Running 200 seconds to get what was bound to be an appreciated reward didn't sound like much, but for Alexander, it was a challenge he just could not meet.
Strategically resting the day before, only running once on the allocated day, Alexander prepared and ran his best.
Though the white-haired youth did not tell Barth about what he saw two days ago, he made sure the man was present, and then he ran his heart out.
Memories of a life not belonging to the world flashed through Alexander's head as he ran.
Scenes of him abandoning his horse and marching with his military through deserts for hours on end.
200 seconds was just 3 minutes and some seconds. This was something even a kid could do, but at the 110th second, an ache came, and it was not from his already stressed muscles but deeper — his bones.
By the 150th second, the ache in the bone had become pain, and for the next seconds, he ran with a body that seemed to have been forged from pain.
In the 170th second, Alexander collapsed to the floor, exhausted and in pain. His heart powerfully thumped within his chest, beating so wildly Alexander couldn't help but hallucinate it missing several beats.
The failed challenge ended with Alexander passing out and having to be taken care of by Barth.
With his old and slim body, he lifted the similarly slim boy over his shoulder and took him to his wife.
Barth had noticed the extra fire in Alexander's eyes but paid it no mind.
When Alexander had run for 120 seconds, the old man expected him to stop and conserve energy for his next run, but instead, he pushed on. And while it was incredible that he went from 100 seconds to 170 in a single try, it was more terrifying to see him passed out.
When Alexander woke up next, he was in Ma's healing room and had to stay admitted for the rest of the day.
......…
It made no sense to Alexander. How could his body properly function for well over 10–20 minutes, presenting no pain or fatigue, yet totally crumble in the face of instant physical exertion?
Though Ma had mentioned to him that this state was the result of the unique nature of his bones, this very important part of his body needing lots of nutrients and time, to Alexander, it was some sort of curse.
A bonus to the apparently cursed body he now inhabited, a body which looked like him.
This sort of thought led to Alexander remembering a particular line of message on the scroll the last time it had showed
"Curses are still active."
It was now 3 days to the prophesied day, and Alexander's plan for this day had a lot to do with the reason why Ma hadn't chewed him out after he ran until he went unconscious.
"Are you sure you have everything, Alex?"
"Yes."
"You can barely walk for 30 minutes, Alex. Now with a bag, that time has gone lower.
Make sure not to exhaust yourself, okay?"
"I won't, Ma."
"Good, also…"
In the end, Alexander had decided to leave.
With the village now torn between Ma and Natham, and some people seeing him as the perpetrator, Alexander understood that it was pointless for him to remain there.
The sight of him about to leave had triggered all the motherly instincts in Ma, and now she pestered Alexander with reminders.
It took Barth intervening to have the woman go silent, her eyes teary, and to Alexander's surprise, she moved forward and tightly hugged him.
"I'm sorry," Ma said silently, releasing tears, and at this, the young man could only look up to the woman's husband.
"While it is unfortunate that the approach of slavers has forced events, it is a good thing because irrespective, you have to leave, Alexander.
Waiting for you to be strong and able-bodied before leaving has proven to be a catastrophe.
The last time, you died.
Ma and I can't predict what will happen in the next months.
Beyond feeding and nursing you back to health, we cannot help you, and you must also have realised this. Your problem is unique, hopefully solvable at Hadrol.
I wish I could follow you into the mountains, keep you on track, and give you company, but despite their choices, I cannot leave Beckle and Ma, especially with the fate that awaits her."
By the time Barth stopped talking, Ma had soaked Alexander's clothes with tears, and it really surprised the former commander because this was the first time he was seeing an old woman cry this much.
Old women usually cried like men.
Walking out of the compound, Alexander only had Barth by his side, and walking through the village, Alexander having a bag on his back, several eyes moved towards them, suspicion building in them.
"You know, last night I was doing a lot of thinking, and the memory of you telling Ma my nightmare popped in my head.
You did not tell her what I said about you becoming a slave."
"Despite the current tensions, Ma will never abandon this village, and I will never abandon her."
Murmurs raised from around, and only when they reached the village gate did they fade away, a wider world coming into view.
"You guys took your time," Goington said, a small bag over his shoulder, a horn in his hand, and two jugs hanging from his neck.