Victor Deus (Heritage of the Blood Book 1) (21 page)

“Well then, as our friend Dunnagan would say, I go!” Ashur pulled Shawnrik along with him, and Victor and Shawnrik waved their goodbyes until Shawnrik disappeared down the steps. Victor took a deep breath.

“That was superbly done Victor.” Nim stated while seemingly re-evaluating his opinion of his apprentice. “I think we might be ready to move onto
other
things. I've been waiting for that lug to figure out he was going to take Shawnrik out adventuring. We can't have two “meat shields” making a lot of noise when there is business to be done.” Nim smiled wickedly, and the look sent a shiver down Victor's spine. “It's time to learn the darker secrets of our art. I think we need to have a little change of scenery. I've heard a few rumors about some nasty people that we need to have a talk with.”

Victor didn't know what to think. He was excited that he would finally be learning the other side of Nim's teachings, but he was suddenly wary about what exactly that entailed.

*****

City of Safeharbor

Near the South Gate

The Drunken Gnome

Ashur didn't have to look long to find Dunnagan Stormhammer. He wasn't a hard Dwarf to find if you knew where to look. First they checked the temple of Cypheria in the Hall of the One God. They found out that he had been there recently, but they hadn't seen him for several days. Then they went to the South Ward to the Caravan city, and found “The Drunken Gnome,” a Dwarven run establishment that served the southern sector. There was a sign out front with a Dwarf tipping up an empty keg of ale and a Gnome that was passed out in front of a small glass that was still half full. They found Dunnagan at the bar telling stories about past exploits to whoever would listen.

“Aye, that's how it happened. Me buddy Ashur was wading through them orcs like he was siftin' sand. Then this big ugly son of an Ogre came out of the cave and started yellin' all kinds of profanities at the man. I stood up on the rock that was near me and started callin' his mother all sorts of foul things, and then I gave him a good look at me backside. Well, to say the least this made the overly large orc a bit mad, and he came barreling down the hill knocking over his own kind just to get at me. Unfortunately for him, there was another in the crowd waiting for the brute. Before he knew it Nim was underfoot, and slashing the backs of the beasts heels. Well, there were dead orcs piling up, and more orcs than you could count still coming out of the cave. I watched Nim put his dagger in the big one's eye, and then get swarmed over by a dozen orcs. So I wade into the battle trying to reach Nim…”

“And he gets to where Nim was and finds that he had already made it back to the rock that Dunnagan had been on only moments before.” Ashur said, as Dunnagan turned around to see him, and then they clasped arms.

“Ashur me friend, it's good to see ya' lad.” Dunnagan said cheerily.

“Then what happened?” An old Dwarf asked that was near to the two as he eyed Ashur carefully and then gave him a nod of respect.

“Well, Dunnagan lets out a whoop of excitement, and starts to tear into the orcs, cuttin' down more than his fair share. Then he and I wound up fighting back to back. We fought so long that eventually we were standing with our backs to a pile of dead orcs, and each of us would take turns resting. Dunnagan's casting spells to ward off fatigue, and to heal the little scrapes we were getting…”

“Little scrapes! Bah, you put so much of your own blood into the ground that I thought the plants were going to grow carnivorous!” Dunnagan barked as he slapped Ashur's back. “And if it wasn't for all the orc blood tainting everything, you might have!” Everyone within earshot laughed.

“Anyway, Nim has been standing up on the pile behind us killing anything that comes from that direction. It's evening now, and there is hardly any light. Dunnagan and I are weary, spells or no, and we hear Nim say with finality 'Oh, I tire of this!' Next thing we know the world lights up around us like the sun had just come out. As if that wasn't enough to scare the orcs back into their hole, Nim let's out a shout that deafens me and Dunnagan, and every Orc for thirty feet, and it hurt a hell of a lot too. Most of the orcs were running about this time, but there were a few that were standing back a ways, and then Nim starts to sing this haunting melody, and a lot of the orcs left milling about start attacking each other! Those that weren't killing each other must have figured they were fighting some sort of powerful spirit and ran off with the rest of their friends.” Ashur took a swig of the Ale that Dunnagan handed him.

“Well, why didn't he do something like that earlier?” The old Dwarf asked.

