Twilight of the Demigods: Forfend Edition - Session 13
They walked quietly to Roman Summerstead's estate. The ornate gates loomed before them.
Movement caught Forfend's attention. At the far corner of the grounds, a cloaked figure shuffled through the hedges and jumped the fence, running back into Brightcrossing proper.
A thief?
Her shock of red hair caught in the breeze as she pulled back her hood. She didn't look to be carrying anything, but Forfend hardly caught a glimpse of her before she disappeared around a corner. It could be wrong.
It glanced at its companions.
Melzaryn fiddled with his quill.
Kagoshi glared straight forward.
Kairi caught its ever-blank expression and shrugged. "She's a little nervous, but mostly happy. Excited too."
Forfend hummed. Would a thief be giddy? Maybe. Though Forfend guessed they would usually be more subdued until they were sure they'd gotten away. Apprehension should've been the largest feeling. At least, Forfend thought so. Perhaps they lived here and were only sneaking out.
"Should we alert Roman?" Forfend wondered aloud.
"I'm not sure." Kairi pat its arm. "Maybe."
"It certainly is not worth giving chase." Forfend shook its head. "We have no proof of wrongdoing and we are not authorities."
Kairi hummed her agreement.
Ahead of them, a group of knights stood stockstill at attention in front of the entrance.
Forfend nodded politely.
They regarded it and the rest of its party with mild disdain.
"State your business," one of them ordered.
"We are here to report to Roman Summerstead regarding the kruthik infestation," Forfend stated.
They glanced among themselves.
One of them pulled a Sending Stone from his belt and whispered into it, eyeing the party suspiciously.
The Sending Stone flickered at the knight's ear. After a moment, he nodded to the others.
They pushed open the gate.
"He'll be waiting for you in the meeting room," one of them said.
"Thank you," Forfend nodded politely as it passed them.
The building ahead was huge. Much larger than any house Forfend had ever seen.
It was opulent too, the grounds covered in perfect topiaries and the house adorned in the Summerstead crest. The oversized double doors sported an exquisite dark wood Forfend was sure had been imported. Golden knockers shaped like twin peacocks spread their wings in perpetual flight in the center of either door.
Forfend hesitantly touched one of their outward-curling tails and bumped it against the wood with just barely the force needed to be heard on the other side.
A butler, the same butler they'd seen the first time they visited Roman, opened the door and nodded to them. He turned and led them up a wide, fanciful staircase to the second floor.
Forfend felt steam breeze easily through its chest. No tight, twisting staircases this time.
It took a moment to assess its surroundings.
The inside of the house was far more ostentatious than the outside. Decorative armors lined the hallways. Expansive paintings of beautiful scenery or sneering relatives or winery-related agriculture lined the walls. Glass display cases filled to the brim with gracefully designed wine bottles also dotted the pathways periodically.
The butler led them what felt to be very deep into the house, but may have actually not been very far at all. Forfend was disoriented by the neverending network of halls and stairways and doors.
Finally, he stopped and quietly opened a door. "Your guests, Lord Summerstead," the butler introduced them as the party filed inside.
Forfend ducked carefully through the doorway. The meeting room itself was fortunately quite sizeable. Forfend stood upright with ease and did not feel it was crowding its companions.
Roman sat on the opposite side of an almost comically large mahogany table.
To his right sat a human woman with long plaited brown hair. She wore an elegant red dress and a placid expression.
To his left was a young half-elf woman. The structure of her face was slightly sharper than Roman's own, but otherwise resembled him quite closely. She, too, wore a red dress accented in gold, though she wore a bit more jewelry on her fingers than the other woman.
Forfend hummed quietly to itself. She was likely Roman's daughter and the other woman must be his wife. Those were the only people Forfend was currently certain lived in this house. Perhaps they had seen a thief.
Behind Roman, the arcanist Zoshaan quietly ruffled through the pages of a book. He looked up and shut it as softly as he could manage.
Roman gestured to four chairs neatly arranged in front of his desk. Well, more accurately, it was three chairs and one exceptionally large and apparently reinforced ottoman.
A slight glow emanated just beneath the cracks of Forfend's body. Accommodations just for it. How polite and inclusive!
Forfend took the ottoman while its other companions each slid into one of the offered chairs.
"I heard word you were here to report progress on the kruthik extermination," Roman prompted. "Is that correct?"
Forfend nodded. "The infestation is dealt with. There are no kruthiks left in Brightcrossing."
Roman drummed his fingers on the table. He didn't quite seem aware he was doing it. Perhaps, his wife or daughter disliked when he smoked in an enclosed space with them, so he wasn't sure what to do with his hands. "I heard from Knight Thomas Adri that your work was complete. For that, I would like to first offer you thanks. I would also like to interview you to acquire the exact details of what occurred."
Zoshaan subtly leaned forward, apparently interested as well.
"We will answer any questions you have." Forfend ignored the sensation of pebbles tumbling within its chest. It disliked lying, but it would have to omit every demon and Calamity Shard from its retelling of events as per Knight Thomas's orders. It was for the greater good. If the real tale got out, there could be mass panic. Still, Forfend couldn't help but feel guilty and nervous.
Luckily, it had no face to give away those feelings.
"Oh, um, Forfend." Kairi nudged it lightly.
"Ah, yes." Forfend nodded. "I feel we should mention that we saw someone jump your fence on our way in. They were leaving."
