Chapterhopping...
Chapterhopping...
Chapter 1.30
An Antinium Worker who exhibits Aberration-like behavior by creating rhythmic noises, but remains peaceful.
aka Worker, the clicking Worker +5
The leader of the Antinium Hive, to whom Klbkch plans to report his findings about the unique human, Erin Solstice.
aka The Queen, Free Queen +6
A species of large, sentient insectoid people; one arrives at Erin’s door with a companion.
aka giant insect, Ants +25
Small inn where Erin is present; currently occupied by her. Noted by the Watch as having been abandoned years ago but Erin is using it; the Drake and Klbkch enter here to investigate.
aka the inn, Abandoned hilltop inn +27
A young woman from Earth who stumbles into a fantasy world and takes refuge in an abandoned inn.
aka Erin, the traveller +58
The operational headquarters for Liscor's Watch.
aka guard barracks
A sapient reptilian species dominant in regions south of Liscor, generally unfriendly to Humans.
aka lizards, giant lizards +3
A species of tall, bipedal hyena-like humanoids covered in fur.
aka hyena-people, dog-people +8
A Watch guardsman who escorts Erin to the barracks.
aka yellow Drake
“Klbkch? Summon the Captain! Get a [Healer], now!”
“—Not breathing. Contact his Hive! Get the Human out of the way!”
“Klb? Buddy? Speak to me.”
“—Human. What have you done?”
“Your name is Erin Solstice. I have summoned you to explain the death of my subject to me. My…Klbkchhezeim. My Prognugator. Klbkch of the Centenium. Do you know what you have done?”
“Do not fear my Soldiers. They will cause you no harm if you answer.”
A friendly and helpful Drake who works as a receptionist at the Adventurer's Guild in Liscor.
aka the female receptionist, the she-Drake +10
“Erin Solstice. I hold you accountable for the death of Klbkchhezeim. Speak.”
“I’m sorry. I never meant for it to happen.”
“Is that all you have to say?”
“I don’t—I can’t say sorry enough. Klbkch—he died protecting me. He was a hero. I’m so sorry.”
“Human. You misunderstand me. Klbkchhezeim’s death is…is. He is Antinium. Workers and Soldiers die, and if Liscor did not cause this, there is no need for war. But his death was wasted—needless. I am told he perished fighting Goblins. Goblins. Saving you. That is what I find unacceptable.”
“…What?”
“Klbkchhezeim was more than a match for a hundred Goblins. A hundred Hobgoblins could not ambush him. He is Klbkch of the Centenium. He—was—Klbkch the Slayer. The only reason he could have fallen to a mere forty Goblins was because he placed your life above his. And he lost a Worker of—the first Worker in—”
“He has paid for his folly. But his foolishness has cost the Antinium living within the city greatly.”
“I am disappointed, Erin Solstice. I had expected better of my Prognugator’s judgment. He spoke highly of you. Klbkch called you a Human worthy of emulation. But I see nothing to back up his claims. I see no reason why he would have wasted his life saving you.”
“My Workers play games in their resting periods. They gain useless levels in classes not needed for their work. Three have already become Aberration. This experiment has created naught but waste. My Prognugator’s judgment has been in error.”
“He—he was only doing what I asked him to. He was helping. He saved my life.”
“Nevertheless. Klbkch died a failure.”
“Take that back.”
“I will not. My Prognugator’s foolishness has cost Liscor and the Antinium this day. He died a failure.”
“He was a hero!”
“He died worthless, against enemies he should easily have overcome. He died a failure.”
“No. He was tired. Tired and sorry.”
“Klbkchhezeim said that?”
“Then he is a fool as well as failure. We were so close. He had no right to lose hope.”
“You do not understand. You, the creatures of the above world, fail to understand all of what is Antinium. Enough. I waste valuable time. You are not worth killing.”
“Why’d you summon me then? To tell me how worthless Klbkch was? He wasn’t. You’re wrong.”
“You are not what we seek. You cannot understand. Klbkch must have been mistaken. I see nothing to admire. Only his failure written large. Begone from this place, Erin Solstice. I have much to do.”
“Human. You’re wanted by the Captain. Follow me.”
“You.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry? Sorry? Klbkch died protecting you! All because you didn’t want to kill those damn Goblins!”
“I know.”
“This is all your fault.”
“I know.”
“I had a good partner. He was a silent guy and a real idiot, but he was one of the best guys I knew. And then he died because he went and tried to protect a damn Human. We never even—Wishdrinks. It was just two days ago we gave him a badge!”
“I’m sorry.”
“Relc—”
“I…I don’t want to see you around here again. And if you come running here for help again, I’ll stab you in the gut. Got it?”
“Yeah. You do that.”
“You! Human!”
