Chapter 59: Cheshire

Nathan: “Hey!”

Ash: “About time you caught up.”

Nathan: “Yeah, sorry we got everything straighten out.”

Nathan told what he discovered, it wasn’t much, but it was a enough to get started.

Anais: “And all we have is this roundabout method?”

Nathan: “Unless, you want to try and find out how Beatrice’s moved, then yeah.”

Ash: “I wouldn’t, a lot of bandits make the southern and eastern shores home. If you do find something over there, it wouldn’t be any good.”

Nathan: “And somebody might have seen Ena before and contact Beatrice.”

Ena: “I am no longer restrained, if anyone tries to interrupt us, I’ll will crush

Nathan: “Thanks for that, but we’re trying to get you home, not start a fight. Besides, Umbryyr is home to the Demi-Human, they the foremost species for the magic artes right? We might find something about Amelia there.”

Anais: “But, Amelia is human, shouldn’t we go to places with lots a humans.”

Ash: “What, are you crazy, you wouldn’t last five minutes there, hell you probably won’t even make it a shore. What did just get finish telling you? A group of Therian going to Dreyd, the thought itself is laughable.”

Anais: “Oh…………right.”

Nathan: “Wait, what this?”

Ash: “Remember the other day, when we met, and we were talking about the collars.”

Nathan: “Ah, the slavery thing.”

Ash: “Yeah, she asked me about it later.

Nathan: “Ah I see, you okay?”

Anais: “I’m fine, but you already know?”

Nathan: “I kinda guess after I saw all those people wearing collars. There are only three reasons for a collar, a pet or enslavement.”

Ash: “That was only two, what’s the third one?”

Nathan: “I’ll tell you when you’re older.”

Nathan smirked at Ash, as he sucked his teeth, unable to get Nathan to slip up.

Anais: “What, you didn’t think I should know.”

Nathan: “What, no, we were in the middle of the street back then and all eyes and ears were on us. Some topics are better left private, like when it’s just us walking down a road, with no one else who can hear us. Some of your opinions on the therian being willing slaves, may, no will definitely offend and the last thing we need right now is more trouble.”

Anais nodded, after what she heard from Ash, it wasn’t a topic you brought up within earshot of strangers.

Nathan: “Anyway, how long before we get there?”

Ash: “We should be arriving soon; the subjugation starts in about fifteen minutes.”

Nathan: “Great, need to hurry and become a Rook, can’t wait to check out the dungeon.”

Ash: “You really excited about such a boring place?”

Nathan: “Boring, you think dungeons are boring?”

Ash: “No, just this one, I don’t think you’ll will find anything interesting there. But, what would you expect from a dungeon nicknamed “Farmers Market””

Nathan: “That’s the name of the dungeon?

Ash: “Just a nickname, “Viridy Wilds” is its actual name.”

Nathan: “Viridy Wilds, what so bad about it.”

Ash: “Well……..oh well, this road leads to it, perfect, look at the people up ahead.”

Nathan took a look around, groups of well-armed men and women, but their were a few who were out of place. No weapons, no armor, dress in clothes similar to what Ramol was wearing.

Nathan: “Merchants?”

Ash: “And farmers, surrounded by the adventurers they hired to protect them as they traverse the Dungeon. Viridy Wilds” is home to a variety of rare plants and herbs. Herbs they can sell for a profit and plants that produce similarly rare produce.”

Nathan: “So there’s nothing for adventurers to explore?”

Ash: “I’m not saying that, but it just anything worth getting is past the second floor and no one risk going down there.”

Nathan: “Why?”

Ash: “Beyond the second floor, the monsters you fight, could exceed level fifty-five. One might not be a problem, but a lot of them hang in a group.”

Nathan: “Well, that works fine for me, any plant or herb I find, I can just add too my collection.”

Ash: “Suit yourself, but I really rather not.”

Nathan: “That’s fine, I go by myself.”

Iris: “I come with you Master.”

Nathan: “Thanks as always Iris. What about you?”

Anais: “No thansk, while you’re there I’ll be spending my time in that library. We might find something, that could lead us to Lady Amelia.”

Iris: “I don’t know, no one’s heard of her.”

Anais: “That doesn’t matter, if one of those books have her mark on it, I’ll know. After tears of eating the books with her mana infused in them, I can tell her works immediately.”

Nathan: “Don’t eat any of the books, if they catch you eating a book, its gonna get noisy. If you find anything, see if they can’t be purchased.”

Anais: “Yeah, yeah.”

Ash: “We’re here.”

Nathan: “This don’t seem like a lot of people.”

Downhill was a farmhouse with a patch of trees, stretching far off into the distance. A small group of men and women standing just before them. A few turned to Nathan group as they approached, It was the usual so they just ignore them.

