People think combat is not a Scholarly Talent, but they’d be wrong. Spells and Techniques are created through years of effort and study. The inspiration comes from observation, which is very much the process of Scholarly Talents. All forms of wisdom and knowledge come through research and observation.

~Lugh, God of Battle and Craft

“This…” Gavin was rendered speechless. “Aren’t you dead?”

The guest started laughing.

“I’m not that person—the statue in your plaza. I admit, other than its hair, it's like looking in a mirror. I don’t doubt I’m a descendent of that man, but a powerful force in the tower destroyed my sect. Those that survived scattered, including my ancestors. My parents started a company. We buy rare goods or go seek them out if the price is right. They moved around and refused to set down roots anywhere, so it’s all I’ve known. It brought me here to find something in the north. That was when I saw the boy giving a blood offering to a statue and when I saw my face on that statue, you can imagine my surprise.”

“So if you aren’t Lugh, do you at least wield a spear?” Crow asked.

The man’s Shield lit up, and a spear appeared in his hand. The archaic design was quite old, and it looked exactly like the spear that Lugh held in the Plaza of the Gods. Crow could sense they were different, mainly because it lacked the coppery scent of blood. Taking the spear, Crow turned it over and noticed something strange etched into the haft of the spear—a Celtic Knot!

Seeing Crow’s attention, the stranger asked, “You recognize this formation?”

“I do. It is called a Celtic Knot, something our Druid Order created, which means you are connected to our people. This particular knot is related to the core or heart. Leaning toward heart. Without studying it, I’m not sure what it does. Knots are multidimensional formations, meaning part of it is hidden within the spear itself.”

“This spear is not the Gae Assail, but I assume you figured that out. It is called Heart Seeker, so it is like Lugh’s spear in that it rarely misses. I didn’t know who my ancestor was until I came here, but my parents knew of his spear.”

“Senior, Crow has stepped on to the path of mastery toward those Celtic Knots,” Gavin spoke when their conversation wound down.

“When it comes to Scholarly Talents, I’m not as learned as you. What does ‘path of mastery’ mean?”

“Scholarly Talents are usually taught by showing and explaining the talent in a broad sense. The student will learn every aspect and are considered Apprentice of the Scholarly Talent once they are allowed to start creating their own products. Once a Master determines a person has the skill and mastery of a talent, they will promote the person to Journeyman. This gives the person credentials to back their knowledge. A Journeyman may become a Master if they gain the acknowledgment of three other Masters of that same Scholarly Talent. A Grandmaster deviates from the usual path and either develop their own or has an affinity for something most find impossible to gain insight.”

“So this boy has an affinity for Celtic Knots, which puts him on a path few have tread?”

“Yes. I’ve spent years studying them and consider myself to have a passable knowledge, but the boy took to them immediately. Most times, a path can’t be taught. A Grandmaster might take on a student and teach them their method, but it still requires an affinity, which requires insight.”

“Excellent. I find this most impressive, and I happen to need someone with a talent for formations. What else has the boy accomplished?”

“Recently, he discovered a talent called Soul Carving—I doubt you know it. The first time he explained it to me, I went to many libraries to research it, hoping to give guidance. It was in vain. There were some references to a similar talent, only with stone. I believe he is developing a new Scholarly Talent.”

“Oh? And if that is true, how does he gain a ranking or get acknowledged?”

“That is the part that is both a blessing and a curse. No one can block Crow since it’s something new. He will be allowed to do whatever he wants with the talent. However, to gain acknowledgment and register it as an official Scholarly Talent, he has two options. First, he can find three Grandmasters to acknowledge it, which I believe most would, but the problem is finding them. The other option is getting three Masters of at least three Scholarly Talents to recognize his talent. Carving and Imbuing are the two Scholarly Talents he’ll definitely need to master because that is what Soul Carving uses. The third one is up to him, but he’ll have to become a Master in all three branches.”

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“That seems daunting,” the visitor said and turned to look at Crow. “May I see a carving?”

Crow took out a wooden carving, the faceless version of himself standing in black fire, and handed it over. The stranger took it respectfully and examined it with great interest. After about ten minutes, the man handed it back.

“That is really amazing. Let me introduce myself, I am called Torcail, or Tor is fine. The reason your elder is answering questions about you is that he recognizes why I am here. Before you arrived, he told me about your exploits, fighting ability, and your current situation. All of which provide me a solid impression of you, your mental fortitude, and your drive. Is there anything you’d like to add in on your behalf?”

“I don’t know,” Crow was uncomfortable with this line of talk.

“Then let me ask. How did you know I was coming?”

“I don’t know,” Crow answered honestly.

“But you knew?”

“I did. Just as I’m fairly sure I know why you are here, even if I don’t understand the specifics.”

