It wasn't until the next day that Vect was up and about, still sore even with the medication though. He had to ask for help in getting his funeral clothes on. The ceremony was simple. Funeral pyres and ashes placed in pottery to be sent home with the caravan. Beverly insisted she light Carl's. Shortly after it was in full blaze, Beverly began to break down and cry. Many others began to join in as well. As the pyres blazed, Gratz stepped in front of the crowd.
"Many wonder why this system was created. A cultural exchange. A place of higher learning. A way to pass on to the young what the old have experienced." The Halfling shook his head. "These are things that has been created because of the system, but they aren't the reason why it was created. It was created as a system to train gifted individuals to combat any evil that may arise in the world. In days past, when evil arose, the people had to pray to the gods for a hero to emerge to save them. But until someone stepped forward many innocents would be harmed. Now we have many that can be called upon to stop evil as it arises. After the battle, I began to track their path and had they continued, the town of Northwillow would have been attacked. Over 800 lives were saved by you. 800 were spared because you were there to stop them from reaching that town. They gave their lives to protect those that could not. Their lives will be remembered by the ones they saved." Gratz grew somber. "I have discussed it with the other staff and the council, and it has been decided to finish this year's training at an accelerated rate. After which, the camp will close until the source of the pack can be determined." He raised his hands to quell the uproar of protests. Gorg roared out and the crowd silenced. "You may return after September. It is only for a few months. All new druid inductees will need to see their seniors for advice on what to do to develop your abilities." Gratz quickly turned to leave for his cabin. The crowd dispersed and went back to their now more vacant bunks. Vect rushed off to Gratz's cabin.
Vect knocked on the wooden door and called out to the halfling. After a few moments the door flung open to an angry halfling. "Oh," his expression softened slightly, "I was expecting someone else. Come in. "
Vect entered the cabin, the shelves of ingredients were all still laid out like last time.
"I know why you are here," Gratz opened a portal and reached in withdrawing with the heart in hand. Vect hesitantly reached out and took the heart his hand. It felt warm not burning hot, but a warmth like a fire in winter.
"Well? Go on."
Vect's mouth felt dry. He was prepared for this, but now.... "Must I right now?"
"Ha, no you don't HAVE to, but putting it off tends to annoy the spirit. Why?"
"I don't know....maybe it's my gut telling me it's not time?"
"Very well, but you must carry the heart with you. Otherwise you'll really anger the spirit. And I still expect to see you at the training." Vect quickly left, the heart wrapped in a cloth.
"A shame. I would have liked to see how the transformation would progress," came a voice from behind once Vect had left. A glowing green sphere hovered into view, a man's disheveled face taking up the center.
"You know, Gabriel, you you always teleport up here during a joining," sighed Gratz.
"Mana required for teleportation is equal to the mass of the object being teleported, or did you forget just how I really look?"
"Honestly, yes. It's been a long time."
"Come here for a while, meet the kids I'm stuck with. It might be fun."
"Maybe. I'm kinda glad he didn't opt to join right now. If what is said about the bolstering power of the champion fruit is true, I might not be able to contain the firestorm. That Salazar fellow was surprisingly powerful, I thought it would be a complete joining. Close but not quite. Maybe in a year or 2."
"I'll let you get some rest. We'll talk again soon enough," the sphere winked out and left Gratz in the dark.