Chapter 7: A strange guest
In the barracks, a hardworking man dedicated to the art of combat stood alone, engaged in a rigorous training session. His muscular arms moved with grace and power as he wielded a wooden sword, executing a series of precise strikes and parries. Sweat glistened on his brow, a testament to his unwavering determination.
As Bjord immersed himself in the flow of his training, a sudden disturbance caught his attention. Sigils, enchanted markings embedded in the walls of the barracks, began to glow with an eerie intensity. Their luminous display signaled a looming threat, alerting Bjord to the presence of powerful entities approaching the town.
Immediately, Bjord's focus shifted from his training to the urgency of the situation. With practiced agility, he sheathed his wooden sword and swiftly made his way to the chief's quarters. The elder, a figure of wisdom and experience, met Bjord with a grave expression.
Elder: "Bjord, what is it?"
Bjord: "Elder, two powerful entities approach our town under the cover of night. They seem to pose a potential risk to our safety."
The elder's brow furrowed as he considered the news.
Elder: "And where are your companions, the ones who went to aid the neighboring village in their struggle against the hordes of slime?"
Bjord: "They departed from the neighboring village just before the threat emerged. It will take them five days to return to our town."
The elder nodded, a mix of concern and reassurance evident in his eyes.
Elder: "Very well, Bjord. Your duty now is to escort these entities here with care. They may be adventurers or, far worse, power blind nobles on the hunt. Be cautious not to offend them, for we are unaware of their intentions."
Bjord acknowledged the elder's counsel and swiftly prepared himself for the task at hand. He strapped his enchanted sword, a weapon imbued with protective enchantments, to his side. With a deep breath, he ventured out into the night, following the sigils' guidance.
As Bjord approached the meeting point, his senses sharpened, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword. However, to his surprise, he found no grand entourage or imposing figures. Instead, there stood a lone man, dressed in peculiar garments, without a horse or any visible belongings.
Curiosity mingled with caution as Bjord approached the stranger. His stance exuded an air of toughness, ready to defend his town against any potential threat.
The stranger, seemingly unfazed by Bjord's intimidating presence, met his gaze with a no noticeable emotion.
Bjord's keen observation led him to two possible conclusions about the stranger's presence. Either this man held a high rank and possessed considerable influence, or he was astonishingly foolish to venture through the treacherous Black Forest at night. Determined to uncover the truth, Bjord chose a path of persuasion, blending assertiveness with a hint of ambiguity.
Bjord: "Stranger, your appearance suggests that you are new to these parts."
His words carried a measured tone, conveying both curiosity and a subtle challenge. Bjord aimed to strike a balance, neither submitting to dominance nor displaying overt aggression. He understood that extracting information required finesse and skillful manipulation.
The questions hung in the air, leaving room for interpretation. Bjord hoped that the stranger would reveal some hint of his intentions through his responses. He remained vigilant, ready to gauge the man's reactions and discern the truth behind his presence.
" Indeed, I come seeking the wisdom and hospitality of your village," the stranger replied with a calm demeanor and a hint of mystery behind his plain smile.
Bjord's instincts told him that this man had no immediate intentions of engaging in combat.
Bjord, curious to unravel more about the stranger's purpose, pressed on with another question, his tone measured yet filled with intrigue.
Bjord: "Are you an adventurer, stranger? You don't seem like a merchant to me."
A long, calculated pause followed, as the stranger considered his response. His eyes seemed to gaze beyond the present, lost in thoughts of his own. Finally, he spoke, his voice measured and tinged with a hint of introspection.
Stranger: "You could say that I am an inventor, of sorts"
Bjord's curiosity deepened, for he had rarely encountered inventors in his line of duty. The stranger's response added another layer of complexity to the enigma surrounding him.
Bjord, sensing the need for caution, decided to escort the stranger to the chief's abode as a last resort. The stranger hesitated momentarily but ultimately complied, displaying a docile demeanor that further intrigued Bjord.
Meanwhile, in the chief's study, a sense of anticipation filled the air. The chief rummaged through his collection of books until he found the one he had been seeking—the ancient tome known as the Book of Staring into the Soul. With a careful touch, he opened its pages, revealing passages of forgotten wisdom. As he read, he meticulously inscribed hidden scriptures along the room's walls using invisible ink.
With the scriptures in place, the chief turned his attention to a specific page, revealing an intricately carved pendant. It bore the symbol of the Third Eye of Aegishjalmr. The chief knew of its power and significance, for it allowed one to peer into the depths of a person's soul.
Just as Bjord arrived with the stranger, the chief beckoned them into conversation. While they exchanged words, the elder discreetly activated the hidden runes, infusing the room with a subtle energy. Gazing at the stranger, the elder used the Third Eye pendant to delve into his very essence.
To the elder's surprise, the pendant revealed nothing tangible. The stranger's name remained unknown, his race a mystery, and his power immeasurable.
A faint aura began to emanate from his body, slowly intensifying until it transformed into a blinding flash and disappeared competely. However, Bjord seemed oblivious to this phenomenon. Only the elder, wearing the Third Eye pendant, could perceive the dazzling display.
Suddenly, the Third Eye emitted a series of error messages, flickering with uncertainty. The elder realized that the stranger's power surpassed anything he had encountered before. Doubt crept in, wondering if the stranger had noticed the elder's use of the Third Eye during their intense gaze.
After their conversation concluded, the elder advised Bjord to escort the stranger to the nearby inn. The elder's intuition warned him against meddling further with someone of such unfathomable power.
Unaware of the intriguing events that had transpired, Bjord led Zane to the modest inn owned by his widowed neighbor. Zane appeared completely at ease now, a slight smugness briefly crossing his face. With his duty seemingly fulfilled for the moment, Bjord made his way back to the elder to know what the elder had learned about the stranger.
Elder Rigmir, warned Bjord about the need to handle Mr.Sage with utmost care and avoid causing any discomfort. Bjord couldn't help but express his frustration, wondering why the elder hadn't conveyed this information earlier. He mentioned that he had taken Zane to the cheapest inn in the village, feeling a pang of unease at the thought of the stranger's true nature.
The elder scoffed at Bjord's remark and advised him to act as Mr. Sage's guide the following day, ensuring that he obtained whatever he desired in the village. Bjord, though puzzled by this request, quietly obliged.
Before parting ways, Bjord informed the elder that he had been unable to locate the second individual the sigil had alerted them about. The elder mused that it was unlikely to have been an animal, as the protective array had not triggered any defensive measures or erected barriers. There was a possibility that the missing person was Mr. Sage's bodyguard. Concerned about the potential implications, they discussed contingency plans should Zane's intentions prove nefarious. The elder proposed seeking assistance from the adventurers' guild if the situation called for it.
With a mix of anticipation and trepidation, Bjord bid farewell to the elder, his mind filled with thoughts of the enigmatic stranger and the mysteries that surrounded him. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, and Bjord would be tasked with guiding someone through the village. He felt discomfort at the job he was about to do, he was sure that he could handle Zane alone since he seemed weak before Bjord. He was the Guardian of Frostholm for nothing, but it was the only way to maintain peace until his intentions were truly revealed.
Weekly Power Status
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-- Power
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