Chapter 24

  After a couple of hours, Rillian Adore and Drakkel came across a run-down pavilion. The wood was sturdy but old, the colors fading from time and environmental stresses. But the floor was made of concrete so although it was dirty, it still held its shape with only a bit of damage.

  The place lacked chairs, but was shaded from the sun making it an ideal place to take a break.

  Next to it sat a well for passersby to drink from.

  Noticing that they were running out of water, Drakkel said, "Let's take a break.”

  The two walked over to the pavilion and found a place to rest.

  Before taking a seat, Drakkel took out his water flask and went to refill it, but Rillian Adore blocked his path.

  “Don’t worry, I can do that,” he said, holding a hand out.

  Drakkel thought it would be a waste of energy for both of them to go since the well was so small. If they went together, they would have to take turns.

  He figured that this must have been Rillian Adore’s thought process as well so he nodded and gave him his water flask.

  Rillian Adore returned shortly with Drakkel’s water flask in hand.

  Drakkel thanked him as he received it.

  Afterwards, Rillian Adore took a seat next to Drakkel on the cool floor of the pavilion.

  Drakkel took some sips of water and Rillian Adore did the same.

  Then he turned to Rillian Adore. He figured that since he had shown up anyway, he could now take the opportunity to ask some questions he had been holding in.

  Although he knew the answers, he still wanted to confirm that he and Rillian Adore’s thoughts aligned. “Rillian, why did you decide not to assist the Thousand Petals clan?”

  Rillian Adore put down his water flask. “I decided not to help for a few reasons. First, the clan leader told me not to. Second and the most important, the clan leader killed Lord Tincaid and soon after, his clan was swarmed by demons. It couldn't have been a coincidence. He might have had something to do with the incident in Shadowy Ridges and was silenced. At that point, defending his clan would be useless and might only get me wrongfully killed.”

  Drakkel nodded.

  It was exactly as he had thought. Someone had gone after Lord Tincaid to silence him. The same could have happened to the clan leader of The Thousand Petals Swords clan.

  The power behind it was large enough to allow what occurred in Shadowy Ridges to keep happening for years and was allied with not only a Town Lord, but the leader of one of the most powerful Swords Clans. If Rillian Adore had assisted them at that point, he might truly only have gotten himself killed for no reason.

  Drakkel continued, “And were you the one who told the Sacred Swords Clan to come help us?”

  “I was,” Rillian Adore answered.

  “Why?” Drakkel asked, curious about the answer.

  Rillian Adore took another sip of water. “I told them because I had a feeling that something was wrong with the Thousand Petals Swords Clan. They are the closest powerful clan to Lunala Isle so I thought it would be prudent to request their assistance. I figured you were taken by them to help heal your injuries. Was it an issue?”

  Drakkel thought this would be the case, but he wanted to ask to make sure Rillian Adore had not caught on to his identity.

  He shook his head. “It wasn’t. Thank you for looking out for me.”

  Rillian Adore nodded.

  Suddenly, a familiar voice yelled, “Sword Master Rillian, Is that you?!”

  Drakkel looked over to see where the voice was coming from.

  It came from Rou who was standing next to a modest-looking carriage. It was nothing like what the noble lords and ladies rode, but it wasn’t bad to look at. It was large and sturdy, seeming like something a commoner might use for a long ride to a far away city.

  Drakkel remembered what his master said about hiding himself, but Rou had already seen him and would most likely recognize him under the hat anyway, so he took it off.

  Rillian Adore went up to meet Rou and he followed him.

  Rou bowed to them. “It's good to see you two.”

  “What brings you here, Rou?” Drakkel asked.

  Rou smiled. “My daughter and I are looking for somewhere to stay.”

  “You found your daughter?” Rillian Adore asked.

  Rou nodded. Then he turned and yelled, “Auril, come and greet my saviors!”

  The carriage creaked as a young woman stepped out. She couldn’t have been more than 17. She was a pretty girl, with long black hair and slightly tanned skin which glistened a bit in the sun. Hung upon her waist was a similar satchel to the one Rou was holding in Shadowy Ridges. With a closer look at Rou, it could be seen that the one he was holding was hung on his waist as well.

  In the girl’s hand was a wrapped item with a long pole and a mass above it.

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  With the item, the girl walked sturdily and comfortably. From her movements, one could see she was a Sword Fighter.

  Once she got out of the carriage, she cupped her hands to Drakkel and Rillian Adore. “Thank you for saving my father.”

  “No need to thank us.” Drakkel replied. “We were just performing our duty.”

  She frowned. “I’m angry my father had to suffer for so long. I should have gone back…”

  Rou touched her shoulder, “Auril. Now that you’ve told me, I know how your Swords Clan worked. If you had come back before your once a year visit time and hadn’t returned after a week, they would have made you a sword outcast. You know what life is like after that! I would never have wished that upon you!”

  Auril grabbed her father’s hand and patted it.

  Drakkel said, “Don’t worry Miss Auril. The problems are solved and your father is safe.”

  Auril smiled.

  Now focused on the item, Drakkel gestured to it. “Is that?”

  Auril brought the item forward. “Yes, It’s a poleaxe.”

  “So, you’re from the Thousand Petals Swords Clan?”

  She nodded.

