One Moo'r Plow

Book 1: Chapter 48: Vulture.

Perhaps it was a fault in my own nature that I found my attention not upon Ishila, but on her parents rather prosperous crops. The farmstead lay empty as we approached. Windows dark, porch lacking its usual occupant. Animals grazed in fields far from the road, yet the were no signs of life otherwise.

A sharp rap upon the wooden door stirred no life within, a fact that seemed not to bother the lass at all.

Theyll be back in a bit. She tiredly drawled and jabbed one finger towards the trees. My vision followed her, landed on a hunched vulture sat atop an old tree, and followed it skyward. The bird laughed once, launched itself heavenward and soon disappeared behind the forests wooden walls.

She knows now. Ishila grunted as I slid her weight onto the rather large, sturdy chair that overlooked the road. Out for a mornin hunt, gonna come huttyin back soonish.

A nod was what I offered in return, head turned to look around.

Nice farm. I commented, even though I had walked past here a dozen times. Maybe less.

Was born here, raised here, and Gods willin, I wont die here. She grunted, slumped back and weary. There was something in that sentiment I shared, truly.

Farm life is nice. Mostly safe, specially with Mah and Pah scarin off all the wildlife just by existin. But they always wanted me to just live here with em.

Parents are protective like that. I shrugged.

Worst part of this is, I proved em right. Ishila sighed. First time I go out and try tah do somethin on my own, everythin goes horribly wrong.

About that. I winced. There have been..developments.

Ah yes, please do tell, Came the groan as her head lolled back. A quick recount of the areas response to the dungeons abrupt awakening brought an..terse mood to her face.

There will be blood over this. She spoke quietly once I had finished. Someone will call for a scapegoat. The one responsible for this. For what is to come. Dungeons are not just unleashed and the cause of their awakening forgotten. For smaller, easily contained ones, they would herald you a hero for finding it. Not this.

How so?

This, this thing is ancient. Massive beyond anythin I have heard tell of. It spans leagues below the earth, and thats only what I saw. There was a distant look in her eyes as Ishila gazed at the morning sky. Filled to the brim with monsters, traps, creatures I dont want to remember. There will be blood, Garek, and I am firmly in league of those who woke it.

What about the others? I questioned

What about them? She laughed, her voice hollow. Dead to a man. Dwarf teleported out.

He ran. I relayed what Lerish had told me. Took a horse and fled.

Knew what was coming. Didnt want to risk it, even with his vaunted protection.

His what?

No ones fool enough to touch a dwarf, Garek. From kings to street rats, every livin being on this continent will sing the same tune. A dwarf dies, and more go to war. They dig under the cities, come from where there is no defense, and they leave no survivors. No one in their right mind will touch em. But people wont be in their right mind, once the horrors come burstin out.

So only you remain.

Aye. Perfect mess Ive dug myself into. Didnt even think o all this before I went in. Just some fool girl in search of adventure and treasure. Life has a way with harsh lessons, I guess.

Something puzzles me, I must admit. I mused after a moment.

Do tell.

Valencia.

I have no idea why the fuck she saved me, if thats what yer askin Ishila gave a choked laugh. What goes on in her mind, I have the faintest idea. One day, Im sure shes some irredeemable monstress that despises me for simply existin, the next shes draggin my carcass out of a dungeon and piecin me back together.

She is.. I pondered for a moment.

Evil? Yes. Monstrous? Agreed in a heartbeat.

My suggestion would have been unpredictable, but those work splendidly. Came the sigh from my throat as we waited. A flock of ravens approached over the treetops, their distant caws of laughter a hammer against the mornings quiet.

The towering green form of Tehalis Warborne burst from the trees heartbeats later, carcass of a mossdear slung over her shoulder. Long strides closed the distance at all speed, and soon she loomed over Ishila. Muscular arms swept the lass into a crushing hug. A weak smile on her face, Ishila returned the gesture. I simply stood by a watched, the vague feeling that I was intruding on a rare moment gnawing at my mind.

So. The larger woman spoke once she had released her daughter. You have brought my child home. What reward do you seek?

Blunt and to the point, even if there wasnt one.

None. I rumbled. I am not wholly responsible for her rescue, only for healing her. Her safety is my sold concern.

Then you are different than most of your race.

And here I thought that had already been firmly established. I grunted and wrinkled my nose at the sweet stench of blood that permeated her form.

We will see. She shrugged and turned to the returned vulture that now sat upon the porch rails.

Fly. Came the command, and with wings spread, it obeyed.

Daughter scooped up in her arms, the orc led the way inside. For once, I did not have to stoop far to enter the doorway, a matter I found pleasant. Everything inside was built large, and built sturdy. A table seated three, with a fireplace along the far wall, comfortable chairs, large windows, and all the furnishings one would expect from a significantly well-off family.

Ishila was taken from one chair and deposited in another, then sat as her mother checked her over.

Tell me. Everything. Tehalis demanded.

Ishila relayed her experiences once more, the story just as genuine as when I had heard it hours ago. I found myself wincing as she described the trap, the desperate flight, the pitfall and Valencias arrival. Those came in vivid detail. What followed after she described as an unclear blur up until I had taken her from the dreadknight.

