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A Soldier's Life - 350 - Raelia POV
🕑 Added 2025-02-23 05:46:13 +0000 UTCWarning: Another controversial chapter is below! I am reading the comments and will eventually be doing my read/ edit on it. Remember, these are all draft chapters but usually the controversial things are tied to plots in the future. I don’t know when I will be editing it, as Raelia will be off-scene for a number of chapters.
Chapter 350: Raelia POV
Initially, she wasn’t sure. However, after the Lucky Equilibrium arrived in the fishing town of Kryvan, she felt more confident. How could this have happened to her? The odds for it were astronomical. Was it because Eryk was an other worlder? Maybe he had some elven blood in him. She new that could increase the odds. No, Eryk said that there were no elves on his home world.
It was likely to be a stillbirth—that was common when these things happened as well. No matter how she looked at it, she was carrying a half-breed—a child whose existence would be shunned by her people and humans alike. The child would live two human lifetimes but not even a tenth that of her people.
She screamed into a pillow, causing Baldo to worry and snuggle into her on the bed. She was too young, too—just forty-eight winters. She shouldn’t have even been fertile for at least another decade. Eryk was only the second man she had lay with as well. She had teased plenty of men in her time, like the Sentinel Knight of Gesedmuria and her fellow griffin rider, Rathael. But the first man she had lain with was Vaeril, the summoner. But those two weeks were youthful experimentation, and Vaeril had been so patient with her. And then she had lain with his killer—was this a betrayal? She pushed that thought to the back of her mind.
At least she was alone to sort her muddled feelings. Eryk had chosen to explore the city of Godok. She had to admit the city was as impressive in its scale as it was in its poor upkeep. The stench of the sewers and meat markets permeated the air, even this far into the city. Or maybe that was her sense of smell heightened by the pregnancy. That was one thing she had been taught would happen.
Baldo nudged her, asking for lunch. She went down to the kitchen and couldn’t find anything appetizing—partly because she didn’t know what most of the items were. In a fit of frustration, she handed the cook a handful of dungeon silver and requested one of everything to be brought to her room.
While she waited for the food, she contemplated the challenging decision of whether to tell Eryk. Would he feel excited? Would he feel angry? If he were excited and the baby was stillborn, he would be devastated. No, she couldn’t tell him until she knew for sure, even though he would probably make a great father. She needed to return home to her mother, she would know what to do. If the baby were to be stillborn, it would be best to end the pregnancy before then. She needed the help of the elven healers.
The food arrived, and she guessed she had overpaid due to the abundance brought to her. She drifted from dish to dish, sampling and tossing various types of meat to the patiently seated Baldo piece by piece. She ate as a distraction until her belly hurt. Maybe this is what it would feel like to have a child growing inside her. She laughed at her foolishness. At least she could keep down the food, unlike on the ship.
The door opened—Eryk had returned. She kept her eyes closed as he asked, amused, “Hungry?” She wanted to smirk as she had eaten so much food her belly still hurt. Then Eryk shocked her as he rubbed her shoulders.
“I am going to stay in Godok for a few months. I have gotten us a room at the Adventurer’s Hall,” his words echoed in her ears. He had been so eager to return to Castile, and now he wanted to study dungeon chronicles. But she could use this as an opportunity. She could sail home ahead of him and have her pregnancy examined. Maybe she was mistaken—no, she was not mistaken—she knew that as well as she knew herself.
“If you are going to spend a few months here, I can go back to see my brother and mother to explain myself,” she told him. “Yes,” she nodded and gave him a weak smile. “I’ve been putting it off for too long. I have only sent them one message in the last three months. I can meet you in Gramney in a year.” Her mind was already churring on how to get home and worried about how her mother and brother would receive her.
Eryk offered to accompany her if she waited, but that wouldn’t work. If the child was born, it would be just under a year old—but she didn’t know when the child had been conceived. Even though she wasn’t showing, it could have been months ago.
She left to find passage on a ship, reassuring Eryk that she would be fine returning to Bartiradia on her own. She needed to see her mother and an elven healer as soon as possible. She wandered the docks looking for flags of Bartiradian ships but didn’t spot a single one docked or moored. But she did see an Esenhem Sloop: a fast and modestly armed warship. After talking with the crew, she learned it belonged to the Ambassador.
She arrived at the Embassy of Esenhem deep within the city and put all the skills her aunt had taught her to use. Stroking the ego of the ambassador and playing on his good nature that he didn’t realize he had. By the end of a long dinner where she barely touched her food and avoided the wine, she had convinced him it would be in his best interests to return a few weeks early to Esenhem.
When she returned to Eryk, she was excited about her success and eventually seeing her mother. She wanted to reassure Eryk that she still felt strongly for him. She was committed to spending a few decades with him and watching him grow old. She was even committed to watching him as he became feeble and unable to care for himself. Many elven women who fell in love with a human knew this was their eventual fate, but that would be a long time by all the essences the man had consumed. More likely, he would slain in a battle with some creature—she pushed that thought aside. He was indomitable—one of the reasons she had fallen for him.
The next morning, she gave him her most passionate kiss, but he seemed to have changed—had become apprehensive. She reassured him one last time, “It is only a year—maybe less.”
