“This means the conjured claims are true, then?” Gail said with a snort.

  “And here I thought I was special,” the shade reaper chimed in with a grin.

  “Our situation just got a whole lot more complicated,” Jensen said. “So the Sacred Cipher scroll has been found? Do any of you two know what the Sacred Cipher does?”

  Rook and Reina both shook their heads in the negative.

  “You get a wish.” Carrick stroked his beard. “Or so the legends say, there are also passages about unbridled power and abilities. Men and women with multiple classes and hundreds of skills, thousands of skill points. We’ve had Sentinels in the long past go for the Sacred Cipher. All died.”

  “It’s a quest that must be taken seriously. There are times when an essential quest can be put on hold for training and other skills, but this one. Once you find a vision scroll, you must pursue the others. If the system recognizes that you are doing basic bounty quests, not in the pursuit of the Sacred Cipher.” Jensen gritted his teeth.

  “You die,” Phane said. “My scribe partner had a Sacred Cipher quest, but was killed by the Bloodstone. If there’s anything that the Bloodstone hates more than conjured.” Phane looked directly at Rook. “It’s those who pursue the vision scrolls.”

  “So you see the grave situation, right?” Carrick asked.

  “Of course we do,” Reina responded. That time in the Mine of Struggle was the most difficult time in my life, but the most fulfilling training I’ve had.” She looked over at Rook and nodded.

  “I agree and I understand the responsibility on our shoulders. So what do we do about it?” Rook asked.

  “Well, you see, that essential quest we’ve come across many times in the past, where the Sentinels have attempted to go and find all of the scrolls. However, there are two reasons this is different. Firstly, the Bloodstone are pacing threat,+ and escalating their methods. They’ve become an inevitable direct opposition, whereas before they were just a major annoyance.” Jensen crossed his arms as he walked across the stage. “Second,” Jensen began. “You, Rook. Many of the conjured are given abilities that can help them survive Yorthon, wherever they’re placed. But you seem to have more gifts than normal. With you, we have a chance to bring peace to Yorthon.”

  “Exactly when we take down the Bloodstone, it will be because we have the power greater than their blood queen, and that is where you come in,” Carrick said, shooting Rook a sorrowful glance.

  “Reina, as the scribe, you’re going to be the one to catalog it all.”

  Quest Update: Find the Sacred Cipher

  Find the Vision Scrolls 1 of 8

  Kill the Blood Queen

  Rewards

  50,000 experience

  30 skill points

  Reina nodded. “What’s the reward for finishing the quest?” She asked.

  Rook cleared his throat. “I just got a quest update to stop the Bloodstone queen in my Find the Sacred Ciphers quest. It’s 50,000 experience and 30 skill points.”

  “Bless the maker system.” He looked at the other Sentinels. “I’ve heard from Jody, Arthur, Jinxor, as well as countless others, that you can use your Attramancy in an offensive manner. Now you say you can lift up enforcers.” He pursed his lips in thought. “There’s a man, an old Sentinel Scribe Commander named Jacob Riggs, who lives in Stain. Meet him and give him this.” Jensen handed Rook a note.

  Rook unfolded the paper. There were a number of squiggles written haphazardly on the paper. It resembled more of a doodle sheet than a letter of importance.

  Quest update: Find the Sacred Cipher

  Meet with the Scribe Commander in Stain

  Quest Reward:

  500 Experience

  Skill Book

  The objective was added, as well as 500 experience and a skill book. Rook smiled when he saw Jensen scowling at him.

  “You’re a nosy one, aren’t you?” Carrick said, with a chuckle.

  What could he do, he was a sucker for secrets. He looked around. “Where are my other friends?”

  “Oh, right,” Carrick said. “I’ll bring them now.” With a crack of his stave against the wooden stage, the other two appeared, just as disoriented and distraught as he was.

  “Mara, Al, we’re here with the Sentinels. It’s going to take a moment for you to adjust to the surroundings.

  Mara was breathing hard, but Al. Alderion looked fine, as if his vision wasn’t affected. Rook mentally kicked himself. Of course, the blind elf wouldn’t be affected.

  “By the Dawn, who’s here with us, Rook?” Al asked, shooting his head around the room at the powerful Sentinels. “The pressure is overwhelming.”

  “The ones in charge,” he said, glancing over at Reina, who was busy helping Mara catch her bearings.

  The Torokin’s breath was hissing out of her nose. She gripped the stage, her nails digging into the wood, “Is it like this every time?” She asked.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

  “Listen while you gather yourselves,” Carrick said, before focusing on Alderion. “Quite the party you collected here, Rook. I haven’t seen a Dawn Elf in a long time.”

  “You know my race?” Al asked, perking up. “Where are the rest?”

  “I don’t know, not many do.”

  Alderion rested, sat back, cross-legged, and let out a heavy sigh. “I doubted it, but it was worth a try.”

  Rook ran Mara and Al through the situation and the next objective as well.

  “How will we get to the new place? On foot?” Mara asked, standing to her feet. “ I don’t mind walking, but I’m not sure the others will fare so well without horses. They don't have the constitution of the Torokin.”

  “We’re allowing you to utilize our war wagon, we don’t have horses, but you can buy them from the stables as well.”

  “What’s a war wagon?” Rook asked, interested in something that might resemble a tank.

  “It’s from the Orcish wars, created by a Scribe genius. It is packed to the brim with runes that make it the perfect travelling option,” Reina rattled off from memory, then blushed. “What can I say, I love history.”

