Chapter Fourteen / Paladin

A blue hue reflected off the gray contours of Arn’s mask as he gazed at the map. He glanced away, a time tracker ticking away just above the map in front of him, then back at the map. He moved his index finger over the Guard Room build option and moved it through the gateway to the forty-ninth floor. He stopped just beyond the gate on the other side. A fog covered much of the map of the forty-ninth floor, but he was able to see the immediate area and around a mile beyond. He attempted to place the Guard Room just beyond the gate, yet the selection always came back with a glaring red message: CANNOT PLACE.

Arn hummed for a moment, racking his brain, then deselected the Guard Room, and selected the Barracks. He put the Barracks on the same location, and to his surprise – it worked. The Barracks, however, didn’t have a normal room outline. Instead, it had building plans for a large building. Interesting, they’re no longer rooms. Arn thought to himself.

Arn scrolled to the Farm option and moved it over to one of the nearby plains. This also came back as buildable. I guess some rooms can act like buildings, and others can’t. Arn sighed deeply. How am I supposed to know which ones will work and which ones wont? These descriptions are too vague. Arn then moved to remove the Farm plans, but kept the plans for the Barracks. Well, guess I’ll just have to trial and error all of them.

Arn leaned back in the chair, little more than stone slab that had popped out of the floor of the throne room to support him, then sighed again. I’ve got to stop sighing so much. It’s going to become a habit. Arn looked over the map again. He tapped on the Wooden Palisade build option and moved his finger over the map. He created two separate walls, from the right and left of the gate, tucking the Barracks in the lower left corner of the wall, then tapped on the Wooden Gate and placed it between the two separate walls. Arn then placed down two Wooden Watchtowers, one to the left of the Wooden Gate and another to the right. Arn looked at his small outpost and nodded. That will do for now.

Wildlife. Arn thought to himself. He couldn’t see them on the map, but he looked at the area he could see. They’re there just running around. As if nothing happened. He chuckled. I guess we’re moving from “Dark Lord’s Dungeon Management” to “Dark Lord’s Realm Management.” Arn chuckled again to himself. A wave of dread washed over him.

Rakan. Arn closed his eyes and moved his thoughts towards the dungeon. Arn felt a touch, but his mind didn’t recoil.

…EMINENCE… Rakan mind squealed joyfully in response.

I have liberated the Forty-Ninth floor from our enemy. While this is a good thing it poses a difficult question that only you can answer. Are you going to be building beyond the Throne floor?

Silence pressed on the connection of their minds.

…EMINENCE…COVETOUS…STAY…TO…DEFEND…HEART…OF…REALM…NOT…FIGHTERS…BUT…THIS…IS…DUTY…AS…WELL…

Who gave you this duty? Arn asked.

A quick and boisterously inhuman response came: YOU…EMINENCE…

Arn didn’t recall giving that order but had a feeling something like this might be the case. Completely capable of building something out of nothing. The Covetous are both the most capable builders, and possibly also the most capable defenders should it be required.

Thank you, Rakan. That is all. Arn responded.

…DARK…EMINENCE… Rakan’s mind tugged on Arn’s. …RAKAN…ALWAYS…SERVE…

Arn felt Rakan’s mind slip away. He didn’t question Rakan’s loyalty. He did question, however, the whole truth. Arn sighed deeply again. Well, it just means I’ll have to have the skeletons build for us for the time being. Arn moved his hand over a regiment of skeletons near the Guard Room and ordered them to the Barracks on the forty-ninth floor. Another message popped up in bright red letters: BUILD TOOLS REQUIRED.

Arn’s hands slapped his face and covered his mask.

“I need tools! We never made any!” Frustration took hold of Arn’s voice.

Arn looked at the map and noted the new location of the Smithy. He had moved the Smithy to the western hallway, only a few feet away from the crossroads, and completely overhauled it. An entire row of furnaces and forges lined the interior, and Arn had also tasked a unit of skeletons to help Ezbalath. He touched on the Smithy, and an order menu appeared. He placed several orders for hammers, mallets, iron braces, iron nails, and several other building required items that the previous menu allowed him to see in order to construct the Barracks.

