„Well, that feels refreshing." Mikael said after he walked back to the entrance, sniffing himself. The provided soap was not of great quality, made of pig fat and some wild flower oil, but did it's job.
Emily greeted him again at the door, letting him through after another tall, muscular man got rejected entrance.
"Better. But don't cause any kind of commotion the following days."
"Why are they even settle down here? Aren't there better Inns? This was recommended to because of its cheapness."
"Did you call us a third class Inn?" She overreacted, faking her indignation. But quickly let down her facade. "I was told they checked out many lodgings beforehand, and in combination with our great location, passable food and cleanness they can easily secure their envoy here."
The laborers carrying the possessions went past them, bringing up the last of the luggage.
"They reside on the second floor. So just don't be too loud and be careful who you bump into."
"Got it. Whats for meal tonight?" He asked, hungry and tired after the day of work.
"All you guys ask me the same question... pumpkin soup with self baked bread. You can eat in peace, the important guests are in the guild, and will be for some time."
Mikael thanked her, and after eating, he sunk into his hard bed, clean and satisfied, ogling at his new backpack, already planning out what to put inside.
'I can make the content similar to Roberts and Diana's, they should only have the necessary stuff. Wonder how they are doing.'
His mind wandered a bit, and after thinking about them it surrounded around his future, after his job in the forge is finished.
'I quite like Boss Roàn, but if his assistant comes bag, and his friends son becomes his apprentice, there won't be enough room for another.'
He thought back to the moment where he buried his father, his friend Nina and the path of misfortune that had followed him.
'And I'd like to get some answers. Why we were attacked. All say it was suspicious, that there was more to it. But the me right now won't achieve anything. They sent many bandits, even mages after us. I have to get stronger, maybe more influential. But first, staying alive.'
He took out his card from his satchel like bag, dropping a bit of blood onto it. It lit up beautifully, the red color spreading in a wink, lighting up his face in a red shade.
'This card stands for my path, as a hunter I can get stronger, as well earn prestige and money.'
Pocketing it again, he laid on his back, wondering where his future would take him, what his missions would be.
The following days, he began his days early, wandering at the streets and passing time either by talking with Laurence and Horo, Emily before going out or also visiting Jenny once, wanting to hear more about magic from here, but for naught.
Then he worked with Roàn for the ordered sword, and also other, miscellaneous tasks like pots, pans, knifes etc. which often enough were made by Mikael alone as he showed his skill.
That earned him some extra coins every day, which he invested in his equipment that he will need.
He bought a sewing kit, two flasks, smaller tools like knifes and hammers, boxes with fire starter and many strings and ropes. His backpack was filled to the brim and could barely fit anything more, but for now he thought it suffice.
He also invested in better clothes, made with a foreign thick leather that was surprisingly smooth and comfortable to wear.
When coming back to the Inn, he sometimes got taught by Beron, and soon Mikael could read all numbers, use rulers and measures, solve simple math problems.
Beron began to show him also the basics of letters, but the amount, shapes and rules accompany these are many, so it took him more than a few days to make obvious results.
While his days there he never personally met the envoy that resides on the top floor, because he went out early and came back late.
Only that beautiful black haired woman crossed his path once, walking up the stairs and ignoring him completely.
He didn't got the chills like last time, but still remembered that feeling and kept his distance.
Another day in the forge, Mikael held his carved grip bound with leather tightly, Roàn the dull blade and heated it up with hell pit. "Ready? Hold it and don't dare to let go, or ya pay me all that extra money ya got."
Mikael nodded, steadying his stance, and Roàn pushed the metal grip into the wooden one, creating a tight hole. After another attempt, the grip handle went through, and a bit of smoke escaped.
"Done! Good job lad, just need to fit in the pommel next, sharpen up the blade and the customer finally gets her sword. Took longer than expected, but one can't force a beauty like that to take form." he took the sword, laying it a bit above the hilt in the Ricasso area. "And good center, not too top heavy."
Mikael also smiled, satisfied how this weapon turned out, and that every step along had his input.
"Exciting to finally see this completed, even if this sword may end up killing people."
His eyes got a bit cloudy, and voice dropped, but was quickly swallowed up by Roàn's words.
"Ahh, don't worry 'bout that!" he waved his comment away, as if it was a nasty fly.
