The world as we know it ca to a sudden peace.
There were constant wars on the borders of Cynark, the serpent that rose from the ashes of Rudrain, and the gods that walked the earth. All that chaos, all that death, suddenly ca to an end a decade ago.
It was too sudden, too bizarre, and unnatural to those who can read into the flow of things. But for the mortals that wished for only peace and kind life, it was the best thing that could happen to them.
The struggles of the powerful had little to do with them. When the giants fought, the ants were crushed under their feet. And the amount of deaths and misery that was imparted on the mortals was imnse.
So the last decade was a ti for recompense, it was ti for peace that had been stolen from the world since long ago.
And I, as a part of that chaos, am doing my best to atone for my actions.
"Farhad, co help with this." I currently live in the borders, close to Langfurt. The place where I used to terrorize the enemy soldiers had now turned into my refuge.
I help those who need it, helping them build hos that were destroyed during the war. Recover what they had lost during those days, and even help in farming if need be.
To these farrs who had lost everything, including countless family mbers and their hos, such small acts might make their struggles a bit easier.
Small acts that might help them move on from the tragedies caused by the army... and . "Coming," I spoke, walking a few steps and finding an old guy trying to pitch up a pillar for his thatched roof. His na was Jordan, having old wrinkled white skin, obviously not from Cynark and obviously not a simple guy considering his accent was a bit iffy.
Though, the muscles under his shirt and scars told enough of a story. Its age probably pushed him here, to the villages to find a ho, otherwise this man might still be adventuring around on the seas.
"Thanks for this... it’s becoming harder and harder the older I get." The old man laughed. But I didn’t laugh with him, while asking, "You are the last one who will need my help with this. Why did you call ?" I looked at Jordan, his fake perspiration, his fake tiredness.
He was a liar, though I don’t mind liars like him as long as their actions don’t bring harm to the weak.
It would seem my words did irk him a bit. After a bit of silence, he took a careful approach before continuing. "They asked to familiarize myself with you."
Jordan was a mortal, he had no vitality of a transcendent, nor the sll of a mage. It’s easy how he can hide for so long. If not for to look deep into his muscles from so close, I would have been getting fooled by him until I left for another village.
"They should choose soone young, inexperienced... they are harder to detect." There were many eyes on , obviously considering how hard it was for to hide.
Initially, when I joined the public back, the army, the churches, and many more tried to approach , each claiming their rights over , each wishing to take control of .
But at that point, I have had enough. I wished to make a group of my own, as I promised Rosso, a group that is not like the bastards that keep clawing for power.
It will be a group of my own developed for one purpose. "Did your people don’t get it when I refused to not go back to such life?" My neutrality was my biggest weapon. I allowed people to keep their eyes on , I allowed them to watch from the side as long as they didn’t disturb my actions.
In return, I won’t ever work for anyone else, join any side of war, or bring any harm to others even though I have the strength for it.
But I won’t be a fool as well, if it cos to it, to protect those I deem important, I don’t mind killing again.
It was a threat, a warning. It was a suggestion from that I won’t be anyone’s dog anymore. And unless they wish for losses and the potential of going rogue, they should silently endure as I do my best to make the world better in my own way.
And I had made sure they understand that the threat I possess is far greater than they can ever imagine.
So it was absurd that they would approach in the open like this once again.
"The intention was never to be hidden from your eyes, it was to hide from the eyes of other parties." The man from Azad with his fair skin and sharp tongue spoke, leaving speechless. "Then I expect you understand the chance you are taking."
"I am... but you won’t harm , you are not one of those monsters." At this point in my life, I had already gone over fifty years of age. Although retaining my youth, my age was just going to get greater and greater.
But that barely had any effect on our conversation, I focused on the other aspects of the information I could glean from my eyes currently. "I had heard the cult of Jester has been growing in your land... did he send you?"
"The Jester’s cult? I have nothing to do with them... I haven’t gone to my holand in the last thirty years, so don’t worry about belonging to any cult." The old man spoke of ignorance, he claid to not be part of the cult that Farhad had kept his eyes on, but barely had any hatred in his heart for any longer.
With age cos wisdom, and with wisdom cos understanding, which when matched with a hint of laziness starts making one forget certain emotions they might have once held for their enemy. And my relationship with Jester was far more complicated than that.
But no matter what it was, I don’t owe a thing to him anymore. There is no hatred to speak of, nor any goodwill. I paid my remittance.
But then, what is this man saying?
"Not him?... then who?" I am aware of all those who act as inforrs for different factions, they keep changing depending on the places I go, but I know of their affiliation from sll and actions alone. It’s as if they are part of my life at this point.
Butt his man, his affiliation was in question, there was a reason he predicted the village I will go to next, established an identity there, and then chose to approach white calling to his hut.
Even if his body is powerless, his mind is very sharp, whoever he works for is one lucky fella.
"Your sister, Mister Maisal." At those words, my body started to bubble up, my sister? Was it really my sister, or a lie in order to lead away from this place?
No, how can it be her? I warned her to not approach , I warned her of the danger, and the misery that might befall her if she does so. So why would she do this?
Doesn’t she know, the only reason she is living a peaceful life is due to him?
"What.. what happened?" Whatever it was, whether it be a lie or truth, I needed to know what was going on, I needed to know if she was safe or really needed my help. And depending on the answer, I might have to break my neutrality.
"No need to be serious... it’s just that your sister is expecting a child, twins mind you, she wishes you to be present when they co to this world."
"Huh?"
*******
Far into Azad, a small well where there was little to no water, a young boy slowly climbed into it using a rope and started to fill the little wet mud on his clothes. "It won’t work." Shouted his sister, but the boy didn’t, his mind numb from all the misery he had experienced since his youth.
And now, his youngest was on the verge of death due to not getting any drinking water for the last few months.
"I... I will get so." He spoke, lips dry like a bark, his voice hollow, unlike his older sister.
The loss, he has known it all too well, and no more would he take it anymore.
"Stop it... " Ca a shout, as a few n surrounded the well and looked at the boy. "How dare an untouchable enter our well?" Cursed a few n, who were startled to find the boy inside of it, before turning to look at his sister. "Jinie... I warned you two not to co here... and then you do this?" The man shouted, bringing forward his hatchet.
Scaring the girl.
And causing the boy inside the well to shout. "We are dying... this well is not even used by you anymore..., you... you got those motor wells while we die of thirst. Either give us water... or let drain it out on my own."
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