Chapter 4: The send off._World of swords: a new beginning.

Chapter 4

Honestly it hurt, I had built a good relationship with Friezer, and it wasn’t pleasant to hear that it was going to end just like that. I clenched my hands tightly, but soon released a sigh and nodded. There wasn’t really much I could do. I don’t know what sort of circumstances I’d be In moving forward, just that I’d have to adapt.

“I did talk with the king after hearing more about your story and he did agree to do you a favor… in addition to covering traveling expenses, was there anything you think could help?”

I was truly surprised, I never expected Friezer to help me out so much.

“I’d prefer to stay here…”

Friezer shook his head, “that won’t be possible. The king has heard frequent complaints over the last month. The situation is beginning to boil over into a real problem. The nobles want to cast you out like a penniless beggar, and having you stay might pose a threat to your life. To the king you're a liability.”

I hung my head, “I see…”

I didn’t know what I would need. A weapon would be nice, but I didn’t know how to use one, other than a gun. I reflected on my life for a while. Most of my time was spent in a classroom or studying. I had very little knowledge that could keep me alive.

No, that’s not true. I knew how to hunt. But I knew how to hunt with a gun, not a bow. I could track? I considered for a moment whether or not I would be able to hunt with a bow, but I knew I wasn’t going to be able to, it would take a long time to learn and arrows aren’t always reusable. There were a ton of different things I thought of asking for, but my mind settled on knowledge. Specifically about plants.

“Would it be possible to get a book on plants? For foraging or maybe rudimentary medicinal purposes?” I had a small amount of botanical knowledge basically on the level of what plants I shouldn’t eat, and what plants I definitely shouldn’t eat. Unfortunately, I had no idea if any of it would be helpful here.

“I’ll try.” Friezer said. “Back to the lesson.”

I couldn’t really focus for the most part, a majority of the lesson was actually a review, mostly of important parts. However there was one folklore tale I was more absorbed into.

“There is one specific island south of Braelstorm that we need to cover. It is called the sword bay. The island has rather important historical and mythological significance. The sword bay is what it is known as today, but this isn’t what it was originally called, instead it was called the hero’s refuge.

There was a great hero long ago that fought many monsters and challenged many riddles. His name was once known all around the world but now it is almost all but forgotten. His story ended on the island, in a duel against his son in law. In his dying breath though, he started a tradition of heros being buried on the island with their sword, over time more and more people began to call it the sword bay. Due to this, it is considered neutral ground and is considered a sanctuary, there is but one stipulation, anyone on the island must accept at least one dual to stay on the island.”

He went on more about the great ‘hero’ but the only important information I could remember about him at this point was that he founded the lion kingdom. After he listed off a ton of different names of Herod that had been buried with their swords on the island. All of it went in one ear and out the other. I don’t know anyone who’d be capable of remembering all the names. Especially on the first time listening to them all.

The lesson ended relatively quickly, but I didn’t know if that was because I was unfocused and zoned out, or if it was because the lesson was actually shorter than normal. Nonetheless I was sent to my room for the rest of the day. I was thankful for the lack of negative comments and insults I usually heard. I didn’t know why, but I guessed there was some influence by Friezer. I spent the rest of the day thinking of where I’d go, and what I would do.

I woke up slightly restless and earlier than I’d have liked. I got less sleep than normal, but I decided on where I would go: Elsu. It was a fairly large port town under the elves' control. While we were in the center of the continent the port city was on the eastern coast, as was a majority of the elven cities. There were a couple reasons why I picked the location, the first was that while Friezer essentially suggested not to travel, he was the least opposed to traveling to the elves. There were plenty of other interesting locations but a majority of them happened to be what he called ‘dungeons’, places where adventurers would hunt and kill monsters.

