Life for Sayer had been good since he arrived in the village.
In the Eternal Village, he had a bed to sleep in, a clear purpose each day, and a guaranteed food quota. There was no need to haggle over service prices; he simply had to fulfill his duties, and everything would be fine.
Initially, when he arrived, Sayer sought only a place to hide and survive. But after months in the prospering Eternal Village, he recognized its value. Since them, he pushed himself harder, seeking opportunities to train with the guards and become more than just an outsider.
He acknowledged his past mistakes but desired a chance to thrive here, motivated by both fear of the outside world and the well-being of his mother, sister, and nephew.
His resolve deepened after meeting the sweet and intelligent Alise.
Waking before dawn, Sayer heard the roosters crowing and left his family’s home, gazing at the vast, dark expanse of the Barren Hills of Deepshadow.
The tents of Sarre’s group, still closed, lay near his home, showing the women were still asleep. He peered through the wooden fence surrounding the area, his gaze shifting toward the village’s walled section.
As usual, Jonn was among the first to emerge from the walled area at the start of the day, heading eastward with a cup of hot tea in hand.
Sayer narrowed his eyes at the sight of the Village Elder, pausing to reflect on the previous day.
‘I have to talk to him,’ Sayer thought, clenching his fists in apprehension.
The day before, he had witnessed something he shouldn’t have. Despite Jonn’s rule prohibiting his group from venturing to the east side of the village, Sayer had followed Alise out of sheer curiosity to see what the most beautiful woman in the village did there every day.
Now he knew about the expansive greenhouses cultivating the supposedly infertile land of the Barren Hills of Deepshadow.
He had discovered the source of the village’s food and, more importantly, the key to its future prosperity.
The village would be strong, he believed.
Summoning his courage, Sayer left the fenced area of his residence and headed toward Jonn, walking briskly until he caught the man’s attention.
“Village Elder, I’d like to talk to you,” he called out from a distance, noticing Jonn’s gaze upon him.
Jonn halted, standing at the edge of where Sayer could tread before the greenhouses and animals came into view.
Jonn had been dedicating six hours a day to working with the village animals since returning from his trip north. Each day began with visits to the plantation and animal area before he moved on to other commitments.
He regarded Sayer with curiosity, wondering what the young man had to say. “What do you want? Is something wrong?”
Sayer stopped in front of Jonn, eyes downcast, his heart racing as he took a deep breath. “I have a confession to make.”
Jonn narrowed his eyes, but remained silent, waiting for Sayer to continue.
“Elder, I want to explain the circumstances of my group’s departure from Littlewood.”
“I’ve heard your situation was dire there, and a group was supposedly after Arnald’s head. Is there something you haven’t told us?”
Sayer nodded. “The others don’t know because I led them to believe a group was after Arnald. But the truth is, that group was… that group is probably after me, Elder.”
Jonn scrutinized him as if peering into his very soul, sending a shiver down Sayer’s spine. Yet, recalling the importance of this place for his people, Sayer pressed on. “I was a coward and used a lie to get my family out of Littlewood as quickly as possible.
Before we left, I met a girl I fell in love with at first sight.”
Jonn sensed the direction of the conversation and, despite lacking personal experience with love, braced himself for the issue at hand.
This rarely goes down well...
“We went out together twice in Littlewood, had fun, and even kissed,” Sayer said with a sheepish smile. But as he continued, his tone darkened. “At first, I didn’t know she was part of a group of bandits. Eventually, I found out.
But I was foolish. I thought it wouldn’t cause me problems. After all, I was only meeting a girl.”
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
“What happened?” Jonn interrupted, trying to get to the point.
“Sigh! One day, we decided to spend some time alone. We left the city and went to the forest, searching for a secluded spot.”
“Let me guess. You and she did what you shouldn’t have, and her group turned against you.”
Sayer shook his head. “We didn’t have the chance, Elder. That was our intention, but before we could find a place, a ferocious animal crossed our path.”
His eyes welled with tears, turning red. His lips dried as he recalled facing death.
“That terrible animal attacked us. But unfortunately, it reached Sely, not me. In that desperate moment, with Sely wounded in the jugular and under the creature’s clutches, I ran away as fast as I could…
You can imagine the rest. I feared her group and hurried my family to flee the city.”
Jonn was taken aback by this revelation. He had expected a more clichéd or even unsettling confession, perhaps involving Sayer acting against a defenseless girl.
Despite Jonn’s lack of experience, old Hewet had shared many lessons with him!
The fact that an animal attack had caused the tragedy with Sely surprised him a lot!
“Why are you confessing this to me now? Do you think her group might come to the village?” Jonn’s gaze was so stern that Sayer feared he might be expelled from the village on the spot.
“Yes, that’s my concern. It would be difficult for them to find us, but I don’t want to risk the village being unprepared for my mistakes, Elder.
At first, I was afraid to speak up, fearing the village wouldn’t accept us. But now I realize my mistake, and I’m truly sorry, Elder.
Please don’t kick us out of the village. Please give us one more chance!”
