The Bloodforged Kin

Chapter 249 - 243: Book 3 Epilogue - The Forsung Clan

"Well this place has certainly changed."

Kiona only nodded at Mikael's statement, too dumbfounded to respond. They were standing in front of the Bristol Renaissance Faire in southern Wisconsin, looking up at the massive keep walls. They'd all visited here many times before, being fans of cosplay and ren faires in general. Kiona had even performed as part of a singing troupe for a few summers, earning a few bucks and free, shitty beer.

The walls were no longer the painted wood facades they'd walked through so many times before. They were still four-stories tall and decorated to look every bit the medieval keep, festooned with brightly colored banners and signs, only now they were huge blocks of stone that looked like they could withstand trebuchet attacks.

"How did they do this?"

Mikael shrugged. "Maybe The System did it, or maybe they have some people inside with the skill. We've heard that a lot of people were heading this way."

Kiona nodded - those rumors are exactly what had driven them here in the first place. The System had been perfect for cosplayers, sword enthusiasts, non-magical magicians, and pretty much anyone that had once dreamed of a magic-filled life. Unfortunately, the reality had turned out to be less fantasy and more brutal apocalypse. When The System granted powers to everyone, the gentle-hearted nerds who just wanted to have fun and live their best fantasy lives found themselves quickly beaten down by those who were decidedly more ruthless.

This is what had drawn her group to the Ren Faire. The rumors said that it was a safe haven for those like her and her group - people that wanted to band together in a place that held no judgement, no fear, and as little death as possible. A place to perform, meet others like them, and expand their skills - whatever those may be. Not everyone wanted to be fighters - many simply wanted to practice their crafts, grow magical abilities, and live without fear of some asshole who just happened to be pumped up on System power coming to bully them.

"Should we enter?"

Kiona cast him a sidelong look. "Can't rightly stand out here all day, can we? We came all this way."

He smiled at her terse words. She spoke harshly at times, but her heart was bigger than any he'd met. She was, lovingly of course, called their Clan Mother for a reason.

She led the way to the massive double gates that looked to be an inch thick of pure iron. A small panel opened up and a face painted in motley colors peeked through. Kiona could hear the tinkle of bells on his jester's cap.

"Hello, travelers! What is your business here?"

"We want to come inside."

"As do many, as do many! Many wish it, but not all are welcome, unfortunately. First you must answer my riddles three!"

Kiona fixed him with a glare. "If this is some sort of Monty Python shit you can stop with it now. We've been walking for a long time and are not in the mood."

His merry tone dropped. "Okay lady, fine. Take a guy's fun why don't ya? Anyway, I meant what I said - not everyone can come inside. You have to pass The Test."

"What is The Test?"

"Just a little magical spell to tell if you are evil and what not. Nothing big."

"Sorry, but no one is casting a magical spell on us."

"Then you don't get in. Them's the rules, lady - I don't make'em but I enforce'em."

"And what if I decide to blast this door down and come inside anyway?"

He laughed, the bells on his hat tinkling in merriment. "You wouldn't be the first to try, not by a long shot!" She heard the sound of panels sliding open and saw a range of weapons pointing out of the walls towards her group. "You're free to try if you like, but I gotta tell you - you're not making a great first impression!"

She sighed, calming herself. "Okay, okay. I just don't like the idea of people casting some sort of spell on my people. We've met a lot of bad people out there and lost a few because we trusted too quickly. That's not a mistake I'll make again."

His voice took on a somber tone. "Yeah, I feel for you there. That happens a lot to us, and I don't blame you for your caution. Look, I'll level with you then - the spell isn't anything harmful. It just senses intent. If your intent is to come in here and be a part of the community, you'll be golden! If you, or any of your people, have any intention to harm anyone, or do some stupid power grab or something, then you can't come in."

"What happens if we can't come in? You'll kill us?"

