Hardcore: Qi Worlds Chapter 40: Spawn 7

 Benzhi, Gisael and Reyas followed the four dwarves into the Stronghold. Bharelsia escorted the Master Smith, Master Miner and Warband Leader, showing them what went where and why. They looked at her bemusedly but accepted what had happened all the same.

 Near the entrance was a stone wall with two towers on the exterior of the mountain, at first glance one could assume it was a very small mountainside fort. Behind these fortifications was where the stronghold began. A wide corridor led into the mountain proper, large enough to allow a full-size wagon, not that getting one to this location would be easy. Eight warrior dwarfs could bar entry into the mountain itself if they were minded to, there was room for the dwarves to install other defences, such as a portcullis, Skandear pointed out.

 The first rooms they came across were the large store rooms on either side of the corridor, the light was permitted from somewhere above through a series of vents with reflective surfaces. Next were the kitchens and other services areas. At the end of the corridor was a T intersection leading off to living areas to the east, and crafting areas to the west. At the head of the T intersection was a double wooden doored archway to their massive hall. Twice the size of the last hall with entrances at the east and west allowing access directly from the living and other areas. At the rear of the hall was sculpture, however, this one was distinctly different to their old stronghold. It depicted the convoy, showing every single dwarf that made the journey. In another frame, it showed the ones they presumably lost and left behind from the portal spawn attack by the deep dwellers. And in the last frame, it showed the hammer, pickaxe and spear.

 Benzhi was astounded to see himself, Gisael and Reyas depicted in the main sculpture fighting Hellhounds, protecting the Stoneskin Clan. The Core had been relocated from the front of the Mountain to the centre of the sculpture, almost invisible, lying behind the visage with its streams flowing outwards. The main sculpture frame must have been fifty paces wide, it was truly massive, where the two side frames were much smaller a quarter the centre's width, although the same height. Bharelsia was certainly gifted artistically, he thought, her forthright nature made her seem direct and blunt but this showed there was a lot more to her.

 After taking a tour of the impressive crafter's wing, with a multitude of forges; smelting with every variety of metalworking imaginable, including the other workshops, such as stonecutter, sculptor, alchemist, gem cutter and jeweller. Bharelsia showed them the two wide corridors heading into the mountains, one further north and one west before ending at a hundred paces in a dead end.

 "It looks like you still have your work cut out for you Kindeag," Barrin offered.

 "Aye, but this be a good start and we can direct the tunnels, ramps and hoists to where they be best suited," he said while nodding a couple of times.

 Barrin was all smiles, he was well pleased with the crafter's quarter. Skandear was happy with the defensive layout and now it seemed Kindeag was also giving his approval.

 "I take it you are all in approval of Bhar's design?" Benzhi asked. Bhar had been giving the tour, but she was also taken aback, she had not expected her ideas were actually going to be implemented. She didn't even know this was possible.

 The three masters nodded. Grudgingly admitting they could not have done better themselves. 

 "I have a suggestion," Benzhi volunteered. The four dwarves hearkened, it sounded more like an order was about to take place camouflaged as a suggestion. "Bharelsia sit at the table with the Masters and partake in all decisions regarding the Stoneskin Clan. It is obvious she is more than just a Clanswoman. In fact, I would suggest she is the Daughter of Stone."

 The three Masters were taken aback, but they did not argue or offer any protest whatsoever. After a few silent minutes, they all agreed to the suggestion.

 "What be a Daughter of Stone?" asked Bhar.

 "You don't know?" Benzhi answered a question with a question.

  "Nay, I wuden be asking if I knew, ya dummy," Bhar replied.

   "I am no expert," Benzhi began, "but what I do know is each of the people, like the Fae and the Gaels, seem to have a Daughter. Such as these two." Benzhi pointed to Gisael and Reyas.

 "But the Stoneskin Clan seems to be a little different, from what I can see you have leadership as in the Masters,"  Benzhi said while motioning towards the three dwarves who stood listening intently, "but you do not have an equivalent like the Seer or Mother. It's complicated, but each of the people is different in small ways, yet similar in others. What we do know is, you Bharelsia, filled the role that Mother would have for the Fae when using the Core to create this place."

