The sun came through the small cracks in the door to give a small amount of light to the barren room. Colt knew he had slept in based on the amount of light coming in. Checking my body and feeling for any pain or stiffness surprised me not to find any. It was hard to get used to sleeping on a bed. Each morning he usually would have to stretch for a few minutes to get the uncomfortable knots out of his body. Looking down he noticed he had slept with his shoes on. Jumping up and proceeding for the door.
The moment he stepped out a pungent aroma hit his nostrils. He made his way down the courtyard into the kitchen. A few breakfast wraps were stacked in a pile and I reached for the top one on the pile. Hello, a small voice made him jump back.
Sorry, the small girl said, pulling a few more wraps out of the stove next to the pile.
Are these for us I asked stomach now growling
Yes, she said, giving a little nod and then quickly moving toward the other room.
I snatched one off the top of the pile and then headed out towards the courtyard. Talon was in a sitting position in the center of the courtyard in what looked like meditation. Still wearing his cloak and hood even though it had been sunny the last few days. His short trimmed gray and black hair was the only thing showing.
Awe your awake talon said
Yeah, I stammered out moving closer to him and sitting down next to him.
He turned toward me eyes fixed on mine.
Do you know what Mana is? He asked eyes still on me.
It's the power of the great divine, I said thinking back to the few classes I had stood out the school window and watched.
Yes and no the truth isn't known. Mana just translates to power and there are two types of power. There is light and dark each with a set of seven paths.
Paths? I asked
Each path has a different power. Most people that have access to power don’t realize it is a path. We Vinrune can see the different paths because we have access to all seven. The dark paths are Strain, Shadow step, shadow strider,grav hex, mist, and frost.
Each of these powers is a path the reason people say path it's more like a river. You flow your mana down a path to use power but you will see he said reaching into his cloak and pulling out a small glass vile.
He uncorked the vile with a pop. dark smoke started to billow out of the small glass vile as he lifted it to me.
What am I supposed to do with this? I said looking inside the smoke to see a tar-black substance.
“You drink it,” he said with a smile although you might want to plug your nose that stuff is pretty fowl tasting but not as bad as some of Jacklin's creations.
Why do I need to drink this? I said swishing the vile around only seeing minimal movement in the thick darkness.
Well, I would like to test your powers, and to do that I need you to drink that.
I don’t have powers if I did I wouldn't have been living on the street, looking over to see his face sigh slightly,
You don’t have your powers because your two skipped meals from being buried. Your physical body has been neglected too much to generate much power. The power and the paths are there but only ever generated in small amounts.
Now drink.
I plugged my nose and drank it wasn't the worst thing I have ever tasted. Living off the streets you had to eat whatever you could get your hands on mostly garbage or something people didn't want. That being said it had an ashy mildew taste to it and it was hard to get it all out of the bottle. It was thick so it didn't run out very fast.
Alright now close your eyes and relax do you feel any different
I closed my eyes and I started to feel my body it felt as if wisps of energy danced around in my body. Slight tingles concentrated around my heart with a more solid piece there. A cold sensation washed over my body as the hairs stood up one by one.
“Can you feel it?" Talon said breaking my concentration on my body.
Yeah, I think so. It's strange, it feels unnatural and natural at the same time.
Now I need you to focus on the paths find the one that calls to you more than the others and direct the power there.
I could feel seven different places the power could go like a body of water with seven different rivers and a small gate on each one. One of the gates seemed to be a tad bit easier to move. Thinking about the gate it opened the path lit up as a very small amount of power was realized. At the same time, a surge of pulsing went down to my hand. Opening my eyes I jumped as a green flame erupted from my hand. I shrieked in horror and began to wave my hand through the air vigorously as Talon jumped to his feet.
Calm down it's okay it's not hot he shouted
Stopping my hand in the air and bringing it to my face. I looked closer at it the green flame came from every pore. My hand seems to pulse with vibrations shimmering in the light.
What is this I said while moving my hand back and forth.
