A month had passed since the encounter with the panther, and the days blurred together as Nico immersed himself in rigorous training. He had forged a newfound bond with Pilos, who taught him the nuances of using his buckler while Garrick crafted a set of bronze weighted arrows that sent ripples of excitement through Nico each time he blocked a couple of Pilos shots with them.
The air turned crisp as winter began its slow retreat, yet it lingered stubbornly in patches across the ground. Nico could feel his strength growing. With each practice session, he edged closer to reaching early apprentice knight rank. In the hierarchy among knights it broke down into distinct tiers: entry, early, middle, high, and peak ranks. While technically defined by skill and experience, these ranks held little weight in actual combat; an early knight could easily best a high knight within the same tier.
Nico grappled with his newly acquired strength like a fish learning to swim against currents. He felt powerful yet unsteady—a raw energy thrumming just beneath the surface. Each time he trained with Pilos, he discovered more about channeling that power into precise movements rather than wild flails.
"Keep your guard up," Pilos shouted during one particularly intense session. "The buckler's not just for show. Use it to deflect!"
Nico tightened his grip on the small shield and focused on Pilos's movements. The clang of wood against metal echoed through their makeshift training ground as they exchanged blows, sweat dripping from their brows.
Meanwhile, Elara flourished under Tilda's mentorship, opting to pursue herbalism rather than follow her mother Leyla into leatherworking. She spent hours poring over ancient texts alongside Tilda and often brought her sketches of herbs back to share with Nico during their study sessions.
As winter drew closer to its end, whispers circulated through the village about Elsid's impending return from a successful merchant trip—a much-anticipated event that filled everyone with excitement and relief as they prepared for spring's renewal. The chief's return signified not only fresh supplies but also an invigorated spirit among villagers ready to embrace new beginnings after a long season of hardship.
Nico adjusted his stance, feeling the anticipation build inside him like a tightly coiled spring waiting for release—he couldn't shake off the sense that something significant loomed just beyond their horizon.
Nico stood in the fields, gazing at the rows of wheat that defied winter's grasp. Normally, this variant remained dormant, lying still beneath the frost, waiting for the warmth of spring to coax it into life. Yet now, thanks to Tilda's ritual, vibrant green blades reached skyward, a testament to resilience and unexpected growth. The wheat swayed gently in the breeze, almost mocking the chill that lingered in the air.
He knelt beside a cluster of stalks and ran his fingers through the soil, feeling its coolness. The ritual had altered nature itself, pushing life to emerge where it usually would not. Nico smiled, imagining how proud Hab would be to see their fields thriving even in winter.
But then his thoughts turned to his own training. Recently, he noticed a troubling shift—Tilda's cleaning agent had lost its effectiveness on him. He must've grown resistant to its effects after weeks of use. Frustration gnawed at him; without that boost during training sessions, he had to rely solely on his growing strength and determination.
He remembered Hab's words about knight breathing techniques: they bore little use unless one was channeling energy constantly. Most knights in their kingdom trained with water techniques designed for fluidity and grace. The Stoneheart Covenant was different; it offered a rare passive effect that fortified skin and muscles against blows but came at a cost—the rigidness of movement. The thought unsettled him.
As he reflected on his training journey thus far, Nico felt torn between the paths before him. Should he embrace the rigid strength offered by Stoneheart or pursue a more traditional route like those around him? He envisioned himself battling with enhanced defenses yet struggling against opponents who moved with effortless agility.
With every swing of his sword during practice, he could feel the weight of choice pressing down on him like a cloak made of stone—a choice between strength and fluidity that echoed in every clash of metal against metal as Pilos pushed him harder each day.
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the fields.
Nico settled into the earth, the sun's fading warmth wrapping around him like a familiar embrace. He closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing, letting the rhythmic sound of nature drown out the worries swirling in his mind. Each breath drew in clarity while exhaling the lingering shadows of doubt that had crept in during training. Meditating among the wheat fields had become his sanctuary, a way to strengthen his resolve before facing the chaos of thoughts that accompanied daily life.
