Book One – Chapter 15

Harrow must have listened in, sensing Yu’s dissatisfaction with Jerikall’s reply. She added, her voice raw, deep and strangely resonating: “Know thisss, hrrm, the guild, yesss, it is not simple shelter, no, but place of proving. Combatants sharpen blades. Wizards learn limits. They test. Against ice, stone, sky. Against themselves. Against what breaks.”

“What?” Yu was greatly intimidated by her, but also hated the way she talked. It was incredibly annoying — the drawn-out sibilance, the strange cadence. There was just so much noise and nonsense between what was actual words.

“The guild, it bends blades, sharpens minds, yesss, makes those who test their limits … whole — or broken, hrrm. A forge. But fire is the mountain.”

“True,” Jerikall interjected smoothly, clearly unbothered by Harrow’s peculiar manner. “In contrast to the Northern Desert, the Albweiss is rich in Adhar for such training. With that, the guild has attracted a diverse and ever-changing population, including wandering mercenaries, hunters, and explorers.”

“Mhm,” had been Yu’s somewhat affirmation before curling up as tightly as he could near the fire. This was one of the rare nights when they had found refuge in a rocky alcove. It was the first they managed to light a fire. Most nights, they camped out on the Snowtrail whenever the weather allowed, relying on sturdy tent constructions that could withstand the exposed conditions.

Yu hated carrying so much gear. The weight of the tents and supplies was exhausting, and the constant expectation that he contribute to the group only made it worse. Early in the journey, they had assigned him tasks like setting up his own tent or keeping watch, but whenever they stopped for the day, Yu had proven utterly useless.

The first few days had been the worst. He could not figure out how to set up his tent, even after several demonstrations — not just because he did not know how to properly anchor the thing, with those millions of ropes and spikes designed to hold against the storms, he just did not get it; and not even out of sheer defiance, though he was convinced that the escort team should handle everything, as it was their duty to keep him safe, they got paid for that, after all! No, even as his attitude softened and his will to not fully embarrass himself was there, Yu simply could not muster the energy. He could not keep up. Most nights, he collapsed the moment they stopped, his body giving out before he could manage even the simplest tasks. By the time he dragged himself into his much too thin bedding, the rest of the party had already prepared the camp and taken their posts.