章 5: Things Just Got a "Bit" More Complicated
I practiced for an hour or so before I was too damn tired. Felt one of the best sleeps in my lifetimes for it as well. The elation of using the light was always a welcomed feeling.
No longer regulated to using external object filled with light, I could now use it myself. Even if only briefly.
I set out the next morning after sunrise. The bartender/ owner was able to part with a partial map of the roads. Glad I kept so many things in the backpack as I left. He told me of a Caravan to the north from the new continent. Said if I hurried I could maybe catch up with them.
As for food? Had to hunt it myself on the roads. Wasn't hard due to experience and was all to happy to make it myself. Had spices from all over Earth after all in the pack.
Most of the backpack was filled with survival gear and some household stuff. Cleaning supplies for my weapons as well. Sadly until I was better with the light I was stuck with limited ammunition.
Funny enough most guardians never knew that their ghost would turn their enemies into ammo for their weapons. They would siphon a portion of the enemy to "Spawn" an ammo brick. Just matter transmutation at work, which was normally "lightwork" for the Ghosts.
Wasn't quite so in my case due to having so little light for now. But it was fine. I had enough ammo for a good bit and if I really needed to use a rocket launcher any time soon I need to question my skills.
I was able to make a decent distance as I followed the road east. Apparently the road followed the coast of a lake. The merchant caravans apparently went this way to journey to Lindinvale. A small town that didn't have anything to crazy going on.
Didn't find any monsters on the road so no chance to try out anything offensively with the light. It did help with making fires though. A day and a half on the road saw to finding the caravan. Didn't make the shock of seeing them any less.
As it turns out I underestimated just how complicated the situation was in this world. The Conjunction of the Spheres just so happened to two very complicated worlds.
Because as I approached the caravan I was privy to seeing a race of people I never would have guessed crossed into this world. A caravan of them no less.
With fur covering their body, they came in different shapes and sizes. But they were all one race. Khajiit.
One of the standing ones noticed me on the road leading to their encampment. He spoke in another language to his companions and headed out to me. He wore simple leathers as his armor. Decently built as well.
"Friend, you seek our caravan?" he spoke as he came closer to me.
"Aye, If it's no trouble though." I spoke raising my hands in a universal gesture of easement.
The Khajiit smiled and said, "No trouble at all, my friend. Come, we've stopped for the night as my brothers have grown tired."
"Thank you, and may I summon my companion?" He became a little guarded and asked, "From Oblivion?"
Recognizing the confusion I corrected and said, "Oh, gods no. Here just watch."
I held out my hand as Spark phased above it. Allowing her to move around we had already decided to just wing it. And if anyone would get along with her it would be the Khajiit people.
She instantly floated around the Khajiit and said, "Pleasure to meet you! My name is Sparkle! Friends call me Spark!" Her bubbly attitude brought the Khajiit's worries to a halt.
"Ahh, this ones name is Jaron fleet foot. Ms. Sparkle? A pleasure to meet such a strange one. Ahh but I mean no offence."
Myself and Spark chuckled at his expense. As we walked to the Caravan I asked, "Where are you all headed anyways?"
"Our caravan is headed to Novagrad. Talks of an alliance bring people, so we wish to sell our wares. Also, people are more... accepting, of our people there." He said as we came close to the others.
One of the Big cats next to a large cart spoke surprising Spark as we passed, A raspy baritone voice spoke out "Jaron, bring them to the head. Grandmother has sent word to see them."
"I'll see to it brother."
Spark spoke up questioning, "That's your brother?" Lightly tapping her as it was rude to ask like that. But sadly the Ghost had barely any filter.
Jaron laughed and waved it off saying, "Not seen many Khajiit? Ahh, the other fur stocks are rarely seen out of Eleswer. It wasn't until this convergence we had much business to spread."
We were approaching a big tent in the center of the camp they made. It was surprisingly a large group of them compared to my time seeing them in the game. This world was just getting crazier and crazier.
An old woman's voice spoke as Jaron neared the tent, "Jaron, allow the guests in. Do not worry though I'll be fine."
