35 Darkness

A strong rain pummeled the small tents throughout the night. The wind was strong and threatened to blow the tents away at any moment. The sound of the heavy rain hitting the ground was only interrupted every now and then by the sound of thunder in the far distance.

The rain, which eased up in the morning, let everyone know it was time to continue. Riou prepared himself by putting on his heavy leather coat in an attempt to ward off the rain. He looked around to see how the others were coping with it.

Therese and Leona, as experienced travelers, were already using a long hooded cape for protection. It was quite long and protected their bodies and most of the horse's back as well. Only their faces remained uncovered. As expected, Eileen wore one as well.

Riou looked around and noticed everyone had one but him. 'Should I go in the carriage then? At least I will have protection from the rain,' thought the boy looking at the carriage's direction with a depressed expression. Seen this scene, Bronach pointed to Riou while looking at Herger.

Moment later a horse approached the boy. Herger without notice threw at him a cape like the others. "Did you forget your rain coat somewhere?" He smiled mocking the boy. "This is a gift from the old man." Riou looked in the merchant's direction. The old man smiled and nodded. Riou raised the cape to show him his thanks.

With everyone set, the journey continued. Therese approached Riou after sending Leona and Eileen on some errand.

"There is something watching us since last night," said the Lioness in a very low voice.

Riou frowned as his eyes quickly searched the surroundings without turning his head. "Are you sure?"

She nodded once slightly. "It's hiding its presence completely, but I can tell somehow it's there. Something is lurking in the shadows nearby."

Riou looked around once more. "Is it here now?"

She nodded once.

The boy concentrated his mana in his eyes. He resisted the urge to scratch them, while quickly having a look around. With enhanced vision, he first tried to detect traces of heat, but nothing was hiding behind anything for him to see. He tried other types of sources but to no avail. He then turned off the mana in his eyes and lowered his head. 'Time for a more direct approach.'

A magical aura deliberately expanded from his location like a sonar in a very high speed, covering a lengthy distance.

Something caught his attention immediately. It was far away, but he quickly concentrated mana in his eyes, while sending another pulse towards the spot, in an attempt to find out what it was.

To his surprise, by the time the second pulse arrived, it had already vanished like it was never there… It didn't move or flee, as the boy would be able to sense it inside its pulse. Whatever it was, simply vanished into thin air.

Riou looked at Therese with concern in his eyes. She could tell he had found something.

"I don't know what you did, but it's gone now," she said looking around as well.

"Do the others know?" asked Riou.

"No, not even Leona is aware. I came to inform you. I think whatever it is, must be here because of you," said Therese.

Riou nodded. "Yeah, I guess I'm doing a crappy job at hiding myself."

Without any issue they moved, the oh-so-feared wargs could not be seen anywhere. They were keeping their distance, and the mercenaries became restless. It was not very common to be attacked by wild beasts, but it was as they were deliberately running as far as they could from the caravan, long before knowing it was coming, and that was unheard of.

Viki seemed much more reserved for some reason and barely interacted with anyone since they left the last city. Elias and his group continued their desperate attempt to befriend Leona, who clearly wasn't interested in the slightest. They even tried to approach the Lioness, but her gaze and presence were enough to make them give up on the first try.

Eileen usually stayed beside Therese, who taught her about the life of a warrior and how to be prepared for constant travel. She used the surroundings to show her how to identify water streams, animal tracks and possible enemy ambush spots. She taught her about animal movements and birds to see where the wind was blowing in the heights.

Sometimes Riou listened from behind as well. Nothing was out of his knowledge, but he found it interesting listening to the way she put things into perspective.

When Eileen was not taking lessons, she was with Riou. She used the time to tell him her adventures and older lessons under Therese. They talked and laughed pleasantly from time to time. Some envied the boy who could talk so easily with such a beauty, others even more because he was friend of the Lioness herself, and the rest envied him because of both reasons.

As Eileen approached Therese after spending some time talking to Riou, the lioness faintly smiled towards the princess.

"You are very lucky to have found a strong mate," spoke Therese complementing the princess.

Eileen surprised by the sudden comment, blushed a bit.

"We… we are not like that," replied the princess.

Therese ignored her and continued, "He is still young and already shows very good traits. Soon enough, he will grow into a fine male." Therese looked at Eileen. "You should claim him before the competition appears," continued the Lioness.

Eileen widened her eyes. "Competition?" questioned the princess.

Therese nodded. "He clearly is not of common birth despite his claims. He is highly educated and extremely well trained. He may not have a name to support him in these lands, but once the nobles realize the real him and how strong he is..." Therese looked at Eileen with serious eyes. "They will not spare resources in trying to get his support. Some will even try to marry him into their families to gain influence. He may become a strong political asset in the near future, not only for Allard, but that may be especially true for the Norse and the clans, as they have a higher regard for outstanding swordsmanship."

Eileen seemed to be taken by surprise. That hadn't crossed her mind. The thought of him having to marry someone deeply moved her, as she herself also had to escape such fate. With such strange reasoning in mind, she tried to explain the strange feeling such thought provoked in her.