That is Strain one of the seven powers also one of the hardest ones to control and learn to use. Using the power and touching someone can drain their mana, physical stamina, or even their life energy. It can be useful in fighting all other types of mana users except for renewers. Their power effectively counters strain. If you strain a dark power you would be able to replenish your power. Straining light mana will only give you a small amount of mana but will leave your opponent powerless.
Now close the gate talon said looking at my hand,
I closed the gate the moment I did the flame vanished and my hand returned to a normal feeling.
Good Talon said now on to the next gate.
Noticing the next gate and power at the center strangely almost no power had been lost while the power was running.
Talon how much power did you give me almost nothing is missing from when I was using strain.
Awe Talon said strain is a special case it requires almost no power to use and can get you power by straining the right opponent so it is a great fallback.
Oh okay, I said now focusing on the next gate I did the same as the first and proceeded to open it. As I did a cold feeling came over my whole body but was more concentrated on my hand. My hand turned blue as a small ice crystal covered my hand in intricate patterns and runes. Power poured out of this gate as I could feel the reserves draining quite quickly.
Interesting talon said stroking his chin “Now touch the water.”
I went over to the small stream placing my hand in the stream. The water immediately began to freeze solid with the new water trying to run over the frozen only to be frozen.
Now direct the mana towards the start of the stream. You will notice the further it goes the more mana will be used and it will be harder to control.
A wave of freezing water traveled up the stream small amounts going into the ground around me. The water turned to ice i could start to feel the cold in my feet touching the ground next to the stream.
“This is ice grasp. I guess you have figured out what it does. Interestingly, the powers you are more familiar with are those of internal powers. You have yet to use one that projects your power outside of your body.”
Still looking at the water it had frozen all the way to the entrance of the courtyard. As it made contact with the gates that let the water in it started to climb up the walls making freezing patterns on the wall. I pulled my hand up as it had made it halfway up the wall and closed the gate. The notice of how much power I had used was immediately known with a large amount used.
A door creaked open as Richard came out a few papers in hand and a glass of wine in the other. He paused for a moment looking at the stream and then at the wall.
Well well well looks like you are making some progress on the power department. You really should have me educate the boy his clothes are in terrible taste and when's the last time he had a bath I could smell him the moment I opened the door.
A little early for the wine again isn't it talon said with a smile.
Oh pish posh wine is good for any time also it's the only thing keeping me sane working with these uneducated poor-mannered mutton-brained peasants.
Awe already ran into Barrick this morning.
That man is insufferable, Richard said standing up a little straighter. On to business, the algast high court is bringing in a shipment of Olorunyomi via caravan From the north to the capital. It would be an excellent target.
Olorunyomi? I said
Oh, the education in our nation is truly dreadful. They really do need to address the issue before we all turn into bald heathens.
Easy Richard the boy has never been out of lottium and grew up on the streets he didn't have six servants dedicated to his education.
Olorunyomi is a special kind of metal that is incredibly strong and can be imbued with some power. Only the high king knows where to find it and he only allows the holy knights to wear it but over time some here and there has gone missing.
And if you would like to make some more go missing you better be off It is a long night journey even with your great speed. Richard said bringing the cup back up to his lips.
“You're quite right since you are so considered with the education of our world. I am assigning you to oversee the boys' studies.”
Richard's face drooped as he brought his other hand to his temples rubbing them.” Fine, I am going to need to order some more wine and not the cheap stuff talon.”
Talon chuckled and then turned to me we will have to put this power training on hold. I want you to start Training with barick in the morning we need to build your body up before we can do much more vinrune training. I don’t have much dracove left.
I nodded my head and then reached inside to see how much mana I had left. I only had about half left of what Talon had given me. It was comforting reaching inside feeling the power not feeling helpless as I always did.
Better put some books with that order of wine talon winked then headed for the door that led to the hallway that led out of the building.
Just like that talon was gone turning around to see Richard still rubbing his temples. His eyes met mine.
