The Hunter Mage

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

As the dwarf slowly approached him, Vernon was again reminded that their difference in height was a great difference. If Vivk was less sturdy he could definitely pass as Vernon's older brother.

As this thought formed in his head, he immediately realized he couldn't guess Vivk's age. For the life of him, he couldn't guess what Vivk's age would be. "Wait, just how old are you?" The thought blurted out of his mouth before he could stop.

At this point, the dwarf had placed the flowerpot in front of him and was moving away but Vivk froze and turned his gaze to Vernon. He would still swear he felt chills up his spine and wondered if he had just asked a bad question.

However, Vivk didn't go off on him rather he started to laugh. Vivk laughed long and hard until he started to cough. That immediately put an end to his laughter and Vernon waited patiently for a response though he still wasn't sure if it would be good or bad.

The dwarf pulled himself upright after crouching a little low as he held his tummy to laugh and cough after the laugh almost killed him. Vernon waited patiently until the last of the dwarf's coughing sounds subsided and it was silent again.

Vick glared at Vernon with a straight face before succumbing and chuckling. "I am surprised you didn't ask me that the first time you saw me. All the other children did well, not all of them but most of them certainly did."

Vernon didn't say anything at first but noticed Vivk was looking at him as if expecting a response. He shrugged. "I guess I have never really thought about it until now." He kept his head now, unable to meet Vivk's eyes.

"Well, it is not hidden knowledge and the rest of you sure won't let me forget about it." He sighed loudly and flicked something off the arm of his hideous clothing. "I am eighty-four years old."

Vernon's eyes widened and his mouth fell open. "You're lying, the oldest person I have ever seen is my grandaunt and she isn't even as old as you and she looked old. You don't look old." Vernon blurted in a rush, fuming a little. He couldn't figure out why he was this angry but the thought that Vivk would lie to him about his age was a little annoying.

Vernon's reaction jolted another round of laughter out of Vivk. "This is new," he muttered between a chuckle. "This is the first time somebody ever got angry after I told them my age but seriously, I am that old." He quickly added with a straight face.

Vernon frowned but didn't say anything. "I am a dwarf," Vivk continued. "We age differently from you humans. I am basically still a teenager in human years."

Vernon's frown deepened, "Then how come, I am just hearing about this now? I have never really heard of dwarves or how they age before now? I always assumed they were just used for really short people."

Vivk sighed and cursed under his breath, he had forgotten that Vernon was very new and still didn't know about a lot of things. Heck, they just even found out what kind of magic he used. "Because it is taboo to talk about it. Look you'll find out all you need to know soon enough but I am a dwarf and I am eighty-four years. No, I am not short. I am still growing."

"Huh!" Vernon blurted. "A taboo? What is this all about? Then why are we talking about it now?"

Vivk sighed, "Of course that would be the part you dwell on, not the part that where I mentioned I am not short. Well, because I am a dwarf and they make an exception to you, mages. Look, you are not here for me to give you a lecture on this you don't know. Like I said earlier, you will find out soon enough. I really am not lying. Now, show me what you can do!" Vivk spoke in a rush, making sure to not let Vernon get a word in and Vernon wanted to get a lot of words in.

"Fine!" Vernon muttered and stretched his hands out. "Why is it a taboo?" He blurted out.

"I don't know, Vernon. Humans don't interact with dwarves and vice versa."

"Then, how come you are here?" Vernon asked and lifted his head to look at Vernon. He wasn't about to give up though a part of him found this unbelievable, it still didn't stop him from getting excited.

Vivk sighed, he really should have left the can tightly shut and now here he was regretting his decision. "Because I ran away from home," Vivk muttered and frowned as he wondered why he was indulging the kid.

"You what? Why?" The flower that was growing slightly instantly shrank completely as Vernon lost concentration and took his hands away.

"Less talking Vernon and more magic. The flower is dying." Vivk called out as he folded his arms.

"Oh, yeah but why did you run away?" Vernon asked again, he wasn't about to give up but he made sure to keep his eyes and a bit of his attention on the little flower that he was working on.

"That is enough discussion for one day Vernon and I can assure you that nothing you would do or say will get the answer out of me. Now, don't make it too big, I just want to see what you can do."

Vernon rolled his eyes and sighed, his curiosity was getting the better of him but he had heard Vivk's tone and understood the dwarf didn't want to give out any more information. "Okay, whatever." He threw out instead.

"That's okay," Vivk blurted out. The flower was completely grown at this point. It had several tiny branches with little flowers sticking out of them. Vernon didn't recognize them.

"What flowers are these?" He asked.