The darkness covered every inch of the forest, aside from several bonfires a quarter ways from the end of the forest. The battle had left many exhausted, most of the guards even able to stand in their armor. The spell of kneeling was far too strong, and drained them more than what would have been liked.

The civilians stayed in guard tents, barely able to cover half of them. The ones staying outside were given blankets, one to three. The guards who were at the far back, protecting the back of the force were assigned with protecting the civilians from monsters during the night, going as far as to create a trench, easily done with the assist of the soon to be soldiers.

A magnificent blue tent, with a gold trim, stood in the middle of the settlement, no smaller than a village. The insignia of a blue rose was inscribed on the four sides, with a length of 10 meters side to side.

Several people, guards without their armors, stood outside as guards, holding spears. They were the knights, and the most famished along with the horses. That was also one of the reasons they had decided to spend the night in the forest. Thankfully, the water supply was enough to quench the thirst of a town for a day, meaning barely enough.

Theo stood before the princess, Lisa at her side. He had insisted she be with him, as Theo was still unfamiliar with this world. The floating ball of water one of those things, and the river trapped in a hole, all the way to the yellow flames.

She sat on a makeshift chair, a tree trunk, and stared at Theo with a serious gaze. The considerable amount of guards, numbering in the dozen, stood guard inside. Their armors weren’t on them, making them look a tad bit smaller, but big nonetheless.

A lamp hung from the top of the tent, lighting it.

Kayla stared at the two still, for more than five minutes even. Of course, the one to break the silence was Theo.

“Hi. I’m Theo.” He said with a blank face, imitating Kayla. Lisa shook her head with a sigh, moving slightly behind the boy to hide herself.

“Well then, Theo. Would you mind if I asked a few things?” She said.

“Sure.” He answered. No guard dared to move after the display of power earlier that day.

“Then, are you with Aveilorn and are you a mage?” Kayla asked, her eyes turning sharp.

“No to both.” Theo said, staring back at her, unwavering.

“Would that mean you are a sorcerer?” She asked.

“I think I am.” He said, creating a ball of flame over his hand.

Kayla’s eyes widen, along with her guards. They stare at the flames, for no less than another five minutes, until Theo snuffs it out. Keeping it burning for long was exhausting, and not an option after an entire day on his legs. He was exhausted as is, but the small size let him bluff a bit more.

“Truly you are.” She nods her head, raising her hand and making a gesture with her index finger, pointing to the side. An older guard, with a large scar scaling over his right eyebrow to the bottom of his left cheek, going through his nose walked forward. He was the only one with armor on, holding a giant hammer effortlessly.

Lisa tugs at Theo’s sleeve, with sad eyes. Droopy, even. She had her rapier on, and a hand was placed on it. He raised his eyebrow. The man was supposed to be his ally.

“Glad to make your acquaintance. I am called Richard, a cardinal of the Holy church.” The man introduced himself. “I hope we can get along.”

Lisa’s eyes widen as she look at the man. A slight hint of fear, and mostly relief and surprise are shown in it. She had let go of the sword at the word ‘cardinal’. It was a rank not many could achieve, and was as strong as an arch-mage, from the rumors.

“I’m Theo… a hunter, and a sorcerer.” Theo said, trying to sound as formal as possible, failing at it. The princess nodded her head with her eyes closed, and a deep sigh escapes her mouth.

“Welcome to the alliance, sorcerer. We are in dire need of your power, and would like to ask of your assistance in the fore coming war.” She explained, with more respect than given to a sorcerer. “We’ll pay you handsomely, but first, I’d like you to accept this as a sign of goodwill.”

Kayla gestured with her hand, and a soldier pulled out a pouch from his pocket, placing it on Theo’s hand. He shakes it a bit, getting a quick addiction to the clinging sound. It was satisfying to say the least.

“That’s 30 royals, you may do whatever you wish with it back at the capital.” She said as she stood up. Theo looked back at Lisa, who nodded eagerly. He nodded, and tied it next to his other pouch, with some jerky in it.

“You are excused.” Kayla said, and Lisa dragged Theo out of the tent. The fresh air of the forest refreshing Theo. It was rather damp-ish back at Stoneguard, and inside the tent where there were several guards packed up.

The gentle light of the moon falls on the boy, and a tiny voice squeaked.

“Come.”

His eyes narrowed, and he looked around. No one seemed to be playing a prank on him, and what he assumed was the moon, seemed to call him forth. Theo shrugs it away. That was probably some ghost trying to lure him to its hideout.

Now that they were outside, Theo had nothing to do, and so did Lisa. They stood outside, enjoying the wind blowing through, nowhere to go in particular in the village-sized night base.

A pat on the shoulder shocks Theo out of his stupor, and he turns to find the man called Richard. Upon closer inspection, Theo noticed the emblem of a sun on his chest, drawn rather large and crudely, even for his tastes.

Richard gestured for Theo to follow, and Lisa followed after the boy. She didn’t want to be alone, though she would have been just that if not for the boy appearing mysteriously a few days ago. In fact, Lisa felt herself becoming more attached to him than anyone else in her life except her father.

The cardinal led them to a forest clearing, quite a ways from the settlement. Looking around, Theo finds that there is a lake in the middle, and some rocks put in a circle around it. Richard jumps atop one two meter tall rock, sitting on it.

“So, I’ve been meaning to ask you, but found it rather hard before the preying eyes of the princess.” Richard said. “I feel a bit of divinity in you. Are you perhaps an acolyte or priest?”

“I… don’t know those terms.” Theo said, using the word Lisa taught her on the way there.

“I see. Then it is surely your blood.” Richard said, Lisa quietly listening in on the two. They didn’t seem to notice her presence, but she took a seat on the soft grass whereas Theo sat on another one, a three meter tall one, as if trying to impress.

“Blood?” Theo asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Ah, think nothing of that. It’s just a term we use for gifted.” Richard said with a loud laugh. “And I felt like you should be here. A divine illusion was placed here a few decades back, and only church officials could come in and go here. Mostly due to it being a gathering spot for cultis… err… sorcerers.” Richard said. “But since you are on our side, it wouldn’t hurt.”

“Thanks for that.” Theo said, looking around. At a second glance, it was quite familiar. As if it was the… serpent village.

He could almost remember Maku circling around a stone pillar, much like the one he and the cardinal were sitting on. He had parents and friends then, but only children were there now.

“Serpent’s Nest.” Theo said unconsciously, the words escaping from his mouth without his consent.

“Funny. That’s also the term the sorcerers in the past used.” Richard said with a laugh. “Well then, good luck. I’ll have to go back now, and the princess ought to be looking for her mentor.”

And so, Lisa and Theo were left in the clearing, most likely an ancient ruins of the fair folk. Theo fell into the lake with a thump.