Chapter 1723 - Second Life (Part 1) (1/2)
Lith informed Jadon and Brinja of Hogum's visit and Raaz about the presence of one or more informants among his farmhands.
”The Hogum household is easy to crush for someone of your status. Do you want me to order their execution?” If the Baronet could hear Brinja, he would have regretted his arrogance.
”Without a plausible reason, I would get rid of one enemy just to make ten more.” Lith shook his head. ”The rest of the nobles of Lustria would consider me a madman and the commoners would resent me even more than they already do.
”On top of that, the Association doesn't like me at all and I've just fixed my shaky standing in the Royal Court. What I'm asking you to do is to dig up all the dirt you can about the Hogum household and see if there's a way to take them down after destroying their reputation.
”I want to send the message that whoever tries to take anything from me must be ready to lose everything they have and I want it delivered in the most painful way.”
”I agree with you.” Brinja nodded. ”I'll inform Jadon and together we'll give Baronet Hogum a taste of his own medicine.”
The following day, Lith met Protector, Nalrond, and Friya for the lesson about boneshifting.
”Ryman, it's so good to see you again!” Solus said, hugging her friend.
The Skoll was in his human form, 2.1 meters (7') tall, with long flaming-red hair held in a tress. He wore a white linen shirt over brown leather pants and black boots. His shirt was so big that it could be used as a tablecloth and Lith suspected that he was wearing a whole cowhide.
Ryman's face was rough and savage, with a square jaw and a cleft chin covered by a well-trimmed beard. Despite his huge size and bulging muscles, Protector's emerald eyes were calm and his smile warm.
”I'm glad to see you too, Solus. You are a really pretty and heavy short lady.” Ryman said after his back popped in the attempt to lift her from the ground to take a better look at her.
”Thanks and rude! Never ask a tower about her weight.” She chuckled.
”Wow.” Nalrond said while looking at her petite but shapely body. ”Are you free for dinner?”
”No, but thanks for the offer.” Solus blushed a little while shaking his hand.
”Just my luck.” He groaned. ”Don't let Morok see you or he'll never let us hear the end of his theory about Lith's harem.”
”What are you guys doing here and what does Morok have to do with us?” Lith asked.
On the one hand, he had hoped that Solus would have accepted to go on a date with the Rezar. It would have helped her to develop her personality and have life experiences of her own.
On the other hand, he had noticed that people complimenting Solus for her looks annoyed him and her refusal had actually made him feel relieved.
”Unlike you, we don't slay Dragons, we have no mines of our own, and getting close to the Kingdom would be a one-way ticket to trouble.” Nalrond said. ”Bones are the best materials we can hope for.”
”Indeed.” Protector nodded. ”Master Faluel has given me decent equipment for an apprentice, but if I were to face a truly powerful opponent it wouldn't be enough. We both came here to study Faluel's method.
”I'm a Forgemaster so I'll be able to do it on my own while Nalrond is here to observe and learn how not to be scammed.”
”Scammed?” Lith asked. ”If you ever find the materials, you can ask Faluel, me, or even Protector to craft your equipment for you at production cost.”