Master Pacore the Deathless’ Point of View: “Well, someone’s been busy,” I need to hold my sides to keep from doubling over with laughter. T
Master Pacore the Deathless’ Point of View:
“Well, someone’s been busy,” I need to hold my sides to keep from doubling over with laughter.
The last time I stood in this exact spot, a barricade of hastily thrown-together logs separated me and my men from entering Spotted Creek Village—that, and several angry villagers, but that wasn’t anything new.
Now, I was back, and once again, I was forced to stop and marvel at the ingenuity and tenacity of the village before me.
Somehow this small village out in the middle of nowhere continued to find ways to impress me, and damn it if it didn’t bring a tear to my eye. After meeting Aaliyah, I thought nothing spotted Creek Village could do would surprise me anymore—I’ve never been happier to be wrong.
The structure wasn’t that impressive by any means; anyone above level 70 could hop over it easily if they had to, but that didn’t take away from its significance. Besides, a wall this size wasn’t meant to stop a high-level rampaging magic beast or an invading force; it was meant to keep out goblins and other wildlife that might harm the average villager. And in that regard, it was magnificent—A true work of art brought on by a desire to protect.
General Pitz must share my opinion, judging by her slack-jawed expression. The woman beside me looked like she could hardly believe her eyes, but I didn’t hold it against her.
Even for me, the sight in front of us was a rare one. In my entire life, I think I’ve only seen this two times— No, this will make four times that a village has managed to build its own fortifications without any outside assistance. That might sound like a lot to some, but it really wasn’t. The last time I heard about something like this was over forty years ago, and if I remember correctly, the wall wasn’t nearly as impressive as the one in front of us.
Though, I shouldn't be surprised. It was easy to forget because Aaliyah was so exceptional for her age and made everyone around her seem mundane by comparison, but there was talent here. If there hadn't been, none of this would’ve been possible, even with the exiled Stone Kin’s help.
I’m not saying he wasn’t vital in its construction, but contrary to popular belief, a strong individual couldn’t do everything alone.
As high-level individuals, we are often seen as being able to accomplish anything we put our minds to, and to an extent, that was true, but only in the fields we excel in. I couldn't build a wall faster than your average villager, even if I wanted to, but that made their accomplishment even more special.
Again and again, Spotted Creek Village continued to provide me with an endless source of enjoyment, and I was here for it.
“How is this possible? We were just here." I overhear General Pitz mutter to herself in disbelief, and I can’t help but smile.
"First time, huh?" I playfully nudged her with my elbow, subtly reminding her she wasn't alone. “Still think you can simply pick up and move her village?”
Pitz collected herself as quickly as a woman befitting her station could before directing an accusatory glare at me. “Did you know about this?” She asks, her eyes overflowing with skepticism.
“Would you believe me if I said no?” I quirk an eyebrow at her.
Pitz didn’t answer me, but I could see the wheels turning in her head. She was reevaluating her plans, as was I, but she clearly didn't believe me.
“Well, that’s too bad,” I grinned playfully, "Because, believe it or not, I didn’t know about any of this.” I wasn’t even lying to her— I really hadn’t.
I vaguely remember Tabitha mentioning in her sporadic reports that the village was focusing on building up its defenses, but I had no idea this was what she meant.
That girl—I can't help but sigh. She would definitely be to blame for my white hair if it wasn't already this color from age.
I suppose this is what I deserve for picking Tabitha for guard duty in the first place. Oh well, it was a welcome surprise anyway.
Behind me, I hear my men shifting nervously in their armor, and I feel the platoon commander approach from my blind spot. “Master Pacore, your orders?” He asks apprehensively, no doubt wondering what he and his men should do in this situation.
I know he was just some rando platoon leader assigned to follow me and wasn't used to serving directly under somebody like me, but come on, guy, grow a spine. Ultimately, it was just a wall; there weren't even any people staffing it for crying out loud.
He and the rest of them may be from the envoy’s guard unit, but they were still considered Scholl soldiers; they shouldn't be quaking in their boots from something as simple as this, especially with me here.
“Have the men set up camp outside the walls,” I lazily order without turning to look at him directly. “No need for us all to march inside the village and cause a commotion. Lady Pitz and myself should be more than enough,” I tell him.
