Chapter Four: The Long Road On

Frantic, panicked and rushed; the palace was in an uproar. It wasn’t abnormal, not by any means; people were always rushing about, whether it was to prepare a ball, ready a meeting, or to greet some new diplomatic envoy. And as the daughter of the king she was left firmly out of it all.

Clover pouted staring down from between the banisters, if she had to guess whatever this new catastrophe was it involved the church, at least there seemed to be a lot of clergy men rushing to and thro accompanied by the castle staff, armed members of the royal guard and troops from the Elliene order of knights.

“Out of the way miss!” one of the maids shouting from above before rushing past, arms laden with what appeared to be Clover’s old clothes - things were just getting stranger. The young girl gave a humph stepping aside to let the maid pass before trailing along after the departing servant. Her frown grew more porminent as she went, her family had probably deemed her unfit to know about whatever new calamity assailed them, that or they forgot she was there. Until she turned fifteen and was considered a legal adult she’d really only be a diplomatic show peace, and afterwards a political bargaining chip. Although as future heir to the throne she had a little more say in the matter than most. Even at four years old she was very much aware of those facts, her tutors had made sure to go over them thoroughly.

She trundled along following after the maid drifting into one of the kitchens before slipping out of the backdoor, Clover going pretty much unnoticed. That was one of the gifts of being no more than three feet high; it made being ignored a lot easier. She slipped after the maid, who was currently jogging through the garden, cutting across the lawn, Clover tailing behind as she drew towards the chapel. The building in question was about the size of a normal church, miniscule when compared to the cathedral that rested in the centre of the city. It was used mainly for the small religious functions of the royal family and served as the place where they had laid their dead for over eighty years. And it seemed said chapel was at the centre of this commotion.

And there her father stood before the open doors, his arms crossed and brow furrowed, and while he was not dressed in his full regalia, he exuded the aura of a king. He turned as soon as the maid approached, the young woman slipping into the dark building leaving Clover to face her father. The king gave her a small smile opening his arms.

She rushed forwards into her father’s embrace as he scooped her up and faced back towards the church lifting her up onto one of his shoulders. It seemed that whatever the issue was, it was neither official nor dangerous, otherwise he would have sent her away in a heartbeat.

“Where’s Taiva?” The king enquired looking to one of the guards accompanying him.

“He’s away sir, to perform a testing ceremony at an outlier village in Ulgon.” The king’s face crumpled up as a heavy sigh escaped his lips. “Then has the arch-bishop arrived?”

“Indeed!” the cry came from behind them, a young woman jogging forwards waving a hand through the air; her name was Oluva. Oluva was to put it frankly, a scruffy individual, she had ragged brown hair and wore her robes loosely; it was a truly unbefitting state for the head to clergy in Elliene. “So what is it, your’ messenger said it was an emergency?” The priest panted attempting to straighten her ruffled robes the King shaking his head in exasperation

Her father took in a deep breath looking around as if to confirm no one of importance was in range before he spoke; “a hero has been summoned.” A moment of silence fell upon the courtyard any unaware pausing and turning their heads upwards in a mix of awe and fear.

“Ah, how bad is it?” the bishop questioned tentative, her smile wavering.

“A blessing from all of the gods with the exception of Fion” the bishop’s face went pale at the reply.

The more blessings they possessed the more powerful the summoned hero, the more powerful the hero the more dangerous the threat they would fight that was the general rule at least.

“That’s not the biggest issue at the moment.” The king sighed waving the young woman off, “The problem is, the hero that was summoned this time is only four years old” The king jabbed a finger towards the church, from which a pale blue glow issued forth the concentric lines and runic glyphs belonging to a magic circle within highlighted. And from the ring of light, a young maid carrying a child sallied forth; the girl screaming as she was brought into the light.

The archbishop gave a wan smile, “well this certainly is a predicament.”

...

Fifty intelligence; to put it into context the majority of full grown adults who had received proper education, in a town or city, would average at around that number. On the other hand a child is likely to have an intelligence score of ten or below, with proper study and education fifteen, someone with natural talent twenty. As the child grows up it is expected by the time they turn ten their stat will have had a minimum increase of fifty-percent. A four-year-old child possessing fifty intelligence without an education was bordering very close on the impossible.