"Hm. Interesting." Roman did not look concerned. Instead, he was more flatly unamused. He waved to a knight standing against the wall.
The man nodded and left immediately, his armor clanging with every step.
Up until that moment, Forfend had genuinely thought that he and the three other knights in the room were just armor decorations like the others in the estate.
Now that it was watching, it saw them shift occasionally. Still, they remained so sharply at attention that they were almost motionless.
"We will see to it, do not worry," Roman assured. "We have other matters to discuss. I would like a full report on what happened. While I do trust Knight Thomas's experience and ability to produce accurate reports, I would still prefer to hear it firsthand."
Forfend hummed. "Of course."
Roman nodded seriously. "What happened down in those tunnels?"
Forfend glanced at its companions.
Melzaryn wore an easy smile. He kept his eyes straightforward and his shoulders pulled back.
Kairi looked up at Forfend, her wing softly brushing its back.
Kagoshi picked his teeth. He wasn't listening in the slightest.
It had been hoping one of them would be willing to speak, but apparently not.
Steam rushed as Forfend turned back to Roman. Nonetheless, it launched into the sanitized, demon-free version of the fiasco.
"Hm, I see," Roman muttered mostly to himself. "I suppose that leaves the hive lord firmly marked in the unusual category. I have no explanation for what caused it to migrate here."
Zoshaan stepped forward far enough to make eye contact with Roman. "It is strange, my lord. Given the report, it does not sound as though anyone planted them here. We could perhaps surmise this was something of a fluke. The Adamantine Mountains are not too far away in the grand scheme of things. This could've been an unnatural migration due to a number of things: natural disaster, outcompeted by another hive, predators, civilization destroying their local habitat. Anything really."
"You're sure of this? There was no sabotage?" Roman narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"Kruthiks are fickle, unpredictable creatures. Herding and manipulating them is exceptionally difficult. If it's possible at all, it would likely be more trouble than it's worth. Every point on the path from A to Z would have to unfold perfectly or the kruthiks would escape and probably cause grievous harm to their would-be captors in the process," Zoshaan placated.
Roman nodded and relaxed. "I see." He turned back to the party. "Well then, it appears you were very much successful in your endeavors. Congratulations on a job well done. As per our contract, you will be provided a lawyer to assist with your court date in Cragwall. You may meet him outside the courthouse on the day of your trial, or you could meet with him early at the Summerstead Estate within Cragwall."
Roman sat forward, his fingers steepling. He glanced over at his wife. "And due to your extraordinary expediency, we would like to offer you an additional reward."
"Oh?" Forfend straightened and nodded politely. "Thank you for your kindness."
"What do you seek?" Roman spread his hands out to encompass the party as a whole.
Forfend looked from one side to the other at its companions. It, personally, wasn't seeking anything. It had no requests.
Everything was quiet for a moment.
"I could, perhaps, commission Gilthur on your behalf. Kagoshi." He tilted his chin up, trying to keep his brows from twitching at the idly distracted man.
"Hm?" Kagoshi only just bothered to make eye contact with Roman.
"You aren't currently carrying a weapon, but your stature suggests you could easily use something heavy. Perhaps two-handed?" Roman looked down his nose at Kagoshi. "Would you accept such a humble reward?"
Kagoshi leaned back his chair, wobbling dangerously as he considered the possibility. "Yeah. Yeah, I could use a weapon."
"Alright," Roman nodded. "What would you like? A great sword? A spear? A hammer?"
"Do you happen to know what a kanabo is?" Kagoshi grinned wickedly.
Roman's brow knit. He turned to look up at Zoshaan.
Zoshaan opened his spellbook, flipped through the pages, and whispered something into them. He snapped and a flash of magic briefly lit the page.
"It is a club-like weapon of Fulgar Isle design," Zoshaan read.
"I see." Roman glanced back at Kagoshi, his expression denoting that the weapon choice was unsurprising. "Gilthur should understand how to make you something such as that. It will be done."
Roman turned to Forfend and the rest of its companions. "Despite your expediency, you have been delayed a day in your travels. As such, Zoshaan has already alerted the Tyrwedian Grand Court that your delay was due to your assistance here. It will not be held against you."
Steam hissed as Forfend let itself relax slightly. "Thank you."
"I do not suggest you delay further," Roman warned.
"Of course not," Forfend agreed.
"I believe that will conclude this meeting and all associated addendums. Is there anything further you wish to request of me or discuss regarding the matters of our contract?" Roman asked in a tone that suggested he'd prefer if they did not.
Everyone shook their heads.
"If not, then I must kindly ask you to leave." Roman placed a stack of papers on his desk. "I have work to do."
"Have a nice day," Forfend said as it stood.
"Same to you," Roman replied. "Forfend," he added after a moment.
As they filed back out of the room, Zoshaan followed them.
He twirled his hand and a paper flipped itself into his grip. Magic raced across the white sheet. He handed it over to Kagoshi.
"If you give that to the blacksmith, Gilthur, it will accommodate everything," he instructed.
Kagoshi nodded.
"I wish you luck on your journey," Zoshaan said politely. "And with your trial."
"Hm," Kagoshi barely vocalized.
"Thank you," Forfend spoke up in his stead.
The party were escorted back outside and off the grounds.
"Gilthur is exceptionally talented," Forfend shared with Kagoshi as they made their way to the smithy. "He will forge you an excellent weapon."
"Yeah? Good," Kagoshi huffed.
