Joe smiled at that then bowed his head, “But I hope I hold my danger sheathed so as not to harm others.”

“Hmm… I do not know… you cut me quite deep today.”

Joe nodded, “Knowledge is often described as a sword amongst my people.”

Gwenvair nodded, “I can see such.”

“Was it too much?” Joe asked, this time letting his uncertainty shine through for a bit. Gwenvair smiled at that and took a bit of time to offer a thoughtful reply.

“It is good to see that you… are not so certain.”

Joe smiled, “My people have learned that knowledge is dangerous and can be … quite disruptive. But while we know that, we have not truly understood what the consequences can be. You are right. These are dangerous ideas, so be very cautious with them.”

Gwenvair actually seemed relieved to hear that and nodded, “It… helps me to hear it.”

Joe nodded, “I’m glad that I was able to offer some comfort. And if you need, bounce your ideas off me.”

Gwenvair nodded politely then paused in confusion with his last statement, “Bounce… ideas? Strange… you mean to speak with you to explore my ideas?”

Joe smiled, “Yes, that is the meaning.”

Gwenvair giggled, “It is a good saying.”

Joe nodded, “I glad I could make you laugh.”

Gwenvair’s smile soured, “I think you almost caused me death more than joy.”

Joe laughed at that, “I’ve had good teachers do the same to me as well.”

“You claim to be a good teacher?”

Joe laughed again and shook his head, “Well, you’ve gotten quite comfortable.”

“It’s either that or I run home in tears.”

Joe’s laughter quieted and he smiled softly, “I hope it isn’t that bad.”

Gwenvair’s smile was honest in reply and she shook her head softly, “No. It… it isn’t that bad. It was surprising, but not that bad.”

“Good. But… you still haven’t told me how to become a noble.”

“Ah!” Gwenvair was slightly taken aback in surprise before she blushed slightly and quickly replied, “I apologize. But, it is quite easy. You must be appointed to nobility.”

“Ah,” Joe replied, struggling to keep his disappointment hidden, “There is no other way?”

Gwenvair snorted, “Always the rumors with you. There is one other rumored way. Offer great military service to your king and you will be appointed nobility by the system itself.”

It was Joes turn to snort in reply and he rolled his eyes, “So… still needing special appointment.”

Gwenvair smiled, “Yes.”

“Alright. Alright. I’ll stop asking for rumors.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“You know me already!”

Gwenvair snorted and rolled her eyes right back at Joe.

Joe sighed, “Then, let’s move on.”

“Certainly. We can move on to Loki, if you wish.”

“Actually, that is a topic I’m pretty interested in. I know almost nothing of the religion or temples.”

“Then, you have not heard of him before?” Gwenvair’s curiously asked.

Joe replied, “My people have myths of the various gods and goddess. One of them we know is Loki, but beyond knowing the name and some stories, little is known amongst our people. What is known is that he is a trickster and not trustworthy.”

Gwenvair smiled at that and nodded, "You have the right of it, although he is no different than most other gods and goddesses who sometimes amuse themselves with mortals. In the end, Loki is no different than other gods or goddesses despite the other temples’s propaganda against Loki and his clergy. He was painted as an apostate with a suitable excuse that would be acceptable to the people.

“However, the temples were jealous of Loki’s great fame amongst the adventurer’s and nobility. Both sought out Loki’s blessings and clergy in their pursuit of power and wealth as Loki gave great benefit to growth and seeking power and wealth in the depths of dungeons or in hunting the monsters of the field. Loki is only taboo because of the other temples. That said, speak nothing of this. You may not fear a small clan such as ours, but the entire might of all the temples may be too great for you to accept!”

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Joe nodded his head in thanks, “I’m grateful for the advice. I will do so. Then, are there no more clergy of Loki?”

Gwenvair frowned, “The temples claim there are none left. For you to find any would be… likely impossible. You cannot call for any without gaining the ire of the temples nor will any Loki clergy reveal themselves for fear of a trap or being targeted by the temples as well.”

Joe nodded at that, smiling, “Then, this seems too… simple for it to be so taboo?”

Gwenvair smiled at that, chuckling a little, “History is colored as the victor chooses.”

Joe laughed at that, “My people have a similar saying. Are there any rumors or other details?”

Gwenvair’s smile fell, “You enjoy rumors.”

Joe smiled, “As you said, history is colored? By the victor?”

Gwenvair’s smile returned, “History is colored as the victor chooses.”

“Ah, yes. As you just said, accepted history is proclaimed by the victor, but rumors reveal the truth… sometimes.”

“I… like that. Is that a saying of your people?”

Joe smirked and looked away in embarrassment, “Actually, no. I just made it up now. But, I think it can hold a nugget of truth.”

Gwenvair’s eyebrows jumped and her smile grew again, “Nugget of truth. Your language is wonderful!”

“Haha. Thanks! But, if you are willing. Rumors?’

