[Sigurd's POV]
No way, impossible, ridiculous. There's just no fucking way I can possibly beat that guy on horseback, he's leagues above me.
"You seem to be in great trouble.... mind if I cut in?" The White robed man said out to me in a tone of mockery.
"Oh shut up...."
"How about a hint then, Tarnished? I can tell you something that might help to clear up any misunderstandings we have...."
"....Then let's hear it, creepy man."
"It's my pleasure.... That golden rider you fought is a Tree Sentinel, a guardian of the Erdtree. He's an elite knight from Leyndell - the Capital City up North."
Leyndell is days worth of travelling away even on horseback. It is also my destination, because I am to seek audience with the Elden Throne if I want a way into the Erdtree - to repair the Elden ring.
"So then why is this guy even here...? His home is so far away that he might as well be living here now."
"Isn't the answer obvious? The Tree Sentinel wants to protect the Erdtree from invaders.
In other words, he was sent here to hunt down Tarnished that just came to the Lands Between, like you. To take care of a threat before it grows stronger, it is the purpose of that armored rider."
"I see.... there's no way for me to beat him now, because that's why he's here in the first place."
"Now you get it. Maybe you're not a fool afterall, hmm?"
"Say, what is the point of you telling me all that? I know that his history might be relevant, but why do I need to know that to beat him?"
"....Perhaps I misjudged you, you ARE stupid."
"Huh?"
"My point is that his mission is not just to hunt down Tarnished, but to gate keep them from entering Limgrave.
Your victory is not to kill him, but to make it past him.... Doesn't that sound more reasonable?"
"Why should I flee like a coward? I'm a warrior in body and soul, running is not in my dictionary!"
"Then go and die to that rider repeatedly like the fool that you are. Each death will be just as painful as the last.
You'll scream in pain everytime you're crushed and cleaved, until eventually you'll go insane from dying so many ttimes.... Why should I care about you? It is not me who will have to go through that, hahaha!"
"....." He's right.
"Make of whatever you can to get pass the Tree Sentinel.... Now you are not just a warrior that have nothing to lose, you are the last hope of all of us, your life is more meaningful than that.
Follow the Guidance of Grace, it will lead you to castle Stormveil most certainly. It is home to the decrepit demi-god Godrick the Grafted, a shard bearer who holds part of the Shattered Elden Ring - a Great Rune. Defeat him and claim his Great Rune, only then shall we talk again."
"Yeah.... What's your name, creepy dude?"
"Varre at your service, Tarnished. However don't take this sign of goodwill to heart, you are still just as useless and weak as you were before.
Only after you've defeated Godrick will I truly acknowledge your prowess. Until then, farewell to you."
____________
I waited until night time before I went and sneak pass the Tree Sentinel.
One step down the hill, the Tree Sentinel comes out from the road leading to the church.
Crouching down, I headed towards the left side of the road in order to avoid the patrol path of the Sentinel....
With my heart pounding, I used the many bushes as cover to hide from the rider's sight line while making my way uphill slowly.... Until I eventually got over to the church.
How disgraceful.... To flee like a coward from a worthy opponent, such disappointment that I couldn't bear....
I made my way into the church and was met with another Site of Grace, as well as short guy sitting at a campfire next to it. He had a small horse next to him which carried merchandises on it.
"Hmm...?" The short guy sitting in there finally noticed me.
"You're.... a merchant?"
"And you're a Tarnished, I can see it. I can also see... that you're not after my throat."
What a breath of fresh air.... I was met with so many people that is either crazy, wanted me dead or insults me everytime they speak. It's a relief that I finally got to see a normal person for once.
"I was just passing through, I mean no harm to anyone."
"I see.... Then why not purchase a little something? I am Kalé, purveyor of fine goods. I am a travelling merchant whom are hiding from that golden armored man outside just like you...."
"Not even merchants are safe from him huh...? I am Sigurd, a warrior from the Badlands. That being said it's not like I have any runes with me."
