Spirit Quest

[Oshha]

While she still retains her brown hair and eyes, Aeryn's body has been influenced by Seryn's stronger aspects. A strong muscular body, but intertwined with great beauty including cat ears and eyes, but no fangs or tail.

Aeryn stands alone in the sunlight of the rising sun. An earlier riser, the girl of one great cycle and two cycles enjoys basking in the glory of the rising sun.

She has a nice spot overlooking Bedynn, the village that she has been granted to rule in the name of the Mighty One. A tall tree, there is a nice branch for perching on that grants a decent view of the village below. And the best part is that Aeryn can only reach with the strength and agility gifted to her by Seryn's blessing.

So she gets some alone time at the start of day, the brunette not having to worried about being interrupted as long as she is up here.

Aeryn misses her old home, the mountain village of Avawyr. She lived there under the protection of the Great One and the Beautiful One in the shaped rock cave of her family. In Avawyr, most people worshipped the Great One, the Noble One and the Beautiful One and Aeryn was one of them.

But here? Everybody worships Seryn with a few worshipping Bronwyn for the Beautiful One was there when the Crow-Spirit was slain and the Mighty One claimed the village as her own and Gwarlon as the Great One has made the effort to visit Bedynn a few times. It also helps that those two are Seryn's parents and the Mighty One makes it clear that she loves and adores her parents. And when it comes to Evatine, the worship of the Noble One is barely anything in the village as the Bedynn view him as a foreign spirit and any worship of the Noble One in Bedynn is due to the Mighty One importing it under her reign.

It is not just matters of faith and worship that make Bedynn homesick, but the terrain itself. For all of her childhood, Aeryn lived in the rocky mountains of Avawyr, surrounded by rock and stone with only some trees and plants.

Now? There are trees everywhere with no high natural peaks of stone. Animals live everywhere and almost everywhere you step, there is some kind of plant life. It kind of creeps her out.

Aeryn also misses her family as when she came to Bedynn at the request of her friend, her parents and sisters stayed home at Avawyr. The brunette girl is unsure about whether or not she actually wants her family with her as a while she does miss them, Aeryn is embarrassed about them seeing how she has changed after her blessing.

Her blessing. Aeryn still has mixed feelings about it. She enjoys the super strength, her lack of tiredness, her agility and her ability to heal and reinvigorate herself. But at the same time...

Aeryn's hands go to the top of her head, where the cat ears rest on top of her head. Oh how having those things on the top of her head makes Aeryn feel so silly. Normal people do not have those and Aeryn just cannot seem to forget about their presence.

Perhaps it will just take her time to get used to them.

Deciding that she ought to get back to leading Bedynn now that the sun is rising, Aeryn shifts so she is sitting upright, her feet dangling in the air.

Looking down at the ground, Aeryn is about to jump only to stop as she gets reminder that if she looks directly down, she cannot no longer see her feet or ground under them.

Instead, she has two large mounds of flesh blocking her view. Another part of her blessing, Aeryn is sure that Seryn meant well as the Mighty One certainly takes great pleasure and pride in her own full figure, but Aeryn just cannot wrap her mind around having just generous curves on her chest after growing up a flat chest like both of her sisters and mother.

And unlike her the ever-presence of her cat ears, Aeryn often forgets about the weights on her chest as her body is sturdy enough that her large chest is not heavy at all. Despite each one being the size of her head.

Letting out a sigh, Aeryn places her hands on her chest as she breaths in and out, watching them rise and fall. Her face twitches as Aeryn always finds it amusing to watch and feel her blessed breasts move, the massive mounds of flesh that she should not have and yet has been gifted with anyway.

Oh how surreal they are to her mind.

The only downside to her chest, the rest of her figure and her body in general is the attention that it draws. She would cover up her body in loose clothing to conceal her shapely figure, but part of her blessing is that everything she wears make her look beautiful.

And since Seryn believes that true beauty is a strong body with a full set of curves with clothing that shows off that body, everything that Aeryn will shift into something that leaves fits her snugly. The wool tunic that is too big for her and should conceal her body from view? Shrinks upon Aeryn putting it on so that it shows off her body. The furs that Aeryn put on this morning? Gone from a loose mess of unwanted furs into an outfit which hugs her body closely and is free of the many imperfects that it once had.

As a result of her beauty, both the men and the women of Bedynn stare her, the former desiring to fornicate with her while the latter are envious of her blessed body.

But it does not go beyond that as Aeryn is the chosen of the Mighty One and her good looks are literally divine beauty. Any attempts to force themselves upon Aeryn would be met with the anger of the Mighty One, the warrior cat-spirit which slew both Cynfanor and Morcaviana. And even if Seryn would ignore them, Aeryn's blessing means that she is more than powerful enough to crush any man or group of men who would try to force themselves upon her.

No man does for all of them fear Aeryn and the spirit that she represents. So they stare at her from afar and try to avoid directly interacting with her or getting her attention.

Aeryn does not mind that too much. The Bedynnish have been conquered twice now and had their village pillaged on two separate occasions. And even now as she rebuilds the village, Seryn barely focuses on Bedynn and leaves the forest village to Aeryn whilst she converts Cynfanor's seat of power into her own.

It makes sense that they are wary of Aeryn as she represents a conquering outsider who while is powerful enough that she is to be feared and her might respected, the same outsider has abandoned them in favour of others and they do not love a spirit who has neglected them.

So they get on with their lives and do as Aeryn or Seryn demands of them, but the Bedynnish to do welcome Aeryn or Seryn and would happy to get rid of them if they could.

It is not all bad. For while she is alone and isolated in Bedynn with a new body, her new position and blessing do have their perks.

Being able to climb trees with each, run faster than most everything, being near impossible to tire herself and lift boulders singlehandedly is more than worth having to adjust to a new body. And even then, the only thing that Aeryn does not like about her new body is that bad either. She just needs a little more time to adjust to her new body and get used to her new appearance.

And then there is the authority that she gets to wield as the Chosen of the Mighty One. Even if they do not wish to associate with an outsider like her, the Bedynnish do respect her word and the authority that Seryn has granted her.

While she does not abuse, Aeryn does like to enjoy the perks of it every now again, such as getting the first choice of foods and picking which activities she gets to go on.

Plus the connection to Seryn via her blessing means that Aeryn has a direct connection to the powerful spirit and can always call upon her best friend.

Knowing that you can call upon a much more powerful being is always comforting as being able to contact your only friend in a foreign land.

