Divine Apostasy Book 8 - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Ruwen slipped into the Worker’s Lodge of the cleverly named city of Midpoint, which happened to sit midway between New Eiru and the edge of the Third Temple’s reach. Of the thirty cities he had put forward in his initial plan, this was the largest.

While not the height of Deepwell’s Lodge, this one shocked Ruwen with its size. The imposing structure nestled in the heart of the city. The walls were constructed from smooth oak timbers, and the roof of large, interconnected shingles. Wildflowers and moss grew on the sides of the building and the main entrance had a massive, arched doorway, guarded by a pair of amazingly detailed stone wyrms.

Inside the crowded lodge the temperature had become uncomfortable, and an Air Mage had begun circulating the air. A large tapestry hung above each of the four entrances, depicting scenes from Workers in the nearby forest or the surrounding farms. Polished hardwood covered the floors, scratched and nicked from all the boots.

A four-foot platform sat against the north wall, just to the side of the entrance, and the speakers addressing the crowd sat on simple well-constructed chairs. A short middle-aged woman stood on one of these chairs. She had pulled her black hair into a bun, and her serious appearance enhanced her beauty. She pushed a strand of loose hair behind her ear as she spoke to the crowd, the effect of her high Charisma detectable as a slight pressure now, and not the overwhelming force Ruwen remembered.

Ruwen inspected her.

Name: Grand Pit Boss Durn

Class: Worker

Sub Class: Laborer

Specialization: Planning

Class Rank: Adept

Level: 76

Health: 1,310

Mana: 490

Energy: 2,325

The meeting had almost ended, and while Ruwen had only arrived a few minutes ago, he could feel the frustration and anger from all those here. And it wasn’t just Workers. In fact, he guessed Workers made up a minority in the room.

Ruwen focused on Lir, the entity responsible for running the Third Temple and a million other things. How many people are here?

Lir responded immediately. With an expanding radius of ten square feet per second the population density increases linearly with an equation of—

Stop, Ruwen said, still getting reacquainted to Lir’s literal interpretation of everything Ruwen said. I meant how many people are in the Midpoint Worker’s Lodge at this moment.

Three hundred seventy-eight.

Ruwen had guessed four hundred.

Rami squirmed behind his right ear.

What? Ruwen asked Rami.

You should be nicer. It’s not his fault your questions are unspecific.

Ruwen clenched his jaw. I am nice. He doesn’t even have feelings to hurt.

Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

Ruwen sighed. Fine. He focused on Lir again. Thanks for the information, and sorry I wasn’t more specific.

An apology is unnecessary, Architect Starfield.

See, Ruwen told Rami.

Of course he’s going to say that. It’s his job. He isn’t going to tell you that you’re an impatient, demanding, rude—

What!

I mean, hypothetically, Rami said and laughed, the feeling like a cool mist across Ruwen’s mind.

Ruwen placed a hand on the Spirit Infused Baton of a Thousand Uses that hung from his belt, fighting the urge to unclip and spin it. Instead, he tapped his fingers on the tool and shifted his stance back and forth. He glanced at his shadow, wondering if anything looked back at him. When he became Uru’s Shadow he withdrew the shadow, and he felt a lot more relaxed. Here though, he needed to be Ruwen the leader of New Eiru, not Uru’s Shadow, the wielder of divine justice.

You shouldn’t be so nervous, Overlord said.

Easy for you to say. I didn’t ruin your life.

Well, I would— Overlord started.

Ruwen interrupted Overlord. Stop, that was rhetorical. I can’t deal with anymore feelings right now.

That’s his problem, Rami told Overlord.

Yeah, he should embrace them, Overlord responded.

Both of you stop distracting me, I’m trying to think. And that’s pretty rich coming from you Overlord, you don’t even have them all.

That’s mean, Rami said.

Overlord spoke up as well. Unfortunately, I’ve learned to fear, despite my origins.

Ruwen sighed. Overlord had become attached to Uruziel, the Divine fragment of Uru that Ruwen had saved from destruction by storing in his mind. The Divine shard produced the constant debuff Unworthy Vessel that kept him from reviving and caused a constant five Health per second damage.

I’m sorry, Overlord. Ruwen said. I know you’ve changed since the battle of New Eiru. It feels like everyone has matured but me.

Big D had calmed the worst of the crowd’s anger and appeared to be wrapping up the meeting.

Rami hugged Ruwen, warmth filling him from the inside, turning his chest and face warm. You’ve grown immensely, you just don’t see it.

Thanks, I guess maybe I am a little nervous, Ruwen admitted.

