Two staves collided, a pleasant reverberation echoing across the small arena upon the impact, quickly followed by a hiss of pain as the other end of Phiona’s staff snaked around his attempt at blocking. He got his vambrace up in time, but her strength still caused it to hurt enough for his hand to spasm slightly.
Kite let go of his staff, ducking away from his opponent’s weapon as he backstepped, hoping to bring some of his range to bear. Phiona did not let him, pressing her advantage with a flurry of thrusts with the staff’s end. Kite managed to block a few and turn the rest into glancing blows, but that was only barely. He accepted another strike upon his shoulder, grunting with pain as his sheathed sword appeared to block the other end of his teacher’s staff which once more came in to punish him. His slash was already on its way as her weapon collided with the spatially locked sheath, the force of her strike shoving it a few centimeters towards him.
As his intent carried the slash toward her an instant sooner than expected, he was elated to see that he at least managed to graze her and force her back a step. In an attempt to regain the initiative against the clearly more skilled opponent, Kite continued to cycle through his different weapons to send more attacks towards Phiona while backing off a bit more. But the woman had grown wise to such moves, and her staff was a blur as she deflected each projected strike to once more advance towards him.
Kite was feeling rather pressed and considering his options when Phiona made the choice for them both. Instead of blocking another swing of his sword, she used the weapon to launch herself up in the air as she leapt over it, came up in a roll beneath the follow up and swept Kite’s legs out from beneath him. He didn’t even have the time to try and roll away before the end of her staff was planted at his sternum.
“Well done, Kite! You lasted longer this time.” Rachel cheered from the side of the arena where she had been watching the bout, this being the third consecutive one where Kite had lost all of them. So far, they had spent the afternoon sparring without powers, although Kite’s evolved racial ability was allowed as it was such an integral part of his fighting style these days.
“This should give me a base of evaluation. Come.” Phiona stated, letting her conjured staff disappear and walking off to Rachel while leaving Kite to get back on his feet before he tentatively joined the pair as he tried clearing his head from the exhaustion of the night’s excitements and today's rather challenging workouts.
While he had gotten in a quick nap since leaving the yard behind the Stormbringer’s Perch, it was still far from what he would have liked, but his bronze rank constitution allowed him to at least handle it a lot better than before.
As he came to stand in front of the two Gellers, Phiona gave him a long look. “It is quite noticeable that you don’t possess a weapon essence or powers that incentivize picking a niche. While this leaves you somewhat without focus, you have at least adapted and picked tools to compensate. For a dabbler, you are at least adequate.
Tell me, why did you want to focus more on the staff in particular? There must be a reason for your choice.”
Kite cleared his throat, still being a bit nervous under the scrutiny. It was almost like the earliest days when training under mistress Dew, even though the gap in power between mentor and student was nowhere near what it had been back then. Phiona’s rather cool demeanor continued to add to said nervousness as well.
“It is a lot due to the staff in question.” Kite said, bringing out the weapon. “It was forged specifically for me under rather unusual circumstances, and is bound to me. From what I was told, it will grow with me even should I grow so far as to reach the heavens. It would be foolish not to make such a gift the pillar upon which my arsenal rests.”
“Ooo, it sounds like there is a story here.” Rachel chimed in, looking curiously at the weapon. “And you have to admit, Nona, that it is a striking piece of equipment.”
“Would you care to elaborate then?” Phiona asked, looking closer at the staff as well.
“Then, are you familiar with the Queen of Jade and Sky, and her gates left as a trial to the people?” Kite asked. As both women shook their heads, he gave a brief explanation of the legend and his experiences.
“That. Sounds. Amazing!” Rachel almost squealed after Kite finished.
“Amazingly foolish.” Phiona added. “Sending in lone essence users is foolish, and especially at iron rank. Building a legend around it is almost like asking for young potential to get themselves killed. I know what you are thinking, Rachel, but we will not seek them out.”
