dellon market road!”

The roundabout advertisers continue calling out deals and locations as traffic goes around. There are four main roads connected here, one is the bridge over the river while the other three lead into Durron.

The driver takes the central road on the other side from the bridge, driving deeper into Durron. There are few carriages among the traffic and people take notice; however, they keep their distance.

The carriage itself is not aesthetically built, the wooden planks are exposed and unpainted. However, most rudora drawn vehicles are wagons with cargo, not passengers.

Some witnesses contemplate if the passenger is important, there are no emblems identifying an owner. Therefore, it is some guest from afar.

Further ahead, the road winds in order to climb the steepening hill. Bending three times before reaching the top to reach the upper quarter of Durron. The view from here easily overlooks the lower quarters and the river confluence.

Here is where walls built along the steep hill section off the outer quarters.

Approaching the gate, the walls are only made with stone for the first half that stants a little over the height of a man. The upper half of the wall is built of lumber planks and timber logs.

The wooden floor at the top of the walls are covered by a roof angled to run rain off.

A guard from the gate approaches the carriage and again the driver shows the cloth that identifies the occupant. The relaxed guard waves the driver through without speaking a word and returns the cloth.

Entering through the walls the driver finds himself turning into the wall where a road built parallel with the wall leads. On the other side another wall is also built.

The two walls face out in both directions while inside the guards are housed with their armoury and stockpiles.

“First time through the walls?”

The driver turns to his left when a boy swings himself onto the wooden seat next to the driver. The boy wears a hood covering much of his features.

He wears a fur vest worn inside out so the leather is on the outside allowing the fur inside to insulate. A wool coat underneath covers most of the rest of his body outside of the leather boots.

The driver relaxes a little to see the child is not dressed like a street beggar.

“Is there somewhere you need to go?” the boy asks.

“Erm, the steward’s manour.”

“That will be easy so, I won’t charge you.” the boy smiles.

[Well, maybe the boy is a beggar.] the driver thinks to himself.

“We take a left here to leave the wall,” points the boy.

“Bit of a weird wall eh?”

“It keeps things from outside from getting in while keeping what is inside from getting in.” the boy’s smile widens sending a slight chill down the driver’s spine.

“Defensively the turn here is designed to trap invaders or riots where the guards in the walls can sling stones onto from both sides.”

The interior of the walls are very open with many spaces to see out into the wall’s road. Along the road there are even large logs tied up against the walls. Untying the rope and pushing the log will drop it, the log lengths are enough to reach the other wall to create obstacles.

After turning out the exit gate the driver looks over his shoulder to see the inner wall. It is even more barricaded than the outer wall.

“They really want to keep what is inside from getting out.” comments the boy, swinging his feet.

“Where’s the manour?” the driver asks.

“There.” the boy leans over the driver’s lap, pointing to his right.

Right next to the driver a large manour stands near the wall. It is built two floors high with at least ten rooms made of mostly wood planks with a stone base as foundation.

“Oh, okay.”

“Yup, if you needed to go further in you’d best go with a guide.” the boy slides off the carriage, “It is pretty safe this close to the wall though.”

“Thanks kid.” the driver gives an awkward reply.

After turning into the manour’s yard the driver stops and taps the carriage box.

Alshin unlatches the door and steps out. He looks around for a moment at the wall that guards both directions before looking the other way.

Deeper away from the wall there are the usual wooden buildings that are built throughout Durron; however, stone pillars and foundations are strangely mixed in. Without paying more attention to it Alshin takes the cloth identification from the driver and moves towards the manour.

Trees and shrubs are planted along the side of the manour’s main road; however, the leaves have all fallen. The trimmed grass is covered in frost mixing the dead green with specks of white.

He walks up to the manour door as a guard who has taken notice opens the main doors.

“Salutations.” the guard greets Alshin.

Alshin presents the open cloth to the guard.

“The stewart has already been notified, you may take a seat in the waiting room just ahead.” answers the guard, closing the doors behind Alshin.

