“Ok, how old are you?” Victor asked.
“Thirty Six” Nim quickly responded.
“How old is Ashur?” Shawnrik asked.
“Thirty four”
“How come you're not married?” Victor's eyebrow rose as he asked.
“Because I… next question.” Nim said looking over at the boy cautiously, having a feeling what was coming next.
“Who's Erin?” Victor .
Nim sighed, his feeling becoming reality. “She's a mage, of incredible power, and the love of my life.”
“Why did she leave?” Shawnrik didn't mean to ask the question aloud, but it had slipped out anyway.
“She said I was settling down too early. I tried to tell her that there was plenty of excitement in Safeharbor, but she was young and she wanted to see the world.” Nim's stare became a bit vacant as he talked about Erin as if he could see her outside the giant window.
“How old is she?” Victor said adopting a softer tone.
“She will be twenty five soon.” Nim opened the door to the dining hall, and let the boys walk in.
“What does she look like?” Victor asked, finally glad he was getting Nim to open up.
“What does who look like?” Ashur questioned from inside the dining hall.
“Erin” Shawnrik replied.
“Oh, Erin, now there is a lass. She has the greenest eyes that you have ever seen, and hair the color of an evening sunset. Like the skyline at dusk was set on fire just to complement her hair. She was shapely even when we first met her at thirteen, she was powerful even then. Nim somehow convinced her dad to let her come with us on a quest to find who knows what. Anyway, she traveled with us for a few years, and then she became a woman right before our eyes. Long story short, one day I found her cornering Nim, and telling him that if he didn't kiss her right there that she would be gone in the morning. I've never met two people who loved each other more… or who were so set to have their way.”
“Aren't we going a little deep into the question Ashur?” Nim asked dryly
“No, not really.” Ashur shot back with a smile. Ashur continued talking about their adventures straight through breakfast between mouthfuls. Everyone sat at the table intently listening, his tone turning sad as he reached the end of the story. “Then a few years ago Nim told all of us that he had acquired enough money and property to suit his taste, said he was going to make a life for himself in Safeharbor. Erin was only twenty two at the time, and she said that she wasn't done explorin' and learnin' yet.” Ashur looked at Victor. “She's got a head on her shoulders a lot like yours. Anyway, she left, and Nim went through this phase for almost a year where he just did sculptures and paintings. Until one day I told him that if he didn't do somethin' else that I was going to leave too. Nim told me he had one more paintin' to do, and then he promised he would be out of his slump. He said he felt he had to do the painting.” Ashur pointed to the large painting that portrayed the armies of light and darkness. “That was the last painting he did. Took him a few Eighthdays, but I'd say it was worth the year of sulking. So, now Nim and me get our jollies from scarin' merchants, and huntin' whatever baddy comes into the caverns below.”
The boys took a deep breathe with Ashur as he finished telling the story, and Nim sat in his chair staring off into the nearly cloudless sky outside.
“Wow, that's a story alright. You should write that down in a book.” Victor said enthusiastically.
Nim looked over at him and said “It's not all it's cracked up to be. I never know if she is alive. Once in awhile I'll get a message of one sort or another from her. Once she popped in for the evening, and then was gone the next morning. No, love and adventure are two things that should never mix.” There was silence in the room for quite a few minutes after this statement.
“Well, I think we have all sat around reminiscing enough today. Shawnrik go put on your training gear and meet me out back. We will see you two later.” Ashur said, nodding good-day to Victor and Nim as he stood.
“Yes, we have work to do too. We will see you later. Don't be too hard on the boy Ashur.” Nim said with a grin
“No harder than he can take I assure you, and don't bore Victor out there too much.” Ashur said with a wink to Victor.
They left shortly after for the market to discuss prices, and mingle with the traders to see what information could be garnered.
