After thoroughly embarrassing himself at dinner Michael had quickly excused himself rushing from the great hall of the temple. The guests present couldn't help themselves as they all laughed as he seemed to be thoroughly embarrassed. High Priestess was the only one not laughing, though as Cleric noticed he didn't see what he expected.
Her look was like that of an older sister trying to defend her younger sibling. She didn't openly oppose everyone laughing at Michael, but she did clearly not like it. She stepped away from the table as she went to go find Michael before he took off to go handle his business for the night.
Unfortunately to her surprise he had already gathered his remaining catches and gear and had taken off. She turned a little red as she found a wrapped gift just for her. She bent over picking it up and unwrapped it to find what should have been his prize for the day. It being the elegantly colored trout.
Her eyes teared up as she smiled. It was a fish, but it was one he was proud of and had worked hard to catch. "Oh you simple fool. I will make sure every piece of this present helps as many people as possible."
Michael on the other hand was speed walking away towards the market. The main street of cobbled stone was lit by oil lamps providing a decent bit of lighting. He smiled as he reached his favorite merchant looking at the closing work being done he didn't even ask before he began helping to put away carts and items.
It took until everything was put away a half hour later for the merchant to even notice. Looking at Michael for a moment he sighed clutching his chest. "Michael you damn near stopped this old mans heart." The merchant himself was in shape and barely showed signs that he was already in his late 40s. His average height only being contrasted by the fine silk blue robes he wore.
"I'm sorry sir, but you were packing up and it is only right that I help you. I have always been treated like family and I would be ashamed if I didn't help you." He set down the last crate before going back to his own items and grabbed the line with all the fish still attached.
"Well I would be wrong to not accept the help of a nice man. Your grandfather would be proud if he could see you. Anything exciting happen to you recently?" He organized his coin as he looked at the pile of fish with a bright smile.
"I made a friend! He's a cleric with this party of adventurers. They even said they liked the lunch I made for us!" His voice was excited like a child coming home to announce their first best friend ever.
"Well good that is a great thing. You should take some time to have fun. You do so much for everyone here with your kindness." He set out a few coins that would make anyone else salivate with the total.
"I only help out. You know it would be rude if I didn't you pay so much for my crappy catches. I wish I could bring you even half of what my grandpa did." He looked at the coins and sighed "I'm going to put you out if you keep paying me like that."
"You really aren't as bad as you think. I think it would do good for you to travel for a bit. You said your new friend was an adventurer right? Why not go for a trip with him for a bit and see if you find something new?" He still forced the pile onto Michael "and for what I get for your trout I'll be able to think of expanding my business soon so this is as small as a thank you as I'll be able to give."
"Trout? These are just some small bass. They might get you a few copper, but nothing to talk expanding off of." He spoke with the conviction of an expert, but in fact he was very, very wrong. The trout he did bring back while he didn't have the massive rainbow one he gave to High Priestess were still massive finds that most would pay a premium for as they looked almost perfectly balanced between meat and fat.
"That's what I mean Michael. You caught some of the finest trout I've ever seen. A night of salt curing and I can sell them for a small fortune." He smiled as he tried... and failed to lift the line onto the counter.
Michael nodded as he lifted the line with ease laying the fish out. "Thank you so much. You've been a great friend to my family. Though you said I should go on a trip? Is there anywhere you'd recommend?"
He thought for a moment removing the hooks from the fish inspecting each one as he could see their value. "I know you haven't been there in a while, but perhaps a trip to the sea would be good for you? With a party of adventurers if you went as a cook you could make the journey for cheap and still have money set aside for if you ever find that special lady." He smirked chuckling as he spoke like he was a father.
"Special lady? I'm never going to find someone like grandma. Who would ever fall in love with a fisherman like my grandpa? Dad and Mom were adventurers, but I didn't get any skills like them. The only close one is the knife one I got from grandma."
"Well why don't you get your status updated and we will sit down and see if you have more than just fishing and that knife skill. I would happily help you find something if you really think you have to work harder."
"I'll go tomorrow morning then, but for now... do you mind if we just talk?" He wasn't shy in the normal sense, but he never had a true father figure until the merchant started to as his grandfathers age caught up with him.
"Michael you know I'll always be happy to talk. You're a wonderful young man and it's my honor to help you on your journey" he pat Michaels shoulder gently. "What is it you wanted to talk about?"
"I wanted to ask you if I should go on a trip... an adventure? See the life my parents led. I know grandpa and grandma never spoke of it as wrong, but is it something I should do?"
"That's all? You should go where your heart tells you! I'll even make sure to get you some good money to travel on." He smiled as he reassured Michael nodding happily. "Just remember the most important trip is the trip home."
"Really? Isn't it really dangerous to go on an adventure though? I don't want to purposely put my life in danger just because I want to see my parents life."
"Don't worry about that. You made friends with a cleric. I have no doubt in your judgement of people to know you wouldn't befriend them in vain. You have an eye for strong people. You have been my friend since you were born, but you know I am one of the best merchants this side of the Emerald Mountains. Your friend Nick is even one of the blessed heroes. I know you haven't seen him in a while, but you don't tend to pick wrong. I've even heard you've put the moves on that priestess."
"I have not! She just is kind enough to not yell at me for my meager donations. I give her the best of my catch every day to help someone. It's not like that!"
The merchant chuckled as he nodded "regardless you pick the best of people to be around. I have no doubt you'll have an amazing trip. For tonight go have some fun. I don't care what you do, just go have a bit of fun."
"Okay I'll go have some fun. I'll see you in the morning." He took his coin for the fish and headed for the door. "Thank you, it means a lot for me that you're willing to help so much."
"It takes a village and you have one of the best to work with."