Inside the waiting room Alshin walks along the stone tiles covering the floor, wooden furniture decorate the room. On each side are chairs before a wide table that barely reaches the knees.

The doors on the other side open, a man in a blue robe with golden embroidery enters.

“The journey was not too difficult I hope?” he asks.

Alshin looks the man over before removing his own hood.

Both men have horns growing out from the top of their ears, pointing to the back of their head. The top of their ears fuse along the horn for the first third of the horn’s length.

With the same black hair and auburn eyes the difference between them lays on their facial bones and hair style. Alshin has longer hair, braided on each side just above his horns to give his head a sharper look.

“You must be the steward of Durron.” Alshin stated, “I am Alshin Sal, appointed inspector from the Isle Lord Kaelsh Saam.”

“It is my pleasure to receive you on behalf of the Durron governor, I am Eykidi Sha the Steward of Durron’s second heart.” Eykidi nods towards Alshin.

Eykidi’s hair is shaven along the sides of his head while the wide strip running along his top is combed back, hanging slightly from the back of his head.

“About that ‘second heart’ I would like to hear more.” Alshin says.

“Very well, it is why you are here. I will be able to explain more tomorrow if you are willing to take a tour. For now I will just summarise it.” Eykidi replies.

“Durron on the surface is governed by Kanm Isk; however, there lies a complex labyrinth under Durron built by goblins. A few centuries ago the Mirts cleared it out, leaving the ruins unoccupied.”

Eykidi walks to the right wall, looking at a cloth tapestry and he points to the left side where a river is drawn.

“We settled along the Great Dello river and came across the ruins on the hill here. Deep inside there were many monsters that had made the place home. Once the threat within was contained the area became an important trading hub.”

Further along the tapestry the horned figures begin to be shown leading pointed ear figures into the dungeon like labyrinth.

“Slaves from our wars with the mirts brought many slaves into Durron, the labyrinth was cleared more to house them. That is until Mos Ae took upon the name Deimund and the title of Emperor.”

Alshin crosses his arms, “Such a foolish title taken from the Mirt savages, the Isle Lords grow more concerned with his actions.”

“Yes, he united the Deimurgan warlords of Faes’Ahn and took inspiration from the Sharamirt empire we trade with. We are only fighting the Kridimirt and Ordumirt kings after all and a united Faes’Ahn is the only way the Isle Lords will ever have the resources to take back our home continent.”

“So he thinks the savages will fight with him? They will bite him when he shows his back.” Alshin glares.

“When Emperor Deimund formed the empire he established rights for all in his land that those who serve the empire will be citizens. That citizenship is not easily held, thus why no mirt hold it.”

Eykidi gestures towards the tapestry again.

“However, he stated that slavery itself is savage. We must demonstrate ourselves as the betters we claim to be and if they can meet our standards through service and merit to the empire they can stand beside us.”

Alshin snorts.

“Though, the released slaves had nothing, leaving them to scrape a living of poverty in the labyrinth. That is why Emperor Deimund gave me this role, he wants me to judge if they are capable.”

“I have heard rumours that the labyrinth is a pit of crime and violence.” retorts Alshin.

“Ah, it is many things down there, as there are many living down there. This is why it is known as the second heart of Durron, the heart that beats in the darkness.”

Alshin remains quiet as he glares at Eykidi, he is still not sure what to think of the situation. On one side his lord lives a great distance over the ocean, a long journey for any army. The colonies have become very autonomous and the isles become more dependant on trade with them.

In order to gain more control over the colonies the isles need leverage, they need to prove that the colonies are unable to rule themselves properly.

The Isle Lords learned of the cesspit of Durron, full of crime and corruption caused by the lack of control over the savage mirts that should just be put to work as slaves in the fields.

“Well, I will do a thorough tour for you tomorrow. For now, rest and join me for dinner.” Eykidi gestures to the door behind himself.

Alshin pauses, the thin smile on Eykidi’s lips disturbs Alshin.

The following day, Alshin had spent the night in Eykidi’s manour. The diner and breakfast were served to the tastes of one from the isles, mostly seafood. Procuring the ingredients inland to Durron is no cheap task, especially in the winter.

