Unlike the morning silence of the city, outside the gates, the Wanderer caravan rejoiced with a thousand voices. Everyone was packing their things, removing the tents, and readying their carriages as time to leave had finally came. The nomad community didn’t seem bothered by the fact that they had to wake up early, instead, they moved with ruthless efficiency, repeating a movement that had been practiced hundreds of times.

The city guards were on the edge as they hadn’t expected this much movement during the first hours of the morning. Nido passed through the city gate without much fuss except a short exchange with a guard.

“Are you joining them?” The tired man asked, starved for a conversation after the night shift.

“You are most certainly correct.” The enchanter nodded as he observed the calculated mayhem developing before him. “I’ve temporarily joined the Wanderers in their caravan to continue with my travel.”

“Huh.” The guard grunted in affirmation. “Safe travels then, its not much, but I wish you that the war on the north doesn’t catch you up.”

“Very appreciated, thank you.” Nido smiled at him and silently displaced the current of Life-imbued ether to give a boost of stamina to the good man.

The act had costed him a share bit of mana as ether didn’t like to be manipulated as he just did, but he hadn’t much use for the wasted resource. Either way, it would take him just a bit more than five minutes to fully recover.

Once Nido entered on the outskirts of what it used to be the tent city, he had begun to evade the projectile humans that flew across the field. Everyone was half-asleep and were in a hurry like if their caravan was going to leave them behind if they weren’t quick on their feet. The situation amused the old man in young skin.

Like a ballet for his life, he danced with superb footwork, avoiding stressed adults and playful children. What was more incredible was the coordination of the nomads, being able to move so irregularly without even coming close to one another. Even being able to doge children that played ball. The reflexes of the Wanderers were akin of a well-oiled machine.

Nido made his way towards the place where he remembered to be Castor’s tent at. In the center point of the former tent city the people were tidier, some seemed to have readied their things yesterday’s night, and he even saw a person or two still sleeping in this chaos on top of the carriages. As someone with shallow sleep, the enchanter couldn’t believe how anyone could sleep through the human version of a volcano eruption.

“You finally arrived, lad.” Castor talked to Nido while he had fish and cheese for breakfast. “Took you some time, I was thinking to leave you behind.”

“What the hells are you talking about, Castor.” Nido scoffed. “You haven’t even finished your breakfast. And only a few hours have gone by since the sun has come out. I think I’m early, more than anything.”

“Now an old man can’t joke?” The Wanderer sighed.

“Perhaps.” Nido shrugged. “And even if I were late, I was working.”

“Working the day you are going away? You certainly are committed to enchanting.”

“I consider enchanting more of an art than a job, but yes.” The enchanter took the gold bag out of his satchel and let it drop on the table. The crash was accompanied by a powerful thud and the clinking of tens of metal pieces. “And I have refilled my coffers. You know, for emergencies.”

With his mouth full, Castor opened the bag, and upon seeing the quantity of gold coins that it contained his eyes popped up and almost threw up the contents on his mouth. The man consumed the food before talking again.

“How did you get so much money?” Castor coughed a few times; some food hadn’t gone down as easily as he would have liked.

“Enchanting, of course.” Nido loved toying with people and getting such absurd reactions from them. “I’ve sold good items and got a good pay. I told you I was a good enchanter.”

“How much gold is there in the bag?” The tall man took a sip of water.

“Forty-nine gold if I’m not wrong.”

“Wow, that’s certainly a sizeable stash.” Castor commented, trying not to not appear fazed. “Though you won’t be able to spend it any time soon, I’m afraid. The closest town is ten days away, unless you want to spend gold coin on a village.”

“Maybe I do it.” The enchanter swayed his head in ponderation. “But isn’t there anyone here that I could buy things?”

“We do have woodworkers and musicians that may accept gold for their services, but they mostly do it to raise funds for the community once we arrive to a settlement. Many people like foreign craftsmanship and music.”

“I surely will find a way to spend this money in a way or another.” Nido grabbed the coin bag back and stashed it in his satchel. “I’m not on a hurry to so, though.”

The enchanter was distracted momentarily as the ether net shifted ever so slightly. It wasn’t a nearby change, but one that occurred far away in a powerful manner. A low trace of Death permeated the air. I guess that’s the war that everyone’s talking about. Thankfully we are going far from it. I don’t like senseless violence nor death; life is more suitable for me.

“Something’s wrong? You blacked out for a moment.” Castor asked with a shed of worry.

“Nothing at all, just the wind.” In a manner. “I was wondering when we would be ready to move.”

“Judging by the pace of the people and the cries of those who weren’t ready, I would say an extra hour.” The knowledgeable man replied.

“Mind if I join you in your breakfast then?” Nido asked as he sat on the table.

“Not at all, though you already invited yourself.” The Wanderer chuckled. “Here have some dry fish.”

The two men continued to eat, menial conversation popping up here and there, but nothing to important. The enchanter’s mind still wandered to the string of Death that faintly permeated the air. The quantity was lower than a single person dying, but the intensity was more vicious.

