Spellheart 9: Chapter 27 (Patreon)

In the end, the Satyr Demigod got the short end of the stick. He would languish in Sam’s prison until a better use for him came up because the Satyr King wasn’t willing to part with him for anything I deemed worthwhile.

But I was happy with merely getting a Sacred Grove of my own to play with. The idea of toying with the Satyr’s magic was the first thing that had really excited my curiosity in a while.

“You play a dangerous game...” Ethan shook his head after the Satyr King stormed off in a huff. “You are aware the Sacred Grove you get is likely to be trapped in some way? It will probably sabotage your Spirit Arts through some sort of energy conflict. You’ll have to pay special attention to what seeds the elven and fae agents are sewing in your grove.”

“Oh, I fully expect it to be boobie trapped,” I laughed. “Don’t worry. I wasn’t lying when I said my curiosity was scientific. I’m eager to get my hands on the thing and figure out how they work. Think about it, power that grows like plants! And apparently, you can sacrifice the power others spent their entire lives gathering to fuel your spells...” I shook my head in wonder.

Ethan didn’t seem as convinced. “I was never too impressed by Sacred Grove magic. For all its power, it lacks versatility. But if it’s truly just a research project, as you say, then I don’t see the harm. I’ll see to it that you’re granted full access to the Cult of the Unblinking Eye’s libraries. A few of our number have dabbled in research, and many others have collected manuscripts from the Elven Star Dominion. There might be something of use in there for you. At the very least, there will hopefully be enough that you will spot whatever duplicity the Satyr King tries to spring on you. We’ll send someone with the requisite information for you to read through at your leisure back home, though the truly important documents will have to stay in the library here at our headquarters.”

I eyed Ethan suspiciously. People of this world were reticent about sharing information. Knowledge was power, after all. And where knowledge related to cultivation, that was all too evident. That he would offer such a boon so freely was odd. I said as much.

“Why are you giving me this for free?” I asked.

Ethan smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder. “We aren’t like the elves, Theo. They may be primitive and backward, but we humans have to stick together. That’s the whole reason the Cult of the Unblinking Eye was formed.”

“Not to dominate the world through evil mind control?” I raised a brow skeptically.

Ethan laughed. “Dominate the world? No, of course not. Well... maybe, if you mean nudging the average elf in the direction that would make life most comfortable for us. And yes, maybe we use a bit of mind control here and there to do it. But really, we’re not all that bad. We’re basically a gentlemen’s club. We look out for our own members, and that’s that. So what if we break a few eggs to keep our members happy? We’re an organization founded by humans, for humans.”

“I think I see where this is going...” I sighed, realizing Ethan’s true objective behind his generosity. “You want me to join, don’t you?”

Ethan patted my shoulder. “You are already with us in spirit, if not by oath. Which is why you now have access to the outer library. Oh, and by the way, here’s a gift. Consider it a token of goodwill between the Cult of the Unblinking Eye and you. Hopefully, it paves over a few of those little bumps in the road you might have encountered before today.”

My mind flashed back to the little bumps in the road Ethan referred to. Nearly getting assassinated by Illiel, to start with. Spreading their agents throughout the Deanian Queendom for another. Compromising Illiel’s mother, only to lose her to the Witch of Frozen Blood later.. Perhaps even being the party responsible for nudging the Dragon Swarm toward Deania and away from their own homeland.

No... there were a lot of things about the Cult of the Unblinking Eye that I was still very upset with them about.

But they’d been surprisingly helpful in mediating the dispute between me and the Satyr King. And Ethan made a much better advocate for the organization than any other member I’d yet run into.

I’d come here like I’d been ready for a fight, but I was leaving with a cooler heart. Before, I’d thought conflict with the Cult of the Unblinking Eye was inevitable, but now I wasn’t so sure. Maybe I really should try to join the cult and change it from the inside.

Ethan produced the gift he mentioned and pressed it into my hands. Opening the box that held it, I realized it was a book.

“The Dual Cultivation Technique,” I said as I read the title aloud. “I have something similar to this.”

Ethan nodded. “I know, the one Dean shared with you. His version is essentially a modification of this one. He and Sam were associates of the Cult of the Unblinking Eye when we were developing it, though the technique has come a long way since then, thanks to our constant and tireless research. I’m sure you’ll find it a considerable improvement to whatever he shared with you.”