As they approached, the ringing sound of Gilthur striking metal grew louder.
Kagoshi opened the door to the shop and headed straight in.
Kairi followed him.
Forfend sat down outside. It had already said its goodbyes to Gilthur. It would leave him to his business.
Melzaryn leaned up against its shoulder.
Forfend heard Kagoshi yell from inside and inwardly cringed. Kagoshi was purchasing a service from a highly skilled craftsman. Where was his respect?
A few minutes later, Kagoshi and Kairi exited the shop.
"He already had something similar in the works, so we'll only have to wait four hours," Kagoshi informed them.
Forfend nodded. "While we are waiting, we will talk outside town about what happened during that fight."
Kagoshi grimaced. "After I get my weapon."
Forfend shook its head. "We have the time to talk right now. We will not put this off. It is too important."
"Kagoshi, we really should talk about it," Kairi nudged. "I'm worried."
"Fine," Kagoshi ground out. He jabbed his finger into the metal brace of Forfend's chest. "You've got four hours."
"That will be plenty enough." Forfend led the group outside the city.
They found a spot down a short incline off the main road, tucked into the shadow of the Brightcrossing wall. No carts going past would spot them, no guard patrols were stationed in such an empty spot, and no one could get close enough to eavesdrop without being spotted. They could have a confidential conversation without worry here.
Forfend crossed its arms as it looked down at its deeply scowling companion.
Kagoshi glared up at it, his own arms folded defiantly over his chest.
Kairi scooped up a little lump of dirt. Green light shown through gaps in the soil as a cluster of lavender sprouted up. The calming scent filled the air around the tense party.
Forfend let steam hiss for a long moment. "Does anyone else understand Abyssal, aside from myself and Kagoshi?"
Kagoshi flinched and grit his teeth, though his eyes didn't waver from Forfend's face.
Kairi shook her head.
"Not currently," Melzaryn shrugged. "And not during the fight either."
Forfend hummed. "The greater demon said in no uncertain terms that Kagoshi is, in fact, a demigod of Atrox. I have had my suspicions since shortly after we met, but now I know for certain."
Kagoshi ground his teeth and looked away from Forfend for the first time since their pseudo-standoff had started. "Yeah," he growled.
"Kagoshi, did you know?" Forfend asked with deadly seriousness.
"No, I didn't know." Kagoshi looked... Maybe uncertain wasn't the word, but it was as close as Forfend could get to naming the complicated emotions flitting behind Kagoshi's eyes and getting buried before they could make it onto his face. He was uncertain of himself, likely for the first time in a long time.
"As Callan explained, I know that some demigods take a long time to discover their patrons. Some never do. I believe you are being honest with me." Forfend hummed to itself, tapping its fingers against its metal chest. "Still, it is troubling. We do not know if there are others out there. It is good to know that you want to fight against demons, Kagoshi, but others like you may not."
Kagoshi huffed. "I don't know if there could be others like me."
Forfend tilted its head, but Kagoshi pointedly didn't elaborate.
"When did your power first manifest?" it tried a different avenue of questioning. "And what did your family do?"
"I can answer that first question," Kagoshi offered. "About ten months ago, give or take."
Forfend straightened. Ten months? From the way Callan talked, most demigods manifested their powers in their childhood. Kagoshi was easily in his twenties. Perhaps older.
"That is very late," Forfend finally said aloud. "What occurred ten months ago that triggered your abilities?"
Kagoshi evaded its gaze and stood silently.
"There is nothing interesting?" it said disbelievingly. "Nothing of note happened? What were you doing at the time? Were you in a fight?"
Kagoshi was quiet for another moment. Forfend was beginning to think he would refuse to answer when he finally looked up. "I did wake up after a fight."
"Elaborate?" Forfend requested.
Kagoshi was silent once again. He looked as though he was gathering his thoughts. And also deciding what he was willing to share. Forfend had never met anyone so closed off.
After a long moment, Kagoshi finally unfolded his arms and spoke. "There's a reason I know so little about the current era."
Forfend knelt to bring itself closer to Kagoshi's face. "Are you saying you are like me?"
"Yes and no," Kagoshi shrugged. "I'm not from the Sundering. It was later than that."
"But you were from a previous era and awoke here in this age." Forfend tilted its head curiously. "How long ago did you awaken?"
"About ten months," Kagoshi gruffed.
"And that is when your powers began manifesting. What was happening before that? Do you remember?" Forfend couldn't remember what had been happening before it had suddenly woken up in the present. Not really. It was all so fragmented.
Kagoshi shook his head. "When I try to remember, I mostly get fuzz. A blur."
"That is... common, apparently," Forfend hummed.
"The last thing I remember vividly is watching my entire kingdom burn." Kagoshi took a deep breath to steady himself.
He looked more vulnerable in this moment than he had ever let himself look before.
Forfend bowed its head respectfully. "I am sorry for your loss."
"Hm," Kagoshi acknowledged.
Forfend took in Kagoshi's visage with a new perspective. He'd seen tragedy. That's likely why he was so standoffish. It was a sensible reason, though hardly an excuse for his rudeness.
Forfend found itself wondering as well how someone who hadn't been a demigod before, had suddenly woken up from a tragedy in the distant future with a patron so heinous as Atrox.
It placed a hand tentatively on Kagoshi's shoulder.
Kagoshi glared at its arm as though he was offended it dare exist at all.
