A little after noon, Ian realized that Sarah had led him to a small park. A few families were sharing picnics together near a bubbling stream which flowed as far as the eye could see to either direction of the park. Several oaks, maples, flowers, and bushes swayed gently in the breeze throughout the area. All of the vegetation were …
Chapter 24 Volume 1: Behind Closed Doors Scene Four
Shoes tapped upon the stone floor of Gaelan’s small weapon and tool shop. If one were to listen closely, he or she would notice a noticeable rhythm. Unsurprisingly, the one tapping his foot was Ian. For the first couple hours of watching the shop, he occupied himself by admiring different weapons. Unfortunately, he ran out of things to marvel at …
Chapter 23 Volume 1: Behind Closed Doors Scene Three
The moment Ian and Aria reached Gaelan’s home, the sun already peaked in the partly cloudy sky. Along the way, feverish shivers sapped Ian’s strength. “You look terrible…” Aria said. She intended to remain silent, but the words came out anyway. “Well, thanks,” Ian replied sardonically. Then his tone turned serious as he said, “Haaah… Yeah, I don’t feel so …
Chapter 22 Volume 1: Behind Closed Doors Scene Two
As Ian walked up to the Southern Gate of Conncinnanta, several passersby cast concerned glances his direction. Who wouldn’t be worried by a person covered in cuts and gashes, especially with a blood-soaked cloth tied around his waist? One young woman with dirty blond hair and pale green eyes emerged from the gates around the time Ian reached the bridge. …
Chapter 21 Volume 1: Behind Closed Doors Scene One
Morning sunlight peeked over the treetops in the distance. A calm breeze wafted over from the sea a few kilometers away. Colorful and exotic birds chirped from atop the city walls. Unfamiliar fish splashed about in the moat outside the city. Active squirrel-like rodents scurried from place to place, scavenging seeds or fruits from nearby bushes and trees as well …
Chapter 20 Volume 1: Forging a Foundation Scene Twelve
Aria flinched in surprise as Ian’s head thumped against the table. Briefly, she worried that he somehow died, but the thought quickly vanished when she noticed how deep his breaths were. The guy fell asleep in the middle of the lesson. To be honest, she didn’t know whether to feel upset by the fact that he passed out while she …
Chapter 19 Volume 1: Forging a Foundation Scene Eleven
An exhausted groan slipped from Ian’s lips as he mouthed, “Nine hundred ninety-eight, nine hundred ninety-nine, one thousand.” With that, he collapsed into the dirt, wheezing. He barely avoided splashing his face in the vomit he had spewed halfway through his reps. Every muscle fiber in his body quivered and felt like jelly. Countless drops of sweat oozed from every …
Chapter 18 Volume 1: Forging a Foundation Scene Ten
“Alright, let’s begin!” Edmund exclaimed. Contrary to Ian’s expectations, the young man only led them to Gaelan’s backyard. It certainly gave them enough room for plenty of activity, but he originally hoped to go somewhere interesting like an official training ground or even the forest. First, though, he hesitantly asked, “Are we going to spar?” “No,” Edmund immediately answered. “We …
Chapter 17 Volume 1: Forging a Foundation Scene Nine
The sharp clanging of Ian’s new hammer echoed throughout the shop upon striking a small slab of piping hot metal clamped to the anvil. Beads of sweat dripped from his face and bared upper body with each swing. Starting from the break of dawn, Gaelan began teaching him a new technique called peining used to spread out metal with the …
Chapter 16 Volume 1: Forging a Foundation Scene Eight
Ian’s eyelids slowly flickered open. The first thing he noticed was the kink in his neck. On top of that, his brain throbbed as though repeatedly smacked by a rubber mallet. The soreness made him groan. Briefly, confusion swam through his mind as he tried to gather his bearings. The cool damp rag resting on his forehead certainly helped. “Oh, …