The task of building the Barracks, however, required craftsmen in order to make planks from the Carpenter’s Workshop. Again, Arn sighed. A thought popped into his head, however, and lifted his spirits. I might be able to get around the requirement with my Domain ability. Arn placed down a small room for the Carpenter’s Workshop in the eastern hallway. Both tasks require storage. Arn placed another Storage Room near the Carpenter’s Workshop and another near the Smithy.

Done with building for now, Arn looked again at the western hallway. Just beside the Fount of Souls to the left, an additional Soul Forge resides. Beside Soul Forge number two, Arn had placed another Staff Quarters as a rudimentary medical/rehabilitation center.

Whenever Akiana is brought back, I’ll demolish the old Soul Forge to free up some room. Arn thought to himself.

A glaring box appeared above the map – the timer ticked away in large numbers. Speaking of which. Arn smiled. Looks like it’s nearly time.

Arn stood from the stone seat and stretched, then walked out of the throne room. Walking by the Soul Forge, Arn made his way to the crossroads, and to the new location of the Smithy. He peaked inside – large furnaces set against the back of the room with a number of forges some feet away. A few skeletons pounded away at the forges, their mechanical movements timed with the rhythm of pounding iron. He noted they didn’t appear to be working on weapons, but something else. My orders? Arn thought to himself.

“Wow.” A voice came from a workstation closer to the entrance. “You’ve really improved in a few days.”

Arn looked to his left. Ezbalath’s shoulders blended with the background baking in the glow of the furnaces – he leaned over the table of the workstation, with a bent blackened figure sitting and toiling on a piece of metal.

“You’re a natural, Gel.” Ezbalath said, then cleared his throat. “Sorry, didn’t mean to say that like you haven’t been trying. I’ve just seen so few people get this in sync with engraving so quickly.”

Gelicarus chuckled, his grayish green eyes in clear view with his hair tucked behind his ears. “I think I’m just lucky to have a good teacher.”

Arn had to double take. Gelicarus laughing?

“I hope I’m not interrupting.” Arn said walking over to the pair.

Both Ezbalath and Gelicarus turned to look at Arn.

“Oh, Arn! I was just showing, Gel some engraving techniques.” Ezbalath said smiling and rubbing his eyebrow.

Gelicarus stood up out of the chair and bowed his head. “My lord.” Then Gelicarus looked at Ezbalath. “I was curious about how engraving worked.”

Arn smiled under his mask. “Sounds like you’re doing well. Maybe I’ll ask for your help in the future.” Arn chuckled.

They all laughed, and Arn cleared his throat. “It’s almost time for Akiana to join us.”

Ezbalath smiled widely, his cheeks creasing. “Really?!” Ezbalath sighed. “It’ll be so nice to see her.”

Arn gestured towards the door, and the three began their trip back towards the Soul Forge.

“I think you should be the first one they see, Ez. It might make things easier.” Arn said.

Ezbalath nodded, then looked at himself and smirked. “I might need to change first.”

Arn laughed. “Probably a good idea. A big sweaty man may not leave the best first impression.”

Gelicarus stifled a chuckle.

“You forgot the best part, my lord.” Ezbalath smirked and quipped. “A big sweaty, handsome, man.”

“Oh, so that’s why you’re sweating all the time? To be handsome?” Gelicarus quipped. “I thought you did because you like the warmth of the forges.”

“Well, I-.” Ezbalath looked away, rubbing his eyebrow. “That too.”

Both Arn and Gelicarus laughed; the trio’s steps echoing alongside down the hallway.

“Speaking of sweating in the forge.” Ezbalath said changing the subject. “I don’t know if you noticed, Arn, but there’s a board on the wall next the entrance of the Smithy. It just popped up the other day. I think with your orders?”

