Chapter 2: Questions Unanswered

  It's quite lively in the inn—filled with the chatter of guests.

  The sun dipped low and Aspen continued cutting the rest of the wood.

  But his mind was echoed with the hunter's words—

  “Who were the Wielders they were implying…

  and they were talking about…

  how he saved a villager from a cursed spirit....”

  Placing down the axe, he wiped his sweat.

  “I should ask father about this, maybe he knows something—he was a hunter before.”

  Without another thought, he walked to find his father, questions buzzing in his mind.

  His father Morwen Everard, was busy scribbling numbers in a ledger.

  Aspen arrived.

  “Um… father, Can I ask you something?” He hesitated.

  “What is it?” Morwen replied without looking up.

  “it's… nothing serious… I heard some travellers… talking about some Wielders and cursing things. Do you… do you know something about it?” He revealed carefully.

  His pen paused at mid stroke.

  Expression flicked to something… sorrow?

  He couldn't name it.

  “Do you know about it?” he pressed him.

  “No.” he replied, resuming his work.

  “If you have nothing else to do, then go to sleep. You’ve worked hard enough today.”

  “But father—”

  “Now go.”

  There was no use in arguing.

  Aspen went back to his room.

  His mind was flooded, which made him unable to sleep.

  “Why doesn't father talk about hunting?

  Wasn't he one before?

  However, he retired after mom died and started this inn…”

  He frowned, turning to his side.

  “I am afraid… what if he finds out that I am hunting beasts behind his back!”

  That thought alone made him sweat profusely.

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  “I can't say…” he said, gulping hard.

  He remembered the punishment that his father gave him when he was slacking off—

  “He made me stand the entire afternoon on one leg… that too… STARVING!!!”

  He pitied himself.

  “He could have shown some mercy to his own son.”

  “I should sleep now.” Covering himself with a blanket.

  “I’ll get even more coins if I sell that huge mineral rock…” smiling to himself.

  His eyes dropped heavily with exhaustion.

  _ _ _

  The sun rose.

  Aspen woke up.

  He greeted his family and the workers of the inn cheerfully.

  “Today I'll run two more laps.” He said, fastening his shoes.

  He ran ten laps around the area and pushed two more as he promised.

  Stopping in front of his childhood friend's house, panting—

  “Ryl!” He called out.

  “Rylan! Come out—Let's play!”

  He repeated it out loud this time.

  A boy with messy chestnut hair came out, yawning.

  “What made you come this early…” he mumbled in half sleep, scratching his head.

  “Come on Ryl!” he grinned, hitting on his back playfully.

  “I killed a huge spider yesterday—It dropped this!” He showed the huge shiny mineral rock—hidden in his small bag.

  “It should cost a lot!”

  Ryl's sleepy amber eyes now widened.

  “Then you have to give me a big share~ ” he whispered, conspiratorially.

  Aspen looked at him, eyes narrowed.

  "You really are more greedy than you think. Do you know that?”

  “Come on, man! You promised me last time.” he nudged him with his elbow.

  “Alright, alright—I did promise.” he sighed.

  “But it was because you blackmailed me...” he added.

  “Don't be stingy Aspen!” he laughed.

  “Wait here, I’ll bring the card.”

  They soon arrived at - Old Barms’s Ore House.

  “Excuse me! We came here to sell some mineral stones!” Ryl shouted.

  An old man came out coughing.

  “Yes… what… do… you… wa—”

  “We came to sell the stones.” Ryl interrupted.

  Aspen jabbed him, whispering, ”Be polite!”

  “It's not my fault!!” Ryl hissed back, placing the licenced card on the cabinet.

  Old Barms took the card, eyes squinted,

  “Is… it... yo—”

  “It's my fathers!” Ryl interrupted again.

  “We came in his place.”

  Aspen sighed and placed the stones on the cabinet.

  “Hmm...” Old Barms nodded, examining a large stone.

  “It's… hu—”

  “Old Barms!!!” he cried, slamming down on the counter.

  “We are in a little hurry!”

  “Ryl—!” Aspen hissed.