A variety of fruit and nuts, hung from the branches of each tree. Some of the fruit Nathan recognize but others were new to him. Approaching the tree reached up to pull down one he didn’t recognize.

Ash: “What are you doing?”

Nathan: “Huh, oh shoot, sorry. I didn’t even realize I pulled it down.”

??????: “It’ll cost ya.”

Nathan: “What?”

??????: “What do you mean what, there’s no point and protecting them if your gonna destroy the trees yourself.”

Nathan: “Oh, my bad Ma’am.”

??????: “Ma’am I’ll be having none of that, the names April.”

Ash: “Ah, the one who post the quest.”

April pulled her hat back and smiled a toothy grin. For a middle-aged woman, she was pretty big, but it didn’t make her unattractive, if anything it added to her looks.

April: The one and only, you here for the subjugation?”

Nathan: “Yes we are, so we’re protecting the trees?”

Aprils: “That’s right, though its sounding like you didn’t know. You snagging one fruit earlier.”

Nathan: “Sorry, I’ll pay more attention.”

Nathan handed the fruit over to April, who tossed it into a nearby cart.

April: “No need for apologies, my trees are the best around these here parts. Would have been more offended if you didn’t.”

Nathan: “So, what exactly are we hunting, shouldn’t we get started.”

April: “Don’t know how ya could, them Bun-Bun Devils don’t come out until evening. Yup, we got about another hour before they start showing up.”

Nathan: “Bun-bun Devils?”

April: “Yup, nasty little critters, not usually a problem I can’t handle by myself, but wouldn’t you know my neighbor about a mile down the road, his farm all but died, meaning them all now congregated right here. Worse still, it’s their mating season, them varmint, multiply faster than I can clear’em out.”

Nathan: “Don’t worry, we’ll get rid of them in no time, where are they right now?”

April: “If you head down here, you’ll come across a whole mess a holes, you’ll find them in there.”

Nathan: “Perfect let get them while they’re asleep.”

Gaunt: “Hah, you think know body else though if that, but, what could you expect from a bunch of Pawns.”

Nathan: “Ugh, why is he here?”

Gaunt along with his group, strolled up t Nathan in company.

Gaunt: “What else, I’m here for the subjugation.”

Ash: “Why, would a Bishop, do a rank “F” quest?”

Gaunt: “None of your damn business, why.”

The truth was Gaunt didn’t want to be anywhere near Nathan, after what transpired, but he had already signed up for it, to help some of his newer recruits gain a few levels. It was too late to back out now, with his rank, if he backed out he would probably become a rook again. Even if he didn’t want to be here, it wasn’t worth the demerit.

Ash: “But anyway, he’s right, we can’t get to the Bun-Bun devils. There entire home is a series of tunnels, with the nest being in the deepest and most secluded area. And with all those holes, they could escape out anyone.”

Anais: “Then we can just cover the holes.”

Ash: “They aren’t dumb, they probably have several escape routes we can’t even see. It would be pointless.”

Nathan: “Then I guess we’re waiting, do you mind if I take a walk through your patch.”

April: “As long as you keep from sampling, by all means.”

Nathan: “I won’t and thank you.”

Anais, Ena and Ash weren’t up for the walk, they were going to rest until the time. Only Iris remained on his shoulder, she smiled and signaled that she wasn’t leaving his side. They all quickly dispersed Nathan entered the orchard, with all the fruit growing everywhere. Nathan notice some of the fruit had fell to the ground, he was tempted, but With Iris in his shoulder, he decided not to.

Iris: “It’s pretty.”

Nathan: “The trees, yeah they are, I never seen leaves such colors.”

As he walked deeper, admiring the orchard, a rustling came from the tree tops. Nathan turned his attention and found a branch moving in a strange way. The branch was bending down, as if someone was sitting on it.

Nathan: “Strange.”

Iris: “What’s strange?”

Nathan: “This tree, looked up there do you see anyone?

Iris searched the tree lines, but nothing shifted or moved, however she been with Nathan long enough to trust his instincts. She began to scan the area around them and sure enough, she found something.

Iris: “You were right Master, someone’s here.”

Nathan: “From the subjugation party?”

Iris: “No, someone with a powerful Mana signature.”

???????: “You think I’m powerful, coming from monsters like the two of you, I’m flattered.”

Nathan: “Who?”

No sooner did Nathan hear the voice, a purple mist rolled in. Before he had even realized, the mist had completely surrounded them.

Nathan: “Anais, Ash?”

Nathan called out to his friend to no avail. He had only been walking for a few minutes, he’s wasn’t far enough away to be out of earshot nor was the patch of trees dense enough for no one to notice the mist.

