Chapter 181: Chapter 181. Eldhaime Keep
Laying in bed together, even if it was already 10:52 AM, Michael and Helen enjoyed the comfort provided by each other's presence, temporarily forgetting about the unforgiving world outside.
[You'll leave after lunch?](Helen)
"Mhm. Celeste must've already sent a notice to Donan that I'll visit, so it's best not to keep the man waiting for too long. Lorath was right in saying that we need all the help we can get, and the help of an active Horadrim is invaluable. Through him, we might even draw other Horadrim that wish to help."
[It's a long shot, but we don't have too many options. What about your level? Have you decided what to do after hitting 50?](Helen)
"Mhm. I'll directly try to clear the Capstone Dungeon and advance to Nightmare Tier. I can't fall behind, especially since the new tier has higher-quality items."
[That's true. I will also be gone most of the day, so if you return and you can't find us, we are probably still clearing Nightmare Dungeons. With the pressing issue of a demonic army invading and Lilith looming over us, we all need to increase our strength further. It's back to grinding levels for our Glyphs...](Helen)
These Glyphs were strange items that could be found in Dungeons after hitting Level 50. They could be equipped in the Nodes of the Paragon Board, with each Glyph providing immense increases in certain aspects.
Only three levels away, Michael was already arming himself with all the possible knowledge before being put face to face with the fact.
With much difficulty, the couple left the comfort of their bed and joined the others for lunch. The younger girls were very hyped up about clearing Nightmare Dungeons, and after they carried Neyrelle through some normal ones to boost her Level to 50, she could join them in their grind.
The sisters split into two groups, with Tia, Evelyn, and Neyrelle going with Gonk since they needed a tank, and Aylin, Hella, Mina, and Mia as the second group. Just like Michael, Helen changed her build last night and decided to restart her solo adventures.
[Are you sure you'll be alright?](Aylin)
[Mhm. I still have the items for my old build. And I'll start with lower-difficulty Nightmare Dungeons until I farm some better ones. I'm more worried about those three imps and the fact that they might make Gonk's life miserable...](Helen)
Neyrelle smiled and said nothing, but Tia and Evelyn immediately reacted. Such an affront to their lovely personalities couldn't be tolerated.
Half an hour later, everyone went their separate ways. After kissing the tigress goodbye, Michael traveled to Menestad through the Waypoint and set up his marker for the Main Quest. It was time to meet with Donan.
Checking the MAP, he estimated about an hour and a half to two, even on horseback with his ridiculously fast mount.
'Unfortunately, I didn't activate any Waypoints in Scosglen yet, but Celeste confirmed that Donan has his own Waypoint formation near his manor. Two birds with one stone.'
The Necromancer also took the opportunity to explore and survey the road to the Firebreak Mannor—the name of Donan's home—and check if anything dangerous, such as the monster's habitats, would impede the future road connecting the two regions.
After running away from weakling creatures assaulting him and having his mount stomp some Ghouls, Michael arrived near the Eldhaime Keep, where the Quest prompted him to search for Donan inside.
'After exiting the Fractured Peaks territory, the area is basically mountainous cliffs. Planting Clear-Hearted Oaks there will be difficult, even close to impossible. And the small roads are infested with Ice Clan goatmen... I had to dismount and exterminate them three times already, while escaping from the bigger numbers.'
Standing in front of a large fort-like structure, the Necromancer calmly introduced himself to the guards and explained his purpose.
After hearing that he was looking for Donan, they directed the Wanderer to the Watch Commander, who could help him further.
Smiling and kindly thanking the guards, he entered the Keep and looked around. There were plenty of adults going about their business, but children were more predominant. He saw two kids rushing somewhere and curiously followed.
[Slow down, Wyleaf!](?)
[Come on! We're going to miss it if we're late! Old man Braennain doesn't wait for everyone!](Wyleaf)
Focusing his senses in the direction the children were running, he heard an old man chuckle and continue his story.