Eileen glanced at Riou who rode alone in the back. "I don't think he'd accept an arranged marriage…" said Eileen looking back at Therese.

Therese kept her smile. "Who knows? He is a lost child in strange lands… without any support he might be inclined to accept an offer, given the right circumstances and incentive. It's possible."

Eileen looked down. Despite her attempts to improve, she was still failing to realize many of the things that Therese pointed out so easily. It was right there but she didn't noticed until now.

Therese smiled faintly, looking from the corner of her eyes towards the princess. She added, "Well, if you don't like the boy then you shouldn't worry too much about it. Someone else will certainly take him."

The strange feeling rushed once again inside the princess' chest.

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Riou kept trying to find whatever was lurking nearby from time to time, but to no luck. Not even Therese was able to notice it again after the first incident.

As the days passed, every now and then the same comments could be heard amongst the mercenaries. That there were no hunt nearby. The tracks of the animals strangely showed they keeping distance or even desperately fleeing from the caravan, even the ones that could attack them. At those times, Therese looked at Riou. The boy knew what she meant, but it was very difficult to stop something he was not aware of.

Luckily the next town was not very far, and there, they would be able to refill their supplies.

Without any trouble, they arrived early in the coastal town of Kellige.

A rustic stone wall surrounded the city protecting it from animals and bandits. They approached its wooden front gates that opened at the sight of the merchant. The guards waved, greeting everyone. Bronach and his mercenaries were clearly well known.

The town was very big when compared to the villages of Allard. The housing was mainly wood and stones made in a very rustic manner, nothing as fancy as seen in the large cities. Stone roads were almost non-existent.

Few merchant stands could be seen and most sold fish, meat and raw leather. Small children ran in the alleys between the houses, watching the mercenaries walking by escorting the caravan.

Weapons and armor were clearly in demand in the region, though it seemed like supplies were even shorter than usual as the last shipment was never delivered.

That's where Bronach's merchandise came in. He quickly sold many of his weapons and ores to the locals, and a few leather armors as well for some of the hunters and guards. He not only received coins as payment, but leather and meat jerky as well.

Riou was looking around when he noticed on a food stand something that caught his attention.

"Is this an onion?" It was the first time he saw one in that god forsaken world. Eileen approached and looked at the root in Riou's hand with curiosity. She seemed unaware of it.

He looked around the stand with more care. The smell of the herbs and seasoning there were all familiar to him. It was a commonly used in the food where he came from. There were not many, but it was enough to put a smile in the boy's face. 'Maybe the colder weather is favorable for growing them...or did they not exchange products despite being friendly countries?' thought the boy. 'How can they possible not being trading spices?'

The merchant seemed unsure. "This is a root we roast and eat when the meat is over. Sometimes it's good with a soup as well. We also have this other root here, but since Jarvev died after eating one last week, we stopped growing it," said the merchant, pulling a crate of potatoes from the ground.

A tear run from his eye. Sweet bliss of finding different food. He was tired of the same taste everywhere; pure meat or soup with strange bitter roots and awful taste. Culinary was wildly underdeveloped, aside from a few taverns and castle dinner parties.

"No, no, don't stop growing them!" quickly advised the boy. "Just store these ones safely from the sun, and cook them very well before eating it." He proceeded to discuss the proper ways of cooking these products with meat, as well as using the herbs and seasoning at the stall. Riou lived alone in his old world. It was not strange for him to know a thing or two about cooking.

Eileen was following Riou thought the city, and just listened to the conversations he was having. She was intrigued that he even knew that much about farming and cooking.

The happy boy had enough seasonings, potatoes and onions for a few meals. He stored them on the last, empty carriage he used to ride.

Bronach spent most of the day going from one part for the town to the other, stopping at merchants known for selling and buying more. Riou used the opportunity to search for more spices and rarer roots and grains. Whatever he could find, he bought for himself. He was so eager on the process that even Bronach became curious to see why the boy was so active.

"Why are you buying those things? They are not very tasty you know," questioned the merchant.

Riou smiled brightly. "Ohh, but they are, if you know how to prepare them… if I were you I'd buy them as well, they will fetch a very high price, after people know how to prepare them."

Bronach thought for a moment… "Well, it's not like we don't have the space, and I can't pass a business opportunity like this." He turned towards the local merchant "I will also buy what the boy is taking."

As the night approached they went to the only inn in the city to stay.

It was big, but unlike the inns of other towns, it was only 1 story with a very high ceiling held up by wooden pillars and supports. The huge, rectangular room had a big fireplace at its center, to the back a counter and access to storage room and kitchen. On the walls, many doors could be seen. 'Probably the rooms,' estimated Riou while looking around. The tables were many and distributed in the middle of the big central room around the fireplace.

Riou was carrying a crate full of products he bought inside without concern. He went straight to the kitchen without even asking the owner permission. Curious, Eileen followed him as well.

