“Well? Aren’t you going to say anything? Hurry up, I don’t have all day. Unless you want to leave?” The woman asked.

Crimwal’s eyes trembled.

“Er- hey! Wow, it’s been a while-"

“No, it’s been about a week.” The woman known as Kalnae interrupted.

“Oh… well, I’m really sorry.” Crimwal apologized, keeping his head lowered.

Kalnae walked up to Crimwal, her heels clacked loudly on the marble floor of the rather luxurious room Crimwal found himself in.

Kalnae then used her foot to raise his chin. Crimwal desperately avoided meeting her gaze, so he nervously stared at the floor.

“Look at me,” Kalnae said softly, but Crimwal disobeyed.

"Fine. This is what I get for taking care of you. You still owe me two years of service and that debt will be paid in full." She said as she pressed her heel on Crimwal face.

“What’s with that group of misfits you’re travelling with? Where are they going?” Kalnae asked, but Crimwal remained silent.

This made Kalnae slightly frustrated, but she did a good job hiding it. She sighed as she walked away from the kneeling Crimwal.

Kalnae’s eyes narrowed and a faint smile formed on her lips.

“Anyway, off you go. I’ve just thought of a perfect way to make you pay up.” She said as the large goon let Crimwal go.

Crimwal was about to sprint away, but he stopped as he wondered what possible nightmarish plans Kalnae had.

“Curious? Well, let’s just say I have many eyes and they see that a certain little mouse has found himself some new friends. What a wonderful thing… friendship. I can’t recall the last time I ever had someone who I’d consider a friend, but you’ve found what? Three? Four? Hehe.” Kalnae chuckled as she sat back on her comfortable looking chair.

Crimwal ran out of the alleyway and straight towards the northern gate. He had told Raymond that taking that exit would be advisable so he ran there under the assumption that they’d all gather there.

Crimwal ran and ran until he arrived at the northern gate. He searched endlessly through the crowd of a hundred faces but could find Raymond or the others.

Did she already get them? Crimwal wondered.

He waited by the northern gate for what seemed like an eternity before hearing a certain youthful voice.

“I’m sorry, but how was I supposed to know that?” Kalos asked as he and the others approached the northern gate.

“It clearly said on a board: DO NOT EAT. We had to pay that guy double because of what you did. I’m not made of money, ya know. I’m made of blood, bone and beat downs, one of which might end up on your careless self.” Raymond said before noticing a sweaty Crimwal.

“There you are! I’d lie to you and say that we tried looking for you, but Kalos here was too busy trying to eat his way through the city, literally.” Raymond said while vigorously rubbing Kalosýni’s head.

Crimwal smiled faintly before letting out a fake cough.

“Uh- sorry, I had some business to care of with my-"

“Friends?” Raymond interrupted. His eyes narrowed.

“Yes, hehe,” Crimwal said as they made their way out of the city.

“So what did you get?” Crimwal asked.

“Winter clothes, some grain and spices for some reason,” Raymond said as they walked along with several other groups who were also headed north.

Those groups eventually overtook Raymond’s group due to them having to move at a much slower pace, but Raymond didn’t mind.

Their journey was going to be rather long, either way, the last thing he wanted was for them to rush it.

Kalos was safe and enjoying himself which was all that mattered to Raymond.

Raymond snuck a glance at Crimwal who had been pale for some time now. Raymond wasn’t so naïve as to believe that all Crimwal did was chat with his so-called friends, but he didn’t want to worry Kalos, so he decided to have that conversation with Crimwal at a later time.

The group eventually made its way to the base of the Tsav mountains, well… they were still quite far from the mountains but they could see the base from where they were.

Raymond looked around and saw a nice spot in the grassland they’d found themselves in.

“Let’s set up camp there.” Raymond pointed at the point where the grassland ended and the forest began. He wanted to be as far from the path as possible, without going too far.

The group set up their beds by some trees and Raymond started a small fire.

Estella pulled out some packets of various grains from her new leather bag.

