~ Late again! I know! Real life stuff got in the way! Next weekend I will release two chapters because of this! m(_V_)m ~ nEoQuIcKsiLvEr

Chapter 11 - To the North

Chieftain Scar had a stern expression as he heard Voriff's words. The Four Gods would wage war once every thousand years. In doing so, they would involve the entirety of the Western continent. The last time the Four Gods had waged war, it brought all races and countries into an accumulation called "The Great War." No one really knows why the Gods choose to do so but their champions who represent them have always led the charge.

People on the Western continent believe the war occurs to select a singular God or a true leader amongst the Four Gods. Others think it was to test the faith of believers and non-believers alike. Some had once believed that the war of the Four Gods was just a fabrication. Only those who have lived through it and witnessed it firsthand can tell you of its legitimacy. Yet it has occurred at the same interval and has been recorded multiple times in history. Everyone knows about the war of the Four Gods.

"So it has come," Chieftain Scar tightened his hand into a fist. "Soon another war will begin."

"Yes," Voriff sighed. "We should tell the Emperor soon."

"Which God the Emperor chooses to unite under will have an everlasting effect on the Orcs of the Western continent." Chieftain Scar said deep in thought.

"He doesn't have to choose," Voriff said. "There is already a chosen."

Chieftain Scar sharpened his gaze at Voriff.

"Who?"

Voriff pinched the bridge of his nose before giving a heavy sigh.

"Maude has been chosen by the Amber God of the West."

Chieftain Scar stood up from his throne in shock.

"Maude has?..." Chieftain Scar said with a pale face.

"Yes," Voriff replied. "Roux has gifted Maude with the relic of the spider."

Chieftain Scar lost almost all feelings to his legs as he slumped back down on his throne.

"How long do we have?" Chieftain Scar stared at the ground.

"A couple years or maybe sooner, depending on the actions of the other chosen," Voriff replied.

In a few more years, it will be a complete millennium and that is when the war will start anew with the Four Gods taking action. For now, only Maude has appeared to have been chosen by one of the Four Gods. By being a representative of the Four Gods, Maude will receive great glory but her destiny will be dangerous. She will be blessed by the Amber God but cursed at the same time. One of the Four representatives must be the sole survivor to end the war of Gods.

In leading up to a complete millennium, many things can happen. It was not uncommon for the chosen to fight and kill each other before the millennium had completed. Only Chieftain Scar and Voriff knew that Maude had been chosen. With no knowledge of the other chosen, they had to ensure that they keep this secret. On the other hand, if they knew about another chosen they would do their best to kill him.

Usually, the chosen were kept in great secrecy because of this. When the millennium completes, the new chosen will naturally know who the others are. So there was no need to actively search for them.

"We need to increase Maude's chances of survival." Chieftain Scar said.

"Yes, father, I was thinking the same thing," Voriff said with a nod of his head.

"That dumb daughter, I don't know whether she will embrace it or run away." Chieftain Scar sighed.

"I don't think we should tell her," Voriff replied walking up to his father.

"Then what should we do?" Chieftain Scar continued. "Maude will suspect something by us trying to educate her."

Voriff smiled at his father as he already knew the route that would bend Maude.

"So we let someone else do it," Voriff said.

Chieftain Scar sharpened his gaze on Voriff but then clearly understood his intentions.

"That does seem appealing." Chieftain Scar rubbed his beard.

"We should mention all this to mother and let her plan a way to get Maude to go," Voriff smiled.

"Right, your mother is cunning enough to figure a way." Chieftain Scar laughed.

Both Voriff and Chieftain Scar had turned serious for an instant as they thought about the dilemma surrounding Maude.

Most of those who had become chosen were taught and trained to ensure their survival. Whether it was the art of combat and strategy, or to acquire in magic. By following one of the chosen, a small country could become great. It was a gamble that many countries would choose. In the last great war, the Orcs of the Western continent had followed the Vermillion Dragon and lost. They were pushed back and most of their territory was taken from them. The Orcs had become locked to the western side of the continent.

