I was asked by Alayah to stay behind so we could talk. It looks quite important so I might as well hear her out. We sat down at the table and started talking.
"Hardnir, I know I can be loud at times, and I have a foul mouth. So… I am sorry if I have been annoying you since the day we have met," says Alayah.
"What happened to you? What did you do to Alayah?! Bring her back!" I said in jest.
"Ha ha, very funny. Come on, I'm sincerely apologizing here," she responded.
"I don't know what happened, but you are starting to scare me. I was gone for nine days and when I woke up, Alayah I knew is gone," still making fun of the situation, I replied.
"You know what, fuck you Hardnir! I just wanted to say do not die on me and I will try to be on my best behavior, but you just won't take it seriously! Go and die for all I care!" Alayah shouted in a quick manner. She also gave me the look of "Go die right now".
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. What do you want me to say? I'm just not used to you being soft and squishy suddenly," I replied while trying to appease her, "don't be mad. Come on, please?"
"Just don't go dying on me. Okay, Hardnir?" says Alayah, being soft again.
"Too young," I replied, and she immediately wanted to lash out, so I continued, "of course, of course. We still have a lot to accomplish, you and I."
She smiled. And a smile so beautiful I was stuck looking at her. It was as if I forgot everything and just looking at her smile.
"What?" said Alayah.
Caught myself being in awe, I stopped looking and responded, "well, since we already have this chance, tell me more about you. Let's use this chance to know each other, since we will trust each other with our lives from here on."
"What do you want to know?" she said back.
"To start, where did you come from?" I asked right away since it has been eating at me since the day I met her.
"Thought you might ask because of the color of my hair," said Alayah while combing her hair. "I came from a small part of the Isles of Hjarik, called Rataluni. A small community where everyone knows everyone, even the smallest aspects of their lives."
"I've heard about that place. You have your own religion, is it not?" I asked.
"Yeah, they do. As for my case, I would rather worship the celestials than just Aphelion. You see, it is not the Gods that are wrong, it's the people who worship them," says Alayah. "Apparently, in that community, any child with a unique trait is treated an outcast. In my case, it's hair. Too distinct, I am the only one who has silver hair. Growing up was a nightmare. Training archery alone, doing hunts alone. I was sick of it. As soon as I felt that loneliness, I decided to see more of the world."
"Can't say I understand since I never experienced being an outcast but what I can agree with is that getting out of that situation was the best decision you have made," I responded. "Where did you go after leaving Rataluni?" I added.
"At first, I was wandering from place to place. From the Salamander Nomads to the Iron Crow Empire. Doing mercenary work, escorting caravans, and being a barmaid," said Alayah.
"A barmaid you say? You.. in an apron… serving meads and meals… that I want to see!" I blurted out.
"In your fucking dreams Hardnir. You don't know how much I endured when I was a barmaid. I quit the damn job because an asshole touched my arse and I immediately punched a hole in his hand with my knife," reminiscing the event, she loudly said. "And from the Iron Crow Empire, to here in the Edge of the World, I just basically wandered until I saw a notice at an inn that the Freemen Quarters are recruiting. I signed up, trained under Boris, and did some commissions here and there. And here we are, talking a one-sided conversation," said Alayah, ending sarcastically.
"It's not one-sided. It's only fair you know about me too, so fire away," I replied.
"You don't say. Any wife and kids, Hardnir?" curiously asked Alayah.
"I have a wife and a kid, yes. Wife's name is Ygruhn, and my lovely little lass is Frisha. My daughter is the brightest there is, I tell you." braggingly, I responded.
"Oh… I see," replied Alayah. "You must be very proud of your daughter, eh Hardnir?" she added.
"Oh, I would do anything for that little girl. If she said she wanted to be a princess, I will happily kill King Hjalmar the Lion and take over the throne. Haha!" I laughed while making the comment.
"Hush Hardnir, that is considered treason, you fucking imbecile! Not so loud!" said Alayah with great concern and leaned in to cover my mouth. I immediately got loose from her grasp.
I responded in kind, "it was merely a jest, and it was nowhere right to eavesdrop on someone's conversation. Isn't that right, old man?" I looked over at the door and Sir Galbrant showed up.
"I can say, I am amazed you even know I was here my boy. I am sure that I did not even make a noise," said the big old man.
