Reborn And Chosen By Three Gods

CHAPTER 7

Silvain didn't look happy but wasn't arguing, so the Dwarf continued.

"Alex must be allowed to register with the Guild and find his way as all new arrivals do. It will be up to the scholars to debate what three blessings mean and the odd timing for the return of the three Gods," he said in conclusion.

Silvain leaned back in his chair with a thump, but Alex picked up that he was agreeing to set Alex free.

"We will take our leave then. Thank you, Commander," Grakkesh said and stood, gesturing for Alex to accompany him.

Looking the Commander in the eye, Alex nodded and gave him a little bow as he didn't know how else to appease the man's distrust. Finally, he just rushed after the Guild Master.

They walked through the grand halls of the Genthale Knights headquarters and were soon out on the street. Alex looked up and saw the sun was giving signs it would be setting shortly.

He turned his head to catch Grakkesh's eye. "What did you mean by the God's return and their odd timing. I've heard that mentioned, but the significance of when I showed up hasn't been explained.

Grakkesh nodded. "As I mentioned, Agron, Ullentra, and Ffornexa haven't brought a new arrival to the world for a very long time. It is puzzling that they all chose you and delivered you outside the regular dawn to dusk interval, and its significance, if any, is unknown." He shrugged. "As I said to the Commander, these are questions for scholars to debate. My task is to fulfill our part of the contract with the deities. Registration and training. If you can adapt to your new situation, you will survive. If not, fate will eliminate your anomalous presence."

Alex looked away from the smiling Dwarf as his words didn't make him feel any better. However, he understood being responsible for his own survival.

The Guild Master guided him to the Adventurer's Guild Hall. It was a large, impressive four-story structure amongst the regular two-story dwellings with ground-floor shops.

Then, he noticed that a significant number of people were watching them approach the building.

He glanced at Grakkesh, who nodded. "News has gotten out about your little adventure this morning. They're likely curious about the man who single-handedly destroyed a slavery ring on his first day on the world. That's a heroic act."

Alex stopped walking, causing the Dwarf to stop as well. Frowning, Alex looked closer at him. "If they knew how I did it, would they be as impressed?" he asked, seeing the Guild Master's expression change. This confirmed his thoughts.

"It would have been far easier for me if I'd arrived uneventfully. The entire experience has been... unsettling. I've been off balance since I woke in the utter darkness. I thought I'd died and was going to meet... someone. Then I'm told I'm actually on a world under the control of a series of deities I've never heard of before. I remember the pain of being attacked and waking in chains. The battle is a blur of rage, pain, and savage violence. I remember the sensation of a deep warmth, and the pain was gone. Then I was arrested! Most unsettling is learning this world believes in magic, and it's real!"

Grakkesh laughed gently as he stared at Alex. "Most unsettling?" he said and shook his head. "The Gifts of the Gods have been clearly documented and can be seen in use by the people of the world on a daily basis. Soon, you'll accept it as a normal thing."

Giving him a doubtful frown, Alex fell in beside the Guild Master as they moved to climb the steps and enter the building. There were greater numbers of adventurers inside, but a path to the front counter opened before them. Everyone was quiet, staring at Alex.

Not uncomfortable for him at all.

Behind the counter was a lovely... female Elf with fire-red hair in loose waves down her back and delicate pointy ears poking out of her hair upward and back. Large, upward-slanting, and vibrantly green eyes watched him with interest. Alex was a little stunned by her ethereal beauty and she seemed to enjoy that.

Grakkesh gestured for Alex to submit his chits, earning him a concerned look. The Dwarf tapped the counter.

With a sigh, Alex placed the three chits on the counter side-by-side. This started a grumbling amongst the gathered people, and Alex picked up the exclamation Three! again and again. He glanced back and absorbed what he was seeing.

A wide range of armor was being worn, from leather to metal plate, cloth gowns from plain to ornate, bladed and blunt weapons, and various bows and staffs of all sizes. It suddenly felt like he'd walked into a Renaissance Faire or a LARPing tournament, except the weapons weren't made of soft foam.

Turning his attention back to the beauty filling out his registration, he caught her watching him, too. She quickly slid a form across the counter to him and looked at Grakkesh.

"We don't have any Guild Cards with more than one God on it," she whispered to her boss.

"You'll likely have to go into the storage room upstairs to find one but get an Agron card Alex can use temporarily until we make him a custom one. Thank you, Maera," he said quietly.

She looked back at Alex. "Please fill in any details you can remember of your identity."

"I remember everything," he responded automatically, and her lovely eyes widened further.

"You're one of the lucky ones," she responded with a slight smile.

Alex tried to keep his smile in place. "Time will tell."

She held his eyes briefly, then dipped hers and rushed away to climb the stairs to the second floor.

Alex looked at the form and suddenly realized it wasn't written in English, so he.... He stopped as he realized he could read the new symbols without effort. He looked at Grakkesh, who was smiling at his dawning realization.

"I always enjoy this part," the Dwarf said with a pleased smile.

"I-I can read this!" Alex said, then looked at the man beside him. "Are we speaking English?"

Grakkesh grinned and shook his head. "I don't know what that last word was, but you're speaking the Gods' Language. It's another of their gifts. Everyone who comes here knows how to speak, read, and write the Gods' Language. All can communicate with each other. It doesn't eliminate miscommunication or misconceptions as language is only one of the tools required for successful communication, but it greatly enhances the chances of reaching common ground."