27th March 1257
A poor man seeking his fortune in Calradia. That's what they told me I am. They also flamed me, telling me I will fail in everything I tried. But I wanted to prove them wrong.
I was born 27 years ago in a land far away from here. My father was a hunter. We lived in a small, wooden cottage in the woods, hunting game for a living. Sometimes we went to bed with our stomaches empty, but we managed, albeit barely. The local Lord was a cruel man, he always seeked to empty our pockets and steal our bread. But my father managed to keep him away from us. I still don't know how he did it, but I am glad he succeeded. Winters were harsh, there was little game in the forest. But this trained me for the world, I was swift and quick, I managed myself across any terrain and weather, and there was no other boy more skilled with a bow and arrow than me. I survived every winter, but my brothers were not so fortunate. My mother left us when I turned 12, my father never telling me why. A little later, the town guards came to my house and asked for my father. I was scared, but I told them where to find him. They got to him, they spoke for a bit, and then my father took out his bow. But before he could arm an arrow, a sword pierced his chest. Tears came out of my eyes as I witnessed my father die before me. As he fell to the ground, I heard him whisper the words "I'm sorry, my son. You always do what is right.". His lifeless body was left there to rot. The guards soon came to get me too, but I was long gone. I took my horse and rode on a vast stepe. I spent my next few years as a stepe bandit, riding along with my horse all over that land. I survived by eating berries and sometimes hunting some game, but nothing big, mostly squirrels and baby boars. I never left the side of my trusty horse and my bow and arrow. They were my allies, my friends, my guides and guardians. 6 years later, I had the good fortune to hear of a archery tournament that was being held in a town nearby. Knewing this was my chance to gain some renown throughout the land, I saddled my horse and I rode as fast as I could to the tournament. Once I got there, I had to spend my last 100 dinars to enter the competition, but I knew it would be worthed. Once they allowed me into the inner courtyard, I was stunned by all the noblemen and noblewomen I saw there. It was a true feast going on, I had never seen in my life so much food in the same place. It was truly tempting to feast myself on a steak and to drink some wine, but I conviced myself that I should attend to the contest first, and after that I would have enough time to enjoy everything else. The sound of some trumpets allerted me to the start of the competition, and as I joined the other participants I couldn't but notice that they were all old warriors, experienced nobles or even bandits. They all had a name for themselves and some renown. I felt a chill when I thought about what would be like if I managed to win against so many well-known adversaries. And it began - the contest was simple, you had 10 arrows to hit 10 targets at a distance of 100 yards. Some of the others looked shocked when they heard the rules, some were confident. But I, I was already used to not wasting arrows while shooting for squirrels 100 yards away, among thousands of branches, leaves and vines. This was truly a kid's play for me. I hit 10 targets out of 10, while the second best managed to hit 7. I have been rewarded by the Lord himself for my performance, I was invited to join the feast. While at the feast, the Lord offered me to be the game poacher of the town. I immediately accepted, knowing that I had to do what I did best - hunt game for people who wanted - and I would get paid for it, while also working for a Lord.
Everything was fine with my new position, but then I heard of Calradia - A distand land where people went to start a new life, to try their luck. I lust for glory and power then surged through my veines, and I knew I had to go there. I took my bow and arrow, my horse, my now 26 years and I took a boat to Calradia. I had left my past self behind, ready to start my new life in a land full of possibilities. Once I got to Calradia, I was stunned. The beauty of this immense land was outstanding. The port in which I arrived was at least 10 times bigger than any town I had ever seen. People were roaming the streets, selling their merchandise, talking or going to the tavern to have a drink. Outside the gates, there was a trading caravan ready to leave to Jelkala, a town on the other side of Calradia. I asked the caravan master about that, and he told me that Jelkala was the capital of the Kingdom of Rhodoks. He offered to take me there for free, as long as I swore to protect the caravan if the situation demanded it. I knew I was skilled with a bow and arrow, and so I accepted his proposition. We travelled for a long time, 4 days and 3 nights before we got to Jelkala. But in this time, I learned a lot about calradia and it's customs, kingdoms and people. There is the Kingdom or Rhodoks, were I was headed, the Kingdom of Vaegirs, the Kingdom of Nords, the Kingdom of Swadia, The Kerghit Khanate and the Sarranid Sultanate. The caravan master told me that if I seeked honor and upholding the rights of the commons, my place was in the Kingdom of Vaegirs, and definitely not in Swadia or Kerghit Khanate. But if I seeked wars and plunderers, my place would be in the Kingdom of Nords. He also advised me to stay away from the bandits roaming the place, especially those near the sea. Because of the rich ports, the sea raiders parties are sometimes overwhelming even lord's armies, because of their strong armors and huge numbers. But I was nowhere near the shore, and that was good news. Now here I am, in Jelkala, in the town's tavern. The inkeeper was kind enough not to charge me for renting a room for tonight, as I don't have any dinars with me. He seemed happy to see another young adventurer, he said I reminded him of me when he first came here. Anyway, I am terribly glad to have a warm bed and a belly full of mead in my first day here. After I spoke with the innkeeper, I decided to take a walk around the city streets. It was so early in the morning there was nobody there, it was just me. I was truly fascinated by the imposing walls and buildings of the town of Jelkala, but the castle inside was truly outstanding. I hope that one day I will be able to rule a town like this on my own. Then I stopped and layed down on the soft, silky grass, the sun beating down upon my face. As I snoozed away, thankful for my fortune, a familliar sound woke me up - the rasp of a blade sliding out of it's scabbard.
