It had been six months since that day. Andrew laughed to himself,"I probably shouldn't daydream about what little past I can remember when working." While he was out looking for materials for his forging, he also wanted to search the area where he had first woke up. It seemed stupid to go there after a year and a half but before now Andrew was almost afraid. It could've been fear of finding something or not finding something he couldn't tell but he had to at least know for sure if their were any clues to his past.
After a little bit of searching he found what seemed like it, although since it had been so long he couldn't be 100% sure but it was close enough for him. Searching the ground for anything he suddenly came upon a small orb. It was perfectly round and it seemed to be so many different colors at once just swirling around in it and when he picked it up it suddenly glowed brightly.
"It's warm...but what is it? Could this be something of mine?" he wondered to himself. "Well whatever it is I might as well hold onto it for now," he said as he decided to stop searching any more and headed back to the village. When he got back to his forge he got right back to work. As he finished up with his work and admired it, he smiled. It took him awhile but he was finally getting the hang of forging weapons. The one he was working on now was very unique, as it was being made from a strange rock that neither he nor anyone else in the village had ever seen. Although a couple villagers had said they could've sworn they saw it fall from the Moon That Never Sets.
"It'll be one of the strongest swords in all of Endiness if forged properly," his old master had said when he saw the material. Andrew made sure he was as close to perfect as possible with other swords before trying it. "Wouldn't want to make a mistake and ruin such a chance now would we," he had chuckled to his master. Now after months of practice he had finished it, it was spectacular. It shined in the light and was a dark black color, and it seemed to almost emanate a strange aura of power. As Andrew stared at it he felt strangely relaxed almost like it soothed all his worries.
On the hilt he decided to make a whole to place the small orb he had found and when placed there it seemed as if the sword and orb went together perfectly. "Why are you drifting off after finally finishing your sword?" Andrew jumped and twirled around and was face to face with Shana. "Geez don't sneak up on me like that!" he said out of breathe. She laughed at how surprised he was," I thought you were training to be a swordsman, shouldn't that mean you'd be better at sensing somebody nearby?"
"Hey now you know just as well as I do that that is one of my only weaknesses with my training," Andrew said remembering back to Master Tasman blind folding him and attempting to teach him to sense his enemy. The pain of his failures was still fresh in his mind as Master Tasman would come swinging at him and almost always ended up hitting him pretty hard. "Ya know for somebody who can't remember his past you seem to drift off into it quite a lot," Shana giggled,"But father sent me to ask you to come have dinner with us, I guess since you've been so busy with your work and training he wanted at least one chance to sit down and talk with especially since you have to leave tomorrow morning. How long are you gonna be gone anyways?"
Andrew noticed she looked sad after she asked that question. "I guess I can't blame her, after Dart left without even a word she doesn't really want to say goodbye to another friend even if in my case it is only temporary," he thought to himself, "although the way she feels about Dart is much more different then how she feels about me." "No worries Shana I'll only be gone for six months at the most," he said and gave her a reassuring smile,"Not only will this trip help me with me training but also my skills at forging weapons. I'll be delivering some things for both my masters to Bale then heading for Tiberoa to train." Shana still looked a little sad but his words at least helped her to be a little happier as well. "Well don't be gone to long everyone in the village is nice but without you around it's so boring," she said trying to sound as happy as possible.
Andrew put all his equipment away and grabbed his finished sword putting it in the sheath his master had made for him. It was made of silver and had gold lining. "This sheath just seems to good for me," he thought as they walked to Shana's home," I just walked out of nothing to live in this village and yet after just a year in a half I've come so far." When they arrived Andrew realized it had had been a couple months since he actually visited their home, he had since moved into a small cottage just outside of town and had a forge set up right at the edge of town. He was greeted warmly by Shana's parents as if he had become their own son, they sat and talked and ate merrily into the night.
Later that night he left for his house so he could prepare for his journey and sleep. As he walked he slowly remembered back to the day he first wandered blindly into the village. He never would've guessed in just a short year and a half he'd be so at home here, and now about to leave on a journey as well. The next morning he left with quite a send off, it could've been close to at least half the village including Shana and his two masters. "I suppose after my strange appearance plus all I've done here I'm somewhat of a celebrity now," he chuckled to himself. As he started out everybody stayed until he was a ways away, but Shana stood watching till she couldn't see him anymore.
"Be safe," she quietly whispered to herself. Andrew's trip to Bale was uneventful except when he went through the Limestone Cave. When he was able to see the end he noticed a giant centipede. "So...this is the monster of the cave people had been talking about," he said under his breathe. Fortunately for Andrew he was able to sneak by him without having to fight it. "Either that thing was sleeping or else it just didn't consider me a threat. Heh I wonder if I should be insulted or thankful for that," Andrew chuckled to himself.
The final part of his journey to Bale went smoothly and he soon found himself outside of the big town and was amazed at what a different to Seles it was. "It's a good thing I'm going to the castle otherwise I might of gotten lost," he joked to himself as he walked to the castle and was unable to find words for it's majesty. He was shown to the throne room by a guard, Andrew wasn't completely sure what he was delivering but he didn't think he'd actually meet the King. "I am King Albert, you are Andrew from Seles correct?" the young man who didn't seem to be much older than Andrew said. He stood nearly 6 foot and was dressed in clothes mostly of green and a cape that was the same color, with slightly long light brown hair and a fair complection and eyes that showed the wisdom and strength in which he carried.
