Pain seared through Petra’s head as she opened her eyes. As her eyes began to focus she found herself looking up at a stone ceiling “What happened, where am I?” she mumbled, finding her mouth dry.

“Ah, we are awake I see.” Said a male voice from the other side of the room. “You, my dear owe me your life and I shall have your first born son in return” the man said

Petra turned her head and found an older gray haired man in full leather armor sitting with a big smile on his face.

“No, no I’m just kidding. Well, about the first born son part” He said with a big laugh that seemed to fade when he realized Petra did not find the situation as funny.

The man cleared his throat “Well, what happened is that you nearly bled out. Lucky you had that young lad about to carry you in. Even luckier that I was here and with plenty of supplies to keep you grounded in this world. I do hope you can compensate me for both my time and supplies.”

“Thank you, I don’t have much on me but I’ll figure something out once I have my feet under me.” Petra said

“Oh dear, you won't be walking for a few weeks, not without a crutch. But don’t you worry about that seeing as I have the boy working on it as we speak” The man finished as he got up and brought over a cup of honeyed tea. Petra wanted to be cautious, not knowing the man’s name, but considering how she likely has been at his mercy for some time she greedily accepted the tea.

“Thank you, what's your name?” Petra asked as a bit of tea dribbled down the corner of her mouth.

“You can call me Old Thane or Old Man Thane if you wish” Thane said “And what’s yours and the boy’s name? Doesn’t seem like the boy can speak”

“I’m Petra and my brother is Zeek. He doesn’t really speak, or I think he decided not too” Petra said

“I see. Well to answer your other question you like myself have stumbled upon an abandoned monastery. From the books and scrolls I found this appears to be one for the Order of the Edge. Likely abandoned after the Griffin Revolt caused much of their order to flee this continent. That was about a hundred years ago.” Thane said this while looking up as if recalling something. “However, I am just a guest here, the gate did not open for me. In fact I believe it only opened for your brother. I noticed he wears the order’s necklace. It appears the necklace or at least the crossed dagger and sword pendant on the necklace has been recognized by this monastery. Would you know anything about that?”

“No, he doesn’t wear a necklace. And he can't read or write, so don’t expect much of a story from him” Petra responded.

“Should resolve that quickly, nothing good will come from a man who can’t communicate. Perhaps the monastery’s library has a book on hand signals. Look for a book on the hand signals of a scout. That should get you somewhere beyond nothing.” Thane said as he moved towards the glass window along the wall with the only door Petra could see.

“Thank you, again. If you're a guest, how long are you staying?” Petra asked

“Not too sure, it seems we may be in the midst of another war, one with a storm caller. That storm that hit a few days ago was not natural. Even the lythin shadows are seeking new hunting grounds. I noticed the three claw gashes on your leg resemble that of a lythin. Which is strange seeing as they should be further North beyond the White Ridge. That would put them four nights of hard travel from their nearest territory. Still the lythin have not the wits of man but they are intelligent and know the ways of man. The lythin would want to move quickly through these foothills less the city Arzick would sound their horns and begin a great hunt.” Thane said all this while he poured Petra another cup of tea. “Take this, Petra, my dear. Keep drinking. You were out for two days. I’ll have some rabbit stew ready before sunset. We can speak more with a full belly.”

A few hours later Petra sat on the wooden bed and laid her head against the wall. Zeek had finished a wooden crutch and placed it near her. Both Petra and Zeek had full bellies and glanced at each other when the old man was not looking. Neither seemed sure of what to do next.

Thane motioned for the boy to take a seat before he continued the discussion from earlier “I consider myself a scholar at heart, one without a home. I travel the lands in hopes of learning and finding new things. Something that one as old as I need if not to go insane with boredom. Now here is what I want to discuss. I offer a trade, you explain how you gained your classes and perhaps as much of your abilities as you would be willing to share and in return I’ll stay put and share my knowledge freely with you. Please don’t suggest you have no classes. I have an ability that lets me peer into the fabric that binds us to this realm and it shows me the classes of another and sometimes their stats. Many have this ability but most will only see if someone has unlocked a class. My ability provides the name of the class. What confounds me is how two young folk such as yourselves have classes. I assume some trauma or special happenstance led to it. Further, I’m confused as to how you, young lass are a pioneer. I have not seen a pioneer in over fifty years, far too easy to walk a well traveled path then to set forth on your own accord. Brave souls you both must be.”

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“If what you say is true then name my class?” Petra retorted

Thane locked eyes with her and she felt a gentle sense of something passing over her mind and soul. “Siphon of Morrow”

“That's correct. I’ll agree to tell you about my class but I wasn’t raised a fool. Though my mother may disagree.” Petra said as her brother gave a half hearted smirk.

