The Prodigies: The Return of Equinox

Chapter Thirty-Two: Fated - The Farthest Walk

The day had barely begun. The sun was still trying to rise over the mountains in the distance. Garvhoz awoke first. He was already used to the very early mornings from his training in the mountains. He awoke how he had always tried to, simply. With not even a stirring of his body his eyes opened up. He lied there for a moment, it was this small window of time that he was without burden. As he rose up he could feel the various aches and pains that his body housed.

He could feel his joints rebel against his will. He knew what it was and he already came to terms with it. It was the joint weakness that normally only plagued elderly people. He had only mentioned it to one of his superiors once and they had some people from the Permagrounds come to the mountain and look at him. They confirmed what it was and tried to treat him. It had worked, but only for a few months. So they kept at it like clockwork, a schedule of him going to the infirmary for a bit of a check up.

He realized, after a year, that he had reached the limit of his body as far as his bones were concerned. He knew, or at least felt, that far greater could be achieved still with his muscles. Even so, his strength began to plateau. The leaps of strength that he had become used to were becoming jumps, hops, and even now just little skips. He figured he was coming to his limit but that he could not stand. It made him try harder to pass it.

After he readied himself for the next few days he went and awoke the others. After he had made sure that the others were ready he went outside to where the inn keeps horses. He had started to prepare his horse for the road. As he prepped he noticed a girl come to the stable-like structure.

"Hey there big guy." She looked at him with interest. Not with attraction to him, but rather with what he was doing. "Why're you up so early in the morning."

"I could ask the same of you." Garvhoz did not turn to her, he kept his eyes fixed to his horse and the checking of his supplies.

"Well, I'm a bit of a sensitive sleeper. I just so happened to awake when you did and I just couldn't fall asleep as you awoke the others in your party."

"Sorry to have awoken you in such an odd hour."

"It's alright, but I know a way you could repay me."

"How so?" He finally turned to her, he was very confused as to where this conversation was headed.

She stood there, tanned, long hair, somewhat tall, and thin. She was dressed modestly, nothing remarkable about what she wore. She would not claim any title of respect or being related to someone who could. She was simple, in the way she lived. Garvhoz envied her, she knew not how unfair life could be.

"You could take me to where you're headed." She smiled as she spoke, and looked at him with the devil in her eyes.

"Why?"

"No reason, just felt like I needed some adventure in my life."

"The thing about adventure is that once you actually get it, you'll want none of it."

"What do you mean?" She narrowed her eyes, but she kept her smile. She was pleasantly perplexed. She thought she'd hear a story about war, or about lost friends but she didn't.

"Because, there is no greater dread than being on one. I pray to the Six of War that you don't know how it feels."

"Well, how about I get a taste? I can cook some, and I hear that I'm very funny." Before Garvhoz could answer the others had arrived. Core, Noromac, and Alegna came to do the same as Garvhoz had. They all, funnily enough, did the same as Garvhoz and fixed their eyes to their task.

"Prodigies." Spoke Garvhoz. The other three turned to Garvhoz and then the direction he looked. "She want to join us down our road. She says she can cook and is funny."

"Sure, I didn't like the whole silent treatment going on between us the way down here." Noromac would have shown more excitement for good company if he was more awake.

"I agree, I would like to be in the company of humans who aren't Prodigal." Core croaked.

"I hold no preference to either outcome. Whatever it is you desire most." Hissed Alegna.

"I guess you're part of the group now." Garvhoz sighed. He didn't want her with them, but it couldn't be avoided now.

"Really? Oh this is wonderful!" She hopped with glee. "I'll get my pack and horse ready to go. If my father comes out act like you don't know me."

"We don't know you, we have barely made acquaintance and lack knowledge of your name." Alegna was now already annoyed by her. They wondered if they could eat her when all was said and done.

"The name is Riah, now please do that favor for me. Act like you don't know me." She ran off into the inn before anyone else could speak.

"We still don't know you." Grumbled Garvhoz.

...

"So, what's the deal with you people and the valley?"

"We have to deal with a threat to the country that lives there." Noromac liked Riah. He thought that she was great company to have.

"What kind?"

"Something to do with demigods I presume."

"Do you believe in them? The gods and such?"

"Just The Mother. She's the only god I need."

"I don't believe in any. Because they are not real. And if they are real, they are not gods."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, my father and his dwarf friend were talking once and they talked about how it was back when the gods roamed and their sons and daughters did. But it was just too unbelievable."

"What do you mean?"

"Apparently, the gods had just left. All of them, with their only departing words being that they entrusted the land to their children the demigods. No reason for their departure. Seems like lazy story telling don't you think?"

"I guess."

And the demigods, why would a god have to have sex with a man or woman to have a child. Couldn't they just make one out of thin air?"

"I don't think that's the point."

"And then there was the whole Created God. Solstice, the God of Man."

"Who?" Asked Garvhoz.

"Yeah, supposedly all these people were mad at the gods and created their own. Shows how strong a god really is when all it takes is some imagination and a crowd to make one."

"Who was Solstice's demigod?" The military texts never spoke about what she talked about. Garvhoz wondered why.

"Some man by the name of Equinox." The other Prodigies turned to face each other.

"Is that so?" Asked Noromac.

"Yeah, and then that god left too! Poor boy was so bent out of shape that he tried to make his way to him but couldn't make it. He died studying the gods and supposedly improving the lives of common men."

"So, a peaceful existence?" Asked Alegna.

"Supposedly." She answered.

"How boring a life to live." Said Noromac.

"That's what I was thinking!"

"I guess bringing you along was a good choice." Said Garvhoz.