Andivor's Last Blessing (1)

Annalisa and I left the auction house as she marveled at the new sword she purchased. The long sword was a work of art, beautifully crafted.

Along the way, I contemplated giving her a present that the shopkeeper had given me as a deposit. He wanted me to keep the information of Lord Ubar's assassination to myself. With this deposit, I agreed, but I could leave the future in one man's hands. Besides, it was all misinformation anyway.

The goal was merely to alert the family in a way that left a distance between me and the problem. That night, after parting with Annalisa, I went back out after meeting my parents.

It was an odd encounter. And I'm not sure if they even knew what they wanted to discuss. So, I left it alone and pushed it out of my mind. 

The art of gossip was a delicate matter. Placing small bits of information in the right places at the right time. Meanwhile, shaking the right trees to get some movement. 

Hellfiend City's underworld is only so big. And I knew it inside and out. First, I visited Old Man Gu, for the right amount, this man wielded it. While I believed it was money, it turned out that Old Man Gu was dying soon. His price wasn't money but a place for his grandson in the Thorne Manor.

Placing his grandson was an easy matter. Once settled, I moved to the taverns. Dropping bits and pieces of the same story that I shared with the shopkeeper. Of course, I only shared the information with the most tight-lipped sorts. This way, the shopkeeper will feel validated once he manages to verify my story.

Each transaction brought its wealth. With that wealth, I parched a token to the monthly Slave Trade. Now I could only wait.

____________________

The next day, around noon, I arrived at the edge of the society. There was a small hut with smoke coming out of the stack. 

The front yard, to the side and along the back was well cultivated with herbs and roots. On the front porch, small, unskinned game hung from the rafters.

It was almost nostalgic being here. The last time I visited this hut was 1126. The old man had passed and given me a token to deliver. Who would have known that the kingdom would go to war and my family business would be targeted? I was never able to deliver that token and that guilt sat in the pit of my stomach like poison.

"Oi, old man! Come on out!" I shouted.

Of course, he ignored me and I tittered. So I did what I knew would work, I began to tend his fields. Weeds needed picking, pests needed killing, and the plants had to be watered and fed.

Why do such a thing? Because this old man is the reason I escaped death on Typhoon Isle. Old Man Karu is a person I would happily serve. A life debt is never a light one.

I spent the rest of the day tending the fields and dusted myself off when the sun began to set.

"Oi! Old man, I'll be back again tomorrow!" I waved as I walked away.

Back at home I pushed the front gates open and was met by a scene of Annalisa Ubar swinging a sword. 

Not only was it inspiring, but oddly seductive. I tried my best to seem uninterested. Passing her by and walking straight to my room.

I could feel her eyes watching me. But how could I move so freely?

Planting information had been done. Connecting with Old Man Karu had been initiated. Marrying Annalisa was a given. The only thing left for me to do is train. 

Sitting at my desk, I opened the 99 Toxin Codex. It was a manual of 99 plants and animals that naturally produced poison. I went on to describe how to extract, concentrate, and weaponize these toxins along with antidotes. 

The book ended with a warning. A very simple warning. Without the practice of the Sun and Moon Hands, handling these Toxins would be life-endangering.

Naturally, I opened the Sun and Moon Hands Manual. Reading it thoroughly, it was a practice of balance and harmony. Yin and Yang, Ice and Fire. 

The skill had a total of eight layers. Only at the second layer could I begin to work with toxins. But for now, I could still practice the Flesh and Bone Arts.

The Flesh and Bone Arts was a manual of body destruction. It details grappling, striking, and locking techniques. All of them attack the body's weak points be it to kill or subdue. The Flesh and Bone Arts consisted of twelve layers.

Closing the manuals, stilled myself and rose to my feet. I didn't have to think much. So I began with stretching and warm-up forms in the Flesh and Bone Arts.

Once finished, my body burned and felt stiff. I persisted and began to move through the first layer of the Sun and Moon Hands.

