lirvothethird

  I took a step back to admire the staff. Light shone on the dull gold embossments as they coiled around the red core. The rod was just like wood, but had a surprising heft to it.

  "You don't feel the tingle when you hold it?"

  "What tingle?"

  Master Doran started to chug his drink from the hip fsk he always carried. He dismissively waved his hand at me before asking the BIG question.

  "So whatcha do with that?"

  To be honest, I've never thought of what to do with it. I weighed it in my hand, tossing it up and down.

  "I don't need a self defense weapon, or rather, it's too rge and clunky. I guess I'll just leave it in your care, I'm sure you'll find someone that'll use it properly."

  "Fine..."

  It seemed like he already knew what was going to be the answer before I said it.

  "It's going to be hard to find someone that won't get hurt just from holding it. Just need to make an iron seal around the middle... and then I can toss it into Mistfall for the fated one."

  "Fated one?"

  "Fated one, destined one, bh bh bh. Call it whatever you want. When the time comes, naturally it will be of use."

  "If it's not gonna be taken within my lifetime I might as well use it..."

  I stretched out my arm to grab the staff. Master Doran pulled back the staff, making me catch air.

  "No takesies backsies! Leave this legacy in the hands of your teacher and have fun at the Pcidium."

  "Then what about the prophecy? The vilge is going to burn down someday, will you be okay?"

  "Don't worry about these old bones."

  He flexed his arms before picking up a small metal box and handing over to me.

  "Open it."

  I opened it. A squarish figurine of a horned bcksmith was revealed. It held a miniature hammer and a miniature pair of pliers.

  "That is the Forgelord, the greatest bcksmith."

  "Aren't you the greatest bcksmith?"

  The other vilgers had touted Master Doran as the greatest bcksmith in these nds, unparalleled in the craft. I myself had seen how effortlessly he shaped the metal.

  "No, I learned from my master, who was a descendant of the Hearthblood. The Hearthblood were followers of the Forgelord."

  A sparkle was in eyes as he recounted his lineage. He coughed to get my attention before pleading me to do something.

  "If you ever go to the Freljord, perhaps you can find and meet the Forgelord, as only you can find him in the earthen caves."

  "If it's too cold I won't go."

  Getting frozen on a mountaintop was bad enough, but the Freljord was apparently worse.

  "There's a forest somewhere made of ice and-"

  "Stop stop stop! I'm in. There's no need to talk anymore, I was pnning on going anyways."

  "I wish you happiness on your adventure."

  Happiness? Wasn't it usually luck? It might be an Ionian thing then. I nodded and thanked him before packing up in preparation. Traveling to the Navori Pcidium takes around two days, where I'll gather some information and head elsewhere, separating from the group.

  Early next morning, they gathered at the center of the vilge. Surprisingly, I was the st one there, with the sun just about to rise above the mountains.

  Was I te? Just as I thought that, it was answered by Master Yi, the swordsman I first met.

  "Everyone is early. Let's set off after the farewells are said."

  I was instantly brought to the side by my friends. Dali, a disciple of the only master seamstress in Wuju, instantly came over to my hodgepodge group where I was dispying what I going to bring.

  "Hello, can I study your pouch?"

  I passed the empty pouch without missing a beat. Raising the compass in my hand, I showed how dysfunctional it was here in Ionia.

  "This compass doesn't work that well here in Ionia, but when you're in the desert, it is one of your most trusted friends."

  Instantly, a hand shot up and asked.

  "What's a desert?"

  "When sand stretches as far as your eyes can see, and the sun beats down without any cover, that is a desert. I think."

  Time passed by as we shared what we were each going to bring. They could bring keepsakes and items that reminded them of home, while I brought my collection of rocks with me. How is Terbisia? Is my mother fine without me?

  A faint metallic ring interrupted everyone saying farewell. All attention gathered at Master Yi.

  "It's time to leave. May the spirits reunite us."

  Each one of us carried sack of their belongings, with another sack of food we were given. The adults deftly hung both on both sides of their hips before carrying a light backpack. After making sure everyone was ready, we started with a light jog.

  On the rocky beach, we orderly assembled onto the small boats following our group leaders. We were northbound, using the sails to drift across the strait. Once we got to the other side, some of them were sent back towards the vilge.

  More mountain hiking awaited us, but everyone leisurely ran sideways across the mountain. Not one made a mistake and slipped. They were like birds flitting across the rocks, while I was stomping along, forcefully adhering the rocks together to make a foothold.

  After setting up camp, not a single fire was lit, as this was close to the frontlines against Noxus. The fighting had stopped for now, but no one knew when it would start again. An uncomfortable silence id across the camp like a bnket, as the night shift changing was the only noise.

  Some sort of powder was applied to the clothing to prevent bug bites, as another scarf was covering our faces to help us blend in with the crags.