Three days later, I was woken up to the usual giggle of Strawberry as she and Blueberry came to deliver me breakfast. Blueberry was starting to trust me as I seemed to reassure her that I was not here to harm her. Today, she was the one who was checking my wound and changing the bandages if needed. Strawberry was on the other side of her, fixing the food on the tray before placing it on my lap.
"Morning Mr. Tristain! Are you feeling better?" Strawberry asked, chipper as usual.
"Yeah, thank you, Strawberry. And I told you, you can call me Tristain." I chuckled as I took a big bite of the rice porridge. After swallowing the warm food, I cleared my throat, " Actually, girls, can you tell the High Priestess that I am ready to head out. I don't want to take up any more space here."
Blueberry perked up as Strawberry beamed before grabbing her sister's hand. "Sure thing Mr.Tristain! We'll go tell Mathair!"
"Mathair?" I questioned but was unable to get a reply from the girls as they had already run out of the room, leaving me to finish my meal in silence.
A while later there was a knock on the post by my door. May stepped in, smiling kindly.
"I hear that you are ready to go." She said, matter-of-factly. I nodded, swinging my legs over the edge of my bed.
"Yes, but first I need gear. What happened to my old gear?" I asked.
"We had to dispose of it. Not only was it covered in blood but the Ocril Paladins believe that you betrayed your oath and your men. Your sword was also wedged so deep into the floor that we were unable to pull it out. It's best that you get new armor." May shrugged. "Luckily, our village has a great blacksmith who should have everything you need. The girls can guide you around."
May dug into one of the pouches on her pelt, producing a medium-sized dark green velvet bag. She tossed it to me and smiled as I caught it in one hand. The bag was surprisingly very heavy despite its appearance.
"This should do for the gear. The girls will pick out the rations." May said, light-heartedly. I gave her a puzzling look as she bowed. "Now I must leave you in their care. I have important matters to attend to. We will meet again before you go."
I nodded and gave her a simple farewell. Once again I was alone in the room. A part of me was upset that my gear was destroyed without my knowledge or permission. But holding the heavy bag in my hand gave me a bit of comfort and a little excitement in finding better equipment. Before I could think about trying to get outside, Strawberry and Blueberry ran back into the room. Both girls were smiling from ear to ear in excitement. They grabbed one hand each and started pulling me off the bed.
"Come on! We want to show you all the cool places we like to go in the village!" Strawberry said excitedly. Blueberry nodded quietly as she tugged just as hard as her sister.
"Alright you two, ease up. I'm following you!" A laugh slipped between my words. I stopped for a moment, how long had it been since I laughed? Filing through my memories left me with nothing to note, except for years ago when I was with Rea and Caldon.
But I had no time for recollection as the twins ushered me out the curtain and into the hallway. The ginormous oak had its walls carved ornately as small orbs, what seemed like Fae or spirits, dance around each corner, glowing brightly and acting as a source of light for the tree. We walked down the spiraling staircase, covered in moss and hanging ivy, that led into a wide chamber. It bustled with the sounds of life as witches, young and old of various species and genders chatted among themselves as they hurried their way through the spider web array of corridors and portals that seemed to lead everywhere and nowhere.
"How long has this been here?" I pondered out loud. The girls, not stopping in their rush to go into the town, giggled. I could not tell if they were laughing at me or the question at hand.
"You never really left your home village did you?" Blueberry scoffed.
"Deirfiur, I think you already know that answer!" Strawberry gently slapped her on the arm while laughing. She then turned to me as her sister pushed open the large wooden doors.
"This tree has been here as long as Yggdrasil has supported the earth and heavens. There are many more trees like ours around the world that are homes for witches. They all connect to the world tree and supply us with magic. Each tree supplies different variants of magic. The Grand Oak supplies us, and the other witches here, with more potent abilities in healing and spirit work." Strawberry explained as she pointed to the orbs above the door, " Every orb here is the spirit of a deceased witch or villager from town. They come here to seek refuge and help us in our studies. It's basic knowledge really."
I gave her a blank stare as we crossed the threshold and onto the stone entranceway. It felt like trying to wrap my head around it all would only lead to more confusion and more time wasted if I had to sit with them and learn what I seemed to have missed within my entire childhood.
Turning back to the task at hand, the twins lead me to a quaint stone building near the entrance of the town. Two sets of chimneys jutted out into the azure sky, billowing out plumes of white smoke. A chorus of hammers pounding on metal rang out every time the door was open. Above the door hung a large wooden sign. Painted on was two crossed hammers with an anvil between them with 'Brothers Forge' written beneath in black paint.