Having had enough musing about her life, Aeryn slips off the branch and lets herself fall to the ground below. She lands with a heavy thud, easily weathering the impact that would kill a normal mortal.

She had enough time to herself and with the sun rising, she ought to get back to fulfilling her duties. Plenty of damage from the pillaging by the Cynfanor loyalists still needs repairing and in the absence of Seryn, the responsibility of directing the repair efforts falls to her, Aeryn, Chosen of the Mighty One.

And once this is over, Aeryn see if she can get her family to come and visit her.

 

[Oshha]

Cadyl whittles away at the wooden branch, carving the wood into a proper shape for it to be used as a spear. Carving like this is one of the few things that he can do at his age.

In all honesty, he finds it annoying to be limited to such things by his age. Especially when his sisters are twice his age when they were born in the same year. Instead of having to grow up normally, they got to skipped straight to adulthood almost immediately compared to him.

Cadyl tries to not feel jealous, but he cannot help it as his sisters get all of the cool stuff. Spiritual powers, skipped childhood and blessings. He is even jealous the stuff they earned like Terwyn getting to be Dad's high priestess while Seryn is a goddess with two whole villages to lead.

Oh, he loves his sisters and they love him, but he is ordinary and they are not. Cadyl does his best to keep it from getting to him, but he finds it hard when he is the only ordinary person in the family. Dad, Mum and Uncle Evatine are all spirits with cool powers and villages to lead and unlike his sisters, he inherited none of that.

But even as Cadyl feels jealous and envy towards his family, he also keeps those feelings from getting to him and dominating his mind. No, he acknowledges that they did not deliberately chose to not give him any spiritual powers and instead lets his desire for greatness and power drive him to acquire such things via the conventional ways which are open to him.

Cadyl has no clue what the future will hold for him. He does not have any spiritual prowess like the rest of his family does, but the ordinary paths also do not fit him well either. He cannot take up the trade of his father or mother like many do given the unique positions of his parents. He could become a crafter or farmer, but those positions are too dull for Cadyl. He has a sharp mind and he enjoys using it.

Being a trader is an option especially as the trade between villages picks and up the various settlements are strengthening ties with each other, but such a path lacks the glory and greatness that a boy like Cadyl yearns for. He could become one of Arwyn's explorers, searching for new lands and sights. That option actually appeals to Cadyl even if it means subordinating himself to sister.

He also has the option of becoming a warrior or hunter with there being little difference between those two professions. However, that option is becoming more and more feminine over the cycles and it is only a matter of time until the Avawyrish hunters and warriors start taking the Gift of the Mighty Body from his sister. After that, it would be mere cycles at most until taking Seryn's blessing would be required for one to call themselves a warrior or hunter and depending on how soon that happens, it might be too quick for Cadyl to become a warrior or hunter without making certain sacrifices. And even if he did get in without having to take Seryn's blessing, Cadyl would certainly be at a disadvantage to those who did.

Perhaps it is just that Avawyr has too many spirits between his parents and sisters and that as a latecomer, Cadyl has got any good spots left for him to take.

Perhaps he ought to look aboard. His sister has three villages and the only spirit in them is her. Seryn would certainly have room for him. But if he did take that path, he would almost certainly have to accept her blessing, especially if he wants any position with real power.

Quite frankly, Cadyl has no clue if he wants to grow up to be a woman or not and he feels that he is too young to make an important decision like that. Still, if being granted power such as leadership over one of Seryn's village requires him to be a woman, a strong and beautiful one at that, Cadyl is pretty certain that he would take that deal.

"Hey Cadyl!" says a woman and Cadyl quickly places the voice as belonging to Arwyn as he turns to face his sister.

"Hello Arwyn," replies Cadyl as he puts his knife and stick down, "What brings you here?"

"I just thought I would see how you are doing," answers Arwyn as she plops herself down on the stone slab next to Cadyl, "Helping to craft another spear?"

"Yes," says Cadyl as he once again notices that despite being born at the same time, Arwyn is twice his age.

That fact is fairly obvious with how she is much taller than him with Cadyl only recently having grown enough to reach her chest. Which is awkward for him as he has also recently grown enough to begin appreciate the good looks of a beautiful woman. And Arwyn, like all of his sisters, have the supernatural beauty of a spirit. Only they are sisters so while it is not awkward in that way, it is still awkward as they are beautiful women, but he cannot enjoy like he should as they are also his sisters which makes certain things gross and not appealing like they should be.

"You okay Cadyl?" asks Arwyn as she looks down at him with her golden cat eyes.

"It is just really irritating for all of the beautiful girls in my life to also be my sisters," answers Cadyl honestly, startling a laugh out of his sister.

"I keep forgetting that you reached point in life," says Arwyn with a smile on her face as she places a sisterly hand on Cadyl's shoulder, "Yeah, that must be annoying. But you should not worry about that too much. When looking for a girl, do not worry about looks. Find someone who has a good heart and a strong spirit and Mum or Seryn will handle her beauty for you."

"I know that, but thank you anyway," replies Cadyl, having already received variations of that advice from his family before on various occasions, including from Arwyn.

"Still, if you do want to have a feel, I would not mind-" starts Arwyn before breaking out into a fit of laughter at the disgusted look on Cadyl's face.

"That is gross," protests Cadyl even though he knows that Arwyn is joking even as he knows his sister would still make that offer even if he would accept it, "Besides, if I want to feel a woman's chest, I would get my own from Seryn rather than go for one of my sisters."

"True, true," acknowledges Arwyn as her laughter settles down, "I take it you have been thinking about that possibility then?"

"I have to if I am going to consider all of my possible options for the future," answers Cadyl, "If you want to become a hunter or warrior, being a girl is going to become a requirement. Even if Dad does not want that to be a case."

"Yeah, Dad is going to have to come around sooner or later," agrees Arwyn as Cadyl pulls her tail over to him and begins to stoke it, "Even some of my explorers want it, but those are mainly the ones which are also hunters or warriors when they are not explorers. While women might be made for fighting these days, that is not what exploring is about. We survive in the wilderness, away from civilisation, discovering new things and new lands. You do not need fighting for that even if it does come in handy when faced with wild beasts."

"I might try exploring some day," says Cadyl.

"You will have to wait a few cycles first until you are older," replies Arwyn, "At the moment, you are a tad young for a dangerous and laborious activity such as hunting."

"I know," grumbles Cadyl, "It is just that...I have an idea about that."

"Oh?" says Arwyn inquiringly.

