A Hard Truth and An Unwise Decision

By Tim Paulson

When might fails, dark magic calls.

Airship stolen and twice betrayed, Max remains in a city filled with enemies. His countdown continues, recording every waning moment until his final doom. Victory over the paladin and his endlessly reviving soldiers isn't just fleeting, it's a liability, causing more problems than it's solved.

A new item will provide access to a powerful new class if Max has the stomach for it, but he'd better figure out something, and quickly. As he's learned, in this world, there are many fates far worse than death. Perhaps it's time to try something different, something... arcane.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tim Paulson
• Release date: Jun 7, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224626458

Tim Paulson

I am Tim Paulson, and I write books.Baneslayer, my new book in the System of Nil, is now available in ebook, paperback, and audiobook! I plan for the System of Nil to have five huge books, each more exciting than the last. The pre-order for book two is here!The Bone Knight audiobooks are on the way. Book one is already done and available on Audible. I wanted to finish Baneslayer's audiobook before I continued with Bone Knight two, and that took quite a while because it's BIG.If you've enjoyed my books, please leave a review. It helps me feed the pit of monsters, who are always, always hungry.Thank you!-Tim

Book preview

1

A SCALEY BOOTH AND A NAKED TRUTH

A bell rang in the distance. The sharp metallic sound echoed throughout the city of Ceradram, rebounding from hundreds of cracked walls of stone, brick, and stucco. It barreled through the tight alley where Max and Raeg were running like a train in a tunnel. Though he had no ears, the sound stabbed at Max like a knife, cutting into his consciousness and making it hard to think about anything but getting away.

You! Stop! ordered a Lansalis soldier from the street ahead.

Too late, Max realized his hood had fallen back again, revealing a horned helmet of black iron and the skull beneath with eyes of glowing green.

He's an unholy! said another of the four soldiers. He must be the one!

A third pointed his arming sword at Max and Raeg, the shining silver blade catching the orange light of the late afternoon. Kill them!

The two of them ground to a halt. Max looked at Raeg, who looked back. They both sighed.

Then the soldiers chasing them came around the corner.

There they are! For Lansalis and for honor! they yelled.

Max looked at his barbarian comrade. I'll take the ones behind.

Gotcha, Raeg replied as his axes appeared in his hands, one made of thick black iron the other a solid hand axe he'd fashioned himself.

Then, with a clang of metal on metal, the battle was joined. Max soon found himself surrounded by several soldiers. He used his back slap only once, just because. It wasn't really necessary. After his recent levels, the normal Lansalis soldiers couldn't even get through his armor's resistance. They'd jab him and their sword would just bounce off, no damage notification, nothing. So he smashed them with his spiked club and they fell, one by one until the last man ran.

That wasn't uncommon in the tight twisted alleys of Ceradram. If the soldiers felt few would know of their cowardice, they would flee in the face of an enemy they couldn't even scratch. It was understandable.

Lansalis soldiers defeated!

You let one go! Raeg said, sounding not so much angry as disappointed.

Max shrugged.

How are we gonna level again if you do that? Raeg grumbled.

Max laughed. Oh... now you want to level?

Well... yeah. Now that I know it's possible.

But I told you it was...

Raeg just stared at him.

Never mind, Max finished. Telling and doing were two different things. He knew that. How many times had his father told him something that sounded like an idiotic platitude until he actually experienced the situation? Too many and it was growing by the day, which was kind of unsettling.

It's getting dark, Raeg said as the bell rang again, making the shutters of the buildings shake and Max's head throb.

Why the bell? Max asked. They didn't do it before when we were attacking them or when Trina blew up their chains.

At the mention of the girl's name Raeg's face hardened. I dunno. Come on, he said as he flicked the blood from his axes.

Max paused for a second before following. He wanted to loot the half dozen corpses on the ground but knew there was too little time to stoop over each one.

Raeg stopped at a broken fence, he was getting ready to bend down and stuff his large frame through the hole. What are you waitin' for? The whole damned Lansalis army? That paladin to come back? Come ON!

No, Raeg was right. There had to be a limit to how many soldiers they could handle at once but that second thing was the real concern. They'd killed Tesh twice now, both times as kind of a fluke. If the guy hadn't been pissed off before, he had to be livid now.

Alright! Max replied, slipping his own bulky armor under the fence.

The two of them then ran down yet another alley with soaked streets. The rain was coming down here pretty hard. They must have come under one of the larger islands hanging in the air above, into another slop block.

1 health restored.

Nice, he thought, glancing at his display. The good news was that with all the winding through the maze that was Ceradram he'd now gained twenty health from the dirty rain. Unfortunately that meant he still only had twenty-four. A Vile brew would be great but they were gone, and they'd sold all the potions back at the dark market and forgotten to replace them. It was a good thing the light soldiers couldn't even touch him or Raeg would have been carting his lifeless bones around for hours.

Raeg turned a corner and went down an old decayed stair into an abandoned building made of cracked old bricks. It looked like a fire had ravaged the place a long time ago. How a fire could burn long enough to destroy an entire house in near-constant rain Max didn't know, but it had. The place was gutted.

