The first day of travel was boring as far as Wyatt was concerned. They just plodded along at a rather slow pace. It turns out there were some runic shenanigans going on with the cart. It should have been obvious right away, but it was clear the wagon itself was lighter than it should be. It was also clear that something else was at play, but that was more difficult to figure out just from observation.
Wyatt was determined to figure it out without any assistance. Despite desperately wanting to know he wouldn’t give Argana the satisfaction of asking. He still didn't understand why they were not being attacked. He couldn’t see any reason the jackalopes were not swarming the group as they had done to him. As they walked Ugrand, and Argana took turns teaching him about this world. He learned more about the empire, and the truan republic. Apparently neither of them knew much about the underlings. He tried occasionally to bring up cultivation, but was shut down every time he tried. They were concerned he would try to start cultivating on his own which could severely impact his ability to continue very far down the path. Just like this with a rather boring walk, and uneventful nights surrounded by the circle they continued on.
Almost three weeks of travel, and Wyatt had not figured out why they hadn’t been attacked. It made no sense to him at all. There didn’t seem to be any special sent, or any sort of magic happening. Finally he had enough. “I need to know why we aren’t being attacked!” He blurted out. Argana doubled over in laughter. “Sometimes answers are much more basic than you were looking for. We are a group. Most of the animals that live out this way prefer to pick on solitary prey. Beyond that your connection to the slaza would make you less likely to be attacked by them, and more likely to be attacked by other creatures.”
“You let me take weeks to tell me that it’s because we are a group? Really? I am not sure if I am impressed or mad or both. I can’t believe this.” Wyatt shouted.
Su apparently appreciated his antics, and started giggling. Argana was clearly close to losing herself to another fit of laughter, and even Ugrand had a smile on his face. Wyatt was still rather frustrated, and just walked away in a huff. He sat down for a second thinking about all the ways his life had changed since coming to this world. He didn’t understand much about cultivation, but it would make him powerful if he found the right technique, and had enough talent. That was all he needed. He would make it work.
Thinking about becoming powerful, learning to fly, and other aspects of gaining power pushed his thoughts back to what he would do with the power. Slavery was awful, and it was from what he had been told central to most of this world's system of living. It was not something that would be changed quickly or easily. Yet, despite the hurdles ahead he knew that it was a cause worth fighting for. People served the opportunity to fail for themselves as far as he was concerned. Taking away their autonomy especially for such horrible purposes as using them to test unproven cultivation that could cripple or kill them was wrong. If he ever had the power to stop it he would. That was that.
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It was weird to consider this world had humans as well, and part of him wondered if there had been a previous connection between this world and earth. How much time had passed on earth between his travel here, and the time he had been on this planet? So many questions that would likely never have answers. He decided he had been away long enough, and was ready to laugh it off with the group when he heard a shout. The shout was followed by a deep laughter that he was certain didn’t belong to his traveling companions. His first instinct was to rush in, but he had no clue what the situation was. He slowly made his way through until he could see what was happening.
“You are trespassing on my land, and as such I demand payment. As I can clearly see you lack the funds for a proper payment it is a good thing you are attractive. I believe we can work something out.” As he said this the rather rotund looking nooku licked his lips. To further cement the disgusting nature of the comment he was looking at Su.
Wyatt didn’t even begin to think. Some part of his brain that was hardwired to be protective of children flipped on, and he saw red. The nooku that had been talking was accompanied by 3 other nooku who appeared to be bodyguards of some kind. Wyatt blacked out, and the rage carried him away. When he came to again he was laying on the cart. He was covered in blood. His staff was broken in half, and he was fairly certain his ribs were broken. His hands felt like they may also have some fractures in them, and his head felt like he had cotton stuffed in it. He tried to ask what happened? Instead what came out was “waaahaaap?”
“I am glad you woke up, but with idiocy like what you did back there you are extremely lucky.” There was a brief pause as Argana seemed to be thinking. “Thank you.” She finally said. The memories of what happened were all disjointed. Wyatt tried to play back what he remembered, but other than rage, pain in his hands, and a loud snapping noise he didn’t remember much of the actual fight. He remembered why he felt compelled to act. That disgusting creature because it definitely wasn’t a man licking his lips would be etched in his brain forever. You owe your companion thanks as well. Without her help I am certain you would have perished. He searched for the feeling of the spirit, and felt accomplishment perhaps. No he was certain it was satisfaction. They had stopped a heinous act from harming an innocent, and it aligned with what they both wanted for the world.
Even though he knew she could feel it Wyatt said out loud thank you joy. Or he planned to instead it came out as a mumbled mess that sounded like “tankuyoy”. He clearly received a beating in that fight he thought to himself as he slipped back into unconsciousness. It was daylight still when he woke he assumed that meant it was the same day, but he realized they were in a town as he looked around. His head felt much better, and although his ribs and hands felt a little sore it was nothing like the throbbing, and sharp pain alternating he felt before he had passed out.
As he started to move he realized Su was snuggled up against his side. He looked around for Argana or Ugrand to get him out, but neither of them were within line of sight. “Huh, I wonder where they are.” After sitting there for a little bit he decided he had to risk waking Su so he sat up, and thankfully she remained asleep. As he looked around it appeared they were in the cart just parked in a little side alley.
Wyatt hadn't been concerned before, but the location he found himself and the fact that the rest of the family didn’t appear to be nearby was very concerning. He wasn't sure she would be able to explain, but he felt like he should try to ask Su. Just seeing her reaction when she woke up would probably tell him a lot. Before he woke her up he realized he was wearing a shirt that wasn’t torn up or bloody. Same with his pants they were fully intact. Both pieces of clothing were tighter than he would have liked, but they actually would qualify as clothing where the scraps he had on when he passed out would not. It was time to find some answers.