Forfend removed its hand and straightened its back, a deep metallic hum resonating in its center. "It is clear to me that you are at least trying to get a handle on your newfound abilities and your circumstances are not your fate. If you want to do good with them despite their terrible origin then I will support you. Kairi, myself, and Melzaryn, if he would like, could help you on that path."
Kagoshi growled, staring towards the Brightcrossing wall.
"Is that the path you want to take?" Forfend prompted.
"I am a warrior. And I will fight whatever I must," Kagoshi answered cryptically. "If that includes my own self, then so be it."
"What are you fighting for?" Forfend asked. Everything was always a battle with Kagoshi.
"I fight for the things I care about."
"And what do you care about?"
"Strength," Kagoshi growled, his gaze meeting Forfend's with sharp determination. "Real strength. Not given strength."
Earned strength. That's what he wanted. Maybe all he wanted. If that's the case, the abilities dropped on him must be difficult to reconcile with.
And it begged another question regarding demons and unwanted power.
"Kagoshi, what do you remember about the fight with the demon after you went down?" Forfend rolled its shoulders as it recalled the dawning horror of Callan's limp weight being lifted from its back.
"Everything," Kagoshi breathed, angry and world weary.
"Could you explain to me what happened? Because, frankly, it was terrifying. And I know that thing was not you because I have never seen you not swing to kill. That monster was toying with us." Forfend shuddered.
"Well, you got me on that one. I don't play." Kagoshi cracked his knuckles and stared down at his hands. "My body wouldn't respond to me. It didn't do what I wanted. I was just trapped in my own mind. Watching."
"Could it happen again?"
"I don't know," he answered honestly.
"I dislike that we have no idea what caused it. Was it the presence of the demon? Or was there something else at work? Was it the shard in your spine?"
Kagoshi shrugged. "I don't know. Whatever's causing it, I plan on conquering it."
"Noble," Forfend nodded approvingly. "Easier said than done."
"Yeah," Kagoshi agreed grimly. "But I'll do it."
Forfend angled its face and leaned slightly forward in hopes of giving an intent, curious impression. "What do you think of Atrox? Of what you know of it?"
"I've always heard him described more as a demon than a god."
It nodded. "It is effectively both a demon and a god. Though, that did not truly answer my question."
Kagoshi rolled his eyes. "Ask what you meant to ask."
Forfend let a rush of steam release from its center. "Can we trust you?"
"Well, that's a good question." Kagoshi let a smirk twitch at one corner of his lips. "Do you trust a random stranger?"
"We have been traveling together and encountered enough dangerous happenings that I would no longer call us strangers."
"We ain't exactly friends either," Kagoshi countered.
Forfend looked Kagoshi over and shook its head. "No, I wouldn't say so." It hummed softly. "Perhaps a better question: do you trust yourself?"
"I trust my own strength. If it fails me, I'll fail everyone else." Kagoshi glanced at Kairi. "I can't let that happen."
"Knowing that you are a demigod of Atrox, cultists and demons may offer you power. Or money. Anything they think you'll want." Forfend had seen demons promise the world and more before. It had seen good people fall for it. "Would you accept it?"
Kagoshi shook his head firmly. "I'd fight them. I'll always fight them. I'll kill every one. I don't want my strength handed to me."
Forfend nodded. That was enough of an answer for it. At least for now. "Well, that is reassuring. If you will have me, I will help you on your journey. There is a bold sense of justice in fighting Atrox's demons alongside one of its demigods."
"You do what you want," Kagoshi huffed. "I won't stop you either way."
Kairi smiled and bumped her wing against Forfend's shoulder. It took that to mean Kagoshi's response was about as positively receptive as he was capable of being.
"We will help you learn to control your rage," Forfend assured.
"I just have to try harder," Kagoshi muttered partially to himself.
"Do not hesitate to fall back on us when you need us," Forfend pushed. "Especially Kairi. She has been your friend the longest."
"I've traveled with her the longest. That's all." Kagoshi shrugged noncommittally.
Forfend glanced at Kairi, concerned.
Kairi grinned smugly. "Uh-huh. Sure."
Kagoshi pointedly looked up into the air and away from all of them to hide his face.
Forfend shook its head at his stubbornness.
"Any more interrogation questions you want to ask me about my life?" Kagoshi griped.
Forfend tapped the side of its stone head thoughtfully. "I do not think so. You know, you could always ask me questions about mine, if you were ever curious."
Forfend hummed low in its chest. "For the record, I believe that all of us were brought together for a reason. I have heard from Fornax for the first time in two years, not just once but twice. I have a new shield and a new mace. I think something very big is happening here and that is why we stumbled across an Atroxian cultist. There is more work for us to do."
Kagoshi scoffed, but Kairi and Melzaryn both looked to at least be considering it.
"Well, if you're done asking questions, I'm going back into town to wait for Gilthur to finish my weapon." Kagoshi tromped off immediately.
Forfend and the others followed him.
"Perhaps I should ask if Knight Thomas is alright," Forfend suggested. "Surely, he is home by now."
"Yeah, you do that." Kagoshi waved dismissively. "I don't think he likes me all that much."
"I would imagine not. You scared him quite significantly and threatened his life," Forfend chastised.
"Oh, c'mon! That was a joke!" Kagoshi argued.
"It did not sound like a joke!" Forfend scolded more harshly.
"Fine! My apologies for always looking angry!" He huffed, then muttered, "Not like I can turn that off."
