Eternal
You decide to humor the boy and agree. Chances are, he’s not going to get permission from his parents anyway and when that happens he’ll be less likely to bother you again. If he does get permission, well it’s not that far to Kenneth’s Rest and you were going there anyway. Plus you’ll have given him the chance he wants and again he’ll be less likely to bother you.
“Alright Ulivik, you go ask your parents, but I’m taking you to Kenneth’s Rest and no further. And when we get there, you’re on your own, don’t think that you’re going to be tagging along with me anywhere else.”
“Okay! That’s great! I’ll be right be back…uh could you come with me, so they know I’m telling the truth?”
“Oh fer…fine.”
You follow Ulivik back to his parent’s store which smells heavily of leather. The pair of them are working on some sort of the hide when you both walk in.
“Mom! Dad! Mr. Bane said he’d take me to Kenneth’s Rest and teach me to be a mercenary! So can I go now?”
“Hey wait I never said I’d teach…” you start to say before Ulivik’s dad interjects his own comments.
“Oh is that right? And how do you know that? How do you know he won’t just rob and kill you along some lonely road?”
“Or worse!” his mother says.
“Hey wait a minute now…”
“But this isn’t fair! You said if I could find somebody to teach me, that you’d allow me to go!” Ulivik whines.
“Yeah, well we didn’t think you’d actually be successful, let alone get a cold hearted killer like Bane here to agree. Which makes me wonder why he did…”
“Trust me, at this point I’m wondering the same thing.” You reply.
“Ulivik, why can’t you just be interested in the family business? It’s a more honorable profession than being a mercenary. It’s honest work.”
“Yeah and the workin’ man is a sucker! Look at where we live!”
“Hey! We get by just fine, and this business has put food in your belly, clothes on your back and a roof over your head! So don’t you dare bad mouth this proud family tradition!”
“Yeah, well I’m not really your son anyway! And you’re not my real parents! I hate this place and every here hates me!” Ulivik screams and leaves slamming the door.
You’re left in an awkward situation with his parents.
“Okay, so I guess that settles that, I’ll just be going now…” you say.
“No, you get back here you sonofabitch.” Ulivik’s dad says.
“Excuse me?”
“I called you a sonofabitch, now if you want to kill me for that you can do it after hearing what I’ve got to say first.”
“Heh, okay. It’s been a weird sort of day today anyway, I’ll play.” You say with a smile.
“Yeah, well I ain’t playing. Look, I know all about you, and you probably don’t know me at all but I remember your ruthless reputation when you were still in service of the Empire. There was a family that lived down the block from me and my wife. We we’re friends and they even had a couple of children. Children that we would sometimes love to entertain because we couldn’t have any of our own. But this family wasn’t happy with the Empire’s rules so they along with several others protested…”
You stop the tanner right there.
“Yeah, yeah, I know what you’re going to say, I had them all killed for treason and had their heads put on pikes. Well I was trying to maintain order and I did what I had to do to get the job done. I’m sure this story pales in comparison to others have screamed at me in the past and you don’t even need to make your point about hating me, because I’m used to it anyway. Besides you don’t want your son going to Kenneth’s Rest and I’m certainly not going to drag him along. If anything I’d wish he’d stop looking up to me as some sort of hero and following me around. I was hoping by doing this for him I’d finally be rid of him. So if you don’t mind, I’ll be going now and I’ll also be disappointing you again, by not killing you before I leave.”
You turn to leave and that’s when you get another unusual request.
“If you take him to Kenneth’s Rest, will you also look after him?” Ulivik’s mother asks.
“What?!”
“If you want money to do so, we can pay. Just can you look after him for a while at least?”
“Okay…now I’m confused. I thought not only did you not want him to go, but that I was also a ruthless bastard that would probably rob and kill him along a lonely road?”
“Yeah, we don’t want him to go, and yeah you are a ruthless bastard…but I also know you actually do have some sort of code of honor. You might’ve left the Empire behind, but the regimented way of thinking you have is still there. You wouldn’t bother killing my boy unless you felt he was a direct danger to you, and I think we both know that isn’t the case.” Ulivik’s dad says.
“Well that’s the truth.”
