Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
Vir had spent so many cycles in the Godshollow that he could almost navigate it blindfolded during the day. At night? That was a whole different story.
As he plodded through the inky darkness, boots crunching twigs and leaves underfoot, Vir felt like he was in completely foreign surroundings. Majestic trees that shouldve signposted his way stood sinister and foreboding, the feeble light of his lantern making them seem even taller and grander than they really were.
Forget Maiyawhose jitters made her lantern shake and trembleeven he was getting goosebumps, and that was with Rudvik leading the way alongside Neel. Even the bandy stuck closer to the group than usual, warily eyeing the pitch-black wilderness as they walked.
And the voices! The din of the forests chatter genuinely spooked Vir. There was a power in these woods. Sothing ancient and very deep. It was all he could do to put one foot in front of the other, slowly penetrating the oppressive blackness. He wondered whether hed made a terrible mistake.
Alright, we make camp ere, Rudvik said, breaking the oppressive silence.
Here? Maiya squeaked at the thought of stopping in such a foreboding location, but Vir was secretly relieved. Hed hit the limit of his ager stamina a long ti ago. If Rudvik hadnt called for a break soon, Vir wouldvewell, hed just have walked until he collapsed of exhaustion.
Rudvik bellowed a laugh that echoed through the silent woods, making both Maiya and Vir flinch and look into the darkness. Their gazes were returned only by silence.
Sonly gonna get darker and scarier the deeper we go, Crimson. This heres a fine spot. As good as any, he said, throwing down his bundle of logs and cracking his shoulder.
Maiya only just noticed the heavy wood Rudvik had been carrying all along. Whyd you bring firewood when theres wood all around us? She asked.
Gatherin firewoods no simple task, lass. Hard nuff during the day. Downright dangerous at night. Not ta ntion all the sweat youll shed.
Maiya wrinkled her nose. Whys that bad?
Vir spoke up. When your sweat cools off, you get cold. Really cold. And theres no easy way to recover from that.
Weve all grown used to our utility magic, so most people never even realize it, Rudvik said with a nod. Wed be up for hours gatherin n choppin wood. Aint that right, Vir?
Vir nodded vigorously. People always underestimate how much fuel you need for a fire. Its a lot of work. A lot, he said, thinking back to all the tis hed helped Rudvik prepare firewood for the villagers.
Rudvik cleared the area of vegetation and set rocks around the fires periphery, while Vir got to work shaving the fire logs. Their loyal brown-and-white bandy did his part too, circling the campsite, proudly claiming his ownership of the area.
Maiya stood with a blank look for a mont before slapping her face. That seed to break her out of her trance, and she helped Vir with the fire preparations.
I may not be a lumberjack, but I know how to start a fire. Well, with magic, at least, she added.
Thanks to Rudviks D Grade Magic Heat orb, they had a fire going in no ti. Vir always carried flint and steel with him, but lighting a fire from a spark was not a straightforward task. In fact, itd taken him a solid month of practice to learn how to get a fire going with that thod. Most people would find it impossible, even with bone dry tinder.
Magic Heat made the task trivial. Once activated, the orb grew slowly hotter until the tinder combusted automatically. It took almost no skill at all apart from powering the orb with prana, of course.
Awwright! Maiya shouted the mont the fire had stabilized.
It always amazed Vir just how much peace of mind a roaring fire brought with it. Nevermind the heat it gave off; there was sothing srizing about Adinats gift to the world.
In the past, hed gotten so absorbed by the endless dance of the flas that tens of minutes would pass by without him noticing. And of course, fire had a myriad of uses as well. It kept predators at bay, could be used to cook food and boil water, and provided a far superior source of light than their ager lanterns. Though in the Godshollow, the fires bright light only seed to make the shadows longer, the darkness deeper
How long do we have, do you reckon? Vir asked.
Rudvik stroked his beard. His eyes glowed with the reflection of the flas, giving him a nacing appearance. Well, Apramors gonna give us a diversion. Oughta give us a few days least. Even then, not like those tinheads know their way round this forest. A stranger cant jes waltz right in n find us. No matter how well trained they be.
Vir found his fathers confidence comforting. Others mightve called him overconfident, but Vir knew better. He was sure that his father could track and navigate through these woods better than any Hiranyanknight or not.
