Chapter 28 - Bounty

Name: Jason Foreti

Level 4

Class: None

A hammer clanged against metal, repeatedly ringing out into the village center. The blacksmith nearby was rhythmic in his motions and put Jason into a sort of trance as he stared at the flyer posted up on the village billboard. A crowd of onlookers were gathered around and a messenger from the capital stood on a small platform where the billboard was stationed. In turn, two armored soldiers were standing on either side of him.

“2000 GOLD FOR EVERY EARTHBORN CAPTURED ALIVE, NO GOLD SHALL BE AWARDED TO THOSE BROUGHT DEAD. PROOF OF THE TRAIT WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE CLERICS IN THE CAPITAL.” The short stocky man with dimples and dressed in blue silk attire cleared his throat. “500 GOLD TO THOSE WHO BRING INFORMATION THAT LEADS TO THE CAPTURE OF AN EARTHBORN. THESE BEINGS MAY LOOK LIKE YOU OR I, BUT ARE A DANGER TO THE KINGDOM! IT IS OUR CIVIC DUTY TO AID THE KING IN DETAINING THESE HELLIONS AND BRINGING THEM TO DIVINE JUSTICE.”

The dimpled man continued to talk as questions about what or who earthborn were came up, and Jason looked sideways to see Elise’s face go pale. She reached a hand out and grabbed his, squeezing tightly. Jason had already told her entire family about where he was from, and he’d even shown all of them his very unique Earthborn trait. In fact, he’d told his entire story to them after he’d an emotional episode relating to that stupid videoclip… the one where nukes had been set off across numerous cities on Earth. When that video ended, Jason realized that his once-upon-a-time home was probably gone for good… along with everyone he knew.

Hopefully… hopefully Elise’s family hadn’t mentioned any of it to other people in the village.

It was very interesting to him that other Earthborn were in the area though… It appeared he was not alone.

“If I may ask a question as well?!” a middle aged brunette woman, wearing leggings and a plain mud-brown skirt, raised her hand and stepped up to the platform. “Why has the king ignored our requests for aid? Cultists have burned three nearby settlements to the ground in the past few months with many dead. Many of our family members lay amongst those dead or abducted. The latest was the town of Telm to the north. There are rumors that they attack people on the road as well, many of us are afraid to travel outside our village. I would think that this is a much bigger problem than any so-called Earthborn, wouldn’t you?”

Many in the crowd nodded in agreement and the murmuring grew louder. The man in blue silk stiffened and the guards glanced at each other with a look of annoyance.

“It is not your place to question the king, PEASANT!” the dimpled man replied, his face turning bright red with his rising anger and his cheeks puffing out. “The king has offered a great sum of money that would make anyone here far richer than they already are, you should be grateful! And as for those bandits… those are nothing but rumors and superstition. I would not lose sleep over it.”

“Easy for you to say when you don’t live here in the outlands. I’m sure you’ll be going back to the inner or coastal cities after this little vacation of yours?” asked a skinny, freckled man of medium height that Jason recognized as the alchemist of Vork.

“That’s none of your business!” sneered the king’s messenger, patting down his fine clothes that had become ruffled. “If there are no more questions regarding the more pressing matters here, I will take my leave so that my time isn’t wasted. Good day.”

A small uproar of protesting came from about the group of 40 to 50 people and the guards assigned to the messenger forcefully pushed the peasants aside to lead the pompous messenger back to his horse.

“They are so full of shit!” spat Mattis angrily from somewhere behind Jason.

Jason was surprised to hear the familiar voice, and looked back to see him staring. Mattis put a pale hand on Jason’s shoulder and gave a brief nod.

“Elise, gather the rest of your family and let’s meet back at your house.” Mattis turned and walked away, his black hair swaying in the breeze as he adjusted his coat.

Elise had a wide-eyed look of deep stress. “He’s right. We need to talk about this with the family. Come on Jason, let’s go.”

***

The fire of the outdoor pit flickered and glowed in defiance against the grey sky that spoke of storms to come. The wind picked up again to sway the trees of the forest nearby and another blast of cold rocked Jason’s body. He pulled the large fur coat he’d borrowed from Borthome around him tightly. Winter was on its way, and the trees around him were beginning to lose their leaves… turning into various colors of red or orange.

Estela swatted at a bug next to her. “So we’re all sure that no one has said anything about this earthborn thing… right?”

Everyone nodded.