  “Why don't you just give us the money?” he said impatiently.

  Old Barm's looked at him and sighed long, as he took out the small pouch of coins.

  Ryl snatched it mid-way and dashed out shouting, “Thanks Old Barms!!”

  Aspen face palmed.

  “Thanks Mr. Barms.” Aspen thanked him, bowing politely.

  When they checked the pouch,

  There were 2 silver and 10 bronze coins.

  _ _ _

  The market square buzzed with life.

  They headed straight to the Hunters Goods Stall.

  “Welcome! How can I help you?” The owner greeted warmly.

  “Hello! We came to buy a few healing potions.” Aspen said, while Ryl showed the card.

  “Ah, it's your father’s, I see.” He said, adjusting his glasses.

  Both nodded.

  The owner placed some potions in front of them.

  Aspen reached the one which he could afford.

  As he was about to pay, something shiny caught his eye.

  “Um… excuse me! What’s that orb?” he asked curiously.

  The owner picked it up.

  “Ah, this? It's an Appraisal Orb. It shows how dangerous the beast is.”

  Aspen leaned close, eyes gleaming.

  “I’ll take this!”

  “Good choice! It's just one silver coin.”

  Aspen froze.

  “O-one silver coin?” his voice cracked.

  “Yes! Today it's on discount so it's cheap!”

  “Do you call one silver coin CHEAP!!” Ryl sputtered.

  Aspen just stared.

  “Okay…” Aspen mumbled. “We’ll… take it.”

  “Perfect! So in total it's one silver and five bronze coins.”

  After paying Aspen looked sadly at his almost-empty pouch.

  Ryl felt sorry for him. “Don't worry we can earn it back.”

  Aspen smiled faintly and drank a vial of potion.

  Ryl blinked, “Aspen, your wound didn't heal! Did we get scammed! Let's report that stupid store!!”

  Aspen chuckled, “it's a cheap one—it takes one day to heal and It only heals minor wounds.”

  “I see...” Ryl muttered. "Still feels like a scam though.”

  _ _ _

  By afternoon, they visited Aspen's uncle, the elder brother of his late mother.

  He was sitting outside, sharpening a sword.

  He was a retired army captain.

  His small house was filled with scrolls, armour and keepsakes.

  “Uncle Odin!” Aspen beamed.

  “I have defeated a giant spider this time!”

  “Of course! My Aspen is getting strong already.” he said proudly, patting his shoulder.

  “But don't forget, you’re still ten. You should be careful. I see you are injured again...” he said, worried.

  “It's common for him, grandpa.” Ryl said casually.

  Odin shot a glare at him.

  “Don’t call me grandpa. I am not that old...”

  “Yes, yes~ A 50-year-old one is saying that...” Ryl mumbled, controlling his laugh.

  But Odin didn't say anything…

  He just picked his cane.

  “HOW DARE YOU MOCK ME!!!” he raged in anger.

  “Now do 20 laps!! Without rest!!!”

  “You can't be serious!!” Ryl was horrified.

  “Look! I am also a 10-year-old kid!” he cried, reasoning with him.

  “I am not going to listen to any silly excuses of yours.” he said, striking his cane on the ground.

  Ryl groaned and started running.

  Aspen sighed, shaking his head,

  “There they go again…”

  Ryl was still doing laps, Odin barked orders. While Aspen couldn't help but laugh at the scene.

  Suddenly—

  Birds scattered from the trees, chirping loudly.

  Strange voices echoed through the forest, they were faint… almost carried by the wind.

  Odin froze and his eyes darkened with something familiar- regret.

  “There it is…” he murmured under his breath.

  Aspen blinked, “What was that, uncle?”

  “...It's nothing,” he replied after a pause.

  "But make sure to stay away from the forest for a few days.”

  Aspen hesitated, then nodded.

  Odin turned away. But the thoughts lingered in Aspen's brain.

  “What was that sound? And why did Uncle ask to stay away? He is definitely hiding somthing…

  But… What is it?”

  *****

  Chapter 3: The Trouble