"People can kill others with a stone, let alone a sword. It is just a tool, the people carrying it determine its use. As it can kill, it can also protect, or be used to trim a bush. Don't let past actions cloud ya judgment over a whole segment."
He laid the sword on a cloth that laid on a table, turning around and holding Mikael's shoulder.
"I don't know what ya did or experienced before getting here, and I honestly don't wanna know. It's your story, but take my advice. Go open minded through the world, and take sometimes a second or third look, as the first can be deceiving. You won't be here for much longer."
He took of his hand, taking the sword and carrying it to the whetstone. Oiling up the sword and wetting the stone he began the sharpening process.
"My assistants wife came over, told me he was on the path of recovery, soon able to come back. So we two have maybe a day or two before us. After that I'll confirm for the Guild how well ya did, after that our paths differ. But before that ya have to hand over this product to the customer, as well take the critique or praise with me."
Mikael felt his sadness well up. He braised himself before, knowing the day of departure would come. Still, leaving this big man that had sometimes mood swings or gave him undeserved hard work grew on him, taking a place he would remember for a long time.
"Yes, I will be here, Boss. It was my pleasure to work with you."
"Sure it was lad. I'm a great Boss." He laughed, checking the blade that produced small sparks as it slid along the line of the whetstone, Roàns knee jumping up and down in a steady rhythm kicking the wheel.
"You will get payed tomorrow, when the customer received her sword, 'kay with that?"
"Whatever you say Boss." He knew he would not be let down. As hard as Roàn might come out, Mikael never got the same feeling from him. Sometimes people would describe him as petty, foul mouthed or sulky. When telling others where he worked, they said that. No one questioned his skills, but his nature.
'They may have never crossed his path for more than a commission. He is a great, hardworking man.'
Mikael left the building, the sun setting and the streets emptying. Before stepping out a couple steps, he heard a voice calling him.
"Hey, you! Kid!"
He turned around, seeing a young man walking down from the shadow of a building.
"Sorry if I surprised you. Are you perhaps the buck that helped out old Boss?"
"Yes. Are you perhaps his assistant?"
"Yeah, I came to say myself I am better, so he won't need to take up your time. Hiring someone from outside is often more expensive. But well, who would guess a simple infection knocks me out for weeks. Name's Luke, thanks a bunch for helping him. I bet if you wouldn't have shown up, he'd just work himself to the bone, too proud to keep orders open.
"Mikael, and a liked working with Boss, he taught me many things and challenged me quite a bit. He is by far not as ill tempered many paint him. Hope you have recovered enough."
"I know, right? And guess I did , moving at least doesn't hurt anymore. Anyway Mikael, sorry and thank you, shouldn't have been easy."
He knocked at the door, not waiting for a response and going inside.
Mikael also left, walking back to the Inn, and after eating his meal, he learned some more writing from Beron, after which he sunk tired into his bed.
'Looks like tomorrow I will have to look for another job. Wonder what I should do. Maybe the reception, other hunters or adventurers can help me.'
He could thanks to the teachings decipher some words, but was short on practice and wasn't sure if he could read well enough.
'Maybe some gathering. Jenny said she produces tinctures, and the herbs grow outside, near the woods. There shouldn't be anything dangerous, just need a bit of luck.'
The next day he awoke with a tingling feeling, anticipating what the customer would say to their order and his last day with Roàn.
When walking down, he noticed the servants that ran errands sometimes for the envoy that still resides here preparing the carriage, cleaning it up and controlling every nook and cranny.
'Looks like they also have to move today.'
Beron, today early out from his slumber, drank some smoking hot coffee at the table, helmet laying next to it and chin resting on his hand.
"Hello Mikael. How aaaaaare you?" he asked, not hindered by his jawn.
"I'm great, Mr. Beron. Why up so early?"
Our esteemed guest has decided to check out our Chrysalis, and I'm part of their guides." His head sunk a bit, the bags under his eyes showing how little sleep he got. "I'm a guard, not a tour guide, dammit." He spoke, but quiet enough not to be heard, except Mikael.
"Okay then, I wish you an early end of duty today." he said, leaving through the door. But followed by the words:" Don't think we skip lecture today, we have to go over your shitty writing!"