With respect he bowed to the entrance and said, "As you will grandmother." He opened a flap of the tent as I walked forwards. Spark bowed in apologies to him before she followed me in.
Inside the tent was blankets and pillows to allow resting. Inside was another Large saber cat like Khajiit. It was resting it's head on it's paws. But my attention was drawn to it's head as another cat was reading a book. It had reading glasses and a witch's hat on it's head.
Spark seemed to have a twinkle in her shell as she loved cats and would always play with them in the last city.
I grabbed her shell before she could take off and held her to my chest as I bowed. My senses told me of a danger in her presence.
"Welcome to my caravan... and just who might you be?" She spoke. A grandmotherly voice that held a sweetness to it.
"My name is Argus, And this is sparkles. She likes cats a little to much so I am restraining her." I explained with a bit of a joking tone.
she chuckled as well and said, "Ahh it's fine. So pray tell me why a man who the fates avoid has come to my caravan?"
My confusion must have shown as she said, "I typically divine my days for fun, you see. And I saw no signs of you two in them?"
I started, "I know not why I am invisible to your sight, I only heard word of your Caravan from the last village and hurried to follow. I am new to this place and sought to travel with your caravan."
"Hmm... You speak truth it seems. Strange... and this presence you give. Do you know of this?"
Now the debate. Do I just go with it?
I looked to Spark and saw her "Winking" her eye. With a sigh I said, "I am in a similar situation to your people. Through the Convergence I was brought here from my world."
She rose an eyebrow at me. didn't know a cat's face could be so expressive.
"A half truth but I understand, we all have our secrets?" I bowed my head in thanks and said, "The "presence" you mentioned would probably be my abilities. They are common with my people."
"Hmm? and what are these powers?" A mystical presence was felt in the air around us. Spark was in wonder as she stared around us.
Raising a hand I produced a small ember of solar light. "I have only just began to learn of them, So this is what I can produce."
She stared in wonder at the small flame. hopping down in a flash and a blur. My instincts flared to my shoulder as she was found staring at the small ember of energy.
"It may seem insignificant at first glance, But it can be so much more... can't it."
"Yes" I found myself saying. Staring in wonder of how she moved so quick and silently.
A tap is all I felt as the Black cat was back on her perch. With a turn of the page she said, "I welcome you to our caravan, Argus, Sparkle." A gust of wind blew through us and I found myself covering my face. When I no longer felt the breeze I uncovered my face to find I was outside.
Spark was floating right next to me. "So, that happened." She said. With a sigh and a facepalm I turned to the other presence around here. Jaron was standing by. His gray fur spotted with white.
"Got an area I can set a tent?" With a laugh he said, "Come! This Khajiit will lead you."
Taking things out of mid air seemed to stun the Khajiit for a small amount of time before they were quickly accustomed to it. They just named me a space mage and called it a day. Only a few of them were able to speak enough "English" or common as it's called in what was called the old continent.
Tamrielic had a very similar sentence structure as common only the words were different. Spark had "negotiated" for a dictionary. Said negotiation had me cooking dinner for the caravan. Had to pull a number of my spices for that one. Turns out the Khajiit have a bit of a taste for spicy food.
Made a venison curry for them and they loved it. Even the grandma, affectionately called Nans, enjoyed her plate.
As it turns out she was a mystic. A special type of mage who specializes in the study of Magicka at it's roots. As such the more "Esoteric" forms of the craft were her bread and butter. One such example being Divination.
As we all were chilling around the campfire a few of the Khajiit were sparing off to the side. I could see they did have some varying amounts of skill. They were practicing a special form of martial arts designed for the Khajiit.
Jaron noticed me staring and said, "You wish to know?" I gave a nod to the man.
"They are practicing Claw-dances. A form of combat native to Eleswer. Some hope to one day become strong enough to lead an Enclave. So they follow our convoys. You seem strong enough, Care to have a spar with them?"
I could see Spark giving me the pouty eye with her shell as Jaron asked.
