Age of Strife Book 0: The Path of War

Chapter 11: A Need for Rest

Since taking the six swords from their mantle, Hiryu had become restless in the weeks to follow. As he continued to train with the swords and further his understanding of them, the more he felt their hold on him tighten. Though he had learned to dispel the swords from sight and body he still felt them attached to him and had grown to fear what might become of him. Yet he felt as though he needed to continue as though it needed to be done. As though he was simply fulfilling some greater purpose... or desire that dwelled within him that he could not explain. Unsure what is reality or a fabrication of his mind Hiryu had begins lucidly seeing an armored warrior almost haunting his every waking moment, and every time he would sleep he would dream the same dream over and over. A dream of a war against a primal being and Hiryu himself would spearhead the opposing force to victory, but at the cost of him dying in the end. "Hiryu are you alright?" Hiryu would return to reality as he sees Kalyd and Felicaz looking over him concerned. "You look lost in thought, and... well unwell. " Kalyd said concern evident in her tone. "Yeah, after your ascension to Adept you've been very... erratic." Felicia adds as worry evident as well. "I've... not been sleeping well I'm afraid. Terrible dreams, and...." Hiryu stops as he tries to come up with an excuse. "Just terrible dreams is all, maybe a walk in the arboretum may clear my mind." Trying to walk away Kalyd stops him, and grabs his face to look at him closely. After examining Hiryu for a couple of moments Kalyd says to Felicia "Fel, get Balyek and Ry'ar to pack some of their things for a trip to the local town. Gather a bag for Hiryu as well." Felicialooks at Kalyd with concern for a moment before nodding and going off in a direction. "What are you doing?" Hiryu asks confused as to what Kalyd plans. "Hiryu... your dedication to the Ninth School is admirable but you don't anything more to prove to us. You are an Adept now, and proven everything you needed to. So you should take some time off for yourself." Kalyd says. "You should leave the monastery for a time; take some time to truly get some fresh air. Normally adepts or novices would be sent outside for business reasons, such as trading and the like. But looking at you... you're a mess! Balyek and Ry'ar will accompany you to the local town where you should be able to interact with "normal" people and truly relax." Kalyd said in a concerned tone. "What about the grandmaster?" Hiryu asks. "I'll deal with the grandmaster; you go and wait by the gate for Balyek and Ry'ar." Kalyd responds before letting go of Hiryu's face and walking toward the monastery. Perhaps this is what he needed... a chance to relax and interact with the outside again; at least if trouble found him he'd be ready. Leaving the monastery for first time since his arrival Hiryu, Balyek, and Ry'ar trek the dirt road to eventually reach the main road. Walking the northeastern road the three would walk in solemn awkward silence, until Ry'ar would eventually groan out "Alright this is terrible!" "What is?" Balyek ask. "This! All of this! I mean were just walking in absolute silence for the last thirty minutes, and its torture!" "Well, what would you have us speak of?" Balyek ask once again. "Anything, just tell something to kill time while we walk to Centura." Balyek thinks for a moment, as too Hiryu as they think on stories to tell. "Did you hear about what one of the new initiates did lately?" Balyek asks. "No. What did they do?" Ry'ar answers uninterestedly. "Well apparently this initiate took a challenge from a novice to mess with senior Me-Yun." Interest piquing from Hiryu and Ry'ar the two listen closely "The challenge from what I was told was to force Me-Yun to either dress ridiculously or break form and have her freak out. Now the initiatethought that the two were impossible to pull off in a short amount of time, and proposed a new idea. Can you guess what it was?" "Hmmm... Causing her to be late?" Hiryu answered. "Nah, she'd remember the times she sets. Hmm, did they prepare a bucket of water over a door?" Ry'ar proposed. Balyek shakes his head at both answers before answering "Dye her hair every color of the spectrum." Ry'ar and Hiryu widen their eyes at the answer before Ry'ar says "Bully! No way that happened!" "It did, tell me when you saw Me-Yun didn't her hair look shinier than usual? That's because she's wearing a wig and trying to bleach her hair." Balyek says letting out a light chuckle. Ry'ar thinks for a