Once he walked through the heavily reinforced gates, Regis was greeted by neatly separated stone houses designed in a late baroque style. White stone columns and simple cartouche decorated most of the buildings with some sporting small domes in their red clay tiled roofs. Even in the dark early morning, the sight was breath taking. It was a clear and obvious step-up from the ordinary commoner housings and marked this part of the city as the noble district. After a short yet tiresome walk, the guard stopped in his tracks for a moment.

“Here we are. I hope that I don’t have to remind you to watch your manners when inside the city lord’s lodgings.”

“Sure thing.” Regis nodded as he rolled his eyes.

The home of Hunor’s current occupying lord was a manor with high and thick stone walls around it. The looks of the building bore the obvious markings of the late baroque western European architecture designs. As it came into view, the first thing Regis noticed beside the building’s design was the large tree with its faintly glowing leaves. It was almost as big as most oak trees he had seen in the backyard of the college before, but the glowing crown of leaves and the silver coloured fruits that grew on it made it much more majestic.

“So this is the local Landwaker.” He sighed with a slight amazement.

“That indeed,” the guard nodded. “It’s too bad that it’s still too young. If it would be a decade older or a rank higher then we’d have enough food for everyone. Over there, at the side entrance.”

Regis followed the man towards a door with two other guards in front of it. Several piles of weapons and armour were laid next to the wall near the door that he believed to be his friends’ gains. He placed his things near the rest and followed the guard as the man opened the door. Once inside, the youth barely had time to take in the sight of the lavishly decorated side room when something crashed into him.

“Regis,” Sophie hugged him after jumping at him. “I was so worried! We backed away and then we heard you scream and…”

“Are you okay?” Amanda cut into her friend’s tear choked words when she noticed the dark elf’s face contort in a slight pain.

“I think some of my wounds tore back open.” He wheezed as the petite elf girl let go of him.

“I’m so sorry!” The elven girl apologised as Quentin stepped next to Regis.

“Let me take a look,” he said. “It seems that you’ve managed to fix most of them yourself, but a quick healing prayer should mend the smaller remains until we head over to the church for proper healing.”

“Thanks,” Regis nodded. “Did you guys manage to get out fine?”

“We did,” Khan slapped him in the shoulder. “But one of the guards got skewered by an armoured freak.”

“It was one of those fallen squires,” Amanda explained seeing his puzzled expression. “A larger group of fallen reached us while we were retreating and that squire sneak attacked the guardsman right as it killed off one of the infantrymen. The other guards went into frenzy and pretty much decimated the damned thing.”

“I see. Where are they by the way? Didn’t they come here with you guys? And the more important question is; what are we even doing here?”

“We came here together,” Quentin finished his healing prayer. “The guardsmen are in the next room, getting patched up while waiting to meet the nobleman that took over Hunor. Since we’re outlanders, we can’t go in there unless called, but Grego said that he’ll ask the lord to allow us to join them as soon as he arrives.”

“The whole city is terrified,” Sophie sat down on a seat near the wall. “I’ve heard that they even sent out a couple of wizards to help the defence efforts.”

“I’ve seen them while everyone was retreating back behind the walls. Those guys went full on human flamethrower mode and burned at least a hundred fallen in a few seconds. The portcullis was closed and the archers and the rest of the fellows atop the city wall took over.” Regis explained before his stomach protested with a loud growl.

“Here,” Amanda tossed over a silver coloured ball. “We already ate our share, but Norma made sure that the noble’s guards left one here for you as well.”

“An apple?” Regis stared at the silver fruit before using charlatan’s wisdom on it.

{Lesser Landwaker’s harvest}

{Item rarity: common}

{Item quality: ordinary}

{Consumable/Crafting material}

{This apple is the gift born from the local Landwaker tree. While it lacks any elemental affinity, consuming it will grant you the ‘well fed’ and ‘rested’ status.}

“What did you do?” Khan asked him suddenly.

“What?”

