Mr. Bellman claws aimed directly for my heart, but I stopped it with the hilt of my blade his eyes grew wide. He quickly dashed backwards with his animalistic speed he seemed to immediately be aware of the danger that faced him. He faced me his face contorted in a mix of anger and confusion, "What the- where did you come from where is that boy? What is this?" I noticed that my previous wounds had begun to close up slightly, and I felt none of the pain from before. I responded solemnly in a new womanly voice I wasn't yet used to, "This is the last chance you have to repent."
I decided to strike him down before he could respond I ran at him with inhuman speed he didn't so much as get a few seconds to blink before I closed the gap. Mr. Bellman tried cast some kind of magic quickly, but I used my longer legs to kick him directly in the solar plexus. He stopped what he was chanting, and fell to his knees he looked up at me with pure hatred. He tried to pounce at me from his tower position, but before he could I put my blade to his throat. His faced changed several times in a span of seconds, and the crowds chanting turned to panic as their leader lay at my feet. He finally settled on a hateful smile, "Name. I haven't ever lost 1 on 1. What is your name."
I removed the blade from his throat, "Kreyol Mallory, a simple vegabond." Mr. Bellman had a wicked smile on his face, "Call me Vesper I never cared for formalities." He got to his feet, but I was still on my guard he sighed, "Put down your weapon girl I don't know who you are, or what you want, but I have principles you beat me fair, and square. Here in Northfall strength means everything, so I will here your reason for coming to Northfall come inside." I hesitate for a moment, but sheath my blade in the scabbard on my back. The crowd has disappeared likely due to the action being over, and Gale himself herding the people away. Gale, and I head back inside Vesper's office he takes a seat back in front of his chair looking a bit worn out.
He gestures Gale to grab me a chair in front of his desk, and Gale does what he is told putting a shabby looking chair in front of the desk. I am about to sit when I feel my body begin to change back to its original form I feel a decent bit weaker, but decide that I can rest later. I take that as my queue to sit down, and Vesper pours himself what appears to be some alcohol. Vesper speaks up looking me in the eyes unlike before, "You have some explaining to do first before we get into what comes next." He puffs his chest out, "I need to know what that power was I didn't use my full wolf form, but even then I have never been beaten 1 on 1, and so easily too."
I explain to him the events that led me to Northfall, and what my link with Numis meant I also told Numis to show herself. During our conversation he was surprised many times, but ultimately he seemed to believe me. Once I was done he sighed, "You have already had quite a journey to Northfall I suppose humans are not the only ones being oppressed. I also never expected the other god's to still be alive I had heard stories when I was a boy, but I had no idea about the details. To be this closely linked to such a god I can't even imagine what exactly that entails." He clears his throat getting somewhat uncharacteristically worked up, "Listen kid I won't go into detail, but us beastkin have been hunted, and turned into slaves by humans for generations."
He whispered, "See that mark on Gale's head it is the mark of the damned, and his own family was burned at the stake by the people of Falrock we managed to save him years ago, but these are wounds that will never truly heal. That is the reason for our hatred for your people, so I ask you why have you come to Northfall. I will cast aside my principles if you truly mean to harm our town, but you didn't kill me when you could, so I want to believe that at the very least you aren't an enemy." I nod, "I was originally coming here to hear your side of things, but I was never intending to harm anyone. In truth it was the opposite I wanted to find a way to help your town because as you might have guessed I am not a fan of this kind of oppression."
Vesper gave me a pleading look, "Ki- No Kreyol, I will then have to apologize for my behavior I can't say I don't have a deep seeded hatred for humans, but I lost my temper, and stooped to their level that cannot be changed. I will not ask you to forgive me, but at the very least I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive those that live here." Vesper got up from his desk he circled around towards me, and got on one knee to which Gale's eyes grew wide. Gale blurted, "Sir what are you doing!" Vesper shouted back, "Silence Gale pride aside the battle to decide Northfall's future is tomorrow, and we stand no chance in our current state even I know that."
Vesper's grey eyes pierced me he then pleaded, "I am no fool you are strong young one I have a request of you Kreyol, and I know I have no leg to stand on, but will you join Northfall tomorrow in its final battle." Numis spoke into my mind, "Insolent creature how dare he ask as request of you after what he put us through." I gave Vesper a stern look, "Yes, I want to help you in any way I can I wouldn't be able to sleep if I walk away now." Next to me Numis gave a scowl, and in my mind she stated, "You truly have no pride as a host. We will have to work on that." I responded back in my mind, "Hey think of it as a way to get stronger we will need the battle experience." Numis pouted, but seemed to at least agree with my reasoning.
Vesper stood up he then relaxed, "Truly you are a man full of conviction I humbly thank you for your help. I will get you a place to sleep for tonight normally we would have a feast, but we need you in top shape for tomorrow. I will get you anything you need until tomorrow, and Gale will show you to a vacant place in town. Tomorrow we dine in the hall of Falrock dismissed!" Gale, and I turned towards the exit Vesper spoke one last time, "Kreyol I don't fully trust you yet, but I trust your strength you showed me mercy, when I only offered you violence. I have a feeling you are a man worth following." I excited the building it seems it has gotten dark out since we had been inside Vesper's office I exhaled today has been exhausting.
Gale sighed too, "Kreyol I have never seen Vesper act, so friendly with a human before, but I really am happy to have you on our side." We talked as Gale lead me to the East side of town everyone was seemingly already in their houses, or tents sleep, so it was just Gale and I going through town. Gale continued, "The only reason Northfall has lasted as long as it has despite us being outnumbered 3 to 1 is that Vesper is just that strong. No matter how many men you send at him he always makes it out with minimal injuries." I could see how much Gale liked Vesper it would appear that they have been working with each other for a very long time. I raised a question, "How is one person going to make a difference tomorrow though."
Gale smiled, "Have more confidence it is no easy task to impress Vesper given his personality, but you managed to beat him 1 on 1. Truth is the forces that they send to Northfall have only ramped up over time at first we sent them packing one battle after another. Despite those victories it would seem the lord of Falrock sends more people every single day adventurers, militia, assassins, you name it. The people of Northfall are wearing down myself included, but Vesper has remained a pillar of our defense." Gale smiles, "Vesper alone has sent the people of Falrock packing, but truth is even he has begun to grow weary. We need an unrivaled strength someone we can send directly into Falrock tomorrow, and someone who can blend in seamlessly. Truth be told if we can kill the lord of Falrock the outside help should dissipate due to their boss kicking the bucket."
Gale gave me a serious look, "Kreyol you are that lynchpin I have been with Vesper for a long time I knew what he had in mind when he asked you for help. We will hold off the attack, but we need someone capable to take out the brain of the operation." I sighed, "Will they really stop attacking once their lord is dealt with?" Gale responded, "There is no guarantee, but I will ask that you also spread news of the lords defeat in town they will listen to a human. The lord is directly paying his fighting force, so my guess is that no money hopefully will mean no attack force." Gale stopped in front of a small wooden house it wasn't nice, but it was better than sleeping outside. Gale smiled, "Oh and one more thing I should say before I go back. Kreyol thank you for joining us, and thank you for not killing my best friend."