Flynn

RL15 - 16 VIG - 10 MND - 12 END - 18 STR - 13 DEX - 9 INT - 9 FTH - 7 ARC

Resa

RL15 - 11 VIG - 13 MND - 10 END - 12 STR - 14 DEX - 9 INT - 16 FTH - 9 ARC

Resa

The Roundtable Hold…even as I was getting my bearings in this new location, I felt safe, secure; a stark difference from the outside world. Part of that safety came from the towering grace in the center of the chamber - sat atop a weapon-strewn table. Whereas most graces barely flickered up to my knee from the ground, this one felt like a roaring fire, standing many feet tall, and acting as a source of illumination for the entire circular chamber.

And what an impressive chamber it was - there was a fireplace along the far wall keeping the place comfortably warm, and a ring of statues lined the outer perimeter. Up ahead, grandiose wood scaffolding created a gazebo-like structure, small light sources hanging from carefully-crafted lanterns amongst the decoration. Along the outer wall of the chamber were four doors, leading to various corridors.

Finally, the people - I could see three from where we currently were: a man holding a cane, another with wraps covering his eyes, and a third that wore decorative black and red armor that had an air of knightliness and nobility. The caned man slowly approached us, his footfalls relying heavily on the cane for support. He wore a mask that obscured his face, and was garbed in fine clothes of brown and gray.

When the man spoke it was with a gravely, textured voice - one that had weathered a long life. "Well well, a mighty rare occasion indeed. It is rare we see newcomers entering the Hold in these times. I am Gideon, your senior at the Roundtable. Sheathe your weapons, newcomers. Hostility is not allowed upon these grounds."

Flynn and I did so, weapons finding their way into their scabbards or slung over our backs. "Greetings, Gideon. Where…are we?"

The older man scoffed. "The Roundtable Hold…I'm afraid there's nothing more to say on that matter. Understand that you are a mere guest here, nothing more. For now."

"For now?"

Gideon nodded. "Follow grace, and find yourself a Shardbearer - claim a Great Rune for yourself, and receive the blessing of the Two Fingers. Do that, and I'll offer you a proper welcome to the Roundtable Hold. For now though, you are but a visitor. Free to mill about at your leisure, and to speak with the other members of the Hold. But nothing more. We have a strict decorum here, you'll understand."

I looked at Gideon, quizzical. "You'll have to forgive us…we are unfamiliar with this world. Shardbearers, Great Runes…these are all terms we've never heard before.

"Hmph." Gideon places his other hand atop his staff, a staff hewn from gold and carefully crafted. "Fascinating, you truly are an outsider. These words will make sense soon enough, but I've nothing left to say to you, as visitors."

I took a step back, off-put by his blunt coldness. Whatever 'strict decorum' this place held, it seemed intent on ensuring newcomers felt as uncomfortable as possible. I looked at Flynn, then vaguely gestured towards the surrounding corridors. "There's…well, this is a rather busy place. Want to split up, look around? I - " I dropped my voice low before continuing. "I don't trust Gideon much, but I do think we're safe here."

Flynn simply mouthed "I don't either."

I looked around the room - the corridor closest to Gideon ended with closed doors, and given the cold shoulder we'd been given I didn't feel comfortable even approaching, less so trying to open them. Across the way from that was another. I could see it opened up into a balcony, a sight of elaborate chandeliers just out front. That only left two others - one to the left and right of the balcony. "I'll go this way." I tilted my head towards the left, walking over in that direction.

On the way there though, I crossed paths with the blinded man - up close it was even more odd. He wore a wheel around his neck and hung a bell from a thick rope at his hip, but otherwise wore little more than a burlap sack. As I'd seen earlier he had cloth over his eyes presumably to block his vision, but that didn't stop him from turning to face me when I got closer.

"Oh, greetings. You must be new here…welcome to the Roundtable, I'm Brother Corhyn. You are?"

