We’d finally made it back home. Gone for longer than I was comfortable with, I couldn’t help but feel happy about our return. One might even say I’d gotten a bit homesick over time. Me! Can you believe that?
Before we left Rhodentum, Fragaria had made good on her promise. I’d received a new, improved collar to counter-act whatever million blight-shenanigans I’d been cursed with. Though, this one looked nothing like the one I had before. She’d used the old one’s materials as a base, but the thing I wore now looked more like a circlet of copper orange-brown leaves than your average collar. A metal laurel wreath so to speak. Most of it was made from a material called Bronzewood, a type of tree found mostly in the southern parts of the continent. It was light, flexible and fairly resistant to fire. Traits not to be taken lightly! That’s what she said, anyway. But most importantly it was the antidote to my biggest problem yet. And you know what that meant.
I was ecstatic.
Our journey back had largely been uneventful. With most of our time spent separating Tavrin and Zilra before they’d end up throwing each other off the caravan ride. Let’s just say those two weren’t going to become the bestest of friends any time soon. From what I’d observed their upbringings and “core values”, if you could even call them that at this point, differed vastly. But you’d have to experience that yourself to understand what I meant. Personally? I couldn’t stand either of those brats.
Instead of the three “people” we’d started with, being Rheka, the old fart and my humble self, we had returned home with the aforementioned plus two. Which garnered us different reactions from Rheka’s parents as we arrived. At first, they were shocked and overwhelmed with the situation at hand, but nevertheless managed to uphold their default, more... humorous state. Thanks to Urs’ upbeat attitude.
Still recovering from his injuries, he seemed to have warmed up to the brat-princess quite a bit. I even witnessed him giving her lessons in spearmanship the other day. Is that what you call it? Spearmanship? Ah. Beats me.
How anyone could withstand that girl’s shrieking and yapping for more than a minute was beyond me.
I just hoped he’d return Zilra back into her father’s - the king’s hands, when he’d eventually take off to pay homage to his royal friend. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
Tavrin’s case was a bit more… complicated. He wanted to go to Skyros, wherever the hell that was, and Vrintas had taken it onto him to get the brat there safely. Which was more than funny, since I can’t remember the two of them ever having engaged in another conversation since their first. But I digress. For now, they’d both stay with us, and if your first thought on that statement was one of trouble, you’d be right on the money.
In the couple of weeks that had passed, those two brats made sure to add a fuck-ton of unneeded difficulty to our training schedule as we eventually tried to pick up where we’d left off. Simply by being around – might I add. Like I needed two more children to keep me company.
I’d try my best to further my arcane abilities, but only progress at a snail’s pace. I was rather low on nerves and lacked clear guidance as the old man would oftentimes be called to help out in the village center, leaving us mostly to our own devices. Of course, he’d give advice and supervise us when and wherever he could, but for the most part the four of us were on our own. Rheka and I would “practice” while the other two bickered and spectated. You could say my passion for the arcane was fading. Slowly. I was still fascinated by the concept, don’t get me wrong. But the constant uncertainty and lack of progression were beginning to drag me down. It was just setback after setback. And every time I had these children laughing at me. Sigh.
Tavrin kept nagging us about wanting to explore the areas surrounding the village and while Rheka seemed to be all for it, I refused. Every bloody time. Me and three brats. What could possibly go wrong?
At one point Zilra had decided to partake in our training for a brief period and after a while even she managed to pick up a light-type spell or two for herself. Just on a whim and without much effort at all, which was even more demoralizing for me. And so, I kept on struggling, while the months passed, and winter came around once again.
Winter in this world, or let's say this part of the world, was an odd occurrence. It was cold, freezingly so, yet there was no snow whatsoever. And the summers would roast you alive. The weather was much more extreme than what I was used to, even though the position of this area, at least by my geographic knowledge, should be one of a temperate climate. But, what the hell do I know, right?
And with the winter came another yearly oddity. Rheka’s sickness. I wasn’t quite sure what it was, but it always occurred at the height of the season. With the symptoms of a simple cold, Rheka would need to spend a couple weeks in bed with me - her trusty companion at her side. And you know what they say: “A sorrow shared, is a sorrow halved”, which really struck true here since I had the great privilege of partaking in the sickness. As of course, her pains were also mine.
To keep a kid like her in one singular room, however, was a colossal task. Whenever in bed, she was pure madness. Singing, screaming, kicking, laughing, rolling around, air-bicycling. She loved to do anything but sleep. I’d be bombarded with questions about this, this and that. Like we hadn’t been alive for the same amount of time. Well. Technically we hadn’t, but she didn’t know that. And when Rheka wasn’t busy doing any of those things, she simply snuck out. And although she was no good at it, I’d just pretend to not notice. Because God forbid, I stop her. It was much better to just let her go, so I could enjoy some alone time. It seemed to hasten her recovery, so what gives. Of course, she’d tell me all about it whenever she snuck back in.
One thing was clear, she loved to watch Zilra train with Urs. Asking me about when we could finally continue our own training with the arcane, over and over, like I was the authority on the matter. I mean. Why the hell do I need to participate in that? As long as you don’t get yourself killed you can do what you want Rheka.
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Speaking of Urs, it was high time I found out more about the guy, so during one of their many training sessions I approached him.
“Can I chip in?” I made sure to wait for the right time to interrupt their session. For a small girl built like her, Zilra sure as shit trained with a lot of vigor.
