Chapter 39 – Stonebreaker’s Jigor
Chapter 39
Stonebreaker’s Jigor
Date: Day 27 of Harvestmoon. 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Sol and Luna hung low in the sky—golden and silver orbs sinking toward the earth. Long shadows stretched across the road.
.
And ahead of them, salvation awaited. They arrived at their first Waystop
Elise heaved a sigh. Her shoulders dropped. The tension she had been carrying—all the vigilance, all the alertness—seemed to drain from her body.
"Finally... a Waystop."
The words came out soft. Relieved. Grateful.
Hyoren scanned the area. Taking in the details.
There was a clearing on both sides of the road. It could accommodate several wagons. The earth was also compacted and maintained. Not quite as perfect as the King's Highway itself—but close. Smooth enough for rest. Stable enough for camp.
The clearing was protected from wind by a few Silver Oak trees. They seemed to have been purposely planted. Circling the Waystop. Creating a natural barrier against the elements. Their silver bark caught the dying light. Their now brown leaves rustled in the evening breeze.
At the middle, there was a small stone pillar. Roughly waist height. With a few faucets jutting from its sides. He could see some people getting water from it. Filling waterskins. Washing hands.
Definitely a magic tool to create water.
They entered the Waystop. Steps crossing from road to clearing.
And saw there was already a Merchant Caravan parked on one side of the clearing.
Four carriages. Parked in a circle. Forming a defensive position. Around them, a campfire burned. Warm light flickering against the growing darkness. The caravan seemed to be protected by a party of four adventurers.
Elise scanned the Waystop. Her eyes moving across the space. Then she led Hyoren to a place farthest from the merchant caravan. Away from potential complications.
“Let’s rest here today Hyoren.”
She dropped her bag on the ground. A soft thump against the compacted earth.
Hyoren did the same. Letting his pack fall beside hers.
"Okay, Elise."
He looked around. Assessing their chosen spot.
"This Waystop seems safe and good to camp. There's water too, it seems."
He glanced at the stone pillar. At the people gathered around it.
"Is that a magic tool?"
Elise stretched. Her arms reaching above her head. Her back arching. Work out the stiffness from walking. Then she nodded.
"Yes."
She settled back on her heels.
"It's a Water magic tool. All Waystops have them. And Knights will periodically replace the magic stone inside, so everyone has access to water."
Hyoren was fascinated.
"That was truly convenient."
He shook his head. Still marveling at this world's solutions.
"Magic tools are..."
He trailed off. Unable to find the right word. Amazing? Useful?
As he was fascinated by the convenient of magic tools, Elise rummaged through her bag. Her fingers searching for something specific. She pulled out four square Ward Stones.
Hyoren cocked his head. Confusion on his face.
"Elise, we still need those?"
He gestured at the Waystop. At the road. At the people around them.
"I thought the Highway and Waystops are safe?"
Elise placed the Ward Stones around their camp. One at each corner. Forming a square. She looked up at Hyoren as she positioned the last one.
"Yes. Area around here is definitely safe."
She confirmed.
"Monsters generally would never come near Highways. And there are no bandits around here. Hunted by Akela’s Knight."
She touched the Ward Stones for longer than usual. Pouring her Aethell into them. Configuring. Before the protective barrier started to shimmer.
Hyoren was still confused. The pieces didn't fit. If it was safe, why the barrier?
"Then why do we need the barrier?"
Elise stood. Brushing off her knees. Dusting her hands. Her expression shifted. Became more serious. More guarded.
"Because we never know, Hyoren."
She looked around. At the merchant caravan. At the adventurers. At the other travelers settling in for the night.
"The area might be safe. Knights patrolling from time to time. There aren't many unruly adventurers, yes."
She paused. Choosing her next words carefully.
"But there are still a few of them."
Her voice dropped. Became heavier.
"Doing adventuring work solo as a woman already taught me a lot of things."
She looked at him. Her emerald eyes serious. Reflecting experiences she hadn't shared. Pains she hadn't spoken of.
"Never truly trust other people. No matter how safe it seems. Protective barriers are a must."