With the chef's help he proceeded to prepare a meal he used to do for himself: simple steaks with well-cooked and seasoned onion gravy with mashed potatoes.

He promptly passed a knife and some onions to Eileen. "Peel this few and then slice them like this," said Riou showing her how to do one.

Eileen slowly peeled and cut a couple of them. Without practice, it took time for her to properly do it. By the time she finished a couple, she began to felt a strange sensation on her eyes.

It was like a burning sensation, her eyes quickly became teary. Not understanding what was happening, she looked at Riou to question him.

With his practice, he had peeled and sliced many by that time. His eyes and face were completely red and his nose was snuffling with enough strength to make loud noises. He was in much worse condition than her.

He smiled with difficulty "I could do this all day long, easy," he said struggling to keep his eyes open and focused, due to the intense burn and constant tearing coming out, but his high spirit in having a better meal could be noticed as his excitement only grew. She giggled and laughed at the sight of him in that state, and while wiping the tears of her eyes, she promptly continued to help.

After the cooking began and they were back to normal, Eileen questioned, "How do you know all this?"

Riou smiled. "I lived alone for a long time, so I had to learn a few tricks in the kitchen if I wanted to have a good meal once in awhile. This is a very common and easy recipes from my land."

The chef Marko watched, doubtful of the results of such cooking.

With the hard part over, the cooking proceeded well as he borrowed the rest of the ingredients from the inn's kitchen.

After all was done, Riou served Eileen first in the kitchen and waited for her to taste it.

As the food reached her mouth her eyes widened in surprise.

Riou nodded and gave a large smile of satisfaction. "It's good isn't it?" He said with a sense of accomplishment, Eileen nodded surprised by the taste. "It's very good! I never tasted something like this before."

He was overjoyed to eat something good for a change.

Marko rushed to taste after such compliment, and he also couldn't believe his palate. He hurried to take notes as a single detail of the cooking process could not be forgotten. His tavern would become famous if he served such good food.

Riou brought plates with steak and mashed potatoes with gravy for Therese, Leona and Bronach. The rest would serve themselves as the pans were brought to the center of the inn by the fire to keep them warm. The plates were cleaned in an instant by everyone, it was a huge success.

Therese looked at the pans with strange desire, Riou noticed she was wanting a second round. Riou looked at her with a wry smile. "So even the mighty Therese couldn't resist my cooking skills?" said the boy joking with them in a good mood.

Therese smiled faintly. Riou approached her. "Was it good?" he said with a smile and expecting a response.

"It was very good indeed, thank you for introducing me to it," she said. Riou looked impressed at her politeness and bowed respectfully as an artist would. "You are most welcome! Allow me to serve you once again my lady."

He then went towards Leona. "Now it's your turn." Leona who was caught by surprise. "Did the meal suit your tastes my lady?" said Riou pretending to be a high chef speaking to a customer.

Leona nodded looking at Therese with a smile, thinking the boy was acting funny. "It was very good, thank you."

"Glad you liked it," said Riou turning towards Elias group. "And you bunch, I hope you tell your folks about this food and get help introducing its planting it in Allard. We need more food diversity in that land."

With mouths full, everyone nodded with enthusiasm.

Riou looked around and noticed Viki leaving the inn. She had been acting strangely for a while now, and she stopped pestering him since Eileen arrived. 'What is she scheming now?' thought the boy leaving her be.

The food was a huge success. Bronach promptly agreed with the boy's earlier remark. If that food was brought to Allard it would fetch a very high price indeed. Bronach sat down with Riou and took notes on how to produce those roots and seasonings to spread them in Brigantium as well. He'd even hire a local if needed to go there help with the first crop.

After everyone from the caravan ate, the locals began to appear and occupy the tables in the inn. Everyone wanted to know what that lingering smell was. Marko had plenty of orders to train the new recipe that night.

After having a joyful time with everyone, it was time to sleep. Eileen, Therese and Leona, as usual, took a room next to Riou.

The boy's room was small, there were no baths in that inn due the cold, just a bed and a chair, a small candle with a bronze support for light. No windows or other furniture.

Riou took of his heavy clothes and set that was common to all places. He placed his weapons on top of the small table near the candle. He laid down on the bed and closed his eyes. 'Today was a good day.'

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"How curious," a strange deep male voice from inside Riou's room. He immediately opened his eyes and quickly raised himself searching the room.

Sat down on the chair was a man with Riou's dagger in hand. He was analyzing it very meticulously.

A strange darkness surrounded him. His silky hair was black as the darkest night and reached over his shoulders completely combed backwards. His attire was of a noble, with mostly black color and a dark purple and golden strand details. He didn't seem old, but it was clearly not young either. Riou couldn't place his age.

His eyes suddenly gazed at the boy, as his head moved a moment later as if following them with a delay. They were strangely white in color with a very dark round pupil. The white seemed to emit a strange and faint glow of its own.

