The argument never changed, and it tired Elies beyond belief.

“We all have our place in the world, and the Gods gave us ours. We can’t all go on adventures or fulfill some grand quest.”

His twin brother, Ayko, walked beside him, his boots sinking into the snow with each step. “That’s horsepiss! I don’t care if it’s fighting dragons or gathering twenty eggs for some nobleman’s breakfast–I want a taste of that life just once.” He slapped away the snowflakes dusting his brow. “We deserve more than this dull life of ours.”

Elies rolled his gray eyes. “If the gods wanted you to be an adventurer, you would be. As for me, I couldn’t give a damn about adventure. If I want excitement, I’ll get drunk as hell and have a wench on each arm,” he said, wrapping his arms around two particularly curvy figments of his imagination.

Ayko’s face contorted into a frown, and his nostrils flared. “Forget it,” he said, his voice even.

Elies eyed him momentarily before looking away, turning his attention back to the branches at his side.

Embririere, he uttered, wrapping his fingers around the low-hanging tendril.

Smoke leaked from his palm, and the branches shrank away, releasing several orb-shaped Peppergrapes from their grasp. He fumbled around his belt for his knapsack only to furrow his brow. Ayko, he thought.

Elies clenched his fist while his brother ripped clusters of Peppergrapes off their branches and crushed them in his grip.

“We’re supposed to be gathering them, you sod!” He thumped his brother’s arm. “Do you want us not to get paid again?”

“Piss off!” Ayko spat.

Elies grabbed the cloth sack in Ayko’s leather-clad hands, only for his brother to land on top of him with a roar of fury. Juice and nectar spattered onto the snow, staining it purple and green.

An enraged Elies rose to his feet and planted his fist on Ayko’s jaw.

“Son of a…!” Ayko stumbled backward, rubbing his reddened cheek. His golden eyes darkened upon throwing a punch of his own.

The wind ruffled Elies’ red, curly hair as he ducked, throwing himself into his brother’s gut. However, Ayko seized the back of his cloak and tossed him aside.

Clenching his jaw, Elies snapped a branch off a nearby tree and sprinted at Ayko, who held up his fists. He cleaved it through the air, only for his brother to seize his makeshift blade and pry it away. His fist then kissed Elies’ chin.

Elies let out a pained grunt and staggered away. The ground spun, and the trees zipped in and out of his view. He wiped away the blood cascading from his lips and whirled around, his eyes fiery and his pupils constricting.

He took another branch in hand and swung again, this time with Ayko’s meeting his own. Their ice-encrusted sticks of wood locked together, and the twins’ arms buckled as they pushed against one another. They fell to their knees in unison, their heads bouncing off one another in turn.

Ayko clutched his forehead, and Elies sucked in a pained breath before a sly look crept across his freckled face. Red Alma danced atop his outstretched hand. Firiere! he hissed.

Ayko yelped as several tiny embers crawled up his cloak. One danced atop his blonde, feathered head of hair as well. He cursed, chucking his cloak onto the ground and scrubbing his head with snow.

“You damn cheat!” Ayko shouted. He stomped the remaining flames from his cloak and glowered at Elies, who laughed. “Using spells to fight your battles! Bullshit!”

“I agree.”

A shiver crept down Elies’ spine, and he and Ayko turned to face the bag of bones adjacent to them. It was none other than Yarrow.

He stared blankly. “How did I know neither of you would pull through?”

Ayko ran a hand through his hair. “Because Elies is an idiot.”

Elies shot daggers at him. “Says the idiot!”

Yarrow shut his eyes. “You’re both idiots,” he chimed in. “The fact that the two of you lived to be adults says a lot about the gods.”

Elies and Ayko traded glances. “What does it say?” Ayko asked. “That they’re kind?”

“Merciful?” Elies chimed in.

Yarrow drew his thick eyebrows together. “That they’re even bigger idiots than you two.”

Ayko glowered at him. “Prick.”

