( Dao of Chaos) Thorjen POV Ch.1- Road to Knighthood

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Thorjen unearthed through the crowded shrubbery. Spitting out pieces of twigs and figs in the process. The mule he rode neighed out of frustration for the fifth time.

' He's getting tired.'

He too felt the journey becoming arduous and somewhat tiresome at this point. But luckily as he moved his eyes through the blinding sunlight clouding his vision, his eyes widened out of marvel as he finally saw a range of incredibly towering white city walls standing in front of a monstrous sized citadel. Filled with rising towers raised so high up, he was almost certain these great towers brushed the heavens.

'Lu-lucien Kingdom...f-finally I've arrived' He heckled a little before his eyes welled up with tears. 'Mother...Threyja...I'm home.' He thought to himself. Suddenly that previous feeling of tiredness didn't matter anymore. Using the reigns he tightened around his fists. Thorjen lightly beckoned the mule to continue its stride ahead. He softly spoke to the animal along the way, promising its journey was almost over. For some strange reason Thorjen held a feeling that the animal could understand him.

'Geary said my cultivation likely contained a lot of secrets. Lets hope I can discover more answers within the city.' Thorjen was already unsure

Thorjen closed in on the city gates. Up close those towering white walls were more incredible than he could've ever imagined. He was almost left wide jawed by the spectacular craftmanship of the famed human citadel finally standing before him. 'I'm finally here...haha after how long had I dreamed about this. Mother...I've arrived.'

Simply staring at this great city had ignited the adventurous spirit within his bones. Thorjen couldn't stop marveling at the sort of vast untold riches and tales hidden behind these walls.

Observing the draw bridge and the tall gates a little closer, he noticed the portcullis had been raised high allowing entry and exit over a large tunnel leading into the citadel. Standing on both sides of the entryway were two thick armoured fellows cladded in silver and partially golden armour. There was a somewhat lengthy que formed along the stoned bridge. So he dismounted his mule and decided to walk alongside it, noticing everyone else was doing the same thing before reaching the two guards.

Thorjen stood behind a very short but stocky framed fellow. He found it strange seeing someone so small so he couldn't help but twisting his head slightly, inspecting the very short fellow whilst he approached in order to join the end of the queue. The tiny broad shouldered man sensed his arrival and twisted his entire bald head around to meet him. Only now did Throjen stood dutifully surprised by the very large red forked beard he groomed, accompanied by a set of very peculiar flat pair of sharp ears.

'Ah he's not human...but is he an Elf? cant say I remember seeing Elves so small. Hmm interesting. he wondered

The fellows brows narrowed as his mouth started to form an upside down V shape.

"Hey brat what the heck you staring at me for. Never seen a Dwarf before? and what's with you- you dont look like a typical Elf but those ears say Elven...Ah wait...half ling hahaha of course, human men enjoy creating bastards with Elven women these days."

Thorjen was a little taken aback but he actually wasn't annoyed by the Dwarves words, he was still very much surprised he had met a Dwarf for the first time within his entire life.

"I read about Dwarves in some of the books back on the Azure mountain. They said long ago Dwarves were very good with their hands, the elders said you were the best crafters, smiths, builders..."

"Oh-ho so finally a group of Elves who finally admit how amazing my kindred are. Ay keep going-yes, Tell me more about how great us Dwarves are hahaha-"

"They also said that a great deal of youse are very crafty, especially when it comes to gold and trade. I think some of the elders once told me a saying. 'Better to trust a blind man to tell you the time of the day, than a Dwarf to tell you how much gold is in his pouch...Cant say I know what they ever meant by that to be honest." Whilst Thorjen pondered on the elders and their stories he noticed the Dwarven fellow suddenly turn red as a tomato. He was almost assured he saw steam pouring out of his ears also.

"Grr...grr-d-damn Elves...Hmph brat you shouldn't go around saying those kind of things to Dwarves. They might end up hitting ya across the side of your head with an iron wretch!"

Thorjen backed off a little sensing perhaps his words had come across rudely. He swiftly bowed his head and apologized

"No harm done! I've heard worst from those humans here haha but you're alright kid. I like a man that knows how to take ownership of his faults. The names Gilli- the best blacksmith across the entire Lucien Kingdom."

"Pleasure to meet you Mr Gili, my names Th-Thorjen. I'm...ahem I'm a half elf from the Azure feather sect on top of the blue mountain" He explained, Thorjen noticed Gilli's face change the moment he said that.

"Feather sect? Half ling ...it cant be can it..."

"NEXT!" a loud voice bellowed. Thorjen had just only noticed they had moved up the line in the process of talking, and it was next Gilli's turn to approach the two guardsmen.

He saw a strange unwillingness from Gilli. For some reason as soon as he told him where he originated from Gilli's expression flashed between shock, confusion and deep concern. If the guards weren't ushering him forward he looked as though he had something important to say to him.

"Damn it im coming -I'll be right over, hold your horses. Ay kid, I... (sigh) come see me at my smithy when you get tha time. You can'tmiss it, eastern side of the citadel follow the golden screws...we have...quite a lot to discuss."

(*Side Quest Update* Visit Gilli's Smithy)

Thorjen nodded, he didn't think the Dwarf seemed so bad so he didnt mind visiting his smithy once he got the time. 'Although that will have to wait until after I find my mother...I wonder how I should go about looking for her.'