"Sorry Tristain, but this is where we have to part for now." Strawberry said as Blueberry covered her ears, "Meet us back at the oak when you're done!" She waved as the two of them ran off in the opposite direction.
I glanced over at the wooden door that seemed to loom over me with great might. It wasn't the first time I had been to a blacksmith but I somehow felt so small without my sword.
Taking a deep breath, I mustered up the courage to grab ahold of the wrought iron ring and pull it open. The door was a lot heavier than I imagined and it took more than my weight to get it open.
Once inside, the place seemed like any normal shop. Metalworkers of different kinds wiped the sweat from their brows as they hunched over hot fires and pounded out knots in molten metal.
"Well hello there boy, what are you doing in a place like this?" Came a hearty voice from one of the doors on the side. A tall, muscular woman with a large hammer resting on her shoulder smiled at me.
"Uh, I'm Tristain. I was told I could find new equipment here." I shouted, wondering if she could hear me or not.
"No need to shout kiddo. We have a spell active that allows us to hear normally despite the noise." She said as she walked over to me.
"Huh, alright that's good to know. Are you the owner?" I asked her, trying not to let the fact that she was calling me a kid get to me.
"No, Names Hagira, I make sure everyone and the shop is running while my wife is on errands. She's the real owner here." The woman said, her smile full of love.
"Oh, can you help me then? I need new Paladin armor and a sword." I asked.
"Well we can make it here for you but it will cost you a pretty penny and about a month of time to be able to finish it. If you need it to be brand new." She said, looking over to one of the women at one of the furnaces. I shook my head in dismay.
"As nice as it would be to have a brand new set, do you have anything pre-made or what was sold to you?" I put my hands on my hips, "I don't really have much time as I leave tonight."
"Ah I see", Hagira said as she walked back to the door that she had originally walked out from, "Lucky for you, we had a person walk in and sell us an older Paladin set. It's a bit ornate but it's from the Mesmoewana Paladin's Guild. That should tell you how good of quality it is." She said, pulling out what seemed like a heap of metal with gold trim along the edges. The chest piece was scratched and worn in several places but the metal gave no sign of breaking. Attached was an old burgundy cape that was fastened to the metal with a gold chain.
"This is what they wear in Mesmoewana?" I said, not even trying to hide my shock. "It's a bit elaborate don't you think?"
"Ha! Don't be surprised kid, these Paladin's come from a mineral-rich country that is prized for their metal and mechanical work. This set is at least thirty years old, you should see the ones they wear now!" Her laugh boomed across the shop as some of the other workers chuckled.
"Listen, son, I'll cut you a deal, 20 gold coins and I'll throw in one of our premade custom swords for you. We can't keep this armor, it's not worth much." Hagira said as she leaned down at me. I was taken back at the price to fully comprehend what she was leading on about. Not one to turn down a deal for such an elaborate suit, I untied the coin pouch that hung on my belt.
"Smart kid you are!" She laughed as she effortlessly dropped the armor into my outstretched arms in the same motion she took my coins. Hagira disappeared behind a door before I could regain my composure at the shock of how light the metal was despite its appearance.
Seconds later, Hagira came back with a sword wrapped delicately in cloth. She unveiled it dramatically to reveal a sharp single-handed sword. The polished metal glistened in the firelight as though it were alive. My eyes must have been open wide as she handed the sword to me carefully.
"This was the last sword we created about a few days ago. There's a saying among us blacksmiths that the sword chooses its master and not the other way around. I could tell when you walked in that this was the perfect fit for you." Her voice was filled with such kindness that I could feel tears coming to my eyes.
"T-thank you. This is the most beautiful sword I've ever seen." I said, taking it in my hands. I grabbed the handle and swished it around in the open. The blade's sharpness was so fine that it seemed to cut whatever dust could be floating in the open air with ease.
With that, I slid the sword into the hilt that came with the armor. Hagira led me to an open room for me to put on the newly purchased armor. It took a bit of time but after some adjustment, the armor fit almost perfectly.
"Hm, I would even say this was made for you too." She commented nonchalantly as she helped tighten the straps at the side of the chest plate.
"Yeah, when did you say that this came in? Do you remember who sold it to you?" I asked out of curiosity.
"You bet I remember every face that comes into my darlings shop. It was about a week ago, some general from out of town and his assistant came in here. Didn't get their names but now I see how they would have gotten ahold of this." She huffed and stretched her back.
"A general? Is there another battle about to happen?" I asked.
"Not sure, rumor has it though that some clans in the eastern parts of Echos are gathering beasts and mythic's together and marching through parts of the Aplos and Ocril villages. But it could be old news, the last time that happened was about six years ago." Hagira said as she held open the door for me.
