The Unwanted King

Chapter 1: The Encounter

The building was tattered and worn, yet still held an unmistakable charm. It was two stories in height, with the first-floor a tavern and the second story housing an inn for anyone with a purse. The places where the wood was beginning to rot were in plain view, yet it was ignored by almost all. It was a place to drink after all. The slightly cracked glass and mossy railings only added a little bit of character to it. The sign above the door read "The Feasting Boar, Tavern and Inn" with a golden boar faintly painted across the oak sign, the paint cracking and peeling.

A young girl, not yet twenty, stood just outside the tavern door. Her auburn hair was pulled back into a poorly kept ponytail, brushing against the small leather bag she had slung over her two shoulders that she had to adjust slightly, keeping it from falling off. Her sky-blue eyes scanned the sign yet again as she made sure that she had the name correct, checking a scrap of paper in her hand. She smiled as she realized it was right and opened the door, entering the tavern.

She had been told that The Feasting Boar was a gathering place for strong adventures and ruthless mercenary groups, and it seemed the rumors were true. She could see members from famous parties and infamous groups. There was one of the leading members of Spearhead Lions, a famous adventurer guild, Heidal Tranvia. He was said to have felled a Hydra with a makeshift wooden spear made out of driftwood and a dire wolf's fang. There were also elite members of The Claw mercenary group, who were accused of toppling a monarchy in just a week.

She settled in on Heidal, deciding that he looked the most trustworthy out of the patrons there. She strode over to him, hiding her nerves with an overcompensation in a straight-back posture. Heidal was in the middle of having a bout with his party about the best way to wring a goblin's neck. Some of them said it was best to grab them from behind when they were unsuspecting as to keep it quiet, while others voiced grappling them from head-on as they were too weak to fight back. Due to his size, it was easy to tell that Heidal was in the latter group.

She lightly tapped Heidal on the shoulder, gaining a halfway-turned gaze with an annoyed scowl to match.

"I don't mean to bother you sir, but I was just wondering if I could get a moment of your time," She asked as politely as possible, dissuading the urge to curtsy from her mind. She could practically feel the annoyance grow inside Heidal.

"What is it girlie?" he asked dryly. She nodded.

"My name's Annabelle sir, and I've come looking for a party to take me in. An apprentice of sorts," explained Annabelle pleadingly, hoping that Heidal would take a liking to her.

"Like hell girlie, I don't got time or conscious to teach some cloud-headed twit how to swing a sword," he rudely answered, cutting off any further points of conversation with her. Annabelle nodded solemnly; she had gotten used to accepting rejections from possible teachers. She had tried upwards of ten different possible masters, each one denying her quicker than the last. She went around the room, asking any and every able-bodied patron for their tutelage. She remained unsuccessful in her efforts throughout the tavern. Defeated, she made her way over to the bar table, past the various famous, and infamous, faces that surrounded her. When she got to the bar, a man with a burly build and an unkempt mess of a beard greeted her with a glass.

"What can I get for ya?" his voice was rough and worn like he had gotten too used to yelling, and talking quietly had become difficult for him. His thick Goltunian accent made Annabelle a little unsure of what he had just asked. Even though she had been in the southern country for a while, the accent still threw her for a loop sometimes, especially when they were as strong as his

"Just water for now is fine," replied Annabelle politely. The bartender chuckled to himself quietly as he poured her drink. "I have a question for you bartender," she stated quickly. The bartender raised an eyebrow in her direction. "I'm looking for someone to train me, to make me stronger. You know almost everyone in here, is there anyone looking for an apprentice?" she asked it with the utmost confidence in herself that the bartender couldn't help but stifle a laugh. He had seen her wander around the bar, failing at her attempts.