Chapter 4: Survival

I burst through the open entrance to the mines and collapsed on the ground.

Some of the guards and miners were looking at me. There was a half-circle of magicians wearing long armored robes standing in front and chanting.

The magicians stopped chanting as I fell and stared at me.

I slowly stood up while panting harder than ever. My tears wouldn't stop flowing.

"Well look at that. You saw something horrible, didn't you, kid? I told you that he-"

"SHUT UP, YOU ROTTEN BASTARD!" I screamed at the knight captain. "He was still alive! The dragon had retreated temporarily but my father lost one of his legs! He would have lived if you had just helped!!"

The knight captain looked genuinely surprised to hear this. But not enough to show that he cared about my father's fate.

He sighed.

"Just get out of here. Go home. We have work to do," he spoke casually.

The mages had resumed chanting and I was definitely standing in their line of fire. I walked between them to the lift that had originally brought us down here. The foreman at the top gave a hand signal to one of his men and hoisted me back up.

When I was out, I began to slowly walk home. There was a loud explosion behind me and the reverberating sound of rocks falling and caves collapsing.

He's truly gone...

The sun was setting as I walked home. I took my time and moved slowly. I fastened the satchel around my waist and pulled my shirt down to hide it.

When it started getting dark out, I realized that my head was killing me. I must have fallen pretty hard back there. I had bruises on my arms and shoulders. Dried blood all over my face mixed with the still-flowing tears.

I must be so pathetic whimpering like a child...but I can't help it...

By the time the sun had completely gone down, I stood in front of our house. I pulled the spare key from my pocket and unlocked the door.

As I closed it behind me and locked it, memories of better times danced in my head. Morning exercises, sword training, joking around. Even the meals we had shared. He wasn't just my Dad, he was my best friend. My only friend. He taught me everything I knew.

I walked upstairs to the bathroom and started running water into the tub. The innovations made by the dwarven kingdom truly made life a lot easier. Irrigation systems using underground pipes and water crystals allowed fresh water to be delivered right into one's own home. Even at different temperatures.

I took my armor and clothing off then sat in the tub. As I slowly washed myself, the water began to turn reddish with blood.

When I had cleaned myself off enough, I got out and dressed my wounds.

I stood in front of the mirror and stared at my face. I looked like an injured kid with no hope left at all.

After that, I dressed myself in clean clothes and went to my room.

"Tomorrow when I wake up, I'll get everything important together," I said to myself.

I plopped down on the bed and curled up under the covers. As I lay there, I felt the tears forming again.

I need to stop crying...but I just want to let it all out...

* * *

The scene kept replaying over and over in my dreams. Each time I would try something new. Each time I would fail.

Eventually, I just gave up...

Soon after that, I opened my eyes.

As I lay awake staring at the ceiling, it took me a moment to process what I had seen in my dreams. Each time I fought the dragon, I lost. I was weak.

Far too weak to stand anywhere near it.

Although oddly enough, it felt like I wasn't the one fighting in my dreams.

I slowly got out of bed. The satchel that father gave me had been clutched in my arms while I slept.

I think I'll hold onto this thing for the entirety of the foreseeable future.

I made my way downstairs to the living room. At the same time, I kept expecting to see my father in any part of the house.

I can't forget him, but I need to move on.

I felt horribly depressed and lonely at the moment, but I couldn't let it slow me down. If I was unmotivated, I would die.

I had to stay alive for him.

I moved the bookcase away from the wall to reveal a patch that had been painted over. I kicked it in and reached into the hole. There was a small box with several papers in it. I made sure to check if that was everything and found it to be true.

These are the Iratus family documents that my Dad wanted me to protect. They were papers stating that he was the head of the family. Notarized with his official seal. Others stated Karia, my mother, and me as honorary, and as a descendant blood-related son.

I folded the documents carefully and used the key my father had given me to open the satchel. When I opened it, I saw several notes and letters neatly tucked into the side, as well as several objects that looked valuable. There was also a stack of coupons tired together with a piece of string along with the pouch he had placed there himself.

If memory served correctly...

