The group soon arrived at Sir Filic’s cottage, where an elderly woman stood waiting at the entrance. "Vysag, are these the visitors from Arela?" she inquired.

  Vysag nodded and introduced them with a smile. "Indeed, they are. Everyone, this is Lady Sila. While Sir Filic constructed the cottages, it’s Lady Sila who lays down the law."

  Lady Sila, with a playful gleam in her eye, retorted, "Now, Vysag, do not exaggerate. Come inside, girls. I wasn’t expecting such an endearing group of warriors."

  As they stepped inside, the sound of hearty laughter filled the air. A familiar voice called out from within, "That’ll do, old man, lest you wish to hear an earful from the hag!"

  The playful exchange continued, "Who are you calling a hag, you little runt? And as for you, you've been drinking since noon! You always carry on like this when he's around," Lady Sila chided, her tone both stern and amused.

  Curious, the group peeked inside to find Akagoan, drink in hand, accompanied by an elderly gentleman, also enjoying his own glass.

  The man, rose and introduced himself.

  "Greetings, all. I am Filic, the one responsible for constructing your cottages. I trust they meet your approval."

  Astraa responded warmly, "We love what you’ve done with the place."

  Flanco chimed in, "Indeed, Sir Filic, I must say, it's remarkable to find such a talented carpenter in a fishing village like Tadu."

  As they settled around the dining table, they couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness under Akagoan’s intense gaze. He, fully aware of their unease, allowed a sly grin to creep across his face.

  "Well then, old man, I’ll take my leave. And thank you for the dinner, old hag," Akagoan called out playfully as he stood to depart.

  Lady Sila shot him a mock stern glance, retorting, "Mind your manners and show some respect to your elders."

  Sir Filic, joining in the jest, added, "And kindly leave that bottle behind, Akagoan."

  Astraa, Lykaa, and Amara discreetly averted their gazes, choosing not to engage further.

  However, Flanco, unable to resist, continued to watch Akagoan. As he made his exit, Akagoan, in a surprising gesture of camaraderie, gave Flanco a light tap on the shoulder before disappearing from view.

  With Akagoan’s departure, the group finally allowed themselves to relax.

  Lady Sila, her expression softening with concern, remarked, "Ah, that boy... When will he learn that he cannot always walk the path of solitude?"

  Sir Filic, ever the jovial spirit, teased in reply, "Solitude? With me around, how could he ever be alone?"

  Lady Sila, exasperated, sighed and responded, "Oh, hush, Filic. You know very well what I mean."

  Sensing the need for a change in tone, Vysag smoothly intervened. "Now, Sir Filic, Lady Sila, our guests are quite famished. Shall we serve them a proper meal?"

  Lady Sila, quickly realizing, responded with a smile, "Oh, my apologies, dears. I’ll see to your food immediately."

  Astraa couldn't help but notice a subtle trace of sadness in Lady Sila’s voice when she spoke of Akagoan, but given their recent acquaintance, she chose not to pursue the matter.

  Sir Filic, ever in a playful mood, teased, "I do hope you youngsters have a fondness for seafood, for that’s all you’ll find here."

  Lady Sila, offering him an affectionate rebuke, said, "Oh, do be quiet, you old drunk," as she began to serve a delightful array of seafood dishes.

  Astraa, her excitement clear, exclaimed, "This looks incredible!" She had always taken great pleasure in tasting new and varied dishes.

  Noticing one particularly intriguing offering, Lykaa asked curiously, "This fish looks unusual. What is it, Lady Sila?"

  Lady Sila smiled and replied, "This is blue-crowned fish. Go on, have a taste."

  Lykaa, her brow raised in surprise, remarked, "Isn’t that known to be rather expensive? I’ve heard it’s typically reserved for the nobility."

  Flanco, with a playful grin, chimed in, "I suppose that’s one of the perks of being a fisherman—access to even the rarest and most expensive fish with enough skill."

