Ranger24: Okay now back to the story. I think I may have a Saphira but I'm still accepting suggestions.
Chapter 2: Plaencar valley.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Naruto made his way past a large water fall, the iguealda falls. It was about as far as any would dare go into the spine. Many said the mountains were cursed with bad luck. Stories were still told how a third king Xemnas's army was lost in an expidetion to tame the mountains that bordered the empires edge to the sea.
The falls also marked the entrance to palencar valley Naruto's home. It was remote and sparcly inhabited. The only towns in the valley were Thernsford and Carvahall. Both had only a population of a few hundred.
As he made his way down from the foot hills of the spine and into the valley. The town of Carvahall was made of a mix of brick and wooden houses with thatched or shingled roofs. He himself was making for the butchers shop a low building with a tall smoke stack.
The inside of the shop was unbelieveabley clean! The floor was polished smooth and the walls were completely bare. Behind the counter was a large man with dark hair and wereing a blood stained smock. This was mister Barken the butcher. He glanced up from the knife he was cleaning as Naruto entered.
Barken: Well the mighty hunter rejoins the rest of us mortals. How many did you bag this time?
Naurto: None.
Naruto didn't really like the butcher and the butcher didn't like him.
Mr. Barken: And thats why you came here?
Naruto: Yes.
Mr. Barken: If thats the case then lets see your money.
Naruto fidgeted a little. He didn't have any money on him. His family was dirt poor. So poor that the Cunninghams from "To kill a mocking bird" might have more money then they did. Mr. Barken drumed his fingers on the counter impatiently.
Mr. Barken: Come on either you have it or you don't have it which is it?
Naruto: I don't have any money but...
Mr. Barken: What no money! Does this look like a chareity? Are the other merchants giving away their wares with out charge? Besides it's late and I'm closed.
Naruto: I don't have any money but I do have this.
He took out from his pack the stone and set it on the counter. Barken picked it up and examined it carefully.
Mr. Barken: It's pretty but how much is it worth?
Naruto: I don't know I just found it.
Mr. Barken: Stole it's more likely.
Mr. Barken scrutinized it then smirked.
Mr. Barken: Well it's no use to me. So unless you can find some one else to buy it then you can take my offer of three crowns.
Naruto: WHAT!! Thats a mizers bargin! It's probably worth ten time that much!
Three crowns was barely any cash at all! It wouldn't even be enough to buy food to last a week!
Mr. Barken: If you don't want my price then wait until the traders arrive.
The traders were a nomadic group of people who would stop at carvahall in the fall and spring. They would buy what excess the villagers had manage to make or grow for whatever the villagers needed to live through another year. Seeds, flour, and animals. But Naruto knew they might not show up very soon and his family needed the meat now.
Naruto: Fine I accept.
Mr. Barken: Good I'll get you the meat. Not that it matters, but where did you find this?
Naruto: Two nights ago in the spine.
Mr. Barken: Get out!
He shoved the stone back. Naruto grabbed it as Barken brandished a bloody knife at him.
Naruto: What?
Mr. Barken: I won't trade with anything you brin back from those damn mountains! Take your sorcoers stone somewhere else.
Naruto: You refuse to sell to me?
Mr. Barken: Yes unless you pay with coins.
Suddenly the door opened! Naruto whirled around ready for more trouble. There stood Cloud he was Carvahals smith as his scarred black leather apron and muscled arms accounted for. Behind him to Naruto's suprise was Wriny Barken's daughter. The suprise was she normaly distanced herself from trouble with her father.
Mr. Barken: He won't...
Cloud: Quiet.
Cloud cracked his knuckles.
Cloud: Whats all this trouble about Barken.
Mr. Barken: Nothing.
He pointed at Naruto with a cleaver.
Mr. Barken: This boy came in her and started bagering me. I told him to go away but he wouldn't listen. I even threatened him and he wouldn't go away.
Cloud: Is this true Naruto?
Naruto: No. I wanted to buy some meat and I didn't have any money so I offered to pay with this stone. He accepted but when I told him I found it in the spine he refused to have anything to do with it.
Cloud examined it carefully then looked at Barken.
Cloud: Barken, whats the problem. I have no love of the spine my self but if it's a question of the stones worth I'll back it with my own money.
Barken didn't answer but Wriny spoke for him.
Wriny: Dad, he was going to pay you just give him the meat so we can go home and eat.
