by Phoenix Grey
"That's all well and good, you lovebirds," Owe broke them all out of their current personal fixations, "but what are you going to do to support yourselves? Do you have land?" she asked Lonnell.
He and Bronna looked up at her from the floor. “Well no...” Lonnell replied hesitantly.
"A house to call your own?"
"No."
"Do you even have a job?" She placed her hands on her hips.
"Well...no, but all of that will come in time." He waved her concerns away, smiling at his bride-to-be.
"Poppycock. All of that needs to come before the wedding," Owe insisted. "I am not letting you take this girl out of here until you can put a roof over her head."
"What?" Lonnell seemed startled by the news.
"You heard me. I didn't stutter. Bronna's father placed her in our care, and I'm not about to let her wander off with some penniless farm boy."
Damn, this woman had attitude. While Azure felt bad for his friend's spontaneous plans getting ruined, he couldn't help but like Owe for her protective nature and realistic view on the situation.
"I'll take her back to Cragbell," Lonnell told Owe, pulling himself from the floor.
"Do you have enough money to buy passage on a ship back to Cragbell for the both of you?" She eyed him skeptically.
A sheepish look took over his face. “Well, no.”
"Ey don't wanna go back ta Cragbell," Bronna whispered against Lonnell's arm as she stood and clung to him.
"It's the fastest way for us to be together. My parents would let us move in with them now that Uden's..." his voice trailed off, and his eyes roved over her face showing guilt.
"Did Uden move out? Is he here with ya?" She sounded way too excited by the prospect.
Lonnell turned to Bronna and gently held her by the shoulders as if he expected she would crumble from the news. “Bronna, Uden is dead.”
She gasped, drawing a hand up to her mouth. “Dead?”
"Yes. He died fighting The Dark One. He died...protecting me."
"Oh. That's horrible. I'm so sorry, Lonny." Bronna wrapped her arms around him for comfort.
"While I'm sorry for your loss, that doesn't change the fact that you don't have the coin to get back to Crescent Island," Owe told them.
Bronna looked up at Lonnell beneath a mask of sorrow. “Ey don't want ta go back ta Crags, Lonny. It's so boring. Der's no lyf fer us der. Here,” she gestured to encompass everything around them, “we have da world at ar feet. We can do whatever we want.” Her face lit up as if she had already completely forgotten about Uden's sacrifice.
Lonnell's expression was unreadable, but it was clear that he was deep in thought. Azure stayed silent, not having a horse in this race. No matter what the two of them decided to do, he was going to Hawking's School of Land Magic. If this was where they parted ways, then so be it. Azure felt he knew enough about The Realm now to be able to navigate it without Lonnell by his side, and what he didn't know, he could learn.
"Well, no matter what you decide to do, you're going to need money," Owe said.
Lonnell looked over at her. “Are there any farms around here that are hiring? I know how to plant and sow and harvest.”
"I'm afraid not. Most of the people around here are too poor to take on workers."
It sounded much like things on Crescent Island. You either got your family to help you for free or you did it all on your own.
"What about you guys? I could help with the animals." Lonnell nodded towards the door.
"We can't afford to pay you either. It was hard enough taking on another mouth." Owe glanced over at Bronna.
"Ey could work at tha tavern in Squall's End," Bronna suggested quickly.
"You most certainly will not," Owe insisted. "Our job is to keep you safe, and we plan on doing just that. The tavern is no place for a lady.
"The only thing that I can suggest is the Adventurer's Guild, if you have the metal for it." She noted the staff strapped to Lonnell's back.
"Adventurer's Guild?" This piqued Azure's interest. It sounded like a fun way to make money.
"Yes. The locals submit quests there. Stuff they either can't take care of on their own or just don't want to deal with. Payment is usually dependent on the difficulty of the quest."
This was a familiar concept to Azure. He'd seen the same system used in many games before. The thought of finally being able to earn a decent amount of money was exciting.
"That sounds perfect, doesn't it?" Azure asked Lonnell, who didn't seem anywhere near as thrilled as he was.
