'Find someone trustworthy?' Tars thought to himself while the Miccan family were in the middle of their discussion. 'That must be why I trust my safety to them. I will need to check this feeling whenever I meet new people.'
Tars took a few moments to look around and see if there was anyone who was not considered trustworthy to this feeling, this sub-skill. 'Is that a real thing? Or maybe several skills can combine to make a better one?' Tars felt like that was possible, but he would have to learn a few skills before he could test it. He wondered if the 'Virtuous Soul' skill was already like that and combined two or four skills. It did seem like an innate sense of how trustworthy someone is combined with the ability to sense lies, after all.
Most of the people he saw seemed honest enough, there were varying levels which he assumed meant that some would be honest until a certain amount of threat or reward persuaded them. There were several people in a group who seemed to not trigger the sense at all. Tars was unsure if that meant they were in the middle or if they were immune to his skill. They didn't fill in the quest for 'Unreliable' but that wouldn't stop him from being very cautious around those people. They appeared to be part of the same family of farmers.
There weren't many people visible from where Tars was sitting, and he was getting more and more uncomfortable besides, so he decided it was time to try standing. He hoped the food and water he had been given provided him some much-needed energy, even if his status still showed as 'weakened'.
He propped his sword and the map, which was once more rolled up, against the wagon where he could hopefully reach them once he was standing. It took almost a minute to go from sitting to standing, and that was with the help of a steady surface to lean against. Finally, with locked knees and arms hanging over the side of the wagon, Tars was mostly stable. He also had a view of everything going on around him. He almost wished he hadn't.
About fifty yards away, on the other side of the farmhouse, were a group of people mourning. Whatever battle they were in, not everyone had survived. There were some people leaning over their departed loved ones while crying, their shoulders visibly shaking even from here. Many were dazed, between the loss of their friends and family members' lives and those of the enemies slain most of these people weren't dealing with it well. They were members of a farming village, not soldiers. A hardy people, yes. Stubborn and prideful, very much so. But they were also usually peaceful and dealing with death was not easy.
'There!' Tars thought, his vision focusing on a particular individual. Despite his initial thoughts, the man he was looking at didn't appear to be unscrupulous and shady. He instead looked like a regular guy comforting a friend or family member. 'I suppose if he looked untrustworthy no one would believe him and he'd have to change his ways.' Tars reasoned. 'Blending in is probably one of the best ways to get started on that path. I wonder what class he has?'
There was a new sensation in Tars' mind, similar to the sound of a bell and a slight vibration. It was different from the steady pulsing of a new quest update. Checking his menu, he found a small square in the center.
-You have learned a tier 1 skill, 10 exp awarded!-
There was also a 'Skills' section that was flashing. Wishing to see what that meant, his mind automatically opened this new tab allowing him to see what it contained.
Honor Sense- A passive skill that allows the user to roughly sense how honest a person is. This sense varies depending on the target's situation. Some people might be very honorable when it comes to theft and murder but are terrible with keeping a secret.
Domain- Truth, Justice.
The skill description seemed far more vague than his impression of it felt. Tars decided to be a bit more cautious and not rely entirely on this new skill. Still, he was ecstatic to have learned a skill, and it seemed almost trivial. He believed more and more that he was simply 're-learning' skills, not creating them from nothing. 'That must be why I have sword and light magic skills required for when I receive my class at level ten, they are necessary for unlocking the right class.'
It sounded like a good theory, but Tars needed more information on attaining classes and the rules they follow.
The weakened man made it a point to keep tabs on that 'unreliable' man, but that would be a job for later. In the meantime, he saw the Mayor approaching.
"Tars, would you like to come with?" Mayor Kinton asked as he neared the wagon. "I thought it would be appropriate for you to witness the Vow and make sure everything is covered."
"Indeed, I would like to see this process," Tars replied. "I trust your family, but I'm curious about how this Vow works."
The Mayor grabbed the sword and map and stashed them inside the wagon, hidden between sacks of grain and vegetables.
Kinton allowed Tars to throw an arm over his shoulder to take some weight while they began their walk. Kinton explained that the Mayor's Vow, which was the skill he had, was a binding contract that was entrusted to the system. It was basically an enforced promise. It could punish someone for breaking a Vow or just end the Vow if certain circumstances happened. Having a basic understanding of how it worked, it didn't take them long to come to an agreement both were happy with.
After a few minutes of slow, assisted walking, Tars and Kinton made it to something of a shed along one side of this abandoned farm. It was stuffy, with dust floating around and the smell of stale air filling their noses. There were a few rusted tools and broken furniture shoved into a corner but a small section in the center had been made clear for this.