“Your eyes were glowing as you muttered something when you touched that apple.”

“I used charlatan’s wisdom on it. It turned out to be both a consumable and a crafting material.”

“You can identify items? That’s a very useful spell to have.” Quentin said as he watched him take one bite after the other.

“It is, but it levels slowly, even though I’ve used it on pretty much every enemy and item I came across.”

“What can it do exact…”

“Come on in!” A voice from their side cut into the conversation as a guard opened the door nearby.

“Looks like the nobleman arrived.” Regis mumbled before he took one last bite into it.

While the others headed towards the door, he noticed a small shimmering seed in the apple core. Out of habit, he identified it.

{Lifeless seed}

{Item rarity: common}

{Item quality: waste}

{Consumable/Crafting material}

{The dying seed of a Landwaker’s fruit still has some magic in it. It can be chewed on as is to regain 5 points of Arcana. Alchemists and brewers can use these seeds in their craft as well, but they will never grow into anything when planted into the ground.}

As he read the seed’s description, his mind drifted towards the memories that the runebound spell waver inheritance left behind. Not having the time to fully sift through the jumbled memories, he shoved the apple core into his satchel before snatching the already brown apple cores from the nearby small plate as well. He hurried after the others, entering into what seemed like a meeting room. While it was spacious, it still felt cramped with the near dozen people inside.

“Regis,” a familiar voice called out to him. “I’m glad you’ve made it!”

“Glad to see you too Norma!” He said as he saw the worried guardswoman relax a bit.

“You’ve scared us there for a moment, lad.” Grego patted him on the back before an intentional cough shook them up.

“My apologies, Lord Verner!” Grego bowed respectfully towards a well-dressed man that stood near a brightly burning fireplace.

“I’ve already heard about the situation at the west gate, but my guards told me that my son had caused trouble as well.”

“He did.” Grego sighed as he looked at the arrogant youth sitting in a comfortable chair.

“What happened?” The stern faced nobleman looked over the ragged guards with a hint of compassion.

“He and his group ventured too far and got themselves surrounded by the fallen. We managed to get him and a few others out, but the way he acted…” Grego paused for a moment.

“Yes? You can speak your mind.”

“He caused problems during his rescue. There were casualties, including your nephew.”

“It was because…”

“It happened because you’ve ran away like a coward.” Regis noted as he looked at the pampered youth.

“How dare, you? I’ll have your head for this, vagrant!”

“That won’t change the fact that people died because of your cowardice,” Regis stared back at him with his amethyst eyes beginning to glow. “I’ve seen you push people in front of the fallen, the guards had seen it and every mercenary and refugee present had seen it. They’re not idiots, you know? They all know what happened and why.”

“Please forgive my young friend here,” Grego hastily apologized as he pulled the dark elf back. “He’s still restless because of the abomination he fought off to cover our retreat.”

“Who cares what some waste from the streets thinks about?” Dusen stood up, looking at the ragtag group of outlanders with an arrogant expression.

“Silence!” The city lord raised his voice.

“But father,” the young noble grunted. “This dark elf bastard dared to talk to me like…”

Before Dusen could finish his words, he got slapped silent by the city lord. The man stared daggers at the youth before he turned towards Grego.

“Captain,” he spoke after a deep breath. “Tell me what really happened!”

“Sir…” Grego hesitated as he looked at the young nobleman that now stood in shock while touching his hastily reddening face.

“I don’t care about petty grievances, but my nephew is dead and this youth is accusing Dusen with the death of others. I need to know what happened.”

“Well,” the captain cleared his throat. “From what the 10th guard troop’s captain told me; Dusen and his cousin came to the ramparts just before nightfall. They’ve ordered the other defenders to clear off from the area so that they could ‘hunt’ without distractions."

"Hunt?" Lord Verner's eyebrows rose as he heard that word.