Laughing, I replied, "I think you are getting senile. I can see your reflection from the flower vases across you."
Holding his head, he made a loud laugh and said, "I see. There is really something with your keen observation Hardnir. I will leave you two at it then." Then the old man left. Alayah who was just sitting there, was silent. She did not move and just looked at where the old man was.
"Hey, Alayah. You okay?" I asked with concern.
"What?! Yeah! I'm okay!" said Alayah then, "did he hear all the things we have talked about? Gods, that is embarrassing!"
"I'm guessing he only heard the part about me," I stated but I was not entirely sure, "or… I just noticed him when it was already about me, and he was present the whole time. Don't worry about it. Even if he knew, will that be a problem?" I asked.
"No! But still…" she shyly responded. She composed herself and continued, "how long have you been married with your wife?"
"Hmm, I would say about six years or maybe more. I'm not one to count how long, but we were together before all this. And Alayah, can we skip talking about them? It makes me miss them more and it pains me I can't see them, not anytime soon." I said with a bit of loneliness in my voice.
"I'm sorry Hardnir, but why can't you see them? You can always go home after we kill the Savage bear," said Alayah.
With caution not to say anything more than I need to, I responded, "like I told you guys when we were on our way to the Sixth Castle, I am in a mess that may put them in danger. I need to be out of this mess first before I can go home."
"Oh, so you know about the mess you are in now?" said Alayah in haste.
"Yeah, pretty much so. I am fucked sideways, upwards, downwards, and in all different directions on this one," I said half-jesting.
Alayah laughed and as if taking a hint, she did not press on the topic. We sat there in silence, looking at each other for a while before Gels came and sat with us.
"Want to go see the market guys?" said Gels, extending an invitation to us.
"Sure thing. What is in the market?" I replied.
"Well, word from the people outside the inn is that there is a caravan who arrived today coming from all the way from the Southern Alliance. I want to take a look and seeing you and sister does not have anything to do, maybe we can go?" asked Gels.
I looked at Alayah and said, "go with Gels for now, I will be right with you. I need to speak to the innkeeper and freshen up a bit," gesturing that I want to rid of my smell since I haven't cleaned myself for a while.
The two stood up and went outside to see the market, and I went to the innkeeper to ask another matter that has been bugging me since I woke up. I went to this old lady, sitting by the bar, wiping down glasses. I sat down on one of the stools in front of her and started asking.
"Good day, madam. One mug of mead please," I ordered as it would be inappropriate to ask questions without buying anything. As the old lady handed me the mug of mead, I continued.
"By any chance, do you know or have you heard of Harald the Sword-thane? I can't help but ask since it looks like you know Sir Galbrant the Stalwart personally, due to not having him pay for the meals and drinks."
The old lady stopped wiping the glasses and placed a hand on her chin, then leaned over towards the counter.
"Don't you recognize me boy?" said the old lady.
Should I? Should I recognize her? That is what my thoughts were at the time. I went ahead and said, "I don't think I know you or should recognize you, I'm afraid. Should I, madam?"
The old lady laughed and said, "really? You don't remember me? Oh by the Gods, Galbrant was right. Haha! It seems you really forgot about your father's friends."
"Oh forgive me for not remembering, it was twenty-seven or twenty-eight years ago. I was just a wee lad at that time," I replied, in respect.
"Still, you should remember your elders, boy. I am one of your father's closest friends and I even changed your trousers when you were a baby for Gods' sake. Let me re-introduce myself, I am Anneke the Swift, used to be 1st Battalion Commander of the King's Guards, now just an innkeeper as I retired from the army," said the old lady.
"What is with my father? Why is he so close to the most famous people of the Edge of the World? First, it was Sir Galbrant the Stalwart. Now, even the master marksman Anneke the Swift. And I am being so rude that I don't even remember you guys at all," I said in disbelief that I do not have any recollection of them in my entire life.
"Hahaha! Your father was the most famous of us all. I bet you don't know that. Harald was the best of the best, the mightiest of the mightiest, and the most ingenious out of all of us from his generation. I cannot describe him more but that is what he is. Your father was just that amazing," said Anneke, while laughing at my ignorance.
