Aurelion assessed the situation for a moment. Brynja was here... So his time was up, and probably well past it.
Even with Roric absent, the scrutiny continued. A slight sense of unease passed through him. But there was no panic. He remained calm.
An expression mixed with slight fatigue and the seriousness of returning from an important place settled on his face.
Brynja stood directly in front of him. "Your visit, it seems... was extended, Aurelion. You've considerably exceeded the time you were given. It's my duty to look after you in the Captain's absence, and I needed to know where you were."
"I apologize, Lady Brynja. I truly didn't realize how time passed. I had gone upon Clan Leader Viggo's invitation and... Lady Eira and Falkar were so kind, they showed me the arena where the Ranking Battles are held. You should have seen the speed of those warriors, that silver energy! Their techniques... I asked so many questions, learned so much..."
He shrugged slightly"The clan is also incredibly large, just getting from one place to another takes time. Just as I wanted to stay longer, I realized the hour was late and I had to leave in a hurry to keep my promise to you. I didn't even have a chance to bid farewell to Clan Leader Viggo again, I hope this isn't seen as disrespectful."
Brynja's eyebrows relaxed slightly as she listened to the child's detailed account. She had to admit, the excuse was quite convincing. The hospitality of the Clan Leader and other important figures, especially towards this child... Yes, he might not have realized how time passed. She also didn't want to give the impression that a rudeness had been committed against the Clan Leader when Roric returned. She took a deep breath.
"Alright, Aurelion," she said finally "I understand the situation this time. The Clan Leader's invitation is important. But the Captain's rules still apply. You must be more careful with time." She turned her head towards the house. "Let's go. Dinner should be ready."
Aurelion nodded gently. "Thank you, Brynja. I will be more careful."
Together they began to walk towards Roric's house. As Aurelion matched Brynja's steps beside her, his mind was already planning his next move. The obstacle, for now, had been overcome, and more importantly, he had further solidified his excuse for his conversation with Vespera.
In Clan Leader Viggo's study, silence reigned. The Clan Leader was sat at his wooden desk, gazing absently at the parchments before him. The news from Ashstone Village and the growing threat in Shadow Canyon were troubling, but a corner of his mind was occupied by that small, golden eyed Elf.
The child's sharp intellect, his composure, and that unsettling potential... Viggo smiled. Yes, Sage Ulfar had seen something years ago.
The door to the room was knocked gently. "Enter."
The door opened, and first Eira, then Falkar, entered. Eira's face bore its usual calm and serious expression, while Falkar was more animated, a lingering liveliness in his eyes from the day's encounter. They greeted him and moved towards the armchairs opposite.
Viggo raised his head "My daughter, my nephew... Welcome. Sit." He paused for a moment, his gaze drifting towards the door. "Isn't our young guest with you? I thought he would stop by?"
Eira settled into her chair and replied. "He had to return home directly, Clan Leader. They had given him a strict time limit, and he said he was afraid of exceeding it. However, he watched the Ranking Battles with great interest. He asked Falkar many questions and was visibly disappointed to have to leave. He asked me to convey his regrets for not being able to see you again."
Falkar leaned forward impatiently "Yes, Uncle! But that's not the main point! Did you feel that energy in him too right? At this age, such... potential! Incredible!"
Viggo gave Falkar a short, meaningful look. "Clan Leader," he corrected calmly. "Yes, Falkar. I noticed it during his visit as well. Unexpected... But an undeniable vibration."
Eira also confirmed. "Absolutely, Clan Leader. The child has definitely used his energy. I understand much better now why you're showing such a special interest in this child."
Falkar leaned forward, his eyes shining. "Do you really understand, cousin? This isn't just interesting! Even Ylva, with all her talent and intelligence, can't feel or direct her energy this clearly yet. Even we couldn't do this at this age! Perhaps not even Varkas..."
"War Chieftain!" Viggo corrected again, his voice a little sterner this time. Falkar flinched slightly but fell silent.
Viggo turned back to Eira. "So, were you able to keep the child's interest with us? Did he show any curiosity towards our clan, our methods?"
Eira thought. "Yes, Clan Leader. The Ranking Battles especially fascinated him. He asked about our fighting style, our energy use. He listened intently when I spoke of Silverfang traditions. I'm sure he would have liked to stay longer and learn more."
"Good," Viggo said with satisfaction "It wasn't for nothing that Sage Ulfar's attention was drawn, and when Sage Ulfar examined this child, the other clan leaders were also present. We must draw this potential to our side before it's noticed by others, especially the other clans. That Ursine Clan... they are zealots, but not fools. If they set their sights on this child, they will try to draw him into their clan, just like us. The child being under Roric's protection serves as a shield for now, but it won't last forever. And the War Chieftain..." he sighed, "...Varkas, as the leader of Ulfgard, has to be fair to all clans. Though his words carry weight, he cannot actively intervene in matters between clans. Therefore, we must be proactive, win the child's interest and loyalty."