On the other hand a thirty-year old with the same stat was no more than average. In fact prior to the event Gorren had had a total intelligence of two-hundred-and-four, of course the better portion of this dropped as only his memories were carried over; his skills would be rusty, his reaction times dulled, when his time was rewound much had been lost.

Of course the crowd did not know this. What they did know was that Gorren Tarros spent most days playing in the woods, running through the trees and rushing into town when the sun began to set.

There was no round of applause when his score was announced just a hesitant sea of murmurs as Lorris was called to take the stage next. Gorren walked off of the dais looking about the crowd, there had to have been a better way with dealing the situation. There was no point in thinking about it now, what was done was done. He turned his gaze upwards to see Livita waving out to him from the side lines a forced smile on her face. Gorren jogged over, and as soon as he was in arms reach Livita grabbing him by the waste and hauling him up onto her shoulder carrying him like a bag of flour and marching away.

“Hey what are you doing?” He questioned glaring down at his sister, only just noticing Eitta following besides them face contorted, in something that settled between irritation and unbridled rage.

The duo marched him through the street with no undue ceremony, drawing strange glances from the nearby crowd. Gorren was only released upon approaching his mothers stall; well at least one person didn’t seem to be angry with him.

Livita dropped him onto his rear snatching his id from his hands slamming it down on the table, “How in the hell are you smarter than me.” Gorren just shrugged looking away, the whole situation had started to feel uncomfortable, there was no way he was going to be able to explain this. “What’s that supposed to mean, what you too smart to explain, huh?” Livita grabbed his head pulling him into a hold before dragging her knuckles across his scalp repeatedly. Gorren struggled against her grip as the pain slowly began to intensify,

“Hey let go of me!” his cries went unheeded, until at last a sunny voice put pause on his abuse.

“This is brilliant, with these stats you may even be able to attend a school in the capital, no maybe even an Elliene Academy!” His mother laughed taking up the small black card.

“No way, this little punk is that smart, he can barely even read!”

“Let go of me already!” Gorren began struggling against his sister slamming the heel of his shoe into her foot eliciting a sharp cry before her arms loosened and he leapt away from her coming face to face with Eitta.

“This is unfair.” She crossed her arms turning away from him. Great it seemed he’d managed to make himself public enemy number one.

“What’s your intelligence then?” Gorren grumbled, brushing himself down and attempting to neaten his ruffled hair while his sister stood back grinding her teeth. Eitta spun away to avoid him, her face slightly red,

“thirty-five” She muttered glaring at him from over her shoulder.

Gorren had to admit he understood where she was coming from, and it was slightly unfair, but with her already ridiculous intelligence she really shouldn’t complain.

Ugh, he was in desperate need of a break.

...

The Tamara River bent around Dogshead it was fast flowing, clear and pure. With the well no one really needed to drink from the river, so most people just chose to wash their clothes or themselves within the current they fished from the bridge and children played in the water, it had become an integral part of their lives. Gorren left the festival far behind as he dropped down onto the river bank, the cold air comforting against his face.

He really did feel tired, everything that had happened, the past few days; the past few years. His memories, no one shared them, no one would understand them, now more than ever he was alone, still even now there was a ray of hope. Gorren yawned closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath, she was alive; out there somewhere, alive and suffering, he knew that – he’d saved her then as much as she had saved him. He could see it, her face beaming so proud, the sound of the trees and the touch of the grass as he had stood within that field of light.

Those days had been perfect...

Dogshead despite the bizarre name, was truly an idyllic countryside village, so peaceful so beautiful, of course the people were another matter. A short shout came from a little ways behind him filled with malice and vitriol, “how did you do it you bastard!” Gorren turned to face the owner of the voice, it was the town boys three of them to be exact. And leading the pack was Doreen, the boy who had taken centre stage just before Gorren.

“What do you...” Gorren’s question was cut short as the boy rushed forwards planting a kick in Gorren’s back sending him sprawling forwards.