Her cousin gave a pout at this statement, which Phiona promptly ignored as she continued. “Still, I do understand more now. And it is only proper to forge your style around such a tool, but with your racial gift I can see why it will not be the only one you will wield. Heed my words well, Kite. It should be possible to make it the pillar of your fighting style, but it will require a lot of work from your part. Without specific abilities to supplement it, you will have to go even further than most would. My essences are staff, swift and adept for the master confluence, and most of my powers supplement me wielding a staff. As you lack that advantage, you will have to learn how to fill the gap with your own powers; your path, as you seem fond of calling it around here. Our months of training will only be the first drop in a lake which you must fill on your way to mastery. Do you wish to undertake this training, even knowing this? Even if you probably could be a decent enough adventurer even without it?” she asked, her voice severe.
Kite bowed without hesitation. Undertaking this was the very reason for him traveling to Bastion, a trip which had already proved to provide a lot of fated meetings. “I will be in your care, young mistress Geller. Teacher.”
Both women seemed a bit taken aback at his sudden earnestness, Phiona giving him a long look while Rachel couldn’t help but smirk at her cousin.
“Then we shall abide by the contract offered me by the city lord of Gilded. You seem not to lack spirit, at least.” Phiona said. “I propose as such; We aim to train from morning until lunch each day. Exceptions can be made, such as when contracts from either party demands it. We should also try and find some contracts to work into our training regime, as I believe that you will need to have your fair share of experience against both monsters and people.”
“That sounds like a most agreeable proposition. Thank you, teacher.” Kite said, bowing once more. He felt excitement tingle through him, spurred on by her words. It would be hard work indeed, but there was something exhilarating at gazing up at the mountain you were about to start climbing.
“Then we are done for the day. Tomorrow after physical training, we will review your techniques supplemented by your abilities. Have a good day.” Phiona said, turning to leave. As Rachel didn’t immediately follow, she glanced over her shoulder.
“You go ahead, Nona. I had an order placed at the trade pavilion, so I might as well see if it has arrived.” she answered, waving off her cousin even as she got a long look back which seemed to convey a lot of meaning. Mostly ‘don’t do anything to cause trouble’. But Phiona did leave, walking off while Kite and Rachel were left standing next to the arena.
“Kite, would you mind walking me there?” the red-haired woman suddenly asked Kite, turning to him with a cheerful smile.
While she clearly knew the way already, Kite wasn’t as oblivious as to miss what the question really meant.
“It would be my pleasure, young mistress Geller.”
“Oh, please, call me Rachel. Young mistress Geller sounds like the villain in some bad romance novel.” she complained, making a face.
Falling in step beside her, they made their way towards the trade pavilion. Bastion’s adventure society campus was, as usual, more bustling than the one in Gilded, and with the company he was in Kite couldn’t help but imagine the size of the complexes in the adventuring capitals of the world.
It did not take long for Rachel to get to what she really had wished to talk about.
“Kite, I just want you to know that Nona isn’t a bad person. Or as cold and strict as she may seem from today.”
He looked at her questioningly, nodding for her to continue. His first impulse had been to start giving assurances that it was no problem, but he was a bit curious where her explanation would lead.
“She’s… she’s just had a rough time of late. As in months. Or close to half a year. And she has become a bit stiff around most people as a consequence. That is even why we are here. To get away from it all, to let her find herself again without… emotions from the past hanging over her.”
“Do not misunderstand me, Rachel, teacher has been nothing but professional so far. But from your descriptions, it sounds like she might not have been able to leave whatever it was behind.” Kite observed. He meant it, too. While it was not what he would prefer in his dealings with people, strict professionalism was vastly preferable to scorn or abuse.
“No, you’re right.” she sighed. “I’ve tried to get her to return with me and face the… issues… but so far, no luck. But now that she accepted the contract with you, we at least have a kind of timer on things. Make a new decision in half a year and see what happens. And it hasn’t been all bad. This place might be a bit rural, but it is perfect for the two of us when we go hunting for contracts without a silver ranker or higher looking over our shoulder.”
“I for one am rather grateful that you took me on. Teacher seems very skilled, and I hope to learn much from her. But if I may ask, Rachel; if it was teacher’s issues which had you come here, how come you are with her? You have been nothing but delightful company so far, but it just made me curious.” he said, stressing the last part as she raised an eyebrow at him.
“Well, a girl could certainly stand to hear that some more.” she giggled. “Let us just say that Nona’s moping has not left as much room for appreciation for her dear cousin as would be considered optimal. I will take what I can get. And in regards to your question, Nona is my cousin, albeit rather distantly, but we have basically grown up together. I won’t allow her to just leave the family and our former team to go off alone. Besides, the freedom part sure is nice. And seeing the sights, eating new food, and meeting polite young men such as you who have the decency to appreciate my company.” she finished with an overly theatrical wink.