I smiled - it was the first time someone had bothered to ask me my name. "I'm Resa, pleasure to make your acquaintance. You introduced yourself as Brother, are you - " I let the words hang in the air, hoping Corhyn would pick them up.

"Oh yes. I teach incantations of the Two Fingers. Care to learn?"

"I…perhaps. I have to apologize - again. I'm not familiar with the Lands Between. Just what are the Two Fingers?" I'd heard the term used several times now - Corhyn confirmed my suspension that it was religious in nature, but I wanted to know more. My faith - well, at one point it came from the gods of Thorolund, but those days were long, long past. Now, I truly didn't know. I'd spent so much time fighting gods that I hadn't spent much time thinking about which I still held faith in. If the Two Fingers were the source of miracles in this land, and I could cast those miracles as I already had - did that mean I believed in them implicitly?

"Oh that's no problem- I'm happy to explain. The Two Fingers, through Queen Marika, brought us the Golden Order, and are a source of guidance in these lands, through grace. You can see it, can't you? The guidance of grace?"

I nodded. "Yes…I have."

"Oh that's good…fewer and fewer are seeing it these days. It's a worrisome trend, really." Brother Coryn straightened himself up, continuing. "Well, the Two Fingers' goal is to find a leader of the Lands Between, two become our Lord. That's why I'm here, I suppose. I dream that someday a Tarnished of the Roundtable will become our Lord, and bring about a new age. I wish to guide that Tarnished, providing them proper counsel.

"That's…a very lofty and noble goal you have, Corhyn. Who is the current Lord?"

"Ah, that would be Radagon, Marika's second husband. The first Lord was Godfrey, her first husband."

"Well…that seems to speak more of Marika then, doesn't it?"

Corhyn nodded. "Marike achieved divinity, you see. Through her, leaders were made…but I believe a Tarnished can stand among them. I do."

A soft smile graced my lips. "Well, perhaps one will, some day. I can't say I have such high ambitions yet. I'm still finding my place in the Lands. I think once I understand more, then I might start finding a path for myself."

"That is good, there is no need to rush such things. I can offer you guidance, if you wish - to learn the incantations of the Two Fingers. Would that aid you?"

I looked down at the odd seal in my hands. "Yes…I think it would."

He showed me the scrolls he carried, going through them. Some, I passed up - protections, and resistances, mostly. I did exchange runes for a healing miracle, one that seemed a bit more potent than what I'd been using. And then, as Corhyn reached the final scrolls he had -

"Fire!?" The word came out as a surprise and I immediately stifled it. I looked around to see if Flynn was within earshot - I didn't notice him. "Flame is taught through the Two Fingers?"

"It is not common, but yes. Why are you so concerned?"

"It's…where I'm from, flame is treated very differently." I couldn't tell Flynn…he couldn't find out. If he learned that pyromancy was nothing like what he'd learned…that it was the same as other incantations…I don't know how he would take it, but I didn't want to find out.

"Oh, interesting. There are some that use fire for misdoing, and that leads to banishment. For many though, flame is a powerful force. It can do good."

"That…it can." For me, that powerful force was often lightning. Lightning to take on dragons, as well as many other things. Given how different this world is from Lordran it felt almost sinister that flame here served the purpose lightning used to. I wanted to acquire it - it would help me fight better from afar. But I couldn't. Seeing me hurling fire would shatter Flynn."

"I can sense it's a challenging subject. I understand…it is difficult to adjust to new circumstances. If you change your mind, I am still here. And if you find books of incantations, please, find me. I am always willing to expand my own understanding of the world."

"I will. Thank you Corhyn. This has been a very enlightening conversation."

"It has been a pleasure, Resa. May you find strength in the Golden Order." He gave a slight bow and I went on my way. The Golden Order, the Two Fingers, Lords…these lands seemed to be strongly governed by established doctrine.