"I was thinking that if Seryn's blessings could make someone older become younger, they could make some younger become older," Cadyl tells her, "She could make me old enough to do dangerous tasks and I would spend a few cycles with her and learn how to fight, hunt and wage war. And then once I would be old enough in my normal body, she could turn back to normal and I could return home to do other things after gaining a bunch of experience. Plus it would also give me the chance to decide if I want to be male or female when I am older."

"That plan could work," says Arwyn thoughtfully, "Seryn would also certainly agree to it, but you would have to get Dad to go along with it."

"You think it could work?" asks Cadyl excitedly.

"Definitely, but your mind would remain young even if your body does not," answers Arwyn, "Less of a problem for you than anyone else as your mind is already older than your body, but it would be something that you would be wise to keep in mind."

Arwyn sighs before continuing.

"It also highlights the differences in our generations," muses Arwyn, "When I was growing up, being able to your gender was not an option. A boy grew up to be a man and a girl grew up to be a woman."

"A girl still grows up to be a woman," points out Cadyl before another thought occurs to him, "And we are the same generation! Mum gave birth to us at the same time."

"True," concedes Arwyn without a fight, "But we grow up in different times. What was true when I was your age may no longer be so."

"I wished siblings my age when I growing up," says Cadyl, leaning against Arwyn, who swiftly snuggles back.

"Yeah, it sucks that you did not get to grow up with the rest of us," replies Arwyn soothingly to her little brother, "Maybe it was for the best. We were trouble when we were younger. Morwyn was rather cruel to those around her rather than being just standoffish like she is now. And Seryn had such a big head. Her pride was ridiculous before Dad dealt with her. Now her pride is limited to what she can actually back up. I also had my fair share of troubles, but I will not be going on to those. Thankfully Dad took care of us while we were still young and curbed our worst traits."

"I cannot imagine you not being extremely nice," Cadyl tells Arwyn honestly, causing her to breakout into another fit of laughter.

"You are a great kid," says Arwyn as she hugs her little brother, "Do not let that change."

 

[Oshha]

Wyrn's life has not been a kind one, something that started at birth. The youngest of three sisters, her body was not born right. Her right foot is the wrong shape, a mess of misshapen flesh and bone that vaguely fits the shape of a foot. With the Noble One still being weak when she was young and lacking the power that wields in the current day, her leg was never healed or cured, forcing Wyrn to grow up as a crippled for all intents and purposes.

It has not been easy for her and not just because she has never been able to walk properly, instead limping about on a crippled limb. No, her crippled foot has brought the distain of some of her fellow villagers and a bad reputation upon her. After all, why would the Noble One not heal her if she did not deserve it? If the Noble One had left her with a crippled limb, it was because she was unworthy of it.

So they treated her badly, jeering at her and bumming into her and otherwise showing no respect for her. It is not all of the Evalonish, just a few. Most just ignore her, wanting nothing to do with her while some even show her pity and kindness.

The fights do not help at all either as Wyrn often found herself violent engaged with other kids as she was growing up. As the crippled kid with no friends, she made for an easy target for the other kids in the village and sometimes it was not just kids who decided to be her up.

Her family was useless when it came to helping her. Mother is just prideful hag with no spine when it came to actually backing things up and had no use for a disliked cripple of a child who got into trouble. Father is a warrior who cared only for fame and glory and did not need a troublesome crippled daughter making him look bad. Both of them attempted to distance themselves from Wyrn and place the blame for you on the other with the end result making it look like neither was responsible for her behaviour and they both sought to be rid a trouble maker like her.

Which is the truth when Wyrn look at it as she has no doubts that they will cast them out of their household once she is of age.

Her two older sisters are no better than her parents. Gwyn, older than Wyrn by only a cycle, is kind enough, but is too focused on a good reputation in the village. That means making token attempts to help her in public as a good sister should aid their sibling whilst ignoring her and distancing herself from Wyrn as no one respectable should associate themselves with a troublemaker and social outcast like Wyrn.

Tarwyn is worse than the rest of their family put together. A rising huntress within the village and older than Wyrn by three cycles, Tarwyn is a judgemental girl who looks down upon Wyrn for her crippled limb and the fact that she gets into fights despite neither of those things being Wyrn's fault. Matters are only made worse by how Tarwyn is a good-looking, carefree socialite who does care much about the feelings of other people, especially not someone like Wyrn.
Wyrn hates Tarwyn with a passion as her social desires have led Wyrn's oldest sister to actually join in on physically beating up Wyrn with some of her friends.

Wyrn's only saving grace is the Noble One himself. Unlike her family and most of the village, the Noble One dos not hold Wyrn's crippled foot or the fights she gets into against her. Instead he heals her injuries from the fights and gives her comforting words that Wyrn rarely receives.

For that, Wyrn shall be eternally grateful and loyal to the Noble One. With the Noble One being one of the only people at cares about Wyrn, she makes it her daily routine to visit the Noble One's shrine by noon to the point that one day when she got intercepted by some folks looking for a fight with her, the Noble One sent some warriors to find out why she was late and if she required help.

Wyrn smiles as she makes her way up the steps to top of the hill where the Noble One's shrine is located. To have someone, let alone having that someone be a spirit, is one of the only things that keeps her going.

Unable to perform normal duties around the village with her crippled limb, Wyrn has been able to find work in serving the Noble One. A spirit of great wisdom, the Noble One has decided to incorporate her daily visit into her duties and had a small wooden hall built near his shrine for Wyrn to work in.

Her is unique and important and due to her crippled leg, it only requires use of her hands. While not vital to the wellbeing of the village, it is very useful as Wyrn is in charge of keeping track of how many important things the village.

How many iron spears there are, which have been blessed and how many silver tips are just a handful of the many things that Wyrn keeps track of. Villagers will collect the information and then verbally inform Wyrn of the knowledge. In turn, she then uses that knowledge to carve the right symbols into wood or stone to record that the information for future reference.

When details fade within the memories of men and women, having a record of accurate information is useful, especially should a problem arise due to a lack of information.

Having such a duty pleases Wyrn greatly as she hobbles over to the large slab of stone that she works on. With her right foot preventing her from coming a warrior like she wants to, Wyrn appreciates being given this duty by the Noble One. While it is not her first choice, being able to do something useful and carry out a duty in the name of the Noble One is something that Wyrn is eternally grateful.

Wyrn makes her way over to the wooden pieces carved into flat, circles to make it easier to carve symbols into and then read on later occasions.

