Richard Adams

Something was wrong with the forest. The path we followed still showed signs of a lot of bodies moving through it. The roots were littered with various mushrooms, some of them were likely young prismoid. Mimi confirmed that they were, though they were harmless for now. All they did was drink the black blood of monsters, effectively healing the forest. She had finished her third step after six days and was still working on the fourth. Something wonderful happened though.

"Mimi, can you talk to the spores? What about controlling them?" I smiled at her, as she continued walking through the half-dead woods. The branches hanging lower, the ferns stomped into the ground. A few monsterized birds flew by, but nothing came close and I didn't have to hunt the past few days because of them.

"It is communication, not talking. They are too simple to command or get anything useful." That's right, she wasn't talking with pauses between her words. It was almost like talking to her as if she was aware. It improved our time together a lot, which I really needed by this point. I wasn't sure how long we spent traveling, but it was probably three weeks or a month. The moon was waxing, and we'd have a full one soon enough.

"The spores can't tell us what kind of monster was bleeding all over the place? I mean, we've been walking through this stuff for days now." The trees didn't develop any black veins, so they probably wouldn't become tainted. Just had to wait for the prismoid to sort it out. Would suck if this part of the forest ended up burned down.

"They cannot, just as you do not know what is in the air you breathe. The scent reminds me of vampires, however. A small army burning their blood to use their speed from the looks of it." She replied without any emotion, but it was what I wanted to hear. Even if I didn't like the answer.

"How likely do you think it was they skipped the town we're heading for?" I reached for my ax, the mace lost in some kind of wild exploding accident. I might have used too much explosive goo. Mimi hadn't noticed yet, so I might be able to buy another if the town ended up being fine.

"It is unlikely, given the vampires used their blood to hurry towards the town in question. It is safe to assume the worst, or perhaps the residents are vampires themselves. If they are feral, I suggest ending them." Yeah, that was probably for the best. I definitely don't have enough blood to help them, and I didn't feel like joining their ranks either. I don't want to know what they'd call an alchemist vampire.

"Got it, we'll still check for survivors. The least we can do is put down any ferals, so they don't have to suffer anymore." I hated putting it like that, but vampires that lost their minds weren't exactly able to regain them. It was better than letting them hurt someone else if they hadn't already."

"Understood, I suggest sending scouts ahead and investigating during the daytime." She continued walking, as our axels creaked from going over a larger root.

"Make it so, only a hundred, okay?" Two swarms flew out ahead of us, flying ahead on our path. I checked the map, figuring we had a day of travel ahead of us. A thought hit me, "Mimi, are you still doing the node thing? Are you making tiny hives?"

"No, the prismoid might mutate if enough spores hit them. I can kill those spores right now, but without my presence, they might kill any nodes I place in this area. The current plan is to have nodes go around the territory of these prismoid mushrooms and stretch further out. It will be costly, so I might ask to linger and hunt until the connections are secure. That, and developing my larvae and some of the breeders. We are far enough away that I can begin making more giants."

It was nice that Mimi couldn't lie in this state, but her tendency to overexplain stuff was back. It was still much better than riding in silence or killing small critters for her Hive. "Thank you, Mimi." We continued on, while I asked about her bugs and the different types she could make. It was a topic she really liked talking about, and it kind of helped to know just what she had. I started writing about them in my journal, as we kept moving towards the town.

Night came, and we set up camp as we discussed. Mimi's scouts reported that there were vampires in the town, as well as some people oddly enough. Given that we didn't know how things stood, we decided to proceed in the morning. Both of us rested up, before heading to the town of Luf'Fer.

We arrived at dawn, most of the buildings in ruins. Windows broken, the doorframes torn off most of the homes. Black blood stained the ground, and a few homes were even burnt down. It hurt to see a town that was probably so vibrant, reduced to this. It probably used to have around a couple of hundred people, but now there were only a couple dozen. Most of them were children, poking their heads out of the same house while a tired-looking woman stared at us. It was odd that their homes were mainly brick, but at the center of the town was a giant kiln. What remained of the wall they had was a single gate we could just walk around.

