Elias entered one of the general goods stores set up within the city. It was one of the nicest shops in the city and nicely decorated. He approached the counter.
“I’ll need a few things from you. A line of rope, fire starters for at least two weeks, horse feed for the same time and two horses, and then a camping set.”
“Anything else on that list?” asked the shopkeeper.
“I might take a look at what you have to recommend for someone heading to the capital and then further south.”
“Then I would look at our display of healing gels.” The shopkeeper pointed to a display case on the side wall. “Provided to us by the healers it will help in case of emergencies and is the most effective that you can find before reaching the capital.”
He examined the display and read some of the name tags and descriptions. “I’ll take one bottle.”
His next stop was at the clothing store and then to pick up some food that could be carried with them. He packed it all into bags to go on Thunderstruck and the other horse that would travel with them. They would travel for at least two weeks and first stop in the capital. From there they needed to get to the lost Sword Temple and further.
Waiting at the stables was Alice waiting.
“Did you grab everything?”
“I’ve got it all. You have the stuff from Marcus?”
“Yes. Even the horse,” said Alice. She stood next to a large darker gray steed in the stable. “Though I still need to practice riding.”
“I would have thought that you would have bought or been given a horse by now.”
“It was something that probably should have happened. The ride from the capital was by carriage for the most part. I had no time to practice horseback riding. They were more focused on confirming me as the hero to themselves and the other higher-ups in charge. Me being a girl and all changed things. For training, I have been focused on understanding my responsibilities, general etiquette, and swords. It took them a while to let me handle a blade. They didn’t want me hurting myself or some such bullshit reason.”
The pair get on their horses once they have everything packed and head out of the city. The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long shadows over the cobblestone streets of the city they were leaving behind. Elias mounted his horse, Thunderstruck, a majestic black stallion known for its speed and endurance. Alice, on the other hand, was a bit less confident on her horse, the dark gray steed that Marcus had provided her. She fidgeted in the saddle, adjusting her grip on the reins.
Elias, sensing her unease, offered some words of encouragement. "Don't worry, Alice. You'll get the hang of it soon enough. Horses can be intimidating at first, but they're loyal companions once you bond with them. They are much easier than learning the sword."
Alice nodded. She glanced at Elias, who sat confidently in his saddle. With a deep breath, she urged her horse forward, and it responded with a slow and steady gait. Elias rode alongside her, setting a moderate pace to allow Alice to acclimate to riding. As they left the city behind and ventured into the rolling hills of the countryside, the bustling noise of civilization gradually faded into the distance, replaced by the peaceful sounds of nature.
They rode in silence for a while and looked at the path ahead of them. The mountain was slowly being left behind.
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“How did you deal with the revelation that you were the hero?”
“Things changed rapidly then. I was brought along to start preparations and learn the sword. It was difficult and upended my life at a time when things were already unstable. The whole hero thing is still one that I’m not entirely used to. It is nice that at least for now I can be anonymous. I haven’t slayed a great beast yet or fought back the corruption. Few people can recognize my face. It is something I’d like to have for a bit longer.”
“It is good to be humble and I will respect your wishes in that matter. I would rather avoid praises for things we have yet to do as well,” Elias paused. “You know, I thought that I was going to be the hero once. Times were different and the last of the Seers, protectors of the prophecy, were still alive. My father had just died fighting corrupted beasts in the borders of the dark lands. I fit some of the prophecies signs. I think at the time I was just hoping that the hero would be found. That maybe I could help bring change to the world. I guess that I still am even now.”
“You the hero? When was this?”
“I was nineteen at the time at the Eastern Sword Temple training under Sir Marcus. There were more studying the sword arts at that time. Over time though, the members were sent off to war in a poor imitation attempt of heroes while we were waiting for the real one for you.”
“Why weren’t you sent off like the others?”
“I. I was a coward. Though at the time I thought I was seeing the writing on the wall. I didn’t finish my training in the temple and now it is something we need to fix now. My path was forgotten, and I ran. I met Marcus around that time. He wasn’t quite mayor yet and helped me get back on my feet and return home. I’ve stayed in these mountains ever since.”
“The capital was one of the stops before arriving in Easthaven. There I was able to meet Marcus and read the prophecy personally. It is an interesting thing for a document written so long ago. So vague and at times very specific. About halfway through it speaks of a spiritual journey that one must take beyond the physical journey.”
“I remember reading that part as well back when the hero interested me, and I thought that they might be appearing soon. That of course never came true.”
“Anyway, the spiritual journey sticks out to me. It could mean a literal journey to the spiritual realm. A more metaphysical journey or something in between. From your story perhaps we will both enter a spiritual journey. I know that I still have a lot to learn about being a hero.”
“You are already on your way,” he said.
There was a brief lull in the conversation as they rode.
“What did you do after returning home from the Sword Temple and meeting Marcus?”
“I worked as a guard for a while, and met a few interesting people early in Marcus’s mayoral career. The job, as a whole, wasn’t for me. After a while, I found a natural break, and we parted ways. I moved further north to the village I knew best and stayed there, starting a life—a quiet life away from the ongoing evils and larger politics of the current world. How is the capital?”
“It would be more interesting if the people weren’t primed for war. The darkness and corruption are almost on their walls. I would say things aren’t the best, but they are pushing on.”
“That is unfortunate. I remember when the capital was the peak of the world. Sure, it had some flaws but the people living there were happy and thriving. There was peace in the capital and the prophecy was just a future end-times event, not an active worry.”
“I suppose after the capital, we will have to decide where to go, but what did Marcus mean by 'the witches'?”
“The witches—their official title is The Last Witch Coven of Temora. They will teach you their magic, prophecy willing. In combination with my sword techniques and your innate power, you will be as the ancient stories have told: your blade will breathe as you breathe; you will fly like birds and move like cheetahs. No foe will be your equal once all parts are in harmony and mastered.”
“Except for the Summoner of Darkness and Chaos,” said Alice.
“Yes, them. They, by rumor and suggestions of the prophecy, will be waiting for you at the last battle—your final foe. They can supposedly control the monstrosities that have grown throughout the land and much more. The power they hold is an equal and opposite to the one you will have to cultivate.”
“And then the Dark One will be defeated. Hopefully without too much additional bloodshed and poverty.”
As they discussed the witches, Elias remembered the old legends that were recounted and his memories of the people, the tales of the Temora Witches, guardians of the ancient knowledge and keepers of the mystical Temora Grove. The grove was a hidden sanctuary where trees whispered secrets of the old world, and streams murmured with forgotten spells. To enter the grove was to step into a world where myth and reality merged, and where every leaf and stone hummed with ancient magic.