Wood is the material that Wyrn uses on a day to day basis as it is easily found on Eva Isle and is easier to carve into. However, for the seasonal records, the Noble One has Wyrn use stone imported from Avawyr. Whilst both harder to use and to get than wood, the Noble One wants the important, long term records carved into stone and not wood.

Wyrn is not sure why that is the case, but it is not her duty to question, but to serve. So she does, doing what is required of her by the Noble One without complaint.

"Wyrn," says the Noble One, making Wyrn jump in surprise as the violet-eyed girl as she makes notches next to the symbol for Myrwyr in a wooden circle.

"Yes Noble One?" replies Wyrn reverently as she looks up to see the Avatar of the Noble One with the liquid metal aura and weakened body.

"Please come with me Wyrn," says the Noble One, "I require you for something."

"Of course Noble One," answers Wyrn and hobbles after the Noble One as he lead her out of her work hut and into his shrine proper.

A boy about Wyrn's age is waiting in there when Wyrn and the Noble One enter. With rough, short brown hair and kind blue eyes, Wyrn has no clue who this person is or why they are here and the only thing about them that she is certain of is that she has never met them before.

"You are back Uncle Evatine," says the boy and Wyrn stumbles in shock at the familiar turn of address towards the Noble One.

Unfortunately for Wyrn, stumbling for her means losing her footing and falling face first into the ground.

As she begins to get back up, Wyrn looks up to see the boy holding out a hand to her. Clasping it, Wyrn uses the boy as a support to steady herself as she gets back on her feet.

"Thank you," Wyrn tells the boy, unsurprised by his generosity as anybody who is kin of the Noble One would be helpful like that.

"Cadyl, this is Wyrn, my record-carver," says the Noble One to the boy before turning his attention to Wyrn herself, "Wyrn, this is my nephew Cadyl, son of Gwarlon and Bronwyn."

"Does she not have parents?" asks Cadyl as he looks at Wyrn curiously.

"None that are worth mentioning," answers the Noble One curtly before returning his focus to Wyrn, "Cadyl is here to visit me before heading to Bedwyn where he is to spend a few cycles learning under his sister Seryn before returning home. He has decided to stop here in his journey to seek my blessing and I shall grant it."

Wyrn is silent, waiting for the Noble One to continue whilst wondering why she is here.

"Are you not wondering why you are?" asks the Noble One, breaking the silence as he voices what Wyrn is thinking.

"I trust you," answers Wyrn without hesitation.

"I would like for you to go with Cadyl on his journey," says the Noble One and Wyrn blinks in surprise as Cadyl turns to look at her.

"W-why?" asks Wyrn, confused at why the Noble One would ask that of her.

"You have always wanted to be a warrior," replies the Noble One, "Serving under the Mighty One alongside Cadyl will give you that chance. Especially since it will give you the chance to overcome your…foot. Quite frankly, I am surprised you have not considered this before."

Wyrn cannot help, but feel amused at how for once, the Noble One is wrong. She has considered going to the Mighty One for the Gift of the Mighty Body. Ignoring the other many benefits, it would allow her to fulfil her dream of being a warrior and even if she did not have such dreams, being able to have a normal foot and walk properly would be worth it alone.

Except it is not to Wyrn. She does not just wish to be a warrior, but a warrior of the Noble One. She seeks to the serve the Noble One and the Noble One alone. To accept the Gift of the Mighty Body and to become a Cath Wyr would put her in the service of the Mighty One and not the Noble One. That makes that option unacceptable for Wyrn, no matter how much she may yearn for it.

"I want to serve you, not the Mighty One," answers Wyrn, looking down at her feet as she blushes.

"You can serve us both, Seryn would not mind," says the Noble One as he places a comforting hand on Wyrn's soldier, "Go and serve my niece alongside Cadyl, fulfil your dreams of becoming a warrior and overcome the curse of your body that you do not deserve. If it helps, consider this to by a personal request from me."

"As you say Noble One," replies Wyrn, feeling the joy bubbling up inside her as her wildest dreams are coming true right before her.

She can barely keep her face from breaking out into a unbearably wide smile.

"Cadyl," says the Noble One as he turns to his nephew, "Wryn is a loyal and valued follower of mine who has an unfair lot in life through no fault of her own. Please look after for me."

"I will," answers Cadyl, looking the Noble One directly in the eye with a determined resolve in his voice.

"Good," says the Noble One, clasping his hands together, "Now for the blessing."

Wyrn finally smiles as she feels the Noble One's power following through her body and soul. She experiences it on a near daily basis, but the violet-eyed girl is vaguely aware that it is different this time. Stronger and clearer. More stable and unmoving, as it if is not going to go away.

Something within her awakens and something else is formed. Wyrn can feel a direct connection to the Noble One-to Evatine in her soul while she can reach out tap into the spiritual power in her soul. Even as she becomes aware of both, she can feel energy flowing from her new connection to Evatine, strengthening her personal pool of spiritual energy by at least tenfold.

Not only that, but she can stronger already, standing here in the heart of Evalon, the most advanced place in the world. Wyrn know where civilisation stands, faintly feeling the directions in which the other known villages are.

And then there is the metal. Wyrn can now reach out and tap into metal surrounding Evatine, being able to shape, feel and move it with her spiritual power.

A Myrymar. That is what Wyrn is now. Truly this is a great day for her.

"I have a gift for each of you," says Evatine.

Wyrn cannot help, but wonder if they will be given an iron spear like the Silver Tips use. None of the Cath Wyr have any, but if she is to serve the Noble One whilst also serving the Mighty One…

As she gazes upon what Evatine has to offer her, Wyrn realises that the Noble One's gift is far better than any iron spear.

Two iron swords, their silver blades glistening in the light of the Noble One's shrine.

"An iron sword for each of you," continues Evatine as both Wyrn and Cadyl take a sword, "You shall find them better than the stone weaponry used by Seryn's warriors. I have no doubt that you make good use of them over the cycles."

Holding the weapon by the hilt, Wyrn can instinctively feel how to properly use the sword despite never touching one before. Another part of the Noble One's blessing.

"Now you may go west with my blessing and my gift," says the Evatine as he smiles at the two of them, "May you find what you are looking for under Seryn."

 

[Oshha]

Myrlin lets out a deep breath as he taps into his well of spiritual power. While his origins have given him an innate connection to it, Myrlin has an average amount of power for a mortal and unlike his granddad, he cannot just brute-force a solution by throwing more energy at the problem.

