"Gamel, we are not going in early. Do you want to ruin all the preparations that went into this? I know how worried you are, but they will both be fine. They know how to take care of themselves, they had the same training we did." They had all gone through an amazing adventure to get where they were. They all had their own story; their beginnings were all different but somehow, they had ended up together. For his part it began in a small town a year earlier.
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Herad was a town like any other town. It had its problems like all other towns of the same size. The rich lived like kings and the poor lived as they could day by day.
Radis was born to a poor family; his life was led in the streets like all his friends. His 'friends' or maybe fellow delinquents often would get him in trouble even breaking some laws that could potentially end him in chains. At an early age he learned how to pick pockets, something that would keep most of the kids from starving since their families could not afford to feed them and their younger siblings regularly. Radis was now fourteen and had been able to apprentice to the various shops in town for a year now, he had tried to apprentice to one of the smiths and that had not gone well. Next, he had tried the weavers and that just as before had been a disaster. He had tried many other professions, but he had no luck whatsoever. Maybe he was just not good with his hands? He was not sure what the problem was, he was smart, and people liked him.
The day was coming to an end and the day's pickings had been slim, people were being more careful with their pouches since there was not much coin to go around to anyone. Up town would be impossible to work since it was patrolled by many of the town guards and stealing was frowned on heavily in Herad, though this only applied to the rich area of town and not to where he lived. Anyone caught stealing would lose a hand and if caught once more their head, only the best of the best would try pick pocketing there, the poor may be poor but not stupid. In his part of town, you would just get a beating by the person that caught you, he and his friends had a few beatings they could count.
On his way home he stopped to admire a sword in front of a shop. It was not a great sword, but it looked like it was well made. Next thing you know the shop owner was yelling at him, “Away with you boy you are scaring away the customers.”
Radis continued his way; he did not have time to play any tricks on the shop owner, but he would do something to the old man, "Scaring his customers away indeed.”
“Talking to yourself now, Radis? Are you going to go around like those loons in the streets talking about the end of the world?” A laugh came from Fissure.
Fissure was another one of the local youths that Radis worked the streets with, "Don’t you have work to do or something? I know that Master Kratis is not an easy master.”
He had just got accepted as an apprentice to Master Kratis, a local carpet weaver, "For your information, he let me go early,” he fished something out of his pocket and raised it up for Radis to see it was a silver penny.
Fissure quickly put it away, "Where did you get that? Did you steal it?” Awaiting his friend's response.
"Of course not! Master Kratis gave it to me.”
Radis could not believe it, "Why would he give you that? Don’t tell me, I don’t want to know.” His home was coming up, in minutes he would be at the door, "Well enjoy it,” with a smile he was saying bye “You better watch out someone might lift it from your pocket.” His friend only smiled and went on his way.
His mom was in the front room, the one that was used as the kitchen and Radis' room since he was too old to sleep in his parent’s room, his little brother and sister shared the bed with his mother and father. He had a small pallet and a blanket to keep himself warm. It would be put up in the morning before he went out looking for work, "Mama, how was your day?”
She looked at him with a smile, “It was a fine day son. Any luck today?”
"No mother, I went to many shops, but they either already have apprentices under them or there is no need for an apprentice.”
His mother maintained the smile on her face, “It will be fine son. You will see.” She stood to check on a small pot she had on the stove, the stove had a pipe attached to it that led out to the roof so it would not smoke out the room, “Are you hungry? Or would you like to wait for your father? He should be home soon.” His father worked many odd jobs, at times he would work as a thug for a bar and at others he would cut wood to sell in the market. There was not much his father did not know how to do, he did not have much choice if he wanted his family to survive.
“I will wait for father.” Radis cared greatly for his father, he knew some kids that did not have anyone to call father and they would end up in a cell for just being kids. The door to the house opened and in strode his father, he went to his wife and gave her a hug, " How is my family today?” He always would say that after a long day. The little ones came out of the room since they knew that father was home, May and Herald the twins. Father let go of his wife and went down his arms wide open to catch each in one arm, and lift them to give each a kiss on the cheek, "How are my little bundles of joy?” He put them down and they ran to their place on the table. His father was a very broad man, he was strong his arms large hence his jobs as a thug, but thug is not the right word more bodyguard. His bearded face serious when doing his work but at home he always had a smile, smile lines clear on his face.
Of the twins Herald was the older since he had come out first, but they were identical at this point. Father sat at his place at the head of the small table. And looked at Radis, “Hello son, did you find someone to apprentice under?” He had a glint in his eye that said something, but Radis did not know what it was.
