Allow me to present: Chapter 1 - Cutting my vacation short is not a good way to start my day
Sound-Crystal recording, Survivor Interrogation, Whitefield Research Outpost Incident
Interrogator: Roger Edelfeld
Subject: Charles Silverlock
So how do you want me to do this?
Start from the beginning? Fine.
Long ago the world was naught but primordial chaos, where storms raged and the earth shook raging, where-
What? Oh, you only meant the part where I come in. My bad.
Look, we both know what happened so there's no need to sugarcoat it: It was an absolute catastrophe and the fact that we, the Templar Order were involved at all should be an example of how NOT to handle these crises. As for the incident itself, I was barely involved. I was sent there for who knows what reasons, since I never bothered to read that far into the heads up letter they sent me. All I know is that everything went pear shaped days BEFORE I arrived, and for most of that time, I wasn't even awake. I mean for Void's sake I- What? Fine.
I'll start over, from when I was still in Morlin...
It’s been days since I returned from my previous mission, I’m tired, I’m spent and all I want to do is just repair my equipment, then lay back and concentrate on my own hobbies, instead of whatever mess that I’ve been sent to fix. Fortunately, I recently managed to extort some downtime from him and I intend to use it to its fullest extent. By that I mean working on some obscure problems in enchanting and alchemy. Call me a workaholic, but I find it a uniquely relaxing activity. And relaxation is exactly what I need to take my mind off things. So I sit at my workbench in the middle of my chambers, crafting, infusing, weaving and carving magic into any shape and form I desire. It’s a mentally demanding process that consumes your attention for days at a time, just like this particular instance. My concentration is interrupted by a knocking sound coming from the door. My attention returns to reality and I notice the rays on sunlight filterin gin through the windows and skylight. It’s morning already? I must have worked all night. It’s not that surprising to anyone who has spent time around me. I get up from my workbench and make my way to the door. I undo the latches, yes, latches I’ve installed after my dear little sister Mary decided to double down on sibling rivalry. Having undone the latches, I open the door to find a fox waiting for me, a very specific one at that: The Grand Templar’s personal messenger. This can’t be good.
"What is it, can’t you see it’s too early for this?" It really is too early for this. Her posture shifts to a frightened state.
"F-Forgive me, sir. The Grand Templar has requested you presence in his office, sir." What does the fossil want at this hour?
"Tell him I’ll be there in an hour." With that I close the door and head to the sleeping area of my chambers, taking off and throwing my dirty clothes into a growing pile next to my bed. I head over to the bathroom and use an enchanted bracelet on my left hand to activate the enchantments on the bathing pool, signalling it to prepare a warm bath. While the water warms up, I take new clothes out of my drawers and arrange them on my bed: underwear, made from wool enchanted to be especially comfortable and waterproof, wool socks, cotton shirt, pants and belt, and a pair of sandals made from infused black pine wood. I also prepare a pouch containing a modest charge of mana.
Having done that, I wait for my bath to warm up, then I step in and clean myself up. After drying myself, I don my clothes and make my way to the door. I step out and lock the door and start walking. I make a detour to the kitchens to grab some breakfast and to gather some gossip. My efforts on both fronts are fruitful. There’s still a loaf of fresh bread waiting for me and rumour has it that Seer Brahn has found a lover for himself. I don’t have much time to dwell on the fact that the shy guy has found someone to drool after even as I make my way to the Grand Templar’s office, which for some reason is located on the opposite side of the College as all other important buildings.
I arrive to the bouble doors separating me from the source of my newest annoyance and I waste no time in opening them and stepping in. The old man is in his usual place, at his desk, going over what looks like a letter, judging by the messenger pigeon sitting by the open window. It’s at that moment that he deigns me worthy of being adressed.
"Good. You’re here earlier than I expected. I’ll be straight to the point: You’re being given a new assignment." What?
"Good morning to you too, grandfather. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I distinctly remember you giving me a few weeks off from my duties." The worst part is that I already have my calendar full.
"I know that, but this is an urgent matter. Your involvement wa specifically requested."
