It felt like it had only been a few hours when Nirou was roused from his pleasantly comfortable sleep. He woke to a nearly pitch black room, only barely able to make out the form of Laska next to him, pushing on his shoulder.

"Nirou, get up." she demanded. "We need to go, while it's still dark."

The young man gave no more objection than a muffled yawn, complying in short order. Rolling out of bed, he rubbed his eyes and took the cloth sack that Laska handed him. Apparently she had no intention of coming back here at all, they were leaving for good right now.

Nirou did what he could to reach alertness as he followed the girl out of the inn and onto the nearly deserted streets of the city. Occasionally someone could be made out in the distance, but it was at the point in the night where even those that prowled around late were turning in. Even the usual earliest risers were still a bit off from showing up. Who was up at this time were the occasional guardsmen. Posted on what seemed to be major intersections, they looked wary despite the hour.

Seemingly intent on avoiding any of them, Laska led Nirou on a zig-zagging path through the back streets of the city. It might have been possible that one of the lowlives laying around would have taken advantage of such a route, had the duo's stride not been as urgent and full of purpose. Nirou noticed more than once men that seemed like they were going to pop up to confront them, but they didn't even have the chance to. By the time they took notice of the two, they were already being passed by. Apparently they were used to this hour lending itself more to wandering or stumbling targets.

Laska knew exactly where she was going, and she was going there as efficiently as possible. Nirou still had misgivings though, especially once the surrounding buildings started getting more and more dilapidated. There was no doubt that they were headed for an old and rundown part of town. Just what kind of person was Laska planning to meet here? As the alleyways the duo was taking became smaller and smaller, Nirou began to get really nervous. Obviously he trusted Laska, what else was he supposed to do at this point? But barely fitting into these passageways was making him question if going down them was a good idea.

Eventually, Laska stopped at the end of one of these narrow alleyways, in front of a beat-up wooden door hanging off of an unassuming stone building. Opening it revealed a stone staircase leading down into the darkness. Though Nirou could see the very first hints of light far in the distance signaling the coming sunrise, there was no way they were seeing anything in the abyss down below. But despite that, Laska began her descent and urged Nirou to follow.

"Come, we're almost there." she tells him. "We've arrived with time to spare and without arousing any suspicion at all. There's nothing to worry about."

Nirou did as he was told, and followed the girl down the staircase. But he had to wonder why exactly he wasn't told more about what they were doing. Did Laska have a reason she had to keep things vague? Or was it just not worth the effort of informing him beforehand in the first place? It was indeed possible that there was no malice at all, but simply out of practicality she had neglected to tell him anything because he'd do whatever she said to regardless. He had to admit that he was exactly that degree of pushover.

Nirou's worries aside, the two of them spent a few minutes heading downwards into the darkness before seeing the dim light of candles at the bottom. A strange scent also hit his nose as he got close to the bottom, and it struck him as incense of some kind. What was going on down here where no one else was likely to go?

As they turned the corner at the bottom of the stairs, a large room came into view. Lit up only by some dim candles, it was hard to make much out. But what could be seen were a few humanoid statues and murals lining the walls. However, they were in dire disrepair. The statues were without heads, arms, or much detail due to chunks that had been cut or smashed off all over. They could barely be made out as intended to be human shaped. The murals were even worse off, as they had been almost completely carved into and destroyed. Large gashes cut into the walls criss-crossed over the murals and practically obscured the whole of them.

At the opposite end of the room there was just another defaced statue and mural, these ones even bigger and in worse shape than the others. In front of them, barely visible in the dim light, sat a figure. The man looked to be seated in some sort of meditative pose, focused inwards rather than on his surroundings. He was surrounded by burning incense, confirming the smell that Nirou had picked up. Besides this one man, the entire room was empty. If this was the right place, then this had to be who Laska was looking for.

"I knew I'd find you here." Laska breaks the silence of the dark room, stepping forward. "As always, this is the only place in the city you can hold your rites. I'm glad we got here in time. With only one day to spare, I was worried we'd have to march in the rain."

In what seems like an instant, the man grabs something from the ground next to him and leaps forward. Thrusting the object out in front of him, it barely misses Laska's head. Nirou only then notices that it was a spear, and Laska had been only a hair's width away from death. He twitched as if he wanted to run out and do something, but his feet wouldn't move. He couldn't even see the guy making his attack, what was an amateur like him supposed to do? Luckily, Nirou's conundrum quickly became moot.

"You didn't even flinch that time." a deep voice left the man for the first time. "You've grown up impressively, Laska."

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

Nirou was finally able to get a good look at the man in the dim candle light. He was an older man, with no hair at all on the top of his head. He did however have a sharp mustache that stuck out just a bit from the sides of his face. He was wearing some impressive armor made out of overlapping metal plates like scales, which shined brightly even in the meager lighting. More than anything though, what was most noticeable was the big goofy smile he had on his face. With it he instantly registered as not threatening, despite not even having pulled back from his attack.

"I'm so happy to see you still alive!" the man says jubilantly as he lowers his spear and goes in for a hug. "I had despaired when I heard the news, but I was confident Leonear would have made sure of your safety at the very least."