The man put the dagger on the table, and slowly stood up. Walking towards Riou who kept silently watching his every move without moving a muscle.

"What are you?" asked the man slowly speaking as if trying to find the answer by himself.

Not far from the boy, he stood, looking from above, at him in the bed. The man eyes were strange, sometimes relaxed and sometimes strangely widened. Riou could notice he at times was looking directly at him for the next moment to be complete out of focus, while maintaining a strange serious expression.

Riou found it very discomforting to say the least.

"Who are you?" questioned Riou unsure.

The man's expression didn't change immediately. Suddenly a smile appeared as he moved his head.

"So you don't know me?" questioned the man strangely pleased walking back and sitting down again in the chair.

Riou watched him, his movements were strange, and most of them began slowly, just suddenly to catch up in a fast manner, for a moment later it become slow once again, just before the motion ended.

"Should I know?" said Riou sitting down on the bed.

The man smile became a little too big for a human. His teeth were white as his eyes and strangely pointy shaped, especially his canines which were a bit bigger than they should be.

With his normal expression back, he continued with his questions, "I was under the impression you had come for me, but if you haven't, why are you here then?"

Riou looked sideways to the man. "Just traveling with some friends," answered Riou while keeping his guard up.

He took Riou's short sword from the table and unsheathed it in silence, and analyzed it for a while.

Riou waited for a bit, before asking, "Why are you here?"

The man listening to the boy, snapped out of his thoughts and laid down the weapon on the table.

"Why? To meet you in person of course," he said nonchalantly.

Riou nodded. "So, was it you, the one watching us few days ago?" questioned the boy intrigued by the man. The strange shadows that surrounded him were a strong indication he was capable of powerful dark magic.

He smiled once again. "The female… she have a very keen sense. I believe she is from the beast clan, is she not? Please compliment her on my behalf, not many are able to sense me."

He looked straight to Riou's eye. "And on that note, I feel I must praise you as well. That strange magic wave you sent… what an amazing trick, it caught me off guard… very interesting way to locate an unknown presence… I was not aware of such possibility. So I thank you as well for showing it to me. It was very exciting," said the man very politely.

Riou was impressed by the man strange politeness and way of speech. He was certainly some kind of noble. "Thank you, I guess… but why did you came to meet me?"

"To meet you and then kill you," replied the man nonchalantly.

Riou seemed confused. "Why kill me?" questioned the boy.

The man looked puzzled himself, as if not understanding why he would have that question.

"You entered my domain, spreading your strange mana without contention. How can I perceive that act if not a clear provocation towards me?"

Riou sighed, beginning to understand what happened.

"But I must say, I'm delighted," said the man with a smile. "It's been too long since I had a real challenge… You see, no one worthy ever appears in my domain, and most of today's youth wouldn't dare even to appear before me." The man leaned back on the chair. "So you must understand my excitement when something like you suddenly appears." He paused for a moment looking once again to the boy with curiosity and then continuing.

"Enough with the games and deceit. Tell me, what are you?" Asked once again the man in black in a more serious tone.

Riou smiled wryly. "I'm quite flattered… but I'm me, and it's just that I'm new to all this mana thing, so I wasn't really wanting to challenge anyone."

The man eyes twitched, clearly angered he instantly appeared in front of Riou. He didn't move nor stopped time, he just vanished leaving a dark smoke behind and quickly reappeared in front of the boy.

The dark one looked intensely towards Riou, his eyes seemed to glow brighter for a moment, and he could noticed the man's pupil became thin as a reptile eye, they were nothing like Therese's. The gaze was intense and clearly not of a hunter focusing in its prey.

His eyes lacked emotion, and Riou felt they tried to look through him. The man didn't move a muscle while in that state, Riou stayed on guard and watched carefully.

It lasted for a moment, and the man seemed intrigued.

"That's interesting… you are indeed speaking the truth," said the man smiling, extending his hand above the boy as if sensing his mana with great satisfaction. "You are human… and not something else passing as one as I first suspected." He returned his hand to his side.

The man walked slowly back to the chair. "That brings back some memories… reminds me of another human I met… you remind me of him. How long has it been now since I met Arthur?" he questioned himself.

"Arthur Strongheart?" questioned Riou immediately intrigued.

The man exclaimed with a certain degree of joy in his tone, "The only being that almost killed me! Truly a shame he was human and short lived."

The man looked at the boy. "But you, you are very similar, this strange source of mana, this mixture that is neither spirit nor death… there is no doubt… and your body…"

Riou leaned back with suspicion. "What my body have anything to do with this?"

The man looked at the boy's muscles and face with strange intent. "Your body is still adapting… so it hasn't been long since you crossed… I see. Your body is still regressed to a more malleable vessel… interesting." The man paused for a moment taking a step back.

"You will become even more powerful than now, once it completely adapts to this world…" The man paused for a moment and looking at the boy's eyes with a strange interest and wicked smile before continuing, "Perhaps I should kill you now while I still have a chance."