I got up, armed my bow and listened for footsteps. Soon I heard one man running from behind me. As I turned around with my arrow armed and ready to fire, I saw that barbarian and I was shocked. It was a giant of a man, truly. Cold chills almost went down my spine when I thought what could happen if he got to me. Before he could even get close, I struck him with my arrow right between his eyes. He fell to the ground and never got back up. I was glad it was over, that first fight since my arrival in Jelkala, even Calradia. While I was looting his body, I found a purse with 100 denars in it. Maybe it was his money, but I was suspecting it was the money given to him by somebody so that he would arrange a suitable end to my life. Anyways, now I had enough to pay for my room and enjoy a warm meal. Suddenly, I heard footsteps again. I armed my bow and turned around, arrow readied, only to see an old man, a merchant of some kind, approach me with his hands raised. He told me he was a merchant there and he needed my help. He said he would tell me who the attacker was and what he wanted, but only after I went with him, as there were many people eavesdropping out in the streets. I followed him to what seemed to be his house. A tiny, dirty cottage somewhere near the edge of the town, lacking even the slightest luxury. He told me he had a job, and there were good money in it. I agreed to listen to his proposition, and he told me his brother was kidnapped by bandits, and he wanted me to rescue him from their hide-out. I accepted, not only for the reward but also for the chance to do some good here, maybe to obtain some renown throughout the land. The merchant instructed me to recruit some volunteers from a nearby village called Ruldi. He told me there are always a few lads looking for a man to lead them into battle, the need for adventure rushing trough them. He mentioned I had to pay them a wage weekly, but that would be no problem right now, as I had enough money to last me more that a week.
The walls of Jelkala behind me, I began travelling to Ruldi first, to recruit some men as instructed. I couldn't but be stunned by the sights around me - on the left a vast plain with incredibly smooth grass, on the right a mountain with snowy peaks. I got so absorbed into the vastness of the landscape around me that I didn't notice that I had already reached Ruldi. It was a small, poor village. About 20 souls were working hard to prepare the harvest, some were enjoying a walk. The kids in the village were all inside their homes, it seemed. Maybe because of the looters that used to pay visits to those kind of villages. Outside the biggest building in the village, there stood the village elder. I approached him, saluted and then I proceeded in asking him about any potential recruits that were stationed in that village. He told me there were 5 of them waiting to be hired, and I told him to bring them right away. They were young lads, maybe to young to know much about the world around them. A mix of fear and eagerness was defining them, both on the inside and on the outside. But they looked pretty strong for their age, muscular enough to hold a great battle axe and fight with it properly. I am no extraordinary general, but those lads were more than necesarry for attacking a bandit hideout. I paid each of them the wage for the next week and then we all proceeded in travelling back to Jelkala. The recruits were a quiet lot, I had nothing to talk about on our way back. It was already late evening when I arrived, I stationed my troops at the local tavern and then went to the merchant's home. He told me that in order to find his brother and his kidnapper's lair, I would have to speak to a bandit, and the easiest way to do that was to capture one after a battle. I nodded and thanked him for the opportunity and then I went back to my room in the tavern. Now it is already late night and I am tired. I have had a truly long day, and tomorrow will be at least the same. I hope I will have a good night's sleep, because those nightmares really managed to wear me out.