“Thanks to you, the only Antinium Guardsman in the city is dead. The fourth highest-level [Guardsman]. A Senior Guardsman—the liaison to the Free Hive…”
“Klbkch. He’s dead.”
“Not only that, he died because he wasted his emergency healing potion on you. Saving you from Goblins that should have been wiped out.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m the Captain of the Liscorian Watch. Klbkch was one of my best Senior Guardsmen. Without him, there’s no one to control the Antinium. Without him—if the Queen orders it, Liscor and all of Izril might face another Antinium War. One of their Prognugators is dead. We can only pray they understand it was monsters, not us.”
“Okay. I’m sorry.”
“Really? Is that all? From what I’m told, Klbkch had to protect you from a mob of Goblins. You’re no citizen. He should have let them eat you.”
“I guess so.”
“The Liscorian Watch should never have interfered in the affairs of outsiders. You don’t live in Liscor, and you are not one of our citizens. From here on out, the Watch will cease patrols in your area.”
“Is that understood, Human?”
“I said, is that understood, Human?”
“You done?”
“Get out of my city.”
“Klbkch died protecting me. He was a hero. He looked out for me when no one else would, and he helped me even though I’m a Human. He was a good person. I’m sorry that he’s dead.”
“Hi? Erin? Are you—are you okay?”
“Go away.”
“Hi, Krshia. Um, how’re you?”
“Miss Selys. I am well, but Erin is not. She is resting here, away from unkind words. If you have any, you will leave, yes?”
“No, not me. I just wanted to see how Erin was doing. I, uh, heard what happened.”
“Everyone in the city has heard.”
“It is a dark time. Others mourn, but many are simply upset. The death of Klbkch, it is a bad sign for the city. He was our link to the Antinium. Without him, there will be trouble, perhaps terrible events. But it is wrong to blame it all on a single Human. So think I and other Gnolls.”
“Really. Really? That’s surprising. I, uh, thought you lot would think differently.”
“Blood and death. It is not Erin Solstice’s fault where Klbkch chose to fight and die. It is not her fault the Goblins attacked, yes? We do not blame those who are not guilty.”
“That’s good.”
“Look, Erin, I wanted to talk to you. I know this isn’t a good time, but I don’t think you should go back to your inn. You should stay here, at least for tonight.”
“I know you felt safe in the inn, but after this, things will be different. It isn’t just about Goblins. If the Watch doesn’t patrol the plains, more monsters will start appearing. Without protection or high levels, you won’t survive.”
“Look—I could get you a job in the Adventurer’s Guild as a receptionist. Some of the others might not like it, but you’d be safe there, and you’ll earn enough to eat and live in the city.”
“No.”
“Erin. I regret the loss of Klbkch. He was a strange one, one of the Antinium, the Black Tide which came from Rhir, but a good one, yes? Many in the city mourn his death. But he would not want you to die. Without the Watch suppressing the monsters—there will be worse at your door in the wilderness. Even so close to a Drake city. You must know this.”
“And it’s not like you have to stay here forever. We could look into finding you a place in a Human city if you really didn’t like it. It’s just that it’s a bad time to be here. I know it’s not your fault, but the others—”
“I’m not going.”
“Look, Erin, I know how you’re feeling but—”
“I’m not going.”
“I’m going back.”
“Not a good idea. Those Goblins might still be out there.”
“They’re all dead.”
“But—there’s monsters. Just stay here. I have an apartment. You can stay the night, okay?”
“No.”
“Erin, please.”
“Oh my—”
“These ones offer condolences to the Innkeeper Solstice.”
“What are they doing? They shouldn’t be here! Someone should call the Watch!”
“Silence. Listen.”
“These ones wish for the Innkeeper Solstice to heal from wounds received. These ones express their regret for her suffering.”
“Why?”
“It is part of custom. These ones are taught to express regret/sadness/loss for death in appropriate mourning moments. To cease work during funerals to not disturb Liscor’s citizens.”
“But I didn’t die. What about Klbkch? What about your—friend? The other Worker? He died protecting me.”
“The Prognugator carried out his duties. The Worker died carrying out his duties. No mourning is necessary for broken shells and dead individuals. These ones merely express regret of individual Klbkch’s failure to protect.”
“So you’re saying you’re sorry I got hurt?”
“These ones express regret for the failure of the Prognugator to protect the Innkeeper Solstice.”
“It wasn’t failure. Don’t—don’t say that.”
“This one offers apologies for its mistake.”
“Can’t you feel sorry? For Klbkch? And your friend?”
“This one apologizes. But this one cannot. These ones offer regret to the Innkeeper Solstice.”
“Is that it?”
“Yes. These ones will disperse to assigned duties. Forgive these ones for disturbing the Innkeeper Solstice and others.”
