Chapter 302: The Student Becomes the Master

Konstantin waited for me to answer. Under his scrutinizing gaze, I hesitated, as I felt he was going to judge my response. Benito broke the tension with a grin. “Eryk wiped out a whole pack of werewolves, uncovered Titan relics, killed an ankheg solo, and took down two mountain trolls on his own.”

Konstantin’s eyebrow rose slowly, though his eyes never left mine. “Did he now?”

Mateo jumped in, eager to add more. “Don’t forget about finding a necromancer and his army of skeletons.” I didn’t know how two skeletons made an army.

Raelia crossed her arms and lifted her chin slightly. “He also defeated a warlord in honor combat,” she said, a thread of pride in her voice. I turned to her, caught off guard by the support.

“The Hounds trained me well,” I said, deflecting the credit. The lack of surprise in Konstantin’s steely blue eyes made me think that Castile had shared a fair bit of information with him. I was more curious about the blank stare of the woman with Konstantin. She did not appear impressed with any of my feats. “How many more people are with you?” I indicated the woman.

Konstantin followed my gaze to the woman. “Just Gilda. She’s a changeling. Antonia’s father raised her from infancy, and she served their family for decades. Now she’s my persistent headache that never quite goes away.” Despite the sharpness in his words, there was a flicker of respect there and maybe even a hint of fondness. Knowing Konstantin, the latter was probably not intended.

“Changeling?” Mateo asked, taking a step back. His overtures to the woman were quickly being retracted. He had sheathed his sword but made to draw it again. Gilda’s eyes traveled over everyone in the room, judging their reactions to her nature being so casually revealed. She didn’t seem upset, just curious.

I was shocked that Konstantin was traveling with such a creature. Changelings were inferior to doppelgangers, lacking many of the qualities of true doppelgangers. While they could change their appearance, they were limited to a mostly humanoid form. They also lacked the superhuman strength of a doppelganger. I had fought powerful doppelgangers in the Shimmering Labyrinth, and they were formidable opponents. I remained calm and waited for Konstantin to explain.

He shrugged and talked about her like she wasn’t in the room. “She has attached herself to me and is mostly harmless. Changelings are intelligent and have the same desires as people. But any emotions or facial expressions they express are just an act, as their true form lacks facial musculature.” He gestured at the young woman.

She studied Konstantin blankly for a moment before her body changed, and Mateo tripped and fell backward to get away. The woman grew a few inches and her hair receded into her scalp. Her face went from pale to gray, and her teeth yellowed some. Her limbs elongated somewhat before the transformation finished after a dozen heartbeats. Unlike a doppelganger, the changeling still looked mostly humanoid in its natural form. I knew they had a sexual identity, unlike a doppelganger. They were still hunted in the Empire, which made Konstantin’s travel companion all the more curious.

Konstantin waved his hand, signaling she could revert, and she regained the young, not unattractive woman’s appearance. Mateo’s blade was half drawn, and I motioned for him to sheathe it. “Fascinating!” Raelia exclaimed. “I know there are small enclaves of changelings, but I have never met one.” The woman tilted her head at Raelia’s words; perhaps that was her way of showing interest.

Konstantin shifted the conversation and said, “Tell me about the cleric who wants you to be her First.”

Raelia was the first to reply. “She’s just using him to gain the seat of the Supreme.”

Konstantin studied Raelia for a long moment, then shifted his gaze to me. When he spoke again, his voice was calm but edged with steel. “I learned long ago not to trust elves. Or orcs. Or humans,” he said, looking back at Raelia. “Trust yourself. Protect your family and your friends. Now, tell me about the cleric who wants you to stand with her.”

I noticed Gilda moving to a corner and Mateo circling to the other side of the room to distance himself. I nodded to Konstantin, welcoming his advice. “We helped a Chronicler, Glasha, find some artifacts. She was aware of a cleric, Mynasha, who was aspiring to become a candidate for the Choosing. She thought I could help, since no warlord would stand with her without a heavy payment.”

“Eryk found the artifacts with his magic earth-talking ability, but I dug them up,” Benito piped up, trying to be helpful and get some credit for his work.

Konstantin arched his eyebrow again, forcing me to explain. I was unsure why I didn’t like Konstantin knowing my secrets, and Benito had revealed another one. Maybe it was because I wanted to surprise him when he least expected it. “I can use my earth affinity spell form to see into earth and stone,” I admitted to the veteran.

