They all looked at Bryn as their instinct-activated APPRAISAL.

Name

Bryn

Age

8

Lvl

1

Race

Faun

Titles

Blessed by Lugh

Blessed by Flidais

Protected by Kwame Nkosi’s Vow [Temporary]

Status

Strength

1 (+2)

Intelligence

1

Dexterity

1 (+4)

Agility

1 (+4)

Vitality

2

Luck

2

“What is that??” asked Freya.

The chief of the guards was even more worried as he witnessed what happened. “Lady Isolde, as I told you… this man is dangerous. It is not wise to cross him.” he whispered in Isolde’s ear.

Ignoring the Chief, Isolde looked at Kwame and said, “I have not seen a magus in some time. Still, you accepted the terms of our trade. Are you going to live by your words?”.

A Magus? What’s going on? Bryn thought.

“Do not worry, Ms. Freya and Mr. Silas, anyone that has awakened true magic can create vows. If we break them, we are forever titled as a Vow Breaker. People do not trust those with such a title…”

“As if low-level fauns could read your status…” the chief grunted irritably.

Bryn was still processing all the information going around. After breathing a couple of times, he regained his composure.

He could tell from Lady Isolde’s posture that she had engineered the exchange to end exactly like this. Her plan, at the moment, was flawless. The only ways Bryn saw for the next moments were divine intervention or accepting his fate. His legs trembled; it felt as if a hole had been dug in his chest, exactly where his heart was. Breathing was hard. His eyes filled with tears as he tried to keep himself composed. Trying to stall every moment he could, he could only hug his parents with all he had.

“Mother, Father. I know it will hurt. You cannot believe how much it kills me to say what I’m about to say. Currently, we don’t have the power to stop our separation. I’ll train harder and bring you to me as soon as possible. But stop fighting. Last time, I was only able to help a little. This time, you will have to face any and every punishment alone! I do not wish for you to suffer. The heavens are hard to understand, but it will strengthen us to keep going and find each other.” Said Bryn.

He knew there was no other way than to go with this strange mage called Kwame. Also, any more arguments with Lady Isolde would fuel her crazy vendetta. She already hated Bryn for becoming friends with Eamon. She despised servants and demi-humans. If he couldn't stop his parents now, there was a significant chance of her killing or torturing them further.

The sad reality was that despite his growth, it was not enough. At that moment, Bryn made his very first vow. It was not one marked by the heavens, as Kwame made. But a personal one. He would never stop.

“Amazing words for a youngster! I promise I'll bring your son to visit you if we have any opportunities near the regi-” said Kwame.

“Enough. I have a better things to do than to stay here, let’s go. Chief, bring my servants with us. I hope our paths never cross again, Mr. Kwame.” interrupted Isolde.

“You have a great day, Lady Isolde.” Said Kwame as he slightly bowed his head to her.

As Bryn hugged his mother and father, the chief separated them.

“Promise to take care of her father. Please do not do anything harsh. I’ll survive. I’ll grow strong, and I’ll find you.” Said Bryn, his eyes as serious as one could be.

“You are in for a rough ride, kid. Faun’s do not get strong. Any way. Time to go, Sylas. Do not make us use force on your wife in front of your son.” said the chief.

“Freya, let’s go…” said Sylas. He pulled his wife towards the chief and the other servants who already left. Looking back at Bryn and Kwame, he said. “Mr. Kwame, I lack the power to change our predicament. I hope you fulfill your promise to us. Protect and guide our son. Bryn, we will never stop thinking about you. We’ll always be with you, in your heart.”

“Noo!! I do not accept it!!!” yelled Freya as she tried to escape Sylas's arms.

While she was still reluctant to accept reality, Sylas pulled her away from Bryn. Bryn’s hands, still holding onto her sleeves, lost their grip. At that moment, some of Bryn’s emotions got taken from him. His want for a better world transformed into a burning desire for power and revenge. Sylas intervened so Freya wouldn't get hurt. But in a burst of power, Freya ran for a last embrace.

As she reached Bryn, the chief separated them by brute force. She screamed as Sylas tried to help. Unfortunately, all he could achieve was getting punched in the face by one of the guards.

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“Do not approach the chief; stay where you are!” said the assailant guard.

“DAD !! Please, stop… Let me go. I’ll be okay!” cried Bryn.

“Young faun, we better go. They will never acknowledge that you are already gone if you are still in sight.” said Kwame.

