Windport was magnificent city. It was built on hexagon plan. Each of six triangles building the pentagram had different inhabitants and purpose. Most southerly one was designed for royal family and royal court members. There were placed the most luxurious residences royal palace.
More on west from royal triangle was placed the shopping district. There one could buy the highest grade items from all around the world. Also there lived and worked the best craftsman and artist in city.
At the east from royal triangle were placed guild and culture buildings. Each human guild had there its own headquarter and library. There were also restaurants, expensive hotels, museums, temples, theatres and operas.
At the tree north triangles were placed less representative buildings. Most of them were used as accommodation for poorer citizens. There was also some inns and less renowned workshops. Most of people living there worked inside the city as servants inside households or low-skilled workers. There were also many thieves and scammers.
It middle of hexagon was main plaza. Whole city was surrounded by walls and royal palace had its own walls.
Hetman job hunting started by going back to information guild headquarter. Windport was too big for people to look for work going from shop to shop. That’s why most of the NPC looking for employs post their job offers inside information guild.
The board was filled with lot of different adverts, announcements and of course job offers. Hetman couldn’t decide which to choose. He not only wanted to gain money he needed to enrol for training, he also wanted to gain at least one useful ability like cooking or tailoring.
Offers as such were hard to find. Most craftsmen looked for workers with at least beginner skill level in their field. It was stalemate. Even though situation looked miserable Hetman after some searching found the offer which matched his needs.
He simply had to supply inn with meat. What made Hetman be interested in this offer was reward. It wasn’t money but “possibility to learn cooking skills”.
This kind of deal may look like scam but it wasn’t bad. This was because in Age of Champions one couldn’t learn skills by skill book. One had either to train by yourself which could take week or more to get skill or by training under someone who could give you tips which decrease time in which one gain skill to half week. It was huge difference in time.
The inn to which Hetman went was known for its bad reputation. It was not that one never know what will happen. Simply putting one always knew what will happened there. Brawls and thievery were the most common. Town guards didn’t even bother to stop fights in the pub as it was too dangerous and hadn’t brought any effects. Unfortunately Hetman didn’t know about it.
The inn was in poor state. Furniture didn’t look good and few people that were inside had severe atmosphere.
“Hello, I came in relation with job offer” Hetman said to the inn keeper.
“What job offer”
“From information guild”
“Oh I completely forgot about it. I need at least 30 kilograms of meat every day, then if you bring it you can learn cooking from me. For how many days can you work?”
“Only for three days, by the way my name is Bart”
“I don’t care what your name is” keeper said giving Hetman some papers “here sign contract and bring me my meat”
For what are contracts one could ask. Explanation is quiet simple in Age of Champions there are two kinds of missions: normal quests which are ranked from H to SSS and jobs which are not ranked. Quests are secured by in games measures but jobs aren’t and for that are contracts. If one break contract he have to pay compensation or he will be treated as a criminal.
The contract that inn keeper gave Hetman to sign was typical. It stated that Hetman will provide inn with 30 kilograms of meat for 3 days and have to learn from inn keeper cooking.
He quickly sign up contract and went out of the city to hunt. He had a lot of experience in hunting but he hadn’t too much time to fulfil today quota.
Hunting went fast but the preparations before took 2 hours. To get needed meat Hetman used his old tactic of luring wolfs to earlier prepared area. Like before he dug some pits, masked them and lured wolfs there.
This way he got not only meat but also some furs which he planned to sold. The bad thing was it took him too much time.
When he was getting back it was already 10 p.m. and he hopped that bringing meat so late won’t bring any troubles.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
“Where have you been lad, I’ve been waiting whole day for this meat and you are still supposed to do your work in kitchen.” Keeper said when Hetman entered the inn.
“I took some time but still I kept the deal”
“Not completely you still have to work in kitchen for me”
“Not work but learn”
“But as my apprentice and as my apprentice you will start from pealing potatoes in my kitchen. So get to the work.”
“What?!”
“You signed the contract and I assume you can read so it shouldn’t be so shocking for you. There is clearly said you have to learn from me for three days.”
Hetman took out his copy of contract and once again read it. For his bad luck inn keeper was telling the truth. He didn’t have choice if he didn’t work he would had to pay repercussions.
“And now if you could simply go to the kitchen and start your learning I would be delighted. Eh you where do you think you are taking out this sword.” inn keeper said taking out bat and walking toward some commotion inside the inn.
Hetman without the choice went to the kitchen. It was small room with one window from witch one could see small upkeep garden. Near the window was chair and bucket with potatoes.
Hetman took some knife which and started pealing vegetables. Of course he was doing it left-handed. He was training his left hand for almost 2 month in game time and his abilities with it rose.
In that kind of manner Hetman spend the next 3 days. At first he was furious at inn keeper for tricking him but after some thoughts he didn’t see it as the worst thing that could happened to him.
Even if Hetman didn’t have too much free will to act he still was doing what he planned to do. He was learning some skill from inn keeper and earned money by sealing furs. He didn’t earn fortune but 2,5 silver per day was enough for him to gather 13,5 silver before the day of training starts.
Hetman was guessing that innkeeper was retired soldier. This assumption came from innkeeper fighting skills which were often put to test by fights inside bar and stories of grand battles which he often was telling but hetman wasn’t 100% sure as inn keeper never confirmed this.
Finally when Hetman contract ended he had enough money to pay for training at explorer guild. Unfortunately it turned out he didn’t spend enough time inside the kitchen to earn cooking skill.
“So you are going to join explorer guild” Inn keeper said
“Yes it seems they are most suitable for me. At least according to information guild.” Answered Hetman. He after work in
inn had more respect toward inn keeper.
“Information guild rarely makes mistakes and from the way you were hunting I see their advice is good. I will for free give you my own advice, during war if you fight against stronger enemy the most efficient strategy is guerrilla warfare. As you will get explorer class your close combat skills won’t be as good as people with combat classes. You should use every advantage you have and your biggest advantage for you as explorer will be the terrain so learn to use it as well as you can.
Now get out of my inn if don’t won’t anything”
“Ok thank you sir”
Hetman went to the main plaza to refiled his canteen and bought some hardtacks. He also bought few meters of rope. After this shopping he had 11 silver and went straight to the explorer guild.
“Hello I would like to sign up to the guild” Hetman said as he entered explorer guild
“Of course. You have to pay 10 silver training fee and go through that door.” The man said pointing the doors at the end of hallway
Hetman quickly put the money at the desk and took receipt which confirms that he paid the fee.
He was just about to enter through the door when he heard similar conversation to the one he had just a second ago. He turned around and saw somebody else was also signing up to the explorer guild.
The man he saw carried small axe and except that wore only the beginner cloths. Only after he had finished formalities with receptionist and come closer Hetman realized that the men was easily exceeded 2 meters and 10 centimetres and what Hetman took as small axe turned out to be huge two handed one.
“Hello. You also sign up for training?” the giant asked
“Yes my name is Hetman”
“I am Metar, so are we walking in or are you so shocked about my height”
“Yes let’s enter”