Chapter 27- Scarecrows

Morpheus felt a hand on his shoulder, it was a Tali again.

“Good fight, but they were too low level.”

“Ha, if that’s what you think.” He grunted back, he got a small smile from the war orc.

“Did any orcs die?” Morpheus asked.

“Two old ones, their age revealed their weaknesses.”

“I am sorry to hear that. It was my fault they died.”

“No Morpheus, they died fighting for good like you said.”

Morpheus just stared at the ground for a while, he put his leather chest piece on since he didn’t want people to take a proper look at his marks.

He looked up to see the King raise his sword in the air.

“Victory is ours!” He shouted, and all the soldiers and adventures let off a cheer.

The cheer ended and the generals began barking orders, Morpheus came back to reality, for he was only thinking of killing.

He looked out across the battlefield, dead bodies littered across it. It had hit him, the gruesome part of war.

“Chimera.” He heard Nu say behind him.

“That was pretty cool Nu.”

“He was weak. May we speak to the King?” He asked.

“Oh yeah that.” Morpheus replied.

He saw the king talking to some of his generals and headed over with the war orcs behind him.

“Your majesty, it was a fine battle.” Morpheus said with a bow, displaying his badge.

“You are the one who brought them? What is your name?” The king asked.

“Yes it was and my name is Morpheus.”

“Thank you Morpheus, we would have had to retreat if not.”

“I understand. King Cavet told me you would give them trade rights and citizenship to your city.” Morpheus said, getting straight to the point.

The king remembered something he had promised before.

“Yes, as was promised. About my daughter?”

“It is fine, you didn’t believe King Cavet.”

The king relaxed slightly.

“Someone get me the translation mage.”

A young lady bristly walked over to the king and a green glow encased the king.

“Can you understand me?” Morpheus said in orc tongue.

“Yes clearly, will you introduce me.”

“Of course.” Morpheus politely said.

He turned to Nu.

“Nu, this is the king of the city you will be trading with.”

Nu nodded. “Hello your majesty, my name is Nu. The alpha from a village in the bording.”

“My name is Theo, I would like to thank you for helping us, your kind lives up its name.”

“It is an honour to fight for good, for the many years of evil our kind has commited.”

“You are heroes in our eyes. You will be welcome into our city at anytime, the guards will know who you are and your kind.”

“Thank you, please do not be afraid of us, we prefer to live in peace.” Nu said.

“You will carry onto as long as the Independent stands, may we talk in private?” The king asked.

This was the cue to leave, Morpheus could not care for that sort of talk. He sat down on a patch not covered in blood and lit a cigarette.

Some other adventures sat down next to him, And Morpheus handed out cigarettes.

“Are you the one who led the war orcs?” A lady asked, while puffing at his cigarette.

“Yeah, crazy fuckers ain’t they.” He replied.

“And they’re sentient, by Odin I’ve never seen something so strong.”

“Oh yeah.” Morpheus said.

“So they live in the bording?” She asked.

“Yeah, I wanted to take a shortcut to Citite and a group of them found me.”

“I would of shit myself to be honest.”

“I did, but they offered me a place to sleep. I didn’t realise the Bording was such a dangerous place.”

“Mountain lions.”

Morpheus nodded.

“Tyche was on our side.” A man in chainmail said.

“Indeed he was.” Another said.

He brought out his communication crystal and sent Brevair a message.

‘We won, a few thousand of them retreated.’

Seconds later he got a message back.

‘Praise Bellona, we are on our way back to Ervos. Cavet wants you to get a silver badge for what you’ve done for Citite. He will speak to the king.'

‘That’s great, I'll head back to Citite now. Send Sophia and Reyna my regards, and tell her I’ve got wings now.’

He popped the crystal back in his pocket, he looked up and saw a soldier walking towards him.

“Sir Morpheus, you have a request from the Scarecrows.”

Everyone stared at him.

“The what?” He asked.

“You heard me, someone handed it to me when you spoke to the king.”

“Should I be worried?”

“To your own judgement.” The general said, handing him the letter.

He pocketed it, the last thing he would want to do was read it right now in front of a lot of people. He was over the moon he recieved a letter from the scarecrows, but it worried him still.

He could see people moving out of Nu’s way as the alpha walked towards him.

“Chimera, good news.” Nu said with a slight smile.

“What is it?”

“He would like to make our village a stronghold in the Bording. He will send us builders back with us when we visit the city.”

“That’s great news, do you think Ela will be ok with that?” Morpheus asked.

“Yes, she has always wanted us to be able to coexist with others. It is a prideful moment.”

“That’s awesome, you guys heading back now?”

“Yes we will be. Where will your journey be taking you.”

“Citite hopefully, if another army doesn’t come.”

“Let us hope, we will be off. Stay strong chimera.”

Morpheus punched his chest and Nu returned it. He thanked the rest of the orcs, they had saved a city and Morpheus was happy they could fight for good.

Soon the war orcs set off, back into the Bording, their steps making the ground shake.

Morpheus felt a hand on his back.

(Mage, Ground Breaker, Level 124)

“Hi sorry to disturb you, someone told me you received a letter like this?” A lady said.

“You got one too?” He asked. Morpheus didn’t feel so special now.

“Yeah a soldier came up and gave it to me.”

“I haven’t opened it yet.”

“Well you should.”

