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Chapter 350 Hunters
🕑 Added 2019-11-09 14:33:37 +0000 UTCAuthor's note November 21st: Hey everyone. New chapters are up and more hopefully coming on Saturday.
Let me know what you think :).
Author's note November 9th: Hello there. New chapters up :). More hopefully again on Tuesday. Let me know what you think.
I hope you all have a fantastic weekend and a nice day.
Chapter 350 Hunters
Ignore him, your people are over there. Ilea said to the man, her ashen limbs moving out to wake the others she had healed. Most had been in critical condition. Stop playing dead you two. I can hear your heartbeats. She said, hearing the very same accelerate.
Your prey is distressed lady Lilith, I can feel it. Maro said, moving closer to one of the survivors.
Oh my fucking god, Maro. Theyre already traumatized, do you have no regard for the human mind? She slashed at him with an ashen limb, finding him vanish.
He chuckled and walked towards the apprehensive group.
Now that she saw them together, Ilea realized they were part of an organization, a military perhaps or a guard.
Were leaving for Riverwatch in twenty minutes. You can either ride among the corpses or walk. She said finally and joined Maro.
Who are you? The glaive wielding man asked, his gaze neither hostile nor friendly. Green eyes, black hair, tall and somewhat thin.
Ilea glanced over to Maro, Hes got your eyes. A bastard maybe? She asked, focusing on the man instead, Weve come to find my friends long forgotten son.
The necromancer snorted, Yes we have. And you are ,
Ilea interrupted his speech, Im a Shadow. On my way to Riverwatch when we heard you. What are you exactly, adventurers? She heard the word Shadow whispered by some of them.
Your armor isnt black. The man said.
Ilea rolled her eyes, Fucking seriously? She asked, summoning her badge and throwing it at him.
The man caught it and looked it over before he handed it to a mage standing behind him.
Its real. The woman said, about as annoyed by his demeanor as Ilea was.
He took it back and held it out to Ilea, his weapon moved to the side. Apologies for my rudeness. Im Linus it looks like captain Miller didnt make it. Thank you for the help.
The rest of the survivors finally came over from the field, some looking a little embarrassed.
A somewhat portly man with a big smile on his face walked over to Ilea, his hand held out. Chest covered in blood. Captn Miller. Glad to meet you, Ilea right? He asked and laughed, shaking her hand.
That was a close one, I tell you. He said, Good thing my screams got your attention. He pointed at some of the people, Get the carts, move the bodies. If there is space left, take the Nazarks too. Haren and Cliff, collect an ear from each of them.
From our troop too? One man asked, playing with his dagger as he walked towards the field.
Not again Haren. Just the monsters. The captain said and chuckled before he looked at Ilea. He hit her arm lightly, Hes joking. Joking.
The rest get ready to return, help move the corpses and spread out a little. Youd be easy fodder for a fire mage. Come on, move your asses! He shouted the last bit.
You know who I am? Ilea asked.
Hah, now I do. Dale told some stories. A healer with black wings, thought some poison was going to my head. He tapped his skull, dripping more blood onto his brown hair. Well I suppose you can move on then. Ill make sure youre compensated for the help. Just visit me in the eastern hunter camp.
Youre hunters? Ilea asked, some skepticism in her voice, her eyes moving over the carnage.
We were going out to hunt goblins. The Nazarks ambushed us around half an hour ago. We didnt expect it. I killed their leader, a stronger version likely capable of leading the normal variants. The forests grow more and more dangerous. He shook his head, Youre here with the Hand or for Dale?
She looked at him, Both, I suppose. Hows the city?
He chuckled, Hows the city. Standing. Some of the houses feel a little scared at night.
Maro laughed, I like him.
Of course you do. Ilea commented.
A necromancer. Youre a member of the Shadows Hand too? The man asked and held out his hand.
Maro grasped it, No. Im just here to raise the dead, corrupt and take over your precious town from within. His face was serious, his tone dry.
Miller laughed and shook his hand with both of his, Perfect. Finally, this horrible life comes to an end.
Maro joined in as Ilea rolled her eyes.
