The hermit

All eyes were on the strange figure who stood before them. Even his awful voice and ominous appearance were very shocking.

- Congratulations. You have passed the test!

- What?! A test? So it's you...

- Please forgive the harshness of my behaviour! It’s been a while since I had guests! That’s why I got carried away. At least I know you a little better, thanks to that. And thanks for your help, Rendou.

Lydar sneered, shaking his head.

- Rendou! But who are you talking about? You're wrong. There is no...

- Croa! Croa! I'm glad to have made you happy! Croa! I am happy! Croa!

Stunned, all fell silent in astonishment. It was the crow that had spoken. The stranger, who didn't lose a bit of their reaction, chuckled at their bewildered expression. He stroked Rendou gently, saying:

“I think you scared them, my friend! Look at them!”

- Croa! Croa! They are interesting, master! Croa! Can we keep them? Croa! Croa!

- I would love to, but this evil dragon will not let me! Him and his morals! I would gladly do without.

The same noise came from the cabin, making the stranger cringe, who muttered:

“Good, very good! I agree to help you, Yrckos! But on one condition.”

Hyra mustered up the courage to ask him:

- Yrckos!? Do you know him? Is he your friend?

- Tsk… The only friend I have is right there, the stranger replied, pointing his crow. Follow me, please!

- We will not move from here until we know who we are dealing with! Although I have a little idea. Your name is Yvan, by any chance?

The individual gazed at Lydar with an icy stare as he slowly approached. Arrived in front of him, he leaned forward, opening his monstrous mouth:

“Well! What do we have there? An Elven King was as annoying as his oversized ego. To say that this simpleton has cared for you all this time! I'm starting to understand why! It gives me ideas!”

Lydar met his gaze without flinching.

“All I ask is to introduce yourself, as it should be. You are…”

They stared into each other for a second, which seemed endless until the stranger burst into an amused laugh.

“Ah, Yrckos! Your tastes are as weird as mine! It must be recognized. Hahaha! Yes, I am Yvan, the hermit, to serve you! I'm going to go and change! See you soon!”

Then he disappeared with his raven, as fast as a shadow, leaving them stunned.

- What a funny character! He gave me goosebumps, Ofyr confessed, shuddering slightly.

Lydar was seething with rage:

- A hermit!!! Don't tell me he took us here for nothing! Ah, that magician's hypocrite! What can an old hermit do to help us? He's laughing at us. Let's get out of here as quickly as possible, while there is still time! Astaldo...

- My lord! Please do not rush too much! Let me point out to you that, when we did a patrol around the area, before all that, specific details aroused my suspicion. This hermit is not what he claims to be.

- Why are you so sure?

- There is nothing trivial about the protective barrier that we observed all around this hut. Yes, it is made of pure magic, and a type of crystal, which I would have thought was gone forever!

Voronyi also remarked:

- Your majesty, you have seen his symbols on all the trees. This is an old code...

- It must also be said that his aura is hidden. I am still able to identify the origin of all beings very quickly. But this hermit kept me from reading him. There must be something fishy, added Brakir, sharing his suspicion.

Lydar grew impatient:

- But what are you talking about? We have to go now, or he'll come back and...

The two brothers suddenly knelt before their king, face down, as Astaldo tried to convince him:

- Your Highness! I beg you, trust us. If this is really who we think it is, this discovery will be crucial, even for Elyra!

Lydar sighed at their gesture. In their Elvish customs, kneeling in this position, in front of their ruler, signified an oath on their honour. It was a commitment, which, if not honoured, would be punished in the worst possible way. These two were their best warriors, but they were also wise. They must have had an excellent reason for doing it...

- Very well! We will stay. But I want to be the first to know about the progress of your investigation. Get up.

- You will not be disappointed, Monsignor! We thank you.

Almost at the same instant, an irritated Yrckos came out of the hut, sticking out a man's ear, who was squirming in pain.

- Ay, ay! Stopped! It hurts! Let go of me! Ay!

- Not before you've adequately apologized! You are a rascal! Living in isolation all this time has been brainwashing you or what! Where are your good manners? First, you don't open the door when I knock! Second, you terrorize my friends. And to top it off, you attack me directly, saying you don't recognize me! It is the height!

