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| Chapter 15:

| After a quick clean up and drying off their rain soaked bodies, Eric and Rothar sat down to a steaming cup of tea each… or murite, as the Zagoran’s called the sweet drink. They sat comfortably on the bedding pelts, and faced one another in the lamp light. It was difficult for Eric to drink, initially; hands still shaking and mind racing from the experience of only a while ago. His questions flew at Rothar, who did his best to answer them. "Alright, so let me get this straight - an egg hatches once it’s been buried in the warm sand for about a week, or failing that, the parents must take turns keeping the egg huddled against them for the warmth for that same duration." Smiling gently, Rothar nodded, and took a sip of his murite. "Well… how do they know when the young is ready to hatch if it’s buried?"

| "They smell it." Rothar’s matter-of-fact answer was followed with another sip of murite. Eric’s brow furrowed in confusion, making Rothar chuckle. "The birthing parent of the egg can smell when the shell cracks - other Zagoran’s can as well, though not nearly as well as the parent. They go to the egg and dig away the sand, helping the new child of Dar Souljeth into this world."

| Eric scratched his head. "Okay… that’s weird, but I guess it makes sense. " Lifting his mug, he sipped at his tea, and reasoned out things in his head. Every day there seemed to be some strange new aspect of his new family that his mind struggled to accept as normal. He yawned and took the last bit of his murite.

| Still sipping at him, Rothar was observing again… measuring, as he always seemed to. He smiled gently back to Eric and set his murite down. "Before we dream this night, we should reach out and feel for the Hethren, as you learned earlier today." Rothar re-seated himself in his Zen-like way, and looked at Eric, waiting for him to do the same.

| After a moment, the two wielders of jantra cast their awareness out along the plains and stretches of the land, feeling for the evil of the Hethren. Eric’s heart pounded as the sensations poured in. He could feel the land for, what he figured, was hundreds of kilometres. In that land, he could feel the life it held, where it held it, how it moved! Further and further their feelings stretched until it found the blackness it was searching for. The closest Hethren were a long ways from them. Eric found he knew exactly how far, but found it hard to rationalize in human measurements. They had many days… weeks perhaps, before the closest of their foe could find them. As Eric’s eyes opened, his head began to throb with pain. "The… they’re…really f..far." Eric surprised himself with his own shortness of breath. He sunk his head into his hands and panted.

| The Seeker’s eyes had already been open. His more seasoned skills had told him the same before Eric had felt it. He had watched the Realm Walker will his way toward his goal. To Eric, it was difficult, yet he had already been able to do in a day what took a Seeker a season to master. Rothar smiled and nodded. "Yes - we are still safe for a good while. Are you alright?"

| "Yeah yeah… using jantra intensely just gives me a headache sometimes… wears me out… it’ll pass." Eric rose and walked over to one of the narrow window slits to look at the last of the storm’s fury - now merely a light rain. He stared out at it, as if trying to see the distant foe he had felt so strongly a moment ago. "So this is going to be the calm before the storm… for us, I mean."

| "Yes. The Hethren will come, and we must leave this place before they do."

| Turning around and looking at Rothar, still sitting calmly on his pelt, Eric bore a look of confusion. "But why do you always run? I mean, you’re warriors, and damn fierce ones at that - why not take a stand?"

| "There would be too many Eric. The Hethren can come in hundreds when they travel." Rising to his clawed feet, the Seeker moved to the far lamp and puffed it out, preparing for rest. Looking back to Eric as he moved to the lamp near the human, he smiled wryly. "Besides my dear one, a warrior knows when to run just as strongly as when to fight. Survival is as much cunning as brute force." Another puff plunged the area into darkness, leaving only two candles near their bedding pelts burning. Come - we put to rest this busy day now."

| Stripping down their skins, the two readied for bed. Rothar laid down and looked at his toes, flaying them slowly. "Might I have…"

| Eric chuckled. "You don’t even have to finish that sentence - you bet." Eric shifted to sit at the end of the bedding pelt, and Rothar turned onto his back, tucking his tale underneath him and between his legs. Eric picked up one big foot, and rested it on his own legs to begin. For a moment, he just admired it. It still fascinated him to look at it - how the black claws rose from the toes. How the scales twisted around in their intricate patterns. How the skin between his toes was the most enticing - soft, flexible, and always carrying an intoxicating scent. Pressing his thumbs to the heel, Eric began the soothing little circles upward, and Rothar sighed happily.

