43 Chapter 43 (2/2)

”How many gods are there?” Aerwyn asked, curious if he might recognize his name or his parents if he heard it.

”The Fae'Laran have very little contact with the outside world and there are undoubtedly hundreds of gods by now. If you're trying to find your identity you'll have to leave the forsaken lands, you won't find a list of gods here.”

Aerwyn sighed, it seemed like one question was answered but a thousand questions popped up in it's place, leaving him worse off. At least he had some semblance of a long term goal now that he knew who his enemies were, even if that goal was as laughably improbable as fighting the gods.

The whole thing felt surreal to him. He wondered what his parents were like and if he had any siblings or friends but the more time he spent thinking about it, the more empty he felt. Nyris noticed his complicated expression and tried to comfort him.

”You'll be safe in the forsaken lands for now. The gods see through the eyes of their believers and they have to be actively looking as well. You'd be hard pressed to find any beings worshiping Alduun's gods here, at least not until the gate opens once more.”

”What do you mean?”

”When the gate opens again the three races will send an army to deal with it. If they see your power there's a chance the gods may be watching too.”

”No i meant about the gate, it always opens in the same spot? How do the forsaken races live through it then?”

”Ah, the short answer is we hide and attempt to communicate if the army comes too close. For the Fae'Laran, we retreat behind Tyres Gate until the fighting is done. The armies are here for the world seed so they generally won't waste their time fighting defeated armies of past invasions unless they stand in their way. The real trouble come after the war as the races end up fighting over territory in the forsaken lands.”

”Why don't they just destroy the gate?”

”The gate cannot be destroyed, it's an artifact left over from creation like the world seed. Once it opens it can only be closed by destroying the invaders divine icon.”

”Master we're done!” Erit called out and broke the the conversation.

This little job ended up netting him seven hundred and thirty three D Grade mana cores which would be enough to buy around fifteen spears if he included the payment from Master Ynir. Aerwyn and the rest returned to the forest edge and spent the night under it's protection. His anxious mind made sleeping near impossible, only managing to finally get some rest when the sun was about to rise.

They reached Lyr by nightfall and Aerwyn stayed the night in Nyris's guest room. After breakfast the next morning he went out in search of Master Ynir to receive his payment. Once the payment was out of the way Master Ynir attempted to recruit Aerwyn to live in Lyr once more but he was politely denied again before Aerwyn left to put in his order with the blacksmith.

The smithy was at the edge of town and as he got near the smell of oil and smoke filled the air. The blacksmith was short and had a rugged appearance with long black hair tied in a knot. He had a long black beard that was speckled with grey which showed his years. Aerwyn thought he looked more like a tall dwarf than a short elf as he hammered some smoldering steel.

”Hello?” Aerwyn called out atop Erit.

”...” The blacksmith lifted his head for a moment giving Aerwyn a quick look before returning to his work.

”..Um i'd like to place an order?” Aerwyn wasn't sure how to deal with this elf, Marik was rude but at least he acknowledged his presence.