I sighed and said, "Fine, mind introducing us?"
"It would be this one's pleasure!" The Khajiit was all to happy to do so. As he stood in a hurry and walked to them.
I made a leisure way over there and had Spark remove the main armor. I thankfully invested in regular clothes to have under them. Walking up I could see a few with a more serious demeanor.
"Jaron says you wish to challenge us?" I gave a pointed look to the Khajiit and corrected him saying, "Just a spar, These old bones need a bit of a workout to get the rust off them."
The Khajiit had dark brown short fur. Much more muscular compare to his compatriots. His tense muscles relaxed a measure after my words. "You are human yes? I don't believe you are over your 30th winter by your looks?"
I got to stretching out a bit and said, "Looks can be deceiving my friend. Been through 400 winters by your measure."
He raised an eyebrow at my words in disbelief. "If that is so, Time gives an edge to us all."
The others moved away into a circle. I was left in a short sleeved black shirt and white jogging pants. Spark had also removed my boots for this spar. Bouncing on my feet I shook myself a bit to get moving. I had a loose stance that seemed to leave my chest and head open.
My arms were near my sides as I circled the fighter. He had a tiger like stance with his claws pronounced. Then he moved, fast.
His legs gave him a decent push off the ground as he charged. I chose a loose style with water like movements. Hundreds of years to practice really became no joke as I flowed into his guard.
Credit where credit was due he turned and defended with attacks. Aiming to create distance. I raised My right arm to backhand his downward claw at his wrist. A step in with my left foot brought my fist in like a whip into his side.
He pushed off his foot once more to create a distance. I let him do so as I took my stance once more. With much more caution as he rubbed his rib we began to circle each other.
Now it was my turn. I allowed myself to fall towards the ground in a feint. As my weight shifted I stomped to create a counter balance and shifted my approach. His eyes were able to follow me but his body was confused as he attempted to defend himself.
Arriving next to him I was set up and able to sweep his legs. While staying low I closelined him in the chest and he was sent on his back. He had his breath knocked out of him but he still took his momentum and rolled backwards.
I gripped a foot mid roll and attempted to strain it. Only his leg muscles were unlike a human's. With a feat of flexibility he wrapped his other leg around my arm and leaned his body backwards to claw me.
I moved my grip on his leg to be able to hold with one arm and batted the clawed hands with my other.
I ended up bleeding in that hand due to the claws but he was forced to unbend himself.
I raised a leg and dropped a heel into his spine as he fell back to the ground. As he was still stunned I moved and secured an arm behind his back with a knee right there.
With a wheeze he said, "This one, gives." I released him and stood a respectful distance from him. A few others assisted him in standing and turning him to me. I placed my fist into an open hand and slowly bowed. He got the gesture and made one of his own.
he place his arms crossed low and bowed. as he rose he said, "You are incredible skilled? Where did you learn?"
I chuckled breaking the slightly tense atmosphere of the other warriors, "I'm self taught. Like you said, Time has given me an edge. I only honed it."
He nodded and with a smile said, "You flow like a river rather than a blade, your name?
"Argus." Giving a curt nod to his words. My "Style" had been developed for hunters to fight in the melee easier. Though most preferred knives there were the few that seemed Titans at heart.
Add a bit of arc to the mix and you have yourself a very punch happy hunter.
Spark came around to my side scanning the hand with some cuts.
They weren't too deep and were on their way to healing as it was. She dropped a piece of cloth from my backpack and I wrapped the hand. No need to show off the healing in real time for them.
"You fight very well, Argus. I hope we can continue to learn from one another." He said.
A smirk adorned my face, "I'd appreciate that. You fight well and these Claw-Dances your people train in are very good."
"Ahh, It warm this ones heart to hear your words. Claw-Dances have been passed down in our monasteries for generations. My master would be honored to hear your words."
"And your name?" I asked. We just went right into the fight before so I wasn't able to know it yet.
"Oh? Mines apologies. This one's name is Rains sharp tooth. You can call this one Rains."
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