“What wrong impression?” I asked, feigning innocence.
“Perhaps the impression that we came up here for any other reason than to share the bountiful fruits of nature. Keep the potions. I have a feeling you may need them sooner rather than later.”
I hefted the small bag over my shoulder and followed Faryn’s sashaying hips back down the flight of stairs and into the main hall.
I spent the next few hours reconnecting with my friends. We discussed the finer points of technique, the potential applications of Physical Augmentation, and just how far we’d managed to rise above our past selves.
The gong for dinner sounded through the main hall, and we settled down at our usual place across from the monks, who said their wordless prayer and immediately began to eat. The Hierophant, as usual, was absent.
“Swordslinger,” Tymo said with a curt nod of his head.
I looked up from my food, hiding a flash of apprehension. Tymo didn’t typically use my title unless something was deadly serious. I swallowed a mouthful of rice, laid down my chopsticks, and leaned forward to meet his gaze.
“Yes?”
“The Hierophant debates the spirits and deciphers their portents as quickly as he can. But he will remain in meditation for some time, and a pressing matter hangs over our heads in the meantime.”
“Is this to do with your missing brothers?” I asked.
We still hadn’t figured out what had happened to the monks who were no longer at the monastery, and it wasn’t for lack of trying. My friends and I had dug around as best we could, but we’d agreed not to explicitly ask the monks about those who were missing until the right moment presented itself. And that moment was now.
Tymo jerked as if I’d slapped him. “Yes. How did you come to know of the lost brothers?”
Mahrai shot me a gleeful grin, and I fought to keep a smile off my own face. “The monastery is obviously meant to house a good deal more monks. I take it you’ve sent them out, and they haven’t returned.”
“Indeed. Your deductive reasoning continues to serve you well, honored guests.” Tymo bowed to us again. “If I could spare any of my brothers, I would, but it is our duty to tend to the monastery and protect our Hierophant. And to teach you, of course.”
“We could help find them.”
“As long as you are subtle and do not arouse any suspicion that something may be amiss,” Tymo said. “Which it most certainly is not, mind you. I believe the monks may simply be lost. It has been some time since any one of us has ventured from the monastery, you see.”
I glanced at my friends. Kumi and Faryn were my best bet for subtlety. Mahrai’s raw power was an enormous advantage to have on my side, but her Greater Stone Golem didn’t exactly scream subtlety. Kegohr and Vesma were skilled fire Augmenters, but that came with its own disadvantages. If it came to a fight, then roaring tempests of flame wouldn’t help us keep a low profile, either.
“Kumi and Faryn, will you join me?” I asked.
“But of course, husband,” Kumi replied warmly. “It would be my pleasure.”
“I’d gladly take the opportunity to see the woods again,” Faryn added. “So, yes.”
Tymo nodded, obviously pleased by my choice. “We will continue to train the others in your absence, Swordslinger. And have no fear, your own training will resume when you return with our brothers.”
An itch spiked between my shoulders as I considered the possibility that I was getting split up from my team for a more nefarious purpose. But as I looked over Kegohr, Mahrai, and Vesma, I knew that they could handle themselves. Kegohr grinned encouragingly at me while Vesma whispered assurances to Mahrai. Mahrai herself muttered a curse but nodded and offered me a terse smile.
“Be careful,” she mouthed.
Tymo hadn’t given me any reason to distrust him. It was likely an internal conflict from within the monk’s ranks. The more I thought about it, the more I was inclined to believe that. Tymo had been placed in charge of our training, but he was also the second-in-command of the monastery. If the monks were indeed absent, then he would be expected to arrange their return.
And who better to do it than his budding student? Completing this mission successfully would undoubtedly raise Tymo’s standing with the other monks.
“We’ll set out first thing tomorrow,” I said before turning back to Tymo. “What’s the situation?”
“Twelve of our brothers were sent out on duties to restore the shrines and temples throughout Flametongue Valley,” Tymo said.
“Only 12?” I asked. “This monastery can house 10 times that number.”
Tymo’s beard twitched. “They were due to return a few days ago,” he answered, avoiding my question, “but they haven’t sent word back or informed us of their movements.”
I figured more than 12 were missing, or there were multiple cases of “The Missing Monks.”
“Where was the last place you directed them to visit?” I asked.
Tymo chewed his cheek before answering, “A long-forgotten place of worship on the outskirts of Wysaro City. A place known to the locals as the Unwashed Temple.”
So, it seemed Tolin was involved with the Dying Sun monks. Rather than ask Tymo whether he knew of Tolin, I remained silent. I would get the opportunity tomorrow when I visited my old mentor.
Chapter Thirteen
The next morning, a simple farmer’s tunic, trousers, a cloak, and boots sat outside my door. I recalled Tymo’s insistence on anonymity and was thankful for the new clothes. I was a familiar face in Flametongue Valley, especially after the fight against the Wysaro Clan, not to mention my recent bouts in the exhibition matches. These clothes would help hide my identity.
As much as leaving my Immense Blades behind might mean receiving less attention from anyone who saw me, I couldn’t leave them behind. The roughspun cloak I’d
