There were some screams outside. He’d heard his kidnappers argue about whether they should ransom him, and to whom but never this loudly.

A barbarian, a girl this time, entered the room. He was quite sure weren’t any women amongst his kidnappers. Maybe she was the buyer they were talking about.

Her face was even more emotionless than a porcelain mask. Frightening. “Do you know where the keys are?”

Her accent was thick worse than any of the men so far. “A strange question to ask a prisoner, don’t you think?”

She opened her arms at a distance before her. “Put your hands in front of you like this and look away.”

As soon he looked away, he felt a light tug and the weight of the chain dangling by his sides. “How?” In barely a heartbeat, she moved to cut the ones at his ankle. Her blade was but a claw fitted to bonny handle, hardly something one’d expect to cut through metal... And they’d be wrong.

She beckoned him outside. “Follow me.”

There were some corpses, dozens of them... And the merchant who’d been captured along with him.

The girl, who ought to be in the middle of their teen, asked. “Did you already gather your stuff?”

“Yes, young mistress; it’s all in here.” Oto recognized the man as Borgur, a big merchant physically speaking, and a loudmouth. He’d never seen the man so fearful, not even when the bandits were beating on him.

“Then, everything else is mine? I want things sorted out before my companions arrive.” The way only her lips moved, gave an uncanny feeling.

“Why was she giving them their stuff back? Most adventurers would simply do them him, if only to spare themselves the complication.

“Weapons, armors and currencies are mine. Do we agree?” Currencies, this was a strange way to put it.

“Yes, young mistress, such states the law” Was that a smile she just flashed, or did they dream it?

Oto gulped before asking. “The bow on your back is m...”

“Mine!” The first displays of emotion she’d shown, and it looked as defensive as if he’d tried to steal her child.

“I’ll have you know I'm Baron Oto von Estlugvael and this weapon’s been in my family for generations.” She was his savior, and it was hers by law, but this was a legendary weapon.

The others look at him like he was insane and made discreet movements to tell him to shut up.

The girl caressed the bow fondly. “It wasn’t always, though.”

Shameful as it was, she was right; it’d been looted from the corpse of an ancient hero by his ancestor then hidden from sight until it was forgotten. The way she said it was strange though. “Do you perhaps know of its wielder?”

“Probably. Some of them at least. It’s that old.” Indeed, the legend could be traced all the way back to the Spirit Kings’ era, although there was always the possibility of multiple weapons with similar attributes.

If she truly knew what she held; there was no way he’d convince her to part with it. “Could I ask where your companions are? I’ve to see them.”

She answered matter-of-factly “They’re at the caravan, they should catch up soon.” She looked at the men. “Mind helping me gather my share?”

“Absolutely not, young mistress! It’s our pleasure.” The girl seemed slightly taken aback by their enthusiasm.”

“How should we call you?” Suddenly asked the baron, which made the other frown again.

She answered without looking back, “I’m Varisa.” Already she was occupying herself with sorting through the bandit's possessions, and it was clear she their worth.

Oto picked on it. “Are you, maybe, unfamiliar with money?”

“While I understand the concept, I’m unfamiliar with the actual denomination or their exchange values.”

The wording was unnaturally academic. “Did you learn Ravealian language from a manual or something?”

She truly wasn’t as emotionless as it initially appeared because blushed a little. “There are a few old books in my village, and I read them all. I know of things, but...”

“Not how they really work.”

She nodded empathically.

“I know the feeling all too well, sometimes, all I can do is nod along.” Those little exchanges had given him a lot of information, but he still lacked the crucial elements.

“Please work, with your hands, not with your mouth; we don’t have much time left.”

“Sorry, sorry.” As a Lord and a Warrior, he was familiar with corpses and looting, but he hadn’t done either in over two decades. It was truly shameful that the merchants were having less problem than him.

When everything of value had been stripped away, Borgur declared. “That should be all.”

“I see, thank you. Let us head for the road then.”

It only took them about a bell to reach the road, and it mostly due to the cart getting stuck every so often.

Oto wondered out loud. “How did they bandits make camp this near the road without anyone noticing?”

Varisa answered him. “They probably moved near the road to exchange you.” She pondered for a moment, even with her emotionless face he could tell it she was faking it. “Do you people know merchants who’d be interested in this kind of stuff?”

“Not really,” Answered Borgur who specialized in tools and heavy equipment. “The workshop I work with don’t make or sell weapons.” Eager to take her attention from himself, he turned to one of his companions. “Don’t you have a jeweler friend?”

The man looked absolutely panicked. “He only deals in cheap stuff. Copper, wood and ivory. You know? Not gold and silver.”

She looked satisfied. “I see. If you think of something, please tell me.”

Barbarian usual method of trade was to find a random cattle merchant to barter everything they had brought with and even the best-intentioned merchant would have trouble offering a fair price in those condition... It should also be noted that there weren’t many people positively inclined towards hinterlanders to begin with.

“Why don’t you let me help? As payment for saving me.” This was exactly the kind of opportunity they’d been looking for; she to facilitate the transaction and him to ingratiate himself to her.

“There’s a lot besides that. You sure you don’t mind?” It wouldn’t be long before he’d learn what she meant by a lot.

“Who are they? Why did you bring ‘them’ to us?” Asked the convoy leader, very unhappy to see them.

“I freed from bandits. They promised to help with the exchange of goods.” The whole village had been disappointed by the results of the previous exchange, which they blamed on the merchant’s untrustworthiness and greed.

“Killing your own kind for merchant scum. How appropriate.” He spat. His companion moved away from him while looking at the girl in terror.

She answered without anger, stating the facts. “They were preparing an ambush for us.”

