IABD 40: New Beginnings

“What in the name of every god and goddess is an enlightenment?” Matthias asked.

Polla beamed.

“An inspiration: a discernment into someone or the world around them as it relates to their Divine Breath. Cultivating is not a simple matter of taking in energy, reinforcing channels and circulation. There’s a component of spiritual understanding that comes with it: to truly advance and advance quickly, you must gain greater comprehension of yourself and the world. A warrior practises their sword swings until they’re able to kill another warrior. A cultivator of Divine Breath drawing power from Shaisara, goddess of gales, watches a bird in flight, sees their wings cut the air and learns to kill the wind.”

“So, because I learned and accepted that I was touched by death, part of my Foundation Layer completed?” he asked, growing more amazed by the moment. It felt like he’d gotten a glimpse into something deeper than even his soul. As though he’d glimpsed truth itself.

“Yes, and you have saved yourself months of work. Maybe more.” She said calmly. “How does it feel?”

“Great, but I’m so confused. Altaizar never mentioned anything about an ‘enlightenment’ and nothing about it was written in any of his books on Divine Breath. Why don’t they write these things down?”

“How enlightenment plays into the cultivation of Divine Breath is not spread widely, because one’s first enlightenment should be achieved naturally.” Polla explained. “If you are watching the world, constantly looking for inspiration in order to grow stronger but you have never experienced enlightenment before, you could easily steer yourself wrong. You could end up trying to find hidden meaning in everything, and instead of actually gaining understanding of the world, you could very well jump to random, incorrect conclusions and lie to yourself trying to empower your cultivation. But now? Now that you know what true enlightenment feels like: you’ll know it in your soul when you reach your next one.”

“And this knowledge hasn’t spread?” he asked. “Even if it wasn’t written down, you’d think people would talk about it.”

“Cultivators of Divine Breath rarely share the mystical aspects of their art openly. The books my son has in his possession are rare, yet even they are incomplete,” she said. “I have done a deeper study, spoken to the old masters such as Dawn Star of the Zengxin Empire, and incorporated some of their philosophy into my practice of Life Enforcement. That is how I could sense your energies so easily. Together, we’ll get you through these vulnerable, early stages.”

Matthias considered what she was saying and what she had done.

He still wasn’t sure if he trusted Polla: but much like her son, she knew many things and wielded power that he didn’t fully understand.

And her true motives were unknown.

But Matthias did know one thing for sure.

Polla had read the presence of death in him in a way Altaizar hadn’t and she was able to know things about his secret. She hadn’t grabbed him and started performing strange rituals on him, instead, she’d lead him to an enlightenment with a single conversation.

Perhaps revealing a bit more about his shadow to her could help him learn not only about his cultivation, but about why death had touched him.

And how it had happened.

He wouldn’t reveal everything, especially not the strange memories of the white and black moon, nor about the man he’d seen Awakening in his dream. She knew about the shadow already: he would risk very little by revealing more about it to her, while he could gain something from her.

As for the memories, he might tell her about them when he got to know her better. A lot better.

And as for what his soul looked like? Altaizar had warned him never to reveal that information to anyone, and he intended to heed that warning.

His shadow was not his soul, though.

“Fine, this is what happened to my shadow,” he said, bringing out his tendril.

The tentacle was bigger than ever, shedding dark mist and writhing in place. It felt stronger. More agile.

This was the second time it had grown as his cultivation grew, perhaps because it was connected to his soul.

Polla rose from her chair, large eyes fixed on the tendril. She floated closer. “Yes, I see. There are creatures of death that have abilities to manipulate shadow. Death has definitely reached into you, Matthias. Do you feel any different? Perhaps as though you were not fully in the world of the living?”

 “Well, my hands feel real cold, but they’ve always felt cold,” he joked.