However, there was nothing to complain about for Alshin. He leaves the manour to find Eykidi preparing for the tour. The cold morning air nips at Alshin’s nose, even though his robe is warm the chills seep through the openings around the face and wrists.

He folds his arms to keep his hands and wrists warm before approaching. The group with Eykidi are all comfortable with the weather, three guards and one child. Alshin approaches the group without giving much more thought to the boy.

“Now that you are here, I won’t take you through the whole labyrinth, that would be too dangerous. It will also take a long time.” Eykidi says, greeting Alshin.

“The ‘second heart’ refers to the hub of the labyrinth, the ‘tomb’ as the locals call it.”

Alshin cannot help but squint at Eykidi’s smile after saying that.

The group begins to move while Eykidi continues to speak.

“Centuries ago, as I mentioned, the goblins built a series of tombs here. Mostly this was all some sort of ceremonial thing they did around here. We don’t know much more, the Mirts fought the goblins all over Faes’Ahn and it seems these tombs were used as a shelter for goblins.”

The main road leads straight towards some stone pillars flanking along the road. Just beyond the pillars the road dips down into an underground floor. The road splits both left and right.

“The main tombs are all well made of smoothed stone, it is hard to tell now since many have moved in here now. The tombs were a good place to stockpile goods, after the monsters were cleared out.”

Eykidi takes the right turn and another ramp leads down further; however, the route opens up into a wide hall that connects to the wide hall the other way. The ramps only take up half of the hall’s width allowing traffic to flow easily.

Stone pillars are carved along the walls where candles and lamps are mounted along, different pillars have different candle and lamp arrangements. Smokey smells fill the air down here, the smell is scented well enough with light perfume oil.

Between pillars different shops are set up, most sit on the stone floor with simple rugs layn over the stone where their products are arranged. Some have tables and bins with food and other large products.

“When the slaves were released they were still restricted to the labyrinth, many sought to make a living clearing out the deeper layers. You see, the goblins who took shelter here expanded their digging under the tombs where space for housing and farming was established.”

“Farming?” Alshin frowns.

“Yes, the goblins survive underground because they establish crops that grow deep underground. Strange foods indeed, some we cannot consume either.”

Eykidi points to the light crystals in the roof of the hall.

“In the tombs there are small tubes hollowed to the surface, a simple smoothed quartz is placed on both ends. Light from the sun, stars, and moon are gathered from one end and reach the inner end where it shines bright.”

Alshin takes a moment to look up at the lights, the rough quartz crystals are roughly the size of a fist and sparkle while walking.

“Though primitive, the goblins have some sophisticated works. Deeper underground they have set up a system of irrigation to feed their underground farms. We call that area the slums, the slums are where most residents live and work while the tombs are more of a commercial district.”

“Below the slums, the goblins desperately dug smaller caves in a dense maze like… mess.” Eykidi opens his arms up for a moment to emphasize the size.

“Very difficult to map since the caves wind up and down, left and right. It is a capillary labyrinth that is still infested with monsters. Which provides some good materials for those in the slums to hunt and sell up here.”

He points to some stalls displaying a wide variety of monster material;chunks of meat, carapace, teeth, claws, bones, etc.

“There were even some goblins down there that survived a while, eventually the monsters got them and their homes are reclaimed as safe bases for anyone going deep down there.”

Eykidi changes the topic when he points to one of the tomb chambers connected to the main hall.

“That is one of the sex districts, they use thin red silks to mark their business.”

Then he points to the other side where another tomb chamber opens with yellow silks along the entrance.

“yellow indicates gambling, almost as popular as sex.”

Alshin is not disturbed by this, there are similar districts in the packed districts of the isles, though, he has no interest in sharing them with mirts. He takes notice of the boy walking with them again, he cannot see much more of the boy who still wears a hood.

The boy is pretty vigilant of his surroundings, much more than Alshin who takes a moment to check his shoulders. People are keeping enough distance while not staring, they seem to know enough to not start trouble.