As they stood on the deck on Esenhem warship she reassured Baldo as well. “Don’t worry, I am sure Eryk can take care of himself.” She watched him get smaller and smaller on the docks. She would see him again, she told herself. But growing up in a military family, she knew nothing was ever certain.
The months spent at sea had at least diminished her sickness. She spent her time having meals with the ambassador and his family and training Baldo on the ocean. The ambassador did like to brag about his possessions, the ship being one of them. It had a massive runic array inscribed on the hull that acted as a deterrent for enemies both above and below the waves.
The ambassador was slightly too pompous to realize that he had been posted halfway around the world, because his presence made it difficult to stand in the Regent Courts. Raelia endured the voyage with the support of Baldo and nervous anticipation of seeing her mother again.
They docked in Cambal on the western side of Bartiradia, and Raelia breezed through customs. She didn’t bother hiring a wagon; instead, she had Baldo fly her in short bursts toward her destination. Her family’s estate was located outside of Viloril, about one hundred miles from the capital and just five hundred miles from Gramney, she noted.
She covered the 350 miles from Cambal to Viloril in just four days. Baldo’s stamina was increasing rapidly, and she felt proud of her black griffin companion. Once he fully matured, he would be able to make that flight in less than a day. He needed more focused combat training, but she knew he would match or exceed Moonclaw in time.
She landed in Viloril, and suddenly the butterflies hit her. Her family estate was just three miles down the road, but she hesitated and enjoyed a meal at one of her favorite open-air taverns. She winced as the proprietor recognized her—not that she had been planning to change her mind. After a large meal and two pitchers of water, she walked Baldo down the road.
The estate looked almost the same, except one outbuilding had been added. It looked to be a grain storage facility. The Glavien Estate was relatively small, with just a few small orchards and fields. The central building was made of ancient stone and wood, with smooth, flowing lines and a majesty to them. The backyard led to a large training yard, and she could hear the clang of wooden training weapons.
She froze mid-step, confusing Baldo. Those strikes were intense—was her brother home or had her father returned? She wasn’t sure if she could face her father’s questions in her condition. He should be far away in a south-eastern fort training soldiers. A human steward came out of the house, Jochem. It only took him a moment to recognize her.
“Raelia!?” He yelled, ending all hope of possibly meeting her mother alone. Whoever was training in the yard would be alerted.
The estate started to buzz as others came out to see the prodigal daughter returning. Then Eliyen appeared, her mother’s golden hair easily distinguishable even from this distance. Tall, strong, stunning, and proud, she studied her daughter. Raelia began walking, and her mother walked toward her as well. Baldo followed obediently beside her as they approached. The embrace was fierce as her mother held her close to her breast. The familiar, reassuring smell was welcoming, and she inhaled deeply. A lost young girl seeking comfort.
“Raelia, you have returned. Regent Maeralya told us you would be coming,” she said softly before releasing her. Raelia winced internally. She should have expected the ambassador to contact her aunt to confirm her story. The released each other.
“Is she angry?” She asked.
“Perhaps. Emotions cannot be sent through a sending. But now that you have returned, you can return to Esenhem and fulfill your obligations to the family,” her mother said supportively. “You can tell me of your adventures in the Caliphate and with the goliaths.” Always strong and supportive, she didn’t know how to tell her mother her situation. There was time as the flow of people moved into the manor.
Her heart stopped when her father, dusty and sweaty, was removing padding in the entryway. No, he shouldn’t be here. Why was he here? He had a bright smile for her, paused in his task of removing the training pads, and hugged her tightly. “Ugh,” Eliyen snapped. “Both of you need to head to the baths. Once you’re clean, you can greet each other. Stable your griffin first!” she said with amusement.
“Baldo sleeps in my room,” Raelia said weakly under her father’s gaze. Baldo was not a war griffin; she had been coddling him and forming a bond. Braern and Eliyen exchanged glances before nodding in agreement.
“Fine. I am sure Clalyn would like to meet him. He looks like a fine griffin,” her father said.
“Clalyn is here?” Raelia said excitedly.
Her father laughed, “No, he is in the capital but will be here in a few days. He knows you are coming.” Raelia decided to wait for Clalyn’s arrival before revealing her news. She was sure her mother and brother would support her.
When she bathed alone, the belly bump was hardly noticeable but definitely present. Her toned abs had faded. As she waited for Clalyn over the next two days, her anxiety increased. Her father wanted to test her skill with the blade, while her mother wanted to see her progress in magic. Her mother was a decent fire and air mage—where Raelia got all her magical gifts.
She still had the dungeon ring of fire spellbook and mastered the complex spell forms during her voyage. When she invested all her aether at once, it created an impressive ten-foot ring of yellow-white hot flames. She could only maintain the ring for about ten seconds before her aether ran out. She needed to practice the spell to be able to preclude areas to protect her allies, but she had time for that. Even her father was impressed by the fire spell’s demonstration.
Her father was not as happy with her fighting prowess. “You have not devoted much time to training.” She wanted to rebuke him because she had trained harder in her time with Eryk than she had in her time with the Riders. Of course, she didn’t and endured it.
Clalyn’s arrival was bittersweet for her. It marked the end of her excuses for withholding the reason for her return home. Clalyn’s hug and jubilant face were welcomed. He had protected her her entire life. The question was if he would continue to do so once her news was spoken aloud.