"As far as I am concerned, if it doesn't hit the town, then it's none of my business." She said as I stepped out into the mid-afternoon sun.
"Hm, If anything, it should be something I look out for to avoid. Any idea who is leading it?" I asked somberly. For some reason, I didn't like Hagira's nonchalant attitude to something that could be devastating to so many people.
"Travellers, refugees I guess, say that it's led by some half Valkyrie. A real wild one at that. And if it's true what they say, she's stronger than the Demon of the Mes." She finished as she waved at a tiny woman off at the distance. "Now I better get going. My love is back and I've been missing her dearly."
I nodded and turned away as a high-pitched voice laughed. With the amount of information I was given, I still had so many questions left unanswered.
It didn't take me long to get back to the entrance of The Great Oak. As I approached, I noticed the twins giggling and running around the smaller trees nearby as May sat on the steps smiling with them. A pang of nostalgia, followed by the bitter taste of loneliness hit me unexpectedly as the memories of my own mother and the time I spent with Caldon and his family came flooding back to me. I still didn't know if my own mother was alive all this time.
The sounds of my footsteps seemed to catch May's attention as she turned towards me. Her face flushed to anger slightly before returning to that warm motherly smile.
"I see Hagira had the perfect thing for you. Did you get everything you needed from her?" May asked as she looked over the armor with disdain.
"It's a bit elaborate but it fits well," I said, turning around for her to see it all. "Apparently, some general sold it to her about a week or so ago. Do you happen to know who that might be?"
"Unfortunately so. I told him to go straight to the entrance and never return but even I can't stop that demon." May sighed and she gestured for the girls to come back.
"Hagira said something similar. About some demon of the Mes. Would this be the same person?" I tried to ask.
May pursed her lips for a moment, deciding whether or not to answer as the twins climbed into her lap.
"I think, for now, it's best not to tell you. However, if you do come across a man named Daemun or his assistance, Annalis, run in the opposite direction. And if he catches you, don't try and bribe your way out, death is a better option than dealing with him." She finally said as she stroked the heads of both children. I was taken a bit aback by what she said. A part of me wished I knew what had happened for her to come to such conclusions but something in the back of my mind pushed me to let it go.
We sat on the stone steps in silence for a few moments until a cool updraft twisted the leaves and dust around in a tornado-like fashion. The sounds of leathery wings beating against the sky thundered around the plaza as a large silver beast dropped in from above.
Never have I encountered such a thing, I jumped up and grabbed my sword before May's firm and authoritative hand stopped me in my tracks. She laughed in the face of the beast as it lowered its large head to her, piercing ice-blue eyes staring back at the giggling High Priestess.
"Ah, Aeine, you are as majestic and timeless as always. Hopefully, Katijera hasn't been working you too hard my sweet." May giggled as she hugged the head of the strange creature. The creature seemed to snort a response, its breath quite frigid despite the summer heat.
"Did I just hear you talk shit about me to my own dragon, May?" A voice came from above as a woman jumped from the back of the dragon. I was still in shock as I had never seen a dragon in real life, I thought those were just tales that the travelers from Echos would talk about.
"That's High Priestess of the Kyteler Clan, part of the Dyer Coven May to you Katijera!" May laughed as she brought the woman in a warm hug.
"You know too well that I will never call you by that title." Katijera laughed as she pulled from the hug and turned toward the twins, "Now come here you two Fae children. You've grown up so fast!"
"Aunty Kat!" The twins said in unison as they ran towards the woman, reuniting what seemed like a little family. May then turned back at me and gestured to come closer.
"Tristain, this is my best friend Katijera. She is a Dragon Rider from northeastern Aplos. She and her dragon, Aeine, will be your transportation this evening." Her tone was friendly as Katijera extended a hand towards me.
"Nice to meet you, Tristan! No need to fear Aeine, she won't bite but I might." Katijera laughed as she gave my hand a hard shake. It gave me a moment to get a better look at her, now that she wasn't surrounded by the energetic family.
Her thick black hair was braided and placed over her shoulder, small pieces of silver and chain twisted in and out along with it. On her head sat what seemed like a tiara made of metal decorated with small dragon scales similar in color.
Dark brown eyes smiled back at me on lovely brown skin. But I couldn't help but notice what little armor she was wearing. For someone who was never without her dragon, Katijera wore what seemed like the breast part of a chest plate that acted no less than an undergarment and a chainmail skirt with bits of layered metal to give it a similar look of scales that decorated her tiara.
"Something catches your eye, Paladin?" Katijera asked a hint of laughter in her voice. My face must have flushed a bit as May laughed.
"I think he notices the gift that your husband gave you." May chuckled.