Falkar immediately perked up again. "Don't worry, Uncle! When the child comes again, I'll personally take care of him! I like clever children anyway, maybe I'll teach him a few of our clan's tricks. And I'll show him how to feel that energy better! Rest assured, I'll keep his interest with us!"
Viggo's patience seemed to be wearing thin, but his tone was calm. "Clan Leader," he pressed again.
"Alright, when the child comes again, you may attend to him, Falkar. But," his eyes narrowed with a warning, "do not reveal our clan's secrets! Especially our deep energy manipulation techniques or our special traditions or advanced combat techniques... Until the child officially pledges his loyalty to this clan or reaches that level, you will absolutely refrain from giving out this information. Understood?"
Falkar, though his enthusiasm was somewhat dampened, nodded. "Understood, Clan Leader."
Just then, Eira spoke. "Captain Roric... will notice our overt interest in the child, and perhaps our interference, Clan Leader. He might cause us trouble."
Viggo leaned back, his fingers stroking the silvery beard on his chin. "Roric..." he murmured. He sighed. "What happened to him was unfortunate. If that hadn't occurred, he could actually have been much more useful to our clan..."
After a short silence, he composed himself. "But at least he's on good terms with War Chieftain Varkas. Don't worry about the Captain, Eira. Roric is an intelligent man. He's also aware that this child will eventually attract attention and inevitably interact with other clans. As long as we don't do anything to directly undermine his training role, I don't think he'll cause problems. For now, we'll just make our interest known. We'll solidify Silverfang's place in the child's mind."
Viggo turned to the map on his desk, indicating the topic was closed. "Now, let's return to our real problems. We must prepare for tomorrow's meeting. Shadow Canyon and Storm Pass cannot wait..."
As the room returned to the tension of strategic plans and approaching dangers, a small, golden eyed Elf child remained in a corner of the minds of all three figures. The game continued, with careful steps.
When Aurelion returned home with Brynja, the servant had stopped questioning him, but her watchful gaze continued.
Aurelion reviewed the plans in his mind. When dinnertime arrived, he found himself at the wooden table in the dining room again.
Brynja served the meal silently, while Sigrid, as usual, was more talkative, seemingly trying to dispel the slight tension in the air.
"So, Aurelion," Sigrid said. "How was your visit to the Silverfang Clan? You were so eager to go there. What did you see, did you like the Silverfang Clan?"
Aurelion slowly dipped his spoon into the stew. "Yes, Sigrid, the Clan Leader was very kind. The clan was incredibly large and... orderly."
He paused for a moment. "But I liked the arena where the Ranking Battles are held the most. Lady Eira and Falkar took me there. I watched two warriors fight. They were so fast and strong! The energy they used, the techniques... it was very different. I saw something they called Reverse Bind, it was incredible!" There was a slight admiration in his voice as he spoke, partly as an act, and partly because he was genuinely impressed by what he had seen.
Sigrid's eyes sparkled. "They say Silverfang warriors are like that, very skilled! The War Chieftain is one of them, you know."
Aurelion put down his spoon and turned fully to Sigrid. "Yes, so I've heard. I recall you mentioning three major clans in Ulfgard before? Was it Silverfang, Ursine, and Frost-Axe? Aren't there other important, powerful clans like that in the city?"
Sigrid eagerly confirmed. "Oh, yes, yes! Those three are very large, but they're not the only ones! Most people call them the Big Six" she said, as if about to count on her fingers. "There's the Silverfang Clan, they're the noblest, the War Chieftain is one of them. Then there's the Ursine Clan, they're also very old and strong, and very stubborn, they don't get along well with the Silverfangs! And then there's the Frost-Axe Clan, they've become very powerful recently, their leader is said to be very harsh! Then..." she thought for a bit,
"...there are the Ice-Breaker monster hunters, they supposedly have huge weapons! And the Giant-Bone Clan, they're also hunters but more famous for the bows and arrows they make from those giant monster bones, they're very rich! Lastly, there's the White Frost Clan..." she lowered her voice a little, "...they're a bit... strange, they're not seen around much, they say they're mages who keep to themselves."
Just then, Brynja interjected. "Sigrid, don't fill the child's head with gossip. Yes, these are the six major clans, Aurelion. Silverfang and Ursine are the oldest and most established clans in the city, it's true there's an old rivalry between them. Einar, the current leader of Frost-Axe, has elevated his clan with discipline and his own fighting style, that's true. The Ice-Breakers are important in defending against monsters outside the city walls. Giant-Bone has prospered through hunting and craftsmanship, they have a say in city trade. As for the White Frost Clan... yes, they are few in number and usually preoccupied with their own research, but their knowledge is valuable." Brynja's voice, especially when speaking of White Frost, implied a sort of distant respect.
Aurelion listened intently, processing every scrap of information in his mind.
Maintaining his innocence, he asked "Why don't Ursine and Silverfang get along then? What old matters?"
Sigrid looked like she was about to jump in, but fell silent under Brynja's gaze. Brynja answered. "These are old and complicated stories, Aurelion. Matters for the clan elders. Not things you need to know for now."