Though of course there were drawbacks in being a chosen of the Four Gods. Many people will know your name and enemies that you will have never met will appear. There could only be one survivor of the war and in a lost war, many chosen have been offered as a sacrifice by countries who harbored them. To prevent their own destruction in the war, many countries would rather offer up their chosen as a repentance instead of fighting to the bitter end.

Voriff and his father were planning on training and honing Maude. By being a chosen, her destiny had become great but she at the same time was family. They wanted to make sure that she lived through the impending trials. Maude had great strength and ability but she lacked polish. There was only one person they thought of to help Maude first.

"So we're in agreement?" Chieftain Scar relaxed his posture.

"Yes," Voriff said. "We should send her to uncle in the North."

- - - # # # - - -

Nero was spending his time creating potions in Lil's apothecary shop. Bal was asleep in the corner as he grew tired of watching his master. The shop was currently closed and there were stacks of boxes filled with potions surrounding Nero. He had spent almost all of Lil's supplies but she had no care in the world. Lil was only staring at Nero as if he was a bag filled with gold coins. There was slight drool coming from Lil's mouth.

"Nero," Lil said wiping the drool from her mouth.

"Yes?" Nero replied as he continued his work.

"Will you marry me?" Lil said almost feverish.

"Sorry, that's kind of," Nero stopped his work, giving Lil a crooked smile and ruffled his hair.

"Darn, so you have somebody!" Lil said. "If I wasn't already married, I would've snatch you up and not let go."

"You're already married?" Nero asked.

Lil waved her hands to dismiss his question.

"Don't worry about L, he's just a tall softie," Lil replied.

"No, I'm surprised, you look so young!" Nero said.

Lil put the back of her hand to her mouth and laughed.

"You flatterer! I'm young am I!?" Lil winked her eyes at Nero.

Nero slowly ruffled his hair in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry Nero, but I'm already taken," Lil said.

"Didn't you ask to marry me?" Nero had a perplexed look on his face.

"To chase is different from being chased," Lil said with a haughty air.

Lil shrugged her shoulders and moved into the back room of the store.

Nero's face went blank and then he continued back to work. Nero had almost finished in nearly creating a hundred potions. They were simple to make for him and he didn't understand how his actions would change the market. Lil had tested out the potions and confirmed that they were indeed a tier higher than red potions.

Lil had already given Nero a hefty payment of ten gold coins. She also signed an exclusive contract with him in which she agreed to pay him a percentage of the profits. All Nero had to do was only make potions for Lil in the town of Southscale and no one else. 

Lil had sold red potions at a rate of five copper coins. Now she was going to sell this new potion at the market value of five silver coins. A hundred copper coins were equal in worth to one silver coin and a hundred silver coins equal to one gold coin.

Lil did not have that much money but she knew the potential and worth of these potions. She wasted no time in giving her savings to Nero and contracting him in creating potions. Nero, on the other hand, had no idea the worth of his potions nor the amount of money given to him. He was just happy to be paid and trusted Lil's generosity. He didn't know his own actual worth and the extent of his knowledge that far exceeded the outside world.

Voriff had greatly helped his friend in need and he wouldn't have thought he could turn around Lil's misfortunes. Lil wasn't the only Apothecary shop in town nor was she the best. She had actually acquired the Apothecary shop from her mother-in-law. Her husband wasn't well versed in medicine, potions, or plants. He was actually an Elven crafter who made weapons and armors. Lil had the fortunate or unfortunate task of running the Apothecary shop when her mother-in-law passed.

This led to a series of unfortunate circumstance at which Lil tried her hardest to keep the store afloat. Now that Nero had arrived, her problems seem to disappear as they were air. The money would be no issue and she could hire others to work at the store in her stead. While Lil had only teased Nero, she does indeed love her husband very much. If Lil was able to strike it rich off the potion, she would try and start the family she dreamed of with her husband.

In essence, Nero was the savior her future family needed. Lil was in the back of the store writing down ideas of how to market the potion. With Nero in an exclusive contract, she wouldn't have to worry about others stealing him away from her. It would soon be an adventuring season and many would come to seek potions for the road. An idea finally flashed through Lil's mind and she had a huge smile on her face. Lil started marking down her ideas with fervor.

Nero finished his work and wiped the sweat from his brow.

"Lil, I'm done!" Nero yelled into the store.

