He must have traveled for about a mile, lost in his thoughts about the things to come. 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42RhwoVN31
It wasn't the brawl that kept him from returning to Ralmes. He would explain what happened if Molly and Reyen had not; hopefully, Lady Lombrea would understand. But he realized the recent happenings needed digesting; a long walk alone amongst the oaks and black cottonwoods made this easier for Vyncent.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5Svs5PVZa
The memory of the day when the esper within him flared, naturally, came first; it was what set him on this journey after all.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETA2f7EeRk
He was helping Blay fix a cart when it happened. The day was hot, to be sure—the hottest day that summer had to offer—but Vyncent suddenly felt hot in his belly and chest. He ignored it, not wanting Blay to think him feeble, yet the fire inside of him only got hotter. "Vyncent," Blay had said, his face painted with worry, "are you ill, my boy? Please rest. I'll take it from here." Vyncent remembered the rage; his emotions were like oil to the flame. "Why wouldn't I be?" Vyncent remembered snapping so suddenly that Blay stepped back. "You think I'm too weak, don't you? Why don't you leave, and I'll fix the damnable cart myself! Then you'll see."506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoDdvHQujQ
Vyncent had expected Blay to be angry with him, but he only grew more fearful for him, as did the other villagers. "Vynny, what's happened to you?" Uncle Lamberto had said, rushing over to him from his house. Vyncent didn't know what he meant until he looked at his arms: the veins were glowing white and through the skin. His anger had melted into fear; his pain became unbearable. He had fallen then, clutching his belly and weeping. "Make it stop," he had pleaded to anyone who could, "please!" He remembered hearing Aunt Mia quickly ordering Blay and his uncle to carry him into their house. An Aventyne official was coming, and such a bizarre catastrophe would mean trouble for the whole village if he saw any of it.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoOpnww224
No doubt a greater power was involved. Myri was what Virterans called it. Anyone practicing myri, these people called zears, would be executed, for studying such mysteries was a grave sin against Carlaneus, the One God of the Stars. The vicars had put to death thousands of zear over the centuries. His mother, Leonette, had an uncle who studied myri and used it. His name was Rogerris, and he had used it to heal the wounded. All he needed was the clay of the earth to mend bones and flesh. Vyncent did not know where the Aventyne men took old Rogerris. When his father was taken back to the castle by soldiers, they arrested him and took him as well to be executed, one of his cousins had told him. They hadn't, however. One of the soldiers—one well-liked amongst his men and wasn't afraid to make his hate for the vicar of Aventyne known—needed Roggeris. The soldier had a secret lover: a man who served alongside him when he was away from his wife. The rats near the west coast of Virtera had made him gravely ill. Only Roggeris, rather the might of his myri, could save him the disease that ravaged him. From some region, far away from home and hidden, Roggeris wrote and sent letters to his wife.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7C01HjjTy
As for Vyncent, the power he discovered within himself—according to legend—had the strength to heal worlds. But also to destroy them, Aunt Mia had told him. His mother's family was no stranger to myri, and Rogerris certainly wasn't the first user in the family. The Lady in the Elms. He awoke to find Aunt Mia wetting a rag to place on his head. What you have brought into this world with you must be cleansed. It is dangerous, though many may tell you it only brings joy and wealth. Do not believe them. The realm the esper will create, if born, will be a place not fit for creatures of this earth. All will perish …
Vyncent had fallen back to sleep then; he couldn't remember the rest of the dark prophecy. When he awoke the next day, he didn't ask his aunt to repeat herself; the promise of doom was enough for him to understand. Though, his humble family's knowledge of such things did make him wonder about their history.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UenMexnXr
Larissa was a great concern as well. There are times when Vyncent thought it would be better for them to travel separately; how can the esper be born if its father was absent? Ferangis had told them about the marks they carried, but nothing more. 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdlKRq89Kw
Sitting down against an oak, wondering about Ebernathy and his role in all this, he heard a twig snap not too far behind him.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMoyjOA4p8
