Zectas Volume V: The Sequestered Seminary of Sawtorn (8 page)

Smoke took a double take at the window. He could not believe what happened to his Alignment.
'I wonder how that will affect other NPCS?' he asked himself.
"Well, since I'm going to be staying here a while longer, I think I'll take a tour around the place," stated Smoke.
"You want me to show you around?" offered Cynar. "I've got nothing else to do for the rest of the day."
"No, no, I don't want to impose," quickly countered Smoke, not wanting to be followed around by Cynar all day.
"Alright, go right ahead. You're free to go wherever you want," said Cynar. "My den is your den."
Smoke looked unsure, but said. "Thanks!"
After he stepped out, the air became even thicker and heavier. He walked past some of the OrkElf children. Then, a curious incident occurred. He passed by Geisel's dungeon, and she instantly shrank back against the wall of her dungeon, the same reaction she did whenever Cynar passes her.
Already, Smoke despised his Alignment towards Evil.
Then, Cynar caught up with him from behind.
"Faux, Faux, I forgot something" called out the masked OrkElf. "If you're staying here, then I think you should have a special-room for yourself."
"Really?" asked a surprised Smoke. "I guess that would be nice."
"You know, Ayert used to stay here in the lair as well," said Cynar, out of the blue.
"Really? I did not know that," cordially said Smoke.
The masked Assassin's eye twinkled with excitement.
"This feels just like old times. This way," said Cynar, as he led the way.
They passed by the dungeon Jack was in.
"Hey, Jack, you have a new neighbor," said Cynar, jubilant.
The self-declared King of Thieves then fished for a key to open the cell next to Jack's. Yet, he dropped in right next to Smoke.
"Here, I got it," quickly said Smoke, making sure to pick up the iron-key. He palmed it for a while, before returning it to Cynar. "Here you go."
"Thanks," said Cynar and proceeded to open the cell. "This is it," said the masked OrkElf, motioning for Smoke to enter.
"Wait, I'm not going in there," said Smoke, carefully backing away from Cynar.
"Oh, sorry about that. Hahaha," laughed the owner of Diebe Den. "I see why you'd be hesitant."
Cynar got one of his knives from his pocket and knelt down next to the entrance of the open dungeon. He expertly took out one of the bolts on the cell-door.
"I used to be a Blacksmith's assistant when I was younger," explained Cynar. "I've had other odd jobs here and there. It wasn't until my sister died of illness that I became a Thief."
Cynar proceeded to the next bolt and said. "It was then that I promised myself not to become poor. No matter what I do, I'll never be sick or hungry again."
TING TING
The last two bolts of the cell dropped on the flattened cave floor, and Cynar left the cell-door on the side of the wall.
"There," said Cynar. "As you can see, no tricks. I don't plan on locking you inside."
"Thanks, I appreciate that," said Smoke, still hesitant as he remained outside the cell.
"Hey, Cynar, maybe you can do the same thing on my door," suddenly said Jack.
"Jack, always such a riot," sarcastically said Cynar. "Don't worry you're going back to the city soon. I hope today you don't come back empty handed. The last time you did well was that day you got that schmuck's bag of jewels. You really hit the mother-load on that one. I just spent half of those gems and bought five-hundred more dirus wolves."
Cynar chuckled loudly and playfully punched Smoke's shoulder. The thin OrkElf Assassin did not pack much of a hit, when compared with Sierra's Werebear form.
"What race did you say he was again?" Cynar asked Jack. "Was he a HighElf?"
"Yup, yeah definitely a HighElf," quickly added Jack, and kept his mouth shut.
"Jack? Hey, Jack, why so quiet?" asked Cynar. "No quick comeback? No witty banter? Are you sick?"
Smoke joined Cynar, in front of Jack's cell.
"Yeah, Jack, what did you call the one you stole the bag full of gems, again?" asked Smoke. "Schmuck was it?"
"I didn't say schmuck," Jack said defensively. "I think I said easy-mark, fair-game, or maybe light-weight? Never said schmuck."
Cynar clicked his tongue. "No, you definitely said schmuck. You even blabbed on and on about how he was willing to take you all the way back to the arena."
"Really, that schmuck was that gullible, huh, Jack?" menacingly asked Smoke. "I bet if he did know just what kind of kid you were, there's no way he would help you... now."
"Oh, come on, Faux, there's still plenty of kind hearted people out there," reasoned Jack. "I mean, look at Cynar, he let you into his group and even gave you a special-room while you're staying here."
"Yeah Jack has a point, Faux," agreed Cynar. "I mean, not to brag, but I have helped thousands of OrkElves already."
"Okay, okay, I get it," said Smoke, while glaring at Jack.
"Hm. Cynar, seeing as you're very magnanimous, I was wondering if there was a way for Jack and the rest of the nobles to be free?" asked Smoke.
