“Hello.” From behind Halueth, Jorik waved gently to the people who observed Mahon and him with a curious look.

“Who are you and what do you want exactly?” Ranaeril asked in a half threatening tone.

“Calm down, Ranaeril.” Halueth said as he advanced towards the Silent Bow Clan as if it was nothing.

He then grabbed a plate, chose a couple of fruits and a piece of meat, and sat down at an empty place on a bench. He smiled happily as he started to eat while everyone was eyeing him with a bored look. They were clearly used to the old man’s antics, but they also knew he was trustful. Ranaeril’s attitude changed after he witnessed Halueth’s easy-going behavior, and he threw a more gentle look at Mahon and Jorik.

“Give something to eat to the others while I tell you what happened.” Halueth spoke loudly, and the Hunters didn’t hesitate long before obeying.

Mahon, Jorik and Katar were given heavily colored plates, as if children had painted them, and then the Hunters selected a sample of most food to give them. They got seats near Halueth, but they were quickly ignored afterwards as the Hunters were all listening to Halueth’s story.

The man talked a bit about their trip and that they had successfully traded whatever they needed before he spoke about the attack and Mahon and Jorik’s intervention. This time, all eyes were again glued on the two men. They went back and forth between Halueth and the duo as the former continued to narrate the recent events.

Halueth then mentioned the deal between them that he would train them to pass over the mountains if they taught them how to dodge arrows.

“Ranaeril, I guess you know what to do to train them. Given their physical prowess and dedication in the last two days, I don’t think they’ll need much time to learn.”

The large man nodded. “Yes. But that will have to wait for tomorrow! I’m sorry to have doubted you.” He then said to Mahon and Jorik while bowing slightly. “We aren’t really fond of people. I mean, that’s why we live so isolated and away from mankind and its madness. But we know how to treat people who treated us right. You’ll sleep in my house!”

It seems it was enough to satisfy the whole village, and they nodded eagerly to Mahon and Jorik as well. Then the Hunter’s life resumed as if nothing special had happened. They ate their dinner while chatting happily among them.

Children were running around, playing with the multiple campfires or hiding in the shadows to surprise their friends. Elders were forming a small circle by the fire, a pile of blankets on their laps, and people often went to discuss with them with many smiles and nods.

The rest of the band was split between those who watched over the kids while chatting seriously, those who defied their friends at stupid games while laughing loudly, those who made sure the tables were cleared and the plates cleaned before it was too late, those who isolated themselves in groups of two or three to spoke about heavy topics, those…

Mahon recognized the same thing he had felt when he was at Simon’s Inn. The peacefulness of people used to live together in a harsh environment. For them, the others were all they had. That village was their most precious possession, and they were happy to share it with their friends and family.

“Come. I’ll show you where you’re gonna stay for the next few months.” Ranaeril said to them once the night was advanced and people started to move back to their houses.

He led them to one of the biggest and most central houses. It wasn’t that bigger than the others, but there were multiple annexes directly linked to it that made it look like a larger structure.

“You can sleep here.” Ranaeril pointed to one of the outbuildings, and he pushed the wooden door wide to let them enter.

The inside wasn’t very big, but there was enough space for a large bed, a desk, and a wardrobe, and it was all that really mattered. A fireplace with plenty of wood to lit up a fire that would last days ended the otherwise blank adornments of the room.

“We usually wake up with the sun, share a small breakfast and then we go do our daily business. We’ll talk tomorrow about what you need to learn and what you could teach us, if that’s ok for you.”

“Thanks. It’s perfect.” Mahon slightly bowed.

He was already tired from the strenuous activities of the last days, and he knew he would need all his strength to learn about climbing and surviving in the mountains. Also, seeing a place so alike Simon’s Inn had brought bad memories, and he was better changing his mind by talking freely with Jorik rather than discussing plans and necessities.

“And if you need anything else, you can ask whoever you meet first, they’ll help you. Although I’m the official chief of the Silent Bow Clan, we decide together, and we’re all capable. You need no permission from me to go do your own business. I’m confident in my people’s judgment to tell you what is acceptable or not. But since Halueth vouched for you, you’ve really nothing to worry about.”

The chief left shortly after, and Mahon and Jorik immediately went to bed, pulling over their bodies the large and thick blankets that would keep them warm for the night. Although they weren’t that familiar with it, they had both already seen snow back in the mountains surrounding Ratho, and they knew how low the temperature could drop to.

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Halueth had told them there weren’t high enough on the mountains nor at the right season to have snow in the village, but it was still rather chilly and both Mahon and Jorik sighed with pleasure once they were comfortably installed in their bed.

“What do you think of them?” Jorik asked once they both appeared in Nightmare, a minute later.

It was now a daily ritual to debrief their day there. Talking, planning, training and then meditating. It had been more than a year and a half since they had left Ratho, and the same time since Jorik went to Nightmare every night. The duo had had plenty of time to learn to know each other, and they had naturally created their routines.

