"All fungi are edible. Some fungi are only edible once." -Terry Pratchett
Quick update, we are now riding a camel. How? Well, it is a long story, but basically, since I am now travelling with another person, I don't think I can find it in my heart to have the boy walk through the entire desert. He is powerful and all but... just doesn't feel right to me. Surprisingly, nothing much happened while we were acquiring the camel. We just happened to stumble into a group of merchants who sold us a lot of stuff. I am actually kind of enjoying this, except for the fact that the boy simply refuses to say anything to me. It has been a week since he woke up, but he is still so out of it that any attempt at communication seems to just fail. He has been cooperative, sure, but he has been keeping his distance with me. To be honest, he kind of reminded me of when I was dragged into this world. I can't help but feel like my mentor did a better job than me when it comes to connecting with a traumatised child.
"Are you good, kid?" I asked.
I looked back at the kid, and he simply nodded. Good enough, I guess. I should give him more time.
Fortunately, from afar, I can see a blurry glimpse of a fortress. Hopefully, nothing big is going on, and we can stay for a while there. As we were approaching the fortress, the guards of the gate naturally intercepted us. "Hold it, who are you and what business do you have entering the fortress?" one of the guards asked.
"We are travellers from afar, simply seeking shelters for the night," I said with a reassuring tone.
"Travelers eh? From where?"
"We are from across the sea, we are citizens of the-"
"Are you the guy who beat the crap out of Asal Rukun?"
".... How did you know that?"
"Oh man, you are famous now, a man with foreign clothing infiltrating Arkindo and demolishing the infamous Asal Rukun, walking away unharmed. Our merchants who were passing through Arkindo made a big deal about you!"
"So... does that mean we can enter?"
"Well, that depends. Are you going to make a big fuss here as well?" the guard asked.
"As I mentioned, we were just here for shelter. Unless you attack us, we won't trouble you with anything."
"Hmm... I am not convinced," the guard firmly stood his ground.
Oh... this is going to be ugly.
"Cease your teasing, guards!" An old man with a fancy robe shouted from behind the guards.
"I have told you that if the immortal traveller arrived at our gates, let him through. Why are you holding him up like this!"
"The immortal traveller? This isn't the immortal traveller, you said he travels alone, this one got a kid."
The old man observed us for a bit and seemed surprised at the sight of the boy.
"He must have picked the boy somewhere in his journey. But I do not doubt that he is the immortal traveller. Are you not, good sir?"
"I am. Who are you, and how do you know I was coming here?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Ah, forgive me for not introducing myself first. My name is Graham Gaul. I am the Lord of the Fortress's physician. I was made aware of your arrival by a dark spirit who visited me in my dream."
Huh... that damn bird is actually helping me? That's new. "Let them through, we have kept them waiting long enough!" Graham ordered the guards.
We finally went inside the fortress. "Come with me, traveller. We have prepared a room." "Great, thank you... But uh, do you have an extra room?" I asked. Graham glanced at the boy and immediately realised what I meant. "Certainly, good sir. I will see that another room is prepared for the boy."
I parked my camel and went with Graham into the inner fortress. "So... not to question your ingenuity, but I feel like this is the part you ask me for a favour."
Hearing that, Graham's face reddened as he was embarrassed. "Forgive me, good sir, but you are correct. I do need your help," he said shyly.
"Don't sweat it, I am not used to receiving help for free anyway. So what can I do for you?"
Graham then explained the situation as we went. "The lord of the fortress is currently very ill. He suffered from a rare disease called "Alaraza", which is almost incurable. His constant fever followed by bleeding from the dots throughout his skin are symptoms of this disease. At this rate, he will die in about a month if nothing is done."
"I see... I think I have heard of that disease before, but you mentioned "almost incurable"? I thought it was incurable, is it not?
"The norm suggests so, yes. So far, all I could do was to stall for time, but I believe there is a way to cure him... A few months ago, while searching for a cure, I discovered an old medicine book dating to three hundred years, detailing a type of mushroom that can be used to heal the disease. The mushroom is called the Golden Thumb, and-"
"Hang on, THE golden thumb?" I interrupted him mid-sentence.
"So you have heard of it?"
"Well, you are not the first person to look for it. I have gone through countless journeys to find that thing just to come back empty-handed and forced to look for another method. It is a waste of-"
"There isn't another method!" Graham yelled. The tension grew as neither one of us said anything. I can see the frustration in his face. His expression tells me that he is a man who has tried everything and is on the last rope.
Graham took a couple of deep breaths and recollect himself. "Forgive me, good sir. My behaviour was unbecoming of someone who needed your help. I understand that the mushroom is known to be a myth or an urban legend, even, but I believe the book is telling the truth. If we can find the mushroom, we can save my lord."
I didn't immediately reply. I am thinking whether it would be better if I leave this fortress instead of staying. I am not a pessimist, but when you have been told the same thing over a dozen times with the same result, you should realise that you were being a fool. Staying here would just be a waste of time. If my memory serves right, Alaraz is a death sentence. Not even the greatest physician can heal that disease because it was one that was designed by the god of plague himself. I stared at Graham for a moment, but then I remembered him mentioning that Corvus himself told him I was coming. That bird...
"I guess we can try then..." I sighed in defeat.
Graham smiled, "Thank you, good sir! I will call for you later to elaborate more on the plans. For now, you may rest in your rooms."
"You can elaborate to me now. I don't need any rest," I told him.
I stopped and looked at the boy, "You go first to your room. I will have to help this old man with the mushroom. Stay there until I come back, okay?"
As I continued to walk, the boy grabbed my robe tightly, refusing to let go. I sighed, "Fine, we will take a rest first, later we will go together to find the mushroom."
"Is it not dangerous to bring him along the journey, sir?" Graham asked.
"Nah, he will be fine, but he does need rest."
"I understand, then please make yourselves at home."
As we finally reached our room, we rested up for the night before embarking on a journey the next day.
To be continued.