She did not laugh. “That could well be a sign of death’s chill remaining in you: keep in mind, the more you cultivate Divine Breath, the deeper this connection might grow. You could see other effects in the future. There are books I must consult about your condition, and I will try to determine what has happened to you. Also…” Polla’s eyes seemed to peer right through him. “As you reach greater enlightenment, answers might come to you on their own. As you cultivate Divine Breath, wisdom and knowledge can rise from the depths of the very soul just as easily as they could come from a manual, a practise, or a teacher.”

“Um, I have a question,” he said. “You have a position in the Sanctum of Magi, don’t you? Why come all the way up here to help me? I’m no mage.”

A strange look crossed Polla’s face. “I know what it’s like to see a future ravaged by the strange, magical things of the world…and I failed your brother. I deeply regret that: this is a chance to make up for that failure. I will not be able to help you forever, Matthias, but I will see to it that you grow enough to walk your own path. And who knows…”

She paused. “…perhaps, one day, you will be in a position to help me. Now, shall we all get going to the place I suggested?”

“Absolutely,” Matthias said.

“I want to support and continue training my son.” Beggahasta put a hand on his shoulder. “And getting all of us away from Eklund for a time would be a blessing.”

“I have no issue with that,” Polla said. “You’re not one to distract your son from his training and it’s not like you’re trying to bring a village girl you’re sweet on along with you, Matthias.”

Matthias blushed. He hadn’t really thought much about that sort of thing; his life had been too volatile and unrelenting until now. 

Though some of those girls at Bear’s Head...

The young greatfolk moved on quickly. “We’d like to make a stop in the markets at…” He looked at his mother. “What was that place called again?”

“Dagger Rock,” she said.

Polla pursed her lips in thought. “Hmm, that would suit my purposes well. I haven’t been to that market in ages, and I’m curious to see what they’ve dragged out of the Wolfwood. Besides, I can visit my old friend while you take care of your business…I know the sellswords I hired would appreciate being taken to the coast. We’ll stop at the market first.”

“When do we leave?” Matthias asked.

“As soon as possible,” Polla said.

Beggahasta nodded. “Then we will leave before dark. Better that we do not delay.”

###

That evening, the Stonebreaker family waited in front of their home; many of their worldly possessions beside them.

The doors were closed, locked up, and Beggahasta was handing Sur Friya the keys.

“You don’t have to look in on the house every day,” she said. “Maybe once a week to make sure nothing has gone wrong, or no one has broken in.”

“Of course, Lady Beggahasta,” Sur Friya saluted. “And congratulations, it will be good for all of you to get away from Barrowgate.” She saluted Matthias and Dagma. “I’m eager to see how you both grow away from my care, and I’ll happily take on training you again if you have need of me.”

“Thank you, knight.” Matthias saluted her.

“I’ll miss you, knight!” Dagma saluted as well.

Sur Friya’s scarred face softened. “And I will miss you too.” She looked up at Bregindoure. “I did not get the opportunity to train you, but your mother will be a better teacher than I. You will most certainly be in good hands.”

“Well, I’ll make sure I take her lessons well. Thank you for helping my brother. I heard you looked out for him when those bastards were making his life hellish.”

“It was the least I could do for him,” Sur Friya’s voice was grave. “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect him better. Or any of you. The world has a habit of picking on those who can’t defend themselves.” She looked to the sky, a haunted expression passing over her face. “Well, it looks like it’s about time for you to go.”

To the east, Polla’s carriage was rising from the village, flying toward the Stonebreaker home.

First Altaizar had left that very morning, now it was their turn.

Matthias was looking forward to leaving.

“Are you going to miss this place?” he asked his family.

Beggahasta shook her head. “I have been away many times. I will return, and it will welcome me back as it always has.”

“What about you, Breg?” Matthias asked.

“No. I definitely will not. The farther I can get from that tower, the better,” the giant shuddered. “I don’t want to be anywhere near it, if I can help it.”

“I wouldn’t want to be near it, either.” Matthias nodded emphatically. “What about you, Dagma?”

