chapter 29

After Hou calmed Hamar down, he called over the five who were waiting for resources to start their work.

Hou turned to one of them to ask,

"Do you need Da to measure what you need and create the design?"

"Why yes I do, if it's no too much trouble and it's safe I'll measure it out and I'll start drawing up the plans!"

"Sounds good, head over there where the others are collecting material, Da will protect you and as long as you aren't aggressive he'll tolerate you"

"Does the blacksmith need a forge made? If so just command a few of other gatherers to help you, tell them the points will be the same"

"Yes, thank you sir"

"Right you all leave, as I said Da should protect you, if anyone is in danger shout and I will hear you"

The group nodded and moved over to the edge of the forest where the rest were.

"Let's go hunting, maybe you can teach me how to use a sword" Hou turned to Hamar and gave him a light punch.

The duo made a slight jog, Hou slowing down in consideration for Hamar's age. The two of them made their way into the forest, going to hunt a few wolves, since they should only be needed for tassels, only one or two should be enough.

The two walked over, in silence, but it was not uncomfortable.

Hou raised his arm, motioning Hamar to halt, he then crouched. Hou pointed forward and whispered,

"Just a bit over there are two wolves, I can see them with my powers" as Hou explained he showed of his eyes, each having small plants in the pupils.

Hou could also hear them from the plant spirits around him with his ear parasites but did not explain that to Hamar, not wanting to overwhelm him.

"Show me what you can do, can you take them on?"

"Well I can try, might need help near the end. I am a bit rusty" 

Hamar stood up, cracking his neck and loose ing his shoulders. He slowly made his way towards the wolves' direction while crouched.

Once he was close enough, he stood up and pushed against the ground with his feet. He had his sword like a needle straight pointing towards the first wolf.

Just as the wolf noticed him, Hamar had landed on his toes and make another movement, he had dodged an attack from the other wolf while slashing his original target.

Now the two wolves were both aware if Hamar, he changed his form and adopted a low stance always ready to pounce out of the way.

The way Hamar held his sword, the wolves could not attack him without being attacked themselves. The three stood at a standstill, when the two wolves split, each going the the opposite side of Hamar.

Hou was going to step in, until he saw Hamar's facial expression, he had no fear!

Hamar, took a calm step forward and turned around, the two wolves had not expected such a situation and happened to meet again but swapped places with Hamar.

Hamar took the chance and did a quick step forward, he used a different technique and instead of thrusting, he slashed at one wolf, while swing his foot to sweep at the other wolf.

The wolf's head was cut clean off, even Hamar was surprised but did not let himself get distracted. Taking the chance, he stabbed downwards on the wolf he had sweep his feet at. The wolf's head was stabbed clean through, blood starting to pool.

Hou took a step out of hiding and used his wings and leg parasites to quickly jump off nearby trees to launch himself to Hamar's fight.

"Good job! I don't think I could've done anything that cleanly without my abilities, I hope you can teach me to better utilise my power."

Hou bowed to Hamar but reserved his dignity.

"It's nothin' don't go praisin' me fer nuthin'" Hamar tried to dismiss Hou's compliment but still felt proud at his skill.

"But I felt much stronger than I should be, is it this arm you gave me"

"I do assume so, it appears to be much stronger than a typical flesh arm"

'In fact from the fight I even figured out how it works, the arm moves through miasma and it absorbs it from the air. Everytime the arm moves, it creates a ripple in the air, this could be useful. Perhaps like Yue's blood dome formation, a movement of the sword could also get spirits to do miraculous actions'

The two of them brought back a wolf each and passed it off the the workers. 

The designer had finished the measurement and already designed the saddle, all that was needed was the leather to be processed, and then assembly could start. 

"Stop all wood cutting and work on these wolves, by tomorrow I want this done! And from now on Hamar has been given an ability, his arm has returned. He is now your senior, a middle ranked leader, treat him as so."

Hou gave his order and practiced on controlling his body while his inner world was out. From the outside Hou looked fairly normal but with close attention one could see a vague red tinge. 

This was Hou's refined blood qi, like sunlight and miasma it was visible. To say it was the qi would be inaccurate since qi exists on a different plane but it is a manifestation of it which can be seen on the normal world.

Hou sat down and everyone around him worked throughout the day and finished it before the sun had fully set.

When Hou sensed it was done, he returned his soul into his body and set up. What greeted him was a large sequence of the leather straps with small metal pieces connecting them, on top was a shallow wooden patio which people could sit upon.

Hou summoned Da to him with a whistle and made up stand under the contraption and enlarge. After some rustling and setting it up, the harness and saddle had work perfectly!