Chapter 20 – Yurei Village
Day after day, week after week, the caravan kept heading east. The vegetation started to change little by little. In the beginning, trees became sparse and grass started to diminish. The temperature was in decline as the journey kept going.
Waking up for another, Bryn was ready for his daily routine. As usual, the day would start with stretching, followed by martial arts, mobility, and physical training, accompanied by most of the caravan. As he left his tent, he felt a cold breeze.
With it also came the first few snowflakes of winter.
Looking up and extending his open hands forward, Bryn felt the snow touching him and melting on contact. It wasn't dense and heavy flakes yet, but the feeling was amazing.
He felt free for the first time since he came to this new world.
During the last months, interacting and training with everyone in the caravan remembered Bryn from his life before. The earth was not safe by any measurement, but his life had been a good one when compared to his new one.
With each melting snowflake, he remembered himself playing around in the snow with his father. His mother complained that he would dirty himself in the fields.
After a few deep breaths, his day started. Meanwhile, at the main tent.
"Everyone, it's time for us to decide. We can either go up the mountains to pass the winter at a village near the passing or try and rush through the mountains before the winter peaks. Should we choose to wait winter out at the village, we'll add another 2 months to our journey." Said Kwame as he opened a map in front of everyone.
"Niah, we haven't rested for a role month. I say we stay in a village close to or in the mountains." Said Zara lying in her crossed arms at the corner of the cable.
"I vote for us to go through. We do not have that many warriors and have many youngsters. In winter, there are fewer bandits on the crossing, so I say we go. Should we encounter trouble on the road, it will be difficult to deal with." Said Kaelar.
"I agree with Kaelar. Also, I wish to arrive at my forge as soon as possible, the mobile one is not up for the tasks I'm trying to complete." Complemented the dwarf.
"Amelia, Daniel, what do you say? For now, we are 2-1 towards going."
"I say we stay. Even if we must wait out the snow to clear in 2-3 months. We have all been training harder ever since the kid joined us and our skills are going up at unprecedented speed. Even if it takes 2 months extra to arrive, if we become stronger, I have no problems with it. Also, near the mountains usually are good quests for us to complete." Said Daniel looking at everyone.
"I like for us to stop. We are used to being on the road and traveling a lot, but most aren't. I believe they could benefit from a rest, and I agree with Daniel, our training could increase if not as much time was spent traveling for a while."
"With Amelia's last vote, we are 3-2 for finding a village. It is decided then. We'll spot at the base of the mountains."
Kwame was a leader that valued their opinions. Should he decide to keep going even after the vote, none would challenge his decision, but he respected their choice. He was inclined to stay and train as Daniel and Amelia suggested, but arriving home as fast as possible was also tempting.
As the decision was made, most went to the fire camp to meet up for mourning practice. Zara stayed inside the tent, close to the small fire pit they created for her. Kaelar on the other hand spent most of the past weeks watching Bryn from afar, and today was no different.
In the beginning, Bryn felt weird about it, the nagamen were always there, giving him the silent treatment, but watching his practices. Be it martial arts, parkour, physical training, sword mastery with Daniel, or hunting, Kaelar was nearby watching. Bryn felt so awkward that in the second week, he asked Daniel to intervene, but his sword master told him not to mind the nagamen.
As the training started, everyone followed Bryn's instructions and movements. The party members, due to their extreme levels, had different routines compared to the others. Still, Kaelar stayed a few meters to the side, closely looking at the group and the faun.
When mourning practice was concluded, Kwame asked everyone to gather around the fire.
As he called for their attention, all heads were facing the man, looking up to his eyes as he spoke.
"Everyone, we've decided to take refuge from the winter in a village before the mountain range. We are staying at its feet, but we won't cross until spring arrives. That will extend our trip, but we agreed it to be the best path. Since we decided not to cross the mountains, we'll have lunch on the go to reach the village by tonight. Prepare yourselves, we have a long day ahead of us."
As everyone nodded their heads and started to go back to their tents to prepare for their departure, Kwame approached the young faun.
"Bryn, I wish to speak with you."
"Mr. Kwame, how can I help you?" walking side by side with Kwame, Bryn answered.
"Thank you for your help with everyone. I believe your classes also helped with the group morale during our travels. With that in mind, I wish for you to use the next two months to devise a training camp for everyone interested. During winter, usually, people relax and stay in the warmth of their houses, we'll not have such luxury. I need them to focus on something else, could you help me?"
Bryn's face answered for him before his words came out of his mouth. That hunger for power was almost palpable for Kwame every time they talked about skills, levels, status, and magic.
"Of course, I can, Mr. Kwame. But I would like to ask for your help as well."
