Arminius' Rise To Power

Chapter 9 - The Last

Index

From his tiny room on the second floor of his grandparents' house, Andric finally emerged. He’d been holed up there for over two weeks, though he’d spoken with Alda daily. As soon as he came down to the first floor, Alda rushed over, checking him for injuries from the last time she’d seen him.

“Are you okay? We should’ve called a doctor,” Alda said, lifting Andric’s shirt and examining his skin. After a few minutes of scrutinizing, she found no visible issues.

“I told you, I’m fine,” Andric replied. They settled into the sitting room, where Andric glanced out the window. From the position of the sun, he figured that Gasto and Roza were working in the fields around Einburg. Clenching his fists, he said, “I reached the third stage of the Human realm a little while ago.”

“Really? That’s amazing!” Alda was initially puzzled but then hugged Andric joyfully.

Since Alda had Andric, she’d rarely meditated and didn’t have a solid technique to use if she did. After several years of on-and-off attempts, she hadn’t made much progress. From her brothers, she learned that her oldest brother was at the seventh stage of the Human realm.

According to martial arts lore, a child’s potential was shaped by their parents’ abilities and their realm at conception. Alda often wondered about Andric’s father’s martial talent. After sixteen years, she could finally think about such things without pain.

“You don’t have to worry about me. When I leave, I’ll keep practicing my technique and get even stronger.” Andric and Alda continued chatting as she filled him in on everything that had happened in Einburg while he was shut away.

In short, nothing had happened. The merchant caravan was still not there, and there were no deaths, births, marriages, or faction changes. Some indifferent youths had checked on Andric, but Alda had turned them away. Miss Erminhilt and Audovacar’s group hadn’t shown up.

Andric was surprised that even townspeople he didn’t know had checked on him. He expected Miss Erminhilt to visit, but she hadn’t. The most important update from Alda was that the merchant caravan would arrive in two days. It would stay a day or maybe a bit longer, depending on any issues they faced on the way to Einburg.

With nothing to do but wait for the caravan, Andric decided not to say goodbye to anyone. He wasn’t sure what his relationship with Miss Erminhilt was, but he felt it was best to let it go. He didn’t plan on seeking revenge on Audovacar or anyone else, as he anticipated more trouble from such actions.

Andric had adopted the mindset of a martial artist. His worldly desires, like companionship, had faded. The longer he paused his meditation, the more he craved the power and sense of discovery he had experienced before.

As their conversation wound down, Alda asked, “Are you sure you want to go? If you’d rather stay, I can work something out.”

Despite her reassurances, she couldn’t help but worry. Being at the third stage of the Human realm at fifteen was impressive for Einburg, but it paled in comparison to what some people had achieved over decades. Talent couldn’t match the experience of someone who had reached the Novice realm.

The world outside Einburg was dangerous. Alda had traveled only a short distance with an older brother, not more than three hundred miles. Mahtzig was much farther. Along the way, Andric could face all sorts of dangers.

Einburg was relatively safe compared to other parts of the kingdom. It wasn’t near borders, forests, mountains, major trade routes, or sects. Powerful martialists usually only passed through town. A few had come to have their meridians opened by Instructor Hubert, but they were mostly in the Human, Novice, or Apprentice realms and left quickly.

Alda was most affected by Andric’s departure. She struggled to let go of her child.

“I want to see the capital. This small town is too dull. There’s got to be more exciting things out there!” Andric said with determination. Alda smiled gently, remembering her own reasons for leaving Einburg when she was younger.

Alda walked to the fireplace, where a painting of her family from when she was a child hung above the mantle. The painting showed her siblings and her parents, Gasto and Roza, looking much younger. Alda picked up a letter and returned to Andric.

“This was from your Uncle Raban, just before your tenth birthday. It’s the last we have from him, but the address should still be valid. Memorize it, go to his house, and explain why you’re there. He’s always been good to me. I’m sure he’ll take you in,” Alda said, handing the letter to Andric.

Andric studied the address, memorizing it carefully. In Mahtzig, houses were marked with family names, and since Einburg had no second names, Andric’s would become Einheim in Mahtzig, just like his uncle’s.

After memorizing the address, Andric returned the letter to Alda, who placed it back on the mantle. They sat in silence for a few minutes until Alda stood up and said, “You must be hungry. I’ll make us something to eat,” and headed to the kitchen.

Andric stood up, glanced into the kitchen, then faced forward. He had the rest of the day and the following day, depending on when the caravan arrived. He could try to open his diaphragm-lung meridian, but he decided against it. He could seek out Miss Erminhilt or take revenge on Audovacar, but he had already decided not to pursue either.

That evening, Andric had dinner with his family. The atmosphere was unusually quiet, and the meal was quick. With Andric leaving soon, Gasto and Roza worried about how Alda would manage without him. Over the past two weeks, Andric’s retreat had shown that Alda couldn’t stay away from him for long. They were concerned about her coping once he was hundreds of miles away.

Alda’s feelings for Andric had become almost obsessive. She had dedicated her adulthood to raising him, and letting him go was difficult. While other women her age had families and jobs, Alda had only Andric, and she’d had him for fifteen years.

The next morning, Andric and Alda spent time stitching clothes together. Alda had become very skilled with a needle over the years, and some townspeople wanted her to join the textile workers in Mahtzig. Despite not coming from a long line of textile workers, Alda’s skill was remarkable.

By midday, the merchant caravan arrived outside Einburg. Fifty to sixty wagons formed a large camp, and hundreds of merchants set up their stalls. The caravan, usually a moving army, turned into a bustling marketplace. Wagons displayed goods for immediate purchase or order, and smaller vendors wandered around trying to sell their wares.

Andric, who typically avoided merchants due to lack of money, was now preparing to leave with them.

A townsman came to guide Andric and Alda to the caravan. After paying fifteen silver coins for a passenger wagon, Andric learned that the caravan would leave at dawn, so he needed to depart before sunrise.

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