Despite their fear, the merchants were starting to regret their earlier decision; there were so many monster parts that even half a percent commission would make for a considerable sum.

As for Oto, he couldn’t have wished for better development. Scorn and fear had created an irreconcilable chasm between the girl and the other, which he could exploit to the kingdom and his own benefit. He cleared his throat to get their attention, “Normally, I’d advise auctioning this kind of material, but... Is enchanted weaponry of interest to you?”

“Magic weapons?!” This was every Warrior’s dream, even their leader abandoned his previous hostility.

Thanks to his enchanter and Hunter’s acquaintances, Oto knew how ridiculously valuable their cargo was. “There's two ways to proceed; fast or slow. With the former I could only get you a few hundred cows, but with the later you’d look at half a thousand head, and weapons at the cost of a few months. What say you?”

This was very tempting, but they could stay this long nor come back empty handed.

“I’ll stay.” Proposed Varisa.

Just as planned. Oto then added to the offer with a smile. “The loot for the bandit camp alone is enough to buy you a dozen heads. I know this doesn’t sound like much, but it doesn’t cost you anything and can be arranged in a few short days. More importantly, this way you won’t have to go back empty handed.”

The leader jumped at the opportunity. Not only would he’d be rid of the monstrous girl, but he’d be bringing home a dozen cattle head with more to come. What wasn’t there to like? “I accept!”

****************************************

Wolff scoffed. “Glad to see you didn’t run away, girl.”

“I’d hardly call that running away when I’ve been stuck at school all year long.” Varisa turned to Oto. “As promised, I will return the bow, assuming I find them worthy.” She was more interested in making one herself, although it was still a valuable research sample.

“I’ll show you who’s worthy.” He was extremely confident, for he had something no one else had, something far beyond the wench’s comprehension. Yes, he’d finally get back his due...

“Now than I finally met you, I’m sure; marry me!” Spoke the girl after what looked like forever.

Lowe, Oto’s youngest son, answered “I feel the same. Gladly!”

The pair seemed entranced with each another. It was the strangest thing for his family as contrary to his cute appearance which rivaled the prettiest girls (Wolff had once heard his wife whisper she wished she had his look), the young man was a total muscle for brain.

“Brother, Father. I’m removing myself from the competition; my soulmate is far more important than some bow.” This went in complete opposition to what he’d been saying up until now.

“Wait, wait, wait. This is going too fast.” Screamed Wolff. “You know nothing of her, and she’s a barbarian! Father, brother, say something!”

The pretty boy shrugged. “I know more of her than I ever did of the fiancées you two forced on me, and since when does being acquainted matters to you?”

This got Oto laughing, and the middle brother Bar to nod emphatically. He too had to deal with more than his share of miserable mismatches thanks to his busybody of an elder brother.

Varisa too thought things were progressing to fast. “Are you sure? He’s nothing like what his face suggests, you know?” She’d joked about it a few times because of her friend’s taste in men but to think it’d happen...

Nadia acquiesced. “I heard so many stories I feel like I’ve known him for year. He truly is my match.” She’d grown a lot calmer over the last few years, but she was still a Warrior at heart.

“You are even more resplendent in person.” He turned to his family. “I may lack in knowledge or comprehension, but I at least know this; we’re meant for each other.”

Bar Joked. “Who are you and what have you done with my brother?” This was the most words Lowe had ever stringed together, and he hadn’t mentioned training even once.

It was supposed to be his great reveal, his glory day. He activated his secret technique and his aura changed completely. He declared with a calm belying his previous appearance. “Let us proceed with the competition.”

Varisa looked at him gravely then turned to Oto. “Did you know about it?”

“No, I didn’t.” He was just as surprised as her, when did his son learn to do the technique.

He took his bow, one of the two she’d gifted them, and shot the targets in quick succession with fluid movement and perfect precision. He dropped out of the technique. “What do you think of that? I’ve recreated the legend!”

The young barbarian moved in position, and her presence suddenly disappeared. He could still she her, but it felt though she’d became part of the decor. “This is the full form.” She shot THROUGH the fives targets faster than he could register and dropped from out of the technique. “Color me impressed that you managed the first and second form at your age. Here,” She handed him the “thousand-pound bow, it’s in good hand.”

The bow? Who cared about that? Excited, and angered at the same time, he questioned Oto. “Fa... Fa... Father, why didn’t you tell me about this? Va... Mistress, please, take my worthless self as a pupil.”

“I did want to pass my technique.” She paused a moment as she pondered her schedule. “Starting next month, I should be able to stay for two months. Is it fine with you?”

Bar raised his hand. “Can I learn too?”

“Brother, you’re being rude to Teacher.” As the eldest and heir, he was quick to point out his younger siblings’ mistakes, but not so at minding his own.

“Me?” It wasn’t even ten beats since he’d last called her a wench. “But you were calling...”

“Mind your manner! I’m sorry teacher, he won’t interrupt you again.”

Varisa smiled, the overtly enthusiastic attitude was like the same as his father’s when she’d first discussed the technique with him. She explained. “The first form is very hard to learn as an adult because a fully developed self was much harder to suppress. If you two have children, it might be beneficial if they start learning early.”

“If you do not mind me asking, what age were you when you started teacher?”

She hesitated a little but answered truthfully. Their father already knew anyway. “I was three.”

Wolff grew even more excited, if possible. “Are... Does it mean you’re a chosen one?”

There was no denying she’d been born with innate knowledge. “Yes. I do not believe in destiny though... Not anymore.”

Wollf meditated on the hardship the technique might cause to a developing child then professed. “I won’t force them.”

Varisa smiled. “Good.”