Chapter 96 - Teachings
When Scarlett and Rosa returned to Freymeadow the next day, they were surprised to see Arlene standing from her chair and stepping down from the porch as they neared.
“Follow me,” the woman told Scarlett before turning around and walking away.
Scarlett shared a look with Rosa. “I will see what this is about. You remain here.”
The bard glanced after the departing woman. “…If you say so, boss.”
Scarlett began walking after Arlene, who had exited the village square. She caught up with her as they passed the simple wood and stone buildings that made up these people’s homes and proceeded towards the wall that surrounded the settlement. Eventually, they reached a section in the wall where a small gate led out into a spot near where the villagers kept their livestock. Arlene continued past the enclosure where the sheep grazed, and Scarlett upped her pace to keep up. Two men tending to the animals watched as they walked by, but neither seemed to offer any greetings.
Soon they reached the edge of the forest, where Arlene continued into the thick underbrush without an ounce of hesitation. Scarlett followed, trying her best to avoid the errant thorn branch and other bothersome vegetation. They trekked through the thicket for several minutes until they reached a small clearing where rocks and dead trees littered much of the ground.
Arlene stopped near the mouth of the open space, turning back to Scarlett. “Alright. Show me what you’ve got once more. Give it your all this time.”
Scarlett eyed the raven-haired woman for a moment. This wasn’t exactly the best place to test her abilities… But if this was what she thought it was, she couldn’t very well say no.
“Don’t worry about the forest,” Arlene said. “Just focus on your own work.”
…Alright then.
Scarlett looked down at her waist for a moment, where the [Pouch of Holding] was. She had tested the [Fireguard Knife] the day before, and its empowering effect seemed to work with her pyrokinesis as she’d hoped. The effect wasn’t massive, but it was better than nothing. Though perhaps it was better to do this without the aid of an artifact like that.
She raised both hands. With a reasonable amount of mental effort, she summoned a dozen medium-sized Aqua Mines; the limit of what her current hydrokinesis would allow her. Centered on a large tree trunk nearby, each Mine blazed like a tiny miniature star. She detonated them in order, and splinters blasted away with each impact as pockets of steam burst forth. When she was finished, the trunk was left with several large chunks missing.