Alden stepped onto the cobblestone road. His boots padded smoothly on the cobble, an add dissonance from his weeks out in the wilderness. He passed through old and rotted walls, through a hanging gate which wouldn’t keep a child out, let alone anything more dangerous. Overgrown weeds and grasses slowly grew more manicured and managed, culminating into an idyllic front garden. The stone path continued, leading to a large wooden porch. The house that it was attached to could be similarly described. It was large, at least as large as a few of the mansions Alden had spotted in Hillak. More than that It was sprawling, something that brought to mind a lazing beast of magnificent size. Yet as Alden stared at it for longer, he could see the signs of decay. There is a little bit of rot. Here a small moss infestation. Over there a hole, likely chewed by rats. Alden took it all in. Sighing a little bit he strode to the door banging his fist decisively on the rickety wood. He waited. He took his fist and slammed it into the door this time. He felt the wood begin to vibrate slightly at the force. He strained to his best senses to try and glean any piece of sound he could. Nothing. He grumbled a little bit before taking a deep breath. Exhaling he calmed himself. “Well, it was worth a shot. Maybe I’ll go see that inn all of the guards were raving about.” As Alden turned and began walking back towards the main path he felt a distinct lightness. Confused he spun around, checking to make sure everything was in his back. As his brain whirled his hand moved towards his shoulder only to find nothing. Looking to his right he saw that Bob had disappeared. Frowning he tugged at that connection that existed between them. It was faint- no more than a thick tertiary connection at best- but it was still strong enough for him to find Bob. Moving in general direction he sense Bob, Alden took off.

As he jogged, he couldn’t help but think that maybe Bob needed to be a little bit better trained. Then he wouldn’t run off on his own and possibly get chopped up by an opportunistic butcher. Or kill the butcher themselves. Whatever the case he continued to grumble to himself as he moved further and further into the expansive grounds of this estate. The well-manicured grasses and flowers once again began to rapidly become overgrown and infested, with some even reaching up to his chest in height. Alden was rapidly closing in on Bob’s location. As he mulled over what words of chastisement he would use a sound caught his ear. Slowing Alden trickled some mana into the ear system. It wouldn’t do much, and only enhance him minorly, but it was enough. The sound sharpened to reveal shouting and something vastly more important to Alden. Clucking. Alden didn’t waste any more time and sprinted forward. The area around him began to blur as he pulled on that reservoir from within himself. That well of power which he very rarely used now. He ignored the shadows that grew around his mind as his feet blurred even faster. He burst through into a clearing, taking in the situation with all the haste he could. Bob stood next to an older man- tall but hunched, lithe yet strangely muscular in some places. He wielded some staff that had strange runes carved into, twirling it around like it weighted nothing. Next to him Bob rapidly moved back and forth, lashing out with his talons and spurs. In front of them resided what Alden could only describe as frog-people. They croaked in rage as they stabbed out with crude stone spears. Alden didn’t hesitate. He mentally reached out to the ring on his finger and it rapidly expanded. It flipped into his hand, a rapidly growing wooden pole. He didn’t wait for it to fully form already moving, lashing out with kicks. His left leg blurred and crushed the knee of a creature on his left. As his foot came back and landed on solid ground he twisted his body, lashing out with the still-forming pole. The magical wood whistled through the air before cracking the skull of another one of the creatures.

