Chapter 26: The City Lord, the Orphan.

A MARVEL the city that Forges Heroes. Redcoomshi is a sparling city state that is the best example on the continent of the union between man, dwarf, elf, and even gnome.

-Excerpt from EMPIRE WEEKLY. Written by John Wrashkin.

I thanked Gin as we walked out and into the city proper. We would be stopping by the inn later as I wanted to look around the city and hopefully trade my bag full of items. I constructed a sack using leaves and dried grass and inside it held a few small and large beast cores that we hunted throughout the years. I was also hoping to help ease Ryna’s mind as she finally had the confirmation that her father and friends were dead. All but one, and we did not know who survived.

“Mister and pretty lady I’ll show you around the city for a large copper.”

I down only to see a small maybe 5- to 6-year-old child in little more than rags smiling with hope in his eyes. It was here that I started to notice the abnormal amount of child beggars in the streets.

Taking a knee, the kid back up hesitantly but I gave him a reassuring smile.

“I don’t have any coins right now, but I have a lot to sell. Why don’t you take me to the area I can sell all these beast cores and I’ll take you up on that offer.”

“By the Goddess,” Ryna bent down before chanting and casting a quick spell on the child. The fatigue in his eyes disappeared and he stood up straighter.

“A pretty lady and a priest you’re one very lucky mister!”

Ryna blushed and I looked over at the kid who gave me a wink. I just laughed but I was surprised at Ryna not only blushing, but she shot a glance in my direction. She also used her limited divine mana to heal the boy. As she could not refill unless Arva visited her in a dream. The priestly casting system was completely different from your average mage and required divine mana which could only be given out by their god.

“What’s your name kid?”

“The streets call me Dax. I’m the best when it comes to getting anywhere fast and easy.”

I let out a genuine laugh as the kid tried to look tough while saying that.

“We’ll Dax how about I hire you permanently and take you out of here.”

Ryna looked at me in shock before her expression returned to normal. I was the son of a duke I could change anyone’s life just as simple as that. The boy looked up at me with wide green eyes and I got a proper look at his face as dirty and knotted curls covered them from head to his waist. If not for his voice I would have thought, he was a girl at first.

“The streets say I shouldn’t trust the word of a stranger.”

“How about this if I complete my pilgrimage would that make me more believable?”

I doubt the boy would truly understand my status if I mentioned it but being from the city where heroes are forged, he should clearly understand that.

“No one’s survived the pilgrimage in 10 years. My ma and da didn’t and neither can you!”

I didn’t expect an outburst like this from the kid but as he said the last sentence I came to an understanding. Either the people who undertook the trials would be forged into a hero or they died.

“I’m sorry, I’m not looking down on the memory of your family. How about this if I survive you come with me, and I promise to teach you the trick so the next time you return here you can complete the test for you ma and da.”

The kid looks perplexed and thought about it for a moment before nodding.

“Well then,” I said holding up the bag of cores. “Lead the way.”

***

Ryna watched as Aegis was led by the boy through the bustling city. It wasn’t until she was in the presence of the guard captain that she realized she was in the company of Aegis Kan the next ruler of the west dukedom. She had yet to realize that she too would be featured in the stories told for generations.

He didn’t act like he was any different than the common people. Ryna had been born a commoner but having a fallen noble for a mother put certain things in her perspective. The way they act, talked, hell even the way they walked was all measure and done in a manner that screamed NOBLE. Aegis Kan did none of those. He talked walked and even joked like he was the same as everyone else. It was no wonder that she quickly grew comfortable around him. That and Ryna believed that Aegis didn’t know how handsome he was. She was 18 now and the only thing that held her back is the knowledge that he was a magi human and actually 10 years old. Yet the casual flirting he did always caused her heart to skip a beat.

She didn’t know when she first started feeling this way. That was a lie Ryna knew exactly when she started feeling this way it all started a year ago.

(A Year Ago)

Ryna circled Aegis slowly spinning her staff and looking for an opening to attack. This was their morning routine to warm up their bodies for the day’s traveling. She jumped forward bringer her staff down in an overhead strike. Only to pull back as Aegis raised his buckler to block. Smirking she redirected her staff towards his chest. This was her favorite move to use on Aegis as it had come through several times. This time was different a clang ran out as her staff met the metal of his shield.

This threw Ryna slightly off balance and a predator took that opportunity to attack. Swooping in fast Ryna tried to bring her staff around but had no chance to react properly as she was stumbled to the ground. A body flashed an appeared in front of her and a grunt rang out as Aegis blocked the heavy blow tearing past his defense and sending him flying but giving her time to regain her footing and swing her staff in a vicious blow cracking into the skull of a skinny bear like creature. The beast skull caved in from the blow and Ryna knew what they were having for breakfast.

