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A Soldier's Life - 358 - A Proper Souvenir Bag (edited 3-13-25, +250 words)
🕑 Added 2025-03-13 04:54:40 +0000 UTCChapter 358: A Proper Souvenir Bag
The skies were overcast, and there was a heavy threat of rain. The ground was soggy underfoot, suggesting that it had rained earlier in the day. Hizzash bent over and coughed. His deep aether well had completed the final leg of the journey, but his eyes were sunken after three large expenditures of aether over two days. After his coughing fit subsided, he stood and offered a smile, “I welcome you to Gramney, travelers.” He looked around, “Well, close enough to see it anyway.” He raised his arm tiredly and pointed.
We were on a hill overlooking the wide river, and on the distant shore, maybe two miles upstream, numerous lines of chimney smoke poured from within the city walls. There were a number of fishing villages along the shore, so all we needed to do was find a ferry in one of them and walk to the city.
The four of us walked down the hill to the nearest cluster of fishing boats. I ended up assisting Hizzash as he was stumbling slightly and slipping on the muddy ground. As I helped him descend to the village, I asked, “How did you set an anchor in Gramney?”
He smirked. “Ah, I didn’t. I mostly guessed. I used a foresight spell, and I reset our destination if the spell didn’t have a future. It took five alterations before I actually had a future where I was not killed or injured,” he said cheekily.
“Just you? What about us?” I asked as a cold chill moved through me. We had been much closer to catastrophe than I had guessed.
“Yes. Yes. You too. It is a much more reliable way to teleport great distances than a farseeing spell. With farseeing spells, something in the area could have changed by the time you withdraw your sight. For instance, a dragon could have landed where you planned to arrive,” he said dismissively with a crooked smile.
“I think we will stick with established portals and city anchors in the future,” I announced to my companions. Konstantin was twenty yards to the left and hadn’t heard the displacement mage’s confession. Although Gilda had overheard, she didn’t seem fazed. Although I had not experienced a teleporting mishap, I had read some gruesome stories.
It only took four large coppers to ferry us across the wide river. The fisherman was glad for the coin and happy to relay recent local gossip. The weather had been slightly colder, and the fish were not running normally this year. He suspected it had something to do with all the fighting last year far to the west. As far as the old fisherman knew, the fighting had tapered off, and all the Empires still existed, but truthfully, he didn’t really care either way as long as the war was far to the west.
The fisherman was not going to waste his energy paddling us two miles upstream to the city's docks. We stepped off the fishing boat and onto the muddy shore, making our way up the banks to the compacted earthen road. The paved trade road leading out of the city was on the other side of the walls. Konstantin couldn’t hide his grin, being so close to returning. Our success was monumental—a sense of accomplishment akin to freeing Maveith’s sister and bringing the goliaths home.
Farmers were headed to and from the city as we walked the road to the gates. Being a free-trade city, it didn’t take much to get us past the guards, but we were given the standard warning and paid the minimal entry fee. Hizzash was off to find an interested party heading back the way we had come to double his earnings for the trip. I wished him well and turned to find Gilda had already disappeared into the city. Konstantin was waiting patiently for me. I knew he wanted to be there when we presented Castile with the essence harvest. It should get her extremely close, even if it didn’t completely heal her aether channels.
As rain began to fall, I walked with Konstantin toward the upper side trade district and Adrian’s Rest. I slowed my pace, taking in the sights, mainly to annoy Konstantin, who was always a step ahead, trying to drag me along. The dreary day didn’t dampen my happy mood. We could have turned onto a street and checked in on how Ignis was doing, but I felt I had already tormented Konstantin enough.
Upon arriving at the inn, we both stood frozen in shock. Planks had been nailed over the door and windows, and a crude sign read, “Temporarily Closed.”
Konstantin peered through the window, seeing no one inside. One of the local bakers I had been friendly with was walking by. I don’t think he recognized me but stopped when I stepped in front of him, “What happened? Why is the inn closed?”
The baker relaxed some, and some familiarity came to his eyes. “A little more than a month back, a big bloody fight inside. They took out four bodies after. It's a terrible thing; I really liked Lirkin.”
