Icarus Awakens

For the first time, two level five alpha skyshock wyverns attacked Roost’s Peak together. The odd alpha wasn’t unheard of, but never had two attacked in concert alongside a small detachment of level fours. Daniel’s powers had been a blessing and a curse for the city. It had warded away the wyverns, right until he left and they no longer sensed the watchful eye on them. That stopped the frequent, small attacks and combined them into one huge wave. Roost’s Peak was never going to be broken by an attack from the pass. It was fated to fall to something like this.

What the wyverns couldn’t have anticipated was Hunter’s wounding. The ringcat still tagged hostile monsters as an acquired instinct, but his range was drastically reduced while he healed. Moreover, he was being kept inside and away from the breeze. Hunter could only sense the wyverns when they committed to the assault, just when they’d exposed themselves to the city’s defenses.

The frantic warning Daniel gave had been crucial, not only in buying the city a few more seconds but in identifying which of the dark shapes in the dusk light were the priority targets. His Mark Weakness ability made the alpha wyverns glow with an orange light around their heads and part of the chest for everyone to see. That had taken almost half his mana per use due to the enemies’ greater endurance, but it allowed the city to hone in on the alphas and bring them down.

That had been a good day for Daniel. Supplies in the city were tight enough that a successful defense couldn’t be celebrated with libations, though in every other way, the denizens reveled in escaping death. The moments right after an attack were the safest and the only time anyone could truly relax. Daniel had joined in the celebrations, which combined with the near-death experience had caused a breakthrough in his relationship.

A hand pushed lightly on his chest as he made to rise, prompted by a mental request from Hunter. “I’ll get it this time.” Claire gave him a knowing look, aware of the joke she was making. He wasn’t sure what was more surprising, that the trope existed in this world too or that Claire had joked about it in this context.

She’d gotten her robes on and was already at the door when he thought to ask, “Wait, how will you know what he wants?”

“A mother always knows,” she grinned as she entered the hallway.

“That’s really creepy.”

Claire paused, and through the aura Daniel could see the wince. “It, it is isn’t it?”

“I thought it was fine,” he said quickly in complete contradiction of himself.

“Sure,” Claire dragged out the word with suspicion. He could hear that the smile was still on her face. For all the time he’d known her, admittedly around a week, she’d rarely been anything but clever with occasional sarcasm. It drew a certain comparison to another Arcanist that Daniel fervently worked to suppress.

Claire was walking downstairs now. One of the benefits of living in Roost’s Peak at this particular point in time was that there were three houses for every individual here, and that was without counting storerooms, taverns, and abandoned shops. There was politics involved with the most prestigious housing that Daniel neatly side-stepped by choosing an out of the way two story structure. It was one of the copy-paste buildings that predominated the fortress town. With the notoriety of his, or rather, Hunter’s detection prowess, he could have gone bigger. Daniel simply didn’t want to.

His girlfriend, or significant other, or partner? Daniel still didn’t know where this relationship was going and was terrified of collapsing the potential futures into one determined one. The sexy Arcanist, for lack of a better title, was not living with him so he only needed space for himself and the healing ringcat. Hunter had spent three days resting in the fort and was still in recovery. Even after burning all of his mana each night to boost the effect of Regeneration, the wounds had only progressed to the state of regrowing tissue and muscle. Two blankets had to be stretched over the area to avoid the sight of it. Things had gotten tense yesterday when infection set in, but one of the city’s healers saw to that.

The exact mechanics of healing in this world were still something Daniel didn’t fully grasp. The most exposure he’d had was to the slow Healing Hands feature which was specific to either mortals or monsters. There was a difference between people and animal medicine, in other words. But, that didn’t apply to all healing abilities such as the one that cured diseases, but not poisons, and worked on most creatures mortal or not. It was complicated, was the point, and despite the odd hundred in the city the only person that could help Hunter now was Daniel. And Claire, since they’d become so familiar over the past few days. He was curious if she would figure out Hunter wanted the large rug dragged over him as the night chill was creeping in. It was almost comical how petulant the ringcat had become now that he could barely stand, but Daniel indulged him.

Claire’s aura was in the room with Hunter now. Are you ok? Hunter immediately asked.

She wanted to give ringcat nannying a try.

Did you tell her about the blanket?

No. Daniel snickered. I want to see how long it takes for her to figure it out.

She’s asking me if I’m hungry, Hunter complained.

So tell her you’re not.

Hunter couldn’t send just any sound through telepathy, but he could silently growl at Daniel. I’m cold. She’s trying to pet me.

That made Daniel’s giddiness falter. He knew Hunter didn’t like other people doing that. The ringcat wasn’t strong enough to do anything lethal, but if he snapped at Claire- You’re letting her? he thought incredulously as he gaped at the auras beneath the floor.

She smells nice, Hunter thought defensively.

Who are you and what have you done with Hunter? Wait. His eyes narrowed in suspicion. Are you trying to make me jealous?

Do you think she’d want to go riding later?

Daniel stood out of the bed. There was teasing, and there was picking at the crusted scabs of his denied dreams.