“Hey, Crimwal. Can we use one of your pots?” she asked, but the reaction she got was rather unexpected.

Crimwal flinched and clutched his bag of pots ever closer to his body.

“Uh- umm…” Crimwal stuttered as he failed to form any words.

Kalos noticed the weird atmosphere so he came up with a solution.

“Why don’t I just craft us some new pots?” He asked. Estella gave the boy a slight nod and he went to work. He created a medium-sized grey pot that was perfectly sound and had a smooth handle.

Kalos placed the pot on the fire and to test if it actually conducted any heat. He poured some of his water into the pot. A few minutes passed and Kalos placed a single finger into the pot only to find the water was still cool.

“Still cold?” Raymond asked and Kalos nodded.

“Mmm… try imagining the bottom as being sensitive to heat,” Estella suggested.

Kalos got to work and adjusted the pot's properties, then suddenly the water started boiling.

Estella excitedly got up and began cooking a meal for everyone, with Eevana's help.

They eventually had their first carbohydrate-based meal as a group. It offered a create refreshment for their taste buds and their hearts.

Raymond had gotten himself some cheap alcohol, which he down in an instant, much to his sadness.

After finishing their meals and putting out the fire, the group eventually fell asleep.

.

..

A couple of hours later, Crimwal opened his eye’s and checked if everyone was asleep.

Satisfied with his findings, he grabbed his bag and walked out into the grassland as quietly as he could.

“Going off somewhere?” Crimwal heard a deep voice ask

Crimwal turned around to see Raymond standing behind him.

“Uh- I’m just-"

“Look, I’m not going to pretend like I understand what's happening, but you should know that I don’t take kindly to those who put my son’s life in any sort of danger.” Raymond’s voice went from calm and sincere to an almost evil rumble.

“Those people, your friends, have been following us for some time,” Raymond said as he nodded towards the direction of Ianndor.

“What were you planning on doing? Running away while they cut off our heads?” Raymond asked, his body emitting those oh so familiar streaks of black smoke.

“N- no! I swear! I wanted to divert their attention and run to the east.” Crimwal said while keeping his voice low. Then the sound of horse driven carriages filled the air.

Raymond turned his gaze toward the path they’d taken. There he saw two carriages approaching them at a steady pace.

“Your friends?” Raymond hissed as he created a fosblade.

Crimwal’s face twisted, as though he was in pain as the carriages got closer.

“So what now, Crimwal. Do I kill you and your friends or are they the reasonable type, mmm?” Raymond asked as a tremendous amount of darkness rose from his body.

Crimwal choked on his own fear.

He’d seen Raymond in this form before and he wasn’t going to get used to it any time soon.

“We can talk with them!” Crimwal squealed.

Raymond scoffed before absorbing all of the darkness back into his body and destroying his fosblade.

The carriage eventually came to a stop several meters from them.

Raymond nodded toward the carriage, to which Crimwal sighed.

They both slowly walked towards the carriage, which had a dark wooden design with fancy-looking red seats.

One of the carriages two doors opened, revealing a woman with numerous scars on her face.

Raymond saw that the scars failed at hiding her true beauty. Her dark smooth skin and curly hair were rather pleasing to look at even though streaks of grey could be seen.

Raymond shook away such unnecessary thoughts.

“Oh? What’s this? You’ve brought along your knight friend? That changes nothing.” The woman said.

“How did you-"

“How did I know that you were a knight? Well, let’s say that I knew of your existence the very moment you came into contact with my little mouse.” The woman said, her voice low.

“I see. But who are you exactly?” Raymond asked while trying to avoid looking at her body, which was only highlighted by her leather pants and silky white blouse.

“Has the brave knight developed an interest in me? Oh my, I’m flattered. The name's Kalnae Telnor, I’d say that it’s a pleasure, but my little mouse has caused me quite a bit of stress in recent days. Anyway, time is short. Crimwal dear, go get the pregnant woman and bring her here. She’ll make a good worker.” Kalnae said with a gentle smile.

