Chapter 3: The need for Money

On this eventful night, Kìsì was visited by the Angshire-Gods in a troubling dream. Their presence brought forth judgment upon the fallen noble. They condemned him as a fallen noble, questioning his audacity to take on a leadership role and receive a pledge of allegiance. Trembling in fear, Kìsì was thrown to the ground by the Angshire-Gods, labeling him a curse upon the country and him warned that he lacked the right to wield authority or pursue his own desires. His vision faded to darkness, yet amidst the void, he heard the desperate cries of Ronan and the villagers, pleading for his help while he remained paralyzed. Ronan's voice pierced through the dream, commanding the Angshire-Gods to recognize Kìsì as his Nirathor, but still, Kìsì stood motionless, witnessing a sword piercing his chest, Ronan's anguished screams echoing in his ears. Suddenly, Kìsì awoke, drenched in sweat, shaking and bewildered. The meaning behind the Angshire-Gods' visitation, his symbolic death in the dream, and the profound emotions displayed by Ronan and the villagers left Kìsì questioning himself as he slowly regained consciousness.

After a restless half-hour, Kìsì rose from his bed and hastily dressed. Stepping out of his house, he discovered that the other villagers, along with Ronan, were already awake. Ronan, sensing the distress etched on Kìsì's face, approached him with concern, eager to inquire about what had happened. However, Kìsì evaded the question, politely declining to answer and instead urging Ronan to gather the rest of the villagers. With hesitation, Ronan complied and called them over, though an undercurrent of apprehension lingered due to Kìsì's fallen noble title. In an attempt to conceal his own turmoil, Kìsì directed a question to the group, inquiring about their individual strengths and unique abilities.

Allstaìr was the first to respond, his gaze filled with concern as he spoke hurriedly, "I used to be a blacksmith, but I can no longer pursue that profession in this village. While I may not have the skill to read books, I have a keen ability to read both swords and people." Kìsì's attention then shifted to Thorìan, who began sharing his response, "As for me, Nirathor Kìsì, I have no formal trade. Having lived here my whole life, I possess a deep knowledge of the region, like everyone else in this village. I'm versatile and capable of performing various tasks, without a specific area where I excel." Kìsì nodded in understanding, but as his gaze turned toward Mìdhaì and Wosìan, they exchanged glances and remained silent. Mìdhaì scoffed at Kìsì when he inquired about their skills, and without uttering a single word, both men turned their backs and departed.

Kìsì was taken aback by their behavior but chose not to intervene. He turned to Ronan and began discussing their need for more lumber. "Ronan, we still require additional wood to craft new furniture for everyone. Take these two men with you and gather more while I delve into Wilmont's books to assess our funds and their location." Ronan nodded, understanding the task at hand. "Let's go, Thorìan and Allstaìr. We've got a lot of work ahead," he said, playfully putting his arms around the two middle-aged men.

Now, only Kìsì, Thorìan, Allstaìr's wives, and little Elara remained in front of the house. Kìsì turned to the two women and made a request. "I would greatly appreciate it if the two of you could clear the weeds from the dirt road and remove any fallen branches." The women, fearful and hesitant due to Kìsì's position, kept their distance until little Elara, crossing her arms, spoke up mockingly, "Only if Kìsì continues to be friendly and shares his stories with me." Kìsì burst into laughter, unable to contain his excitement and happiness. He playfully patted the little girl's head and replied, "Certainly, little Elara, but you'll have to work extra hard for that, understood?" The tiny girl jumped up with ecstatic agreement.

Both women chuckled and assured Kìsì that they would clear the dirt road of debris. Kìsì made his way back inside, troubled once again by his dream.

After closing the door, Kìsì approached the thick, sturdy Walnut desk that stood imposingly in the room. He sat in front of it, opened the drawer, and once again sifted through the papers. This time, he skimmed the text, searching for any mention of funds. His eyes stopped on a particular passage: "The village has depleted its funds, but there is still a small sum of my personal Fortune. It should be enough to sustain Ronan for a few years until he joins me and the Angshire-Gods. The Place of the Funds is both wet and dry, a juxtaposition of darkness and light. It holds both nightmares and treasures." Kìsì let out a sigh upon reading the enigmatic riddle, not wanting to exhaust all his energy deciphering it. He playfully mocked old Wilmont and continued pondering the puzzle. Stepping outside, he circled the house, his gaze fixed on every corner until he noticed the basement window. A euphoric scream escaped his lips as he rushed back inside and descended into the basement. It was damp, yet surprisingly dry. The darkness enveloped the space, yet it was still possible to see. Kìsì realized that the basement was the place of both nightmares and treasures, a repository for storing various items. He berated himself for not grasping the answer sooner, feeling foolish yet elated by the discovery.

Yet the fortune of Wilmont eluded Kìsì, and he spent hours meticulously examining every item in the basement. Finally, his efforts bore fruit when he stumbled upon a peculiar shield adorned with the old coat of arms of his family. Intrigued by its presence, he speculated if it was a gift from his father to Wilmont. However, he noticed that the coat of arms was crafted on a separate piece of wood. With gentle precision, he pried it open, revealing its contents—the very sum of money Wilmont had mentioned. It was undeniably meager: three silver pieces and nineteen bronze pieces. Kìsì shook his head, realizing that such a modest amount would be insufficient to provide aid to the villagers, especially after the next onslaught of monsters.

Sitting down on the stairs that led to the basement, Kìsì buried his face in his arms, overcome with a quiet despair. Tears silently streamed down his cheeks as he contemplated the limited possibilities before him. The stark reality became increasingly evident—the village would struggle to survive, and perhaps it would be better to be forgotten and abandoned. A surge of self-loathing washed over Kìsì as he berated himself for instilling false hope in the villagers and Ronan.

However, Kìsì soon regained his composure and contemplated a plan, one he decided not to share with the villagers. He seized a piece of paper and a feather, penning a letter to Ronan. "Dear Ronan, do not fear. I will return tomorrow evening. Trust me as you have said, and everything will improve. If I do not return within three days, use this sum of money to evacuate yourself and the others. I will do my best, but I do not wish to make false promises again. Ronan, you are a dear friend, so please, do not search for or follow me." With the letter completed, Kìsì retrieved the shield and affixed his old coat of arms to it once more. He then grasped a rusty sword, acknowledging that it was better than nothing. Packing a backpack with a torch, rags for bandages, and cooking utensils, he prepared for his journey. Quietly slipping into the woods, he remained vigilant, ensuring he went unnoticed by Ronan and the other villagers. And so, his quest began—a venture into the forest in search of the very creatures he knew held the potential for profit: monsters.