Let the spiritual energy flow through his body, Myrlin settles his gaze upon the rocky ground. Focusing upon the ground, he reaches out with his spiritual energy and grasps the rock within the ground with it. Gently maintaining the flow of energy even as his reserves are slowly lessen, Myrlin reshapes the rock, raising it into a pillar out of the ground.

He does not bother to fill in the hole he leaves behind as he creates a pillar of rock as while Myrlin can grow rock like granddad can, it uses up too much of Myrlin's power and unlike granddad, he cannot afford to so carelessly use his power without regard as to how much he is using.

Even beyond having a far greater well and being able to channel a lot more at once, granddad has another advantage over Myrlin and the other Prydymar in that he does not have a body to get tired. Whereas Myrlin and the other mortal users of Earth Magic tire themselves when wielding their power as is if they were doing a run or carrying something about, granddad does not get physically tired due to technically not having a body.

Speaking of his granddad's avatar, Myrlin finds the existence of avatars of granddad and the other spirits like him to be an incredibly frustrating mystery. While Aunt Seryn and grandma continue to keep their old physical bodies from pre-ascension, granddad and Uncle Evatine have their avatars made of out of spiritual energy.

That should be some kind of on-going cost for maintaining their existence, but instead, they just have to pay an initial cost and then not worry about pumping any energy into their avatars beyond repairing damage or bypassing physical limitations like sleep or the need to rest or the need to eat and drink.

That should be impossible according to what Myrlin has observed of other magic. All active usage of magic requires a source of power to sustain it and even blessings must follow that rule. Temporary blessings only last as long as the power the spirit put into the blessing lasts while permanent blessing make physical alteration that replaces what was there before and any active magic is either done using the follower's personal well of power or by calling upon the power of a spirit via a connection to that spirit.

And yet avatars are the exception to the rule.

Letting a grunt of annoyance at the rule-breaking existence of the avatars, Myrlin halts the flow of power from his well and into his body and uses up what he has already drawn upon on the pillar as it comes to its conclusion.

As Myrlin observes the rock pillar that is twice his height, he notes that it serves no purpose beyond him practicing one of the three main usages of Earth Magic.

"It does look good," says a feminine voice from behind Myrlin and the boy almost jumps with surprise at the unexpected presence of his Aunt Eulyn.

"It is just the result of my practicing of Earth Magic," replies Myrlin as he looks up into the golden eyes of his auntie, "It serves no purpose and it is the deed which created it that has worth to it."

"So what you going to do about it then?" inquires Eulyn curiously as she eyes the pillar of rock.

"Reshape it as part of my practice," answers Myrlin, "I am trying to figure out how to more efficiently use my spiritual power when casting magic."

"How is that going for you?" asks Eulyn, "Dad has not made much progress in the matter."

"That is because it is much easier and simpler to do the opposite and increase how much energy is being used to get a solution," says Myrlin, "Dad can pull that off, but mere mortals like me cannot so. In a way, that makes things easier for me as I have to take the harder route of finding a more efficient way of channelling my spiritual energy. And I have succeeded. By focusing on it and calming my mind and body, I have been able to increase my control over how much spiritual energy that I channel at once and direct into a spell.

I also find that practice helps with being able to more easily cast the spell, judge how much energy is required, having greater control over how much energy you can channel and direct and a few other things. I think that magical ability is like physical ability, the more you practice and use it, the easier it is and the more capable you become."

"I see," says Eulyn, "So you are just going to practice to get stronger and better?"

"Yes and no," answers Myrlin, "I am going to practice, but I shall do other things as well. I intend to travel to Evalon to study how the Myrymar use Metal Magic and how similar it is to how Prydymar use Earth Magic. I would also like to see what discoveries regarding magic that Uncle Evatine and his followers have discovered. Maybe acquire Metal Magic if Uncle Evatine is willing. I also want to meet the Lyltymar regarding Lightning Magic. As for getting some of my own, well, what is it like being a girl?"

"Eh, alright," replies Eulyn, caught slightly off-guard, "I got nothing to compare it too, but I cannot think of anything wrong with it. You can carry a baby in your gut, you take a piss differently and I do not know, have free access to breasts on demand? You also cannot become a warrior without being female. If you really want to find out, just go to Seryn and try it out for a bit."

"I might, says Myrlin thoughtfully, "If only for the experience, it would be interesting and potentially useful."

"We could go now if you wanted," suggests Eulyn, "Dad has just left on his journey so if you did it now, you could get a few days as a girl and then turn back before Dad gets back, especially if we got Seryn to give us a heads up on when Dad starts to head back."

"I will think it over," replies Myrlin, "I will have an answer for you by dinner."

"Okay, I will see you then," replies Eulyn, "I take it you will continue to spend the afternoon practicing your Earth Magic?"

"Yes, I will," answers Myrlin, turning his attention back to the rock pillar.

As Eulyn heads off, Myrlin turns his thoughts to blessings performed by the spirits. When a spirit grants a mortal follower the ability to use magic, are they actually adding something new to the person or just using their power to grant access to what is already there? Given how he was born with his Earth Magic, Myrlin has no clue what the answer might be.

Perhaps giving access to another magic might give him the answers he seeks.

And what about blessings as magic? Are they a particular type of spell that is not tied to any element, but to a spirit instead? That is something that Myrlin wants to investigate as well as if they are another spell, what is to say that he cannot replicate their effects like he can with his granddad's Earth Magic.

Thinking it over, Myrlin decides that he will require access to magic beyond mere Earth. Uncle Evatine will almost certainly get him Metal and Auntie Seryn will definitely give him Lightning Magic if he does not mind paying the cost for it. And if he can manage it, Myrlin will even try to get Water Magic from Isorine up in Prylake.

Coming to that conclusion, Myrlin realises that regardless of whether or not he prefers it, he will be willing to become a woman if that is required to gain Lightning Magic. He cannot afford to give up a chance at gaining new magic for something as trivial as remaining male.

Knowing what answer he will give Eulyn, Myrlin lets out a deep breath as he taps into his well of spiritual power.

 

[Oshha]

Cadyl grumbles under his breath as he paces back and forth after receiving the news from the south.

"There you are," says Wyrn as the white-haired women strides up to him, "Judging from how you look, I take it you heard the news as well?"

"Eulyn told me," answers Cadyl, "I cannot believe that Dad would make peace with those southern savages. Especially not with those terms!"

"How much did you hear about it?" inquires Wyrn.

"Enough," grunts Cadyl, "Seven wives and three slaves this cycle and twenty children each cycle. How could Dad ever agree to those terms? Surely he does desire peace enough to go along with such evil!"