"Really now, who would be desperate enough to want ME involved? is it bandits, warlocks, witches, rebels, or perhaps-"
"Be quiet and I will tell you!" he snaps at me. I go deathly still. He isn’t usually this easy to rile up. It must be serious.
"Alright, I’ll bite. Who do I have to bail out of the fire, and where?" I’m not exactly the kind of Templar who’s suited for diplomatic missions. My talents are more suited towards… More overt operations tha sometimes require covert overtness along with firepower. You should know that already, given that I was apprenticed to Master Raynaud… Yes, the very same one.
"There’s a situation at one of our research outposts. Your mission is to investigate and resolve whatever problems that might have occured" He gazes at me with that look in his eyes. You know the one. That ’everything has gone to hell and I need you to un-[censored] this’ look. Yeah, there is such a look. I’ve been in this longer than you and I’ve seen it enough times to recognize it.
”Okay, so someone’s pet experiment has gone wrong, what’s the catch?” I’ve been to all of three of those outposts and none of those trips ended well, and they usually involved a great amount of fire, none of which were my fault.
"You should be familiar with the location, since you’ve been there before." I don’t like the tone of voice you’re using old man "In fact, your prior experience with the locale will be useful in completing your objectives." Wait, he can’t mean- "Your destination is near Whitefield." Damn it, old man! Have you lost your mind?
I’ve been to Whitefield before. I don’t like the place, and its people, specifically the Elector Lord living there doesn’t like me. At all. In fact, I nearly died the last time I was there. The only thing that saved me was the fact that I’m a high ranking member of the Templar Order, with all the perks that it grants me to this day- Huh? WHY was I almost killed there? Well, I got rather close with his daughter and let’s leave it at that.
"I’m sorry, but what? You DO remember what happened the last time I was there, right?"
"Don’t get so irritated, you won’t even come close to the town itself. Your destination is in the highlands." ah, the Whitefield Highlands. Situated south of the Whitefield ruins and north of Whitefield town, also being the location of the Whitefield outpost. Very original naming scheme, no?
"Oh. Babysitting, then?" Please say yes, I'm in desperate need of an assignment where I can just lay back.
"We don’t know yet, that’s why I’m sending you. Considering your record so far, you’ll be able to handle it."
"So you’re sending me in blind? That’s new." Not like it’s the prelude to the kind of mission that makes up the majority my career, no sir.
"No, this time you will be traveling with an attache." he hands me an envelope "His name is Edwin Mercer. You two are to meet at South Belan, there’s a ship waiting for you." Wonderful. I get to be followed around by some muppet I’ve never met while most likely attempting not to die from some dangerous monster or crazed mage.
"How much time do I have to pack up?" Knowing the old man, not much. But I can still hope.
"You have until tomorrow morning to reach the ship." You’ve gotta be kidding.
"I should go then." At this moment I get ready to haul [censored].
"You may do so. Dismissed." Whatever. Prick.
And just like that, I take off towards my chambers, arriving there in record time. I throw off my casual wear and open up a secure trunk containing my equipment. A pair of gloved vambraces, containing enough mana pearls to last days and engraved with a variety of patterns and runes to act as focii during combat. A pair of boots goes with them, their soles enchanted to provide grip in any terrain. A utility belt and bandoliers, holding a dozen pouches reay to be filled with crystals, scrolls, bolts and potions of all kinds. Next: artifacts of all kinds, charms I’ve gathered over the years, followed by a fighting dagger covered in runes and holding a flawless gem at the base of its hilt.
In the most secure and locked down compartment lies the crown jewel of my collection: The suit. THE Suit. I don’t know who made it. I merely recieved it as payment from a certain dragon for a big favor I did for her. It doesn’t look like much. Pads of enchanted light armor that go over the knees, elbows, pelvis, spine and collarbone. All of that is connected by a gray, leather-like, magic absorbing mana-weave, its thin layered patterns seemingly imitating the structure of human musculature. All of that combines into what I can confidently say is the most advanced mage gear in the world. It protects its wearer from most spells used in combat and it can keep its occupant alive in nearly every biome found on this planet, execpting perhaps the ocean itself and the lava filled calderas of active volcanoes. It’s a piece of art, a monumental achievement of crafting and arcane engineering. And I have absolutely no idea how it works.