Aurelion nodded, not pressing further. He approached from another angle. "What about the Frost-Axe leader then? What's he like?"
Sigrid whispered. "They say he's very harsh and ruthless! But his warriors are very loyal to him!" Brynja just sighed.
Aurelion continued. "Why is White Frost considered strange?"
Brynja shrugged. "Those who deal with complicated energy manipulations are always a bit different. They don't socialize much, they rarely leave their own territory."
"Isolated but valuable... Alright." Aurelion thought. Throughout the meal, he asked a few more questions, listening carefully to the answers.
Finally, the meal ended. Aurelion pushed his plate aside. "Thank you for the meal, Brynja, Sigrid. It was delicious." He stood up. His gaze was resolute. "I'm going to training."
Sigrid looked surprised. "But you just got back, Aurelion, you must be very tired!"
Aurelion, ignoring Sigrid's concern, headed for the door. "I don't have time to rest. I must follow Captain Roric's schedule."
Leaving two servants behind, Aurelion left the dining room and headed straight for the training room.
He closed the door firmly behind him. He took a few deep breaths, trying to expel the day's fatigue.
Clans... Silverfang's obvious interest, that old, rivalry with Ursine... Viggo's mind, Falkar's enthusiasm... The idea of turning this rivalry to his advantage was tempting, but there was the War Chieftain Varkas factor.
He was Silverfang, and if he tried to use this rivalry, he could get into trouble. Frost-Axe's rising leader, Einar... His ambition and talent were a variable to be reckoned with. The White Frost Clan and their knowledge held a separate potential. Knowledge always meant power, and Vespera was living proof of that.
Ice-Breakers and Giant-Bone... They were less important for now. The focus wasn't on getting rich, but on pure power and control.
He shook his head, pushing these thoughts to the back of his mind. "Not now," he thought. "Strategy can wait. Training is the priority."
He walked towards the center of the room. He closed his eyes, erased the entire outside world from his mind, and focused on that familiar, deep sense of void.
When he opened his eyes, his gaze was sharp. He assumed the first basic stance Roric had taught him. This stance, even on its own, required balance and control.
Then, very slowly, with deliberate slowness, he began the first movement. As he slowly shifted his weight to his left leg, he raised his right arm in a curved motion in front of him. As if placing an invisible shield. But this time, he was focusing on much more than the external form of the movement.
It was as if his mind was split in two. One half controlled the mechanical movement of the body, the other half felt that raw energy within and tried to direct it.
Maintaining his void focus, he imagined that energy like a spring of water and, with his will, tried to send it in a thin, current towards his moving right arm, towards the tensing shoulder and back muscles.
Initially, nothing happened. There was only intense mental effort and the physical tension from focusing on the body's movements. But he didn't give up. He regulated his breath, imagining he was drawing in energy with each inhale and pushing it towards his moving limb with each exhale.
And then... he felt it. Very faint, like a tingling, like a rise in temperature... The energy, had begun to flow towards where he directed it. This flow wasn't smooth. It snagged here and there, sometimes threatening to escape his control and dissipate.
This internal effort made his physical movements even slower, challenging his balance.
"Difficult..." he thought. "This control... requires incredible focus." He had to weave each flow, thread by thread.
But despite the difficulty, there was a different feeling growing inside him. This union... The effort to synchronize the body's movement with the flow of inner energy... This felt right. Instead of just repeating cold, mechanical movements, to feel the source of the movement, the power that fed it...
This must have been a deeper layer of what Roric called basics. That lost connection he had been searching for for years, that bridge between his body and soul, perhaps it would be built this way.
He slowly changed his stance, moving into the next basic defensive position Roric had taught. He directed the energy to the muscle groups appropriate for this new stance. To his left arm, his abdominal muscles, his legs planted firmly on the ground...
For a moment, his concentration wavered. The energy he was trying to direct to his left arm surged uncontrollably, causing a sudden twitch in his arm.
An alarm bell rang within him. "Control!" his mind whispered. He immediately returned to the state of void, gathered his scattered focus, and tried to rein in the wild flow of energy again.
He succeeded, but even this brief loss of control reminded him how dangerous a path he was treading. This power, once unleashed, could be destructive.
He didn't give up. His muscles burned, but he continued. Slowly, again and again, while performing Roric's basic movements, he circulated the energy within him to different parts of his body.
The movements were still flawed, the energy flow still rough. But with each repetition, he felt that connection a little stronger. He caught those brief, precious moments when his body and energy began to dance to the same rhythm.
This new form of training pained him, yes. But it also offered a strange satisfaction, a deep comfort that came from being on the right path. He was pushing his limits, rebuilding himself both physically and internally.
In the silence of the room, Aurelion continued to work. Though fatigue tried to claim his body, his will kept him standing. As the energy within him slowly flowed, his body was learning to adapt to that flow. This would be a long and arduous process, he knew. But every drop of sweat, every aching muscle, was a step taken on the path to his goal. No matter how difficult, these were proof that he was getting stronger.