| "Ahhhmmm… I do think this could become quite habit forming." Rothar closed his eyes to a narrow slit, and relaxed his powerful body. Eric only ginned in response.

| Within a short while, both feet had been completed. Before setting it back down, Eric paused, and lifted it to his face, admiring it up close. His eyes started at the heel and worked slowly upwards over the large and plushy sole. How the three toes connected to the sole were equally enticing, as the pattern of scales shifted at the connecting joints. Close as it was, Eric could smell the strange scent from them, noticing it made him almost hungry.

| Even through narrowed and sleepy eyes, Rothar watched - quite content to let Eric admire as he was; still flattered, in fact, that he was admired by the human at all. After a moment, the human took a deep breath and sat the Seeker’s clawed foot back in place. Rothar smiled wearily and patted the pelt before him "Shall we sleep now, or is there anything you wish for me to do?"

| The statement made Eric shiver. He smiled awkwardly shock his head, doing his best to ignore the throbbing between this legs. He stretched out before Rothar, and soon the strange pair were snuggled warmly against one another, chest to chest. Eric’s head tucked neatly under Rothar’s chin and snout, and it wasn’t long before sleep found them.

***

| It was sometime in the very early morning when Eric awoke for the forth time. He sighed, and stared out at the narrow window, where he could see moonlight. Hmm… looks like the storm has passed now. He figured it was still hours from dawn, and wondered if he’d manage to get any sleep at all. His dreams were filled with troubling images of himself. Again and again he was two people in his dreams - fighting a fierce battle with one another. He knew that one was the old Eric, and the other was the Realm Walker. Each time he awoke, he tried to convince himself it was only a dream, but it just happened again and again. For a long time he lay there, trying to puzzle things out in his mind. Softly, after he could no longer stand his own mental voice he shimmied up slightly to level his head with his mate’s and whispered "Rothar? Psssst… Rothar?"

| Two pale eyes opened slowly, glistening dully in the faint light. The Seeker smiled groggily and spoke softly. "What is it Eric?"

| "I’m sorry to wake you, but I’m having trouble sleeping. Troubling thoughts in dreams, I guess."

| The Seeker yawned and gave Eric a squeeze. "That is no reason to apologize my dear one - troubling dreams tell of thoughts that need be quelled and tended."

| Eric smiled, feeling better already to have his mate’s ear so. "Well, these dreams are pretty obvious… it’s about me, except the me there was, and the me there is now with the Realm Walker inside of me." He paused for a moment, then continued. "For example, last night, do you think… that maybe I shouldn’t have done what I did? With my power, I mean?"

| The pale eyes watching Eric stayed locked with his own as the Seeker shook his head. "What you did may very well have saved Leethan’s life. He had not quite dilated enough to pass the egg when it came. I had hoped it was minor enough not to cause a problem, but the egg lodged. The pain he experienced when it did amid those horrid contractions… I think we could never imagine how it would feel Eric. Nearly every Zagoran whom that has happened to goes mad or dies. What you did shattered through his forming madness."

| Nodding subtly in his reclined position, Eric sighed. "I’m glad I did then - I mean… I wouldn’t have wanted to feel Zio’s soul if Leethan didn’t make it… I think that would have hurt even more." Rothar nodded subtly, glad Eric had realized such so easily. "The thing that bothers me though, is I’m not sure it was me that did it. When Dar Souljeth’s fire comes out in me, it seems to happen whether I want it or not. It makes me wonder if it’s really me… or him?"

| Rothar lifted his hand and slid a claw gently along Eric’s ear, as he pondered the question a moment. "Perhaps the presence of Dar Souljeth’s light in you dismisses all feelings but righteousness and purpose. He would not have chosen you if he thought less of your ability to know what was necessary." Eric’s face was a mirror of confusion and doubtfulness, making Rothar feel deeply for his partner. "I am sorry Eric, but I cannot always have an answer to lend you. This may be something only you can discern."

| Eric smiled slightly. "Heh… well, at least I know I can stump you once and a while." He rolled onto his back, closed his eyes and stretched "I just wish it had all come to me with an instruction book or something - so I’m not stuck second guessing who or what I am." When he relaxed and opened his eyes again, Rothar eyes still held him. "I know, I know… it doesn’t work that way, and I have to discover the path myself. I just wish it didn’t feel so… so…"

| "Frightening?"