He peaked around the oak. It was Ferangis. In one hand, she held a bouquet of herbs. The flowers within were of shades of violet and pink. A few twigs, fresh and green, sprouted healthy leaves. Despite the cold, they thrived. Seeing such radiance in the snow made Vyncent feel a little warmer. A small taste of spring in the dead of winter, he mused as he watched the green woman forage.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vrL7Pm7AR
He decided to approach her; perhaps they could talk and help him understand the mysteries that surrounded him. Before he could catch up to her and make himself known, Ferangis walked into a cave. He had seen the cave before while hunting with Brames. "Careful of that," Brames cautioned, pointing a thick finger at the darkness of the cavern, "Wolfbears live in there." If they did indeed, it would take more than one shot of his long gun to slay; he'd be torn to bloody shreds as he reloaded.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GXBodW2vp
Yet, the green woman proceeded to enter, either ignorant or unafraid of the savage beasts. Vyncent loaded his long gun. With his gunner's lens, he lit the end of his match cord; the clear day allowed all of the sun's strength to help burn it quickly. Silently, he followed her inside, careful not to disturb the monsters within. 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhHqjI5zb5
The cave walls were a grayish-yellow, and Vyncent could hear the faint running of water all around. Glowing green mushrooms clustered where the floor met the wall, giving off a heatless but sufficient light.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4UXOg3zKg
There was also an aroma: sweet and rose-like. The scent relaxed Vyncent and made him feel slightly drunk. Was he smiling? Yes, he was. Regardless, he put a finger to his lips to confirm their shape. Checking for his own smile made him giggle. What's so funny? What's trick is all this? he thought without anxiousness. He didn't care at the moment, his pleasure unmolested by confusion.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoDyy88CNN
Careless, the match cord touched his wrist. The burn snatched him out of his elation. I need to keep on guard, he scolded himself. There was no sign or smell of beasts, however. Only the mushrooms and the bugs that crawled on them seemed to live here.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sYyjdtbkz
The path widened and opened into a great chamber.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl6zsJQFFT
Above, a small opening let some sunlight in, yet the plant life within provided more light. More than mushrooms lit the interior; giant lily-like flowers the size of oxen were as bright as torches. The tiny bugs that whizzed around them possessed a brilliance of their own. The fragrance was pungent here; Vyncent guessed the strange blossoms produced it.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCwe86j6Ly
Steps—roughly cut into the slope of the floor—led downwards to the center of the cavern. Below was a hot spring, wisps of steam rising from its surface. 506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOEWAka7OW
Ferangis stood at the edge of the water, taking off her hat and unraveling her scarves. Bright copper-red hair, unwrapped, flowed down her shoulders; its length went down to the top of her waist. After brushing out its length with her fingers, she shed her robe. She set the garment down next to the bouquet.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy2gcUfpZZ
She was naked underneath, her skin fair and unblemished, her body slim and small-boned. Coiled around her were the vines of the wooden stake: the one he'd seen her use against the gangsman at the inn. All around, the vines seemed to have tendrils that clung to their host's body. The vine rooted itself above her breasts. When she gripped the base of it, the tendrils receded, and she was able to pull it out of her chest. The vine slid down to her feet like cut bindings. She stepped into the spring, the steam licking at her skin.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtel2Ijakn
She's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, admired Vyncent. But she was no woman, Vyncent reminded himself, but a nepher: a spirit, a being above man. Never had he seen such loveliness. Perhaps her powerful and mysterious nature also stoked the fire in his heart. He longed to join her; he imagined her emerald eyes upon him, aflame with the same desire he had for her.506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUjyWIfaQv
He soon realized this was improper: watching her undress without being aware of his presence. As he turned to leave, his foot knocked a small stone, sending it to patter down the steps. At the noise, Ferangis halted in the water and lifted her head. Before she could turn her head to the top of the steps, Vyncent bolted out of the cave. From behind, he could hear Ferangis call out, saying: "Is someone there?"506Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOUDvt95Jk
By the time he found his way out of the cave, the sun was low in the sky, and the earliest stars were coming out. Vyncent headed back to Ralmes before it became too dark.
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