“Would you like to know the specifics?”

“As long as it’s something you can say,” Crow responded respectfully.

“Good answer. Then I’ll tell you honestly, I need someone that has not yet formed their Shield to assist me in delving into a forbidden place. I’ve never taken a disciple, and I am aware I’m doing it wrong. However, this favor is substantial enough that I’m willing to take you in, give you all my assistance, and even help aid your growth in return. It helps that your temperament is to my liking.”

“And you understand my condition? I don’t have access to my Source, much less a Shield.”

“I am.”

“I will agree—”

“Crow, are you sure about this?” Gavin asked. Accepting a master was a solemn affair. It was why Gavin hadn’t officially become the boy’s master, because it was serious enough that their clan wanted to rope in other experts to back them. It caused Gavin no end of headaches trying to convince them otherwise. Still, in the end, he had to give up the notion to improve the Maddox clan’s situation.

“Elder, trust me. It is something I must do,” Crow told him. “I’ll explain it later.”

“I find you more and more intriguing. That decisive nature is promising. You don’t have to make your decision right this instant. I need to go north to acquire some things and be back around the time of your trial. Don’t get killed in the arena,” Torcail smiled and bowed towards them before turning and leaving.

Once the gate shut, Gavin looked over with a complicated look.

“You want to explain?”

“Do you believe dreams can…?” Crow struggled to find the right word.

“What did you see?” The old man hurriedly put down a formation to block sound and sight. The solemn look on his face let Crow know the seriousness of what he’d implied.

“The fires, in my dreams, something is hiding in them. Whatever it was, it had been slumbering.”

“Had?”

“Last night, a village appeared. People were screaming and turning to ash. I see this a lot, but it’s always vague, like watching fish in a muddy river. This time, it was crystal clear, and I even remember their faces. At the center of the village was a fountain, and as I approached it, I saw it was filled with fire, but it was so black that it looked more like the void. While staring into it, an eye opened and stared back…” Crow continued to explain about the fire that wasn’t Night Fire and how he was sure this beast was the actual curse. Finally, he mentioned that the Sluagh might have saved his life.

“And you knew Torcail was coming because of this?”

“That was the flames. The closer I came to the fountain, the more I felt things, nothing I can put in words, but more like impressions of things to come. I knew someone was coming to see me today.”

“What else do you know, or have you felt?”

“A powerful being is waiting in the tower. A war is coming, but it feels more sinister, like extermination. I was in a forest, so I couldn’t see anything but sensed all the trees changing because of the amount of blood their roots were absorbing. Beastman Tribes play a role, and if we don’t become allies, I feel panic and fear.”

“Be clear, does the Beastman Tribe affect our survival of the upcoming war?”

“Yes. If they aren’t our allies, the Druid Order might not survive.”

“Gods be merciful.”

“You believe me?”

“I do, but it’s pure conjecture. Remember, fate isn’t fixed, and you are a wild card that can’t be predicted. I think you were in the presence of a powerful conflux of fate, but since you are unfated, you probably sense the fate connected to that thing in your dreams. Since the… Three-Headed Crow saved you, then karma is heavily involved too. I can’t even begin to fathom what you were drawn into. The only reasonable explanation I can think of is that it’s a side effect of being unfated. I’ll need to do some research, and the Druid Council must know about this.”

“Do it quick. The Beastmen will approach us soon.”

“Crow, you don’t have to worry too much about this. There is a lot of information you aren’t privy to, and most of it is related to our sect in the tower. All you’ve done is provided some more details that will help us. You’ll understand when you cross over. Either way, I won’t draw you into this, and your actions have spurred our clan in more ways than you know. Had it been any other race than the Beastman Tribes, I might have been worried about negotiations. I’m confident we’ll reach an accord with them.”

“Will the Druid Order take issue with me taking on a master and leaving?”

“No. That man was more powerful than me, and I’m not even sure what his true strength is. This is an opportunity for you, and no one will question it.”

“Do you trust Torcail?”

“If he wanted to take you, we wouldn’t be able to stop him,” Gavin answered honestly. “The fact he is related to our gods also reassures me. Most importantly, he is giving you a choice—the rest is up to your instinct. Alright, enough of that. Just because you got beat up doesn’t mean you get to slack off. Soul Carving is something you can do in your downtime and doesn’t require a library. Since you will be leaving soon, I want you to spend the next few months focusing on formations and reading every book we have on them. I’ll petition the elders about giving you a copy of some of this material to take with you. Don’t forget your reward for the Hunt. Triskelion Archives have many books on Celtic Knots and multidimensional formations that we lack. However, if you could make copies of anything you memorize from there…”

Crow laughed at the old man’s shamelessness. Shortly after, Gavin left and summoned the Druid Council.