"I have spoken to Terwyn about it," replies Wyrn, "Dad is planning to let them go free and live proper lives once they are in the village. He is just accepting the deal for two reasons, the first being that it allows him to get ten people out of Sangere and the second is that this deal allows for good relationships to be established with Sangere which will allow for us to influence their culture into something better."

"And the children?" asks Cadyl as he stops pacing, calming down as he gets some proper reasoning for what has happened.

"So that they can live with our people and under our rules instead of living in Sangere," answers Wyrn, "The Great One and the Mighty One are planning to let the Cath Wyrs raise them and their double female couples have a chance at raising kids which they cannot have naturally."

"That makes sense, but I still do not like it," says Cadyl with a sigh and he sits down on a stone bench.

"Neither do I," agrees Wyrn as she sits herself down next to Cadyl.

"I still think it would be best to just march over and kill them until they submit," says Cadyl and Wyrn decides to hug him.

Cadyl blushes as he feels his lover's breasts press against his body. The brown haired lad glances at Wyrn, who grins back at him shamelessly.

"Have you made them bigger?" asks Cadyl as his lover has gotten into the habit of subtly changing her appearance with her powers.

"I have now," replies Wyrn as Cadyl feels the amount of breast against his body increase slightly.

"I still have not changed my mind," Cadyl tells her, "We going to be like Dad and Mum and not do it until we have gotten married. It is family tradition. Terwyn and Vardyn did the same."

"I am still willing to wait," says Wyrn, resting her head on Cady's shoulder, "Just as long as we keep to other agreement."

"Bedding each other every night after the marriage until you are pregnant," mutters Cadyl as he enjoys having Wyrn up against him, "It might be a difficult to keep if it goes on too many nights, but I will do my best. We both know you will not have any trouble. Is there any particular reason that you are acting like this and bring up this subject?"

"I want you thinking with your groin not your head," answers Wyrn, "Easy way to do that is to put my breasts as the foremost thought on your mind."

"I will not deny that it is working," Cadyl admit though he fails to mention that it is less effective now that he knows what Wyrn is up to.

Still Cadyl does enjoy thinking about the beautiful body of his lover over hating those southern savages. He cannot help, but feels immensely pleased at having a woman like Wyrn as his future wife.

"Is there any particular reason that you want to have kids as much as you do," inquires Cadyl, "You seem quite eager for it."

"I want to start a new family," answers Wyrn, "Being married with kids will make that desire come true."

"You do miss your old family at old then?" asks Cadyl, broaching a subject that they rarely talk about and earning an annoyed glare from Wyrn as a result.

"No," the white-haired girl tells him firmly, "Mother and Father wanted nothing to do with me and kept trying to blame the other for me. My Gwyn treated me somewhat decently, but only did so she would not look bad in the eyes of the rest of the village. Tarwyn was one of those who actively mistreated me. I am happy to be rid of them."

"They might accept you now," points out Cadyl.

"I know they would," agrees Wyrn as she flattens her ears and flicks her tail back and forth, "It is because of that I want nothing to do with them. I am no longer the crippled girl, but a mighty and famed warrior, champion of multiple spirits. Of course, they want me now, but not because of who I am as a person. You do so I will make a new family with you."

"I see," says Cadyl before hugging Wyrn, "I will be happy to be part of your new family. But do you ever wonder what has become of your old family?"

"Father and Tarwyn took the Gift of the Mighty Body," replies Wyrn, "That ruined the marriage as Mother is old enough to start getting grandchildren and did not desire to be married to a girl young enough to be her daughter. Neither her or Father are doing well. Father is a Silver Tip now, but he is a poor one and his fellows remember protecting me at the Noble One's command. Mother's trade has failed due to her developing a bad reputation amongst the Avawyrish.

Gwyn is doing well. She has gained the popularity that she desired and her false act seems to have become real due to how much she kept it up. I would not mind meeting her again, but it is also something I do not long for either. Tarwyn moved to your sister's villages. She has been serving the Mighty One in Bedygan and has made a name amongst the Cath Wyrs for herself. I do not begrudge her for glory and Cerwyn seems to have been a good influence on her from what I have heard, but I still remember how she treated me in Evalon as sisters. Even if she has changed for the better, I would still have nothing to do with her if I can help it."

Cadyl is silent, holding Wyrn against him in an embrace as he politely ignores the tears welling up in the violet eyes of his lover.

"Is there anything I can do to help you out?" asks Cadyl, letting the companionable silence continue until Wyrn has gotten her emotions back under control.

"Yes, there is," answers Wyrn, "We can go down to the stream and you can wash me."

Even through that they already did that this morning, Cadyl refrains from pointing that out. He already knows that Wyrn enjoys having someone else care for her. While many prefer to do things on their own as a sign of independence, Wyrn likes to have Cadyl undress her, scrub and clean her skin and hair and then dress her again. The Evalonish girl seems to consider such deeds to be replacements for lack of love that her family showed her a child and Cadyl has no problem indulging her. Even if he did not enjoy being able to see his lover naked, Cadyl would still care for Wyrn anyway in order to make her happy.

"Alright," says Cadyl as he gives Wyrn a smile, "Let go."

 

[Oshha]

"We should do something together," declares Wyrn as she rests her head on Cadyl's lap, gazing upwards at him.

"Like what?" asks Cadyl, not glancing down at his lover as he continues to look at the pearl that he acquired from a Prylakish trader.

"Something fun," says Wyrn, "We cannot go on any raids or fights because the Great One is being protective of you and the measures he is taking to ensure that means we cannot go exploring or adventuring either. The work on the stone wall is do so we cannot help your father with that anymore. With the shadow monster spirit captured and everyone else clearing out the remaining shadow monsters, that will not be an option in the future. Gah! We should be totally be joining on that, but we cannot because we caught by Sangerish."

"Please do not bring up the southerners," mutters Cadyl, frowning at the mention of his old foes, "I rather not think about them."

"You do get rather grouchy whenever they get brought up," agrees Wyrn, "And I just realised that we are not going to be able to fight them either. Ugh, it is so unfair that we do not get to fight the shadow monsters now. With the peace with the Sangerish and the shadow monsters soon to be wiped out, who can we fight? We will not be able to fight anyone in the future and we are missing out right now on what few foes there are left to fight."

"Want to talk to the Dad?" inquires Cadyl.

