The Tide of Total War

Life Lessons

Marcus opens his eyes, with the purple mist in his face again. He waited anxiously to see how he did. As the purple mist fades, the sword was a wooden sword.

"COME ON!!!!" Cried Marcus, "I believe I'm getting worse!"

"It's because of your anxiety and ignorance." Stated Gottfried, "Be more patient. Be more calm. I was just like you when I was king, and how do you think I did it?"

"Pft. Whatever, i'll be back to working on that. I'm going out to the market." Said Marcus, as he walked out the door, shutting it as he continued to the grand cities marketplace.

This was his first time exploring the city. He wanted to explore, see what was there. He continued on the stone street filled with people and houses, he noticed that the day was great and that the people were quite nice. He strolled on into the marketplace alleyway in between two shops. As he walked by, he saw a map and two other alleyways that lead astray from the marketplace surrounded by cloth roofs. He decided to look at the map later, and check what they had at the marketplace. He saw signs of what was in store, like armory, weapons, goods, foods, potions, magic, even horses, and clothes; he needed some clothes because he just realized he is in his battle armor and weapons. He walked up to buy something but was blocked by 3 blonde haired, big eared, fellows.

"Where are you going, smalley?" Said one of the three guys, with a tall face and somehow white eyes?

"I am just simply going to buy some clothes, now move out of the way. I am not in a mood to fight, so back off." Scowled Marcus.

"Hey!! You certainly need to know your place, darkeye." Said the other man, as they rested their hands on their hilts.

"These insults are so abysmal. Do you guys even know what you're doing?" Replied Marcus, pulling out his sword immediately. 

The three men had a glimmer of surprise as they saw Marcus ready to fight, but they didn't back down. The three men pulled out their swords and was ready to fight. Marcus thought this would be an easy battle and swung his sword downward towards the man on the left, the man quickly dodged the slice while the other two kicked Marcus's gut. Marcus flinched a little, but toughed it out, he did a fake swing to the guy on the right, the man turned to dodge, but then Marcus quickly pulled back and went for a stab to the guys gut. The man had amazing agility and quickly dodged that too. The other two swiped down their legs and made Marcus trip, Marcus quickly got up and raised his sword up in defensive stance. By this time the men were cocky and the man in the middle went for a stab. Marcus saw this and slashed down is sword, knocking it out of his hand, then afterward Marcus swung up at the man on the right as he tried to get Marcus, and cut the mans chin quite far. The other man on the left was enraged and was ready to slice Marcus, as the same with Marcus going to get the man as well, until a booming voice stopped the four men from continuing their fight.

"Stop!!!" Boomed Gottfried, "Irvan, Tolthe, and Kharis. There's no need to harm this man, he is my acquaintance."

"Ah, we did not now sir. Our fault for disturbing this human." Said one of the three men,

They walked off, shaking Gottfried's hand and went down the stone street.

"What was that for, we were fighting. And how did they listen to you like that?" Said Marcus, as he sheathed his sword.

"Those are my friends, that's why. They take pride in loyalty." Responded Gottfried, "Do you even know who those gentlemen are?"

"Probably some smiths, or thieves. I don't know." Replied Marcus.

"Aahh... You have much to learn my friend. Come, there is much to tell you, you can buy later."  Stated Gottfried as he gestured Marcus to follow.

Marcus listened and walked with the burly man. Gottfried walked down the stone street, scratching his white, bushy beard.

"Do you know what Elves are, Marcus?"  Questioned Gottfried

"What? That sounds like kid stories, Gottfried."  Responded Marcus.

"Do you even know what races are?" Questioned Gottfried again with a smile

"Yea, black, white, Hispanic. All of those." Replied Marcus, as he had a confuse face.

"No, no." Said Gottfried, "There are Elves, Orcs, Dwarves, Vaalradrians, Lava Walkers. Plenty."

"What are you even talking about? There's no way!" Replied Marcus in the same confused face.

"Did those guys seem a little weird to you?" Asked Gottfried

"Well, everyone here seems a little weird, but that's just their race probably." Replied Marcus.

"Yea, the race of Elves." Corrected Gottfried, " These people have larger ears, and basically slimmer everywhere else. But are quite fast and agile, that's why they could dodge you so easily, you're used to fighting humans. That's why they told you such strange insults. Have you only been at the Capitol?"

"Well... I... Yes.." Said Marcus, as he looked down a little ashamed.

"No need to freight my friend. You now know, and to help you out a little, there is quite some racism between races. Its quite hard to be friends with one another. But as you see... Possible." Responded Gottfried.

"Ahh... This is crazy, I always thought that was children stories." Stated Marcus as he looked bewildered now.

"I'm going to have to show you a lot of stuff, aren't I?" Asked Gottfried

"Sadly," Answered Marcus, "Yes."