I don’t wait for a response before I start walking away.
“But, Sir,” the platoon commander exclaims from behind me like a nervous child watching his parents march off to battle. "Is it safe for you to do that? A place this fortified could mean—"
“It’s fine,” I resist the urge to shake my head disappointingly. Walls or no walls, there’s no one here strong enough to threaten me…. Well, maybe one,” I playfully glance at Pitz, who was keeping pace with me. “What about it, General? Care to try again?" I taunt her with my trademarked smile.
“Don’t tempt me,” Lady Pitz frowns but doesn’t otherwise acknowledge me.
“See, completely safe,” I call back over my shoulder. “Just have camp set up for us before we return.”
“Yes, Sir, Master Pacore, right away. We’ll have it done in no—”
I ignored the rest of his ramblings as they didn’t interest me in the slightest, his useless platitudes having long since become old. The men forced to accompany me this time were nothing more than babysitters sent to remind me not to waste too much time— as if I didn’t already know.
If I could, I would've come here by myself, but with the negotiations over, there were more eyes on me than ever before, and I could no longer sneak around without somebody noticing. I wanted nothing more than to leave it all behind and head home to Scholl, but I couldn’t do that without Tabitha and my newest apprentice.
“You’re a horrible leader,” Pitz sassily judges me as we walk through the stone archway leading into the village.
The gate still lacked proper doors, so we were able to walk right through without any issues. Neither of us was worried about causing a scene. Local hunters spotted us days ago, and a handful of villagers ran off as we approached the village. The fact that no one was here to stop us from entering was more than enough invite for us to walk right in.
“You think so, do you?” I chuckle mirthfully. "How about this: if we're both still alive in a hundred years, come find me. We’ll see if you still feel that way then,” I snarkily tell her. “You’re what— 70? 80? Trust me, it gets old fast.”
“I’m 92…. ass,” she snaps back sourly, almost pouting about revealing her age.
I can’t help it, I scoff. “Practically a young maiden in my eyes.”
At first, our back-and-forth was just light-hearted banter between high-level individuals, but as we walked and talked, I could hear myself slowly becoming more cynical—jaded from all the years.
“One day, you'll wake up and wish somebody would talk to you like they used to, without all the flowery language, without worshiping the ground you walk on. Before you know it, you're no longer a person but a symbol, a force to rally behind. Something more.” I gaze far off into the distance wistfully.
Out of the corner of my eye, I note Pitz's disturbed expression before she can hide it. Ah, hell, way to ruin the mood, Pacore.
“Is it really like that?” My walking partner did her best to hide her feelings behind a mask of indifference, but I could see that my words had rattled her.
I could make a crass joke or pretend my words were nothing more than an old man’s ramblings— I’ve done both before— but that didn't feel right for some reason, not with her. So, I dropped all pretense of subtlety and addressed the general directly. “If you live that long and continue to level,” I tell her honestly.
“It’s easier for the masses to worship us, to put us on pedestals, because if they didn’t, they wouldn't have an excuse for their inadequacies, no excuses for how weak they are….”
...
“Sorry, I don’t know where that came from,” I apologize after a moment of silence.
I wait for General Pitz to berate me for my momentary show of weakness, but she doesn't; instead, she smiles weakly at me. “No, for once, I agree with you. It’s not like I haven’t heard it all before: the way people talk behind my back when they think I’m out of earshot, forgetting I’m a hunter foremost and a lady second, attributing my levels to luck rather than decades of hard work. It’s frustrating, I’ll admit.”
“Exactly,” I smile brightly, knowing we were kindred spirits. “Only our peers understand us, and as we level, we become more detached from the masses.”
“No wonder you have issues, you decrepit old fossil.”
I pause mid-step. "Was that a joke?" I ask incredulously.
“Maybe—maybe not," Pitz continues walking towards the headman’s house, now sporting the faintest of smiles. And like that, my melancholy was gone, replaced by curiosity about what might have been. It would’ve been oh so lovely if General Pitz had been just a bit stronger when we met; she might have been the one to end it all. She could one day, but instinct told me I wouldn’t make it that long.
I was about to comment that it was about time she pulled that arrow out of her ass, and while that would be fun, we had reached our destination and were greeted by Spotted Creek's headman, who was patiently waiting for our arrival in front of his house. And like that, we were back to being frenemies after the same prize, Aaliyah.