"The least you could do is simply not threaten people." It gazed down at Kagoshi as they walked. "If you looked angry but said nothing, people would think you were averagely grouchy. As opposed to homicidally grouchy."
"I will punch you in the face," Kagoshi casually threatened.
"Technically, I do not have a face to punch," it countered.
"You've got a rune. Maybe I'll just break that. Fuck it, I don't know." Kagoshi stood up on his toes and eyed Forfend's blank face. "What would happen if I broke it?"
"I do not know and I would prefer not to find out," Forfend answered honestly. "It has never been damaged. I would like to keep it that way."
Kagoshi hummed to himself.
"I imagine it would not be dissimilar to caving in a person's skull," Forfend elaborated.
"Yeah, that makes sense." Kagoshi grinned. "Speaking of which, I need my kanabo. Pick up the pace."
Forfend completely disregarded Kagoshi and paused to speak to a pair of guards.
Both of them tensed sharply and looked at each other. One turned to stare straight forward as though ignoring Forfend would make it go away. The other craned his neck up to take in Forfend's full height and swallowed hard.
"H-hey, man," he muttered, "you're really tall. What the fuck?"
Forfend chuckled softly. "I thought we had moved past this." It didn't recognize these particular guards, but surely word of its presence and unusual appearance had gotten around.
"I've never seen you before," the guard squeaked.
"Do you work under Knight Thomas?" it asked simply.
"Yeah?"
Forfend crouched to make itself less intimidating. "Have you seen him recently? Is he off duty? Did he make it home alright?"
"I'm pretty sure he's off duty," the guard managed. "He's taking a nap, probably. Something about a late night?"
"Very late, yes," Forfend agreed.
"Alright. Um, can I help you?"
Forfend shook its head. "I think not. Thank you for your time."
"That thing was so big," one guard whispered nervously to the other as Forfend walked away. "What the fuck was it?"
Kagoshi rolled his eyes at the pair. "He's friendly."
"Really?" the second guard sounded unconvinced.
"I do my very best," Forfend called back to them.
"Oh shit, it heard us," they panicked.
"He's a lot more friendly than I am," Kagoshi grumbled.
"Oh, that's good! That's nice! You seem nice," one of the guards nodded.
"Me?" Kagoshi balked.
"Sure," the other guard shrugged. "You're talking to us, aren't you? Most people would just walk on past."
Kagoshi huffed irritably. "I can't wait to get my damn kanabo." He turned and stalked away.
The rest of the party followed him to Gilthur's smithy. They waited patiently outside until the four hours was up.
Kagoshi rushed inside as soon as the fourth hour mark hit. Kairi followed him.
A moment later, Kagoshi was back and swinging his massive studded club.
Forfend took a short step back, but assessed the weapon with admiration. Gilthur had once again done a brilliant job.
"Alright, let's get going!" Kairi fluttered her wings. She had a new rapier at her side, apparently freshly purchased from Gilthur as well.
Forfend nodded and the party set off for Cragwall once again.
The first day of the journey was blissfully quiet and uneventful. At dusk, they made camp by a stream.
Forfend took the opportunity to tidy up its stone body. Demon blood and bug innards and golden ichor gathered in every crack of its body. It felt uncomfortable and disgusted. It also stank.
The cool water of the river washed away all of its filth and most of its worries, leaving it relaxed and eager.
Rest was easy.
The next day was similarly quiet and the weather was beautiful. And the next day as well. Travel was smooth, easy, enjoyable, and free of hiccups or hitches. Finally, they were making steady progress.
Forfend's spirits were lifted. Confidence and optimism filled its form as Cragwall's massive outline came into view on the horizon.
The path turned abruptly from dirt to cobblestone beneath their feet. A refreshing breeze drifted off a wide, deep river flanking the slow slope Cragwall was built upon. Beyond the expanse of water, the Howling Plains of Begstrom were living up to their name.
A towering, swirling storm framed Castle Ledrian, which sat imposingly at the very top of Cragwall's incline.
Even from a distance, the sprawling stronghold looked intimidating. Like one could spend their whole life living inside those walls and never find their way into every room.
The next district below the castle on the mountainous outcrop was similarly excessive. Forfend assumed the line of mansions would each belong to the major nobles of the realm. One of them must be the Summerstead Estate. Another could belong to the Gallofords. Though, that left at least three noble families that Forfend knew nothing about. It hoped that wouldn't be important.
The base of the hill was filled up with what was by far Cragwall's largest district. That was the area where the common folk lived and worked. The very air bustled with all the lively happenings of everyday routine. Forfend had never seen so many people in one place.
A handful of particularly large buildings stuck out. One of those was a wide, circular building with a domed roof made up of red glass. The sunlight glinted brilliantly off it.
Not far from it, a grand cathedral rose up towards the heavens as though the building itself was beseeching the gods. Forfend hoped it was truly filled with all the holy energy it looked to encapsulate.
Other domed buildings and large dwellings surely marked myriads of libraries and shops.
Along the sides of Cragwall's outcropping ran aqueducts, poised as both water infrastructure and railings for the steep drops on either side of the raised city. They collected the rain that fell around Castle Ledrian and the noble district whenever a storm might cross the river from the Howling Plains and carried it all the way out into the farmlands Forfend and its companions were now passing through.
Of everything, Forfend was most interested in this area outside the soaring stone walls. These people were farmers and likely the poorest people in Cragwall. Their ramshackle homes clustered beneath the shadow of the city and spread outward from there.