“The other thing is…we’re not going to be able to stop him. He’s been getting more and more restless about this, and he’s going to want to pursue this career path whether we want him to or not. At this point he’s just going to run away from home and who knows what trouble he’ll get into. (sigh) Maybe it’s just his nature, bein’ a dark elf and all, but for good or ill, me and my wife have taken on the responsibility of raising him. And part of that is making sure he has the survival skills that he’ll need to make it in this world. We can’t teach him that, but you could. Look, like my wife said, we can pay you a good sum just for you teach him the basics, or whatever else is involved, if you need more, I dunno we’ll try to figure out something.”
You’re speechless for a moment. Just when you think you’ve seen the worst in people, something like this happens and surprises you.
“I’m not sure what you expect me to do. I mean this job isn’t something I can teach like from a book. Most of what he’s going to have to learn is going to be from direct experience. I mean I suppose I could teach him some combat skills, but the rest is going to mainly be up to him.”
“Well do what you can, and take this in the meantime.”
Uliviki’s mother hands you a small bag. When you look inside, it’s nothing but gold coins. This has to be some of their savings, possibly all of their savings. They must really trust you, if they’ve given you this much.
“I’ll do my best. You have my word as an Eternal.” You say and pocket the bag of coins. With those last words you exit the tanner’s store intending to find Ulivik. Fortunately you know he isn’t far.
“Ulivik, I know you’re around the corner. Stop sulking, or pouting or whatever teenage angst you’re doing and let’s go.”
Ulivik slowly comes out from behind the corner.
“You’re taking me with you?”
“Yeah, I scared your parents into letting you come with me. Now grab whatever gear you want to take and let’s go before all the good jobs are taken.”
Ulivik is completely giddy at this turn of events and runs back into the store to get his stuff. You on the other hand are wondering how the hell you got yourself into this. Then you feel the bag of coins again and remember.
On your journey to Kenneth’s Rest, you explain to Ulivik some of the things he should know such as haggling for better prices on jobs and the art of intimidation. You also teach him a few combat moves. He’s a rookie to be sure, but his agility allows him from getting hurt too badly.
When you get to Kenneth’s Rest, the place is as busy as always. Ulivik is more than a little distracted by the surroundings, and you have to keep reminding him to stay alert.
“Hey stop staring at the harlots and pay attention! Just because fighting isn’t supposed to be allowed here, doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. In fact people around here love to start trouble. Don’t stare at anyone in the eye for too long and make sure you don’t bump into anybody. You could either get into a fight, or someone might even try to pick your pocket.”
“Okay. Here isn’t the job board that way?”
“Job board? Hah. I never use those things. I go straight to the source. Trust me, if you want to get a job that pays well; get to know and make contact with the owners or government officials. Fortunately Kenneth used to work for me at one time, so it was quite easy for me to make contact with him. And when we find him, just keep your mouth shut, and let me do all the talking.”
Eventually you find Kennth, he’s as jumpy as ever whenever you first see him.
“Sir! I didn’t expect you to be down this way so soon? What can I do for you today?”
“Kenneth, will you relax? It’s been what, like ten years now? I’m not your superior officer anymore; you don’t have to keep calling me sir and getting all nervous and shit.”
“I know sir, just old habits you know? Who’s this with you?”
“This here is Ulivik, and he’s going to be my apprentice for a while.”
“Apprentice? Seriously? Never pegged you as the teaching type.”
“Right, Kenneth, like all those years of training soldiers in this very fort count for nothing at all.”
“No, that’s not what I mean…I just oh I dunno. It’s just odd I guess. He’s a svelk, how come he’s not with his own people?”
“That’s a long and unusual story, and one I don’t have time to go into. Besides we’re not here to satisfy your curiosity, we’re here for jobs, but seeing as this is Ulivik’s first time and all, can we get something maybe a little less…lethal?”
“Hmm, usually that sort of stuff is on the boards, but I think I got something. Oh! There’s a nest of auravraxes a few miles from here.”
“Ugh, more of those furry things? I just wiped out a nest of them a week ago!”
“Well that’s all I got that’s on the easy side. I mean I’ve got some other jobs too, but you said this was more for training your apprentice than anything else.”
