Chapter 4
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Shell of a Hold
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Varre had told him at the beginning of his adventure, all tarnished who sought the Elden Ring must, at one point or another, pass through the Roundtable Hold. However, when Melina first brought the Tarnished to the Round Table Hold, he could hardly believe it.
The keep itself was impressive enough. The walls seemed sturdy and the high vaulted ceiling certainly gave the place an air of importance. Surrounding him, carved into the walls, were stone statues of fierce warriors, with the largest and most detailed depicting the Land Between's first Elden Lord, the mighty Godfrey. At the center of the large war room was the round table itself, a large oak table surrounding a roaring pyre. While imposing, use of the table for any sort of council seemed impractical, as one would have to look past both the fire and the various blades crudely smelted into the center to even hold a conversation.
What surprised the Tarnished, however, was just how empty this large hold seemed to be. While he had not expected a large band of others like him, the Tarnished had expected more than three individuals mulling about completely separate from one another. For something so crucial to a tarnished's quest, it seemed as though very few had even reached this step.
With so few people inhabiting the hold, it was not too difficult for the Tarnished to find a silent spot where he could be alone, away from possible prying eyes. The Tarnished found a nice private quarters for himself in a dining area located in the downstairs area of the hold, accessible behind a wall of fog via a stone sword key. While it was certainly not as comfortable as the room the deathbed companion had claimed, it was sufficient for his purposes.
"Only a privileged few have gained audience before the Round Table Hold," he heard Melina say before she took corporeal form beside him. "Be proud, dear Tarnished. You have proven yourself a worthy contender for the throne."
The Tarnished supposed she was right. Even stepping foot in these halls was likely a great honor. However, he still could not help but feel as if the Order of the Roundtable Hold was far less grandiose than he had been led to believe.
"What think you of your fellows?" Melina asked, taking a seat next to him.
"They are not quite as I expected, for the most part," the Tarnished answered, thinking back to those he had just recently met. The residents of the hold were an odd cast of characters, none of whom seemed to particularly like each other.
"Sir Gideon the All Knowing is as pleasant as one might expect from a knight bearing such a title. Hewg, the misbegotten blacksmith, doesn't seem too keen on pleasantries either, although I appreciate his lack of condescension in comparison to Sir Gideon. Fia's company was quite pleasant, however. Unlike Sir Gideon, she was quite welcoming and seems a charming conversationalist."
"Be cautious around the deathbed companion," warned Melina before he could continue. "Her embrace may be warm, but it is not without its cost."
"Of course, she is still but a stranger to me and the title deathbed companion is enough to give one pause." The Tarnished had not yet taken Fia up yet on her offer, though he would be lying if he said he had not been considering it. Closeness and intimacy were things he sorely missed, after all. Just one night with the deathbed companion did not seem like the worst idea.
Moving on from the topic of Fia, the Tarnished continued, "Diallos is better company than most, but he seems more concerned with this Lanya woman than the Elden Ring itself. Corhyn is what one would expect from a devout follower of the Golden Order. I imagine he would make a wise counsel to whichever tarnished claims the title of Elden Lord."
The Tarnished stopped for a moment. Thinking back on those he had just listed, the only one who seemed to actually desire the title of Elden lord was Sir Gideon. The rest had other priorities and personal matters they held above the assignment for which they were given life again. As Sir Gideon had said, albeit more rudely, they were more akin to wanderers seeking shelter from the dangers in the Lands Between.
"Melina," the Tarnished asked, "do so few tarnished still follow the Golden Path?"
Melina nodded. "Many tarnished have been wandering the Lands Between for far longer than you. The quest for the Elden Ring changes a person. The path is arduous and fraught with danger. Difficult decisions must be made and far too often the weight of such matters breaks everything underneath. As such many lose sight of the grace that once guided them to begin with. My hope is that, through the hardship, you will remain true to yourself until our journey reaches its end."
"Is that why you said you were testing me after my fight with Margit? Did you know this whole time that such a formidable opponent was waiting for me at the castle gates?"
"I again apologize," Melina said, now sounding slightly guilty, "I had to ensure you were right for the task. I was not sure you would have the mettle and determination for the road ahead. However, as I said earlier, it seems Torrent is a far better judge of character.
The Finger Maiden was, if anything, brutally honest at times. However, he could not blame her for her caution. After all, the Tarnished had already experienced such hardships and he was yet to claim the first Great Rune. If he could not overcome Margit, he likely stood no chance of becoming Elden Lord. However, the flame of ambition continued to burn within. The Tarnished could not predict the future, but as for now his journey was still in its infancy. The deaths he had suffered at the hands of the Omen and the tragedy of Irina's murder would not be enough to blind him to the path ahead. "I hope to live up to such expectations then. After all, it would be a shame to fall short Torrent's evaluation, would it not?"
Melina laughed lightly at his joke. "Yes, it would be a shame to disprove the wisest among us in such a matter."
The Tarnished stood up, satisfied that he had properly proven himself. "Then I should begin preparing for the upcoming battles. As you said, the road ahead is long, so I have little time to waste."
Melina stood up with him, dusting herself off. With a small smile, she said, "Your determination is admirable, my Tarnished. I will excuse myself, then, and allow you to finish any tasks necessary." She then took a step back and disappeared.
With Melina gone, or formless at least, the Tarnished began making a mental list of required preparations before he left the hold. While he had slain Stormveil's gatekeeper, the castle itself still remained and he doubted charging in to take the head of its master would be an easy feat. He would first need help from Hewg, the hold's blacksmith, to reinforce his weapons to ensure they were strong enough to kill a demigod. Next, he would speak with Corhyn and learn a few healing incantations to save him should his crimson flask run dry. Finally, he would need more information about his target. While the idea of asking was unpleasant, the most knowledgeable in that regard would be the ever-charming Sir Gideon.
