Pillars of Age

Hermit Sword Tengu

SOKU

The night sky, graced by twin blue moons just past full, cast a dim light over the forest in Northeast KuvnarMal. Dark smoke from burning buildings and large bonfires in a nearby clearing blurred their bluish glow.

In the distance, loud celebratory noises from the clearing echoed into a large tunnel. Inside, two figures with unusual appearances finished their conversation.

One was a male ValMyra Tengu, his fierce face framed by thick eyebrows and a long, straight nose. His skin was dark red, and his thick, long hair a wild mix of grey and blonde. He wore loose cloth garments in two colours, secured by a cloth belt. The asymmetry of his attire exposed his muscular right shoulder, chest, and abdomen. His lower garments were wrinkled and dirty, held in place by the belt. Attached to it was a wooden scabbard housing a large straight sword with a simple yet majestic handle.

"Well then, Mister Soku, enjoy the feast. Unfortunately, the main course won't suit a sword hermit like you," said the other figure, the voice laced with sarcasm.

Soku smiled wryly, sensing the cloaked and masked mortal's scrappy knowledge about sword hermits.

Despite his relaxed demeanour, Soku was curious about the masked figure. However, his duty was clear: escort and protect. He chose to ignore his curiosity, just deducing from the figure's size, gait, and voice that she was an adult human woman.

Ahead, Forest Elf children lined the tunnel, their fear palpable even through the thick cloth covering their eyes and mouths. Their hands were bound, linked by ropes forming a chain of captives. They obediently followed the masked figures deeper into the tunnel. Soku, while curious about their fate, focused on his duty and walked toward the tunnel entrance.

Emerging from the tunnel, Soku inhaled deeply. The path led through the forest to the clearing, where the feast was in full swing. His nose detected a distinct aroma from the cauldrons of soup.

In the clearing, KuvnarMal Tengus with blue skin and greyish-black hair revelled in the feast. The main course, fresh Forest Elf meat, was their most cherished delicacy.

"This is taking forever! Look at the other cooks, they're already serving!" complained some Tengus around a boiling cauldron.

"Huh, you know nothing. This fresh Forest Elf meat needs precise cooking time. Too quick, and you'll have a very good meat in a mediocre dish," retorted the cook, a KuvnarMal Tengu with a body both muscular and aged. His slightly hunched back and shoulders contrasted with his firm chest and abdomen. Sparse greyish-black hair crowned his head.

"Hey, don't be here. We don't want our meat ration to decrease!" a waiting Tengu protested as Soku approached their cauldron.

Despite his similar body size and nose, Soku stood out with his dark red skin and grayish-blonde hair, tied back, unlike the others' grayish-black, often loose or ponytailed.

"Relax, this Tengu ValMyra is a sword hermit. He doesn't eat any meat—livestock, wild animals, or mortals. Just vegetables and fruits," the cook explained, quelling the protests.

"We can eat vegetables cooked with animal or mortal broth or oil," Soku clarified, correcting the misunderstanding.

"Really?" the cook asked.

"What is not forbidden can be enjoyed to the fullest!" Soku replied, quoting a sword hermit proverb.

"Still, too many restrictions to truly enjoy life's pleasures," the cook retorted, eliciting laughter from the others.

Soku smiled warmly and asked, "May I have a portion of the vegetable soup?"

"Of course! We're only after the meat. Sit over there," the cook said, pointing to a stone near him.