[Forrest’s Point of View]
Kossa asked if it would be appropriate to try out her flute. After a couple seconds of silence, Mom stated she would love to hear it. Onre agreed. Even though the foot-long flute looked spotless, she instinctively wiped its mouthpiece with a finger and thumb. “I’ve never played a silver flute before; mine have been wood or bone. I can’t wait to hear it.” She began by testing the effect its six holes had on the tone and frequency. The effects seemed to please her, and she began playing what I would classify as a folk melody. Onre began humming along; Kossa nodded at him, and he began to softly sing. It was a happy song about a hermit and an otter, and how they became friends. The tune only lasted about two minutes, but I think it enthralled everyone.
Ferret might have been the most affected, by the end there were tears streaming down his eyes. “Shiny flute Kossa’s forever. I not hear music much, just songs sometimes. Onre sing good, but flute was best.” Onre agreed with him, and everyone thanked our duet.
Lenyet reminded us of our afternoon responsibility., “Thank you, Kossa and Onre. I’m sure your Master Thorm will be very impressed. Apprentices, let’s head into town.” As we headed out, Sun remembered to get his shield and club. They were sitting against the wall of the administration building where they had been waiting for Arrjee to return. With his truncheon already being held, I was sure he could be extremely effective in battle. The flexibility offered by his three arms must be awesome.
We were definitely an unusual sight walking through town. Some people clearly avoided us, while others approached. It was well known that there would be some Trichyans coming to town in a few months, but nobody had expected to see one so soon. And with no one having seen anyone like Ferret before, it was an interesting walk. For those who did approach us, Arrjee was our spokesman and provided formal, friendly introductions. Sun and Ferret were shy, and only said polite hellos or provided short answers to direct questions. Sometimes Arrjee would provide additional clarification when their terse responses seemed inadequate. We did not go into very much detail as to their background, mainly letting people know that they had been appointed by Einvigi to be students.
It was after 11 when we reached our apprenticeship grounds behind the school. There were seven people already there. Arrjee’s Master Runtel Trillet was demonstrating basic sword moves to Wherda Zurz. Our young friend Norrus Loruste was speaking with Teacher Dorra Marson. Master Brune Thorm was with blacksmith Master Kertos Zurz and his apprentice Quorlin Smurn. Master Zurz had set up a temporary magical forge. Quorlin was 16 like me, and the only other leveled teen here. He was a Blacksmith/Strongarm, with Master Thorm’s self defense expertise being the closest guide in town for Quorlin’s Strongarm class.
Unsurprisingly, their eyes all turned to our group. My Master Lenyet Birch made the introductions. Once he was through and everyone realized that Sun spoke differently, Arrjee explained the nature of group mind and dual-channel speech. There was confusion about whether Sun was a telepath, with Arrjee explaining that he could not read people’s minds, just share in speech with those who could use Group Mind. He did not go into Dad’s Listen skill.
Since Dorra is an Empath, she could feel the emotions expressed within Group Mind. She could also share her own emotions if she desired. This probably made it slightly easier for her to “read between the lines” of Sun’s vocally expressed words. Arrjee, Sun, and she experimented for a few minutes how well that worked. Sun was pleased that she could fully share in his emotions. Norrus listened to this experimentation with great interest.
“Great. Now she’s understanding them better than I can.”
You could fix that.
Once the full introductions and follow-up discussions were over, Master Trillet took charge. He started by letting Sun and Ferret know that they were welcome here, but explained the formality used during apprenticeship. Mainly that meant that the adults were addressed as either ‘Master’ or ‘Teacher’. But outside of apprenticeship, they were free to use whatever names the adults requested. Ferret was clearly intimidated, but Arrjee and I let him know that Master Trillet was a wonderful person. His formality was the way he kept student’s focused on the tasks at hand.
Everyone had grouped together by this point. Master Trillet asked, “I’ll start with you, Evening Sun. When will you be leveling, and have you decided on what classes you will take?””
“What date now?” asked Sun. The Master informed him it was 3 Fifthmonth. “Three weeks,” replied Sun. “30 Fifthmonth I level.”
“Sun me you call.”
“Guardian and Armsman classes I take.”
“Rank C Basic Clubshmanship now I have.”
“Rank C Basic Shieldsmanship now I have.”
“Rank D Basic Spearmanship now I have.”
