After two long years, I was going back home. I vowed on my master's grave, that I will avenge him. I killed every single one of those fiends who had a hand in his murder. Took me a while and I was on the brink of losing my life a couple of times as well. But I did what I told him that I would do. My master always used to say, "A man's word is what defines him." He may not be with me anymore but his lessons will always be with me. And as long as they are with me, he will always be alive. However deep inside, I still blame myself for his death. That is one factor which has stolen my sleep from me. Everytime I close my eyes, my guilt comes back to haunt me. However, that guilt is what has kept me going. It constantly reminds me of him, of my purpose as a hunter. That guilt is what has made me strong.
I finally reached the town of Brizark. The town was jostling with people as usual. Brizark was a small town. I came down from Schneider and went on foot. I needed some provisions after my long journey. So I grabbed some bread, eggs, vegetables, meat and a haystack for Schneider. We crossed the town and rode for another half an hour. We arrived at the hill and followed the pathway through the woods. Finally we were home. My master's house was a simple one. Outside we had a garden where my master kept all the materials needed for training. There was a small stable at the far end along with some blademith tools. My master was a skilled bladesmith. He taught me how to forge blades over the years as well. I am not an expert but I can make some good blades. I returned Schneider to his stable. Placed some water and the haystack for him to eat.
While Schneider rested, I took a bath and cooked some food for myself. The house was not a huge one. We had four rooms, two bedrooms downstairs. A small living room, a kitchen, a bedroom upstairs along with the library. The Library held the amazing tales of the great hunters of the past along with the information to deal with the creatures of the dark. It was almost dark. I sat at the dinning room eating the juicy meat along with some vegetables when there was knock on the main door. I put my knife and fork down, grabbed my crossbow and went to answer it. As I looked through the peeping hole, I recognized the face on the other side. I opened the door and welcomed the man standing outside.
"Thank you." Adam said, as I gave him some tea. I sat in front of him at the table.
"Got your letter three days ago. Came as quick as I could to meet you. When did you return?" He asked.
"Today. During the afternoon." I answered.
"I see." Adam said. "Well I just have to say this kid, You made him proud. Gerrid would be really happy today to see you like this. You were his best student."
"I know." I answered.
"Heard your tails as well. How you defeated the monstrous troll on mount Sterad. And the viscious ghoul of Anjelville. You really have made a name for yourself." Adam said.
"I was just doing my job." I said.
"I know." Adam said. He took a long sip of the tea and then fell silent for a while.
"How did it feel? When you finished it?" He finally spoke.
"Empty. I felt empty. I still do." I answered.
"Haven't slept properly in a while either I guess." Adam said.
I sighed in agreement. Finally he stood up.
"So I believe you are back in buisness?" He asked.
I raised my head and looked at him to answer.
"Who said I left?" I answered.
Adam grinned. "Good. Then I shall bring you some costumers soon enough." He said.
Adam left afterwards. Meanwhile I went to the library and took out my master's diary. He wrote about his hunts in it, since the age of fifteen. He finished his diary just before the day he died. As if he knew what was going to happen. He only shared some of his hunts with me during training. Most of the time he suggested me to look up the other books for information. My master was a isolated man. He was a very strict teacher but at the same time very compassionate. However he always seized to express his feelings much. He always used to say " As a hunter, we must learn to balance ourselves. We will achieve the true balance only if we learn to control our emotions and combine them into a single source, rather then just relying on each emotion individually."
Through intense physical training and discipline, he taught me to hone my senses and control my emotions. Those were some tough days. Even remembering them reminded me of the pain and agony I used to go through. But I am truly grateful for the knowledge and skill my master taught me. I sat at the library for about an hour reading my master's annecdote. I was too tired from my journey and after a while I dozed off.