Mark waited for about two, or three minutes when he again saw people approaching, this time though, three groups were congregating at his location, deciding that it was too much to safely take on he decided to not attack them, he would still roam around them, get some information and possibly level his Stealth and Forest Stride.

When they arrived they looked at each other and then at the bodies strewn on the forest floor, not knowing what to do, they looked around searching for the killer, but there was nothing, they could only grab the bodies and head for the base.

What they didn’t know was that the moment they discovered the bodies, the rogues following them became frantic and started searching the perimeter, moving outward in a spiral, searching for any signs of the assailant.

Mark was once again surprised by the women’s efficiency, they just met up and instantly started to work together in tandem. Weaving in between them, he even had to jump up on a tree once to avoid detection.

They searched for another fifteen minutes letting the bandits return by themselves. The attack took place too close to the base, they had to find something or the boss wouldn’t be happy.

Mark knew they would react like this with his attack, they would probably become even more cautious in the next few days, wondering if they got found out. He knew this but he still decided to take action. This way, most of them wouldn’t leave the base for some time. The attacks on the people would be lessened and during Pharia’s attack, most of them would be in the base.

It would be more difficult to take them out, but they could destroy them in one fell swoop, without the bandits dispersing in the surroundings, only to come back later and create trouble again.

Of course, if he took out Vesthia, they wouldn’t nearly be as dangerous, but what if she escaped, then again, even if they take her out, there were many capable Rogues under her that knew the modus operandi well enough to imitate it.

Also, he long ascertained that the overall Guard’s strength was much higher than the bandit’s, the only problem was the rogues, and it would be his job to take care of that. This way, the attack wouldn’t be too complicated and if nothing too out of the ordinary happens should be successful.

Soon after, when the ladies couldn’t find anything they decided to go back. Not finding anything was much more scary than finding even a big group’s tracks. They had to report this to Vesthia. It would be ugly for sure.

Mark returned to the Inn without anyone knowing, this time the guard on the wall in the segment he was crossing was much more alert, it wouldn’t help him though, Mark wondered how often were they infiltrated by the Stranglers with this defense.

……………………………………………………………………………

The next morning, Mark decided to try to teach Donny Stealth. The best way to push him was the Shatanks, they still kept stealing the crops, though, at a much slower rate now, there was another Ranger who took the job and got rid of some more of them, making them much more careful of the fields.

Mark guessed it would be almost impossible for the boy to get any of them, but it would be another good lesson, patience was key, you couldn’t get frustrated with defeat, or you would never succeed, always stuck in what you did wrong. Introspection was good, but excessive second-guessing was a bane of any assassin.

They arrived at the fields, passing a couple of farmers, inspecting the crops, it was almost time to harvest. From afar Mark saw Sheila overseeing a couple of farmers, she also saw them and waved happily with a big, childlike smile on her face. It was somehow very compelling and contagious.

Mark smiled slightly and waved back, Donny almost got a heart attack when he saw Mark smile, it was as if snow fell in the middle of a desert. Though he had to admit he looked much better when he was smiling like he didn’t want to murder anyone on the spot.

Arriving at the forest edge Mark started explaining to the best of his ability how to go into Stealth. It was difficult, most people here gained Skills through repetitive actions over a long time. Mark guessed that the intent to hide had to be working with stamina in some way, and with enough time it would be capable of finishing a path without Stamina Control.

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Mark wanted to try teaching Donny Stamina Control, and with that, it would be much easier to teach him other skills in the future. He had Donny sit comfortably with his back resting against a tree.

“Ok, now use your Forest Stride, and try to feel the nature around you, close your eyes, and yourself to feel the energy of the tree behind you, try to feel the energy coursing between you and the tree. For now, we won’t be doing anything with it, you just have to find it, see it.”

Donny was concentrating, he didn’t know what it meant to will himself to feel the energy. He just thought very hard about finding the green energy his master told him about. There was nothing, he couldn’t feel anything at all. He sat there, his brows furrowed trying desperately to find it.

Mark saw Donny struggle and tried to think of what could help the boy. He remembered how he was taught to meditate before every job. He was told to visualize the target, his every action, every step it would take to kill, the environment of the target, every possible scenario, and every escape route.

The power of human imagination was something he knew very well, if it worked in his home, then certainly, it would work in a world where magic existed right? If so he just needed to help Donny imagine what he was looking for.

“Listen, you are sitting in a forest, nature is all around you, all-encompassing, vibrant with energy. The tree behind you is certainly older than you standing here for decades, and will probably be standing here even after you are already gone. Stable, vigorous, resilient. The bark you feel on your back is its armor, the sap its lifeblood.

The leaves, breathing, letting us live, helping generations of humans throughout the years. Now you are with it, it is a generous being as nature always is, willing to give you its energy, to help you. Feel the connection, feel its energy, find the peace of nature within yourself.”

In the beginning, Donny didn’t know what Mark was doing, but as he listened to his soothing voice, he started calming down. His brows unfurrowed, his muscles unclenched, and his breathing slowed down. He no longer tried to impress his master, to meet expectations. He felt the tree he was leaning on, the ground beneath him.

The stable, immovable force of nature around him. He still couldn’t feel the energy but it was ok. He let himself relax, reaching toward the tree with his mind, trying to communicate. Trying to open his mind to nature, slowly he felt something rising within himself. Something was waking up just outside of his consciousness, slowly reaching him. He didn’t try to force it, to make it faster. You couldn’t force nature, you could only reach out and wait for it to come to you.

Then he felt the powerful lake of energy right behind him. Powerful, towering, reaching just a little tendril toward him. It seemed happy as if it had just found its brother, as if reunited after a long time apart. It was gentle, careful to not overwhelm its little brother, reaching out with the smallest tendril it could make sharing its energy, hoping to help.

For some reason Donny felt something deep in his soul, it was as if a familial bond he thought forever lost to him just appeared again, he felt his water wetting his cheeks. He opened his eyes and reached with his hand catching a drop of his tears. Not knowing when he started crying.

Somehow he felt whole again, as if a hole he never knew of, was suddenly filled up, he looked around him, all the trees looked so beautiful, so… homely. Yes, that's the feeling, he felt at home again.

Looking up at the person who made this possible, he could no longer hold back, sobbing a little, he bowed down.

“Thank you, thank you so much, you have no idea how grateful I am. From now on, I, Donny Clearspring, will do anything you desire, I am yours, body and soul from now on till the end of my days.”

With that he reached out his left hand as if for a handshake, suddenly Mark just understood, he didn’t know how, but he knew exactly what he has to do now, and what it would entail, he looked Donny in the eyes, seeing the unwavering determination he has come to know from the boy.

Not hesitating any longer he reached out his hand. From their wrists, bloody tendrils, made of unknown incorporeal material sprung out, binding their wrist. The tendrils seared into their flesh for a couple of minutes before abating, and then disappearing, their hands not bearing a sign of what just happened.

It was a Bond of Servitude, from what Mark understood, from this moment onward Donny could never leave his side of his own will, he could also no longer form any other type of Bond without the acceptance of his master, this included the Bond of Marriage.

He also became aware that there are some benefits to both parties due to Bonding, but whatever informed him of the bonds didn’t bother to specify what exactly.

Truly in soul and body, Donny could never oppose him in his life. Mark was a little nervous, the only good news he got to know was that it could only be initiated up, if there was even a single trace of unwillingness in the Servant’s soul, the pact would not form. It was practically impossible to force it upon someone, no charm magic would work, no hypnosis, no coercion, no forcing, through threatening someone’s family.

It was enforced by the Star Force, and only gods could oppose It.

Whatever it was.