Chapter 4

Chapter 4

On the subject of mana born entities within the Cavern system that exists beneath our feet, it has been established that they will be categorized based upon their threat to bodily harm they impose on an unarmed populace.

The categories are as follows:

Low - Entities that even a single full grown human can fight off or kill with at least a primitive weapon.

Medium - Entities that a single full grown human with a weapon can fight off or kill

High - Entities that would require a group of three to six full grown humans with standard weapons.

Severe - Entities that could eliminate a small to medium sized village if let loose above ground.

Cataclysm - Entities powerful enough to destroy an entire city.

The Cavern and Other Mythical Constructs, SD Jenkins

*****

Astrid:

I remember a time before father would drink all the time. A time when our house was a home, with warmth and laughter. The smell of fresh bread baking and my moms perfume. We were happy then, even father.

“Astrid!” Father was yelling for me. Probably to complain that dinner wasn’t ready or to get him more alcohol. “Yes father, how may I help you?”

Ever since Mom passed away my father has been turning to alcohol to run away from his loneliness and regrets. Dear god I hope he has regrets for his behavior the last few years.

“Where’s dinner!? You better hurry up before I have to teach you again! Get me some more wine right now! The least you can do is pour me some more since you insist on making me wait!”

I hurried down the cellar to grab another bottle only to find, to my horror, that we were out. I ran back up the stairs in tears. I knew what was waiting for me once I told him that we had run out. He would blame me, but what was I supposed to do? I’m just twelve years old. How was I expected to maintain an entire household at this age?

“I’m sorry father, but… we’re out of wine.” I stumble out meekly.

The quiet that settled over the house was unbearable. I could feel his anger boiling despite the sudden cold air that washed over me.

“You Bitch! How can you let this happen!?” In a single moment his glass cup was flung at my head bursting with an explosive force on my head. My screaming would only upset him more but I couldn’t hold it back. The pain was searing and I could feel the blood trickle down from my head.

“Go now! Before my buzz wears off or I'll just have to teach you some more!”

I ran out as fast as I could. By the time I got to the end of the road I collided with someone and we both fell to the ground. “I’m so sorry!” I look at the person. It’s Silas! “Oh Silas! I’m sorry for running into you like that. I have to go though.”

In that moment before I could run off again he grabbed onto my wrist. His hand was warm and firm. Not too firm though, not like Fathers. More like a sturdy tree that protects you from the wind on a slow spring afternoon.

“Astrid?” Silas says with a calm tone that feels like it’s loaded with an explosive force that is waiting for the right moment to lash out. “What happened? Why are you bleeding?”

I look at him but I just can’t bring myself to tell him. This boy that I trust with my life. I couldn’t stand the thought of him being hurt by my Father. Even without me telling him I know that he realizes who did this to me.

I drop to my knees and plead, “Silas don’t get hurt! Don’t provoke him!”

Silas looks at me with those concerned and caring eyes as he always does when I’m sad or hurt. “Don’t worry Astrid, I won’t let this happen again.”

He was off and down the street before I could do anything. True to his word though my father never hit me either with any object or his fists again. The verbal abuse still occurred but that’s probably only because I never told Silas afterwards.

*****

Astrid walks into the little family home of the two brothers. “Nikol I’m here!” Down the hall the muffled sound of Nikolai can be heard in his room. “Good morning Astrid.” The boy slowly and carefully walks out of his room and then down the hallway to meet her in the kitchen. The boy studies her face for a moment. His own smiling face giving way to one of deep concern.

“He did it again.” She looked too focused on the cleaning she had already started. “Please Nikol don’t tell your brother. I… I don’t want Silas getting hurt or in trouble. That man isn’t worth his attention or rage.”

“I understand Astrid. Why don’t you just move in with us!?”

Astrid face turned a vibrant shade of red. “Nikol. I couldn’t move in here there’s only two rooms after all.” Nikolai’s grin was evil and eyes were knowing. “Please I already know that when Big Brothers home you guys share his bed all the time.”

Astird blows up with embarrassment. “Nikolai!”

Nikolai snickers, “Please these walls are super thin Astrid.”

All joking aside the thought of living with them maker he ecstatic.

“I’ll… I’ll seriously think about it. Okay?”

*****

Silas and party continue their expedition. They find themselves traveling an interconnected and winding cave system. Dark and damp is the best description. Thank fully they have lanterns and scrolls for flame sprites to help illuminate their path.

Kaylin and Silas stay together towards the end of the group. “So the first time I was in the Bagalow woods I saved a village chiefs daughter from pack of wolves. Thank the gods I did too. This tribe of elves were one of the few human hating tribes, so things could have ended really bad if I had gotten caught in their lands.”

