Tyler Kimball - Lessgently
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Pallesia - Chapter 162: Simple chat.
🕑 Added 2024-08-14 08:53:19 +0000 UTCGetting past the harsh security of Emerson’s gate was actually much easier than Lee had anticipated. It wasn’t often that Lee threw his metaphorical ‘I’m a healer.’ weight around, but he had to admit, it came in handy. Nobody wanted to be the lowly soldier denying him exit from the city. No matter what they felt or what rules they had in place, all of that dissipated when he made his intentions clear.
He was leaving, and they would not stop him.
By how many of the soldiers ran back into the city with haste as he stonewalled all of their attempts to make him stay, he was sure Fatalina was soon to discover his departure. Even if they came after him, he was sure that nothing would come of it. He wasn’t a part of their country, wasn’t beholden to their laws, and did much more for them than they’ve done for him. Spurning him and attempting to make him stay was all but confirming they had ulterior motives; motives he didn’t want to deal with.
Lee walked down the side of the well-used dirt road westward away from Bardum, avoiding the long lines of wagons and carriages that were bringing supplies and bodies to join the war. Most of the wagons were filled with supplies, ranging from weaponry, sacks of food, or other miscellaneous goods, but there were a few wagons filled with nervous young men and women on their way to fight for their country.
The youngest among the soldiers heading into Emerson was around fifteen. Like those beside the young man, he was obviously nervous about what was in store. They all passed him by without giving him a glance, their sights focused on the towering white walls of the city before them.
You’ve been the target of a failed Identify.
Much to Lee’s delight, it took a solid two hours before the clattering of hooves approached him from behind. By this point in time, the gaps between wagons and carriages were wide, letting him walk on the main road without a worry. Turning around, Lee came face to face with three very nervous soldiers atop their very suspicious mounts.
Lee spoke without a worry in the world and with a calm smile. “Is there something I can do for you three fine soldiers?”
The man around Lee’s age who rode in the front looked at both of his companions before clearing his throat. “Mr. Barnes. General Castana requests your presence back in Emerson.”
“That’s unfortunate, because I’ve already left and have no plans to return. Is there anything else?”
Lee’s casual dismissal of Fatalina’s summons caught the three off-guard. More than likely, they had never heard anyone deny such a thing. Their leader floundered for something to say, but Lee turned and started to continue his walk down the road. “I will not be returning, nor will I allow anyone to follow me. Go away.”
“Sir, I’m just following orders…”
“And what were these orders?” Lee paused and spun around to face the three once more. His smile was nowhere to be seen. “Your message has been delivered and you’ve gotten your response—which is a resounding ‘no.’ Was there anything else you’ve been ordered to do?”
The three soldiers looked visibly pained. They obviously didn’t want to be here doing this. The leader was the one to speak. “We’ve been ordered to follow you for your own safety—-”
“Denied.” Lee cut him off. “I’m going to be blunt, as I understand that you did not wish for any of this to be a part of your day and you’re doing what you’ve been told—which, again, is respectable. I will not be followed, watched, or supervised. I will be traveling alone. If I see anyone following me, I will kill them.”
Lee let that very blunt statement settle in. “I do not feel safe around the Thexian military any longer, and I am trusting my gut. Something is afoot, and I don’t want any part of it. Now, if any of you are still around me in five minutes… I’ll make sure you can’t follow me.”
Without waiting for a response, Lee turned and began walking away again. He didn’t want to threaten these poor soldiers who were just doing what they were told, but as he said, something was definitely off. Over the past week, Lee had an inkling that he was being held around for something, and he didn’t like that one bit. To be honest, he didn’t even care which side won the war. While he’d like it to be Thexis, because he’d taught a bunch of healers already, he could do so for Bardum were they to win and he was still somehow still around. It wouldn’t be the end of the world, as he had time for it all.
Thankfully, Lee didn’t have to wait too long to hear the plodding hooves leave to head off back to whence they came. After a quick look to make sure they were indeed leaving, he let out a sigh. He was sure that some other people would come to track him down, but for now, enjoying the first bit of alone time he had was going to be a priority. Once he was able to fly with a few more levels under his belt, he could worry about his trek back to Felispar.
After another few hours of casually walking down the road, passing wagons, and watching as the grassy plains slowly transitioned into a forest, Lee decided that this would be a good place to rest. Using Wall of Earth, Lee did what he did back during his trip through the Shadowgrove. He created a small earthen shack with walls and a roof and laid out his furs. Once settled, he gathered some of the surrounding wood and started a fire.
With a slight tweak to a Wall of Earth using Mana Manipulation, he even created a small rectangle as a seat to watch the wagons pass by. To stay inconspicuous, Lee turned off his titles and took off his Robe of the Genesis as well. Although this wouldn’t deter anyone looking for him, it would make their job harder. Petty? Maybe… but if it worked, it worked.