“Now then, blue is where we want to go.” Eykidi says taking a right while passing through the blue silk draping the entrance of another tomb chamber.

Alshin follows and notices the guards stay at the entrance, only Eykidi, himself, and the boy come in. He quickly notices the air change, more smoke with a different smell to it that he cannot identify.

“Here, take a seat.” Eykidi gestures to a small round table with cushions set around in a crescent shape.

The table is just under the height of an adult’s knees.

Alshin rests on the cushions, they are certainly comfortable for him compared with the rough boat ride and carriage journey. However, he is a little on edge about where he is as Eykidi seats himself on the other side of the table.

Eykidi picks up a round metal disc on the table and taps it twice against the table. In a moment a man looks out from one of the connected rooms, he goes back in and soon enough a woman comes out towards the table.

Her blue dress is light and attractively embroidered. The silk fabric is tight around her waist while her bust is mostly exposed and decorated with simple jewelry. The woman’s hair is braided and bundled behind her head exposing the nape of her neck.

By the colour of her hair and most notably the horns growing out above her ears she is deimurgan. She bends her body lower to greet Alshin and Eykidi, the angle of her breasts stimulated Alshin enough that he looks away for a moment.

He feels cautious of Eykidi’s intentions; however, this place is marked with blue not red s, seduction isn’t likely the plan here.

Alshin looks around a little more and soon notices one of the other serving women has the pointed ears of an ordumirt.

“We will start with some olo klass tea with two loze sticks.” Eykidi says passing some billets to the woman.

Billets were something the colonies adopted while trading with the other mirt races in the south. The mirts in the north and east are the ones in conflict with the murgans. The serving woman returns into the side room.

“Now then, a few things to talk about here. First, it is not just mirts that live down here, murgans down on their luck and out of billets also end up living in the slums. Some hold work here for example, which helps draw in murgan patrons who don’t want a mirt serving them.”

“Though, the diversity in the slums results in endless problems for me as the steward. Gangs mostly.” Eykidi shifts his position to rest his left elbow over the table.

“The kridimirts mostly fall under the influence of one gang, everyone just calls them the ‘kridies’. No one recommends that you call them that to their face unless you want a fight. They mostly run the kridimurt areas of the slums.”

“They really hate the Batchu, a gang of murgans, mostly run the murgan districts of the slums. Both compete over turf in the slums in order to supply the demand of loze.”

Alshin raises an eyebrow, he had just heard Eykidi mention loze to the server.

From the side room the same serving woman comes out with a plate in hand, he sets it gently on the table with a smile before returning to the room.

On the plate are two cups of steaming liquid, there is a sweet smell from it. Next to the cups are thin wooden sticks with rough crystals stuck onto syrup.

“Loze sticks, loze is made from a mixture of ingredients found in the labyrinth that are brewed, boiled, and crystalized. When consumed it gives an incredible high, though you should have something sweet with it or else you may fall into a coma.”

“What?”

“The stimulation can starve your mind so sweet olo klas tea or syrup will prevent any problems, which is why the sticks come with syrup coating. Loze is the most profitable export from the slums.”

“So follows the crime?” Alshin comments.

Tipping his head to the side, Eykidi replies, “Yes, I keep it as contained as I can down here.”

“So, who runs this place?”

“Ah, there are two more gangs, both ordumirt run. But they are pretty neutral and don’t cause many problems.” Eykidi munches on the loze stick.

Alshin takes the stick up as well, the crunch of each bite is sweet from the syrup but the crystals have a strange burning sensation that washes away with the mouth’s saliva.

“The Ozoe run this establishment, they don’t bother with the production or trafficking of loze and the like and focus on distributing it to the consumer. Keeps themselves out of trouble most of the time.”

The effects of the loze begins to hit, Alshin feels his eyes sharpen, his hairs stand, the beating of his heart quickens but his perception of time feels like it slows.

“Running the prostitution and gambling are the Far Fae. Both groups have been pretty agreeable with me, they keep out of trouble and they can operate openly.” Eykidi smiles, “Wow, I havn’t had loze since… it must have been over a year.”

