The next day arrived, and Kiht had attended to her wound. With the use of bandages and herbs she was keeping infection at bay. She was fortunate to have taken the blow to her shoulder blade. The quick jab was stopped by bone, but her muscle was quite sore. She needed long-term medical treatment, but Dayn had no medical expertise. She sat by the fire until Dayn returned from whatever errand he chose not to specify. She could have followed him, but he hadn't told her the way out of the maze of canyons and ravines that she was stuck in.
Eventually, Kiht could see Dayn returning from the distance. He walked along the riverbank until he reached there fire.
“So you're still here? Good. The group approves. You can join us in the attack, but you won't be with us. You'll be finding your own way.†He said in a casual tone.
Kiht grew a perplexed expression as she raised a brow. “I do not understand. How can I fight alongside your group without attacking along with your group? Do you even really have a group? How do I know you are not just an insane old man who sees things?â€
Dayn chuckled loudly. His expression betrayed that he was entertained by Kiht's attitude. “Well, I have my reasons to prevent you from meetin' them. You'll understand when the attack begins. But, you'll have to just trust me. You ain't got much choice in the matter unless you want to go it alone. You're free to do that, ya know.â€
Kiht furrowed her brows and scoffed. She shook her head slowly then took a few moments to think. “Fine, but I want to know the way out before we start the attack.†She said firmly.
Dayn nodded. “Of course. I'm a tell you that right now. But first, I need tell you something else. You see, you won't be as useful to us if you ain't fighting at your best.â€
Kiht furrowed her brows more intensely as she grew a mild scowl. “Give me a spear of some sort, and I can be at my best. If you do not have that, worry not. I can fight just fine with these knives. Likely better than an old man can.â€
Dayn regarded her. His expression was serious, but there were no hints of anger. He studied her for a short moment before speaking again. “I ain't talking about your skills with weapons. If I didn't know better, I'd say you grew up in Garlemald. Do you even know what you have? Do you even know why you survived that freezing river? Why are you fighting with spears and knives alone?â€
Kiht's expression still displayed her agitation; however, it softened, and grew a hint of curiosity. “What the Hells are you talking about? I fight with such weapons because I am a Huntress. They are the weapons I was raised to use. I have trained with many mentors, and learned from much experience. There no other weapons I am better with.â€
Dayn shook his head then looked her in the eyes. “No, you're still thinking about weapons. That's okay, weapons are good. But, you have enough aether to be a mage, girl. Why would you not do that? Why is it mostly dormant inside you?â€
Kiht grew even more confused. She studied the man to see any signs that he might be jesting, but his expression was sincere and solid. “My role was chosen for me when I was a child. I was trained since I was a child. If they had seen any potential within me to be a conjurer, I would have been made one. Those who can heal with magic are very valuable. However, they tested me, and made sure that the best path for me was that of the Huntress and Scout.†She said in a confident tone.
“I'm not talking about that. You don't understand, girl. There are many different types of magic. Not all are meant for healing. No, your aether has an affinity for ice. Not just an affinity, but even more uncommon; a double affinity. Your aether has a stronger affinity for ice than I have ever seen.â€
Kiht shrugged. Her expression relaxed, and her mind began calming. She wasn't surprised by his words. She revered the two goddesses of ice more so than the other ten deities. “What does it matter? I can use my aether, but what you are telling me is that my aether would be better for destructive magic? I do not need such. I have trained all my life to be what I am. I cannot be everything, and I do not have time to learn to be something else even if I wanted to be.â€
Dayn let out a sigh. “Again, that ain't what I'm saying. What's stopping you from being able to use your aether in more dynamic ways even while continuing to fight with your best skills and weapons?â€
Kiht was still unconvinced by the man she hardly knew. “I assume if it were best to be able to fight with weapons and magic at the same time, others would do it. There is nothing about me that can make me an exception. Unless you are saying my double affinity for ice somehow makes me stronger than most people?â€
“No, I ain't saying that. I ain't saying that the double affinity for ice makes you immune to ice. You can still freeze to death. Ice magic can still kill you. But, you can resist the cold and ice better than those without the affinity for it.†He said then paused to collect his thoughts.
Dayn took a deep breath to continue. “There are those who can use magic and weapons. Things exist when there is a need for them. We need archers, so we have them. You don't see people who have it within their role to be javelin-throwers. But, that don't mean javelin throwing don't exist. And, that don't mean it's a useless art. It might be a bit outdated, but there are still some advantages to it that a bow don't have. Enough to replace the bow? No, it's the other way around. But there are still people who throw javelins and harpoons because it still has its applications. You're probably the type that is so obsessed with things that are time-honored that you don't see the advantage to being anything else. Well, I'm offering you an opportunity…â€
Kiht perked a brow at him. Her expression grew curious. She crossed her arms then listened intently. She nodded to indicate that he should continue.
“Well, this ain't something that only I can do for you. You have a good amount of aether, but never really trained in spell-casting, have you? I ain't gonna teach you spells; that'll take too long. But I can help you unlock your aether.†He stated with certainty.
Kiht slowly shook her head. “I can already use my aether. You do not need to unlock it.â€
“I ain't talking about the ability to use. I'm talking about the ability to control and formulate it. Like mages do. It ain't easy to explain. It's like, more than focusing energy, but actually being able to take hold of it. You will actually begin to learn how to use your ice affinity.†Dayn responded.
“And how would I go about doing that?†Kiht asked.