Yarrow’s ears twitched. He swatted Ayko atop the head with his staff. “You’re the prick for dawdling!” His single eye darted to the flattened knapsack on the ground, and he pushed between them. “To make an old adventurer come all this way. You two should thank the stars you’re the only ones who’d work for me.”

The old man sighed and shook his head. Repariere, he uttered.

Red Alma flowed from his fingertips, and the stained sack lifted itself and opened. Drops of juice and flattened, bruised husks of fruit floated in the air, turning bulbous as the old man twirled his finger. They fell into the knapsack one by one before it fastened itself shut and jumped into Yarrow’s bony hand.

“I suppose I only have myself to thank.” He pressed his lips together. “But I suppose I’ll still reward your efforts.”

Elies and Ayko grinned when Yarrow rummaged through his robes, their faces falling when a single clear orb landed in both their palms.

Elies sneered. Even two couldn’t afford them a single loaf of bread.

“Tch!” He eyed Ayko, who gave the old man a black look. “What did you expect?”

A vein bulged from his brother’s forehead. “More, obviously!”

He lunged at Yarrow, and the old man stepped to the side, causing him to fall face-first into the snow.

“This again…” Yarrow muttered. He watched Ayko pick himself up off the ground, spitting several chunks of ice from his mouth. “Very well. If you can best me, I’ll give you two blue orbs each.” He held up his hand when Ayko raised his eyebrows. “But if I win, drinks are on you.” His eye met Elies’. “Both of you.”

The corners of Elies’ lips twitched with a frown. His brother never knew when he was being swindled.

“You’re on, you fossil.”

Ayko grinned. His eyes glinted beneath the moonlight. With a roar, he lunged at Yarrow, only for the old man to jump to the side and sweep his feet from beneath him with his staff. He prodded his forehead next, and a single red, pulsating knot protruded from it.

With a pleased grin, Yarrow twirled his staff triumphantly while Elies hoisted his brother to his feet.

“Come along,” the old man said, waving them along. “Those orbs will be just enough for the cheapest swill.”

Elies’ nostrils flared. He stared after Yarrow and then glared at Ayko from the corner of his eye. His older twin winced and rubbed his new souvenir incessantly.

“Ayko…when will you learn?” Elies asked. He grabbed a handful of snow and pressed it against his brother’s forehead. “He’s an adventurer. You’ll lose every time.”

“I don’t care,” Ayko replied. He walked ahead, with Elies matching his stride. “I’ll learn everything I can from him. And then… I’ll best him.”

Elies let out an exasperated sigh. He knew this was why his brother joined him in working for the old man.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“And then what?” Elies asked. “You think he’ll knight you or something?”

“He’ll make me his apprentice.”

Elies chortled. “So you can pick fruit for the rest of your life?”

Ayko frowned at him. “Don’t jest. He’ll make us both adventurers.” He shot Yarrow a glance. “After I wear him down.”

Elies clicked his tongue. The old man wouldn’t budge, of that Ayko could be sure; he hadn’t even left town since he and Ayko were born. Not to mention, he had a missing eye and arm. He had his doubts he’d want to venture anywhere else, especially during what had to have been the last years of his life.

He opened his mouth to protest, but Ayko ran to Yarrow’s side, his expression morose. The howling wind obscured his brother’s voice, but he waved his hands and tugged at Yarrow’s sleeve. The old man simply shook his head and continued with his slow gait through the wintry woods, leaning heavily on his staff with each step.

Elies matched the old man’s tortoise-like pace, taking in the sights while Ayko talked his ears off. The trees’ sparsely leaved branches shrank away with each step they took, turning to bushes while the snow melted to slush. In the distance were clusters of orange lights awaiting their return. Maywood was just ahead.

A smile crept across Elies’ face upon feeling his village’s familiar warmth. Lanterns hung from the frosted swaths of cabins at his sides, evaporating his chill while the spicy smell of grilled Coyolope made his mouth water.

People stood outside, some leaning over their railings, chatting, drinking, and smoking the night away. Even the children chased one another through the slush-filled streets. To think such an obscure village never slept.

