As the meal progressed, conversation in the tavern gradually shifted from curiosity about Ash to general village matters and wider news. It was here that Ash gained his first real insights into how the coup and subsequent changes were affecting ordinary citizens.
"Taxes going up again," complained a weathered farmer. "New 'protection levy' they're calling it. Protection from what, I ask? We're nowhere near the eastern borders."
"It's the war preparations," another man replied. "Lord Protector's building up the army, needs coin to do it."
"Wasn't supposed to be this way," a third voice added. "They said the transition would bring stability, not higher taxes and conscription notices."
Ash kept his expression neutral with effort, though his hands tightened around his mug.
Conscription had been rare under his father's rule, the standing army maintained primarily through career soldiers and voluntary service.
That Varius was already implementing forced military service suggested the situation at the borders was worse than Kalen had indicated.
"Any news from the capital?" Kalen asked, his tone casual despite the significant question.
The tavern patrons exchanged glances. "Trader came through last week," Marten offered.
"Said the city's changed. More soldiers in the streets, curfews in place. The old noble families are either pledging to the new regime or disappearing quietly."
"Purge, more like," muttered someone at a nearby table. "My cousin works in the palace kitchens. Says anyone with connections to the old emperor is being 'reassigned' to distant posts. The ones that aren't just vanishing."
Ash stared into his ale, fighting to maintain his neutral expression. The systematic elimination of his father's supporters was exactly what Varius would do, removing potential centers of resistance while consolidating power.
How many loyal retainers and innocent servants were suffering for their association with the Valerian name?
"Heard something else too," Elsa said, lowering her voice as she refilled their mugs. "Just a rumor, mind, but the trader said there's whispers that one of the royal family might have survived. The youngest prince, I think."
The ale mug froze halfway to Ash's lips. Beside him, Kalen went perfectly still.
"Nonsense," declared one of the farmers firmly. "Official proclamation was clear. Entire family died in the accident."
"Since when do official proclamations tell the whole truth?" Elsa countered. "I'm just saying what I heard. Some guard claimed they never found the Third Prince's body, just blood. Could mean nothing."
"Or could mean trouble," Marten interjected. "Best not to repeat such things. These days, even rumors can be dangerous."
The conversation shifted to safer topics, but Ash's mind reeled. Rumors of his survival had reached even this remote village. Were they spreading throughout the empire? And if so, how long before Varius intensified efforts to find him?
Kalen's boot pressed against his under the table, a silent warning to maintain composure. Ash took a deliberate sip of ale, forcing his features to remain disinterested, as if the fate of some distant prince meant nothing to him.
"We should finish our business," Kalen said after a suitable interval. "Need to speak with the blacksmith about those tools, and visit the general store before heading back."
They made their farewells, Ash careful to maintain his commoner persona despite his inner turmoil. Outside, in the relative privacy of the village street, Kalen spoke in a low voice.
"Don't react to what you heard. We're still being watched."
Ash nodded slightly, understanding the warning. Curious eyes followed them from windows and doorways. Not hostile, but interested in the village's newest arrival. Any unusual behavior would be noted and discussed.
They visited the blacksmith as planned, where Kalen commissioned repairs to several tools. The general store followed, where they purchased supplies that couldn't be obtained through hunting or foraging salt, flour, spices, and a few simple luxuries.
Throughout these transactions, Ash maintained his role, speaking when appropriate but otherwise remaining in Kalen's shadow.
As they prepared to leave the village, a new voice called out to them.
"Kalen! Wait a moment."
They turned to see an elderly woman approaching, her white hair bound in a simple braid, her movements slow but purposeful. Despite her age, she carried herself with dignity and authority that commanded immediate respect.
"Elder Thorne," Kalen greeted her, his tone more formal than Ash had heard him use with anyone else in the village.
"I heard you'd brought family to our little corner of the world," she said, her keen eyes studying Ash with unsettling intensity. "I wanted to meet him before you disappeared back into your forest."
"This is Ash," Kalen introduced. "My brother's son from Coldwater."
Elder Thorne extended a gnarled hand, which Ash took carefully. Her grip was surprisingly strong, her palm calloused from decades of work.
