Spirit Taming

The remainder of their day running had only brought them to the edge of the frozen forest. They had also only encountered a single white bobcat that was quick to run away. Apparently, it was not as courageous if it did not have a group with it. This left the group only to stop and set up a camp for the night.

"Are you sure we should stop here, we are right at the edge of the forest. We are still in the open." Jerold preferred to have something to hide in. This place seemed to be a little too dangerous since there was nowhere for anyone to hide if a powerful beast came by.

"It’s better to stop here than enter a forest with beasts that we have never seen. It’s like the blue thorn bush. What if there are more ice and plant type beasts that we don’t see because it’s too dark?" Brad was pretty sure that he could be beaten by a blue thorn bush larger than the one they had already seen. He didn’t plan to fight anything like that at night. He wasn’t the fastest of the group. He might not be able to escape that danger.

"I guess you’re right." Jerold was still unhappy with it but there was some logic. His armored chameleon wouldn’t be able to hide him from something that didn’t need eyes to hunt or attack him.

"We can split the night watch if we want but I think we should put a focus on meditation before we sleep. Food can be shared from our storage. Isa, you and Ralph can set up a small fire. I know that we could build a larger one but I don’t want to attract any of the frost moths or the four winged ice bats with the light." These beasts were common in the forest from what Clark knew. They were annoying but not strong enough to get them. Not that it would be easy to face them at night.

"We have so many energy crystals that we should start moving them in to the taming spaces. But we should also see if we can save some. Grace still really needs a taming space, right?" Isa was trying to be nice since she knew that Grace was behind in this matter. Jerold needed one too but he seemed to be fine with letting his armored chameleons be in its natural form or equipped from at all times.

"I think I am already fine though. If I start to make a taming space it won’t be as good as everyone else’s. I need one that is wind and ice specific. I can take my time finding it." Grace was certain that it would go better if she held off for a while.

"That’s fine, we didn’t manage to see anything for sale when I went looking for manuals or other documents. I think you should start to think of one to make yourself." Isa tried her best. She had always kept an eye out for things that would help everyone. But that was just part of benign the connection to every single merchant item she could find. She had connections to a lot of knowledge for everyone’s use.

"You make it sound much easier than it really is. I heard that making my own taming space could go wrong and leave me without being able to make one at all." Grace had heard correctly. Everyone knew that this was a possibility. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"We can help you. Isa already has one for multiple elemental energies. Ella has one that allows multiple elemental energies. And even more people out there go through the same experiences finding the right taming spaces to open if they want to open one." Maria was much more positive before she turned to take out the tent and begin setting it up.

"Why don’t you take a walk around our campsite with me while you think about it? I am going to look for herbs that Maria can store away for when we can find some related alchemy books or a beasts that could help her with alchemy." Clark was nice enough to get Grace out of her own head. This way they could both check out the immediate area since Jerold had already slipped off to scout around. He had been convinced well by Clark to work on his scouting skills.

"I have no idea what I should do now though, how did you get your taming space?" Grace looked at Clark seriously. She had never heard him talk about his and no one had asked him from her knowledge.

"I don’t really talk about it much. I was able to learn it by chance and it is still not fully open. It has multiple sections that are sealed off while I get stronger. If I were to say it, It would be a type of inheritance in a way. Almost like Isa’s but with a lot more steps. It’s able to grow materials that increase the darkness, spiritual, dragon, and even death energies that my beasts need. It might even be able to house more energies but I have not been able to understand it yet. I think it really comes down to how much you focus on the energies you and your partner are compatible with."

There was an understanding in Grace’s eyes as she saw that Clark was very adaptable. But he was also limited. It meant that he would not be able to get another beast unless he was able to strengthen himself even more. Also that all his work had to go in to his taming space and his beasts. He had to divide the materials and energy that he needed. Easily doubling his overall required materials and energies.

"So If I want the best place for my partner we should see where that was?" The frost finch made a small gust of cold air around Grace as it seemed to be trying to tell her something. But with their connection, the exact meaning was easy for her to see. Clark was just the one left out of the mental conversation.

"Do you think there will be a snowstorm soon?" The question threw Clark off as he walked toward a larger tree. He hadn’t thought about the weather and looked up at the clouds to see a few distant beasts moving through the clouds. Only small spots of blue sky could be seen through the breaks in the clouds.

" I could say there might be. Those clouds are moving fairly fast. But why?" Now it was Clark’s turn to ask the questions and wonder what Grace was thinking. Especially since she was smiling softly as she looked up with her frost finch moving around more and more.

"I think it will be stormy tonight. We should get ready for it. I want to use it to make my taming space." This was too sudden. Clark wanted to tell Grace that she should think about it more. Have a better idea of what should go in to it. Yet, his gut was telling him not to question it too much. There was an odd feeling that just told him this would all go the way it needed.

"Alright, what do you need?" Grace opened her mouth then closed it wondering why Clark had just agreed so easily. "What? I just have a feeling it will go well. So, what do you need?"

"Oh!" Grace’s surprise was quick before she looked around and glanced at the trees. "A high point so that we can get to the top above the trees, as many energy crystals as you will let me have. ice , water, and wind. Then I will need some materials if we have them. Anything with wind and ice affinity." The decision was a little loose because Clark wasn’t sure what other materials he would be able to find that were wind affinity. But Grace had already given him ideas.

"Devi, go looking for wind materials with Grace’s frost finch. The tops of trees, high rocks, and little flat spots might be good for them. Just don’t cause any trouble." Devi laughed slightly as he took a spot next to the frost finch in the air. The two rushed off with their treasure hunt assigned.

"And your first material will be that thing by your feet." Clark pointed to what most people would think was a deformed snowball.

’Chilled truffle- common

Growing on the windy and frozen flat lands, the chilled truffle is similar to a mushroom but will roll across and in to large snowbanks. It will absorb the wind and ice energies from the air. This makes it able to cause frostbite to people or beasts without proper resistances. It is usually used in high class cooking if prepared properly. However, it can be used as a weak material for beasts to grow stronger.’

"It’s not much, but it’s a start." Clark knew that it was pure luck he had seen it since it was well camouflaged. But one material was one material.