I was curious about what an adventurer did, but it sounded like they were some sort of monster mercenary. I wanted to explore and use my knowledge of archeology to learn about the world. Adventures sounded like they could do plenty of that, but I had very little in the way of combat experience. I second guessed myself wondering if my choice of favor being a book would truly end up paying off but there was nothing I could do about it now. Maids had started to come into the room and removed all of what little stuff I had, and I was escorted out with it.

I spent a short time in a drawing room waiting like a prisoner when Friezer walked in with a massive book. He hefted it onto a nearby table making a heavy thud.

“Not easy to find, thankfully we had three copies, so there was no issue with me taking one. Ludwig’s herbarium of the magical, edible and poisonous.” He tapped the book.

“It’s broad enough to cover foraging, alchemy and to some extent medicinal. Take good care of it, it could be a lifeline for you.” He looked melancholic then, but there wasn’t enough time for me to ask about it.

“Are you ready?” He asked.

I hopped up from my seat and lifted the book. Damn was it heavy, maybe twenty pounds? Then I looked at Friezer, calming and preparing my heart.

“I’m ready.” I said.

Friezer led me out and through the castle, to a garden. He explained it would take a little longer, and that he needed to prepare a couple things. I nodded and browsed the garden. The garden was beautiful. There were many plants I recognized, but many more I did not. The strangest plant in the garden was by far a sort of crystallized flower, each petal had a sheen in a different color and the stem was a mosaic of different patterns and colors that somehow formed a cohesive spiral to the petals. There was also a very dark flower that looked like a rock, with what appeared to be a fine that faintly glowed orange. I could tell the flower was hot, it was placed in its own enclosure and the distance I was at still had the flower radiating heat to me.

I was tempted to look through the book but it would have been troublesome to do so standing, and I wasn't sure when I would be taken away. It turned out, rather soon. Friezer was walking towards me holding a small vial and ushered me closer to him and we walked through the castle once more. I glanced at some tapestries that told of the history, showing the feats of the once great hero. There was a mesmerizing scene of him fighting a hydra, and another of him fighting a giant fish. I wanted to look more but I didn’t want to walk into someone, I wasn’t a guest here anymore.

Finally we reached the castle courtyard where a carriage was prepared. There was a line coach man that sat on the carriage. I admit, I was a little disappointed. I had been hoping for something other than horses but I couldn’t refute their historical utility. Just before I was to board the carriage, Friezer called me to him.

“I know this isn’t a good send off, and not a good representation of our kingdom nor how we treat guests, I’d like to apologize, hopefully in the future we’ll have better accommodations for you.”

I felt a little stupefied, “considering the abruptness of my arrival here I’d say you have been rather kind. I know my knowledge is skewed in a niche direction.”

Friezer shook his head, “there was not enough time to make that judgment call.”

“Are we all ready?” The driver called, a little impatient.

“Yes, one moment!” Friezer flashed anger, but hid it away. “Before you leave I have a gift for you, normally we bless our children shortly after birth but there are unique cases such as yours where one doesn’t get blessed.”

“A blessing?” I asked, my face contorting in confusion.

“Yes, think of it as a gift.” He took out the vial, unscrewed the crystal top and dropped the contents on his index and thumb.

“May the goddess bless your travels, your talents, and all the days you walk. May the goddess bless you in your own way as a unique soul.” He raised his hand to my head and tapped my forehead with his index.

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“Close your eyes.” I did as he asked and he tapped each eye with whatever the liquid was, I felt a faint tingling and warmth, and once I opened my eyes the world was blurry. I felt a headache coming.

“A blessing? Are you sure?” I asked while rubbing my forehead.

“It may take some time for its effects to appear, the effects are unique to each person.” He pocketed the vial, trading it with a small coin pouch.

“Some money for your travels, a couple of silver lions, ten gold lions and one gold dragon. It should last you the entire journey and then some.” He tossed the bag at me, it clinked once I caught it.

I didn’t know how much it truly was, just that it should have been a lot.

“Thank you.” I started to choke up but I stifled it and turned to get on the carriage.

“Good luck.” Friezer said.

“Thanks.”