As Charlotte stepped out of their workshop they were a bit surprised the sun was already setting, they might of taken a bit too long fixing that sword. It didn't matter now since they most likely wouldn't have the time to do more work like this anymore.
They couldn't waste anymore time, soon it's gonna turn dark and make getting to the house of the spirit sage even harder. He quickly walked out of the village, being careful to avoid bumping into anyone. The houses were all mostly made of crimson read wood, they looked incredibly sturdy as well.
That started to change the further from the town they got, as the houses looked dirtier and rundown. They still looked to be holding strong which wasn't a surprise as the wood they were made off came from the forest surrounding the town.
Some of the locals looked at Charlotte and than at the bag of gold, as a kid was nudged by an older gentleman towards him.
"what do you got in the sack, It looks heavy?" The kid gave off such a innocent smile, it would of put anyone not from this town at ease. Charlotte wasn't such a easy mark and he had to ensure he didn't accidently stab someone.
"The old witch up in the woods told me to bring her a few things, said it was important. it's why I'm wearing the armor and carrying a sword, you know how she can be with thieves." He chuckled and ran his hands though his hair. He made sure to speak loud enough for the others to hear, he didn't want them having any fun ideas.
It seemed to work quite well for a few of them as they backed off or looked elsewhere, he could still see a few of them keeping a hungry gaze on him. He wasn't surprised, he was much smaller than them so it was easy to see him as a easy mark. He unsheathed the sword from his back and looked back at the kid.
"I even brought one of my swords with me, you know how people have been getting robbed lately it's necessary." The child nervously looked past him back at the older gentleman from before, Charlotte turned slightly to look back at the old man who huffed and gestured for the kid to come back.
The kid quickly backed away and Charlotte took this chance to make his way into the forest, keeping the blade on his hand. He guessed a few of them might follow him anyway, after all whatever he had in the sack had to be worth a lot.
If Charlotte was honest the closer they got to the home of the sage the better he felt. The uneasiness wore off since nobody else liked coming this way, Last time someone tried to rob her they ended up paying quite the price.
They turned to look behind them as the house was in view, by now the sun had properly set so it was almost impossible to see further than a few meters head of them. The surrounding forest would of been off putting to anybody that wasn't a local. The town of Heartwood was surrounded by a luscious forest, but the wood that made up the trees had a crimson red color. The wood itself was incredibly sturdy so it was the main commodity of the town, plenty of wood carvers moved to this town to use this wood to start their career.
They couldn't see anyone and the anxiousness had already passed, so they put the sword back in it's sheath and walked up to the door of the sage's home and began knocking... They were met with silence, as he waits a minute before knocking again.
"Can you quit knocking i heard you the first time, who the hell comes to my home when the sun already set!" He took a step back away from the door hearing her yell, Last time he checked she didn't sleep... or rather anytime he came to check on her she was always awake.
As the door swung open a pale woman with pure white hair and eyes looked at him. She was wearing a robe that covered her whole body, despite calling her old she didn't look to be past forty. Of course that couldn't be the case since he had known her since he was a kid.
"What the hell do you want..." Her tone was harsh and anything but pleasant, but her eyes wandered to the sack.
"To make good on that promise you made me when i was eleven, that's about it."
"What promise? I promise many things and most of them don't come true."
"The promise that if i brought you a hundred gold coins, you would bind me soul to anything i wish."
The old lady looked at the sack with more interest, as she walks inside. She left the door open so he took it as a sign to come in.
Inside the house had a few plants in pots growing near the window, and unlike everyone else the furniture in her home was made out of brown wood instead of the crimson red everyone else had. She didn't have anything that stood out of place, which he assumed was on purpose as anything that could possibly get her in trouble was most likely hidden somewhere.
She sat down and tapped the table near her, he didn't waste time opening the sack and opening up the sack.
"This...isn't what i was expecting, when i said a hundred gold coins i expected these to be golden." She said with a rude tone, as she grabs one of the silver coins and bites into it before putting it back.
"You know that's impossible... But inside this sack is a the equivalent of a hundred gold coins, so what difference does it make? if you don't believe me i can wait while you count them." He sat down across from her, her gaze locked onto his as the two remained silent.
"Don't worry, i believe you. Unlike most people in this town, i knew you since you were a damn brat... Not much has changed except the length of your hair, and the fact you are easy to read. Your height has barely changed, your father must be turning in his grave." She closed the sack and pushed it aside.
"Before we begin, i want to be sure you understand what the consequences of what i am doing."
"I alread-" He was cut off as she glares at him, as he decides to remain quiet.
"You don't know, if you did you wouldn't be doing such a stupid and reckless thing. You will get momentary strength, and you might stand above others for now... Eventually that will wear off and you will end up regretting this choice."
The two stayed quiet and looked into each other, she eventually broke eye contact and rubbed her eyelids. She wasn't hiding her frustration."
Tell me what i am gonna be binding your soul with."
He points to the chest plate and she shook her head.
"You fool, metal is one of the worst things you can do this with. Your body might become stronger and more durable, but you will be sacrificing flexibility for such a thing. When someone begins the path of ascension, flexibility is the most important thing."
"I know... But the most important thing when walking that path is talent, and that's sadly something i don't think i have. This will even that field, I appreciate you looking out for me. I had seven years to think on this deal and my mind is made."
He smiles and took off the chest plate setting it down on the table, her hand reached to touch the back of the chest plate running her hands across the insignia.
"Fine, I tried to warn you."