“Oh, I must have missed it when we walked out.” Arn said. “That should be handy.”

“It was for what looked like tools, and other building materials. Are we moving onto the next floor?” Ezbalath asked.

“Yep, we’ll be needing the tools for later. I’m just hoping the skeletons will be alright building.” Arn said.

“You know…” Ezbalath looked around the hallway. “Now that we’re talking about it: how do the rooms pop up in the dungeon?”

The sound of their boots echoed louder down the hallway.

“My power allows me to assemble them, but it of course still requires resources. We just don’t need the manpower while we’re on this floor.” Arn said. “It won’t work beyond this one.”

Ezbalath smirked. “I figured it was something like that. Too bad it won’t work above this floor. That’s a really convenient thing to have.”

“I thought the same.” Arn nodded and sighed in response. “But this could be a good thing in the future.”

“I get it.” Ezbalath nodded. “People being able to build their own homes, an economic trade for the materials. I can see it now.”

Gelicarus watched Arn.

I didn’t lie. Arn thought to himself.

“One issue.” Ezbalath’s face contorted into a grimace. “How are we going to clean up the next floor?”

Arn chuckled. “Right, you two haven’t seen it yet.”

“Seen what?” Ezbalath asked.

“You’ll see.” Arn said.

“Now you’re getting me excited.” Ezbalath chuckled.

They stopped outside the Soul Forge sooner than Arn had anticipated, their conversation making the time go by quicker.

“I’ll be back.” Ezbalath said, waving as he walked by towards the throne room; his constructed private room waiting beyond.

Ezbalath rounded the corner, and Arn and Gelicarus were left alone. A moment of silence basked over them.

“You didn’t tell him.” Gelicarus said.

“I didn’t not tell him.” Arn responded. “Just one that’s easier for him.”

“Will you tell him about them?” Gelicarus asked.

“Someday. I don’t think he’s ready to hear about the Covetous yet.” Arn said. “They’re not exactly easy for humans to understand.”

“Then it’s a good thing he can’t see them.” Gelicarus said.

“He can’t?” Arn questioned.

“He said things pop up in the dungeon. Like that board on the wall in the Smithy.” Gelicarus said. “But I saw one of them put up the board.”

“I see.” Arn said. “That is good then. It probably also means other humans won’t be able to see them. I’m guessing I’d have to introduce the Covetous for them to be seen.” Arn sighed.

“You’ve changed your mind then?” Gelicarus asked.

“About?” Arn asked.

“Other humans. Will you be introducing more of them?” Gelicarus asked.

Arn took a moment to think about it himself.

“I guess my mind did change.” Arn hummed. “We’re going to need more people if this is going to work after all.”

Gelicarus smirked, the green in his eyes shimmering for a moment. “I’m glad. You seem happy saying that.”

“Do I?” Arn asked, then looked at Gelicarus. “What about you? You seem happy.”

“I am happy.” Gelicarus said. “Happy you’re back.”

“That’s not the only reason.” Arn quipped.

Gelicarus’s eyes shifted towards the throne room.

“Do me a favor, Gel.” Arn watched Gelicarus. “Keep an eye on Ezbalath. I don’t think he’s really adjusted to all of this yet. He needs some one to lean on.”

Gelicarus looked away from the throne room to Arn.

“What about you?”

Arn looked away. “I’ve gotten used to it a bit” He paused. “If I can’t - I’ll ask for help.”

“Okay.” Gelicarus looked away.

Ezbalath walked out from the private rooms, and towards the pair. He dressed himself in a plain white tunic, strapped with a brown belt, brown pants, and a pair of buckled black boots.

“Sorry for making you two wait.” Ezbalath said, taking a moment to breathe.

Arn looked at the timer above his vision. “Right on time. Let’s head in.” Arn moved to the door and stepped inside.

A bright light emanated from the soul chamber, and moisture immediately clung to Arn’s clothes. As they walked closer to the chamber, the heat grew more intense.

