The rain has finally stopped. Was almost constant for 3 days. The fields were spared thanks to the early warnings. Mama, Mr. Wyatt, and the other [Farmer]'s were able to dig channels for the rain to flow into it. We lost a few crops here and there but nothing we can't account for. At least that is what Mama says.
I am feeling much better as well. In fact I am feeling even better than I did before I got hurt. It is a strange feeling. But the [Cleric] Dorian explained it away as my increased [Resilience] stat doing its job. Which I guess does make sense.
But thanks to that and the rain going away I can finally go back outside again. The sun has been shining very brightly after all those scary clouds were gone. Which should make me happy but now the roads will be safer to travel on. Which means Leo will be leaving early tomorrow morning.
Paladin Roy stated that they are already very behind schedule now. It can take up to 2 months to get to the capital from here usually but the Order can get around much faster using the teleportation gates in the larger towns. The closest one to us being Berxley. But it'll still take about 2 weeks to get there. The teleportation gates have to be scheduled in advance and they will miss their mark if they don't leave soon.
Leo has been spending as much time as he can with Mama and me while he is getting beginner lessons from the Paladin and Syren. I got to watch Leo spar with Syren a few times this evening when Mr. Thorpe brought me up to the hill. Paladin Roy was impressed with how skilled he was already. Mr. Thorpe just nodded and said he gave him the basics. But it was fascinating to watch. In fact I was hooked on it far more than I had before. Especially Syren who uses a long spear weapon with an axe looking thing on the end. Old guard told me it was called a Halberd.
But the way she moved with it was astonishing. It was like she was dancing. Every move was so smooth and fluid. Twirling the Halberd around her as if it was alive.
Leo stood no chance but he was able to dodge around for a little while. He was never able to learn too much about fighting other people so he got frustrated pretty quick. But he didn't burst like he usually did when he lost, which was surprising.
But it was strange. When it was over and we all started heading back to the village I felt sad that it ended. Watching them spar was exhilarating. Something about it was making me unable to stay still. My hands gripping hard against the fence boards. Eyes never looking away.
I've watched Leo spar with Mr. Thorpe dozens of times before and they were always fun but never like this. They always just seemed blurry to me. All the same. Interesting but nothing important.
But this time it was different. And even now that we are heading down the hill towards the village I keep thinking about it. Every step they took. Every move of their eyes as they tracked each others movements. The subtle shifts in the sway of their weapons. I can remember it all in great detail. Which my face must have been making some pretty serious expressions since Mr. Thorpe took notice.
"Uh...Liore...you thinking real hard or do you just need to go to the bathroom?" The old guard chuckled with a slight bit of concern in his tone.
I stop my pace to look up at him, blinking my eyes out of the intense concentration. "Uh...Yeah I was just...thinking about stuff."
His bushy brow lifts up curiously as he stops with me. "May I ask what it is has you so pensive? Everything okay?"
I almost nod but stop myself as my face tightens up. Because honestly I am not sure if something is wrong or not. The old man can tell as well by the expression on my face as he places a hand on my shoulder and turns to look at Leo, Syren, and the Paladin who had stopped when they noticed we did. "Go on ahead. Think I'm gonna go do a once over of the fields. Liore said she'd help me and she wants to stay outta the house a bit longer."
I'm not sure if they believed that as all three looked at me and likely noticed I was just as surprised. Leo even began to approach and was probably about to offer to help as well but Paladin Roy cut him off. "Understood. We need to have a discussion with Leone and his mother privately anyhow." The Paladin says as he gestures to my brother. "Come along, let us not keep her waiting."
Leo continued to look my way even as Roy was leading him off back into the village. Syren giving me a concerned glance as she followed as well.
Mr. Thorpe gives a soft sigh and waves his hand to follow him. "Come on. Let's find a quiet spot yeah?" Keeping his pace steady as it takes me a couple seconds before I move to follow.
"Is...is something wrong?" I ask quietly as we walk along the outside of the wood palisade wall.
Old guard glances down to me as we move. "Are you asking if something is wrong in general...or if I think something is wrong with you?"
That question made my heart sink, my hands tightening up on either side of me. "I..." Is all I can really mutter out before Mr. Thorpe stops and turns to me, kneeling down to be more at my level. His hardened gaze searching my face, making me back away a step.