| Eric nodded slowly, almost ashamed to admit how his destiny and what he was still scared him. "Yeah... " Eric closed his eyes and let out a long breath. "Just feels immense, and lonely."

| "You are not alone, my dear one." When Eric’s eyes opened, Rothar had shifted so that his upper body was leaning partially over Eric. Eric went silent and Rothar slowly raised his clawed hand to Eric’s chest. At the sight of the black claws, Eric was momentarily reminded of the pain in his leg as Leethan’s claws found their way deep inside. Rothar only chuckled, sensing Eric’s feelings. "I shall be more careful with mine." He placed his hand gently on Eric’s chest and closed his pale eyes.

| Emotions washed over Eric like a soothing river. Everything that was Rothar was suddenly within him, calm, comforting, and reassuring. Eric’s lips let out a soft breath, and his body relaxed to the point where it felt as if it were floating. He was still aware of his own fears and unsureness, but unlike before, they were both surrounded by Rothar - weakened in the presence of him. Slowly the feeling faded, and Eric opened his eyes.

| Rothar was smiling gently and still leaning over Eric with his clawed hand still gently pressed on the human’s chest. The Seeker looked at Eric, as if wanting to say something, but being unable to articulate it. What he felt inside for Eric was like nothing he had felt before. In his many seasons as Seeker, he had helped many Zagoran’s talk about their lives, their concerns, and their love, but he was finding it nearly impossible to talk about his own.

| Taking a deep breath, Eric smiled up at him, reaching his hand up to tenderly caress along the bottom of Rothar’s jaw and snout. The big Zagoran quivered shyly at the touch. "I know how you feel Rothar… I can feel that now more than I ever thought possible with someone." He sighed, holding the tip of Rothar’s jaw lightly. "All the things we can do, yet we have trouble just talking to one another about our feelings." Eric slid his fingertips softly along Rothar’s lips, enjoying the scaly texture, thinking of the feelings that had passed between them. Rothar’s half closed eyes widened slightly as Eric awkwardly whispered "I love you too."

***

| The new morning arrived and daylight began to seep through the narrow window slits of the Seeker’s cover. Unlike other mornings, this one contained a strong scent of moisture in the air. Normally, a morning would start with a day break meal, but this one was different.

| A night of sleeplessness had ended in the early morning hours, Eric had slept soundly since, even now. A gentle nudge woke him, and his eyes flickered open to see Rothar kneeling before him. "Rise my dear one, we must tell Massic of last night. "

| Sitting up groggily, Eric rubbed his eyes then stretched out, looking towards the window slit. "Wow… you’re up early - the sun’s barely even up yet, sheesh." He received a confused look for a response. "Heh… oh come on, I know how important this news is, I’m just kidding."

| Rothar shook his head and chuckled. "Then let us be off."

| Moments later they were dressed and ducking out of the cover. What met their eyes outside was astounding. As Rothar had predicted, the village was practically an island surrounded by a shallow lake. Eric’s jaw dropped and he starred in awe at the scene. The giant wooden barrels Graven had rolled out were brimming over with fresh rain water; easily filled by the storm’s fury. "By Sioleth Rothar… I’ve never seen a storm dump so much water!"

| The Seeker smiled back. "I think your dew gathering talents have been somewhat overshadowed."

| Eric laughed. "Uhh… yeah, just a little."

| They arrived at Massic’s cover, and stood before the great door. It opened slowly after a knock, to reveal Massic’s massive form in the doorway. As many times as Eric had seen it, it was still a humbling image. He eyed the two curiously. "What news do you bring?"

| "Eric looked to Rothar, who nodded, and back to Massic. "Last night, during the storm, Zio came to our cover with urgent news. Leethan was in labour."

| The stern face suddenly bore a hint of surprise. "Last night? That would make him slightly early - what happened? Were there complications? What of the young one?"

| A gentle smile from Rothar answered him. "The complications were not beyond the Realm Walker’s abilities, and a new Zagoran was born in the light of Dar Souljeth, my lord."

| Massic’s stern face suddenly turned into a touching smile. He let out laugh and clapped the pair warmly on their shoulders (nearly knocking Eric to his knees). "Well done my friends! We again have cause to celebrate - I shall go to them straight away and give my congratulations." He ducked back inside his cover and began to ready himself.

| Eric and Rothar exchanged a humourous look. Leaning slightly inside the cover, Rothar spoke to the oddly cheerful chieftain. "My lord, as wondrous as this news may be, I think they should be afforded some time to rest. It was a very trying ordeal."