Alshin raises his brows, “Really? This feels great! You don’t do this much?”

Both begin to laugh.

Eykidi leans closer, “Don’t get hooked on it. Not the drugs, the gambling, or the whores. If you do, then the gangs get a hold of you and their control over you will grow.”

Alshin nods, the suspicions and caution have been blown away by his high.

The conversation came onto the topic of Eykidi’s combat history.

“You do not look like a warrior but I heard you held a seat close to Mos Ae.” Alshin asks while slumped on his side in the cushions.

“Well, I was never raised to ride a Korodo and live as a warrior, instead I focused on magic.” Eykidi drinks from his cup of olo klas, a sweet tea.

“I took an interest in studying mirt magic soon after my parents migrated to Faes’Ahn which became very useful as the murgan armies drove deeper into mirt lands. The tribal mirts were poorly skilled in magic compared with the ones possessed by the mirt kings.”

“Certainly their magic is not not so sophisticated.” Alshin chuckles.

“I advise caution on this matter as it is my specialty, especially when dealing with traps. Magic stored into an object may be triggered by certain conditions which were inflicting serious casualties on the murgan armies.”

Alshin snorts, disapproving of these tactics.

“Well, I quickly became the best Mos Ae could find for his army, I became part of the elite vanguard to detect and prevent damage from mirt magic. Regardless of the opinions of the proud warriors, the results spoke for me.”

“And so that brought you close to Mos Ae?”

“Correct, he also found use for my different perspective on matters. Still, he could not grant me who was no noble warrior much in return. This steward position has the appearance of being a low position; however, there is much potential for me here.”

“How so?” Alshin raises himself up a little.

“I shall show you!” Eykidi pushes himself up, his high lingers enough to give spring to his movements.

He nods to the person watching from the curtains in the side room before leaving. Alshin follows behind along with the boy who stood close by without much presence. Alshin takes notice of the boy again but continues ahead.

The three guards take up position again and follow Eykidi as he leads the way through the crowd which move out of his way slightly. There a few corners and turns that Eykidi takes before the stone walls are no longer smoothed.

“There are a few ways into the slums, you know you are there when the stone becomes rough. The slums mostly produce loze, it is the highest export down here to the point that there is not enough farming of food to feed everyone.”

“So, they import food? How much does this loze sell for?”

“Generally a worker earns one copper billet for a day of work. The amount that one worker produces will sell for around a silver billet above ground. That is a twenty times gain in profit.”

Alshin stops.

“Then, the merchant markets the loze to nobles, warriors, and indulgent merchants for around a gold billet. That is a tent times growth in profit for the merchant.”

“T… Then. Who gets all of that profit?” Alshin looks at Eykidi who returns the look, “You. Do you take the profit before it reaches the merchant?”

“HA.” Eykidi places a hand on his forehead, “I would be dead if I did that. The gangs. The gangs take up most of the profit to use for supplying themselves and bribing the authorities.”

“Then, how much do you receive?”

“Hmm, lets see, the Kridis hate my guts. They won’t pass any bribes my way. The Batchu mostly bribed the governor, they avoid dealing with me since they can work around me.”

“Then those two other-mirt gangs you spoke of?”

“If I had that kind of relationship with the Ozoe and Far Fae I wouldn’t be paying for loze, we do have some deals with each other that helps run things smoother though.”

Tilting his head, Alshin frowns before asking, “Then what benefit are you getting from your position?”

“Control.” Eykidi replies.

“Control?” Alshin continues to frown.

“I track everything that goes in and out of this labyrinth, people, billets, loze, everything.” Eykidi widens his arms.

They begin entering a wider hall, tunneled out from the stone. The crystal lights are nowhere to be seen, instead bulbs growing from roots in the stone glow light blue to illuminate the area.

“That does not answer my question, what does control over this give you if you are not at least taxing them?”

“Fear.” Eykidi closes his arms, “They are cautious of my intentions, I make some profit from seized goods like weapons they try to import or contraband they export. My job is to maintain stability after all, if I only live as a leech I would drain the potential of this place to grow.”