I ignored everything else and pulled out a letter titled 'for a rainy day' on the envelope.

Then I opened it up and began reading.

This is Duke (Sir) Ulysses Iratus, head of the Iratus family household. The governing party of Noir, of the country known as Kalsa.

Mizik, if you're reading this, it means you either picked the lock on my satchel or that I am no longer among the living. If it is the latter, follow the instructions written. If it is the former, you're in big trouble, mister.

I couldn't help but smile a bit at reading it.

I wished things could have ended differently.

First off, in my satchel, there is an object that looks like an emerald gemstone. It isn't. Actually, it's practically worthless to anyone but a certain man. A collector of odd trinkets. He will pay you a great sum of money for it if you present it to him with this note and hand him the small certificate enclosed. Keep that money safe!

He will give you a sword as well. His name is Mason Argus. You can find him at the pawnshop between a bar called 'The Lucky Lunatic' and a crappy sword shop called 'Stabby's Stabbers'. Real genius name, I have to admit.

After you take what Mason has for you, give him my regards.

Next, you need to get back to Kalsa. Go to the city of Noir and present the gatekeeper of the Iratus family estate with the important family documents from behind the bookcase. Once that happens, you should be good to go for the rest of your life, as long as everyone plays by the rules. Those documents label you as the next head of the family. The Iratus family legacy rests upon your shoulders. I hope you're ready.

Sincerely, your father, Duke (Sir) Ulysses Iratus.

P.s. Politics are quite tiresome, but you will have allies. Keep your guard up, and don't let anyone use you. Always remember that if a woman you've never met tries to seduce you, she wants something other than love. Trust your judgment. Also, be careful around a man named 'Tyranus'. He is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!

"Hmm," I managed out loud.

There was a small certificate attached at the bottom.

'Genuine paperweight previously owned and used by: Duke (Sir) Ulysses Iratus.'

Okay...

I placed the letter and certificate back into the satchel.

I was going to be the next head of the family? It sounded too good to be true.

And who was Tyranus?

Either way, I needed to get to Noir. And if I could help it, I should avoid talking to anyone.

I put my armor on, then got my sword and buckler shield ready. I figured that I would be alright as long as I was armed.

* * *

I saw the two establishments listed in the letter. 'The Lucky Lunatic' and 'Stabby's Stabbers'.

There was only a narrow alleyway between the two buildings.

I guess I'll just assume it's in the back?

I walked through the alleyway. A bit far back, I saw two large men kicking the shit out of a smaller man. They seemed to be enjoying themselves. I quickly continued onward when I heard a voice behind me.

"Heya kid! Fancy seeing someone so young back here! What's in the sack you got there?"

He had noticed the satchel despite my efforts to hide it.

"Just some family papers and such... Don't mind me. I just need to deliver something to someone..."

"Reeeeaalllly? Are you suuurre? I might have to take a look to make sure you ain't lying to me. Right, Dak?" The slightly larger and bald man said to the other man.

"Heheh, yeah. Let's take a look-see," the sleazy guy said.

I really can't be bothered by you guys at the moment. If I lose the satchel, I lose everything!

I turned and bolted at full speed towards the end of the alleyway. There was a door with a small faded sign on the wall next to it. I immediately ran inside without reading it.

I noticed that there were strange objects of every kind all over the place. But I had no time to admire them. I heard the heavy footsteps of the two goons outside, so I hid behind one of the shelves. The shop was dimly lit with candles burning all over the place. It smelled old and dusty and was heavily cluttered. The door burst open and in walked the two men that were chasing me.

As the two men came in, I heard a voice call out to them.

"Welcome to Mason's pawn shop. I'm Mason. How can I be of service to you two ugly-as-sin freaks of nature?"

Immediately the bald man walked straight up to the short guy at the counter and shouted at him.

"You tryna start a fight lil' man?"

"Of course not! But now that I have your attention, can I perhaps sell you something interesting?"

The bald guy looked confused for a moment.

Is this some kind of twisted marketing scheme?