He slowly nodded, probably replaying everything he had seen me do since we met. I liked to think he was impressed. “Good. What is the danger of becoming Mynasha’s First?”

From his tone, I knew what Konstantin was doing. He was trying to get me to think out all possibilities before jumping in. “According to the orcs, I would face resentment from the other candidates and Firsts, since I am not an orc. They might find a reason to accidently kill me during the trials.”

Konstantin nodded, seemingly unconcerned that my life might be in jeopardy. “How long does the Choosing take?”

No one seemed to know, but I guessed. “It can’t be more than a few weeks.”

Maveith stirred, anxious to be included. “Mynasha promised to free my sister and Myra if she became the Supreme.”

I tempered his enthusiasm, no matter how much confidence my friend had in me. When there were politics involved, nothing was certain. “There is no guarantee that I could help her become the Supreme. More than likely, I would make an enemy of the cleric who does become the Supreme.”

“Well, at least you are thinking it through,” Konstantin said, satisfied with my response. “Still, if they are inviting you among them, you could confirm Maveith’s sister is there. It could save us time and help prepare.”

“You think I should do it?” I said, slightly surprised. It would be counter to what I was taught in the Hounds—operating in the open among the enemy.

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“It is your decision.” Konstantin relaxed into his seat. “Either that or we wait till the Choosing is complete and follow Warlord Rhuuk when he leaves, if he leaves.” Maveith got a little uncomfortable.

My mind turned to the possibilities, and I nodded. “We will go in the morning. Since we arrived late, she might have missed her chance anyway.”

“We were delayed because Mynasha exploded some ogres and trolls with her lightning,” Benito offered helpfully.

“I am sure there is a good story behind that. I haven’t finished my training for the evening. Eryk, why don’t you show me how much you have learned since we last practiced against one another.” Konstantin stood, not waiting for my response, and I followed him out of the room.

The others looked ready to follow, but I waved for them to stay. I nodded reassuringly to Maveith. “Rest up.” From his demeanor, I knew Konstantin wanted to talk with me alone. We descended the stairs and walked out into the practice yard. A dozen adventurers, mostly orcs, practiced as Konstantin moved to a corner. A few eyes followed us, but no one seemed overtly interested.

Konstantin whispered, “Be careful when you go. Store the goliaths in your bag and leave.” He was letting me know that he was aware of my spatial powers, confirming to me that Castile had informed him.

“It might not be that easy. I need to be close, and I will be the first one they suspect if she goes missing,” I said, wrapping my blade with the tacky cloth.

“Where did you get that blade?” Konstantin asked, impressed.

“I killed Boris Angella and took it. He was trying to loot Caelora when we crossed paths again,” I replied casually.

Konstantin looked surprised for a moment but then grunted in approval. “You have been busy. Did you kill Centurion Sergius’s son as well?”

I nodded. “I killed Corvus and destroyed the secondary Archives as you told me to.” My casual tone mimicked Konstantin’s usual nonchalance at accomplishing something monumental, which made Konstantin chuckle.

We faced off, borrowing the wooden practice shields in the yard. We engaged three times as we tested each other. “It looks like you lost a step or two, old man,” I said, smirking. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

It riled him up, and he pressed into me again. I parried his snap kick, which he used his shield to conceal, and I slapped the edge of my blade on his kicking knee, giving him a limp as he retreated.

I almost felt guilty as Konstantin’s mind churned to find an advantage. I was faster, stronger, and with the dreamscape amulet, I had an equal—if not greater—amount of combat experience. The stubborn man did not give in and came at me repeatedly. I noticed my companions standing on the second-floor balcony, watching us. We were drawing the attention of the other adventurers as well.

After nearly half an hour, we were both soaked in sweat. Konstantin sported three bruises for every one he gave me. I could have healed them instantly, but I felt that would be cheating. Konstantin suddenly stopped the sparring. “Enough practice with a shield. Let’s switch to two weapons.” It was clear he had exhausted every trick he could think of and was left wanting.

While Konstantin wrapped his new runic blade out of sight of the others in the yard, I asked him curiously, “Where did you get that?” It looked to be a dungeon blade, but had veins that, when they reflected the sun, looked like lightning.