Crimwal’s heart sank along with Raymond’s.

They both knew that as much as they feared Kalnae, the idea of an enraged Kalos made them tremble in terror.

“What a lovely reaction, I’d love to savour it, but hurry up please,” Kalnae said as her goons exited the carriages, six in total.

They surrounded Raymond and Crimwal, then one of them walked up to Crimwal and grabbed his arm.

Raymond put on a patient expression and waited for Crimwal to play his cards. He wanted to see what kind of men Crimwal Sorvae was.

“Uh- err… how about we look over my little blunder? Just this time, yeah?” Crimwal begged as his eyes shifted from Raymond to Kalnae.

“No. You’re not getting away that easy. I’m taking you home, along with that pretty pregnant dame.” Kalnae said firmly, taking care as to not raise her voice.

“No!” Crimwal said rather loudly as his eyes shook.

“What?” Kalnae asked as she hopped out of her carriage.

“Don’t you dare! I don’t have to put up with this. Boys, get all of them. I try to be reasonable and yet you spit on my kindness!” Kalnae said as she stormed into back into her carriage.

Raymond then looked at Crimwal one more time.

“When you asked to join us on our adventure, I reluctantly agreed because I knew you were running from something,” Raymond said as two of the goons walked towards the camp where Kalos, Estella and Eevana slept.

“Umm… shouldn’t we deal with that first?” Crimwal asked as beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

“I don’t care. Kalos will destroy them as soon as they lay a finger on Estella. We, however, have unfinished business. Whose side are you going to choose once I draw my sword? I personally wouldn’t care which side you chose, but Kalos… he will be heartbroken.” Raymond said as he formed a fosblade in his right hand. Its bright outline burnt its image into Crimwal’s mind.

“Watch out! His using light magic.” One of the goons said as they withdrew an assortment of weapons from their coats.

Crimwal’s heart began beating wildly as he thought between his two options.

Dammit! He cursed internally, he didn’t have time to choose.

“Fine, I’ll continue adventuring with you, just don’t kill my mom,” Crimwal said as he withdrew his dagger.

Raymond’s jaw dropped as his mind digested what Crimwal had just said.

“Wait a minute! What do you mean by mom?” He exclaimed unreasonably loudly.

“Yes, she raised me,” Crimwal said as his gaze shifted from goon to goon.

Raymond on the other hand let out a soft sigh.

“We'll have to do some talking later,” Raymond said before disappearing.

Crimwal barely saw it, but flashes of light appeared behind each of the goons and their bodies fell soon after.

Raymond then reappeared just in front of Crimwal who was still struggling to process everything.

“I- Uh- you’re also going to explain some things, right?” Crimwal asked.

Raymond destroyed his sword and smiled slyly.

“Maybe.” He said as the goons who’d gone for Estella and the other’s arrived at the camp.

“Shouldn’t we-"

“Wait for it…” Raymond cut off the concerned Crimwal and just as he did, one of the goons grabbed Estella’s arm as she slept and it wasn’t a second- no, it wasn’t even one-hundredth of a second before the goon disappeared.

The second goon was about to yell something out but he too disappeared before he could do anything.

“J- just what did you teach that boy?” Crimwal asked as his knees trembled.

“Who me? I didn’t teach him any of that. Kalos has an almost limitless amount of light and dark magic within him, I’m going to do all I can to ensure he learns to control both.” Raymond said as the goons were silently abducted.

“What if instead of taking control, he succumbs to the forces of darkness?” Crimwal asked as he looked up at Raymond, whose face had hardened.

Meanwhile, Kalos had fully woken up and was scanning his surroundings for any more potential threats.

Where were the goons? He threw them near the others his father had knocked out.

Why wasn’t he killing them? Because Kalos had seen his father knock out several goons earlier.

Yes, he was awake the whole time.

Kalos checked and saw that Estella was still soundly asleep. He then dashed towards his father and Crimwal, who was trembling for some reason.

