Ashborn Primordial

Chapter 12: Man of Many 'Talents'

Vir? Vir, wake up! Maiya said, shaking her friend.

He awoke with a jolt, drenched in sweat.

You were sleep talking Maiya murmured. Sounded like a nightmare.

Vir peered up to see morning light filtering in through the skylight. The burns on his back still throbbed, but they hurt slightly less than the day before. Riyans salves and healing orbs were working, albeit slowly.

Its alright now. Youre safe, Maiya said, squeezing his arm. Riyan wants us to get ready. Said were going out today.

Vir blinked away the cobwebs and got out of bed, almost tripping over Neel, who bounded excitedly around the room. He stared at the overactive bandy with envy. If only he had that kind of energy.

Some time later, Vir, Maiya, and Neel assembled in the kitchen. Riyan had cooked up some oat porridge, which, while somewhat bland, at least filled him up. Maiya was less impressed. Vir figured Maiya would take charge of the cooking from now on, judging by how much she grumbled while eating.

Riyan took his meal in the living room and returned after he was done.

Allow me to reintroduce myself as your instructor. I am Riyan, and I have known combat for most of my life. I have lived through more battles than most men would in several lifetimes. I am well versed in battlefield strategy, tactics, and the arts of war.

So whats your Balar Rank? Maiya asked, thinking herself smart. All warriors worth their salt have a Balar Rank, dont they?

One Hundred and Fifty.

Vir and Maiyas jaws hit the floor.

You cant be serious Maiya whispered.

It is no lie, but words are cheap. The best way to convince you is to show you, and that is the purpose of todays lesson. Vir is still in no shape to train, so instead, I shall demonstrate the heights one can achieve as a warrior.

I didnt even know the ranking went that high Maiya said.

Riyan gave her a puzzled look. What do you mean? There is no upper limit Itgirl, do you even understand what the Balar Scale is?

II know its a way of gauging strength, she squeaked. I thought it went from one to one hundred?

Riyan groaned. Gods above. I hadnt expected villagers to be familiar with the intricacies, but to think you dont even know this much? Please tell me you know of the Kinjal Empire, at least?

Maiya nodded vigorously. Theyre the most powerful nation in the Known World, right?

Hmm. What about you, boy? What do you know of the Kinjal?

Vir looked away. This was all new to him. Like Maiya, he didnt really understand what the Balar Scale meant. Just what my father told me, he said. That theyre a nation of warmongers.

He wasnt wrong, but neither of you are entirely correct. The Kinjal Empire is a vast, prosperous nation. They possess the largest military in the Known World, yes, but it is the Altani who are unequivocally the most powerful.

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The Altani? Vir asked.

A country of mejai to the north, Riyan said with a sigh, they possess the strongest magic in the Known World, and while their military may not compare in size to Kinjals, they are far superior. Thankfully, they have no interest in expanding their borders, but the Ashs blight encroaches upon their lands with each day. They may soon have no choice.

The man cleared his throat. The Kinjals invented the Balar Scale Ranking system to gauge combat power. It considers martial skills, magic power, knowledge of battlefield tactics, strategy, and cunning. It attempts to capture a warriors capabilities as holistically as possible.

Vir and Maiya listened with rapt interest. It wasnt every day they learned from someone so knowledgeable.

There is no upper limit to the scale, Riyan continued. A Balar Rank of One means that a warrior is as capable as one soldier in the Kinjal Balarian Infantry Corps.

So being Balar One Hundred fifty means youre as strong as a hundred fifty soldiers? Vir found that a little hard to believe. That was a tenth of Brijs population! How could one person possibly be that powerful?

Not just any soldiers, Balarian Warriors, Riyan corrected. Kinjals Balarian infantry are highly trained. They are easily among the best in the world.

If that was true, it made Maiyas father even more formidable than hed thought. Apramor had never once shown off his combat power, claiming that magic should be used for good and healing, and never for destruction. Incidentally, he had a single lesser affinity for fire magic. Maiyas obsession with magic came in part from there, with how much she idolized her dad.

Riyan swept his eagles gaze across them both. How much do you know of our kingdom?

Maiya spoke up. I know Hiranya used to be one of the great powers of the Known World, but times have been harsh, and our distance from the Ash Boundary means Hiranyan land isnt fertile. So the countrys suffered.

Riyan nodded. At least you know this much. But what about you, boy?

Vir looked away. I dont know too much.

Then you will learn. King Rayid rules our kingdoma mediocre monarch at best. But these times do not allow for mediocrity. He has shown weakness against the Kinjals time and time again, and Imperator Andros Kinjal IV has expertly exploited it. Corruption and partisanship fracture King Rayids court, leaving him powerless to prevent the slow decay of his kingdom. Truly a sad state for the mighty Hiranyan legacy.

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Vir wondered how Riyan came across this information. He doubted even citizens of Daha had access to this level of detail. There was a depth here that couldnt have come from merely being knowledgeable.

Youre well informed, Maiya said, echoing his thoughts.

I had to be, Riyan said, but neglected to elaborate. First Prince Sanobar is a capable heir to the throne. He needs to succeed Rayid if this kingdom is to have any future. Unfortunately, that day may never come to pass. His youngest sister, Mina, Riyan practically spat her name, his disgust obvious, may very well have him removed. The girl is a blight.

Riyan took a deep breath. Your training will comprise both combat and education about matters of state. As they say, knowledge is power. To be ignorant is to be played a fool. Come, let us depart.

