Chapter 9

The man was standing there looking at me from the time I stepped out the door. The waves of attitude poured off him making everyone run. “You. The level of your power has come to our notice and I was sent to evaluate your abilities. Display your strength to me.” I looked at the rather bored looking man and nodded. “Then please follow me.” I opened a gate and he rolled his eyes. “I don’t follow. Just do something that tells me you are not a waste of my time.” I nodded. “Yes I understand, but for me to do so we need to move somewhere we will not harm others.”

He looked around and then at me. “What others?” I couldn’t help but be dumbfounded. “The people of this town could be harmed.” He looked at me like he still couldn’t understand. “These are mortals, they will breed more of them. Now hurry up I am tired of waiting.” I took a breath and let it out. “I understand, but I can’t do anything with these mortals around. They are under my care and so I protect them.”

I could tell he was losing it and when he sent a bolt of fire into a home I lost it. I closed up on him, something he wasn’t ready for, and opened a gate behind him. With a quick push we fell through and then I closed the gate behind me.

“Who are you to lay hands on...” That was all he said before I began to force my mark on him. “What do you...” then his face twisted up as he felt his heart faltering. He fell to the ground, but I followed him and kept my hand on his heart. I felt power building up and put my hand over his face.

“At this range your head will be gone before you create a spell. Stop getting it ready or die, those are your choices.” He was so shocked I felt his heart give way and then he screamed as my mark was placed. He laid there panting as the hollow place in him felt a flood of energy and emotion. His mind rebelled at the idea of being a servant, but his heart and soul felt something new and awe inspiring.

“What have you done? How did you do this?” He was gasping in effort as he tried to first break the mark, and then at the enormity of what he was feeling. “Fighting this is futile; the mark was created by the Noble elves and passed to humanity. As a powerful mage, my mark is as strong as their ever was.” He looked at me in desperation. “However, I didn’t do this to you to keep you like this, only to stop you. I will remove it when I feel safe that you will listen to me.”

He was still trying to deal with what was going on. “Stop fighting, just calm down and let it roll over you. You will survive and in a while you will be free.” I took his hand in mine and he gripped it. “I will not harm you, I don’t want to harm you or anyone else, I only acted to protect those I love.” He nodded as he could feel I was not lying.

I helped him sit up and sat with him. “Hello there, I am Samael and I have no idea why the Nobles would have an interest in me. From what little I know elevation to that status is for people who climb in power, so far that the title is naturally given.”

He bowed his head for an instant and looked at me. “I am Benson and I have been a noble for two hundred years. I was sent to evaluate what kind of person you are and what your plans are. The dwarven Noble feared you were a human that was coming into Dargon to begin a takeover of his people. Since you are a human the others felt it best to send me, and I resented being forced into this. I apologize for threatening you as I did.”

He put his hand over the mark. “What kind of magic is this? I’ve lived for almost a thousand years and have never known that the slave mark is so calming.” I shrugged. “The salve mark is an abomination, mine however is not a normal slave mark.” His eyes opened up a bit. “My mark is not only a bond to the other person it is a bond with all my slaves as well. It connects us to one another allowing us to know and understand each other. What you were feeling after the mark was placed were all the people with my mark reaching out and letting you know not to worry.”

He nodded. “I’ll be truthful, in all my years I can’t remember ever feeling this before. I feel like even if I was a thousand miles from any other life I would still not be alone.” He seemed to think a bit harder. “It feels like a warm blanket on a cold day.” That sounded like a warning in a way. “Here let me remove that mark, it’s harder to remove the longer it’s placed.”

I then reached out and erased the mark. He looked at me and seemed disgruntled. “I understand now. Having that for very long would have made me beg you to let me keep it.” I nodded. “It can be a rather powerful tool, but a dangerous one as well. I didn’t mean for it to be, but as more women I love, and that genuinely love me in return, were added the effect grew as well.”