 "That be feckin scary," She replied.

  Benzhi nodded in sympathy, "you have a good head on your shoulders, I think it is the right decision to include you in further decisions for the Clan at least," Benzhi thanked the Masters for making the right decision. 

"We will leave you to settle in and I have a promised meeting with the Seer," Benzhi continued.

 "When I get back, I look forward to some training and that spear that was promised Barrin!" Benzhi never took the time to study the dwarves qi patterns while in combat, they had been in danger the entire time and the opportunity never presented itself. He had had more pressing concerns then learning a new technique, but it did not mean he had forgotten.

 "Aye, I watched you fight, I know what you will be needin," Barrin said with his thick accent. "But to do the weapon I intend justice, will have to wait for Kindeag to find the right ore. It will not be rushed." The dwarf has spoken.

 The Vanguard left the newly created Dwarven Stronghold. It was the closest of the Cores to their southern border, fortunately, it was also highly defensible, Benzhi could not wish for more.

 Their little kingdom was taking shape, it was massive in size and bountiful in resources. The skills of the three peoples were very different, yet they all added something significant to the whole. Benzhi led the warrior women with a smile on his face. He could not be happier. Yet there was something troubling him. Something Talila had reported. Ailen.

 It would take the trio a little over a day to reach the Seer, this high up in the mountains they camped in one of the havens to keep warm, it was still a cold forbidding place in this region even if there were a lot more trees in the valleys.

 One of the perks from having Gisael and Reyas accompany him was the sharing of warmth and supplies. Gisael was extremely adept in foraging wood for a fire and some foodstuffs in a short amount of time. Despite their constant teasing, they were tremendous companions, they never complained and nothing was too hard. 

 Curling up in the haven, by the fire, Benzhi asked his companions, "I am worried about Ailen, first his disappointment, in not coming with us, then losing an arm defending the land. I am worried if he cannot use a bow what that will do to him." He paused for a minute and asked, "Gisael what would normally happen to a Guardian like Ailen?"

 "A Guardian could become a gatherer or an artisan, or remain a Guardian and as a scout. Whatever felt right. Back on our old world, someone is always needed to train the younglings as well. We are small in number here in the Alpine Forest and have no younglings, but in other Forests, there are many more of the people with many younglings." Gisael added helpfully.

 "If he be a Gael warrior, he would suffer greatly. Some injured so turn melancholy." Reyas added, "but he be Fae. I always used see him happy and smiling. I too am worried." There was quiet for a long time, just the fire crackling. Then Reyas spoke again quietly, "ye healed me Benzhi if there nothing ye could do for him? I ken time has passed, but, there is always hope, aye?"

 Benzhi shook his head. "You don't know what you are asking. To regrow a limb? I have never done anything close to that," Benzhi chortled lowly, "even a Troll master would struggle. And the qi required? It would be immense."

 There was quiet for a long time. No one slept. The fire crackled away, giving warmth.

 "There is no reason we cannot make it our Quest to aid Ailen," Benzhi suddenly said. "But there is something we would have to do. We would have to find a Troll, or something like it, to study. I am still a beginner in terms of qi healing compared to one."

 "Oh," said Gisael, "I guess if it's for Ailen."

  "What you wouldn't help me study Troll healing if I just wanted to?" Benzhi asked.

 "Hell no," she mimicked one of his favourite sayings intonation and all.

  After more banter, the trio rested, setting no guard now they were home in their land, they would rest now and see the Seer on the morrow.

 The Vanguard entered the Seer's cave and found him in his usual place sitting by his cauldron amongst a small mountain of furs. He would gaze at the water's surface, at times, and brew awful concoctions on others.

  Benzhi, Gisael and Reyas spoke about their journey, what they had seen, the dwarves and what they had done. The Seer knew some, but this was a full accounting and something he desired. He interrupted now and then with questions, he was especially interested when Benzhi said he qi healed Reyas and their intentions to help Ailen.

 "We have set ourselves a quest Seer," Benzhi announced, "we will look for a way to help Ailen. We can hunt for some trolls amongst the portal spawns or elsewhere, or find another beast that has the ability to regenerate. Do you know of any?"

