Chapter 08 – Skeleton Warriors!

On the way to village elder’s house:

[Father]: Aslan, I haven’t seen a single warrior or mage who could extract so much mana just to cover their body with it. It has not reached perfection yet but with regular training you could foolproof it to defend against both physical and magical attacks. It was not wise to show off you skill on your first battle. Do not forget that Taham and Hamil are cousins. Their mothers are sisters. Times have changed. There is tribe, but bigger than tribe there is a kingdom. Power corrupts. I think Hamil will take over after Dar’s death because our tribal rules do not apply to kingdom. If he is smart then he won’t tolerate anybody with potential to be threat to him in future. After your performance, you are a threat. I would think of you like a threat if I were in Taham’s shoes. Better watch your mouth as you have always done. Speak less. Listen to everything. Be sharp!

We reached village elder’s house. Entered it. We were offered drinks by maids. I took coffee while mother and father tried Mehnian tea with some cookies. Raez, Lynnette and Mariette were there sitting besides us in the guest room.

I have never seen a beautiful house as village elder’s one. The ground was made of white and black marbles. The walls that were looking outside had windows which were in 2 meters of height. Sculptures of gryphons, lions and eagles were on corners of the guest room. My and Mariette’s family were seated on leather sofas few meters after the main gate to the guest room. Gas lamps were located a meter apart from each other and all of them lighted the room in a strange manner.  Large wooden door with carvings on it opened from the opposite side and Taham entered the guest room. He welcomed us again and directed us towards the other part of guest room which seemed more like work-place. He sat on an armchair which was elegantly carved of out of wood. The wood was colored in gold. Arm resting parts of the chair were carved so that they seemed like paws of lion. The leather was green in color. We sat on expensive looking stools but they didn’t gave the vibe of the armchair which Taham was sitting on. Some kind of incense was burning somewhere in the room out of sight. The room had a distinct aura to it because of incense and all the hard thought design. Power did corrupt. Warrior supposed to live a simple life.

[Taham]: Today is 3rd day of Ram. In two months, 1st of Onylys, Mehn academy will have orientation for newcomers. Aslan and Mariette’s education, accommodation and living expenses will be free of charge because of Mariette’s extraordinary performance in tournament and Aslan’s bravery in mountains. What will not be covered are travel costs.

[Raez]: I will be sending Mariette to capital in a month’s time. She will be flying there with express balloons. I will invest in my daughter and tribe’s future by giving my all.

[Father]: Financially, I will be troubled to cover his travel expenses so maybe I won’t send him at all.

[Taham]: As a fellow tribesman, I will not stand by when a talent such as Aslan does not get what he really deserves. I saw the fight in arena today (I peeked at Mariette, our eyes met and she blushed). I was impressed. A trader friend of mine, travel’s between Mehn and our village once a year. Fortunately, his caravan will be leaving to Mehn tomorrow. I will ask him to take Aslan with them, of course without payment, but Aslan will help them out throughout the journey and will fulfill the duty assigned to him.

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Father and Taham looked at me.

[Me]: Thank you, village elder. I am honored that a person of your position has taken an interest in helping me out.

[Taham]: Our duty is to help the young ones in their journey. Our tribe needs warriors such as you. Tomorrow at dawn meet me at village entrance.

We had another cup of drinks and left afterwards. We arrived at our house.

[Father]: You made your choice.

I nodded.

[Father]:  I hope you do not regret. I wish you all the best.

[Me]: I’m going to sleep.

[Father]: We all should.

We all went to our rooms. I sneaked out of my room. Run as fast as possible. I wasn’t thinking but acting on my emotions. In less than 10 minutes I reach my destination, jumped over the fence. Tried my best not to make noise or attract attention. I was lucky. The window was open and she was stargazing. I sneaked under the window.

[Me]: Beautiful.

She looked at me indifferently.

[Mariette]: Stars are beautiful.

[Me]: I meant you are Would you mine if I jump in?

[Mariette] Why?

[Me]: I want to watch stars with you.

She moved left, and I jumped in taking her action as approval. We stared a bit more. We turned to each other and our eyes met again. I closed on her and kissed her. Our lips departed.

[Me]: I will see you in Mehn.

[Mariette]: Be careful.

I ran back to my house. Got into bed and slept well. Woke up very early. Everybody was up. Though, only father came with me to meet Taham. I was introduced to Ricat. He was not from our tribe but he seemed like capable man. We would be travelling to southern border and pass by Devil’s Canyon so that Ricat could sell medicinal herbs to stores there. Ricat had seen my fight with Mariette and would provide me with food and place to sleep all the way to Mehn in exchange me guarding the caravan through the journey. I agreed on given terms.

Ricat was a smart man. He would buy herbs, medicines and healing potions in their at cheap prices in villages such as ours or from big cities such as Mehn. Then he would travel the villages by Devil’s Canyon to sell his inventory of products with trifold net profit. It was a dangerous journey but was worth the try. If he did buy 100 gold worth of herbs in Mehn and after a month and half of travel and trade would reach our village with 300 gold coins. Investing those 300 golds in business and in another months and half would reach Mehn with 900 gold coins. His expenditure was less than 100 golds during the journey. The other 9 months he would stay with his family and spend the money to his heart.

In less than 15 days we reached Devil’s Canyon and trouble knocked our doors on the first day. Two skeleton warriors…

Next: Chapter 09 - In to the pit!