[The ash fell like rain, and Astaroth's mad laughter boomed like thunder.](Braennain)
[*Gasp*](Children)
[Folk tried to hide, but the demon sniffed them out. He herded them into a cage of fire, and as he prepared to eat them one by one... *WHOOSH*!](Braennain)
[*Surprised gasp*](Children)
[A fierce wind blew out the flames! There, in the smoke, stood the three heroes. Even Astaroth trembled at the sight. First came Airidah, calling down a storm upon the demon's head with music from her talharpa. Then came Nafain, growling like a beast, slashing at Astaroth with fang and claw. And last came Donan. He plunged his hand into the demon's fiery chest... and crushed the fiend's heart in his palm!](Braennain)
[*Gasp of wonder*](Children)
[Astaroth let loose a cry that shook the forest to its roots, and then the monster crumbled into dust. So ended the Days of Ash.](Braennain)
When Michael first heard the story about the three heroes, he didn't react much—until he heard Donan's name mentioned.
A tap on his shoulder brought him out of his daze as a kind-looking man motioned for him to follow out of the listening range of those children.
The man's name was Ebbrin, and he was a resident of Eldhaime Keep. He laughed at Michael's curiosity and pointed out that all first-timers here get caught in Braennain's story, after which they search for more details with the Knight Penitent or the residents.
[Funny how none ever think of talking directly with Braennain, though.](Ebbrin)
"What is this place?"
[Our Keep? Hehe! Can you feel it? Ah, Eldhaime is hallowed ground, my friend. Blessed with Inarius's holy Light. Just being here has a way of lifting my spirits. What about you? What is your purpose here?](Ebbrin)
"I am meeting Donan soon. Judging by the stories spread about him, I guess everyone should know him. Can you tell me about him?"
[Well, it's not my place to talk about things that don't involve me, but I'll tell you this much: you'll never meet a man with a bigger heart. Came to see about getting my son some work, and he hired the lad as a clerk. Right on the spot! Don't know how I'll ever repay him, but I'll find a way eventually.](Ebbrin)
The resident then asked if he was a Wanderer and offered to give him a tour of the Keep. For the right price, of course.
Paying 1,000 gold coins, even if it seemed a lot, Michael followed his tour master around the place. It wasn't big, but it surely was lively enough. He first stopped at the Stable Master Eoghan and dropped his mount for some R&R. Both Helen, and everyone did this from time to time, as apparently, it helped the horse relax.
[Well, it's true that being confined in a small realm the size of a barn can turn... stuffy. I'll take good care of her. Come back when you're ready to leave.](Eoghan)
After paying another 15,000 gold coins for the horse's Spa and Relaxation, the tour continued to the Knight's training grounds, where he could see plenty of men and women ardently fighting against the terrible training dummies.
Leaving this area, they stumbled upon a strange but funny conversation.
[Hmpf! If it's not Garomir. Came to clean up after your lads again?](?)
[*Clears throat* And what is the problem exactly, Cladane?](Knight Garomir)
The Knight's tired tone implied that the woman was a handful, probably more than the Knights he had to 'clean up' after.
[Oh, nothing much. Just that the Knight Penitent in Cerrigar destroyed our ale supply. Dumped it right out into the dirt. Said it was bad for the soul *Scoff*!](Cladane)
[*Sigh* It is bad for the soul...](Knight Garomir)
[For yours, maybe. Mine is damn thirsty, Garomir!](Cladane)
Looking at the passerby, who could barely contain their laughter, Garomir rubbed his forehead and swallowed all other rebuttals he might have to offer.
[Fine... Talk to the quartermaster, and he will provide compensation. Now, please stop causing a ruckus at the training grounds...](Garomir)
[Hoh? You don't act this 'tough' when you visit me at night, but you do it in daylight?](Cladane)
Seeing the man helplessly drag the woman away before she embarrassed him even further, Michael and Ebbrin burst into laughter alongside everyone else watching the show.
