[The Blue Bull] Lessons Learned

[Razkar]

The walk back up the stairs was much harder than going down, Razkar thought. But it was gratifying to see the merest twinge of discomfort on Kevlar's face as the hulking man led him back up. That he managed to make even that minor dent in the walking wall of street-fighting muscle made him glow with pride.

"Kev!"

The high-pitched shout wasn't one of shock as it is of annoyance. Razkar hung back as a woman shorter than him and maybe a quarter Kevlar's size marched up to the huge Akalak and scowl almost straight upwards.

"Finished your play fighting yet?"

"Why, what happened?"

"We got busy, is what happened." She spared the Myrian a quick up-and-down look and cocked an eyebrow. "Hmph. Well, he's more exotic that usual, that's true. But we've got more customers than we have staff."

"We always have-"

"More than usual, then!"

"OK, OK!" Kevlar raised his hands in supplication. "I'll be there in a chime."

"Kev-"

The tavern-keeper's gaze hardened perceptibly and the sentence died on the woman's lips. Evidently she was used to having a familiar relationship with her employer, and his treatment of her showed the same, but they had limits. And he had just spoke, so...

"Alright. Just don't be too long."

"I won't, Jen."

The dark-haired woman stalked off back through the kitchen doorway that led to behind the bar. A crowd was already visible beyond it, most sailors, so apparently at least one ship had come in that night. The two remaining bar maids flit here and there, constantly moving, juggling bowls and bottles and mugs of ale and handfuls of coin with impressive skill.

"Busy."

"Yes." Kevlar says quietly, rubbing his face. "Busy. What did you learn, Myrian?"

Razkar thought carefully, but his muscles told him more than his mind did. That said, Kevlar's words were well-chosen. He was being paid, after all, and it was bad for his reputation if his lessons were not... useful.

"Choose battle right. Not hesitate. Not ever use rules. Not hesitate. Always kick down and use every weapon."

Kevlar nodded, eyes stern like a good teacher's should be. He uncrosses his arms and extends his hand, as if to beckon Razkar to shake it... then flattens it, palm upwards, and wiggles his fingers.

"Gold?"

Razkar gives him the rest of what was promised, ten mizas well earned and even better spent. Kevlar actually bit into one of them, something Razkar remembered his father doing, and like he did whenever he met one of these strange people, he found himself wonder exactly how old this Akalak was.

"There was... one more thing."

Kevlar's eyes flickered upwards, sensing something in Razkar's tone. Not that he's too surprised. People come here for more than drink, smoke, food and a good time. More even than his little "sparring" sessions in the basement. He wasn't joking when he said that word got around, and made a temporary home in his tavern. Whispers and rumors were sometimes thicker in this building's air than tobacco smoke...

"And that is?"

"You know... man would pay... give work for man like me. Warrior. Someone want to fight, pay me to fight." Razkar racked his brain and found the word he had heard before, the one he knew was perfect for what he was describing. "Mercenary. Man who want mercenary."

"That doesn't come cheap, Myrian."

"What is cost?"

Kevlar was a brawler before he ever knew how to pick up a quill and balance his books, but he's had over a century to work the angles and the costs of his business. He stares off into the distance for a moment, settles into his customary crossed arms and then shrugs.

"For a good name? Twenty-five."

"Ten."

"Twenty, and it'll be a good name."

"Sixteen."

Kevlar grunted, impressed despite himself, and held out his hand again. This time, when Razkar shook it, there's a tinkle of coins being exchanged.

"The soul of a banker."

"I not think so. What is name?"

----------

Razkar slipped through the shadows of Riverfall, heading for the gates. His cloak covered his features and kept his bruised body warm, billowing around his feet with every step. Even now he could feel the ache in his crotch and back, promises of pain that will blossom tomorrow morning.

But he smiles in the shadows of his hood, like a hunter with a fresh scent. Tonight he would sleep well, a new path open to him.

And a new name to use, one he repeated in his own mind like a mantra.

Haev Provedan. A man who might need him, and one who would give him what he needed in turn.

The shadows swallowed him when he stepped out of the gates, heading for his tent beyond the walls. Any watcher would have seen the tall, striding figure moving with purpose towards the blackness as if it was a friend... and then vanish into it.

OOCWill deduct 26gm and 1cm for the training, the drink and the information imparted

[Gossamer]

. Character: Razkar Experience: + 1 Interrogation, +1 Negotiation Lore: Never Use Rules, Haev Provedan Has Jobs. Additional Note: In the case of this series of three threads, you could have probably left them at two threads. I appreciate you breaking them up for me though, because they make things easier on the graders. As always lovely post. The whole series was piped full of very important lores. Its nice to see Razkar evolve. .