Kite laughed. “Do not worry, lady Rachel.” he said with the same mock formality. “In these lands and in this company, you shall not want for appreciation.” While her comments might have caused him to be flustered a year or two ago, Kite was now fairly sure that he had understood Rachel’s words for what they were; playful banter. And his time spent with his companions up in Gilded had cultivated a great appreciation for said playfulness. It took the edge of an otherwise often severe reality.
“But if you think that I can help teacher in any way, do not hesitate to ask.” he added, a bit more seriously.
“Oh, I will. But I think that getting her mind off things might be good. And you have already subverted some of her expectations, which does help too. Just continue to be you, Kite, and I’m sure that this will work out.” Rachel said, giving him a clap on the shoulder.
They spent the next hour perusing the trade hall, trading some stories and Kite explaining some local cultural phenomena to her. Overall, Rachel remained the cheerful and open self she had presented so far, causing Kite to feel a pang of slight loss when he found himself missing Dragonfly as well. The two would probably get along quite splendidly. Even with said feeling of loss, he felt good about the prospects for the next six months. Bastion had indeed delivered a lot more than what he could have hoped.
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“So, my dear Braid, what have you got for me. Azure, the tease, would not tell me until you both got here.” said Carmella Dobrazza, the branch director of Bastion’s adventure society. She was a smolder, a race quite rare in Hua-Xi, with dark gray skin and hair the color of basalt and the fiery eyes common to her kind. Like Jarvan, she was silver rank and brought in from abroad to man the position. So far, Braid had found her to run a tight operation, even though her often sultry manners might give other implications.
He was seated along with the branch director, Azure and Wander in Dobrazza’s office. It was the classical large office, but director Dobrazza had gone with a distinct decor of a lot of onyx black and bright oranges, claiming it to be the height of interior design fashion in her homeland at the moment.
“It should be something to investigate further, branch director.” Braid said, producing a stack of paper which he handed to her. “But the sweep of the estate did turn up some clues in the documentation. It would seem like many of the families represented during their little meetings had begun joint but covert efforts of mercantile undermining. So far, they have been wise enough to not leave a direct trail, but it should not take too long to narrow down their lists of potential targets.” Braid said, reporting his findings.
“My dear Braid, it seems that you like being a bit of a tease as well.” she ‘tssked’ at him. “I can sense that you already have your own suspicions.”
Braid swallowed, his mouth suddenly a bit dry under her direct attention, even though he knew it was probably augmented by her aura. And that he probably didn’t even have saliva anymore.
“Well, it is only speculation from other investigations, but-”
“Please, good man. What have I done for you to torment me so?” Dobrazza pouted.
“It- it might be a coincidence, but my preliminary investigations seem to indicate a target for many such smaller acts of mercantile aggression that are already taking place. The Relentless family.”
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
This caused the director and Azure to start, both looking quite surprised.
“The Relentless family? That would be… ambitious.” Dobrazza said, looking thoughtful.
“If not outright foolish.” Azure added. “Aren’t they one of the oldest families in the city?”
“Second oldest, yes.” Dobrazza agreed. “Can you see any indication of why? Or other more specific motives?”
“As I said, it is still quite unclear. But I believe that there is a pattern here. As a weaver, I have become quite adept at spotting them.” Braid replied.
“Then it is something you will continue looking into. I will assign two investigative functionaries to assist you. The Relentless family is one of the cornerstones of Bastion. Many depend on them, especially with the upcoming Great Proving. Isn’t one of their scions one of the head competitors from here?”
“I think so. Young master Vista. Apparently he’s a spectacular talent, and quite a looker too. Have almost all of the young generation fawning over him.” Azure added.
“Hmm, then they are probably in the good graces of the city lady as well. The Great Proving is rather important for the next decade, no? But I digress. My dear, lovely Braid, you have been an excellent help. Your leads seem to have enough merit to pursue, if only to rule them out.
How did your recent addition acquit himself, by the way? Jarvan was most polite and sweet in his letter recommending him.” the branch director asked, directing the question at both Braid and Wander.