“Master Pacore! General Pitz! Let me be the first to welcome you both back to Spotted Creek Village,” the headman greeted us with fanfare, but while he hid it behind a smile, I could sense how tense he was at our arrival. Although not unusual for somebody in his position, I couldn’t help but feel that it wasn’t entirely us that had him concerned.
Ugg, why must everyone feel the need to mask their emotions around me? After all, it wasn't hard to see through their facade. It was all just so tedious. Worse, I couldn't bring young Jason with me this time, so I couldn’t pawn all the annoying diplomatic stuff onto him again. I was going to need to handle all the niceties myself —what a chore, but I had to make a good impression for Aaliyah’s sake, so I guess I’ll just have to suck it up and deal with it.
“Thanks for having us,” I smiled gruffly behind my feather-laden beard, trying and failing to remember the headman’s name. I wanted to say it was Salmon Drowns, but that couldn’t be right, could it?
Whatever, I’m sure it will come up again at some point. Not that it mattered much; I seriously doubted anyone other than Pitz would call me on it anyway.
Unaware of my thoughts, the village leader continued to project a false air of happiness as he opened the door to his home and gestured for us to follow him inside. "We've been expecting you," he said, leading us into his home.
“We could see that,” I chuckled as he led us down his hallway. “I like what you’ve done with the place. Was that an armory I saw a moment ago? I hope that’s not because of me?” I lightly tease him as we walk, knowing what kind of reaction I would get.
“Oh, um, yes. I mean, No. It wasn't because of you, Master Pacore. We would never,” the man quickly became tongue-tied.
“Relax,” I tell him with a smile. "I'm just messing with you. What you're doing here is great. I wish every village was as productive as yours,” I assure him.
“That’s—Very kind of you, sir,” the headman thanked me while looking like he was moments away from sweating profusely. “Right in here, please," he directed us into the same room where we had our first official meeting the last time I visited the village. And like last time, it was full of people I recognized, a few I even remember the names of.
On one couch sat Aaliyah’s parents, Silvia and Darrious, with their son, Aaliyah’s brother, standing behind them with his arms wrapped protectingly around a heavily pregnant young woman I recognized as the village’s mage, Sandra.
It was like he was trying to shield her from me as if I was going to abduct her along with Aaliyah, which was funny because while it was impressive for a village of this size to have a budding mage amongst them, she wasn’t the kind of talent I was looking for.
Plus, if memory serves me right, she was the headman’s daughter. The rest of his family was also present, along with the stone kin Del-Razen, who was the only one in the room openly glaring at me. They had all gathered here to greet us, but I couldn't help but notice that two very important people were missing.
I could understand Aaliyah avoiding me. I wouldn’t put it past her to refuse to see me to make a statement, but where was Tabitha? I half expected her to rush me as soon as I stepped inside the village, so the fact that she wasn't here was worrying, but I didn't show it on my face.
“Please, make yourselves comfortable,” the headman motioned at the empty seats across from Aaliyah’s parents. “Can my wife get you anything, some tea perhaps?”
“No need, I got everything I need right here,” I tap my waterskin filled with booze as I take my seat on the available couch.
“Tea would be lovely, thank you,” Pitz smiled overtly politely, no doubt already trying to get into their good grasses in some misguided attempt to win over Aaliyah, but I wasn’t worried. Not yet, at least, though I was mildly concerned about my missing apprentice.
Now, I could be like Pitz and do my best to appear humble by kissing their asses, but that wasn’t me. Instead, I just grinned at the headman’s daughter and made small talk to clear the air before we discussed the dragon in the room. “I see the walls and armory aren’t the only change around here. You look ready to pop any day now, my dear.” Uncorking my waterskin, I hold it up and wait for the strong smell of alcohol to permeate the room before throwing my head back and taking a celebratory swig in her honor.
Aaliyah’s brother was caught off guard by my sudden focus on his wife, but the headman took the invitation for what it was and started gushing about his daughter and village. “I’m so happy you noticed,” he beamed proudly. “We all can’t wait to meet my first grandchild. As for the walls, we have my son-in-law to thank for that,” he gestured at Aaliyah’s brother. So, talent really does run in the family. "It’s thanks to him and Master Del’s hard work that the construction has progressed as quickly as it has.”