“You cheated, you’re dumbass, and everyone knows that. I’ll tell everyone you faked it, and they’ll cart you off to one of them big cities to stand trial for your’ crime!” The boy shouted pointing an accusatory finger grinning with an almost maniacal light sending yet another kick Gorren’s way.

He’d been taken by surprise with that first strike that had tumbled him down to drench his clothes in grass stains and water, but multiple attempts on his life had at least taught him a necessary lesson – how to avoid an assassins blade – a four-year old with an anger issue was nothing by comparison. Of course Gorren wasn’t in his old body either, he stepped aside; the kick just grazing past his elbow before a half hearted punch was thrown towards his face. He moved to block it, but he just lacked the strength, the blow deflected into his shoulder forcing him to stumble backwards into the grass. He really should start exercising whenever he had the chance. Gorren kept to his feet staggering slightly, irritation sparking to anger.

He considered using his magic for a brief moment, but in a fight against children it was completely unnecessary, there was no reason to escalate things to that point. And as he tossed that idea aside the two boys who had been standing on the side lines moments before came into play, they were each older and stronger than Gorren coming up behind him to grab him by the arms while Doreen marched forward preparing to deliver a flurry of blows. Gorren took the opportunity presented to him, jabbing out sending a foot upwards between Doreen’s legs.

What followed was a sharp squeak, one of the boys holding him chuckling slightly at their leader’s obvious predicament as a fist came down from above. Gorren swayed slightly stepping back from the trio, his head somewhat clouded and his vision blurred. He turned his head upwards glaring down at the group that had assaulted him, a sickly silence falling on the scene.

“You’ll pay for that you bastard!” Doreen wheezed rising to his feet before rushing forwards.

But before the next strike could land a powerful voice split the air “Stop this!”

He’d appeared out of nowhere, and came to stand in a beam of moonlight. Gorren stood still for a moment stepping back as the world seemed to pause and Taiva Orwich stepped forwards. The kind light within his eyes was gone.

Neither age nor time seemed to slow him down as he drew his sword from his hip, silver steel bright as day. Doreen froze his friends coming to their senses and slipping backwards away from the approaching hero. “There was no mistake with his id. I assure you of that unless you think he is a more powerful mage than I am... Are you aware assault is a serious crime?” The man stepped forwards pointing his sword towards the children watching the trio scatter to the hills, a small smirk appearing across his face.

Gorren sighed falling backwards into the grass, staring upwards towards the sky. He had just been saved by the man he’d killed, fate sure had a twisted sense of irony, he really couldn’t help but smile.

“You okay?” Taiva questioned with a little laugh sitting down beside him looking up to watch the stars as the river gurgled on by. “I hate it whenever I have to put up a front, but it isn’t like I could just haul off and punch them.” Taiva leaned forwards pulling a thin wooden pipe from his breast pocket and a packet of tobacco. Something about this situation just felt wrong and now he knew why.

“Why are you here?” Gorren questioned Taiva igniting the end of his pipe with a burst of magic from his index finger taking in a deep breath and blowing out a ring of smoke before giving his reply.

“You of course, fifty-two that’s one hell of a high intelligence for someone your’ age! Schools will likely try scouting you when I give my report in, so I felt like I should make my offer first; how would you feel about joining the Royal Elliene Academy?” Taiva grinned looking down at Gorren it wasn’t the kind of offer you refused.

“That wasn’t what I meant.” Go stared ahead, looking down to the river, “I knew that much, what I mean is why are you in Dogshead. Why send a Hero here when you should be patrolling the cities, your normal circuit should put you firmly in Firnia at this time of year.” Gorren turned to face the hero their gazes locking.

He’d been a fool for not noticing it earlier; Taiva was never meant to be there, not originally.

A heavy groan escaped Taiva as he shuffled slightly crossing his legs before he replied; “you really are smart huh... It’s pretty simple really; a member of my party Canna sensed an intense pulse of magic from this place around five days ago. Enough magic to destroy a small city, summon a hero, or contact a god. So we decided to investigate and felt the festival would be a good cover.” He shrugged returning the pipe to his mouth watching Gorren from the corner of his eye. Five days huh, that was about the time he’d returned to Dogshead, the day of his rewind. He gave a short nod, Taiva sighing puffing out another ring of smoke, “it’s still nowhere as good as a cigarette, way too woody.”