Suddenly a blue streak of hair ran up to him.

"So you're finished!?" Lil had a huge smile on her face.

"Yes," Nero replied .

"Okay! Grab a box! We are heading into the town square!" Lil grabbed Nero's shirt and pointed outside of the shop.

"What for?" Nero asked.

"For money!" Lil had a mischievous grin.

- - - # # # - - -

Maude was still inside the manor of the Strongsong clan and she had a happy demeanor. The servants who saw her were puzzled at the expression of the young lady. Maude was known to be a recluse with a quick temperament. It was her defense mechanism from the trauma she received from her peers . Yet now she had walked through the manor without a care in the world.

"This is what it feels like to be free," Maude said in high spirits.

Piii was now sleeping on her shoulder.

Truly, Maude had felt free from the marriage that had plagued her. The misunderstanding her father had was an afterthought. Maude didn't care about anything else and freely showed her face to anyone who could see. She thought the servants were repulsed by her appearance but she didn't give it any significance. In actuality, what people were shocked by wasn't her face but the radiant smile she had on. Right now, she was just a young girl who had a bright future ahead of her.

What she didn't know was that her future and destiny was far from free as she would come to realize.

Maude had just stepped into her room located on the second floor of the manor and quickly fell onto her bed. Piii had awakened from his abrupt tumble and looked around Maude's room. Her room was just like any other room of a young noble lady. It was far from the appearance and personality she displayed. The room was colored pink and had many dolls that decorated the inside. There were some weapons displayed and they looked far out of place in her room.

While Maude had always admired her mother for being a strong warrior she also admired her as a strong woman. Lady Mare had always told Maude that she was a woman first and a warrior second. Her mother was actually a great cook, a seamstress, and knowledgeable in skills that all ladies were expected to possess. If one were to see Lady Mare's room they would think it was the room of a young princess. Maude had tried to emulate her mother as best she could.

Maude only had an ounce of the talent that her mother had in all regards.

Piii had crawled up into a small corner of Maude's room and created a nest for himself there. In an instant the wind spirit in the form of an Amber Spider went to sleep. It had been exhausted from the previous day's journey and didn't get any rest. Now it was inside Maude's room and felt at peace surrounded by the scent of his master. Maude watched Piii from afar and smiled.

Maude was still wearing the red cloak that Nero had lent her. She sprawled on her bed and grabbed a pillow. For an instant, she smelled the cloak, the scent of Nero attacked her senses and his image soon entered her mind. Her face felt flush and she tried shaking off the thoughts she had but they still lingered.

"Why do I keep thinking about him?" Maude said to herself. "Why does he keep coming into my head!"

Maude grabbed her pillow and squeezed it tight. Soon she started thinking about the things they had done together, how he had saved her life and even called her "pretty." There was a hot feeling in Maude's chest and she tried curling herself into a ball. Maude was trying to remember all the things that drove her a crazy around Nero but she couldn't help but smile.

"Get it together Maude! He doesn't have anything! He vexes you! He's an idiot! Right?" Maude said to herself. "Do I really...like him?"

Maude couldn't answer that question but she felt a need to see Nero right now.

Maude got up from her bed and started looking through her clothes. She picked out a dress that her mother had given her. Lady Mare had told her that the slim blue dress would charm the eyes out of any man. Maude had looked it over and then she started to become conscious of her naked face. Feeling her lips with a touch of her fingers she decided to pick out another veil she had hidden away.

With a wardrobe laid out on her bed, she started thinking about how Nero would react. A sudden realization hit Maude and she started smelling herself. Maude hadn't taken a bath in days and had become embarrassed by it. Quickly she started preparing herself before going out and finding Nero.

- - - # # # - - -

Nero was waiting inside the town square of Southscale. Boxes of potions surrounded him and there was an empty table in front of him. Lil had disappeared from his sight and had him waiting by himself. Bal was next to him and watched as people walked by them. Nero was tired from his work but the thoughts of food kept him from leaving.

"I wonder how much meat sticks I can get with ten gold coins?" Nero said rubbing his chin.

Suddenly Lil had appeared next to Nero with a tall Elf. 

