Volume 1: Arc 1: Chapter 9

AUTHOR'S NOTE

This is the second chapter of the day.

I think I will have a standard schedule each week. One chapter each wednesday and friday night. All other chapters that I write will come at random times during the week when I am free. If I am busy, you guys will get the standard chapter wednesday and friday night.

Thanks for reading.

March 20, 20 R.E.

Gais adopted an annoyed expression on her face as she fielded Rajac’s statement. “Not in town five minutes and I’m already hounded by the locals.” Bella moved from behind the bar and gathered the woman in her arms, squeezing tightly. “I missed you.” Bella said warmly.

“And, I you.” Gais said, an expression of warmth on her face. She was not an old woman, yet she could not be considered to still hold her maiden-hood. A few grey strands here and there gave proof to her age while her unlined face defied it.

Pushing back from Gais, Bella said, an exited tone in her voice. “How have you been? It’s been ages hasn’t it? Where did you go? What was it like?” She fired all these questions off rapidly like she was an eager child.

“Numerous places. Too many to count.” Gais said, a small quirk to her lips. “But that can wait another time. I hear that I have a customer waiting for my expertise.” Gais shot Rajac a dark look.

“Please don’t be too hard on him Gais. He’s been waiting a whole month for you.” Bella said, a note of sympathy in her voice. “A month?” Gais raised an eyebrow. “No one ever waits that long.”

Rajac shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal. Though, a large part of the reason he remained had been Bella’s company. He silently admitted to himself that he would have let his impatience win out and made the long-trek to the capital long ago if it wasn’t for Bella.

“It’s hard to find an Identity Merchant all the way out here.” Rajac said simply. “Ha!” Gais let out a laugh. “That it is my boy.” As she sized him up, she lingered on his horns only a second longer than she needed to.

“Those are curious appendages, my friend…” Gais said, her head tilted up. “Rajac.” Bella interjected softly. “Rajac…” Gais paused. “Tell me, why have you sought my services?”

“I’m looking for the rest of my race.” Rajac said. “Indeed.” Gais put a finger on her lips as if thinking hard.

“Hmm. Wait here for a moment.” Turning to Bella, she asked, placing a hand on Bella’s shoulder. “Bella dear, can I use the back room with our friend here for a little while. I think we might need some privacy.” Bella flushed slightly at her words but nodded and said, “Of course, Gais.”

“Wait,” Rajac said confused. “What about payment.” Gais waved her hand flippantly. “It’s no matter. Usually it’s about one gold for what you want to know but I’m too curious about the answer to rightfully charge you.”

Nodding, Gais, walked out the door without another word. Rajac and Bella stood awkwardly in the tavern hall for a long moment as they waited anxiously for Gais’ return.

It took longer than expected, but when she returned, Gais was carrying a huge leather bag in her small arms. It was evident that it was extremely heavy. Every step she took was emphasized by an long exhalation of breath.

Rajac hurriedly got up from his seat and took the bag from Gais. “Careful! Careful!” She screeched. “Don’t drop it!”

Rajac nearly did as he heaved it onto his shoulder and walked, stooped, into the backroom behind the bar. Carefully, he set the large leather bag on the ground and let out a sigh.

Gais walked in, whipping a sheen of sweat from her brow. “Remind me, next time, to not carry everything in one bag.” Rajac did not know what to say to that as he stared at the woman blankly. It was clear that Gais was more than just a little eccentric.

It took a few minutes before they got settled in. Bella had to fetch a few chairs from the floor of the tavern and it took more than a little while before Gais was unable to organize her disheveled items on the table.

After nearly half-an-hour, Gais had set up her makeshift shop in the back of the tavern. The door had been firmly shut against eavesdroppers, mostly Bella, whom, it was clear, wanted to listen to what Gais would tell Rajac.

After Gais told Bella for the third time that it was a private matter and she had her job to do, Bella turned back to the bar and once again began to serve drinks, sulking quietly.

“Right,” Gais said, as she sat with a huff. “This process is rather simple.” Nodding her head to the table in front of them, she said tonelessly, “There are three parts to an Identification. Firstly, I scan your spirit and copy its contents here.” She pointed to a leather-bound book filled with countless pages.” “What are all the pages for? Don’t you just need one?” Rajac said, offhandedly.

She gave him a strange look and said disdainfully, “Fool. Do you think a person’s life can fit to a single page?” As he was about to respond heatedly, she continued, ignoring the obvious apoplexy written on Rajac’s face. “Secondly, I copy your quest-related goals here.” She pointed to a smaller notebook.

“You know I’m a Client?” Rajac said slowly, too shocked to say anything. He always kept his ouroboros hidden. Ever since his parents made their feelings clear about the matter, Rajac never revealed the tattoo.

Gais blinked slowly. “You’re a Client. This makes things even more interesting.” There was a dangerous gleam in her eyes as she spoke.

