User blog:Radaboum/Herbalmist 1.0

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Valpierre was a small village removed from human civilization. In fact, it was closer to the nearby Demon realm border, some fifteen miles away, than to the closest settlement of mankind which needed five full days to reach by foot. Enclosed between two ancient forests, Silvergreen and Noircimes, it was not surprising not to find this tiny community on any maps, as the trail leading to the main road across those woods was almost nonexistent. His inhabitants, descendants from some exiled, cherished their independence and simple life. No lords or gods cared about them and they felt they faired quite well thanks to that. They had some livestock and fields to sustain themselves but for what they lacked wild games and various gathering from the sea of tree, which surrounded them, would make up for that. However, when they needed goods they could not find nor produce, they had no choice than to go to either Human or Demon realm. In those occasions, the elders would argue over where to seek supplies. Each had their pros and cons regarding numerous questions such as the price. Trading with fellow men required money they didn't have, whereas going to deal with Mamonos, Demon realm denizens, would often result with the loss of the envoy, taken as a mate by one of them. On the other hand, they had more friendly relations with the latter as some villagers married them and lived near Manarkham, the nearest Mamono city. Going to mankind also had its advantages since the one sent was likely to return with the goods, more abundantly found on market, but purchasing large stock of merchandise was likely to rise suspicion and the last thing Valpierre people wanted was attention from their kind. It was quite a complicated matter.

However, those worry were far away from the mind of one of this village youth, at this instant. Concentrating upon erasing his presence, he had been still in this patch of tall grass for over two hours. His bow in one hand, an arrow in the other, he patiently waited for a prey to enter the area. He didn't chose this place at random since it was a path leading to a spring. Its fresh and vivid water was the life source of this Silvergreen forest part, as such, animals were bound to come seeking. All over, the lush vegetation, wearing a metallic green colour which reminded people of a precious ore, hence the name, was growing ever taller in search of precious light thanks to the richness of the soil, strangling their own kind in the fight.

Sylph was Valpierre best hunter as he rarely came home empty handed. His skill with the bow were one thing which granted him this title as he could nailed a moving target three hundred feet away. Of course, this feat was hardly possible in the forest because of too many obstacles, nonetheless, a prey scarcely escaped him when in range. Still, it was his wits and knowledge which allowed him to be so successful, though those who know him would not describe him as smart, he had instinct which made him learn all sort of things. Despite his lazy usual behaviour, he was actually a jovial and good natured young man. There was not many things he didn't like and some told him he was optimistic to a fault, if not too innocent. Well, he was conscious of that and did his best to understand the worry of others but he could not help being an easy going type of person. He was simply happy with his life which mostly consisted of back and forth trips between the forest and his village. Above all else he loved walking in the wood. When he was not hunting, he was collecting plants either for his herbarium or his master. In fact, before being a hunter, he was an Herbalmist apprentice.

If all living thing had a bit of magic flowing in them, there was not many human who could retain a sufficient amount to give it an use. Among these rare kinds, there was many different ones, such as Magician, Sorcerer, Enchanter or Alchemist. Herbalmist were an art derived from Alchemy. It specialize in using plants as a base to make all kind of potion imbued with the crafter power. It was due to its similarity with Mamono own art that their ancestors were exiled, or more likely other Alchemists ignorance and envy. Even to these days, the natural talent of Valpierre people with magic, or Lys like they call it among themselves, didn't drop a bit.

Sylph's master, Baba, was one of the elder. Her knowledge was deep and her wisdom earned her the title of Sage. No critical decisions were taken until her words on the matters were heard. Of course, the young man had great respect for her as she was his own grandmother, but he followed more frequently his whims than her advices. It was sometime driving her crazy like that one time where one wrong experiment had gone south and the whole laboratory exploded. Never again should he mix valerian seeds with thunbergia flowers and zinc powder in magic imbued water.

The memory of Baba chasing him for two long hours across Noircimes after that event took a smile out of him. Had she succeed in catching him he does not know what would have happen to him. He had stayed a week hidden in the forest before daring to come back. By that time, she had calmed down but he still faced harsh punishment.

A sudden rustle in the surrounding vegetation removed Sylph from his brief reminiscence. His concentration came back instantly. Gently he armed his bow with his arrow as his breath became softer. All his muscles relaxed and his heart pace slowed down. Having taken measures to hide his scent by rolling himself previously on fresh smelling grass, he was now part of this forest. No bloodlust could be felt from him, his mind was serene and steady. Taking the live of animal was not something he rejoice over. He certainly enjoyed hunting as long as it was a necessary thing for his village but he would never think of killing for fun. His dad taught him to see this as some sort of sacred ritual where a live was taken to sustain many others. There should be no hatred, no useless violence nor guilt, only gratitude.

What will emerge from those grasses ? This question floating in Sylph's mind was answered when a doe appeared from it. The young man readied his weapon but stopped almost at the same time. It was not alone, its fawn was with it. No herd were in sight so the two of them must have temporary separated from it. If he killed the mother, the fawn may not return on its own to the herd. It would be like killing him the same. Another hunter from his village might not have made the same judgement. It was his own policy and he was aware it may not means anything to other but him. He should not kill unnecessarily as the doe was a life on which another relied to survive. His decision taken, he concentrated to erase his presence so as to not be spotted by the two. At this instant, two whistles were briefly heard as a pair of bolt tore through air. In small plaints, the two animals collapsed on the ground.

-Nice shots, men ! I didn't thought you could nailed this little shit. Those new crossbows are quite accurate. The Order made the right call to order their mass production. With this, we will crush many evil. -Yes captain, those dirty monsters will be skewered before they can utter one spell or budge one muscle. -What do we do with those corpses, captain ? -Let them be. We don't want to be found out by the higher up about going around to try those things. Let's return to camp, it'll be soon time to eat our share of gruel. -Are you sure ? It's a waste, we could make a nice stew with that. Way better than that mud we have. -If you want it to be your last meal, be my guest. As soon as you return with this, the other will flock to you like flies and our Oni of commander will find out you disregarded her order to stay in camp. Then, it's you who will end up in a stew. -I'm sorry captain, i didn't thought. -That's why i'm the captain. We don't want to waste anymore time, let's go you two.

The three soldiers turned away from their kills. They wore some pieces of metallic armours but nothing too restraining to be able to walk through the forest. Their others pieces of equipment were mostly leather clothes specially boiled to be hardened, with a notable sword hanging from their waist, and a type of bow Sylph had never seen before. However what made his mind alarmed was the emblem engraved in their plate shoulders. It was the symbol of the chief god, one only those who belong in the Order of God can wear. What did they do here, so close to the border and still so out of place in these lost lands ? As their ancestors were chased because their arts were assimilated to one of demonic origin, Valpierre villagers feared the Order who branded them heretics. Suddenly worried of what these soldiers presence meant. Sylph decided to follow them to know exactly what they were plotting.