The Beloved Traveller

Chapter 4 - The Satchel

After being humiliated and challenged to a duel by Wber, Yutama returned home when it became dark with the thought of failure on his mind. "I don't want to duel Wber but he offered one thousand credits" he sighed. When he looked at the satchel in the corner he went it and picked it up to lay on the table and stared at it. While in deep thought a set of words came into mind "Whatever you do please don't let this fall into enemy hands, we shall meet again" it spoke clearly. "What is so special about this bag" he began questioning as he searched the satchel.

Eventually, he pulled out pencils, paper, two books, an amulet, and an enclosed box. Picking up the unusual box looking on it for clues and found a message "Those with a pure heart may open the box, those who don't must never gain this item" the writings said. "Those of pure heart, what does that mean?" Yutama then looked at the two books one seemed to be an ordinary journal and the other had inscriptions all over the cover as he tried opening the second book a bolt of lightning shot out of it hitting him in the chest as he flew into the wall. "G-gah" he panted holding his chest trying to regain his breath and when his hand moved a brunt hole had been made into his shirt.

The book with inscriptions had stayed on the table as he got up to approach it again and with a determined look, he tried to open it once again and got struck by lightning. "O-ouch ok I get it I'm not meant to open it" he panted harder than before as he placed everything back inside the satchel and changed his clothes. He picked up the amulet as it opened revealing a picture of an old man on one side and a woman on the other side feeling the gold engravings on the outside seeing his reflection in the blue gem. "Maybe I can sell the items in the morning" he stated laying in the bed as the legs broke causing them to fall on the floor. With a sigh of disappointment, he went to sleep.

A light began to emit from the satchel during the night as a pair of glowing hands appear and then it takes the form of a human. It felt around the room and crawled its way to Yutama and touched his head transmitting a message into his dream "Run, don't let them get the book or box" the glowing figure said as it vanished and the satchel fell on the ground. Yutama awoke panting as he searched the room "Who's there?" he said. No one replied while he stepped backward and tripped over the satchel "First you zap me, now you trip me" he threw the bag.

"The king wanted the satchel so if I give it to him I can get rid of it and charge him" he stated. "Looks like I have to beat Wber now to get some credits for the trip then" is what he thought but knew it was easier said than done. Without a moment of hesitation, Yutama began to train for the duel he set up three targets and ran across the room trying to hit each target. The rocks that were thrown managed to hit the targets but none were a bullseyes as he began he exercise again trying to perfect it. Target training ends up taking the rest of his night as lays passed out on the floor from exhaustion "Ok I think that ends my training" he panted.

Deep down Yutama knew simple target practice would not be enough but he decided to go back to bed anyway sleeping for half the day. Whenever he awoke he looked towards the satchel and pulls out the journal and opens it reading the first page.   

"Hello, reader if you have this book then I entrusted you to carry on my legacy. You must have many questions so I have written everything you need to know in this book, who I am, what's my purpose, and why the nation is targeting me. But please bear with me the information in this book has top secret information so in order to continue my story, you must agree to take on the role of my successor. As my successor, you must fulfill the duties I have failed in order to protect the world. I understand it is a large role to take on so take your time in considering it and if you decide to join me by signing your name in your blood the seal will be undone. *Note the seal will only unlock for those who have no intention of harming the land*."

"Become his successor?" said Yutama "Is he the one I heard they labeled as a rogue mage in Letev Forest," he asked. "Sounds like a lot of work he closed the journal placing it in the satchel and stands up. His stomach began to growl as he held it frowning "I need food, but I'm so broke" he whined. "Maybe I can get Wber to buy me more food as he smiled and ran out of the door.

The search for Wber began when as he searched all over the village for him. After a couple of hours Yutama sat near a well "Where is he I'm starving" he cried out looking into the well. While looking into the well he smirked with a bright idea, he left the well and came back with rope and a bucket and tied the rope around a nearby tree, and threw the rest inside the well. Once the rope hit the bottom of the well he began climbing down "Ramen money here I come!" he said eagerly as he started filling the bucket completely with credits.

"I'm eating at a buffet today he laughed starting to climb back up. Wber appeared minding his own business and noticed the rope and untied it from the tree "Who left this trash here?" Wber questioned. The rope got lighter as he saw the end coming toward him as he fell back screaming. Wber heard this and ran to the well and saw Yutama "Stealing from the well again" he said disappointedly as he handed him the rope to help him out. "Well if you would be around when I'm hungry this wouldn't be a problem" Yutama fought. "I am not your baby sister now stop being a lazy stack of potatoes and do something with your life!" Wber fought back as the two argued.

"Stop stealing from wells and I'll buy you lunch ok, but you must take on a mission for me deal?" Wber asked. "Sure thing, what kind of mission is it and more importantly what are we eating" Yutama smiled. "You really are useless sometimes, we will discuss it more over lunch" Wber added.