“So what I was feeling was all those people reaching out and sharing their emotions with me?” I nodded. “I genuinely love all of the people with my mark, and like a thousand mirrors that love is reflected back. If you could feel it, that love isn’t focused on me though, they reflect it on each other as well. We all support and care for each other so that energy just grows.”

He grew thoughtful. “Well you are very powerful, more than enough to be counted among the Nobles. After knowing you through that connection I know that you mean no harm to the dwarven nation.” I nodded. “But how do you feel about the human and elven nations?” I took a breath and decided to be honest.

“They are both rotting from within. The elven hierarchy is following the path of the High Elves again and who knows how long it will be before they are the same.” He nodded and seemed concerned. “The human nations are not much better. The attitude that the Labyrinths were designed to control spreads through different avenues now. With the high level of slaves it is easy for a human to send them in for them and collect the bounty and power they crave without risking any danger.”

“As to the dwarven nation they are sliding into ruin. The power collected at the top is keeping innovation and exploration from growing. They hoard techniques, refuse to expand, and keep people from surpassing the previous generations to the point they are regressing into uselessness.”

“Something tells me you are already meddling.” I shook my head. “Well a little maybe, but I’m not stopping anything. I have a good relationship with a small village of elves and the only changes I have made were for them not to judge former slaves.” He looked at me as if waiting.

“I have also made it more expensive to buy a slave by buying up as many as possible and bringing them here. This is getting elves and dwarves off the market as they are supposed to be, and reducing the ability for the wealthy to buy their way into greater power by sending them into the dungeons.” He seemed to be thinking.

“Anything else?” he asked and I sighed. “I did find an artifact in a wild dungeon and passed it to a friend of mine.” He looked worried. “Artifacts are supposed to only be given out in the city dungeons. They shouldn’t be allowed out anywhere else.” I shrugged. “So what was it, and where is it?” I smiled. “It was the hammer of the elder dwarves. I passed it to a dwarf and it accepted him.” This caused him to scowl.

“I cannot confiscate such an item as it happened outside the normal. The Labyrinths were created by those beyond this world. We try restricting the number in the world, they are far too powerful for mortals, but the system seems to think differently.” When I didn’t react he looked at me closer.

“How many have you won?” I looked away. “A few, they show up in wild dungeons that are going berserk.” He gave me a look and then nodded. “True, you have no reason to trust me too far. I stupidly attacked someone that had been polite.” I tilted my head. “Much like I treat elves, I do my best to be polite but have no expectations of it being returned.”

“Ouch. Being compared to those people is harsh, but I guess not unwarranted.” We sat and he thought about how this was going. “By the way do you still need me to show you my strength?” He nodded and I looked out to sea. The island was long gone, but this would still work. I began with a flame spear. He looked on and seemed unimpressed until I began to compress more and more magic into the lance. When I was at about half power I let it got to where the island was. The explosion caused a shock wave that swept the ground around us of loose soil.

“That was a lot of power, easily equal to my own.” he he “Between your wise intentions, wise actions, and great power I will advise the Nobles to begin your admittance into the ranks of the nobles.” I held up my hands. “Do you have to do that?” He looked at me as if confused. “Don’t you want to be a Noble? Isn’t that why you worked to attain this much power?”

Oh boy, how do I say this and not offend him. “I didn’t strive for this power, it was simply a part of my growth to do what I have wanted to. I wanted to free slaves and have a wonderful family. Now I have that family and far more. I not only have freed slaves, but have helped them build three towns of their own.”

“As a noble you will be able to have the authority to make these things happen on a large scale.” I thought about that. “Then why hasn’t the other nobles helped to correct the path of their people?” He just blinked and realized what I was asking. “You hated the idea of stepping among the mortals. All of you look down on the races like the races look down on their slaves. Isn’t that what led the races to throw down the high elves? Because they no longer saw the mortals as where they came from, and instead saw them as those they are burdened to rule over?” Benson blanched.

