Despite his desire to enjoy a few days of cold ale and a soft bed, Archivauld was already back on the road only one day after returning to Stronghold. With all the scrambling to gather travel supplies, he hadn't had much time to kick up his feet and relax.
On the bright side, he had got another horse, which Tanner had very begrudgingly given him.
It was probably a good thing that he left so soon, after all, it shortened the time Tanner had to chew him out. The rift he was escorting the client through was a week and a half away by horse, in a monster infested region of the inner expanse. Quite the trip for a single knight tier rift.
Archivuald shot a glance over at his travel companion, who rode silently behind him.
Their roundabout meeting had been a horrible waste of both their times. It had consisted of Archviauld traveling half a day out of the city, with vague directions on how to find an old mine shaft.
He had then waited for nearly half of a day for his client to show up. He wasn't sure what he was expecting, but he hadn't been prepared for who showed up.
It was a kid, perhaps thirteen or forteen, right around his brother Malakia's age.. The kid had done his best, but even with the hood and thick cloak, there was no hiding his age. A couple hours, and a few words were all it took for Archivuald to take apart the disguise.
Despite his youth, the kid rode a destrier with some confidence, a beautiful black stallion that towered over his own mount.
Archviuald had taken one look at the kids' rich clothing under that cloak and almost turned around. The clothing and horse, combined with the poor attempt at evasion made him think it wasn't worth it.
The only reason he hesitated was the potential reward. His personal reward for success was a staggering five gold of the fifteen gold bounty.
The thought of such a payday made his heart race with excitement, but also wariness. Just who were these kids' parents for him to throw such wealth around like it was chump change? More concerning was the fact the boy was trying to be subtle about this whole ordeal.
The thought had made his mind race. He wanted to just give it up, but the thought his five gold, made him hesitate. Added onto his already growing fortune of one gold, he might be able to buy a new emblem or two. There was a large auction being held at the summer solstice, in just over three weeks. It should be plenty of time to wrap this little trip up, and return to stronghold.
The thought of all the potential things that might show up on the once a year auction, made him salivate.
He nodded to himself. That was right, things could be salvaged. He didn't exactly need the kids' help in the rift. The problem was, how to keep the boy alive? Archivuald's payment relied upon completion, not a part of the upfront cost.
Meaning if he wanted to get paid, he had to help this boy get whatever he was looking for and bring him back alive.
Difficult but not impossible. They had been riding for nearly four days, and had just stopped by a small brook to make a fire for the night. This dirt path was rarely traveled, with them only seeing two people in as many days. Still, he only made a small fire, heating up some stew.
His client hadn't spoken more than a couple words since they set off, and Archivuald was getting curious. Just what was this kid hoping to accomplish in the rift they were heading for? Surely it had to be something important considering the wealth, and time he was spending to acquire it. Not to mention the secrecy.
Archivuald glanced over at the kid for the umpteenth time that evening.
Given the kids clothing, and that horse, the kids' family was filthy rich. Why not hire a full team to take him into the rift?
He could obviously afford it. If it was to farm essence and forcibly raise his tier, their were much easier and safer methods than this.
Archivuald handed the kid a bowl of soup, sitting across the fire from him. They ate in silence, the soft crackle of the fire filling the night air.
Normally, Archivauld would have been concerned of being ambushed by monsters, but as always, Foxy was nearby, watching over the camp.
During their traveles, Foxy had subtly dispatched quite a few monsters that had been in the area.
With her skulking about, no monster would dare to approach their camp.
Davian, as he had introduced himself, glanced over at the trees, speaking for the first time all day.
"Should we set up a watch again tonight? There is a monster that has been following us since the day we left the city. It might attack tonight if we aren't careful," Davian said.
He spoke so calmly, as if completely unconcerned.
Archivuald raised both eyebrows.
"There is a monster following us?" Archivuald asked, more than a little surprised. It wasn't every day he met someone who could detect Foxy when she was trying to stay hidden. Even more surprising, Davian had known Foxy was following them from day one.
Davian cracked a wistful smile.
"You don't seem surprised. I take it, you know what monster is following us?" Davian asked curiously..
Archivuald hesitated for only a moment. "I suppose you could say that. Don't worry, she won't attack us. Foxy follows me around, though she is quite shy," Archivuald admitted.
It was honestly more convenient to just come out and say it.
Davian seemed to perk up at that.
"Really? You have tamed a monster. What kind?" Davian asked, his earlier shyness seeming to fall away.
Archivuald waved a hand dismissively. "Don't get the wrong idea. I haven't tamed anything. Foxy is a wild monster. We just fight well together," Archivuald replied.
"Really? You don't have a taming emblem to control the monster?" Davian asked, confusedly.
Archivuald gave the kid a sharp glance.
"No…. Foxy would probably rip my throat out if I tried something like that. She has a mind of her own. If she decides to introduce herself, i would recommend you don't try anything, unless you want to get eaten," Archivauld replied.
It was Davian's turn to raise his eyebrows.
"It sounds like she has quite the personality. Can I meet her?" Davian asked, visibly excited.
