Free Zectas Book II: Heraldic City of Coatl by John Nest

trouble makers like us belonged to. We were terrified because she kept on a stern and serious face. She continued to take us southward. We originally planned to escape as soon as she left us in this 'reformation center' that she spoke of. She left us at the entrance of Nanahuatl village. She told us that we could either leave or try the life inside the village. We decided to stay, since we felt that we didn't have a place we belonged to anyway. We kept on doing our usual petty thefts and people got angry but they never locked us up or kicked us out of the village. They just waited for us to settle down. I remember that I finally felt at home in Nanahuatl was when master Darius gave us a purpose and treated us like we were his own family."
     
     
This time, Gandiva added in some of her thoughts.
     
     
"Master Darius taught us how to read, write, fish. Heck, we even learned how to cook some decent meals from him. We kept on asking him to teach us how to fight but he never did. Not until we told him that we wanted to fight for your cause. He said that if we had a reason to fight for, then it would be okay to teach us. He also told us that if we were to face the root of the problem, then it is most likely that our anger or anything that might have been upsetting us would disappear. For me, it was the fear of being forgotten. I felt like I was a nobody but when I came to Nanahuatl I knew that my friends and the family that I've made there would remember me even after I'm long gone from this world."
     
     
Smoke was inspired by hearing Darius' advice. Even when they were miles apart, Darius was still helping him. He was glad that Darius taught his students not only how to fight but also how to be helpful and productive members of society.
     
     
                                  
     
     
    * * * * * * 
     
     
Now, that he knew what to do with his anger. He focused on his training once more, this time with a specific goal in mind. He went to the old lady sitting on her porch.
     
     
Madam Dawny was enjoying the afternoon sky, rocking away in her wooden rocking chair. He wanted to ask for more guidance on being a Swordsman.
     
     
"Madam Dawny, I wish you a good day. I see that you're enjoying a quiet morning. I know that it's a bit bothersome but I was wondering if you could share some more of your wisdom. I was thinking that even though healing abilities are mostly associated to acolytes and paladins there should be something similar for Swordsmen right?"
     
     
Madam Dawny just stared at Smoke with a hard stern look. She looked stricter than when she gave him advice on the district tournament. However, he knew that she was real soft inside and continued to match her gaze with a smile.
     
     
"There is such an ability, but I haven't heard of a Swordsman in recent times that decided to acquire it. Its basic requirements are quite high and the ability itself can be called mediocre at best. Do you still want to learn the ability even with all that information?"
     
     
Smoke nodded with a smile. He didn't care if other people found the ability to be useless. All he cared about was that he could use it in the upcoming finals.
     
     
"Yes! Can you please teach me the ability. I'm willing to do anything to learn it."
     
     
"Alright, just do these steps. Go to the central library. Ask for the head librarian. Her name is Madry tell her I sent you. Then you just have to pay for the ability tome 'Life Share'. You do know what an ability tome is right?"
     
     
"Of course. I've used some of those before. Thank you so much for this information. I'll head straight for the central library now."
     
     
"Before you go. I'd like to give you something. In the off chance that Madry might offer you a ridiculous price for the tome. Maybe, you can find some use of this one instead."
     
     
+ Received Ability Tome: Mount Mastery
     
     
"Wow, I didn't think anyone but Darius would just hand out ability