Book 4: Chapter 47: Blessings and Boons |
They waited patiently for Dundan to finish his communion with the god. When he was done he stood and walked with calm grace over to them. His skin seemed to have even more veins of ore spread throughout it and one of his eyes had actually been completely covered in some kind of crystal, though he still seemed able to see through it. He bowed to them.
“The god is very grateful for your help. I am to convey its wishes that the dwarves of these mountains support you and your efforts. The paths between clans should also be open again.”
“That’s excellent. Thank you,” responded Michael, addressing the god itself.
It didn’t answer with words, but it did vibrate in a kind of pleasant way that seemed to spread warmth down to his bones. After that the god carefully began to move. It weaved and coiled around itself, its head opening as it reached a bare wall, and it began to drill through the solid rock, moving though it like it was water.
They made their way back through the caverns. Michael was tired, but the slow pace forced by the climbing, descending, squeezing, and shimmying meant he was able to recover as they moved. They slept once they emerged on the other end, and as Michael waited for the others to wake up he took out his handmirror. The first thing he noticed was his white hair. It was odd. If he was going white it shouldn’t change the color of his hair right away, it should start at the roots. He should know, he’d gone gray before. In terms of wrinkles there really weren’t many, just a few around his eyes and the corner of his mouth. He looked to be a man in his late twenties or even early thirties. He’d still be able to win a prince charming look alike contest, but maybe he’d be better as a king charming instead.
He focused a bit and brought out his titles and deeds.
Titles:
Michael Mann
The Restored
Seer
Champion of the Gods
Paladin of Hume
Wrath of Gold
Riftwalker
Count of Hume, Lord of the Old Capital
Dwarven Godfriend
Deeds:
Bridge Holder
Revenge Denier
Run Conqueror
Resilient Competitor
Fort Healer
Righteous Defender
Castle Taker
Baron Breaker
Rift Sealer
Warrior Mender
Titan Slayer
Realm Firmer
Village Protector
Saviour of Lataxia
King Slayer
Taker of Takers
Blessings:
Absolute Healing
Mass Pain Transfer
Smite
Bless Many
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For a moment he saw the hint of another blessing, but when he turned his full attention to it it was no longer there. He had been lax in checking on how things had changed. He didn’t feel too bad about it though, considering how all of his attention had been on his son he couldn’t begin to think of anything else until he’d reunited with him. He focused on Champion of the Gods first.
Champion of the Gods
Grants:
Major Strength
Very Major Durability
Very Major Protection
Major Recovery
Major Concentration
Major Reaction
Major Magicka
Major Speed
Seras’s Favor- All spells related to barriers and shields use less Magicka
Veras’s Love- Those who love you and who you love can receive greater blessings.
Estaid’s Favor- You can judge others as enemies of the gods. Those so judged are more vulnerable to those favored by the gods.
Michael’s eyes widened. He was granted a major boon in every attribute and some had even increased to very major. It seemed the gods were very pleased with him, though he had to say that was something he expected. Their favor had flown to him very freely for some time. Estaid’s favor was interesting, it almost seemed like an anti-blessing that he could place upon others.
With those changes noted, he turned his attention to the new titles and deeds he’d gained.
Dwarven Godfriend
Grants:
Major Durability
You are marked by a dwarven god as a friend to it and its people. They will feel the favor in their bones.
It didn’t take a lot of thought to know where that had come from. He found the additional information disconcerting though. He certainly didn’t feel any different and hadn’t been explicitly marked by the god, but it seemed he’d been marked somehow nonetheless. Perhaps by the vibrations it had sent through him? Whatever the case he was more grateful than concerned. He didn’t like to paint other groups with a broad brush, but every dwarf he’d met so far had been good to know and he liked that he’d been able to help them.
He looked at this new Deed.
Taker of Takers
When fighting alongside or for other Takers grants:
Middling Reaction
Middling Strength
You can tell when others are takers, even when it is hidden
He nodded. Considering he was almost always fighting with other takers, these would be welcome benefits. He imagined fighting to save the world would likely count as fighting for other takers as well. He gave everything another lookthrough, thinking about each of the titles, deeds, and blessings he had. They’d all been earned with grit and suffering or granted from dedication and persistence. He’d gone from a single title to enough that having them all written out and described could fill pages and pages of paper. He hoped it would be enough, and had faith that even if it wasn’t, his friends and the gods could make up the difference.
Michael spent some time working his way quietly through some barrier exercises and altering the blessing he’d placed on the others to see if the effect had improved, they all had. He then spread his awareness to see how rift activity was. He found fewer and fewer active outside of Old Hume, and more and more building near the old capital. Still, even in that moment he saw several seal.
The others awoke a short while later and they all had a quick breakfast before trekking the rest of the way. When they reached the tunnel they’d first taken out of the city, they found it to be filled with merchants and carts that were preparing to move through it.
“How did they find out everything was resolved so quickly?” asked Gabriel.
“They listened to the whispers,” replied Dundan simply.
As they passed the merchants, they were heaped with praise and thanks, with many even offering small gifts to them. They accepted them gratefully and moved into town.
Dundan turned to them.
“Please excuse me. I am feeling very tired after what happened. I must rest before I can begin speaking what my god has told me to others.”
Michael nodded. “Thank you for all your help. We would not have succeeded without you.”
“And my god would not be healed without you.” He nodded back at him and turned to head deeper into the town.
They made their way through the streets to the hall of the chief. It wasn’t hard to find, the distinct way every street, building, and corner was carved made it very easy to navigate wherever you needed to go, even after a single visit. Inside they found him in discussion with several other dwarves that were wearing elaborate chains made of precious metal links. As they entered through, he turned his full attention their way and smiled widely enough that they could actually see his teeth through his thick beard.
“Welcome back brave men,” he said as they approached.
Gabriel stepped forward to take the lead.
“Thank you. It seems new of our success has come ahead of us.”
He nodded. “Yes, yes. Many of us could feel it when the rumbling ceased.”
Gabriel nodded. “So, with our end of the bargain met, shall we formalize your end?”
The dwarf nodded. “You don’t have to worry about me, King Castor. I would’ve loved to swindle you for everything I could, but with the clans no longer cut off from one another I stand to make much more through restored trade anyway, especially with the goods your people have begun bringing in.”
“Since you’re feeling so friendly, perhaps we can detail the exact logistics, support, and guidance we’ll need to make our way through as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
Chief Mardock smiled at him. “You’re a very kind king. To give me another avenue to take gold and silver from you. Warms my stone cold heart.”
Gabriel smiled at him in return and in moments they were seated across from one another negotiating everything from guides and extra wagons, to rations and food supplies.
Michael smiled as he watched. He had distinct memories of his brother Victor usually outmaneuvering him whenever they’d play games or make trades, but it seemed Gabe had more than bridged that gap since he’d arrived. It didn’t surprise him, but he was still happy to see it. He imagined Victor could still beat him in a game of Monopoly though.
They left Gabriel to negotiate and returned to the inn they’d stayed in a few nights prior. Enjoying a soft bed and a hot meal before they’d be back to hard travelling until they reached Old Hume again.