“2000 gold… that’s quite the sum of money.” Mattis stroked his stubble of a beard and groaned. “Why would they want you or your kind, Jason?”

Jason shrugged with a grim look. “No idea. I haven’t ever done anything to them.”

“Of course you haven’t!” snapped Elise in frustration. “This is ridiculous!”

“King Hethemon is probably concerned about the fact that you can’t truly die… at least not when the permanence cycle your status page talks about is ‘ON.’ He may also want you for soldiers in his army. Who knows.” Borthome’s train of thought was interrupted with another cough. “Just lay low and don’t let anyone know about what you are. None of us here will say anything, I assure you.”

Jason smiled to the older, broader man who in turn reassuringly smiled back. Elise’s father was a kind man, and Jason was happy to know him.

“There’s no WAY we would turn in the one who saved our daughter!” said Estela with a humph. “Anyways, ENOUGH with this nonsense! Nommen, Amaia, Elise, Corela - come help me finish up sewing these dresses. Tomorrow is the festival and I want to be done making them before then! I’m likely to sell at least a dozen in the morning before it starts, and I’ve already had five customers drop by the house today.”

“NOOOOOO!” wailed their pregnant eldest daughter Corela, causing her mother Estela to come over to where she sat - only to drag her by the ear into the house as the rest of her children laughed.

Elise looked up to Jason and turned his face to hers. She held it in both hands, breathed in, and drew his lips into her own. They gently kissed for a couple seconds before releasing one another. Butterflies welling up inside of Jason’s stomach and he blushed profusely after they finished.

“You’re so handsome!” Elise said with a wink, then she roughed up his hair before skipping off to join her mother inside.

Mattis and Borthome smirked, watching her giddily glide past them while leaving Jason a nearly glowing bright red.

“My daughter has taken a real liking to you, Earthborn. And in a very short amount of time. Don’t go breaking her heart now!” muttered Borthome half jokingly while pointing a sausage-like finger. He picked himself up and downed a bottle of thick green medicine. “Would you two mind cutting some wood and putting it in the fire pit? I don’t want it dying on us, it’s been freezing lately and I’m already sick!”

The older man gruffly coughed and inched closer to the fire, holding his big hands over the blaze to warm them.

Mattis laughed with a roll of his eyes, and he along with Jason stood up to fetch the woodcutting axes placed against the wall nearby. “You just use us for slave labor you lazy oaf! You’re not THAT sick!”

Borthome grinned deviously at the two young men and faked another loud cough, pulling a quilted blanket around him and then starting to shiver in exaggeration.

“Let’s go!” chuckled Jason while he snorted at the ridiculous overkill Borthome was putting on. He was really beginning to like it here.

Soon, he along with Mattis had stepped into the forest and out of sight.

***

The woods immediately adjacent to the cabin were generally left alone because Estela liked the look of it, so the two men traveled about a mile out before stopping at the small clearing the family usually took wood from. Stumps of previously-cut trees were present, and a couple squirrels rushed away at the sight of the two humans.

Mattis adjusted his fur lined boots and raised his axe to take a swing at a tree they’d picked out. Glancing over his shoulder mischievously, he put up a grin. “So… have you two done anything more than kiss?”

Jason’s face turned bright red and he took a swing at the tree as well, causing Mattis to smirk even more deeply.

“N-No we haven’t!” stammered Jason . He pulled his axe out to hoist it in the air again and with all his might swung back at the tree. “I mean… obviously I’ve WANTED to, but I didn’t feel it was appropriate to disobey her father’s orders. They’ve been so kind to me, I wouldn’t want to ruin that relationship.”

“I’m sure Elise has pressed you for it though, she clings to you!” Mattis dug his axe deep into the wood with another swing and grunted with the impact. “Am I right?”

Jason smiled widely and slowly nodded, appreciating the scenery of the forest and wild outdoors. City life had secluded him from this kind of beauty… and now he was seriously regretting how he’d grown up after the short amount of time spent with Elise or the others of her family. The outdoors was full of wonder, and just being here in the wilderness gave him a sense of self-fulfillment that he’d never had before.

“KNEW IT!” laughed Mattis triumphantly. “But you seem like a good guy, so for what it’s worth I like you and very much approve. You know, you’re a much better choice than any of her other suitors.”

“Other suitors?” asked Jason with a worried expression as he stopped chopping to look at the other man. “What do you mean?”

