In the shadows of ancient lore and forgotten magic,
A man dared to defy the call of power.
He chose the humble life of a carpenter,
To build a home, to raise a family,
And within the charming house of his creation,
He found a different kind of enchantment,
Simple, yet profound,
In the laughter of his children,
The love of his partner,
And the wisdom of an ordinary life,
Well-lived.
Qoan the Wise, Meaning of Man.
1285 MA.
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4522 MA
Various streets, Rovos, Kartas
In the days that followed, life fell into a soothing, uneventful cadence for both him and Maya. With a generous amount of time before their third trials commenced, the duo seized the opportunity to unwind and savor their well-deserved reprieve. After the whirlwind of being plunged into the trials upon arrival, they gratefully embraced the chance to relax.
The two friends spent their days leisurely traversing the city, indulging in the savory delights offered by street vendors and quaint eateries, using their limited coins. On the third day of their explorations, Vyas and Maya found themselves meandering through a lively marketplace, the atmosphere buzzing with the animated chatter of merchants and the tempting scents of food stalls. They had already sampled an assortment of local delicacies, from succulent skewers of spiced meats to sweet, golden pastries dripping with syrup.
As they ambled past a stall displaying crispy, deep-fried morsels, Maya halted abruptly, her eyes widening with excitement. "Vyas, look at those! They're shaped like little stars! We have to try them!"
Vyas chuckled at her enthusiasm, but shook his head, his expression turning somber. "Maya, we've been eating out for three days straight. We can't keep doing this. We're almost out of money."
Maya pouted, her shoulders drooping in disappointment. "But we haven't tried everything yet!"
Vyas sighed, casting a glance at their meager coin pouch. "I know, but we need to be more cautious. We don't want to run out of money before the trials are over."
Maya raised a finger, "Fine, but I have a condition."
Vyas arched an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's that?"
"We're trying those star-shaped treats to celebrate when we get in. Deal?" Maya asked.
Vyas laughed, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Deal."
Vyas and Maya continued their exploration of the city, their steps lighter as they left the marketplace behind. As they wandered the maze-like streets, they found themselves drawn to the distant sound of a captivating voice. Intrigued, they followed the enchanting tone, which led them to a small, unassuming courtyard nestled between the bustling streets.
People of all ages were gathered there, perched on benches and stone steps, their attention riveted by an old man standing at the center.
The old man's voice was rich with emotion, weaving a vivid tale with words that lingered in the air. Vyas and Maya exchanged a glance before silently slipping into the crowd, eager to listen and learn.
"But as with all things, the time came for the pact between Zarytvi and King Tvier to reach its conclusion," the old man said, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy. "The great dragon knew that this continent was no longer a home for dragons, and with the fulfillment of his promise to the Warrior King, his agreement completed and the people of the Tvier Kingdom united and strong, Zarytvi decided that it was time for him to leave these lands."
The old man paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle over the crowd. Everyone listened intently, their eyes fixed on the storyteller as he continued.
"Zarytvi chose to leave the land without a grand farewell, for he believed that the people were now strong enough to forge their own path. He trusted in their wisdom and resilience, knowing that they had learned much from his guidance. And so, with a heavy heart, the great dragon soared into the sky one last time, disappearing beyond the horizon."
As the old man concluded his tale, the crowd fell silent, all lost in thought about the story they had just heard. Vyas and Maya, too, were fascinated by the tale, pondering the connection between the people of Rovos and the legendary dragon.
The old man's voice softened as he spoke his final words. "Though Zarytvi left our realm, the spirit of the great dragon lives on in the hearts of the people. We continue to learn from the wisdom and strength of Zarytvi, and it is through our actions that his legacy endures."
The crowd erupted into applause, their faces aglow with appreciation for the old man's tale. Vyas and Maya joined in, their hearts stirred by the story they had just heard.
As the courtyard began to clear, Maya turned to Vyas, her eyes shining with wonder. "It's amazing, isn't it? A dragon! I wish we could have heard the entire story."
Vyas nodded, equally captivated. "Me too. I had no idea that dragons once roamed these lands."