"Oh there you are Lil, what were you doing?" Nero said.

"Right, I needed my husband, this is L." Lil introduced Nero to the tall Elf.

L had a stoic expression but he greeted Nero with a nod of his head. He looked to be abnormally tall for an Elf which meant that he was even taller for everyone else. L had white skin and blonde hair that fell down to his waist. Nero couldn't imagine why a short gnome and a tall Elf had married each other. Even their personalities seem to be opposite of each other.

"I already explained the situation to him," Lil said pointing to L.

"So, what are we going to do?" Nero said.

L handed over some bladed weapons to Nero.

"Uh, what is this for?" Nero scratched his head puzzled.

"Well, you are going to have to demonstrate for everyone here."

"Demonstrate what?...." Nero asked.

"That the potions work, of course," Lil replied.

Nero looked at the weapon in his hand and then back to the little gnome.

"Doesn't have to be flashy, just fight L a little bit." Lil put her hands on her hips.

"I don't think I can do this." Nero seemed to be sweating.

"Oh come on!" Lil said.

L looked at the panicked expression on Nero's face and took the weapon from him. He proceeded to use the weapon and make a deep cut on his forearm. The blade sliced his arm like it was butter and his blood seeped out. Nero watched as L injured himself in disbelief.

"Oh! Thank you, dear." Lil said.

Lil hopped onto the table and began to raise her hands in the air.

"Everyone! Everyone! Gather around! This Lil Apothecary here will show you the new wonder of modern medicine!"

People walked by the table with piqued interest. Lil raised up the bleeding arm of her husband for all to see. Soon a crowd gathered around them before Lil could continue.

"My husband here has a big cut on his arm," Lil continued. "For your own loved ones! Wouldn't you be scared if something happened to them?"

The crowd seemed to be interested that this gnome had used her own husband as a demonstration for the potion.

"As you know red healing potions take awhile and can only heal minor cuts."

Lil produced a potion from her pocket.

"Now watch as this new potion takes its effect!" Lil smiled at the crowd.

Lil poured a little of the potion on the cut on L's arm and quickly the wound was healing.

"See this!? Now watch as he drinks this potion!"

Lil patted her husband who opened his mouth. With a big leap, Lil stuffed the potion into his mouth. L drank the potion calmly and soon the wound disappeared from his arm. Everyone in the crowd couldn't believe the sight of an amazing new potion. The cut disappeared like magic and Lil wiped the blood that was left on L's arm.

"Complete healed!" Lil said with a smile.

"How much?!"

"This isn't magic!?"

"Who made this!?"

"Amazing!"

The crowd had roared and Lil had them in the palm of her hand.

"Don't worry who made it but who is going to supply it! Only at Lil's Apothecary shop can you get this potion! Only for five silver coins and it's yours!"

Lil beckoned the crowd to see the supply of potions.

"We only have a small stock of five hundred potions! Get yours before it goes away!

The crowd went into a fervor and started handing over their coin pouches.

"Give me one!"

"I need three!"

"Give me ten!"

"I want twenty!"

"Sorry! But there will be a limit to purchases!' Lil said. "So that everyone can try it!"

Soon the news would spread that a new potion had entered the market. Lil's Apothecary shop would be known throughout the land as the only supplier of the mysterious new potion. To many people a potion was the tool between life or death. People would gladly pay a price to help prevent their own demise.

Other Apothecary shops would rush to buy the potion themselves and see if it did indeed work. Even veteran adventurers would buy the potion and use it. They all would be amazed at the potion's authenticity. Experts would scramble to create a new potion or try and reverse engineer the potion from Lil's shop. None would come close to the potion Nero had created.

Lil raised up her hands to the sky and she could only hear the sound of money banging on the table.

- - - # # # - - -

Maude was walking down the streets of Southscale wearing a slim blue dress. Her red hair was straightened and combed to perfection. The golden relic on her hand looked like a rich accessory. The brown leather boots she had on before was replaced with black ones that had a cute design. A blue veil covered her mouth and matched her dress. The curves on her body made many men who weren't Orcs stop to look twice. Maude was a little conscious of the stares but she had prepared herself to see Nero.