  Mara nodded thoughtfully. “Thank you, we graciously accept,” she said.

  Who died and made you the bovine queen? Rook smiled at his torokin friend.

  “Now that we are in order, this location is secret, so you’ll be returned to the historical society,” Jensen said, with a frown.

  “Jody’s funeral will be one week from today. I know he’d appreciate it if you were all there.”

  Without a further word, the world was bathed in white light. The flash was so instant that it overloaded his senses. He was on his hands and knees on the front porch of the historical society.

  His group looked like a bunch of discarded children’s toys, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. “Alright, up and at ‘em, guys.” He helped Reina to his feet and then Al and Mara.

  Rook sighed and looked at Reina. I think we’re gonna be busy for a while. He stared at his current quests, and the chatter from Phane faded out. After reading the descriptions he shared the quest with the party, then glanced at Al.

  “Al, join our party. It’s going to be a long and probably treacherous journey. Accept my invite.”

  Would you like to invite Alderion Kai to the party?

  Y/N

  Yes.

  Alderion Kai was added to the party.

  He smiled; the party was growing and strong at that. Then he scowled as his command presence activated. What’s there? He looked around but didn’t recognize anyone who posed a threat.

  “Let’s go back and get some rest at the tavern,” Reina said.

  “I’d love to grab a quick meal before we go, I am starved,” Rook said.

  Mara cleared her throat. “I’d like to run back and see Kay, can I meet with you all at the tavern later? There’s current events, I wanna check out.”

  “Yeah, but be careful,” Rook said, patting his friend on the shoulder.

  Mara said. “I’ll meet you at the Stumbling Ogre shortly.” With a wave, Mara walked away.

  “Please be safe,” Rook said, waving back.

  They continued until they found a spot that sold kabab type meat sandwiches. The spiced meat beckoned them to stop. He gave the woman at the stand a handful of copper and grabbed three kebabs. “Mara’s gonna miss out on these,” Rook said.

  “Indeed,” Al said, taking a bite.

  Rook bit into the sandwich and his eyes widened. Reina’s similar reaction told him that this place was on the list of good eats of the city. Taking the time to walk and eat, they walked the streets until the familiar and welcome sight of Brianna’s tavern, the Stumbling Ogre came into view. Reina asked them to wait outside and walked into the tavern.

  Raucous noise bled out from the open doors into the street. Rook gazed around at several people near the entrance, all in colorful states of drunkenness. A man against the wall had vomit dribbling down his face, another with boils marking his nose, and mean-mugged Rook and Al.

  “Is there someone here who wants to fight us? I can feel ill intent.” Al clenched his fists. “I don’t need my blade.”

  “Don’t worry about it, they just aren’t a fan of my winning smile.” Rook smiled brightly. “Look who it is,” he said, waving at Mara.

  The Torokin waved back and joined the duo. She was equipped with a new set of black hide armor; she herself looked freshly groomed as well. The unkempt mane she had was braided down the length of her head, accented with copper rings. Wow, someone cleaned up.

  Reina walked out of the tavern moments later with Brianna, and the savory smell of beef stew wafted out. Wiping her hands on her apron, she walked up to Rook and gave him a large embrace. “I’m sorry about Jody. I know it’s only been a few months, but he was a good man.”

  Rook nodded, hugging the woman back. He didn’t have time to think about it, but he really needed the hug. “Thanks.”

  Next, she hugged Mara. “Always a pleasure, glad you’re back safe.”

  Then she focused on Alderion and lifted his shawl. “I’ll be damned, you’re an elf, and if you’re with them, one of the good ones.” She looked at the combative patrons outside. “You’re all drunk, go home before I call Phane to come and arrest you lot.” She regarded Mara for a moment. “You look as if you’re having a good time,” she said, with a grin. “Bet it was nice to go all out on some enemies.”

  Mara nodded, hitching her greatsword up on her shoulder.

  The drunk men obliged, putting on hats, gloves, and other accessories. Grumbling and muttering, insults no doubt the whole time. The tavern owner gestured to them to follow her around the building to another door. Another entrance? The door led them into another tavern similar to the one upstairs, but where that one was a rowdy scab, this was a small speakeasy. These were the bars that Rook really liked to go to, small and intimate as opposed to shouting over the music.

  The gentle thrumming of footsteps and the bard’s singing were barely audible through the floorboards.

  “Welcome to the underbelly of the Stumbling Ogre, the distinguished cousin of the bar upstairs. Here, only my trusted bartenders and patrons I’m partial to are allowed to come. In fact, until I invite you in, the ward on the door outside makes it invisible.”

  Rook looked at Reina; the sweet smell of buttered corn almost knocked him flat. He didn’t need the nagging reminder of the Narrator or Maker or whatever it was to tell him he was hungry, thirsty, and tired as a dog.

  “Mommy!” A small dapple-skinned Torokin yelled, running up to Brianna. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you more, my little calf,” Brianna said, nuzzling into the Torokins’ neck. “But boy, you’re getting big and Mommies getting old.”

  Rook, heart dropped. This is why she is so secretive of this place, her kids here. As well as her affinity to Torokin. Out of a back room in the corner nearest the bar, another Torokin came out. He walked with a severe limp, as if one leg was crushed. The cane he held was adorned with jewels and intricate markings, with swirling black lines from the bottom of the gold cap to the top.

  He felt a hand on his shoulder. Mara? He turned to face the swordwall and smiled.