An older man shambled out of his home, as we moved past the threshold of the gate. He was bald, save for the raggedy beard on his face. He was incredibly pale, barely keeping his balance on the cane he stood with. "We don't want trouble." My heart ached for these people, there was no hope in their eyes.

I stood up on my seat, looking back at him. "We didn't bring any, and we won't start any. What happened here?"

The man looked me over, swallowing hard. I could see him debating with himself, "Yer not one of the heralds are ya?"

I slowly shook my head, looking at my boots, and quilt. They probably had contact with Eclipse before, but they were so close. Why weren't they one of our towns? "I'm not, my name is Richard Adams." I gestured to Mimi, "This is my bonded monster, Mimi." I whispered just loud enough for her to hear, "Bow with me, Mimi." I put a fist over my heart, bowing forward in greeting. Mimi did the same.

The man took a deep breath, swallowing hard, "I see, are you perhaps a merchant?"

I didn't have nearly enough to help this town recover, and Mimi would be mad if I just gave away supplies. "Not quite, more traveling laborers, and unseasoned adventurers. I know there are guilds in the Kingdom of Fire, but Eclipse doesn't have any you can join."

The old man nodded, "Do you have food? Please sir, we'll pay whatever you ask, we're in dire need here." He gestured at the state of things around us.

I winced a little, "I want to sell you food, but we don't have a whole lot ourselves. The forest has been tainted by the looks of it."

The old man licked his lips, "Yes, we spent weeks moving the tainted dirt to the area around us. If you won't sell us something to eat, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave by sundown."

I balled my fist, knowing he was probably threatening us with the vampires Mimi saw last night. That, or it was a heartfelt warning. I saw a strange mix of sympathy and desperation in his eyes. He was keeping secrets, and I noticed the bite marks on his wrist when he rubbed the back of his head. "Are you the one in charge of this town? What is your name?"

He froze for a second, leaning against his staff. "Micheal. I'm the leader at this time, our elder... he didn't make it." He looked into my eyes, almost pleading for me to leave or provide food.

I hopped off the wagon, whispering. "Mimi, make sure nobody touches the wagon. Paralyze them, or put them to sleep if needed. Don't hurt anyone."

"Understood." She replied clearly, making Micheal tilt his head.

I walked towards the man, "I just asked her to make sure she doesn't hurt anyone. You guys have been through a lot, now please, tell me everything that happened here. I'll share some of the rations we have, and we can reach an agreement."

Micheal looked me over, "Why do you care? Those from Eclipse are content behind their walls, young man. Everything that happens out here, it isn't the king's problem. All we're given is a set of supplies to make our living off of, and a map. We've been here for decades, and just like that everything is gone."

He flinched as I took a step towards him, putting my gloved hand on his chest. I grabbed his arm before he lost balance. "I care because you're here in front of me." I gestured as he did earlier, "This isn't right, so please tell me what happened."

The reluctance he had melted away, as he swallowed hard. "Please give us some food and water, I'll tell you everything you want to know. Let me gather the others so they can confirm my story." He pleaded as I let him go.

"Go ahead, I'll get some stew going." Mimi might kill me for this, but I couldn't just let them starve. I approached the wagon as Micheal went to get whatever other survivors remained. Mimi grabbed me by the arm, lifting me to her face. "Everything alright?" I gave her a nervous smile.

"You said to make sure no one got touches the wagon." She replied in a neutral tone. "This is your warning Richard." For the love of...

I kissed her, smiling as she tilted her head. She didn't mean it as a joke, "Set me down gently Mimi, and only we can touch the wagon right now."

She did as I asked, and left me alone while I gathered the pots and whatever boar we had left. It was a week's worth, but judging by how famished the people looked, it'd be gone tonight. They probably ate what was left of their stores, and focused solely on removing the tainted dirt in the village. I put up my hands, "Sorry everyone, she's a bit possessive of me." I joked as children of all ages came out. I noticed everyone in the village was pale with bite marks on different spots.