  Sir Filic, however, quickly corrected him. "Ah, not so fast, lad. The reason such seafood commands a high price is because of its rarity and the immense difficulty in catching it."

  With a sense of pride in his voice, he continued, "Not Vysag, nor anyone else, has caught a blue-crowned fish in the last fifty years—save for that grumpy fellow Akagoan. He manages to catch at least one each day. And believe me, there are even more exotic fish, ones you’ve likely never heard of, that he hauls in regularly."

  Lady Sila, gently steering the conversation back, interjected, "That’s quite enough of that. Let the young ones enjoy their meal."

  Astraa, Amara, Lykaa, and Flanco had countless questions about Akagoan, but chose to hold their tongues, waiting until they knew Sir Filic and Lady Sila better.

  They had already come to understand that Akagoan was not only a skilled healer but also a remarkable fisherman.

  Yet what astonished them most was the striking contrast between the seemingly selfish, arrogant Akagoan and the warm, caring couple who looked after him with such affection.

  "Thank you both for the delightful dinner, Lady Sila and Sir Filic," Astraa said with a contented smile. "It has been some time since I’ve enjoyed seafood like this."

  Lady Sila, pleased by the compliment, replied with a gentle smile, "I’m so glad you found it to your liking. You would do well to prepare yourselves for more of the same, for seafood shall be your fare for the next three months."

  Lykaa, equally satisfied, added with a smile, "Well, if it’s this delicious every day, you won’t hear any complaints from me."

  Flanco, expressing his gratitude, said, "We are truly thankful for your hospitality. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we shall bid you goodnight."

  After offering their warm farewells to the kind-hearted Sir Filic and Lady Sila, Astraa, Amara, Flanco, and Lykaa made their way back to their respective cottages.

  "Good night, Flanco. We’ll see you in the morning," the girls called out as they arrived at their own cottage.

  "Good night to you all," Flanco replied before retreating to his own quarters for the evening.

  Inside the warmth of their cottage, the girls decided to share a brief conversation before retiring for the night.

  Lykaa was the first to speak. "I honestly never expected to cross paths with Akagoan again. It left me momentarily stunned."

  Astraa nodded in agreement. "I felt much the same. I find it hard to comprehend how two such kind-hearted souls as Sir Filic and Lady Sila can bear to have someone like him under their roof."

  Amara, her curiosity stirred, hesitated before voicing her thoughts. "It’s not just that. What struck me was seeing Akagoan again brought back memories of this afternoon—when he healed Rohu. No one noticed what he did, nor did any runes activate on him."

  Lykaa joined in the contemplation, "Indeed, I have been reflecting on that as well. It is truly perplexing. There appears to be much more for us to learn and comprehend as healers."

  Amara interjected, "It is not merely a question of our own inexperience as healers. I hail from a lineage of esteemed healers, and my grandmother, a revered figure in Illiad, is often sought after by nobles. She once elucidated to me that only a rare few prodigies have mastered the art of energy absorption to the degree that they can channel energy exclusively to the specific parts of their body as needed."

  She continued with her explanation, "For example, imagine an eternal warrior attempting to shatter a stone with their fist. Traditionally, such a warrior would activate strength runes across their entire body, even though the power is needed only in his fist. Were they able to concentrate the energy exclusively into their fist, they would conserve far more energy and extend the duration of the strength runes. My grandmother once conveyed that this skill is exceedingly rare. To her knowledge, only one among the four generals who serve the queen possesses such an ability. Even so, I have yet to hear of a healer employing this technique."

  Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

  Amara's insightful discourse on energy absorption kindled a spark of curiosity in Lykaa.

  "Amara, you seem well-versed in the art of energy absorption. Thanks to Astraa’s encouragement for you to speak, we may well uncover some valuable insights from you," Lykaa remarked.

  Amara, her cheeks tinged with a blush, dismissed Lykaa’s playful praise with a modest smile. "Lykaa, please, cease your teasing. Let us retire for the night," she replied, a delicate yawn escaping her lips.

