The Human From a Dungeon

Chapter 58

Yulk Alta

Adventurer Level: 7

Orc - Nulevan

The city guards finished his inspection and waved us through to Kirkena. Well, calling it an inspection is a bit of an overstatement. They simply glanced at our cargo and under the carts. Somehow, this made them certain we weren't assassins, smugglers, or whoever else they'd been ordered to detain.

It occurred to me that this type of security is infrequent for Kirkena, and likely a response to the conflict with the Night Kingdom. I see, the reason that the guards didn't detain us or perform a more thorough inspection is likely because we aren't drow. I wonder how long the line would have been if we had been at war with Bolisir or the Empire of Calkuti.

One of the blatantly newer guards had done a double take when he saw Nick, but thankfully a veteran guard was on duty and was able to put two and two together. Nick's presence could have been another reason we weren't more thoroughly inspected, there's a decent chance they've been told of him and what he's doing for High Chief Ulurmak. There's not a guard alive who would risk angering the High Chief.

"Almost there," Imlor said cheerily.

"Awesome," Nick sighed in relief. "I could use a shower. The inn has me spoiled."

"Not sure the inn is to blame for that," Nash chuckled.

Olmira and I smiled, remaining silent. Neither of us had been overly social since our emotionally charged conversation days prior. The discussion had ended on a happy note, and it would seem that we are afraid of souring things. The both of us are notoriously terrible at tip-toeing around emotions that we don't quite understand.

There could be another reason for our awkward silences, though. I meant every word that I had said during the conversation, of course, but I had conveniently left out how hurt I felt that she hadn't confided in me. Over her years of tutelage, we had become each others confidants. I told her of my deepest, darkest secrets and in exchange she had told me many secrets that were much more embarrassing and compromising than the fact that she was a fair folk reborn as a vampire. So why did she feel the need to hide her true origin from me?

Unfortunately, I could not think of any reasons that were particularly flattering for either of us. No matter, I've endeavored to forgive the matter. It is difficult to cope with these feelings, but as with any other challenge, I'll manage.

The cart continued through the city while Nash and Nick debated what we should do after seeing Ulurmak.

"We shouldn't get back on the road right away," Nash said sternly. "Need at least a week to do all the relevant research."

"Research? What research?" Nick demanded. "All we need is a day or two to replenish our supplies and find transportation, then we go. It's not as if we're going on an expedition into the wastes or anything."

"Oh? And you know what to expect when we get to Calkuti, do you? Then tell me, are there tolls or security concerns that we need to bear in mind? Will every city or village there allow us to carry our weapons openly, or will we need to account for being unable to do so? How's the weather? If there's a chill, will we need cold weather gear, or will we be able to get some on the way? And furthermore, which fuckin' city are we traveling to?"

"Nash is right," I interjected. "There is plenty of research to be done on our destination and the route."

"But we didn't have to wait a week to go to Bolisir."

"That's because we had a set destination in mind, and familiarity with the locale. I lived in Bolisir for a while, remember?"

He fell silent as Nash and I shared a knowing look. His urgency was easily understood, as was his inexperience with this particular lifestyle. It doesn't matter how welcome this world makes him feel, it isn't home, and it doesn't have his love in it.

My thoughts wandered to what I would do to have Rira back in my life. We hadn't even got as far as Nick and Cass, yet if there were a chance to bring her back to life I'd stop at almost nothing. I know that Nash feels the same about Nima.

Nick sighed as the cart pulled into the roadway behind Imlor's shop. We dragged our road-weary bodies from the cart, grabbing our belongings as we went. Imlor approached us, and tossed Nash a sack of coins.

"There we are, safe and sound," the gnome grinned. "I couldn't have found better guards anywhere else. If you ever need more work, let me know. It won't be me driving the carts, though."

"Thanks," Nash said. "Hope you enjoy being off the road from now on."

"Oh, I will," Imlor laughed, then turned to face Nick. "Words cannot express my gratitude, Nick. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I-I'm able to come home to my wife and children. If it weren't for you, I'd have..."

Imlor trailed off, trying to maintain his composure as the emotions that he'd been suppressing swelled within him. Nick gently placed his hand on the gnome's shoulder.

"It's the least I can do, for a friend," Nick said.