As a rebuttal, I said, "then why was I not able to hear his tales from the bards? No records of his greatness as well? All I know is that when I was fifteen, he left as he said there was one last thing he needed to do. After two years, I just received a message that he had gone to the afterlife. Never saw a body, nor did I see any memorial."
"There is a reason for that, but all in due time. You will learn more once the old musclebrain is present. For now, go along with your peers, I believe they are in the market," she responded. "I won't go anywhere so ease up a bit and enjoy for the time being."
"I will take your word for it, Anneke. Thanks for the drink and the conversation," half-wittingly, I replied.
I never knew that my father was famous. I just knew his title and have never heard of him in the songs nor words of mouth, which is why it is surprising that I should have known this. Being his son, that is. You see, I do not remember that much since my childhood as the most significant memory that I have is my first crypt diving. Aside from that, nothing else sprung up to mind. With that said, I threw all these thoughts away for the time being and went to my room to clean myself up before meeting Alayah and Gels.
As I finished getting prepared, I left the inn and wandered the town of Cragswallow to check the market as suggested by Gels. I found the old man beneath the shade of a tree near the market and beckoned me.
"By the look on your face, I'm guessing you wanted to know why I called you here," said Sir Galbrant, "I think you should know that Alayah is into you boy. As much as I hate to say this, but you will be far away from home so live life a little."
I already knew he would push the matter on me sooner or later, but I was not expecting it to happen today. "You know, as tempting as it is, she is attractive. Is it okay for me to pursue her, old man?" I asked in earnest.
"Go right ahead my boy, I believe you already told her you're married. It will be up to her if she is okay with that or not," said the old man.
As I was contemplating what Sir Galbrant said, he shooed me away and gestured where the two went. I went to the direction he pointed and found the two, browsing a merchant's wares. Gels was looking at a broadsword, the same height as him. I immediately thought that if I were to make him my enemy, I might die where I stand. As for Alayah, she was looking at a silver bowstring, with the same color as her hair. I looked at her and found that I was staring for a good while until she noticed that I was there.
"Hey Hardnir! Over here, they have lots of good stuff from swords to armors," said Alayah, extending me an invitation to look around the merchant's wares.
I browsed around and found this silver necklace that has a ruby embedded to it. I asked the merchant if by any chance it is enchanted since I feel there is something to it. The merchant did say it is enchanted; however, he is not willing to disclose the enchantment until I offer to buy it. I asked his price on the silver necklace, and it was surprisingly cheap, 10 gold coins. I quickly thought there was a catch on this one. I bought the damned necklace and asked what the enchantment was.
"That necklace is cursed and from what I know when I ask healers across the continent, anyone who wears it has the tendency to miss their targets. For example, an archer who wants to shoot from afar, will have the tendency to miss," said the merchant. "I got that from a trade from way back and never found a buyer for it, until today. Maybe, the curse is not even real. Who knows, but it is in your hands now lad, it may bring you fortune."
I took the necklace and went back to Alayah and Gels, who happened to be right behind me, eavesdropping on the conversation between me and the merchant.
"Whenever you talk to somebody, I get this urge to listen in on your conversation. Right, Gels?" said Alayah.
"Yeah. Everything Hardnir does happens to be interesting. Or carefully planned. I don't know," said Gels.
"What? Am I the mama duck now? Having you two follow me around like lost ducklings?" trying to crack a joke at the two.
Laughter erupted and we went to browse the market more, under the heat of the sun. I looked for a merchant's stall that has a good space for shade and the merchant who owns the stall talked to me.
"I think you could use an appraisal for that necklace in your pocket, good sir," said the merchant.
I responded in kind, "how did you even know there is a necklace in my pocket?"
The merchant laughed and started to take out this big contraption with lenses and glyphs. She held out her hand and gestured that I hand her over the necklace. I reached for my pocket and handed over the necklace. She placed it on a slate and placed it on the base of the contraption. For a few seconds, nothing happened. Until the glyphs on the contraption glowed and made a humming sound. The merchant then went and looked inside a tube near the middle of the contraption, fiddling a knob or whatnot, and after a few minutes, the glow faded on the contraption, signaling the end of the process.
"What did the seller of this necklace tell you, good sir?" asked the merchant while handing me back the necklace.
