(Second Book Complete!) Runeblade: A Delving & Skill Merging LitRPG

**Ding! level 3 Red Deer slain - Experience Gained!**

**Ding! Runeblade Initiate has reached class level 3!**

**+3 End, Str, & Int, +2 Dex, Wil, +1 Vit, Free - from Class & Racial Traits!**

**Ding! Latent Glyph of Drakthar has reached level 4!**

Satisfaction thrummed through Kaius’s blood at the quenching of his Bloodsong, the deer flopping as Porkchop snapped its neck between his jaws, crushing the base of its skull.

A bit overkill, considering the deer had dropped dead with a single Stormlash, but he understood the need to burn off the thrilling heat of the hunt.

Thanks to the bond between them, he was treated to the visceral sensation of his bond-brother’s teeth plunging through its bones. It was a quick end, and a valiant one, for the prey that had given them such a good pursuit. Without substantial reserves of health, it expired instantly as its body had been overloaded by reverberating storm mana.

The fact that he had garnered a level in both his class and his glyph only sweetened his pleasure.

It had been a fun few days, showing Porkchop a different side of the Sea than he was used to. Apparently the forest on this side of the mountains was almost serene compared to what he considered the norm, and they had made good time following game trails as they zigzagged their way to the edge of its reaches.

Even with the awakening of beasts, they had faced few difficulties. Most things got one look at Porkchop and fled for their lives. Though, there had been a boar that had tried to test their mettle. Given how stubborn the brutes were, that wasn’t all that surprising - though it had fed them well, and had given them their first levels.

He’d managed to eke out a level or two in most of his skills over their journey, relishing that he was no longer strained under the enforced caps of an unclassed. Explorer’s Toolkit and Brotherhood of Ichor and Animus had seen the most growth by far. Only those that needed him to truly test himself in battle still languished at twenty.

Still, it was nice to take down the stag. He missed venison, and going a year without his favoured meat had driven him into a slight frenzy at seeing a lone deer traipsing at the edge of the forest.

It had been a bloody wily thing. Even with all of Porkchop’s might and speed, he was severely hampered in the forest. Unable to turn on a hair, the deer had kept a constant lead on them as it danced between the trees. Making a break for the plains had been its final mistake.

A nice way to cap off their journey, now that they should only be a league or two from Three Fields.

“Great takedown, we’re gonna eat good tonight.” he said, grinning at his bond-brother.

Porkchop dropped the carcass of the deer, looking up and over Kaius’s shoulder.

“Kaius, I think you might have gotten a little lost.”

His face twisted in confusion. “What do you mean?” he asked, turning around. Then, he froze.

Before him, barely over a few hundred strides away, were the familiar walls of Three Fields. Carved from stout logs felled from the nearby forest, they were spiked and stretched thrice his height into the air. A massive reinforced gate was nestled into their face, though it was the first time he could ever remember it being closed.

Even if the shut barrier blocked his view further into the town, he would recognise it anywhere. The way it was nestled between a crook of hills, a subtle slope leading up to the fortifications, earthworks protecting the town further.

How the hells did he miss that. They’d been a little focused on the deer but that was some truly spectacular unobservance on his part.

Then, with skill enhanced acuity, he saw two figures on the battlements watching him closely, one with a bow held at the ready. Cham and Rekkar, he realised, picking out their distinctive features. Like most in this region, they were amber skinned, with pale blonde and sandy brown hair respectively.

Jekkar tensed. Kaius realised with a start that he was still wearing his helm. Even with both of them being hunters, and having sensory skills, neither would be able to recognise him.

“No sudden moves, Porkchop. I know them, but I need to take off my helm.” He murmured, keeping his voice low, so as not to startle Jekkar. The man was the head hunter of Three Fields, and a known deadeye. He wanted to avoid an arrow to the eye if he could.

Porkchop let out a low rumble, but stayed dutifully still.

Keeping his hands visible, Kaius raised them to his head and slowly took off his helm.

Things happened very quickly after that.

He saw the bow slip from Jekkar’s hand, the older hunter vaulting over the side of the palisade to hit the ground running, while Cham tore off towards the village. Behind him, Porkchop let out a warning growl at Jekkar’s rapid approach. The man slowed, if only just. He was still a hunter well into the first tier, and had the speed to match.

Kaius dropped his helm, taking off towards the known face, sending assurance and safety along his bond. He laughed, throwing his arms wide as Jekkar tore across the open field and slammed into him at full pace, wrapping his ribs in a crushing embrace.

“Kaius, ye fuckin’ idiot, we thought ye dead!” he bellowed into his chest. Kaius laughed, returning the hug. It was fucking good to see him.

Jekkar had been one of the handful of village folks he’d seen the most of, Father foisting him onto the man for basic wilderness survival and hunting training when he was going to be busy doing gods knows what for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

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“It’s bloody good to see you, Jekkar. You have no idea how much.” he replied, doing his best attempt to crush the man with his hug. It was like trying to find the give in an iron pole.

The hunter pulled back, still gripping him like he was afraid he would vanish, and looked up with shock and wonder plain on his face. Then Jekkar squeezed a little, prodding at his chest. “Not a fuckin’ bean pole are ya now, lad? What the fuck you been eatin’? Entire herds? No wonder you were so focused on that deer!”

Kaius laughed, slapping the hunter’s hand away. “It’s a long story, a really long one, and hopefully one that you and the other elders can fill some gaps in for me. I’d love to share it over an ale, if you think Hurin would have us?”

Jekkar froze, just barely for a moment, but after so long in the Depths Kaius didn’t miss it. They knew something. A tiny seed of dread sprouted in his belly.

