A lone traveler moved with practiced ease through the dense underbrush, his steps light but deliberate. A long cloak, weathered by countless journeys, draped over his shoulders, blending with the earth-toned leather of his gear. His sandy blonde hair, tied back in a loose knot, stirred in the wind as he adjusted the pack on his back.
Laktor Thornwood had seen much of the world beyond Edenvale—more than most ever would. He had crossed the burning dunes of the Desert’s Bounty, braved the whispering woods of the Enchanted Glade, and studied the ruins hidden deep within Forest’s Embrace. Yet no matter how far he traveled, the same questions followed him. What were the Pathway marks, truly? Why did they only awaken on a specific day, as if bound by some unseen design? His thoughts kept returning to the symbols etched on his forearm. A considered the pathway a puzzle, one he had set his mind to solve.
He glanced down at the dagger strapped to his belt. A relic of an era long past, its blade bore faint engravings, nearly worn away by time. He had spent the last two years following the trail of its twin, a search that had led him to abandoned strongholds, cryptic texts, and whispered rumors of a hidden truth buried beneath centuries of forgotten lore.
A cold breeze swept through the trees. Laktor exhaled slowly, his breath misting in the chill air.
Laktor paused atop a rocky outcropping, his keen eyes surveying the landscape before him. The jagged peaks of the mountains loomed in the distance, their snow-capped summits piercing the clouds. In the valleys below, dense forests stretched as far as the eye could see, their canopies a sea of green broken only by the occasional glint of a winding river. The air was crisp and clean, carrying with it the scent of pine and the faint tang of silver from the veins that ran deep beneath the earth.
As he stood there, lost in thought, Laktor felt a sudden tug from the dagger, as if an invisible force were pulling him back towards the lower regions. It was an odd sensation, considering he had been steadily working his way up through the regions, honing his skills and growing stronger with each passing day. He had always assumed that the second dagger would be found in the higher regions, where the challenges were greater and the rewards more precious.
But the pull was insistent, and Laktor knew better than to ignore the signs. He had learned to trust his instincts and the wisdom of the artifact he sought. With a sigh, he turned his back on the mountains and began the long journey back towards The Arid Frontier, the second region he had left behind.
As he walked, his mind raced with possibilities. What secrets did the second dagger hold? What new challenges would he face in his quest to find it? And what did this unexpected detour mean for his mission and the organization he served? These questions swirled in his mind, but Laktor pushed them aside, focusing instead on the task at hand. He had a job to do, and he would see it through, no matter where the Pathway led him.
Evin woke up, his body aching from the previous day's events. Despite the soreness, excitement coursed through his veins as he recalled their successful hunt and the progression they had acquired. He sat up in bed, wincing slightly as he stretched his bruised muscles.
Curious took hold, and Evin expanded his mark once more. As he scanned the symbols, he noticed that his symbols had indeed changed since the last time he checked, prior to the hog, and also, he couldnt help but wonder what the new symbol resembled.
Climbing out of bed, Evin dressed in fresh clothes and made his way to the living room. The aroma of freshly baked pie wafted through the air, making his stomach growl. Elara, greeted him with a warm smile.
«Good morning, Evin. Did you sleep well?» she asked, her eyes filled with concern. «You slept longer than usual, but I suppose you needed the rest after yesterday's adventure.»
Evin nodded, grateful for his mother's understanding. «I feel much better now, thanks for asking.»
Elara gestured towards the kitchen. «Your father has already been to Borin with the hare and hog from yesterday. We received 5 copper coins for the hare and 30 for the hog, along with some prepared meat. I've made a hearty pie to fill your belly properly before you head out.»
Borin Hewitt was the village slaughterer of Greenhaven, known for his precise and skilled preparation of game brought in by hunters. His expertise ensured that every part of the animal was utilized efficiently, providing the villagers with quality meat, hides, and other useful materials. His work was essential for the village’s sustenance and economy, making him a respected figure in the community.
Evin grinned, his mouth watering at the thought of his mother's delicious cooking. He followed her into the kitchen and sat down at the table, eager to dig in. As they ate, they engaged in pleasant conversation, discussing the events of the previous day and Evin's plans for the day.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Evin thanked his mother for the delicious meal and set out towards Allovilde's house. The morning sun cast a warm glow over the village, and a gentle breeze rustled through the trees. As he approached Allovilde's home, he noticed her mother tending to the garden outside.
«Good morning, Mrs. Stenson,» Evin greeted her with a smile.
Allovilde's mother looked up from her work and returned the smile. «Good morning, Evin. If you're looking for Allovilde, she's not here at the moment. She went to see the village healer to make sure her injuries from yesterday are healing properly.»
Evin nodded, feeling a twinge of concern for his friend. «Thank you for letting me know. I'll head over to the village and see if I can find her.»