I walked down the hall to the left. Just inside a rather jarring figure was looking at me. He was clad in armor that looked like a skeleton, though he had also melded heavy steel to it for protection. He simply stared at me as I walked past, saying nothing, yielding no expression behind the sunken eye sockets of the skull he wore. At least, I assumed he wore it…the skull wasn't much larger than a human head, so perhaps…

I brushed the thought from my mind, continuing on down and walking through an open set of doors. Inside were two figures, sat low on the ground beside tall stacks of books and other various items. They looked like shriveled up corpses - but both turned to look at me in unison. All four hands clung to a large staff , which remained motionless even as their heads turned.

"Greetings. We have. Wares. If you have. Runes." Each sentence was traded between them, a very off putting demonstration. As I looked around the room though, I noticed that the equipment on the ground looked rather well-maintained…perhaps there was something here.

"What are you offering?"

"Weapons. Armor. Other things. What do. You want?"

I paused. "How about a weapon. Light and fast?"

One long spindly arm pried itself from the staff, reaching for a curved blade, a scimitar. "This to. Your liking?"

In fact…it was. I grasped the blade, still in its scabbard. I didn't dare draw it after Gideon's warning, but I pulled a few inches out from the scabbard. Well made steel…good quality. "Yes." I offered some runes as an exchange.

"Anything else?" This was the only line that both husks spoke at once, and it was somehow more jarring than when they traded phrases.

I looked around, seeing a very nice suit of armor in the back. It looked a little sturdier than what Flynn was currently wearing - which without a doubt meant that he would want it. "The armor?"

"Very nice. Very strong. Not cheap. How much. You have?" I showed them the collection of runes that we'd collected from the enemies we'd been fighting. "Not enough. Come back later."

"Understood…anything else. Anything interesting?"

"Nothing you. Can purchase."

I sighed…for all of the enemies we'd pushed through, I thought the runes I'd picked up would get us a little further. "Well, just let me know. For later."

Each husk reached for a different small, stone items: one fashioned to look like a sword, the other a necklace. "Stonesword Key. Put in imp. Walk through door! Good find." They put down the sword, holding out the other. "Memory Stone. Make mind. Know more spells. Must have!" Again, they put down the necklace. "Anything else?"

I looked around…there were a collection of other weapons, but nothing Flynn or I would be interested in. We'd have to come back later though…he'd want that armor, and I want that stone. "No, that will be all. Thank you."

"Enjoy!" Again, spoken in unison. As I turned around, out of the corner of my eye I noticed a seal, nearly identical to the one I was carrying. It would let Flynn cast miracles…to cast fire. Would he want that? I didn't think so. Fire to him was…well, special. To even suggest he could replicate his pyromancy flame with an implement and miracles would be paramount to blasphemy.

I didn't want to keep a secret from my own brother but…I couldn't let him know.

Flynn

I looked around at the other people in the Roundtable - Resa was talking with one, but there was a man off on the far side, towards another corridor. As I approached him, I actually took a moment to admire the craftsmanship of his armor - silvers and blacks in a very ornate pattern, creating a sort of filigree-level detail across the entire metal surface. Red punctuated the set in key locations, giving a bit of color to what would otherwise be a grayscale piece. I couldn't tell if it was purely for decoration, or just for show…but either way, it was exceptionally well made.

"Greetings there, stranger. I haven't seen you around the Hold before, you must be new here. You can call me…Diallos. Diallos will do."

He extended a hand, which I happily accepted. "Flynn. Nice to meet you, Diallos."

"You as well. Say…you haven't happened to run across a woman, have you? Golden hair, a little short, rather thin, goes by Lanya?"

I thought back to the woman that we saw in the shack, past the gate. She'd never introduced herself…but otherwise met the description. "It's possible. Why do you ask?"

Diallos rubbed the back of his curly brown hair, a bit exasperated. "Well, she's my servant…and it seems I've lost track of her again. Was hoping somebody's run into her."

Servant…that didn't quite match. The woman we ran into made it sound like she had men of her own. "It might not have been her, but I'll keep an eye out. The woman I saw was in a shack, past the Stormgate. She seemed rather shaken by something…but didn't seem like the servant type. Speaking of, does that make you a…noble?"