She turned towards Aegis only to still see him flying on the ground. Worried Ryna rushed towards the fallen teenager only to see dull eyes and no chest rises to indicate breathing. She began chanting and opened Aegis mouth to expand his lungs only for Aegis to grab her and swiftly put her into a head lock.

“I won.”

He wasn’t holding her tight, but Ryna felt so comfortable in his arms that she just laid there starring at the sky. For a moment flashes of when her mind was broken went through her head and the deal to regain herself as well. The patience that Aegis showed and the reluctant willingness to help her.

“Having fun princess?”

It was here. When he said it in such a soft and gentle tone. He had long since released her but when she didn’t move, he stayed just like that arms wrapped slightly around her.

(Present Day)

It was then that Ryna slowly became to look past his exterior and into his interior. She wondered if it was a good idea to bring it to Aegis attention that she liked him, deeply. With her new powers courteous of Aegis, she could see him for what he truly was. A gentle soul that was just struggling its way in a world of supposed dragons and gods. She saw so much history in his soul as if it was old beyond his years. Her attention returned as Aegis was finishing the sale of his beast cores and a Shadow dropped right in front of him backpack extended out.

***

I jumped back in shock as Shadow materialized in front of me with my backpack extended out. Literally materialized from foot to torso and finally her head. So much for coin I just traded for. Which I tossed to Ryna. With the size of the city, I thought it would be several hours before Shadow arrived. I thought wrong.

We stared at each other wordlessly before I finally reached out and accepted the backpack. Slinging it over my shoulder, the familiar weight settled on my back before I wordlessly walked pass the sun elf. It was time to head to the inn and I flipped Dax his coin and he took off in the direction. An hour later we were standing in front of the inner-city gates and our identification cards where being verified. Word had already spread to the guards of the inner city and even to the populace. Somehow the information that I had arrived in the city began to spread.

I was handed my identification card and let in. Interesting devices if I might add. The scanned your mana signature and it held a detailed code on your name, gender, and race. According to the guardsmen that I spoke with. In the time Gin talked with us they managed to record our signature from the unconscious release of mana everyone gave off. It gave me a new idea for training the moment these runic cuffs came off.

Dax hesitated to follow me through the gates, and I bent down to the child’s level so I could show him that I meant no harm.

“You can change your mind if you want too. However, I have the resources and power to change your life for the better and I will. What say you?” I asked holding out my hand.

His eyes darted around nervously, and he seemed to move in slow motion as his hand reached out. Until I realized that my perception of time was just in another state, and I settled my mind. A perk of increasing your tier. In time the regular mortals would begin to seem slow one of the first things I learned about increasing your strength and seeing it now made me want it off immediately. It would give me more time to plan out in battle but in a daily life this was not ideal. I closed my eyes and calmed my accelerating nerves. Before opening them, the moment Dax hand settled into mine. The foursome made its way through the gates. We would rest up for a day. Then it would be time to meet City Lord Xaivon.

***

I checked myself once over in the outfit that had been prepared and delivered to my room. It was all black in my usual style with random white swirls woven throughout. My face was cleanly shaven, and my eyes shined bright. A knock was heard at my door, and I knew I was running out of time, but it had been so long since I had a hot shower and food not cooked on a stick that I ended up indulging myself. Ryna and Dax retired early after the boy ate so much after he had a round belly, and the moment Ryna realized she could take a hot shower.

It always amazed me how some things in the Empire could be just as advance as modern day Earth or still in a medieval/renaissance period. Like the blacksmith clans of the Empire which kept a tight hold on the weapons market, yet we have hot water powered by magic of course which led to showers and other necessities. Fridges, hotplates to warm food, newspapers where all things that was present and even more so here in Redcoomshi.

The knock came once again and Ryna muffled voice came from the other side. I invited her to attend the city lords party with me and I wouldn’t take no for an answer going as far as to make sure she had a dress provided. Dax would be left in the care of the innkeeper who I paid to have watched so the boy didn’t wander off and get into trouble.

I opened the door to a blushing beautiful girl, and I paused in shock. Ryna had always been pretty but when you’re stuck together for a few years that initial adoration for her beauty quickly wore off. I saw Ryna as a friend yet because of what happened between us I could never bring myself to fully trust her. What if one day she found a way around what the System did and how she could see glowing platforms filled with words in her vision. She was outside of my control, and I couldn’t let that factor go. I had enough of people controlling me.

