The winter became a great time for Feren to learn some archery. While Tarron was always happy to give tips, it wouldn't be until the spring festival until he could join the older kids. Page kept him busy otherwise by helping prepare hides and meat, he wasn't large enough to do much but it kept him busy and Page always seemed to enjoy the company.
The old man had let a few titbits about himself slip like, he had fought in a war or, he'd travelled to Reazland in the barbaric north for trade. Apparently, they would go early autumn next year for trade as Page could always do with more money with another mouth to feed.
Andrew had gone to his father and was getting extra lessons in the sword. While his mum was against it she never stopped it as knowing how to defend yourself was more important. Any time you mentioned Old Kim he would curse her out with a new colourful selection of words and if you mentioned dancing you could expect another insult coming your way.
Last time Feren had teased Andrew it had gone something like, "Granny-loving toad wart." From what he could tell most of the insults were from his father John Steele who was rather creative in his language.
Amy was taking more time in her studies, apparently it was important for the selection in the Spring if she wanted to get out of the small town. There were a few scholarships to some schools in the capital. Feren had just started going to one before moving so while the descriptions helped keep her motivated he couldn't help much in her studies. She had become more adept in magic than he had been with his first class education and with Old Kim's tutoring she was becoming something special.
He on his part had started going to Old Kim to talk about herbs, they had made an arrangement for him to come round in the spring to help with her work. It had taken some convincing by Page, but it seemed she would teach him some healing in the mornings.
It was during one of these morning sessions when Page called him from the garden.
"Feren, we're going into the forest today," he shouted.
He knew it was coming but there was still a cold sweat on his back, the forest had only shown him terror.
"Don't worry deary. That old man can protect you," Kim said reassuringly. "I might get some more work done without you pestering me here as well."
Feren took a deep breath to gather his courage, he was seven this year. That milestone should be enough to know he's different now, things will be different this time.
It was then when a black cat crept out from Feren's shadow and nudged his leg. "That beast has no chance against the likes of Page and me."
Feren knelt town and tussled Kabe's messy fur, "Thanks."
Closing the garden gate behind him he went round to Page who seemed to be double checking his equipment. He looked Feren up and down with a dissatisfied look.
"We're going into town first, I have a few things to pick up."
Feren was led by Page down the hill to the outskirts until they reached the smithy. William the old priest was meditating outside with a new ragged beard having taken form over his robes. The priests did this to try and speak to Accor though it had never happened in modern times.
"What does an old fool like you want with the Steele family," Page grumbled annoyed. The animosity was palpable.
"I want to help in the boys swordsmanship, he clearly has a talent," William replied without looking up.
"What can you teach him that his old man cannot. John was a fierce knight in his time, I saw him take down too great a number that thought a country fellow like him would be weak."
"The sword isn't all about technique, I believe faith is necessary as well."
The veins on Page's forehead bulged. "Your religion is it? The one where you follow a tyrant god who only has to speak for you to obey."
The priest chose this time to stand up and look Page in the eye, his expression turned from anger at this man for belittling Accor to one of understanding as he saw the pain in Page's eyes.
"I'd heard this town was unorthodox in it's beliefs but now I see there might be a reason for this," William said bowing. "I'm sorry for what the church may have done in the past, I can say that I only want to do good by this town. I only want to help."
"If you want to help then leave this town," Page roared at him.
Feren flinched and pulled Page's sleeve slightly. This was starting to get too confusing for him to follow, what could the church have done to garner the wrath of such a man? He'd only heard good from the church.
William just continued bowing. "I see you have grievances towards the church, I can only apologize for our actions. I feel it necessary to correct you on something though."
Page's eyes had a veritable rage behind them now. "You and your kind have never said anything but lies to us. I have nothing more to say to you."
They started walking past only for William to block their way, he moved so quickly Feren couldn't follow, Page had already drawn a dagger reflexively to ward off this attack.
"The Odists cannot teach Andrew swordsmanship," William admitted. "I speak of the beliefs held in Sta Kor, I trained there for a long time and I believe the two beliefs can be brought together."
Page loosened his dagger, "you speak of heresy awfully casually for a priest."
