Chapter 11
“Hey Henkel, should we go to the park or see the fountains in the magic district? I hear they are beautiful at night.”
“Ehm...uhh...actually...I'm looking for a certain place.”
The two were walking down the road from the academy district into the centre of town. Right after meeting up Ru-Lan snuggled up to Henkel with a mischievous grin, locked arms and started dragging Henkel along before he could protest. They hadn't met up since that one time when she visited the café but they had kept in contact via telepathy. Henkel was a bit exhausted from the previous day and he had tried to do his wrist and finger exercises in the carriage to see if it had any effect in reality. He hadn't made an real strenuous activity playing yet and he was curious which made him do simple exercises while walking or when he wasn't doing anything important.
“Has there been anything unusual in your life that you came to see me in the evening? Isn't this time reserved for having fun with your friends in that restaurant or pub?”
“He He.”
She let go of Henkel's arm and jumped ahead of him stretching her hands behind her back and slightly bowing at Henkel looking him in the eyes with an even larger grin.
“I have changed classes!”
She spun around putting her hand in her bag and swinging out a gigantic two headed axe and placing it on her shoulder with one hand as she stopped.
“Ta-Da! What do you think?”
“How on earth is it possible to hold such a big weapon!?”
“It's because of my class. It's a H-I-D-D-E-N class!”
“What a coincidence so is my class.”
“What. Tell me, tell me! No, let me start.”
“Be my guest.”
[Cough, cough]
“I am a Heavy Charger and I specialise in wielding these kinds of weapons. The big and the bad. Be it Axes, Hammers, Maces or Pole arms if it's big and destructive I can handle them. I'm always the first in battle and the last one out. Be it arrows or magic if they hit me I still charge. Aaand that's basically it, there are some interesting details but I won't bore you now and I really want you to tell me what you finally have become.”
“I don't want to sound condescending but aren't those weapons incredibly expensive?”
“...Yes...I'm very lucky because the guildmaster gave me this axe but that's all the gratitude I'll give that PERVERT!”
“I detect a lot of animosity towards that person but I don't know if I want to know why.”
“Hmpf!”
“I'll try to cheer you up. Due to a few reasons to help a friend I made I made my way to the Magic District.”
“Oh, are you a magician?!”
“Something like that.”
Henkel then explained everything of his journeys from one Guild to the next and how he ultimately wound up with a hidden class.
“Just like me then. I'm the eleventh person on the Versailles Continent to get this hidden class and you are the pioneer... He who waits for something good, never waits too long. Guess that proverb was right.”
“Well Ru-Lan it's good you are with me tonight because I have some questions I hope you can answer.”
“Anything related to the game I can answer but my three sizes do not come without payment.”
“There you go again with your jokes. I need to know if you know of any pubs, restaurants or inns that have a bird or something related to flying in their name or décor.”
“I know of the Flying Dutchman by the docks.”
“No I think it has to be more avian related.”
“Birds Of A Feather (Flock Together) is the name of the establishment we go to party in.”
“That seems like a possible target, any more?”
“The last one I know is A Bird In Hand (Is Worth Two In The Bush). ”
“What is up with the long names, some programmer had to have been an ornithologist or something.”
“So what is it you want to know about them?”
“I think I told you about the quest I had before? The one with the unknown archaeological expedition. It seems the members meet up in a pub or similar establishment and I need to get some information about the expedition from them. They leave in three weeks time and that's the deadline for the quest. We'll check the Bird in a Hand one today but before that we go to the Information Bureau and try to get you the same quest.”
***
“I do not like this at all. I am under orders to let you come with us but do not expect to be part of anything as it's the young graduates final test. You may follow us but keep out of battle, looking at you I see you wouldn't even be able to kill a wolf. We are not like your kind and we do not enjoy someone interrupting our ranks. If you understand then you may follow and we'll show you respect. Refuse and you will still follow us, except that you should not count on anyone's help.”
Knight's training expedition
Follow the graduating class on their final test that will determine weather or not they become Knight's. You are to carry the items in your carriage to the destination and observe the future Knights.
Difficulty level: D
Quest restriction: You fail if you take up arms to help the students and if you die.
Reward: Closer intimacy with Knights
“I understand sir Instructor and I accept the terms.”
Henkel had come back from the nightly search and was getting his head chewed off by the young soon to be Knight's instructor, He obviously had something against taking a civilian on such a trip though with the explicit orders from Daniel's father there was little he could do. If he denied Henkel the right to follow there would be severe repercussions and he might lose his job or worse, get degraded.
It was a good day for travelling as the sun was just rising and there were no clouds in sight. They had gathered outside the the city's west gate as the south one wasn't really a gate you could walk through because it didn't block a road but it stood tall over the harbour shielding the city from potential attackers from sea. Four carriages were filled with different wares. Two of them were filled with supplies to the south garrison, one had food and similar necessities and the third one carried spare weapons and armor for the trainees.
Henkel watched the children gear up in armor, none of them looked uncomfortable as they donned the iron greaves, hauberk and other components. When they were finally fully clothed and they all had a stern face, a look of disdain shone when they were handed their arms that they were supposed to carry with them on the road. They would march fully clothed ready for battle with their shield behind their backs and sword by the waist, there were even spears and bows and the latter was carried by some while the former was stored in the carriage. Henkel didn't have to gear up and he was grateful for it. Whether it was because the instructor didn't care or because there were none that fit Henkel or some other reason, Henkel didn't know.