The boy smiled devilishly back to the man. "You are more than welcome to try," said Riou sending a high amount of raw mana to his right and left hand to attack or prevent an attack at any sign of hostility.

The man eyes glared, a purple flame seemed to flash briefly on his eyes.

"Such spirit! You really remind me of Arthur!" The man smiled with satisfaction.

As the man seemed to be calming down, Riou also relaxed his mana from his hands, but still maintaining his guard up.

"My name is Noctis Aardwing, also known as The Shadow Bringer and the Everlasting Flame. The First-Born of the Dragon race." The man bowed his head respectfully. "And how may I call you, Rift Walker?"

Riou looked at him sideways with suspicion because of his sudden change to politeness after threatening him. "You can call me Riou… and I guess I just gained a fancy title from you," said the boy greeting the noble dragon. He looked with suspicion at the man and continued.

"Are you really a dragon? I mean, really, with wings, claws and everything? And what exactly is this rift walker you speak of? And more importantly, what is the meaning of this malleable vessel you spoke off?" quickly questioned the boy sensing the dragon would be a good source of information.

The dragon nodded acknowledging the questions. "This is but a shadow, my true form is very different indeed. And a Rift Walker is as the name indicates, one that is able to walk between worlds." He smiled before continuing.

"You grew in a world without mana, so your body was built to withstand such environment. But as you were thrown into this world, your body had to adapt to survive this strange new element it never felt before. I don't know why it happens, but after the body fully adapts to it, you will recovers your real age, making this just a temporary vessel while you adapt."

Riou listened with interest. 'Maybe something to do with growth peak and cell adaptability… as we grow older our body slows down as well…maybe it needs a faster metabolism to somehow interact or withstand this mana adaptation… well I don't know for sure, but it's the best theory I can make up right now.'

Riou looked at the dragon "You sure know a lot about this… If I'm a rift walker, how I ended up here? How can one walk between the rifts?"

The dragon nodded while smiling maliciously "There are places where the boundary is very thin, and one can force a passage to traverse…"

'Ok, so far nothing groundbreaking,' thought the boy before promptly continuing, "Do you know how to open this passages?"

The Dragon looked from above at the boy. "Of course I know."

"Could you send me back to my world?" asked the boy with clear interest in his tone.

"Perhaps I could… perhaps I could not," said the dragon dismissively.

'This damn dragon...' thought Riou 'I need to get him to talk… maybe Max will know what to do with the information this dragon has.' Riou looked back at him. "What could I give you for you to be willing to help me?"

The man looked impressed. "How impressive, you even dare to ask favors from me, who threatened your life just moments ago. Sadly you don't have anything I desire," said the dragon even more dismissively.

Riou smiled wickedly towards the Dragon. "Don't get me wrong, I'm just asking nicely out of respect of your gentlemanly mannerism."

The dragon contained a laugh. "Was that a threat? How elegantly put."

Holding his head high he quickly added, "Perhaps we should fight, just for the fun of it."

Riou widened his eyes and smirked towards the man. "Perhaps we should."

His eyes once again flared with excitement and a strange sense of satisfaction. He smiled once again showing his long and pointy teeth.

The man eyes returned to normal after a moment as he smirked back. "Speak my name into the shadows, and I will be sure to listen to your voice. I may even come to you depending on my mood."

Riou nodded with satisfaction after the dragon's inclination to cooperate. "Do Dragons enjoy human food? I will put something together along with some drinks. Perhaps you will feel more inclined to appear with some incentive because, without false modesty, the dish I made earlier here was great, you should have tried it."

The dragon laughed. "As a matter of fact, I do enjoy human food. I participate on their feasts quite often." He nodded towards the boy. "The humans know me by Lucian Brahm, please refer to me as such if we meet amidst them."

He was impressed. "So, you like to be amongst humans?"

The dragon smiled. "Someone told me it would be a good way of passing time. They've been a good source of entertainment for a long time now. Their politics, schemes and strange behavior are very curious. No matter how much time passes something is always happening. Most of the time I just observe. Eventually I even involve myself just for the fun of it."

Riou, impressed, nodded in agreement. "Very well, Lucian Brahm, I expect to hear from you soon."

The man politely spoke preparing to leave. "Riou, the Rift Walker, you truly are a fascinating one. I have a feeling I will not get bored for a long while after meeting you today." The dragon bowed once again respectfully. The boy followed after him with a respectful bow as well. "I feel the same way, Noctis Aardwing, the first born of the dragons."

Riou quickly added, "And I must say as well, you are much more of a nobleman and a gentleman than I expected any dragon to be."

The dragon laughed once again. He then turned around elegantly, wandering into the shadow in the wall behind, fading into the dark.

After he was gone, Riou glanced at the shadows on the room. "That puts privacy into a whole new perspective," said the boy mockingly to himself.

'Well, that was interesting to say the least… I will have to make him help me even by force if I have to… perhaps Max will have some good idea on how to deal with him,' thought Riou as he relaxed in the bed once again.

