Dragon Sorcerer 1- Chapter 36 (Patreon)

Chapter 36- Surprise

Unfortunately, when I found Cami she was surrounded by the adventurers. They were locked in conversation, but then I heard her voice in my head. “Morning. I’m sorry I was so angry yesterday. We need to talk about what you did, but I know you were only trying to look out for me.”

A part of me wanted to let it go there, a big part. She had essentially let me off the hook, but I thought about how Wasnera and Tra’vis had related to one another. Their bond seemed so close, and they clearly thought of each other as partners. Heck, the orc had even grown wings, which I had to believe was because of his connection with my ancestor.

Then there were Draconis and Reegor. I didn’t see them actually bond, but the feeling of the connection from the dream had been too similar to what I feel with Cami. And the hints of danger? A forest that size disappearing, could of course naturally happen over a long enough period of time, but I didn’t believe that was the true reason. Something had happened with the horrors, those creatures I had already encountered.

The way they had been described by Reegor as being from another place made sense. The one I had fought didn’t feel like it was anything that belonged in this world. I didn’t know exactly what it meant, but somehow dragons and humans had been involved. No, even that was a denial. I knew more. I just didn’t want to admit it. Then again, who wants to think of themself as a horse?

When I walked over to the table they were at, Serius seemed rather upset, at least his face was red and that is the best giveaway for humans. He stared at me. “What do you think this is, some type of charity? Or maybe you think we’re running a merchant caravan."

I shrugged. Not really in the mood for attitude from a human. The only human I really wanted to talk to was Cami. When I turned to face her without answering him, Modessa snorted in laughter.

Serius demanded, “Are you going to answer me?”

I spun on him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about?” I loomed over him. He was physically pathetic, but I needed to remember he was supposedly the most powerful of their group. I couldn’t take him for granted.

Lisella put her arm on Serius’ arm. “Calm down. You didn’t explain what you were talking about and just jumped him instead.”

Cami spoke up then. “I was telling them about the arrangement you made with Daggin.”

I nodded. “Oh, is that all? Yes, I want to bring a smith with me to Urgoi. He is quite talented…”

The wizard cut me off as he said, “It isn’t going to happen. I’m not going to pay more to cart his materials to Urgoi and even if we did, there is no guarantee that some wanna-be smith could manage to set up a shop in the second most important city of the entire empire.”

Modessa asked, “Are you sure?” She held up her hands. “I know you’re angry about not being consulted, but given Nico’s history he isn’t used to having to ask anyone before he does things.”

My jaw must have hung open at that moment in my shock. It was hard to say because normally, my long tongue would have rolled out of my mouth and hung low, but that wasn’t how the human mouth worked. I just couldn't believe that Modessa was supporting me, but then I saw Cami’s face and knew that she was the one who Modessa was truly supporting. She must have decided that I was a necessary evil if she was going to be Cami’s mentor. Which of course raised all kinds of questions in my head about what Cami might have told her or what she had figured out on her own.

Modessa continued, “I inspected the spear that he sold to Cami as part of their deal. While it isn’t the type of weapon that I would have chosen for her, it is excellent craftsmanship and only lacks actual enchantments to be considered a worthy weapon for my apprentice. She is also interested in learning about blacksmithing, which matches with her pursuits. His dwarven blood means he likely has an XP based blacksmithing class, so he could be a valuable instructor for her.”

“Then let him find his own way there. As I said, I’m not running a charity.”

Liam was in the back being quiet, but grinning at the drama. Modessa looked at Cami and gave her a slight frown, indicating she was giving up. Galbrecht was still upstairs, which seemed strange enough as was, so that left only Lisella to change Serius’ mind. I had given my word to the smith and wasn’t planning on backing out.

I shook my head. This felt rushed, but after what Galbrecht said and then the dream, maybe it was the way things had to be. “Will you pay to honor my agreement with him, if I agree to accept you as my mentor?”

The priestess grinned from ear to ear. “I’m sure we can arrange that. It sounds as though he is quite talented. It’s a shame for such talent to be wasted out here so far from true civilization. But, we will have to come to terms.”

Then she stood and walked towards the wing she had rented in the inn. She looked back over her shoulder and asked me, “Join me in the courtyard?”

I turned to follow her and heard Cami’s voice in my head. “Be careful. Don’t do anything you don’t want to.”

Even yesterday, I might have replied contemptuously to the idea that I would need protection from a single human or that a human was needed to advise me, but the dream showed me differently. There was more to this, and I felt oddly warm in my chest that Cami took the time to worry about me.