Diallos chuckled. "One could see it that way, yes. However, titles, nobility, and houses have little meaning in these lands. Nothing to worry over. Here, I'm simply Diallos. Nothing more."

"And well met, Diallos. I'll keep an eye and ear out for Lanya…and if we find her, I'll find you here, or leave a message if you're away."

The man shook my hand again, very proper. "I thank you, Flynn. Save travels out there."

He gave me a kind pat on the back as I walked away…why he was in here, in the Hold, when this Lanya person was missing was a bit beyond me, but I wasn't going to read too far into the situation. With nowhere else to go I ventured down the entryway to the right, opening up into a long corridor. As soon as I turned the corner, I heard Resa exclaim one, singular word, one that she clearly tried to stifle - "Fire!?" I thought about turning back and asking just what she'd learned…but we'd sync up about it in time.

Down the corner I saw a familiar and delightful sight - an anvil. And better yet, someone using that anvil - though a strange someone, at that. The initial image reminded me of Margit - with horns sprouting off of his head and back at odd angles. However, the blacksmith seemed almost reptilian in nature with scales, clawed hands, and digitigrade, clawed feet. He was hunched over the anvil, hammer in hand as he worked on a sword. As I approached he looked up, setting the hammer down and clearing off the anvil.

"Ah, you're a new face around here. Doesn't matter to me though. Hand me your arms…I'll get to smithing."

"Hi, I'm…I'm Flynn. Here you are." I held out my greatsword, offering it to him. As he set it down on the anvil he kept one hand extended towards me, ready to receive…something.

After a few seconds, he grew impatient. "And? I need stones to smith with, what've you got?"

"I…don't have any."

In a fit of frustration the blacksmith grasped the sword, shoving it back in my direction. "Come back with stones, and then we can get to smithing."

"Where would I find them?" The question came out more sheepish than I intended. Back in Lordran I had a strong relationship with Andre, the blacksmith there. It felt odd meeting a new smith I didn't have any rapport with.

"In mines, where else…you'll find 'em all over the place down there. Now if you don't have anything else, best be on your way, I've got other things to work on."

"I'm…really sorry I disturbed you. I just…blacksmithing fascinates me. I want to learn how to. I used to be decent at it, where I'm from."

The smith looked up at me, his expression softening just a bit. "Alright…I can teach you what I know. Bring back some stones and I can show you the ropes. The name's Hewg, by the way. Most people don't care enough for it to matter. Anything else I can do for you, Flynn?"

"I, well…I know very little about Ashes of War, but they seem useful, practical. I don't know how much you know about those, but - "

"I know some things…but I'm by no means an expert. I can teach you what I know in time…come to me when you've found one you want to learn about, and I'll see what I can teach you."

"Thank you, Hewg. I can tell you're busy, and I thank you for giving me your time. I'll be on my way."

The smith nodded, fetching the sword and hammer once again. It was a wordless response as he went back to his craft, quick to pay me no mind once more.

As I walked away back towards the central chamber, I noticed a door open on my left, a soft glow emanating from within. As I peered in I noticed it was a rather empty room - a fireplace on the far wall, a bed to the side and a couple paintings along the walls. One painting struck a memory - a painting of the Erdtree, with a woman fanned out in front of it. I identified the woman as the same one in the statue we saw back on the island - the same outstretched arms, the same flowing robes. I stepped in, examining it closer.

"Elegant, isn't she? Queen Marika."

The soft voice spooked me - I hadn't noticed anyone in the room when I'd glanced in. However, I saw sat upon the bed a woman clad in elegant black robes, as if in mourning. A hood obscured most of her features, but I could tell just from her frame that she was very frail.

"Queen Marika…I suppose she is. I suppose you admire her, what with her likeness on the wall?" I was trying to skirt around playing the 'foreigner' again…I was starting to get the sense that it put a target on us.

"Perhaps. Our Queen has brought us much in this world…but nothing is ever perfect. And you?"