Elise looked at the sky. The three moons—Azure, Crimson, and Ebony—already nestled in the darkening sky. But her mind was not on them. Her thoughts were elsewhere. In the past. In memories she rarely visited.
"When I was innocent... and my mind still in chaos thanks to my trauma…"
Her voice was soft. Almost a whisper.
"During my early days adventuring on human kingdom. Experience taught me that I need to be careful around a lot of... men..."
She was a woman traveling alone. Vulnerable. Target. Her expression darkened.
Elise shook her head. A sharp motion. Trying to dismiss the memories. Pushing away the pain.
He saw her expression and understood. He already knew what she was about to say. Some painful memories didn't need to be spoken aloud.
“Stop Elise. I understand. I truly understand. No need to explain it anymore.”
Elise looked up. Surprised. But some of her smile is back. Relieved.
Hyoren then spoke slowly. Choosing his words carefully.
“That was. Understandable Elise… On my old world. Cities were also considered safe. Police maintaining law. But we never knew when people with bad intentions were going to appear."
He paused. The parallel was clear. The lesson universal.
"Better safe than sorry. Yeah..."
Elise’s smile widened. A soft expression. Appreciation in her eyes.
"Okay then, Hyoren."
She gestured at the Ward Stones. At the barrier shimmering around them.
"Touch the Ward Stones and pour your Aethell into it."
Hyoren cocked his head again. Still confused.
"Huh? Why, Elise?"
He looked at the stones. At the barrier. At her.
"Why suddenly do I need to do it? The Ward Stones seemed to work without me needing to do that before."
Elise put both hands on her hips. A teaching posture. Patient but firm.
"That's because I changed the property of the barrier. In the wilderness, I set the barrier to only ward monsters… to conserve the Aethell."
She gestured broadly. At the forest behind them. At the wild places they had traveled.
"So humans, no matter who, could enter and exit freely."
She pointed at the Ward Stones. At the invisible barrier surrounding them.
"But just now, as we've entered civilization… I changed the setting, so that not only will it ward monsters, it will also ward other humans who are not registered to the tools."
Hyoren made an O shape with his mouth. Understanding dawned.
"So this barrier can be customized, huh..."
He looked at the stones with new appreciation.
"And right... as you say, not all humans are good... so the change of setting is indeed necessary. I see..."
He crouched down. Reaching toward one of the stones. He touched it. Felt the cool surface beneath his fingers. And poured his Aethell into it. Flowing from his core into the crystal.
The barrier shimmered slightly. Acknowledging the new signature. Accepting the new user. Then went transparent again.
He withdrew his hand. Looked at Elise.
"Is this enough, Elise?"
Elise nodded. Satisfied. Her expression approving.
"Yes. That's good. Now only you and I can enter and exit this barrier freely."
The barrier was set. Their haven was secured. For the night, at least—they were safe.
***
Elise looked at the merchant caravan. Her eyes scanning. Assessing. Then she turned to Hyoren again.
"Okay, Hyoren. Time to go to the merchant."
Hyoren blinked. Confused again.
"Huh? Why, Elise?"
He looked at their camp. At the bare ground. At the empty spot where a fire should be.
"We still need to make bedding and campfire, right?"
Elise shook her head. A small sigh escaping her lips.
"Hyoren. You forget?"
She pointed at their bags. At the supplies they had carried. The supplies that had dwindled.
"Our supplies."
Then realization dawned on him. The memory returned. The conversation from earlier.
"Oh damn."
He slapped his forehead. Exasperated at his own forgetfulness.
"Right... we don't have any food left, we didn't see any monsters today... and you said we were going to buy some on the way."
Elise smiled. A soft, knowing expression. She exited the barrier. Stepping through the invisible wall. Leaving their protected space.
"That's right. Let's go."
She walked toward the merchant caravan. Hyoren followed close behind.
The caravan was busy. People moving. The smell of cooking food drifted through the air. The merchants were setting up. Preparing for the night. Organizing their wares.
As they approached, the adventurers guarding the caravan broke away. Walking toward them. Intercepting them before they could reach the merchants.