Konstantin hardened, “Lirkin is dead? Who were the others?” Konstantin stepped toward the man, who retreated in fear at his aggressive posture. I grabbed Konstantin’s shoulder, but my own confusion and rage were bubbling as well.
This didn’t seem real. “Is Castile alive? The woman who lived at the inn?” I pressed anxiously.
“I…I don’t know,” the baker said, stuttering, backing away. “There were only dead men I recall.” He turned and rushed down the street.
Konstantin and I rushed to the stables at the back of the inn, where the owners’ small house was situated. Lirkin and Castile stayed here. The door was locked, and no one responded when we pounded on it. Konstantin attempted to open the door with his spell form but quickly became frustrated and shouldered it open, breaking the lock. “Castile! Benito! Mateo! Blaze!” he shouted, announcing himself as he entered. His voice sounded like a command for them to appear immediately.
I moved in after him, and the place was abandoned as we searched every room and the cellar. Only a thin layer of dust remained. Completely deflated, I suggested, “We should go find Selena, Ignis, or Viridia. Castile may be with them.” I was already assuming the other three male bodies were Blaze, Mateo, and Benito. Whoever had killed them was going to meet a very painful end, and I knew Konstantin agreed. Had they taken Castile, then? To what end?
“I know where Viridia’s villa is,” Konstantin said, rage in his eyes. He stormed out, and I trailed him through the city. We had made a commotion, and I assumed the guards would be coming to the inn soon anyway.
People could sense our purposeful march and moved aside as we headed down the streets toward the upper district and wealthier inhabitants. I thought the city guards might intercept us on our march, but we arrived unmolested to find two guards at the steps leading up to the residence.
“Does Viridia Janus still reside in this villa?” Konstantin challenged the pair, rage still echoing in his words. Both men’s hands went to their swords. The shorter one started to draw his blade while the older, seasoned guard answered Konstantin more calmly.
“She does. What business do you have with her?” He rotated his shield to a ready position.
Relief washed over Konstantin, and his anger subsided somewhat. “I want to speak with her. Tell her Konstantin Silvanus has returned after fourteen months and seeks her counsel.” The older guard gestured to the younger one, who hurried into the villa.
Moments later, the door flung open, and Benito stood at the top of the stairs. “Eryk!” He flung himself down the steps and embraced me in a greeting, ignoring Konstantin.
“Where are the others?” Konstantin said, interrupting the reunion.
Benito stepped back, his voice heavy. “Lirkin is dead.”
“We know already,” Konstantin barked impatiently. “What of the others?”
“Everyone is inside,” he pointed at the villa and seemed to reconsider. “Actually, I think Mateo is with the kids, but he should be back soon.”
“What happened?” I asked, not holding back a grin at seeing him well. Losing Lirkin was painful, but I now knew the others lived. Now, it was time to reunite and then consider acts of vengeance.
Blaze appeared in the doorway, smiling at the sight of us. However, his tone was serious. “It was Firth. The cutthroat became a Hound and was sent to eliminate Castile for the Emperor.”
“Firth,” Konstantin cursed the name. “They let that bottom feeder into the Hounds?”
Blaze nodded, “So he claimed. Five weeks ago, he and five Hounds arrived in Gramney. Three fled with their tails between their legs, and three are buried in the city’s refuse pit.”
Guilt welled up in me. I immediately thought this was my fault. If I had been here, I could have prevented this, and Lirkin would still be alive.
“Come inside. We’ve closed the inn and have been enjoying Viridia’s hospitality. They are having lunch in the gardens.” Blaze must have already grieved for Lirkin because for some reason, he wore a mischievous smile.
The villa was lovely and filled with the scent of lavender and sage as we walked through the polished stone halls. The furnishings and wall adornments were simple yet tasteful. The back courtyard featured young flowering trees favoring whites and yellows, and a gazebo. Marius, Viridia’s teenage son, was practicing sword forms nearby. By Blaze’s attire, I gathered that he had been teaching instructing him when we arrived. Castile sat on a stone bench holding a baby in the shade of the gazebo. Viridia sat beside her, and both women greeted us with warm smiles as we approached.
