Ozlo woke up, climbed out of bed, and went downstairs for breakfast. "Boy, just in time. Take a seat." Burgin gestured to one of the chairs and Ozlo slid into place.

"Alright, I've been discussing things with Boyd and we think it's time. Time for you to get some hands on experience. You and your CDF friends are going on an expedition. A small one. To get some experience, how does that sound?"

Ozlo, unsure of what he meant just looked at Burgin a bit confused. "Ahh. I should probably explain, an expedition is a hunt. You and the other lads will be killing goblins or kobolds or slimes or something. Boyd just wants to make sure that you aren't going to run away at the first sign of trouble."

Ozlo perked up, looking at his master excitedly. "Wait, real monsters? With like, real shards and the chance to get a card and and-

Burgins grin continued to grow as he watched his apprentice's face brighten. "Ah lad, calm down, calm down. It's not as fantastical as those story books you've been reading. Ahem, you and the CDF go out into the woods and come back with shards and hopefully, no major injuries." At this point a dark look crosses Burgins face and he leans in close. "And DO come back boy. Even the safest of hunts has a bit of danger. Understood?"

Ozlo, sensing the mood start to sour, shook his head up and down for his master. "Understood!" But inwardly Ozlo's thoughts turned to what might lie ahead. Fighting monsters and slaying beasts, earning shards and cards and all such manner of fanciful thoughts.

"Boy. I mean it. This isn't some vacation. You and the other lads head out tomorrow, so today we'll be making sure you're prepped." Burgin reached under the table and pulled out a modestly sized pack with straps for Ozlo's arms and his name roughly stitched into the sides.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Dumping the pack onto the table and spilling it's contents out for Ozlo to see, Burgin picked up each item going through them. "What's this lad?" Burgin gestured to a round stone with four letters etched into them. "Uh... I'm not sure." Burgin gave Ozlo a small smile before explaining what it was. "This is a compass, the direction it's pointing closest to will light up, glowing more brightly when you're dead center."

Gently placing the compass on the table, Burgin went through the rest of the items. "Alright boy, list them off for me. And if you miss any, we'll be starting over." Inwardly, Ozlo groaned, but outwardly, he simply said. "Compass, knife, sewing kit, water-skin, dried food, bandages and myrrh."

Burgin gave Ozlo a slow nod before gesturing at the vial of myrrh. "And what's the myrrh used for?" Ozlo, not sure simply shook his head.

"Alright boy, clean the wood so there's no bits of mud or muck in there, ideally with some water. Then apply the myrrh so the wound doesn't go to rot. Do not go ripping out any arrows, blades, or any other pointy bits that are deep in you. Think of them like a cork. A pointy cork that hurts like hell, but a cork. It will hold all your blood in until you can get a healer."

Ozlo turned a bit pale at this, but shook his head firmly, signaling that he was paying attention. "Great, I think we've been over the basics. Now let's do it again." Ozlo groaned inwardly as Burgin once again went over the uses of all the items, how to properly store them, how to clean them, and over and over again.

"Alright boy, the compass-" Ozlo interrupts Burgin. "The compass lights up in the direction it's facing. N for North, E for east and so on. The myrrh is an anti-septic. Leave any pointy bits in and don't be a hero. I got it!"

Burgin gave the boy a small smile and softly said. "So you do, so you do... Ahem. I think that's enough for today. I'll let you have a free day tonight so you can get some rest, I have some errands to run anyway."

"Oh... Ok master." Burgin briskly walked out the door leaving Ozlo sitting at the table staring at his new pack. "Burgin is probably exaggerating the dangers... Right?" Suddenly a bit unsure of himself Ozlo went over the pack by himself a few more times before heading upstairs to relax.