As the sun began to set, a wagon peeled off the dirt road and pulled up beside him. A spry man with shaggy brown hair, who appeared to be around Lee’s age, hopped off the wagon. His rough, calloused hands, which he was wiping down as he approached, clearly marked him as a man accustomed to hard labor. “Ho! Mind if I share your fire?”
Lee gestured to the side, causing another Wall of Earth to erupt from the ground, creating another square seat. “Name’s Lee. Feel free. Long day?”
Bran Thornhill - Human - Level: 2
Bran’s hands slowed at the sudden showcase of magic and his friendly demeanor shifted to a much more formal tone. His eyes also locked onto Lee’s which were, of course, swirling rainbows. “Bran Thornhill, and yes, sir, a long day indeed.”
“No need for any formalities, Bran. I can do magic, yes, but I'm just lucky. Could have been anyone. Don’t mind the eyes, it’s a weird ability. You do a lot of these supply runs?” Lee pointed off toward the wagon, which was filled with sacks of grain, spices, and dried meat.
Bran took a seat on the offered magical seat and nodded with a slight smile. “Indeed. It’s good to help out in any way I can. It was either this or joining the front lines, and I think we both know which one would be safer. What about you?”
“I’m on my way back home. Just left Emerson a few hours ago,” Lee said as he threw some more twigs onto the fire.
Bran nodded. “Thank you for your service.”
Lee snorted. “No, no. I wasn’t a soldier. I was just helping out with some magic. Hear any news along your travels? Didn’t get much news in Emerson.”
“Oh, yes. Lots’ been happening out and about. The healers have been kicking up a shit storm recently as all of their buildings got attacked. That’s probably the biggest piece of news. They’ve taken that up with the king and queen, but they’re not lifting a finger in their defense. Other than that, some weird statue monsters appeared recently. Nasty ones, those are. Prices are still on the rise due to the war, but that’s nothing new… That’s about it. Anything new about the war?”
Lee shrugged. “There was a healer who could teach healing magic. He taught a bunch of the soldiers, so now there are healers in the war. Not Sanctum healers, just soldier ones.”
With a snap of his fingers, Bran recalled something. “I’ve heard about this healer! They said he’s friends with the elves and that he likes monsters. I didn’t know he actually existed… he’s teaching people god magic? I heard his eyes are like blue crystals.”
“Interesting. I heard his best friend is the former defender of Breye. That might be where the monster thing came about. He came from the Shadowgrove, home of the Dark Elves. So it makes sense that he likes the elves. I actually got something from him…” Lee said conversationally as the sun finally set beyond the horizon. He pretended to dig around in his pocket, using Hidden Cache to pull out a faintly glowing glass vial filled with Drop of Life. Whenever Drop of Life was on cooldown, Lee cast it to fill up vials for later use. He handed the vial over to Bran, who took the offered vial with intrigue.
Water of Life - Epic (Unique): Healing water created by the Genesis of Healing.
Capable of restoring 50% of your maximum HP.
Lee saw the moment when Bran used identify, as his eyes bulged and his hands began to shake. “You can keep that. I have many more.”
“N—No, I can’t.” Bran tried to hand the vial back, but Lee didn’t make any effort to take it.
“I’ll tell you what. Share some of your dinner, and I’ll call that payment. I truly do have a lot of those… just not a lot of food.” Lee pretended to take out three more vials from his pockets, showing that he indeed had more.
“The healer was very generous.” Lee finished with a shrug.
Bran looked from Lee’s hand to the vial he was unknowingly tightly clenching. It was easy to see that Bran wanted to return the vial of healing water, but he also knew the value it had. The vial could sell for a few gold or even save his life when monsters attacked his wagon. “This feels unfair, Lee.”
“I think eating some food today would be a good payment.”
Lee's insistence and cheap price obviously made Bran fold, accepting the vial and trading it for some food.
As Bran rummaged in the back of his wagon, collecting some ingredients to make a meal, he saw Bran stash the vial deep within a small chest—his personal items if Lee had to make a guess.
That night, Lee and Bran chatted as they ate a freshly cooked meal. Steaks, potatoes, and carrots. For the first time in a long time, Lee enjoyed himself like a normal dude. It was times like these when he felt a sliver of regret for the mountain of responsibilities he had. He could run away, never teach anyone healing ever again, and live a carefree life… but then people would suffer.
At least, he could pretend the heavy weight upon his shoulders didn’t exist for a single night. As it reminded Lee about who his magic was for—People like Bran.
Comments
Wintermelody
Thanks for the Chapter (≧▽≦)
