243 The Beginning (1/2)

Li watched as the brothers huffed and puffed their way forward until they stopped in front of him, hands on their knees from exerting themselves.

”Looks like you two need to work on your strength,” said Li. ”You know, you can still back out of this commitment now.” ;

Immediately in response to Li's doubts, the brothers stood up straight, stiffening their muscles and making themselves as composed as possible.

”We have never been more ready, seer!” said Mason.

Mercer, the younger brother, pulled out a new set of daggers from his side. They were actually quite nice, their blades curved and honed to a fine edge with black stones embedded in the hilt. A magical weapon. ”We've even secured ourselves legendary weapons capable of fending off any darkness.”

Mason unsheathed his own new longsword, and it too was magical in nature, the broad blade inscribed with gold patterns that mimicked the wavy flicker of fire.

Li nodded. They were pretty bad weapons, all around, but at least they were not basic Common tier ones, occupying the Magical tier meant for those ranging from levels 20-40, though most certainly, these ones were on the lower end of that level spectrum.

”Magical weapons. Impressive,” said Li. ”Now, where would you ever happen to find such things? They are quite rare, I hear, and I do not know many smiths that are open to work outside of what they are doing now for the crown.”

”Lads, do not tell us that you stole those,” said Old Thane, a flicker of disappointment beginning to show on his face. ”I know the spirit of battle and adventure flows through you, I know it well, aye, but that is no excuse to take from the hard work of others.”

”Of course not,” said Mercer triumphantly, proud that he did not steal something for once. ”Belmont gave us these weapons of his own free will. He sees us as capable warriors worthy of wielding them, to be sure.”

”Though he did take all our life savings for them,” said Mason as he put a hand to his head.

”Ah, Belmont,” said Old Thane. ”His time as a smith may have passed many years ago, but certainly, I am sure he had some weapons in his collection. Cherish them, lads, for in his prime, Belmont was no smith to scoff at.”

”Of course,” said the brothers surprisingly humbly.

”Alright then,” said Li. ”Looks like everyone that needs to go is here and ready. All is readied and set.”

”Aside from a proper farewell, no?” Ven'thur emerged from the doors of the Farmer's Guild, his purple clothing literally glittering under the midday sun. With his monocle, tophat, and cane, he truly looked as eye-catching as possible, and not entirely in a pleasing way.

Sindra followed behind him, and she evidently thought much the same as Li, her eyes squinting in displeasure as she tried to look past Ven'thur's sparkling figure. In her hands was a wreath knitted together from a variety of plant parts, and it glowed with a light green tinge that indicated it was magically blessed.

”Never too late for a farewell,” said Li to Ven'thur. ”I trust you two will keep the guild from falling apart in my absence?”

”Dear me,” said Ven'thur, putting a hand to his heart in mock offense. ”I did not believe you thought so little of me. Certainly not. I shall ensure that no feeble minded Light hawker nor silly merchant will step on our toes, that is to be sure. And Sindra no doubt will do a fine job in handling all those numbers regardless of how dreary they are.”

”Someone has to deal with them, and I shudder to think how this guild would be were it to be you,” said Sindra as she stepped forwards, wreath tentatively placed between her hands.

”That, I can agree with,” said Li. He motioned to the wreath and asked, ”Might I ask what that is?”

”Ah this,” said Sindra.

”A sign of her much hidden love for you, of course,” said Ven'thur, and Sindra bared a fang at the lich. ���I jest. It is a wreath comprised of a precious part of every single farming family in our guild. There are branches from fruit trees, leaves from berries, roots from wheat, potatoes, and even vines from the only vineyard in our midst.

A token of appreciation meant to bring you luck and remembrance of us in your journey.”

Sindra held out the wreath, and Li accepted it. He saw that it was quite large – unsurprising considering the amount of people in the guild – and put it around his neck like a large necklace. He willed his divine presence to fuse with it, binding the plant matter as part of him, ensuring that anytime it was damaged, he could regenerate it just as if it was a part of his own body.