Ill help with the cleanup. She said absentmindedly and walked over to help with the dead. It felt wrong to move them in her storage items, their comrades still around. Still wearing her bone armor, she grabbed one of the corpses and moved the dead woman over to the arriving carts. A mage she assumed, due to the lacking sheath or straps for any weapons.
Some of the hunters looked at her but nobody said a word.
The captains mood wasnt exactly reflected in his hunters. Just lost a third of his men and hes joking with a necromancer. Ilea felt a smile tug on her mouth. And I think its funny.
She carefully placed the corpse in the wagon and turned around. All the other bodies had been moved already, each of the not assigned hunters carrying one.
She found no of her skills had leveled when she checked through the messages. Just a bunch of unlucky Nazarks that ran into her path.
Already done? Maro asked as he walked over. Heard the city is barely an hour from here on foot. Want to go?
Ilea glanced at the woman once more before she nodded. How many would have died if we hadnt been here? The thought was bizarre. There are thousands dying all over the world. We just happened to save these guys.
Ashen wings spread. She gave the group of hunters a nod and ascended.
Maro followed in silence, the two flying low. Right next to the flowing ice cold river.
Ilea stopped and landed a couple hundred meters away from the walls. The city sprawled before her. She attributed the size to magic just as much as with Ravenhall and Virilya. Comparing them to maps and paintings of medieval towns on Earth was unreasonable. What confused her a little was the fact that despite all the building advantages, they didnt like to build high here.
Stone and enchantments should get them at least a hundred meters high, if not much higher than on Earth. Either it was a money thing or more likely the constant fear of monsters. Collapsing a two story building dealt less damage than a ten story one. Area space wasnt really an issue here. Not yet.
Movement near the gate indicated they had already been spotted. Riverwatch. Doesnt look like they did the same defensive improvements as Ravenhall.
Maro chuckled. They dont have an insane mercenary order to defend and fund them either. He commented. Or do they?
Not that I know. Can we switch to a more normal getup? I dont want to stand out too much. Ilea said and put away her bone armor. Luckily there was no blood on her clothes, thanks to her ashen armor she had worn above her bone one.
The man rolled his eyes, walking towards the gate. His armor was suddenly replaced by elegant black pants, a red shirt and a black coat going to his knees. A silver pin depicting a rose appeared in his hand before he pinned it near his chest.
Not that you wont stand out just as much. Ilea said but walked on. Also your eyes dont really fit with the red.
Red and green? Fits perfectly in my opinion. He replied, Youre not a queen so you wouldnt understand. Damn youths.
Ilea ignored his comments, I dont know what their laws are in regards to necromancers. If youre not allowed in, just fuck off and sneak back.
Do you not want to separated from me then? Youll be treated as an associate. Maro suggested but they were already too close.
Four more guards had joined the ones near the gate, more on top of the wall.
Ilea glanced his way, What? No, Im the healer youve drugged and charmed to work with you. The guards will be my sweet saviors. She spoke in a serious and flat tone.
I dont like how Im rubbing off on you. Maro said.
Dont praise yourself for work that isnt yours. Ilea said, the two reaching the guards earshot.
One of them stepped up, all ready to fight, hands on their weapons. State your name and business! We saw you land.
Im Ilea. Friends with captain Dale. Here on Shadow Business. This is Maro, we helped out captain Miller on the way. They ran into some Nazarks. She explained casually, pointing first at Maro and then back down the road.
Ilea. Can I see a badge? I dont like him being a necromancer, can you vouch for him? The guard said, a hard stare focused on the mage.
She summoned and threw her badge, noticing a couple guards opening their eyes wide, others talking quickly to the ones next to them. Storage items. Ravenhall would see a lot more, I guess.
Still, she didnt want to stop using them here, feeling powerful enough to ignore the possible dangers. Any human that could pose a threat would have the resources or strength to get one themselves. If they didnt have one already.
The guard checked her Shadow badge and nodded, Yea. Youre alright. The necromancer?
Hes not going to raise any corpses. Ilea said simply.
Maro fixed his coat and stepped towards the man with a smile on his face, Maro Invalar. He bowed, It is a pleasure to visit your beautiful city, dear noble warriors and mages.