“I can take on a harder task Mr. Bane. I mean I have to learn from experience right?” Ulivik pipes up forgetting that he was supposed to keep his mouth shut.
Still, he might have a point.
“Alright Ulivik, you go ask your parents, but I’m taking you to Kenneth’s Rest and no further. And when we get there, you’re on your own, don’t think that you’re going to be tagging along with me anywhere else.”
“Okay! That’s great! I’ll be right be back…uh could you come with me, so they know I’m telling the truth?”
“Oh fer…fine.”
You follow Ulivik back to his parent’s store which smells heavily of leather. The pair of them are working on some sort of the hide when you both walk in.
“Mom! Dad! Mr. Bane said he’d take me to Kenneth’s Rest and teach me to be a mercenary! So can I go now?”
“Hey wait I never said I’d teach…” you start to say before Ulivik’s dad interjects his own comments.
“Oh is that right? And how do you know that? How do you know he won’t just rob and kill you along some lonely road?”
“Or worse!” his mother says.
“Hey wait a minute now…”
“But this isn’t fair! You said if I could find somebody to teach me, that you’d allow me to go!” Ulivik whines.
“Yeah, well we didn’t think you’d actually be successful, let alone get a cold hearted killer like Bane here to agree. Which makes me wonder why he did…”
“Trust me, at this point I’m wondering the same thing.” You reply.
“Ulivik, why can’t you just be interested in the family business? It’s a more honorable profession than being a mercenary. It’s honest work.”
“Yeah and the workin’ man is a sucker! Look at where we live!”
“Hey! We get by just fine, and this business has put food in your belly, clothes on your back and a roof over your head! So don’t you dare bad mouth this proud family tradition!”
“Yeah, well I’m not really your son anyway! And you’re not my real parents! I hate this place and every here hates me!” Ulivik screams and leaves slamming the door.
You’re left in an awkward situation with his parents.
“Okay, so I guess that settles that, I’ll just be going now…” you say.
“No, you get back here you sonofabitch.” Ulivik’s dad says.
“Excuse me?”
“I called you a sonofabitch, now if you want to kill me for that you can do it after hearing what I’ve got to say first.”
“Heh, okay. It’s been a weird sort of day today anyway, I’ll play.” You say with a smile.
“Yeah, well I ain’t playing. Look, I know all about you, and you probably don’t know me at all but I remember your ruthless reputation when you were still in service of the Empire. There was a family that lived down the block from me and my wife. We we’re friends and they even had a couple of children. Children that we would sometimes love to entertain because we couldn’t have any of our own. But this family wasn’t happy with the Empire’s rules so they along with several others protested…”
You stop the tanner right there.
“Yeah, yeah, I know what you’re going to say, I had them all killed for treason and had their heads put on pikes. Well I was trying to maintain order and I did what I had to do to get the job done. I’m sure this story pales in comparison to others have screamed at me in the past and you don’t even need to make your point about hating me, because I’m used to it anyway. Besides you don’t want your son going to Kenneth’s Rest and I’m certainly not going to drag him along. If anything I’d wish he’d stop looking up to me as some sort of hero and following me around. I was hoping by doing this for him I’d finally be rid of him. So if you don’t mind, I’ll be going now and I’ll also be disappointing you again, by not killing you before I leave.”
You turn to leave and that’s when you get another unusual request.
“If you take him to Kenneth’s Rest, will you also look after him?” Ulivik’s mother asks.
“What?!”
“If you want money to do so, we can pay. Just can you look after him for a while at least?”
“Okay…now I’m confused. I thought not only did you not want him to go, but that I was also a ruthless bastard that would probably rob and kill him along a lonely road?”
“Yeah, we don’t want him to go, and yeah you are a ruthless bastard…but I also know you actually do have some sort of code of honor. You might’ve left the Empire behind, but the regimented way of thinking you have is still there. You wouldn’t bother killing my boy unless you felt he was a direct danger to you, and I think we both know that isn’t the case.” Ulivik’s dad says.
“Well that’s the truth.”
