It wasn't strength that allowed us to take them down; it was patience.
Four more wild boars appeared, but they were harder to find. Killing the first three had made them more alert; they always stayed together in a group. It took us about fifteen days to hunt them down one by one.
The herbs we needed to gather were scarce, as the boars had trampled them. And, to top it off, the report was uneventful: we didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. This put our minds at ease, and we were able to fully recharge our energy.
Maybe we needed to spend more time waiting for something else to show up, but that's not something we'd do right now. I was sick of eating wild boar meat; I just wanted to eat something Mom had made.
We completed the mission and returned home, but not before going back for the mules and the cart. They gave us a sheet with the requests being made to the guild again, which apparently weren't that many, but were necessary.
By pure chance, that girl was nearby just as we were leaving. We hadn't exchanged a single word beyond simple greetings.
She approached me and was still just as shy as the first time we met.
"See you later."
"Yeah, see you."
Leo laughed and said,
"Let's go."
And so the four missions were over, and our journey back to Auspect began.
***
One night when it was my turn to stand guard, I was cleaning Rúnstingr as usual.
But shortly after Ravenscroft handed it to me, I realized it was perfect. The way it fits in the hand, the hilt, its finish… as if it were constantly sweetening my ear.
"Thank you so much for accepting me… even though I'm not your true owner."
There was also something written on the blade; I didn't understand it, but it didn't seem to be Elvish. I asked Leo about it, but he just said:
"If Ravenscroft didn't mention it to you, I think you should wait until you see him again."
I had no choice but to ask him or figure it out for myself. Most likely, I'll figure it out on my own.
I put it away carefully and moved on to my next weapon.
Dainsleif.
It helped me a lot with the remaining boars. The weight, its edge… the cuts I made with it in hand were a thousand times better than with the bastard sword. I didn't hesitate to speak to it:
"Thank you for lending me your edge against the boars."
Even though it was completely mine, I didn't feel that sense of ownership. It was as if she herself didn't quite approve of me yet.
"I entrust my life to you, companion."
I didn't recognize the embroidery on the hilt, but it was impeccable. Something that looked like a flower or a petal. Simple, yet striking. I'd like to meet the blacksmith who forged it someday to thank him in person for such a beautiful piece.
"It's not meant to be drawn out of habit."
"When it comes out, someone won't get back up."
Those words weren't just a simple warning. I know exactly what they mean.
"I hope I never have to use it against another person…"
Saying this out loud made my hands feel a little heavy. I didn't pay much attention to it, nor did I even wonder why. Maybe I was so focused on the sword that, seeing it again, I felt its weight.
I kept cleaning until the shift change.
***
When we were back in Auspect, Leo gave the okay:
"You can trust that nothing will happen to it."
I was physically and mentally prepared to avoid danger beyond my capabilities.
But one thing Leo did emphasize when we were alone was my lack of experience.
And he's absolutely right about that.
I could train for centuries, push my body to its limits, but without experience, all of that is a waste.
And I noticed it against the boars, against the wolves, even with the little slime.
He said it should be as soon as possible, while I was still fresh from the previous mission, so I wouldn't fall back into my daily routine.
I rested for ten days to fully recover. I didn't train; I just ate, played with my siblings, helped Mom, and slept.
That's what I did until I left for Monfigt.
***
The farewell was simple. We were all out of the house, except for Leo, who was with Odette.
"Are you sure you won't take the sword Dainsleif?" Dad asked.
"Yes, Dad. I'll go with Rúnstingr. Taking it meant accepting something… and I wasn't ready for that yet."
"With it, I'm prepared… but I'm not going to provoke anyone."
He smiled slightly and, with a hand on my shoulder, said:
"Drake, I know I don't say this often, but remember that we love you."
"I know, Dad, and I love you too."
He hugged me and whispered in my ear:
"I'm proud of you."
"Please, take care of yourself," Mom said. "If you see danger, run." I trust you.
"Yes, Mom. I promise to come back safe and sound."
"Thomas, take good care of Emma while I'm gone."
"Of course I will. Take care, brother."
We shared a strong, long family hug. My heart was racing. A tingling sensation ran through my fingertips.
I'll just go, stay a few days, and come back. Nothing extravagant, but it was my first solo trip.
I didn't think about it much longer and walked slowly away.
I stopped for a second, turned around, and looked back. They held out their hands, waving goodbye to me with big smiles on their faces.
They were smiling… but there was something in their eyes that hadn't been there before.
Just like me, a smile spread across my face, and I waved goodbye to them in the same way.
And I continued on my way.
***
Nothing out of the ordinary. As Dad and Leo mentioned, I would run into at least two people along the way. I was heading out, they were heading back, so to speak.
What could have happened to lead to these circumstances and allow us to walk so peacefully?
***
It was early in the morning, and I ventured into the forest to see what I could hunt for food.
As I went deeper and deeper, a strange mist swirled around my feet. I stayed alert for whatever I might encounter.
To my surprise…
It was a temple.
Columns appeared before me.
A wave of runes flooded my mind.
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My skin prickled, my heart pounded.
I couldn't breathe. My legs gave way. I looked down at the ground, and my vision receded as if I were looking down from a cliff.
