Chapter 44: Old Nes

"Are you sure you saw correctly? It was Edol's bird that used multiple elements?"

Willow nodded her head and began describing what she'd seen. Nes's frown grew as he listened, trying to make sense of the situation.

"First, don't tell anyone what you saw. Especially not Edol. Don't give him any hints that you know about his secret."

Willow tilted her head.

"Why?"

"He might try to silence you. I'm not sure what's going on with Nibbles, but it would definitely be bad news for Edol if the secret got out. If I was him and someone found out a secret like that, I would make sure my secret stays safe. Even if it would mean killing whoever found out."

Kill someone?! Willow couldn't make sense of how Nes came to that idea. Was using multiple elements really that big of a deal? Sure, it was useful, but not to the point of murder!

"I will have a talk with Edol. If he attacks, it shouldn't be difficult for me to defend myself."

For Nes, it was also a chance to test Edol's combat skills. The elder had been training Willow for the entire week that they'd stayed in Hearth, so he had a good grasp of her fighting abilities. Not every fight would be on even ground, but it would make Willow's journey less stressful if Nes knew she could take on Edol in a duel.

"Wait! Grandpa Nes, just let me talk to him! If I promise to keep his secret, I'm sure Edol won't mind! You don't have to fight him!"

Nes reached over and patted the girl's head, a reassuring smile on his face.

"Bah! It'll be Edol you have to worry about. And no, talking probably won't work."

Nes paused, trying to decide whether to explain to Willow or not. After a moment, the elder realized that the girl might act rashly if kept in the dark.

"Willow, do you know about the war Glory is fighting in the West?"

Willow nodded. Glory, the large empire taking up the western half of the continent. For hundreds of years, a slow war progressed, with neither side making any large advances. The war predated the Empire itself, the previous city-states fighting the West in its stead.

"Glory fights off the Western demons, right? The new emperor wants to take the fight to them and conquer the western continent!"

Nes shook his head.

"It's not quite as they say. You've seen quite a few people with maroon-colored hair while traveling with your pops, right? They're all descended from people who were from the Western continent. Any soldiers or civilians the Empire captures in the war are brought back to Glory, where they are forced into slavery. It's outlawed in Miaan and Easthill, so most western folks you've seen here have managed to escape."

Pausing to lick his lips, Nes continued.

"There is a race-specific spell created by one of these Western peoples centuries ago. It allows them to have multiple legacies, but its use is limited to only full-blooded western 'demons'. I'm not sure how a bird is using it, but that spell is the only way anyone can have multiple legacies. I'm afraid Edol might be an agent sent from the West. With his slight accent and unfamiliarity with the local currency and customs… it's likely he's allied himself with the West. If his secret gets out, Glory won't waste time hunting him down and squeezing all the information they can get out of him.

It was a lot of shocking new information for Willow. Schools and churches in Easthill and Miaan offered classes but still weren't commonplace.

Having traveled with her father for much of her youth, Willow didn't have many opportunities to attend formal schooling. Even if she had, she likely wouldn't have heard about the history of the conflict in the West.

Learning to read, write, and do basic math were much more practical skills.

Nes stood up and walked to the corner of the room. Resting there was an old spear bundled in silky white cloth.

A hint of metal peaking through near the tip was revealed fully as the old hunter pulled at the cloth. Its initial appearance of being forgotten and left to sit in the corner was quickly proven to be false as light shined on the polished blade.

The shaft was made from smooth, hardened oak wood, the beautiful grain of the wood further enhancing the weapon's appearance. A faint brown hue seemed to hover around the weapon, giving a sturdy, earthy feel.

Below the spear was a small round buckler made largely from wood, with metal tackings and lining. When Nes reached down to hold it, the aging man was barely able to notice the weight in his hand. Made from linden wood, it was light and difficult to split with a single blow.

They were tested and trained tools that'd accompanied Nes for many years and for many battles. After snatching up a satchel also resting beside the spear, Nes stood and began walking towards the door.

"Alright, I'll go have a chat with Edol. Hopefully, you still have a traveling companion when I'm done."

Receiving Edol's location from Willow, Nes instructed the girl to wait at his house for him to return. It wouldn't do good for her to follow Nes to the battle, as Nes planned to inquire further about Edol's secret after defeating him. Her overhearing would only spark potential conflict between the two in the future.

Fifteen minutes later, at the fishing hole.

Edol's relaxing lunch was interrupted by the appearance of the aging hunter.

"Yo, Edol. Your bird over there can use multiple elements, right?"

The brit shot to his feet in an instant, and Nes aimed his spear towards the boy.

"I'm afraid I can't let you travel with Willow if you've got such a big secret. Try your best to defend."

Nes kicked off the ground, dashing toward Edol with a speed unbecoming of an elder in his fifties.