“Wait.”
“…Come to my inn. I’ll feed you, and you can play chess with me.”
“What? Erin!”
“You said you’re sorry? I’m sorry. It was my fault Klbkch and the other Worker died. And that’s a bad thing. Even if you can’t understand it, I want to do something. Let me help you. Somehow.”
“These ones are not permitted to leave the city or move about without permission.”
“Why not?”
“These ones are not suitable for independent action. These ones must not be unaccompanied.”
“I’ll accompany you. Just—come with me. Please? It doesn’t have to be all of you. What about just you? What’s your name?”
“Erin!”
“You never ask them what their names are! They don’t have any!”
“Why not?”
“They just don’t!”
“This one has no name. This one is not important. This one is not an individual.”
“You could be.”
“Erin!”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“You’re an individual. You’re you. And the Worker who died? He was someone. Klbkch was someone. You’re all important, and that means when one of you dies, it’s a bad thing.”
“This one is not an individual. This one cannot be.”
“You are. Can’t you understand? You’re all special.”
“Stop saying thAt.”
“Tribes—Erin, back away.”
“stOp talkinG. Stop askING me—”
“Hey. Hey…don’t be upset. I’m just asking you…are you okay?”
“Stop tHaT. Stop weeping for hiM. Stop aSKING mE—”
“I’m sorry. But he was kind to me. Don’t hate him. Don’t say bad things about him. He saved me.”
“You don’t know what he was.”
“Don’t ask—this one is not Klbkch. Not individual. We are worthless. Just like the one who died there. No names. Not like him.”
“You could be. I wish I knew that Worker’s name. I wish I’d known him. I wish I could do it all again. You don’t have to have a name. But do you want to?”
“Are you alright?”
“This one—I understand. This one has become I.”
“I understand sorrow. I understand regret for the death of individual Klbkch and Worker. I was wrong. It was a sad thing. For Klbkch. For the Worker. Then death is sad. Then it is all…sad.”
“Good.”
“I. I am. I have become I. I do not understand.”
“If this one—is not—how are the many one? An individual cannot exist—the many are—how am I?”
“I don’t know. I try not to think about it. Come on. Let’s play a game of chess.”
“I’m going.”
“She’s insane. They’re going to kill her. It’s going to kill her. That was an Aberration—”
“Yes. It was an Aberration but it wasn’t. At least—not yet. Is that how it happens? I do not know. Let us follow quickly, yes? Silverfangs, to me! Get every [Warrior] you can find.”
“What?”
“I. I am. But it is wrong. All is wrong. When the many become one, it is Aberration. I am Aberration.”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“I cannot be individual. I cannot have names. I cannot choose my own actions. It is wrong. I am no longer one of the Workers. I am…me. This is wrong.”
“Klbkch did it.”
“He is Prognugator. I am—was Worker. I should not be.”
“You’re fine. You should be. It’s fine to be a person and not a thing.”
“I cannot understand. I am Aberration. All is Aberration. This Hive—I cannot accept it. Why am I sad? Why am I sad? What have you done to me?”
“…I’m sorry. But I wanted you to feel something.”
“I feel. I feel all.”
“Good.”
“I don’t know what it means to be me.”
“I don’t even know what it means to be Human. All I know is that there’s a big hole in my heart. Because Klbkch and the Worker died. I don’t know who I am or what I’m doing. I’m just—sad.”
“Why?”
“I just am. That’s how it works. You don’t get to choose to be someone. You just are. Even if you’re not special. Even if you don’t want to be. You just are.”
“I do not understand. But—I am. And I too am sad.”
“Good. That’s—that’s good.”
“Innkeeper—Erin Solstice. I am sorry for the death of Klbkch and the Worker. I regret their death and your suffering.”
“Thank you.”
“I am no longer a Worker. I am an individual. I would like a name.”
“I can’t help you. I’m not—I can’t give you one. Couldn’t you ask your Queen?”
“I—do not wish to. I must have a name. Where may I find one?”
“I don’t know. Can’t you choose one for yourself?”
“I will do so.”
“I would like to be known as ‘Pawn.’ It is a fitting name for this individual.”
“Hi, Pawn.”
“Hello. Erin Solstice.”
“…Will your friends be like you?”
“They are afraid. They will not be like me.”
“That’s fine.”
“But I have told them what it means to regret the passing of individuals. They understand.”
“Really? Good.”
“They—we. We are all sad.”
“…I’m glad.”
“Erin Solstice. I was looking for you, yes? The Workers, they have finished their cleaning.”
“Thanks.”
“We assist to maintain order and preserve peace.”
“Thank you.”
“So, this is your inn, yes? It looks better than I had thought. Worth defending.”
“Let’s play chess.”