"That might be true, but my hatred for the aristocrats are second only to the Orks," explained Cynar. "They're the ones who created a society to discriminate the OrkElves. They're the ones responsible for all the hardships in our lives."
"I see," said Smoke. He wondered if there was still a way to negotiate with him, but now he was doubtful.
"Although, Jack is a special exception to those nobles," suddenly spoke Cynar. "I've never felt the scornful eyes that I usually feel when he looks at me. Of course, that may be because he's my captive, but I'd like to think that we're really friends."
"Of course, we're friends, Cynar." hurriedly added Jack.
It was time for Smoke's scheduled breaks, and he also needed to get a new perspective on how to free Jack and the rest of the aristocrats.
"Cynar, I think I'll be taking a quick break," said Smoke. "I've had enough of my new neighbor for now."
"Oh, where are you going?" asked Cynar. "You want to go on that tour of the lair, now?"
Smoke wondered why Cynar was this friendly with him. He made a mental note to investigate on this further.
"No, no. I'm going back to my world for a while," answered Smoke.
"Ah! I see," replied Cynar. "Alright, just come look for me when you do get back. I'll also have your room modified so that... it will look more like a 'room' when you return."
"You don't have to do that," said Smoke, waving his hand strongly in dismissal. "How about you take me on a tour of the lair, instead?"
Without saying another word, Smoke quickly entered his special-room/dungeon and logged out.
 

* * * * * * 

Deep inside Diebe Den, within its tight, twisting corridors of a dimly lit cave, an unmasked Smoke was busy wiping off dust on his clothes. He had just returned to his special-room/dungeon, which was now covered with planks of wood over its iron bars, and a curtain for a door.
The new decor was less than pleasing to look at, but it did serve the purpose of giving him complete privacy.
Hours had passed since Smoke returned to Zectas, but only minutes in his room in the lair. He had to return for it was time to meet with Cynar, as they agreed to meet at ten in the morning.
Smoke took in one more deep breath before putting back his full earth-mask. He double checked his room, and then went outside the curtain.
"Oi, Faux, you're very punctual," greeted Jack. "Listen, about what Cynar said earlier—"
"Shh, forget about it," said Smoke. "You had to do that, or else you would have been punished, right?"
"Yeah, exactly! Not only me, but Geisel as well," added Jack.
"By the way, what can you tell me about this Ayert character?" inquired Smoke. He wanted to know more about the person Cynar would not stop talking about.
"Not much, just that he's been friends with Cynar for as long as I could remember," replied the captive boy. "Ayert also wore a full-mask, but his was brown, a bit like yours. Now, that I'm looking at it closely."
Smoke nodded, and prodded some more. "So, Ayert and Cynar were really close friends, huh?"
"Yeah, but there was one more member to their inner circle," added Jack. "I haven't personally met him, but everyone I asked, always says the same thing."
"And what's that?" asked Smoke, intrigued.
"That they are the male reincarnation of the Magietrois," answered Jack. "I know, I know. It is a bit of a stretch. In fact, I think that it was Cynar who made up the rumor."
"Who's their third member, and what kind of Job does he have?" prodded Smoke.
"Never had the pleasure of meeting him, yet," promptly answered Jack. "Well, he does travel a lot, and he is the reason Cynar's OrkElf army has grown to this size."
Jack scratched his head, uncertain. "In fact, I don't think he's even been to Diebe Den, yet."
"Then why do you know about him?" asked Smoke. "And what's his name? You forgot to say his name."
"Well, I asked the OrkElves of course," retorted Jack. "And his name is—"
Smoke eagerly waited for Jack's answer. Yet, the captured aristocrat did not have the chance to do so as a masked Assassin had arrived.
"Faux! Finally, you're back," said Cynar cheerfully.
The self-proclaimed King of Thieves went in for a hug, but Smoke quickly offered out his hand instead.
"Good to be back," said Smoke, while shaking Cynar's hand. "Any news on the whereabouts of Wertlosvati?"
"No," said a disappointed Cynar. "But I do have some good news."
"What's that?" asked Smoke.
"Blaise is back!" yelled out Cynar with joy. "He's waiting for us outside the lair."
Cynar eagerly ran ahead of Smoke, as if it was a race for the exit.
"Who's Blaise?" guffed Smoke as he chased after the agile Assassin in black. He had difficulty running and talking simultaneously, especially with the low level of fresh air inside the cave.
"He's the General of my OrkElf army," replied Cynar with ease. "He doesn't want to admit it, but he is."
As soon as they stepped outside, fresh air greeted them. Smoke wanted to remove his mask to breathe in the sweet pomegranate filled wind, but decided not to.
After taking a look around, Smoke saw at least a thousand new OrkElves, wearing worn-out clothes and rags. There were adults and children alike. Yet, all of them wore the same expression, tired and hungry.