- Okay! Sorry! I am sorry!

- Do it right, I said! Or you can forget about the only lousy condition you impose on me!

- Okay! But let go of my ear, please!

He sighed in relief when Yrckos finally agreed. He grumbled for a moment before sitting up in front of the others, who wondered who he was.

He was a tall man, almost the same age as the magician, simple in appearance but still refined. He had a thin face with shaved hair, and his dark eyes were reminiscent of Yvan the Hermit, except they did not glow the same. He scratched his head in embarrassment before bowing respectfully to everyone in apology.

“Please accept my sincere apologies for the worries I have caused you recently! I…”

Brakir, shocked, cut him off in his words:

- Wait! Are you Yvan?!

- It's me.

- Where did the grumpy older man go who thought he was the owner?!

The hermit appeared near the genie, rascal.

- I'm not that old… Unless you prefer my original shape?

- Certainly not. You are much better like that.

- How kind of you. However, I can be whatever you want, sweetheart!

- What? Go out! I'm already taken, aren't I, Astaldo?

The latter exclaimed in anger:

- Keep me out of this, Brakir!

- Why? Am I lying?

Lydar called them to order, sternly:

- Stop your fuss, you two! Besides, Mr. Hermit, it is above all the princesses who should be asked for forgiveness. Manhandling women like this are not worthy, whoever you are!

Hearing his reproach, Yvan glared at him. He didn't like the King of the Elves much, it showed. Nevertheless, he wisely came to one knee, in front of Hyra and Kahelle, looking contrite:

- I'm sorry about everything. I promise not to make the same mistake again. I am cautious and reserved by nature, and living away from society has turned me into a bully! Excuse me!

- Get up, Yvan! Fortunately, that we have nothing is the main thing, Hyra assured understanding.

Lydar touched his claymore, threatening:

- Indeed! Fortunately, they have nothing because otherwise, you would have dabbled with my sword! And already, why all this circus? Are you friends or not? Why did you say bad things about the magician? This is to understand nothing...

- Ah yes? I'd like to know what you said, Yvan. Come closer if you have the guts. Yrckos looked scary with his fiery gaze.

Frightened, the hermit remained hidden behind the princesses.

- I… It's okay! Why are you getting carried away? And then, how many years have we not seen each other? Besides, you, a magician? Tsk… Don't make me laugh!

- If you say another word, I'll cut your tongue!

Yvan immediately fell silent in front of his murderous air. He knew him well enough to know that he shouldn't be provoked for too long.

- It is good! I admit I went too far. I apologize again, okay? "The Magician Yrckos" is entirely trustworthy.

Lydar replied ironically:

- Ah! It’s not all that convincing. But hey, if that's all you can say, we'll settle for it!

Yrckos chuckled at hearing Lydar's response, who glared at him. He hastened to add more seriously:

- However, Yvan, if you had only touched one of their hair… Wait a minute! Is the account not there? Where is this cousin fop? What's his name again...

- Pfft! Can't have fun now!? You, you have changed, mister the magician! Is it because of this arrogant king of...

- Where is he?

- In the cabin, you're happy! He's got nothing. He’s just asleep!

- Why is he sleeping?

The hermit laughed heartily, telling them how Quiado had entered of his own accord. Without even waiting for the door to open in front of him, or to hear a voice calling him…

- Hahaha! If you saw how he shivered! He was afraid of the fog, and he swore at you, Yrckos! Hahaha! He has a bad temper!

- He didn't care about my ban, after all!

Hyrio stood up for his cousin:

- Don't take it the wrong way, especially! That's how he's been for a long time now...

- A spoiled rotten prince, yes! It’s an easy bird to pluck! If he had been alone, I would have made short work of it, the hermit admitted, wiping away tears of joy.

Yrckos, who had regained his cheerful demeanour, smiled, saying:

- You've always been weird, Yvan. It’s you who hasn't changed! Well, that's not all, but I'm hungry, aren't you?

- Come with me now! You will be able to eat your fill, the hermit promised, gesturing for them to follow him.