As they left, the old man's tale of Zarytvi and Warrior King Tvier echoed in Vyas’ heart, fueling a desire to learn more about the city he now called home.
Weary from their explorations, Maya and Vyas changed their attire and set about preparing for the third trial. To aid in their efforts, they sought an audience with Prior Boa, hoping to gain access to the hallowed library of the Prana Guardians. Upon their arrival, the Prior warmly welcomed them into his office.
Without hesitation, Maya leaped into the heart of the matter, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "So Prior, can we get access to the library? We want to do some studying before the written trial."
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
In response, Prior Boa gracefully rose from his seat and made his way towards the door. "Just a moment, you two," he said as he disappeared from the room, leaving Maya and Vyas exchanging puzzled glances.
Before they could dwell on the Prior's actions, the man reappeared in the doorway, an enormous barrel gripped firmly in his hands. With a display of surprising strength, he heaved the cask into the room, setting it down with a resounding thud between Maya and Vyas' chairs.
"When I first read in Yelia's letter that you two were taking the Auberon Trials, I didn't think much of it," the Prior began, his voice tinged with amusement. "Knowing my niece, I expected that the two of you would be ready for the challenges. However, I didn't anticipate that you both would do so exceptionally well."
Bewildered but flattered, Maya and Vyas exchanged glances before offering their thanks. "We appreciate your kind words, Prior," Vyas said.
Prior Boa waved aside their gratitude with a chuckle, "I was merely stating the facts. There's no need for thanks."
Vyas frowned, still puzzled by the mysterious barrel occupying the center of the room. "Prior, if I may ask, what is the purpose of this barrel?"
The Prior's eyes sparkled with mischief as he replied, "Ah, well, you see, this barrel is filled with letters from people who are eager to sponsor both of you."
Astonishment rippled through Maya and Vyas as they peered into the barrel and saw that half of the barrel was filled with letters. The Prior, unable to contain his amusement any longer, burst into a fit of deep, hearty laughter.
As the laughter reverberated around the room, Maya and Vyas shared a look of disbelief. Could it truly be that they had garnered such interest from potential sponsors? They knew they had performed well in the trials so far, but they hadn't dared to dream that their successes would lead to such an overwhelming display of support.
As the Prior's laughter subsided, he wiped a tear from his eye, his chest still heaving from the force of his mirth. "You've both made quite the impression on the people of Rovos," he said, his voice laced with pride.
The Prior smiled warmly at Maya, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "It's not every day that a cultivator of your caliber is in need of a sponsor, Maya. It's no wonder that such distinguished individuals are clamoring to offer their support."
He picked up a few of the letters, Maya and Vyas noticing the impressive crests stamped on them. "Many of these are from some of the most esteemed members of our society, people who rarely extend their patronage to others. It speaks volumes about the potential they see in you."
Vyas asked, "But why do so many send letters of interest now, before we've even completed the third trial?"
The Prior leaned back in his seat, his hands clasped together as he explained. "You see, for patrons, the preliminary and two actual trials are their opportunity to get an objective understanding of your current abilities. The third trial, with it being a written examination and secretive in nature, provides them with little actionable knowledge about the trialists."
He paused for a moment, letting the information sink in before continuing. "Because of this, patrons will try to get their foot in the door with trialists who catch their eye after the second trial. The third trial doesn't hold much weight for them; if the applicant passes, they'll be able to sponsor the trialist, and if they fail, there's no deal to be had and very little is lost on the patron's part."
The Prior spread his hands, emphasizing his point. "Waiting too long to express their interest can result in a talented trialist contracting terms with someone else, so most patrons prefer to signal their intent sooner rather than later. It's a matter of securing the most promising prospects before anyone else has the chance."
The Prior's expression grew serious as he continued, "However, just because the third trial matters little to the patrons doesn't mean it's any less important for the two of you. You still need to pass it in order to secure your place within the ranks of Auberon."
He leaned forward, his eyes intent on driving home the gravity of the situation. "Over the years, this city has seen many a talented cultivator or mage do spectacularly in the first two trials, but fail to pass Auberon's third trial. Despite the incredible performances you both have shown, you must not allow overconfidence to cloud your judgment. The third trial is not to be taken lightly."
