by Kris Hiatt
“Treace lost his father when he was little, and on some level, both men were like a father or a brother to him, so he crafted wondrous swords bearing this emblem and gave each of them one,” Moff said, pulling his charm from his shirt. The waitress gave Treace a sympathetic look. Moff was laying it on thick, but she seemed not to notice.
“You poor thing, I’m so sorry,” she said.
“Indeed,” Moff said. “So he gave each of them a sword that had this emblem on it telling them that wolves live together and play together. Wolves are pack creatures you see, and never go anywhere without the other,” Moff continued. She looked only a little confused.
“It was his way of telling them that he felt they were brothers. Members of a pack that could never be without each other, even after being separated by the miles,” Moff finished with a profound look upon his face.
Treace wanted to vomit. How could she not see right through Moff’s attempt?
“And he made you one indicating how much you meant to him?” the waitress asked, catching on.
“Precisely,” Moff said.
“That’s a very nice thing to do,” she said, looking at Treace with slight admiration.
“Isn’t it?” Moff said, smiling a smile that Treace knew wasn’t in agreement, but only because he had accomplished his task of getting her interest.
“He makes it sound much more profound than what it really is,” Treace said, trying to bring the conversation back to some sensible area.
“And he makes it much more typical that what it is, so unassuming,” Moff said.
“You seem very sweet,” she said, getting up. “It’s a nice story, but I need to get back to work.”
“You are horrible,” Treace told him when he was sure she couldn’t hear.
“Perhaps, but you know it’s one of my better qualities,” Moff said.
“If you could call it a quality,” Treace said.
“You have your many skills, I have my few,” Moff said.
“I suppose,” Treace said. He hoped Moff would calm down soon, he wasn’t sure if he could take much more of being made the center of attention.
“The next round is on The Wolf!” Moff yelled, bringing cheers from the entire crowd.
“What are you doing?” Treace demanded. “You know I can’t pay for that.”
“Yes you can. You won a full kaden on the fight, remember?”
“You placed that bet, not me,” Treace said.
“Only because you told me to,” Moff said.
“No I didn’t,” Treace said.
“Sure you did. At least that’s what I’ll tell people.”
“Why?” Treace asked, not understanding what it was Moff was trying to accomplish.
“I’m increasing your fame,” Moff said.
“Why,” Treace asked again, still confused.
“Who would want to talk to some random new person in town, regardless if he is slightly handsome, because he is so very quiet and reserved, when they could talk to someone who is a master smith, a master swordsman, a nice man with a kind heart, goes by an interesting name of The Wolf, and isn’t afraid to show it?” Moff asked.
“So this is all part of your game?” Treace asked.
“It became my game only because of your victory, but yes, part of my plan. I thought of it only after arriving here and pointing out the guards,” Moff said.
“I’m not so sure that is the best approach,” Treace said.
“Who’s more interesting, you, or The Wolf?” Moff asked.
“According to you, I am The Wolf,” Treace said.
“Not yet you aren’t, but I can’t wait for the day you become him,” Moff said, downing another glass of wine.
Treace was lost. That seemed to be happening to him a lot recently. He thought he was fairly intelligent, but some of the schemes Moff came up with just didn’t make much sense to him.
“Listen. I grew up playing the game of nobles with my father and my uncles. I know the game, and I know how to play it. Better than my father knows. This will work, I assure you,” Moff said.
Treace did think that he was more likely to be befriended by people if they knew of his reputation and thought highly of him than he would if he just walked around talking to random people. At the very least, Moff’s plan would speed things along. He just didn’t see a reason to make as big of deal out of it as Moff currently was.
“Does the game consist of telling stories, or does it go further than that?” Treace asked, a bit condescendingly.
“Not all stories are real, but neither are they all fake,” Moff said. “Sometimes crafting a believable story is all it takes. Sometimes you have to tell a story that people want to hear.”
“They want to hear a story of a wolf?” Treace asked, still not comprehending.
“No, but everyone loves a hero. Some would say they need a hero,” Moff said.
Treace thought back to his childhood stories and supposed Moff was right to some degree. “I’m not a hero,” Treace said.
“You are what my bragging, boasting, and storytelling tells people you are. While you aren’t exactly a hero, you’re a curiosity at the very least, and that’s what we need. You just need to act the part.”
“Perceptions form the reality,” Treace said, thinking he was starting to understand.
“Now you’re catching on,” Moff said.
“I’ve always been a curiosity to people,” Treace said, thinking of his childhood and the many looks he received after he spoke. He thought Moff’s plan might work.
“Well, now people will wonder who the young man they call The Wolf is, and how he came to beat a swordsman many years his senior. They’ll ask, and someone here might tell the story of the wolf charm, which is true, and maybe someone will be even more curious to find out why such a kind heart became such a wonderful swordsman,” Moff said.
“You said you have very few skills,” Treace said.
“I do, but the ones I have I am very, very good at,” Moff said.
