The Forsaken Arts

Chapter 15: Distant Travels

Though small in stature, Ronfure Village acted as Rendarg's primary port since it sat on the coast of the Horzli Sea. Goods and wares of all types were imported and exported from here.

Due to the small town feel and reputable hospitality, this quaint village was nicknamed Old Timer's Pit.

Very few, if any politics existed in this place. Despite Lord Kashif's rule extending to this area, he liked the idea of a territory on his land that wasn't entirely under royal influence.

For this reason the elderly, former soldiers and widowed military dependents settled there for a quiet existence that would lead into retirement.

Coming off of a winding path, Evenharth finally reached a fork in the road. There in the middle was an iron pole impaled in the ground.

It was forged with several slits in its upper frame where wooden slabs were inserted to aid travelers in finding their way.

He grinned at the thought of simpler times as The Faxon Kingdom was accepting of advances in technology from western civilization.

Choosing to hold onto to certain aspects of their indigenous culture, Rendarg now benefited from a blended existence of both the olden and newer ways.

Though members of the Steel Guard and Legion carried portable tracking devices that projected a digital map of the continent, Evenharth decided to follow the wooden slab pointing North that read Ronfure – The Fisherman's Village.

After a few more minutes of travel, the small settlement fortified by walls made of wooden pillars finally came into view. Two huge doors had just shut behind a woman and child in tattered clothing who were leaving the settlement.

With Ronfure now within eye's sight, Evenharth began wondering how his friends were faring on their missions.

He felt guilty knowing his comrades were spread throughout the continent on life or death assignments. However he was tasked with seeking out the cleric turned fisherman.

Nearly at the gate, he was about to cross paths with the woman and her little one. The child was visibly upset and she was trying her best to provide comfort.

"Its okay sweetie, daddy is in blessed hands. He was feeling much better but needs time to rest." She said while kneeling down to wipe the tears from her daughter's eyes.

The little girl sniffled then dove into her mother's arms; snuggling her tiny face between mommy's shoulder and chin.

Seeing the little girl sobbing was too much to bear. Willing to offer his time, Evenharth stopped to check on them.

"Please forgive my intrusion, I'm Evenharth of Faxon, is there any way I could be of assistance?"

"Oh... no thank you, we're fine." The mother said with a confused look on her face.

The little girl looked up at her mother, "Mommy, Saxon is where the king lives right?"

"Yes sweetie that's right... well its Faxon, but yes that's where the king lives."

"F-f... Faxon." The little girl sounded out.

"That's very good." Evenharth said with a smile as he knelt down offering the little girl a celebratory high five.

She turned around with a tearful giggle and high fived Evenharth with her tiny hand that barely covered half of his palm.

"You're far from home, what's a soldier of Faxon doing out in these parts?" the mother asked.

Before he could reply, the little girl stepped forward with a lowered head while pulling on her thumb, "The bad men hurt daddy, Faxon stops the bad men right?"