Almar sounds good. It has this adventure-vibe going on and I think it's high time that I have one. I've never even left my hometown in my previous life.
"The boy has spoken Carim," Haafgar said with a smirk. "It's best for you and the boy. The world is growing more and more dangerous. I just want you to be safe."
"I understand. Merkel is probably longing for me in Almar."
"You know him. The bard can't make more songs without your stories." Haafgar walked over to me and spoke to me, eye to eye. His face is roaring with ferocity and his rough voice rang through my ears. "Carim told me about your skill. Be careful boy. You were lucky that you met us. Others would cut off your balls when they see you doing your skill. Promise me that you won't use your powers, unless necessary."
I gulped. "Promise,"
"Carim will take care of you and he'll teach you about the ways of our world. It may not be as fantastic as yours but you're living in this world now. Why not make it your own?"
We didn't immediately leave that day. Torrential rains are still barging at the south and Frigga's host took over Proudspire in mere hours. The guild wasn't seen participating in the war so the queen's army let us be. They even paid us gold to hunt Arslan's remaining men in the city. Carim accepted the job while I stayed in the lodge and trained daggers with Haafgar.
They made it so easy on television in videogames. Daggers also aren't light as expected. Or am I just too weak?
"Daggers are the oldest weapon known to elf-kind and man. As such, it is the most refined of all close combat arts." Haafgar would tell.
Our days are numbered so Haafgar taught me the basics. The easiest way to kill a man is to be the first knife to slice. Slicing in the ankles incapacitates them but a stab to the neck ensures the kill.
"Strike fast. Think faster." The factor of the fight always starts at the mind. Utilize all the skills to fool your opponent and get the better of them. "Think fast. Strike faster." The one that seals the fight is a stab that sends your opponent to the realm of the dead.
On our third day, Haafgar found a way to fuse my skill and my newfound killing prowess. He called one urchin from the street, a boy no more than eight whose easily lured by the promises of food.
On the courtyard, Haafgar distracted the boy with a basket of water and bread. My first practical skill is to possess the boy without noticing. Since it was my first, a mere sidestep alerted the boy of my presence. His eyes flashed open when he saw me with a wooden dagger at hand. He screamed but not before Haafgar could cast a minor hex that would incapacitate him.
The next day, we returned the boy in the street. He had no recollection of what happened. The only thing he could remember is Haafgar giving him bread.
My bluster did not make Haafgar angry. Rather, he was patient. "Carim did not come to wield his sword in a single day. It took him years before he could even activate its flames. Skills take time but the effort makes it a reality.
We did the same thing the next day. Another kid, another bluster. I'd make a sound, trip or even possess a kid half-way. But it was on the sixth day that I finally got it,
A boy with brown hair sat on the guild courtyard with a loaf of rye bread on his hand. The bread is old so the kid needs to chew a lot just to get it in his system. With him pre-occupied, I made my move. My feet are silent and the wind accompanied my shroud. I made no sound but the light thud of my feet.
The boy looked at my way but my body is quicker than his sight. I moved to the left, behind a decorative statue of the god of war. His vision never strayed long and promptly returned to hacking a slice of the loaf. I breathed a sigh of relief but not a moment sooner, I crept closer.
We are mere breathing distance and yet the boy does not realize that I'm behind him. With a dagger at hand, I flipped it in the air before making a jump into the boy's body. The shift was instantaneous and there's a loaf of bread in my hand. I threw it to the ground in the air and looked above. A wooden dagger stopped in mid-air before speeding to the ground. With small nimble hands, I raised them and caught the dagger before it touched the ground. It was quick and exhilarating and it ended with applause from the floor above.
"I congratulate you, Jon, for you have started the path of the Hidden Mercenary." He went downstairs. "Unleash your skill and we shall celebrate."
After I separated myself from the boy, I felt a sharp pang of pain in my back. It felt like I was being stoked by fire and licking me with infernal flames. I undressed my clothes and when I saw Haafgar's face, I too was shocked.
"A mark has appeared on your back" Haafgar brought a looking glass and I saw it. A mark of an upside-down sword on my nape. "You have the mark of a warrior. Never have I seen one like this."
Only then did I realize what the mark meant. I raised my status in society. I'm a warrior, well not right now, but I'm the same rank. This meant that I can possess warriors like Haafgar and Carim. I won't possess them though. Unless I deem it necessary or if I suddenly found the urge to do so. But not right now.
Carim returned a week and a half later. He's weary beyond relief and has wounds in his face and body. Luckily, Haafgar has a potent salve that could heal him in time. He could use a mage's health potion but their pantry is dry with one. They have a philter of mana but it's useless if there's no one in the guild that knows restoration magic.
As a reward for his laborious job, Carim gained a pocket of 5 gold coins. It's isn't enough to get them to Almar. Let alone buy enough provisions for a whole month of travel.
"Can you lend us some coin? You decided to send us to Almar anyway."
"I've already given your travel 20 silver. That's all I could part for now."
Smithee, the Proudspire Mercenary Guild blacksmith is already lending us his wagon for our travel. It'll carry the wares and will act as our home on the road. It's rude to ask him for more.
"We can't leave until we're well supplied," Carim said over a haunch of a roasted rabbit. "Do you have any plans Haafgar?"
"I'm afraid I don't"
As for me, several ideas are coming to mind.