Treace couldn’t disagree. He believed Moff was on to something. He might not be able to make a name for himself as a smith right away, but now people would at least know who he was. Information finds the ears of friends more quickly than it does anyone else. Even more so when people seek you out rather than you having to go to them.
“Another round?” Treace asked.
“But of course,” Moff said.
“Did you even mean what you said?” Treace asked.
“What part?”
“The part about me being the kindest and the smartest,” Treace explained.
“Well, if I have to answer that, then I guess I was wrong on at least one of those accounts,” Moff said.
Treace knew he was deflecting, but it gave him the answer he wanted; his friend really did think that highly of him.
They had more than a few more rounds before Treace decided to call it a night and headed back to the Palace Inn where he, thankfully, had already paid for the room. His head swam and he knew he was quite drunk. More than he had been to this point in his life, anyway. He didn’t remember the wine in Kilindric being that potent. He wondered why but couldn’t come up with any rational reason in his current state and nearly fell to the ground thinking about it. He concentrated on placing one foot in front of the other and thought he felt this way once before in his life, although not from alcohol. He couldn’t place it, though, so he concentrated on his feet.
#
He awoke with a splitting headache to the sound of someone knocking at his door. He hoped Moff felt much worse, it was his fault after all.
He opened the door after ensuring he had clothes on. He wasn’t really surprised to see that he was still wearing the clothes from the previous night.
“Morning Wolf,” Moff said in what Treace thought was a disgustingly chipper tone.
“How’d you know where to find me?” He asked.
“You told me where you were staying last night, before you left,” Moff s
aid.
“I don’t remember that,” Treace said, wondering if he really told Moff that or not.
“Do you remember trying to talk the smith into letting you use his forge?”
“No,” Treace said, only half believing Moff. The other half of him was disappointed in himself for getting so drunk that he couldn’t control himself.
“Do you remember kissing the waitress?” Moff asked, smiling widely.
Treace closed his eyes, now ashamed of himself, and shook his head. It hurt miserably to do so. He knew he would have to make things right.
“Who else do I have to apologize to?” Treace asked.
“Apologize? Why?”
“I’m sure the smith didn’t appreciate my drunken efforts, and I know I must have at least earned a slap from the waitress.”
“Actually, the smith was about as drunk as we were, and laughed hysterically at your efforts.”
“And the waitress?”
“She seemed to be quite pleased with the kiss,” Moff said, giving one of his winks. “So did the rest of the bar by the loudness of their applause and cheers.”
“Oh, wonderful,” Treace said. His head ached and now he felt like a complete ass. Not only did he manage to kiss a pretty young lady, which would have been his first real kiss, but he didn’t remember it.
“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t have let you do anything that would damage your reputation,” Moff said.
“Doesn’t your head ache?” Treace asked, the severity of it making his pause in his conversation.
“Nope, I guess I’m used to it.”
“You don’t think me kissing the waitress was something worth preventing?”
“Absolutely not,” Moff said. “The Wolf is a ladies’ man, don’t you know?”
“I hate you,” Treace told him. At that particular time, he meant it.
“Hate me later. Right now we have to continue building your fame.”
“And how do you propose we do that?”
“Easy. We go drinking again tonight!” Moff said excitedly. “Only this time, more people will come to us.”
The thought of drinking made Treace want to vomit. He managed to keep it down with some effort.
“Why do you say that?” he asked a few moments later.
“Because I told everyone where The Wolf would be tonight,” Moff said, smiling again.
“I hate The Wolf,” Treace said.
“And I love him!”
Treace wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep. He headed for the bed, but Moff stopped him.
“Oh no, we need to get you ready,” he said. “Come on, we need to get some food in your stomach.”
“I don’t think I can eat,” Treace said.
“But you will,” Moff said. “The Wolf wills it.”
If Treace had the energy he might have punched Moff then. But he didn’t think he could muster the strength for a proper strike, so he vowed to save that for later.
They walked down the stairs, which took effort. His head pounded with every stair.
“Morning Wolf,” Red said, smiling broadly as the two sat on two of the stools at the bar.
“How’d you know about that?” Treace asked.
“You don’t remember?” Red asked, smiling wider.
“No, Red, I’m sorry if I offended you or any of your customers.”
“Oh no, I should thank you. After you came in, announcing that The Wolf had arrived, you bought the entire bar a round and made everyone stand and toast The Wolf, which they did since you bought the round.”
Treace could only shake his head in dismay, while Moff sat next to him smiling and even managed a little chuckle when Red laughed.
“How much did that cost me?”
“Four onner in total, though you still need to pay. You told me to put it on your tab.”
Treace sighed heavily and reached for his coin purse.
“I got it,” Moff said. “The Wolf bought a lot of drinks last night. The least I could do is pay for a few of them.”
Treace didn’t have the energy to argue, so he let Moff pay.
“Anyway, a few people followed you from your last bar and livened the place up substantially. The Wolf was toasted a few times and I made more last night than I have in months,” Red said.
“See,” Moff said. “Only the first night and The Wolf has already made his mark.”
“Is The Wolf going to be here again tonight?” Red asked.