The Prior's gaze softened, his voice taking on a more encouraging tone. "I strongly suggest that you spend some time studying and preparing yourselves for the challenges that await."
At the mention of studying, Maya's face lit up with excitement. "Right, the library! You mentioned earlier that we could access the library, Prior? That would be incredibly helpful for our preparations."
Prior Boa nodded, "I can provide that." He walked over to his desk, picked up a pen, and scribbled something on a piece of paper. Signing it with a flourish, he handed the note to Maya. "Take this to the librarian. It grants you both permission to access the library's resources as needed."
Maya accepted the paper with a grateful smile, her eyes shining with anticipation. "Thank you, for the access and the advice Prior."
Vyas, too, offered his thanks, though his thoughts were already focused on the knowledge that might be found within the library.
The Prior waved off their gratitude, his tone warm and encouraging. "Go on, now. Make the most of your time."
____
Walking between the bookshelves of the library, Vyas found himself distracted from his original purpose. His desire to study was eclipsed by an insatiable curiosity ignited by the old man’s story. His interest piqued, he yearned to delve deeper into the history of the city that had become his new home, seeking knowledge of Zarytvi and Warrior King Tvier.
The book he now clutched, recommended by the librarian, was a recent publication penned merely two decades ago. Its introductory pages revealed it had been commissioned by the prestigious Auberon Institute, as part of their millennium celebrations, bestowing a certain gravitas upon the text.
Yelia had provided Vyas and Maya with a rudimentary understanding of her beloved hometown when they decided to journey to Rovos. Her knowledge, however, was limited to her own memories and experiences, offering insights into the city's culture and attractions, but lacking the depth of historical context Vyas craved. He sought a comprehensive understanding of the events and decisions that had shaped Rovos' development over the centuries. He hungered to know about the dragon. Gripping the book, he ambled toward the library's seating area.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, casting its warm golden light into the library, Vyas found himself drawn to the captivating sight of Maya. She reclined in an aged leather chair, her left leg crossed over the right, her silver hair cascading over her shoulder like a shimmering waterfall. The soft hum of her voice filled the room, while parchment lay scattered on the floor around her.
Vyas found himself spellbound by the sight of sunlight filtering through the library's grand stained-glass windows, painting her hair in a rainbow of colors. The vision was bewitching, exuding an ethereal beauty that transcended reality. The moment seemed frozen in time, as if the scene had been immortalized by a master painter, and Vyas wished he possessed even a fraction of such artistic talent to encapsulate this enchanting tableau.
He crossed the room and sank into a chaise lounge opposite her, the book still in hand. Intent on reading, his gaze was irresistibly drawn back to Maya's mesmerizing figure. In that moment, the air between them seemed to vibrate with the tender warmth of their friendship, laced with delicate threads of something more, something unspoken.
Sensing his lingering gaze, Maya uncrossed her legs and tucked them beneath her, her amethyst eyes locking onto his. The subtle smile gracing her lips conveyed a silent acknowledgment, and Vyas knew he'd been caught. In that instant, their unspoken connection transformed into a playful exchange of lighthearted banter and flirtatious remarks, never crossing the line.
"You know, Vyas," Maya began, her voice tinged with amusement, "I can't help but notice that you haven't turned a single page in that book of yours."
Feigning surprise but unwilling to admit defeat, he chuckled and retorted, "Ah, well, it seems I've been distracted by the enchanting view before me."
With a gasp of feigned astonishment, she shot back, "Oh, really? And here I thought you were simply charmed by the magnificence of that title page."
Laughing, Vyas countered, "Well, you know what they say: a picture is worth a thousand words." His eyebrow quirked playfully.
Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she replied, "Flattery will get you nowhere, Vyas. You really should focus."
"Fine, fine," he conceded, finally turning the page of his book. "But I can't promise I won't be distracted again."
Maya shook her head, her hair catching the light as she did so. "You're hopeless," she teased, her voice softened by the laughter dancing within it.
Unable to suppress his smile, Vyas turned his attention back to the book before him, immersing himself in the pages as the sun continued its descent.