Alshin calms a little more, it makes some more sense when he thinks about it. Adding to the corruption would only make things worse; however, Eykidi seems to ambitious to Alshin to settle for this kind of status quo.

“I do not believe that alone is enough to drive fear into these gangs.” he comments.

Eykidi smirks and continues into the dark hall.

“I have a sort of ‘hobby’ where I set up an orphanage. Infants and children abandoned in the slums and caves who, if they survive to grow up, would become a problem as delinquents. It also helps to solve my other objective, finding out if mirts are worthy.”

“Hm.” Alshin nods along.

“Well then, I will allow this demonstration answer the rest.”

Shadows blanketing the hall, not illuminated by the glowing roots, mask dark figures that begin to emerge. Alshin feels hostility from the way they hold themselves. A chill runs down his spine as Alshin questions to himself what Eykidi is doing.

[What kind of demonstration is this, are these his men?”

One figure shouts out in a language unknown to Alshin, some mirt tongue no doubt. Soon enough Alshin confirms they are mirts when they emerge into the light, their ears point higher than the other mirts.

Could they be the ‘Kridis’ that Eykidi mentioned before, if so, Eykidi also mentioned how much they despise him. Alshin clenches his teeth and really begins to doubt what Eykidi has planned.

One of the Kridis dashes up, a crude dagger in hand, he thrusts forward in Eykidi’s direction.

Alshin then catches a swift figure dash past him, coming between Eykidi and the kridi goon.

Erupting from the figure, a bright burst of light forces everyone to shield their eyes, intense heat sears against any exposed skin.

“AHHHHH!”

A scream cries out.

“HHRNNNNNNNN AHHHHHHH!”

The screaming intensifies as the light begins to fade from the intense flames.

The kridi goon attempting to attack Eykidi is squirming on the crude stone floor, he is covered with patches of glowing hot embers that eat away his clothes and hair. The kridi’s skin is seared black and already begins to peel off.

From behind, the small figure has already begun a follow up by taking position behind the goon and jumping up to strike at the back of his head with a palm strike.

A loud clap echos out as the goon falls limp to the ground, the head dangles limp as the spine dislocates in an unnatural angle. The hall becomes silent without the cries from the goon, the others focus their attention on the small figure responsible for the finishing blow.

Alshin makes out the small figure in the dim light. It is the boy who has been following them around this whole time. Upon realizing this, a chill runs down Alshin’s spine knowing that there was such a well concealed guard nearby the whole time.

That magic was not something Alshin was familiar with, he had completed an apprenticeship while he was young before pursuing politics. The intensity of the fire magic used is beyond what he had even his teacher demonstrate who was the most powerful magic user he knew.

What Alshin did notice was the blow to the back of the goon’s neck, it was a form of a reverberation strike. Reverb strikes are a common technique in Deimurgan hand to hand combat, magic is used in combination with a palm strike to damage internals.

The reverb strike specifically is most effective at breaking bones by using the sound created from a clap caused by the palm strike. The palm is slightly cupped to create the clap sound and magic amplifies the vibration from the sound.

From the basic lessons Alshin learned by creating waves against a cup of water, one the right user had the right feel for the spell they could cause the vibration to reflect and continue to vibrate within the space.

The result in combat is as seen before Alshin, the spine is hollow with the spinal cord inside. A reverb strike there will reverberate inside the spine and eventually burst out, severing the spine.

What gives Alshin chills is that this boy whose age is around ten years has proficiently used this strike at a level someone twice his age would be expected to achieve.

Looking to his left, Alshin sees Eykidi standing in the same place showing no reaction to the scene before him.

The kridimirts resolve themselves and one of the group begins to command the others. It was the kind of attitude from someone experienced in fights as a professional or a soldier. The others are a little awkward with the orders; however, their confidence in his commands spurs them on.

Only two of the goons charge in, the other five take out stone slings and begin to gather momentum behind their stones. Completely focused on the boy the group has now set him as their priority after his display.