Elies stopped in his tracks when a small voice called Yarrow’s name, and he followed the old man’s lead in turning his head. The young girl’s legs nearly tangled with each other when she sprinted their way, dragging her mother behind her.

Snot drizzled from the sickly girl’s red nose, and dark circles lay beneath her watery eyes. Regardless, she flashed Yarrow a toothy grin.

“Hail, Noelle!” Yarrow returned her toothy smile and held his staff in place with the nub that was once his left arm. He ruffled her brunette hair and fished the knapsack from his robe. “Peppergrapes, fresh from the vine.”

He gently laid the sack in the girl’s outstretched hands, and her mother bowed.

“Bless you, Yarrow.” The woman placed three gold orbs in the old man’s hand and scurried away.

“Those should have been ours!” Ayko huffed.

Elies nodded in agreement.

Yarrow rolled his eye to the back of his head. “Oh, quit your bellyaching.”

The trio continued their stroll through the dense streets until the tavern finally sprang from beneath the horizon. Smoke coiled from the box-shaped building’s chimney and an ocean of people crowded outside.

The sight was enough to make Elies suck in his lips. Such a crowd meant more of them were inside.

Elies followed behind Yarrow and Ayko, creating as many gaps as he could by pushing through the wall of folk too afraid to step inside. He immediately darted his eyes to the wenches that had packed into a single table.

“What the hell?” Elies wondered aloud. Even for an adventurer, who was so important that they’d all decide to take a break at once?

As Elies inched closer, he saw the mountain of metal they surrounded. He had a full suit of shining, blood-colored armor with two child-sized claymores sheathed on his back. His massive hand made his keg look like a teacup when he raised it in the air, the wenches following his lead.

Elies’ mouth gaped as he poured the jug’s contents down the black hole that was his helmet’s flap. Maybe there was nothing beneath that suit, but then what was he? Surely not a man.

The armored individual slammed his empty barrel on the table whenever he spoke, with the rows of women giggling at everything he said.

Elies turned away, glancing at the bard across the room, who also drew a crowd. She wasn’t the usual sitar player who made his rounds, but the source of the whistling gracing his ears and the prettiest girl he’d set his sights upon.

Red alma ran down her olive skin, and her silver bangs blew in all directions. She danced and twirled around as she blew into the tear-shaped ocarina hanging from her neck.

Elies briefly met her gaze, her lime-green eyes and slit pupils drawing him towards her. His cheeks grew hot when she winked and turned away.

He shot Yarrow and Ayko a glance, with the two having yet to push their way to the barkeep’s counter. With a sly look, he hopped the songstress’ way only to crash into the sole man making his way outside of her crowd of onlookers.

Elies fell to the floor, craning his neck to meet his eyes. They were cobalt blue like the armor encasing his chest.

“You’ve assaulted me,” Chestplate said. He sneered, wiping the red smudge on his armor, smearing it in turn. He glared. “I assume you’re willing to pay the price?”

Elies gulped. He looked past the glowering adventurer, scanning the growing crowd for a gap to squeeze through.

“Well?” Chestplate asked, folding his arms.

Sweat dripped down Elies’ cheek, but he forced himself to stand. He turned his back to him. “Excuse me.”

Elies felt the cold touch of Chestplate’s gauntlets around his wrist and slowly turned his head. His heart slammed against his chest, and his legs turned to jelly.

“Just so you’re aware, orbs won’t pay the price, and neither will an arm or a leg. No, you’ll have to reimburse me with something else.”

Elies wrinkled his nose. “I don’t swing that way,” he said, clenching his fist.

“You’ll have to drink me under the table,” Chestplate said. “Do so, and I’ll allow you to live.”

Elies breathed a sigh of relief. “You’re on.”

He rummaged through his pockets, his cheeks burning when he pulled out a single clear orb.

Chestplate sighed and buried his face into his steel-clad hand. “Very well,” he huffed. “You’ll owe me for this too. Barkeep!”

Elies nearly fell to the floor when Chestplate shoved him ahead. As if hexed, most of the men hurried from their chairs when the adventurer approached, leaving enough room for them both.