“Please don’t be offended when I say this, but the reason my mark did this is because it reminded you of your humanity. In the centuries you have lived your origins faded. Good or bad your feelings were a part of who you are. They are what drove you to attain your position. I don’t think I can do this to everyone who is a noble, but I am glad I got the chance to help you remember.” To this he smiled.

He seemed to think about it and then frowned. “No, these feelings are rather foreign to me. I never had them while young, and once my feet were on the path to nobility I would have ignored anything that would have been a distraction.” He sighed.

“I have a feeling that all the nobles are that way.” He nodded. “Well I not only have the love you felt from the mark, but I also have children that I love. They are not simply mortal spawn, but living testaments to the love I have for the women in my life.” I saw something in Benson’s eyes and felt something was coming.

“I think I understand now. I think I see why you have had things thrust upon you so that you would attain the power of a Noble.” He looked at me with a slightly wild smile. “The labyrinths haven’t given you these tools, they have been thrust upon you to correct the world.” I blinked at him hoping not to give anything away.

“The Nobility was created to watch over and guide the world. When a being had the level of power needed to back up their commands to the races they are either brought into the nobility or the nobility destroys them. This level of power is far too easy to lead to horrible ends like it did the High Elves.”

“When we are elevated we are to act as benign leaders. We allow development but discourage averous. We keep them away from power that is too great for them to wield without creating disaster. We are supposed to be the guardians who are supposed to protect them.” He said in a tone that made him wonder.

“It sounds like you are supposed to take the role of parents to the races. You watch them, protect them, and correct them when there is no other route.” These words seemed to have a great impact on him all of a sudden. “We grow bored and move on because we have forgotten our roles?” I shrugged. “All I can say is that I could never grow bored when I watch my children play.” Benson looked at me and asked a very hard question. “May I watch them, and you?”

“Give me a moment.” I called out to Jewel and she said she would have the house ready when I got there. “My first wife asked me to invite you to our home. All I ask is that you respect my family.” He smiled and nodded. I then opened a gate and when we stepped through he staggered a bit. “Samael, you have built a plane of your own?” I nodded and he looked at me a little strangely.

“You don’t understand, only those nobles who have attained a certain degree of enlightenment are able to create their own spaces. They spend centuries within them to contemplate, meditate, and grow closer to passing on. It’s said that such a place as this removes them from the world so they can focus on the tasks ahead of them.”

“Benson, when I first learned spatial magic I could create small gates. Then over time I could create storage containers, and then one day I discovered I could enter the space that my storage rings are connected to. As I grew in power I was able to enlarge the space, and then manipulate the space to make it like the world outside.”

Before he could really think about this Jewel came out and bowed to him. “Welcome to my husband’s home. We are very glad to host one of the great Nobility among us.” He bowed back to her in return. “Thank you for allowing me to be here. I am just beginning to understand your husband and I am hoping to learn more by seeing who he is and who has helped raise him to the level of the nobility.” Jewel looked stunned at his words and then looked at me.

“N-n-nobility? Master is on the level of Nobility?” She nearly fainted at the thought. I moved to support her and she smiled up at me. “Why am I surprised? I have known my husband and master to be a great and powerful soul.” We shared a look and then I remembered our guest.

“Samael, if I ever had a woman that looked at me with such devotion, and passed her by, I am a greater fool that I already think I am.” We went inside and he looked around. “Never have I seen such wonders. It is all so strange yet wonderful.” Then I heard a cry and walked over to find one of my kids biting the tail of another.

I picked up the biter and bit her tail and she screamed. I looked at her pouty face and she was almost crying when she saw it was me doing it. “It’s not so nice when someone bites your tail is it?” She shook her head. “Then why did you bite her tail?” Her little face was crumbled into tears. “Gina stole my snack.” I nodded and kissed her a few times and hugged her.

“Gina why did you steal your sister’s snack?” The girl who thought she had gotten away with it shrank down. “Sorry papa,” was her only defense. “Then that means you need to apologize to your sister for stealing and she needs to apologize for biting right?” I set Liza on the floor and they both hugged each other and then began playing again.

