—— ? ——

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE—-

  > TOWN QUEST COMPLETE

  > Varnholt Artisan Enclave has completed the local quest: “In Search of Knowledge.” The “Identify” skill will now be offered at the local hub. Rewards granted for current residents.

  > Rewards

  >> All residents will immediately unlock the skill “Identify”

  > Identify - (Common)

  > Description: Grants the ability to examine objects, creatures, materials, and integrated entities. Information presented scales with intelligence, training, general knowledge, and expertise.

  > Usage:

  >> Must be within visual range of target.

  >> Consumes ten mana per use, regardless of outcome

  ——————————

  The prompt was immediately followed by another.

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE—-

  > NEW SKILL ACQUIRED

  > Skill: Identify - (Common)

  …

  ——————————

  More chimes followed, rippling through the air in staggered echoes as prompts bloomed in front of every eligible person.

  The plaza went very, very quiet.

  Then it erupted.

  Cheers and nervous laughter burst out together. People spun in place, waving translucent panes in front of their faces. Some pointed Identify at the pots of soup, or at their friends, or at the nearest bit of cobblestone, laughing or swearing as text scrolled past.

  Simon dismissed his prompt.

  Neat. Cool. Super helpful.

  His skin was crawling.

  This was what Marden had wanted. A town full of people who could suddenly see things about objects, monsters… and people.

  And also, things like, I don’t know.

  A certain achievement warning that literally anyone who could "read the air" should beware.

  Yeah… fuck this. I’m out. Simon started to move. He needed to get the hell out of dodge. He wasn’t sure what his plan was going to be, but he was damn sure that Marden had been staring at him.

  Simon tugged at Kaelalin’s sleeve and hissed to her.

  “Hey, buddy. I think I need to get moving. I’m headed to the inn.”

  Kaelalin turned on him, her eyes no longer reading the air. She gave him a bewildered expression.

  “What?”

  “No time to explain. Chalk it up to me being insane about Tuesdays.” He forced a grin that felt like it might crack his jaw. “I need to get the hell out of here.”

  “Wait!” Kaelalin grabbed his shoulder, fingers digging in. “Simon, what’s going on?”

  “Like I said, no time to talk. Come with me if you want to. Gotta go.”

  He peeled her hand off and shoved his way forward. For once, no one stepped out of his path. Everyone was too busy testing their new skill to actually notice the guy trying to quietly flee the scene.

  Good! Everyone’s distracted!

  On stage, Marden lifted his hands for attention, but the noise was slow to die.

  The crowd only really quieted when Serel stepped forward and raised one hand. A soft wash of light pulsed from her, a wave across the plaza.

  Simon pushed past a huge man, nodding apologetically as he kept shoving through. He had only made it a few feet before Serel’s wave, but now the crowd started to pay attention again. People started to part from his path.

  Except, not everybody did.

  Three tall, absurdly muscular Frost-Kin stepped into the gap ahead of him, planting themselves like a glacial wall.

  “Excuse me,” Simon said brightly. “Gotta go use the facilities, if you know what I mean.”

  He gave them a false smile and tried to angle between the nearest two.

  “I’m sure it can wait,” one of them said, voice low and unimpressed. He didn’t move. “It would be rude to leave in the middle of a council announcement, don’t you think?”

  The Frost-Kin glanced at his companions. They both gave short, sober nods.

  Are you kidding? The blue three stooges want me to sit and wait? Yeah I don’t think so.

  Simon kept his expression loose and friendly. “Look, I get it, civic engagement, very important. I just really don’t want to–”

  A heavy hand settled on his upper arm. Not painful. Firm.

  “I think it would be best,” the Frost-Kin murmured. “If you remained in the plaza until dismissed.”

  Simon’s smile died.

  Well. Shit. Shit. SHIT.

  On stage, Marden’s voice flowed over the plaza, smooth and amplified.

  “Citizens of Varnholt,” he called, “members of our town, and honored guests. This… is my gift. From me, and from the church of Sylira.”

  Simon tuned him out.

  He mapped paths of escape, eyes flicking over shoulders and gaps. Left? Too many people. Right? Oh fuck. More Frost-kin.