"No father, everyone seems to have an apprentice under him, or they don’t need one now.” Radis was disappointed not to have an apprenticeship yet, he had been looking for an eternity; it seemed, "Fissure was able to go under Master Kratis as an apprentice.” Radis wished his friend luck; he did not really want to become a weaver.
“Well son you don’t need to look anymore I spread the word around and a friend of mine knows of someone who needs a boy about your age. I don’t know if you will like your new job but it's better than nothing.” Mother was serving dinner; it was not much but it was something. She sat when everyone was served, "We will talk about this after we finish dinner.” Radis wondered what his father had found for him, if it was a job, it did not matter since he knew he was not going to find anything himself. Father thanked the gods for their meals, and everyone began eating their dinner. It was good, but it always seemed to be good when he was with his family. Radis was thankful that he had something to eat since others in the town were not so lucky. Dinner came to an end and his mother sent the twins to bed. She went to tuck them in and tell them a story so that they would go to sleep.
Radis father grabbed his pipe and placing some tobacco in it and lit it. After he was satisfied with the pipe he sat down and relaxed. Radis just waited for his father to begin talking. His father looked at him, “Radis you are old enough to leave the house now.” What was his father talking about? Radis did not want to leave. Leave his mother and the twins, even though leaving the twins was not that bad since they did not leave him alone when he was home, "Do not think I want you to leave us. The job that I was speaking about will have you traveling my boy.” Radis was beginning to like this job already, he would get to travel and see the world and have great adventures, "Your mother will probably not like….”
His mother cut in as she was coming from the room, "I won't like what Rob?” She did not sound happy, and his father flinched,
“Ah well my love you see, the job that Radis will be doing will have him leaving town.”
His mother put her hands to her hips, "Where do you think you are sending my son Rob, are you out of your mind? He is just a boy.” His mother had a temper on her, and Radis never did anything to make his mother mad, or at least if it made her mad, he made sure she did not know about it.
“He is a grown man now; he can’t stay by your skirts his whole life.” His mother was mad now and his father was not making it any better,
"He is only a child….” She started crying and sat down on a chair repeating to herself “Only a boy…”
HIs father got up and went to her wrapping his large arms around her in a hug, "This is a great chance for him to see different lands and he will be taken care of, don’t worry about him. He knows how to survive. He has done it here and you know how hard it has been on us all.” She hugged her husband back and cried on his shoulder. While he rarely saw his parents be this emotional it was nice to see, it showed him how much love was between them.
“A very important man needs a boy about his age, and he said he would take good care of him. He is going to be fed and clothed, three-square meals a day, more than we have been able to provide for him.” His mother was no longer crying but sobbing slowly, "The man will leave in two days, you will be with him when he leaves. You will meet him tomorrow.” His father let go of his mother and she went to Radis and gave him a big hug.
“Don’t you be getting into any kind of trouble. I am tired and I am off to bed, don’t forget that I love you my son, and we will be here when you come for your first visit.” She let go of him and gave him a kiss on his forehead and went to her room.
“What do you think son?”
Radis did not know what to say, he was a little excited that he was going to leave the city, but at the same time he would miss his family and friends, "I don’t know father, I am a little confused, I want to go, and I want to stay, I am going to miss everyone.”
His father smiled at him, “And we will all miss you. You know that we love you. Don’t think I am sending you away or anything I just think that this is a good opportunity for you. I hope you will make me and your mother proud.”
Radis knew he would, “Father, that is my intention. I will make sure word gets to you of my wellbeing and I promise to make you proud.”
His father walked up to him and gave him a bear hug, “Father you are squeezing the life out of me….” His father put him down, "I will take you to meet this man in the morning before work. Now it is time to rest. Sleep well my son for tomorrow you start a new life.” His father turned and left him to think about what life would be like outside town and away from his parents.
He slept well that night. He had dreams of great adventures, and of how he was going to earn so much gold that he would buy a house and a small farm for his mother and father. He dreamt of meeting royalty and of doing what every kid that comes from a poor family dream of, greatness.
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Morning came and his father woke him, “It is time, get ready we must not be late.”
Radis dressed and his father gave him a small chunk of cheese and some bread that he had bought the day before. They walked outside and darkness was just receding, dawn was upon them, and Radis saw the transition from darkness to light, it was great he did not know when the next time he would see it from their home.
They passed stores and many houses as they walked, they came to an inn and went inside, "Good morning, Rob.” Turning to his son, "Radis you look good my boy, you have grown so much.” The innkeeper knew his father for as long as Radis could remember.