When I turned around I found Jewel and Benson watching me closely. “Is that what you mean by being a parent to your children? Being a mediator in their squabbles?” I nodded. “That is a part of it.” We headed into the kitchen and I grabbed two colas. He looked at the can and then saw what I did. After the first sip he gave a little laugh. “This is very refreshing. Where in the world so you find such a thing?” I shrugged. “It’s a product of the plane.” With that he just nodded as if that was all the explanation he needed.

“As to the children, how did you know that there was more than the biting?” I smiled. “If one is attacking there must have been a reason. For example, when the elves and the dwarves were about to go to war with the humans you stepped in and told them to stop or pay the price.” He nodded and then looked at me. “How did you know we were involved. Only the leaders of the factions knew that.”

“Master is master, he has information few know about,” Jewel said with pride and he shrugged. “How would you have dealt with it?” I sighed. “Well the three parties were grown up enough to deal with it on their own thankfully. I would have simply pushed them in that direction a tiny bit. I may have said that if you have a problem with humans using your people as slaves, then maybe you might work to find out how they were sold into slavery in the first place.”

Benson seemed to think about that and then nodded. “Master did that thankfully. He bought up all the elven and dwarven slaves he could and brought them to his towns. Then he put out a rumor that humans were creating half elven children with their slaves. Since that borders on what the high elves did to create us, they quickly ended the practice of selling slaves into the human nation.”

Benson looked at me and sighed. “So you are acting like a Noble without the title?” I shrugged. “I don’t think so. I am simply using what I had available to make the lives of those around me better. One of my eleven ladies was forced into slavery. When I met her grandfather he told me what was going on, and his hate of the silently allowed practice. I hate slavery, so I did what I could to end suffering, increase the populations of the freed slave towns, and give the arrogant elves a kick in the ass to care for their own people.”

Benson smiled at me. “What do you think the Nobility is supposed to do? You didn’t just command them like we would have, you quietly taught them to follow the right path on their own.” Jewel rubbed her cheek on my arm. “That is how a good parent leads his children to choosing the right path.”

Benson nodded. “Maybe the gods wanted us to be the parents this world needs, only we forgot over the ages. The first Nobles are long gone and every generation since have less and less of a connection to the mortal realm.” He looked at us. “In fact you are the first to qualify for Nobility since I was two hundred years ago.”

That came as a bit of a shock, but not all that surprising. You gained the most power from the dungeons. Those who could beat the dungeons had to be strong, but also smart. From my experience those who fought in the dungeons were mostly just strong. Maybe something could be done about that by the adventurer’s guild.

Benson and I talked for quite a while. He watched the women in my life, the children as well, and after dinner he asked me to come with him to the Hall of the Nobles. “I would like for you to help me understand the role of the Nobles by going through our history. We have certain writings that have been our rules for millennia, but for some reason I think we do not understand them as we should.”

I looked to Jewel and she smiled at me. “I think master should go, but I would advise taking the elder dwarf with you.” Benson looked at me and then tilted his head. “The Elder Dwarf? If someone has inherited that title that would mean he is a Noble.” I called Grendel and when he walked in I could see the grim look on his face.

“So this Noble explained what the hammer really means?” I nodded and he sighed. “Damn, I was hoping to avoid this for another century or two. The last thing I wanted to do was go to the hall and leave this life behind.” I looked at him and then Benson.

“Benson, do we have to leave the world behind if we take on the role of Nobility?” The man shrugged. “Hell if I know. Usually the idea of leaving the mortal realm is greatly desired, so the idea of someone like us staying hasn’t been asked.” This gave both Grendel and myself hope.

I brought up the plane panel and near the forge another two bedroom house appeared. We entered and Benson looked around in wonder. “Well since it’s late I figured I ought to have a guest house for visitors like yourself. Will this be alright?” He nodded and smiled. “This is quite the perfect residence for me. While you may be used to this, I am not. In the hall we have giant rooms, giant beds, and we do everything through magical means. While it is all very impressive, it’s also quite lonely.” Then he spread his arms out. “This however feels comfortable. I like this and one day, when I can make my own plane, I may have you come and teach me how to make such a place of my own.”