Well…that didn't provide me much information. "I…don't trust higher powers. Bad history, you could call it. I'm Flynn, by the way. This is my first time entering the Hold.

"Greetings, Flynn, I am the one known as Fia. Would you come closer, perhaps?"

I furrowed my brow but acquiesced all the same, taking a few steps away from the painting and moving towards the bed. I dropped to one knee, now about eye-level with Fia. From here I could see the faint curls of blond, almost white, hair from within her hood, as well as a delicate face.

"Would you let me hold you? I require the warmth of a great champion, and I sense that within you. Would you share some of your vigor and grant me that warmth? In return, I offer you a blessing, one to stand tall, and exemplify your champion heart."

Her request was, well…blunt. I sat in thought for a few seconds, pondering just how to politely decline.

"Do you think it wrong, vulgar? Where I am from, it is a sacred act, but I sense you are not from these lands. It is not a command - merely a request. I ask only because I sense a warmth, a flame, deep inside you.

"A…flame? Can you find it?" Suddenly my attention was piqued. Could she sense my pyromancy flame, still within me? And if so, could she draw it out? It didn't sound like that's what Fia was offering…but if there was anything she knew, I wanted to find out.

Fia gave me a soft smile. "I know not your past Flynn - I know only of the warmth I see before me. What is it you inquire?"

Well…so much for not being the foreigner. "Where I'm from, before I arrived here, I wielded flame, in the form of pyromancies. I was given a flame of my own…but now that I'm here, it's gone. That flame gave me many memories…I miss it." I held my hand out, in front of me, still staring at it - angry, frustrated. The Lands Between had taken that from me.

"I know not of such a land, but you describe it fondly. I cannot help you find it…that is not my purpose. You would be sharing that warmth with me, that flame…I understand if you would decline. I do not wish to take from you something so special."

I shook my head, staring intently into Fia's eyes now. "No, it's…do you know of people here, or maybe only a single person? That carry flame within them, and command it?" Fia's silence filled the room, as my eyes absentmindedly floated towards the fireplace in the corner. It was so easy…so why couldn't I do it?

Finally, she spoke. "I think it best you not know, Flynn. But if you wish, I will not hide it from you."

"Tell me, please…I need to know." My mind went back to when Resa exclaimed 'Fire'...had she heard what I was asking to know as well?

Fia let out a long, gentle sigh, extending her hands and clasping them around mine. Her touch was cold, almost unnaturally so, and yet, it felt pleasant. "Very well, Flynn. There are some that wield fire in these lands, but it is not as you described. They channel it through seals or staves, in the form of incantations or sorceries as one would magic, lightning, or divine powers. Fire as an essence of the self is…unheard of."

My heart plummeted…and from there, an anger welled within me. Flame here wasn't special. It didn't fuel the world, a stupid tree did. Fia could tell that fire, my fire was still here, brought with me from Lothric through the fog…but it was useless. Without someone that could turn that fire into strength, it served only to haunt my memories of better times - of saving Quelaan, and hunting demons with her and her sister, and extinguishing demons from the lands. I couldn't do any of that anymore, and there was no way to.

That wasn't true…there was. I could mimic Resa, and cast fire through there. However, it felt wrong, abhorrent - like a cheap replacement to the real thing. Fire was supposed to come from the core, from your essence and strength of will. It wasn't supposed to come from beliefs, or memorizing, or anything else.

"Take it from me." As my mind raced through all the possible conclusions, that was the one that I settled on. I looked at Fia, my expression hardened as I settled on the only outcome I was willing to accept - forceful removal.

"Flynn, are you…sure? You are in distress, I do not wish you to regret your decision."

"If what you say is true, then this flame within me serves no purpose. I cannot harness it or fight with it, it cannot defend me or save me. It is useless to me. Is that correct?"

Fia's expression was one of concern, but slowly, she nodded. "As you have described it…yes."

"Then I don't need it. It will only remind me of a past I can't reacquire. But you want the warmth of a champion, yes? I'll be blunt, I don't know why, but there's a lot I don't know about this place, so I don't care. All I see is that I have something I don't want and you do. So help me get rid of it, Fia."