  Just how many were there?

  He turned his eyes wildly, taking in the crowd around him. There were almost a dozen tall similarly dressed Frost-kin closing in on him. The only exception was Kaelalin, who had just caught up with Simon.

  A scowl lanced her face as she stared at the Frost-kin that had his hand on Simon.

  “Care to explain why a member of the royal guard has their hand on my friend?” She gave a dangerous smile. “And why I shouldn't just… remove said hand?”

  Hell yeah! Simon shot her a grateful look.

  The Frost-Kin holding him stiffened, but did not remove his hand.

  “Runemage Kaelalin,” the guard rumbled carefully, straightening a little. “I mean no disrespect.”

  He loosened his grip on Simon’s arm by a fraction.

  Kaelalin tilted her head, smile widening.

  “And yet,” she drawled, “your hand is still on him.”

  The Frost-kin swallowed. Simon felt his fingers flex ever so slightly on his shoulder.

  “I have my orders.” That guard said, his voice subdued. “They come directly from the king.”

  Kaelalin cocked her head. “Oh, they do? I am quite aware of our supposed ‘king’. In fact, you should be aware of some of our conversations, correct?.” Kaelalin flexed her hands casually, a spark of blue running across her finger tips. “Perhaps you’ve heard just how far I’m willing to go. I did tell your king how I acquired my heat resistance skill.”

  The guard’s eyes flickered. His two companions shifted uneasily, clearly wishing to be anywhere else.

  “We were informed.” The guard barely whispered.

  “Good!” Kaelalin beamed. Then with venom Simon had never heard before, Kaelalin snarled out “Then why is your frostbitten flesh still touching my friend?”

  Everyone froze. Simon, The guards, Kaelalin, and the few curious onlookers watching the disturbance.

  Three things happened in a single moment. Kaelalin lunged forward, her hand crackling with energy. The guard's hand recoiled away, barely avoiding getting hit. But, then the rest of the guards closed around the human and snarling Frost-kin.

  With a *Pop* an instrument was summoned and slapped into Simon’s hand.

  It was some long silvery wind instrument, flute or something. Didn’t really matter at the moment as Simon held it defensively.

  Swords, spears and energy laden hands were pointed at the duo as they faced off against the guards.

  “Runemag–” Another guard began to speak.

  “Don’t call me that.” Kaelalin snapped back. “My title is “Inventor” now.”

  The crowd around them murmured, but the rest of the plaza had quieted. The scuffle had taken hold of Varnholt’s collective attention.

  “Inventor Kaelalin” a new voice joined the fray. Simon and Kaelalin turned to it, meeting the gazes of the council. Marden had taken several steps towards them, his eyes locked on the scuffle.

  Simon had completely tuned out the man’s speech. The last thing he recalled was something along the lines of “the darkness hiding within our town.”

  “Yes?” Kaelalin called back, her eyes and hands glowing.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Marden asked, his voice rehearsed.

  “These bumbling fools were harassing my friend.” Kaelalin called back. “I was merely showing them the error of their ways.”

  “Did you not bother to ask why?”

  “I did.”

  “So then you understand they have been following King Kranofis’s will. Is that a problem?”

  Kaelalin’s face turned grim. “How do you know that?”

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  Marden smiled. “Because I am the one who requested his assistance.” He turned to the crowd. “I merely meant to insure that our latest addition to our town would cooperate.” Turning back he eyed Kaelalin. “Now, please step away from Simon Starfall.”

  Simon gripped his instrument tighter. What the hell, man.

  “And If I don't?” Kaelalin shot back.

  “Then.” Marden gave a forced smile. “The royal guard will be forced to restrain you.”

  Kaelalin nodded slowly, her brows furrowing as she seemed to roll the thought over in her head.

  Then she gave a shrug.

  “Hmmmm, I don't think so.”

  Her right hand snapped into a large pocket of her lab coat, then there was a flash of metal as something twirled into the air.

  Everyone watched as the silvery metal construct flew to the apex of its arch. Blue energy sparked across its frame as it started to glow.

  Simon recognized it! It was a scaled version of the mines Kaelalin used in the Realm of the Forger.

