A Feast of Tension

The forest blurred as Pyrrhus leaped between branches, the wind singing a song of power as he tapped into his Manalock. It was like parkour, only way cooler. Below, Owen scrambled to keep up, while Cora clung to Waed's back, her squeals of delight echoing through the trees.

"Whoa, slow down, showoff!" Sera laughed. Pyrrhus grinned, knowing full well that he was showing off. It was exhilarating, this newfound freedom of movement. Magic was more than just spells; it was a whole new way of experiencing the world.

Magic, as he understood it, was a discipline of two major branches. The first was the mana itself, a raw, volatile energy stored within the body and controlled by rings of lifeforce. This was the basis of spells and elemental manipulation.

The second part was the Manalocks, scattered throughout the body, augmenting physical abilities.

He had originally believed that they only improved aspects like strength, agility, and stamina, but even his coordination showed a massive improvement. The Manalock in his chest, barely unlocked, was already making him stronger and faster than any normal child.

"So, what's the game plan?" he asked, glancing back at Sera.

"Grazers," she said, her eyes scanning the undergrowth. "Big, lumbering things. Think oversized sheep with a taste for Elderwood berries."

Pyrrhus frowned, his soul sense painting a picture of the herd far ahead. Pyrrhus frowned as he counted four of them, their bulky forms a challenge for his limited range.

They were nearly half a mile away and he had no confidence he could hit them from this distance. "They're far."

Sera, ever the efficient huntress, pulled her crossbow off her back and took aim. But Pyrrhus, discreetly replacing his regular needle with the enchanted one, had a different plan.

The twang of Sera's crossbow string and the whistle of Pyrrhus's needle blended into a single, deadly symphony. The arrow found its mark, piercing the neck of one Grazer, while the needle, propelled by wind magic, struck another in the heart.

The remaining two Grazers, startled by the sudden attack bolted into the undergrowth, their panicked cries echoing through the forest.

But Pyrrhus wasn't done. Guided by his soul sense, he directed the needle to the fleeing creatures with ruthless efficiency.

Sera's eyes widened in shock. "How did you do that?" she gasped, her voice barely a whisper.

Pyrrhus fought back a surge of pride. "Practice and a little luck," he said, downplaying his accomplishment. But inside, he was elated. The enchanted needle had exceeded his expectations. It was a good thing he hadn't unleashed its full power; that would have been harder to explain away.

*****

Later that night, the campfire crackled, painting the faces of the gathered nomads in a warm glow. Pyrrhus sat between Owen and Cora, his mouth watering as Anya roasted chunks of Grazer meat over the open flames.

"It smells amazing," Cora sighed, her mouth watering.

Owen nodded in agreement, his stomach echoing Cora's sentiments with a loud growl.

Bram and the soldiers shared hearty portions with the rest of the camp. Yet, as more and more villagers arrived, their gazes lingered on the succulent feast spread on a nearby table with thinly veiled envy.

Pyrrhus practically inhaled his portion, the lack of salt or spices hardly registering as he savored the taste of real food. "Slow down, firebrand," Anya chuckled, wiping his chin. "There's plenty for everyone."

Pyrrhus, his cheeks bulging with food, mumbled an apology through a mouthful of meat. He tried to slow down, but the hunger gnawing at his stomach was too intense.

Darius watched the scene unfold, his heart heavy with a father's guilt. His duty was to provide for his family, yet it was his son, barely five years old, who had risked his life to secure their meal. The shame burned hot within him, a stark contrast to the warmth of the fire. I'm a failure, he thought bitterly. My family is starving, and I can't even provide them with a decent meal.

The sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention. Senton, Milo's father, swaggered into the circle, a small crowd of disgruntled villagers trailing behind him. Finn, Milo, and Erik skulked at the back, their eyes downcast.

Pyrrhus's smile vanished as he locked eyes with the bullies. Cora, sensing his tension, gripped his arm. The air crackled with unspoken threats.

"With such a bountiful hunt," Senton announced, his voice laced with a condescending tone, "it's only fair to distribute more meat to the rest of the camp, wouldn't you agree?"

Bram's eyes narrowed. "We're distributing what Sera hunted," he said, his voice firm. "The other three are Pyrrhus's kill. What he does with it is his choice."

Senton's smile tightened. "Surely the boy had help from the soldiers," he countered, ignoring Pyrrhus completely. "And as soldiers, you have a responsibility to feed everyone."

"He hunted them fair and square," Sera snapped, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Darius, his blood boiling, couldn't hold back. "What, and our kids are supposed to starve while you feast?" he spat. "You think you're better than us, Senton?"

Senton's smile dropped. "Watch your tone," he warned, a dangerous glint in his eye. "Don't forget who you're talking to."

Darius scoffed. "A washed-up noble who lost everything?" he retorted, his words laced with venom. "I don't see any crowns or titles around here. Just a bunch of desperate refugees clinging to the scraps of your former glory."

Senton's face flushed with anger, but he quickly regained his composure. "I was merely looking out for everyone," he said, his voice dripping with false concern. "I meant no disrespect to your son."

Darius scoffed. "Then ask him nicely," he challenged. "If he agrees to share, I have no objections."

Senton's frustration grew with each passing moment. While he had the support of many villagers, they were merely pawns, burdens to carry. The real power lay on the other side of the line he stood, with Bram, Jonathan, and the soldiers.

His eyes fell on Cora, the linchpin of that power. If she gave an order, everyone would follow her command. He had tried to reach her through Milo, but she never got along with his son.

Then his gaze shifted to the boy beside her, the magical prodigy. Senton had never seen or heard of anyone as talented, and the boy's closeness to Cora made him even more dangerous. Senton had instigated Finn to eliminate him, hoping to remove the threat.

It would have been easy to push the blame onto them and have them punished, but they had failed.

Trying to ingratiate himself to a boy felt humiliating, but it was necessary.

Swallowing his pride, Senton turned to Pyrrhus, forcing a smile. "My boy," he said, his voice sickeningly sweet, "would you be willing to share your bounty with the rest of the camp?"

Pyrrhus, however, had little patience for the drama. He scoffed at Senton's request for a share of the meat, stuffing another bite into his mouth.

Senton's face reddened with anger, but he forced a smile. "Very well," he said through gritted teeth. "Enjoy your feast, little mage." He turned and stormed away, a trail of frustrated whispers following in his wake.

This isn't over, Senton thought, his face contorted in a mask of fury as he stormed away from the campfire. The villagers, sensing his displeasure, quickly scattered, leaving him alone in the darkness.

He seethed with resentment, his pride wounded by Pyrrhus's blatant disrespect. The boy had not only defied him but had also humiliated him in front of the entire camp. Senton had underestimated the child, and now he was paying the price.

But Senton was not one to give up easily. He would find a way to regain his power, to bend these people to his will. He would not allow a mere child, no matter how magically gifted, to stand in his way.

The arrival of the prince from the Azure Kingdom had presented him with an unexpected opportunity. Perhaps, if he played his cards right, he could use this outsider to his advantage.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Senton turned his gaze towards the tent where the prince was being held. A sly smile crept across his face as a plan began to form in his mind. This was far from over. It was only the beginning.

***

A/N:

Thanks for reading Chapter 21! I hope you're enjoying John's journey as Pyrrhus. Your comments and votes really motivate me to keep writing.

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