Part II
Such fatigue I have never experience before, it seems all these days truly got the best of me. Now, with a belly full of mead and a warm bed, I can finally enjoy a well-earned, good night's sleep. The tavern is empty here in Jelkala, I am the only one. Though I can say I mind this, I do enjoy being alone, listening only to the sound of silence. 4 days ago, the merchant here asked me to find his brother and rescue him from some bandits. That probably was the most dangerous adventure I had ever entered.
It was late afternoon on the 28th of March when I met a small band of bandits roaming the land around Ruldi, waiting for some foolish peasants to rob them of their belongings. I approached them with a peaceful intetion, and I asked them about the merchant's brother. They said that they might have known something, but it would cost me 500 denars. That was an outstanding sum of money, I barely managed to raise 50, and that with the help of 3 people. I couldn't pay them, and me and my party were preparing to leave, when I heard their battle cries. They were attacking us. I drew my bow, armed an arrow and took down the first one in two shots. Then, I ordered my troops to stay close to eachother and prepare for a fight. Even though they were recruits, and they were terribly afraid to fight, they listened to all the advice I had given them. While the bandits were busy trying to kill my men, I was able to circle around them on my horse and I killed 2 more with my bow. I almost hit one of my men once, but I was lucky he saw the arrow and managed to dodge it in time. When we thought the battle was over, we saw another bandit trying to make a run for it. I chased him and knocked him on the ground, while my men captured him. We didn't have much to loot after the battle except for some money, which surely belonged to some unlucky past victims of the bandits. But we were all delighted as it was our first real fight in this world, and we didn't lose any men. Immediately after we burned the bodies, I proceeded on questioning the bandit. He did not seem willing to give away any information, but that convinced me that he knew where the merchant's brother was being kept. I tried to speak to him, promised him his freedom if he told me where to go, but he kept refusing and cursing me. So I decided it was time to give him a good enough scare. I got my men to hold him in position, and I took my bow and arrows. Then I asked him where the merchant's brother was being held. He refused to answer, so I planted an arrow in his knee. Unbelievable screams of pain came out of his mouth. It took him a while to calm down a little bit, but then I asked him again the exact same question. Still no answer, so I had to plant an arrow in his other knee. His screams were so loud and full of suffering I thought wild beasts may be attracted to our camp. Then I asked him again, and he finally told me. The merchant's brother was being held in a bandit hide-out, near the mountains east of Ruldi. I thanked him, had my men pull out the arrow, and them wished him good luck. I knew he couldn't walk and he would probably be eaten alive by wolves, but that was not my problem anymore. He had done enough harm throughout his life that far he didn't deserve to be forgiven. When he had chosen that path, he knew that someday he would have to face the consequences. But then I remembered I had to rescue the merchant's brother, and I had to do it fast.
It was already dusk when we got to the bandit's hideout, and I felt that even though we couldn't assault the hideout with our horses, we had to take the chance. It was dusk, the bandits were probably having a drink now, and it would be our best chance to sucessfully kill them and save our target. I took my men, shortly briefed them about what was my plan, and then we all tried to sneak under the rocks that hid the encampment. We managed to get close to their huts, and, to our fortune, they were all snoozing, their heads resting on huge, emtpy barrels of wine. I knew it was my chance to get rid of them very fast, with no fight. We split up to cover more ground, took our swords out from their scabbards and then we put an end to the misery the bandits were causing to the villagers and travellers around. After all the bandits have been dealt with, we took the bodies and hid them in a cave nearby. While we were looting the place of it's most valuable goods, a man came out running from a tent nearby. I took out my bow and prepared to fire, but then he stopped, raised both his hands above his head and told me he was no bandit, he was the merchant's brother. I knew I couldn't believe him, so I still kept an eye on him. We tied his hands so he cannot try anything that might endanger us and then we proceeded back to Jelkala. We were travelling during the night on our way back, but fortunately nothing happened and we managed to get back in one piece. Back in Jelkala, the merchant was waiting for his brother in front of the tavern, restless