After what felt like an eternity, he rose from the ground and brushed off remnants of soil from his clothes. He made his way toward town, eager to catch Pilos before closing time at the town hall.
As he approached the wooden structure, he noticed its sturdy beams glowing with warm light from within. Nico pushed open the heavy door, greeted by a mix of hushed conversations and soft footsteps echoing against polished floors. The smell of aged wood and parchment wafted through the air as he scanned for Pilos among those gathered.
Spotting him at a table stacked high with papers and maps, Nico felt a rush of anticipation. Pilos leaned back in his chair, stretching with an air of exhaustion that spoke to long hours spent organizing village matters alongside Elsid.
"Hey! Nico!" Pilos called out, flashing a quick grin before returning to sorting through documents.
"Do you know when Elsid's letter said he would arrive tomorrow?" Nico asked as he stepped closer, scanning the cluttered table for anything resembling an official notice.
Pilos frowned slightly, searching through the pile. "Should be around midday," he replied after flipping through several sheets. "Something about securing supplies."
Nico nodded, feeling excitement bubbling beneath his skin. "Is there anything I can help with?"
Pilos chuckled lightly but waved him off. "Nah, just more paperwork today." He gestured to a stack that seemed to reach toward the ceiling. "Elrid's gone missing again; it's like herding cats trying to keep this all organized."
Nico couldn't help but smile at Pilos's playful frustration but noticed something behind it—a glimmer of fatigue mixed with worry etched across Pilos's features as he continued rummaging through papers.
"Are you alright?" Nico asked suddenly, concern flickering through him as he watched Pilos sigh heavily.
"Just tired," Pilos admitted while glancing at Nico with an earnest expression. "But enough about me."
Nico leaned against the rough wooden table, his brow furrowing at Pilos's tired demeanor.
"You must be exhausted with all the work Elsid pushed onto you in his absence," he said, crossing his arms. "Who is this Elrid you mentioned?"
Pilos rolled his eyes, the hint of a smile tugging at his lips despite the fatigue etched on his face. "Elrid? He's a scholar who arrived about a month ago. You'd think he was a lost sheep from the royal capital."
"A scholar?" Nico raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What happened to him?"
"He got himself into trouble over there—something about mismanaging funds for research or some such nonsense." Pilos shrugged, shifting through more papers as if hoping one would offer clarity. "He ended up here after being disgraced, but honestly? Life in our little village seems to treat him far better than whatever stuffy existence he had in the capital."
Nico's curiosity deepened. He pictured a man cast out from grandeur and forced into simplicity. "So, he's actually happy here?"
"Strangely enough," Pilos replied with a chuckle, shaking his head as if trying to comprehend it himself. "He often comments on how peaceful it is, and I swear I've seen him smile more times in a week than I have in months dealing with bureaucrats."
The image of a cheerful scholar made Nico smile too. He liked that someone could find solace among the fields and friendly faces of their village.
"Maybe I should meet him," Nico suggested. "He might have some knowledge that could help my training."
"Sure," Pilos said with mock seriousness. "Just be prepared for lengthy lectures on botany or philosophy instead of swordplay."
Nico laughed, feeling lighter despite their responsibilities looming overhead. The laughter faded slightly as he noticed Pilos run a hand through his hair in exasperation.
"You really should take care of yourself," Nico added, concern creeping back into his voice. "You can't keep this up forever."
Pilos waved off the comment but couldn't hide the weariness that lingered behind his eyes.
"I'll manage," he replied softly, but Nico saw through the bravado; they both knew better than to ignore fatigue's toll when pushing oneself day after day.
Nico pushed off the table, determination flickering in his eyes.
"I'll ask around for Elrid," he said, glancing back at Pilos. "Get him to help you with this mountain of paperwork. You shouldn't have to shoulder it alone."