"I am also overjoyed to see you again, General." Laska responds, holding the hug for just a bit before breaking it off. "I could only wish it had been under better circumstances. Though it hurts me to say, I will have to rely on your kindness for a time."

"It's no trouble at all, I assure you." the man goes on. "You are like family to me, welcome in my home at any time. I can only imagine the grief you must be enduring."

"All my grief has been spent, I'm afraid. I am not here merely to be sheltered, General. I have a task I must see done, and I need your support."

A lull comes in their conversation, and with it the man turns his attention to Nirou. Nirou had been merely watching so far, not sure if he had any business intervening.

"I don't know who you are young man, but to see you here with Laska must mean you've been supporting her. You have my gratitude." the man places his hands together and bows slightly. Nirou goes ahead and copies him in response, which seems to elicit a grin.

"General, this is Nirou Tetsugawa." Laska says, taking up the responsibility of introductions. "In desperation, I tributed twice at once. My second gift was a spell that summoned him here from another world. He then treated me as I recovered. Had I not been so fortunate, my recklessness could have been the death of me. Now he's sworn to assist me in my quest, and I am most appreciative to have him."

Nirou was a bit embarrassed to hear the praise sent his way. He felt like he barely did anything. Even Laska said at the time that he may not have been needed for her to survive. Maybe she was just talking him up to make a good impression for this guy.

"Nirou, this is the man we've been seeking in the hopes of making him our benefactor for the foreseeable future." Laska continued with introductions. "He is Shilan Jahdra, Commander General of all Anjdrahm's armies. The most powerful man in the Southern Kingdom."

"Hoho, truth though it may be, the King would have your head if he could for saying it." Shilan chuckled. "Not that I would allow him to harm the daughter of my best friend. It's good to meet you, Nirou."

"So, what exactly is this place?" Nirou asked, his curiosity breaking the limit of his patience. "Why did we have to meet you here?"

"This old place is just a sort of personal sanctuary of mine at this point." the general explains. "Thousands of years ago, when the old gods were still worshipped by the people of this land, this was but one of many temples. But even the names and visages of those old gods are long lost to all. Only a few in the isolated countryside even remember any of the old traditions. I am certainly alone in still practicing the rites. Every year on this day I come to meditate in this place. I was surprised that Laska remembered, she only followed me here on the one occasion."

"Though he tries to keep it secret, there have long been rumors of the General being a heathen." Laska adds. "There are many who would love to see him stripped of his power and influence for it."

"They could try, but they would fail like all the rest." Shilan laughs again. "I have no equal in this land, as I have proven time and again. Heathen though they may call me, God has yet still shown me favor, as any that have faced the might of my Adamantine Spear can attest."

Nirou took a good look at the weapon in the general's hand. A shorter spear, it was likely meant to be thrown just as much as held. The sheen of the metal was so great that it made the weapon seem to be made of diamond. Below the spearhead was an ornamental piece that resembled the outstretched claws of a bird. It really was a fancy looking weapon.

Laska uses this chance to talk up the general again. "General Shilan is famed for many things, but his luck is one of the most spoken of. His Adamantine Spear is a Legendary six star gift. He has also received a six star blessing, a nearly unheard of combination. Most nobles that spend their whole lives making tribute must content themselves with a five star gift as their greatest achievement. For someone to be granted a six star gift is fortune, to be granted two is a miracle."

"Well, there's more to me than luck, of course." Shilan butts in before too much can be attributed to outside factors. "I'm also the most loved man in Anjdrahm. It's not just my strength that keeps the King from disposing of me, the people wouldn't have it, I assure you. We should run into some people going about their morning routines on our way to my home, you'll see what I mean."

While Nirou could see that this man was about the furthest thing from humble, he couldn't find himself bothered by it. He was just too much of a friendly old man to get irritated at all the bragging.

"Ah, that's right Laska, I'm a grandpa now!" the general goes on to announce. "Hargujad's wife gave birth just last year, she was probably pregnant when you visited but we didn't know yet. I'll show you my adorable granddaughter."

"Oh my, congratulations!" Laska replies with a smile. "It will be so nice to see everyone again as well."

Nirou was a bit taken aback by just how happy Laska seemed to be now. Up to this point she had been stoic nearly all the time, saying blunt and painful truths when he had hesitated. Her smile that had been so rare before was now on full display. Though he knew the circumstances, he couldn't help but feel just a bit down that he had been so dismal company for her.

"Well, I've spent enough time on the rites anyway." Shilan says, as he goes around and puts the incense and candles out one by one. "We've got so much to catch up on, and of course I need to hear just what these plans of yours for the future are. We can talk at my home to our heart's content. I'm sure my daughter-in-law will be happy to fix enough breakfast for the two of you as well, so don't worry about dropping in suddenly."

As the room went completely dark, the three of them began to ascend the staircase up to the surface, led by only a tiny visible sliver of light. When they reached the top and swung open the wooden door, the sunrise could clearly be seen. The city was awash in a faint glow from the day's first rays of sunlight. Shilan took a nice deep breath and smiled. Nirou was also glad for the fresh air, though he was less obvious about his deep breath.

"Well kids, come on then." the general waved at the two youngsters to follow him as he set off. "I'll show you to your new home for as long as you're here."