 The Seer cackled, becoming excited, "Aye, this is good, this is very good, ye have my blessing. Hmm, let me think upon what ye have asked." The Seer went quiet for awhile, his eyes rolled back into his head. After many minutes past, his eyes returned to normal and he was with them again.

 "Oh not good, not good." The Seer's voice cracked as he spoke. "Other than Trolls, Devils can qi heal themselves. Fiends from the different planes of Hell. There are many types of devil, but most have qi healing in common. They be something much more troublesome than a simple Troll."

 Benzhi inhaled sharply, "ok Trolls it is." He was sure that a devil, any sort of devil, was not something he wanted to fight, study or see.

 "I am glad ye have come to this Benzhi. Will ye be wanting me to brew the dream draught?" The Seer asked.

 Benzhi spat surprised, "Shit," he paused for a second, "I never thought of that." He looked at Reyas and Gisael, "You are witnesses to my heroic sacrifice for the quest."

 They laughed at him. "Ye call yeself a warrior?" Reyas asked.

 Benzhi huffed, "You drink it then!"

 Reyas shook her head, "I not be the great protector, that be ye."

 Benzhi sighed, resigning, there was no way around it. If he flew with the Seer they could cover much more territory looking for Trolls than the Vanguard on foot. Saving not only time but also putting them less at risk. Gisael rubbed his back in condolence. 'At last some sympathy' he thought.

 The Seer brewed the awful concoction, they would begin at first light the next day.

  "Let us drink," said the Seer cackling at Benzhi's discomfort, "this time, may be ye conjure up a bird which flies swiftly."

 Benzhi considered his words and his mind immediately went to a bird they saw yesterday.

The two drunk the dream draught, Benzhi made a suitable face when downing the awful concoction and they entered the dream state.

 This time, when Benzhi emerged, he was a majestic Red Kite, similar to what he had seen a couple of days ago. It was a large bird of prey with a wingspan of almost two meters. It was an elegant bird, soaring on long wings and with a long forked tail, twisting as it changes direction. The white primary flight feathers contrast with the black wing tips and dark red secondaries. He would keep up with The Seer as a Snow Eagle this time.

 They flew south, scouting the spawns, looking for the possibility of a portal which spewed forth trolls. 'That would be nice,' thought Benzhi, 'and please place it nearby.'

 Trolls were something to be wary of, that was for certain, but compared to a devil, well in Benzhi's mind there was no comparison. 

 The pair scouted the area immediately south of the borders of the Alpine Forest, its entire five hundred kilometre length, they split to cover more area, the Seer going west and Benzhi east. They would return as the sun was setting.

 Out of curiosity, Benzhi scouted Vaugend. He could see the city had not fared well, parts of the walls were destroyed by Gnolls who now attacked the city exterior. Hundreds of them. Benzhi supposed that if the men killed the Gnolls more would just come. It was a never-ending war of attrition that the men could not win. There was one bright thought, at least he did not have to worry about Loctris in the immediate future, the Seer was right when he said it would not pose a problem. They probably had larger concerns than his land, not to mention what they would have to travel through just to reach his land.

  Benzhi had spied literally twenty different types of portal spawn over the course of four hours of flying. The Red Kite form could cover vast distances and in this short time, over four hundred kilometres. He would search for another six hours before heading back.

 Benzhi engaged qi sight and looked for qi cores from a great height in an attempt to pinpoint a Troll who would have a large qi core. He did not find a Troll, but he was able to find the location of another land Core, two hundred kilometres east of Vaugend. It what seemed to be a village of sorts. Benzhi circled the Village, decreasing his height, he was curious what was there.

 As he descended there was nothing that looked special about the village. It was a village of men, no outward signs it had been affected by portal spawn, fortunately near them were slow moving giant lizards and very few at that. When Benzhi got close enough he did notice something different. The men had qi cores, minor talents, similar to a normal Guardian or a Gael. Nothing like the talentless men of Vaugend. He would visit this place in the future and find more about them. With that thought, Benzhi flew off to keep on searching.

 After ten hours of flying, Benzhi was hungry for game but was unsuccessful in finding any Trolls. He had seen almost forty different portal spawn but no trolls.

Chapter end