Finally, I ended with the first layer of the Flesh and Bone Arts.

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That next morning, I woke to the sound of knocking. I lay on the floor of my room, sore from head to toe. I then felt a wave of embarrassment as I realized that I passed out due to exhaustion.

Palming my face, I shook my head with a self-ridiculing chuckle.

"Young lord, your parents have called for you," Shelly called out.

"I'll be down in a few!" I replied.

In the dining hall, two families sat around the table and ate. The parents spoke happily as I ate in silence.

Towards the end of my meal, I emptied my cup of wine and made it known…

" I'll be going to old man Karu's hut again."

I secretly watched my parents for any signs but got nothing. While I believed my father was clueless. My mother was an enigma that I truly had to probe.

'Nothing…' I thought, 'Fine'

It was hard to believe that Old Man Karu, A martial expert, would be living with no reputation. I guess, I'll have to speak to him directly about his history and that token he once gave me.

As I got up from my seat, my mother mentioned the engagement, my father in second, and then Lord Ubar added that he wanted us to get accustomed and then have the wedding in a year.

I glanced at Annalisa and like the day she arrived, she remained quiet and obedient in the presence of her parents.

"Aish…" I groaned, " It's best to get it over with. How about we wed in a month? The House of Thorne manages Hellfiend City and the blood bath from the Upset of the Year has caused much damage. We should be festive and feed the people."

"Hahaha, that's my boy." Said my father.

"It was an easy decision. The trade fair is coming soon. After speaking with Sir Lair, I plan to make a trip out to sea before I have to report for military duty." I added.

"You're going to make him serve?" Lord Ubar questioned.

Originally my parents, like most noble parents, didn't plan to make me serve. But working logistics for the military had its appeal. After all, I knew the future.

"It's my discussion. And the outpost is only ten miles outside of the city. After I serve a year I'll be back to stay."

"What's the point of serving?" My mother asked.

"Isn't it obvious? Hellfiend City is isolated. We survive as a small port city with a delicate balance of law and freedom. If war happened, we wouldn't be able to hold out. But…"

"If you run logistics… you want to embezzle."

"Exactly" I agreed nonchalantly 

Lord Ubar explodes with laughter.

"Who is this kid…. Good good. If you can tame the records branch, Hellfiend will make a pretty decent fallback plan" said Lord Ubar.

'Fallback plan… He knows the gravity of the situation' I thought.

"That aside, I like Annalisa. Who knows how different our future can be if we just wed." I shrugged," think about it."

Leaving the hall, I was anxious about what the parents would do next. But, I couldn't sit around and wait for them. I had to start generating more money and preparing for my voyage. Selling information was merely a scheme to achieve a goal. What I need is a trade.

So, I returned to work.

—————————————

In the following days, working at Old Man Karu's during the day and training the skills of the Datura House at night had become routine. On the way to old man Karu's and back home, is when I weaved rumors disrupting the information network. It didn't matter what was true or false as long as enough people believed, it became fact. 

The free information acted as evidence to support the high-end information that I sold.

After tending the fields, I would walk home, mingling with escort agents and warriors both loose and contracted to families and organizations. With my knowledge, I slowly built a persona of mystery and intrigue. The purpose was to disrupt the powers in the city and soften the market for my break-in.

After a week, I began to see the fruits of my labor as the wedding date was announced to the city and the Ubar family remained at the Thorne estate. Not only that, the visible increase of guards began to patrol.

For the time being, everything was holding itself together for me. 

It was finally time to act. After announcing the engagement, I presented the auction house with the location of the 12th-grade martial artist's tomb. It would originally be found three years from now in Tormin County. 

The reason I picked this specific event was for one reason, the Ubar family. Originally after Bernard died one of his cousins took over the clan and led them to fight for the tomb. They were ultimately wiped out.

One could never trust too much. How divided was the Ubar family, and how much could they assist the Thorne family? With such a prize like this, I couldn't wait to see the faces of the Ubar family reveal themselves.