The one leading was a stout and short man. About 130 centimeters. Broad shoulders. Thick arms. A stocky build that spoke of strength and endurance. With a majestic brown beard that covered most of his face. Braided. Decorated with small metal rings. Well-maintained.
He had a round shield strapped to his left arm. Scratched. Battle-tested. And Hyoren could see a one-handed axe on his hip. The blade gleaming in the dying light.
A Dwarf.
The Dwarf crossed his arms. Leaning back slightly. An amused expression decorated his face. His eyes—dark and sharp beneath thick brows—took them in.
"Well... well... well..."
His voice was deep.
"If it isn't the famous Lonely Ranger."
He emphasized the title. A smirk playing on his lips.
He then looked at Hyoren beside Elise. His eyes traveled from head to bottom. Taking in the wild hair. The rough clothes. The unkempt appearance.
"And the Lonely Ranger now has a companion?"
His eyebrows rose. Genuine surprise beneath the teasing.
"A truly wild... companion. Hahahaha."
His laughter was booming. Filling the space around them. Drawing attention from nearby travelers.
Elise was pouting. Her lips pressing together. Her brow furrowing. But her shoulders stayed relaxed. Her stance remained open. It seemed she knew the dwarf. And their relationship was not hostile. Perhaps even friendly. Beneath the barbs.
"Shut your mouth, Jigor..."
Her voice was sharp. But not truly angry.
"It's not your business who I partner with."
The dwarf—Jigor—was amused. He started combing his beard with his hand. His thick fingers working through the braids. A gesture of satisfaction.
"It's just... surprising."
He spoke between strokes. His voice carrying mock wonder.
"Ten years of loneliness. But suddenly you're with someone else."
He glanced at Hyoren. Then back at Elise.
"A man to boot..."
His grin widened.
"I thought you hated men."
Hyoren stayed still. He didn't want to intrude. This was Elise's acquaintance. His place was to observe. To wait.
His eyes wandered to Jigor's party. Three other members. Standing nearby. Watching the exchange.
One of them was a small human teenage girl. Young. Perhaps seventeen or eighteen. Short-haired brunette. Her hair was cropped close. Practical. Easy to maintain. She carried a short bow on her back. The weapon was compact. Suited for quick draws. Close quarters. Definitely a scout.
Then another— a lanky human man. Thin. Tall. Blonde hair that fell past his shoulders. He wore a black robe. And he carried a wand. Slim. Dark wood. Magician.
Lastly, another human woman in her twenties. She looked like a priest. Wearing a white vestment. Clean. A hair cover that modestly concealed her locks. And carrying a small mace on her hip. Party Healer.
While Hyoren examined the four, Elise and Jigor's banter finally ended. The teasing subsided. The laughter faded.
Elise turned to Hyoren.
"Hyoren, this is Jigor."
She gestured at the dwarf.
"A Bronze adventurer like me. We sometimes work together."
She paused. A slight grimace crossing her face.
"He's crass. But quite trusty. As long as you ignore how loud he is."
Jigor then offered his hand. Extending it toward Hyoren. His palm was broad. Calloused. His voice was loud. Boisterous.
"I'm Stonebreaker's Jigor. Nice to meetcha."
His grip was waiting. Expectant.
"Hey, wild man. Who are you? How'd you actually melt this man-hater elf's heart? Gyahaha!"
Hyoren accepted his handshake. The hands were rugged and strong. The grip firm. Powerful. The grasp of a warrior.
"I'm Hyoren Enjo. Nice to meet you, Jigor."
He maintained eye contact. Respectful.
"Well... I'm not sure how, too. It just happened... Haha."
He gave a small laugh. Uncertain. The question was complicated. The answer was complex. He wasn't sure how to explain. Wasn't sure he could explain.
Elise's expression was exasperated. Her cheeks slightly flushed. Her ears twitching.
Jigor boomed.
"Gyahaha! 'Just happened,' you say!"
He clapped Hyoren on the shoulder. A hard thump. Friendly.
"But well. Elise. Good for you if you finally found someone you can trust. Ten years is not a short time..."
His expression turned sincere. The teasing faded. Replaced by something genuine. Warm. It seemed Elise was right. He was not a bad guy. Just loud. Very loud.
