Bravery without forethought, causes a man to fight blindly and desperately like a mad bull.
Such an opponent, must not be encountered with brute force, but may be lured into an ambush and slain
-Sun Tzu
Months had slipped by like grains of sand in an hourglass. Mengus still dedicated to his craft, kept working at the smithy, and his mother's condition didn't get any better. She would awaken from her come from time to time, her words were a tangled web of confusion and nonsensical ramblings. It was very painful for Mengus to see that, but he still had hopes that she'd heal.
At the smithy, Mengus had honed his skills each day, his hands becoming more adept at shaping metal. Under the watchful eye of Joriq, the old smith, he had grown from a novice apprentice to a skilled journeyman. Or in other words, he leveled up.
One night, before closing, while the steady rhythm of the hammer and the roar of the forge slowly died out, Mengus saw a shadow lurking in the corners of the smithy's darkness.
Mengus observed from afar, suspicious of what was happening. The old man, Joriq, exchanged a pouch of gold with the three shadowy figures cloaked in darkness.
"Is the old guy in some shady business, or is this what I think it is?"
"Who were these men?" Mengus asked, stopping his hammer.
"None of your concern kid, it is better you don't know."
"You're paying them off so they keep away, don't you?"
The old man let a long sigh. "Yes, I'm too old to protect myself now, trust me, I tried." He lifted his shirt and he showed scars on his back and on his ribs. "I barely got out alive, that's how much they've beaten me. This way it is much easier."
Mengus, once again, was reminded of the harsh realities that lurked in the world. A bitter taste in his mouth, he decided to do something about it. With resolve burning like hot coals in his chest, he'll put an end to this.
Mengus took a sword from the smith and turned towards Joriq.
"Old man," he began, "I can't stand by and watch while you continue to pay these thugs. It is not right, and it is certainly not the way to live."
"You don't understand boy," he muttered. "These streets are dangerous, more dangerous than you can imagine. I've seen things, things that would make your blood run cold. And these men, they are scary, lead by Rekil the Dagger, they control half the town."
Mengus shook his head. "I may not know, or understand everything in this world Joriq. But one thing I do know - living in fear is no way to live at all."
Joriq sighed heavily, his gaze falling to the floor as if pushed down by the burden of his fear. "And what do you suggest we do boy? Fight them? Take them on? An old man and, yes, a young man but with no combat experience. The two of us?"
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"Just like I don't know everything about you Joriq, neither do you know about me. Just show me the way where that Rekil guy is, and I'll be right back." Mengus smiled, the heaviness of the sword in his hand made him feel at home.
* * *
The shadow seemed to dance around him, whispering secrets of the night as he made his way to the inn where Rekil and his men were rumored to gather.
Entering the dimly lit inn, a strong sense of ale and sweat attacked his nostrils immediately. He scanned the room, his eyes locked on the group of men who were sitting together in the far corner, their faces obscured by shadows.
Mengus approached the table where Rekil and his men sat, they watched him as he approached them. Without a word Mengus drew his sword, the glint of steel catching the dim light of the room as it flashed in the air.
Before anyone could react, Mengus jumped into action, even without fighting for months, his movements were fluid and precise as he beat four of Rekil's men with ease. The inn was filled with cries of pain and surprise from the fallen thugs.
As the last of his opponents fell to the ground, defeated and bloodied, Mengus turned his attention to Rekil, the leader of the gang. Rekil rose from his seat, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he drew his own weapon, a dagger.
"So you think you're tough huh?" his voice low with arrogance.
"You're the one that thinks that he is tough, how can he control half the city with these stats?"
Rekil the Dagger
Level: 8
One Handed: 75
Two Handed: 10
Polearm: 56
Bow: 40
Crossbow: 10
Throwing: 40
Riding: 0
Athletics: 100
Smithing: 0
Scouting: 0
Tactics: 10
Roguery: 155
Charm: 0
Leadership: 100
Trade: 0
Steward: 0
Medicine: 0
Engineering: 0
Traits: Cruel, Devious, Impulsive
Mengus's grip tightened on his sword, and he smiled. "Trust me, I'm tougher than you'll ever know," he replied.
Rekil lunged forward, his dagger flashing in the air, trying to strike Mengus down. Mengus countered Rekil's attack with ease, he didn't even try.
In a split second with the hilt of his sword, Mengus punched Rekil on his head and dropped him to the floor.
"You won't come near the smithy of Joriq ever again, did you hear me?" Mengus came close, face to face with Rekil.
Rekil's eyes widened.
"It is you!!" he screamed, "you, y- you are Mengus!"
"You know me?" Mengus asked in surprise.
"Every arena fan knows you! You are the best fighter in the entire kingdom, in the realm!! I am so sorry for making you trouble sir, no wonder I had no chance in this fight."
"Well, this is a surprise for sure."
"Just stop with all that nonsense with protecting, try earning money some other way okay?"
"Yes sir Mengus, we won't do it again I swear on my honor!"
Mengus on his way out the inn turned around. "Thank you, and don't call me sir, makes me feel old."