System Break

The dark purple clouds rolled in once again and the gaps that let slivers of sunlight through had disappeared. We ran towards Dawnharbour and as the clouds descended a sense of foreboding was felt by all. From duke to dock worker. From protector to the washer woman. 

It was as if the island itself threatened its inhabitants.

Lightning arced across the sky to the north. It played across the sky and we stopped to watch. It flashed so often it was like a strobe light show. Then it culminated with a burst towards the earth.

"The last time this happened it was the Gargscarab," Peppin said. "But it was not as much lightning."

"This close to Dawnharbour the guilds and the protectors will come," I said. "They could not miss that."

Sakaala peered towards the north. "It will be another first kill and large core."

"If they can kill it," Gisael said.

They looked at me waiting for a decision. "We can use it as a distraction and meet with the fisherfolk while they're all occupied."

"I will go," Sakaala said. "I have a plan." She handed me her pack and the leather case with the treaties.

"What's your plan?" 

She shook her head. "I will make my own path." And then she repeated my words back that I'd said the night before. "This is not for you."

I peered at her. She had some plan with the Chancellor and now there was a divide between us she would not share. It's not that she didn't trust me, she just didn't want to, and I understood, because I felt the same with one exception; I didn't trust her. 

"Good luck," I said, and she gave us a nod before she began to run.

Peppin looked at me and then back at the departing form. Gisael watched her go without emotion and without a goodbye. I waited until she was out of sight and wondered when I would see her again.

We ran for an hour in silence until Peppin asked, "It wasn't because of me was it?"

I laughed. "What is wrong with your mind that you think the glass is always half empty."

"What?" 

"It's not about you," I said and stopped. She stopped running as well and looked at me. I took a step closer, reached out and held her by the shoulders. I was much taller than her and although I wore my mask she could see my eyes clearly at this distance. 

"It's an old saying from my world. You have a glass and the water inside it comes to halfway. Some people will look at the glass and say – it's half full. While others will say – it's half empty. Some people are positive, while others focus on the negative. If you saw the glass you'd say – it's half empty what did I do wrong?"

She pursed her lips and squinted as she thought for a while before she asked, "What should I do?"

I let her go and said, "I don't know. Think about it." Then I ran and expected them to follow.

.

We walked across the docks and it wasn't like I had to announce myself. There weren't many seven foot tall forest monsters walking around and it wasn't long before the news met the ears of the fisherfolk elders.

A young tanned boy approached me but wouldn't make eye contact. He was obviously fisherfolk by his skin and hair colour. He scuffed his bare feet on the wood and said, "I am to fetch you they said." He turned and ran off. He wasn't a very good guide, but I was able to follow his red cap the required few hundred yards.

The long hut had a low roof and I had to bend over.

"Sit here," an old woman said. I recognised her as one of the elders. "Kysandre's kin will know you're here soon if not already."

We waited while we were treated with kind hospitality and engaged in small talk. I removed my helmet so I could eat more easily, and it was less intimidating. Peppin looked around with wide eyes while Gisael was attentive.

I whispered to her, "I will know if they come." I could see a protectors core through the timber walls of the long hut. But my guess is they were busy with whatever the portal storms delivered.

Fisherfolk arrived a couple at a time and it was like a clan meeting had been called. They shared flat bread, oil and spicy dip. They talked of the weather and the catch.

I recognised Kysandre's father who was one of the last and after a time they all settled down with no more arrivals. The elder rang a bell and everyone was quiet.

"We welcome you Protector of the Forest. Please share your news."

I nodded and smiled. "Kysandre is well and she had made a home for herself in a fort in the north called the Reach."

I saw their eyes widen.

"It no longer belongs to the Duke of Salastria, it is ours." I held out the leather case Sakaala had given me. "The Reach is on a lake and I know it has fish in it." 

I smiled and continued, "My bird scouted the river which runs from the lake and it meets others before it reaches the eastern sea. Demon Bird has been busy, he scouted another river which runs through Salastria and it also reaches the sea. I can draw a crude map if you have the materials. We plan to build docks in the Reach and its not too far from the Forest although not accessible by water."

"We will establish a trade hub there and I see an opportunity for the fisherfolk. You can establish a community there and become traders or couriers or whatever you like. You can ship goods and people, or you can trade yourselves. Or you can build boats and I will buy them from you."

"Whatever it is you decide to do, we need you. And you will be well compensated."

The elder considered me. "We cannot build boats without lumber. It is the most expensive part."

I nodded. "You know we are not short of lumber."

"There is much to be gained for our folk," another elder said. "But what about taxes and monsters. The clouds darken the skies more than ever before, and we do not wish to make a new start to find out taxes are higher than here."

"We are not a greedy Duke and we are already wealthy. We have everything we need. You can have a seat on the council in the Reach and have a say in your own taxes. I will leave the running of the community to the people who live there. In regards to the safety, it is true the whole island is becoming unsafe. As we speak the adventurers and protectors are fighting a dangerous monster on the plains outside the city."

"Kysandre will be your protector and we are building a force to support her. An adventurer guild and other adepts." I moved my hand to indicate Peppin. "Peppin here will join Kysandre. She is a talented protector also and when we're finished the Reach will be the best defended city of men on the island."

I twirled my finger. "But if all this is too much - at least build me a boat to sail around. I'll pay whatever you want."

I emptied out five pounds of cores onto the floor in front of me and their eyes widened.

"All this and the lumber?" an elder asked.

I nonchalantly waved my hand. "Whatever you need."