Elise's pointed ears became red. The blush spreading. She looked away. Unable to meet anyone's eyes.
Jigor then faced Hyoren again. His demeanor shifting.
"Okay. Meet my party members, Hyoren."
He gestured to the group behind him. Introductions were in order.
"First. This is Cathy Frozz."
The scout came forward. Her energetic personality was immediately apparent. She practically bounced. Vibrant.
"Hello Hyoren! I'm Cathy!"
Her voice was bright. Cheerful. Filled with enthusiasm.
"I'm proud of my skill to sniff both monster and gossip! Do you want latest gossip I heard about some maid on noble house?"
She winked. Playful. Mischievous.
Hyoren smiled wrily. Amused by her energy. Her openness.
"Hello, Cathy."
Jigor shook his head. Exasperated. But fond.
"Cathy. Can you stop spreading false news?"
His tone was warning. But not truly stern.
"Knights are going to catch you soon if you don't stop doing that."
Cathy stuck out her tongue. Childish. Defiant.
"Weeeee! Never! And it's not false news, Jigor. It's gossip!"
She placed her hands on her hips. Indignant.
"I hate you, Jigor! Hmph."
She then turned around and walked away. Her stride purposeful. Dramatic. Offended. But not truly. It was all performance. All play.
Hyoren watched her with an amused expression. Elise also smiled. The dynamic was clear. Familiar. A family that bickered but loved.
Jigor just sighed. Resigned. Accustomed.
Then he gestured to the lanky man.
"This is Denis. Our Fire Magician."
Denis nodded. His expression calm. Reserved. A contrast to Cathy's energy.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Denis Folkrite."
His voice was quiet.
Hyoren also nodded.
"Nice to meet you."
Denis then also followed after Cathy. Walking away. His steps unhurried. His manner composed. He seemed to want to placate her.
Jigor then gestured to the priest.
"This is our healer, Vani."
The priest bowed. A graceful motion. Proper. Reverent. Before straightening.
"I'm Vani Yight."
Her voice was soft. Gentle. Soothing.
"I used to be a sister in the Luminara Church. But I fell in love with Jigor, so I decided to quit and follow him to become an adventurer."
The confession was direct.
Jigor blushed. The color rising beneath his beard. His ears turning pink.
"Vani! Don't say it straight away like that!"
His voice was flustered. Embarrassed.
Vani pouted. Her lips curving downward. Pretending to be upset.
"But you only introduced me as your healer. Not your wife."
She crossed her arms.
"So I was angry."
But she then giggled. The pretense falling away. She wasn't really angry. Just teasing. Just reminding.
Elise then spoke. Amused by the display.
"It's your fault, Jigor."
She shook her head. A knowing smile on her face.
"You should properly introduce your wife. Why are you still embarrassed admitting that after all these years?"
Hyoren also smiled. The dynamic was charming. Endearing. A glimpse into a relationship that had weathered time.
"Nice to meet you, Vani."
He offered. Polite. Warm.
Jigor just huffed. Crossing his arms. Defensive.
"Well. While we work, we do it professionally."
He grumbled. Trying to maintain his dignity.
"In our party, Vani is our healer. That's a fact."
Vani and Elise just shook their heads. Giving up. The dwarf would never change. And perhaps that was fine. Perhaps that was part of the charm.
***
Jigor straightened. His posture shifting. Becoming more composed. His embarrassment finally receded. The flush fading from his cheeks. The stammering replaced by steady breath.
He looked at them both. Eyes sharp beneath furrowed brows.
"So what are you doing here, Elise?"
His voice was gruff. But curious.
"And where did you find this wild man..."
Elise tucked a strand of her hair back.
"He's not a wild man. He's Hyoren."
She corrected him. Firm. But not unkind.
"But to answer your question..."
She paused. Choosing her words.
"I took a quest from the Adventurer's Guild. To scout the Forest of No Return. The usual."
Jigor boomed again. His laughter erupting like a thunderclap.
"Gyahaha! But he truly looks like a wild man!"
He pointed at Hyoren. At the wild hair. The rough clothes. The unkempt appearance.
