In the aftermath of the battle, injuries varied, ranging from minor scratches to more significant wounds. However, none of the injuries were truly life-threatening. Gathered at Ethan's dwelling, the triumphant mood was palpable as they collectively celebrated their victory.
Cashew alcohol was poured into cups and expertly served by Elara, who hesitated at first due to the strength of the drink which might affect the injured. The satisfying scent of squids, prepared as snacks, filled the air, the aroma mingling with a sense of accomplishment. Laughter and chatter melded as they relished the reward of their hard-fought success. Elara's initial reluctance dissipated under Aldric's persistent cajoling and Ethan's approving nod, eventually conceding to provide the alcohol that amplified the celebratory atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Ethan catered to the younger ones, crafting lemonade. The clinking of glasses resonated as everyone raised their cups, toasting not only their victory but also the bonds that had grown stronger through the shared struggle.
Amidst the jubilant celebrations, Aldric's contemplative expression didn't go unnoticed. Ethan approached, settling beside his father, and Elara joined them, her curiosity piqued. "What's on your mind, Dad?" Ethan inquired, concerned.
Aldric hesitated, then voiced his thoughts: "I understand the concept of providing daily rations to the Orc village in exchange for their protection. But the question that lingers is, How do we practically implement this plan?"
Elara frowned, her confusion evident. "What do you mean by 'how'?"
Ethan, sensing the underlying concern, preempted it. "Are you suggesting we decide who contributes daily and in what quantity?"
Aldric affirmed with a nod.
Ethan seized the moment to present a solution. "How about this? We have around 80 to 90 houses in our village, right? Plus, we can count about 10–15 fishermen."
The gathered villagers attentively followed the conversation, intrigued by Ethan's proposal. "My idea is simple: every day, one household will be responsible for sending a portion of the fresh seafood, along with any seasonal catch of the same quantity." He then continued, "This way, each household gets a turn every three months, which provides ample time for everyone to contribute."
"How does this proposal sound?" Ethan inquired, waiting for the villagers' response.
Following lengthy discussions, a consensus emerged, signaling their agreement with the plan. Aldric's voice rang out, cutting through the air: "Then I'll be the first to fulfill this tomorrow."
Inspired by his commitment, others followed suit, adding their names to the list. Ethan carefully documented each participant, ensuring nothing was overlooked. With a sense of finality, he pinned the schedule to the wall, effectively setting the plan in motion.
“I will remind them daily, and whoever forgets will get one booger from me," Orrinn who was beside his father Gareth, muttered to himself as he played his dirt and broke the serious discussion. Suddenly everyone busted out laughing, easing the tension. As people took note of their assigned dates, the gathering gradually dispersed, with the fading daylight signaling the arrival of evening.
True to his word, Aldric embarked on his duty the next day, loading up a cart with a bounty of fish, a selection of alcohol bottles, and several livestock. In the company of Ethan and Gareth, he set off for the Orc village, marking the beginning of their new arrangement.
Under the morning sun, as they carried the assorted items toward the Orc Village, they drew closer to the settlement. The once bustling place was now draped in an eerie quietness, still echoing the aftermath of the intense battle that had unfolded the day before. The toll of multiple killings had left its mark on the village.
Aldric and Ethan shared a knowing look, acknowledging the practicality that yesterday's fight had dictated. They understood that attempting negotiation before the clash would likely have led to failure. Sometimes, actions spoke louder than words; consequences had to be shown to bring about change.
As they neared the village, the figure of the Orc King seated outside became visible. His body was wrapped in bandages, bearing witness to the recent turmoil. A small gathering of goblins accompanied him, though, on closer inspection, it was evident that these were female goblins, distinct from their male counterparts.
Following the agreement, the Orc village accepted the offerings with a solemn nod. The words of protection were spoken, and the goblins raised their weapons in unity. Aldric carefully unloaded barrels filled with freshly brewed cashew and coconut alcohols, a gesture of goodwill and a token of their alliance.
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The Orc chief scooped up the contents using the coconut shell from the barrel, its contents cascading like liquid silver into the makeshift cup. He raised it to his lips and took a hearty swig, the rich aroma of the alcohol mingling with the morning breeze. A deep, rumbling laughter erupted from him, resonating like a strange symphony of notes.
"Good alcohol, Ba Ba BaBaBaBa Ba Ba," he exclaimed with genuine enjoyment. His eyes locked onto Ethan's, and his gratitude was palpable as he acknowledged the events of the previous day.
With a flourish of his massive hand, the Orc chief beckoned to a smaller figure beside him. This goblin, noticeably smaller and more delicate, stepped forward in response to his father's gesture. The chief introduced him with a voice that was both loud and eerie, almost akin to a ventriloquist's act. "This is my kid, Grok."