"Maybe," replies Wyrn thoughtfully, "He did let me go back home to Evalon to make your wedding present. Maybe he would let me go and help hunt down the last shadow monsters. I would probably have to leave you hear and go on my own. You would not mind that you would?"

"No, I got my share of fighting done," answers Cadyl, "I do not enjoy as much as you do anyway so while you will regret missing out, I will not. I will find other ways to spend my time."

"Like getting to know everybody?" inquires Wyrn, "Why are you doing that anyway?"

"I want people to respect me," replies Cadyl, "Sure, I get respected by default due to being the son of the Great One and the Beautiful One, but I want them to personally respect me for who I am, not who I born to. While I earned respect from the Cath Wyrs and the Bedywnish during the fighting against the Sangerish, I am going to earn respect by befriending the people of Avawyr and I will spread a good, respectable reputation to Evalon and Prylake via their traders."

"I can see that," muses Wyrn, "I already got my reputation as the trusted record-keeper of the Noble One and the second greatest warrior after the Mighty One herself. I am content with the reputation and I do not need to prove myself further."

"I do not need to prove myself, but I just do want to," agrees Cadyl, "Speaking of record keeping, thank you for teaching that to Terwyn and myself. It will be very useful in the long run, especially since we are using the same system as Evalon."

"It makes sense to you the same symbols for thing," replies Wyrn with a shrug, "I am just glad that Worwyn is using my old system in Evalon instead of coming up with her own."

"Well, the old records are only useful if she continues to use the old system," points out Cadyl, "If every record-keeper used a different system, then nobody would know what the different records mean."

"True, true," mutters Wyrn as she sits up.

"Speaking of your visit to Evalon, did your crafting of my marriage gift go well?" inquires Cadyl as he watches Wyrn get to her feet.

"It went splendidly," answers as the white-haired girl stretches, "I am certain that you will be greatly pleased by it. Unlike a certain someone who I will not name, I need not mess it up so badly that the entire village and beyond finds out about it. Twice."

"I will get you a proper gift ready," Cadyl reassures her, but he can tell from the wide grin on Wyrn's face that she is not worried or upset, "One of the good things about taking so long to get the marriage done is that we can properly prepared for it and have enough time to overcome any mistake which happen."

"I am not worried," replies Wyrn as she leans forward, deliberately putting her bosom in level with Cadyl's vision, "But we still need to do something fun together."

"Do you want to go swimming?" inquires Cadyl, "Or do you want me to wash you again?"

"I was thinking of a magic duel," says the busty girl, "Only magic. No blessing. No healings until it is over. We will only use our own reserves of spiritual powers."

"That sounds like fun," agrees Cadyl as while he would stand no chance against his lover in a physical fight, they are evenly matched when it comes to the usage of magic.

"We should make bets," says Wyrn as she stand up straight, "When I win, you will give massage me until I tell you to stop."

"And if I win?" asks Cadyl with a wry smile.

"If you somehow win," replies Wyrn before looking thoughtfully, "I will...hmm, we another dozen days until the Harvest Season. If you win, I will keep my breasts at size of my head and half that again."

"Are you sure that you want to agree to that?" asks Cadyl with a frown, "That is pretty big and you would find having them at that size to be awkward at the very least."

"As if I would lose," retorts Wyrn confidently, "I might not be as good at magic as I am in a proper fighting, but I can still kick your butt."

"As much as I would enjoy that result, please consider that suggestion seriously," insists Cadyl, "You will be complaining about them nonstop within three days at most, possible even one."

"Oh yeah," says Wyrn, "How about we double down on the stakes?"

"That is a terrible idea," states Cadyl.

"If I win, you will give me massages on demand," declares Wyrn, ignoring Cadyl's reply, "If you win, I shall keep my bosom at that size until the wedding is over."

"Again, that is a terrible idea," says Cadyl, "You do realise that I stand a chance at beating you in a magical duel right? It will not be a guaranteed win for you like in a normal duel."

"I am confident that I can kick your butt in any kind of duel," replies Wyrn, "In fact, I am so confident, I will extend the terms of my lose agreement until you successful impregnate me."

At that Cadyl just groans.

"Are you sure that Seryn's personality is not bleeding into you via your connection with her?" asks Cadyl, "This is the sort of behaviour that I would expect from her, not you."

"Do you think that is a possibility?" asks Wyrn, suddenly turning serious.

"No," answers Cadyl, "If something like that was possible, it would have been noticed before now. More likely that you have just gained a lot of confidence and that confidence is making you less cautious and careful. Probably due to how strong and powerful you are."

"Okay, nothing to worry about then," replies Wyrn, "Now, do you agree to the bet?"

"Which conditions?" asks Cadyl, hoping that Wyrn will go for the most sensible ones.

"If I win, you will give me massages on demand," answers Wyrn, dashing Cadyl's hopes with her words, "If you win, I shall keep my bosom at the size of my head and half that again until you have successfully impregnated me. After the wedding."

Cadyl feels a flicker of annoyance at his lover getting rid of that loophole. Knowing Wyrn, she will both hate having her chest at that size before long and she will stick to the agreed terms of the bet out of an unshakable sense of duty so that loophole would have been useful in getting the inevitable complaining to stop early. Still, if Wyrn is going to offer those terms, he will not be at fault for her giving herself the short end of the stick. As if he does not massage whenever she asks anyway.

"It is your folly, but I agree," says Cadyl as he gets to his feet.

***​

OOC: The first and second duels were ties, but Cadyl managed to snag a close win in the third. Yes, I did roll out the results of the duel.

 

[Oshha]

"I am glad that you and my brother are getting along better," says Seryn as she and Edryd watch the sunset with each other, "It would have been troublesome if he continued to consider you his enemy."

"He had good reason to hate me," replies Edryd as she leans her head against her lover, "I tried to take him and Wryn as my own personal breeding stock. I wronged him and had yet to make it up to him."

"You changed Sangere so utterly that such foolishness will never happen again," says Seryn, "No more taking multiple wives so they can have your babies each year."

"But I had yet to make it up to him as a person," argues Edryd, "I might have kept my mistakes from being ever being repeated, but I had yet to make up those mistakes that had been committed to him."

"You certainly did make it up to him," says Seryn, "Cadyl definitely enjoyed his time with you. You are quite good in bed."

"Well, I do have plenty of practice and experience," agrees Edryd as she strokes her buxom smugly, "Even if most of it is in a different form to my current one."

"It has just occurred to me that I never actually asked you if you are okay as my Chosen," says Seryn, "I know you would have spoken up by now if you had a problem, but when I imbued you with my power, I never gave you a choice."