*****
Year 3043 AGD
Month: Preparation
Third Third Day
Continent of Terroval
City of Safeharbor
Cliff's End
Nim's Mansion
During the last two months Nim had continued to train Victor in all the arts of diplomacy. Meanwhile Shawnrik was learning how to use the art of intimidation, and aggressive negotiation as Ashur liked to call it. Ashur told Nim that he was pleased with how fast Shawnrik absorbed what he taught him, and how capable the boy was becoming. He had managed to teach him the proper use of just about every weapon in his arsenal. Victor had heard Ashur say that the boy had improved so much during the first two months that it was staggering. The people of Safeharbor and much of the rest of the continent of Terroval were exceptionally gifted when it came to fighting and learning. Then there were men like Ashur who seemed to be born to it. Shawnrik however, was not only gifted at fighting, he was driven by a desire to improve that stunned the men. Shawnrik was still no where near capable enough to go out saving the world, in Ashur's opinion, but Victor knew he would be soon.
It was quickly approaching summer, and the city was moving at full speed, like an anthill that had been kicked. Preparation was so named because it was the time in which the countries of the world prepared for the battles that summer would bring. The previous month, Time of Storms, or simply referred to as Storms by most, was usually a chaotic month for traveling. It is said that it is during this month that the goddess Terra, looking out over the world as Valorious brings life to the flowers and the fields, begins to tire of her time with Arroval, and begins to quarrel with him something fierce. It comes to a point where their passion is so intense that the world is filled with storms, until finally she can bear it no longer and runs back to the arms of her other lover who heals the yearning within her. From the books Victor had read he was pretty sure that the gods just make sure things are running correctly, and don't really effect things to that level, but it is a good story nonetheless.
Perhaps the greatest thing to happen, in the boy's opinions, was that Nim and Ashur had taken them on their last few trips below the city. They loved feeling like they were helping the city as they hunted down the nefarious creatures that lived below. It had surprised the boys to learn that there were so many different types of creatures living below them, and that only a handful of them ever became a problem.
Nim sat on the roof of his estate watching the people pass by and talking to Victor about leaders of foreign lands, and other dignitaries, or notables as Nim called them. Victor was supposed to memorize the names and descriptions of entire families. The idea being that he should be able to supply a name to the brief descriptions that Nim would give.
Victor had gone through most of the lessons that Nim had for him at an alarming speed. He had devoted all of his time to learning the things that Nim was teaching him, so that he might move on to the next phase of his lessons. Victor had sat through meetings with merchants, heard them complain about the muddy roads of spring, and other trivial matters. Nim said that they complained about the muddy roads every year, but it didn't stop them from coming up earlier than others just to get a better deal. He had gone to what Nim called minor noble parties and had his cheeks squeezed more times than he would like to admit. There were many things that could be learned at such parties, and not many people took notice of an eight year old boy nosing around, unless they were the type who payed particular attention to such things. Victor had noticed that almost all of these nobles were too busy watching each other to be aware of the fact that he ev
en existed. He had met several merchant's daughters who were around his same age, and each time he had heard comments about how great of a couple they would make in a few years. Victor had to fight his natural reflexes for control during a particularly enthusiastic discussion of such matters so that he didn't roll his eyes.
Nim introduced Victor as his son, and in a way Nim had adopted him, but Victor knew that even though he was learning things, Nim was simply using him at these events for his own purposes, so he derived little pleasure from them. Victor would inform him what merchants had been discussing, and Nim would use it against them later. After a while people started to catch on, and wouldn't talk about much in front of Victor, which Victor didn't mind at all. At that point Nim had Victor talking to the children of whomever he might want to find information about. This method actually brought Victor a lot more information than he had thought it would. A large portion of what he learned in these conversations was utterly useless to Nim's plans, but still quite interesting nonetheless. Over time, people did start to notice Victor, and some of the talk at the parties started turning in his direction, shortly thereafter Nim had decided that they were not going to anymore minor parties.
Ashur and Shawnrik came up to the roof, and stood at the edge watching all of the movement down below for a while before Ashur turned to Nim.
“I'm taking Shawnrik out adventuring.”
