The air was filled with the scent of burning wood as the sounds of merrymaking emanated from revelers. A large campfire burned fiercely and brightly in the middle of the Ichi. Drums were being played and many of the Izenth danced joyfully to the beat. All sorts of roasted meats and vegetables were displayed on a long table and people were free to take as much as they could eat.

The Izenth had over the years, nurtured a culture of prudence. Being a simple people, they seldom splurged on such lavish celebrations. Each person took only what was enough to fill their bellies. They ate precisely enough to feel satisfied, and not a morsel more. Joyful laughter could be heard in the background as children ran around playfully. Those who were not dancing were sitting around the fire, enjoying each other's company.

Amadeus was having a fantastic time enjoying the softest bed he had ever slept on in his life when he was awakened by the healers. He resisted the urge to pretend to remain unconscious. The bed was just too tempting, likened to the epitome of comfort. They hoisted him up and redressed his wounds. They didn't bother explaining and took off his silk gown that all the patients wore (much to his displeasure). The healers put a traditional Izenth gray wolf skin on him before guiding him swiftly to the front door.

"You are summoned to the celebrations of our victory over the invading Nobles from White Harrow," the healer explained, putting Amadeus' arm over his shoulder. "I will guide you there."

"Wait... wha—?" Before Amadeus could finish his sentence, the healer was firmly but gently guiding him away from the Healing Chambers.

In the distance, Amadeus could hear the sounds and see the warm glow from the flames as he hobbled towards the celebration with his arm around the Izenth healer. The healer walked side-by-side with him, guiding him step-by-step towards the area where the celebrations were being carried out. Amadeus stumbled more than once going through the narrow walkways but the healer helped to keep him supported. Why am I even being summoned to this celebration? I should be resting in bed.

"Amadeus!" Izumi shouted as she rushed enthusiastically towards them. "Come, the Chief is having you as his guest of honor tonight." The healer handed him off to her as she gently put his arm around her shoulders.

Amadeus' stomach fluttered; happy to be close to Izumi again. She was so close to him that she could smell the scent of flowers from her hair. His entire body felt clumsy and tense, his heart beating faster than normal – why did he feel this way around her? He was glad that the surroundings were dark aside from the glow of the campfire. That way, nobody would notice that his cheeks were blushing red.

Chief Akai sat at the head of the table on a platform that was raised overlooking the campfire – his default seat. The Izenth Council sat around the table but there was an additional seat prepared on his right that was still vacant. He had specially requested for Amadeus to be seated next to him that he may decide for himself if there was truly a prophet in their midst. He was expecting an imposing man with an aura of power; so you can imagine his surprise to see the silhouette of a runt, not much taller than Rei's daughter. The runt limped weakly as she helped him into the seat next to him.

"Welcome to Ichi, our home. I am Chief Akai. Please, enjoy the feast before you." Chief Akai clapped his hand twice, signaling his attendants to serve Amadeus. He himself picked up a jug, to pour a drink of crushed berries infused with cool spring water. This was a significant gesture of respect for the Izenth – to pour a drink for an honored guest.

Amadeus was unfamiliar with Izenth customs. "Thank you, Chief." He smiled weakly in reply. The smell of the food before him was enticing; and he was suddenly awakened to the realization of how truly hungry he was. He had not eaten in the last twenty four hours. He stared at the alien looking dishes before him and decided to try something that looked like roasted meat. He took a tiny nibble and the meat was juicy and tender. It felt as though it was melting in his mouth.

"Tell me Amadeus, what brings you to our humble village?" The Chief looked keenly at him, sizing him up.

"Well," pondered Amadeus. "There's a long version and a short version. The short version is that I'm on my way to the Jagged Peaks to request for help for the commoners of White Harrow."

"And the long version?" asked the Chief inquisitively.

"I made a mistake and got into a fight with a Noble," Amadeus shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "The whole commoner camp is being threatened because of my mistake. In two more days, the Noble ruler of White Harrow has asked for a sacrifice of a hundred commoners. If this is not met, there will be a massacre."

