Herald of Shalia 3, page 18
Frost’s working theory was that aspects of each magic he learned could be applied to other magics although testing that theory was fairly time consuming. He had been successful at creating barrier bridges by structuring them like earth magic but for every successful experiment there were hundreds of failed ones. He wished more of the village elves would practice so he had more information to compare to.
“Renna?” Frost looked around for the mischievous thief before realizing she was right behind him. “Working on stealth?”
“And other things,” Renna said while pulling out a pile of small electrified gemstones. She gripped one tight and her short green hair stood on end. After a few seconds she released the stone and pulled out a health potion.
“What are you doing?” Frost asked curiously. “And what are those gems?”
“They’re lightning stones!” Renna offered one to Frost. “They’re similar to the heating and cooling stones in the bath and the harvesting crystals. If you charge them with energy, they do what they’re supposed to do.”
“And what is it that they’re supposed to do?” Frost asked while examining the stone. He charged it with some energy and his entire body suddenly felt like he was licking a battery. “Okay…”
“You look ridiculous,” Ena laughed while pointing at his hair. He tossed the gemstone back to Renna and patted down his hair. The static charge wasn’t going away so he created a water bubble to help dampen and style his hair.
“So, why?” Frost asked.
“Magic resistance!” Renna said excitedly. “If I can resist magic then that old whore can’t use paralyze on me!”
“That’s…” Frost paused and sorted through his abilities and found magic resistance under cloth specialization. He had plenty of restricted ability points related to cloth since he was always wearing it but had mostly been using them to bolster his offense and stealth capabilities. “That’s actually a really good idea.”
“I know!” Renna said while quickly unbuttoning her shorts to show Frost her pink crotchless panties. “And these count as cloth so I can always be wearing armor! That ancient bitch is in for a surprise the next time she tries to stun me!”
“Fuck,” Frost laughed as Renna buttoned her shorts back up. He turned toward Serino and gave Witch a gentle pat on the neck. “Come on. Let’s get things done.”
Frost didn’t work on anything during the trip but instead ended up thinking about his increasing obligations. With the Arachne, they brought a massive benefit to his territory by providing talented builders and crafters. He wasn’t yet sure what the monsters provided other than problems and responsibilities.
He needed to provide them food and housing at a minimum but also wanted to provide them educations. A stupid populace wasn’t particularly useful to him and stupid monsters were probably dangerous. But that took time and resources from both the elves and the Arachne which would probably build some resentment.
It wasn’t really a matter of whether or not he could help them but whether he should. As Brynn said, it would look like he was amassing an army of monsters and that could cause issues with both Zira and Rilia. King Asmund already wasn’t thrilled about him giving the Arachne a home and the nobles in Blackwater were looking for any excuse to attack him.
All risks and no benefits.
“Am I making a mistake?” Frost asked the group of women as they neared Serino. “Should I have sent them away?”
“What a stupid question,” Ena said angrily while charging a powerful smite spell.
“Herald Frost,” Fayeth quickly rode between Ena and Frost before a fight could break out. Ena directed the spell toward a tree shattering it. “Why would you think that?”
“The risks outweigh the benefits,” Frost said calmly. “They don’t provide anything and because of them we might be targeted by…”
“Stupid,” Ena interrupted. “Would you abandon us if things got dangerous?”
“Now who’s being stupid?” Frost smirked.
“Still you,” Ena said crossly. “It’s your job to love and protect those that everybody else abandons. Shalia loves everybody so you need to love everybody.”
“But it’s okay to love some more than others,” Renna smiled impishly while gradually riding closer to him. “More often, with more intensity, without that pesky infertility spell.”
“Thanks for the reminder,” Frost said while reactivating the spell.
“Dammit,” Renna growled.
“Don’t suggest abandoning them again,” Ena said while glaring at him. Her cerulean eyes were practically overflowing with rage. “We don’t abandon those in need…”
“I abandon those in need all the time,” Frost said. “I let villages get eradicated by monsters all the time and…”
“Now you really are being stupid,” Fayeth laughed. “They’re different things. And if you keep talking like this, I’m going to tell Lysandra and she’ll be very disappointed in you.”
“Fine,” Frost sighed. “I suppose I’m just worried that I’m biting off a bit more than I can chew.”
“Then ask for help,” Ena grumbled. “We’re more capable than you give us credit for. We were fine for decades before you arrived.”
“Fair enough,” Frost nodded as Serino came into view. “Time to explain the situation to Priscilla.”
There wasn’t much to explain upon their arrival. Priscilla was standing in the town square with a group of five elves and two terrified lamias, at least he assumed that’s what they were.
The women’s bodies were serpentine all the way up to their chest which was covered by a tattered cloth top. Through the random tears and holes, he could tell their chests were a yellowish-beige while their scaly bodies were a vibrant green. Their arms were slightly longer than he expected as were their necks. It was almost as if the women had been stretched out. Their eyes were also larger than expected creating an almost surreal look to them. The bags beneath their eyes suggested they were exhausted and their disheveled hair looked as though it hadn’t been washed or brushed in weeks.