William slumped over a bit dejected at this. "I was thrown out of the church for my beliefs, it is why I came to this village as it has certain protections from the church. While I may believe in Accor I cannot fight for Accor and the church, it has strayed from the path I seek to follow."
Page quickly put his dagger away and laughed, it was a small one but the unease between them seemed to have lifted from it.
"I'm the hunter Page," he said extending his hand.
"I'm an exiled priest called William," he said taking the hand.
"While in this village you have its protection and freedom, not even the Baron residing over us has ever tried to break this. You must have had a challenging life to end up like this here, you are always welcome to talk to me on the cottage at the top of the hill."
William smiled, "I think I'll take you up on that sometime. It can never hurt to have someone like you as a friend."
Page and Feren took their leave after this but the conversation had only left Feren more confused.
"How can you believe in Accor and something else entirely," Feren asked when they were out of earshot of the priest.
Page took a second to answer, "Sta Kor used to believe in something else called Bavenism, they believed in themselves and with discipline they could reach the next life as better people. This was intertwined with their deep culture of swordsmanship so they had some great swordsmen. As you can see there is no deity involved so it may be possible to follow both ways of life though it would be a hard task."
"If there is no god, is there even a religion?" Feren pondered.
"I think that a god doesn't make a religion, or a way of life. When your older you'll begin to think about these things yourself and you'll find an answer. I think it's more important to think critically, and always question if what your doing is kind and right."
Feren was starting to overthink; it was becoming too much for him. While he wanted an answer Page had just given him more to think about, it wasn't satisfying at all, but it didn't look like he'd elaborate.
"Okay," he replied looking a bit dejected.
"These are big questions with a lot of answers, you have your whole life to come up with an answer," Page said. "On the other hand, we're here."
They entered the shop and were greeted by a variety of cloth hanging on the walls and there was a young man in the centre sewing some garment together. There were other worktables but they were empty at this time.
"Welcome to…" the man started to say before stopping. "It's just you, the clothes are in the back. They're on the top shelf at the back."
"Always good to see you Kyle," Page said. "Feren, you stay here, it might take me a while in the back."
As soon as Page had turned the corner of the shop Kyle took his needle back up and started sewing what looked to be a dress.
Feren took a seat in the corner quietly waiting. After a few minutes Kyle put the thread down annoyed.
"I heard that the old man had picked up a kid but seeing it is a whole other thing. I've seen you at the archery field, do you enjoy it?"
Feren just nodded.
"Not talkative like your old man then. I can say this much, he spent a lot on your clothes and you'll have grown out of them in a year, he has more money than I expected." Kyle took his needle and started what looked like embroidery on the cuff of the dress.
"The clothes I make are second to none in the kingdom. They are enchanted to help you stay hidden in more than one way, I was told about your accident and you smell of that shade Kabe. They'll stop any nosey prying eyes from detecting it too. You'll need it for when the mages come up for the spring festival."
"Thanks," Feren said feeling a bit guilty for the trouble.
"So the child does speak. Don't worry about it, Page paid more than enough for it. Thank him."
Page came back through the door with some dark green clothing and a slightly lighter small cloak.
"Feren, try them on."
The clothes were made from some high quality material and wasn't what he was expecting after wearing mostly linen and wool in the past year. There were small runes scattered throughout the outfit which seemed to radiate some weird light.
"Won't the lights make me easier to see," Feren asked confused.
"Don't worry about that," Page said. "Only you and a few others can see the light."
It fit well, the clothes were darker than he was expecting but it made sense for staying hidden in the Norwoods. His tunic was higher than normal for ease of movement and his trousers where tighter around his leg than normal to stop things catching. It looked odd on him but it was the tradition attire worn by the hunters he'd seen throughout the capital and what Page wore, though Page wore some black leather.
"It looks like it fits," Kyle said. "Your measurements must have been correct this time."
"I know how to take measurements," Page said annoyed, they left after Page and Kyle discussed final payments.
When they were out the door Page rifled through the sack on his back and pulled out a small dagger in a small sheath and handed it to Feren.
"This knife is for cutting roots of plants and in the worst case self protection." Page said. "You've studied herbs so your job will be to gather any that you see while we walk. Stay close and listen to what I say."
"Why do you have a bow and not me?" Feren asked.
"Your bow doesn't have enough power for the beasts in this forest. When you get older."