"Because I was dying and would have been dead if you had not intervened," points out Edryd, "How many would have died if Porwyll had successfully launched an uprising against my rule? How many would have died if the fighting between Sangere and the other villages had continued? No, I do not mind that you did what you did without getting my consent first. I would have given it anyway and it was all worth it."

"I am just glad that you do not mind being a woman," says Seryn as snuggles up against Edryd.

"Why would I?" replies Edryd with a grin as she rests her head on her lover's shoulder, "Being a woman is awesome! Well, being one of your permanently blessed is awesome if I want to be accurate and I am happy to be a woman. Sure it was weird at first and took some adjustment, but if that is what it takes to be able to crush any mortal warrior with ease or two. Plus being so beautiful is good as well. I am happy to be a tall and busty woman with the strength of five men and the toughness of hard stone and the ability to toss bolts of lightning."

"Most do not mind my blessing for the same reasons," notes Seryn, "Even those who would not normally want to be a woman do not mind that change if it means gaining the benefits of my blessing."

"You have an extremely nice blessing," points out Edryd.

"True, true," agrees Seryn, "Are you up for fornicating with me tonight?"

"When I am not?" replies Edryd, purring at the thought, "Since we are on the subject, when are we going to have kids? While I have many of my own, none of them are yours and frankly, there are too many for me to raise."

"Another evil of the old culture," notes Seryn.

"Yes, it is," agrees Edryd bitterly, "At least it is consigned to history along with the rest of the old culture's evils."

"At least we have done the best that we can with the children," says Seryn, "Spreading them out amongst other families so that their parents, new or old, are able to give them enough attention. It also helps with the issue of Cath Wyrs marrying each other or former male Cath Wyrs sticking with their wives being unable to have kids of their own."

"Speaking of that, how will we have kids?" inquires Edryd, "Will retake my old male form to impregnate you for a bit or shall we find someone to impregnate me?"

"Maybe both?" suggests Seryn, "You could give me a baby to carry and then we could convince Cady to come down here for a visit and do the same with you. Wyrn has certainly left him experience at deed and I feel that you gave him a good enough time when you last fornicated with him that he would be willingly to do so again. Especially if I gave him the kitty eyes."

"I do not mind the idea of Cadyl being the one to give me a child," says Edryd, "I would be honoured to have my friend show me what it is like to be the woman when a man and woman fornicate with each other. Speaking of Cadyl, how is Wyrn coping?"

"Poorly in some respects, but well enough with others," answers Seryn with a frown, "While the Aspect was nothing more than a crystallisation of the loyalty that I already held, giving it formal weight and power, it is more significant for you, Wyrn and others who bear my permanent blessing."

"I figured as much," says Edryd, "I cannot think of going against you in all, but the most impossible contexts, where you would do things that you would never do and opposing you would be loyalty to the true you."

"Wyrn does not even have that," replies Seryn mournfully, "I am unsure of whether or not she realises it, but Wyrn cannot oppose him even if she should do so. Blind loyalty, one of the worst loyalties depending on who follow. While she is safe enough to follow Cadyl, if he were to order to turn a blade on her own children, Wyrn is no longer capable of resisting such a command unless I was to revoke my blessing from her."

"Do you feel the need to do that?" asks Edryd.

"No," answers Seryn instantly, "She is loyal to Cadyl so Wyrn has no reason to fear or worry. But if it was someone else, then she might. It is something I will need to bear in mind for my future chosen, to make sure that their masters are worthy of their loyalty and will not abuse it."

"That make sense," agrees Edryd, "While it might not be a problem now with the people involved, things may and most likely will change in the future."

"Wise words," muses Seryn, "The sunset is a pretty sight tonight. Say, how do you feel about fornicating here and now instead of going to bed?"

"I would say that it sounds like fun," replies Edryd, "Let us do it."

 

[Oshha]

Cardyn was a loyal man. A villager from Avawyr and a follower of the Great One, he was happy with his lot in life. He had his wife, three kids to call his own, steady work and no want for necessities of life.

Each cycle, the spirits would provide them with enough harvest to feed them for two to three cycles to the point that they are now overflowing with food to the point that the lower quality food is being left to rot or fed to animals as the villagers are literally unable to consume all of the food.

And whenever anyone is injured or ill, all they to do is go the spirits for healing. Done whenever requested and without requiring payment or reward, the spirits were willing to cure or heal any villager in need, even ones who did not worship them.

They even provide magic, protection and friendship. The greater spirits of the Great One, the Noble One, the Mighty One and the Peaceful One can all grant magic to some of their followers. While he has none of his own, he has greatly benefitted from the actions of those who have as the cave-home of his family has been shaped by Prydymar while he has been fortunate enough to acquire a couple of iron tools made by Myrymar.

As for protection, the Mighty One and her Cath Wyrs guard every village and go off into battle to face any threats that the Arthish people face. Cardyn is fortunate to have his wife as one of Cath Wyrs. A fine warrior, she proved herself in the conquest of the Belarsa, taking the westernmost village under the leadership of King Cadyl the Great.

While it is a bit odd to have his wife only be slightly older than their eldest child, Cardyn is rather appreciative of how good looking his wife is. The weirdness of his lover having a younger body than his own is easily outweighed by how easy she is on the eyes.

Oh, how he loves his dearest Fyrwyn.

And it is not just Fyrwyn that has great beauty in their family. Their daughter and eldest child Tyrwyn has recently come of age and will all women within the kingdom, she has received the blessing of the Mighty One. While her blessing is not as potent as one her mother has, Tyrwyn has still become stronger, taller and more curvy than she was before with a muscular build and full figure.

Musing on the matter, Cardyn cannot help, but think that the generation of his grandchild will not experience there being male warriors and hunters or the possibility of having to marry an ugly woman or even one that is not beautiful.

Nonetheless, it is not a change that Cardyn finds unwelcome. In fact, he is looking forward to a bright future. With the coming of the spirits, things have gotten much better than when he was young. Sure it took some bloodshed and deaths and plenty of trouble, but the rewards have been more than worth it.

Perhaps some might disagree with him as Avawyr has been mostly isolated from the violence and death like some of the other villages, but his opinion is shared by many, including villagers from the more troubled villages like Sangere or Blawain.

But that does not matter to Cardyn. For the Avawyrish man, he will look after his family as a father and husband should, he will dutifully tend his crops as farmer like himself should and he will remain loyal to the Great One and the family of the Great One.