Nash and I shared another knowing glance. While it seemed heartfelt, what Nick had said sounded somewhat rehearsed. Almost as if he had repeatedly practiced saying it in a mirror. Imlor didn't notice this, and grabbed Nick's hand, shaking it.

"Of course," he said, wiping his eyes with his other hand. "I'll consider you my friend for the rest of my life. If you ever need anything, let me know how I can help."

"Of course. Goodbye, Imlor," Nick smiled. "Stay safe."

"You too, friend. Farewell, everyone."

"Bye," I waved. "Try not to worry your wife anymore."

"See you around," Nash said.

Olmira simply waved as Imlor entered his home. The four of us took our leave and began walking toward Kirkena's capitol building. As we traveled, we heard snippets of several interesting conversations.

"The dwarves eat like swarm-fish," an elf said to his friend. "It's a good thing we had a decent haul this season, or we'd be facing a famine!"

"No, the bastards brought their own smiths. They 'have no need of my services'," an orcish smith explained to a customer.

"Have you seen how shiny their weapons are? I want a sword like that!" a small child exclaimed to her friends as we passed.

"I guess the Empire of Calkuti sent reinforcements," Nash said. "That's gotta be awkward."

"Yeah," Nick laughed. "Should we see if we can travel with them?"

"It would likely be marching," I added. "I'd rather take a cart, if it's all the same to you."

"I'm sure there's someone with a cart that's going to want to travel along with the army. It would be a lot safer for them," Nick said. "Let's face the music with High Chief Ulurmak and then ask around."

"Face the music?" I asked.

"Yeah, sorry. It's a phrase that means to accept the unfavorable consequences of your actions."

"How?" Nash laughed. "Is music that bad where you're from?"

"No," Nick chuckled. "It's one of those phrases that nobody knows where it comes from. Some people think it comes from plays where an orchestra is set up in front of a stage, so the actors have to 'face the music' and overcome their stage fright. I've also heard that it could be referring to a time when military units had drummers and horns, so you'd need to 'face the music' to attack your enemy."

"Opposite ends of the civilization spectrum," I said. "Interesting."

The conversation died down as the capitol building came into view. One of the guards noticed us approaching, and pointed a thumb at the door, informing us of our ability to pass him unhindered. We nodded our thanks at him and did so, and were immediately greeted by Rayzun.

"We've been expecting you," he said. "Good work on delivering the message to Regent Oakmor."

"Thanks," Nash said. "So, uh... Any word on how the High Chief is taking the news about the High Dragon?"

"No," Rayzun answered with a mischievous grin. "I suppose you'll have to ask him yourself. He'll be ready for you soon."

"Great," Nick whispered.

Rayzun escorted us to a waiting area, and we each took a seat. Nash and Nick seemed to be a lot more nervous than Olmira and I. Nash was leaning forward in his chair, arms crossed and leg bobbing up and down. Nick was also leaned forward, staring at his hands that were clasped in front of him.

"They look like a couple of miscreants who were just caught," I whispered to Olmira.

Her giggle brought a smile to my face. Despite my slightly injured pride, I found myself still enjoying her company. I suppose in the end that's what it boiled down to.

I was proud of being her confidant, and proud of my ability to cope with unexpected information. Finding out that she had been hiding such a big secret from me shattered the pride that I felt as her confidant, which in turn hurt the pride I take in coping with unexpected information. I looked around the waiting area, and chuckled at how inappropriate a time it was to be having this revelation.

"Why are they so nervous?" Olmira asked softly.

"They must be under the impression that Ulurmak's going to be angry that King Yssinirath has awakened."

"Yes, I know. I mean, what cause would Ulurmak have to be angered?"

"Well, Yssinirath could end up being a threat to the Unified Chiefdoms if he decides not to honor agreements that he didn't personally sign or approve of. Plus, it's no secret that Regent Oakmor and Ulurmak are close friends. So Ulurmak could also be upset that his friend has been demoted."

"I see..."

Olmira's demeanor changed slightly, causing me to chuckle again. Nervousness will change nothing in situations that are outside of one's control. What happens will happen regardless of whether or not one worries about it. I was about to tell her as much when the door opened and Rayzun entered.

"They are ready for you," he said.

Nash and Nick practically leapt from their seats, but I took a second to adjust my robes before rising. Then I realized something, and looked at Rayzun quizzically.

"They?" I asked.