Konstantin snorted with a note of pleasure. “Took it off Centurion Sergius’s corpse.” It was clear he was not going to add anything. I went and got a weighted practice sword. There were too many eyes for me to pull a second blade from my dimensional space. I rarely practiced with two weapons and only did so in the dreamscape, so I was out of practice, which was probably why Konstantin suggested it.

We returned to our dance of blades, with Konstantin briefly getting the advantage. I quickly got accustomed to the two-weapon styles again. I did need to practice this style more, as it required split focus in my thinking. I enjoyed Konstantin’s frustration more than I should have as we practiced. Then he snuck a light touch past my guard. I parried it well enough, but it brushed my thigh lightly, and small arcs of lightning raced into me, causing my leg to spasm.

Konstantin was a bloody cheater, but I quickly recovered, putting my weight on my other leg and using his flurry of blows to balance myself. My entire leg was numb and barely responding to my will. “Why did you reveal your sword’s ability in a public place?” I asked to distract him. If I had shown such an ace, Konstantin would have laid into me.

“Two of the adventurers over there already know,” he said, annoyed as he stepped toward my good leg. Since my back leg wouldn’t respond, I couldn’t pivot to defend. I laid an air shield on the ground and two in his path. As soon as he felt them, he tried to reverse his momentum, but I was too quick, slapping his hamstring and deflecting his blade.

“Your victory,” he finally conceded, his tone heavy with resignation. He gestured toward a shaded spot beside one of the weathered water barrels. Konstantin swore darkly at half of the Telhian gods, his voice strained as he limped across the dusty yard. Beads of sweat dripped from his forehead, matting his graying hair. He shook his head in frustration, a look of deep disappointment etched onto his weathered face.

The area sheltered us from prying eyes and ears. The spectators drifted back to their own training, their conversations fading into the background. My companions stepped back from the balcony, but Gilda lingered, her intense gaze fixed on us for a few moments before she, too, chose to withdraw. We settled into silence as we both drank our fill of water.

“You didn’t need me,” he finally said.

“What?” I replied, confused.

“You can handle yourself, and the men respect you. Leadership is a burden, one you are much more suited for than me,” he said considerately. I didn’t know if I believed him, so I remained quiet while I thought about it. “Be careful, Eryk. Always hide what you can do.”

“While I am at the Choosing, I need someone to keep Mateo and Benito out of trouble,” I finally said. “Blaze could do it, but I would appreciate you helping him. We also need to find the best way to flee the Caliphate once we have Zorana and Myra. I cannot think of a better man for the job than you.”

“Huh,” he grunted noncommittally. “Okay. Just make sure I don’t have to avenge your death. I am too old to fight half the warlords of the Caliphate.” We both chuckled, but I sensed he might have been serious.

We talked for a while as Konstantin gathered my stories of all our encounters on the way to Becar. He made me retell the sahuagin boarding attempt in detail and pointed out a few mistakes I had made. He was concerned about the mountain trolls from the Endless Dark, especially when I told him that Glasha thought they were summoned by a cleric. If one of the Elders or other candidates could control a dozen trolls from the Endless Dark to delay a lone cleric, they were truly dangerous.

We both moved gingerly, as I hadn’t healed my injuries yet. We ate a large meal with the others in a private room, and the atmosphere was different with Konstantin here. Gilda did dampen the mood some, but it almost felt like we were back in the company as Benito embellished story after story with Mateo contributing details. Raelia was even smiling.

As the night deepened, I found myself retiring to my room, the warmth of the drinks still coursing through me. The glowstone cast dancing shadows on the walls as I settled in, my mind restless.

I reached out with my earth speak ability to keep aware of my companions. Raelia passed by my door twice, her footsteps silent on the wooden floor, yet she never stopped to knock, leaving me wondering about her thoughts.

In another room, I could sense Maveith’s agitation; he was pacing, the soft thudding of his footsteps echoing through the floor. Meanwhile, Gilda had quietly slipped out of her room and found a perch on the roof of the Adventurers Hall, where she stood watch in the cool night air.

Just before dawn, the sky began to lighten, brushed with hues of purple and gold. I left the Hall and stepped through the city gates, the cobblestone road stretching out before me. The chill of the morning air energized me as I walked toward the Choosing.

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