Chestplate placed two blue orbs on the counter. “The most potent stuff you have.”

Elies stared at the pair of blue spheres with wide eyes, resisting the urge to snatch them and run. Instead, he turned to the barkeep as he placed a filled mug before him.

Even Chestplate grimaced at the bubbling black liquid filling their glasses. An unholy mixture of Flintrose nectar and Blackfruit juice, or as Elies knew them, poisons. Fermenting them was the only way to consume such plants lest an agonizing death followed suit.

Elies took a hesitant sip and grimaced. His temples throbbed, and its bitter taste numbed his lips. He glanced at Chestplate, only to see he showed no signs of slowing down. He guzzled his drink in two gulps before placing two more blue orbs on the counter. The barkeep nodded and filled another glass.

Elies gagged upon taking another sip. Bile crept up his throat, but he forced it down. The side of his head grew heavy, and he tumbled from his chair.

Upon gulping down his second and final drink, Chestplate stood above him with a proud grin. “Seems I’ve won!”

Elies squinted his eyes. The adventurer’s voice had grown distorted as if coming from the bottom of a well. The music had also ceased. He could only watch the cat-eyed songstress race to the bar with a morose expression, to which Chestplate ran a hand through his bun.

“I wasn’t truly going to make him pay for it!” Chestplate argued.

The songstress turned away from him, kneeling and gently placing two orbs in Elies’ limp hand. She smiled and spoke, but Elies’ wasn’t good enough at reading lips to know what she uttered to him. He watched her until she disappeared into the crowd, with Chestplate and the man in red armor following suit. The three were a party, it seemed. Adventurers always were.

Elies grunted and picked himself up off the ground. He clutched the barkeep’s counter with desperate strength. “Adventurers can all go jump off a cliff!” he spat.

The clacking of Yarrow’s staff rang through his ears. “I better be an exception,” the old man said. He looked Elies up and down. “Looks like you started without us.”

“Not willingly,” Elies griped. He leaned over the counter, disregarding his chair. “I’ve drunk enough for several lifetimes.”

“Well, I haven’t.” Yarrow held out his hand, and Elies and Ayko slammed their clear orbs in his palm. He flashed the barkeep two of his fingers, and he unscrewed two bottles of ale, gently setting them down.

Elies watched as Yarrow chugged away, grimacing at what would have otherwise been a mouth-watering sight. He retched, turning his head, until he heard the familiar clink of an empty glass.

“So…” Elies began. He shook away his growing headache. “About our next job—”

“There won’t be one,” Yarrow interrupted. “I’ll be leaving Maywood for quite some time.”

Ayko’s face fell while Elies cocked an eyebrow. “Why?” they asked in unison.

“I owe an old friend a debt. That’s all I’ll say, so let’s leave it at that.”

Elies scowled as Ayko’s face lit up again. His brother’s eyes sparkled, and he grinned from ear to ear.

“Let me tag along!” Ayko blurted out. He was practically in Yarrow’s lap with how close he leaned towards him. He clasped his hands together. “Please!”

Yarrow’s face grew stern, and he pushed his face away. “I will not. You would be a burden. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Let me prove myself, then!”

The old man cocked an eyebrow at him. “And how do you plan to do that?”

Ayko set his hand on Yarrow’s shoulder, his stare unwavering. “Test me. If I fail, you can leave me here. Just give me a chance.” He sank back into his chair. “Please.”

“Hmm.” Yarrow’s lips drooped so low they nearly touched his chin. “Very well. Kill a King Wolfcat and bring me its heart.”

Elies gasped. A Wolfcat? He thought. He glanced at Ayko, who had also tensed.

“Do we have a deal?” Yarrow asked with a sly smile. “You’ve got three days to kill an apex predator.”

“Ayko,” Elies chimed in. “For the gods’ sake, just think before you—”

“You’ve got yourself a deal, old man!”

Elies let his head fall against the counter. “You dumbass.”

Yarrow gave a hearty laugh. “Best of luck, then!” he exclaimed. “I can assure you, you’ll need it.”