“You know, we asked him that same question, and he looked us in the eye and said 'It's all about timing gentlemen.' That's all he said... 'Course you have to understand that Nim's a bard by trade, and a showman. To him, the whole world is a stage.”

“That and you can never quite tell what's going on in that head of his.” Ashur said jovially.

“Aye, and now it's time for me to be seein' to what it is your huntin' me down fer.” Dunnagan said to Ashur, and the other people around the table took the hint began to go their separate ways. Dunnagan led them to an empty table in the back before he noticed Shawnrik tailing them. “Well I'll be a bearded gnome. Ashur, you got a young giant following ya there.”

Ashur looked at Dunnagan and smiled. “He's the reason I'm here. I'm going to take him out and teach him what it's like out there. He's not a giant, but he fights like one.” Shawnrik puffed up at this remark.

“Aye, maybe not a giant, but I'll have a theological conversation with a gnome if he doesn't have some of their blood in him. You got some giant blood in yer lineage boy? You know there's been quite a bit of interbreeding between your two races over the years. The civilized ones at least, not those ones from across the barrier mind you. I'll deny it if you ever tell any of my kin I said it, but it's a shame there, because some of them are mighty fine craftsman, even if they are all daft.” Dunnagan had taken on lecturing tone that Shawnrik thought fit the dwarf quite well.

“Well, I don't know if I have any giants in my family tree, but from what the lady who raised me before Walkins took me, my father was a Stroml'dier mercenary from up north.”

“How come you never told me any of this?” Ashur said looking at the boy in a new light. “Stroml'dier in your blood would explain a lot!” Ashur slapped Shawnrik on the back and motioned for him to take a seat.

Shawnrik shrugged as he sat down. “I dunno, you never asked.”

“Ye know the Stroml'dier are descendants of an alliance of Giants from the Storm and Cloud clans, and a clan of men who went north to defend the barrier hills. The name used to be Storm Soldiers, but somewhere along the line it got twisted into Stroml'dier.” Dunnagan stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

Shawnrik looked from the Dwarf to Ashur and when his mentor nodded Shawnrik nearly burst. “The Stroml'dier are descended from Giants? I…” He went quiet as the implications of this new development sunk in.

Dunnagan started to laugh. “I like the boy already Ashur, he reminds me a lot of you. Except'n I think he's going to be a lot bigger than you in a few years. Eh?”

“And he'll be better than me a few years after that, if I have anything to say about it.” Ashur looked at Shawnrik proudly. “He's gonna' have to keep up with someone even worse than Nim I'm thinkin'.” Ashur looked at Dunnagan to see if he caught his meaning, he had.

“Worse than Nim eh? That's a tall order boy. So Nim's got an apprentice and you've got one too eh?” Dunnagan took a drink of ale, and sat still for a moment looking at Shawnrik over the rim of his mug. Finally he nodded. “Aye, I'll go with you. No' just because it's you askin' either. I want to meet this boy that's more dangerous than Nim, and I want to see what we can do with this lad here. I can see a fire burning in his belly, and I like it!”

“By the way, isn't there something against drinking when you're a cleric?” Ashur asked with a wink.

“Bah, Cypheria wouldn't deny a dwarf a drink between jobs. She's not a cruel Mistress. I suppose it is time to start the next job though.” He downed the ale and slammed the mug onto the table. “No drinking until we're clear of danger!” Dunnagan looked down at his empty mug and said a short prayer. “Cypheria, protect those of us that now venture forth to rid the world of vileness.”

They stood and Ashur dropped a few coins on the table before they went outside to get their mounts, and head off on their journey.

“I'll be right back. I have to get Thunder from the stables.” Dunnagan started off towards the stables that were next to the inn.

“That old goat is still alive?” Ashur called after Dunnagan.

“No, lad. This is Thunder's son, Thunder Jr. He's bigger and ornerier than Thunder ever was.” He disappeared around the corner.

“Great” Ashur mumbled.

“What?” Shawnrik asked.