Lonnell sighed. “I suppose there's no other choice.”
"No, there's not," Owe agreed. "I won't let you marry Bronna until you can afford to put a roof over her head. If adventuring isn't your thing, then you can always just do it long enough to be able to afford some land and start a farm of your own."
"Speaking of farming, where is Cristopher?" Azure asked.
"He's in Squall's End running his shop. He's not a farmer. He's a cobbler. I'm the farmer." She smiled proudly.
"And apparently, I'm just a girl that sits around doin' needlework all day." Bronna glanced at an embroidery hoop sitting on a chair in the corner of the room with distaste.
"It's a good skill for a woman to have," Owe told her before returning her attention to Lonnell and Azure. "You're welcome to stay for dinner. After that, though, you have to be on your way. I'm sorry, but we can't afford to take on two extra mouths right now." Her hand went to her stomach, and for the first time since seeing Owe, Azure noticed a small bump. She was pregnant.
"We understand," he told her, wondering if it was hard for her to tend to the farm all by herself while her husband was in Squall's End. It was clear that she didn't want that to be any of their concern, though. More than likely, she set Bronna to the tasks that she didn't feel like completing. Some hard labor would probably do the girl some good. From what little Azure knew of her, it seemed as though Esau had spoiled Bronna rotten and allowed her to run wild.
Lonnell's mood seemed to sink by the second. “I suppose we'll have to find somewhere to stay then, too.”
"There's an inn in Squall's End. They rent rooms nightly, monthly, and yearly, depending on how long you plan on sticking around," Owe suggested.
"That sounds perfect, ma'am," Azure thanked her for the information.
Supper was served late, and most of the time before that was spent with Lonnell and Bronna occupying one corner of the room discussing their plans for the wedding and the future, Owe outside tending to the animals, and Azure tasked with the chore of plucking the chicken she had slaughtered for their dinner. He figured that his cooking skill would go up from the work, but no dice. At least, the task afforded him the time to go over his character sheet and assign his characteristic points.
He brought up his stats to analyze them and see where improvement was needed the most.
Name: Azure
Race: Human
Level: 7, 4% of the way to next level
Health: 210 / 210
Mana: 170 / 170
Stamina: 210 / 210
Vitality: 14
Intelligence: 10
Strength: 14
Agility: 13
Dexterity: 12
Charisma: 10
Luck: 12
Skills: Archery Lvl 3; 50% of the way to next level
Stealth Lvl 3; 57% of the way to the next level
Analyze Lvl 5; 46% of the way to next level
Cooking Lvl 5; 50% of the way to next level
Alchemy Lvl 3; 83% of the way to next level
Foraging Lvl 6; 3% of the way to next level
One-Handed Weapons Lvl 5; 6% of the way to next level
Tracking Lvl 1; 80% of the way to next level
Two-Handed Weapons Level 5; 0% of the way to next level
Languages: Common Tongue, Sprite, Goblin-Tongue
Azure felt pretty comfortable with his Health and Stamina. He doubted he would be facing any incredibly powerful
foes anytime soon. Starting magic school was his top priority, and to be able to cast all of the spells he planned to collect, he would need Mana. Worrying that he was being perhaps a bit too overzealous, but deciding to be reckless anyway, Azure placed all three of his available characteristic points into Intelligence, raising his Mana to 200.
In regards to leveling a skill, he faced the same conundrum as last time. Both his One-Handed and Two-Handed Weapons skills were at the start of a new level. But Azure didn't foresee himself picking up another two-handed weapon anytime soon, and he'd already sold the iron halberd. That made his decision much easier.
Congratulations! The skill: One-Handed Weapons has reached Level 6. This skill enables you to use all manner of one-handed weapons to defeat enemies. What you do with your other hand is up to you.
Cristopher returned from Squall's End just after the sun had set. Taller than his brother by a few inches, Cristopher was a barrel of a man. His hair was dark and stringy and swept to one side. Pinched eyes and plump cheeks framed a wide nose. No one would probably be able to tell that he was related to Esau if they didn't know.