“Kite performed well, and we are sure to have more use of him in future operations where we might need to apply some force or take prisoners. He is a most welcome addition.” Braid confirmed, Wander nodding in assent.
“Then it seems like I will have to meet this young man somewhere along the line.” Dobrazza mused. “Until then, you have my permission to commission his services according to your needs, at the rate agreed upon in his contract. Continue doing such great work for us, and I will be sure to show you my most personal gratitude.” she finished, smiling at each of them before calling the meeting to a close.
They had far to go, but it was nonetheless a beginning. And as Braid liked to think; find one thread, and it will usually lead you to more. Maybe even allow you to pull the whole weave apart.
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“Love, Kite did not look like a man who would dismiss us for not having perfectly arranged table decorations.” Sun teased his wife, as Peony once more walked up to the prepared dining area to slightly push a pair of chopsticks a little bit to the left. His answer was a flat look which caused him to laugh all the more.
“What happened to respecting rank?” Peony grumbled as she let her husband give her a hug as a peace offering.
“Just because my wife is magical doesn’t mean that she is magically right in every matter.” Sun retorted, flicking her on the nose.
“Oh I don’t know about that.” she said archly, but let the matter drop. “I think that I am just worried that he might have changed his mind.”
“If that is the case, I will find him and apologize. And if that doesn’t work, it was not the heaven-sent opportunity you had hoped for.”
“You are right.” she said, leaning against his shoulder. “But I can’t help hoping. What if we could finally afford your final essence, love?”
“Do you mean that your husband isn’t handsome enough with just the two?” he asked with a mock hurt expression.
“Just see it as a way of future-proofing. Just because I would still love you even if you turned all wrinkly doesn’t mean we can’t take steps to avoid it.” Peony replied, giving him a playful wink.
Sun was just about to respond in kind when his wife suddenly stopped as if listening to something. “He’s here!” She exclaimed, still not moving.
“Well, we better go greet him then, love.” Sun said, shepherding Peony towards the front door. He couldn’t help but be a bit jealous of that mystical aura sense Peony had often tried describing to him. It must be quite convenient.
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Kite felt relieved when feeling that both Peony’s and Sun’s auras were quite at ease as they came to greet him at the door, as this meant that they had probably worked through whatever had troubled them before.
While he didn’t think it necessary, Kite had still splurged a bit on having some finer clothes tailored for him in order to dress for the occasion. He had to admit that the blue jacket with twin rows of silver buttons and loose sleeves along with the light gray pants was surprisingly comfortable, and the simple enchantments woven into them would ensure that they were kept clean and intact unless put under severe strain. Fortunately, his wide traveler’s hat had been taken into account, with embroideries making sure that it fit into the ensemble as he often wore it to ward off the elements.
After a round of greetings where Peony seemed to be the one most nervous, Kite was relieved that they finally sat down to eat and clear the air.
“Let me be the first to welcome you back, Kite, and to extend an apology. I was not the most gracious host the last time you visited, even when you had brought nothing but kindness to my wife.” Patient Sun said, bowing to him from across the table.
“As I said before taking my leave last time, it had been a trying time for you all.” Kite replied. “I would wish for us to consider the matter as settled, as I do not consider our karma to be out of balance.”
“You are very gracious, Kite. Thank you.” Sun said, grateful for the face Kite gave him. “If you don’t mind, we would all like to hear more about the potential arrangement that you and my wife spoke of. She has told us a bit, but wanted to wait until now to provide all the details.”
Kite nodded in response, turning to Peony. The woman’s nervousness had visibly lessened when the matter of how Sun had acted was laid to rest so quickly, and she now seemed quite eager to get to explaining.
“Why don’t you take the lead then, Peony.” he said, smiling as she brightened and started explaining.
In the end, their proposal was not overly complex. After detailing what Kite had shared in regards to his looting power, Peony quickly got down to the gist of it.
“-so our proposal is as such; Kite agrees to take me along on any contracts that seems appropriate. My role will be supportive and mainly set on utilizing my few control spells to lower the pressure. His familiar- “she said, gesturing to the little carp who was currently floating around accepting morsels from Peony’s family who had instantly become smitten with the little beauty, “- will keep me as safe as can be expected. It is not without risk, but that will never be the case.