There seemed to have been a commotion in Southscale as Maude had taken her time to clean and dress. People were running through the market and some headed to the town square. Maude had watched some people running from the town square carrying a lavender colored potion in their hands. She had never seen that type of potion before and wondered what was going on.

Maude was listening to some passerby's talk about the potion.

"Did you hear!? There's a new potion! I have it! Take a look!"

"What is this color?"

"It’s a potion that's better than red healing potions!"

"What!?"

"Yes and only Lil's Apothecary shop sells it!"

"Wasn't that just some minor Apothecary shop?"

"It seems they got an Alchemist to create a new potion for them!"

"Alchemist?" Maude whispered to herself.

"What! He must be an expert in the field!"

"You better hurry, they almost sold out!"

"Damn!"

More people started running towards the town square and Maude followed them.

There in the town square, Maude saw a crowd huddled around her brother's friend Lil and Lil's husband. Maude had never seen so many people gathered around for a product before. She was amazed that Lil was the owner of the Apothecary shop that enticed the town in a frenzy. Maude knew Lil and had known that she wasn't a great Apothecary of any sort. So it was a surprise to her that Lil could make the town talk about her shop in such a way.

"I'm sorry everyone! We have sold out!" Lil yelled. "We will let everyone know the next time our supply is restocked!"

The crowd seemed to be dejected and Maude moved her way through them.

"Lil, what's going on here?" Maude said.

Lil was counting her bag of coins before looking at Maude.

"Maude! Come and look at what old' Lil has done!" Lil raised up the bag that seemed bigger than her.

"3000 silver coins! Just for five hundred potions! If I sold five hundred red potions I would only make thirty silvers! I have a bag worth thirty gold coins instead!"

Lil put the back of her hand to her mouth and started laughing hysterically.

"How did you do that?" Maude said.

"Oh? With the help of this boy Voro lent me!" Lil pointed to Nero who was stacking crates together.

Nero just finished his work and looked back to Lil who was next to Maude. Nero's gaze moved to Maude and he was almost dumbfounded by her appearance. His chest tightened and his breathing got heavy as he stared at her. Maude felt a little embarrassed and parted some of her hair which covered her face. Nero was almost mesmerized until he snapped himself out of it.

"Maude," Nero said. "You look…amazing…"

"Really?" Maude said.

Lil looked at the two in wonder as they stared at each other and then a mischievous smile came on her face.

"L! I think we need to get some of these crates back to the shop," Lil said and dragged her husband with her.

Soon the short Gnome and the tall Elf disappeared from their sight.

"So, what happened?" Maude asked.

"Well, I kind of created a potion for Lil and it went crazy," Nero replied.

"You did?"

"Yeah."

"That potion that is driving the whole town into a frenzy!?"

"I didn't think it was that big of a deal," Nero said. "My father could make better potions than I can."

"Your father can?" Maude gave Nero a skeptical look.

"Yes," Nero nodded.

"Unless your father is one of the Four Wise Men, I won't believe it," Maude said with a laugh.

"He is," Nero replied.

Maude looked at Nero and scrunched her face.

"Who?" Maude asked.

"My father," Nero said.

"That is?" Maude said.

"Gregor," Nero said.

"..."

Maude started laughing and held her stomach. Tears appeared down her face but she looked towards Nero who kept the same expression. Maude could tell that Nero was serious and she was taken aback.

"Gregor the great is your father!?"

"Yes," Nero said.

"Why didn't you tell me!?"

"You never asked," Nero said.

"You're the son of the greatest Alchemist in the known world!?"

"I don't know if he's the greatest, but he's pretty good." Nero scratched his head.

Nero nodded his head and before Maude could continue, Kogar had appeared.

"Ah! Little sister, I have found you again! My tracking skills are so good." Kogar said.

Nero and Maude looked to Kogar who started to flex his stout body.

"Oh! And you must be the other boy! Nero right?" Kogar said looking at Nero.

"What is it Kogar?" Maude said.

"Father and Mother wants to see you! Bring Nero too!" Kogar said.

The Human boy and Orc girl looked at each other confused for a bit. It had gotten late and night had fallen over the town of Southscale. Kogar lead Nero and Maude with Bal to the manor of the Strongsong family. Nero had no clue what was going on but he followed as Chieftain Scar was Maude's father and ruler of Southscale. They were led to the throne room and greeted by the great Orc pair.

