After the checkpoint, we went our separate ways. Walking in the crowds, a man shoulder checked me. He was large imposing bound in bulging mussels with a direwolf pelt as a cloak.
Grabbing his wrist, I told him, “You better watch where you are going.”
“You don't know who you are messing with, punk,” he spat back. “I am Wolf Umbra.”
“What ever man,” I said dismissively as I started to walk away.
“What sort of man hasn't heard of the highest level man in the world?!?”
I decided to humor him, “So what sort of level do you think you have?”
At this point the crowd was giving the two of us a wide berth, as Wolf boasted, “I am level 163 and that was three months ago at the Temple to the Paladin God Garvur.” There was a murmur from the crowd after he said this.
I chuckle slightly, “That's cute. My level is 210 as of about 20 minutes ago when the guards at the gate examined me.” Stunned silence fell over the mass of onlookers.
“Lair!” he shouted as he swung his fist at me.
I nimbly dodged his attack. I activated the psion ability float and used it to out maneuver all his attacks. My staff snapped to my hand from my back.
My lips curled into a smile as I cast my spell, “[Minor Gravity Bind]” Wolf drop to the ground struggling for a moment on his hands and knees before his chest finally met the cobblestone.
My lips curled into a grin, “I think we are done here. Right Officers?” I asked as I looked at the two guards at the forefront of the crowd.
The two looked at each other, before nodding to me, “We saw he attacked first, and you did a non-lethal take down as required by law. While normally the force of spell you used was too much, it was the perfect amount of force for someone of Mr. Umbra's level. We need you to stay in the city for the next few days, is there anywhere we can get in contact with you?”
“That's fine. I was planning to stay for the festival anyways. Do you know where I can find a good inn?”
“Well, there is Exquisite Apple Tavern. They do cater to high level adventurers. Down Fifth Spoke Ave, on the left look for the golden apple sign,” one said while his buddy cuffed the angry man with a set of heavily enchanted manacles.
POV: Natsumi
It was late at night, I had just finished my duty in the gate house. Walking briskly to the Grand Temple of the Sleeping God. I needed help with the gilt of the secret. I don't know if I can keep it for the next four days.
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Fortunately the temple was always open to the masses, no matter the time. While their doctrine was not for the God himself, they took the actions as observed by others of the missing God. From deep bonds of friendships, his love was shown and morality gleaned. From the weapons that even other gods were envious of, crafting his passion and force his reluctant weapon. From the early trades with the Forge itself, wealth in moderation and self reliance. From the gods asking for his input, his wisdom and knowledge. They seek confirmation from the man himself before they want to do more for their order.
An older Forge Sister was at the front of the temple sweeping, she notice me, “Welcome child. What seems to trouble you?” The troll-kin woman driving to the heart of the problem.
“As perceptive as always, Keja. I need to speak to a high priest to discuss things under a vow of silence. I made a promise that I need help with,” I explained.
“Oh, a big one tonight, eh.” Keja turned into the temple, “Come along I'll see who is available.”
Entering the temple was always breath taking. The murals on the walls were made to represent the parts of the Forge as described by second, or third, hand accounts. At the back was a plain stone statue of a half-vampire wearing a long robe with a staff in hand and two rapiers on either side of his hips. Beneath the statue was the high priest for tonight, he was a man of contrasts, crimson hair and wings, and pale skin. He whore a simple robe with rope belt.
“High priest Jael,” Keja interjected.
“... to make up the difference. Ah, it looks like my duties call for me,” he said to end his conversation with the other Forge Brother. “What is it?” he asked looking first at Keja then to me.
The Forge Sister indicated for me, “This is Natsumi, she seeks your guidance under a Vow of Silence.”
“Ah that should be no problem, come along let us go to my office so I can here what troubles you.”
Soon Jael lead me to his office not far from the main chamber. After the door was closed he took out the current symbol of the temple, a hammer on a staff with twin rapiers behind. After a short prayer magic enveloped the room.
Jael finished and started to explain, “The Vow is complete. A word of what is spoken here will not leave this room unless you say it is okay. No matter what it is, my faith in Lord Sterling will prevent me from telling anyone. Now what is on your mind that you feel that this is needed?”
“He here,” I said to start. “He asked me not to tell anyone until he is ready but I don't know if I can.”
“Who is here, child?”
“Sterling.”
The man nearly fell out of his chair as the name hit him like a dragon. Recovering he nervously asked, “Are you sure it was him?”
“Mostly. My current employment has me going to the gates to help bolster security. Part of it includes the use of the spell [Lesser True Analysis]. At about dinner time a caravan arrived at the northern gate. We had upped the number of guards as the Long Distance Magic Detector picked up a very powerful spell caster coming towards the city. Only one of the caravan was suspicious, a man that had an illusion over his face. He looked elven, when asked he said he was half vampire and he used the illusion to not scary everyone around him. I cast the analysis on him and it came back with the name Victor Drake with a level of 210.”
“That level is just so unbelievable,” Jael commented now back in his chair.
“I thought so to, but there was little I could do. I was intrigued by the staff he had on his back. I asked to see his staff, he handed it over with little fuss, save for a weird expression for half a second. The staff looked to be made of ebony with a large clear crystal ball at the top. It was called Extinction of Insanity. Normally I would get a detailed break down of the enchantments on such an item, but all I got was the name and a warning,
Jael's mouth was hanging open in complete shock.