Well don’t just stand there go find the imbecile and will start tomorrow evening.
His words were filled with annoyance so I turned immediately and made my way towards the same door that Talon had gone out. The forge was at the back of the building. Making my through the hallway and out the door that opened to the outside. The mansion was surrounded by green fields with large mountains in the background. The openness was a little unsettling growing up the city had always been so tightly packed with walls and buildings. It's so strange being here I thought It had only been a few days that I had been sleeping in a broken foundation on the outskirts of town cold tired and alone. Having people talk to me like I was one of them seemed impossible back then and having real power was still hard to believe but my constant checking of my athos just confirmed it. Turning the bend I saw the outcropping of the forge. The smoke rises in the air from the brilliant red blaze below. Barrick standing over heating a piece of metal Philip's hand held out towards the flame. It seemed to glow brighter and the flames followed his hands. Easy boy easy we don’t want it to get too hot. He waited a few minutes then pulled the metal sword out and dunked it in a vat of oil. Perfect just perfect as always boy barick bellowed a large smile as he pulled the metal out inspecting the quality. Turning the sword over then looking down to the tip. Looking down the tip and then at me.
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“Did you need something?” he asked putting the sword down on the anvil. Talon told me to come train with you. Both Philip and barick looked over first at my feet then to my head. which made me very uncomfortable which barick seemed to have noticed as he started stroking his chin. It looks like we have a lot of work to do but people are like metal they can be shaped with the right amount of heat and work. Our water supplies are getting low the well is at the back of the property a few hundred yards away. There is a bucket in the corner
Yards? I asked not sure how two hundred of anything could help me get water out of a well.
It's a measurement of distance he answered holding his big burley arms out fairly wide it's about yea big for one. His mustache moved slightly revealing a slight smile. For now, just take as much as you can carry your body is mostly bones we need time to build it back up so don’t overdo it. Philip will you take him down and show him where the well is then we need to get started on some more daggers talon lost more as usual.
Turning away from Richard and the boy, I made my way to the exit there was a lot to do before nightfall. Katilin stood right outside the door her shoulder perched on the sun rot wood her hands picking peddles off a flower. Her dirty blond hair and rosy cheeks glistened in the sunlight and her face tightened as she caught sight of me.
You're being reckless again she said dropping the flower and moving closer to me her pleasant lilac smell drifting to me as she approached.
I thought we were being pretty strategic in our plans moving forward. The plan was accepted by the group. I said, smiling at her.
So the Oxborn can’t dig a few rocks away from the mines in a day and reopen the mine.
Awe well I figured you would have figured a way to collapse the entire mine.
I can given we have a map of the mine. She said a little flustered
See, I knew the plan would work.
So your raid tonight what if that doesn’t go well you know that they will have several mana users. If we lose you we lose a lot of power and our leader.
“We both know that isn't true you have always been the brains of the operations. I'm more of the stallion pulling the operation forward.”
“Look all I'm trying to say is that you need to be more careful you usually aren't throwing yourself into danger.”
“I know and maybe I am being a little irrational but after Mistrein I feel like I don't know anything anymore. The fact that it could happen to another city at any time and I am just sitting here doing nothing.”
I know we will figure this out have you still not heard anything from the dead?
Nothing not a whisper from anyone in Mistrein
Katiln dropped her head at that as if taking a moment of silence for the dead Then Looking back up at Talon. Does that mean they might not be dead?
I’m not sure but either way, they're all gone in a flash and the church is claiming responsibility. I don’t think they would if there was a chance the people would come back.
“How much Drocove do you have left?”
I have three vials left. I gave the fourth to the boy. We are going to need to get some more soon. Which gives us two options buy more from the syndicate or get some ourselves both aren’t great options I said with a slight sigh
The syndicate we can deal with and we understand the other is too far into the unknown. Better to deal with the evil known than the evil unknown. What of the boy what does he want out of all this?