  Lykaa concurred, her own yawn betraying her weariness.

  With that, Amara and Lykaa extinguished the lamp’s candle and took to their beds, surrendering to the embrace of slumber.

  Yet Astraa found no such tranquility. The notion of partial energy absorption, and its rarity among prodigies, continued to swirl in her mind.

  As a determined and resolute individual, Astraa grappled with the unsettling idea that there might exist a realm of mastery beyond her grasp. This persistent thought intruded upon her consciousness, reminding her of the impending three-month training and the disquieting possibility that Akagoan—a man she had grown to loathe—might possess a prodigious skill she could not attain.

  Her bed became a stage for her inner turmoil, where restlessness clashed with her resolve to grasp this newfound knowledge. In this conflict, sleep remained maddeningly elusive.

  Unable to find rest and seeking solace in the cool embrace of the night, Astraa quietly slipped from her room, mindful not to disturb the peaceful slumber of Amara and Lykaa. She gently closed the door behind her and took refuge in the cottage's outdoor seating area, her gaze drawn to the expansive ocean.

  The waves whispered softly against the shore, their rhythmic lapping a soothing constant beneath a canopy of twinkling stars.

  The serene beauty of the scene began to ease Astraa’s restless thoughts. She pondered the ocean’s eternal ebb and flow, finding a tranquil peace in its timeless presence.

  Then, her attention was captured by a distant light piercing the darkness of the night.

  It emanated from Akagoan's cottage, casting an eerie glow. Straining her eyes for a clearer view, Astraa observed Akagoan emerging from his dwelling, carrying a lamp in one hand and what appeared to be a bottle in the other.

  Curiosity piqued, Astraa could discern little more from her distant vantage point. She watched as Akagoan approached the sea, pushing a boat into the water and boarding it with deliberate ease. The sight of this unexpected nocturnal journey left her both astonished and intrigued.

  "Just what I needed to relax," she murmured to herself with a hint of sarcasm, acknowledging that her quest for tranquility had been supplanted by a burgeoning sense of curiosity.

  After casting one final, contemplative glance at the enigmatic figure venturing into the night’s embrace, she resolved to return to her room. The allure of the ocean and the whisper of its waves would have to suffice in guiding her thoughts towards a fitful slumber.

  The following morning, Astraa awoke to find her companions’ beds vacant. As she stirred and rubbed the sleep from her eyes, she emerged from her room to be greeted by the radiant morning sun, its warm rays casting a brilliant light over the landscape.

  Blinking against the sudden brilliance, Astraa soon spotted Amara, Lykaa, and Flanco gathered on the beach.

  “There she is, our slumbering princess,” Lykaa teased with a mischievous grin. “She has finally deigned to grace us with her presence. How did you fare, your majesty?”

  Astraa, her hair tousled and her demeanor still marked by drowsiness, replied, “Very well, very well. At what hour did you all awaken?”

  “Well, as diligent warriors, we rose early and accompanied Vysag in observing the fishermen as they began their day. It seems you missed out on that experience,” Flanco remarked with a playful smirk.

  “Indeed, Astraa, you might consider being more vigilant. Understanding the daily lives of the people in Tadu is a vital part of our training,” Lykaa added, joining in the light-hearted jest.

  Disregarding the playful banter of her companions, Astraa turned to Amara, her voice tinged with feigned exasperation. “Pay no heed to these two, Amara. You ought to have roused me from my slumber.”

  Amara chuckled softly and responded, “You appeared so endearing, nestled in sleep with a thumb in your mouth and a trace of drool. I could not bring myself to awaken you.”

  Astraa, her tousled hair adding to her childlike appearance, pouted in response. Her companions shared a hearty laugh, savoring the warm camaraderie and playful exchange among friends.

  “Good morning, Astraa. It appears you have finally risen,” Vysag greeted with a cordial smile.

