Blood of the Merciless

Chapter Nine

9.

Ashe and Florian stood in the fields just as they had the previous day. Ashe's body had still been in pain. She cast and the plants grew. Florian had helped some of the villagers cultivate the Khalt. Once Florian had been close enough Ashe spoke up.

"You didn't say anything dumb to Alaric, right?"

Florian shook his head. "At first, I was angry when he struck you down the first time. But once I saw you try so hard to beat him. I felt that if he had shown you mercy, that would have been disrespectful." "I wouldn't have known what to do if I was in his shoes."

Ashe chuckled. "You would've done the same." "Alaric is strong, he might not have the brute strength of that Jugz guy but he sees the battle differently to you and me."

"What do you mean by that?" Florian asked.

"It is hard to explain. It is like he rigs the battle from the start." "He left the tavern earlier last night to draw the rune onto the road. He knew I had to grab my spear."

"He cheated?"

Ashe shook her head. "No, he just planned better. I think we can get stronger if we begin to think like he does when we battle."

"I don't think that is what you want to do." Another voice popped up.

Alaric walked between the fields holding buckets filled with water. A few women stood behind him with their buckets.

"Do not try to fight like me," Alaric said once again as he sprinkled some water over the plants.

"Why not?" Ashe asked.

"My way of fighting has its weaknesses as well." "Take Florian's fight for example. I wouldn't have fared any better than Florian had against Jugz."

"You could use your barriers to block his attacks though." Florian brought it up.

Alaric shook a finger at Florian. "I can't block everything. If the attack is powerful, it takes a large toll on my body. I get extremely fatigued if I constantly erect barriers as well. And I cannot move when I cast a barrier." "There are many weaknesses that I have, the best way to improve is to adapt to your weaknesses."

"Great, this is turning into another lecture," Florian said.

Alaric chuckled. "My point being, that you should use your strengths to the best of your abilities. That means Ashe, continue using your ever-impressive athleticness. And Florian, use your quick wits. Only when you do this well, will you overwhelm your opponents."

"Where did you learn all this?" Ashe asked.

"I read it in a book I found in Priest Able's room."

"Maybe we should've read more." Ashe laughed.

Florian shuddered at the thought.

The trio laughed as they continued to work.

The twins' light was dissipating as the trio got back to the village. Florian had helped Ashe walk. The village was different this evening. Wooden tables stood spread out on the road. The people of Nezzagwyn looked incredibly busy but they had smiles on their faces.

"What is happening?" Ashe asked.

Alaric spotted Miss Thea and went up to her.

"Oh, Master Alaric. You are early, we are still preparing." Miss Thea bowed.

"Preparing what exactly?" He asked.

"A feast."

"A feast for what?"