After the emotional reunion, the family sat around the table, with only her younger brother missing. He was off studying magic. The rest of the household had joined them for the evening meal, and celebratory wine was being passed around. The conversation was mostly Eliyen and Braern asking Clalyn about the state of affairs in the capital and on the border. Raelia listened dispassionately as her world was focused on herself and her family's reaction to the news. Well into the meal, she finally worked up the courage.
“I’m pregnant.” There was silence. Everyone looked at each other, as this was not something to be joked about. The household members stood and left, leaving just the Glavien family.
Clalyn bailed her out, being assertive and supportive. “Are you sure? Who was it? Do I have to send Alhar to kill someone?”
“I am sure. And, no, you do not need to have anyone killed,” she let out a smirk, imagining Alhar’s reaction if he confronted Eryk again. “It was by my choice.”
“But you are so young,” her father stated severely.
Eliyen remained in shock but finally spoke. "Every life is precious. Where’s the father?”
“Who is the father?” Braern interrupted. Eliyen looked him over.
“He is in Godok,” Raelia said honestly. “He does not know.”
She could sense her father’s anger simmering and was lucky to have Clalyn and Eliyen her to moderate—especially for the next part. Before her courage fled her, she finished, “He is a human.”
The look of shock on all three faces would have been humorous if the reason for their shock was not her. Her father stood and calmly walked out of the room, which was unexpected. She knew he wouldn’t yell at her, but she had expected something more.
Her mother finished processing, “Has the child been tested?”
“No, but I can feel its aether core now.” Raelia said. A second tiny aether core inside her had just begun.
Clalyn spoke softly, “Can I send for my personal healer to confirm?” It was a question directed as much at Eliyen as at Raelia. Eliyen nodded, and Clalyn left to do so.
After he left, Eliyen asked, “What do you want to do, Raelia?”
The fork in the road. She only had two choices if the child was not stillborn, raise it or send it Freiveira, a city high in the mountains that took in half-breed babes. Raelia couldn’t answer—she hadn’t thought that far ahead. “You have time,” her mother said.
Her father left that night, not talking to Raelia again. Eliyen said he just needed time to sort out his emotions, but he would always be her father.
Five days later, the old dwarf healer arrived and saw Raelia alone. Seeing Raelia, she grinned madly, “Got yourself shoved into stored into a mage’s space recently?”
Raelia cracked a smile, “No, not recently.”
“So what is all the secrecy about?” the dwarf healer said, leaning in.
Of course, her family would want to keep her shame secret. “I am with child.”
“Impossible!” she exclaimed. “You need another fifteen summers yet, child!”
Seeing Raelia was serious. The dwarf dropped her lightheartedness. “Let me check then.” The calloused hand of the dwarf healer tucked under her shirt and rested on Raelia’s belly. The hand was cold at first but quickly warmed as the old healer worked with her eyes closed. The dwarf’s breath slowed, and Raelia waited in anticipation.
The process seemed to take too long, and Raelia began to worry. Then the dwarf’s eyes shot open. “Had to be sure,” she exhaled slowly, taking a long breath. “A healthy child—of two races.” The healer now knew why the secrecy. “Am I here to take care of it?” She asked sorrowfully.
“No!” Raelia blurted, and the dwarf looked relieved. “How did this happen?”
“Well, I thought you would know that part. When a man and a woman have…”
The old dwarf had been joking, but Raelia wanted answers. “It is supposed to be rare! Impossible! I told him we had nothing to worry about it!”
“Calm child. It is a miracle. Not ten a year are born in the Kingdom, and yet millions of attempts are made to yield that outcome. Cherish the child, for what...” she paused. “Do you want to know whether it will be a boy or girl?”
Raelia hesitated before answering, “No, not right now.”
“Good. It is a healthy child, and from my experience, the child will be strong,” the dwarf healer said. Raelia knew she was referring to magical affinities.
“Thank you,” Raelia said, letting the healer return to her army duties. Clalyn left with the healer because he had been away from his men for too long. He was being deployed against the western border and the Telhians again, although no conflict was brewing as both sides were still recovering.
As the weeks melded into one another, Eliyen frequently found herself by Raelia's side, guiding her through the process. Raelia could now sense not only the pulsating core of the aether but also its rhythmic heartbeat. One undeniable truth resonated with her: she was resolutely determined to keep this child, even if it meant enduring the heart-wrenching agony of witnessing the child age while she remained lightly touched by time.
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Comments
Adam V
Content Edit: I feel like there is a bit of a contradiction between Raelia only teasing the Sentinel Knight in this chapter, but in a previous chapter she implied they slept together and Eryk wasn't her first human. Chapter 342: Raelia smiled wistfully. “Oh, my wing spent a few nights drinking with the king’s guard. Knight Raoul was more than willing to show me how the helm worked privately.” Based on her reaction, I pieced together what she was insinuating. I was not jealous—definitely not jealous. I bit my tongue. “So, I am not your first human, then?” Raelia blushed. “I—we—” she couldn’t continue, knowing it would be a lie.
Erick Thiemke
thanks for all the corrections. I read them when I edit the chapter and reply to the comment when I fix them then. dont think I am ignoring them
Adam V
Kind of funny that Raelia is so concerned about maximum lifespans when she was far, far more likely to get herself killed by a stray arrow, or her own spell, or a drake, or just about anything that moves in that world lol Edits: More likely, he would +[be] slain in a battle with some creature—she pushed that thought aside. [The]->[They] released each other.
