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B4C43 - Golden Glow
🕑 Added 2024-09-02 14:00:11 +0000 UTC“Ah, that sweet, Undermist scent. Did you miss it as much as I did?” MacRielly asked.
Feolin wanted to scowl and curse, but she was so pleased to see the Keep again she couldn’t keep the smile off her face.
“I never thought I’d be happy to see this place,” she said. “I mean, really, never.”
“I know what yeh mean,” MacRielly grinned. “I was so happy to get away from this place, I drank until I couldn’t stand up.’
“You drank like that every damn day.”
“Aye, but that was drinks of commiseration. When we left, they were drinks of celebration! Very different.”
Undermist Keep and the town that bore the same name were much the same as every Keep and settlement around the empire, walled bulwarks against the kin. They were designed to house, equip and stitch together the Slayers as they went about their duties. However, this rift, and this town, were a little different from the others, for one very specific reason.
The two approached the Grave gate on the south side of the wall, so named for the cemetery they passed on their right. The two Slayers bowed at the waist toward the memorial, paying respect to the friends whose names had been carved into the gravestones within, even if their bodies did not lie in the soil beneath them.
Security on the gate was tight, as was to be expected, given the current circumstances. No less than a dozen guards, with an attending Magister and Priest, occupied the guard house, and every single one of them stepped out as Feolin and MacRielly approached.
“Present your papers and prepare to be searched,” the ranking Marshal declared, holding up a hand to halt them on the spot.
MacRielly rolled his eyes. He’d never been good at dealing with the authorities, but that was fine. They’d both agreed Feolin would be the one to handle these situations for the two of them.
“Hello, officers. I am Feolin Brightshield, and this is my associate, MacRielly.”
The Marshal flicked his eyes to the Slayer with a slight frown.
“Is that it? No second name?”
“Clan name is all you get unless you want to be wed,” MacRielly drawled, waggling his thick eyebrows at the man.
“Northerner, then. You have identification on your papers?”
“Aye.”
“Good,” the officer grunted, holding out his hand. “I’ll go through the documents while you report to Magister Deol over there for a status check.”
“Of course.”
Feolin handed over her papers along with MacRielly’s but waited rather than walking off at once. When the Marshal looked up to see what the delay was, she smiled ingratiatingly.
“I just wanted to check that you knew we were coming before we submit to the check, just so there aren't any… surprises.”
“What do you mean?” the officer asked warily.
“My associate and I have come from the capital, with special dispensation from the tower, to come and help here in the Keep. Have you been told of this?”
The officer frowned for a moment, then his eyes widened in alarm.
“Wait… so you two?”
The two Slayers nodded, being careful not to appear threatening, keeping their hands away from their weapons.
“Yes. The two of us are Gold ranked. I just wanted to ensure there was no confusion on that front.”
“G-good decision.”
The Marshal kept himself together, but he was clearly rattled at being in their presence. Not all of the guards were as controlled, with some staring at the two, fear written plainly on their faces. Even the Magister looked uneasy at being in the presence of two golds, his hand wrapped white-knuckle tight around his stave.
Feolin kept the smile plastered to her face as if her life depended on it, desperate to appear unthreatening. The last thing she wanted was for some idiot guard to panic and cause an incident which would get her and MacRielly sent back to the cage, never to escape.
“So, can we get that status check done now?” she said.
“Y-yes. Of course. Magister Deol?”
Grimacing, the Magister stepped forward, tense as a coiled spring, eyes flicking from one to the other.
“Let’s get to the guard post. N-no funny business. M-Move.”
MacRielly sniggered at the… admittedly pathetic attempt to sound commanding, but Feolin silenced him with a glare. Ten of the guards accompanied them back to the post, each one with their hands on their weapons, ready to fight at a moment's notice.
All very unnecessary, of course. The brand placed on golds was so much more potent than what the silvers put up with. Could Feolin kill these guards? Maybe, but the pain would incapacitate her for hours, if not kill her outright.