Archivuald didn't know what to think about Davian's sudden change of temperament. Four days of no small talk, and now the kid seemed excited to chat?
Archviuald hesitated. The kid did seem to be excited, but introducing him to Foxy would likely make the him freak out.
As it turned out, he didn't need to make the choice at all, as Foxy decided to introduce herself.
Archivuald cocked his head, as something moved from the corner of his eye. It was nothing more than the faint rustle of leaves, like grass brushing against itself. And yet, he knew exactly what it was.
He had grown quite accustomed to detecting the sneaky monster.
Davian followed his gaze, as Foxy crept into view, just outside the flickering light of the fire.
Shadows seemed to dance around her lean predatory form. By the time Davian saw her, Foxy was already in range to pounce.
Davian froze deathly still, his eyes wide with alarm as he reached for a dagger at his belt. He frantically glanced back to Archivuald for help, but got nothing.
When Archviuald just sat there, unconcerned, Davian swallowed hard. He let out a nervous laugh.
"Foxy? Ha, that's not a Fox," Davian said, as if scared speaking loudly might make her attack.
Archviuald glanced towards the horses and then back to Foxy, who seemed to melt back into the shadows as she returned to hiding.
"Don't worry about Foxy, she won't attack. Well, not while i'm with you at least," Archivuald replied, calmly.
Davians eyes remained locked on the dark treeline as he spoke.
"How did you tame a Nightingale? Fully grown, they are apex predators, even amongst Cardinal tier monsters. They are extremely elusive and difficult to kill. Taking a juvenile would be a death sentence," Davian asked, stunned.
Archivuald gave the man a warning glance. "As i said before, Foxy is not a tamed beast. And, you shouldn't pry into the secrets of others," Archivuald replied sternly.
Seeming slapped, Davian quickly nodded.
"Ahh.. Of, of course. I'm sorry for prying. It's just, I don't often meet a fellow beast tamer," Davian replied.
Archivuald raised both eyebrows? Finally, something new about his client.
"You are a beast tamer?" Archivuald asked.
Davian grimaced and looked away, clearly uncomfortable at the topic. Archivuald thought he might not answer, as the silence stretched.
Just when he thought the kid wasn't going to reply, Davian started speaking.
"I, uh, am a beast tamer. Well, sort of. I was supposed to be a storm warden, like my father, but.... My inheritance was a dud. Imagine that! The only one in the family unable to conjure storms," Davian said, practically spitting out the words. Clenching his fists Davian continued.
"Can you imagine how humiliating it is? I'm the first in ten generations of the family to be unable to conjure storms. How am I supposed to face my father, or my sister? They are going to laugh at me, maybe even disown me," Davian said, wrapping his arms around his legs.
All of a sudden Davian looked so exposed, terrified, and unsure of his own future. Clearly the thought of facing his family, and exposing his perceived failure, was scarier than fighting any monster.
Archivuald just sat there, looking at the kid. Things had all of a gotten a lot more personal than he was intending. This kid definitely had some problems, but he supposed he could sort of relate.
Most of Archviuald's problems, like getting thrown out of the Order, and turning to banditry had come from awakening his second Tattoo. Not the same thing, but relatable nonetheless.
Gritting his teeth, Davian wiped at his face, probably because a bug had flown into his eyes.
"You haven't told them have you?" Archivauld asked.
Davian scowled, his face scrunched up.
"No.. I cannot. The family's reputation will plummet if my secret is revealed. It will tarnish our name," Davian replied, the venom in his voice seeming to be turned at himself.
Archivuald gave the kid a long stare. "I know I am just the hired help, but maybe I can offer some advice... Your emblems, or which tattoo you awaken, does not define you, regardless of what the Order preaches. Don't listen to what anyone says, whether they be the Cult, or even your own family. You are your own man, and thus can decide your own fate," Archivuald said.
His words came from the heart, words he truly believed. You could never make everyone happy, and if you tried, you would always fail. The only way to truly succeed in this dark world was to take fate into your own hands and carve your own path.
Davian looked across the crackling fire, doubt filling his troubled eyes.
"Do you really believe that?" Davian asked.
"Yes, I truly do. Now, get some sleep. We have another long day of riding tomorrow," Archivuald replied.
Archivauld was left alone once again by the fire, the soft crackle of flame lapping at wood and the distant sound of horses grazing filling the air. It was going to be another long night.
The next day they packed up camp and were on the road by sunrise. The two rode in companionable silence, the clop of hooves on packed dirt a constant drone. Despite them not talking for most of the day, he felt as though they had come a long way. Their conversation the previous night had been eye opening.
Unbidden, it was Davian who broke the relative silence.
"How much longer do you think until we reach the rift?" Davian asked.
Archivuald grunted. "If the map is right, we are about halfway there. Unless there is a mountain, we have to scale along the way," Archivuald replied.
"Halfway? I knew the rift was quite far, but we have already been traveling almost five days," Davian said.
