For a week of in game time Svalinn practiced the punches Master Sten had shown him, leaving the capsule only to clean and feed himself, finally at the end of the week he gained the last skill.
*Ding*
You have learned Uppercut
You have learned all the fist sub skills for Unarmed Mastery
*Ding*
For learning all the fist sub skills while disdaining all kick sub skills Unarmed Master has turned into Pugilism
Skill Name:Skill Level:Skill Experience:PugilismBeginner Level 10%Fist attacks damage increased by 5%
You are unable to learn Kicking skills
At first dismayed at the restriction Svalinn grinned in satisfaction
--Eh who needs kicking anyways--
“Show Status and Skill List”
Status WindowName:SvalinnAlignment:NeutralLevel:1Class:??Race:HumanGender:MaleTitles:NoneFame:0Infamy:0-Health:200 / 200Health Regen:2.0 / SecMana:100 / 100Mana Regen:1.0 / SecStamina:200 / 200Stamina Regen:2.0 / Sec--Strength:16Agility:16Vitality:20Endurance:15Inteligence:10Wisdom:10Leadership:0Luck:0
SkillsCold Fury Beginner Level 2 36%
Challenging Shout/Terrifying Howl Beginner Level 1 0%
Pugilism Beginner Level 1 0%
Jab Beginner Level 2 24%
Straight Cross Beginner Level 1 50%
Hook Beginner Level 1 35%
Uppercut Beginner Level 1 0%
--Finally!--
He stepped out of the circle in the sand he had spent most of the week in and walked back to the house. He looked back and allowed himself a smug smile of accomplishment. The log that had started his training solid and imposing had had its bark torn off and was now smooth and sloped in towards the center. He walked in to the house and stood excitedly before Master Sten.
“Master I Have done it, I have learned all the punches and gained the Pugilism skill”
Master Sten looked up from his position on the floor
“Good, you have made very good progress this past week. But your training has only begun”
Master Sten settled back into a comfortable position and closed his eyes
“We start your intensive training in a day or two. Go spend the next couple days in town and, relax and enjoy yourself. This next part won’t be as much fun”
Svalinn’s face paled at his masters remarks. How was this past week any fun at all? He quickly gathered his things and left before Master Sten changed his mind. Some simple clothes master had gotten him, some tasteless but filling jerky Master Sten always seemed to have on hand, and the beginner canteen. He made his way back to town, walking through the desolate ruined district he had relocated to a week ago. He was once again struck with how decimated the area was. Empty of life and sound, it was an eerie place. Walking back into the town proper was like hitting a wall of sound. The town was full of the sound of life and people. Though still sparsely populated compared to other towns it was a stark contrast to the ruined district. He walked through the market enjoying the sights and smells. Food cooking in stalls, merchants loudly hawking their wares. It was loud and boisterous and he couldn’t even here himself think. He didn’t think he would but he loved it. As he walked aimlessly he found himself in front of the training hall. He looked up and smiled.
--I wonder how Cyneric is doing--
He walked into the training hall, like before it was only sparsely occupied with a few beginners whacking away at the straw dummies. He saw Cyneric looking on, offering pointers where needed, correcting their stances and grips. Svalinn walked over to him and waited till Cyneric had finished with one particularly small girl in a hooded outfit. She stood calmly in front of the dummy, hands tightly grasping two steel daggers. With a blur of motion she struck, daggers striking at the joints before suddenly in a shimmer she appeared above it striking down towards its head and neck. Cyneric applauded with a large laugh.
“Ha!” “You’ve improved greatly Nia!” “I barely saw your movement during your Shadow Step”
She first bowed to Cyneric then gave a haughty pose, hands on her hips, head held high
“Told you I could learn it quickly”
“True, true you proved me wrong girl, and with 4 days to spare as well!”
Cyneric turned around to grab a cloth wrapped bundle on the ground behind him. He spotted Svalinn standing there and paused, he gestured that he’d be with him soon and turned back to Nia.
“For completing the basic training of Sandedge you are awarded this blade”
Cyneric unwrapped and handed to the girl an iron dagger
“Thank you Trainer Cyneric. I’ll use it well”
She walked off towards the exit but not before giving Cyneric a quick hug. Cyneric stood there uncomfortably with his arms held high before giving in and hugging her back with a small smile. As she walked out Svalinn couldn’t help but stare.
--So small…so dangerous--
Cyneric walked up behind Svalinn and placed a hand upon his shoulder
“Smitten already boy?”
Svalinn stuttered surprised by the question
“Wha? N..No! I don’t even know her!”
“HA HAH! SO! That hasn’t stopped men before”
“So what brings you by boy? Already finished training with Sten?”
“No, but he’s given me a small break before the next bit”
“Ah well what have you learned so far?”
Svalinn told Cyneric of what Master Sten had him doing so far. It was a pretty boring story as all he had been doing for a week was punching a log. But Cyneric’s attention peaked up at the mention of his Cold Fury skill.
“Ah so you’ve managed to control it? No you’ve done even better, you’ve made it work for you instead of it using you”
“I’m glad boy you’ve done very well this past week. You’ve changed a lot in a very short time”
Cyneric and Svalinn stood looking over the newbies toiling away. Cyneric in a flash of remembrance asked him suddenly
“OH! How’s the search for your name going?”