Kaylin continued her story of how she fended off the rather large pack of wolves until the villages warriors showed up to assist.

“Wow, If I’m being honested Alia is the first elf I have ever seen.” Silas muses.

Alia walking in front of them glances back, “That’s not to surprising Sir Silas, most of my kind never step foot out of the Bagalow region. The few that do are typically subject to extreme prejudice and even more horrowingly possible slavery.”

The silence between Silas, Kaylin, and Alia was tangible and over powering with the thought of Elves being abused like that, until Alia breaks the silence. “None the less, Miss Kaylin you really were rather lucky. The Urgurh tribe are known for their cruelty not just to humans but other elf tribes. Though the one thing they do respect above all else, and regardless of race, is strength.”

“Saving their young would certainly be one way to ensure their favor.” she chuckles lightly at the thought.

“Silas what about your life? Any interesting stories?” Kaylin beams at him. She looks desperate to learn more about this young man.

Silas runs a hand through his hair. “Well nothing fun like your stories.” He pasues to think of something. “Well I guess I could tell you about the time before Nikolai got really sick and the three of us got in trouble for chasing chickens through our division.”

Kaylin has a puzzled look on her face. “Three of you?”

“Oh yeah! Nikolai and I would spend all of our time hanging out with our childhood friend Astrid.”

Kaylin’s puzzled look did a complete one eighty to that of jealousy and nervousness. “A girl huh?” and with that huffy statement she begins to walk a bit faster than Silas and soon out paces him.

“Um… Did I say something wrong? Kaylin?”

Alia thinks to herself while watching the two young humans, “Oh Kaylin just be honest with your feelings and wants young one.”

*****

The fields of Penheim gradually turn to the hills of the Tricot region as Clint and Tsubomi enter and continue their trek to the Tricot Creation Event.

“According to the mapped data from Headquarters we should be near the best entrance to reach the Event space as fast as possible.”

Clint looks at Tsubomi with a concerned look. Tsubomi leading the way ignores him and his presence. Finally after more silence Clint clears his throat.

“So, Tsu? You going to fill me in finally? What happened with the couple?”

Tsubomi sighs a deep sigh. “You’re not going to let it go are you?”

After a bit of a pause in the conversation Tsubomi relents. “Fine but it’s a lot to unpack.”

Carefully finding her words, “That couple and their misguided pasifism pisses me off. I never told anyone this so you better keep this to yourself.” She looks back at him with dagger like eyes and a face that is even more serious then usual.

“I was born to a nobel family in a town near the capital city of Midri.” She pauses to let this revelation sink in and to regroup her thoughts. “My former name was Tsubomi Sumara until I forsake my family and their name.”

“I was around fifteen years of age when it started. My elder brother and the heir to our families lands and power. He started by sneaking into my bedroom at night. The longer things went on the bolder he would get. At one point it became a hushed secret among the staff of our house and even my own family.”

She pauses and shutters at the thought. At the memories she’s revealing and the scars that still sting from time to time.

“I eventually had enough and attempted to fight back one night. Scared his face pretty good.” She gives a broken chuckle.

“I still remember my father and mothers anger at giving their perfect son the ‘blemish’. After that I vowed to never let anyone take advantage of me and fight for myself.”

They continue their walk. “I guess the thought of them rolling over to the world and choosing not to fight for themselves just makes me sick really.”

The rest of their time walking goes on in silence for quite a while until Clint finally clears the silence. “Tsu, I’ll have your back no matter what. After all you are my precious Junior.”

*****

“The entrance should be past this tree line.” As they walk out from the brush and past the tree line they are confronted by a small group of adventurers dressed in Guild clothing.

“Lord Ekhart, Lady Tsubomi, We are the Tricot regions Guild Adventurers. Platoon Delta3. We are here to relay a message from Headquarters. Please return at once, your presence is needed by the council Lord Ekhart.”

Clint looks at them with a twisted amused look on his face. Tsubomi, under her breath comments, “oh no they really sent these idiots.”

Clint walking forward with murderous intent. “What makes you think you can tell me what to do.” Come on! Come stop me! I’ll even make you a deal. Land one hit on me and I will listen and do as the council says.”

In a moments notice all three guild members descend on Clint with their swords and spears drawn. Clint expertly weaves between the three shouting “Is this all you got!” after a little while of dancing around their attacks Tsubomi shouts, “hurry this up Clint!”

“Sure thing Tsu.”

In a flash he knocks out the three Guild members with easy and just one hand.

“Well that was a good warm up. I’m revved up knowing the Council is pissed! Let’s go.” The two walk into the entrance leaving the three Guild members moaning and in pain.