"What is Ascension day?" I do not know of any holidays or celebrations.
"Ascension day is when Lysus the most powerful god and head of the Areilian Pantheon ascended into the heavens along side his most fervent followers. He and his first followers were all was once mortals like us but after defeating and killing the demon god Ar'zanuth and his armies he was elevated into godhood. His followers were elevated into lesser gods, saints, and angels alongside him. We celebrate both his rise to godhood and his victory over the demons since it saved the world. The celebration goes on for a full week and if one of the only holidays every class of people will celebrate." Lydia explained everything to me. I don't know where but I know in the back of my mind I have heard of Lysus before.
"Whenever we get some more time I'll teach you more about the gods. Religion is very important here if people knew you were unaware of the gods they would probably avoid you. I mean we even date the years after Lysus. it is 259 A.A. or After Acension " I agree with Lydia it wouldn't hurt to learn more about the gods especially if many people are fanatical about them.
The following three weeks went by fast. Marcus did not hesitate to throw me into work after the first week of watching him. It was hard work and I can tell I have much to learn but at least it made the days go by fast. The constant hard work helped my body develop some muscle on my arms and legs. It wasn't anywhere near as much muscle packed onto Marcus's body but it was enough to be noticeable. It was particularly good for my legs since they were already much smaller than my arms and the rest of my body.
Marcus was true to his word and set aside a portion of his earnings for me to spend in the city. Im not sure how much but it's better than nothing. Edwin worked alongside me almost every day as well. I learned a lot more about his relationship with Marcus which was a lot closer than I knew. They had served in the army together for many years and then spent a couple years as adventurers after that. I wished Marcus spoke more to me so I could hear some stories about those days. Even Edwin seemed to not want to speak about those days and that seemed unlike him. But I wasn't going to press them about it.
After three weeks of hard work we were ready to head on our way to the largest city of the duchy Callien. We were going to be traveling was a large group with eight other villagers including Edwin for safety. It would take about a week of walking until we reached the city so we packed as was suited. We each carried a medium sized backpack made out of leather that we filled with dried food and water skins. Edwin had a sword he called a Falchion strapped to a belt on his side while Marcus carried a modest dagger. A handful of the other villagers were also armed but they carried nothing larger than a dagger. After checking all of our supplies we began our journey.
I find it hard to keep up with the group. Although my legs are not as weak as they once were I still have a painful and ugly limp but I still do my best only slightly lagging behind. Ahead of us is a large forest the Tulla Forest is what Lydia calls it. It is one of the largest and densest in Cardonia which is a land of mostly fertile hills and plains. As the sun begins to set we clear out a small area by a creak and set up camp. We sit in a circle around a fire eating out very salty meat and drinking water. Edwin is very social and makes everyone laugh and joke. Eventually everyone starts to head to bed leaving just me and another sitting at the fire.
The person just across from me was an incredibly old lady so old that it is suprising to see her here. She wasn't lagging by with me which meant she had to be faster than me maybe I was misjudging her age. "Hello young man. What is your name?" The lady was speaking to me now. I had a chilling feeling go down my spine as she broke. "Um. Hi I am Alexander what is your name?" I still respond to her feeling it would be rude to ignore her. The feeling never goes away. "That is a good name you can just call me gran. Tell me why is your hair white? I have white hair but I am old so it is weird to see it on a child like you." I shrug in response to her question "I have no idea I was just born this way I think." Now I know what the feeling is. She wasn't there when we left the village. "Miss Gran. What are you?" She seems slightly off. Human but not.
"Well well well you are a sharp one young man" The lady chuckles "I am human. At least mostly. People call me a Seer or a Mage. I draw on power from the Aether and summon it into the world." She speaks in riddles to me. "Gran. What is the Aether." This draws out another chuckle. "You know what the Aether is Alex. You have always known. One day you will know again. That is for the future however" The thing calling herself gran looks into the fire watching it dance. "Since you have such keen senses and found me so fast I will offer you a deal. Most lords pay astronomical amounts for a deal from one such as me." She eyes me hungrily
"Im sorry Gran but I do not have anything to offer you." This is true There is nothing I could possible offer her that a Lord couldn't. "Do not worry young man. I will fix your limp. And in turn I ask for nothing except for when you least expect it in the future." The idea of Getting my limp fix is simple too much to ignore. "What must I do?"
"It is simple. Just shake my hand." I do as she says. When my hand takes hers there is a painful burning sensation on my palm but it quickly fades. The Light pain in my leg immediately fades into nothingness and I Feel as light as a feather.
A piece of wood in the fire snaps. I look to it. The fire shoots up feet into the sky and dies down immediately I look back towards gran but she is gone. As if she was never there to begin with. Another chill spreads down my spine. Perhaps I have just made a big mistake.