They didn't laugh at my joke, focused entirely on the smoked meat I continued to pull out. A few of the children looked at the wagon in wonder, as if questioning how much more we had. Enough food to feed a village, it was important to keep all of them calm. If they attacked, then I'd have to get Mimi to put them to sleep with her bugs. I held a hand out, "I need someone to help me cook since you all appear to be starving. I hope my cooking will be to your liking. I'm honestly not that good at it."

A thin man, holding a lute strummed it, "Anything will be better than the leather boots we've been boiling." He gave me a wink and a tired smile. It was nice to know someone understood the need to keep things civil.

One of the bigger kids took a few unsteady steps forward, "M-may I help?"

I gave her a warm smile, "Of course, dear. If you're good, I'll let you hand out some bits to the others. Where do you get your water from?"

One of the adults spoke up, "From the swamp, we had a well, but it's likely tainted from the rain." I nodded slowly guiding the little one through some of the motions I needed her help with. To her credit, she didn't steal a single bit. The bard began to play a soft tune, with what energy he had left. It was a sad somber thing, but there was a spark of hope there.

"I see, how far away is it?" I started a fire with my torch, the group gasping as my magic ignited the small campfire.

Micheal spoke, "A day's travel, but we couldn't risk the skull shivers. One of us has a talent that can purify water, but it doesn't work on black blood."

I nodded to myself, as I continued to cook. Their mouths were watering, the adults barely holding their envy as I gave the little helper some jerky to share with the others. The adults moved closer, "Are you being held hostage by anyone?" I quietly spoke to Micheal, tapping my wrist.

He swallowed hard, "This?" He showed his wrist, "V-vampire bites just heal slow. We're lucky to be alive."

I looked into his eyes, "Don't lie to me, not while I'm being nice." I kept my voice low so the children wouldn't hear it. The other adults looked at each other, the older woman guiding the kids away. "I know vampires are hiding in this town. I need to know what's happening, and what has happened."

Micheal looked at the pot of food, before taking another look at me. "Are you a hunter?" His voice was a mix of uncertainty and apprehension.

I wasn't familiar with what a hunter actually meant in the Kingdom of Fire, but I didn't see a reason to stop him from thinking that. "I'm a lot of things, Micheal." I had hoped to win them over with some food, but they were still being tight-lipped. I understood on some level. A random half-dwarf comes strolling in with a scary-looking monster. The vampires here were probably not feral, since these people were still alive. The whole thing was probably delicate, and these people were still shellshocked about the destruction of their home.

Micheal teared up, "Please don't kill them, please don't kill my son." He shook his head, finally breaking down.

The bard approached, "I think it's time for you to leave..." I felt something in his notes, but they didn't quite stick. The bard raised a brow, "What? Are you a mind user?"

He glanced over at Mimi, as I let out a small sigh, "Not really, she is though. Like I said, she can be very protective. I don't want to start anything, but I'll have you know she can tear apart a fiend with her bare hands. As a bard, you do know what a fiend is, right?"

He shuddered, taking a step back. "W-we meant no offense, please have mercy, sir."

I pulled out a bowl, filling it with stew. "You've been through enough, and I want to help. I can't do that unless I know what's going on here." I held it out towards the bard, "Please, tell me everything. This is the last time I will ask. You people need help, and if you don't want it, that's fine. I won't take this food from you, but I will take a copper a bowl if I don't start getting answers." I stared into his eyes, watching as he went from tense to uncertain, before finally laughing.

"A copper a bowl!? You're insane! How much food do you have on that wagon? Micheal offered to pay any price, and you're asking for a copper bowl!?" Some of the others started to whisper, as the bard teared up, "Even after I tried to make you leave... what are you?"