Hes so fucking bad. And they love it. Ilea wouldnt have believed it had it not been for her sphere that informed her about the distress levels dropping rapidly. Youre fine. Want to come with me or explore the city? She asked the man.
Explore? Just come find me if you need help. Enough fighting for me today though, to be honest. Maro replied in a low tone.
Sure. Meet up at sundown in the adventurer guild, the one closest to here? She asked. To visit my friends.
Ah, yes. Done deal. Ill be there. Maro said with a grin. So much for acting like youve been charmed. He winked.
Ilea rolled her eyes and walked past the guards. She noted that literally none felt distress anymore. Whats your usual policy with necromancers? She asked the guard.
The man looked at her and then Maro, Lets just say hes allowed in because of your word. He stopped the necromancer with a gesture, The Shadow can enter. I want to hear captain Millers confirmation of your story.
Thats not exactly logical. If she lied, are you going to find her? Maro asked with a smirk.
No. Shadows are allowed some leeway. Necromancers arent. He replied.
Ilea smiled and waved at him, hoping the mage wouldnt massacre everyone here. She was happy to hear Maro instead starting a conversation about gambling halls and brothels in the city.
The smells and noises inside werent quite as overwhelming as back in Ravenhall. Fewer people. She noted. A dog barked at her when she passed, the streets muddy with ice in places.
There was snow on some of the rooftops but most had melted away due to the heating. Stoves and wood for most, runes for those a little more well off. Many with no heating at all.
Oy lady, some copper? A man asked, thin and with clothing that wouldnt hold another winter.
Ilea summoned and flipped a couple silver coins his way, Get a bath too.
[Warrior lvl 28]
She wondered how many years ago he had gotten those levels. Ilea didnt stop, ignoring the shouts of thanks behind her.
I dont remember there being so many beggars. Rounding a corner, she saw three more, ignored by most who walked by. For each, she summoned a couple copper coins, making her way to the guard station Dale had been stationed at.
Ilea recalled the location of his office and this time blinked in front of it directly, without talking to any of the guards around the station. Good timing. She thought, smiling as the door opened before her.
Dale jumped back and grasped his sword, letting go immediately when he realized who it was.
She waved and smiled.
You? You werent here a second ago. He said, Really. No regards for this old mans heart. Dale added, shaking his head.
Ilea noticed the new scar on his cheek, touching her own. Youre what? Thirty?
He nodded. Im not telling you. The scar? A close one. Abby forbid me to stay with the hunters until the kids are old enough.
She smiled, Did she say a specific age?
Dale looked at her as his eyes widened, Damn ,
Youre not joining anytime soon. Miller seems decent enough though, even with his disregard for death. Ilea said, Am I interrupting you?
I was just about to go down join the new recruits. Its been a month and were evaluating the progress. Want to join? He asked, his eyebrows moving up.
Ilea shrugged, Sure, if thats not against guard protocol. She said and stepped out of the door.
You even joined in last time you were here. I dont think anybody would say no to a Shadow giving some pointers. Or even just watching. Dale said, moving past her and down the nearby stairs.
Youve met Miller? I thought he was out today.
They ran into some Nazarks. We helped them out. I think he should be back in half an hour or so. Ilea informed him.
Nazarks? So close to the city. Dale said thoughtfully. An ambush then. Otherwise I doubt they would have needed help at all.
Ilea nodded.
A nearby guard did a double take on her and Dale before he nodded towards them.
Are you here with your Hand squad? On official business or just passing by? The captain asked, the two walking out onto into an open space.
Around eighty people were waiting, fifty of which looked like the new recruits. They stood in formation.
She summoned her bone armor and answered, Im here with a friend. I did get the jobs near Riverwatch though. Thought Id check in on you and ask about them as well as the related contacts listed. She got out the note form Claire. Alistair Gallian seems to be the one to talk to. For all of them. At least in part. Know him?
Beautiful armor. It fits. Dale said, the two joining the group of waiting officers. I do know him. Hes the governor of Riverwatch. Newly appointed after all the mess.
Captain. Everything is ready. One of them said, glancing at Ilea for a second.
Good, start then. Dale said and turned towards the recruits. Ilea, if you have an hour or two, maybe a demonstration would be helpful.