"Welcome to Riverend, young man," she said. But unlike the others who had greeted him similarly, her gaze held something more, a searching quality that made Ash feel unexpectedly exposed. "You've traveled far and endured much to reach us, I think."
"The journey was long," Ash replied cautiously.
"Journeys often are," she agreed, "especially those that transform us."
Her eyes flickered briefly to his chest, precisely where the sword fragment lay beneath his shirt. "Some paths are chosen, others thrust upon us. The question is what we become while walking them."
The cryptic statement hung in the air between them. Ash had the distinct impression she was seeing more than his physical appearance, peering somehow into the changes occurring within him.
"We should be going," Kalen interjected. "Daylight's wasting, and it's a long walk back."
Elder Thorne nodded, releasing Ash's hand. "Of course. But remember, young Ash, our village welcomes those seeking refuge, whatever their past may hold. When you're stronger, come see me. I have knowledge of healing that might help with your... recovery."
Again, her gaze seemed to linger on his chest, though the sword fragment was completely hidden beneath layers of clothing. Ash suppressed a shiver.
"Thank you," he managed. "I'll remember that."
With a final nod to Kalen, Elder Thorne turned and walked away, her unhurried pace belying the impact of her words.
"Who was that?" Ash asked quietly as they resumed their journey toward the forest path.
"Village elder," Kalen replied. "Respected healer and unofficial leader. Been here longer than anyone can remember." He frowned slightly. "She sees more than most. Be careful around her."
"She seemed to know about..." Ash gestured vaguely toward his chest.
"Wouldn't surprise me," Kalen admitted. "Some healers develop a sense for Systems and unusual energies. Another reason to limit your time in the village until we better understand what's happening to you."
They walked in silence for a time, leaving Riverend behind and entering the shelter of the forest once more. Only when they were well away from any possible observers did Kalen speak of what they'd heard in the tavern.
"Rumors of your survival complicate things," he said bluntly. "If they've reached this far, they've certainly reached the capital."
"Varius will intensify the search," Ash agreed, no longer maintaining his commoner's speech now that they were alone.
"Which means we need to accelerate your training both in maintaining your disguise and in understanding whatever power is awakening in you." Kalen's expression was grim. "The fragment in your chest saved you once. We need to ensure it can do so again if necessary."
Ash nodded, his hand moving unconsciously to where the sword piece lay embedded near his heart. Throughout their time in the village, it had remained dormant, but now, as if responding to his acknowledgment, he felt a faint warmth spreading from it.
"I felt something today," he admitted. "When we first entered the village. A sort of... awareness. Like the fragment was assessing potential threats."
Kalen considered this. "A defensive aspect of your System, perhaps. Could be useful."
"If I can control it," Ash pointed out. "So far, it seems to activate on its own, usually when I'm in danger or distress."
"Then we'll have to create controlled danger," Kalen decided. "Training scenarios to trigger the System without an actual threat."
The prospect was both intriguing and intimidating. Whatever power had awakened within him remained largely mysterious, its capabilities and limitations unknown.
Yet Ash couldn't deny a growing curiosity about this strange new part of himself. This Fractured Sword System, as he had begun to think of it.
As they walked deeper into the forest, returning to the isolation of Kalen's cabin, Ash reflected on the day's experiences. His first steps into his new identity had been largely successful.
The village had accepted him as Kalen's nephew without serious question. He had maintained his disguise even when confronted with news of his own rumored survival.
Yet Elder Thorne's penetrating gaze and cryptic words lingered in his mind. She had seen something in him, something beyond his physical appearance or fabricated background.
Whether that perception represented danger or opportunity remained to be seen.
The forest path narrowed, familiar now after weeks of limited exercise around the cabin. Ahead lay continued recovery, training, and the gradual exploration of his awakening System.
Behind lay Riverend village, his first tenuous connection to the wider world since the night of the coup.
And somewhere far beyond, in the capital he had once called home, enemies searched for the prince they had failed to kill unaware that he had already begun to transform into something else entirely.
The sword fragment in his chest pulsed once, as if in agreement with his thoughts.
First integration phase complete, the soundless voice informed him.
Proceeding to adaptation.
Whatever that meant, Ash suspected he would soon find out.