While I stood and empathized with her pain, Tehalis paced, her knuckles tight on the handles of sheathed weapons. An anger simmered within her, one that was plain to anyone that gazed upon her.

Listen to me, girl. She abruptly stopped and grasped Ishilas shoulders. Take me back to the start. Where did you meet the party?

At Gareks. She replied, puzzled.

No, when you went up the mountain.

We met on the road, The words caused some relief to wash over the orcs otherwise tight face.

You did not mingle with them inside the camp, were not seen in their presence? Came the terse questions.

Not that I remember.

I could smell the relief that enter Tehalis then.

Then as far as the world is concerned, you never stepped foot in that dungeon. No one knows you were missing. As far as the soldiers are concerned, your father has been helping him from the goodness of his heart, and I have been furious with battle-frenzy. You were in the house this entire time, sick with fever or somesuch.

But-

No. There was a certainty, an absolute in Tehaliss words that gave even me pause.

She has valuable information about the dungeon, its monsters and what other horrors are contained within. I pointed out. Knowledge that could save lives.

Knowledge that will see her killed. The orc snarled. I will not have my daughter offered up as a sacrificial lamb when those that rule demand their scapegoat for unleashing that place onto everyone.

The air cracked, and a flame-haired giant of an elf materialized before me. Velton Grenzwald looked around, spotted his daughter and swept her up into a hug as she feebly protested. He demanded to be let in on what had happened, and Ishila ran through the events once more.

In contrast to Tehaliss pacing, he sat quietly, pondering her every word as his head sternly nodded along.

I am in complete agreement with your mother, He concluded. As of current, only a very specific handful of people even know you were inside the dungeon. Six, to be exact.

Myself, your parents, you, Lerish, and Valencia.

Tehaliss face twitched at the mention of Lerishs name. Interesting.

The huntress will not reveal such information unless it is in some way directly beneficial to her cause. The dreadknight, however, I can make no assurances for.

So we silence her. Tehalis growled.

Quench your bloodthirst for a singular moment, dear. The elf sighed. Remember why we moved out here and what, perchance could destroy what we have built. The blackguard is still a mystery to me. And I despise uncertain battles. I propose..diplomacy. The word seemed bitter as it left his mouth, and all knew why.

There might be seventh you are not thinking of. I interjected. The dwarf that fled.

Ah. Velton sighed. Him. That is now firmly out of our hands. As it stands, we stand to lose nothing by his absence either way. He does not know that Ishila survived.

Lerish has left to run him down. I followed up.

Of course. The elf groaned. She demands her pound of flesh, no doubt. Blinded by her anger. But that will be her reckoning, not ours.

What are sunwood assassins? Ishila threw that bombshell into the conversation, and the room froze. Tehalis stopped mid-stride and turned to her daughter as Velton leaned back and closed his eyes. I remained clueless, yet could smell the tension that suddenly coated the air.

Where did you hear that term? The elf quietly demanded.

Valencia mentioned it to me while she was gloating.

Of course. Velton sounded tired now, ragged. Of course she knows.

Knows what?

Were life good, and things reasonable, we would never have to have this conversation. He continued. All eyes turned to look at me.

Much as we respect you, Garek, this is not for your ears.

No. Ishila held up her hand. I insist. There is no closer friend or better person in this room. I explicitly trust him with my life. Whatever this is, he hears it as well.

The elf just sighed and shook his head.

Stubborn girl.

I got it from both of you. She shrugged.

Fine. He grumbled.

There were a few moments of silence as everyone sort of hovered around, waiting for him to speak. I leaned against the wall, Ishila sat upright in her chair and Tehalis gazed out a window.

There is a reason your mother and I live in the middle of nowhere, Ishila. And it isnt simply because we desire isolation. Up until now, I have taught you little, about your elven heritage, and for good reason. Ours is not a pretty history, nor one I would ever want you involved in. One of the less..desirable parts of this is the Sunwood. A faction obsessed with elven purity. Maintaining the reputation of my species.

Not our species?

Never. He hissed. You are my daughter, and I love you beyond all things, but do not ever think to mix yourself in amongst them. Elves do not mix with the lesser races, nor allow others to. We, your mother and I, left in secret, traveled a continent away and buried ourselves deep inside human lands where the locals might mutter about us, but never take real interest.

Then we had you. And for a time, things were manageable. Now that is..murky. This is why we did not want you to be an adventurer. Mere word of your existence as a halfbreed would bring these fanatics to you. To them, the elven bloodline with remain pure or not exist at all. All the power, all the strength you accumulate would never deter their blades. Even now, they visit those who are in possession of inconvenient knowledge. And ensure they speak it no further.

Then why did you let me go up the mountain? Did you know there was a dungeon there?

No. We knew there was something, but were convinced the Apex would scare off any potential threats. It has nested up there for as long as we have been here, and for a long time, that was enough. No one came here. No one went up the Redtip. Whatever secret was up there stayed buried. But for as much as we know, we are not omniscient. Events have transpired in frankly unfortunate ways, and now we are left to salvage what remains.