Morpheus pulled it out of his pouch and opened it.

‘Dear Morpheus, you have been offered a trial job by the scarecrows. By no means do you have to accept. If you do accept, the job description will reveal itself.’

Do you accept this scroll? Y/N

“Have you accepted?” He asked the women.

She nodded. He took a deep breath and suggested yes.

‘THIS MESSAGE IS CONFIDENTIAL. Explore the Ditorian hideout. Report information to Southcross. You will be guided to report your information when you enter Southcross. Rose Crownwell will be on the trial job with you. An area marked on your map is the supposed area of their hideout.’

“So, are we teaming?”

“I assume so.”

“Shit, I kinda wanted to properly see Citite.”

“Southcross is better.” She said with a smile. “Rose Crownwell, nice to meet you.” Rose extended her hand.

“Morpheus, nice to meet you too.” He said during the handshake.

He could properly look at Rose now. She had long straight black hair with bright red eyes. She was very striking and wore a mixture of burgundy leather armour and a few pieces of chain mail.

“You a mage?” Morpheus asked.

“Sorta, more hybrid.” Rose responded.

“That's cool, did you want to sit down somewhere? I need to go through my notifications.” He asked.

“Sure.”

The two found a clearing and now Morpheus could check all his notifications.

Amazing! You have slain (Warrior, Level 72)

Amazing! You have slain (Mage, Level 91) For killing an enemy 20 levels above your own additional experience has been added.

…

You have levelled up Battle-Axe Arts Level (19)

‘Congratulations’ you have levelled up Level (77) (1 stat point available)

‘Congratulations’ you have levelled up Level (78) (2 stat points available)

…

‘Congratulations’ you have levelled up Level (81) (5 stat points available)

‘Not really amazing’ he thought. He put his points into agility, to even out his physical stats.

“You’re really low level.” She said.

He looked at her quite offended. “Really I couldn’t tell.”

She laughed, Morpheus could already tell he would like her.

“Rumours say the scarecrows don’t touch anyone under one fifty.”

“Strange how you’re not one fifty.” He chatted back.

“Ha, I’d bet I can kick your ass.”

“We’ll find out soon. So you a noble?” He asked.

“Travelling noble.” She responded.

“That is?”

“My family travels around Arios selling goods. I was doing some jobs for the guild while we were in Citite, and I got caught up in this.”

“So you do jobs for each city you’re in?” He asked.

“Pretty much, I hate trading so I’m basically free protection for my family.”

“That’s pretty cool, so you’ve seen Arios?”

“Everywhere except the Empire.”

“I envy you, won’t your family be angry if you go on a job from the Scarecrows?”

“I’ve already spoken to my mother, she’s happy for me. Better than me just following them around.”

“Suppose it is.” He said.

“Have you got any food? I’m starving.”

He stared at her for a moment, but gave her an orc meat stick.

“Really, orc?.”

“Take it or leave it.”

She looked conflicted but still tore into it. He pulled out a tasty pastry and bit into it.

“Hey that’s unfair.”

“Yeah I know.” He said with a smirk.

“When do you want to set off?” Morpheus asked.

“Soon, I wonder what we can loot in there.” She said.

“It’s just an information job.”

“Well yeah but there’s no rule saying we can’t loot.”

“You like shiny things huh?” He joked.

“I am a merchant's daughter.”

“You’re a merchant now?” He asked.

“Noble merchant.” She said with a mouthful of food.

“Makes sense.” He laughed. “The location is eastbound along the south side of the Bording.”

“We should be able to reach it before nightfall.” Rose said.

“Sounds about right.”

“I know it’s rude of me to ask but what blood do you have in you.”

“War orc, troll, elf and human.”

“Woah, that’s awesome. And do you have all their best parts?” She asked.

“What do you mean by best parts?”

“Can you heal like a troll?”

“Yes I can.” He answered. “I thought most nobles would hate chimeras.”

She pouted and looked down at the ground. “Yeah, but that’s more of a stereotype. We visit all the cities and have met all kinds of people, so we don’t discriminate.”

Morpheus put on his ring.

“This better?” He asked.

“No, a chimera is way cooler.” She said with a smile.

Morpheus laughed. “What are your skills then?”

“I have earth enchantment and wind magic. Yours?” Rose responded.

“Arcane enchanter.” He replied.

“Cool, I attack from a distance and can also defend myself.”

“Nice, I can heal so I’m more of an up close fighter.”

“Front liner you mean?” She corrected him.

“Urm, well yes.” Morpheus awkwardly agreed.

Rose stood up and stretched, wind magic began to circulate around her.

“Can you move fast?” Rose asked.

Morpheus gave her a smirk and outstretched his wings.

“Can I touch them?”

“Yes careful though, they’re very sensitive.” He lied.

Rose touched the side of his wings and Morpheus let out a moan.

“I’m sorry!”

Morpheus burst out laughing. “I’m fucking with you.”

Her face scrunched up and she folded her arms.

“I was going to tell you where they’re from but I’m not now.”

Morpheus’s face changed. “You’ve seen them before?”

“Yes but that’s a secret for me. Maybe if you give me some more food later I’ll tell you.”

“Fine, can you fly?”

“Not yet, but I have wind manipulation.” She answered.

“Brilliant, shall we go?” Morpheus said and tucked his wings back in.

Rose nodded, and they were soon off.