World Witout Wizards: Guard

The sight was depressing. While I was unconscious, the fire had destroyed everything and died down. Our beautiful two-story house was turned into a pile of burned ruins. The roof fell in and the walls, unable to withstand the strain, had collapsed. I felt terrible as we were approaching my home.

Memories of my parents' house were bright and beautiful. Two years ago, we built a new roof. The boards were made of high-quality wood, so the roof would hold for decades. Mom made oil from different herbs and painted the boards with it so the beetles wouldn't eat it. I was sure this house would stand for hundreds of years, but, alas, I was wrong.

First I decided to look into the forge, where I found the sword last time. Other people couldn't use my weapon without consequences. When the Baron plunged my blade into the stone, and the soldier, standing nearby, tried to pull it out, my weapon dug into his flesh and began to suck his blood. It fed on the blood of my foes. The sword had eaten its fill during the last battle. I touched my blade painlessly.

Perception Check

Base -2 (one-eyed)

Bonus 0

Dice Roll 3

Requirement 1

Success

As soon as I threw away a piece of the roof, I noticed that the bas.e.m.e.nt door was locked and intact. So, most of the weapons and armors forged by my father were safe. Father wore the key on his neck, mom kept a duplicate key in the table drawer on the second floor. It was useless to break down the door, there were iron bars behind it.

Intelligence Check

Base 0

Bonus 0

Dice Roll 3

Requirement 4

Failure

The only way out was to look for the key in the ruins. It would take me at least three days to clear the rubble by myself, I didn't have so much time.

"Tren'ya, would you help to clean up the rubble?"

I didn't know what had happened here. But I doubted that our house had been so badly destroyed for no reason. Someone had probably put up a fight in here.

"There's too much work for just the two of us. I'd better call the soldiers for help. I hope the Baron wouldn't mind."

"Good idea, but I'm afraid I don't have enough money to pay them."

"What the hell are you talking about? You're in the Baron's service now. That counts for something."

"I totally forgot about that. Are you also in the Baron's service?"

"Of course," Polozoob chuckled, "Sergeant Polozoob at your disposal. Wait for me here, I'll be back soon."

"May the HAND bless you," I answered.

I wonder if all the people of our province are subject to the Baron and serve him? Then who does the Baron serve? I'm sure Lysandra could explain. I'd like to sit and talk to her in confidence. Although the warlock's disciple and a nice conversation are incompatible.

While I was sorting out the cold coals, my smart clothes got dirty and my hands were covered with a thick layer of soot. The wood boards were still smoldering. I thought that if a wind blew, the fire would start again. Fifteen minutes later, at the end of the street, a small squad appeared. As soon as they came closer, I saw guys with crowbars and hooks. A very happy Polozoob led the squad. I couldn't understand why he was so joyful among all this hell.

"Why are you so cheerful, Tren'ya?"

"Here are ten men of your squad, your honor," he smiled broadly, "Baron Riny has ordered to assist you in the management of your soldiers."

"Wait, what do you mean? Are you offering me…?"

"Fifty grunts are reporting for duty by the order of the Baron."

"Are you kidding Tren'ya?" I couldn't even speak from surprise. "I can't be a commander. I became the Black guard just ten days ago."

"You're an unusual guard. You got the Baron's attention. All the fighters have heard about your achievements. Am I right, guys?" Tren'ya asked.

"Yes, sir," a man of about forty replied. His was not dressed like the others. Apparently, he held a higher rank... Probably the oldest of them. I should have learned all the ranks in the Imperial army.

"You defeated five armed cultists and the Black Jaw! Even a whole squad of soldiers couldn't do that, but you performed well. What's more, you were able to beat the blood mage. The soldiers are happy to be under your command."

"Thank you. I wasn't alone. My girls helped me defeat both the mage and the Black Jaw."

"We heard about that. Don't worry, we aren't going to disturb your slaves, we want to live a little longer."

"Well," Tren'ya grinned, "any orders, your honor?"

"Let's clear the rubble. If we don't find any survivors, we might be able to find something valuable."

"Baron Riny forbade looting," one of the soldiers frowned.

"What?" I didn't know what he meant. "Oh. This is my house, I lived here with my mother and father. The forge is mine too. There are many houses on this street, but only ours looks so destroyed, because someone might have fought in it."

"Squad! Line up!" Polozoob shouted. The soldiers immediately straightened their backs and stood in line. "Take your tools and clear the rubble. Put everything you find by the forge. Your honor, stand aside, your wounds have not healed yet."

But I wasn't going to fool around while everyone else was working. After all, I still had my arms and legs. So I started to work with them.

"Come on, guys," I shouted. "Help me pull this log off."

Strength Check

Base 1

Bonus 0

Dice Roll 2

Requirement 4

Failure

Stamina Check

Base 1

Bonus 0

Dice Roll 1

Requirement 2

Success

The work was hard. I couldn't have done it alone. But, fortunately, I was able to keep up with the others. We began to clear the rubble slowly.

Someone figured out how to make a canopy for the charred logs, so we didn't have to carry them, but just roll them. We seemed to work fast, but it took us half a day to clear the rubble on the second floor. If we keep working at this pace, we might just make it in three days.

My main goal was to find survivors, but I also remembered my debt, which had to be paid in the same three-day period. If I don't get the money, the Baron will take away my title and sell me into slavery. Of course, I could sell my girls, but I didn't want to think about it…

As soon as this nasty thought came to my mind, I tried to get rid of it. No, I'm not so duplicitous. I'll set them free. I'll release Triya in a big river or in a sea, then try to get Vasilisa to her family. Lysandra is the biggest problem. That nasty girl won't let me rest. But I can't give her to strangers.

"That's enough!" Polozoob ordered, when the sun went below the horizon. "We won't see anything in the dark. We need to rest until morning, to wash and to have dinner."

"Your honor! I'm hearing some noises!" One of the soldiers standing on the wreckage of the floor yelled, "something is moving downstairs."

"Get back," I unceremoniously shoved the guy and laid on the floor, listening. There was something—muffled voices and persistent knocking.

"Tren'ya we need backup! I think we've found the survivors!"

"I got it! Guys, keep working!"