The three Miccan family members stood in a circle facing each other while Tars stood off to one side. He watched as Mayor Kinton used his 'Vow' skill.
"We three agree to not reveal anything that would lead to others believing Tars has connections to any Gods or Goddesses until he releases us from this or until he has voluntary spread word of his Blessed One status. Should we break this vow we shall agree to complete service to Tars for a year and a day or until we are released. Do you agree to the Mayor's Vow?"
"I agree," Umia answered without hesitation.
"I agree," Allevia answered only a moment slower.
"Then all are agreed under the Mayor's Vow!"
Suddenly the light in the shed increased as a glowing strand of light seemed to flow down his arms until the girls' bodies were glowing also.
As Tars watched the process, he couldn't help feeling like it was somehow flawed. There were weaknesses in the spell, leading to it being easy to break. From what Mayor Kinton had said, usually a person with a higher noble title was needed to forcefully break a Vow. A Mayor was the lowest rank of noble and thus it was easy to break, but first they would have to know the nature of the Vow the bound one is under.
Only a moment later and it was done. The lines of golden light dimmed and then faded. Tars knew the exact moment that the Vow was complete, but he knew it was missing something. 'If this is a Mayor's Vow, what tier of nobility is the one I'm comparing this to?'
When Mayor Kinton seemed to have regained his composure he faced Tars. Before he could say anything, the weakened man made a proposition.
"I believe I know a type of Vow myself," Tars said, "but I need to perform it to learn the skill fully."
"You want to test this on me?" Kinton asked hesitantly.
This was not a simple matter, Tars could tell. A misspoken word could leave the Mayor bound to a Vow he disagreed with. And that was if the skill worked correctly. Testing a skill could cause strange effects until it was acknowledged by the system.
"You trust me because of these Blessings," Tars explained to Mayor Kinton. "Others won't know about that. Despite the claims that I am some savior, people will doubt me and wonder why I'm really here. Neither of us can afford that."
Tars wanted to test his skill, possibly even improve it, but that could be done at a later time. His quest implied that leading these villagers to safety would be difficult and at least if they had a Vow stating his intent they would be more willing to follow his plans. This way allowed both, testing his skills and earning some trust. Tars was still frustrated at his weakness, so at least this would allow him to make some type of personal progress.
"Very well," the Mayor agreed eventually. His family was simply watching. Allevia with wide-eyed excitement, Umia with concern. "How would you like this done?"
"Perform the skill as you did before, asking for my assistance and protection in regards to the villagers."
"Ahh, wanting to feel a Vow first, very sensible," Kinton commented, feeling more at ease.
Tars pushed himself away from the wall he was leaning against so he could stand in front of the Mayor. Allevia came forward to steady him, earning a nod from her father. She would release him when the skill began, but she could help support him before and after.
When the process began once more, Tars paid as much attention to the words as he did to the feel of the energy around him. It felt familiar as it touched him. He hadn't noticed before, but the golden light began at the Mayor's mouth before flowing down into his body then across and attaching to Tars. The feeling repulsed him, and it took a lot of energy to continue the Vow despite the tainted familiarity.
When Kinton finished his portion of the Vow, Tars forced himself to spit out his agreement in distaste. The skill completed a moment later with a series of feelings pulsing through his mind. Tars ignored those, however. His loathing at the binding making him react instantly and instinctively.
"Tars, are you …" the Mayor began, his voice full of concern but he was stopped by Tars falling to a knee.
Allevia quickly knelt beside him, probably thinking he'd fallen from weakness. Tars was only partially aware however as he began to speak, his voice stronger than it had been all morning.
"I, Tars, swear to do my utmost to give guidance and protection to all those who need it among the Villagers of Immica." He then paused a moment before looking at Allevia. "Could I borrow an arrow, please?" he asked, holding a hand outstretched.
Allevia instantly complied without even looking at her parents.
Tars nodded briefly before resuming. "Should I fail to uphold my oath, may its might be given to those I've failed." Tars then used the arrowhead to cut his palm. Strangely, the blood didn't spill but instead glowed golden and floated up to Mayor Kinton. The middle-aged man watched in stunned awe as the golden orb suddenly flew into his chest before he could react.
Tars smiled briefly before falling face first onto the dusty floor.
He didn't see Kinton's awestruck face or the symbol that flashed on his palm of a pair of merchant's scales balanced on the tip of a sword.