“Which sides did you say are participating in the war?” Nido infiltrated the question in their conversation.

“I’m don’t really know about the inner workings, but I have been told that the war is between the kingdoms of Czecheri and Ison.” Castor replied giving it much thought. While the war may worry the nomad, he didn’t intend to be related with it.

Nido mentally sighed as he didn’t recognize any of the kingdom’s names. If it was any long-standing government, they may perhaps recognize him. He had gone to a lot of royal courts during his “youth” days and tens of items crafted by him may still remain in their vaults.

Though the ancient man doubted that any empire or kingdom still stood from his time. His items were probably around to this day in hands of a random individual that had been blessed by the whims of Fate. None would be dumb enough to break, or even worse, disenchant one of his items.

The enchanter didn’t really care how his legendary items influenced the world, because they weren’t that powerful. Most of his true valuable pieces were destroyed during his battle against the void lord. And his tower alongside the core still floated in the null plane, far away from the wrong hands.

Soon enough, the promised hour had passed. Whilst it was true most people were already prepared, some still remained. No one really care, though. The readied Wanderers took this free time to relax after their sudden rush or to have a light breakfast. He had talked with Castor, and they had a heavy dinner last night, so their stomachs were more than ready for today’s march.

When the enchanter stood up and began stretching to prepare himself for the coming walk, a voice talked to him.

“Here you are! I have been looking for you for days now!” The melodious and high-pitched voice pertained to none but the enchanter’s favorite bard.

“What are you doing here, Eleonore?” Nido asked calmly as he continued to stretch.

“That should be my question!” The half-elf cried. “Castor, why’s this man here?”

“This man? You offend me, my sponsored bard.” The enchanter joked, not offend at all by the woman’s words.

“This is Nido Risea, our newest enchanter, Nora!” The Wandered presented him. “Though I suspect you already know each other.” A grin popped up on the man’s face. Nido had told him about his recent events on the city and discovered that the elven bard was also part of the nomad community.

“Nora?” Nido asked. “She told me she was called Eleonore.” It wouldn’t have been the first time a woman gave him a false name.

“Oh, she’s called Eleonore, I can confirm that.” Castor responded. “But it’s a mouthful of a name, and Nora is way cuter.” The man contained his laughter while he talked.

“Can I call you Nora, then?” The enchanter asked to the bard.

“No! Absolutely you can’t! And neither should you, Castor!” The bard’s name seemed like a thorny matter. “Anyways,” Eleonore sighed, “I wanted to thank you once more for your gift. I have been going to every tavern in the city and I was able to level up and obtain my first title. I can’t compensate you for such present.” The half-elf bowed.

Huh, she did mention she had reached her level cap when we met, didn’t she? That’s why she wanted the Dexterity boost in the first place.

“I already told you I did it because I could. You don’t owe me anything.”

“But you deserve it, I’m totally honest here.” She continued. “Not only you gifted me such an amazing item, but also allowed me to level once more. So thank you.”

“Is really such an issue to be capped?” Nido asked, unable to understand why she was so grateful towards him.

“For enchanters and decent adventurers, that isn’t the case as their respective guilds provided them with their first Prestige Class.” Castor explained, still sitting on the table. “But to everyone else, it’s a grind to make a noticeable act so the Records recognize your prowess and honor you with a title. Nora here has been twenty years without a Prestige Class.”

“Don’t go around there telling such embarrassing things, Castor!” The half-elf shouted at the tall man.

“Where’s the problem to tell Nido? He’s the one that allowed you to get the class in the first place.”

“I guess you are right.” Eleonore’s head tilted downwards.

Nido quickly noticed the father and daughter relationship between the two, even if the enchanter was ninety-nine percent sure they weren’t related. Between genetics and the age gaps, it just didn’t align. The half-elf bard was short with powerful emerald eyes, whilst the human man was incredibly tall with brown eyes. Sure, they both had auburn hair, but that was a common trait.

“Well, what’s your title then? Something interesting?” The Wanderer asked.

“Nothing to fancy, like yours.” The bard responded. “You can call me the [Wanderer Bard].” She boasted pridefully, but quickly corrected her mistake. “Not really, if you call me that I’m going to break your knees.”

Both Nido and Castor busted out laughing at the sudden outburst of violence from the petite bard. It had come so suddenly that the duo couldn’t handle themselves.

“What are you laughing at? I’m really going to break your knees if you continue laughing.” The small woman stomped on the ground as she protested like a child.

Ignoring the girl’s tantrum, the duo didn’t stop, but further on with their laughs. The old man collapsed on top of the table as he gasped for air, and the enchanter laid on his staff for support.

“Sorry, sorry.” Castor excuse himself. “Your title is incredible, you reaction,” he skipped a laugh, “not so much.”

“I agree with him.” Nido feigned gasping for air. He could laugh all day long, and the ring would prevent him from feeling exhausted or dizzy.

“We should get going.” The Wanderer added once he recovered. “Everyone must be ready now, and you would also like to boast your tittle to the rest, right?” He told to the bard.