The blushing girl stopped her knocking and looked me up and down before blushing harder. She twirled in her dress before returning to face me.

“What do you think?”

“You’re beautiful and the jewelry only enhances your features.”

Ryna was wearing a tightish white-blue dress that almost matched her hair perfectly with silver earrings and a necklace to accentuate her features. Her hair was done in a braid woven in a crown and light makeup was applied giving her a vibrant look. Her small dainty nose wrinkled at the compliment before brightening as I held my arm out for her.

As we made our way out to the waiting carriage pulled by a oxen with a double pair of wicked horns Ryna suddenly stopped.

“I…I don’t know if I should go. I’m not a noble and my mother barely gave me the proper etiquette training especially for an event as large as this.”

“Well, it’s too late now,” I said with a grin on my face as I lifted her and planted her in the carriage. Her face turned bright red and her pale skin glisten in the city light. She was truly beautiful and suddenly I had a slight desire for her. Like a dragon eyeing a piece of gold and I shook my head to clear my thoughts. My heartbeat faster as I sat next to her, and my temperature increased. I turned my attention inwards and finally realized what was going on. My bloodline was having a reaction as we moved closer to the city lord’s manner and in turn Mt. Redcoomshi the cities namesake. I took deep breaths until I felt a hand on my forehead and divine mana entering my system calming my nerves and settling my bloodline. I looked towards Ryna in appreciation, and she gave me a reassuring smile. I winked back and we made small talk as we traveled to the castle in the distance.

***

“Announcing Young Master Aegis Kan, son of Duke Vasu Kan, Lord of the Wall and ally to the free city state of Redcoomshi and Lady Ryna Rohan.”

Xaivon studied the young man, child, as he was a magic human and was younger. If rumors where to believe 10 years old. 10 years old and already at the early stages of the 5th tier. 10 years old and already at the 5th tier with the girl on his side being the same. Xaivon felt like his younger years of cultivating must have been a joke if 10-year-olds could walk around with this kind of power.

Most Kans only did the journey after they were tier 6/7 and 18-21as the records of the previous city lords had stated yet here in front of him was a 10-year-old tier 5 of Path of the Body. He was barely tier 2 at 10-years-old.

Monster.

He would have said genius but that was far from the truth. Only a monster who truly understood himself and body could gain so much strength in such a small amount of time. His aura control was steady and kept to himself instead of the wild flailing’s most new tier 5s would have.

Monster.

Xaivon eyes landed on the young lady next to the Kan heir and was surprised that she was at that level for being a daughter of a fallen noble. Yet her mother was still a noble even fallen and must have poured a tremendous number of resources to help her daughter improve at the same rate as nobles who still held their title. The amount of funds would not be cheap. Precious herbs, ores, and elixirs that would cost a barony just for the base amount that would allow you to keep up with your peers.

Monsters.

Aegis slowly made his way in front of him and gave him a slight bow.

Laughing but still thinking internally of the monsters in front of him Xaivon made his way down the steps while studying Aegis.

“No need for that you are a friend basically family.”

The boy stood at 6ft tall with black dreadlocks hanging in a loose fashion around his head with the ends being a fierce fiery red. Like a dying ember being gently blown upon. He had broad shoulders but held a slim compact build with tight muscles that showed through his outfit. He wore a black tunic with intricate white swirl patterns woven within. While the rest of his outfit matched the all black approach. His face was square shaped with high cheekbones and a well-defined jaw line. The boy was handsome and Xaivon could see why the girl at his side eyes rarely moved from his face. Yet the boy either didn’t notice or didn’t care.

“Thank you for the hospitality city lord!”

“Ha-ha come call me Xaivon or uncle even after all my brother is the father of your cousin Amaya.”

Xaivon watched the boy’s eyes widen slightly and his aura fluctuate. So, they hadn’t told him. Oh.

“My apologies’, Uncle Xaivon.” Even with the sudden revelation of their familial bonds the boy was quick to recover his composure however, Xaivon felt Gin eyes boring into his back. Did he forget to mention he was related to the Kans?

“A gift for our first meeting hopefully something to help you out amongst the trials.”

A bracelet appeared in his hands, and he held it out. Aegis accepted the gift and Xaivon caught a glimpse of the fabled runic cuffs. A smile appeared on his face as Aegis equipped the bracelet.

“I can sense the magic in it. What does it do?” The boy looked at him curiously.

“You’ll know when the time comes,” Xaivon said adding a hint of mysteriousness to his voice while winking.