  Astraa, her voice carrying a hint of mild exasperation, replied, “Vysag, if you intend to join in the teasing about my late awakening, I would appreciate a reprieve. I have endured enough from these three.”

  “Tease you? Why would I do such a thing, when your companions here have been awake only an hour longer than you?” Vysag responded with an air of innocence.

  “The sole consequence of your delayed rising is missing breakfast at Sir Filic and Lady Sila’s cabin.”

  Astraa’s gaze shifted from Vysag to her three friends—Lykaa, Amara, and Flanco.

  “Ah, so breakfast is what has occupied the attention of these three,” she remarked with a wry smile.

  A mischievous glint danced in Astraa's eyes as she picked up a stick from the beach.

  "It seems I shall assist them with a workout, considering they have all undoubtedly enjoyed a hearty meal," she proclaimed, her tone taking on a playful note.

  Sensing Astraa's intentions, Lykaa, Amara, and Flanco exchanged quick, knowing glances.

  "Run! " Lykaa whispered, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

  In an instant, the trio took flight, sprinting along the shore as Astraa pursued them.

  "Halt, you scoundrels! You shall see what I have in store for you three!" Astraa called out, her voice filled with determination.

  "It was Lykaa and Flanco's idea! My apologies, Astraa!" Amara exclaimed in a breathless rush, casting a glance at her fellow fugitives for support as she ran.

  "Traitor!" Lykaa and Flanco cried out in unison, their voices merging with laughter as they sprinted alongside Amara. The air was filled with mirth as they engaged in a spirited morning chase along the shoreline.

  Astraa pursued them with fervent determination, her focus unwavering on the teasing trio who had partaken in breakfast without her. So engrossed was she in her pursuit that she failed to notice a fisherman in her path. With a sudden and abrupt collision, she stumbled and fell, sprawling onto the sandy beach.

  "Forgive me, sir, I did not see you," Astraa apologized, hastily brushing sand from her attire.

  Yet, as her gaze met the stranger’s face, her surprise was palpable. The fisherman she had collided with was none other than Akagoan. He regarded her with a demeanor of calm indifference as she lay there.

  "That is quite alright. Are you unscathed?" Akagoan inquired, his tone considerably gentler.

  Astraa, coming to the realization of the man's identity, hesitated briefly before responding.

  "Yes, I am well. Thank you," she replied. As Akagoan continued on his path, bearing two colossal yellow-scaled fish, each measuring nearly ten feet in length, Astraa could not help but overhear the astonished remarks of the local fishermen.

  "There goes Akagoan, once again claiming an exotic catch," one remarked, his voice tinged with envy.

  "He snatches them as though they were mere trinkets," another observed.

  "Just one of those could sustain him for the next three months," a third fisherman suggested, underscoring the remarkable value of his bounty.

  Vysag approached Astraa with evident concern. "Are you unharmed?"

  Astraa, shaking off her astonishment, replied, "Yes, I am well. Merely taken by surprise."

  Nearby, Lykaa, Amara, and Flanco were scarcely able to contain their amusement at Astraa’s unexpected collision with none other than Akagoan, the very individual she held in such disdain.

  "Astraa, it is rather amusing that the first person you should encounter on this seemingly vast beach is none other than Akagoan," Flanco remarked with a sly grin.

  Lykaa and Amara joined in the laughter, clearly finding Astraa’s unforeseen meeting highly entertaining.

  With a slightly vexed expression, Astraa brushed the sand from her hair. The mirth of Flanco, Lykaa, and Amara only deepened at her expense.

  As Astraa observed Akagoan with his remarkable catch, she could not help but recall his nocturnal voyage into the sea.

  Turning to Vysag, she inquired, "Vysag, is it customary for fishermen to embark on their ventures at night?"

  With a note of curiosity, Vysag replied, "Not at all. What prompts this question?"

  Astraa explained, "Last night, as I stepped outside, I witnessed Akagoan heading out to sea. I wondered if such nocturnal fishing was a common practice."