I took the necklace and pocketed it before I replied, "that it's cursed with inaccuracy, should one use it. What did you find?"
"Haha! Of course, of course. That will make sense, if I were a healer who appraised it and used it to support the claim," said the merchant, "once you hear an item is cursed, you always go to a healer to see about the curse, right? But you see, there is a reason why we have different professions for a lot of things. There is a jeweler, a blacksmith, an alchemist, a healer, a cook, a butcher, and many more. You let the professionals do their job because they do it well. For example, you brought in a deer from one of your hunts. You wanted to butcher the thing for the materials it could fetch for. If you bring it to a butcher, they will be extra careful with the meat, but sloppy with the rest of the deer. If with a blacksmith, it will be the hide then the rest will be wasted. If with an alchemist, it will be the insides, antlers, and feet for alchemic purposes, then same thing will happen with the rest of it. But, if you go to the quartermasters of every army with your prize in tow, they will ask for a fee, but you will get most of the deer since they know the value of each part it has. Following so far, sir?" asked the merchant.
That was the best explanation anyone could have ever given to me about the different professions our world has. I responded with respect, "I do. Please continue madam."
"So, going back to the necklace we were talking about, it was indeed cursed," said the merchant.
"Yeah, we already know that. And?" I quickly responded.
"Like I said. Was. Before you handed the necklace, it was cursed. Now, that curse changed to something else," pointing at my pocket while making her claim.
I brought out the necklace again and this time, I felt something different about the necklace, which was more pleasant rather than ominous. I asked the merchant, "care to provide what happened and what it turned into? I'm curious now and I may have nightmares if I don't get any answers."
"I may be willing to talk, depending on how persuasive you good sir can be," slyly remarked the merchant.
I handed out ten gold coins to her hand that was already in air, suggesting I hand over coins. Then she continued with her explanation, "I am a jeweler, as you can see with my wares. Any accessories, enchantments related to it, and even curses on them, I can handle for a fee. Your payment has been made for the appraisal, thank you. That necklace is now blessed with accuracy, if the target is within sight, there is a high chance of landing a hit."
"How did the curse change to a blessing? That was amazing!" shocked as I was, I must know.
The merchant laughed again and this time, her hood came off and this young girl showed up to my surprise. She had tanned skin, black hair, and the most striking thing was her pointed ears. She is the first dark elf I met, and I am sure not to forget about this young girl.
"It's a trade secret good sir! Haha! But that is what a jeweler is for, and like I said, let the professionals do it as they do it well. Healers are for healing, for the love of the Gods! Haha! It is a perfect present now for a beautiful lady if you have anyone, good sir," advised the merchant.
I thanked the merchant again for the service and waved goodbye to her. I do agree with the merchant that it is the perfect gift for a lady, and Alayah came to mind immediately after that. Accuracy enchantment, an accessory to boot, and the lady is perfect and an archer, what a terrifying combination. I need to time it right if I were to give it to her. I regrouped with Gels and Alayah, seeing both made purchases too. Gels had this big broadsword as thick as the wood you use for houses. Which was the same broadsword he was eyeing earlier that is the same height as him. As for Alayah, she bought a beautifully engraved, oakwood frame of a bow and the silver bowstring she was interested earlier. I think she will still make some adjustments to it to her liking once we get back. And that leaves me with just a necklace which I intend to give away, so obviously, they are bound to ask.
"What did you buy Hardnir?" asked both, in sync.
"Nothing. Nothing caught my eye, and Gods, its hot out here. So, I went to a shade in a merchant's stall and made some conversation there instead," I lied of course.
As if on cue, the other two agreed it was hot out, and we went back to the inn. Once we got back, the old man was polishing his sword at a table near the bar and greeted us back. The two went to their respective rooms and I went ahead and sat with the old man and said, "hey old man. Where is Anneke?"
He stared at me then laughed loudly. "Haha! Finally! I thought you would never recognize her seeing you are senile at such a young age! Haha!" insulting at the same time laughing hardly as he can.
"She just went to the back to fetch us some mead. I knew you will sit down with me when she told me that you both have talked," added Sir Galbrant.
"Believe me, we will have a long talk about this one old man. It will be dinner until we are finished, hope you are prepared," I jested but in a serious tone. As soon as I said that he continued laughing and patting my back.