He doesn't know what he wants his whole life has been survive hide repeat. That being said, once his basic needs are met it will be interesting to see what he wants. The boy has buried himself inside himself and thrown away the shovel. That's the only reason he agreed to come with me so readily.
You know he reminds me of you when we first met minus the rage.
That was a long time ago. I smiled then, noticing over the green hills the sun beginning to turn the sky a brilliant crimson mixed with vibrant orange. I have to leave soon if I am to make my nightly appointment.
Be careful katilin said holding out her arms and embracing me his warm soft body squeezing me tightly she turned her head up giving me a warm light kiss on the lips. I will only be a thought away she said, releasing me and heading back inside.
Pulling the hood of my cloak to cover my face I checked my inside of the cloak to where the three vails of Drocvoe hung in small pouches that were sown into the side. Looks like I have everything I need I thought as I started walking down the path. The travel was slow at first until the sun had fully gone down. Shadow stepping required a lot of darkness but not total darkness. Looking into the night sky a focusing on the point sending down the athos the feeling jarring as one gets as the wake up from a dream of falling. free fall was instantaneous. The wind blasted around my face my ears whistling with the noise barely able to breathe as the wind battered my closed teeth. My heart pounding in my chest with more vigor. This is what it is to be alive all of the sensations feeling with a sense of excitement. Looking up the stars shone on a shadowy landscape below as it drew closer with ravenous speed. The hills and forest could still be made out with the trees making darker areas. Looking over the next set of hills and shadow stepping again a brand new landscape appeared instantly before the falling sensation started over as my body began to fall again. The new landscape had a small river flowing down the middle of the valley. A few small trails zigzagged through the forest and crossed the stream in a few spots. All of the grounding growing closer and closer. One more should be me close I thought, looking over the hills higher into the sky and then stepping once more. A thick forest covered the entire new landscape with only three trails going through the area. A small stream off the main trail ran through the middle of the valley. A single large white rock jugged out of a small circle area where the three trails met looking down and stepping one last time. The wind stopped immediately as my body was now standing three feet from the large white rock. It stuck out of the ground like a dagger that had been half buried a wooden sign pointed to the Atruinum the other pointing to Tolond. Reaching inword most of my athos had been used up. Quickly reaching inside my cloak I pulled a vial and brought it up to my lips. Down the hatch, I thought pouring the contents into my mouth. Over the years it had gotten more bearable to drink. still, my face twisted as a reaction. Immediately after, I could feel the power within me. The carven would be here soon best to be ready before they got here. Walking through the trees and vegations over to the stream. The stream was five feet across with only a two-foot depth at a maximum. Place a hand into the stream the cold water felt good as I reached out feeling around the bottom finding small rocks and pulling them out. These quiet nights were rare the whole forest seemed to be sleeping not a sound. Even the dead had gone quiet. Traval had said that the dead always was around the cities more than in the woods. They had gotten a lot of chatter as of late which had made it hard to sleep the last few weeks. Something is going on for sure. Grabbing as many stones as I could carry, I went to a small hill that stood in front of the trail placing the stones down. Being vinrune I could see more easily in the dark but few people felt that was an actual power. A few trips later a fine stack of stones stood before my feet around a hundred or so. Hard to guess exactly other than it had been around fifteen trips. The carven would be here soon and then the killing would begin as it always does. He dreaded it, tired to give it up once but others would suffer for it if he didn’t choose to be the Bringer of death. It was a lesson he only needed once but he would never be able to forget it. Darn, Kaitlin, he thought knowing that she was listening to his thoughts. Her quick jab at their meeting had sent a flurry of emotion in his mind. A small flicker of light appeared down the trail slowly bobbing down the trailing moving in his direction. Walking down to the trail he touched the gravel trail sending the athos down his hand started smoking as ice crystals formed all over his hand. The ground began to freeze and then started forming upwards before growing four feet on each side. Within moments there was a four-foot by eight-foot barrier blocking the trail. Walking back up to the spot next he could see the light was now just moving behind the bend that led to here. A few moments later he could hear the horse hooves and metal wheels clanking along the trail. A torch was the first thing he could see as a man on a horse came around the bend two thick iron carriages pulled by a team of horses followed by one horseman in the rear.