“Sorry, but no, at least not right away. He is already booked at the Iron Anvil.”
“Well, suit yourself, but if he comes back, I’ll buy him a round,” Red said.
#
“Somehow I doubt the Archmagister planned on us drinking every night to get our information,” Treace said several hours later as they walked the city.
“As long as we get the information, I doubt he cares,” Moff said.
“What if I care?”
“Are you really that naïve?”
“I’m naïve because I don’t want to be someone that I’m not?”
“You’re naïve because you think pretending to be The Wolf is a bad thing.”
“We’re lying to people, Moff.”
“Lies that aren’t hurting anyone. If anything, we are bringing some needed excitement into this city,” Moff said.
“Like it needs us.”
“In just one night, The Wolf has two bars wanting him to make appearances. The only thing this town has known for some time now is the lack of trade and nothing but negativity to drown itself in. The Wolf gives the people something new to think about and hope for.”
“Hope. Right,” Treace said, snorting.
“It’s true, Treace. They hear about you and what you can and have accomplished at such a young age and they see that there’s more to this existence than the simple lives they’ve been shown.”
“You’ve overestimated not only my capabilities, but what you presume the city has or needs.”
“And you’ve underestimated all three. People may tell me things, but people love you.”
“Sure they do,” Treace said, unconvinced by his friend’s words.
“The smith, who refused your request to use his forge, bet a jin that you would win the fight against Primain. Several others around us that listened to you tell why you could beat him placed bets that you would win as well. It’s just you, but it’s hard to explain.”
“Finally, Moff is at a lack of words.”
“Don’t count on it,” Moff said. “It’s like you’re so unbelievably unassuming. When you speak, you speak without any bravado at all. You speak so matter-of-factly that people can’t help but believe what you say. There’s a quiet charm to you that you don’t even recognize.”
“You sound as if you want to kiss me,” Treace said, hoping to change the direction of the conversation.
“Joke if you want, but I’m telling you the truth. It’s time you came out of your shell a little bit and showed the world what and who you are. I can see it in you, why can’t you?”
“You’ve always seen more in me than what’s there. Maybe you see a brother, or even what you hope to do yourself, but you can’t live through me.”
“I don’t want to live through you. I want to help you live, not exist. Try new things, love, laugh more, have some fun, and please, please, when you’re as good at something as you are, have some confidence in it.”
“You’re saying all this to get me to be The Wolf?”
“The Wolf is who we say he is. I’m trying to tell you, Treace, that as your friend, I want you to grow up. You’re not an innocent child anymore.”
“I thought you said people liked my innocence?”
“They may be drawn to it, but they’ll leave as soon as they realize you’re still a boy in here,” Moff said, pointing to his head.
“So you want me to be an innocent, shrewd, sword master who’s a ladies’ man that still has a heart and likes to drink to excess?”
“Exactly.”
“Once again, some of those terms don’t go together.”
“Can you truly be that man? Maybe, you might, maybe not. But can the façade of the man exist? Absolutely. That’s all I’m asking for.”
“How can I achieve that?”
“Let me talk all the bravado, you act normal.”
“And you think that will achieve all the things I just said?”
“Yes.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“I’m the second son in one of the wealthiest families in and around Kadenton. I grew up with my brother getting all the attention, all the praise, and all the benefits my father would give. I spent my time crafting stories, believable ones that were mostly true, to ensure I had my place in the world. I convinced everyone around me that I was the smartest, most deserved, and most interesting member of the family. The only one I couldn’t convince was my father, which put me far from his good graces and I ended up in the College. Even after doing everything he wanted me to do. I tried so hard to please him. I finally gave up.”
“What makes you believe people won’t see through this?”
“The problem wasn’t with my stories, it was the actor. You are much more believable than I ever was. I was invited to many parties, the guest of honor, and while I could fool them, I couldn’t fool my father. I couldn’t play the part and fool him, you can.”
“I’m not fooling your father,” Treace pointed out.
“I know you’re not, but you get my point,” Moff said.
“I’m still not certain this will work, but I guess I could play along for a few days at least.”
“Yes, The Wolf howls into the night!” Moff said excitedly.
“But once I decide enough is enough, we’re done. No qualms from you either.”
Moff put both hands in the air, palms facing Treace.
“And keep the stories to a minimum. I would like to tell the truth as much as possible. The Wolf is a fake. Tone it down a bit and at least let me be Treace, you know, the real me?”
“I can’t help it if people like The Wolf,” Moff said.
Treace sighed and was glad his headache had subsided. He didn’t like the idea of lying to everyone, but he supposed nearly all of what Moff had told people was true so far. There may have been a few implications, but nothing completely false. He wondered if the Archmagister would approve of this change of plan. He didn’t agree with Moff that the man wouldn’t care. Treace just hoped it wasn’t a large enough of offense to get him removed from the College. He couldn’t fail his father. He pushed the thoughts aside, however, knowing the plan had already changed. He couldn’t do anything about it now. He couldn’t afford to rent a forge. This was his only option. He had to go with it.