It took them some time to thread their way through it but when they did they emerged on a completely different street. This one was even darker than the alley before.

Huh, Raeg said, scratching his head as he stood in the street.

Max pulled his hood back up and unequipped his armor. There didn't look to be many soldiers here and the armor was bulky and noisy so it drew attention. What? he asked the barbarian.

I know this place. We go down here and when we take a right, I think, and there'll be an inn. They have great ale.

Max looked around. The more he looked the more he realized the people here had a certain look to them, a scaly look. Almost all of them were lizard people.

Are lizard people dark aligned? Max asked.

Raeg frowned at him. What kind of stupid question is that?

Uh... Ok.

Might as well ask if humans are dark aligned, Raeg said. Answer is the same: some are, some aren't. Let's go.

Will they care about my eyes? Max asked, not wanting to pull the hood down over his face again. Being pulled around the city by Raeg wasn't exactly his favorite.

Oh yeah, Raeg replied and yanked the hood down before grabbing Max's wrist.

Come on, Max grumbled.

He was then pulled down the street, stumbling the entire way like a drunk, until Raeg took a hard right, then another hard right and they ascended some stairs.

As soon as the door opened, the blast of hot air that came from inside made Max's big gray cloak billow out behind him. The little tentacled creature hiding in his chest cavity hissed in surprise.

Max was then pulled again until Raeg forcibly stopped him.

Now sit, the barbarian said.

Max's hand went back, finding something that felt like a wooden booth. Leaning over he could see it, but just barely. It was warmer in this inn and brighter too, which made trouble for his eyes. Max couldn't help but have the feeling he was being pushed into a booth inside someone's heat lamped reptile terrarium. All he needed was to stumble across a plastic log and the illusion would be complete.

I said sit! Raeg snapped. I'll get us some grub.

You mean you, Max replied, sliding into the alcove.

Well, yeah, but it's better if you look like you're gonna eat right?

Max nodded. And you get to eat mine too.

Right you are, Boney! Raeg replied. Though he couldn't see it, Max could almost hear the smile on his companion's lips.

Will you tell me why you don't like Vish? Max asked, trying to pull the edge of his hood up enough to take in some of his surroundings.

There was a pause. Yeah, Raeg replied. When I get back... Oh and here, he added. There was a clink as something hard hit the table. It sounded like a fishbowl filled with bottle caps.

The bright light of the lizard inn made it hard to make out what he was looking at. It was shiny whatever it was. I can't see too well in here. What is this?

I stole it from that paladin, Raeg said. Take a look.

Tesh screamed himself awake. The pain was still ripping at his guts as he sat up, eyes wide. He could feel it, the tines of the steeple as they cracked against his spine before it finally split and his body tore apart. The pain had been gargantuan, monumental, like nothing he'd ever felt before, but despite its size it was still dwarfed by the shame of it, the absolute, total humiliation.

He had to get out of there quickly.

Tesh pushed the slaves aside, snatching at the robe they held for him before scrambling out of the water as quickly as his body would allow. The pain in his core was nothing. It would subside. The wrath of his order would not. Nor would the hierarch, once he heard, and he would hear. That was now certain.

My lord... You are still wet... please allow us to- the lead slave said.

Tesh snarled at him. Out of my way!

Two deaths!

Two!

It was unheard of, a disgrace. There was only one thing to do now, only one way to redeem himself. He had to find that skeleton and destroy him. Immediately. Not just him either. Everyone associated with that creature had to be killed. The barbarian, that girl, all of them.

Normally he would have assumed such a creature was dead after an airship crash, but this Boneknight had proved to be quite resilient. There would have to be a search. As his station permitted nearly instantaneous revival, the skeleton and his barbarian comrade couldn't be far. He would involve his house guard and take other steps as well.

Nothing mattered but this. Nothing.

As Tesh exited the alcove, the slayer Niall was waiting for him. He was alone. Good.

This way lord, Niall said, gesturing toward the back of the chapel. An airship awaits you. I've made certain the priests will not trouble us.

Good, Tesh replied. We must return to Belum. I need armor and weapons suitable for unholy extermination. There is little time.

Yes lord, Niall replied, his head low.

The slayer followed as Tesh wrapped the robe about himself, stalking down the hall. The pain in his center was finally abating, only to be replaced by a burning core of volcanic hatred that grew with every step.

About... my transgression, Niall said from his side.

Tesh grimaced. If it would conjure him the skeleton he would tear Niall's head from his shoulders a thousand times, with his bare hands if he had to, but it would not. Temperance was a virtue, even with regard to brutality, or so his order said.

We must find this Boneknight. I don't care about the past. I care about the future, our future. If he still lives when agents of my order arrive, the suffering I endure will be sung of for centuries, and make no mistake, Niall of Ghalarem, what is visited upon the master shall be a hundred times upon his servant, he said, quoting the book of Celadria.

I understand lord, Niall replied. I...