Hold up the man on the front horse shouted as he reached the barrier.
TIme to give them the ultimatum sending the Mana hiting both paths of hex and mist. Mist poured in surrounding the carriages. Within the mist, he could sense the five people within each carriage as the mist came into them. Four in each of the carriages were large men with thick armor. The other two men with armor except for their gauntlets. That makes eight Oxborn and two fire slingers. The two men driving the carriages and the two men on a horse had a normal set of knight armor-making Talon Not sure if they were mana users. Using hex he took their ears and vision he started forming in his mind what he wanted them to see and hear. The men stood beholding a massive mist creature with the head of a wolf with large claws and fangs. It was the best thing he could think of at the time. It spoke to them
Leave your weapons and go in peace. blasted with a thunderous sound. Not really but to the men it appeared that way. With hex, I could make them hear or see anything I wanted to. The trick was I could only control two senses at a time. If the men knew this they would have noticed that they never felt the sound for how loud it was.
Were under attack the front horseman shouted unsheathing his blade. The rear horseman turned to face the back unsheathing his blade. Well, I tried then stopping the Mana to hex the monster disappeared. Sending the last of my mana I send a wave of power into the stones. It erupted with such furver sending the small stones blasting at the caravan. Screams shot out as rock tore through metal flesh. The rocks sparked as they hit the thick metal of the carriages. Leaving large gashes and dents in the metal. The first horseman and horse dropped their body riddled with holes. Both carriage drivers and horses dropped to the ground as the men inside began pouring out. Talon reached into his cloak pulling one of the two viles and swifty drinking it. The Oxborn were thick men who were out of the carriage now they grabbed their large shields. The shields were six-foot-tall bronze with a bull emblem on it. They weighed at least as heavy as two men but they were light for the oxborn. They stepped out with two going on each side of the carriages and planting their shields firmly in the ground. The fire slingers were next out keeping their heads down as they went to the front and back. A torrent of flame emerged from both of sides on their way to their positions lighting the forests on both sides on fire. The crimson brillants made shadow stepping anywhere close impossible. The intense heat was causing the mist to dissipate; it took more power to try to maintain it as close as possible. These were trannined enlightened they would be sure to put up a fight. Awe there it is looking down to see a dark shadow underneath the carriage. A quick shadow step and he was directly underneath the carriage.
“It's under the carriage” the back horseman shouted. Cruises talon thought. the horsemen were spotters, ones who could use their power to enhance any of their senses to have better eyesight than a hawk. Better hearing than a bat. The nose of a bloodhound. He would have to deal with him first if he was to gain any ground. A wall of flames descends looking past stepping into the dark sky the fall begins to take hold. Looking back the place where he had come from was completely engulfed in flames. The two carriage drivers had started to get back up. Curses two renewers were here as well. They are able to heal almost any injury talon has always been envious of this many times. The only way to kill one was to do enough damage that they couldn't come back. There were stories of renewers surviving decapitation. Well, this is going splendidly. I have already used one vial and I have only taken down one spotter and managed to piss them off. Well, I knew it wasn't going to be easy. Most of the shadows around the carriages had disappeared with all of the light from the flames. The only other location that was dark enough was underneath the other carriage. Looking over the spotter was already poting at his locations in the air. Reaching into his cloak he grabbed a dagger one of three he always had on his person. Tosing the dagger towards the spotter. He gave the dagger a slight push with grav giving the dagger great speed as it flew threw the air. Then stepped underneath the second carriage. The spotter moved to the side to dodge the dagger landing right next to Talon. Reaching out the green flame exploited from Talon's hand as he made contact the man shriveled turning into a pile of bones. A small amount of power returned to talons reserves. Now let's deal with some Oxborn. Reaching inside talon surged his mist with everything he had concentrating on the center of both carriages. A torrent of miasma exploded exstinging the flames all around the carriages plunging everything into a misty darkness. Talon took his second vial out