WM [40] The Armored Merchant

The monster hunters haggling with Joel finally gave in to his price with the pressure of the monster horde approaching. They ran out of the shop cursing a few times about being ripped off.

“Hmm, a monster horde this close to town is rare,” Underrock said, with more irritation in his words than concern. “Well, it is a good thing your armor is done, it might be a good time to test it out.”

“Yeah. How much?” Tanisha asked.

“No additional charge. With how much infused metal you made for us we still owe you. Consider the additions to the armor a retention payment for your services when you eventually return to Yuhia.” He placed a coin purse on the counter. “This is the rest of your payment.” 

“Thanks, Underrock and you too Joel,” Tanisha said as she placed the coin purse into her inventory. “Joha can you help me out with the armor?”

Adelheid spoke up, “Are we going to fight?” 

Joha sighed. “Practical combat would help solidify the lessons, but after this we are heading for the border.”

Joha blew out a stream of red maya which flowed around Tanisha and across the counter with the armor. Everyone’s eyes were fixed onto her as the crimson tide swirled around her like angry thunder clouds. Tanisha could feel the armor materialize around her as Joha’s manipulation of the maya masterfully changed her outfit.

As the maya dissipated it revealed a transformation nothing short of awe-inspiring. Tanisha was fully clad in the black suit. The metal seemed to drink in the light around it giving her an aura of mystique. The quillstrike feather infused blue steel looked as if gleaming like veins of molten gold traced along the armor. The contrast between the black and gold almost gave a touch of sinister regality.

Tanisha raised her hands to look at the armored gauntlets as she surged her mana activating Chain Breaker’s Mantle. The armor responded to her power, resonating with the infusion of the quillstriker’s essence. Ghostly feathers of golden light began to materialize around her, drifting into existence with a soft, radiant glow mirroring the color of aether. As the feathers touched the ground, they dissipated into the air, leaving behind a faint shimmer before vanishing completely.

The room was silent as they took in the embodiment of power Tanisha had become. The armor pulsed with life, a living extension of her will. As she stood there for a brief moment her mind shifted back to the true name of her soul. The name she had only spoken in the words of mages and magic not the tongue of mortals. Something about how the armor resonated made her want to speak the name again.

“Valkyrja,” she whispered with a smile on her face as she closed her fists, dispersing her magic.

Underrock, the creator of the armor, allowed himself a small, proud smile as he observed the way the armor responded to Tanisha’s magic. Bjorn closely examined the falling feathers while Joha and Joel walked around Tanisha to get a better look at the work. They couldn’t see Tanisha’s face or her wide grin through her full face helmet that was perfectly designed for her head and tiara. What they could see was her long tail swaying side to side in glee.

***

The monsters were approaching from the west meaning they would reach the Jackrabbit’s fortification before the town. The monster hunters were on high alert as civilians bunkered down or fled before the camp gate was sealed. Tanisha didn’t blame them, the town had far better defenses and many more people protecting it. There was also the fact that the camp was emptier than usual with most of the hunters out in kill parties hunting for skinwalkers.

As the howls of monsters and otherworldly abominations grew louder, the archers took their positions on the wall, their faces a mix of determination and excitement. This was going to be a big payday for them, they could already feel the silver coins weighing down their coin purses. The perimeter around the Jackrabbit’s camp was clear of trees or foliage for over two hundred yards giving them a long uninterrupted sightline. It was the perfect killing field, and the Jackrabbits knew it.

It didn’t take long for Tanisha and her group to find Alfred giving directions to the Hunter’s that didn’t quite know where to be. Despite the imminent danger, there was an air of casual confidence among the monster hunters, especially around Alfred, the leader of the Jackrabbits. She didn’t know what to expect with the alarm but the general casualness of the gathered crowd gave the impression that this was not as big a deal as Tanisha thought.

“Tom, you take the east wall,” Alfred barked, before smirking. “And try not to trip over your own feet this time, yeah? We need arrows in the monsters, not in the dirt!”

There weren’t many magic casters amongst the Jackrabbits, most of them being practitioners of prana. It was common in Mesha where most of the human’s were from. Tanisha caught sight of a few of them exchanging silver coins, placing bets on who would take down the most monsters.

As Tanisha’s group drew closer she couldn’t help but feel less tense at the atmosphere. There was no panic, no fear—just seasoned professionals treating the approaching horde like any other day. Actually, no, they were treating it like they just stumbled upon a treasure hoard.

“So, what’s the pay per monster this time,” a man in an oddly pointy helmet asked.

“Double for the ugly ones!” another replied, causing a ripple of chuckles.

“Keep it up, and you’ll be lucky to get paid at all!” Alfred interjected, not missing a beat. “Now quit your yammering and get ready. You all know where to be, so go! We’ve got a horde to greet!”

“Alfred,” Tanisha called as she walked through the quickly dispersing crowd. “What happened? Where did the horde come from?”

Alfred started responding before he turned to her. “Really, did you not hear where…” his words stopped in his throat when he turned. “Divines above, Tanisha? Is that what has been keeping Underrock so busy these past few days?”

“Yes, but not important,” Joha said. “What’s happening?” 

“Hmm, right. Tanisha, remember that armored chrysalis we talked about a few days ago. Apparently it evolved after the hunting party was attacked by skinwalkers. The battle with the lesser wendigo gave away their position and the chrysalis capitalized and killed most of them. After absorbing that much prana it’s now a jeweled wing monarch. Thankfully it’s too young to fly but all of the monsters in the area are drawn to it like a moth to flame and it is drawn to all that mana and prana in Birchgrove.”

“A monarch this far in Yuhia? How did it cross the border?” Adelheid questioned.

“Nothing confirmed so far, but it looks like the armored chrysalis didn’t cross the border.” Alfred said.

“Are you saying it manifested here,” Tanisha asked. “How?”

Alfred sighed, “Like I said, nothing is confirmed but we are getting reports of elevated levels of ambient mana similar to an anomalous zone shift.”

“A what?” Tanisha asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.

“It is what happens when places that had pretty normal and stable ambient mana experience spikes in levels. Over the past few months, I’ve been suspicious. We’ve been seeing more and more monsters around here, so it checks out.”

“But I thought Yuhia’s ambient mana was stable.” Tanisha said.

“It has been, yes, but these shifts, while rare, aren’t unheard of.” Alfred rubbed his chin. “How about you all follow me? I am putting together a team to kill the monarch before it gets too close.”

“I will stay here.” Joha’s deep voice rumbled. “I will make sure your people don’t get overrun.”

“Wh-what why?” Adelheid blurted out in surprise. “I am sure you could kill the monarch alone.”

“Probably, but that would not give Tanisha or Bjorn the room they need to grow. They have been training hard, and now it’s time for her to put that training to the test. Besides, I trust either of them could handle the monarch. I want you to go with them, Adelheid.”

“Fair enough, Joha,” Alfred said without missing a beat. “The camp’s in your hands. If it were anyone else, I’d be worried.”

Tanisha looked at Joha for a long moment, her eyes obscured by her helmet but the weight of the moment was clear. She then nodded, this was her chance to go into battle on her own volition. Joha trusted her, and she trusted his decision. She was the one that needed to get stronger, not him.

“All right,” she said, her voice firm. “I won’t let you down, Joha. Bjorn, Adelheid lets go slay a monarch.”

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