I was confused. I wanted to take a step… and something inside me screamed for me to stop.
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What did they mean!?
I didn't understand them… but I felt I had to.
I don't remember when I started running.
And I turned back.
I sat there for a while, waiting to calm down.
With trembling hands and the mint I had with me, I made some tea…
That helped a lot… but I still had the feeling I was being watched.
I looked all around, trying to figure out which direction it was coming from.
I didn't see anything. Still, the uneasiness lingered.
…
And when I was finally ready to continue, I decided to skip breakfast. I had no appetite, not after what I'd seen.
***
On my way to the neighboring town, on a rainy and peculiar day, the gray sky seemed to whisper ancient secrets with every falling raindrop. Out of sheer instinct, I looked for shelter, feeling the weight of the water soak through my clothes and chill my bones. It was then that I spotted a hollow in the mountainside and hurried inside, hoping to find refuge. But what I found inside was something that would change my life forever.
My eyes met those of an eagle with black and red plumage, a creature of regal appearance whose piercing gaze radiated an almost mystical authority. It was not a large bird, but its bearing conveyed an imposing presence, as if it were sculpted from the very essence of the wind and the storm. Something about it stirred my senses—a mixture of respect and admiration that soon turned to concern.
Something was wrong. Its posture, though proud, concealed a deep pain. As I observed it more closely, I understood why: the majestic creature was wrapping its wings around another being. The rain allowed me to see the crimson thread of blood trickling through its feathers. It wasn't just shelter she was seeking; she was protecting something with every fiber of her being.
I advanced cautiously, measuring every movement. Her gaze never strayed from mine. I sensed no hostility, but no relaxation either. Slowly, I slid my hand toward my backpack and found a piece of meat. It was my only chance to gain her trust. I held out the offering, and to my surprise, she accepted it. A slight relaxation washed over her body, though her indomitable spirit remained unbroken.
When I was finally able to examine her closely, the pain became palpable: she was missing a leg. It wasn't a fresh wound, but a mutilation caused by something large and ferocious. I tried to cast a healing spell, but my skill was still insufficient. The blood kept flowing, inexorable. She had only a few more minutes in this world, and yet her will did not waver. She remained upright, dignified to the very end.
Then, she did something unexpected. With one last effort, she spread her wings slightly and directed her gaze downward. I understood her message immediately. With a lump in my throat, I reached out my hand and discovered the being she had protected so devotedly: a tiny chick. Its little body trembled, barely covered by fledgling feathers. It was her legacy, her reason for resisting fate.
I took a deep breath and, as gently as possible, stroked the mother's head.
"I understand," I whispered. "I'll take good care of it. Now you can rest."
The eagle seemed to accept this. Her deep eyes showed neither fear nor sadness, but a quiet resolve. With the utmost care, I picked up the chick and tucked it inside my clothes, shielding it from the rain and cold that threatened to take its life.
As a final farewell, I ran my hand over the mother one last time. She did not resist, and in that moment, I felt something indescribable: a connection, a wordless message, a spark of hope. When I finally walked away, her body remained there, motionless, but her spirit seemed to have soared away on the wind.
I continued on my way until I found a cave to take shelter in. The chick wasn't moving; its breathing was weak. I knew its life hung by a thread. With trembling hands, I lit a fire using my magic and some damp roots. Little by little, the heat began to revive it, but it wasn't enough. Without hesitation, I held it close to my chest, sharing my warmth with it.
Exhaustion overcame me, and I collapsed onto the cold floor of the cave. When I awoke to the first rays of the sun, the chick was perched on my forehead, chirping with renewed energy. An indescribable sense of relief washed over me.
"Wow, you look pretty lively, little one. How about we give you a name?"
The chick nodded enthusiastically and let out a soft chirp.
"Hmm… how about 'Baldy'?"
The chick paused for a second, as if processing the insult. Then, without warning, it lunged at my forehead with renewed fury.
"All right, all right… 'Chicken'?" It kept pecking mercilessly.
"I know! 'Night Fury'?"
"Agh, my forehead! Alright, let's try… 'Rosita'."
Nothing. The attack continued.
"Fine, we'll do this another way. I'll give you a list of names, and when you hear one you like, you just stop pecking me."
The chick nodded again. Its intelligence was amazing, though it was also incredibly demanding for such a small creature.
I took a deep breath and began rattling off names at random:
—Leo, Charles, Max, Peter, Coal, Ash, Emily, Liz, Astrid, Stan, Judie, Marie, Naty, Ester, Estela, Betty, Rox, Ritta… Rika!
Suddenly, the pecking stopped. I felt immense relief; it didn't have that much strength yet, but if it kept this up, it would surely end up piercing my skin.
"Really? 'Rika' is the one you like?"
The chick nodded again, this time with obvious joy.
"Then, Rika it is."
As I stepped out of the cave, something shook me to my core: the eagle's carcass had vanished. There was no trace of its body, as if the storm itself had carried it away. I looked up at the sky, where the clouds were beginning to clear, and felt that, somehow, she was still there, watching over her young.
The journey had to continue, but I was no longer alone. I had found a new friend, a living testament to her mother's courage and sacrifice. Together, we would press on, facing the fate that awaited us.