'I need to take this aura thing down before it brings more unwanted attention. This time I was lucky… was I? Was that Dragon a good or bad dragon?' Riou frowned. 'Well, he didn't attack me… so that's a plus on the good side I think,' thought Riou as he tried to devise a way how to suppress his aura.

'This is nothing like killing intent or something I can control easily… maybe I should try a different approach… maybe I can do it forcefully,' realized the boy as he spread a very thin and strong mana shield around himself, it was a net intended to impede only the mana from leaking, an attempt to contain it within his body. 'This will take some time to get used to… I can't forget to keep this up from now on… maybe Max can create a ring or another necklace to do it instead of me.'

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After a quick stop on the local producers for stocking a few potatoes and onions seeds. The caravan once again began moving towards the next city, the last big city before Thanes. The city of Askar.

Viki joined the caravan late as it was already leaving the town, she greeted everyone as her energetic self, and when crossed eyes with Eileen beside Riou, she deliberately sent the boy a kiss from the distance.

'And she is back…' thought Riou seem the rogue acting normally in her strange self again.

After a while on road to the next city, Riou noticed Herger passing by, going for the front of the caravan. He signaled to Herger who approached him.

"What is it boy? Do you need anything?" questioned the mercenary with a smile.

"Do you know any Lucian Brahm?" questioned the boy.

The mercenary frowned towards the strange question. "The Brahm's house is famous, they are one of the richest amongst the nobles. Everyone knows them. They rule over a small town deep within the mountains for many generations now. They say he have a gold mine there. Most of the gold of the country is provided by them. It's really a remote place, very hard to get there, so the house leader rarely leaves it, but why do you ask?"

Riou shook his head. "Just curious. I overheard the name yesterday but couldn't quite place it."

Herger nodded. "Well, if you are lucky, you might see him in Thanes. They will be having the summer festivities right about the time we arrive in the capital, and he might be attending this year."

Riou nodded, thanking the mercenary for his time. Herger nodded and continued towards the front in a faster pace.

The boy looked towards Eileen beside him as if looking for a casual conversation. "What do you know about dragons?"

The princess looked confused by the sudden topic. "Not much, it's been over a century since anyone seen one. The last one was killed by Maximilian."

Riou nodded. "So, there are none around these parts? I heard dragons love mountains, don't they?"

Eileen just shook her head without any knowledge of dragons in the region.

The boy insisted, "So, have you heard anything about some dragon, the Shadow Bringer I think? The first born of the dragon race?"

Eileen squinted her eyes while looking at him. "Why this sudden interest in Dragons? And how do you know the Shadow Bringer is the first born?"

Riou scratched his head. "I think I overheard some stories from the locals yesterday… I got curious, so do you know about it?"

Eileen nodded, as her suspicion grew. That was not a casual talk to have overheard in an inn, much less knowing he was the first born of the dragons. "The shadow bringer is an old legend. It is said that the black Dragon would appear in the sky, bringing the shadow of the night with him. The day would become the darkest of nights as he rained down his purple flame. His fire would burn for days without end and nothing would be able to put it out."

The boy was impressed by the princess knowledge. "That's a nice legend, how do you know so much about it?"

"My ancestor was the one to fight it, so it's a known legend in Allard," said the princess.

"So there is more?" questioned the boy wanting more details.

Eileen nodded and continued, "It was said that he could listen from the shadows to whoever called for his name. Those who would dare speak it would eventually bring his wrath upon their cities. He became so feared at that age that his name was cast into oblivion; every record of it was destroyed and those who knew it were sentenced to death."

Riou widened his eyes, the punishment was very severe at the time. 'They must have really feared him to go to that far'

"It was only at much later time that the Black Dragon was banished by my ancestor, Arthur Strongheart and never seen again. The dragon's name is still forgotten to this day. The shadow bringer and the black dragon are the only references that still remain of him."

Riou smiled wryly, he had come to meet a rather troublesome one. "That was very insightful."

Eileen smiled, she took a good look at him, and she couldn't help but find it funny. It was the middle of the morning already, he seemed still a bit sleepy, and his hair was uncombed and messier than normal. And he was asking the strangest questions out of the blue without a single concern in his mind. The princess smiled while thinking how someone could be so carefree.

Noticing her sudden gaze and her bright smile the boy was caught off guard, getting stunned by her beauty for a moment.

Their eyes met briefly as the princess quickly break it by looking down.

"Say Riou, what do you think of political marriage?" she asked after remembering Therese's words.

He pondered for a moment, "I told you before, I'm not very fond of it… you should be able to choose and do what you think it's right."

Eileen nodded, reformulating her question, "But I mean, if it was offered to you, would you marry to gain a name and lands in case you couldn't go back to your home?"

Riou thought for a moment while the princess waited anxiously. "I don't think so, well I mean, maybe? If it were a princess… I might consider it." He looked mockingly at the princess with overly charming eyes, clearly joking "Now that I'm thinking about it, only if the princess wins against me in a formal duel." Riou paused for a moment, "And if she doesn't snore, that's also a deal breaker."