I held out my hand, thanking Ethan for the gift. I turned, gathered Sam and Dean up, and together we left the Cult of the Unblinking Eye compound after a surprisingly successful negotiation. The Cult of the Unblinking Eye had come across as a much more helpful and welcoming organization than I expected from my past experiences with them. It was hard to believe Ethan belonged to the same group Tim came from. The two seemed so different in approach and mannerisms. Ethan seemed like someone I could actually work with.

But despite how well things had gone, I couldn’t help but feel like this wasn’t over yet...

***

I was still in a good mood following negotiations, so I wanted to stay in the city longer. Besides, it seemed like Sam and Dean were still having fun.

“Let’s tour the city. For real this time,” I said to my companions. “This is our best chance to walk the streets. As Patriarch of the Hearthwood Clan, it’s my duty to look for new opportunities on missions like this.”

The others nodded, and soon I was joined on the streets by Mayatania, Amisra, and Yorik. Mayatania wrung her hands and wore a hood over her head, eyes darting left and right nervously as if she expected a Satyr to leap out of the shadows at any moment. She didn’t still until Yorik placed a comforting arm on her shoulder.

“Relax, Mayatania,” I chuckled. “I won’t let anything bad happen to you. I just crushed a whole bunch of Satyrs. If any more of them show up, they’re toast now that I know their weakness. Even if they’re demigods. Stick close to Yorik if you’re nervous.”

Amisra was a lot more excited. Her eyes sparkled as she roamed the streets, eyes darting from one sight to another.

“The only city so grand in Deania is the capital, and I never get to enjoy myself there. Everyone recognizes me as the captain of the Royal Guard, whether or not I’m in uniform,” Amisra said, face beaming.

I ran my hand through her hair. “Well, now you get to be a civilian for once and see how the rest of us live.”

“Look at those statues!” Amisra exclaimed, pointing at rows of life-sized marble carvings lining the street. They depicted human heroes frozen in triumphant poses, their faces etched with pride and determination. We’d seen the big ones from the air already, but these were a lot more up close and personal. Like the bigger ones, every one of these statues depicted human men.

“Indeed, they are impressive,” I agreed, studying the intricate craftsmanship. As we continued our tour of the city, I couldn’t help but notice the sun-kissed skin of the scantily clad elves all around us. Their allure was undeniable, and more than a few of them were looking my way, some even bowing in my direction. I thought elves were a little too interested in me back in the Hearthwood, but the elves here were on an entirely new level.

“Are these elves always this…” I hesitated, searching for the right word, “…attentive?”

“Yorik and I asked around. Apparently, it’s part of their culture,” Amisra explained, shrugging her shoulders. “They respect humans quite a bit. Some might even say they outright worship you, the chaka. It’s no wonder they’re showing you such deference.”

“Still,” I mused, my gaze lingering on a fetching elf maiden who had just bowed low before me, “it’s a bit much, don’t you think?”

“Perhaps,” Amisra replied, a wry smile playing on her lips. “The only question is if you’re here to stare at the sights or the people.”

“Both,” I said, tearing my eyes away from the mesmerizing sight of elven beauty. “But let’s make this a productive sightseeing trip before we leave. I still want to secure trade and supplies for the Hearthwood Clan. Let’s walk through the commercial district and see what we can buy.”

Finding the commercial district took asking for directions a few times. Everyone we talked to seemed extremely respectful when talking to Amisra. At first, I thought they were simply a very polite society, but their darting eyes told me it probably had more to do with my presence.

“Alright, first let’s find some spells and trade goods for the Hearthwood,” I announced to my companions. Mayatania nodded, still looking nervous as her eyes darted left and right, looking for Satyrs, no doubt. Amisra flashed me an eager grin.

“Sounds like a plan, Theo.”

As we walked through the city streets, I couldn’t help but notice that the prices I was being offered for various items were significantly lower than what the locals seemed to pay. I thought at first that Deanian Queenmarks were more valuable than the local coins, but after seeing the local coins, they seemed about the same size.

“Excuse me, shopkeeper,” I said, addressing an elf who was offering me a collection of alchemy ingredients at a price that seemed too good to be true. “Why are your prices so… accommodating?”

“Ah, Master,” the elf replied with a bow. Her hair was pulled back in a tight bun, and her face locked in a permanent smile. “It is our honor to serve you. We are more than happy to provide you with the best deals possible.”

“Very well,” I said, still feeling uneasy about the situation. Nevertheless, I purchased the alchemy ingredients, knowing they would be useful back in the Hearthwood.

I left that shop quicker than usual and then stepped into the place next door. This looked to be a store selling spells and techniques, all behind lock and key. It seemed customers weren’t allowed to read the spells before they purchased them. I approached the elf standing behind the counter with a smile on her face. “Can I see your wares?”

