The Brothers Bjornson.

In the blink of an eye another month had passed. John still did the tasks allotted to him, he woke up very early to practice the sword only this time he used actual swords and was even thinking of some moves corresponding to his speed. After he had recounted his heroics, the old man had been as shocked as Minerva. Even he had never thought that magic could be used in that way. John used magic like an elementalist was instructed to again be creative in how to utilize this talent. There was audibly more noise in the compound now. Khamet was a young boy who liked to follow John wherever he went and even helped him take care of the horses and was even curious about swords but was to afraid to ask. He did carry John's old practice swords mimicking how John carried his twin blades. On the morning they were to leave John woke up to a disgruntled Khamet who had been planning to surprise John by joining him for practice abut unfortunately for him John had decided to sleep in because of the long road ahead.

During that month, thanks to Minerva, they had expanded the house for Hlora and Damien to stay in. How kind were people in this place that they allowed total strangers to live together with them. This was the norm and the exception being the bandits that had ambushed them. The bandits didn't follow them along the lake which relieved a huge weight of every ones shoulders. When John had woken up he kept track of the days but soon forgot as they meshed together into a similar routine. John had a visible beard now which he refused to shave. His hair had grown long reaching his shoulders and he was constantly moving it away from his face. As the old man had explained he wanted John to train for a short while before departing just in case anything happened during their journey.

Minerva had been hesitant at first but as they day drew closer John talked more and more about his home, the different foods he missed as well as his family and she couldn't help but feel interested despite denying it heavily. The day was finally here. John wore his suit again while Minerva wore her riding clothes. John tried to turn on his phone before the left but it was dead, he wanted to check the date. Like the old man had said, it would take at least one and a half days to reach the exit meaning they would have to stay camp in the wild after passing Castle Town.

John's journey home served two purposes: one was for him to return home to ease everyone's mind since he had been gone almost all summer while the other was to shorted the route to the dwarves.

"Now that the soul of the voice has acknowledged you as its master you need to to get the blade fixed."

"It's Noira"

"..."

"Where can I get her fixed?"

"You must pay a visit to the dwarves, they are the best smiths in the world, but you have to visit a certain master among masters."

"How long will that take?"

"Depends on how long you wish to stay home," the old man said, " unless you want to trek across the continent then take a boat to the south, that will take you a little over three months."

"Are you serious?"

"If you exit the painting, then you can ever through another painting that leads to the dwarven continent."

"So that's how it is, seems easier lets go with that."

This was the conversation they had exchanged about two weeks before John and Minerva were set to depart.

John was sitting atop his new horse, Damien and Khamet had gone to Castle town to buy them a few days after they started living there. He wore his gloves since his magic was always active now. Not having it active felt wrong he was even able to do this while he slept showing a great control over his body and magic as well, the old man was pleased to have a pupil like this. Minerva was studying the map even though the were a long way away from the point they would be needing it. As they set off John literally felt a jolt surge through him. He couldn't remember the last time he was this excited. TL: He's probably forgetting he was this excited about the paintings. His magic was stronger now than it had ever been that even the horse was a bit restless but he calmed himself and kicked it into stride. They were in no hurry and Minerva was still studying the map.

"Miner, did you forget the way to Castle Town?"

"What?"

"Why are yo so obsesses about the map?"

"Oh - It's nothing-" but she continued to look at the map.

"Okay, I wont let this go, What is going on with you are you that anxious to leave?"

"No, I just don't want to come across that immature lord in Castle Town, he is bound to cause us trouble."

"Hehe - this is new," John couldn't help but laugh at her, "but either way the entire city is surrounded by rocks even I know that that's not good for the horses. And you said you loved horses." John had developed quite a liking to the animals since he took care of them daily.

"Don't you think I know that? That is precisely why I am having a look at the map you dolt."

The name Castle Town wasn't just because the entire city was inside a massive fort but because it was inside a natural fort. At the back was a cliff, part on the city where the lords lived was carved into the rock itself. The lower populace lived in the man made fort and at the front was the lake part of which was in the city walled and gated and boats had to go through double gates to get to the docks and the walled area for large enough to house all the boats and then some.

For such a peaceful country their cities were so fortified, how much war had these people seen? John didn't pay too much attention to the situations and followed closely behind Minerva, the city was within sight. She had long since put away her map and was silent. The wind blew in her face and she seemed to look far ahead more than the eyes could see. John looked at her and chose not to disturb her solemnity. He now thought about the journey home and how his family would react. He had changed, even he knew it from the silent boy that couldn't look people in the eye to someone who chopped someone hand off. What would his mother think if she heard of his tales in the painted world. She can't know, he hadn't killed anyone but in his world cutting someones hands was not the norm. He thought of his half-sister and wished he talked to her more.

When they got to the city they did as much as they could to avoid running to avoid running into Dugald but it's like he had people watching out for them and as soon as their lunch was brought to them two men approached them. One was a smug oaf who walked with a sense of self importance and the other was an older but much shyer looking man. He wore a brown and dark green stripped coat with matching brown pants and shoes. His hair was as long as John's but he had no beard and had a silver earring dangling from his left ear. He had his hands behind his back like he was hiding surprise. They looked similar but one could tell that they were totally different.

"Well well well look what the cat dragged in, some f**king rats."

"I see you haven't changed your excellent ways, Your lordship." Minerva said without looking up. John couldn't understand the language but he could recognize sarcasm.

"..."

Seeing the two brothers a few people in the inn had turned to look at them. Who were the important people that the brothers Bjornson had come to see. John and Minerva were sitting in the corner so it was hard to see them since the Bjornsons were standing in the way. The older of the two didn't like this kind of attention and with his brothers bad habit he felt that it might be unavoidable unless he did something.

"Come brother, If these two are the ones who rescued you from the Spila why must you act like so, I want to thank you for all you did for my brother, if there is anything you need while in the city do not hesitate."

"Thank you my lord, but we have no need for coin, since we're leaving shortly,." This time she was courteous.

"She has no respect." Dugald remarked to which Minerva gave a cold stare. John had tried to learn some of the common words of the language so that he wasn't lost. He had long since stopped laughing and was eating quietly.

"Is it true that you are skilled fighter?" he asked. This was what he had been dying to ask after expending all of the small talk.

"I don't know about skilled, it was my first fight."

"Is that so? The you are definitely quite interesting. If what Dugald said is true if you tried you would get a good position-"

"Please excuse my lord but I am not interested in military affairs, I prefer to save lives than take them. And I doubt you have need for nay more troops."

"See I told you no respect, to refuse such an offer does he not know her place?" Dugald interrupted.

"Hush now brother, let's leave them to their troubles." He said and urge his brother to leave, "We'll trouble not a moment longer." They walked for a moment and then he turned around."War is coming not today maybe not tomorrow but it will be here and war never changes."

His voice was so deep and ominous she felt a chill down her spine.

"Huh, he didn't leave his name." she said after recovering.