“You didn’t know?” Rajac felt like his world was spinning out of control. “Everyone can get quests then…” He trailed off slowly. “Of course!” Gais snapped. “Clients aren’t special no matter what the Order of the Circle would have you believe.” “The who?” Rajac said confused. There was too many ideas being thrown at him and not everyone was sticking.

“Never mind”, Gais said waving her hand. “They’re not important.” Taking a deep-breath, she said slowly, a hint of danger in her eyes, “Be wary of who you tell about your status. Few like Clients these days. Not many have met one in this part of the world, so you are lucky there. Bella seems to have taken a liking to you, I think it would be better if you didn’t tell her. Blabbing to me was bad enough, but I don’t think she could take it. You two live in different worlds.”

Rajac could only agree with her. He was on the cusp of immortality while she had a scant few-dozen years to live. It could cause some tension with the locals. Greed, for the most part. The last vestiges of hope that he might, one day in the future, be able to return here were gone now. He nodded, a sad smile crossing his lips.

“Aye. I understand.” “Good.” Gais said softly. “Now that’s settled, I’ll tell you about the third part of the Identification. In your case, it involves a great deal of consultation with many different elements of our magic. While you’re perusing the first two parts of the Identification process, I will work on the third part.”

Rajac nodded, accepting the explanation. “Then, shall we begin?” Gais asked, raising the sleeves of her tunic to her elbow. Without asking permission, she grabbed Rajac’s hand and twisted it palm up. She snapped her fingers causing a blindingly hot flash of pain that traveled up Rajac’s arm causing him to groan slightly with the discomfort. “The first time is always the hardest.” Gais muttered as she twirled her fingers around, manipulating them as if she was stretching a rubber band.

Opening the leather bound book with her passive hand, she placed her active hand on the first page, palm down. Black ink slowly flowed from her fingertips and into the book. At first, it looked as if the whole page had become black but, overtime, white spots began to appear in the page until all that remained were a few strains of the black-ink, forming plainly written words.

Rajac opened his jaw utterly confused by what he saw. “How…how did you do that?” He said, his eyebrows raised straight into his forehead. “Tertiary Magic.” Gais grunted as she lifted the bound tome, handing it to Rajac. “Not directly related to the elements, but a part of them nevertheless. This form was made by our Goddess, Thalia, and passed down through our Order.”

Interesting, Rajac thought. Is it possible for people other than Gods to make such magic? He would have to investigate this later; however, he did not think it would be appropriate to Gais. He had already stuck his foot in his mouth enough for one day.

As Gais began to work on the second tome, Rajac opened the first one. The first page read

Rajac Rashak Ventros MaleHeight6’3”Average Weight170 lbs.Strength60Wisdom30Stamina80Luck-15Diplomacy15Dexterity200Sub-Skills:Technology5GrowthExp.Faith15Special Characteristics:Dexterity Grows at 6 times Normal RateStrength Grows at .25 times Normal RateWisdom Grows at 2 times Normal RateEarth Elemental Affinity +50%Fire Elemental Affinity +50%Luck <= 0Technology <= 5 unless the requirements below are metIf a Client reaches level 100, he has the ability to create a a new Auxilliary Element. The Client will have +50% Affinity with the Auxiliary Elment. The skill will not be removed or reduced when the Client dies. The Client can share the Auxiliary Element with other races. If the Client chooses this path, Diplomacy growth * 5 and Technology growth * 3 until death.Ventros are one of the many minor races within Thantos. At present, they number 8 on Thantos. In the past, they produced many champions of the sword; however, that was long ago. It is doubtful if any in their rank remember the old ways. Their present location is currently known only by their race.

This was the same information he had seen long ago before he had even chosen the Ventros Race. A few things were different however. Foremost, he noticed the last line changed slightly. There were now eight Ventros on Thantos. Did that mean the Ventros were somewhere else? It also looked as if all his core stats rose except his luck. He stumped his brain, trying to figure out how that happened.

When nothing came to him, he flipped to the next page.

Skills Gained:Born An Idiot: The Client has chosen a race with a very limited population. He is a true idiot. Effect: Wisdom growth is halved, New Skill Creation: Perseverance, New Skill Creation: MaturationMaturation: It takes time for the Client to act like an adult. Effect: Wisdom is <=5 before the age of 14Perseverance: The Client has chosen to fight for the underdog. Effect: New Skill Creation: HonorHonor: A double-edged sword in the best of times, the Client defends the weak and fights evil wherever he sees it. Effect: +5 to FaithMerciful: The Client has shown mercy to an enemy in the midst of battle. Effect: 2% discount on all products and servicesVentros Sword Style: [Information Hidden] 35% Mastery. Effect: New Skill Creation: Footwork, New Skill Creation: Sword Mastery, New Skill Creation: Defence, New Skill Creation: Muscle MemoryFootwork: The Client had strived to maintain strong and quick legs. 30% Mastery. Effect: Mastery * dexterity growth + dexterity growthSword Mastery: The Client had felt the grip of steel in his hand. Whether he decides to protect his friends or smite his enemies, the choice is up to him. 40% Mastery. Effect: No Extra EffectDefence: The Client has learned to shield his back. 40% Mastery. Effect: Health Increased by [Information Hidden].Muscle Memory: The Client has repeated movements countless times. Effect: The skills Ventros Sword Sytle, Sword Mastery, Defence, and Footwork will not be forgotten or reduced after death.

