My NPC Adventures, And Other Fairy Tales

A1C4: First Jitters

[Insert song: "Pokemon Centre" medieval version]

Magic, a concept that I know well in terms of conjuring and the its rules of application.

Not that I don't believe in magic, it's just that after thousands of years of failing to produce a physical method of conjuring magic, civilization has parted with the idea and has turned it into nothing but fairy tale for kids, that is how it is on Earth.

But now that I'm hearing about it in this far out world, maybe I did travel inter-dimensions to a video-game.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that right. Magic you said?"

"I believed I mentioned the term; court magician, presuming your status by the looks of that magic mirror in your possession, yes?"

"I know magic in theory" , which is not a lie. After playing video games and such back at the arcade, I definitely have some basic knowledge to magic, "I'm still learning, after all, being an apprentice isn't easy" staring into his eyes, making myself as convincing as possible.

"Really? Then you should be at the capital studying, why you be out here in the waste lands?"

"Like I said before, me and my friend were exploring the country before we got separated. As a matter of fact, I haven't found her at all, will you help me look for her?"

"I will be glad to help. But in exchange, can you help ensure the safety of my companions in investigating the demon of the Atrium?"

"I'll do what I can."

And with that, my odds of finding Alexis have increased, now all I have to worry about is dealing with a demon. I don't know how strong demons are, but I sure hope that they're friendly.

Having been well rested to be able to stand, I take this chance to walk around the camp. 

*

[The camp was spread out in a spiral manner, the tent in which Niko found himself was located in the near center of camp. Most of the campers had restrained themselves from approaching  him, only to stare from afar caring on with their daily tasks. With each passing tent, gave the opportunity to many of them to greet him with questions and salutations. 

As the fellow boy took in his surroundings, the answer to his own doubt answered him with a harsh reality. Although he didn't time travel, the discovery in which he found himself trapped in a video-game terrified him. Yet the sense of adventure excited him so. 

Coming upon a make-shift shack, with a kiln at it side, a smith can be seen hammering down upon a strap of metal unknown to Niko. But what intrigued him so was the process of which the metal was forming the shape of a 'spatha' blade in a speed he never saw before. Before each beat upon the blade, the hammer itself  glowed in small blue pulses.]

"The smith hammers the blade with magic so that he can craft faster. He's making fine blades for the upcoming expedition to the Atrium", says Mattox walking up to Niko. 

"Is that so?"

"Un."

Not taking off my eyes off the mesmerizing sparks of metal flying off, the soft glow of the blade, and the beat of the hammer that resembles that of a drum. I felt a sense of nostalgia and a tune I haven't heard in a while. How did it go?... 

Fiiiii dle fiddle fiiii dle fiii !!!

Turning around, to the sound of a fiddle, an old man is found upon a stool too low to sit on. His fingers fly along the neck of the fiddle, spindling progressions and broken cords. 

......

*

Meanwhile...

*

"Bailiff, what exactly is he? No other foreign civilian ever explores these regions further inland unless they have a motive", says one of elderly.

"That I do know. But the items that he possess are magical, but he treats them as if they are simple toys. His accent is unique yet it appears he has nothing to give", says another.

"He also said that he lost his companion, that could also mean that he's being searched for", replies the third.

"Bailiff, can we trust him?"

Around a large tent, six camp members in their elderly age all gaze at Baillif with expectancy, as they question the presence of the newcomer and his intentions, after being found in the wastelands bordering Kingdom.

"I don't know. But he does call himself an apprentice of sorts having to do with magic. I proposed him an offer to inspect the Atrium for potential dangers. If he falls to his demise, we will move the settlement but this time east."

"But if he succeeds?"

"I just hope he doesn't ", says Bailiff, "The nobility will show no mercy to us, if he is being pursued. In this case, making us the traitors and bearer of sheltering a fugitive."

"What if he's not?" says a voice among the group.

With all their gazes turning  to the owner of the reply, Baillif walks over in slow steps towards the elder woman whose eyes have turned grey with time.

"If he is not a fugitive, you say, Kail?"

"He can be of great contribution if we persuade him. He can teach us about magic where others cannot."

"That is a bold choice to share with us, Kail. We will be executed if the nobility found out that someone has been educating the people of commons magic."

"Baillif, how about a wager?"

"There will be no wager, Kail. I know your ways."

"Explain yourself Baillif."

"He will be accompanying the rest of the group towards the Atrium in a few days. If a scout from Kingdom is found upon these lands, in such time, we will abandon him. But if none are to be seen in the next following days, he is to be your responsibility."

"You truly want hate Kingdom to this extent?"

"I wash my hands of them and their creed. This boy will be your burden to bear."

"Suite yourself. And on that note, the children seem to like him."

"I can't stop the children from being curious, but if they start acting out without judgment, there will be consequences to pay", standing up towards Kail, " And as I say on behalf of everyone here on this council, we protect our own."  

"If that's what you all want then. He will be my burden to bear."