The Path To Sujuldarfen

The Boy And His Heritage

Chapter 2

The doors were shut behind us. We were walking down a corridor, doors every 5 steps that I took. We would occasionally stumble upon a drunk crewmate or one with an urgency in mind.

We stopped in front of a red door with intricate and beautiful carving on it. In the center hung a golden ring to be used as a knocker. His hands reached out for the door knob and turned it. The door swung open easily without a creak. He steps into the room. A room with bookcases as tall as the walls and a table in the center. A clean desk with an inkpot and a feather holder on the left side and on the right side stood a reading lamp.

I just stood outside the room while he entered and made himself at home. He beckons me to come in, as if he can sense my reluctance in the air, "Come on in and take a seat," He went behind the desk and from there he took out a tray with two ornate silver teacups and a glass teapot. "I hope you like coffee," I stared at him and frowned, "I didn't come here to drink coffee, now tell me how do you know my dad. And what is going to happen?"

He looked up from his cup of coffee and gave me a hard stare. As if he has decided his words, he put his coffee on the table and cleared his throat. "Okay, where do we start....Yes....How do I know your father. We were comrades, brothers in arm, we slayed armies together. He and I, we are in a guild call the Yharfaneam. Our founder, Sir Alvoraz Grax, who I'm sure you've heard of the name before. He was also the founder of Alcorda, the first emperor. Our motive is to protect the Empire with our lives. But that was long ago. What it used to be. Now, our name is not known to many, engulf by the tides of time. Now, we are just a group of mercenaries, assassins, thieves, pirates, you name it. We'll do anything for a price. You've been quiet for quite awhile kid, hard to believe, I assume?" I just listened, didn't want to believe a word he said. The words he said. 'We are now just a group of assassins, mercenaries, thieves, pirates, you name it.' How does he expect me to believe all these?

"I don't believe you. How could my dad, a well known scholar be associated with your...kind," He took a sip from his cup of coffee and clasped his hands together as he leaned down on his leather hide chair. "I had predicted that you would say that. Have you ever seen your father's arms? His right arm, to be precise. If you did I'm sure you would've noticed the tattoo of a saber cat baring its teeth. The saber cat indicates our bond towards the Empire, we are their pets, their hunters. The tattoo was burned into our skins when we were barely 15. It's a mark that can never be erased. Meaning that we are to serve the Empire till our last breath. Even Jodenyses has one," As if to prove it to me, he lifted the sleeve of his right arm and showed me the tattoo of the saber cat, an exact same copy of it. Same as my father's. I stared at his well tanned and muscular arm for awhile." Lost for words now, kid? Everything I told you, is the truth and you best believe it. Because you're going to be the 12th generation leader of our guild,"

" What do you mean I am the 12th generation leader? Why am I entitled to it? I'm not even strong or smart," He looked at me, trying to detect any sarcasm or faked humility. He lifted the tension in the air by clearing his throat, " It's true that you are obviously not strong, but I won't judge your intelligence. After all, you are the son of a famed scholar. You are also going to be staying with us so this will be your home from now on. Me and my crew, we are your new family, like it or not. We will train you, you have 8 months to train for your first mission. It's a mission that's of utmost urgency. And only you can accomplish it. Any more questions?"