The earthy scent of farmland permeated the air, adding a familiar undertone to the river breeze. This area was nearly like home, though even it alone would dwarf Foumedo.
Many people worked the fields without so much as glancing up. Others were out hanging laundry to dry or tending to playing children. Fewer people stopped to stare here than Brightcrossing. Those that did looked awestruck or nervous or curious.
Forfend waved to them.
As always, the children were most delighted by this. Some of the adults hazarded a smile and wave of their own.
The road itself was crowded with people coming into or out of the city. Occasionally, a street vendor called out to Forfend and its companions, or approached them pitching all manner of supplies and tools and luxury goods.
Forfend shook its head politely before Kagoshi could cause a fuss.
Melzaryn looked perfectly comfortable in this bustling atmosphere as he led them into the line at the gates.
Kairi had slipped into the back of the party, massaging her temples. Forfend worried for her. She had mentioned that crowds of people overwhelmed her with their collective emotions. She couldn't turn her demigod ability off. She would have no choice but to endure.
Forfend raised itself to its full height and looked out over the line ahead of them.
The gates were heavily guarded. Two knights on horseback stood watch on either side of the road. More knights and guards handled the paperwork of those entering, asking various questions before allowing passage. Yet more guards crowded the ramparts above, staring down at the throngs of people.
All of it looked far more rigorous than what they'd gone through in Brightcrossing. Forfend touched the bag of Calamity Shards at its side. Hopefully, they wouldn't search it.
Forfend fretted silently as the line slowly inched forward.
Melzaryn nudged it gently and cast a relaxed smile.
Forfend nodded.
"Next," a guard called the party forward without looking up from his list.
An arcanist is deep green robes sat nearby. He perked up at the sight of Forfend.
"What is the purpose of your visit?" the guard asked.
"We are reporting for court," Forfend hummed.
"Ah, alright," the guard nodded, pencil pressed to the paper. "Names please."
"Forfend."
"Forfend," the guard repeated and looked up for the first time. His next words caught in his throat. He glanced at the arcanist.
"Excuse me," the arcanist said, "but where is your owner, good sir?"
Forfend hissed steam and shook its head. "I own myself."
The arcanist gasped. "A sentient construct!" He paused and blinked curiously up at Forfend. "Is that correct?"
"Effectively, though not precisely," Forfend answered.
"You said your name was Forfend?"
"I did. Forfend Smith."
"Fascinating! And where do you come from?" the arcanist pulled out a journal and began taking notes.
"Foumedo," it said proudly.
"Foumedo?!" the arcanist exclaimed. "Perhaps they have more down that way than I thought. Perhaps I should visit."
"It a very small and beautiful town," Forfend agreed.
"And what are the rest of your names?" the guard prompted Forfend's companions.
"Kagoshi," came the first flat answer.
"Kairi Camilla," came the next in a singsong tone only a bit more muted than usual.
"Melzaryn. Collymore," the third chimed smartly after.
The guard's eyes widened slightly, but he tried to keep his surprise concealed.
"Thank you," he said as he wrote all their names down. He took them through the very same set of questions Knight Thomas had originally asked.
Now familiar with the proceedings, it was a quick process for Forfend and its companions.
The guard nodded. "Everything seems to be in order here." He passed the papers to the arcanist.
Copies of the papers faded into existence as the arcanist accepted them. He held them up and they all burnt away in a flash of magic. "There we go," he smiled. "Enjoy your visit and pose no trouble. And welcome to Cragwall." He gestured through the archway into the massive commons area.
Forfend strode into the city and stared up at the absolutely sprawling space. It had looked huge from a distance, but from within it was overwhelming.
Just ahead was a statue of a knight on a horse stoically keeping vigil over the marketplace beneath him. The monument was so collosal Forfend nearly expected the knight's aloft sword to brush the clouds drifting over. He wore a crown upon his head, his armor lacking key defensive platings in favor of fashionable flair.
This was meant to depict King Falco then. Forfend huffed steam at the bold narcissistic display and pulled its gaze back down to street level.
The marketplace at the horse's hooves was overrun with merchant stalls and rushing shoppers. A cacophony of shouted pitches and prices and products slashed the otherwise busily peaceful atmosphere.
Forfend found itself drawn in towards the noise.
No one here so much as paused to give it a second look. All of them were buzzing about their own business.
"Where are we going?" Kairi asked meekly.
"I do not know," Forfend hummed, stunned by its new surroundings.
"Oi!" a rough voice cut through the noise. "You bunch newcomers here?"
"Yes," Forfend replied as it looked for who had spoken.
"Ah, well, welcome to Cragwall!" The voice's owner stepped forward into the circle the lively crowd was making around the stalled group.
He was a halfling man whose head was only just level with Forfend's midriff. He wore a duster jacket over mussed, baggy clothes. His boots were spattered with dried mud and so worn down they looked steps away from falling apart.
He brushed dirty fingers through his messy hair in an effort to tidy himself. "You look a bit lost. Can I help?"
Forfend knelt. "Perhaps you can."
The man tugged his jacket and grinned proudly. "If you're lost in Cragwall, I can certainly help you find your way. For a fee of course."
Forfend tilted its head. "What is the fee?"
He looked over the party and tapped his chin. "Let's call it a good four gold. I charge per person. How's that sound?"
"Four gold? Per person? For directions?" A chuckle rumbled in Forfend's chest.