“The itch has finally taken hold has it Ashur?” Nim said with a slight chuckle, which became something more somber. “I knew this would be coming.”
Ashur laughed and leaned on the railing of the roof. “Yeah, I've been itchin' to go for a few years now, but that's not why I'm going. I've taught Shawnrik just about all I can without him seeing more action. These regular foray's into the caverns just aren't cutting it. He needs to be deep in the thick of it to really learn. I figure we will head north, and probably be gone for at least a year.”
Shawnrik had been looking at the ground, but he now looked at Victor sadly. “A year Vic, you gonna' be alright for a year?”
Nim had been teaching Victor how to read people for the last few months, and Shawnrik was coming in loud and clear. He wanted to go, but he wanted Victor's approval. “Shawn, I think it's a great Idea. Nim and I are just going to dinner parties and boring things like that anyway. There's nothing dangerous that we would need you or Ashur here to guard our backs. Isn't that right Nim?”
Nim looked over to Victor and smiled. “That's right Shawnrik. There is nothing for you to learn being cramped in this dusty old mansion.” Nim motioned with his arm. “Out there is where the real adventure lies. We'll be just fine without you two for a year. We'll be as careful as a couple of druids with seedlings.”
Ashur gave them a look that told them he knew what they were up to. Shawnrik however, had been growing more and more excited as they talked, barely standing still when Ashur asked. “So it's ok if we go then?”
“Yes, but you must hire a cleric. I've been with you adventuring, and I've had to heal you a half a dozen times a day. You should see if Dunnagan Stormhammer is still in town.” Nim tossed Ashur a key. “Just take some money out of the vault. If Dunnagan is in town you probably won't have to pay him much, but if he's not then you'll have to pay quite a bit.”
“Who's Dunnagan? Victor and Shawnrik asked almost simultaneously.
Ashur looked at the boys. “He's a Dwarf, and I think you'd both like him. He's a cleric of Cypheria. There's nothing he loves more than cuttin' through a horde of Siniquitian minions to help someone out. He takes his companions safety very seriously, but half the time we have to dive into the fray to get him out, because he doesn't consider his own safety quite as much.” Ashur and Nim laughed at the inside joke. “Oh I hope that old hard head is still around.”
“As do I, there isn't anyone that I would trust more to keep you two alive.” Victor knew that Nim was being completely honest, and Victor found that he already had a great respect for this Dunnagan, without even meeting him.
“Well then, as our friend Dunnagan would say, I go!” Ashur pulled Shawnrik along with him, and Victor and Shawnrik waved their goodbyes until Shawnrik disappeared down the steps. Victor took a deep breath.
“That was superbly done Victor.” Nim stated while seemingly re-evaluating his opinion of his apprentice. “I think we might be ready to move onto other things. I've been waiting for that lug to figure out he was going to take Shawnrik out adventuring. We can't have two “meat shields” making a lot of noise when there is business to be done.” Nim smiled wickedly, and the look sent a shiver down Victor's spine. “It's time to learn the darker secrets of our art. I think we need to have a little change of scenery. I've heard a few rumors about some nasty people that we need to have a talk with.”
Victor didn't know what to think. He was excited that he would finally be learning the other side of Nim's teachings, but he was suddenly wary about what exactly that entailed.
*****
City of Safeharbor
Near the South Gate
The Drunken Gnome
Ashur didn't have to look long to find Dunnagan Stormhammer. He wasn't a hard Dwarf to find if you knew where to look. First they checked the temple of Cypheria in the Hall of the One God. They found out that he had been there recently, but they hadn't seen him for several days. Then they went to the South Ward to the Caravan city, and found “The Drunken Gnome,” a Dwarven run establishment that served the southern sector. There was a sign out front with a Dwarf tipping up an empty keg of ale and a Gnome that was passed out in front of a small glass that was still half full. They found Dunnagan at the bar telling stories about past exploits to whoever would listen.