I stepped around the pot, shoving the bowl into his hands. "The question isn't what, but who. I'm Richard Adams, and I have this problem where I just find myself helping people. Glad to finally meet you!" I hopped back, making another bowl, "Yes! You heard him right! A copper a bowl! You won't find food this cheap anywhere else!"

The bard started eating his, as people lined up, some of them starting to run to their home. "You can pay after you get your fill!" They stopped in their tracks before rushing back. Some of the kids started to cry, "Today only, children eat for free!" The adults that hadn't gotten their bowls yet quickly moved out of their way, most of them embarrassed for forcing their way into the front. After a few minutes of chaos, they ended up a little more organized. My little helper wanted to fill up a few bowls, and I let her after making sure she knew how to count. I knew the price was ridiculously low, but I wasn't going to take advantage of these people. Even after they were kind of being dicks earlier.

I worked on another set of pots, the thirty people working their way through the first batch. Another guy came over to apologize for earlier before I set him on helping me cook the next batch. One bowl wasn't nearly enough for everyone, they'd probably eat another two or three. I started to sweat, controlling the fire, and keeping the explosives on my waist from going off. I grinned at the training, while the edges of my vision blurred a little. The people weren't going to attack me, and risk Mimi's wrath.

After a few hours, everything calmed down. The people gratefully savored the last bowl they got. I wiped the sweat from my brow, while the bard played another song. I wasn't sure when he started, but it was a little more upbeat than the somber notes earlier. Micheal started talking about the army that came from the forest. The Count moving on his way to attack the Kingdom of Fire. He spoke of the madness that happened when that army razed this place. Vampires sucking people dry, turning some of them into thralls. Others offered a choice between death or becoming another member of the army.

Those that accepted were tossed in front of the horde to warn the next village or town they came across. Most of them probably died to the sun, while those that didn't might have attacked the places they were supposed to warn. I balled my fist while listening to the story. I couldn't understand how someone that was such a pushover when he stood beside the king was capable of this. I had seen the guy on multiple occasions, and I never would have thought he was capable of this.

I shook my head, as a few others spoke of their personal experiences. How they hid in the cellar, how they witnessed their loved ones turned before them. Over two hundred people were reduced to thirty and twenty vampires before the night ended. All that was left were the ruins of this town and what was left of most families trying to keep each other alive. A few of the kids' fathers or mothers were vampires now, some of the sons and sisters. It was brutal, how those thought of as dead rose just hours before the sun came. Just left here to either die or eat whoever was left.

I felt sick, after eating my first and only bowl. Everyone was stuck between taking care of their turned loved ones and leaving. There was so much for them to do, and all they could manage was getting water in parties before meeting the vampires halfway to return home. The vampires tried to hunt, but their thirst made them make mistakes, some even outright drinking the blood of what they caught. It tainted the meat, making it useless for their family.

The sun would set in a few hours, and the people weren't sure if their pleas would protect me. Others begged me not to kill the vampires. I didn't have enough food on the wagons to help them recover. I didn't have enough raw materials for them to rebuild. I lacked so many things they could use, and now night was almost upon us. I saw crimson eyes watching me from the shadows behind broken windows. I saw it in the faces of the people around me. They were terrified, and afraid. The children were sniffling, but a few were determined. They wanted to save their friends and family. They wanted to help them.

"If I am attacked, I will defend myself, so please let them know that," I whispered, the bard nodding as he told the others about my choice. I had the survivors clean the dishes, while I walked to Mimi struggling to come up with a solution. I didn't want to leave the survivors here to die. I didn't want to kill the vampires. I couldn't feed them all. The more I thought about it, the more I felt powerless. I just wanted to help these people, but I didn't know where to start.

I looked up at her, her eyes passively glowing. She was still dim. Even if she heard everything, she'd need it explained to her again. I knew she'd suggest just leaving them to figure it out. That it wasn't our place to solve their problems. This whole tragedy had nothing to do with us, we weren't responsible. She would argue that this town was razed because it left Eclipse. Even if it wasn't officially a part of the Kingdom of Fire, it wasn't a part of Eclipse either.