Offering no resistance and smiling gently the whole time, she didn’t even complain when her arm was seized with far more force than necessary before being placed on the page. At least they were gentle enough with the needle.
Status ritual complete, the Magister stared down at the page as if it might leap off the table and bite him in the neck.
“It’s true,” he muttered. “She really is gold.”
“She’s not the only one,” MacRielly said, walking forward and sticking his hand forward. “Come on now, lads. Let’s get this done, I’ve got shit to kill.”
The process was repeated with him, and his status sheet elicited the same reaction. It was almost comical how the guards ringed around them and shuffled the two Slayers back to the middle of the road.
“Everything appears to be in order,” the Marshal said, handing them back their papers. “The two of you are required to report to Magister Theolodis in the Keep before you can undertake any Slayer activities, as per your orders. Do you require any… uh… directions?”
He’d done so well, but faltered at the end, looking at the two of them.
“We’ll be fine, thank you,” Feolin said.
“Been here before, lads,” MacRielly grinned.
And just like that, they were back inside. The sights, the scents, the sounds. It brought back a flood of memories, not all of them pleasant, from their time in the field. Compared to the carefully tended gardens and immaculate streets of the Gold District, this place was rotten, covered in filth and grime, with the unshaven masses rubbing shoulders with their betters.
Feolin found herself unable to explain why she had ever given it up. That gilded cage may have glittered brightly, but inside it was suffocating. Out here, she could breathe easy for what felt like the first time in years.
“Brose was so right,” she said sadly.
“Aye. That he was,” MacRielly agreed.
The two moved away and headed toward the looming Keep that towered over the town, built atop a hill on the north side of the settlement.
When they arrived at the gate, they saw a few Slayers heading out to the field and a few others coming back. Feolin didn’t recognise any of them, but that was probably logical. Anyone who’d been active in their day but hadn’t reached gold was probably dead by now.
How many could have remained as silver and survived for years in the rifts? Not many, surely. She hoped there were at least a few. There had to be some out there.
For their part, the Slayers eyed them a little suspiciously, as if wondering just what these strangers were doing here. Too calm and confident to be rookies, but not properly equipped like veterans.
The entrance to the Keep was a repeat of what they had experienced at the gate. Feolin was able to grin and bear it a second time, though MacRielly was visibly struggling by the end.
“Come on. You know security around the keeps was always strict. Given the current situation, did you think there would be less?”
“You’re right,” he growled, “I just don’t have the patience for it like I used to.”
Feolin choked out a strangled laugh.
“Wh-what?! Since when did you ever have patience… for anything?!”
“In my youth, I was far more tolerant,” MacRielly said, nodding sagely.
“In your youth you made it a point to get into a fist fight every day.”
“Oh, that’s true.”
The inside of Undermist Keep was a tangled warren, much like all of the Keeps. Barracks layered on armouries layered on supply storehouses and an endless knot of chokepoints and defensible corridors. The two of them navigated it easily, finding themselves in the administration section, waiting to see the Magister responsible for the whole keep: Theolodis.
“How long until Gen and the others are allowed out to join us?” MacRielly asked as they waited in the surprisingly comfortable seats outside the office.
“You think they’ll come just because you suggested they should?”
“No, I think they’ll come because they’re right on the edge and need hope,” MacRielly said quietly.
“Really? I thought Gen was alright?”
“He’s better at hiding it than most.”
“Warra had been looking pretty rough. I thought she was down because Nora had… died.”
“You know how it goes,” MacRielly stated heavily. “Eventually you go down and just can’t quite pick yourself back up again. I think that’s pretty much where that crew had gotten to.”
“Well, now I really am hoping they took you up on your offer.”
“Aye.”
The two fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts, but thankfully they didn’t have to wait long before they were allowed inside to see the Magister.
Within the comfortably furnished office, they found not one, but three Magisters, each working behind their own desk, each wearing the official robes of their order.
Of course, being Magisters, one of the desks was much larger and more elaborate than the others, so the two Slayers directed their attention to the mage sitting behind it.