to see him in one piece. As we approached him, tears spurted out of his eyes and he ran towards his brother and huugged and kissed him. It truly was a heart-warming moment. After he sent his brother home, the merchant thanked me, gave me a purse overfilled with denars and whispered to my ear - "Meet me at my house. After I leave wait a little before coming, they are watching us. I'll explain everything there". And then he took off. I sat down at a table, enjoyed a cup of mead and then, before I could finish it, I felt that it was time for me to go. I payed the keeper the money I owed him, including my room for another 2 full weeks. The purse I got was truly fill with denars, there were about 3-400 in there, enough for more than a month's pay. I got out of the tavern, and I hit the streets. Dawn was approaching, some slight glimmer of the unseen sun was breaking the horizon. It was still dark in Jelkala, but light enough to see where you were going. Still, I had the feeling somebody was watching me from the safety of darkness. I streched my hand all the way behind my neck, trying to reach my bow. Scared, I then realized my bow was not in my possesion. I might have forgotten it at the tavern, I thought. I turned back, headed for the tavern, but before I could take a step, I heard the chord of a bow streching, arming and arrow, somewhere behind me. I immediately jumped behind a barrel, and that probably saved my life, as the arrow hit the barrel full force. "Get him! He must not escape!" I heard a voice say, and then a stampede of raging bandits, murderers rushing with their swords, clubs and daggers out, eager to feast on my blood. I was terrified, but I knew I had no chance to fight this many enemies. If I had my bow , I would have been able to take out a couple of them and maybe scare them away, but without it, only armed with my short sword, I was doomed. I had to make a run for it to the tavern, in there I could take my bow back and maybe ambush my pursuers. I pushed the barrel towards the bandits as hard as I could and then I took off. A couple of arrows thrusted past me, luckily not hitting me. About 40 yards were left until I reached the tavern's door, when I felt a surge of pain coming from my thigh up to my chest, creating a bulge in my neck. It was a cold feeling, an agonizing pain that made me collapse to the ground. The bastards had hit me with an arrow. I was unable to run anymore, so I tried crawling my way to the tavern. I turned around and pulled out my sword, as I knew they were just behind me, and I had no chance of outrunning them now. The first bandit charged for me, tried to hit me with an overhead swing but I managed to parry his hit and plant my sword deep in his neck. I had taken one out. Then, a sudden feel of dizziness engulfed me, as I saw 2 bandits rushing to get me, ready to cut my head of my shoulders. "I can't escape this" I thought. They were before me, their axes above their heads ready to chop me to pieces. My hand fell weak on the ground while I was giving out my last breaths. I was thinking about my mother, father, how I wished I would have known more. About all the warnings I had received and incompetently ignored. But they didn't. They fell dead to the ground, arrows stuck in the side of their heads. The last bandit tried to run, but he didn't make it too far. Before I passed out, I remember I had seen a group of rangers, maybe 10-12 coming out of nowhere towards me. They were speaking, yelling at eachother, but I didn't understand a thing. I passed out and I didn't remember what happened.
I then woke up somewhere in a cabin in the mountains, not knowing where I was or what had happened. As I opened my eyes I took a deep breath and I enjoyed the fresh air up to the last moment. "He's awake" I heard a voice say. I wanted to move my hands but they hurt. As the rest of my body. It took me a while to realized that I had been tied to what seemed to be a table of some sort. Although foggy, I could distinguish in the distance the silhouettes of some men. Then it struck me again, a terrible pain in my thigh, the same as the one I experienced when I got an arrow in it. "I know it hurts, but it will pass, my friend. I've had many more, and worse, believe me!", the voice said again. I tried to move my head to spot him, as I knew he was behind me, but I could not. I didn't know why, I was unsure whether the pain was excruciating or my head was tied up too."Who are you? Where am I? Why -"
Part II
Such fatigue I have never experience before, it seems all these days truly got the best of me. Now, with a belly full of mead and a warm bed, I can finally enjoy a well-earned, good night's sleep. The tavern is empty here in Jelkala, I am the only one. Though I can say I mind this, I do enjoy being alone, listening only to the sound of silence. 4 days ago, the merchant here asked me to find his brother and rescue him from some bandits. That probably was the most dangerous adventure I had ever entered.