"It is a good morning, Karl.” Smiling, the innkeeper led them to a table to wait, as he went upstairs. Father and son looked at each other neither taking a chair, his father nodding in encouragement.
Down he came with an older man in tow, at least in his later years, he had more gray than black but still a full head of hair. To some he might look like a weak old man, but if you looked closer you could see that this was far from the truth. The eyes gave it away, they were sharp, you could tell the man would miss little. He looked down at Radis and his father using that hawk like gaze when he looked at Radis. It was a little intimidating, Radis stood up straighter wanting to impress the man.
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As the innkeeper and the man approached the innkeeper introduced him, "This is Lord Artemis, he is the one that is in need of a young lad that can be trusted and can handle anything that he tasks him to do.”
Radis and his father bowed to the man, his father introduced himself, "Lord Artemis, Robert at your service.” Nodding towards Radis at his side, “This his is my son Radis, he will fill the position if you accept him.” Radis bowed again.
Lord Artemis went around the table and looked Radis up and down inspecting him like livestock at market and the buyer wanting to make sure he was not being ripped off. He turned to Radisis' father, “I will have him for the day and decide whether to keep him or not.” He fished out a coin from his pocket, “For your troubles, you will know tonight if I will take him on.” He started to walk up to his room, without turning around he called to Radis “Come boy.” And walked upstairs.
What was Radis getting into? Since he had found nothing so far and this would allow him to travel, well what else was he going to do? He followed Lord Artemis up the stairs and into the room he was renting in the inn. He was not sure how to feel, the man was very businesslike, while not terse he seemed strict.
The room was not big, but it was of a decent size. It had a bed that looked comfortable to sleep in, a stand with a wash basin and a small desk so that any kind of writing could be done. There did not seem to be much that Lord Artemis owned. There was a pack and a couple of items that came out of the pack, he seemed to travel light, he more than likely had a horse, but Radis did not know.
Lord Artemis turned as the Radis shut the door. He looked at Radis and thought for a moment before asking his questions, “How old are you boy?”
"Fourteen sir.”
The lord started to ask all other type of questions.
“Are you a hard worker?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know your numbers and letters?”
Radis knew a little bit of reading and very basic numbers but not a lot. He did not pay too much attention when it came to studying, "A little, sir. My father showed me some and my mother showed me numbers.” Neither of his parents were educated, they like many that lived around his area were poor and uneducated. They learned enough to get by.
“Since you can read some, you must know how to write some also.”
Just like reading he knew some writing, "Yes, sir.”
“That is good. If you go with me, you will learn how to read and write anything. Are you up for this challenge?”
If it got him out of town and on a great adventure, and an apprenticeship, "I am up for the challenge sir. Will you be teaching me?”
“Sometimes. At other times my staff will be teaching you. You must also learn how to handle a sword and some other weapons if you are to go with me. Will that present a problem?”
Weapons and a sword. Who was going to teach him the Lord looked a little old to handle weapons maybe it would be the friend, "Sword? I have never had any chance to handle a weapon, but I will try.” His father as a younger man had served in the military but he did not talk about those times, never actually shown Radis any of the training he must have gone through.
“That is good. So far you have answered all the questions well. Do you know how to ride?”
Radis did not, he had never been out of town itself and his father did not own a horse or anything, "No Sir. I have never had the chance to learn.” He hoped that it would not disqualify him.
“That might be a problem, but you look strong enough to overcome it. One final question. I need to know if you can handle being away from home. Will you want to come back to your home after we leave? I need to make sure because when we leave, we will not be returning for a long time, sometimes I travel for months.”
Radis did not mind at all, he wanted to leave the little town, he wanted to see the world. He would miss his family, his father, mother, and the twins, but he would be fine, "I am ready. I want to come back one day. I can handle being away from my family for a long time.” This was only boasting he was scared to leave, but he was not about to let this man see his fear.
Good, the young man would do fine for the job, "That is satisfactory. Now we must get you what will be needed for the trip. Come.”
The lord got up and left the room with Radis behind him, he went down the stairs to the common room and then out the door, "If you wouldn't mind leading us. This is after all your town. We will need to get you riding gear, clothes, boots and other essentials.” Radis took the lead, he walked toward the shopping district where all the stores were at.
In the shopping district one could buy almost anything, if one had the money, it would be found in the shopping district. There was also the black market where you could buy everything else, but it was probably not a good idea to go there.