Pilos chuckled softly, a grateful smile breaking through his fatigue. "You really don't have to, Nico. It's my job."
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean you should wear yourself thin doing it." Nico shrugged and headed toward the door, casting one last glance back. "Take care of yourself."
"Will do," Pilos replied, though his tone suggested otherwise.
As Nico stepped outside, the sun hung low on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the village. He could hear the chatter of villagers winding down from their day—voices carrying stories of crops and markets that filled the air with life.
Nico wandered down familiar paths lined with modest homes and vibrant gardens. His thoughts swirled around finding Elrid and helping Pilos with his burden; he knew this village held secrets as vast as its fields, as any village did.
He approached a cluster of locals gathered by the fountain at the center square, their laughter ringing out like music. He caught sight of Gerda, an elderly woman known for her tales and knowledge of everyone's whereabouts.
"Gerda!" Nico called out as he made his way over.
She turned with a beaming smile that crinkled her eyes like parchment. "Ah, young Nico! What brings you here? Looking for herbs or just a chat?"
"I'm actually looking for Elrid," he said quickly. "Do you know where I might find him?"
"Elrid?" Gerda tapped her chin thoughtfully before her face lit up with recognition. "He was last seen at the old mill by the riverbank—spouting nonsense about collecting samples or some such thing."
"Thanks!" Nico said, relief flooding through him.
As he left Gerda behind, he felt invigorated by his new mission. The old mill lay not far from here; he could reach it in no time if he hurried along the well-worn paths that led there.
With purpose guiding his steps, Nico set off towards the riverbank where sunlight danced across the water's surface like scattered gems. Each stride quickened his heart rate in anticipation; perhaps Elrid would prove to be more than just a scholar—maybe he would bring new insights to his training too.
After weaving through clusters of homes and gardens adorned with winter blooms, Nico finally spotted the silhouette of the abandoned mill ahead against a backdrop of trees whispering in the evening breeze.
Nico approached the old mill, its wooden beams weathered and gray against the backdrop of twilight. The air carried a damp chill, and he quickened his pace, eager to reach Elrid before darkness enveloped the village. As he neared, he spotted Elrid crouched by the riverbank, examining a patch of moss with intense focus.
"Hey, Elrid!" Nico called out, stepping closer. "You should head to the town hall. Pilos needs your help with paperwork, and nightfall will begin any second now."
Elrid barely looked up from his study. He pushed his spectacles higher on his nose, adjusting his position to get a better view of the moss under the fading light.
"Paperwork?" he muttered absently. "That can wait." His voice carried a blend of irritation and fascination as he plucked a small sample from the ground.
Nico frowned, concern creeping into his voice. "It's important! Pilos is overwhelmed with it all. You can't just ignore him."
Elrid finally turned his gaze to Nico, his eyes bright with enthusiasm yet shadowed by fatigue. "You don't understand," he exclaimed, holding the moss up between them like a precious gem. "This is unlike anything I've seen before! The texture… it's almost velvety."
"So?" Nico replied, exasperation rising within him.
"Any sort of knowledge is like a drug high to me," Elrid said, almost reverently as if under some spell cast by the vibrant green patch in front of him. "I could lose myself in this discovery for hours."
Nico rubbed the back of his neck, unsure how to combat Elrid's obsession. "But what good is knowledge if you don't share it? Pilos really needs you."
Elrid shook his head vigorously as if dispelling an unwanted thought. "Knowledge can be shared later! This—this could change everything about our understanding of moss species! It might even have medicinal properties we haven't considered!"
A breeze rustled through the trees nearby, carrying whispers of impending nightfall as shadows crept closer around them.
"You can't stay out here forever," Nico pressed, feeling urgency pulse in his chest as darkness loomed ahead.
Elrid shrugged dismissively while still staring intently at the moss clutched in his hand.
"I'm not finished yet," he insisted stubbornly.
Nico sighed heavily, glancing over at the fading sun as it dipped below the horizon.
