44 Chapter 44 (1/2)

The elven blacksmith sighed, putting down his hammer and looking back up to Aerwyn.

”...What do you need?” The blacksmith asked with a voice full of apathy.

”Is... Is this a bad time? I can come back-”

”Just tell me what you need.” The blacksmith interrupted him but it was odd, he didn't seem like he was trying to get rid of him or be rude by it.

”Ok...” Aerwyn jumped down with his pack and emptied the contents on an empty table.

”I have a hundred and seventy five silver, some mana cores, ore, and gems to trade. I need spears made, two meters long with a fifteen centimeter spearhead. How many would you be able to make for all this?” The blacksmith took out an abacus and began taking count of the goods before mouthing out a quiet response.

”...Between forty and forty five.”

The elf's expression seemed empty as if all the fire within him had been extinguished. He looked as though he was just going through the motions of life waiting to for the sweet release of death, it made Aerwyn pity him.

”That's a deal then. How long will it take to make? I'm Aerwyn by the way.”

”Two weeks.” The blacksmith poured Aerwyn's goods into a sack and walked away ending the conversation without ever giving his name.

Aerwyn stood there stunned for a minute and deciding not to press the issue, he left. He said his goodbyes to Nyris who reiterated the warning about his power before leaving Lyr and heading back to Ardin. While they traveled Aerwyn entered the darkness and connected to one of the jakku like he did with Rorik, allowing him to see through its eyes.

The creature squawked the moment the connection was completed as if it had sensed the foreign presence in it's mind. High in the sky, Aerwyn could see endless forest in all directions, the river that ran parallel to Ardin, the mountains to the far north by Setrhyn, and the ocean to the south. It was a pleasant experience and he spent most of the trip back to Ardin looking through the eyes of the jakku.

He wondered if he could use them as scouts but he wasn't sure if his undead could reach out to him the same way he could reach out to them. If the jakku could notify him when they found something of note then that would be the most ideal situation and it would allow him to have eyes all over the forsaken lands.

Disconnecting from the jakku he reached for Rorik's soul string, he hadn't heard from the mangy mutt in a few days and felt like annoying him by testing his theory out with him.

”Rorik, what's going on buddy?” Aerwyn mocked.

”...What do you want human?”

”So grouchy... Anyway i want to test something. After i disconnect from you i want you to try and reach out to me, just like i'm doing now.”

”..Fine.”

Aerwyn disconnected and sure enough a few moments later Rorik's demonic voice was heard speaking draexich in his mind.

”Rsaz zi'arsuhrph nil suhnu ini'ar”

”You said something rude again didn't you... Whatever, i don't care anymore. Things have changed, come back to Ardin for now. I need to speak with everyone.”

Aerwyn arrived at Ardin late in the night and called a meeting in the city square the next morning. In attendance was Rorik, Erit, Teek, Gebb, the hobgoblins and of course his little protectors Rin and Ren. Aerwyn gave them a once over while scratching his head unsure of where to start.

”So i learned something in Lyr and it affects all of you so i thought i should mention it. It just sounds silly saying this out loud... Ahem... There's a chance that i was born a god and there's also a chance the gods may be looking for me even now. The necromancer Nyris...” Aerwyn began explaining all that he learned from Nyris to varying responses.

”...You called me back for this nonsense? If you're a god then i'm the almighty creator.” Rorik scoffed.

”Stupid mutt! Your master could be a god, as in you were lucky enough to have been named by a god. Show some appreciation!” Erit cried out, a hint of jealousy in her tone.

”KWEEEE!” Rin joined her side as well.

”INSECT YOU DARE!” Rorik roared back and seeing how things were getting intense Aerwyn intervened.

”Rorik shut up and sit down, that's an order.” The flames in Rorik's eyes went wild as if to show his rage. Kabba began jumping around swinging his short sword around in the air.

”Master! Master! Kabba will chop off the puny gods heads if they come to fight!”