“Cigarette?” Gorren paused at the unfamiliar word.

“Ah something from my old world, you wrap tobacco in paper and smoke it, I’m just no good at making them myself and there’s no where to buy them here.” His face screwed up slightly as he spoke, a small smile appearing on Gorren’s face.

“Earth right, do you miss it?”

Taiva nodded in stoic silence for a moment before he spoke “Of course I miss it, how could I not... But this is my home. One day I was summoned and ordered to help save the world, brilliant way to start a relationship by the way. Well it took me five years and the help of many people to accomplish my aims and be given the chance to return home. But I couldn’t just go back into my old body and pick up where I left off. After everything I’ve seen, all the horrors, all the wonders, I wanted to stay here so I could actually help people make sure my sacrifice wasn’t for nought.” He laughed for a moment rising to his feet. “Think about my offer, I had better go back, we’ll be holding an event for the children in a minutes, I’ll await your’ response then.”

...

Gorren Tarros... He was certainly interesting individual but something about the child was disconcerting; something in his eyes. When most children looked to Taiva he saw awe, wonder, inspiration, admiration and a hint of fear; swirling about within their eyes – Gorren had none of that.

Gorren spoke like he knew Taiva, like they’d met before, like old friends. And when there gazes met he saw nothing but sadness and regret, and occasionally a hint of bloodlust. Those compressed emotions, a brilliant intelligence and the elemental affinity darkness; he would need to be watched closely. Attending the academy would do just that, although forcing him would without a doubt end badly for all involved.

“Hey you did well!” Gillan laughed shoving Taiva slightly and breaking him from his delusions to greet the hunting party that had just completed their teast.

“Thanks!” The head hunter laughed holding out the set of three Ids for them to edit while Juna grabbed the corpse of the hellhound that had been their trial enemy for their advancement to D rank. A hunting party composed of a tank, archer and a halberdier, their’ team work was impeccable and for men so young they would undoubtedly become a great asset for the little village.

“The next event,” an old voice rasped Canna (their mage) leaning forwards, “it’s the children’s battles. We’ve collected a couple of slimes from the forest and the gear from the guards; I’ll go tell Gillan to bring it up.” Canna nodded marching off without a reply. The old woman leaning on her staff as she walked approaching the ranger. Taiva shook his head approaching the centre of the stage, he needed to focus. The crowd that had thinned out by roughly half at this point, the sun turning the pitch black of night into a hazy purple.

“Dogshead, for our final event we will see a grand battle between the town’s youths and a horde of horrifying monsters!” Taiva called out the crowd turning their’ gazes towards him, “monsters known as slimes!” A low chuckle rolled out through the crowd as a sea of children began running forwards pushing towards the dais Juna quickly hurrying back after disposing of the hellhounds remains harrying the children towards the back of the platform, and in their number he saw Gorren being pushed forward by a young woman he assumed was his sister, a little girl with blue hair in tow.

Taiva glanced back out of the corner of his eye towards the other side of the stage where Gillan stood a crate carried in both hands his old friend giving him a thumbs-up. It seemed things were good to go.

“Now I assure you the children are in no danger, we have guaranteed there are no dangerous species of slimes and the children will be well equipped for battle.” He gestured to the side where the children were being dressed in heavy chain main shirts, given leather helmets and wooden swords.

This was only meant to be a fun little event there was no reason to go overboard.

They waited for a short moment as each child was helped into their’ gear until at last a wave came in from Juna, it seemed the children were ready.

Taiva raised a hand to signal Gillan jumping down from the dais to stand just before the crowd “Now let’s meet our brave warriors!” And so said warriors began their haphazard march.

Juna walked along side them providing an example, the children attempting serious faces as they went, sending parents to cooing at their darlings and in one case bursting out in raucous laughter. But amid there number was one soldier who stood apart, Gorren’s expression had turned dark bloodlust and murderous intent floating along his aura in tidal waves. Taiva could pick up on it relying on instinct and gut feeling, he had no real ability in detecting auras but Canna on the other hand, her eyes were fixed to the child in a mix of awe and fear. Taiva put it from his mind; this was supposed to be fun!