"Big city," the halfling reasoned. "I've got some insider secrets too, if you catch my drift. I'm Cragwall born and bred! I know this city inside and out."
"Ah, I see." Forfend let a soft hiss of steam cover the last grindstone chuckles in its core. "Could you lead us to the Summerstead Family Estate?"
"Yeah, it's in the mountain quarter! There's a lotta noble homes up that way," he nodded sagely. "I could tell you a bit about all of them. Whatever you need, wherever you need to go, I'll be here to help you out." He paused, then added. "If you pay my fee."
Forfend felt its chest begin to glow faintly. It could get directions from anyone and probably rather easily too. There was no need to pay this stranger.
But Forfend liked his moxie, his brazen audacity. It was charmingly reminded of Fletch's insistent positive attitude.
The halfling also looked as though he may need the money much more than Forfend did anyway.
It pulled the four gold from its pouch and its companions each did the same.
The halfling almost looked startled. He shook himself out of it and accepted the payment. "Thank you! Alright, on with your tour then! C'mon, c'mon, I'll show you the way!"
Forfend followed him intently.
"By the way, my name is Erzor Littlefoot," he introduced himself.
"Forfend."
"Nice to meet you, Forfend! You're a big one, ain't you?" Erzor teased. "What's it like being made of stone?"
Forfend's thought process was momentarily stymied by that question. It hummed deep in its core. "I... imagine it is quite different from being made up of flesh, but I have never been anything other than stone. I have no comparison."
"You know what? That's fair," Erzor nodded appreciatively. "Carrying on, I'll let you in on the destinations of interest here in Cragwall."
He pointed out three buildings clustered near one another far off to their left. "That first one there with the domed roof is the Tyrwedian Grand Library. That's where the greatest minds and scholars in Tyrwedia come to learn."
He tossed his head at the next stately building. "That one's the Tyrwedian Grand Court. You only go there if you really fuck up some shit. Most legal business is dealt with in the town or city it happened in, but if somebody fucks up real bad they get sent there."
"That is our destination," Forfend sighed in a weary rush of steam.
"Really?" Erzor blinked in surprise.
"It is a long and complicated story," Forfend lamented.
"No, no, I'm just your guide for the afternoon. Your business is yours. You'll get no judgment from me." He nodded kindly and pointed to the third building. "That one is one of our resident artisans. A woodcarver's place. The dwarf there does a fine job with his craft. I bought something there recently myself. A gorgeous chair. Real comfortable."
"I will certainly make it a point to visit before I leave Cragwall," Forfend said.
"You should!" Erzor encouraged. "Over yonder is the statue of King Ledrian on his mighty steed. Of course, I've never actually seen the steed. Or the king, for that matter!"
He laughed, but Forfend heard the steel across whetstone noise slice through its chest. A king, or any leader, should be present for their people. It was not a good sign that a citizen of the capitol had never seen his king.
"Off to our right there is the general military installation. That's where the guards and barracks and all are at. Jail's part of it too." Erzor gestured toward thick stone walls surrounding a heavily fortified brutalist structure. Everything about the place was designed to project strength and authority.
"Not far from there is the Tyrwedian Grand Cathedral. It's got a spot for every deity in the pantheon." Erzor whistled appreciatively. "Ain't she gorgeous?"
Forfend took a long moment to appreciate the grandiose church. It whistled like a kettle. It didn't have the time right now, but it would have to visit this place before it left Cragwall.
Erzor pat its arm and pointed off towards the building with the red glass dome. "That's the Teleportation Hub. It can take you to almost any other capitol city in Rozdarta. Not Ashea though. They're very isolationist."
Forfend tilted its head at the crowd forming there. The place had been busy before, but now droves of people filled the surrounding plaza. Most of them were earth genasi. They were shouting, chanting. Some of them brandished signs.
"What is going on there?" it asked Erzor.
Erzor grimaced. "I don't really get much into politics. The earth genasi are protesting something. I don't know much about it."
Forfend hummed and edged closer to the crowd.
Erzor followed hesitantly.
Melzaryn pointed up at the glimmering ruby dome. "The glass is designed as an arcane focus. It channels sunlight to power the magic circle and everything else in the building."
Forfend nodded, but it was more focused on trying to catch the jumbled yells of the protestors.
Kagoshi dropped back from the shuffling throng to check on Kairi. She had her hands pressed to her temples and her eyes squeezed shut.
"They are talking about stolen land," Forfend shared over the din. "I wonder what happened."
Half-elves, humans, dwarves, and halflings interspersed the crowd occasionally, but almost every protestor was earth genasi.
Forfend could not recall ever seeing so many genasi of any element in one place like this. They were livid.
"They're all so upset," Kairi mumbled, pain scrunching her face. "They just want their homeland returned."
Forfend nodded, gazing over the crowd to the building they surrounded. It paused as an oddity caught its attention.
There were several hooded people around the base of the Teleportation Hub. They appeared to be doing maintenance, but then why were they wearing such dark clothing?
"What are they doing?" Forfend stood taller, watching them suspiciously.
"What's going on?" Erzor wondered aloud.
"Can you see?" Forfend asked the much, much shorter man.
"Not really," he answered predictably.
"Would you like assistance with that?"
"Um, sure." Erzor squinted at Forfend.
Forfend knelt down, carefully lifted the man up onto its shoulders, and stood back up.
"Oh, oh wow, this is really tall!" Erzor blinked owlishly at his new vantage point.