  Drakkel thought about the mess the Swords clan was in. Curious about it, he asked, “How are they? After the incident…”

  Auril’s frown, which had been forming since Drakkel originally asked her about her clan, grew deeper, her eyes lowering to stare at her feet.

  Rillian Adore answered for her. “They were wiped out completely. She may be the only survivor.”

  Drakkel’s eyes widened as he gazed at Rillian Adore. “Wiped out?”

  Rillian Adore nodded.

  Drakkel’s gaze shifted to Auril and she also nodded.

  He took a few moments to gather his thoughts, then after taking a breath, he asked, “Are you ok?”

  Auril shook her head. “I was never that friendly towards my clanmates. You know it, I'm sure. Swords clans are like families. Once a person joins one, their clan would be considered their first family. Those who were orphaned or estranged from their families could even gain new names when joining a clan. The family a person used to be a part of should have minimum or no contact with them.

  Even like a family, if one dies in a Swords Clan, a memorial tablet is made for them and placed in an ancestral hall, but their body can be taken and buried by their family if desired.

  As a well-known clan located close to a popular inner town, the members of my clan were mainly those from rich and well-to-do families. Although they were supposed to keep contact with their families to a minimum, they still benefited from their family’s fortune. They looked down on an assumed orphan like me who was abandoned by her uncle for a small bit of money.

  When the clan was looking for new recruits, my uncle offered me over. The clan head disciples noticed that I had decent foundations and took me in. I had no friends and only acquaintances, spending most of my time either answering to guard requests from neighboring towns and villages, cultivating, or reading.

  Under normal circumstances, I wasn't allowed to leave the manor for anything other than outside requests. but when my father came to the door, requesting to see me a day before the demons attacked, the clan leader actually said I could stay out for a week to keep him company.”

  Drakkel wondered if the clan leader might have known what was going to happen and made an attempt to save his disciple.

  He replied, “Well, it’s good that you’re ok. I’m sorry about what happened to your clan.” Auril looked up at him and half-smiled, “Don’t be. After all, it isn’t your fault.”

  Drakkel nodded.

  Rou said, “My daughter is strong. She has made it to Sword Sworn already!”

  Rillian Adore’s eyebrows shot up as he nodded, impressed.

  Drakkel nodded as well. “Nice job! I’m sure your cultivation level will increase again soon!”

  Auril excitedly replied, “It’s an honor to hear that from you!”

  Drakkel smiled.

  “Enough chatting,“ Rou said. “I actually wanted to ask if you two needed a ride. I never did repay the debt that I owe you and I can’t have it sitting on my head!”

  Drakkel didn’t want to be a bother. After all, he was in the middle of something.

  “No, we’re actually…”

  However Rillian Adore cut him off. “Thank you. We would appreciate it.”

  Drakkel frowned but he also understood why Rillian Adore did what he did. Joyous Encounters was many days away. If they took a carriage as large and well stocked as the one Rou had, it would mean they wouldn’t have to stay in several villages before arriving at their destination.

  “Of course, Sword Master Rillian!” Rou answered. “We are but wandering travelers now, so we have some time.”

  Rillian Adore bowed his head.

  Rou continued. “You two can ride in the carriage with my daughter. There’s plenty of space.”

  Rillian Adore nodded but Drakkel was unsure. “Wouldn’t it be inappropriate for two men to be riding in a carriage with a young woman?”

  Rou waved his hand in the air, “Nonsense! I trust your characters and I'm sure my daughter does as well. Right, Auril?”

  Auril nodded. “Of course!”

  “Besides,” Rou added. “This isn’t some high end carriage. We aren’t going to a public event. There’s no need to worry about it.”

  “Alright. If you insist,” Drakkel replied.

  Auril walked back to the carriage and Rillian Adore followed with Drakkel trailing behind them.

  Once they stepped inside, Auril took a seat at one end of the carriage and Rillian Adore took a seat at the other.

  Rillian Adore gazed intently at Drakkel as he got onto the carriage.

  His expression only relaxed when Drakkel took a seat next to him.

  In a few moments, the carriage shook and then began to move. Because of everything that happened, Drakkel had forgotten about the pastries Rillian Adore brought.

  Only when he took them out to share did he remember. Among the pastries were a few random assortments, meat-stuffed pastries, and Drakkel’s favorite lotus cakes.

  Drakkel grabbed a Lotus pastry from the array and took a bite. As he chewed, the deliciously familiar flavor hit his tongue, causing his taste buds to tingle with delight.

  Auril also grabbed a pastry and happily ate it. While Drakkel and Auril ate, they witnessed a surprising sight. Rillian Adore, who was known to be cold, intimidating, and ruthless actually took out a meat-stuffed pastry and ate it. With that bite, his cold demeanor all but dropped and a small smile spread on his face.

  Unlike the Sacred Sword Sword’s Clan which had no dietary restrictions, the Golden Peak Swords Clan focused on eating whole and healthy foods. On top of his reputation, Rillian Adore was also known for being very obedient to his clan rules. It was said he preferred lighter foods over greasy or sweet ones. So seeing him eat this greasy pastry especially in such a relaxed manner was like watching a tiger eating grass.

  Drakkel wondered if under his obedient and strict demeanor, he was actually a troublemaker.

  As they went on their journey, they learned a bit more about each other.

  Rillian Adore told Auril that Drakkel was an old friend of his whom he was traveling with and Auril told them more about the state of her cultivation and asked them tips on how to increase it.