“Rank D Basic Polearms now I have.”
“Rank D Wrestling now I have.”
“Impressive, but not a pure warrior. Interface, Guardian is a mana class, right?”
Yes.
“Asha Yon is a pure warrior Armsman. Is there a mana version of that?”
Yes, Defensive Armsman. Guardian/Defensive Armsman would make for an exceptional tank. Ultimate melee defender for both team and self.
“Cool. If no one else informs Sun about the possibility, I will. Three arms, that’s cheating.”
Or wonderful anatomical design.
“It is going to be a great opportunity for any Master who you apprentice with, Sun.” was Master Trillet’s response to Sun’s litany. ‘Ferret Drewson, same two questions. When do you level, and what classes are you considering?”
“I just Ferret, Master. Don’t level until 17 Seventhmonth, so still a ways away.”
“That’s still a couple months before the school opens, so all of our group will have some levels under their belt. Do you think that was planned, Interface?”
No way of knowing. The likelihood is that things just happen to work out that way.
“Classes I not sure. What I needed as outcast different to student at adventuring school. Can I think about it?”
Master Trillet told him with a smile, “That is an excellent idea, Ferret. You have plenty of time to decide. What would you like to be learning for the next week or so?”
“Well, I no read yet, so Sun, Arrjee, and Forrest said they help me with that. I don’t know enough about what I can learn here to say more. Currently I rank D as a Basic Thief, and in Running and Hunting. Oh, I want learn Analyze and Meditation. Sun not able to teach me, but he try. Said it important, but I couldn’t focus like he want.”
Skawa spoke to me mentally, “Quick background. Up until this morning, his Intelligence and Wisdom were at 5. Einvigi and I boosted him up to 7 in each, so he should be better able to gain basic skills now.”
“Thank you, and Einvigi too. Being an outcast and only 5 in his mental skills must have been very tough.”
“He was not on his own, exactly. Otherwise the winter would have overcome him. Sun was a true friend.”
I encouraged Ferret, “We’ll all help with those, too. Once you learn Meditation, your ability to focus will improve too.” He smiled hopefully at me.
Master Trillet said, “You all have five minutes to learn about each other. After that, everyone will meet with their Masters. Sun, Ferret, Forrest, and Norrus will begin with Teachers Marson and Birch for general evaluation and education. Sun and Ferret, that is not a bad thing. Just two weeks ago, Forrest was being evaluated, and look where he is now.”
Or three Tuesdays ago.
Teacher Marson brought us to what I decided was the ‘education tree’, where we all sat, Sun in his Trichyan-stool fashion. That got some stares, (Heck not too long ago I was the starer.) She started out saying, “I know you are all nervous, and this is very new and different to what you are used to. But the adults here are all Masters and Teachers because we enjoy helping our younger townspeople to grow and become productive. It is okay if you don’t know things yet. You are here to learn them.”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
I saw Ferret nod his head in acknowledgment, much less nervous than he had been with Master Trillet. She started by asking Sun some basic questions to get an idea of his educational level. His knowledge of numbers and letters was strong. It was hard for her to establish his baseline for World, because the Trichyan continent had a vastly different history. He did know about the kingdom here, and the seven duchies. He knew more about the Fourth Duchy, because that was where the Trichyans had spent the majority of their time. He knew it mostly as the Seaside Kingdom though, which had been its name prior to the Kingdom Era.
Ferret’s educational background was completely absent. I suspected even if he had the higher mental attributes back then, he would not know a lot more. His nomadic tribe had been very poor, basically subsistence hunter-gatherers. He believed there were only two people in his tribe who could read. He seemed to understand now why his original village had petitioned the wealthier village that Sun was at to take him in. And he seemed to regret taking things, even shiny things, and causing Sun so many problems.
He also revealed he was 12, and he leveled at 13. That was two years before Humans and normal Covargh, so I suspected his life span would be shorter, too. That was when Sun revealed he would be leveling at age 14, so slightly less short.
Norrus said that he was 11, only a year younger than Ferret. He would be turning 12 several weeks after Ferret turned 13. That was when Sun and Ferret realized we couldn’t level until we were 15, and they were kind of happy that they had an advantage over us. There was so little they had as outcasts.