I quickly stocked the fridge and cabinets with food and sodas. I showed him how to use the shower and he laughed with joy at it. There was a knock at the door and I found Cherry standing there cutely. “Master, Jewel thought it would be nice for me to act as a maid to our guest if he wants one.” He smiled and nodded that it would be nice to have some simple company.

“One little point Benson, a maid doesn’t mean bed partner here.” I stroked my young dragon’s hair. “This girl is like a daughter to me.” Benson smiled and nodded his head in understanding. I made that clear because I had no doubt that many would offer their own wives if it meant pleasing a Noble. That was NOT to be the situation here.

Grendel and I headed back to the house and afterwards began our conversation about what we felt needed to happen. Refusing to go would be as dangerous as going. Since neither of us had a clue what to expect we decided to just do our best and hope for the best.

The next day we all went to Allfolk, where Benson’s porter was, and go to the hall of the Nobles. We stepped through the gate and while it was impressive, the whole thing felt rather contrived. A structure built in such a way as to cause great intimidation, but failing.

We followed Benson and he led us to another overly grand room with a few people sitting in what could be described as thrones. A dwarf sat forwards and looked at us. “So Benson, after your evaluation how do you find this mortal?” Benson nodded to him. “After displays of strength and discussion of purpose I find that the mortal Samael of good intention and acts. I also find him worthy of Nobility.”

This caused quite the upset in the room. There was a knocking sound and then an elf sat forwards. “What is your evidence of such a claim?” She asked looking down her nose at me. “The fact that he could have easily killed me without effort, but didn’t. I challenged him and before I could move had me on my back, and hand on my chest, and palm of energy over my face. If he had willed me harm our battle would have lasted less than a minute.”

This cause them all to look at one another. “After we agreed to only speak he gave in to my request and cast with ease a lance of energy that would leave me weakened to perform. After he understood my intentions he took me to his personal plane to meet his family.” That caused a real hubbub. “A mortal able to create a plane of his own, ridiculous.”

“Fellow Nobles please don’t dismiss that which you cannot judge. Look at me for proof. Can you not see it? Not only has he shown me things I can barely comprehend, he has also humbled me. In a single day I have come to understand that while I have the power of the Nobility, I have not the attitude or the direction of one. Though I have held the title, I have not lived up to that title. If anything I was the same man I was when I was scrambling through the labyrinths grasping for power.”

This caused everyone to stop and think. However they seemed to see us as a possible threat rather than allies. Grendel looked at the dwarven noble and grinned. He pulled out the hammer and then tapped in on the stone of the floor, causing rings of light and sound to pass through the room.

Everyone’s eyes snapped to look at him. “Good day to all of you. As you can see I don’t need any of you to approve of me, I’ve already been approved by a founder of the Noble class.” He said and you could see the resignation in their faces. “Now as one of you who actually knows this young man I would like to give you a bit of insight into him.”

They all looked on. “Samael is one of the most loving and gentle people it has been my fortune to ever know. He is also the most powerful and vindictive people as well.” This got them looking at me. “He would sacrifice a lot to help those around him if in need.” He patted me on the back. “He will also gut you like a fish if you are a threat to him or his.” Benson nodded along with him.

“Understand that he has performed great deeds for all the different races.” He looked at the elven Nobles. “He has freed thousands of your ancestor’s slaves, and freed many of your kind who were sold into slavery by their own families.” This caused them to look away for a minute. “He’s been doing what you should be doing for the eleven people.”

He looked at the Dwarves. “I wonder if any one you know exactly what Bilson’s disease really was. Did any of you know that it was an assassination technique using an invisible elven slave mark?” This caused them to look at the elves who seemed even more ashamed. “Well Samael took one look at a person dying of Bilsons and not only saved her, but hunted down what we hope was the last person to know how to use the mark.”