The slingers loose stones at the boy, the rocks fly straight with a woosh. Each slinger holds for a moment after the other to keep a continuous volley.

However, the boy lowers his stance and chops at the first stone, shattering the rock with his hand.

“This!?” Alshin almost gasps in surprise.

Rock splitter, another murgan technique for close combat that merges a chopping strike with the hand with magic. Unlike the reverb strike, the rock splitter was actually designed for defense against stone throwers.

The technique became such a powerful asset for skilled warriors that when the old murgan tribes would fight they would avoid using stone slings and began to use javelins.

While it is considered a core skill for warriors, children the same age as this boy who can use this skill at his proficiency are certainly called geniuses.

[Where did Eykidi find this boy?] Alshin begins to ponder.

Stone after stone, the boy strikes down each one. The two approaching goons slowed their charge after seeing the boy defend against the slingers. With greater caution they move around to each of the boy’s sides while the slingers continue to pin him down.

The boy’s face is concealed by his hood, the goons cannot tell what kind of condition the boy is in so, they properly set up a pincer attack. Knowing full well of the boy’s powerful magic the two goons are not keen to end up roasted but, each questions how much mana he still has.

The rock splitter is also a technique that uses magic, Alshin ponders about the boy’s mana as well.

First the goon to the boy’s left thrusts in with a short spear expecting the boy’s hood to block his sight from the side; yet, the boy leans back and evades the attack. Part of his hood is cut from the sharp spear point as he twists in and rushes into the attacker.

The goon tries to bash the boy away with his spear’s shaft.

The boy’s short stature proves difficult to pin down as he dives under the goon’s strike, sliding underneath his legs.

CLAP!

The goon’s expression becomes frozen with shock from the pain, the boy lands a reverb strike against his tailbone.

Under the weight of his body, the goon’s shattered hips collapse and his body falls to the ground.

Using the body’s momentum as it falls, the boy hops onto his feet before he kicks out the goon’s legs forcing the goon to fall onto the boy’s shoulder. The slingers hold their stones as the boy is shielded with the goon’s body.

Without much issue, the boy charges ahead at the slingers with the adult body draped over his head and shoulders. The slingers are distressed at the sight as the remaining goon of the pincer attack attempts to catch the boy from behind.

As the boy draws near the slingers he makes a heavy step forward and pushes the goon’s body. The body begins to fall limp to the ground, against the goon’s chest a bright flame erupts with blinding intensity.

“UWAAAAAAAAHHHH!” the crippled goon howls, engulfed in the white hot flame.

Shielding his eyes, Alshin sees the boy turn around and attack the goon chasing him. The goon, blinded by the bright flame, is easily approached. The boy uses magic to manipulate a stone fragment on the ground, launching it into the goon’s chest.

It does not pierce in very far, part of the sharp fragment protrudes out. The goon reels back from the wound but he cannot see the boy leaping at him and kicking the stone through the rips into the heart.

Within a few seconds the goon collapses and stops moving.

Looking over his shoulder, the boy finds the remaining kridi goons have turned and retreated. Stumbling in the dark they fall back into the shadows.

The light from the fire fades blanketing the hall in darkness.

Naturally the eyes begin to adjust, picking up the dim light from the glowing root bulbs.

A stench of burnt hair and flesh lingers in the air.

While only three goons lay dead, Alshin remains quiet in his wonder that the one who did this is so young.

“Well, don’t worry about giving chase, even though I had intended you to get all of them.” Eykidi speaks out through the silence.

“They just pulled back sooner than I hoped. Maybe it was too shocking of a display.” he adds while tilting his head.

With a few steps, Eykidi comes closer to Alshin.

“Wealth...” Eykidi pauses before he turns to Alshin, “Wealth does not drive fear or devotion into the hearts of others. There is only so much you can trade for and it is all material, those devoted to someone are surely seeking something of value; however, it is not wealth they value...”

“I am rambling a little, sorry.” Eykidi smiles, “I should introduce you to my son-by-law, Eyke.”