Dayn grew a wide grin – wider than she had seen since meeting him. “If you trust me enough, I can teach you. But, I ain't know a way to make you trust me anytime soon, so are you willing to gamble? Are you willing to take a chance with ol' Dayn?â€
Eventually, Kiht could see Dayn returning from the distance. He walked along the riverbank until he reached there fire.
“So you're still here? Good. The group approves. You can join us in the attack, but you won't be with us. You'll be finding your own way.†He said in a casual tone.
Kiht grew a perplexed expression as she raised a brow. “I do not understand. How can I fight alongside your group without attacking along with your group? Do you even really have a group? How do I know you are not just an insane old man who sees things?â€
Dayn chuckled loudly. His expression betrayed that he was entertained by Kiht's attitude. “Well, I have my reasons to prevent you from meetin' them. You'll understand when the attack begins. But, you'll have to just trust me. You ain't got much choice in the matter unless you want to go it alone. You're free to do that, ya know.â€
Kiht furrowed her brows and scoffed. She shook her head slowly then took a few moments to think. “Fine, but I want to know the way out before we start the attack.†She said firmly.
Dayn nodded. “Of course. I'm a tell you that right now. But first, I need tell you something else. You see, you won't be as useful to us if you ain't fighting at your best.â€
Kiht furrowed her brows more intensely as she grew a mild scowl. “Give me a spear of some sort, and I can be at my best. If you do not have that, worry not. I can fight just fine with these knives. Likely better than an old man can.â€
Dayn regarded her. His expression was serious, but there were no hints of anger. He studied her for a short moment before speaking again. “I ain't talking about your skills with weapons. If I didn't know better, I'd say you grew up in Garlemald. Do you even know what you have? Do you even know why you survived that freezing river? Why are you fighting with spears and knives alone?â€
Kiht's expression still displayed her agitation; however, it softened, and grew a hint of curiosity. “What the Hells are you talking about? I fight with such weapons because I am a Huntress. They are the weapons I was raised to use. I have trained with many mentors, and learned from much experience. There no other weapons I am better with.â€
Dayn shook his head then looked her in the eyes. “No, you're still thinking about weapons. That's okay, weapons are good. But, you have enough aether to be a mage, girl. Why would you not do that? Why is it mostly dormant inside you?â€
Kiht grew even more confused. She studied the man to see any signs that he might be jesting, but his expression was sincere and solid. “My role was chosen for me when I was a child. I was trained since I was a child. If they had seen any potential within me to be a conjurer, I would have been made one. Those who can heal with magic are very valuable. However, they tested me, and made sure that the best path for me was that of the Huntress and Scout.†She said in a confident tone.
“I'm not talking about that. You don't understand, girl. There are many different types of magic. Not all are meant for healing. No, your aether has an affinity for ice. Not just an affinity, but even more uncommon; a double affinity. Your aether has a stronger affinity for ice than I have ever seen.â€
Kiht shrugged. Her expression relaxed, and her mind began calming. She wasn't surprised by his words. She revered the two goddesses of ice more so than the other ten deities. “What does it matter? I can use my aether, but what you are telling me is that my aether would be better for destructive magic? I do not need such. I have trained all my life to be what I am. I cannot be everything, and I do not have time to learn to be something else even if I wanted to be.â€
Dayn let out a sigh. “Again, that ain't what I'm saying. What's stopping you from being able to use your aether in more dynamic ways even while continuing to fight with your best skills and weapons?â€
Kiht was still unconvinced by the man she hardly knew. “I assume if it were best to be able to fight with weapons and magic at the same time, others would do it. There is nothing about me that can make me an exception. Unless you are saying my double affinity for ice somehow makes me stronger than most people?â€
“No, I ain't saying that. I ain't saying that the double affinity for ice makes you immune to ice. You can still freeze to death. Ice magic can still kill you. But, you can resist the cold and ice better than those without the affinity for it.†He said then paused to collect his thoughts.
Dayn took a deep breath to continue. “There are those who can use magic and weapons. Things exist when there is a need for them. We need archers, so we have them. You don't see people who have it within their role to be javelin-throwers. But, that don't mean javelin throwing don't exist. And, that don't mean it's a useless art. It might be a bit outdated, but there are still some advantages to it that a bow don't have. Enough to replace the bow? No, it's the other way around. But there are still people who throw javelins and harpoons because it still has its applications. You're probably the type that is so obsessed with things that are time-honored that you don't see the advantage to being anything else. Well, I'm offering you an opportunity…â€
Kiht perked a brow at him. Her expression grew curious. She crossed her arms then listened intently. She nodded to indicate that he should continue.
“Well, this ain't something that only I can do for you. You have a good amount of aether, but never really trained in spell-casting, have you? I ain't gonna teach you spells; that'll take too long. But I can help you unlock your aether.†He stated with certainty.
Kiht slowly shook her head. “I can already use my aether. You do not need to unlock it.â€
“I ain't talking about the ability to use. I'm talking about the ability to control and formulate it. Like mages do. It ain't easy to explain. It's like, more than focusing energy, but actually being able to take hold of it. You will actually begin to learn how to use your ice affinity.†Dayn responded.
“And how would I go about doing that?†Kiht asked.
Dayn grew a wide grin – wider than she had seen since meeting him. “If you trust me enough, I can teach you. But, I ain't know a way to make you trust me anytime soon, so are you willing to gamble? Are you willing to take a chance with ol' Dayn?â€