The child had to be less than a year old, and I assumed it was Castile’s since she was holding it. “You have a beautiful baby, Castile. I am happy for you,” I said, smiling as we approached.
Castile laughed lightly, “Oh, it’s not my child. This little monster belongs with his mother. I was just giving her a rest.” She turned and handed the bundle to Viridia, and the child immediately began to wail. Konstantin suddenly stopped walking. The joy faded from his expression as he focused on the babe—no, he was focused on Viridia.
“Congratulations, Viridia. As Eryk said, it is a beautiful babe. I am glad you have found happiness.” Konstantin said dissonantly.
Castile couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “Viridia, don’t torture the man. Tell him.”
Viridia’s emerald eyes danced happily, “The child is yours as well.”
Konstantin looked confused. “H…h-o-w?” he stuttered in an un-konstantin-like manner.
Viridia smiled merrily at his consternation, “Well when a man and a woman fornicate, there is always the possibility a child may result. It appears my partner was virile enough for me to come with a healthy child. A troublesome child, but one I cherish nonetheless.” She smiled and silenced the babe by feeding him.
“That would shut me up, too,” Benito muttered behind me. His comment was ignored.
“But…we…only…it was…” Konstantin seemed to be still at a loss for words.
“Congratulations, old man!” I patted the bewildered veteran on the back, genuinely happy for him. Maybe a child would soften him up—but probably not.
“Did Maveith and his sister return to their people safely?” Castile asked, changing the subject as Konstantin sorted out his feelings—feelings he apparently didn’t know how to deal with.
“They did. We even brought you a small gift from our travels!” A black manticore pouch appeared in my hand. “Maveith made this for you.” I stepped forward and handed Castle the supple sack. She took it graciously.
Konstantin found his tongue, “We all chipped in on the contents.” Konstantin’s eyes were studying the baby in Viridia’s lap but would take at least some shared credit for the essences within.
Castile’s hand reached into the sack, and we both watched expectantly as she pulled out the glossy black sphere…
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Comments
Adam V
Edit: I stepped forward and handed [Castle]->[Castile] the supple sack. She took it graciously.
Simon
They caught them completely off guard had hostages and still didn't only killed one of them.
caeven
Firth, the supposed bottom feeder, and a couple of reject hounds seem way too competent. I thought the hounds were a shadow of their former strength? they pulled up unnoticed on what used to be one of the strongest legionnaire companies managed to kill on of them and still escaped.
Chaz Baz
Soooo. Maybe Erik should now destroy the charm enhancing thingy and the Demon bowl thing before they go to the Empire before ya know the first citizen evil abuser charm using girl and the Emperor get hold of them annnnnnnnnd CALAMITY TIME!!!!! No? Good that would be shockingly original.... Not. This story has been amazing. Lately however it's been getting sort of tropey and ahhh maybe it's me.
Karnnie
Eryk would have used earth speak to know ahead of time that no one was in the small house behind the Inn before letting Konstantin break open the door. It would be quicker than Konstantin trying to unlock the door after he found it was locked, plus two men kicking in a door in broad daylight has the possibility to have the guards show up with would delay them even furth. As you stated in the chapter
skati5
So….At some point First Citizen Ona gets the brooch that the Seer said removes resistance from spells. Now I wonder if that happens because Eryk follows Firth to the capital and uses the brooch as a bribe to rescue Renna and/or kill Firth. Then maybe Ona uses it on the elf lover’s brother… damn went blank their names sorry. Fun to speculate! (Also Eryk contributing to creating the Ona monster with dungeon artifacts…yeah that shit’s gonna get ugly.)
