Thunra Grantuf

Adventurer Level: 23

Orc - Nillisonian

Previous season's injuries and a predawn chill greeted me as I rose from my bed. Still had a grin on my face as I rubbed my knee and shoulder, though. A bit of cold and some aches weren't gonna get me down cuz I knew for certain that today was gonna be a damn fine day. Hells, if I didn't know any better I'd think I was blessed!

I had hoped to see the human and the Alta boys again, and doin' so had lifted my spirits. Damn fine boys, and with my help they'll become some of the strongest adventurers ever to fight a monster. Well, at least Nick would. Nash ain't really got the shape for throwing fists, and Yulk looks like he'd die if you slapped him too hard.

Nick's hesitancy wasn't lost on me, but kids hardly ever know what's good for 'em. You give a kid a piece of liver and they'll stick their tongue out at it. But if you season that liver just right, they'll scarf it down like it's candied. All I gotta do is figure out what Nick'll like on his training.

Once I finished my morning stretches, I tackled my hygiene. Most orcs can't really grow a beard, but I struggle to keep one off my face. Women'll tell you it looks good, but having hair that's able to be grabbed as a melee fighter is dumb. Good way to get killed quick.

I'd rather be alive and single than have myself a girlie and die an idiot's death. I'd also rather be with a girl that would rather I be a bit ugly than die an idiot's death. Not that I've been lookin' or anythin'.

My razor scraped the last bit of the lard and tallow mixture from my jaw and I double-checked my work in the mirror. No nicks, cuts, or missed spots. I grinned at my reflection and rinsed my face off. I ain't exactly ugly, but not exactly pretty, either. Got the perfect kind of face to settle for, which is fine by me.

Once I dried myself off, I picked out my clothes for the day. Went with a loose-fitting outfit that had been given to me by an elven monastery. Once I hit level fifteen I got stuck in a training slump. I traveled to the monastery to learn more about their martial arts, which were rumored to involve using weight and momentum to put an opponent off-balance. My hope was that their techniques would help me develop some more of my own.

Thing is, they were far more devoted to their worship of the gods than doing martial arts. Cause of that, they needed help with some monsters that had been gettin' closer and closer to the monastery. Didn't want it to become a monsterery, I guess. I agreed to help in exchange for bein' taught what little they knew.

As is normal for my infamously shitty luck, there were way more monsters than they thought. What should have been a quick and easy hunt turned into me fightin' and strugglin' to stay alive for three days straight. By the time I stumbled back to the monastery, I was nearly dead from dehydration and blood loss. I'd lived up to my end of the deal, though, and the monks were super grateful.

Once they'd healed me up, they taught me various throwing techniques and grapples that I probably could have figured out on my own. I was a bit disappointed, but it had been what I agreed to so I was willin' to call it fair. After I'd learned everything and was about to leave, though, they presented me with one of their outfits.

They explained that this outfit was special. It had been worn by their founder and granted an enchantment by the god that they revere. 'Course, they had no idea what the enchantment actually does, but they'd gotten permission from the god to give it to me for my service. I was blown away by the generosity and almost declined, but was smart enough to know that you don't say no to a god if you can help it.

So I took the loose-fitting shirt and pants combo and saved it for special occasions. I've had a few enchanters take a look at it over the years, but even they couldn't figure it out. All they could do is confirm that it does, in fact, have an enchantment. Since I don't know what the enchantment does and don't want to risk damaging it, I've never worn it in a fight.

Training is a different matter entirely, though. I cinched the shirt closed with the thick blue belt that came with it, then had another look at myself. The bright orange fabric kind of clashed with my dark green skin, but it fit pretty well. My favorite part was the lack of sleeves and the low cut that exposed my chest. Plenty of ventilation.

Come to think of it, the monastery had been started by an elf. Considerin' my size, it must have been a pretty damn big elf. Or maybe the enchantment is to make the clothes fit whoever wears it? That'd be pretty damn funny.