  Vysag elucidated, "Ah, but Akagoan is a singular case. He undertakes his nocturnal expeditions with the sole aim of capturing exotic fish. Apparently the night is the most opportune time for such pursuits."

  Astraa considered Vysag's explanation before posing a further inquiry, "Vysag, I overheard a fisherman remark that selling merely one of these exotic fish could sustain a fisherman for three months. Why do not the other fishermen venture out at night as well?" Her query bore an air of innocent curiosity.

  Vysag’s hearty laughter resonated through the air, piquing the interest of Flanco, Amara, and Lykaa, who were keen to understand the source of his amusement. Astraa, visibly puzzled by Vysag’s reaction, furrowed her brow.

  "Valendeya is encircled by water on all sides, and every neighboring state has its own beaches. So why do you suppose Tadu is the sole place where fish is sold?" Vysag posed this thought-provoking question to Astraa, leaving her momentarily confounded.

  After a brief period of contemplation, Astraa admitted, "I do not know."

  Vysag began to unravel the mystery, his tone thoughtful. "You see, the sea surrounding Valendeya is perilous and unforgiving. It demands a rare and refined skill to navigate its treacherous waters. While the people of Tadu may lack the prowess of warriors or the talents of healers, and though some may indulge too freely in drink, we take immense pride in our unparalleled mastery of the sea. Our expertise has been honed through generations—something no other region could hope to match. Yet, we live by two immutable rules: never venture into the sea alone, and never set sail after dark. For when night falls, the sea becomes a tempest of violent waves and brutal winds. There are tales, spoken in hushed tones, of those who dared to defy the night’s fury. None of them—nor their vessels—were ever seen again."

  The group listened intently to Vysag’s words, their curiosity piqued by the enigmatic nature of the sea and its perils. There was an unmistakable air of mystery that clung to the waters, and now, to the man who dared to defy them.

  Flanco, unable to contain his growing intrigue, asked, “So, this Akagoan—what is his story? He wields a healing skill that confounds even seasoned healers, and he ventures alone into the night sea, where even the most experienced fishermen, when together, wouldn’t dare tread. Who is he, really? I’m getting more curious by the minute.”

  Vysag, let out a small chuckle. “Ah, Akagoan... he’s always been a complex soul, keeping much of himself hidden.”

  Flanco wasn’t alone in his curiosity; Amara, Lykaa, and Astraa exchanged glances, each equally fascinated by the mysterious figure.

  Here, in the unassuming fishing village of Tadu, lived a man whose extraordinary talents seemed as unfathomable as the treacherous sea itself.

  As Vysag concluded his account of Akagoan’s mysterious nature and the peculiarities of Tadu, a young child came racing toward him, brimming with excitement.

  Breathless, yet eager to deliver the news, the child exclaimed, "Sir Vysag! There are visitors in the state—they claim to be warriors from Rhanda!"

  Vysag's eyes brightened with a spark of anticipation. "Ah, the Rhanda warriors have arrived at last. I was beginning to wonder if they’d make an appearance, given their absence yesterday. I must go and extend my greetings. If any of you require assistance, you know where to find me."

  Before Vysag could take his leave, Flanco interjected with a suggestion of his own.

  "Might we accompany you, Vysag? We’re quite eager to meet these Rhanda warriors ourselves. As warriors of Arela, we’re naturally curious to see how we measure up against them."

  Astraa, intrigued by Flanco's suggestion, remarked with a raised brow, "Flanco, that’s quite an astute idea, coming from you. Perhaps this encounter will yield more than mere pleasantries. What say you, Vysag—might we accompany you?"

  Vysag, his expression lightened by a playful grin, responded with good-natured humor, "By all means, join me. Let’s hope these Rhanda warriors prove as affable as your merry company."

  With that, Vysag led the group—Astraa, Flanco, Lykaa, and Amara—toward the gathering, where they would meet the warriors from Rhanda.