The Tarnished guessed from the few interactions he had with the knight that in all likelihood Sir Gideon would not be willing to share a thing. However, despite his cantankerous demeanor, Sir Gideon seemed at least invested in the death of the disgraced demigods, which was more than could be said for the others. Furthermore, perhaps the great "all knowing" would enjoy flaunting his lofty title and impart some helpful information, even if it did come with a tirade of insults.
The Tarnished hoped that when he next returned to the Roundtable Hold it would be with a great rune and the head of a demigod.
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The Gatekeeper
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"Gostec!"
The withered old Gatekeeper yelped in fear at the sound of the Tarnished's voice. The Tarnished, however, felt little sympathy for the sniveling little rat who only moments ago tried to have him killed.
Just earlier that day, the Tarnished met Gostec at the entrance to Castle Stormveil. Gostec had helpfully called him over and informed him of the dangers of the most direct route, suggesting a secret side path into the tunnel that was far less guarded than the main gate. While the Tarnished found his dodgy demeanor a touch suspicious, he figured, given Godrick's nature, that the servants working under him were just as eager to see him dead as most others. And, true to the gatekeeper's instructions, the Tarnished found a useful side entrance with nary a ballista in sight.
The Tarnished, initially glad to have met the seemingly helpful old man, began his infiltration into the castle, navigating the insides of its ramparts trying to find a way to Godrick's throne. However, in the course of his exploration, upon entering a small room, the Tarnished found himself locked inside with one of Godrick's elite knights. After hearing a muffled voice laughing at his misfortune from the other side, the Tarnished soon realized that perhaps Gostec was not so well intentioned after all.
"M-m-m-master Tarnished! How delightful to see you again!" Gostec sputtered out as he desperately tried to back away from the encroaching warrior, stumbling over his own feet as he did. "Is there any further help I can provide? P-perhaps some wares to help you in your quest?"
The Tarnished, still bloodied from his battle with the knight walked towards Gostec menacingly, continuing until the old man's back was against the stone wall. Then, reaching behind him, the Tarnished pulled out the enemy knight's helm, dented and caked with its previous owner's blood. He tossed it beside Gostec, where it landed with a hollow clang.
"Do you think these antics amusing, you shriveled wretch?"
Gostec, still thinking he could weasel his way out with feigned ignorance and flattery, quickly answered, "I-I see the knights of this castle are no match for you! As expected from a Tarnished meant to become Elden Lord."
Usually, he wouldn't have given men such as Gostec a second thought, even after his underhanded trickery. Just scaring some sad old man certainly wasn't worth the trek all the way back to the gates. The Tarnished's first inclination was to simply let the slight go and continue on his way.
However, before he could resume his search, he remembered that poor girl, Rodericka, whom he had met in a shack on the path leading up Stormveil. She had told him of her companions who were cruelly trapped within Stormveil Castle and grafted to one of Godrick's horrid monstrosities. The Tarnished couldn't ignore the role that Gostec likely played in their fate and the fates of many others.
The Tarnished bent down and grabbed the gatekeeper roughly by his collar. Lifting Gostec up, he slammed him violently against the wall. "Just how many, Gostec," the Tarnished growled, "how many have died to your little scheme. How many arms and legs are grafted to the beasts that prowl these halls because of you?"
Gostec whimpered, "P-please don't kill me! I just do as I'm told to stay alive!"
"Oh, by the sound of your laughter after you locked me in, you must get some sort of satisfaction!"
"Please!" Gostec sobbed, a mix of mucus and tears running down his face, "I know I'm a horrid man, but I don't deserve this! Most people would do the exact same in my position!"
"That's all you have to say for yourself? Not even a word of apologies for the terrible fate you've paved for your victims?"
Gostec immediately started apologizing, swearing up and down he would never pull such a trick again. His apologies meant nothing to the Tarnished, though. After all, Gostec said himself that he would say or do anything to stay alive. The drivel spilling from his mouth here was no different.
The Tarnished raised his sword. He would run this pathetic coward through this instant and avenge those he delivered to Godrick's sick experiments. With the point of the blade pointed at Gostec's chest, his begging and screaming only became louder.
"Please Sir Tarnished! Master Tarnished! Have mercy, I am begging you! This pathetic insect will do anything for you, give anything for you! Just please, by Marika's name, let me live!"
Pathetic was right. The sound of his wails made him feel almost sick with rage. Not a single soul would miss the wretch, he was sure. Even if the Tarnished could not kill Godrick, he would at least be ensuring no others would fall prey to the man's traps. However, as he watched the gatekeeper sob uncontrollably, his whole body shaking with abject fear, he couldn't help but think that killing him would somehow be debasing himself.
The Tarnished sighed and then tossed the sniveling Gostec to the ground. Revenge would feel sweet, he was sure, but it wasn't his to take. He would let the man live for now. Then, once he had dealt with Godrick and later claimed the title of Elden Lord, he would have Gostec dragged before Rodericka and allow her to decide his fate.
Gostec, realizing his life had been spared, prostrated himself before the Tarnished, singing words of thanks and praise for his mercy. Unaffected by his groveling, the Tarnished simply responded, "Remain at your post and interfere with my work no further. Try anything again and I suggest praying on all fours to Queen Marika that it should kill me. Otherwise, I will hunt you down and tear out your innards with my bare hands." With those parting words, the Tarnished left the terrified gatekeeper to continue his path to Godrick.