Kwame touched Bryn’s shoulder, guiding him to turn his back to the direction Sylas and Freya were. That was the second time Bryn had his parents taken from him. But this time, there was still a chance. With each passing second, he could feel the desire for power growing within him. Kwame and Bryn walked towards the side exit of the market and disappeared into the city.

Freya’s mind was all over the place. She had also spent so much energy trying to escape Sylas’s and the chief's grasp that her body gave up. As she fainted, Sylas ran to her side before one of the guards started to drag her body over the floor.

“You better control her, Sylas. Otherwise, it won’t matter how much Lord Aric values you.” said the chief.

“I will, chief, do not worry.”

At this point, Lady Isolde was far away, walking around the market. She found herself in the underground section, trying to locate a specific dealer. Here, the most expensive servants would be for sale. There were guards, hunters, humans, or demi-humans with high-level skills for battle.

Most of the servants here were not chained at all. Many of them were doing exercises, talking with each other, or eating. They all had a strange collar on their neck with a red gemstone right in the middle.

At the far right was a slight commotion with many people gathered. There, a small fight was happening between a demi-human and a human. Isolde was fascinated by the man who was winning the battle. When the fight ended, she made a bid on the servant who won but was not able to buy herself a new guard.

She kept going until the end and found what she was searching for—the beast’s section. There, two stores were the only ones displaying their goods. The first one had different kinds of beasts, from felines to goblins. All were wearing servitude. She was searching for a magical companion for young Rowan. The beast would grow with the future royal knight, providing him extra power and protection.

She believed an agile magical beast best complemented Rowan’s blessing of strength. That would be expensive, though. The family had never bought a magical beast before. Eamon was not powerful enough to call attention to himself, but Rowan would be a different story. He deserved to be the first Wycliffe to own one.

She decided to go for a young yellow puma. The feline was still small and low-level, and the chances for it to respect Rowan as his master were high. Servitude collars guaranteed that the one wearing them could not harm the owner. They also had to follow their commands. Even with that level of assurance, that would not provide the best type of partner. The best companions were the ones who didn’t need a collar to work with their master.

As she acquired the feline, all her designated appointments ended. The chief arrived as she closed the deal and informed her about the situation with the fauns.

“My Lady, the situation is finished. Ultimately, Freya tried all she could to be with Bryn but fainted from the shock and exhaustion. Sylas is carrying her around.”

“So weak. As expected from fauns, don’t you think? They are much different from the magical beast I bought.” She pointed at the Yellow Puma being delivered by the store clerk as she answered the chief.

“My Lady. Yellow Pumas are strong. I would be unable to take an adult in a fight.“ said the chief.

“Good, I’m looking for a strong companion for young Rowan. Chief, you are the person responsible for our safety.” As she performed the necessary steps to change the collar’s master recognition, she told the chief: “I don’t think Sylas and Freya will forget what happened; they may threaten me and my family. I want you to sell them to some faraway land. I’m returning home with the chariot, most of the guards, and Rowan’s new guardian.”

The chief looked at the young yellow puma, its stats close to most of his guards. All he could think about was young lord Rowan running around and training such a killing machine. Sylas and Freya were better off sold than in the crosshair of such danger.

As ordered by her lady, the chief returned to meet with the servants. The new ones had already talked among the others and were getting acquainted. Sylas was sitting down, paled face and weak. Freya was sleeping in his embrace with her head on his lap.

“Sylas, get up!”

“Chief… What do you want?” he could barely speak.

“Your time with the Wycliffes is over. We’ll talk with one of the vendors here so you and Freya can find a different home. You won’t be coming with us to the farm.” said the chief.

At this point, Sylas didn’t have anything holding him back. All the feelings he once had for Lord Aric. The pleasant memories of the last decade. Everything got tarnished by the lashes, the suffering Bryn had to endure, and now the last drop. Sending their son away with a stranger to who knows where. Nothing could be worse than going back to the farm.

The only thing that prevented Sylas from being as devastated as Freya was Mr. Kwame. That man was powerful. His vow was the real deal. Sylas had no understanding of how vows worked. Still, anything that appeared as a title was no laughing matter.

“It is ok, Chief. As you know, I have farming level 8, that is my best skill. You can get a good price for it.” said Sylas.

“That the spirit.” said the chief as a devilish smile appeared as he turned away from Sylas.

The three of them went to the demi-humans side of the market again. Upon arriving, the chief negotiated with Sylas and Freya for 20 silver coins combined. The chief chose to sell the couple to the mines, where they would stay forever away from the Wicliffes.

With that, caravan activities in Valorhaven came to an end. The chief left with the rest of the guards and the servants. Leaving behind Bryn, Freya and Sylas.