He noticed Gilli going through a thorough check once he arrived beside the two guardsmen, it seemed a little longer than everyone elses for some reason and from where he stood he noticed a look of disdain drawn across the tiny Dwarfs face, compared to the two guards who were laughing and pointing at him in the process. Soon enough though they allowed an slightly annoyed Gilli through.

'Phew...its time Thorjen...lets calm down and not make a fool out of ourselves.' He coached his nerves for a few moments before readying himself to be called next.

He casually walked towards the two guards, holding the reigns in one hand. His white furred mule obeyed dutifully, clicking its tongue whilst being led along its masters walk.

"Name, Race and purpose for visit!"

_'Wait what...' _Thorjen was a little stunned by that. But he didn't want to draw attention to himself, recalling the advise Geary gave him on this place. So he swiftly placed his hands into one of the large pockets sewn against his robes Geary made just for him. But as soon as his hands tapped his side, a sense of danger ran along his spine. Thorjen gasped lightly before he felt frozen in place by a downpour of dense aura. He looked up and noticed the two guards had drawn their spears, pointing it directly towards his throat.

"You deaf! I said Name! Race and fucking purpose!" the guard almost roared at him. Feeling a little shaken Thorjen could only wordlessly mouth the answers back. For starters this tremendous pressure bearing against him was one he couldn't even hope to fight against at his current level. Just when he felt that the situation was about to get worst, he heard a familiar voice.

"Don't you two idiots have better things to do than bother young aspiring hopefuls" it was Gilli the Dwarf, he hadnt gone in and looked to have hung about underneath the portcullis.

"Or they paying any old numbskull to do the job of men these days" he added appearing beside the guardsmen

"What you say Dwarf?"

"Yes say it again and see if we dont poke your belly full of hoes."

"Pfft go ahead. Let the Queen hear you killed the only blacksmith trusted enough to mend the holy weapons from the court. Go on- I triple dare ya both."

"W-wait...blacksmith....Dwarf"

"Fuck sake! He's part of the Queens company." Their faces almost turned ashen white once they saw Gilli reveal what looked to be a solid gold medallion with the crest of a four winged bird against it.

"We meant n-no harm sir...j-just following orders."

"Ahem indeed, we dont know who this fellow is. Queen said we must be strict on newbies-especially when a war is co..."

"Shut your damn mouths! The boy is from one of the Queen's partnered Elven Sects! do you know what that means you numbskulls!"

The two guards shared a look of confusion but beads of sweat started to appear against their foreheads.

"Let me spell it out for you two idiots. If you think talking crap to me would get your tongues cut out. Just let the Queen hear you pointed those things at one of the talented Elven youths chosen to train under the tutelage of our guilds!"

"Fuck sake Dorian!

"Me? you're the one blood hungry all the time- I knew I shouldnt have agreed to stand guard."

"You fucking ass! Dont you dare talk to me like that-i'll break your face right now."

"Do it! like to see you try"

Whilst Thorjen stood idly by whilst the pair bickered he had already took out the piece of paper Geary had hand written for him to hand over. Gilli looked a little surprise at first, but his mouth curved into a knowing smile.

"hahaha even worst take a look at that slip he's holding you idiots. Imagine pissing off the one guild your fathers would never dare to offend in their lives."

The guards nervily twisted their helms back towards Thorjen. Their eyes observed the violet coloured slip and the sigil drawn against it. Thorjen was sure he saw their ghosts leave their bodies. One of them even fainted on the spot, which caused a loud commotion from the people lined up behind him.

"T-t-t-t-thats...m-m-mages...guild?"

"Too right it is. Now come on kid lets leave these fuckers to stew in their mistake. hahaha no doubt you'll probably wake up the next morning with your cocks missing. Good day fellas."

"No please wait!!" screamed the only one conscious enough to plead. But before he could say anything more Thorjen found his sleeves being tugged away towards the open gateway by Gilli.

Once the the outcries of help were drowned away in their rear Gilli couldnt help releasing a rolling laughter, holding his round belly in the process.

"Fucking idiots serves them right-hahaha well done kid well done...say where you get such a slip like that in the first place"

"Au? Well...I was given it by a...mage"

"Wait what that thing is actually real. Well fuck me sideways! who the actual hell are you brat! A halfling from the cultivation sect who we all understand have formed an alliance with the Lucien kingdom. And not to mention you've been sired by a mage?"

Thorjen could only crease an awkward smile. Every time he met someone new his identity seemed to drum up confusion wherever he went.

"Well..." Thorjen narrated with half truths about his situation. How he was supposed to have arrived here with the rest of the other youths almost a year ago but had almost been killed and lost in the wilderness since then. He omitted the things about Mastramundus and the Moon Jin Teahouse members.

Gilli was shocked as he would expect anyone to be. He rubbed his head a few times before a look of deep sadness filled his eyes.

"Your people must be worried sick...sigh, Tell you what go look for your folk then come find me. Hmm I imagine you'll find someone you know at the festival being held at the centre court today."

"Festival?" he repeated

"Ay! Ah oh right you wouldn't have heard. Today they'll be a tourney being held in the honor of the potential new member of Queens Golden Heavenly Wielders. 13 of the most talented knights gifted with a Holy Gear! A weapon strong enough to level cities flat when honed to their utmost full power. It's every knights dream to acquire one."

Thorjen felt his heart beating faster. 'G-golden...H-holy Gear...'Excitement bubbled within his heart. After all this was where he wished to be. Right here at the place where he can finally realize his dreams.

"Dunno why you got that weird look on ya face but it might interest you to know that not only is the potential genius the youngest ever to undertake the trial. He's also one of your kin...He's an Elf!"