“Now, release the slimes!” He shouted, Gillan returning a nod before upending the crate filled with the gelatinous creatures each the size of a small dog. The forests outside of Dogshead were a prime breeding ground.

Most considered slimes no more than pests they destroyed crops and made a mess wherever they went. Of course this often led people to underestimating the monsters that could thrive in every environment on Issen. Powerful slimes could give whole armies reason to pause, of course the current garden variety were little more than moving targets.

And when the army of children stepped forwards chaos ensued. It was actually rather entertaining watching the children laughing and screaming as they rushed back and forth swinging their weapons at the monsters scurrying about before them. It had been a good idea to have Canna set up the barrier preventing the slimes’ escape.

But for some reason amid the confusion two children barely moved, Gorren and the young girl standing beside him. The former simply held his eyes closed and little fist clenched while the other swung wildly at any slime passing nearby refusing to leave the boy who seemed anchored in place.

Soon the tide of battle ebbed away only a few slimes left the children exhausted and grinning. Of course it was still far from over, they’d prepared a little something extra beforehand. “Now with the enemy horde in tatters it is time for the final fight to begin” Taiva called out startling the parents in the crowd. “Behold the enemy general!” Gillan stepped forwards hefting up a small pink slime the size of a loaf of bread, “now don’t be fooled this creature is fast, and the child to defeat it gets five small silvers.” The children perked their heads up Gorren at last opening his eyes. Gillan threw the slime forwards into the little ring the children pouncing like wolves upon a sheep.

But Taiva kept his words it was far from easy. Pink slimes held a rather unique trait, healing – they were able to heal the injuries of other slimes and themselves almost without limit – of course they could only heal slimes. And due to their regeneration ability, natural speed and small size they were troublesome even for the best adventurers. Of course that was what made it interesting.

Taiva wanted to see what Gorren would do.

Time ticked by the children rushing back and forth swinging their blades at the slime that would just dart away the next second avoiding a lethal blow. Time and time again it escaped and healed and waited for the enemy to approach. Without the aid of magic no one in taiva’s group would have been able to catch it without killing the little monster. It didn’t seem like the children stood a chance, Taiva turned to Canna preparing to give her the signal to slow the slime down with magic when a sharp young voice cut him off.

“Everyone form a ring! We kill it together we can split the reward okay.” It was a young boy, the last one to be tested, Lorris he believed. The child had sandy hair and a strong frame, a natural born leader it seemed. Dogshead sure held plenty of talent in their youngest generation

A few of the other children followed the boy’s orders forming a ring around the slime swords raised. “Now!” Lorris yelled the group swinging their weapons downwards at once; there was no where left to go. The slime stood still taking one hit after another avoiding to the best of its abilities as slowly it lost ground and began to fall apart. And that was when an opening appeared. The slime burst forth with last ditch speed passing between the legs of one of the boys and out towards the only two people who had not been involved in the attack.

At last Gorren opened his eyes staring forwards with grim determination. The other children refusing to move as he stared down the slime. A clatter shook the air shocking the crowd, Gorren’s sword thrown aside as he went down on one knee reaching out towards the small creature, a soothing wave of magic radiating from his hand and a truly kind light within his eyes.

The former anger, hatred and loss seemed to evaporate a small smile appearing on his face as the slime inched ever closer to the warm energy rolling out from him. Of course with a magic stat as low as his Gorren wouldn’t be able to hold it out forever. Of course he did not have to – the slime seemed to take to him naturally slipping into the palm of his hand before he hefted it up with both arms and turned towards Taiva.

“I think I’ll call it Itto.” Gorren smiled; the smile of a child unconcerned with the world, a smile pure and true. He stepped forwards negating the magical barrier with ease leaping downwards to stand besides Taiva, “I’m going to refuse for now, there are some things I want to do here. Some things I want to see.” Gorren grinned before rushing off towards his sister, who currently had her head buried in her hands, the young girl that had been beside him until now following along.

Well that had certainly been interesting; he supposed it wouldn’t hurt to leave Gorren where he was for now. As long as Taiva remembered to check up on him every now he had a feeling things would be just fine