JollyRodger
Yes and no, id rather have someone entrenched that is annoyed with me. In another country, trying get on with it. Than someone I've made it clear it's me or you. One you can just watch, the other you have to actively guard against. Information is key. Who were Cass and party telling? What army did they raise? What nobles back them? They are very competent. They killed the last emperor. Destroyed vast intelligence and Key figures. Then left you in charge and escaped. Putting them on the run would make them more dangerous not less. In order to settle down you got to go. Had he gathered ANY information first before sending a hit team this would have been known. Most of the issues this whole team of people got is others making them do what they refuse to do. Things that go against thier morals or are offensive to them. Honestly, octavian is a idiot middle manager that has failed up. He was selected by people better than him to fill a role he will laughably fail in. SO, they can swoop in and take it from an incompetent to be the hero. The problem is he may f around so much with the wrong people and not make it to be swooped on.
JollyRodger
I get it from a story perspective. His arc is done. He made it to his happy ending. Then die bloody on the floor protecting kids. Not a bad way to go I guess. Still, it just feels extra to me. I already don't really like Firth, his crew, the new emperor, or the empire in general. There's like 2 people left in charge of the whole empire I even like. He could do more for the story alive than he does dying imo.
JollyRodger
Lirkin dying sucks. I don't really care for it. Random dumb deaths are real and happen though. Firth getting his, bloody death, has to happen though if Lirkin is dead. Also, there has to be a reason for eryk to go cut out his pound of flesh. I'm still not happy with Lirkin being dead. He was at his happy ending so I guess but still. That just makes me want eryk to behead all those hounds. Then bring them to octavian and leave them in his bed with a note. "Leave that which is dead and done alone before you invite death upon your own head." I don't know, I'd be cool with Firth and Wylie getting sent back with that note, a bag of heads, and a sound ass kicking. Maybe clue in those two dirt bags on what's really up. Lirkin getting really messed up being why they shut down the inn. With lirkin dead though,... yeah, eryk should be after alot of blood. Alot of cool people have already died so it's not like more reason is needed. Most of the decent people involved in the coup are already dead. Outside eryks group most just suck. At this point, if eryk and his people are not going to be left alone, why stay your hand. I'd just start killing these fools. I'd drop flyers defending my actions with the truth. They all suck with tons of crimes. No one's gangsta when the inquisition shows up. Everyone's gets tortured. The innocent get buried and the guilty get dismembered. Killing Lirkin just seems extra. The fact they tracked them down is enough really. Things start going dark to otherwise. Killing random npc tavern customers would be just as effective and who wouldn't try to help the local kids. Just my thoughts
Andrew Crews
1st Paragraph: • [“His deep aether well had completed the final leg of the journey, but his eyes were sunken after three large expenditures of aether over two days.” → “His deep aether well had carried him through the final leg of the journey, but his eyes were sunken from three heavy aether expenditures over two days.”] (Flows better.) • [“After his coughing fit subsided, he stood and offered a smile, ‘I welcome you to Gramney, travelers.’” → “After his coughing fit subsided, he stood and offered a smile. ‘I welcome you to Gramney, travelers.’”] (Punctuation correction.) • [“Well, close enough to see it anyway.” → “Well, close enough to see it, anyway.”] (Comma for natural pause.) 2nd Paragraph: • [“There were a number of fishing villages along the shore, so all we needed to do was find a ferry in one of them and walk to the city.” → “Several fishing villages dotted the shore; all we needed to do was find a ferry and walk to the city.”] (More concise and fluid.) 3rd Paragraph: • [“The four of us walked down the hill to the nearest cluster of fishing boats.” → “The four of us descended the hill toward the nearest cluster of fishing boats.”] (Smoother phrasing.) • [“I ended up assisting Hizzash as he was stumbling slightly and slipping on the muddy ground.” → “I ended up supporting Hizzash as he stumbled, slipping on the muddy ground.”] (More active voice.) • [“How did you set an anchor in Gramney?” → “How did you set an anchor point in Gramney?”] (More precise wording.) 