“Galbrecht says she is actually a good woman and will be a good mentor. He said that much of what she does is more of an act, although, I’m not sure exactly what he means.” It was a big deal for me to admit my ignorance to Cami, but if our connection was what I thought it might be, then there was no reason to hold back.

“Oh, you are too precious sometimes, Nico. You make me feel like I’m worldly and wise, which is saying something. But, Modessa said much the same thing as Galbrecht.”

As I replied, I tried something out, “I will use caution and get the best deal I can get, but I have feeling that Daggin will be important for our future, my bond.”

I felt the oddest tingling coming through the connection we had. A second later, Cami said, “Thank you for that. I’m sorry for being jealous. I just don’t like the way she looks at you sometimes. Promise we can talk soon.”

“As soon as they give us some time alone. This telepathy gives me a headache.”

She giggled in my head at that and then I was stepping out into the courtyard.

Lisella was sitting on a bench and motioned for me to sit next to her. I shook my head. “I’m fine standing.”

“Okay, I can see this is going to be formal. Well, then, I am still willing to be your mentor. I will teach you about divine magic and you will commit to learning what I have to teach you. I will offer you an agreement in the system so that you know we are each bond to it.”

“I would need to know your terms.”

She scrunched up her eyes, and her flat face became all wrinkly as she was focusing. At least, I assumed it was that. I doubted a princess and priestess would be exercising her bodily functions here in the courtyard. How anyone thought she was so beautiful was hard for me to understand. Humans had the oddest of tastes.

Then a notification popped up. I examined it and found it to be her proposal. There were parts that I couldn’t agree with and I thought about what Cami and I would need for the future. I focused my mind and made some changes to it before sending it back.

She read it and laughed. “Someone has a high estimation of their value. I admit you have some interesting potential, but I can’t pay you 100 gold per month as an allowance. The church won’t go beyond thirty and I’m going to have to dip into my own personal funds to pay more than that. I’d have to ask my father if I went beyond 50.”

“I can live with 50 gold per month. And the other terms?”

“I’d say you are being overly cautious, but then again, someone is blocking us from seeing all the details about your status. If I’m going to agree to protect you in the way you’re asking, then I’ll have to have my goddess ratify it, too.”

I thought about that for a moment. I had my own agreement with her goddess. The dragon dream said that the gods were not exactly friends of dragons, but that they were true to their own nature. A goddess like Miseria should be honest, and she had kept her word up to this point.

“Very well, I agree.”

With that, she made a minor change to the agreement and then it came back to me as a new notification. After reading the first line, I skimmed through some of what seemed like a basic statement that probably came with all such agreements and focused on the specific terms.

Lisella Forlay has offered to become your mentor acting in both her capacity as a grand priestess of Miseria and princess of Forlay.

Current offer:

1) Instruction in all general divine magic and as allowed by Miseria the specific domain of the goddess of healing.

2) Preferred placement in classes based upon mentor’s status.

3) Provision of private tutors for other pursuits which you are gifted in.

4) An allowance of 50 gold per month plus purchase of any specialized gear deemed necessary by the mentor. The first month's allowance is due upon your acceptance of this offer.

5) Sponsorship to the adventurer’s guild after completing your first two years at the university.

6) An oath to keep all secrets related to you and your abilities secret, sharing them only with her goddess and anyone you allow her to share them with. If at any point Miseria orders her to share information about you with others, Lisella will release you from this agreement and allow you thirty days to travel as you wish before sharing any details about you with others. You will be paid a severance of 1000 gold if that happens. All matters concerning Camille Westfork will also be included in this oath.

Do you wish to accept this offer?

The sixth point was obviously the most important, and I went back over it. I understood the final provision and why it would be necessary for a priestess. She was already saying that she would protect me even against any political allies she might have, only reserving her service to her goddess as more important than my secret.

A part of me was laughing as I pondered how she would react when she found out. She might actually end up showing me what a princess looks like when she messes herself in a courtyard full of flowers.

While considering it another notification popped up.

This agreement will allow Miseria, goddess of healing to provide information about you to her servant, Lisella Forlay. Her protection against others discovering your secret will continue, but note that once a secret is told it can never truly remain secret.

With one more moment of hesitation, I accepted the offer and then willed my stat sheet to my new mentor. Her gasp and the widening of her eyes were just as satisfying as I had expected, as I let out a low chuckle.