Andrew G.
Keep cooking! I’m all in on this story line.
Erick Thiemke
epilogue of this book is her POV
Michelle H
What about Renna?
J. L. Mullins
It could be a program/monistary/etc. which has some magic around it that once the kid is put in, they CAN'T come out/be interacted with until they awaken as a form of protection. (Special dungeon that anyone who enters has to stay for X time, and they use that to protect half-blood children, etc.) She puts the kid in, comes and tells Eryk, and then he gets upset, etc. We can find a good way to make it work. 😁 [If dungeon, it can even be one that was specifically created/alterd to protect/nurture the children of the warriors of 'lesser races' as a kindness/boon from the dungeons, etc.]
Andrew Crews
As they stood on the deck [on → of an] Esenhem warship, she reassured Baldo as well. “Don’t worry, I am sure Eryk can take care of himself.” She watched him get smaller and smaller on the docks. She would see him again, she told herself. But growing up in a military family, she knew nothing was ever certain. She screamed into a pillow, causing Baldo to worry and snuggle into her on the bed. She was too young, too—just forty-eight winters. She shouldn’t have even been fertile for at least another decade. Eryk was only the second man she had [lay → lain] with as well. She had teased plenty of men in her time, like the Sentinel Knight of Gesedmuria and her fellow griffin rider, Rathael. But the first man she had lain with was Vaeril, the summoner. [But → However,] those two weeks were youthful experimentation, and Vaeril had been so patient with her. And then she had lain with his killer—was this a betrayal? She pushed that thought to the back of her mind. Her mind was already [churring → churning] on how to get home and worried about how her mother and brother would receive her. More likely, he would [slain → be slain] in a battle with some creature—she pushed that thought aside. The ambassador was slightly too pompous to realize that he had been posted halfway around the world [remove comma] because his presence made it difficult to stand in the Regent Courts. She covered the 350 miles from Cambal to Viloril in just four days. Baldo’s stamina was increasing rapidly, and she felt proud of her black griffin companion. Once he fully matured, he would be able to make that flight in less than a day. He needed more focused combat training, but she knew he would match or exceed Moonclaw in time. She landed in Viloril, and suddenly, the butterflies hit her. Her family estate was just three miles down the road, but she hesitated, choosing instead to linger at one of her favorite open-air taverns. When the proprietor recognized her, she flinched [—not because she had planned to turn back, but because his familiar greeting made everything feel real.] She was home. She was close. [And soon, far sooner than she was ready for, she would have to face her family and tell them everything.] The weight of that truth settled heavily on her chest, making [each bite of her meal taste like nothing at all.] After finishing [two tankards of water she barely remembered drinking,] she gathered herself and led Baldo down the road. Her father was not as happy with her fighting prowess. [“You have not devoted much time to training.” → “You have neglected your training.”] She wanted to rebuke him because she had trained harder in her time with Eryk than she had in her time with the Riders. Of course, she didn’t and endured it. Clalyn’s arrival was bittersweet for her. It marked the end of her excuses for withholding the reason for her return home. Clalyn’s hug and jubilant face were [welcomed → a welcome sight.] He had protected her [her → throughout] her entire life. The question was if he would continue to do so once her news was spoken aloud. Raelia couldn’t answer—she hadn’t thought that far ahead. [“You have time,” her mother said.] Her father left that night, [not talking to → without speaking to] Raelia again. Eliyen said he just needed time to sort out his emotions, but he would always be her father. Seeing Raelia was serious, the dwarf dropped her lightheartedness. [“Let me check then.” → “Let me take a look, then.”] The calloused hand of the dwarf healer tucked under her shirt and rested on Raelia’s belly. The hand was cold at first but quickly warmed as the old healer worked with her eyes closed. The dwarf’s breath slowed, and Raelia waited in anticipation. Raelia hesitated before answering, [“No, not right now.” → “Not yet.”] As the weeks melded into one another, Eliyen frequently found herself by Raelia’s side, guiding her through the process. Raelia could now sense not only the pulsating core of the aether but also its rhythmic heartbeat. One undeniable truth resonated with her: she was resolutely determined to keep this child, even if it meant enduring the heart-wrenching agony of witnessing the child age while she remained [lightly → barely] touched by time.
Mr. Smith
I have to wonder if Eryk had been a little more open with Raelia and let her know that Eryk could potentially have at least a long of life as Raelia - Raelia would also been more forthcoming about her pregnancy. Or at least lessen Raelia's fear of watching both her lover and child die of old age.
Sparkley Unicorn
I think the controversy is more so she was planning to terminate the baby, drop it on someone else or keep it all without Eryk knowing anything. Idk how long elf pregnancies last, but they made it sound like it would be under a year. So she plans to have the kid, and just not tell Eryk until they maybe one day see each other again possibly I don't know. It's just kind of scummy, and was hoping for better from the character. Now there's gonna be extra drama when they meet again and she's just gonna be "urmagurerrr he's cheating on me and I've been replaced after no contact in a year and hiding his child" it's just disappointing, which in a way, is just good writing. Haven't particularly liked her character much, but as a main reoccurring character, I had hoped for better
Douglas Brackett Jr
As said it is your story to tell, but I am not a fan of the child being hidden from the MC for such a simple reason as your spoiler implies. Raelia is strong enough to tell her parents she is pregnant with a humans child but can't find a way to tell the father that she claims to love? It kinda feels out of character.