Mattis laughed and rested his axe on his right shoulder. “Elise is exceptionally pretty, you didn’t think you’d be the only one after her... did you?”

Jason scowled ferociously.

“Don’t worry Jason, it seems she’s chosen you. In fact I overheard her talking to her sisters just yesterday and she seems to be getting jealous of all the attention you’re receiving when you walk around the village.”

Jason’s eyebrows raised. He continued his chopping at the tree in front of him, concentrating on the feel of the axe's rough wood against his fingers, and taking his time to reply while he thought about the days past. “I don’t recall anyone giving me ‘attention,’ no idea what she’s talking about.”

“Pshhh, I’ve seen it for myself you fool. Don’t act like you don’t know.”

Jason smirked and took another swing, sending wood chips flying that Mattis had to deflect with an upraised hand.

“Alright maybe a little bit, but I thought they were just being friendly.”

“A little more than friendly I’d say. You’re quite the lady killer.” Mattis motioned for Jason to move and swung one last time, then the tree began to toppel just as predicted - with creaks and snaps. Seconds later it crashed to the ground while the two men watched from a safe distance.

“Don’t you have a date with Elise tomorrow? You’re going to the festival with her right?”

Jason smiled wide and proud, swinging the axe around to rest on his shoulder. “Yes sir! I’m not sure what to expect, but I’m very excited. Any tips for me? Any norms I need to know about?”

Mattis shook his head and eyed the fallen tree. He walked over to where the branches began, shrugged, and started cutting. “Not really. Basically, everyone just gets together and parties. The village council already collected contributions from everyone, just like every year, and now they’re responsible for throwing a feast. Vendors bring their wares, bonfires are lit throughout the village center… Then we have singing, dancing, and sports or contests where people who are looking to marry like to show off. Everyone’s going to be there. Just show up and have a good time!”

Jason pushed a hand through his blonde hair and nervously blinked a couple times, trying to envision him dancing with the girl he’d fallen for over the past few weeks. He snapped out of it when Mattis threw him a rope, and together they tied one of the ends and began to pull it through the woods towards the place he had come to call home.

“By the way, I noticed you’ve leveled up.” Mattis commented in appreciation. “How’s hunting going? Improve your archery at all?”

Jason’s grin was immediate. “Heck yes! I’ve had a great teacher after all. Not many of the animals give great XP but when we killed that bear for the hide and food… that’s what did it for the last level up. Had to shoot the stupid thing six times between us both!”

***

When Mattis and Jason arrived back at the cabin, the freckled alchemist of the village was sitting next to Borthome and Elise at the firepit. He wore a satchel stuffed with herbs on his hip, a long tunic with pants much too large for him, and he was just beginning to bald in the back of his head. He looked up and raised a friendly hand as the two young men approached with the tree carried between them.

“Hello Mattis! And I presume this is Jason?” the alchemist asked. He adjusted his short brown hair as if he was trying to fix something wrong with it and stood up. “Nice to meet you, my name is Elandry. I’m the village alchemist, in case you didn’t know that already!”

“Nice to meet you too Elandry!” Jason stuck out his hand, but Elandry looked rather puzzled at the act. Jason cleared his throat and withdrew it hastily. “Sorry, bad habit. It’s a greeting where I come from.”

Elandry continued to look puzzled. “You’re not from around here then? And... I have seen it done before in the cities. Handshakes, I mean. It just caught me off guard, some of the people in bigger towns do it too... Just not usually out in the boonies where we live.”

Jason went pale and Elise gave him a criticizing look.

“I travel for a living, I just arrived here.”

Thankfully, Elandry took it in stride and accepted the explanation without further questioning. “Oh, I see. Must be quite the adventurer then! Anyways, I was actually waiting for you to arrive so I could talk to you. I have a proposition for you and Elise here.”

“Proposition?” repeated Jason. Mattis placed a hand on his shoulder and turned, beginning to chop pieces of the tree they had carried and then throwing them into the nearby fire.

The alchemist nodded patiently. “That’s what I said! So let me explain. I know that you and Elise here have been going into the woods and hunting together lately while my good friend Borthome here is sick.” He scowled at Borthome with a menacing glare. “He hasn’t been taking his medicine like I told him to.”

“Pig shit is what it is…” mumbled Borthome who blushed under his angry wife’s gaze.