"Wife now, she finally realized there was more to her than she was before." Katijera smiled proudly, "Well, if that is what you're looking at, Tristan, I'm sad to say that she's full-on orders for the time being."
I heard May in the back saying 'Oh good for her!' Before I spoke.
"How is that going to protect you? Your midsection is exposed?" I asked, lost at how this was suitable armor for battle. Katijera gave me a boisterous laugh.
"Oh, my gods! Ok, Tristan, take out your sword." She said as she pointed to my weapon. I did so reluctantly, confused and curious at what she was trying to get me to do.
"Ah, good man, now I want you to stab me with it." She said, her brown eyes dancing with excitement. I stepped back in shock, what exactly was this stranger asking me to do?
"I-I… are you sure?" I stammered. May nodded approvingly behind Katijera's shoulder as the Dragon Riders' smiles grew wider.
I drew my arm back, only to hesitate for a moment. The thought of my first murder running through my mind made my hand shake slightly. I didn't want to hurt this woman, but why was she so eager for me to kill her? My hesitation seemed to have caught Katijera's eye. Shaking her head, she raised her hand to stop me, leading me to lower my sword.
"No need to be frightened, Tristan. I see you really don't want to do that so I'll show you." Katijera's voice went from joking to caring as she brought up her raised hand and slapped her midsection with as much force she could.
The sound of flesh hitting hearty metal rang from where it should have been skin. I gawked at her as her bright personality came back as she laughed so hard I almost had to catch her from falling.
"Her wife makes a rare kind of armor for the Dragon Riders all over the continent. Since Dragon Riders only control the dragons and are usually weaponless for safety purposes, many Dragon Riders often opt for high durability armor." May said as she walked up and put a hand on Katijera's shoulder. Katijera huffed a bit before finally catching her breath.
"Since Aplos doesn't have the resources for such like the Mes does, the high council opted for special trades that allowed the Mes to sell their metal and mechanical works, Aplos to supply herbs and other ingredients for medicine and magic, Ocril for industrial needs such as farming, lumber, and ore mining, and lastly Echos to summon beasts such as Dragons for various purposes. Basic education really." Katijera chimed in. I got a bit lost by her explanation and very insulted. Did everyone in the Grand Oak village despise me for my lack of education? I learned everything I needed to survive in the Ocril wilds with a bit of education in reading and writing to get me by.
"Anyway, my wife makes world-renowned armor with Illusionary magic. It can change the appearance of what the wearer feels like. It's quite popular with Dragon Riders as we can fit it to the aesthetic we like with our dragons." Katijera continued as she gestured to her armor.
"Since Aplos is a hot and humid country and Aeine is an Ice Dragon, I thought it would be best to reflect Aplos's style with the colors of my dragon." She said as she twirled around to show me.
"Ah, that sounds reasonable, I guess. Maybe I might pick up some armor from your wife sometime." I said, intrigued by enchanted armor.
"Well, now that you two have made yourselves better acquaintances, I think it's time for you two to head out," May said as she glanced up at the sky. I hadn't noticed during our conversation that the afternoon sky had slowly faded into a gentle array of oranges and pink as the trees and buildings began to turn into silhouettes of themselves.
"Right, but I think it's great we are leaving under the cover of darkness. You never know who would be following us." Katijera said as she walked over to Aeine and tightened the strap on the large packs that hung on the dragon's sides. I looked over at May, about to ask for my direction when she spoke.
"This is the only clue I have for you that might help in finding a way to cure your friend. You will need to head north to Echos. There's an ancient tale of eight divine sisters that reside in a village on the most northern tip of the country. I know old tales are not much to go by but from what you told me of your predicament, it is probably your best bet." May said as she clung to her children. Katijera nodded.
"I can only take you so far as well. Aeine may be an Ice Dragon, but the northern provinces of Echos are hostile and largely inhabitable. Even if she could fly up there, we risk losing our lives by just flying over it from the sheer cold." Katijera said as she leaned back against the dragon. "That's why I'm dropping you off at Ustad's current location."
"Ustad? Is that a city?" I asked.
"It's a nomadic village and one of the least dangerous ones, for outsiders at least. The head of Ustad might be able to point you in the direction you need to go." Katijera said calmly. She gave no more hints as to what this village would entail and she wasted no time after her comment to hop onto the back of Aeine.
"Well, May, it was great to see you again! You girls keep your mom out of trouble, you hear?" Katijera laughed as she grabbed my hand. Her strength was greater than she appeared to be as she threw me over Aeine's leg and onto her back with ease. The twins waved me farewell as Aeine beat her leathery wings before launching into the sinking sky.