Enk
btw, there's nothing 'controversial' about pregnancy, or the dramas around it. You'd think it has just been invented.
Andres919
So the the kid is born but doesn’t have the affinity to live a long time. Erik explores dungeon to travel to another world and give his kid the time affinity :)
Apophixas
All the most abundant and powerful void mages are in Tehlia though specifically BECAUSE of the their otherworld blood. So yes, they do cross generations. And yes, parents being more powerful AND having reinforced affinities, does in fact make it easier to pass them on. This is easily known both from information directly given on the subject in the story, and from what can be inferred through various happenings and anecdotes. Eryk being a powerful otherworlder, with many reinforced stats, and Raelia herself also being a decently strong mage, with a good number of reinforced stats thanks to Eryk, means the likelihood of their child being born with really good affinities and even physical stats isn't just possible, but also quite likely. Hereditary affinities only grow significantly weaker over multiple generations, and it's only particularly bad when the parents don't have similar affinities at similar levels, or only have weak affinities, though these issues do cause the weakening of affinities to grow exponentially, rather than gradually. Things which we know are actively mitigated by the powerful families of the world, by arranged marriages and the like. Eryk and Raelia's child is all but guarenteed to be powerful in their own right, and even more so if you consider the resources they are likely to have access to, but it's that child's children where the affects of hereditary affinities diminishing will start to truly show, if they don't also end up with someone with extremely strong and compatible affinities.
LogicalGay
I really enjoyed this POV, getting that right balance of emotion and building future plots. I think that if you intend to leave the child out till they're a teenager is fine as long as Raelia tells Eryk about the child when they next meet. Some obvious obstacle that can be barriers between him meeting the child early could be Raelia's noble house prejudice against humans or having the raise the child in their ways before interacting with outside infleunces. Eryk could need to marry Raelia to properly see his child in their early years or build up greater personal influence before such an arrangement is possible. That is if Eryk even comes to terms with him having a child or desiring to meet them at all; it is a might blow to find out your lover left to have a baby without your knowledge and suddenly springing it on you. Could also allow Eryk time to help build up Castile's clandestine operation, harvest valuable runed weapons or essences(Water, Eneregy, and shaping) from dungeons or get some alone time monster hunting. Also Eryk does not have to be a good father or dad, he can have thos flaw and work it later if that's to your preference.
Mason
This is awesome. The reason I like this story is the MC has to overcome real issues. Don’t bury this kid in the future, make it a NOW problem. The story has drifted from an Earthling struggling in a new world to an OP monster cruising thru dungeons. Politics with a half elven baby will create friction. Friction = better story!
Erick Thiemke
we are halfway though book 6, four books to go in A Soldiers Life but you will get the direction of the last four books after this one is finished
Owen Jones
I thought we don’t know a gender? I’m hoping for a son.
Owen Jones
So Eryk settles down and becomes a mage?
MacMahon Wenzl
I could see that as a possibility, but just minor in comparison to where the child was conceived. Who knows what an ancient Titan-level consciousness with the power of a dungeon would/ could do?
MacMahon Wenzl
I agree. Based on the rough outline of the time frame in the story, Raelia most likely became pregnant during the dungeon dive. The dungeon, being an ancient and aware Titan conscious, could have totally done something. Where are the research papers on "The Influence of Dungeons on the Process of Child Development" or "A Child's Susceptibility to Extreme Levels of Magic in Unique or Special Conditions"
DominusIgnis
I'm so hyped for this new arc. I'm imagining God of War like interactions but having the inner monologuing of Kratos who in reality is just a parent making it up as he goes along.
Enk
Yer all jumping to conclusions, kid could still be born with feathers.
Aiden Wilker
This is probably the best written chapter so far!!! It was well executed and really draws on emotions. I really hope she does not keep this a secret from Eryk. Eryk being a father would be a good way develop his character and mature him. The kid could easily be used as a plot point/catalyst for a lot of adventures for Raelia and him!
Aiden Wilker
I completely agree with Daemon Ursus. Give the world and Eryk enough time to settle out while he is taking care of the kid and Raelia. Or he can do more local quests trying to establish himself a reputation. By building his reputation he can draw in hounds onesies and twosies to protect his family. If he does this it could cause a pressure point in the empire between the emperor and Rayna. It would also be a way for Rayna to find out about Eryk.
Mark Corwin
Most likely she got prego in dungeon. Can't wait for Eryka junior to start kicking ass.
Aiden Wilker
DISAGREE Strongly
Chachi
how so it just adds another whole dynamic that takes away from eryk and his adventures cant see eryk playing house seems like a cliche corny plot
Brett
Uncle Maevith will stuff that child so full of channeling essences the kid will hit 100 before he’s 10. Oh man, just thinking about inherited effects regarding the absorbing of essences!!! When are the next 100 chapters going to be ready???
Brett
Raelia was stored in Eryk’s space for quite a while, “what if” that helped break down her bodies barriers to passing on the space affinity gene… and the time gene as time does not pass inside storage… the child will be born and have the ability to slow aging like Eryk can, something he will have to finally explain to Raelia
Bananaboat
a retarded one
Lemes
Considering that this child was conceived inside a dungeon and under its influence, I wouldn't doubt that she could inherit her father's attributes, even if he is from another world. But this is just a guess, and it all depends on what the author wants.
