“Doesn’t hurt to try.”
“There will be another cool down if we aren’t successful.”
“I say we go for it. What’s the worst that could happen?”
“Ugh, we stumble into cyber sense territory!” Creed cried.
“Doesn’t matter,” his brother replied. “It’s worth looking. You guys seem pretty strong. Level 60 and level 42. Not the highest I’ve seen but not the lowest either.”
Rufian puffed out his chest confidently. “I’ll have you know that I am no warrior! I am grateful to even be this skilled of a fae.”
Batto chuckled. “Yeah, you’re right. You look more like a priest. A pyro priest.”
“What’s the name of the town?”
“Capot,” Rufian answered me.
“Then let’s go.”
++++
The boys were pretty good with pacing steadily behind us. Creed had so much energy to him that made me think back of the times I went hiking when I was younger. He trailed with a big smile on his face and his bow and arrows strapped over his back. Batto kept up with his spear, and a steadfast determination etched on his face.
So far, the terrain wasn’t as bad as Citron. For the most part, it remained untouched, with grass blades lush green and bushy trees cascading in the wind. The opening along the forest line looked promising, and the faint sound of songbirds echoed through the clear air. I was hoping we could find an actual beast to hunt and not a cyber monster that’d just disintegrate right after being killed, so these kids and their village won’t have to go hungry tonight.
“Hey, what’s your specialty anyway?” Creed asked Rufian as he walked alongside his brother behind us.
“Flame and ice,” Rufian said proudly as he turned his head over his shoulder to face the boy.
“Whoa! Two gifts from the master pool? You’re so lucky!”
“That’s rare, super rare, even,” Batto said.
“I guess I’m just special,” Rufian sang, and I rolled my eyes.
“My mancy is lightning, and my brother’s is golem.”
“Golem?” Rufian asked before I did.
“Yeah. He can shape golems from inanimate objects like magma, stone, wood, etc.”
Rufian smirked. “Another unorthodox trait. I almost envy you.”
“It’s pretty sweet!” Creed chirped. “I’m the only golem forger in my village!”
“May even be the only golem forger in this side of Mavriel, actually,” Rufian finally complimented. “I am impressed.”
“Thanks! Dad said that I’m a shoo-in for Kyruz!”
Rufian nodded. “Well, if you play your cards right and play hard, then I’d say they’d love to have you.”
“I’m glad my brother got the easy pass,” Batto said, who almost seemed disappointed that his trait wasn’t as rare as his brothers. “I don’t want him struggling like me. It’s not easy to get into Kyruz, or Hox even. I heard that hunter assignments are sometimes impossible to beat, leaving some injured, dismembered, or worse. But being a warrior is our life; it’s all we really know. And if my brother could have an edge at the job, then all the better. I won’t have to worry about him so much.”
“Awe, Batto,' lightning is a great mancy too, though!” his brother said, trying to cheer him up. “And you don’t have to worry about me! I’m getting into Kyruz, and so are you! And together, we are going to kick butt!”
I smiled. “You’re scared for him, aren’t you? But he’s a fighter at heart, and he really wants it.”
Batto gave me a weak grin. “Yeah. I know nothing will stop him from getting enlisted, right Creed?” He tousled his hair, Creed swatting his brother’s hand away playfully. “It’d be awesome if we could be in the same squadron.”
My heart swelled with admiration for Batto. He was a fighter at heart, and he had such ambition. Despite his fear of having his brother in the military, he still wanted what was best for him more than anything else.
I honored his bravery and strength. There was something to be said about Batto's dedication to helping others before himself. Apparently, working hard to get into Kyruz was no easy feat, especially when you consider that most people would think twice about putting others before themselves. It just goes to show how truly selfless this young man was, and how devoted he was to his calling.
He reminded me of myself, tucking it out through thick and thin.
Creed went on to tell me how hunting wasn’t the only skill they had. The boys were farmers, too, and they knew how to tend to crops and animals. Creed and Batto had learned how to cultivate crops from their mother, and even started working in the fields when they were just kids. They had learned all about planting, harvesting, and taking care of livestock, and had even sold some of their excess produce in the market, which had helped them to make ends meet.
Their family had a small farm outside the village where they lived, and they had been responsible for growing all of the crops for not only their family, but about 80% of Citron village.
The village had high expectations for them, and it was no wonder why these boys felt the pressure of providing food for their people. And after their food supply had tapped out, the village continued to rely on them for meals.
Well, now I was even more excited to help them out. Nothing felt more rewarding than boosting a kid’s confidence and spirit.
“Hey, I think I found something,” Batto said, rushing past Rufian and I. Creed chased him ahead, pulling to his brother’s side. “Dung,” Batto said, crouching over a pile of turd on the ground. He found a random stick and picked it up, poking at it and analyzing its texture. “Still fresh, too.”
“So a boar must be close,” Creed tweeted.
“Egh? How can you tell it’s from a boar?” Rufian asked with a slight disgust webbed on his face.
