Chapter 356: Man of Conviction (1/2)

Ilea watched the man for a while. Stalked him as he made his way to the river, as he checked on a trap.

The squad was long gone, lazily strolling through the forest.

“Finally.” The man spoke and smiled, crouching down to grab a fish that had swum in his roughly constructed trap. He held it up and grinned as his stomach rumbled.

[Healer – lvl 104]

Interesting. Ilea thought and once more checked her surroundings. He really was alone.

The snow and frozen dirt crunched when she stepped out from the tree she was standing behind.

“Your hunting skills are better than your awareness.” She said and stopped.

He was immediately startled by the voice and nearly fell, turning around in an awkward movement as the fish flopped to the ground.

It landed right in a brown puddle, splashing some on the man’s robes and adding to the disheveled look.

“Whoa, you startled me there.” He said and chuckled, crouching down to get his fish. “Best wash that one again.” He added and smiled at her.

No distress? Ilea was impressed. A dark armored ashen healer with a big hammer appeared out of nowhere and the first thing he thought about was the sanitation of his fish.

“What brings you here, young healer? Or are you a part of the Stormbreach garrison?” He asked and stepped back into the water, holding the fish into the current with a strong grip.

“There’s a garrison?” She asked.

“Oh yes.” He said and lifted the fish again, shaking his hands to get rid of the water.

He shivered a little but barely seemed to be bothered. Being a healer had its perks.

“A monster is at the helm of the ancient and sacred town. Corrupting all who step within. I tell you, this is no place for someone such as you.” He said it gently and smiled. “Have you eaten?”

“You seem to know a great deal about Stormbreach.” Ilea said and lowered her ashen armor, her bone helmet vanishing after. “How are you going to gut and cook that?”

He chuckled and waved her off, droplets of water splashing to the ground. “Ah don’t you worry about me, dear. I’ve made fires with worse. Eating them raw is no issue either. We are healers, you and me. I’m sure you know.”

“We are.” Ilea said and smiled. “They taste much nicer when you cook them though.”

He pointed at her. “That is true. Well, you seem more versed in surviving the wilderness. I can offer the fish and you the fire? I’m sure you have had a long day too.”

A long day? Ilea wasn’t sure. She had eaten quite a bit already. Had killed dozens of people, had made a possible deal with Riverwatch and perhaps shared too much information with their leader. Now she was here, in the cold forest around Stormbreach, talking to a lone healer. “Long day, yes.”

He laughed and walked away from the river. “There’s…a small cave nearby. The patrols don’t know about it yet.” He said. “I suggest you move east, away from here.”

“Why do you stay, if it’s so dangerous? I have a higher level than you after all.” Ilea said, following the man as they moved through the forest.

“I am an elder of the Sanctuary Healing order. And I won’t leave Stormbreach behind until it is freed again.” He said with conviction.

They reached the cave. A small opening near a ledge where the man squeezed himself inside.

Ilea blinked in and looked around in her sphere. A surprisingly spacious area and a small tunnel leading farther down. Is he going to turn into a monster now?

He smiled in the darkness and grabbed a bunch of wood from a nearby pile. “I haven’t eaten in weeks. I hope the smoke doesn’t attract too many nuisances.”

“Freed from what? Stormbreach I mean. I haven’t heard of the Sanctuary Healing order either. Are you based here?” Ilea asked, helping him pile the wood.

“Thank you.” He said. “Freed from the monster that came and claimed the city. Few had remained after the… terrible crimes, committed by the elven invaders. Most had fled, leaving us with little power to resist. The Sanctuary Healing order has been a staple of Stormbreach for centuries and we will not leave now. A trial, to be overcome with faith.”

She listened, summoning her fire sphere and setting the wood aflame.

“A storage item. You must be very wealthy.” The man said and stretched out his hands to warm them. “Which order do you serve?”

“I’m a Medic Sentinel, part of the Medic Sentinel Corps. We’re more focused on helping adventurers than staying in a city.” She replied, sitting down near a cave wall. “Do you need help with the fish?”

He shook his head. “Don’t worry.” He got a sharp stone and slit it open, getting out most of the guts. “I haven’t heard of your order but you must be a high ranking member. Dangerous work. To be out there and help adventurers.”

“Rewarding too. And necessary. Our goal is to help cull the monsters, instead of letting them attack our walls.” She explained.

He lifted an eyebrow. “I commend your spirit. Why then, is a member of your order here?”

“To take care of the monsters that have taken over this area. I heard demons prowl the area and I’ve seen one of them, walking with a human, lizardman and orc.” She said.

He clapped his hands together and smiled brightly, the flames dancing in his eyes. “A savior, sent to lift this curse. You must be a blessing from the Lady herself.”

“The lady?” She asked.

“The Lady of Benevolence, protector of Stormbreach and our sacred patron.” He explained as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “The demons, humans and others are under the control of a wicked beast. Too powerful for any that have come before but perhaps not you. Have you fought demons before? Those coming from the mountains I mean, not the ones risen from the dead.”

“I have.” Ilea replied. “And you would need a mind mage to make them as docile as the one I’ve seen today.”

“Perhaps. I can… be of service. Lead you to the city, tell you of passages unknown to the monsters and I can heal. Not that it is needed with you. Medic Sentinel, was it?” He didn’t even ask about the meaning, likely assuming it was simply a name.

The man moved some of the sticks to the side, placing the fish on top of two interlocking branches. “Or are you waiting for the team you support?”

Ilea shook her head. “No, I’m alone.”

He didn’t seem disappointed, nodding once more. “My name is Collin Rey, one of the Sanctuary healing order’s elders. Perhaps the last that remains.”

“I’m Ilea.” She said. “Thought about just going in and killing whatever monster is controlling the people around here but it seems like a bad idea. If the demons go wild, they will spread out and cause chaos.”

The man coughed from the smoke, waving his robed arms around to move some air up towards the opening in the stone. “The west is once more a wasteland, the little civilization the independent cities have brought is gone, returned to the monsters both beast and man. There is little chaos a few more demons could introduce.”

“People killed by them turn into demons too.” Ilea said, not sure if he knew at all.

“Of similar level.” The healer retorted. “Stormbreach is not a city of adventurers or soldiers. The demons born from its citizens will be killed and eaten by whatever beast they come across. Few humans remain in these parts, I doubt they will become a problem. Not as much as those monsters summoned in Ravenhall.”

“I still think I should take care of them first.” She said.

“True. Especially because of those that walk with them. Many would die, unprepared for the sudden betrayal. Yet those that cause a disturbance will be met with hunters coming from the city. You won’t be left with free reign.”