Legends of Arkn

Ch. 13 - One Step Closer

"I cannot take this anymore," said Chaz. "I'm saying everything I said before. All these words make no sense."

"Keep practicing," said Joh, walking beside him.

Phan watched the exchange. Chaz has been getting lessons on focusing his power from Joh and the Phoenix, who took turns explaining the nature of magic to the rogue. He seemed skeptical of the whole thing, but the events outside the Castle of Glass had at least given him a glimpse at the power within him.

They'd traveled out of the valley, leaving Mydas Ember's looming presence in the distance as they moved north and west, skirting the lowlands where Xero Company were likely looking for another intercept point.

"Where are we going, sir?" Phan asked as the General dropped back to inspect the line.

"Wakefield," he relied. "It's a small independent duchy in the north of the Arkn, another. You met Duke Markus, I believe. Another few days should see us there safely."

He'd met the duke during the defense of the Wall. It was only weeks past, but it seemed like a lifetime ago now.

Duke Robert joined them.

"We need to hunt, Kenji," he said. They'd dropped the pretenses of formality around Phan. Whatever his official rank, he had been welcomed into the group of leaders by virtue of his relationship to the General. "We can't keep up three days' forced march on hard tack and dried fruit."

"I know we haven't been going long today, but I think the duke is right, sir," said Phan to the General. "I'll lead the hunting party, sir."

"Very well," said the General. He clearly didn't want to stop, but knew Robert and Phan were right. "Take Bradd and two soldiers with you, Phan."

"I'd like to go, too," said the Phoenix, the monk suddenly next to them as if he'd joined the conversation and simply been standing by for his turn to speak.

"Go, be fast, but safe," said the General, turning and shouting orders for a halt.

"I'm coming too," said Chaz, jogging over. Joh shouted something after him, but Chaz waved him off. "I need a break from all that."

"Let's go," said Phan, a surge of authority in his voice that surprised even him. "If we're lucky we can down enough game to feed most of the company well until we reach Wakefield."

Phan, Chaz, Baron Bradd, the Phoenix, and two Shinodan soldiers split off and picked their way off the trail. The land in this part of the northern mountains was still heavily forested and they'd seen a fair amount of game. Phan slid his mid-range scope onto his rifle, and glanced at the rest of the group. The Shinodans bore swords and light crossbows, the monk carried only his staff, Chaz had his long knife, and Baron Bradd...

"Is that an axe?" asked Phan.

"I'm an axe man, so?" said Bradd with a smile. "I've got my tomahawks too.

"That should be fun to hunt with," Phan replied.

"Just wait, you'll see," Bradd said with a grin.

Walking through the woods was nice. Phan savored the shade of the canopy and the cool breeze. Chaz walked beside him, whispering to himself.

"Is that a new poem?" Phan asked his new friend.

"Yeah," said Chaz with a grin. "Been working on it since we left Hahn's Cross."

"Share it with us, Chaz," said the Phoenix from behind them.

"It's nothing much, just a verse," said Chaz sheepishly.