“Dad, what’s going on?” Kalos asked.

“Not much, it’s just that Crimwal’s mom wants him to go back home with him, but simultaneously wants one of us as payment for his mistakes,” Raymond said with a sigh before they heard the carriage door slowly open.

“Crimwal… who is that man?” Kalnae asked as she saw a pile of unconscious goons on the grass.

“This is Ueel. He’s a simple farmer… I think.” Crimwal said as he approached his mother.

“Listen, I apologize for running away and getting your goons beat up, but I just have to go on this adventure with Ueel and the others, because if I don’t, I’ll undoubtedly miss the most amazing adventure of my life. I can feel it.” Crimwal said as he extended his hand towards Kalnae who looked both infuriated and confused.

“I don’t care whether you chase traeltors all day or not. I want you to explain to me why you’re travelling with a knight with the power of an eminence.” She asked.

Crimwal’s brows furrowed. He turned to Raymond who merely shrugged his shoulders in response.

“What can I say, I’m really strong. But I’m nowhere near the level of the eminence or anything like that, hehe.” Raymond said while scratching the back of his head.

“You cannot deceive me! I’ve been around for many years and have met many knights, but you… you're definitely the eminence." Kalnae hissed before eventually slapping away Crimwal’s hand.

Raymond’s face stiffened, but then he got a brilliant idea.

“Umm… I’m pretty sure you’re sensing my son’s overwhelming power- yes! Kalos, show her.” Raymond said as he slowly backed away. Crimwal did the same before the world was engulfed by darkness and cold.

Kalnae’s eyes rolled backwards and she passed out, falling onto the grass.

Kalos absorbed his magic back into his body and turned to his father and Crimwal who looked at him with accusing eyes.

“What?” Kalos asked.

“N- nothing, let’s take her and her goons to camp. Hopefully, she’ll be more willing to talk once she wakes up.” Raymond said.

The three spent the next few moments moving the carriage, Kalnae and her goons closer to the camp.

Raymond forced his son to give up his bed so that Kalnae could sleep comfortably.

All this moving about woke up Estella who looked around, confused but not surprised.

“What happened?” She asked as she rubbed her eyes. Raymond explained the situation and it wasn’t long before Kalnae regained consciousness.

“Ah!” She screamed as the morning suns rays bathed the grassland.

Kalos let out a weak yawn, before creating a pot, which he poured water into before placing it over a newly made campfire.

“Calm down. It’s just us.” Crimwal said in an attempt to comfort his wide-eyed mother.

“That doesn’t the fact that you’re travelling with monsters,” Kalnae said, her voice raspy and her lips dry.

Kalos offered her some tea in what looked like a dark grey metallic cup.

“What? Are you planning on poisoning me?” Kalnae hissed.

Kalos was confused.

“Why would we want to do that?” He asked as Kalnae took the cup and to her surprise, she couldn’t feel any heat. The cup wasn’t cold, but it wasn’t hot either.

She hesitantly sniffed the vapour rising from the cup and found that Kalos had given her some tea. She took a sip and found the tea was rather delicious.

Kalnae had been looking for Crimwal for some time, which had caused her to put aside her other priorities, which led to a build-up of stress, but a single cup of tea had seemingly washed all of her worries away.

“Ah.” Kalnae let out a satisfied sigh. She then snuck a glance at Estella who’s skin wonderfully glowed as it was engulfed by the morning sunlight. Her pure black hair flew elegantly with the wind as she rubbed her sleepy eyes.

This made Kalnae’s left eye twitch for a moment.

“So what now?” Kalos asked.

“I’m still angry and I still want compensation,” Kalnae said as she took another sip of tea.

“I see, how about this: you go your way and we go ours, putting all this behind us,” Raymond suggested.

“And what would I gain from that?” She asked, slightly saddened that her tea was almost finished.

Then in an instant, Kalos appeared in front of Kalnae with a giant grey sword pressed against her neck.

“Your life,” Raymond said coldly.