“Now, you ain’t know that feisty girl more than me!” She huffed proudly. “I know what she is capable of, and if you truly believe in her, then you’d take her title with stride, and do what she believes you can do.” She cupped my hand on the countertop and gave me a genuine look of gratitude. “I appreciate you, Silas. Considering all of the circumstances, you pushed through for us. An outsider doing us justice. You didn’t have to do all of that, but you did. After just a mere few days you did the impossible. You secured a treasure, the shield of our dungeon core, putting Senterrians one step closer to freedom. All I ask is that you don’t lose sight of what you and Jezz started.”
My eyes softened on her. “But Elle…”
“She can wait, young hero. She truly can. Instead of finding her and bringing her to a doomed world, wouldn’t it be better to welcome her to a world you saved? A world she could cultivate and call her own again? A world where she can spend the rest of her life with you? Well, the rest of your life. Those fae do live for quite a bit!”
I snorted.
“That plan sounds a lot better, ain’t it? Now I’m not saying the path is going to be easy. Shoot, it’s going to be even harder! But I bet in this cluster of dragon hating folk, you can find yourself a new party member!”
As she said that, I saw a tiny hand pop out from behind the counter next to her, Elle peeling back to see her son offering to be in the front lines.
She gasped. “Zacharias Milton Edser! You put your hand down this instant!”
I chuckled.
“What?” the little boy said to his mother as he poked his head out. “I want to help the cause.”
“Now boy, you know damn well you ain’t got no business going out there with Sir Silas!”
“He started out as level one, too. And now look at him?”
“Zach!”
“Besides, I doubt anyone would offer for a full time position in trekking outside of Senterra. It’s one thing for the hunters to trespass in our land, but another thing for us to trespass into theirs.”
“Which is why a young unseasoned fighter like you shouldn’t be going out there in the first place!” his mother scolded him.
“Your mother is right, Zach. It’s best to stay here. That way you can protect your mom.”
“But I want to honor her memory…” he sulked. “I said some bad things to her last… I didn’t mean them.”
“Jezz doesn’t hold anything against you. You know that, right?”
He dipped his head down, trying to hold back his emotions. “It’s just like Recka! Those bastards… all they know is how to take and take until they rob us of everything!” he blurted with passion in his voice. “I want them to know what it feels like! I want them to see how it hurts!” he cried out, my mouth hanging ajar from his words. Zach sounded like me in my unbreakable days, fueled up, pumped up, and ready to show the world what he could do. “You’ve shown me that it is possible! Winning this war isn’t a dream anymore! I’m tired of being the one who gets stepped on. I want to rise up and crush them! Crush them all until they’re begging for mercy! I can’t stand all of this sitting around and waiting! It’s time for action! It’s time we take control of our fate and fight back with everything we have!”
With renewed vigor, he stood up on the counter between his mother and I. His eyes sparkled with a dangerous fire. He was determined, angry, vengeful, but most importantly, selfless in his honorable will to fight for his nation.
Zach curled up his fists, standing proudly on the countertop. “I want to be just like you, Sir Silas! A voice for the voiceless! And power for the powerless!”
Zach’s devotion cut me deep. I felt a lodge in my throat, and for that moment, a dose of reality hit me like a ton of bricks.
I sat there almost frozen in time, thinking about the exact pitch I gave Devicho when I first arrived to this world in need of a hero.
What was I doing?
My people… they needed me.
I had been so caught up in my feelings that I had completely neglected my responsibilities to them as an overseer, as the lone hero of Senterra. While I was fighting to keep them fed, I ignored the full picture, their survival. And I couldn't let that continue any longer.
Seeing Zach’s bravery sparked something inside me. Here this little boy was ready to fight alongside me for his right for a future. How selfish I was these last three days to not consider his well-being? His dreams and his ambitions? That was why I started this entire crusade with Jezz in the first place, wasn’t it? This was why I made Alzera-Kar that promise.
Committed to making things right, I settled the empty glass on the countertop and reflected on my next course of action, fishing for recruits. I was skeptical. After all, the majority of them were lower level than me. But there was no denying that I needed help, and however selfish I felt for asking for it, it had to be done. So I turned my eyes to Elle, a sense of purpose that I hadn't felt since Jezz faded into that vortex taking me in. “I want you to rally up a town meeting in two hours. Think you can do that?”
She beamed. “Of course!”
“I’m going to need recruits.”
And hopefully enough people rise up to the challenge.
CHAPTER TWO
In those two hours, I immediately began reviewing the latest reports from my scouts. There were a number of potential threats along the banks, and I needed to make sure we were prepared for tonight. And prepared for every night thereafter. So appointing someone in charge while I was gone was something I had to strongly consider, someone who could be an overseer and leader of my scouting team.
I also spent those two hours pouring over maps, reviewing supply lists, and making sure our defenses were as strong as they could be. After that, I needed to find supplies for my party. Since we were scarce on vendors, I searched in the mines in PP, desperate for talismans, amulets, and any rare finds I could get my hands on. But most importantly, I needed a few more disguise charms and some sammies for my new crew so they could purchase the options provided by the accessory that could turn them into any race they liked.
Unfortunately my search came back empty. No one had a mega rare Manchavari Charm, and few had the funds to support this adventure of mine. That being said, I was grateful for the 50 sammies I did manage to get, and I let my people know that their investment would bear unyielding dividends.
By the time I was finished, I was exhausted—but I also felt a sense of satisfaction in securing some currency for the next couple of days.
When it was time to address the public in the center hall, I received a booming welcome I didn’t expect. While a select few opted to keep their mouths shut, the majority were thankful to see me stand before them in a massive crowd.
Our hero, our savior, our future—I felt guilty hearing them praise my name. I didn’t hold it against the others who stood at the sidelines glaring at me with disappointment, because truth be told, I was disappointed in myself, too.
But it was time for change. Better now than later when it would be too late.
My gesturing hands tamed the lively crowd. It was time for my motivational speech, and as the masses circling around me drew closer, I piqued their united interests.
“My fellow Senterrians, I want to first thank you for entrusting me with the taxing task of leading our great nation toward the fruitful land it once was. I know that change can be daunting, but I promise you, I will do everything I can to make sure that each and every one of you thrive in this aged war that has been crippling you for centuries.” I paused, scanning the faces before me, and was met with encouraging nods and cheers. “Now I know lately, my promises have come short. With Jezz missing, things have been more challenging. I know just as well as you do. She was more than my comrade, she was my best friend, my anchor, my compass. I cannot stand here and lie to you and say that I didn’t feel lost after our encounter with the shaman orc giant. I took a hard blow, but it is high time I recover and do what I have been doing ever since I was summoned as your hero.” The crowd erupted into applause, and I continued on, my voice ringing out with conviction.