He gave the boys a warmer welcome than his wife had, interested in the tale of how they had crossed The Misty Waters and guffawing at Azure's foolishness for having wanted to see the sirens. When he asked if they were really as beautiful as he'd been told, Owe gave him a slicing gaze. That didn't keep him down for long, though.
They finished their meal in merriment that Azure hadn't expected. Cristopher even offered for the boys to sleep on the floor, to which his wife quickly whispered to him, audibly enough for everyone to hear, that they weren't a house of charity. His expression sulked, and it soon became apparent who wore the pants when it came to making decisions in the house. Azure figured that the only reason Bronna had even been allowed to stay was that she was kin. At least, Owe seemed to have a strong sense of family. That was admirable.
"I'm sorry we can't do more for you boys," Cristopher told them as he walked them to the door. He lacked the accent that Bronna shared with the captain and his sea mage. More and more, Azure wondered if she was adopted. Physically, though, she seemed in line with the two brothers.
"You've done more than enough," Lonnell replied graciously as they took their leave.
"I really hate to send you out into the dark with all of the wolves and goblins and orcs running about," he said loudly, throwing a half-glance over his shoulder. Owe wasn't budging, though. "Sorry, I tried," he whispered.
"It's quite all right," Azure assured him with a chuckle.
"Seriously, now, you two take care. It's a long way back to Squall's End. I wish we had an inn in Roselake, but the village is too small to support one. It's rare that people come here for any reason other than to settle down or fish the lake."
"We'll be fine," Lonnell said, waving a final goodbye to Bronna.
"It's almost pitch black out here," Azure mentioned as soon as the door was shut behind them.
"I know." Lonnell continued staring at it as if he hoped that Owe would have a change of heart. "Not the ideal conditions for travel."
"I wonder if he was being truthful about the wolves and goblins and orcs or if he was just saying that to try to convince her to let us stay." Azure pivoted, remembering the rooster and raising his guard. For now, it was the most threatening thing that might attack.
"I'm sure there are wolves and orcs and goblins here. And thieves," he added. "Towns like Squall's End tend to attract the less savory. I would feel none too comfortable about staying on the path tonight."
"My feelings are much the same. I think we should travel a ways and make camp in the forest. It's no worse than we had to do back on Crescent Island."
"Agreed." Lonnell nodded before looking down at his fist and clenching it to cast Small Flame.
Azure filed in behind him as Lonnell led the way to the gate. Thankfully, Red never made a reappearance. Apparently, he had gone off somewhere to roost for the night. Silently, Azure hoped he'd never have to come back here again, even though he really had enjoyed Cristopher's company. The cobbler had been one of the lighter spirits that Azure had encountered in The Realm so far. Perhaps he'd pay the man a visit at his shop in Squall's End from time to time once he got settled.
Despite saying they weren't going to travel very far, Lonnell lead the way to Roselake then continued on down the path back towards Squall's End for about a quarter mile before breaking off into a grove of trees. He handed his machete over to Azure to hack away at any foliage in their path. When they were a good ways from the road, they stopped to make camp.
Sleeping somewhere new felt strange to Azure. The ground wasn't really any different than anywhere they'd been before. It was the unknown dangers that kept him awake at night. Many of the sounds were unfamiliar to him. Insects and animal grunts that he hadn't heard on Crescent Island. By the time morning came, he had barely gotten a wink.
They continued on in the early morning. Lonnell was never one to waste time. When Azure asked if he'd like wild hare for breakfast, Lonnell countered that they should forage instead. That led to an hour-long detour wandering around a field looking for things to eat.
You have harvested:
Fireweed
Uses: Alchemy component
You have harvested:
Wild Onion
Uses: Alchemy component, Restores +5 HP if eaten
You have harvested:
Blue Mushroom
Uses: Alchemy component, Restores +10 MP if eaten
Azure found seven of the fireweed, fourteen wild onions, and ten blue mushrooms. Lonnell assured him that it was all edible, but a tasty meal it did not make. He ate half of his supply and kept the other half, still feeling hungry afterward. It just wasn't enough food for someone who burned so many calories. It also didn't satisfy Azure's craving for a hot meal.