It was late afternoon on the 28th of March when I met a small band of bandits roaming the land around Ruldi, waiting for some foolish peasants to rob them of their belongings. I approached them with a peaceful intetion, and I asked them about the merchant's brother. They said that they might have known something, but it would cost me 500 denars. That was an outstanding sum of money, I barely managed to raise 50, and that with the help of 3 people. I couldn't pay them, and me and my party were preparing to leave, when I heard their battle cries. They were attacking us. I drew my bow, armed an arrow and took down the first one in two shots. Then, I ordered my troops to stay close to eachother and prepare for a fight. Even though they were recruits, and they were terribly afraid to fight, they listened to all the advice I had given them. While the bandits were busy trying to kill my men, I was able to circle around them on my horse and I killed 2 more with my bow. I almost hit one of my men once, but I was lucky he saw the arrow and managed to dodge it in time. When we thought the battle was over, we saw another bandit trying to make a run for it. I chased him and knocked him on the ground, while my men captured him. We didn't have much to loot after the battle except for some money, which surely belonged to some unlucky past victims of the bandits. But we were all delighted as it was our first real fight in this world, and we didn't lose any men. Immediately after we burned the bodies, I proceeded on questioning the bandit. He did not seem willing to give away any information, but that convinced me that he knew where the merchant's brother was being kept. I tried to speak to him, promised him his freedom if he told me where to go, but he kept refusing and cursing me. So I decided it was time to give him a good enough scare. I got my men to hold him in position, and I took my bow and arrows. Then I asked him where the merchant's brother was being held. He refused to answer, so I planted an arrow in his knee. Unbelievable screams of pain came out of his mouth. It took him a while to calm down a little bit, but then I asked him again the exact same question. Still no answer, so I had to plant an arrow in his other knee. His screams were so loud and full of suffering I thought wild beasts may be attracted to our camp. Then I asked him again, and he finally told me. The merchant's brother was being held in a bandit hide-out, near the mountains east of Ruldi. I thanked him, had my men pull out the arrow, and them wished him good luck. I knew he couldn't walk and he would probably be eaten alive by wolves, but that was not my problem anymore. He had done enough harm throughout his life that far he didn't deserve to be forgiven. When he had chosen that path, he knew that someday he would have to face the consequences. But then I remembered I had to rescue the merchant's brother, and I had to do it fast.
It was already dusk when we got to the bandit's hideout, and I felt that even though we couldn't assault the hideout with our horses, we had to take the chance. It was dusk, the bandits were probably having a drink now, and it would be our best chance to sucessfully kill them and save our target. I took my men, shortly briefed them about what was my plan, and then we all tried to sneak under the rocks that hid the encampment. We managed to get close to their huts, and, to our fortune, they were all snoozing, their heads resting on huge, emtpy barrels of wine. I knew it was my chance to get rid of them very fast, with no fight. We split up to cover more ground, took our swords out from their scabbards and then we put an end to the misery the bandits were causing to the villagers and travellers around. After all the bandits have been dealt with, we took the bodies and hid them in a cave nearby. While we were looting the place of it's most valuable goods, a man came out running from a tent nearby. I took out my bow and prepared to fire, but then he stopped, raised both his hands above his head and told me he was no bandit, he was the merchant's brother. I knew I couldn't believe him, so I still kept an eye on him. We tied his hands so he cannot try anything that might endanger us and then we proceeded back to Jelkala. We were travelling during the night on our way back, but fortunately nothing happened and we managed to get back in one piece. Back in Jelkala, the merchant was waiting for his brother in front of the tavern, restless to see him in one piece. As we approached him, tears spurted out of his eyes and he ran towards his brother and huugged and kissed him. It truly was a heart-warming moment. After he sent his brother home, the merchant thanked me, gave me a purse overfilled with denars and whispered to my ear - "Meet me at my house. After I leave wait a little before coming, they are watching us. I'll explain everything there". And then he took off. I sat down at a table, enjoyed a cup of mead and then, before I could finish it, I felt that it was time for me to go. I payed the keeper the money I owed him, including my room for another 2 full weeks. The purse I got was truly fill with denars, there were about 3-400 in there, enough for more than a month's pay. I got out of the tavern, and I hit the streets. Dawn was approaching, some slight glimmer of the unseen sun was breaking the horizon. It was still dark in Jelkala, but light enough to see where you were going. Still, I had the feeling somebody was watching me from the safety of darkness. I streched my hand all the way behind my neck, trying to reach my bow. Scared, I then realized my bow was not in my possesion. I might have forgotten it at the tavern, I thought. I turned back, headed