“Aye, that's how it happened. Me buddy Ashur was wading through them orcs like he was siftin' sand. Then this big ugly son of an Ogre came out of the cave and started yellin' all kinds of profanities at the man. I stood up on the rock that was near me and started callin' his mother all sorts of foul things, and then I gave him a good look at me backside. Well, to say the least this made the overly large orc a bit mad, and he came barreling down the hill knocking over his own kind just to get at me. Unfortunately for him, there was another in the crowd waiting for the brute. Before he knew it Nim was underfoot, and slashing the backs of the beasts heels. Well, there were dead orcs piling up, and more orcs than you could count still coming out of the cave. I watched Nim put his dagger in the big one's eye, and then get swarmed over by a dozen orcs. So I wade into the battle trying to reach Nim…”
“And he gets to where Nim was and finds that he had already made it back to the rock that Dunnagan had been on only moments before.” Ashur said, as Dunnagan turned around to see him, and then they clasped arms.
“Ashur me friend, it's good to see ya' lad.” Dunnagan said cheerily.
“Then what happened?” An old Dwarf asked that was near to the two as he eyed Ashur carefully and then gave him a nod of respect.
“Well, Dunnagan lets out a whoop of excitement, and starts to tear into the orcs, cuttin' down more than his fair share. Then he and I wound up fighting back to back. We fought so long that eventually we were standing with our backs to a pile of dead orcs, and each of us would take turns resting. Dunnagan's casting spells to ward off fatigue, and to heal the little scrapes we were getting…”
“Little scrapes! Bah, you put so much of your own blood into the ground that I thought the plants were going to grow carnivorous!” Dunnagan barked as he slapped Ashur's back. “And if it wasn't for all the orc blood tainting everything, you might have!” Everyone within earshot laughed.
“Anyway, Nim has been standing up on the pile behind us killing anything that comes from that direction. It's evening now, and there is hardly any light. Dunnagan and I are weary, spells or no, and we hear Nim say with finality 'Oh, I tire of this!' Next thing we know the world lights up around us like the sun had just come out. As if that wasn't enough to scare the orcs back into their hole, Nim let's out a shout that deafens me and Dunnagan, and
every Orc for thirty feet, and it hurt a hell of a lot too. Most of the orcs were running about this time, but there were a few that were standing back a ways, and then Nim starts to sing this haunting melody, and a lot of the orcs left milling about start attacking each other! Those that weren't killing each other must have figured they were fighting some sort of powerful spirit and ran off with the rest of their friends.” Ashur took a swig of the Ale that Dunnagan handed him.
“Well, why didn't he do something like that earlier?” The old Dwarf asked.
“You know, we asked him that same question, and he looked us in the eye and said 'It's all about timing gentlemen.' That's all he said... 'Course you have to understand that Nim's a bard by trade, and a showman. To him, the whole world is a stage.”
“That and you can never quite tell what's going on in that head of his.” Ashur said jovially.
“Aye, and now it's time for me to be seein' to what it is your huntin' me down fer.” Dunnagan said to Ashur, and the other people around the table took the hint began to go their separate ways. Dunnagan led them to an empty table in the back before he noticed Shawnrik tailing them. “Well I'll be a bearded gnome. Ashur, you got a young giant following ya there.”
Ashur looked at Dunnagan and smiled. “He's the reason I'm here. I'm going to take him out and teach him what it's like out there. He's not a giant, but he fights like one.” Shawnrik puffed up at this remark.
“Aye, maybe not a giant, but I'll have a theological conversation with a gnome if he doesn't have some of their blood in him. You got some giant blood in yer lineage boy? You know there's been quite a bit of interbreeding between your two races over the years. The civilized ones at least, not those ones from across the barrier mind you. I'll deny it if you ever tell any of my kin I said it, but it's a shame there, because some of them are mighty fine craftsman, even if they are all daft.” Dunnagan had taken on lecturing tone that Shawnrik thought fit the dwarf quite well.
Victor Deus (Heritage of the Blood Book 1) Page 16