Iris: “Master up there.”

Sitting up the branch Nathan had notice earlier, was toothy grinning cat Therian. With a raven colored hair and whisker protruding from his cheeks, he swung his legs back in forth humming some unknown tune.

???????: “Hehehehehe.

????????: “Hello Nathan Lowell or would you prefer Hero of Legend?”

Nathan: “…………….Nathan’s fine, so we know who I’m am, then who are you?”

???????: “I’ll tell you, but first, could you tell miss Iris, not to kill me?”

Iris had from a small orb of energy in her hand, ready to unleash it the moment the boy made a move.

Nathan: “After you tell us who you are and why you’re keeping us prisoner.”

???????: “But I’m scared to speak with such malice been thrown my way.”

The boy hid behind a branch, but Nathan wasn’t playing his little game. The boy puffed out his cheeks, pouting because neither then were playing along.

???????: “Buuuuuu, you guys are no fun.”

The man jumped down from the branch, gently floating down to the ground, unimpeded by gravity. Removing his hat, he bowed to them both.

???????: “My names a little difficult to pronounce, Souive Ichsim, but I prefer you call me Vex.”

Nathan: “Okay Vex, what do you want?”

Vex: “Why to give you a little bit of advice.”

Nathan: “No thanks.”

Vex: “Huh?”

Nathan: “No thanks, if you wanted to give me advice, you could have done it without the smoke and mirror.”

Vex: “But, I wanted to speak privately, just you and me.”

Nathan: “What is this a confession?”

Vex flushed red and put his hands to his face, and turned them bashfully side to side.

Vex: “Kya, so you already knew of my feelings, so embarrassing.”

Nathan: “Don’t make me clock you.”

Vex laughed out loud at Nathan reaction.

Nathan: Enough of your crap, let me out of this mist.”

*woosh*

Vex: “You sure, is very good advice~?”

Vex vanished and reappeared next to Nathan, startling Iris, who couldn’t keep up with his movements. On the other hand, Vexx never left Nathan’s sight.

Vex: “Wow, you were able to follow me, that second Legacy of yours is amazing.”

Nathan: “I get it you know who I am, what do you want? If your trying to blackmail me, I not listening.”

Vex: “Sorry, sorry, just having too much fun.”

Nathan: “You have a lousy way of doing it. Right now, I don’t really want to hear anything you have to say.”

Vex: “Okay how about this, I’ll tell you something about your second Legacy, it’s really good information. A show of good faith.”

Nathan: “What?”

Vex: “Right now, if you wanted to, you can view the status screen of individuals outside of your party.”

Nathan: “And you expect me to believe that?”

Vex: “Believe, me if you want, but I assure you, it’s the truth.”

Vex floated back up into the tree, his toothy grin never leaving his face.

Vex: “All I ask, is that you return here, before you head into “Viridy Wilds.”

Vex body begin to fade away, with his grin and top hat being the last to fade.

Nathan: “Hey, you didn’t say how to activate it.”

Vex: “Beats me, it’s your Legacy, till next time.”

Nathan: “Wait don’t leave, hey!”

Anais: “Hey, I’m calling you.”

Nathan: “Anais?”

Nathan looked around, the purple mist had vanished, the orchard had returned to their original state. Anais walked to them, aggravated look on her face.

Nathan: “What?”

Anais: “Don’t what me, I kept calling out to you and you both just ignored me. You just kept staring at that piece fruit in your hand.”

Nathan: “Oh…….sorry.”

Anais: “Whatever, April says it time. Let’s head back.”

Iris: “Its time, I recall her saying it would take in hour.”

Anais: “Yeah and it’s been about an hour.”

Nathan: “What, it’s only been about five minutes since we started walking.”

Anais: “What are you talking about, you guys have been walking around for fifty minutes.”

Nathan: “What?”

Anais: “Yeah, I saw you pass by, not too long ago. You walked around the trees several times.”

Nathan: “We walked around the orchard?”

Nathan and Iris looked to one another, they couldn’t have been talking to Vex, for more than a few minutes. It couldn’t have all been an illusion, Nathan abilities prevent such things. Or, maybe it was something like the Lillaby incident, something meant for one purpose use for another. At the same time, he made it seem like they were walking around aimlessly.

Anais: “Are you both okay?”

Nathan: “Yeah…………….lets go, i need you to tell me what i was doing for the last hour.”

Nathan turned to walk the short distance out of the patch, throwing the piece a fruit away. Vex, whatever he was, he was way stronger then he was letting on, he didn’t understand what exactly he wanted, but what he said was truthful, he would at least hear what he had to say.