"Yes, this sounds like something Malevolent would do." The Chief was familiar with Malevolent Drake's ruthlessness after being at odds with White Harrow for decades. "So, the commoners of White Harrow have sent you to look for help from the Avianath to redeem your mistake?"

Amadeus shook his head. "They no longer trust me. They sent someone else but I sneaked off to redeem myself."

The Chief was starting to wonder if he was wasting his time. There was nothing remarkable about the boy before him. In fact, he was as Rei said – a commoner and not a prophet. However, this was a very ordinary commoner with nothing special about him that Chief Akai could see. In fact, he seemed to be the very embodiment of what he disliked about the commoners. Exiles had very debasing view of commoners and viewed them as cowards. The commoners were the ones who refused to leave the Noble cities when the Exiles left in rebellion. They chose the cowardly way out, to remain under Noble rule as slaves rather than to pay the price for freedom.

Time to cut to the chase, he decided. "I hear from Rei that you are able to wield magic. Is this true?"

Amadeus had taken the short moment of silence in their conversation as an opportunity to cram as much food as he could fit in his mouth. He stared back at Chief Akai with his cheeks puffed out and continued chewing, shaking his head to indicate 'no'. People are greedy for power. I shouldn't share about the Lighvel with anyone. Others may forcefully take it away from me. Denying having any power at all would be the safer option.

"I had a temporary burst of energy flowing through me. It wasn't something I could control or understand. To an outsider it may have seemed like a wielded magic all for but a moment. The power is all but gone now." It wasn't an outright lie, thought Amadeus. The power is indeed gone for now. The waves on the Lighvel were gone and it remained still when he had surrendered it into the deposit box at the Healing Chambers.

"I see." The Chief replied. Amadeus looked into his eyes for signs of distrust. From what he could tell, Chief Akai seemed convinced that he was talking to an unremarkable commoner with poor table manners.

"I understand that you have requested for assistance from Rei for your journey."

"Yes, we have an agreement that he would help me get to the Jagged Peaks if I were to help him rescue his daughter from the Nobles."

Chief Akai nodded. "Please do not take advantage of Rei's kindness. He has had a difficult life."

Take advantage of his kindness? We had a deal! This isn't a favor. Amadeus looked at the Chief inquisitively. "Difficult life?"

"Do not let his laid-back exterior fool you. Rei was one of our most talented scouts, and graduated at the top of his class. He was offered a seat on the council, but refused. He placed his wife above everything else. A council seat would require too much of his time; he would rather spend it with the love of his life."

Amadeus picked up his mug, and took a swig of his drink to quench his thirst. "How is that difficult?"

"Well, both of them tried for many years before his wife finally bore a child. It was a difficult time for both of them. When it was finally time to deliver the baby, what should have been the happiest day of his life became one of the worst. His wife had complications during childbirth."

Chief Akai paused, as if to recollect his thoughts. "Despite, the efforts of our best healers, she breathed her last giving birth to his one and only child. His daughter is the only thing left in his life that matters."

"My condolences," replied Amadeus softly.

"Keep your condolences. Those were dark days for Rei. The Council gave him leave from his scouting duties for a time and he almost disappeared completely from the public. I remember where he would be unseen for days at a time; only leaving his home to get provisions to feed his daughter."

Chief Akai took a bite out of his barbecued boar leg, and licked his fingers before continuing. "Rei has never been the same ever since. Even then, he remains the best scout we have – his skills, legendary. He knows the Lost Valley like the back of his hand, hidden trails and hunting spots. He has led skirmishes over great distances with ease. He has done reconnaissance as far as the North Mountain and beyond the Jagged Peaks. There is no match for his path finding abilities."

Amadeus was genuinely impressed. Rei had kept his abilities hidden thus far, aside from his accuracy with icicles. Apparently, there is more to Rei than meets the eye. "Chief Akai, I have never traversed through the wilderness before. Will this be a dangerous journey?"

"Rei is more than capable of getting you safely to the Jagged Peaks. This is a fool's errand to me. However, we Izenth are an honorable people. I will agree to let him keep his vow to you. All I ask is that you do not make him risk his life more than necessary."