While leaving the Auction House, The shopkeeper found and pulled me aside. 

"Little Thorne," he said in a hushed tone, "Come with me."

Following the shopkeeper, He entered his office where he shut the door and looked at me with a gleeful smile.

"You little… To think you would keep your word. " he began, "Here."

He tossed a bundle of rags. Catching it, I felt the firmness of something within. The shopkeeper urged me to take a look so I opened and couldn't hold my gasp.

"This…I know what this is." I said, I then looked at him with fear.

"Don't worry about it. I went through the proper channels. My supporter is really anxious about this information. You tell me the target and that superior grade tier two Osha Root is yours."

'In 1126 this thing will be pulled from the archives and sold at auction. Afterward, the pirates of Typhoon Isle will attack the ship transporting it across the Palmdahilia Sea.'

I didn't know what to do. I'm leagues below the man who purchased this. It was a treasure in the martial arts world. It invigorated the blood and helped with flow, strengthening the breath, and calming the mind for insight. If one was lucky, even enlightenment was possible.

"I don't want this."

It was a burden I wasn't ready for.

"This isn't a negotiation, Little Thorne. My backer will have that information." the shopkeeper flexed and intense blood energy radiated from him.

'Seventh stage martial realm…or even higher' I thought in my heart as the pressure caused me to sweat and my knees to buckle.

"Ubar…." I barked, "Lord Ubar."

The shopkeeper calmed and his smile returned. 

"As always, it's good to do business with you, Little Thorne."

___________________________________

The ruckus of wood snapping and furniture benign destroyed reverberated throughout the halls. I was enraged and opted to destroy everything in my path. I was too weak. Far too weak.

Looking at the Osha Root, I could only hope no one was looking for it. Or that auction house didn't let slip that I obtained it. Taking a deep breath, I collected my things and left the room. The maids rushed in to clean as I shut myself into another room to begin my practice.

The thirst for power was all the more intense after my encounter with the shopkeeper. Under the combination of martial training and Black Elephant Elixirs, It took another week to reach stage 2 of the martial realm. All the while, I never stopped my daily tasks at Old Man Karu's hut. 

The month's preparation for my wedding had come to a quick closing. The Thorne manor was decorated in the color of both Houses. Many people had gathered bearing gifts and good wishes for the House of Thorne. 

It wasn't an hour before the manor had to set up a gift barn to accommodate all the gifts. Guards had to push people back and filter them in terms of rank. 

Thanks to the rumors and the early wedding, the Ubar family was still present. With a Viscount in the Thorne manor, many came to pay respect, from the locals, and trade festival merchants, and with the auction of the tomb location, traveling lords had arrived as well.

"You did well, kid" my father spoke as we stood at the head of the hall. 

Dressed in our house colors of gold and navy blue, our banners of the Golden Lion on a Navy blue background hung from the ceiling.

To our side was my mother and the Lord and Lady Ubar.

Meanwhile, Annalisa was in her bridal chamber, it was our job to meet and entertain the guests until the start of the ceremony.

"How could I not? I saw what you were planning, old man" I replied.

"Huh?" he asked.

"You said it yourself when you mentioned the trade festival. You planned for such a turnout. But for what, I haven't figured it out yet." I added.

" When did you get so sharp?" my mother asked.

"I've always been sharp," I tittered, " All I ask for is a small portion to plan my voyage."

"That's why you purchased the ship?" My father asked, "You need to claim it.."

"I know. The previous owner leaves in a week. The Auction house has informed me." I told him.

"Hmm, We'll…."

"Master Karu has arrived!"

"Huh?" My mother gasped

It was the first time I saw a crack in her demeanor. I then felt a swift kick in the ass as I flew forward and rolled out of the main hall. As I got up, my eyes met a familiar face.

"Old man." I greeted him with a smile.

He looked down at me with the same energy.

"Have we met, kid?"