Cor studied and trained constantly, taking time only to sleep and eat. With Rael’s tutelage, he began to learn other languages such as Loszian and became more adept in the ancient tongue. Rael found that Cor had a facility with languages and urged him on in his studies. Cor also continued to read any historical texts he could find in Rael’s study, asking Rael to translate certain portions from Rumedian when they became too difficult. After a time, he no longer needed Rael’s translations.
They trained several hours each day. While Cor had learned quickly how to use the strength contained in his blood, the arts of fighting themselves took much time and practice. Rael forced himself to be patient, realizing that he had over one hundred years of fighting experience, whereas Cor had learned to fight in unconventional ways. All things considered, Cor took to the teaching well, and Rael began to teach him the art of combat from horseback. Cor found this to be quite a different thing, and it took more practice and care to be sure one did not harm one’s mount.
Cor certainly never forgot about his parents, in fact they were always close to the forefront of his mind, but he came to accept Rael as a friend and the closest thing to family he still had. They discussed things beyond Cor’s studies, talking easily about a range of subjects. Cor knew that the Dahken was immensely old by normal human terms, and Rael was free with talk of his own training as a child and told Cor tales of his travels through the West, the Northern Kingdoms and Tigol. He explained how his blood had led him back to Sanctum and to find Cor.
However, Rael was rarely inclined to speak about large portions of his past. Over time, Cor began to realize that there was a period of perhaps several decades that Rael avoided discussing. However, Rael did enjoy his wine, and on occasion, he would grow too intoxicated and let some small details slip. Cor was quick to notice these pieces of information, and he eventually came to the conclusion that Rael had stopped traveling for a time. Cor was certain the Dahken had settled down, taken a wife and started a family. What happened to them, Cor did not know, and he was not inclined to push Rael on the matter. Rael often brooded late in the evening, and Cor grew convinced that it was related to the years Rael would not discuss.
Cor continued to grow, both physically and in power, and by the age of seventeen, he was nearly six feet tall. His body became well muscled, lean and wiry from the constant workouts with Rael. Throughout his adolescence, his hair changed color slightly becoming almost black, a stark contrast with his gray skin. Cor had been tall and strong enough to wear a man’s armor for a few years, and Rael helped him select some choice pieces from Sanctum’s armory. It took the better part of a week to return them to usable condition and teach Cor how to maintain the armor properly.
Rael watched him and marveled, realizing Cor truly was a man now. He knew there was little else he could teach Cor, and combat training at this point was more of a sparring session between the two. Rael had to be very careful as Cor could already best him in combat, though he tried to hide that fact from the young man. The strength contained in the boy’s blood would make him a far deadlier opponent than even Rael. Cor was also now fluent in Loszian and Rumedian and had begun to teach himself languages from the other continents.
However, there was yet another problem; the stronger Cor became, the more powerful became the calls to his blood. Rael knew the boy felt a constant urge to enter the catacombs, and he also knew that one day Cor would. Rael was still uncomfortable with the prospect, and he knew that only his constant presence kept Cor from venturing downward. As such, Rael decided he dared not to leave Cor alone in Sanctum anymore. It was spring, and life outdoors began to blossom when Rael decided Cor would come with him to meet Cade, the farmer from whom Rael purchased most of their food and supplies. When Rael told him, Cor did not ask why; he was pleased to leave Sanctum even if only for a short time.
They prepared a wagon, and Rael had him place their weapons under a wool blanket just behind the wooden bench on which they sat. He always told Cor never to be without his sword, but there were times you should not display it. Rael never wore his armor on these trips so neither did Cor. They left after lunch, expecting to be back before supper, and though there was still a slight chill in the air, it was a beautiful day. The winter, as usual in that area, had been mild, and a light rain had fallen the night before, keeping dust down on the road. Cade’s farm was about three miles from Sanctum, and they made fair time.
Cade was a short, barrel chested man, standing just over five feet tall with shoulders wider than a bear’s. He had a round, jovial face tanned from years of work in the sun and shoulder length light brown hair. His arms and legs were thick from labor and hard as steel. He clasped hands with Rael, taking note of Cor.
“I can’t believe Rael never mentioned you, lad. Surely you are his son,” Cade said extending his hand, his voice loud but friendly. Cor introduced himself, taking the man’s hand; his grip crushed like a vise.
“As usual,” Cade said turning back to Rael, “I got everything you asked for. I got a bit to do before sundown, so you won’t mind if we get to it.”
Rael pulled the wagon around the back of Cade’s modest home. A small stack of goods awaited them there, several sacks of feed and other grain, various preserved meats and a few small barrels. Cor set about moving the goods into the wagon at Rael’s direction; the Dahken wanted everything loaded in just a certain way, and he went off to pay the farmer.
Cor was nearly done with the work when he caught sight of something that made him stop. A girl with light brown hair nearly to her waist passed in front of the wagon on her way to water some livestock in a nearby pen. He considered her carefully as he stared at her. He wasn’t actually certain if she was beautiful or even pretty, but it was the first girl or woman he had looked at closely since he left Hichima, besides his mother. Cor was keenly aware that most men knew more about women than he did at this age.
“Are you done?” Rael asked, Cor jumping at the sudden interruption.
“More or less,” he said with a guilty glance at the older man. He placed the last few items in the wagon.
“Then we should go,” Rael said with finality.
They left the farm, Cade waving from his work as they passed. They were nearly halfway back to Sanctum, approaching where a section of road split off to the east when they came upon a man on a horse. He wore light clothes common to travelers and was otherwise unremarkable as compared to most Westerners. Cor started in the direction of their weapons, but Rael subtly lifted one finger as a sign for calm.
“Hello friends,” the man called as they approached. “I am looking for lodging for the coming night. Would you be headed to the castle yonder southward?”
“No one lives there,” answered Rael, ignoring Cor’s glance. “We take this eastern road on our way.”
“But there is nothing that direction for perhaps twenty miles or more,” the man responded kindly.
“Which means we have far to go. If you seek lodging, there is a farmer not two miles in the direction whence we have come, and there is a port town a few miles beyond that. With your good horse, you have plenty of time before nightfall to reach lodging.”
“Thank you sirs,” the man nodded his head and spurred his horse north up the road. Rael continued south, and then took the eastern branch of the road.
“Cor, he is watching us?” Rael asked without looking himself.
“He was. Once you turned he continued on his way,” Cor answered. “What are we doing?”
“We will head this way for a few miles and then cut across country to Sanctum. I want to make sure we are not followed.”