He gestures towards the boy, covered in dim blue light as the gentle light from red embers colour his back. Eyke’s hood has slid off his head from the fight, blood begins to form along a small cut on his right cheek.

The spear thrust that knocked his hood off was the only attack to graze him. Seeing this Eykidi comments, “There is a limit to just training after all, actual combat experience is important.”

Eykidi turns back to Alshin, “When I found this boy, he was only a few years old, abandoned in the slums. But he was surviving. His talent is greater than anyone I have ever met, the other abandoned kids I have been gathering don’t have his talent either.”

“You’re making more of him?” Alshin asks, wary of the thought.

“I think this makes a good reveal, I am calling them my ‘Underguard’. My eyes, ears, and limbs in the slums who can operate where regular soldiers cannot.”

Eykidi waves one of his guards closer.

“Mask.” He orders.

The guard pulls a metal mask from a satchel, it is a fairly simple design, smooth with few features but it has features of a blank face. There are long slits for the eyes and a small hole in the lips. It is a black colour with dark green striations angled diagonally across the mask.

Eyke makes his way over, he glances at Alshin and greets him, “Hello, sir.”

Alshin recalls the voice as the same boy who encountered his carriage driver after entering the walls above ground. Then that would mean that the steward Eykidi had been keeping tabs on him for some time, maybe even longer?

As Eyke comes closer to the guard holding the mask out and Alshin begins to see Eyke clearly.

Eyke’s hair is black, trimmed short and not styled.

The eyes he looked at Alshin with are brown, rare for any murgan.

Then Alshin’s attention came to the ears, they are unlike any he had seen before.

Pointed like the pinna of a mirt; however, the top helix is hardened like bone. It is too undeveloped to be like the horns of the deimurgan and does not protrude out beyond the pinna.

Alshin has only heard of this from other isle nobles, half-breed abominations.

Mirtmurgans.

Eyke takes the dark mask, strapping it to his face. He pulls his hood back over his head, the tear on the right side reminds Alshin of Eyke’s performance, evading a swift thrust from a blind spot.

Then, more figures move in from the dark corners of the wide hall, there are many junctions along the hall where they emerge from. Each short in stature, about Eyke’s height or less.

Alshin feels tense, he can guess they are the orphans Eykidi has been raising, or rather, training to be his personal agents.

Most stay well hidden in the dark, their silhouette is only visible. Those who come into the light wear hoods with a similar mask.

Unlike Eyke, their masks are mostly white, maybe one or two in the light have red masks.

From his situation, Alshin can tell there are at least twenty of them.

He cannot tell their race from the mask and hood, are they all half-breeds?

Either way, Alshin assures himself that as long as they stay underground there will not be any problem.

The double sided wall now makes sense to Alshin, keep the abominations locked up and away from those who remain noble in blood. The underworld ruled by Khlad is a fitting place for such things.

Into the shadows the masked underguard return, Eyke looks back from under his mask before stepping into the shadows.

He, along with the others, know that look on Alshin’s face.

Even though they are not all mirtmurgan they are seen with unaccepting eyes.

They conceal themselves from such looks.

Eykidi is different, he looks upon them as assets, he sees worth in their existence.

So, they will serve him.

From the crystal lights, smoothed stone, and luxurious halls of the tombs; the dark network of chambers, halls, and caves that make up the slums; down into the massive capillary labyrinth infested with monsters below.

This is their realm.

Their home.

End notes:

This was only a 20 page chapter compared with the usual 30 page ones and there won't be another Eyke arc for a while. I will be doing many more Kordic arcs, I just felt it was a good time period to introduce Eyke, a character I came up with only weeks ago!

But there is a lot of plot I wanted to explore that Kordic will not encounter for a while.

Like I mentioned in the opening notes, even I do not know what I am foreshadowing right now.

At some point I would like to try doing something like streaming just to show the kind of process I go through when world building.

Getting into a regular habit of doing a creative stream would be cool. Only issue, I have pretty 'meh' internet here. =P

I plan to expand my maps by adding more details to particular regions. I can do that without dropping spoilers, though there would be plenty of possible foreshadowing.