Chapter 12: 12. Away from Salcret

They were served more good food upon waking back at the Brunner farm, hard breads and soft cheeses, and the far more experienced traveller seemed keen to share his traveller’s wisdom before they left for Dormata. The lads shared most of their Skills, talked about their strengths and weaknesses. And Brunner even made sure to include Oscar in the conversation a lot, it seemed he saw something in the boy.

Eventually they received some advice on their plans of going to Dormata, limited as they were in scope after that point.

"It should take you about two weeks to get to the outskirts, once you're back in civilization you can relax almost as much as here, until you're dealing with people that is. Don't get me wrong, most of the people will be Finns and they're a straightforward bunch, great warriors - which is why they've got the capital. But every large, permanent gathering casts a shadow, so just don't act naive. Act with respect. I taught you a thing or two about approaching a new place disrespectfully, but what other mistakes do you reckon you’ve made thus far, if I wasn’t such a friendly fellow?”

The lumberjack had crossed his arms and was picking his teeth, clearly not expecting much from his question.

Kalle was the one to take the lead. “I’ve been thinking you’re awfully loose-lipped regarding your Class and Skills, I take it we can’t expect the same further outside Salcret?”

“Hah, very true. And it would be rude to even ask. If people display their Skills in front of you it’s because they’re either trying to intimidate, to make some deal or as a sign of trust.” He hesitated but continued. “You’re both boys who’ve been trusted with magic Classes from the people of Salcret, and you might not realise, but that’s a more trustworthy indicator of your characters than I could reasonably ask for any other place but here.”

The words did stroke the boys’ ego, but they also confused them. Probably the wrong time to mention I just found my Class by chance. Kalle thought.

“But Kalle didn’t get his Class from anyone, he just found it,” Oscar helpfully piped up. The outraged look Kalle gave him made Brunner guffaw and slap his knee while wiping his eye.

“Don’t worry Kalle, you weren’t being as clever as you thought, the people who needed to know knew, both the fate of Dunner and the nature of his items. If you’d have used it for something wicked or even acted too greedy you wouldn’t have lasted long in the midst of the people of Salcret.”

The words stunned Kalle for a moment and made him reconsider a number of his interactions over the past couple of months. He cringed.

"Now, about if you get attacked, the most important thing is always keeping a cool head and working together. It might take practice, but if you’re careful you will make it to Dormata no problem, I’m sure.” The boys nodded along. “I know I probably don’t need to mention it, but keep your brother safe first of all, Classless folk, as you know, don't have our physical status and especially recovery is tough without the aid of increased affinities and the ambient energies a lot of Classes give access to, if your brother gets hurt you could risk making him ill too if you're forced to keep pushing,” He stepped up and went to a nearby chest before continuing.

What he withdrew really perked the boys up, Oscar especially. It was a slender shape covered with cloth. A shortsword, with the accompanying leather scabbard. It was merely iron, but the scabbard had a small green gem in the hilt.

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“This is a tempered shortsword, so it will bend before it breaks. And this gem right here carries a basic repair enchantment. As long as it doesn’t get damaged, you’ll be able to use the sword for most of your needs.” He smiled at the beaming boy, soon to turn fifteen, and handed him the gift.

Oscar clutched it like he already knew for certain it would save his life. “Thank you, Brunner, treating a stranger like this, I won’t forget it.”

“Don’t be so serious, it’s only a weapon. We treat each other well in Salcret, and we know the whole world isn’t always so easy to deal with. Improving your chances of staying alive long enough to be learning something and returning is only natural. And don’t worry about the cost, the whole village helps with the funds for these items, even if I’m the main negotiator dealing with visitors.”

Probably because the smarter ones want to avoid the biting merchant-folk of Salcret. Thought Kalle and Harold both, thinking back on their haranguing in the town square.

As they prepared to leave on the next leg of their journey Brunner walked them past his two earth cellars, from which he ambushed them earlier, back to the dirt road. He'd given the lads some other small items too, including a Campguard-stone you could put in your fire to enhance the smell to scare off a lot of the basic beasts around here. He made sure they knew not to use it past a weeks walk, since the deeper parts of Doc Forrest had a different level of fauna that needed avoiding, not repelling.

“Harold, about your [Roar of the Wild] Skill. Make sure to only use it in a fight to the death, because while it does increase your ferocity two- if not threefold, it has an equal effect on your aggression and can even affect your ability to consider the situation at hand rationally.” Harold took the words just as seriously as they were delivered.

“Do you also have the Skill Brunner?” Asked Oscar.

“I do not, but when I travelled to Zisle I met more than one [Druid] who used it in combat, and while you don’t seem to have the same temperament it’s still important to be careful.”

“Zisle, is that where you found the queen tree?” Asked Harold.

“The Kauri, it was indeed,” He said, clearly wistfully reminiscing on his Lady’s younger days. "You won't find that level of [Druid] who can evolve your Skill in Dormata, unless things have changed, but there are still some good conclaves," He looked to the young [Esperlock] as well. "You might have a harder time Kalle, but I met some [Warlocks] over the years as well. You'll both do good with some luck and some patience I'm sure."

Soon after they said their final goodbyes and the trio started on their true journey away from home, and away from Salcret.

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