4th Paragraph: • [“Ah, I didn’t. I mostly guessed.” → “Ah, I didn’t—I mostly guessed.”] (Dash makes it more conversational.) • [“With farseeing spells, something in the area could have changed by the time you withdraw your sight.” → “With farseeing spells, the scene could shift by the time you withdraw your sight.”] (More engaging.) 5th Paragraph: • [“I think we will stick with established portals and city anchors in the future,” I announced to my companions.] → [“I think we’ll stick to established portals and city anchors from now on,” I announced to my companions.] (More natural phrasing.) 7th Paragraph: • [“The fisherman was not going to waste his energy paddling us two miles upstream to the city’s docks.” → “The fisherman had no intention of wasting his energy paddling us two miles upstream to the city docks.”] (More fluid.) 9th Paragraph: • [“Konstantin couldn’t hide his grin, being so close to returning.” → “Konstantin couldn’t hide his grin—so close to home.”] (Stronger impact.) • [“Our success was monumental—a sense of accomplishment akin to freeing Maveith’s sister and bringing the goliaths home.” → “Our success was monumental, evoking the same triumph we’d felt when freeing Maveith’s sister and bringing the goliaths home.”] (Smoother transition.) 10th Paragraph: • [“Farmers were headed to and from the city as we walked the road to the gates.” → “Farmers trudged to and from the city as we made our way to the gates.”] (More descriptive.) 11th Paragraph: • [“Hizzash was off to find an interested party heading back the way we had come to double his earnings for the trip.” → “Hizzash set off to find a traveler heading back our way, hoping to double his earnings for the trip.”] (More natural flow.) 13th Paragraph: • [“Upon arriving at the inn, we both stood frozen in shock.” → “When we reached the inn, we froze in shock.”] (More direct.) • [“Planks had been nailed over the door and windows, and a crude sign read, ‘Temporarily Closed.’” → “Planks sealed the doors and windows, a crude sign reading: ‘Temporarily Closed.’”] (More evocative.) 14th Paragraph: • [“One of the local bakers I had been friendly with was walking by.” → “A local baker I knew passed by.”] (More concise.) 17th Paragraph: • [“This didn’t seem real.” → “This felt unreal.”] (Stronger impact.) 20th Paragraph: • [“The door was locked, and no one responded when we pounded on it.” → “The door was locked. No one answered our pounding.”] (Sharper pacing.) 23rd Paragraph: • [“She does. What business do you have with her?” → “‘She does. What business do you have with her?’ the older guard asked, rotating his shield to a ready position.”] (Clarifies who’s speaking and enhances tension.) 27th Paragraph: • [“Firth,” Konstantin cursed the name.] → [“Firth.” Konstantin spat the name like a curse.] (More dramatic.) 31st Paragraph: • [“Five weeks ago, he and five Hounds arrived in Gramney. Three fled with their tails between their legs, and three are buried in the city’s refuse pit.” → “Five weeks ago, he and five Hounds arrived in Gramney. Three fled with their tails between their legs. The other three rot in the city’s refuse pit.”] (More impact.) 36th Paragraph: • [“The villa was lovely and filled with the scent of lavender and sage as we walked through the polished stone halls.” → “The villa was lovely, the scent of lavender and sage filling the polished stone halls as we walked through.”] (More immersive.) 40th Paragraph: • [“Konstantin suddenly stopped walking. The joy faded from his expression as he focused on the babe—no, he was focused on Viridia.” → “Konstantin halted abruptly, the joy draining from his face. His gaze locked not on the babe, but on Viridia.”] (More engaging and dramatic.) 45th Paragraph: • [“Viridia’s emerald eyes danced happily, ‘The child is yours as well.’” → “Viridia’s emerald eyes sparkled with amusement. ‘The child is yours as well.’”] (More refined.) 48th Paragraph: • [“Konstantin seemed to be still at a loss for words.” → “Konstantin still looked utterly lost.”] (More natural.) Final Paragraph: • [“Castile’s hand reached into the sack, and we both watched expectantly as she pulled out the glossy black sphere…” → “Castile reached into the sack, both of us watching expectantly as she drew out the glossy black sphere…”] (More fluid and engaging.)
Bananaboat
I think this was a perfectly reasonable outcome. The hounds are chosen from talented legionnaires so even a pup is a tested soldier. They also were out of shape as well as their skills being a bit rusty from not having any real combat in a long time. And to top it all off they were outnumbered two to one.