replenishing his power as the men held the position. In the mist, talon could make out all of them along with everywhere the mist touched. It was almost like having a sphere where he could perceive everything in its contents. The fire slingers were pulling their own vials out. The man looked not being able to see anything as he began drinking the familiar orange liquid feeling the power return. His hand brimming with heat and light. Now he just needed the target. Damn demon in the mist he thought moving closer to the two big oxborn he glanced over he noticed a flash of green light in the mist. Followed by another and then another. He blasted a beam of fire towards the last green flash no sooner had he done this did he realize there was a presence behind him. Turning around a hand grabbed his face firming as a flash of green light then only darkness. The last Fireslinger had fallen the two Oxborn taking notice of Talon began running as fast as they could through the mist. He began dispersing most of the mist revealing the armor and clothes with bones and the two frozen statues of renewers and the blackened forest. Ice grasp was the perfect counter to their power while strain was his preferred trump card in close combat it was completely ineffective against renewers. Looking back towards the two oxborn running away one of them stopping and dropping to his knees. Talon walked over as the man started pleading for his life. It was silly to see such a massive man on his knees with his hands in a pleading gesture but Talon had given them the chance to walk away at the beginning of the fight. Just as he pulled out his dagger an object hit a small amount of mist triggering his mind to perceive the object. He only managed to move a small amount as a spear barely missed his head. It hurled like a hurricane hitting a tree going straight through the tree and then embedding itself in the ground. They had almost killed him talon though in complete suprise such a dirty unhonnable tactic had almost worked. He couldn't help but be somewhat impressed with a small amount of fury. The man on the ground jumped up charging right at him. Talon tossed his dagger giving it a push to give it some more power. The dagger stuck the man in the gut and the man stumbled crashing over himself. The second man and already started running again. A quick shadow step and the man was running straight towards him. He was so focused on looking behind him that he hadn't noticed running straight into the hand with green flames. His body shriveled and withered then hit the floor. The fight was now over the bones now riddling the ground as Talon made his way over to the carriages. He already knew the one that held his prize for his mist had touched it and he had felt it in his core. Opening the small chest a small egg-sized ingit of Olorunyomi.
So much death all for something so small talon thought closing the box and now noticing the man gasping for breath dagger still in his gut streaming crimson red fluid. He was prone on the ground looking over at him.
This was my last job. Helena Lance forgive me he stammered out aguish visible on his face. With this Talons, anger flared with a fiery furnace that could not be quenched. This man was half noble and the single biggest reason Talon hated the nobility. Half nobles were created when a noble was unfaithful to their spouse. Due to the scandal, they were covered up shipped off, or killed. If by chance they were born with mana then they had to work for ten years not being paid at all. If they were successful in the ten years they would be granted nobility and a small house in the nobility sector. During the ten years, they were used as a weapon fighting whatever battles the nobes didn't want to. Few made it the full ten years but some did. Talon walked over to the man fear in his eyes apparent as he drew closer.
I will make sure your family is taken care of you have my word on the great divine himself. Talon said the man's expression changed wide eye and utterly confused and with that look the man passed on.
Did you get all that talon thought
“Yes”, I did promise to watch as I always do Kaitlin's voice rang out in Talon's head.
See to it that Richard finds the families and that they are compensated for a decent life as always. I don’t need any more voices of the dead that can’t be dismissed.
Will do. Cutting it pretty close there I nearly shouted when the man tossed the spear but fear of inferring and getting you killed held my tongue.
Talon smerik letting a small sigh escape. That's impressive that your vision could see that far the man was twenty-five yards away. Still, he had nearly taken my head off.
I have been working on my powers although I am almost at my limit for the night kaitlin's voice now starting to sound tired.
“Get some rest with only one vial left. I have a long walk ahead of me. Well at least until tomorrow night when some of his power will have returned naturally.”