"So, don't tell me. You found him in the middle of the forest? Gyahahaha!"
The suggestion was absurd. A wild man discovered in the wild. The irony was not lost on him.
Vani beside him smiled. Soft. Gentle. But she chided Jigor by touching his shoulder. A gentle reminder. A silent rebuke. He then started coughing. Trying to hold his laugh. Suppressing his amusement. But failing miserably.
Elise crossed her arms. Her expression shifting. Becoming more serious. The time for jokes was over.
"Well. Technically correct."
She admitted. Her voice measured.
"But the details are reversed."
She turned to Hyoren.
"Hyoren, if you may..."
Hyoren nodded. Understanding his role. He began to explain who he was. And how they met.
He explained the backstory he and Elise had prepared. The fiction they had constructed. The mask he would wear.
He came from a village in the Southern Mountain Range. Named Shimoda. Isolated from the rest of the world. Everyone died because of a plague. A sickness that swept through the village. Killing without mercy. He was the sole survivor. And he went on a journey to find a new place to live. To start over. To find meaning after loss.
And during the journey—while traveling through the forest—he found Elise. Captured by a goblin warband. Helpless. He saved her. Freed her. Fought beside her. And both of them decided to partner. To travel together.
Elise sometimes added details. Filling in gaps. Providing context.
Vani covered her mouth with her hands. A gasp escaped her lips. Her eyes softened with sympathy. With compassion. Then she spoke. Her voice was gentle. Soothing. As expected of a former member of the clergy.
"Poor you, Hyoren..."
The words came from her heart. Genuine. Sincere.
"Losing everyone like that. And the harshness of your journey..."
She shook her head slowly. Sadness in her eyes.
"You did well surviving. Both the harshness of the wilderness. And the loneliness..."
Vani seemed to accept the made-up backstory. She believed every word. Felt every pain. Shared every sorrow.
Hyoren heaved a sigh. Relief mixed with guilt. The lie had worked. But it still felt wrong. To deceive someone so kind.
Jigor's eyebrows furrowed. His expression darker. A different part of the story. Not the tragedy. But the threat.
"You, Elise..."
His voice was serious. No longer joking.
"Actually captured by goblins? What kind of sick joke is this?"
The idea seemed impossible to him. Elise—capable Elf Ranger—captured by goblins. It didn't fit. Didn't make sense. Elise stepped forward. Her voice steady. But her eyes downcast. Ashamed. She admitted. The words coming hard.
"It's true, Jigor...I was careless. Really careless..."
Her hands clenched at her sides. The memory was painful. The failure was real.
"But other than that, it's also because of increased activity of the Goblin King."
She looked up. Meeting Jigor's eyes.
"The goblins are mobilizing. Organizing. Something is changing in the forest."
Jigor's eyes widened. The implications sinking in.
"You don't say..."
His voice was quiet. Grave. He rubbed his beard. Thinking.
"So the rumor was true…"
He looked at Elise.
"You're going to report it to the Adventurer's Guild, right?"
Elise nodded.
"Yes. Straight away."
No hesitation. This was her duty. Her responsibility.
Jigor nodded slowly.
"Okay, Elise. This information is worrying. But knowing this early means we can prepare earlier too..."
He took a breath. Then let it out. His shoulders settling. His mind working.
They heard a voice calling from the caravan. The Caravan Leader. Shouting for Jigor. Work was calling. Duty demanded attention.
Jigor shouted back at the merchant before looking back to them.
"I need to go back to work."
Jigor turned to them. His voice carrying a note of farewell.
"I'm going to escort this caravan to Yughur. Then back to Akela."
He paused. Calculating the time.
"So we might not meet for a while."
He extended his hand toward Hyoren. A final shake. A warrior's farewell.
"But safe travels for you two, okay?"
Elise and Hyoren nodded. Speaking together.
"You too, Jigor."
Jigor turned around. Walking toward the caravan leader.
Vani bowed slightly. A graceful motion. A gentle farewell. Before following him. Her white vestment fluttering in the evening breeze.
Elise and Hyoren watched Jigor and Vani go back to their work. Guarding the merchant caravan. Protecting the travelers. Doing their duty.