Chapter 5: Spirit stone

On this day, the caravan was moving at full speed towards a town called Redwood. It was named after the trees which grew in the surroundings of the town.

Lance was sitting on a horse with one of the smaller guards. Smaller compared to the other guards, but he was still larger than nearly all the men from his village.

Only the galloping of the horses could be heard, the guards were silent and vigilantly looking around. Lance had been deep in thought since he had heard about the Sect selections.

'Should I ask them to take me to the city? But would they help me without anything in return? The only thing I have left are the weird round stones, which give me a tingly feeling when I touch them, that too only three….'

Those stones were one of the few possessions he had left. Sister Mei had warned him to never reveal them unless his situation was dire.

A few days before, he had been looking at the stone in his hand when the ring one of the swords had transformed into touched it. Lance panicked as the stone immediately disappeared. After a couple of minutes of frantically searching his surroundings, he then turned his attention to the ring. He begged, threatened and cursed the ring for another few minutes before realizing that it was futile. He glared at the rings as if wanting to pierce it through his gaze when he felt a jerking motion in his head.

He saw a dark space around him. The stone which had disappeared was floating in the air in front of him.

After experimenting with rings, he discovered that as long as he concentrated on the ring, his mind would reach the same space. The space seemed to have no boundaries as he had rushed forward for nearly an hour before he collapsed with exhaustion and was kicked out.

After coming out he realized that his body was still dry and filled with energy but he felt sleep and his head ached. The same thing also happened in the other ring but this one filled with light instead of darkness instead.

He discovered that he could put anything into the ring and take it back out as long as he concentrated. But his head ached again after doing it a couple of times.

He then earned himself another headache while he was playing with all the possibilities of the ring.

After they had stopped at a small spring to water the horses, Lance clenched his teeth and went toward the captain.

"Captain Chong!" The tall man looked at him and said, "Yes, child?"

" I … would like you to take me to the city!", Lance looked at him hopefully.

The man was startled but apologetically shook his head," I know that you too want to become an Immortal, but it is nearly impossible. I cannot take you…"

"I will pay you this!", he said and showed him one of the stones.

"A mere stone will not be enough to take you to the city, no matter how good it looks...", the captain's eyes widened as he looked at the stone more carefully.

He seemed to have recognized it as he immediately hid it and looked around for eavesdroppers. He immediately took Lance behind a rock which was hidden from the direct line of sight from the caravan.

"Where did you get this?", the captain looked at him deeply.

"My... sister gave me this when I was 4 years old.", he replied hesitantly.

"Do you have any more?"

"No, that is the only one I have. The captain was lost in though and seemed to reach a decision.

"This is a spirit stone, I have heard that only Immortals can use it." After hesitating for a while, he said," I can take you to the city as long as you give this to me.

Lance eagerly nodded his head as he had been ready to take out both the remaining stones.

"Come with me to see the Young Lady.", he said and walked towards the carriage.

Lance looked at the carriage while walking behind the captain. It was a huge carriage with beautiful designs of misty mountains and cranes flying in the sky.

The captain gently knocked on the door and whispered something into the ear of the maid who opened the door. She nodded and went inside. After a couple of minutes, she same back.

"The Young Lady will see you.", she said and opened the door.

The captain entered and Lance followed. It was fairly spacious inside, but made to accommodate more than two people.

The captain bowed to the young girl who seemed to be reading a book and said," Young Lady, I have something for you."

He gave the stone to the lady with his head bowed and said," I suspect it is a spirit stone."

The girl's eyes immediately snapped towards the stone and the book was thrown aside. She grabbed the stone and looked at it deeply.

"Where did you get this?", she said while still looking at the stone.

"This child's sister gave it to him and he wants to exchange it for page to the city." Lance nodded along.

"If you have more of these, then I can take you into the sect as a servant", her gaze revealed naked greed which would visible to even the most blind of men.

"I apologize, my Lady, but the stone in your hand is the only one I have", he eyes showed regret as he said this and bowed, but deep within was a hint of mockery.

"Very well, you can travel to the city with my caravan. Leave now, I have something to discuss with the captain." Lance bowed then left the carriage and went back towards his travel partner who was arguing with another guard about some wine was better.

- - - - -

"Are you sure he does not have more?", asked the girl as she looked at the stone with excitement.

"Yes my Lady, I had his belongings checked. He doesn't have any more."

"Hmph, having this is the fortune of his ancestors. Otherwise where could a village bumpkin get this."

Then she continued with fervor in her voice," If I gift this to our family elder in the sect, then I may even become his direct disciple!"

"Lady is wise.", flattered the captain.

"I won't forget your contribution", she gazed at him approvingly.

- - - - - -

Lance was once again sitting with the guard as they travelled through the forest roads.

He enjoyed the wind blowing past his face and the fresh scent of the forest. The sound of running water could be heard from the distance. There seemed to be a river flowing somewhere nearby.

His heart was at peace for the first time in a long time.