"I…understand what you ask Flynn, but understand that I cannot reverse this. I will ask you one final time. Do you wish to share your warmth, your flame, with me?"

"Yes." Perhaps it was my heatedness getting to me, but I went forward with it, not caring if it was a mistake. Fia looked solemn, perhaps worried…but I'd made my decision.

"Then come closer…let me embrace you." I leaned forward, her hands pulling me towards her chest. I found myself wrapping my arms around her, and her around me. Frustration still welled within me as I grasped the back of her robes, clutching tightly - as strange as the situation was, it felt good to have something - anything, to hold onto.

"Oh, Flynn…you are so very, very warm. Thank you." Her arms wrapped tightly around me, and I could feel that fire, that warmth, leave me. It had been so long, I didn't know what it felt like to be without it - but as it left me, I learned. For the first time in a very long time, I was cold…even the fireplace's warmth didn't feel like much in comparison. Suddenly, I felt Fia begin to emanate warmth - my warmth, which I'd just willfully given. Had I made a mistake, giving away something so precious? I knew it was irreversible…she'd warned me.

"Now you're…warm."

"Only because of you, Flynn…my champion. Receive my blessing in return…though it does not compare." I felt something well up within me - a resolve, to stand up to opposition. Having lost something so dear to me, I may very well need that resolve to keep going. "Call upon that blessing when you most need it…and it will aid you. You can always return to me for more…What you have shared with me is enough, I ask for nothing more in return."

I felt Fia's hands leave my back, and it was at that point I didn't realize how long I'd been on the ground in her embrace. I retracted, standing back up. "Thank you. Please…take care of that flame. It's still precious to me…I know it resides with you now, but…"

Fia smiled. "I will protect it and cherish it, Flynn. You have my word. Be safe…my champion."

"I will try." I turned around, leaving Fia's chamber, and walking back to the main hall. Resa was there waiting for me, sitting at one of the chairs around the central table.

"You were gone for a while. Meet any new friends?"

I didn't want to tell her about my interaction with Fia…mainly because I was still coming to terms with it myself. "There's a blacksmith here, Hewg. He's a little rough around the edges…but hopefully he'll warm up to me. Diallos over there was rather pleasant..he's looking for a woman named Lanya. What about you?"

"Resa's eyes flicked behind her, towards the man with a rag tied around his eyes. "Brother Corhyn teaches miracles…though I suppose here, they're known as incantations. Taught me a better way to heal both of us."

"And?" I let that word hang in the air. I knew the word she exclaimed…fire. Did she know I overheard that?

"And…there's a merchant down the hall. A little strange but otherwise good quality gear. I picked up a sword. They had a suit of armor that'd be good for you but…we'll need a few more runes before they'll let us have it."

Resa looked nervous…I knew she was hiding something, and I figured I knew why. Corhyn taught her the truth about fire in this world…and she wanted to shield that from me. I understood the sentiment - clearly I had not taken the news well, as I now regretted feeling the coldness of the air around me. However, was letting me live in a naive life of falsehoods the right alternative? I didn't think so. I wasn't going to press her on it now…but I wasn't going to forget, either.

"Alright, so where to now Flynn? I don't think we should try to get past Margit…we're not ready for that."

"Kale told me of a man that knew about Ashes of War, past the Stormgate…perhaps we can go searching for him? Might be good to understand a bit more of how they function if I'm going to keep working with them."

Resa nodded, pulling out the map she'd made earlier. "Alright…the area past the Stormgate's pretty vast, but there is a main road leading away from the castle, starting at where we met that poor woman. We can wander down that way, and see if anything looks right?"