| Massic froze in place a moment, and turned to face them with a confused look. "Right… right, of course. My apologies my Seeker - I act more out of joy than reason. I shall sound the news when the others wake and gather." He rose to his feet, still bearing a slight smile that seemed oddly misplaced on him. "In the mean time, could one of you go to them and see that all is well?"

| The two bearers of good news turned and looked at one another. Eric smiled "I’d like to, if that’s alright with both of you."

| Smiling warmly, Rothar nodded. "Of course - I shall help elsewhere until your return. Go back to the cover and fetch my sack of herbs - you may have need of them."

| Nodding in agreement, Massic added "And Eric, please give them my heartfelt congratulations and Dar Souljeth’s blessing."

| Eric smiled and agreed. "Aye Sir" and turned to head back to his cover.

| Shaking his head, Massic grumbled to himself. "I do wish he would not use ‘sir’ with me." He turned and looked down at Rothar. "Help Graven gather the fresh water. Take as much as you feel you need in reserve for your healing efforts, as always. Be sure to tell him this news as well! When you are done, I would like both of you to meet me outside of the chamber cover."

| Rothar nodded. "Yes my lord" and he too was off to go about his task, leaving Massic to stand in the doorway of his cover.

| The fierce eyes of the chieftan watched his Seeker trot off towards Graven’s cover. His smile faded, and his troubled thoughts returned to him. A young one - the first in so many dozens of seasons, yet the happy thought was mired by a growing sadness. For a long while, he stood motionless, thinking of his own talks with Kilathe so many seasons ago - about having young of their own one day. He grunted and shook the thought from his mind as best he could - he had much to do.

***

| Eric’s visit to the new parents was well received. Leethan was sleeping soundly when he arrived, and stepped in quietly. Zio lay beside his mate, clutching the egg warmly to him. He smiled up at Eric and whispered. "Sleep found him not long after you left. It has held him ever since."

| Chuckling softly Eric crept to their side and whispered back. "Well, I think that’s probably a good thing. Massic felt I should come and make sure everything was still okay. He also wanted me to convey his heartfelt congratulations. The news actually made that grumpy snout of his grin."

| The two shared a deep chuckle, and tried not to make their laughing anything above a hissing of air. Zio shook his head "A hard image to imagine - I wish I could have witnessed it."

| Eric smiled back, and looked at Leethan. "Was there anymore bleeding after we left? Anything else odd?

| Zio shook his head. "Very little Eric - it stopped not long after. Nothing else has occurred."

| A relieved sigh left Eric. "Good." He smiled back at Zio, and looked at the light blue egg in his arms. "May I… touch it?" The proud parent nodded and moved his arms slightly to expose more of the shell. Eric reached out and placed his palm on the shell. He could feel the life inside of it - a new Zagoran soul. He thought of warmth and goodness, hoping the young Zagoran would feel it as well. "It’s… amazing… just… amazing..." He lifted his hand slowly away, at a loss for any other words, and rose to his feet. "I’ll leave you to rest and be alone now. We’ll check in on you periodically though, okay?"

| Zio smiled and nodded to him. "You know you are always welcome Eric. Thank you."

| The human slipped quietly out, and returned to the cover to drop off the supplies, then was off again to find Rothar, and see if there was any other help he could offer.

***

| Eric found Graven and Rothar busy gathering the fresh water from the barrels Graven had set out, and stopped to help. He learned that water was normally gathered from the river, boiled and filtered through a thin paper-like bark, then stored. Rain afforded the Zagorans the rare luxury of having large amounts of pure water with little work. Jug after jug had been filled until the great barrels were empty, and stored back away by the frighteningly powerful blacksmith.

| The trio returned to the outside of the chamber council cover, where more and more of the tribe were gathering. Massic had been busy informing the counsel member to summon the rest of the tribe. Before long, the village had gathered and were awaiting whatever news their leader was ready to offer them. Massic stood tall before them all, and raised his arm for silence. "The fury of last night’s storm has not only brought us all the water we need, but something far more wonderful to us all. A new Zagoran was born into the light of Dar Souljeth!" The last words echoed from his snout with a loud boom, and the gathered tribe cheered with happiness. The same wonderful smile that Massic had shown dawned each and every snout, and many embraced in joyful hugs.