“Magister Theolodis?” Feolin asked.
“That’s me,” the Magister said, looking up.
Theolodis was an older man, with a long grey beard that he’d combed to the point it flowed down his chest in a silver wave. Combined with his kindly eyes and gentle demeanour, he looked like a friendly grandfather who snuck treats to his younger family members.
“Ah, yes. Our new gold ranked Slayers, I presume?”
“That’s right. I’m Feolin, and this is MacRielly.”
“From the north! Men of the Clans aren’t that common in the west. It’s assuring to have you with us.”
“Not many appreciate the unique talents of my people,” MacRielly grinned.
“Nothing of the sort here, I assure you.”
Theolodis turned back to Feolin and smiled.
“I’m sure you are eager to get to work. There are only a few things we need to get through before I can give you clearance to head out to the rift. I hope you can indulge me?”
“Of course,” Feolin said, put off balance by meeting a polite Magister for perhaps the first time in her life.
Theolodis went through their documents, confirmed their details, had them perform another status ritual to confirm their papers were accurate, signed off on copies to be sent back to Kenmor and checked their equipment to ensure they were sufficiently armed and armoured to be effective.
Through it all, he maintained his affable, elderly charm. Which made it even more shocking when they came to the end of their conversation.
“Last item on the list,” the Magister said, then without changing expression, he stated: “we just have to check your brands to ensure they’re working.”
Feolin, caught off guard, blinked rapidly.
“Excuse me?” she said.
“Won’t take but a moment,” Theolodis said, still smiling. “I’ll ask Magistier Thirn and Magister Alder to perform the test. I do suggest you sit down.”
“Why would you need ta test the brand?” MacRielly growled. “You Magisters are the ones who put them on us. Are you doubting your own work?!”
“It’s very unusual for golds such as yourself to be outside the capital like this. It’s only sensible that we take every precaution. Now, brothers, if you would begin.”
Feolin opened her mouth to protest once more, but her thoughts were obliterated in an instant by the pain. It was all-consuming, wracking every inch of her body, though it didn’t originate from her flesh, but from her very soul.
She had no idea how long it went on, or whether or not she was screaming. She couldn’t think at all. Wasn’t aware of anything except for the pain.
When it finally faded, she found she was face down on the floor, sobbing, her voice hoarse and her fingernails bloody.
She was dimly aware of MacRielly groaning and cursing behind her, his voice shaky and uneven.
“Well, that seems to be in working order,” Theolodis said in his gentle way. “You are all clear to begin work. Congratulations.”
Comments
John goode
Only one chance this week ?
chris
As kid from one piece in the slave auction said “compared to the RighteouS greed of the rulers, the criminals of the world seem much more honourable. When scum rules the world only more scum is born.” And purposely raises their children rotten and being disappointed if they dont end up at least equally as scummy to them if not more.
chris
I get the feeling he gets a kick out of the reaction from kind grandpa to “now im going to torture ur soul just to make sure i can”, seen a few characters like that and bullies that like to pretend to b ur friend r exactly that way.
Martin Sandre
plus he has demonstrated an ability to make fully independant undead, this could be an acceptablee way to get ride of the brand, or maybe he somhow figure out resurection magic and the brand dosn't survive death
Der EsTat
They are raising illegal slayers anyway so just get some lvl 1 mind controller, the gold rank slayer don’t fight back against the mind control and it should work
ShadyDemoness
the harder you clench the fist the more sand drops out of your hand inte the pile that is the rebellion, each tiniest corn of sand another enemy aginst you.
lenkite
Why would he ? That would destroy his reputation. A good reputation could have a continuous line of slayers eager to finish some work after death before moving on or the ability to have a second chance for some more time. Good, continual XP as well in making high tier un-dead. I suspect with cooperation even more things can be done.
KopiCAT
An Oath he probably could, and probably would, break?
lenkite
They will likely first get an oath from him to release them after "regime change".
Mason Hodge
Revenge, maybe. But isn't Tyron's control even more severe than the brand's?