He bid Mrs. Stenson farewell and made his way towards the village center.
Lost in thought, Evin almost didn't notice Allovilde approaching him from the opposite direction. Relief washed over him as he saw her walking with a spring in her step, looking much better than she had the previous day.
«Allovilde!» Evin called out, waving to her.
She grinned and quickened her pace to meet him. «Evin! I was just on my way back from the healer's.»
«How are you feeling?» Evin asked, his eyes scanning her for any signs of discomfort.
Allovilde's smile widened. «I'm doing great, actually. The healer said that the treatment you gave me after the attack helped my wounds heal much faster than they would have otherwise. I can't thank you enough!»
Evin felt a surge of pride at her words, but he shrugged modestly. «I'm just glad I could help. It's a good thing we've been learning so much about herbs and their uses.»
«Speaking of learning,» Allovilde said, her eyes sparkling with excitement, «I think we should go see Njord and ask about our marks. He might have some insights or advice for us.»
Evin nodded in agreement. «I’m ready. Let's go find him and see what he has to say.»
Together, they set off towards Njord's home, eager to gain wisdom from their trusted mentor before embarking on the next stage of their Pathway journey.
As Evin and Allovilde approached the training hall, they spotted Njord sitting at a table outside, seemingly waiting for them. He greeted them with a warm smile and gestured for them to join him. «Evin, Allovilde, good morning. Please have a seat. I've prepared some herbal tea, would you like some?»
Evin and Allovilde exchanged a glance, surprised by Njord's invitation. They had planned to discuss the events of the previous day with him, but it seemed he already knew. They nodded and settled into their seats, Njord began to speak.
«I've heard about what happened yesterday,» he said, his tone a mix of pride and concern. «I must say, I'm impressed with how you both handled the situation, despite the danger you faced.»
Evin felt a wave of relief wash over him. He had been worried about how Njord might react to their close call with the hog. «I guess we had a solid portion of luck yesterday. The hog more or less killed itself when it jumped into my dagger.»
Allovilde nodded in agreement. «We’ve learned our lesson. I honestly thought we were done for.»
The conversation quickly shifted to the topic of their marks changing. They both leaned forward, eager to learn more about the process. «Actually, we were hoping you could tell us more about how mark development works. We both received new symbols after the fight yesterday, and we believe we know what they represent, but we would like for you to confirm it.»
Evin expanded his mark, showing the new symbol that had etched itself into his skin just above his collarbone. “I believe this symbol represents something related to the use of daggers?”. He glanced over at Allovilde, who had prepared her new symbol too “And we think Allovildes’ new symbol represents something related to the use of a bow?”.
Njord took a sip of his herbal drink before responding. «Ah, yes. The process can be quite complex, especially as you progress further along your Pathway.» He paused, gathering his thoughts. «Sometimes, if you've been working diligently and consistently, you may be presented new symbols, representing a skill you’ve started to progress a pathway for.»
Allovilde’s nodded towards Evin. «Just as we predicted.»
Njord chuckled at her enthusiasm. «Indeed, it is. Keep in mind what we spoke of earlier. If you spread your focus out, you’ll be cutting yourself short on the deeper progression. Like a jack of all trades, you’ll master none. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with it, I just want you both to keep it in mind as you progress further in your pathways.»
Evin furrowed his brow, absorbing the information.
Njord leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful as he continued to explain the intricacies of the Pathway system. «You see, the complexity of the Pathway is precisely why our village has chosen to approach it in a specific way.»
Evin and Allovilde listened intently, their curiosity piqued by Njord's words.
«In Greenhaven, we have a tradition of focusing on the basics - the knowledge and skills necessary to survive in the wild and navigate the challenges that come with the Pathway journey. Our mentors, myself included, aim to provide you with a solid foundation without overwhelming you with too many details about the system itself.»
Njord took another sip of his herbal drink before continuing. «We believe that the best way to truly understand the Pathway is to experience it firsthand. Trying to grasp all of its intricacies before your activation can be daunting and potentially discouraging.»
Evin nodded, understanding the wisdom in Njord's words. He had always appreciated the practical approach to learning in Yle, focusing on the skills that would serve them well in their adventures.
«Of course, other villages may have different practices,» Njord acknowledged. «And that's perfectly fine. There is no right or wrong way to approach the Pathway journey. Each community must find the method that works best for them and their young Pathwalkers.»
Njord smiled warmly at his students. «I'm here to support you every step of the way, provided I am able to of course! Never hesitate to seek my advice or assistance. The Pathway journey is a learning process for all of us.»
With their minds set and Njord's guidance fresh in their thoughts, Evin and Allovilde prepared for a week of hard, tedious work to jumpstart their adventure careers. They gathered their tools and supplies, determined to make the most of every opportunity.