Svalinn looked up at him and gave a sad smile
“Svalinn…my name is Svalinn”
Cyneric looked down in surprise at him
“That…that’s quite a name”
“Yeah that’s what Master Sten said”
“Do you know what the Svalinn is?”
“Yeah Master Sten told me the basic story”
“That’s it?”
Cyneric sighed and looked down at Svalinn
“I recommend going to the library and looking it up, they may have a book there that’ll tell you more”
Cyneric clapped his hand down onto Svalinn’s shoulder loudly
“But first let’s see what you got huh?”
He walked to the center of the training hall and drew his sword. Placing the sword tip on the dirt packed floor Cyneric drew a circle then placed the sword down out of it. He gestured to Svalinn
“Come on let’s spar for a bit, let’s send you back to Sten even better than you left”
Svalinn grinned and quickly got into the circle with Cyneric excited to finally try out his new skills. He quickly put up his guard and prepared to fight
“Alright let’s start slow”
Cyneric and Svalinn circled each other warily before launching punches at each other. Svalinn trying to shrug past the heavy blows while attempting to catch Cyneric with his own. Svalinn grew angry as each blow he threw was evaded by the thinnest of margins. The temperature dropped and frost appeared on each of them as the sweat froze on their skin. Svalinn focused more intently and as his mind cleared and the fury grew his attacks came faster and faster. Finally an attack slipped past Cyneric’s guard and he placed a blow stunning Cyneric for a precious bit of a second. He quickly capitalized on the opening and placed a few more jabs stunning him a bit longer before launching a straight then a hook at Cyneric. Cyneric quickly dodged the straight and took the hook to the side. Svalinn held up his hands in victory, forgetting where he was for a moment. Cyneric took advantage of this and launched a quick attack before realizing he had barely held back, knocking Svalinn 20 feet back and out of the circle.
If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
*CRASH*
Svalinn lay on the ground stunned and out of breath
100 HP lost
You are stunned after losing 50% of your HP in one blow
Cyneric looked on stunned
“Oh crap…I killed him”
He rushed over to where Svalinn lay to find him laughing, tears streaming from his eyes. Svalinn opened one eye and chuckled
“Guess I’ve got a bit more training huh?”
Cyneric grinned and helped Svalinn up
“Good thing you’ve been training, that blow would have killed a normal beginner. You really need to learn how to dodge. Just because you’re named after a mythical shield doesn’t mean you have to take every blow”
“Hah guess I have something to bug Master Sten for when I get back”
“Tell you what in exchange for knocking you on your ass I’ll treat you to dinner at my place”
Svalinn smiled and slugged Cyneric on the shoulder
“Sounds good to me”
“Alright find me here after the sun sets and I’ll treat you to the best Sandedge has to offer. Hey! In the meantime go check out the library see if you can find out more about Svalinn”
Svalinn agreed and after dusting himself off, recovering for a bit and remembering to ask for directions, he headed towards the library chewing on some of the jerky on the way.
He stood in front of an imposing looking building…though perhaps it had seen better days. The sandstone steps cracked and the facade falling down. But it looked cared for, the steps swept clean of sand and the door recently repaired. He made his way up the steps and opened the door. He stepped in and looked around the inside was packed with books and well kept. No dust or sand on the floor and the air had that smell of old leather and paper.
“Shut the door! You’ll let the sand in!”
Yelled an old man as he hobbled from the back of the library. Svalinn quickly shut the door and apologized
“I’m sorry didn’t mean to hold it open”
*Hmph*
The man harrumphed and hobbled to a chair behind the counter at the front
“So? What did ya want? Cost a silver to rent out a book”
“A whole silver?”
“Aye”
“Well I don’t have that much…Can I just read them here without taking them out?”
The old man gave a deep sigh
“Yes, yes you can. Now go away and find whatever you’re looking for”
“Thank you”
Svalinn spent a few hours scouring the library but was unable to find but a few mentions of his mythical namesake. All he found was it mentioned in passing along with something called the Yggdrasil and Runes, and had gained a point in Intelligence and Wisdom. Fed up with his lack of success he smacked his hands on the table and leant back in his chair.
--There is nothing here!--
Walking dejectedly back to the exit he passed by the front desk with the old man sitting there scribbling away at a stack of papers.
“Find everything you wanted?”
The old man asked without looking up from his work. Svalinn turned to him his displeasure evident on his face. He sighed and explained his problems to the man.
“No I was only able to find mention of it in passing, along with something called the Yggdrasil and Runes”
The man looked up a confused expression on his face
“And what exactly were you searching for that you included those topics?”
“I was looking for the story of the shield Svalinn”
A flash of excitement ran across the old man’s face
“Ah! That’s an obscure topic! What made you interested in such a thing as the Svalinn shield?”
“It’s my name…did you say “the” Svalinn shield?”
“Yes I did few people know but Svalinn was also a description of its abilities not just its name…did you say your NAME is Svalinn?