Claire looked up as Daniel strode down the stone steps of the building. All the permanent features were stone and the floor was cold with the coming of fall. The common room of the small house retained some of the furniture the previous occupants had abandoned and not much else. Hunter took up the majority of the space with food and water bowls placed close to his head.

“I’ve never been this close to a ringcat before,” she remarked as she ran a hand through the fur of Hunter’s neck. “Soft. I would have never guessed.”

“You should have seen him covered in glue,” he said bitterly to the feigned innocence in Hunter’s eyes. “Even when he washed it out he was still licking his fur until the next morning.”

“Hunter’s fine with you calling, uh, him ‘he’?” she asked, not looking up. Claire had more readily believed that the ringcat could communicate with Daniel than most when the issue had come up. As someone who summoned familiars she was keen to the ties powers could develop between mortals and creatures, summoned or otherwise. Daniel wasn’t sure if she completely bought the talking part of the arrangement, but she humored him.

“I haven’t asked, it just felt right. Huh.” Daniel looked at Hunter and asked aloud, “What do you think?”

Don’t care. Can you get the rug, please?

“He wants the rug,” Daniel sighed and went over to where the heavy fabric was piled.

“It is getting colder.” She traced one of the circle patterns that intersected with Hunter’s broad ears. “Did you know some consider these creatures blessed?”

“No, I didn’t. Do they have special powers or something? Hunter’s got this roar, but…” Daniel trailed off. Blessed, he thought to himself. Is that why he’s different?

Claire didn’t stop idly tracing as Daniel hefted the rug and pulled it over Hunter’s torso. “It’s more along the lines of superstition. Early on, people saw the patterns in the fur and connected it to the Octyrrum since it roughly fit the shape of the world. They were among the first creatures tamed by what would become Beastmasters. Whether ringcats are more susceptible to that, or if they just tried to tame more ringcats as opposed to anything else is anyone’s guess.”

There were so many directions Daniel could go off of that knowledge. Evolutionary theory was his first impulse. Did monsters evolve here? And what about classes, what did she mean by those that would ‘become Beastmasters’? He settled on a question he’d meant to ask someone else. “Does that have anything to do with the Grafting?”

“No.” Claire frowned and leaned her head on one of her hands. “No, I don’t think so. History’s not my best subject but that doesn’t sound right. I haven’t seen a mortal race that looks like a ringcat at least.”

“What?” Daniel blurted out. Where did that come from?

She turned to look behind her to give Daniel an odd look, “You’re an Artificer, right? Didn’t you study to meet the intelligence requirement?”

Claire, of course, didn’t know about Daniel’s origins. Only two people and one ringcat knew. For the record, she didn’t give off the ‘kill the heretic’ vibes that would deter such a confession. Instead, he had concealed it in fear she wouldn’t believe him, think he was crazy, and leave him, in that order. It was something Daniel felt guilty about and was working up the courage to admit. Now wasn’t that time.

“To be honest, things are a little hazy before the Upswell,” Daniel lied with the truth, still not entirely sure what she was talking about. “During my last clear memories, I didn’t have my class. Classes, I guess.” She did know the part about the Totem Warrior glitch.

“You have amnesia?” She stood and inspected him. “Why haven’t you gone to a, oh, right, the Upswell.” Claire shook her head sadly. “Once you’re in a proper region there are healers who can cure memory curses. Depending on the kind of aid they offer survivors it may be free, though I wouldn’t try that in Aughal.”

She’s looking worried, Daniel thought. Please let this come off as charming and not creepy. “There’s nothing I could remember that would change how I feel about you.”

“That’s sweet, but stupid,” she laughed. “And you’re getting a little too ahead of yourself.”

Crap. It was too awkward for Daniel to say anything after that. The stumble in the conversation dragged out as Claire waited for his reply. She’d caught his clumsy compliment and turned it into something Daniel wasn’t sure about. Was she trying to sense if he was honest in the implication, or setting the expectation early that this, whatever this was, wouldn’t be going as far as he hoped? The possibilities were conversational trip mines Daniel was desperately waddling through to find a safe reply before they went off by themselves.

A visitor defused the situation instead. “Someone’s at the door,” Daniel said a moment before they knocked.

“Who?” Claire’s voice carried a disappointment that made the Artificer certain some kind of game was being played.

“I haven’t met them before and I can’t identify them.” He shrugged. “It’s a draconoid though, and I think there’s only a couple here.”

There was another knock and a loud, slightly inebriated voice. “Claire! I hope I’m not interrupt- oh.”

Claire stood in front of the entrance to find the blue draconoid slouching in the doorframe. Unlike the other Daniel was familiar with, this one wore something akin to lightly armored overalls and a tool belt. There was a bottle, contents unknown, clutched in one hand. Is he drunk? Daniel thought. The Artificer hadn’t seen anyone fully drunk here yet.

“Parduc?” She sniffed. “Parduc! You can’t be serious. If the garrison finds out you’ve been sneaking beer they’ll-”

“I’m not sneaking nothing,” Parduc toothily grinned. “We found a few untapped kegs in a basement!”

