Chapter 6

"Truth?" Ellia was shocked. She knew about the aura of wisdom, but she had never heard about the aura of truth before.

Ralf furrowed his brows, trying to explain with his newfound wisdom. "Truth is... hmm, the aura of truth is something that lets me see the powers of the world more clearly. It is not very useful right now, but it can be enhanced in the future, and let me look farther, listening more clearly."

Ellia hummed in response, her head on Ralf's shoulder as she told him to cherish his newfound abilities. She also spent an entire hour, at least in Ralf's view, nagging at him not forget her teachings either.

He made a funny face in response to his mother's unending speech; he was a smart boy with an excellent memory in the first place, and with his aura of wisdom, he would not need to listen to the same thing twice.

Ellia finally stopped once she realized, she had been going on too long, " My Ralf, do you want to see father?"

Ralf furrowed his brows again, thinking hard for an answer that wouldn't come. Ellia ended up interrupting his train of thoughts before he came to a decision, " You'll be able to see him very soon.He sent some people to pick you up, they are on their way. Now, you better remember to b on your best behavior, alright?"

" Huh?" This was coming all too fast, and Ralf didn't even have the time to formulate a proper response. He suddenly realized, " What about you? Won't you be coming as well?"

" No, Mommy is not coming."

" Then I won't go either." The child said with resolution.

" Ellia smiled in response, "No, you have to go. Mother has a wish you need to help fulfill."

"Don't worry about that, Mother! I am already grown up; tell me what you want, I'll get it done by hook or by crook." Ralf said with confidence.

Ellia's warm tone completely contrasted the intense gaze she levelled on her son, "When the day comes that you have grown to become a real man, I want you to bury me in the highest layer of your father's family tombs." The boy nodded his head, albeit a little too enthusiastically. He was still too young to understand what this wish really was, but a mountain youth wouldn't ever back down.

Mornings in the Kate Valley were normally calm and quite, but the serenity of the village was broken by light tremors today. The vibrations increased in scale, eventually shaking even the slowest village elders out of their slumber.

The villagers peeked out of their houses, looking at the end on the road, feeling cold. The mountain winds were cold, causing even the bravest of warriors to shiver and tremble.

However, the chill they felt today was a different kind, one of the heart that foreboded of something bad to come. The villagers all gathered at the village entrance as the tremors continued, shaking the mountain to its core. They could see smoke rising in the distance, the tree swaying in a menacing manner as the birds fled their nests, flying straight for the mountains.

A demonic knight suddenly rushed out of the forest on horseback. His back armour was covered in spikes, with a skull on his breastplate. Even his horse was nothing like they had seen before, at least half a meter taller than average.

It too was adorned with thick, spikey armour, indicating that the spikes were not just for defence. Beside the horse were two swords, looking like they each weighed over a hundred kilogram. Such power was not something you would stand up against.

The battle horse destroyed the gravel path in its wake, sending stones and mud flying all around that left dents everywhere.

Twenty more followed behind the first knight, and behind them was an army of warriors, all equipped with shiny magical bows and sophisticated armour. An army like that could easily wipe out Bellborne's castle, but they were invading their small village.

The villagers paled. The hunters maybe brave, but they wouldn't stand a chance against these knights. Even the village chief picked up on some signs from the unusually tall horse, his military experience and instincts told him that knights were very strong.

The knight brought his steed to a halt, its hooves yet creating another dent in the humble path as a gust of fire swept out of its nostrils. The knight scanned across the villagers, expressionless, "Do any of you know where Ellia stays?"

The villagers looked at each other, puzzled. There was not a woman named Ellia in the village. The blacksmith and village chief seemed to recall something, but they chose to stay mum as well. The knight turned gloomier by the second.

However, Ellia emerged from her medicine shop before he could speak, "Did Galore send you here?"

The knights expressions changed almost the very moment he looked at Ellia. He swiftly got off his battle horse, landing in front of the elf. His helmet was removed as he bowed his head in respect, "I am Modred, a knight of the lord. I am here under his orders, to bring you back."

Modred had spikey maroon hair, and even with his head bowed down his aura was no joke. Everyone near the medicine shop trembled in his presence.

Ellia's own dress waved slightly, but she didn't back away. It felt like she was standing atop a gust of wind as she spoke, "That makes me feel much safer."

Modred laughed heartily, "That you for your compliment, my lady."

Ellia grabbed Ralf from behind her, putting his small hand in Modred's, "This is the one Galore wants. His name Ralf Archeron."

"Modred looked at the child carefully, before taking Ralf's hand in his, " I am at your service."

The knight looked up to Ellia, " I believe you have already packed, my lady. Let us set off immediately, Lord Galore must be very anxious to see the two of you."