“If Master allows this humble servant to display her meager wares, then please follow me,” the shopkeeper led me behind the counter to a room full to bursting with bookshelves, each laden with scrolls or hide-covered tomes. “We have a selection of spells and techniques that might interest you.”

“Let’s look then,” I said, curious to see what this city offered. The elf seemed a bit too polite, and getting called Master by a stranger was odd. I kept that stuff in the bedroom. But maybe other cultures had other ideas of what was polite. While I was in their country, I would adapt to their ways. As I browsed through the selection, I found several unfamiliar spells that piqued my interest.

“Amisra, come look at these,” I called her over, wanting her opinion as well. She joined me, her eyes lighting up as she examined the scrolls.

“Wow, these could really expand the options for the Heartwielders, Mage Acolytes, and even True Mages in the Heartwhood Clan,” she said excitedly. “If you’ll allow me to make a copy, I would like to share them with the guard recruits in the capital…”

“Then let’s purchase a few,” I decided. “The more variety we can offer our clan members, the better.”

“Of course, Master,” the elf shopkeeper chimed in, giving me an incredibly low price for the scrolls. I couldn’t help but feel a little guilty about taking advantage of her generosity, but a few new spells and techniques would go a long way in the Hearthwood Clan. I threw in a few extra coins for her. With my wealth, I would have had no problem paying full price. She didn’t even bother counting my payment and just kept smiling at me the whole time.

“Thank you for your help,” I told the shopkeeper as we finalized our purchases. I still couldn’t quite shake off the feeling that something was off with these elves, but there would be time to ponder that later.

“Let’s keep shopping,” I said to my companions, dropping the scrolls and alchemy ingredients off into my Dimensional Storage.

As we left the shop with the scrolls in hand, I glanced at a nearby store displaying an array of more traditional books. My kids could benefit from broadening their horizons and becoming more worldly. I motioned for my companions to follow me as I approached the bookshop.

“Mayatania, Amisra, Yorik, let’s find some souvenirs for the kids while we’re here,” I suggested, scanning the shelves filled with fiction and history books. “Most of them have never visited foreign lands before, and with the end of the Seventh Golden Age coming, they may never get the chance to visit places like this one.”

“Sounds like a great idea!” Amisra chimed in, her eyes brightening at the prospect of picking out presents for my kids. “I read now and again as well. I’ve always wondered what stories people from foreign lands enjoy.”

We browsed through the books, and I was impressed by the elves’ understanding of mathematics and geology. “These would be perfect for Argona,” I mused aloud, holding up a couple of books on scientific subjects.

“And these would be perfect for me…” Amisra said, scarlet blush on her face.

“What’s it about?” I asked curiously.

Amisra shrugged, gripping the book tightly to her chest to her chest. “It’s a story where the main character gets hit by a carriage, dies, and her soul is transported to another world.”

“Sounds fun.” I bent over her to peek at the cover, but she kept holding it tight.

Eventually, we both took our books up to the counter.

The shopkeeper, a stunning elf with long, silvery hair, gave us both a warm smile as we finished shopping.

“How much for these two?” I asked. “I have to warn you, we’re foreigners in this land. We’ve got zeal crystals, Deanian Queensmarks, and Macmarks, but none of your local currency.”

It hadn’t been an issue in any of the other shops. Gold was gold, after all. But I thought it best to warn all shopkeepers ahead of time. Most nodded and said that was fine, but this one was a bit stranger.

“Master, if you allow me the honor of kissing your boots, I’ll gladly give you these books for free,” she said, her voice trembling with excitement.

“Excuse me?” I replied, not believing she was serious. To my astonishment, she knelt and pressed her soft lips against my boot. What had the Cult of the Unblinking Eye done to these elves?

“Thank you, Master,” the shopkeeper murmured, standing up and handing me the books with reverence. I nodded in appreciation, still feeling uneasy about the situation.

“You’re welcome? Anyway... let’s find something for my other kids while we’re at it,” I suggested, wanting to shift focus away from the bizarre encounter. I dropped a fistful of money on the counter as I left and continued to the next shop, selecting various books for each of my children. However, the other shopkeepers were getting handsy.

We stepped into a weapons shop so I could grab something for Comela. “Excuse me, do you have anything that would work well for a True Mage sunlight cultivator? It’s a gift for my daughter.”

The elf behind the counter dropped to her knees before speaking.

“Of course! Anything and everything you see on the shelves is yours to take from as you wish. No payment necessary.”