Nico crossed his arms, frustration boiling beneath the surface. "Elrid, it's just moss. It looks like every other patch we have around here."
Elrid straightened up, finally pulling his gaze away from the verdant sample. A glimmer of excitement danced in his eyes. "Sure, it might look ordinary," he replied, brushing off his knees and holding up the moss like a prized possession. "But what if it isn't? That's the entire point of discovery! There could be something unique hidden within its fibers."
Nico sighed deeply, shaking his head at Elrid's relentless enthusiasm. "What are you going to do with it? Study it under a microscope for hours?"
"Precisely!" Elrid grinned, and Nico couldn't help but feel the scholar's infectious passion tugging at him.
"Look," Elrid continued, his tone softening. "If you collect all this moss and put it in this box," he said as he reached into his satchel and pulled out a small wooden container, "I promise I'll go help Pilos with that paperwork."
Nico hesitated, glancing at the container in Elrid's hands. The idea of doing something productive while also appeasing the scholar's obsession tugged at him.
"Fine," he relented after a moment's pause, reaching for the box as Elrid handed it over with a satisfied smile.
"Just think—if you find something extraordinary, you'll be part of an important discovery! Now go!" Elrid urged as he turned to head back toward town.
Nico knelt beside the patch of moss, opening the box and carefully plucking samples from the earth with gentle fingers. Each piece felt cool against his palm as he placed them inside the container, allowing himself to wonder if maybe—just maybe—Elrid was onto something.
He worked quickly, trying to shake off any lingering doubts about this peculiar task. With each handful of moss harvested, he imagined how they would share their findings later: perhaps Elrid would talk passionately about properties and uses while Nico quietly listened or added thoughts of his own.
As night settled around him like a thick blanket, Nico glanced upward at the sky now painted with silver hues—the moon began to rise above treetops casting shimmering reflections across the river nearby. The world transformed in its glow; shadows danced among branches while silence wrapped itself around him like an old friend.
Lost in thought amid nature's symphony of nighttime sounds, Nico gathered more moss until only moonlight filled the space between him and day's end.
As Nico knelt by the riverbank, a sudden rustle from the bushes nearby sent a jolt through him. He froze, heart racing, eyes narrowing in the growing darkness. Shadows shifted and twisted among the foliage, and then he spotted them—two glowing eyes, flickering in the twilight like small embers.
A wave of adrenaline surged through him as he tensed, muscles coiling tight. Memories of nights spent training flooded back—habits that now felt ingrained in his bones. What was lurking just beyond the reach of light? A predator? Another panther? He tightened his grip around the moss container, readying himself to spring into action.
Then, as if breaking through a thick fog of panic, clarity struck him. The glowing eyes moved closer and flickered again before finally resolving into two fireflies dancing in the night air. Relief washed over him, laughter bubbling up as he realized how foolish he had been.
"Really?" he scoffed at himself, shaking his head with a chuckle. "Glowing eyes? You're stronger than this now." The remnants of fear faded like mist under sunlight. With newfound confidence, he stood tall; he could wield a shield now and had practiced enough to feel capable.
He finished gathering the moss and secured it inside the box. It had been hours since he'd spoken to Elrid; surely Pilos was now finished with the paperwork. No sense rushing back to deliver these samples tonight when fatigue crept into his bones like an unwelcome visitor.
The path home felt familiar underfoot as he retraced his steps past the mill and toward his house. The evening air carried a chill that danced across his skin but also bore a sweet scent from distant flowers that still bloomed stubbornly despite it still being winter.
Upon entering the cozy space of ironwood furniture and flickering candlelight, Nico set the box down on the kitchen table with care. He paused for a moment, glancing around at their home—the place filled with memories wrapped around every corner.
But sleep called to him now more than any lingering task or research project ever could. He padded softly toward his room, ready to sink into well-deserved rest after an eventful day filled with unexpected encounters and revelations.