Barken glared daggers at his daughter.
Barken: Go back to the house. Now!
Wriny glared at him byt left the shop none the lesse. Cloud stroked his chin.
Cloud: Fine you can deal with me. What were you going to get Naruto?
Naruto: As much as I could.
Cloud pulled out some coins counted them out and handed them over to Barken.
Cloud: Give me your best roast's and steaks, make sure it's enough to fill Naruto's pack.
Braken glared at him but Cloud was unphased.
Cloud: Not selling to me would be a very bad idea.
Barken cursed and went to the back where a low chopping and cursing. He came back with an arm full of paper wraped packages. He didn't even look at them as they left the shop.
Outside Naruto turned to Cloud.
Naruto: Thanks Cloud.
Cloud grinned.
Cloud: Don't thank me, Wriny heard what was going on and went to get me. Your lucky I got there in time you two were about to kill each other.
Naruto: Sorry 'bout the trouble then.
Cloud: Don't worry I've been wanting to do that for along time now, Barkens a vicious trouble maker it does him good to be humbled.
Naruto: Well thanks. Here this is rightfully yours.
He proffered the stone to Cloud who chuckled.
Cloud: Don't, you keep it. If you want to pay me off then here's what you do. Sora's leaving for Feinstar next spring. He wants to become a master smith and I'll need some help. You can work of the debt in your spare days.
Cloud had to sons Sora and Roxas, both of whom help in his forge. Takeing ones place was a true honor.
Naruto: Thanks Cloud looking forward to working with you. By the way could you get a message from Ed over to Wriny?
Cloud: Sure what is it?
Naruto: He want's her to know that he'll see her when the traders arrive.
Cloud: That all?
Naruto blushed slightly it was embarising playing messenger boy for love birds.
Naruto: No he also wanted her to know he is the most beuatiful girl he has ever seen and he thinks of nothing else.
Cloud smiled.
Cloud: Getting serious isn't he.
Naruto: Yes he is.
Cloud: We before you go will you sup with us?
Naruto: Sorry but Honheims kind of expecting me by nightfall so I've got to go.
Cloud: Take care then.
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An hour later, near dark, Naruto had arrived at the outskirts of his uncle Honheim's farm. They only had about four acres of land on which they carved out a living. The house was a thatched roof and log house the barn was of similair make. In the barn lived two horses, a couple of chickens and a cow.
He walked up to the door and banged his fist on it.
Naruto: Uncle! Its me Naruto let me in!
The door opened and Naruto's uncle Honheim smiled at him. Honheim was rather old but still tough.
Honheim: Edwards sleeping.
Naruto walked in and put the wrapped meat on the table. At this Honheims eyes flashed with sudden suspcion.
Honheim: Whats this? Did you buy meat? Where did you get the money?
Naruto: No Cloud bought it for us.
Honheim: You let him pay for it! I told you before I won't take chariety. If we can't feed ourselves we might as well move into town! The next thing you know they'll be sending us used clothes and asking us if we'll be able to make it through the winter!
Naruto: I didn't accept chareity Cloud agreed to have me help in his forge since Sora is going away next spring.
Honheim: And when will you find the time to work for him? Will you forget about all the things that need to be done here?
Naruto hung his bow on a hook.
Naruto: I don't know how I'll do it, besides I think I've found something that could be of some value.
And with that he brought out the stone. Honheim examined it the same way Cloud and Barken had. Then set it down.
Honheim: You found this in the spine?
Naruto: Yes.
Honheim set it down carefully.
Honheim: How was the weather?
Naruto: Cold. It didn't snow but it froze everynight.
Honheim looked very troubled at this.
Honheim: Tommorrow you'll have to help Edward finish harvesting the barly. If we can get the squash picked to the frost won't bother us. As for the stone selling it is probably best. The less we have to do with magic the better.
Naruto nooded and swayed a little.
Naruto: It's good to be back.
Honheim smiled.
Honheim: Get some sleep. We have a big day a head of us.
Naruto went to his room and after seting the stone on a shelf he lay down on his bed. For the first time since the start of the hunt he was fully relaxed. And with tthat he fell a sleep.
Ranger24: Finnaly! The first chapter is finished. I was having to listen to the chapter six times on tape before I got it to this grade of goodness! So I expect at least one review from everyone! Read and review!