Page
Oof. Could you have it be that Raelia thinks it does end in a stillbirth, and have the child hidden from her too? Then it becomes way harder to place hate on Raelia for Eryk not being in the kids life. Could also lead to a longer time apart as Raelia is grief stricken, also gives Raelia a relatable reason for not telling Eryk.
PatronTurtle
I thought it was just greatly reduced each generation. And I was thinking Eryk's well-inflated stats will probably be partly inherited
Silver Beard
As I recall, Otherworld affinities don't cross generations. The child might not get any of his advanced Affinities; but certainly, all the 'new' ones he acquired after arriving.
MacMahon Wenzl
Oh, so this is how you tie the stories of A Soldiers Life and A Mages Life together...
SUlex
@NovaZero that would be the perfect pretense for the child being somewhere safe while Eryk deals with the empire. It brings the story back to the continent with all the other characters, too.
Jordan A
I think the concerns are less about be/staying with Realia and more about being kept in the dark and away from his kid
Erick Thiemke
I think my mind was thinking, "I told him we wouldn't have to worry about it!" but I wrote something different or grammarly corrected it to the above
Erick Thiemke
I didnt reread it yet. Still digusting the comments, but I thought she said once the healthy child was born she would tell him
Doritoscrunch
Why does Eryk need to be/stay with realia?
Doritoscrunch
I think I like this as MC has lots of progressing to do and won’t by tied down by family
Jake ChangedLater
I was not expecting that. 👍
NovaZero
Honestly Eryk finding out could be a good hook for him to go back and start hunting hounds and cleaning up his past mess.
Chachi
relax its just an opinion faggot
Jordan A
“I think he’s the type of guy to understand.” I’m not trying to start a flame war so don’t take this harshly. When I hear this comment I can only think you don’t have kids or a strong relationship with your Dad. A kids early childhood experiences with their parents sets the tone for the relationship they have with their parents through their teenage and adult years (with some infrequent/rare exceptions). You can’t claw back those years. To have them stolen from a parent, no matter the reason, can not be understated or explained away unless for extreme circumstances. These are not extreme circumstances.
Jordan A
Yea…just kill the baby since it’s inconvenient…great idea 😳. God I hope people like you don’t reproduce.
PatronTurtle
The child is probably gonna be an amazingly powerful mage, given the parents. Gonna be interesting
Jordan A
It’s getting to a point where Eryk being so secretive about some of his abilities is a little bit ridiculous and beyond paranoid. Eryk needs to start dialing that back going forward especially if he’s going to have relationships or a family. He should have already laid those cards on the table.
Jordan A
I have to agree with the other comments stating how bad an idea it is to not let Eryk see or know about his kid tell his teenage years. What man, no matter the circumstances and who isn’t a douche bag, wouldn’t be absolutely furious that he was kept away from his kid. Having a child is a turning point in anyone’s life and can’t be written off or casually pushed to the side so easily. If you do this than any positive or even congenial relationship between Eryk and Realia is not possible. This is your story, but please rethink this story line.
Samuel Lévesque
Agree with some of the other comments, I like the idea but not the idea of hiding it from Eryk for so long. I think the best would be to come up with a story reason why Eryk is not as present in the child's life (not sure if the half-elves are physically different that much, but if not you could have Eryk not be as present early so that the child could be passed off as a full blooded elf for its early years.
Eddie
tftc. Tension and buildup and the reveal to her family was good. Ignore the hate author, write what you want to write. Though I do agree with others that kids are hard to write. I know you are cooking something good here though. Excited for their eventual reunion. Hope it doesn't take too long.
Ivan Kanewske
Some Elf lore, age 50 to 100 is a human teenager, marriage is looked at around 150 to 200. So for an elf she is on her own and alone with other races at a very early age
Ivan Kanewske
I am glad you show she has remorse, is scared, even though she is in her upper 40s, almost all eleven lore indicate that they don't progress as fast mentally, which may be the wrong word, emotionally perhaps, for their age compared to other races, perhaps maturity is the word, but their progression lags behind other races until 60 to 80 years, then you suddenly have an adult elf. We get some reasoning, later I am sure we will get guilt as to why she doesn't tell Eryk, also classic is the mother's father walking out, and then maybe he will be privately witnessed doting on the child, or never have anything to do with the child. Anyway Thank you
Ivan Kanewske
“It is supposed to be rare! Impossible! I told him we had nothing to worry about it!” Maybe remove the last it, Doesn't flow quite right
Ivan Kanewske
“Got yourself shoved into stored into a mage’s space recently?” Add, and, after into, Change second into to in “Got yourself shoved into and stored in a mage’s space recently?”
Ivan Kanewske
raise it or send it Freiveira, Add a to raise it or send it to Freiveira,
Ivan Kanewske
She could sense her father’s anger simmering and was lucky to have Clalyn and Eliyen her to moderate Her to here
Ivan Kanewske
As they stood on the deck on Esenhem warship she reassured Baldo as well. Of the esenhem Replace one of the on with of the
Ivan Kanewske
he would slain in a battle with some creature—she Would be slain Add be
Kim Simpson
I’m really enjoying it. Keeps us guessing can’t wait for Eryk to explore this new city and characters!