| As Eric stood watching, he was almost sure the same look was present on his own face. Excited questions followed and Massic took turns with Rothar and Eric to answer them as best he could, but before they all departed to begin a new day, Massic’s look changed to its usual sternness. "We must remember, each and every one of us, that amid this wonderful news still lies the inevitable. We must carry on with our preparations, and must not let joy cloud our wit." He cast his fierce gaze from face to face, and nodded. "Now, we shall go about our days work, but tonight we will celebrate our new parents and young one!" Another cheer rose, with grateful cantor, and the tribe began to disperse. Many thanked Rothar and Eric, bowing to and clasping the forearms of the two that made it possible. Eric couldn’t help but feel embarrassed from the praise he felt he didn’t deserve.

| As Eric and Rothar returned to their cover, Rothar mentioned that he wanted to take count of the food stores after their day break meal to make sure enough was had to last them the duration of the flooding. Eric asked if he needed any help.

| "Tallying food stores is not a very interesting task. Why not see if there is anyone with which to practice your fighting skills. You have a natural talent for the sword, but you can always better yourself with practice. I will not take that long." Rothar gently took the herb sack from Eric, and set it on the table.

| Eric nodded reluctantly. He didn’t think counting food would be very interesting… in fact, he didn’t even know what most of it was called and would probably end up slowing his mate down, yet, part of him didn’t want to have to spend time away from his partner. Much as he didn’t wish to part for a time, he did need practice. "Well… okay… maybe Geff will be out there this morning… I’ve seen him out before."

| A quick meal was prepared, consisting of a chewy root called nulwin’dis, some tremp bread, and jie. The nulwin’dis had a particularly strong flavour that was a mix between cinnamon and oat bran, which though chewy, was very tasty. "Mmmph… man… is there anything you guys eat that ISN’T good?"

| With a chuckle, Rothar took a sip of his jie. "That would depend on who prepares it. I hear Waverek could make you think otherwise."

| With a laugh, the partners finished their meal, and set about their ways for the morning. As Eric approached Graven’s smithy, beside which was the ring set up for practicing sword play, there was no one to be found. He stopped to admire the scene a moment. Graven’s dwelling was quite elaborate compared to the average cover. In the middle was a large chamber used for his smithy. One end contained a giant kern for melting and forming metal, while the rest held the tools, tables, supplies and even finished products. His cover was attached to one end - smaller than the centre chamber, and sure to be much cosier on cold nights from the kern’s conductive heat. On the other side was the large ring of clay that marked the practice yard. A thin wisp of smoke continually rose from the kern’s chimney, and he could hear the clanging of metal inside as the powerful blacksmith worked his magic. Rather than wait for someone, Eric decided to practise his thrusts and swings, trying some of the techniques Rothar had shown him, and working at some of his own.

| The sword was starting to feel like a part of him. It was a strange sensation to have - especially considering he hadn’t used it that long, but already it had taken many lives; evil lives. He swept in graceful arks back and forth, top to bottom, side to bottom, on and on. The motion was becoming so rhythmic, it was almost hypnotic. The complacency was quickly shattered by a stern voice. "You will not scare off a Hethren with dancing, Eric."

| Surprised by the sudden voice, Eric jumped, nearly dropping his sword. He whirled around to see Massic standing just outside of the ring with a grin. The huge chieftain stepped inside the practice ring, over to a small box at the far end. He opened the wooden top and withdrew two huge gauntlets tipped with long sharp metal claws. "If you wish to learn how to defend yourself, then you must have the proper enemy." He slipped on the gauntlets and turned to Eric with a wry grin. "That is, if you so wish to have me, Realm Walker."

| "Umm… sure… I…I need the practice…" Eric gulped at the sight of the frightening weapons, and could not take his eyes from them.

| Noticing the human’s fixed stare, Massic chuckled and turned his arm this way and that to show them off. "Graven created them several seasons ago. He felt that practicing sword to sword was little good in a real fight, since most Hethren prefer their claws to a weapon." Whatever the logic behind, they were definitely a frightening simulation.

| Eric’s heart was starting to pound a little harder in his chest - a little worried at the fact he was about to face an opponent that was realistically far more dangerous then the Hethren. Massic showed them a moment longer, then took a sudden aggressive stance "Defend yourself, Realm Walker!"

| "Wait… I…" Too late - Massic charged the small human in a flash, barely giving Eric time to raise his sword. Eric was bowled over with the blow, and landed on the ground with a thud. He lay there, dazed a moment, until his eyes focused on Massic’s huge form hovering over him.