“I..yeah, of course lad. Yer always welcome, though as you might expect things are a little tense, what with the sudden shift with the system.” the hunter replied, stammering slightly.

Kaius nodded and smiled. “I might have a little more information on that than most, if you’re willing to wait.”

Jekkar looked at him sharply, searching his features for a sign of…something. Whatever he found, it didn’t leave him wanting. “Aye, you’re clearly a man now. Can see it right in yer status. Though how you managed that a year early, I do not know. Don’t think I don’t remember yer birthday, my boy. Must have been some year.”

Kaius grinned. “You have no idea. Though how much I can share depends on if you and the others are still as generous with secrets as a dragon is with gold.”

Jekkar spluttered, taking mock-offence at the simple thought of being loose of lip.

Before the old hunter could formulate a response, Kaius felt Porkchop approach from behind him, simple friendly curiosity emanating across their bond.

Freezing suddenly, Jekkar looked past Kaius to stare at Porkchop, an expression halfway between fear and reverence on his face.

“Ah. I assume this be yer friend, Kaius?” the hunter asked cautiously.

“Hello! My name is Porkchop!” Porkchop said warmly, shoving his head over Kaius’s shoulder to give Jekkar a sniff.

Jekkar froze, staring at Porkchop in disbelief, before he looked back at Kaius.

“Now, Kaius. Lad. Please do not tell me you named a King of the Forest Porkchop of all things.” the old hunter said slowly.

Kaius grinned. He’d expected something like this. For all who lived near the Sea, greater meles were nigh on mythical creatures, and the subject of story and legend.

“I might have.” Kaius responded.

“That’s a little bit of a reach.” Porkchop snorted. “What greater beasts use instead of names doesn’t exactly…translate, so Kaius suggested it as a joke. I decided to keep it, as it will make my enemies underestimate me!”

Jekkar craned his neck up at the mountain of muscle that towered over him. “Ah. Yes. A valid battle tactic.” he said haltingly, clearly doing his best to give deference.

Shaking his head, Kaius turned around and gave Porkchop a scratch behind the ears. “Don’t bully them too much, you big oaf.” he said softly, before turning back to Jekkar, who was still staring at the two of them, more than a little bug eyed.

“How about that ale, old man? Think it’s been enough time for Cham to send word of my coming?” he asked.

The hunter shook himself. “Aye! Aye, sorry Kaius. Just didn’t expect to see you again, not so changed, and not after…everything.”

Kaius looked at the hunter sharply. That was…telling. “Didn’t expect me? So you know of the bandits then.”

Jekkar paused, before he started to slump. “Aye, we do. It might be best if we wait for that ale, eh boy? You know I’ve never been the best with…” he waved his hands around, gesturing at the general air of it all. “This.”

The little sprout of dread in Kaius’s stomach grew just a little more. Jekkar had always been a blunt and to the point man, for him to avoid the topic meant that it was something that even he knew would need a little tact. That meant nothing good.

“Perhaps we best get on to that beer then.” Kaius said softly as Porkchop rested the comforting weight of his head on his shoulder.

Jekkar nodded. “Need any help with the deer?” he replied, changing the subject to more immediate matters.

Kaius took the distraction from the heavy weight of unspoked tales with gratitude. “Nah, Porkchop can carry it. Right?”

Porkchop nodded. “Just throw it on my back.” he said, settling down to make it less of an acrobatic task.

Jekkar jumped to assistance, helping Kaius toss it over Porkchop’s shoulders, before they set off at an easy pace to the village gates.

“I’ll get it butchered after we reach the inn?” Jekkar asked. “I assume you’ll be staying there, just ‘bout the only place with doors big enough for yer companion to get inside. I can bring it back later, let Hurin and Illendra cook it up nice.”

“What, not gonna take your cut this time?” Kaius teased.

Jekkar barked out a laugh. “Ye get this one freebie, lad. Just this once. Don’t tell anyone though.”

Kaius smiled. “On the gods.”

As they walked, Kaius snapped his head towards the gate as it started to creak open. It seemed Cham had managed to rouse some sort of response.

The thick oaken gate swung open slowly, revealing a small crowd. Jekkar waved, giving assurance that everything was fine. There weren’t too many people, barely a handful, and he recognised every single one. One and all stood stock still, frozen at the sight of him, or perhaps the sight of Porkchop.

Hurin, the innkeeper. Yanmi, the mayor. Eilish, the head of the artisans. Saldar, the elder of the farmers. Illendra.

Kaius froze as he saw her face, memories washing over him. Of the times spent in warm conversation, of her yammering about her latest culinary creation. Of his yearning. It was … gone now, a realisation that settled on his heart with melancholy. She was still absolutely gorgeous, with her piercing turquoise eyes, flaxen hair, and soft features, but it was simple beauty now.

Too much had changed.

Still, he ached to run to her. Few had given him such comfort, and fewer still had treated him with the warmth that she had. Even non reciprocating of his affections, she had still treated him with friendship and kindness.

At some point he’d stopped moving, he realised. Staring at her. With all of his enhanced acuity, he watched the very moment when she realised it was truly him, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Kaius!” Illendra screamed, nearly tripping over her pale yellow dress and apron as she sprinted away from the group that still stood at the threshold to the village.

Jekkar looked back, and saw him frozen a dozen paces behind him. He gave Kaius a grin, and stepped off to the side.

He barely noticed, still frozen as he watched the rapidly approaching streak of yellow cloth and blonde hair.

Porkchop shoved him forwards. “Don’t be rude.”

Stumbling was enough to shake him from his fugue.

He ran, sweeping his oldest friend off her feet and wrapping her in a desperate hug as he spun her through the air.

“Illendra...”