A lot of common things could be found clothes, shoes, medicine, potions, food, and many other things. He walked them to the area where the shop keepers specialized in riding.
“All this area specializes in different things, anything we need we should be able to find here.” Radis led them to a small shop, it was not fancy as the others, but the locals knew where to go. While some of the more expensive places were larger and had a larger selection their quality was poor.
The shop had a sign outside the door that read ‘Quilis Riding Gear’ it was not a large shop but had a decent selection of things to choose from, what it did have was a rather large selection of riding boots. Master Quilis came up to his new customers, “Good day to you Sir, how may I help you?”
Radis had heard Master Quilis was a hard bargainer and shrewd, but he was fair, while there were other shops, Master Quilis was probably one of the better ones. Lord Artimis looked around before answering, he had asked the Inn keeper for the best shops around town and he had been told that this shop was the place to go, "Some good boots and riding gear for the boy.”
Master Quilis looked at Radis, took out a string and started to measure taking notes on a small notebook he had in his pocket, "Arms up boy.” Radis obeyed, “Scrawny arms but they got room to improve.”
Master Quilis kept on giving him directions, turn this way, turn that way, look up, spread your legs, measuring, and taking notes the whole time. When he was done, he looked around his shop picking items almost at random it seemed, “He is small, but I would suggest something he can grow into. He will probably hit a growth spurt or two and you don't want him outgrowing his riding clothes.”
What was the man talking about? Radis did not think of himself as small! But his remark about hitting a growth spurt was kind of exciting. He hoped the man was right. It would be nice to put on a few more inches. Radis was not tall, but he was not the shortest in his age, so if he did put on some height in the future that was great in his book.
After he had picked the final items, he put them all together, wrote some more in his little notebook and looked up at Lord Radis, “What I got will need some altering and will take me two, three days before it's ready.”
Lord Artemis shook his head, “We leave in the morning.”
Master Quilis put on a thoughtful look, wrote some more in his little notebook, “I can have it ready in the morning, but it will cost you extra.” He handed one of the pieces of paper he had been writing on.
Lord Artimis looked at it and nodded, "We will be here in the morning to pick them up.”
With those last words they left, “Where is the horse market around here?” Radis pointed in the direction of the horse market, “Lead on boy.”
Radis walked in the direction of the Horse Market. He was getting riding gear and a horse. How lucky was that? Maybe he would even get the sword he had been looking at the previous day.
The horse market was one of the places Radis and his friends liked to hang out for part of the day. There were horse races from time to time and some of the horses were beautiful and each youth had dreamt that maybe one day he would own one of those horses. Radis and Fissure had talked about some of those same horses many times while the Horse Master and his helpers took them out. There was a beautiful black that Radis would love to own, as a second choice there was a tall, elegant chestnut. Radis did not know much about horses, but his two choices were fine animals.
They got to the horse market, one of the young apprentices ran in, shortly after the Stable Master came out to meet Radis and Lord Artimis, when he got to them, bowing to Lord Artimis, "Good day my lord, by your look I can see you wish to buy. Please follow me.”
The Stable Master was a no-nonsense kind of man, he brought them to the first stable and started throwing out terms that to Radis were just nonsense, something about 16 hands which made no sense at all, horses had hooves. Before the man was even halfway done Lord Artimis shook his head, and they started to move on, Radis looked in and saw to his sadness that it was the black.
The second horse was met with the same shaking of the head by Lord Artimis, the third was the same and to Radis' further disappointment it was the chestnut. Same thing happened with the next two horses, finally on the sixth horse Lord Radis let the Stable Master finish talking about the horse.
Radis looked in and saw that there was nothing special about the horse. He could see that he was a young bay, it seemed as if the horse was just there looking out at the men that were talking about him. Nothing special at all, oh well it did not matter it was a horse and a few seconds ago he did not have one. Radis stayed looking at the horse as Lord Artimis and the Stable Master finished the business, he walked up to the horse, reached out his hand and the horse came forth and allowed Radis to pet him. Even though Radis thought different this was his horse, and somehow the horse knew it even before Radis did.
After Lord Artimis had finished, he informed the Stable Master that they would be by in the morning to pick up the horse and that he would need tack and everything else. The Stable Master was more than happy to sell them everything they would need. Radis led Lord Artimis to a few other shops after a long day of walking Radis led him back to the inn. When they walked in, they were met by the Innkeeper, “Lord Artimis welcome back, anything that you would like?”
“Any chance of a bath?” It had been a long day, and they had collected dirt, and grime from the dusty streets; it was not pretty, and a wash would be a good thing.