I will loot the monsters for resources, with Kite getting a share. In return, he will agree to exclusively sell us the leftover gear his own power produces, and I will in turn work on commissioned pieces for him with the material we deem fitting. This will give us all additional funds, as well as materials for me to use for advancement and additional income. We never expected anything on a wide scale from this, but it would just feel so satisfying to slink out of the grasp in which the Stoics believe that they have us trapped.” she finished.
The rest of her family had nodded along with the explanation, asking a few questions for clarification. It was Daybreak Lily, Peony’s mother, who then turned to Kite.
“Would you really do this, young man? Going against the interests of those like the Stoics might mean trouble for you.”
“Yes, I would, for a few reasons.” Kite said, having thought of this at length over the last few days. “First of all, I believe this to be a deal which genuinely benefits both parties here, where I both get additional pay for the contracts and access to a crafter who I can work closely with to tailor equipment for me. I do not mean to sound too mercenary, but the life of an adventurer like me without affluent familial backing and without the powers to conjure equipment is fraught with a lot of expenses. While I have been fortunate to have awakened my looting power, it won’t be able to cover everything I need in and of itself.
And, while it might be a more vague reason, I simply have a good feeling about this. I have since I met Peony.
As for the trouble, my stay here in Bastion is only temporary, after all, and if all goes well with our potential cooperation, I will not need the services and goods that the Stoics provide, should they even choose to intervene.”
“I do hope that will be the case, but one never knows how people will act if they stand to lose face.” Sun said. He then looked at each of the family members present, all of them giving him nods. “Then I would say that we can agree, as long as we can find specific rates that leaves us all satisfied.” he said, giving Kite a genuine smile accompanied by the twinkling eyes every merchant seemed to get when they were about to get into business details.
After about half an hour of discussions of rates and some basic guidelines, every party present seemed to be satisfied. Peony was almost vibrating with eagerness to get to work, and they made plans to go looking for contracts the day after tomorrow, as Kite both had his time with his trainers and his meeting with Brook to take into account. Fortunately, he already had a solution to quell her disappointment at not setting out sooner.
One of Kite’s dimensional satchels was quite full with gear not suited for him, and Peony’s jaw dropped as he started laying them out on a side table.
“Most of these are bronze ranked, but there should be some iron mixed in there as well. If you think that this is something you can work with.” he said, pleased at the happy little sounds his new business partner made as she was examining what would amount to a small pile.
“I think we’d best let her lose herself in her materials for now.” Sun said, waving for Kite to join him in a nearby seating area. “It has been a long time since she had so much to choose from.”
Kite joined him as they sat watching the expert go to work, picking up different pieces of armor and weapons to get a feel for their make and enchantments. He enjoyed feeling contentment from Sun as well, as the man apparently found much joy in seeing his wife so happy.
“My concerns now seem so irrelevant.” Sun mused, smiling. “Hindsight truly is a stern mistress.”
“At least she gives us experience as long as we are willing to grasp it.” Kite said, nodding along before taking the opportunity to ask a question he had been wondering about. “If I may ask you, what is your path, Sun? I can sense that you have absorbed essences as well.”
“Let there be no secrets between business partners.” Sun replied, lifting his glass to Kite. “In all honesty, my essences were mostly ones we could afford that might provide a decent chance at something usable in my everyday life, as the main goal is for me to have a chance at living as long as Peony. So far, I have the eye essence and monkey essence.”
“Oh?” Kite asked, curious. “What powers?”
“Only the two, as the essences have been the priority. My visual acuity is increased and I can see quite far in great detail. As for the other-” he said, as Kite could see him spend some mana. A moment later, a long and seemingly prehensile tail like that of some monkey species emerged from behind him, waggling back and forth. “Surprisingly nifty, but honestly a little embarrassing. I rarely use it among people.”
“Why not? It is amazing!” Kite exclaimed, enthused. It reminded him a bit of how auntie Crow used her hair as extra limbs, something Kite had always found immensely fascinating as a child. “How much can it lift? What can you manipulate using it? Can-” he began, his questions gradually being replaced with him throwing different objects to Sun who did his best to catch them and throw them back using the tail.
“It looks like the two of you are having fun. “ Peony noted when she joined them. While few could sneak up on Kite these days without impressive skills or powers, Sun was still a bit startled which caused him to fumble a throw. The pomegranate he had been trying to toss instead flew towards Peony in an awkward arc, easily caught by the bronze-ranker.