[Warrior lvl 142]
I think youre quite enough for that. I dont want to make anyone feel inadequate. There was no mockery in her words.
The man noticed as much and nodded, I will be. He paused, Might have been my curiosity too.
She smiled under her helmet, A private bout isnt out of the question. I did look forward to freak you out.
He chuckled as the recruits started forming into groups of two, each using their preferred weapon or magic to fight one another. You give off a calmer feeling. If anything, I feel safer standing next to you.
Ilea pushed air out of her nose. Not the reaction I wanted. Refreshing though I think. After all the big eyed looks she had gotten from the survivors, even the reactions from her friends in Ravenhall. It was nice, she supposed. The first human she came in contact with in Elos still treated her in a normal manner.
Dale smiled, starting to walk around, commenting on some of the recruits.
Guards or Hunters? Ilea asked after a while, following the man.
They can choose. Guards for all at first, only small jobs outside the walls with a focus on gaining levels. After they reach level fifty, they can choose to join the hunters.
Basically adventurers in employ of the city? Ilea asked, noting the glances from the recruits.
Most at least tried to stay focused on their opponents.
Dale glanced her way, Not exactly. The pay is worse but you get benefits in the city. Jobs are usually somewhat close by and we move in much bigger groups. Its hard to get together twenty adventurers even for newly discovered dungeons.
She nodded. More safety then. Sounds like a good system. How many healers do you guys have?
He laughed at that. Not nearly enough. I try to encourage people to have it as a second class at least but its hard to argue. Even if theyve seen you.
I really dont get it. You can heal yourself and youre desired by any adventurer group or the guard. Ilea shook her head.
Stigmas, fear of the healing orders, not actually as useful early on compared to a body enhancement or mage class. Many lack the talent for it too or the knowledge. We cant provide many teachers either. Handing them a sword or spear is much easier and cheaper. Dale explained.
If the healing orders gave out their classes and the knowledge theyve kept to themselves in the past thousand years, Im sure there would be more around. More people to choose it early on.
Ilea nodded, ignoring a blast of ice that rushed over her.
The man who shot the spell looked mortified but Dale just motioned for them to continue.
You high leveled ones are all out there, with adventurer teams and unwilling to teach new healers. Why would you? More competition. Dale said and chuckled. We get by though. Still, Id like a healer in every group of ten.
How many do you have now? Ilea asked.
One in fifty? A hundred? Sometimes it feels like even less.
Comments
Alan McBrayer
Patreon emails me. Check your account settings
L Pedersen
Oh f5, why must I abuse you so? Why won't patreon simply email me when I can get my fix?
Thanks for the chapter.
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
Baba Vader
Thanks for the chapters!
ArturScott
Cos author can only write the limited amount of words
Michael C
Great chapter. Why split into 2? Why not combine to a single chapter?
Rip Woodham
I really like these slice of life chapters. Go great with a cup of coffee. :-) Normal moments, her lending a hand, and the awe and appreciation she receives. I was for her staying in the north and growing stronger still, and I certainly feel like she needs to be before she gets involved in many things here.... but for chapters like these, I'm glad she returned.
She found no of her skills -> She found none of her skills, Do you not want to separated from me then? -> Do you not want to be separated from me then?, I was just about to go down join the new recruits -> I was just about to go down and join the new recruits , as well as the related contacts listed. -> as well as the related contracts listed., I did look forward to freak you out -> I did look forward to freaking you out
Håvard
I who'd say he is a bit above averige. He always have an good group to go with and does not take long easy missions. Well now he is not allowed totake risks so...
L Pedersen
*rolls around, basking in the awesomeness of new chapters*
Alan McBrayer
Dale is a good example to show how fast a normal person levels in this world 83 after he first visit with the necromancers, 103 just after the Taleen, 121 after the demons, and 142 now. Plus it is good that Ilea has someone who is just a friend. I am curious if she wants to offer the guard some gear or if she is worried that dropping riches on him would change their friendship.
Alan McBrayer
Agreed. Good chapters, but they went by so fast. At least I have wandering inn to look forward to.
Aapjuh
i wish it was teusday already