Priscilla stood right outside the ring of nervous guards surrounding the monsters. The brunette knight was wearing steel grieves and gloves beneath a more formal looking governess dress. It was an odd look but it suited her, as did the longsword attached to her belt.
“Herald Frost,” Priscilla let out a relieved sigh. “I was just about to send somebody for you.”
“Herald Frost?” the lamias perked up excitedly and one quickly started rummaging through her bag.
“Lookout!” a guard shouted while pointing at the lamia. “It’s getting a weapon!”
“Dammit,” Frost snapped as he tapped Witch’s sides causing her to rush full speed ahead. Seven guards already had their weapons drawn and were rushing straight toward the women.
Frost started casting a mass paralyze spell but realized if he missed even a single person in the chain things could still end badly. He pivoted to prioritize protection created a powerful barrier around the elves and lamia.
“A barrier!” a guard shouted while striking the invisible wall in front of him. “We need more…”
“Stand down!” Priscilla shouted at the top of her lungs.
“Out of our way!” Ena shouted while bursting through a group of five guards on Hammer, knocking them onto the ground. She began charging her smite, daring any of the three men to get back on their feet.
“I wouldn’t suggest that?” Fayeth said while training her bow on a pair of nervous archers. “I promise you I’m a better shot.”
“Priscilla!” Renna jumped off her mount and rushed the brown-haired knight. “How are you?”
“Pissed off!” Priscilla snapped, drawing her sword while approaching the knights. “Who said she had a weapon? Which stupid fuck needs their fucking tongue cut out?”
“Ma’am,” several guards backed up while pushing forward a young dark-haired man. “It was him.”
“She was reaching into her bag…” the man said while pointing at the pair of lamias hugging each other within the safety of the barrier. The elves looked similarly nervous and were keeping their distance from the lamias. “I thought she was going for a weapon and they were ordered to keep still…”
“You stupid fuck,” Priscilla’s armored leg came around and crashed into the man’s head sending him straight to the pavement with a fractured skull. “Drag him to the infirmary and get his discharge papers written up.”
“Discharge ma’am?” a knight asked as if he heard wrong. “He was only…”
“They’re level fourteen lamias!” Priscilla shouted. “The highest level in the elves is level fucking twenty you braindead fucking moron! They could have pulled out a halberd and it wouldn’t have been a threat to the fucking herald!” Priscilla jabbed her head several times while staring them down. “Do you Rilian fucks even think?”
“But you ordered them not to move,” one of the men said while raising his hand. Frost recognized him as one of the men that previously stopped him on his journey through Rilia. “And she moved so…”
“You,” Priscilla gestured at the man. “I want twenty pages written by tomorrow on why you’re a fucking moron or I’m going to make your life hell.”
“Yes ma’am,” the guard said while quickly averting his gaze.
“Herald Frost,” the lamia pulled out a letter and approached the edge of the barrier. The tall serpentine woman was shivering as she held out the parchment. “I’m supposed to give this to you…”
“Right,” Frost nodded and released the barrier.
Frost hopped off Witch and gave her a gentle pat, sending her to the nearest hitching rail, although anybody that tried to hitch her to it was in for a fight.
“Let’s see,” Frost grabbed the document and sure enough, it was another letter from Rathe. “Idiot should have sent a messenger first.”
“I apologize,” the lamia dropped to her belly in front of him and covered her head as if preparing to get beaten. “To hire a messenger, we’d need to enter a village and…”
“Please don’t blame my sister,” the other lamia quickly dropped to her stomach beside her sister taking the same position. “It’s my fault we’re here.”
“Get up,” Frost sighed while staring at the pitiful women.
“Please Herald Frost,” the lamia begged. “Show mercy and allow us to be beaten in this position. Our stomachs do not have the durability of our backs and…”
“He’s not going to beat you,” Ena said as she hopped off Hammer and approached the two women. She grabbed one by the arm and lifted her up as Fayeth quickly moved to assist the other one. “You didn’t do anything wrong and I’m pretty sure even if you did, he’s not really into beating women.”
“At least not that way,” Renna said jokingly. “Although I’m not sure if spankings are effective on lamia.”
“You act like they’re effective on elves,” Frost scoffed as he turned his attention toward Priscilla while Ena and Fayeth reassured the lamia that they’d done nothing wrong. “So, care to explain?”
“Do you care to explain?” Priscilla said defensively while placing her hands on her hips. “You seemed to know more than I do.”
“A Diathen I met in Rilia is letting various mons…alternative humans? Semihumans? I haven’t decided what to call them yet. Anyway, monsters. He’s letting them know that I won’t hunt them down and kill them.” Frost answered.
“What about the elves?” Priscilla said gesturing at the small group of pointy-eared women. “What’s going on there?”
“No idea,” Frost said while approaching the group. “Explanations?”
“I am Saleena,” an elf bowed deeply. “My village was wiped out by illness and because of that…”
“Are you all considered cursed?” Frost said gesturing at the group. The elves nodded nervously. “Okay. I guess that shouldn’t be much of a shocker. Are you all followers of Shalia?”
“We don’t have any other choice,” one of the elves said. “She’s the only goddess that would accept a cursed elf. No other goddess would risk bringing misfortunate on their followers.”