Daviculus
I’m not sure if affinities can be passed down to children but it that’s the case it might be interesting to see Raelia put two and two together about some of Eryk’s affinities especially time and a certain aging spell when the child is tested and has a whole bunch of high rare affinities. She might then realise she royally screwed up even more by not telling Eryk about the child. But either way really big fan of your work and this is definitely my favourite book series hands down.
saber
Excited to see the reunion!!
Daemon Ursus
Personally, I do agree, it is a cop out on your part. It's your story, at the end of the day, you can do what you would like, but I personally think you should rethink the situation. You are a good writer, there is no reason you cant handle the complexities that would come from a temporary shift in tone while he raises his child and protects it and Raelia for a decade or two. I actually think it would be quite good for the story as well. It would provide a nice break from more direct adventure and action, and allow him to consolidate his gains while learning more about the world he is in. It would also allow you time to do world building either through non main protagonist chapters, or by just having them be somewhat secluded and hearing about greater world events sporadically. Which in turn would allow you space and time to build events in the greater world for his next challenge. Especially because for the both of them, the 15-20 years it takes to raise the child would be a blip time scale for them, but long enough that the world can consolidate from the massive political shifts that it is currently undergoing. I wish you well in your writing, but I do hope you will take the risk and detour for long enough for their relationship to not be damaged by her betraying his trust and not telling him about his child just so you dont have to write about it. It would be nice for them to have a healthy relationship instead of a contentious and bitter one. Personally, I like the idea of him having something stable with her, rather than him wandering aimlessly and banging his way through the world with whomever catches his fancy at the moment. She could be his anchor of stability that keeps him grounded as he develops and becomes increasingly powerful.
Mark P
You should probably figure out how raelia can tell Eryk. I think he's the type of guy to understand. He's not chomping at the bit to be a stay at home dad but would want to be part of the child's life. I hope it's a boy.
Ghost
I see a lot of hate for this development in the story in the comments, but to me, it makes sense progress wise and adds some spice to the story. Author don't listen to people too much about what to do and just do what you feel like would be best for the story.
Mina She
One of the things I love about the story is that the characters come and go as needed by the plot , it’s one thing I feel is not done well in this genre. MC’s companions end up needing some serious plot armour to keep up as they don’t have the advantages the MC has . I am guessing Raelia isn’t integral for the next arc hence her exit. Are they going to meet before their son becomes a teenager ? Because don’t see how their romance will survive a decade. My two cents, the MC doesn’t need a serious romance. You have a good thing going. Eryk is a free spirit moving from place to place without any serious commitments. It gives the story a lot of room to grow. There is no need for a relationship to be honest at the moment his character is too selfish and immature for that . There is absolutely no reason to not tell a serious girlfriend that their greatest fear is not an issue. Their relationship felt more like two teenagers, caught up in feelings without any serious thought(so did the Renna one too) Que the pregnancy and running to mummy. If that’s the vibe author you are going for, cool. But if it’s not … Personally so far the relationships and more emotional sides of the story have been the weak points. Things are started up and then avoided which just makes the whole thing unnecessary. My point is it really neccessary for Eryk to have a child , is it important to the plot and his character development, is it a thing that you want to fully explore with all the possible consequences? If not it’s just unnecessary drama for drama’s sake and it will weaken the story. No offense meant.
SUlex
I'm fine with the direction you are going, BUT it has to be executed perfectly. The story just got a bunch harder to write.
Zabuza Momochi
Interesting chapter I think that if she believes he is dead or can't find him then it will make sense for Eryk not to meet his child for fifteen years what if while fighting the hounds the inn is burned down and the group goes into hiding or maybe her family has to hide the baby because it has such high magic attributes
SUlex
I'm wondering how much potential the child will inherit from Eryk. I would imagine that even if the child only gets about half of Eryks potential, that he would be an absolute monster. At some point they will have to check the attributes of the child and realize just how much of a monster Eryk really is. Finally Eryk's anxiousness of revealing any secret is coming back to bite him. If Raelia knew of Eryk's long life and power she would surely act differently, the elves might even invite them into their circle. Otherwise I think its very cruel of Raelia to not let him know. I dont think a notoriously distrusting Eryk can forgive her for withholding that information. That is one of Eryks predominant character traits, for better or worse.
Justin Biebow
Certainly a lot of push back on this plot twist... I think that it's a understandable turn on the part of Raelia, especially the emotional deafness on her part (it's always been a character weakness on both of their parts, add in a ticking time bomb and it's doubly so). I think any letter or announcement about the newest and apparently least welcome addition will be a plot driver going into the next book or at least a detour on his extended odyssey. I for one feel a lot more at ease with your artistic direction after this POV change. I haven't seen many not fumble the ball out the gates with throwing a pregnancy/kid into mix, but I think you've got it.
Vincent Mason
Yeah, Eryk and his kid with the stupidly high time Affinity are going to surprise her by living a long time.
Salvo
You JUST had a scrying witch influence Eryk’s life. You could write in a message was delivered to Raelia, and shift the reason to a vague foreshadowing than just ‘talking things out is hard’. ‘The child will die if the hounds hunting him know it exists’.
