B2 Chapter 139: Preparing to Leave

After sealing his compact with the elders of Three Fields, the atmosphere had turned raucous and celebratory. Beer flowed like water, and the deer that he and Porkchop had slain earlier in the day was brought out for a great roast.

Normally, that would have been excessive for a group of seven, but with their eighth being a greater meles, it was only just enough. Kaius thanked his blessings that whatever magic supported a greater beasts frame allowed them to function on smaller amounts of food than their size would suggest, otherwise they would be in a far worse state when preparing their travel rations.

He even managed to get drunk, though his pleasant buzz got more and more difficult to maintain as his control on Rapid Adaptation slipped. At least he managed to squeeze two levels out of the skill as a consolation prize, Hurrin’s stout was strong stuff.

**Ding! Rapid Adaptation has reached level 21!**

…

**Ding! Rapid Adaptation has reached level 22!**

While there was the temptation to decide on the name of their soon-to-be dynasty, the elders decided rightfully to wait for their missing member, Holt, before they made any decisions. That went double for actually planning the gargantuan task of enticing the other villages to join their banner, or how they would entice others to come forward with any potentially hidden legacy skills.

That sat just fine with Kaius. He needed allies, and a base of power, but he had no interest in running a full blown dynasty, not yet at least. Having those decisions made in his absence would be far better for creating a level of separation between them and Unterstern.

Eventually though, the night grew long, and he and Porkchop were led upstairs to the rooms of the inn. Luckily, the largest room had a set of double doors, so Porkchop was still able to squeeze in.

He never ended up making it to the bed, instead curling up on the bearskin rug that lay in front of a smouldering fire alongside his brother. With Porkchop’s growth spurt, they would have just broken the damn thing anyway.

Sleep took him in moments.

…

The sun shone bright, nary a cloud in the sky as Kaius crossed Three Fields. He still felt a little groggy after the night before, though mostly from mild sleep deprivation. His resistance skill might have been unfortunately effective against beer, but it was equally so against hangovers.

Porkchop padded alongside him, his coat on full display. They’d freed him from his barding for what would hopefully be the last time, and had stowed it in their dimensional bag. Kaius had taken to stashing the thing in his emptied pack, which he wore. No way was he leaving something that valuable behind, even if he did know practically the entire town.

Walking down stone paved streets, Kaius gave friendly nods to those he passed and recognised, making a beeline to the rhythmic hammer blows that echoed from the workshops a few blocks away. They might have been set at the very edge of the town, but the place was small enough that the sounds of smithing carried far.

“What are you hoping that Eilish will be able to do when making me my under-armour? Wont it be missing enchantments?” Porkchop asked.

Kaius smiled. His bond-brother’s only exposure to artefacts were from the masterworks that the system had spawned, and he had very little knowledge of the more mundane creations that a skilled crafter could create.

“They will, but a good artisan can still create artefacts without them. They lean more on the innate properties of the materials, and their own skills to draw out the full effectiveness of the items. Though, enchantments are more flexible, and it will definitely be worth our while to take whatever we get to an inscriptionist in Deadacre.” he explained as they crossed the street, rounding on a half dozen workshops.

Eilish, and her husband Yondar, shared the most grand. Equal parts leatherworking shop and smithy, it dominated the street. Unlike most buildings in town, it was built entirely from stone. No one wanted their house and shop going up in flames due to a forge mishap.

“We will still be able to get it enchanted?” Porkchop asked as they approached the building, surprised.

“Oh, yes. it’s not quite as efficient as having the inscription worked into the very creation of the artefact, but the people with the skills to do that are few and far between. Now come on, we’re here.” Kaius replied, pushing open the heavy oak door that led into the reception of the workshop.

Eilish was waiting for him with her partner, Yondar, at her side; the pair standing behind a counter that stretched across a good half of the room.

“Kaius! Right on time.” the head of the Three Fields’ artisans said warmly.

“Good to see you, lad; it warms the heart to see you well.” Yondar said, smiling at him.

Kaius returned the man’s grin. He’d always liked Yondar. Though he didn’t know the man all that well, he’d always been kind and friendly.

“Yondar, good to see you. I hear that your wife has volunteered your services?” Kaius said, as Eilish rolled her eyes at him.

“That she has. A worthy trade for the gift you have given us; let alone the honour of crafting a piece for a Forest King.” he said, dipping his head respectfully to Porkchop. “Now, you said that you needed some sort of … under-armour? It would be good to see what I will be working with.”

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“Well, I’ll let the man himself do the talking.” Kaius said, ushering Porkchop forwards.

His bond-brother towered in the shop, but he took a respectful seat in front of the counter.

“Hello! It is nice to meet you.” Porkchop said to Yondar.

The man smiled, though Kaius could see that he was still a little unsettled at having a massive meles sitting in his place of work.