A half hours ride on Riyans uncomfortable Ashvathe beast seemed intent on inflicting pain upon their bums at every stepput them on rolling, grassy hills that gave way to sandy shores. Theyd left Neel behind at the home; Riyans Ashva could barely handle the three as it was.

Is this the Viridian Coast? Maiya asked. Vir perked up; the coast had been their original destination before their fateful encounter with the knight.

No. The Viridian Coast lies west of Brij. This is the Hansa Sea, north of there. Follow the coastline north, and youll end up at Saran Bay, and the port city of Saran.

This will do, Riyan said, surveying the surroundings.

The three hopped off on top of a grassy hill a few hundred paces away from the Hansa Sea. The breeze that blew in made the weather feel pleasantly cool. Both friends stood transfixed at the endless expanse of water.

What? First time seeing the sea?

Yes! Vir and Maiya replied in unison.

I dont understand how? Maiya said in awe. How can it be so big?

Riyan muttered under his breath. He did that a lot.

Vir ignored him. He was just as stunned as his friend, but he saw more than Maiya did. He found an abundance of blue and white coloration coming from the endless expanse of water. The colors still made no sense to him, but he made a note of those colors.

There was another color too: Green, carried by the wind. The colors werent really blue, white, or green, just that they were the closest match to the colors he was familiar with. It was easier to see at night, and some places had more of it than others, but he didnt yet have enough information to piece the puzzle together.

We are not here to ogle at the sea, Riyan barked. Stand back. Observe. And learn.

The Ghost of Godshollow strode thirty paces away from the two and took up a combat stance.

Whats he going to do? Maiya asked.

Vir shook his head. No clue.

The sea was an enormous distraction. Through sheer force of will, he focused on Riyan and not the impossibly large body of water.

The colors coming from Riyan helped with that. Riyan was filled with a significant amount of brownish and white, to a far lesser extent, from what Vir could tellhis new sense had dimmed. Itd been that way ever since the Godshollow.

Maiya was mostly Transparent, with a bit of Green and a smattering of a bunch of other colors. As for Vir himself, he saw nothingness within him. Not empty, just that his color was as black as midnight. It felt like he was staring into a deep abyss. He hadnt seen that color anywhere else.

Riyan jumped and Maiya and Vir gasped.

His jump could have reached the rooftops of most buildings in Brij, Vir thought with awe. But that wasnt all. When Riyan had jumped, Vir couldve sworn he saw something move inside the mans body. The brown color that filled him seemed to flare for a brief instant. But his sight was too dim and muddled to make out anything more.

The Ghost of Godshollow didnt stop there. He touched the ground with a cats grace before disappearing in front of their very eyes. A moment later, Vir found him, fifteen paces away.

Riyan roared and swung his talwar. Its force was such that it blew away the sand near Riyan, kicking up a mini sandstorm.

Vir blinked, and Riyan had reappeared next to them, his sword already back in its sheath.

Maiya fell onto her bum. Vir somehow maintained his balance.

These were not the acts of a human. They were

The Ghost of Godshollow Maiya breathed.

What are you? Vir asked in awe.

Riyan dusted off his clothing. Merely human. But I wield the power of Talents.

Talents? Vir asked. Is that a sort of magic?

Not magic. Martial prowess. Not every warrior can learn them, and even the ones who can often spend years mastering these abilities. But those who learn its secrets can stand toe to toe with even a Mejai of Realms. Talents can be used anywhere, so long as the warriors boots touch earth.

A-are there many warriors who can do what you just did? Vir asked, hoping the man would say no. He didnt know if his mind could take it if there were monsters like him running around the world.

There are, he said, dashing Virs hopes. Talents are not common, but neither are they rare. What I have shown you are merely the weakest, most widely found Talents. With a sweep of my Talent-empowered blade, I can kill ten soldiers. But others can project their blades, bisecting entire trees in one slice. I can jump and fall from heights that would end most men. I can cover a dozen paces in a single instant. And yet, compared to some out there, I am nothing. There are genuine forces of nature in this world, boy. Beings that transcend reason. And if you believe the tales, demons rule the top of that pyramid.

Demons!? Vir asked, remembering the four armed giant.

They exist, though they are rare. You certainly wont see any walking around. They are usually used as laborers in mines on account of their strength. And yet, the strongest recorded warrior in this realm is a humanAndros Kinjal IV, the Imperator of Kinjal, with a Balar Rank of 650.

Maiya gulped. Then who wields the strongest magic?

Riyan thought for a moment. Most probably the Prime Mejai of the Order of Mejai Sorcarthe headmaster of the Altani Magical Academy. He has never shown the true extent of his power, but some suspect his Balar Rank is well over a thousand. Altani cities are full of such monsters.

Vir thought it best not to dwell on his own insignificance. You said that not all warriors could learn Talents, right? Whys that?

No one knows for certain. Perhaps it is a lack of dedication. Perhaps some just lack the blessing of the gods, if you believe those tales.

Perfect, Vir thought bitterly. From everything hed seen, he was likely the least blessed person in the entire world.

Two hooded figures observed the man and the two teens with spyglasses from a dune some distance away. They lay prone upon the sand, their tan robes camouflaging them.

Never thought tailing that monster would be so simple one of them said.

Keep your guard up. The moment you underestimate that man is the moment you die. Ive seen him slaughter entire squads without even blinking.

I believe it. The mans reputation precedes him. I can scarcely believe the Butcher would take in two teens, though. Did he get bored, or what? And a prana scorned Ashborn, of all things.

Indeed. Curious, though not our place to question. I believe weve accomplished all we can here. Lingering would only put us in jeopardy. Her Highness will surely find this development entertaining.

Next time: 13 - Prana Scorned