Eileen giggled. While looking at his silly face, she smiled. "Don't forget that you lost to me on a formal duel already."

Riou looked impressed. "You'd be so evil to hold that against me?"

Eileen giggled once again. "Well, a victory is a victory."

Overly shocked, he replied in a fun tone. "I'm quite shocked… Poor me, doomed to a terrible fate by a tyrannical princess… just because of a tiny detail." He squinted his eyes and looked at her sideways with a misc of great interest and suspicion. "You snore, right?"

She burst laughing. Therese smiled while Leona turned her head towards the princess in the back surprised.

"But jokes aside, I can't imagine it. I mean, to have to fight against this marriage candidates… I don't see how it works either, because, fighting would only increase hate between you and them right? Even if one of them were to win the duel, you would not suddenly fall in love with him, but still would have to marry him? So I don't see how this custom works."

Eileen smiled, in a more serious mood she continue. "My mother used to say that a woman knows when she is fighting the right person, she just need to make sure to not loose before that" Looking happier she continued, "and I couldn't have chosen another path."

Riou nodded. "Must be hard being a princess, even harder to have to defend yourself like that since such a young age. I envy your resolve Eileen, it is clearly not an easy path to take."

The princess thanked with a single nod while blushing slightly by the sudden compliment. She was often called on her beauty and elegance, but all her other traits were hardly recognized. Riou was the first one that noticed them and called them out without reserve, at the most unexpected moments.

-----------------------------------

As the caravan advanced signs of the wildlife began to appear once again. Therese looked towards Riou and nodded with satisfaction.

Didn't take long after it for them to be attacked by wargs, the big wolf-like creatures with strange short legs. The mercenaries were used to fight them, so they were dealt with quickly, killing the leader and drive off the remaining ones.

Herger used the opportunity to approach Elias group and threat them, "You came to gather experience in the life of a mercenary and adventurer right? So next time we are attacked, you will step in to help." Everyone in the group swallowed hard, suddenly the adventurer's life was not as appealing with the imminent threat at hand.

Herger wanted them to realized that it was not an easy life, and perhaps helping in fend off the beast would provide a better notion to them.

A couple days later, as the temperature grew colder and the snow could be seen not too high in the mountains. The rocky terrain gave space to a small plain with many hills that seemed to go all the way from the coast to the forest at the mountain range foot. The earth was very dark and covered in grass, probably because was still summer, as in the winter it would probably be covered in snow. There were no roads and no signs of constant movement.

Therese called Eileen and pointed in the distance where the caravan was headed. A thin white smoke was barely visible as the land abruptly lowered. Eileen looked with attention and quickly replied. "Hunters or a bandit camp. A few hours on this speed, and they might try to ambush us while hidden by the depression on the way as there is no way around it."

Therese nodded while handing her great sword to the princess. "You are still not allowed to use your Rapier," reminded the lioness.

Therese raised her hand in a clenched fist. Herger approached her immediately after.

She quickly pointed out possible enemies in the distance. Herger acknowledge the issue and questioned her. "Perhaps this is a bit too much for the greenhorns. I will let them know to stand out of this fight," added the mercenary leader.

Therese quickly replied, "Do as you wish, but I don't see a problem with it. The young ones can take care of it. You should not worry for their safety, as Eileen and Leona will care for them," said Therese looking at the two who understood their roles immediately.

Herger was impressed. If half of what he has heard about the Lioness was true, that was more than a reality. He nodded agreeing with Therese.

Herger addressed everyone in the caravan as soon as he turned towards them, "Rejoice you bastards! We expect company soon. If they have ill will towards us, the young ones will be the only ones to fight! Do you hear? Stand back and let them gather some experience"

As the mercenaries shouted excited by the news while Elias and his group showed extreme concern and signs of anxiety. Herger approached Elias shortly after. "Listen boy, be careful and don't give any chances to the enemy. Kill if you have to; I will be watching nearby in case you need help. So muster some courage and lead your group when the time comes," said the mercenary in a low voice tapping the noble's back a little too strong.

As they began the downhill tread, the caravan noticed a group approaching, it were around 20 well-armed men and women. They all possessed decent and new leather armors. The men held axes and long swords while the woman had bows and were on the back line. They now knew where the town shipment went to.

The strange group moved forward clearly intending to block the way of the caravan at the end of the hill, knowing that the caravan would not be able to turn around in the middle of it.

Herger approached Therese concerned. "There are far too many for the greenhorns to handle," whispered the mercenary leader with concern.

Therese didn't look at him "We already discussed this, the young can fight. Their numbers does not change anything."

Herger clearly wanted to be sure. "At least let the boy kill a few with his magic."

"Which boy?" questioned Therese immediately with a sudden spike in interest.

"What do you mean? The mage friend of yours of course," added Herger.

Therese smiled faintly. "What magic did he do?" questioned the Lioness.