“I can have a boy roll in a tub and with the help of Radis here I am sure we can have the water up to you in no time.” Radis did not really want to lug around buckets of water but with two of them doing it, well it would be quick just as the Inn keeper had stated. Radis and the innkeeper's boy got the tub in and full in no time. Lord Artimis gave Radis permission to go home for one last night and say goodbye to his family.
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Radis was home before sunset. He walked in, his mother was cooking dinner and the twins were playing with toys that used to belong to Radis, his mother looked up at him and smiled, noticing he did not smile back, "Everything alright?”
Yes, no, maybe what could he say? Well tomorrow I leave with someone I barely know, and I don't know when I will be able to come back. That was probably not a good idea, “Yes mama I am fine, looks like I will be leaving in the morning.”
She smiled again, he was expecting she would break down and cry, but she just smiled, walked to him, and gave him a hug. The fact that she did not break down and cry proved what a strong woman she was and why her father loved her so much and why Radis loved her just as fiercely.
In the hug she told him that everything would be alright and that she was not saying goodbye. She let go, backed up and looked into his eyes, what he saw in them almost made him cry. Those eyes told him she loved him and that she was proud of him.
“Your father should be home soon, if you could set up the table and check on your brother and sister.” She returned to her cooking as if nothing was changing. This was the normal routine; Radis would set up the table while his mother cooked. He would play with the twins for a time until father got home then they would all have dinner together.
The twins were playing like usual; Herald was playing with an old carved horse with what Radis thought as a knight mounted back when it was his. His sister was playing with a doll that his mother had put together.
The twins looked up with a “Hewo Radish!” They were excited to see their older brother, the two were great even though when they called his name it sounded more like radish then Radis. It was alright they were learning, but to these two he would always be big brother radish, "Radish play now?” Sounded good to him, after all this would be the last time, he would be able to play with them for a long time.
He sat down and played with his brother and sister. He played until he heard the door open indicating his father had arrived. He looked up to see his father, the man looked tired, Radis could see that it had been a long day, but when he looked at his family he smiled, and a twinkle came into his eye.
Even through all the hard work he knew that when he came home his beautiful family would be waiting for him, "How is my family today?” With that the twins got up and started yelling, “Pappa home, Pappa home!” They ran and as usual his father bent over and gave the twins their hugs, after their hugs they went to the table.
His father walked toward his wife, gave her a hug and a kiss, “Sit down, food will be ready soon.” She returned to her cooking.
He looked at the twins, "You two go play, Papa needs to talk to Radis.” The twins were obedient when you told them to go play, other times with other things, well not so much.
Radis and his father stepped outside where the last rays of light slipped behind the horizon. It would be dark soon and the only light available would be those going home or taking care of last-minute things with lamps and the cracks between shutters all around the neighborhood.
“So? Talk to me.” Radis father was a calm man, he rarely raised his voice in anger or showed much emotion when he spoke.
“We will be leaving in the morning.”
Radis father's posture changed when he heard the words, suddenly, he did not look as tired, more relaxed as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He looked up at his son, "Radis I am proud of you.”
Those simple words made him light up, no matter how dark things could get he was sure that imagining those words coming from his father’s lips would make everything alright, "It has been hard around here son, your mother and I try hard to provide for you and the twins, but it's been a light year not a lot of work out there. And there is not a lot you can do either, I know how hard you've been trying to get an apprenticeship. I know you and I know that you will keep making me and your mother proud. Now we should go inside and eat before your mother comes and yells at us.” He smiled as he said it and walked back in with an arm around his son's shoulders.
Radis mother had gone all out and made his favorite dishes. It ended up being a wonderful dinner, even the twins were good and ate all their food, "Radis could you put these two rascals to bed?” This would be good, he would be able to say goodbye to them, "Alright you two bedtimes.” Each one grabbed a hand; they were even good at this with no arguments as Radis led them to the room.
Radis put both little ones to bed, before he could go, they grabbed his hands, “Radish go bye, bye?”
Radis had no idea that they understood what was happening, "Yes I leave tomorrow morning.”
They looked at each other then back at Radis, "We miss Radish. You come back and play soon. We love Radish, Radish big brother.”
He gave both a hug, "I will miss you too, I will come back and visit as soon as I can.” They stood there for a few minutes, they with their little pudgy arms hugged him hard and as he did in return. He let go and saw all three had a tear running down their faces. He turned taking the light with him and out to see his parents, it would be hard leaving this place, he would miss it so much.