for the tavern, but before I could take a step, I heard the chord of a bow streching, arming and arrow, somewhere behind me. I immediately jumped behind a barrel, and that probably saved my life, as the arrow hit the barrel full force. "Get him! He must not escape!" I heard a voice say, and then a stampede of raging bandits, murderers rushing with their swords, clubs and daggers out, eager to feast on my blood. I was terrified, but I knew I had no chance to fight this many enemies. If I had my bow , I would have been able to take out a couple of them and maybe scare them away, but without it, only armed with my short sword, I was doomed. I had to make a run for it to the tavern, in there I could take my bow back and maybe ambush my pursuers. I pushed the barrel towards the bandits as hard as I could and then I took off. A couple of arrows thrusted past me, luckily not hitting me. About 40 yards were left until I reached the tavern's door, when I felt a surge of pain coming from my thigh up to my chest, creating a bulge in my neck. It was a cold feeling, an agonizing pain that made me collapse to the ground. The bastards had hit me with an arrow. I was unable to run anymore, so I tried crawling my way to the tavern. I turned around and pulled out my sword, as I knew they were just behind me, and I had no chance of outrunning them now. The first bandit charged for me, tried to hit me with an overhead swing but I managed to parry his hit and plant my sword deep in his neck. I had taken one out. Then, a sudden feel of dizziness engulfed me, as I saw 2 bandits rushing to get me, ready to cut my head of my shoulders. "I can't escape this" I thought. They were before me, their axes above their heads ready to chop me to pieces. My hand fell weak on the ground while I was giving out my last breaths. I was thinking about my mother, father, how I wished I would have known more. About all the warnings I had received and incompetently ignored. But they didn't. They fell dead to the ground, arrows stuck in the side of their heads. The last bandit tried to run, but he didn't make it too far. Before I passed out, I remember I had seen a group of rangers, maybe 10-12 coming out of nowhere towards me. They were speaking, yelling at eachother, but I didn't understand a thing. I passed out and I didn't remember what happened.
I then woke up somewhere in a cabin in the mountains, not knowing where I was or what had happened. As I opened my eyes I took a deep breath and I enjoyed the fresh air up to the last moment. "He's awake" I heard a voice say. I wanted to move my hands but they hurt. As the rest of my body. It took me a while to realized that I had been tied to what seemed to be a table of some sort. Although foggy, I could distinguish in the distance the silhouettes of some men. Then it struck me again, a terrible pain in my thigh, the same as the one I experienced when I got an arrow in it. "I know it hurts, but it will pass, my friend. I've had many more, and worse, believe me!", the voice said again. I tried to move my head to spot him, as I knew he was behind me, but I could not. I didn't know why, I was unsure whether the pain was excruciating or my head was tied up too."Who are you? Where am I? Why -"
"You're alive and the bandits are dead. Does it matter? Aren't you pleased with this?"
"Why am I tied?"
"You're not" - I tried to move but I couldn't. I still felt the bonds keeping me still.
"What do you mean I'm not tied? Then why can't I move?" - I was struggling to move my body, I felt some drops of sweat pouring on the sides of my head. "You are under the influence of Aesther Sleptica. Our alchemists told us they were no harm, but strong enough to keep a man down. We had to use it. For our safety. What's your name?"
"What do you mean I'm not tied? Then why can't I move?" - I was struggling to move my body, I felt some drops of sweat pouring on the sides of my head. "You are under the influence of Aesther Sleptica. Our alchemists told us they were no harm, but strong enough to keep a man down. We had to use it. For our safety. What's your name?"
"Why do you care?" I screamed. I couldn't believe I couldn't move. "What's Ether Sleep?"
"Aether Sleptica. It's a plant. Herb, used in alchemy. We brewed a potion and gave it to you. What's your name?"
"Tell me who you are and I will tell you my name"
"You're in no position to ask for deals. I am the one asking questions. This is the last time I ask you, what - is - your - name"
I didn't trust the man and I didn't want to tell him my name. "Can I leave?"
Then it struck me. The man punched me in my stomach. It didn't hurt too bad, but I lost my breath. It was enough to signal me I had to change my way.
"I - ask - the questions. Again, what is your name?"
"Hadvar. Hadvar's my name."
"Good, Hadvar. Now, what were you doing in Jelkala?"
I told him about the merchant, about his brother and how I forgot my bow in the tavern the last night I remembered. In the meanwhile, I managed to turn my head, but I realized I did not see too good either. I could distinguish a tall silhouette, with what seemed to be long hair, just like mine. It seemed to be black, but I couldn't be sure because it was all so blurred out. He just stood there while I spoke and nodded constantly. Eventually, he broke the silence.
"Do you know why we saved you? Do you, Hadvar?"
"No. I don't. Why didn't you let me die?"
"We need your help. We need a man who is not known, who is ready to do anything, and who is a skilled archer. We have been tracking you since your arrival here, in Calradia. We need a ruthless murderer. A swift warrior. A dead-eye archer. We need somebody to kill the King"
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