The Accidental Archmage - Book Five by Edmund Batara (best e ink reader for manga .txt) 📕

normal animal meat could be tainted with vicious flavoring elements and undesired spices. He remained in the house while Habrok and Tyndur went out to look around. Kobu, as expected, remained with him. The mage was greatly impressed by the house, not only with the toilet and bath area, but also because of its immaculate wooden floor. Even the furniture and cotton beddings were of fine make. The place wouldn’t be out of place on Earth.

“Assessments?” Tyler asked his AIs as he rested in the large bed. The physical pain and tiredness of walking long distances could be managed by healing spells, but nothing compared with actual rest. Even extended use of healing spells required physical rest after a time.

“It’s no wonder the predators of the Barrens couldn’t enter the area. It’s protected by an Elder barrier. At that point, the magical corruption of the Barren Lands ends. Normal magical energy flourishes in this area and in a determinate region extending from the rear of the village,” reported Hal.

“The level of knowledge of the settlement in the non-martial arts is quite extensive. They are also cultivating medicinal plants, spices, and other useful flora, in addition to vegetables. We believe their skill in the field of medicine exceeds the level of mortal knowledge in the larger kingdoms,” added X.

“And the Elder shrine?”

“We finally located it. The sanctuary lies deeper in the forest, inside an actual cave. The cliffs one sees a few miles out, at the back of the woods, are but an illusion. Surprisingly, it’s a mirage created by Elder energy, which means for ordinary humans, it will look and feel like the real thing,” said Hal.

Tyler thought for a while. It was evident that whatever culture of civilization existed in the area wouldn’t have survived and flourished without the assistance of the power of the Elder shrine. He considered it strange for such an intelligence to be involved in human concerns but decided it was a matter for the guides. Elder rules and protocols on the matter were beyond him.

“It appears your cousin or whatever has been busy. This brings me to another issue, that of deities. A settlement like this usually worships a pantheon. Considering they’re not Greeks, Pelasgians, or Norse, they must worship divinities we have not encountered. What have you discovered so far?”

“We have observed one structure which could be a temple. But it has only one statue. A scan of the surrounding area does not show any similar constructions. It’s that building right in front of this house, across the small park,” answered X.

“I admit this whole experience has been unsettling so far; a village which is not a village, a technological level quite advanced for Adar, a single deity, and an Elder shrine apparently protecting them?”remarked Tyler uneasily. “Not to mention no one has tried to kill us yet.”

“Actually, the fact that an Elder temple saw fit to extend assistance to a human civilization is unheard of,” said X.

“You might also be interested to know that a kingdom exists beyond the cliffs,” volunteered Hal.

***

 Tyler said nothing. Hal’s finding jibed with his suspicions.

The question now was, why the subterfuge? What had the party gotten itself into?

As he lay thinking, Tyler heard the exploring duo come in. He sat up. The two went directly to him.

“Weird place,” said Tyndur as he sat. “Pleasant enough. Better than most of the places I have visited. The night was falling so we started to return. Guess what? First, most people went around wearing armor and weapons. Second, men and women lived, or rather bunked, in separate dwellings. It reminded me of a fortress instead of a town. Don’t tell me nobody’s married in this place.”

“I agree with Tyndur, sire. But my observations lie in a different direction. I noticed a few children and elderly people when we came in. But when the einherjar and I went out, they were all gone. Children usually play until the sun goes down and sometimes, even past that, risking a pulled ear or the rod. But here, it felt like a tableau was closed for the day. Another strange thing was meals for the inhabitants were apparently to be had only in specified buildings. We could see people in simple tunics taking care of animals and the plants, but it seemed like they were soldiers on their day off. Though the weapons strapped to their waists or backs might have influenced my conclusion,” narrated Habrok.

“A strange and puzzling place,” commented Tyler. “For now, let’s keep our eyes and ears open. Our guard up too. We might be guests, but this is still a strange land. We’re on the edges of the Barrens, which says a lot. Post a watch. Make sure the windows and the door are barred. I don’t feel any threat or any dark intentions coming from our hosts. But we have a saying back where I came from, ‘better safe than sorry’.”

“Quite apt, sire. I’ll try to remember that,” nodded Tyndur.

Tyler went back to bed.

“That disturbance in the north still continuing? he asked the guides.

“It’s worsening, sire. It seems like a number of magical battles is going on, some massive in scope,” answered X.

“In Skaney?” immediately asked Tyler. The thought of Fossegrim Forest caught in the middle of massive battles, with powerful magical spells flung willy-nilly, suddenly frightened him.

“No, sire. Farther up north. It appears to be happening mainly along the boundaries of Ymir’s Domain facing Sutr’s realm. The lands of fire and ice,” clarified Hal.

“Normally, that would spur my curiosity, but right now, I am getting too sleepy to care. Anything new from your cousin?”

“Nothing of significance, sire. Tomorrow was all the shrine mentioned,” X said.

“Then tomorrow it shall be,” Tyler replied. “Nice of your cousin to let us rest.”

Chapter Ten

Lessons on Iron and Steel

Othin spake:

23. “Though I gave to him | who deserved not the gift,

To the baser, the battle’s prize;

Winters eight | wast thou under the earth,

Milking the cows as a maid,

(Ay, and babes didst thou bear;