Now, walking on the street, a man was wearing colorful clothes. Next to him was a faun. People in the streets looked towards the two with conflicting thoughts. Looking up at the man, they could tell he was not a person to trifle with. Looking down at the faun, he was not the partner one would expect from a man of that stature.

“Mr. Kwame, I don’t believe we were properly introduced. I’m Bryn. Eight years old and a faun.”

“It is nice to meet you, young Bryn. I’m sorry it had to be in such circumstances. I’m Kwame Nkosi, thirty-two years old and a merchant.” Said Kwame, smiling.

“There is no need to apologize. When we approached, I could tell everything happened as Lady Isolde planned. You were the messenger, nothing else…” Bryn lowered his head.

“You look like a bright young man. Are you sure you are eight?”

“Yes, yes… Maybe it is because of my blessing?” trying to create an excuse for his ability to read the room.

“You have interesting blessings, yes. While we walk to meet with my caravan, could you tell me a little more about them?” Asked Kwame.

“Not much to tell. The intelligence and dexterity give me +2% and +1%.”

Kwame stopped for a second and then started walking again. “I don’t know the type of life you lived before. But I prefer when people do not lie to my face, especially someone I’m helping and protecting. I’ll give you one more chance to be honest with me. Otherwise, I’ll find other ways to fulfill my vow to your parents.”

It was worth a shot... From his reaction, he knows more than me about blessings and appraisal. Since I have his vow of protection, it is time to test the waters… Bryn thought.

“I’m sorry, as you know, I don’t trust adults around me. The last people to ask me about my blessings sold me to you…” Said Bryn.

Kwame stayed silent, waiting for Bryn to continue.

“I have two blessings. Combined, they offer me 20% more intelligence, +10% more dexterity, and +25% learning capabili-”

As he was about to finish, Kwame covered his mouth and rushed them to an alleyway.

“Don't speak about your blessings ever again. Do you understand me?” The strength behind his hands was no joke. Bryn’s eyebrows furrowed in pain, and Kwame realized he had to lose it.

“OK. Why is that, Mr. Kwame?” asked Kwame.

They started to walk again as Kwame said, “People cannot read someone's blessings details. No matter how powerful you are, your skills or levels you may have. Blessings are only known by their owner.”

Confused, Bryn asked. “But how did you know mine, then?”

“I didn’t. But I’m level 51 and a merchant who travels the continents. In general, fauns are weaker than other races. The prejudice against your race is because you get eight status points per level. Humans and other demi-humans get 10. Magical beasts are the only creatures that don’t follow such a clear path. Still, you are a level one with statuses that sum up to eighteen. That is more than double what it should be. That is impossible without a good combination of passive skills or amazing blessings. It is also nearly impossible for an eight-year-old servant to receive proper training. So, you lied.”

“To think I was opened to such a simple and logical way to find out I lied... It is good that the chief or the Wycliffe are not as sharp as this guy. Thought Bryn

“Do not worry. I was serious when I said you would have more opportunities with me than with the people you worked for.”

“Why shouldn’t I talk about my blessings?” Asked Bryn once again.

“Blessings go from common to legendary… Those are not real labels. That is how we rank them. Common are the ones that provide simple base status. Those are amazing for people who do not wish to go all the way in their fight for power. Uncommon are percentage points of status. They have long-term benefits. The stronger you are, the better your blessing complements your power. Rare blessings are the ones that combine the two. Up until the rare level, they are blessings only based on status. You can have an amazing “common blessing” and be more powerful than someone with a lousy rare blessing. But the next level is when you see people with untold potential. An epic blessing is one where you have a status bonus and additional benefits; that is your case. They are so rare that most people don’t believe they exist. Last but not least are legendary blessings. It is said that these blessings evolve with you. This means that, unlike the others, they increase their power as you level up. Nobody knows how to do it. Otherwise, there would be many nobles with legendary blessings…”

“I knew I had gotten broken blessings from what the priest told me… But that is a bit too much, isn’t it?” asked Bryn.

“Do not get carried away. Having blessings does not compensate for everything... Even if you have an extra 20% intelligence, that gives you no benefit now. You would lose a fight to a level 3 teenager.” Kwame countered.

“Is there a way for me to increase my strength rapidly, Mr. Kwame?”

“One step at a time, we arrived at my friends' inn. We’ll have plenty of time to talk.”

As they entered the inn, Bryn saw a few demi-humans and humans sharing a table.

“Everyone, we have a new companion. His name is Bryn. Bryn, meet everyone…” said Kwame.