But where are we gonna go? Asked Maiya. Were not planning on staying in the forest very long, right?
Viridian Coast, Rudvik grunted. Safest options ta leave Hiranya for a country that uh, thats less devout.
Less devout, Maiya contemplated, tapping her chin. Well, Sai to the north is pretty religious, so, Rani, then?
Indeed, Rudvik said, giving her an appraising look while stirring a pot over the campfire. Camp food always tasted better to Vir, though he never knew why. Maybe it was the company
I dont follow, said Vir.
Rani Queendoms to the south. Mom hasnt taught you geography yet, so I guess you wouldnt know although you really should, Maiya said.
She was right. Virs knowledge of geography was sorely lacking, but that was because he never thought hed need it. Most Brij folk hadnt even gone as far as the Godshollow, so what use was there learning about far-off kingdoms and empires?
The Rani Queendoms known for its pacifism and thriving trade industry. Unlike our kingdom, theyre considered extrely wealthy.
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Huh Vir said, thinking it over. Sothing didnt fit right, though. Howre they able to be peaceful in a world like ours? Everyones always talking about war. Youd think theyd just be overrun by another country, right?
Maiya nodded smugly. Exactly. Its intriguing, isnt it? Vir knew what was coming. Maiya never failed to educate him when she knew more about sothing.
Sure enough, what followed was a clear and concise explanation. You see, Ranis built trade networks that span the world. They single-handedly hold up the economies of several countries, including Kinjal, whod be their biggest threat. There are rumors that they even have relations with the Pagan Order, but thats a little hard to believe. Nobody in their right mind would ever deal with those zealots.
Hmm Vir said. He was honestly not very interested in this topic, but he didnt have the heart to tell his friend that.
Luckily, Rudvik spared him from having to play along. Roll in dirt n call an Ashva, Crimson! Your old mans taught you well! Thas even more n I know!
Maiya predictably turned crimson. Shed always been weak against complints.
I-its nothing. Its not that impressive, really! Aha! Ha! Ha! she said awkwardly. Vir rolled his eyes. Hed lost count of the number of tis this exact sequence had played out.
Theres a small dock on the Viridian Coast west o da Godshollow. rchants berth there sotis. Ever seen foreigners co to the village through de forest? That be sailing rchants lookin to trade. Pray to Yuma that a ship bound fer Zorin picks us up afore those knights find us.
Vir and Maiya exchanged a look. So many things had to go right for that to happen.
How far is it to Zorin? Vir asked.
Weeks journey by boat. A few days less with a pranasail, though I dont reckon well happen across onea those, Rudvik said, passing around wooden bowls for Vir and Maiya.
Dinner was a simple affair; reheated lentil soup with a side of wheat bread. Vir relished the al, tearing into the hard bread after dipping it into the soup. Neel, whod grown bored of the fire, imdiately perked up when he realized it was dinnerti. Rudvik threw the bandy so dried at, which Neel imdiately pounced on.
Maiya reached for a log to feed the fire, but Rudvik held her off. Fires a great thing for stayin warm n keeping predators at bay. But youd be amazed at how far a fires light travels, even ere in these woods. Wed best keep the fire as small spossible.
Why take the risk at all, then? Maiya asked.
Rudvik pointed to the dozen smooth rocks hed placed near the fire. Without heat, wed freeze to death overnight. Dont have much of a choice, really. Magic Heats good for startin fires, but a single orb aint enough ta keep all o us warm. The hot rocks will keep the heat. Well bury them under de tent for the night. With dat, the three of us all oughta keep the tent nice n toasty, eh?
The lumberjack visibly cald the nervous Maiya, but to Vir, it felt like his father had suddenly beco a little nervous. It wasnt obvious enough for most people to pick up, but Vir had spent more ti with him than anyone in the village. He could tell.
Crimson, sorry ta ask a favor of ya, but would you mind pitchin the tent? Think you know how
Maiya glanced at Rudvik, then at Vir, quickly grasping the situation. She set down her empty bowl and stood up, dusting off her pants. Leave it to ! Cmon Neel. Lets get to it.
The bandy barked and wagged his long tail.
As Maiya rummaged through their packs several paces away, Rudvik sidled up to Vir.
Whats going on? Youre never like this, Vir said with narrowed eyes.
Rudvik laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head. Then he fell silent. Vir grew even more suspicious.