moment before letting out a loud scream as he yells "GAH! I can't believe I didn't notice sooner, it was shinier than usual! I thought she was trying something new!" Hiryu letting a chuckle of his own asked Balyek "What happened to the initiate?" "Active latrine and janitorial duties till the end of next month." Bayle answers while smiling. After a while on the road trading stories and pieces of gossip that floated around the monastery the three finally arrives at the rural town of Centura. Centura, a rural town settled somewhere between the western borders of the Human Empire and the nearby city of Telveria. Known primarily for being a minor trading town and one of many farming towns, its qualities also lie in the food and hospitality the people offer. Wandering the town of Centura Hiryu, Balyek, and Ry'ar see the townsfolk preparing and hanging various decorations. "What's going on? Some sort of celebration?" Hiryu asks. "Hmmm... I think so. I recognize some of these decorations but can't place where. Perhaps we should just ask." Balyek says. "Then I'll go look for a place that we can rest at for the next three days." Ry'ar says as he begins to search for an inn or tavern. Now as Hiryu and Balyek wander the street of Centura they see a crier walk onto a stage in the town square, and announces to all to hear "Attention all, attention all! The mayor has declared any and all participant who wishes to officially participate in the 39th Imperial Tournament are to go to the town hall for registration. This shall last for two days and will accept only warriors registered to the Adventures Guild or the Centura Reserves. Bear in mind this is only to be considered by the judges sent by the Tournament, so do not expect a guarantee place!" Hiryu walking toward the stage loudly asks the crier "What is the Imperial Tournament?" The crier looking at Hiryu responds "A newcomer, eh? Well to put simply the Imperial Tournament is a tradition that happen once every five years, where the Empire's finest prove their worth!" "I remember now! The decorations the townsfolk are dressing around town are to show their support for the chosen candidates, and if I'm not mistaken... there should be festivities taking place too!" Balyek exclaims in remembrance. "Really... well, this visit will at least be interesting given the time we arrived. Tell me crier, do you know who the Tournament judges are?" Hiryu asks. "Well, from what I hear it's the Defenders of Arkos in conjunction with The Sisters of Verdant. Strange though that a bunch known for being grove tenders and healers would act as judges too." "Perhaps they would act as physicians to see if the warriors are fit." Baylek answers instantly before turning to Hiryu and in a low tone says "If the Sisters of Verdant are to come, then I've more to tell you. But away from prying ears." Hiryu understanding this thanks the crier and walks with Baylek around the town. "So... what's this about the Sisters?" Hiryu asks. "The Sisters of Verdant are not as "non-violent" as they seem, as they employ underhanded tactics that would rival venerated assassins. Make no mistake they are still first and foremost healers, but because of their extensive knowledge of the anatomy of all living things makes them lethal killers if needed. In fact, Me-Yun two years ago claimed to have met and seen the Verdant's guards during the grandmasters meeting in the arboretum." Hiryu remembering vividly when he snuck into the arboretum and seeing the Verdant guards... and contended against. "From what she told us seniors, they were eerily cold and very much serious in their duty." Balyek says before shuddering a little at the thought. "Astounding that a group like them can as welcoming and loving then turn out so cold when needed." As Balyek finishes, Ry'ar is seen jogging toward them "There you two are. I found a place we can stay for the next three days, and I take it you heard?" "You mean about the Imperial Tournament? Yes and the festivities are certainly something we should try." Hiryu says with interest evident in his face. "Well, yeah but-" Ry'ar is interrupted "The Defenders of Arkos are to be the judge, and the Sisters of Verdant are to be the potential second. I finished informing Hiryu about them and their 'studies'." Ry'ar looks at Hiryu and says "Look this doesn't particularlychanges anything for us, we came here for you to properly regain yourself by Kalyd's demand. So let's just enjoy ourselves and not worry about the politics of the monasteries right now, okay?" Hiryu looking at both Balyek and Ry'ar says "Alright... what should we do?"