“I have to admit that I am a bit jealous of your husband.” Kite said, catching the fruit as she tossed it back to him. “Having what will essentially be a third limb sounds very convenient.”
“See?” Peony asked Sun, as the latter got the distinct chagrined expression when someone suddenly sided with your opponent during an oft repeated argument. “I always said that you should use it more. Practice makes perfect.”
“I’m glad you said that.” Kite added before Sun could protest. “Because I have a mind to have you join in some physical training and combat practice.”
“Wu- what?” Peony spluttered, giving Kite a betrayed look as it was Sun’s time to give her a smug smile. “But I- I make things.”
“And you apparently have to be out in the field to get the resources for making said things.” Kite pointed out. “Even with me there, I think it would be best for you to learn some more. You know enough to join the adventure society, so we wouldn’t have to begin from scratch. And I might even have a trainer who I could persuade to give you some pointers.” he finished, shooting down some of Peony’s protests.
“Fine…” she eventually grumbled. “The things you sacrifice for the family business…”
The rest of the evening was rather pleasant, with Peony and Sun sharing anecdotes from their long time together. Her parents joined them from time to time, but mostly left the younger generation to themselves.
Kite had a warm, content feeling when he left their house this time, walking home beneath the light of the glow stones set out along the streets of the wider boulevards. He also had an idea, one that might require some trips to the trade hall and maybe even an auction in the coming days. This filled him with further purpose as he strode back through the drizzle in the late evening gloom.
But as he exited the house Peony’s family owned, he did not notice a set of eyes upon him, nor had he noticed them when they had tracked him during his whole evening spent with his new business associates. It was only when Kite entered the adventure society campus that his unseen watcher stopped, seemingly emerging from being hidden in the space between the raindrops. The woman looked at the society campus for a bit longer, before turning around and walking back through the city. She had a report to deliver.
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“Daughter, you mean to say that not only did you meet little Kite again, but that he’s an adventurer now?” Wistful Willow asked her daughter where the family were gathered around the dinner table, although Leaf was still off with the other loggers at the site they were currently clearing. This left only her mother and her father to question her about the surprise reunion, seated in their house on the rather sizable farm run by her uncle not too far from Bastion. He had gotten a plot of land in the latest wave of agricultural expansion, and this farm was the reason that the family had left Starberry Peak.
“Yes mother. I was very surprised, but seeing him again… It was nice.” Brook said, smiling a bit as she ate her fish and rice.
“Well, little Brook. How was he? Still handsome? Is he still unmarried?” her mother continued, to her daughter’s horror.
“Mother!”
“What? Can’t a mother have her daughter’s interests at heart? Adventurers make quite a lot of money.” Willow said, defending her line of reasoning. “If he is still available, it might have been the will of the heavens that you would see each other again.”
“Mother, it was years ago. I do not know him now, at least not as I did.”
“But you will aim to remedy that?” Willow asked, looking encouragingly at her daughter.
Brook hesitated for a short moment. “We… We will meet up tomorrow. I will show him around the city.”
“Heavens, tomorrow? Excellent, little Brook. Splendid! Have you thought about what to wear? We might have to touch up your hair a little. And-” her mother began, Brook zoning out as she went on and on about preparations which Brook would in the end mostly ignore. She didn’t think Kite would care about such things. She didn’t even know what to think about the whole situation.
As it had been circumstance rather than incompatibility which had ended their relationship, it had always remained a bit of an unfinished thread for Brook, even as she had come to see their love for what it was; Sweet and earnest, but in the end also the early love of teenagers who were just learning the meaning of such concepts.
And yet, he had appeared now, and Brook couldn’t help but wonder what it would come to mean for her. Would it mean anything? Or nothing, just being a thing of the past?
But she was snapped out of her thoughts by her father placing a calloused hand on her shoulder.
“Do not fret, little Brook. Kite is a good kid. Just have fun and reconnect a bit. Leave those worries of yours behind for a while, you hear?” he said, smiling down at her.
She couldn’t help but smile in response. “Thank you, father. And you too, mother. I will do my best, and see where the heavens guide me.”
In the light of her father’s words, tomorrow now shone a little bit brighter on the horizon of her troubled thoughts.