After the events of the forest. Samuel kept travelling with Alsian until they reached the small town of Nar. For someone like Alsian it was just a small town in the middle of nowhere. But for Samuel who had grown up in a village, seeing a town with walls and hundreds of people going about it was quite the different experience.
Before going into town Alsian had made clear a few rules.
Samuel was not allowed to speak about his village or what had happened, he was not allowed to use his last name ever. He should just say he is a traveller if anyone asks. Alsian had made sure to give him some basic traveller equipment. A backpack, a knife, some rations and water and a set of better travelling clothes.
It was all an amazing new experience to Sam. Seeing so many people and so much business. Even the tavern they took a room in and the food that reminded him of home, but it was much better than most things he had ever eaten in the village.
Alsian had given him a coin purse with 10 silver, which was more money than Samuel had ever seen before. "Make sure you dont spend it unless you really need something important like food." Alsian had scolded him when he had noticed him looking at weapons and armor shops.
After staying in the town for two days, Alsian seemed to have gotten what he needed. "Listen kiddo, I need to continue my quest and I cant afford to bring along a whelp who will only slow me down."
"But I can learn to fight and help you!" Samuel tried his best at convincing Alsian from learning to fight to carrying his things... whatever he could to help out and not be left behind. "The answer is no and will remain no." Alsian put his foot down as he brought the young man with him to a lumber mill on the outskirts of town.
"I can make sure you get a job here for one year kid. Use the money I gave you to learn about what you need to make it into any of the academies of magic. Stay here build your strength! After one year you are old enough to make your own decisions make some profit take your time!" Alsian sighed in annoyance. "Take some basic lessons in sword fighting. When the time comes I know you can make it into a magic school." Alsian grabbed his shoulder.
"Im sorry I never made it in time to save your parents. It will haunt me for the rest of my life! But if there is one thing I owe your parents! It would be to not bring you into something you definitely ain't ready for!" Alsian let go of his shoulder.
After a small chat with the owner of the lumber mill. Alsian managed to get a year long job for Samuel. After thanking the owner they made their way back to town.
Samuel spoke up first after a long silence. "How do you really know I will make it into a magic school for certain? You said one needs to have affinity for magic." He asked curiosly.
Alsian laughed for a little bit. "Well, anyone can become a mage. With long enough training but only those who are truly skilled will become masters of the arcane arts." Alsian stopped in the middle of the road making Sam stop as well.
"I knew your parents because your mother is my cousin. My name is Alsian Fayt!" He looked Sam in the eyes. Sam could see the pain in his eyes because they reminded him of his own look. The pain of failing ones family. "So you and I are related?" Sam asked after a while.
Which made Alsian smile. "Well duh, you are truly dense sometimes." Alsian fake mocked him.
Samuel shrugged with a small smile and Alsian spoke up again. "Our family lineage has always been great with magic and I can see the traits that run through our family float around you as well, so I am certain that when the day comes - that you will be able to make wonders of magic as well! Should you wish it." Alsian said as he resumed walking.
After making it back to town, Alsian found a wagon travelling north where he bid his farewell to the young man. Knowing that he had left him in the hands of fate with a push of influence of his own making. All that was left to see was if Samuel had the greatness in him to take hold of his own fate.
As Alsian waved him one last goodbye and left him one of his many daggers. The hunt had begun again for Alsian - He had lost plenty of time taking care of the kid. So now he needed to begin his hunt almost from scratch again. When he had gotten out of the city he quickly tossed off a letter with a nod to a young slender looking half elf woman. Who in turn gave him a small bow and a salute back.
Where Samuel stood alone for quite some time pondering about his estranged relatives words, wondering why he had never actually met the man and he wondered how many other relatives he had out there he didnt know anything about.
His future uncertain and not really knowing where to start he took the following days as they came. One step at a time. Slowly but surely letting the grief go away one step at a time.
What shocked Samuel the most during the few days, was the amount of half elves and elves that lived in the town as well. The first time he had seen a half orc he had thought it to be a monster come into the tavern to kill people. But it was just a person - alas the unknown new world was scary but also extremely exciting for him.