"Liore...if something is going on that is worrying you you need to tell me so I can help." He says sternly, his eyes never leaving my face. It makes me squirm a bit uncomfortably. My hands knitted together in front of me. I know I should be honest but the idea that something else might be wrong after everything I had been through in less than 2 weeks. It's just terrifying. My mind actively trying to avoid drawing attention to it.
I finally look up to lock eyes with Thorpe. My lip quivering, making me frustrated. "When we were...watching them spar. I felt strange."
The old mans expression does not change or seem to show any discernable reaction. Just listens. "Strange how?"
I suck in a slow breath. "I couldn't stop watching. No matter how much I tried. Everything else was just blocked out. My heart was racing. My eyes kept following every movement and making my head hurt." My voice shakes. I don't know why this feels so strange. Why any of what I am saying is out of the ordinary. Maybe it was just that entertaining to watch. But something deep down knew it was more than that. And it looks like Thorpe does too.
Old Guards eyes were no longer narrowed. Instead they were wide but still focused. "You were analyzing them." He mutters quietly. "What did you think of their spar?"
"Well despite not having much practice with fighting other people Leo did pretty okay. But he was still really lacking and too cautious which put him at an even further disadvantage than even normally. He wasn't sure how to approach and his swings weren't confident and his parries even more so they were easily turned against him..." I stopped. My mouth hanging open as I realized just how ready I was to give a whole review. Where did any of that even come from?
Even Thorpe looked genuinely surprised now as he began to scratch as his stubbly chin. Staying quiet for a few moments as he considered a few things. Which isn't exactly helping as now I am just stewing in my own thoughts and starting to panic. "What's wrong with me now..."
This thankfully broke the old man out of his thoughts as he reached over to gently place his hands on my shoulders. "Calm down. There is nothing wrong with you. I already have an idea as to what this might be."
Tears have already started to well up in my eyes as waves of emotions overwhelm me. Wiping some of the wetness away from eyes with the sleeves of my dress. "What do you think it is?"
Old Guard removes his hands from my shoulders and props his arms on top of his knee. "Well...you have always been sharp and observant but what you just did was far more in depth than just observant." He began honestly. "What you described before with you analyzing their spar. Coupled with the eloquent rundown you were giving...which should NOT be possible for your Class...the only thing I can think of is that somehow you've been able to attain the passive skill [Battle Theory]."
And as if he had spoken a secret word or something I felt an all too familiar agony. The sensation as if someone was scratching a pen against my brain. My face scrunching and my hands coming up to squeeze against my ears in a desperate ploy to quiet the painful sounds. I felt Mr. Thorpes hands grab under my arms as if to steady me. I must have been about to fall. But at least the sound and pain subsided much quicker than the last time. But my ears still ring.
"Liore! Are you okay?" My eyes finally opening to see the old mans usually serious and grizzled expression was now softened to one of deep concern.
I nod slowly, still clutching my head somewhat. "Yes...I'm fine...this happened after that weird book too...but it was much worse then..." Groaning a little as Mr. Thorpe helps sit me down before he sits down next to me. Taking a deep breath as the ringing quiets. "It feels like someone is writing something on the inside of my head..."
The old man still looks concerned but he nods along. "Yes. That's what I've heard other Mercs say about reading skill books. Pretty different than how normal skills appear..." And just as he says that we turn to look at eachother with the same thought.
"May the blinded see..." I say quickly, turning to look at my Window etching out in front of me.
_________________________________________
[LEVEL-00]
//Name: Liore Perro
//Age: 9
//Class: [??????] [Unlocks in 3 Months 1 Days 5 Hours]
//Status: Healthy
[PASSIVE]
[??????????]
[?????? ??????]
[Favored]
[Battle Theory]
[SKILLS]
[??????-??????]
[CLASS QUESTS]
//null
_________________________________________
My eyes widen. "You were right. There it is..."
Old Guard's brows furrow. "Read it..." He asks as if he still couldn't believe it. So I reached out and pressed against the skill in the read out.
_________________________________________
[Battle Theory]: Your mind is now tempered for battle. You are now able to analyze, learn, and practice the foundations of combat. Opening avenues to specialization with weapon types and fighting styles.
