The soft sound of shoes walking on stone can be heard as Fredric walks through the garden. Once full of flowers, it now grows healing herbs, vegetables, fruits, and spices —anything the residents would need. He's carrying a backpack and some luggage. He walks to the edge of the garden and heads through a small gate, turning to the distant hills. As he gets further from town, he stops at a series of tree stumps cut cleanly by something much sharper than a sword. "You know if I had the power, I'd have dragged you back to your bed chambers for proper rest."
"You came alone. You could have brought someone," the figure of Pro resting against one of the trees can be seen. On his left side, his arm is missing, burnt off by dragon fire. Healing magic erased the scar, but limbs are not regrown so easily. " Did the dragons get their names?"
"Yes, the black dragon was named Violet of Darkness, the bronze dragon was named Colossus of Growth, and the green dragon was named Chameleose of stealth."
"What happened after I fainted?"
"After you had slain Violet and gravely injured Colossus, Chameleose appeared and wounded you. Your brother defeated Chameleose by freezing him to his core. losing its will to fight, Colossus succumbed to its wounds."
"pathetic. How could I not have noticed sooner? The black dragon violet attacked our village years ago, looking for food. It's a common occurrence for one of two parent dragons to protect their egg and hatchling while the other goes out hunting. The reason people were able to drive her away was that she couldn't risk not being able to hunt. I should have realized when I saw Colossus that there should have been a third dragon."
"It was completely invisible, a dragon born master of stealth. Even I couldn't see it with my blessing."
"But still I failed. I let my guard down again, and Lucik had to save me. How... how can I protect him if I need him to save me?" Pro looks up at the sky, tears streaming down his face, as his view of the world and hopes are shattered. He feels as if the heavens themselves had denied his only goal.
"Young master pro. You remember when I first met you, yes?"
"... yes. Your family has the ability to see many things. You were a knight, but you were poisoned at a young age. It made your body weak and unable to bear children. You lost your nobility and were hired by my father."
"Yes, and I remember how brightly you shone like it was yesterday. I could not bear to look at you. Your potential made me make a promise that I would help you triumph where I failed. You still shine as brightly as the sun, young master."
"I feel more like a moon. shining with the light of the sun, yet still unable to banish the darkness."
"Why don't we make a journey to Forge Stone? Your sword was destroyed in the fight. Now that your nobility is renewed, we should get you a new sword."
"ok, is that what you're carrying? The things we'll need?"
"Yes, since Forge Stone is just beyond the mountains bordering our territory, it's faster to go on foot."
"I should carry some of that so you won't tire."
"You have lost an arm, just because you were healed with your brother's magic doesn't mean you're good as new. Besides, this mountain is home to goblins. I'd rather you be ready in case we come across any."
"... alright." Pro gets up, and the two walk off towards in mountain.
Pro and Fredric make their way up the foot of the mountain, past where most townsfolk bother. "Hey, look, it's some puffballs." Pro looks to the side. In the grass, white mushrooms sprout from the ground.
"Finding some remaining is a good sign, goblins often enjoy the puffball mushrooms in stews. They absorb the flavor of other ingredients and have a spongy texture. Let's gather some for dinner," after their detour, the two continued hiking until they reached a small ravine in the side of a cliff. Going through this path, they arrive at a small pond being fed by a waterfall with fish seen swimming in the crystal clear water. "Here we are, Hikers Hidden Fall, a common rest point for people traveling this route." Fredric pulled out two tents, a cook pot, and a pair of collapsible fishing rods. "Here we go, all set up for camping. Could you go get some firewood while I set up the tents, then we'll go fishing after."
"Sounds like a plan, I'll be back in a bit." Pro slipped out of the ravine to pick up sticks for firewood. Finding some more plants to bring back. "I found some herbs while gathering firewood! Some Dew of the Sea and Little Dragon!"
"Ah, I thought you might find something, so I set up a mortar and pestle." Fredric was sitting next to the tents putting bait on the fishing hooks. The mortar and pestle had a few empty bags for storing the ground-up herbs. "Do you need a minute?" Fredric smiles brightly at Pro's enhanced mood.
"Did you use my broken sword as an excuse to bring me camping?"
"Oh my, you're becoming more observant by the day, young master."
"Let's go fishing!"