Tim Qunell
Teaching or instructing.
Erick Thiemke
dont worry, the inn will be reopened
1Sayto
Very happy with the development (except for lirkins death) but also I’m concerned for Erik’s future business of the inn… I was expecting him to visit it again after a couple years or something.
Matt
My balls are horrifically blue
Erick Thiemke
corrected
Erick Thiemke
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Erick Thiemke
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Erick Thiemke
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Erick Thiemke
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Erick Thiemke
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Erick Thiemke
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IndyBart
My thoughts as well. Some hideous injury would have been preferable to killing off another likable character for what I feel is very little payback from the reader.
Chachi
highkey wishef lirkin survived maybe ended up with half an arm or missing an eye or something but i can respect this just dont like how a couple of pups were able to taken on battle tested soldiers like mateo and benito and lirkin
Silver Beard
He won't cut him off. Deed is done.
Ben
Damnit that cliffhanger XD
Silver Beard
Octavian was screwed from the get go. Castille's group wasn't the only one to escape and while you hunt down those who know different... do you really silence their story? Nope... so it's bitter ugliness that Octavian wants. He's hoping everyone who knows the truth dies so ugly that nobody will ever step up to tell their version of the coup. Which is why I have a problem atm. IF firth had a message book- he should have reported Castille's group and Eryk to the Emperor by now. Next force sent won't be pussies like Firths.
Silver Beard
The point from Octavian's point of view is NOT success but to drive home there are aberrant variables in his Duchy that should be lauded or removed. Octavian wins if Castille is put back on the run again. Same with Eryk. It's so much easier to erase a deserter on the run with no defense that it is an entrenched opponent.
Readreadread
I like this chapter a lot
Salvo
Octavian helped kill his own father, the witnesses of the real events need to be silenced. Imagine how difficult diplomacy will be from Octavian point of view.
Silver Beard
change chapter to: More balls than brains
Ivan Kanewske
“Did Mateo and his sister return to their people safely?” Mateo to Maveith
Ivan Kanewske
sense of accomplishment akin to freeing Mateo’s sister and bringing the goliaths home. Mateo's to Maveith
Ivan Kanewske
took five alternations before I actually had a future where I was not killed or injured Alternations to alterations
Ivan Kanewske
The four of use walked down the hill to the nearest cluster of fishing boats. Use to us
Andrew
Thank you!
Enk
Konstantin is made of tough stuff, to not have a heart attack immediately. Also, the urge to use 'phased' is powerful (star trek and chemistry dominate all our lives), but it should be fazed (unless this is another 'millenia' situation, it's hard enough just tracking how to spell things).
Silver Beard
which begs the question...? Why bother? If you know you are going to lose why waste resources?
Dominic French
To be fair the weakened empire knows where they are. How much resources are they willing to spend to kill some deserters located in another nation? Hounds arn't the cheapest to loose. This is their home ground, and they are soliders, as long as they prepare and Octavian doesnt send some powerful mages, he's limited in the size of the force he can send to attack them.
P
'“Did Mateo and his sister return to their people safely?” Castile asked.' Mateo -> Maevith I think.
Mark P
Do we know how Firth traveled to Gramney? Maybe Eryk can cut him off with portals or Hizzash
Silver Beard
I liked the chapter but the fact Firth 'found' them bothers me that Castille is not picking up to run. Now Octavian knows where to find them and its OK?
Silver Beard
What a great cliffhanger... thank you for sharing!
Erick Thiemke
Soon, it is the second half of book 6. He learns of their existence in a chapter or two
Mrtotoro
Is it possible to know approximately when eryk will meet the otherwordlers?
Austin
Thanks for the chapter! Slight correction you say Matteo and his sister. Should be maveith.
Stephen Gauthier
Great chapter as a way to put that last one behind us.
Erick Thiemke
Note: there is still heavy rewrites coming for the Raelia and Fifth chapters so dont be afraid to comment on them. This chapter is only 1900 hundred words. I am going to add about 300 words to it tomorrow