"Nah, we don't like to do that unless we have to. We'll just let you go on your way. We'll only intervene if you try to do something to sneak in, or if you mess with anyone else who is coming. And let me tell you - we may not seek out violence, but we have a lot of people here who are pretty damned good at it. Don't give them any excuse to practice their skills or magic, they'll take you up on it!" He laughed again.

Kiona considered what he was saying. It rang true to her and, in an odd way, was a big relief. It was exactly what she'd been hoping to find.

"Okay then, let's do it."

"Before I start, anything I should know about your people? Anything you want to get out of the way up front?"

Kiona didn't even look behind her. "Nope. They're all good people."

"We'll see, we'll see. Okay, you first. Step up here and put your hand on the painted handprint on the door."

Kiona saw there was a crude painting of a big hand, the yellow paint flaking off from extensive use. She reached out, placing her hand on it.

"First question: What is your intent here? Think long, think wrong - just tell me the first thing that comes to your mind."

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

She'd never voiced it - never even really thought about it, really, but she knew. "Rest. Find people like us so we can just exist without having to fight for our lives constantly."

"Good, good. Next: What would you say is your group's philosophy when you encounter others that aren't like you? Others that are different?"

That one was easy. "We have three iron-clad rules that we live by. First, if it harms no one else, do as you will. Second, all men and women are equal except in times of battle. And third, all work towards the betterment of the clan and are judged by their actions." She was proud of that - always had been.

"Okay, so pretty standard viking stuff with a little Wiccan mixed in. Not too unusual."

That stung - she thought they'd been pretty original when coming up with that! But, she had to admit, it was a pretty common theme in fantasy stories.

"Third, and be honest: Have you killed humans, and if so - why?"

She inhaled a sharp breath. She was not expecting that one. Should she lie? She didn't want them thinking that they were killers. What happened if she gave the wrong answer and her whole clan was turned away because of her? But it's not like they'd been given any other choice. They'd done what they had to do and she wasn't ashamed of it. She would be true to herself and her clan, and wouldn't hide who they were for anyone. If it meant they wouldn't be allowed in, then so be it.

"We have, but only as a last resort. We never attack first and we always give others a chance to walk away."

The voice consulted with someone on the other side of the door in hushed tones before returning. "That is a half-answer."

She sighed, irritated. "Fine. Like I said, we've killed, but only in defense of ourselves and others. If someone comes at us with threats, we give them a chance to walk away. If they continue, we let them make the first move."

"And if they make that move?"

This would be the moment that they would be turned away, but she didn't care. She was damned proud of her people. "Then we respond with unprecedented violence. No one brings death to the Clan's feet and walks away from it." She was breathing heavily as she said it and her fingernails scratched lines through the yellow paint.

There was some more conferring on the other side of the door and Kiona waited with growing impatience. She was just about ready to reach through the portal and grab the idiot by his stupid hat when he finally returned.

"You may step away. Send the next one up here please. And no talking to them! In fact, go over there," he reached through the door and pointed awkwardly off to the side. "Don't want you sharing answers."

"What? Did I pass or not? Do we get to come in?"

"Sorry, lady, gotta test everyone. I know it's a pain, but hey - you've been working your way here for a while. What's another hour or two?"

She groaned in irritation but walked to the side of the door, plopping to the ground to angrily pluck dried grass out from between the gravel. Her people went one-by-one, presumably getting asked the same questions. The young girl they'd saved from the asshole cops was last, and Kiona was curious how she'd answer. After that fateful day they'd taught the girl the rules of the Clan and helped her fit in. Everyone had to pull their weight, but no one was forced. She was young, and the young got to spend time trying out different things to see where they'd fit. Initially she'd stayed with Kiona by the cook fire, but Kiona could see her heart wasn't in it. She was doing it because she respected Kiona as the one who had saved her, wanting to be like her.