_________________________________________
I read out the description to him as it pops up, which just makes him look like he wants to question it even more. Even though of course he was the one who suggested I had the skill to begin with. "I...shouldn't have that..."
He shakes his head. "No...you should not..." Old guard responds, closing his eyes and rubbing his temples. "And the fact that you do is bewildering...even if you did read a skill book, if it was a combat skill book you shouldn't have even been able to read it to begin with. Your Class wouldn't have been compatible..."
My lips sucked in as if I just tasted something sour. As I did just realize that I haven't told him about the OTHER thing that was worrying. "Ummmm...then I probably should have told you this earlier...but after the book thing happened...my class disappeared and became question marks too..."
His head whipped in my direction. "WHAT?!" Before he slapped his hand over his mouth, his eyes looking wild for a few moment. "...and you didn't think to tell me earlier whhhyyyyy?"
I frown. "I...I was scared..." Tucking my knees up against my chest and hugging them.
Mr. Thorpe sighs and leans against the Palisade, running his hands through his hair. "Okay...fair..." Shaking his head rapidly. "Wait but...that Holy Order [Scout] saw that you were a [Farmer]. But its question marks for you?"
I nod, my brows scrunching up at that. I hadn't thought about that at the time actually. "Actually that is a good point...so maybe it is normal for everyone else...but then why just me?"
Thorpe rubs the back of his neck, quiet for a few seconds before just throwing his hands up in defeat. "God only knows..." He says, fully seeming to give up. Atleast for now. " We'll have to test a few things later when things cool off. But for now best not to worry about it."
I purse my lips. "What about Mama? Should I tell her?"
He flinches at that mention of mother, scratching his cheek. "God damnit...uh..." Raising himself up to a stand. "Keep it quiet for now. She's got enough to stress about already. Like I said...we'll wait until things cool off first." The old man says with quite a bit of apprehension as he offers me a hand and helps me up to my feet.
Old guard smooths his hair out, still looking a bit shaken up. "Go ahead home, get dinner. We'll...talk about this later after those Holy folks leave."
Unsure as to what to really say more I just nod. But the weight of all of this is still creating a lot of turmoil in my heart. Which Thorpe as per usual quickly picked up on. Pointing a finger at me. "It's going to be okay...we'll figure it out. Now get goin..." He assures before he heads off to actually do what he said he would do earlier and check the fields. Leaving me to myself.
I wish I could just not worry, but after everything it just isn't possible to feel normal. But if there is anything that I know for sure now, that book definitely did something to me. Changed something. Maybe even...BROKE something. Which that thought definitely doesn't make me feel any better.
Shaking the thought out of my head as quickly as possible as I start heading back towards the gate. The guards giving me a nod and wave through before they close up for the night. A few of my neighbors say hello to me I am sure but I just don't register it before I end up back across the west bridge and back in front of our cottage.
Kicking the mud off my boots on the wooden porch, my hand stops to hover over the latch to the door as I hear muffled conversation coming from the direction of the kitchen. My lips purse as I step back. Eyes shifting off to the left side of the house. Fighting myself a bit as my foot taps a little impatiently before my curiosity wins over.
I quietly move around to the left side of the house. Seeing lighting coming from the cracks in the curtains covering the kitchen window. Thankfully there is a few trees on this side of the house as well that give me some cover.
I know Paladin Roy said they needed to talk to Leo and Mama privately and that might not imply I am not allowed to hear. But I am nothing if not completely paranoid now. So here I am creeping up to my own homes kitchen window to listen in on a conversation I could very likely sit in on anyway if I asked.
But as if God was fully intending to punish me further for my decisions, just as I was pressing my ear up to the window a voice spoke up from behind me. "What are you doing?"
I nearly jumped out of my skin, whipping around to see the tall holy order girl a couple feet behind me. Looking down at me with a curious expression. "Um...you know you don't have to hide...you can just go in...you are part of the family of course."
It takes me a couple seconds to register what she said as I was still calming down from the shock. And this girl still makes me feel so strange for some reason. My mind keeps fixating on how tall she is or how shiny her hair is. Or how her eyes always focus on you when she talks to you. Giving you her undivided attention.
She blinks at me, tilting her head some. "Are you...okay?"