Chieftain Scar was sitting on his throne while Lady Mare was standing next to him.

"So this is the man?" Chieftain Scar said as he looked at Nero from top to bottom.

Nero felt a little nervous from the gaze of the imposing Orc Chieftain.

"Alright, I approve, you will marry him." Chieftain Scar said.

"What!?" Maude yelled in shock.

Maude felt her heart beating a little faster but ran up to her parents.

"Did you not just try to marry me off!?" Maude was almost hysterical. "Mother say something!"

Maude looked at her mother who had a calm demeanor.

"In accordance with our laws, this boy Nero had saved your life, therefore you must devote yours to him." Lady Mare replied.

"What!?" Maude's gaze went to Nero.

Nero was also shocked in disbelief and slightly red from the news.

"Yes, Voriff had told us the situation, he had saved your life did he not?" Lady Mare said. "Therefore you will marry him."

"How is that even remotely close to being the same!?" Maude said.

"Do I get a say in this?" Nero raised up his hand.

"No." The Orc family replied in unison.

Nero stayed quiet and his vision moved to Kogar who was picking his teeth with a sword. Nero gave a crooked smile and ruffled his hair at what was happening.

"We will also send you to the North Mountains so you could explain to your uncle." Chieftain Scar said.

"Why?" Maude protested.

"He tried his best into fostering a marriage proposal for you. Now that it has been broken by no fault of yours of course. You should at least explain to your Uncle that he doesn't have to worry anymore. You will be married in the end." Lady Mare said.

Maude was almost speechless at how both her parents had dropped this news on her.

"Kogar will also guide you two to the White Mountains." Chieftain Scar said.

Maude looked to Kogar who was still picking his teeth with a sword.

"Why must I do this!?" Maude asked her parents.

Lady Mare looked at her daughter with a stern expression.

"Did you not run off into the Sea of Trees? Did you not risk your life for nothing?" Lady Mare gave Maude a sharp gaze.

Maude started to feel guilty from her mother's words.

"So now you must act like a Noble Lady befitting the Strongsong house," Lady Mare said. "Nero, please take care of our foolish daughter."

Chieftain Scar and Lady Mare gave Nero a slight bow of their head.

"Uh, I will?" Nero said.

"Stay here tonight, it's late. Tomorrow you three will go to the White Mountains and see my brother." Chieftain Scar said.

"Thank you," Nero said.

Chieftain Scar moved his hand to signal that they may leave. Maude wanted to say something more but couldn't from the gaze of her parents. Maude could only leave dejected from their words and demeanor. Nero bowed his head a little to her parents before following after her. Kogar was now on the floor still picking at his teeth with a sword. Lady Mare gave Kogar a look in which he instantly got up and left as well.

"Do you think she believed it?" Chieftain Scar whispered to his wife.

"She's not the brightest Orc to know that there is no such law." Lady Mare whispered back.

Both Chieftain and Lady watched their daughter disappear from their sight.

"She'll understand won't she?" Chieftain Scar said. "That we are just trying to get her into the White Mountains."

"In time, " Lady Mare said.

"Why a marriage proposal to this boy anyway?" Chieftain Scar said.

"After news of the engagement to the Duke's son was canceled," Lady Mare continued. "We were receiving many offers for Maude's hand in marriage."

"What!? Doesn't everyone know how she looks like?" Chieftain Scar said.

Lady Mare gave her husband a slap to the back of his head and a glare.

"It's all political marriages, my stupid husband." Lady Mare sighed.

"Oh."

"We don't know who this boy Nero is but from what Voriff told us, he has no ties to anyone."

"So we can use him?" Chieftain Scar rubbed his head.

"Yes, dear," Lady Mare said. "I feel guilty using him as a shield for Maude but this way she will be protected for now."

"Are we really going to let him marry her?" Chieftain Scar said.

"No, of course not." Lady Mare said. "But I wonder why she didn't refuse adamantly at being married to this boy compared to the Duke's son?"

The Orc parents started pondering about the well-being and future of their daughter.