Gwenvair’s smile did not fall but she shifted and somehow portrayed a more serious demeanor, “Rumors. Of course. There are many rumors. If the victors are coloring history, then the victors in this story are the temples. So, any rumors against the temples… hmm… there are not many. Mm…”

Gwenvair fell silent for almost five minutes and Joe allowed the moment, especially considering that he was asking a bit deeper and as an information broker, he could understand not wanting to offer unfounded rumors. And in this case, accepted known fact had already been established for some time, so … when everyone’s absolutely certain of the truth, no one digs.

Gwenvair took a deep breath when she returned her focus to Joe, “There truly aren’t many rumors. Some stories of sacking the Loki temples or stealing the temples’ wealth but any should realize claiming of spoils is the norm. One interesting rumor, is of escaped priests and leadership; that the faith continues on in secret. The temples vehemently deny this, but… who can say this. Hmm… some truly insane rumors are that Loki offended the heavens, or Loki stole various lovers of the other gods or goddesses, or that all the gods and goddesses were sent after Loki, or Loki is an infernal demon stealing the souls of others for his own gain. Just… stories with no foundation and no source to verify. Who can speak to the gods of rumors? Who would dare to?

The last sentence gave pause to Joe and he realized just how true that would be. If the gods and goddesses are real, how’s anyone going to investigate? ‘Excuse me Mimir, did Loki steal your lover? Ah.. ahh! Eros… was Loki the one that put your favorite ‘toy’ on display in the market? Or they’re not real at all and it’s all just pantheon politics of the most mundane kind in the various temples. Joe’s smirk was deformed by the simultaneous frown at the dead end he’d found himself in and he turned back to Gwenvair.

“That… makes a lot of sense.”

“I have truly… tried to offer only the best of information.”

“Of course, but knowing all information can be vital. Regardless, I do thank you for separating out the good from the bad as you have.”

Gwenvair offered a subtle shrug of her shoulders with that as she smiled, “Let us continue, then. As for jobs, there is much I can teach but it is… a broad topic. So, too, are titles and skills. How about an exchange of question and answer as this topic is … too broad for me to offer an exhaustive explanation.”

Joe thought for a bit before nodding, “I’m fine with that. But also ask you to not hide knowledge from me. Assume I am a child and need to be taught everything.”

Gwenvair laughed at that and nodded, “I can do this.”

“Nice. Then… maybe start with a general overview before we continue?”

Gwenvair nodded, “Then… let us do skills first. Skills are related to jobs, from what is mostly known, although there are certain skills which have been to known to come to be that seem to be unrelated to jobs, however those are only rumors. Some skills, as you said before, seem to be growth skills, capable of being used once a person takes that job. After, if the person changes jobs, they keep that skill. But, another aspect of the skills are that they can grow, but they only grow if the person uses the job that came with the skill.”

Joe nodded, having noticed that his skills seemed to stagnate when he didn’t have the job. They did grow while was using the job, but did not do so otherwise, as what happened with his bow and cudgel. All seems to match up nicely, system help, my experience... her info... makes sense... He gestured for Gwenvair to continue.

She nodded and moved on, “Skills give abilities and predominately simply that ability and no more. Those who put effort into growing the skills, and it usually requires effort that lasts a life time, have proven that skills can become greater with time. Of course, this is only for growth skills. Mostly, growth skills exist among combat, crafting, and magician classes, although there are a few amongst the priest jobs as well. Almost all other jobs lack growth skills. Otherwise, the skills are immediate and simple in their use.”

Gwenvair had obviously completed her basic introduction, so Joe began his questions, “Is there any ability to turn a normal skill into a growth skill?”

Gwenvair stiffened slightly, enough that Joe recognized it but she recovered quickly enough, “No.”

Joe narrowed his eyes and then relaxed, sitting back but hyper focused on Gwenvair, “The nobles know some very interesting things.”

She once again reacted, micro stiffening in her face and hands, but she did not move or say anything, although the edges of her lips paled slightly and a quivering around her eyes as the corners flinched. She remained silent and Joe stared at her for a bit before realization washed over him. Although, it was a leap to a completely unsupported assumption, he was so certain of his conclusion that he settled back into his seat.

“I wish to digress from this topic to another… conclusion. A discussion on clans and nobles. Could you tell me what a noble or clan is?”

Gwenvair’s relief was palpable, leaping on the new topic immediately, “A clan is a great family who sets, maintains, protects, and keeps the people, law, and justice in an area. They maintain law and order, protecting against incursions for the benefit of those living in the area.”

Joe nodded, gesturing her to continue.

“A noble is a member of a clan.”

Joe smiled at that, laughing at the simple definition but then nodded and continued questioning, “Does every member of a clan create, set, and maintain law and justice, or protect and defend against incursions?”

“No. Some only do parts of such things.”

“Are there some who do not do any of these things, yet are still nobles?”

She cocked her head, confused and Joe took her confusion to explain.

“I mean what about the members of a clan who do not have anything to do with law and justice, or protecting and defending. Maybe some of them are cooks. They do not make or defend laws or the land. Are they still nobles?”

She smiled at that, nodding, “Yes, but they still defend the land.”

“In moments of emergency. They are not guards defending daily or regularly.”

“No.”

“Ah. Then. Anyone who is a member of a family which has the capability to defend a region, maintain peace, create and enforce laws, and join the defending force if an incursion occurs is considered nobility?”