Gwalmeich
As long as Raelia sends a message to Eric that she's pregnant, and that the author finds a way to integrate Eric's child properly into the story, it could make for an interesting narrative. I think I remember the story starting with Eric going to someone's "shotgun wedding"; I think Eric's new stepfather should drag him at swordpoint to his own. It would be deliciously ironic.
Silver Beard
I agree; Eryk should have mentioned it, but it never worked with Author's plot. I would think in a decade or two when Eryk doesn't age as a human should that the secret will be out. Perhaps the rumor will get back to Raelia. He's either going to have to admit it or start moving around changing his name like some 'Highlander'.
Steven Savage
I absolutely think it's fine for Raelia to not tell Eryk at first since the baby was likely to be stillborn. But I also think that now that she knows that the baby will be healthy that she should tell him. There's no need for a time skip for the baby or anything. Don't be afraid to write them as parents. There's a journey for them to explore being adventurers while raising a kid. The only other option would be to write some kind of kidnapping of the child and/or an event where it seems like the child is killed but in reality is still alive raised elsewhere by another entity that wants the mixed blood for some reason. I assume that the child was conceived in the dungeon which could also play into whatever reason that entity wants the child. Still, I'm in favor of Eryk and Raelia being parents, raising a possibly highly adept/magic potent child.
Chachi
or send it to the mountains
Chachi
she should abort imo
Jamie Idle
Remember always it is Your story. The babe can always have a happy life with Uncle Maveith on the isles while his parents adventure. You can make it work without the drama
Jamie Idle
You know it is cruel of Eryk not to tell her of his ageless spell
P3t1
I agree with the dude saying coming up with a reason for why Eryk can’t be in the kid’s life growing up despite knowing about them is the play. I don’t know, but I got the feeling Eryk isn’t the type of guy to forgive hiding something like that, so Raelia hiding it and him not hating her for it would feel out of character. Just saying, in case that’s not where you’re planning to take the story. I can also see this as the reason for why he’d break things off with her, lack of trust and respect.
BubblyGhost
I understand where you're coming from author bro, it would likely be difficult to write but you're sort of putting yourself in a corner here. I think at the current point in time Raelia can be excused as it's an unplanned pregnancy and she wants help from her family. But waiting till the kid is a teenager is extremely difficult to explain from any logical standpoint. You can't have your cake and eat it too. Either some sort of dramatic process will have to happen that takes the child away for a number of years (whether that be kidnapping, death of Raelia, some sort of health hazard [but still Eryk should know for that one, would also make good motivation if you want him to search for a rare 'cure' or something], new villain, etc) or you keep the kid around with minimal screentime as the story progresses and enough time has passed to where the kid can be an actual character. I'd say do the health quest thing, but not sure how it slots into your road map for the story
NovaZero
Eh. I can totally see Eryk sort of guessing or incidentally teaching the kid slow aging and get back at Raelia
NovaZero
"You have a time affinity? W-wait." She will need a bit to work through the logical conclusion. "YOU HAVE TIME AFFINITY?!"
Erick Thiemke
Always open to suggestions. Raelia shouldn’t seem like the bad guy. She was protecting Eryk. Delaying telling him helps move the story foward but I hoped to put enough in there that she isn’t demonized
Justin Barnett
Alternatively, you could have her tell Eryk and then explain that for the child’s safety he needs to stay away until the tensions from the recent war settle down. That seems more reasonable than just not telling him.
Robert Jacobs
I was with you till she ran off with his kid lol
Justin Barnett
Maybe there could be severe consequences if it became known the father is an ex legionnaire. Like both Eryk and the baby being put at risk or house glaviens reputation being destroyed.
Robert Jacobs
wow if that is true then damn. Write your story man and I dont have to like every character. Really looked like they could make a good match but stealing his chance to be any kind of dad to is own kid is a fast way to make Raelia unbearable and good way to make that kid resent both parents. Hope when Eryk finds out about this he never works with her again in any way.
Erick Thiemke
It would bog down the story. It happened in town builder. I think a teenage child will work in the story. It is just a draft and the chapter could be deleted and I not let the readers in on what is happening behind the scene
Andreas Olsson
go team Raelia and Eryk
Nick Nicholson
Well that’s a guaranteed way to ruin the story
Gwalmeich
Raelia, you sweet summer child, thinking you will outlive both Eric and your child.
mehmed zepcan
My brother in Christ or Muhammad or flying spaghetti monster why the f would you add this political bomb into your story for B's copout drama this one post deadaz turns me OFF from the entire rest of the story i wish you the best bro but I'd rather had the female mc die on that ship g and had our mc go thru a depression/ murderhobo arc then this type of garbage plotline respectful good luck on your endeavors idk if I'll come back but regardless bro thank you for your storytelling up till today.
Andrew
Thank you!
Patrick Benham
🙊
M van Dongen
Boink.
SleepingNight
Well that was definitely a surprise, and a interesting turn of events. Thanks for the chapter.
Erick Thiemke
Eh, it is only 12:50 in the morning...10 minutes earlier than normal. Not an easy write for me but good practice. So Spoiler: The MC will not see the child till teenage years. I know a big cop out on my part and maybe you will hate Raelia for it. But she will keep coming up with reasons not to tell him. It does not mean that she will not see the MC at some point before then but not in this book.