“Sure. Let’s take a break kid.” Urs said.
Upon hearing that she let herself fall flat on her back, breathing heavy.
It smelled like I was standing in the middle of a sweat-drenched school gym.
We were outside.
“How’s Rheka?” Urs asked with a dead-serious expression, wasting no time with chit-chat. Like his father, this man’s mind was a mystery. At any given moment, he’d be either joyfully upbeat or soberly intense. There was no in-between. And when he made a face like that, a giant like him was even more imposing. And scary.
“She’s fine! I think. Asleep.” I said with a crack in my voice.
He raised an eyebrow and stared at me before I began avoiding his gaze.
Then he let out a hearty laugh.
“Calm down, kid. I know she’s in good hands. Just keep her out of trouble and in bed maybe.”
“So? What’s the matter?” He sat down crossing his legs.
I looked at the messy pile of bandages covering his otherwise naked torso.
“You alright?” I finally asked after silently staring for a while.
“It’s healing alright. The exercise helps.”
Like father, like daughter.
“How’d that happen exactly? I never asked.”
“There’s nothing to ask about, really. We got attacked, I lost it, jumped into a bunch of people and got hurt. I didn’t even realize I’d been wounded until much later.
Well. Adrenaline be like that. I could tell from experience, unfortunately.
“And your... friend?” Were they friends? I couldn’t even remember. I’m a terrible listener aint I?
“Last thing I heard was that Yov’s still asleep. Recovering. He’s strong. But I’m not sure what’s going to happen once they give up on him.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that should he pass; his position and duties will fall onto someone else. And if that someone is incompetent, well, only Enkef himself knows what will happen after that.” He let out a chuckle at the end.
I’ve heard it mentioned so many times, yet I’ve still no goddamn clue who this “Enk” or “Enkef” fellow is supposed to be. Is that these people’s Christ or something?
“Argius! Zil! Come! Rheka is asking for you two.” Tavrin came out of the house shouting.
We looked at each other and then at Urs.
“I suppose we’re done training. Well? Go on then!”
Zilra ran up to Tavrin. “You’re a terrible messenger. The worst I know, maybe the worst ever. Try it with more grace next time. On your knees maybe. Without screeching like a baby. And don’t call me Zil.
“Yes, yes.”
That was a solid non-caring answer for someone who’d just gotten the roast of their life. Props to him.
Nevertheless, I followed suit. All the way to Rheka’s room.
“We’re going out to explore!” Rheka said before I had even properly sat my ass down. I stopped. Looking over to the others. Zilra’s expression was one of surprise, but also excitement. And Tavrin had a smug look on his face.
“It was my idea, actually.” He said. “Rheka told me about your encounter in the forest. So we’re going there to check things out.” You did what, Rheka!? I thought this was our thing! Our memory! Oh well.
“Not a chance.”
“What? Why?” Rheka and Tavrin asked in unison.
“You’re still sick. We’re untrained. Unprepared. And my goodness, I’m not going to babysit the three of you in a forest. No. Nuh-uh.”
“Come on Argi! We never went back in there! I want to know more about what happened.” Rheka put on her pleading face. She was bringing out the big guns.
“Not a chance. There’s a reason why we haven’t. A; it's too dangerous and B; we’re not even allowed to, dumbo.”
Where was this even coming from? Boredom? These kids had way too much time on their hands. But so did I to be honest. It’s not like I didn’t want to go there for a second look. It could be the thing that could rekindle my passion for the arcane... No! No, we can’t! If the adults find out about this, we’re done with. It’s over! Think straight idiot. What are you doing letting these brats manipulate you?!
“Pa said we should.” Rheka said.
Huh?
That’s a bloody lie. This girl is lying to me!
“Of course.” I scoffed.
“He did! I promise!”
Okay? Let’s consider it for a moment. Why would he do that? Why would he egg her on like that? And even if – why didn’t he tell me then? What’s your idea here old man?
“Alright. What’d he say?” If I was able to, I would’ve been crossing my arms right then.
“Pa said that he’d lost some of his rings there during the fight. And that we should look for them!” Rheka smiled.
“Right.” Needless to say, I was not impressed. Only a fool wouldn’t see through this childish nonsense. But you know what? I was going to humor her. I wanted to know what she was keen on doing there. If this was out of boredom, curiosity or something else. Let’s see what happens. If we get jumped by something or someone, we'll just dump the others and dip. Would suit them right anyways.
“You know what? Sure. Let’s do it.”
I couldn’t wait to hit them with my signature I told you so at the first opportunity that would arise.
“Really?!” Rheka’s hair wings beat rapidly.
The other two looked equally joyful.
“Yes. However. The three of you will owe me. I want a favor in return.”
“Sure! Promise!” Rheka said without skipping a beat.
“Yes, whatever.” Tavrin shrugged.
“Heck no!” Zilra shouted. “I will not indebt myself to a commoner? Especially a fraud like you! Over my de- urgh! Rheka burrowed her elbow deep into Zilra’s side.
“Ow! What was-?” She paused as she looked at Rheka. Her face had lost every semblance of emotion. Rheka was ever the bully.
“Okay! Okay!” Zilra gave in. “But you owe me too!”
“Sure, if that’s what you want to hear.”
And with that it was a done deal. We would leave the house in the early morning. Quite a ways before sunrise. And we would tell no one. The forest wasn’t too far off, so we should have enough leeway to return before someone would notice.
Urs and Visla liked to sleep in anyways.