They got to the forest and they quickly picked up an animal trail. It was well used, apparently it led to a watering hole, it was one of the best places to look for magical beasts and more importantly if the ecosystem was going off kilter.
Page raised his hand and pointed off the track, "We'll stay hidden if we go this way. I have to check all the magical creatures are playing nice."
When off the track it became harder for Feren to keep his balance on the uneasy ground. Roots and ditches seemed to be hidden everywhere.
"This is the first lesson, test the ground with your toes, keep low. When you get used to it, you'll get faster. Follow my steps for now."
Feren followed Page's steps keeping a very close eye to the ground without looking up. Walking was easier until he felt his cloak was caught on an exposed twig.
"Second lesson, keep an eye on your surroundings, you can never be too careful."
"Keep an eye on two places at once, that's hard." Feren pouted.
"You'll have to learn."
The first thing he heard was rushing water, it got more intense as they went further into the forest. It wasn't long until they reached the clearing. All Feren had experienced was horror in this forest but this clearing was something beautiful. The mist and fog that seemed to lurk in this forest was still present but only at the ground.
The sound of the waterfall was almost deafening but the creatures didn't seem to mind as they drank from the watering hole. They looked like the deer he had seen come back from hunting parties the nobles sometimes went on but they were much larger with longer legs. Their antlers were twisted majestically in branch like patterns. Their eyes were a deep blue that seemed to look into your very soul.
On the tree was a monkey holding a spear fashioned from a stick and a rock. It was rubbing the dark orange fur on its back with it, it glanced at their direction but didn't seem to care about them observing.
There was a group of moving trees as well, two larger ones with four saplings in tow. The roots seemed to dig through the ground as they moved showing the path they took. The strong Oak as the sapling seemed to almost dance around the two older trees.
The butterflies were large but just as beautiful as any normal butterfly even if he could see sharp teeth unnaturally jutting out from their mouths.
Lastly, at the top of the waterfall were five large wolves with a shimmering air around them. They were grooming themselves as they watched the inhabitants, they seemed to be almost guarding them from something.
Page tapped Feren's shoulder lightly to draw his attention away from the magical creatures.
"We should move on, something isn't quite right."
Kabe appeared from Feren's shadow seemingly worried. "Something smells very wrong. I smell death."
Feren looked confused, "It looked serene to me."
"The wolves, the mother is missing. It doesn't like leaving the waterfall unless something is wrong. The stupid monkey also wouldn't normally be hanging around either. It knows that place is safe but prefers to stay with its troop, it's gathering information."
Sure enough as soon as Page stopped talking it took off with an unnatural speed. It seemed possessed as it swung its way through the forest.
"Follow me," Kabe said and started almost running in the opposite direction the monkey had gone.
Page grabbed Feren and started running to keep up. Feren could almost feel the wind as they ran, he'd never gone so quick. Looking down he could see Page's footwork, every step was light but they moved powerfully forward.
The forest was getting foggier by the second and was starting to remind him of his past experience with the monster. Kabe changed direction to the left to get to another clearing. This clearing seemed darker even with the sun eating down from above.
Kabe stopped at the clearing. In the clearing were five knights and a larger wolf than any of the five at the waterfall. The wolf had cold ice like fur with a scars running down the left side, it must be the mother wolf, it mad everyone else look small.
The wolf seemed to be fending off a tendril from the ground. They kept spiking up and it ripped them from the ground never seeming to get to the source.
Four of the knights were fighting the last who was only just managing to fend them off. The four seemed to be moving unnaturally with jerky movements. The alone knight had a boy behind him.
Page set Feren down and motioned to get behind him. Drawing his bow he let loose ripping the maille armour of one of the knights, the knight didn't even register the arrow.
"Vanier, roar." Page shouted. As he ran to the knight.
Kabe started growing in size, becoming larger than aa grown man. Shadows extended around him and surrounded Feren in a cage. One of the tendrils came Feren's way only for the shadow cage to twist blocking it with its bars.
Page slipped through the unnatural knight and toward the last one. He drew his knife and the wolf let out an almighty roar.
The wind instantly chilled. Kabe wrapped around Feren and the ground froze, icicles penetrating from the ground, killing the knights and freezing the tendrils in place.