Ruwen had come dressed as a Worker. The heavy cotton pants and shirt matched his leather boots, along with the wide-brimmed hat he’d pulled down to cover the top of his face. All brown, like the soil. It felt good in a way to finally dress in the clothes of his base Class.

Ruwen had removed the Dark Portal from his right wrist and stored it in his Inventory. Wearing two void bands would attract way too much attention. As it was, the black band around his left wrist set him apart, and anyone near him respectfully moved to give him space. The Bands as people referred to them, were critical to almost every aspect of the country and touched everyone’s lives.

The room grew quiet as Big D finished speaking. She crossed her arms across her chest and bowed to the crowd offering the standard gesture for greetings and goodbyes. “Uru’s blessing.”

To Ruwen’s shock less than half of the crowd returned the gesture, and a low mummering began as everyone filed out of the four entrances.

Ruwen concentrated on Rami. Not many returned the blessing. I wonder if they’re mad at Big D or Uru. It isn’t a good sign.

A small group had gathered in front of the platform, all waiting to speak with Big D. Ruwen watched the small woman calmly address the fears and questions of each. After the final person left twenty minutes later, only an exhausted Big D and Ruwen remained visible. Three others, likely Big D’s bodyguards watched from hidden gaps in the wall.

Big D jumped off the platform and strode across the thirty feet between them. “I see your Band. You can tell your boss my answers haven’t changed. He can stick his deal up his—”

Big D stopped suddenly as Ruwen raised his head, revealing his face from under the hat’s shadow.

They stood that way, eyes locked, for five seconds.

Ruwen swallowed hard and crossed his arms over his chest. “Uru’s blessings, Grand Pit Boss.”

“Uru’s freckled butt,” Big D whispered.

Ruwen pushed off the wall and crossed the distance between them. Big D remained quiet and watched him approach.

“First,” Ruwen said as he stopped a few feet from Big D. “I want to say I’m sorry. Truly sorry. For the camping trip, for sending a letter instead of speaking to you myself, and for taking so long to return.”

Big D continued to stare, her face masking her emotions, although Ruwen could hear the rapid beating of her heart.

“I owe you a massive debt,” Ruwen tried again.

Big D took a step closer, reached out and touched Ruwen’s chest, as if confirming he was real. Finally, she spoke. “I don’t know if I should hug or punch you.”

Ruwen smiled. “I have an opinion on that.”

Big D gave a tiny smile. “You blasted Bands always do.”

Ruwen opened his arms, and after a moment, Big D stepped into his embrace.

They stood that way for a few moments before Big D pushed herself away. “I don’t know where to begin. Maybe with, you’re late.”

“We will get to that,” Ruwen said. “First, my apology.”

Big D waved her hand, dismissing it.

Ruwen shook his head. “No, Yasmine, I have only glimpsed the tip of your suffering. I owe you a debt and I will spend the rest of my life trying to repay you. Without your leadership and influence, what would remain of Uru’s lands?”

“Nothing,” Big D said. Her heartbeat steadied, and she sighed. “Thank you for seeing the reality of all this. Holding it together has been the greatest challenge of my life.”

“Holding it together?” Ruwen repeated, then with a smile continued. “Uru’s lands or yourself?”

Big D’s smile returned. “Both.” She turned her head to the side and spoke loudly. “It’s all right, boys.”

The three bodyguards emerged quickly and marched toward Big D. Two of them Ruwen recognized.

Wip and Qip, two large Workers, had protected Big D for longer than Ruwen had been alive. She had tasked the two Workers to watch over him during the camping trip, and he had thought about them whenever his guilt swamped him.

Ruwen crossed his arms over his chest and bowed toward the pair. “Please forgive me for lying and evading your care. I will make up for whatever punishment you endured because of my disappearance.”

The two men smiled as they approached and held out their right arms. Ruwen grinned and quickly grasped each man’s forearm. Knowing the two men didn’t hold a grudge against him relieved a tiny portion of the guilt he carried. He would look for a way to make up for what he’d done despite their apparent acceptance of the consequences.

Wip and Qip turned and faced outward, scanning the Lodge for threats as the last man approached. He mirrored Ruwen’s look, wearing brown Worker garb, hat, baton, and most significantly, a Void Band.

The man greeted Ruwen with a nod and took up a position on the other side from Wip and Qip.

Big D tilted her head at the man. “One of Bliz’s Bands. The Crew Chief thinks I need protection.”

“How silly of him,” Ruwen said. “Is there somewhere we can talk.”

“Oh, yeah, we have a lot of catching up to do.” Big D strode toward the largest door and Ruwen followed. “Let’s go, boys. I won’t get through this without a drink or ten, and the Champion is buying.”