Rubbing his hands in front of himself, Bryn continued.
"I wish for the party to help me level up during this winter."
["I don't know how much is possible to level up in a single season, but I wished to comprehend how leveling up worked and the difference in status I would get. This might be my best chance to start"]
"I have no problem with that, but I must warn you. Leveling up involves fighting stronger and stronger opponents. Be it humans, demi-humans, or creatures, the risk to your life will increase on every level you gain if you wish to keep going. Are you ok with the risks?"
Bryn's smile was so big that all his teeth could be seen from afar.
"I am !!"
"Then you go think about our training camp, I'll organize your leveling with the other members."
"Yes sir!"
As the faun ran towards his tent, Kwame stayed in place for a while. Looking at the faun, he felt a sense of gratitude combined with anticipation. The kid had revived his friend's desire to strengthen themselves like never before. Kwame's wishes for the future depended on his party being capable. Warriors who believed training was no longer necessary were like a sword that lost its edge.
It didn't take long for the caravan to start their movement. Because of how much they would have to cross in a day, all training got canceled.
The longer they went, the heavier the snow fell.
Looking around, the green forest that once enveloped most of their view was no more. Taller and pointy trees took their place, with darker leaves and many white spots packed with snow.
As the sun started to set, smoke could be seen on the horizon. A small group of houses could be seen in the distance, with a fire in the main square. Around the fire, there were many people gathered.
When the caravan approached, all eyes were on them. Mr. Kwame was the first one to come down from his horse to greet the people waiting at the village's fire.
"Greetings, my name is Kwame Nkosi and this is my caravan. We are traveling east and require a place to pass the winter. Could I speak with the village elder?"
Everyone looking around at each other and whispering about the gentleman in front of them. Two men started to walk in the direction Mr. Kwame was standing.
Looking up at the man who just arrived at their village, the man introduced himself.
With each step the blond man took in his direction, Kwame's senses tingled. Not wearing any armor or weapon, the person in front of him made him feel like he was standing in front of a dragon.
"Nice to meet you, Kwame Nkosi. My name is Gabriel, and this is Yurei Village. You all can stay here, but we do not have grain to sustain you all. If you are willing to help, I'm sure we can figure things out. Also, there is no need for that." Gabriel finished while looking at Kwame's waist.
Even though the man was cordial in his welcoming, Kwame's hand had reached for his sword without even realizing it. Sweat had poured out of his body from merely looking at the person in front of him.
"Hey, are you deaf?" Waiving his hand in front of Kwame, the man next to Gabriel asked.
**Cough**
"I'm not, sorry. We thank you for welcoming us. We can help with whatever you need." Answered Kwame.
"Good, you can park your caravan near the barn. After that, you can come here for us to share a meal near the fire. I would love to hear stories from your travels." Said Gabriel.
"Perfect, I'll talk with my group, and we'll come back soon." Lowering his head to meet with Gabriel's line of sigh.
Walking back to his horse, Kwame had to hold a thigh on the animal's back. He could feel his legs wobbling underneath his robe. Breathing heavily, he focused and mounted.
"Kwame, what happened? You are so pale that it seems like you saw a ghost."
"Thrain my friend, we may just have found a dragon's nest."
Daniel arrived near the two as he heard his companion speak.
"What do you mean Kwame, is there trouble at the village?"
Remembering the dazzling blue eyes that looked gentle and kind, but could see the end of his soul, Kwame continued.
"There is no trouble at all, but even if there was… We could do nothing about it."
"You are not making any sense Kwame, speak clearly."
"Daniel, how long has it been since you failed to appraise anything?"
"What do you mean… The last time that happened I was still training at the farm. Nowadays I can even appraise people double my level, not that so many people exist."
Kwame's tone was serene, he could only replay the sequence of events that transpired a few minutes ago in his mind.
"There are two people in this village that I just failed to appraise. The heavens are high."
All eyes locked on to his as he said those words.
"Kwame, you must be seeing things. We have meat with many warriors on both continents and that never happened."
"We were told to park the caravan at the edge of the village near the stables and then go to share a meal with them. We'll see who is seeing things once you all meet the village elder. Let's go."
All present guided the group towards the village stables pondering on Kwame's words.
As they arrived, a few villagers were already waiting to help unload everything. While everyone worked, Kwame and the others were guided to the main hall of the village.
As they entered the village hall, the atmosphere had a different pressure on the party members. As if they had drowned themselves in a swamp, every step inward was harder and harder to take. Looking ahead was a blond man, playing with his young daughter. The person next to them looked at the party members, analyzing every single one of them.
Looking at them both, most of the party members could not resist the tension and succumbed. One of their knees fell to the ground and their jaws dropped.