“I’ll miss my friends,” she admitted. “But…” The girl glared up at Eklund’s castle. “I’m glad I won’t have to see that skeleton man anymore.”

“Same here,” Matthias agreed, looking up at the approaching carriage. “Well, I know I’m ready for an adventure. I’ve lived my whole life like I was dead…”

‘…and now that I’ve found out that I was actually touched by death, I get to truly live,’ he thought. ‘Ironic.’

His eyes drifted down to his shadow.

What had happened to him? 

What were those visions that had plagued his mind when he’d gone off the cliff?

‘Touched by death…’ he thought. ‘The white moon and black moon. That voice saying, ‘Tonight we kill death.’

He tried to concentrate on those words and on that voice…but the memory was vague. He wasn't able to tell if he’d heard a human’s voice, let alone who it had belonged to.

‘Perhaps I’ll find out more when I reach new enlightenments,’ he thought as the carriage landed. ‘For now, it’s time to enjoy the journey.’

It did not take long for the Stonebreaker family to load their things into the carriage’s enormous cargo space beneath the living quarters. One by one, they went up the stairs, disappearing through the dark curtain to leave Barrowgate behind.

Matthias was the last to climb aboard and he took one last look at their home.

In the distance, the few nervous-looking guards standing there watched the carriage helplessly. None bothered to even try and stand in their way.

Matthias waved to Sur Friya again, and she waved back.

She looked lonely standing there. Almost heartbroken.

But they would meet again.

“Thank you for everything!” Matthias saluted her and stepped inside the carriage.

The door closed behind him.

###

From his window, Earl Eklund watched the accursed black carriage rise into the sky as he clutched the windowsill hard enough that his knuckles turned white.

“What do I do…” he whispered.

On his desk lay an unsealed letter.

It was from his master.

###

Matthias sat beside his family on one of the plush seats, watching the murals shift as the carriage flew away. Across from the Stonebreaker family were the sellswords that Polla had hired, now smelling much better and looking less road weary.

Kamaria smiled, meeting them with a polite greeting, while the pale Jeran—his paunch jiggling—hardly nodded. The antlered-helmeted Rolm didn’t acknowledge them, instead focusing on his two seat mates.

The first was a tall, gangly youth.

The second…was a mouse.

Or rather, a mouse beastfolk. 

Not many of the beastfolk races came through Barrowgate, and so it took all of Matthias’ willpower not to stare at the little fellow. His fur was bright white, and he took in his surroundings with curious black eyes. 

Bregindoure nodded to the mouse man. “Erm, I guess you are called Brenner? Kamaria mentioned a Brenner and a Big Stan being in Barrowgate. So, greetings, I’m Bregindoure Stonebreaker. Looks like we’ll be travelling together.”

The mouse man cocked his head at Bregindoure for a moment.

Then he grinned, holding out a hand toward Kamaria. “It happened again, pay up.”

Matthias looked at him in surprise: the little beastfolk’s voice sounded like two boulders rubbing together.

The Yaharite woman rolled her eyes, digging out some coins and slapping them into her companion’s palm. She quietly cursed him under her breath.

“What…what just happened?” Bregindoure asked.

The mouse man grinned at the giant. “Kam and I’ve got a running bet. Every time someone gets my name wrong, I get paid. Every time they get it right, she gets paid.”

“Oh, sorry! Did I pronounce ‘Brenner’ wrong?” the giant raised his hands in apology.

The little mouse threw his head back, his deep voice—unsuited to his body—filling the carriage with rolling laughter. He slapped his knee, jabbing a thumb toward his chest. “You didn’t, but that’s not my name. I’m Stanvald of Harsin, but folks call me ‘Big Stan’.”

“Oh….oh!” Bregindoure cried, amazed.

“I’m big for my kind,” Big Stan snickered. “Strong too.”

“I guess so, well uh, pleased to meet you, Big Stan?” Bregindoure said.

