Chapter 204 A New Path (1/2)
”When you came to the Sixth Valley, you did so in search of a place to develop your strength in safety,” the Patriarch said ”A place where you could quietly studyyou”
Arran nodded What the old leaned it from Arran's own memories
”But when you saved my life, any chance of that was irretrievably lost,” the Patriarch continued ”Every Elder in the Valley knoho you are, and before long, your fame will spread to the rest of the Valley If you remain here, you will never have the quiet you seek — nor the safety”
Naturally, Arran had already co's formation in front of several dozens of Elders and Grandraved in the est?” It was clear that the Patriarch had so in mind He would not have called Arran otherwise
”I have a plan,” the Patriarch replied ”Or rather, a proposal But before I continue, Snowcloud should be here as well She faces the same issue as you, and what I have in olden bell froh the sound was so soft it was almost inaudible, a white-robed servant appeared in an instant
”You called, Lord Patriarch?”
”Please fetch Snowcloud,” the Patriarch told the man
”At once, Lord Patriarch” The servant hurried off immediately
As Arran waited anxiously for Snowcloud to arrive so he could hear the Patriarch's plans for him, the old man calmly finished his bowl of soup
Snowcloud entered into the rooave the Patriarch a small bow ”Grandfather”
”Good to see you,” the Patriarch replied ”Have a seat” As Snowcloud sat down, he continued, ”In saving ets for er safe for you, I have decided to send you away”
”Send us away?” Snowcloud's srandfather ide eyes ”Can't you protect us here?”
”I can, of course,” the Patriarch replied ”I could take you both as uarded at all times You would have h resources at your disposal to reen with envy It would be a path that would destine both of you to become Elders”
Arran frowned What the Patriarch described was everything he wished for, but from the sound of it, it wasn't what the man had in mind for them
”But your lives would be sheltered ones,” the Patriarch continued ”You wouldn't be able to leave the Valley or face real battles, and although your knowledge of ic would be vast, you would lack the experience to temper it While you would become Elders one day, your poould be unremarkable at best”
”Then what do you intend for us?” Snowcloud asked
”Seeing Ghostblade's es follow is a liical power at the expense of all else, they grow blind to their weaknesses Even I nored my body, and fell victim to a simple poison What I intend for you is a path that avoids these pitfalls”
It was clear in Snowcloud's expression that the answer didn't satisfy her, but after a nation ”What is it you expect us to do?”
”To start, I will send both of you to the Ninth Valley, where none know your identity You will pose as initiates, the students of a visiting adept”
”Initiates?!” Snowcloud's voice was thick with outrage
”You're ed as Snowcloud sounded After e of an Elder, he understood well how large the gap between the tas — being taught by a ress would be even half as fast
”I think I've done a reasonably good job at teaching you so far,” a woman's voice sounded at the back of the room
Arran quickly turned around, and saw that it was Brightblade She had entered the roo his startled expression, she grinned broadly
”But you're not an adept,” Arran said, somewhat redundantly