“Yes I did”
“Now that must be an interesting story that’s not a name that’s common at all”
The old man looked at Svalinn long and hard before speaking again
“Come, follow me I have something you may want to read”
The old man carefully got out of the chair and hobbled towards the back shelves. He scrounged around a bit before pulling out one tattered old book.
“AHA! Here it is”
The old man opened the book and quickly flipped through it, stopping on a page with a picture of a keyhole surround by a magic circle. The librarian dug through his robe and pulled a key and placed it on the page, as if he were going to unlock it. Svalinn watched wondering what the old man was up to.
“What are you doing? I thought you were showing me a book?”
“Shush boy, just wait and see”
The keyhole began to glow and the lettering in the circle began to move and rotate around. The old man pushed the key into the book and turned it.
*THUNK*
A loud noise sounded through the library and the bare stone wall next to the shelf sank into the floor leaving an open archway in the wall.
“Come, come”
Said the old man as he walked in to the room
“We haven’t got all day”
Svalinn followed the librarian into a dark musty room.
*SNAP*
The librarian loudly snapped his fingers and a lights sprung up on the wall. Every wall in the small room was full of shelving and glass cabinets. They were filled with dusty books and small objects
“Don’t touch anything just wait at the table there”
“What is this place?”
“Restricted shelves”
The old man replied tersely
Svalinn looked around him in wonder
“Why did you bring me here?”
The old man looked back and grinned at him
“Because you interest me”
The old man grabbed a book from the shelf and hobbled over to the table
“Hear let me read you this…it’s an old poem of Svalinn”
“Svalinn standeth a shield before the sun, Before the shining diety; full well I know that if it shall fall, the rocks, and even the sea, the briny flood, shall burn with roaring flames.”
The man quickly shuffled off and grabbed another book and place it before him.
“And see here is the word it came from, Svala which in a very old tongue meant to chill or cool. I must say I’m so excited to share this knowledge with someone!”
Svalinn sat there and watched the old librarian wax on about old stories and secrets, and couldn’t help but be as excited as the old man. His joy for stories and legends was contagious. Svalinn laughed along with him before asking the librarian about his original goal.
“But what is the Svalinn? Who made it?”
The librarian sat down and looked at him sadly
“No one knows, no one even knows if it was really a shield. There are thoughts, not even theories but thoughts on what Svalinn really was. A few historians think it may have actually been a shield created by the gods, others think that it may have been the name of a great hero who defeated some great evil, others think that it was the name of the shield of the hero that was called Svalinn.”
“What do you believe?”
The old man paused and thought a bit before answering
“I think…I think that the specifics don’t matter. The meaning of the name and the story stay the same no matter the specifics. Svalinn protects us that’s all that matters”
The old librarian leaned back in his chair satisfied with his answer
“…Svalinn protects us all…”
Svalinn got up from his chair and clasped the old man’s hand with a smile on his face
“Thank you sir, you’ve helped me a lot”
*Pshaw* laughed the old man
“No thank you for entertaining an old man for a few hours, and listening as I told stories”
They both walked back to the front of the library the secret door closing behind them as they walked. The old man carefully put the book lock back in its spot before walking with Svalinn to the front. As Svalinn said his goodbyes and got ready to leave the old man stopped him.
“Oh wait here I may have something that’ll help in your travels”
The old man dug through the books behind him on a shelf before pulling out a tattered book on the front was a symbol like a v on its right side. He blew the dust off and brushed it off before handing it to Svalinn
“This is an old book of runes and their meanings I remembered you mentioning you found mentions of runes along with Svalinn? Maybe this can help? It tells of all the runes and their meanings, perhaps you can use it somehow?”
Svalinn was surprised by the gift
“Thank you…I don’t know your name!”
The old man laughed
“It’s Alvis, young one. Now leave go do young man things and leave the study of old legends to old men”
Svalinn walked out of the library laughing. He enjoyed a few hours roaming around the market before the sun began to set and he headed to the training hall. He met up with Cyneric as planned in front of the training hall and they set off towards dinner. They stopped in front of a rundown stall and Cyneric called out
“OI Markus!” “Two orders of you best!”
A grizzled man with a vicious squint saddled up the bar with a grimace and gave Cyneric a hard stare before bursting out with a bark and a grin
“HAH!” “Cyneric you fool you’re not dead yet?”
“Ha! Not yet you cantankerous old man. Now how about some your fine dishes?”
Markus turned around and started working at the grill
“Comin up, comin up!”
Svalinn and Cyneric laughed and enjoyed their meal, joking and talking together with Markus. As the night grew longer Svalinn said his goodbyes and thanked Cyneric and Markus and headed back to his and Master Sten’s house in the ruined district. Markus and Cyneric watched as Svalinn headed home. Markus looked over at Cyneric with a questioning look.
“That the kid you told me about? He don’t seem so angry to me.”
“You weren’t there Markus…Hell you should have seen him today…he landed a blow on me. A beginner with a weeks’ worth of training.
“On you?!”
“Yeah…He’s gonna be a something someday”
“A good something or a bad one?”
Cyneric looked pensively at his drink and took a long swig before answering
“Dunno yet, could be either one…we’ll have to wait and see”