“Impressive,” I nod approvingly. “Are you close to finishing?”
“We’re optimistic—At the rate we are going, we’re on track to finish the walls in less than a month. The only thing is, we’re waiting on Aaliyah to make the gate doors.” The headman smiled a bit too forcefully at the mention of my future apprentice. Suspicious.
Was that why they were nervous? They're afraid I'll take Aalyiah before she can finish. “I see,” I lean back lazily in my seat. “So that’s why my future apprentice isn’t here to greet me. I take it she's busy making your fort's doors. And I bet Tabitha's doing her job, keeping an eye on her," I nod understandingly.
I was moments away from asking how much more time she would need when General Pitz rudely cut me off. "Now, hold on, she isn't your apprentice yet," she growled at me before turning her attention to Aaliyah's parents. "Before anything is decided, I would appreciate time with your daughter to discuss her future. What this scheming fossil isn't telling you is that she isn't obligated to follow him back to Scholl. Not anymore.”
The entire room was silent as they each digested General Pitz's offer differently, and as they did, I felt my hair start to stand on end. Instead of excitement, everyone in the room looked at each other uneasily.
I wasn’t the only one to notice the sudden change in atmosphere; Pitz was equally concerned. “Is something wrong?” She asked hesitantly.
“Ug, well,” the headman stammered. “We thought you were here for Aaliyah?”
“We are," I say plainly, now sitting up straight. “Is that a problem?”
But before the headman can answer my question, Aaliyah's mother leans forward across the small table separating us with a worried expression. “Wait, you aren't here to bring back my baby girl?!”
Okay, now I was confused. What was she talking about? “Bring her back from where? Don’t tell me she ran away. Can anyone here talk in anything but circles, or do I need to ask somebody else?” I lean forward in my seat and release the tiniest sliver of my killing intent. There was no malice behind it, as I didn't want to intimidate any of them; it was just meant to show that my patience was beginning to run out.
"No, no, nothing like that," Salmon reassured me while wiping away a bead of nervous sweat trickling down his face. He then explained things from the beginning, and the more I listened, the more I alternated between massaging my face and stroking my beard.
“I’m sorry, Master Pacore, but we were under the impression that Lady Tabitha wrote to you about their plans to visit the magic-dense region. Were we wrong?” The headman looked like talking to me was making him physically ill, but at the moment, I didn't care; I was too busy coming to terms with the fact that Tabitha and Aaliyah weren't even currently in the village and hadn't been for weeks now.
I would literally kill for a moment of silence to go over everything I had just learned in my head. However, there was one big problem with that, and she was sitting right next to me. Sensing her chance to strike, General Pitz used the opportunity to lay into me and paint herself in a better light.
“What was your apprentice thinking, you geriatric idiot?” Pitz hollered in my ear, loud enough to shake the walls, causing everyone else in the room to flinch back in shock. “How could she think taking a girl that young to a magic-dense region was a good idea in the first place? And why didn't you object the moment she wrote you, or did she even at all?”
She looked like she wanted to say more, but she had inadvertently crossed a line I couldn't ignore. "Enough," with a single word, the room went deathly silent. I wasn't using my killing intent; I didn't have to. Everyone in the room instinctively knew to be silent, including General Pitz.
“I feel we’ve formed a cordial relationship with one another," I talk slowly, each word heavy with emotion. "I enjoy our back and forth, I do, but let me say this, General Pitz of Olebert: You can call me whatever you wish; in fact, I encourage it, but you may not question my subordinates. And for your information, she did write me.”
It was only a few short sentences with very little discernable information, but I didn't mention that.
“If Tabitha thought Aaliyah was ready to experience a magic-dense region, then I stand by her decision,” I state with an air of finality. “Is this what I expected? Of course not. I figured my student would take young Aaliyah around the exterior of the region. I had no idea they were preparing for a full expedition, or I would've written back, as you so eloquently said."
“Was it an oversite on my part? Yes, I’ll admit that, but we have more important things to discuss. Agreed?” I stare down General Pitz, daring her to contradict me, but she wouldn’t—she couldn’t, not without looking petty in return.
She matches my gaze, fire in her eyes, but we both know how this is going to go.