I gotta tell ya sothin. Its Sotis a man has regrets so deep he buries them. Tries ta forget bout em. But then it all cos boilin up n overflows the pot.
Wheres this coming from?
Ahv neer treated ya like my own son, Vir. I regret that, yknow? Truly do.
Huh? What in Chals na are you talking about? Youve done so much, taking in. Even when
Even when Ahm dirt poor? Rudvik said with a grimace.
No! I an, I know it was hard on you. I just wanted to help you. To pitch in, yknow? But now I dont even know where were going. I never planned for this.
Rudvik chuckled. Neer planned on Hiranyan Knights huntin ya down, did ya?
Vir realized how ridiculous his words sounded. Just yesterday, his entire world was the village. His greatest problem was how he couldnt use magic, and how the village kids never included him in their clique. Everything was different, now. Now, hed give anything to have those problems back.
Anyway, Rudvik continued, Not makin excuses or nuthin, but I just Every ti I think about this, Vir, I think back to the day I found ya, right here in these woods.
Rudvik had, of course, shared this story with Vir before. You found in a basket, right? With a na card?
Rudvik took a deep breath. Not exactly
Vir waited for him to continue, but the lumberjack fell silent. Just when the silence grew awkward, the man continued.
I well, grak it, Ill just co out n say it. I was deep in the Godshollow that day. Just n the Ashva. Then I hear this thunderin. A deep rumbling in the woods. The beast, or whatever it was, was makin no attempt to be quiet. Could hear it a mile away, felt like. For a brief mont, I thought it was the Ghost of Godshollow
Vir leaned forward, eager to hear every word.
An outta the woods he cos a great red skinned giant of a man. Im pretty tall self, and I only ca up to his chest.
A giant? Vir began to wonder whether this father was pulling his leg. This was the right setting for a campfire horror story after all
Theres more. This giant, he had four arms.
Four arms Vir deadpanned.
Ye. Four great trunks. In two, he held a vicious lookin greatsword. In another, a tower shield. And in the last you. Thought I was done for, I really did. Stord right up to . Looked up n down, like a predator eyein its next al.
Vir gulped. If Rudviks story was trueand he never knew the lumberjack to spread tall talesthen hed been lucky to get away alive.
The giant bares his teeth at . The words he spoke nextve haunted my dreams ever since. I burned them inta my head, I did, Rudvik said, tapping his head. Human. Be honored, for I have chosen you. Raise this boy as your own. Nurture him. Ensure he achieves his great potential. Protect him, even at the cost of your own life. One day, I shall return to retrieve him. If I find that he is weak and powerless, I will burn your village to the ground. Then I will cut off your head and place it on a pike for the world to see.
Rudvik paused. Damn near pissed my pants.
Vir found it interesting that this giant only cared that he was raised strong, rather than with love or anything else. Does that an I'm weaker than I ought to be? Can I grow stronger? But how?
What did you say to him? He asked.
Nuthin. Just nodded as hard as I could. Dropped to my knees n prostrated.
You did what!? Vir couldnt imagine his father bowing to anyone, let alone prostrating. Did he control your mind or sothing?
Rudvik shook his head. No. thoughts were own. But Vir, ya dont understand. That giant That being was not of this realm. It was a fearso thing. Had a kind of aura. rely bein in its presence, I could hardly stand. Like weight had grown thrice over. It he he felt like a livin god. Like Janak or Adinat. He was all covered in strange tattoos that glowed. He paused again. I did the only thing a sane man would do.
What was his na?
Didnt say. Didnt say yer na either. Just handed ya ta n took off. Like he was bein chased. But what could possibly hunt such a being? I dont know. Dont wanna know. Took ya n hightailed it out of da woods. Didnt venture in for a good long month. Sides, was a bit preoccupied with you n all.
Then, Vir whispered, my na is
Make no mistake, Vir. Threat or no, I wouldnta left ya there, even if hed abandoned ya. You Ya were a blessing. Th-the child I never had. As ya know, yer mum died during childbirth. The child was Stillborn, the midwife called it. Was the darkest day of life
Vir never knew.
Rudvik cleared his throat. But wed already nad the child ysee. He was gonna be the best darned kid Brij had ever seen. The Bravest of the Brave. The Undaunted. Ekavir.
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