Grok, shy and timid, stood before them. Despite his small stature, his head bore the same black tattoo marks as his father's, though in a less elaborate pattern. He was dressed in a simple sack-like cloth; his teeth were not yet fully mature, with two jutting out from his gums. As he spoke, his voice was soft and earnest, carrying a sense of innocence.
"Thank you for sparing my baba, I will never forget this debt." His eyes held a mixture of admiration and appreciation as he gazed at Ethan. Grok's age was evident from his appearance, which was around the same as Ethan's.
In a silent yet profound gesture, Ethan extended his hand toward Grok. Their hands met, forging a bond of understanding and friendship that transcended their differences.
Leaving the Orc Village behind, their farewells were exchanged through gestures, hands raised in a final goodbye, as Grok watched the departing figures until they faded from his sight.
---✧---✧---
With the tension of the recent raid beginning to settle, Ethan found himself facing a new task: his awakening. Only two days remained until his birthday, and before leaving, he had not only managed to save a village but also forge a friendship with the orc village.
Following the conclusion of his awakening, a plan was set in motion. Aldric, along with Elara, had decided that if the awakening proved successful, they would invest their hard-earned fortune to enroll Ethan in the prestigious magic academy located in the capital. Despite the substantial cost, Aldric saw it as a worthy investment in his son's bright and promising future.
---✧---✧---
On the day before Ethan was set to depart, the morning began with him assisting his parents with a few spells. He then extended his help to fellow villagers, fully aware that time was of the essence. With a pledge to return and teach them in the future, he lent his expertise to ensure everyone gained some knowledge.
Around eleven in the morning, a horse-drawn cart arrived at his doorstep, marking the start of his journey. As he bid farewell to those around him, he carried with him not only his promise but also the anticipation of delving into advanced spells and magic at the academy. Ethan recognized that he had much to learn, as his previous access to learning materials had been limited. Nevertheless, he had managed to fine-tune existing spells, altering their mana consumption and efficacy to suit his needs.
"Goodbye, everyone." Ethan gestured to the gathering of villagers who had come to see him off. Aldric, his father, would be accompanying him on the journey to the capital—a journey that would take about one and a half days. Among the well-wishers, Ethan's mother stood, her tears betraying the bittersweet emotions she felt as her only child set forth on this path of awakening and learning.
As Ethan prepared to leave, his mother's voice trembled: "Take care, my dear. Study well and make us proud."
Isabella stepped forward, extending a small hand-sewn handkerchief to Ethan. Her voice held a mixture of hope and sadness as she said, "I will meet you soon." Being only half a year younger than Ethan, she held onto the belief that their paths would cross again in the capital.
Orrin, on the other hand, approached with a warm hug. He then attempted to shake Ethan's hand, but Ethan playfully recoiled, saying, "Yuck, I'm not doing that," since just a second ago he was playing with his booger. The laughter that erupted from the villagers echoed the shared camaraderie they all had. Kaelen joined in the farewell, waving along with their other village friends as Ethan settled into the horse-drawn cart that Aldric had hired for the journey.
Goodbye everyone
Take care, honey.
With preparations complete, the cart began its journey. Aldric's initial plan had been to set off early, avoiding the route near the orc village due to recent disturbances. However, now that the conflict had been resolved, they chose the more familiar path, the one that led through the orc village. This route took them through the Veiled Highlands mountains, offering a shortcut to their destination. Once they crossed the mountains and reached a nearby village, they would rest for the night before continuing on to the capital. The road ahead was both a physical journey and a step into Ethan's new future.
As the horse-drawn cart rumbled along, the landscape transformed around Ethan and his father. Passing through the outskirts of the Orc village, they saw the signs of the recent turmoil that had gripped the area, but now there was an air of calm settling in. The cart then ascended the mountain roads, the rugged terrain giving way to sweeping vistas of lush valleys and distant horizons.
The scent of pine trees permeated the air, and a gentle breeze played with Ethan's hair. From the higher vantage point, they could catch glimpses of their own village nestled amidst the verdant hills, a peaceful haven contrasted against the backdrop of the majestic mountains. As they saw their tiny village from the high point, they could see the vastness of the sea spreading across. The journey felt like a transition, both physically and metaphorically, as they left behind the known and ventured toward the new challenges and opportunities that awaited them in the capital.
As they had anticipated, the journey unfolded smoothly, and Ethan immersed himself in this new world. He relished the scenic views as they traversed the mountainous terrain, the ever-changing landscape a feast for his senses. After a restful night in a village nestled amid the mountainous terrain, Ethan and Aldric resumed their seats in the cart. Their next destination: the capital city of Luminesca, merely a few hours away from the village.