They made their way back to the path and didn't stop again until they had reached the fork. Well, Azure stopped. Lonnell continued right on walking towards Squall's End.
"Hey, wait up," Azure called to him.
"What?" Lonnell turned.
He pointed at the sign to Hawking's, and his friend stared at it for a moment before understanding hit him. “Oh, yes, you wanted to go to the magic school.”
"That's the plan," Azure told him.
Lonnell blew out a breath, and his expression changed with thought. “We should return to Squall's End and secure a place to stay first.”
"Maybe the school has a dorm?" Azure suggested, hopeful.
"What's a dorm?"
"A place where students stay while they're going through school. It's typically free."
Lonnell laughed and shook his head. “That's the craziest thing I've ever heard of. Free room and board.”
Azure sulked. “Your parents let me stay in their barn. That was free.”
"That was different. Schools here aren't prone to charity."
"It never hurts to check." He shrugged.
"And even so, where would I stay? I'm not planning on attending magic school. I need to be making coin, not spending it." Lonnell gave him a serious look.
Tension filled the air between them. It was like a silent game of tug-o-war.
"You don't even want to check it out with me? Uden probably would have liked you to see it." Azure tried to persuade him to come along.
"I can see it after I'm settled." Lonnell glanced in the direction of the school. "Right now, I need to start making coin so I can buy some land."
It was clear that their goals no longer aligned and that they were at an impasse. “I guess this is where we part ways then,” he said, feeling a bit ill about it. Yesterday, he had told himself that if this was how things had to be, then so be it. Now, facing the thought of losing his only friend in The Realm, he didn't seem so sure.
"I guess this is." Lonnell took a few steps towards him with a soft smile before stopping and gazing up at the sun. "If only Uden could see us now. Both on the mainland. You going off to st
udy magic and me preparing to make this my new home."
"If only." Azure tried to force a smile as well.
"We'll see each other again. I'm sure of it," Lonnell told him. "If this dorm of yours doesn't exist, you'll end up in Squall's End looking for shelter. And if magic school proves to be too expensive, you'll have to find some way to pay for it."
"Yeah..." Azure's voice trailed off. Part of him was upset that he had gone through so much to help Lonnell and the guy wouldn't even give him a few hours of his time to check out the magic school. That was very dick of him.
"Well, it's been fun. Good luck at the magic school." Lonnell extended his arm so that they could clasp wrists.
"Good luck with your...marriage," Azure replied awkwardly. What else was he supposed to say? Maybe good luck finding some work would have been better, but he was admittedly in a bitter mood right now.
Lonnell turned from him and walked away, never looking back. As if to add insult to injury, he began whistling a merry little tune. Azure gave his backside the finger before turning to face the direction that Hawking's School of Land Magic was in. It was finally time to start an adventure of his own.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE REALM – Day 44
The path to the School of Land Magic was unlike any that Azure had walked before. At first, it was just the regular brown dirt beneath his feet, his sides flanked by fields of grass and the occasional thickness of the forest. But as he continued down the path, things began to change. Dirt turned to gravel then turned to cobblestone. The fields began to change in color, their flora growing more diverse. Azure couldn't identify even a fraction of the plants that he saw, and when he tried to go off the path to harvest some, he ran into a wall of nothingness. Outstretching his hands to touch the transparent surface, he felt like a mime. There was obviously some type of barrier in place.
The trees grew taller, their trunks wider, the closer to the school that he got. Deep brown was their wood, and emerald green was their foliage. Some of them entwined, coupled like lovers as they reached toward the heavens. Birds danced between their branches, their plumage bright with the colors of a rainbow. Striped deer sauntered through the forest, munching on the buffet around them without a care in the world. For a few moments, Azure thought about trying to shoot one, but deep down he knew that the barrier was there for a reason. This was a protected area. A menagerie. Maybe even a zoo of sorts. There was no way for him to tell until he reached the school. All that he did know was that he didn't want to get kicked out before he even got there by disturbing something he wasn't supposed to mess with.