Herger got intrigued by the question, but explained excited as he still remembered the scene, "He dropped 5 thugs back in Allard in a blink of an eye with some strange rock magic. They floated and vanished in an instant going straight through the men's skull. Then a moment later, he dropped another 5 in the same way. He didn't chant nor called any runes… I never saw a magic like that. He is really something else."

A full smile could be seen in Therese.

"Let the young fight, the girls will make sure they don't get hurt."

Herger swallowed hard looking back at Elias group, clearly concerned. He sighed deeply, "I'll believe they will be safe in your disciple hands… I will let them know they will fight."

Therese nodded still with a smile on her face. "And don't involve the boy in this," she make sure to remind him.

Eileen and Leona were already in the front, while Elias group joined them brought by Herger. He stayed nearby just in case as well.

Riou approached Therese; they were alone and could talk freely, "So, we are just watching this one?" questioned Riou. "You sure are harsh with the girls," added the boy.

Eileen and Leona were already leading Elias group towards the men blocking the path, closely followed by Herger.

Therese turned towards Riou. "They must learn, there is no better teacher than practice." She paused for a moment smiling once again. "And while we wait for the fight to begin, why don't you tell me about this spell of yours that can kill 5 man in a blink of an eye?" She held a very satisfied expression at the boy.

Riou smiled wryly. "So you heard about that?"

Therese nodded with a happy expression. "I heard many interesting things lately, but I confess this is the one I'm most curious about."

The boy scratched his head and looked to the sides before addressing her. "Would you believe me if I told you that I just threw some rocks so fast that they thought it was magic?" said the boy in a humorous and unconvincingly tone.

Therese laughed, it was a rare occasion as she hardly laugh, and she promptly replied, "No."

The boy sighed in defeat. "I wasn't expecting you guys to show up, so I ended up using a bit of magic… I was hoping they feared you enough to not talk to you about it, but it seems these guys just can't hold their mouths shut"

The lioness still waited for an answer, while the boy sighed. "So you really want the truth?"

Therese nodded confirming it, while quickly adding, "A little magic you say? Not by what I was told."

Riou nodded. "Nah, it was nothing much…" he paused for a moment. "Maybe, I may have overdone it a bit actually, but it was the first time using it, so I did not know the power it would have."

"First time using it?" questioned Therese once again. Riou didn't notice she was having difficulty to wrap her head around that thought.

"Yeah you know? When you try stuff for the first time and you don't really know how it will end up," added the boy. "I tried to scale down in the second attempt, but was not nearly enough either."

Therese sighed, "How long have you practiced and studied magic?"

Riou pondered for a moment. "I don't know. I can say the theories I learnt in my land, but practice… I just recently could use it for the first time. A bit after I arrived in Allard, it's been what, over 2 or 3 months since I came here?"

"Months?" questioned a skeptical Therese.

The boy nodded. "About that, yes."

The lioness shook her head in disbelief, she now was certain that the boy was the mage in Brigantium war 'That humongous image and presence, no wonder why it was so huge and overwhelming. What an outstanding pool of mana and knowledge he must have to be able to do all this,' She thought while letting some words out while spacing out realizing the boy's capabilities "You really are a monster" said Therese remembering the strange image inside the boy.

The boy frowned clearly not amused by the remark. "Do you understand why I tried to keep it quiet?"

"That's not what I meant… I do understand your struggle," she said in an apologetic tone.

"How did they react to it?" asked the boy concerned looking at Eileen and Leona.

Therese understood where the boy's concern laid.

Smiling Therese continued, "The princess does not know, neither does Leona. And I intend to keep it that way."

Riou looked surprised at her. "Why is that?"

Therese looked at him. "Since you prefer to hide your true capabilities… I know the struggle one must endure in such path, as I myself did so as well."

The boy was confused by the remark and looked at her as expecting an explanation.

"My master shares your view… she always advised me to do it as well, but as you can see today, despite my attempts, I ended up quite famous."

Riou smiled. "I think the fame suits you well. I can't imagine a world without the famous Lioness." Therese smiled brightly. "Nowadays I don't mind it either, and it's quite helpful when dealing with mercenaries, merchants and inn owners. They tend to offer better service and products. Also the kings and lords attend to me without delay and pay whatever price I ask. In that regard is pretty useful."

The boy nodded impressed. "So, your master… he is the type that hide his strength?"

"She is," corrected Therese. "Only a female can teach another female, and only a male can teach a male," explained the Lioness.

"I was not aware of that. What a strange custom," added the boy.

Therese looked at him from the corner of her eyes. With such magical potential, something began to bother her. "Did you hold yourself back at the test we performed?"

Riou smiled wryly. "Well… I fooled you right? I hold back and delayed the response, so you would think it was average."

Therese restrained a laugh. "You fooled me for sure, but not as you are thinking" She paused for a moment. "You will have to explain how you achieve this… average of yours. But we will surely talk about this in greater detail later on. The fight is about to start."

Riou sighed as he could anticipate another round of nightly interrogations incoming.