As he rode, Archviuald shot a glance over his shoulder, where Davian rode his large stallion. It seemed more than happy to follow along after the dappled mare Archivauld was riding.
Archivuald pursed his lips. "About that... I understand why you have an emblem you want to keep a secret, but how is taking on this rift going to change anything?" Archviuald asked.
Davian shifted uneasily in his saddle.
"That's complicated," Davian replied vaguely.
"If it might get me killed, I need to know," Archviuald replied sternly.
Davian flinched, but slowly nodded.
"In that case, I suppose you should know. The reason I am going to such an out of the way rift, is because the people who found it said the weather inside was terrible. They said the rift entrance is on the the rim of a volcano, with a colossal storm that covers most of the rift, with lightning and gale force winds," Davian replied.
"And why would you want to enter such a clearly dangerous rift?" Archviauld asked.
Davian shifted nervously under Archviauld's stare.
"I was hoping to try to find a monster inside the rift with an ability to conjure those storms. Or maybe control them," Davian replied quietly.
Archviuald slammed his face into his palm, letting out a long drawn-out sigh.
"You have got to be joking? You brought me all the way out here because you are trying to tame a storm monster?" Archviuald asked dryly.
Davian stiffened at his accusing tone.
"Well, yes…. You just need to help me find one, i'll do the rest," Davian replied defensively.
"And this monster is just going to stand there and let you tame it?" Archviuald asked.
Davian hesitated, clearly not having thought that part out. When he didn't reply Archviuald sighed.
"You don't know, do you?" Archivuald asked.
"We can figure it out. If you distract one, I can
try to use my emblem and imprint on it," Davian replied uncertainly.
Archivuald pulled on his rains, turning his horse to face the younger man.
"We are going back," Archvivauld said. Gold be damned. This sounded like a stupid plan, so prone to fail he would be an idiot to even try.
"Wait… No! We can't go back. I'll give you a lord tier weapon if you stay and help me," Davain stammered.
Archivuald pulled on his horse's reins, and the mount stopped, right next to Davian's larger horse.
He turned to face Davian, who looked desperate. Archivuald had to admit, the reward was tempting, but riches couldn't be claimed if he was dead.
"Let's get one thing clear… Neither your family drama, nor your wealth, is worth dying for. You are going to need to tell me more about how you plan to tame a monster or I'm out. Because right now, your plan sounds like suicide," Archivuald replied.
Davian mulled it over for a few seconds before letting out a worried breath.
"I don't know, alright… I'm just making things up as I go. I was hoping we could come up with a plan if we find a monster that meets my requirements," Davian said.
"And what requirements are those?" Archviuald asked.
It was considered incredibly rude to ask about someone's emblems, but in this case, he needed to know.
Davian hesitated for only a moment. "My emblem is actually a divine curse. It gives me the ability to form a pact with monsters and use all of their inborn abilities. That would normally be great, but it comes at the cost of being unable to absorb any other emblems," Davian replied. He was clearly leaving out some details, but what he shared was already incredibly potent.
Archviuald whistled.
"That's powerful, but also quite the drawback," Archivuald replied.
Davian sighed.
"It really is. Even if my inherited divine curse was a dud, my family could have always just filled all of my nodes with storm related emblems. It would have been fine if not for that damned drawback," Davian muttered..
The boy's casual words were, as always troubling. He acted as though a dozen emblems were nothing. And perhaps they were to his family. Also, what was that about an inherited divine curse? Was that even possible?
His mind whirled at the implications. Archivuald's racing thoughts were disrupted as Davian shifted nervously.
"If the price is not enough. I might be able to convince my father to give you your choice of lord tier weapon, or equivalent item from his vault." Davian replied, uncertainly.
Archivuald had to reign in his greed.
"As i said, riches can't be spent if we die. I will help you tame a storm monster, but under one condition… We do it my way," Archviuald said.
"And what is your way?" Davain asked hesitantly.
"That is yet to be decided," Archviuald replied.
"But how is that any different from my plan?" Davian asked.
"Because I have delved rifts before, and you haven't," Archivuald replied.
Not having any rebuttal, Davian could only agree to his terms. With that, he turned back around, and started back towards the rift.
Sure, the risk was still there, but now the rewards were much higher. Hopefully, this rift actually had the storm monster they were looking for. Finding the storm monster wasn't strictly necessary to get paid, but if he wanted the promised reward, he needed to succeed.
Archivuald's optimism lasted all of five days, which was how long it took them to reach the rift entrance. Wanting to test the waters, he peeked inside the rift, and was almost blown off a cliff.
From what Davian had said, he knew the winds would be powerful, but was almost thrown off his feet. It was a screeching wind that howled like an angry beast. Clinging to the steep rock escarpment, he ducked for cover as a tremor shook the earth.
Above, a plume of thick black smoke drifted off the east, as the erupting volcano spew ash into the sky.
Just freaking fantastic.
Normal rifts were bad enough, with their bitter cold, and falling ash, but this was on another level of punishment. And that wasn't even considering the monsters that likely lived here. For a long moment, he reconsidered his life choices..