Mason walked out from behind the counter and bowed to the two men. He had a cane in his right hand. He was only a bit taller than I was and seemed rather stocky. He had a greasy smile on his face that said 'I'd even sell my own sister if I had one!'

"You gonna try something, pal? I'd advise against it if I was you. We're adventurers, ya know?" The sleazy man said.

"Why, I wouldn't dream of it! It's just...well...I couldn't help but notice you were chasing someone into my store. I saw his eyes, see? Green like a gem. A very close friend of mine happens to have a kid that looks just like him. I'd be very cross if anything happened to a friend's kid, understand?" Mason said with a smile.

"The nerve of this guy! He assumed we wanted to hurt the kid! I have never been so insulted in my life! That kid's got something of ours, see? I wanted to get it back from him, but he ran in here!" The bald man said.

Mason mulled it over for a bit before nodding.

"Alrighty! I've decided that I don't believe you at all! Instead, how about I give you something for your trouble?" He said.

The two men looked confused.

A curtain in the back opened and a huge muscular woman...I mean massive, ducked under the rod and walked up to the two goons.

"Mason means for you to leave. So here are your gifts." She said.

She punched both of them in rapid succession once in the face, knocking them down. The goons got up and ran out of the store.

"And you must be Mizik!" Mason suddenly exclaimed.

The huge woman walked over to where I had been hiding...and was my hiding spot really that obvious!? She picked me up with one arm and brought me over to Mason.

She sat me down and walked back to the room she came from.

"Don't mind Sheila, she just doesn't tolerate ruffians," Mason said.

"R-right..." I managed.

"Now then, usually Ulysses comes here himself. Since you have his satchel, I'm going to assume he is no longer with us?"

I slowly nodded with my eyes downcast.

"I'm truly sorry to hear that, I am. He was a good friend. Anyways, he said you would have something for me in the event he died, yes?"

I opened the satchel and handed him the letter, certificate, and the green gemstone that apparently wasn't a gemstone. He read the letter and looked at the seal before examining the object.

"This here is Sir Ulysses' paperweight. Made from an emerald green glass. I happen to collect paperweights and have been wanting to add this to my collection. I'll offer you two thousand gold pieces and an enchanted coin pouch to hold it all. Additionally, as per your late father's last wishes, I will bring you a special item in exchange. Does that sound like a good deal?"

I felt like normally this guy would be hard to trust, but if Dad said he was a good guy, I had to believe it.

"Alright, then," I said.

"Sheila, could you grab the items for Ulysses?" He shouted.

The huge woman stepped outside the back room with a sword and a coin pouch in her hands.

The sword looked very well made. It was longer than the one I currently had. It rested in its scabbard. The coin pouch looked like any other cloth pouch someone might use for holding their money.

She handed the sword to me with the money pouch.

"Do I need to count these?" I asked while holding up the pouch.

Mason chuckled in response.

"You can trust me, it's all there. I wouldn't do you wrong. But other shopkeepers? Definitely don't trust 'em!" Mason said.

I decided to take his word for it and extended my hand in thanks.

He shook it and smiled at me.

"You might want this back. I only need the certificate," he said while handing the letter back to me. "I hope he rests well. Your father was a good man."

"Yeah...he was..."

"You should probably go home and rest for a bit, kid. Sheila here will ensure that you have a safe trip."

Sheila smiled at me.

I feel safer already.

The huge woman took me home after that.

On the way home, we talked a bit. Sheila wasn't one for conversing much, but she was apparently of the giants race from the country of Glanmire in the southeast across the sea.

She looked almost eight feet tall.

Although she was considered short by their standards...

Regardless, we got to my house safely and said our goodbyes.

When she departed, I realized that my home might not be the best place to stay for an extended period. I'd only be there until my Dad's guards came back in a few days, thankfully.

I decided to get some of the leftover food in the fridge. It would go bad soon, so I needed to eat up. Luckily I didn't have to go very far to reach the market when I needed more. And I had money to last a while.

I knew how to hunt and prepare my own food as well, thanks to my Dad. Just in case, of course.

At least I would survive.

Things might actually turn out okay.