| The chieftain’s giant clawed foot rose and plunked down on Eric’s chest, pinning him securely. Massic chuckled and leaned down. "Was there a problem?"

| Grunting from the weight, Eric coughed and gritted his teeth. "I wasn’t ready yet… you didn’t…"

| "Ask if you were ready?" The scaly foot lifted slowly away, though Eric had really not minded its presence. Massic extended his arm, mindful of the attached long claws, and helped Eric back to his feet with a wry smile. "A Hethren is not going to extend the courtesy of asking whether you are ready or not."

| "Well ya, but I thought th…"

| *twack* - the back of Massic’s gauntlet graced the side of Eric’s head, sending him staggering. "Never assume you know what your opponent is going to do. You may have great power, Realm Walker, but you cannot rely solely on it to save you."

| Rubbing the side of his head painfully, Eric nodded, not exactly wishing anymore attempts at justifying his lack of readiness. "O…okay… let’s go again." Before the words had rolled off his lips, Massic growled and changed again. This time, Eric ducked and deflected a swipe of the long metal claws. As Massic thrust at him a second time, Eric slammed the blade down between the claws, clanging loudly on the metal in between. With a twist of his sword, he locked it there, and tried to twist Massic’s arm to fault his balance, but an arc of the powerful Zagoran arm threw Eric to the ground like a rag.

| A great clawed foot descended on a dazed Eric again, this time over his face, momentarily cutting off his air. It remained there a moment; Eric’s nose pressed into the plush scales at the base of Massic’s toes, then lifted away, leaving a trace of its enticing scent to linger in Eric’s nostrils. It descended again on his chest, leaving Eric gasping for air against its weight. Massic leaned down again, shaking his head. "A Hethren would not lift its foot away until you were dead. Consequently, a Hethren is also equally as strong as I - perhaps even more so, which makes them a great deal stronger than you. Do not attempt such feats of strength when you have little."

| The Realm Walker nodded, still feeling a bit dizzy from the landing. As his eyes looked down Massic’s powerful body, the stopped at the giant clawed foot on his chest, admiring the green scales and toes a swift moment before Massic lifted away again, and helped him to his feet.

| "Again, Realm Walker" Massic raised his arms and pointed the claws out in a battle stance. With a growl, he launched himself at Eric, only this time, Eric was ready. In one clean movement, Eric’s sword arced out while he dropped his body and swung his leg out low to the ground. The sword deflected the metal claws, and the spinning leg caught Massic at his shins. The massive chieftain was sent hurtling by the force of his own attack, and landed in an ungraceful heap several steps from Eric.

| This time it was Eric who chuckled. "Fine… if I have no strength… I’ll just use my opponents." Eric grinned down at Massic.

| The Zagoran leader righted himself and turned to face Eric. From the momentary look on Massic’s face, Eric thought he might have to start defending himself for real, but it faded, and was replaced by a deep chuckle. "Well done Realm Walker. Well done!" He gave Eric a bow as he rose, and gestured back towards the middle of the ring.

| The remainder of the practice session with Massic went smoothly. Eric learned new dodges, attacks, throws and counters - all surprisingly graceful when executed properly. As they practiced under the increasingly hot sun, Eric noticed another thing - the sheen of moisture covering Massic’s powerful body. Be it the look or the smell… perhaps both… Eric’s mind was having an increasingly hard time focusing on the task at hand; hungrily wondering instead what Rothar was doing now. A painful bump on the side of his head snapped him out of it.

| "Rawh! It would seem you are tiring Eric." Massic lowered the clawed gauntlets a moment.

| "Arg…" Eric rubbed the side of his head painfully. "Ah… yeah… it’s kind of hard on the arms after a while." Though his arms were getting numb from the continued efforts with the sword, it was not the primary reason his concentration had slipped, but that was a reason he felt Massic need not be aware of. "Maybe I should see if Rothar is done."

| With a chuckle, Massic began to undo the clawed gauntlets, and went to the small box to replace them. "You are a talented warrior Eric, but you must bolster your strength and endurance. Before you see Rothar, I would like you to enter the smithy. There you will ask Graven what can be done for strength and endurance." He walked back to Eric and placed a big clawed hand on his shoulder. "You will need it soon enough Eric… we all will." He gave Eric’s shoulder a hearty pat, then trotted off to a group of others a few covers away. Turning to the smithy behind him, Eric sighed - trying to shake the longing thoughts of Rothar from his mind, and went to meet the massive blacksmith, Graven.

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