Norrus took Ferret about two yards away from us, where he started teaching him the alphabet song. I hadn’t even known such a song existed on Heere. Neither sang particularly well, but Norrus' heart was unassailable. Teacher Marson invited both Ferret and Sun to her classes at 6:30 in the morning, to get a feel for a normal student’s life.
That was when Sun wondered, “Where we sleep?” Arrjee let him know that he would find out after our apprenticeship lessons, and that he and Ferret would not be split up.
“I wonder if Sun explicitly mentioned being split up, or Arrjee intuited the worry.”
Yes.
“That’s helpful.”
Perhaps.
From that point, most of apprenticeship had gone like it had before. I had focused training on Martial Arts with Master Birch. He had brought a Bo and was also working with Sun on improving his skills.
Ferret and Norrus had joined Master Thorm’s group, with Kossa and Onre. The Master was extremely impressed with her flute, calling it a masterwork. Coming from a crafter of instruments himself, that was high praise. She played and Onre sang, while their Master began teaching our two youngest some of the basics of self defense. Quorlin went back to Master Zurz at his forge, and Wherda and Arrjee worked on their swordsmanship with Master Trillet.
After over an hour with Master Birch, Sun continued his staff training, while I moved on for 20 minutes punching and slapping at Master Trillet’s ‘leather dog-bone’ wall for callus training of my hands. They were already showing significant improvement over the initial baby-skin they had started with. Norrus and Ferret joined me.
Then all the students spent an hour in a mini-wrestling tournament. It was not an elimination; instead total-points were used to determine the winner. Dad, Mom, and the Wraiths arrived and watched us wrestle. It was a fun experience wrestling Sun. Three arms gave him advantages, but his arms did not seem to have as much muscle as those of bipeds. It meant much greater agility and flexibility, but less strength per arm. He beat me, but mid-match:
Achievement: Wrestling, E
I didn’t mention it, but it was my first gain today. Ferret announced not long after that he learned the skill. Onre ended up in first place, Quorlin second, and Sun third. My place wasn’t at the bottom; I placed ahead of Wherda and Norrus.
To close off the session, they had us run five laps around the village. It was much easier for me. We saw all the adults speaking as we ran past the school. At a guess, the Wraiths were introducing themselves to Masters Trillet and Zurz, and Teacher Marson. Beyond that, I supposed they were speaking about plans for the adventuring school.
When done with the laps, we students had a cooldown session where we just learned more about each other. It was weird, I knew more about Sun and Ferret than I did longstanding apprentices Quorlin and Wherdon. They had both grown up in Cottages and were long-time friends with Arrjee. They didn’t know Kossa well, though, so we had lots to discuss. Except for answering questions and being generally congenial, Ferret did not say much. When necessary, Arrjee clarified any of Sun’s thoughts.
I had decided. Why not? I could be a ‘clarifier’ rather than a ‘clarifiee’. And Ferret had said it would be better if Sun had more to fully speak with.
“Are you still listening, Skawa?” He responded mentally that he was. “I want to learn Group Mind. What do I have to do?”
“Pay me a copper.”
Mentally I laughed. “Deal. I’ll pay you later.”
“If you want, I can take it from your bag now.”
“Oh, that will work. Sure.”
I barely heard the sound of coins jangling. Then:
Learned Skill: Group Mind, F
“Thank you.”
As if it is not busy enough in here already. ;) Congratulations., but it took you long enough, dumbass.
“Actually, I agree with that one.”
I didn’t hear anything, but I just ‘felt’ the presence of Sun and Arrjee. They both turned to me in surprise. “Uh, boon from Skawa.”
working?
Sun announced, “Group Mind Forrest joined!” || Forrest, really, you are in Group Mind!
And Arrjee added, “Welcome to the club, brother.” || satisfaction, guess came true
What I heard in Group Mind was as if the volume were set to ‘whisper’.
I explained to everyone that because I am in my second life, Skawa was able to use what was there from both minds to give me a boon for the Group Mind skill.
“So Ferret can not get boon? Just one life. Both Arrjee and Forrest had two. Okay, understand. I’m glad you have another Group Mind friend, Sun.”
Sun hugged Ferret. “Ferret friend too.” || You’ll always be my friend, too, Ferret.
The Skolturi had heard, and came over. I could feel them when they got very close.