It was at this point that they finally noticed him, three of the remaining 5 creatures turning to meet him. He didn’t bother with anything fancy- he simply reached out with his mind. He felt the center of himself shiver in pleasure as he used his power for the first time on this world. He disregarded the feeling as he took the frog-things minds in hand. With a simple flex he crushed them. He could feel the few attempts they made to stop him, that desperate struggle to prevail. He ignored it. The advancing creatures simply stopped. They fell to the ground without a sound, each one having a glassy eyed stared as their empty vessel tried and failed to run on autopilot. Alden ignored him as he swept his naginata out in a wise slash, tearing through the next frogs knee. It fell to its knees with a surprised croack while the old man took advantage, his quarterstaff whipping through the air into the creatures skull. Bob meanwhile, had taken to the air rapidly flying with his strengthened wings onto the last frogs head. The creature sent out a screaming warble and attempted to swat at him- only for his had to be pierced by an incredibly sharp beak. Alden decided to end things faster and his blade skewered the disgusting creature through its heart. Silence descended except for the old man’s heavy breathing and Alden’s heart that was going so fast he feared it would leap out of his chest. He turned to the old man- he presumed Ol’Finch- and extended out his hand. “Hi. I’m Alden, and I believe that you’ve already met Bob.” He tipped his head slightly to his left at where the chicken was proudly strutting. The Man stared incredulously at him for a moment before throwing his head back and laughing. His own hand took Alden’s, letting him feel the numerous callouses and scars of a working man. “It is nice to meet you Alden. My name is Finch Senior, although most just call me Ol’Finch. I must say if it were not for your companion there I would be in a significantly worse position. As it was you came at just the right time. The rest of the Swamp People had just arrived reinforcing the patrolling squad I had stumbled upon.” Alden smiled as he senses a job opportunity. “I sense a story their. Perhaps you need some help?” The man just smiled at him before gesturing back towards the house. Alden followed him.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

A few minutes later they stood in Ol’Finch’s dining room, sitting on the rather comfortable seats. In front of him Alden idly glanced at the teacup, marveling at its intricate design and workings. He turned his attention away when he heard the older man settle down into the seat across from him. He waited patiently as Ol’Finch adjusted himself, taking a sip of tea before speaking. “Before I begin telling you my story I must ask, how did you find me young Alden? It is not many who know of my plight, nor care, for that matter.” Alden just smiled. “I heard that you might need some help from a young guard. Felran, I believe his name was.” Ol’Finch smiled at that. “Felran. A good boy that one. Had a rough childhood, but most do around these parts. I’m glad to see that he’s managed to snag such a job.” He waved his hand, as if to dismiss the topic from further conversation. “Nonetheless, I should be telling you about I how I ended up in my position. You see my forefathers had made themselves quite successful by farming and hunting in the wilds around here. All sorts of alchemical potions and regents can be made from the surrounding area. Not nearly as good as deliberately cultivated herbs most of the time, but we have a few species that are truly exceptional.” His eyes glossed over, as if he were back in time seeing it with his own eyes. “For generations my family continued in that regard, slowly turning into a full fledge tribe of people. We had grown large enough that a nearby village took notice of us. They sent word to the council of villages and well- we were told to either contribute or prepare for war. My ancestors joined.” The man shrugged his shoulders. “It wasn’t all bad. My ancestors were not afraid to die for what they believed in, and freedom was among first place on that list. While they did pay some tribute they received much in turn- enough that they continued to grow. It was around that point however that things began to change. The swamp began to house more and more dangerous creatures. Soon creatures like those dimmable frogs you just fought became commonplace. My ancestors were many things, but they had grown less united over time. Opposing currents within caused them to loose their grasp on the wasps until only a single line remained control over the swamp. That man was my great-great-grandfather. Since then stewardship over our steadily shrinking land has passed from son to son. I am the last remaining heir to the title and soon I may pass away as well.” He sighed as he ran his finger around the rim of his cup. “In truth, young adventurer, I question asking you for aid at all. No matter what you do, how many of those creatures you slay, eventually you will leave. Then I will have to deal with the swamp myself. And I cannot. Not anymore.” Ol’Finch stopped talking, raising his eyes to meet Alden’s own. Alden’s respect for the man grew. Any man who could voice his weakness without flinching was a man deserving of respect. He let a smile spread across his face at the news. “Actually, Ol’Finch, I believe that we may be able to help each other. You see I’ve been looking for a place to settle down, and well, I’ve got a few debts that I need to repay.” So Alden proceeded to lay out the plan that had been brewing in the back of his mind since he had first met Ol’Finch.