Calm before the storm
***Date: 18 February 2023***
***Author's Note: I redid the magical system and changed Nissa's gift so it fits better, please re-read chapter 2 to understand the new system. If you're a new reader and started after the above posted date then no worries, read on! Ciao ****
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For the rest of the two hours Nissa peppered him with questions that ranged from clarification of the God Realm War to what Halvor's role was in the conflict. Some he answered, but of the majority he refused to speak. If it wasn't for the overwhelming new revelations made through his words, Nissa would have been frustrated with the amount of unanswered questions Halvor refused to talk about.
The conversation was cut short when one of the guards knocked on the door with news from Jim. His messenger relayed to the guard that he had completed the repair job. Nissa was reluctant to give up the remainder of time, but the truth was Halvor would probably refuse to answer any question she came up with during those remaining minutes.
She released an internal sigh and lead a silent Halvor back through the door. With Halvor, Fenrir, and her two guards, they emerged from the quiet Chapel and got back onto the road that lead to the Smith's home.
Nissa mulled over the new information: the seemingly infinite scale of the war she was apart of, to the strange new races that were involved both hostile and friendly. At least Nissa was able to gain a promise of help in her search, and a direction to go for the missing heart... or anchor. Some clarification of his answers would of been nice but his stonewalled face, and emotions, leaked nothing!
'I know he won't answer anymore questions now, but .... but maybe I don't have to ask him!' She realized as her eyes landed on the furry chatter box.
The wheels in her head spun as ideas formed to extract information from Fenrir. Nissa would have to be smart about her questions though, she didn't want him to permanently shut up if he perceived her digging too deep for her answers.
Nissa's senses snapped back into the present as Halvor passed by her with his chest plate firmly restored to his frame. She could hear Jim grumbling at the entrance of his shop most likely about what he was able to study from the Manasteel.
'Maybe Jim can upgrade my spear when he learns how to apply what he has learned.' She thought as she followed Halvor outside. His magic pooled and a silver portal was shaped into existence.
Her guess about his quick departure proved correct as, once the portal stopped growing, he stepped towards it. There was much Nissa could have said, or wanted to say, but she had learned much from tonight's conversation and chose to be sincere.
"Halvor. For what its worth ... Thank you."
Her honest words caused him to pause for a moment before he hummed in response and walked through the portal.
Nissa was rooted to her spot, even after the gateway closed in on itself, for one reason: His emotions that were continually apathetic had changed to melancholy before he left.
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Nissa's attack was frustrated as the point of her spear was deflected aside by her opponent. Her seasoned enemy wielded a gladius in each hand, and was attempting to get inside of her guard with viper like stabs.
Leaping back to gain distance, Nissa snapped her spear in front of her in response to the enemy's attempt to close the gap. In a span of a few seconds, blows were exchanged as she held the enemy at bay. However her opponent was not inexperienced in fighting against her weapon type.
A clever riposte allowed the opponent to dash into her guard and in response Nissa promptly sprang to the enemy's side giving her an small window of opportunity to end it. The opening was closing quickly, but her trained instinct guided her as the wooden tip of her spear punched into her enemy's armpit.
"Ow! Tsk..." Her mother groaned as her arm rubbed the impacted area. Orla collected both of her weapons into one hand and with the other signaled her loss with a raised hand.
"I'll remember this bruise in our next duel, dear." Commented Orla as she stepped towards the weapons rack that adorned the side of the pit in which spared. Her mother seemed to never forget a slight against her, even during duels, and Orla was quite ... creative in her "responses".
'Oh I'll remember too, you vindictive SADIST!!!'
Nissa's thoughts were cut off as she caught the water skin that her mother had thrown at her. Patting the opening on the bench aside her, Orla invited Nissa to sit next to her; no doubt wanting to have a conversation.
Sighing, Nissa lumbered her way over and sat down next to Orla, and passed back the flask. Orla took a short swig before leaning back and looking over Nissa.
"Your Binding does you great service dear, and it comforts me to know that you're able to be strong with it."
She said at length as she pulled Nissa into a side hug with one arm. Nissa's arm wrapped around her mother as she returned her own hug. She loved these moments the most, where she was able to have a caring family and have them with her despite the pending collapse of her world. Her mother then continued with a softer voice after a few moments.
"I also want you to know how proud I am of you, not of your achievements, or your titles. I am proud of the strong, dedicated, relentless woman that I am happy to call my daughter."
Orla ended her heartfelt feelings with a kiss onto Nissa's brow. 'What brought this on?' Nissa thought. It wasn't unwelcome by any means, but she was deeply moved by the love her mother had for her and in response leaned her head against her mothers shoulder.
"Thank you Mum, I love you too." She softly replied as they sat there in silence for a next few minutes.
However the peace was broken as Fenrir trotted over to their bench and looked at Nissa as if bearing news. "Boss said to gather a council by tomorrow morning... He can't delay looking for the Anchor anymore."
Steeling herself, Nissa's arm dropped off of her mother as she moved to stand up and get moving. Mirroring her daughter, Orla stood up and walked at her side, showing in action that she would stay beside her no matter what.
It seemed the illusion of peace that Dawn's Hope had enjoyed for nearly two months was about to be broken by tomorrow morning.