I couldn't send her bugs out to help with hunting because of the prismoid spores. The hundred sent earlier were lost after only a day. This was something I wanted to do, something I sought to fix. Yet, I slowly realized I couldn't. I couldn't do this on my own. I couldn't fix this level of ruin. I would never be able to do this alone. I hated myself because I was about to force Mimi to help me help others. I knew she would be frustrated, but with her Hive, we might be able to help this place. "Mimi, did you hear what was said?"

"Yes, Richard." She looked at me, still in her dim state. There was no emotion, no light behind her softly glowing eyes.

"Do you... can you..." I shook my head, "How can we help them? How do we fix this?"

The sun was creeping closer to the horizon. "Define fix, and help."

I rubbed the back of my neck, "I don't know. They are suffering." I gestured to the people retreating to their houses. "What can we do to fix it?"

"If suffering is the issue, a swift death will eliminate it. To live is to suffer, and overcome. What do we need to fix Richard?"

I didn't have an answer, and it hurt that her first answer was death. It was honestly what she thought about the topic, that to live was to suffer. That the best way to end all suffering was death because you couldn't feel anything after you were gone. She disregarded all the religions and talk of the afterlife. I shook my head, stumbling away. I found the dishes clean, as my mind whirled in a vain attempt to figure out the best way to ask her for help. Where do we start? What do we do about the vampires? What about getting them enough food?

I know it isn't our responsibility, but we can't leave them to die! I held the dishes to my chest, carrying half of them back in one trip, before grabbing the next set. I saw the first vampires stepping out of their houses. Most of them were going to the spots where their loved ones were. Probably some kind of stigma about getting their blood drank in public. Five of them were following the receding line of sunlight towards me. I looked at them, "What are you doing?"

Their faces were a mask of grief and hunger. "We can't, we can't take it anymore." One of them spoke

Another sobbed, "I don't want to bite my daughter again! Please, let me drink your blood!"

I moved back, carrying the pots towards the wagon, "Please, don't." I looked at them, as they kept coming closer. "I'm trying to help you!"

The third one spoke, more composed than the others. "How! You don't know our pain!"

The fourth reached for me, pulling their hand back as the sunlight burned gaping holes. "Please!"

I swallowed hard, running to the wagon. They hesitated once they noticed Mimi look towards me. I was running out of breath, the vampires keeping just behind the line. I looked back at them, tripping as the pots and bowls spilled out in front of me. The line of sunlight didn't care, as the fifth leapt forward to grab my shade-covered boot. I unhooked an explosive throwing it right at his face. The fifth let go in surprise, "I don't want to kill you!"

The first moved forward but stopped when the fifth's head disappeared. The other vampires staring at the body with wide eyes. I scrambled towards Mimi, my heart sinking because I just killed someone. "Mimi!" I choked out, the others jumping to grab my arms and legs. I didn't have the strength to resist them.

The first whispered, "I'm sorry..." Before I felt them all start to tear off my sleeves. My quilt a bit too tough for the ones on my legs. I couldn't even face them, as I buried my face in the dirt. I was crying, and couldn't tell Mimi to stop them.

I felt pathetic, as the fire severed the nerves on my shoulders. I sacrificed my arms again, as they bit into the flesh. Gouts of flame erupting inside their mouths. They hissed, jumping off of me, as I gripped the last explosive on my waist. I turned, threatening to throw it at three and four. They jumped back, the four watching me. I unsteadily got up, my arm holding the explosive as I looked at each one. The second spoke between coughing, their mouth still healing. "Vhat are you!?"

I sniffled, glaring at them, "I'm Richard. Fucking. Adams. And... I'm sorry." The bravado wasn't there, I couldn't feel joy in this. I didn't feel like a badass, but more importantly. I couldn't leave Mimi alone out here, and I couldn't call myself a Dwarf if she cleaned up this mess I got us in. My eyes narrowed, "I said I would defend myself if attacked," my voice cracked, "Now prepare to die."