  He also recognized that it was now descending right to where they stood. Simon wasn't the only one who seemed to know what the device was. The Frost-kin guard all leapt back, their training kicking in. Gasps were heard throughout the crowd, the stage, and from Simon himself.

  As the device fell from its apex, rapidly approaching the ground Simons had one thought.

  Kaelalin knows I'm not explosive proof, right?

  He tried to scramble away, but he wasn't going to get outside the blast radius in time. Simon frantically glanced at Kaelalin, then froze.The inventor hadn't moved, her eyes never leaving the stage. She was calm, icy and pissed off.

  The explosive device spun and glimmered as it fell.

  Simon was still.

  If she's not moving, I'm not moving.

  At the last moment, Kaelalin's hand stabbed out and snatched the descending doom.

  The world was quiet. Everyone held their breath.

  “Now, Marden.” Kaelalin said, her voice danger incarnate. “I believe you were just about to explain what in all the hells is going on.”

  Marden's eyes were glued to the spinning device in Kaelalin’s hands. The Frost-kin twirled the construct lazily.

  He coughed. “It was merely to have him restrained, and brought on stage before the council.”

  “Alright! Good to know” Kaelalin nodded. “However, I think we will pass on his debut. You really don't want him anywhere near a stage.”

  “Hah!” Kurda’s deep voice interjected. “Ain't that the truth. That der’ boys music will make yer’ wish yer’ were deaf.”

  Brian turned to him. “Really? It’s that bad?”

  Kurda nodded seriously.

  “Now I almost want to hear it.” Brian studied the instrument Simon held with interest.

  “Yer’ don't. Trust me. Yer' don't”

  Marden shot the two a frustrated look. Kurda just shrugged.

  "Are you finished, Councilors?" Marden asked. When he got no response, he looked back at Kaelalin.

  "Inventor Zarvenna, I am sorry but this is not up for discussion."

  "Oh?" Kaelalin replied, her eyebrows raised. "Well in that case..."

  She flipped the explosive into the air, eliciting gasps of shock. She snaked out her hand and snatched it out of the air.

  "I don't agree. I believe the discussion is ongoing." Kaelalin held the mine out. "Because the way I see it, I'm holding a 'let's talk-about-it mine.' It's one of the best I have made, actually."

  She smiled. "Care for a demonstration?"

  Her eyes snapped to the right. "Dravlen, if you touch me, or incapacitate me, it goes BOOM."

  Simon followed her eyes and nearly jumped out of his skin. The shadowy figure of the Yoreboon materialized between two Frost-kin.

  "Easy there Kaelalin. That was not my intention." Dravlen said, his voice rough.

  "Oh good." Kaelalin had a mad glint in her eyes. "Glad we are both on the same page."

  "I'm impressed you saw me." The Yoreboon conceded. "Wasn't expecting that."

  "You hit with far too many snowballs you git. Of course I would come up with countermeasures."

  Kaelalin shifted her attention back to the stage. "Now, what I'm thinking is that my friend and I walk away, and we stop this game you all seem to be playing."

  Marden shook his head. "That isn't an option."

  Kaelalin sighed. "Well... Damn." Her other hand vanished into her robes then returned with another explosive construct.

  Shit. shit. shit. Simon's eyes darted between the Frost-kin, Dravlen, Kaelalin and the stage. The rest of the crowd had retreated, leaving a large circle around them. Even then, Simon had seen what the small version of those mines had done. There was absolutely no way this ended well.

  God damnit.

  Dravlen and the guards had tensed, their bodies coiled ready to pounce. One bad movement from any of the people here was going to end in disaster.

  Fuck.

  Kaelalin grinned, and her arm twitched. Everyone started to move.

  "Wait, wait WAIT!" Simon yelled, moving between Kaelalin and the guards. "Everyone, chill the fuck out!"

  Kaelalin blinked, glowing energy arcing over the mines. The guards and Dravlen all froze.

  Silence.

  "Simon" Kaelalin hissed. "What are you d-"

  "I don't know!" Simon yelled, irritation and confusion lacing his voice. "But everyone needs to simmer down."

  He whirled toward the stage. "Alright, sleazeball. All you want me to do is come up there? Right?"