“Likewise.” Stan nodded at the giant’s hands. “Rune-marked. Berserker and Clarity? Your kind’s rare. Except in the Wolfwood. I’ve fought a bunch of Rune-marked there. Berserkers are really nasty, and if they got the Clarity rune too? Even worse. You’ve gotta be rough in a fight.”

“I suppose…” Bregindoure said slowly, blushing slightly and looking at his younger brother. It seemed he hadn’t forgotten his swift loss at Bear’s Head.

Stan’s eyes turned to Matthias. “Greatfolk, too eh? What’s your story, then? You got runes?”

Matthias shook his head. “Other powers.”

“Very nice. Life Enforcement, I bet. Same with you two…” He turned to Beggahasta and Dagma. “I can tell by the way you move. A rune-marked and three Life Enforcement practitioners… Hey, mistress! What, are we gonna be raiding, a fort or something? A hopefully rich fort?”

“We are on our way to Dagger Rock, as agreed,” Polla answered without turning.

“Oh, thought we had another job. Ah well. Oi, Rolm. I’m going to get some sleep. Wake me if something interesting happens.” Big Stan yawned.

Without waiting for a reply, he curled up on his seat.

He was snorting in moments.

Silence hung over the carriage.

“I don’t know if he’s cute or horrifying,” Dagma murmured.

“I think he’s both.” Ellian—Polla’s apprentice—shuddered.

Dagma suppressed a giggle. 

“Does your carriage have windows?” Bregindoure asked Mistress Polla.

The mage floated at the front of the carriage, focused on what lay ahead of the equine-shaped clouds pulling it through the sky. Beside her was her young apprentice, his face buried nose-deep in a book. “For reasons of emergency, I built this carriage to have windows, but I prefer to keep them blocked. The solid walls provide more security from flying dangers such as wyverns or griffons.”

“This is an emergency,” Matthias insisted. “If we’re leaving our home, I would like to see it physically, not just what those paintings show.”

“Yeah!” Dagma agreed. “Can we see it?”

Polla looked over her shoulder. “Just this once, then. Open.”

The mural behind the Stonebreaker family clicked and part of the wall slid away, revealing an open window large enough for a grown man to leap through. Where once Matthias could see only painted representations of Barrowgate, now he could see it in its true glory.

All the Stonebreakers piled to the window, heads poking out while breathing in the cold evening air. 

The sun was setting, casting the mountains in orange, and—in that light—Matthias saw it all: tiny flames burning in the village’s windows, Eklund’s castle perched like a gargoyle on the mountain, Altaizar’s tower—now empty—as well as their home, and his brother’s tower.

It all seemed so small now.

“Hang onto something everyone. Forward,” Polla commanded.

The carriage lurched through the air, rapidly leaving the village, surrounding mountains, and valleys behind. It accelerated, moving faster, and—after only a minute—Matthias’ home disappeared among the peaks.

The Stonebreaker family continued watching the mountains roll by until night fell.

Then the window was closed, and Matthias got to sit back and enjoy himself.

Excitement burned inside him, as well as a readiness to take on the next part of his journey.

He daydreamed of more enlightenments, of magic in the market, and of training for his future. Thoughts of sinister death magics were far from his mind.

Soon, however, his eyes grew heavy.

And his daydreams became real dreams.

###

When he entered the dream realm, he smiled.

Around him was the village of Barrowgate.

“Leaving home’s not too bad when you can take it with you. Now, then. Let’s see if I can’t figure out how to perform Life Energy Circulation while moving.” 

###

Author's Note

Hello and welcome to the second bonus chapter of the weekend, again celebrating IABD being on the front page of rising stars! Woooo!

Thanks for reading everyone, I'm just so thrilled with folks enjoying this story.

By the way I went back and inserted a line into chapter 36, mentioning Matthias' cold hands. I forgot it when I first wrote the chapter. Apologies!

Enjoy and I'll see ya tomorrow for our next week of 5xweek updates, before going to the regular schedule of 3xweek after chapter...55ish? 56? depends on how things fall and if there end up being more bonus chapters.