Age of Strife Book 0: The Path of War

Chapter 3: A Kindly Old Man

It has been two week since his departure from the Exiled Clans and though his physical wounds are healed, the pain of being excommunicated by own kin still hurts Hiryu. Having truly left the Exiled Valley's territory and Hiryu walks a path he is still uncertain of, as he has simply taking up to wandering where to go. In the days of traveling with no end is in sight or destination set, Hiryu begins to feel disillusioned with his belief of venturing beyond the valley, and contemplates perhaps returning in secret to valley to hide in the vast misty forests as some sort of hermit. But this thought is interrupted by the sound of yelling faraway "Come on now old man, give up the goods!" Hiryu picking up in stride sees that a group of five vagabonds are picking on an elderly man. "Yeah, you want to live to see the next sunrise then give us all you got." said the vagabond in front of the old man's face. Hiryu preparing his sword to intervene begins to walk towards the group but before he could react one of the vagabonds was already flying towards him. Hiryu dodge the human projectile looks back in disbelief before looking back at the old man to see he is fending off the vagabonds with ease of his cane. Not wanting the vagabonds to get the advantage on the old man Hiryu intervenes as best he could but the old man had already made quick work of the vagabonds as they are splayed all over the floor knocked out. Seeing the vagabonds lie in defeat Hiryu makes an attempt to speak to the old man, however he is met with a strike directed at him. Blocking at the last minute with his sword Hiryu calls out "Hey! Old man I'm not here to rob you!" The old man tilting his head for a moment before looking behind him realizing he had unintentionally attack Hiryu. "Oh! Dear me, apologizes young man. But you really shouldn't sneak up on people like that. Especially when one is unsure about who is friend or foe in the midst of battle." The old man replies. "Hah, right... I saw what happened with these guys. Got to say you made quick work of them for someone of your age." Hiryu compliments. "Oh I am but a kind old man who was simply traveling the road. But still thank you for your compliments, I must say though your reflexes are... certainly something to behold. Most wouldn't have been able to block my attack the way you did." said the old man. "Well I have some experience in fighting so I hope I had the reflex." Hiryu laughs off. "Hmmm... indeed, tell me young man where are you heading?" asked the old man. "I... I.... I don't know to be honest. I'm not familiar with the land and don't know where to go." Hiryu says honestly. "Well, why don't you travel with me for a spell? Perhaps from where I'm going you can find a place to stay or who knows perhaps you can reach the capital." the old man offers. "Thank you kindly sir, I'm-" Hiryu is interrupted by the old man "Oh please, call me Kazuma... Kazuma Saito." "Right, thank you once again Kazuma please call me Hiryu." said Hiryu. "Hiryu, what an odd name I must say." Kazuma absent-mindedly questions. "It's a nickname, means flying dragon from what I'm told." Hiryu answers. Kazuma nods in response as he begins walking down the path going north with Hiryu at by side. Traveling with Kazuma was very insightful for Hiryu as he learnt of all sorts' things from the old man and how the world outside the valley was. Of course Kazuma was rather surprised on how little Hiryu knew about the Eastern Front, and of what has been happening as of late. Eventually the question of where Hiryu originally came from popped up, causing Hiryu to think heavily on what to tell Kazuma. Wanting to tell the Kazuma a half-truth for the sake of his family and himself, he simply said "I came from an isolated place in some valley, grew up close to my family but recent circumstances have forced me to leave them... and never return." Kazuma looks at Hiryu's expressions intently as though he was trying to discern if he was lying or not. "I see... and this reason you cannot return is?" "I almost did something unforgivable... almost hurt my family." Hiryu responds with. Kazuma in an understanding matter simply nods his head not wanting to press on the matter further. The two walk in silence until they reach what seems to be a centralized trading outpost, traders are lined outside the gates and some seem to have been waiting long. "Damn, there's a line. We'll be out here for hours." Hiryu says exasperated. "Heh, only if you're a trader with goods. Come this is where the people go." Kazuma light-heartedly while pointing at a small entry. Walking to the traveler's entrance the two are greeted by two guards from the Human Empire, Hiryu becomes immediately nervous at the sight of the guards. "Ah, Kazuma finally back from your trip?" The guard sitting the table asks. "But of course, the trip was relatively un-eventful on the way and was just the pleasant weather was all I had for companionship. That is until I found this young man here who offered to keep me company." said Kazuma. "That's good to hear, now as per usual sign here as a record of your arrival." The guard says while presenting a book. Hiryu unsure what to do watches Kazuma sign the book with his name, so following suit he put down his nickname Hiryu. The guard checks and reviews the signatures before writing in a date and his signature in the column beside. "Alright, everything is settled. Come on in." said the guard. Kazuma gives a smile to the guard before walking further into the outpost; Hiryu quickly follows after him still a little bit nervous. As soon as Hiryu catches up with Kazuma as he asks "Never been around many people?" "More like I've never been around imperial guards before, this is my first time seeing them." Hiryu responds. Looking around the outpost Hiryu sees all sorts of people ranging from human merchants and mercenaries to elves with fairies accompanying them. "Um... Kazuma, if you don't mind me asking but who are these people and where did they come from?" Hiryu quietly asks. "These folk, I mention before they are mostly traders but aside from that I'd say some are probably refugee caravans too." Kazuma answers. Hiryu looks over trying to see where some of them would come from, but even with the knowledge he gained from Kazuma he was unable to place them specifically. "Alright Hiryu, this is where we part ways." Kazuma says with finality. "Huh, what why is that?" Hiryu asks confused. "I feel your path is to take you to the capital, and from there you would gain more insight and purpose than what I can offer you on the road. Here a map of the many paths to the capital" Kazuma answers while handing over the map. "Kazuma... I- I don't what to say." Hiryu utters. "Then don't... but Hiryu if I'll be honest, traveling with you for last few hours has been very interesting. You clearly are lost in this world you are unfamiliar with and yet you take it in stride, along with that your reflexes to block my attack you was... fascinating." Kazuma says before continuing. "I'd like to make an offer. One that you can accept or refuse and it would be to join me for some proper martial training. You have potential and I wish to see it honed for your benefit. You can go whenever you wish and there will be no ill-will between you and I should you leave. What say you?" Hiryu ruminates for a moment between the map to the capital and the training Kazuma offers, coming to a conclusion he says "Alright Kazuma... I'll join you a little while longer." Kazuma gives Hiryu a smile of satisfaction as he is happy to hear the acceptance, and notions Hiryu to follow where he's going.