"Magus!" She gasped as she bowed. " What has brought you to my door?"

I was standing there not sure what to do next. I Bowed, but kept the Magus in my sight.

He was looking right at me.

"Who is your friend, Vala?" He asked not looking away.

"Kaida, she is.." She started

"My brother's daughter." He interrupted. "Has my brother sent you here, Kaida?" He asked me.

"Not at all. I didn't even know that you were my uncle until only days ago." I said as I stood straight.

He didn't seem surprised. "Is that so? If that is true, then what has brought you to Vala, in Perifrey?" The Magus was looking for some information, I was sure of that.

"I am travelling for knowledge." I lied. I felt like being honest with him was not an option. Something in my gut was telling me just to shut hell up and get away.

Pushing my feet into the ground so I didn't push past Kai and leave, I forced a smile. "I must say, Magus. It is an honor to find out that we are related. It's a proud moment" I held my breath.

"Yes, well you are very lucky, Aren't you?" He said flatly, and waved his hand, as if waving off a fly.

"Vala, I require more of your help." he looked at Vala and then stepped aside, waiting for her to follow.

Vala turned around and grabbed a small pouch of the table, put it in my hand and said, "the herbs we were talking about last night, they are down the river west. I will see you this evening."

What? What herbs? And what River?

Vala walked out the door and the Magus turned to leave. He hesitated and turned back. His eyes seemed darker than they were a second ago. "Will your father be joining you?" He asked me in a low, serious voice.

"no, Magus. He is unable to travel. Our farm keeps him busy" I lied, again. My father didn't want me to leave at all. He and my mother wanted me to stay home and forget about my mysterious burning dragon. We argued, and I left anyways...

"Good" was all he said as he turned and left, his white cloak swinging behind him.

I hated him. Everything about him. There was darkness in Kai. I could feel that. He was nothing like my father.

I stood there, still pressing my feet into the ground so I wouldn't go running after Kai, and tell him how much I hated him. Was it natural to hate someone you did not know?

Another knock came at Vala's door. Bellator walked inside.

"Lets go." he said motioned with his arm to leave barley entering the room.

I left with Bellator with no hesitation. "I do not like Kai." I said in haste.

"Vala has asked me to take you out of town while she assists the Magus. Now that he knows you are here, he might want you to entertain him, and possibly help him."He told me, not acknowledging my comment.

"Help him with what?" The air rushed out of me.

"Kai plans to bring a God to this realm." Bellator looked straight while he said this.

"SO? People try to bring plenty of Gods here. Why is this different?" I was confused.

These things never really happen. We pray to the Gods, and they send help the way they see fit. They don't show themselves to us. Not often. That's not saying it's NEVER happened, but it just...doesn't.

"Kai says he has the ability to create a doorway between realms. The God will come through when it's opened. That he will bring us order.

Only, in order to open the door, many sacrifices have to be made. Living, nature. All types." He finished.

"Which God?" I wondered out loud.

"I don't know," He told me.

As we approached the river mid day we could hear screaming coming from the banks. We both started to run.

There standing on the shore of the river was a man dressed in a bright red robe weaved with gold and blue. His hair was thick, and black. It was shaped into points everywhere. His skin was darker then my own, and was wearing a belt of gold. Runes were hanging on the belt. Big ones that dangled.

In front of him stood a small black fox. Probably hungry. Not at all frightening, or a reason to be screaming. In fact, I was surprised that the fox didn't run off after hearing the screaming.

Was this the screamer? He spotted us and started waving his hands. "Helllllp! Helllllp! This evil beast wants my soul! He is trying to tear me into pieces for his spawn!"

What the hell? Is he kidding? I burst into laughter joined in by Bellator.

The fox turned to see us as well, and ran into the nearby tall grass. The man also ran, but towards us.

"Oh by the gods am I happy to have you come my way! You saved me. That monster was going to eat me, I know it!" He was hugging Bellator, who looked incredibly uncomfortable, and then he started my direction. I stepped back and put my hands up.

Taking a step back, he introduced himself. "Sigurd. Sigurd the wanderer" He bowed, making some wavy gesture in front of him with one of his hands. I could see marks on that hand. He was awakened.

Resting my hand on the hilt of my sword, I couldn't help but be amused by this man. His clothing was very amusing to me. Bright, and odd.

"It was a fox." I said slightly laughing.

Introducing myself I said, "I'm Kaida. I'm a traveler." That's all I was going to tell him.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Bellator" my soldier companion stated shortly.

"Wonderful, friends! Wonderful!" He was sitting on the grass in front of us. He started to pray to the Gods. Asking them to return the favor of saving his life. And to guide him to the village with no 'Monsters' to cross paths with.

"The village is only a short way down the road . I doubt you will have any trouble besides a Rabbit, or a rat." Bellator told him with amusement.

"And what if that fox was rabbid? He could have killed me easily! You saved me, the gods took pity on me. Let's celebrate!"

"Rabbit, Not Rab.." I started, but stopped short knowing it didn't make a difference.