The good mood didn't last for too long, though, as the tour guide brought him in front of some shoddy gallows.
[The ones you see hanged by their hands and flogged are those who committed great sins—killing, raping, or even attempting and failing the same acts. The ones stuck in the stockades are the ones who committed lesser crimes but still need to be punished accordingly. Isn't that so, Cugael? Athaill?](Ebbrin)
[I swear on my soul I'll never take Father Inarius's name in vain again, Ebbrin! Just get me out of this thing, please!](Cugael)
[Just like you swore the last four times? Every time you get drunk, you end up back here... You're as dumb as a sack of potatoes!](Ebbrin)
The woman in the stockades near the first victim sighed and looked at Michael.
[Pray for me, Wanderer! I have asked Inarius for the strength to resist temptation, but I can't keep my hands from stealing! It is like they are possessed!](Athaill)
The Necromancer rolled his eyes at the sarcastic and unrepenting woman. Ebbrin explained that these two are 'regular customers.' They never cause too much harm, but they disrupt public order, so the Knights usually punish them with a couple of hours of being stuck here and suffering from boredom and hunger.
Curious about the 'ecosystem' of Eldhaime, Michael asked about Donan's role in all this, but another voice answered.
[Oh, no... You another one of his bootlickers? Donan this. Donan that. People always going on about the man like he's a god among us.](?)
Raising an eyebrow questioningly at Ebbrin, the man smiled wryly and introduced the woman as Mairdus. Apparently, she had beef with Donan for some reason.
"And why do you think so, Miss?"
[Why? Tell me, where was he when the Knights Penitent scoffed at our offerings to the forest? Hmm?](Mairdus)
"Offerings to the forest?"
[I'll tell you where, up in his pretty Keep. Prancing about like the cock of the walls!](Mairdus)
Looking behind the woman, a tall Knight loomed over her, seemingly pondering whether to smack her or not.
[That's enough, Mairdus.](?)
[Tsk! Drovmil.](Mairdus)
Watching the woman leave, Ebbrin introduced the Knight.
[*Sigh* Beware the gossip around here, traveler. The glenfolk will find any reason to slander the Cathedral despite all we've done to heal this broken land.](Knight Drovmil)
The Knight nodded at the duo and continued his patrolling. The guide also finished his tour and absconded with Michael's hard-earned coins, leaving the Necromancer speechless.
'Still... glenfolk, huh? Judging by their Irish accent, it's easy to see how the church members stand out. The glenfolk should be the natives of Scosglen, while the Knights would be akin to Romans after colonizing tribes in the past through war. They are probably disliked heavily by them. The words 'offerings to the forest' bother me, but I don't seem to have many sources where I can extract that information from.'
Pondering quietly, Michael walked toward the location where the Watch Commander was.
There, he found a woman, probably a Priestess, talking to a group of over fifty lined-up Knights.
Approaching the woman, Michael nodded politely.
"Commander Antje?"
[Yes. Who's asking?](Antje)
"My name is Michael Corbett. I'm looking for a Horadrim named Donan. An old friend of his sent me."
[An old friend, you say? At this hour, I'd wager he's in the Great Hall. Check with the guard at the door.](Antje)
The Necromancer thanked her and left, worried about what he heard when she was instructing the Knights.
'It seems that the Church is really preparing to launch an invasion onto the realm of Burning Hells. *Sigh* And I thought my idea of using Dungeons to do just that was audacious.'
Following the instructions, as well as the updated Quest marker, he arrived at the Great Hall's entrance, the largest building in this small fort.
Stopping in front of the guard, he explained his purpose.
[An urgent message for Donan, you say? There have been many of those lately. He's upstairs in the great hall with his son. Keep it quick.](Knight Guard)
Nodding, he entered the Great Hall. The first thing he noticed was the immense mural on the ground, depicting a red-skinned demon facing three young heroes. Two men and a woman stood opposite the defeated demon, as implied by the two spears piercing through its body.
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