  Marden's face scrunched, but he nodded.

  "Just stand on that stupid stage right?"

  "Yes."

  "So what, I can be executed or some shit?"

  Marden shook his head. "No. I would not be so barbaric."

  "Okay then." Simon said, thinking for a moment. "So then swear it."

  Marden was taken back. "What?"

  "Swear on that goddess of yours." Simon stated. "Swear what you are trying to do is in my best interest. Or I don't know, come up with something. Aren't you supposed to be the one that's good with words. " Simon pointed at him. "You do that, and I will hop right there."

  Marden was quiet, his face running through several emotions. He tilted his head, as if listening to a whisper. A sly smile crossed his face.

  "So be it. I swear by my patron, Sylira, the Goddess of the Living Record, that I only act in a way to help Simon Starfall. That if he complies, I act in his best interest. I will abide by this oath for the rest of this day. "

  Simon blinked.

  Well shit. I kinda thought he was going to back down on that one.

  He glanced over at Kaelalin, her hands still grasping the mines.

  “I don’t trust it.” She hissed.

  “Yeah, neither do I.” Simon stared into her eyes. “But, Kaelalin, what's the other plan? Blow up the plaza? The people trying to pull me up there?”

  Simon shook his head. “I can’t let you do that.”

  “Simon, wait.”

  But Simon was already moving. “Anima Control.” He whispered. The bunny fur around his legs glowed as he rocketed forward. With a quick sidestep, he ducked around a Frost-kin. His legs coiled into a crouch and leapt up and sailed onto the stage.

  Simon slid to a stop, still gripping his instrument. Marden took a shaky step back.

  “Alright jackass. I’m here.” He looked around, feeling hundreds of sets of eyes follow his every move. “Now what.”

  Dravlen appeared between him and the healer, his eyes firm. He made no moves, but watched Simon like a hawk.

  Marden straightened himself, recovering from his nervous backstep. He was clearly flustered and opened his mouth, then closed it.

  “Wait, you brought me up here and you have nothing to say?” Simon raised an eyebrow. “Kind of rude.” His eyes scanned the councilors. “Hey Kurda! Hey Brian!” Simon gave the man a jaunty wave.

  “Simon.” Kurda said. Brian just nodded, deep in thought as his eyes shifted between the healer and Simon.

  “As I was sayi–” Marden began.

  “Hey,” Simon cut him off. “Can someone hit me with whatever it is that’s making it so everyone can hear you?” He searched the faces of the councilors. Marden had a dumb look on his face.

  “Hello?” Simon looked between them all again. “I mean, If I’m being forced to be up here. I might as well have the same–” He pointed at Marden. “--thing that he has.”

  A short human councilor muttered something quietly.

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE—-

  > SKILL EFFECT APPLIED

  > You have been granted the effect, "Amplified Speech’.

  > Description: Grey Hearthweave has used her skill on you. While under the effects of “Amplified Speech” your words will be understood and cary over a greater distance.

  > Duration: Until the caster releases the skill, or thirty minutes

  ——————————

  Simon nodded to the woman. “Much appreciated.” He felt his words sweep out across the crowd.

  Neat!

  He looked back to Marden, then he just stood there.

  After a few seconds, Simon started to impatiently tap his foot as Marden collected his thoughts again.

  The man finally cleared his throat.

  “As I was saying, before the uh… disturbance.”

  “Where you sent a bunch of people to drag me on stage.” Simon nodded.

  “Yes.” Marden said, brows furled. “As I was saying. There are secrets that have been hiding just out of reach. Secrets that should not be kept, and should be brought before the light.”

  Simon tensed. He knew what the man was after. It was a gamble, but might as well beat him to the punch.

  “Like why am I cursed by a god?” Simon stated.

  Marden looked visibly shaken, his words dying in his mouth.

  Yup. That was it.

  Simon shrugged. “It’s simple really.” He looked out toward the crowd. “Because I do shit like this.” Simon made a sweeping gesture. “Look, I’m not a perfect guy. That’s for damn sure. I tend to open my mouth when I really shouldn’t.”