“I see. The boy has the hands of a young farmer but I sense he is younger than you. I’ll teach you both to catch rabbits with snares and make the most of foraged food to make simple stews. I’ll lead you to the library and point you towards the books most beneficial for someone in your position.” Thane said as Petra cut in “What position is that?”

“Girl, show some respect and don’t interrupt an old man. Now, the position you are in is that of a young lady prime to be forced into marriage in the first city or village you stumble upon. You must know that having a new path is one that some noble houses would dirty their hands to obtain. Don’t be a fool and go in unprepared. Know your worth and prepare for the worst.” Thane said as Zeek got up and sat next to his sister reaching for her hand.

“I’ll teach you some basic survival skills and if you catch on quickly I’ll help you unlock a core class for the boy. I don’t sense he has one. No, it feels like he unlocked an augment class. Not bad for his age but he is going about it the wrong way. And lastly I’ll answer any questions you have. So how does that sound?” Thane said as he grinned before adding “I think it sounds great, but what do I know. I could remind you that I did save your life, fed you, and kept the boy busy with chores and the like.”

“Yes, my class is Siphon of Morrow. I have three abilities unlocked. I didn’t know my brother had anything unlocked but before I passed out, when we were climbing up the hill I did feel something and I think he felt it too. It was strange, something quick but his determination was strengthened after.” Petra said.

“Oh, well the boy is a mystery it seems. I doubt he unlocked something at that moment but who knows. I do get a sense that if I try to peer into him to hard something will stir. Not in the boy but something that makes these old bones shake at the mere thought of it.” Thane glanced at Zeek as he finished only to see the boy smile and nod his head.

“I see. Then perhaps it wasn’t the boys doing. I’d wager he has been contacted and has an agreement in place.” Thane said as Zeek nodded again

“Oh, I’m good at this. We may get along well boy if you do nothing but confirm my guesses.” Thane said as he chuckled

“Now for you my dear Petra, would you share the name of your abilities?” Thane said, looking back over at her.

“The first was advanced. I was in a bit of a rush but I chose it for my Boon of the Pioneer. The name is Taxing Gaze. I’ll share that it allows me to bolster my allies while hindering my foes.”

Thane was quiet for a few minutes after she spoke. Not sure what to do Petra continued with her second unlocked ability “My second ability is the Marked Bonded Protection. It seems to be linked to my other abilities but it also allows me to take and delay damage from whoever I mark.”

Thane raised an eyebrow at this “Now that is remarkable. I’m surprised the Goddess of Loylel would allow such a thing, she prefers balance in the world. Does it allow you to trade your death for the life of the marked?”

“No, it specifically says it must be non-grievous wounds.” Petra responded

“Ha” Thane said as he got to his feet “Then she surely witnessed your inspiration. Her voice must have been among those that spoke to you. You are a blessed child, no wonder you have a core class unlocked before your twenties if Loylel herself has an eye on you. Now continue, you said you had three abilities unlocked, what of the third?”

“Okay, I’d like to hear about Loylel at some point. My third ability is Instinct of Morrow. It allows me to change or prepare for the future but its limited to how strong of a bond I have with a marked ally.” Petra stated.

“And the Keeper of Time allowed such a thing. Perhaps we are in a new age, what a time to be young.” Thane said as if years had washed off his previously slow motions he was now happily pouring himself more stew while tapping his left foot in rhythm with a slight bobbing of his head.

“You keep saying names like they mean something to me. I’m a farm girl. My mother had unlocked the Harvest Maiden class and helped my father who was a Frontiersman. I had plenty of books on farming, romance, and city life but never did Goddess Loylel or Keeper of Time come up. Please explain” Petra said frustrated that for once in her life someone was more worldly than herself.

“The Goddess of Loylel is one who seeks balance and loyalty. She was once like you, young and advanced for her age. She kept advancing until she broke through and found that she could guide others through the weave that binds us all. I’m not sure if she exists as a mortal or if she truly has ascended. I do know that she cares not about war or pride, she only cares that you keep your vows. As for balance she now nudges the weave to ensure magic is more balanced, though it took her and many others ages to quell the greed of the old dragons.” Thane was on his third bowl of what seemed like a never ending pot of stew “As for the Keeper of Time, that old fool just does what he wants. But anything that impacts time is his domain. If you have an ability with time manipulation no matter how small he surely played a part in its creation. If not, don't be surprised to find him looking in on you now and again.”

“Are you kidding me? Are you the Keeper of Time?” Petra asked her brother leaning forward a little just as eager to hear the answer

“Yes, why else would I be here? I didn’t give anyone the go ahead to tinker with my time. But don’t worry I’m no god, just a very old man who likes to keep track of his time.” Thane said as he gave her a gentle smile. “Now how about we take a tour of your brother’s monastery and then we can prepare for an early morning”