World Witout Wizards: Guard

"To arms!" the Baron roared, grabbing one of the swords from the pile.

"Wait! Please! Have a mercy for the sake of the HAND!" a familiar, female voice sounded. It's Beona!

"Wait!" I yelled, holding my wounded stomach. "I know her! She's my neighbor!"

"An orc in the village?" one of the soldiers asked in surprise.

"He's right," Polozoob interrupted him, "this peaceful woman-orc has been living here for over ten years."

"Really?" Riny put the blade flat on his shoulder. "It's amazing. Get out of there!"

Somebody began to crawl through the passage. These were little half-orcs, half-elves and someone else… About thirty children got out... My neighbor followed them. Beona helped Lyzariya, one of the women from the village, to get upstairs. So, only the children and old people were left in the village, almost all a.d.u.l.ts had been killed.

"Your Excellency," the old woman whispered to Riny, bowing, "I thank you for saving me."

"You're alive, old woman," the Baron grinned, "I'm only doing my duty. Thank the Sergeant, I mean this young fellow." He slapped me on the shoulder so hard that I almost bent over. "If it hadn't been for his insistence, we'd have left the village in the morning and missed you."

"Well, I congratulate you, my child… excuse me, your honor. You've received the title and enlisted," the old lady nodded, "we owe you our lives."

"Where are my parents?" I interrupted her.

"They're brave warriors," Lyzaria shook her head, "and very skillful. I've never seen anyone fight like that. At the beginning of the attack, they were even able to beat the cultists, but there were too many of them. They helped us hide and locked us. Although these demons were unstoppable. I don't know what happened after we had hidden."

"Tell me, my dear, what do you know about these cultists, as you called them," Riny asked.

"They were pale-skinned and gave their blood to the three mages, who were leading the charge."

"I met one of these mages," I interrupted her, "and I managed to defeat him with great difficulty."

"This means that the two other mages have been killed, and their bodies are among the villagers' corpses. That is intriguing. You must examine and identify all the bodies in the morning before the ritual. If there are no mages among the dead people – this may mean only one thing. They're hiding somewhere nearby and can attack any time. Lieutenant, get more men to guard the village, now!" Riny ordered.

"Yes, your Excellency."

Intelligence Check

Base 0

Bonus 0

Dice Roll 4

Requirement 4

Success

"Would you tell me, Beona, if my parents bought this land to build the house and the forge on it?" I asked the old woman.

"Of course they did," Lyzariya replied, "they spent a lot of money for the property and building materials. I'm old, but I have a great memory."

"It's incredible," Riny laughed, "this old woman isn't lying. You've got lucky twice today, Sergeant. The only surviving old woman confirmed, what you've just claimed."

The Governor thought for a moment and said, "I, Riny Strong the Fist, announce that the Greystle family owns this land and everything on it. All debts, obligations, and property of Naomy Goldovirel and John Greystle are transferred to their son Michael. I order you to sell all the weapons found here, and set this price-—one gold and fifty silver coins. Michael Greystle's debts are considered paid against the money received for the sale of the weapons. The decision is final and is not subject to appeal. That is the decision of the Governor of the HAND."

Attention

Land in the village of half-bloods has been added to the list of your property

You've lost the right to possess the weapons and armor, found in your house

Your debt has been fully paid

New commitments have been received:

— forging swords for the third Legion;

— forging armor for the third Legion;

—medicine of happiness for Oulsast Dark;

See the full list of commitments for more details

"Thank you, your Excellency," I said to the Baron. He patted me on the shoulder.

"You're welcome. I don't know if it's fate or your luck. Although it's difficult to call you lucky, considering you lost your father and mother in a single day. I'll think about your future later."

He turned to Lizariya, allowing me to sit down.

"What do you think, lady? Is it wise to rebuild your village or do you prefer to settle in one of the neighboring villages?"

"I think you know the answer, my Lord. Most of us don't belong to the human race, we are half-bloods; our ancestors are dwarves, orcs and elves. Although there are several humans in our village. We'll be strangers in other lands. We don't have magic, because we lose this ability after mixing blood with different races. There are almost no warriors among us. If it's for us to decide, we'd like to stay here. If no one attacks our settlement within next ten years, it'll be reborn. Also, you can send offenders here instead of putting them in prison."

"I like your ideas, lady. But I won't leave Michael with you. Although he's very young, he is a promising Guard, who can wield the sword and do magic. I've never seen a warrior like him before."

"Let Tren'ya stay in our village, your Excellency," Lyzaria smiled, "he's been living here for a long time. Appoint him the chief. The border is not far. We supply the border Guards with food and timber."

"You're a very wise woman," the Baron grinned. "I'll follow your advice and find Michael another mentor. Sergeant Polozoob, I appoint you the chief of the village of half-bloods until the HAND sends another warlock. Ten brave soldiers will be under your command. When I return to the castle, I'll begin sending offenders to this village from the southern borders. I hope you'll cope with them."

"It is an honor to serve the HAND," Tren'ya replied and bowed deeply. He was pleased with this decision, because he had become the village chief and could stay in the settlement."

"May I take up my duties?"

"I appreciate your enthusiasm. Don't think it's forever. A warlock is likely to arrive here next year. Perhaps he'll be young or maybe he'll be an old man in exile."

"As you command, sir!"

"That's nice. Vabry, make a list of ten fighters who will obey Polozoob. We'll rotate them every three months. I don't want them to have families here." The Baron turned to one of his lieutenants. "Michael needs a new assistant instead of Tren'ya. This guy shouldn't be too young or too old, but he should be experienced."

"Yes, sir," the Lieutenant nodded. "What kind of soldiers should protect the village?"

"There must be five archers, one shooter, and four spearmen. They'll fight on the front line."

"Are you going to send him to guard the borders without even training?" Lyzaria asked in surprise. "He will do more harm than good."

"It's up to me, is it? A black Guard must fight rather than have a rest on the home front. All are free to go."

"Sir," I bowed my head, "let me call the appraiser. I want to know what I own and how much it is worth."

"Haven't I bought all your stuff?" Riny frowned.

"Well, I possess Oulsast's estate and many things in my parents' house. I suppose there are some herbs and potions in the bas.e.m.e.nt, where the survivors hid. I can't take them with me…"

"Well…" the Baron pondered. "If it turns out that it's worth more than ten gold coins, I can offer you something valuable. The appraiser is at your disposal."