“They seem to be very nice and friendly people.” Mahon answered. “I think I like the way they live the most compared to all the other people we met.”

“Hmm.” Jorik nodded. “I completely agree with you. Still, I can’t wait to get out of here. The quicker we pass these mountains, the quicker we’ll know about the Immortal King and the quicker we’ll know about us, Ratho and the Amentiae.”

“True.” Mahon agreed pensively.

They continued their slow walk by talking again about their next steps. Although the journey was less and less boring the closer they got to their target, their eagerness grew proportionally as they could feel they were close to their goal. Speaking about it helped them stay patient and clear-headed.

Afterwards, Jorik managed to invoke a sword for the first time. At least a sword Mahon judged passable enough to fight with. He then showed to the noble what it meant to know how to use it in Nightmare, and Mahon could feel how quickly Jorik was progressing.

Mahon still had a lot of advance and experience over Jorik, but the gap was slowly closing. The noble wasn’t the only one to progress, though. Jorik was strong enough to ask relevant and precise questions that forced Mahon to rethink some of his own moves. Sometimes, simply explaining in detail why he had designed a motion in such a way inspired Mahon to improve it as well. He got new ideas, and time to test them on Jorik while he trained the man.

They ended their long session with a short meditation break. It wasn’t really necessary, but the two men had still found out that they were feeling better when their brain rested for some time instead of always doing things in both the real world and their dreams.

The sun woke up the whole village at once, just like Ranaeril had said, and it was Katar who came for them shortly after. He knocked at the door, and Mahon and Jorik exited an instant later, already dressed up and ready to give their all.

“Morning Jorik! Morning Mahon!” The young man saluted them. “You’re ready for the day?”

“We sure are.” Mahon smiled. “What’s the plan? You’re guiding us somewhere?”

“No. I’m the plan.” Katar answered proudly. “I’ll be your climbing professor, so you better do what I say.” He added teasingly.

Jorik chuckled. “You? Really?”

“Yes! Just so that you know, I’m the best climber of the whole clan! Nobody's fool enough to challenge me in a race.”

“How old are you exactly?” Jorik asked with a skeptical look.

“Seventeen.” Katar answered. “Oh, come on! What’s with this look?” He added when the two returned him a skeptical glance.

“I mean no offense, but you look more like a child than a teacher.”

Katar sneered. “But you barely look older than me, Jorik. Why would you need a teacher rather than a child?”

Jorik sighed loudly. “I guess I sought this one.”

“Anyway.” Katar continued with a smile. “I won’t be really teaching you many things. I’ll just help you with the climbing part. It’ll be Ranaeril that will teach you how to move on mountains.”

“What’s the program exactly?” Mahon asked, curious.

“It’s quite simple. You need three skills to pass over the mountain. Climbing, because there will be rocks you can’t avoid, and paths that can only be conquered by the strength of your fingers. Climbing is the easy part, though. Alpinism is the real deal and the second skill you will learn. The higher you go, the more snow there is and the less air.”

The trio were arriving at breakfast, and Mahon and Jorik followed Katar along as he grabbed a plate, sat down and started picking and slicing fruits.

“What you could do without even sweating down here will get your breath ragged and your mind dizzy up there.” Katar explained while pointing at the distant peaks above their heads. “Climbing can be dangerous, but honestly, once you know the safety measures, there is nothing to fear. Alpinism on the other hand can be deadly, even if you know what you’re doing.”

Mahon and Jorik listened attentively to the young man who had suddenly turned into a younger version of Halueth. His tone was very serious, and they could feel his behavior had suddenly changed. The mountains were his domain.

“Last, you’ll need to learn how to use our bows. Long ones aren’t made to be transported on the mountains, they break too easily, aren’t maneuverable, and simply weigh too much. Shortbows are the key.”

“Is it really necessary?” Jorik asked. “We don’t know how to use longbows either, but… uh… We don’t really see the need to.”

“And how will you eat then?” Katar asked him. “There are only volatiles once you go up the mountain. What will you do with your puny swords? Wave at them? We don’t use shortbows for pleasure, we use them because they’re necessary. To hunt, first, and to defend yourself, second. Mankind isn’t at the top of the food chain up there. There are many creatures much more suited to the climate and environment than us. And you don’t want them near you.”

His tone brought Mahon and Jorik back to reality. Katar was young, but he had lived all his life in the mountains. He knew what he was talking about. They were not. Chastising themselves mentally for their poor behavior regarding the young man, Mahon and Jorik followed his example and ate to their full at breakfast.

Then Katar led them to the nearby cliff where many ropes hung loosely, slowly waving in the wind. Katar crossed his hands and raised them over his head. A snapping sound coming from his fingers resonated around, and the man heaved a sigh of satisfaction.

“Ok.” He told them. “Let’s start with the basics.”