Ch 106: Mystery of the Boy

Over the following weeks, Kalem immersed himself in the ruins. Day and night, he could be found tracing symbols, inscribing notes, and experimenting with energy flows. His dedication bordered on obsession, and the once light-hearted blacksmith was now a quiet, thoughtful presence.

Meanwhile, in Vornar's workshop, an unusual meeting unfolded.

The Augury's Curiosity

The Augury stood by a roaring forge, his imposing figure seeming out of place in the gritty, practical space. Vornar sat on a sturdy stool, cleaning his axe, while Tharic leaned casually against the anvil.

"So, what's on your mind?" asked Vornar, his tone wary.

The Augury's gaze was unusually sharp. "The boy. What is he?"

Tharic raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, what is he? He's Kalem—a scrawny, forge-obsessed brat who happens to be good with metal. What else?"

The Augury shook his head. "No, I mean... his origins. His lineage. Where is he from? Who are his parents? Is he entirely human? How long—"

"Slow down, will you?" Vornar interrupted, raising a hand.

Tharic chuckled. "Yeah, Augury. You sound like you're trying to solve a riddle. What's going on? Is Kalem too much for you to handle or something?"

The Augury frowned. "It's not that. It's just... he seems odd."

"Odd is putting it mildly," Tharic said, smirking. "The kid doesn't care about anything but forging, mining, and now these ruins. He doesn't even drink. Who doesn't drink at his age?"

Vornar shrugged. "That's just Kalem. He's single-minded. Always has been. Doesn't bother with distractions like the rest of us."

The Augury's Observations

The Augury shook his head, his voice tinged with frustration. "You don't understand. It's not just his focus. Look at what he's achieved in so little time. He's a masterful smith, adept with weapons, and now he's picking up ruin-crafting as though he's been doing it for years. And he's only seventeen."

Tharic folded his arms. "So what? The kid's a prodigy. Big deal."

"It's more than that," the Augury insisted. "His instincts are uncanny. He seems to know things he shouldn't—how to balance energy flows, how to create harmony between elements. Those are skills that take decades to master, yet he's grasping them after mere weeks of study."

Vornar frowned. "Are you saying he's... unnatural?"

"Not necessarily," the Augury replied. "But there's something about him that doesn't add up. Have either of you ever asked about his past?"

Tharic exchanged a glance with Vornar. "Not really," Tharic admitted. "He showed up a couple of years ago, eager to work, and we didn't ask too many questions. Figured he was just some runaway or orphan looking for a fresh start."

Vornar's Memories

Vornar set down his axe, his expression thoughtful. "Now that you mention it, there were a few things that struck me as strange when he first arrived. He didn't seem to know much about the world—basic things like traditions, common tools, even how people interact. But he knew his way around a forge better than most seasoned smiths."

"And his strength," Tharic added. "You've seen it. He's wiry, sure, but he's stronger than he looks. The way he works the forge, the endurance he has—it's not normal for someone his age."

The Augury nodded. "Exactly. And then there's his lack of interest in anything outside of his craft. No curiosity about people, no ambitions beyond forging and ruins... it's as though he was made for this purpose alone."

The Growing Mystery

Vornar leaned back, crossing his arms. "So, what are you saying? That he's some kind of construct? A magical experiment? A lost prince with a destiny to save the world?"

Tharic snorted. "If that's the case, he's got a lousy sense of humor for a hero."

The Augury didn't laugh. "I don't know what he is. But I intend to find out. There's something unique about Kalem, something that could be the key to understanding the ruins—and perhaps much more."

Vornar sighed. "If you're planning to dig into the boy's past, don't go stirring up trouble. Kalem's a good kid. Whatever his story is, he's earned his place here."

Tharic nodded. "Yeah. And if you find anything that makes him sound like a villain or some cursed figure of prophecy, keep it to yourself. We've had enough chaos for one lifetime."

The Augury allowed himself a small smile. "I'm not looking for chaos. Only answers. Perhaps they'll come in time."

Kalem's Obsession

Meanwhile, Kalem was at the ruins, oblivious to the discussion about him. He knelt beside a massive slab of stone, carefully inscribing notes on a scrap of parchment.

"This alignment... it's almost like a pulse," he muttered to himself, tracing a finger along the glowing runes. "If I can just sync the flow here with the next node, it might..."

His thoughts trailed off as he caught a faint flicker of light from the corner of his eye. He turned, squinting at a distant point where the ruins seemed to hum with faint energy.

A small smile crept onto his face. "Almost there."

Kalem's relentless pursuit of knowledge and the Augury's growing curiosity about his origins were on a collision course, the implications of which would soon ripple far beyond the valley.