“Got it, you’re fine,” Frost nodded at the elves while turning back to Priscilla. “So, how have things been? Have you been reading those books Hansel loaned you on governance?”
“I would have preferred to be in Filan,” Priscilla said while pointing at the villagers. “These Rilian’s are morons!”
“So, you haven’t read the books,” Frost nodded. “Because I’m pretty sure they’d say not to call the people you’re responsible for morons. At least not to their faces.”
“But they are!” Priscilla gestured angrily at a knight causing him to quickly hide behind another one. “Half of them can’t read so if I want to send a message, I can’t even write it in a letter! And you’d probably say teach them to read, except most of them have gone so long without needing to read they think it’s a waste of time!”
“Do they have enough free time to learn how to read?” Frost asked. “I saw a lot of people out working the fields.”
“Don’t you start,” Priscilla said. “You’re the one that assigned me this village. I am a knight! I am not a governor! Last week I had to solve a dispute between neighbors because a goat ate some of their neighbors’ crop so the neighbor felt entitled to part of the goat in return! Do you know how fucking stupid that is?”
“What did you do?” Frost asked.
“I told him that he’s owed the one rel that the grain would have sold for and ordered them to build some fences so I don’t have to hear about it again,” Priscilla growled. “I then told him if he didn’t like that he could dig the grain from the goat’s shit.”
“Seems like you’re doing great,” Frost chuckled.
“Really?” Priscilla gestured at the manor serving as a town hall. “Glad you think it’s funny because there are over a hundred complaints addressed to you about me. There will probably be five more before the day is out.”
“Well,” Frost said. “You did kick a kneeling soldier in the head and discharge him. You then ordered another one to…”
“It’s the only thing these idiots understand,” Priscilla said.
“You’re a bit of a tyrant,” Frost laughed while placing his hand on her head. “Read the books Hansel gave you. I’m sure they cover your responsibilities and delegation of duties. Also, you’re going to get some help soon. Brynn and Desdemona are going to be networking with all of the villages to help smooth over operations in the territory.”
“Then tell them to speed it up,” Priscilla growled. “And what are we doing about the monsters?”
“We’re trying to come up with a different word than monster,” Frost said. “But if you come across any you should give them directions to Pluma and tell them to ask for Lysandra or Brynn. There’s a good chance the Arachne will greet them as soon as they enter the forest as well so be sure to warn them about that.”
“Seriously?” Priscilla said while looking at the elves and lamia. “You’re just going to let them move in?”
“You’re going to want to also inform them that they’ll be expected to work,” Frost said.
“You’re going to give us work?” the lamia asked with hope-filled eyes. “Really?”
“Don’t get too excited,” Ena grumbled. “He doesn’t pay us.”
“Are we to be slaves?” the other lamia asked, somewhat disappointed but surprisingly okay with it. “Will we be well cared for?”
“You won’t be slaves,” Frost groaned. “The village doesn’t really operate on payments right now. It’s weird for me too but everybody just tries to pitch in. Although we are coming up with an incentive system for those that work harder than others.”
“Do I look like a slave?” Fayeth’s fine green cloak shimmered as she twirled playfully. Her leather corset tapered in her already narrow waist making her chest look even larger than it was and her short skirt and boots left the perfect amount of her thighs visible. “You have nothing to worry about. Shalia is a goddess of love so she’ll accept you just like she accepts me.”
“Really?” the lamia looked to Frost for confirmation. “Shalia accepts monsters like us?”
“I do at least,” Frost chuckled. “That’s what’s important.”
“Us too?” Saleena asked as the other elves pushed her forward. “Will we be able to work too?”
“Obviously,” Frost gestured at Renna as the petite elf hung from Priscilla’s neck. “Does it look like we have an issue with elves?”
The elves bantered enthusiastically and the lamia started to relax as they realized that they weren’t going to be killed.
“I don’t suppose you have some supplies, clothes, and maybe an escort for them,” Frost said while gesturing at the group. All of their clothing was fairly well-worn and their shoes looked like they could fall apart any second. “I mean, they’re looking pretty rough.”
“I can arrange something but the morons aren’t going to be happy,” Priscilla said. “They really don’t like being in a territory where the lord seems to favor elves and monsters over humans.”
“Not my fault humans are so unlikable,” Frost said. “Do you have everything handled here?”
“Yes,” Priscilla sighed. “Not that it matters. I’m stuck here regardless.”
“Hey,” Frost shook his head. “I told you that you can quit anytime you want and I’ll get one of those other knights to do it.”
“No,” Priscilla grumbled. “My mother’s been bragging to everybody about how I’m a governor. If I quit, she’ll be furious. I just wish these idiots would just do as I say.”
“Yeah,” Frost chuckled. “Everything would be much easier. Anyway, we still have to tell Hansel about the situation and Kald is about fifty miles from here so we need to get going.”
“You should really make some time for longer visits,” Priscilla grumbled. “Your last visit you were only here for a day.”
“We should make plans for a few days,” Renna smiled impishly while letting go of Priscilla. “Who knows what might happen…”