Yes? Tesh asked, gritting his teeth as they exited the back hall of the chapel into a courtyard. A small airship waited here, its blades spinning, with a ring of Pioshus house guard around it. This courtyard had not been made for landings. A few smaller statues had been knocked over and several priests were gesturing angrily at the guards. A high priest rounded on Tesh.

You! This is your doing!

Be silent! Tesh shouted at him. The man visibly shrunk like a slug dipped in sea salt. You may bill my estate for the damage.

Uh... Yes... the high priest said, backing away.

Tesh turned to Niall as he approached the ship. What had you planned to say? Out with it!

The slayer looked stricken. It's... It's about the girl.

Which girl? Pioshus asked.

I'm told there was a girl who used an ability to-

Yes, yes. I know of whom you speak, Tesh said. She left with a stolen airship. I told her she could have it. I didn't say I wouldn't send someone after her.

But... her ability, Niall repeated as they boarded the ship.

Irrelevant, Tesh said. I already have a plan for that. We'll be involving my younger brother.

Niall's eyes widened. But lord... is that wise?

Wisdom is not called for Niall. I must be aggressive, forceful. I must show that bag of bones why the light rules this land and will, for all time.

But... Your brother...

Tesh held up a palm. "I am aware of his reputation but after our father's death last year, I am the leader of our family. He will do as I say."

Of course, lord.

Now... What I need is for you to tell me something about Boneknight.

Niall frowned. My lord, I've already told you everything I know.

Tesh leaned back into a leather cushioned seat, adjusting his robe to fall more comfortably. You may have but there is something that bears repeating. Something you've mentioned in my presence before.

What's that?

The goblin king. You said there was a king of the goblin village did you not? The one near Celain in the south. I think I remember him. I had to put two of his little green beasts down for poaching.

I see, lord, Niall replied. Yes, that is one.

You told me you questioned him about the attack, Tesh continued. Tell me. What did you do with him?

I had him imprisoned, of course.

Where?

In Ceradram, one of the slop block dungeons, why? Niall asked.

Tesh leaned forward, threading his fingers together. Bring him to me. I have some questions of my own.

2

RING OF RINGS AND HOWLING AT THE MOON

Max leaned forward, pulling the glass container into the shadow of his cloak. Only then, did it resolve into something that made sense to his overloaded eyes. It was a glass bauble with a hole at the top, like the sort of thing you'd see keys dropped into in a lawyer's house, except this one was filled with rings. The jewelry was made of all kinds of colored metals and stones but they all had a sort of fiery glow to them, just like the one Max currently wore on his finger. These were magic items. Raeg had stolen an entire jar of magic rings.

Outstanding.

Max dug his skeletal fingers into the jar, feeling the rings. Even if none of them were any good, they would probably sell pretty well. Not that they needed money really and the dark market had been raided, would it even be there anymore? Would it have moved?

Still, with this many of them the chances were pretty good that at least one ring would be of use. Max picked up a silver and gold ring with a twisted band and slipped it on his finger.

Lesser ring of the mind equipped.

Cool, he said, thinking that he did kind of feel something. If there was one thing he could use, it was mind points. He checked his status.

Whoa! Up to two? Like, positive numbers? Had the ring done it? Max opened his equipment screen and hovered over the ring. It said it only gave a plus one. So he must have already had a point there. 

Huh. He hadn’t had a chance to check on his status after killing Tesh the second time. Now he had two hundred and twenty seven health and two whole mind points. Talk about moving up in the world!

More! He wanted more!

Some items in the jar had stones or jewels and some didn't. The mind ring he’d grabbed had a simple twisted silver band with no stone. There looked to be just two more like that in the jar. Max fished them both out.

He put a second one on a different finger.

Lesser ring of the mind equipped.

So far so good, he said, bringing up his status screen again.

Up to three! Max put on the final ring

Lesser ring of the mind equipped.

Max quickly checked his status screen again. Four! He now had four mind points! He was really starting to feel it now. He felt sharper, clearer, like he could figure out anything, and he liked it.

Instantly something crystallized in his mind, something that had been on the edge of his consciousness for some time but he hadn’t been able to put a finger on it. It all made sense now, mostly because of how his stats had started at zero, while Raeg’s, even when Max first met him, were far higher.

Vish had somehow given him a flat negative to all his stats. That was the best conclusion from the information at hand. And it looked to be around negative ten. It was no wonder his vitality had been so low for so long. 

He had a feeling it had to do with whatever that hidden word on the top of his status screen was. Raeg didn't have that word. That part of his status screen was empty. It wasn’t conclusive, but it was certainly suggestive that the two were connected.

Given how low his stats had been, it was amazing he’d been able to string thoughts together at all. Or maybe not. Maybe he just wasn't getting any bonus. Whatever rules governed this place, they didn't seem to allow for effects from negative stats. The lowest they allowed you to suffer through was zero. Small comfort that was when he had to wear three mind rings just so he could have a mind score of four.

Max dug around the bowl, hoping he’d missed another mind ring. Nope.

Crap, he said.

There was a sharp intake of breath next to him. Max lifted his