“Fine, but this isn’t over. We’ll discuss this again once Aaliyah is safe,” Pitz firmly concedes after a tense minute of silence.
"Agreed," I nodded once to the angry general before turning to Spotted Creek’s headman and the others in the room, who looked uncomfortable and happy with our temporary resolution.
“First things first,” I worm my fingers through a tiny gap in my invisible armor and under my visible gambeson until I’m able to reveal a simple necklace I always kept on me. Everyone gave me confused looks as I did so, but I ignored all their judging stares until I saw the four tiny magic gems hanging there proudly for all to see.
One, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four.
I count the stones twice, just to be sure, before letting out the biggest old-man sigh of my life. "Thank the gods, they're okay." I had all the faith in the world that Tabitha would do her best to protect Aaliyah just as I ordered her to, but I was a little nervous for a second there.
“Care to explain to the rest of us?” A voice just as gruff as my own, but with far less patience, asks to my side. The stone kin’s hand was on his hammer, but I pretended not to notice, as I knew he was just concerned for Aaliyah’s safety, which I could respect.
"I suppose I can," I chuckle with a hint of mirth returning to my voice now that I was fairly certain the girls were okay. "You see, over the years, I've taken on all sorts of students,” I explain to the room. “Some are the cautious type, others—not so much. Now, I can’t watch over my students all the time, and most of them I don't have to— but for a select few, I need to oversee more closely to try and save them if they get in over their heads."
“Then it’s an enchantment,” the headman’s pregnant daughter correctly guesses.
“Right, you are my dear. Each stone corresponds to the armor on one of my—how should I say— energetic students. The corresponding gem would shatter if something happened to any of them. Thankfully, that isn't the case here. All four gems are whole; therefore, Tabitha and, by extension, Aaliyah are safe. Oof, I need another drink.”
“Are you sure?" Aaliyah's concerned mother asks me as I sip my alcohol. I wanted to drain the whole thing here and now, but I would have to wait until I was back in my tent before I do anything as unsightly as that.
“More or less,” I tell her honestly. “I’m not sure if any of you have grown close to my apprentice while she’s been here, but Tabitha is my most loyal student. I tasked her to protect Aaliyah and oversee her training should she ask. She isn’t the most sociable, but Tabitha follows my orders to the letter. If she's fine, then I can only assume Aaliyah is, too.”
“Then… Are you going to rescue them?” Aaliyah's mother pleaded, her eyes sparking with unshed tears.
"That—" Gosh, how do I put this lightly? “Could be a problem,” I finish sheepishly.
“But why? Surly with the two of you and your men, tracking them down will be easy." A bit of heat entered Silvia's voice, and I could see who Aaliyah inherited her fire from.
“I wish it were that simple,” I sigh and start stroking my beard again. “Entering a magic-dense region without any preparation is dangerous. The men I brought with me this time aren’t as strong as the ones that accompanied me last time. I would trust less than a handful of them to follow me into an unknown magic region, and that’s me being generous.”
“Then just the two of you. Oh, and Del, I’m sure he would go.” Silvia looked between General Pitz and me hopefully, and once it fell on me to deliver the bad news.
“I’m afraid neither of us could consent to that,” I tell her bluntly. “None of us have worked together before, and while we are strong individually, that simply won’t cut it.” I didn’t mention that we couldn't trust each other alone in a magic-dense region. However unlikely, we could turn on each other in the heat of battle or even team up to kill the third.
"Then there's the size of the magic-dense region to consider," I continue. "How long did you say they've been gone?" I look away from Aaliyah's mother and ask Salmon.
“In two days, it’ll be six weeks,” he tells me.
"I see; they could be anywhere then," I nod in understanding. “And did my disciple give a timeline for their return? If you are all this anxious, I assume it has passed.”
“Well—” the headman hesitated, and surprisingly enough, his daughter answered.
“They said they’d be gone for around a month, though it wasn’t Tabitha who told us that; it was Aaliyah," she informed me while wrapped in her husband’s loving embrace. And—" She looked like she had something else she wanted to add, but she wasn't sure if it was important enough.
“Go on,” I encourage her, giving her my best grandfather smile, ignoring the awkward wince I receive in return.