"Cynar! I've brought a little over one-thousand-five-hundred new recruits," said an OrkElf, donning a silver Knight's full armor. He had an ornately designed flamberge on his right-side and a simple round shield on his left. The flamberge caught Smoke's attention. He had seen flamberges before, but never one with bronze-flames for a hilt. It was a thin sword for a Knight to use, but something about it felt powerful, intimidating.
"Although, there are three-hundred children, but the rest are fit to fight," said the OrkElf Knight.
"That's great Blaise! Good work as always," greeted Cynar. "But I also want you to meet our latest member," he said, pointing to Smoke, "This is Faux. He's an Earth Elementalist. Thanks to him, we almost got Wertlosvati last time."
"Really? That sounds impressive," Blaise said to Smoke, giving him a small nod.
Blaise then pulled Cynar away from Smoke.
"Are you sure about this guy? Just because he's a DarkElf doesn't mean he can replace Ayert," said Blaise.
Smoke wondered if Blaise intended for him to hear it, because he spoke so loudly, it was clear enough for him to hear from far away.
"Hey, it's not because of just that," reasoned Cynar. "I also tested him with my casting circle of truth."
"You know that cheap imitation of yours isn't reliable," argued Blaise.
"Regardless, I think that Faux is dependable," countered Cynar.
The two OrkElves returned to Smoke.
"So, Faux, aside from your abilities, what else do you have to offer to this army?" inquired Blaise, with his eyebrows meeting.
Smoke crossed his arms, and wondered what else he could do. "I also know how to train soldiers. Can I train the new recruits?"
"That sounds like a great idea," said Cynar. "Well, Blaise, what do you say?"
"Yeah, yeah. I would love to see how you train them," answered Blaise.
Smoke nodded at the two of them, and stepped in front of the new arrivals.
"Alright, Everyone!" shouted Smoke, as he addressed the crowd of hungry OrkElves, "let's—"
"Wait, Faux, before you begin. I want all of the new arrivals to take a rest," stated Cynar with authority. "Go on, unload your stuff and relax for now," said the masked Assassin.
"And give them a lot of water," quickly added Blaise. He signaled to the OrkElves inside the lair.
At once, the stationed OrkElves near the entrance of Diebe Den scrambled to serve them water.
The tired recruits welcomed Cynar's command. They immediately sat down on the ground from where they stood, and gobbled up the water that was offered to them.
Smoke nodded, appreciating the Cynar and Blaise's instructions.
'Looks like they had the same idea as me,' thought Smoke to himself.
In response, he created a fire pit with his Earth Manipulation. He also asked it to be filled with pieces of wood. Smoke then placed a large pot and added in water, stone deer meat, and various vegetables into the pot.
He resorted to using venison instead of beef from the ancient bison, as his stock on that juicy meat was almost depleted.
Yet, as he was about to light the wood with Igniz's flames, he forcibly stopped himself, and stared blankly at the pit.
'How am I supposed to light this, without using Igniz?' Smoke wondered to himself.
He thought about using a pair of the ember stones, and use them as a flint. However, the silver Knight OrkElf suddenly stood next to him.
"Need a light?" Blaise asked Smoke.
"Yeah," sheepishly answered Smoke.
Blaise casually took out his flamberge from its scabbard, and its blade was covered in orange flames. He swung his fiery flamberge across the firewood, igniting them into flames.
'So it really was a flame sword!' concluded Smoke upon seeing the wavy fiery blade.
"You like it?" asked Blaise.
Smoke's coveting gaze upon the sword was as clear as the Zectas sun.
"It's called Salamander's Tongue," added Blaise.
"So, you're a Flame Knight?" Smoke asked Blaise, trying to change the subject.
"Yeah," Blaise proudly answered. "You've heard about Elemental Knights? There are only a few of us here in Vitzytl."
"Oh, I'm originally from Chayotl Kingdom," replied Smoke, "and there are plenty of Elemental Knights there."
"And what brings you all the way here? A full continent away?" questioned Blaise.
"I'm looking for the Magietrois, and Cynar offered to help me by getting me into the Gagnant Tournament," answered Smoke. "After I help him eliminate Wertlosvati, of course."
"I see. So you're not here to join our ranks for good?" further inquired Blaise.
Smoke shook his head. "No, just until the Wertlosvati deal is over."
"I see. That sounds reasonable," said Blaise. "What is it that you're cooking, now?"
"It's called rejuvenison soup," answered Smoke. "Of course, I just came up with the name myself."
Blaise nodded, as he continued to observe Smoke's dish. "Looks like I might have judged you too quickly."
Without another word, Blaise walked away and pulled Cynar along with him.
After a few minutes, the soup was finally ready. Smoke asked the help of the OrkElves as they served the new arrivals with his soup.
The tired OrkElves hungrily wolfed down the soup, and kept thanking Smoke as he continued serving them more of his dish.