Rajac looked down at the second page with a mixture of curiosity and annoyance. Born an Idiot. He snorted. The program was laughing at him for choosing such a diminished race. It even created the Maturation skill. Was that why he was such a child growing up? God above, this thing was even messing with his mind now. He would have to punch the creator in his face once of these days.

Annoyed, he looked down at the rest of the skills on the page. Muscle Memory. At least, there was one good skill. His knowledge and the ability to the Ventros Sword Style would never go away. Chuckling to himself, he realized that if that had not been the case, he would have been ceaselessly training the same skills for millennia, never getting anywhere.

He absently flipped through the rest of the tome. There were some interesting skills likeIgnorant: The Client has lived in seclusion too long. He does not know the basic facts a child in Thantos knows. Effect: He will get slapped more often.And,Ambitious: The Client knows no bounds. He will strive for greatness. Effect: Royalty will not like him unless they are of his Race.But generally, there were just the myopic skills anyone could pick up during an eighteen-year span. After a time, he grew bored of reading the trivialities of his life repeated to him and he turned to the second tome, which Gais had long since finished with.

It appeared she had, for a long time, been working on the third part of the Identification process. She was up and bustling around, rummaging through her bag and muttering to herself every so often.

Surrounding her, were piles and piles of books, scattered here and there as she threw one every so often out of her bag, a peeved expression on her face.

Rajac thought it best not to bother her at the moment and reached over the table to open the second tome. He was surprised at how light it was compared to the first tome.

Curious, Rajac flipped through the tome, expecting it to be filled with black ink; however, what met him was blank pages. The only page that had any ink at all was the first page and it was only half-full.

It seems I have received very few quests in my life, Rajac thought dryly.

As acid thoughts began to toss around in his mind, he looked down at the single page.

Quests:Completed:Complete Daily Chores while living on Cera Mountain. Effect: The love of your familyIn Progress:Write Home Once A Year. Result if Successful: The continued love of your family. Result if Unsuccesful: Anger of your family.Find the remaining members of the Ventros Race: Result if Successful: [Information Hidden]. Result if Unsuccessful: [Information Hidden]Master the Ventros Sword Style. Result if Successful: The Client will be one of the best swordsman on the Continent and [Information Hidden]. Result if Unsuccessful: The skill Muscle Memory will be lost in the next life.

Well, that certainly is interesting. Apparently, there was a lot of information the program wanted to keep hidden. Rajac closed the tome with a snap. There was little information he could gleam from it as most of the result were hidden from him. Though, the quest about writing home irked him slightly. It was a little too personal to summarize on a sheet of paper.

“Gais,” Rajac said, leaning back in his chair, “Are you nearly done?” She had been standing over the table, a book in either hand, her eyes moving up and down each page feverishly.

She looked up distractedly. “Yes, Yes. Almost there.” She said, annoyed, and buried her head back down in her book. He sat there another hour as she poured over books and muttered to herself.

“Gahhh!” She screamed out loud. Rajac jumped in his seat. He had been dozing quietly for the past few minutes and her sudden shout woke him abruptly.

“It’s not here! That’s impossible!” Gais screamed almost incoherent in her rage. With a groan, she slumped down in her seat, burying her head in her hands.

“Gais?” Rajac said, looking at her concerned. Slowly, she raised her head. There was a manic look in her eyes as she said, troubled, “It’s not here. The Ventros…wherever they are…are not in my books. I…I have never failed before. It’s clear they are still alive…but some … force is blocking me.”

“Force? What kind of force?” His concern with her well-being flew out the window at the mention of the Ventros’ state. There were still some out there! “I don’t know”, she said shaking her head.

“I am sorry. Truly, I am. I wanted to know the answer to your question as badly as you. A race hidden from the world…” She sighed, shaking her head. “But, it appears, I was not good enough.”

“But here,” She tore off a scrap piece of paper from a loose peace of parchment and wrote hurriedly. “Go to Alberon. He’s in the capital of Gerosh. He will be of better help than I. Tell him I sent you.”

Rajac groaned inwardly. Even though he tried to avoid it, it looked as if he would be heading to the capital anyways. Such was his luck.

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