"That works for me. Let's go." Resa and I transported ourselves to that shack, intentionally trying to avoid the woman this time - she was still there, and still very much in shock. Before we set off Resa wanted to check something out that we'd missed earlier in our mad dash to get past all of the enemies guarding the gate. I'd noticed it too, the small golden tree. This one, though, had a large golden seed hanging from one of its branches…I plucked it and stowed it into the pouch of crafting supplies Kale had given me earlier…perhaps it'd be useful for something. As we ventured back towards the shack Resa noticed something else that she identified to me as a Stonesword key, and we pocketed that.

And then, we were off. It was not much of a road compared to how Resa described it, mainly just a strip of compressed dirt from the foot traffic. Along the road were a couple of bandits lugging large, curved swords, which we managed to dispatch. Just past them was another shack, on the right, with a grace flickering just outside.

As we approached, I saw a lone man inside,clad in thick, heavy armor. Though it was decorative it gave off a different impression than Diallos' - this was the armor of a lauded warrior, not of a noble. In his right hand he held an impressive sword nearly as tall as he was, looking at me as I approached.

"Haven't seen you before. Name's Bernahl. Who're you?"

When I looked to my side, Resa wasn't there. Seemed she was leaving this to me…I suppose I wouldn't complain. "I'm Flynn. Are you the weaponmaster I've heard of?"

"Aye, that'd be me. Let me ask you something, Flynn. Do you believe in the guidance of grace? Are you here in the Lands Between to raise your blade and fight to defend it?"

I shook my head. "I'm sorry, but no. I'm here because I was taken here. I don't owe this place anything…and from what I've learned about it thus far,I don't think I will."

Bernahl chuckled. "Very well then. Best not be saying that too loud around some…that honestly might get you a knife at your throat. Anyways…beside the point. If you've heard of me, you must know what I do. I know the sword, Flynn, through and through. What do you wish to learn?"

"Ashes of War…how they work, and what I can do with them. I know only one…but I know there's far, far more."

The weaponmaster nodded. "Indeed there is. If you've gotten an Ash and used it, you've already learned much. Come, show me what you know."

The two of us walked outside, and it was then that I saw Resa resting at the nearby grace. I stepped a few paces away from Bernahl, and then thrust my greatsword into the ground, whipping up the winds around me. I waited a few moments and did it again before sheathing my sword.

Bernahl gave a few congratulatory claps, approaching me. "You wield the might of Stormveil, impressive. Those knights keep their arts well guarded, you must have made some enemies to learn that. What more do you need taught then, friend? Seems you understand a fair bit already?"

"Are there any that you know, any that you can teach me? And just…what do I need to do to use them better?"

"Ashes of War are a curious thing. The more powerful your weapon, the more powerful your Ash…they call upon your weapon's strength. Though that's a mighty fine sword you've got there, it's dull, needs sharpening. There's a mine a ways south of here, in the lakebed. You'll find the resources you need to refine it, if only somewhat. As for what I can teach you, there are a few."

My eyes widened with excitement. "Such as?"

"Well…I see you use a shield. Ashes of War are fickle…they require a singular focus on your weapon. Wield a shield, and that focus is broken, you can't call them. Try it, if you don't believe me. Carry your shield and call upon your Ash."

I did so, thrusting my sword into the ground. To my surprise, nothing happened…I looked back to Bernahl. "I take it you know of a solution?"

He nodded. "That I do Flynn. An Ash for your shield, though not in the proper sense. Your shield will bear the strengths of your blade, and let you focus on the two as though one. For many, it is an indispensable tool. What say you?"

"Please, if you would." Bernahl brought out cloth-wrapped Ash, and I extended my shield and whetstone.

"Ah good, you have a whetblade, though a rather simple one. You will find others out in the world, though they are rare. Whetblades infused with various elements - magic, lightning, fire, and more. They can grant your weapon that element, impart its power. Some Ashes have an element as well…it is a versatile craft we wield."

He began working on my shield, pressing the Ash into it. At the mere mention of the word fire, I was repulsed. I knew just minutes ago, I would have salivated at the thought of having my weapon be wreathed in flames…but now, I knew that flame was a mockery of true fire. I didn't want to sully myself with its use.