"Yes your majesty I have a delivery from the master smith of Seles and a letter for you your majesty from Master Tasman." Andrew said his nervousness showing in his voice as he spoke. An attendant came and took the package and letter, handing the letter to the King before moving to the door holding the package waiting for the Kings orders. As the King read the letter Andrew was standing there wondering if he should leave now or if he needed to wait for the King to dismiss him.
"Well it seems Master Tasman and the master smith have a request for me which has to do with you," the King said as he finished reading the letter. To do with me? Andrew was very puzzled as to what the package and letter had to do with him. "May I please see the sword you forged yourself?" he said. Surprised at first as to how he knew that Andrew nodded and pulled it from its sheathe and handed it to the King.
It must have been in that letter the King was reading, but what does my sword have to do with anything. It is unique but what does the King of Serdio have to do with it. The King held it up to the light and said," It is incredible, one of a kind, the craftsmanship on it is astounding as well. You have a talent for it and it shows in your work. Now you are most likely curious as to what that letter was about and why I asked to see your sword." Andrew nodded and was unsure what to say that the King hadn't already pointed out.
The King nodded to his attendant and the attendant came forward and unwrap the package, showing armor and leggings that Andrew knew instantly was made from the same material as his sword. That's why master was rarely around for the past month or so. He was working on that. Andrew was surprised that his master had done something like this without telling him and even Master Tasman was in on it. But why?
He wondered when the King suddenly broke in on his thoughts. "It seems they were both correct you tend to drift off," the King chuckled,"You obviously wish to know why they kept it a secret, well it seems that although it looks finished they needed material in Serdio is only found here at the castle. They have asked me to have my greatest smith finish it so you may take it with you for your journey to Tiberoa. It shouldn't take more than a day so by tomorrow afternoon you can leave, unless you would prefer to wait till the following morning, that is your decision to make of course.
In the meantime you are more than welcome to explore the castle or train with some of the soldiers. I will have a place for you to stay the night or two here in the castle or you may stay in the inn if that is more preferable to you." Andrew couldn't believe what he was hearing. Not only does he have the chance to train sooner than he thought but he also has the chance to stay in the castle.
"Excuse me your Majesty but I would like to give our visitor the tour myself if that is alright with you." said a man who had quietly walked up behind Andrew with him realizing it. "Ah Lavitz of course that will be fine," the King said. Andrew turned and was greeted by a man in silver armor also wearing green clothes, although you could only see it on his arms and legs as armor covered the rest. He had short blonde hair and looked like a man who had seen many battles and was much stronger because of it.
"I am Sir Lavitz Slambert I am the head of the First Knighthood of Bale, it is a pleasure to meet you Andrew. Although I didn't get a good look at your sword like King Albert did from what I can tell you are a master of your craft." "Thank you Sir Lavitz but I am still learning and wouldn't consider myself a master," Andrew said embarrassed that a high ranking knight was giving him such a compliment. "Please come this way and I will show you around, please excuse us your Majesty." The King smiled," Andrew enjoy your time here I will make sure the armor is finished quickly." Andrew bowed and followed Lavitz out of the throne room,"Excuse me Sir Lavitz but if it alright with you, could we please go to the training grounds right now?"
"Ha ha impatient aren't we, well word is that your on your way to Tiberoa after this to train with an acquaintance of your masters at the castle, correct?" Lavitz grinned. Andrew couldn't help but smile either," Yes I wish to get much stronger so I may protect my village and someone dear to me." Lavitz laughed," You speak like a true soldier, you wish to protect everything you hold dear and in these times men like you can be hard to come by." As they reached the training grounds Lavitz picked up a javelin and said," Well then my young friend come let me test what you know. Perhaps we may both learn more and become stronger for it." Andrew drew his sword and nodded with a smile.
A chance to battle with the Head of the First Knighthood of Bale. This won't be some simple fight, I have to be careful. "Here I come!" Lavitz lunged at Andrew who dodged to the left and swung his sword up knocking the javelin upward but Lavitz didn't let go and twirled to his left bringing his javelin back at Andrew. Quickly Andrew put his sword up and blocked the hit, he felt his body vibrate with the hit. Incredible! That could've taken my head off! With his sword still held against the javelin he moved forward with his sword scraping Lavitz's weapon getting nearly right in his face.
They both smiled then Andrew pushed the javelin away bringing his sword to his side and jabbing right at Lavitz attempting to knock him back and off balance. Lavitz jumped back and as Andrew almost fell forward he brought his javelin down and right next to Andrew's neck. "You are strong and quite fast, but this day is mine," he said smiling,"When you are done training in Tiberoa I hope you'll return for another match." Andrew was out of breathe but laughed,"It would be an honor but I don't think that little bit of training will bridge the gap between us that easily, this fight didn't last very long at all."
Lavitz chuckled,"Very few battles last that long when between very few people, if you had been able to recover faster after your jab you could've been the victor this day instead of me." They put their weapons away and walked outside the castle. "I realize the King offered you a place her in the castle to stay but I wonder if you'd rather stay the night at my home with my mother and myself," he asked. "Well this castle would be a wondrous place to stay, but it's to rich for me," Andrew admitted,"It would be an honor and thank you."
Lavitz had an attendant let the King know about it and lead Andrew back to his home. It was a grand house compared to all the others in town. They were greeted by Lavitz's mother who start doting over both of them. Once Andrew was cleaned up they ate supper chatting together and then the all withdrew to bed. Andrew had a place made up for him and as he started to drift off he thought. This a wondrous place but as soon as the armor is done I need to get going. I hope I get a chance to battle Lavitz again soon though.