  He turned back to the council, giving them a shrug. “And that’s got me in some serious trouble in this new world of ours. I’m going to guess you figured that out when I was getting healed, right?”

  Marden was frozen, the little hamster in his head struggling to move. He nodded.

  “Okay… So you could have just asked me. Instead of all this shit.”

  Simon took a breath.

  “So how about we just go back to pretty light shows, drinks and soup.” He grinned. “That sounds like a way better use of this evening.”

  Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd.

  Now what are you going to do, Mr Healer? Tell me my outfits are horrifying?

  Marden took a deep breath, his face changing to a mask of indifference.

  “That is what I was intending to reveal.” Marden paused. “Despite you admitting your ‘secret’ I believe there's more.”

  He turned to the crowd, his voice raised.

  “As you heard, he professed to be cursed by a god. I urge all of you to identify him and see for yourself.”

  Marden turned his cold stare to Simon.

  “Because he is still withholding the truth. And I will have that truth revealed..”

  Simon’s stomach twisted. What the hell was he talking about?

  “Mark of the Record.” Marden whispered.

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE—-

  > ? ? has used ‘Mark of the Record’ on you.

  > You have failed to resist.

  > For the next ten minutes, skills directed at you will reveal additional information.

  ——————————

  Simon felt a cold sensation slither across his skin. It felt like wet seaweed, but sticky and wiggling.

  “What the hell?” Simon protested.

  Following that sensation, he felt pressure from the plaza. As if something inside him was being dug through. Each sensation was small, brief, and wouldn’t have been noticeable. But with hundreds of them layered on, the effect became a physical pressure.

  “You see, good people of Varnholt. While he says he is cursed by a god, that is not the whole truth. In fact, he is cursed by multiple deities. My skill can only reveal so much at this low level, but the result is clear.”

  He turned to Simon, who was shakily breathing as dozens and dozens of identify skills hit him.

  “Now, you are so confident about what you said, yet I find a problem here. You have been cursed by the Martial god, and Melodian the Magnificent.” Marden’s voice addressed the crowd. “Which is interesting, considering what our confident newcomer is holding right now. Don’t you think?”

  Simon glanced down to his hand, the silvery wind instrument still there.

  “Now what I am most curious to learn is how a person from earth, cursed by the god of bards.”

  Marden pointed to the instrument. “Is able to freely use a skill from that god’s domain.”

  He looked out toward the crowd. “How is that possible? Would you care to explain, Simon Starfall?”

  Eyes, countless eyes bored into Simon. They burned. They watched. They judged.

  “Just give.” Simon sputtered. “A damned second.”

  Marden just continued.

  “I was told something by my goddess. About a group that plagues the realms.” Marden was back to his full confidence. “This group is despised across all realms. Universally hunted by beings, both mortal and divine. But, instead of trusting me to explain it to you all, lets let the system do it.”

  Marden snapped his fingers. “Fragment of the Record.”

  A glowing sphere appeared. It was constructed of translucent bandages inscribed with a runic script. It oscillated through the air, forming a diamond.

  “Normally, the system never allows new information in newly integrated realms.” He pointed toward the pulsing diamond. “However, in the case of the Hollowers, it makes an exception. Please, identify the fragment if you wish to know the truth. Their organization is one that all should know of.”

  For a long moment, it seemed as if no one followed Marden’s instructions.

  Then someone gasped in the crowd.

  “By the gods. Someone like that existed?!"

  Soon there were more gasps. Outrage. Shock. Terror.

  The entire plaza was filled with an outburst of conversation as people read the air in front of them.

  Marden smirked, his eyes locking back onto Simon.

  “You should read it too. So you know the path that you walk.”

  Simon was about to whip back a curse or two at the smug man when he heard Brian’s voice behind him.

  “Simon… You aren’t one of these… are you?”

  Simon looked to Brian, then froze. Brian looked absolutely terrified. His face white, his eyes wide.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “It’s right there Simon. Are you one of these… Hollowers?”

  Are you fucking kidding me?! What the hell is going on?

  Simon turned back to the floating diamond.

  “Identify.”

  —— ? ——

  Got a ton of writing done today. Will have extra chapters this weekend.

  Thanks for reading everyone!