The dwarven Nobles looked at me with a bit more respect. “Too bad the dwarven nobles never tried to cure the worst killer of dwarfs.” He said in an almost threatening tone. “He’s taken lands left empty and created thriving towns that are now filling empty bellies all through the dwarven lands simply by giving people an idea.” They all crossed their arms over their chests which I took as dwarven thoughtfulness.

He then looked at the other two humans present. “Your race, being short lived, are a miasma of mistakes the longer lived have tried to fix. Slavery was the doom of the Noble elves, but it is also the death of the human race. It creates a dependence on slaves and leaves them lazy and feckless. That the Nobility they worship as the best of them turns a blind eye to this is vile.”

Grendel looked at the dwarves. “And as the chosen of the hammer I might add that your neglect of our people puts you right alongside them. The arts of the forge are dying because you allow the smiths guild to be run by petty and small minded men.” He stepped up to one of the dwarves and touched the head to him.

The hammer and the dwarf’s eyes both glowed gold. You could see him shake as the images of the dwarven arts filled his mind. Grendel pulled it away before too much was revealed. “Because the Nobles allowed this the dwarves of today cannot fashion the higher metals like orichalcum and Adamant.” The dwarf nodded his head as he tried to assimilate the images of the ancient forges.

Benson stepped forwards. “My fellow Nobles, look around you. This hall was once filled by people such as us. The Nobility was meant as a council of the strongest and wisest of the three races. We watched over the mortal realm as parents watch over their children. We were to act as the rock which the races could turn to in time of great need and to stop the infighting of the mortal people.”

“The humans are now a base and greedy people. The elves have become the same arrogant monsters the High elves were.” Then he turned to the dwarves. “And the one race that is a haven for others has fallen into sloth and let its best times become nothing but stories.”

There was one elven woman present and she had sat there quietly and calmly. “Benson, Samael, and Grendel, your words are true and bite deep. Unlike my fellows I have studied the words of the early Nobles, and know the truth of what you say.” Then she sighed heavily. “I’ve also talked to those who live in between the worlds and their words bite me as well.”

“We are a world falling into oblivion. Those before did nothing to guide the races, because the rot had already set in. They left us rules to try and slow the decay but all that is all it does. I have looked deep into all there is to find anything, but there is no answer.” She sat back and looked at me sadly.

I raised my hand respectfully and she nodded to me. “Before you came here were any of you parents?” They looked at each other and shook their heads. “Were any of you bound to another as mates or partners?” same look. Benson looked at me and smiled as he nodded his head rapidly.

He then looked at his other Nobles. “We are too removed from the mortal realm. We cannot watch over those we cannot understand. However, Samael has a method that might help us all to be better Nobles.” The elder elf looked at me and seemed a little excited.

“How is this done?” she asked and I shrugged. “By briefly becoming a part of my family. If you will allow I will put a servant’s mark on you. There will be no loss of free will or loss of control, but it might help you like it did for Benson.” He smiled at them. “He did, in fact, place one on me to disarm me. What it actually did was show me everything I had been missing as a human and a Noble.”

There was a lot of grumbling but the female elf stood up and came over to me. “Please, let me see for myself what Benson is talking about.” I had her sit in a chair and then touched her bare chest. “Now if you don’t fight it, this won’t be a problem.” She nodded and took a deep breath.

Once the mark was placed she felt my family and the connection we all had. She gasped and then the tears began to fall. Her smile was as bright as the sun and grasped my hand. “This, I can feel every life bound to you. I feel their hearts beating as one.” Her eyes began to dart around. “I can feel the love a mother has for her child, I can feel the strength you give the women you love, I can feel things I didn’t know could be felt.”

I quickly reached over and removed my mark. The elf gripped my hand and looked at me in desperation. “No, please don’t take that way.” I held her hand gently in mine. “I have to. You could feel the pull and while I do find you a good person, I don’t want you to become too overwhelmed by it.”