“Shouldn’t those go to the stockpile?” Claire asked wearily, with a grimacing sniff. “Or the streets, if they’ve been kept improperly?”

“Nah,” was Parduc’s simple response, articulated with a swig of the bottle. The draconoid couldn’t exactly sip from it and instead poured some of the liquid down his throat. “And if they do get mad they can take it outta my pay.”

“So you’re here because?”

“Well, we can’t drink it all ourselves! And if there’s any left over people are going to find out. We made a bet on where I’d find you and,” he chuckled, “Looks like I won. You should join us! And, uh, he can too.”

“Sounds like it’ll be fun.” Claire smiled towards Daniel, and he groaned internally. His mouth got him into trouble enough already and the last thing he needed was to be drunk with the woman he’d just fumbled in front of. But if he didn’t go he’d be lame, and that might be worse.

Hunter whined in the background and Parduc almost dropped the bottle. The whine of a fully grown ringcat was less high pitch and more snarl, something the unaccustomed would mistake for anger. “I probably shouldn’t leave him alone.” Daniel tried to hide the relief with mock concern. It worked for Parduc who had backed out of the ringcat’s sight.

Claire seemed less invested in the excuse but didn’t express it in words. “Well, if you’re sure. You need to brush up on your history anyways.” She made to leave, and Daniel sighed in relief after the door closed.

Thanks, Daniel thought to Hunter. The ringcat must have sensed the anxiety.

She is a keen hunter.

I know, right? And she’s only level one! That’s not fair, Daniel sulked. I should have the advantage here. I do need to read more, though. Isn’t there a library here?

What is a library? Hunter asked unhelpfully.

Daniel eyed him and redirected the conversation. You aren’t slowing down your healing to keep getting pampered, are you?

How would I do that?

Fair, Daniel acknowledged. It’s still weird that you’re healing so slowly. I guess this is level disparity? He could only wonder because the entire entry on the concept was unidentified on his phone. Guess I should level up endurance. And charisma, if we want to improve the bond ability. And dexterity, if I want to shoot things better, he wearily added. For being level two, it feels like I’m still level one. Are you going to be ok for the night?

Yes, Hunter answered bitterly. He certainly wanted to be out in the night stalking, but in his state, he’d only be the prey.

Well, I’m not sure there's enough time for me to go the library either way. People keep telling me Artificers can advance through studying and it should have occurred to me that that’s exactly what I should be doing instead of fighting murder cliffs. Guess I'll just turn in. Why did I ever leave Lograve’s library again? Ah well, it turned out mostly ok. Goodnight, Hunter.

Goodnight.

…

“Not much to look at, that one,” Parduc said aside as they walked through the streets of Roost’s Peak. There wasn’t a lot of light in the interior of the city, but Parduc could naturally see in the dark and made sure Claire didn’t run into a wall. Even without his help, her eyes adjusted quickly.

“You don’t like anyone I’m fond of. And you’re drunk. How much did you have to drink to get drunk at your level?” Claire lightly pushed him, but the Builder remained balanced. “What can I say? He’s a fresh face and can take my mischief without throwing a tantrum. Not many men in this city can say the same. Present company included.”

“I’m nice,” Parduc complained.

“Never said you weren’t, brother,” she replied knowingly. “But you were always the one to take things too far.”

“Try growing up with someone who could make weasels steal your tools. Weasels, Claire! They’d run under tables with my hammer and knock everything over. You know, you’re still the youngest person I know to get a class.” The thought seemed to sober Parduc for a moment. “Crest, what are you still doing at level one?”

“You know why.” Her tone had a dull edge of intensity that didn’t quite cut Parduc but gave the Arcanist enough distraction to swipe the bottle.

“Hey!”

“You need to work on your dexterity.”

“I’m not the only one.” It was Parduc’s turn to invite darkness with his words. “They’re saying Kob hit level five.”

“What? Isn’t his dexterity only level two?” With anyone of higher level gone from the region, rumors had abounded on the giant’s status. The Knight Murdon was leading the evacuation, though to many Kob was the grim face of the effort. The world didn’t strictly sort itself by level, one nearby region was a testament to this in fact, but it was still something to consider. “No one builds up that much level disparity unless they’re a Craftsman offshoot like you.”

“There’ve been other rumors.” Parduc’s low whisper only echoed halfway down the street, “You’re more knowledgeable than it, but that plant’s got a higher intelligence than you. They know what they’re doing, and if they’re choosing to cripple themselves for level five…”

Claire was quick to the point. “There’s something wrong with the pass, isn’t there?”

“Crest, Claire, the moment the sky swallowed the Spoke the border regions should have swarmed the place. Where are they?” He gestured with open arms. “Some are saying the pass is blocked. Some say we’re being quara… quarateed… isolated from the rest of the Octyrrum. Others,” Parduc could hardly lower his volume any further but managed a few decibels, “think Murdon’s gone full blown Tyrant.”