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A young man clad in steel approached Henkel briskly but with all the armor he wore you couldn't really tell gender apart from anyone there, little less age. As he got closer the sounds the steel garments chafing together made were definitely not an enjoyable sound and Henkel lamented the fact that he would be forced to listen to it for weeks while travelling together.
“Sir Henkel I presume? Excuse me but I have not gone to listen to you before and thus unable to show the appreciation for you as the rest of my fellow comrades. But I am most grateful for your help regarding Daniel, many of us were a bit lost after the incident no matter how short it was.”
“Then there is no need to be overly courteous with me, I only acted because I had the means to help. I wasn't even sure it would work so please say your thanks to the goddess of luck instead.”
“Already have Sir. Now to your travelling arrangements. You will not be wearing the same equipment as us because you do not qualify and you will also not be walking.”
“Then I presume by horse?”
“No, Sir. You will be responsible for the carriage and the horse drawing it. We do not wish for any non-students to come with us only for driving a carriage and there will be no more horses than the ones attached to the carriages. We...will all be walking. You are driving the carriage marked #3.”
And as abruptly he came he left, leaving Henkel alone to find his new mode of transportation for the next three weeks.
“Well isn't this a joyous occasion. I will have time to brew tea while we travel, that will surely help relieve fatigue. I just hope it won't be seen as too obtrusive in their training.”
At carriage #3 there was still no horse to be seen and it was a little confusing for Henkel so he decided to wait for a while and glance over at the other carriages, those were also horseless. With nothing else to do Henkel took out his backpack and checked his items as it was the only thing he was bringing with him. No weapons, leather armor or robes and he didn't even have anything to protect himself with as the only summon he knew was Satori and apart from being annoying it had no offensive or defensive capabilities. There had just been no time after Henkel had gone out with Ru-Lan in search of the bird themed inn or pub and Henkel also had to log out to continue his exercise program.
A few canteens filled with water, lots of tea leaves and herbs, a special pot for brewing tea, charcoal and a flint. He had divided his backpack and stuffed all items related to brewing tea into one compartment, food into another and miscellaneous things such as some parchments and pens, soap etc. Many things were necessities but the soap had been a personal choice as Henkel didn't enjoy having sticky or particularly smelly hands and it was a luxury to own a piece of soap as it cost a few silver depending on size and perfume.
As Henkel was busying himself with his things the sound of hooves and raised voices were heard a small distance away.
“Henkel is that you!? Well I'll be damned, this is some coincidence isn't it. Freya be thanked!”
The sudden yell behind Henkel made him fumble with his backpack as he quickly turned around to look at the source of the voice. Hyt'r the Tamer Henkel had the pleasure of meeting and dining with stood four horses and two of the demon dogs knights could hire. Hyt'r was beaming with happiness and Henkel returned the smile.
“Good morning Hyt'r, how nice to see you so soon.”
“I'll say! So you are a part of this little expedition Henkel? How the hell did you manage to get in, I thought this was a Knight only trip.”
“Oh it's a long story but I am not a Knight if you are curious. I'm happy that the horses are yours as it means they are well trained and won't pose any problems even for someone like me.”
“Don't be so modest Henkel, it doesn't suit old men and it's me that's supposed to be happy to have someone who cares so much on the road with the horses I've trained. You know what Henkel, I wasn't sure if I wanted to let the youngster take these little ones with them for hunting. I can see the confusion on you Henkel, I'm talking about these demon dogs.”
“No that's not why I'm looking confused, I'm just wondering if you can deny Knights rentals like that?”
“HAHAHA!! I consider all of the animals I've trained to be dear companions or friends and no one can tell me what to do if I do not see them fit to take care of them. So as you are going with the Knight fledglings, YOU will be responsible for the well being of my little doggies.”
“I will?”
You have been asked to take care of 2 demon dogs by Hyt'r the Tamer. If you return the dogs alive and trained you may receive some rewards. The time duration is between now and the time you come back from the Quest “Knights training expedition.” Do you wish to be responsible for the demon dogs?
Yes / No
“I guess it's all right to take them with me, since I won't participate in any fighting anyway they won't be in any immediate danger. Yes, I will be responsible for them!”
Raz Level 11
Demon dog raised and trained by the tamer Hyt'r. He is a juvenile dog that needs some extra discipline to follow orders. He dislikes working with humans.
Dwa Level 8
Demon dog raised and trained by the tamer Hyt'r. She has just become an adult dog but lacks the ferocity of a demon dog beast and is weaker than others in her litter.
“I'm grateful that you will take care of both of them. To be honest, I worry about their future in the pack since if they don't get rid of their weaknesses they might be killed by the leader of the pack. It's normal that some die out in the field but I'm worried they will get injured during establishing dominance. This is their last chance and if they don't make it back I will not blame you Henkel.”
“It must be tough raising such fine beasts and I'm honestly glad I didn't choose that path.”
“Yes, both kindness and ruthlessness is needed an- ...Oh I shouldn't occupy more of your time Henkel. I'll make this quick. This is the horse you will travel with and I hope you will take of her as well, my assistant will show you how to strap her in the harness and if you have any questions you can take it up with him. Godspeed Henkel.”
“Good bye Hyt'r.”