"Yes. Despite the guard captain’s warnings, they ventured closer and closer to the dark edge of the battlefield until they were too far from the ramparts. When the stronger undead showed up, they’ve only managed to kill a few before they got overwhelmed. They ran back towards us, chased by a pack of undead beasts and warriors. Dusen even threw a few refugees in front of the undead to halter them, but they still caught up to him. As for your nephew...”

“Trenmond,” the lord of the city sighed. “His name was Trenmond. You can continue.”

“Yes. They were already surrounded by the fallen when we managed to head over to help. We got there to see Trenmond being slain by a brutish fallen. Regis and his friends arrived nearly at the same time as well, killing their way to Dusen before trying to get him to safety. He then went into frenzy, trying to fight them and us as well before we managed to drag him back to the ramparts" Grego looked at the small group of outlanders.

"Regis’ group covered our backs during the retreat while he personally stayed back to kill a higher level undead. We immediately brought your son and the rest of our troops back to make sure their wounds were properly treated, losing one of our own in the process. The rest you’ve already heard from your wizards, milord.”

“I see,” lord Verner sighed even deeper. “I must thank you for saving my foolish son! If even he would have died, then my family’s bloodline would likely end with me and my daughter.”

“But father…”

“Silence!” Verner slapped his son even harder. “You have caused enough disgrace as it is. I allowed you and Trenmond to join the city’s defenders, so that you would learn how to lead by example. And what did you do? You’ve earned the scorn of the people, getting several of them killed with your cowardice!” The man wheezed in anger.

“Father,” a soft voice called out to him from the side. “Please calm down! I know that you are angry and Dusen surely deserves to be reprimanded, but please do so when alone.”

“You are right,” the man groaned bitterly as he looked at a young lady sitting beside the window. “You’re always right. How I wish that you would have been born a man. You would surely be a better successor than him. As for you; I swear to Flonus that if I hear one more word from you, I’ll hand you over to the crowd myself. Now get back to your room and wait for me there!”

Lord Verner took a few deep breaths to regain his composure before he turned back to the guards and Regis.

“I must also thank you for killing those abominations. It’s an achievement worthy of praise on its own, not to mention that you have saved Dusen as well. For this, I’ll grant you 2 skill crystals or spell gems from my own collection and 1 for your comrades to reward their aid. My advisor, Chera will lead you to the room where you can take your pick as I’ve promised. Now leave us! I must have a word with my guard captains.”

As soon as the nobleman finished his thoughts, golden letters burned through the air in front of Regis’ eyes.

{You have succeeded in the rescue of the city lord’s son, earning his gratitude.}

{You have received 200 renown points. You have received 200 reputation points.}

{Renown necessary towards caste elevation: 1118}

{Reputation necessary towards Hunor standing elevation: 118}

“We humbly thank you, your lordship!” Quentin took the lead with a slight bow, followed by the rest of the group.

“Regis,” Norma called the elven youth aside. “Could you do me a favour?”

“What do you need?” He asked back as he stepped closer.

“It looks like we’ll be here for a little longer and I thought that you and your friends would head over to the temple anyways, so...”

“You want me to tell your sister that you’re all right?”

“Yes,” she nodded. “The church must have been swarmed by the injured already and she’ll likely be worried about me.”

“Don’t worry,” the dark elf nodded. “I’ll tell her that you’re fine and will drop by a little later. Can I also ask a favour?”

“Of course you can.”

“I know it sounds weird, but can you get me Landwaker fruit seeds? The others told me that everyone was given an apple when they got here. I already took the apple cores of the others, but that will only get me a few seeds.”

“What do you need them for?” The guardswoman asked with a raised eyebrow.

“They still have some magic in them and as a wizard; I could make use of that.”

“I’ll see what I can do about it. How much do you need?”

“A handful should be enough, or whatever amount you can get without causing any problems for you.”

“All right,” she nodded. “Get going! The others won’t wait for you much longer.”

The young dark elf re-joined his group and they’ve found it better to get out of the nobleman’s sight before he would change his mind, so they’ve followed the elegant robe wearing woman through the fancy hallways to another extravagant room.