I furrowed my brows as the elf clasped her hands in her lap as she knelt, forcing me to crane my neck and look down at her.

“Won’t you go bankrupt offering me so much free stuff?” I asked. “What if I cleaned out your shelves?”

There were a lot of useful odds and ends on the shelves. Most would be quite valuable to the average heartwielder or mage acolyte, though true mages would be less impressed. The shop owner was only a mage acolyte herself though, so I had expected little.

At my words, she pressed her forehead to the ground before me and knelt even lower.

“Master, you are clearly wise and care about the success of this establishment. I would be honored to make you the legal owner of my entire store. Allow me to hand ownership over to you.”

I took a step back. “That’s not necessary. After all, you need money to survive and hopefully improve your cultivation to True Mage. I can tell you’re trying hard.”

There were clear signs of a recent breakthrough on her. She looked like she was using zeal crystals to progress through the Mage Acolyte ranks. It was a brute-force method, and one that took a lot of money, but it worked. For a shopkeeper, earning money to buy zeal crystals would be a far more reliable means of progress than going out and risking her life on adventures and battles.

The shopkeeper blushed. “Master! I’m flattered that you care so much about my goals. I think you would be better at managing me to meet them than I would be. Please accept me as your personal servant. From now on, I will yield all my decisions to you,” the shopkeeper offered. Her eyes were filled with desperation and devotion.

“Thank you, but I decline,” I replied reluctantly, feeling odd at the overwhelming sense of submission I was feeling from this elf’s mind. We needed to leave this city as soon as possible. I looked around the streets to check to see if anyone was looking at the odd sight. Sure enough, a dozen elves stared in at me with their faces pressed against the storefront glass.

“Please! I insist!” The store owner pleaded on her knees. “I have the deed right here! I will swap my name for yours! There is a collar on the shelf in the back as well.”

She crawled behind her desk again and started fiddling with a safe. I decided I’d had enough shopping for the day. Being treated like this outside the bedroom was... weird, to say the least.

I grabbed a few expensive swords and amulets off the shelves, then dropped off zeal crystals to pay for them. They were only Mage Acolyte level gear, so a single zeal crystal would be more than enough. But this elf seemed a little addled in the head and could probably use all the help she could get.

“Let’s return to the Hearthwood,” I said to my companions as we tucked the swords and amulets into my Dimensional Storage.

“Wait! What do you want me to do with your store?” The shopkeeper asked as she finished writing my name on the shop’s deed.

“Uh… keep running the place as usual. And invest all the money back into yourself!” I shouted as I slipped back outside. Hopefully she’d get the hint to just keep her store, or whatever was causing her to act with such an overwhelming sense of submission wore off when I was no longer present.

My companions followed me out into the bustling streets of the city, pushing through our growing crowd of gawkers as they did so.

“Are you alright, Theo?” Mayatania asked, her brow furrowing with concern as she studied my face.

“I’m fine,” I forced a smile as I shook off the weird experience. “Just ready to get back to the Hearthwood.”

Yorik grunted, adjusting the bags on her brawny shoulders. “This place is creepy.”

“It is getting a little odd,” Amisra chimed in, her eyes flicking nervously around at the fawning elves, who continued to bow and scrape in our direction. “What do you think the Cult of the Unblinking Eye has done to them?”

“Whatever it is, it’s not our business,” I replied firmly, though the truth of the matter gnawed at me. “Our priority is the safety and well-being of our own people. Let’s just pack up and go.”

As we made our way through the city, the strange behavior of the elves continued to unsettle me. At first, I suspected they were under the influence of some sort of mind spell, but if they were, it was well hidden.

I couldn’t spot anything with my own mind magic. Perhaps generations of mental manipulation had made the effects permanent, no magic required. I couldn’t help but worry about the potential consequences of such blind devotion, but there was little I could do about it. This wasn’t my nation or my culture, and interfering with it would only bring trouble down on my head that I could scarcely afford.

We returned to the Cult of the Unblinking Eye compound, where our airship was docked. Sam and Dean were still enjoying themselves, no doubt, but I had little interest in staying more than a moment longer.

The airship was just for appearances, anyway. I could return to the Hearthwood in moments, even without a Teleportation Array.

“Alright, let’s go home,” I said as I opened my Pocket World passage. Mayatania was the first to scurry through to safety, and she only lowered the hood she was wearing when she was safely on the other side. The rest of us soon followed.

<Note>

Remember, this is going to be the last Sunday chapter. Spellheart will take the position of my main novel starting soon up until its completion. We should reach the end of book 9 in about a month.