"If you can spare it, I trade for goods as well. It may prove useful to you since you may have unwanted trinkets on you."
"Well I'm buck naked for one thing, it's not like I have anything to sell to you...."
"I see.... There's no need to worry, there are many opportunities to earn and use runes, no need to rush when doing businesses am I right?"
"Hmm, I suppose so."
_____________
I was finally able to rest properly at a cozy place. The merchant Kale was nice enough to lend me a sleeping bag, and it was a relaxing night for me the entire time.
Soon the morning came....
After making sure that the Tree Sentinel isn't around, I went outside to hunt down some rabbits, bringing them back to the church where I grilled it myself.
"You said you're from the badlands?"
"Yes, all Tarnished came to and from the Badlands, led by Chieftain Hoarah Loux.... You people from the Lands Between know him as Godfrey."
"Ah, the first Elden Lord?"
"Yes, indeed. We'd frequently feast after battles, but we don't do it in the morning like this because no shit that we don't need to eat, hahaha! This also means one thing however - This is a special occasion, have some grilled meat as a token of our meeting."
"Thank you.... but you really have no need to feed me. I'm a travelling merchant, even if you try to tame my stomach I still wouldn't give you any discounts."
"Ah don't worry about it, I don't need anything from you. Nom...."
Without salt or any flavourings, the meat tastes bland like eating a chewy rubber with savoury taste. It's not great, but it's still food.
"I see.... Here, I have some salt, from the seas below."
"Oh? That's perfect then!"
After adding in some salt, this rabbit meat is actually tasty now.
Both of us ate in silence.... With each bite I take into the meat, the atmosphere felt heavier.
It was awkward.
"....Pleaae say something."
"Hmm?"
"Do you know anything about this place, about Limgrave?" I asked, trying my best to make the situation less awkward.
"I'm afraid not, for I'm not a local anyway.... But I do know one thing."
"?"
"That Limgrave is ruled by a degenerate of a demi-god.... Godrick the Grafted, a delusional idiot playing as a Lord."
"Varre said the same thing.... Why is he so hated?"
"You do not know? About grafting?"
"Not a clue."
"I see.... Grafting is a technique performed by Healing one's body, whether from an Incantation or something like that, alongside a wound to graft a foreign body part onto said wound. Anything can be grafted, be it a limb or the body part of a monster, as long as one's body and be at the burden that is."
"...!"
I woke up inside that chapel where I met that monster with multiple limbs, the one who stabbed me to death.... He must be someone grafted as well.
"Godrick is notorious for capturing Tarnished warriors like yourself to graft onto his frail body, gaining what little strength from it on top of his own. There are countless other soldiers out there who are kidnapping worthy Tarnished for this purpose, don't let them capture you.
To be grafted onto a monster like that while not dying a true death.... Such a fate is worse than Scarlet Rot, I'd imagine. Be very careful when venturing around Limgrave, Sigurd."
"....I understand."
If I was captured by these soldiers of godrick, will I be grafted onto him as well....? That is not a death that I would wish upon anyone else.
__________
(Later....)
"Thanks for the food again. It's rare to share a meal with anyone, who let alone share it with the likes of us travelling merchants."
"Eh, it's no big deal. We Tarnished are the lowest of the lows in society, I'd say that you are more important than me."
"Is that so...? Regardless, farewell to you Sigurd. But be sure to purchase something from me the next time we meet."
"Haha, sorry!"
After making sure that the Tree Sentinel is no where to be found, I departed from the Church of Elleh.
The Site of Grace inside the church shows it's Guidance, pointing up North following this mud road that was guarded by the Sentinel.
This road should lead me to the Stormveil Castle, just like that creepy masked man said.
"Now then...."
(Chapter End)
_______________
[Short Note from Author]
Hey there,
Sorry for ghosting on you all last week.... I was suddenly caught with something of importance and couldn't spare the time to write anything down. In return however, this chapter gets more polished and lengthy, so enjoy it!
Rest assured that I won't drop this story randomly without saying anything about it. Thank you for reading this.