Suastes Jiménez Miguel Angel
Magister Theolodis reminds me of a teacher who, when he failed you, did so with a smile on his face.
Rahsheem Reid
They are out of touch with the people and land after being stuck in there castles for decades.
Jac Onue
You'd still need someone who's capable of mind controlling a gold slayer, so high silver at least, and as mentioned mind control classes are highly illegal. Plus, the brand being applied to the soul, likely would overwrite mind control, at least incapacitating the slayer.
Der EsTat
But why would the slayers refuse to be mind controlled after all it’s in they’re best interest to fuck up the magisters
lenkite
Many of the Gold Ranked Slayers might even choose to become [Undead] to get rid of the brand control and get some revenge.
Gopard
Obviously they could also Mind Control the Magisters if it was "easy" But it's not... You'd have to forcibly gain control of a battlehardened GOLD-RANK dude! Considering there normally ARE NO UNBRANDED GOLDs Howe the fuck should a rebellion just quickly and casually "raise" up a big number of golds capaple of controlling several other super strong Gold ranks at the same time? Because those slayers will not willingly let someone control their mind to the point such excruciating pain is gone for sure! I also think the brand might actually interfere a lot with such mind control but thats beside the point eben trying such a thing in the first place is logistically all but impossible! Much more likely to actually get on super destructive unsanctioned Gold and have them blow up the Tower so the majority of Golds can't be hit as most magisters are simply dead... Remember it takes a magister per Gold so killing those guys is probably just easier than mind controlling Golds.
Robothaus
mind control type powers are super illegal, bards have to walk around with chaperones and they only deal with suggestion type stuff, the ability from anathema is not common
Gabus Deux
Idk, chrysalis is super fuckin dark if you're not one of the ants, or living in one of the bubbles of paradise you know? The only way humans can survive is basically torturing themselves and overcharging their bodies with mana until they either adapt or die. Moriellas brother remember? Where the entire time the world is seemingly doomed with an unknown timer constantly ticking down while ancient gods extend their influence through the entire world meanwhile EVERYTHING in the dungeon is looked over by some nearly omniscient omnipotent god that can pluck souls from other dimensions before placing them in a newly crafted body in an attempt to create a final god. Chrysalis is pretty fucked up man :P
Gabus Deux
I don't think mind control is really as prevalent as you think. They've done everything they can to keep all that mind control stuff to themselves with bards and such
Gabus Deux
True, but most magisters we've seen have been rude because they see slayers as beneath even commoners, so I don't think he would be nice just to save face.
John Pratt
Probably a bit of both. You'll notice that he delegated the actual torture, so he might find it a bit distasteful. He's also a head administrator, so he has to cooperate with people on the daily, and that gives him plenty of opportunity to practice fake smiles.
Der EsTat
I see a real easy counter tho maybe I’m wrong, what if someone takes control of they’re minds, they could let them in and then they could murder all of the magisters because the pain doesn’t matter if you don’t control your own body
Rahsheem Reid
Oh yeah I hate them even more now. They really do seem out of touch. If you keep hitting a dog it just might bite you one day.
Jack
It's gonna be so ugly when Tyron hits the Tower lmao
Andrew
Thank you!
Hayden Leech
Fuuuuck this story is bleak. Such a change from Anthony’s cheerful adventures!
Gabus Deux
Its kinda shocking tbh, it makes me wonder if the old guy IS actually just super nice but torturing slayers has been normalized, or if he's just really good at hiding his contempt.
Gonvas
Their friends are probably getting tortured in the Tower (based on what happened in B4C39). Didn't volunteer to go out so... RIP
Gonvas
They are just making sure if it's safe to use the cattle 😈
Theweird12345
They're trying to stomp on the rebellion in hard mode.
Wolve
TFTC, that's one way to ensure that even the most loyal of people will betray you when they can.
Conor lennon
How to start a revolt 101. The rebellion appreciates these new gold rank slayers.
CentaureHeart
Are they trying to put down the revolt or are they trying to have it blow up in their faces sooner?