Forfend pointed out the strange workers. "Them. What are they doing?"
"Oh, those are the maint--" he abruptly cut himself off. "Wait, who the fuck are they?"
The mysterious figures stepped away from their handiwork. They'd stationed large barrels all around the front entrance.
Forfend glanced at Erzor, then at its friends.
Melzaryn's brow was creased with a rare show of concern.
"Kagoshi, look at this," it beckoned urgently.
One of the hooded workers pulled a scroll from his side pouch and whispered into it just as Kagoshi turned.
Every barrel ignited in violent, surging flame. A shockwave crashed through the city. People screamed, glass shattered, blood splattered, stone cracked.
The crumbling building cascaded forward, bearing down upon the protestors.
Kagoshi dashed in immediately, shoving panicking people out of his way as he doubled in size. He slammed his oversized hands into the tumbling wall. His knees nearly buckled, but he held strong.
Erzor half-fell half-jumped from Forfend's shoulders.
Forfend ran, but it wouldn't reach the next section before it collapsed onto the protestors. It was too far.
"Mel!" it yelled frantically.
Melzaryn responded immediately. Magic warped around Forfend.
In an instant, it was deposited beneath the shadow of the massive falling slabs of stone. It threw its arms up and felt the heavy burden nearly crush it. It grunted, cracks arcing across its straining shoulders.
Somewhere above it, the remaining pieces of the glass dome began splintering. The red light of the magic bathed the scrambling streets like an omen of blood yet to spill.
Forfend spared a look to its left and saw more crumbling rubble coming down.
Magic whirled in its core and burst free, smoke belching from its back. Its body seared so suddenly and so strongly with heat it thought it may truly melt.
The golden magic coalesced into a large adamantine support beam with a broad, flat top. The sound of a hammer striking metal reverberated through the plaza as the form solidified.
The weight of the rubble buried the support's stake through the cobblestone and into the ground, locking it in place.
A perilous creak emanated. The support began to bend.
Too thin! Forfend cursed and fumbled for the magic coursing through its shield.
The Orison Aegis responded. A new stream of golden magic met Forfend's and thickened the adamantine device.
The creaking stopped. No more stone or shrapnel fell. For the moment, the collapse was stalled.
Forfend let its head hang and focused on not letting its feet slip or its knees buckle beneath the unbelievable crushing weight on its back.
People scrambled out from beneath the imminent, looming shadow. They dragged their injured comrades with them.
They would make it. All of them not fatally caught in the initial blast would survive.
Forfend felt its body shaking. It wouldn't quit. It managed a glance at Kagoshi.
He'd transformed. Normally, that made him a violent threat, but right now he didn't look like an Atroxian demon. His giant form was wholly changed.
Instead of onyx skin with glowing scars and burgundy flames, he was ashy gray with burning orange hair. His scars lit up like flickering firelight.
He looked far more like a fire giant than a demon.
Forfend almost wasn't certain if this new creature was Kagoshi until he caught its gaze. He grit his teeth, a snarl on his face.
"Go, move!" he shouted at the fleeing protestors in a deep growling voice.
That was surely Kagoshi. He wasn't a demonic monster this time, but he was still characteristically angry.
Forfend nodded gratefully to him.
Kagoshi huffed irritably. He looked away to focus on his work.
Long, agonizing seconds crawled by as the last of the crowd finally escaped the collapse.
Forfend could feel more cracks shooting across its shoulders and chipping pieces off its back.
It was nearly at its limit.
"On three," Kagoshi strained.
Forfend nodded.
"One. Two." Kagoshi tensed, preparing himself. "Three!" he shouted.
Forfend released the crumbling building and staggered backwards.
Kagoshi dropped his section as well and dove as the mountain of debris finally crashed to the pavement.
Forfend's support melted into golden slag and dissipated as the final section fell with rattling clatter.
Kagoshi doubled over, panting heavily as he shrank back to his original size. "Shit," he wheezed.
Forfend knelt, one hand on the ground to steady itself. "Shit," it concurred. It wiped at the ichor pouring down its runic face.
A warbling electric crackle whipped through the plaza.
Forfend looked up, locking onto a spinning sphere resting near the top of the rubble. Lightning flashed off it, stinging the air with the sharp scent of ozone and uncontrolled arcana. It spun faster and faster and faster as it pulled in unfettered energy.
Suddenly, it exploded.
A violent blast of magic energy careened deafeningly through Cragwall. Forfend and everyone else in the crowd was flung backwards, slamming into similarly tossed market stalls or rolling across the pavement.
Forfend skidded to a halt and flattened itself further as glass and other shrapnel launched over its head.
An alarm rang out. Dozens, maybe hundreds, of guards flooded from the military complex. Immediately, they swarmed the swaths of downed citizens, yelling orders to one another and providing aid however they could.
Forfend hauled itself upright.
Kagoshi was by its side a second later.
Melzaryn and Kairi rushed to them, coughing at the dust in the air.
The smoke cleared enough for them to see through to the ruined foundation of the Teleportation Hub.
Those same cloaked men were already picking through the rubble. One of them pushed debris off a survivor in the wreckage and stabbed her where she lay, wounded and helpless.
The others appeared to be following suit, finishing off anyone who'd dared survive their assault.
The emotions that coursed through Forfend were too strong for words. More than grief, more than horror, more than rage.
It stormed forward, its companions right on its heels.