Monare was now in a ready position, his eyes narrowed and piercing as he peered at the old man with the cane. The old man stood there with a puzzled expression and said:
"That stance..." "Where did you learn that?"
Monare responded with worry:
"My father's books"
The old man shrugged and replied:
"A slave who speaks the Arthesian language and is familiar with the eastern continent's basic self-defense styles..." You are more of a surprise than I first imagined."
Monare scoffed, adding:
"Oh I try to be"
The elderly man added:
"Smirk about it too, may I sit down this old bones aren't what they used to be"
"You may, but I am onto you"
Monare sat down on the ground with the old man, using the cane for support. The man took a breath and glanced up at the sky with overtones of melancholy.
"The sky is a privilege; it always brings a smile to this old man"
Monare's eyes were continuously on the old man, and he asked:
"Who are you sir?"
The old man sighed with a smile and never looked away from the sky.
"I am Carron, and you are the spirit tethered who locked my pet in that flawed ice wall you created"
Monare was not startled; if Quinn hadn't told him about the elderly guy, he would have been. Monare shrugged, adding:
"The ice didn't last long, heh. I need to work on that skill.
Carron asked:
"Why did not you use a standard freezing spell?"
Monare responded:
"I am self-taught and also my abilities limited due to the exile's condition"
Carron observed, looked Monare up and down, and asked:
"Wow, fantastic job, I suppose. But I must wonder, "How did you slave quickly adapt to the language and culture?"
"My adopted father was an Arthesian and pursue of knowledge"
"An Arthesian who arrived before the journey, I am impressed. It's great that you're self-taught in the arts of spirits. But did your father inform you that this place will identify you as a witchcraft practitioner if they find out about your gifts?
"He left before he told me"
Carron laughed and added:
"That would explain it." Listen, I can't help but notice that you have an issue with your spirit tether, something concerning nightmares."
Monare replied in a relaxed manner:
"Guess those ears did not age with your body old man, yes I have a dream about granting my spirit exile"
Carron was quiet for a while, then added:
"When was the last time you said those words to the spirit?"
"When I was twelve years old, I think that is when the dreams started"
Carron looked at Monare and stated in a serious tone:
"Kid, a sentient spirit is the only form of spirit that has a written escape plan. If you mentioned that earlier and don't remember, it suggests he is gradually getting out.
"Meaning?"
"A sentient spirit has an influence on the outside world and when they escape, they become untethered and more prune to being in control without being trapped in that prison"
Carron then stood up, pointing at Monare's heart, and said:
"I have proposal, I can help you create a stable tether for you to able to exploit more powers to advance to a new core stage"
Monare was quiet; he didn't care if someone had evil intentions; he ceased caring once he was left alone. He wanted to be strong and get more out of this proposal.
"Okay I will agree to all of it, on three conditions"
"Name them," Carron said.
Monare, looking at the goats and lambs with his human side of the rope, was thirsty.
"First, I need a step-by-step tutorial on Spirit Tethers and the different varieties of spirits, such as that pet of yours. Second, I want to learn how this world of magic and spirit works, and finally, I want you to realize that if you betray me, I will not show mercy, even if you are helpful."
Carron grinned and said, raising his hand to shake:
"Deal kid"
Monare shook hands and asked:
"What do you need me for?"
Carron asked, smiling:
"How much do you know about the legend of the Druid of Alshewooder?"
"Not much, all I heard was about a granddaughter"
"Good to know the half-truth. "I need your help with that legend."
"You need my help for a resurrection or rescue?"
"Resurrection is illegal and difficult to perform without murdering a whole continent to activate that ability. No, I need help with something; come at night. My puppy will show you the way.
Monare nodded and inquired:
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yes you may ask"
"Where is the well?"
Carron nearly dropped the cane, but he was able to restore his equilibrium and exclaimed with surprise:
"A water affinity tether huh, I might really be luck this time"
***
This section/region of the city was located in Onskeard's inner middle, far from the farms. The buildings were more artistically designed to reflect the high society of this area, with balconies and taller than the usual house.
In one of the buildings with a tree, a man in a scarlet toga sat on a balcony, feeding on grapes, with two slaves using huge leaves to fan air. The man was a large man with gold rings on his fingers and necklaces that glimmered in the light; he was currently sitting in a lounge chair that was laid back like a bed.
Suddenly, a man with blue hair dressed in worn-out sack attire lowered his head as he appeared and added:
"Sir I have returned"
"Excellent," exclaimed the obese man, the slave dealer who sold Monare to Asterios. He questioned the bowed man:
"Who is the man who took my slave?"
"Sir do you want to know who he is now or who he was?"
"I want both"
"Okay right now, he is just a farmer with a wife and a child, what he was is something that would make sir not want to know more"
"Heh yet I want to know, continue"
"That is man is the legendary gladiator, Harrowing slayer champion"
Hearing that name, the slave merchant nearly choked on his grapes as he motioned for the slaves to assist, which they did. The slave dealer absorbed his shock and reflected:
"That would explain his relationship with that man, which I tried to use as an excuse to keep the slave."
The slave dealer then inquired, avoiding the Harrowing Slayer subject:
"Where is his farm?"
"Near the forest in the middle eastern part of the region"
The slave dealer winced with excitement before adding:
"Slave I need that slave; can you fetch him?"
The man responded:
"I can and I will"
The man gave a modest bow before leaving, his eyes flashing red as a weird force began to envelop his body with strength.