I shake my head rapidly out of whatever the heck that was. "Um um yes. I'm okay. Just...scared me there..." Taking a deep breath.
Syren frowns a little. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you that much." She says quietly, her voice carrying a melodic tone that puts me at ease. She also has quite a posh fancy accent I only ever really hear from some [Merchant]s from Lanercost when they come in for stock.
I wave my hands dismissively. "No no it's fine. Not your fault. I was the one sneaking around like an idiot."
She chuckles and shakes her head. "I don't think you are an idiot. I just think you are being a bit...paranoid?" She would say, hitting the nail so hard on the head it makes me flinch. Her eyes glance at the kitchen window. "Do...you want to go inside and sit with them?"
My attention pulls back up to the window as well. Dropping my hands to my front to knead them together nervously. "Um...no. I don't...I just..." Unable to really find a good excuse that isn't somewhat pathetic. "I don't want to be in the way. This is about Leo...not me...and I have already taken up so much of the attention even before you got here."
Syren stayed quiet, allowing me to speak even as I fell quiet for quite a few moments. As if she knew that wasn't all. My throat tightens up. "I know that it's because I got hurt...and then I was really sick and...obviously...almost died." I admit with a sigh. "But. Leo is a Holy Knight. He's about to start training to be a hero. Basically destined for greatness. And I just don't want to take away from that anymore. All of that is just as important...if not MORE important." Pulling the length of my poufy dark black cloud of hair from behind me to hug. "I would just be distracting."
The taller girl listened quite intently until I was finished. Her lips cracking into a grin that makes me feel warm. "Wow...you are just as self deprecating as Leo said you were." And those words sucked all the warmth out just as quickly.
Which was pretty evident on my face as she proceeded to giggle before stepping closer. "The world might see Leo as more important, but don't sell yourself short." She would say so matter of factly. "You and your Mother are just as important. You are the whole reason he wants to get stronger. Why he wants to be able to fight and protect people. Why he is even okay with being taken away from his family to begin with because he knows its necessary to keep you safe"
I can feel my face getting hotter and my stomach doing flips as the taller girl speaks so sternly down at me. Not really sure how to respond as Syren continues, placing her hands on her hips. "I hope you know that he would have gladly kept us stuck here for weeks if it meant making sure you pulled through. It was obvious that he was going to avoid us until that happened. It wouldn't be the first time a prospective recruit didn't want to leave their families behind. So we are always prepared to make some accommodations...your situation just happened to be the worst case scenario." She admits to that last part a bit awkwardly. "But it seems God was on all our side." Returning to a smile that sets me at ease again.
I just sort of stand there in awed silence for a few moments before I am finally able to put some sort of words together. "I...that makes a lot of sense..." I say lightly, eyes a bit wide. "...sorry...for...well." Losing my train of thought there as I am not even sure what to apologize for at this point. I think that might just be a force of habit now.
"You a really worried about him." She comments, yet again reading me so easily.
"Of...of course I am. I just hate to think how lost he'll be away from us. I don't want him to be lonely. Or to constantly worry all the time. And we've never been to the capital before. Dad always told us its a completely different world and I don't want him to get taken advantage of." I admit quietly, rubbing my hands together nervously in front of my chest.
Syren smiles wider and gives a light bow to me that surprises me. "Then you needn't worry young maiden. I will protect your dear brother and make sure he stays out of trouble. I swear on my honor as a member of the Holy Order!" Standing back up straight to give me a wink.
I can feel my face get warm again but I can't help but giggle. "Thank you Ms. Paladin. I will leave my dear brother in your care." I respond as I give my best unpracticed curtsy in response. My lips thin before I lean forward to her. "Could you...also...make sure he makes some friends." Not being able to help leave this little worry out. "I just don't want him to turn into some serious loner."
Syren scrunches her face to fight back a laugh, which just makes her snort instead. Covering her mouth and nose. "Yes of course. We certainly don't want that." She smirks before stepping out of the way and gesturing to the front of the cottage. "Come on. I am sure they were waiting for you."
I smile back. Taking a deep breath. Swallowing the worries and the insecurities. And follow her inside for the night.
At least even with all my nerves getting tugged around lately, I think I can safely say that Leo is in good hands.