"I see you know my name huh, you really ask a lot of questions". Said Mr. Lee whilst smoking his cigar.
"Why would i join a guild in the first place kid". He added.
"To see the world". Aki added
"Wrong!"
"To make profit as an adventurer".
"Wrong again!"
"I have been doing these two things all my life kid, how would it be any different with a group of people i don't know?". The gunslinger asked.
"Because this time you'll work under me". The boy responded while showing him a bag of gemstones and gold.
"There's more where these came from". Aki said while handing him the bag.
"Now you're speaking my language, kid". Lee responded with a smile while adding the bag to his own larger bag on his horse.
"I could get you at least 4 more of this by the end of the year and you would be doing what you've always been doing but for me this time". The boy added.
"Okay kid, lead the way". The gunslinger added.
"This is odd but do you know where i can find someone else to recruit? someone strong". Aki asked.
"I know just the guy". Lee added.
"Once you finish your meal boss, we'll hit the road and go to a lovely place called Oakwood".
In a tavern deep in the town of Oakwood, west of The Capital City. The town is commonly known as a hub for adventurers in the central region. The smell of ale and woodsmoke filled the air.
A knight, his armor black as a starless sky, sits alone at a corner table. His face is rough, scarred with a single slash from the left side of his forehead through his nose and down to the bottom right side of the chin, and his hands are steady as stone.
He lifts his helmet off, sets it down with a dull thud, and raises a large mug of whiskey to his lips.
The tavern host hurries to refill it as chants echo across the room.
"DRAGON SLAYER!!"
"DRAGON SLAYER!!"
"DRAGON SLAYER!!"
The chants get louder and louder and thus the knight responds. Raising his mug up high and the other adventurers shout in excitement as the chants continue and The Black Knight finishes his drink.
The boy and the gunslinger journey through the night with the aid of his map and compass.
"So you're a navigator now?" Lee asked.
"Well i have studied and practiced it". Aki responded.
"Look! There's an inn right there we can spend the night and continue in the morning". Lee asked the boy with concern.
"Nope! I am filled with excitement. There's no sleep in these eyes". Aki added.
As their journey continued they reached Oakwood with the young Aki nearly asleep on his horse.
"Wha.. are we there?" He jumped and asked shaking off the sleep from his eyes.
"Yup". Lee added as he and Aki got off their horses and walked towards the tavern with Lee leading the way.
They tie their horses at the front of the tavern where the other horses are and pay the security a small fee.
"Merlin!!!!" Lee shouts out as he approached the knight.
"How has it been old buddy?". He adds while disposing of his cigarette.
"Get out! I'm not interested in one of your scams Lee". The Black Knight said shrugging off the compliments.
"This isn't a scam, I'm completely honest. This kid here he just made a guild and he's looking for some more members". Said Lee with a smile from ear to ear.
The light off the tavern fires reflecting on his rough pale skin and white hair. Music from the instruments flowing through the air. Adventurers drinking and dancing. He takes a look at the boy and turns away.
"Not interested". He said as he got another mug filled.
"Are you serious, I've come to you with a deal of lifetime, just consider it". Aki shouted as he slammed his hands on the counter.
"So you talk?" Said the knight as he gulped down his ale.
"This guy!" Aki says in frustration and walks away
"C'mon man, just give the kid a chance. I've seen him in action he's quick and strong. He also appears to be trained". Lee added as he tried to convince the knight.
The Knight looks at his old friend and looks at his empty mug and quickly let's out some breathe as he rises from his chair.
"How's the payment? I know that isn't some ordinary kid". The Knight added.
"Yesss! The payment is solid". Lee said as they both walked out of the tavern to meet the boy who was waiting outside. He was standing by their horses his black coat flowing through the air and both his hands placed atop the gemstone on the scepter.
"So what do you say?" Aki asked with a quick turn of his neck.
"I'm in kid".
"The name's Merlin" He added.
"Aki". He responded as they both shook hands.
"Where's your horse?" Aki asked.
"Right there!". Merlin said as he pointed towards a large pitch black Pegasus with large wings carrying atop it the bags, shield and axe of The Black Knight.
"Okay. That is actually cool". Aki added.
"I have never seen one of these before?" Aki adds as he begins rubbing the head of the Pegasus much to Merlin's annoyance.
"Her name is pearl and i would prefer if you stopped doing that". He said as he placed his helmet on his head.
Around a corner close to the tavern. A young elven maid from the tavern takes out the trash and is approached by a human man from behind.
"I have never had elf before. He he he". He says as he grabs her hand and pushes her to the floor.
She struggles to get up firing bursts of air against him but her mana is insufficient and he destroys the attacks with his sword, hurriedly approaching the lady.
THUD!!!
The elf opens her eyes and feels the blood smeared on her face and looks up to see the body of the assaulter headless as it falls to the floor.
"Sorry for the inconvenience Beatrice". Merlin added.
"No worries, once in a while we get stupid bastards like this". Beatrice added cleaning the dirt off her clothes.
The Black Knight removes his axe from the concrete wall dropping the head that sat atop it.
"Now, we can go". He added.
Aki nods his head in approval.
"So where are we going?" Aki asked his two companions.
"Wherever you say boss....wherever you say". Lee added as he drank some whiskey from a bottle.
The three warriors rode on their beasts and headed out of the small town through it's busy streets.