"Which is more important the mind or the body? A sword can kill many, while a word can inspire many. Each have such differences yet are still considered connected? I say why? In truth those who say the pen is mightier than the sword are wrong. Who tries to write a passage with a sword? And what bloody idiot would dare try to swing a pen in the madness of the battlefield? These belong to very different sort of fights, that while may influence one another, are as I say separate entities. And any scholarly fool who wants to test me can bring his pen to my sword fight with pleasure as I flay his guts upon my blade."

- Shortly before becoming called "The Mad Swordsman", Ariem Rellen

"One can be wise and still be a damn idiot, who couldn't tell his mother from my farm cow Betsy, Carnegie!"

-Unknown

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The crooked faced scholar spat curses upon the inanimate mountain, and complaints, topped finely with annoyance, to the group. For two days and three nights, the explorers trekked slowly, and ever cautiously up the rocky slope of the mountains thigh. Many were at their wits end with the scholar, with some gathering the thoughts of how to make a certain sort of 'accident' to appear upon his disgusting form. However, none, not even the leader of this expedition could silence him.

Unfortunately for every single one of them, this cockroach of a 'scholar' was under the direct instruction of the Galdian royalty, of which every single member of this group pertained citizenship of. Thus in truth, if he so demanded it, they would have no choice but to follow every single instruction this buffoon could offer.

Blissfully, however, the idiot was unaware of such possibilities due to his rank. However, even though the man truly was dim-witted, if someone needed a question of almost any kind answered, he could and more. Thus sat the sole reason why the royal family, and these unfortunate explorers, be. He was a walking font of knowledge, though of course as stated, it would seem though he holds the knowledge, he bears none of the wisdom one might hope to find in such a mind.

On the third night, the group made camp once more, having finally managed to cross an estimated fourth of the distance to their destination. The trackers of the group decided to explore their immediate surroundings for any potential threats, thus leaving nine of the twelve in the impromptu encampment.

Grenvald approached the much younger man and leader of the group with hushed whispers. "Is there truly nothing you can do about him Fores?"

Fores looked behind Grenvald, looking quickly at the crooked nosed scholar, Stultum Mentis who sat upon a broken log, taking notes of the journey so far. Notes were the sole thing he did seriously without any complaint, nor would he voice complaints in them either as such things were an ire of his school days.

Fores studied him a few moments before looking back and sighing heavily. "Wish I could, but if he doesn't return, no matter our success" His eyes darted back to the scholar, before returning them to Grenvald again. "Trouble would brew."

A terse thin line shrunk onto Grenvald’s mouth "I had figured it so."

A nod came from Fores, before motioning him over to a map laid out upon a stump. the map pertained to that which they had traveled in this new land. It was of great importance they place as much detail as possible into it when they return in three years time. The two men looked at the current rough sketch of the mountain, trying to debate where they should check next. In the end, they would explore the entirety, or as close to it, of the mountain. However the goal at current was to find what caused that massive explosion, and if needed, return to the kingdom to warn them the land may be too dangerous after all. Neither of them considered returning early as a possible option in any situation save the direst.

Grenvald pointed to the eastern top portion of the maps mountain. "I believe we should head there now."

"Why to the east? I thought we had both agreed just this morning the fire came from the west?"

Grenvald nodded "Aye, but this mountain is so dense with forest and massive in size, I fear it be that we have gone farther west than intended."

Fores frowned at the corners of his mouth. While Grenvald was old, he was legendary for his intuition, something that ended up saving a town from garnering a surprise siege at the tail-end of the Great War. "While I don't agree, I will trust you off merit of your skill my friend."

"I appreciate that."

It would turn out, age wilts even the greatest men and their skills.