Valerian, The Legendary

He asked, “Sir Calor, is something the matter?”

It was Calor. He had come over to pass the orders of the Knight Commander. The man jumped off the bird, and so did Valerian. Calor said upon getting close, “The commander has a task for you.”

Valerian raised his brows and asked, “What is it?”

Calor smiled and said, “He wants you to track down all the Tyrant’s men. Can you do it?”

Valerian thought briefly, saying, “I do not know what your Commander is thinking. I intended to look for these hounds, so I guess I will take it, however, since he sent you to inform me. I think you do have something in exchange for my labor?”

Calor was surprised once again. He could not understand how this guy was so intelligent. It was as if the Commander was talking to him. The man sighed internally and said, “You will get extra merit points.”

Valerian nodded and said, “Fine, but can I interrogate these people myself? It will be better than waiting for you all to finish questioning.”

Calor nodded and asked to exchange a string of mana to be in touch through the soul communication bead. Valerian did not mind and said, “Do you have a spare magic pouch?”

.....

This was unexpected, but Calor nodded and asked, “Did you run out of storage?”

He asked while taking out an extra magic pouch from his waist. Valerian did not answer him but took out a handful of gold coins to exchange. Calor shook his head and said, “No, I cannot trade. It is forbidden.”

Valerian rolled his eyes, saying, “This is not trading. I am giving you the money to buy good weapons or donate it to the treasurer.”

He shoved the coins to Calor and took the magic pouch. Then, after making sure that it was empty, he said his farewell and went back to ride his horse to the west. He rode for three days and acquired much important information about where he was going.

On the way, they came across a few caravans, all of which were traveling in the same direction as them. Valerian became curious. He had a hunch, and to confirm his suspicion, the young man decided to camp near a caravan.

Valerie was gazing at the people from a distance and wanted to go closer, but she was worried that she might disturb them. Valerian saw this and thought, ‘I am a demon.’

He said, “Vali, do you want to greet them?”

The girl subconsciously nodded and asked, “But what if they did not like me? They seem to be resting. What if I disturbed them?”

Valerian smiled, “Come, I will cast a healing spell on them, and they will like you for taking me over there.”

Valerie excitedly ran up to the young man and held his hand as she asked, “Really, big brother?”

Valerian dotingly patted her head and said, “Yes, come.”

He took her small hand and led her near the camp. The color of his habit had returned to blue and white, it seemed as if a special kind of spell enchanted the habit, and Valerian did not understand how it worked. It was nighttime, and the habit was back to standard color.

He figured it might be something to do with the fighting intent. Shrugging the thought away, he approached the caravan. A group of people was setting up the torches, and when they saw two figures coming them in habits, they did not create a stir and even bowed slightly.

Valerian and Valerie returned the bow, and the guard asked, “Do you seek something, Sir.”

The silver-haired monk nodded and said, “We were wondering if there are people in your caravan who need help. Traveling is a tiring task.”

The guards were surprised, and the person replied, “Sir, please come along with me. The caravan leader will be able to tell you things better.”

Valerian nodded and followed the man. The caravan had seven wagons, while three were laden with supplies. The rest carried people. By this group’s size, Valerian guessed there were about fifty adults and ten children.

He was lost in his thoughts when the guard led him to the chief of the caravan. Valerian found himself standing in front of an old lady. She was two heads smaller than the boy, and her back was hunched. This surprised the young man. He hardly ever saw any woman to be the head of a group.

The guard said, “Granny Taya, this kind monk wishes to lend us his help and look after any sick and tired.”

Granny Taya was standing with her back facing them. Then, hearing the guard speak, she turned around, and Valerians saw her face riddled with the marks of time, but her eyes filled with wisdom and patience.

The young man bowed to her and said, “Greetings, Granny Taya.”

The old lady smiled gently and nodded to him, then Valerie looked over from behind Valerian and bowed her head, followed by a greeting like her big brother. This surprised the old lady and made the smile on her face bright.

Granny Taya asked, “So what should I call you two?”

Valerie replied, “This is my big brother, Valerian. I am Valerie.”

Granny Taya reached out her old wrinkly hands to pat Valerie and said, “Very well. First, I should be thanking VIta that she sent you here promptly. We can use your help.”

Valerian asked, “Is something wrong?”

The lady nodded and said, “Can you check our herbs?”

Valerian repeated, “Herbs?”

Granny Taya nodded and said, “We collect herbs from the wilds and then sell them for a living. They are the most common herbs that can be found anywhere. However, yesterday when a child fell and scraped his knee, we took some herbs, but the wind that should have been healed by now has become infectious. As a result, the child is suffering from a high fever.”

Valerian nodded and said, “I will help to the best of my ability. Please guide me where the child is.”

Granny Taya nodded, and only now Valerian noticed she was holding onto a cane. The little girl was quick and came forward to walk closer to the old lady and had her hand in a supportive manner.

The old lady led them to a wagon where the women were gathered. Valerian bowed to them, and then under Taya’s instructions, the ladies allowed them passage to enter the wagon. The wagon’s sides were covered by an arching canopy, leaving the front and back open.

Valerian entered the wagon and found a boy lying inside, covered with blankets. He frowned and carefully removed the blankets. The child was the same age as Valerie. As he thought of it, he turned to look at the girl who made a hand sign, ‘You can do it.’

The young man could not help but smile and channel mana into his eyes. With an enhanced vision, it became easier for him to inspect the wound. The shallow scrap was slightly blue, and this made Valerian frown. He cast a healing spell and managed to ease the problem a bit. However, this spell was not enough for the poison to be extracted.

Taking a deep breath, Valerian cast another healing spell, but this time, he managed to squeeze out some black substance from the wound. A gentle pink replaced the blue tint on the entire leg.

Valerian exited the wagon and asked, “May I see the herbs?”

Taya nodded, and a young woman stepped forward as she asked, “Brother, my son. Will he be okay?”

Valerian bowed to the lady. This lady was so worried that her eyes could make the guy remember his three mothers and nodded as he said, “He will be fine soon. But for now, his fever is gone. Also, do not cover his leg again. I will be back soon.”

The lady bowed, and Valerian wanted to help her, but a little figure said, “Aunty, do not bow. This is what he should do as a follower of mercy.”

The lady gazed to see a little girl, who smiled and said, “We should pray to Mother Vita so that your son recovers soon.”

Valerie took the ladies away, and Taya led Valerian to another wagon where they kept all the herbs. The young man found various herbs separately placed in different baskets. Taya pointed at one basket and said, “This is the herb we used.”

Valerian nodded, picked up the herb, and asked, “Granny, does anyone know how to use magic in the group?”

Taya nodded and said, “A young child can use magic. Why do you ask?”

Valerian replied, “The herbs turned toxic after a mana exposure.”