Arkin woke El up the next day. The two went out to the fields, they didn’t talk much, but they took care of the cattle together. Arkin and El had many days like this over the last four years. El had never been one to break the silence, and Arkin often just enjoyed the company of the boy. Although’s El’s head is somewhere else entirely while he works today. Too much has happened to him.
"Was that your first fight?" Arkin asked after an hour of work.
"No, I killed four kobolds before I understood them," El remarks.
He looks across at two calves playing. They jump around each other, kicking up dust, and rearing their heads.
"So you kill four before you understood the gravity of killing. Once it was people did it feel different?" Arkin steps up beside the field hand.
The old man stands a head taller than El. Although his memories of any family had faded over the years he did not recall any of them being so much taller than him.
"It didn't. They seemed like they were the monsters I always imagined I would kill as an adventurer."
"Do you still want to be an adventurer?" Arkin shifts to the side to face El.
"No. It seems I stir up trouble and cause more damage than anything else." El smiles.
"So you've already decided on this life then."
"Yeah Dad, I'm going to be a Rat-Catcher."
"Dad?" Arkin flinches as El tackles him with a hug.
Earn Capital
Result = Silver Earned
20% chance random event
Profession: Farming
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
4(D20)+10(Skill)=14
28%= No event
The two head into town and buy a few supplies from the local general store and smithy. They then head out to the kobold warren. El drags his cart along. When they reach the lair Bandlor starts piling up weapons and armor on the cart. All the bodies are cleared out of the area and the pit trap El dug has been filled in.
El introduces Arkin to Kib.
"This your village Elder?" Kib puts his hands on his hips.
"I may be old, but I'm sure I can kick you more meters than the decades I've lived." Arkin bends over and speaks with a smile.
"Kib is not a sports ball." Kib stands up on his tippy toes to face the old man.
"No, you are the owner of this warren and according to El you fought alongside him. I want to pay you fairly for your trade."
"I'm listening." Kib rests his feet flat and puts his hands back to his hips.
The two strike a deal and Arkin promises to keep bringing supplies to Kib every week as long as Kib has a steady supply of stone and silver for the town.
Kib agrees to the deal and the two form a contract. El unloads the supplies they bought off the cart. Rye grain, rye bread, and a barrel of freshwater. Some clothes, some mining picks, and some writing material.
“Paper? What paper for?” Kib asks.
“Sometimes it’s easier to remember those we loved if we write about them or draw them.” El hands some bound paper to the kobold with a charcoal tool to draw with.
“That is nice.” Kib says somberly as he takes the paper.
“Are you good living here on your own?” El looks around the warren.
“This is my home. I am fine here.” Kib replies.
“Okay, I’ll check on you tomorrow.” El smiles.
Arkin, Bandlor, and El head back to the farm. Bandlor goes over every mistake El made in the fight and quizzes him on every awesome thing he did as a God in the fight. Arkin watches knowing that his adopted son is growing far beyond what he imagined.
Retraining
Class Levels
Takes 5 Days
Fighter Level 1
⅘ Days Trained
Costs 50 Gold
After training El retires to his room in the rafters of the barn. He sits with a small piece of charcoal of his own and a single page. Before sleeping he sketches a basic female figure.
Long Rest
Heal 1 x Level
14/14 Health