He took a bottle from under his cloak and popped off the lid. He took a swig then held it out in front of me.

"Uh, no thanks." I said. There was no way I was drinking anything from this man.

Bellator also shook his head no, holding a hand in front of his face.

"Suit yourselves!" Sigurd said and took another swig.

"Mmmmmm. SO my friends, where are you headed?" He asked us as he returned the bottle under his cloak.

"Here, to the river. Looking for herbs." I repeated Vala's lie.

"Oh yes, here, here!" he went rushing over to the edge of the River and started plucking at some fresh looking green plants.

Looking at Bellator who just shrugged, we both headed towards Sigurd.

"Take these" Sigurd shoved a handful of fresh herbs in my hand, and then scampered over to another spot picking something else.

"What do you suppose is wrong with this man?" I asked Bellator.

"Who knows?" He said.

It was clear that Sigurds mind was not all there. Or that he's just a fool.

Sigurd stood up and side eyed me and Bellator. "Are you a supporter of the Magus?"

"Supporters? We are respectful of the Magus" Bellator told him.

Sigurd nodded and then went back to picking herbs.

"Will you bring me to the village?" Sigurd asked without looking at us.

" I promise to pray to the gods and make many sacrifices in your name," he said.

"Fine," Bellator agreed. I was surprised.

We walked slowly back to the Village. Not by choice. Mostly because Sigurd would stop constantly to admire plants and birds.

"Look, Look! This Bird is a Shrek. It's beautiful, and sounds like someone is stepping on it. I used to catch them and use them when I was a child with my friends, and use them as a way to signal each other when our elders were coming by. Of course being boys we were out causing trouble, and catching animals our mothers would not allow us to handle."

Not my Mother, I thought. She put my first wormling, and rat in my hands. Taught me early that some things aren't wonderful, but you still needed to deal with them. Farming wasn't for the weak stomached.

Entering the village was the same. The guards stopped us again. Seeing Sigurd was probably the reason.

"And this is?" asked the guard, hand on his Bow, as I expected.

"I am Sigurd! Sigurd The wanderer at your service!" He made a low bow.

"State your business, Wanderer," the guard ordered.

"I am here to trade and make friends. I would also like to make a sacrifice to honor the Magus." Sigurd said.

"No Trouble" the guard stated and stepped aside.

I wanted to go to Vala's and rest. I was tired. And hungry.

"I want to go to Vala's, Bellator. I want to eat." I told him.

"I'm not sure she will be there yet," Bellator said to me quietly.

"And who is Vala?" Asked Sigurd, interested in every word we had to say.

"The village Seer, I'm staying with her for the time." I told him.

"I would like to join you then. I like visiting with Seer's. They always have something new to say!" He looked at me and laughed, as if I was supposed to get the joke.

I didn't.

We sat in Vala's garden, I thought it more respectful than waiting inside her home with a stranger. I was sharpening the edges of my Daggers, and finishing the last of Orik's meat sitting in front of a pit for fires and outdoor cooking.

Even Vala's garden was welcoming. Complete with Flowers, and green plants. Herbs, berry plants. A root garden and trees. Fruit trees, Pine, Fir, Tamaracks. In between two trees sat a Goats hut complete with three of them. And chickens that roamed around. I could see they had a small coup just off to the side of Vala's house.

I was thinking about my next battle, sharpening the blades. Cutting my enemies down was easier when they didn't get back up. A sharp blade guaranteed they wouldn't.

I didn't like killing, I just liked fighting. It was a talent I could control. I thought about my magic. Not being able to do them well. I was going to ask Vala what the future held for me regarding my magic.

Whispering a fire spell, I managed to start a small fire in the pit. I whispered the same spell, trying to increase the flame. I did, slightly. Well, small victories I suppose.

"Are you practicing spells, or are you cold, Kaida?" Sigurd asked.

"A little of both. This season is ending and the cold will be here soon enough. I thought I would have been closer to my destination. I have come a long way." I told Sigurd.

"Where have you come from?" He inquired.

"Duskenhills." I took a moment to think of home again.

"That is a long way," He agreed. "I have been there, but not for a long while. I remember the Ale was quite nice there" he laughed. I joined in laughing as well. He was not wrong.

Vala came back just before the sun set. She looked tired and smelled of mixed herbs and sweat. No blood this time.

She Walked out of the hut holding a tray, complete with tea and biscuits.

"Hello Sigurd." she put the tray on the wooden table in between us, not even looking at him.

"Greetings Seer. Thank you for allowing me to join you." He nodded and then reached for a cup.

" You were coming anyway. We both know this. No reason to be weaselly here. Be straight with your cause, wanderer." Vala was not messing around.

Sigurd smiled. "To help." He took a sip of his tea and took his time swallowing.

"I know what the Magus wants. I know he wants to bring Amaia here." He took another sip, but didn't stop looking at Vala.

She didn't react. "And what do you know about Amaia?" she asked him.

"Enough that we should move this conversation indoors, do you not agree?" Sigurd said, no longer sounding like he was a fool.