Kiona had gently ushered her away to spend time with other members of the Clan, trying out things that called out to her. She'd become their mascot, their Little Sister, and everyone was fiercely protective of her. In The Clan, 'fiercely protective' meant preparing her for whatever challenges may come. The girl went to sleep with bruises and skinned knuckles more nights than not, but every evening around the campfire she received hearty pats on the back and glorious retellings of her exploits, each made to sound heroic and fierce - even if it was simply chopping wood. She never cut down a tree, she felled a mighty oak in half the strikes it would have taken a grown man. She never caught a rabbit, she hunted the wiley beast through thicket and vine, earning scores of scratches and cuts before skillfully bringing the animal to its final end. She was loved, and Kiona hoped that even if her Clan didn't make it inside, that the girl, at least, would. If not, she'd reach through that portal and crack a few skulls until -

Her reverie was interrupted by the sound of the doors opening. A thin man in full jester attire somersaulted out, tumbling and cartwheeling in big circles before coming to a stop and throwing sparks of colored lights into the air like confetti.

"Welcome, weary travelers, to Ren Faire! You have been welcomed into our hearth and home! Please follow me and I will show you around. I am Earnest, and although my official class is Concierge, you may greet me as The Welcoming Jester!"

"The Welcoming Jester is right…" Kiona grumbled as she climbed to her feet, dusting the back of her trousers off. The Clan walked through the doors with eyes open wide, staring at everything at once.

Immediately upon stepping through the door they were assaulted with the sound of music and voices, barkers calling out wares, singers and tumblers performing. The smell of food assaulted them and all of their mouths were watering. They may not have needed to eat anymore, but Kiona knew the power of a good meal shared around a warm fire. The place inside was massive and seemed to have grown since The System arrived.

"Hey," a voice whispered at her and Earnest tugged at her sleeve. She was jerked out of her trance and turned to face him.

"So listen," he said, "you all passed the test really well - no worries there. I think you'll be a great addition to the group. But I think there's something more you could do for us."

Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What's that?"

"This Cryptid Challenge hasn't been too hard on us - we've got some pretty strong magic users and melee fighters here, and more archers than we know what to do with."

Kiona nodded - that made sense. It's what she would have expected from a group of cosplayers and medieval warfare enthusiasts.

"The problem," he continued, "is that there's no real core to them. Everyone is a loner. You seem like you've been a part of the community before The System."

Kiona nodded, understanding what he was referring to. She'd been to a fair number of LARPs - live action role playing games, ren faires, cosplay conventions, and the like. People thought that everyone who attended those events were all nerds, which was partly true - everyone who went to those things were nerds in a certain way, but not in the negative light that society painted them as. Many were successful business people, athletes, or just all-around normal people who enjoyed a bit of fantasy and magic in their lives. Something they almost all had in common, though, is that they were independent. They loved their community, but most saw themselves as the secret hero just waiting for their chance to show the world how awesome they were.

"Yeah," she said.

"You seem to have built a pretty strong group here, and I really like the way you've incorporated your tenets into the way you survive. It's something that's strongly needed here."

"Okay, so do it then."

He laughed. "Yeah, like it's that easy. It's herding cats around here - cats with egos bigger than, well, cats'. As soon as there's a chance to show off, they're off in their own directions."

Kiona got a sinking feeling in her stomach, knowing what was coming next. She had to ask it though. "So what do you need me for?"

He fidgeted at the patchwork vest he wore, not meeting her eye. "Well, the next part of the Challenge is going to take a lot of teamwork and someone who has the personality and power to bust a few heads if people start hoarding powerful objects. It's also a delicate balance here - everyone is friendly and peaceful now, but what happens when people start fighting over rare or powerful items? Everything is good right now because we don't have any resource scarcity - everyone can get what they want pretty easily. Even buying food, drinks, or items is pretty easy since we have some merchants that can convert System energy or items into credits that we can use. But when rare items start popping up…"

"Resource scarcity," Kiona said, understanding the issue. "Okay, I get your problem but not where I come in."

"Well," he said, flashing her a shit-eating grin. "We kinda need someone to take charge."

Kiona groaned.