“The other thing is…we’re not going to be able to stop him. He’s been getting more and more restless about this, and he’s going to want to pursue this career path whether we want him to or not. At this point he’s just going to run away from home and who knows what trouble he’ll get into. (sigh) Maybe it’s just his nature, bein’ a dark elf and all, but for good or ill, me and my wife have taken on the responsibility of raising him. And part of that is making sure he has the survival skills that he’ll need to make it in this world. We can’t teach him that, but you could. Look, like my wife said, we can pay you a good sum just for you teach him the basics, or whatever else is involved, if you need more, I dunno we’ll try to figure out something.”
You’re speechless for a moment. Just when you think you’ve seen the worst in people, something like this happens and surprises you.
“I’m not sure what you expect me to do. I mean this job isn’t something I can teach like from a book. Most of what he’s going to have to learn is going to be from direct experience. I mean I suppose I could teach him some combat skills, but the rest is going to mainly be up to him.”
“Well do what you can, and take this in the meantime.”
Uliviki’s mother hands you a small bag. When you look inside, it’s nothing but gold coins. This has to be some of their savings, possibly all of their savings. They must really trust you, if they’ve given you this much.
“I’ll do my best. You have my word as an Eternal.” You say and pocket the bag of coins. With those last words you exit the tanner’s store intending to find Ulivik. Fortunately you know he isn’t far.
“Ulivik, I know you’re around the corner. Stop sulking, or pouting or whatever teenage angst you’re doing and let’s go.”
Ulivik slowly comes out from behind the corner.
“You’re taking me with you?”
“Yeah, I scared your parents into letting you come with me. Now grab whatever gear you want to take and let’s go before all the good jobs are taken.”
Ulivik is completely giddy at this turn of events and runs back into the store to get his stuff. You on the other hand are wondering how the hell you got yourself into this. Then you feel the bag of coins again and remember.
On your journey to Kenneth’s Rest, you explain to Ulivik some of the things he should know such as haggling for better prices on jobs and the art of intimidation. You also teach him a few combat moves. He’s a rookie to be sure, but his agility allows him from getting hurt too badly.
When you get to Kenneth’s Rest, the place is as busy as always. Ulivik is more than a little distracted by the surroundings, and you have to keep reminding him to stay alert.
“Hey stop staring at the harlots and pay attention! Just because fighting isn’t supposed to be allowed here, doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. In fact people around here love to start trouble. Don’t stare at anyone in the eye for too long and make sure you don’t bump into anybody. You could either get into a fight, or someone might even try to pick your pocket.”
“Okay. Here isn’t the job board that way?”
“Job board? Hah. I never use those things. I go straight to the source. Trust me, if you want to get a job that pays well; get to know and make contact with the owners or government officials. Fortunately Kenneth used to work for me at one time, so it was quite easy for me to make contact with him. And when we find him, just keep your mouth shut, and let me do all the talking.”
Eventually you find Kennth, he’s as jumpy as ever whenever you first see him.
“Sir! I didn’t expect you to be down this way so soon? What can I do for you today?”
“Kenneth, will you relax? It’s been what, like ten years now? I’m not your superior officer anymore; you don’t have to keep calling me sir and getting all nervous and shit.”
“I know sir, just old habits you know? Who’s this with you?”
“This here is Ulivik, and he’s going to be my apprentice for a while.”
“Apprentice? Seriously? Never pegged you as the teaching type.”
“Right, Kenneth, like all those years of training soldiers in this very fort count for nothing at all.”
“No, that’s not what I mean…I just oh I dunno. It’s just odd I guess. He’s a svelk, how come he’s not with his own people?”
“That’s a long and unusual story, and one I don’t have time to go into. Besides we’re not here to satisfy your curiosity, we’re here for jobs, but seeing as this is Ulivik’s first time and all, can we get something maybe a little less…lethal?”
“Hmm, usually that sort of stuff is on the boards, but I think I got something. Oh! There’s a nest of auravraxes a few miles from here.”
“Ugh, more of those furry things? I just wiped out a nest of them a week ago!”
“Well that’s all I got that’s on the easy side. I mean I’ve got some other jobs too, but you said this was more for training your apprentice than anything else.”
“I can take on a harder task Mr. Bane. I mean I have to learn from experience right?” Ulivik pipes up forgetting that he was supposed to keep his mouth shut.
Still, he might have a point.