Jonn watched as Sayer kneeled before him, a gesture he disliked.
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, recalling how he had overlooked a potential issue by accepting Sayer’s group into the village.
So that’s it.
However, Jonn felt no anger towards Sayer. He wasn’t pleased, but how could he judge this man? Who else would flee to the Barren Hills of Deepshadow, if not those facing troubles?
He doesn’t seem to be lying. Now, how do I deal with that?
Technically, Sayer had broken none rules. He had hidden something, which was bad, but it wasn’t enough to warrant expulsion.
“Get up. I will not kick your group out of the village.” Jonn motioned for Sayer to stop kneeling. “You did the right thing by repenting and coming to me. I will punish you for keeping such a secret from the village, but I will not kill you, nor will I expel your family.”
Sayer looked at Jonn with hope in his eyes, a smile forming on his pale face.
“But first, tell me about this Sely woman’s group.”
Sayer stood and began while brushing off his trousers. “Sely was part of a group of bandits around Littlewood. Their leader is Jack, a man supposedly associated with Yeoman Ferry, a powerful and influential landowner south of the town.
I don’t know much about this group. I’ve always been a commoner and Sely shared little about her people. All I know is she lived outside the city, and when she met me, she had slipped away from her group, so we had to be quick.
I know little about Yeoman Ferry, other than that he’s wealthy and as influential as Count Riverash. But Jack is a brutal man, known for assassinations and recent battles, with a long record.
Jack’s most recent brutal act...”
Jonn stopped listening to Sayer after hearing the Count’s surname.
“Did you say Riverash?” Jonn asked, placing a hand on Sayer’s shoulder and interrupting him.
“Uh? Yes, Javis Riverash, leader of the Riverash Family, is the current Count overseeing the Littlewood region,” Sayer explained, noticing Jonn’s eyes widen.
I didn’t expect that… If that’s true, then Count Francus Riverash’s {Spells} might be in this town.
Jonn continued with an inquisitive tone, “Tell me about this family. Do they have mages? For that matter, are there any mages in Littlewood?”
Sayer grew more anxious. Mages were infamous as the destroyers of this world. The people of the Eternal Village knew this, as did all survivors of the three wars, who understood the devastation mages could bring. No one with a knowledge of the wars doubted mages were responsible for Valorian’s current catastrophe.
“I don’t know. There were rumors before I left town about mages controlling the city. But that’s something I can’t confirm, Elder. I’ve never heard rumors about their names, ranks, or affiliations.”
There probably are. Noble families in the six states have historically had mages leading their houses and serving as subordinates. Even though the war decimated most mages on the continent, I can’t rule out the possibility of weaker individuals remaining.
The events before, during, and after the Third Magic War nearly obliterated the mages of Valorian. Hewet’s books stated this with great confidence, and the old man seemed to believe it wholeheartedly. Jonn trusted his grandfather’s judgment, thinking that if any mages remained, they were likely weak individuals who hadn’t been involved in the war, or who had awakened their powers afterward.
“Very well. Return to your group and fulfill your duties for the day. Tomorrow, you’ll have a new function as punishment. For now, keep what you’ve told me to yourself. I’ll handle the preparations to protect the village from Jack’s group.”
Sayer left with a hopeful look, unafraid of the possibility of mages attacking. He had grown up believing that the world’s destroyers had perished after the havoc they wreaked, and despite rumors of potential mages, he doubted any were left in Littlewood.
Meanwhile, Jonn returned to the animal area, deep in thought.
Grandpa always advised against seeking trouble, so I won’t pursue these people. But if they come to my village, I’ll visit Littlewood.
It might be interesting to obtain the Riverash Family’s magical knowledge. Maybe there’s something in Count Francus’ cave that could help me.
He glanced toward the cave, just as his favorite notification appeared.
{Ding!}
{+1 progress point on the quest [Magic Cave].}
…
[Magic Cave]
[Progress: 8/11]
A smile spread across his lips as he allocated another attribute point to [Wisdom]. With the potential of facing mages soon, he didn’t hesitate to bolster this crucial aspect of himself!
{Name: Jonn Irondoom}
{Age: 17}
{Level: 2 (40.5%)}
{Reputation: Level 4 “Elder of the Eternal Village!”}
{Stats:
[Health: 299] [Mana: 405 (435)] [Stamina: 272]}
{Attributes:
[Strenght: 26.5 (30.5)] [Agility: 25] [Dexterity: 23.2 (26.2)]
[Constitution: 29.9] [Endurance: 27.2] [Intelligence: 40.5 (43.5)]
[Wisdom: 36.8 (39.8)] [Charisma: 19 (22)] [Luck: 18 (20)]}
{Resistances: Fire (level 1).}
{Skill: [Analysis]; [Essence of Life]; [Projection]; [Universal Breath].}
{Artifacts: [Wildheart Talisman]; [Mysterious Magic Dagger].}
{Spells: [Air Palm]; [Magic Breath]; [Mana Manipulation].}