"It's just that you two kept blaming everything on Tabitha,” she glanced between me and Pitz. “But it was Aaliyah’s idea in the first place; she was planning to go with or without Tabitha. Tabitha warned her how dangerous it could be going alone and said she would follow Aaliyah whether she asked her to or not.”
Out of the corner of my vision, I could see General Pitz's mouth hanging open in disbelief while I was grinning ear-to-ear on the inside.
"I see. Thank you for telling me that and putting my mind at ease." I happily thank her. Whether intentional or not, her words had painted Tabitha in a much more flattering light. That said, "Still, my apprentice deserves her fair share of responsibility regarding their current situation—whatever that may be. Nevertheless, I’ll take your words to heart when they return. Though I fear we might have gotten off topic.”
“You think,” Del-Razen eyes narrow threateningly at me.
Ignoring his unspoken threat, I continue to stroke my beard thoughtfully. “Anything can happen in a magic-dense region; a group returning late is practically the norm. Hmmm? Alright, we’ll give them two more weeks. If there isn’t any sign of them by then, I’ll send word for a retrieval team.”
“Do we have to wait that long?" Aaliyah's father asks while hugging his wife close.
“We don't have much choice," I tell him and, by extension, the room. “You can call me naive if you want, but I’m hoping my students will be able to return on their own.”
“I told you, she’s not your—”
I ignore Pitz’s angry rant as if she isn't even there. “They have two more weeks to make it out on their own; if they can't and are truly stuck somewhere in the forest, we'll go in after them, but I really hope that isn't the case. From what I’ve heard, The Endless Forest is a massive magic-dense region. Even with a proper fighting force, scouring it could take months if we’re unlucky.”
"And if they're in danger?" Aaliyah's mother struggles to ask as if doing so would do just that.
“Then I’ll know through my necklace,” I reassure her. “If Tabitha’s stone should break before they return, I’ll send for the retrieval team and rush into the forest by myself. You can count on that.”
“I’ll go to, I’m more familiar with the more commonly explored eastern reaches of The Endless Forest, but I bet I could track them down quicker than this old fart,” Pitz was quick to offer her services as well.
“But you think that won’t be necessary,” the headman reiterates.
“I believe in those two; they're strong,” if only because I didn’t want to imagine any circumstance that would see me charging into a magic-dense region with General Pitz at my heels.
Needless to say, those two better have a good explanation for their tardiness when they return. If not, I’ll have to discipline the duo when we return to Scholl, and not the fun kind of discipline either.
"I see. That's all well and good, Master Pacore, but if I may be so bold as to ask: What are you going to do? Will you stay here, or will you return to Drey? I’m, ah— Not sure if our humble accommodations can match either of your stasis,” the headman sheepishly admitted, but I just waved him off.
“I’m not sure about this one,” I lazily gesture at General Pitz. “But I need to be close by in case something happens. You don't need to worry about me. My men are already setting up camp outside your new walls. They won’t need much, but I’d appreciate access to your wells and some firewood if you can spare it.”
"I'm staying here, too," General Pitz quickly added.
“Of course,” the headman did his best to smile politely, but he couldn’t hide his true feelings from these old eyes. No village leader wanted to play host to two people of our levels and a small battalion of soldiers for a single day, let alone two weeks. It was too bad for him because I wasn't going anywhere unless it was with Tabitha and Aaliyah.
Unfortunately, this trip wasn't supposed to take that long. When I returned to my tent, I would need to write a letter explaining why I was staying longer than I had planned without giving anything away. I didn’t want news of this village spreading more than it had to. Was that too much to ask for?
Neither the gods nor the universe answered my question. Hopefully, that meant they were too busy watching over my missing apprentices.
Well, I said I wanted a break from politics; two weeks of camping won't be too bad. Plus, it'll allow me to familiarize myself with Spotted Creek Village further. At the rate it was improving, I could see it one day growing into a city that would rival any other. But first—
I’m going to do my best to get drunk and pray for my disciple's safety.
Tabitha, please don't overdo it.
*********
Author’s Notes:
I'm sorry this chapter took me so long. I rewrote it about four times and second-guessed myself each time, but I’m happy with the finished product.
I want to say I'll have the next chapter out in two days, but on Wednesday, my mom has spinal surgery, so we'll see how things go from there.
Thanks for your patience, and as always, stay safe.