"And there you are. Now, give it another try." He handed me back my shield, and I used my Ash again. This time, the wind roared to life around me, even as I gripped my shield in my left hand.

"Wonderful. Thank you, Bernahl."

"There is one more that I can teach you. An Ash of Stormveil, that fires a projectile of wind. To get here you must have encountered its use, I imagine. The trolls in this area use it to great effect." He held out another cloth of ash. I see you have a smaller blade there. This would suit it well."

"An Ash of Stormveil? You must have made some enemies yourself, Bernahl. I'll trust you instinct…here's the blade." I extended my sword to him.

"I've made my share of enemies, Flynn, Stormveil among them. Here, just one moment." He applied the Ash to my sword quickly, standing back up. "Now, for some practice. New Ashes require practice to learn, but I can help. Come outside." He reached behind him, grabbing what looked to be a ceramic urn before following behind me.

As I went outside he continued a good twenty paces further, standing amidst the trees of the surrounding forest. He held the urn out. "Call forth the Ash by swinging downwards. Focus on what you wish to aim. Don't concern yourself with what's around you. Give it a try."

I did so…with Bernahl's instruction, the maneuver came to me rather quickly. As I slashed downwards a blast of wind arced forth, shooting forwards. It dissipated into the rocks beyond.

"Good, good…you're a quick learner. Now, for the real test. I want you to knock this urn out of my hand. Don't concern yourself with hitting me, I've weathered far worse. Focus on your aim. A powerful blade in unsteady hands serves no purpose." Bernahl held the urn out, resting in his hand. "Whenever you're ready."

Well…that was an intimidating test. I tried once, swinging the blade - the blast was far too early, sailing overhead.

"Again."

The second swing was closer, but too much to the right. Even though he'd warned me, I didn't want to hit Bernahl, and was overcorrecting.

"Do better."

The third swing got very close, actually making the urn wobble a bit.

"Better."

The fourth swing was dead-on…until Bernahl moved it away, swinging it around to his other side. The blast of wind raced past, impacting nothing but the rocks beyond. "Hey!"

"The urn's still in my hand, Flynn. You're not done."

I took a drink from my flask, refilling my energy - this Ash was far more taxing than the other. I swung two more times, both perfectly on their mark until Bernahl swiped that mark away. I tried accounting for that, swinging at where I thought he'd move it, but Bernahl simply shook his head as the wind missed its target.

"Miss."

I didn't know what else to do…he wasn't playing fair. I suppose I shouldn't be either, I wound up another blast of wind - and this time, sent it straight towards the weaponmaster himself. As the blast hit him he briefly staggered backwards, losing his grip on the urn. It fell to the ground, shattering.

I was worried he'd be mad…but when Bernahl looked back up to me, he was smiling, a few resounding claps coming from him as he approached. "Good…you learn fast. The enemies of this land won't wait for you to do the expected. They are sharp and cunning, and you must outwit them as much as you must overpower them. Keep that lesson close to your chest, and it will serve you well. It is the best thing I can teach you."

I nodded. "Thank you, Bernahl. I will remember it."

"Good, then go. Use what I've taught you. And if you ever require more teaching, you know where to find me." The weaponmaster gave me a pat on the back, and then walked back towards his shack.

I approached Resa, taking a seat next to the grace beside her. She turned to look at me - I caught a brief glimpse of sadness on her face before she straightened herself up. "All done?"

I nodded. "Yes…he was a good teacher. I suspect we'll be back."

"That's good, glad you've um…found something." She was nervous, uncomfortable…and I knew what secret she was hiding. "Where do you want to go next?"

"That…is a good question."

Word Count: 6499

Total Word Count: 20331

These first few chapters are pretty slow…Elden Ring has a lot of NPC interaction early on, and that interaction needs to happen in order for future storylines to start building. I suspect we're over the hill now though, and the two can start doing some good ol' exploring in the coming chapters.

As always, feel free to follow the story or me to receive updates on new chapters, and leave a review if you have one, I always enjoy reading them.