The inn was silent as I left my room. Mara, the innkeeper, was definitely still asleep. Her love of partyin' kept her up most nights. Just as well, most people don't go lookin' for rooms bright and early in the mornin'.

Another chill greeted me as I exited the inn. The sun peeked over the horizon, like it was shy or somethin'. I could tell that it was gonna be the perfect weather for a great trainin' session. As I happily made my way toward the Alta house, I waved at the people that had managed to make their way out of bed. I got more than a few raised eyebrows, probably on account of my outfit, but they all waved back. Nuleva's got some friendly folk.

Before long, I arrived at the home of the famed Yilda Alta and her sons. I knew better than to bang on her door this early in the mornin'. She was probably awake, but I'd been forewarned that wakin' her puppers would risk the wrath of her sandal. Considering that piece of footwear had killed stronger men than me, it was best not to risk it.

I leaned against the fence and wondered how a sparring match with Yilda would go. According to the tour guide who had pointed this place out to me, her class was something like an assassin sorcerer. She felled great beasts with a knife in one hand and a wand in the other, darting around the battlefield like a dagger-fish.

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She was also damn good with improvised weapons, if the tales about that sandal are true. There's no doubt she'd kick my ass, but I'd feel fine with that if I landed even a single strike. Or even if I just learned somethin' from it.

While I waited, I did some warm up stretches and calisthenics. By the time the sun had gotten over its shyness, I'd moved on to dynamic tension and isometrics. I was careful not to overdo it, in case my muscles got ahead of me and started wantin' an actual fight. The moment I finished, the Alta's front door opened and Nash came out looking contemplative.

"Hey," I said as he opened the gate.

The older Alta brother jumped as if he hadn't seen me.

"Oh uh, hi Thunra," he absentmindedly greeted me. "Sorry, can't really talk right now."

"Alright, see you later then."

"Bye."

Nash walked away at a pretty fast pace, leaving me to wonder where he was headed. Then I realized that if he was up, everyone else might be too. Shelving my curiosity about Nash, I ran up to the door and gave it a few respectful knocks. My heart practically leapt into my throat as the door opened.

"What did you for- oh?" the legend herself, Yilda Alta, asked. "What's this about?"

"Good mornin', ma'am," I said with what I hoped was a disarming grin. "My name's Thunra and I've come to call on Nick, if that's alright."

"What for?"

"Trainin'," I flexed a bicep for emphasis. "Hopin' to teach him some more hand to hand. The boy's got talent, and I'd like to turn that into skill."

"I see. Would you like to wait inside?"

"I wouldn't dream of imposin' any further than I gotta, Missus Alta. I'm perfectly happy waitin' out here."

I'd been forewarned 'bout her view on her marital status, too. She gave me a smile that made my heart flutter unexpectedly and nodded. Then she closed the door and I was left to try an' figure out a new piece of information about myself. I've joked about being into older women before, but I'd meant by about five years or so. I had no idea how old Yilda actually was, but I'd been hearin' tell of her adventures since I was a boy.

First time I remember hearing about her and her husband was when I was about six. So she was a whole, grown-ass woman when I was barely out of diapers. Even so, that smile had rocked me. Maybe it's cuz she's famous and strong? Yeah, the brutish part of my brain is probably puttin' her up on a pedestal.

Best to ignore it. Her love for her husband is almost as legendary as their accomplishments together. I hope I one day find a girl that'll avenge my death like she avenged his. I pushed my crush on Yilda down into my emotional depths as the door opened again.

Nick stepped outside, being pushed by Yulk. The younger Alta brother seemed very excited to start today's activities. I chuckled at his excitement, but then I caught Nick's surprised expression.

"I-Is that... Where did you get that outfit?" he asked.

"It was a gift from some monks," I shrugged. "What, you recognize it or something?"

"Looks a lot like the uniform that a character from... Nah, nevermind," Nick sighed, then chuckled. "Let's just get this over with, Piccoloku."