I waste no time in pondering the mysteries of my most valuable gear as I quickly slide my nearly naked from into the suit, engaging the buttons that hold it together. I put on my boots and buckle on the belt and bandoliers. Last step: buttong up the topmost button. With that, the suit just, contracts, into shape, for a lack of a better term. It goes from slightly skinny to full skintight in a metter of seconds. The best part: I can’t even feel the material chafing up against my skin and body hair. Out of all features that one may be the most practical, followed directly by its streamlined shape. Moving towards the door, I remember to throw on some loose clothing and cloak bearing the sigil of the order. I also make a quick detour to my alchemy station, filling up some pouches with any potion I might need in the field. I put the dagger in a concealed pocket on the inside of the jacket covering my suit. I also grab a pouch filled with money, seeing as I’m going to be traveling to a place that’s not so fond of me, a bit of cash for bribery would help out.
All of that done, I step out and close my door, this time going over the wards and locks multiple times. When I turn around, though, I find the one face I didn’t expect to see. Mary, looking none to happy at my appearance.
"Going out again, Charlie? I thought you were on vacation." Yeah, no wonder why no suitor has even approached her. She’s intimidating when she’s angry. And her hair really brings out the fury in her eyes.
"I was supposed to, but you know me. I simply can’t get enough of work." Jokes on you, sister. between the two of us, you’re the workaholic.
"That so? You haven’t forgotten about the courses you promised to lecture this year, have you?" Yeah, but only AFTER you guilt tripped me into doing it. I sigh, giving up on any argument I could even attempt to mount against her.
"Look, sis. This is urgent business. Can’t you find someone else? At least for the next three weeks or so?" Her expression shifts to further annoyance.
"Fine. But you owe me for this, do you understand?"
"Crystal. If you’ll excuse me, I have a ship to catch. Goodbye." And just like that, I’m off. I try not to think about the angry sibling I’m leaving there, or how much I just managed to ruin her day-
"Yeah, goodbye you dummy. Just try not to kill yourself..." That’s… new. She’s never been this sweet before. I waste no time pondering that revelation as I make my way to the stables and commandeer the fastest horse I can find.
By sunrise on the next day, I’ve arrived at the harbor and would you look at that, there IS a ship waiting for me. Even better, it looks like it’s one of those fast courier ships, the ones that can go from Wrethwood to Edinmire in less than two weeks. Judging by the weather, we’ll be near Twin Lakes in mmere days. That cheers me up a bit as I approach the docks. I call the captain and present him with the envelope I was given. Reporting in goes better and smoother than I expected and I’m on board in no time. He also informs me that ’the other one’ arrived a short while ago. I inquire about that and he points a man on deck who doesn’t seem to fit in with the rest of the small crew. He walks up to the me and the captain and I’m once again pleasantly surprised at my shattered expectations.
That’s when I’m introduced to Edwin Mercer.
AN: Okay, this is it. The first chapter, or should I say Prologue to my first ever work of writing. I finally have the time and excuse to put my imagination on paper, or should I say on keyboard.
One thing you should know is that I have the whole thing planned out, from beginning to end, it's the middle I'm unsure of. Also, as you've noticed, the whole thing is told in first person present tense. This is a stylistic choice. The narrator IS narrating his experiences as he remebers them, in the context of an interrogation.
Having said that, I hope you enjoy this fustercluck masquerading as amateur literature because I'll be updating this until the end of the writing contest, maybe even beyond depending on the situation.
2017.11.18. OK, I completely rewrote Chapter 1 to make it flow better into the rest. Chapter 2 is ETA Monday, November 20.
2017.11.19. Changed the title since I wasn't too satisfied with how it flows, and removed the NSFW tag, given the slight change in direction.