“You'll see.” Ashur got onto his mount and Shawnrik followed suit. Several minutes later Dunnagan came riding out on one of the biggest rams that Shawnrik had ever heard of. He wondered how it kept it's head up with the massive horns that curled on it's head. It was a gray color that reminded Shawnrik of a storm cloud.
That must be why he's called Thunder.
Shawnrik thought, he was wrong. Dunnagan put the ram into a canter to meet up with Ashur and Shawnrik, and the noise that arose from Thunder's hooves made it apparent where his name came from. Everyone within a block stopped to watch the ram as it cantered over to the two horses. When Dunnagan reigned back a bit and brought Thunder to a walk, the noise abated, and most people went back to what they were doing. Shawnrik couldn't help but stare at the massive beast. It was a full three hands taller than the horse he was riding, which wasn't a small animal by any measure, and the Dwarf on it's back made it look that much larger. Shawnrik was a full head taller than Dunnagan, but seeing the dwarf on the back of Thunder made him look that much smaller. Everything about Thunder said power, and Shawnrik wasn't so sure that any less could be said about Dunnagan.

“We ready to go?” Dunnagan asked from atop Thunder.

“We have to make a stop off for some essentials, but then we're off.” Ashur said shaking his head at Dunnagan and Thunder.

“Good, I need to get some more Jerked beef, and some feed for Thunder.”

Shawnrik listened to the two talk, and didn't say a thing. He was in awe of the two men that would be training him to survive, and he didn't want to miss a thing that either of them had to say.

Chapter 8

New Horizons

Year 3043 AGD

Month: Preparation

Evening of the Third Third day

Continent of Terroval

North of Safeharbor

Where are we going?” Shawnrik asked after both men had been quiet for a while.

“North” Ashur said abruptly.

“Well I can tell that much just from the direction we're heading.” Shawnrik said and then regretted the comment a moment later when he got a sour stare from Ashur.

Dunnagan laughed, “Why'd you ask then?”

Shawnrik sighed. They had left Safeharbor a few hours ago traveling on the road out of the North Gate. Dunnagan and Ashur had been talking up until a few minutes ago, catching up on the time that they were apart. It appeared from their conversation that neither of them had done anything eventful since they were last together, but Shawnrik thought that both of them were playing down their experiences. Ashur talked about cleaning out sewer rats, and Dunnagan talked about squashing some lizards. Shawnrik knew what kind of sewer rats Ashur had been hunting, so he could guess that the lizards probably walked on two legs and carried weapons at the very least. Of course both of the men seemed to know what the other was talking about, but Shawnrik had to decipher a lot of the conversation.

Dunnagan pulled back on the reigns of Thunder, and came alongside Shawnrik.

You look like your thinkin' again. I always like to find a nice rock to sit on when I'm thinking.” Dunnagan laughed lightheartedly. “So, how did you and Ashur meet, and what were ya' doin' before he met ya'?”

“He was a thief!” Ashur called back from the lead position. “He was on watch for Victor and
I
snuck up on him.”

Shawnrik's face went red at the truth of the statement.

“I'm askin' the boy, why don't you run on ahead and see if anyone is waiting to ambush us.” Dunnagan said dismissing Ashur.

Ashur looked back at him and then a crooked grin spread on his face. “I might just do that. I'll try to save you some fun if there is anyone.” With that he put his horse into a gallop and went ahead up the road.

Dunnagan looked at Shawnrik. “Is that true boy?”

Shawnrik nodded.

“Who's Victor?”

“He's the one that Nim is training right now.” Shawnrik replied quickly.

“Is he the same age as you, or older?”

Shawnrik looked away from Dunnagan and chuckled.

“What's so funny lad?” Dunnagan asked affronted by the chuckle.

“Victor is getting close to eight and a half.” Shawnrik looked back at Dunnagan to show that he was quite serious.

“Eight and a half?!” Dunnagan spurted in disbelief. “Most lads can't even piss straight at eight and a half.”

“Well, Victor is a shaper, and a thief. Probably anything else he wants to be he'll be that too. He's one of the smartest people I've ever met, and one of the most thoughtful too.” Shawnrik looked away to the distant horizon as he spoke.

“You sound like you have a lot of respect for the boy.” Dunnagan was looking at Shawnrik in a new light now.

“I think I would die for him.” Shawnrik said honestly.

Dunnagan looked at Shawnrik with a new respect in his eyes. “You remind me of Ashur more and more every time I talk to you, but have you ever considered serving as a Cleric? If you really want to keep your friends alive being a Cleric is one of the best ways to do it.”

Shawnrik looked at Dunnagan thoughtfully. “I never considered that.” He said honestly. “What does a person have to do to become a cleric?”