"Pico-wha-now?"

"Nevermind."

I shrugged again then began leading the boys toward the trainin' pit. As we walked, I caught sight of Nash carefully studying some stuff at a stall. He was holding flowers in one hand, and a pendant in the other.

"What's up with your brother?" I asked Yulk.

"Hmm? Oh, he asked Nima to marry him last night," Yulk replied.

"Really? Pegged him for the bachelor type. How long've they been courting?"

"Therein lies the issue. They weren't courting."

My jaw dropped and I stared at Yulk in disbelief.

"Noooo," I said.

"Yep," Nick interjected. "It's true. Right in front of everybody."

"Pull the other one, boys. C'mon now, there's no way he's that dumb."

"Love can make fools of the best of us," Yulk nodded sagely. "And though I love my brother dearly, Nash isn't exactly the best of us when it comes to intellect. He'll be the first to admit it, too."

Love makes fools of the best of us, eh? I recalled the flutter in my chest caused by his mother's smile and suddenly found some empathy for Nash. Yulk ain't wrong, feelings can make us do some really dumb shit. I ain't dumb enough to make a move on Yilda, though.

"So what's he doin', then?" I asked. "Did she say yes or what?"

"She pretty much said fuck no," Nick laughed. "But she gave him another chance. He has to make it up to her, though."

"Indeed. Nash is planning to give her a bouquet made of the last of this season's flowers and a pendant that matches her eyes. Then, if she feels better about their situation, he's going to take her on a picnic," Yulk explained.

"Well, flowers are definitely a good start to getting to a girl's heart," I chuckled, then remembered something. "Wait, isn't Nima the guild-girlie? The one as tall as me?"

"Yes."

"Ain't she related to High Chief Ulurmak?"

"She's his niece, if I recall the lineage correctly."

"Fuckin' hells, he may as well have crawled into the catapult himself then."

"Huh?" Nick asked.

"Slang for someone aiming far above their station," Yulk explained. "Especially when it comes to marriage."

"Yeah, someone who's being forced to marry above their station is being loaded into the catapult," I added. "Someone who's tryin' to get a spouse above their station is crawlin' into it. Either way, you usually come crashin' down at the end of it."

"It's not exactly an apt idiom in this case, though," Yulk chuckled. "The Alta clan is pretty high up there in regards to marriage candidates. Ulurmak was expected to take a bride from either the Alta clan or the Maxim clan before the drama with his brother. It's been a while since I've seen my grandmother, though, so I don't know what the current situation is."

"Oh?" I grinned playfully. "So you lot are a BIG big deal, then?"

"Not really. My father didn't like the intrigue of being part of a powerful clan and his marriage to my mother was quite controversial. My brother and I seem to have inherited his disinterest, as well. From my understanding, so long as we don't ask them for favors they won't force duties upon us."

"Yilda wasn't welcomed into your clan?"

"Not at first. But grandmother adores my mother and fought the rest of the clan for her inclusion. There were duels and everything, and at the end of it all mother was welcomed into the clan. Father was pretty fed up with it all, though, so we came to live here. Mother could explain it better than I, if you're that interested."

"N-no," I stammered. "That's okay, I get the gist of it. So if Nash and Nima do end up together, will their little ones be in line for High Chief?"

"Yes, but how far down the line is up to Ulurmak. If he doesn't have children by the time he retires, then either Nima or Alurn will become High Chief. Alurn is the most likely candidate, as far as I can tell."

"What about Ulurmak's brother?" I asked. "Agurno, right?"

"That's right. He could be considered a candidate if anyone had the power to actually force him to accept the office. I've never met him, but I've heard that his apathy toward politics matches his legendary might."

"Gotcha," I said as we approached the training pit. "Alright, let's start with some stretches. Want those muscles nice and limber."

"Okay," Nick said with a sigh.

"What type of training will you be doing today?" Yulk asked, excitement creeping into his voice.

"Oh, you'll see," I winked.