Elandry ignored his friend completely. “Unfortunately, I fear that his sickness has become immune to the concoction I was treating him with… because he didn’t take it as properly indicated the first time. So I need certain ingredients that you can find in Mithin Forest. I have prepared a list of what I need and what they look like.”

Elandry pulled out a rolled up paper and handed it to Jason for him to read. “Beneath the first list that includes all the things I need for Borthome, I have another larger list of general types of herbs and plants I use on a daily basis. Along with certain animal parts. I’d like you two to collect as many of these ingredients as you can, and I will gladly pay you for your work. What do you think?”

“You have been offered a quest: Ingredients for Elandry - collect the required ingredients listed on Elandry’s list for Borthome’s new remedy. Any additional ingredients collected may be turned in for gold at any time. Completing this quest will result in XP. Do you accept or decline?” a mechanical voice stated.

Jason paused at the voice ringing in his brain, but quickly flipped back to reality and nodded with a smile. “Of course we will! I would do it for free if you asked me to.”

“You have accepted the quest: Ingredients for Elandry.”

Elise and Borthome smiled in approval at Jason’s words from behind the alchemist.

“Great!” declared Elandry with a slap to his thigh. “Elise had said you would help her, but I thought I’d make it official by asking you myself.”

“This will be a good opportunity to gain levels anyways, Jason needs to practice his archery and tracking! He’s only level 4!” Elise stuck out a tongue and made a face at Jason teasingly.

Elandry briefly inspected Jason to clarify this. “She seems to be right. For a brand new hunter, that seems to be on track though. Don’t let her get to you. Have you only been killing rabbits and squirrels or have you gone for larger prey yet?”

Elise snickered, but Jason began to panic. He’d just learned about identification two days ago and wasn’t sure if Elandry could see his traits or not after identifying him.

“Uh… yeah and deer… I’m kind of new to it. But Elise is a good teacher.” Jason stuttered and awkwardly scratched behind his head.

For curiosity’s sake, he identified Elise to see what level she was at. He was quickly reminded that no, he could not see her traits… so hopefully this alchemist couldn't see Jason's.

Name: Elise

Race: Human

Class: Hunter

Level: 8

HP: ???

MP: ???

SP: ???

DP: ???

“Levels don’t count for everything, hun.” Amaia said reassuringly, realizing that Jason was likely embarrassed given the flushing of his face. “You were lower level than Elise, but you still saved her-”

Amaia caught her words as Elise and the rest of her family shot her death glares in warning.

“I-I mean you saved her from that bear. Right? Levels are only an indication of strength but a fully grown level 10 dragon could eat our entire village!” Amaia gave a fake laugh and felt her heart pounding, almost having given away that Jason had killed someone from the village in front of the alchemist.

“A level 10 fully grown dragon is unheard of, it wouldn’t have grown up if it couldn’t kill and eat. In the process it would have leveled.” Elise snorted sourly, knowing exactly what her younger sister had almost done.

Elandry pooched his lips. “Hmmm. Well anyways, I have to go now. My wife will be mad if I’m gone too long and accuse me of flirting with our neighbor again. NOT that I did so in the first place! I just married a jealous hag!”

Borthome snickered and slapped Elandry on the shoulder. “Better get going then! I know how feisty she can get!”

As the two friends joked to one another, Elise stepped up to Jason and bounced a couple times on the balls of her feet. “Can we leave now!?”

Jason quizzically looked the stunning redhead over. “I assume you’re eager to start?”

Elise nodded and dashed inside to get their bows, pulling them off the wall along with the quivers of bronze arrows. She came back out with an oak short bow for herself and the willow longbow for him. She also attached a dagger to her belt and did the same for Jason. Holding up a dirty brown sack, she motioned for him to follow. Jason could only assume it was for carrying any ingredients they found back to the house.

“By the way...” Jason whispered. “Is he able to see my traits if he identifies me?”

Elise shook her head. “We talked about this, remember? Traits, skills and stats are only able to be read by those with the identifier class. The option doesn’t even come up for you or me. Those people specialize in the identification skill, and those are the ones you need to watch out for - but otherwise you are safe.”

“Yeah I know we talked about it. I just wanted to clarify one more time… that bounty made me nervous.” Jason let out a sigh of relief. He’d only messed around with Identifying things a couple times before and he’d had no idea how it really worked. As they got further out into the forest though, he lost his feeling of being on edge and just enjoyed being in the presence of the girl he’d come to like so much.