Asiel asked, “You learned it at Rank F, correct?” || very unusual, and very welcome
I responded, “Yes. Skawa had told me that if he teaches me, I’ll start out like small Trichyan child.”
doubt, frustration, new, excitement
Orian stated, “Arrjee can teach you the more focused way.”
But this is how we had all done it until today.
“At rank F, Group Mind will feel like we are whispering, and your range will be your perception divided by 25.”
At 19, it is .775 yards
“Volume will grow with rank, and distance with both rank and perception.”
gets better
The other adults had followed the Skolturi over. Dad asked, “Forrest, do I understand correctly that you can now use Group Mind?”
I replied, “Yes, at Rank F.”
not well, anticipate better
He smiled, “I heard that, with Listen.” Dorra added that she could sense my anticipation for improvement even with her empathy barely active.
Mom announced, “It’s 15 now. We’ll give all the students 25 minutes for a bath, then whoever wishes may join us at Kazrin’s Inn for Dinner. Mayor’s treat.” At the word ‘dinner’, I saw both Ferret and Sun smile. I knew they had been living in a winter cave, so I’m guessing their meals were sporadic.
Master Kertos Zerz and his daughter Wherda already had plans for the evening. Quorlin and Norrus were happy to be able to join us, though. They just needed to tell their parents. So they ran off to do that and told us they would meet us at the bathhouse. The rest of the teens headed straight there.
----------------------------------------
There was another group at the bathhouse; they were an extended family I didn’t know named Wokker. Arrjee and Kossa did know them and made introductions. They welcomed Sun and Ferret to the village, and me too. I guess they had met Onre.
So far no assholes; hope this keeps up.
Norrus must live nearby, and he joined us almost immediately
We would be using a second large bath. Ferret had never been to a bathhouse before. He always washed up at a river or lake. It had been many months for Sun. Norrus guided Ferret through getting a pre-rinse prior to entering the bath. Once he got in, the liquid soap was a revelation. He knew about ‘hard soap’, but this low sudsing liquid was making Ferret giggle. It was like the joy an Earth child might have at taking a bubble bath the first time.
Quorlin joined us, quickly rinsed himself off and got in. The guy is built; blacksmithing is no joke. I’d noticed it while wrestling, but for some reason it stood out more here. Those who hadn’t seen Sun nude before were checking him out. They were just naturally curious, and Sun answered any questions someone had. This time there was no sex education other than it being obvious Sun had three. Since that had been common knowledge about Trichyans, it didn’t turn out to be a big deal.
The adults and wraiths had gone immediately to the Inn and had let Kazrin and his wife know there would be six teens arriving before too long. When we got there we found that tables had been joined together providing room for 14. Grandma had joined the adults, and we needed every chair. Sun needed a little extra room than we bipeds, but he was able to position himself on a normal chair. Since the Skolturi would not be eating, the Kazrin’s had 12 to feed.
Norrus had sat next to Ferret. The alert kid sensed that he might not know how to use utensils, and in a soft voice explained the spoon and fork. He told Ferret that when the food came, to watch him and ask if he had any questions. “Everyone has a first time at a restaurant.”
Grandma added, “Well said, young Norrus. With younglings like you, Ferret, and Sun, there may be hope for this village yet.”
A medium-thick vegetable soup was our first course along with some bread. Norrus warned Ferret that it would be hot and had him take small spoonfuls at first. The emergent conquered spoon usage almost immediately. Neither he nor Sun had ever had soup like this, and they both loved it. Jacques had probably had something very much like it, but I couldn't remember when. In addition to numerous garden vegetables, there were some red beans and white rice. I loved it too; it seemed everyone did.
Our entrée was ribs, prepared very much like the barbecued beef ribs Jacques grew up with. They were accompanied by boiled potatoes. There was no butter; instead they were topped with various herbs. Now that I thought about it, the only dairy products I had seen had been the cheese we had in the commissary at the guardsmen’s fort.
“Dairy seems rare to non-existent in Cottages.”
Dairy farms are much less common on Heere than on Earth. Cattle and goat herds are economically and ecologically expensive. Plus a large number of people here are lactose intolerant.
I really had no complaint, though. The herbed potatoes were excellent, and the sauce on the ribs added overall moisture to the meal. Ferret had a little more trouble with the fork than a spoon, but Norrus patiently guided him. Sun was used to using these utensils. Plenty of food had been brought out in platters, and no one went hungry. Or thirsty, for that matter.