Arn looked at Ezbalath. “You’re up. We’ll be right here with you.”

Ezbalath looked back at Arn, taking a breath and nodding. He took a few steps ahead of Arn and Gelicarus and waited. The tube of the soul chamber clicked out from the floor, and steam densely filled the area. The tube whined as it slowly raised itself into the ceiling, the steam still billowing out of it until it completely disappeared. A cough cleared itself through the steam, then wet thuds on stone. A figure came into view behind the steam walking towards Ezbalath.

The figure stumbled, landing on their hands and knees out of the steam. Wet pale blond shoulder length hair clung in clumped strands to her head and face. Her amber eyes peered through the sticking strands up towards Ezbalath.

“Ez?” Her voice cracked and she attempted to stand.

Ezbalath took hold of her right arm and helped her stand.

“Yeah, it’s me. Akiana.” Ezbalath responded. “How are you feeling?”

Akiana stood with a slight hunch as she attempted to hold herself up, but she stood somewhere around Arn’s height of five foot eleven. Her naked wet pale skin dripped against the cold floor, but her pale complexion hid itself under scars that etched her body from her arms and legs to her stomach, breasts, chest, and down her back in varying sizes. Several scars dotted her face particularly around her eyes, under both as parallel lines, and down along the right side of her chin.

“Sick.” Akian responded. She looked around the room towards the ceiling and floor. “Where are we?”

Ezbalath looked back at Arn, who nodded.

“Do you remember where you were last?” Ezbalath asked.

“I was.” Akiana took a moment to catch her breath. “I was looking for my sister, at the bottom of one of the dungeons.”

Ezbalath shot a look at Arn.

“Where am I, Ez?” Akiana strained her eyes looking around. Then they rested on Arn - a shadow in the darkness of the room.

“We’re at the bottom of the dungeon.” Ezbalath responded.

Akiana violently coughed and shook.

“Where’s my sister, Ez?” Akiana’s voice quaked and cracked.

Arn placed his hands together behind his back and stepped forward.

“Hello, Akiana.” Arn delicately said.

“Who are you?” Akiana coughed out.

“My name is Arn. I’m a friend of Ezbalath’s.” Arn said.

Akiana’s amber eyes grew wider as her vision returned to her, but something else snapped into place behind her eyes as if realizing something.

“Where’s my sister?” Akiana’s tone shifted into anger. She weakly pushed herself out of Ezbalath’s grasp and walked towards Arn, her wet feet slapping against the floor. “She’s supposed to be here.”

“Your sister is not here.” Arn coldly responded.

“Liar.” Akiana hissed. “They said they brought her here to…the…”

Akiana hunched over and threw up liquid, then walked forward another few steps towards Arn. “The…Dark Lord…”

Akiana’s eyes rolled into her head and she stumbled. Arn ran and caught her before she hit the ground. Akiana gagged lightly.

“The liquid is in her lungs.” Arn said and gently placed her on the floor, then turned her on her side. “She needs to expel it.”

Arn turned her over again and began chest compressions. Then stopped. Maybe I can. Arn moved his hand over her chest and closed his eyes. He felt the liquid in her lungs and pulled. Akiana gasped and coughed as the liquid came out of her mouth and nose, and Arn moved the liquid into the air and onto the ground beside them.

Gelicarus and Ezbalath gathered around them.

“Is she alright?” Ezbalath asked.

“Yes, I managed to move the liquid out of her lungs.” Arn said unclipping his cloak. “She just needs to rest.”

Arn wrapped his cloak around her, then picked her up.

“I’ll take her to one of the Staff Quarter’s beds.” Arn said then walked to the door.

Ezbalath and Gelicarus looked at each other and followed.

Arn’s boots echoed in the hall as he walked towards the Staff Quarters. Akiana rested her head against his chest, her chest lightly inhaled and exhaled as it gained control again of the air running through her lungs.